bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HUBUNGAN ANTARA KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA SEKOLAH DAN BUDAYA KERJA DENGAN KINERJA GURU SMA NEGERI 1 SERAM BARAT KABUPATEN SERAM BAGIAN BARAT
Authors: Sopaheluwakan Nora , Limbong Mesta , Kailola Lisa Gracia
Published: August 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui apakah ada hubungan antara kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dan budaya kerja dengan kinerja guru, baik itu hubungan antara kepemimpinan dengan kinerja guru atau budaya kerja dengan kinerja guru maupun hubungan secara bersama-sama antara kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dan budaya kerja dengan kinerja guru. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Sekolah SMA Negeri 1 Seram Barat dengan menggunakan metode survey dengan pendekatan korelasional. Jumlah sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah 30 orang dari 52 populasi, dan teknik yang digunakan dalam pengambilan sampel adalah probability sampling dengan bagian yang digunakan adalah simple random sampling serta dalam menganalisis digunakan statistik deskritif dan dalam uji persyaratan analisis digunakan uji normalitas, uji korelasi dua variabel, uji regresi berganda dan uji hipotesis statistik.

Hasil pengolahan data dengan Uji normalitas one sampel Kolmogorov-smirnov  diperoleh nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,200 itu berarti nilai residualnya adalah normal dan nilai korelasi diperoleh besarnya hubungan kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dengan kinerja guru adalah 0, 535 dan besarnya hubungan budaya kerja dengan kinerja guru adalah 0,0,535 hasil korelasi menunjukkan ada hubungan  antara kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dan iklim kerja dengan kinerja guru sedangkan dari hasil perhitungan regresi ganda adalah tidak ada hubungan antara kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dengan kinerja guru, tidak ada hubungan antara budaya kerja dengan kinerja guru tetapi ada hubungan secara bersama-sama antara kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dan budaya kerja dengan kinerja guru. Dengan demikian hipotesis nol dan hipotesis alternatif sama-sama diterima.
STRATEGI PEMASARAN SEKOLAH DASAR PERTIWI ABHILASA DALAM MENINGKATKAN JUMLAH SISWA
Authors: Sugitayasa I Made , Simbolon Bintang , Kailola Lisa Gracia
Published: August 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan: (1) mengetahui penyebab SD Pertiwi Abhilasa kurang diminati calon peserta didik dari umat Beragama Hindu, (2)menganalisis strategi yang dilakukan sekolah dalam meningkatkan jumlah peserta didik di Sekolah Dasar Pertiwi Abhilasa, dan (3) mengetahui evaluasi strategi pemasaran yang dilakukan SD Pertiwi Abhilasa.

Penelitian ini merupakanPenelitian deskriptif.  Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif. Penelitian deskriptif, bukan hanya bisa mendeskripsikan sesuatu keadaan saja, tetapi bisa juga mendeskripsikan keadaan dalam tahapan perkembangannya.Subyek penelitian ini adalah Kepala Sekolah dan Orang Tua siswa.

Lokasi penelitian di Sekolah Dasar Pertiwi Abhilasa. Metode pengumpulan data dengan wawancara, observasi dan studi dokumentasi. Uji keabsahan data dengan trianggulasi sumber dan teknik. Adapun hasil penelitian menunjukkan sebagai berikut. (1) Analisis Pemasaran dilakukan dengan kegiatan menganalisis hasil pemasaran atau pencapaian tahun lalu meliputi strategi pemasaran yang digunakan media promosi. (2) Promosi yang dilakukan dengan media cetak, Open house dan media elektronik. (3) keberadaan sekolah ini yang berada di area tempat ibadah Umat Hindu menjadikan sekolah ini tidak begitu terlihat di masyarakat umum. (4) sarana dan prasarana yang ada di sekolah ini juga masih terbatas mengingat beberapa gedung dan ruangan yang seadanya dan dimanfaatkan semaksimal mungkin.Solusi yang ditawarkan adalah dengan melibatkan  dan mengajak seluruh stakeholder sekolah Pertiwi Abhilasa dari siswa untuk ikut serta dalam kegiatan promosi.
ANALISIS PROSES PERKULIAHAN DI STMIK JABAR PADA MASA PANDEMI COVID-19
Authors: Firdaus Edi , Yusuf Syamsu
Published: August 2021

Proses perkuliahan di STMIK Jabar selama masa pandemi Covid-19 dilaksanakan dengan berbasis jaringan atau pembelajaran daring (online learning). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan informasi mengenai kendala yang dihadapi maupun nilai-nilai positif dari proses perkuliahan tersebut. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan studi kasus eksploratif dan metode kualitatif, responden diambil dari beberapa dosen dan mahasiswa pada perkuliahan semester genap 2019/2020. Daftar pertanyaan disusun dan dikembangkan sesuai literatur terkait untuk wawancara semi-tesruktur. Hasil penelitian menunjukan adanya respon yang baik dari dosen dan mahasiswa dengan melakukan penyesuaian terhadap bahan dan media pembelajaran. Ditemukan juga beberapa kendala seperti jaringan, kuota internet dan sarana lainnya yang sangat berpengaruh terhadap efektivitas proses perkuliahan.
COVID-19 MISINFORMATION: HOW DOES SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION LITERACY PREVENT IT?
Authors: Mujayapura Muhammad Retsa Rizaldi , Suryadi Karim , Sardin Sardin
Published: August 2021

This article aims to examine the importance of information literacy and scientific literacy skills to prevent exposure to misinformation in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Believing in misinformation encourages behaviour that is detrimental to individuals and groups due to anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and a lack of critical thinking skills. This study uses a qualitative approach with a systematic literature review (SLR) method. Through the SLR method, this article uses various sources of empirical research by collecting data and information to analyze elements in information literacy and scientific literacy that can identify misinformation. Information literacy is considered to be more useful in preventing belief in misinformation compared to the concepts of digital literacy, media literacy, and news literacy. Information literacy skills with information verification, and supported by scientific literacy with intellectual virtue, can recognize misinformation about COVID-19 so that it can prevent individuals from believing in misinformation that can result in errors of action. Scientific information literacy needs practical intervention to the public, one of which is through the role of educational institutions.
PKM KADER DALAM ANALISIS DATA DAN PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN BERBASIS ANDROID DI POSYANDU BALITA RW 9 KELURAHAN GONDORIYO NGALIYAN KOTA SEMARANG
Authors: Harsono Harsono , Sugiharto Sigit , Rinayati Rinayati
Published: August 2021

Abstrack Pelaksanaan kegiatan PKM ini menitikberatkan dan berfokus pada upaya pendampingan terhadap kader posyandu dalam melakukan analisis dan pengambilan keputusan data pelaporan posyandu balita yang bermuara pada peningkatan pelayanan posyandu balita dilingkungan RW 9 Kelurahan Gondoriyo Ngaliyan SemarangTujuan dari pelaksanaan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (PKM) ini adalah pendampingan dan pembuatan aplikasi berbasis android yang memudahkan kader dalam melakukan analisis data dan pengambilan keputusan terkait dengan data posyandu balita di RW IX Kelurahan Gondoriyo Ngaliyan SemarangMetode dalam pelaksanaan kegiatan PKM ini kegiatan yang dilakukan meliputi perijinan dari wilayah setempat, pengumpulan data, perancangan dan pembuatan aplikasi, uji coba aplikasi, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) peran kader posyandu balita, pelatihan dan simulasi aplikasi posyandu berbasis androidHasil dari evaluasi pelaksanaan PKM ini terlihat adanya peningkatan pengetahuan dan kemampuan kader dalam melakukan analisis dan pengambilan keputusan data posyandu balita melalui aplikasi android sehingga yang harapanya dapat meningkatkan pelayanan posyandu balita Kata Kunci: Analisis, Pengambilan Keputusan, Kader Posyandu Balita   Abstrack The implementation of this PKM activity focues and focues on providing assistance to posyandu cadres in analyzing and making data decision on posyandu reporting for toddlers which leads to improving posyandu services for toddlers in RW 9 Gondoriyo Ngaliyan Semarang     The purpose of the implementation of Community Service (PKM) is assistance and development of android-based application that make it easier for cadres to analyze data and make decisions related to data on posyandu under five at RW IX Gondoriyo Ngaliyan Semarang     The method of implementing this PKM activity includes licensing from the local area, data collection, designing and making applications, application trials, focus group discussion (FGD) of the role of posyandu cadres for toddlers, training and simulation of Android-based posyandu applicationThe results of the evaluation of the implementation of this PKM show an increase in the knowledge and ability of cadres in analyzing and making decisions on posyandu toddler data through an android application so that the hope can improve posyandu services for toddlers Keyword : Analysis, Decision Making, Posyandu Toddler Cadres
Pembentukan dan Pendampingan Kader Kesehatan Warga RT 08/III Kelurahan Ngijo, Kecamatan Gunung Pati, Kota Semarang (Sadar Kedokteran Nuklir)
Authors: Rahmat Basuki
Published: August 2021

Aplikasi radiasi di berbagai bidang di Indonesia telah cukup meluas. Berdasar data Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir (BAPETEN) yang ditampilkan pada situsnya, sampai awal April 2015 telah diterbitkan sebanyak 12.189 izin pemanfaatan tenaga nuklir untuk 2.894 instansi di seluruh Indonesia. Dari seluruh izin dan instansi tersebut sebanyak 6.196 izin atau sekitar 50,8 % dan 2.061 instansi atau sekitar 71,2% merupakan izin dan instansi pemanfaatan di bidang medis. Data ini menggambarkan bahwa bidang medis merupakan bidang pemanfaatan nuklir yang terbesar di Indonesia. Selain membawa manfaat yang sangat besar, pemanfaatan tenaga nuklir diketahui pula memiliki efek yang berbahaya bagi kesehatan manusia. Efek dari radiasi dapat berupa deterministik atau stokastik. Efek determinstik, yang saat ini sebutannya diganti menjadi efek radiasi jaringan, merupakan efek yang dapat terjadi pada suatu organ atau jaringan tubuh tertentu yang menerima radiasi dengan dosis tinggi, sementara efek stokastik merupakan efek akibat penerimaan radiasi dosis rendah di seluruh tubuh yang baru diderita oleh orang yang menerima dosis setelah selang waktu tertentu, atau oleh turunannya. Dengan adanya kedua jenis efek yang berbahaya tersebut maka setiap aplikasi radiasi di Indonesia harus diatur dan diawasi secara ketat secara internal oleh bagian keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja dari instansi atau perusahaan yang memanfaatkan radiasi tersebut, dan secara eksternal oleh BAPETEN yang diberi tanggung jawab untuk melaksanakan pengawasan tersebut. Kata Kunci : radiasi, kedokteran nuklir, efek stokastik,  dosis radiasi
Graph colouring for office blocks
Authors: Allwright David , Gould Tim , Gravesen Jens , Leese Robert , Petersen Henrik. G.
Published: August 2021

How can different organizations in the same building each maintain security of their internal wifi communications? Part of the answer to this is for organizations on opposite sides of a single wall or floor to use distinct radio channels. How many channels may be needed to meet this requirement in a typical modern office building? Mathematically this channel assignment problem is a vertex colouring problem with the organizations as the vertices, joined if somewhere they are adjacent either wall-to-wall or floor-to-ceiling. The study group showed that there is no easy answer to this question, but that bounds can be obtained in particular cases. For instance if each company only occupies one floor of the building, 8 channels suffice. Public graph-colouring algorithms are quick and successful in finding minimal colourings for reasonably complex building layouts.
Novel Ellipsoid Chitosan-Phthalate Lecithin Nanoparticles for siRNA Delivery
Authors: Saeed Ramzi Mukred , Abdullah Mohammed , Ahram Mamoun , Taha Mutasem Omar
Published: August 2021

Graphical Abstract
Spatiotemporal and Functional Heterogeneity of Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Competent Hemogenic Endothelial Cells in Mouse Embryos
Authors: Li Yun-Qiao , Gong Yandong , Hou Siyuan , Huang Tao , Wang Haizhen , Liu Di , Ni Yanli , Wang Chaojie , Wang Junliang , Hou Jun , Yang Ruichuang , Yan Jing , Zhang Guangyu , Liu Bing , Lan Yu
Published: August 2021

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are derived from hemogenic endothelial cells (HECs) during embryogenesis. The HSC-primed HECs increased to the peak at embryonic day (E) 10 and have been efficiently captured by the marker combination CD41–CD43–CD45–CD31+CD201+Kit+CD44+ (PK44) in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region of mouse embryos most recently. In the present study, we investigated the spatiotemporal and functional heterogeneity of PK44 cells around the time of emergence of HSCs. First, PK44 cells in the E10.0 AGM region could be further divided into three molecularly different populations showing endothelial- or hematopoietic-biased characteristics. Specifically, with the combination of Kit, the expression of CD93 or CD146 could divide PK44 cells into endothelial- and hematopoietic-feature biased populations, which was further functionally validated at the single-cell level. Next, the PK44 population could also be detected in the yolk sac, showing similar developmental dynamics and functional diversification with those in the AGM region. Importantly, PK44 cells in the yolk sac demonstrated an unambiguous multilineage reconstitution capacity after in vitro incubation. Regardless of the functional similarity, PK44 cells in the yolk sac displayed transcriptional features different from those in the AGM region. Taken together, our work delineates the spatiotemporal characteristics of HECs represented by PK44 and reveals a previously unknown HSC competence of HECs in the yolk sac. These findings provide a fundamental basis for in-depth study of the different origins and molecular programs of HSC generation in the future.
Hearing Loss in Neurological Disorders
Authors: Li Siyu , Cheng Cheng , Lu Ling , Ma Xiaofeng , Zhang Xiaoli , Li Ao , Chen Jie , Qian Xiaoyun , Gao Xia
Published: August 2021

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects approximately 466 million people worldwide, which is projected to reach 900 million by 2050. Its histological characteristics are lesions in cochlear hair cells, supporting cells, and auditory nerve endings. Neurological disorders cover a wide range of diseases affecting the nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), etc. Many studies have revealed that neurological disorders manifest with hearing loss, in addition to typical nervous symptoms. The prevalence, manifestations, and neuropathological mechanisms underlying vary among different diseases. In this review, we discuss the relevant literature, from clinical trials to research mice models, to provide an overview of auditory dysfunctions in the most common neurological disorders, particularly those associated with hearing loss, and to explain their underlying pathological and molecular mechanisms.
Alternative Therapeutic Interventions: Antimicrobial Peptides and Small Molecules to Treat Microbial Keratitis
Authors: Jadi Praveen Kumar , Sharma Prerana , Bhogapurapu Bharathi , Roy Sanhita
Published: August 2021

Microbial keratitis is a leading cause of blindness worldwide and results in unilateral vision loss in an estimated 2 million people per year. Bacteria and fungus are two main etiological agents that cause corneal ulcers. Although antibiotics and antifungals are commonly used to treat corneal infections, a clear trend with increasing resistance to these antimicrobials is emerging at rapid pace. Extensive research has been carried out to determine alternative therapeutic interventions, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are increasingly recognized for their clinical potential in treating infections. Small molecules targeted against virulence factors of the pathogens and natural compounds are also explored to meet the challenges and growing demand for therapeutic agents. Here we review the potential of AMPs, small molecules, and natural compounds as alternative therapeutic interventions for the treatment of corneal infections to combat antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, we have also discussed about the different formats of drug delivery systems for optimal administration of drugs to treat microbial keratitis.
pH-Responsive DNA Motif: From Rational Design to Analytical Applications
Authors: Zheng Lin Lin , Li Jin Ze , Li Ying Xu , Gao Jian Bang , Dong Jiang Xue , Gao Zhong Feng
Published: August 2021

pH-responsive DNA motifs have attracted substantial attention attributed to their high designability and versatility of DNA chemistry. Such DNA motifs typically exploit DNA secondary structures that exhibit pH response properties because of the presence of specific protonation sites. In this review, we briefly summarized second structure-based pH-responsive DNA motifs, including triplex DNA, i-motif, and A+-C mismatch base pair-based DNA devices. Finally, the challenges and prospects of pH-responsive DNA motifs are also discussed.
Grammar and Hands: Manual Turn-Taking and Its Relationships to Verbal Turn-Taking in the Transfer of Objects
Authors: Fox Barbara , Heinemann Trine
Published: August 2021

When customers bring a material item to a shop for repair, they must make the item and its troubles inspectable to the staff at the shop. This typically requires physical manipulation of the object by the customer. For their part, the staff person may then need to take the item into their own hands to further inspect it. A physical transfer of the object from customer to staff person may thus need to be accomplished. A practical problem that can arise in such transfers is this: who has the rights and responsibilities to touch and hold the object at any given time? In our data from a shoe repair shop, this practical problem is one of turn-taking of the participants’ hands, and the participants exhibit a clear normative orientation to “one person touches at a time”, with gaps and overlaps being common but brief. The parallels to verbal turn-taking are explored, as are the different affordances of each semiotic resource. The data are in American English.
Interactive Urban Play to Encourage Active Mobility: Usability Study of a Web-Based Augmented Reality Application
Authors: Oduor Michael , Perälä Timo
Published: August 2021

Owing to increasing cases of sedentary lifestyles and their negative impact on health, practical solutions are needed to address the physical and mental wellbeing of citizens and to enhance their standard of living. Among the problems are premature mortality rates caused by physical inactivity, which leads to chronic diseases. Innovative solutions are needed to address many of the problems that we face as a society. Location-based games have been identified as effective solutions for increasing physical activity, enhancing social interaction, and exploration in urban environments. In this pilot study, we explore how to encourage active mobility (walking and cycling) through urban play by integrating technology into the built environment. We examined the usability of a web-based augmented reality application in providing interactive experience to users as they explored the urban environment looking for tasks. Overall, participants’ perceptions of the usability of the application were positive; they enjoyed how the application revealed the tasks at each location and all the checkpoints at the different locations had at least a couple of visitors. We present limitations and future research directions.
Seasonal/Interannual Variation and Controlling Factors for Oxygen and Carbon Isotopes of Ostracod Shells Collected From a Time-Series Sediment Trap in Lake Qinghai
Authors: Jin Zhangdong , Zhang Fei , Li Xiangzhong , Wang Jin , Jin Chenyu
Published: August 2021

Because the shell substance of an ostracod is derived entirely from the water body where it lives, its chemical compositions are sensitive to aquatic environment and thus have been used to reconstruct past climatic and environmental changes. However, there is controversy about the controlling factors for the different compositions of ostracod shells from various water bodies. In this study, seasonal and interannual variations in daily flux and stable oxygen-carbon isotopic compositions (δ18O, δ13C) for two species of ostracod shells (Limnocythere inopinata and Eucypris mareotica) and their controlling factors are discussed, based on ostracod shell samples collected from a time-series sediment trap from July 2010 through September 2012 and from surface sediments in Lake Qinghai, which were correlated with the state-of-the-art sensing data of the lake water. The results show that the daily flux of L. inopinata shells is an order of magnitude higher than that of E. mareotica. The δ18O and δ13C of both L. inopinata and E. mareotica shells have distinctly interannual and seasonal variations, with species differences. Interannual differences of δ18O for the two species of ostracod shells directly reflect the systematic differences of the summer water temperature between 2010 and 2012. We propose that seasonal variations of both δ18O and δ13C for the two species are affected by the precipitation of authigenic carbonates in microenvironment induced by high water temperature in summers, highlighting their environmental implications in Lake Qinghai.
Sensitivity Study of the Influence of Blade Sectional Stiffness Parameters on the Aeroelastic Response of Wind Turbines
Authors: Chen Cheng , Wang Tongguang , Wang Long
Published: August 2021

With the development of wind turbines as a result of large-scale and offshore trends, the wind turbine size is becoming increasingly larger. The passive control technique is used to alleviate the increasing loads on the blade for the sake of improving the durability of the wind turbine. The ply design of shells considering the coupling effect of bending and torsion is one of the passive control techniques. The bending torsion coupling stiffness is one of the parameters of the blade section stiffness matrix. In order to fully understand the influence of each blade stiffness parameter on the aeroelastic responses of wind turbines and to consider the influence of structural characteristics on the aeroelastic responses in blade design, the influences and sensitivity of each stiffness parameter in the 6 × 6 stiffness matrix of the blade sections on the aeroelastic responses of the wind turbines are systematically studied under steady wind condition. The aerodynamic forces in the aeroelastic model are calculated by an AeroDyn module based on blade element momentum theory, and the structural dynamic responses of the blade are calculated using generalized Timoshenko beam theory and geometric exact beam theory. The NREL baseline 5 MW wind turbine and blade properties are used in this study, where the diagonal stiffness parameters and non-diagonal stiffness parameters of the matrixes of each blade section are scaled according to certain principles. The results show that the axial stiffness, the flap-wise stiffness, and the torsional stiffness in the diagonal are sensitive to the root loads and tip displacement of the blade. The flap-wise bending torsion coupling stiffness, the flap-wise shear-torsion coupling stiffness, and the edge-wise shear-torsion coupling stiffness in the non-diagonal are also sensitive to the aeroelastic responses. For completeness, the effects of other stiffness parameters on the aeroelastic responses are also analyzed and discussed.
Resilience Lessons From the Southeast United States Woody Pellet Supply Chain Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic†
Authors: Kline Keith L. , Dale Virginia H. , Rose Erin
Published: August 2021

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) instigated a pandemic that impacted economies, employment, and shipping worldwide. This paper reviews how one international supply chain performed and identifies lessons that may be helpful to improve future resilience. Economic and employment data through November 2020 are used to review the effects of COVID-19 on operations of the bioenergy supply chain in the southeastern United States (SE United States) that utilizes wood fiber to fabricate pellets. Conditions associated with the production of pellets in the SE United States changed with the outbreak of COVID-19. Federal and state government programs and classification of workers in this sector as “essential” during the pandemic helped maintain the woody pellet supply chain and other industries during a period of general shut down in 2020. The availability of personal protective equipment, long-term supply contracts, and established safety cultures are among the factors that enhance supply chain resilience while limited availability of skilled workers, inadequate stakeholder engagement, and dependence on external policies are among factors that reduce resilience. The analysis concludes with recommendations for the SE pellet supply chain, and other biomass supply chains, to improve their resilience to future disturbances. When best practices are implemented, SE United States biomass offers opportunities to contribute to post-pandemic economic recovery while incentivizing better forest resource management.
The Effect of ACTN3 and VDR Polymorphisms on Skeletal Muscle Performance in Axial Spondyloarthropathies
Authors: Pimenta Isabel , Mateus Hugo , Rodrigues-Manica Santiago , Pinheiro-Torres Rita , Neto Agna , Domingues Lúcia , Lage Crespo Carolina , Sardoo Atlas , Machado Pedro , Branco Jaime C. , Silva Susana N. , Pimentel-Santos Fernando M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) are the most common group of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases affecting about 1.5% of the adult Caucasian population. Low back pain is the most common symptom. The aetiopathogenesis of SpA is multifactorial, with well-known genetic and environmental contributions. Furthermore, muscle properties might also be involved in the pathophysiological process and these could be modulated by the genetic background. Alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes are well-known genes related with muscle performance. Our aim was to analyze four SNPs of these genes and to evaluate their influence in axial SpA (axSpA) susceptibility, phenotype and muscle properties.

Methods

We performed a pilot study based on case-control approach involving 56 participants: 28 axSpA patients and 28 healthy controls matched by age, gender and levels of physical activity. Clinical, epidemiological and muscle characterization data—muscle physical properties (stiffness, tone, and elasticity), strength, mass, and performance, were collected. Two different muscles were considered for analysis, the Multifidus and Gastrocnemius. Four SNPs of ACTN3 (rs1815739) and VDR (rs2228570, rs731236, and rs7975232), were selected, analyzed and correlated with clinical, epidemiological and muscle characterization data.

Results

In total, 51 individuals (27 axSpA patients and 24 matched controls) were eligible for further genetic analysis, 66.7% being male and with a mean age of 36 years. Muscle physical properties, muscle strength and muscle mass were similar in both groups; however, axSpA patients showed a decrease in muscle performance. None of the studied SNPs were associated with disease susceptibility/phenotype, muscle physical properties, muscle strength or muscle mass. However, ACTN3 rs1815739 and VDR rs2228570 were shown to be associated with muscle performance.

Conclusion

Our results suggest an association between ACTN3 and VDR polymorphisms and muscle performance in axSpA.
Case Report: A Novel Gross Deletion in PAX3 (10.26 kb) Identified in a Chinese Family With Waardenburg Syndrome by Third-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Jin Jie-Yuan , Zeng Lei , Guo Bing-Bing , Dong Yi , Tang Ju-Yu , Xiang Rong
Published: August 2021

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a group of autosomal-dominant hereditary conditions with a global incidence of 1/42,000. WS can be categorized into at least four types: WS1–4, and these are characterized by heterochromia iridis, white forelock, prominent nasal root, dystopia canthorum, hypertrichosis of the medial part of the eyebrows, and deaf-mutism. WS3 is extremely rare, with a unique phenotype (upper limb abnormality). Heterozygous mutations of PAX3 are commonly associated with WS1, whereas partial or total deletions of PAX3 are often observed in WS3 cases. Deletions, together with insertions, translocations, inversions, mobile elements, tandem duplications, and complexes, constitute structural variants (SVs), which can be fully and accurately detected by third-generation sequencing (TGS), a new generation of high-throughput DNA sequencing technology. In this study, after failing to identify the causative gene by Sanger sequencing, SNP-array, and whole-exome sequencing (WES), we finally detected a heterozygous gross deletion of PAX3 (10.26kb, chr2: 223153899-223164405) in a WS family by TGS. Our description would enrich the genetic map of WS and help us to further understand this disease. Our findings also demonstrated the value of TGS in clinical genetics researches.
Correction of Vertebral Bone Development in Ectodysplasin A1-Deficient Mice by Prenatal Treatment With a Replacement Protein
Authors: Kossel Clara-Sophie , Wahlbuhl Mandy , Schuepbach-Mallepell Sonia , Park Jung , Kowalczyk-Quintas Christine , Seeling Michaela , von der Mark Klaus , Schneider Pascal , Schneider Holm
Published: August 2021

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with the cardinal symptoms hypodontia, hypotrichosis and hypohidrosis is caused by a genetic deficiency of ectodysplasin A1 (EDA1). Prenatal EDA1 replacement can rescue the development of skin appendages and teeth. Tabby mice, a natural animal model of EDA1 deficiency, additionally feature a striking kink of the tail, the cause of which has remained unclear. We studied the origin of this phenomenon and its response to prenatal therapy. Alterations in the distal spine could be noticed soon after birth, and kinks were present in all Tabby mice by the age of 4 months. Although their vertebral bones frequently had a disorganized epiphyseal zone possibly predisposing to fractures, cortical bone density was only reduced in vertebrae of older Tabby mice and even increased in their tibiae. Different availability of osteoclasts in the spine, which may affect bone density, was ruled out by osteoclast staining. The absence of hair follicles, a well-known niche of epidermal stem cells, and much lower bromodeoxyuridine uptake in the tail skin of 9-day-old Tabby mice rather suggest the kink being due to a skin proliferation defect that prevents the skin from growing as fast as the skeleton, so that caudal vertebrae may be squeezed and bent by a lack of skin. Early postnatal treatment with EDA1 leading to delayed hair follicle formation attenuated the kink, but did not prevent it. Tabby mice born after prenatal administration of EDA1, however, showed normal tail skin proliferation, no signs of kinking and, interestingly, a normalized vertebral bone density. Thus, our data prove the causal relationship between EDA1 deficiency and kinky tails and indicate that hair follicles are required for murine tail skin to grow fast enough. Disturbed bone development appears to be partially pre-determined in utero and can be counteracted by timely EDA1 replacement, pointing to a role of EDA1 also in osteogenesis.
Machine Learning Approaches in Study of Multiple Sclerosis Disease Through Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Moazami Faezeh , Lefevre-Utile Alain , Papaloukas Costas , Soumelis Vassili
Published: August 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases which is commonly diagnosed and monitored using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a combination of clinical manifestations. The purpose of this review is to highlight the main applications of Machine Learning (ML) models and their performance in the MS field using MRI. We reviewed the articles of the last decade and grouped them based on the applications of ML in MS using MRI data into four categories: 1) Automated diagnosis of MS, 2) Prediction of MS disease progression, 3) Differentiation of MS stages, 4) Differentiation of MS from similar disorders.
Naturally Occurring Compounds With Larvicidal Activity Against Malaria Mosquitoes
Authors: Milugo Trizah K. , Tchouassi David P. , Kavishe Reginald A. , Dinglasan Rhoel R. , Torto Baldwyn
Published: August 2021

Female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit Plasmodium parasites that cause human malaria. Currently, vector control is the most widely deployed approach to reduce mosquito population and hence disease transmission. This relies on use of insecticide-based interventions including Long-lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) where scale-up has contributed to a dramatic decline in malaria deaths and morbidity over the past decade. Challenges to their effective use include the emergence and spread of insecticide resistance by malaria vector populations coupled with the inability to curb outdoor transmission. Under these situations, use of larvicides through larval source management (LSM) can complement these existing measures. The need to minimize environmental impact and effect on non-target organisms has spurred interest in the development of eco-friendly larvicides of natural origin. Here, we review literature published in the last five years to highlight compounds of natural origin found to exhibit larvicidal activity against malaria mosquitoes. Specifically, the larvicidal activity of different classes of compounds is discussed including their effect on non-target organisms. Additionally, we provide suggestions for future research into mosquito larvicides including the use of chemical synthesis to improve the bioactivity of known natural compounds.
Seasonal Evolution of Cape Darnley Bottom Water Revealed by Mooring Measurements
Authors: Mizuta Genta , Fukamachi Yasushi , Simizu Daisuke , Matsumura Yoshimasa , Kitade Yujiro , Hirano Daisuke , Fujii Masakazu , Nogi Yoshifumi , Ohshima Kay I.
Published: August 2021

This study examines the seasonal evolution of Cape Darnley Bottom Water (CDBW), using the results of mooring and hydrographic measurements in the slope region off Cape Darnley in 2008–2009 and 2013–2014. Newly formed CDBW began reaching the western and nearshore part of the slope region off Cape Darnley in April, spread to the offshore and eastern part in May, and reached the easternmost part in September. The potential temperature and salinity decreased and the neutral density increased when newly formed CDBW reached mooring sites. Potential temperature-salinity properties of CDBW changed over time and location. The salinity of the source water of CDBW estimated from potential temperature-salinity diagrams started to increase at a nearshore mooring in late April, which is about 2 months after the onset of sea-ice production, and continued to increase during the ice production season. It is most probable that the accumulation of brine in the Cape Darnley polynya produces the seasonal variation of potential temperature-salinity properties of CDBW. Two types of CDBW were identified. Cold and less saline CDBW and warm and saline CDBW were present in Wild and Daly Canyons, respectively. This indicates that the salinity of the source water of CDBW increased in the westward direction. CDBW exhibited short-term variability induced by baroclinic instability.
Fishing Effort and Associated Catch per Unit Effort for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Mozambique Channel Region: 1950–2016
Authors: Zeller Dirk , Vianna Gabriel M. S. , Ansell Matthew , Coulter Angie , Derrick Brittany , Greer Krista , Noël Simon-Luc , Palomares Maria L. Deng , Zhu Audrey , Pauly Daniel
Published: August 2021

The Mozambique Channel region in East Africa has diverse marine ecosystems and serves as a migratory corridor for economically important species. Local and foreign industrial fisheries operate in the Mozambique Channel, but regional small-scale fisheries are the crucially important fisheries that provide food security, livelihoods, and economic opportunities for rural coastal communities. This study reconstructed and investigated trends in the fishing effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of small-scale marine fisheries in four Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) that constitute the Mozambique Channel, i.e., Union of Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, and Mozambique, from 1950 to 2016. Effective fishing effort for small-scale fisheries in the form of fishing capacity in kWdays (i.e., kilowatt days) was derived using the number, length, motorization (engine power) by fishing vessels, as well as an approximate human-powered equivalent for shore-based fishers without vessels, as well as days of fishing per year. Effective small-scale fishing effort in the Mozambique Channel increased by nearly 60 times from just over 386,000 kWdays in 1950 to over 23 million kWdays in 2016. Correspondingly, the overall small-scale CPUE, based on previously and independently reconstructed catch data declined by 91% in the region as a whole, from just under 175 kg⋅kWday–1 in the early 1950s to just over 15 kg⋅kWday–1 in recent years. All four EEZs showed the strongest declines in the small-scale CPUE in the earlier decades, driven by motorization and growth in vessel numbers impacting effective fishing effort. Increased motorization combined with a substantial growth in overall vessel numbers were the drivers of the increasing fishing effort and decreasing CPUE, and clearly suggest that continuing to increase the fishing capacity of small-scale fisheries in the absence of effective and restrictive management actions may exacerbate overexploitation risk.
Neurologic Complications in Adult Post-cardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock Patients Receiving Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Cohort Study
Authors: Hou Dengbang , Wang Hong , Yang Feng , Hou Xiaotong
Published: August 2021

Background: This study aims to describe the prevalence of neurologic complications and hospital outcome in adult post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) patients receiving veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) support and factors associated with such adverse events.

Methods: Four hundred and fifteen adult patients underwent cardiac surgery and received V-A ECMO for more than 24 h because of PCS. Patients were divided into two groups: those who developed a neurological complication and those who did not (control group). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with neurologic complications.

Results: Neurologic complications occurred in 87 patients (21.0%), including cerebral infarction in 33 patients (8.0%), brain death in 30 patients (7.2%), seizures in 14 patients (3.4%), and intracranial hemorrhage in 11 (2.7%) patients. In-hospital mortality in patients with neurologic complications was 90.8%, compared to 52.1% in control patients (p < 0.001). In a multivariable model, the lowest systolic blood pressure (SBP) level pre-ECMO (OR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.86–0.93) and aortic surgery combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (OR, 9.22; 95% CI: 2.10–40.55) were associated with overall neurologic complications. Age (OR, 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01–1.12) and lowest SBP (OR, 0.81; 95% CI: 0.76–0.87) were correlative factors of brain death. Coagulation disorders (OR, 9.75; 95% CI: 1.83–51.89) and atrial fibrillation (OR, 12.19; 95% CI: 1.22–121.61) were shown to be associated independently with intracranial hemorrhage, whereas atrial fibrillation (OR, 8.15; 95% CI: 1.31–50.62) was also associated with cerebral infarction.

Conclusions: Neurologic complications in adult PCS patients undergoing V-A ECMO support are frequent and associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Identified risk factors of neurologic complications might help to improve ECMO management and might reduce their occurrence.
Assembly Processes and Co-occurrence Patterns of Abundant and Rare Bacterial Community in the Eastern Indian Ocean
Authors: Li Liuyang , Pujari Laxman , Wu Chao , Huang Danyue , Wei Yuqiu , Guo Congcong , Zhang Guicheng , Xu Wenzhe , Liu Haijiao , Wang Xingzhou , Wang Min , Sun Jun
Published: August 2021

Microbial communities are composed of many rare species and a few abundant species. Considering the disproportionate importance of rare species for ecosystem functioning, it is important to understand the mechanisms structuring the rare and abundant components of a diverse community in response to environmental changes. Here, we used a 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing approach to investigate the bacterial community diversity in the Eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) during the monsoon and intermonsoon. We employed a phylogenetic null model and network analysis to evaluate the assembly processes and co-occurrence pattern of the microbial community. We found that higher bacterial diversity was detected in the intermonsoon with high temperature and low Chlorophyllaconcentrations and N/P ratios. The balance between ecological deterministic processes and stochastic processes varied with seasons in the EIO. Meanwhile, conditionally rare taxa (CRT) were more likely modulated by variable selection processes than always rare taxa (ART) and abundant taxa (AT) (CRT > ART > AT). By linking assembly process and species co-occurrence, we demonstrated that the microbial co-occurrence associations tended to be higher when deterministic processes (mainly variable selection) were weaker. This negative trend was observed in rare species rather than abundant species. The linkage could enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms underpinning the generation and maintenance of microbial community diversity.
Characterization of Thermophilic Lignocellulolytic Microorganisms in Composting
Authors: López María J. , Jurado Macarena M. , López-González Juan A. , Estrella-González María J. , Martínez-Gallardo María R. , Toribio Ana , Suárez-Estrella Francisca
Published: August 2021

Composting involves the selection of a microbiota capable of resisting the high temperatures generated during the process and degrading the lignocellulose. A deep understanding of the thermophilic microbial community involved in such biotransformation is valuable to improve composting efficiency and to provide thermostable biomass-degrading enzymes for biorefinery. This study investigated the lignocellulose-degrading thermophilic microbial culturome at all the stages of plant waste composting, focusing on the dynamics, enzymes, and thermotolerance of each member of such a community. The results revealed that 58% of holocellulose (cellulose plus hemicellulose) and 7% of lignin were degraded at the end of composting. The whole fungal thermophilic population exhibited lignocellulose-degrading activity, whereas roughly 8–10% of thermophilic bacteria had this trait, although exclusively for hemicellulose degradation (xylan-degrading). Because of the prevalence of both groups, their enzymatic activity, and the wide spectrum of thermotolerance, they play a key role in the breakdown of hemicellulose during the entire process, whereas the degradation of cellulose and lignin is restricted to the activity of a few thermophilic fungi that persists at the end of the process. The xylanolytic bacterial isolates (159 strains) included mostly members of Firmicutes (96%) as well as a few representatives of Actinobacteria (2%) and Proteobacteria (2%). The most prevalent species were Bacillus licheniformis and Aeribacillus pallidus. Thermophilic fungi (27 strains) comprised only four species, namely Thermomyces lanuginosus, Talaromyces thermophilus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Gibellulopsis nigrescens, of whom A. fumigatus and T. lanuginosus dominated. Several strains of the same species evolved distinctly at the stages of composting showing phenotypes with different thermotolerance and new enzyme expression, even not previously described for the species, as a response to the changing composting environment. Strains of Bacillus thermoamylovorans, Geobacillus thermodenitrificans, T. lanuginosus, and A. fumigatus exhibiting considerable enzyme activities were selected as potential candidates for the production of thermozymes. This study lays a foundation to further investigate the mechanisms of adaptation and acquisition of new traits among thermophilic lignocellulolytic microorganisms during composting as well as their potential utility in biotechnological processing.
Aberrant Membrane Structures in Hypervesiculating Escherichia coli Strain ΔmlaEΔnlpI Visualized by Electron Microscopy
Authors: Ojima Yoshihiro , Sawabe Tomomi , Nakagawa Mao , Tahara Yuhei O. , Miyata Makoto , Azuma Masayuki
Published: August 2021

Escherichia coli produces extracellular vesicles called outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) by releasing a part of its outer membrane. We previously reported that the combined deletion of nlpI and mlaE, related to envelope structure and phospholipid accumulation in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane, respectively, resulted in the synergistic increase of OMV production. In this study, the analysis of ΔmlaEΔnlpI cells using quick-freeze, deep-etch electron microscopy (QFDE-EM) revealed that plasmolysis occurred at the tip of the long axis in cells and that OMVs formed from this tip. Plasmolysis was also observed in the single-gene knockout mutants ΔnlpI and ΔmlaE. This study has demonstrated that plasmolysis was induced in the hypervesiculating mutant E. coli cells. Furthermore, intracellular vesicles and multilamellar OMV were observed in the ΔmlaEΔnlpI cells. Meanwhile, the secretion of recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed in the cytosol of the ΔmlaEΔnlpI cells was more than 100 times higher than that of WT and ΔnlpI, and about 50 times higher than that of ΔmlaE in the OMV fraction, suggesting that cytosolic components were incorporated into outer-inner membrane vesicles (OIMVs) and released into the extracellular space. Additionally, QFDE-EM analysis revealed that ΔmlaEΔnlpI sacculi contained many holes noticeably larger than the mean radius of the peptidoglycan (PG) pores in wild-type (WT) E. coli. These results suggest that in ΔmlaEΔnlpI cells, cytoplasmic membrane materials protrude into the periplasmic space through the peptidoglycan holes and are released as OIMVs.
Identification of the 5′-Terminal Packaging Signal of the H1N1 Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Segment at Single-Nucleotide Resolution
Authors: Seshimo Erika , Momose Fumitaka , Morikawa Yuko
Published: August 2021

The genome of the influenza A virus is an eight-segmented negative-strand RNA (vRNA). Progeny vRNAs replicated in the nucleus selectively assemble into a single set of eight different segments, probably in the cytoplasm, and are packaged into progeny virions at the cell membrane. In these processes, a region of approximately 100 nucleotides at both ends of each segment is thought to function as a selective assembly/packaging signal; however, the details of the mechanism, such as the required sequences, are still unknown. In this study, we focused on the 5′-terminus of the sixth neuraminidase gene segment vRNA (Seg.6) to identify the essential sequence for selective packaging. The 5′-terminal region of the A/Puerto Rico/8/34 strain Seg.6 was divided into seven regions of 15 nucleotides each from A to G, and mutations were introduced into each region by complementary base substitutions or synonymous codon substitutions. Mutant viruses were generated and compared for infectious titers, and the relative ratios of the eight segments packaged into virions were measured. We also ascertained whether mutant vRNA was eliminated by competitive packaging with wild-type vRNA. Mutations in the A–C regions reduced infectious titers and eliminated mutant vRNAs by competition with wild-type vRNA. Even under non-competitive conditions, the packaging efficiency of the A or B region mutant Seg.6 was reduced. Next, we designed an artificial vRNA with a 50-nucleotide duplication at the 5′-terminal region. Using this, a virus library was created by randomly replacing each region, which became an untranslated region (UTR), with complementary bases. After selecting proliferative viruses from the library, nine wild-type nucleotides in the A and B regions were identified as essential bases, and we found that these bases were highly conserved in Seg.6 vRNAs encoding the N1 subtype neuraminidase. From these results, we conclude that the identified bases function as the 5′-terminal packaging signal for the N1 subtype Seg.6 vRNA.