bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of a custom bait design based on 469 single-copy protein-coding genes for exon capture of isopods (Philosciidae: Haloniscus)
Authors: Stringer Danielle N. , Bertozzi Terry , Meusemann Karen , Delean Steven , Guzik Michelle T. , Tierney Simon M. , Mayer Christoph , Cooper Steven J. B. , Javidkar Mohammad , Zwick Andreas , Austin Andrew D.
Published: September 2021

Transcriptome-based exon capture approaches, along with next-generation sequencing, are allowing for the rapid and cost-effective production of extensive and informative phylogenomic datasets from non-model organisms for phylogenetics and population genetics research. These approaches generally employ a reference genome to infer the intron-exon structure of targeted loci and preferentially select longer exons. However, in the absence of an existing and well-annotated genome, we applied this exon capture method directly, without initially identifying intron-exon boundaries for bait design, to a group of highly diverse Haloniscus (Philosciidae), paraplatyarthrid and armadillid isopods, and examined the performance of our methods and bait design for phylogenetic inference. Here, we identified an isopod-specific set of single-copy protein-coding loci, and a custom bait design to capture targeted regions from 469 genes, and analysed the resulting sequence data with a mapping approach and newly-created post-processing scripts. We effectively recovered a large and informative dataset comprising both short (<100 bp) and longer (>300 bp) exons, with high uniformity in sequencing depth. We were also able to successfully capture exon data from up to 16-year-old museum specimens along with more distantly related outgroup taxa, and efficiently pool multiple samples prior to capture. Our well-resolved phylogenies highlight the overall utility of this methodological approach and custom bait design, which offer enormous potential for application to future isopod, as well as broader crustacean, molecular studies.
Immunosurveillance and molecular detection of hepatitis B virus infection amongst vaccinated children in the West Gonja District in Savanna Region of Ghana
Authors: Quaye Theophilus , Narkwa Patrick Williams , Domfeh Seth A. , Kattah Gloria , Mutocheluh Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Hepatitis B vaccination is the most effective preventive measure in reducing the incidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its consequences such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure and death. Ghana introduced the universal HBV vaccination in the national Expanded Programme on Immunization in 2002. The current study sought to determine the sero-protection rate and the prevalence of HBV infection among fully vaccinated children in the West Gonja District in the Savanna Region of Ghana. This cross-sectional study recruited three hundred and fifty (350) fully vaccinated children who visited West Gonja Catholic Hospital from September to December 2019 for healthcare. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain information on the demographics. The clinical history of the participants was obtained from the hospital records. Sera were separated from 2-5ml of blood sample collected from each participant after informed consent had been sought from their parents/guardians. Sera were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc using ELISA. Samples positive for HBsAg or anti-HBc were tested for HBV DNA by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. The overall sero-protection rate (anti-HBs titers ≥ 10 mIU/mL) among the studied participants was 56% with anti-HBs geometric mean titer (GMT) of 95.7 mIU/mL (± 6.0; 95% CI) compared with GMT of 2.8 mIU/mL (± 0.2; 95% CI) among non-seroprotected participants. There was no statistically significant difference in sero-protection rate between males and females (p-value = 0.93) and in relation to age (p-value = 0.20). The prevalence of HBV infection among studied participants as determined by the HBV DNA/HBsAg positivity was 1.4% while anti-HBc sero-positivity was 2%. Even though the sero-protection rate and HBV infection rate reported in the current study compares with that of other international studies further studies need to be conducted to understand the factors related to sero-protection and HBV infection rate in the Savanna Region of Ghana.
Kinematic analysis of movement impaired by generalization of fear of movement-related pain in workers with low back pain
Authors: Fujii Ren , Imai Ryota , Tanaka Shinichiro , Morioka Shu
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To identify impaired trunk movement during work-related activity in individuals with low back pain (LBP) and investigate whether abnormalities were caused by generalized fear of movement-related pain.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital in Japan. We recruited 35 participants with LBP (LBP group; 26 males, 9 females) and 20 healthy controls (HC group) via posters at our hospital. The task required lifting an object. We used a 3D motion capture system to calculate the peak angular velocity of trunk flexion and extension during a lifting task. Pain-related factors for the LBP group were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain intensity over the past 4 weeks and during the task, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20 (PASS-20). We compared kinematic variables between groups with a generalized linear mixed model and investigated the relationship between kinematic variables, VAS scores, and psychological factors by performing a mediation analysis.

Results

The peak angular velocity of trunk extension showed significant main effects on the group factors (LBP group vs. HC group) and their interactions; the value of the kinematic variable was lower at Trial 1 in the LBP group. No LBP participant reported pain during the experiment. The mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between the VAS score for pain intensity over the past 4 weeks and the peak angular velocity of trunk extension in the first trial was completely mediated by the TSK (complete mediation model, 95% bootstrapped CI: 0.07–0.56).

Conclusion

Individuals with LBP had reduced trunk extension during a lifting task. Generalized fear of movement-related pain may contribute to such impaired trunk movement. Our findings suggest that intervention to ameliorate fear of movement may be needed to improve LBP-associated disability.
The minimum effective concentration (MEC90) of ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided caudal block in anorectal surgery. A dose finding study
Authors: Li Xuehan , Li Jun , Zhang Pei , Deng Huifei , Yang Mingan , He Hongbo , Wang Rurong
Published: September 2021

Background

Caudal epidural block (CEB) provides reliable anesthesia for adults undergoing anorectal surgery. Despite the widely utilization, the minimum effective concentration for 90% patients (MEC90) of ropivacaine for CEB remains unknown.

Objective

To estimate MEC of ropivacaine for CEB in anorectal surgery.

Design

A prospective dose-finding study using biased coin design up-and-down sequential method.

Setting

Operating room and postoperative recovery area of Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, from October 2019 to January 2020.

Patients

50 males and 51 females scheduled for anorectal surgery.

Interventions

We conducted two independent biased coin design up-and down trials by genders. The concentration of ropivacaine administered to the first patient of male and female were 0.25% with fixed volume of 14ml for male and 12ml for female patients based on our previous study. In case of failure, the concentration was increased by 0.05% in the next subject. Otherwise, the next subject was randomized to a concentration 0.05% less with a probability of 0.11, or the same concentration with a probability of 0.89. Success was defined as complete sensory blockade of perineal area 15 min after the block evidenced by the presence of a lax anal sphincter and pain-free surgery.

Main outcome measures

The MEC of ropivacaine to achieve a successful CEB in 90%(MEC90) of the patients.

Results

The MEC90of ropivacaine for CEB were estimated to be 0.35% (95% CI 0.29 to 0.4%) for male and 0.353% (95%CI 0.22 to 0.4%) for female. By extrapolation to MEC in 99% of subjects (MEC99) and pooled adjacent violators algorithm (PAVA) adjusted responses, it would be optimal to choose 0.4% ropivacaine with a volume of 14ml for male and 12ml for female.

Conclusions

A concentration of 0.35% ropivacaine with a volume of 14ml provided a successful CEB in 90% of the male patients, while 0.353% ropivacaine with a volume of 12ml provided a successful CEB in 90% of the female patients. A concentration of 0.4% and a volume of 14ml for male and 12 ml for female would be successful in 99% of the patients.

Trial registration

Chictr.org.cnidentifier: No. ChiCTR 1900024315.
Exploring presentations of sustainability by US synthetic biology companies
Authors: Karabin James , Mansfield Izaac , Frow Emma K.
Published: September 2021

The field of synthetic biology is increasingly being positioned as a key driver of a more sustainable, bio-based economy, and has seen rapid industry growth over the past 15 years. In this paper we undertake an exploratory investigation of the relationship between sustainability and synthetic biology, identifying and analyzing sustainability-related language on the public websites of 24, US-based synthetic biology companies. We observe that sustainability is a visible part of the self-presentation of the nascent synthetic biology industry, explicitly mentioned by 18 of the 24 companies. The dominant framing of sustainability on these company websites emphasizes environmental gains and “free-market” approaches to sustainability, with little explicit mention of social dimensions of sustainability such as access, justice or intergenerational equity. Furthermore, the model of sustainability presented focuses on incremental transition towards environmental sustainability through direct substitution of products and processes using bioengineered alternatives (n = 16 companies), with no change in societal consumption or policy frameworks required in order to see sustainability gains. One-third of the companies analyzed (n = 8) mention “nature” on their websites, variously framing it as a resource to be managed or as a source of inspiration; whether the latter signals a potentially more complex relationship with nature than advanced free-market models of sustainability remains to be seen. As the synthetic biology industry begins to grow in size and visibility, we suggest this is an opportune time for the community to engage in explicit deliberation about its approach to sustainability.
Sensitive timing of undifferentiation in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and their enhanced maturation in primary visual cortex of binocularly enucleated mice
Authors: Shin Hyeryun , Kawai Hideki Derek
Published: September 2021

Sensory experience modulates proliferation, differentiation, and migration of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). In the mouse primary visual cortex (V1), visual deprivation-dependent modulation of OPCs has not been demonstrated. Here, we demonstrate that undifferentiated OPCs developmentally peaked around postnatal day (P) 25, and binocular enucleation (BE) from the time of eye opening (P14-15) elevated symmetrically-divided undifferentiated OPCs in a reversible G0/G1 state even more at the bottom lamina of the cortex by reducing maturing oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage cells. Experiments using the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling inhibitor cyclopamine in vivo suggested that Shh signaling pathway was involved in the BE-induced undifferentiation process. The undifferentiated OPCs then differentiated within 5 days, independent of the experience, becoming mostly quiescent cells in control mice, while altering the mode of sister cell symmetry and forming quiescent as well as maturing cells in the enucleated mice. At P50, BE increased mature OLs via symmetric and asymmetric modes of cell segregation, resulting in more populated mature OLs at the bottom layer of the cortex. These data suggest that fourth postnatal week, corresponding to the early critical period of ocular dominance plasticity, is a developmentally sensitive period for OPC state changes. Overall, the visual loss promoted undifferentiation at the early period, but later increased the formation of mature OLs via a change in the mode of cell type symmetry at the bottom layer of mouse V1.
Cancer care disruption and reorganisation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A patient, carer and healthcare worker perspective
Authors: Edge Rhiannon , Meyers Josh , Tiernan Gabriella , Li Zhicheng , Schiavuzzi Alexandra , Chan Priscilla , Vassallo Amy , Morrow April , Mazariego Carolyn , Wakefield Claire E. , Canfell Karen , Taylor Natalie
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted cancer care worldwide. Disruptions have been seen across all facets of care. While the long-term impact of COVID-19 remains unclear, the immediate impacts on patients, their carers and the healthcare workforce are increasingly evident. This study describes disruptions and reorganisation of cancer services in Australia since the onset of COVID-19, from the perspectives of people affected by cancer and healthcare workers. Two separate online cross-sectional surveys were completed by: a) cancer patients, survivors, carers, family members or friends (n = 852) and b) healthcare workers (n = 150). Descriptive analyses of quantitative survey data were conducted, followed by inductive thematic content analyses of qualitative survey responses relating to cancer care disruption and perceptions of telehealth. Overall, 42% of cancer patients and survivors reported experiencing some level of care disruption. A further 43% of healthcare workers reported atypical delays in delivering cancer care, and 50% agreed that patient access to research and clinical trials had been reduced. Almost three quarters (73%) of patients and carers reported using telehealth following the onset of COVID-19, with high overall satisfaction. However, gaps were identified in provision of psychological support and 20% of participants reported that they were unlikely to use telehealth again. The reorganisation of cancer care increased the psychological and practical burden on carers, with hospital visitation restrictions and appointment changes reducing their ability to provide essential support. COVID-19 has exacerbated a stressful and uncertain time for people affected by cancer and healthcare workers. Service reconfiguration and the adoption of telehealth have been essential adaptations for the pandemic response, offering long-term value. However, our findings highlight the need to better integrate psychosocial support and the important role of carers into evolving pandemic response measures. Learnings from this study could inform service improvements that would benefit patients and carers longer-term.
Estimating the cost and value of functional changes in communication ability following telepractice treatment for aphasia
Authors: Jacobs Molly , Ellis Charles
Published: September 2021

Context

Aphasia is a post-stroke condition that can dramatically impact a person with aphasia’s (PWA) communication abilities. To date, few if any studies have considered the cost and cost-effectiveness of functional change in aphasia nor considered measures of patient’s value for aphasia treatment.

Objective

To assess the cost, cost-effectiveness, and perceived value associated with improved functional communication in individuals receiving telerehabilitation treatment for aphasia.

Design

Twenty PWA completed between 5 and 12 telehealth rehabilitation sessions of 45–60 minutes within a 6-week time frame using a Language-Oriented Treatment (LOT) designed to address a range of language issues among individuals with aphasia. National Outcomes Measures (NOMS) comprehension and verbal expression and the ASHA Quality of Communication Life (QCL) were completed prior to and at the completion of rehabilitation to obtain baseline and treatment measures.

Results

Age, education, and race are significantly correlated with improvement in the NOMS verbal expression. African Americans (OR = 2.0917) are twice as likely as Whites to experience improvement after treatment. The likelihood of improvement also increases with each additional year of education (OR = 1.002) but decrease with age (OR = 0.9463). A total of 15 PWA showed improvement in NOMS comprehension and nine patients showed improvement in NOMS verbal expression. Improving patients attended between five and 12 treatment sessions. The average cost of improvement in NOMS comprehension was $1,152 per patient and NOMS verbal expression was $1,128 per patient with individual treatment costs varying between $540 and $1,296. However, on average, the monetary equivalent in patient’s improved QCL was between $1,790.39 to $3,912,54—far exceeding the financial cost of treatment.

Conclusions

When measuring the functional improvement of patients with aphasia, patient’s quality of communication life received from treatment exceeded financial cost of services provided.
Isothermal amplification and fluorescent detection of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 variant virus in nasopharyngeal swabs
Authors: Jones Les , Bakre Abhijeet , Naikare Hemant , Kolhe Ravindra , Sanchez Susan , Mosley Yung-Yi C. , Tripp Ralph A.
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 is a serious health threat causing worldwide morbidity and mortality. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is currently the standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Although various nucleic acid-based assays have been developed to aid the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from COVID-19 patient samples, the objective of this study was to develop a diagnostic test that can be completed in 30 minutes without having to isolate RNA from the samples. Here, we present an RNA amplification detection method performed using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) reactions to achieve specific, rapid (30 min), and sensitive (<100 copies) fluorescent detection in real-time of SARS-CoV-2 directly from patient nasopharyngeal swab (NP) samples. When compared to RT-qPCR, positive NP swab samples assayed by fluorescent RT-LAMP had 98% (n = 41/42) concordance and negative NP swab samples assayed by fluorescent RT-LAMP had 87% (n = 59/68) concordance for the same samples. Importantly, the fluorescent RT-LAMP results were obtained without purification of RNA from the NP swab samples in contrast to RT-qPCR. We also show that the fluorescent RT-LAMP assay can specifically detect live virus directly from cultures of both SARS-CoV-2 wild type (WA1/2020), and a SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (alpha) variant strain with equal sensitivity to RT-qPCR. RT-LAMP has several advantages over RT-qPCR including isothermal amplification, speed (<30 min), reduced costs, and similar sensitivity and specificity.
Spatiotemporal analysis and the characteristics of the case transmission network of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Wu Haocheng , Wu Chen , Lu Qinbao , Ding Zheyuan , Xue Ming , Lin Junfen
Published: September 2021

Background

Zhejiang Province is one of the five provinces in China that had the highest incidence of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Zhejiang, ranked fourth highest in COVID-19 incidence, is located in the Yangtze River Delta region of southeast China. This study was undertaken to identify the space-time characteristics of COVID-19 in Zhejiang.

Methods

Data on COVID-19 cases in Zhejiang Province from January to July 2020 were obtained from this network system. Individual information on cases and deaths was imported, and surveillance information, including demographic characteristics and geographic and temporal distributions, was computed by the system. The Knox test was used to identify possible space-time interactions to test whether cases that are close in distance were also close in time. Network analysis was performed to determine the relationship among the cases in a transmission community and to try to identify the key nodes.

Results

In total, 1475 COVID-19 cases and 1 fatal case were reported from January to July 2020 in Zhejiang Province, China. Most of the cases occurred before February 15th, which accounted for 90.10%. The imported cases increased and became the main risk in Zhejiang Province after February 2020. The risk areas showed strong heterogeneity according to the Knox test. The areas at short distances within 1 kilometer and at brief periods within 5 days presented relatively high risk. The numbers of subcommunities for the four clusters were 12, 9, 6 and 4. There was obvious heterogeneity in the modularity of subcommunities. The maximum values of the node centrality for the four clusters were 2.9474, 4.3706, 4.1080 and 2.7500.

Conclusions

COVID-19 was brought under control over a short period in Zhejiang Province. Imported infections from outside of mainland China then became a new challenge. The effects of spatiotemporal interaction exhibited interval heterogeneity. The characteristics of transmission showed short range and short term risks. The importance to the cluster of each case was detected, and the key patients were identified. It is suggested that we should focus on key patients in complex conditions and in situations with limited control resources.
Racial disparities in the SOFA score among patients hospitalized with COVID-19
Authors: Tolchin Benjamin , Oladele Carol , Galusha Deron , Kashyap Nitu , Showstark Mary , Bonito Jennifer , Salazar Michelle C. , Herbst Jennifer L. , Martino Steve , Kim Nancy , Nash Katherine A. , Nguemeni Tiako Max Jordan , Roy Shireen , Vergara Greeno Rebeca , Jubanyik Karen
Published: September 2021

Background

Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score predicts probability of in-hospital mortality. Many crisis standards of care suggest the use of SOFA scores to allocate medical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research question

Are SOFA scores elevated among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients hospitalized with COVID-19, compared to Non-Hispanic White patients?

Study design and methods

Retrospective cohort study conducted in Yale New Haven Health System, including 5 hospitals with total of 2681 beds. Study population drawn from consecutive patients aged ≥18 admitted with COVID-19 from March 29thto August 1st, 2020. Patients excluded from the analysis if not their first admission with COVID-19, if they did not have SOFA score recorded within 24 hours of admission, if race and ethnicity data were not Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic White, or Hispanic, or if they had other missing data. The primary outcome was SOFA score, with peak score within 24 hours of admission dichotomized as <6 or ≥6.

Results

Of 2982 patients admitted with COVID-19, 2320 met inclusion criteria and were analyzed, of whom 1058 (45.6%) were Non-Hispanic White, 645 (27.8%) were Hispanic, and 617 (26.6%) were Non-Hispanic Black. Median age was 65.0 and 1226 (52.8%) were female. In univariate logistic screen and in full multivariate model, Non-Hispanic Black patients but not Hispanic patients had greater odds of an elevated SOFA score ≥6 when compared to Non-Hispanic White patients (OR 1.49, 95%CI 1.11–1.99).

Interpretation

Given current unequal patterns in social determinants of health, US crisis standards of care utilizing the SOFA score to allocate medical resources would be more likely to deny these resources to Non-Hispanic Black patients.
Current state of the obesity research: genetic aspects, the role of microbiome, and susceptibility to COVID-19
Authors: Timasheva Ya. R. , Balkhiyarova Zh. R. , Kochetova O. V.
Published: September 2021

Obesity affects over 700 million people worldwide and its prevalence keeps growing steadily. The problem is particularly relevant due to the increased risk of COVID-19 complications and mortality in obese patients. Obesity prevalence increase is often associated with the influence of environmental and behavioural factors, leading to stigmatization of people with obesity due to beliefs that their problems are caused by poor lifestyle choices. However, hereditary predisposition to obesity has been established, likely polygenic in nature. Morbid obesity can result from rare mutations having a significant effect on energy metabolism and fat deposition, but the majority of patients does not present with monogenic forms. Microbiome low diversity significantly correlates with metabolic disorders (inflammation, insulin resistance), and the success of weight loss (bariatric) surgery. However, data on the long-term consequences of bariatric surgery and changes in the microbiome composition and genetic diversity before and after surgery are currently lacking. In this review, we summarize the results of studies of the genetic characteristics of obesity patients, molecular mechanisms of obesity, contributing to the unfavourable course of coronavirus infection, and the evolution of their microbiome during bariatric surgery, elucidating the mechanisms of disease development and creating opportunities to identify potential new treatment targets and design effective personalized approaches for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of obesity.
Molecular genetics and phenotypic features of congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Authors: Kokoreva K. D. , Chugunov I. S. , Bezlepkina O. B.
Published: September 2021

Congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism includes a group of diseases related to the defects of secretion and action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH) and gonadotropins. In a half of cases congenital hypogonadism is associated with an impaired sense of smell. It’s named Kallmann syndrome. Now 40 genes are known to be associated with function of hypothalamus pituitary gland and gonads. Phenotypic features of hypogonadism and therapy effectiveness are related to different molecular defects. However clinical signs may vary even within the same family with the same molecular genetic defect. Genotype phenotype correlation in patients with congenital malformations prioritizes the search for mutations in candidate genes. There are data of significant contribution of oligogenicity into the phenotype of the disease are presented in the review. Moreover, an issue of current isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism definition and classification revision is raised in the review due to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism development while there are mutations in genes not associated with GNRH neurons secretion and function.
The Russian registry of chronic hypoparathyroidism and clinical decision support system integration
Authors: Kovaleva E. V. , Eremkina A. K. , Ajnetdinova A. R. , Miliutina A. P. , Mokrysheva N. G.
Published: September 2021

According to available research, chronic hypoparathyroidism is a relatively rare disease characterized by low serum calcium levels and the absence or deficiency of parathyroid hormone. The chronic course of the disease is associated with the multicomponent medical therapy, careful dynamic monitoring to reduce the risks of various complications in different organs and systems as well as disability and mortality.The Russian registry of patients with chronic postsurgical and nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism has started its work in 2020, based on data of the Endocrinology Research Centre. The main goals of the Registry are the assessment of the actual prevalence, incidence of hypoparathyroidism, the key epidemiological characteristics, the analysis of the clinical features and medical therapy of chronic hypoparathyroidism in Russian Federation.This article covers all objectives of this project, the methodology for maintaining the registry of chronic postsurgical and nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism, the analytical possibilities of its use, including the integration of a decision support system designed to help specialists in real clinical practice follow the algorithms for diagnosis and treatment of the disease, approved by clinical guidelines.The registry of chronic postsurgical and nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism is located on a single platform for the registers of endocrinopathies, regulated by the Endocrinology Research Centre (http://gipopt.clin-reg.ru/).
„A to se vyplatí!“ Morálka jako spolupráce?
Authors: Beran Ondřej
Published: September 2021

The article is a polemics with those conceptions of the nature of morality which, based on an inquiry into the evolutionary origins of morality, locate its meaning in a society’s cooperation (backed by rules) for the purpose of joint success. I offer several counterexamples (cases of supererogation, moral attitudes towards animals) and use them to show the significance of construing morality independently of 1) the requirement of pro-sociality and 2) the objective (external) purpose that morality is supposed to fulfil.
Pokrok (přel. M. Kettner)
Authors: Adorno Theodor W.
Published: September 2021

Translation of the text written by Theodor W. Adorno.
Martin Kočí, Thinking Faith after Christianity
Authors: Sirovátka Jakub
Published: September 2021

Book review on Martin Kočí Thinking Faith After Christianity.
A Theological Reading of Jan Patočka’s Phenomenological Philosophy
Albany (State University of New York Press) 2020, 291 str.
Implementation of the new EU IVD regulation – urgent initiatives are needed to avert impending crisis
Authors: Cobbaert Christa , Capoluongo Ettore D. , Vanstapel Florent J.L.A. , Bossuyt Patrick M.M. , Bhattoa Harjit Pal , Nissen Peter Henrik , Orth Matthias , Streichert Thomas , Young Ian S. , Macintyre Elizabeth , Fraser Alan G. , Neumaier Michael
Published: September 2021

Laboratory medicine in the European Union is at the dawn of a regulatory revolution as it reaches the end of the transition from IVDD 98/79/EC (https://eur-lex.eur-opa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31998L0079&qid=1628781352814) to IVDR 2017/746 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/746. Without amendments and contingency plans, implementation of the IVDR in May 2022 will lead the healthcare sector into uncharted waters due to unpreparedness of the EU regulatory infrastructure. Prospective risk analyses were not made by the European Commission, and if nothing happens it can be anticipated that the consequences will impact all stakeholders of the medical test pipeline, may seriously harm patients and may prevent caregivers from making appropriate clinical decisions due to non-availability of medical tests. Finally, it also may discourage manufacturers and academia from developing specialty tests, thereby hampering innovation in medical diagnostic care. We hereby inform laboratory professionals about the imminent diagnostic collapse using testimonies from representative stakeholders of the diagnostic supply chain and from academia developing innovative in-house tests in domains of unmet clinical needs. Steps taken by the EFLM Task Force on European Regulatory Affairs, under the umbrella of the Biomedical Alliance in Europe, will be highlighted, as well as the search for solutions through dialogue with the European Commission. Although we recognize that the IVDR promotes positive goals such as increased clinical evidence, surveillance, and transparency, we need to ensure that the capabilities of the diagnostic sector are not damaged by infrastructural unpreparedness, while at the same time being forced to submit to a growing bureaucratic and unsupportive structure that will not support its “droit d’exister”.
Stress degree demonstrated in mothers with phenylketonuria or hyperphenylalaninemia infant when requested for total or partial breastfeeding replacement
Authors: Schulpis Kleopatra , Iakovou Kostas
Published: September 2021

Obejctives

Phenylketonuria (PKU) and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPHE) are metabolic disorders of phenylalanine (phe) metabolism due to the liver enzyme phe hydroxylase deficiency resulting in mental retardation. The only treatment of these disorders is the total or the partial breastfeeding replacement with special formula, respectively.

Case presentation

We aimed to evaluate the maternal stress degree in the two groups of mothers and compare the stress degree between mothers who were obliged to replace breastfeeding completely with those who replaced it partially. Mothers (n=50) were divided into two groups: n=25 with PKU and n=25 with HPHE infants. Mothers with PKU newborns were obliged to replace breastfeeding completely and feed their newborns with a common formula plus phe free medical food, whereas mothers with HPHE infants partially replaced breastfeeding with phe free medical food. Stress degrees were calculated using special questionnaire checklist by Bourne E. Psychological support was provided for both groups of mothers with stress.

Conclusions

Most mothers with PKU infants experienced high or severe stress, whereas mothers with HPHE newborns suffered from low and moderate symptoms and signs of stress. After psychological support most mothers with PKU newborns were ameliorated from stress symptoms; mothers with HPHE neonates experienced almost no stress symptoms. Mothers with PKU infants obliged to complete breastfeeding replacement experienced high and/or severe stress degrees as compared to mothers with HPHE newborns with partial breastfeeding replacement. Psychological support resulted in amelioration of both tested groups.
Acquisition of morphology by L2 children in naturalistic environments: a case of Japanese case markers
Authors: Nishikawa Tomomi
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the second language (L2) acquisition of Japanese case markers among children in naturalistic environments. L2 Japanese children with Chinese backgrounds (n = 187) and monolingual Japanese children (n = 280) were tested on their productive knowledge of four case markers: ga, o, ni, and de. Test scores correlated more strongly with length of residence (LOR) than age of acquisition in the current L2 group (LOR mean = 4.98 years). Most L2 children reached age-matched monolingual norms after an LOR of 2–5 years, although some did not reach the norms within this time frame. The nominative and accusative case markers, ga and o, were generally easier than the other two case markers, even though there are no equivalent morphological markers in Chinese. This indicates that the absence of these markers in the first language is not always a determining factor for the difficulty in naturalistic child L2 acquisition.
The Muting of the Other: The Technological Reconfiguration of Our Auditory Experience of Others
Authors: Gutierrez Ivan
Published: September 2021

Increasingly privatized auditory spaces resulting from the mutual engendering of auditory cultural practices and sound technologies that separated the sense of hearing and segmented acoustic spaces have had a muting effect on our experience of Others that has intensified since the advent of mobile listening devices. In Section 1 of the article, I outline features of the social realm of the nineteenth to twentieth centuries that made modern sound technologies possible and then features of the technological realm that have shaped today’s social realm – all with an eye toward our experience of other people. Then, in Section 2, I reach for a few phenomenological tools from the work of Jean-Paul Sartre, Emmanuel Levinas, and Don Ihde to draw out the phenomenological vectors that have taken shape within the enmeshed sociotechnological context described in Section 1. Specifically, I show how technologically mediated auditory experience has been individualized and how the use of sound technologies on the go – whether wearing earphones or in a car – has had a muting effect on our experience of others.
impacto del disfrute y la ansiedad en la voluntad de comunicarse de los estudiantes del idioma inglés
Authors: Bensalem Elias
Published: September 2021

La voluntad de comunicarse (WTC por sus siglas en inglés) juega un rol fundamental en el aprendizaje de una segunda lengua (Clément et al., 2003; Kang, 2005; Yashima et al., 2004) porque un alto nivel de WTC puede ayudar a los estudiantes a lograr el dominio del idioma (MacIntyre et al., 2003; Yashima et al., 2004). Por tanto, MacIntyre et al. (1998, p. 547) afirmó que el objetivo principal del aprendizaje de idiomas debería ser el WTC. La voluntad de comunicarse en un idioma extranjero está vinculada a una variedad de emociones negativas (es decir, ansiedad y aburrimiento) y emociones positivas (es decir, disfrute y orgullo). Inspirado por el cambio de la psicología negativa a la psicología positiva en el campo del aprendizaje de una segunda lengua, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar si el disfrute del lenguaje y la ansiedad son predictores potenciales del WTC. Se encuestó a un grupo de 349 estudiantes de pregrado de Inglés como Lengua Extranjera (EFL por sus siglas en inglés) (mujeres = 226, hombres = 123) matriculados en universidades públicas de Arabia Saudita. Se recogieron datos cuantitativos durante un mes. Los análisis descriptivos revelaron niveles superiores a la media de WTC de los participantes. Los análisis de regresión múltiple revelaron que el disfrute del idioma extranjero (FLE por sus siglas en inglés) era un predictor del WTC, pero la ansiedad hacia el idioma extranjero en el aula (FLA por sus siglas en inglés) no se correlacionó significativamente con el WTC de los estudiantes. Estos resultados sugieren que los niveles más altos de disfrute pueden haber neutralizado los efectos de la ansiedad en el WTC, lo que indica el rol de las emociones positivas. Se discuten las implicaciones para los profesores de lenguas extranjeras.
Diversifying the debate: increasing the visibility and accessibility of queer heritage
Authors: Klembara Nathan
Published: September 2021

While there has long been an archaeological interest in diverse gender identities and sexualities, queer theory was first introduced into archaeological discourse only in 2000 with the publication of ‘Queer Archaeologies’, a special edition of World Archaeology. Growing out of the exciting work being done by queer archaeologists and the increasing interest in queer theory and the archaeologies of sexuality, the National Parks Service (United States), led by Megan E. Springate, digitally published LGBTQ America: a theme study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history in 2016 as part of the LGBTQ Heritage Initiative. The goal of the LGBTQ Heritage Initiative and LGBTQ America was to explore the nuances of LGBTQ+ heritage and history in the USA. Two recently published volumes, Identities and place and Preservation and place, edited by Katherine Crawford-Lackey and Megan E. Springate, are collections of a selection of the chapters originally published as part of LGBTQ America. Identities and place and Preservation and place collectively cover many issues affecting LGBTQ+ identity, history and cultural heritage.
The Female Sublime: Domesticating Luigia Todi’s Voice
Authors: Peritz Jessica Gabriel
Published: September 2021

This article delves into the puzzling reception of opera singer Luigia Todi (1753–1833) in order to explore how the traces left by pre-phonographic voices contain long-forgotten cultural histories. Operagoers in 1790s Venice claimed that Todi’s moral qualities allowed her to overcome her “vocal defects,” and, in turn, taught her listeners to become good citizens. Hearing vocal difficulties as a manifestation of interiority, rather than as poor training, marked a significant departure from what were then the predominant aesthetics of operatic voice. In attempting to smooth over this gap, listeners pieced together narratives about Todi’s subjectivity based on the unstable, fragmented sounds of her voice. This article argues that such remediations of Todi’s singing were subtended by two seemingly irreconcilable ontologies of female voice, one of them rooted in ancient myths of sublime song and the other born of Enlightenment ideologies of domesticity. I thus read inscriptions of Todi’s voice through a network of late eighteenth-century Italian cultural anxieties, drawing on literary reimaginings of Sappho, debates over the nature of musical skill, discourses on women’s education, and more. By interrogating the narratives about one woman’s unusual voice, I offer a new origin story for still resonant assumptions about the relationships between gender and disability, politics and domestic labor, and, fundamentally, bodies and voices.
Rare Earth Extraction using Solvent Extraction: Which Factor Has the Most Significant Impact?
Authors: Ismail Nurul Ain
Published: September 2021

Using a two-level factorial design, a study was undertaken to change the parameters impacting the recovery of rare earth from rare earth mixture. The experimental design was used to screen and identify the major contributing aspects to rare earth recovery. The experiment aims to isolate samarium from a mixture of samarium, europium, and gadolinium. Factors involved consist of pH (pH 1 and pH 6), acid type (nitric acid and hydrochloric acid) and concentration (1.0M and 5.0M), mixing duration (30 min and 120 min), feed composition (20% samarium and 80% samarium), type of diluent (hexane and chloroform), temperature (room temperature and 60°C) and organic to aqueous phase ratio (1:1 and 2:1). The results showed that the samarium recovery was in the range of 0.98% to 90.88%. Based on analysis variance (ANOVA), five factors significantly affect the samarium recovery out of eight factors explored. The five factors according to the most significant order are pH> feed composition> organic to aqueous phase ratio>acid concentration>acid type>mixing duration>type of diluent> temperature.  Statistical analysis shows that the linear model is significant, with the value of R2 is 0.9886. Based on the statistical data, five significant variables influence the separation of samarium. This research shows that two-level factorial design can anticipate significant variables impacting rare earth separation, particularly samarium, in the solvent extraction process.
Design of Power Over Wi-Fi Rectifier Circuit for IoT Based Sensor Application through Simulation
Authors: Aini Azman Aiman Saifullah , Ramli Nor Azuana
Published: September 2021

Energy harvesting has been a phenomena throughout the year as it produces renewable clean energy which not only benefit to the user but also to the environment. Radio frequency energy is among the possible choice that can be harvested for low power usage application. By doing so, low power application such as IoT based sensors can eliminate usage of input power from battery which has limited supply over time or restrained from limited cable length. The objectives of this study are to design a power over Wi-Fi rectifier circuit for IoT based sensor application, analyze the effect of different type of diodes to the power over Wi-Fi rectifier circuit, and determine of minimum voltage required to power an IoT sensor. Cockcroft Walton voltage multiplier configuration was chosen as the rectifier circuit to be employed in the simulation by using Multisim software. With two different Schottky diodes, the output were recorded, and analyzed. Both diode has achieved the minimum required voltage of 3.3V and above for IoT sensors at stage 3. Among the diodes, BAT68 has recorded better output with 4.145V compare to diode BAT17 with 4.090V. Output of diode BAT68 also has reach its stable condition fast than diode BAT17. This configuration can be used and applied in prototype for future study. Even though there are many other factors that need to be considered, radio frequency energy harvesting should be explored more as it promotes clean energy and longevity lifespan as the world are moving wireless in many tasks.
Characterization of the brown leaf spots pathosystem in Brazilian pecan orchards: pathogen morphology and molecular identification
Authors: Poletto Tales , Fátima Brião Muniz Marlove , Spolaor Fantinel Vinícius , Da Silva Martello Laís , Graciolli Savian Lucas , Harakava Ricardo , Guatimosim Eduardo , Poletto Igor , Marcos Stefenon Valdir
Published: September 2021

Due to the increase in pecan nuts demand, plantation areas are expanding around the world and more frequent epidemics caused by fungal pathogens may occur in orchards and nurseries. Ragnhildiana diffusa is a pathogenic fungus reported to cause brown leaf spots on pecans in numerous countries. The scarcity of comprehensive information in symptoms on the host and morphology of the fungus lead this disease to be initially incorrectly identified in Brazil. In this study, we employed different approaches to characterize the pathogen morphology and pathogenicity and to molecularly identify the organism causing brown leaf spots in southern Brazil. A phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) gene sequences confirmed R. diffusa as the causal pathogen of the disease. Inoculation tests on healthy leaflets confirmed pathogenicity isolates, although some variation in their virulence was observed. Variation in the morphology of the asexual stage was observed among and within isolates. This study brought unprecedented morphological, genetic and pathogenic information that aids elucidating the disease. The accurate and prompt identification of the disease may assist in controlling further spread of the pathogen into orchards and nurseries still free of the disease in South America.
Childhood reproductive hormone levels after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relation to adult testicular function
Authors: Mathiesen Sidsel , Sørensen Kaspar , Ifversen Marianne , Hagen Casper P , Holm Petersen Jørgen , Juul Anders , Müller Klaus
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Longitudinal assessment of testicular function after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is needed to guide clinical follow-up. We investigated dynamics in male reproductive hormones after pediatric HSCT, focusing on pubertal timing and associations with testosterone deficiency and azoospermia in adulthood.

Methods

This retrospective, longitudinal study included 39 survivors median 19 years after pediatric HSCT. Serum concentrations of LH, testosterone, FSH, and inhibin B from the time of HSCT, during puberty, and into adulthood were analyzed. Pubertal timing (rise in LH and testosterone) was compared to a reference cohort of 112 healthy boys. Associations between reproductive hormone levels during puberty and adult testicular function (including semen quality) were investigated.

Results

Pubertal induction with testosterone was needed in 6/26 patients who were prepubertal at HSCT. In the remaining patients, pubertal timing was comparable to the reference cohort. However, 9/33 patients (without pubertal induction) developed testosterone deficiency in early adulthood, which was associated with higher LH levels from age 14 to 16 years. Azoospermia in adulthood was found in 18/26 patients without testosterone substitution. Higher FSH and lower inhibin B levels from mid-pubertal age were associated with azoospermia in adulthood, in patients being prepubertal at HSCT.

Conclusion

Our results indicate a substantial risk of deterioration in testicular function after pediatric HSCT, despite normal pubertal timing. Although reproductive hormone levels from mid-puberty indicated adult testicular function, prolonged follow-up into adulthood is needed in these patients, including clinical examination, reproductive hormone analysis, and semen sample for patients interested in their fertility potential.