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The risks of using molecular biodiversity data for incidental detection of species of concern /
No full textIncidental detection of species of concern (e.g., invasive species, pathogens, threatened and endangered species) during biodiversity assessments based on high‐throughput DNA sequencing holds significant risks in the absence of rigorous, fit‐for‐purpose data quality and reporting standards. Molecular biodiversity data are predominantly collected for ecological studies and thus are generated to common quality assurance standards. However, the detection of certain species of concern in these data would likely elicit interest from end users working in biosecurity or other surveillance contexts (e.g., pathogen detection in health‐related fields), for which more stringent quality control standards are essential to ensure that data are suitable for informing decision‐making and can withstand legal or political challenges. We suggest here that data quality and reporting criteria are urgently needed to enable clear identification of those studies that may be appropriately applied to surveillance contexts. In the interim, more pointed disclaimers on uncertainties associated with the detection and identification of species of concern may be warranted in published studies. This is not only to ensure the utility of molecular biodiversity data for consumers, but also to protect data generators from uncritical and potentially ill‐advised application of their science in decision‐making
Functional shifts in estuarine zooplankton in response to climate variability /
No full textFunctional traits are becoming more common in the analysis of marine zooplankton community dynamics associated with environmental change. We used zooplankton groups with common functional properties to assess long-term trends in the zooplankton caused by certain environmental conditions in a highly eutrophicated gulf. Time series of zooplankton traits have been collected since the 1960s in the Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea, and were analyzed using a combination of multivariate methods (principal coordinate analysis) and generalized additive models. One of the most significant changes was the considerable increase in the amount of the zooplankton functional groups (FGR) in coastal springtime communities, and dominance shifts from more complex to simpler organism groups—cladocerans and rotifers. The results also show that functional trait organism complexity (body size) decreased considerably due to cladoceran and rotifer increase following elevated water temperature. Salinity and oxygen had negligible effects on the zooplankton community
Intranasal immunization with 54 kDa hemagglutinin pili protein of Streptococcus pneumonia increases mucosal and systemic antibodies /
No full textStreptococcus pneumoniae (Klein, 1884) can cause disease with high morbidity and mortality in children under 2 yr of age, parents, and individuals with low immunity. Amount one of the diseases that can be caused by these bacteria is pneumonia. To prevent the spread of pneumonia, intranasal immunization has been developed in several studies because of its ability to improve mucosal and systemic immune responses. To prevent the attachment of bacteria to the epithelial surface of the respiratory tract, it would be more effective if intranasal immunization uses a vaccine from bacterial pili protein. The purpose of this study was to conducted to determine the ability of S. pneumoniae bacterial pili protein with a molecular weight of 54 kDa in increasing the concentration of mucosal and systemic antibodies through intranasal administration. Setting and design in this study using pure 54 kDa pili protein was used as an antigen to immunize Wistar mice. Mucosal antibodies were identified by the presence of sIgA in nasal washings and systemic antibodies determined from serum IgA and IgG. Statistical analysis used ANOVA. Mice immunized with combination adjuvant-antigens had higher levels of sIgA, IgA, and IgG than other groups. ANOVA statistical tests showed significant differences in sIgA and IgA levels between rats immunized with antigen-adjuvants and other groups. However, there is no significant difference from serum IgG. This study showed an intranasal immunization of 54 kDa hemagglutinin pili protein S. pneumoniae increased the concentration of sIgA, serum IgA and IgG
Instruments for patient education: psychometric evaluation of the expected knowledge (EKhp) and the received knowledge of hospital patients (RKhp) /
No full textPurpose: In patient education, there is a need for valid and reliable instruments to assess and tailor empowering educational activities. In this study, we summarize the process of producing two parallel instruments for analyzing hospital patients’ expectations (Expected Knowledge of Hospital Patients, EKhp) and received knowledge (Received Knowledge of Hospital Patients, RKhp) and evaluate the psychometrics of the instruments based on international data. In the instruments, six elements of empowering knowledge are included (bio-physiological, functional, experiential, ethical, social, and financial). Patients and Methods: The original Finnish versions of EKhp and RKhp were tested for the first time in 2003, after which they have been used in several national studies. For international purposes, the instruments were first translated into English, then to languages of the seven participating European countries, using double-checking procedure in each one, and subsequently evaluated and confirmed by local researchers and language experts. International data collection was performed in 2009– 2012 with a total sample of 1,595 orthopedic patients. Orthopedic patients were selected due to the increase in their numbers, and need for educational activities. Here we report the psychometrics of the instruments for potential international use and future development. Results: Content validities were confirmed by each participating country. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the original theoretical, six-dimensional structure of the instruments. For some subscales, however, there is a need for further clarification. The summative factors, based on the dimensions, have a satisfactory internal consistency. The results support the use of the instruments in patient education in orthopedic nursing, and preferably also in other fields of surgical nursing care. Conclusion: EKhp and RKhp have potential for international use in the evaluation of empowering patient education. In the future, testing of the structure is needed, and validation in other fields of clinical care besides surgical nursing is especially warranted
Impact of hydro-climatic changes on coastal dunes landscape according to normalized difference vegetation index (the case study of Curonian spit) /
No full textCoastal dunes are recognized as one of the most threatened ecosystems, the formation of which mainly depends on two opposite processes—sand dunes overgrowth and formation of open dunes. The application of cost-effective remote sensing methods permits monitoring the interaction of these two processes over a large area and long periods of time. Therefore in this study we assessed the links between hydro-meteorological parameters and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in Curonian spit coastal dunes landscape-a creation of human and nature integrity situated in the South eastern part of the Baltic Sea. Time series of NDVI (2000–2019) were obtained from the moderate resolution imaging spectro-radiometer and compared with hydro-meteorological parameters in three different ecosystems—forest, herbaceous and open sands. Moderate and strong positive correlation between NDVI and average wind speed was detected in non-forested ecosystems. Moderate positive correlation was detected between NDVI and the Baltic sea water level in all three analyzed ecosystems. Moderate positive correlation between NDVI and air temperature was found in forest ecosystem. This confirms that NDVI could be treated as an appropriate indicator, showing the interaction of coastal dunes overgrowth and formation of open dunes, and could be applied in its management that should be reconsidered under nowadays climate change
Short-term and long-term effects of riding for children with cerebral palsy gross motor functions /
No full textAim: To evaluate the effects of riding for beginners (short-term) and advanced (long-term) riders with cerebral palsy on their whole mobility. The study involved 15 subjects (two girls and eleven boys). The subjects were aged from 3 to 19 years (8.73 years ± 5.85). All of the subjects had been diagnosed with a spastic form of cerebral palsy. The duration of the participation differed as follows: the advanced subjects had been riding for 1-4 years (2.66 years ± 1.16), while the beginners have been riding for two weeks (10 sessions). Group I (advanced riders) consisted of eight subjects (7 boys and 1 girl) who had therapy sessions regularly once a week and differed only in terms of the duration of their participation in the experiment. Group II (beginners) consisted of seven children (1 girl and 6 boys) who participated in only 10 riding sessions. All of the subjects were assessed according to the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Gross Motor Function Classification System for CP (GMFCS) both before the investigation and after it. Conclusions: Ten riding lessons did not have an influence on the beginner riders with cerebral palsy gross motor functions and their gross motor function level did not change. However, in half of the advanced riders with cerebral palsy, the gross motor functions significantly improved. Meanwhile, the level of the performance of the gross motor skills in the four advanced riders increased, but this difference was not statistically significant
How and where did the parishioners of the Žemaitijan Bishopric travel? The transport obligation as reflected in visitation data (1675–1677).
No full textHistorical research on trade and transport shows the rapid development of the road network and travel in 16th and 17th-century Europe. This article contributes to research on the development of transport by focusing on the peasants’ duty, which was developed rapidly in Žemaitija during the 17th century, to provide vehicles and to transport the products and belongings of the manor, for the needs of their lords and their officials. In the process of fulfilling this duty, which was called podwoda in Polish, peasants were sent with orders on short and long-distance trips. Based on visitation data from the Diocese of Žemaitija from the 1670s, the article analyses how this duty was applied in the diocese in different parishes. The author tries to outline the types of transport duty, and to answer questions such as who fulfilled them and how, and what distance and for what purposes these peasants travelled. Thus, the article shows the variety of podwodas characteristic of parishes in the Žemaitijan Bishopric, who fulfilled them, how the duty was organised, and the area it covered
Use case of quay crane container handling operations monitoring using ICT to detect abnormalities in operator actions /
No full textThis paper presents the initial research findings from the Klaipeda port monitoring action related to Blue economy development initiative in the Baltic Sea. Use case study demonstrates the possibility to address the problem of information system deployment in harsh industrial environment to gather valuable statistical knowledge. Custom made monitoring and data transmission units were developed to utilize the best practice of engineering to solve real problems of Klaipeda Port. Several key operations and parameters were monitored during the research, including containers spreader movements, physical characteristics of the cables, metal constructions. Initial results suggested that crane operators’ involvement in the control of the cargo movement produced incorrect control patterns (joystick movements) that delayed port operations. Each control movement of the joystick needs to have a direct real-time feedback from the spreader (actual movement of the cargo). Feedback control functiona lity will allow adjusting the spreader movement according to the operator and will decrease the cargo transportation time during constant breaks
Impact of the shadow economy on social safety: the experience of Ukraine /
No full textThe links between lawful economy and the shadow economy with social safety are investigated. Based on the existing methods of estimating the shadow economy, it is determined that its official level in Ukraine exceeds the critical one (30% according to the Ministry of Economy) by most estimation methods and was ranging from 18 to 46% in 2018. This significant shadowing of the economy has a negative impact on GDP (correlation coefficient-0.729) and; is directly related to the low competitiveness of the economy as per the world rankings. Having impact on the generation of secondary income through fiscal redistribution mechanisms, the shadow economy has a negative impact on the main components of social safety, including the spread of poverty, maintaining an inefficient cost structure with a high share of food expenditures (which is also a sign of low living standards); and limited housing opportunities. The relationship between the shadow economy on the one hand and economic & social safety on the other (-0.865 and-0.560, respectively) has been determined using the correlation analysis. Economic losses from the reduction of tax revenues to the budget have been estimated to confirm the need to develop mechanisms to unshadow the economy as one of top priorities for public administration in the social sphere in Ukraine
Forms of pride in Vaižgantas’s Pragiedruliai.
No full textThe author of the article analyzes the expression of pride in Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas’s novel Pragiedruliai [Flashes]. She argues that pride, in addition to being employed as a rhetorical and stylistic device, becomes an axiological tool used to highlight society’s flaws that need to be corrected and to encourage the reader to take a stand against political and cultural injustice. The author discusses three main forms of pride. The first form is used to present the fallacies of the nobility. The social behavior of its representatives is often perceived as false pride in the novel. The author exposes this feature in Sviestavičius’s figure and shows the way how to release oneself from the patemic cage. In order to illustrate the ingrained ‘noble’ vanity, the article briefly discusses Vaižgantas’s early work, a short story Tėvo palikimas [Father’s Legacy], in which Matjošauckienė, doctor’s wife, blinded by false pride, destroys social and family ties and loses touch with reality. The portraits of characters, who are constructed by giving them attributes associated with the patemic behavior and consciousness of vanity, provide another context for the pride in Pragiedruliai. A detailed description of a cunning pharmacist Viadorelli is a good example of the second form of pride. Alongside such spiritually crippled characters, the writer juxtaposes positive features of intellectuals and enlightened peasants working for the benefit of Lithuania. The third form of pride is related to the specifics of the act of communication. In order to intensify verbal discourse and to express their disapproval of the political system, the characters in the novel act out a patemic play—they repeat external actions related to false pride