bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cigarette taxation and neonatal and infant mortality: A longitudinal analysis of 159 countries
Authors: Radó Márta K. , Laverty Anthony A. , Hone Thomas , Chang Kiara , Jawad Mohammed , Millett Christopher , Been Jasper V. , Filippidis Filippos T.
Published: March 2022

Previous studies on the associations between cigarette taxes and infant survival have all been in high-income countries and did not examine the relative benefits of different taxation levels and structures. We evaluated longitudinal associations of cigarette taxes with neonatal and infant mortality globally. We applied country-level panel regressions using 2008–2018 annual mortality and biennial WHO tobacco taxation data. Complete data was available for 159 countries. Outcomes were neonatal and infant mortality. We conducted analyses by type of taxes (i.e. specific cigarette taxes, ad valorem taxes, and other taxes, import duties and VAT) and the income group classification of countries. Covariates included scores for other WHO recommended tobacco control policies, socioeconomic, health-care, and air quality measures. Secondary analyses investigated the associations between cigarette tax and cigarette consumption. We found that a 10 percentage-point increase in total cigarette tax as a percentage of the retail price was associated with a 2.6% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.9% to 3.2%) decrease in neonatal mortality and a 1.9% (95% CI: 1.3% to 2.6%) decrease in infant mortality globally. Estimates were similar for both excise and ad valorem taxes. We estimated that 231,220 (95% CI: 152,658 to 307,655) infant deaths could have been averted in 2018 if all countries had total cigarette tax at least 75%. 99.2% of these averted deaths would have been in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The secondary analysis supported causal interpretation of results by finding that a 10 percentage-point increase in taxes was associated with a reduction of 94.6 (95% CI: 32.7 to 156.5) in annual cigarette consumption per capita. Although causal inference is precarious due to the quasi-experimental design, we used a robust analytical approach and focused on within-country changes. Limitations include an inability to include data on roll-your-own tobacco, other forms of tobacco use, and reliance on taxation data only for the cigarette brands most sold in each country. In line with limited existing evidence conducted in HICs, we found that raising taxes on tobacco was associated with a reduction in neonatal and infant mortality globally. Implementing recommended levels of taxation in LMICs should be a priority since this is where the lowest levels of taxation and the largest potential infant mortality benefits exist.
Evaluating COVID-19 decision-making in a humanitarian setting: The case study of Somalia
Authors: Warsame Abdihamid , Fuje Mohamed , Checchi Francesco , Blanchet Karl , Palmer Jennifer
Published: March 2022

The global COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented in its scope and impact. While a great deal of research has been directed towards the response in high-income countries, relatively little is known about the way in which decision-makers in low-income and crisis-affected countries have contended with the epidemic. Through use of an a priori decision framework, we aimed to evaluate the process of policy and operational decision-making in relation to the COVID-19 response in Somalia, a chronically fragile country, focusing particularly on the use of information and the role of transparency. We undertook a desk review, observed a number of key decision-making fora and conducted a series of key informant and focus group discussions with a range of decision-makers including state authority, civil society, humanitarian and development actors. We found that nearly all actors struggled to make sense of the scale of the epidemic and form an appropriate response. Decisions made during the early months had a large impact on the course of the epidemic response. Decision-makers relied heavily on international norms and were constrained by a number of factors within the political environment including resource limitations, political contestation and low population adherence to response measures. Important aspects of the response suffered from a transparency deficit and would have benefitted from more inclusive decision-making. Development of decision support tools appropriate for crisis-affected settings that explicitly deal with individual and environmental decision factors could lead to more effective and timely epidemic response.
Metabolomics and transcriptomics unravel the mechanism of browning resistance in Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Cai Zhi-Xin , Chen Mei-Yuan , Lu Yuan-Ping , Guo Zhong-Jie , Zeng Zhi-Heng , Liao Jian-Hua , Zeng Hui
Published: March 2022

Agaricus bisporus is widely consumed on the world market. The easy browning of mushroom surface is one of the most intuitive factors affecting consumer purchase. A certain cognition on browning mechanism has been made after years of research. At present, people slow down the browning of mushrooms mainly by improving preservation methods. In addition, breeding is also a reliable way. In the production practice, we have identified some browning-resistant varieties, and we selected a browning-resistant variety to compare with an ordinary variety to reveal the resistance mechanism. Using transcriptomics and metabolomics, the differences in gene expression and metabolite levels were revealed, respectively. The results showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) like AbPPO4, AbPPO3 and AbPPO2 were differently expressed and these DEGs were involved in many pathways related to browning. The expression of AbPPO expression play an important role in the browning of A. bisporus and multiple PPO family members are involved in the regulation of browning. However, the resistance to browning cannot be judged only by the expression level of AbPPOs. For metabolomics, most of the different metabolites were organic acids. These organic acids had a higher level in anti-browning (BT) than easy-browning varieties (BS), although the profile was very heterogeneous. On the contrary, the content of trehalose in BS was significantly higher than that in BT. Higher organic acids decreased pH and further inhibited PPO activity. In addition, the BS had a higher content of trehalose, which might play roles in maintaining PPO activity. The difference of browning resistance between BS and BT is mainly due to the differential regulation mechanism of PPO.
Uncertainty and precaution in hunting wolves twice in a year
Authors: Treves Adrian , Louchouarn Naomi X.
Published: March 2022

When humanity confronts the risk of extinction of species, many people invoke precautions, especially in the face of uncertainty. Although precautionary approaches are value judgments, the optimal design and effect of precautions or lack thereof are scientific questions. We investigated Wisconsin gray wolves Canis lupus facing a second wolf-hunt in November 2021 and use three legal thresholds as the societal value judgments about precautions: (1) the 1999 population goal, 350 wolves, (2) the threshold for statutory listing under the state threatened and endangered species act, 250 wolves; and (3) state extirpation <2 wolves. This allows us to explore the quantitative relationship between precaution and uncertainty. Working from estimates of the size wolf population in April 2021 and reproduction to November, we constructed a simple linear model with uninformative priors for the period April 2021-April 2022 including an uncertain wolf-hunt in November 2021. Our first result is that the state government under-counted wolf deaths in the year preceding both wolf-hunts. We recommend better scientific analysis be used when setting wolf-hunt quotas. We find official recommendations for a quota for the November 2021 wolf-hunt risk undesirable outcomes. Even a quota of zero has a 13% chance of crossing threshold 1. Therefore, a zero death toll would be precautionary. Proponents for high quotas bear the burden of proof that their estimates are accurate, precise, and reproducible. We discuss why our approach is transferable to non-wolves. We show how scientists have the tools and concepts for quantifying and explaining the probabilities of crossing thresholds set by laws or other social norms. We recommend that scientists grapple with data gaps by explaining what the uncertainty means for policy and the public including the consequences of being wrong.
Clinical and analytical validation of FoundationOne®CDx, a comprehensive genomic profiling assay for solid tumors
Authors: Milbury Coren A. , Creeden James , Yip Wai-Ki , Smith David L. , Pattani Varun , Maxwell Kristi , Sawchyn Bethany , Gjoerup Ole , Meng Wei , Skoletsky Joel , Concepcion Alvin D. , Tang Yanhua , Bai Xiaobo , Dewal Ninad , Ma Pei , Bailey Shannon T. , Thornton James , Pavlick Dean C. , Frampton Garrett M. , Lieber Daniel , White Jared , Burns Christine , Vietz Christine
Published: March 2022

FoundationOne®CDx (F1CDx) is a United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved companion diagnostic test to identify patients who may benefit from treatment in accordance with the approved therapeutic product labeling for 28 drug therapies. F1CDx utilizes next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) technology to examine 324 cancer genes in solid tumors. F1CDx reports known and likely pathogenic short variants (SVs), copy number alterations (CNAs), and select rearrangements, as well as complex biomarkers including tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI), in addition to genomic loss of heterozygosity (gLOH) in ovarian cancer. CGP services can reduce the complexity of biomarker testing, enabling precision medicine to improve treatment decision-making and outcomes for cancer patients, but only if test results are reliable, accurate, and validated clinically and analytically to the highest standard available. The analyses presented herein demonstrate the extensive analytical and clinical validation supporting the F1CDx initial and subsequent FDA approvals to ensure high sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of the data reported. The analytical validation included several in-depth evaluations of F1CDx assay performance including limit of detection (LoD), limit of blank (LoB), precision, and orthogonal concordance for SVs (including base substitutions [SUBs] and insertions/deletions [INDELs]), CNAs (including amplifications and homozygous deletions), genomic rearrangements, and select complex biomarkers. The assay validation of >30,000 test results comprises a considerable and increasing body of evidence that supports the clinical utility of F1CDx to match patients with solid tumors to targeted therapies or immunotherapies based on their tumor’s genomic alterations and biomarkers. F1CDx meets the clinical needs of providers and patients to receive guideline-based biomarker testing, helping them keep pace with a rapidly evolving field of medicine.
Emission factors for Vietnamese beef cattle manure sun-drying and the effects of drying on manure microbial community
Authors: Nguyen Van Thanh , Maeda Koki , Nishimura Yukiko , Nguyen Trinh Thi Hong , La Kinh Van , Nguyen Dien Duc , Suzuki Tomoyuki
Published: March 2022

Livestock manure and its management are significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG). In most Southeast Asian countries, the current GHG emissions are estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 1 approach using default emission factors. Sun-drying is the dominant manure treatment in Vietnam, and in this study, we measured GHG emissions during manure drying using a chamber-based approach. Results show the emission factors for CH4and N2O were 0.295 ± 0.078 g kg−1volatile solids (VS) and 0.132 ± 0.136 g N2O-N kg−1Ninitial, respectively. We monitored the total bacterial/archaeal community using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and measured the abundance of functional genes required for methanogenesis (mcrA), nitrification (amoA) and denitrification (nirK,nirSandnosZ) processes. Methane emission occurred only at the beginning of the drying process (days 1 to 3). The results of amplicon sequencing indicated that the relative abundance of methanogens also decreased during this period. Although some nitrification activity was detected, there was no significant N2O emission. These findings well describe the manure management system in south Vietnam and the GHG emission from this manure category, paving the way for higher Tier estimations using country-specific values.
A bioavailable strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isoscape for Aotearoa New Zealand: Implications for food forensics and biosecurity
Authors: Kramer R. T. , Kinaston R. L. , Holder P. W. , Armstrong K. F. , King C. L. , Sipple W. D. K. , Martin A. P. , Pradel G. , Turnbull R. E. , Rogers K. M. , Reid M. , Barr D. , Wijenayake K. G. , Buckley H. R. , Stirling C. H. , Bataille C. P.
Published: March 2022

As people, animals and materials are transported across increasingly large distances in a globalized world, threats to our biosecurity and food security are rising. Aotearoa New Zealand is an island nation with many endemic species, a strong local agricultural industry, and a need to protect these from pest threats, as well as the economy from fraudulent commodities. Mitigation of such threats is much more effective if their origins and pathways for entry are understood. We propose that this may be addressed in Aotearoa using strontium isotope analysis of both pests and products. Bioavailable radiogenic isotopes of strontium are ubiquitous markers of provenance that are increasingly used to trace the origin of animals and plants as well as products, but currently a baseline map across Aotearoa is lacking, preventing use of this technique. Here, we have improved an existing methodology to develop a regional bioavailable strontium isoscape using the best available geospatial datasets for Aotearoa. The isoscape explains 53% of the variation (R2= 0.53 and RMSE = 0.00098) across the region, for which the primary drivers are the underlying geology, soil pH, and aerosol deposition (dust and sea salt). We tested the potential of this model to determine the origin of cow milk produced across Aotearoa. Predictions for cow milk (n = 33) highlighted all potential origin locations that share similar87Sr/86Sr values, with the closest predictions averaging 7.05 km away from their true place of origin. These results demonstrate that this bioavailable strontium isoscape is effective for tracing locally produced agricultural products in Aotearoa. Accordingly, it could be used to certify the origin of Aotearoa’s products, while also helping to determine if new pest detections were of locally breeding populations or not, or to raise awareness of imported illegal agricultural products.
Experiences and concerns of health workers throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: A longitudinal qualitative interview study
Authors: Borek Aleksandra J. , Pilbeam Caitlin , Mableson Hayley , Wanat Marta , Atkinson Paul , Sheard Sally , Martindale Anne-Marie , Solomon Tom , Butler Christopher C. , Gobat Nina , Tonkin-Crine Sarah
Published: March 2022

Objective

To identify the experiences and concerns of health workers (HWs), and how they changed, throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

Methods

Longitudinal, qualitative study with HWs involved in patient management or delivery of care related to COVID-19 in general practice, emergency departments and hospitals. Participants were identified through snowballing. Semi-structured telephone or video interviews were conducted between February 2020 and February 2021, audio-recorded, summarised, and transcribed. Data were analysed longitudinally using framework and thematic analysis.

Results

We conducted 105 interviews with 14 participants and identified three phases corresponding with shifts in HWs’ experiences and concerns. (1) Emergency and mobilisation phase (late winter-spring 2020), with significant rapid shifts in responsibilities, required skills, and training, and challenges in patient care. (2) Consolidation and preparation phase (summer-autumn 2020), involving gradual return to usual care and responsibilities, sense of professional development and improvement in care, and focus on learning and preparing for future. (3) Exhaustion and survival phase (autumn 2020-winter 2021), entailing return of changes in responsibilities, focus on balancing COVID-19 and non-COVID care (until becoming overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases), and concerns about longer-term impacts of unceasing pressure on health services. Participants’ perceptions of COVID-19 risk and patient/public attitudes changed throughout the year, and tiredness and weariness turned into exhaustion.

Conclusions

Results showed a long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK HWs’ experiences and concerns related to changes in their roles, provision of care, and personal wellbeing. Despite mobilisation in the emergency phase, and trying to learn from this, HWs’ experiences seemed to be similar or worse in the second wave partly due to many COVID-19 cases. The findings highlight the importance of supporting HWs and strengthening system-level resilience (e.g., with resources, processes) to enable them to respond to current and future demands and emergencies.
A new taekwondo-specific field test for estimating aerobic power, anaerobic fitness, and agility performance
Authors: Taati Behzad , Arazi Hamid , Bridge Craig A. , Franchini Emerson
Published: March 2022

The present study aimed to propose a new multidimensional taekwondo-specific test to estimate aerobic power, anaerobic fitness, and agility. Out of sixty-five male volunteers, forty-six, forty-eight, and fifty athletes (18–35 years; black- and red-belt level) were included in the final analysis for aerobic, anaerobic, and agility assessments, respectively. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max, using a graded exercise test on a treadmill), anaerobic power (using the 30-s Wingate anaerobic test, WAnT), and agility performance (using the agility T-Test) were measured via non-specific laboratory and field tests across a two-week period. The taekwondo-specific aerobic-anaerobic-agility (TAAA) test comprised six 20-s intervals of shuttle sprints over a 4-m distance, and the execution of roundhouse kicks alternating the legs at the end of each distance, with 10-s rest intervals between the sets. The multiple linear regression revealed that the difference between heart rate (HR) after and 1 minute after the TAAA test (p < 0.001), and body mass index (BMI; p = 0.006) were significant to estimate VO2max. Likewise, there was a very large (R = 0.79) and large (R = 0.55) correlation between the average and maximum number of kicks performed in the TAAA test and the WAnT mean and peak power, respectively (p < 0.001). Moreover, a linear relationship was found between the T-Test and agility performance acquired in the TAAA test (R = 0.74; p < 0.001). The TAAA test can be considered a valid simple tool for monitoring VO2max, anaerobic fitness, and agility in male taekwondo athletes.
Extended post-partum modern contraceptive utilization and associated factors among women in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Mesfin Yesgat Yibeltal , Gultie Ketema Tekilemariam , Abebe Dessalegn Samuel , Wallelign Bayabil Abraham , Argaw Enyew Muche , Habte Dagnaw Eyaya
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Post-partum family planning is a novel strategy to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by preventing unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. However, little was done on community-based design to assess modern contraceptive use during an extended postpartum period in southern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess modern contraceptive use during extended postpartum period and factors associated among women who gave birth in the previous twelve months in southern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 women in Arba Minch town. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the enrolled women. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 then exported to statically package of social science (SPSS) version 25 for data analysis.

Result

Among enrolled postpartum women, 64.7% were used modern contraceptives for the last 12 months. Women were more likely to use a modern contraceptive during the extended period of postpartum if they resumed sexual intercourse (AOR:7.4 [4.08, 13.23]), received post-partum family planning counseling (AOR: 3.2 [1.95, 5.28]), and if they resumed menses (AOR: 5.3 [3.12, 9.15]) than the counterpart. Being young age women (AOR: 3.2 [1.05, 9.82]) compared to age above 35 years and married (AOR:3.2 [1.17–10.28]) compared to currently unmarried were significantly associated factors for modern contraceptive use during the extended period of postpartum.

Conclusion

The level of modern contraceptive utilization during the extended postpartum period was satisfactory. Therefore, in light of this finding, there is a need to improve the strengthening and scale-up antenatal and postnatal counseling of contraceptive use during the extended postpartum period, advice on preceding the return of menses, and give better attention for older age and unmarried women education on family planning.
Depression risk associated with the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors versus α-blockers: A retrospective cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Yeon Bora , Suh Ah Young , Choi Eunmi , Kim Bonggi , Noh Eunsun , Chung Soo Youn , Han Soon Young
Published: March 2022

Background

One of the most prescribed treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARI). Europe experienced recent safety issues involving 5ARI and depression symptoms, with similar findings being seen in Western countries. The South Korea has updated the drug label in accordance with European recommendations, but the relevant evidence was insufficient. This study compared the use of 5ARI versus α-blocker (AB) as a treatment for BPH and related risks of depression to provide evidence based on the Korean population.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study using South Korea’s Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service claim data from 2011 to 2017. New patients diagnosed in men with BPH and taking medications that contained either 5ARI or AB between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2015, were included (n = 1,461 5ARI; n = 18,650 AB). The primary outcome was depression defined per the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10: F32-34, F38, F412, F432). Logistic regression was used to implement 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching of patients taking 5ARI to those taking AB to adjust for confounding. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare the risk of depression associated with 5ARI versus AB.

Results

Balance in baseline characteristics between the treatment groups were achieved within PS matched pairs (1,461 pairs). Compared to the AB medication group, the 5ARI group had lower depression (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: [0.51–0.92]). However, we could not find a clinically relevant, statistical difference after PS matching (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: [0.61–1.36]).

Conclusions

The risk of depression associated with 5ARI was not meaningfully different from AB in Korea, which suggests that medical officials should provide the most appropriate medication for BPH patients by considering both treatment benefits and depression risk.
The volume of brisk walking is the key determinant of BMD improvement in premenopausal women
Authors: Lan Yong-Sheng , Feng Yu-Juan
Published: March 2022

Osteoporosis is an increasing health problem in postmenopausal women. Our findings indicated that long-term brisk walking with a volume greater than 16 per week is effective for improving BMD in premenopausal women.

Purpose

To examine the effects of brisk walking on bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women, and further determine the effective frequency, intensity, time and volume (frequency x duration) of brisk walking for training strategy prescription.

Methods

222 healthy premenopausal women were recruited for BMD measurement. According to the survey of their physical activity level, 84 subjects (age: 46±1.8) whose physical activity index ≥40 were categorized into the brisk walking group, and 138 subjects (age: 47±2.2) whose physical activity index <40 were assigned to the sedentary group. The BMD of these two groups were statistically compared with an independent t test. Next, 35 subjects from the original sedentary group were recruited for BMD measurement after 2-year moderate brisk walking. According to the volume of physical activity per week, they were divided into the control group (n = 10, aged 49±0.9), volume 8 group (n = 4, aged 48±1.2), volume 12 group (n = 7, aged 49±1.4), volume 16 group (n = 8, aged 49±1.3), and volume 20 group (n = 6, aged 49±1.5). ANOVA was used to analyze BMD before and after brisk walking among the five groups.

Results

The BMD in the brisk walking group (1.00±0.008 g/cm2) was significantly higher than that in the sedentary group (0.89±0.008 g/cm2) (P<0.001). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the volume of brisk walking was significantly correlated with BMD (P<0.001). In particular, brisk walking with a volume greater than 16 (a score of duration up to 4 and a score of frequency up to 4 or 5) per week is effective for improving BMD in premenopausal women (P = 0.03, P = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusions

Long-term brisk walking is an efficient way to improve BMD. Taking brisk walks for 30 minutes per day 3 or more times per week (volume>16) is recommended to prevent bone loss in premenopausal women.
Chronic kidney disease in Ecuador: An epidemiological and health system analysis of an emerging public health crisis
Authors: Torres Irene , Sippy Rachel , Bardosh Kevin Louis , Bhargava Ramya , Lotto-Batista Martín , Bideaux Abigail E. , Garcia-Trabanino Ramon , Goldsmith Amelia , Narsipur Sriram S. , Stewart-Ibarra Anna M.
Published: March 2022

The absence of a chronic kidney disease (CKD) registry in Ecuador makes it difficult to assess the burden of disease, but there is an anticipated increase in the incidence of CKD along with increasing diabetes, hypertension and population age. From 2012, augmented funding for renal replacement therapy expanded dialysis clinics and patient coverage. We conducted 73 in-depth sociological interviews with healthcare providers in eight provinces and collected quantitative epidemiological data on patients with CKD diagnoses from six national-level databases between 2015 and 2018. Datasets show a total of 17,484 dialysis patients in 2018, or 567 patients per million population (pmp), with an annual cost exceeding 11% of Ecuador’s public health budget. Each year, there were 139–162 pmp new dialysis patients, while doctors reported waiting lists. The number of patients on peritoneal dialysis was static; those on hemodialysis increased over time. Only 13 of 24 provinces were found to have dialysis services, and nephrologists were clustered in major cities, which limits access, delays medical attention, and adds a travel burden on patients. Prevention and screening programs are scarce, while hospitalization is an important reality for CKD patients. CKD is an emerging public health crisis that has increased dramatically over the last decade in Ecuador and is expected to continue, making coverage for all patients impossible and the current structure, unsustainable. A patient registry would help health policymakers and administrators estimate the demand and progression of patients with consideration for comorbidities, disease stage, requirements and costs, mortality and follow-up. This should be used to help identify where to focus prevention and improved treatment efforts. Organized monitoring of CKD patients would benefit from improvements in patient referral. Community-based education and prevention programs, the strengthening of primary healthcare capacity (including basic routine tests) and improved nephrology services are also urgently needed.
Level and correlates of empathy and altruism during the Covid-19 pandemic. Evidence from a representative survey in Germany
Authors: Hajek André , König Hans-Helmut
Published: March 2022

Aim

Our purpose was to clarify the level and correlates of empathy and altruism in the German population during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods

A nationally representative survey (n = 3,075) was conducted in August/September 2021. To measure empathy, a short scale based on the Interpersonality Reactivity Index (IRI; German version: Saarbrucken personality questionnaire, SPF) was used (SPF-K). Based on the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP; IPIP-5F30F-R1), the subscale altruism was used to quantify altruism.

Results

The average altruism score was 3.3 (SD: 0.7), ranging from 1 to 5. Moreover, the average empathy score was 13.1 (SD: 2.8), ranging from 4 to 20. The level of empathy significantly differed between the subgroups. For example, high levels of empathy were identified among women (average: 13.7, SD: 2.7), individuals with children (average: 13.5, SD: 2.8), and individuals with migration background (average: 13.6, SD: 2.8). Effect sizes were mostly small. Similar differences (in terms of effect size) were identified between these groups regarding altruism. Additionally, regressions showed that higher levels of both empathy and altruism were associated with being female, younger age, having children, sports activities and having at least one chronic disease. Moreover, vaccination against Covid-19 was only associated with higher altruism, but not with higher empathy.

Conclusion

Our study emphasized the moderately high level of empathy and altruism in Germany during times of the pandemic. Identifying the correlates of these factors may help to address individuals with very low levels of these factors.
Differential viral RNA methylation contributes to pathogen blocking in Wolbachia-colonized arthropods
Authors: Bhattacharya Tamanash , Yan Liewei , Crawford John M. , Zaher Hani , Newton Irene L. G. , Hardy Richard W.
Published: March 2022

Arthropod endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis is part of a global biocontrol strategy to reduce the replication of mosquito-borne RNA viruses such as alphaviruses. We previously demonstrated the importance of a host cytosine methyltransferase, DNMT2, in Drosophila and viral RNA as a cellular target during pathogen-blocking. Here we report a role for DNMT2 in Wolbachia-induced alphavirus inhibition in Aedes species. Expression of DNMT2 in mosquito tissues, including the salivary glands, is elevated upon virus infection. Notably, this is suppressed in Wolbachia-colonized animals, coincident with reduced virus replication and decreased infectivity of progeny virus. Ectopic expression of DNMT2 in cultured Aedes cells is proviral, increasing progeny virus infectivity, and this effect of DNMT2 on virus replication and infectivity is dependent on its methyltransferase activity. Finally, examining the effects of Wolbachia on modifications of viral RNA by LC-MS show a decrease in the amount of 5-methylcytosine modification consistent with the down-regulation of DNMT2 in Wolbachia colonized mosquito cells and animals. Collectively, our findings support the conclusion that disruption of 5-methylcytosine modification of viral RNA is a vital mechanism operative in pathogen blocking. These data also emphasize the essential role of epitranscriptomic modifications in regulating fundamental alphavirus replication and transmission processes.
Proses Pelaksanaan Biblioterapi sebagai Alternatif Penyembuhan Individu melalui Membaca Buku
Authors: Rohmiyati Yuli
Published: March 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggambarkan proses pelaksanaan biblioterapi pada individu yang sedang mengalami permasalahan pada dirinya dan menemukan solusinya melalui buku. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara, observasi dan studi pustaka. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah informan merasa lebih baik dan termotivasi kembali untuk berdamai dengan dirinya sendiri dan menyelesaikan tugas.
Globalisasi dan Perubahan Pola Kebudayaan di Kalangan Kaum Muda di Desa Kuala Rosan Kabupaten Sanggau Kalimantan Barat
Authors: Lathifah Af’idatul
Published: March 2022

Globalisasi disebut sebagai salah satu konsep paling absurd di masa ini, sekaligus menjadi kata yang sering diperdebatkan dan diperdengarkan. Globalisasi dibayangkan sebagai sebuah proses dimana keterkaitan antar komponen masyarakat semakin erat. Kaum muda menjadi agen utama dalam globalisasi, masa muda yang merupakan masa transisi mampu mengakomodasi tuntutan globalisasi yaitu mobilitas tinggi dan jiwa yang dinamis. Desa Kuala Rosan di Kabupaten Meliau, Kalimantan Barat adalah sebuah desa yang secara geografis terpencil, akses yang sulit membuat desa tersebut secara infrastruktur tidak terfasilitasi dengan baik akan tetapi paparan globalisasi juga menyentuh para kaum muda Desa Kuala Rosan. Ekspansi komoditas pasar global yaitu karet dan kelapa sawit memungkinkan mereka memiliki uang tunai yang dapat digunakan untuk memenuhi gaya hidup global. Gaya hidup global tersebut meliputi gaya fashion, kepemilikan kendaraan bermotor dan modigikasinya serta kepemilikan telefon seluler. Ritual adat tahunan masyarakat Dayak, Gawai, yang mempertemukan antar pemuda dari desa lain juga menjadi ajang aktualisasi gaya hidup global tersebut. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif dengan metode etnografi, dimana peneliti berusaha mendapatkan data holistik mulai dari keterlibatan pemuda dalam dunia ekonomi global, pemanfaatan uang tunai dalam gaya hidup global dan juga wujud pemikiran para pemuda terhadap masa depan mereka. Informan adalah para kaum muda desa Kuala Rosan yang berusia antara 18-25 tahun, aktif bekerja di perkebunan baik karet maupun sawit, dan ikut dalam kelompok pemuda di desa tersebut.
Pengalaman Informasi (Information Experience) Sebuah Alternatif Perspektif Komprehensif dalam Kajian Ilmu Informasi dan Perpustakaan
Authors: Prasetyawan Yanuar Yoga
Published: March 2022

Pengalaman informasi merupakan objek dan domain kajian yang cukup baru di Indonesia. Belum banyak penelitian yang menggunakan perspektif teoritis pengalaman informasi guna mengungkap fenomena sosial lokal di Indonesia. Baik sebagai objek maupun domain kajian dalam fenomena sosial tertentu, perpektif ini memiliki sifat yang cukup fleksibel yaitu mempu diadopsi dalam berbagai konteks dan interdisipliner. Dengan mengusung tradisi interpretative di mana setiap tujuan penelitiannya adalah mengkonstruksi pemahaman dari setiap peristiwa sosial yang terjadi dalam konteks informasi. Pengalaman Informasi adalah salah satu dari sekian banyak pilihan perspektif baru yang dapat digunakan dalam kajian ilmu informasi dan perpustakaan di Indonesia. Perihal ini membuka peluang dan tantangan bagi para peneliti dan akademisi di Indonesia untuk melakukan kajian. Melalui tulisan ini penulis mencoba memberikan pengantar dan gambaran umum sebagai modal untuk memahami kajian pengalaman informasi.
Penggunaan Mobile Library untuk Perpustakaan Digital
Authors: Dewi Athanasia Octaviani Puspita
Published: March 2022

Artikel ini membahas perpustakaan digital, terkhusus yang diterapkan pada mobile library. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah agar pustakawan memiliki wawasan tentang perpustakaan digital yang diterapkan pada mobile library akan mempermudah pengelolaan koleksi sehingga dapat mempertimbangkan untuk beralih ke perpustakaan digital dengan membangun dan menggunakan aplikasi mobile library. Serta memberikan wawasan bagi pemustaka dalam menggunakan perpustakaan digital dengan menggunakan mobile library
Literasi Informasi Sebagai Langkah Awal Mewujudkan Visi Universitas Diponegoro
Authors: Arfa Mecca
Published: March 2022

Untuk mencapai visi institusi, perguruan tinggi tentu memiliki rencana strategis dalam pelaksanaannya. Menjadi universitas riset merupakan visi Universitas Diponegoro yang ingin dicapai pada tahun 2020. Pencapaian tersebut tentu memerlukan upaya dan memperoleh dukungan dari seluruh civitas akademik. Salah satu upaya yang dapat dilakukan yaitu dengan menjadikan standar kompetensi literasi informasi bagian integral visi atau rencana strategi institusi. Pengembangan kompetensi literasi informasi diberikan kepada mahasiswa melalui pendampingan dan pendidikan. Kompetensi tersebut diperlukan guna menunjang kegiatan penelitian civitas akademika. Pendampingan dan pendidikan tidak dibebankan kepada salah satu pihak karena kegiatan tersebut memerlukan kolaborasi antara pustakawan, pengajar, dan pimpinan institusi.
Menyoal Relasi Asisten Rumah Tangga dan Majikan
Authors: Pratama Rifka
Published: March 2022

Relasi kuasa sebagai bentuk relasi yang berdasar hirarki tidak jarang menjadi tempat dimana opresi terjadi. Kuasa yang lebih kuat menindas yang lemah dalam beragam tingkatannya. Kepemilikan atas modal sosial, budaya, dan ekonomi oleh yang kuat menjadi penguat rantai penindasan kepada mereka yang tidak memiliki capital yang cukup. Sampai poin ini, diperlukan perspektif lain dalam memandang relasi antara keduanya. Penelitian ini memaparkan relasi antara asisten rumah tangga dan majikan yang dinamis dan dalam kasus yang buruk, terdapat opresi. Penulis menilai diperlukan cara pandang baru dan solusi untuk melihat relasi antar keduanya sehingga opresi dapat terhindarkan. Dalam hal ini perspektif sosial dan budaya digunakan untuk melihat relasi yang dimaksud.
Pengalaman Mahasiswa menggunakan Perpustakaan sebagai bagian dari Literasi Informasi Mahasiswa
Authors: Heriyanto Heriyanto
Published: March 2022

Mahasiswa memiliki kebutuhan informasi yang hampir sama saat mengikuti perkuliahan. Informasi dibutuhkan diantaranya untuk menyelesaikan tugas, mencari referensi perkuliahan, dan untuk mencari referensi pendukung berbagai kegiatan penelitian diluar perkuliahan. Adanya kebutuhan informasi membuat mahasiswa mencari dan menelusuri berbagai sumber informasi yang tersedia baik melalui perpustakaan atau media lain. Artikel ini melaporkan hasil penelitian tentang penggunaan perpustakaan sebagai media belajar mahasiswa terkait dengan literasi infrmasi mahasiswa. Penelitian ini dilakukan secara kualitatif dengan menggunakan wawancara semi terstruktur. Melalui teknik purposive sampling, diperoleh delapan mahasiswa yang bersedia berpartisipasi untuk menyampaikan pendapat tentang kebutuhan informasi mereka. Hasil analisis data menunjukkan bahwa mahasiswa menggunakan perpustakaan fakultas untuk belajar kelompok maupun mandiri. Sebagian besar partisipan menyebutkan tidak menemukan informasi yang mereka butuhkan di perpustakaan disebabkan. Hasil dari penelitian ini akan bermanfaat bagi pengelola perpustakaan dan pengelola fakultas dalam mengembangkan layanan perpustakaan untuk meningkatkan kualitas belajar mahasiswa.
Pemanfaatan Drone Emprit dalam Melihat Trend Perkembangan Bacaan Digital melalui Akun Twitter
Authors: Suharso Putut
Published: March 2022

Perkembangan teknologi berbasis artificial intelligent (machine learning) saat ini telah dimanfaatakan oleh beberbagai bidang keilmuan. Drone Emprit salah satunya yang telah memanfaatkannya dengan membuat platform online yang berbasis teknologi big data. Media sosial saat ini merupakan salah satu media yang paling banyak dipakai oleh instansi pemerintah, koorporasi maupun individu di masyarakat. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui trends perkembangan percakapan warganet yang menggunakan twitter dan dapat melakukan pengelompokan secara klaster yang telah ditentukan. Metode penelitian yang dipakai menggunakan pendekatan penelitian kuantitatif melalui media online berupa twitter. Data diperoleh setelah melakukan pengamatan selama 30 hari dari trending topic twitter dan menganalisis terhadap obyek kajian yaitu secara khusus Bacaan Digital. Data yang diberikan dalam penelitian ini dibatasi dalam kurun waktu satu minggu. Data diolah oleh sistem yang dimiliki Drone Emprit Academic, dan penulis memaparkan dan menganalisa secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa ada 141 akun twitter yang aktif dalam platfom topik yang sedang dibahas. Trend adanya promosi atau iklan lebih intens dilakukan oleh indihomeSeruTerus melalui penawaran produk buku digitalnya sebanyak 14 tweets. Pembahasan atau tweet oleh warganet menjadi tema yang menarik dikaji dalam bidang ilmu informasi dan perpustakaan sebagai bagian dari sarana promosi layanan perpustakaan dan trend pemustaka saat ini.
Analisis Rubrik News dalam Live Straming Video.com
Authors: Sahnassari Alifa , Jumino Jumino
Published: March 2022

Penelitian ini berkaitan dengan Rubrik News dalam Live Streaming Vidio.com”. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis kredibilitas rubrik news dalam live streaming Vidio.com. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif dengan teknik pengambilan data melalui wawancara. Wawancara dilaksanakan dengan cara semi terstruktur dan melibatkan sejumlah 4 informan dari pengelola Vidio.com. Data yang diperoleh kemudian dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis tematik. Dari hasil analisis ini diperoleh 2 (dua) tema yang mewakili evaluasi kredibilitas rubrik news pada live streaming Vidio.com, yaitu penentuan konten berita dan indikator evaluasi konten berita. Penentuan konten berita berupa penentuan konten berita terhadap kebutuhan konten rubrik news pada Vidio.com untuk memenuhi kebutuhan sumber informasi berbasis internet pengguna live streaming Vidio.com sesuai dengan kebijakan yang ditentukan oleh pihak Vidio.com. Tema kedua, berupa indikator evaluasi konten berita, menunjukkan ada enam indikator, yaitu indikator keterbaruan konten informasi, kelengkapan konten berita, kejelasan konten berita, akurasi konten berita, objektivitas dalam konten, dan konten berita yang dapat dipertanggungjawabkan.
Jadwal Retensi Arsip di Era Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 43 Tahun 2009 tentang Kearsipan
Authors: Handayani Tri
Published: March 2022

Jadwal Retensi Arsip merupakan salah satu dari empat pedoman yang diperlukan dalam proses pengelolaan arsip dinamis. Keberadaannya diperlukan sebagai pedoman dalam penentuan masa simpan arsip. Merujuk pada 10 Jadwal Retensi Arsip milik 15 institusi pemerintah diketahui bahwa format jadwal retensi arsip tersebut cenderung tidak sama. Metode penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kualitatif dengan melakukan analisis terhadap perundang-undangan kearsipan khususnya terkait nilaiguna arsip beserta bagan alir penyimpanannya. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk masyarakat, khususnya institusi pemerintah, badan usaha, lembaga pendidikan untuk mengetahui unsur-unsur yang perlu diperhatikan dalam penyusunan jawal retensi arsip. Mereka juga akan mengetahui referensi apa yang dapat digunakan dalam penentuan nilaiguna arsip. ANRI telah menyediakan berbagai peraturan kepala ANRI sebagai pedoman dalam perumusan jadwal retensi arsip yang berlaku bagi internal institusi masing-masing. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan manajemen perkantoran. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa keberhasilan dalam penyusunan jadwal retensi arsip dipengaruhi oleh pemahaman terhadap perundang-undangan kearsipan yang berlaku.
Peran Dinas Kearsipan dan Perpustakaan Provinsi Jawa Tengah Sebagai Tempat Belajar Masyarakat
Authors: Arfa Mecca
Published: March 2022

Perpustakaan seyogyanya melakukan kegiatan yang tidak hanya menyediakan koleksi saja tetapi melakukan kegiatan-kegiatan yang mengarah kepada pengembangan pengetahuan maupun intelektual masyarakat di sekelilingnya. Penelitian ini membahas tentang apakah perpustakaan provinsi jawa tengah digunakan sebagai tempat untuk belajar masyarakat dan apa saja yang dilakukan oleh perpustakaan sehingga perpustakaan dikatakan sebagai tempat untuk belajar masyarakat. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode penelitian kualitatif, pemaparannya menggunakan deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dinas kearsipan dan perpustakaan provinsi Jawa Tengah melakukan banyak kegiatan yang mengarah kepada pendidikan atau pelatihan. Pelatihan ini diadakan di perpustakaan dan diikuti oleh masyarakat umum terutama masyarakat Jawa Tengah. Adapun kegiatan-kegiatan yang dilakukan oleh perpustakaan Jawa Tengah yang berhubungan langsung tentang pembelajaran adalah pelatihan menari, pelatihan mewarnai, pelatihan menggambar, bimbingan belajar bagi anak-anak sekolah, pelatihan menyulam pita, pelatihan merajut, pelatihan membuat hantaran pengantin, kursus pemanfaatan limbah kain perca. Selain itu perpustakaan juga menyediakan sarana prasana belajar seperti menyediakan free hot spot area, menyediakan berbagai macam ragam koleksi, Audio visual, perpustakaan keliling, permainan edukasi, dan computer kids fun.
Tabula Rasa, Point of View, and the Ideology of Feminism
Authors: Candria Mytha
Published: March 2022

This article concerns point of view and the ideology of feminism in Ratih Kumala’s novel Tabula Rasa. Point of view is defined with reference to the angle of telling a narrative, whereas feminism is the belief that women and other minority groups suffer from violence, repression, and discrimination. Here, point of view is analyzed based on three different classifications, i.e. Fowler-Uspensky model, Simpson’s mode of narration or Al-Alami’s types of narrators, and Uspensky’s types of narration. The result suggests that Ratih Kumala uses first and third person points of view and internal type of narration to communicate her support for feminism.
Kegiatan Pelestarian dan Promosi Candi Kimpulan di Area Perpustakaan Universitas Islam Indonesia
Authors: Hidayatullah Fauzan , Nashihuddin Wahid , Putra Kadek Aryana Dwi
Published: March 2022

Candi  Kimpulan merupakan candi peninggalan kerajaan hindu yang berlokasi di area Perpustakaan UII. Keberadaan Candi Kimpulan sampai saat ini dalam kondisi baik dan semakin dikenal oleh masyarakat luas. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keg iatan pelestarian dan promosi Candi Kimpulan yang berada di area Perpustakaan UII. Data kajian ini menggunakan data kualitatif – deskriptif, yang bersumber dari kegiatan observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa kegiatan pelestarian Candi Kimpulan dilakukan oleh BPCB DIY dengan cara evakuasi, restorasi, dan konservasi. Sedangkan Perpustakaan UII (pustakawan) membantu tugas edukator museum dalam mempromosikan wisata budaya Candi Kimpulan ke masyarakat. Kegiatan promosi dilakukan dengan tatap muka, penyebaran brosur, dan website Perpustakaan UII.
Strategi Menciptakan Perpustakaan Kekinian Sebagai Upaya Menjaga Eksistensi di Era Revolusi Industri 4.
Authors: Ganggi Roro Isyawati Permata
Published: March 2022

Perpustakaan merupakan tempat terpercaya untuk mencari informasi yang kredibel, namun di sisi lain beberapa pihak merasa bahwa perpustakaan merupakan tempat yang kuno dan kurang menarik. Sehingga perlu disusun suatu strategi untuk menciptakan perpustakaan kekinian sebagai upaya menjaga eksistensi di era revolusi industri 4.0.  Metode yang  digunakan dalam penulisan artikel ini adalah metode literature review. Literature review dipilih karena artikel ini merupakan artikel konseptual. Hasil yang didapatkan dalam artikel ini adalah perpustakaan dapat melakukan dua strategi dalam menciptakan perpustakaan kekinian, yaitu: dari aspek perpustakaan sebagai organisasi dan dari pustakawan sebagai pengelola perpustakaan. Dari sisi perpustakaan dapat dilakukan dengan: (1) menyediakan working space; (2) desain yang Instagramable; (3) dukungan hot spot cepat; (4) pemanfaatan AI, VR dan AR; (5) pemanfaatan sosial media. Sedangkan dari aspek pustakawan, maka pustakawan dapat bertransformasi sehingga dapat memainkan beberapa peran, yaitu: (1) cybrarian; (2) content creator; (3) social media specialist; (4) information consultant; (5) infographics maker; (6) subject specialist.