bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Research Self-Efficacy in Undergraduate Students: Experience Matters
Authors: Manitzas Hill Heather Marie , Zwahr Jennifer , Gonzalez, III Antonio
Published: April 2022

Beliefs about conducting research and completing major projects, such as master’s theses and dissertations, suggest that previous experience, guidance from a mentor, and cohesive teams are particularly important in boosting the confidence to conduct research in graduate students (research self-efficacy).  Although these factors are also thought to be important for undergraduate students, much less is known about undergraduate interest in research and beliefs about conducting research.  The purpose of the current study was to investigate the research self-efficacy of undergraduate students attending a minority- and first-generation-serving liberal arts institution. Over 500 undergraduate students attending a small private university in south Texas completed surveys regarding their interest in conducting research, research self-efficacy, and various research experiences. Seventy-one percent were female, 37% were freshman,  and 58% majored in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Fifty-four present had never had a research experience other than completing a survey, whereas 17% had completed two or more research experiences. Greater interest in research was associated with higher levels of research self-efficacy. Students reporting research experiences were confident in their abilities to conduct research overall. Students with two or more experiences reported significantly higher levels of interest in research and research self-efficacy than students who had less or no experience. Qualitative analyses elucidated reasons for the observed differences. The results reinforce the need to expose undergraduate students to research across classes and disciplines and suggest participation in research pools can develop interest and beliefs about research.
Feedback as Open-Ended Conversation: Inviting Students to Co-Regulate and Metacognitively Reflect During Assessment
Authors: Torres JT
Published: April 2022

The following discourse analysis examines the ways open-ended feedback, defined as dialogic, interpretative, and revisionary, fosters co-regulation and metacognition. Data come from a Writing in the Major course at a large land-grant institution in the Pacific Northwest. Students’ written essays and reflections, both with teacher feedback included, were collected along with interviews with both students and teachers. Analysis focused on instances of interdiscursivity, when students incorporated their teachers’ discourse into their revisions and reflections. The study suggests that open-ended feedback promotes opportunities for co-regulation and metacognition when students become active agents in the assessment process.
Orientaciones didácticas en el campo de lenguaje: saberes producidos desde las prácticas pedagógicas de maestras colombianas de la educación inicial
Authors: Vargas Ángela Patricia , Bermúdez Mónica María
Published: April 2022

Este artículo se deriva de la investigación “Rasgos característicos de la enseñanza ‘destacada’ del lenguaje en los primeros grados de escolaridad (primer ciclo): construyendo saberes desde las prácticas docentes”, realizada en convenio entre Colciencias (entidad financiadora) y el grupo de investigación Pedagogías de la Lectura y la Escritura —Facultad de Educación de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana—. La intención central del escrito es dar cuenta de algunas orientaciones de carácter didáctico, derivadas de las experiencias pedagógicas que maestras colombianas configuran alrededor de las apuestas políticas que se trazan con sus estudiantes. Un principio que se destaca es la relación persistente con la lectura de literatura, la cual pasa por complejidades y construcción de sentido que se derivan de la relación con un texto, esto a su vez, se convierte para ellas en pasiones y procesos de construcción de experiencia, a través de los cuales afectan una pedagogía del lenguaje en la escuela.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFLUENCER MARKETING AND PURCHASE INTENTION: FOCUSING ON VIETNAMESE GEN Z CONSUMERS.
Authors: Nguyen Cuong , Nguyen Tien , Luu Vinh
Published: April 2022

The exploration of social media among Gen Z has promoted the development of influencer marketing in emerging markets. This study aims to determine how influencer marketing would impact Vietnamese Gen Z consumer’s purchase intention. This study employed quantitative research and used Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to analyze the data. The data collection process is conducted online with a sample size of 250 Gen Z respondents. The respondents are aware of the impacts of influencer marketing on their purchase intention. The respondents are exposed to influencer marketing on social media and had experiences with online shopping. The study analyzes five factors that would influence Gen Z’s consumer purchase intention: perceived influencers’' credibility (CRE), the relevance between products and customers (RE), the entertainment value of influencers' content (ENT), perceived expertise of influencers (EXP) and peer’s review and recommendation (PEER). This study's findings concluded that 4 out of 5 factors had influenced Gen Z purchase intention: perceived influencers' credibility, the entertainment value of influencers' content, perceived expertise of influencers, and peer's review and recommendation. There is no statistical evidence to conclude that the relevance between products and customers (RE) impacts Vietnamese Gen Z’s consumer purchase intention. Remarkably, peer’s review and recommendation (PEER) is the most vital factor impacting Vietnamese Gen Z's consumer purchase intention. Managerial recommendations are provided to improve influencer marketing's effectiveness on purchase intention among Vietnamese Gen Z consumers.
Ion channels and neuronal excitability in polyglutamine neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Martinez-Rojas Vladimir A. , Juarez-Hernandez Leon J. , Musio Carlo
Published: March 2022

Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a family composed of nine neurodegenerative inherited disorders (NDDs) caused by pathological expansions of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeats which encode a polyQ tract in the corresponding proteins. CAG polyQ repeat expansions produce neurodegeneration via multiple downstream mechanisms; among those the neuronal activity underlying the ion channels is affected directly by specific channelopathies or indirectly by secondary dysregulation. In both cases, the altered excitability underlies to gain- or loss-of-function pathological effects. Here we summarize the repertoire of ion channels in polyQ NDDs emphasizing the biophysical features of neuronal excitability and their pathogenic role. The aim of this review is to point out the value of a deeper understanding of those functional mechanisms and processes as crucial elements for the designing and targeting of novel therapeutic avenues.
Two new polypodane-type bicyclic triterpenoids from mastic
Authors: An Xuerui , Wang Junlong , Yu Xuehui , Wu Hao , Liu Wei
Published: March 2022

Pistacia lentiscus L. is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, cultivated exclusively in the southern area of Chios Island. Mastic gum as a unique natural resin of the tree Pistacia lentiscus L. has been used extensively in functional foods and traditional medicine. The biological properties of Pistacia resins may be influenced by different chemical constituents. Herein the present work is aimed to further explore the diverse triterpenoids of mastic, and evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity. Two undescribed polypodane-type bicyclic triterpenoids were isolated from the Pistacia resins, their structures were elucidated using ultraviolet, infrared, high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS), and nuclear magnetic resonance data. LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were incubated with various concentrations of isolated compounds, and results showed that compounds 1 and 2 inhibited nitric oxide production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells with IC50 values of 28.1 and 32.6 µM, respectively.
The method of selecting adaptive devices for the needs of drivers with disabilities
Authors: Stasiak-Cieślak Beata , Grabarek Iwona
Published: March 2022

This article presents the research which resulted in the creation of the method of automatic selection of adaptive devices for the needs of drivers with motor disabilities – ASA System. An expert system was used to build the method, which used databases from various fields of knowledge in the inference process. The databases were created on the basis of an analysis of the literature on the mobility of people with disabilities, a review of the operation of companies specializing in adaptations, verification of adaptive devices in terms of their functions, as well as various categories of disability. The knowledge of the individual selection of adaptive devices and expertize in this area made for specific recipients were used. Based on the accumulated knowledge, a simplified division of adaptive devices and classification of disabilities were implemented. The conclusions from analyses made it possible to formulate the rules necessary for the application process. A comparative analysis of the degree of consistency between the selection of devices generated by the ASA System (automatically) and the selection made by three experts (individually) for 44 people with various motor disabilities, was carried out. The results obtained confirmed usefulness of the expert system in building the method of automatic selection of adaptive devices, as well as the rightness of automating this process, due to the objectivity of the proposed method in comparison with individual, subjective selection carried out by experts.
Starting the engine of the powerhouse: mitochondrial transcription and beyond
Authors: Miranda Maria , Bonekamp Nina A. , Kühl Inge
Published: March 2022

Mitochondria are central hubs for cellular metabolism, coordinating a variety of metabolic reactions crucial for human health. Mitochondria provide most of the cellular energy via their oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system, which requires the coordinated expression of genes encoded by both the nuclear (nDNA) and mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA). Transcription of mtDNA is not only essential for the biogenesis of the OXPHOS system, but also generates RNA primers necessary to initiate mtDNA replication. Like the prokaryotic system, mitochondria have no membrane-based compartmentalization to separate the different steps of mtDNA maintenance and expression and depend entirely on nDNA-encoded factors imported into the organelle. Our understanding of mitochondrial transcription in mammalian cells has largely progressed, but the mechanisms regulating mtDNA gene expression are still poorly understood despite their profound importance for human disease. Here, we review mechanisms of mitochondrial gene expression with a focus on the recent findings in the field of mammalian mtDNA transcription and disease phenotypes caused by defects in proteins involved in this process.
Atomistic insight into the essential binding event of ACE2-derived peptides to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Authors: Sarto Carolina , Florez-Rueda Sebastián , Arrar Mehrnoosh , Hackenberger Christian P.R. , Lauster Daniel , Di Lella Santiago
Published: March 2022

The pathogenic agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters into human cells through the interaction between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of its spike glycoprotein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Efforts have been made towards finding antivirals that block this interaction, therefore preventing infection. Here, we determined the binding affinity of ACE2-derived peptides to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 experimentally and performed MD simulations in order to understand key characteristics of their interaction. One of the peptides, p6, binds to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 with nM affinity. Although the ACE2-derived peptides retain conformational flexibility when bound to SARS-CoV-2 RBD, we identified residues T27 and K353 as critical anchors mediating the interaction. New ACE2-derived peptides were developed based on the p6-RBD interface analysis and expecting the native conformation of the ACE2 to be maintained. Furthermore, we found a correlation between the helicity in trifluoroethanol and the binding affinity to RBD of the new peptides. Under the hypothesis that the conservation of peptide secondary structure is decisive to the binding affinity, we developed a cyclized version of p6 which had more helicity than p6 and approximately half of its K
D value.
Body Language of Avatars in VR Meetings as Communication Status Cue: Recommendations for Interaction Design and Implementation
Authors: Kurzweg Marco , Wolf Katrin
Published: March 2022

While traditional videoconferencing causes privacy issues, virtual meetings are not yet widely used. Their communication quality still lacks usability and important non-verbal communication cues, such as body language, are underrepresented. We aim at exploring virtual avatars’ body language and how it can be used to indicate meeting attendees’ communication status. By comparing users’ perceptions of avatar behavior, we found that avatar body language across gender can be an indication of communication willingness. We derive resulting body language design recommendations and recommend using attentively behaving avatars as default body language and to indicate being busy through actions of the avatar, such as drinking, typing, or talking on a phone. These actions indicate that users are temporarily busy with another task, but still are attending the meeting. When users are unavailable, their avatars should not be displayed at all and in cases of longer meeting interruptions, the avatar of a user should leave the virtual meeting room.
Auralization of Concert Halls for Touristic Purposes
Authors: Schauer Sophie , Bertocci Stefano , Cioli Federico , Sieck Jürgen , Shakhovska Natalya , Vovk Olena
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the progress implemented during the AURA project, funded by the Creative-Europe program with project partners from Germany, Italy, and Ukraine. The project aims to create auralized applications for three music venues in each of the project countries, namely the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Teatro del Maggio in Florence, and the Opera House Lviv. Each will be digitally recreated and auralized before they are then used to conduct case studies. This paper gives insights into current digitalization and auralization techniques. The results of a digital survey will be laid out and the conception and implementation of a first auralized prototype using a hand-modeled 3D object from the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus Berlin will be demonstrated. Furthermore, the usage of auralization for touristic purposes will be investigated using artificial intelligence for an audience preference analysis. A conclusion will be drawn and a short outlook into the ongoing course of the AURA project will be given.
Image Garden
Authors: Sinatti Eugenia , Weckert Simon , Dobrzalski Ewelina
Published: March 2022

Image Garden is an AI-based toolbox for curating collections and designing smart exhibitions that was developed by
ART+COM Studios
[ART+COM Studios. 2021. ART+COM. https://artcom.de/en/] in the research project
QURATOR
[QURATOR Bündnis. 2021. Qurator. https://qurator.ai]. This paper describes the application scenarios underlying the development of Image Garden. It also presents the technologies integrated in its processing pipeline, and sketches Show Cases that were implemented to demonstrate and evaluate functionality and usability.
Cross-cultural Literary Comprehension:Theoretical Basis and Empirical Research
Authors: Zhang Yehong
Published: March 2022

Literary communication is inference-based communication between recipients and texts. The textual world stimulates the recipients’ imagination by means of a structure of indeterminacy in the work. Readers use their world knowledge and cultural conceptualization to fill in the blank points in the story world and interpret the connotative meaning. Amidst the growing influence of globalization, people all over the world have more options to enjoy the same cultural products and cross-cultural studies are therefore more necessary. Research on cross-cultural literary reading responses can indicate the essential elements of literary comprehension. Under an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, the research on cross-cultural literary comprehension should be conducted to investigate whether readers from diverse cultural contexts differ in their reading responses and to explore the common ground of cross-cultural literary interpretation. Based on the theoretical foundation, empirical studies on cross-cultural literary comprehension are introduced, comprising perspectives such as differences and similarities in story interpretation, aesthetic appreciation of classical poetry and emotional responses. The empirical findings suggest the extent to which readers’ responses can transcend cultural boundaries and diverse cultural knowledge can activate different intercultural implications. Interdisciplinary research can provide new insights into the core issues regarding the cross-cultural reading of literary works against the backdrop of globalization.
Die Sanktionierung schwerer Kriminalität Jugendlicher nach Erwachsenenstrafrecht im Licht internationaler Menschenrechtsstandards
Authors: Dünkel Frieder
Published: March 2022

Der vorliegende Beitrag setzt sich am Beispiel der Publikation von Jana Hinz (Old enough to commit a Crime – Old enough to do the Time?, 2021) mit grundsätzlichen Fragen der Sanktionierung Jugendlicher nach Jugend- oder Erwachsenenstrafrecht und des im anglo-amerikanischen Recht verbreiteten Transfers zu Erwachsenengerichten auseinander. Derartige Herausnahmen aus dem Jugendstrafrecht widersprechen internationalen Menschenrechtsstandards und der grundlegenden Idee des Jugendstrafrechts, mit erzieherisch begründeten und im Grundsatz milderen Sanktionen auf Jugendstraftaten im Vergleich zum Erwachsenenstrafrecht zu reagieren (vermehrte Diversion, Freiheitsentzug nur als extrema ultima ratio etc.). Daher stellt sich in der Tat die Frage, wie internationale jugendstrafrechtliche Mindeststandards in diesem Kontext besser durchgesetzt werden können.
Subwavelength Bayer RGB color routers with perfect optical efficiency
Authors: Catrysse Peter B. , Zhao Nathan , Jin Weiliang , Fan Shanhui
Published: March 2022

We introduce subwavelength color routers with perfect optical efficiency in a red-green-green-blue (RGGB) Bayer layout for solid state image sensors. This is the first demonstration of a subwavelength device concept that shows the full potential of color routing, i.e., perfect routing without loss of photons, with a broadband, polarization-independent, and angular robust response. As an example, we show a color router for 320 nm wide image sensor pixels, which are two times smaller than the smallest state-of-the-art pixels, that features perfect optical efficiency, i.e., no crosstalk between color channels, no reflections, and no leakage into non-photodetector regions, even though the pixel photodetectors are 2–3 times smaller than the wavelength of the incident light. Our color router outperforms all other color separation approaches and can replace the entire optical stack in solid state image sensors.
Soliton solutions of Calogero–Degasperis–Fokas dynamical equation via modified mathematical methods
Authors: Alruwaili Abdulmohsen D. , Seadawy Aly R. , Ali Asghar , Beinane Sid Ahmed O.
Published: March 2022

New solitary wave solutions of the Calogero–Degasperis–Fokas (CDF) equation via two modified methods called improved simple equation and modified F-expansion schemes are investigated. Numerous types of results are obtained in the form of hyperbolic functions, trigonometric functions and elliptic functions. Moreover, some of the derived solutions are illustrated as two-dimensional, three-dimensional and contour graphical images that were plotted with the assistance of computational software Mathematica, which gave useful knowledge to study the physical phenomena of the CDF model. The investigated solutions have fruitful advantages in mathematical physics.
Correlation between the degree of pain relief following discoblock and short-term surgical disability outcome among patients with suspected discogenic low back pain
Authors: Korhonen Tero , Pesälä Juha , Järvinen Jyri , Haapea Marianne , Niinimäki Jaakko
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To evaluate how well the degree of pain relief after discoblock predicts the disability outcome of subsequent fusion or total disc replacement (TDR) surgery, based on short-term Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a set of patients who had undergone discoblock and subsequent fusion or TDR surgery of the same lumbar intervertebral disc due to suspected discogenic chronic LBP between 2011 and 2018. We calculated the degree of pain relief following discoblock (ΔNRS) and the changes in both absolute and percentual ODI scores (ΔODI and ΔODI%, respectively) following fusion or TDR surgery. We analyzed the statistical significance of ΔNRS and ΔODI and the correlation (Spearman’s rho) between ΔNRS and ΔODI%. The fusion and TDR group were analyzed both in combination and separately.

Results

Fifteen patients were eligible for the current study (fusion n=9, TDR n=6). ΔNRS was statistically significant in all groups, and ΔODI was statistically significant in the combined group and in the fusion group alone. The parameters of both decreased. We found a Spearman’s rho of 0.57 (p=0.026) between ΔNRS and ΔODI% for the combined group. The individual Spearman’s rho values were 0.85 (p=0.004) for the fusion group and 0.62 (p=0.191) for the TDR group.

Conclusions

We suggest that discoblock is a useful predictive criterion for disability outcome prior to surgery for discogenic LBP, especially when stabilizing spine surgery is under consideration.

Ethical committee number

174/2019 (Oulu University Hospital Ethics Committee).
Conservatorship, quantitative easing, and mortgage spreads: a new multi-equation score-driven model of policy actions
Authors: Blazsek Szabolcs , Blazsek Virag , Kobor Adam
Published: March 2022

In this paper, the effects of United States (US) policy actions on mortgage-backed security and mortgage loan spreads are measured, by using data before, during, and after the US subprime mortgage crisis. We study the effects of the following policy actions: (i) the placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into US Government conservatorship; (ii) the US Federal Reserve quantitative easing (QE) programs. We provide the following contributions to the literature: (i) for a robust measurement of policy effects, a new multi-equation score-driven t-QVARMA (quasi-vector autoregressive moving average) model is used. (ii) In addition to the measurement of the effects of QE, the effects of government conservatorship are also measured in this paper. (iii) Furthermore, the data period of the relevant literature is extended to the period of June 1998 to March 2020.
Verschleißverhalten beim Bohren von NE-Legierungen
Authors: Uhlmann Eckart , Brücher Marcus , Lachmund Uwe
Published: March 2022

Diamantbeschichtete Werkzeuge stellen bei der spanenden Bearbeitung hochabrasiver und -fester Werkstoffe eine Alternative zu den PKD-Werkzeugen oder unbeschichteten Hartmetallen dar. Insbesondere aufgrund ihrer Geometrieunabhängigkeit wird die Diamantbeschichtung auch bei Bohrern eingesetzt, bei denen PKD-Schneideinsätze nur unter hohen Kosten verwendbar sind.
Spectral Fingerprints of Cortical Neuromodulation
Authors: Radetz Angela , Siegel Markus
Published: March 2022

Pupil size has been established as a versatile marker of noradrenergic and cholinergic neuromodulation, which has profound effects on neuronal processing, cognition, and behavior. However, little is known about the cortical control and effects of pupil-linked neuromodulation. Here, we show that pupil dynamics are tightly coupled to temporally, spectrally, and spatially specific modulations of local and large-scale cortical population activity in the human brain. We quantified the dynamics of band-limited cortical population activity in resting human subjects using magnetoencephalography and investigated how neural dynamics were linked to simultaneously recorded pupil dynamics. Our results show that pupil-linked neuromodulation does not merely affect cortical population activity in a stereotypical fashion. Instead, we identified three frontal, precentral, and occipitoparietal networks, in which local population activity with distinct spectral profiles in the theta, beta, and alpha bands temporally preceded and followed changes in pupil size. Furthermore, we found that amplitude coupling at ∼16 Hz in a large-scale frontoparietal network predicted pupil dynamics. Our results unravel network-specific spectral fingerprints of cortical neuromodulation in the human brain that likely reflect both the causes and effects of neuromodulation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTBrain function is constantly affected by modulatory neurotransmitters. Pupil size has been established as a versatile marker of noradrenergic and cholinergic neuromodulation. However, because the cortical correlates of pupil dynamics are largely unknown, fundamental questions remain unresolved. Which cortical networks control pupil-linked neuromodulation? Does neuromodulation affect cortical activity in a stereotypical or region-specific fashion? To address this, we quantified the dynamics of cortical population activity in human subjects using magnetoencephalography. We found that pupil dynamics are coupled to highly specific modulations of local and large-scale cortical activity in the human brain. We identified four cortical networks with distinct spectral profiles that temporally predicted and followed pupil size dynamics. These effects likely reflect both the cortical control and effect of neuromodulation.
The Central Asian states’ role in the world mining industry
Authors: Kirsanov Aleksandr K , Volkov Evgenii P , Kurchin Georgij S , Shkaruba Natalia A , Nafikov Ravil Z , Teshaev Umarjon R
Published: April 2022

The growing needs of mankind for minerals predetermine a systematic increase in the scope of mining operations. However, it is known that mineral resources are not evenly distributed in the bowels of the earth; therefore, due to their production, some regions of our planet can significantly outstrip other regions in their technical and, as a result, economic development; hence, the constant need to extract more minerals in order to develop the domestic industry and to strengthen the economy. This paper is devoted to the Central Asian states, their internal structure, economic integration into the world economy, and the mining sector development as the basis of a successful model for the development of the country as a whole. The study summarizes and analyzes the political system and socio-economic conditions in the Central Asian states. It presents a brief overview of the scale of mining operations; provides information about the mining industry structure in each country and the proceeds from its sales. Taking the Central Asian states as an example, we demonstrate the importance of the mining sector as an integral part of a country’s domestic economic structure.
Chromium bioremediation of batik industrial wastewater using a consortium of sulfate-reducing bacteria from forested wetland soil
Authors: Syawaluddin La Ode Muhamad , Retnaningrum Endah
Published: April 2022

Chromium pollutants in textile wastewater can be removed by bioremediation using sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) from forested wetland soil. Biostimulation of carbon sources in the form of molasses and a supporting material in the form of zeolite to trap bacteria and create biofilms can improve the ability of SRB to bioremediate chromium. The batch bioremediation technique was further examined by including molasses, a combination of molasses and zeolite, and SRB, which has been adapted to acclimatize wastewater that is diluted two times. Adaptive SRB aged 7 days, which had reached the exponential growth phase, showed optimal bioremediation activity when molasses and zeolite were added. Results of further observations of the consortium on continuous bioremediation with the same treatment showed decontamination of chromium efficiency that reached about 94%. In addition, pH values decreased efficiency at approximately 7.3 in 14 days of incubation. The biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and sulfate concentrations also decreased at around 89%, 92%, and 91%, respectively. SRB immobilization with zeolite-induced biofilm formation was observed at 9 days, and it further increased at 14 days. SRB cells observed were attached to the surface of the zeolite, between cells connected to each other by extracellular polymeric substances. The mass of sulfur and chromium on the surface of the zeolite increased from the 9th and 14th days. Sulfur increased from 0.07% to 0.27%, whereas chromium increased from 0.21% to 0.84%. The increase in the percentage of the two elements on the zeolite surface indicated the decontamination of sulfate and chromium pollutants in wastewater.
Limited legacy effects of extreme multiyear drought on carbon and nitrogen cycling in a mesic grassland
Authors: Vilonen Leena L. , Blair John , Trivedi Pankaj , Zeglin Lydia , Smith Melinda D.
Published: March 2022

The intensification of drought throughout the U.S. Great Plains has the potential to have large impacts on grassland functioning, as has been shown with dramatic losses of plant productivity annually. Yet, we have a poor understanding of how grassland functioning responds after drought ends. This study examined how belowground nutrient cycling responds after drought and whether legacy effects persist postdrought. We assessed the 2-year recovery of nutrient cycling processes following a 4-year experimental drought in a mesic grassland by comparing two different growing season drought treatments—chronic (each rainfall event reduced by 66%) and intense (all rain eliminated until 45% of annual rainfall was achieved)—to the control (ambient precipitation) treatment. At the beginning of the first growing season postdrought, we found that in situ soil CO2 efflux and laboratory-based soil microbial respiration were reduced by 42% and 22%, respectively, in the intense drought treatment compared to the control, but both measures had recovered by midseason (July) and remained similar to the control treatment in the second postdrought year. We also found that extractable soil ammonium and total inorganic N were elevated throughout the growing season in the first year after drought in the intense treatment. However, these differences in inorganic N pools did not persist during the growing season of the second year postdrought. The remaining measures of C and N cycling in both drought treatments showed no postdrought treatment effects. Thus, although we observed short-term legacy effects following the intense drought, C and N cycling returned to levels comparable to nondroughted grassland within a single growing season regardless of whether the drought was intense or chronic in nature. Overall, these results suggest that the key aspects of C and N cycling in mesic tallgrass prairie do not exhibit persistent legacies from 4 years of experimentally induced drought.
Perspective: a stirring role for metabolism in cells
Authors: Losa José , Leupold Simeon , Alonso‐Martinez Diego , Vainikka Petteri , Thallmair Sebastian , Tych Katarzyna M , Marrink Siewert J , Heinemann Matthias
Published: April 2022

Based on recent findings indicating that metabolism might be governed by a limit on the rate at which cells can dissipate Gibbs energy, in this Perspective, we propose a new mechanism of how metabolic activity could globally regulate biomolecular processes in a cell. Specifically, we postulate that Gibbs energy released in metabolic reactions is used to perform work, allowing enzymes to self‐propel or to break free from supramolecular structures. This catalysis‐induced enzyme movement will result in increased intracellular motion, which in turn can compromise biomolecular functions. Once the increased intracellular motion has a detrimental effect on regulatory mechanisms, this will establish a feedback mechanism on metabolic activity, and result in the observed thermodynamic limit. While this proposed explanation for the identified upper rate limit on cellular Gibbs energy dissipation rate awaits experimental validation, it offers an intriguing perspective of how metabolic activity can globally affect biomolecular functions and will hopefully spark new research.
The Instrumentation of Standard Diet Food Portions for Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Puspita Widyana Laksmi , Khayan Khayan , Hariyadi Didik , Anwar Taufik , Wardoyo Slamet
Published: April 2022

The right diet is needed in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. The dietary standards used must be by their nutritional adequacy. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the use of aluminum cup serving tools for standard measuring devices in the Diabetes mellitus diet. The portion measurement instrument is designed by 1P, 1 1 / 2P, and 2P standards. The study was conducted at a laboratory scale in 2018 with a quasi-experimental approach. Data analysis uses Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with α = 5%. The results show that the average effectiveness of 1P portion accuracy is 99%, 1½ P for 101%, and 2P about 99.6%. There was no difference in effectiveness compared to using a scale and there were differences in measurements using bowls and spoons. Standard portion of 1P measuring instruments 114% effectiveness bowl and 113% spoon, standard 1½ P portion for 107% bowl and 105% spoon, and 2P standard portion for measuring the effectiveness of the portion of the bowl is 104% and 103% spoon. Using a measuring device Aluminum cup portions, both 1P, 1.5P, and 2P parts can determine the value of food and nutritional adequacy standards of patients with Diabetes Mellitus.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Complaints in Female Packing Workers
Authors: Nandini Rizka Faliria , Lestari Mona , Novrikasari Novrikasari , Andarini Desheila , Camelia Anita , Fujianti Poppy
Published: April 2022

The estimated prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in the general population is 1-5%. CTS can be experienced by workers who use hand strength at work. PT. X is one company that still uses manual labor in the process of packing soap and vermicelli. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between repetitive movements, wrist posture, age, history of illness, Body Mass Index (BMI), and years of service on CTS complaints. The research method used a cross-sectional study with a sample of 65 workers. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate data analyses were using the chi-square and binary logistic regression test. Analysis of CTS complaints using a questionnaire and Phalen’s test. The results showed that as many as 40 workers (61.5%) experienced complaints of CTS. The results of statistical tests showed that the variable BMI was the most influential factor for the complaints of CTS (p = 0.031). In addition, workers who experience CTS complaints can also be influenced by repetitive movement (p = 0.024), age (p = 0.022), and years of service (p = 0.024). To prevent the severity and relieve complaints of CTS, packing workers can do stretching, massage, independent acupressure massage, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The Factors Affecting the Unmet Need of Family Planning in Banten Province Year 2019
Authors: Saputri Eneng Emi , Winarni Lastri Mei , Nuryanti Nuryanti Nuryanti , Nugraha Raden Deden Gumilar
Published: April 2022

The result of Program Accountability Performance Survey (SKAP) year 2019 showed that the data of unmet need of Family Planning comprised 13.9%. It was higher than the result of national SKAP year 2019 which was 12.1% and did not achieve the target of the Strategic Plan 2015-2019 which was 9.91%. The study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the unmet need of Family Planning in Banten Province year 2019. The research method used was quantitative approach with Cross-Sectional research design. The population consisted of all women of childbearing age who did not apply Family Planning listed in SKAP of National Department of Demography and Family Planning (BKKBN) of Banten Province year 2019. The number of samples was 343 respondents. The sampling technique used was total population. The data collection was done using secondary data obtained from the data in SKAP of BKKBN of Banten Province year 2019. The data analysis implemented was univariate, bivariate using chi square, and multivariate using Multiple Logistic Regression Test. The unmet need of Family Planning on the women of childbearing age was 14.0%. Most age of the respondents that was ≥ mean 37.78 years old was found in 182 (53.1%) respondents, married status in 341 (99.1%) respondents, middle family income in 185 (53.9%) respondents, rural residential area in 197 (57.4%) respondents, high-level knowledge ≥ mean 7.10 in 196 (57.1%) respondents. The result of bivariate analysis showed that age had effect on unmet need of Family Planning (p value = 0.000). The variable of marital status, family income, residential area, and knowledge had no effect on unmet need of Family Planning. The dominant factor affecting unmet need of Family Planning was age (p value = 0.000; OR = 6.397).
Reduced fibrin clot lysis in Klinefelter syndrome associated with hypogonadism
Authors: Chang Simon , Goszczak Arkadiusz J , Skakkebæk Anne , Fedder Jens , Bojesen Anders , Bor M Vakur , de Maat Moniek P M , Gravholt Claus H , Münster Anna-Marie B
Published: March 2022

Objective

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is associated with increased risk of thrombosis. Hypogonadism and accumulating body fat in KS have a potential impact on fibrinolysis. In this study, we assessed the fibrinolytic system and the association with testosterone levels in KS.

Design

This study is a cross-sectional comparison of men with KS and age-matched male controls.

Methods

Fibrin clot lysis was evaluated by turbidity measurements and by measuring levels of individual fibrinolytic proteins in plasma samples. Fibrin clot structure was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Total testosterone was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Body fat was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

In this study, 45 men with KS and 45 age- and education-matched controls were included. Men with KS had a 24% reduction in fibrin clot lysis compared with controls (46.2 ± 17.1 vs 60.6 ± 18.8 %/h, P  = 0.0003) and higher levels of fibrinogen, factor XIII (P ≤ 0.01), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (P  = 0.04). Men with KS had lower total testosterone (P  = 0.008) and higher body fat (P  = 0.001). In KS, reduced fibrin clot lysability was associated with higher fibrinogen and body fat related to decreasing total testosterone and hypogonadism among men with KS. Fibrin clot structure was not different compared to KS and controls.

Conclusions

Fibrin clot lysis in KS was markedly reduced, potentially contributing to a prothrombotic state and increasing thrombotic risk. Hypogonadism in KS was associated with increased fibrinogen and total body fat, predicting reduced fibrin clot lysis.
Brecha Digital Versus Inclusión en Educación Primaria. Perspectiva de las Familias Españolas
Authors: Gil Quintana Javier , Vida de León Emilio
Published: April 2022

El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar, desde la perspectiva de las familias, la brecha en el uso, acceso y calidad de uso en el desarrollo del aprendizaje del alumnado de Educación Primaria durante el confinamiento por la Covid-19. La metodología utilizada es mixta, analizando la brecha digital de uso, acceso y calidad de uso, de las familias mediante un cuestionario con 1228 participantes y una entrevista semiestructurada que ha contado con 20 participantes. Entre los resultados destaca el perfil de familias muy implicadas con la formación de sus hijos/as, con suficiencia de medios para poder hacer frente a los modelos de Educación a distancia. Al analizar las características sociales de las familias se encontraron diferencias significativas en las tecnologías digitales y en la conciliación familiar atendiendo al número de hijos/as de la unidad familiar. El acceso a contenidos educativos complementarios varía según la edad de los padres, su formación académica o el área profesional. El seguimiento de la web del Gobierno “aprendo en Casa” muestra diferencias atendiendo al tipo de institución educativa. Estos datos permiten vislumbrar la existencia de brecha digital en la educación a distancia en España, donde las diferencias sociales impiden el desarrollo de una educación inclusiva.
Normas para el buen uso de la ortografía aimara
Authors: Huayhua Pari Felipe
Published: March 2022

La lengua aimara ha entrado en una etapa de codificación tan alta que ya cuenta con amplia tradición escrita e incluso con un alfabeto oficial. Pero faltan normas para la correcta escritura (ortografía) del aimara. Tomando en cuenta la morfofonología y la tipología de la lengua aimara, presentamos las normas que regulan el funcionamiento de su escritura.
Vitalidad de la Lengua Aimara
Authors: Huayhua Pari Felipe
Published: March 2022

La vitalidad de la lengua aimara se puede apreciar de diversas formas, y una de ellas es verla en peligro de desaparecer. En esta apreciación, hay factores que desde un sustrato de diversidad cultural positiva influyen para expresar la identidad propia, o para entender con respeto la identidad de otro. En este último punto, presentamos en el aspecto político (oficialización), religioso (doctrina), académico (cátedras), literario (fuentes escritas), espacial, de identidad y resistencia cultural como factor de la vitalidad. Pero la identidad y la autovaloración pueden mostrarse también por el número de hablantes, por prestigio social, por la existencia y uso de medios de comunicación, por la sistematización histórica y cultural, por modos de decir y de decirse.
Mirror Symmetry as an Algebra of Operators in Noncommutative Geometry of Space-Time
Authors: Khoroshkov Yu.V.
Published: April 2022

The analysis of the geometric and algebraic properties of mirror mappings allowed the latter to be used as the operator algebra of a noncommutative geometry. The coordinates of the noncommutative geometry are auto- or cross-correlation coordinates in the mirror-mapped spaces. A particular case of the six-dimensional Kahler manifold which is mapped on the noncommutative geometry with the vector Clifford algebra Cl4 has been considered. This mapping corresponds to a tetraquark composed from two quark–anti-quark pairs with the charges ±2/3q taken from different generations.
Reproductive Health and Substance Use Education for Autistic Youth
Authors: Graham Holmes Laura , Rast Jessica E. , Roux Anne M. , Rothman Emily F.
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

We provide an update on reproductive health education (RHE) and substance use prevention education (SUPE) participation for autistic youth compared with other youth with and without individualized education plans (IEPs) and 504 plans. The 800 000 autistic youth served by the US special education system need education to make informed decisions about reproductive health and substance use.

METHODS

Data were from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2012, a survey designed to yield nationally representative estimates of the experiences of US youth. Autistic youth (n = 390) who received RHE and SUPE were compared with youth with all other IEP classifications (n = 4420), with a 504 plan (n = 350), and with no IEP or 504 plan (n = 980). All youth were ≥14 years old and able to self-report on a survey. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed for each group to identify characteristics associated with RHE and SUPE receipt.

RESULTS

Autistic youth reported a significantly lower rate of RHE (47.4%) and SUPE (49.6%) inclusion versus students with no IEP or 504 plan (59.2% and 57.4%, respectively). Autistic girls were more than twice as likely to report RHE receipt than autistic boys (55.1% vs 45.9%). For autistic youth, no markers for receipt of SUPE were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Autistic youth are underserved when it comes to school-based RHE and SUPE, potentially undermining self-determination and leading to poorer lifespan health trajectories. Research and policy advocacy are needed to ensure that these youth have access to RHE and SUPE.
Severity of Acute COVID-19 in Children <18 Years Old March 2020 to December 2021
Authors: Forrest Christopher B. , Burrows Evanette K. , Mejias Asuncion , Razzaghi Hanieh , Christakis Dimitri , Jhaveri Ravi , Lee Grace M. , Pajor Nathan M. , Rao Suchitra , Thacker Deepika , Bailey L. Charles
Published: April 2022

This national study evaluated trends in illness severity among 82 798 children with coronavirus disease 2019 from March 1, 2020, to December 30, 2021.
Degree Conditions for Claw-Free Graphs to Have Spanning Trees with at Most Five Branch Vertices and Leaves in Total
Authors: Hanh Dang Dinh
Published: April 2022

A leaf of a tree is a vertex of degree one and a branch vertex of a tree is a vertex of degree at least three. In this paper, we show a degree condition for a claw-free graph to have spanning trees with at most five branch vertices and leaves in total. Moreover, the degree sum condition is best possible.
An updated herpetofaunal species inventory of Iona National Park in southwestern Angola
Authors: Lobón-Rovira Javier , Vaz Pinto Pedro , S. Becker François , Tolley Krystal A. , Measey John , Bennet Bruce , Boon Bastiaan , de Sá Sango , Conradie Werner
Published: April 2022

Angola has experienced an incredible increase of the knowledge of its herpetofauna over the past decade. However, accurate biodiversity inventories remain deficient for certain regions of particular conservation interest. We therefore provide an updated checklist of Iona National Park’s herpetofauna, with 75 recorded species, including five amphibians and 70 reptiles, 40 of these recorded for the first time in Iona National Park. These species comprise ~80% of the reptile diversity of Namibe Province. Therefore, this work recognises Iona National Park as the most reptile-diverse protected area in Angola and is potentially one of the richest in southern Africa. Consequently, this work enhances the importance of specific conservation plans in the area and the need for further investigation into the hidden biodiversity of this region.