bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotypic variations appear in fine root morphological traits of Cryptomeria japonica trees grown in a common garden
Authors: Nakahata Ryo , Azuma Wakana A. , Tanabe Tomoko , Kawai Kiyosada , Hiura Tsutom
Published: April 2023

Aims Fine root morphological traits regulate the belowground resource acquisition strategies of trees. However, genotypic variations isolated from environmental variations within tree species remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the effects of genotypic variations on the fine root morphology of three types of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), which were derived from different provenances but were grown in a common garden.Methods In the three geographically different provenances of C. japonica stands (Yanase, Yoshino, and Yaku), fine root morphological traits, such as root length and diameter and specific root length (SRL), were measured for each root up to the 4th branching order.Results Yaku cedar exhibited root traits distinct from the other provenances, such as growing longer and thinner roots in 1st root order to enhance root surface area. In addition, the SRL patterns with root orders and higher root tissue density suggested a resource conservation strategy corresponding to the low aboveground production of Yaku cedar. Yanase cedar demonstrated a significantly higher root branching ratio and specific root tips than the other provenances, indicating a strategy for investing resources in absorptive roots. Although Yoshino cedar had traits similar to that of Yanase cedar or intermediate between Yanase and Yaku cedars, high aboveground production may be achieved by nutrient acquisition with root exudates instead of absorptive root growth.Conclusion Genotypic variations appeared in fine root morphological traits of C. japonica trees, even when grown in the same environments, implying distinct resource acquisition strategies characterized by each provenance.
Evaluation of self-regulation by the hunting community: A case study on the voluntary restraint of woodcock hunting in the UK
Authors: McNicol Catherine M. , Ellis Matthew B. , Warrender Heather E.
Published: April 2023

The self-regulation of hunting activity in the United Kingdom is a vital part of improving the sustainability of wild bird harvest. In recent years, there have been calls to voluntarily delay the open season for shooting woodcock to reduce any potential impact on resident breeding birds. This call for voluntary behaviour change offers an opportunity to assess bag data, in the form of wings of shot birds submitted, and understand if hunters are adhering to these self-imposed regulations. Of the woodcock wings submitted 87% adhered to the voluntary delay to the season, suggesting that this initiative has secured broad voluntary compliance. This demonstrates that that with suitable messaging, and a collective effort to conserve wild quarry, that legislative changes may not be necessary to achieve sustainable harvest rates.
Phage tailspike modularity and horizontal gene transfer reveals specificity towards E. coli O-antigen serogroups
Authors: Pas Célia , Latka Agnieszka , Fieseler Lars , Briers Yves
Published: April 2023

Background

The interaction between bacteriophages and their hosts is intricate and highly specific. Receptor-binding proteins (RBPs) of phages such as tail fibers and tailspikes initiate the infection process. These RBPs bind to diverse outer membrane structures, including the O-antigen, which is a serogroup-specific sugar-based component of the outer lipopolysaccharide layer of Gram-negative bacteria. Among the most virulent E. coli strains is the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) pathotype dominated by a subset of O-antigen serogroups.

Methods

Extensive phylogenetic and structural analyses were used to identify and validate specificity correlations between phage RBP subtypes and STEC O-antigen serogroups, relying on the principle of horizontal gene transfer as main driver for RBP evolution.

Results

We identified O-antigen specific RBP subtypes for seven out of nine most prevalent STEC serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O104, O111, O145 and O157) and seven additional E. coli serogroups (O2, O8, O16, O18, 4s/O22, O77 and O78). Eight phage genera (Gamaleya-, Justusliebig-, Kaguna-, Kayfuna-, Kutter-, Lederberg-, Nouzilly- and Uetakeviruses) emerged for their high proportion of serogroup-specific RBPs. Additionally, we reveal sequence motifs in the RBP region, potentially serving as recombination hotspots between lytic phages.

Conclusion

The results contribute to a better understanding of mosaicism of phage RBPs, but also demonstrate a method to identify and validate new RBP subtypes for current and future emerging serogroups.
Teaching pre-clinical medical students remotely in Nigeria post Covid-19 pandemic: Can past experiences shape future directions?
Authors: Emma-Okon Beatrice , Akomolafe Rufus , Ayannuga Olugbenga , Tombs Michal
Published: April 2023

Purpose - Online teaching has gained popularity in recent years, but changes have been slower to implement in Lower to Medium Income Countries (LMIC). The aim of this research was to build upon educators’ experiences of remote teaching during Covid-19 to inform the development of a blended learning approach for teaching pre-clinical subjects at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria (OAU).
Methods - The Critical Incident Technique (CIT) was used in this exploratory study. Participants were invited to either complete an online qualitative questionnaire or take part in an online interview, which were hosted on Microsoft platforms. Data were obtained from eighteen educators and were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results - Five main themes captured educators’ experiences of online teaching including: skill and training, teachers’ motivation and attitudes, internet and connectivity, learners’ behaviors, and socio-economic constraints. They considered remote teaching beneficial and suggested that some form of asynchronized online teaching should continue to support face to face teaching.
Conclusion - Findings provided additional evidence on the way in which educators in LMIC would like to build upon the positive aspects of online teaching and move towards a blended learning model, considering the socio-economic constraints.
O(1 kHz) In-Lab X-ray Particle Velocimetry for Multiphase Flows
Authors: Parker Jason T. , Dreier Till , Nilsson Daniel , Mäkiharju Simo A.
Published: April 2023

We combine X-ray-specific tracer particles, a photon counting detector, and a liquid metal anode X-ray source to achieve O(1 kHz) X-ray imaging speeds in the laboratory, 15x faster than previous comparable studies. To demonstrate the capabilities of these imaging speeds, we conduct three experiments: 2D and 3D X-ray particle tracking velocimetry (XPTV) of Poiseuille pipe flow, 3D XPTV of flow around a Taylor bubble, and 3D scalar mixing with a laminar jet. These experiments demonstrate the performance improvement of combining the aforementioned elements, the applicability to multiphase flows and deforming systems, and the potential to capture scalar and vector quantities simultaneously. Most importantly, these experiments are conducted in the laboratory, showing that in-lab X-ray particle velocimetry techniques are now usable for a wider range of flows of interest.
Complete genome sequence analysis of plant growth-promoting bacterium, Isoptericola sp. AK164 isolated from the rhizosphere of Avicennia marina growing at the Red Sea coast
Authors: Alghamdi Amal Khalaf , Parween Sabiha , Hirt Heribert , Saad Maged M.
Published: April 2023

Isoptericola sp. AK164 is a Gram-positive, aerobic bacterial genus from the family Promicromonosporaceae, isolated from the root rhizosphere of Avicennia marina. AK164 significantly enhanced the growth of the Arabidopsis thaliana plant under normal and saline conditions. These bacteria can produce ACC deaminase and several enzymes playing a role in carbohydrate hydrolyses, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and chitin degradation, which may contribute to plant growth, salt tolerance, and stress elevation. The genome sequence AK164 has a single circular chromosome of approximately 3.57 Mbp with a GC content of 73.53 %. A whole genome sequence comparison of AK164 with type strains from the same genus, using digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity calculations, revealed that AK164 might potentially belong to a new species of Isoptericola. Genome data and biochemical analyses indicate that AK164 could be a potential biostimulant for improving agriculture in submerged saline land.
Potential of overpowering Drugs Resistance in MC F-7/Adr cells by regulation of apoptotic pathways using sorafenib incorporating chitosan conjugated folic acid nanoparticles: An Experimental Study
Authors: Hassan Asmaa , Nabil Ahmed , Ali Islam S. , Reyd Zeinab , Ahmed Osama M. , El-Shahawy Ahmed A. G.
Published: April 2023

Introduction:
To overcome drug resistance and induce apoptosis in MCF-7/Adr human breast cancer cells which has a multidrug resistance, this study aims to develop a novel formulation of chitosan-sorafenib-conjugated FA nanoparticles (CsNPs-Sor-FA) for the efficient treatment of breast cancer.
Methods
The prepared formula was analyzed by using the FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, and UV-VIS spectrometers. A drug release experiment was performed in vitro, and the loading capacity and entrapment efficiency were estimated. The MTT assay was used to test for cytotoxicity. The nanoformula (CsNPs-Sor-FA) was tested as an anticancer treatment against MCF-7/adr cells by flow cytometry assay, cell cycle analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blot.
Results
We found that the CsNPs-Sor-FA formation had an average particle size of about 60 nm, an entrapment efficiency of 79 ± 2.9%, and a loading capacity 13.6 ± 1.2%. Around 90% of sorafenib was released from CsNPs-Sor after 120 hours, whereas CsNPs-Sor-FA nanoparticles exhibited an 88% sustained release pattern. The tested formulation of CsNPs-Sor-FA was not lethal to healthy lung cells. In addition, the morphological changes and DNA fragmentation results indicate that treatment with CsNPs-Sor-FA resulted in higher apoptosis data. Inhibition of cell cycle progression and inhibition of Nrf2 were also higher with CsNPs-Sor-FA treatment. Upregulation of apoptosis markers p53, caspase 9, caspase 8 and caspase 3, cytochrome c and TNFR was also observed; in contrast, expression of the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2 was reduced in the CsNPs-Sor-FA treated group compared to their individual treatments. Therefore, the nanoformula (CsNPs-Sor-FA) can be very useful for treating breast cancer.
Conclusion
Therefore, the present study has developed a nanoformula that shows promising antitumor activity against breast cancer cells and can improve survival rate of breast cancer patients.
Teamwork in community health committees: a case study in two urban informal settlements
Authors: Karuga Robinson , Khan Sitara , Kok Maryse , Moraa Malkia , Mbindyo Patrick , Broerse Jacqueline , Dieleman Marjolein
Published: April 2023

Background Community health committees (CHCs) are mechanisms for community participation in decision-making and overseeing health services in several low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is little research that examines teamwork and internal team relationships between members of these committees in LMICs. We aimed to assess teamwork and factors that affected teamwork of CHCs in an urban slum setting in Nairobi, Kenya.Methods Using a qualitative case-study design, we explored teamwork of two CHCs based in two urban informal settlements in Nairobi. We used semi-structured interviews (n = 16) to explore the factors that influenced teamwork and triangulated responses using three group discussions (n = 14). We assessed the interpersonal and contextual factors that influenced teamwork using a framework for assessing teamwork of teams involved in delivering community health services.Results Committee members perceived the relationships with each other as trusting and respectful. They had regular interaction with each other as friends, neighbors and lay health workers. CHC members looked to the Community Health Assistants (CHAs) as their supervisor and “boss”, despite CHAs being CHC members themselves. The lay-community members in both CHCs expressed different goals for the committee. Some viewed the committee as informal savings group and community-based organization, while others viewed the committee as a structure for supervising Community Health Volunteers (CHVs). Some members doubled up as both CHVs and CHC members. Complaints of favoritism arose from CHC members who were not CHVs whenever CHC members who were CHVs received stipends after being assigned health promotion tasks in the community. Underlying factors such as influence by elites, power imbalances and capacity strengthening had an influence on teamwork in CHCs.Conclusion In the absence of direction and support from the health system, CHCs morph into groups that prioritize the interests of the members. This redirects the teamwork that would have benefited community health services to other common interests of the team. Teamwork can be harnessed by strengthening the capacity of CHC members, CHAs, and health managers in team building and incorporating content on teamwork in the curriculum for training CHCs.
The Ongoing Risk of Leishmania donovani Transmission in Visceral Leishmaniasis Endemic Districts: An Entomological Investigation in Eastern Nepal during the Elimination Era
Authors: Roy Lalita , Cloots Kristien , Uranw Surendra , Rai Keshav , Bhattarai Narayan Raj , Smekens Tom , Hendrickx Rik , Caljon Guy , Hasker Epco , Das Murari Lal , Bortel Wim
Published: April 2023

Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a life-threatening neglected tropical disease, is targeted for elimination from Nepal by the year 2026. The national VL elimination programme is still confronted with many challenges including the increasingly widespread distribution of the disease over the country, local resurgence and the questionable efficacy of the key vector control activities. We assessed the status and risk of Leishmania donovani transmission based on entomological indicators including seasonality, natural Leishmania infection rate, and feeding behavior of vector sand flies, Phlebotomus argentipes in three VL endemic districts in two epidemiologically contrasting settings; each district with one village with and one without reported VL cases in recent years.Methods Adult sand flies were collected using CDC light traps and mouth aspirators in each village for 12 consecutive months from July 2017 to June 2018. Sand fly species level identification was based on morphological characters and verified by the DNA barcoding method. We assessed P. argentipes abundance and seasonality based on the light trap collections, considering it as the standard method of collection. Leishmania infection was assessed in gravid sand flies targeting the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the parasite (SSU-rRNA) and further sequenced for species identification. A segment (~ 350 bp) of the vertebrate cytochrome b (cytb) gene was amplified from blood-fed P. argentipes from dwellings shared by both humans and cattle and sequenced to identify the preferred host.Results Vector abundance varied among districts and village types and peaks in sand fly density was observed in June-July and September-November. The estimated Leishmania infection rate in vector sand flies was 2.2% (1.1% — 3.7% at 95% credible interval) and 0.6% (0.2% — 1.3% at 95% credible interval) in VL and non-VL villages respectively. The common source of blood meal was humans, 52.7% in VL villages and 74.2% in non-VL villages, followed by cattle.Conclusion Our findings highlight the risk of ongoing L. donovani transmission in VL endemic districts even in villages not reporting the presence of the disease over the past many years and emphasize the remaining threats to the VL elimination programme in Nepal.
Design of polymeric thin films with nanovolcanoes for trapping hydroxyapatite nanoparticles to promote or inhibit cell proliferation
Authors: Łojkowski Maciej , Walejewska Ewa , Sosnowska Malwina , Opalińska Agnieszka , Grubczak Kamil , Jaworski Sławomir , Moniuszko Marcin , Swieszkowski Wojciech
Published: April 2023

Arrays of nanoscale cavities in the form of nanovolcanoes can act as traps for nanoparticles to obtain surfaces with the desired functionality. The nanoparticle trapping strategy is based on generating negative pressure inside the nanocavities and aspiration of nanoparticles from the suspension. A new approach has been proposed to prepare polymeric nanocavities and tune their geometry to increase trapping efficiency. The strategy uses microphase separation in a polymer blend and tuning the shape of polymer islands to use them as molds for nanovolcanoes by tuning the molecular weight distribution of the island phase. Tuning the silhouette of the nanovolcanoes made it possible to find a geometry that allows air storage. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were entrapped in the nanovolcanoes to show that cells will proliferate in the presence of nanovolcanoes with hydroxyapatite, while nanovolcanoes without hydroxyapatite will block proliferation.
Current inequality and future potential of US urban tree canopy cover for reducing heat-related mortality, morbidity and electricity consumption
Authors: McDonald Robert , Biswas Tanushree , Chakraborty Tirthankar , Kroeger Timm , Cook-Patton Susan , Fargione Joseph
Published: April 2023

Excessive heat is a major and growing risk for urban residents. Urban trees can significantly reduce summer peak temperatures, thus reducing heat-related mortality, morbidity, as well as cooling energy demand. However, urban tree canopy is inequitably distributed in US cities, which has been shown to contribute to higher summer temperatures in people-of-color (POC) neighborhoods. Here, we utilize a unique dataset of high-resolution tree canopy cover to estimate the inequality in summertime heat-related mortality, morbidity, and electricity consumption across a sample of 5,723 US municipalities and other places, housing 180 million people during the 2020 census (50.6% in majority non-Hispanic white neighborhoods, 49.4% in majority people-of-color, POC, neighborhoods). We also model the potential to increase tree cover in these municipalities in 5% increments up to a realistic maximum, the 90th percentile of tree cover observed in each municipality for each impervious surface class. On average, trees in non-Hispanic white neighborhoods cool the air by 0.19 ± 0.05⁰C more than in POC neighborhoods, leading annually to trees in white neighborhoods helping prevent 190 ± 139 more deaths, 30,131 ± 10,406 more doctors’ visits, and 1.4 ± 0.5 terawatt-hours (TWhr) more electricity consumption than in POC neighborhoods. The greatest inequality in the protective value of trees occurs in the Northeastern US. We estimate that for these 5,723 municipalities, the maximal feasible urban reforestation program in residential neighborhoods could add 1.2 billion trees, reducing population-weighted average summer temperatures by an additional 0.38 ± 0.01⁰C. Relative to the current status quo, this increase in the cooling benefits of trees would reduce annual heat-related mortality by an additional 464 ± 89 people, annual heat-related morbidity by 80,785 ± 6110 cases, and annual electricity consumption by 4.3 ± 0.2 TWhr, while increasing annual carbon sequestration in trees by 23.7 ± 1.2 MtCO2e and decreasing annual electricity-related GHG emissions by 2.1 ± 0.2 MtCO2e. The total economic value of these benefits, including the value of carbon sequestration and avoided emissions, would be USD 9.6 ± 0.5 billion, although in many neighborhoods the cost of increased tree cover exceeds these benefits. The exception is neighborhoods that currently have lower tree cover, especially those that are majority POC, as these neighborhoods have a much higher return-on-investment from tree planting.
Short-term recurrence rate of male urethral stricture and its predictors after treatment with optical internal urethrotomy: Prospective Cohort Study at a tertiary center in Ethiopia
Authors: Issack Feysel Hassen , Tefera Alemayehu Tegegne , Teshome Henok , Hassen Seid Mohammed , Gebreselassie Kaleab Habtemichael , Mummed Ferid Ousman
Published: April 2023

Background
Even though, one of the managements options of urethral stricture, popular among the urologists in view of its simplicity, safety and shorter learning curve is Optical Internal Urethrotomy (OIU), urethroplasty should be offered as the gold standard treatment option for urethral stricture. The main aim of our study is to determine the one-year recurrence rate of urethral stricture after treatment with optical urethrotomy and identify predicting factors of urethral stricture recurrence at a tertiary centre in Ethiopia.
Materials and Methods
A prospective observational cohort study was conducted on 80 male patients who underwent optical urethrotomy for urethral stricture from November 2019 to August 2020 G.C. in a tertiary center in Ethiopia. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
The mean age (± SD) of patients at the time of the procedure was 54.76 (± 14.74) years with a range [20-78]. Urethral discharge was the most common etiology identified in 39 (48.75%) of patients. Eleven (13.75%) patients had no identifiable etiology for their urethral stricture disease.
Majority of patients presented with at least one voiding lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
Sixty-eight (85%) patients out of the total had single stricture and 12 (15%) had multiple strictures. The location of stricture was in the bulbar urethra on CUG in 83% of the patients. The one-year recurrence rate of urethral stricture after optical urethrotomy was 35%in our study.
Number of strictures and presence of hypertension were independent predictors of recurrence of urethral stricture within one year after treatment with optical urethrotomy [AOR=15.35(2.92-80.61) at 95% CI; P=0.00] and [AOR=19.47(2.11-178.98) at 95% CI; P=0.01], respectively.
Conclusions
Our study identified that multiplestrictures, and presence of hypertension are associated with increased recurrence rate in the first post-operative year.
The hereditary nephrotic syndrome in children: features of clinical phenotype and genotype, pathogenesis, renal prognosis of isolated and syndromic forms
Authors: Savenkova N. D. , Batrakov D. D.
Published: April 2023

The review of the literature presents the clinical phenotype and genotype pathogenesis, renal prognosis of isolated and extra-renal manifestation form of hereditary nephrotic syndrome in children. The clinical and genetic features of hereditary steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in children caused by mutations of genes encoding the main components of the slit diaphragm, glomerular basement membrane, structural and functional proteins of the podocyte are highlighted. Literature data demonstrate an unfavorable renal prognosis in children with hereditary steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and diffuse mesangial sclerosis with clinical manifestation at the age of 0–17 years with progression to terminal renal failure at the age of 0.4–18 years. Renal replacement therapy with dialysis and kidney transplantation improves the prognosis, survival, and quality of life of children with hereditary nephrotic syndrome.
Pazarlama Stratejilerinde Kitle Kaynak Kullanımı: Markalı İçerik ve Tüketici Katılımı Üzerine Bir Çalışma
Authors: YAZICI Tülay
Published: April 2023

Bilgi iletişim teknolojilerinin tüketiciler tarafından kullanımı, tüketicilerin çeşitli ticari faaliyetlere aktif olarak katkıda bulunmalarını sağlamaktadır. Tüketicinin yalnızca satın alan kitle olarak kabul edilmesi anlayışının değişmesi ile birlikte yeni ve farklı stratejiler uygulanmaya başlamıştır. Geçmişten günümüze tüketici katılımının şeklini değiştiren kitle kaynak, şirketlerin pazarlama ve iletişim stratejilerinin yanı sıra kitle fonlama, yaratıcı fikir ve inovasyon gibi birçok alanda uygulanmaktadır. Kitle kaynak, pazarlama yöneticilerinin hedef kitle ile ilişki kurmak ve bir işletmeye değer yaratmak için kullanabilecekleri en etkili stratejilerden biridir. Teknoloji ve sosyal medya ile birlikte pazarlama alanında yenilikçi bir araç olarak kitle kaynak kullanımı hızla gelişmiştir. Kalabalığın bir pazarlama aracı olarak kullanımı, internetle birlikte küresel bir katılıma dönüşerek pazarlama süreçlerini de değiştirmektedir. Katılımın en önemli aktörü hâline gelen tüketici, işletmelerin ve markaların en önemli iş ortağı olarak kabul edilmektedir. Dijital pazarlamada web 2.0 ortamından web 3.0 ortamına geçişin en önemli değişimlerinden biri, pazarlama uygulamalarında kitle kaynak projelerinin uygulanmasıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, pazarlama çalışmalarında kitle kaynak kullanımı bağlamında tüketicinin kaynak olarak nasıl kullanıldığını ve katılım özelliklerini ortaya koymaktır. Çalışmada Coca-Cola markasının kitle kaynak proje örnekleri ile ilgili bir örnek olay incelemesi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda Coca-Cola’nın kitle kaynak kullanımın daha çok marka konumlandırma, tüketici katılımı ve pazarlama ile ilgili olduğu aynı zamanda markanın pazarlama çalışmalarında, tüketici kitlesini katılımcı ve yaratıcı bir kitle kaynak gücü olarak etkin şekilde kullandığı sonucu ortaya çıkmaktadır.
Zirconium fumarate metal-organic framework: a selective adsorbent for fluoride from industrial wastewater
Authors: Kumari Ranjana , Kumar Anil , Sarkar Supriya , Ghosh Tamal Kanti , Basu Subhankar
Published: April 2023

Many industrial processes produce high fluoride (150–450 mg/L) containing effluent. It may be recovered from the processing plants at the source. One effective technology is selective fluoride adsorption from the waste stream. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline compounds with high surface area, pore volume, and tuneable pore channels and are suitable adsorbents. This study used zirconium fumarate (ZrFu) MOF to recover the fluoride from iron and steel industrial wastewater collected from blast furnaces and coke plants, respectively. In batch experiments, complete fluoride uptake from synthetic water (150 mg F/L) was obtained with 3 g ZrFu/L (qe = 49.66 mg/g), while for blast furnace (170 mg F/L) and coke plant (130 mg F/L) wastewater, 10 g ZrFu/L was required, (qe = 17 mg/g) and (qe = 13 mg/g), respectively. This difference in adsorbent dose was caused by interfering ions in industrial wastewater, which compete for the same adsorption sites as fluoride ions. Chemisorption was the rate-limiting step, and it conforms to the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order model. Fluoride desorption was achieved in deionized water in 1 h. This suggests that the adsorption–desorption process could be scaled up to an industrial process to recover and reuse fluoride from wastewater.
Connectedness to Nature, Well-Being and Presence of Birds
Authors: Camacho-Guzmán Aracely , Ávila Akerberg Víctor D. , Martínez-Soto Joel , Rodríguez-Soto Clarita , Reyes Rosa Patricia Román
Published: April 2023

Connectedness to Nature represents a growing area of interest in the latest years because it could have implications in human behavior. In addition, another type of implications studied in people have been the sounds of birds. The aim of this literature review was to analyze the state of knowledge about Connectedness to Nature and birds, as well as its link with variables related to well-being to identify gaps and directions for further research. We reviewed 41 papers published between 2011 and 2021. Papers were found in 29 journals with studies from 16 countries. Eighty-five percent of the papers used an experimental design and there is a trend of increasing publications over time. Our results show that Connectedness to Nature is linked to variables related to well-being, and the presence of birds (or their perception) contributes to explain the relationship. Therefore, more research on the subject is needed because there is evidence that contradicts some findings. Also, research is needed in different bird species, sounds, different cultures and local contexts, thus, it is necessary to study rural and urban areas. In addition, research is needed in children and teenagers who have been very little represented. Finally, it is necessary to have more information from Latin American countries as they represent the most diverse in bird species and to be able to compare with more studied regions like Europe and North America.
Evaluation of Euphorbia tirucalli L. Immunomodulatory and Antitumor Activity
Authors: Nery Eduardo Figueredo , Oliveira Kelly Taiany , Rodrigues Paloma Filomena Gouveia , Albiero Lucineia Reuse , Dalazen Jeniffer Charlene , Pereira Débora Linsbinski , Castoldi Lindsey
Published: April 2023

Euphorbia tirucalli L. is commonly used to treat various pathologies, including cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a crude extract of E. tirucalli on the development of Ehrlich solid tumors and immune function. We prepared an extract by macerating the aerial parts of the plant with 80% ethanol (1:10 g/v) for 15 days. Its effects on tumor development were assessed in male Swiss mice (n=10). The mice were injected subcutaneously with 10⁶ tumor cells and then treated by gavage daily with the extract (33.33, 67, and 133.34 mg kg-1) or saline (0.5% ethanol) for 30 days. The treatment had no toxic effect and did not reduce tumor growth. However, the weight of tumor mass was lowest in the mice treated with extract at 67 mg kg-1. Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated in mice (n=8), with and without tumors, treated with the extract (67 mg kg-1), under the same conditions as described above for 7 and 14 days. Lymphoproliferation, NK activity and IL-12, TNF-a, IFN-y, and IL-10 levels did not differ significantly between the groups. However, IL-4 levels were reduced in the E. tirucalli treated groups at 7 and 14 days when compared to the controls. We concluded that the extract is not toxic and cannot inhibit Ehrlich solid tumor development. Its immunomodulatory activity involves its ability to modulate IL-4 levels.
Potencial Medicinal das Acanthaceae do Cerrado
Authors: Vargem Daiana da Silva , Braz Vivian da Silva , Peixoto Josana de Castro , Lemes Erick de Oliveira
Published: April 2023

The cerrado has unique fauna and flora characteristics, which endemic species, and represents one-third of the species of living beings that are constituents of Brazilian biodiversity. The Family Acanthaceae distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Thus, the aim of this study was performing a literature review and data analysis regarding the medicinal potential of cerrado acanthaceae. The methodology used this study was the literature review and data analysis, which proved to be more appropriate for this type of research, because it aims to identify the quantitative and qualitative production of the theme in question in recent years. Among the studies conducted on the distinct species of medicinal plants of the Cerrado, the species of the family Acanthaceae stand out, which has in Brazil one of the main centers of its biodiversity.
Principais Abordagens de Ensino na Educação de Surdos
Authors: Leandro de Jesus Débora Guedes , De Barros Capuzzo Denise
Published: April 2023

O presente estudo tem a finalidade de aprimorar o conhecimento sobre as principais abordagens de ensino na educação de surdos. Para isso será realizada pesquisa bibliográfica, apresentando o resumo de técnicas didáticas pedagógicas já experienciadas com alunos surdos. Os resultados indicam que a educação de surdos é objeto de estudo há séculos, de maneira que é possível apontar diversas abordagens pedagógicas elencadas no contexto histórico. Sendo estas: o ensino por meio de sinais, experimentado por Abade de L´Epee (1760) que promoveu aos surdos o aprendizado de conteúdos escolares e se tornou referência mundial na escolarização dos mesmos; o oralismo implantado obrigatoriamente a partir de 1880, propondo a reabilitação de alunos surdos estritamente por meio da fala, tendo como consequência a exclusão social e rebaixamento no desenvolvimento cognitivo do aluno; a comunicação total que utilizou diversos meios para a comunicabilidade, porém se mostrou insuficiente para a aprendizagem dos surdos, devido a ausência de estruturação lógica que limitou o desenvolvimento intelectual do educando; o bilinguismo, que propõe um ensino baseado na língua de sinais e secundariamente ensina a língua oficial do país, permitindo assim a organização cognitiva do educando; foi apresentada também a pedagogia surda que defende um ensino exclusivamente desenvolvido por professores surdos, valoriza a cultura visual, mas, pouco submete os alunos surdos a língua majoritária de seu país. O trabalho em pauta possibilita uma visão panorâmica e a análise de meios que contribuem na educação de aluno surdos.
Hemorrhoid Disease: A Review on Treatment, Clinical Research and
Patent Data
Authors: Devi Vishakha , Deswal Geeta , Dass Rameshwar , Chopra Bhawna , Kriplani Priyanka , Grewal Ajmer Singh , Dhingra Ashwani K.
Published: April 2023

Background:

Hemorrhoid disease (HD) is an anal-rectal ailment that is commonly painful
or may be painless and causes rectal bleeding with or without prolapsing anal tissue. It is generally
associated with bleeding, prolapse, pruritus, and discomfort, which results in a diminished quality of
life and well-being.

Objective:

To highlight the recent developments in terms of safety, clinical efficacy, and marketed
formulation for the effective management of hemorrhoids.

Method:

Reported literature available on Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Clinicaltrails.gov, and from
many reputed foundations has been studied to summarize the recent development and clinical studies
for the management of hemorrhoids.

Results and Conclusion:

The high incidence of hemorrhoids obliges the development of new molecules;
therefore, safe and efficient drugs to confer protection against hemorrhoids are urgently needed.
This review article mainly focuses on the newer molecules to overcome hemorrhoids and also emphasizes
various studies carried out in the past.
Effectiveness of the Combination of Imidacloprid/ Moxidectin/ Praziquantel and Moxidectin/ Praziquantel Applied Topically in Dogs with Endoparasites and Ectoparasites
Authors: Núñez Camilo R. , Rodríguez-Vivas Roger I. , Ortega Ariadna F. , Cárdenas Rafael H.
Published: April 2023

Background:

Topically applied antiparasitic drugs used in dogs have evolved in terms of active ingredients, but progress has also been made through the development of drugs that control both ectoparasites and enteroparasites (nematodes and cestodes).

Objective:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Moxidectin 3.5g/ Praziquantel 10.0g and Imidacloprid 10.0g/ Moxidectin 3.5g/ Praziquantel 10.0g combinations applied topically in dogs with helminths (cestodes and nematodes) and ectoparasites, respectively.

Methods:

A total number of 276 dogs were analyzed. Dogs with nematodes or cestodes were treated with Moxidectin 3.5g/ Praziquantel 10.0g. All the positive cases for ectoparasites were treated with Imidacloprid 10.0g/ Moxidectin 3.5g/ Praziquantel 10.0g.

Results:

The effectiveness of Moxidectin/ Praziquantel was ≥99.8% from day 14 to day 35 on all the nematodes analyzed. The effectiveness of Moxidectin 3.5g/ Praziquantel 10.0g for Dipylidium caninum was significant on day 7 (75%) and reached 100% by day 14. A significant efficacy for Taenia spp. was achieved by day 7 and 100% from day 28 AT. Eighty-three dogs tested positive for 11 classes of ectoparasites. The Imidacloprid 10.0g /Moxidectin 3.5g/ Praziquantel 10.0g treatment proved to be effective in all the ectoparasites from day 7, until reaching 100% effectiveness by day 14 in the Linognathus setosus, Ctenocephalides canis, Amblyomma americanum, Ixodes spp., Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Dermacentor reticulatus sp. We found a positive correlation (r= 0.7430, p= <0.0001) between the pruritus scale and lesion scale.

Conclusión:

The use of Moxidectin 3.5g /Praziquantel 10.0g applied topically was effective against nematodes and cestodes. Imidacloprid 10.0g/ Moxidectin 3.5g/ Praziquantel 10.0g was effective against ectoparasites and pruritus.
ÇEVRİMİÇİ TROL DAVRANIŞ ÖLÇEĞİNİN GELİŞTİRİLMESİ
Authors: Kızıltepe Frat , Seferoğlu Süleyman Sadi
Published: April 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı İnternet kullanıcılarının çevrimiçi trol davranışlarını ölçmeye yönelik bir ölçek geliştirmek ve ölçekten elde edilen psikometrik bulguları ortaya koymaktır. Veriler, araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen ölçme aracı kullanılarak çevrimiçi ortamda toplanmıştır. Çalışmaya 12-62 yaş aralığında 1524 kişi katılmıştır. Katılımcıların %58,8’i kadın (n=896) ve %41,2’si erkektir (n=628). Katılımcıların eğitim düzeyine göre dağılımı ortaokul %1,8 (n=27), lise %18,3 (n=279), ön lisans %7,9 (n=121), lisans %51,2 (n=780), yüksek lisans %12,3 (n=187), doktora %8,5 (n=130) şeklindedir. Ölçeğin geçerlik ve güvenirlik analizleri yapılmış olup toplam 22 maddenin yer aldığı tek faktörden oluşan çevrimiçi trol davranış ölçeğinin Cronbach Alpha katsayısı 0,973 çıkmıştır. Öte yandan ölçekte yer alan tüm maddeler için madde-toplam korelasyonları 0,596 ile 0,902 arasında değişmekte ve t-değerleri (p<.001) düzeyinde anlamlıdır. Çalışma kapsamında elde edilen verilere göre, geliştirilen ölçek geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracıdır.
The readiness of prospective teachers based on online teaching competencies and learning activities in COVID-19 pandemic: A cluster analysis-based approach
Authors: Ismiyati Ismiyati , Retnawati Heri , Suranto Suranto , Haryanto Haryanto , Sholihah Mar’atus , Tusyanah Tusyanah
Published: April 2023

Many things should be done to prepare prospective teachers for providing qualified teachers. The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing teachers, including prospective teachers, to improve competency and online teaching activities. This quantitative research aims to map the readiness of prospective-teacher students of Office Administration (OA) Department related to online learning by measuring their teaching competencies and learning activities. These two variables are considered capable of measuring online teaching readiness. The research sample is 72 students. The data were collected using a questionnaire distributed via a Google Form and analyzed using K-Means with SPSS 24.0 software. The results showed that the number of clusters at low readiness level was 11 students (10 female and one male) or 15%, the number of clusters at moderate readiness level was 38 students (32 female and six male) or 53%, and the number of clusters at moderate level high readiness was 23 students (18 female and five male) or 32%. These findings show that the OA Department’s prospective teachers still need to be provided with online teaching materials or skills, considering that only 32% of respondents have a high level of readiness for online learning. The community is the indicator that needs improvement for OA Department prospective teachers’ readiness. It can be pursued by forming the latest and most trusted community.
Developing a character assessment instrument based on the school culture
Authors: Hidayah Murti Ambarwati , Setiawati Farida Agus
Published: April 2023

This study aims to develop an instrument that is valid and reliable to measure the character of junior high school students. The developed instrument is a character assessment based on the school culture, used to facilitate teachers and schools in assessing student characters. This study is development research. The trial subjects involved in this study were 128 grade VIII students of state junior high schools in Bantul. The developed instrument was validated for the content by experts. The construct validity was analyzed using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the reliability was estimated using the omega reliability formula by McDonald. The result of the study is a character assessment instrument comprising six aspects with 12 indicators and 22 statements. The developed instrument has fulfilled the validity and reliability requirements. The content validity acquired an Aiken index of 0.87, while the CFA test acquired a loading factor score of each item being valid with λ 0.5 and t-value 1.96. The student character measurement fits the theorized model (χ2 = 230.719; (p) = 0.08; RMSEA = 0.040; and CFI = 0.964) and McDonald’s composite reliability estimation result 0.907. The score of students’ characters in the developing category were 63.3%, 18.8% for the early development category, 11.7% for the requiring assistance category, and 6.3% for the cultured category
The acquisition of science process skills through entrepreneurial physics education in senior secondary schools
Authors: Akinbobola Akinyemi Olufunminiyi , Bada Abiodun Adekunle
Published: April 2023

The need for the acquisition of science process skills is gaining acceptance in secondary school as a crucial preparatory skill for promoting entrepreneurship. The problem of unemployment is a challenge facing many developing nations, with no exception to the developed nations. In the current study, the effect of the acquisition of science process skills through entrepreneurship education on 125 Nigerian senior secondary school students’ achievement and retention in “Physics in Technology” was investigated. The study adopts the randomized pre-test-post-test control group quasi-experimental design. A group of students was taught using science process skills through the entrepreneurship method, while the other group was taught using the conventional lecture method. A researcher-made instrument, Achievement Test in Physics (ATP), was used to collect data for the study. Overall, this investigation reports that students who acquired science process skills through the entrepreneurship method achieved and retained significantly better than those students taught with the conventional method. The results indicate that science process skills acquisition and entrepreneurship education are indispensable towards self-reliance and sustainable development of the nation. Also, students taught science process skills using the entrepreneurship method retained what had been learned better than the other group, and the method did not segregate along student gender. This paper contributes to scholastic by making a case for incorporating entrepreneurship education into the senior secondary school Physics curriculum. This would assist in the production of secondary school students whose creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness can assist in reducing the problem of unemployment through the encouragement of entrepreneurship.
THE IMPACT OF ON-TIME PERFORMANCE TOWARDS QUALITY OF URBAN BUS SERVICES: A CASE STUDY IN STATE CAPITALS OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Authors: Abu Bakar Muhammad Fadhlullah , Norhisham Shuhairy , Mohd Saad Noorazizun , Katman Herda Yati , Ibrahim Mohd Rasdan , Yukawa Sotaro , Masjuki Siti Aliyyah , Abu Bakar Noor Insunfatima
Published: April 2023

Urbanisation have given significant impact on escalating the traffic volume as the tremendous traffic congestion daily, especially during peak hours in weekdays. The objective of this paper is to assesses the impact of on-time performance towards quality of urban bus services in Malaysia. Therefore, this study was conducted at 11 state capitals in Peninsular Malaysia. The main local bus terminals had been designated in this study. The Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM, 2013) was chosen as the guideline used in this study. The results showed that Johor Bahru recorded a total 648 departure daily which considered the highest departure. There were 4 state capitals that recorded more than 80% of overall on-time departure for each route, such as Kuala Terengganu (94.39%), Shah Alam (82.45%,), Ipoh (80.74%) and Kangar (80.06%). The overall quality of services for on-time performance in state capitals of Peninsular Malaysia was classified as QOS D. Based on the study results, several rectifications on bus services in state capitals of Peninsular Malaysia is highly required.
PLACE MAKING OF PUBLIC SPACES WITHIN TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD): A REVIEW
Authors: Abdul Latip Nurul Syala , Zulnaidi Nur Zalilah , Redzuan Nabilah , Mohamed Osman Mariana , Harun Nor Zalina
Published: April 2023

Transit-oriented development (TOD) offers as a method to provide sustainable living and introducing place making as the essential needs of producing good public spaces. TOD may also help to achieve a greater positive outcome that satisfies the community’s demand. This study synthesized literature reviews from 1993 to 2021 on the ‘sense of place’ in creating a quality place making in public spaces. Views taken includes from the concern of methodological and components used to comprehend the association of sense of place within place making in public spaces accompanied by the individual’s perception of the place meaning. In conclusion, place making is essential in forming quality public spaces especially in TOD. It enables us to understand the place attachment as in the connection between a person and a place physically and spiritually thus, help to contribute to an effective place making.
The Profile of Task Performances for Cognitive-Communicative Intervention in Subjective Cognitive Decline
Authors: Lee Mi Sook
Published: April 2023

Purpose: Cognitive-communication intervention for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is based on the profile of task performances. The purpose of this study was to identify performances in cognitive-communication and quality of life, to provide the correlation and predictive tasks of communication among subjects with SCD.Methods: SCD group (n = 19) aged 65 and over performed subtasks for the 3 domains, compared with other amnestic mild cognitive impairment (n = 22) and control (n = 24) groups.Results: The main outcomes were as follows. Firstly, the SCD and other two groups had significant differences in performances of executive function (planning/activating) and subjective communication. Secondly, semantic performances in the SCD group were significantly correlated with all cognitive tasks, and reasoning was the strongest predictor of communication. Lastly, discourse had significant correlations with all cognitive tasks in the SCD group. Reasoning (deductive/inductive) and executive function (planning) were also found to be the best predictors of communication.Conclusion: Current study provides a cognitive-communication profile to reduce the risk to develop neurological disease. These results also facilitate the preventive intervention for SCD, warranting its effect.