bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inferring probable distributional gaps and climate change impacts on the medically important viper Echis leucogaster in the western Sahara-Sahel: An ecological niche modeling approach
Authors: Bouam Idriss , Khelfaoui Farouk , Saoudi Messaoud
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Bouam I, Khelfaoui F, Saoudi M. 2022. Inferring probable distributional gaps and climate change impacts on the medically important viper Echis leucogaster in the western Sahara-Sahel: An ecological niche modeling approach. Biodiversitas 23: 5175-5183. Knowledge of biodiversity distribution and how climate change may affect species across the Sahara-Sahel is scarce despite it harboring both high biodiversity and a high rate of endemism. As ectotherms, snakes are particularly vulnerable to climate change and susceptible to range shifts and demographic changes driven by climate change. Ecological niche models are a common method for predicting the probability of the occurrence of species and future range shifts induced by climate change. This study examines the probable gaps in the distribution of the white-bellied saw-scaled viper, Echis leucogaster, and the potential influence of climate change on its future geographic range in the western Sahara-Sahel. The currently predicted environmentally suitable areas fitted well with the known geographical range of the species showed relative congruence with the Sahara-Sahel ecoregion delineations and identified areas without known occurrences. In the future, the environmental conditions for the occurrence of E. leucogaster are predicted to increase, as the environmentally suitable areas will potentially experience an increase in their proportion. Future projections also showed that the potentially suitable areas might undergo moderate southward shifts during the late twenty-first century. The results of the present study significantly expand our knowledge on the potential distribution of E. leucogaster and provide valuable insights to guide future sampling efforts and conservation planning for the species.
Diversity and morphological relationship of orchid species (Orchidaceae) in Bangka Island, Indonesia
Authors: PRAYOGA GIGIH IBNU , HENRI HENRI , MUSTIKARINI ERIES DYAH , ANGGYANSYAH ANGGYANSYAH
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Prayoga GI, Henri, Mustikarini ED, Anggyansyah. 2022. Diversity and morphological relationship of orchid species (Orchidaceae) in Bangka Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 5323-5332. The population of orchid plants has suffered extinction due to the conversion of forest land functions. Efforts to preserve orchids can be carried out through exploration, identification and conservation activities. Diversity and morphological information are useful for resource management, conservation, hybridization, and genetic improvement of orchids. This research was to determine the diversity and relationship of orchids on Bangka Island based on morphological characters. This research was conducted in four districts in Bangka Island, namely Central Bangka, West Bangka, Bangka, and South Bangka. The research method used is a survey method with a convenience sampling technique. Observed data were analyzed descriptively and calculated for diversity index, evenness index, species richness index, and morphological relationship. Analysis of morphological relationship was done using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean). The results of the study found 17 species of orchids in Bangka Island i.e. Bulbophyllum subumbellatum, Podochilus microphyllus, Crepidium calophyllum, Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi, Cymbidium finlaysonianum, and Malaxix kobi. Bangka District found 10 species, namely Phalaenopsis sumatrana, Liparis rhombea, Bulbophyllum sp., Robiquieta spathulata, Liparis sp., Trichotosia velutina, Micropera collosa, Dendrobium aloifolium, Grammatophyllum speciosium, and Adenoncos major. Exploration in West Bangka District and South Bangka District only found the same orchid species, namely Acriopsis javanica. The orchid species on Bangka Island have moderate diversity, high evenness index, and low species richness index. The relationship of orchid species in Bangka Island based on morphological characters has 60% similarities which are divided into 9 clusters. Prevention of orchid population reduction on Bangka Island can be done by using in situ and ex-situ conservation methods. In addition, for the future development of orchids, crosses between orchids that have unique characters and distant morphological relationships can also be carried out to produce orchids for commercial purposes.
Relationship between viruliferous Bemisia tabaci population and disease incidence of Pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus in chili pepper
Authors: TEMAJA I GEDE RAI MAYA , SELANGGA DEWA GEDE WIRYANGGA , PHABIOLA TRISNA AGUNG , KHALIMI KHAMDAN , LISTIHANI LISTIHANI
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Temaja IGRM, Selangga DGW, Phabiola TA, Khalimi K, Listihani L. 2022. Relationship between viruliferous Bemisia tabaci population and disease incidence of Pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus in chili pepper. Biodiversitas 23: 5360-5366. Bemisia tabaci Genn is an important pest in horticulture crops. Until today, B. tabaci has always been found in chili pepper and causes damage. In addition to a direct injury to the chili pepper, it is also the vector of Begomovirus. There is no research till date regarding the relationship between B. tabaci with Begomovirus which caused damage to chili pepper crops. Thus, the aim of this research was to analyze the interaction between B. tabaci population with the disease incidence of Begomovirus on chili peppers crops, as well as the percentage of viruliferous B. tabaci. This research noted B. tabaci population dynamics, disease incidence of pepper yellow leaf curl disease, and the percentage of viruliferous B. tabaci via PCR by using Begomovirus universal primer and DNA analysis confirmation. The highest imago population occurred at 6 WAP with the average density 27.21 imago/yellow sticky card, while the highest nymph population occurred at 8 WAP with the average density of 4.26 nymph/leaf. The high population of B. tabaci nymph and imago caused the incidence of Begomovirus disease to reach 83.07% at 12 WAP. Result showed that high population of B. tabaci accelerated the speed of virus in the field. The confirmation result of Begomovirus in B. tabaci body showed that the virus was Pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus (PYLCIV). The highest homology obtained was between PYLCIV isolates from Sekaan, Bangli with isolates from Bayung Gede, Bangli which ranged from 99.6 to 99.8%. Further phylogenetic analysis showed that PYLCIV isolates from Sekaan, Bali formed a group with the isolate from Bayung Gede, Bangli, which was from a different group with other isolates. This proved that B. tabaci carries and transmits PYLCIV to chili peppers in Bali.
Analysis of the impact of the use of and of climate on the vulnerability and availability of Macaranga beillei in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: JEAN KOFFI KOUAO , FRANCIS YAO N’GUETTIA , FATOU TUO , MOUSSA KONE , BAKAYOKO ADAMA , BOGAERT JAN
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Jean KK, Francis YN, Fatou T, Moussa K, Bakayoko A, Bogaert J. 2022. Analysis of the impact of the use of and of climate on the vulnerability and availability of Macaranga beillei in Côte d’Ivoire. Biodiversitas 23: 5396-5405. Macaranga beillei Prain is a vulnerable species of the Euphorbiaceae family, used in traditional medicine, and whose habitat is threatened by anthropogenic activities. This study is a contribution to the knowledge of the causes of the threat of this species in Côte d'Ivoire. The database used includes data from the SIG IVOIRE database (Gautier et al. 1999), the flora of Côte d'Ivoire (Aké Assi 2001), the GBIF website (Global Biodiversity Information Facility, wwwgbif.org) and the Paris Museum website (http://www.mnhn.fr/fr/collection). The QGIS software (Quantum GIS) version Lyon 2.12.3. and the MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy) model was used to produce potential distribution maps for the periods 1950-2000 and 2000-2050. A questionnaire was developed for the ethnobotanical survey. It emerges from this analysis that the Banco National Park is the most sampled locality with 38 samples out of 72, i.e. a rate of 52.77%. The value of the species vulnerability risk index (VI) is 2.46. In 2050, the range of the species will decrease by 6,696.127 km². The assessed extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) values are 5,848.921 km² and 72.000 km² respectively. These results confirm that M. beillei is a vulnerable species.
Isolation and identification of potential host probiotic bacteria from Malaysian mahseer, Tor tambroides for aquaculture practices
Authors: HOSSAIN MOHAMMOD KAMRUZZAMAN , Iehata Shumpei , Mat Noordin Noordiyana , Kader Md. Abdul , Emilia Sharifah Noor , Yik Sung Yeong , Abol-Munafi Ambok Bolong
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Hossain MK, Iehata S , Noordin NM, Kader MA, Emilia SN, Sung YY, Abol-Munafi AB. 2022. Isolation and identification of potential host probiotic bacteria from Malaysian mahseer, Tor tambroides for aquaculture practices. Biodiversitas 23: 5423-5430. The digestive tract has been revealed as a reservoir of potential probiotics derived from the host. The goal of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize putative host-associated probiotic bacteria (HAPs) from the digestive tract of Malaysian mahseer Tor tambroides. To evaluate potential T. tambroides HAPs, in-vitro digestive enzyme activity (such as a cellulolytic, proteolytic, and lipolytic activity) and antibacterial activity against two fish pathogens (Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas hydrophila) were utilized. Thirty-seven isolates with digestive enzyme activities were tested for their ability to inhibit pathogenic bacteria growth using an agar well-diffusion assay. Three isolates displayed in-vitro suppression of pathogenic bacteria, with two strains (KT03 and KM07) inhibiting the growth of V. parahaemolyticus and one strain (KT27) suppressing the proliferation of both harmful bacteria (V. parahaemolyticus and A. hydrophila). Strains KT03 and KM07 exhibited the most resemblance to Enterococcus faecalis (strains 2674 and FC11682, respectively) based on 16S rRNA sequences, whereas KT27 had a 97% similarity to Aeromonas sp. A8-29. The study’s findings provide valuable data on the prospective use of these three isolates (KT03, KT27, and KM07) as potential HAPs for better understanding their physiological activities, such as growth and disease resistance on T. tambroides.
Application of selection index for rice mutant screening under a drought stress condition imposed at reproductive growth phase
Authors: SARWENDAH MAMIK , LUBIS ISKANDAR , JUNAEDI AHMAD , PURWOKO BAMBANG SAPTA , SOPANDIE DIDY , DEWI AZRI KUSUMA
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Sarwendah M, Lubis I, Junaedi A, Purwoko BS, Sopandie D, Dewi AK. 2022. Application of selection index for rice mutant screening under a drought stress condition imposed at reproductive growth phase. Biodiversitas 23: 5446-5452. Drought is a condition of limited availability of water that can reduce rice growth and productivity, and may threaten food security. Therefore, efforts are needed to produce drought-tolerant rice genotypes. This study aimed to select drought tolerant of the M3 mutant upland rice population at the reproductive growth phase. This research was carried out in dryland at BATAN, Indonesia, from September 2020 to February 2021, using an augmented design. The study employed 360 ??genotypes of mutant upland rice and 5 check varieties, namely Salumpikit, IR20, IR64, Limboto, and Situgintung. The selection index was constructed based on multivariate analyses such as correlation, path, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The coefficient of the selected main component can be used as a selection index. Before selecting the character values of each genotype, the values were standardized to obtain the same degree of value. The results showed that grain weight per hill (W.G.), panicle density (P.D.), panicle length (P.L.), and the number of filled grains per panicle (NFG) could be used as selection criteria for mutant upland rice tolerant to drought at reproductive growth phase. The selection index formula was I = (5*0.44*WG) + (2*0.41*PD) + (0.23*PL) + (0.42*NFG). Selection of genotypes of mutant upland rice based on weighted index selection resulted in 89 genotypes with high yields and good agronomic characteristics so that they could be tested in further research.
Prey composition and correlation between morphometry and prey biomass weight of the endemic Nepenthes bicalcarata in Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: SETIAWAN HENDRA , HAKIM LUCHMAN , RINALDO FERNANDES ADJI ACHMAD , RETNANINGDYAH CATUR
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Setiawan H, Hakim L, Fernandes AAR, Retnaningdyah C. 2022. Prey composition and correlation between morphometry and prey biomass weight of the endemic Nepenthes bicalcarata in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 5453-5460. Nepenthes bicalcarata Hook.f. is an endemic plant of the north-western part of Borneo, which is threatened by the conversion of its habitat. The understanding of the ecology of N. bicalcarata in regard to its prey is limited. This research aims to analyze the prey composition of N. bicalcarata and to investigate the correlation between pitcher morphometry and prey biomass weight. This research was done from November 2021 to March 2022 in a peat swamp primary forest in Sintang District, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. We used a quantitative descriptive approach and exploration method to gather data from N. bicalcarata in-situ habitat. The morphometry data of N. bicalcarata pitchers were collected in the field while the biomass trapped in N. bicalcarata pitcher liquid was sampled with a plastic bag and preserved with 70% of alcohol. Seven upper pitchers and 39 lower pitchers were recorded in this research. The composition of N. bicalcarata preys was dominated by Formicidae family including C. schmitzi, Polyrhachis sp. and Crematogaster sp.. Besides that, there were also mosquito larvae, ladybugs larvae, Ceratopogonidae larvae and some unidentified flying arthropods as the prey of N. bicalcarata. We found the plant’s parts in the lower pitchers of N. bicalcarata in the peat swamp forest, suggesting a possible mechanism of this plant to extract plant’s parts as alternative nutrient sources, yet this needs further research and intensive field observation. The correlation between pitcher volume and prey biomass weight was significant with P-value =0.00 (<0.01) and regression is formulated as Y (prey weight) = -0.1727 + 0.0039X (pitcher volume). This means that any increase in N. bicalcarata’s pitcher volume will increase the weight of the biomass linearly.
Studying the relationship of immersion duration and characteristics of natural materials FAD to fish aggregation in the sea
Authors: Rumpa Arham , Najamuddin Najamuddin , Safruddin Safruddin , Hajar Muhammad Abduh Ibnu
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Rumpa A, Najamuddin, Safruddin, Hajar MAI. 2022. Studying the relationship of immersion duration and characteristics of natural materials FAD to fish aggregation in the sea. Biodiversitas 23: 5481-5490. An understanding of immersion duration and the characteristics of natural materials Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD) on fish aggregation in the sea is crucial in developing more effective fishing strategies in FAD areas. The aim of the study was to understand the relationship between immersion duration and characteristics of FADs made from natural materials on the schooling aggregation of mackerel scad (Decapterus russelli) in the sea. The research was conducted from April 2021 to March 2022 in Bone Bay, Indonesia. The type of research was experimental fishing 78 times down at sea to observe the relationship between FAD construction and fish schools. The results demonstrated that the growth of invertebrates in the construction component of FADs based on the period of immersion in the sea at the immersion period of >30 days showed a high growth rate of algae, hydrozoa and crustacean species at the bottom of the raft. The endurance of the coconut leaves attractor at a duration of 3-4 weeks was the best condition for immersion duration in the sea because schooling fish were more concentrated around the attractor at an average distance of 1.2 m, while at a duration of 5-6 weeks the attractor had damaged and the fish schooling was less concentrated. Based on the arrival of schooling fish in FAD areas, the fastest average duration was 3-4 weeks, namely in transitional season 1. The presence of crustacean species caused fish schooling only to be concentrated at a distance of 2-3 m at the time of fishing. In the fishing strategy, the treatment of FADs using dried coconut leaves attractors showed more concentrated fish schooling and calmer fish movement pattern compared to the use of fresh coconut leaves attractor. The characteristics of the components making up FADs had a direct impact on the effectiveness of attracting and concentrating fish. In addition, the characteristics also influenced the schooling distance of fish at the center point of the FAD raft before the fishing gear was lowered.
Diversity of bacterial phenol hydroxylase-encoding genes from gasoline-contaminated silt soil
Authors: VASANDANI SURAJ RAJAN , TAN WATUMESA AGUSTINA
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Vasandani SR, Tan WA. 2022. Diversity of bacterial phenol hydroxylase-encoding genes from gasoline-contaminated silt soil. Biodiversitas 23: 5502-5506. Phenol is an aromatic compound often used as a raw material or intermediate in various industries. Improper handling and disposal may lead to the accumulation of this hazardous compound. Bioremediation is the most viable method to remove phenol from contaminated environment. In this study, the diversity of genes that encode for phenol hydroxylase, a key enzyme in phenol degradation, was assessed in gasoline-contaminated soil from a commercial gas station in Central Jakarta, Indonesia. Partial phenol hydroxylase-encoding gene library was constructed using a pair of universal primer in the pGEM®-Teasy vector. A total of 30 recombinant clones were obtained and sequenced to analyze the genetic diversity of this gene. Obtained clones were 86-99% identical to phenol hydroxylase-related proteins. Phylogenetic tree analysis on amino acid sequences derived from our library revealed that 56.7% of the cloned fragments were closely related to Proteobacteriodota and 20.0% of them were clustered with Actinomycetota. The rest 23.3% of the clones formed a cluster separate from any of the reference sequences, possibly indicating the presence of novel phenol hydroxylase genes.
Research and Testing Lead to Historic Code Change
Authors: Stegner Heather , Fotheringham Nikki
Published: November 2022

Simply substituting wood for conventional building materials could provide almost a tenth of the global carbon emission reductions needed to meet 2030 goals. However, while structural light-frame wood products are the go-to building material in the United States for low-rise residential construction, capturing over 90 percent of the market, any kind of wood-frame construction at the time under examination was limited to 5 stories and 85 feet in height. These story and height limitations dated back decades and prevented the design and construction of larger and taller buildings.

In 2014, the American Wood Council (AWC) began developing a plan to expand these limits, but recognized it would require the International Building Code, the predominant model code adopted in most local and state jurisdictions in the United States, to embrace a new type of construction: fire-resistance-rated tall mass timber.
Making agency work: two labour regimes in a UK logistics workplace
Authors: Smith Chris , Zheng Yu
Published: November 2022

An expanded use of agency workers has followed a series of economic shocks in the UK since the 2008 financial crisis. Agency workers, unlike permanent workers, comprise a wide range of workers without regular, secure and long-term employment relations. In this article we examine the inherently contradictory employment relationship embodied by agency workers, namely employers’ wish to stabilise and make the workforce more predictable by bringing in agency workers under insecure and unstable employment terms. Based on a significant single case study of a distribution centre, the study compares two agency work regimes: one with systematic screening and employment of pre-formed workers, and the other with strong normative control over fragmented under-formed workers. The study details management strategies aimed to improve workforce stability in the more fragmented agency worker regime by bringing an employment intermediatory on-site, building coherency between the permanent and agency workers, and restraining the supervisor’s power of dismissal. These findings problematise framing agency employment based on an assumption of continuous and selective inflow of migrant workers. Rather, contrasting agency worker regimes demonstrates contested employment relations between an increasingly diverse group of agency workers and an employer seeking to instigate predictability and coherency in agency employment.
Technology matters: how algorithm and artificial intelligent technology features affect harms reduction efforts
Authors: Viljanen Mika
Published: November 2022

Research has demonstrated that algorithmic and AI (AAI) technologies produce significant social harms. This short intervention turns the focus from social harm production to social harm reduction and seeks to map how and what AAI technology features affect harm reduction efforts by AAI system designers.

The intervention argues that six cumulative features are relevant. The technological agency embedded in AAI systems makes conscious harm reduction by design possible but also potentially strips previous human harm safeguards. Complexity destabilises designers’ capability to predict and control system performance, justify outcomes, and analyse and ensure the legitimacy system ontologies. Uninterpretability further complicates harm-reduction efforts by making analytical tracing of system logics difficult and introducing alien ontologies. Non-linear performance further destabilises outcome prediction capabilities, while indeterminacy and dynamicity provide the ultimate challenges for harm reduction. If the AAI systems performance patterns are indeterminate in nature or prone to change during use due to lifelong learning, designers lose direct control over the systems. While the technology features challenge harm reduction, concerted efforts in managing and containing their effects allow designers to engage in harm reduction.
Structural change and industrial transformation in Brazil, Chile and Uruguay
Authors: Lara Martínez Maria Cecilia
Published: November 2022

Since the second half of the twentieth century, structuralism and other theoretical perspectives have emphasized the decisive role of structural change in order to explain the relative performance of Latin American economies. Recent works have also contributed to the debate over why some regions were able to develop and others were not, through explaining the structural change. The main aim of this research is to study whether structural transformation in manufacturing occurred using a shift-share analysis. The results show that Brazil is one of the three Latin American countries studied which managed to reduce its structural heterogeneity during the industrialization period, measured by the shift-share analysis.
Highly emissive green CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 composites: formation kinetics, excellent heat, light, and polar solvent resistance, and flexible light-emitting application
Authors: Rao Longshi , Sun Bin , Zhang Qing , Wen Mingfu , Zhang Jiayang , Zhong Guisheng , Fu Ting , Niu Xiaodong , Tang Yong
Published: November 2022

Benefit from their near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY), narrow emission band, and widely tunable bandgap, metal halide perovskites have shown promising in light-emitting applications. Despite such promise, how to facile, environmentally-friendly, and large-scale prepare solid metal halide perovskite with high emission and stability remains a challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a convenient and environmentally-friendly method for the mass synthesis of solid CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 composites using high-power ultrasonication. Adjusting key experimental parameters, bright emitting CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 solids with a maximum PL QY of 71% were obtained within 30 min. XRD, SEM, TEM, Abs/PL, XPS, and lifetime characterizations provide solid evidence for forming CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 composites. Taking advantage of these composites, the photostability, thermostability, and polar solvent stability of CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 are much improved compared to CsPbBr3. We further demonstrated CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 use in flexible/stretchable film and high-power WLEDs. After being subjected to bending, folding, and twisting, the film retains its bright emission and exhibits good resistance to mechanical deformation. Additionally, our WLEDs display a superior, durable high-power-driving capability, operating currents up to 300 mA and maintaining high luminous intensity for 50 hours. Such highly emissive and stable metal halide perovskites make them promising for solid-state lighting, lasing, and flexible/stretchable display device applications.
Operant conditioning of stochastic chemical reaction networks
Authors: Arredondo David , Lakin Matthew R.
Published: November 2022

Adapting one’s behavior to environmental conditions and past experience is a key trait of living systems. In the biological world, there is evidence for adaptive behaviors such as learning even in naturally occurring, non-neural, single-celled organisms. In the bioengineered world, advances in synthetic cell engineering and biorobotics have created the possibility of implementing lifelike systems engineered from the bottom up. This will require the development of programmable control circuitry for such biomimetic systems that is capable of realizing such non-trivial and adaptive behavior, including modification of subsequent behavior in response to environmental feedback. To this end, we report the design of novel stochastic chemical reaction networks capable of probabilistic decision-making in response to stimuli. We show that a simple chemical reaction network motif can be tuned to produce arbitrary decision probabilities when choosing between two or more responses to a stimulus signal. We further show that simple feedback mechanisms from the environment can modify these probabilities over time, enabling the system to adapt its behavior dynamically in response to positive or negative reinforcement based on its decisions. This system thus acts as a form of operant conditioning of the chemical circuit, in the sense that feedback provided based on decisions taken by the circuit form the basis of the learning process. Our work thus demonstrates that simple chemical systems can be used to implement lifelike behavior in engineered biomimetic systems.
Assessment of Jordanian health care professionals’ perception towards new COVID-19 variants of concern
Authors: Sawan Hana M. , Al Omari Shatha M. , Al Bahar F. , Karasneh Reema
Published: November 2022

Background

Healthcare professionals working at the frontline, dealing with COVID-19 patients or their samples, should know about variants of concern (VOCs) and their transmissibility, disease severity, and vaccine efficacy. Healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perceptions towards new VOCs affect their practice and attitudes towards their patients. Moreover, these perceptions might significantly impact their patients’ perceptions of new COVID-19 variants and public vaccine acceptability.

Methods

Online and paper-based questionnaires were distributed among Healthcare professionals in Jordan between August 2021 and October 2021.

Results

Among 423 HCPs who participated in this study, a majority believe that when viruses mutate, they become more transmissible (77.8%), more deadly (61.7%), and pathogenic (64.8%). In addition, half of the respondents, perceived current treatments as partially effective against VOCs and current diagnostics to be efficient. However, all VOCs were perceived as more transmissible, more virulent, and related to higher mortality rates when compared to the original strain. Regarding immunity against VOCs, (57.4%) of respondents believe in partial immunity against re-infection, and most respondents were either unsure about the current vaccines’ efficacy or agreed that available vaccines would be ineffective. However, respondents (44.4%) still believe that people previously infected should get vaccinated. Respondents referred to the Ministry of Health as the most reliable source of information (45.6%) and the party responsible for educating the public about COVID-19 VOCs (57.9%). Travel was not a source of worry among respondents. However, they were worried about their families getting the new COVID-19 VOCs from their work. Similar proportions agreed/disagreed on the efficacy of the precautions and infection control measures currently applied by the government for preventing the spread of the new COVID-19 VOCs.

Conclusion

Campaigns, workshops, and webinars targeting vaccines are highly recommended among HCPs to increase public acceptance of the vaccine and further booster shots.
Gene co-expression network analysis of the human gut commensal bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in R-Shiny
Authors: Auger Sandrine , Mournetas Virginie , Chiapello Hélène , Loux Valentin , Langella Philippe , Chatel Jean-Marc
Published: November 2022

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is abundant in the healthy human intestinal microbiota, and the absence or scarcity of this bacterium has been linked with inflammatory diseases and metabolic disorders. F. prausnitzii thus shows promise as a next-generation probiotic for use in restoring the balance of the gut microbial flora and, due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties, for the treatment of certain pathological conditions. However, very little information is available about gene function and regulation in this species. Here, we utilized a systems biology approach—weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA)–to analyze gene expression in three publicly available RNAseq datasets from F. prausnitzii strain A2-165, all obtained in different laboratory conditions. The co-expression network was then subdivided into 24 co-expression gene modules. A subsequent enrichment analysis revealed that these modules are associated with different kinds of biological processes, such as arginine, histidine, cobalamin, or fatty acid metabolism as well as bacteriophage function, molecular chaperones, stress response, or SOS response. Some genes appeared to be associated with mechanisms of protection against oxidative stress and could be essential for F. prausnitzii’s adaptation and survival under anaerobic laboratory conditions. Hub and bottleneck genes were identified by analyses of intramodular connectivity and betweenness, respectively; this highlighted the high connectivity of genes located on mobile genetic elements, which could promote the genetic evolution of F. prausnitzii within its ecological niche. This study provides the first exploration of the complex regulatory networks in F. prausnitzii, and all of the “omics” data are available online for exploration through a graphical interface at https://shiny.migale.inrae.fr/app/faeprau.
Assessing the cost and economic impact of tertiary-level pediatric cancer care in Tanzania
Authors: Saxton Anthony T. , Bhattacharya Manisha , Sivaraj Dharshan , Rice Henry E. , Masalu Nestory , Chao Nelson J. , Schroeder Kristin
Published: November 2022

Background

Worldwide, an estimated 400,000 children develop cancer each year. The bulk of the mortalities from these cases occur in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). In Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a tremendous need to strengthen the capacity of health systems to provide high-quality cancer care for children. However, a lack of data on the economic impact of cancer treatment in low-resource settings hinders its consideration as a healthcare priority. To address this gap, this study models the clinical and financial impact of pediatric cancer care in Tanzania, a lower-middle income country in East Africa.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients with cancer under the age of 19 years treated at Bugando Medical Centre from January 2010 to August 2014. Information was collected from a total of 161 children, including demographics, type of cancer, care received, and five-year survival outcomes. This data was used to calculate the number of averted disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) with treatment. Charges for all direct medical costs, fixed provider costs, and variable provider costs were used to calculate total cost of care. The societal economic impact of cancer treatment was modeled using the value of statistical life (VSL) and human capital methods.

Findings

The total health impact for these 161 children was 819 averted DALYs at a total cost of $846,743. The median cost per patient was $5,064 ($4,746–5,501 interquartile range). The societal economic impact of cancer treatment ranged from $590,534 to $3,647,158 using VSL method and $1,776,296 using a human capital approach.

Interpretation

Despite the limitations of existing treatment capacity, economic modeling demonstrates a positive economic impact from providing pediatric cancer care in Tanzania. As many countries like Tanzania progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage, these key economic indicators may encourage future investment in comprehensive pediatric cancer care programs in low-resource settings to achieve clinically and economically beneficial results not only for the individual patients, but for the country as a whole.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator contribute to the transepithelial calcium transport across intestinal epithelium-like Caco-2 monolayer
Authors: Rodrat Mayuree , Wongdee Kannikar , Teerapornpuntakit Jarinthorn , Thongbunchoo Jirawan , Tanramluk Duangrudee , Aeimlapa Ratchaneevan , Thammayon Nithipak , Thonapan Natchayaporn , Wattano Pathnaree , Charoenphandhu Narattaphol
Published: November 2022

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as a neurocrine factor released by enteric neurons has been postulated to participate in the regulation of transcellular active calcium transport across intestinal epithelium, but the preceding evidence is scant and inconclusive. Herein, transepithelial calcium flux and epithelial electrical parameters were determined by Ussing chamber technique with radioactive tracer in the intestinal epithelium-like Caco-2 monolayer grown on Snapwell. After 3-day culture, Caco-2 cells expressed mRNA of calcium transporters, i.e., TRPV6, calbindin-D9k, PMCA1b and NCX1, and exhibited transepithelial resistance of ~200 Ω cm2, a characteristic of leaky epithelium similar to the small intestine. VIP receptor agonist was able to enhance transcellular calcium flux, whereas VIP receptor antagonist totally abolished calcium fluxes induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. Since the intestinal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) could be activated by VIP and calciotropic hormones, particularly parathyroid hormone, we sought to determine whether CFTR also contributed to the 1,25(OH)2D3-induced calcium transport. A selective CFTR inhibitor (20–200 μM CFTRinh-172) appeared to diminish calcium fluxes as well as transepithelial potential difference and short-circuit current, both of which indicated a decrease in electrogenic ion transport. On the other hand, 50 μM genistein—a molecule that could rapidly activate CFTR—was found to increase calcium transport. Our in silico molecular docking analysis confirmed direct binding of CFTRinh-172 and genistein to CFTR channels. In conclusion, VIP and CFTR apparently contributed to the intestinal calcium transport, especially in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3, thereby supporting the existence of the neurocrine control of intestinal calcium absorption.
Critical transitions in degree mixed networks: A discovery of forbidden tipping regions in networked spin systems
Authors: Reisinger Daniel , Adam Raven , Kogler Marie Lisa , Füllsack Manfred , Jäger Georg
Published: November 2022

Critical transitions can be conceptualized as abrupt shifts in the state of a system typically induced by changes in the system’s critical parameter. They have been observed in a variety of systems across many scientific disciplines including physics, ecology, and social science. Because critical transitions are important to such a diverse set of systems it is crucial to understand what parts of a system drive and shape the transition. The underlying network structure plays an important role in this regard. In this paper, we investigate how changes in a network’s degree sequence impact the resilience of a networked system. We find that critical transitions in degree mixed networks occur in general sooner than in their degree homogeneous counterparts of equal average degree. This relationship can be expressed with parabolic curves that describe how the tipping point changes when the nodes of an initially homogeneous degree network composed only of nodes with degree k1 are replaced by nodes of a different degree k2. These curves mark clear tipping boundaries for a given degree mixed network and thus allow the identification of possible tipping intersections and forbidden tipping regions when comparing networks with different degree sequences.
B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors’ expression in pediatric nephrotic syndrome is associated with worse prognosis
Authors: Forero-Delgadillo Jessica , Ochoa Vanessa , Restrepo Jaime M. , Torres-Canchala Laura , Nieto-Aristizábal Ivana , Ruiz-Ordoñez Ingrid , Sánchez Aura , Barrera María Claudia , Jimenez Carlos Andrés , Tobón Gabriel J.
Published: November 2022

Aim

Immune pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome (NS) is not completely understood. We aimed to evaluate the expression of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors in renal samples from pediatric NS patients and its relationship with renal function survival.

Materials and methods

We conducted an ambispective study on 33 patients with pediatric NS. Immunohistochemistry for BAFF, TACI, BCMA and BR3 was performed. Markers were evaluated on podocytes and interstitial inflammatory infiltrates (III). We performed Kaplan-Meier curves to describe renal function survival according to markers’ expression.

Results

Thirty-three NS patients were included. Minimal change disease was seen in 21 (63.6%) patients, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 12 (36.4%). BAFF was found in podocytes (18.2% of samples) and III (36.4% of samples), BAFF-R in one sample, TACI in 4 (podocytes and III), and BCMA in 5 samples of podocytes and 7 of III. BAFF on podocytes and III was associated with worst renal function at follow-up; those patients had 25% probability of having GFR >90 mL/min/1.73m2, versus 84.9% when absent (p = 0.0067). Patients with BAFF in III had 42.9% probability of having GFR>90 mL/min/1.73 m2, versus 94.1% when absent (p = 0.0063).

Conclusion

BAFF expression in renal biopsies could be a prognostic factor for renal function.
Academic Tracker: Software for tracking and reporting publications associated with authors and grants
Authors: Thompson P. Travis , Powell Christian D. , Moseley Hunter N. B.
Published: November 2022

In recent years, United States federal funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), have implemented public access policies to make research supported by funding from these federal agencies freely available to the public. Enforcement is primarily through annual and final reports submitted to these funding agencies, where all peer-reviewed publications must be registered through the appropriate mechanism as required by the specific federal funding agency. Unreported and/or incorrectly reported papers can result in delayed acceptance of annual and final reports and even funding delays for current and new research grants. So, it’s important to make sure every peer-reviewed publication is reported properly and in a timely manner. For large collaborative research efforts, the tracking and proper registration of peer-reviewed publications along with generation of accurate annual and final reports can create a large administrative burden. With large collaborative teams, it is easy for these administrative tasks to be overlooked, forgotten, or lost in the shuffle. In order to help with this reporting burden, we have developed the Academic Tracker software package, implemented in the Python 3 programming language and supporting Linux, Windows, and Mac operating systems. Academic Tracker helps with publication tracking and reporting by comprehensively searching major peer-reviewed publication tracking web portals, including PubMed, Crossref, ORCID, and Google Scholar, given a list of authors. Academic Tracker provides highly customizable reporting templates so information about the resulting publications is easily transformed into appropriate formats for tracking and reporting purposes. The source code and extensive documentation is hosted on GitHub (https://moseleybioinformaticslab.github.io/academic_tracker/) and is also available on the Python Package Index (https://pypi.org/project/academic_tracker) for easy installation.
Evaluation of the added value of Brain Natriuretic Peptide to a validated mortality risk-prediction model in older people using a standardised international clinical assessment tool
Authors: Pickering John W. , Scrase Richard , Troughton Richard , Jamieson Hamish A.
Published: November 2022

The ability to accurately predict the one-year survival of older adults is challenging for clinicians as they endeavour to provide the most appropriate care. Standardised clinical needs assessments are routine in many countries and some enable application of mortality prediction models. The added value of blood biomarkers to these models is largely unknown. We undertook a proof of concept study to assess if adding biomarkers to needs assessments is of value. Assessment of the incremental value of a blood biomarker, Brain Naturetic Peptide (BNP), to a one year mortality risk prediction model, RiskOP, previously developed from data from the international interRAI-HomeCare (interRAI-HC) needs assessment. Participants were aged ≥65 years and had completed an interRAI-HC assessment between 1 January 2013 and 21 August 2021 in Canterbury, New Zealand. Inclusion criteria was a BNP test within 90 days of the date of interRAI-HC assessment. The primary outcome was one-year mortality. Incremental value was assessed by change in Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) and Brier Skill, and the calibration of the final model. Of 14,713 individuals with an interRAI-HC assessment 1,537 had a BNP within 90 days preceding the assessment and all data necessary for RiskOP. 553 (36.0%) died within 1-year. The mean age was 82.6 years. Adding BNP improved the overall AUC by 0.015 (95% CI:0.004 to 0.028) and improved predictability by 1.9% (0.26% to 3.4%). In those with no Congestive Heart Failure the improvements were 0.029 (0.004 to 0.057) and 4.0% (0.68% to 7.6%). Adding a biomarker to a risk model based on standardised needs assessment of older people improved prediction of 1-year mortality. BNP added value to a risk prediction model based on the interRAI-HC assessment in those patients without a diagnosis of congestive heart failure.
Serial choriocapillaris flow changes in eyes with branched retinal vascular obstruction (BRVO)
Authors: Hwang Bo-Een , Kwak Jae-Hyuck , Kim Joo-Young , Kim Rae-Young , Kim Mirinae , Park Young-Geun , Park Young-Hoon
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the choriocapillaris (CC) flow changes in branched retinal vascular obstruction (BRVO) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 29 patients with unilateral BRVO (58 eyes, including unaffected fellow eyes for controls). 4.5 x 4.5 mm macular scans were divided into 4 quadrants. Serial analyses were conducted on CC flow voids of the opposite quadrant to the active occluded area in BRVO eyes. Each of the quadrants were also compared to the occluded quadrant of resolved eyes and the contralateral quadrant of fellow eyes by matched data analysis. A regression analysis was performed on the several parameters (Choroidal thickness; CT, Choroidal vascularity index; CVI, Central macular thickness; CMT, The number of intravitreal injections) and CC flow voids.

Results

The CC flow void increased sequentially: The uninvolved quadrant of acute BRVO-affected eyes, that of resolved eyes after 3-month/1-year, the contralateral quadrant of fellow eye, the involved (occluded) quadrant of resolved eyes. There were significant correlations between initial CMT, the number of injections and the CC flow void of uninvolved quadrants (P = 0.025, 0.031, respectively), and between the involved (occluded) quadrants and fellow CT (P = 0.029).

Conclusion

CC flow void of uninvolved macular areas decreased significantly in eyes with acute BRVO, suggesting that CC changes were limited to the blocked area and a compensatory mechanism would work in surrounding areas.
Dissecting the invasion of Galleria mellonella by Yersinia enterocolitica reveals metabolic adaptations and a role of a phage lysis cassette in insect killing
Authors: Sänger Philipp-Albert , Wagner Stefanie , Liebler-Tenorio Elisabeth M. , Fuchs Thilo M.
Published: November 2022

The human pathogen Yersinia enterocolitica strain W22703 is characterized by its toxicity towards invertebrates that requires the insecticidal toxin complex (Tc) proteins encoded by the pathogenicity island Tc-PAIYe. Molecular and pathophysiological details of insect larvae infection and killing by this pathogen, however, have not been dissected. Here, we applied oral infection of Galleria mellonella (Greater wax moth) larvae to study the colonisation, proliferation, tissue invasion, and killing activity of W22703. We demonstrated that this strain is strongly toxic towards the larvae, in which they proliferate by more than three orders of magnitude within six days post infection. Deletion mutants of the genes tcaA and tccC were atoxic for the insect. W22703 ΔtccC, in contrast to W22703 ΔtcaA, initially proliferated before being eliminated from the host, thus confirming TcaA as membrane-binding Tc subunit and TccC as cell toxin. Time course experiments revealed a Tc-dependent infection process starting with midgut colonisation that is followed by invasion of the hemolymph where the pathogen elicits morphological changes of hemocytes and strongly proliferates. The in vivo transcriptome of strain W22703 shows that the pathogen undergoes a drastic reprogramming of central cell functions and gains access to numerous carbohydrate and amino acid resources within the insect. Strikingly, a mutant lacking a phage-related holin/endolysin (HE) cassette, which is located within Tc-PAIYe, resembled the phenotypes of W22703 ΔtcaA, suggesting that this dual lysis cassette may be an example of a phage-related function that has been adapted for the release of a bacterial toxin.