bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Speckle Tracking in the Evaluation of Left Ventricular Remodeling After Streptokinase Infusion in Patients with Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Farag Sh. I. , El-Rabbat Kh. E. , El-Awadi M. A. , Sabry A. M.
Published: December 2020

Background. Left ventricular (LV) remodeling is an adverse consequence after acute myocardial infarction.Aim. To assess the role of speckle tracking in the evaluation of LV remodeling after streptokinase infusion in patients with acute anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Material and methods. A total of 200 patients with first acute anterior STEMI received streptokinase as a reperfusion therapy were included. Conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking were performed within 3 days of admission and 3 months later. According to the development of LV remodeling, patients were classified into two groups. Group (I) patients with LV remodeling (60 patients) and group (II) patients without remodeling (140 patients).Results. Patients with LV remodeling had lower global longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential (GCS) strain values (-13.19±4.57 vs. -18.90±4.23 % and -13.16±4.27 vs. -17.16±3.3 %, respectively, p<0.001). GLS cutoff value of >-13.5 was shown to have the best diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity =60.0% & specificity =87.1%) in predicting LV remodeling (AUC 0.816, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.754-0.877, p<0.001). GCS cutoff value of >-16.21 was shown to have the best diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity =75.0% & specificity =71.4%) in predicting LV remodeling (AUC 0.785, 95%CI 0.719-0.85, p<0.001).Conclusion. Speckle tracking echocardiography either longitudinal or circumferential strain has good sensitivity and specificity in predicting LV remodeling after acute myocardial infarction.
Actual Issues of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Events Risk Management During Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Velieva R. M. , Pecherina T. B. , Vorobiev A. S. , Kashtalap V. V. , Sedykh D. Yu.
Published: December 2020

Today, optimal duration of double antiplatelet (DAPT) and triple antithrombotic therapy (TATT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains the subject of scientific and practical discussion on possibilities of ischemic and hemorrhagic risks assessment. Good clinical risk metrics is based on validated risk scales. However, actual clinical guidelines do not provide a universal and generally accepted scale for assessing the balance of risks of ischemic events and bleeding. Is very necessary to determine the optimal content and DAPT or TATT duration is the existence of validated risk assessment scales would allow to optimize the accuracy of risk assessment of ischemic and hemorrhagic events in patients after ACS. One of the probable reasons is absence of validation of existing scales for each specific population of patients with ACS. In this regard, the use of «new» risk assessment systems: PRECISE DAPT and DAPT, in addition to the routine risk assessment scales (GRACE, CRUSADE), could become optimal in all ACS patient categories. In order to identify the initial risk of community-acquired hemorrhagic events during the first 12 months all patients with ACS at the inpatient stage of treatment is used the PRECISE DAPT score. In order to determine the need for prolongation of the standard DAPT. It should be used after 12 months of receiving DAPT in survivors of ACS patients without ischemic events, must be used the DAPT score.
Teaching Material using SETS Approach for Volcanic Dust Disaster Mitigation
Authors: Salawane Cherly , Supriyadi Supriyadi , Rusilowati Ani , Indriyanti Dyah Rini , Binadja Achmad
Published: December 2020

Mitigation education is a stage of preparedness to minimize losses due to a disaster. The purpose of this study is to develop teaching materials with the SETS (Science, Environment, Technology, and Society) approach Integrated Science subjects of solar system competencies and the earth surface structure to reduce the risk of the Mount Lokon volcanic ash disaster in North Sulawesi Province. This research uses Research and Development Methods. The subjects in this study were 30 students at SMP Kristen Credo Kolongan, Minahasa Regency. The results showed that the teaching material developed was declared valid by experts, practical was used, and effectively viewed from the cognitive aspect with an increase in the pretest score (54.5) to the posttest (92), and the affective aspects of the average score very good average (87.3) so that this teaching material is valid, practical, and effectively used in learning activities to reduce the risk of volcanic ash disaster.
Derivasi atau Arketipe: Mengusut The Logical Structure of Islamic Theology Karya Josef Van Ess
Authors: Lubis Ali Akhbar Abaib Mas Rabbani , Muzakki Muhammad Harir
Published: December 2020

The focus of this paper is on Josef Van Ess's The Logical Structure of Islamic Theology. An important argument regarding the thought of kalam is that it fully involves the relationship of revelation, reason, and human experience. This writing aims to answer the question whether the discipline of kalam in its logical structure is derived from Greco-Roman or archetypes from the Islamic tradition? This writing includes a qualitative research cluster involving library research, then the ma'na-cum-maghza approach through the stages of data reduction, data exposure, and drawing conclusions or verification. The result of the conclusion is that Ess's opinion always changes and improves the statement regarding the nominalistic term kalam, although according to Ess it is not impossible that the science of kalam and its spectrum such as Islamic Law technically reflects Greco-Roman rhetoric and is preserved in Islamic Tradition.
Virtual Piety and Muslim Traditionalism Mainstreaming: The Digital Activism of Bangkitmedia.com and Kyaiku.com
Authors: Rahman Luthfi
Published: December 2020

This research focuses on two sites bangkitmedia.com and kyaiku.com which, in the last few years, have been quite intensive in doing digital activism through media sharing about advices and exemplary behaviours of traditional religious clerics or kyai. The phenomenon leads to questioning what behind the digital activism of the two sites is. This paper aims to know and comprehend how such activism within bangkitmedia.com and kyaiku.com has been going through in coloring social media and what message they try to convey to netizens. This is a qualitative research that collects the data from interview and documentation from both websites and analysis them by a digital hermeneutic approach. It found that through the webs, they have built a virtual piety through posted texts or videos that contain religious sermons and testimonies from other people on the religiosity and wisdom of the kyai during and after their lives. Besides, this virtual piety refers to traditionalism mainstreaming which functions as: virtual moderation media and also countering radical narrative.
IMPLEMENTASI PENDIDIKAN KARAKTER DALAM PEMBENTUKAN SIKAP SOSIAL KEBANGSAAN PESERTA DIDIK MELALUI PEMBELAJARAN IPS (STUDI LITERATUR)
Authors: Sari Reni Novita , Resmi Ayu Citra
Published: December 2020

Character education is needed to form atitude, personality and morals of a nation. In its application character education can be applied through the learning process one of which is in learning ocial science. The study aims to determine the role of social science in the formation of learners character and to know the application or implementation of character education in social science. This reseach method uses literatur, literatur research metodhs theough various agreed procedures. The results of this study are educators or teachers and schools play an important role in shaping the character of students through schools rules, activitiesthat are followed and learning process. Character education is applied to students through social science tailored to the material and conditions of students. Leraning methods and teacher understanding of the material also affect the development of character education. In learning social science also has the same goal as character education which is to create good citizens and have moral values.
KLARIFIKASI DISTINGSI ANTARA AUTENTISITAS DAN OTORITAS HADIS: Studi Komparatif Perspektif Muslim dan Barat
Authors: Subarkah Agung Redho
Published: December 2020

Autentisitas dan Otoritas hadis telah menjadi kajian yang sangat krusial di hampir semua kajian hadis. Tapi, ketika istilah autentisitas dan otoritas digunakan dalam pembahasan kajian, banyak yang mengalami kesimpangsiuran dan ketidakpastian makna sehingga mampu memicu kesalahpahaman dalam memaknai alur kajian. Dengan menggunakan metode komparatif deskriptif, artikel ini bertujuan untuk memperjelas secara spesifik distingsi antara kedua istilah tersebut dengan perspektif kajian di kalangan ulama Muslim dan pakar Barat. Hasilnya, autentisitas hadis merujuk pada kesahihan suatu hadis. hadis yang autentik berarti hadis yang bisa dipertanggungjawabkan keabsahannya untuk bisa diatribusikan kepada pemilik redaksi yang menjadi sumber hadis awal. Ini memberikan pemahaman bahwa autentisitas hadis menjadi salah satu prinsip utama dalam melakukan penelusuran berita kepada sumbernya yang pertama kali. Berbeda dengan otoritas hadis yang menitik beratkan pada pengimplementasian hadis terhadap pengamalan yang menjadi tujuan akhir suatu hadis dipelajari, yakni untuk diamalkan. Hadis yang bisa diimplementasikan untuk dipraktekkan sebagai sumber ajaran Islam menunjukkan hadis tersebut memiliki otoritas untuk digunakan sebagai dalil atau hujjah untuk digunakan dalam pengamalan.

[Clarification of Distinction between Authenticity and Authority of Hadith: Comparative Study of Muslim and Western Perspectives. The authenticity and authority of hadith have become very crucial studies in almost all hadith studies. But, when the terms of authenticity and authority are used in the study discussion, It almost experiences confusion and uncertainty in meaning so that they can trigger misunderstanding in the understanding of the study plot. This article aims to clarify specifically the distinction between the two terms from the perspective of studies among Muslim scholars and Western experts. As a result, the authenticity of hadith refers to the validity of hadith. Authentic traditions mean traditions that can be held accountable for their validity to be attributed to the owner of the early narrator who was the source of the initial hadith. This gives an understanding that the authenticity of the hadith is one of the main principles in tracing the information to its first source. In contrast to the authority of the hadith which emphasizes the implementation of the traditions of the practice which is the ultimate goal of hadith studies, to be practiced. Hadith that can be implemented to be practiced as a source of Islamic teachings shows that the hadith has the authority to be used as a proposition or hujja to be used in practice.]
Scaffolding in Learning Cycle 5E, is it Effective or Not?
Authors: Setyaningrum Vidya , Putra Sartika Rody
Published: December 2020

Learning chemistry in the chemistry education study program has not maximized the scaffolding provision yet, so students still have difficulty in mastering the precondition concept. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of learning using the 5E learning cycle model assisted by scaffolding on acid and base material as seen from an increase in students' understanding of concepts. This research is a quasi-experiment with one group pretest-posttest design. The subjects of this study were 32 students who choose randomly from the chemical education study program class of 2019. The instrument used is an essay learning achievement test to measure students' understanding of acid and base concepts. The results showed that the n-gain value obtained is 0.31 or can be interpreted as an increase with moderate criteria. Therefore it can be concluded that the addition of scaffolding in the 5E learning cycle is effective to increase students' understanding on acid and base material.
Pengaruh viral marketing dan endorser terhadap keputusan pembelian dengan brand awareness sebagai variabel intervening
Authors: Irawan Anggi , Misbach Irwan
Published: December 2020

This study aims to examine the direct and indirect effects of viral marketing on endorsers on purchasing decisions mediated by brand awareness as mediation. This research is a type of quantitative research with an associative approach. The population in this study were users of Oppo smartphone products in Makassar City. The sampling technique used accidental sampling and purposive sampling. The number of samples was 100 respondents using the Hair formula. The data used are primary data derived from questionnaire answers. Data analysis used Path Analysis with the help of SPSS 21. The results showed that viral marketing and endorsers had a positive and significant effect on brand awareness. Furthermore, viral marketing, endorsers and brand awareness directly have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions. In addition, the results of this study also show that brand awareness is able to mediate the relationship between viral marketing and endorsers on purchasing decisions. The implication of this research needs to be reinforced in product promotion so that consumers are able to remember products continuously which can have an impact on product purchasing decisions.
KERAGAMAN GENETIK 64 AKSESI KUNYIT ASAL INDONESIA BERDASARKAN MARKA P450-BASED ANALOGUE (PBA)
Authors: Putri Tresna Kusuma , Anindita Putri Ardhya , Wicaksana Noladhi , Suganda Tarkus , Concibido Vergel , Karuniawan Agung
Published: December 2020

Turmeric is a rhizome producing plant with many utilization such as for consumption, medicine, and colorant industries. The development of superior turmeric varieties in Indonesia needs to be supported by genetic diversity information availability. Despite its potential, genetic diversity information of Indonesian turmeric has not been widely observed. A molecular marker is used to address genetic diversity information with the accurate result due to minimum environmental influences. PBA can detect the P450 gene as a functional marker, which is related to the synthesis of secondary metabolites in a wide genome area.  Thus, it can be used as an alternative marker to identify genetic diversity. This research aimed to obtain genetic diversity information of 64 turmeric accessions using eight primer sets of P450-Based Analogue (PBA). The study was conducted in the Central Laboratory of Padjadjaran University from June 2019 to January 2020. Results showed that the full 133 bands were detected with a range of allele number 8 - 45 bands and an average of 22.3 bands per allele. PIC analysis showed six primer sets of PBA had high polymorphisms ranged from 0.90 to 0.98, hence categorized PBA as a highly informative marker. Cluster analysis divided 64 turmeric accessions into two main clusters based on a similarity index ranged from 0.01 to 0.83. The accession of CL-GTL01 origins from Gorontalo had a low similarity coefficient of 0.01 to the other 64 accessions cluster. On the other hand, CL-NTB01 dan CL-PPB01 had the highest similarity index of 0.83. Based on the PIC value, the total number of polymorphic bands, and genetic distance, it can be concluded that local Indonesian turmeric had wide diversity based on PBA marker.
Flow Profiling Using Fiber Optics in a Horizontal Steam Injector with Liner-Deployed Flow Control Devices
Authors: Javaheri Mohammad , Tran Minh , Buell Richard Scot , Gorham Timothy , Munoz Juan David , Sims Jack , Rivas Stephen
Published: December 2020

Horizontal steam injectors can improve the efficiency of thermal operations relative to vertical injectors. However, effective in-well and reservoir surveillance are needed to understand steam conformance. Uniform steam-chest development improves the steam/oil ratio in continuous steam injection and accelerates recovery in cyclic steam injection. The conformance of the injected steam can be achieved by flow control devices (FCDs) deployed on either tubing or liner. A new liner-deployed FCD was used in a horizontal steam injector in the Kern River field. The liner-deployed FCD is intended to replace the tubing-deployed FCDs while reducing capital costs, surveillance costs, and well intervention costs for conformance control.

Fiber optics was used for surveillance, which is the most promising method in horizontal steam injectors considering reliability, accuracy, and cost. Fiber optic data enables monitoring the performance of liner-deployed FCDs as well as estimating the flow profile along the lateral length. Multimode distributed temperature sensing (DTS) optical fibers and single-mode distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) optical fibers were installed in the well for these objectives. Algorithms for interpreting DTS were improved to include a new technique, shape language modeling (SLM), and a probabilistic approach. The configuration of the FCDs was changed during the first well intervention, and it was monitored by DTS and DAS. Data from both DTS and DAS confirms the open/closed position of the sliding sleeve of FCDs initially and after the intervention. The probabilistic estimates of steam outflow in several FCD configurations match well with the theoretical outflow that is expected from the critical flow of steam through chokes installed in the FCDs.
Effects of Ductility of Organic-Rich Shale on Hydraulic Fracturing: A Fully Coupled Extended-Finite-Element-Method Analysis Using a Modified Cohesive Zone Model
Authors: Huang Chang , Chen Shengli
Published: December 2020

The popular cohesive zone model (CZM) that only features decreasing cohesive traction along with crack separation might not adequately represent the fracturing behavior in organic-rich shale because of increased ductility. This paper proposes a novel CZM that can realize various traction/separation laws (TSLs) by a unified formulation to better represent the increased ductility of organic-rich shale. This modified CZM was implemented in a fully coupled in-house poroelastic extended-finite-element-method (XFEM) framework that has been comprehensively verified against the latest analytical solutions. The implications of increased ductility in different forms on hydraulic fracturing were studied using the newly designed progressive parametric study. First, the shape of the TSL affects the hydraulic fracturing given the same cohesive crack energy and tensile strength, which further indicates the necessity of the newly proposed TSL. Second, the initial tensile strength, controlling when the cohesive crack starts propagating, has the greatest effect on the hydraulic fracturing among all TSL shape parameters. The effects of TSL parameters become less significant as the fracturing-fluid viscosity increases. Finally, Young's modulus among four common poroelastic parameters most significantly affects the brittleness of rock formation and hydraulic-fracture lengths. The increase in cohesive energy accompanied by the decrease of Young's modulus can greatly reduce the hydraulic-fracture length under the same injection volume.
Environmental and Genetic Regulation of Plant Height in Soybean
Authors: Yang Qing , Lin Gaoming , Lv Huiyong , Wang Cunhu , Yang Yongqing , Liao Hong
Published: December 2020

Background: Shoot architecture is fundamentally crucial to crop growth and productivity. As a key component of shoot architecture, plant height is known to be controlled by both genetic and environmental factors, though specific details remain scarce.Results: In this study, 308 representative soybean lines from a core collection and 168 F9 soybean progeny were planted at distinct field sites. The results demonstrated the presence of significant genotype × environment interaction (G × E) effects on traits associated with plant height in a natural soybean population. In total, 19 loci containing 51 QTLs (quantitative trait locus) for plant height were identified across four environments, with 23, 13 and 15 being QTLs for SH (shoot height), SNN (stem node number) and AIL (average internode length), respectively. Significant LOD ranging from 2.50 to 16.46 explained 2.80% - 26.10% of phenotypic variation. Intriguingly, only two loci, Loc11 and Loc19-1, containing 20 QTLs, were simultaneously detected across all environments. Results from Pearson correlation analysis and PCA (principal component analysis) revealed that each of the five agro-meteorological factors and four soil properties significantly affected soybean plant height traits, and that the corresponding QTLs had additive effects. Among significant environmental factors, AD (average day-length), AMaT (average maximum temperature), pH, and AN (available nitrogen) had the largest impacts on soybean plant height. Therefore, in spite of uncontrollable agro-meteorological factors, soybean shoot architecture might be remolded through combined efforts to produce superior soybean genetic materials while also optimizing soil properties.Conclusions: Overall, the comprehensive set of relationships outlined herein among environment factors, soybean genotypes and QTLs in effects on plant height opens new avenues to explore in work aiming to increase soybean yield through improvements in shoot architecture.
Analysis of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes in Group B Streptococcus from clinical samples
Authors: Mudzana Raymond , Mavenyengwa Rooyen T , Gudza-Mugabe Muchaneta
Published: December 2020

Background: Streptococcus agalacticae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is one of the most important causative agents of serious infections among neonates. This study was carried out to identify antibiotic resistance and virulence genes associated with GBS isolated from pregnant women.Methods: A total of 43 GBS isolates were obtained from 420 vaginal samples collected from HIV positive and negative women who were 13-35 weeks pregnant attending Antenatal Care at Chitungwiza and Harare Central Hospitals in Zimbabwe. Identification tests of GBS isolates was done using standard bacteriological methods and molecular identification testing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using the modified Kirby-Bauer method and E-test strips. The boiling method was used to extract DNA and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to screen for 13 genes. Data was fed into SPSS 24.0.Results: Nine distinct virulence gene profiles were identified and hly-scpB-bca-rib 37.2% (16/43) was common. The virulence genes identified were namely hly 97.8% (42/43), scpB 90.1% (39/43), bca 86.0% (37/43), rib 69.8% (30/43) and bac 11.6% (5/43). High resistance to tetracycline 97.7% (42/43) was reported followed by 72.1% (31/43) cefazolin, 69.8% (30/43) penicillin G, 58.1% (25/43) ampicillin, 55.8% (24/43) clindamycin, 46.5% (20/43) ceftriaxone, 34.9% (15/43) chloramphenicol, and 30.2% (13/43) for both erythromycin and vancomycin using disk diffusion. Antibiotic resistance genes among the resistant and intermediate-resistant isolates showed high frequencies for tetM 97.6% (41/42) and low frequencies for ermB 34.5% (10/29), ermTR 10.3% (3/29), mefA 3.4% (1/29), tetO 2.4% (1/42) and linB 0% (0/35). The atr housekeeping gene yielded 100% (43/43) positive results, whilst the mobile genetic element IS1548 yielded 9.3% (4/43).Conclusion: The study showed high prevalence of hly, scpB, bca and rib virulence genes in S. agalactiae strains isolated from pregnant women. Tetracycline resistance was predominantly caused by the tetM gene, whilst macrolide resistance was predominantly due to the presence of erm methylase, with the ermB gene being more prevalent. Multi-drug resistance coupled with the recovery of resistant isolates to antimicrobial agents such as penicillins indicates the importance of GBS surveillance and susceptibility tests. It was also observed that in vitro phenotypic resistance is not always accurately predicted by resistance genotypes.
Sea-spray aerosols and SARS-Cov-2: an analysis using AERONET data
Authors: Piazzola Jacques , Desnues Christelle , Parent Philippe , Yohia Christophe , Canepa Elisa
Published: December 2020

Even if the people density, habits and displacements probably represent the most important causes of the SARS-Cov-2 virus propagation, the role of the atmospheric aerosol needs to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study if the aerosol properties related to the different sources and meteorological conditions we can observe in urbanized areas can have an influence on in the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. This paper focuses on the lockdown period to reduce the differences in the social behavior. As an example, we investigated the contamination cases during March 2020 in two specific French areas located in both continental and coastal areas with regard to the meteorological conditions and the corresponding aerosol properties. To this end, we used both the optical depth (AOD) and the Angstrom exponent provided by the AERONET network. The results show that the analysis of aerosol ground-based data can be of interest to assess a virus survey. In particular, our data show that moderate to strong onshore winds occurring in coastal regions, which allow large sea-spray production episodes, deal with smaller COVID-19 contamination rates. This is probably due to the fact that the coagulation of SARS-Cov-2 particles with hygroscopic salty sea-spray aerosols would tend to inhibit its viral infectivity via possible reaction with NaCl, especially in high relative humidity environments. In contrast, out results confirm that the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 can be favored by its coagulation with anthropogenic aerosols, which protects the virus particle from ambient humidity and preserves its infectivity.Capsule: Our results suggest that maritime air-masses limit the SARS-Cov-2 impact via the role of the sea-spray.
Fire as carbon sink? The global biome-dependent wildfire carbon balance
Authors: Bowring Simon , Jones Matthew , Ciais Philippe , Guenet Bertrand , Abiven Samuel
Published: December 2020

Wildfires generally result in biospheric recovery approximating the pre-disturbance state. However legacy carbon(C) gains and losses that have until now been overlooked in global-scale theory and modelling indicate that post-fire C gains through pyrogenic carbon (PyC) production, and losses via fire regime shifts, post-fire mortality, topsoil loss and inland water export, may be central to whether 20th century fires have imposed a net terrestrial C source or sink. Here, we integrate PyC production and soil accumulation into a global terrestrial model (ORCHIDEE-MICT) and estimate wildfire C-gains and losses over 1901-2010, quantifying the fire-C balance at global, regional and vegetation scales. Excluding the effect of PyC mineralisation, fires provide a land storage of +177 TgC yr-1 (63% PyC production), dominated by grasslands. The global balance is nuanced, with forest fires resulting in strong terrestrial net C loss:gain ratios (>-2:1) that are greatest in tropical regions (>-3:1). Frequent tropical grassland fires are responsible for the bulk of the land PyC sink and its environmental persistence, whose theoretical minimum mean residence time we quantify at 2760yrs. We highlight the dependency of the global fire-C balance on vegetation coverage and the potential role of preserving grasslands, particularly those in the tropics, in that regard.
An intermittent detachment faulting system with a large sulfide deposit revealed by multi-scale magnetic surveys
Authors: Wu Tao , Tivey Maurice , Tao Chunhui , Zhang Jinhui , Zhou Fei , Liu Yunlong
Published: December 2020

Magmatic and tectonic processes can contribute to discontinuous crustal accretion and play an important role in hydrothermal circulation at ultraslow-spreading ridges, however, it is difficult to accurately describe the processes without an age framework to constrain crustal evolution. Here we report on a multi-scale magnetic survey that provides constraints on the fine-scale evolution of a detachment faulting system that hosts hydrothermal activity at 49.7°E on the Southwest Indian Ridge. Reconstruction of the multi-stage detachment faulting history shows a previous episode of detachment faulting took place 0.76~1.48 My BP, while the present fault has been active for the past ~0.33 My just in the prime of life. This fault sustains hydrothermal circulation that has the potential for developing a large sulfide deposit. High resolution multiscale magnetics allows us to constrain the relative balance between periods of detachment faulting and magmatism to better describe accretionary processes on an ultraslow spreading ridge.
On the limitations in assessing stability of oxygen evolution catalysts using aqueous model electrochemical cells
Authors: Knöppel Julius , Möckl Maximilian , Escalera-López Daniel , Stojanovski Kevin , Bierling Markus , Böhm Thomas , Thiele Simon , Rzepka Matthias , Cherevko Serhiy
Published: December 2020

Recent research indicates a severe discrepancy between oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts dissolution in aqueous model systems and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA). This questions the relevance of the widespread aqueous testing for real world application. In this study, we aim to determine the processes responsible for the dissolution discrepancy. Experimental parameters known to diverge in both systems are individually tested for their influence on dissolution of an Ir-based catalyst. Ir dissolution is studied in an aqueous model system, a scanning flow cell coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Real dissolution rates of the Ir OER catalyst in MEA are measured with a specifically developed, dedicated setup. Overestimated acidity in the anode catalyst layer and stabilization over time in MEAs are identified as main contributors to the dissolution discrepancy. The results shown here lead to clear guidelines for OER electrocatalyst testing parameters to resemble realistic PEMWE operating conditions.
Realization of electron antidoping by modulating the breathing distortion in BaBiO3
Authors: Cao Hui , Guo Hongli , Shao Yu-Cheng , Liu Qixin , Feng Xuefei , Lu Qinwen , Wang Zhongping , Zhao Aidi , Fujimori Atsushi , Chuang Yi-De , Zhou Hua , Zhai Xiaofang
Published: December 2020

The recent proposal of antidoping scheme breaks new ground in conceiving conversely functional materials and devices, yet the few available examples belong to the correlated electron systems. Here we demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally that the main group oxide BaBiO3 is a model system for antidoping using oxygen vacancies. The first-principles calculations show that the band gap systematically increases due to the strongly enhanced Bi-O breathing distortions away from the vacancies and the annihilation of Bi 6s/O 2p hybridized conduction bands near the vacancies. The
spectroscopic experiments confirm the band gap increasing systematically with electron doping, with a maximal gap enhancement of ~75% when the film’s stoichiometry is reduced to BaBiO2.75. The Raman and diffraction experiments show the suppression of the overall breathing distortion. The study unambiguously demonstrates the remarkable antidoping effect in a material without strong electron correlations and underscores the importance of bond disproportionation in realizing such an effect.
The ComQXPA Quorum Sensing System May Play an Important Role in the Synthesis of Bacillomycin D in Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens Q-426
Authors: quan chunshan , jin liming , zhou wei , liu jialu , shi xian , zheng wei , liu jing , fan ruochen , zhang liying , zhao pengchao , fan shengdi
Published: December 2020

Background: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Q-426 can secrete numerous cyclic lipopeptides that have antifungal and antitumor activities. ComQXPA is a common quorum sensing (QS) system in Bacillus species. Most B. amyloliquefaciens strains are encoding the QS gene cluster comQXPA, however, the biological function of the ComQXPA system in B. amyloliquefaciens has not been well studied. In this study, we identified the comQXPA gene locus and the chemical structure of ComXQ-426 in B. amyloliquefaciens Q-426, and explored the function of ComXQ-426 in regulating lipopeptide production.Results: We identified and analyzed the comQXPA locus in Q-426. The full length of the comQXPA gene cluster was 4,014 bp, including 912 bp of comQ, 165 bp of comX, 2292 bp of comP, and 645 bp of comA. The comQXPA locus belongs to group B, as comQ and comX overlap by only one base pair. ComXQ-426 consists of six amino acids (GGDWKY) that contain a modified tryptophan residue. The antifungal activity of Q426ΔcomX was significantly affected, and almost no antifungal activity was observed, while the antifungal activity of strain Q426ΔcomX /comQX was restored to the same level as that of the wild-type strain. When the ComXQ-426 was added to the culture medium at a final concentration of 8 μg/L at the early stage of the log-phase, the antifungal activity of the wild-type strain Q-426 was significantly improved. Knocking out the comX gene did not affect the growth of the bacteria, however, the strain Q426ΔcomX lost its swimming ability, was unable to form colonies when spread on a solid surface, and could not form biofilms on the interface between the gas and liquid medium.Conclusions: Disruption of the ComPA signaling pathway in the Q-426 strain resulted in significant effects on bacillomycin D production, morphology, and motility.
“…The Way We Welcome Them Is How We Will Lead Them to Love Family Planning.”: Family Planning Providers in Rwanda Foster Compassionate Relationships With Clients Despite Workplace Challenges
Authors: Schwandt Hilary , Boulware Angel , Corey Julia , Herrera Ana , Hudler Ethan , Imbabazi Claudette , King Ilia , Linus Jessica , Manzi Innocent , Merrit Maddie , Mezier Lyn , Miller Abigail , Morris Haley , Musemakweli Dieudonne , Musekura Uwase , Mutuyimana Divine , Ntakarutimana Chimene , Patel Nirali , Scanteianu Adriana , Shemeza Biganette-Evidente , Sterling-Donaldson Gi’anna , Umutoni Chantal , Uwera Lyse , Zeiler Madeleine , Feinberg Seth
Published: December 2020

Background: Rwanda has markedly increased the nation’s contraceptive use in a short period of time, tripling contraceptive prevalence in just five years between 2005 and 2010. An integral aspect of family planning programs is the interactions between family planning providers and clients. Methods: This study aims to understand the client-provider relationship in the Rwandan family planning program and to also examine barriers to those relationships. The data used for this study come from eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with family planning users. Results: Data analysis revealed that, despite workplace related challenges – including inadequate staffing, training, and resources, relationships between providers and clients are strong – and that providers work hard to understand, learn from, and support clients in their initiation and sustained use of contraceptives. Conclusion: Via continued and strengthened government support of family planning providers in health facilities and communities, Rwanda will likely sustain many current users of contraception and engage even more Rwandans in contraceptive services in the future.
Increased Circulating/Systemic Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Recurrence After Curative Resection in Patients With Well-Differentiated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Based on the 2017 World Health Organization Classification: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Miura Takayuki , Ohtsuka Hideo , Aoki Takeshi , Aoki Shuichi , Hata Tatsuo , Takadate Tatsuyuki , Maeda Shimpei , Ariake Kyohei , Kawaguchi Kei , Masuda Kunihiro , Ishida Masaharu , Mizuma Masamichi , Nakagawa Kei , Morikawa Takanori , Fujishima Fumiyoshi , Kamei Takashi , Sasano Hironobu , Unno Michiaki
Published: December 2020

Background The prognostic values of inflammation-based markers in well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, diagnosed according to the new 2017 World Health Organization classification, have remained unclear. Therefore, we assessed the recurrence predictive ability of such markers after curative resection in patients with these neoplasms.Methods Circulating/systemic neutrophil-lymphocyte, monocyte-lymphocyte, platelet-lymphocyte, and platelet-white cell ratios were evaluated in 120 patients who underwent curative resection for well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms without synchronous distant metastasis between 2001 and 2018. Recurrence-free-survival and overall survival were compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank tests. Univariate or multivariate analyses, using a Cox proportional hazards model, were used to calculate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals.Results Univariate analysis demonstrated that preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, tumor size, European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society TMN classification, 2017 World Health Organization classification, and venous invasion were associated with recurrence. The optimal preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio cut-off value was 2.62, based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In multivariate analysis, a higher preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (HR=3.49 95% CI 1.05-11.7; P=0.042) and 2017 World Health Organization classification (HR=8.81, 95% CI 1.46-168.2; P=0.015) were independent recurrence predictors.Conclusions The circulating/systemic neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a useful and convenient preoperative prognostic marker of recurrence in patients with well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm based on the 2017 World Health Organization classification.
Physiological Significance of WDR45, A Responsible Gene for β-propeller Protein Associated Neurodegeneration (BPAN), in Brain Development
Authors: Noda Mariko , Ito Hidenori , Nagata Koh-ichi
Published: December 2020

WDR45 plays an essential role in the early stage of autophagy. De novo heterozygous mutations in WDR45 have been known to cause b-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN), a subtype of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). Although BPAN patients display global developmental delay including intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental pathophysiology of BPAN remains largely unknown. In the present study, we analyzed the physiological role of Wdr45 and pathophysiological significance of the gene abnormality during mouse brain development. Morphological and biochemical analyses revealed that Wdr45 is expressed in a developmental stage-dependent manner in mouse brain. Wdr45 was also found to be located in the excitatory synapses in biochemical fractionation. Since the WDR45 mutations are thought to cause protein degradation, we conducted acute knockdown experiments by an in utero electroporation method with mice to recapitulate the pathophysiological conditions of BPAN. Silencing of Wdr45 caused abnormal dendritic development and synaptogenesis during corticogenesis, both of which were significantly rescued by co-expression with RNAi-resistant version of Wdr45. In addition, terminal arbors of callosal axons were less developed in Wdr45-deficient cortical neurons of adult mouse when compared to the control cells. These results strongly suggest a pathophysiological significance of WDR45 gene abnormalities in neurodevelopmental aspects of BPAN.
Perception of The Teaching of Pathological Anatomy by Students of The Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Lomé, Togo 
Authors: Darré Tchin , Djiwa Toukilnan , Adjonko Ama , Brun Luc Valère Codjo , Aman Nguiessan , Simgban Panakinao , Kouyate Mohamed , Napo-Koura Gado
Published: December 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the perception of the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Lomé on the teaching of Pathological Anatomy. Methods: This is an opinion survey carried out in 4 months at the University of Lomé among students of the faculty of health sciences (3rd in 8th year) on the perception of the teaching of Anatomy Pathological. The questionnaire was structured into 5 sections (socio-demographic, course organization, learning process, hospital internships, and general assessment) Results: A total, 395 students responded to the questionnaire. Their mean age was 24.04 ± 2.85 years and the sex ratio (M/F) was 2.4. They were mostly in 7th year of medicine (155). Regarding the course organization, 58.5% of the participants felt that the course objectives were often achieved and 51.6% said the course was well structured. For 49.9%, the important notions of the course were often sufficiently developed, and 55.2% affirm that the hourly volume was sufficient for the comprehension of the course. A statistically significant link was observed between the years of study and certain parameters of the learning process, namely: the adequacy between the theoretical course and the internships (p˂0.0001), the understanding of the course by the learning process (p˂0.0001), the essential documentation for the understanding of the course (p10.0001), the understanding of histological lesions through practical work (p˂0.0001). Concerning the general satisfaction of the course, they were 50.4% to be satisfied and 57.8% to wish a better organization of the courses and practical work. There is a statistically significant relationship between the degree of satisfaction with teaching and grade (p˂0.037). Conclusion: The teaching of pathological anatomy in its current form does not seem to provide the sufficient foundations and prerequisites desired by the students. It makes sense to strengthen their training through better organization of hospital internships and practical work, within the framework of the quality of teaching at the University of Lomé.
What Do Palaeo-Anthropologists Believe About the Disappearance of Neanderthals?
Authors: Vaesen Krist , Dusseldorp Gerrit , Brandt Mark
Published: December 2020

The causes of Neanderthal disappearance about 40,000 years ago remain highly contested. Over a dozen serious hypotheses are currently endorsed to explain this enigmatic event. Given the relatively large number of contending explanations and the relatively large number of participants in the debate, it is unclear how strongly each contender is supported by the research community. What does the community actually believe about the demise of Neanderthals? To address this question, we conducted a survey among practicing palaeo-anthropologists (total number of respondents = 216). It appears that received wisdom is that demography was the principal cause of the demise of Neanderthals. In contrast, there is no received wisdom about the role that environmental factors and competition with modern humans played in the extinction process; the research community is deeply divided about these issues. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that palaeo-anthropologists’ stand in the debate co-varies with their socio-political views and attitudes. We found no evidence for such a correlation.
An Epidemiological Analysis Of Maxillofacial Fractures: A 10-Year Cross-Sectional Cohort Retrospective Study Of 1007 Patients
Authors: Juncar Mihai , Tent Paul Andrei , Juncar Raluca Iulia , Harangus Antonia , Rivis Mircea
Published: December 2020

Background: Epidemiological data is providing vital indicators for organizing the financial resources related to a particular type of trauma, estimating expenses and training of dental practioners and ambulatory medical staff for collaboration with a certain pattern of patients. Knowing the etiology and epidemiology of a certain pathology is significant for approaching its means of prevention.Methods: A 10-year retrospective statistical analysis of 1007 patients with maxillofacial fractures treated in a University Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Romania was performed. The data were extracted from patients’ medical records. Statistical analysis was performed. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The incidence of maxillofacial fractures was high among patients in the 20-29 age group (35.9%). Male patients (90.57%, M:F=9.6:1), having a low level of education (46.60%) and living in urban areas (53.50%) were more affected. The main cause of maxillofacial fractures was interpersonal violence (59.37%), both in the mandibular and midface topographic regions (p=0.001, p=0.002). In urban areas, fractures caused by interpersonal violence and road traffic accidents were predominant, while in rural areas, most of the fractures were due to interpersonal violence, domestic accidents, work accidents and animal attacks (p=0.001). Conclusions: Interpersonal violence is the main cause of maxillofacial fractures having epidemic proportions. Male patients aged 20-29 years with a low level of education represent the major risk category. Considering the wide area of ​​interpersonal aggression, both the medical staff in the hospital and in the dental offices must be educated in order to collaborate with possible violent patients. Dentists must be prepared to work on a post-traumatic dento-periodontal field. Taking all measures to prevent inter-human aggression is imperative and will lead to a major decrease in maxillofacial fractures and an overall increase of oral health in a population.
Non-Coding RNA in Raw and Commercially Processed Milk and Putative Targets Related to Growth and Immune-Response
Authors: Shome S. , Jernigan R. , Beitz D. , Clark S. , Testroet E.
Published: December 2020

Background:Bovine milk contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) that play a role in cellular communication, acting in either an autocrine, paracrine, or an exocrine manner. The unique properties of the EVs protect the cargo against degradation. We profiled the ncRNAs (non-coding RNA) present in the EVs from five fluid dairy products - raw whole milk, heat-treated skim milk, homogenized heat-treated skim milk, pasteurized homogenized skim milk, and pasteurized heavy whipping cream (four replicates each) obtained at different processing steps from a commercial dairy plant. EVs and their cargo were extracted by using a validated commercial kit that has been shown to be efficient and specific for EVs. Because many ncRNAs and the ncRNAs of bovine are less well characterized that human but are generally highly conserved, both human and Bos taurus databases were probed for putative targets. Results:Thirty microRNAs (miRNAs), isolated from milk, with their corresponding 1546 putative gene targets have functions associated with immune response and growth and development, indicating the potential for these ncRNAs to beneficially support mammary health and growth for the cow as well as neonatal gut maturation. The most abundant miRNAs were miR-125, which is involved in host bacterial and viral immune response, and human homolog miR-718 in the regulation of p53, VEGF, and IGF signaling pathways, respectively. Sixty-two miRNAs were enriched and 121 miRNAs were diluted throughout all the milk samples when compared to raw whole milk. In addition, our study explored the putative roles of other ncRNAs which included 88 piRNAs (piwi-interacting RNA), 64 antisense RNAs, and 105 long-intergenic ncRNAs contained in the bovine exosomes. Conclusion:Together, the results indicate that bovine milk contains significant numbers of ncRNAs with putative regulatory targets associated with immune- and developmental-functions important for neonatal bovine health, and that processing significantly increases the abundance of these ncRNA species. It is worth noting, however, that these gene regulatory targets are putative, and, though not necessary, further evidence could be generated through experimental validation.