bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial Support of Increasing the Efficiency of the Navigation Market
Authors:   National University ", Sienko О. ,   Odessa Maritime Academy", Zaderei A. ,   National University "Odessa Maritime Academy"
Published: December 2021

The crisis of shipping financing and financial management of maritime enterprises has become extremely important to ensure the efficient operation and survival of shipping companies around the world. The shipping industry is essentially capital-intensive and requires significant investments in new shipbuilding each year. High capital requirements for financing new construction programs and acquisitions on the secondary market have forced shipowners to seek financing outside their own private funds. European commercial banks have a long history of financing shipping assets. Bank debt financing remains the most important source of capital for the shipping industry today. The adoption of the shipping industry by the capital market, especially over the last decade, has opened the door to a much wider range of capital besides bank debt. Shipping companies today have many alternative financing options: from traditional mortgage loans to more complex financing structures, which may include: high-yield debt; sale and leaseback; mezzanine financing and other forms of debt related to share capital; private equity or open-ended financing, such as a parent limited liability company (MLP) and a special purpose vehicle (SPAC). Although a shipping company's ability to focus on market ups and downs depends primarily on the timing of its investment and chartering policy, the choice among all these alternative financing options may be equally important. Bank financing is the main source of capital for the shipping industry, providing flexible and low cost of capital for shipping companies. Banks are the most reliable and long-term providers of capital for the industry, which accounts for the largest majority of transport capital each year. From the banks' point of view, the shipping industry remains a favorable sector for doing business, despite volatility and relatively low margins. Banks are able to increase their profitability with low-margin financing, as vessels change hands regularly, leading to refinancing of loans until they are repaid. As world trade expands, the need for significant investment in larger and more complex assets will continue to grow, requiring more capital. During this course, shipping companies and capital suppliers will have to face the risks of extremely volatile operating cash flows and vessel prices, making risk management a central factor in any investment decision. Although bank debt financing is likely to remain the most important source of capital for the industry, shipping companies now have a wide range of alternatives available to them.
Experience of internationally qualified nurses providing palliative care in a New Zealand aged residential care facility
Authors: Angus Elizabeth , Reid Kate , Yamit Sigred , Coe Gill , Ryan Bridget , Crichton Sharyn
Published: December 2021

Background:

New Zealand is reliant upon internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) working within aged residential care (ARC), despite the fact that many of these nurses have limited or no ARC or palliative care experience before arriving in the country.

Aims:

To understand the issues faced by IQNs providing palliative care to people in ARC. To understand how the palliative aged residential care (PARC) specialist nurse team can best support IQNs.

Methods:

A thematic analysis was undertaken from five focus group interviews with IQNs (n=24) from ARC facilities in the Christchurch and Canterbury regions.

Findings:

Unfamiliarity with New Zealand 's palliative care and ARC systems, cultural differences and communication barriers caused internal struggles. Transitioning to a New Zealand approach to palliative care highlighted participants' adaptability and resilience. Consistent approaches to training and support by the PARC team and additional cultural training within New Zealand Competence Assessment Programmes (CAP) are required.

Conclusion:

Ongoing education, support and role modelling to develop confidence and reduce internal struggles are required for IQNs providing palliative care in ARC.
Research Roundup
Authors: Green Laura
Published: December 2021

Synopses of a selection of recently published research articles of relevance to palliative care
ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE IN LONDON THROUGH CHANGE OF USE AND FUNCTIONS OF ARCHITECTURE
Authors:   Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture Osijek, Rogina Danijela , Dinulović Radivoje ,   Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Published: December 2021

The human population is currently on the rise and most Europeans live in urban areas, leading to increased urbanization. The change comes with its challenges, as cities, architecture, and urban spaces need to become more fluid, multi-functional, and innovative. This paper examines whether a change of use of public spaces, and functions of architectural and urban forms, can be used as an element in the implementation of sustainable urbanization. The theoretical framework of this paper focuses on literature findings relating to identified key aspects such as innovative approaches in changes of use — recycling and upcycling, green infrastructure and financial aspects, concepts of “right of the place”, and public participation. These aspects are addressed on both theoretical and practical levels, with the National Theatre in London as a case study. Findings convey that the change of use of spaces can be utilized to achieve sustainable urbanization, together with the management of functions and uses of architectural and urban forms. However, further research is needed with various stakeholders to identify a solid and inherent database, as a foundation on which the most optimal urban spaces would emerge, by identifying new functions and uses of urban space and architecture.
NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THE MORPHODYNAMICS OF THE PLOČE GRAVEL BEACH IN RIJEKA
Authors:   University of Zagreb, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Lončar Goran , Kalinić Filip ,   Zagreb University of Applied Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering, Carević Dalibor ,   University of Zagreb, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bujak Damjan ,   University of Zagreb, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Published: December 2021

The morphodynamics of an artificial gravel beach in the Bay of Rijeka (Ploče Beach) was analyzed. The morphological changes of the beach face were monitored through an intense situation of gravitational surface wind waves from the incident SSW direction. A numerical modeling technique was applied, after initially establishing a numerical model for wave deformation. A model for sediment transport was established based on its results. Both models were based on the finite volume method. In addition, the partial contribution of the longshore component of sediment transport was analyzed based on empirical formulae. The modeling results were verified by comparing the positions and amounts of eroded/accumulated material along the beach with the processing of terrain images in the form of point clouds. The erosion and accumulation positions of the beach sediment material, obtained by numerical model simulations, corresponded to the surveyed positions. The total volume of eroded and accumulated material based on terrain image processing corresponded to the model values.
CALCULATION OF CLIMATE LOADS DESIGN VALUES ACCORDING TO THE PROBABILITY MODEL OF ANNUAL MAXIMUM SERIES
Authors:   Department of building, road machines and construction, Central Ukrainian National Technical University, Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine, Pashynskyi Mykola , Pashynskyi Victor ,   Department of building, road machines and construction, Central Ukrainian National Technical University, Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine, Klymenko Evgeniy ,   Department of reinforced concrete constructions and transport constructions, Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Odessa, Ukraine
Published: December 2021

The aim of this work is to improve a method for determining the characteristic values of climatic loads according to a probabilistic model of the annual maxima sequence, by choosing a rational type of generalized extreme value distribution law. An analysis is provided regarding the suitability of using four types of distributions for describing a data collection of maximum values of climatic loads. Using example data from the meteorological stations of Ukraine, it is found that for coefficients of variation smaller than 0.85–1.0, it is advisable to use the double exponential Gumbel distribution (generalized extreme value distribution type-I), and at higher values of the coefficient of variation, it is advisable to use the Weibull distribution (generalized extreme value distribution type-III). Recommendations are provided for considering the accuracy in the estimations of the characteristic values of loads according to the probabilistic model for the annual maximum value series.
Filtering characteristics of 1D photonic crystal with Gaussian film thickness perturbation
Authors: Li Dong , Zhao Xiaodan , Yang Yibiao , Sun Fei , Fei Hongming , Zhang Mingda
Published: December 2021

Conventional theoretical and numerical studies on photonic crystal, which often does not consider the film thickness error during the experimental preparation process, will meet a large deviation between the experiment and the simulation. The filtering characteristics of one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystals with random film thickness errors (modeled as the Gaussian distribution) are systematically investigated by statistical method and numerical simulations. By studying the influence of the deviation of film thickness and the period number on the filter characteristics, it shows that the forbidden bandwidth is reduced to 80.27% of the intrinsic energy band when the film thickness deviation is

σ
=

0.25

a

. Furthermore, we found that introduction of a slight disturbance of the film thickness (

σ
=

0.01

a

) to photonic crystal will broaden the forbidden bandwidth to 100.49%. The proposed photonic crystal model with film thickness deviation can reduce the error between experiment and theory, which can be used for designing broadband photonic bandgaps. These structures have potential applications such as light–matter interactions, ultra-small filters, and photonic chips.
Inter-spacecraft offset frequency setting strategy in the Taiji program
Authors: Zhang Jiafeng , Yang Zhen , Ma Xiaoshan , Peng Xiaodong , Liu Heshan , Tang Wenlin , Zhao Mengyuan , Gao Chen , Qiang Li.-E. , Han Xiaoqing , Liu Binbin
Published: December 2021

For controlling the beat frequency of heterodyne interferometry so that the Taiji program can detect gravitational waves in space, an offset frequency setting strategy based on a linear programming algorithm is proposed. Considering factors such as Doppler frequency shift, phase-locking scheme, laser relative intensity noise, and phase detector bandwidth, inter-spacecraft offset frequency setting results suitable for the Taiji program are obtained. During the six years of running the detection process, the use of frequency bounds in the range of [5 MHz, 25 MHz] showed that offset frequencies will remain unchanged for a maximum of 1931 days. If the upper and lower bounds are adjusted, and the relative motion between spacecraft is further constrained, the offset frequencies do not need to change during the time of the mission. These results may provide insights into selecting the phase detector and designing operation parameters such as orbit and laser modulation frequency in the Taiji program.
Influence on wide-angle doublet metalenses due to different types of all-dielectric metasurfaces
Authors: Toba Hidemitsu , Takagi Hidetsugu , Ohashi Michio , Otaki Katsura , Takigawa Yuichi
Published: December 2021

It has been shown in previous literature that nearly diffraction limited focusing is possible by a doublet metalens up to almost 30 deg. This result indicates that metalenses can work well, even at oblique incidence. Although various meta-atoms have been proposed, as far as we know, there is no report that compares what kind of meta-atom is robust against oblique incidence. Here, we first numerically calculated the incident angle dependence of the three types of meta-atoms. The results show that the waveguide-type structure is the most robust to oblique incidence. Next, we performed rigorous electromagnetic simulations for the cylindrical doublet metalenses to compare the micropost type and waveguide type. These results indicate that a waveguide-type metasurface further improves the off-axis performance of the doublet lens previously introduced.
Parallel-plate compression test for soft materials: confocal microscopy-assisted ferrule-top nanoindentation
Authors: Manalili Dexter , Berardi Massimiliano , Aardema Hilde , Asimaki Konstantina , Sarmiento Raymund , Imran Akca B.
Published: December 2021

The parallel-plate compression test is one of the simplest ways to
measure the mechanical properties of a material. In this test, the
Young’s modulus (

E

) and the Poisson’s ratio (

ν

) of the material are determined
directly without applying any additional modelling and parameter
fitting in the post-processing. This is, however, limited when dealing
soft biological materials due to their inherent properties such as
being inhomogeneous, microscopic, and overly compliant. By combining
an interferometry-assisted parallel-plate compression system and a
confocal microscope, we were able to overcome these limitations and
measure the

E

(315

±

52 Pa) and

ν

(0.210

±

0.043) of fixated and permeabilized
bovine oocytes.
Sapphire optical fiber high-temperature vibration sensor
Authors: Cui Yang , Jiang Yi , Zhang Yutong , Feng Xinxing , Hu Jie , Jiang Lan
Published: December 2021

A sapphire fiber high-temperature vibration sensor with an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) structure is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The vibrating diaphragm of the sensor is a supported beam structure fabricated by etching a single-side polished sapphire wafer using a femtosecond laser. The FP cavity of the sensor is composed of the sapphire fiber end face and the polished surface of the vibrating diaphragm. The interference signal of the sensor is picked up by the sapphire fiber and transmitted to a laser interferometry demodulator through a multimode fiber. Experimental results show that the acceleration response is linear in the range of 0-10 g along with an acceleration sensitivity of 20.91 nm/g. The resonance frequency of the sensor is 2700 Hz, which is consistent with the ANSYS simulation results. The sensor can also work in the temperature range from room temperature to 1500 ℃, providing a feasible method for vibration measurements in high-temperature environments.
Maximum probability directed blind phase search for PS-QAM with variable shaping factors
Authors: Chen Zexin , Fu Songnian , Tang Ming , Zhang Zhenrong , Qin Yuwen
Published: December 2021

We report the maximum probability directed blind phase search (MPD-BPS) solution to enhance the carrier phase estimation (CPE) capability for the probabilistically shaped-quadrature amplitude modulation (PS-QAM) with variable shaping factors. We first investigate the trade-off between the shaping factor (SF) and the noise rejection window of the BPS for the PS-64/256QAM at a fixed signal to noise ratio (SNR). Next, we carry out the joint optimization of the SF and the noise rejection window, in order to obtain the maximum achievable information rate (AIR) at the fixed SNR. Then, we numerically compare the performance of the MPD-BPS and the traditional BPS for the PS-64/256QAM with variable SFs. Finally, we conduct the experimental verification of 32 Gbaud PS-64QAM with the SFs of 0.02, 0.025, 0.03, and 0.035, under scenarios of back-to-back (B2B) transmission and the standard single mode fiber (SSMF) loop transmission. The experimental results indicate that the proposed MPD-BPS can obtain an average 0.13 dB SNR enhancement under the B2B transmission and the 1.67% reach enhancement for the SSMF transmission, in comparison with the use of traditional BPS.
Burst-mode femtosecond fiber-feedback optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Floess Moritz , Steinle Tobias , Giessen Harald
Published: December 2021

In multiphoton 3D direct laser writing and stimulated Raman scattering applications, rapid and arbitrary pulse modulation with an extremely high contrast ratio would be very beneficial. Here, we demonstrate a femtosecond fiber-feedback optical parametric oscillator (FFOPO) system in combination with pulse picking in the pump beam. This allows tunable signal output at variable burst rates from DC all the way up to 5 MHz. Furthermore, arbitrary pulse sequences can be generated. The rapid signal buildup dynamics provide individual full-power pulses with only two prepulses. This is possible without the requirement for additional injection seeding. Hereby, the intrinsically high intra-cavity losses of the FFOPO system are found to beneficial, as they enable rapid off-switching of the output as signal ring-down is efficiently suppressed. Possible applications are the reduction of the average power while maintaining a high peak power level, as well as tunable arbitrary pulse sequence generation.
Mitochondrial Localization of CB1 in Progesterone-producing Cells of Ovarian Interstitial Glands of Adult Mice
Authors: Kamnate Anussara , Sirisin Juthathip , Watanabe Masahiko , Kondo Hisatake , Hipkaeo Wiphawi , Chomphoo Surang
Published: December 2021

Localization of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) immunoreactivity on mitochondrial membranes, at least their outer membranes distinctly, was detected in progesterone-producing cells characterized by mitochondria having tubular cristae and aggregations of lipid droplets in ovarian interstitial glands in situ of adult mice. Both immunoreactive and immunonegative mitochondria were contained in one and the same cell. Considering that the synthesis of progesterone is processed in mitochondria, the mitochondrial localization of CB1 in the interstitial gland cells suggests the possibility that endocannabinoids modulate the synthetic process of progesterone in the cells through CB1:
Genome-wide gene expression noise in Escherichia coli is condition-dependent and determined by propagation of noise through the regulatory network
Authors: Urchueguía Arantxa , Galbusera Luca , Chauvin Dany , Bellement Gwendoline , Julou Thomas , van Nimwegen Erik
Published: December 2021

Although it is well appreciated that gene expression is inherently noisy and that transcriptional noise is encoded in a promoter’s sequence, little is known about the extent to which noise levels of individual promoters vary across growth conditions. Using flow cytometry, we here quantify transcriptional noise in Escherichia coli genome-wide across 8 growth conditions and find that noise levels systematically decrease with growth rate, with a condition-dependent lower bound on noise. Whereas constitutive promoters consistently exhibit low noise in all conditions, regulated promoters are both more noisy on average and more variable in noise across conditions. Moreover, individual promoters show highly distinct variation in noise across conditions. We show that a simple model of noise propagation from regulators to their targets can explain a significant fraction of the variation in relative noise levels and identifies TFs that most contribute to both condition-specific and condition-independent noise propagation. In addition, analysis of the genome-wide correlation structure of various gene properties shows that gene regulation, expression noise, and noise plasticity are all positively correlated genome-wide and vary independently of variations in absolute expression, codon bias, and evolutionary rate. Together, our results show that while absolute expression noise tends to decrease with growth rate, relative noise levels of genes are highly condition-dependent and determined by the propagation of noise through the gene regulatory network.
Novel protein candidates for serodiagnosis of African animal trypanosomosis: Evaluation of the diagnostic potential of lysophospholipase and glycerol kinase from Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Tounkara Magamba , Boulangé Alain , Thonnus Magali , Bringaud Frédéric , Bélem Adrien Marie Gaston , Bengaly Zakaria , Thévenon Sophie , Berthier David , Rivière Loïc
Published: December 2021

African trypanosomosis, a parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by tsetse flies, affects both humans and animals in sub-Saharan Africa. While the human form (HAT) is now limited to foci, the animal form (AAT) is widespread and affects the majority of sub-Saharan African countries, and constitutes a real obstacle to the development of animal breeding. The control of AAT is hampered by a lack of standardized and easy-to used diagnosis tools. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of TbLysoPLA and TbGK proteins from Trypanosoma brucei brucei for AAT serodiagnosis in indirect ELISA using experimental and field sera, individually, in combination, and associated with the BiP C-terminal domain (C25) from T. congolense. These novel proteins were characterized in silico, and their sequence analysis showed strong identities with their orthologs in other trypanosomes (more than 60% for TbLysoPLA and more than 82% for TbGK). TbLysoPLA displays a low homology with cattle (<35%) and Piroplasma (<15%). However, TbGK shares more than 58% with cattle and between 45–55% with Piroplasma. We could identify seven predicted epitopes on TbLysoPLA sequence and 14 potential epitopes on TbGK. Both proteins were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli. Their diagnostic potential was evaluated by ELISA with sera from cattle experimentally infected with T. congolense and with T.b. brucei, sera from cattle naturally infected with T. congolense, T. vivax and T.b. brucei. Both proteins used separately had poor diagnostic performance. However, used together with the BiP protein, they showed 60% of sensitivity and between 87–96% of specificity, comparable to reference ELISA tests. In conclusion, we showed that the performance of the protein combinations is much better than the proteins tested individually for the diagnosis of AAT.
Nursing students’ experience of learning cultural competence
Authors: Antón-Solanas Isabel , Tambo-Lizalde Elena , Hamam-Alcober Nadia , Vanceulebroeck Valérie , Dehaes Shana , Kalkan Indrani , Kömürcü Nuran , Coelho Margarida , Coelho Teresa , Casa Nova Antonio , Cordeiro Raul , Sagarra-Romero Lucía , Subirón-Valera Ana B. , Huércanos-Esparza Isabel
Published: December 2021

Introduction

European societies are rapidly becoming multicultural. Cultural diversity presents new challenges and opportunities to communities that receive immigrants and migrants, and highlights the need for culturally safe healthcare. Universities share a responsibility to build a fair and equitable society by integrating cultural content in the nursing curricula. This paper aims to analyze European student nurses´ experience of learning cultural competence and of working with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Materials and methods

A phenomenological approach was selected through a qualitative research method. 7 semi-structured focus groups with 5–7 students took place at the participants’ respective universities in Spain, Belgium, Turkey and Portugal.

Results

5 themes and 16 subthemes emerged from thematic analysis. Theme 1, concept of culture/cultural diversity, describes the participants’ concept of culture; ethnocentricity emerged as a frequent element in the students’ discourse. Theme 2, personal awareness, integrates the students’ self-perception of cultural competence and their learning needs. Theme 3, impact of culture, delves on the participants’ perceived impact of cultural on both nursing care and patient outcomes. Theme 4, learning cultural competence, integrates the participants’ learning experiences as part of their nursing curricula, as part of other academic learning opportunities and as part of extra-academic activities. Theme 5, learning cultural competence during practice placements, addresses some important issues including witnessing unequal care, racism, prejudice and conflict, communication and language barriers, tools and resources and positive attitudes and behaviors witnesses or displayed during clinical practice.

Conclusion

The participants’ perceived level of cultural competence was variable. All the participants agreed that transcultural nursing content should be integrated in the nursing curricula, and suggested different strategies to improve their knowledge, skills and attitudes. It is important to listen to the students and take their opinion into account when designing cultural teaching and learning activities.
The effect of the efflux pump inhibitor Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) on the susceptibility to imipenem and cefepime in clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Sanchez-Carbonel Alejandra , Mondragón Belén , López-Chegne Nicolás , Peña-Tuesta Isaac , Huayan-Dávila Gladys , Blitchtein Dora , Carrillo-Ng Hugo , Silva-Caso Wilmer , Aguilar-Luis Miguel Angel , del Valle-Mendoza Juana
Published: December 2021

Introduction

In the last years the rapid expansion of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains have become a major health problem. Efflux pumps are a group of transport proteins that contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the efflux pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) on the antimicrobial action of imipenem and cefepime on clinical strains of A. baumannii.

Materials and methods

A total of 49 non-duplicate clinical samples were collected during January through December of 2018 from patients hospitalized in the Hospital Regional Docente de Cajamarca. Of the 49 samples obtained, the confirmatory identification of A. baumannii was performed on 47 samples by molecular methods. The amplification of the blaOXA-51-like gene was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was calculated using the microdilution method in culture broth. The susceptibility to both antibiotics (cefepime and imipenem) was evaluated in the presence and absence of the inhibitor carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP).

Results

A total of 47 strains of A. baumannii were isolated: 97.87% (46/47) were resistant to Imipenem, 2.13% (1/47) of them were classified as intermediate and none of these strains were susceptible. On the other hand, 51.06% (24/47) of isolates were resistant to cefepime; 19.15% (9/47) intermediate and 29.79% (14/47) susceptible. We considered a significant difference in antibiotic susceptibility if the MIC changed at least 4 dilutions, after the addition of the inhibitor. In the case of CCCP in addition to imipenem, 2.1% (1/47) had a significant change of 4 or more reductions in MIC, 59.6% (28/47) achieved a change equal or less than 3 dilutions and 17.0% (8/47) did not have any change. In the case of CCCP with cefepime the percentage of strains with the significant change of MIC was 8.5% (4/47). On the other hand, 53.2% (24/47) presented a reduction equal or less than 3 dilutions and 12.8% (6/47) did not show changes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the use of CCCP may improve the antibiotic effect of imipenem and cefepime on clinical strains of A. baumannii. The relevance of this study is that it provides evidence that this efflux pump inhibitor may be an alternative treatment against multidrug-resistant A. baumannii.
Ovicidal, larvicidal and pupicidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Bacillus marisflavi against the chosen mosquito species
Authors: J. Thelma , C. Balasubramanian
Published: December 2021

Microbial synthesis of silver nanoparticles is more advantageous and is eco-friendly to combat the various vectors that cause diseases in humans. Hence, in the present study a Bacillus strain is isolated from marine habitat and is evaluated for its ability to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and its efficacy evaluated against the immature stages of selected mosquito species. The effective candidate was confirmed to be Bacillus marisflavi after 16S rRNA sequencing. The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Atomic Force Microscopic (AFM) analysis showed spherical nanoparticles. Size analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed particles of nano size averaging 78.77 nm. The diameter of the particles analyzed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) showed 101.6 nm with a poly-dispersive index of 0.3. Finally the elemental nature of the nanoparticles was identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). LC50 and LC90 values for the ovicidal, larvicidal and pupicidal efficacy of the AgNPs against the egg, larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi respectively were evaluated. The present study revealed that the nanoparticles have an excellent toxic effect against the disease transmitting vector mosquitoes. Hence, the rapid synthesis of AgNPs would be an appropriate eco-friendly tool for biocontrol of vector mosquitoes.
Shotgun sequence-based metataxonomic and predictive functional profiles of Pe poke, a naturally fermented soybean food of Myanmar
Authors: Tamang Jyoti Prakash , Kharnaior Pynhunlang , Pariyar Priyambada , Thapa Namrata , Lar Ni , Win Khin Si , Mar Ae , Nyo Nyo
Published: December 2021

Pe poke is a naturally fermented sticky soybean food of Myanmar. The present study was aimed to profile the whole microbial community structure and their predictive gene functionality of pe poke samples prepared in different fermentation periods viz. 3 day (3ds), 4 days (4ds), 5 days (5ds) and sun-dried sample (Sds). The pH of samples was 7.6 to 8.7, microbial load was 2.1–3.9 x 108 cfu/g with dynamic viscosity of 4.0±1.0 to 8.0±1.0cP. Metataxonomic profile of pe poke samples showed different domains viz. bacteria (99.08%), viruses (0.65%), eukaryota (0.08%), archaea (0.03%) and unclassified sequences (0.16%). Firmicutes (63.78%) was the most abundant phylum followed by Proteobacteria (29.54%) and Bacteroidetes (5.44%). Bacillus thermoamylovorans was significantly abundant in 3ds and 4ds (p<0.05); Ignatzschineria larvae was significantly abundant in 5ds (p<0.05), whereas, Bacillus subtilis was significantly abundant in Sds (p <0.05). A total of 172 species of Bacillus was detected. In minor abundance, the existence of bacteriophages, archaea, and eukaryotes were also detected. Alpha diversity analysis showed the highest Simpson’s diversity index in Sds comparable to other samples. Similarly, a non-parametric Shannon’s diversity index was also highest in Sds. Good’s coverage of 0.99 was observed in all samples. Beta diversity analysis using PCoA showed no significant clustering. Several species were shared between samples and many species were unique to each sample. In KEGG database, a total number of 33 super-pathways and 173 metabolic sub-pathways were annotated from the metagenomic Open Reading Frames. Predictive functional features of pe poke metagenome revealed the genes for the synthesis and metabolism of wide range of bioactive compounds including various essential amino acids, different vitamins, and enzymes. Spearman’s correlation was inferred between the abundant species and functional features.
Technical efficiency evaluation of colorectal cancer care for older patients in Dutch hospitals
Authors: Heil Thea C. , Melis René J. F. , Maas Huub A. A. M. , van Munster Barbara C. , Olde Rikkert Marcel G. M. , de Wilt Johannes H. W. , Adang Eddy M. M. ,   on behalf of the PRECOLO consortium
Published: December 2021

Background

Preoperative colorectal cancer care pathways for older patients show considerable practice variation between Dutch hospitals due to differences in interpretation and implementation of guideline-based recommendations. This study aims to report this practice variation in preoperative care between Dutch hospitals in terms of technical efficiency and identifying associated factors.

Methods

Data on preoperative involvement of geriatricians, physical therapists and dieticians and the clinicians’ judgement on prehabilitation implementation were collected using quality indicators and questionnaires among colorectal cancer surgeons and specialized nurses. These data were combined with registry-based data on postoperative outcomes obtained from the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit for patients aged ≥75 years. A two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach was used to calculate bias-corrected DEA technical efficiency scores, reflecting the extent to which a hospital invests in multidisciplinary preoperative care (input) in relation to postoperative outcomes (output). In the second stage, hospital care characteristics were used in a bootstrap truncated regression to explain variations in measured efficiency scores.

Results

Data of 25 Dutch hospitals were analyzed. There was relevant practice variation in bias-corrected technical efficiency scores (ranging from 0.416 to 0.968) regarding preoperative colorectal cancer surgery. The average efficiency score of hospitals was significantly different from the efficient frontier (p = <0.001). After case-mix correction, higher technical efficiency was associated with larger practice size (p = <0.001), surgery performed in a general hospital versus a university hospital (p = <0.001) and implementation of prehabilitation (p = <0.001).

Conclusion

This study showed considerable variation in technical efficiency of preoperative colorectal cancer care for older patients as provided by Dutch hospitals. In addition to higher technical efficiency in high-volume hospitals and general hospitals, offering a care pathway that includes prehabilitation was positively related to technical efficiency of hospitals offering colorectal cancer care.
Contribution of land use practices to GHGs in the Canadian Prairies crop sector
Authors: Awada Lana , Nagy Cecil , Phillips Peter W. B.
Published: December 2021

The global crop sector is estimated to contribute about 10.4% of global GHGs annually. The Canadian crop sector is assessed as adding about 6.5% to total national emissions. These estimates over report the impact of farming as they ignore the complex interaction of cropping with the environment and the role land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) play in sequestering carbon. This study quantifies the contribution of land use to GHG emissions and removals in the Canadian Prairies crop sector between 1985 and 2016. The modeling effort explores how different farming practices (i.e., conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), zero tillage (ZT), summerfallow, crop rotations, and residue retention) and input usage rates (i.e., fertilizer and fuel) affect GHG emissions in different soil climate zones and provinces in the Prairies region. The adoption of sustainable practices led to an 80% decline in GHG emissions in the crop sector between 1985 and 2016. Since 2005, the baseline for Canada’s Paris commitment, sectoral emissions dropped 53%, more than is required to meet the 2030 target. Most promising, the crop sector was a net GHG sink between 2013 and 2016 in Alberta and between 2006 and 2016 in Saskatchewan. As positive as these developments have been, more can be done by directing research to identify options for reducing GHGs in Manitoba (which made only minimal improvements as farmers there faced conditions requiring continuous use of conventional tillage practices), to explore better nitrogen management (a major continuing source of GHG from cropping) and by searching for low carbon transport options.
A pragmatic approach for producing theoretical syntheses in ecology
Authors: Travassos-Britto Bruno , Pardini Renata , El-Hani Charbel N. , Prado Paulo I.
Published: December 2021

It has been proposed that ecological theory develops in a pragmatic way. This implies that ecologists are free to decide what, from the knowledge available to them, they will use to build models and learn about phenomena. Because in fields that develop pragmatically knowledge generation is based on the decisions of individuals and not on a set of predefined axioms, the best way to produce theoretical synthesis in such fields is to assess what individuals are using to support scientific studies. Here, we present an approach for producing theoretical syntheses based on the propositions most frequently used to learn about a defined phenomenon. The approach consists of (i) defining a phenomenon of interest; (ii) defining a collective of scientists studying the phenomenon; (iii) surveying the scientific studies about the phenomenon published by this collective; (iv) identifying the most referred publications used in these studies; (v) identifying how the studies use the most referred publications to give support to their studies and learn about the phenomena; (vi) and from this, identifying general propositions on how the phenomenon is approached, viewed and described by the collective. We implemented the approach in a case study on the phenomenon of ecological succession, defining the collective as the scientists currently studying succession. We identified three propositions that synthesize the views of the defined collective about succession. The theoretical synthesis revealed that there is no clear division between “classical’’ and “contemporary’’ succession models, and that neutral models are being used to explain successional patterns alongside models based on niche assumptions. By implementing the pragmatic approach in a case study, we show that it can be successfully used to produce syntheses based on the actual activity of the scientific community studying the phenomenon. The connection between the resulting synthesis and research activity can be traced back through the methodological steps of the approach. This result can be used to understand how knowledge is being used in a field of study and can guide better informed decisions for future studies.
Estimating the impact of interventions against COVID-19: From lockdown to vaccination
Authors: Thompson James , Wattam Stephen
Published: December 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease of humans caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the first case was identified in China in December 2019 the disease has spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic. In this article, we present an agent-based model of COVID-19 in Luxembourg, and use it to estimate the impact, on cases and deaths, of interventions including testing, contact tracing, lockdown, curfew and vaccination. Our model is based on collation, with agents performing activities and moving between locations accordingly. The model is highly heterogeneous, featuring spatial clustering, over 2000 behavioural types and a 10 minute time resolution. The model is validated against COVID-19 clinical monitoring data collected in Luxembourg in 2020. Our model predicts far fewer cases and deaths than the equivalent equation-based SEIR model. In particular, withR0= 2.45, the SEIR model infects 87% of the resident population while our agent-based model infects only around 23% of the resident population. Our simulations suggest that testing and contract tracing reduce cases substantially, but are less effective at reducing deaths. Lockdowns are very effective although costly, while the impact of an 11pm-6am curfew is relatively small. When vaccinating against a future outbreak, our results suggest that herd immunity can be achieved at relatively low coverage, with substantial levels of protection achieved with only 30% of the population fully immune. When vaccinating in the midst of an outbreak, the challenge is more difficult. In this context, we investigate the impact of vaccine efficacy, capacity, hesitancy and strategy. We conclude that, short of a permanent lockdown, vaccination is by far the most effective way to suppress and ultimately control the spread of COVID-19.
Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors containing air-fluid levels
Authors: Liu Tianzhu , Lin Gao , Peng Hui , Huang Lesheng , Jiang Xiaosong , Li Hongyi , Cai Kaili , Jiang Jinghua , Guo Lei , Du Xiaohua , Tang Jiahui , Zhang Wanchun , Chen Jun , Ye Yongsong
Published: December 2021

An air-fluid level within a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is unusual and indicates the presence of a fistula within the lumen of the GI tract. Until recently, the optimal management of such patients was not clear-cut. This retrospective study investigated the clinicopathological characteristics, surgical procedures, pre-and post-operative management, and prognosis of patients with GIST containing an air-fluid level. Data of GIST patients, spanning 5 years, including 17 GIST patients with air-fluid levels in the experimental group and 34 GIST patients without air-fluid levels in the control group, were retrieved from two hospitals in China. The clinicopathological characteristics, types of surgery, management, and clinical outcomes of GIST patients were compared between the two groups. GISTs containing air-fluid levels were significantly different from GISTs without air-fluid levels regarding tumor morphology, NIH risk category, invasion of adjacent organs, and necrosis or ulceration. Most GIST patients with air-fluid levels (14/17, 82.4%) received open surgery, significantly higher than the 20.6% in the control group. Targeted therapy with Imatinib mesylate (IM) was implemented in all GIST patients in the experimental group (17/17, 100%); markedly higher than those (3/34, 8.8%) in the control group. During follow-up, recurrence and death rates (5.9% and 5.9%) in the experimental group were higher than those (2.9% and 0%) in the control group. Open surgery is commonly performed in GIST patients with air-fluid levels who also require targeted therapy with IM. The Torricelli-Bernoulli sign could be a risk factor, adversely affecting the patient’s prognosis.
Hospitalization for ischemic stroke was affected more in independent cases than in dependent cases during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Nagano Hiroyuki , Shin Jung-ho , Morishita Tetsuji , Takada Daisuke , Kunisawa Susumu , Fushimi Kiyohide , Imanaka Yuichi
Published: December 2021

Background

The pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected health care systems globally. The aim of our study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of hospital admissions for ischemic stroke by severity in Japan.

Methods

We analysed administrative (Diagnosis Procedure Combination—DPC) data for cases of inpatients aged 18 years and older who were diagnosed with ischemic stroke and admitted during the period April 1 2018 to June 27 2020. Levels of change of the weekly number of inpatient cases with ischemic stroke diagnosis after the declaration of state of emergency were assessed using interrupted time-series (ITS) analysis. The numbers of patients with various characteristics and treatment approaches were compared. We also performed an ITS analysis for each group (“independent” or “dependent”) divided based on components of activities of daily living (ADL) and level of consciousness at hospital admission.

Results

A total of 170,294 cases in 567 hospitals were included. The ITS analysis showed a significant decrease in the weekly number of ischemic stroke cases hospitalized (estimated decrease: −156 cases; 95% confidence interval (CI): −209 to −104), which corresponds to −10.4% (95% CI: −13.6 to −7.1). The proportion of decline in the independent group (−21.3%; 95% CI: −26.0 to −16.2) was larger than that in the dependent group (−8.6%; 95% CI: −11.7 to −5.4).

Conclusions

Our results show a marked reduction in hospital admissions due to ischemic stroke after the declaration of the state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The independent cases were affected more in proportion than dependent cases.
Featuring Monica Zetterlund: Jazz in early Swedish television
Authors: Soila Tytti
Published: December 2021

Following Miriam Hansen’s writings about the popular cinema, this study presents a hypothesis that the new medium of television in 1960s Sweden may be a form of ‘cultural horizon’ that enables multiple understandings and thus contributes to the popularity of the medium. The study focuses on a number of programmes where one of the most popular Swedish artists of the period, the jazz singer Monica Zetterlund, appears in performance. When these programmes are juxtaposed, contradictory features emerge that I suggest are pieces of a cultural horizon described by Hansen – high/low, modern/traditional and international/vernacular – that contributed to the evolution of Swedish television.
Punkzines: British Fanzine Culture from the Punk Scene 1976–1983, Eddie Piller and Steve Rowland (2021)
Authors: Bestley Russ
Published: December 2021

Review of: Punkzines: British Fanzine Culture from the Punk Scene 1976–1983, Eddie Piller and Steve Rowland (2021)

London: Omnibus Press, 176 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-91317-213-8, p/bk, £16.99
Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion, Harry Sword (2021)
Authors: Loydell Rupert
Published: December 2021

Review of: Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion, Harry Sword (2021)

London: White Rabbit, 455 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-47461-523-5, h/bk, £20
Rub Me Out: All My Songs and a Load of Other Stuff, The Shend (2021)
Authors: Cross Rich
Published: December 2021

Review of: Rub Me Out: All My Songs and a Load of Other Stuff, The Shend (2021)

Self-published, 276 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-99554-753-7, p/bk, £14.99
OFFLINE FILING AND TRANSFER OF ELECTRONIC RECORDS AT ABC AGENCY
Authors:   Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia, Herawan Lufi
Published: December 2021

The use of electronic records increases in the industrial revolution 4.0 and the implementation of WFH (Work from Home). Records management needs to be carried out on all media and types of records. Electronic records management needs to be carried out on filing and transferring records to maintain the authenticity, integrity, security, and safety of records. ABC agency already uses the Records Information System (SRIKANDI), but not all types of records can be managed using that information system. The information system cannot manage electronic records of types of photos, videos, and sound recordings. The records must be managed at ABC agency, so it is necessary to determine the filing and transferring the records offline. This research is qualitative research using data collection techniques: observations, interviews, and documents search. Interviews were conducted with three experts in records management, both manual and electronic. The analysis is carried out based on the stages contained in the five regulatory documents. The analysis results show that the filing stages consist of preparation, inspection, index determination, file code determination, registration/input of records information, inserting records into folders, cross-pointing (if any), labelling, and compiling a list of current records. Moreover, the transfer stage consists of preparation, selection of records, arranging semi-current records, creating a list of semi-current records to be moved, and creating a report of records transfer.