bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity and Potential Function of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Communities from Different Mangrove Sediments
Authors: Zhang Yong , Gui Hongjie , Zhang Shufei , Li Changxu
Published: March 2022

Mangrove trees generally play important roles in protecting intertidal ecosystems. The mangrove root-associated sediments provide a repertoire of microbial communities that contribute to pivotal ecological functions in the system. In the present study, we used the high-throughput sequencing and PICRUSt-predicted functional information (based on 16S/18S rDNA profiles) to investigate the bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities in two mangrove systems, located in the estuary of the Jiulong River (China), with different contaminated conditions and frequencies of human activity. Diverse distribution patterns for microbial communities were observed in six sediment samples collected from the two survey areas, which were found to be related mainly to the substrates in mangrove sediments. The sediments were predominated by relatively higher ratios of heterotrophic bacteria that participated in the degradation of organic matters, including phylum of Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, Desulfobacterota, and Proteobacteria. In addition, Crenarchaeota and Ascomycota presented the highest abundances of archaea and fungi, respectively. The relatively high concentrations of calcium, nitrogen, magnesium, and phosphorus in mangrove sediments correlated significantly with the microbial communities. In addition, although the potential functions were similar in the two sites based on COG and KEGG pathways, the abundances of enzymes involved in the degradation processes of cellulose and hemicellulose and the metabolism of nitrogen and sulfur presented distinctions. These results provide insights into the environmental conditions shaping microbial assemblies of the mangrove sediments under the impacts of human activities; for instance, a more abundant amount of calcium was found in urban areas in this study.
Entrepreneurial Traits, Relational Capital, and Social Enterprise Performance: Regulatory Effects of Cognitive Legitimacy
Authors: Tian Xueying , Zhao Chunyang , Ge Xiaochun
Published: March 2022

Social enterprises, as a new form of organization where public welfare and business coexist, are gradually becoming an important power in innovating social governance. However, the development of social enterprises in China is still in its infancy. Social entrepreneurs have a profound impact on the growth of social enterprises and may bring advantages to the development of enterprises, while barriers to legitimacy commonly faced by social enterprises hinder the development of the enterprise to some extent. Social enterprise performance has always been a research focus in social entrepreneurship, on which many studies have been reported, while it is seldom investigated from the perspective of entrepreneurial traits. The research aims to clarify how entrepreneurial traits influence the growth of social enterprises in an institutional scenario. Taking 208 social enterprises in China as samples, the relationship among entrepreneurial traits, relational capital, cognitive legitimacy, and social enterprise performance was verified using SPSS 22.0 and methods including correlation analysis and regression analysis based on trait theory and relational capital theory. The results indicate that: (1) entrepreneurial traits exert a significant positive effect on both the economic and social performance of social enterprises; (2) relational capital plays a mediating effect between entrepreneurial traits and social enterprise performance; (3) cognitive legitimacy only positively regulates the relationship between relational capital and economic performance. The conclusions may enrich the theory of traits and provide new ideas allowing social enterprises to overcome the dilemma of resource constraints and improve their performance. Social entrepreneurs need to pay close attention to cultivating their entrepreneurial traits and actively establishing relational capital; governments should create an institutional environment conducive to social entrepreneurship, to promote improvement in social enterprise performance.
Current Trends and Issues in Research on Biodiversity Conservation and Tourism Sustainability
Authors: Jurkus Egidijus , Povilanskas Ramūnas , Taminskas Julius
Published: March 2022

The rationale of this article is the need to elicit the trending themes relevant to the latest research on biodiversity conservation and tourism sustainability. Hence, the purpose of this study: stocktaking of cutting-edge research articles in this field and eliciting the critical trends and issues shaping the knowledge, future research, and technical development perspectives on biodiversity conservation and tourism sustainability. The focus is on the trends, which are pivotal for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030. A hierarchical cluster analysis was undertaken with a KH Coder 3.0 tool to elicit topical co-occurrence networks for thematic words in academic papers from 2015 to 2020 on the topic, quarried from Google Scholar. The article’s main findings are the seven identified major trending research themes on biodiversity conservation and tourism sustainability: (1) Community-based tourism development; (2) National Park management for tourism; (3) Sustainable tourist motivation; (4) Biodiversity conservation and ecotourism; (5) Landscape and land use changes; (6) Visitor satisfaction monitoring; and (7) Ecotourism modelling. The article’s main conclusion is that the criteria and conditions for responsible low-key tourism in protected areas, both for biodiversity and local communities, are pivotal factors to consider for future research on biodiversity conservation and tourism sustainability.
Digital Performance in EU Member States in the Context of the Transition to a Climate Neutral Economy
Authors: Firoiu Daniela , Pîrvu Ramona , Jianu Elena , Cismaș Laura Mariana , Tudor Sorin , Lățea Gabriela
Published: March 2022

The climate-neutral economy is today, more than ever, the priority issue for all governmental and non-governmental bodies, directly and indirectly involved in the ambitious and responsible process of society’s transition to the green economy. To be or not to be sustainable today is no longer an option, but an urgent necessity. Based on these considerations, our research aims to add to the knowledge on the digital performance of the Member States in the context of the transition to a climate neutral economy, by analyzing the mutations that have occurred in the digital performance of the EU countries in the period 2015–2020, as well as forecasting developments for the year 2025. In order to obtain a relevant result, we used the components of the DESI index, published by the European Commission, and the variables were processed through hierarchical cluster analysis. The results demonstrate that, around the core formed in 2015 by four high digitally performing countries from the North of Europe in 2015, other countries have gradually clustered, so that in 2025 we estimate that a number of eight Member States will be part of the group of the most digitally performing countries. These countries are decisively committed to the transition towards a climate-neutral economy, their initiatives and examples of good practice can be taken up by all European and non-European countries pursuing the same objectives of sustainable development.
Location Is Back: The Influence of COVID-19 on Chinese Cities and Urban Governance
Authors: Du Shengchen , Tan Hongze
Published: March 2022

This article explores the short-term and (potential) long-term influences of COVID-19 on urban China and its governance, which was characterised by increasing mobilities and delocalised societies before the outbreak. Through the analysis of 18 observation reports in 16 cities, it is revealed that the outbreak enables the government to (re-)build a location-based urban management system with the participation of residents facing the pandemic as an external threat. A paradoxical combination of low physical mobility and high information mobility occurs. The location-based lifestyle and governance pattern has been “normalised” rather than just being a temporary response to the pandemic. The re-localisation in urban China differs from the localism in western societies as it results from the combination of the state-power-based governmental action and citizens’ participation aimed at regaining location-based ontological security. The normalisation of the re-localisation tendency may bring about fundamental changes to urban China, even “after” the pandemic.
Effects of Warming and Precipitation on Soil CO2 Flux and Its Stable Carbon Isotope Composition in the Temperate Desert Steppe
Authors: Guo Na , Lv Shijie , Lv Guangyi , Xu Xuebao , Yao Hongyun , Yu Zhihui , Qiu Xiao , Wang Zhanyi , Wang Chengjie
Published: March 2022

The stable carbon (C) isotope of soil CO2 efflux (δ13CO2e) is closely associated with soil C dynamics, which have a complex feedback relationship with climate. Three levels of warming (T0: ambient temperature (15.7 °C); T1: T0 + 2 °C; T2: T0 + 4 °C) were combined with three levels of increased precipitation (W0: ambient precipitation (245.2 mm); W1: W0 + 25%; W2: W0 + 50%) in order to quantify soil CO2 flux and its δ13CO2e values under nine treatment conditions (T0W0, T0W1, T0W2, T1W0, T1W1, T1W2, T2W0, T2W1, and T2W2) in desert steppe in an experimental beginning in 2015. A non-steady state chamber system relying on Keeling plots was used to estimate δ13CO2e. The temperature (ST) and moisture (SM) of soil as well as soil organic carbon content (SOC) and δ13C values (δ13Csoil) were tested in order to interpret variations in soil CO2 efflux and δ13CO2e. Sampling was carried out during the growing season in 2018 and 2019. During the experiment, the ST and SM correspondingly increased due to warming and increased precipitation. CO2 flux ranged from 37 to 1103 mg m−2·h−1, and emissions peaked in early August in the desert steppe. Warming of 2 °C to 4 °C stimulated a 14% to 30.9% increase in soil CO2 efflux and a 0.4‰ to 1.8‰ enrichment in δ13CO2e, respectively. Increased precipitation raised soil CO2 efflux by 14% to 19.3%, and decreased δ13CO2e by 0.5‰ to 0.9‰. There was a positive correlation between soil CO2 efflux and ST and SOC indicating that ST affected soil CO2 efflux by changing SOC content. Although the δ13CO2e was positively correlated with ST, it was negatively correlated to SM. The decline of δ13CO2e with soil moisture was predominantly due to intensified and increased diffusive fractionation. The mean δ13CO2e value (−20.2‰) was higher than that of the soil carbon isotope signature at 0–20 cm (δ13Csoil = −22.7‰). The difference between δ13CO2e and δ13Csoil (Δe-s) could be used to evaluate the likelihood of substrate utilization. 13C enriched stable C pools were more likely to be utilized below 20 cm under warming of 2 °C in the desert steppe. Moreover, the interaction of T × W neither altered the CO2 emitted by soil nor the δ13CO2e or Δe-s, indicating that warming combined with precipitation may alleviate the SOC oxidation of soil enriched in 13C in the desert steppe.
Developing a Conceptual Model for the Causal Effects of Outdoor Play in Preschools Using PLS-SEM
Authors: Yew Wong Chin , Kong Sia Mal , Awang Abd Hair , Yi Goh Rou
Published: March 2022

This study attempts to establish the causal effects of outdoor play through a conceptual model consisting of six latent constructs. Seventy Penang preschool operators took part in a questionnaire survey conducted from June to July 2021. All of the 70 respondents agreed that outdoor play is important for children’s development even though only 62 respondents implemented outdoor play yards in their preschools. Raw data from these 62 respondents were used to develop the conceptual model by PLS-SEM. Measurement models were assessed by checking the indicator reliability, internal consistency reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity. The structural model was assessed by checking the SRMR and NFI. The measurement models are found to be acceptable with AVE > 0.50 for all of the constructs and all of the 34 indicators have loadings > 0.50. However, there are 16 indicators with difference between loadings < 0.10, and the structural model does not have a good fit with SRMR > 0.10 and NFI < 0.90. Lack of discriminant validity could be remedied by removing eight indicators with difference between loadings < 0.10. Model fit could be improved with larger sample size since bootstrapping with 1000 iterations yielded SRMR = 0.098 at 95% for the saturated model. Seven significant paths were found among the six constructs in the final conceptual model.
Effects of Biofuel Crop Expansion on Green Gross Domestic Product
Authors: Haputta Piyanon , Bowonthumrongchai Thongchart , Puttanapong Nattapong , Gheewala Shabbir H.
Published: March 2022

Following Thailand’s Alternative Energy Development Plan, lands for sugarcane and oil palm are being expanded to support biofuel production, thus decreasing the availability of land for other crops. Not only does this lead to the change in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but also environmental consequences. This study assessed the effects of land expansion caused by biofuel promotion on Green GDP, which is the conventional GDP after adjusting for environmental damage. A static computable general equilibrium (CGE) model combined with life cycle impact assessment was used to estimate the effects of land expansion on economic transactions and conventional GDP. Results showed that compared with the business-as-usual scenario, expanding land for biofuel crops increased the Green GDP. However, rice cultivation and milling were adversely affected by the substitution of biofuel crops. Furthermore, expanding biofuel crops slightly reduced the production capacity of some industrial sectors. The Green GDP for biofuel crop expansion policies was greatest when abandoned rice fields were utilized for agriculture and lowest when forests were transformed. Using CGE to investigate the effects of policy on Green GDP yielded results that were comprehensive for decision making. The method presented in this study can be utilized for future Green GDP research focusing on other biofuel productions.
Another Form of Greenwashing: The Effects of Chaebol Firms’ Corporate Governance Performance on the Donations
Authors: Choi Manseek , Hong Soonwook
Published: March 2022

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics are widely used to measure the firms’ social performance. In this regard, donation expenses are one of the outcomes for the firms’ effort to build, grow, and maintain the social value. However, firms may expense a trivial or minimum amount of donations, considering the corporate size, in order to disguise themselves as a “good company”. In this paper, exploiting 2010–2019 Korean Stock Exchange (KSE) market listed companies’ financials and ESG scores, we examine whether Chaebol firms with good governance “actually” spend more donation expenses. We predict and find that good governance does not actually lead to greater donation expenses among Chaebol firms, despite the positive relations between governance and donation expenses in general. Overall, our findings highlight that good Chaebol companies determined by ESG metrics may not be real charitable companies. Our findings provide counterevidence against the notion that firms with a higher ESG score are more likely to be charitable.
Study on Influencing Factors and Simulation of Watershed Ecological Compensation Based on Evolutionary Game
Authors: Wang Quanxi , Wang Ni , Wang Haodong , Xiu Yuan
Published: March 2022

In the practice of watershed ecological compensation, due to the inconsistency between the interests of economic development and the objectives of ecological protection, there are typical game characteristics among the relevant stakeholders. Taking the ecological compensation between Henan and Shaanxi in the Yellow River Basin as an example, this paper constructs an evolutionary game model, obtains the external conditions for various stakeholders to achieve stable cooperation from the perspective of the government, and demonstrates the necessity of combining vertical and horizontal ecological compensation. The sensitivity of each party’s decision making to key elements is analyzed through a simulation. The results show that: (1) the optimal strategy is mainly affected by the initial willingness of the upstream government and the central government; the strong regulatory power of the central government can eliminate the influence of the initial will; (2) development opportunity costs and vertical fiscal transfer payments have the most obvious influence on upstream government decision-making; (3) the effect on optimal decision state of downstream paying upstream ecological compensation is higher than that of upstream paying downstream ecological compensation; (4) the punishment of the central government should ensure the binding force on the lower governments, and the revenue and expenditure under its supervision strategy should ensure the effectiveness of the supervision public power. The above conclusions provide support for improving the ecological compensation mechanism of transboundary basins.
Structural Basis of the Avian Influenza NS1 Protein Interactions with the Cell Polarity Regulator Scribble
Authors: Javorsky Airah , Humbert Patrick O. , Kvansakul Marc
Published: March 2022

Scribble is a highly conserved regulator of cell polarity, a process that enables the generation of asymmetry at the cellular and tissue level in higher organisms. Scribble acts in concert with Disc-large (Dlg) and Lethal-2-giant larvae (Lgl) to form the Scribble polarity complex, and its functional dysregulation is associated with poor prognosis during viral infections. Viruses have been shown to interfere with Scribble by targeting Scribble PDZ domains to subvert the network of interactions that enable normal control of cell polarity via Scribble, as well as the localisation of the Scribble module within the cell. The influenza A virus NS1 protein was shown to bind to human Scribble (SCRIB) via its C-terminal PDZ binding motif (PBM). It was reported that the PBM sequence ESEV is a virulence determinant for influenza A virus H5N1 whilst other sequences, such as ESKV, KSEV and RSKV, demonstrated no affinity towards Scribble. We now show, using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), that ESKV and KSEV bind to SCRIB PDZ domains and that ESEV unexpectedly displayed an affinity towards all four PDZs and not just a selected few. We then define the structural basis for the interactions of SCRIB PDZ1 domain with ESEV and ESKV PBM motifs, as well as SCRIB PDZ3 with the ESKV PBM motif. These findings will serve as a platform for understanding the role of Scribble PDZ domains and their interactions with different NS1 PBMs and the mechanisms that mediate cell polarity within the context of the pathogenesis of influenza A virus.
HBV-RNA, Quantitative HBsAg, Levels of HBV in Peripheral Lymphocytes and HBV Mutation Profiles in Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Gozlan Yael , Aaron Daniella , Davidov Yana , Likhter Maria , Ben Yakov Gil , Cohen-Ezra Oranit , Picard Orit , Erster Oran , Mendelson Ella , Ben-Ari Ziv , Abu Baker Fadi , Mor Orna
Published: March 2022

A comprehensive characterization of chronic HBV (CHB) patients is required to guide therapeutic decisions. The cumulative impact of classical and novel biomarkers on the clinical categorization of these patients has not been rigorously assessed. We determined plasma HBV-RNA and HBsAg levels, HBV in peripheral lymphocytes (PBMCs) and HBV mutation profiles in CHB patients. Patient demographics (n = 139) and classical HBV biomarkers were determined during a clinical routine. HBV-RNA in plasma and HBV-DNA in PBMCs were determined by RT-PCR. HBsAg levels were determined using Architect. In samples with HBV-DNA viral load >1000 IU/mL, genotype mutations in precore (PC), basal core promoter (BCP), HBsAg and Pol regions were determined by sequencing. Most patients (n = 126) were HBeAg-negative (HBeAgNeg) with significantly lower levels of HBV-RNA, HBV-DNA and HBsAg compared to HBeAg-positive (HBeAgPos) patients (p < 0.05). HBV genotype D prevailed (61/68), and >95% had BCP/PC mutations. Escape mutations were identified in 22.6% (13/63). HBeAgNeg patients with low levels of HBsAg (log IU ≤ 3) were older and were characterized by undetectable plasma HBV-DNA and undetectable HBV-RNA but not undetectable HBV-DNA in PBMCs compared to those with high HBsAg levels. In >50% of the studied HBeAgNeg patients (66/126), the quantitation of HBsAg and HBV-RNA may impact clinical decisions. In conclusion, the combined assessment of classical and novel serum biomarkers, especially in HBeAgNeg patients, which is the largest group of CHB patients in many regions, may assist in clinical decisions. Prospective studies are required to determine the real-time additive clinical advantage of these biomarkers.
Flavonoids Target Human Herpesviruses That Infect the Nervous System: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Insights
Authors: Šudomová Miroslava , Berchová-Bímová Kateřina , Mazurakova Alena , Šamec Dunja , Kubatka Peter , Hassan Sherif T. S.
Published: March 2022

Human herpesviruses (HHVs) are large DNA viruses with highly infectious characteristics. HHVs can induce lytic and latent infections in their host, and most of these viruses are neurotropic, with the capacity to generate severe and chronic neurological diseases of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS). Treatment of HHV infections based on strategies that include natural products-derived drugs is one of the most rapidly developing fields of modern medicine. Therefore, in this paper, we lend insights into the recent advances that have been achieved during the past five years in utilizing flavonoids as promising natural drugs for the treatment of HHVs infections of the nervous system such as alpha-herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus type 1, type 2, and varicella-zoster virus), beta-herpesviruses (human cytomegalovirus), and gamma-herpesviruses (Epstein–Barr virus and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus). The neurological complications associated with infections induced by the reviewed herpesviruses are emphasized. Additionally, this work covers all possible mechanisms and pathways by which flavonoids induce promising therapeutic actions against the above-mentioned herpesviruses.
A Five-Helix-Based SARS-CoV-2 Fusion Inhibitor Targeting Heptad Repeat 2 Domain against SARS-CoV-2 and Its Variants of Concern
Authors: Xing Lixiao , Xu Xinfeng , Xu Wei , Liu Zezhong , Shen Xin , Zhou Jie , Xu Ling , Pu Jing , Yang Chan , Huang Yuan , Lu Lu , Jiang Shibo , Liu Shuwen
Published: March 2022

The prolonged duration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has resulted in the continuous emergence of variants of concern (VOC, e.g., Omicron) and variants of interest (VOI, e.g., Lambda). These variants have challenged the protective efficacy of current COVID-19 vaccines, thus calling for the development of novel therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs. Here, we constructed a novel fusion inhibitor-based recombinant protein, denoted as 5-Helix, consisting of three heptad repeat 1 (HR1) and two heptad repeat 2 (HR2) fragments. The 5-Helix interacted with the HR2 domain of the viral S2 subunit, the most conserved region in spike (S) protein, to block homologous six-helix bundle (6-HB) formation between viral HR1 and HR2 domains and, hence, viral S-mediated cell–cell fusion. The 5-Helix potently inhibited infection by pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs, including Delta and Omicron variants. The 5-Helix also inhibited infection by authentic SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (nCoV-SH01) strain and its Delta variant. Collectively, our findings suggest that 5-Helix can be further developed as either a therapeutic or prophylactic to treat and prevent infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
Cumulative Effects of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Measures on Algae Growth Inhibition
Authors: Li Hao , Wang Jiaqi , Zhang Enze , Shao Yanan , Yang Lin , Yang Baiheng , Tan Yi , Gao Ting
Published: March 2022

Measures based on concurrent alterations of an environment’s physical, chemical, and biological factors are commonly adopted to control harmful algal blooms (HABs). It was postulated that the combinations and interactions of multiple measures could exert cumulative effects (as the overall effect may or may not be equal to the additive sum for each measure individually). However, few studies have further assessed whether the cumulative effect is synergistic, additive, or antagonistic. This study proposed a framework to distinguish and quantify the cumulative effects. We also designed an experiment to investigate the cumulative effect of the combined utilization of physical (flow velocity), chemical (copper), and biological (propionamide) measures on algae growth inhibition. The results show that the cumulative effect of physical and chemical measures on algae growth inhibition was antagonistic; the cumulative effect of physical and biological measures was antagonistic; the cumulative effect of chemical and biological measures was synergistic, and the cumulative effect of all the measures together tended to be antagonistic. These results showed that the synergistic interactions between chemical and biological measures produced antagonistic effects when physical measures were added. Through response surface methodology analysis, we also found that the physical factor was the most significant factor affecting the cumulative effect, followed by the chemical factor and then the biological factor. Our results provide a more detailed understanding of the interaction patterns among multiple measures that affect algal growth. Importantly, this understanding can be further integrated into future strategy development to fully exploit the potential of the cumulative effect at its maximum performance.
Comparison of Different Winding Configurations for Dual Three-Phase Interior PM Machines in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Wang Shensheng , Zhu Ziqiang , Pride Adam , Shi Juntao , Deodhar Rajesh , Umemura Chiaki
Published: March 2022

In this paper, two dual three-phase winding configurations are compared based on the Toyota Prius 2010 interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine. It is found that the winding configuration with single-layer full-pitched (SF) windings can improve average torque and reduce torque ripple in constant torque range. The winding configuration with double-layer short-pitched (DS) windings has better torque performance in a constant power range. The electromagnetic performances of the two winding configurations when one winding set is excited and the other one is open-circuited are also compared. The DS winding configuration shows much better performance under this condition. Overall, the dual three-phase winding configuration with DS windings is preferred for dual three-phase IPM machines in electric vehicles. A Toyota Prius 2010 IPM machine equipped with DS windings was manufactured to verify the analyses presented in this paper.
Genetic predictors of periodontitis development: problems and prospects (a literature review)
Authors: Tikhomirova E. A.
Published: March 2022

Relevance.Currently, researchers are actively searching for genetic markers of periodontitis. Their detection will allow identifying risk group patients long before the manifestation of the first signs of the disease, predicting the disease course and intensively carrying out preventive measures to eliminate negative environmental factors.Aim – to classify the available data on the genes associated with the development of aggressive and chronic generalized periodontitis.Materials and methods.We found 214 publications published from 2005 to 2020 in the electronic databases PubMed, Google Search and eLibrary. One hundred and thirty-five publications were selected, among which are clinical studies and meta-analysis data.Results.Chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis are typically polygenic. The disease-associated genes are predisposition genes. The presence of an allele associated with the disease in an individual is not an absolute diagnostic sign for the development of the disease. However, it reflects the risk of disease development. The search for genetic markers of periodontitis assigns a crucial role to genes, which encode proteins significant at different stages of the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal diseases. Defensins, interleukins, Toll-like receptors, collagen type I α1 chain and others are among them. To date, the researchers have studied about 300 polymorphisms and have associated some of them with the development of periodontitis.Conclusion.The exact genetic marker of periodontitis is currently unknown. Further search for the candidate genes and additional knowledge of the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal diseases are necessary. Determining the disease predisposition will improve the quality of dental care and preventive measures even before the manifestation of the disease.
Effect of Prophylactic Caffeine on Noninvasive Respiratory Support in Preterm Neonates Weighing 1250–2000 g: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Iranpour Ramin , Armanian Amir-Mohammad , Miladi Nooshin , Feizi Awat
Published: March 2022

Background: Caffeine is commonly used to prevent or treat apnea in preterm neonates. The present trial was designed to determine the effect of caffeine on reducing the time required for nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, a total of 90 neonates (birth weight between 1250 and 2000 g) who were clinically diagnosed with RDS were subjected to random assignment to one of the two groups of caffeine (n=45) or control (n=45). Infants in the caffeine group received 20 mg/kg caffeine as the initial dose, and then 10 mg/kg daily as the maintenance dose. Infants in the control group did not receive any placebo or similar drugs. The primary outcome was the duration time of respiratory support with NCPAP. Results: The mean (SD) duration of NCPAP differed significantly and was shorter among the infants in the caffeine group than those assigned to the control group (41.53 (43.25) versus 78.48 (114.25) hours, respectively; mean difference: -36.95; 95%CI: -73.14, -0.76; P = 0.04). Apnea of prematurity (AOP) occurred in 2 (4.4%) newborns in the caffeine group and in 9 (20%) of the infants in the control condition [proportion difference: -15.6% (-29.8,-1.8); (P = 0.02)]. The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was higher in the control group than in the caffeine group after one week (P = 0.03). The incidence of chronic lung disease (CLD), infection, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), seizure, vomiting and pneumothorax was similar in the two groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that preventative caffeine can reduce the duration of NCPAP support in neonates with RDS.
Short- and Long-term Myocardial Infarction Survival Rate According to the Type of Drugs Prescribed at the Time of Discharge: A Study Using Iran National Registry Data
Authors: Mozaffarian Samaneh , Taherpour Niloufar , Sistanizad Mohammad , Aghaali Mohammad , Hashemi Nazari Seyed Saeed
Published: March 2022

Background: Coronary artery disease is among the first causes of death in Iran. Secondary prevention with drug therapy is recommended following acute myocardial infarction (MI) to reduce the risk of new cardiovascular events and death. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study on data collected from 21181 cases of MI recorded by the MI Registry of Iran from 2013 to 2014. Ten therapies that were prescribed to patients at the time of discharge were divided into 6 groups. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Results: The most common MI location was in the anterior wall (31.87%). Anticoagulants, aspirin, clopidogrel were the most common prescribed medications (94.73%). Overall, 28-day (short-term) and 3-year survival rates were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.95–0.96) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.81–0.82). In non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients, the lowest short- and long-term survival rates were observed when diuretic, anticoagulants/ aspirin and clopidogrel, beta-blockers and statins medication were simultaneously taken and the highest short- and long-term survival rates were observed in patients who took anticoagulants, aspirin and clopidogrel, nitrate agent and calcium blockers, beta-blockers and statins medication. In STEMI patients, the lowest short- and long-term survival rates were observed when diuretic, anticoagulants, aspirin and clopidogrel, nitrate agent and calcium blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) were simultaneously taken. The highest short- and long-term survival rates were observed in patients who received anticoagulants, aspirin and clopidogrel, nitrate agent and calcium blockers, beta-blockers, statins, ACEIs and ARBs. Conclusion: Prescription of the best combination of drugs, in addition to adherence to a healthy lifestyle and medication, can improve the survival rates after MI.
Trends in the Incidence Rates of Breast and Gynecological Cancers in Asia from 1998–2012: An Ecological Study
Authors: Eslahi Marzieh , Roshandel Gholamreza , Torkian Samaneh
Published: March 2022

Background: There is limited evidence on the epidemiology and time trend analysis of incidence rates of gynecological cancer in Asia as a whole. We conducted this study to demonstrate breast and gynecological cancers incidence and trends in selected Asian populations. Method: We conducted this ecological study using cancer and population data from cancer incidence in five continents (CI5). We extracted the data of breast, uterine, cervix and ovary cancers in selected Asian populations from 1998 to 2012 from CI5plus. We used Joinpoint regression model (version 4.8.0.1) to evaluate the annual percentage change (APC), which characterizes trends in cancer rates over time, and the average annual percent changes (AAPCs), which describes the average APCs over a period of multiple years. Results were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. Results: Between breast and gynecological cancers, breast cancer has the highest incidence rates among women in Asia. The time trend of the incidence rates showed a constant growth in breast, ovary and corpus uteri cancers. This rising trend was obviously sharper for uterine cancer (AAPC 95% CI = 3.4 [3.0, 3.7]) followed by breast [AAPC 95% CI = 2.1 (2.0, 2.2)] and ovarian cancers (AAPC 95% CI = 0.5 [-0.4, 1.3]). The age-adjusted incidence rate (ASR) of cervical cancer displayed a declining trend from 1998 to 2012 (AAPC 95% CI = -1.4 [-2.4, -0.5]). Conclusion: Incidence rates of breast and gynecological cancers have a rising trend in Asian countries. However, breast and gynecological cancers have different patterns of time trend.
Prevention and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using miRNAs
Authors: Farzaneh Zahra , Farzaneh Maryam
Published: March 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of death due to cancer. Liver transplantation, surgical liver resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the main options for the treatment of HCC. However, these methods are unable to limit the growth, survival, and metastasis of HCC cells. Several signaling pathways control propagation, metastasis, and recurrence of HCC. Recent studies have established new approaches for the prevention and treatment of HCC using miRNA technology. MicroRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs with an average of 22 nucleotides that play critical roles in controlling gene expression in a variety of biological processes. miRNAs can induce or suppress HCC proliferation, migration, metastasis, and tumorigenesis. The anti-cancer effects of molecular agents can be evaluated directly in animal models or indirectly through the injection of HCC cell lines treated with anti-cancer agents. Targeting cancer-specific signaling pathways with miRNAs can be novel therapeutic strategies against HCC. This study provides the latest findings on using miRNAs in the control of HCC in both in vitro and in vivo models.
Indoor Wireless Network Coverage Area Optimization
Authors: Dudhat Amitkumar , Mariyanti Tatik
Published: March 2022

The presence of interference has a significant impact on wireless network connections indoors. Because of the effects of multipath propagation, such as reflection, refraction, and scattering of radio waves by the structure of the building, the sent signal can usually be received in free space or via more than one pathway, and the consequence might be a phenomenon known as multipath fading. For different results, propagation models have been identified, which provide the propagation features of the initial evaluation. There are two types of wireless propagation models: empirical and theoretical models that deal with coverage, overlapping channels, and wireless network performance. The planning system was set out using a practical and theoretical approach. Furthermore, this comparison may aid in determining the accuracy of survey measures in the context of indoor wireless monitoring and provide an estimate of the breadth and performance of wireless networks in the form of a new topology with contour presentation. Layout plan optimization The typical RSSI of a Wi-Fi system ranges from -40 dBm to -55 Dbm, with a power of 17-18 Dbm, and is applied to channels 1 through 11 non-overlapping in the design of networks with multiple APs that are nearby. The new topology represents the optimization outcomes, accompanied by a contour display and dispersed over the region.
Trucos básicos para mejorar tu francés. Pronombres de tratamiento: tu/vous, nous/on.
Authors: Zerva Adamantía , Vela Ameneiros Natalia
Published: March 2022

El presente vídeo aborda los pronombres personales que funcionan como sujeto. Concretamente, se analizan los parámetros de empleo del pronombre de tratamiento de familiaridad “tu” y de cortesía “vous”. Asimismo, se presentan los usos y la función pragmática del pronombre “on” en diferentes contextos comunicativos.

Este vídeo se enmarca en una serie de Vídeos Didácticos Lingüísticos enfocado a un público de estudiantes de francés de nivel básico/principiante (A1-B1) que están cursando sus estudios en la Universidad de Sevilla en el Grado de Estudios franceses, en los otros Grados de Filología (en Estudios Ingleses, en Lengua y Literatura Alemanas, en Estudios Árabes e Islámicos, en Filología Hispánica, en Filología Clásica y los Doble Grados con Educación Primaria), en el Grado en Turismo y en el Instituto de Idiomas de la US. El objetivo es proporcionar estrategias y recursos a los estudiantes para fomentar su autonomía en la resolución de problemas lingüísticos y metodológicos en el nivel inicial de su aprendizaje del idioma francés.

El presente recurso de animación didáctica trata sobre los pronombres personales en la lengua francesa que realizan la función de sujeto: “tu/vous” y “on”. El principal objetivo es reflejar su función en la comunicación para evitar un uso erróneo.
Los pronombres de tratamiento “tu/vous” tienen su equivalente en la lengua española, pero su función pragmática en la lengua francesa varía según el contexto comunicativo. Por ende, se intenta reflejar los diferentes usos del pronombre de familiaridad “tu” y de cortesía “vous” según el registro (formal/informal) y la relación que hay entre los interlocutores siguiendo las pautas que rigen la sociedad francesa.
Por otra parte, el pronombre “on”, cuyo empleo es muy frecuente en francés, no corresponde a un pronombre equivalente en español, lo que dificulta su uso entre los estudiantes hispanohablantes. Para ello, se abordan sus posibles usos según el contexto y las intenciones del hablante.
TUMBUH KEMBANG OPTIMAL DENGAN STIMULASI PERKEMBANGAN PADA BALITA
Authors: Sofiyanti Ida , Astuti Fitria Primi , Salafas Eti
Published: March 2022

Perkembangan Bayi/Balita seharusnya sesuai dengan tahapan perkembangan. Stimulasi perkembangan hendaknya dilakukan secara rutin sehingga bayi/balita tidak mengalami keterlambatan. Jumlah Bayi/Balita di Kelurahan Candirejo per Oktober 2017 adalah 345 anak. Terdapat 5 posyandu dengan 25 kader posyandu. Kader dan orang tua bayi balita kurang mengetahui tahapan perkembangan dan stimulasi perkembangan yang harus dilakukan. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah memberikan penyuluhan tentang stimulasi perkembangan pada balita sesuai dengan tahapan perkembangan. Metode kegiatan dilakukan dengan dua tahap yaitu penyuluhan tentang stimulasi perkembangan bayi/balita pada kader posyandu dan pelaksanaan stimulasi perkembangan oleh orangtua. Sasaran kegiatan ini adalah kader posyandu Kelurahan Candirejo dan orangtua/pengasuh. Alat ukur yang digunakan adalah kuesioner pengetahuan kaderPosyandutentang stimulasi perkembangan dan kartu kendali.Hasil kegiatan ini yaitu adanya peningkatan rata-rata pengetahuan kader tentang stimulasi  perkembangan sebanyak 2 angka dengan nilai minimal 6 dan maksimal 10. Stimulasi yang harus dilakukan oleh orangtua/pengasuh sebagian besar pada aspek bahasa dan personal sosial. Orangtua/pengasuh melakukan stimulasi perkembangan setiap hari. Diharapkan kader Posyandu selalu memberikan penyuluhan stimulasi sesuai dengan tahapan perkembangan dan melaporkan ke bidan desa apabila menemukan keterlambatan perkembangan pada balita di wilayah Posyandunya. Orangtua/pengasuh disarankan untuk selalu melakukan stimulasi perkembangan sesuai dengan tahapan perkembangan anak. Kata Kunci : Stimulasi Perkembangan, Kader Posyandu, Bayi/Balita
Edukasi Diare Pada Anak
Authors: Dyahariesti Niken , Yuswantina Richa , Wijayanti Fiki
Published: March 2022

Diarrhea is a state of urination with a diluted consistency and frequency more three times a day and is a symptom of a particular disease or other disorder. Diarrhea can affect all ages from toddlers to the elderly. The case of diarrhea in a toddler or child is more dangerous if not treated immediately. Lerep village is one of the villages that is the majority of children, which is the local wisdom of lerep village many children who play outside and also snack haphazardly. The purpose of this activity is to improve the understanding of lerep villagers about diarrhea in children. The method used starts the pretest stage, the educational process and the postest. This activity was attended by 27 housewives. The implementation of this activity is carried out with youtube media that is broadcast live. Measure the success of this activity by comparing the results of the pretest and postest values. The result of this activity is obtained that the postest value is better than the pretest value. Thus it can be concluded that the absence of this activity can increase the knowledge of lerep villagers to the knowledge of diarrhea in children.AbstrakDiare merupakan suatu keadaan buang air dengan konsistensi encer dan frekuensi yang lebih tiga kali sehari dan merupakan gejala dari penyakit tertentu atau gangguan lain. Diare dapat menjangkit semua usia dari balita sampai lansia. Kejadiaan diare pada balita atau anak lebih berbahaya jika tidak segera ditangani. Desa Lerep merupakan salah satu desa yang mayoritas anak-anak, dimana merupakan kearifan lokal dari desa Lerep banyak anak-anak yang bermain diluar dan juga jajan sembarangan. Tujuan kegiatan ini untuk meningkatkan pemahaman masyarakat desa Lerep tentang diare pada anak. Metode yang digunakan dimulai tahap pretest , proses edukasi dan postest. Kegiatan ini diikuti oleh ibu-ibu rumah tangga yang berjumlah 27 orang. Pelaksanaan kegiatan ini dilakukan dengan media youtube yang disiarkan secara langsung. Pengukuran keberhasilan kegiatan ini dengan membandingkan hasil dari nilai pretest dan postest. Hasil kegiatan ini diperoleh bahwa nilai postest lebih bagus dibandingkan nilai pretest. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa adanya kegiatan ini dapat peningkatan pengetahuan masyarakat desa Lerep terhadap pengetahuan diare pada anak.
Pemberdayaan Kader Pada Deteksi Dini Ibu Hamil Resiko Tinggi Di Puskesmas Karang Ayu Semarang
Authors: Qomariyah Qomariyah , Maharani Kristina , Kurniawati Putri
Published: March 2022

According to the 2012 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS), it shows a drastic increase in MMR (related to pregnancy, childbirth, and childbirth) from 2007 of 228 per 100,000 live births to 359 per 100,000 live births in 2012 (Profile Health Indonesia, 2012). Initial data at Puskesmas Karang Ayu, the largest proportion of pregnant women in the Karang Ayu Health Center area are mothers with a Risk Factor of 36%. The proportion of 10% postpartum mothers is with complications. The target of KIA Gasurkes counseling is more than 100% with the largest proportion in the class of pregnant women, 52%. Based on interviews with Puskesmas officers, officers said that Puskesmas Karang Ayu has health cadres but has not been exposed to information about high-risk pregnant women. Therefore it is necessary to do community service consisting of counseling about high-risk pregnant women. After counseling and empowerment, cadres in the Puskesmas Karang Ayu assisted areas are able to monitor blood pressure measurements, and provide education to high-risk pregnant women who are their responsibility.AbstrakMenurut Survey Demografi dan Kesehatan Indonesia (SDKI) tahun 2012, menunjukkan kenaikkan AKI (yang berkaitan dengan kehamilan, persalinan, dan nifas) yang cukup drastis dari tahun 2007 sebesar 228 per100.000 kelahiran hidup menjadi 359 per 100.000 kelahiran hidup pada tahun 2012 (Profil Kesehatan Indonesia, 2012). Data awal di Puskesmas Karang Ayu proporsi ibu hamil terbesar di wilayah Puskesmas Karang Ayu adalah ibu dengan Faktor Risiko sebanyak 36%. Proporsi ibu nifas 10% adalah dengan komplikasi. Target penyuluhan Gasurkes KIA sudah lebih dari 100% dengan proporsi terbesar ada di kelas Ibu Hamil 52 %. Berdasarkan wawancara kepada petugas Puskesmas, petugas mengatakan bahwa Puskesmas Karang Ayu memiliki kader kesehatan namun belum terpapar dengan informasi mengenai ibu hamil resiko tinggi. Maka dari itu perlu dilakukan pengabdian masyarakat yang terdiri dari Penyuluhan mengenai ibu hamil resiko tinggi. Setelah dilakukan penyuluhan dan pemberdayaan, kader di wilayah binaan Puskesmas Karang Ayu mampu melaksanakan pemantauan pengkuran tekanan darah, dan memberikan edukasi kepada ibu hamil resiko tinggi yang menjadi tanggung jawabnya.
Clean and Healthy Living Behavior of Traders in Oeba Market
Authors: Mariani Yolenta , Romeo Petrus , Ndoen Enjelita M
Published: March 2022

Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) is an effective way of preventing disease transmission risks in markets. However, the poor implementation of PHBS remains in the traditional markets of Kupang City. This study was to describe the PHBS of traders in Oeba Market, Kupang City. The PHBS includes the behavior of disposing of garbage, using healthy latrines, and throwing saliva. This study is qualitative research with seven informants consisting of one market unit head, five traders, and one cleaning service. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and observations around the market environment. The research findings showed that of the three PHBS indicators studied, informants have only sufficiently implemented the utilization of healthy latrines. The lack of facilities and support from stakeholders has exacerbated the implementation of PHBS by traders in the Oeba market. Providing enabling and reinforcing factors is necessary for the PHBS implementation by Oeba Market traders