bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Students’ conceptual understanding on vector topic in visual and mathematical representation: a comparative study
Authors: Taqwa Muhammad Reyza Arief , Rahim Handy Faishal
Published: July 2022

This study aims to compare students’ abilities in understanding vector topics in two representations, namely visual and mathematical. This is a comparative research. Data were collected by survey. The research was conducted on 191 first-year undergraduate students of physics and physics education. The research instrument consisted of 14 multiple choice questions (7 questions of mathematical representation and 7 questions of verbal representation). Data analysis was performed by determining descriptive statistics and paired sample t-test. The results showed that the students’ ability to understand vector concepts with mathematical representations was better than those in verbal representations. Students’ mean score in verbal and mathematical representation formats are 33.91 and 59.17. Based on the results of the paired sample t-test obtained t = −12.96 and sig. = 0.00. These results indicate that the students’ ability to understand vector concepts in verbal and mathematical representation formats is significantly different. This study’s results came that students’ understanding of vector concepts still depends on the representation of the questions because their understanding is not coherent. Based on these findings, vector learning should be focused on the meaning of vectors in various representations, and connecting the meanings of vector operations in various representations, not only on mathematics.
Integration of motion diagram based module to improve students’ conceptual understanding of 1 dimentional kinematics
Authors: Taqwa Muhammad Reyza Arief , Suyudi Agus , Faizah Revnika
Published: July 2022

This study aims to see the effectiveness of using motion diagram-based module to improve students’ conceptual understanding of 1D Kinematics. We have integrated module in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research was an experimental research with one group pretest-posttest design. The research was conducted on 36 first year Physics undergraduate students. The research instrument consisted of 14 reasoned multiple choice questions. Data analysis was performed using paired sample t-test, N-gain, and d-effect size. The results showed that t = -47.81 [df = 35; sig.(2-tailed) = 0.000] so it can be concluded that students’ understanding of concepts is significantly different. The results of N-gain = 0.543 indicate that the increase is in the upper medium category and the d-effect size = 2.189 indicates that the influence of learning has a strong effect on increasing students’ conceptual understanding. The results of this study indicate that the use of motion diagram-based module can improve students’ conceptual understanding of 1D Kinematics. The students’ conceptual understanding that increased the most significantly was related to compare the velocity of two objects moving in opposite directions. But, many students still have difficulty in determining the instantaneous velocity from the x-t table.
The development of ‘Monolektrik Kit’ for the topic on Series and Parallel Circuits for secondary school Science and its’ usability among Physics trainee’s teachers
Authors: Ariffin Nurul Hazwani , Azmi Mohd Syahriman Mohd , Rahman Nurulhuda Abd
Published: July 2022

This paper describes the development of a ‘Monolektrik Kit’ teaching and learning tool for secondary school students studying series and parallel circuits. It consists of games that also incorporate inquiry learning during game-based learning sessions. The developmental research design is based on the ADDIE instructional model. The sample consisted of 27 seventh-semester Physics trainee teachers, who were randomly sampled. The instrument was a questionnaire developed from a standardised questionnaire with a four-point Likert scale assessment. It has four dimensions: usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning, and satisfaction. Three experts in the field assessed the validity of the kit. Data were analysed using percentage agreement, mean, and standard deviation. With a percentage agreement of 97.63%, the validity results suggest that the kit has high validity. Usability’s overall mean and standard deviation were (M=3.58, SD=0.39). The mean and standard deviation for usefulness (M=3.58, SD=0.39), ease of use (M=3.59, SD=0.39), ease of learning (M=3.62, SD=0.37), and satisfaction (M=3.55, SD=0.41), respectively. Finally, the research provided a validated ‘Monolektrik Kit’ which has the potential to increase student comprehension of series and parallel circuits.
Development of technology-embedded solar energy STEM (SESTEM) module among Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) diploma science students
Authors: Hosman Nurul Jannah , Supian Faridah Lisa , Wei Tho Siew , Mohamad Syed Abdul Malik Syed , Azmi Mohd Syahriman Mohd , Mohtar Lilia Ellany
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this study is to design and develop a Solar Energy STEM module (SESTEM) among a class of 80 diploma science students in the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). This module was developed to create an enjoyable technology-embedded learning process for solar energy education. The students’ perceptions evaluations of the complete SESTEM module were based on questionnaires and open-ended questions. The module implements fully hands-on activities using smartphones, QR codes, images, and videos. This work was based on the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) instructional model. The findings showed that students gave positive feedback regarding the contents and the activities implemented in the module. In conclusion, SESTEM can be considered a modern teaching tool, enhancing more value-added skills and being accustomed in the future
Development of an Interactive Learning Module for the Gas Law Topic and Its Usability among Physics Trainee Teachers
Authors: Zaidi Siti Nur Anis , Daud Anis Nazihah Mat , Alias Siti Nursaila
Published: July 2022

This study was conducted to develop an interactive learning module for the Gas Law topic of secondary school level and to determine its usability from the perspective of Physics trainee teachers from one of the public universities in Malaysia. The research design was the developmental research using ADDIE instructional model to develop the module. A total of 30 Physics trainee teachers in semesters 6 and 8 of their studies were selected randomly as respondents of the study. The instruments used were the expert validity form and the usability questionnaire adapted from a standardized instrument. The findings showed that the developed module has high face validity and content validity with 100% expert agreement. In addition, the findings indicated that the module was useful (M = 3.85, SD = 0.25), easy to use (M = 3.87, SD = 0.21) and the respondents were satisfied with it (M = 3.85, SD = 0.31). In general, the overall usability of the module was high (M = 3.86, SD = 0.26). Thus, this interactive learning module is suitable to be used by Physics trainee teachers to teach the Gas Law topic.
Development of a Free Fall Motion Experiment based on Smart Phone using Phyphox application
Authors: Walid Ikmal Hakim bin Ibne , Umar Mohd Faudzi bin
Published: July 2022

The objective of this study is to develop a free fall motion experiment based on smart phone using Phyphox application and to determine its usability and perception among pre-service teacher. The research development is based on the ADDIE model. Thirty participants were sampled using simple random sampling technique. A questionnaire instrument was used to collect the usability, ease of use and satisfaction data of the experimental kit. Data were analyzed descriptively using percentage of agreement, mean and standard deviation. Both instrument and kit are measured by three experts and gain overall validity is 95% which is interpreted as very good. A pilot test was carried out among fifteen pre-service teachers where the reliability of the usability questionnaire is α =.92 (excellent). In result, the average mean for usability is 3.91, ease to use is 3.84 and satisfaction is 3.91 out of four, which implies the average percentage of agreement is 87.25%. In conclusion, the development of a free fall motion experiment using Phyphox application was valid and reliable, as well as high agreement among pre-service teachers. Implications of the study, the experiment kit developed is suitable for use in learning to help students understand the subtopics of free fall motion.
Development of Game-Based Assessment Kit for Topic of Form 1: Light and Optics
Authors: Zaharuddin M , Abdullah N. S. Y , Wan Mokhtar W. Z. A
Published: July 2022

This study was conducted to develop and to test the acceptability of a developed game-based assessment kit for the topic of light and optic in Form 1 Science. The study utilized developmental research design with quantitative survey approach and ADDIE model. 30 trainee teachers were randomly selected from the seventh semester of the Physics program. The instruments used in this study were validity forms and acceptability questionnaire. Statistical packages for Social Science Version 26 (SPSS) software was used to determine the value of Alpha Cronbach reliability coefficient while the acceptability level of kit was analyzed to obtain the mean score value. The validity of this developed game-based assessment kit was analyzed descriptively in percentage of expert’s agreement. Results show the face validity value of the developed instrument is 92.0% while the content validity is 89.0% and this instrument had reliability coefficient value of 0.936. On the other hand, the developed game-based assessment kit has a face validity value of 89.9% and content validity value of 92.7% while overall mean score of the trainee teachers’ perception of kit’s acceptability is 4.66 which consists of the Design = 4.6, Content = 4.64 and Uses = 4.73. As conclusion, this developed kit has good face and content validity as well as strong acceptance value among the trainee teachers. This kit was hoped to help as aid to the teaching and learning in Form 1 Light and Optic topic.
Development of Distance Learning Tools Based on Problem Solving Laboratory (PSL) on Work and Energy Materials
Authors: Ilham Andri , Serevina Vina , Safitri Sifa Nur , Abdilah Yusup
Published: July 2022

Teachers can develop learning tools to deliver materials according to the characteristics of the material, because not all material can be delivered in the same way or method. In certain situations there are times when learning cannot be done directly in the classroom. So, the teacher must adjust online teaching or distance learning (DL). Efforts to support DL go well, then teachers must prepare supporting learning tools. The learning can be practical so that the learner is more interesting and fun. Problem solving laboratory (PSL) is a learning approach that uses problems as the basis for teaching and learning activities that must be solved through practical activities in the laboratory. The research method used is ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation). This research aims at learning tools that support practicum-based DL by applying the PSL learning models so that students can find material concepts independently. Validation results by material experts were 89%, learning experts were 87%, and media experts were 82%. So based on the results of expert validation and testing on students, the learning tools developed were feasible to use.
Analysis of Physics Learning Difficulties in The Topic of Quantum Phenomena of Madrasah Aliyah Students in Indragiri Hulu
Authors: Mahmudah Rif’atul , Zulirfan Z. , Rahmad M.
Published: July 2022

This study aims to analysis the learning difficulties experienced by class XII students in studying physics, quantum phenomena. For this purpose, we have surveyed 180 class XII students of MAN 1 Indragiri Hulu, Riau, Indonesia, as respondents. The survey was conducted by evaluating the respondents’ formative test results on quantum phenomena in the last three years and followed by interviews. Data analysis techniques were descriptive statistic as a quantitative analysis and interactive model as a qualitative analysis. Based on the analysis of the formative test data, it was found that 58% of respondents had learning difficulties in the very high category. Judging from understanding the concept of quantum phenomena which includes sub-topics: Black Body Radiation, Wien Shift Law, Photon Energy, Photoelectric Effects, Compton Effects, and X-Rays, the results of data analysis show that respondents’ mastery is below 30%. Meanwhile, based on interviews that have been conducted with some randomly selected respondents, it was found that the factors of respondents’ learning difficulties on the topic of Quantum Phenomena include: the topic is abstract, the teacher does not use engaging media and supports understanding, and the teacher’s teaching style is less variety.
Need analysis to develop a generative learning model with a cognitive conflict strategy oriented to creative thinking in the Computational Physics course
Authors: Akmam A , Hidayat R , Mufit F , Jalinus N , Amran A
Published: July 2022

The discovery learning model with the strategy of exploring questions no longer increases students’ understanding of Computational Physics, for this reason, a cognitive conflict-based generative learning model is developed. The The purpose of this needs analysis research was to determine the factors and aspects needed for the development of a cognitive conflict-based generative learning model in Computational Physics. This research was surveyed 132 students who have been and are currently attending Computational Physics lectures by using a questionnaire with a valid and reliable Likert Scale. Questionnaires were distributed through google form media for 20 days. The results showed that students needed a challenge given to each new topic to arouse curiosity and needed an assimilation process to build knowledge about Computational Physics. Students feel the need to think creatively to build knowledge of problem solving in Computational Physics. So, changes in strategies and methods as well as learning steps by lecturers are a must. Finally, The factor relationship model that affects the computational physics learning process is f(x) = 0.325X1 +0.224 X2 + 0.152X3. where X1 is attitude towards Computational Physics, X2 is teaching material and learning model, and X3 is learning style and creative thinking.
Developing an Energy Band Gap Model and its Usability from the perspective of Physics Undergraduate Students
Authors: Zakaria Nabila Anis , Supian Faridah Lisa , Darus Mazlina Mat
Published: July 2022

This research aimed to develop an energy band gap model and determine its usability from the perspective of physics undergraduates from one of the public universities in Malaysia. This research design used is developmental research using the ADDIE model. Twenty eight respondents were selected using the simple random sampling technique from seventh semester physics students. The instruments used were validity form and questionnaires adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The validity data were analysed using the content validity index while the usability data were analysed descriptively using mean and standard deviation. The results showed that the energy gap model has a high value of CVI (1.00). In addition, the usability by mean and standard deviation are 3.75 and 0.45 respectively. In conclusion, the research has been successfully developed a model, and proven that it is valid and can be used in teaching and learning process.
Student responses to the development of online learning device based guided inquiry in mechanical waves matter
Authors: Nasbey Hadi , Serevina Vina , Putra Ihsan Hijria , Sriwati
Published: July 2022

Online learning is an interactive activity with virtual application devices. This online learning has been developed in the concept of mechanical wave with Guided Inquiry learning model and scientific approach in the form of teaching device such as Learning Implementation Plan (RPP), Student Worksheets (LKS), assessment design, materials and sample questions. The purpose of this research is to describe the necessary and feasibility of online learning device based guided inquiry by exploring students’ responses developed to face the education challenges of 21st century on global pandemic era in remote areas with a research model 4D development. The benefit of this research is to support students in implementing distance learning. Assessment of the feasibility of the device is carried out by the validator experts with an average score is 81.9% for media, learning is 75.0% and 82.5% for material. This research was applied to 57 students. The result, stated the learning device with positive responses from students 81.12%. This means that students can follow by using and simulating online learning experiments. So, it is stated that the online learning device based guided inquiry in mechanical waves matter are deemed appropriate and required by students to support distance learning.
Development of Online Learning Tools Based on Computer Assisted Instruction Material for Newton’s Law of Gravity
Authors: Bakri Fauzi , Serevina V , Hartina M M , Aslamia D
Published: July 2022

This study aims to develop an online learning tool based on Computer Assisted Instruction. The research method used is Research and Development using the ADDIE model which consists of five stages, namely: Analysis, Design, Development. Implementation, and Evaluation. This online learning tool was developed using e-learning media, namely the webbased student’s worksheet. This Computer Assisted Instruction based online learning tool has been tested on a limited basis for tenth grade students of public high school. The data was collected by distributing questionnaires based on the grid made using google form, starting from the stage of analyzing teacher-student needs, validating 3 experts, testing by teachers and documentation. The validation results were obtained by 82.875% from media experts, 80% from material experts and 82.42% from learning experts. Based on the analysis of the data that has been collected, it can be concluded that online learning tools based on Computer Assisted Instruction on Newton’s Law of Gravity are very good and feasible to develop.
Integrated assessment of urban water supply security and resilience: towards a streamlined approach
Authors: Krueger Elisabeth H , McPhearson Timon , Levin Simon A
Published: July 2022

Urbanization and competing water demand, as well as rising temperatures and changing weather patterns, are manifesting as gradual processes that increasingly challenge urban water supply security. Cities are also threatened by acute risks arising at the intersection of aging infrastructure, entrenched institutions, and the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events. To better understand these multi-layered, interacting challenges of providing urban water supply for all, while being prepared to deal with recurring shocks, we present an integrated analysis of water supply security in New York City and its resilience to acute shocks and chronic disturbances. We apply a revised version of a recently developed, quantitative framework (‘Capital Portfolio Approach’, CPA) that takes a social-ecological-technological systems perspective to assess urban water supply security as the performance of water services at the household scale. Using the parameters of the CPA as input, we use a coupled systems dynamics model to investigate the dynamics of services in response to shocks—under current conditions and in a scenario of increasing shock occurrence and a loss of system robustness. We find water supply security to be high and current response to shocks to be resilient thanks to past shock experiences. However, we identify a number of risks and vulnerability issues that, if unaddressed, might significantly impact the city’s water services in the mid-term future. Our findings have relevance to cities around the world, and raise questions for research about how security and resilience can and should be maintained in the future.
Progress in battery safety modeling
Authors: Deng Jie , Bae Chulheung , Denlinger Adam , Miller Theodore
Published: July 2022

Battery safety is a critical factor in the design of electrified vehicles. As such, understanding the battery responses under extreme conditions have gained a lot of interest. Previously, abuse tolerance tests were applied to measure the safety metrics of different types of batteries. Nevertheless, conducting these tests in various conditions is usually expensive and time consuming. Computational modeling, on the other hand, provides an efficient and cost-effective tool to evaluate battery performance during abuse, and therefore has been widely used in optimizing the battery system design. In this Perspective, we discuss the main progresses and challenges in battery safety modeling. In particular, we divide the battery safety models into two groups according to the stage in a typical battery failure process. The first group focuses on predicting the failure conditions of batteries in different scenarios, while the second one aims to evaluate the hazard after the onset of battery failure like thermal runaway. Although the models in these groups serve different purposes, they are intercorrelated and their combination provides a better understanding of the failure process of a battery system. The framework, capabilities, and limitations of typical models in each group are presented here. The main challenges in building battery safety models and their future development and applications are also discussed.
SpikePro: a webserver to predict the fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Cia Gabriel , Kwasigroch Jean Marc , Rooman Marianne , Pucci Fabrizio
Published: July 2022

Motivation

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has shown a remarkable ability to evolve and spread across the globe through successive waves of variants since the original Wuhan lineage. Despite all the efforts of the last 2 years, the early and accurate prediction of variant severity is still a challenging issue which needs to be addressed to help, for example, the decision of activating COVID-19 plans long before the peak of new waves. Upstream preparation would indeed make it possible to avoid the overflow of health systems and limit the most severe cases.

Results

We recently developed SpikePro, a structure-based computational model capable of quickly and accurately predicting the viral fitness of a variant from its spike protein sequence. It is based on the impact of mutations on the stability of the spike protein as well as on its binding affinity for the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and for a set of neutralizing antibodies. It yields a precise indication of the virus transmissibility, infectivity, immune escape and basic reproduction rate. We present here an updated version of the model that is now available on an easy-to-use webserver, and illustrate its power in a retrospective study of fitness evolution and reproduction rate of the main viral lineages. SpikePro is thus expected to be great help to assess the fitness of newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in genomic surveillance and viral evolution programs.

Availability and implementation

SpikePro webserver http://babylone.ulb.ac.be/SpikePro/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Wrongful Conviction as Racialized Cumulative Disadvantage
Authors: Umamaheswar Janani
Published: July 2022

Despite a growing body of scholarship on wrongful convictions, research on the prison and pre-prison experiences of wrongfully-convicted men (including the racialized nature of these experiences) continues to be limited. In this article, I draw on in-depth interviews with 15 exonerated men in the United States to frame wrongful conviction as an experience of racialized cumulative disadvantage, defined as the accrual and perpetuation of socioeconomic, psychological, and emotional harms that disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic wrongfully-convicted men over the life course. Through this analysis, I reveal the intersecting and accumulating inequalities that are (re)produced by the processes that generate wrongful convictions and by the experience of wrongful imprisonment. In addition to underscoring the need for critical evaluation of the role of state actors responsible for wrongful convictions, these findings speak to the importance of restorative justice programs to support Black and Hispanic exonerees’ recovery following wrongful imprisonment.
Emotional bias modification weakens game-related compulsivity and reshapes frontostriatal pathways
Authors: Wu Lulu , Xu Jiahua , Song Kunru , Zhu Lei , Zhou Nan , Xu Linxuan , Liu Guanqun , Wang Ziliang , Wang Rui , Qin Shaozheng , Fang Xiaoyi , Zhang Jintao , Potenza Marc N
Published: July 2022

Addiction is characterized by compulsive engagement despite adverse consequences. Psychobehavioural interventions targeting compulsivity in addictions are relatively rare, particularly for behavioural addictions like internet gaming disorder (IGD). Free from confounding drug-on-brain effects, IGD provides a promising model for understanding neuropsychological processes of addictions. IGD is a global concern in the setting of increasing internet use worldwide. Thus, developing interventions and understanding their mechanisms of action are important. Positive emotional association biases (EABs) towards addiction cues based on reward conditioning may underlie addiction-associated compulsivity. Here, we developed an EAB modification (EABM) protocol and examined whether modifying EABs via cognitive training would alter neurocognitive aspects of addiction-associated compulsivity in IGD.

We recruited 90 IGD participants who were randomly assigned to receive EABM or sham training in a 1:1 ratio (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04068064). The EABM intervention involved six consecutive days of exposure to negative emotional terms linked to gaming stimuli and positive terms linked to non-gaming healthy-alternative stimuli. The sham training involved similar stimuli linked to neutral words. Participants underwent event-related functional MRI while performing a regulation-of-craving task and received several behavioural assessments pretraining and post-training. Primary efficacy measures were changes in gaming-related positive EABs, and compulsive gaming thoughts and behaviours.

Behaviourally, EABM (versus sham) training decreased gaming-related positive EABs and compulsive gaming thoughts and behaviours. Neurally, EABM training involved decreased activation in the bilateral dorsal striatum in the regulation-of-craving task and altered left dorsal striatum-centric functional connectivity with ventral prefrontal cortical regions, which correlated with decreases in gaming-related EABs or compulsive gaming thoughts and behaviours. EABM training also implicated activation changes in the right medial frontal gyrus and posterior insula.

EABM may reduce compulsive gaming thoughts and behaviours via reshaping functional organization of frontostriatal pathways and insular activity in IGD. The therapeutic potential of EABM should be examined in larger, longer-term studies, as should its application to other addictive disorders.
Functional Plasticity of Foraging Shelter Tubes Built by Termites
Authors: Chiu Chun-I , Chen Bo-Ye , Chang Fang-Chih , Kuan Kuan-Chi , Li Hou-Feng
Published: July 2022

Social insects’ constructions are diverse and functionally flexible. We aimed to understand how termites modify their behavior and building material to change the function of a shelter tube. Construction behaviors of three termite species, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) (Blattodea: Termitidae), and Nasutitermes takasagoensis (Nawa) (Blattodea: Termitidae), were recorded and analyzed. We measured the thickness and organic matter content of shelter tubes, and further tested their water loss and water drop resistance. All three termite species used a cement-brick construction procedure. The shelter tubes of C. formosanus and N. takasagoensis incorporating of woody material and feces present a strong resistance to water drops. Shelter tubes of the fungus-growing termite, O. formosanus, constructed using only soil and fluid secretion had a weak resistance to water drops. The trade-off between using feces to increase hydrophobicity of shelter tubes and using feces to grow fungus likely occurs in fungus-growing termites. Among intraspecific colonies, increasing the thickness of shelter tube improved resistance to water loss and water drops. This study demonstrated termites employed limited construction material and building behaviors to achieve functional plasticity of foraging shelter.
Not That Assertive: The EU’s Take on Enforcement of Labour Obligations in Its Free Trade Agreement with South Korea
Authors: Nissen Aleydis
Published: July 2022

In 2011, the European Union (EU) concluded the first of a ‘new generation’ of free trade agreements that contained a separate chapter with obligations relating to ‘trade and sustainable development’ (TSD) issues. This was the Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Korea. The EU formally initiated its first TSD complaint, under this agreement, in 2018. This labour complaint came after a non-paper of the European Commission promised ‘more assertive’ use of the soft dispute mechanism for TSD obligations, following years of pressure by various stakeholders. This non-paper remained apologetic about hard sanctions but promised a review in 2023. This article aims to study to what extent the EU delivered upon its promise to use the soft dispute mechanism more assertively during its first TSD proceedings. It finds that the EU was not prepared to act assertively in relation to certain issues (collective bargaining and the right to strike) and certain workers (in the public and export sectors) during the proceedings before the ad hoc Panel of Experts, which ended in 2021. It argues, in particular, that the EU missed a major opportunity to use its bargaining leverage vis-à-vis Korean consumer conglomerates.
Cancer diagnosis in primary care after second pandemic year in Catalonia: a time-series analysis of primary care electronic health records covering about 5 million people
Authors: Mora Núria , Guiriguet Carolina , Cantenys Roser , Méndez-Boo Leonardo , Marzo-Castillejo Mercè , Benítez Mència , Fina Francesc , Fàbregas Mireia , Hermosilla Eduardo , Mercadé Albert , Medina Manuel , Coma Ermengol
Published: July 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of chronic disease had drastically been reduced due to health care interruptions. The aim of this study is to analyse cancer diagnosis during the last 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Time-series study of cancer diagnoses recorded in primary care settings, using data from the primary care electronic health records from January 2014 to December 2021. We obtained the expected monthly rate per 100,000 inhabitants using a time regression adjusted by trend and seasonality. We additionally compared rates of cancer diagnoses in 2019 with those of 2020 and 2021 using the t-test. We performed the analysis globally, by sex and by type of cancer.

Results

In 2020, the rate of cancer diagnoses had reduced by −21% compared to 2019 (P < 0.05). Greater reductions were observed during the lockdown in early 2020 (>40%) and with some types of cancers, especially prostate and skin cancers (−29.6% and −26.9%, respectively, P < 0.05). Lung cancers presented statistically non-significant reductions in both years. Cancer diagnosis returned to expected around March 2021, and the rate in 2021 was similar to that of 2019 (overall difference of 0.21%, P = 0.967). However, an 11% reduction was still found when comparing the pandemic months of 2020–2021 with pre-pandemic months.

Conclusions

Although primary care cancer diagnoses in 2021 have returned to pre-pandemic levels, missing diagnoses during the last 2 years have not been fully recovered.
Expectable diversity patterns in wine yeast communities
Authors: de Celis Miguel , Ruiz Javier , Vicente Javier , Acedo Alberto , Marquina Domingo , Santos Antonio , Belda Ignacio
Published: July 2022

Wine fermentations are dominated by Saccharomyces yeast. However, dozens of non-Saccharomyces yeast genera can be found in grape musts and in the early and intermediate stages of wine fermentation, where they co-exist with S. cerevisiae. The diversity of non-Saccharomyces species is determinant for the sensorial attributes of the resulting wines, both directly (by producing aroma impact compounds) and indirectly (modulating the performance of Saccharomyces). Many research groups worldwide are exploring the great diversity of wine yeasts to exploit their metabolic potential to improve wine flavor or to prevent wine spoilage. In this work, we share a new data set from a wide ITS amplicon survey of 272 wine samples, and we perform a preliminary exploration to build a catalogue of 242 fungal and yeast genera detectable in wine samples, estimating global figures of their prevalence and relative abundance patterns across wine samples. Thus, our mycobiome survey provides a broad measure of the yeast diversity potentially found in wine fermentations; we hope that the wine yeast research community finds it useful, and we also want to encourage further discussion on the advantages and limitations that meta-taxonomic studies may have in wine research and industry.
De novo non-synonymous DPYSL2 (CRMP2) variants in two patients with intellectual disabilities and documentation of functional relevance through zebrafish rescue and cellular transfection experiments
Authors: Suzuki Hisato , Li Simo , Tokutomi Tomoharu , Takeuchi Chisen , Takahashi Miyuki , Yamada Mamiko , Okuno Hironobu , Miya Fuyuki , Takenouchi Toshiki , Numabe Hironao , Kosaki Kenjiro , Ohshima Toshio
Published: July 2022

Collapsin response mediator protein 2 (Crmp2) is an evolutionarily well-conserved tubulin-binding cytosolic protein that plays critical roles in the formation of neural circuitry in model organisms including zebrafish and rodents. No clinical evidence that CRMP2 variants are responsible for monogenic neurogenic disorders in humans presently exists. Here, we describe two patients with de novo non-synonymous variants (S14R and R565C) of CRMP2 and intellectual disability associated with hypoplasia of the corpus callosum. We further performed various functional assays of CRMP2 variants using zebrafish and zebrafish Crmp2 (abbreviated as z-CRMP2 hereafter) and an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide [AMO]-based experimental system in which crmp2-morphant zebrafish exhibit the ectopic positioning of caudal primary (CaP) motor neurons. Whereas the co-injection of wild-type z-CRMP2 mRNA suppressed the ectopic positioning of CaP motor neurons in Crmp2-morphant zebrafish, the co-injection of R566C or S15R, z-CRMP2, which corresponds to R565C and S14R of human CRMP2, failed to rescue the ectopic positioning. Transfection experiments of zebrafish or rat Crmp2 using plasmid vectors in HeLa cells, with or without a proteasome inhibitor, demonstrated that the expression levels of mutant Crmp2 protein encoded by R565C and S14R CRMP2 variants were decreased, presumably because of increased degradation by proteasomes. When we compared CRMP2-tubulin interactions using co-immunoprecipitation and cellular localization studies, the R565C and S14R mutations weakened the interactions. These results collectively suggest that the CRMP2 variants detected in the present study consistently led to the loss-of-function of CRMP2 protein and support the notion that pathogenic variants in CRMP2 can cause intellectual disabilities in humans.
Modularity, identity, and the constitutional diagonal
Authors: Langlois Richard N
Published: July 2022

The framework of modular systems articulated in Design Rules can be applied in the larger setting of social institutions. The principles of encapsulation and information hiding operate in society as mechanisms to internalize externalities. This essay focuses on intangible externalities, or “moralisms,” that involve the transmission across module boundaries of pure information rather than materials or energy. Such intangible externalities arise in the practice of identity, the affiliations through which individuals create and define their sense of self. Both formally and informally, individuals tend to modularize themselves into identity groups in order to minimize the costs of the intangible externalities that identities impose on one another. One important way to reduce conflict among identity groups is to create a governance structure in which some interactions are proscribed—the constitutional diagonal. In the end, because of the inherent incompatibilities—the non-modular interactions—between identities that arise inevitably from the very meaning and function of identity, genuine toleration is possible only through the increased standardization of identities. The essay applies these ideas to the problems facing large social networks like Facebook.
Impact of Gestational Haloperidol Exposure on miR-137-3p and Nr3c1 mRNA Expression in Hippocampus of Offspring Mice
Authors: Yoshino Yuta , Kumon Hiroshi , Shimokawa Tetsuya , Yano Hajime , Ochi Shinichiro , Funahashi Yu , Iga Jun-ichi , Matsuda Seiji , Tanaka Junya , Ueno Shu-ichi
Published: July 2022

Background

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder caused by both environmental and genetic factors. Prenatal exposure to antipsychotics, an environmental factor for the fetal brain, induces apoptotic neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment of offspring similar to schizophrenia. The aim was to investigate molecular biological changes in the fetal hippocampus exposed to haloperidol (HAL) by RNA expression as a model of the disorder.

Methods

HAL (1 mg/kg/d) was administered to pregnant mice. Upregulated and downregulated gene expressions in the hippocampus of offspring were studied with RNA-sequencing and validated with the qPCR method, and micro-RNA (miR) regulating mRNA expressional changes was predicted by in silico analysis. An in vitro experiment was used to identify the miRNA using a dual-luciferase assay.

Results

There were significant gene expressional changes (1370 upregulated and 1260 downregulated genes) in the HAL group compared with the control group on RNA-sequencing analysis (P < .05 and q < 0.05). Of them, the increase of Nr3c1 mRNA expression was successfully validated, and in silico analysis predicted that microRNA-137-3p (miR-137-3p) possibly regulates that gene’s expression. The expression of miR-137-3p in the hippocampus of offspring was significantly decreased in the first generation, but it increased in the second generation. In vitro experiments with Neuro2a cells showed that miR-137-3p inversely regulated Nr3c1 mRNA expression, which was upregulated in the HAL group.

Conclusions

These findings will be key for understanding the impact of the molecular biological effects of antipsychotics on the fetal brain.
Multi-scale modelling of nanoparticle delivery and heat transport in vascularised tumours
Authors: Al Sariri Tahani , Penta Raimondo
Published: July 2022

We focus on modelling of cancer hyperthermia driven by the application of the magnetic field to iron oxide nanoparticles. We assume that the particles are interacting with the tumour environment by extravasating from the vessels into the interstitial space. We start from Darcy’s and Stokes’ problems in the interstitial and fluid vessels compartments. Advection–diffusion of nanoparticles takes place in both compartments (as well as uptake in the tumour interstitium), and a heat source proportional to the concentration of nanoparticles drives heat diffusion and convection in the system. The system under consideration is intrinsically multi-scale. The distance between adjacent vessels (the micro-scale) is much smaller than the average tumour size (the macro-scale). We then apply the asymptotic homogenisation technique to retain the influence of the micro-structure on the tissue scale distribution of heat and particles. We derive a new system of homogenised partial differential equations (PDEs) describing blood transport, delivery of nanoparticles and heat transport. The new model comprises a double Darcy’s law, coupled with two double advection–diffusion–reaction systems of PDEs describing fluid, particles and heat transport and mass, drug and heat exchange. The role of the micro-structure is encoded in the coefficients of the model, which are to be computed solving appropriate periodic problems. We show that the heat distribution is impaired by increasing vessels’ tortuosity and that regularization of the micro-vessels can produce a significant increase (1–2 degrees) in the maximum temperature. We quantify the impact of modifying the properties of the magnetic field depending on the vessels’ tortuosity.
Declining Corticosteroid Use for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Across Alberta: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Seow Cynthia H , Coward Stephanie , Kroeker Karen I , Stach Jesse , Devitt Katharine Sarah , Targownik Laura E , Nguyen Geoffrey C , Ma Christopher , deBruyn Jennifer C , Carroll Matthew W , Peerani Farhad , Baumgart Daniel C , Ryan David J , Veldhuyzen van Zanten Sander , Benchimol Eric I , Kaplan Gilaad G , Panaccione Remo
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims

Corticosteroid-free remission is a primary treatment goal in IBD which may be achieved with greater use of anti-TNF therapy. We defined temporal trends of corticosteroid use, anti-TNF use, hospitalization and surgery in a prevalent IBD cohort within the province of Alberta, Canada.

Methods

Health administrative data were used to identify medication dispensing, hospitalizations and surgery in individuals with IBD from 2010 to 2015. Temporal trends were calculated using log-binomial regression for medications and log-linear models for hospitalizations and surgery rates. Analyses were stratified based on geographic location.

Results

Of 28890 individuals with IBD, 50.3% had Crohn’s disease. One in six individuals (15.45%) were dispensed a corticosteroid. Corticosteroid use decreased in both metropolitan areas (AAPC −20.08%, 95% CI: −21.78 to −18.04) and non-metropolitan areas (AAPC −18.14%, 95% CI: −20.78 to −18.04) with a similar pattern for corticosteroid dependence. Corticosteroid dependence was more prevalent in UC vs. CD (P < 0.05), and in the pediatric IBD cohort (13.45) compared to the adult (8.89) and elderly (7.54) cohorts (per 100 prevalent population, P < 0.001). The proportion of individuals dispensed an anti-TNF increased over the study period (AAPC 12.58%, 95% CI: 11.56 to 13.61). Significantly more non-metropolitan versus metropolitan residing individuals were hospitalized for any reason, for an IBD-related, or IBD-specific indication (all P < 0.001) though the proportion requiring IBD surgery was similar between groups.

Conclusions

An increase in anti-TNF use corresponded to a decline in corticosteroid use and dependence in those with IBD. Inequities in IBD care still exist based on location and age.
Accelerated warming in the late 20th century promoted tree radial growth in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Liu Jie , Li Zong-Shan , Keyimu Maierdang , Wang Xiaochun , Liang Haibin , Feng Xiaoming , Gao Guangyao , Fu Bojie
Published: July 2022

Accelerated global warming in the late 20th century led to frequent forest-decline events in the Northern Hemisphere and increased the complexity of the relationships between tree growth and climate factors. However, few studies have explored the heterogeneity of responses of tree growth to climate factors in different regions of the Northern Hemisphere before and after accelerated warming. In this study, a total of 229 temperature-sensitive tree-ring width chronologies from nine regions on three continents in the Northern Hemisphere were used in the data analysis performed herein. A bootstrapped correlation analysis method was used to investigate whether the tree growth-climate response changed significantly in different regions between the periods before and after rapid warming. Probability density functions and piecewise linear fitting were used to study the fluctuation characteristics of the tree-ring width indices before and after rapid warming. At the end of the 20th century (from 1977 to 2000), rapid warming significantly promoted the radial growth of trees in different regions of the Northern Hemisphere, but tree radial growth was heterogeneous among the different regions from 1950 to 2000. After 1976, except in central North America and northern Europe, the correlation between tree growth and temperature increased significantly in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in Asia. From 1977 to 2000, tree-ring index and temperature divergences were observed in nine regions with a divergence of 2–5 years. From 1950 to 2000, tree growth tracked better average temperature variability in the Northern Hemisphere than regional temperature.
The relation between optical and γ-ray emission in BL Lac sources
Authors: La Mura G , Becerra Gonzalez J , Chiaro G , Ciroi S , Otero-Santos J
Published: July 2022

The relativistic jets produced by some Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are among the most efficient persistent sources of non-thermal radiation and represent an ideal laboratory for studying high-energy interactions. In particular, when the relativistic jet propagates along the observer’s line of sight, the beaming effect produces dominant signatures in the observed spectral energy distribution (SED), from the radio domain up to the highest energies, with the further possibility of resulting in radiation-particle multimessenger associations. In this work, we investigate the relationships between the emission of γ rays and the optical spectra of a sample of AGN, selected from BL Lac sources detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT). We find that there is a close relationship between the optical and γ-ray spectral indices. Despite all the limitations due to the non-simultaneity of the data, this observation strongly supports a substantial role of Synchrotron-Self Compton (SSC) radiation in a single zone leptonic scenario for most sources. This result simplifies the application of theoretical models to explore the physical parameters of the jets in this type of sources.
New Phylogenetic Models Incorporating Interval-Specific Dispersal Dynamics Improve Inference of Disease Spread
Authors: Gao Jiansi , May Michael R , Rannala Bruce , Moore Brian R
Published: July 2022

Phylodynamic methods reveal the spatial and temporal dynamics of viral geographic spread, and have featured prominently in studies of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtually all such studies are based on phylodynamic models that assume—despite direct and compelling evidence to the contrary—that rates of viral geographic dispersal are constant through time. Here, we: (1) extend phylodynamic models to allow both the average and relative rates of viral dispersal to vary independently between pre-specified time intervals; (2) implement methods to infer the number and timing of viral dispersal events between areas; and (3) develop statistics to assess the absolute fit of discrete-geographic phylodynamic models to empirical datasets. We first validate our new methods using simulations, and then apply them to a SARS-CoV-2 dataset from the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. We show that: (1) under simulation, failure to accommodate interval-specific variation in the study data will severely bias parameter estimates; (2) in practice, our interval-specific discrete-geographic phylodynamic models can significantly improve the relative and absolute fit to empirical data; and (3) the increased realism of our interval-specific models provides qualitatively different inferences regarding key aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic—revealing significant temporal variation in global viral dispersal rates, viral dispersal routes, and the number of viral dispersal events between areas—and alters interpretations regarding the efficacy of intervention measures to mitigate the pandemic.