bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An examination of the prospective association between physical activity and academic achievement in youth at the population level
Authors: Papasideris Mia , Leatherdale Scott T. , Battista Kate , Hall Peter A.
Published: June 2021

Exercise has significant benefits for brain health and this may have downstream learning benefits for youth. However existing studies looking at links between physical activity and academic achievement are limited by relatively small sample sizes and/or cross-sectional designs. The objective of this study is to determine the direction and magnitude of the association between physical activity and academic achievement in a large prospective sample of adolescents. Linear mixed models with random intercepts and multinomial ordinal generalized estimating equations were employed to analyze the prospective relationship between measures of physical activity and academic achievement from the COMPASS study (N = 9,898 linked participant data cases from year 2 (2013–2014) to year 4 (2015–2016)). The linear relationships between minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and academic achievement (English: r = -.047, p < .000; Math: r = -.026, p = .008) as well as meeting the national physical activity guidelines and academic achievement (English: est = -.052, p = .004; Math: est = -.052, p = .028) were negative and trivial in magnitude. Organized sport participation showed slight positive associations with academic achievement indices, but these were also of trivial magnitude. In conclusion, the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement was effectively null in this population sample. Advocacy for physical activity programming for adolescent populations may best be undertaken with reference to lack of net academic achievement cost, rather than presence of benefit, or simply with reference to the many other physical and mental health benefits for youth.
Knowledge about mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS, its prevention and associated factors among reproductive-age women in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from 33 countries recent Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Teshale Achamyeleh Birhanu , Tessema Zemenu Tadesse , Alem Adugnaw Zeleke , Yeshaw Yigizie , Liyew Alemneh Mekuriaw , Alamneh Tesfa Sewunet , Tesema Getayeneh Antehunegn , Worku Misganaw Gebrie
Published: June 2021

Background

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) 90 percent of babies acquired HIV/AIDS from infected mothers. Maternal knowledge about mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV/AIDS and its prevention is a cornerstone for elimination of MTCT of HIV/AIDS. Despite this, there is limited evidence about knowledge about MTCT of HIV/AIDS and its prevention and associated factors in SSA. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge of MTCT of HIV/AIDS, its prevention (PMTCT) and, associated factors among reproductive-age women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective

To assess Knowledge about mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS and its prevention and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

The recent SSA countries’ Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), which were conducted from 2008/09 to 2018/19, was our data source. We appended 33 countries’ DHS data for our analysis. For our study, a total weighted sample of 350,888 reproductive-age women was used. Due to the hierarchical nature of the DHS data, we conducted a multilevel analysis. Finally, the adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was reported, and variables with p-value≤0.05 were considered as significant predictors of knowledge of MTCT of HIV/AIDS and its prevention.

Results

In this study, 56.21% (95% CI: 56.05–56.38) of respondents had correct knowledge about MTCT of HIV/AIDS and its prevention among reproductive-age women in SSA. In the multilevel logistic regression analysis: being in the older age group, better education level, being from a rich household, having mass media exposure, having parity of one and above were associated with higher odds of knowledge about MTCT of HIV/AIDS and its prevention. However, being perceiving distance from the health facility as a big problem was associated with lower odds of knowledge about MTCT of HIV/AIDS and its prevention.

Conclusion

Knowledge about MTCT of HIV/AIDS and its prevention among reproductive-age women in SSA was low. Therefore, it is better to consider the high-risk groups during the intervention to increase awareness about this essential public health issue and to tackle its devastating outcome.
Prevalence of active tuberculosis disease among healthcare workers and support staff in healthcare settings of the Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Shiferaw Melashu Balew , Sinishaw Mulusew Alemneh , Amare Desalegne , Alem Genetu , Asefa Dawit , Klinkenberg Eveline
Published: June 2021

Background

Health care workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) compared to the general population, because of the frequent face to face contact or potential exposure to TB through shared air or space with infectious patient(s), regardless of economic setting and local TB incidence. Information on the burden of active TB disease among HCWs will help guide control measures, can be utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of TB infection prevention programs in the health care setting, and guide necessary actions. However, data on TB among HCW in Ethiopia is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of active TB disease among healthcare workers and support staff in healthcare settings in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit a total of 580 randomly selected study participants in the Amhara region. Data were collected over four months in selected hospitals and health centers. Implementation of TB prevention and control measures was evaluated using a standardized checklist. The main outcome indicator was active TB as measured by a laboratory diagnosis using GeneXpert technology.

Results

A total of 580 study participants were enrolled. The mean age was 31.3 (±7.8 standard deviation) years, with about two-thirds (65.3%) aged between 18–24 years. A total of 9 (1.6%) MTB cases were detected, 4 (1.4%) in HCWs and 5 (1.7%) in support staff, which did not significantly differ (P = 0.50). About 90% of the participants had not received TB infection prevention and control training ever. More than half (54%) of the study participants worked in poorly ventilated rooms. Triage of coughing patients was not practiced in 32% of the studied facilities (health centers and hospitals).

Conclusions

The magnitude of TB among healthcare workers and support staff in healthcare settings was higher than in the general population (140 per 100000 population). The status of implementation of tuberculosis prevention and control measures indicated missed opportunities. Hence, strict implementation of developed infection control plans of TB in healthcare settings needs to be improved.
Structural connectivity differs between males and females in the brain object manipulation network
Authors: Lee Dongha , Son Taekwon
Published: June 2021

Object control skills are one of the most important abilities in daily life. Knowledge of object manipulation is an essential factor in improving object control skills. Although males and females equally try to use object manipulation knowledge, their object control abilities often differ. To explain this difference, we investigated how structural brain networks in males and females are differentially organized in the tool-preferring areas of the object manipulation network. The structural connectivity between the primary motor and premotor regions and between the inferior parietal regions in males was significantly higher than that in females. However, females showed greater structural connectivity in various regions of the object manipulation network, including the paracentral lobule, inferior parietal regions, superior parietal cortices, MT+ complex and neighboring visual areas, and dorsal stream visual cortex. The global node strength found in the female parietal network was significantly higher than that in males but not for the entire object manipulation, ventral temporal, and motor networks. These findings indicated that the parietal network in females has greater inter-regional structural connectivity to retrieve manipulation knowledge than that in males. This study suggests that differential structural networks in males and females might influence object manipulation knowledge retrieval.
Arrogantly looked at: The status of the recipient in high fashion photography
Authors: Jerrentrup Maja Tabea
Published: June 2021

Postures, that appear arrogant, are typical for fashion photography in high-gloss magazines and within the scene of model photography. It is in trend to either look down upon the recipient, to show a sloppy posture, as if one would not care about the way one will be perceived by the recipient, or even to look angry as if one is annoyed to be photographed – three ways to communicate an arrogant attitude. But who would enjoy looking at such pictures? The article focuses on the recipient and traces various reasons why it can be gratifying to consume such photos, from a masochistic tendency to the search for authenticity and to connoisseurship articulated by it.
Understanding dogwhistles politics
Authors: Torices José Ramón
Published: June 2021

This paper aims to deepen our understanding of so-called covert dogwhistles.  I discuss whether a covert dogwhistle is a specific sort of mechanism of manipulation or whether, on the contrary, it draws on other already familiar linguistic mechanisms such as implicatures or presuppositions. I put forward a series of arguments aimed at illustrating that implicatures and presuppositions, on the one hand, and covert dogwhistles, on the other, differ in their linguistic behaviour concerning plausible deniability, cancellability, calculability and mutual acceptance. I concluded this paper by outlining a simple theory for covert dogwhistles according to which they are attitude-foregrounders.
Fasting Ketonuria and the Risk of Incident Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease With and Without Liver Fibrosis in Nondiabetic Adults
Authors: Kim Yejin , Chang Yoosoo , Kwon Min-Jung , Hong Yun Soo , Kim Mi Kyung , Sohn Won , Cho Yong Kyun , Shin Hocheol , Wild Sarah H. , Byrne Christopher D. , Ryu Seungho
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Dietary carbohydrate restriction or ketogenic diets are known to be beneficial in preventing liver fat accumulation. However, the effect of ketonemia on the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in nondiabetic population is largely unknown. We investigated the association between fasting ketonuria and the risk of incident NAFLD in healthy adults.

METHODS:

A cohort of 153,076 nondiabetic Koreans with no hepatic steatosis and low probability of fibrosis at baseline was followed for a median of 4.1 years. The outcome was incident hepatic steatosis with or without liver fibrosis, and it was assessed by liver ultrasound and noninvasive fibrosis indices, including fibrosis-4 and the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). Parametric proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for outcome according to ketonuria status.

RESULTS:

Within 677,702.1 person-years of follow-up, 31,079 subjects developed hepatic steatosis. Compared with no ketonuria (reference), fasting ketonuria was significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident hepatic steatosis, with multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% confidence interval) of 0.81 (0.78–0.84). The corresponding HRs for incident hepatic steatosis with intermediate-to-high NFS were 0.79 (0.69–0.90). Similar associations were observed replacing NFS with fibrosis-4. In addition, the presence of persistent ketonuria at both baseline and subsequent visit was associated with the greatest decrease in the adjusted HR for incident NAFLD.

DISCUSSION:

Ketonuria was associated with a reduced risk of developing incident hepatic steatosis with and without intermediate-to-high probability of advanced fibrosis in a large cohort of nondiabetic healthy individuals. The role of hyperketonemia in the prevention of NAFLD requires further exploration.
“We learn from each other”: peer review writing practices in English for Academic Purposes
Authors: Kostopoulou Stergiani , O’Dwyer Fergus
Published: June 2021

This evidence-based, procedural paper outlines academic writing peer review practices conducted by Pre-Master’s Pathway and pre-undergraduate Foundation programme students at two Irish universities. The theoretical framework section presents the view that formative teacher feedback on student writing alone is insufficient, suggesting sustainable feedback through transmission of knowledge via student-generated feedback. We outline the peer review process, providing learners’ reactions focusing on what went well and what can be improved. This provides an outline of possible processes for others to use in their context, with a discussion of relevant considerations. Issues discussed include how to enhance the quality of peer feedback and maximize its impact on student learning. The ultimate aim of the practices is to improve the experience of the learners, and better facilitate their readiness for forthcoming modules in Irish universities. Overall peer review practices develop emerging academic writers, and should be considered in foundational, pre-sessional and beginning stages of learning in undergraduate, and those returning to Masters programmes. Peer review practices require active involvement and collaboration, and can improve self-regulation capabilities of emerging academic writers. The practices effectively encourage the transmission of socially constructed knowledge regarding their capabilities, and ultimately lead to improved self-efficacy and general writing abilities of learners.
Introducing integrated language skills assessment at the language department of a Czech university
Authors: Haug Laura
Published: June 2021

Integrated assessment evaluates language proficiency through tasks that require the test-taker to produce a written or spoken output based on listening or reading comprehension (reading or listening-into-writing or speaking). Since integrated assessment aims at reflecting the communicative and cognitive requirements of academic life and other professions, it is considered a means of assessment that is both authentic and valid. Examples of integrated tests can be found in high-stakes examinations at universities with English as the medium of instruction, and in the standardised high-stakes examinations offered by ETS, Pearson Education and Trinity College London. This report provides an example of integrated assessment in action by describing a currently used integrated test developed at the Language Department of the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Since 2018, this particular integrated test has served as the entrance examination for Biological Chemistry (EEBC), a bachelor’s degree course delivered entirely in English. By detailing the rationale behind the examination and the design process, this report aims to show that integrated assessment can provide a valid alternative to independent assessment at the tertiary level.
‚Influenc­­­ing‘ – ein Modell religionspädagogisch reflektierten Handelns?
Authors: Pirker Viera
Published: June 2021

With the changes in the world we live in, the conditions for learning change. Children and adolescents have access to orientation opportunities in the media, which they can approach independently. Digital environments call for a rethinking of educational theory and teaching practice in terms of content and didactics.

In the contexts of YouTube and Instagram, Influencing has developed as a new factor in market, opinion and personality formation. In order to understand peer learning on social media, two classical learning theories can be applied. In the context of communication science and media pedagogy, influencing is based on an update of the conception of parasocial relationship. Technological aspects have to be taken into account. The article concludes with a media pedagogical assessment and religious pedagogical perspectives for educational practice and research.
Potent kings and antisocial heroes: lion symbolism and elite masculinity in ancient Mesopotamia and Greece
Authors: Geoghegan Micheál
Published: June 2021

In the great kingdoms of ancient Mesopotamia, the king’s power was often evoked by means of lion symbolism. This has led scholars to conclude that lion motifs, and especially that of the lion-slaying hero, in early Greek art and literature were cultural borrowings from the more populous and urbanised civilisations to the east. Yet it is also notable that the Greek tradition, at least from the time of the Homeric poems, tended to problematise the ethics of the leonine man. This article explores the function of lion imagery in narratives of elite masculinity in western Asia and early Greece respectively. It will argue that Greek myth and epic reflect on and problematise any potential equation between lions and kingly prestige, power and masculinity, instead drawing attention to the savagery and social isolation of the lion-like man-of-power, and his difficulty in conforming to the expectations of civilised society.
Ethical challenges in management of critically ill pregnant patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Gulersen Moti , Rochelson Burton , Bornstein Eran , McCullough Laurence B. , Chervenak Frank A.
Published: June 2021

Despite the overwhelming number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases worldwide, data regarding the optimal clinical guidance in pregnant patients is not uniform or well established. As a result, clinical decisions to optimize maternal and fetal benefit, particularly in patients with critical COVID-19 in the early preterm period, continue to be a challenge for obstetricians. There is often uncertainty in clinical judgment about fetal monitoring, timing of delivery, and mode of delivery because of the challenge in balancing maternal and fetal interests in reducing morbidity and mortality. The obstetrician and critical care team should empower pregnant patients or their surrogate decision maker to make informed decisions in response to the team’s clinical evaluation. A clinically grounded ethical framework, based on the concepts of the moral management of medical uncertainty, beneficence-based obligations, and preventive ethics, should guide the decision-making process.
Lie symmetry analysis, optimal system, and new exact solutions of a (3 + 1) dimensional nonlinear evolution equation
Authors: Tiwari Ashish , Sharma Kajal , Arora Rajan
Published: June 2021

Studies on Non-linear evolutionary equations have become more critical as time evolves. Such equations are not far-fetched in fluid mechanics, plasma physics, optical fibers, and other scientific applications. It should be an essential aim to find exact solutions of these equations. In this work, the Lie group theory is used to apply the similarity reduction and to find some exact solutions of a (3+1) dimensional nonlinear evolution equation. In this report, the groups of symmetries, Tables for commutation, and adjoints with infinitesimal generators were established. The subalgebra and its optimal system is obtained with the aid of the adjoint Table. Moreover, the equation has been reduced into a new PDE having less number of independent variables and at last into an ODE, using subalgebras and their optimal system, which gives similarity solutions that can represent the dynamics of nonlinear waves.
Language ecology, language endangerment, and relict languages: Case studies from Adamawa (Cameroon-Nigeria)
Authors: Connell Bruce , Zeitlyn David , Griffiths Sascha , Hayward Laura , Martin Marieke
Published: June 2021

As a contribution to the more general discussion on causes of language endangerment and death, we describe the language ecologies of four related languages (Bà Mambila [mzk]/[mcu], Sombә (Somyev or Kila) [kgt], Oumyari Wawa [www], Njanga (Kwanja) [knp]) of the Cameroon-Nigeria borderland to reach an understanding of the factors and circumstances that have brought two of these languages, Sombә and Njanga, to the brink of extinction; a third, Oumyari, is unstable/eroded, while Bà Mambila is stable. Other related languages of the area, also endangered and in one case extinct, fit into our discussion, though with less focus. We argue that an understanding of the language ecology of a region (or of a given language) leads to an understanding of the vitality of a language. Language ecology seen as a multilayered phenomenon can help explain why the four languages of our case studies have different degrees of vitality. This has implications for how language change is conceptualised: we see multilingualism and change (sometimes including extinction) as normative.
Synergistic effect of oxidized low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials on the properties of polysulfone composite membrane
Authors: Xu Jin , Wang Fei , Wang Chunting , Zhang Qi , He Yan
Published: June 2021

Using the immersion phase inversion process, polysulfone (PSF), grapheme oxide (GO) and modified carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) were dissolved in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) to prepare nanocomposite membranes. The GO-MCNTs blended PSF membranes were characterized by several analytical methods, such as morphology analysis, group characteristic peak test, hydrophilic measurement and permeation tests, and the synergistic effect of GO and MCNTs on the membrane performance was investigated. Microscope images depict two-layer structure of the composite membrane, in which, the lower layer is finger like porous layer, and the upper layer is a thinner separation layer. M-CNTs have great influence on formation of the upper separation layer, while the hydrophilic nature of GO results in the formation of the lower supporting layer, which changes from finger shaped hole to honeycomb pore. The change of membrane structure not only improves the surface hydrophilicity, but also promotes the membrane performance. In particular, the composite membrane (m
GO:MCNTs = 2:1) exhibits a much smaller contact angle (48.01°), a high permeation flux (33.25 L/m2·h) and superior rejection rate (95.2%). Furthermore, the fine compaction performance of composite membrane also provides great potential application prospects in water treatment.
Pre-sleep cognitive arousal exacerbates sleep disturbance in chronic pain: an exploratory daily diary and actigraphy study
Authors: Bean Debbie J. , Horne Juliette , Lee Arier C. , Johnson Malcolm H.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Insomnia is commonly comorbid with chronic pain, and typically leads to worse outcomes. Two factors that could contribute to a cycle of pain and sleeplessness are pre-sleep cognitive arousal (repetitive thought processes) and low mood. This study aimed to examine how pain, sleep disturbance, mood, and pre-sleep cognitive arousal inter-relate, to determine whether low mood or pre-sleep cognitive arousal contribute to a vicious cycle of pain and insomnia.

Methods

Forty seven chronic pain patients completed twice daily diary measures and actigraphy for one week. Analyses investigated the temporal and directional relationships between pain intensity, sleep quality, time awake after sleep onset, anhedonic and dysphoric mood, and pre-sleep cognitive arousal. Fluctuations in predictor variables were used to predict outcome variables the following morning using mixed-effects modelling.

Results

For people with chronic pain, an evening with greater pre-sleep cognitive arousal (relative to normal) led to a night of poorer sleep (measured objectively and subjectively), lower mood in the morning, and a greater misperception of sleep (underestimating sleep). A night of poorer sleep quality led to greater pain the following morning. Fluctuations in pain intensity and depression did not have a significant influence on subsequent sleep.

Conclusions

For people with chronic pain, cognitive arousal may be a key variable exacerbating insomnia, which in turn heightens pain. Future studies could target cognitive arousal to assess effects on sleep and pain outcomes.
Translanguaging in Polish minority schools in Ukraine and Lithuania
Authors: Geben Kinga , Zelinska Maria
Published: June 2021

This paper is based on newly collected data from the research project on translanguaging and language attitudes carried out in Lviv and Horodok, Ukraine and in Vilnius, Lithuania. The data covered in the article consists of 90 responses from students at Ukrainian and Lithuanian Polish minority schools. The study involves a description and contrast of the Polish communities in Ukraine and Lithuania, and analysis of the sociolinguistic peculiarities of the Polish language, focusing on translanguaging in the daily use of several languages by members of Polish ethnic minority schools. It aims to report the linguistic behaviour tendencies. The study shows that different state and school language policy contexts are characterised by varying linguistic attitudes and language proficiency. The paper reveals the importance of translanguaging for maintaining the Polish language within a mixed culture environment.
Designs of Soviet war monuments, 1941–1945: transformation of the memorial genre, the models, the visual language and its sources
Authors: Bass Vadim
Published: June 2021

The article examines Soviet memorial designs of the Great Patriotic War period (1941–1945). These monuments were unorthodox in terms of visual language, and they differed strikingly from the Stalinist neoclassical mainstream of the previous decade. Architects tried to find means of commemoration of the enormous tragedy of war that they faced. Analysis of the poetics of their designs along with the commonplaces of the respective critical discourse reveals the process whereby the memorial genre was transformed. This article discusses the monumental tradition developed by the 1940 s, the models, the sources of motifs and solutions, and some stylistic and architectural peculiarities characteristic of wartime projects. Whereas previously the Soviet architects from the early 1930s had been working on the ‘ultimate’ monument – the Palace of Soviets in Moscow – with the beginning of the war they shifted to improvising in order to ‘stretch’ the limits of genre. I examine the ways in which they broke the limits and shaped the dense, overwhelming memorial narrative to be transmitted by the monuments. New memorials were considered as a form of heroic epic, analogous to the literary epics but expressed by means of architecture and sculpture. The nationalistic sentiments typical of the war years were reflected in both the design ideology and the perception of memorials. Alongside persistent motifs (such as 'prancing' tanks) emerged new themes (the commemoration of victims along with heroes). The technique of provoking the viewer’s emotions, as well as the visual language and architectural style of some structures and particular solutions (such as massive stone cubes), demonstrate the inheritance from the post-Revolutionary Modernist architecture. This unorthodox stylistic flexibility illustrates the ‘liberation’ of architects – and the short cultural ‘liberalization’ on the wartime period.
Distinguishing “Religion”. Variants of Differentiation and the Emergence of “Religion” as a Global Category in Modern Asia
Authors: Hermann Adrian
Published: June 2021

The existence of religious diversity is mostly taken for granted in today’s world society. Despite all apparent differences, however, world society theory proposes the hypothesis of a single function system of religion. At the same time, in the case of religion a process of semantic unification is highly disputed. Until recently, such debates had not paid much attention to the “translingual practice” (Liu) that has produced “religion” as a global category over the last two hundred years. Drawing on recent studies, this article traces some semantic transformations in regard to “religion” in 19thand early 20thcentury Asia and highlights the importance of three contested distinctions connected with “religion”. It also relates these semantic changes to recent debates about the differentiation of religion in theories of secularization. Any visibility of regional differences in the religious system of modern world society should be understood as the result of the emergence of this global category. Such a focus on semantics highlights the way in which speaking of “religion” as a specific instance of “culture” in world society becomes possible and “religion” becomes observable to itself and from the outside only as a result of these transformations.
An estimation of the quantitative impacts of copepod grazing on an under sea-ice spring phytoplankton bloom in western Baffin Bay, Canadian Arctic
Authors: Sampei Makoto , Fortier Louis , Raimbault Patrick , Matsuno Kohei , Abe Yoshiyuki , Quéguiner Bernard , Lafond Augustin , Babin Marcel , Hirawake Toru
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to quantify the impact of copepod grazing on the productivity of phytoplankton during an under sea-ice spring phytoplankton bloom (USPB) in western Baffin Bay. To quantify positive and/or negative impacts of copepod grazing on primary production and the interaction between copepod grazing and phytoplankton species, we sampled seawater and zooplankton under the landfast sea ice every 2–3 days between May 24 and July 10, 2016. Samples were analyzed for estimation of primary production, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration, diatom abundance, and copepod fecal pellet (FP) production/grazing rate. Analyses of chl-a concentration, primary production, and FP production/grazing rate revealed clear temporal changes and a mismatch between primary production and copepod consumption. The FP production/grazing rate reached a maximum (9.4/31.2 mg C m–2 d–1) on June 16 before the USPB phase and suddenly decreased to 0.7/2.4 mg C m–2 d–1 on June 21, despite an increase in primary production to 74.0 mg C m–2 d–1. The copepod grazing rate (3.7 mg C m–2 d–1) was low relative to primary production (344.6 mg C m–2 d–1) during the USPB phase (after June 20). While our estimates illustrate that copepod grazing did not limit the maximum daily primary production during the USPB, the low grazing pressure (2% of primary production) may have been an additional contributor to the reduction in total primary productivity at the end of the USPB period due primarily to the low supply of regenerated nitrogen-containing nutrients to drive regenerated production.
Lower educational status interferes with maternal iodine intake during both pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Samson Laszlo , Hircsu Ildiko , Katko Monika , Bodor Miklos , Gazdag Annamaria , Gazso Andrea Anett , Kovacs Bela , Posta Janos , Balogh Eszter , Mocsary Peter , Bhattoa Harjit Pal , Nagy Endre V
Published: June 2021

Objective

To investigate factors affecting conscious iodine intake among pregnant and lactating women in a rural area in Hungary.

Methods

Pregnant women were studied and followed during lactation. Urinary and breast milk iodine concentration (UIC and MIC) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Potential interfering factors, including age, educational status and smoking were assessed.

Results

During pregnancy and lactation, mild iodine deficiency was observed; median UIC were 66 and 49 µg/L, respectively. Educational status was found to be a strong determinant of both iodine nutrition and smoking status during pregnancy (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) and lactation (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). While smoking and non-smoking lactating mothers had similar concentrations of urinary iodine (median UIC: 47 and 51 µg/L, P = 0.95), the breast milk of smoking mothers contained less iodine (median MIC: 150 and 203 µg/L, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Both low iodine intake and smoking contribute to the higher risk of iodine deficiency in women with lower educational status. In smokers, MIC is often low in spite of normal UIC, presumably due to the iodine transport blocking effect of the cigarette smoke towards breast milk; normal UIC may be misinterpreted as sufficient iodine supply towards the child. Antenatal health promotion strategies should focus on young women with lower educational status, even in regions where sufficient iodine intake has been achieved in non-pregnant adults.
Association of obesity with diabetic retinopathy in US adults with diabetes in a national survey
Authors: Yang Guang-Ran , Li Dongmei , Xie Zidian
Published: June 2021

Objective

There is a lack of consensus on whether a high BMI increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR). We aimed to investigate the association between BMI, overweight, obesity, and DR using the data of diabetes respondents in the 2015 US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.

Methods

Diabetes respondents aged over 18-year-old with complete information as well as undergone fundus examination in the past 2 years or had been diagnosed with DR were included. Weighted logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association of BMI with DR.

Results

Among the 21,647 diabetes respondents, 4588 respondents had DR with a weighted prevalence of 22.5%. The mean BMI of all diabetes respondents was 31.50 ± 6.95 kg/m2 with 18,498 (86.5%) overweight and 11,353 (54.6%) obese. The mean BMI of the DR group (31.83 ± 7.41 kg/m2) was significantly higher than that of the non-DR group (31.41 ± 6.81 kg/m2, P < 0.05). The proportion of obese respondents in the DR group was higher than the non-DR group (54.3%, P < 0.001). The weighted prevalence of DR was 0.8, 13.8, 29.7, and 55.7% for the emaciation group, the normal weight group, the overweight group, and the obesity group, respectively (P < 0.001). Weighted logistic regression analysis showed that both BMI (adjusted OR = 1.004, 95% CI 1.003–1.004) and obesity (adjusted OR = 1.051, 95% CI 1.048–1.055) were associated with DR after adjusting for the confounding variables. However, overweight was not significantly associated with DR.

Conclusion

The prevalence of DR in the normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups increased gradually. Obesity, rather than overweight, was significantly associated with increased DR prevalence.
Ecofriendly wood adhesives from date palm fronds lignin for plywood
Authors: Huzyan Hiba Ibrahim , Abdul Aziz Alia , Hussin M. Hazwan
Published: June 2021

Utilization of lignin phenol glyoxal (LPG) resins was studied as a potential alternative for phenol formaldehyde (PF) resins. Lignin was extracted by alkaline pulping processes (kraft and soda) from date palm fronds (DPF) and was used as an alternative for phenol in LPG resins. The isolated lignin samples were characterized using complementary analyses that included Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, thermal stability, thermogravi-metric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Kraft lignin phenol glyoxal (KLPG) and soda lignin phenol glyoxal (SLPG) resins also were characterized in terms of solid content, viscosity, and gel time. Finally, physico-mechanical tests were performed on plywood panels that were treated with different molar ratios of LPG resins. The results revealed that 50% (w/w) KLPG resin resulted in higher tensile strength (65.3 MPa) than PF resin (58.57 MPa), which was potentially attributed to the higher amount of phenolic groups compared to soda lignin. Therefore, the substitution of DPF lignin in LPG resins enhanced the adhesive in terms of its chemical and mechanical properties, enabling it to produce a more environmentally friendly wood adhesive.
Physicochemical characterization of natural fibers obtained from seed pods of Ceiba aesculifolia
Authors: Carranza-Nuñez Ulises , Vasquez-Garcia Salomon Ramiro , Flores-Ramirez Nelly , Abdel-Gawwad Hamdy Ahmed , Rico José Luis , Santiago Arlette Arizbe , Vargas Joel , Cruz-de-León José
Published: June 2021

Characterization of Ceiba aesculifolia (CA) fibers by various techniques is herein reported. The seed pods were collected, and the fibers surrounding the seeds were characterized or treated in an oven at 100 °C prior to characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with a differential scanning calorimeter (TGA-DSC). The SEM micrographs showed that the natural material is comprised of tubes of external diameter of approximately 27 μm and a mean wall thickness of about 0.62 μm. The results also indicated that the tubes begin to decompose at approximately 220 °C.
SILICON-CONTAINING OLIGOMERIC AZOINITIATORS IN THE SYNTHESIS OF BLOCK COPOLYMERS
Authors:   Institute of macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, Zinchenko О.V. , Ezhova V.D. ,   Institute of macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, Tolstov A.L. ,   Institute of macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine
Published: June 2021

A solvothermal synthetic pathway and functional polymer styabilizers was used for synthesis of fine silver structures of different architecture. Using polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizer silver micronized wires with a diameter of 3,8–4,2 μm and aspect ratio of up to 30 were prepared. XRD technique was applied for qualitative determination of silver metal structures. New thermoresponse composite hydrogels with a structure of semi-IPNs were prepared from cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, linear highly hydrophilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) and as-synthesized silver micro-sized wires. Effect of a structure and a composition of the polymer matrix, and inorganic anisotropic filler on structure arrangement of composite hydrogels were evaluated by DMA studies. A presence of linear hydrophilic PEtOx and anisotropic metal filler in PVA matrix reduces storage modulus Е’ from 275 to 222–230 MPa and increases loss modulus Е” up to 45,5 MPa at room temperature measurements that partially initiated by poor structuration ability of the composites under high solvation level of polymer matrices. Increasing temperature leads to redistribution of hydrogen bonds network and hybridization of PVA nad PEtOx macrochains and enhances energy dissipation ability of unfilled hydrogel. A filler due to conjugation with amine-functionalized PEtOx chains and its localization closed to a surface of metal supresses polymer-polymer interactions and elasticity parameters of composite matrix drops down. As a result, diffusion and permeability coefficients of composite hydrogels reaches 1,06–1,52·10–9 cm2/s and 0,83–1,09·10-9 g/(cm·s), respectively, that higher in comparison with cross-linked PVA matrices. A presence of hydrogen bonds of different energy in hydrogels provides an appearance of multiple relaxation transitions due to different macrochain mobility in a bulk of polymer matrix. Differences of temperature interval of LCTS for hydrogels were found from analysis Е”(T)/dT (62–70 °С) and Δχ(T)/dT (67–70 °С) dependencies are interrelated with kinetic pecularities of diffusion processes that are able to suppress a phase separation at the temperatures closed to LCTS. Phase inversion processes for hydrogel containing 5 % of PEtOx at LCTS are accompanied by desorption of 32–73 % of sorbate. Moreover, thermoresponsive properties of the hydrogels filled with metallic silver wires are higher than that of the unfilled semi-IPNs.
ESTRUCTURA DE LA COMUNIDAD DE DÍPTEROS ACUÁTICOS EN TRAMOS DE LOS CURSOS ALTOS DE LOS RÍOS FUCHA Y BOGOTÁ
Authors: Rodriguez Rodriguez John Freddy , Pinilla agudelo Gabriel Antonio , Moncada Alvarez Ligia Ines
Published: June 2021

Los macroinvertebrados acuáticos son bien conocidos como bioindicadores de la calidad del agua. En Colombia, los estudios sobre este tema se han hecho principalmente a nivel taxonómico de familia. En este trabajo se analizan las respuestas en abundancia, riqueza y diversidad de los dípteros identificados a nivel de género en ríos altoandinos (río Bogotá y río Fucha), en épocas de aguas bajas y aguas altas. Los especímenes se recolectaron con tres métodos: red Surber, red de mano y lavado de rocas. La temperatura promedio fue de 12,9 ºC y la saturación de oxígeno estuvo cerca del 100 % o más, con excepción del tramo bajo del río Bogotá antes de Villapinzón. Se colectaron 13 690 dípteros pertenecientes a diez familias y 40 géneros. La riqueza taxonómica fue alta, con una mayor variación en los tramos bajos de las dos corrientes. Las subfamilias de Chironomidae fueron las más abundantes. El análisis de correspondencia canónica (ACC) mostró que los Orthocladiinae se asociaron con la conductividad; el género Gigantodax(Simuliidae) no mostró una relación clara con ninguna variable; por el contrario, el género Simulium se vinculó con el caudal. En términos generales, la asociación entre taxones y variables ambientales fue más clara para los géneros que para las familias, pero no fue suficientemente robusta. Se sugiere que para encontrar un mayor grado de asociación biota-ambiente, es necesario realizar los análisis a nivel de especie, considerando las variaciones locales y temporales.
VASCULAR EPIPHYTES: THE UGLY DUCKLING OF PHENOLOGICAL STUDIES
Authors: RAMÍREZ MARTÍNEZ ADRIANA , MONDRAGÓN CHAPARRO DEMETRIA MARTHA , RIVERA GARCÍA RAÚL
Published: June 2021

The phenology of vascular epiphytes, which represent account for about 10 % of the world’s flowering plants and perform important ecological functions, has been just partially explored. Since phenology is a key tool for the management and conservation of species, the objective of this review was to synthesize the information published so far about the phenology of vascular epiphytes, detect gaps of knowledge, and suggest future lines of investigation to understand the underlying mechanisms. We conducted an online search for articles in Google Scholar and in the ISI Web of Science database from 1800 to 2020, with different combinations of keywords. 107 studies addressing the phenology of different holo-epiphyte species were found; 88 % of the studies were performed in the Neotropic, especially in tropical and subtropical wet forests. The phenology of only ca.2% (418 spp.) of all reported epiphyte species has been explored. There is a bias toward the study of the flowering and fruiting phenology in members of the Orchidaceae (192 spp.) and Bromeliaceae (124 spp.) families. In general, the vegetative and reproductive phenology of epiphytes tends to be seasonal; however, there is a huge gap in our understanding of the proximate and ultimate factors involved. Future research should explicitly focus on studying those factors.
BRIÓFITOS DE TRONCOS EN DESCOMPOSICIÓN DE LA ESTACIÓN BIOLÓGICA EL ZAFIRE, AMAZONAS-COLOMBIA
Authors: Cataño Emanuel Alberto , Uribe-M. Jaime , Campos Laura Victoria
Published: June 2021

En el presente trabajo se caracterizó la flora briofítica en troncos en descomposición en la estación meteorológica el Zafire, Amazonas-Colombia. Para ello se realizó un muestreode 100 unidades muestrales en 20 troncos en diferente estado de descomposición y en dos tipos de bosque (tierra firme y varillal inundable). Se reportan 120 especies, 81 hepáticas y 39 musgos, pertenecientes a 55 géneros (33 hepáticas y 22 musgos) y 21 familias (nueve hepáticas y 12 musgos). Se registran cuatro especies nuevas para el país, 25 para la amazonia colombiana y 41 para el departamento del Amazonas. En términos de riqueza total, el bosque de varillal presentó un valor mayor al de tierra firme. Sin embargo, estadiferencia no es significativa (Kruskal Wallis X2=0,199; p = 0,05);así mismo la diversidad fue mayor en el bosque de varillal inundable (Shanon = 3,93) en comparación con la del bosque de tierra firme (Shanon = 3,67). La composición de las comunidades de briófitos fue diferente entre los dos tipos de bosques (similitud igual a 40 %). En el estudio florístico de los dos tipos de bosques de la estación biológica, se evidenció una marcada dominancia de la familia Lejeunaceae, que representaron el 55,5 % de las hepáticas y el 37,5 % del total de las especies de briofitos.
Fracture variability in basalts and its effect on river erosion: a case study in the Paraná Volcanic Province
Authors: Lima Adalto Gonçalves , Pelegrina Marcos Aurelio , Pontarolo Murilo
Published: June 2021

The variation in the structural characteristics (cooling joints and tectonic fractures) of basaltic flows implies potential variability in the intensity of erosion by plucking. The erosive behavior of the rivers that sculpt these areas depends on their interaction with the diverse fracture systems. In view of this, we analyzed the effect of fracture variability in basalts on erosion in a bedrock river reach located in the Continental Volcanic Province of the Paraná Basin, southern Brazil. The 120-m-long reach is influenced somewhat by a possible fault that crosses it near one end. The fracture density and fracture direction were evaluated through field photogrammetry in seven sample areas distributed along the reach. The fracture direction and main erosion axes were also surveyed by remote piloted aircraft (RPA) aerial imaging. Tectonic fractures were identified in the field; they do not always appear in the survey of the sample areas but are evident in the RPA survey. The main erosion axes coincide with the principal fracture directions (tectonic fractures), which are disposed obliquely to the channel flow direction, making an average angle of 50°. The more abundant and multidirectional cooling joints act to control the plucking process and not to determine the erosion direction. The fracture density decreases with increasing distance from the fault crossing zone (from 9.62 to 3.73 m/m²), although the lower value is influenced by the presence of an amygdaloidal basalt zone. The higher fracture density favors more intense plucking.
Finite Element Analysis Method of Slope Stability based on Fuzzy Statistics
Authors: Wang Zhongjie , Lin Min
Published: June 2021

In order to reduce the risk of slope stability evaluation due to the fuzziness of calculation parameters, a finite element analysis method of slope stability based on fuzzy statistics is proposed. Based on the principle of quasi-static method and with the help of the finite element software COMSOL multiphysics, this paper studies the stability of the gravel soil accumulation rock slope under the action of different seismic acceleration. By analyzing the displacement, plastic zone and safety factor of the rock soil slope, the stability of the rock soil slope is analyzed. The research results show that the fuzziness of mechanical parameters of rock and soil slope will lead to the fuzziness of position displacement and stress analysis results of rock and soil slope, and the analysis of rock and soil slope with the method of fuzzy finite element analysis can strengthen the comprehensive understanding of position displacement, stress and safety of rock and soil slope by engineers and technicians, and reduce the stability of rock and soil slope due to the fuzziness of calculation parameters to a certain extent Evaluate the risk qualitatively.
Guimarães Rosa e Portugal
Authors: Da Silva Gustavo de Castro , Schnor Paulo Alziro
Published: June 2021

O presente trabalho trata-se de um relatório de pesquisa que investiga as relações de Guimarães Rosa com Portugal desde os aspectos de sua ancestralidade, passando por viagens e visitas a Lisboa, proximidades com intelectuais e editores como Jaime Cortesão, Aquilino Ribeiro, António Sousa Pinto, Arnaldo Saraiva e Óscar Lopes até o seu constante interesse pela cultura do país, em especial, a literatura, os estudos geográficos e culinários. Na conclusão, são apresentados os resultados, as lacunas e as perspectiva possíveis de novos estudos.