bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of USI-Kit for Evaluation of Iodine Content in Iodized Salt
Authors: OUNJAIJEAN Sakaewan , BOONYAPRANAI Kongsak , KULPRACHAKARN Kanokwan , RERKASEM Kittipan
Published: November 2020

Iodine deficiency has been considered as a serious public health problem for the past decades. Universal salt iodization program is introduced and implemented to address such problem. To encourage this program in an effective and sustainable way, it is essential to regularly monitor whether salt is adequately iodized at various points along the supply chain. The traditional iodometric titration method has problems related to accessibility, cost, and time. Colorimetric test kits have been used extensively to measure coverage of iodized salt in household surveys due to its expediency and affordability. In Thailand, “I-KIT” is the most widely used. The visualization of intensive color, however, is inconvenient for untrained-user in determining the adequacy of iodine content. Thus, an improvement to make testing more precise and affordable is still required. In this respect, a new test kit namely USI-Kit was developed to assess iodine quality and semi-quantity in edible salt. The kit was tested to evaluate its performance, by comparing the result with the I-KIT and with the spectrophotometric method. Compared with I-Kit, the USI-Kit exerted the relative accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate, false negative rate and Kappa coefficient value of 74.0, 76.3, 72.6, 27.4, 23.7 and 0.47, respectively. Compared to the spectrophotometric method, USI-Kit exerted the relative accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate, false negative rate and Kappa coefficient value of 85.4, 80.1, 89.3, 10.7, 19.9 and 0.70, respectively. The finding suggested that a newly developed iodine test kit holds promise to be used in field inspection of iodine content in salt.
A Low-Cost Analytical Method for the Morris Water Maze Task using ImageJ
Authors: SATTAYAKHOM Apsorn , KOOMHIN Phanit
Published: November 2020

The Morris water maze, which has been used for more than 30 years, is one of the most famous learning and memory tasks among animals. This method is robust and reliable, and it can be carried out anywhere with little effort. Nowadays, there are many companies creating analysis software to easily analyze the Morris water maze results. However, these softwares are costly and may be difficult for researchers in developing countries especially with limited research funds. Only escape latency and time spent in the target quadrant can be manually obtained after video review. To resolve this problem and to extend the ability to detect learning and memory impairment in the Morris water maze, we provide a novel low-cost analysis method using common office tools combined with ImageJ software to analyze learning and memory impairment in rat or mouse models. In this study, we used the 2-vessel occlusion (2VO) rats and sham-operated control rats as learning and memory deficit rats and normal rats, respectively. Taken together, travel distance, swimming speed, and swimming traces can be acquired from this method, which will help researchers to investigate further impairment of learning and memory in animal models.
Investigation of Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Ink from Sea Hare Dolabella auricularia
Authors: TAYONE Janeth Cuevas
Published: November 2020

This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of ink from sea hare (Dolabella auricularia) of Pujada Bay, City of Mati, Davao Oriental. The proximate and mineral composition were determined by using the standard official methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC).  The presence of secondary metabolites was investigated by using different qualitative tests, namely Froth test (saponins), Libermann-Buchard (sterols), Bate-Smith and Metacalf (flavonoids), Dragendorff and Maeyer (alkaloids), Keller-kiliani (glycoside), ferric chloride (tannins) and Bortnträger (anthraquinones). Its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was determined by using agar well diffusion method. The results for proximate analyses showed that ink contained 90.4 % moisture, 2.044 % ash, 5.324 % crude fat and 0.75 % protein. The mineral analyses were 0.25 % phosphorous, 578 µg/g potassium, 0.662 % sodium, 310.8 µg/g calcium, 664 µg/g magnesium, 2.146 µg/g iron and 1.898 µg/g zinc. Secondary metabolites screening revealed that ink contained saponins, steroids and flavonoids. Further, the ink extract showed weak antibacterial factor.  This is the first study conducted on the ink of sea hare in Davao region and its preliminary results showed that it is a good source of primary and secondary metabolites. These findings can be added to the potential medicinal value of sea hare and a basis for further chemical studies that will hopefully lead to the discovery of compounds with pharmacological importance.
Induction of Direct Shoot Organogenesis from Shoot Tip Explants of an Ornamental Aquatic Plant, Cryptocoryne wendtii
Authors: KLAOCHEED Sutha , JEHSU Wanna , CHOOJUN Wanwilai , THAMMASIRI Kanchit , PRASERTSONGSKUN Somporn , RITTIRAT Suphat
Published: November 2020

Cryptocoryne wendtii is an important amphibious species with a wide range of foliage colors. Although it has a high market demand, the natural propagation of its aquatic species is limited due to the limited production on the number of plants with a long cultivation period, disease, and the requirement for a large space for propagation. Thus, we studied the effects of the plant growth regulators and their concentrations on the induction of direct shoot organogenesis from shoot tip explants of Cryptocoryne wendtii. The shoot tips were sterilized on its surface using 8 % Clorox® (5.25 % sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl) for 15 min followed by rinsing them three times with sterile distilled water. They were again sterilized on the surface for another 4 % Clorox® (5.25 % sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl) for 5 min. Cytokinins played a crucial role in direct shoot organogenesis. Direct shoot organogenesis from shoot tip explants was promoted by incubating these explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium [1] in the presence of two different cytokinins [6-benzyl-aminopurine (BAP) or Kinetin (Kin)], each provided at four different levels. Direct shoot organogenesis was induced in both explants. Shooting occurred 100 % from in vitro shoot tip explants, which was cultured on MS medium and supplemented with 3.0 mg/l BAP. This was significantly different from the other treatments with the highest number of 16.20 shoots per explant and number of leaves at 72.40 leaves per explant after 60 days of culture. Individual shoots, aseptically excised, which produced normal roots within 45 days on the MS medium supplemented with α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest number of roots per shoot and the longest roots were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l NAA (100 % rooting, which was an average of 36 roots per plantlet and root length at 26.02 mm). Rooted plantlets were successfully hardened and established in pots containing a mixture of organic soil and sand (1:1) overlaid with tap water under greenhouse conditions at 90 % survival. This complete study has successfully outlined a rapid, high frequency direct shoot organogenesis induction of an ornamental aquatic plant, Cryptocoryne wendtii from shoot tip explants inclusive of shoot proliferation, rooting and acclimatization. The present in vitro propagation protocol would facilitate an alternative method for rapid, large-scale production and germplasm preservation of this important endangered species C. wendtii.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Atypical Hemolysin Gene in Vibrio campbellii and Effects of Cultivation Salinity and pH on Hemolytic Activity and Virulence
Authors: KISSALAI Phachinee , PREEPREM Sutima , VUDDHAKUL Varaporn , MITTRAPARP-ARTHORN Pimonsri
Published: November 2020

The purposes of this study were to analyze the atypical hemolysin gene of V. campbellii isolates, and to evaluate the effects of cultivation salinity (0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 % NaCl) and pH (5.0, 7.3, and 8.6) on the hemolytic activity and virulence of V. campbellii. Phylogenetic analysis of atypical hemolysin gene sequences obtained from V. campbellii demonstrated 84 - 85 % identity with the hlyA of V. cholerae. V. campbellii grown at 1.5 or 3.0 % NaCl, which exhibited significant higher hemolytic activity compared to those previously grown at 0.5 % NaCl. Maximum hemolytic activity was observed among acid-adapted V. campbellii which was previously grown at pH 5.0 for 5 h. Likewise, its virulence against Galleria mellonella was enhanced (~20 times) in comparison to that of non-adapted V. campbellii. Based on our results, it seems that V. campbellii might have acquired hemolysin gene from V. cholerae. Moreover, both cultivation salinity and pH are deemed important for the hemolytic activity and virulence of V. campbellii. This will be useful for the environmental control of this pathogen in aquaculture.
Colonization by Cupriavidus taiwanensis KKU2500-3 Enhances the Growth and Yield of KDML105 Jasmine Rice
Authors: PUNJEE Putthita Punjee , SIRIPORNADULSIL Wilailak , SIRIPORNADULSIL Surasak
Published: November 2020

The effects of the cadmium-tolerant bacterium Cupriavidus taiwanensis KKU2500-3 on the growth and grain production of jasmine rice (Oryza sativa L. var. KDML105) were studied. Bacterial cells were inoculated onto rice seedlings before transplanting into a hydroponic system; the cells successfully colonized, became distributed, and multiplied in the range of 104 - 109 log CFU·g-1 plant. The bacterial cells were localized to the cell wall and the intercellular space of all plant parts. Moreover, inoculation of strain KKU2500-3 significantly promoted rice growth by increasing the length, dry mass of shoots and roots, and chlorophyll concentration in leaves, and improved yields by increasing the panicle length, number of seeds/panicle, number of filled grains/panicle, filled grain percentage, and 100-grain weight (13.57, 11.90, 48.20, 32.55, and 23.53 % over the control, respectively). The number of filled grains/panicle and grain weight accounted for the increase in total yield. C. taiwanensis KKU2500-3 fixed nitrogen, produced indole-3-acetic acid, and solubilized phosphate, affecting the growth and yield of all plants. Successful colonization of rice seedlings before transplanting is an important finding, as it will simplify bacterial inoculation of plants, especially when grown in cadmium-contaminated rice fields.
Human Saliva and Dried Saliva Spots as Source of DNA for PCR based HLA Typing using a Combination of Taq DNA Polymerase and AccuPrimeTaq Polymerase
Authors: MURTHY Prerana Madhusudhana , NEDUVAT Anupama Cheleri , VEENADHAR Cheemalamarri , SUNDARRAJAN Sudarson , PADMANABHAN Sriram
Published: November 2020

Genomic DNA extracted from human saliva samples showed high inter-subject variations in DNA yield, compelling the need to explore a methodology for the accurate quantitation of the extracted genomic DNA. Quantitative assessment of DNA extracted from saliva was achieved using human coagulation factor XIII as an internal control for subsequent downstream applications of amplification of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes by PCR. The PCR signals for the HLA target genes, namely, HLA-A, -B, -C , DPB1, DQB1, and DRB1 of exons 2 and 3, improved greatly with the use of a combination of Taq DNA polymerase and AccuPrimeTaq DNA polymerase.  We also describe a new method of using dried saliva spots (DSS) as an alternate source of genomic DNA for HLA typing. PCR-based typing of DNA from human saliva offers a potential method for HLA typing and amplification, and typing of DNA, thus presented, could be applied in forensic science to saliva samples recovered from crime scenes.
Combination Effects of Phosphate and NaCl on Physiochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Properties of Frozen Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fillets during Frozen Storage
Authors: WANGTUEAI Sutee , MANEEROTE Jirawan , SEESURIYACHAN Phisit , PHIMOLSIRIPOL Yuthana , LAOKULDILOK Thunnop , SURAWANG Suthat , REGENSTEIN Joe M.
Published: November 2020

The objective of this research was to investigate the combination effects of phosphate and sodium chloride (NaCl) on the quality of frozen Nile tilapia fillets (control and treated with sodium tripolyphosphate 1.4 % STPP + 2.7 % NaCl) during storage at -18 ºC for up to 8 months. Results showed that moisture content decreased slightly (P ≤ 0.05), while pH gradual decreased, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) increased, and hardness and gumminess decreased with increasing time (P ≤ 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values were low (0.01 - 0.03 mg malonaldehyde/kg) and phosphate content ranged from 3350 - 3900 mg/kg. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in drip loss during storage. The control had higher cooking losses and the L* value increased with increasing storage time, while a*, b*, C*, and h* values were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Appearance and texture acceptability scores of treated fish were significantly higher than the control throughout storage (P ≤ 0.05). Total aerobic psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria were relatively unchanged at about 4 log CFU/g.
Organic Amendment and Fertilizer Effect on Soil Chemical Properties and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Rainfed Condition
Authors: ZAKI Muhamad Khoiru , KOMARIAH Komariah , RAHMAT Ali , PUJIASMANTO Bambang
Published: November 2020

Indonesia contributes 2 % of maize (Zea mays L.) production on the global scale, making it the sixth largest producer in the world. Maize is grown mainly (89 %) in rainfed areas. In agriculture management, rainfed areas have problems, such as lack of water and nutrient availability. This study aims to identify the role of organic amendments and NPK fertilizer in rainfed land management. The research was conducted in Karanganyar regency, Central Java, Indonesia, with an average temperature of 30 - 31 °C, relative humidity of 86 %, and rainfall around 2100 mm year-1. The experiment was carried out during May - August (dry season). The experiment consisted of 5 treatments: (i) control (CO); (ii) compost fertilizer (CF); (iii) straw mulch (MC); (iv) legume cover crop (CC), and (v) NPK fertilizer (AF), and was arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. The results showed compost and mulch can increase soil organic carbon (62 and 9.8 %, respectively), organic matter (62 and 9.8 %, respectively), plant height, cob weight, and biomass (30 and 18 %, respectively). On the other hand, legume cover crops have an adverse effect on the growth and yield of maize, due to nutrient competition between them. NPK fertilizer treatment has the highest value for growth and yield of corn crop, at 179.6 cm and 83.4 g, respectively, followed by compost, mulch, control, and legume cover crop, because NPK fertilizer can supply all nutrients, which are easy for the plants to absorb. Treatment compost 20 t.ha-1 can give the same result as NPK fertilizer 15-15-15 200 kg.ha-1 in plant growth and production.
Developmental Evidence of Male and Female Gametophytes of Jatropha curcas L.: Pollen Capability and Stigma Receptivity
Authors: NUANJUNKONG Nilubol , TONGURAI Chakrit , MEESAWAT Upatham
Published: November 2020

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), a promising alternative resource for biodiesel production, produces restrictively a seed yield and has a low level of genetic variation, causing a barrier to improve the oil performance. Therefore, better understanding of reproductive biology is crucially important for breeding programs to achieve commercial viability in the future. The developmental features related to floral bud diameter and floral morphology of male and female gametophytes, by means of light and scanning electron microscopes, and their capability were investigated. It was found that bud diameter could be used as criteria for identification of pollen and embryo sac stages. Pollen capability and stigma receptivity showed an inverse S-shape with time after flowering. The highest pollen viability assessed by FCR (93.20 - 98.60 %), TTC (78.80 - 87.00 %), and germination test (43.40 %) were obtained at 0 - 8, 0 - 12, and 0 HAF, respectively. Moderately linear correlations were exhibited between viability and germination test (R2 = 0.57 - 0.62). Stigma receptivity was the highest (97.22 - 100 %) on the first three days.
Quality of Life of Older People with Dementia in Thailand
Authors: POTHIBAN Linchong , CHINTANAWAT Rojanee , WONGPAKARAN Nahathai , SRIRAT Chomphoonut , SUCAMWANG Khanokporn
Published: November 2020

The quality of life (QOL) of older people with dementia may depend on their care environment.  This cross-sectional descriptive study aims to investigate the QOL of Thai older people with dementia in homes for the aged and those living in their own homes in the community, as well as the discrepancy between the QOL rated by the older people and by caregivers. The samples included 342 participants who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Quality of Life-Alzheimer’s Disease Scale (QOL-AD) and the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) Questionnaire Thai Version Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t test, and Pearson’s correlation. The findings revealed that the overall QOL scores of participants in both groups were at a moderate level. Compared with participants in homes for the aged, those living in the community showed higher scores in 7 aspects of QOL-AD, including physical health, energy, living situation, memory, self as a whole, ability to do chores, and ability to make life fun, but lower scores in the aspects of family/members and marriage/closed persons. Self-rated and caregiver-rated scores were significantly different in the aspects of living situation, memory, relationship with family, and marriage/closed persons. The findings imply that health care professionals can also assess the QOL of older people with dementia through self-rating. Further research to find the most effective method for enhancing older peoples’ QOL is needed.
RNA Sequence Analysis of Growth-Related Genes in Penaeus monodon
Authors: CHEALOH Nifareesa , DIREKBUSARAKOM Sataporn , CHOTIPUNTU Piyapong , JARIYAPONG Pitchanee , KONDO Hidehiro , HIRONO Ikuo , WUTHISUTHIMETHAVEE Suwit
Published: November 2020

Penaeus monodon is one of the most economically important shrimp species in Thailand. However, little information is available about the functional genomics related to its growth performance. In this study, Illumina paired-end sequencing was used to analyze transcriptomes related to growth performance in P. monodon muscle. A total of 38.4 million reads were generated. The pooled reads, from 10 libraries, were de novo assembled into 113,991 genes, with an average length of 337 bp. Gene expression was analyzed with the edgeR program, which revealed 705 differentially expressed contigs (p < 0.05) in fast-growth shrimp compared to slow-growth shrimp. The results show the 234 up-regulated contigs in fast-growth shrimp are mostly underlined genes involving the metabolic pathway. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed seven genes involved in the cell cycle that were expressed more in fast-growth shrimp (p < 0.05) than in slow-growth shrimp, and moderately to strongly correlated with shrimp body weight. These genes may be good candidates for growth performance improvement in P. monodon.
Dementia Community Screening Program in District Health Area 11: Phase 1
Authors: PHENWAN Tharin , TAWANWONGSRI Weeratian , KOOMHIN Phanit , SAENGOW Udomsak
Published: November 2020

To estimate the prevalence of dementia among Thai elderly in the upper Southern region of Thailand, we performed a cross-sectional screening of all Thai older people from 2 areas of Nakhon Si Thammarat province: Tambon Baan Thungchon, Tha Sala district, and Moo 6 and 7 from Sichon district, from December 2016 to November 2017. Trained health volunteers identified the participants in their communities and collected data including age, gender, comorbidities, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) results, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. Our sample comprised 773 participants, of which 605 (78.3 %) were from Baan Thungchon area, while 168 were from Moo 6 and Moo 7 of Sichon district. The majority of participants were female (431, 55.7 %). The mean age of the participants was 79 ± 9.1 years, with a minimum age of 60, and a maximum age of 95. Their comorbidities were hypertension (42.9 %), type II diabetic mellitus (33.2 %), dyslipidemia (37.5 %), and osteoarthritis of the knees (35.8 %). 35.1 % of them also had positive TUGT. Sixty-seven participants (8.7 %) scored 7 or lower in the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). Five participants (7.5 %) had a positive screening for dementia.
New Theory of Light and Resolution of the Abraham-Minkowski Controversy
Authors: AL-ITHAWI Adnan Salih
Published: November 2020

The Abraham-Minkowski controversy about the momentum of light in media has been debated for over a century and has been informed by many distinguished distributions, both theoretical and experimental. We show that both the Abraham and Minkowski forms of momentum are need to be modified according to the new theory of light. We prove that the total momentum of a photon in matter is the same as compared with that in free space by using the new relations between energy and mass of light with refractive index.
Biodegradation of Polyvinyl Alcohol by Thai Indigenous Mixed Microbial Culture
Authors: KANJANASOPA Duangkhaetita , PIMPA Benchamaporn , THITITHANAKUL Suraphon , WISUNTHORN Suwaluk
Published: November 2020

PVA is biodegradable plastic and a water-soluble synthetic polymer that plays a significant role in industry. A large amount of PVA in wastewater causes heavy environmental pollution in terms of accumulation, disposal, and long-term degradation; therefore it must be removed from wastewater before the water is discharged. In this study, NS3 mixed microbial culture, capable of completely degrading 5 g.L-1 polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), was isolated from landfill soil using the enrichment culture method. It completely degraded PVA at an initial concentration in the range 1 - 5 g.L-1 over 5 - 20 days of incubation with continuous shaking at 30 °C. Moreover, mixed microbial cultures were found to remove PVA at a high range concentration of 10 - 25 g.L-1. Urea and glucose added to the medium inhibited PVA degradation by increasing the pH to a strongly alkaline level, which would cause cell viability and enzyme stability. The FT-IR spectra and SEM imaging revealed the mechanisms and the physical degradation of PVA films, respectively. PVA uptake in bacterial cells produced a dent in the cell surface, which represented the consumption of PVA by bacterial cell. The PVA-degrading mixed microbial culture is the first reported in Thailand and can be beneficial in PVA wastewater treatment.
Differences in Viscoelasticity of Ophthalmic Polymer Solution after Sterilization
Authors: WEERAPOL Yotsanan , SRIAMORNSAK Pornsak
Published: November 2020

Polymer solution has been used for increasing viscosity of ophthalmic solution in order to prolong the retention of active drug in the eye. The ophthalmic solution must be sterilized, which may affect the rheology properties of viscosity-inducing polymers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sterilization treatment on viscosity-inducing agents (i.e., poloxamer, polyvinyl alcohol; (PVA), methyl cellulose (MC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and carbomer). The effect of membrane filtration and steam sterilization or autoclaving (121 °C, 15 Ib/inch2, 15 min) were determined. A rheometer was used to investigate the viscosity and viscoelastic properties between treated and untreated polymer solutions. The power law model, consistency index (k), and power law index (n) of polymer solution viscosity were compared. For viscoelastic properties, storage modulus and loss modulus were examined. The results demonstrated that, viscosity of carbomer and MC solution (1 and 2 %) were changed after steam sterilization. No difference in viscosity was observed for PVP, PVA and poloxamer solution, between untreated and treated samples. The storage and loss moduli of PVA solution after autoclaving were not different when comparing with the untreated polymer solution. From this study, it could be concluded that the sterilization treatment influenced the viscosity behavior and viscoelastic properties of polymer solution used as viscosity-inducing agent in ophthalmic solution. Therefore, the selection of polymer and sterilization method should be carefully considered.
Dehydrostephanine Isolated from Stephania venosa Possesses Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated RAW264.7 Macrophages
Authors: CHULRIK Wanatsanan , JANSAKUN Chutima , CHAICHOMPOO Waraluck , HATA Janejira , HIRANSAI Poonsit , CHUNGLOK Wilanee , UTAIPAN Tanyarath , SUKSAMRARN Apichart , CHUNGLOK Warangkana
Published: November 2020

Stephania venosa (Blume) Spreng. is a medicinal herb wildly used as a folklore medicine in Thailand. Many studies have reported that S. venosa tuber revealed a variety of pharmacological activities including anti-malarial, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of (–)-stephanine and dehydrostephanine isolated from S. venosa tuber on anti-inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. RAW264.7 cells were treated with (–)-stephanine and dehydrostephanine in the presence of LPS and cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The levels of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined by Griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Pre-treatment of dehydrostephanine significantly suppressed NO secretion in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells with the half-maximal NO inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 26.81±0.25 μM. However, (–)-stephanine had IC50 value on the inhibition of NO secretion of >40 μM. In addition, dehydrostephanine at concentrations of 20 - 80 μM significantly reduced LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1b, and interleukin-6 production in RAW264.7 cells. The present study showed that dehydrostephanine possesses the anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages by suppression of inflammatory mediators. Dehydrostephanine may be a promising candidate compound for further investigation of a novel class of anti-inflammatory drug.
Demonstrative Pronouns as Anti-Logophoric Pronouns: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Hinterwimmer Stefan , Brocher Andreas , Patil Umesh
Published: November 2020

In this paper we report the results of two experimental studies in which we tested the claim of Hinterwimmer and Bosch (2017) that German demonstrative pronouns are anti-logophoric pronouns: They avoid discourse referents as antecedents that function as perspectival centers. In both experiments we tested the interpretative options of demonstrative pronouns in text segments which were either perspectivally neutral or in which the narrator’s or a topical protagonist’s perspective was foregrounded. Taken together, the experimental results are most compatible with a slightly modified version of the analysis argued for in Hinterwimmer and Bosch (2017) according to which topical discourse referents in neutral narration automatically become perspectival centers.
José Luis García García (1941-2020). Un antropólogo social excepcional y un humanista convencido
Authors: Devillard Marie José
Published: November 2020

A modo de homenaje a la figura de José Luis García García, se repasa su trayectoria profesional así como su legado en el campo antropológico, en particular, en la antropología del conocimiento y de los saberes culturales. Se destaca especialmente su compromiso personal con la docencia, la labor desempeñada en el ámbito académico, así como -en lo que concierne a la investigación- su dedicación prioritaria a la etnografía de las Cuencas mineras asturianas.
Opplevingar og erfaringar med å delta i ein organisert fritidsaktivitet for jenter med minoritetsbakgrunn – «Jentegruppen»
Authors: Enoksen Mariann , Moland Karen Marie , O. Karlsen Merete
Published: November 2020

Jenter med minoritetsbakgrunn har lågare deltaking i organiserte aktivitetar enn andre barn. Deltaking i organiserte grupper har fordelar for fysisk, psykisk og sosial utvikling. Formålet med studien er å utforske kva det betyr for jenter med minoritetsbakgrunn å delta i fritidsaktiviteten «Jentegruppen». Tretten jenter i alderen 9–12 år vart intervjua, og data vart analyserte induktivt med kvalitativ innhaldsanalyse. Hovudfunnet i analysen var at «Jentegruppen» representerte ein fristad for sosial deltaking og utvikling, som såg ut til å gjere dei i stand til å handtere utfordringar knytte til den kulturelle bakgrunnen deira i skule og samfunn. Vi identifiserte tre undertema: «På «Jentegruppen» blir eg utfordra til å lære», «På «Jentegruppen» er eg meg sjølv» og «På «Jentegruppen» har eg fått venner». Vi konkluderer med at «Jentegruppen» er ein viktig arena for læring, som kan styrke integreringa av jenter med minoritetsbakgrunn i skulen og det norske samfunnet.
Evidence of parthenogenetic populations from the Paratanytarsus laccophilus species group (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the Alaskan Arctic
Authors: Lackmann Alec R , McEwen Daniel C , Butler Malcolm G
Published: November 2020

Parthenogenesis, reproduction without fertilization, is not common in the Chironomidae (Diptera), a family of insects with more than 6,000 described species. Nonetheless, parthenogenetic species and strains have been documented in at least three subfamilies (the Chironominae, Orthocladiinae, and Telmatogoninae), spanning 17 genera and ~30 species. One such species, Paratanytarsus laccophilus Edwards 1929, is known to be parthenogenetic in a small portion of its range in Finland, with most other European populations of this species showing evidence of sexual reproduction. We present evidence of parthenogenetic populations from the Paratanytarsus laccophilus species group in the Nearctic, specifically a High Arctic site near Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska. During May-July of 2015 and 2016, we sampled emerging adult chironomids and pupal exuviae daily to document insect emergence phenologies. Across 15 local populations, all 623 pupal exuviae collected from the P. laccophilus species group were female. Larvae reared from two populations under controlled temperature treatments emerged as female adults (N=37). When isolated, these reared female adults oviposited, and eggs hatched successfully. These progeny were reared for another 12-13 days, reaching second instar larvae when they were preserved at the end of our field season. Taken together, this evidence strongly indicates parthenogenesis from the P. laccophilus species group at this location. This species was not previously documented at Utqiaġvik. Although parthenogenetic, their emergence at this location was highly synchronized. In the harsh environment of arctic Alaska, the fitness rewards of parthenogenesis are likely great. Indeed, chironomid parthenogenesis in the northern hemisphere is most commonly documented from far-northern extremes and in extreme habitats.
Low concern rate with oral health and associated factors among older persons: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pontes Ana Flávia Leite , Feijo Juliana dos Santos , Rosalen Nathália Prigol , Scalco Natália Rigon , Colussi Paulo Roberto Grafitti , Muniz Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes
Published: November 2020

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of concern with oral health and associated factors among older adults. METHODS: Individuals aged ≥60 years were included from the cities Cruz Alta and Veranópolis, Brazil. Oral health examination and a structured questionnaire were applied in 569 individuals. The main outcome was concern with oral health (yes or no), which was determined by a validated questionnaire. Uni- and multivariate analyses were conducted by Poisson regression with robust variance to assess the association between outcome and independent variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of concern with oral health was 30.58% (n = 174). Non-white individuals presented significantly higher prevalence ratio (PR) of being concerned about their oral health (PR = 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.62). Individuals with medium or high level of education, not retired and without any health problems presented higher PR of being concerned with their oral health when compared to their controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, those that reported toothbrushing frequency ≥ 2 times/day (PR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.01 – 2.48) and non-edentulous (PR = 1.50; 95%CI 1.12 –2.01) also presented higher PR of being concern with their oral health. Older adults that were not concerned with tooth alignment (PR = 0.57; 95%CI 0.44 – 0.74) or tooth color (PR = 0.41; 95%CI 0.31 – 0.54) demonstrated lower concern with their oral health. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of concern with oral health among the older adults was low and associated with non-white individuals, medium and high level of education, individuals not retired, absence of health problems, higher toothbrushing frequency, mild temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and non-edentulism. Additionally, concern with esthetical aspects may be related with this outcome.
A Teoria da Imprevisão e a Gestão Pública de Crises no Brasil
Authors: Coêlho de Séllos Knoerr Viviane , Knoerr Fernando Gustavo
Published: November 2020

Em situações absolutamente excepcionais, irrompem circunstâncias que impactam essa previsibilidade, instabilizando a rotina cotidiana, tais como a ocorrência da pandemia gerada pela COVID-2019. Nesses casos, a excepcionalidade do contexto deve ser acompanhada pela excepcionalidade das medidas que, com extrema urgência, devem ser adotadas, para amortizar o tanto quanto possível os efeitos negativos dela oriundos. Ante este cenário, este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a teoria da imprevisão no âmbito da gestão pública no Brasil. Inicialmente aborda a imprevisão, com base no caso fortuito e na força maior, seguida pelo exame da imprevisão em relação à proporcionalidade. Na sequência, aborda a teoria da imprevisão e a cláusula rebus sic stantibus, e a imprevisão em tempos de pandemia, para, então aborda as providencias providências políticas, econômicas e jurídicas adotadas no Brasil.
Pandemia y derechos de la naturaleza
Authors: Chávez Vallejo Gina
Published: November 2020

Más allá de si fue creado o no y si alguien es o no responsable de ello, el CoVid-19, como se conoce a la enfermedad, es un hecho biológico que expresa una anomalía en los ritmos de la naturaleza, con efectos en todos los órdenes de la vida humana. De ahí se desprende que uno de los campos que necesariamente debamos examinar es la relación que hemos mantenido entre Estado, sociedad y naturaleza y hasta qué punto nos exige redefinirlas. Pero además, es evidente que este hecho biológico, al ponernos en riesgo a todos y todas, nos coloca en un “común” que nos exige el cuidado y resguardo de todos, la solidaridad social, y un sentido fuerte de “lo público global”, categoría que no habíamos advertido antes desde ninguna noción republicana de lo común y de lo público. Un tercer aspecto que nos plantea esta pandemia es, sin duda, quien está en mejores y peores condiciones para enfrentar ese riesgo común. Pero además, su naturaleza global, hace que se vean tocadas tanto la soberanía nacional como el ejercicio de derechos ciudadanos; todo lo cual nos obliga a conectar estos hechos y eventos inconexos en una misma reflexión.
Politisch motivierte Gewalt
Authors: Schröder Janine
Published: November 2020

Empirical studies in the field of politically motivated violence that focus on perspectives and definitions of deviants are still lacking. The qualitative Interviews of this study with seven active members of left-winged autonomous groups show a varying picture in definitions of (politically motivated) violence and resistance. Politically motivated violence is mainly defined as counterviolence or self-defense. Group-dynamics have a major impact on how individuals act in situations of protest or resistance. Thus, the decision to exceed the limit of legitimate protest depends on experiences of violence and the tolerance of violence within the group.
Estimativa da produção de biogás e composição gravimétrica dos resíduos sólidos do município de Bom Sucesso-PB
Authors: Sousa Erick Ferreira de , Bezerra Joel Medeiros , Lopes Jessica Rafaelly Almeida
Published: November 2020

A disposição inadequada de resíduos resulta em danos ao ambiente, e riscos à saúde humana. No vazadouro de Bom Sucesso-PB ocorre a disposição inadequada e queima a céu aberto dos resíduos sólidos. Diante de tal panorama, buscou-se avaliar o vazadouro de Bom Sucesso-PB, por meio da composição gravimétrica, bem como estimativa da produção de biogás. Inicialmente foi realizado levantamento de campo mediante análise de composição gravimétrica, utilizando da técnica de quarteamento, para fins de contabilização das distintas frações de materiais, tal qual a estimativa das taxas de emissão do gás metano (CH4) pela fração orgânica. A composição gravimétrica do lixo possibilitou identificar uma predominância de material plástico, 30,6%, um material reciclável dotado de valor econômico. A estimativa da geração de metano apontou valores pequenos se comparados a grandes cidades, porém vale salientar que a geração deste gás contribui para o agravamento do aquecimento global.
A Remote Access Security Model based on Vulnerability Management
Authors:   School of Computing and Informatics, Maseno University, Private Bag, Maseno, Kenya, Ndichu Samuel , McOyowo Sylvester , Okoyo Henry , Wekesa Cyrus
Published: November 2020

Information security threats exploit vulnerabilities in communication networks. Remote access vulnerabilities are evident from the point of communication initialization following the communication channel to data or resources being accessed. These threats differ depending on the type of device used to procure remote access. One kind of these remote access devices can be considered as safe as the organization probably issues it to provide for remote access. The other type is risky and unsafe, as they are beyond the organization’s control and monitoring. The myriad of devices is, however, a necessary evil, be it employees on public networks like cyber cafes, wireless networks, vendors support, or telecommuting. Virtual Private Network (VPN) securely connects a remote user or device to an internal or private network using the internet and other public networks. However, this conventional remote access security approach has several vulnerabilities, which can take advantage of encryption. The significant threats are malware, botnets, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). Because of the nature of a VPN, encryption will prevent traditional security devices such as a firewall, Intrusion Detection System (IDS), and antivirus software from detecting compromised traffic. These vulnerabilities have been exploited over time by attackers using evasive techniques to avoid detection leading to costly security breaches and compromises. We highlight numerous shortcomings for several conventional approaches to remote access security. We then adopt network tiers to facilitate vulnerability management (VM) in remote access domains. We perform regular traffic simulation using Network Security Simulator (NeSSi2) to set bandwidth baseline and use this as a benchmark to investigate malware spreading capabilities and DDoS attacks by continuous flooding in remote access. Finally, we propose a novel approach to remote access security by passive learning of packet capture file features using machine learning and classification using a classifier model.
Diagnostic Utility of a Custom 34-Gene Anchored Multiplex PCR-Based Next-Generation Sequencing Fusion Panel for the Diagnosis of Bone and Soft Tissue Neoplasms With Identification of Novel USP6 Fusion Partners in Aneurysmal Bone Cysts
Authors: Dermawan Josephine K. , Cheng Yu Wei , Tu Zheng Jin , Meyer Anders , Habeeb Omar , Zou Youran , Goldblum John R. , Billings Steven D. , Kilpatrick Scott E. , Reith John D. , Shurtleff Sheila A. , Farkas Daniel H. , Rubin Brian P. , Azzato Elizabeth M.
Published: November 2020

Context.—

Bone and soft tissue tumors are heterogeneous, diagnostically challenging, and often defined by gene fusions.

Objective.—

To present our experience using a custom 34-gene targeted sequencing fusion panel.

Design.—

Total nucleic acid extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens was subjected to open-ended, nested anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction and enrichment of 34 gene targets, thus enabling detection of known and novel fusion partners.

Results.—

During a 12-month period, 147 patients were tested as part of routine clinical care. Tumor percentage ranged from 10% to 100% and turnaround time ranged from 3 to 15 (median, 7.9) days. The most common diagnostic groups were small round blue cell tumors, tumors of uncertain differentiation, fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumors, and adipocytic tumors. In-frame fusion transcripts were identified in 64 of 142 cases sequenced (45%): in 62 cases, the detection of a disease-defining fusion confirmed the morphologic impression; in 2 cases, a germline TFG-GPR128 polymorphic fusion variant was detected. Several genes in the panel partnered with multiple fusion partners specific for different diagnoses, for example, EWSR1, NR4A3, FUS, NCOA2, and TFE3. Interesting examples are presented to highlight how fusion detection or lack thereof was instrumental in establishing accurate diagnoses. Novel fusion partners were detected for 2 cases of solid aneurysmal bone cysts (PTBP1-USP6, SLC38A2-USP6).

Conclusions.—

Multiplex detection of fusions in total nucleic acid purified from FFPE specimens facilitates diagnosis of bone and soft tissue tumors. This technology is particularly useful for morphologically challenging entities and in the absence of prior knowledge of fusion partners, and has the potential to discover novel fusion partners.
Global Pathology Training in Residency and Fellowship: A Mutually Beneficial Intervention
Authors: Goetz Lianna , Huggins Khadija , Greaves Wesley , Peters Tricia , Johncilla Melanie
Published: November 2020

Context.—

Most cancers occur in lower and middle income countries, where pathologists are scarce. Despite this, few pathology training programs offer global health electives, and trainees are not exposed to challenges associated with practicing in resource-restricted settings.

Objective.—

To implement a global health elective model aimed at exposing trainees to global health while alleviating overburdened pathologists in resource-restricted settings.

Design.—

For 1 year, trainees at 2 US institutions reviewed cases shipped weekly from a pathology lab serving Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Turnaround time, specimen type, and trainee and clinician satisfaction were assessed.

Results.—

Trainees reviewed an average of 16 cases per week. Average turnaround time was 6 days. There was no significant difference between the turnaround time for the US trainees and the pathologist based in the lab in Trinidad. Trainees and clinicians reported a high level of satisfaction, and the collaboration was fruitful, resulting in the publication of a case report.

Conclusions.—

We demonstrate that collaboration between US trainees and laboratories in resource-restricted settings, in the form of a global health elective, is mutually beneficial.
First principles calculation of two-dimensional materials at an atomic scale
Authors: Liu Zi-Yuan , Pan Jin-Bo , Zhang Yu-Yang , Du Shi-Xuan ,   Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,   CAS Center for Excellence in Topological Quantum Computation, Beijing 100190, China,   Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, China
Published: November 2020

With the continuous development of information and technology, core components are developing rapidly toward faster running speed, lower energy consumption, and smaller size. Due to the quantum confinement effect, the continuous reduction of size makes materials and devices exhibit many exotic properties that are different from the properties of traditional three-dimensional materials. At an atomic scale level, structure and physical properties, accurately synthesizing, characterizing of materials, property regulation, and manufacturing of electronic devices with good performance all play important roles in developing the electronic devices and relevant applications in the future. Theoretical calculation can efficiently predict the geometric structure, physical properties and interface effects with low consumption but high accuracy. It is an indispensable research means of atomic level manufacturing technology. In this paper, we review the recent progress of two-dimensional materials from the theoretical perspective. This review is divided into three parts, i.e. two-dimensional layered materials, two-dimensional non-layered materials, and two-dimensional heterostructures. Finally, we draw some conclusions and suggest some areas for future investigation.
Genetic profiling of protein burden and nuclear export overload
Authors: Kintaka Reiko , Makanae Koji , Namba Shotaro , Kato Hisaaki , Kito Keiji , Ohnuki Shinsuke , Ohya Yoshikazu , Andrews Brenda J , Boone Charles , Moriya Hisao
Published: November 2020

Overproduction (op) of proteins triggers cellular defects. One of the consequences of overproduction is the protein burden/cost, which is produced by an overloading of the protein synthesis process. However, the physiology of cells under a protein burden is not well characterized. We performed genetic profiling of protein burden by systematic analysis of genetic interactions between GFP-op, surveying both deletion and temperature-sensitive mutants in budding yeast. We also performed genetic profiling in cells with overproduction of triple-GFP (tGFP), and the nuclear export signal-containing tGFP (NES-tGFP). The mutants specifically interacted with GFP-op were suggestive of unexpected connections between actin-related processes like polarization and the protein burden, which was supported by morphological analysis. The tGFP-op interactions suggested that this protein probe overloads the proteasome, whereas those that interacted with NES-tGFP involved genes encoding components of the nuclear export process, providing a resource for further analysis of the protein burden and nuclear export overload.
Rapid computations of spectrotemporal prediction error support perception of degraded speech
Authors: Sohoglu Ediz , Davis Matthew H
Published: November 2020

Human speech perception can be described as Bayesian perceptual inference but how are these Bayesian computations instantiated neurally? We used magnetoencephalographic recordings of brain responses to degraded spoken words and experimentally manipulated signal quality and prior knowledge. We first demonstrate that spectrotemporal modulations in speech are more strongly represented in neural responses than alternative speech representations (e.g. spectrogram or articulatory features). Critically, we found an interaction between speech signal quality and expectations from prior written text on the quality of neural representations; increased signal quality enhanced neural representations of speech that mismatched with prior expectations, but led to greater suppression of speech that matched prior expectations. This interaction is a unique neural signature of prediction error computations and is apparent in neural responses within 100 ms of speech input. Our findings contribute to the detailed specification of a computational model of speech perception based on predictive coding frameworks.