bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel Filobacterium sp can cause chronic bronchitis in cats
Authors: Načeradská Martina , Pekova Sona , Danesi Patrizia , Furlanello Tommaso , Calleo Roberta , Martin Patricia , Ike Fumio , Malik Richard
Published: June 2021

Background

Cilia-associated respiratory bacillus (CARB; now known asFilobacterium rodentiumgen. nov., sp. nov.) is a primary pathogen of rodents. A CARB-like organism was reported in post-mortem lung samples of cats using light and electron microscopy. Here we explore by molecular procedures if aFilobacteriumsp. is a part of the normal feline lower respiratory microbiome and whether it could in some cats contribute to the development of chronic bronchial disease.

Methodology

AFilobacteriumsp. was identified in three Czech cats clinically diagnosed as having chronic neutrophilic bronchitis. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens obtained from these cats were subjected to panbacterial 16S rDNA PCR followed by Sanger sequencing of the V5 to V8 region. After these cats were treated with specific antimicrobials, their clinical signs resolved promptly, without recurrence. Next, BALF specimens from 13 Australian and 11 Italian cats with lower respiratory disease and an additional 16 lung samples of Italian cats who died of various causes were examined using next generation sequencing (NGS). Subsequently, aFilobacterium-specific qPCR assay was developed and used to re-test BALF specimens from the 11 Italian cats and lung tissue homogenates from the additional 16 deceased cats.

Principal findings

An amplicon of 548 bp with 91.24% sequence agreement withFilobacterium rodentiumwas obtained from all three patients, suggesting the novelFilobacteriumsp. was the cause of their lower respiratory disease. The novelFilobacteriumsp., which we propose to callF.felis, was detected in 3/3 Czech cats with chronic neutrophilic bronchitis, 13/13 Australian cats and 6/11 Italian cats with chronic lower respiratory disease, and 14/16 necropsy lung specimens from Italian cats. NGS and qPCR results all showed identical sequences. TheFilobacteriumsp. was sometimes the preponderant bacterial species in BALF specimens from cats with lower airway disease. There was an association between the presence of large numbers (greater than 105organisms/mL) ofFilobacteriumand the presence of neutrophilic and/or histiocytic inflammation, although only a subset of inflammatory BALF specimens hadF.felisas the preponderant organism.

Conclusion

The novelFilobacteriumsp. comprises a finite part of the normal feline lower respiratory microbiome. Under certain circumstances it can increase in absolute and relative abundance and give rise to neutrophilic and/or histiocytic bronchitis, bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia. These findings strongly suggest thatF.feliscould be an underdiagnosed cause of feline bronchial disease.
The microeconomics of abortion: A scoping review and analysis of the economic consequences for abortion care-seekers
Authors: Coast Ernestina , Lattof Samantha R. , Meulen Rodgers Yana van der , Moore Brittany , Poss Cheri
Published: June 2021

Background

The economic consequences of abortion care and abortion policies for individuals occur directly and indirectly. We lack synthesis of the economic costs, impacts, benefit or value of abortion care at the micro-level (i.e., individuals and households). This scoping review examines the microeconomic costs, benefits and consequences of abortion care and policies.

Methods and findings

Searches were conducted in eight electronic databases and applied inclusion/exclusion criteria using the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. For inclusion, studies must have examined at least one of the following outcomes: costs, impacts, benefits, and value of abortion care or abortion policies. Quantitative and qualitative data were extracted for descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Of the 230 included microeconomic studies, costs are the most frequently reported microeconomic outcome (n = 180), followed by impacts (n = 84), benefits (n = 39), and values (n = 26). Individual-level costs of abortion-related care have implications for the timing and type of care sought, globally. In contexts requiring multiple referrals or follow-up visits, these costs are multiplied. The ways in which people pay for abortion-related costs are diverse. The intersection between micro-level costs and delay(s) to abortion-related care is substantial. Individuals forego other costs and expenditures, or are pushed further into debt and/or poverty, in order to fund abortion-related care. The evidence base on the economic impacts of policy or law change is from high-income countries, dominated by studies from the United States.

Conclusions

Delays underpinned by economic factors can thwart care-seeking, affect the type of care sought, and impact the gestational age at which care is sought or reached. The evidence base includes little evidence on the micro-level costs for adolescents. Specific sub-groups of abortion care-seekers (transgendered and/or disabled people) are absent from the evidence and it is likely that they may experience higher direct and indirect costs because they may experience greater barriers to abortion care.
Genomic diversity of 39 samples of Pyropia species grown in Japan
Authors: Nagano Yukio , Kimura Kei , Kobayashi Genta , Kawamura Yoshio
Published: June 2021

SomePyropiaspecies, such as nori (P.yezoensis), are important marine crops. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of 39 samples ofPyropiaspecies grown in Japan using organellar genome sequences. A comparison of the chloroplast DNA sequences with those from China showed a clear genetic separation between Japanese and ChineseP.yezoensis. Conversely, comparing the mitochondrial DNA sequences did not separate Japanese and ChineseP.yezoensis. Analysis of organellar genomes showed that the genetic diversity of JapaneseP.yezoensisused in this study is lower than that of Chinese wildP.yezoensis. To analyze the genetic relationships between samples of JapanesePyropia, we used whole-genome resequencing to analyze their nuclear genomes. In the offspring resulting from cross-breeding betweenP.yezoensisandP.tenera, nearly 90% of the genotypes analyzed by mapping were explained by the presence of different chromosomes originating from two different parental species. Although the genetic diversity of JapaneseP.yezoensisis low, analysis of nuclear genomes genetically separated each sample. Samples isolated from the sea were often genetically similar to those being farmed. Study of genetic heterogeneity of samples within a single aquaculture strain ofP.yezoensisshowed that samples were divided into two groups and the samples with frequent abnormal budding formed a single, genetically similar group. The results of this study will be useful for breeding and the conservation ofPyropiaspecies.
New insights into early medieval Islamic cuisine: Organic residue analysis of pottery from rural and urban Sicily
Authors: Lundy Jasmine , Drieu Lea , Meo Antonino , Sacco Viva , Arcifa Lucia , Pezzini Elena , Aniceti Veronica , Fiorentino Girolamo , Alexander Michelle , Orecchioni Paola , Mollinari Alessandra , Carver Martin O. H. , Craig Oliver E.
Published: June 2021

Sicily, during the 9th-12thcentury AD, thrived politically, economically, and culturally under Islamic political rule and the capital of Palermo stood as a cultural and political centre in the Mediterranean Islamic world. However, to what extent the lifeways of the people that experienced these regimes were impacted during this time is not well understood, particularly those from lesser studied rural contexts. This paper presents the first organic residue analysis of 134 cooking pots and other domestic containers dating to the 9th-12thcentury in order to gain new insights into the culinary practices during this significant period. Ceramics from three sites in the urban capital of Palermo and from the rural town of Casale San Pietro were analysed and compared. The multi-faceted organic residue analysis identified a range of commodities including animal products, vegetables, beeswax, pine and fruit products in the ceramics, with a complex mixing of resources observed in many cases, across all four sites and ceramic forms. Alongside the identification of commodities and how they were combined, new light has been shed on the patterning of resource use between these sites. The identification of dairy products in calcite wares from the rural site of Casale San Pietro and the absence of dairy in ceramics from the urban centre of Palermo presents interesting questions regarding the role of rural sites in food consumption and production in Islamic Sicily. This is the first time organic residue analysis of ceramics has been used to explore foodways in a medieval multi-faith society and offers new pathways to the understanding of pottery use and resources that were prepared, consumed and combined, reflecting cuisine in different socio-economic environments within the pluralistic population of medieval Sicily.
Social, economic, and environmental factors influencing the basic reproduction number of COVID-19 across countries
Authors: Kong Jude Dzevela , Tekwa Edward W. , Gignoux-Wolfsohn Sarah A.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To assess whether the basic reproduction number (R0) of COVID-19 is different across countries and what national-level demographic, social, and environmental factors other than interventions characterize initial vulnerability to the virus.

Methods

We fit logistic growth curves to reported daily case numbers, up to the first epidemic peak, for 58 countries for which 16 explanatory covariates are available. This fitting has been shown to robustly estimate R0 from the specified period. We then use a generalized additive model (GAM) to discern both linear and nonlinear effects, and include 5 random effect covariates to account for potential differences in testing and reporting that can bias the estimated R0.

Findings

We found that the mean R0 is 1.70 (S.D. 0.57), with a range between 1.10 (Ghana) and 3.52 (South Korea). We identified four factors—population between 20–34 years old (youth), population residing in urban agglomerates over 1 million (city), social media use to organize offline action (social media), and GINI income inequality—as having strong relationships with R0, across countries. An intermediate level of youth and GINI inequality are associated with high R0, (n-shape relationships), while high city population and high social media use are associated with high R0. Pollution, temperature, and humidity did not have strong relationships with R0 but were positive.

Conclusion

Countries have different characteristics that predispose them to greater intrinsic vulnerability to COVID-19. Studies that aim to measure the effectiveness of interventions across locations should account for these baseline differences in social and demographic characteristics.
Neighborhood level chronic respiratory disease prevalence estimation using search query data
Authors: Abdur Rehman Nabeel , Counts Scott
Published: June 2021

Estimation of disease prevalence at sub-city neighborhood scale allows early and targeted interventions that can help save lives and reduce public health burdens. However, the cost-prohibitive nature of highly localized data collection and sparsity of representative signals, has made it challenging to identify neighborhood scale prevalence of disease. To overcome this challenge, we utilize alternative data sources, which are both less sparse and representative of localized disease prevalence: using query data from a large commercial search engine, we identify the prevalence of respiratory illness in the United States, localized to census tract geographic granularity. Focusing on asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), we construct a set of features based on searches for symptoms, medications, and disease-related information, and use these to identify illness rates in more than 23 thousand tracts in 500 cities across the United States. Out of sample model estimates from search data alone correlate with ground truth illness rate estimates from the CDC at 0.69 to 0.76, with simple additions to these models raising those correlations to as high as 0.84. We then show that in practice search query data can be added to other relevant data such as census or land cover data to boost results, with models that incorporate all data sources correlating with ground truth data at 0.91 for asthma and 0.88 for COPD.
Health service use and health outcomes among international migrant workers compared with non-migrant workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pega Frank , Govindaraj Srinivasan , Tran Nguyen Toan
Published: June 2021

Objectives

The review aimed to synthesise recent evidence on health service use and health outcomes among international migrant workers, compared with non-migrant workers.

Methods

A search was carried out in MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL for studies published between Jan 1, 2010, and Feb 29, 2020. Included outcomes were: occupational health service use, fatal occupational injury, HIV, and depression. Two authors independently screened records, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and judged quality of evidence. We meta-analysed estimates and conducted subgroup analyses by sex, geographical origin, geographical destination, and regularity of migration.

Results

Twenty-one studies were included comprising >17 million participants in 16 countries. Most studies investigated regular migrant workers in high-income destination countries. Compared with non-migrant workers, migrant workers were less likely to use health services (relative risk 0·55, 95% confidence interval 0·41 to 0·73, 4 studies, 3,804,131 participants, I2 100%, low quality of evidence). They more commonly had occupational injuries (1·27, 95% confidence interval 1·11 to 1·45, 7 studies, 17,100,626 participants, I2 96%, low quality of evidence). Relative risks differed by geographical origin and/or destination. There is uncertainty (very low quality of evidence) about occupational health service use (0 studies), fatal occupational injuries (5 studies, N = 14,210,820), HIV (3 studies, N = 13,775), and depression (2 studies, N = 7,512).

Conclusions

Migrant workers may be less likely than non-migrant workers to use health services and more likely to have occupational injuries. More research is required on migrant workers from and in low- and middle-income countries, across migration stages, migrating irregularly, and in the informal economy.
Age-structured Jolly-Seber model expands inference and improves parameter estimation from capture-recapture data
Authors: Hostetter Nathan J. , Lunn Nicholas J. , Richardson Evan S. , Regehr Eric V. , Converse Sarah J.
Published: June 2021

Understanding the influence of individual attributes on demographic processes is a key objective of wildlife population studies. Capture-recapture and age data are commonly collected to investigate hypotheses about survival, reproduction, and viability. We present a novel age-structured Jolly-Seber model that incorporates age and capture-recapture data to provide comprehensive information on population dynamics, including abundance, age-dependent survival, recruitment, age structure, and population growth rates. We applied our model to a multi-year capture-recapture study of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in western Hudson Bay, Canada (2012–2018), where management and conservation require a detailed understanding of how polar bears respond to climate change and other factors. In simulation studies, the age-structured Jolly-Seber model improved precision of survival, recruitment, and annual abundance estimates relative to standard Jolly-Seber models that omit age information. Furthermore, incorporating age information improved precision of population growth rates, increased power to detect trends in abundance, and allowed direct estimation of age-dependent survival and changes in annual age structure. Our case study provided detailed evidence for senescence in polar bear survival. Median survival estimates were lower (<0.95) for individuals aged <5 years, remained high (>0.95) for individuals aged 7–22 years, and subsequently declined to near zero for individuals >30 years. We also detected cascading effects of large recruitment classes on population age structure, which created major shifts in age structure when these classes entered the population and then again when they reached prime breeding ages (10–15 years old). Overall, age-structured Jolly-Seber models provide a flexible means to investigate ecological and evolutionary processes that shape populations (e.g., via senescence, life expectancy, and lifetime reproductive success) while improving our ability to investigate population dynamics and forecast population changes from capture-recapture data.
Children and young people’s contributions to public involvement and engagement activities in health-related research: A scoping review
Authors: Rouncefield-Swales Alison , Harris Jane , Carter Bernie , Bray Lucy , Bewley Toni , Martin Rachael
Published: June 2021

Background

There has been an increasing interest in how children and young people can be involved in patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in health research. However, relatively little robust evidence exists about which children and young people are reported as being involved or excluded from PPIE; the methods reported as being used to involve them in PPIE; and the reasons presented for their involvement in PPIE and what happens as a result. We performed a scoping review to identify, synthesise and present what is known from the literature about patient and public involvement and engagement activities with children and young people in health related research.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified by searches in Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane and PsychInfo databases, and hand checking of reference lists and grey literature. An adapted version of the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP2) was used as a framework to collate the data. Two reviewers independently screened articles and decisions were consensually made.

Main findings

A total of 9805 references were identified (after duplicates were removed) through the literature search, of which 233 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Forty studies published between 2000 and 2019 were included in the review. The review reveals ambiguities in the quality of reporting of PPIE with children with clear reporting on demographics and health conditions. The review found that children and young people were commonly involved in multiple stages of research but there was also significant variation in the level at which children and young people were involved in PPIE. Evaluation of the impact of children and young people’s involvement in PPIE was limited.

Conclusions

Consultation, engagement and participation can all offer children and young people worthwhile ways of contributing to research with the level, purpose and impact of involvement determined by the children and young people themselves. However, careful decisions need to be made to ensure that it is suited to the context, setting and focus so that the desired PPIE impacts are achieved. Improvements should be made to the evaluation and reporting of PPIE in research. This will help researchers and funders to better understand the benefits, challenges and impact of PPIE with children and young people on health research.
Is SF-12 a valid and reliable measurement of health-related quality of life among adults with Marfan syndrome? A confirmatory study
Authors: Udugampolage Nathasha , Caruso Rosario , Panetta Mariangela , Callus Edward , Dellafiore Federica , Magon Arianna , Marelli Susan , Pini Alessandro
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The structural validity and reliability of the Short-Form Health Survey 12 (SF-12) has not yet been tested in adults with the Marfan syndrome (MFS). This gap could undermine an evidence-grounded practice and research, especially considering that the need to assess health-related quality of life in patients with MFS has increased due to the improved life expectancy of these patients and the need to identify their determinants of quality of life. For this reason, this study aimed to confirm the dimensionality (structural validity) of the SF-12, its concurrent validity, and its reliability (internal consistency).

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study in a convenience sample of 111 Italian adults with MFS, collecting anamnestic and socio-demographic information, the SF-12, and short-form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to verify whether the items of SF-12 related to physical restrictions, physical functioning, and bodily pain were retained by the physical summary component of the SF-12. The items referred to the role limitations due to emotional issues, social functioning, and mental health were retained by the mental summary component (MCS12). SF-36 was used to assess the concurrent validity of SF-12, hypothesizing positive correlations among the equivalent summary scores.

Results

The two-factor structural solution resulted in fitting the sample statistics adequately. The internal consistency was adequate for the two factors. Furthermore, the physical and mental summary scores of the SF-36 were positively correlated with their equivalent summary scores derived from the SF-12.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the factor structure of the SF-12. Therefore, the use of SF-12 in clinical practice and research for assessing the health-related quality of life among adults with MFS is evidence-grounded. Future research is recommended to determine whether the SF-12 shows measurement invariance in different national contexts and determine eventual demographic variation in the SF-12 scores among patients with MFS.
Treatment outcomes in HIV infected patients older than 50 years attending an HIV clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe: A cohort study
Authors: Shamu Tinei , Chimbetete Cleophas , Egger Matthias , Mudzviti Tinashe
Published: June 2021

There is a growing number of older people living with HIV (OPLHIV). While a significant proportion of this population are adults growing into old age with HIV, there are also new infections among OPLHIV. There is a lack of data describing the outcomes of OPLHIV who commenced antiretroviral therapy (ART) after the age of 50 years in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a cohort study of patients who enrolled in care at Newlands Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe, at ages ≥50 years between February 2004 and March 2020. We examined demographic characteristics, attrition, viral suppression, immunological and clinical outcomes. Specifically, we described prevalent and incident HIV-related communicable and non-communicable comorbidities. We calculated frequencies, medians, interquartile ranges (IQR), and proportions; and used Cox proportional hazards models to identify risk factors associated with death. We included 420 (57% female) who commenced ART and were followed up for a median of 5.6 years (IQR 2.4–9.9). Most of the men were married (n = 152/179, 85%) whereas women were mostly widowed (n = 125/241, 51.9%). Forty per cent (n = 167) had WHO stage 3 or 4 conditions at ART baseline. Hypertension prevalence was 15% (n = 61) at baseline, and a further 27% (n = 112) had incident hypertension during follow-up. During follow-up, 300 (71%) were retained in care, 88 (21%) died, 17 (4%) were lost to follow-up, and 15 (4%) were transferred out. Of those in care, 283 (94%) had viral loads <50 copies/ml, and 10 had viral loads >1000 copies/ml. Seven patients (1.7%) were switched to second line ART during follow-up and none were switched to third-line. Higher baseline CD4 T-cell counts were protective against mortality (p = 0.001) while male sex (aHR: 2.29, 95%CI: 1.21–4.33), being unmarried (aHR: 2.06, 95%CI: 1.13–3.78), and being unemployed (aHR: 2.01, 95%CI: 1.2–3.37) were independent independent risk factors of mortality. There was high retention in care and virologic suppression in this cohort of OPLHIV. Hypertension was a common comorbidity. Being unmarried or unemployed were significant predictors of mortality highlighting the importance of sociologic factors among OPLHIV, while better immune competence at ART commencement was protective against mortality.
Single cell analysis of host response to helminth infection reveals the clonal breadth, heterogeneity, and tissue-specific programming of the responding CD4+ T cell repertoire
Authors: Brown Ivy K. , Dyjack Nathan , Miller Mindy M. , Krovi Harsha , Rios Cydney , Woolaver Rachel , Harmacek Laura , Tu Ting-Hui , O’Connor Brian P. , Danhorn Thomas , Vestal Brian , Gapin Laurent , Pinilla Clemencia , Seibold Max A. , Scott-Browne James , Santos Radleigh G. , Reinhardt R. Lee
Published: June 2021

The CD4+T cell response is critical to host protection against helminth infection. How this response varies across different hosts and tissues remains an important gap in our understanding. Using IL-4-reporter mice to identify responding CD4+T cells toNippostrongylus brasiliensisinfection, T cell receptor sequencing paired with novel clustering algorithms revealed a broadly reactive and clonally diverse CD4+T cell response. While the most prevalent clones and clonotypes exhibited some tissue selectivity, most were observed to reside in both the lung and lung-draining lymph nodes. Antigen-reactivity of the broader repertoires was predicted to be shared across both tissues and individual mice. Transcriptome, trajectory, and chromatin accessibility analysis of lung and lymph-node repertoires revealed three unique but related populations of responding IL-4+CD4+T cells consistent with T follicular helper, T helper 2, and a transitional population sharing similarity with both populations. The shared antigen reactivity of lymph node and lung repertoires combined with the adoption of tissue-specific gene programs allows for the pairing of cellular and humoral responses critical to the orchestration of anti-helminth immunity.
Efecto conjunto de deterioro cognitivo y condición sociofamiliar sobre el estado funcional en adultos mayores hospitalizados
Authors:   Departamento de Medicina Familiar, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia, Ocampo-Chaparro José Mauricio ,   Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Libre, Cali, Colombia, Reyes-Ortiz Carlos A. ,   Institute of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A & M University, USA
Published: June 2021

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto conjunto de deterioro cognitivo y condición sociofamiliar sobre el estado funcional en adultos mayores hospitalizados. Método: Se usó una cohorte retrospectiva, que incluyó 399 adultos mayores entre 2014 hasta 2015. El desenlace primario fue el estado funcional evaluado con la Escala de Lawton y Brody en cuatro tiempos. El deterioro cognitivo se evaluó con el Examen Mínimo Mental y la condición sociofamiliar con la Escala Sociofamiliar de Gijón. Resultados: Se encontró que el 54% tenían deterioro social y el 86% presentaban deterioro cognitivo. En análisis multivariados, la edad avanzada, la estancia hospitalaria prolongada, la albúmina baja, el deterioro cognitivo, el delirium y el deterioro social se asociaron significativamente con peor estado funcional. Conclusiones: Este estudio sugiere que el efecto conjunto entre deterioro cognitivo y deterioro social comprometen más el estado funcional que cada factor por separado.
Dynamic Mechanical Performance of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites: A Brief Review
Authors: Siva Deeraj Battula Durga , Joseph Kuruvilla , Jayan Jitha Santhakumari , Saritha Appukuttan
Published: June 2021

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composite is a much focused area of study owing to its environmentally friendly nature and good mechanical properties. These composites offer comparable mechanical properties to that of steel and other composite materials. Dynamic mechanical analysis is a widely used technique to investigate the mechanical performance of fiber reinforced composites at a wide range of temperatures. Using this technique, the thermal transitions and damping properties of fiber reinforced composites too can be studied. These natural fiber composites are widely employed in structural applications in many industries. Here, in this short review we have presented the recent works on the dynamic properties of natural fiber reinforced composite materials with an essence of the influencing factors.
Speak English, Don’t Speak Vernacular. Language Culture and Practice, and Policy Implications in Schools
Authors: Kwao Alex , Torto Gertrude , Ackah-Jnr F. R. , John Appiah
Published: June 2021

Compulsory adoption of language culture appears to heighten controversy and tension in schools. This phenomenon seems like a ‘dilemma’ judging from the way of policy and practice in schools. Language culture at the foundation stages seems to be strictly monolingual in some schools contrary to the dynamics of the education curriculum. This indeed seems to be a cultural idiosyncrasy that underpins cultural practices in some schools. Ghana Education Service recommends the speaking of English as medium of instruction at the early stages in schools, and so, English as official language is largely used at the foundation level. This investigation is looking at how a holistic approach could create a greater impart rather than applying a ’restrictionist’ theory in a school. This adherence calls for inquiry into ‘Speak English don’t speak vernacular in the school.’ The study employs a qualitative case study for the textual analysis. Two language teachers from ‘Kikako’ M.A. primary school in the Central region of Ghana were selected for the study. In-depth interview was the main instrument used.  Analysis of data was by thematic sequencing using discursive, narrative and interpretive paradigms. The realisation of the study was that, the use of English only in schools was a controversial practice. Claims were that the use of vernacular also provided emergent and integrated literacy, which enhanced communication networking in the classrooms and school activities. It is absolutely useful to adopt English and vernacular in the school curriculum.
Remote teaching & digital platform during pandemic Teacher education and teacher competence effects among teachers & principles in Malaysia
Authors: RAMANLINGAM SHANTI
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this research is analyzing the opportunities and challenges of emergency remote teaching based on experiences of the COVID-19 emergency among teachers and principals of Malaysian schools.  This study explores the perceptions of school teachers of online learning in a program developed in Malaysian school called School from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A qualitative research method was undertaken in two steps.

 

In the first step, a thematic analysis a qualitative method was used based on a two-step process. The first step consisted a Qualitative study which involved 4 school principals from Grade A and Grade B schools which is selected from four state which is Selangor, Johor, Kedah and Kelantan. In the second step (a Malaysian case study), The results from the interview discussion represented the basis for the second step, in which starting from the main issues that emerged from the online discussion among researches, professors and also Higher Education Offices from Ministry of Education and State Education Officers. The analysis reveals several technological, pedagogical and social challenges. The technological challenges are mainly related to the unreliability of Internet connections and many students’ lack of necessary electronic devices. (Chandler. D, 2017)

 

The pedagogical challenges are principally associated with teachers’ and learners’ lack of digital skills, the lack of structured content versus the abundance of online resources, learners’ lack of interactivity and motivation and teachers’ lack of social and cognitive presence (the ability to construct meaning through sustained communication within a community of inquiry) (Gordon, 2020) The social challenges are mainly related to the lack of human interaction between teachers and students as well as among the latter, the lack of physical spaces at home to receive lessons and the lack of support of parents who are frequently working remotely in the same spaces. Based on the lessons learned from this worldwide emergency, challenges and proposals for action to face these same challenges, which should be and sometimes have been implemented, are provided.
Znowu razem, czyli o trzech woluminach z księgozbioru Andrzeja Frycza Modrzewskiego we flamandzkich oprawach plakietowych. Znalezisko ze zbiorów Biblioteki Uniwersyteckiej w Uppsali i Biblioteki Uniwersyteckiej w Poznaniu
Authors: Backman Helena , Łukaszewski Jakub
Published: June 2021

W trakcie prac nad rekonstrukcją księgozbioru kolegium jezuitów w Poznaniu uwagę zwróciły trzy woluminy w charakterystycznych flamandzkich oprawach plakietowych. Oprawy wykonano w Leuven, w warsztatach introligatorskich monogramistów „IP” (Jacob Pandelaert?) oraz „IB” (Jacob Bathen). Dwa woluminy znajdują się obecnie w Bibliotece Uniwersyteckiej w Uppsali, a jeden w Bibliotece Uniwersyteckiej w Poznaniu. To klocki introligatorskie zawierające łącznie 11 dzieł. W artykule opisano historię tych trzech woluminów. Dzięki analizie licznych not marginalnych ustalono, że pierwszym właścicielem ksiąg był pisarz, humanista i reformator Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski (ca 1503–1572). Zakupił je w Leuven najpewniej we wrześniu 1549 roku. Później księgi trafiły w ręce Stanisława Karnkowskiego (1520–1603), który przekazał je poznańskim jezuitom. Artykuł wzbogaca wiedzę o prywatnym księgozbiorze Modrzewskiego. Wśród odnalezionych dzieł na szczególną uwagę zasługują świadomie zebrane przez Modrzewskiego edycje prac Piotra Ramusa (Pierre’a de la Ramée) i Joachima Periona.
A Design of an Integrated Cloud-based Intrusion Detection System with Third Party Cloud Service
Authors: Elmasry Wisam , Akbulut Akhan , Zaim Abdul Halim
Published: June 2021

Although cloud computing is considered the most widespread technology nowadays, it still suffers from many challenges, especially related to its security. Due to the open and distributed nature of the cloud environment, this makes the cloud itself vulnerable to various attacks. In this paper, the design of a novel integrated Cloud-based Intrusion Detection System (CIDS) is proposed to immunise the cloud against any possible attacks. The proposed CIDS consists of five main modules to do the following actions: monitoring the network, capturing the traffic flows, extracting features, analyzing the flows, detecting intrusions, taking a reaction, and logging all activities. Furthermore an enhanced bagging ensemble system of three deep learning models is utilized to predict intrusions effectively. Moreover, a third-party Cloud-based Intrusion Detection System Service (CIDSS) is also exploited to control the proposed CIDS and provide the reporting service. Finally, it has been shown that the proposed approach overcomes all problems associated with attacks on the cloud raised in the literature.
The effect of water-based rhythmic exercise training on glucose homeostasis and thyroid hormones in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Berahman Hanieh , Elmieh Alireza , Fadaei chafy Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2021

Objectives

The present study aimed to explore the effect of water-based rhythmic exercise training on fasting blood sugar (FBS), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and T4 in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

In this clinical trial, 31 postmenopausal woman with metabolic syndrome aged 69.16 ± 2.02 years were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=16) and a control group (n=15). The training program was composed of 12 weeks of water-based rhythmic exercise training performed intermittently for 60 min three times a week. Before and after training, blood was analyzed for glucose homeostasis, T4, and TSH. Data were subjected to analysis by paired t-test and covariance analysis at the p<0.05 level.

Results

The exercise training intervention reduced the FBS and insulin significantly (p=0.000). The growth hormone (GH) index was increased significantly only in the experimental group (p=0.037) whereas no significant variations occurred in the insulin-like growth factor-1 (p=0.712). It was also found that TSH and T4 change in the experimental group as compared to the pre-test.

Conclusions

Water-based rhythmic exercise training may improve blood glucose homeostasis, TSH, and T4.
Battery discharging model on fractal time sets
Authors: Ali Karmina Kamal , Golmankhaneh Alireza Khalili , Yilmazer Resat
Published: June 2021

This article is devoted to propose and investigate the fractal battery discharging model, which is one of the well-known models with a memory effect. It is presented as to how non-locality affects the behavior of solutions and how the current state of the system is affected by its past. Firstly, we present a local fractal solution. Then we solve the non-local fractal differential equation and examine the memory effect that includes the Mittag-Leffler function with one parameter. For that aim, the local fractal and non-local fractal Laplace transforms are used to achieve fractional solutions. In addition, the simulation analysis is performed by comparing the underlying fractal derivatives to the classical ones in order to understand the significance of the results. The effects of the fractal parameter and the fractional parameter are discussed in the conclusion section.
Investigating Indonesian EFL learners’ knowledge and use of English causative constructions
Authors: Wijaya David , Winstin Evelyn
Published: June 2021

This paper explored Indonesian EFL learners’ explicit knowledge, processing, and use of English periphrastic causative constructions make, have, and get. 20 English L1 speakers and 20 Indonesian intermediate level EFL learners majoring in English Language Education at an Indonesian university took part in this study. Data were collected through a cloze task, a sentence completion task, an interpretation task, and a set of open-ended questions asking learners to provide descriptions about their knowledge of the constructions. Results showed that learners did not always use the first noun strategy to identify the agent in a passive causative construction. Also, their suppliances of the causative verbs in most items did not significantly differ from L1 speakers. However, the syntactic patterns were mostly non-target-like. They demonstrated insufficient explicit knowledge that could enable them to verbalize the formal and functional aspects underlying the constructions. Pedagogical implications along with suggestions to improve instruction are discussed.
Adult males in maternity colonies of Daubenton’s bat, Myotis daubentonii: what are they?
Authors: Ružinská Romana , Kaňuch Peter
Published: June 2021

During summer, females of temperate zone bats form maternity colonies consisting almost exclusively of mothers and their offspring. However, in some species the proportion of males in nurseries is relatively high. We explored the presence of these males in Daubenton’s bat, with respect to their age and relatedness to the local maternity colony. Using automatic PIT-tag readers, we recorded individual swarming activity at roosts used for day roosting and discovered that most of the males were yearlings that returned to their nursery roost after hibernation. The elevated occurrence of yearling males in spring could be explained by late mating attempts or toleration in the territory of adults.
The crystal structure of tetrakis(1-isopropyl-1H-imidazolium) octamolybdate, C24H44Mo8N8O26
Authors: Yang Bingchuan , Lv Xueyan , Liu Rutao
Published: June 2021

C24H44Mo8N8O26, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 10.3214(11) Å, b = 21.810(2) Å, c = 10.9371(11) Å, V = 2340.4(4) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0423, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0893, T = 298(2) K.
Reactions of ozone and intermediate products of its decomposition with actinides, lanthanides and transition metals in aqueous solutions
Authors: Ershov Boris G. , Shilov Bladimir P.
Published: June 2021

The properties and stability of ozone in aqueous solutions of various compositions in the рН range of 0–14 were considered. The effect of anions and cations, which are involved in the redox reactions of actinides, on the stability of ozone and its reactivity has been studied. The reactions of О3 with ions of d- and f-elements were analyzed. Depending on the solution composition and рН value, the reaction can occur directly with the O3 molecule (direct mechanism) and/or with short-lived ion-radical products (•OH,

HO
2
•

/

O
2

−
•

${\text{HO}}_{2}^{{\bullet}}/{\text{O}}_{2}^{-{\bullet}}$

, H2O2/

HO
2
−

${\text{HO}}_{2}^{-}$

,

O
3

−
•

${\text{O}}_{3}^{-{\bullet}}$

) formed upon ozone decomposition in water (indirect mechanism). Ions with inert coordination sphere react with О3 in the outer-sphere fashion with electron transfer. Polyvalent ions with labile coordination spheres are oxidized in acidic medium via О atom transfer, possibly, with intermediate peroxy addition (H2O2, HNO4, H2SO5, etc.). In alkaline medium, О3 is converted to the

O
3

−
•

${\text{O}}_{3}^{-{\bullet}}$

radical ion, which is the key oxidant for actinides. The results of studies and the mechanisms of reactions of ozone and its intermediates decomposition products with U, Np, Pu, and Am in various oxidation states and with some transition metals (Fe, Mn, Ag, Co, etc.) in aqueous solutions are presented and discussed.
Air pollution increases the risk of pulmonary embolism: a meta-analysis
Authors: Miao Huangtai , Li Xiaoying , Wang Xiao , Nie Shaoping
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Air pollution can lead to many cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, but the impact of air pollution on pulmonary embolism is still uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between air pollution and pulmonary embolism.

Content

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochran Library for citations on air pollutants (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter) and pulmonary embolism. A total of nine citations met the inclusion criteria. There is no evidence of bias. CO, SO2, PM10 and PM2.5 had no significant effect on the occurrence of pulmonary embolism. NO2 and O3 can increase the risk of pulmonary embolism to a small extent.

This meta-analysis suggests that some air pollutants are associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism.

Outlook

Reducing air pollution and improving air quality can effectively reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism.
NO, CO and H2S based pharmaceuticals in the mission of vision (eye health): a comprehensive review
Authors: Mir Jan Mohammad , Maurya Ram Charitra , Khan Mohd Washid
Published: June 2021

A set of well defined signaling molecules responsible for normal functioning of human physiology including nitric oxide along with carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide are referred as “gasotransmitters”. Due to their involvement in almost every system of a human body, the care of highly sensitive organs using these molecules as drugs represents highly fascinating area of research. In connection with these interesting aspects, the applied aspects of these gaseous molecules in maintaining healthy eye and vision have been targeted in this review. Several examples of eye-droppers including NORMs like latanoprost and nipradiol, CORMs like CORM-3 and CORM-A1, and Hydrogen sulfide releasing system like GYY4137 have been discussed in this context. Therefore the relation of these trio-gasotransmitters with the ophthalmic homeostasis on one hand, and de-infecting role on the other hand has been mainly highlighted. Some molecular systems capable of mimicking gasotransmitter action have also been introduced in connection with the titled theme.
Detection of circulating prostate cancer cells via prostate specific membrane antigen by chronoimpedimetric aptasensor
Authors: Uygun Zihni Onur , Girgin Sağin Ferhan
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Sensitive and accurate techniques for early detection of prostate cancer, which has a good chance for successful treatment if detected early, are of utmost value. Our aim is to develop a sensitive chronoimpedimetric biosensor for detection of circulating prostatic tumor cells (CTCs) with an aptamer selective for prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA).

Methods

Thiolated PSMA-specific aptamer was immobilized on the gold nanoparticle modified carbon screen-printed electrodes. After characterization with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies were conducted to confirm the modifications. LNCaP cells (androgen-sensitive human prostate adenocarcinoma cells), were then added to the serum samples and chronoimpedimetric detection of CTCs in samples were performed.

Results

Our study showed one cell detection capability in real serum samples with a linear range from 1 to 40 cells/mL. The incubation time was 130 s. LOD was found to be 0.62 cells/mL and relative standard deviations were lower than 2% RSD. Reproducibility tests indicated a regression coefficient as R2 = 0.9963 ± 0.0178.

Conclusions

This new biosensor enables rapid, accurate, precise, reproducible and highly sensitive detection of PSMA on CTCs in prostate cancer and paves the way to new diagnostic applications and research-based studies.
Adiabatic compressibility of biphasic salt melts
Authors: Stepanov Victor P.
Published: June 2021

The adiabatic compressibility along the two-phase saturation line was calculated for nine molten immiscible mixtures, namely, LiF + KBr, LiF + CsCl, LiF + RbBr, LiF + KI, LiF + CsBr, LiF + RbI, LiF + CsI, LiCl + AgBr, and NaCl + AgI, using experimental data on the sound velocity and density. It is shown that the ratio of compressibility of the equilibrium phases depends significantly on the sizes of the mixed ions. The dependence of the changes in compressibility in the distance and in the vicinity of the critical mixing point on the characteristics of the chemical bond between the ions is discussed.
A synergy interaction of artocarpin and tetracycline against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its mechanism of action on membrane permeability
Authors: Septama Abdi Wira , Rahmi Eldiza Puji , Antika Lucia Dwi , Dewi Rizna Triana , Jaisi Amit
Published: June 2021

The emergence of antibacterial resistance has significantly increased. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with nosocomial infection and difficult to control. Artocarpin, a flavonoid from Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. exhibits several pharmacological properties including antibacterial. The study was performed to evaluate interaction between artocarpin and antibiotics including tetracycline against P. aeruginosa. Its mechanism of action on membrane permeability was also investigated. Broth microdilution was conducted for the susceptibility assay. The interaction of artocarpin and antibiotics was evaluated using checkerboard method, the effect on alteration of membrane cell was investigated using bacteriolysis and the released of 260 nm materials. Artocarpin showed moderate to weak activity against the Gram-negative bacteria including P. aeruginosa with MIC values in the range of 31.25–250 μg/mL. A synergistic effect against P. aeruginosa was produced by the combination of artocarpin (31.25 μg/mL) and tetracycline (1.95 μg/mL) with FICI of 0.37. The time-killing assay showed that artocarpin enhance the antibacterial activity of tetracycline against P. aeruginosa by completely inhibiting the bacterial growth. Additionally, the mixture of artocarpin (31.25 μg/mL) and tetracycline (1.95 μg/mL) disrupted membrane permeability and lead to cell death. These results proposed that the combination of artocarpin and tetracycline may be used to overcome P. aeruginosa infection.