bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation and maintenance of infant dietary diversity in Zimbabwe: contribution of food and water insecurity
Authors: Koyratty Nadia , Mbuya Mduduzi N. N. , Jones Andrew D. , Schuster Roseanne C. , Kordas Katarzyna , Li Chin-Shang , Tavengwa Naume V. , Majo Florence D. , Chasekwa Bernard , Ntozini Robert , Humphrey Jean H. , Smith Laura E.
Published: November 2022

Background

Inadequate food and water resources negatively affect child health and the efficiency of nutrition interventions.

Methods

We used data from the SHINE trial to investigate the associations of food insecurity (FI) and water insecurity (WI) on mothers’ implementation and maintenance of minimum infant dietary diversity (MIDD). We conducted factor analysis to identify and score dimensions of FI (poor access, household shocks, low availability & quality), and WI (poor access, poor quality and low reliability). MIDD implementation (n = 636) was adequate if infants aged 12 months (M12) ate ≥ four food groups. MIDD maintenance (n = 624) was categorized into four mutually exclusive groups: A (unmet MIDD at both M12 and M18), B (unmet MIDD at M12 only), C (unmet MIDD at M18 only), and D (met MIDD at both M12 and M18). We used multivariable-adjusted binary logistic and multinomial regressions to determine likelihood of MIDD implementation, and of belonging to MIDD maintenance groups A-C (poor maintenance groups), compared to group D, respectively.

Results

Low food availability & quality were negatively associated with implementation (OR = 0.81; 0.69, 0.97), and maintenance (ORB = 1.29; 1.07, 1.56). Poor water quality was positively associated with implementation (OR = 1.25; 1.08, 1.44), but inconsistently associated with maintenance, with higher odds of infants being in group C (OR = 1.39; 1.08, 1.79), and lower odds of being in group B (OR = 0.80; 0.66, 0.96).

Conclusion

Food security should be prioritized for adequate implementation and maintenance of infant diets during complementary feeding. The inconsistent findings with water quality indicate the need for further research on WI and infant feeding.
Intrinsic Risk Factors for Ankle Sprain Differ Between Male and Female Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mason Joel , Kniewasser Christoph , Hollander Karsten , Zech Astrid
Published: November 2022

Background

Ankle sprains remain prevalent across most team sports. However, despite divergent ankle sprain injury rates in male and female athletes, little is known about potential sex-specific risk factors for ankle sprain.

Objective

To systematically investigate the sex-specific risk factors for ankle sprain.

Methods

Combinations of the key terms were entered into PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, and prospective studies reporting ankle sprain risk factors in males or females were included for meta-analysis.

Results

Sixteen studies were eligible for inclusion, for a total of 3636 athletes (735 female) and 576 ankle sprains (117 female). Out of 21 prognostic factors, previous ankle sprain injury (odds ratio = 2.74, P < .001), higher body mass index (SMD = 0.50, P < 0.001), higher weight (SMD = 0.24, P = 0.02), lower isometric hip abduction strength (SMD = − 0.52, P < 0.0001) and lower dynamic balance performance (SMD = − 0.48 to − 0.22, P < 0.001–0.04) were identified as risk factors in male athletes. In female athletes, out of 18 factors eligible for meta-analysis, only lower concentric dorsiflexion strength was identified as a risk factor (SMD = − 0.48, P = 0.005).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis provides novel evidence for different risk factor profiles for ankle sprain injuries between female and male athletes. Further studies, particularly in female athletes, are needed to strengthen the evidence.
The prevalence of misusing over-the-counter and prescribed drugs in Syrian gymnasiums for performance-enhancing reasons: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Alkebbeh Linda , Alaryan Thurya , Saad Marie Claire , Alzeer Samar
Published: November 2022

Background

This study investigates the prevalence of misusing over-the-counter (OTC) and prescribed drugs in Syrian gymnasiums, in addition to types, sources of knowledge, and patterns of use. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 381 members of sports groups on social media, between April 2020 and February 2021. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software Version 26 for windows.

Results

A total of 133 participants (about 35%) stated they took OTC and prescribed drugs. Of those, 79 (11.8%) took proteins and amino acids, and 14 (3.7%) claimed they used 50 different products (mentioned 167 times) of anabolic steroids and other hormones (e.g., growth hormone and thyroxine). The most frequently used substance was testosterone (N =25, 15.56%), followed by thyroxine (N = 12, 7.18%) and stanozolol (N = 11, 6.58%). The source of knowledge was the Internet (48.6%) followed by friends (28.4%) and coaches (20.9%). Most users were males (61.6%) and had a bachelor’s university degree (64%). All anabolic steroid users (N = 14) practiced bodybuilding. Statistically significant relationships were found between the usage of anabolic steroids, proteins, and amino acids with each of the monthly income, frequency of training, level of training, and gender. Users claimed that they got benefits from taking these substances, and the majority of users (about 70%) did not experience any adverse effects.

Conclusions

Our results showed significant differences compared to neighboring countries, regarding attitudes towards misusing OTC and prescribed medications.
Impact of obstructive sleep apnea on platelet activation and development of silent brain infarctions
Authors: Abd El-Razek Reda , Abou Hagar Ahmed , Orabi Marwa , Moawad Sabry , El-Samahy Mohamed
Published: November 2022

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a unique potent predictor for stroke compared to other predictors. By aiding in the adherence of leukocytes and platelets, soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) contributes to the development of ischemic stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate the independent impact of OSA on platelet activation and development of silent brain infarction. Twenty-four OSA patients and 24 controls were studied in a case–control study, who underwent one-night polysomnography, magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of silent brain infarctions (SBI), measurement of serum (sP-selectin) levels for assessment of increased platelet activation and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels.

Results

Out of 24 patients, 5 (20.8%) had mild OSA and 8 (33.3%) had moderate and 11 (45.8%) had severe OSA. Serum levels of sP-selectin were statistically significantly higher in moderate and severe groups (p < 0.001). Eleven (57.9%) patients in moderate and severe OSA had SBI. Fifty percent of patients with moderate OSA had elevated serum sP-selectin and 25.0% of them had SBI and 81.8% of severe OSA patients had elevated serum sP-selectin and 81.8% of them had SBI. Patients with mild OSA and controls had no SBI and normal serum sP-selectin level. CRP was statistically significantly higher in moderate and severe OSA groups (16.6% and 45.8%) than the mild and control groups (4.1% and 0%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea were associated independently with elevated serum sP-selectin reflecting increased platelet function, elevated inflammatory marker CRP and an increased risk of silent brain infarctions.
Comparing risk-based fuel treatment prioritization with alternative strategies for enhancing protection and resource management objectives
Authors: Thompson Matthew P. , Vogler Kevin C. , Scott Joe H. , Miller Carol
Published: November 2022

Background

Advances in fire modeling help quantify and map various components and characterizations of wildfire risk and furthermore help evaluate the ability of fuel treatments to mitigate risk. However, a need remains for guidance in designing landscape-scale fuel treatments with protection objectives, resource management objectives, and wildfire response in mind. It is also important to consider how human factors related to risk tolerance may affect opportunities to manage fire. We build on these themes to illustrate an approach for examining whether, and how, fuel management can simultaneously minimize housing exposure while maximizing area suitable for expansion of beneficial wildfire. We generate multiple hypothetical post-treatment conditions according to distinct treatment prioritization schemes (Housing Protection, Federal Transmission, Random) and variable treatment extents and compare performance across strategies for a 8.5 million ha case study landscape in north-central New Mexico, USA.

Results

In general, we find that treating near housing units can provide the greatest level of protection relative to treating more remote wildlands to reduce transmission potential. Treating on federal lands to reduce federal transmission was highly effective at reducing exposure from federal fires and at expanding opportunities for beneficial fire but contributed comparatively little to reducing housing exposure from all fires. We find that treatment extents as low as 2.5–5% can yield significant benefits with spatially optimized strategies, whereas the random strategy did not perform comparably until reaching a much larger treatment extent. Increasing risk tolerance for housing exposure expanded the area suitable for managed fire, while decreasing risk tolerance for beneficial fire opportunity and flame length probability shrunk the area suitable for managed fire.

Conclusions

This work provides a contribution in terms of explicitly framing risk analysis and fuel treatment design around federal land and resource management objectives and adds to the knowledge base for designing effective landscape fuel treatment strategies that can protect communities and expand beneficial wildfire on a fire-prone landscape. Successful integration of these themes requires embracing all pillars of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, including coordinated management of fuels on various ownerships, home ignition zone mitigation, and cross-boundary fire response planning that can guide fire operations in reducing transmission and expand response options.
The gut-brain axis in ischemic stroke: its relevance in pathology and as a therapeutic target
Authors: Benakis Corinne , Liesz Arthur
Published: November 2022

The gut contains the largest reservoir of microorganisms of the human body, termed as the gut microbiota which emerges as a key pathophysiological factor in health and disease. The gut microbiota has been demonstrated to influence various brain functions along the “gut-brain axis”. Stroke leads to intestinal dysmotility and leakiness of the intestinal barrier which are associated with change of the gut microbiota composition and its interaction with the human host. Growing evidence over the past decade has demonstrated an important role of these post-stroke changes along the gut-brain axis to contribute to stroke pathology and be potentially druggable targets for future therapies. The impact of the gut microbiota on brain health and repair after stroke might be attributed to the diverse functions of gut bacteria in producing neuroactive compounds, modulating the host’s metabolism and immune status. Therefore, a better understanding on the gut-brain axis after stroke and its integration in a broader concept of stroke pathology could open up new avenues for stroke therapy. Here, we discuss current concepts from preclinical models and human studies on the bi-directional communication along the microbiota-gut-brain axis in stroke.
Investigating the effect of loading on the governing equation at the split region for a semi-infinite crack in an orthotropic material under antiplane loading
Authors: Emenogu Ndubueze G.
Published: November 2022

Most often there is a great disparity between experimental results and analytic results. Before now under great disparity, researchers kept suspecting the experimental procedures without investigating whether their analytic solution actually satisfy the governing equation. When a body in a plane is under loading, the loading splits the plane into regions, and the governing equation must be satisfied at these regions for the derived solution to be true. In this paper, I considered a homogeneous infinite orthotropic material containing a semi-infinite crack. A longitudinal shear load of magnitude Q is applied on the crack front. The displacement field in closed form is obtained. A verification of this solution at the split regions is carried out and shown to satisfy the governing differential equation.
Outcome of Wilson’s disease in Bangladeshi children: a tertiary center experience
Authors: Mahmud Salahuddin , Gulshan Jahida , Baidya Madhabi , Rashid Rafia , Tasneem Farhana , Hasan Ahmed Rashidul , Farhana Tanzila , Ahmed Syed Shafi
Published: November 2022

Background

Wilson disease (WD) is an inherited disorder of copper metabolism commonly involving the liver, cornea, and brain. Its incidence is increasing day by day worldwide. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the key for best outcome.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was done from January 2014 to December 2019. Sixty children of both genders between 3 and 18 years were diagnosed by clinical and laboratory profile meeting selected criteria.

Results

Mean age was 8.42 ± 2.6 years and male female ratio was 1.5:1. Consanguinity of marriage was found in 38.3% cases. Seventy percent of cases were hepatic, 16.7% were neuropsychiatric, 5.0% were hepatic with neuropsychiatric, and 8.3% cases were manifested asymptomatically. Asymptomatic and hepatic WD were reported between 3 and 10 years and most of the neuropsychiatric and hepatic with neuropsychiatric manifested after 10 years of age. More than 50% cases improved, a little more than 20% children died, 18.4% were unchanged and 6.6% were hepatic added neuropsychiatric manifestations. Most of the asymptomatic (100%) and hepatic (61.9%) cases improved. High mortality was found with 76.9% cases of acute liver failure (ALF), 7.7% case of chronic liver disease (CLD) and 25% cases of CLD with portal hypertension (CLD and PH). Most of the neuropsychiatric cases (90.0%), and approximately two-third (66.6%) of hepatic with neuropsychiatric cases remained unchanged. Neuropsychiatric manifestations were added in 15.4% cases of CLD and 25% cases of CLD with PH patient. The treatment was well tolerated in 66% children without any side effects. Low WBC (6.3%) and platelet count (4.3%), vomiting (6.3%), anorexia (4.3%), loss of taste (4.3%), rash (4.3%), and proteinuria (2.1%) were found in few cases.

Conclusion

Majority of the children were presented with hepatic manifestations. More than half of patients with WD treated by D-penicillamine (DP) were improved. Significant mortality was found in acute liver failure whereas neuropsychiatric presentations had persistent abnormalities. No major side effects of DP was observed in most of the cases. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment were crucial for better outcome.
Micronutrient deficiency among patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Hussien Amany , El-Moniem Sawsan Abd , Tawhid Ziyad , Altonbary Ahmed
Published: November 2022

Background and aim

Malnutrition is a common problem among patients with inflammatory bowel disease and up to 18–62% of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients were reported to be malnourished. This study aimed to assess micronutrient status among naïve UC patients and its correlation with disease severity.

Methods

A prospective case-control study carried out on 46 patients who visited our endoscopy unit between April 2019 and April 2021. The patients were classified into 3 groups of mild, moderate, and severe UC based on colonoscopy findings, and histopathological examination. Serum was collected and assayed for levels of iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and copper.

Results

Forty-six (17 male, 29 female) patients divided into 2 groups (23 naïve UC patients and 23 healthy individuals) with the mean age of 32 years were included in the study. The serum levels of magnesium, zinc, and selenium were significantly lower in the UC group (p< 0.001, 0.018 and < 0.001, respectively). However, iron and copper levels were not significantly different between the 2 groups. In discriminating severe from mild-moderate UC cases, there was a statistically significant result of magnesium at cutoff 1.8 or less in discriminating severe from mild to moderate UC cases with an AUC of 0.950 andpvalue of < 0.001.

Conclusion

Micronutrients should be assessed in patients in UC patients to alert to the fact that correction of these deficiencies could facilitate achievement of remission. Further research is needed to confirm if magnesium levels could serve as a predictor of the disease severity.
Thoracic air leak syndrome as the sole manifestation of chronic lung graft-versus-host disease: a case report
Authors: Nair Avinash Anil , Raja Arshad , Devasia Anup Joseph , Vimala Leena Robinson , Gupta Richa , Thangakunam Balamugesh , Mathews Vikram
Published: November 2022

Background

Thoracic air leak syndrome (TALS) is a rare complication associated with chronic lung graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). In the present case, TALS was the sole pulmonary manifestation of GVHD.

Case presentation

A 30-year-old woman presented with dyspnea on exertion and swelling of the neck and face after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia. She was found to have subcutaneous emphysema, and chest imaging suggested pneumomediastinum, with normal lung parenchyma. Her clinical and radiological findings indicated TALS. There were no other features suggestive of lung GVHD. Her condition improved with conservative management and increased immunosuppression. However, she subsequently had two relapses, developed severe infection and pneumothorax, and died.

Conclusions

The present case report illustrates a unique presentation of TALS, a rare complication of GVHD, in a post-stem cell transplant patient. It highlights the challenges in the diagnosis and management of this condition.
Assessment of Oncology Patient Engagement and Interest in Virtual Mind-Body Programming: Moving Toward Personalization of Virtual Care
Authors: Hung Tony K.W. , Latte-Naor Shelly , Li Yuelin , Kuperman Gilad J. , Seluzicki Christina , Pendleton Eva , Pfister David G. , Mao Jun J.
Published: November 2022

PURPOSE:

Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual platform has become a prominent medium to deliver mind-body therapies, but the extent to which patients engage in virtual mind-body programming remains unclear. This study aims to assess oncology patient engagement in a virtual mind-body program.

METHODS:

We surveyed oncology patients enrolled in a live-streamed (synchronous) virtual mind-body program in May 2021. Patients self-reported engagement by weekly attendance. We applied multivariate regression to identify associations of engagement with sociodemographic and clinical factors. As an exploratory analysis, we used machine learning to partition engagement subgroups to determine preferential interest in prerecorded (asynchronous) mind-body therapy videos.

RESULTS:

Among 148 patients surveyed (response rate: 21.4%), majority were female (94.5%), White (83.1%), age 65 years or older (64.9%), retired (64.2%), and in survivorship (61.8%). Patient engagement ranged from 1 to 13 classes/week (mean [standard deviation]: 4.23 [2.56]) and was higher for female (β, .82; 95% CI, 0.01 to 1.62), non-White (β, .63; 95% CI, 0.13 to 1.13), and retired patients (β, .50; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.88). The partition model identified three engagement subgroups: employed (low engagers), retired White (intermediate engagers), and retired non-White (high engagers). Particularly, low engagers had preferential interest in meditation videos (odds ratio, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.24 to 6.54), and both low and high engagers had preferential interest in Tai Chi videos (odds ratio, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.06 to 4.82).

CONCLUSION:

In this cross-sectional study among oncology patients, engagement in virtual mind-body programming was higher for female, non-White, and retired patients. Our findings suggest the need for both synchronous and asynchronous mind-body programming to meet the diverse needs of oncology patients.
Suppression of YAP safeguards human naïve pluripotency
Authors: Dattani Anish , Huang Tao , Liddle Corin , Smith Austin , Guo Ge
Published: November 2022

Propagation of human naïve pluripotent stem cells (nPSCs) relies on the inhibition of MEK/ERK signalling. However, MEK/ERK inhibition also promotes differentiation into trophectoderm (TE). Therefore, robust self-renewal requires suppression of TE fate. Tankyrase inhibition using XAV939 has been shown to stabilise human nPSCs and is implicated in TE suppression. Here, we dissect the mechanism of this effect. Tankyrase inhibition is known to block canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling. However, we show that nPSCs depleted of β-catenin remain dependent on XAV939. Rather than inhibiting Wnt, we found that XAV939 prevents TE induction by reducing activation of YAP, a co-factor of TE-inducing TEAD transcription factors. Tankyrase inhibition stabilises angiomotin, which limits nuclear accumulation of YAP. Upon deletion of angiomotin-family members AMOT and AMOTL2, nuclear YAP increases and XAV939 fails to prevent TE induction. Expression of constitutively active YAP similarly precipitates TE differentiation. Conversely, nPSCs lacking YAP1 or its paralog TAZ (WWTR1) resist TE differentiation and self-renewal efficiently without XAV939. These findings explain the distinct requirement for tankyrase inhibition in human but not in mouse nPSCs and highlight the pivotal role of YAP activity in human naïve pluripotency and TE differentiation.

This article has an associated ‘The people behind the papers’ interview.
Ubiquitin-assisted phase separation of dishevelled-2 promotes Wnt signalling
Authors: Vamadevan Vaishna , Chaudhary Neelam , Maddika Subbareddy
Published: November 2022

Dishvelled-2 (Dvl2) is an essential component of Wnt pathway, which controls several cell fate decisions during development, such as proliferation, survival and differentiation. Dvl2 forms higher-order protein assemblies in the cell that are critical for relaying the signal from upstream Wnt ligand–frizzled receptor binding to downstream effector β-catenin activation. However, the precise molecular nature and contribution of Dvl2 protein assemblies during Wnt signalling is unknown. Here, we show that Dvl2 forms protein condensates driven by liquid–liquid phase separation. An intrinsically disordered region (IDR) at the N-terminus is essential for Dvl2 phase separation. Importantly, we identified the HECT-E3 ligase WWP2 as an essential driver of Dvl2 phase separation in vitro and in cells. We demonstrated that ubiquitylation of Dvl2 through K63 linkage by WWP2 is required for formation of Dvl2 condensates. Phase-separated Dvl2 activates Wnt signaling by sequestering the components of destruction complex and thus relieving β-catenin. Together, our results reveal a ubiquitylation-dependent liquid–liquid phase separation as a new process through which Dvl2 forms condensates, which is necessary for transduction of Wnt signalling.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Non-invasive evaluation of the pathological and functional characteristics of chronic kidney disease by diffusion kurtosis imaging and intravoxel incoherent motion imaging: comparison with conventional DWI
Authors: Liang Ping , Yuan Guanjie , Li Shichao , He Kangwen , Peng Yang , Hu Daoyu , Li Zhen , Ma Zufu , Xu Chuou
Published: November 2022

Objective:

To explore the diagnostic performance of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and incoherent intravoxel movement (IVIM) in evaluating the clinical and pathological characteristics in chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Methods:

Forty-nine CKD patients and 24 healthy volunteers were included in this retrospective study from September 2020 to September 2021. All participants underwent MRI examinations before percutaneous renal biopsy. Coronal T  2WI, axial T  1WI and T  2WI, and DWI (including IVIM and DKI) sequences obtained in one scan. We measured the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion coefficient (Dt), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (Dp), perfusion fraction (fp), mean kurtosis (MK), and mean diffusivity (MD) values. One-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used in our study.

Results:

Cortex and medulla ADC, MK, Dt, fp were significantly different between the healthy volunteers and CKD stages 1–2 (all p < 0.05). All diffusion parameters showed significant differences between CKD stages 1–2 and CKD stages 3–5 (all p < 0.05). Except for the uncorrelation between MDMedulla and vascular lesion score, all other diffusion parameters were low-to-moderately related to clinical and pathological indicators. fpMedulla was the best parameter to differentiate healthy volunteers from CKD stages 1–2. MKCortex was the best parameter to differentiate CKD stages 1–2 from that CKD stages 3–5.

Conclusion:

Renal cortex and medulla fp, Dt, and MK can provide more valuable information than ADC values for the evaluation of clinical and pathological characteristics of CKD patients, and thus can provide auxiliary diagnosis for fibrosis assessment and clinical management of CKD patients.

Advances in knowledge:

IVIM and DKI can provide more diagnostic valuable information for CKD patients than conventional DWI.
‘What effect do safety culture interventions have on health care workers in hospital settings?’ A systematic review of the international literature
Authors: Finn Mairéad , Mellon Lisa , Walsh Aisling , O'Brien Niall , Williams David J. , Rafter Natasha , McCarthy Siobhán E.
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Interventions designed to improve safety culture in hospitals foster organisational environments that prevent patient safety events and support organisational and staff learning when events do occur. A safety culture supports the required health workforce behaviours and norms that enable safe patient care, and the well-being of patients and staff. The impact of safety culture interventions on staff perceptions of safety culture and patient outcomes has been established. To-date, however, there is no common understanding of what staff outcomes are associated with interventions to improve safety culture and what staff outcomes should be measured.

Objectives: The study seeks to examine the effect of safety culture interventions on staff in hospital settings, globally.

Methods and Analysis: A mixed methods systematic review will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches will be conducted using the electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Health Business Elite, and Scopus. Returns will be screened in Covidence according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT) will be used as a quality assessment tool. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials and non-randomised studies of interventions will be employed to verify bias. Synthesis will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidance for mixed methods reviews, which recommends a convergent approach to synthesis and integration.

Discussion: This systematic review will contribute to the international evidence on how interventions to improve safety culture may support staff outcomes and how such interventions may be appropriately designed and implemented.
ENGLISH TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS STUDENTS: STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON ITS’ IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: Naibaho Lamhot
Published: November 2022

This study investigates the English teachers’ professional learnisg community from the students’ perspective on its implementation. It is done at some senior high schools in Bekasi. The design of this study was based on qualitative methods with a descriptive design. The data collection technique is done through a semi-structured interview technique. The selected study respondents were based on the purposive sampling technique. Through this technique, the respondents selected to be interviewed were the outstanding principals in senior high schools. The research instrument used was an interview based on the checklist found in Olivier and Hipp’s professional learning community model. The result of the study is that the professional learning community is very effective in school improvement practice and has a significant role in shaping teachers’ personal and collective ability and application. The development of a professional learning community through strengthening the practice of the main functions that are the backbone of the professional learning community, such as collective learning practices and applications, can be seen to improve teachers’ teaching practices and student learning activities which are basic practices in school improvement activities.
THE EXTERNAL INFORMATIONAL BASIS ORGANIZATION OF THE PROJECT ACTIVITY OF GRADUATE STUDENTS ON THE DISCIPLINE “PROFESSIONAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE” IN THE FORM OF A HANDBOOK
Authors: Kabanova Natalya Yu. , Kabanov Vladimir S. , Khabibrakhmanova Farida R.
Published: November 2022

Relevance. The purpose of mastering the subject “Professional English” for graduate students is ability to analyze, edit, create and translate professionally-oriented texts on their own, and to present the results of their scientific and professional activities. At the same time, there are usually no forms of such activities under the guidance of a teacher in the bachelor’s curriculum. Therefore, it is relevant to develop some methods and techniques of forming an informational basis for the self-dependent implementation of such activities.

Purpose. The aim of our work was to develop and test the external informational basis of graduate students’ educational activities in the form of a handbook and, with the help of various types of professionally oriented reading, to transform it into an internal informational basis that will allow them to write an abstract of a scientific article and to make a presentation on the topic of their research on their own, as well as to make a report.

Methods and hypotheses. The handbook was written within the framework of the project method. We assumed that the work on the handbook would increase the level of self-organization of educational activities and the quality of project activities of graduate students.

Results. As expected, the experiment proved our assumption: in the experimental group the percentage of timely completed educational tasks was higher, that indicates better self-organization of students. The grades for foreign-language presentations on the research topic, which are the main product of the project activities of graduate students, were also higher.

Practical implications. The results obtained prove the effectiveness of the handbook, and contribute to the practice of teaching foreign languages at the graduate students.
Professional stress and job satisfaction of nurses working in infectious diseases wards during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Authors: Tomaszewska Katarzyna , Sopel Katarzyna
Published: November 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic brings many challenges to the daily work of nurses who put their lives and health at risk for the general public every day. This causes them to be highly stressed at work, causes mental strain, and lowers the level of job satisfaction.
The aim of the research was to assess the level of stress and job satisfaction of nurses working in infectious diseases wards.
Materials and methods The survey was conducted among 169 nurses in the period from February to April 2022. The study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method, the technique was a questionnaire survey, and the survey tool was a survey questionnaire provided in a Google Form. The differences between the qualitative variables were analyzed using the χ2 test of independence. We use the χ2 test of independence (non-parametric significance test for two or more independent samples) to test whether the variables measured at the nominal level or higher in the comparison groups differ from each other. The significance level of the study was p <0.05. The calculations were made with the SPSS 25 software.
Results Work in direct contact with people infected with the coronavirus was performed by the majority of the respondents. Only about 18.0% of nurses used psychological assistance during the pandemic. Among the harmful and nuisance factors in the workplace, the respondents mentioned stress, contact with potentially infectious material, coronavirus infection despite appropriate personal protective equipment and cuts.
Conclusions Stress in the workplace was felt especially due to the need to operate specialized equipment, not yet operated by the respondents. Nurses in the workplace were mainly exposed to stress related to performing difficult and responsible activities. Only a small part of the respondents was definitely satisfied with their work.
Supplemental figures for "Calibration and Validation of RZWQM2-P Model to Simulate Phosphorus Loss in a Clay Loam Soil in Michigan"
Authors: Shokrana Sami , Ghane Ehsan , Qi Zhiming
Published: November 2022

The first two figures of the supplementary materials provide images of water ponding in our field site for two different occasions. The last figure shows the 1:1 scatterplots of observed and predicted values of subsurface drainage discharge, dissolved reactive phosphorus, and total phosphorus.
Stereo Vision Controlled Variable Rate Sprayer for Specialty Crops: Part I. Controller Development
Authors: Jeon Hongyoung , Zhu Heping
Published: November 2022

Highlights

Developed a stereo vision spray controller with a single board computer for precision sprayers.

Developed algorithms to process stereo vision data, calculate spray volumes, and activate spray nozzles.

Developed a graphical user interface to embed algorithms and operate the controller.

Controller detected target volume and sprayed target in real time at various travel speeds before target was on spray area.

The spray controller consumed 111 to 141 ms to acquire and process data and determine spray output.

Abstract. Under laboratory conditions, a variable rate spray controller using stereo vision as a target detection sensor was developed and evaluated with moving spray targets at travel speeds ranging from 3.2 to 8.0 km h-1. The controller detected the target with a resolution of 480 pixels (vertical) × 640 pixels (horizontal) at a frame rate of 5 Hz and modulated spray nozzles at 10 Hz based on the analysis results of the stereo vision data. A customized graphical user interface was developed to operate the controller, display incoming data, and control other components. Evaluations of the controller with a flat, 3-dimensional box column and artificial tree targets with travel speeds ranging from 3.2 to 8.0 km h-1 showed that the controller consistently activated the nozzles 158.7 to 293.6 ms before the spray target arrived on the spray axis. The controller was also capable of repeatedly detecting the volume of the spray target with variations less than 12% for the same target at one travel speed, although it measured the volume generally higher than the manually calculated volume by as much as 33%, which resulted from duplicate target detection between detection cycles of the controller. These duplicated detections caused the overapplications of as much as 38%, although the controller repeatedly discharged spray volumes with variations less than 11% for the same target at the same travel speed. On average, the spray controller required 111.2 to 140.7 ms for data processing in one detection cycle, from image acquisition to activating spray nozzles for travel speeds ranging from 3.2 to 8.0 km h-1, with the potential to reduce this further. The developed controller would provide an economical and versatile platform for future variable rate sprayers with the benefits of stereo vision technology. Keywords: Automation, Crop protection, Precision Agriculture, Pesticide, RealSenseTM.
DNA barcoding of Macrocephalon maleo originating from Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Samad Abdul , SOLIHIN DEDY D. , SUMANTRI CECE , PURWANTARA BAMBANG
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Samad A, Solihin DD, Sumantri C, Purwantara B. 2022. DNA barcoding of Macrocephalon maleo originating from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 4400-4408. Conservation of Maleo Senkawor (Macrocephalon maleo Sal. Muller, 1846) continues to be carried out to sustain this bird species. The genetic information from this study can be used to support future conservation activities. This study aimed to provide information on the genetic characteristics of the endangered Maleo Senkawor based on the partial sequence of the Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (COI) gene in mitochondrial DNA. Samples were collected from Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi. Total DNA isolation was performed using the Dneasy® Blood and Tissue kit through a modified Qiagen protocol. PCR amplification used a forward primer MMCOI_F (5'-ccgatgattattctcaacca-3') and a reverse primer MMCOI_R (5'- gtagccgaatggttcttttt-3'). Analysis was performed on the partial sequences of the M. maleo COI mtDNA gene and its amino acid sequences. The genetic distance between the M. maleo population from North Sulawesi, Southeast and Central Sulawesi is 0.001 (0.1%). Macrocephalon maleo population of Southeast and Central Sulawesi have 0% genetic distance. Analysis of the COI M. maleo gene from 3 population locations showed that they came from the same species. Based on the genetic distance of the Kimura model with 2 parameters in the 3 populations, the M. maleo formed the same group (ingroup species) but had a different haplotype. These differences can be used as characterizing markers in each population. Furthermore, the conservation of M. maleo from these 3 populations was better treated as a separate group based on the mitochondrial DNA COI gene to avoid the negative impact of interpopulation breeding.
Curcuma lampangensis and C. sabhasrii, two new species of the family Zingiberaceae from northern Thailand
Authors: RAKARCHA SARAYUT , SAENSOUK SURAPON , MAKNOI CHARUN , WONGNAK MATHEE , THAMMARONG WORANART , SAENSOUK PIYAPORN
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Rakarcha S, Saensouk S, Maknoi C, Wongnak M, Thammarong W, Saensouk P. 2022. Curcuma lampangensis and C. sabhasrii, two new species of the family Zingiberaceae from northern Thailand. Biodiversitas 23: 4448-4459. Curcuma lampangensis Saensouk, Maknoi & Rakarcha and C. sabhasrii Saensouk, Maknoi, Wongnak & Rakarcha, two new species of ginger family (Zingiberaceae) from northern Thailand, are described, illustrated and photographed. Additionally, the authors provide their detailed morphological descriptions, as well as illustrations, color photographs, distributions, ecology, etymology, phenology, vernacular, conservation status and its closely related species. The two new species are assignable to the Curcuma subgenus Ecomatae. Curcuma lampangensis and C. sabhasrii are endemic to Lampang and Phitsanulok provinces of northern Thailand, respectively. The morphological characteristics of C. lampangensis are compared to C. rhomba J. Mood & K. Larsen while C. sabhasrii is compared to C. peramoena Souvann. & Maknoi. Curcuma lampangensis is recognized by its glabrous on nearly all parts of the plant, creeping rhizome and the inflorescence usually arises from a new rhizome branch next to the existing pseudostem, flowers that are white to pale pink and white to pale yellow labellum with 2 dark yellow bands at the center and reddish tinge at the base. Curcuma sabhasrii is recognized by having 8-15 greenish to reddish-purple bracts, reddish-purple corolla lobes, white with reddish-purple mottling to reddish-purple staminodes and labellum which is reddish-purple with an embossed yellow path along the midrib from base to apex and reddish-purple mottling on yellow mid-band of lower half. A key to 24 species of Curcuma subgenus Ecomatae in Thailand is presented.
Diversity of fauna species in the mangrove ecosystem of Youtefa Bay Tourism Park, Papua, Indonesia
Authors: SARI ANNITA , TUWO AMBO , SARU AMRAN , RANI CHAIR
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Sari A, Tuwo A, Saru A, Rani C. 2022. Diversity of fauna species in the mangrove ecosystem of Youtefa Bay Tourism Park, Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 4490-4500. Youtefa Bay Tourism Park is a mangrove ecosystem in Jayapura City, Papua, Indonesia with high importance for biodiversity conservation as well as providing livelihood for local communities. Yet, information regarding the biological diversity of the mangrove ecosystem is lacking. This information is important to assess the state of the mangrove and to support its sustainable management of this area. This research aimed to determine the faunistic diversity of Youtefa Bay Tourism Park. The research was conducted from August 2019 to February 2020 using line transect method with quadrant to record species and the number of individuals. The results showed that in the studied area there were six, five and 27 species of birds, reptiles and macrozoobenthos, respectively. The density of birds ranged from 2.35-23.94 ind/ha with Sterna hirundo of the Sternidae family having the highest density. The reptile species density ranged between 20 and 66.67 ind/ha, while the most common macrozoobenthos species were from Gastropoda and Pelecypoda classes. The highest and lowest relative abundance for birds were S. hirundo and Sula lencogastes with 20% and 5%, while that of reptiles were Mabouya sp. and Varanus salvadorii with 37% and 15%, and for macrozoobenthos species were Duplicaria duplicata and Solen sp. with 9.93% and 0.35%, respectively. The Diversity Index (H’) of birds, reptiles, and macrozoobenthos ranged of 0.29-1.39, 0.27-1.61, and 2.92-3.04, respectively. The diversity index was as low at Abepantai and Youtefa Bay Pier, while moderate at Tobati, Enggros, and Nafri Villages. Water quality parameters indicated that the waters in Youtefa Bay Tourism Park were still suitable for the survival of biota and the preservation of the mangrove ecosystem. The results of this study might be useful for monitoring the status of the mangrove ecosystem in the future and for baseline information in developing sustainable management of Youtefa Bay Tourism Park.
Identification and prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus) at Petungkriyono Forest, Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: KHARISMAWAN M.Y. KHANSA , MAULA ISHMA , ASTUTI PUDJI , SETIAWAN ARIF
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Kharismawan MYK, Maula I, Astuti P, Setyawan A. 2022. Identification and prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus) at Petungkriyono Forest, Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 4501-4509. Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus) are arboreal primates found at Petungkriyono Forest, Central Java, Indonesia. An increase in ecotourism activity in Petungkriyono Forest affected wildlife behavior and forest landscape along the road. Canopy connections separated by the main road is essential for both of these primates They were spotted foraging food and moved across the separated habitat using available canopy. Based on their activity and habitat along the main road, this research is conducted to identify and count the prevalance of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in their gastrointestinal through their feces. A total of 72 Javan gibbon and 46 Javan langur fecal samples were collected under 10% formalin preservation. Fecal samples were examined using the mini-FLOTAC method for Javan gibbon and the flotation method for Javan langur. The results indicate three orders, including Enoplida, Strongylida, and Rhabditida, were found and the prevalence of helminthiasis is 31.94% for Javan gibbon and 47.82% for Javan langur. Eventhough both of these primates helminthiasis prevalance is considered to be low, higher prevalance in Javan langur was caused by its behavior to be less arboreal than Javan gibbon.
The effect of integrated pest management on Scirpophaga innotata population and natural enemies on rice field in South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Rahmawasiah Rahmawasiah , Abadi Abdul Latief , Mudjiono Gatot , Rizali Akhmad
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Rahmawasiah, Abadi AL, Mudjiono G, Rizali A. 2022. The effect of integrated pest management on Scirpophaga innotata population and natural enemies on rice field in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 4510-4516. White rice stem borer, Scirpophaga innotata, is an important pest on rice plants that needs attention because the population is quite large in Luwu Raya. This pest attacks rice plants at all growth stages and can result in yield losses in rice production. Synthetic insecticides are a common control technique used by farmers to control these pests. The continuous use of pesticides will certainly have a negative impact. Therefore, pursuing effective control strategies and maintaining environmental sustainability is necessary. This study aimed to determine the white rice stem borer population and its natural enemies on rainfed land, and permanent irrigated lands managed conventionally and integrated pest management. The research was carried out using insect sampling techniques and calculating the white rice stem borer population and natural enemies in rice cultivation. In rainfed and irrigated rice fields, rice cultivation was carried out using conventional methods and integrated pest management (in the form of planting refugia and regulating the use of synthetic pesticides). The sampling was carried out on plants from the vegetative phase to the generative phase. The type of insect taken was the white rice stem borer in the form of collecting groups of eggs and larvae. Imago was observed visually and using a farmcop. In addition, the collection of natural enemy insects on the plantation was also carried out. The results showed that the application of the integrated pest management system caused no significant effect on the decline of the white rice stem borer population in both rainfed and permanently irrigated lands in Luwu Raya. The white rice stem borer population was more commonly found in rainfed land than permanently irrigated land. The parasitoids found were Telenomus rowani, Tetrastichus schoenobii and Trichogramma japonicum. The population of Telenomus rowani was more numerous than other types of parasitoids. On average, the parasitoid population was more in the land managed by integrated pest management (IPM) application than the conventionally managed land. The predators found on the land were Oxyopes javanus, Agriocnemis femina, Conocephalus longipennis, Menochilus sexmaculata, Ophionea nigrofasciata, Micraspis lineata, and Paederus fuscipes. Predator populations were more on land managed with the application of IPM than on land managed conventionally.