bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of message-framing to improve oral health behaviors and dental plaque among pregnant women
Authors: Divdar Masoumeh , Araban Marzieh , Heydarabadi Akbar Babaei , Cheraghian Bahman , Stein L. A. R.
Published: June 2021

Background

Oral health is considered a prominent factor that contributes to quality of life. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can influence oral health. Message framing can play an important role in oral health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of message framing on oral health and dental plaque among pregnant women.

Methods

The study was conducted in 2017 on 108 pregnant women in Izeh county, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to gain-framed, loss-framed, and control groups. The research instrument included a two part questionnaire containing demographic information and oral health knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, self-efficacy, practice, and dental plaque index. Gain-and loss-framed messages were sent to the intervention groups via cell phone texts, but the control group did not receive any messages. Participant dental plaque was clinically assessed. Analysis of covariance with follow-up tests were performed using SPSS version, 23.0 with p-value set at 0.01 for significance.

Results

Intervention groups had better oral health (knowledge, atttitude, intention, efficacy, practices and plaque) scores compared to the control group (p < 0.001), but intervention (gain- vs loss-framed) groups did not differ on outcomes.

Conclusion

Text message intervention improved knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, self-efficacy, practice, and dental plaque among pregnant women. While differences between control and both intervention groups indicated text messaging had an impact on oral health outcomes, message framing (i.e., gain vs loss) had no discernable impact on oral health outcomes.
ORFograph: search for novel insecticidal protein genes in genomic and metagenomic assembly graphs
Authors: Dvorkina Tatiana , Bankevich Anton , Sorokin Alexei , Yang Fan , Adu-Oppong Boahemaa , Williams Ryan , Turner Keith , Pevzner Pavel A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Since the prolonged use of insecticidal proteins has led to toxin resistance, it is important to search for novel insecticidal protein genes (IPGs) that are effective in controlling resistant insect populations. IPGs are usually encoded in the genomes of entomopathogenic bacteria, especially in large plasmids in strains of the ubiquitous soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Since there are often multiple similar IPGs encoded by such plasmids, their assemblies are typically fragmented and many IPGs are scattered through multiple contigs. As a result, existing gene prediction tools (that analyze individual contigs) typically predict partial rather than complete IPGs, making it difficult to conduct downstream IPG engineering efforts in agricultural genomics.

Methods

Although it is difficult to assemble IPGs in a single contig, the structure of the genome assembly graph often provides clues on how to combine multiple contigs into segments encoding a single IPG.

Results

We describe ORFograph, a pipeline for predicting IPGs in assembly graphs, benchmark it on (meta)genomic datasets, and discover nearly a hundred novel IPGs. This work shows that graph-aware gene prediction tools enable the discovery of greater diversity of IPGs from (meta)genomes.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that analysis of the assembly graphs reveals novel candidate IPGs. ORFograph identified both already known genes “hidden” in assembly graphs and potential novel IPGs that evaded existing tools for IPG identification. As ORFograph is fast, one could imagine a pipeline that processes many (meta)genomic assembly graphs to identify even more novel IPGs for phenotypic testing than would previously be inaccessible by traditional gene-finding methods. While here we demonstrated the results of ORFograph only for IPGs, the proposed approach can be generalized to any class of genes.
Age-related changes in brain phospholipids and bioactive lipids in the APP knock-in mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Emre Ceren , Do Khanh V. , Jun Bokkyoo , Hjorth Erik , Alcalde Silvia Gómez , Kautzmann Marie-Audrey I. , Gordon William C. , Nilsson Per , Bazan Nicolas G. , Schultzberg Marianne
Published: June 2021

Sustained brain chronic inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) includes glial cell activation, an increase in cytokines and chemokines, and lipid mediators (LMs), concomitant with decreased pro-homeostatic mediators. The inflammatory response at the onset of pathology engages activation of pro-resolving, pro-homeostatic LMs followed by a gradual decrease. We used an APP knock-in (App KI) AD mouse that accumulates β-amyloid (Aβ) and presents cognitive deficits (at 2 and 6 months of age, respectively) to investigate LMs, their precursors, biosynthetic enzymes and receptors, glial activation, and inflammatory proteins in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus at 2-, 4-, 8- and 18-month-old in comparison with wild-type (WT) mice. We used LC-mass-spectrometry and MALDI molecular imaging to analyze LMs and phospholipids, and immunochemistry for proteins. Our results revealed an age-specific lipid and cytokine profile, and glial activation in the App KI mice. Despite an early onset of Aβ pathology, pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving LMs were prominently increased only in the oldest age group. Furthermore, the LM biosynthetic enzymes increased, and their receptor expression decreased in the aged App KI mice. Arachidonic acid (AA)-containing phospholipid molecular species were elevated, correlating with decreased cPLA2 activity. MALDI molecular imaging depicted differential distribution of phospholipids according to genotype in hippocampal layers. Brain histology disclosed increased microglia proliferation starting from young age in the App KI mice, while astrocyte numbers were enhanced in older ages. Our results demonstrate that the brain lipidome is modified preferentially during aging as compared to amyloid pathology in the model studied here. However, alterations in phospholipids signal early pathological changes in membrane composition.
Enhancement of teprenone isomer separation by subcritical fluid chromatography using porous graphitic carbon column
Authors: Jin Chang Hwa , Eom Han Young , Bae Seong Jun , Cho Hyun-Deok , Han Sang Beom
Published: June 2021

Teprenone is a therapeutic anti-ulcer agent developed in Japan. As described in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) 17th Edition, gas chromatography/hydrogen flame ionization detection (GC/FID) and high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet detection (HPLC/UV) have been used for the assay of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and teprenone capsules, respectively. The critical aspect of the assay is a separation of the structural isomers (mono-cis and all-trans) of teprenone. Herein, we propose an improved quantitative method for the quality control of teprenone in APIs and capsules via subcritical fluid chromatography/photo diode array detection (SubFC/PDA) using a porous graphitic carbon column. SubFC conditions, i.e., type and content of the organic modifier in the mobile phase, column temperature, injection volume, and flow rate, were optimized. The developed SubFC/PDA method was validated according to ICH guidelines Q2(R1) in terms of accuracy, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision), specificity, linearity, quantification range, robustness, and stability. Comparison of SubFC/PDA method with the GC/FID or HPLC/UV method (described in JP) revealed that the SubFC/PDA method gave better resolution and run time than the JP methods. The developed SubFC/PDA method is expected to be useful for pharmaceutical analysis or quality control of teprenone isomers.
Identification of 5-methylcytosine-related signature for predicting prognosis in ovarian cancer
Authors: Wang Lei , Gao Song
Published: June 2021

Background

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignancies often resulting in a poor prognosis. 5-methylcytosine (m5C) is a common epigenetic modification with roles in eukaryotes. However, the expression and function of m5C regulatory factors in ovarian cancer remained unclear.

Results

Two molecular subtypes with different prognostic and clinicopathological features were identified based on m5C regulatory factors. Meanwhile, functional annotation showed that in the two subtypes, 452 differentially expressed genes were significantly related to the malignant progression of ovarian cancer. Subsequently, four m5C genes were screened to construct a risk marker predictive of overall survival and indicative of clinicopathological features of ovarian cancer, also the robustness of the risk marker was verified in external dataset and internal validation set. multifactorial cox regression analysis and nomogram demonstrated that risk score was an independent prognostic factor for ovarian cancer prognosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results revealed that m5C-related genes play a critical role in tumor progression in ovarian cancer. Further detection of m5C methylation could provide a novel targeted therapy for treating ovarian cancer.
Wood substitution potential in greenhouse gas emission reduction–review on current state and application of displacement factors
Authors: Myllyviita Tanja , Soimakallio Sampo , Judl Jáchym , Seppälä Jyri
Published: June 2021

Background

Replacing non-renewable materials and energy with wood offers a potential strategy to mitigate climate change if the net emissions of ecosystem and technosystem are reduced in a considered time period. Displacement factors (DFs) describe an emission reduction for a wood-based product or fuel which is used in place of a non-wood alternative. The aims of this review were to map and assess DFs from scientific literature and to provide findings on how to harmonise practices behind them and to support coherent application.

Results

Most of the reviewed DFs were positive, implying decreasing fossil GHG emissions in the technosystem. The vast majority of the reviewed DFs describe avoided fossil emissions either both in processing and use of wood or only in the latter when wood processing emissions were considered separately. Some of the reviewed DFs included emissions avoided in post-use of harvested wood products (HWPs). Changes in forest and product carbon stocks were not included in DFs except in a few single cases. However, in most of the reviewed studies they were considered separately in a consistent way along with DFs.

DFs for wood energy, construction and material substitution were widely available, whereas DFs for packaging products, chemicals and textiles were scarce. More than half of DFs were calculated by the authors of the reviewed articles while the rest of them were adopted from other articles.

Conclusions

Most of the reviewed DFs describe the avoided fossil GHG emissions. These DFs may provide insights on the wood-based products with a potential to replace emissions intensive alternatives but they do not reveal the actual climate change mitigation effects of wood use. The way DFs should be applied and interpreted depends on what has been included in them. If the aim of DFs is to describe the overall climate effects of wood use, DFs should include all the relevant GHG flows, including changes in forest and HWP carbon stock and post-use of HWPs, however, based on this literature review this is not a common practice.

DFs including only fossil emissions should be applied together with a coherent assessment of changes in forest and HWP carbon stocks, as was the case in most of the reviewed studies. To increase robustness and transparency and to decrease misuse, we recommend that system boundaries and other assumptions behind DFs should be clearly documented.
Appraisal of cowpea cropping systems and farmers’ perceptions of production constraints and preferences in the dry savannah areas of Nigeria
Authors: Mohammed Saba Baba , Dzidzienyo Daniel Kwadjo , Umar Muhammad Lawan , Ishiyaku Mohammad Faguji , Tongoona Pangirayi Bernard , Gracen Vernon
Published: June 2021

Background

Low plant density and wide intra-plant spacing in traditional cowpea cropping systems are among the factors responsible for low yield on farmers’ fields. Sole cropping and improved intercropping systems have been advocated in the last few years to increase yield in the dry savannah areas of Nigeria. This study investigated the level of adoption of high yielding cowpea cropping systems including factors that influenced their use and farmers’ perceived production constraints and preferences. A total of 420 farmers across 36 villages of northern Nigeria were interviewed, and data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics to appraise farmers predominant cowpea cropping systems and factors that determine the use of sole versus intercropping were identified with the aid of binary logit regression. Furthermore, pairwise comparison ranking was deployed to understand farmers’ view of cowpea production constraints and preferred traits.

Results

The results revealed that, many of the farmers (42%) still grow cowpeas in the traditional intercropping and a good number (25%) cultivate the crop as a sole crop, while 23% had fields of cowpeas in both sole and intercropping systems. Farmers reported the incidence of high insect pests, limited access to land, desire to have multiple benefits, and assurance in the event of crop failure as reasons for preference for intercropping over sole planting. The pairwise comparison ranking of constraints and preferences revealed insect pests,Striga, drought and poor access to fertilizers as major constraints to increased productivity. Many farmers indicated high yield as the most preferred trait.

Conclusions

Findings indicate a need for increased education and training of cowpea farmers on the importance of growing cowpeas in sole cropping and or improved intercropping systems. Genetic improvement efforts should focus on developing cowpea varieties that address farmers production constraints and reflect the diversity of consumers’ preferences for the crop. Hence, breeding for resistance to insect pests and high yield is recommended as an important priority of cowpea breeding programmes in the region.
A Unique Treatment for Compartment Syndrome After Intravenous Catheter Extravasation: A Case Report
Authors: Hoefnagel Amie L. , Timmermann Tia N. , Riga Andrew , Kaye Marc B. , Braunecker Stefan , Mongan Paul D.
Published: June 2021

Intravenous cannulation is performed on nearly every patient presenting for an anesthetic. Complications of the procedure include infiltration and extravasation, which can have a varied impact on the patient. Here, we present a case of severe intravenous (IV) extravasation, resulting in compartment syndrome of the hand. Rather than treating the compartment syndrome with fasciotomies as is standard, we utilized compression therapy via an Esmarch surgical dressing wrapped distal to proximal on the effected limb, which resulted in marked decrease in swelling and return of perfusion to the hand.
Prefatory Note: How Music Theorists Model Time
Authors: Cohn Richard
Published: June 2021

Scholars of music and dance have subtly different conceptions of musical time, which can lead to misunderstandings in interdisciplinary communication. These conceptual distinctions may be rooted in the embodied experience of performance: the energy required to create dance through whole-body displacement is different in kind from that required to create music through displacement of air molecules. The essay focuses on different conceptions of beats, of the counting numbers that represent them, of precise temporal regularity, and of the relationship between meter and phrasing.
Macro and Micro Dynamics of Productivity: From Devilish Details to Insights
Authors: Blackwood G. Jacob , Foster Lucia S. , Grim Cheryl A. , Haltiwanger John , Wolf Zoltan
Published: June 2021

Firm-level, revenue-based productivity measures are ubiquitous in studies of firm dynamics and aggregate outcomes. One common measure is increasingly interpreted as reflecting “distortions” since in distortions’ absence, equalization of marginal revenue products should yield no dispersion in this measure. Another common but distinct measure is the residual of the firm-level revenue function, which reflects “fundamentals.” Using micro-level US manufacturing data, we find these alternative measures are highly correlated, exhibit similar dispersion, and have similar relationships with growth and survival. However, the distinction between these alternative measures is critically important for quantitative assessment of the level and decline of allocative efficiency. (JEL D21, D22, D24, G32, L60)
The Transmission of Monetary Policy Shocks
Authors: Miranda-Agrippino Silvia , Ricco Giovanni
Published: June 2021

Commonly used instruments for the identification of monetary policy disturbances are likely to combine the true policy shock with information about the state of the economy due to the information disclosed through the policy action. We show that this signaling effect of monetary policy can give rise to the empirical puzzles reported in the literature, and propose a new high-frequency instrument for monetary policy shocks that accounts for informational rigidities. We find that a monetary tightening is unequivocally contractionary, with deterioration of domestic demand, labor and credit market conditions as well as of asset prices and agents’ expectations. (JEL D82, D84, E32, E43, E52, E58, G12)
Optimal Inflation Target in an Economy with Menu Costs and a Zero Lower Bound
Authors: Blanco Andrés
Published: June 2021

I study the optimal inflation target in a quantitative menu cost model with a zero lower bound on interest rates. I find that the optimal inflation target is 3.5 percent, which is higher than in models commonly used for monetary policy analysis. Key to this result is that inflation has a small effect on resource misallocation when the model features firm-level shocks, which are necessary to match the empirical distribution of price changes. A higher inflation target decreases price flexibility at the zero lower bound, and through this mechanism, it reduces the severity of recessions when the monetary authority is constrained. (JEL E12, E31, E32, E42, E52)
What do we know about ancillary care practices in East and Southern Africa? A systematic review and meta-synthesis
Authors: Kapumba Blessings M. , Desmond Nicola , Seeley Janet
Published: June 2021

Background: Despite growing calls for the provision of ancillary care to study participants during medical research, there remains a noticeable gap in ethical guidelines for medical researchers in resource-constrained settings (RCS). We reviewed recent studies to determine the extent to which ancillary care is provided in East and Southern Africa and to examine the ethical justifications researchers provide to support their views on ancillary care obligations.

Methods: A systematic search for qualitative and mixed methods studies on ancillary care was conducted across MEDLINE, Embase, African Wide Information, PubMed, CINAHL Plus, and Scopus. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Department of Bioethics and H3 Africa websites and Google Scholar were further searched. Studies conducted in East and Southern Africa between 2004 and 2020, as well as those that reported on ancillary care provided to study participants were included. All studies included in this review were evaluated for methodological quality as well as bias risk. NVivo version 12 was used for thematic analysis.

Results: Overall, 4,710 articles were identified by the initial search. After the data extraction and quality assessment, 24 articles were included. Key areas presented include ancillary care approaches and the themes of researcher motivation for providing ancillary care and expectations of participants in medical research. The review shows that while some international researchers do provide ancillary care to their study participants, approaches are not standardised without consistent guidelines for ethical practice for ancillary care. We found limited empirical studies in RCS that report on ancillary care, hence findings in this review are based on single studies rather than a collection of multiple studies.

Conclusions: This paper emphasizes the value of establishing ethics guidelines for medical researchers in RCS who consider provision of ancillary care to their participants, and the need to account for these ethical guidelines in medical research.
'Players' in Context
Authors: Chambers Mark
Published: June 2021

Arguably the largest source of REED material of their kind so far collected, the accounts of Durham’s medieval monastic community provide evidence for plays, music, and performers from around the palatinate, including payments to istriones, joculatores, and ministralli performing for various occasions. With accountancy material, however, it can be difficult deciding if individual entries represent evidence of performers or performances per se, or what the nature of any performance might have been. This essay examines these issues in Durham’s accountancy records, looking particularly at Finchale Priory’s so-called ‘playerchambre’: instances in which evidence of ‘performance’ is uncertain and/or only determinable by wider consideration of context.
Performing Early Modern Libel
Authors: Egan Clare
Published: June 2021

This essay focuses on provincial libel cases between private individuals tried at the court of Star Chamber during the early seventeenth century. Libelling saw personal scandals creatively couched in verses, visual symbols, or mock-ceremonies, and read, sung, and posted in early modern communities. This essay identifies a range of ‘manners’ of libel, and compares a libellous ‘Stage plaie’ to a set of libellous mock-proclamations and a ‘book’ of playing card knaves. The essay argues that libels should be understood as functioning on a spectrum of performance. They should therefore prompt an expansion of the boundaries of early performance.
The psychological impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a case study
Authors: Richards Gaynor
Published: June 2021

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are the most effective therapy available to prevent sudden cardiac death. Both depression and anxiety are common disorders in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Nurses need to recognise both mental distress and mental illness to ensure that these patients receive prompt assessment, care and management. This article discusses the nature of mental health problems in people with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and how nurses can recognise and assess them, as well as support patients.
Clinical practice guidelines for acute and post-acute care of patients with spinal cord injury: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Gregorio Marianne Pearl , Manhas Kiran Pohar , Brehon Katelyn , Vaska Marcus , Moore Glenda , O'Connell Petra , Ho Chester , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

Background:

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impacts quality of life. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for comprehensive SCI care are not completely agreed upon, leading to considerable variability in care and patient outcomes.

Aims:

We aim to summarise and critically evaluate existing CPGs for the care of patients with SCI at the acute and post-acute phase of their care, and to identify gaps in guidance for nursing and multidisciplinary care.

Methods:

The scoping review protocol was directed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting guideline. Some 13 databases will be searched for eligible CPGs. Two independent reviewers will screen and extract data using pre-specified eligibility criteria. The quality of CPGs will be appraised using the AGREE II tool.
Autoantibodies in the diagnostic work-up of neuropathy: clinically useful or purely academic?
Authors: Sahi Nitin , Ghasemi Majid , Rajabally Yusuf A
Published: June 2021

The search for autoantibodies in patients with acute and chronic neuropathies has become widespread in neurological practice. These tests are more routinely available and, therefore, are more commonly requested in larger hospitals with neuroscience centres. However, the clinical value of these frequently expensive tests is often unclear, and their impact on management not always obviously beneficial. This article reviews the main immunological tests used to search for specific autoantibodies in the setting of neuropathy.
The cerebral hypometabolism model of Alzheimer's disease explored: can a ketogenic diet improve cognition in Alzheimer's disease? A review of the literature
Authors: Brackley Karyn
Published: June 2021

Background:

Much research supports the emerging theory that Alzheimer's disease originates from a pathological cerebral metabolic disturbance in glucose metabolism, analogous to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. This has led to the theory that ketone bodies may provide an alternative neuronal fuel, correcting, in part, the neuronal energy deficiency and improving cognition in Alzheimer's disease.

Aims:

To evaluate the literature of human studies on the effectiveness of improving cognition in Alzheimer's disease through a low-carbohydrate diet or administration of exogenous ketones.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted, with the PRISMA guidelines used to guide this review. The PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) concept tool was used to search for terms generated through background research. Full-text, peer-reviewed English articles from SocINDEX, Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo and ScienceDirect were selected, using exclusion and inclusion criteria. Six human studies in which cognition was assessed following a low-carbohydrate diet or administration of exogenous ketones were evaluated.

Findings:

Some cognitive improvements were demonstrated in all studies in participants with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease, but not in all cognitive tests and not at all time points. Cognitive improvements returned to baseline after the intervention. Two studies included genetic data and found that cognitive improvement was most notable in those without an E4 allele.

Conclusions:

This review provides some preliminary support for the potential therapeutic use of ketones in Alzheimer's disease. However, considerable future research is needed, as this is a relatively novel research area. The findings support the suggestion of a gene-environment interaction in the aetiology of Alzheimer's disease, and may contribute to an understanding of how the E4 allele is linked to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. This review provides suggestions for improving screening for Alzheimer's disease from a nursing perspective—for example, by screening for risk factors, such as hyperinsulinemia and reduced cerebral metabolic rate of glucose.
Exploring Biological Literacy: A Systematic Literature Review of Biological Literacy
Authors: Semilarski Helin , Laius Anne
Published: June 2021

A large number of articles in the field of science education reflect on scientific literacy as the main goal of science education (SE), although often with varying viewpoints. Nevertheless, researchers have begun to highlight subject-specific teaching practices that are expected to specifically enhance science subject teaching, including biology. The main aim of this theoretical article is to come on consensus and to conceptualise the term biological literacy (BL) more clearly and to present a theoretical concept of BL, composed on the basis of systematically analysed articles. This theoretical concept includes two dimensions of BL: (1) cognitive (cognitive skills, conceptual understanding, biological inquiry) and (2) affective dimension, based on systematic literature review (SLR). This theoretical concept also includes in addition four dimensions of BL: (3) sustainability; (4) interdisciplinarity, (5) career awareness and (6) nature of biology (NOB), based on literature review (LR) of recent decades, that was conducted to write theoretical overview of this research.
Psychological Capital and Teacher Well-being: The Mediation Role of Coping with Stress
Authors: Zewude Girum Tareke , Hercz Mária
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to investigate the mediation role of coping with stress between psychological capital and teacher well-being based on positive psychology, conservation resource, and broaden-and-build theories. Participants in this study were 836 teachers from three clustered, ethnically diverse public universities. Our findings showed that, in line with previous studies, the psychological capital (PsyCap), coping with stress (CWS), and teacher well-being (TWB) dimensions showed the best fit in our data. PsyCap was related positively to TWB (total and dimensions), CWS, coping through withdrawal, and negative coping with acceptance and change. The indirect effect of PsyCap on TWB through coping with stress was fully mediated. PsyCap also positively and directly affected TWB and CWS. Coping through acceptance and change were fully mediated by PsyCap and TWB dimensions, while coping through withdrawal was not. PsyCap directly and positively affected coping with stress (acceptance and change) and negatively affected coping through withdrawal. Future theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Ants community structure in the urban and the city suburbs areas of Douala (Littoral-Cameroon)
Authors: MIRIC BIAWA-KAGMEGNI , DIDIER FOGUIENG-SAHA , PRUDENCE GUETSOP-NGOUADJIE , JUNIOR TSEKANE , BORIS FOUELIFACK-NINTIDEM , BASILE MOUMITE , AGRIPPINE YETCHOM-FONDJO , BABELL NGAMALEU-SIEWE , LAURE KENNE , STÈVE TUEKAM , MAGLOIRE FANTIO , KAYOUM YOMON , SERGE MBENOUN , MARTIN KENNE , ABRAHAM FOMENA
Published: June 2021

The Douala harbour represents the main gateway through which human activities introduce invasive ants, so that Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius, 1804) originating from Neotropics has been reported in several areas of the Littoral region of Cameroon. But nothing is known about the ant community structure and composition of the coastal zone. We hypothesized that environmental perturbations around Douala have repercussions on the native litter-dwelling ants. Collections conducted in 33 houses, six gardens of 225 m² each, 41 plantations of one hectare each and 34 two-year old fallows of one hectare each suggested lowly even communities, low species richness, low diversity and low dominance by a few species. Among 28 species recorded four species were mostly represented: two foreign origin species [S. geminata (Fabricius, 1804) and Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon, 1851), from tropical America and India respectively], one native species [Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius, 1793)] and two ambiguous native range species [Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802) and Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793)] since they have long been recorded as having a widespread distribution. Alien species were highly represented than native ones (52.9% and 47.1% respectively, p<0.001). Inside houses, gardens and plantations the ant species were distributed according to the geometrical progression (Motomura’s model) while in the old fallows abundance distribution suggested an evolved ecosystem (Mandelbrot’s model). Between the three dominant species [Pa. longicornis (Latreille, 1802), Ph. megacephala (Fabricius) and S. geminata (Fabricius)], the first species was positively correlated with the third one while other associations were not significant. These dominant species appeared influencing the abundance of the rare species. Dominance and high abundance of a few species indicated that areas were influenced mostly by interspecies competition and/or disturbance by human activities.
Laser speckle correlation technique application for remote characterization of metal nanopowder combustion
Authors: Li L. , Gubarev F. A. , Cao Y. , Liushnevskaya I. D. , Mostovshchikov A. V.
Published: June 2021

High temperature and luminous plasma make it difficult to study the surface of nanopowders during combustion, particularly, the combustion of aluminum-based nanopowders. The noncontact observation method–laser speckle correlation (LSC) in this work is used for remote characterization of changes in the surface of aluminum nanopowder during combustion in air. The observation results using LSC at a varying distance of up to 5 m were verified by simultaneous high-speed video recording of speckle patterns, analyzing the correlation coefficient of speckle patterns, and comparing the data obtained with direct observation of the combustion process. The results demonstrated the efficiency of using the LSC method for remote characterization of changes in the surface of an object shielded by a luminous layer. The simple hardware implementation makes the LSC method potentially more valuable in the study of various high-temperature processes.
Determining particle depth positions and evaluating dispersion using astigmatism PTV with a neural network
Authors: Ichikawa Yoshiyasu , Kikuchi Ryota , Yamamoto Ken , Motosuke Masahiro
Published: June 2021

Herein, a calibration procedure to determine the depth positions of particles in a microfluidic channel via astigmatism particle tracking velocimetry (APTV) has been described. A neural network model focusing on the geometrical parameters of distorted particle images was developed to calibrate APTV. To demonstrate the efficiency of this procedure, the Poiseuille flow and depth of the particles, and dispersions in the microchannel were studied. The depth positions were determined with an uncertainty of

±
1

µ

m

. The present results suggest that the particle position dispersion could be a result of the degree of particle image deformation and its deviation.
Hyperspectral imaging and robust statistics in non-melanoma skin cancer analysis
Authors: Courtenay Lloyd A. , González-Aguilera Diego , Lagüela Susana , del Pozo Susana , Ruiz-Mendez Camilo , Barbero-García Inés , Román-Curto Concepción , Cañueto Javier , Santos-Durán Carlos , Cardeñoso-Álvarez María Esther , Roncero-Riesco Mónica , Hernandez-Lopez David , Guerrero-Sevilla Diego , Rodríguez-Gonzalvez Pablo
Published: June 2021

Non-Melanoma skin cancer is one of the most frequent types of cancer.
Early detection is encouraged so as to ensure the best treatment,
Hyperspectral imaging is a promising technique for non-invasive
inspection of skin lesions, however, the optimal wavelengths for these
purposes are yet to be conclusively determined. A visible-near
infrared hyperspectral camera with an ad-hoc built platform was used
for image acquisition in the present study. Robust statistical
techniques were used to conclude an optimal range between 573.45 and
779.88 nm to distinguish between healthy and non-healthy skin.
Wavelengths between 429.16 and 520.17 nm were additionally found to be
optimal for the differentiation between cancer types.
Narrowband mid-infrared absorber based on a mirror-backed low-index dielectric lattice
Authors: Wu Qiong , Wang Lingfei , Ao Xianyu
Published: June 2021

This paper reports the design of a narrowband mid-infrared absorber using a structure consisting of low-index dielectric pillar arrays on a highly reflective metal plane. Such a hybrid system can support a high-quality lattice resonance with strongly confined electromagnetic fields at the tops of dielectric structures. For mid-infrared wavelengths around 4 µm, the low-index dielectric can be silica by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and the metal can be copper. The lattice resonance can lead to perfect absorption with a quality factor around 1000 when considering realistic dissipative losses for the low-index dielectric pillars. According to Kirchhoff’s radiation law, the narrowband absorber can work as a high-

Q

surface-emitting thermal emitter in the mid-infrared by heating its substrate.
Characterization of a split-ring-resonator-loaded transmission line at terahertz frequencies
Authors: Smith Levi , Shiran Vahid , Gomaa Walid , Darcie Thomas
Published: June 2021

Recently we demonstrated the fabrication and testing of a variety of RF-engineered passive transmission-line-based components designed for operation at terahertz frequencies and fabricated on thin (1 μm) silicon-nitride membranes. In this work we measure the transmission response of a coplanar-strip transmission line loaded with split-ring resonators up to 2.5 THz. We observe three dominate modes within the measured frequency range; the predicted LC resonator mode at 0.510 THz, a higher-order LC resonator mode at 1.03 THz, and a higher-order dipole mode at 1.85 THz. The LC resonator mode is investigated using a modified version of the standard lumped element model which incorporates the transmission line between adjacent meta-atoms using ABCD matrices.
High-efficiency green micro-LEDs with GaN tunnel junctions grown hybrid by PA-MBE and MOCVD
Authors: Wu Yaozheng , Liu Bin , Xu Feifan , Sang Yimeng , Tao Tao , Xie Zili , Wang Ke , Xiu Xiangqian , Chen Peng , Chen Dunjun , Lu Hai , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou
Published: June 2021

We fabricated p-i-n tunnel junction (TJ) contacts for hole injection on c-plane green micro-light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) by a hybrid growth approach using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE) and metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The TJ was formed by an MBE-grown ultra-thin unintentionally doped InGaN polarization layer and an

n

++

/

n

+

-
GaN

layer on the activated

p

++

-
GaN

layer prepared by MOCVD. This hybrid growth approach allowed for the realization of a steep doping interface and ultrathin depletion width for efficient inter-band tunneling. Compared to standard micro-LEDs, the TJ micro-LEDs showed a reduced device resistance, enhanced electroluminescence intensity, and a reduced efficiency droop. The size-independent J-V characteristics indicate that TJ could serve as an excellent current spreading layer. All these results demonstrated that hybrid TJ contacts contributed to the realization of high-performance micro-LEDs with long emission wavelengths.
Burkholderia species in human infections in Mexico: Identification of B. cepacia, B. contaminans, B. multivorans, B. vietnamiensis,B. pseudomallei and a new Burkholderia species
Authors: Meza-Radilla Georgina , Larios-Serrato Violeta , Hernández-Castro Rigoberto , Ibarra J. Antonio , Estrada-de los Santos Paulina
Published: June 2021

Background

Burkholderia sensu strictois comprised mainly of opportunistic pathogens. This group is widely distributed in the environment but is especially important in clinical settings. In Mexico, few species have been correctly identified among patients, most oftenB.cepaciais described.

Methodology/Principal findings

In this study, approximately 90 strains identified asB.cepaciawith the VITEK2 system were isolated from two medical centers in Mexico City and analyzed by MLSA, BOX-PCR and genome analysis. The initial identification ofB.cepaciawas confirmed for many strains, butB.contaminans,B.multivoransandB.vietnamiensiswere also identified among clinical strains for the first time in hospitals in Mexico. Additionally, the presence ofB.pseudomalleiwas confirmed, and a novel species within theB.cepaciacomplex was documented. Several strains misidentified asB.cepaciaactually belong to the generaPseudomonas,StenotrophomonasandProvidencia.

Conclusions/Significance

The presence of differentBurkholderiaspecies in Mexico was confirmed. Correct identification ofBurkholderiaspecies is important to provide accurate treatment for immunosuppressed patients.
Identification of stable pollen development related reference genes for accurate qRT-PCR analysis and morphological variations in autotetraploid and diploid rice
Authors: Wu Jinwen , Fan Hao , Hu Yifan , Guo Haibin , Lin Hong , Jiao Yinzhi , Lu Zijun , Du Susu , Liu Xiangdong , Shahid Muhammad Qasim
Published: June 2021

Autotetraploid rice exhibited hybrid vigor and greater genetic variation compared to diploid rice, but low pollen fertility is a major hindrance for its utilization. Our previous analysis revealed that large number of pollen fertility genes were exhibited down-regulation in autotetraploid rice. Hence, it is of utmost importance to reveal the expression patterns of pollen fertility genes with high accuracy. To find stable reference genes for autotetraploid rice, we compared the pollen development stages between diploid and autotetraploid rice, and 14 candidate genes were selected based on transcriptome analysis to evaluate their expression levels. Autotetraploid rice (i.e. Taichung65-4x) displayed lower seed set (40.40%) and higher percentage of abnormalities during the pollen development process than its diploid counterpart. To detect the candidate reference genes for pollen development of autotetraploid and diploid rice, we used five different algorithms, including NormFinder, BestKeeper, ΔCt method, geNorm and Re-Finder to evaluate their expression patterns stability. Consequently, we identified two genes, Cytochrome b5 and CPI, as the best candidate reference genes for qRT-PCR normalization in autotetraploid and diploid rice during pre-meiosis, meiosis, single microspore and bicellular pollen development stages. However, Cytochrome b5 was found to be the most stably expressed gene during different pollen development stages in autotetraploid rice. The results of our study provide a platform for subsequent gene expression analyses in autotetraploid rice, which could also be used in other polyploid plants.
Attitudes of Croatian pulmonologists concerning obstacles to earlier, more appropriate use of biologics in severe asthma: Survey results
Authors: Grle Sanja Popović , Lampalo Marina , Cincar Sanda Škrinjarić , Kardum Ljiljana Bulat , Gudelj Ivan , Kasap Eugenija Basioli , Vergles Mirna , Tudorić Neven
Published: June 2021

Aims

Biologics have been proven efficacious for patients with severe asthma (SA). It is essential to diagnose such individuals correctly. This study was designed to survey pulmonologists to identify barriers to early diagnosis and subsequent appropriate use of biologics for SA in Croatia.

Methods

A pulmonologist group with expertise in SA developed the initial list of questions, with the final questionnaire created according to a 2-round Delphi method. The resulting survey consisted of 23 items consequently divided into 4 domains: 1) Pulmonologists’ demographics and professional experiences; 2) Concerns about asthma management; 3) Attitudes toward SA diagnosis; and 4) Beliefs and attitudes regarding the use of biologics in managing SA. The given answers represented the respondents’ estimates.

Results

Eighty-four surveys were analyzed, with pulmonologists observing that general practitioners often inaccurately diagnose asthma and treat acute exacerbations. Although specialist centers are capably and correctly equipped, the time to diagnose patients with SA is approximately 3.5 months, with initial use of biologics delayed an additional 2 months. The primary indications for prescribing biologics are conventional therapy with oral glucocorticoids (91.7%) and frequent acute exacerbations (82.1%). In addition to improper diagnosis (64.3%), many patients with SA do not receive the indicated biologics owing to strict administrative directives for reimbursement (70.2%) or limited hospital resources (57.1%).

Limitations

The limitations of this survey include the subjective nature of the collected data, the relatively small sample size, and the lack of the biologic efficacy evaluation.

Conclusions

Croatian pulmonologists observed that a significant number of patients with SA who are eligible for biologics are not prescribed them, largely because of an inaccurate and/or delayed diagnosis, a delayed referral to a specialist center, highly restrictive criteria for reimbursement, and/or institutional budgetary limitations.
Evolution of anatomic pathology workload from 2011 to 2019 assessed in a regional hospital laboratory via 574,093 pathology reports
Authors: Bonert Michael , Zafar Uzma , Maung Raymond , El-Shinnawy Ihab , Kak Ipshita , Cutz Jean-Claude , Naqvi Asghar , Juergens Rosalyn A. , Finley Christian , Salama Samih , Major Pierre , Kapoor Anil
Published: June 2021

Objective

Quantify changes in workload in relation to the anatomic pathologist workforce.

Methods

In house pathology reports for cytology and surgical specimens from a regional hospital laboratory over a nine- year period (2011–2019) were analyzed, using custom computer code. Report length for the diagnosis+microscopic+synoptic report, number of blocks, billing classification (L86x codes), billings, national workload model (L4E 2018), regional workload model (W2Q), case count, and pathologist workforce in full-time equivalents (FTEs) were quantified. Randomly selected cases (n = 1,100) were audited to assess accuracy.

Results

The study period had 574,093 pathology reports that could be analyzed. The coding accuracy was estimated at 95%. From 2011 to 2019: cases/year decreased 6% (66,056 to 61,962), blocks/year increased 20% (236,197 to 283,751), L4E workload units increased 23% (165,276 to 203,894), W2Q workload units increased 21% (149,841 to 181,321), report lines increased 19% (606,862 to 723,175), workforce increased 1% (30.42 to 30.77 FTEs), billings increased 13% ($6,766,927 to $7,677,109). W2Q in relation to L4E underweights work in practices with large specimens by up to a factor of 2x.

Conclusions

Work by L4E for large specimens is underrated by W2Q. Reporting requirements and pathology work-up have increased workload per pathology case. Work overall has increased significantly without a commensurate workforce increase. The significant practice changes in the pathology work environment should prompt local investment in the anatomic pathology workforce.
Phenotypic characterization and principal component analyses of indigenous chicken breeds in Indonesia
Authors: Maharani Dyah , Mustofa Fatmawati , Sari Aprilianna Putri Z. N. L. , Fathoni Akhmad , Sasongko Heru , Hariyono Dwi Nur Happy
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim: Understanding the phenotypic characteristics of indigenous livestock breeds is essential for their utilization and conservation. This study aimed to characterize indigenous chicken breeds in Indonesia based on phenotypic traits.

Materials and Methods: Data on eight qualitative and 12 quantitative traits were recorded for 250 chickens from six breeds: Black Kedu, Gaga, Merawang, Nunukan, Pelung, and Sentul. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance to test the effect of breed on observed traits. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted separately for each chicken breed. Data on quantitative traits were subjected to Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, which was computed to test the sampling adequacy and the pattern of correlation among the traits, and Bathlett's tests were used to assess the validity of the factor analysis of each of the datasets and determine whether the partial correlations among traits were small.

Results: We found considerable phenotypic variation in both qualitative and quantitative traits among indigenous chicken breeds. Multicolored plumage (96.40%), wild plumage (39.20%), gold feather flick (51.20%), yellow shank (36.80%), single comb (80.80%), red comb (94.80%), red earlobe (77.60%), and orange eyes (61.60%) were the most common features in the indigenous chickens. In addition, breed had a significant effect on all the quantitative traits that were analyzed (p<0.05). There were higher mean values for all quantitative traits for Pelung chickens than other chickens. In addition, the overall mean values for all quantitative traits in Merawang chicken were intermediate between Pelung chickens and Black Kedu, Gaga, and Nunukan chickens. The PCA showed two principal factors extracted that accounted for 77.80% and 78.38% of the total variance in the original variables for males and females, respectively.

Conclusion: In general, body weight and body measurements, except wattle length, were loaded in PC1 as the primary factors responsible for the variation. The phenotypic variation observed in indigenous chickens in Indonesia could provide valuable basic information for the design of selection and genetic improvement programs.