bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional expression of diverse post-translational peptide-modifying enzymes in Escherichia coli under uniform expression and purification conditions
Authors: Glassey Emerson , King Andrew M. , Anderson Daniel A. , Zhang Zhengan , Voigt Christopher A.
Published: September 2022

RiPPs (ribosomally-synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides) are a class of pharmaceutically-relevant natural products expressed as precursor peptides before being enzymatically processed into their final functional forms. Bioinformatic methods have illuminated hundreds of thousands of RiPP enzymes in sequence databases and the number of characterized chemical modifications is growing rapidly; however, it remains difficult to functionally express them in a heterologous host. One challenge is peptide stability, which we addressed by designing a RiPP stabilization tag (RST) based on a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) domain that can be fused to the N- or C-terminus of the precursor peptide and proteolytically removed after modification. This is demonstrated to stabilize expression of eight RiPPs representative of diverse phyla. Further, using Escherichia coli for heterologous expression, we identify a common set of media and growth conditions where 24 modifying enzymes, representative of diverse chemistries, are functional. The high success rate and broad applicability of this system facilitates: (i) RiPP discovery through high-throughput “mining” and (ii) artificial combination of enzymes from different pathways to create a desired peptide.
Inequality in urban green space benefits: Combining street greenery and park greenery
Authors: Xue Chenlu , Jin Cheng , Xu Jing
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we measured the amount of urban green space (UGS), defined here as park greenery and street greenery, in the Guangzhou Beltway region using remote sensing image data and the green view index (GVI) based on human visual images. We also evaluated the benefits of UGS comprehensively considering park greenery and street greenery within the Guangzhou Beltway region. We then calculated the urban green space score (UGSS) by assessing the amount of street greenery and park greenery and then juxtaposing the score with the population distribution of the region. The results show inequities in the spatial distribution of UGSS values within the Guangzhou Beltway region. The benefit score of street greenery is low. The service area of parks can’t cover the whole study area. The comprehensive benefit score of UGS is composed of two parts, the park greenery score and the street greenery score, but the spatial distribution of UGSS values remains uneven. The UGS benefits enjoyed by one-half of the population of the study area are low, and the UGSS values of the more densely populated areas are not high.
Improved anonymity preserving three-party mutual authentication key exchange protocol based on chaotic maps
Authors: Pak Kyong-Sok , Kim Mi-Hyang , Pak Song-Ho , Ho Chol-Man
Published: September 2022

Three-party authentication key exchange is a protocol that allows two users to set up a session key for encrypted communication by the help of a trusted remote server. Providing user anonymity and mutual authentication in the authentication key exchange is important security requirements to protect users’ privacy and enhance its security performance. Recently Li proposed a chaotic maps-based authentication key exchange protocol which attempts to provide mutual authentication and user anonymity, but we found that there were some faults in the key exchange phase and password change phase of his scheme. We prove that Li’s scheme does not provide user anonymity and that the user’s privacy information is disclosed, and propose enhanced three-party authentication key exchange protocol that provides user anonymity and we analyse its security properties and verify its validity based on BAN logic and AVISPA tool.
Comparing the Indian Autism Screening Questionnaire (IASQ) and the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale–Second Edition (CARS2) in Indian settings
Authors: Chakraborty Satabdi , Bhatia Triptish , Antony Nitin , Roy Aratrika , Shriharsh Vandana , Sahay Amrita , Brar Jaspreet S. , Iyengar Satish , Singh Ravinder , Nimgaonkar Vishwajit L. , Deshpande Smita Neelkanth
Published: September 2022

The Indian Autism Screening Questionnaire (IASQ), derived from the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism ISAA (the mandated tool for autism in India), is an autism screening instrument for use in the general population by minimally trained workers. While ISAA has 40 items with four anchor points, the IASQ is a 10-item questionnaire with yes/no answers. It was initially validated using the ISAA. During its development the ISAA was itself compared to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale version 1 (ISAA Manual). In the present study, we evaluated both the ISAA and the IASQ in relation to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale version 2 (CARS-2). Methods: Participants were recruited from three settings: a referral clinic for neurodevelopmental conditions run by the Department of Paediatrics of a tertiary care teaching hospital (NDC OPD), the outpatient department of an institute for disability and rehabilitation (NIEPID), and from the community (CGOC). Persons between ages 3–18 were recruited following consent or assent (parent and child/adolescent). The IASQ was administered by a minimally trained administrator. It was followed by ISAA and the CARS-2 (in alternating order, by different evaluators blind to each other) (CARS2 SV (Standard Version) and CARS2 HF (High Functioning) as applicable). Sensitivity, specificity and area under the Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) curve were calculated for IASQ and CARS2, as well as for ISAA and CARS2. Concordance between CARS2 and ISAA was calculated using kappa coefficient. Results: A total of 285 participants (NIEPD n = 124; NDC OPD, n = 4; CGOC n = 157) (a total of 70 with autism and 215 controls) participated. IASQ and CARS2 were administered on 285 participants, while IASQ and ISAA were administered on 264 participants. When IASQ was compared to CARS2, sensitivity was 97%, specificity 81%, PPV 63%, NPV 99% at cut off 1 while these values were 97%, 92%, 79% and 99% respectively at cut off 2. There was high concordance between CARS2 and ISAA (Kappa 0.907, p<0.0001). Conclusions: IASQ has satisfactory sensitivity, specificity and concordance when compared with CARS2; it can be used for screening children with autism in community. The ISAA also showed a high concordance with CARS2, as it had with the older version of CARS.
Investigation of sniffer technique on remote measurement of ship emissions: A case study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Li Ke , Ji Qingpeng , Shen Feixiang , Wu Qiang , Chen Qiuyan , Luo Liangjing , Bian Xijia , Chen Wei , Lou Diming
Published: September 2022

Shipping emissions have aroused wide concern in the world. In order to promote the implementation of emission regulations, this study develop a ship based sniffing technique to perform remote measurement of the SO2, NOx and CO2 from ships entering and leaving Shanghai port at the open sea. The ship emission prediction model, Smoke diffusion model and source identification model were developed to automatically analyze the emission data and screen the object ship source based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) system. The fueling documents of the detected ship were obtained from maritime sector and the results precision of the sniffer technique was evaluated by comparing the measured Fuel sulfur content (FSC) with actual value deduced from fueling documents. The influences of wind speed and direction, object ship parameters and monitoring distance on the identification of object ship and accuracy of the calculated FSC were thoroughly investigated and the corresponding correction factors under different conditions were deduced. The modified emission factor ratio of CO2 to NOx were proposed in order to improve the accuracy. It is demonstrated that with wind speed higher than 2 m/s and test distance shorter than 400m, the sniffer technique exhibit high efficiency and accuracy for the remote emissions measurement of ship upwind with detection rate higher than 90% and test error of FSC below 15%. To reduce the influence of the wind direction, at least two sniffer systems were required to guarantee that at least one station is in the downwind of the ship lane. Based on the results and discussion, a novel sniffer monitoring system with two buoy based sniffing stations placed close to each side of the ship lane far off shore was proposed to realize the remote monitoring of ship emissions.
Activity monitoring and patient-reported outcome measures in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients
Authors: Rekeland Ingrid G. , Sørland Kari , Bruland Ove , Risa Kristin , Alme Kine , Dahl Olav , Tronstad Karl J. , Mella Olav , Fluge Øystein
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disease with no validated specific and sensitive biomarker, and no standard approved treatment. In this observational study with no intervention, participants used a Fitbit activity tracker. The aims were to explore natural symptom variation, feasibility of continuous activity monitoring, and to compare activity data with patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Materials and methods

In this pilot study, 27 patients with mild to severe ME/CFS, of mean age 42.3 years, used the Fitbit Charge 3 continuously for six months. Patients wore a SenseWear activity bracelet for 7 days at baseline, at 3 and 6 months. At baseline and follow-up they completed the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire–Short Form (DSQ-SF).

Results

The mean number of steps per day decreased with increasing ME/CFS severity; mild 5566, moderate 4991 and severe 1998. The day-by-day variation was mean 47% (range 25%–79%). Mean steps per day increased from the first to the second three-month period, 4341 vs 4781 steps, p = 0.022. The maximum differences in outcome measures between 4-week periods (highest vs lowest), were more evident in a group of eight patients with milder disease (baseline SF-36 PF > 50 or DSQ-SF < 55) as compared to 19 patients with higher symptom burden (SF-36 PF < 50 and DSQ-SF > 55), for SF-36 PF raw scores: 16.9 vs 3.4 points, and for steps per day: 958 versus 479 steps. The correlations between steps per day and self-reported SF-36 Physical function, SF-36 Social function, and DSQ-SF were significant. Fitbit recorded significantly higher number of steps than SenseWear. Resting heart rates were stable during six months.

Conclusion

Continuous activity registration with Fitbit Charge 3 trackers is feasible and useful in studies with ME/CFS patients to monitor steps and resting heart rate, in addition to self-reported outcome measures.

Clinical trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04195815.
Chronic disease relapses: A cross-sectional study of the associated factors and socioeconomic inequalities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru
Authors: Visconti-Lopez Fabriccio J. , Hernández-Vásquez Akram , Solorzano-Salazar Dustin M. , Azañedo Diego
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence, associated factors and socioeconomic inequalities in chronic disease relapses (CDR) during 2020 in Peru.

Methods

A secondary analysis was made of the National Household Survey on Living Conditions and Poverty (ENAHO) 2020. Participants older than 18 years who suffered from a chronic disease and with information about the occurrence of a CDR in the last 4 weeks prior to the survey were included. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated to determine the associated factors. Socioeconomic inequality in CDR was estimated using concentration curves (CC) and the Erreygers concentration index (ECI).

Results

Data from 38,662 participants were analyzed; the prevalence of CDR in the last 4 weeks prior to the survey was 16.5% (95% CI: 15.8–17.2). Being female (aPR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.21–1.37), with regards to being male; being 30–39 (aPR 1.22; 95% CI: 1.05–1.42), 40–49 (aPR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.12–1.48), 50–59 (aPR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.41–1.82), and 60 years or older (aPR 1.80; 95% CI: 1.58–2.04), compared to 18–29; reaching up to primary (aPR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.07–1.31), or secondary education (aPR 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.24), in contrast to tertiary education; presenting some physical, psychological or cognitive limitation (aPR 1.33; 95% CI: 1.21–1.46), with respect to experiencing no limitations; and being affiliated to a health insurance (aPR 1.18; CI 95%: 1.09–1.29), opposed to not having health insurance; were associated with a higher probability of CDR. Residing in the natural region of the coastal area (aPR 0.83; 95% CI: 0.74–0.92) was associated with a lower probability of relapse compared to residing in the jungle area. In people with limitations and residents of the jungle areas, the prevalence of CDR was concentrated in those with higher per capita spending.

Conclusions

Approximately 1 in 6 Peruvians with chronic diseases had a relapse within the last 4 weeks prior to the survey of 2020 and certain geographic and sociodemographic factors were found to be associated with CDR. It was also found that a higher concentration of CDR was observed in the population with the highest per capita spending with some limitations, as well as in residents of the jungle, implying the need for appropriate policy interventions that address CDR with a special focus on these populations.
Effect of socioeconomic status on smoking cessation behavior in selected African countries: Secondary analysis of Global Adult Tobacco Survey data (2014–2018)
Authors: Vilane Zinto Gabsile , Kodali Prakash Babu , Thankappan Kavumpurathu Raman
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Tobacco use remains a global public health challenge. While studies report that smoking cessation reduces the risk of cancer and other NCDs, evidence is scarce in African region on socio-economic determinants of smoking cessation behavior. This study examined the socio-economic differentials of smoking cessation behavior among smokers in four African countries.

Methods

The study was conducted through secondary analysis of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data from four African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal and Tanzania). Smoking cessation behavior was assessed using two variables i) intention to quit smoking in next 12 months and ii) previous quit attempts made within 12 months preceding the survey. The weighted percentages for intention to quit smoking and previous quit attempts were computed. The adjusted odds ratios were computed using multinomial logistic regression to identify the association between socio-economic factors and smoking cessation behavior.

Results

Across the four countries studied, the previous quit attempts among smokers were in the range of 39.6% to 53.7%. Around 7.6% to 15.8% of the smokers tried to quit with an assistance. In Ethiopia over 76.5% of current smokers reported no intention to quit in next 12 months after survey, whereas the same was 50.4% in Senegal. While country specific differences were observed, females, those belonging to the poorest wealth index, unemployed and those without any formal education reported significantly lower odds of previous quit attempts or having an intention to quit smoking.

Conclusion

The socio-economic vulnerabilities were found to compromise smoking cessation behavior among the smokers in countries studied. Targeted interventions, adherence to smokefree laws, and provision of cessation support are essential to improve quit rates and mitigate tobacco risks among socio-economically vulnerable population.
Characterization of nanomaterials synthesized from Spirulina platensis extract and their potential antifungal activity
Authors: Sidorowicz Agnieszka , Margarita Valentina , Fais Giacomo , Pantaleo Antonella , Manca Alessia , Concas Alessandro , Rappelli Paola , Fiori Pier Luigi , Cao Giacomo
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, fungal infections increase, and the demand of novel antifungal agents is constantly rising. In the present study, silver, titanium dioxide, cobalt (II) hydroxide and cobalt (II,III) oxide nanomaterials have been synthesized fromSpirulina platensisextract. The synthesis mechanism has been studied using GCMS and FTIR thus confirming the involvement of secondary metabolites, mainly amines. The obtained products have been analysed using XRD, SEM, TGA and zeta potential techniques. The findings revealed average crystallite size of 15.22 nm with 9.72 nm for oval-shaped silver nanoparticles increasing to 26.01 nm and 24.86 nm after calcination and 4.81 nm for spherical-shaped titanium dioxide nanoparticles which decreased to 4.62 nm after calcination. Nanoflake shape has been observed for cobalt hydroxide nanomaterials and for cobalt (II, III) oxide with crystallite size of 3.52 nm and 13.28 nm, respectively. Silver nanoparticles showed the best thermal and water dispersion stability of all the prepared structures. Once subjected to three differentCandidaspecies (C.albicans,C.glabrata, andC.krusei) silver nanoparticles and cobalt (II) hydroxide nanomaterials showed strong antifungal activity at 50 μg/mL with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. After light exposition, MIC values for nanomaterials decreased (to 12.5 μg/mL) forC.kruseiand increased (100 μg/mL) forC.albicansandC.glabrata.
Clinical feature and sural biopsy study in nitrous oxide-induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Wang Qian , Duan Xiaohui , Dong Mingrui , Sun Shaojie , Zhang Pan , Liu Fang , Wang Li , Wang Renbin
Published: September 2022

Objective

The objective was to analyze the clinical characteristics and pathological characteristics of sural biopsy in nitrous oxide (N2O) -induced peripheral neuropathy.

Methods

We recruited 18 patients with N2O abuse-induced neurological disorders and reported their demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and nerve conduction studies. Seven patients underwent sural nerve biopsy pathologic examination.

Results

All 18 patients had polyneuropathy, the nerve conduction results showed significant reductions in motor and sensory amplitudes, slowing of conduction velocities, and prolongation of latencies in most tested nerves compared to the controls. Toluidine blue staining of semi-thin sections of sural nerve biopsy showed decreased myelinated nerve fiber density, increased thin myelinated nerve fiber density, and axonal regeneration. Electron microscopy showed axonal degeneration and nerve regeneration.

Conclusion

The main manifestations of peripheral nerve damage caused by the abuse of N2O are lower limb weakness and distal sensory disorder. The nerve conduction study results demonstrated that mixed axonal and demyelinating neuropathy was the most common type of neuropathy. Sural biopsy showed the main pathological change was chronic axonal degeneration.
Multiple gene editing in porcine embryos using a combination of microinjection, electroporation, and transfection methods
Authors: Le Quynh Anh , Wittayarat Manita , Namula Zhao , Lin Qingyi , Takebayashi Koki , Hirata Maki , Tanihara Fuminori , Do Lanh Thi Kim , Otoi Takeshige
Published: September 2022

Background and Aim: Mosaicism – the presence of both wild-type and mutant alleles – is a serious problem for zygotic gene modification through gene editing using the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 (CRISPR/ Cas9) system. Different delivery methods, such as microinjection (MI), electroporation (EP), and transfection (TF), can be used to transfer CRISPR/Cas9 components into porcine zygotes. This study aimed to develop a method that combines MI, EP, and TF to improve mutation efficiency mediated through the CRISPR/Cas9 system for a triple-gene knockout in pigs.

Materials and Methods: The study consisted of three groups: The MI group with three simultaneously microinjected guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1), cytidine 32 monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH), and β-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyltransferase 2 (B4GALNT2); the MI + EP group with two gRNAs targeting GGTA1 and B4GALNT2 genes delivered into zygotes through MI, followed by EP of gRNA targeting the CMAH 1 h later; and the MI + EP + TF group with MI of gRNA targeting GGTA1 gene into zygotes, followed by EP of gRNA targeting CMAH 1 h later, and then TF of gRNA targeting the B4GALNT2 gene into zona-free zygotes after another hour.

Results: The rate of blastocysts carrying mutations in one or two gene(s) was significantly higher in the MI + EP + TF group than in the MI group. However, the blastocyst formation rate of zygotes in the MI + EP + TF group was lower than that of the zygotes in the other treatment groups.

Conclusion: The combination of CRISPR/Cas9 delivery methods may improve the mutation efficiency of triple-gene edited porcine blastocysts.
Positioning Dispositions in Initial Teacher Education: An Action Research Approach
Authors:   United Arab Emirates University, Zhang Qilong , Hayes Joanne ,   Anglican Care Waiapu, New Zealand, TeHau-Grant Rawhia ,   Human Rights Commission, New Zealand, Skeoch Roberta ,   Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, New Zealand, France Lois ,   Tertiary Education Union, New Zealand, Jiang Ke ,   The University of Auckland, Barnes Ruth ,   Isabel Henderson Kindergarten, Australia
Published: September 2022

In spite of debate, ambiguity, and tension around teacher dispositions, in the past over two decades, the place of dispositions in initial teacher education (ITE) has been widely supported among policy makers and researchers. Specifically, debate on whether dispositions are teachable has largely given way to action to foster dispositions. Adopting a two-cycle participatory action research design, this study explored ways to teach the first-year teacher candidates’ dispositions in an early childhood ITE programme in New Zealand. The intervention included eight focus dispositions and corresponding strategies to teach each focus disposition. Data collection methods included student self-assessment surveys, individual and focus group interviews with students and teaching staff, team meetings, and a variety of pedagogical documentation. Ethnographic content analysis generated three themes: legitimacy of the intervention, experiential orientation of the intervention, and effect of the intervention. The study exemplifies how dispositions intervention can be incorporated in ITE programmes.
Invited discussant comments during the UCL–Penn Global Covid Study webinar ‘Family Life: Stress, Relationship Conflict and Child Adjustment’
Authors: Michel Yahayra
Published: September 2022

The main objective of this article is to comment on the findings presented during the UCL–Penn Global Covid Study webinar, ‘Family Life: Stress, Relationship Conflict and Child Adjustment’ by Portnoy and colleagues. The study examined the ways in which family stress conflict has been affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Informed by the transactional models of parent–child behaviour, the authors are specifically interested in exploring the effect of child adjustment on parental outcomes. The study, currently under consideration for publication, found that child emotional and conduct problems predicted changes in parental depression and stress during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Child hyperactivity predicted parental stress, but not depression. None of the child behaviour problems (emotional problems, conduct problems and hyperactivity) predicted parental relational conflict. This article discusses reasons why the study under consideration did not find a significant effect on relational conflict and posts questions that can be addressed in future studies.
(say) between 22 and 24 seconds
Authors: Bowman Deborah
Published: September 2022

This essay considers William Empson’s Seven Types of Ambiguity (1930/1947) as a text situated within overlapping cultures of editing. Most famously, the book responds to Robert Graves and Laura Riding’s readings of Shakespeare’s “unedited” Sonnet 129, but it also closely reads scholarly footnotes. Empson’s own revisions for the 2nd edition and his prefatory reflections on them then extend an awareness of and willingness to play with mise-en-page unusual in literary criticism of the period, though common in its poetry. Seven Types should also be seen in the context of the Experiment group of writers, artists, and film-makers, for whom editing included montage and the curation of found texts and images. As a highly self-conscious textual environment predicated on editorial intervention read and written as a creative resource and scene of performance, it challenges the prospective editor by focusing attention on the spaces and times of editing.
Further questions about textual performance are posed by this article’s form. All academic articles, like editions, are montages: they assemble, in significant sequence, textual elements drawn from different sources. Current conventions of scholarly referencing tend to conceal this, however, in that they persistently shift authority and attention away from the montage as process, the local effects of the selections and juxtapositions it performs, and the reader’s experience of these in the here and now of reading. Whereas the edition’s authority draws a text’s history into the present tense of its utterance, the article’s scholarly apparatus directs us to the past (in the form of those pre-existing and uncut works from which cited material originates) and scripts a future (in which readers will trace and restore this material to its original location). In order to reflect on the edition, this essay removes most of the article’s usual apparatus of reference in order to allow the montage itself and its present tense to predominate; where short quotations are incorporated in the text italics are substituted for quotation marks to indicate the temporary alteration of tone from one voice to another. These departures do not argue for the wholesale elimination of scholarly apparatus; rather, the essay’s wider suggestion would be that creative-critical writing is in a position to question all aspects of the academic text, reclaiming its form and formats for authorial use so that the conventional can re-emerge as an expressive resource.
Found Poems and Creative Editing
Authors: Robinson Anna
Published: September 2022

This article argues that the creation of found poetry, especially ‘pure’ found poetry is more an act of creative editing than creative writing. Using some practice-based research from a ‘pure’ found poem in my poetry collection Whatsname Street, published by Smokestack Books in 2021, I discuss how dealing with making a poem from another text is an act of creative editing in that it usually aims to keep something coherent and whole about the original text whilst changing it in some form. In the case of the poem under discussion, the changes consider the text’s intentions and they are also acts of translation.
Avaliação da extrusão apical de gel de hipoclorito de sódio usando pressão apical negativa em dentes permanentes imaturos: um estudo in vitro
Authors: Al-Nesser Salma Fuad , Bshara Nada George
Published: September 2022

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a extrusão apical do hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) em forma de gel ou solução usando um novo sistema de pressão apical negativa (PAN) em dentes permanentes imaturos. Métodos: Um estudo cruzado foi feito em 30 pré-molares imaturos humanos unirradiculados com forame apical de dimensões diferentes. Os dentes foram decoronados e foi realizado acesso. A mensuração das dimensões mesiodistais do forame apical foi feita radiograficamente, e a área de superfície foi determinada no Adobe Photoshop® para avaliar o volume de extrusão em toda a superfície do ápice, independentemente de sua forma. Os dentes foram divididos em dois grupos, com base no tipo de NaOCl: grupo A (NaOCl em solução) e grupo B (NaOCl em gel). Todas as amostras foram irrigadas com o uso de PAN criada com um kit de infusão intravenosa após a retirada de sua câmara de gotejamento, e acoplando o conector Luer a uma agulha calibre 22 e a outra parte à sucção de um equipo odontológico. As amostras foram irrigadas com agulha calibre 27 com orifício lateral, vazão de 30s de irrigação e 30s de espera para cada 1 mL. O irrigante extruído foi medido em um recipiente de plástico. Resultados: Os dados foram analisados usando o teste U de Mann-Whitney. Os dados observados não mostraram diferença significativa na extrusão apical entre a solução e o gel de NaOCl (p=0,720). Conclusão: Tanto a solução quanto o gel de NaOCl podem ser considerados irrigantes seguros em dentes imaturos quando a PAN é aplicada.
Wie ist Dein Leben in und um Marburg?
Authors: Gerner Susanne , Lauer Mandy , Zühlke Johanna
Published: September 2022

Der Forschungsbericht »Wie ist Dein Leben in und um Marburg?« gibt umfangreiche Einblicke in Erfahrungen von Teilhabe und Ausschluss im Leben von Frauen und Mädchen mit Beeinträchtigungen. Die zugrunde liegende Studie basiert auf qualitativen Einzel- und Gruppeninterviews sowie auf der Erhebung von Subjektiven Landkarten. Sie wurde 2018 und 2019 an der Evangelischen Hochschule Darmstadt in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Gleichberechtigungsreferat der Universitätsstadt Marburg durchgeführt. Im Fokus stehen die Erlebnis- und Sichtweisen von Frauen und Mädchen mit Lernschwierigkeiten sowie von gehörlosen Frauen und Mädchen. Die Publikation richtet sich an Teilnehmer_innen und Mitwirkende der Studie, gleichstellungspolitische Akteur_innen, akademisches Fachpublikum, politische Entscheidungsträger_innen sowie Vertreter_innen von Praxiseinrichtungen. Im Sinne des Empowerments möchte sie Frauen und Mädchen als Expert_innen ihres Lebens ansprechen, ermutigen und ihre Anliegen sichtbar machen. Der Forschungsbericht in Leichter Sprache umfasst das Studiendesign, die Durchführung der qualitativen Studie, zentrale Ergebnisse sowie daraus resultierende Handlungsempfehlungen für die Kommune und lokale Akteur_innen. Version in leichter Sprache: Das Buch: „Wie ist Dein Leben in und um Marburg?“ ist ein Forschungs-Bericht. In dem Buch erzählen die Forscherinnen, was sie untersucht und was sie herausgefunden haben. Dafür haben sie mit Frauen und Mädchen ber ihr Leben in und um Marburg gesprochen. Die Frauen und Mädchen erzählen, was ihnen wichtig ist. Und sie erzählen, was sich verändern muss, damit Teilhabe gelingen kann. In dem Buch steht: - Wie die Forschung gemacht wurde. - Wer mitgemacht hat. - Was die Forscherinnen herausgefunden haben. - Was gut ist in Marburg. - Was besser sein kann. - Und was die Stadt Marburg verändern kann.
Profil Koagulasi Pasien COVID-19 yang Mendapat Terapi Antikoagulan di ICU
Authors: Yunus Muhammad , Salam Syamsul Hilal , Nurdin Haizah , Gaus Syafruddin , Muchtar Faisal , Adil Andi , Ahmad Muhammad Ramli
Published: September 2022

Latar Belakang: Penyakit coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) melibatkan banyak sistem termasuk kardiovaskular, pernapasan, gastrointestinal, neurologis, hematopoietik dan imun. Gangguan koagulasi pada pasien COVID-19 telah dilaporkan pada beberapa penelitian. Di Indonesia, penelitian mengenai profil koagulasi pada pasien sakit kritis dengan COVID-19 yang bertahan hidup dan tidak bertahan hidup dan mendapat terapi antikoagulan masih belum diteliti secara luas, sementara jumlah penderita dan mortalitas terus bertambah.Tujuan: Mengetahui perbandingan profil koagulasi pasien COVID-19 yang bertahan hidup dan yang tidak bertahan hidup yang mendapatkan terapi antikoagulan di intensive care unit (ICU) Infection Centre RS Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Makassar.Metode: Desain penelitian retrospektif menggunakan data rekam medis pasien COVID-19 yang mendapatkan terapi antikoagulan di ICU Infection Centre RSUP Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Makassar mulai tanggal Maret hingga November 2020. Data yang diambil mencakup identitas, usia, jenis kelamin, dan indeks massa tubuh. Hasil pemeriksaan penunjang mencakup trombosit, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), international normalised ratio (INR) dan D-dimer. Hasil pemeriksaan didapatkan dari data saat pasien dirawat di ICU sebelum diberikan antikoagulan dan 5-7 hari sesudah pemberian antikoagulan.Hasil: Dari 106 subjek, 58 subjek bertahan hidup dan 48 subjek tidak bertahan hidup. Pada kelompok tidak bertahan hidup, rerata kadar D-dimer di hari ketujuh perawatan ICU meningkat secara signifikan dan lebih tinggi dibandingkan kelompok bertahan hidup. Perbandingan rerata PT, aPTT, INR, dan trombosit saat masuk ICU dan pada hari ketujuh tidak menunjukkan perbedaan yang signifikan secara statistik.Kesimpulan: Profil koagulasi pasien COVID-19 yang mendapat terapi antikoagulan sebanding antara kelompok yang bertahan hidup dan yang tidak bertahan hidup kecuali kadar D-dimer yang lebih baik pada kelompok yang bertahan hidup.
Asesmen Nyeri pada Pasien di Akhir Kehidupan
Authors: Wijaya Indriyani , Mahmud Mahmud
Published: September 2022

Meringankan gejala-gejala menyedihkan pada akhir kehidupan (end of life) adalah bagian mendasar dari kodrat manusia untuk menjalani “kematian yang baik” (“good death”). Salah satu gejala tersebut adalah nyeri. Sayangnya, hampir separuh dari nyeri yang dirasakan pasien – pasien ini tidak dapat dikendalikan dengan baik dan pasien meninggal dalam keadaan masih merasakan nyeri. Manajemen / kontrol nyeri dengan baik dimulai dari asesmen / penilaian nyeri yang tepat. Namun, asesmen / menilai nyeri pada pasien di akhir kehidupan memberi tantangan tersendiri. Pada pasien di akhir kehidupan, persepsi nyeri dapat dipengaruhi oleh banyak faktor (dikenal dengan konsep total pain) sehingga seringkali nyeri tidak selalu berkorelasi dengan keparahan penyakit itu sendiri. Pada pasien di akhir kehidupan, kemampuan komunikasi untuk menyampaikan keluhan seringkali terbatas. Mengingat kompleksitas nyeri yang dialami pasien di akhir kehidupan, sampai saat ini belum disepakati tools penilaian nyeri (skoring atau skala nyeri) universal yang dapat diterapkan untuk semua pasien di akhir kehidupan. Meskipun demikian, brief pain inventory (BPI) dan numeric rating scale (NRS) masih menjadi ang paling sering dipakai dan direkomendasikan untuk pasien yang komunikatif. Sedangkan yang tidak komunikatif atau dengan gangguan kognitif dapat menggunakan rotterdam elderly pain observation scale (REPOS) dan pain assessment in advanced dementia tool (PAINAID) atau face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) untuk pasien pediatri. Dalam memilih tools penilaian nyeri, penekanan ditujukan pada pemilihan tools yang valid, reliable, user friendly, dan relevan dengan praktik klinis terkini serta konsistensi menggunakan tools yang sama untuk memudahkan penilaian berkala.
Krafl, P. Dvě studie k synodálnímu zákonodárství (Würzburg 1287, Kališ 1420)
Authors: Černý Miroslav
Published: September 2022

Book review on Krafl, P. Dvě studie k synodálnímu zákonodárství (Würzburg 1287, Kališ 1420). Nitra: Univerzita Konštantína Filozofa, 2021, 120 s.
Padovani, A. Lʼinsegnamento del diritto a Bologna nellʼetà di Dante
Authors: Černý Miroslav
Published: September 2022

Book review on Padovani, A. Lʼinsegnamento del diritto a Bologna nellʼetà di Dante. Bologna: Società editrice il Mulino, 2021, 140 s.
Měsícovité podstavce pozdní doby bronzové a starší doby železné v Čechách a jejich postavení v evropském kontextu
Authors: Mazač Zdeněk
Published: September 2022

Moon-shaped idols comprise a very specific and variable category of ceramic, rarely even stone, artefacts. The beginnings of their occurrence and spread in Central Europe can be connected with the cultures of Urnfields, especially the Upper Danube and Middle Danube groups. Their development subsequently continued in the Early Iron Age, when they spread beyond Central Europe to northeast Spain and north Italy. The total number of finds currently exceeds the estimate from 2004, which was around two thousand individual items. The find environment of these products is relatively variable. They usually appear in settlements, but also in situations that can be considered manifestations of cult behaviour. In southeast France and south Germany, some of the moon-shaped idols are found in the context of graves from the Late Bronze Age. Graves equipped in this way can be recorded at the burial grounds of the Bylany and Kalenderberg cultures and in the environment of the Lusatian Urnfields of the Early Iron Age mainly in East Bohemia and Polish Silesia.
Effect of medieval farming activities on elemental composition of soils – case study of deserted village Regenholz (Czech Republic)
Authors: Janovský Martin P.
Published: September 2022

Regenholz is a deserted medieval village existing approximately between the 13th and 15th centuries. It originated in the colonisation period when the villages were usually founded in upland regions of Central Europe in the High Middle Ages. The study presents the results of a research based on geochemical and spatial analyses of one of the village’s field areas. The aim of the study was to reveal the spatial characteristics of the elemental composition of the previously ploughed soils which are now covered by forest. The analysed field area comprised bundles of 13 strip plots, which were approximately from 30 to 40 meters (up to 60 meters in two cases) wide and 300 meters long. The village and its fields were adjacent to the village Lovětín, which was analysed and published earlier. This made it possible to compare the geochemistry of the deserted fields of both villages with the same natural conditions and historical development. The soil samples were measured for elemental composition by portable XRF. The composition was dominated by elements generally interpreted as past human activity indicators: P, Zn, Mn, and Sr. Past human presence was represented mainly by Cu and partially by Mn content (P and Sr showed similar trends). The obtained results were compared with the data from the adjacent village Lovětín: the results were similar just by comparing the PCA data. The past human activity indicators reached less spatial diversity than those of natural factors.
Otoriter Rejimi Yeniden Yapılandırmak: 1990’larda Cezayir’de Kriz Sonrası Rejim Konsolidasyonu
Authors: Kılavuz M. Tahir
Published: September 2022

Cezayir rejimi 1990’larda bir demokratikleşme çabası ve bir iç savaşla sarsılmıştı. Ancak takip eden
süreçte rejim oldukça dirençli bir hale gelmeyi başardı. Her ne kadar 2000’lerden sonra başta Arap
Baharı ve Hirak isimli toplum hareketleri olsa da Cezayir rejimi protestoları yatıştırmanın ve hayatta
kalmanın yollarını bulabildi. İstikrarsız geçen 1990’ların ardından Cezayir rejim elitleri nasıl oldu da
bu kadar dirençli bir otoriter rejim geliştirebildiler? Rejim 1990’larda içine düştüğü siyasal krizden nasıl
bir dönüşümle çıkmayı başardı ve bu dönüşüm rejimim hayatta kalma dinamiklerini nasıl etkiledi?
Bu sorulara yanıt verirken bu makale Cezayir’de otoriter rejimin dönüşümünü vaka analizi yoluyla
incelemekte ve bulgularını saha araştırması sırasında yapılmış mülakatlarla desteklemektedir. Buna göre
rejim 1990’lar öncesinde hayatta kalmak için kullandığı araçlar daha sınırlı olmuştur. Ancak 1990’larda
rejim bir yandan bazı eski araçlarını yeniden yapılandırırken bazı yeni araçları kullanıma sokarak
hayatta kalma araçlarını çeşitlendirmiştir. Bu çerçevede rejimin 1990’larla beraber hayatta kalmak için
farklı ihtiyaçları daha iyi karşılayabilen araçları üç grupta ele alınabilir. Birincisi doğal kaynak gelirleri
gibi eskiden beri kullanılan araçlar, ikincisi baskı aygıtlarını güçlendirilmesi ve meşruiyetin yeniden
tanımlaması yoluyla yenilenen ve geliştirilen araçlar, üçüncüsü ise siyasal liberalleşmeyi aktif bir şekilde
kullanmaya başlamak ve muhalefetten gelebilecek tehditleri kontrol edebilmek için çok partili seçim
sistemi yerleştirmekle geliştirilen yeni araçlardır. İşte bu yeniden yapılanma sayesinde Cezayir rejimi
1990’larla beraber dirençli ve modern bir seçimli otoriter rejime dönüşmüştür. Bunun sonucu olarak
da rejim 2000’lerle beraber yükselen tehditlere daha başarılı bir şekilde yanıt verebilecek hale gelmiştir.
Cezayir vakası üzerinden ilerleyen bu makale bir yandan ülkedeki rejimin dönüşümünü gösterirken bir
yandan da yakın dönemde dünyanın dört bir yanında otoriter rejimlerin yaşadığı dönüşümlere de bir
örnek sunarak literatürle bağlantılar kurmaktadır.
The Impact of Income Inequality on Mortality: A Replication Study of Leigh and Jencks (Journal of Health Economics, 2007)
Authors: Wu Weilun
Published: September 2022

This study replicates “Leigh A., & Jencks C. (2007). Inequality and mortality: Long-run evidence from a panel of countries. Journal of Health Economics, 26(1), 1–24” study of the relationship between income inequality and mortality. L&J find no evidence that income inequality is related to country-level mortality. Their analysis is based on two-way fixed effects specifications applied to a panel of 12 countries over periods ending in 2003. After reconstructing L&J’s data from original sources, I am able to closely reproduce their findings. When I use superior inequality data and extend L&J’s data to an additional 11 countries and 15 years, I confirm their results. When I use multiple imputation to increase the sample to full size, I again do not find a significant relationship between income inequality and mortality. As a result, I conclude that my replication exercise confirms L&J’s results. The new analysis provides consistent evidence for the view that income inequality is not significantly related to mortality.
The Influence of Economic Freedom on the Shadow Economy in Developed and Developing Countries
Authors: Freytag Andreas , Schneider Friedrich , Spiegel Sebastian E.
Published: September 2022

We empirically analyze to what extent economic freedom can explain the size and development of the shadow economy in OECD and other European countries. We econometrically examine the relation between a change of the overall index of economic freedom and the change of the shadow economy. We undertake an econometric panel estimation of 141 countries over the period 2000–2007. Our results demonstrate that first, the higher the economic freedom, the lower is the shadow economy. This holds especially for the index-sub-component legal structure and security of property rights. The sub-component freedom to trade internationally provides further support for this relation, limited to cases of positive changes of economic freedom. Second, the effects are asymmetrically, they are stronger when economic freedom increases than in the case of a decrease.
Towards single-cell pulsed EPR using VCO-based EPR-on-a-chip detectors
Authors: Hassan Mohamed Atef , Kern Michal , Chu Anh , Kalra Gatik , Shabratova Ekaterina , Tsarapkin Aleksei , MacKinnon Neil , Lips Klaus , Teutloff Christian , Bittl Robert , Korvink Jan Gerrit , Anders Jens
Published: September 2022

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is the gold standard for studying paramagnetic species. As an example, in structural biology, it allows to extract information about distance distributions on the nanometer scale via site-directed spin labeling. Conventional pulsed EPR of biological samples is currently limited to relatively large sample concentrations and cryogenic temperatures, mainly due to low sensitivity and the significant dead time associated with conventional resonator-based EPR setups, essentially precluding in-cell EPR under physiological conditions. This paper presents our latest progress toward single-cell pulsed EPR using VCO-based EPR-on-a-chip (EPRoC) sensors. Together with an analytical model for VCO-based pulsed EPR, we present an experimental scheme to perform dead-time-free pulsed EPR measurements using EPRoC detectors. The proposed scheme is validated using extensive numerical simulations and proof-of-concept experiments on the spin dynamics of an organic radical at room temperature using a custom-designed EPRoC detector operating in the Ka-band around 30.4 GHz. Additionally, we discuss methods to improve the excitation field homogeneity and sample handling through chip post-processing and custom-designed microfluidics. Finally, we present our progress towards compact, portable pulsed EPR spectrometers incorporating EPRoC detectors, microfluidics, and custom-designed permanent magnets. Such portable EPR spectrometers can pave the way toward new EPR applications, including point-of-care diagnostics.
Teenage menstrual dysfunction: an overview
Authors: Zehravi Mehrukh , Maqbool Mudasir , Ara Irfat
Published: September 2022

When a girl experiences her first period, she starts a new phase of her life and becomes biologically capable of becoming a mother and giving birth to a child. Girls’ hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis reaches “axial maturity” during puberty, when they are between the ages of 8 and 13 years old. Secondary biological features, including as growth, body-shape changes in females, breast growth, hair growth on the vulva, and hair growth on the axillary pits, are often observed during this era. The first menstruation, or menarche, is also commonly observed during this time. During the menstrual cycle, a woman’s ability to conceive and give birth is at the core of her reproductive life.
The assessment of point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) in acute care settings is benefitted by early medical school integration and fellowship training
Authors: Kern Julia , Scarpulla Megan , Finch Charles , Martini Wayne , Bolch Charlotte A. , Al-Nakkash Layla
Published: September 2022

Context

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has widespread utilization in multiple clinical settings. It has been shown to positively influence clinician confidence in diagnosis and can help appropriately manage patients in acute care settings. There has been a growing trend of increased emphasis on incorporating POCUS training in the first 2 years of the medical school curriculum.

Objectives

This article aims to analyze the clinical use of POCUS in acute settings and how training early in medical school may strengthen clinician confidence and utilization.

Methods

An anonymous 10-question survey on POCUS use was conducted via a secure online platform and distributed to board-certified practicing physicians (MDs and DOs) with educational agreements with Midwestern University (MWU) across acute care specialties. This included preceptors within the MWU graduate medical education clinical consortium. Survey questions were aimed at assessing frequency of use, machine type, reasons for utilizing POCUS, initial ultrasound training, confidence in performing/interpreting POCUS, and perceived impact on patient outcomes. Surveys less than 50% complete were excluded. All surveys returned were more than 50% complete and thus included in the study. Statistical analyses were conducted utilizing the statistical software R version 4.0.

Results

Surveys were sent out to 187 participants with 68 responses (36.4% response rate). The survey results demonstrated a relationship between learning POCUS earlier in one’s medical career (medical school, residency, or fellowship) to increased use in acute settings when compared to learning POCUS during clinical practice. Of the 68 respondents, 65 (95.6%) indicated that they agree or strongly agree that POCUS use improves patient care, and 64 (94.1%) indicated that they agree or strongly agree that the use of POCUS can improve patient outcomes.

Conclusions

Our survey of acute care physicians indicated that most respondents utilize POCUS daily or weekly (90.8%), and this was related to fewer years of practice (under 10 years from medical school graduation, 94.6%). Moreover, POCUS was utilized primarily in acute care settings for procedures (25%, n=17/68 respondents). These survey results indicate that early integration of POCUS education in osteopathic medical school curricula and throughout fellowship training could likely enhance POCUS utilization in acute care settings.