bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wing structure and neural encoding jointly determine sensing strategies in insect flight
Authors: Weber Alison I. , Daniel Thomas L. , Brunton Bingni W.
Published: August 2021

Animals rely on sensory feedback to generate accurate, reliable movements. In many flying insects, strain-sensitive neurons on the wings provide rapid feedback that is critical for stable flight control. While the impacts of wing structure on aerodynamic performance have been widely studied, the impacts of wing structure on sensing are largely unexplored. In this paper, we show how the structural properties of the wing and encoding by mechanosensory neurons interact to jointly determine optimal sensing strategies and performance. Specifically, we examine how neural sensors can be placed effectively on a flapping wing to detect body rotation about different axes, using a computational wing model with varying flexural stiffness. A small set of mechanosensors, conveying strain information at key locations with a single action potential per wingbeat, enable accurate detection of body rotation. Optimal sensor locations are concentrated at either the wing base or the wing tip, and they transition sharply as a function of both wing stiffness and neural threshold. Moreover, the sensing strategy and performance is robust to both external disturbances and sensor loss. Typically, only five sensors are needed to achieve near-peak accuracy, with a single sensor often providing accuracy well above chance. Our results show that small-amplitude, dynamic signals can be extracted efficiently with spatially and temporally sparse sensors in the context of flight. The demonstrated interaction of wing structure and neural encoding properties points to the importance of understanding each in the context of their joint evolution.
A large-scale brain network mechanism for increased seizure propensity in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tait Luke , Lopes Marinho A. , Stothart George , Baker John , Kazanina Nina , Zhang Jiaxiang , Goodfellow Marc
Published: August 2021

People with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are 6-10 times more likely to develop seizures than the healthy aging population. Leading hypotheses largely consider hyperexcitability of local cortical tissue as primarily responsible for increased seizure prevalence in AD. However, in the general population of people with epilepsy, large-scale brain network organization additionally plays a role in determining seizure likelihood and phenotype. Here, we propose that alterations to large-scale brain network organization seen in AD may contribute to increased seizure likelihood. To test this hypothesis, we combine computational modelling with electrophysiological data using an approach that has proved informative in clinical epilepsy cohorts without AD. EEG was recorded from 21 people with probable AD and 26 healthy controls. At the time of EEG acquisition, all participants were free from seizures. Whole brain functional connectivity derived from source-reconstructed EEG recordings was used to build subject-specific brain network models of seizure transitions. As cortical tissue excitability was increased in the simulations, AD simulations were more likely to transition into seizures than simulations from healthy controls, suggesting an increased group-level probability of developing seizures at a future time for AD participants. We subsequently used the model to assess seizure propensity of different regions across the cortex. We found the most important regions for seizure generation were those typically burdened by amyloid-beta at the early stages of AD, as previously reported by in-vivo and post-mortem staging of amyloid plaques. Analysis of these spatial distributions also give potential insight into mechanisms of increased susceptibility to generalized (as opposed to focal) seizures in AD vs controls. This research suggests avenues for future studies testing patients with seizures, e.g. co-morbid AD/epilepsy patients, and comparisons with PET and MRI scans to relate regional seizure propensity with AD pathologies.
Assessing early child development and its association with stunting and schistosome infections in rural Zimbabwean children using the Griffiths Scales of Child Development
Authors: Mutapi Francisca , Pfavayi Lorraine , Osakunor Derick , Lim Rivka , Kasambala Maritha , Mutemeri Arnold , Rusakaniko Simbarashe , Chibanda Dixon , Mduluza Takafira
Published: August 2021

There is a paucity of reference early childhood development (ECD) data at community level in rural Africa. Our objective was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of ECD in rural Zimbabwe and determine the impact of stunting and schistosome infections on ECD. Using the Griffiths Scales of Child Development, we conducted a cross sectional assessment of Eye and Hand Coordination (EHC), Personal-Social-Emotional (PSE), Language and Communication (LC), Foundations of Learning (FL) and Gross Motor (GM) domains and the summary General Development (GD) in 166 children aged 6–72 months. The effects of stunting, malnutrition andSchistosoma haematobiuminfection on ECD was determined. The impact of praziquantel curative treatment of schistosome infection on the developmental scores was determined through a longitudinal follow up at 6 and 12 months. From an initial 166 children, 11 were found to have developmental deficits warranting further investigation. Of the remaining 155, 58.7% recorded a good (≥ average) score for the overall General Development (GD). Proportions of children scoring above the cut-off (≥ average) for each domain were GM (84.5%), PSE (80.6%), EHC (61.9%), FL (43.9%) and LC (44.5%). The prevalence of stunting was 26.8% (95% CI = 20.1%–34.8%) Scores for stunted children were significantly lower for EHC (p = 0.0042), GM (p = 0.0099), and GD (p = 0.0014) with the fraction of lower scores attributable to stunting being GM = 63.4%, GD = 46.6%, EHC = 45%, and LC = 21%.S.haematobiuminfection prevalence was 39.7% and mean infection intensity was 5.4 eggs/10 ml urine. Infected children had poorer cognitive performance scores for the FL (p = 0.0005) with 30.8% of poor FL attributable to the infection. Performance in all domains improved to the expected normal or above reference levels at 6 and 12 months post curative treatment of schistosome infections. Our study documented reference values for ECD in rural Zimbabwean children. The study detected deficiencies in the FL domain, which were more pronounced in children, infected with schistosomes, highlighting the need for provision of cognitive stimulation tools and access to early childhood foundation education. There is also need for improved child nutrition and treatment of schistosome infections to improve child development outcomes.
Evolution and origin of sliding clamp in bacteria, archaea and eukarya
Authors: Acharya Sandesh , Dahal Amol , Bhattarai Hitesh Kumar
Published: August 2021

The replication of DNA is an essential process in all domains of life. A protein often involved in replication is the sliding clamp. The sliding clamp encircles the DNA and helps replicative polymerase stay attached to the replication machinery increasing the processivity of the polymerase. In eukaryotes and archaea, the sliding clamp is called the Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and consists of two domains. This PCNA forms a trimer encircling the DNA as a hexamer. In bacteria, the structure of the sliding clamp is highly conserved, but the protein itself, called beta clamp, contains three domains, which dimerize to form a hexamer. The bulk of literature touts a conservation of the structure of the sliding clamp, but fails to recognize the conservation of protein sequence among sliding clamps. In this paper, we have used PSI blast to the second iteration in NCBI to show a statistically significant sequence homology between Pyrococcus furiosus PCNA and Kallipyga gabonensis beta clamp. The last two domains of beta clamp align with the two domains of PCNA. This homology data demonstrates that PCNA and beta clamp arose from a common ancestor. In this paper, we have further used beta clamp and PCNA sequences from diverse bacteria, archaea and eukarya to build maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree. Most, but not all, species in different domains of life harbor one sliding clamp from vertical inheritance. Some of these species that have two or more sliding clamps have acquired them from gene duplication or horizontal gene transfer events.
Social behaviour and vocalizations of the tent-roosting Honduran white bat
Authors: Fernandez Ahana Aurora , Schmidt Christian , Schmidt Stefanie , Rodríguez-Herrera Bernal , Knörnschild Mirjam
Published: August 2021

Bats are highly gregarious animals, displaying a large spectrum of social systems with different organizational structures. One important factor shaping sociality is group stability. To maintain group cohesion and stability, bats often rely on vocal communication. The Honduran white bat,Ectophylla alba, exhibits an unusual social structure compared to other tent-roosting species. This small white-furred bat lives in perennial stable mixed-sex groups. Tent construction requires several individuals and, as the only tent roosting species so far, involves both sexes. The bats´ social system and ecology render this species an interesting candidate to study social behaviour and vocal communication. In our study, we investigated the social behaviour and vocalizations ofE.albain the tent by observing two stable groups, including pups, in the wild. We documented 16 different behaviours, among others play and fur chewing, a behaviour presumably used for scent-marking. Moreover, we found 10 distinct social call types in addition to echolocation calls, and for seven call types we were able to identify the corresponding broad behavioural context. Most of the social call types were affiliative, including two types of contact calls, maternal directive calls, pup isolation calls and a call type related to the fur-chewing behaviour. In sum, this study entails an ethogram and describes the social vocalizations of a tent-roosting phyllostomid bat, providing the basis for further in-depth studies about the sociality and vocal communication inE.alba.
Excess cost of care associated with sepsis in cancer patients: Results from a population-based case-control matched cohort
Authors: Tew Michelle , Dalziel Kim , Thursky Karin , Krahn Murray , Abrahamyan Lusine , Morris Andrew M. , Clarke Philip
Published: August 2021

Background

Cancer patients are at significant risk of developing sepsis due to underlying malignancy and necessary treatments. Little is known about the economic burden of sepsis in this high-risk population. We estimate the short- and long-term healthcare costs of care of cancer patients with and without sepsis using individual-level linked-administrative data.

Methods

We conducted a population-based matched cohort study of cancer patients aged ≥18, diagnosed between 2010 and 2017. Cases were identified if diagnosed with sepsis during the study period, and were matched 1:1 by age, sex, cancer type and other variables to controls without sepsis. Mean costs (2018 Canadian dollars) for patients with and without sepsis up to 5 years were estimated adjusted using survival probabilities at partitioned intervals. We estimated excess cost associated with sepsis presented as a cost difference between the two cohorts. Haematological and solid cancers were analysed separately.

Results

77,483 cancer patients with sepsis were identified and matched. 64.3% of the cohort were aged ≥65, 46.3% female and 17.8% with haematological malignancies. Among solid tumour patients, the excess cost of care among patients who developed sepsis was $29,081 (95%CI, $28,404-$29,757) in the first year, rising to $60,714 (95%CI, $59,729-$61,698) over 5 years. This was higher for haematology patients; $46,154 (95%CI, $45,505-$46,804) in year 1, increasing to $75,931 (95%CI, $74,895-$76,968).

Conclusions

Sepsis imposes substantial economic burden and can result in a doubling of cancer care costs, particularly during the first year of cancer diagnosis. These estimates are helpful in improving our understanding of burden of sepsis along the cancer pathway and to deploy targeted strategies to alleviate this burden.
Assessing the geographic specificity of pH prediction by classification and regression trees
Authors: Egelberg Jacob , Pena Nina , Rivera Rachel , Andruk Christina
Published: August 2021

Soil pH effects a wide range of critical biogeochemical processes that dictate plant growth and diversity. Previous literature has established the capacity of classification and regression trees (CARTs) to predict soil pH, but limitations of CARTs in this context have not been fully explored. The current study collected soil pH, climatic, and topographic data from 100 locations across New York’s Temperate Deciduous Forests (in the United States of America) to investigate the extrapolative capacity of a previously developed CART model as compared to novel CART and random forest (RF) models. Results showed that the previously developed CART underperformed in terms of predictive accuracy (RRMSE = 14.52%) when compared to a novel tree (RRMSE = 9.33%), and that a novel random forest outperformed both models (RRMSE = 8.88%), though its predictions did not differ significantly from the novel tree (p = 0.26). The most important predictors for model construction were climatic factors. These findings confirm existing reports that CART models are constrained by the spatial autocorrelation of geographic data and encourage the restricted application of relevant machine learning models to regions from which training data was collected. They also contradict previous literature implying that random forests should meaningfully boost the predictive accuracy of CARTs in the context of soil pH.
Factors associated with unawareness of HIV-positive status in urban Ethiopia: Evidence from the Ethiopia population-based HIV impact assessment 2017-2018
Authors: Lulseged Sileshi , Belete Wudinesh , Ahmed Jelaludin , Gelibo Terefe , Teklie Habtamu , West Christine W. , Melaku Zenebe , Demissie Minilik , Farhani Mansoor , Eshetu Frehywot , Birhanu Sehin , Getaneh Yimam , Patel Hetal , Voetsch Andrew C. ,   EPHIA Study Team
Published: August 2021

Background

The HIV epidemic in Ethiopia is concentrated in urban areas. Ethiopia conducted a Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (EPHIA) in urban areas between October 2017 and April 2018 to measure the status of the country’s response to the epidemic.

Methods

We conducted field data collection and HIV testing in randomly selected households using the national, rapid testing algorithm with laboratory confirmation of seropositive samples using a supplemental assay. In addition to self-report on HIV diagnosis and treatment, all HIV-positive participants were screened for a set of HIV antiretroviral (ARV) drugs indicative of the first- and second-line regimens. We calculated weighted frequencies and 95% confidence intervals to assess regional variation in participants’ level of unawareness of their HIV-positive status (adjusted for ARV status).

Results

We interviewed 20,170 survey participants 15–64 years of age, of which 19,136 (95%) were tested for HIV, 614 (3.2%) tested positive, and 119 (21%) of HIV-positive persons were unaware of their HIV status. Progress towards the UNAIDS first 90 target (90% of people living with HIV would be aware of their HIV status by 2020) substantially differed by administrative region of the country. In the bivariate analysis using log binomial regression, three regions (Oromia, Addis Ababa, and Harari), male gender, and young age (15–24 years) were significantly associated with awareness of HIV positive status. In multivariate analysis, the same variables were associated with awareness of HIV-positive status.

Conclusion

One-fifth of the HIV-positive urban population were unaware of their HIV-positive status. The number of unaware HIV-positive individuals has a different distribution than the HIV prevalence. National and regional planning and monitoring activities could address this potentially substantial source of undetected HIV infection by increasing HIV testing among young people, men and individuals who do not use condoms.
Muslim undergraduate biology students’ evolution acceptance in the United States
Authors: Barnes M. Elizabeth , Roberts Julie A. , Maas Samantha A. , Brownell Sara E.
Published: August 2021

Evolution is a prominent component of biology education and remains controversial among college biology students in the United States who are mostly Christian, but science education researchers have not explored the attitudes of Muslim biology students in the United States. To explore perceptions of evolution among Muslim students in the United States, we surveyed 7,909 college students in 52 biology classes in 13 states about their acceptance of evolution, interest in evolution, and understanding of evolution. Muslim students in our sample, on average, did not agree with items that measured acceptance of macroevolution and human evolution. Further, on average, Muslim students agreed, but did not strongly agree with items measuring microevolution acceptance. Controlling for gender, major, race/ethnicity, and international status, we found that the evolution acceptance and interest levels of Muslim students were slightly higher than Protestant students and students who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, Muslim student evolution acceptance levels were significantly lower than Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu students as well as students who did not identify with a religion (agnostic and atheists). Muslim student understanding of evolution was similar to students from other affiliations, but was lower than agnostic and atheist students. We also examined which variables are associated with Muslim student acceptance of evolution and found that higher understanding of evolution and lower religiosity are positive predictors of evolution acceptance among Muslim students, which is similar to the broader population of biology students. These data are the first to document that Muslim students have lower acceptance of evolution compared to students from other affiliations in undergraduate biology classrooms in the United States.
The effects of taxes on wealth inequality in Artificial Chemistry models of economic activity
Authors: Banzhaf Wolfgang
Published: August 2021

We consider a number of Artificial Chemistry models for economic activity and what consequences they have for the formation of economic inequality. We are particularly interested in what tax measures are effective in dampening economic inequality. By starting from well-known kinetic exchange models, we examine different scenarios for reducing the tendency of economic activity models to form unequal wealth distribution in equilibrium.
Functional limitations in people with multimorbidity and the association with mental health conditions: Baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
Authors: Fisher Kathryn , Griffith Lauren E. , Gruneir Andrea , Kanters David , Markle-Reid Maureen , Ploeg Jenny
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Increasing multimorbidity is often associated with declining physical functioning, with some studies showing a disproportionate impact on functioning when mental health conditions are present. More research is needed because most multimorbidity studies exclude mental health conditions.

Objectives

This study aims to improve our understanding of the association between functional limitation and multimorbidity, including a comparison of those with multimorbidity that includes versus excludes mental health conditions.

Methods

This is a population-based, cross-sectional analysis of data from The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Functional limitation was defined as the presence of any of 14 activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Multimorbidity, measured by the number of chronic conditions, included mood and anxiety disorders. Logistic regression explored the association between multimorbidity (with and without mental health conditions) and functional limitation. Factor analysis identified common condition clusters to help understand clinical complexity in those with mood/anxiety disorders and the potential influences on functional limitation.

Results

There were 51,338 participants, with a similar proportion of men and women (49% versus 51%) and 42% age 65 years or older. Fifteen percent (15%) had no chronic conditions and 17% had 5+. Ten percent (10%) reported at least one ADL or IADL limitation. Odds ratios (ORs) for functional limitation increased with multimorbidity and were generally higher for those with versus without mental health conditions (e.g., ORs from 1 to 5+ chronic conditions increased 1.9 to 15.8 for those with mood/anxiety disorders versus 1.8 to 10.2 for those without). Factor analysis showed that mood/anxiety conditions clustered with somatic conditions (e.g., migraines, bowel/gastrointestinal disorders).

Conclusion

This study found higher odds of functional limitation for those with multimorbidity that included versus excluded mental health conditions, at all levels of multimorbidity. It highlights the need for concurrent management of mental and physical comorbidities to prevent functional limitations and future decline. This approach is aligned with the NICE clinical assessment and management guidelines for people with multimorbidity.
Clinical features and outcome of Aeromonas sobria bacteremia in pediatric and adult patients with hematologic malignancies: A single-center retrospective study in Peru
Authors: Valcarcel Bryan , De-la-Cruz-Ku Gabriel , Malpica Luis , Enriquez-Vera Daniel
Published: August 2021

Background

Previous studies have found that healthcare-associated bacteremia (HAB) by Aeromonas species is associated with mortality. However, there is limited data on this outcome in patients with hematologic malignancies. This study aimed to identify the clinical features of patients with malignant hematologic diseases diagnosed with Aeromonas sobria bacteremia and to evaluate whether the type of bacteremia, community-acquired bacteremia (CAB) or HAB, is associated with mortality.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of pediatric and adult patients between January 2000 and December 2017. Clinical characteristics were compared between CAB and HAB. Additionally, we stratified based on age group. Survival outcomes were assessed with Kaplan-Meier curves and a multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 37 patients (median age 24 years) were identified; 23 (62%) had HAB and 14 (38%) had CAB. Overall, the most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (41%). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 12/15, 80%) and acute myeloid leukemia (n = 8/22, 36%) were the primary hematologic malignancies in pediatric and adult patients, respectively. CAB patients had worse overall survival (OS) rates at 30 days in all (43% versus HAB 91%, p = 0.006) and adult patients (30% versus HAB 92%, p = 0.002). Cox regression analysis found that quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and CAB were statistically significant factors associated with mortality. Low antimicrobial-resistant was noted, except for ciprofloxacin (n = 5/37, 14%).

Conclusion

Our study found a worse OS among patients with hematologic malignancies and CAB by Aeromonas sobria. Our results suggest that patients with CAB present with a worse disease severity. These findings should aid clinicians to determine the survival prognosis in this population.
Reciprocal interplay between asporin and decorin: Implications in gastric cancer prognosis
Authors: Basak Dipjit , Jamal Zarqua , Ghosh Arnab , Mondal Pronoy Kanti , Dey Talukdar Priyanka , Ghosh Semanti , Ghosh Roy Biswadeep , Ghosh Ranajoy , Halder Aniket , Chowdhury Abhijit , Dhali Gopal Krishna , Chattopadhyay Bitan Kumar , Saha Makhan Lal , Basu Abhimanyu , Roy Sukanta , Mukherjee Chitranjan , Biswas Nidhan Kumar , Chatterji Urmi , Datta Shalini
Published: August 2021

Effective patient prognosis necessitates identification of novel tumor promoting drivers of gastric cancer (GC) which contribute to worsened conditions by analysing TCGA-gastric adenocarcinoma dataset. Small leucine-rich proteoglycans, asporin (ASPN) and decorin (DCN), play overlapping roles in development and diseases; however, the mechanisms underlying their interplay remain elusive. Here, we investigated the complex interplay of asporin, decorin and their interaction with TGFβ in GC tumor and corresponding normal tissues. The mRNA levels, protein expressions and cellular localizations of ASPN and DCN were analyzed using real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The protein-protein interaction was predicted by in-silico interaction analysis and validated by co-immunoprecipitation assay. The correlations between ASPN and EMT proteins, VEGF and collagen were achieved using western blot analysis. A significant increase in expression of ASPN in tumor tissue vs. normal tissue was observed in both TCGA and our patient cohort. DCN, an effective inhibitor of the TGFβ pathway, was negatively correlated with stages of GC. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that DCN binds with TGFβ, in normal gastric epithelium, whereas in GC, ASPN preferentially binds TGFβ. Possible activation of the canonical TGFβ pathway by phosphorylation of SMAD2 in tumor tissues suggests its role as an intracellular tumor promoter. Furthermore, tissues expressing ASPN showed unregulated EMT signalling. Our study uncovers ASPN as a GC-promoting gene and DCN as tumor suppressor, suggesting that ASPN can act as a prognostic marker in GC. For the first time, we describe the physical interaction of TGFβ with ASPN in GC and DCN with TGFβ in GC and normal gastric epithelium respectively. This study suggests that prevention of ASPN-TGFβ interaction or overexpression of DCN could serve as promising therapeutic strategies for GC patients.
COVID-19 and cause of pregnancy loss during the pandemic: A systematic review
Authors: Kazemi Seyyedeh Neda , Hajikhani Bahareh , Didar Hamidreza , Hosseini Sareh Sadat , Haddadi Sara , Khalili Farima , Mirsaeidi Mehdi , Nasiri Mohammad Javad
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The association between Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and abortion has been debated since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to conduct this systematic review to understand better the potential effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on fetal loss in infected mothers presented with abortion following this infection.

Methods

We included articles published in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, and Embase databases in 2019 and 2020 through a comprehensive search via appropriate keywords, including COVID-19 and abortion synonyms. All studies with the abortion data in COVID-19 confirmed pregnant females were collected.

Results

Out of 208 potentially relevant articles, 11 articles were eligible to include in the systematic review. The included reports were published because of the following reasons: (1) First-trimester miscarriage; (2) Late miscarriage; (3) complication of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy; (4) COVID-19 disease in artificial pregnancy. First-trimester abortion was found in 5 studies, and second-trimester abortion in 7 studies. Two patients acquired infection during the hospital stay while they were referred for abortion. Reports related to abortion in pregnant females with COVID-19 show that most miscarriages due to COVID-19 in the first trimester were due to placental insufficiency.

Conclusions

There is an increased risk of abortion in mothers with a positive test result of SARS-CoV-2, which several case reports and case series have identified during the pandemic. Placental inflammation during the viral infection may result in fetal growth retardation and induce abortion. There has not been any consistent evidence of vertical transmission of the virus from mother to fetus, which requires further investigation.
The accuracy of self-reported physical activity questionnaires varies with sex and body mass index
Authors: Quinlan Clare , Rattray Ben , Pryor Disa , Northey Joseph M. , Anstey Kaarin J. , Butterworth Peter , Cherbuin Nicolas
Published: August 2021

Background

Factors contributing to the accurate measurement of self-reported physical activity are not well understood in middle-aged adults. We investigated the associations between two self-reported surveys and objectively measured physical activity in middle-aged adults, and the influence of individual and sociodemographic factors on these associations, at different intensities utilizing an observational study design.

Methods

Participants (n = 156) wore a SenseWear Armband™ (SWA) for a continuous seven-day period over the triceps of the left arm, to measure energy expenditure in metabolic equivalents. Participants also completed the Physical Activity Recall questionnaire (PAR) and Active Australia Survey (AAS). Associations were analyzed separately in general linear models for each intensity. The influence of individual and sociodemographic factors was assessed through moderator analyses.

Results

The PAR and SWA were significantly positively associated at moderate (β = 0.68, 95% CI 0.16–1.20), vigorous (β = 0.36, 95% CI 0.20–0.53), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (β = 0.52, 95% CI 0.20–0.83), and total METmins (β = 0.63, 95% CI 0.35–0.90), the AAS and SWA were associated at all intensities (moderate (β = 0.41, 95% CI 0.15–0.67), vigorous (β = 0.32, 95% CI 0.19–0.46), MVPA (β = 0.42, 95% CI 0.18–0.65) and total METmins (β = 0.62, 95% CI 0.29–0.96). A significant interaction between the PAR and sex for vigorous-intensity unveiled a weaker association in women. Both surveys tended to under-report physical activity. The largest margins of error were present at light and moderate intensities. For the PAR, participants reported over 20 hours, or 69% less light physical activity than recorded by the SWA per week. For the AAS, participants reported over 7 hours, or 38% less moderate physical activity. Compared to lighter intensities, time spent at a vigorous intensity was overreported by participants with the PAR and AAS by 91 and 43 minutes per week, respectively. The addition of Body Mass Index (BMI) resulted in non-significant interactions between the PAR and SWA for moderate-intensity, and the AAS and SWA for vigorous-intensity; a significant interaction between AAS and BMI indicated that the strength of the association differed by BMI for vigorous-intensity.

Conclusions

The PAR and AAS are not equivalent to the SWA, and sex and BMI may alter the associations between the measures.
Structured patterns of activity in pulse-coupled oscillator networks with varied connectivity
Authors: Kadhim Kyra L. , Hermundstad Ann M. , Brown Kevin S.
Published: August 2021

Identifying coordinated activity within complex systems is essential to linking their structure and function. We study collective activity in networks of pulse-coupled oscillators that have variable network connectivity and integrate-and-fire dynamics. Starting from random initial conditions, we see the emergence of three broad classes of behaviors that differ in their collective spiking statistics. In the first class (“temporally-irregular”), all nodes have variable inter-spike intervals, and the resulting firing patterns are irregular. In the second (“temporally-regular”), the network generates a coherent, repeating pattern of activity in which all nodes fire with the same constant inter-spike interval. In the third (“chimeric”), subgroups of coherently-firing nodes coexist with temporally-irregular nodes. Chimera states have previously been observed in networks of oscillators; here, we find that the notions of temporally-regular and chimeric states encompass a much richer set of dynamical patterns than has yet been described. We also find that degree heterogeneity and connection density have a strong effect on the resulting state: in binomial random networks, high degree variance and intermediate connection density tend to produce temporally-irregular dynamics, while low degree variance and high connection density tend to produce temporally-regular dynamics. Chimera states arise with more frequency in networks with intermediate degree variance and either high or low connection densities. Finally, we demonstrate that a normalized compression distance, computed via the Lempel-Ziv complexity of nodal spike trains, can be used to distinguish these three classes of behavior even when the phase relationship between nodes is arbitrary.
Comparison of enteric methane yield and diversity of ruminal methanogens in cattle and buffaloes fed on the same diet
Authors: Malik P. K. , Trivedi S. , Mohapatra A. , Kolte A. P. , Sejian V. , Bhatta R. , Rahman H.
Published: August 2021

An in vivo study was conducted to compare the enteric methane emissions and diversity of ruminal methanogens in cattle and buffaloes kept in the same environment and fed on the same diet. Six cattle and six buffaloes were fed on a similar diet comprising Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) green grass and concentrate in 70:30. After 90 days of feeding, the daily enteric methane emissions were quantified by using the SF6 technique and ruminal fluid samples from animals were collected for the diversity analysis. The daily enteric methane emissions were significantly greater in cattle as compared to buffaloes; however, methane yields were not different between the two species. Methanogens were ranked at different taxonomic levels against the Rumen and Intestinal Methanogen-Database. The archaeal communities in both host species were dominated by the phylum Euryarchaeota; however, Crenarchaeota represented <1% of the total archaea. Methanogens affiliated with Methanobacteriales were most prominent and their proportion did not differ between the two hosts. Methanomicrobiales and Methanomassillicoccales constituted the second largest group of methanogens in cattle and buffaloes, respectively. Methanocellales (Methanocella arvoryza) were exclusively detected in the buffaloes. At the species level, Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii had the highest abundance (55–57%) in both the host species. The relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter wolinii between the two hosts differed significantly. Methanosarcinales, the acetoclastic methanogens were significantly greater in cattle than the buffaloes. It is concluded that the ruminal methane yield in cattle and buffaloes fed on the same diet did not differ. With the diet used in this study, there was a limited influence (<3.5%) of the host on the structure of the ruminal archaea community at the species level. Therefore, the methane mitigation strategies developed in either of the hosts should be effective in the other. Further studies are warranted to reveal the conjunctive effect of diet and geographical locations with the host on ruminal archaea community composition.
Hantavirus infection-induced B cell activation elevates free light chains levels in circulation
Authors: Hepojoki Jussi , Cabrera Luz E. , Hepojoki Satu , Bellomo Carla , Kareinen Lauri , Andersson Leif C. , Vaheri Antti , Mäkelä Satu , Mustonen Jukka , Vapalahti Olli , Martinez Valeria , Strandin Tomas
Published: August 2021

In humans, orthohantaviruses can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). An earlier study reported that acute Andes virus HPS caused a massive and transient elevation in the number of circulating plasmablasts with specificity towards both viral and host antigens suggestive of polyclonal B cell activation. Immunoglobulins (Igs), produced by different B cell populations, comprise heavy and light chains; however, a certain amount of free light chains (FLCs) is constantly present in serum. Upregulation of FLCs, especially clonal species, associates with renal pathogenesis by fibril or deposit formations affecting the glomeruli, induction of epithelial cell disorders, or cast formation in the tubular network. We report that acute orthohantavirus infection increases the level of Ig FLCs in serum of both HFRS and HPS patients, and that the increase correlates with the severity of acute kidney injury in HFRS. The fact that the kappa to lambda FLC ratio in the sera of HFRS and HPS patients remained within the normal range suggests polyclonal B cell activation rather than proliferation of a single B cell clone. HFRS patients demonstrated increased urinary excretion of FLCs, and we found plasma cell infiltration in archival patient kidney biopsies that we speculate to contribute to the observed FLC excreta. Analysis of hospitalized HFRS patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed elevated plasmablast levels, a fraction of which stained positive for Puumala virus antigen. Furthermore, B cells isolated from healthy donors were susceptible to Puumala virus in vitro, and the virus infection induced increased production of Igs and FLCs. The findings propose that hantaviruses directly activate B cells, and that the ensuing intense production of polyclonal Igs and FLCs may contribute to acute hantavirus infection-associated pathological findings.
The Crisis of the Institutional Press, Stephen D. Reese (2021)
Authors: Conyers Sherine P.
Published: August 2021

Review of: The Crisis of the Institutional Press, Stephen D. Reese (2021)

Cambridge: Polity Press, 214 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-5095-3802-4, p/bk, £15.99
Prelapsarian landscapes and post-diluvian politics in mid-century Iraqi art
Authors: Gupta Huma , Takesh Suheyla
Published: August 2021

The 1950s was a decade marked by radical artistic, environmental and political transformations in Iraq. The decade began with an elite-driven programme of national development and ended in a popular anti-monarchic revolution on 14 July 1958. Between these competing visions of development and revolution, members of the Baghdad modern art scene negotiated between a drive towards institutionalization and state patronage with more radical critiques of the status quo. In 1950, for instance, the artist Faiq Hassan founded The Pioneers (Ar-Ruwwād) collective. It grew out of La Société Primitive, which Hassan originally established under the guiding principle that art should be taken outside the studio and into the streets. Their objective was to paint ‘directly from the surrounding environment’ (). But what exactly did Iraqi artists consider to be the environment? This article addresses this question by examining the divergent modes of representation adapted by mid-century Iraqi artists to reflect their environmental imaginations. These imaginations ranged from romantic depictions of prelapsarian landscapes to devastating floods, migration and dispossession faced by the majority of the country’s poorer inhabitants who disproportionately bore the consequences of environmental catastrophes and interventions alike.
Bi-fluid cooling effect on electrical characteristics of flexible photovoltaic panel
Authors: Rukman Nurul Shahirah , Fudholi Ahmad , Utari Putri Adia , Aisyah Cheku Nurul , Purwanto Andri Joko , Pramana Rakhmad Indra , Martides Erie , Kristi Ant. Ardath , Asim Nilofar , Yazdi Mohammad Hossein , Moria Hazim , Hasan Husam Abdulrasool , Darwish Zeki Ahmed
Published: August 2021

A photovoltaic (PV) system integrated with a bi-fluid cooling mechanism, which is known as photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system, was investigated. The electrical characteristics of flexible solar panel were evaluated for PV and PV with bi-fluid (air and water) cooling system. The integration of monocrystalline flexible solar panel into both systems was tested under a fixed solar radiation of 800 W/m2. A total of 0.04–0.10 kg/s of air flow was utilised in PV with cooling system with a fixed water mass flow rate of 0.025 kg/s. The efficiencies of flexible panel for PV and PV with cooling system were explored. For PV with bi-fluid flow, the highest obtained efficiency of module was 15.95% when 0.08 kg/s of air and 0.025 kg/s of water were allowed to flow through the cooling system. Compared with PV without cooling mechanism, the highest efficiency of module was 13.35% under same solar radiation. Current–voltage and power graphs were also plotted to present the electrical characteristics (current, voltage and power) generated by both systems.
Using RFID to identify smart products on a blockchain enabled production network
Authors: Csikós Sándor , Czifra György , Sárosi József
Published: August 2021

Industry 4.0 requires the cooperation of several technologies. The intersections of these technologies present us with new challenges. One of these challenges is identification, since we have to identify all the items that are on the network that do work and those that are worked upon. If we fail to identify one of these items the network is presented with an unidentified potentially malicious device or a misidentified product which can cause production to halt. Blockchains or otherwise known as Distributed Ledger Technology, DLT for short is a technology that builds upon the current bookkeeping paradigm and expands it in a decentralized direction. This however can be used in more than just banking since it is essentially a distributed database that has memory of past events not just the current state. By using a blockchain based distributed database to hold processing details and using RFID-s as keys to certain entries in the database it is possible to build a tamper proof production system that can handle the challenges of industry 4.0. It may also be possible to use blockchain technology as a form of digital paper trail that can be used to validate messages sent to the nodes of the system.
A disciplina “Literatura: Outras Mídias” em curso de licenciatura em Letras
Authors: Bonacin Larissa Degasperi
Published: August 2021

O presente artigo pretende ressaltar a importância da disciplina Literatura: outras mídias nos cursos de licenciatura em Letras, a partir de um estudo de caso. Foram abordados os aspectos teóricos e metodológicos do plano de ensino aplicado ao 8º período do curso de Letras de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior da rede particular, na região Sul do Brasil. Por fim, discorreu-se sobre a participação dos estudantes e os produtos avaliativos apresentados ao final. A presente análise demonstrará, em primeiro lugar, uma possível abordagem teórica para a disciplina. Em segundo lugar, buscará discorrer sobre a abordagem metodológica e avaliativa adotada, de modo a contribuir para consolidar a importância da disciplina na grade curricular de Letras, assim como nortear os profissionais da área através da prática pedagógica em análise.
“There and Back Again”
Authors: Jedličková Alice
Published: August 2021

The intention of this paper is to share experience from a course in intermedia studies. It consists in two methodological schemes. The first one provides an option for students of various disciplines––philology, aesthetics, cultural and film studies, and so forth. It starts from the concept (and experience) of media culture, multimediality and re/hyper/mediation and pursues the position and meaning of works of literature within such a context. The other scheme is based on the concept of literature-centered intermediality. Its nodal point being a canonical work of Czech literature, it focuses on its further “(trans)media life” and is primarily aimed at students of Czech studies. Media products and genres are inquired into both as modes of representation and communication.
Jogos intermidiáticos na análise de O Alienista em quadrinhos
Authors: Rezende Xavier Joelma
Published: August 2021

O conto O Alienista (1882), de Machado de Assis, apresenta um quadro de abordagens intermidiáticas em que se encontram adaptações do texto para o cinema e para a TV, para livros e revistas em quadrinhos, para livros literários (em versão reduzida e recriada do texto machadiano), para o teatro e para a música. Esse enfoque variado de adaptações permite a circularidade do conto desde fins do século XIX aos dias de hoje, garantindo-lhe lugar de representatividade e de discussões em torno de seu aspecto canônico e, especialmente, em torno das contribuições dessa narrativa para a formação estética e política de diferentes leitores. Este artigo visa analisar o processo de adaptação do conto O Alienistana versão homônima de livro em quadrinhos, realizada por César Lobo (arte) e por Luiz Antônio de Aguiar (roteiro). O enfoque desenvolvido é baseado nas noções teóricas de intertextualidade e intermidialidade, considerando a complexidade dos jogos de imagens na literatura e nas narrativas gráficas e sua importância para a leitura do texto e para a exploração de narrativas gráficas em sala de aula.
O ensino de literatura em aulas de inglês
Authors: Pereira Mateus da Rosa , Pereira Paula Pelissoli
Published: August 2021

O principal objetivo deste estudo é analisar como a versão facilitada do conto “A queda da casa de Usher” reconfigura aspectos literários ligados ao Gótico, apontando como os elementos fundamentais dessa tradição encontrados no texto original foram preservados, simplificados ou eliminados no texto facilitado. Os resultados sugerem que o texto literário facilitado consegue redefinir os elementos fundamentais do gótico apesar da simplificação linguística. Alguns traços da estética gótica de Poe transbordam o texto literário, irradiando-se para outros componentes do graded reader, tais como as ilustrações e as atividades pedagógicas. Observa-se, portanto, que a multimodalidade do graded reader é fundamental para o êxito na reconfiguração de alguns aspectos marcadamente literários do texto-fonte. Conclui-se que professores de inglês podem considerar o uso efetivo de graded readers para promover o letramento literário em aulas de inglês.
O Papel das Covariâncias na Análise de Deformação Aplicada ao Monitoramento Geodésico de Estruturas
Authors: Bandeira Ana Luiza , Klein Ivandro , Veiga Luis Augusto Koenig
Published: August 2021

Nos últimos anos, houve acidentes de grandes proporções devido ao rompimento de barragens no Brasil, o que motivou o aumento das pesquisas relacionadas à análise de deformações aplicadas ao monitoramento geodésico de estruturas. Na análise dos resultados obtidos, são consideradas as coordenadas isoladas dos pontos monitorados ou ainda resultantes posicionais para a verificação de possíveis deslocamentos, porém, devem ser consideradas também as covariâncias entre essas coordenadas. Entretanto, a negligência no uso das covariâncias das coordenadas dos pontos monitorados pode resultar tanto em falsos positivos quanto em falsos negativos em relação ao cenário real, isto é, multivariado. Desta forma, este trabalho apresenta exemplos simulados e com dados reais que demonstram a importância das covariâncias na análise de deformação aplicada ao monitoramento geodésico de estruturas. Os diversos exemplos analisados demonstraram a ocorrência tanto de falsos positivos quanto de falsos negativos do teste de congruência univariado em relação ao teste de congruência multivariado. Desta forma, visando a tomada de decisões, recomenda-se a aplicação da análise de deformação em um contexto multivariado.
Bullying
Authors: Brandt Andressa Graziele , Padilha Patrícia Sabrine da Silva
Published: August 2021

No texto objetivou-se apresentar uma análise das ações dos(as) orientadores(as) educacionais em relação às questões do bullying nas escolas de uma Rede Municipal de Educação de SC. O percurso metodológico ocorreu por meio da abordagem qualitativa, bibliográfica, documental e por meio de entrevistas, o aporte teórico baseou-se na aproximação dos autores do campo. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que as escolas promovem vários projetos sobre questões de respeito e valores com os estudantes, mas há a necessidade que seja desenvolvido nas escolas um projeto específico acerca do bullying, que o município promulgue a sua legislação acerca do bullying e oportunize aos docentes formações continuadas a respeito do tema.