bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Musgos acrocárpicos e cladocárpicos (Bryophyta) da Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, Igrapiúna, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Bastos Cid José Passos , Bôas-Bastos Silvana Brito Vilas
Published: April 2022

Durante o estudo das briófitas da Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, situada no município de Igrapiúna, BA, foram reconhecidos 36 táxons infragenéricos (33 espécies e três variedades) distribuídos em 16 gêneros e sete famílias. As famílias mais bem representadas quanto ao número de táxons infragenéricos foram Calymperaceae (12 espécies e três variedades - 40,5%), Fissidentaceae (sete - 18,9%) e Bryaceae (seis - 16,2%). Fissidens foi o gênero com maior número de espécies (sete), seguido por Syrrhopodon (cinco). As espécies mais freqüentes foram Calymperes lonchophyllum Schwägr. (49 ocorrências), Syrrhopodon prolifer var. scaber (Mitt.) W.D. Reese (20 ocorrências), Leucobryum martianum (Hornsch) Hampe ex Müll. Hal (16 ocorrências) e Leucoloma serrulatum Brid. (10 ocorrências). Quanto à distribuição das espécies entre os grupos briocenológicos, 24 foram corticícolas, 19 epixílicas, 15 rupícolas, seis terrícolas e quatro termitícolas, sendo que 18 espécies foram exclusivas (50%): seis corticícolas, quatro epixílicas, quatro rupícolas, três terrícolas e uma termitícola, enquanto que 18 (50%) compartilharam mais de um substrato.
Heterogeneidade espacial e diversidade de abelhas Meliponini na Mata Atlântica (RPPN da Michelin, Bahia)
Authors: Dantas e Silva Marília , Ramalho Mauro , Florence Ciro Tavares , Leão Paulo César Gouvêa , Oliveira João Paulo Loyola , Monteiro Daniela , Rosa Jaqueline Figueredo , Almeida Marli Emília
Published: April 2022

Freqüentemente, as abelhas sem ferrão ou meliponíneos (Apidae, Hymenoptera) constituem o grupo mais numeroso de visitantes florais nas florestas tropicais, como a Mata Atlântica (MA). Na MA, a fauna de meliponíneos apresenta variações na diversidade em escala espacial local, provavelmente, associadas às diferenças espaciais na estrutura da vegetação ou na qualidade dos hábitats. Neste estudo, foram realizadas amostras simultâneas, com iscas de mel, em áreas contíguas de floresta em dois estágios de regeneração: intermediário e avançado. A diversidade (H’) foi similar nos dois estágios, porém, observou-se variação na riqueza e maior número de espécies abundantes (ou dominantes) no estágio intermediário de regeneração da floresta. A resposta à heterogeneidade também se expressou na estratificação de forrageio, com maior número de indivíduos atraídos para iscas de mel no estrato superior. Entretanto, poucas espécies parecem ter preferências específicas de forrageio por um ou outro estrato.
Levantamento preliminar de térmitas em bosques de mangues na Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, Igrapiúna, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Assunção Edivan D. de , Silva Emerson M. da , Santos Tiago X. de S. , Cruz Jucelho D. da , Melo Ana Cerilza S. , Santos Gilberto M. de M. , Bichara Filho Carlos C.
Published: April 2022

Com o propósito de fornecer subsídios para a criação do plano de Manejo e Conservação da Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, localizada na Bahia de Camamú-Ba, analisamos a diversidade e a estrutura da comunidade de cupins que ocorrem em bosques de manguezais daquela localidade. Foram demarcados 5 transectos não conectados, com 3m x 100m, subdivididos em 10 seções de 3m x 10m. Foram encontradas 3 morfoespécies de 2 gêneros de cupins: Nasutitermes sp1 (64,71%), Nasutitermes sp2 (23,53%) e Termes sp. (11,76%) num total de 17 amostras coletadas. Nasutitermes foi o gênero mais abundante, resultado da ampla valência ecológica demonstrada por este grupo, capaz de construir ninhos epígeos ou arborícolas, ampliando a possibilidade de colonização em manguezal, cujo solo se mantém periodicamente inundado e encharcado.
Avaliação da contaminação de núcleos protéticos e análise de métodos de desinfecção e esterilização
Authors: Freitas Tarsila Morais de Carvalho , Ramos Júnior Ruy Paschoal , Costa José Boaventura Zumaêta , Oliveira Rosimeire Pereira , Cerqueira Lidiane Carneiro , Passos Daniela de Oliveira
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to assess the cast cores’contamination originating from three prosthetic laboratories of Feira de Santana City, Bahia, in order to find an effective chemical solution for desinfection. The results showed a contamination of 60% for the control group, 26,6% for the samples treated with alcohol 70º GL and 13,3% for those treated with the glutaraldehyde. The method of sterilization using the autoclave promoted to sterilization of the samples quizzed, while that the alcohol and the glutaradehyde behaved themselves as disinfectant agents.
The anurans of Terra Ronca State Park, municipality of São Domingos, state of Goiás, Central Brazil
Authors: Silva-Leite Roberta Rocha da , Leite Júnior João Manoel de Almeida , Barbosa Éder A. , Noronha Sérgio Eustáquio , Leite José Roberto de Souza de Almeida
Published: April 2022

The Terra Ronca State Park is located in the Cerrado biome. Knowledge on the biology and diversity of Cerrado amphibian assemblages is still incipient. The aim of the present research is to subsidize further studies on anuran composition and conservation of the Brazilian savanna by means of a detailed inventory of anurans from the Terra Ronca State Park. Twenty two species in five families were collected: Bufonidae, Cycloramphidae, Hylidae, Leiuperidae and Leptodactylidae. The most abundant family was Hylidae, with 12 species. Compared to other areas of Cerrado, the region explored in this study showed a high rate in relation to the diversity of amphibians. The goal of this research is to improve the knowledge of the biodiversity of the Brazilian Cerrado in order to better preserve such species.
Levantamento da flora herbácea do Campus da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Baia, Brasil
Authors: Oliveira Rebeca Cerqueira de , Vieira Gécika Araújo , Coelho Alexa Oliveira-Paes
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a checklist of the herbaceous flora of the campus of the Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana. The survey was based on collections previously made at the campus, currently housed at the HUEFS herberium. A total of 50 families of angiosperms were listed. The Leguminoseae was the most representative, followed by Turneraceae and Asteraceae. The campus has a large floristic diversity that needs to be conserved.
Floração e frutificação das espécies lenhosas de Leguminosae e Euphorbiaceae na Caatinga em Pernambuco
Authors: Lima Lilian Cristine Marinho de , Barbosa Dilosa Carvalho de Alencar , Barbosa Marlene Carvalho de Alencar
Published: April 2022

Caatinga is an exclusive Brazilian ecosystem that is modified by human beings when they replace the natural vegetation for crops transforming it into a desert. We must understand the reproductive strategies of the species to better conserve the Caatinga. The families Leguminosae and Euphorbiaceae are the most representative in the Caatinga. The objective of this study was to define the flowering and fruiting periods of woody species of Leguminosae and Euphorbiaceae species in the Caatinga of Pernambuco. The work was done based on collections deposited in herbaria in the city of Recife: IPA, UFRPE, HST e UPF in the city Recife,. According to the month of the year, the flowering and fruiting periods of the species were classified into rainy season, dry season, the end of dry season and beginning of the rainy season, the end of rainy season and beginning of the dry season, and both rainy and dry season. From the studied species, 38 are Leguminosae and 12 are Euphorbiacae. Most species were flowering in the dry season (36%) and both the seasons (50%), respectively. Percentage of the species was significantly different among flowering period categories to Leguminosa and Euphorbiaceae. Most species of Leguminosae was fruiting in both seasons (49%). Percentage of the species was significantly different among fruiting period categories. Most species of the family Euphorbiaceae was fruiting in the rainy season (40%). However, the percentage of the species was not significantly different among fruiting period categories. Flowering and fruiting of this woody species are in accordance to studies in seasonal tropical forests.
My Life as a Curious Naturalist
Authors: Jeanne Robert L.
Published: April 2022

The review gives the reader an idea of the kinds of questions I like to ask on social wasps' biology, behavior, and evolution and how I came to answer some of them. Many of those remain only partially answered, others completely unanswered. I call attention to some of these. Many of those remain only partially answered, others completely unanswered. I call attention to some of these. Because this is more of a memoir than a topical review, I will limit citations largely to my own work and that of my students, with reference to other works where relevant; other sources will be found cited in our papers.
James M. Buchanan and the Soul of Classical Political Economy
Authors: Johnson Marianne
Published: April 2022

Boettke and Marciano’s (2020) The Soul of Classical Political Economy curates ten previously unpublished works by James M. Buchanan. The editorial introductions to these are independently valuable as scholarly works; they shed light on the context in which the papers, essays and letters were written, and draw important connections across Buchanan’s different writings. In this review essay, I consider Buchanan on classical liberalism, Knut Wicksell and the role of the economist in light of these newly available writings. The book and review essay should prove of interest not only to historians of economics, but also to scholars and economists generally, as Buchanan’s views on the classical tradition provide important philosophical support for the entire neoliberal enterprise, particularly as it relates to public policy, public economics and public choice.
Polarization-dependent LIF/Mie ratio for sizing of micrometric ethanol droplets doped with Nile red
Authors: Koegl Matthias , Dai Hongfei , Baderschneider Kevin , Ulrich Hannah , Zigan Lars
Published: April 2022

The present study deals with droplet sizing based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and Mie scattering for varied polarization of the utilized laser (parallel or perpendicular). The polarization-dependent LIF/Mie ratio is studied for micrometric droplets (25–60 µm) produced with a droplet generator. The investigations were carried out with the dye Nile red dissolved in ethanol and ethanol/iso-octane mixtures. A spectral absorption and fluorescence characterization at various dye and ethanol concentrations is carried out in a cuvette in order to identify reabsorption effects. The

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droplet images (index

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: parallel polarization) show a more homogeneous intensity distribution in the droplets and slightly stronger morphology-dependent resonances (MDRs) in comparison to

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(index

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: perpendicular polarization). The spectral LIF emissions reveal a dependence of the MDR on the ethanol admixture. The larger the ethanol content, the lower the MDR peak, which is also shifted further to the red part of the spectrum. The Mie droplet signal images are mainly characterized by two distinct glare points, one at the entrance of the laser light (reflection) and one at the exit (first-order refraction). The

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images show a more pronounced entrance glare point, in comparison to

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, where the exit glare point is more pronounced. These observations are in accordance with the theory. The calibration curve of the micro droplet signals revealed a volumetric trend of the LIF signals and a slightly higher

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signal and sensitivity in comparison to

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. The signal

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follows roughly a quadratic trend on average, while

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follows a linear trend. Consequently, the calculated

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/

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ratio shows a linear trend, whereas the

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/

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ratio shows a quadratic trend, which confirms theoretical calculations. A numerical simulation of the Mie signal at various detection angles shows a good agreement with the experimental data at large apertures.
Radiation-hardened silicon photonic passive devices on a 3 µm waveguide platform under gamma and proton irradiation
Authors: Zhou Yue , Lv Dongsheng , Bi Dawei , Wu Longsheng , Wang Ruxueu , Ma Shuying , Zhang En Xia , Fleetwood Daniel M. , Wu Aimin
Published: April 2022

Silicon photonics is considered to be an ideal solution as optical interconnect in radiation environments. Our previous study has demonstrated experimentally that radiation responses of device are related to waveguide size, and devices with thick top silicon waveguide layers are expected to be less sensitive to irradiation. Here, we design radiation-resistant arrayed waveguide gratings and Mach-Zehnder interferometers based on silicon-on-insulator with 3 µm-thick silicon optical waveguide platform. The devices are exposed to 60Co γ-ray irradiation up to 41 Mrad(Si) and 170-keV proton irradiation with total fluences from 1×1013 to 1×1016 p/cm2 to evaluate performance after irradiation. The results show that these devices can function well and have potential application in harsh radiation environments.
Investigating focus elongation using a spatial light modulator for high-throughput ultrafast-laser-induced selective etching in fused silica
Authors: McArthur Sam R. , Thomson Robert R. , Ross Calum A.
Published: April 2022

Ultrafast-laser-induced selective chemical etching is an enabling microfabrication technology compatible with optical materials such as fused silica. The technique offers unparalleled three-dimensional manufacturing freedom and feature resolution but can be limited by long laser inscription times and widely varying etching selectivity depending on the laser irradiation parameters used. In this paper, we aim to overcome these limitations by employing beam shaping via a spatial light modulator to generate a vortex laser focus with controllable depth-of-focus (DOF), from diffraction limited to several hundreds of microns. We present the results of a thorough parameter-space investigation of laser irradiation parameters, documenting the observed influence on etching selectivity and focus elongation in the polarization-insensitive writing regime, and show that etching selectivity greater than 800 is maintained irrespective of the DOF. To demonstrate high-throughput laser writing with an elongated DOF, geometric shapes are fabricated with a 12-fold reduction in writing time compared to writing with a phase-unmodulated Gaussian focus.
Distributed measurement of mode group effective refractive index difference in a few mode optical fibers
Authors: Markiewicz Krzysztof , Szostkiewicz Łukasz , Kaczorowski Jakub , Yang Zhisheng , Dominguez-Lopez Alejandro , Napierała Marek , Nasiłowski Tomasz , Thévenaz Luc
Published: April 2022

The possibility to perform distributed measurements of the effective refractive index difference between distinct modes in few mode optical fibers is demonstrated using phase sensitive optical time domain reflectometry. Effective refractive index differences between LP02, LP21a and LP21b modes are measured with for a spatial resolution of 24m.
Ultrafast, broadband and tunable terahertz reflector and neutral density filter based on high resistivity silicon
Authors: Degert J. , Tondusson M. , Freysz V. , Abraham E. , Kumar S. , Freysz E.
Published: April 2022

We report THz transmission and reflection properties of an ultrafast optically excited highly resistive silicon wafer. Amplified Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser pulses at 800 nm were used to create fluence-dependent carrier density on the front surface of the wafer which modifies the dielectric properties at the THz frequencies. Time-resolved experiments in the optical pump-THz probe configuration were conducted in which THz pulses reflected off from the surface at 0° and 45° angles of incidence make it possible to measure the pump-fluence dependent ultrafast evolution of the reflection and transmission coefficients in 0.5-6 THz range. An analytical model, where both the Drude contributions from the photo-excited electrons and holes account for the change of the dielectric constant of the photo-excited silicon, has been used to evaluate the THz reflection and transmission coefficients at steady state. Thus obtained results match well with the experimental results and demonstrate an all-optical means to convert a silicon wafer into an ultrafast, tunable and broadband neutral density filter or reflector in the THz frequency range.
High-power and high-brightness Er:Yb codoped fiber MOPA operating at 1535 nm
Authors: Yu Weilong , Yan Ping , Qi Tiancheng , Wu Yulun , Li Dan , Xiao Qirong , Gong Mali
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we study the emerging 1535 nm Er: Yb codoped fiber MOPA with high power and high brightness. To characterize the interstage influence of this ASE-sensitive system, we conduct an interstage numerical model based on steady energy transfer model, where the seed and amplifier converge together. We analyze the amplifier setup, the seed pumping scheme, and feedback from inner reflection based on the model. Afterwards, we experimentally demonstrate a 1535 nm all fiber large mode area Er: Yb codoped fiber MOPA with the output power of 174.5 W, the brightness of 13.97 W/μm2sr, and ASE suppression ratio of 45 dB. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest power and brightness of 1535 nm fiber lasers to date.
Lithography-free wide-angle polarization-independent ultra-broadband absorber based on anti-reflection effect
Authors: Liao Yan-Lin , Zhou Junjie , Chen Xiang , Wu Jin , Chen Zhenggen , Wu Shan , Zhao Yan
Published: April 2022

We propose a lithography-free wide-angle polarization-insensitive ultra-broadband absorber by using three pairs of tungsten (W) and calcium fluoride (CaF2) films. The simulation results show that the absorptivity is larger than 0.9 with normal incidence in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 1529 nm. By adding a pair of CaF2-W films, we can get a broader absorption bandwidth with absorptivity larger than 0.9 over the wavelength of 400–1639 nm. In addition, the absorption performance is insensitive to the polarization and angle of incidence. The electric field distributions at the absorption peaks show that the absorption is originated from the destructive interference between the reflection waves from the top and bottom interfaces of the multilayer CaF2-W films. Furthermore, the ultra-broad bandwidth is attributed to the anti-reflection effect from the increased effective refractive index from top to down of the proposed absorber. Such physical mechanism of broadening bandwidth based on anti-reflection effect provides a new idea for the design of broadband absorber. Meanwhile, this broadband absorber is a good candidate for potential applications such as detection and energy harvesting.
Quantifying the emergence of structured laser beams relevant to Lissajous parametric surfaces
Authors: Zheng X. L. , Hsieh M. X. , Chen Y. F.
Published: April 2022

Lissajous structured beams emerging from a spherical laser cavity
subject to the birefringent effect of the laser crystal are
quantitatively analyzed. The analysis reveals that the birefringent
effect leads to numerous frequency degeneracies at the cavity lengths
near an ideal degenerate cavity. By using a diode-pumped
Nd:GdVO4 laser, the emergence of Lissajous structured modes
relevant to frequency degeneracies is precisely quantified by
comparing experimental results with numerical analyses. The present
quantitative analysis provides an important guideline for the
generation of structured transverse modes related to the
ray–wave correspondence.
Willingness of caregivers to donate a kidney to a patient with end-stage renal disease: Findings from four dialysis providing health facilities in Uganda
Authors: Bunori Hope , Izudi Jonathan , Alege John Bosco , Bajunirwe Francis
Published: April 2022

Most patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) benefit from a kidney transplant but there is limited information from developing countries like Uganda about the willingness of caregivers for patients with end-stage kidney disease to donate a kidney. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the magnitude and factors associated with the willingness of caregivers to donate a kidney to their patient with ESRD in Kampala, Uganda. The study was conducted at four health facilities that provide kidney dialysis in Kampala, Uganda. We used a structured questionnaire to interview caregivers for patients with ESRD. Caregivers who reported they would consider donating a kidney to a patient with ESRD were considered willing and the rest as unwilling. We summarized data using descriptive statistics and used an adjusted prevalence risk ratio (aPRR) from a generalized linear model to establish factors independently associated with willingness to donate.We enrolled 125 participants with a mean age of 32.3±9.8 years and found 68 (54.4%) participants were willing to donate a kidney for transplant. Willingness to donate a kidney was more likely among older caregivers namely those aged 25–34 years (aPRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01–1.31) and ≥35 years (aPRR 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05–1.29) compared to those aged 18–24 years, females compared to males (aPRR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.19–1.42), those with a positive attitude towards organ donation (aPRR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.13–1.36), and when organ kidney donation was permissible by the participant’s religious faith (aPRR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01–1.22). Conversely, willingness to donate a kidney was less likely when the family did not approve of kidney donation (aPRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71–0.90). We concluded that more than half of caregivers to patients with ESRD are willing to donate a kidney for transplant. To improve the willingness of caregivers to patients with ESRD in donating a kidney, the social, religious, and personal barriers to kidney donation may need to be addressed.
Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the selectivity mechanism of structurally similar agonists to TLR7 and TLR8
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Chen Yu , Zhang Steven , Deng Jinxia Nancy
Published: April 2022

TLR7 and TLR8 are key members of the Toll-like receptor family, playing crucial roles in the signaling pathways of innate immunity, and thus become attractive therapeutic targets of many diseases including infections and cancer. Although TLR7 and TLR8 show a high degree of sequence homology, their biological response to small molecule binding is very different. Aiming to understand the mechanism of selective profiles of small molecule modulators against TLR7 and TLR8, we carried out molecular dynamic simulations on three imidazoquinoline derivatives bound to the receptors separately. They are Resiquimod (R), Hybrid-2 (H), and Gardiquimod (G), selective agonists of TLR7 and TLR8. Our MD trajectories indicated that in the complex of TLR7-R and TLR7-G, the two chains forming the TLR7 dimer tended to remain “open” conformation, while the rest systems maintained in the closed format. The agonists R, H, and G developed conformational deviation mainly on the aliphatic tail. Furthermore, we attempted to quantify the selectivity between TLR7 and TLR8 by binding free energies via MM-GBSA method. It showed that the three selected modulators were more favorable for TLR7 than TLR8, and the ranking from the strongest to the weakest was H, R and G, aligning well with experimental data. In the TLR7, the flexible and hydrophobic aliphatic side chain of H has stronger van der Waals interactions with V381 and F351 but only pick up interaction with one amino acid residue i.e. Y353 of TLR8. Unsurprisingly, the positively charged side chain of G has less favorable interaction with I585 of TLR7 and V573 of TLR8 explaining G is weak agonist of both TLR7 and TLR8. All three imidazoquinoline derivatives can form stable hydrogen bonds with D555 of TLR7 and the corresponding D543 of TLR8. In brief, the set of total 400ns MD studies sheds light on the potential selectivity mechanisms of agonists towards TLR7 and TLR8, indicating the van der Waals interaction as the driving force for the agonists binding, thus provides us insights for designing more potent and selective modulators to cooperate with the hydrophobic nature of the binding pocket.
Attention and executive control in varsity athletes engaging in strategic and static sports
Authors: Rahimi Alma , Roberts Samantha D. , Baker Joseph R. , Wojtowicz Magdalena
Published: April 2022

Examining non-sport-related cognitive tasks of attention and executive control in skilled athletes may provide insight into the acquisition of highly specific skills developed in experts as well as help identify successful performance in sport. Through a cross-sectional design, this study examined performance on aspects of attention and executive control among varsity athletes playing soccer (strategic sport) or track & field (static sport) using a computerized test of attention and executive control. Ninety-seven university athletes participating in soccer (n = 50) or track and field (n = 47) were included in the study. Domains of attention and executive control were examined using the Attention Network Test-Interactions (ANT-I). Mean reaction time (RT) and intra-individual variability (IIV) were compared between groups as measures of performance speed and performance stability respectively. Soccer players demonstrated overall faster RTs (p = 0.0499; ηp2 = .04) and higher response accuracy (p = .021, d = .48) on the ANT-I compared to track and field athletes. Faster RTs were observed for soccer players when presented with an alerting tone (p = .029, d = .45), valid orienting cue (p = .019, d = .49) and incongruent flanker (p = .031, d = .45). No significant group differences were observed in IIV (p = .083, d = .36). Athletes engaging in strategic sports (i.e., soccer) demonstrated faster performance under test conditions that required higher vigilance and conflict resolution. These findings suggest that engagement in strategic sports is associated with enhanced performance on non-sport-related cognitive tasks of attention and executive control.
Optimal opportunistic screening of atrial fibrillation using pulse palpation in cardiology outpatient clinics: Who and how
Authors: Bañeras Jordi , Pariggiano Ivana , Ródenas-Alesina Eduard , Oristrell Gerard , Escalona Roxana , Miranda Berta , Rello Pau , Soriano Toni , Gordon Blanca , Belahnech Yassin , Calabrò Paolo , García-Dorado David , Ferreira-González Ignacio , Radua Joaquim
Published: April 2022

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remain a prevalent undiagnosed condition frequently encountered in primary care.

Objective

We aimed to find the parameters that optimize the diagnostic accuracy of pulse palpation to detect AF. We also aimed to create a simple algorithm for selecting which individuals would benefit from pulse palpation and, if positive, receive an ECG to detect AF.

Methods

Nurses from four Cardiology outpatient clinics palpated 7,844 pulses according to a randomized list of arterial territories and durations of measure and immediately followed by a 12-lead ECG, which we used as the reference standard. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the palpation parameters. We also assessed whether diagnostic accuracy depended on the nurse’s experience or on a list of clinical factors of the patients. With this information, we estimated the positive predictive values and false omission rates according to very few clinical factors readily available in primary care (age, sex, and diagnosis of heart failure) and used them to create the algorithm.

Results

The parameters associated with the highest diagnostic accuracy were palpation of the radial artery and classifying as irregular those palpations in which the nurse was uncertain about pulse regularity or unable to palpate pulse (sensitivity = 79%; specificity = 86%). Specificity decreased with age. Neither the nurse’s experience nor any investigated clinical factor influenced diagnostic accuracy. We provide the algorithm to select the ≥40 years old individuals that would benefit from a pulse palpation screening: a) do nothing in <60 years old individuals without heart failure; b) do ECG in ≥70 years old individuals with heart failure; c) do radial pulse palpation in the remaining individuals and do ECG if the pulse is irregular or you are uncertain about its regularity or unable to palpate it.

Conclusions

Opportunistic screening for AF using optimal pulse palpation in candidate individuals according to a simple algorithm may have high effectiveness in detecting AF in primary care.
Masks, money, and mandates: A national survey on efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination intentions in the United States
Authors: Sargent Rikki H. , Laurie Shaelyn , Moncada Leah , Weakland Leo F. , Lavery James V. , Salmon Daniel A. , Orenstein Walter A. , Breiman Robert F.
Published: April 2022

Various efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates have been employed in the United States. We sought to rapidly investigate public reactions to these efforts to increase vaccination, including self-reported responses to widespread reduced masking behavior, monetary incentive programs to get vaccinated, and work vaccination requirements. Using a unique method for data collection (Random Domain Intercept Technology), we captured a large (N = 14,152), broad-based sample of the United States Web-using population (data collected from June 30 –July 26, 2021). About 3/4 of respondents reported being vaccinated. The likelihood of vaccination and vaccination intention differed across various demographic indicators (e.g., gender, age, income, political leaning). We observed mixed reactions to efforts aimed at increasing vaccination rates among unvaccinated respondents. While some reported that specific efforts would increase their likelihood of getting vaccinated (between 16% and 32%), others reported that efforts would decrease their likelihood of getting vaccinated (between 17% and 42%). Reactions differed by general vaccination intention, as well as other demographic indicators (e.g., race, education). Our results highlight the need to fully understand reactions to policy changes, programs, and mandates before they are communicated to the public and employed. Moreover, the results emphasize the importance of understanding how reactions differ across groups, as this information can assist in targeting intervention efforts and minimizing potentially differential negative impact.
Early cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for preeclampsia in nulliparous women: A modelling approach in European high-income settings
Authors: Zakiyah Neily , Tuytten Robin , Baker Philip N. , Kenny Louise C. , Postma Maarten J. , van Asselt Antoinette D. I. ,   on behalf of IMPROvED Consortium
Published: April 2022

Background

Preeclampsia causes substantial maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality and significant societal economic impact. Effective screening would facilitate timely and appropriate prevention and management of preeclampsia.

Objectives

To develop an early cost-effectiveness analysis to assess both costs and health outcomes of a new screening test for preeclampsia from a healthcare payer perspective, in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Methods

A decision tree over a 9-month time horizon was developed to explore the cost-effectiveness of the new screening test for preeclampsia compared to the current screening strategy. The new test strategy is being developed so that it can stratify healthy low risk nulliparous women early in pregnancy to either a high-risk group with a risk of 1 in 6 or more of developing preeclampsia, or a low-risk group with a risk of 1 in 100 or less. The model simulated 25 plausible scenarios in a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 pregnant women, in which the sensitivity and specificity of the new test were varied to set a benchmark for the minimum test performance that is needed for the test to become cost-effective. The input parameters and costs were mainly derived from published literature. The main outcome was incremental costs per preeclampsia case averted, expressed as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess uncertainty.

Results

Base case results showed that the new test strategy would be more effective and less costly compared to the current situation in the UK. In the Netherlands, the majority of scenarios would be cost-effective from a threshold of €50,000 per preeclampsia case averted, while in Ireland and Sweden, the vast majority of scenarios would be considered cost-effective only when a threshold of €100,000 was used. In the best case analyses, ICERs were more favourable in all four participating countries. Aspirin effectiveness, prevalence of preeclampsia, accuracy of the new screening test and cost of regular antenatal care were identified as driving factors for the cost-effectiveness of screening for preeclampsia.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the new screening test for preeclampsia has potential to be cost-effective. Further studies based on proven accuracy of the test will confirm whether the new screening test is a cost-effective additional option to the current situation.
Computational prediction of potential inhibitors for SARS-COV-2 main protease based on machine learning, docking, MM-PBSA calculations, and metadynamics
Authors: Gomes Isabela de Souza , Santana Charles Abreu , Marcolino Leandro Soriano , Lima Leonardo Henrique França de , Melo-Minardi Raquel Cardoso de , Dias Roberto Sousa , de Paula Sérgio Oliveira , Silveira Sabrina de Azevedo
Published: April 2022

The development of new drugs is a very complex and time-consuming process, and for this reason, researchers have been resorting heavily to drug repurposing techniques as an alternative for the treatment of various diseases. This approach is especially interesting when it comes to emerging diseases with high rates of infection, because the lack of a quickly cure brings many human losses until the mitigation of the epidemic, as is the case of COVID-19. In this work, we combine an in-house developed machine learning strategy with docking, MM-PBSA calculations, and metadynamics to detect potential inhibitors for SARS-COV-2 main protease among FDA approved compounds. To assess the ability of our machine learning strategy to retrieve potential compounds we calculated the Enrichment Factor of compound datasets for three well known protein targets: HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (PDB 4B3P), 5-HT2A serotonin receptor (PDB 6A94), and H1 histamine receptor (PDB 3RZE). The Enrichment Factor for each target was, respectively, 102.5, 12.4, 10.6, which are considered significant values. Regarding the identification of molecules that can potentially inhibit the main protease of SARS-COV-2, compounds output by the machine learning step went through a docking experiment against SARS-COV-2 Mpro. The best scored poses were the input for MM-PBSA calculations and metadynamics using CHARMM and AMBER force fields to predict the binding energy for each complex. Our work points out six molecules, highlighting the strong interaction obtained for Mpro-mirabegron complex. Among these six, to the best of our knowledge, ambenonium has not yet been described in the literature as a candidate inhibitor for the SARS-COV-2 main protease in its active pocket.
Astrovirus-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via activated TGF-β increases viral replication
Authors: Hargest Virginia , Bub Theresa , Neale Geoffrey , Schultz-Cherry Stacey
Published: April 2022

Human astroviruses (HAstV), positive sense single-stranded RNA viruses, are one of the leading causes of diarrhea worldwide. Despite their high prevalence, the cellular mechanisms of astrovirus pathogenesis remain ill-defined. Previous studies showed HAstV increased epithelial barrier permeability by causing a re-localization of the tight junction protein, occludin. In these studies, we demonstrate that HAstV replication induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), by upregulating the transcription of EMT-related genes within 8 hours post-infection (hpi), followed by the loss of cell-cell contacts and disruption of polarity by 24 hpi. While multiple classical HAstV serotypes, including clinical isolates, induce EMT, the non-classical genotype HAstV-VA1 and two strains of reovirus are incapable of inducing EMT. Unlike the re-localization of tight junction proteins, HAstV-induced EMT requires productive replication and is dependent transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) activity. Finally, inhibiting TGF-β signaling and EMT reduces viral replication, highlighting its importance in the viral life cycle. This finding puts classical strains of HAstV-1 in an exclusive group of non-oncogenic viruses triggering EMT.
Identification of functionally important domains of human cytomegalovirus gO that act after trimer binding to receptors
Authors: Chin Andrea , Liu Jing , Jardetzky Theodore , Johnson David C. , Vanarsdall Adam
Published: April 2022

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) entry involves trimer (gH/gL/gO) that interacts with PDGFRα in fibroblasts. Entry into epithelial and endothelial cells requires trimer, which binds unidentified receptors, and pentamer (gH/gL/UL128-131), which binds neuropilin-2. To identify functionally important domains in trimer, we screened an overlapping 20-mer gO peptide library and identified two sets of peptides: 19/20 (a.a. 235–267) and 32/33 (a.a. 404–436) that could block virus entry. Soluble trimer containing wild type gO blocked HCMV entry, whereas soluble trimers with the 19/20 or 32/33 sequences mutated did not block entry. Interestingly, the mutant trimers retained the capacity to bind to cellular receptors including PDGFRα. Peptide 19/20 and 32/33 sequences formed a lobe extending from the surface of gO and an adjacent concave structure, respectively. Neither of these sets of sequences contacted PDGFRα. Instead, our data support a model in which the 19/20 and 32/33 trimer sequences function downstream of receptor binding, e.g. trafficking of HCMV into endosomes or binding to gB for entry fusion. We also screened for peptides that bound antibodies (Abs) in human sera, observing that peptides 20 and 26 bound Abs. These peptides engendered neutralizing Abs (NAbs) after immunization of rabbits and could pull out NAbs from human sera. Peptides 20 and 26 sequences represent the first NAb epitopes identified in trimer. These studies describe two important surfaces on gO defined by: i) peptides 19/20 and 32/33, which apparently act downstream of receptor binding and ii) peptide 26 that interacts with PDGFRα. Both these surfaces are targets of NAbs.
Noticing, curation, cultivation: Academic development leadership in the arts university
Authors: Smith Catherine
Published: April 2022

The curation of four ‘teaching exhibitions’ of pedagogic research outputs in a specialist arts university is presented as a case study of distributed leadership practice, with the leadership in question being positioned as a feminized mode of leading educational or academic development from a middle-out position. Scholarship of teaching and learning focused upon the development of academic micro-cultures within universities is collided with thinking around arts-informed approaches to leadership. Through reflexively evaluating her nascent curatorial practice, the author reconsiders what academic development leadership in the specific organizational culture of the arts university can look like when arts modalities are brought into play.
A problem with questions: Improvisation and unforeseen epistemology in animation practice
Authors: Buchanan Andrew
Published: April 2022

The typical research project ostensibly begins with a question. The notion of establishing ‘questions worth answering’ which can be satisfied with confirmable answers is an orientation originally adopted from the sciences, and highlights the practical imposition of the academy to create rigor and consistency. Brad Haseman has suggested that an alternative to the posing of questions for those pursuing practice-based research in the creative arts is to begin with an ‘enthusiasm of practice’ from which useful knowledge may be generated, but returns to the need for the researcher to ultimately articulate a problem (if not a question) to pass the research credibility test. Is the illocutionary act of this retrospective ‘probleming’ not the same as a question? As the question demands an answer, the problem demands a solution. Perhaps this is the defining edge between practice as research and, simply, practice. The alignment of problem and solution (or question and answer) is suspiciously neat, and the form of language demands that they match neatly. Leaning on the experience of my own practice-based Ph.D. in creative media, this article will describe the positioning of improvisational animation production as a mode of practice-enthusiasm that can serve both as methodology and as epistemology for knowledge production in animation research (and related practices). I will discuss potential research questions related to improvisation for animator-researchers, and suggest that this mode of practice can yield useful, verifiable knowledge without recourse to the question–answer or the problem–solution formulation. In fact, the imposition of these, even post hoc, may undermine the research value of improvised practice and its epistemological clarity. The enthusiasm in this case may be the lack of answers or solutions that (at least linguistically) terminate the very origin of the enthusiasm for the practice.
A Qualitative Exploration into Beliefs of Pre-service EFL Teachers about School Experience
Authors: ATAŞ Ufuk
Published: April 2022

This qualitative study aims to explore the beliefs of Turkish pre-service EFL teachers about their school experiences, and any change in their beliefs during this experience with a view to identifying their professional development as prospective teachers. For this purpose, 10 Turkish pre-service EFL teachers at a state university in central Turkey reflected their experiences for one semester in the process of their teaching practice period for 14 weeks. The results reveal that pre-service teachers hold different beliefs about overall approaches to teaching and learning a foreign language, language use in the classroom, classroom management and teaching grammar. The results also indicate change in their beliefs related to questioning selves as teachers, teaching profession in general, use of technology in the classroom, using teaching techniques, and classroom management. Findings of this study offer suggestions for teacher education programs, particularly for the school experience component.
Analisis Aspek Konteks, Input, Proses, Produk Pelayanan Telemedicine Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19 (Studi Kasus : Rumah Sakit Ortopedi Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Surakarta)
Authors: Fananni Rizqi Annisa Nur , Wigati Putri Asmita , Nandini Nurhasmadiar
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTBackground: The existence of the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the whole world, especially in Indonesia, had a significant impact on the health sector, especially in the provision of health services for the community. With this condition, the Indonesian government began to develop long-distance services (Telemedicine), where these services are aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19, especially in health care facilities, as well as providing convenience for the community to reach health services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Of several hospitals in Surakarta, Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopedic Hospital is one of the hospitals that develops telemedicine services during the Covid-19 pandemic. From this, an overall analysis is needed regarding the implementation of telemedicine services whether they are appropriate and can achieve their goals and have a significant level of use and impact during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, this study aims to analyze the context, input, process, and product aspects of telemedicine services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: This research was conducted using the CIPP theory by Daniel L. Stufflebeam (1966) which consists of aspects of context, input, process, and product. This study uses qualitative research methods with data collection carried out by in-depth interviews selected based on purposive sampling.Results: The results showed that the operation of telemedicine services was carried out due to the Covid-19 pandemic condition with the aim of providing complete services to patients during the Covid-19 pandemic, lack of socialization regarding guidelines for implementing telemedicine to related implementing staff, poor coordination in the planning process, the inclusion of telemedicine into the annual and five-year planning of the Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopedic, there is no report to the authorities regarding telemedicine services, there is no patient satisfaction survey regarding the telemedicine services provided.
XV-wieczny odpis psalterium abbreviatum z kodeksu Jakuba z Kowalewic (BU Rkp. 1746)
Authors: Nowak Łukasz
Published: April 2022

W artykule, po krótkim przedstawieniu osoby Jakuba z Kowalewic oraz jego kodeksu znajdującego się w zbiorach Biblioteki Uniwersyteckiej w Poznaniu, zostały zaprezentowane badania nad tzw. Psałterzem św. Hieronima, zawartym w tym właśnie kodeksie. Podjęto też próby znalezienia odpowiedzi na pytania dotyczące autorstwa, przeznaczenia oraz źródła pochodzenia tego tekstu. Autor omówił jego zawartość oraz porównał go z innym znanym w Polsce Psałterzem św. Hieronima (psalterium abbreviatum) z modlitewnika Zygmunta I.
Literary Spoils of War in Uppsala in Practice – Controversial Theology
Authors: Sjökvist Peter
Published: April 2022

Religious conflicts did not only take place on battlefields in the 17th century, but in far wider contexts. We see them also in propaganda, poetry, sermons and academic discourse. When the literary spoils of war were taken by the Swedish from Catholic libraries in Poland  to the Lutheran Uppsala University, many books were not highly valued. These Catholic books ended up stored separately from the ‘sound and pure’ volumes found in the first library building in Uppsala. In this article, it is shown how these Catholic books did at times prove useful, at least in the field of polemical theology. In fact, teaching at the university took an increasingly anti-Catholic direction after the arrival of the collections from Braniewo and Frombork to Uppsala, with the main confessional enemy apparently being Robert Bellarmine.
Chinese university students’ self-regulated writing strategy use and EFL writing performance: influences of self-efficacy, gender, and major
Authors: Shen Bin , Bai Barry
Published: April 2022

Self-regulated (SRL) writing strategy use is considered a potent method for improving writing performance. Motivational regulation, an underresearched aspect of SRL, has become more recognized in SRL models recently. The present study aims to depict the interplay among SRL writing strategies and English writing performance. It also examined the influences of motivational regulation writing strategies on English writing performance, and whether such relationship would be mediated by other SRL writing strategies. Endeavors were also made to evaluate the moderation effects of gender and major, and the predictive effects of self-efficacy. Teng, L. S. & L. J. Zhang. 2016a. A questionnaire-based validation of multidimensional models of self-regulated learning strategies. Modern Language Journal 100(3). 674–701. Writing Strategies for Self-regulated Learning Questionnaire was administered to 340 university students in China, and their English writing test scores were collected. Structural equation modeling results verified the hypothesized partial mediation model with both direct and indirect paths from motivational regulation strategies to English writing performance. Cognitive and metacognitive strategies both served as mediators while social strategies failed to do so. No moderation effect of gender and major was found. Learners’ writing self-efficacy beliefs predicted their use of SRL writing strategies, with the strongest effects on motivational regulation strategies. Pedagogical implications are drawn.