Social Stratification on This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer's Novel

This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer is a historical novel about Dutch colonialism in Indonesia. This paper was aimed to find and describe the social stratification in the past that is written in the This Earth Mankind novel. This paper carried out with only one research question: How is social stratification of This Earth Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s Novel?. This paper was qualitative research, specifically in document analysis. The main source of this paper was This Earth of Mankind, the 9th edition publishes by Hasta Mitra in 2002. The total page of this novel was 405. In addition, secondary sources are also needed such as online information about the writer and previous researcher who has been conducted similar research. This paper found that there were three social classes of society in the Dutch era, the Dutch group with privilege, enjoyed the lavish life, and live comfortably. The Native group with privilege, who was born from regent or governor, they can attend education where Dutch and Indo attended to such as E.L.S and H.B.S and the last, native group without privilege, they had low status in the society.

An Italian Adaptation of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) and Attitudes During the Covid-19 Outbreak

Resilience has attracted the interest of the scientific community during the Covid-19 outbreak, as a protective factor in mental health. As the migrant population arguably has one of the most vulnerable profiles in the current health crisis, the aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) across native and migrant residents in Italy, and to compare scores across these two populations. Other personal attitudes to the current restrictions were considered. Preliminary psychometrics were tested in a version of the translated instrument with an independent sample. A second independent sample was used to analyse the differences between migrant and native adults. The results showed no differences between the new version and the previous Spanish adaptation or the original instrument. Moreover, no differences were found between the migrant and non-migrant group. BRCS scores were predicted by attitudes toward Covid-19 but not by migrant or native group. These results suggest that the BRCS may be a useful tool to measure resilience in Italy at time of pandemic, irrespective of cultural differences.

Input enhancement improved L2 learners’ production of Chinese classifiers

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of input enhancement on L2 Chinese classifier learning. Two parallel groups of preliminary-level international participants and one group of Chinese native participants were recruited, and the three groups were matched in Chinese writing experience and group size (n = 28). One group of international participants was randomly selected as the experimental group; they read a classifier-enhanced text for 10 min before performing a writing task. The other international group and the native group served as the L2-learner control group and the L1-learner control group, respectively. These two control groups performed the writing task without text reading. Results showed that likely due to the frequent use of 个/ge4/ and the extensive use of novel classifiers, a greater variety of classifiers were used by the experimental group at a greater frequency as compared with the two control groups. However, given the observation that the experimental group tended to avoid using complex classifier forms and similar classifiers, future CSL instruction is suggested to aim for quality acquisition through long-term application of input enhancement integrated with explicit explanation on a language-use basis. This study furthers our understanding of how input enhancement is applicable to the acquisition of a logographic second language.

A standardized approach for exact CT-based three-dimensional position analysis in the distal tibiofibular joint

Background Assessment of tibiofibular reduction presents an intra- and postoperative challenge. Numerous two-dimensional measurement methods have been described, most of them highly dependent on leg orientation and rater. Aim of the present work was to develop a standardized and orientation-independent 3D based method for the assessment of syndesmotic joint position. Methods In a retrospective single center study, 3D models of bilateral ankle joints, either after unilateral syndesmosis stabilization (operative group) or with no injury (native group) were superimposed (best fit matching) and aligned uniformly. Based on center of gravity calculations three orientation- and rater-independent parameters were determined: tibiofibular clears space (CS), vertical offset between both fibulae, and translation angle of the fibulae about tibia axis. Results Bilateral CT datasets of 57 native and 47 postoperative patients were analyzed. In the native group mean CS was 2.7 (SD, 0.8; range, 0.7–4.9) mm, mean CS side difference was 0.62 (SD, 0.45) mm and mean translation angle was 1.6 (SD, 1.4) degrees regarding absolute values. The operative group was found to show a significantly higher CS side difference of 0.88 (SD, 0.75) mm compared to native group (P = .046). Compared to the healthy contralateral side, operated fibulae showed mean proximal displacement of 0.56 (SD, 1.67) mm (P = .025), dorsal displacement of 1.5 (SD 4.1) degrees (P = .017). Conclusion By using 3D best fit matching, orientation- and rater-dependent errors can be minimized. Large interindividual and small intraindividual differences of uninjured couples support previous recommendations for bilateral imaging. Trial registration: AZ 131/18-ek; AZ 361/19-ek Level of evidence Level III.

Identification of New Helicobacter pylori Subpopulations in Native Americans and Mestizos From Peru

Region-specific Helicobacter pylori subpopulations have been identified. It is proposed that the hspAmerind subpopulation is being displaced from the Americans by an hpEurope population following the conquest. Our study aimed to describe the genomes and methylomes of H. pylori isolates from distinct Peruvian communities: 23 strains collected from three groups of Native Americans (Asháninkas [ASHA, n = 9], Shimaas [SHIM, n = 5] from Amazonas, and Punos from the Andean highlands [PUNO, n = 9]) and 9 modern mestizos from Lima (LIM). Closed genomes and DNA modification calls were obtained using SMRT/PacBio sequencing. We performed evolutionary analyses and evaluated genomic/epigenomic differences among strain groups. We also evaluated human genome-wide data from 74 individuals from the selected Native communities (including the 23 H. pylori strains donors) to compare host and bacterial backgrounds. There were varying degrees of hspAmerind ancestry in all strains, ranging from 7% in LIM to 99% in SHIM. We identified three H. pylori subpopulations corresponding to each of the Native groups and a novel hspEuropePeru which evolved in the modern mestizos. The divergence of the indigenous H. pylori strains recapitulated the genetic structure of Native Americans. Phylogenetic profiling showed that Orthogroups in the indigenous strains seem to have evolved differentially toward epigenomic regulation and chromosome maintenance, whereas OGs in the modern mestizo (LIM) seem to have evolved toward virulence and adherence. The prevalence of cagA+/vacA s1i1m1 genotype was similar across populations (p = 0.32): 89% in ASHA, 67% in PUNO, 56% in LIM and 40% in SHIM. Both cagA and vacA sequences showed that LIM strains were genetically differentiated (p < 0.001) as compared to indigenous strains. We identified 642 R-M systems with 39% of the associated genes located in the core genome. We found 692 methylation motifs, including 254 population-specific sequences not previously described. In Peru, hspAmerind is not extinct, with traces found even in a heavily admixed mestizo population. Notably, our study identified three new hspAmerind subpopulations, one per Native group; and a new subpopulation among mestizos that we named hspEuropePeru. This subpopulation seems to have more virulence-related elements than hspAmerind. Purifying selection driven by variable host immune response may have shaped the evolution of Peruvian subpopulations, potentially impacting disease outcomes.

Different storage times and their effect on the bending load to failure testing of murine bone tissue

Cryopreservation is a well-established method for bone storage. However, the ideal timing of mechanical testing after sacrificing the experimental animals is still under discussion and of significant importance to the presentation of accurate results. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate and compare different cryopreservation durations to native murine bone and whether there was an influence on mechanical bone testing. For this study the tibias of 57 female C57BL/6 mice—18-weeks of age—were harvested and randomly allocated to one of four groups with varying storage times: (1) frozen at −80 °C for 3 months, (2) frozen at −80 °C for 6 months, (3) frozen at −80 °C for 12 months and (4) native group. The native group was immediately tested after harvesting. The comparison of the mean strength and load to failure rates demonstrated a significant difference between the storage groups compared to the native control (p = 0.007). However, there was no difference in the strength and the load to failure values of bones of all storage groups when compared against each other. Once cryopreservation at −80 °C is performed, no differences of mechanical bone properties are seen up to 12 months of storage. When actual in vivo data is of close interest, immediate testing should be considered and is preferred. If comparison of groups is required and long-time storage is necessary, cryopreservation seems to be an accurate method at present.

Students’ Perceptions of Preparation for Online Graduate Course Work

An anonymous online survey was used to understand participants’ perceptions about their preparation for online coursework. Sixty students from five graduate programs in education completed a 1-4 Likert scale survey with 20-questions and six open-ended responses. Quantitative responses from the 20 questions were divided into two subgroups, those younger than or equal to 40 years of age, and those over 40 years of age based on Prensky's date for the beginning of the digital native group. Qualitative data were collected through 6 open-ended questions from the same survey. Data revealed that both subgroups felt well prepared when registering for online courses. However, when it came to overall preparedness for using technology, those over 40 years of age did not view themselves as well prepared as those younger than 40. Using digital resources outside of the learning management system presented more significant challenges to the older subgroup of learners. Two factors impacting graduate students’ online performance became evident through this study; the impact of technology experience rather than age and what is meant for a student to be well-prepared for online course work.

Categorical perception of lexical tone contrasts and gradient perception of the statement–question intonation contrast in Zhumadian Mandarin

ABSTRACTWe intended to establish if two lexical tone contrasts in Zhumadian Mandarin, one between early and late aligned falls and another between early and late aligned rises, are perceived categorically, while the difference between declarative and interrogative pronunciations of these four tones is perceived gradiently. Presenting stimuli from 7-point acoustic continua between tones and between intonations, we used an identification task and a discrimination task with an experimental group of native listeners and a control group of Indonesian listeners, whose language employs none of the differences within either the falling or the rising pitch contours in its phonology. Only the lexical condition as perceived by the experimental group yielded sigmoid identification functions and a heightened discriminatory sensitivity around the midpoint of continua. The intonational condition in the native group and both conditions in the control group yielded gradient identification functions and smaller, reverse effects of the continuum midpoints in the discrimination task. The results are interpreted to mean that sentence modality contrasts can be expressed gradiently, but that lexical tone differences are represented phonologically, and hence are perceived categorically, despite low phonetic salience of the contrast. This conclusion challenges assumptions about the relation between linguistic functions and linguistic structures.

In-Hospital Outcomes and Trends of Tricuspid Valve Surgery in Heart Transplant Patients

Introduction: Tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation is the most common valvular pathology after orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). The number of transplants being performed is increasing with patients living longer after heart transplant. Data on TV surgery in OHT recipients is limited. Methods: We sought to analyze the outcomes of patients undergoing TV surgery from a large diverse, multicentric, nationwide cohort using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Results:A total of 42,766 TV repair or replacement (bioprosthetic and mechanical) involving adult patients (age ≥18 years) between 2007 and September 2015 were identified. Of these, 366 were performed in patients with OHT. TV repair was the most common surgery performed in both groups (OHT group and native heart group). Compared to the native group, patients with OHT had a significantly higher incidence of cardiogenic shock (20 vs. 11%, p = 0.024), acute kidney injury (AKI) (59 vs. 30%, p < 0.001), and AKI requiring hemodialysis (13 vs. 4%, p < 0.001). Also, the mean length of stay for the index admission was significantly longer in the OHT group (27 vs. 17 days, p = 0.008). The mortality rate was similar between the two groups (7 vs. 8%, p = 0.753). The number of TV surgeries performed in OHT patients from 2007 to 2014 have remained stable (p = 0.803) compared to those in native heart patients which showed a significantly increasing trend (p = 0.019) during the same time period. Conclusions: TV surgery remains an important treatment modality among the OHT population and carries a similar mortality during index hospitalization as that in native heart patients undergoing TV surgery.

P347 Profile of coagulase negative staphylococci native valve infective endocarditis in a referral hospital

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are the most frequently isolated microorganisms in early prosthetic endocarditis. On the other hand, they rarely affect the native valve, so the profile of native valve endocarditis by CNS is little known. METHODS Prospective observational study with retrospective analysis of 468 episodes of infectious endocarditis (IE) admitted to our hospital from 2003-2018. Of these, 54 (11%) corresponded to IE by CNS, and 22 were in native valve. We describe the characteristics of these 22 patients and compare them with the group of IE by CNS in prosthesis and devices. RESULTS Average age was 67 years, with 77% male sex. There were no differences in predisposing factors. Acquisition was predominant in-hospital (54%), but only previous manipulation was detected in 31%. The presence of clinical and echocardiographic complications was similar, with higher incidence of heart failure in the native group (81 vs. 34%, p = 0.001). Surgery was indicated in 86%, but only 50% underwent surgery. Mortality was very high (68% ) even greater than the prosthetic/device group, although without significant differences. CONCLUSION IE due to CNS in native valve present clinical complications, frequently require surgery and has a high mortality rate.