bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to Keep Drivers Attentive during Level 2 Automation? Development and Evaluation of an HMI Concept Using Affective Elements and Message Framing
Authors: Hecht Tobias , Zhou Weisi , Bengler Klaus
Published: June 2022

With Level 3 and 4 automated driving activated, users will be allowed to engage in a wide range of non-driving related activities (NDRAs). Although Level 2 automation can appear very similar to L3 and L4, drivers are required to always monitor the system. However, past research has found drivers neglect this obligation at least partly and instead engage in NDRAs. Since this behavior can have negative impacts on traffic safety, the goal of this work was to develop a human–machine interface (HMI) concept to motivate users to continue their supervision task. This work’s concept used message framing in connection with affective elements. Every three minutes, messages were displayed on the head-up display. To evaluate the affective message concept’s (AMC) effectiveness, we conducted a between-subject driving simulator study (baseline vs. advanced HMI) with 32 participants and 45 min of driving time with both L2 and L4 phases and a silent system malfunction. Results show the road attention ratio decreases and the NDRA engagement ratio increases over time only for baseline participants. Participants supported by the AMC did not show a change over time in monitoring behavior and NDRA engagement. However, no effect on the drivers’ reaction to the system failure became apparent. No effects on subjective workload and user experience were found. Additional research is needed to further investigate the safety implications and long-term effectiveness of the concept, as well as a driver-state-dependent design.
Development of a Methodology to Adapt an Equilibrium Buffer/Wash Applied to the Purification of hGPN2 Protein Expressed in Escherichia coli Using an IMAC Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography System
Authors: Juárez-Lucero Jorge , Guevara-Villa María del Rayo , Sánchez-Sánchez Anabel , Díaz-Hernández Raquel , Altamirano-Robles Leopoldo
Published: June 2022

Protein purification is a complex and non-standardized process; the fact that proteins have different structural types making it difficult to create a standard methodology to obtain them in a pure, soluble, and homogeneous form. The present study shows the selective development of a buffer suitable for proteins of interest that allows high concentrations of hGPN2 protein to be obtained with low polydispersion and high homogeneity and purity. By taking the different reagents used in the construction of different buffers as a basis and performing purifications using different additives in different concentrations to determine the optimal amounts, the developed process helps to minimize the bonds, maintain solubility, release the proteins present in inclusion bodies, and provide an adequate environment for obtaining high concentrations of pure protein. GPN proteins are of unknown function, have not been purified in high concentrations, and have been found as part of the RNA polymerase assembly; if they are not expressed, the cell dies, and overexpression of certain GPN proteins has been linked to decreased survival in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer types ER+ and HER2+. The results of the present study show that the use of the buffer developed for recombinant hGPN2 protein expressed in Escherichia coli could be manipulated in order to isolate the protein in a totally pure form and without the use of protease inhibitor tablets. The resulting homogeneity and low polydispersion was corroborated by studies carried out using dynamic dispersion analysis. Thanks to these properties, it can be used for crystallography or structural genomics studies.
Attitudes toward Coronavirus Protection Measures among German School Students: The Effects of Education and Knowledge about the Pandemic
Authors: Jäckle Sebastian , Waldvogel Thomas
Published: June 2022

This article addresses the question of what attitudes school students in Germany hold regarding the Coronavirus protection measures taken by policymakers. Based on this, it investigates to what extent the students’ assessment of the pandemic is impacted by a better understanding of the spread of the virus, as well as their objective knowledge and their self-perceived subjective knowledge about the pandemic. Using a sample of 563 German school students (ages: 12–26), Part I of our analysis shows that after more than 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, (1) a significant exponential growth bias (EGB) (i.e., a systematic underestimation of the speed at which COVID-19 spreads) still exists, and (2) this bias can be reduced by giving simple educational nudges, but (3) this treatment has neither a major effect on the general approval of anti-COVID-19 measures nor on the willingness of the participants to apply specific protective measures themselves. Furthermore, Part II of our study illustrates that both subjective and objective knowledge increase the approval of or willingness for most protective measures. The same holds true for fear of infection. Therefore, an educational approach that combines rational, cognitive, and emotional elements is likely to be best suited to raising young people’s awareness of the dangers of a pandemic such as COVID-19.
Cultural Greenspaces: Synthesizing Knowledge and Experience in Nova Scotia’s African-Canadian Communities through Participatory Research and SoftGIS
Authors: leBrasseur Richard
Published: June 2022

Greenspaces are integral components of communities and provide numerous benefits. However, human development threatens these spaces, particularly in communities of color where histories of racial injustice persist and environmental vulnerabilities remain. A step towards preventing the loss of important cultural greenspaces is documenting knowledge and experience. This research employed community-based participatory techniques to study the relationship between the landscape and African-Canadian communities around Preston, Nova Scotia, the oldest and largest in Canada. Community-directed meetings created collaborative-based knowledge about perceptions surrounding land use change while identifying valued greenspaces. This paper studies the relationships between the community’s greenspaces and the benefits to psychological, social, and physical aspects of human wellbeing. This relationship is operationalized through the use of a public participation geographic information system (PPGIS), SoftGIS, which activates the greenspace–human wellbeing relationship through interaction and its map-based survey data collection. Results indicate residents predominately visited greenspaces near a church or community center for social wellbeing benefits to interact with neighbors and friends, to cookout, or to bring children outside. This research contributes to a greater understanding of the Preston area’s greenspace identification and qualification, resident behavior, and cultural perspectives to inform strategies and goals for engaging government agencies surrounding policy and land use planning. This research illustrates frameworks for improving building capacity and promoting racial equity within the urbanization process in other communities.
Analysis of Unmarried Adolescents and Modern Contraceptives Initiation in Nigeria: Evidence from 2018 NDHS
Authors: Ogujiuba Kanayo , Ojoniyi Olaide , Stiegler Nancy
Published: June 2022

Nigeria is one of Africa’s most populous countries. Nigeria’s population is expected to exceed 400 million by 2050, putting it among the top five most populous countries in the world. High birth rates, limited contraception use, and early marriage are the main causes of this rapid increase. In Nigeria, adolescents play a substantial role in these issues, with 117 births per 1000 girls aged 15–19 years. Data for this article comes from the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Our sample consisted of 1014 sexually active unmarried adolescents aged 15–19 years. Kaplan Meier’s curve, Log Rank Test, and Cox proportional hazards model were modeled to estimate the parameters at p > 0.05. Findings show that the average time to the first use of modern contraceptives after sexual initiation is two years. Initiating sex at age 15 or later, belonging to the richest household wealth quintile, and use of the internet is associated with the early initiation of modern contraceptive methods, while residing in the northwest region and being older are associated with a low incidence of modern contraceptive use. Results indicate a deferred initiation of modern contraceptives after first sexual encounter. It has become imperative for tailored interventions to improve the time of initiation of contraceptives, so as to reduce the associated burdens and consequences.
Agricultural Big Data Architectures in the Context of Climate Change: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Cravero Ania , Bustamante Ana , Negrier Marlene , Galeas Patricio
Published: June 2022

Climate change is currently one of agriculture’s main problems in achieving sustainability. It causes drought, increased rainfall, and increased diseases, causing a decrease in food production. In order to combat these problems, Agricultural Big Data contributes with tools that improve the understanding of complex, multivariate, and unpredictable agricultural ecosystems through the collection, storage, processing, and analysis of vast amounts of data from diverse heterogeneous sources. This research aims to discuss the advancement of technologies used in Agricultural Big Data architectures in the context of climate change. The study aims to highlight the tools used to process, analyze, and visualize the data, to discuss the use of the architectures in crop, water, climate, and soil management, and especially to analyze the context, whether it is in Resilience Mitigation or Adaptation. The PRISMA protocol guided the study, finding 33 relevant papers. However, despite advances in this line of research, few papers were found that mention architecture components, in addition to a lack of standards and the use of reference architectures that allow the proper development of Agricultural Big Data in the context of climate change.
ESG and Firm Performance: Focusing on the Environmental Strategy
Authors: Cho Yoonkyo
Published: June 2022

In this study, we investigate whether firms’ eco-friendly strategies affect their value. For the analysis, we study 210 firms in the Republic of Korea. These firms were listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotations during 2017–2021. We measure the dependent variable by return on assets, return on equity, and Tobin’s Q as firm value and use the ordinary least square estimation. The results show that firms’ eco-friendly strategies have a positive effect on firm value. Additionally, we examine the effect of eco-friendly strategies on performance by industry and by duration. In the nonservice industry, there is a positive effect of environmental strategy on firm value for a 5-year window, but not for a 3-year window. In the service industry, in contrast, eco-friendly strategies have no effect on firm value for the 5-year window but have positive effects for the 3-year window. In the robustness check, for the endogeneity issue, we perform a two-stage least squares analysis. This study demonstrates that environmental actions are reflected in firm value and that the performance varies by industry. Thus, these results provide critical insights for managers and policy makers who consider the environmental issues of firms.
Segmentation of Religious Tourism by Motivations: A Study of the Pilgrimage to the City of Mecca
Authors: Hassan Tahani , Carvache-Franco Mauricio , Carvache-Franco Wilmer , Carvache-Franco Orly
Published: June 2022

The present study about the pilgrimage to Mecca aims to: (i) identify the motivational dimensions of the demand for religious tourism, (ii) determine the segments of the demand for religious tourism, (iii) establish the relationship between the segments and socio-demographic aspects, and (iv) establish the relationship between tourist segments and their satisfaction and loyalty in the religious tourism destination of Mecca. The research was carried out on pilgrims who had visited Mecca who lived in Bahrain, a country located on the Persian Gulf, where most of its population is Muslim. The sample consisted of 350 surveys obtained online. A factor and K-means clusters analysis were used to reduce and group the data. The results show three motivational dimensions: religious, social and cultural, and shopping. Additionally, there were also three segments of demand: the “Multiple motives,” with high scores in all the motivational variables, the “Passive tourists” with low levels of motivation and the “Religious,” with motivations in variables related to religion. The “Multiple motives” and the “Religious” segments had high satisfaction and loyalty levels. The results will serve as guides for the management of religious destinations and contribute to the academic literature on this subject.
Exploring Indigenous Craft Materials and Sustainable Design—A Case Study Based on Taiwan Kavalan Banana Fibre
Authors: Lin Yi-Shiang , Lin Ming-Huang
Published: June 2022

For a long time, local craft traditions were passed on through apprenticeships. Consequently, new generations of designers and industries cannot easily intervene or produce new designs. This inability to integrate craft traditions in a modern context and changing cultural environment has resulted in the stagnation, decline, or even elimination of such crafts. This study focused on the use of banana fibres in the craft traditions of the Kavalan people of Taiwan, and research-through-design concepts were applied to the creative study of materials that are essential to ecological sustainability and cultural heritage. The method, Material Driven Design (MDD), was implemented through participation to experience traditional processes and explore the visible properties of craft materials. The goal was to gain a holistic understanding of materials and leverage the participants’ expertise in determining which steps in the methods could be improved. This process was supplemented with grounded theory, which was used to analyse and summarise the data in order to understand the factors influencing the creations of participants. Lastly, in addition to producing semifinished and finished products in our experiment, we believe that our findings regarding the examined materials and material tinkering to develop a material-tinkering loop based on the MDD can be (i) combined with the unique insights and technical expertise of designers and (ii) used alongside contemporary technical and digital aids to effectively support the continued development of innovative craft designs.
Sinicized Exploration of Sustainable Digital Fashion: Chinese Game Players’ Intention to Purchase Traditional Costume Skins
Authors: Fu Yawen , Liang Hui’e
Published: June 2022

Digitalization is not only blurring boundaries between the real world and virtual space, but, since COVID-19, it has also made the traditional fashion industry less reliant on physical materials. In this context, digital fashion and virtual design have emerged. Although China has started to digitally distribute cultural products based on the digitization of museums, there is still a gap in the field of digital fashion. In order to achieve the sustainable development of Chinese traditional costume culture and explore the Sinicization of digital fashion, this article proposes to transfer Chinese traditional costumes into a series of digitalized commodities, serving as computer game skins for online sales. This research involved the construction of a hypothetical model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), including perceived usefulness, purchase price perceptions, perceived playfulness, cultural elements authenticity, satisfaction, and purchase intention through the related literature. In total, the survey data of 219 Chinese game players were collected, and a structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to verify these research hypotheses. The results showed that perceived playfulness and cultural elements authenticity had a positive effect on the players’ satisfaction and purchase intentions, whereas perceived usefulness had a negative influence on the players’ satisfaction and purchase intentions. In addition, purchase price perceptions had no significant negative effect on the players’ satisfaction or their purchase intentions. Overall, this study contributes to the co-development of digital fashion and traditional costume culture in China, as well as the improvement of product design and marketing management for game companies.
Sustainable Development of Underutilized Pedestrian Underpass in Seoul
Authors: Jeong Dae Yeong , Kim Hee Jin
Published: June 2022

Since the Korean War, Seoul has applied a growth-oriented approach to urban development, resulting in insufficient amount of public spaces. Such lack of public spaces has been addressed partially through private development, which has exacerbated the lack of public domain for the socially disadvantaged groups. Accordingly, local governments have increasingly sought to solve this problem by developing underutilized underpasses. This study analyzes the development of Social Care Type (SCT) underpasses in Seoul and how they meet the characteristics of sustainable development. The study findings reveal that the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s approach to the development of underpasses forms a virtuous cycle where the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) constituting sustainability—social, economic, and environmental factors—forms a feedback-loop relationship. Based on this systemic review of nine case studies of underpass development in Seoul, this article suggests a new paradigm for underpass space development that could be applied in the future by Seoul and other modern cities.
Integration of Indoor Air Quality Prediction into Healthy Building Design
Authors: Yang Shen , Mahecha Sebastian Duque , Moreno Sergi Aguacil , Licina Dusan
Published: June 2022

Healthy building design is an emerging field of architecture and building engineering. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an inevitable factor that should be considered in healthy building design due to its demonstrated links with human health and well-being. This paper proposes to integrate IAQ prediction into healthy building design by developing a simulation toolbox, termed i-IAQ, using MATLAB App Designer. Within the i-IAQ, users can input information of building layout and wall-openings and select air pollutant sources from the database. As an output, the toolbox simulates indoor levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), inhalable particles (PM10), fine particles (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) during the occupied periods. Based on the simulation results, the toolbox also offers diagnosis and recommendations to improve the design. The accuracy of the toolbox was validated by a case study in an apartment where physical measurements of air pollutants took place. The results suggest that designers can integrate the i-IAQ toolbox in building design, so that the potential IAQ issues can be resolved at the early design stage at a low cost. The paper outcomes have the potential to pave a way towards more holistic healthy building design, and novel and cost-effective IAQ management.
LINES: muLtImodal traNsportation rEsilience analySis
Authors: Aparicio Joao Tiago , Arsenio Elisabete , Santos Francisco C. , Henriques Rui
Published: June 2022

This study aims to contribute to more sustainable mobility solutions by proposing robust and actionable methods to assess the resilience of a multimodal transport system. Resilience is seen in a dynamic lean setting, looking at aspects in the network topology and user’s flow and demand throughout a parameterizable period. We hypothesize that this network’s appropriate multi-layered and traffic-sensitive modeling can promote the integrated analysis of different transport modes and support an improved resilience analysis. We operationalize the lean resilience conceptual construct with the proposed muLtImodal traNsportation rEsilience aSsessment (LINES) methodological process. Using the city of Lisbon as a study case, we illustrate the relevance of the proposed methodology to detect actionable vulnerabilities in the bus–tram–subway network.
Motivation and Its Impact on Language Achievement: Sustainable Development of Ethnic Minority Students’ Second Language Learning
Authors: Jiao Shi , Wang Jing , Ma Xu , You Zheng , Jiang Dini
Published: June 2022

This study examined the English learning motivation of Chinese ethnic university students. A sample of 776 undergraduates from three representative ethnic universities participated in this research. The findings indicated four types of English learning motivation: intrinsic interest, learning situation, personal development, and international communication. There were statistically significant differences between ethnic minority and Han students, and between male and female students. Moreover, the intrinsic interest motivation of Han students was significantly higher than that of ethnic minority students, and female students’ overall motivation and personal development motivation were significantly higher than those of male students. Intrinsic interest motivation had a significantly positive impact on English achievement, whereas learning situation motivation had a significantly negative impact. These findings highlight the improvement of the learning situation and encouragement of intrinsic interest to enhance minority students’ second language learning and sustainable development. Further research on English as a second language should consider the influence of family and ethnic background.
The Need for Smart Architecture Caused by the Impact of COVID-19 upon Architecture and City: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Park Sang-Jun , Lee Kyung-Tae , Im Jin-Bin , Kim Ju-Hyung
Published: June 2022

The recent pandemic era of COVID-19 has shown social adjustment on a global scale in an attempt to reduce contamination. In response, academic studies relating to smart technologies have increased to assist with governmental restrictions such as social distancing. Despite the restrictions, architectural, engineering and construction industries have shown an increase in budget and activity. An investigation of the adjustments made in response to the pandemic through utilizing new technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT) and smart technologies, is necessary to understand the research trends of the new normal. This study should address various sectors, including business, healthcare, architecture, education, tourism and transportation. In this study, a literature review was performed on two web-based, peer-reviewed journal databases, SCOPUS and Web of Science, to identify a trend in research for the pandemic era in various sectors. The results from 123 papers revealed a focused word group of IoT, smart technologies, architecture, building, space and COVID-19. Overlapping knowledges of IoT systems, within the design of a building which was designed for a specific purpose, were discovered. The findings justify the need for a new sub-category within the field of architecture called “smart architecture”. This aims to categorize the knowledge which is required to embed IoT systems in three key architectural topics—planning, design, and construction—for building design with specific purposes, tailored to various sectors.
Analyzing of Alzheimer’s Disease Based on Biomedical and Socio-Economic Approach Using Molecular Communication, Artificial Neural Network, and Random Forest Models
Authors: Bayraktar Yuksel , Isik Esme , Isik Ibrahim , Ozyilmaz Ayfer , Toprak Metin , Kahraman Guloglu Fatma , Aydin Serdar
Published: June 2022

Alzheimer’s disease will affect more people with increases in the elderly population, as the elderly population of countries everywhere generally rises significantly. However, other factors such as regional climates, environmental conditions and even eating and drinking habits may trigger Alzheimer’s disease or affect the life quality of individuals already suffering from this disease. Today, the subject of biomedical engineering is being studied intensively by many researchers considering that it has the potential to produce solutions to various diseases such as Alzheimer’s caused by problems in molecule or cell communication. In this study, firstly, a molecular communication model with the potential to be used in the treatment and/or diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease was proposed, and its results were analyzed with an artificial neural network model. Secondly, the ratio of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease to the total population, along with data of educational status, income inequality, poverty threshold, and the number of the poor in Turkey were subjected to detailed distribution analysis by using the random forest model statistically. As a result of the study, it was determined that a higher income level was causally associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Does Sustainable Consumption Behaviour Influence Luxury Services Purchase Intention?
Authors: Brandão Amélia , Cupertino de Miranda Carmo
Published: June 2022

The current study adds to the literature on the indirect and direct effect of sustainability in luxury services purchase intention. The agenda of researchers and professionals in the luxury industry is constantly changing, and not consensual in the literature, but sustainability has been playing an important role in society. Luxury services have also followed this trend, although studies are still quite limited. The aim of this study is to understand the role of sustainability in a luxury service in purchasing decision-making. The authors employed a quantitative method approach, conducting an online survey with 734 respondents, mainly in Europe, Brazil, and North America. The analysis of empirical research reveals that the bigger the consideration a luxury service has for sustainability, the greater the purchase intention of the consumer. The results confirm the role of hedonism, perceived value, high quality, status-gratification, social image, and perceived self-expression in the purchase intention decision, leading to an indirect and direct influence on the purchase intention. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that sustainable consumption behaviour plays a mediating role in the decision-making when purchasing a luxury service. The study results provide practical guidance for service managers considering sustainability. Practical implications for driving the growth of sustainable consumption behaviour conclude this article.
Separable Reversible Watermarking in Encrypted Images for Privacy Preservation
Authors: Chang Ya-Fen , Tai Wei-Liang
Published: June 2022

We propose a separable, reversible watermarking scheme in encrypted images for privacy preservation. The Paillier cryptosystem is used for separable detection and decryption. Users may want to use cloud services without exposing their content. To preserve privacy, the image owner encrypts the original image using a public key cryptosystem before sending it to the cloud. Cloud service providers can embed the watermark into encrypted images by using a data-hiding key without knowing and destroying the original image. Even though the cloud service providers do not know the original image content, they can use the data-hiding key to detect the watermark from the encrypted image for authentication. Besides, the image owner can use the private key to directly decrypt the watermarked encrypted image to get the original image without any distortion due to its homomorphic property. Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed method, which can provide efficient privacy-preserving authentication without degrading security.
Murine Motion Behavior Recognition Based on DeepLabCut and Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory Network
Authors: Liu Ruiqing , Zhu Juncai , Rao Xiaoping
Published: June 2022

Murine behavior recognition is widely used in biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and other aspects of research, and provides a basis for judging the psychological and physiological state of mice. To solve the problem whereby traditional behavior recognition methods only model behavioral changes in mice over time or space, we propose a symmetrical algorithm that can capture spatiotemporal information based on behavioral changes. The algorithm first uses the improved DeepLabCut keypoint detection algorithm to locate the nose, left ear, right ear, and tail root of the mouse, and then uses the ConvLSTM network to extract spatiotemporal information from the keypoint feature map sequence to classify five behaviors of mice: walking straight, resting, grooming, standing upright, and turning. We developed a murine keypoint detection and behavior recognition dataset, and experiments showed that the method achieved a percentage of correct keypoints (PCK) of 87±1% at three scales and against four backgrounds, while the classification accuracy for the five kinds of behaviors reached 93±1%. The proposed method is thus accurate for keypoint detection and behavior recognition, and is a useful tool for murine motion behavior recognition.
Supply Chain Recovery Strategies for High Demand Products Based on the Impact of Capacity and Transportation Disruptions
Authors: Ju Chunhua , Zhao Jiehao , Li Ke , Bao Fuguang , Xu Chonghuan , Ran Jiarui
Published: June 2022

The outbreak of the COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the manufacturing supply chain, especially the supply chain of high-demand products, and is mainly reflected in the double interruption of production capacity and transportation. The research aims to use system dynamics to explore how government subsidies can play a role in supply chain recovery when government subsidies are limited, which provides a new idea for improving supply chain management. In order to explore the impact of government subsidy strategies on supply chain recovery in the context of supply chain disruptions, this paper takes high-demand products during the epidemic as the research object, and takes the government’s subsidy choices under the impact of production capacity and transportation disruptions as the entry point for recovery strategies. The cumulative total profit of chain members is used as a judgment indicator, and systems dynamics is used to conduct modeling and simulation to build a secondary supply chain for manufacturers and distribution centers and simulate eight scenarios of different levels of production capacity and transportation interruptions, clarifying the impact of government subsidies on supply the impact of chain recovery. The research results show that, for secondary supply chains, whether in the scenario of partial or complete transportation interruption, government subsidies to manufacturers make supply chain recovery more effective, government subsidies do not have an immediate recovery effect during production capacity and transportation interruptions, and that under the complete interruption of production capacity, the cumulative total value of the supply chain after increasing government subsidies has rebounded in a spiral.
Exciting of Strong Electrostatic Fields and Electromagnetic Resonators at the Plasma Boundary by a Power Electromagnetic Beam
Authors: Gradov O. M.
Published: June 2022

The interaction of an electromagnetic beam with a sharp boundary of a dense cold semi-limited plasma was considered in the case of a normal wave incidence on the plasma surface. The possibility of the appearance of an electrostatic field outside the plasma was revealed, the intensity of which decreased according to the power law with a distance from the plasma and the center of the beam. It was possible to form cavities with a reduced electron density, being each electromagnetic resonators, which probed deeply into the dense plasma and couldexist in a stable state for a long period.
Patulin Detoxification by Recombinant Manganese Peroxidase from Moniliophthora roreri Expressed by Pichia pastoris
Authors: Wang Shuai , Wang Xiaolu , Penttinen Leena , Luo Huiying , Zhang Yuhong , Liu Bo , Yao Bin , Hakulinen Nina , Zhang Wei , Su Xiaoyun
Published: June 2022

The fungal secondary metabolite patulin is a mycotoxin widespread in foods and beverages which poses a serious threat to human health. However, no enzyme was known to be able to degrade this mycotoxin. For the first time, we discovered that a manganese peroxidase (MrMnP) from Moniliophthora roreri can efficiently degrade patulin. The MrMnP gene was cloned into pPICZα(A) and then the recombinant plasmid was transformed into Pichia pastoris X-33. The recombinant strain produced extracellular manganese peroxidase with an activity of up to 3659.5 U/L. The manganese peroxidase MrMnP was able to rapidly degrade patulin, with hydroascladiol appearing as a main degradation product. Five mg/L of pure patulin were completely degraded within 5 h. Moreover, up to 95% of the toxin was eliminated in a simulated patulin-contaminated apple juice after 24 h. Using Escherichia coli as a model, it was demonstrated that the deconstruction of patulin led to detoxification. Collectively, these traits make MrMnP an intriguing candidate useful in enzymatic detoxification of patulin in foods and beverages.
Variant Allele of ALDH2, rs671, Associates with Attenuated Post-Vaccination Response in Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein IgG: A Prospective Study in the Japanese General Population
Authors: Matsumoto Akiko , Hara Megumi , Ashenagar Mohammad Said , Tokiya Mikiko , Sawada Takeshi , Iwasaka Chiharu , Furukawa Takuma , Kitagawa Kyoko , Miyake Yasunobu , Hirota Yoshio
Published: June 2022

Uncovering the predictors of vaccine immunogenicity is essential for infection control. We have reported that the most prevalent polymorphism of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2), rs671, may be associated with an attenuated immune system. To test the inverse relationship between rs671 and antibody production after COVID-19 vaccination, the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein S1 subunit (S1) IgG were repeatedly measured for four months before and after vaccination with BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, in 88 Japanese workers and students (including 45 females, aged 21–56 years, with an rs671 variant allele frequency of 0.3). The mixed model including fixed effects of the vaccine type, weeks post vaccination (categorical variable), sex, age, height, smoking status, ethanol intake, exercise habit, perceived stress, steroid use, allergic diseases, and dyslipidemia, indicated an inverse association between log-transformed anti-S1 IgG levels and the number of rs671 variant alleles (partial regression coefficient = −0.15, p = 0.002). Our study indicated for the first time that the variant allele of ALDH2, rs671, is associated with the attenuated immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Our finding may provide a basis for personalized disease prevention based on a genetic polymorphism that is prevalent among East Asians.
Duration of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness against Severe Disease
Authors: Bansal Devendra , Abdulmajeed Jazeel , Al-Shamali Maha H. M. A. , Albayat Soha S. A. , Himatt Sayed M. , Cyprian Farhan S. , Chivese Tawanda , Mundodan Jesha M. A. , Khogali Hayat S. , Baaboura Rekayahouda , Kaleeckal Anvar H. , Kandy Mujeeb C. , Latif Ali Nizar , Al-Kuwari Mohamed Ghaith , Al-Romaihi Hamad Eid , Al Khal Abdullatif , Bertollini Roberto , Al-Thani Mohamed Hamad , Farag Elmobashar , Doi Suhail A. R.
Published: June 2022

Waning immunity following administration of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines remains a concern for many health systems. We undertook a study to determine if recent reports of waning for severe disease could have been attributed to design-related bias by conducting a study only among those detected with a first SARS-CoV-2 infection. We used a matched case-control study design with the study base being all individuals with first infection with SARS-CoV-2 reported in the State of Qatar between 1 January 2021 and 20 February 2022. Cases were those detected with first SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring intensive care (hard outcome), while controls were those detected with first SARS-CoV-2 infection who recovered without the need for intensive care. Cases and controls were matched in a 1:30 ratio for the calendar month of infection and the comorbidity category. Duration and magnitude of conditional vaccine effectiveness against requiring intensive care and the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one more case of COVID-19 requiring intensive care was estimated for the mRNA (BNT162b2/mRNA-1273) vaccines. Conditional vaccine effectiveness against requiring intensive care was 59% (95% confidence interval (CI), 50 to 76) between the first and second dose, and strengthened to 89% (95% CI, 85 to 92) between the second dose and 4 months post the second dose in persons who received a primary course of the vaccine. There was no waning of vaccine effectiveness in the period from 4 to 6, 6 to 9, and 9 to 12 months after the second dose. This study demonstrates that, contrary to mainstream reports using hierarchical measures of effectiveness, conditional vaccine effectiveness against requiring intensive care remains robust till at least 12 months after the second dose of mRNA-based vaccines.
The importance of professional factors in the formation of stress reactions in medical workers during the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 (according to a questionnaire survey)
Authors:   Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology named after Z. D. N. in the Russian Federation Kosarev Professor V., FGBOU IN SamSMU of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Babanov Sergey Anatolyevich , Strizhakov Leonid A. ,   Department of Internal, Occupational Diseases and Pulmonology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Russia, Moscow, Ostryakova Natalia ,   Department of Internal, Occupational Diseases and Pulmonology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Russia, Moscow, Agarkova Anna Sergeevna ,   epartment of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology named after Z. D. N. of the Russian Federation, In Kosarev Prof.V., FGBOU V SamSMU of the Ministry of Health of Russia
Published: June 2022

Introduction. In the context of the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection, crises in the field of economy, education, politics and health have intensified. Medical workers turned out to be the most vulnerable category of the population in terms of the risk of developing emotional burnout. The additional challenges faced by healthcare professionals have multiplied the workload of healthcare professionals, as well as increased susceptibility to stress and burnout. The purpose of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the phases of the burnout syndrome among medical workers and to study the factors associated with the burnout syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods. The study involved healthcare workers in COVID hospitals (n=201); medical workers of the outpatient-polyclinic level (n=186); medical workers of multidisciplinary hospitals (n=195); control group (n=190). The following research methods were used: a questionnaire survey and a questionnaire by Boyko V.V. «Diagnosis of the level of emotional burnout», which is a questionnaire of 84 questions. Results. A high level of emotional burnout was revealed in the general sample of medical workers compared to the control group. The most pronounced signs of emotional distress: tension, resistance, exhaustion are found in medical workers in COVID hospitals compared to medical workers in multidisciplinary hospitals and outpatient clinics. Potential sources of stress for medical workers include: high workload, restrictive measures being introduced, fear of illness, lack and shortage of PPE, the threat and risk of contracting a new coronavirus infection, a long period of isolation, financial instability, insufficient (in the first stage) accumulated knowledge about a new little-studied disease, a feeling of discrimination and / or stigmatization.
Measuring continuity of care in general practice: a comparison of two methods using routinely collected data
Authors: Hull Sally A , Williams Crystal , Schofield Peter , Boomla Kambiz , Ashworth Mark
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite well-documented clinical benefits of longitudinal doctor–patient continuity in primary care, continuity rates have declined. Assessment by practices or health commissioners is rarely undertaken.

Aim

Using the Usual Provider of Care (UPC) score this study set out to measure continuity across 126 practices in the mobile, multi-ethnic population of East London, comparing these scores with the General Practice Patient Survey (GPPS) responses to questions on GP continuity.

Design and setting

A retrospective, cross-sectional study in all 126 practices in three East London boroughs.

Method

The study population included patients who consulted three or more times between January 2017 and December 2018. Anonymised demographic and consultation data from the electronic health record were linked to results from Question 10 (‘seeing the doctor you prefer’) of the 2019 GPPS.

Results

The mean UPC score for all 126 practices was 0.52 (range 0.32 to 0.93). There was a strong correlation between practice UPC scores measured in the 2 years to December 2018 and responses to the 2019 GPPS Question 10, Pearson’s r correlation coefficient, 0.62. Smaller practices had higher scores. Multilevel analysis showed higher continuity for patients ≥65 years compared with children and younger adults (β coefficient 0.082, 95% confidence interval = 0.080 to 0.084) and for females compared with males.

Conclusion

It is possible to measure continuity across all practices in a local health economy. Regular review of practice continuity rates can be used to support efforts to increase continuity within practice teams. In turn this is likely to have a positive effect on clinical outcomes and on satisfaction for both patients and doctors.
Avaliação do equilíbrio em indivíduos com Esclerose Múltipla: estudo transversal
Authors: Bernardes Lemuel Victor da Silva , Reis dos Santos Marilucia , Oliveira Lucas Silva , Santos Matheus de Sales , Ribeiro Nildo Manoel da Silva
Published: June 2022

Introdução. O processo de desmielinização envolvido na fisiopatologia da Esclerose Múltipla (EM) ocasiona diversas alterações sensório-perceptuais, cognitivas e motoras, que resultam em uma gama manifestações clínicas multiformes. O déficit de equilíbrio apresenta-se como uma das principais desordens, sendo considerado também um fator incapacitante. Objetivo. Avaliar o equilíbrio de indivíduos com Esclerose Múltipla. Método. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de caráter descritivo, realizado em um ambulatório de referência em Salvador-BA. Foram coletados dados clínico-demográficos e funcionais dos participantes e o equilíbrio foi avaliado por meio da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB). Resultados. A amostra foi composta por 36 indivíduos, majoritariamente do sexo feminino (83,3%), com média de idade de 42,9±12,1 e tempo de diagnóstico de 6,7 anos. Cerca de 66,7% obtiveram pontuação <56 na EEB e média de EDSS=3. Conclusão. Uma parcela significativa dos pacientes do ambulatório apresentou score <56 na EEB, o que sugere a presença de déficit de equilíbrio. Diante disso, torna-se essencial a adoção de condutas terapêuticas voltadas prevenção e reabilitação do equilíbrio nessa população específica.
Politeness Strategy in Commissive Speech Acts
Authors: Mudiharjo Devi Mulatsih , Nur Tajudin , Indrayani Lia Maulia , Darmayanti Nani
Published: June 2022

Understanding comissive speech acts is important in oral or written communication because humans are often facing problems in communicating using language. So, someone can take action under the meaning, intention, and purpose of their utterance.  In every speech act, not only the context, but also the utterance cannot be separated from the use of verbal utterance. This study specifically aims to describe and explain about politeness in commissive speech acts in a variety of speech situations. The research method used is the descriptive analysis method. The data in this study are the form of utterances contain in the conversation of film. The results of this study are founds 4 (four) types of commissive speech acts, they are: promise, swear, pledge (berniat), and vow (bernadar). While the politeness strategies in commissive speech acts include: (i) Cost-Benefit Scale found in promise, (ii) Optionally Scale in swear and pledge, (iii) Indirectness Scale found in promise, swear, and vow, (iv) Authority Scale found in swear that, (v) Social Distance Scale found in pledge.
Comparative Literature Analysis of The Folklore Between Goa Mampu and Bowerman’s Nose
Authors: Irwansyah Jumaldin , Taufik Muh. , Halim Nur Mutmainna , B Dahniar
Published: June 2022

This research aims to: 1) identify the similarities and differences between the legend of Goa Mampu and Bowerman's Nose. 2) find out moral values behind the stories of Goa Mampu and Bowerman's Nose. The research method used in this research is the descriptive qualitative method. The researcher used a literature review to collect the data. The data obtained were folklore stories from the legend of Goa Mampu and the legend of Bowerman’s Nose. The data then analyzed by using the comparative literature method. The results of this research show that these two legends have similarities and differences. Similaritiy from  two legends is only found in the minor theme both  the legend of Goa mampu and Bowerman's Nose, told about curse and equivalence. On the other hand, differences from those two legends are found in the minor theme, major theme and in the background defiction of two legends. Goa Mampu’s minor theme was well-being, while Bowerman’s Nose’s minor theme was destiny of life. Meanwhile, Goa Mampu’s major theme was broken promises that lead to disaster, while Bowerman’s Nose’s major theme was errors culmination in punishments.  Not only that, but the results of this research also found the moral value of the two legends. Namely, in the legend of Goa Mampu  are 1)  we shall be able to be independent and not to expect others. 2) think about everything before act, includ the spoken promises. 3)  when we promise something, the promise must be fulfilled. And in the legend of Bowerman’s Nose are 1) in doing something we are required to have an introspective nature or be careful in our actions. 2) pay more attention to the surroundings while on the move. 3) what goes around, comes around.

Keywords: Bowerman’s Nose, Comparative Literature, Folklore, Goa Mampu.
The Shift of Character and Role of Minangkabau Women in Novel PEREMPUAN BATIH by A.R. RIZAL
Authors: Yangsen Bulan Rara , Lewa Inriati , Badaruddin Muhammad Syafri
Published: June 2022

This study aims to explain the shift in the nature and role of Minangkabau women in the novel Perempuan Batih by A. R. Rizal. This research uses the structural approach of the Teeuw model. The method used in this research is the qualitative method. Data collection is done through literature study by reading books and writings that have a relationship with the object of research. The types of data that will be used in this study are divided into two, namely primary data and secondary data. The results of the study describe that there is a shift in the nature and role of Minangkabau women in the novel Perempuan Batih which is seen through the depiction of Minangkabau women in the past and the depiction of Minangkabau women now in the novel Perempuan Batih by A. R. Rizal. Minangkabau women used to be described as women who hold fast to customs, are compassionate and loyal, tough and independent, good at cooking, and know the culture of Manggaleh. Minang women are now described as modern women, easily discouraged, and lose their identity. The depiction of Minangkabau women is examined through characterizations.