bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GAMBARAN SPASIAL KEJADIAN DIARE BERDASARKAN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FACTORS DAN STATUS RAWAN BENCANA BANJIR PADA MASYARAKAT KOTA KENDARI TAHUN 2018-2020
Authors: Haisa Haisa , Sety La Ode Muhammad , Harleli Harleli
Published: December 2023

Secara global diare memiliki derajat kesakitan dan kematian yang tinggi di berbagai negara terutama di negara berkembang, dan juga sebagai salah satu penyebab utama tingginya angka kesakitan dan kematian anak di dunia. Kejadian penyakit diare dipengaruhi oleh berbagai faktor, seperti faktor lingkungan (sumber air bersih atau akses air minum, jamban sehat) dan faktor topografi (suhu udara, kelembaban, curah hujan, dan hari hujan). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui gambaran spasial kejadian diare berdasarkan environmental health factors dan status daerah rawan bencana di Kota Kendari periode tahun 2018-2020. Penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan desain studi ekologi. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah penderita penyakit diare dari seluruh wilayah administratif berdasarkan kecamatan di Kota Kendari. Sampel pada penelitian adalah seluruh dari populasi masyarakat Kota Kendari tahun 2018 sampai tahun 2020. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan selama tahun 2018 sampai tahun 2020 insidensi diare tinggi lokasinya cenderung berdekatan, insidensi diare tinggi tidak semua berada di daerah yang memiliki akses air minum yang rendah. insidensi diare yang tinggi tidak berada di daerah yang memiliki akses jamban yang rendah, daerah yang rawan terhadap banjir sebagian besar memiliki angka kejadian diare yang tinggi dan sedang.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR PENOLAKAN VAKSINASI COVID-19 DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS TANGGETADA KECAMATAN TANGGETADA KABUPATEN KOLAKA
Authors: Afriliyana Dwi , Lestari Hariati , Dewi Sri Tungga
Published: December 2023

Di Indonesia untuk mengurangi terjadinya angka kesakitan dan angka kematian akibat pandemi Covid-19, maka pemerintah Indonesia menjadikan pelaksanaan vaksinasi Covid-19 sebagai bagian dari strategi penanggulangan pandemi Covid-19. Akan tetapi, masih adanya sebagian masyarakat yang menolak pelaksanaan vaksinasi tersebut yang diakibatkan oleh pengaruh kurangnya pengetahuan serta kepercayaan dalam menerima vaksinasi Covid-19. Cakupan vaksinasi Covid-19 di Indonesia pada 21 April 2022 yaitu dosis ke-1 sebanyak 198.654.736 (95.39%) jiwa, dosis ke-2 sebanyak 163.427.195 (78.47%) jiwa, dan dosis ke-3 sebanyak 32.994.827 (15.84%) jiwa dari sasaran vaksinasi 208.265.720 jiwa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor–faktor penolakan vaksinasi Covid-19 di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Tanggetada Kecamatan Tanggetada Kabupaten Kolaka. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian analitik kuantitatif dengan pendekatan cross sectional  study dan teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik propotionate stratified random sampling, dan populasi dalam penelitian ini yaitu masyarakat yang berada di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Tanggetada. Hasil penelitian yang diperoleh bahwa terdapat hubungan antara pengetahuan (nilai p=0,000), peran keluarga (nilai p=0,000), dan kecemasan efek samping (nilai p=0,000) dengan penolakan vaksinasi Covid-19. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa ada hubungan antara pengetahuan, peran keluarga, dan kecemasan efek samping terhadap penolakan vaksinasi Covid-19.
Monitoring Dan Evaluasi Pelaksanaan 3t (Testing, Tracing, Dan Treatment) Di Provinsi Dki Jakarta Periode Oktober - November Tahun 2022
Authors: Anitia Anggi , Siregar Kemal Nazaruddin
Published: December 2023

AbstrakKasus COVID-19 di Indonesia, terutama DKI Jakarta terus meningkat setiap harinya meski tidak setinggi saat awal muncul. Menanggapi hal ini, Kementerian Kesehatan RI telah mengeluarkan pedoman pelaksanaan pemeriksaan, pelacakan, karantina, dan isolasi dalam rangka percepatan pencegahan dan pengendalian COVID-19. Tujuan: Melakukan monitoring dan evaluasi pelaksanaan 3T di Provinsi DKI Jakarta periode Oktober-November melalui indikator-indikator yang tertuang dalam Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor HK.01.07/MENKES/4641/2021. Metode: Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode studi kasus dan data sekunder yang diperoleh dari Dashboard SILACAK dan COVID-19 New All Record (NAR) yang dirancang oleh Kementerian Kesehatan RI, dengan rentang waktu dari Oktober - November Tahun 2022 (Minggu Epidemiologi ke 40-46). Hasil: Berdasarkan tabel indikator penanggulangan, diketahui bahwa DKI Jakarta pada minggu ke 40-46 sudah cukup baik dalam mencegah kasus COVID-19. Hal ini dibuktikan dari tercapainya beberapa target indikator penanggulangan. Meskipun begitu, masih terdapat beberapa indikator yang tidak memenuhi target yang ditetapkan. Kesimpulan: Masih banyaknya hambatan untuk memenuhi target indikator yang ada. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan kerjasama dari berbagai pihak agar dapat memutus rantai persebaran COVID-19.Kata Kunci: COVID-19, Testing, Tracing, Treatment, DKI Jakarta
Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Persepsi Masyarakat Terhadap Penerimaan Vaksinasi Covid-19 Tahap Iii (Booster) Di Desa Watan Rumpiatahun 2023
Authors: Amelia Besse , Sabilu Yusuf , Irma Irma
Published: December 2023

Penerimaan vaksinasi COVID-19 tahap III (booster) di tiap kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan memperoleh cakupan yang berbeda-beda. Jika dibandingkan dengan kabupaten/kota lainnya, Kabupaten Wajo memperoleh cakupan vaksin COVID-19 tahap III (booster) masih rendah yaitu 14.06%, Desa Watan Rumpia persentase cakupan vaksinasi COVID-19 tahap III (booster) per 16 Agustus 2022 adalah 55 jiwa (0.04%). Hal ini bisa jadi disebabkan karena persepsi dari masyarakat itu sendiri dalam menanggapi penerimaan vaksinasi COVID-19 tahap III (booster). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara persepsi masyarakat mengenai hambatan, dan isyarat untuk bertindak dengan penerimaan vaksinasi COVID-19 tahap III (booster) di Desa Watan Rumpia, Kabupaten Wajo tahun 2023. Desain penelitian yang digunakan yaitu observasional analitik dengan rancangan cross sectional. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah masyarakat yang telah menerima vaksin tahap II dengan usia 18 tahun sampai lansia (60-74 tahun) yang berdomisili di Desa Watan Rumpia dengan jumlah 182 orang, jumlah sampel dalam penelitian ini yaitu 125 responden. Teknik penarikan sampel yang digunakan adalah simple random sampling. Analisis data secara univariat dan bivariat yang menggunakan uji chi square. Dengan tingkat kepercayaan 95%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat hubungan antara persepsi hambatan (ρ-value = 0.014), isyarat untuk bertindak (ρ-value = 0.008) dengan penerimaan vaksinasi COVID-19 tahap III (booster).

Kata Kunci : Penerimaan Vaksinasi COVID-19 tahap III (booster), persepsi hambatan, isyarat untuk bertindak.
Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Kejadian Stunting Pada Balita 24-59 Bulan Di Desa Laompo Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Batauga Kabupaten Buton Selatan Tahun 2023
Authors: Elisafita Elisafita , Majid Ruslan , Handayani Listy
Published: December 2023

Stunting merupakan salah satu masalah kesehatan prioritas di Indonesia. Berdasarkan data Kemenkes RI tahun 2021 prevalensi stunting tertinggi yaitu di Kabupaten Buton Selatan sebesar 45,2%. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor yang mempengaruhi kejadian stunting pada balita 24-59 bulan di Desa Laompo wilayah kerja Puskesmas Batauga Kabupaten Buton Selatan tahun 2023. Jenis penelitian ini yaitu penelitian observasional analitik dengan desain studi case control. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah 106 orang yang terdiri dari 53 kasus dan 53 kontrol dengan teknik sampling yang digunakan adalah total sampling. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa riwayat pemberian ASI eksklusif (OR = 21,022; CI 95% = 7,782-56,791) dengan p-value yaitu 0,000, BBLR (OR = 11,306; CI 95% = 4,477-28,548) dengan p-value yaitu 0,000, usia ibu saat hamil (OR = 8,571; CI 95% = 2,345-31,336) dengan p-value 0,000, tingkat pendidikan ibu (OR = 7,095; CI 95% = 2,930-17,179) dengan p-value yaitu 0,000, dan pendapatan keluarga (OR = 8,571; CI 95% = 3,272-22,453) dengan p-value yaitu 0,000. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dari 106 responden dapat disimpulkan bahwa variabel riwayat pemberian ASI eksklusif, BBLR, usia ibu saat hamil, tingkat pendidikan ibu, dan pendapatan keluarga merupakan faktor yang mempengaruhi kejadian stunting pada pada balita 24-59 bulan di Desa Laompo wilayah kerja Puskesmas Batauga Kabupaten Buton Selatan tahun 2022.

Kata Kunci : Stunting, ASI Eksklusif, BBLR, Kehamilan
FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN PERILAKU PENCEGAHAN COVID-19 DI WILAYAH KERJA UPTD PUSKESMAS ONE WAARA KABUPATEN BUTON TENGAH TAHUN 2022
Authors: Fitriyani Fitriyani , Yusran Sartiah , Effendy Devi Savitri
Published: December 2023

Latar Belakang: Beberapa jenis Coronovirus diketahui menyebabkan infeksi saluran nafas pada manusia mulai dari batuk pilek hingga yang lebih serius Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) dan Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Coronavirus jenis baru yang ditemukan menyebabkan penyakit Covid-19.

Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan perilaku meliputi pengetahuan, sikap dan tindakan pencegahan Covid-19 di wilayah kerja UPTD Puskesmas One Waara Kabupaten Buton Tengah tahun 2022. Metode: Jenis penelitian Kuantitatif dengan pendekatan cross sectional dengan jumlah sampel 70 responden. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik cluster sampling. Instrumen dalam penelitian ini menggunakan kuesioner yang disebar secara langsung. Hasil: Penelitian ini menunjukkan tidak ada hubungan antara pengetahuan dengan perilaku pencegahan Covid-19 dengan nilai p = 0,111 (p > 0,05). Sikap menunjukkan ada hubungan antara sikap dengan perilaku pencegahan Covid-19 dengan nilai p = 0,001 (p < 0,05). Tindakan menunjukkan ada hubungan tindakan dengan perilaku pencegahan Covid-19 dengan nilai p = 0,000 (p < 0,05). Kesimpulan: Simpulan penelitian ini menunjukkan tidak ada hubungan antara pengetahuan dengan perilaku pencegahan Covid-19, akan tetapi sikap dan tindakan berhubungan dengan perilaku pencegahan Covid-19.
EFEKTIFITAS PENGGUNAAN MEDIA BOOKLET TERHADAP PENINGATAN PERILAKU REMAJA PUTRI KELAS X TENTANG PENYAKIT ANEMIA DI SMA NEGERI 1 LAWA
Authors: Basrahma Sitti Rajab Anjamsuri , Yasnani Yasnani , Hikmawati Zainab
Published: December 2023

Latar Belakang: Anemia adalah suatu kondisi jumlah sel darah merah atau kapasitas oksigen oleh eritrosit tidak cukup untuk memenuhi kebutuhan fisiologis tubuh. Data World Health Organization (WHO) menyatakan bahwa lebih dari 30% penduduk di dunia mengalami anemia, dalam Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescent jumlah kejadian anemia yang tertinggi yaitu Asia Tenggara 1179 per 100.000 remaja. Menurut data WHO angka kejadian anemia lebih banyak pada perempuan, dimana pada negara berkembang mencapai 53,7% prevelensi kejadian anemia, hal ini disebabkan karena strees, haid dan terlambat makan, berdasarkan data WHO (2023) persentase kejadian anemia pada negara Indonesia sebesar 31,2%.Tujuan: Tujuan Penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui pengaruh melakukan promosi kesehatan dengan media booklet terhadap peningkatan pengetahuan, sikap dan tindakan terhadap pencegahan penyakit anemia pada remaja putri kelas X di SMAN 1 LawaMetode: dengan desain penelitian Pre-Eksperimental with One group Pre-test and Post-test dengan menggunakan uji Wilcoxon Signe Rank Test. Jumlah sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 69 orang Hasil: Hasil dari penelitian ini menyatakan nilai p-value dari variabel Pengetahuan, Sikap, dan Tindakan yaitu 0,000 sehingga p-value < 0,05 dengan demikian maka H0 di tolak Kesimpulan: Dapat disimpulkan bahwa penggunaan media Booklet dalam melakukan promosi kesehatan sangatlah efektif guna meningkatan Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Tindakan Remaja Putri terhadap pencegahan penyakit anemia.
Metadata at
The New York Times
: organizing and leveraging news content from 1851 to today
Authors: Parrucci Jennifer
Published: December 2023

The New York Times
has been a leader in metadata since the birth of
The New York Times Index
in 1913. Today, a team of taxonomists uses natural-language processing and a human-in-the-loop model to organize, analyze, and push content to readers. Looking to the future, the taxonomy team hopes to free up resources with the help of new technologies so that the metadata practices already in place can be expanded to other areas beyond core news content.
VERTICAL ACCURACY ASSESSMENT OF VARIOUS OPEN-SOURCE DEM DATA: DEMNAS, SRTM-1, AND ASTER GDEM
Authors: Susetyo Danang Budi
Published: December 2023

DEM can be used optimally when it has good accuracy. Thus, assessing DEM data quality is mandatory before use it for specific thematic applications. Recently, there are open-source DEM data that can be downloaded and used freely by users, such as SRTM and ASTER GDEM. However, Indonesia tried to develop their own national seamless DEM, called DEMNAS. This study aims to evaluate the open-source DEMs that are popular in Indonesia: DEMNAS, SRTM-1, and ASTER GDEM. Accuracy assessment was conducted by comparing the DEMs to GPS measurements. The results showed that SRTM-1 had the best accuracy with 5.529 meters, followed by DEMNAS and ASTER GDEM with 8.172 meters and 13.632 meters, respectively. We also analyzed the linear relation between DEMs and GPS elevation data using the coefficient of determination, and all DEMs showed good R2 values. Lastly, the correlation between the error and the height of DEMs was also examined. The results were SRTM-1 had correlation between the height and accuracy, as well as ASTER GDEM. In contrast, the errors in DEMNAS were relatively uniform in all range of elevation.
More than Olceclostera bifenestrata: New species and morphology of immature stages of Olceclostera Butler, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea, Apatelodidae)
Authors: Orlandin Elton , Piovesan Mônica , Herbin Daniel , Carneiro Eduardo
Published: December 2023

Apatelodidae is a family of Neotropical bombycoids that still needs to be studied in several aspects, as many groups of species have not yet undergone a careful systematic revision. On the other hand, recent studies showed that some species known to be widely distributed in fact form species complexes. Until now, Olceclostera bifenestrata Schaus, 1912, described from Costa Rica, supposedly has a wide distribution, reaching the south of Brazil. We reviewed specimens from South America identified as O. bifenestrata. Using morphological data and DNA barcodes, we discovered that South American specimens belong to four new species: Olceclostera jairanasp. nov., Olceclostera quilombolasp. nov., Olceclostera xetasp. nov. and Olceclostera wayanasp. nov. The four species can be distinguished mainly by characters of genitalia, mostly in aedeagus structures. However, wing characters (number of hyaline spots) and abdomen characters (number of patches of larger scales) may be useful for classifying species groups in Olceclostera. Additionally, we illustrate and describe for the first time all the life stages of an Olceclostera species, including its chaetotaxy and life history, and provide the first SEM images of the egg of an Apatelodidae species. We present a discussion about the morphological characters of adults and immatures and their relevance to the systematics of Apatelodidae.
Protecting Quality Under Medicaid Managed Care
Authors: Booth Maureen
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this article is to discuss the quality assessment mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of managed care. The clinical indicators and practice guidelines that direct the monitoring process are described on the national and state level. New directions for monitoring managed care as a delivery system for vulnerable populations in terms of quality of services is addressed.
Dynamical behaviours of discrete amensalism system with fear effects on first species
Authors: Li Qianqian , Kashyap Ankur Jyoti , Zhu Qun , Chen Fengde
Published: December 2023

Amensalism, a rare yet impactful symbiotic relationship in ecological systems, is the focus of this study. We examine a discrete-time amensalism system by incorporating the fear effect on the first species. We identify the plausible equilibrium points and analyze their local stability conditions. The global attractivity of the positive equilibrium, $ E^* $, and the boundary equilibrium, $ E_1 $, are analyzed by exploring threshold conditions linked to the level of fear. Additionally, we analyze transcritical bifurcations and flip bifurcations exhibited by the boundary equilibrium points analytically. Considering some biologically feasible parameter values, we conduct extensive numerical simulations. From numerical simulations, it is observed that the level of fear has a stabilizing effect on the system dynamics when it increases. It eventually accelerates the extinction process for the first species as the level of fear continues to increase. These findings highlight the complex interplay between external factors and intrinsic system dynamics, enriching potential mechanisms for driving species changes and extinction events.
Type I CRISPR-Cas-mediated microbial gene editing and regulation
Authors: Xu Zeling , Chen Shuzhen , Wu Weiyan , Wen Yongqi , Cao Huiluo
Published: December 2023

There are six major types of CRISPR-Cas systems that provide adaptive immunity in bacteria and archaea against invasive genetic elements. The discovery of CRISPR-Cas systems has revolutionized the field of genetics in many organisms. In the past few years, exploitations of the most abundant class 1 type I CRISPR-Cas systems have revealed their great potential and distinct advantages to achieve gene editing and regulation in diverse microorganisms in spite of their complicated structures. The widespread and diversified type I CRISPR-Cas systems are becoming increasingly attractive for the development of new biotechnological tools, especially in genetically recalcitrant microbial strains. In this review article, we comprehensively summarize recent advancements in microbial gene editing and regulation by utilizing type I CRISPR-Cas systems. Importantly, to expand the microbial host range of type I CRISPR-Cas-based applications, these structurally complicated systems have been improved as transferable gene-editing tools with efficient delivery methods for stable expression of CRISPR-Cas elements, as well as convenient gene-regulation tools with the prevention of DNA cleavage by obviating deletion or mutation of the Cas3 nuclease. We envision that type I CRISPR-Cas systems will largely expand the biotechnological toolbox for microbes with medical, environmental and industrial importance.
Web analytics and supply chain transportation firms' financial performance
Authors: Giannakopoulos Nikolaos T. , Sakas Damianos P. , Kanellos Nikos , Christopoulos Christos
Published: December 2023

In the dynamic landscape of today's digitized markets, organizations harness the power of vast and swiftly accessible data to glean invaluable insights. A significant portion of this data emanates from user behavior on business websites. Unraveling the intricacies of this user behavior has become paramount for businesses, serving as the compass guiding the adaptation and evolution of their digital marketing strategies. Embarking on an exploration of this digital frontier, our study delves into the virtual domains of enterprises entrenched in the supply chain sector of the Greek economy. The spotlight falls upon four dominant transportation firms of the Greek supply chain sector, to unravel the relationship between their website activities and the prediction of their stock market prices. Our analytical tools, adorned with sophisticated statistical methodologies, embracing normality tests, correlations, ANOVA, linear regressions and the utilization of regression residual tests were deployed with precision. As the analytical methodology was deployed, a revelation emerged: The digital footprints left by customers on the virtual domains of supply chain firms provided the ability to predict and influence stock prices. Metrics such as bounce rates, the influx of new visitors and the average time on websites emerged as important factors, that could predict the fluctuations in the stock prices of these Greek supply chain firms. Web analytics have been discerned as a determining factor for predicting the course of transportation firms' stock prices. It serves as a clarion call for global scrutiny, inviting scholars and practitioners alike to scrutinize analogous firms on a global canvas. In this convergence of virtual footprints and financial trajectories lies not just a revelation for today but a harbinger of insights that resonate far beyond the digital borders of the Hellenic transportation sector.
Increasing Hardness and Wear Resistance of SKD61 Steel by Using Plasma Nitrocarburizing Proccess
Authors: Setiawan Ridwan , Sujitno Tjipto , Siradj Eddy Sumarno , Suprapto Suprapto , Suprihatin Hari
Published: December 2023

This study observed the results of plasma nitrocarburizing processes on JIS SKD61 Steel. This research aims to use a plasma nitrocarburizing process to increase the hardness and wear resistance of JIS SKD61Steel. Before plasma nitriding was carried out, the sample had undergone a pre-treatment process. The optimum hardness value obtained after the pre-treatment process was 504 HV. The optimum hardness obtained in the plasma nitrocarburizing sample was 830 HV at temperatures 500°C for 4 hours. The optimum wear resistance or specific wear results on plasma nitrocarburizing was 0.11 x10-6mm2/kg at temperatures 400°C for 4 hours and 0.08 x10-6mm2/kg at temperature 500°C for 4 hours. XRD test results show that the phase formed in the nitrocarburizing compound layer was the iron nitride, iron carbonitride FeN, FeN0.49, ε-Fe2-3N, or ε-Fe2-3(N,C). The process of plasma nitrocarburizing has improved the mechanical properties of hardness and wear resistance of SKD61 steel.
Clinical and demographic characteristics of human bocavirus-1 infection among patients with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Central province of Sri Lanka
Authors: Arunasalam S. , Pattiyakumbura T. , Shihaab S. R. M. , Muthugala R. , Noordeen F.
Published: December 2023

NA
Detection of leptospirosis among COVID-19 suspected febrile patients in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka
Authors: Senarathne K. M. P. H. , Karunarathne K. M. S. S. , Rathnayake N. S. , Vijeykumaran R. , Bandara R. M. V. V. , Karunadasa A. K. U. I. , Koizumi N. , Dissanayake N. , Kularathne S. A. M. , Muthusinghe B. D. S. , Gamage C. D.
Published: December 2023

NA
Occurrence of non-tuberculous Mycobacteria in Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) collected from ornamental fish farms in the Western, North Western, and Central Provinces of Sri Lanka
Authors: Ananda K. L. N. , Kalupahana A. W. , De Silva S. H. N. P. , De S. Jagoda S. S. S.
Published: December 2023

NA
Assessment of retained microflora and the presence of human DNA on used toothbrushes using PCR
Authors: Gamage J. G. A. S. S. , Rajapakse R. G. S. C. , Jayatilake J. A. M. S.
Published: December 2023

NA
Molecular and serological identification of Leptospira carrier status in synanthropic rodents in the Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake N. S. , Vijeyakumaran R. , Bandara R. M. V. V. , Senarathne K. M. P. H. , Karunadasa A. K. U. I. , Sarathchandra S. R. , Muthusinghe B. D. S. , Koizumi N. , Gamage C. D.
Published: December 2023

NA
Peripheral neuropathy in leprosy among patients attending the Dermatology Clinic in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka: clinical, ultrasound measures and electrophysiological correlations
Authors: Prasangika T.G.C. , Senevirathne J.K.K. , Sirigampala C. , Fernando A. , Abeynayake S.D. , Pandigamage S.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Leprosy primarily affects the peripheral nerves and subsequently spreads to the skin and its appendages. The aim of this study was to correlate clinical patterns of nerve abnormalities of ulnar and common peroneal nerves of leprosy patients with ultrasonography (USG) and findings of nerve conduction studies (NCS).

Methods: 180 ulnar nerves (UN) and 180 common peroneal nerves (CPN) of 90 patients with leprosy were assessed clinically. Cross sectional area (CSA) of nerves was measured by ultrasonography. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) were measured in NCS.

Results: The correlation of clinical palpation and ultrasound measures were significant; r= 0.378 (p<0.01) in UN and r= 0.158 (p<0.01) in CPN. There was a significant correlation between clinical findings and NCS; MNCV of UN r= -0.44 (p<0.01), SNCV of UN r= -0.575 (p<0.01) and MNCV of CPN r= -0.254 (p<0.01). The correlation of maximum CSA and NCS was statistically significant in UN; MNCV r= -0.276 (p<0.01) and SNCV r = -0.412 (p<0.01).

Conclusion: In leprosy patients, a significant positive correlation exists between clinical detection, ultrasound measures of nerve enlargement and slowing of MNCV and SNCV of UN and CPNs. In our study, USG was done using 4 - 11MHz linear transducer, which is available at any low resource setting. Therefore, ultrasonography without high resolution can be used to detect nerve enlargement in leprosy.
Pachyonychia Congenita in both father and son
Authors: Seneviwickrama K.L.P.D. , Kumari A.M.S.D. , Gunathilake H.M.P.
Published: December 2023

Pachyonychia Congenita (PC) is a rare geno-dermatosis due to mutations in one of five keratin genes. It primarily affects skin and nail. Here we report a case of PC in a 7 year old boy and his father.
Modulating the sEH/EETs Axis Restrains Specialized Proresolving Mediator Impairment and Regulates T Cell Imbalance in Experimental Periodontitis
Authors: Abdalla Henrique B , Puhl Luciano , Rivas Carla Alvarez , Wu Yu-Chiao , Rojas Paola , Trindade-da-Silva Carlos Antonio , Hammock Bruce D , Maddipati Krishna R , Soares Mariana Q S , Clemente-Napimoga Juliana T , Kantarci Alpdogan , Napimoga Marcelo H , Van Dyke Thomas E
Published: December 2023

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and other epoxy fatty acids are short-acting lipids involved in resolution of inflammation. Their short half-life, due to its metabolism by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), limits their effects. Specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) are endogenous regulatory lipids insufficiently synthesized in uncontrolled and chronic inflammation. Using an experimental periodontitis model, we pharmacologically inhibited sEH, examining its impact on T cell activation and systemic SPM production. In humans, we analyzed sEH in the gingival tissue of periodontitis patients. Mice were treated with sEH inhibitor (sEHi) and/or EETs before ligature placement and treated for 14 d. Bone parameters were assessed by microcomputed tomography and methylene blue staining. Blood plasma metabololipidomics were carried out to quantify SPM levels. We also determined T cell activation by reverse transcription–quantitative PCR and flow cytometry in cervical lymph nodes. Human gingival samples were collected to analyze sEH using ELISA and electrophoresis. Data reveal that pharmacological sEHi abrogated bone resorption and preserved bone architecture. Metabololipidomics revealed that sEHi enhances lipoxin A4, lipoxin B4, resolvin E2, and resolvin D6. An increased percentage of regulatory T cells over Th17 was noted in sEHi-treated mice. Lastly, inflamed human gingival tissues presented higher levels and expression of sEH than did healthy gingivae, being positively correlated with periodontitis severity. Our findings indicate that sEHi preserves bone architecture and stimulates SPM production, associated with regulatory actions on T cells favoring resolution of inflammation. Because sEH is enhanced in human gingivae from patients with periodontitis and connected with disease severity, inhibition may prove to be an attractive target for managing osteolytic inflammatory diseases.
The CATERPILLERS
Authors: Amer Amal O
Published: December 2023

This Pillars of Immunology article is a commentary on “Cutting Edge: CATERPILLER: A large family of mammalian genes containing CARD, pyrin, nucleotide-binding, and leucine-rich repeat domains,” a pivotal article written by J. A. Harton, M. W. Linhoff, J. Zhang, and J. P.-Y. Ting,” and published in The Journal of Immunology, in 2002. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.169.8.4088.
Investigation of seasonal changes in lipid synthesis and metabolism-related genes in the oviduct of Chinese brown frog (Rana dybowskii)
Authors: Wang Yankun , Liu Yuning , Wang Yawei , Zhang Ao , Xie Wenqian , Zhang Haolin , Weng Qiang , Xu Meiyu
Published: December 2023

A peculiar physiological characteristic of the Chinese brown frog (Rana dybowskii) is that its oviduct dilates during pre-brumation rather than during the breeding season. This research aimed to examine the expression of genes connected with lipid synthesis and metabolism in the oviduct of R. dybowskii during both the breeding season and pre-brumation. We observed significant changes in the weight and size of the oviduct between the breeding season and pre-brumation. Furthermore, compared to the breeding season, pre-brumation exhibited significantly lower triglyceride content and a marked increase in free fatty acid content. Immunohistochemical results revealed the spatial distribution of triglyceride synthase (Dgat1), triglyceride hydrolase (Lpl and Hsl), fatty acid synthase (Fasn), and fatty acid oxidases (Cpt1a, Acadl, and Hadh) in oviductal glandular cells and epithelial cells during both the breeding season and pre-brumation. While the mRNA levels of triglycerides and free fatty acid synthesis genes (dgat1 and fasn) did not show a significant difference between the breeding season and pre-brumation, the mRNA levels of genes involved in triglycerides and free fatty acid metabolism (lpl, cpt1a, acadl, acox and hadh) were considerably higher during pre-brumation. Furthermore, the R. dybowskii oviduct's transcriptomic and metabolomic data confirmed differential expression of genes and metabolites enriched in lipid metabolism signaling pathways during both the breeding season and pre-brumation. Overall, these results suggest that alterations in lipid synthesis and metabolism during pre-brumation may potentially influence the expanding size of the oviduct, contributing to the successful overwintering of R. dybowskii.
Epistemic trust: a comprehensive review of empirical insights and implications for developmental psychopathology
Authors: Li Elizabeth , Campbell Chloe , Midgley Nick , Luyten Patrick
Published: December 2023

Originally rooted in philosophy and sociology, the concept of epistemic trust has recently transitioned to developmental psychopathology, illuminating social-cognitive processes in psychopathology. This narrative review synthesizes empirical evidence on epistemic trust to inform future research. A literature search highlighted 3 areas: i) the development of selective trust in children; ii) epistemic trust in non-clinical adults; iii) its link to mental health. Young children demonstrate selective learning from reliable sources using epistemic cues. Empirical studies beyond childhood were greatly facilitated in the last 2 years with the introduction of the Epistemic Trust, Mistrust and Credulity Questionnaire, a self-report scale measuring epistemic stance. Cross-sectional studies pinpointed dysfunctional epistemic strategies as factors in mental health vulnerability, and some qualitative work offered initial evidence linking restored epistemic trust to effective psychotherapy. For future research, we propose focusing on 3 primary areas. First, empirical investigations in adolescent samples are needed, as adolescence seems to be a pivotal phase in the development of epistemic trust. Second, more experimental research is required to assess dysfunctional and functional epistemic stances and how they relate to vulnerability to mental health disorders. Finally, intervention studies should explore the dynamics of epistemic stances within and between therapy sessions and their impact on therapeutic outcomes.
Spiritual Fitness, Spiritual Readiness, and Depressive Symptoms in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets
Authors: Willison Megan L. , Fraley Amy L. , Oglesby Leslie W. , Wright Cynthia J. , Winkelmann Zachary K.
Published: December 2023

Context

Over the past decade, the United States military has taken an interest in addressing soldiers’ spiritual fitness and readiness to help improve their mental health and resiliency. Similar efforts have not been applied within the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) population despite the mental health challenges these college students experience.

Objective

To examine spiritual readiness, spiritual fitness, and depressive symptoms in ROTC cadets.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Web-based survey.

Patients or Other Participants

We recruited ROTC cadets from 1 large southeastern university (n = 91 of 315, 28.9% response rate). The ROTC cadets (age = 21 ± 3 years; men = 68, 74.7%; women = 22, 24.2%; missing = 1, 1.1%) were mainly classified as juniors (n = 30, 33.0%) and in Army ROTC (ROTC branch: Army = 69, Air Force = 20, Navy = 2).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The survey contained 3 validated instruments used to assess spiritual fitness (the Spiritual Fitness Inventory [SFI]), spiritual readiness (Spiritual Wellbeing Scale [SWBS]), and mental health via depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]). Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests to compare belief in God or gods with the dependent measures. A Pearson correlation was calculated to assess the relationship between the SWBS score and PHQ-9 data.

Results

In total, 85.7% (n = 78/91) of ROTC cadets stated that they believed in God or gods. Overall, the cadets were considered to have average spiritual fitness (mean = 75.04 ± 14.89) and moderate spiritual well-being (mean = 90.46 ± 18.09). The average PHQ-9 score was 4.22 ± 5.25. Individuals who believed in God or gods had higher spiritual readiness (believer = 94.44 ± 16.10, nonbeliever = 67.00 ± 9.35; P ≤ .01). No statistically significant differences were noted for symptoms of depression (believer = 3.38 ± 4.90, nonbeliever = 6.60 ± 6.90; P = .143) or spiritual fitness (believer = 76.12 ± 14.78, nonbeliever = 64.40 ± 12.68; P = .054) in ROTC cadets based on belief status.

Conclusions

Overall, the ROTC cadets had moderate to average spiritual fitness and readiness, with typical depressive symptoms scores. Spiritual readiness was different for those who believed in God or gods, and existential well-being was significantly correlated with depressive symptoms.
The waning fortunes of traditional leadership in South Africa: From pre-colonial to apartheid periods
Authors: Mvenene Jongikhaya
Published: December 2023

There is a disturbing trend in the public arena by traditional leaders and their communities that their role and power in the development of their communities have been downplayed by the colonial, apartheid and democratic governments. This article examines a history of traditional leadership and African communities from pre-colonial times to the apartheid period. The traditional leaders’ status, place and role in the development of the communities are examined. It is argued that traditional leadership as a heritage was jealously guarded, strengthened and maintained by traditional leaders and rural communities in spite of successive governments’ assault on chiefs (iiNkosi) and kings (iiKumkani). In the past, traditional leaders worked collaboratively with their communities in exerting pressure on the previous governments to recognise traditional leadership as an institution worth maintaining and treasuring. They were the law-makers. Succession was a criterion for access to positions of power and had the power and the final say in matters of national importance.Contribution: The purpose of this article is to bring to the surface the fact that traditional leaders collaborated with colonial governing authorities and apartheid government not so much to serve as stooges but for personal interest. Hence, oral sources are also used to delve deep into the dynamics of traditional leadership.
$k$-однородные латинские квадраты, их трансверсали и условие псевдоортогональности
Authors: Borisenko Vladimir Vladimirovich
Published: December 2023

Предложен метод преобразования системы $t$ попарно ортогональных латинских квадратов в систему $t$ попарно псевдоортогональных латинских квадратов и обратно. Рассматриваются $k$-однородные латинские квадраты, т. е. латинские квадраты порядка $kn$, построенные на множестве чисел ${0,…,kn- 1}$, которые при приведении по модулю $n$ дают $(kn \times kn)$-матрицу, состоящую из $k^2$ одинаковых латинских квадратов порядка $n$. Изучены некоторые свойства трансверсалей $k$-однородных латинских квадратов и сформулировано достаточное условие, при котором существуют псевдоортогональные к ним $k$-однородные латинские квадраты.
Многомерный спектральный критерий для проверки гипотез о случайных подстановках
Authors: Denisov Oleg Viktorovich
Published: December 2023

Наблюдаются $N$ случайных одинаково распределенных пар вида $(x,y)\in\mathbb{X}^2$, где $x$ имеет равномерное распределение на конечном множестве $\mathbb{X}$. Проверяется гипотеза о том, что матрица $Q=\|\mathsf{P}\{y=b\mid x=a\}\|_{a,b\in\mathbb{X}}$ равна $\|\frac1{|\mathbb{X}|}\|$ против гипотезы $Q=\mathbb{P}^R$, где дважды стохастическая матрица $\mathbb{P}$ и ее степень $R$ известны. Предлагаются многомерные критерии, которые строятся по собственным векторам $\mathbb{P}$. Они используются для построения и расчета характеристик разностных атак различения на случайные подстановки, вырабатываемые шифрами семейства SmallPresent с длинами блока $n\in\{8,12,16\}$ и $R\in\{4,\ldots,9\}$ раундами.
Число появлений элементов на отрезках линейных рекуррентных последовательностей над кольцами Галуа
Authors: Malov Maksim Yur'evich
Published: December 2023

Получены оценки для частот появлений элементов на отрезках линейных рекуррентных последовательностей над кольцами Галуа при условии, что начальный вектор рекуррентных последовательностей выбирается случайно и равновероятно.
Знаковый ранг и размерность Вапника-Червоненкиса
Authors: Alon Noga , Moran Shay , Yehudayoff Amir
Published: December 2023

Исследуется наибольший возможный знаковый ранг знаковых $(N \times N)$-матриц с заданной размерностью Вапника-Червоненкиса $d$. При $d=1$ этот максимум равен трем. При $d=2$ этот максимум имеет порядок $\widetilde{\Theta}(N^{1/2})$. При $d >2$ верны аналогичные, но менее точные утверждения. Нижние оценки улучшают результаты, полученные ранее Бен-Дэвидом с соавторами, верхние оценки являются новыми.
Нижние оценки получены при помощи вероятностных конструкций с использованием теоремы Уоррена из вещественной алгебраической топологии. Верхние оценки получены с использованием результата Вельцля об остовных деревьях с небольшим числом Хелли и с использованием кривой моментов.
Техника верхних оценок также используется: (i) для получения оценок на количество классов заданной размерности Вапника-Червоненкиса и на количество максимальных классов заданной размерности Вапника-Червоненкиса - тем самым получен ответ на вопрос, поставленный Франклем в 1989 г., и (ii) для разработки эффективного алгоритма, вычисляющего приближение знакового ранга с мультипликативной сложностью $O(N/\log(N))$.
Также отмечается общая связь между знаковым рангом и спектральными зазорами, которая основывается на рассуждениях Форстера. Рассмотривается $(N \times N)$-матрица смежности $\Delta$-регулярного графа, где $\Delta \leq N/2$, и ее второе собственное значение по модулю полагается равным $\lambda$.
Показано, что знаковый ранг знакового аналога этой матрицы не меньше чем $\Delta/\lambda$.
Эта связь используется при доказательстве существования максимального класса $C\subseteq\{\pm 1\}^N$, имеющего размерность Вапника-Червоненкиса $2$ и знаковый ранг $\widetilde{\Theta}(N^{1/2})$. Это дает ответ на вопрос Бен-Дэвида и его соавторов о знаковом ранге больших классов Вапника-Червоненкиса. Также указываются ограничения используемого подхода в духе теоремы Алона-Боппана.
Далее описываются связи с коммуникационной сложностью, геометрией, теорией обучения и комбинаторикой.
Библиография: 69 названий.
Karatsuba's divisor problem and related questions
Authors: Gabdullin Mikhail Rashidovich , Konyagin Sergei Vladimirovich , Iudelevich Vitalii Victorovich
Published: December 2023

We prove that
$$
\sum_{p \leq x} \frac{1}{\tau(p-1)} \asymp \frac{x}{(\log x)^{3/2}} \quadand\quad
\sum_{n \leq x} \frac{1}{\tau(n^2+1)} \asymp \frac{x}{(\log x)^{1/2}},
$$
where $\tau(n)=\sum_{d\mid n}1$ is the number of divisors of $n$, and the first sum is taken over prime numbers.
Bibliography: 14 titles.
Spectral gaps in a thin-walled infinite rectangular Dirichlet box with a periodic family of cross walls
Authors: Nazarov Sergei Aleksandrovich
Published: December 2023

The Dirichlet spectral problem for the Laplace operator is considered in an infinite thin-walled rectangular box with a periodic family of cross walls whose thickness is proportional to that of the walls. Using asymptotic analysis it is shown that spectral gaps open up
in the case of ‘thin’ or ‘sufficiently thick’ cross-walls whose relative thickness is bounded above or below by certain characteristics
of model Dirichlet problems in $\mathsf L$- and $\mathsf T$-shaped domains in the plane and in a union of two pairwise orthogonal
halves of space layers and a quarter of a space layer. A number of open questions are stated; in particular, because of the lack of information on threshold resonances in the three-dimensional model problem, the structure of the spectrum for cross walls of any intermediate thickness remains unknown.
Bibliography: 35 titles.
Многопараметрические семейства решений уравнения Кадомцева-Петвиашвили I, структура их рациональных представлений и совокупность волн-убийц
Authors: Gaillard Pierre
Published: December 2023

Построены решения уравнения Кадомцева-Петвиашвили I в терминах определителей Фредгольма. Получены решения в виде отношения вронскианов порядка $2N$. Такие решения, называемые решениями порядка $N$, зависят от $2N-1$ параметров. Их также можно представить в виде отношения двух полиномов степени $2N(N+1)$ по $x$, $y$ и $t$, зависящих от $2N-2$ параметров. Максимум модуля этих решений порядка $N$ равен $2(2N+1)^{2}$. Построены явные выражения до шестого порядка и изучены структуры их модулей на плоскости $(x,y)$, а также их динамика в зависимости от времени и параметров.
Дисперсионные деформации высшего порядка многомерных скобок Пуассона гидродинамического типа
Authors: Casati Matteo
Published: December 2023

Теория многомерных вертексных пуассоновых алгебр предоставляет полностью алгебраический формализм для изучения гамильтоновой структуры дифференциальных уравнений в частных производных при любом числе зависимых и независимых переменных. Вычислены когомологии вертексных пуассоновых алгебр, связанных с двухкомпонентными двумерными скобками Пуассона гидродинамического типа с производными третьего порядка. Это позволяет получить соответствующие когомологии Пуассона-Лихнеровича, которые являются основными строительными блоками теории их деформаций. Данная когомология не является тривиальной ни во второй группе когомологий, что отвечает существованию класса неэквивалентных инфинитезимальных деформаций, ни в третьей группе когомологий, что отвечает наличию препятствий к продолжению таких деформаций.
Mass Relapse Prevention to Reduce Transmission of Plasmodium vivax— A Systematic Review
Authors: Shah Monica P. , Westercamp Nelli , Lindblade Kim A. , Hwang Jimee
Published: December 2023

Several temperate countries have used mass chemoprevention interventions with medicines of the 8-aminoquinoline class that prevent relapses from Plasmodium vivax before peak transmission to reduce transmission of malaria. The WHO commissioned a systematic review of the literature and evidence synthesis to inform development of recommendations regarding this intervention referred to as “mass relapse prevention” (MRP). Electronic databases were searched, 866 articles screened, and 25 assessed for eligibility after a full-text review. Two nonrandomized studies were included, one from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (391,357 participants) and the second from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (∼30,000 participants). The two studies administered a single round of primaquine over 14 days (0.25 mg/kg per day). From 1 to 3 months after the treatment round, the incidence of P. vivax infections was significantly lower in areas that received MRP than those that did not (pooled rate ratio [RR] 0.08, 95% CI 0.07–0.08). At 4 to 12 months after the treatment round, the prevalence of P. vivax infection was significantly lower in MRP villages than non-MRP villages (odds ratio 0.12, 95% CI 0.03–0.52). No severe adverse events were found. The certainty of evidence for all outcomes was very low and no conclusions as to the effectiveness or safety of MRP could be drawn. However, it is not likely that this intervention will be needed in the future as most temperate countries where P. vivax is transmitted are nearing or have already eliminated malaria.
Targeted Test and Treat at Point of Entry to Reduce Importation of Malaria Parasites: A Systematic Review
Authors: Martí Coma-Cros Elisabet , Tusell Maria , Bhamani Beena , Mithi Vita , Serra-Casas Elisa , Williams Nana Aba , Lindblade Kim A. , Allen Koya C.
Published: December 2023

As countries approach malaria elimination, imported cases of malaria make up a larger proportion of all cases and may drive malaria transmission. Targeted test and treat (TTaT) at points of entry (POEs) is a strategy that aims to reduce the number of imported infections in countries approaching elimination by testing and treating individuals at border crossings. No evidence has been systematically collected and evaluated to assess the impact and operational feasibility of this strategy. This systematic review gathered empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the intervention, contextual factors, and results of modeling studies that estimate its potential impact. Bibliographic searches were conducted in March 2021 and updated in April 2022, and a total of 1,569 articles were identified. All study designs were included, but none of them were intervention studies set up to measure the impact of TTaT at POEs. Seven nonrandomized observational studies were eligible for assessment of outcome data in terms of describing the extent of positive cases among people crossing borders. Also included in the review were three studies for assessment of acceptability and feasibility of the intervention and three for assessment of mathematical modeling. The positivity rates reported in the seven studies ranged between 0.0% and 70.0%, which may be attributable to the different settings and operational feasibility. Overall, there is limited evidence of the effect of TTaT at POEs on the prevalence of infection, and the certainty of the evidence was very low owing to critical risk of bias, serious inconsistency, and serious indirectness.
Francesco Petrarca: Pismo Giacomu Colonni (Rerum familiarium libri 2.9)
Authors: Božič Anja
Published: December 2023

Petrarcovo pismo Giacomu Colonni je sedmo pismo druge knjige Petrarcove zbirke proznih pisem v latinščini z naslovom Pisma o osebnih zadevah (De rerum familiarium) ali na kratko Familiares. Giacomo Colonna je bil četrti sin pomembnega rimskega senatorja in Petrarcovega prvega pokrovitelja Stefana di Colonne Starejšega. Giacomo in Petrarca sta se spoznala v Bologni med študijem prava pri Giovanniju D‘Andrea in postala bližnja prijatelja. Leta 1328 je Giacomo postal škof v Lombezu, kamor je za stalno odpotoval leta 1330, spremljali pa so ga Petrarca, Ludwiga van Kempen in Angelo Tosetti. Potovanje pa je ostalo med Petrarcovimi najljubšimi spomini in se ga pogosto spominja v svojih pismih. Leta 1333 se je Giacomo odpavil v Avignon, da bi obiskal svojega brata, vplivnega kardinala Giovannija Colonno, a je bil nato odpoklican v Rim. Tam se je zadnjič v življenju srečal s Petrarco. Leta 1440 se je preselil nazaj v Lombez in nekaj mesecev zatem umrl. Petrarca globoko žaluje za njim v Fam. 4.13.