bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infection of the maternal-fetal interface and vertical transmission following low-dose inoculation of pregnant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with an African-lineage Zika virus
Authors: Koenig Michelle R. , Mitzey Ann M. , Morgan Terry K. , Zeng Xiankun , Simmons Heather A. , Mejia Andres , Leyva Jaimes Fernanda , Keding Logan T. , Crooks Chelsea M. , Weiler Andrea M. , Bohm Ellie K. , Aliota Matthew T. , Friedrich Thomas C. , Mohr Emma L. , Golos Thaddeus G.
Published: May 2023

Background

Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can result in birth defects, including malformations in the fetal brain and visual system. There are two distinct genetic lineages of ZIKV: African and Asian. Asian-lineage ZIKVs have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans; however, recent evidence from experimental models suggests that African-lineage viruses can also be vertically transmitted and cause fetal harm.

Methodology/Principal findings

To evaluate the pathway of vertical transmission of African-lineage ZIKV, we inoculated nine pregnant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) subcutaneously with 44 plaque-forming units of a ZIKV strain from Senegal, (ZIKV-DAK). Dams were inoculated either at gestational day 30 or 45. Following maternal inoculation, pregnancies were surgically terminated seven or 14 days later and fetal and maternal-fetal interface tissues were collected and evaluated. Infection in the dams was evaluated via plasma viremia and neutralizing antibody titers pre- and post- ZIKV inoculation. All dams became productively infected and developed strong neutralizing antibody responses. ZIKV RNA was detected in maternal-fetal interface tissues (placenta, decidua, and fetal membranes) by RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization. In situ hybridization detected ZIKV predominantly in the decidua and revealed that the fetal membranes may play a role in ZIKV vertical transmission. Infectious ZIKV was detected in the amniotic fluid of three pregnancies and one fetus had ZIKV RNA detected in multiple tissues. No significant pathology was observed in any fetus; and ZIKV did not have a substantial effect on the placenta.

Conclusions/Significance

This study demonstrates that a very low dose of African-lineage ZIKV can be vertically transmitted to the macaque fetus during pregnancy. The low inoculating dose used in this study suggests a low minimal infectious dose for rhesus macaques. Vertical transmission with a low dose in macaques further supports the high epidemic potential of African ZIKV strains.
Technologies and social services. An overview of technology use by users of social services
Authors: Moreno Rocío Muñoz , Borrero Manuela Fernández , Ferri Fuentevilla Elena , Medina Fernando Relinque , Luchena Aleix Morilla , Aguado Octavio Vázquez
Published: May 2023

Information and communication technologies have significantly transformed the way advanced societies interact, produce, deliver services and consume resources. All walks of life are now touched by these technologies. However, compared to other areas of society, digital penetration is much lower in the development of and access to social services. The main objective of this paper was to find out what technological devices are used, how they are used and the way citizens interact with public bodies using technology to deliver social services. This has been part of a wider project on innovation in social services using participative methodologies centred on the development of local Hubs. The findings reveal a digital divide in technology-enabled access to social services that excludes the very people most in need of benefits and support.
Why do family firms dismiss their family CEOs? A perspective on kinship ties
Authors: Yu Xiaodong , Sun Shize , Cheng Xirong , Lin Yize , Li Huan
Published: May 2023

Existing studies have suggested that nonfamily CEOs are more likely to be fired from family firms, while we focus on why family CEOs are also fired from family firms. Using data from 455 listed Chinese family firms, we find that family CEOs with affinity ties are more likely to be dismissed as they are not genetically related to the family. The difference becomes greater when firm performance is poor or family ownership is high. These findings elaborate that business-owing family is not a group with aligned interests, that is, family members with different family identities are treated differently within family. Besides, existing studies have emphasized that the preservation of socioemotional wealth in family firms can affect firms’ operations, while this study further proposes that the preservation of socioemotional wealth can also have an impact on the business-owning families themselves.
Improving quality of life and self-care for patients on hemodialysis using cognitive behavioral strategies: A randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Shirazian Shayan , Smaldone Arlene M. , Jacobson Alan M. , Fazzari Melissa J. , Weinger Katie
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Behavioral-education interventions have the potential to improve quality of life and self-care for patients on hemodialysis (HD) but have not been incorporated into routine clinical practice. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of delivering a simple behavioral-education intervention using cognitive behavioral strategies in patients receiving HD with poor quality of life.

Methods

In this mixed methods study, HD patients were randomly assigned to the study intervention (8 behavioral-education sessions delivered over 12 weeks) or a control group of dialysis education alone. Kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL)-36 scores, depressive symptoms and self-care behaviors were measured at weeks 0, 8, and 16. Following study completion, participants, social workers, and physicians provided their perspectives about the intervention via qualitative interviews.

Findings

Forty-five participants were randomized. Due, in part, to social worker attrition from the intervention arm, 34 participants (76%) completed at least 1 study session and were included in the analysis. The intervention led to modest, but non-significant, increase in KDQOL-physical component summary scores (+3.1±1.2 points) from week 0 to week 16. There were small, non-significant decreases in interdialytic weight gain and pre-dialysis phosphorus levels in the intervention group. Participants felt that chair-side delivery was practical and efficient, and that content related to the impact of dialysis on daily life was unique and important. Suggestions for adapting the intervention included narrowing its content and its delivery by additional providers that are not necessarily therapy trained.

Discussion

In this pilot study, we were able to deliver a simple behavioral-education intervention to improve both quality of life and self-care. Participants had a positive impression of the intervention, but we did not find significant improvements in quality of life or self-care. We will now adapt our intervention by narrowing its content and by using other providers that are focused solely on delivering the intervention.
Unidirectional fluxes of monovalent ions in human erythrocytes compared with lymphoid U937 cells: Transient processes after stopping the sodium pump and in response to osmotic challenge
Authors: Yurinskaya Valentina E. , Moshkov Alexey V. , Marakhova Irina I. , Vereninov Alexey A.
Published: May 2023

Recently, we have developed software that allows, using a minimum of required experimental data, to find the characteristics of ion homeostasis and a list of all unidirectional fluxes of monovalent ions through the main pathways in the cell membrane both in a balanced state and during the transient processes. Our approach has been successfully validated in human proliferating lymphoid U937 cells during transient processes after stopping the Na/K pump by ouabain and for staurosporine-induced apoptosis. In present study, we used this approach to find the characteristics of ion homeostasis and the monovalent ion fluxes through the cell membrane of human erythrocytes in a resting state and during the transient processes after stopping the Na/K pump with ouabain and in response to osmotic challenge. Due to their physiological significance, erythrocytes remain the object of numerous studies, both experimental and computational methods. Calculations showed that, under physiological conditions, the K+ fluxes through electrodiffusion channels in the entire erythrocyte ion balance is small compared to the fluxes through the Na/K pump and cation–chloride cotransporters. The proposed computer program well predicts the dynamics of the erythrocyte ion balance disorders after stopping the Na/K pump with ouabain. In full accordance with predictions, transient processes in human erythrocytes are much slower than in proliferating cells such as lymphoid U937 cells. Comparison of real changes in the distribution of monovalent ions under osmotic challenge with the calculated ones indicates a change in the parameters of the ion transport pathways through the plasma membrane of erythrocytes in this case. The proposed approach may be useful in studying the mechanisms of various erythrocyte dysfunctions.
The effect of the genomic GC content bias of prokaryotic organisms on the secondary structures of their proteins
Authors: Barceló-Antemate Diana , Fontove-Herrera Fernando , Santos Walter , Merino Enrique
Published: May 2023

One of the main characteristics of prokaryotic genomes is the ratio in which guanine-cytosine bases are used in their DNA sequences. This is known as the genomic GC content and varies widely, from values below 20% to values greater than 74%. It has been demonstrated that the genomic GC content varies in accordance with the phylogenetic distribution of organisms and influences the amino acid composition of their corresponding proteomes. This bias is particularly important for amino acids that are coded by GC content-rich codons such as alanine, glycine, and proline, as well as amino acids that are coded by AT-rich codons, such as lysine, asparagine, and isoleucine. In our study, we extend these results by considering the effect of the genomic GC content on the secondary structure of proteins. On a set of 192 representative prokaryotic genomes and proteome sequences, we identified through a bioinformatic study that the composition of the secondary structures of the proteomes varies in relation to the genomic GC content; random coils increase as the genomic GC content increases, while alpha-helices and beta-sheets present an inverse relationship. In addition, we found that the tendency of an amino acid to form part of a secondary structure of proteins is not ubiquitous, as previously expected, but varies according to the genomic GC content. Finally, we discovered that for some specific groups of orthologous proteins, the GC content of genes biases the composition of secondary structures of the proteins for which they code.
Systematics and phylogeography of bats of the genus Rhynchonycteris (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae): Integrating molecular phylogenetics, ecological niche modeling and morphometric data
Authors: Biganzoli-Rangel Alejandro José , Leon-Alvarado Omar Daniel , Robe Lizandra Jaqueline , Meza María Angélica , Gutiérrez Eliécer Eduardo , Paladini Andressa
Published: May 2023

Rhynchonycterisis a monotypic genus of Embalonurid bats, whose geographic distribution extends from southern Mexico to tropical regions of the South American continent, including Trinidad and Tobago. Although species that have a wide geographic distribution are frequently revealed to be polytypic, to date, no study has evaluated the taxonomic status of populations ofRhynchonycteris naso. Thus, the aim of this study is to address the patterns of phylogeographic structure and taxonomic subdivision ofR.nasousing molecular phylogenetics, morphometric data and ecological niche modeling. Phylogenetic results recovered using the genesCOI,Cytb,Chd1,Dby, and Usp9x, supported the monophyly of the genusRhynchonycteris, in addition, a deep phylogeographic structure was revealed by the mitochondrial geneCOIfor the populations of Belize and Panama in comparison to those of South America. The PCA, and the linear morphometry indicated an apparent differentiation between the cis-Andean and trans-Andean populations. Furthermore, according to the skull morphology, at least two morphotypes were identified. Ecological niche modeling projections in the present have shown that the Andean cordillera acts as a climatic barrier between these two populations, with the depression of Yaracuy (Northwest Venezuela) being the only putative climatically suitable path that could communicate these two populations. On the other hand, projections for the last glacial maximum showed a drastic decrease in climatically suitable areas for the species, suggesting that cycles of lower temperatures played an important role in the separation of these populations.
Computational model for continuous flow of autonomous vehicles at road intersections
Authors: Nakoneczny Danilo Jorge dos Santos , Kaviski Eloy
Published: May 2023

The increasing advances in technologies used in autonomous vehicles have improved the reliability of their controls, making them more likely to be accepted by drivers and thus more common on the streets. When all vehicles become autonomous, traffic lights will need to be more efficient. In this sense, this article presents a computational model to manage the crossing of autonomous vehicles at road intersections, so that they can flow continuously along the roads without needing to stop, except in extreme cases. Based on the developed model, we implemented an algorithm and a simulator to control the behavior of autonomous vehicles with different lengths when crossing an intersection. In order to evaluate the performance of this method, we carried out 10 thousand simulations for each combination of the intersection controller’s distances of action and vehicle group size, in a total of 600 thousand simulations. Thus, a relationship was observed between the method’s efficiency and the controller’s range, where the number of collisions was zero for distances greater than or equal to 2300 m. Method efficiency was also related to the average speeds at which the vehicles crossed the intersection, which was close to their average initial speed.
The intake of ultra-processed foods, all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular mortality in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-Health Examinees (KoGES-HEXA) cohort
Authors: Kityo Anthony , Lee Sang-Ah
Published: May 2023

The relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and mortality is unknown in Asian countries, yet the intake of UPF is on the rise in these countries. This study examined the association of UPF intake with all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Participants were 113,576 adults who responded to a 106-item food frequency questionnaire during recruitment of the 2004–2013 Health Examinees (HEXA) study, a prospective cohort study in Korea. UPF were defined using the NOVA classification and evaluated as quartiles of the proportion of UPF in the diet (% total food weight). Multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic spline models were used to examine the association of UPF intake with all-cause and cause specific mortality. A total of 3456 deaths were recorded during a median follow-up of 10.6 (interquartile range, 9.5–11.9) years. There was no evidence of an association of UPF intake with all-cause, cancer or CVD mortality comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles of UPF intake (all-cause mortality, men: hazard ratio [HR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95–1.22; women: HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.81–1.11; cancer mortality, men: HR 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–1.22; women: HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.83–1.26; CVD mortality, men: HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.64–1.22; women: HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.53–1.19). However, the risk of all-cause mortality increased in both men and women with high consumption of ultra-processed red meat and fish (men, HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11–1.43); women, HR 1.22 95% CI 1.05–1.43); and in men with high consumption of ultra-processed milk (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01–1.26); and soymilk drink (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00–1.25). We found no evidence of an association between total UPF intake and all-cause, cancer or CVD mortality, but ultra-processed red meat and fish in both sexes, and milk and soymilk drinks in men were positively associated with all-cause mortality.
Trophozoite fitness dictates the intestinal epithelial cell response to Giardia intestinalis infection
Authors: Grüttner Jana , van Rijn Jorik M. , Geiser Petra , Florbrant Alexandra , Webb Dominic-Luc , Hellström Per M. , Sundbom Magnus , Sellin Mikael E. , Svärd Staffan G.
Published: May 2023

Giardia intestinalis is a non-invasive, protozoan parasite infecting the upper small intestine of most mammals. Symptomatic infections cause the diarrhoeal disease giardiasis in humans and animals, but at least half of the infections are asymptomatic. However, the molecular underpinnings of these different outcomes of the infection are still poorly defined. Here, we studied the early transcriptional response to G. intestinalis trophozoites, the disease-causing life-cycle stage, in human enteroid-derived, 2-dimensional intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) monolayers. Trophozoites preconditioned in media that maximise parasite fitness triggered only neglectable inflammatory transcription in the IECs during the first hours of co-incubation. By sharp contrast, “non-fit” or lysed trophozoites induced a vigorous IEC transcriptional response, including high up-regulation of many inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, “fit” trophozoites could even suppress the stimulatory effect of lysed trophozoites in mixed infections, suggesting active G. intestinalis suppression of the IEC response. By dual-species RNA-sequencing, we defined the IEC and G. intestinalis gene expression programs associated with these differential outcomes of the infection. Taken together, our results inform on how G. intestinalis infection can lead to such highly variable effects on the host, and pinpoints trophozoite fitness as a key determinant of the IEC response to this common parasite.
Optimization and decision support models for deploying negative emissions technologies
Authors: Migo-Sumagang Maria Victoria , Aviso Kathleen B. , Foo Dominic C. Y. , Short Michael , Nair Purusothmn Nair S. Bhasker , Tan Raymond R.
Published: May 2023

Negative emissions technologies (NETs) will be needed to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century. However, NETs can have wide-ranging effects on land and water availability, food production, and biodiversity. The deployment of NETs will also depend on regional and national circumstances, technology availability, and decarbonization strategies. Process integration (PI) can be the basis for decision support models for the selection, planning, and optimization of the large-scale implementation of NETs. This paper reviews the literature and maps the role of PI in NETs deployment. Techniques such as mathematical programming, pinch analysis (PA), process graphs (P-graphs), are powerful methods for planning NET systems under resource or footprint constraints. Other methods such as multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), marginal abatement cost curves, causality maps, and machine learning (ML) are also discussed. Current literature focuses mainly on bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and afforestation/reforestation (AR), but other NETs need to be integrated into future models for large-scale decarbonization.
Estratigrafía, materiales arqueológicos y dataciones del corte C005 de Cueva de la Dehesilla: primicia pleistocena y nueva contribución a la secuencia neolítica
Authors: Garcia Rivero Daniel , Taylor Ruth , Barrera Cruz María , López Carmona David , Díaz Rodríguez Manuel Jesús , Moreno Caballud Ana
Published: May 2023

Este artículo presenta los datos procedentes de un nuevo corte arqueológico –denominado C005– realizado en Cueva de la Dehesilla, situada en las estribaciones occidentales de la Cordillera Bética. El corte se ubica en la Sala 4 –una de las más profundas de la cueva-, al igual que el recientemente publicado corte C006, pero aporta una visión diferente sobre la secuencia, con características propias. En este trabajo, se da a conocer su secuencia estratigráfica, sus materiales cerámicos y líticos, así como las dataciones efectuadas por C14 y U/Th. Por vez primera, se documentan niveles sedimentológicos y coladas pleistocenas, y se suman nuevos datos sobre los periodos Neolítico antiguo y final. Ambos cortes, en conjunto, permiten conocer con precisión la dinámica sedimentológica y los usos antrópicos de esta sala interior. Los nuevos datos presentados se ponen en relación con información procedente de los cortes previamente realizados en la cueva, tanto de las excavaciones antiguas, realizadas a caballo entre las décadas de los 70 y 80 del pasado siglo, como de las intervenciones recientes, las cuales empezaron en 2016 y prosiguen aún en la actualidad. Los conjuntos empíricos de las diversas áreas estudiadas presentan secuencias estratigráficas y patrones materiales relativamente coherentes entre sí, pero también muestran algunas diferencias claves para la comprensión de la diversidad funcional de los distintos contextos de la cavidad. En la discusión, se realiza un análisis conjunto que permite un meritorio avance tanto en el conocimiento sobre la ocupación prehistórica de la cueva como en el conocimiento general del poblamiento regional de las poblaciones del Neolítico antiguo y Neolítico final del sur de la península ibérica.
Pancreatic Cancer Screening for At-Risk Individuals (Pancreas Scan Study): Yield, Harms, and Outcomes From a Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Shah Ishani , Silva-Santisteban Andy , Germansky Katharine A. , Trindade Arvind , Raphael Kara L. , Kushnir Vladimir , Pawa Rishi , Mishra Girish , Anastasiou Jiannis , Inamdar Sumant , Tharian Benjamin , Bilal Mohammad , Sawhney Mandeep S.
Published: May 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Guidelines endorse pancreatic cancer screening in genetically susceptible individuals. We conducted a prospective, multicenter study to determine yield, harms, and outcomes of pancreatic cancer screening.

METHODS:

All high-risk individuals undergoing pancreatic cancer screening at 5 centers from 2020 to 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Pancreas findings were designated as low-risk (fatty or chronic pancreatitis-like changes), intermediate-risk (neuroendocrine tumor [NET] <2 cm or branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm [IPMN]), or high-risk lesions (high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia/dysplasia, main-duct IPMN, NET >2 cm, or pancreatic cancer). Harms from screening included adverse events during screening or undergoing low-yield pancreatic surgery. Annual screening was performed using endoscopic ultrasound and or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Annual screening for new-onset diabetes using fasting blood sugar was also performed (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05006131).

RESULTS:

During the study period, 252 patients underwent pancreatic cancer screening. Mean age was 59.9 years, 69% were female, and 79.4% were White. Common indications were BRCA 1/2 (36.9%), familial pancreatic cancer syndrome kindred (31.7%), ataxia telangiectasia mutated (3.5%), Lynch syndrome (6.7%), Peutz-Jeghers (4.3%), and familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (3.5%). Low-risk lesions were noted in 23.4% and intermediate-risk lesions in 31.7%, almost all of which were branch-duct IPMN without worrisome features. High-risk lesions were noted in 2 patients (0.8%), who were diagnosed with pancreas cancer at stages T2N1M0 and T2N1M1. Prediabetes was noted in 18.2% and new-onset diabetes in 1.7%. Abnormal fasting blood sugar was not associated with pancreatic lesions. There were no adverse events from screening tests, and no patient underwent low-yield pancreatic surgery.

DISCUSSION:

Pancreatic cancer screening detected high-risk lesions with lower frequency than previously reported. No harms from screening were noted.
Warning signs from the crypt: Aberrant protein glycosylation marks opportunities for early colorectal cancer detection.
Authors: Chandrasekar Dharini , Guerrier Christina , Alisson-Silva Frederico , Dhar Chirag , Caval Tomislav , Schwarz Flavio , Hommes Daniel W.
Published: May 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths despite being the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer when caught early through screening. There is an unmet need for novel screening approaches with improved accuracy, less invasiveness, and reduced costs. In recent years, evidence has accumulated around particular biological events that happen during the adenoma to carcinoma transition, especially focusing on precancerous immune responses in the colonic crypt. Protein glycosylation plays a central role in driving those responses and recently numerous reports have been published on how aberrant protein glycosylation, both in colonic tissue and on circulating glycoproteins reflects these precancerous developments. The complex field of glycosylation, which exceeds complexity of proteins by several orders of magnitude, can now be studied primarily because of the availability of new high-throughput technologies like mass spectrometry and artificial-intelligence (AI)-powered data processing. This has now opened new avenues to studying novel biomarkers for CRC screening.

This review summarizes the early events taking place from the normal colon mucosa towards adenoma and adenocarcinoma formation and associated critical protein glycosylation phenomena both on tissue level and in the circulation. These insights will help establish an understanding in the interpretation of novel CRC detection modalities that involve high throughput glycomics.
Bladder leiomyoma and the utility of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography – a Case Report
Authors: Lim Kylie Yen-Yi , Morkos Kerelus , Levy Sidney M , Davis Paul
Published: May 2023

Bladder leiomyomas are rare neoplasms and various diagnostic methods are available to assist in confirming diagnosis preoperatively. Presented here is a case of bladder leiomyoma in a 41-year-old female who presented with urinary symptoms and right thigh pain. Imaging revealed a soft tissue density mass in the bladder wall. However concerns of a leiomyosarcoma remained. An 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) demonstrated low FDG uptake and absence of metastatic lesions. In combination with operative findings, the tumor allowed for localized resection instead of more invasive partial cystectomy. Therefore, FDG-PET might be used to support the diagnosis of leiomyoma and potentially facilitate a less aggressive surgical management.
The The Effect of Gamma Rays on Local Chilli Infected to Pepper Yellow Leaf Curl Virus Infection (Begomovirus)
Authors: Tarigan Rasiska , Hanafia Diana Sofia , Sinuraya Mariati , Barus Susilawati , Marpaung Agustina E , Murtiningsih Rini , Sebayang Amelia
Published: May 2023

Cabai merupakan salah satu komoditas hortikultura bernilai ekonomi tinggi di Indonesia. Cabai lokal Karo berbatang ungu merupakan cabai yang memiliki keunggulan produksi dan pertumbuhan vegetatif tinggi, namun sangat rentan terhadap penyakit virus keriting kuning oleh begomovirus. Salah satu upaya pengendalian begomovirus ialah dengan perakitan genotipe baru yang tahan melalui induksi iradiasi sinar gamma. Penelitian bertujuan mengkaji pengaruh iradiasi sinar gamma pada benih cabai lokal Karo berbatang ungu terinfeksi begomovirus untuk mendapatkan calon genotipe mutan yang tahan. Benih dari tanaman cabai terinfeksi begomovirus diberi perlakuan iradiasi sinar gamma dengan taraf dosis 150, 200, dan 250 Gy untuk mendapatkan tanaman mutan 1 (M1). Benih sehat dan benih berasal dari tanaman sakit tanpa perlakuan digunakan sebagai tanaman kontrol. Parameter yang diamati meliputi insidensi dan keparahan penyakit, AUDPC dan deteksi begomovirus pada tanaman M1 dan benih generasi kedua (M2).  Perlakuan iradiasi sinar gamma taraf dosis 150 Gy pada benih cabai terinfeksi begomovirus menunjukkan rata-rata insidensi, keparahan penyakit, dan AUDPC paling rendah dibandingkan dengan perlakuan lainnya pada tanaman mutan M1 dan M2. Berdasarkan deteksi dengan PCR pada tanaman mutan M2, dari perlakuan dosis 150 Gy didapatkan 7 calon genotipe tahan begomovirus terbanyak di antara perlakuan lainnya.
Aktivitas Antioksidan Kombinasi Ekstrak Etanol Jahe (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) dan Daun Jeruk Purut (Citrus hystric Dc.)
Authors: Sarastri Darsih , Rohana Evieta , Saraswati Indah
Published: May 2023

Tanaman herbal jahe (Zingiber officinale) dan daun jeruk purut (Citrus hystrix) memiliki kandungan senyawa antioksidan berupa flavonoid, fenol, dan terpenoid. Penelitian bertujuan mengetahui aktivitas antioksidan (efek dan nilai aktivitas antioksidan terkuat) dari kombinasi jahe dan daun jeruk purut. Penelitian meliputi determinasi, pembuatan, dan karakterisasi simplisia, ekstraksi etanol 96% (1 : 10) metode ultrasonik, skrining fitokimia, dan uji aktivitas antioksidan. Uji aktivitas antioksidan menggunakan metode DPPH pada ekstrak tunggal jahe dan daun jeruk purut serta kombinasi ekstrak dengan perbandingan (3 : 1), (1 : 1), dan (1 : 3).  Hasil yang diperoleh pada kombinasi ekstrak jahe dan daun jeruk purut (1 : 1) menunjukkan efek sinergis (nilai CI 0,695) dengan nilai IC50 72,703 ± 0,195 ppm. Kombinasi ekstrak jahe dan daun jeruk purut (3 : 1) menghasilkan efek adisi (nilai CI 0,958) dengan nilai IC50 69,545 ± 0,167 ppm yang merupakan aktivitas antioksidan terkuat dibandingkan kombinasi lain. Kombinasi ekstrak jahe dan daun jeruk purut (1 : 3) menghasilkan efek adisi (nilai CI 0,919) dengan nilai IC50 107,030 ± 0,123 ppm.
PENERAPAN METODE FUZZY TIME SERIES MENGGUNAKAN PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM UNTUK PERAMALAN INDEKS SAHAM LQ45
Authors: Ihsanuddin Arya Despa , Ispriyanti Dwi , Tarno Tarno
Published: May 2023

Stocks have a volatile nature and it is difficult to predict the ups and downs. Therefore, stock data forecasting is done by investors to get a picture of future results. Fuzzy Time Series is a time series method that is suitable for forecasting fluctuating stock data because it does not require the fulfillment of assumptions such as normality and stationarity, but the Fuzzy Time Series method has weaknesses in determining intervals. So that in this study, interval optimization will be carried out on Fuzzy Time Series with Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm to predict LQ45 stock index data, Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is used because it produces more optimal interval values compared to other optimization methods such as Genetic Algorithm. The data to be used is the closing price of the LQ45 stock index on January 5, 2020 to December 26, 2021. Forecasting using the Fuzzy Time Series method produces a SMAPE value of 1.53%, then after optimization using the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm, the SMAPE value decreases to 1, 27%. Therefore, it can be concluded that optimization using Particle Swarm Optimization on Fuzzy Time Series produces a more optimal forecasting value.
PEMODELAN INDEKS HARGA PERDAGANGAN BESAR (IHPB) SEKTOR EKSPOR MENGGUNAKAN ARFIMA-GARCH
Authors: Winanti Gandhes Linggar , Ispriyanti Dwi , Sugito Sugito
Published: May 2023

Indonesia's price index serves as a barometer for the nation's economic condition. One of the Indonesia’s price index is Wholesale Price Index (WPI). WPI is a price index that tracks the average change in wholesale prices over time. Time series analysis can be used for forecasting because WPI is one of the time series data. WPI is long memory, which is a condition in which data from different time periods have a high link despite being separated by a large amount of time. The Autoregressive Fractional Integrated Moving Average (ARFIMA) model can be used to overcome this feature when modeling time series data. The assumption of constant error variance is not fulfilled in the IHPB data analysis, indicating that the data is heteroscedastic. The GARCH (Generalized Auto Regressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) model is one of the models used to overcome heteroscedasticity. The data used is the export sector of WPI from January 2003 to June 2021. The best model for forecasting WPI is ARFIMA(1,b,2) – GARCH(1,1) with b=0,7345333,  and MAPE value is 3,150875%.
Analisis Implementasi Kebijakan Pencegahan dan Pengendalian Infeksi COVID-19 di Rumah Sakit Kabupaten Musi Rawas
Authors: Putri Catherine Dwi Augusthi , Najmah Najmah , Syakurah Rizma Adlia
Published: May 2023

Latar belakang: Hingga Juli 2021, sebanyak 89 tenaga kesehatan terkonfirmasi COVID-19 dan satu orang meninggal di Kabupaten Musi Rawas. Pencegahan dan pengendalian infeksi menjadi sangat penting diterapkan, sebagai acuan pengendalian infeksi pada pasien dan tenaga kesehatan. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis implementasi kebijakan rumah sakit dalam upaya pencegahan dan pengendalian infeksi pada masa pandemi COVID-19 di rumah sakit Kabupaten Musi Rawas.Metode: Sebuah penelitian kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus dilakukan sejak bulan Juni-Juli 2021. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan observasi dan wawancara mendalam terhadap 26 informan yang terdiri dari dokter dan perawat yang menangani dan tidak menangani pasien COVID-19, petugas laboratorium, ketua komite rumah sakit, dan direktur rumah sakit. Data dianalisis menggunakan analisa tematik.Hasil: Penelitian ini menujukan pihak rumah sakit berkoordinasi dan berkomunikasi dengan Dinas Kesehatan kabupaten dan provinsi. Dari segi sumberdaya, masih terjadi kekurangan staf rumah sakit dan pelaksanaan screening COVID-19 yang tidak maksimal. Segi disposisi SDM melaksanakan kebijakan secara konsisten. Peran struktur birokrasi bahwa SOP Rumah Sakit mengikuti kebijakan dari pusat tetapi masih ada staf yang masih lalai dalam penerapan SOP. Peran dukungan masyarakat dalam implementasinya masih belum baik.Simpulan: Implementasi kebijakan rumah sakit Kabupaten Musi Rawas belum dilaksanakan secara optimal dan masih ada beberapa kendala dalam pelaksanaan kebijakan. Rumah sakit perlu membuat regulasi atau aturan bagi pelaksana maupun dari pembuat kebijakan terkait cara mensosialisasikan dan menegakkan regulasi, monitoring, meninjau peraturan PPI agar dapat terlaksana dengan optimal serta dapat berjalan dengan tertib dan teratur.
Le cosmopolitisme et l’étrangéisation : Anna Nakwaska (1781-1851) et les géographies de la littérature polonaise d’expression francophone
Authors: Bajer Michał
Published: May 2023

The studies on Polish francophone literature put an emphasis on a selected group of authors (Potocki, Mickiewicz, Krasiński) and on some literary genres (diary and travelogue). The aim of this paper is to study the work of a lesser-known feminine writer, Anna Nakwaska, member of cosmopolitan literary milieu and author of several short stories and novels, written in French. Applying selected concepts of spatial literary studies, the first part of the article proposes to perceive the publishing strategies of Nakwaska as a tool for introducing Polish feminine literature in a broader European context. In the second place, the study of some Nakwaska’s short stories show her interest for a literary presentation of several geographical problems, including demography (put in the context of antisemitism) and regional ecology. The use of Polish toponymy brings a foreignization of the francophone fiction.
Lieu d’intimité – lieu d’imagination. Géographie littéraire de Zygmunt Krasiński
Authors: Markuszewska Agnieszka
Published: May 2023

Zygmunt Krasiński, the most European of the Polish Romantic writers, composed many literary texts influenced by foreign travels. In his writing, specific geographical spaces were transformed at once into places of imagination and places of intimacy, forming a unique sphere of auto/bio/geo/graphy. This is especially noticeable in Krasiński’s poetic prose written in French, mainly in the half-private and half-literary travel impressions of his excursions in the Alps. The tension between a place of imagination and a place of intimacy is also reflected in the poet’s correspondence, which can be analysed as a textual form of interiorization of the strictly defined places. It is shown in the article on the examples of the Alps and Provence.
Performance of hybrid RF/FSO wireless communication system under low visibility
Authors: Hamoudi Zainab A. , Ali Mazin Ali A.
Published: May 2023

In the last ten years, there has been a significant increase in the importance of free-space optics (FSO). FSO can be a solution for the last mile, but its reliability and availability issues need to be looked into in depth before they can be fixed. Because FSO links depend so much on the weather, a number of weather-related issues reduce their availability. A hybrid network with an FSO link and a backup link in the GHz frequency band offers good availability and data speeds that are similar to those of a pure FSO network. Fog’s effects on hybrid RF/FSO systems are investigated. As a backup link, the GHz frequencies with the best complementing behavior should be used. The findings demonstrated that high temperatures had no adverse effects on the RF at 25 GHz in terms of impaired visibility. Despite the cold weather, the FSO link required excellent visibility.
Changing our outlook towards vulnerable women for societal resilience
Authors: Sookool Nitish , Chan Sun Marie
Published: May 2023

Background: The vulnerabilities and risks of women injecting drug users (WIDUs) are different compared to their male counterparts. In light of scant literature in this area, we carried out this qualitative study with the aim to explore the lived experiences of WIDUs in the North of Mauritius. Its objectives were (1) To get an insight into the risks taken during the injection practices of WIDUs and (2) To obtain an in-depth understanding of the gender-specific vulnerability of the sexual behaviours of WIDUs. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used for the research work. Study participants were recruited from a specific needle exchange site, by purposive sampling until saturation of data was reached. In-depth interviews conducted were transcribed for thematic analysis. Ethical clearance was obtained from the relevant authorities. Findings: The principal theme which emerged from the data collected was “Drug Injection Scenario”, with the following sub-themes: settings for drug injection; pre-injection rituals; third party assistance; sharing and recycling of injecting materials. The second theme which came out was “Sex Work and Drug Use Interplay” with either sex work preceding drug injection or drug injection preceding sex work. Finally, the third theme was “Sexual Behaviours Screenplay” with casual encounters and unprotected sex. Conclusions: This study filled the gap with respect to the absence of qualitative studies among WIDUs in Mauritius. It revealed their risky drug injecting practices and sexual behaviours. Their psychological and physical dependence on drug injection contributed to their stay within this vulnerable circle. Their inability to access adequate support hinders them from coming out of the clutches of their risky drug injection and sexual practices. For resilience of the society, there is need to address the needs of this vulnerable group of women.
A turisztikai blogok szerepe az Európa Kulturális Fővárosa címmel rendelkező desztinációk „jó hellyé” válásában
Authors:   Kodolányi János Egyetem, Fenntartható Gazdaság Intézet, Turizmus Tanszék, Rátz Tamara , Michalkó Gábor ,   ELKH CSFK Földrajztudományi Intézet
Published: May 2023

The aim of the research, following the theoretical clarification of the concept of “good place”, was to investigate whether the ECoC cities of 2022 and 2023 can be classified as “good places”, i.e. recommended destinations in the international travel blogosphere, and to what extent their perception is influenced by their general tourist offer and by their European Capital of Culture title. A detailed analysis of blog contents was performed for the ECoC2022 cities. Based on the findings, we concluded that although these destinations are little known on a global level, those who visited them clearly perceived them as “good places” based on their tourist milieu. Although it was possible to discover marked differences in the character of each city, the defining elements of the tourist milieu proved to be similar: historical heritage, visuality, dominant landscape features and the relationship established with the local population. The ECoC title primarily generated expectations regarding the popularity of the destination, the actual impact of the programme series and the developments has so far only appeared sporadically in the blog posts.
A transzformatív turizmus lehetőségei az Európa Kulturális Fővárosa projektben résztvevő városok számára – Kassa példája
Authors:   Eszterházy Károly Katolikus Egyetem, Gazdaság- és Társadalomtudományi Kar, Pécsek Brigitta
Published: May 2023

The study aims to explore an avenue that former European Capitals of Culture can choose to develop long-term sustainable tourism. The topicality lies in the fact that Veszprém-Balaton obtained the title for the year of 2023, as well as in the fact that the coronavirus and the war have shown the vulnerability of tourism. Furthermore, after the year-long festivities many former European Capitals of Culture cannot keep up the momentum and new facilities suffer from overcapacity. This study builds on three pillars. The first pillar is to explore the theoretical background of the topic in a multidisciplinary way, the second introduces the European Union project involving six former European Capitals of Culture that try to find a long-term successful tourism model using the principles of transformative tourism. The third pillar is an exploratory case study of Kosice. The research uses document analysis, media analysis and interview data sampling methods.
Planning for co-curricular design-student voice, power dynamics and threshold learning: A thematic analysis of the student perspective
Authors: Anderson Allison , Austin Diana , Walton Christina , Wood Amanda , Houlihan Andrea , Hard Ella , Bailey Kealey
Published: May 2023

A reflexive thematic analysis is applied to focus group data to understand how students experienced working in partnership with university staff and clinical professionals to co-design aspects of the curriculum. A qualitative descriptive approach is used to examine power dynamics, hierarchies, and student voice. Four themes are identified: students felt heard, students understood the relevance of and/or translation to professional practice, students described a shift in their perceived role in the project as well as shifts in hierarchical norms, and they reported feeling a sense of confidence. Insights are offered for applying the students-as-partners (SaP) framework to health education programmes. Relevant threshold learning concepts, cultural competency, and recently announced health system priorities in New Zealand are discussed and presented as both relevant and significant considerations. This analysis intends to offer a unique contribution towards health curriculum discussions, a recognised gap within the growing body of SaP literature.
Student and faculty as pedagogical partners
Authors: Briegel Michelle , Scarff Bria
Published: May 2023

This reflective case study describes the benefits of a pedagogical partnership between a student and a faculty member of a professional practice child and youth care counsellor program. Reflecting on data collected from their pedagogical partnership experiences, the authors present a case study of the process they used and draw data from their reflective journals. This case study aims to provide insight into a pedagogical partnership through reflective evaluation of the method used, key learnings, results, and unintended results resulting in a significant positive outcome.
Project portfolio modeling for theregional dual education development
Authors: Kozyr Svitlana V. , Molokanova Valentina M.
Published: May 2023

The aim of the article is to present a method of project portfolio management for the regional development of dual education under conditions of uncertainty using expert methods. In the project portfolio management standard, portfolio formation is represented by a group of alignment processes, but their practical application in a specific subject area remains at the discretion of the developer. For the design and development of software systems, visual process models are developed for a specific subject area. The article presents the development of a complex system of dual education through the formation of a portfolio of projects. The data obtained allowed to determine that the portfolio management methodology can be successfully implemented in Ukrainian dual education. To improve the processes of portfolio management, a practical implementation of the processes of portfolio formation in the IDEF0 notation was carried out. A simplified algorithm for forming a project portfolio has been developed, which allows increasing the speed of response to changes in portfolio managementin educational sphere. The proposed solution of the educational system development through portfolio using expert methods that are distinguished by the application of the Pareto rule forbuilding a scenario for the system development. On the basis of the developed methodology for forming a portfolio of innovative projects, the process of optimizing the efficiency of the portfolio of innovative projects with determining their individual priorities is studied on the example. The application of the developed procedures for planning the portfolio management of the dual education system in the central region of Ukraine is demonstrated. The results obtained have made it possible to make sure that the system development management in conditions of incomplete information covers the areas of process management, and helps to minimize the impact of uncertainty on the efficiency of the portfolio of projectsimplementation.
Obesity induces male mice infertility via oxidative stress, apoptosis, and glycolysis
Authors: Han Jianqiu , Zhao Chen , Guo Huixia , Liu Tengfei , Li Yongmei , Qi Yalei , Deussing Jan M , Zhang Yanjia , Tan Juan , Han Honghui , Ma Xueyun
Published: May 2023

In brief

The current declining trend in male fertility parallels the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide. This paper revealed that the poor in vitro fertilization rates and decreased sperm motility in obese mice due to excessive oxidative stress enhanced apoptosis and impaired glucose metabolism in the testes.

Obesity is an urgent public health problem in recent decades, linked to reduced reproductive potential, and negatively affects the success of assisted reproduction technology. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms underlying impaired male fertility caused by obesity. Male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 20 weeks served as mouse models with moderate (20% < body fat rate (BFR) < 30%) and severe obesity (BFR > 30%). Our results showed poor in vitro fertilization rates and decreased sperm motility in obese mice. Abnormal testicular structures were identified in male mice with moderate and severe obesity. The expression level of malondialdehyde increased with obesity severity. This finding indicates that oxidative stress plays a role in male infertility caused by obesity, which was further confirmed by the decreased expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidases. Our study also found that the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 showed an obesity severity-dependent manner indicating that apoptosis is highly correlated with male infertility caused by obesity. Moreover, the expression of glycolysis-related proteins, including glucose transporter 8, lactate dehydrogenase A, monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2), and MCT4, decreased significantly in the testes of obese male mice, suggesting energy supply for spermatogenesis is impaired by obesity. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that obesity impairs male fertility through oxidative stress, apoptosis, and blockage of energy supply in the testes and suggest that male obesity influences fertility through complex and multiple mechanisms.