bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ensinando português para estrangeiros:
Authors: Viana Rafaela de Souza , Souza José Wellisten Abreu de
Published: December 2021

O projeto de extensão Estratégias de Imersão Cultural para o Desenvolvimento da Aprendizagem de PLE: aulas do PLEI para estudantes PEC-G, executado de março a dezembro de 2020, teve como objetivo promover a aprendizagem da língua portuguesa para aprendizes do Programa de Estudantes-Convênio de Graduação (PEC-G). Tal ação justifica-se pela necessidade desses estudantes de adquirir proficiência em língua portuguesa para a obtenção do Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros (Celpe-Bras), o que consolida o ingresso deles no programa. Do ponto de vista metodológico, este trabalho apresenta um relato da vivência extensionista voltada ao ensino de Português como Língua Estrangeira (PLE), no qual é construída análise qualitativa das ações desenvolvidas no Programa Linguístico-Cultural para Estudantes Internacionais (PLEI). Para tanto, situa-se o contexto que envolve o projeto e o seu público-alvo. Em seguida, abordam-se as medidas metodológicas adotadas para a construção das aulas ministradas, assim como ações realizadas para auxiliar os alunos. Por fim, discutem-se os resultados desde o ponto de vista do público-alvo do projeto, que conseguiu atingir níveis de competência comunicativa satisfatórios em língua portuguesa, como também dos discentes do curso de Letras-Português da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), que ministram essas aulas e puderam vivenciar o fazer pedagógico em todas as suas etapas de construção, partindo de leituras teóricas, pesquisa de materiais didáticos, até a elaboração e ministração das aulas.
Strategic Responses During Frugal Innovation at the Base of the Pyramid: the Case of Philips Community Life Centres
Authors: Onsongo Elsie
Published: December 2021

When multinational enterprises (MNEs) seek to serve the needs of base of the pyramid (BOP) environments, they are often confronted with several environmental factors, among them, severe resource constraints and institutional complexities. MNEs adopt two overarching strategic orientations to navigate these factors: the strategy to adapt to the new context, or the strategy to shape the context. This paper investigates how and when these strategic orientations are deployed in an MNE. It further explores the intra-organisational tensions and dilemmas that arise when these strategic orientations are implemented. This paper analyzes a case of frugal innovation in a primary care intervention developed and deployed in Kenya by Philips N. V., a Dutch multinational technology company. Several propositions are generated based on the case findings. The paper contributes to the frugal innovation literature which lacks rigorous, in-depth analytical case studies on organisational processes associated with new product development. It also offers managers a useful toolkit that could inform how they could strategically navigate the pressures of BOP environments.
Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Pyridine in Water Using Zinc Porphyrin Incorporated in a Transparent Hydrophobic Film
Authors: Sasai Ryo , Aoyama Yu-hei , Fujimura Takuya
Published: December 2021

In this study, we investigated the axial coordination reaction between pyridine and zinc meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (ZnTPPS) incorporated in a transparent layered double hydroxide (LDH) film modified with 1-decanesulfonate (C10S) in an aqueous solution. The equilibrium constant (\({K}_{11}\)) of the axial coordination reaction between pyridine and ZnTPPS incorporated in the transparent ZnTPPS/C10S/LDH film was approximately 260 times that of the corresponding reaction in an aqueous solution. The hydrophobisation of the LDH interlayer space by C10S, which led to the elimination of water molecules surrounding ZnTPPS and enabled the accumulation of pyridine molecules, was responsible for such a significant increase in the \({K}_{11}\) value. The developed film can detect pyridine in aqueous solutions with ultra-high sensitivity in the order of 10−5 mol/L through changes in the colour tone, which is comparable to the molecular detection ability of insect antennae. The sensing response was also observed at pyridine concentrations as low as 10−9 mol/L.
Cellulosic Paper-Based Membrane for Oil-Water Separation Enabled by Papermaking and in-Situ Gelation
Authors: Gao Decheng , Feng Yucheng , Zhang Xiao , Wu Shuying , Yang Fei
Published: December 2021

While has obvious scientific significance, the oil-water separation membranes are argued at production and disuse, mainly ascribed to the complex processes and non-biodegradation. Papermaking has great potential in the field of oil/water separation. The pulp refining of papermaking can improve the properties of pulp to improve the properties of paper substrate, which play an important role in oil-water separation. Due to the separation process was conducted under water, the wet strength of paper-based membrane was improved by micro-dissolved and in-situ gelation. The strength, oil-water separation efficiency and flux of membranes were explored under different beating degrees and regenerated conditions. The separation for oil-water emulsion of membranes can keep more than 98.5%, and the flux can be adjusted by pulp refining and in-situ gelation. The membranes are expected to be a low-cost, high-efficient for oily wastewater purification. This work demonstrates a new idea for the development of oil-water separation and papermaking, which provides a feasible strategy for large scale production of fully biodegradable oil-water separation membrane.
Risk Factors on Healthcare-Associated Infections Among Hospitalized Tuberculosis Patients in China From 2001- 2020: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Xinliang , Ren Nili , Ma Zheng Feei , Zhong Meiling , Li Hao
Published: December 2021

BackgroundAs a chronic communicable disease, tuberculosis (TB) is acknowledged as a global public health issue. A comprehensive analysis of risk factors on HAIs among TB hospitalized patients in Chinese hospitals is vacant. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the risk factors associated with healthcare-associated TB in Chinese hospitals.MethodsMedline, EMBASE and Chinese Journals Online databases were searched. The search was limited to studies published from January 1st 2001 and December 31st 2020. Meta-analyses of ORs in the prevalence were estimated. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed based on the 𝝉2 and I2 statistics to select the meta-analysis model. Review Manager 5.3 was employed and P<0.05 was considered as the statistical significance.ResultsThe databases searched 418 records, of which 11 published articles were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. A total of 11,922 TB hospitalized patients were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, of which 1,133 were diagnosed as having HAIs. Older than 65 years (OR: 2.89[2.01-4.15]), presence of complication (OR: 3.28[2.10-5.13]), presence of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.63[1.22-2.19]), invasive procedure (OR: 3.80[2.25-6.42]), longer than 15 days of hospitalization stay (OR: 2.09[1.64-2.64]), secondary tuberculosis (OR: 2.25[1.48-3.42]), smoking (OR: 1.40[1.02-1.93]), presence of underlying disease (OR: 2.66[1.53-4.62]), and use of antibiotics (OR: 2.77[2.35-3.27])were the main risk factors associated with higher HAIs prevalence among TB hospitalized patients with a statistical significance (P<0.05).Conclusionsolder than 65 years, presence of complication, presence of diabetes mellitus, invasive procedure, longer than 15 days of hospitalization stay, secondary tuberculosis, smoking, presence of underlying disease, and use of antibiotics were the main risk factors which had a negative impact on HAIs among TB hospitalized patients in Chinese hospitals. These findings provided evidence for the policy makers and hospital managers to make effective infection prevention and control measures to constrain the rising of HAIs. It is also required that more cost-effective infection prevention and control measures should be widely applied in routinely medical treatment and clinical management to healthcare-associated TB.
On-Farm Diversity of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Farmers’ Varieties in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Nurgi Negera , Tana Tamado , Dechassa Nigussie , Alemayehu Yibekal , Tesso Bulti
Published: December 2021

Ethiopia is considered as the secondary centre of faba bean diversity. However, the extent of its diversity at present time is not well known in the eastern Hararghe Zone. Therefore, survey study was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019 to identify patterns of on-farm diversity of faba bean farmers’ varieties and their use; and to assess production attributes, constraints, and role of gender in the production and management of faba bean farmers’ varieties in eastern Hararghe Zone. Two stratified agro-ecological zones (Tepid moist mid-highland, M3 and Tepid sub-humid mid-highland, SH3) were selected from the zone. Three Kebeles from each agroecologies were randomly selected. From each Kebele, 12 general informants and two key informants based on their gender and wealth status were selected, making a total of 72 general and 12 key informants, a total of 84 informants. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used for the general and key informants, respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using R (version 3.5.2) software. Eight farmers’ varieties of faba bean were identified. Highest varietal diversity (Hꞌ = 1.35) was recorded at Gara Abdula kebele of M3 while the lowest diversity value (Hꞌ = 0.81) was at Obi Kutir 1 kebele of SH3. Variety Safisa was reported for its highest market price (32.8 ETB kg−1) and variety Dabale was the highest yielder (1900 kg ha−1). Most farmers (94%) use traditional seeds and 72% of farmers grow faba bean on < 0.125 ha land area. Baqela Faranji was the widely (33%) cultivated variety. Diseases (100%), weeds (89%) and land shortage (85%) were the main faba bean production constraints. Roles of male adult and female adult family members take the upper hand in all faba bean production and post-harvest management activities. In conclusion, expansion of chat crop and shortage of land are the major reasons for low faba bean diversity.
Mechanical Properties and Delamination Factor Evaluation of Cellulose (Nettle) Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites using RSM
Authors: . Pankaj , Kant Suman , Jawalkar C.S.
Published: December 2021

This paper discusses on fabrication, testing and evaluation of delamination factor of nettle fiber based composites for low duty applications. The randomly oriented nettle fibers were used to fabricate the biocomposite by conventional hand lap up technique. Epoxy and Nettle based composite plates were developed by varying fiber weight percentage from 5% to 25%. The flexural, tensile, impact, chemical resistance and water absorption rate of developed nettle fiber based biocomposite were examined for different fiber weight fractions in the randomly oriented patterns as a unique and innovative attempt. During the investigation, flexural strength and tensile strength were improved up to 20 wt% of fiber addition and then it was decreased. This resulted in a continuous rise in impact strength with an enhancement in fiber wt. %. The influence of fiber weight percentage on water absorption and chemical resistance of fabricated composite was examined in different environments. The result showed that the nettle fibers can be used as an essential reinforcing material to design and fabricate mechanical and structural members for low duty application. The chemical behavior of nettle based composite was studied by the FTIR spectroscopy method and the presence of chemical functional group was confirmed. The drilling behavior of developed nettle/SiC/epoxy hybrid composites was evaluated by consider cutting process parameters like feed rate (0.125, 0.212 and 0.3 mm/rev), spindle speed (400, 600, 800 rev/min) and drill diameter (4, 6, 8 mm). Analysis of variance was used in designing experiments for the current investigation. Feed rate was found to be a very impressive factor in influencing the delamination factor.
Dynamic Characteristic Analysis of Spur Gear System Considering Tooth Contact State Caused by Shaft Misalignment
Authors: Yang Lantao , Zeng Qiang , Yang Haishi , Wang Liming , Long Guorong , Ding Xiaoxi , Shao Yimin
Published: December 2021

Shaft misalignment will change the gear contact state, and then leads to the variation of the internal stiffness excitation of the gear pair, and finally the dynamic characteristics of the gear system will be affected. However, the influence of the gear contact state change on stiffness is usually neglected in the traditional stiffness calculation model for misaligned gears, and the underlying influence mechanism of the gear contact state changes aroused by the shaft misalignment on the dynamic characteristics of gear system is still unclear. To address these shortcomings, traditional loaded tooth contact analysis (LTCA) model is improved with the influences of fillet foundation deformation taken into consideration. Combined with the improved LTCA model, a new mesh stiffness calculation model for misaligned gear considering the tooth contact state is proposed, and then the effects of the contact state changes aroused by the shaft misalignment on the mesh stiffness excitation are studied. Moreover, a dynamic model of misaligned gear system with 8 degree of freedom (DOF) is established, and the dynamic characteristics of the system are simulated and finally verified by experiment. The results show that the proposed model can be used to evaluate the dynamic characteristics of the misaligned gear system with the change of gear tooth contact state taken into consideration. This study provides a theoretical method for the evaluation and identification of the shaft misalignment error.
Hypofractionated Radiation Induced the Immunogenic Death of Bladder Cancer Cells Leading to the Immune Sensitization of Dendritic Cells
Authors: Zeng Xianlin , Cui Zhonghui , wang yun , Chen Jin , Tang Fuzhou , Hu Zuquan , Luo Daiqin , Zhou Jing , Liu Lina , Qiu Wei , Ye Yuannong , Jia Yi , Zhang Shuai , Zhou Shi , Zeng Zhu , Long Jinhua
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Radiotherapy is a commonly used method in the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). Radiation induced immunogenic death (ID) and antitumor immune response are related to the prognosis of radiotherapy. As the most powerful antigen-presenting cell in the body, the role of dendritic cells (DCs) is not very clear.
Methods

Apoptosis level, cell cycle analysis and expression levels of high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1), calreticulin (CRT) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were performed for bladder cancer cells after hypofractionated radiotherapy. The effects of the conditioned media on DCs for antitumor immune response activation were studied as well.
Results

The significantly increased apoptosis level, G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and significantly increased HMGB1, CRT and HSP70 expressions, and increased secretion of CCL5 and CCL21 in the supernatant of bladder cancer cells after hypofractionated radiotherapy. The expression of CD80, CD86, CCR5 and CCR7 on DCs was upregulated in the conditioned media of bladder cancer cells after hypofractionated radiotherapy.
Conclusion

Hypofractionated radiation blocked the cell cycle of BC cells in the G2/M phase and induced ID occurrence, resulting in DCs immune sensitization, which is of great clinical significance in understanding the radiotherapy of BC and the immunoregulation function of DCs.
Renal Safety of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Entecavir in Liver Transplant Patients: A Nationwide Korean Registry Study
Authors: Lee Juhan , Lee Jae Geun , Hwang Shin , Lee Kwang-Woong , Kim Jong Man , Ryu Je Ho , Kim Bong-Wan , Choi Dong Lak , You Young Kyoung , Kim Dong-Sik , Nah Yang Won , Kang Koo Jeong , Cho Jai Young , Yu Hee Chul , Hong Geun , Choi Dongho , Moon Ju Ik , Kim Myoung Soo
Published: December 2021

Background and aims: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) have been recommended after liver transplantation to prevent recurrence of hepatitis B virus infection. Despite its proven efficacy, the renal safety of TDF has not been established in liver transplant recipients. We aimed to compare the effects of TDF and ETV on renal function in liver transplant recipients and to evaluate risk factors for renal dysfunction after liver transplantation. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational multicenter study of data from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry. We included adults who underwent liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus-related complications from April 2014 to December 2017 and received TDF or ETV post-transplantation. Renal dysfunction was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate decline by at least 20% from baseline (1 month post-transplantation). Median duration of follow-up was 29 months (interquartile range 19–42).Results: A total of 804 liver transplant patients were included. The cumulative probability of renal dysfunction was significantly higher in the TDF group than in the ETV group. Multivariable analysis confirmed that TDF was independently associated with an increased risk of renal dysfunction (hazard ratio = 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.12-1.92; P = 0.005). Independent risk factors for renal dysfunction included older age, worse baseline renal function, and low body mass index. Renal dysfunction after liver transplantation was independently associated with increased mortality.Conclusions: In this nationwide study, use of TDF was associated with an increased risk of renal dysfunction, when compared with ETV.
The Changes of Prostatic Microvessel Density in Sprague-Dawleyrats After Castration Under the Effect of Estrogen/ Androgen at Different Concentrations
Authors: Wang Bo , Ban Yong , Sun Zhaolin , Tian Ye , Luo Guangheng
Published: December 2021

Background: Currently, there are relatively few studies on the effects of changes in estrogen and androgen levels on prostatic MVD.This article aimed to study the changes of prostatic MVD in SD rats after castration under the effect of estrogen/androgen at different concentrations.Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats aged 3-4 months were randomly divided into the control group, castration group, and different concentrations of estrogen/ androgen treatment after castration. Dihydrotestosterone(DHT) and estradiol(E) were administered daily by subcutaneous injection for one month. All the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation after one month, and the serum DHT and E concentrations of the rats in each group were measured by ELISA assay. Prostate tissues specimens were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD-34 and factor VIII for the MVD.Results: Compared with the control group, the MVD decreased significantly in the castration group (P<0.05). When the exogenous E concentration was constant, in general, the MVD of rats in all the groups increased with the increase of exogenous DHT concentration; Among them, compared with the castration group, the MVD increased significantly in the E0.05+DHT0.015 mg/kg group, E0.05+DHT0.05 mg/kg group, E0.05+DHT0.15 mg/kg group, E0.05+DHT0.5 mg/kg group, and E0.05+DHT1.5 mg/kg group (P<0.05). In addition, when the exogenous DHT concentration was constant, the MVD increased with the increase of exogenous E concentration in all the groups; Among them, compared with the control and castration group, the MVD increased significantly in the DHT0.15+E0.015 mg/kg group, DHT0.15+E0.15 mg/kg group, and DHT0.15+E0.5 mg/kg group (P<0.05).Conclusions: Androgens carried an important role in the regulation of prostatic MVD in SD rats, and the decrease of DHT concentration can induce a decrease in prostatic MVD. In contrast, prostatic MVD can be increased with the increase of DHT concentration. In addition, prostatic MVD can be increased gradually with the increase of estrogen concentration.
Why Does an Obligate Autogamous Orchid Produce Insect Attractants in Nectar? – A Case Study on Epipactis Albensis (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Jakubska-Busse Anna , Czeluśniak Izabela , Kobyłka Michał J. , Hojniak Marek
Published: December 2021

Background
The flowers of some species of orchids produce nectar as a reward for pollination, the process of transferring pollen from flower to flower. Epipactis albensis is an obligatory autogamous species, does not require the presence of insects for pollination, nevertheless, it has not lost the ability to produce nectar, the chemical composition of which we examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for identification of potential insect attractants.
Results
During five years of field research, we did not observe any true pollinating insects visiting the flowers of this species, only accidental insects as ants and aphids. As a result of our studies we find that this self-pollinating orchid produces in nectar inter alia aliphatic saturated and unsaturated aldehydes such as i.e. nonanal (pelargonal) and 2-pentenal as well as aromatic ones (i.e. syringaldehyde, hyacinthin). The nectar is low in alkenes, which may explain the absence of pollinating insects. Moreover, vanillin and eugenol derivatives, well-known as important scent compounds were also identified, but the list of chemical compounds is much poorer compared with a closely related species, insect-pollinating E. helleborine.
Conclusion
Autogamy is a reproductive mechanism employed by many flowering plants, including the orchid genus Epipactis, as adaptation to grow in habitats where pollinating insects are rare observed due to the lack of nectar-producing plants they feed on. The production of numerous chemical attractants by self-pollinated E. albensis confirms the evolutionary secondary process, i.e. transition from ancestral insect-pollinating species to obligatory autogamous.
A Practical Alzheimer Disease Classifier via Brain Imaging-Based Deep Learning on 85,721 Samples
Authors: Lu Bin , Li Hui-Xian , Chang Zhi-Kai , Li Le , Chen Ning-Xuan , Zhu Zhi-Chen , Zhou Hui-Xia , Li Xue-Ying , Wang Yu-Wei , Cui Shi-Xian , Deng Zhao-Yu , Fan Zhen , Yang Hong , Chen Xiao , Thompson Paul M. , Castellanos Francisco Xavier , Yan Chao-Gan
Published: December 2021

BackgroundBeyond detecting brain lesions or tumors, comparatively little success has been attained in identifying brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Many machine learning algorithms to detect AD have been trained using limited training data, meaning they often generalize poorly when applied to scans from previously unseen populations. Therefore, we built a practical brain MRI-based AD diagnostic classifier using deep learning/transfer learning on dataset of unprecedented size and diversity. MethodsA retrospective MRI dataset pooled from more than 217 sites/scanners constituted the largest brain MRI sample to date (85,721 scans from 50,876 participants) between January 2017 and August 2021. Next, a state-of-the-art deep convolutional neural network, Inception-ResNet-V2, was built as a sex classifier with high generalization capability. The sex classifier achieved 94.9% accuracy and served as a base model in transfer learning for the objective diagnosis of AD. FindingsAfter transfer learning, the model fine-tuned for AD classification achieved 91.3% accuracy in leave-sites-out cross-validation on the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI, 6,857 samples) dataset and 94.2%/93.6%/90.5% accuracy for direct tests on three unseen independent datasets (AIBL, 669 samples / MIRIAD, 644 samples / OASIS, 1,123 samples). When this AD classifier was tested on brain images from unseen mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, MCI patients who finally converted to AD were 3 times more likely to be predicted as AD than MCI patients who did not convert (65.2% vs 20.6%). Predicted scores from the AD classifier showed significant correlations with illness severity. InterpretationIn sum, the proposed AD classifier could offer a medical-grade marker that have potential to be integrated into AD diagnostic practice.
Syntaxin-1a and SNAP-25 Expression Level is Increased in the Blood Samples of Ischemic Stroke Patients.
Authors: Cappelletti Pamela , Filareti Melania , Masuelli Laura , Bei Roberto , Hassanzadeh Kambiz , Corbo Massimo , Feligioni Marco
Published: December 2021

The interest in peripheral blood biomarkers is growing exponentially in several neurological disorders including Ischemic Stroke (IS). The identification of neurological biochemical signs through blood sample analyses would be revolutionary allowing a better pathology diagnosis giving also information on potential recovery after specific treatments. Indeed, the increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, following a brain infarct, allows the detection of synaptic proteins in the blood flow. In this work, we analyzed the expression levels of two synaptic proteins belonging to the Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Fusion Protein Attachment Protein Receptor (SNARE) family, Syntaxin (STX)-1a and Synaptosomal Associated Protein, 25 kDa (SNAP-25), in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC), serum and in Neuronal Derived Extracellular vesicles (NDEs) of IS patients, age and sex matched healthy control (HC) and younger HC (Y-HC). Interestingly, we found, for the first time, that STX-1a protein is present in the cytoplasm of PBMC. Moreover, both protein, STX-1a and SNAP-25, levels were significantly augmented in all IS patient’s blood fractions (serum, PBMCs and NDEs) compared to control subjects. Interestingly, the STX-1a blood levels always correlated with the IS clinical scales National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIH-SS) and the modified Barthel Index (BI). These results prompted us to speculate that STX-1a and SNAP-25 hematic fluctuations depict the brain damage after an ischemic attack and that their hematic detection could represent a novel and accessible IS biomarkers.
Environmental DNA biomonitoring revealed species diversity of Cnidarian and Poriferan across Jakarta Bay and Seribu Islands National Park
Authors: Maqbul Ismail , Fahrezi Farrahdiba Yossan , Bakhri Ersya Nurul A , Verawati Indri , Sani Lalu M Iqbal , Subhan Beginer , Zamani Neviaty Putri , Madduppa Hawis
Published: December 2021

Indonesia, as a country having a unique sea lane known as the Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASLs), has become one of the busiest countries in the world with varied shipping activities. These actions have the ability to facilitate the transmission of species (bio-invasion). Until recently, the number of global introduced species has increased, with negative consequences for environment and the economy. Environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches for detecting the presence of invasive species are currently receiving a lot of interest as a broad approach method in ecological research. As a result, the study used the eDNA technique to compare the quantity and variety of introduced species from the Cnidaria and Porifera Phyla, as well as to characterize their invasiveness status and possible presence in the waters of Jakarta Bay. Based on data from the inside Zone of National Park (ZI) and Outside Zone of National Park (ZO), the biological community composition, richness, and diversity were assessed (ZO). The mBrave workflow generated a total of 14,275 reads from high-throughput sequencing of amplicons from two zones, with 8,917 reads in ZI and 5,358 reads in ZO. Blackfordia virginica , Cordylophora caspia , and Ectopleura crocea were among the imported species included in the invasive category, with E. crocea having the highest abundance and being detected in both zones, with a total of 1300 reads, consisting of 1253 reads in ZI and 47 reads in ZO. Based on the findings, the eDNA methodology can be used as a biomonitoring and conservation method for invasive species.
Environmental DNA Biomonitoring Reveals Seasonal Patterns in Coral Reef Fish Community Structure
Authors: Zuhdi Muhammad Fahmi , Madduppa Hawis , Zamani Neviaty Putri
Published: December 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The Effect of Tourniquet Application on the Morphology and Function of Quadriceps in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Study Protocol for a Single Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Dong Ziyang , Li Yang , Tao Liyuan , Tian Hua
Published: December 2021

Background:Tourniquet is currently widely used in total knee arthroplasty to reduce intraoperative blood loss. Academic view of tourniquet application in TKA is now in dispute. Some scholars argue that tourniquet may cause quadriceps injury and bring extra side effects so they oppose the application of tourniquet. Others find that tourniquet application has no significant adverse impact on TKA patients. Regarding its advantages in reducing intraoperative blood loss, they advocate regular application of tourniquet in TKA. Quadriceps injury is considered the main cause of tourniquet side effects. There are now many high-quality trials about tourniquet application in TKA but few of them concentrate on quadriceps morphology and function.Methods:A prospective, single blind, randomized controlled trail will be adopted. The target sample is 130. Patients who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated to tourniquet group and non-tourniquet group. Primary outcomes are thickness, stiffness and function of quadriceps, which will be evaluated by ultrasound and rehabilitation tests. Secondary outcomes consist of circumference of thigh, VAS score, opioid consumption, knee function score, postoperative satisfaction score, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative blood loss, blood transfusion rate, D-Dimer, C-reactive protein, and complications. Discussion:This proposed study will contribute to improve evidence of tourniquet application in total knee arthroplasty. This will be a high-quality single blind randomized controlled trial with sufficient sample size and strict study design. It will investigate the effects of tourniquet application especially on the morphology and function of quadriceps in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and offer advice for tourniquet application in clinical practice.Trial registration:Chinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR2000035097. Registered 31 July 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=57093
Responses of Garlic Quality and Yields to Various Types and Rates of Potassium Fertilizer Applications
Authors: Wang Manman , Ye Youliang , Chu Xv , Zhao Yanan , Zhang Shuhong , Chen Hui , Qin Wei , Wang Yang
Published: December 2021

Potassium (K) is a critical plant nutrient that determines quality in a myriad of crops and increases production yields. However, excessive application of various types of K fertilizers can decrease both the food quality and yields, which translates as economic losses and food safety issues. The objectives of this study were to 1) elucidate the impacts of different application rates of various K fertilizers on garlic, with the aim to identify the optimal and most economical K fertilizer dosage and 2) compare the effects of applying two common K fertilizers (KCl and K2SO4) on garlic, to determine the optimal combination. From 2018 to 2020, we utilized two distinct K-fertilized fields to conduct our experiments. The results revealed optimal KCl fertilization increased the biomass and vegetation index in garlic, and promoted the transfer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients from the stem and leaf to bulb, thereby increasing bulb production. The application of KCl fertilizer increased the number of cloves, the diameters of the cloves and bulbs, and reduced variations in bulb size. In addition, the application of KCl fertilizer improved the nutritional quality (Vitamin C, soluble sugar, soluble protein, and allicin) of the garlic and reduced the accumulation of nitrate. However, excessive KCl fertilizer cause decreased yields, appearance traits, and nutritional quality. Applying the same rate of K fertilizer in the form of K2SO4 in isolation increased the garlic yield by only 0.1% to 22.5% when compared with KCl fertilizer. However, the results were not always significant. In this study, the highest yields, appearance traits, and nutritional quality were achieved with the ratio of K2SO4: KCl = 3:1. Consequently, to ensure the highest economic value (considering the market prices of K fertilizer, garlic sprouts, and bulbs), the authors recommend a K fertilizer rate of 252.5 kg·ha−1 K2O, with K2SO4 accounting for 61.6% for garlic production in field.
Leaflet Boron Concentration Reduced with Hybrid Pistacia vera Rootstocks
Authors: Kallsen Craig E. , Parfitt Dan E.
Published: December 2021

Excessive boron (B) in soil and water is a problem for pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) production in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California. Although amenable, leaching of B requires more water than chlorine (Cl) or sodium (Na) and is increasingly difficult as B in irrigation water increases. The lack of subsurface drainage to the ocean increases soil salinity in many growing areas, especially on the west side of the SJV where B is often excessive natively in the soil and water. Pistachio rootstocks that can tolerate or exclude B may be a partial solution. For the past decade in California, the dominant rootstock has been seedlings and clonal selections of University of California Berkeley 1 (UCB-1), which is a hybrid of P. atlantica × P. integerrima. This reliance on a genetically similar pool of rootstocks has constrained Pistacia’s genetic potential for adapting to high-salt environments. This study compared scion and rootstock leaflet B concentration of novel hybrid experimental rootstocks with variable percentages of P. vera and P. integerrima heritage with UCB-1. Rootstocks with P. vera heritage limited B in both rootstock and scion leaflets compared with UCB-1. In six trials conducted over several years, leaflet B in ungrafted hybrid rootstocks having 62.5% to 75% P. vera and 25% to 37.5% P. integerrima heritage had 27.6% to 43.1% lower B leaflet concentration than did UCB-1. Depending on the experiment and year, grafted rootstocks having 37.5% P. vera and 62.5% P. integerrima heritage had 46.8% to 70.8% lower B scion leaflet concentration than did UCB-1. Genetic variation in B uptake in Pistacia species and interspecific hybrids, and among individual seedlings within populations, allows the breeding of pistachio rootstocks more tolerant of excess B.
Generalized eigenproblem without fermion doubling for Dirac fermions on a lattice
Authors: Pacholski Michał , Lemut Gal , Tworzydło J. , Beenakker Carlo
Published: December 2021

The spatial discretization of the single-cone Dirac Hamiltonian on
the surface of a topological insulator or superconductor needs a special
``staggered’’ grid, to avoid the appearance of a spurious second cone in
the Brillouin zone. We adapt the Stacey discretization from lattice
gauge theory to produce a generalized eigenvalue problem, of the form
\bm{\mathcal H}\bm{\psi}=\bm{E}\bm{\mathcal P}\bm{\psi}ℋ𝛙=𝐄𝒫𝛙,
with Hermitian tight-binding operators \bm{\mathcal H}ℋ,
\bm{\mathcal P}𝒫,
a locally conserved particle current, and preserved chiral and
symplectic symmetries. This permits the study of the spectral statistics
of Dirac fermions in each of the four symmetry classes A, AII, AIII, and
D.
Kesulitan Belajar Materi Pecahan Siswa Kelas VII SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Gamping
Authors: Wahyuningsih Siti , Istiandaru Afit
Published: December 2021

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi adanya kesulitan belajar siswa kelas VII SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Gamping pada materi pecahan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kesulitan-kesulitan belajar yang dialami oleh siswa pada materi pecahan. Penelitian ini berjenis deskriptif kualitatif. Peneliti mengumpulkan data mengggunakan tes diagnostik pada materi pecahan, angket, dan wawancara. Selanjutnya, data diolah menggunakan tahapan reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat kesulitan siswa dalam menjawab soal tes diagnostik masih tinggi, yaitu sebanyak 83,33% siswa memberikan jawaban yang salah. Kategorisasi kesulitan belajar yang ditemukan adalah: (1) kesulitan menggunakan pengetahuan faktual dan memahami soal cerita (64,29%), (2) kesulitan menggunakan pengetahuan konseptual (83,33%), (3) kesulitan dalam keterampilan berhitung (59,52%), dan (4) kesulitan menggunakan pengetahuan prosedural (28,58%). Hasil wawancara juga mengungkap bahwa faktor yang menyebabkan kesulitan belajar adalah: (1) kurangnya pemahaman pada konteks soal (soal cerita) dan (2) kurang terampil dalam berhitung pecahan.
Confucian Exegetical Thought in the Southern Dynasties Period (420–589): Canonical Texts and Commentaries between Decline and Restoration
Authors:   Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Bonch-Osmolovskaya Olga A. ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics
Published: December 2021

The article examines the main trends in Confucian exegetical thought during the Southern dynasties period. Confucian exegesis, as an original intellectual tradition, was in a state of crisis at that time and experienced significant influence both from the syncretic teaching xuanxue and Buddhism. This situation determined the particular popularity of some canonical texts and commentaries and the actual oblivion of others. Losing its monopoly in education, Confucianism often came down to providing ritual ceremonies at court. The article examines several aspects of this crisis state of southern Confucianism. It identifies and analyzes a new type of commentary that appeared in the exegesis of this period, and it explores the main intellectual tendencies in the Confucian exegesis of the Southern dynasties period and traces the reasons for their appearance. The author examines features of subcommentary-yishu, through which scholars realized new forms of intellectual activity. This commentary originated from Buddhist monks’ translation and teaching activities approximately in the mid-5th century AD. In the exegesis of the Southern dynasties, yishu provided a platform for relatively free philosophical discussion, often associated with the practice of lecturing. It is important that this practice in Confucianism and Buddhism of that time had many common features. The changes in the educational standard (the emergence of schools with a new structure) are traced as well as its influence on the position of Confucian commentary in the educational process (apparent instability of the set of authoritative commentaries).
Gender Representation of Women in Lezgin Folk Proverbs and Sayings
Authors:   The G. Tsadasa Institute of Language, Literature and Art, Dagestan Federal Research Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Gasharova Aida R.
Published: December 2021

The article deals with the question of the abstract understanding of the cultural representation of women in Lezgin folklore. Attention is paid to the ideas concerning gender stereotypes that differ in various ethnic cultures, in connection with which the need to consider the sociocultural aspect for the display of the gender factor in Lezgin proverbs and sayings is revealed. The question is raised about the specific features, according to which the image of a woman, presented in Lezgin paremias, mainly represents negatively connotated gender stereotypes. It is noted that the influence of the “other” class ideology is manifested inconsistently and sometimes selectively because in Lezgin folklore, along with proverbs with a negative image of women, directly opposite texts with a positive image coexisted. In the article, special attention is paid to aphorisms in which a negative image of a woman and features of the manifestation of gender stereotypes in Lezgin culture emerge. The novelty of the study is seen in the fact that this position has practically not been considered before and has not been studied on the basis of the Lezgin paremias. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the study of folk paremias with the identification features of the female image on specific factual material and the establishment of development paths and the reasons for the existence of this thematic group is currently the subject of increased attention among folklorists, linguists, culturologists, etc. The author dwells on the identification of the socio-cultural aspect of the standard and distinctive indicators of the female image. It is demonstrated that in order to display gender stereotypes, one should take into account the national identity of the people and also determine the place and role of women in the structure of family, family relationships and in society.
Intangible Cultural Heritage in architecture and urban planning
Authors:   Centre for Heritage Management of Ahmedabad University, Chapagain Neel Kamal
Published: December 2021

This article reflects several observations of our cities during the COVID-19 pandemic — particularly the initial lockdown that most parts of the world experienced since March 2020. One of the impacts of COVID-19 has been the forced closeness of people with their homes wherever they were. In the present age, perhaps, many of us have rarely experienced our own homes or shelters or architecture so closely. The pandemic may have brought us an extended moment to experience and reflect on architecture and urban planning on a very personal scale — from a room, to an apartment or a house, a neighbourhood, and then perhaps a city on a limited scale. This is an interesting moment in history to reflect on architecture and space, and how they are designed and planned. COVID-19 has exposed the limitations of many of our thoughts and practices. Apart from the author’s own self-reflections at “home”, observations include the context of South Asian cities where the globally accepted measure of lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 triggered the plight of millions of migrants on the momentarily empty roads and highways for a long-march towards rural and semi-urban segments of countries. This led to the author’s re-thinking of architecture and planning in urban contexts. In (re)thinking architecture and urban planning, the article uses the notion of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) as espoused by the 2003 UNESCO Convention, and discusses whether ICH could offer useful insights to achieve better results in our contemporary architecture and urban planning thinking and practice. Can the ICH perspective help us to understand these bitter realities of the 21st century? The author attempts to reflect on some of the questions.
Intangible Cultural Heritage and inventory process of the Lombardy region
Authors:   Lombardy Region Ethnography and Social History Archive, Lavagnino Maria A.
Published: December 2021

The article presents the experience of a regional state institution involved in the process of compiling the Regional Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Register in the spirit of the 2003 Convention. The Lombardy Region Ethnography and Social History Archive (Archivio di Etnografia e Storia Sociale, AESS) has been operating since the 1970s within the regional institution for the enhancement of the Lombardy Region’s traditional heritage. The Archive has since been used to promote fieldwork and ethnographic research projects and it has been supplemented with documents, photographs and audio-visual documentation. The Italian ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention was an opportunity to give continuity and consistency to the cultural activities that the Lombardy Region Ethnography and Social History Archive has been conducting since the 1970s. Regional Law no. 27 of 23 October 2008, “Enhancement of the intangible cultural heritage”, and the new Regional Law of Lombardy no. 25 of 7 October 2016 on “Regional policies on cultural matters — Regulatory reorganization” allowed a participatory inventory process and shaped the formation of pioneering legislative action in Italy. As a result of this new regional cultural policy, the Intangible Search Inventory was established, overseen by the AESS, which coordinates safeguarding measures, actions and projects. The Intangible Search Inventory is a community based inventory that adopts the 2003 Convention principles for the safeguarding of ICH and works to apply the key ideas of the Convention itself, including participation and communities in the identification and description of the ICH elements. The Archive is also in charge of the production, collection and enhancement of multimedia documentation on ICH. This extends to multimedia collections regarding rituals, social habits, traditional technical knowledge, oral expressions and traditional music. Some of this thematic fieldwork and multimedia materials can be further explored on www.intangiblesearch.eu.
Restitution of stolen cultural properties: Lessons and challenges from recent Korean cases
Authors:   Chung-Ang University School of Law, Lee Gyooho
Published: December 2021

The Republic of Korea adopted the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property on 14 February, 1983. The Convention has some disadvantages in that its scope does not cover the cultural properties stolen from Korean territory during the Japanese colonial era, which lasted from 1910 to 1945, and the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 because it cannot be retroactively applied to cultural properties stolen during these years, and it falls within the field of public international law. Hence, in order for the Korean government and the legal community to seek more effective methods of restitution of cultural properties stolen during these periods, alternative legal tools need to be discussed. Some good examples include the donation or purchase of stolen cultural property, arbitration of disputes over the restitution of cultural property, bilateral international instruments concerning the restitution of cultural property, and the restitution of stolen cultural property though the application of foreign domestic public law or private international law. In particular, the main focus of this article is on the restitution of stolen cultural property though foreign domestic public law or private international law. At the beginning of the article, it is illustrated where overseas Korean cultural properties are located. The article then delves into why the focus is on the restitution of stolen cultural property though the application of foreign domestic public law or private international law. Three examples are discussed based on these scenarios. The article concludes by looking at the lessons learned from these cases and the challenges that the Korean government and legal community are likely to face.