bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Length-weight relationships and condition factors of four dominant fish caught by coral bubu trap on the west coast of Batam Island, Indonesia
Authors: Ramses Ramses , Ismarti Ismarti , Syamsi Fauziah
Published: March 2021

One of the important components in aquatic ecosystems is fish diversity, which is a key factor in determining its functionality. The coral reef fish is one of the aquatic biotas susceptible to pollutants. Besides being able to influence the composition of fish diversity, it also has an impact on its biological factors, such as its length-weight and conditions. This study aims to examine the relationship of length-weight and condition factors of four dominant fishes caught, which are ecologically and economically important, namely Lates calcarifer, Parachaetodon ocellatus, Stephanolepis cirrhifer, and Chelmon rostractus.These fish species were dominantly caught using  bubu trap. The results of the length-weight relationship were b3 of all species, with an exponent value of 2.247 for the L. calcarifer; 1.932 for P. ocellatus; 2.74 for S. cirrhifer and 2.84 for C. rostractus. Fulton’s (K) condition factor for L. carifer ranged from 15.55-21.06 (average: 17.95), for P.ocellatus ranging from 27.30-35.59 (average: 30.38), for S. cirrhifer ranged from 17.58-27.23 (average: 21.29), and for C. rostractus ranging from 21.86-30.95 (average: 24.24). While the relative weight (Wr) condition factor average value of L. calcarifer is 102.53, P. ocellatus is 100.88, S. cirrhifer is 101.72, and C. rostractus is 101.11.  It is concluded that the fish had an allometrict growth pattern, and condition factor values indicate good aquatic environmental conditions and a balance between prey and predatorKeywords: Length-Weight; Growth Pattern; Condition Factors
Condition factor, heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the muscle of fishes harvested in, and imported into Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Oluwakemi Oyelowo , Funmileyi Awobajo , Titilola Samuel , Teniola Sogbesan , Adewale Fayiga , Adekunle Mofolorunso
Published: March 2021

Fish is an important part of the human diet, are at the top of the aquatic food chain with a high propensity to accumulating contaminants like heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which are toxic to humans.  The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between condition factor (physiologic wellbeing) of the fishes, PCBs, and heavy metal accumulation.Ten adult fish species three each of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Trachinotus teraia, Liza dumerilli, Tilapia guieensis, Pseudotolithus elongatus, Pomadasys jubelini, Polydactylus quadrifilis, Caranx hippos, Sphyreana barracuda, Arius heudoloti,were acquired at Epe Lagoon. Ten adult fish species three each of Argentina silus, Gadus chalcogrammus, Gadus morhua, Atlantic mackerel, Micropogonias undulatus, Urophycis sp., Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Clupea harengus, Trachurus trachurus, imported into Lagos were purchased. The fish species’ condition factor was determined. The heavy metals were determined using AAS while PCB level was determined using GC-MS. Iron, mercury, zinc, arsenic, nickel and copper levels correlated positively with the condition factor in the local fishes while in the imported fishes, cadmium, iron, zinc, nickel, copper and lead levels correlated positively to the condition factor. The levels of PCBs in both the local and imported fishes were non-detectable.  It is concluded that the lead, copper, arsenic, zinc, mercury and cadmium in both the imported and local fishes were within permissible limits compared with the FAO/WHO maximum permissible limits. The positive correlation of some heavy metals to the fishes’ condition factor infers that these metals might be altering physiologic activities in the fishes. Keywords: Condition factor; Heavy metals; Polychlorinated biphenyl; Fish
The growth performance and genotoxicity effect of dietary Aloe vera on Oreochromis niloticus juveniles
Authors: Ayoola Simeon Oluwatoyin , Ishola Hubaidat Oyinkansola
Published: March 2021

Growth and all activities of fish depend significantly on the food they consume.  However, with the rising price of conventional feedstuffs, there is a need to investigate less expensive and readily available plant source as an additive. This research is designed to study the effect of dietary Aloe vera on the growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus juveniles (41.71±0.78g) and its effect on genotoxicity (MN: Micronucleus; LB: Lobed; BD: Bud; BL: Blebbed; BN: Binucleated; NT: Notched).  This research investigated the growth performance and genotoxicity activity of Oreochromis niloticus juveniles in a tank culture system.  Aloe vera (fine powder) was used as a test ingredient in the feed formulation at five inclusion levels (T1 = 5g, T2 =10g, T3 =15g, T4 =20g, T5 =25g) and the Control diet (C0) without the test ingredient.  Test diets were fed to Oreochromis niloticus juveniles, and each diet was assigned to the treatments and control overall in triplicates.  Feeding with test diets was for twelve (12) weeks at 5% of their total body weight daily, which was divided into two and administered at 8 hrs and 16 hrs.  The result showed that the highest growth rate (10.99 ± 5.49g) and the lowest FCR (0.68 ± 0.08) were recorded in the fish fed with the Control diet (C0).  Better growth and nutrient utilization were achieved at low inclusion levels of Aloe vera, at 5g(T1) (8.98 ± 4.49) and 10g (T2) (6.73 ± 3.28) compared to the higher levels of incorporations of the test ingredient. The mean pH and temperature (°C) and dissolved Oxygen level mg/L are 6.50±0.30, 26.3±0.60 and 4.48±0.52mg/L respectively. The  values  of  micronuclei  for  the  cultured  Oreochromis  niloticus  juveniles  were  recorded  to  be  (T1 = 5.50 ± 0.50, T2 = 2.00 ± 1.00, T3 = 2.00 ± 0.00, T4 = 2.50 ± 1.50, T5 = 4.00 ± 1.00, and C0 = 7.00 ± 2.00).  Nuclear  abnormalities  were  recorded  in  T2  (BD = 1.00 ± 0.00),  T3  (NT = 1.00 ± 0.00),  T4  (BD = 1.33 ± 0.47,  BN = 3.33 ± 0.47),  and  T5  (BN = 5.33 ±  0.47,  LB = 3.00 ± 1.00,  BL = 1.67 ± 0.47) . However, no abnormality was recorded in the fish fed with the Control diet (C0). This result showed that the slight addition of this Aloe vera to the diet of Oreochromis niloticus would enhance productivity.
Are Awaous ocellaris and Belobranchus belobranchus the two species of Nike fish schools ?
Authors: Pasisingi Nuralim , Habibie Sitty Ainsyah , Olii Abdul Hafidz
Published: March 2021

Investigating goby fish is vital to perform an integrated and comprehensive study in order to maintain the roles of the fish, thus providing balanced ecosystem functions and services, as well as contributing to fish biodiversity. Local societies simply recognize fish species by their local names, which are not common. This condition, in turn, causes hitches in conducting further studies. Nike, the name of a local fish, refers to the schools of goby fish larvae whose adult phase has not been fully confirmed. This study aimed to reveal the species that categorizes as nike fish through tracing adult goby inhabiting freshwater. Two fish samples, i.e., Unknown 01 and Unknown 02, were taken from two sites in Bone River, Gorontalo, Indonesia. These samples were captured purposively using a hand net by considering the morphological similarity between the two target samples and the general characteristic of goby. Furthermore, the samples were analyzed genetically through the PCR sequencing method using the Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit 1 (CO1) gene. Based on the NCBI database, Unknown 01 had the highest similarity to Belobranchus belobranchus (99.54%), while Unknown 02 was identical with Awaous ocellaris (100%). Unknown 01 and Unknown 02, compared to the BOLD database, the similarity level, had the highest percentage of similarity with B. belobranchus (99.85%) and A. ocellaris (100%), respectively. Therefore, A. ocellaris and B. belobranchus were strongly alleged as two species making up the goby schools in the adult stadia that reach freshwater during their migration.
Perceptions and practices on antimicrobial use by the farmers of the Chikomba District, Zimbabwe
Authors: Munengwa Anderson , Nation Chikumba , Alban Mugoti
Published: March 2021

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on antimicrobial use (AMU) of livestock farmers are poorly understood in Zimbabwe despite their essence in combating the development of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of the study was to assess these patterns based on suggested KAP variables. A questionnaire-based survey of (n=60) Small Scale Commercial Farmers (SSCF), (n=60) Large Scale Commercial farmers (LSCF), and (n=60) resettled farmers (A1) was undertaken from January to March 2019. Participants were purposively selected from 10 wards based on willingness to participate in the study. Logistic regression, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation were performed in SAS (2003) version 6. Overall AMU practice scores were above 50% despite detecting violation of manufacturer's specifications. AMU was correlated with farmer's knowledge, r (178) = 0.42, p =0.000 and attitude, r (178) = 0.54, p =0.000. Farming scale, type of livestock kept and level of education influenced AMU (P 0.05). Farming scale influenced above 50% of the farmers to change label dosages, withdrawal periods, treatment frequencies, and consult friends on AMU. A similar pattern was noted on the effect of main livestock species kept on changing treatment frequencies and the use of human antibiotics. AMU without prescriptions increased with a decreasing level of education (P = 0.010). Knowledge on AMU was high for LSCF (average 58%), low for A1 (average 33%), and SSCF (average 46%). Attitudes were positive for LSCF (average 67%) and SSCF (average 57%) and negative for A1 (average 49%). We concluded that there is a serious violation of antimicrobial manufacturer's specifications by farmers in the Chikomba district which is associated with poor knowledge and attitudes on prudent ways of AMU
A mini review on the Lactic Acidosis in goats and its remedial approaches
Authors: Khaskheli Asad Ali , Khaskheli Muhammad Ibrahim , Khaskheli Allah Jurio , Khaskheli Arshad Ali
Published: March 2021

The current study was performed in order to investigate the threat of lactic acidosis in goats worldwide and explore the curative strategies. In this regards a detailed review was performed, however obtained facts were found to be much interesting and valuable. It was indicated by researchers that lactic acidosis is the most common problem in goats throughout the worlds. It represents significant economic loss due to direct and indirect effects. It was further stated that goats with lactic acidosis show decreased body temperature up to 98.1±0.89 °F, rumen and intestinal movement 0.23±0.48/m, rumen pH 4.8±0.07, blood pH 7.1±0.08, increased respiration rate 56.14±7.15/m and heart rate, 136.28±4.71/m. Affected goats also show signs of dyspnea, anorexia, inactivity, incoordination and recumbancy. The glucose level remains 190.14±36.49 mg/dl, total bilirubin 0.75±0.04 mg/dl, direct bilirubin 0.27±0.03mg/dl, indirect bilirubin 0.40±0.03 mg/dl, alanine aminotransferase ALT 36.42±3.04 U/l and alkaline phosphatase 420±3.65 U/l. Furthermore, Glucose level, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, ALT (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase increase with treatment of Cassia Fistula, serum biochemical changes rapidly return to normal compared to treatment with Sodium bicarbonate or Magnesium hydroxide. The ruminal juices changes are also significantly improved with the treatment. The changes in the ingesta color, odor and consistency and rumen pH return to normal with the use of Cassia Fistula, Sodium bicarbonate and Magnesium hydroxide. In conclusion, Cassia fistula, Sodium bicarbonate and Magnesium hydroxide could be used as valuable strategies against lactic acidosis in goats. These therapies have been proved to be effective for treating the acidosis in goats.
Gonad maturity and gonadal somatic index of blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus harvested from Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Nurdin Muh. Saleh , Azmi Fauziah , Haser Teuku Fadlon
Published: March 2021

Reproductive biology is one of the biological aspects that needed to formulate responsible management of blue swimming crab (BSC). The crab is one of the commercial fisheries commodities in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Presently no information on the reproductive biology of this crab from Spermonde Archipelago, Sout Sulawesi. Therefore, the study aimed to analyze and compare gonad maturity stage(GMS)andgonadalsomaticindex(GSI)oftheBSCcaughtonthreeecosystemsnamelycoralreef,seagrass,andmangrovein Salemo Island, Spermonde Archipelago. GMS and GSI were analyzed descriptively for five months from March to July 2015. Results indicate there was a difference in GMS of the BSC caught in mangroves, seagrass, and coral reef. Generally, mangrove was dominated by immature BSC with GMS I and GMS II, while the BSC caught in the seagrass and coral reef BSC were dominantly mature and spawn GMS III, IV, and V. GSI BSC caught in mangrove ecosystem are smaller than GSI BSC caught in seagrass and coral reef ecosystems. Seagrass and coral reef ecosystems suitable for development no-take zone of the BSC.
Prevalence, intensity, and dominance of ectoparasites in gourami (Osphronemus goramy) reared in floating net cage in Cirata Reservoir, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Dastin Ingga Lies , Nugroho Rudy Agung , Hariani Nova , Aryani Retno , Manurung Hetty , Rudianto Rudianto
Published: March 2021

The aimed of the study was to determine the prevalence, intensity and dominance of ectoparasites that infected gourami (Osphronemus goramy) which cultivated in floating net cages in Cirata reservoir, West Java. Present results showed that there were 22 gouramis infected with ectoparasites from 30 observed fish. The ectoparasites (Prevalence, Intensity and Dominance) found were Trichodina sp. (13.33%, 8.15 32.62%), Ichthyobodo sp. (3.33%, 1.00, 0.31%) Microsporadia (6.67%, 1.00, 0.31%), Carchesium granulatum (6.67%, 34.00, 20.92%), Cichligogyrus sp. (3.33%, 7.00, 2.15%), Dacthylogyrus sp. (20.00%, 2.00, 3.69%), Centrocestus sp. (6.67%, 3.00, 1.85%), Argulus sp. (56.67%, 6.94, 36.31%), Lerneae sp. (3.33%, 3.00, 0,92%), Gnatia sp. (3.33%, 1.00, 0.31%) and Hatschekia sp (3.33%, 1.00, 0.31%). The Argulus sp. had the highest prevalence with a percentage of 73.33% and becames the most dominant species with a percentage value of 36,31%. Meanwhile, Carchesium granulatum was an ectoparasite species that demonstrated the highest intensity of 34. Based on the diversity of ectoparasites, it was found as positive case that gourami cultivated in the Cirata reservoir have been infected with ectoparasites, especially from the species Argulus sp.
Karakteristik morfologi dan pertumbuhan lamun Halophila ovalis pada beberapa kawasan pesisir Pulau Bintan
Authors: Nugraha Aditya Hikmat , Hazrul Hazrul , Susiana Susiana , Febrianto Try
Published: March 2021

Halophila ovalis is one of the pioneer seagrass species. The physico-chemical factors of the waters greatly influence the life processes of the seagrass. This study aims to compare the morphometric characteristics and growth of H. ovalis seagrass on water quality in several coastal areas in Bintan Island. Observation of morphometric characteristics includes measurement of rhizome diameter, leaf length, leaf of width, root length, internode length and number of leaves. Observation of growth rate was done by using the cutting method for leaves and marking method for rhizome. Observations of the growth rate were carried out twice, namely on the 14th and 28th days. The results showed that the H. ovalis type of seagrass found at Dompak Station had greater morphological characters than other stations. The condition of the bottom substrate is related to the morphological characters of the seagrass. The growth pattern of the seagrass leaves for one month of observation has a decline in growth trend. The rhizome growth pattern at all observation stations has an increasing trend. The results of the principal component analysis and correspondence analysis show that environmental parameters such as substrate type and nutrient concentration have a role in the morphological structure and growth of H. ovalis.Keywords:BintanGrowthHalophila ovalisMorphologySeagrassABSTRAKHalophila ovalis merupakan salah satu jenis lamun pionir. Faktor fisika-kimia perairan sangat mempengaruhi proses kehidupan lamun tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan karakteristik morfometrik dan pertumbuhan lamun H. ovalis pada beberapa kawasan pesisir di Pulau Bintan yang memiliki kondisi lingkungan berbeda. Pengamatan karakteristik morfologi meliputi pengukuran diameter rhizome, panjang daun, lebar daun, panjang akar, panjang internode dan jumlah daun. Pengamatan laju pertumbuhan dilakukan dengan metode pemangkasan untuk daun dan metode penandaan untuk rhizome. Pengamatan terhadap laju pertumbuhan dilakukan sebanyak dua kali yaitu pada hari ke-14 dan ke-28. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa lamun jenis H. ovalis yang terdapat di Stasiun Dompak memiliki karakter morfologi lebih besar dibandingkan dengan stasiun lainnya. Adapun kondisi substrat dasar perairan memiliki keterkaitan dengan karakter morfologi lamun. Pola pertumbuhan daun lamun selama satu bulan pengamatan memiliki trend penurunan pertumbuhan. Pola pertumbuhan rhizome pada seluruh stasiun pengamatan memiliki trend peningkatan. Hasil analisis komponen utama dan analisis koresponden menunjukkan bahwa parameter lingkungan seperti tipe substrat dan konsentrasi nutrien memiliki peran terhadap struktur morfologi dan pertumbuhan lamun H. ovalis.Kata kunci:BintanHalophila ovalisLamunMorfologiPertumbuhan
Vision chromatic confocal sensor based on a geometrical phase lens
Authors: Park Hyo Mi , Kwon Uihyeok , Joo Ki-Nam
Published: March 2021

A vison chromatic confocal sensor used to monitor the location of a
measured point is proposed and experimentally verified. To induce
chromatic aberration of the sensor, a geometrical phase lens is
adopted and is also used as a beam splitter. Near the geometrical
phase lens, a focused beam is used for the chromatic confocal sensor,
and a diverging beam is used for imaging of the specimen. In the
experiment, the performance of the proposed system was verified with
regard to distance sensing and the capability of monitoring the
measured points. The measuring range was approximately 10 mm, and the
repeatability was 0.4 µm when a geometrical phase lens with a 75 mm
focal length was used.
Low noise 400 W coherently combined single frequency laser beam for next generation gravitational wave detectors
Authors: Wellmann Felix , Bode Nina , Wessels Peter , Overmeyer Ludger , Neumann Jörg , Willke Benno , Kracht Dietmar
Published: March 2021

Design studies for the next generation of interferometric gravitational wave detectors propose the use of low-noise single-frequency high power laser sources at 1064 nm. Fiber amplifiers are a promising design option because of their high output power and excellent optical beam properties. We performed filled-aperture coherent beam combining with independently amplified beams from two low-noise high-power single-frequency fiber amplifiers to further scale the available optical power. An optical power of approximately 400 W with a combining efficiency of more than 93% was achieved. The combined beam contained 370 W of linearly polarized TEM00-mode and was characterized with respect to the application requirements of low relative power noise, relative beam pointing noise, and frequency noise. The noise performance of the combined beam is comparable to the single amplifier noise. This represents, to our knowledge, the highest measured power in the TEM00-mode of single frequency signals that fulfills the low noise requirements of gravitational wave detectors.
Exploring the ultimate limits: super-resolution enhanced by partial coherence
Authors: Hradil Zdeněk , Koutný Dominik , Řeháček Jaroslav
Published: March 2021

The resolution of separation of two elementary signals forming a partially coherent superposition, defined by quantum Fisher information and normalized with respect to detection probabilities, is always limited by the resolution of incoherent mixtures. However, when the partially coherent superpositions are prepared in a controlled way, the precision can be enhanced by up to several orders of magnitude above this limit. Coherence also allows the sorting of information about various parameters into distinct channels as demonstrated by the parameter of separation linked with the anti-phase superposition and the centroid position linked with the in-phase superposition.
Enhanced Faraday rotation by dielectric metasurfaces with Bayesian shape-optimized scatterers
Authors: Kiel Thomas , Varytis Paris , Beverungen Bettina , Kristensen Philip Trøst , Busch Kurt
Published: March 2021

In this Letter, we demonstrate how to optimize the magneto–optic response of a Huygens metasurface composed of square arrays of all-dielectric nano-disk scatterers. We compare cylindrical and shape-modified disks. Both provide a strongly enhanced Faraday rotation that is accompanied by almost 100% transmittance. The shape modification obtained via a Bayesian optimization algorithm results in a 50% increase in the magneto–optic response compared to the best cylindrical disk, providing 15° of polarization rotation for a 260 nm thick metasurface.
Bacterial defenses against a natural antibiotic promote collateral resilience to clinical antibiotics
Authors: Meirelles Lucas A. , Perry Elena K. , Bergkessel Megan , Newman Dianne K.
Published: March 2021

Bacterial opportunistic human pathogens frequently exhibit intrinsic antibiotic tolerance and resistance, resulting in infections that can be nearly impossible to eradicate. We asked whether this recalcitrance could be driven by these organisms’ evolutionary history as environmental microbes that engage in chemical warfare. UsingPseudomonas aeruginosaas a model, we demonstrate that the self-produced antibiotic pyocyanin (PYO) activates defenses that confer collateral tolerance specifically to structurally similar synthetic clinical antibiotics. Non-PYO-producing opportunistic pathogens, such as members of theBurkholderia cepaciacomplex, likewise display elevated antibiotic tolerance when cocultured with PYO-producing strains. Furthermore, by widening the population bottleneck that occurs during antibiotic selection and promoting the establishment of a more diverse range of mutant lineages, PYO increases apparent rates of mutation to antibiotic resistance to a degree that can rival clinically relevant hypermutator strains. Together, these results reveal an overlooked mechanism by which opportunistic pathogens that produce natural toxins can dramatically modulate the efficacy of clinical antibiotics and the evolution of antibiotic resistance, both for themselves and other members of clinically relevant polymicrobial communities.
Reciprocal interaction between IK1 and If in biological pacemakers: A simulation study
Authors: Li Yacong , Wang Kuanquan , Li Qince , Hancox Jules C. , Zhang Henggui
Published: March 2021

Pacemaking dysfunction (PD) may result in heart rhythm disorders, syncope or even death. Current treatment of PD using implanted electronic pacemakers has some limitations, such as finite battery life and the risk of repeated surgery. As such, the biological pacemaker has been proposed as a potential alternative to the electronic pacemaker for PD treatment. Experimentally and computationally, it has been shown that bio-engineered pacemaker cells can be generated from non-rhythmic ventricular myocytes (VMs) by knocking out genes related to the inward rectifier potassium channel current (IK1) or by overexpressing hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated channel genes responsible for the “funny” current (If). However, it is unclear if a bio-engineered pacemaker based on the modification of IK1- and If-related channels simultaneously would enhance the ability and stability of bio-engineered pacemaking action potentials. In this study, the possible mechanism(s) responsible for VMs to generate spontaneous pacemaking activity by regulating IK1and Ifdensity were investigated by a computational approach. Our results showed that there was a reciprocal interaction between IK1and Ifin ventricular pacemaker model. The effect of IK1depression on generating ventricular pacemaker was mono-phasic while that of Ifaugmentation was bi-phasic. A moderate increase of Ifpromoted pacemaking activity but excessive increase of Ifresulted in a slowdown in the pacemaking rate and even an unstable pacemaking state. The dedicated interplay between IK1and Ifin generating stable pacemaking and dysrhythmias was evaluated. Finally, a theoretical analysis in the IK1/Ifparameter space for generating pacemaking action potentials in different states was provided. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this study provides a wide theoretical insight into understandings for generating stable and robust pacemaker cells from non-pacemaking VMs by the interplay of IK1and If, which may be helpful in designing engineered biological pacemakers for application purposes.
Prevalence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yufei , Scherer Nathaniel , Felix Lambert , Kuper Hannah
Published: March 2021

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed health care workers under psychological stress. Previous reviews show a high prevalence of mental disorders among health care workers, but these need updating and inclusion of studies written in Chinese. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide updated prevalence estimates for depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, benefitting from the inclusion of studies published in Chinese.

Methods

Systematic search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Global Health, Web of Science, CINAHL, Google Scholar and the Chinese databases SinoMed, WanfangMed, CNKI and CQVIP, for studies conducted between December 2019 and August 2020 on the prevalence of depression, anxiety and PTSD in health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies published in both English and Chinese were included.

Results

Data on the prevalence of moderate depression, anxiety and PTSD was pooled across 65 studies involving 97,333 health care workers across 21 countries. The pooled prevalence of depression was 21.7% (95% CI, 18.3%-25.2%), of anxiety 22.1% (95% CI, 18.2%-26.3%), and of PTSD 21.5% (95% CI, 10.5%-34.9%). Prevalence estimates are also provided for a mild classification of each disorder. Pooled prevalence estimates of depression and anxiety were highest in studies conducted in the Middle-East (34.6%; 28.9%). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted across covariates, including sampling method and outcome measure.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis has identified a high prevalence of moderate depression, anxiety and PTSD among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriate support is urgently needed. The response would benefit from additional research on which interventions are effective at mitigating these risks.
Factors explaining the dominion status of female sterilization in India over the past two decades (1992-2016): A multilevel study
Authors: Singh Pragya , Singh Kaushalendra Kumar , Singh Pooja
Published: March 2021

Background

Female sterilization is a permanent method of contraception practiced widely in India. Though, the important evidences of behavior of contraceptives is widespread in the literature, relatively less research has been conducted that explores particularly female sterilization method and how its behavior has remained dominant over the past two decades. The present study aims to examine how the level of women’s socio-demographic and fertility related characteristics intersect to shape the behavior for the dominance of female sterilization.

Methods

This study was based on pooled data from 1992–93, 1998–99, 2005–06 and 2015–16 India’s DHS (NFHS) surveys. The outcome variable of the study was different types of contraceptive methods used. Multinomial logistic model has been applied to examine the relationship between the dependent variable and the explanatory variables. The software STATA version14 has been used for the entire analysis.

Result

The result of this study clearly demonstrates the evidence of continuing sterilization dominance in the India’s family planning program. The choice of different types of contraceptive methods is influenced by the longstanding heterogeneity of population associated with religion and the caste system. Reliance over female sterilization was observed in almost all parts of the country with southern India being the leading zone. Women in the lowest wealth quintile, uneducated, higher parity, and less exposed to media were more likely to use sterilization as a method of birth control.

Conclusion

The study was successful in identifying the factors behind the excessive dependency on female sterilization and also highlights the weakness of family planning program to promote other useful modern methods over the past two decades.
Should I study or should I go (to sleep)? The influence of test schedule on the sleep behavior of undergraduates and its association with performance
Authors: Estevan Ignacio , Sardi Romina , Tejera Ana Clara , Silva Ana , Tassino Bettina
Published: March 2021

Sleep is crucial for college students’ well-being. Although recommended sleep duration is between 7–9 hours per day, many students do not sleep that much. Scholar demands are among the causes of observed sleep deprivation in youth. We explored the influence of having a school test on previous night sleep in first-year students and the association of sleep duration and test performance. We ran two surveys in freshman students of the Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay: 1) 97 students of the School of Sciences who took the test at the same time; and 2) 252 School of Psychology students who took the test in four successive shifts. More than 1/2 of the participants (survey #1) and almost 1/3 (survey #2) reported short regular sleep duration (< 7h). In both samples, the sleep duration of the night before the test was reduced with respect to regular nights (survey #1: 2.1 ± 0.2 h, p < 0.001; survey #2: between 1.7 ± 0.4 h and 3.6 ± 0.3 h, all p < 0.001), with more than 10% of the students who did not sleep at all. In survey 2, sleep duration increased in later shifts (F (3,248) = 4.6, p = 0.004). Using logit regressions, we confirmed that sleep duration was positively related to test scores in both samples (survey #1: exp B = 1.15, p < 0.001; pseudo-R2 = 0.38; survey #2: exp B = 1.03, p < 0.001; pseudo-R2 = 0.25). Delaying test start time may prevent the reduction in sleep duration, which may also improve school performance. In addition, educational policies should include information for students about the impact of sleep on learning and of the consequences of reduced sleep duration.
Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results
Authors: Shewan Louise , O’Reilly Dougald , Armstrong Richard , Toms Phillip , Webb John , Beavan Nancy , Luangkhoth Thonglith , Wood Jamie , Halcrow Siân , Domett Kate , Van Den Bergh Julie , Chang Nigel
Published: March 2021

The megalithic jar sites of Laos (often referred to as the Plain of Jars) remain one of Southeast Asia’s most mysterious and least understood archaeological cultures. The sites, recently inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage, host hollowed stone jars, up to three metres in height, which appear scattered across the landscape, alone or clustered in groups of up to more than 400. Until now, it has not been possible to estimate when the jars were first placed on the landscape or from where the stone was sourced. Geochronological analysis using the age of detrital zircons demonstrates a likely quarry source for one of the largest megalithic jar sites. Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating suggests the jars were positioned at the sites potentially as early as the late second millennium BC. Radiocarbon dating of skeletal remains and charcoal samples places mortuary activity around the jars from the 9-13th century AD, suggesting the sites have maintained ritual significance from the period of their initial placement until historic times.
Optimal guessing in ‘Guess Who’
Authors: O’Neill Ben
Published: March 2021

Are you Richard? Are you Anne? We look at the strategic problem in the children’s guessing game Guess Who, which is a form of zero-sum symmetric game with perfect information. We discuss some preliminary strategic insights and formally derive an optimal strategy and win-probabilities for the game. We discuss the first-mover advantage in the game and other strategic aspects coming out of the optimal strategy. While the paper is based on the popular children’s game, our analysis generalises the actual game by allowing any initial game state with an arbitrarily large number of starting characters. With the aid of these mathematical results you can now comprehensively thrash your young children and be a terrible parent!
Association of premature menopause with incident pulmonary hypertension: A cohort study
Authors: Honigberg Michael C. , Patel Aniruddh P. , Lahm Tim , Wood Malissa J. , Ho Jennifer E. , Kohli Puja , Natarajan Pradeep
Published: March 2021

Background

Several forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH) disproportionately affect women. Animal and human studies suggest that estradiol exerts mixed effects on the pulmonary vasculature. Whether premature menopause represents a risk factor for PH is unknown.

Methods and findings

In this cohort study, women in the UK Biobank aged 40–69 years who were postmenopausal and had complete data available on reproductive history were included. Premature menopause, defined as menopause occurring before age 40 years. Postmenopausal women without premature menopause served as the reference group. The primary outcome was incident PH, ascertained by appearance of a qualifying ICD code in the participant’s UK Biobank study record. Of 136,715 postmenopausal women included, 5,201 (3.8%) had premature menopause. Participants were followed up for a median of 11.1 (interquartile range 10.5–11.8) years. The primary outcome occurred in 38 women (0.73%) with premature menopause and 409 (0.31%) without. After adjustment for age, race, ever-smoking, body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cholesterol-lowering medication use, C-reactive protein, prevalent type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, heart failure, mitral regurgitation, aortic stenosis, venous thromboembolism, forced vital capacity (FVC), the forced expiratory volume in 1 second-to-FVC ratio, use of menopausal hormone therapy, and hysterectomy status, premature menopause was independently associated with PH (hazard ratio 2.13, 95% CI 1.31–3.23, P<0.001). In analyses of alternate menopausal age thresholds, risk of PH appeared to increase progressively with younger age at menopause (Ptrend<0.001), with 4.8-fold risk in women with menopause before age 30 years (95% CI 1.82–12.74, P = 0.002). Use of menopausal hormone therapy did not modify the association of premature menopause with PH.

Conclusions

Premature menopause may represent an independent risk factor for PH in women. Further investigation of the role of sex hormones in PH is needed in animal and human studies to elucidate pathobiology and identify novel therapeutic targets.
Effects of the Pratt pouch model of dispensing nevirapine prophylaxis on HIV exposed infant completion of 6 weeks of prophylaxis in Uganda
Authors: Bitarakwate Edward , Ashburn Kim , Kazooba Patrick , Khamasi Ronald , Natumanya Eliab , Herrera Nicole , Owomugisha Boaz , Malkin Robert A. , Kisaakye Linda
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The innovative Pratt pouch could optimize dispensing nevirapine prophylaxis to HIV-exposed infants in pre-measured single dose pouches to increase completion of the full 6 week infant nevirapine regimen.

Materials and methods

Nineteen health facilities with highest HIV positivity rates among pregnant women across 9 districts in southwest and central Uganda were assigned to control and intervention groups. HIV-positive women enrolled at intervention facilities received pouches filled with premeasured single doses of nevirapine using Uganda national guidelines, which were integrated into the existing drug distribution system. During antenatal care (ANC) women received 14 pouches to cover time until the 6 day postpartum visit, with an additional 8 pouches if women were delayed in returning to the facility, and 28 pouches after delivery. Women enrolled at control facilities received standard nevirapine syrup following delivery for postnatal infant prophylaxis. In a select number of intervention facilities, during ANC, women received all 42 pouches needed to complete the 6 weeks regimen. Medical record data from enrolled women were extracted; interviews with HIV-positive women during postnatal care visits were conducted. Data were collected January to August 2018 (control sites) and October 2019 to February 2020 (intervention sites). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with facility delivery, postnatal care follow-up visit, and completion of the full 6 weeks infant nevirapine regimen.

Results

Significantly more women in the intervention (n = 320) versus control (n = 340) group had facility delivery (292/316, 92.4% versus 169/340, 49.7%, p<0.0001), postnatal visits within 2 weeks postpartum (295/297, 99.3% versus 133/340, 39.1%, p<0.0001) and reported their infants completing the full 6 weeks infant prophylaxis regimen (299/313, 95.5% versus 210/242, 86.8%, p = 0.0002). Dispensing 42 versus 14 pouches during ANC did not have negative effects on these outcomes. Among out-of-facility deliveries, a higher proportion of infants received nevirapine within 72 hours of birth in the intervention versus control group, 95.8% versus 77.9%. In multivariate models, the intervention group was the only significant factor associated with facility delivery or completion of the full 6 weeks infant prophylaxis.

Conclusions

Use of the Pratt pouch resulted in an increase in HIV-exposed infants completing the full 6weeks prophylaxis regimen and associated benefits including increasing facility delivery and women’s adherence to postnatal care services.
Ecology of Diaporthe eres, the causal agent of hazelnut defects
Authors: Arciuolo Roberta , Camardo Leggieri Marco , Chiusa Giorgio , Castello Giuseppe , Genova Giuseppe , Spigolon Nicola , Battilani Paola
Published: March 2021

Diaporthe eres has been recently reported as the causal agent of hazelnut defects, with characteristic brown spots on the kernels surface and internal fruit discoloration. Knowledge regarding the ecology of this fungus is poor but, is critical to support a rationale and effective hazelnut crop protection strategy. Therefore, a study was performed to describe and model the effect of different abiotic factors such as temperature (T, 5–35°C, step 5°C) and water activity (aw 0.83–0.99, step 0.03) regimes on D. eres mycelial growth, pycnidial conidiomata development and asexual spore production during a 60-day incubation period. Alpha conidia germination was tested in the same T range and at different relative humidities (RH = 94, 97 and 100%) over 48 h incubation period. Fungal growth was observed from the first visual observation; regarding pycnidia and cirrhi, their development started after 8 and 19 days of incubation, respectively and increased over time. The optimum T for growth was 20–25°C and for pycnidia and cirrhi development was 30°C; aw ≥ 0.98 was optimal for the tested steps of the fungal cycle. The best condition for conidial germination of D. eres was at 25°C with RH = 100%. Quantitative data obtained were fitted using non- linear regression functions (Bete, logistic and polynomial), which provided a very good fit of the biological process (R2 = 0.793–0.987). These functions could be the basis for the development of a predictive model for the infection of D. eres of hazelnuts.
Cerebrospinal fluid NCAM-1 concentration is associated with neurodevelopmental outcome in post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity
Authors: Limbrick David D. , Morales Diego M. , Shannon Chevis N. , Wellons John C. , Kulkarni Abhaya V. , Alvey Jessica S. , Reeder Ron W. , Freimann Volker , Holubkov Richard , Riva-Cambrin Jay K. , Whitehead William E. , Rozzelle Curtis J. , Tamber Mandeep , Oakes W. Jerry , Drake James M. , Pollack Ian F. , Naftel Robert P. , Inder Terrie E. , Kestle John R. ,   for the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network
Published: March 2021

Objective

Efforts directed at mitigating neurological disability in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) are limited by a dearth of quantifiable metrics capable of predicting long-term outcome. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between candidate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of PHH and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants undergoing neurosurgical treatment for PHH.

Study design

Preterm infants with PHH were enrolled across the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network. CSF samples were collected at the time of temporizing neurosurgical procedure (n = 98). Amyloid precursor protein (APP), L1CAM, NCAM-1, and total protein (TP) were compared in PHH versus control CSF. Fifty-four of these PHH subjects underwent Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (Bayley-III) testing at 15–30 months corrected age. Controlling for false discovery rate (FDR) and adjusting for post-menstrual age (PMA) and IVH grade, Pearson’s partial correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between CSF proteins and Bayley-III composite cognitive, language, and motor scores.

Results

CSF APP, L1CAM, NCAM-1, and TP were elevated in PHH over control at temporizing surgery. CSF NCAM-1 was associated with Bayley-III motor score (R = -0.422, p = 0.007, FDR Q = 0.089), with modest relationships noted with cognition (R = -0.335, p = 0.030, FDR Q = 0.182) and language (R = -0.314, p = 0.048, FDR Q = 0.194) scores. No relationships were observed between CSF APP, L1CAM, or TP and Bayley-III scores. FOHR at the time of temporization did not correlate with Bayley-III scores, though trends were observed with Bayley-III motor (p = 0.0647 and R = -0.2912) and cognitive scores (p = 0.0506 and R = -0.2966).

Conclusion

CSF NCAM-1 was associated with neurodevelopment in this multi-institutional PHH cohort. This is the first report relating a specific CSF protein, NCAM-1, to neurodevelopment in PHH. Future work will further investigate a possible role for NCAM-1 as a biomarker of PHH-associated neurological disability.
Opposite associations of collective narcissism and in-group satisfaction with intergroup aggression via belief in the hedonistic function of revenge
Authors: Dyduch-Hazar Karolina , Mrozinski Blazej
Published: March 2021

We investigated whether collective narcissism (i.e., believing that the in-group is exceptional but insufficiently recognized by others) and in-group satisfaction (i.e., believing that the in-group is a source of satisfaction) have opposite, unique associations with intergroup aggression via belief in the hedonistic function of revenge (i.e., an expectation of emotional reward from harming others in response to feeling oneself harmed). Results of two studies conducted in Poland (N= 675) found that collective narcissism is positively related to belief in the hedonistic function of revenge, whereas in-group satisfaction is negatively related, and both are related to intergroup aggression. These relationships were found only when the overlap between collective narcissism and in-group satisfaction was partialled out. The results shed a new light on the mechanisms linking in-group positivity to out-group derogation, and highlight the importance of investigating revenge motivations in the intergroup relations.
Topological indexes and community structure for urban mobility networks: Variations in a business day
Authors: Lamosa Jéssica D. , Tomás Lívia R. , Quiles Marcos G. , Londe Luciana R. , Santos Leonardo B. L. , Macau Elbert E. N.
Published: March 2021

Topological analysis and community detection in mobility complex networks have an essential role in many contexts, from economics to the environmental agenda. However, in many cases, the dynamic component of mobility data is not considered directly. In this paper, we study how topological indexes and community structure changes in a business day. For the analyzes, we use a mobility database with a high temporal resolution. Our case study is the city of São José dos Campos (Brazil)—the city is divided into 55 traffic zones. More than 20 thousand people were asked about their travels the day before the survey (Origin-Destination Survey). We generated a set of graphs, where each vertex represents a traffic zone, and the edges are weighted by the number of trips between them, restricted to a time window. We calculated topological properties, such as degree, clustering coefficient and diameter, and the network’s community structure. The results show spatially concise community structures related to geographical factors such as highways and the persistence of some communities for different timestamps. These analyses may support the definition and adjustment of public policies to improve urban mobility. For instance, the community structure of the network might be useful for defining inter-zone public transportation.
Discovery of novel candidates for anti-liposarcoma therapies by medium-scale high-throughput drug screening
Authors: Grad Iwona , Hanes Robert , Ayuda-Durán Pilar , Kuijjer Marieke Lydia , Enserink Jorrit M. , Meza-Zepeda Leonardo A. , Myklebost Ola
Published: March 2021

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal orphan cancers and new treatment alternatives beyond traditional chemotherapeutic regimes are much needed. So far, tumor mutation analysis has not led to significant treatment advances, and we have attempted to bypass this limitation by performing direct drug testing of a library of 353 anti-cancer compounds that are either FDA-approved, in clinical trial, or in advanced stages of preclinical development on a panel of 13 liposarcoma cell lines. We identified and validated six drugs, targeting different mechanisms and with good efficiency across the cell lines: MLN2238 –a proteasome inhibitor, GSK2126458 –a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, JNJ-26481585 –a histone deacetylase inhibitor, triptolide–a multi-target drug, YM155 –a survivin inhibitor, and APO866 (FK866)–a nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase inhibitor. GR50s for those drugs were mostly in the nanomolar range, and in many cases below 10 nM. These drugs had long-lasting effect upon drug withdrawal, limited toxicity to normal cells and good efficacy also against tumor explants. Finally, we identified potential genomic biomarkers of their efficacy. Being approved or in clinical trials, these drugs are promising candidates for liposarcoma treatment.