bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrenamiento de redes neuronales recurrentes usando la dimensión de encaje en el espacio de las fases
Authors: Perugachi Cahueñas Nelly Patricia , Moreno Palacios Mariela Micaela , Haro Velasteguí Arquímides Xavier
Published: August 2022

Se propone un método usando Redes Neuronales Recurrentes para la predicción de datos caóticos, aplicando la Teoría del Caos, para estudiar el comportamiento dinámico de los datos en el espacio multidimensional de las fases, establecer la correlación de los mismos y determinar la dimensión de encaje como base para el entrenamiento de las redes neuronales, así como determinar las características dinámicas del sistema calculando los coeficientes de Lyapunov y la entropía de Kolmorov-Siani, que nos indican el grado de desorden que tiene el sistema, para proyectar la precisión de la predicción. Se usan datos de contaminantes PM2.5 tomados en el centro Histórico de la ciudad de Quito, en intervalos de una hora, entre los años 2005 a 2019. Los resultados determinan que las series de datos corresponden a un sistema caótico (más de un coeficiente positivo de Lyapunov), por lo que se justifica la aplicación de la Teoría del Caos en el análisis de los mismos, dando buenos resultados en las predicciones aplicando los métodos de redes neuronales recurrentes de Elman y Jordan, al comparar las series predichas se demuestran que no presentan diferencias significativas entre ellas, ni con los datos medidos, usando el método de varianza con 0,05 de significancia,  el error cuadrático porcentual respecto al rango de variación de los datos es aproximadamente del 5 % en ambos casos. Objetivos: Proponer un método que ayude al entrenamiento de las redes neuronales usando la Teoría del caos, mediante la implementación de la dimensión de encaje en el espacio de las fases.
La marca “ESPOCH politécnica Latinoamericana por el comercio justo”, como respuesta al mercado del consumidor
Authors: Niama Rivera Ligia Maricela , Barba Vera Ruth Genoveva , Villacrés Pumagualle María Lorena
Published: August 2022

Introducción: La tendencia a mejorar las condiciones sociales y medio ambientales en el planeta, han hecho posible el aparecimiento de personas con un alto grado de corresponsabilidad frente al consumo, estas buscan productos que estén vinculados a proceso de producción éticos social y ambientalmente. Objetivo: Proponer el análisis de la aceptación de la marca ESPOCH, Politécnica Latinoamericana por el comercio justo, que pretende medir a que nivel los consumidores están dispuestos a aceptar una marca que refleja la esencia. Metodología: Para el efecto se realizó una encuesta digital, se consideró una muestra representativa de estudiantes politécnicos, se determinó la correlación de: la iconicidad, la estructura y la incidencia que la marca tiene implícito con el nivel de aceptación, independencia de las variables utilizado el estadístico de Chi Cuadrado, las medidas simétricas utilizadas para medir la fuerza de correlación fueron Phi de Pearson y V de Cramer. Resultados: Estos indican la presencia de correlación positiva, con un bajo nivel de fuerza en la mayoría de los casos. Lo que se entiende por el hecho de que comercio justo es una actividad comercial relativamente nueva, lo que determina la necesidad de elevar el nivel de conocimiento de los consumidores. Es necesario que se amplíe los canales digitales, en las que la aplicación de las TIC puede contribuir a subsanar esta necesidad. Discusión: El lenguaje de la marca resulto ser independiente de la aceptación, suele ser subjetivo, y el consumidor, escasamente se detiene a interpretar el logotipo “es necesario comprender el contexto del significado de la marca como objetos dotados de significados simbólicos” Conclusión: De los resultados obtenidos, se puede decir que la marca “ESPOCH Politécnica Latinoamericana por el Comercio Justo”, ha sido aceptada por los consumidores, pero de forma parcial, está sujeta a proceso de reconocimiento y validación.
Sport and leisure public policy in nova lima: from agenda setting to implementation
Authors: Medina Aládia Cristina Rodrigues , Couto Ana Cláudia Porfírio
Published: August 2022

Studies on the topic of public policies have grown in the academic environment. Understanding the policies developed in our reality is an important step in this direction. This text aims to analyze the implementation process of the public policy of sports and leisure in the city of Nova Lima. It ranges from the identification of the problem and the establishment of the political agenda for the issue. The used methodology was the analysis of documents and semi-structured interviews with the managers of the Municipal Secretariat of Sports and Leisure - SEMEL, of the city of Nova Lima in the past two administrations. As results we can consider that the agenda is formed from the demand arising from different spaces and subjects, characterizing visible players influencing decision making as to which problems or issues will comprise the political agenda. It is feasible to consider that sports and leisure policies in the city of Nova Lima are close to the top down model.
As práticas corporais de aventura no contexto do ensino médio integrado em educação profissional e tecnológica
Authors: Monteiro Vanessa Cavalcante Tavares , Lima André Suêldo Tavares de
Published: August 2022

Este artigo teve como objetivo verificar o entendimento dos professores sobre as Práticas Corporais de Aventura e como elas são desenvolvidas nas aulas de Educação Física no Ensino Médio Integrado do Instituto Federal de Alagoas – IFAL, analisando a opinião dos mesmos sobre a importância de abordar essa prática em suas aulas. Para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa, do tipo descritiva exploratória. Os dados foram extraídos dos questionários semiestruturados respondidos pelos docentes do componente curricular: Educação Física, de sete campis do IFAL. E, submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Das respostas obtidas no questionário semiestruturado e do recorte das unidades de registro com repetições frequentes e mesmo sentido. Após a codificação, foi realizada a categorização com dois temas comuns: a) A importância das Práticas Corporais de Aventura no ambiente escolar e possíveis aprendizados; b) Professores de Educação Física frente aos desafios das Práticas Corporais de Aventura na escola. Os resultados obtidos apontam que apesar das dificuldades e obstáculos que os docentes enfrentam na aplicabilidade das PCA em suas aulas, consideram a importância da abordagem destas práticas no ambiente escolar e citam possíveis aprendizados, como a superação de desafios, o contato com a natureza e o aumento do repertório com outras vivências da cultura corporal de aventura. Assim, poderá contribuir na formação integrada de nível médio e efetivação das relações de trabalho, ciência e cultura no processo de ensino-aprendizagem dos estudantes.
Variabilidade química de óleos essenciais de Protium heptaphyllum
Authors: Rocha Thiago Soares , Santana Ana Luiza Coutinho Matos , Müller Taina Soraia , Machado Marilza , Oliveira Gisele Lopes de
Published: August 2022

Protium heptaphyllum, conhecida como amescla, amelcegueira e breu-branco, possui ampla distribuição nacional, encontrada especialmente na Amazônia e Mata Atlântica. É uma espécie rica em óleo essencial, porém destaca-se o uso da resina como medicinal. Diante disso, este estudo teve como objetivo levantar a variabilidade química entre óleos essenciais de Protium hepthaphylum de diferentes localidades. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática nas bases de dados SciElo, PubMed e Google Scholar, tendo como estratégia de busca os descritores “essential oil” e “Protium heptaphyllum”, nos idiomas português e inglês, publicados entre os anos de 2000 a 2020. Um total de 10 artigos foram selecionados para a análise do perfil químico e de variabilidade química do óleo essencial de P. heptaphyllum, entretanto, foi possível levantar 28 análises químicas diferentes para 10 acessos distintos de coletas. Das 28 análises químicas, 21 foram realizadas de óleos extraídos da resina, 03 de folhas e 04 de frutos e um total de 145 substâncias foram levantadas. A variabilidade química dos óleos essenciais entre cada localidade foi evidente, com destaque para 21 substâncias majoritárias. Os grupos dos monoterpenos foi o mais representativo, com destaque para o limoneno, α-terpineol, 1,8-cineol, p-cimeno, α e β-felandreno. Conclui-se que as alterações ambientais podem ser as responsáveis por essa variabilidade não descartando a possibilidade de algum acesso se tratar de quimiotipo.
Critical analysis of an extensionist intervention
Authors: Alberti Ricardo , Garcia Marlova Giuliani , Wizniewsky José Geraldo , Tadia Fabricia , Maffini Maria Albina
Published: August 2022

Technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) are fundamental services in the process of social and economic reproduction of rural populations, and can go beyond the transfer of new technologies, valuing knowledge from rural communities, expanding the participatory perspective and promoting rural development . Thus, the present work aims to carry out a critical analysis of Project A according to its intrinsic characteristics and extensionist approach. As a methodological strategy, a qualitative approach was used, which will be developed from a documentary analysis of collections provided by the entity. The appreciation of the character of Project A was carried out through content analysis, which provided the following categories of analysis: Social Inclusion, Capacity Building, Educational, Ecological and Environmental Process. In addition, the participatory extension approach was analyzed according to the indications of Haverroth (2012) and Valente (2005). The results obtained show that Project A promotes inclusion through the creation of a space for dialogue and learning of a professional activity for People with Disabilities (PwDs), as well as attention to ableism. The project had an adequate educational process for the students, which involved theory, practice and psychomotor development. Regarding the ecological and environmental aspect, the project was able to teach about recycling, sustainability and made it possible for them to become disseminators of sustainability. The analysis of the diffusionist approach showed that Project A, despite having a strong influence from the participatory approach, also has characteristics of the diffusionist and systemic approaches.
Perfil de pacientes com deficiência submetidos a tratamento odontológico sob anestesia geral
Authors: Nobre Kaio Feitosa , Costa Larissa Gadelha , Oliveira Carlos Augusto Moreira de , Brito Edla Helena Salles de , Pequeno Lucianna Leite , Marques Paulo Leonardo Ponte , Sampaio Eliane Ferreira , Aguiar Dulce Maria de Lucena
Published: August 2022

Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar o perfil dos pacientes submetidos a tratamento odontológico sob anestesia geral em um centro odontológico de referência do Ceará. Estudo documental a partir prontuários de pacientes atendidos no período de dezembro de 2012 a dezembro de 2018. A coleta de dados ocorreu em fevereiro de 2020, utilizando um instrumento de coleta impresso para preenchimento de dados sobre o perfil sociodemográfico, tempo na fila de espera e procedimentos realizados. Os dados foram organizados em planilhas eletrônicas e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. A maioria era do sexo masculino (60%), com média de idade de 25±9, procedente da capital (74%), dependentes do cuidador (67%). As doenças que levaram ao referenciamento foram em sua maioria relacionadas com a deficiência mental (23,5%). Os procedimentos cirúrgicos foram os mais realizados com uma média de 6 por paciente. O tempo de espera para conseguir o atendimento sobre anestesia geral foi de 76 dias, sendo a maioria sem necessidade de retorno (89%) para realização de outros procedimentos odontológicos. O conhecimento do perfil direciona o planejamento gerencial voltado para a demanda assistencial multiprofissional de pacientes com deficiência que não conseguem atendimento odontológico sob anestesia local.
Escravidão e dependência: opressões e superexploração da força de trabalho brasileira
Authors: Soares Marcela
Published: August 2022

Examinamos elementos histórico-estruturantes da formação econômico-social brasileira para a discussão sobre a superexploração da força de trabalho como característica particular, estrutural e sistemática das economias dependentes. Os aspectos principais da escravização contemporânea, tipificados pelo artigo 149 do Código Penal Brasileiro, são apreendidos como as expressões mais evidentes da superexploração, analisados como resultantes da reinvenção de formas transitórias ou híbridas de exploração da força de trabalho do Brasil escravocrata ao capitalismo dependente. A escravidão contemporânea revela, em seus dados, os movimentos permanentes de expropriações do capital, inteligíveis na opressão exploração de uma força de trabalho racializada e marcada pelo patriarcado, que migra para sobreviver.
The Struggle of Woman Emancipation in the Movie “On The Basis Of Sex”: A Feminist Criticism
Authors: Dwi Agustina Maftuchah
Published: August 2022

As stated in the theory of reception that literature including movie is a reflection of real world, this research tried to unveil social phenomenon within movie entitled “On the Basis of Sex”. In order to conduct the analysis, Marxist feminism is used as a theory. The method used in the study was descriptive qualitative method in which the movie script is the main source of the data. The result of the study showed that women did the struggle against discrimination and domination of patriarchy in some aspects, such as job and occupation, law, social environment, and cultural structure. This is a very interesting movie that brings the issue of discrimination, oppression, localization, commoditization and also the struggle to get rid of them and to establish women emancipation. The movie succeeded in portraying those social problems. The viewers of the movie could be aware of those issues. Men should be aware that they have to look at women equally. Furthermore, women also have to struggle for their right. Women should be independent. Ruth is the best example of how women should do. We have to fight against anything to establish women emancipation, even we have to fight the laws that are discriminative.
Faktor Risiko Neck Arm Pain pada Mahasiswa Selama Pembelajaran Online di Masa Pandemi COVID-19
Authors: Pratama Indra , Pristianto Arif , Komalasari Dwi Rosella
Published: August 2022

Latar Belakang: Kondisi pandemi COVID-19 menyebabkan perubahan pada sistem pembelajaran di semua jenjang pendidikan, termasuk perguruan tinggi. Selama masa pandemi mahasiswa harus belajar di rumah secara online. Dalam masa ini banyak mahasiswa mengeluhkan adanya rasa tidak nyaman atau nyeri pada tubuh (system muskuloskeletal). Keluhan muskuloskeletal yang terjadi selama masa pembelajaran online antara lain pada leher, bahu, lengan, dan pinggang. Salah satu keluhan yang banyak dialami adalah Neck Arm Pain (NAP). Nyeri leher sering dirasakan pada mahasiswa karena studi menggunakan laptop pada durasi lama, posisi statis, dan postur membungkuk. Neck Arm Pain dapat menimbulkan gangguan pada aktivitas fungsional dan mempengaruhi sistem muskuloskeletal. Tujuan: Mengetahui faktor-faktor risiko yang menyebabkan NAP pada mahasiswa selama masa belajar di rumah di situasi pandemi COVID-19. Metode: Cross Sectional Study dengan jumlah sampel 30 responden. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan tehnik purposive sampling. uji analisis dengan uji Regresi Linear Berganda. Hasil: Koefisien determinasi NAP 48.4% pada mahasiswa Fisioterapi yang belajar online di waktu pandemi COVID-19. Postur saat pembelajaran secara online sebagai faktor risiko utama yang mempengaruhi kejadian NAP pada mahasiswa selama masa belajar di rumah di situasi pandemi COVID-19 (OR= -2.441, p-value 0.007 dan 95% CI = lower -4.170, upper -0.713). Simpulan: Postur sebagai faktor kuat yang mengakibatkan kejadian Neck Arm Pain pada masa belajar online pada masa pandemi COVID-19.
Pengaruh Klapp Method Terhadap Penurunan Derajat Kurva Skoliosis Idiopatik Tipe C Lumbal Pada Adolescent
Authors: Afifah Adillah Nur , Sugiono Sugiono , Sukadarwanto Sukadarwanto , Noerjanah Noerjanah
Published: August 2022

Latar belakang : Skoliosis merupakan keadaan tulang belakang mengalami abnormalitas kelengkungan kurva ke sisi lateral pada bidang frontal dan dengan atau pun tidak disertai rotasi tulang belakang pada bidang sagital dan axial. Intervensi yang diberikan pada kasus ini yaitu klapp method yang berprinsip untuk mengulur asimetris postur dan penguatan otot pada kasus skoliosisdengan tujuanmenimbulkan penurunan derajat kurva skoliosis idiopatik tipe c lumbal . Metode penelitian : ini adalah eksperimental, desain penelitian menggunakan one group pre and post test with control design dengan melibatkan subjek sebanyak 24 adolescent. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan blind randomized control trial menjadi 2 kelompok yakni kelompok perlakuan dan kelompok kontrol dengan kelompok perlakuan sebanyak 12 subjek penelitian diberi perlakuan berupa klapp method dan kelompok kontrol tidak aktif sebanyak 12 subjek.Pemeriksaanbentuk kurva skoliosis menggunakan plumb line dan pengukuran derajat kurva skoliosis dilakukan menggunakan skoliometer. Hasil : Setelah dilakukan intervensi selama 5 minggu dengan frekuensi 3 kali seminggu, didapatkan adanya penurunan derajat kurva skoliosis pada adolescent yang yang signifikan. Simpulan : Klapp method yang diprogramkan kepada pasien mampu menurunkan derajat kurva skoliosis pada adolescent dengan skoliosis idiopatik tipe C lumbal.
Ketaatan dan Pelanggaran Prinsip Kerja Sama Percakapan dalam Acara “Kick Andy” Episode dari Jongos Jadi Bos
Authors: Siska Siska
Published: August 2022

Penelitian ini membahas ketaatan dan pelanggaran prinsip kerja sama percakapan dalam acara “Kick Andy” yang berjudul “Dari Jongos Jadi Bos”. Penelitian ini dikaitkan dengan konteks, jarak sosial, dan budaya. Metode yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif. Data yang dipakai adalah transkrip dari tayangan episode “Dari Jongos Jadi Bos”. Episode itu ditayangkan di stasiun televisi Metro TV pada 7 Februari 2019 dan terdapat di Youtube Metrotvnews. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan ketaatan dan pelanggaran dalam percakapan yang dilakukan oleh Andy F. Noya dengan bintang tamunya pada episode tersebut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ketaatan dan pelanggaran dapat terjadi dalam sebuah percakapan atau kegiatan wawancara. Begitu pun yang terjadi dalam acara “Kick Andy” episode “Dari Jongos Jadi Bos”.
Making sense of populist hyperreality in the post-truth age: Evidence from Volodymyr Zelensky's voters
Authors: Yanchenko Kostiantyn
Published: August 2022

Building upon the literature on new information environments, this article explores how citizens make sense of hyperreal politics. To that end, it turns to the particularly illustrative case of Volodymyr Zelensky's 2019 presidential campaign, characterized by the complex fusion of fact and fiction, unclear truth statements, and prevalence of populist narratives. In 25 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, the article examines how Zelensky's voters and viewers of the Servant of the People – a television comedy series featuring Zelensky in the role of the Ukrainian President – interpreted the populist hyperreality of the series, navigated between various mediated representations of Zelensky, and evaluated him and his fictional counterpart after the former became the President of Ukraine in reality. The findings show that the populist hyperreality of the series affected not only its viewers' desire to vote for Zelensky, but also their overall perception of the Ukrainian politics by highlighting some of its aspects and ignoring others. The obtained data also suggest that for most interviewees, there was no strict demarcation between the images of Holoborodko, Zelensky-actor and Zelensky-politician. The study points to the need to reassess our understanding of informed citizenship in the new information environments.
What about synthetic signing? A methodology for signer involvement in the development of avatar technology with generative capacity
Authors: Dimou Athanasia-Lida , Papavassiliou Vassilis , Goulas Theodoros , Vasilaki Kyriaki , Vacalopoulou Anna , Fotinea Stavroula-Evita , Efthimiou Eleni
Published: August 2022

Although signing avatar technology seems to be the only option currently available to serve sign language (SL) display in the context of applications which demand generative capacity from the part of the technology like in machine translation to SL, signing avatars have not yet been accepted by signers' communities. One major factor for this rejection is the feeling that technology is developed without the involvement of its actual users. Aiming to invite the signers' community into the process of signing avatar development, we have designed the shell methodological framework for signer-informed technology which is implemented as on-line surveys addressed to signer communities of different SLs. The surveys are communicated via focused on-line questionnaires with content of signing avatar performance that allows rating of various aspects of the produced SL synthetic signing by human signers. Here we report on the first survey application with content from the Greek Sign Language (GSL). The analysis of the obtained results is 2-fold: it highlights the significance of signer involvement and the provided feedback in the technological development of synthetic signing; in parallel it reveals those aspects of the survey setup that need fine-tuning before its next distribution cycles. The implementation of the first on-line survey can be found in: https://sign.ilsp.gr/slt-survey/.
Initial status and 3-month results relating to the use of biodegradable nitride iron stents in children and the evaluation of right ventricular function
Authors: Sun Ling , Li Jun-jie , Xu Yu-kai , Xie Yu-mei , Wang Shu-shui , Zhang Zhi-wei
Published: August 2022

Background

Pulmonary artery stenosis is often associated with congenital heart disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stenting for branch pulmonary artery stenosis using a biodegradable nitride iron stent (IBS® Angel™) and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function.

Methods

From July 2021 to February 2022, a total of 11 cases (ages ranged from 36 to 86 months old) were included in this pre and post-intervention, prospective, cohort and preclinical study. All cases underwent transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE), chest radiography, along with computed tomography (256-slice scanner, multiple-detector) and right heart catheterization. Different types of biodegradable nitride iron stents were implanted. TTE was performed serially 1 day, 1 month and 3 months after the procedure to evaluate the rate of restenosis and right ventricular function.

Results

Stenting was successful in 11 patients. There were no major adverse cardiovascular events related to the device or to the procedure. Blood perfusion in the branch pulmonary artery was improved immediately. At follow-up, there was no significant restenosis that required re-intervention. None of the patients suffered from in-stent thrombosis, vascular embolism, stent displacement or heart failure. Compared with normal values, there were statistical with regards to FAC, E/A and E′/A′. Furthermore, we found that TAPSE correlated significantly with pulsed Doppler S wave (p = 0.008) and left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.01). The early trans-tricuspid inflow velocities E/E′ (tissue doppler at the lateral tricuspid annulus) correlated significantly with E′/A′ (p = 0.009). FAC and E′/A′ were statistically different from those prior to stenting (p = 0.041 and p = 0.035) when tested one month postoperatively. At three months postoperatively, only E/A showed a statistical difference (p = 0.015).

Conclusion

Our analysis suggests that biodegradable nitride iron stents are feasible, safe, and effective in children. Some small improvements were observed in right ventricular systolic and diastolic function after successful transcatheter intervention, although change was not statistically significant due to the small sample number. (A clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of IBS Angel in Patients With Pulmonary Artery Stenosis (IRIS); NCT04973540).
Educational policies in response to the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus in Latin America: An integrative documentary review
Authors: Suyo-Vega Josefina Amanda , Meneses-La-Riva Monica Elisa , Fernández-Bedoya Víctor Hugo , Alarcón-Martínez Maricela , Ocupa-Cabrera Hitler Giovanni , Alvarado-Suyo Sofía Almendra , Polonia Ana da Costa , Miotto Angélica Inês
Published: August 2022

Educational policies in the face of the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus took an unexpected turn in Latin America. Virtuality constituted a key opportunity for the continuity of basic fundamental services in the citizen’s right to education. The objective of this research was to analyze the educational public policies adopted by governments in Latin America in the face of the pandemic. The methodology was an integrative documentary review of the main international organizations whose documents provided relevant information on the actions to be implemented in fourteen Latin American countries. The results obtained show that the priority was to reestablish the continuity of educational services using mass communication resources, such as radio, television, digital platforms, making visible the inequity in the access to the Internet at home. It was also identified a deficiency in the competencies and digital resources of the educational community, dis-crimination and inclusion of people with some type of disability or different languages, especially in urban or rural areas because they do not have technological means. It was concluded that the educational policies in Latin America proposed during the COVID-19 period were designed with-out a real situational diagnosis in each country, to meet the demands of urban and rural areas in an equitable manner with the will of governments, providing budgets and resources that benefit the educational community, as an achievement of state policies.
COVID-19 school closures and chemistry-related competencies: A study of German students transitioning from primary to secondary school
Authors: Behrendt Alina , Fischer Vanessa , Walpuski Maik
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary closures of schools around the world, resulting in a change from face-to-face teaching to distance teaching, which had been practiced minimally until then. In this study, we investigated the effects of pandemic-related school closures on students’ chemistry-related competencies, at the transition from primary to secondary school. We also explored the extent to which at-home or in-school data collection influenced the results. We measured the competencies of 2,262 students from grades 5 to 9 in Germany. Data collection took place before, during, and after the pandemic-related school closures, based on test booklets completed by students. The results showed that the competencies of students in Chemistry, who were taught in school before the closures, were similar to those of students who were taught via distance learning. Thus, students’ competencies were similar before and after the school closures. The school closures led to differences not only in teaching, but also in the way the data in this study was collected. During school closures, students worked on their test booklets at home, and before and after school closures, the data were collected at school. This also enabled us to examine the effects of the different data collection designs on the test scores. We found differences between the results of the test booklets completed at home, and those completed at school, only for younger students. For students in higher grades, there were no differences.
Reproductive factors and cognitive impairment in natural menopausal women: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Xi Haitao , Gan Jinghuan , Liu Shuai , Wang Fei , Chen Zhichao , Wang Xiao-Dan , Shi Zhihong , Ji Yong
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Little information on rural older women in northern China has been reported, apart from three studies in southern and eastern China in the past decade. This study aims to evaluate the relationships between reproductive factors and the risk of cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, in Chinese women with natural menopause.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted in 112 community primary healthcare centers in rural northern China between April 2019 and January 2020. A total of 4,275 women aged ≥65 years who had natural menopause were included. Reproductive factors as well as the reproductive period (= age at menopause − age at menarche) were recorded. The relationships between reproductive factors and cognitive impairment were evaluated by correlation and logistic regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 28.6% and 11.4% of women were diagnosed with MCI or dementia, respectively. In natural menopause women, the age at menopause (adjusted r = 0.070, p < 0.001), reproductive period (adjusted r = 0.053, p = 0.001), and number of pregnancies (adjusted r = −0.042, p = 0.007) and parities (adjusted r = −0.068, p < 0.001) were correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination (Chinese version) scores, and with similar findings concerning MCI and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Greater age at menopause and a long reproductive period significantly decreased the risk of MCI and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and more parities significantly increased the risks of MCI (odds ratio (OR) = 1.111, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.039–1.187, p = 0.002), dementia (OR = 1.162, 95% CI: 1.061–1.271, p = 0.001), particular AD (OR = 1.131, 95% CI: 1.010–1.266, p = 0.032), DLB (OR = 1.238, 95% CI: 1.003–1.528, p = 0.047), and vascular dementia (VaD) (OR = 1.288, 95% CI: 1.080–1.536, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

The prevalence rates of MCI and dementia were 28.6% and 11.4% in older women. Greater age at menarche, young age at menopause, shorter reproductive period, and larger numbers of pregnancies/parities were correlated with poor cognition and significantly increased the risks of MCI and dementia, particularly AD, DLB, and VaD.
International environmental regulation, trade liberalization, and enterprise pollution reduction: Evidence from China
Authors: Cai Xiaoshan , Liu Qian , Peng Qing
Published: August 2022

Regarding the signing of the China–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) as a quasi-natural experiment, this article uses the difference-in-differences model to examine the pollution emissions of domestic trading enterprises in the face of varying trade openness under international environmental regulations. It is found that trade liberalization will drive domestic trading firms to choose more proactive pollution abatement strategies, namely, the signing of CAFTA facilitates pollution reduction in enterprises trading mainly with CAFTA members. This effect is more significant in non-state-owned enterprises and labor-intensive enterprises. In particular, the effect of becoming a member of CAFTA to facilitate firm-level pollution reduction has a time lag, and its marginal effect tends to expand over time.
Prognostic analysis of cuproptosis-related gene in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Sha Shengnan , Si Luyi , Wu Xinrui , Chen Yuanbiao , Xiong Hui , Xu Ying , Liu Wangrui , Mei Haijun , Wang Tao , Li Mei
Published: August 2022

Background

Cuproptosis is a copper-dependent cell death mechanism that is associated with tumor progression, prognosis, and immune response. However, the potential role of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.

Patients and methods

In total, 346 TNBC samples were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and three Gene Expression Omnibus datasets, and were classified using R software packages. The relationships between the different subgroups and clinical pathological characteristics, immune infiltration characteristics, and mutation status of the TME were examined. Finally, a nomogram and calibration curve were constructed to predict patient survival probability to improve the clinical applicability of the CRG_score.

Results

We identified two CRG clusters with immune cell infiltration characteristics highly consistent with those of the immune-inflamed and immune-desert clusters. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the gene signature can be used to evaluate tumor immune cell infiltration, clinical features, and prognostic status. Low CRG_scores were characterized by high tumor mutation burden and immune activation, good survival probability, and more immunoreactivity to CTLA4, while high CRG_scores were characterized by the activation of stromal pathways and immunosuppression.

Conclusion

This study revealed the potential effects of CRGs on the TME, clinicopathological features, and prognosis of TNBC. The CRGs were closely associated with the tumor immunity of TNBC and are a potential tool for predicting patient prognosis. Our data provide new directions for the development of novel drugs in the future.
The endogenous HBZ interactome in ATL leukemic cells reveals an unprecedented complexity of host interacting partners involved in RNA splicing
Authors: Shallak Mariam , Alberio Tiziana , Fasano Mauro , Monti Maria , Iacobucci Ilaria , Ladet Julien , Mortreux Franck , Accolla Roberto S. , Forlani Greta
Published: August 2022

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a T-cell lymphoproliferative neoplasm caused by the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Two viral proteins, Tax-1 and HBZ play important roles in HTLV-1 infectivity and in HTLV-1-associated pathologies by altering key pathways of cell homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms through which the two viral proteins, particularly HBZ, induce and/or sustain the oncogenic process are still largely elusive. Previous results suggested that HBZ interaction with nuclear factors may alter cell cycle and cell proliferation. To have a more complete picture of the HBZ interactions, we investigated in detail the endogenous HBZ interactome in leukemic cells by immunoprecipitating the HBZ-interacting complexes of ATL-2 leukemic cells, followed by tandem mass spectrometry analyses. RNA seq analysis was performed to decipher the differential gene expression and splicing modifications related to HTLV-1. Here we compared ATL-2 with MOLT-4, a non HTLV-1 derived leukemic T cell line and further compared with HBZ-induced modifications in an isogenic system composed by Jurkat T cells and stably HBZ transfected Jurkat derivatives. The endogenous HBZ interactome of ATL-2 cells identified 249 interactors covering three main clusters corresponding to protein families mainly involved in mRNA splicing, nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Here we analyzed in detail the cluster involved in RNA splicing. RNAseq analysis showed that HBZ specifically altered the transcription of many genes, including crucial oncogenes, by affecting different splicing events. Consistently, the two RNA helicases, members of the RNA splicing family, DDX5 and its paralog DDX17, recently shown to be involved in alternative splicing of cellular genes after NF-κB activation by HTLV-1 Tax-1, interacted and partially co-localized with HBZ. For the first time, a complete picture of the endogenous HBZ interactome was elucidated. The wide interaction of HBZ with molecules involved in RNA splicing and the subsequent transcriptome alteration strongly suggests an unprecedented complex role of the viral oncogene in the establishment of the leukemic state.
Supramolecular organizing centers at the interface of inflammation and neurodegeneration
Authors: Sušjan-Leite Petra , Ramuta Taja Železnik , Boršić Elvira , Orehek Sara , Hafner-Bratkovič Iva
Published: August 2022

The pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases involves the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates. These deposits are both directly toxic to neurons, invoking loss of cell connectivity and cell death, and recognized by innate sensors that upon activation release neurotoxic cytokines, chemokines, and various reactive species. This neuroinflammation is propagated through signaling cascades where activated sensors/receptors, adaptors, and effectors associate into multiprotein complexes known as supramolecular organizing centers (SMOCs). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the SMOCs, involved in neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity, such as myddosomes, inflammasomes, and necrosomes, their assembly, and evidence for their involvement in common neurodegenerative diseases. We discuss the multifaceted role of neuroinflammation in the progression of neurodegeneration. Recent progress in the understanding of particular SMOC participation in common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease offers novel therapeutic strategies for currently absent disease-modifying treatments.
Longitudinal Reduction in Diversity of Maternal Gut Microbiota During Pregnancy Is Observed in Multiple Low-Resource Settings: Results From the Women First Trial
Authors: Tang Minghua , Weaver Nicholas E. , Frank Daniel N. , Ir Diana , Robertson Charles E. , Kemp Jennifer F. , Westcott Jamie , Shankar Kartik , Garces Ana L. , Figueroa Lester , Tshefu Antoinette K. , Lokangaka Adrien L. , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Somannavar Manjunath , Aziz Sumera , Saleem Sarah , McClure Elizabeth M. , Hambidge K. Michael , Hendricks Audrey E. , Krebs Nancy F.
Published: August 2022

Objective

To characterize the changes in gut microbiota during pregnancy and determine the effects of nutritional intervention on gut microbiota in women from sub-Saharan Africa (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC), South Asia (India and Pakistan), and Central America (Guatemala).

Methods

Pregnant women in the Women First (WF) Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial were included in this analysis. Participants were randomized to receive a lipid-based micronutrient supplement either ≥3 months before pregnancy (Arm 1); started the same intervention late in the first trimester (Arm 2); or received no nutrition supplements besides those self-administered or prescribed through local health services (Arm 3). Stool and blood samples were collected during the first and third trimesters. Findings presented here include fecal 16S rRNA gene-based profiling and systemic and intestinal inflammatory biomarkers, including alpha (1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-reactive protein (CRP), fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO), and calprotectin.

Results

Stool samples were collected from 640 women (DRC,n= 157; India,n= 102; Guatemala,n= 276; and Pakistan,n= 105). Gut microbial community structure did not differ by intervention arm but changed significantly during pregnancy. Richness, a measure of alpha-diversity, decreased over pregnancy. Community composition (beta-diversity) also showed a significant change from first to third trimester in all four sites. Of the top 10 most abundant genera, unclassifiedLachnospiraceaesignificantly decreased in Guatemala and unclassifiedRuminococcaceaesignificantly decreased in Guatemala and DRC. The change in the overall community structure at the genus level was associated with a decrease in the abundances of certain genera with low heterogeneity among the four sites. Intervention arms were not significantly associated with inflammatory biomarkers at 12 or 34 weeks. AGP significantly decreased from 12 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, whereas CRP, MPO, and calprotectin did not significantly change over time. None of these biomarkers were significantly associated with the gut microbiota diversity.

Conclusion

The longitudinal reduction of individual genera (both commensals and potential pathogens) and alpha-diversity among all sites were consistent and suggested that the effect of pregnancy on the maternal microbiota overrides other influencing factors, such as nutrition intervention, geographical location, diet, race, and other demographical variables.
Endometrial and vaginal microbiome in donkeys with and without clinical endometritis
Authors: Li Jing , Zhu Yiping , Mi Junpeng , Zhao Yufei , Holyoak Gilbert Reed , Yi Ziwen , Wu Rongzheng , Wang Zixuan , Zeng Shenming
Published: August 2022

Endometrial and vaginal microbiomes are critical in the study of endometritis, which is an important cause of infertility in donkeys. Our objective was to investigate the difference of the endometrial and vaginal microbiomes between healthy donkey jennies (group C) and jennies with endometritis (group E). Endometrial and vaginal swab samples were collected, and the 16 s rRNA gene amplicon high-throughput sequencing technique was applied to identify the microbial composition in the samples. A similar microbial composition pattern was found between endometrial and vaginal samples, which indicated the impact of the vaginal microbiome on the endometrial microbial environment and health. There was a significant difference of endometrial and vaginal swab samples between the two groups. Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae were significantly more abundant in endometrial and vaginal microbiomes of group E than in group C. Their dominance was consistent with increased anaerobic bacterial taxa in the functional analysis, which might be associated with the pathogenesis of endometritis in donkeys. Sphingomonadaceae, a bacterial family reported in bovine semen, was statistically more abundant in endometrial microbiome of group E than in group C, which might suggest an association between high abundance of Sphingomonadaceae possibly due to uncleared semen and donkey endometritis. Our study revealed the composition of the vaginal and endometrial microbiomes in healthy and endometritis donkeys. These findings will provide more insights into the pathogenesis of donkey endometritis.
Transcriptome Analysis of Dendrobine Biosynthesis in Trichoderma longibrachiatum MD33
Authors: Jia Qi , Wang Lina , Qian Xu , Jin Hui , Shu Fuxing , Sarsaiya Surendra , Jin Leilei , Chen Jishuang
Published: August 2022

Dendrobine is a representative component of Dendrobium nobile, and its pharmacological effects have been extensively studied. Trichoderma longibrachiatum MD33 was isolated from the stem of Dendrobium nobile which can produce dendrobine. In order to understand the effect of Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) on the production of dendrobine, transcriptome analysis was performed after MeJA treatment in the MD33 and control groups. The dendrobine production of MeJA (20 μmol/L) treatment group was 44.6% higher than that of control. In this study, the RNA sequencing technology was applied, a total of 444 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the control and MeJA treatment groups, including 226 up-regulated genes and 218 down-regulated genes. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotation showed that numbers of DEGs were associated with the putative alkaloid biosynthetic pathway in T Trichoderma longibrachiatum MD33. Several MVA pathway enzyme-coding genes (isopentenyl-diphosphate Delta-isomerase, iphosphomevalonate decarboxylase and farnesyl diphosphate synthase) were found to be differentially expressed, suggesting an active precursor supply for alkaloid biosynthesis after MeJA treatment, in other wise, dendrobine may synthesis through the MVA pathway in MD33. Numerous MeJA-induced P450 family genes, aminotransferase genes and methyltransferase genes were identified, providing several important candidates to further elucidate the dendrobine biosynthetic pathway of T. longibrachiatum MD33. Furthermore, several MeJA-induced transcription factors (TFs) encoding genes were identified, suggesting a complex genetic network affecting the dendrobine in T. longibrachiatum MD33. These findings reveal the regulation mechanism underlying the MeJA-induced accumulation of dendrobine in T. longibrachiatum MD33.
Molecular evidence for stimulation of methane oxidation in Amazonian floodplains by ammonia-oxidizing communities
Authors: Monteiro Gabriel G. T. N. , Barros Dayane J. , Gabriel Gabriele V. M. , Venturini Andressa M. , Veloso Tomás G. R. , Vazquez Gisele H. , Oliveira Luciana C. , Neu Vania , Bodelier Paul L. E. , Mansano Cleber Fernando M. , Tsai Siu M. , Navarrete Acacio A.
Published: August 2022

Ammonia oxidation is the rate-limiting first step of nitrification and a key process in the nitrogen cycle that results in the formation of nitrite (NO2–), which can be further oxidized to nitrate (NO3–). In the Amazonian floodplains, soils are subjected to extended seasons of flooding during the rainy season, in which they can become anoxic and produce a significant amount of methane (CH4). Various microorganisms in this anoxic environment can couple the reduction of different ions, such as NO2– and NO3–, with the oxidation of CH4 for energy production and effectively link the carbon and nitrogen cycle. Here, we addressed the composition of ammonium (NH4+) and NO3–—and NO2–—dependent CH4-oxidizing microbial communities in an Amazonian floodplain. In addition, we analyzed the influence of environmental and geochemical factors on these microbial communities. Soil samples were collected from different layers of forest and agroforest land-use systems during the flood and non-flood seasons in the floodplain of the Tocantins River, and next-generation sequencing of archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA amplicons was performed, coupled with chemical characterization of the soils. We found that ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) were more abundant than ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) during both flood and non-flood seasons. Nitrogen-dependent anaerobic methane oxidizers (N-DAMO) from both the archaeal and bacterial domains were also found in both seasons, with higher abundance in the flood season. The different seasons, land uses, and depths analyzed had a significant influence on the soil chemical factors and also affected the abundance and composition of AOA, AOB, and N-DAMO. During the flood season, there was a significant correlation between ammonia oxidizers and N-DAMO, indicating the possible role of these oxidizers in providing oxidized nitrogen species for methanotrophy under anaerobic conditions, which is essential for nitrogen removal in these soils.
Disrupted intra- and inter-network connectivity in unilateral acute tinnitus with hearing loss
Authors: Zhou Gang-Ping , Li Wang-Wei , Chen Yu-Chen , Wei Heng-Le , Yu Yu-Sheng , Guo Xi , Yin Xindao , Tao Yue-Jin , Zhang Hong
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Currently, the underlying neurophysiological mechanism of acute tinnitus is still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore differences in brain functional connectivity (FC) within and between resting-state networks (RSNs) in acute tinnitus patients with hearing loss (ATHL). Furthermore, it also evaluated the correlations between FC alterations and clinical characteristics.

Methods

Two matched groups of 40 patients and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Independent component analysis (ICA) was employed to obtain RSNs and FC differences were calculated within RSNs. In addition, the relationships between networks were conducted using functional network connectivity (FNC) analysis. Finally, an analysis of correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between FNC abnormalities and clinical data.

Results

Results of this study found that seven major RSNs including the auditory network (AN), cerebellum network (CN), default mode network (DMN), executive control network (ECN), sensorimotor network (SMN), ventral attention network (VAN), and visual network (VN) were extracted using the group ICA in both groups. Furthermore, it was noted that the ATHL group showed aberrant FC within the CN, ECN, and VN as compared with HCs. Moreover, different patterns of network interactions were observed between groups, including the SMN-ECN, SMN-CN, ECN-AN, DMN-VAN, and DMN-CN connections. The correlations between functional disconnection and clinical characteristics in ATHL were also found in this study.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study indicated widespread alterations of intra- and inter-network connectivity in ATHL, suggesting that multiple large-scale network dysfunctions and interactions are involved in the early stage. Furthermore, our findings may provide new perspectives to understand the neuropathophysiological mechanism of acute tinnitus.