bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leishmania spp. in equids and their potential vectors in endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis
Authors: Carbonara Mariaelisa , Mendoza-Roldan Jairo Alfonso , Bezerra-Santos Marcos Antônio , de Abreu Teles Pedro Paulo , Lia Riccardo Paolo , Locantore Francesco , Iatta Roberta , Volf Petr , Otranto Domenico
Published: July 2024

Equids may be infected by zoonoticLeishmaniaspp., includingLeishmania infantum, in regions where canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is endemic, andLeishmania martiniquensis, which has been reported in horses from Central Europe. This study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of bothLeishmaniaspp. among equids living in CanL endemic areas of Italy, as well as to identify dipteran vectors from the same habitats. From March to October 2023, blood, serum and tissue samples from skin lesions were collected from equids (n= 98;n= 56 donkeys andn= 42 horses) living in Italy, as well as sand flies and biting midges. Blood samples (n= 98) and skin lesions (n= 56) were tested forLeishmaniaspp. by conventional and real time PCRs and sera were tested by immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) for bothL.infantumandL.martiniquensis. Insects were morphologically identified, and female specimens (n= 268 sand flies,n= 7 biting midges) analyzed forLeishmaniaDNA, as well as engorged sand flies (n= 16) for blood-meal detection. Two animals with skin lesions (i.e., one donkey and one horse) scored positive forLeishmaniaspp. DNA, and 19 animals (i.e., 19.4%;n= 13 donkeys andn =6 horses) were seropositive forL.infantum, with five of them also forL.martiniquensis. Most seropositive animals had no dermatological lesions (i.e., 68.4%) while both animals molecularly positive forLeishmaniaspp. scored seronegative. Of the 356 sand flies collected, 12 females (i.e.,n= 8Sergentomyia minuta;n= 3Phlebotomus perniciosus,n= 1Phlebotomus perfiliewi) were positive forLeishmaniaspp. DNA, and one out of seven biting midges collected was DNA-positive forL.infantum. Moreover, engorged sand flies scored positive for human and equine DNA. Data suggest that equids living in CanL endemic areas are exposed toLeishmaniaspp., but their role in the circulation of the parasite needs further investigations.
A retrospective analysis thyroid function and ultrasonography in a group of subjects with lepramatous leprosy in Turkey
Authors: Ozkan Zeynep , Kanat Zekiye , Alatas Ozkan , Karagoz Zuhal Karaca
Published: July 2024

Background

There are several studies on thyroid functions and thyroid gland features in patients with leprosy in the literature. The relationship between them have not been clarified yet. These studies are time-expired and don’t contain ultrasonography examination. The purpose of the study is to investigate thyroid functions and gland characteristics in leprosy patients by ultrasonography (US) and current laboratory techniques.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted by collecting the data of patients with lepramatous leprosy. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, anti-thyroid peroxidase, antithyroglobulin, and thyroglobulin values and thyroid ultrasonography reports were collected from previous records.

Results

The mean age is 75.12±9.89 years of total 17 subjects and 10 patients (58.8%) were male. Thyroid US was performed on 14 of the patients, nodules were detected in a total of 7 (50%) patients. The mean FT3, FT4, TSH, Anti-Tpo, Anti-TG, and TG values of the patients were found to be within normal limits.

Conclusion

In the present study, no changes were detected in the thyroid functions and structures of the patients with Lepromatous Leprosy. We consider that prospective randomized studies that will include larger sample sizes are needed to determine whether there is a relationship between leprosy and thyroid disease.
Nature experiences affect the aesthetic reception of art: The case of paintings depicting aquatic animals
Authors: Tribot Anne-Sophie , Faget Daniel , Changeux Thomas
Published: July 2024

Art is a promising pathway to raise emotional engagement with nature, while enabling an indirect exposure to nature through aesthetic experience. However, the precise relationships between aesthetic experiences of art and experiences of nature remain unclear. The aim of this observational study is to highlight the effect of nature experiences on the aesthetic reception art, based on Early Modern paintings (16th-18th century). By focusing on marine ecosystems, that are difficult to directly interact with, the results presented are intended to explore whether marine activities and fish consumption affect the aesthetic reception of artworks depicting marine biodiversity. A photo-questionnaire survey based on four paintings has been conducted with 332 French participants with a diverse range of marine practices, fish consumption and artistic sensitivity. Fish consumption and value attributed to fish as food had a significant positive impact on the aesthetic reception, suggesting that taste and food consumption could be considered as a relevant nature aesthetic experience that elicits affective and emotional responses. Results also showed an indirect effect of fishing and diving on the aesthetic reception of paintings whose iconography relates with the observers’ experiences. These findings are of particular interest in both environmental psychology and ecological mediation through art. This study brings evidences of the connection between art and nature experiences, and that art could be an innovative way of experiencing nature. Finally, this study also highlights the need to broaden the scope of nature experiences, for instance by including food.
Exploring power and power sharing in participatory health research partnerships: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Burduladze Nino , Jones Laundette P. , Jones Brian D. , Msowoya Uchizi , Salsberg Jon , Whitney Anna , Gilfoyle Meghan
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Participatory health research (PHR) as a research paradigm, guides the research process and strives to achieve positive change in society in the interest of people’s health. In this scoping review, PHR will be used as an umbrella term considering a wide range of collaborative research approaches in the health context. PHR is conducted ’with’ or ’by’ those it intends to benefit, as opposed to ’on’ and ’for’ them. Their involvement throughout the research process seeks to shift power and decision-making from where they traditionally lay within academia toward community, patient and public end-users. Research cannot be truly participatory without concurrently addressing power dynamics within the partnership and power imbalances in decision making. Therefore, power sharing can be defined as a major factor in building effective academic-community collaborations. This scoping review aims to identify, clarify, and map existing literature on power and power sharing in PHR from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Specifically, we will explore how power is conceptualised throughout the literature, and how power and power sharing are applied and addressed in real-life PHR partnerships.

Materials and methods

This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewer’s Manual. This scoping review will consider both empirical and non-empirical research that report on understanding power and power sharing in participatory health research partnerships. All appropriate studies will be retrieved from the following five electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, SocIndex. This review will be limited to articles published in English and from January 1998 to March 2024. As the scoping review aims to capture more than peer-reviewed and published literature, it will also include grey literature such as theses and dissertations, reports, conference proceedings, and editorials. Data from the included literature will be extracted based on the data extraction tool, defined in advance.

Ethics and dissemination

As primary data will not be collected, ethical approval is not required to conduct the scoping review. The findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.
Bifurcation and hybrid control of a discrete eco-epidemiological model with Holling type-III
Authors: Fei Lizhi , Lv Hengmin , Wang Heping
Published: July 2024

In this paper, a three dimensional discrete eco-epidemiological model with Holling type-III functional response is proposed. Boundedness of the solutions of the system is analyzed. Existence condition and stability of all fixed points are discussed for the proposed model. Furthermore, we obtained the transcritical bifurcation surfaces of the system by bifurcation theory. Based on the explicit criteria for the Neimark Sacker bifurcation and flip bifurcation, we obtained that the system undergoes these two types of bifurcations at the positive fixed point. Then we apply a hybrid control strategy that based on both parameter perturbation and a state feedback strategy to control the Neimark-Sacker bifurcation. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out to support the analytical results.
The Fulfillment Center Intervention Study: Protocol for a group-randomized control trial of a participatory workplace intervention
Authors: Kelly Erin L. , Siebach Kirsten F. , DeHorn Grace , Lovejoy Megan
Published: July 2024

Warehousing and storage is an economically vital industry, with 1.2 million workers in 2020. The Fulfillment Center Intervention Study focuses on workers in fulfillment centers in the e-commerce segment of this industry. Fulfillment centers are a growing yet understudied work environment which provides a unique setting to further examine how working conditions and worker voice influence health. The Study involves a group-randomized controlled trial comparing participants in worksites randomized to launch the participatory intervention (Health and Well-Being Committees, or HaWCs) with participants working for the same firm in control sites. HaWCs serve as a new formal voice channel where a small group of frontline workers and supervisors solicit workers’ concerns and ideas about safety (e.g., physical hazards), the psychosocial environment (e.g., how workers feel about their treatment at work), and work organization (e.g., workflow, training opportunities, scheduling) and then develop and implement improvement projects in response. The primary objectives of the study are to evaluate the efficacy of the HaWC intervention and its effect on mental health outcomes and changes in the conditions of work within fulfillment centers, and to conduct a process evaluation of key contextual factors that support effective intervention implementation and sustained engagement. To our knowledge, this will be the first trial of a participatory intervention within a fulfillment center setting. Anticipated challenges include competing demands and company initiatives that may limit management support and high turnover. Should the intervention be shown to be feasible, the outcomes from this study will inform future randomized controlled trials of participatory interventions.

Trial registration: This trial is registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT05199415) and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Protocol: 200800024).
Examining the U-shaped relationship between non-agricultural sources water pollution and the urban-rural income gap
Authors: He Dong , Sheng Zhongyuan , Tian Chunxiao
Published: July 2024

Determining how the economy and society interact with the environment of water quality is essential to determining the financial impact of green development. Based on China’s provincial panel data from 2010 to 2021, this research considers non-agricultural sources of water pollution (NASWP) as a negative factor of production, investigates its influence on the urban-rural divide, and explains the mechanism of action. The empirical results show that there is a significant correlation between NASWP and the urban-rural gap, with a "U-shaped" relationship between the two. Water pollution first reduces and then increases the urban-rural income gap, and the results are robust after considering endogeneity. Mechanistic research demonstrates that NASWP cause a loss in food output, which in combination with changes in food prices and food subsidy programs impacts the incomes of rural dwellers, thereby having an influence on the urban-rural income gap. Using the threshold effect model, it is discovered that under the combined influence of agricultural mechanization and food subsidy policy, the relationship between NASWP and urban-rural income divide exhibits an U-shape in areas with high agricultural mechanization and an "inverted U" shape in areas with low agricultural mechanization.
Identification of key genes associated with acute myocardial infarction using WGCNA and two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yang Xiaohe , Huang Yingtao , Tang Dadong , Yue Liangming
Published: July 2024

Objective

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a severe condition with high morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to identify hub genes potentially associated with AMI and assess their clinical utility in predicting AMI occurrence.

Methods

Gene microarray data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were conducted on samples from patients with AMI and control samples to identify modules significantly associated with AMI. GO and KEGG analyses were applied to investigate the potential functions of these hub genes. Lastly, the mendelian randomization (MR) method was applied to analyze the causal relationship between the hub gene TNF and AMI.

Results

285 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through WCGNA and were clustered into 6 modules. The yellow module appeared most relevant to AMI. Further exploration through GO and KEGG pathway enrichment showed that key hub genes in the yellow module were linked to positive regulation of cytokine production, cytokine receptor binding, NF—kappa B signaling pathway, IL−17 signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. The top 10 genes identified through Cytoscape software analysis were IL1B, TNF, TLR4, TLR2, FCGR3B, MMP9, CXCL8, TLR8, ICAM1, and JUK. Utilizing inverse variance weighting (IVW) analysis, we discovered a significant association between TNF and AMI risk, with an OR of 0.946 (95% CI = 0.911–0.984, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

The result of this study indicated that TNF, TLR2, TLR4, IL1B and FCGR3B may be potential biodiagnostic markers for AMI. TNF can inhibit inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in AMI, exerting a protective role in the heart.
Revealing biases in insect observations: A comparative analysis between academic and citizen science data
Authors: Díaz-Calafat Joan , Jaume-Ramis Sebastià , Soacha Karen , Álvarez Ana , Piera Jaume
Published: July 2024

Citizen Science is a powerful tool for biodiversity research, as it facilitates data recording at large scales that would otherwise be impossible to cover by standard academic research. Despite its benefits, the accuracy of citizen science data remains a subject of concern among scientists, with varying results reported so far. Neither citizen science data nor academic records are immune to biases, which can significantly impact the quality and reliability of observations. Here, using insects in the Iberian Peninsula as a case study, we compare data collected by participatory platforms to those obtained through academic research projects, and assess their taxonomic, spatial, temporal, and environmental biases. Results show a prominent taxonomic bias in both academic and citizen science data, with certain insect orders receiving more attention than others. These taxonomic biases are conserved between different participatory platforms, as well as between groups of users with different levels of contribution performance. The biases captured by leading contributors in participatory platforms mirrored those of sporadic users and academic data. Citizen science data had higher spatial coverage and less spatial clustering than academic data, showing also clearer trends in temporal seasonality. Environmental coverage over time was more stable in citizen science than in academic records. User behaviour, preference, taxonomical expertise, data collection methodologies and external factors may contribute to these biases. This study shows the multifaceted nature of biases present in academic records and citizen science platforms. The insights gained from this analysis emphasize the need for careful consideration of these biases when making use of biodiversity data from different sources. Combining academic and citizen science data enhances our understanding of biodiversity, as their integration offers a more comprehensive perspective than relying solely on either dataset alone, especially since biases in these two types of data are not always the same.
Assessment of the quality of life of COVID-19 recovered patients at the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre
Authors: Amedewonu Esinam Aku , Aryeetey Genevieve Cecilia , Godi Anthony , Sackeyfio Josephine , Dai-Kosi Alfred Dickson
Published: July 2024

Background

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), initially thought to be a respiratory disease, is now known to affect multiple organ systems with variable presentation and devastating or fatal complications. Despite the large numbers of people who have suffered this disease globally, the mid- to long-term impact of COVID-19 on a person’s general well-being and physical function has not been fully investigated in Ghana.

Aim

This study sought to determine the Quality of Life (QoL) and associated factors among Ghanaian patients following clinical recovery from COVID-19 infection.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional quantitative study involving 150 COVID-19 recovered patients attending the review clinic of the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre. Quality of life was estimated using the EuroQol Group Association five-domain, five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) while participants’ overall health status was measured on a visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS): a scale ranging from 0 (worst health) to 100 (best health). Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess differences in domain and overall QoL scores while quantile regression was used to determine demographic and clinical factors associated with QoL scores.

Results

The mean QoL from the EQ-5D-5L assessment tool was (81.5 ± 12.0) %, while the self-reported QoL from the EQ-VAS tool (75.6 ± 22.0) %. Persistence of symptoms after 30 days was significantly associated with EQ-5D-5L QoL (Adjusted median difference [95% CI] = -9.40 [-14.19, -4.61], p<0.001) while access to rehabilitative centres was significantly associated with EQ-VAS QoL (Adjusted median difference [95% CI] = -29.60 [-48.92, -10.29], p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Quality of life was relatively good among the COVID-19 recovered patients. Persistence of symptoms and access to rehabilitative centres significantly predicted one’s QoL.
Aleutian disease: Risk factors and ImmunAD strategy for genetic improvement of tolerance in American mink (Neogale vison)
Authors: Vahedi Seyed Milad , Ardestani Siavash Salek , Banabazi Mohammad Hossein , Fraser Clark K.
Published: July 2024

Aleutian disease (AD) is a devastating infectious disease in American mink (Neogale vison) industry caused by Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV). Two crucial steps toward controlling infectious diseases in farm animals are: (i) assessment of the infection risk factors to minimize the likelihood of infection and (ii) selection of animals with superior immune responses against pathogens to build tolerant farms. This study aimed to investigate AD risk factors and evaluate a novel “ImmunAD” approach for genetic improvement of AD tolerance. Phenotypic records and pedigree information of 1,366 and 24,633 animals were included in this study. The risk of animal’s age, sex, color type, and year of sampling on AMDV infection was assessed using a logistic regression model and counter immune-electrophoresis (CIEP) test results. ImmunAD phenotype was calculated based on AMDVG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and CIEP test results, and breeding values for ImmunAD were estimated using an animal model. Animals were classified into high-coordinated (HCIR), average-coordinated (ACIR), and low-coordinated immune responders (LCIR) using ImmunAD’s breeding values, and the impact of selection of HCIR on live grade of pelt quality (PQ), harvest weight (HW), and harvest length (HL) breeding values were evaluated. Age of > 1 year, male sex, and year of sampling were identified as significant risk factors of AD (p < 0.05). A moderate-to-high heritability (0.55±0.07) was estimated for ImmunAD, while a higher heritability was observed among the CIEP-positive animals (0.76±0.06). Significantly higher breeding values were observed for PQ and HL among HCIR than those for LCIR and ACIR (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate the critical role of male breeders in AD distribution within mink farms. Regular screening of AD in male breeders before pairing them with females during breeding seasons can help disease control. ImmunAD strategy can be applied to genetic improvement of AD tolerance, with favorable impacts on some growth and production traits. Higher genetic gains can be achieved in populations with higher AD seroprevalences.
The role of project management office in the implementation of strategic plans in project-based organisations
Authors: Sandhu Maqsood Ahmad , Al Ameri Tareq , Shahzad Asjad , Naseem Afshan
Published: July 2024

The role of the project management office (PMO) in improving project execution has recently been acknowledged and is gaining popularity in project-based organizations to furnish various options for project-solving approaches. This study aims to identify and test the ability of PMO roles in implementing the strategic plan of the organization. This research adopted survey-based quantitative research. The questionnaire was shared with 450 staff members working in 19 project-based organizations. 268 usable questionnaires were received. The methodologies for the development of project management, monitoring and controlling project performance, organizational learning, monitoring and controlling project performance, and improving organization structure and communication were the top five PMO roles involved in the execution of strategic plans, according to the results. At the same time, the criteria of twelve top metrics were recognized to determine the effectiveness of the PMO department. This study has research implications for the researchers involved in the exploration of the specific benefits of PMO.
Cryptic diploid lineage of Betula ermanii at its southern boundary populations in Japan
Authors: Aihara Takaki , Araki Kyoko , Tsumura Yoshihiko
Published: July 2024

Polyploidy is thought to enable species diversification and adaptation to extreme environments. Resolving the ecological differences between a taxon’s ploidy levels would therefore provide important insights into local adaptation and speciation. The genus Betula includes many polyploids, but estimates of their phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history are uncertain because of cryptic lineages and species. As one of the southern boundary populations of Betula ermanii in Japan has been shown to have distinctive genetic characteristics and traits, the differences in ploidy levels between three southern boundary and various other Japanese B. ermanii populations were investigated using flow cytometry. Leaf and seed morphologies were also compared. Apart from individuals in southern boundary populations, all those sampled were tetraploid. Individuals from the southern boundary populations were mostly diploid, apart from a few from lower altitude Shikoku populations, which were tetraploid. Leaf and seed morphologies differed between tetraploids and diploids. Diploid individuals were characterized by leaves with a heart-shaped base and many leaf teeth, and seeds with relatively longer wings. The diploid populations could be considered a cryptic relict lineage of B. ermanii, and there is a possibility that this lineage is a diploid ancestor of B. ermanii and a relict population of the Sohayaki element. Further investigation of the Japanese Betula phylogenetic relationships would enable an informed discussion of taxonomic revisions.
Physical and mental health of 40,000 older women in England during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021)
Authors: Floud Sarah , Hermon Carol , Reeves Gillian K.
Published: July 2024

Background

To assess factors associated with perceived changes in physical and mental health and with delays in seeking healthcare during the second and third COVID-19 lockdowns in England (2020–2021).

Methods

An online survey of Million Women Study participants collected data on 44,523 women, mean age 76 (SD = 4), October 2020—May 2021. These data were linked to data collected prospectively on Million Women Study participants at recruitment in median year 1998 and at re-surveys in 2011–2013, as well as to hospital admission data from 2017–2019.

Results

Of 40,821 participants with complete data on the outcomes of interest, 28% reported worse physical health and 26% worse mental health. After adjustment for age, region, education and survey period, poor/fair self-rated health (adjusted OR 2.71, 95% CI 2.52–2.91), having been told to shield (1.92, 1.79–2.05), obesity (2.17, 2.04–2.31) and other measures of poor health prior to the outbreak were all strongly related to worse physical health, as was being an informal carer (1.47, 1.38–1.56) and having a COVID-19 infection (1.64, 1.53–1.77). Depression (2.31, 2.06–2.58), poor/fair self-rated health (1.98, 1.84–2.13) and being an informal carer (1.69, 95% CI 1.58–1.80) were the factors most strongly related to worse mental health. Having poor/fair self-rated health (2.22, 2.05–2.40), obesity (1.58, 1.47–1.70) and being an informal carer (1.45, 1.34–1.56) were all strongly related to delaying seeking medical care. These associations remained essentially unchanged after exclusion of participants who had a COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions

In a large sample of older women in England, just over a quarter reported a deterioration in their physical and mental health during the national lockdowns. In addition to the expected effect of a COVID-19 infection on physical health, the groups who were most likely to report such a deterioration were those with pre-existing morbidity and those who were caring for others as informal carers.
Bayesian graph convolutional network with partial observations
Authors: Luo Shuhui , Liu Peilan , Ye Xulun
Published: July 2024

As a widely studied model in the machine learning and data processing society, graph convolutional network reveals its advantage in non-grid data processing. However, existing graph convolutional networks generally assume that the node features can be fully observed. This may violate the fact that many real applications come with only the pairwise relationships and the corresponding node features are unavailable. In this paper, a novel graph convolutional network model based on Bayesian framework is proposed to handle the graph node classification task without relying on node features. First, we equip the graph node with the pseudo-features generated from the stochastic process. Then, a hidden space structure preservation term is proposed and embedded into the generation process to maintain the independent and identically distributed property between the training and testing dataset. Although the model inference is challenging, we derive an efficient training and predication algorithm using variational inference. Experiments on different datasets demonstrate the proposed graph convolutional networks can significantly outperform traditional methods, achieving an average performance improvement of 9%.
Rearing condition influences gene expression in postlarval American lobster (Homarus americanus)
Authors: Jane Aubrey , Rasher Douglas B. , Waller Jesica , Annis Eric , Frederich Markus
Published: July 2024

The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is an economically important species in the western Atlantic and its climate-driven range shift northward along the east coast of the United States is well documented. The thermal tolerance of lab-reared postlarvae of this species has been extensively investigated to better understand settlement and recruitment dynamics. However, there have been few studies focused on wild-caught postlarvae, and even fewer that have analyzed lab-rearing conditions in context of diet. In this study, we investigated gene transcriptional changes in postlarvae caught in the wild, as well as postlarvae reared in the laboratory on a brine shrimp diet or a wild-sourced zooplankton diet. We found between wild-caught and brine shrimp-reared larvae 3,682 differentially expressed genes, and between wild and zooplankton-reared postlarvae 3,939 differentially expressed genes. Between the two lab-reared groups fed different diets 2,603 genes were differentially expressed. We also exposed individuals in all rearing groups to chronic temperature treatments of 8°C and 26°C and found that both temperature extremes elicit 68–95% fewer transcriptional changes in wild postlarvae compared to either lab-reared group. In wild postlarvae, we identified differential expression of transcripts within the FoxO signaling pathway, a signaling pathway with a central role in cellular physiology, as potential molecular markers for cold tolerance in the American lobster. These findings contextualize the current literature on lab-reared postlarvae as containing conservative estimates for in situ organisms and can be used to inform population distribution modeling efforts. They also provide evidence for the need to adjust lab-rearing techniques or source wild larval crustaceans to augment studies of larval biology.
Wastewater-based epidemiology surveillance as an early warning system for SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia
Authors: Murni Indah Kartika , Oktaria Vicka , McCarthy David T. , Supriyati Endah , Nuryastuti Titik , Handley Amanda , Donato Celeste M. , Wiratama Bayu Satria , Dinari Rizka , Laksono Ida Safitri , Thobari Jarir At , Bines Julie E
Published: July 2024

Background

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance has been proposed as an early warning system (EWS) for community SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, there is limited data from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to assess the ability of WBE surveillance to detect SARS-CoV-2 in formal and informal environments in Indonesia using different methods of sample collection, to compare WBE data with patterns of clinical cases of COVID-19 within the relevant communities, and to assess the WBE potential to be used as an EWS for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks within a community.

Materials and methods

We conducted WBE surveillance in three districts in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia, over eleven months (27 July 2021 to 7 January 2022 [Delta wave]; 18 January to 3 June 2022 [Omicron wave]). Water samples using grab, and/or passive sampling methods and soil samples were collected either weekly or fortnightly. RNA was extracted from membrane filters from processed water samples and directly from soil. Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 N and ORF1ab genes.

Results

A total of 1,582 samples were collected. Detection rates of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater reflected the incidence of community cases, with rates of 85% at the peak to 2% at the end of the Delta wave and from 94% to 11% during the Omicron wave. A 2-week lag time was observed between the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and increasing cases in the corresponding community.

Conclusion

WBE surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia was effective in monitoring patterns of cases of COVID-19 and served as an early warning system, predicting the increasing incidence of COVID-19 cases in the community.
Long-term music instruction is partially associated with the development of socioemotional skills
Authors: Villanueva Jed , Ilari Beatriz , Habibi Assal
Published: July 2024

This study aims to investigate the development of pitch-matching, rhythmic entrainment, and socioemotional skills in children who received formal music instruction and other non-music based after school programs. Eighty-three children, averaging 6.81 years old at baseline, were enrolled in either a music, sports, or no after-school program and followed over four years. The music program involved formal and systematic instruction in music theory, instrumental technique, and performance. Most control participants had no music education; however, in some instances, participants received minimal music education at school or at church. Musical development was measured using a pitch-matching and drumming-based rhythmic entrainment task. Sharing behavior was measured using a variation of the dictator game, and empathy was assessed using three different assessments: the Index of Empathy for Children and Adolescence (trait empathy), the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (theory of mind), and a Fiction Emotion-Matching task (state empathy). Results revealed no time-related associations in pitch-matching ability; however, formal music instruction improved pitch-matching relative to controls. On the contrary, improvements in rhythmic entrainment were best explained by age-related changes rather than music instruction. This study also found limited support for a positive association between formal music instruction and socioemotional skills. That is, individuals with formal music instruction exhibited improved emotion-matching relative to those with sports training. In terms of general socioemotional development, children’s trait-level affective empathy did not improve over time, while sharing, theory of mind, and state empathy did. Additionally, pitch-matching and rhythmic entrainment did not reliably predict any socioemotional measures, with associations being trivial to small. While formal music instruction benefitted pitch-matching ability and emotion-matching to an audiovisual stimulus, it was not a significant predictor of rhythmic entrainment or broader socioemotional development. These findings suggest that the transfer of music training may be most evident in near or similar domains.
The impact of digital transformation of infrastructure on carbon emissions: Based on a "local-neighborhood" perspective
Authors: Song Jinzhao , Gao Qiyue , Hu Xiangxiang , Lei Jie
Published: July 2024

In light of the recent worldwide scientific and technological revolution, it is imperative that urban infrastructure undergo a digital transformation in order to lower carbon emissions and support sustainable urban growth. However, to date, there is a lack of empirical research on carbon emissions based on the digital transformation of urban infrastructure. This paper uses data from 178 prefecture-level cities in China from 2005 to 2020 to study the impact of digital transformation of urban infrastructure on carbon emissions based on the "local-neighbourhood" perspective using a spatial difference-in-differences model. The results show that the digital transformation of urban infrastructure reduces the intensity of local carbon emissions while also reducing the carbon emissions of neighbouring cities, with a spatial spillover effect, and the boundary of this spatial spillover is 600 km. Mechanistic analyses suggest that digital transformation of urban infrastructure can reduce carbon emissions locally as well as in nearby areas by promoting green technological innovations. In light of this, this study has important policy implications for maximising the contribution of digital transformation of infrastructure to reducing carbon emissions.
Antimicrobial properties of WCO-based composites enriched with hops and curly sorrel for green building solutions
Authors: Staroń Anita , Pucelik Barbara , Barzowska Agata , Kijania-Kontak Magda , Staroń Paweł
Published: July 2024

Modern production of vegetable oils has reached impressive levels, and the ever-growing quantities of waste cooking oil (WCO) provide a local source of raw materials for innovative materials. The WCO composite production process involves a series of reactions, including polymerisation, esterification, and transesterification, which lead to the hardening of composite materials. In light of the growing problem of bacterial and fungal diseases, materials with high strength properties and biocidal properties are being sought. Fungal infections of the skin are a widespread problem, and the number of cases is steadily increasing. This article presents a study of the antibacterial potential of WCO-based composites enriched with hops or sorrel root in the context of their application in the construction industry. The compressive and flexural strength of the oil composites, their absorbability and hydrophobicity, and their effects on Gram-positive (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) and Gram-negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) bacteria and fungi (A. niger, P. anomala) were investigated. Maximum split tensile strength (4.3 MPa) and flexural strength (5.1 MPa) were recorded for oil-hop composites. Oil composites enriched with curly sorrel and hops showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus at 27% and 25%. High biocidal activity (up to 70%) was recorded against E. coli and against S. epidermidis (up to 99%) due to the action of composites with curly sorrel. The antifungal activities of composites with hops was 15% and 19% for P. anomala and A. niger, respectively, while with curly sorrel they were 42% and 30%.
Effects of seaweed fertilizer application on crops’ yield and quality in field conditions in China-A meta-analysis
Authors: Pei Baolei , Zhang Yunpeng , Liu Ting , Cao Jian , Ji Huai , Hu Zhenzhu , Wu Xinxin , Wang Feibing , Lu Ying , Chen Ningyi , Zhou Junkang , Chen Boqing , Zhou Sa
Published: July 2024

Seaweed fertilizer, formulated primarily with seaweed extract as its main ingredient, has been extensively studied and found to significantly improve nutrient use efficiency, increase crop yield and quality, and enhance soil properties under field conditions. This growing body of evidence shows that seaweed fertilizer is a suitable option for sustainable agriculture in China. However, a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the overall effects of seaweed fertilizer application in China is lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a meta-analysis of relevant studies on the effects of seaweed fertilizers under field conditions in China with MetaWin and SPSS software. Our analysis examined the effects of seaweed fertilizers on crop yield, quality, and growth under different preparation methods, application techniques, and regions. Our results showed that the application of seaweed fertilizer led to a significant average increase in crop yield of 15.17% compared with the control treatments. Root & tuber crops exhibited the most pronounced response, with a yield boost of 21.19%. Moreover, seaweed fertilizer application significantly improved crop quality, with elevations in the sugar-acid ratio (38.32%) vitamin C (18.07%), starch (19.65%), and protein (11.45%). In addition, plant growth parameters such as height, stem thickness, root weight, and leaf area showed significant enhancement with seaweed fertilizer use. The yield-increasing effect of seaweed fertilizers varied depending on their preparation and use method, climate, and soil of application location. Our study provides fundamental reference data for the efficient and scientific application of seaweed fertilizers in agricultural practices.
Single-cell analysis reveals lasting immunological consequences of influenza infection and respiratory immunization in the pig lung
Authors: Muir Andrew , Paudyal Basudev , Schmidt Selma , Sedaghat-Rostami Ehsan , Chakravarti Soumendu , Villanueva-Hernández Sonia , Moffat Katy , Polo Noemi , Angelopoulos Nicos , Schmidt Anna , Tenbusch Matthias , Freimanis Graham , Gerner Wilhelm , Richard Arianne C. , Tchilian Elma
Published: July 2024

The pig is a natural host for influenza viruses and integrally involved in virus evolution through interspecies transmissions between humans and swine. Swine have many physiological, anatomical, and immunological similarities to humans, and are an excellent model for human influenza. Here, we employed single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and flow cytometry to characterize the major leukocyte subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), twenty-one days after H1N1pdm09 infection or respiratory immunization with an adenoviral vector vaccine expressing hemagglutinin and nucleoprotein with or without IL-1β. Mapping scRNA-seq clusters from BAL onto those previously described in peripheral blood facilitated annotation and highlighted differences between tissue resident and circulating immune cells. ScRNA-seq data and functional assays revealed lasting impacts of immune challenge on BAL populations. First, mucosal administration of IL-1β reduced the number of functionally active Treg cells. Second, influenza infection upregulated IFI6 in BAL cells and decreased their susceptibility to virus replication in vitro. Our data provide a reference map of porcine BAL cells and reveal lasting immunological consequences of influenza infection and respiratory immunization in a highly relevant large animal model for respiratory virus infection.
A Rare Case of Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus Presenting as Dysphagia
Authors: Chaudhry Ahtshamullah , Buluku Gabriel , Noor Jawad , Chaudhari M. , Suryanarayana Challa , Bigler Steven , Boyd Stewart , Lee Makau P.
Published: July 2024

Melanoma is one of the most notorious tumors due to its appearance in unusual locations. The most frequent site is the skin; however, it can sporadically develop as a primary tumor in the esophagus. However, as symptoms appear later, if the primary site is in the gastrointestinal system, it is frequently detected at the metastatic stage. We hereby describe a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus that presented due to dysphagia with solid food and on further workup, found to be at the metastatic stage.
Filozoficzna zabawa na śmierć
Authors: Sobota Daniel
Published: July 2024

Przedłożony tekst ma charakter artykułu polemicznego z książką Costica Bradatana Umrzeć za ideę. Niebezpieczne żywoty filozofów (Warszawa 2020). Pierwsza część zawiera streszczenie jej głównych tez, druga, stawiając pytania natury ogólnej o związek umierania z filozofią, poddaje je krytyce. Wniosek, do jakich dochodzi autor niniejszego artykułu, brzmi następująco: choć książka Bradatana stanowi zgrabne zestawienie przykładów życia filozofów, którzy, traktując filozofię jako sztukę życia, zostali jednocześnie zamordowani lub odebrali sobie życie, daleka jest od przedstawienia związku filozofii i umierania w sposób pogłębiony i odkrywczy.
EKSPLORASI GAYA KONSELOR GUNA MENGHINDARI TERJADINYA TRANSFERENSI DAN KONTRATRANSFERENSI DALAM PROSES KONSELING
Authors: Khoerunnisa Syifa , Nadhirah Nadia Aulia , Budiman Nandang
Published: July 2024

Konselor merupakan salah satu profesi penolong (helping profession). Menjadi seseorang yang berprofesi di bidang pelayanan mengharuskan konselor untuk menjadi tenaga profesional. Agar menjadi tenaga profesional, konselor perlu mengenal dan memahami gaya konselingnya untuk mempunyai kualitas pribadi yang baik pada saat melaksanakan konseling. Konseli akan menyimpan kepercayaannya pada konselor yang profesional. Namun hal tersebut kadang terjadi di luar batas sehingga menimbulkan kedekatan yang berlebihan antara konseli dan konselor secara spontan dan tidak disadari. Perasaan secara tidak sadar inilah yang diproyeksikan dalam bentuk transferensi dan kontratransferensi. Hal ini tentunya akan memengaruhi efektivitas dalam proses konseling. Oleh karena itu, tujuan diadakannya penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan dan mengeksplorasi gaya pada kualitas pribadi konselor dalam memberikan layanan konseling guna menghindari terjadinya transferensi dan kontratransferensi.
BARALEK: MENELISIK MAKNA KULTUR MALAM BAETONG DAN KAITANNYA DENGAN MASYARAKAT DI PARIAMAN
Authors: Fikry Zulian , Dusatri Miksa Denola , Anugrah Reza , Rahmi Annisa , Syarif Fatimah
Published: July 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memahami makna budaya dari fenomena lokal yang disebut “Malam Baetong” pada masyarakat di Pariaman. Metode penelitian yang digunakan mencakup penelitian kualitatif dengan menerapkan metode wawancara pada subjek penelitian. Subjek yang terlibat dalam penelitian terdiri dari tiga individu yang mewakili tiga generasi berbeda. Rinciannya, subjek pertama berusia 50 tahun mewakili generasi X, subjek kedua berusia 30 tahun mewakili generasi Y, dan subjek ketiga berusia 17 tahun mewakili generasi Z. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa makna budaya Malam Baetong bagi masyarakat Pariaman terkait erat dengan konsep self-esteem, sikap gotong royong, kebersamaan, dan komitmen dalam mempertahankan warisan budaya yang diwariskan dari generasi ke generasi. Bagi generasi X, Malam Baetong memiliki makna yang terkait dengan self-esteem dan kebersamaan. Sementara itu, generasi Y memberikan makna pada Malam Baetong sebagai sikap tolong-menolong, komitmen dalam menjaga warisan budaya, dan kaitannya dengan self-esteem. Di sisi lain, generasi Z memaknai budaya Malam Baetong sebagai sikap tolong-menolong dan kebersamaan. Selain itu, hasil menunjukkan bahwa budaya dapat mempengaruhi self-esteem, dan perbandingan di tiga generasi mengungkapkan variasi dalam nominal uang yang diberikan, yang ditentukan oleh harga diri individu yang memberikan uang.
KONTRIBUSI SOCIAL SUPPORT TERHADAP TINGKAT STRES AKADEMIK PADA MAHASISWA PSIKOLOGI BUKITTINGGI
Authors: Rahman Aditia , Anjelina Ayu , Astuti Widya , Syarif Fathimah , Eriza Shintia , Anggraini Tesa
Published: July 2024

Dukungan sosial dapat memengaruhi stres dan mengurangi stres pada mahasiswa sehingga kesehatan menjadi optimal. Tingginya tingkat stres dapat direduksi dengan dukungan sosial dan diganti menjadi aspek-aspek positif. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat bagaimana dukungan sosial berkontribusi terhadap stres akademik mahasiswa. Metode yang digunakan dalam pengumpulan data adalah metode kuantitatif dengan menggunakan alat ukur berupa skala. Teknik yang digunakan adalah regresi sederhana untuk melihat pengaruh dukungan sosial terhadap stres akademik mahasiswa. Teknik sampling yang digunakan adalah random sampling dengan jumlah sample sebanyak 83 mahasiswa. Hasilnya menyatakan bahwa stres akademik dan dukungan sosial memiliki hubungan yang positif. Hasil dari uji normalitas dalam penelitian ini pada variabel social support dan stres akademik menunjukkan .200 (p>.05), sehingga dapat dikatakan variabel social support dan stres akademik memiliki sebaran data normal. Berdasarkan uji koefisien determinasi didapatkan nilai R square .158, sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat kontribusi social support sebesar 15.8% terhadap stres akademik mahasiswa psikologi 2021 Universitas Negeri Padang kampus Bukittinggi. Apabila dukungan sosial yang diterima individu meningkat maka stres akademiknya akan menurun, begitu pula sebaliknya apabila dukungan sosial yang diterima menurun maka stres akademik yang dialami individu tersebut akan meningkat. Dukungan sosial terbukti memiliki pengaruh yang positif terhadap resiliensi stres akademik. Ini menunjukkan bahwa dukungan sosial yang dilakukan oleh teman memiliki peran di tengah lingkungan stres akademik. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa penting bagi mahasiswa untuk memiliki dukungan sosial yang memadai dalam menghadapi stres akademik.