bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of different detection methods for Ascaris suum infection on Austrian swine farms
Authors: Joachim Anja , Winkler Christian , Ruczizka Ursula , Ladinig Andrea , Koch Michaela , Tichy Alexander , Schwarz Lukas
Published: October 2021

Background

Ascaris suum, the large roundworm of pigs, is one of the economically most important pig parasites worldwide. In Austria it is commonly diagnosed by monitoring livers for milk spots at the slaughterhouse and intravital diagnosis (flotation for detection of fecal egg shedding). Recently, serological diagnosis based on the detection of specific antibodies with an ELISA (SERASCA®) with high sensitivity has been developed. To introduce and evaluate serology for A. suum screening in Austrian pigs, blood (for serology) (n = 177) and feces (for copromicroscopy) (n = 177) were taken from randomly selected slaughter pig batches from 18 farms at a slaughterhouse in Lower Austria. In addition, livers presented at slaughter (n = 844; max. 70/farm) were evaluated for milk spots.

Results

Overall, 19% of the livers were milk spot-positive (22% of those with complete diagnostic evaluations). Thirteen percent of the fecal samples contained A. suum eggs, while 69% of the blood samples were serologically positive. Despite we did not determine the sensitivity of the ELISA specifically, results ouf our study confirmed the high sensitivity of the ELISA, which was claimed by the manufacturer prior to our work (sensitivity: liver assessment: 23.5–27.0%; copromicroscopy: 8.5–9.0%; ELISA: 99.5%), and a high percentage of A. suum infections that remained undetected by standard liver assessment.

Conclusions

This suggests that the current method of roundworm diagnostics is insufficient and antibody detection at the end of the fattening period should be established as the standard procedure.
Adaptability and Resilience in Aging Adults (ARIAA): protocol for a pilot and feasibility study in chronic low back pain
Authors: Lysne Paige E. , Palit Shreela , Morais Calia A. , DeMonte Lucas C. , Lakdawala Maria , Sibille Kimberly T. , Bartley Emily J.
Published: October 2021

Background

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is the leading cause of disability among older adults and one of the top reasons for seeking healthcare, resulting in significant decrements in physical functioning. Because older adults are among the fastest growing cohorts in the USA, both the incidence and burden of cLBP are expected to increase considerably, rendering geriatric pain management a top health priority. Resilience is defined as a process allowing individuals to adapt and recover from adverse and stressful conditions, and it has been highlighted as a crucial factor in positive health-related functioning. While a growing body of literature supports the use of resilience-based interventions in chronic pain, research examining their effectiveness in older adults with cLBP remains limited. The primary aims of the study are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a psychologically oriented resilience intervention among aging adults with cLBP.

Methods

In this article, we describe the rationale and design of the Adaptability and Resilience in Aging Adults (ARIAA) study, a single-arm intervention in which 60 participants (ages ≥ 60 years) with cLBP will be recruited to participate in a 7-week group-based program aimed at enhancing psychological resilience. Intervention sessions will target positive psychology concepts (e.g., positive affect, pain acceptance, hopeful thinking, pain self-efficacy) and cognitive behavioral techniques that have established benefits in pain management. Primary study outcomes include intervention feasibility and acceptability as measured by treatment engagement, intervention credibility and satisfaction, ability to meet recruitment and retention metrics, and the feasibility of questionnaire and home activity completion. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately at posttreatment, and at the 3-month follow-up period.

Discussion

This study will establish the feasibility and acceptability of a novel intervention aimed at enhancing positive, psychological functioning, and resilience in older adults with cLBP. Achievement of these aims will provide a rich platform for future intervention research targeting improvements in pain and disability among geriatric populations and will serve as a foundation for a fully powered trial to examine treatment efficacy of the proposed intervention.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, identifierNCT04068922. Registered 28 August 2019.
Design and 3D-printing of MRI-compatible cradle for imaging mouse tumors
Authors: Donohoe Deborah L. , Dennert Katherine , Kumar Rajeev , Freudinger Bonnie P. , Sherman Alexander J.
Published: October 2021

Background

The ability of 3D printing using plastics and resins that are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible provides opportunities to tailor design features to specific imaging needs. In this study an MRI compatible cradle was designed to fit the need for repeatable serial images of mice within a mouse specific low field MRI.

Methods

Several designs were reviewed which resulted in an open style stereotaxic cradle to fit within specific bore tolerances and allow maximum flexibility with interchangeable radiofrequency (RF) coils. CAD drawings were generated, cradle was printed and tested with phantom material and animals. Images were analyzed for quality and optimized using the new cradle.

Testing with multiple phantoms was done to affirm that material choice did not create unwanted image artifact and to optimize imaging parameters. Once phantom testing was satisfied, mouse imaging began.

Results

The 3D printed cradle fit instrument tolerances, accommodated multiple coil configurations and physiological monitoring equipment, and allowed for improved image quality and reproducibility while also reducing overall imaging time and animal safety.

Conclusions

The generation of a 3D printed stereotaxic cradle was a low-cost option which functioned well for our laboratory.
Epidemiology of Cryptosporidium sp. infection among free-range and intensive farm birds in Akure South LGA, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Olonisakin Akinbode Ayekooto , Olusi Titus Adeniyi
Published: October 2021

Background

Cryptosporidium spp. is an intracellular zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, a diarrhoeal disease of humans and domestic animals. Transmission of Cryptosporidiosis to humans and other animals is by ingestion of oocysts of the parasite and as low as ten oocysts can cause clinical infections in otherwise healthy persons. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis and compare the rate of infection between free range bird and poultry bird reared in Akure South LGA, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Result

The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium reported in this study was 11.9%. Free-range birds show a higher prevalence rate 13.2% of Cryptosporidium oocysts than 10.9% in poultry birds. Aule recorded the highest prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts infection (16.1%) followed by Ipinsa (12.2%), Onigari (10%), and FUTA (8.1%). The highest prevalence 15.9% was recorded in broilers, while turkey showed no infection (0%) by Cryptosporidium. Semi-intensive system of farming was showed to be more susceptible to Cryptosporidium oocysts infection at 13.3% followed by the 12.6%, 10.3% in deep litter and battery cage. The female birds recorded higher Cryptosporidium oocysts infection (12.2%) than the male (11.6%).

Conclusion

The study established the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts infection among studied birds in Akure South LG of Ondo State, Nigeria.
Efficient chemical stabilization of tannery wastewater pollutants in a single step process: Geopolymerization
Authors: Boldrini Giacomo , Sgarlata Caterina , Lancellotti Isabella , Barbieri Luisa , Giorgetti Marco , Ciabocco Michela , Zamponi Silvia , Berrettoni Mario , Leonelli Cristina
Published: October 2021

The treatment of tannery wastewaters is a complex task due to the complexity of the waste: a mixture of several pollutants, both anionic and cationic as well as organic macromolecules which are very hard to treat for disposal all together. Geopolymers are a class of inorganic binders obtained by alkali activation of aluminosilicate powders at room temperature. Such activation process leads to a cement like matrix that drastically decreases mobility of several components via entrapment. This process taking place in the matrix can be hypothesized to be the in-situ formation of zeolite structures. In this work we use a metakaolin based geopolymer to tackle the problem directly in an actual industrial environment. To obtain a geopolymer, the metakaolin was mixed with 10 wt% of wastewater added with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate as activating solutions. This process allowed a rapid consolidation at room temperature, the average compressive strength was between 14 and 43 MPa. Leaching tests performed at different aging times confirm a high immobilization efficiency close to 100%. In particular, only the 0.008 and 2.31% of Chromium and Chlorides respectively are released in the leaching test after 7 months of aging.
Nb2O5 monolith as an efficient and reusable catalyst for textile wastewater treatment
Authors: Troncoso Franco David , Tonetto Gabriela Marta
Published: October 2021

In this work, the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution by a heterogeneous Fenton-like process was studied. Nb2O5 supported on an anodized aluminum monolith was used as catalyst. The Nb2O5 coating generated during the catalyst synthesis was uniform and porous, with a thickness of 7 μm. Response surface methodology was used to study the relationship between process variables and MB degradation and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction. The optimal operating conditions were: initial MB concentration of 45 mg L− 1, initial H2O2 concentration in the reaction medium of 40 mM, catalyst loading of 7.85 $$ {\mathrm{kg}}_{{\mathrm{Nb}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_5} $$

kg

Nb
2

O
5

m− 3, and pH 4, reaching a MB degradation of 98% and a COD reduction of 79% at 150 min. The high activity of the Nb2O5 monolith catalyst remained constant after 10 catalytic tests.
Targeting mitochondrial biogenesis: a potential approach for preventing and controlling diabetes
Authors: Singh Ritika , Mohapatra Lucy , Tripathi Alok Shiomurthi
Published: October 2021

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a lingering hyperglycemic ailment resulting in several life-threatening difficulties. Enduring hyperglycemia often persuades the buildup of reactive oxygen species that are the significant pathological makers of diabetic complications. The mitochondrial dysfunction, with mitochondrial damage and too much production of reactive oxygen species, have been proposed to be convoluted in the progress of insulin resistance. Numerous studies advocate that agents that enhance the mitochondrial number and/or decrease their dysfunction, could be greatly helpful in management of diabetes and its complications.

Main body

Mitochondrial biogenesis is an extremely delimited procedure arbitrated by numerous transcription influences, in which mitochondrial fusion and fission happen in synchronization in a standard vigorous cell. But this synchronization is greatly disturbed in diabetic condition designated by modification in the working of several important transcription factors regulating the expressions of different genes. Numerous preclinical and clinical investigations have suggested that, the compromised functions of mitochondria play a significant protagonist in development of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, skeletal muscle insulin resistance and several diabetic complications. However, there are several phytoconstituents performing through numerous alleyways, either unswervingly by motivating biogenesis or indirectly by constraining or averting dysfunction and producing a beneficial effect on overall function of the mitochondria.

Conclusion

This review describes standard mitochondrial physiology and anomalous modifications that transpire in answer to persistent hyperglycemia in diabetes condition. It also discusses about the different phytoconstituents that can affect the biogenesis pathways of mitochondria and thus can be used in the treatment and prevention of diabetes.
Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Mohammad Osama Ibrahim , Elgazzar Ahmed Gouda , Mahfouz Shymaa Mohammad , Elnaggar Marwa Elsayed
Published: October 2021

Background

The conjunction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known as overlap syndrome (OS). The coexistence of these diseases has cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of OSA in COPD patients. One hundred COPD patients (obese and non-obese) performed sleep questionnaires and polysomnograms.

Results

OSA prevalence in COPD was 50% and it increases with increasing disease severity (P < 0.001). The highest prevalence of OSA was found in obese patients with severe COPD; 90.5% of these patients have OSA. In the OSA group, obese patients were found to have significantly higher STOP-Bang Questionnaire (SBQ), Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS), modified medical research council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and oxygen desaturation index (ODI). Both obese and non-obese COPD patients showed significant positive correlations between AHI and smoking index (SI), SBQ, ESS, mMRC, ODI, and neck circumference (NC).

Conclusions

From this study, it can be concluded that moderate and severe COPD patients had a higher diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing. Also, obese-COPD patients are more susceptible to develop OSA.

Trial registration

Name of the registry: Benha University Protocol Record Benha U123, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Prevalence in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases. Trial registration number:
NCT04903639. Date of registry: 5/22/2021 (retrospective study).
Cancer Hospital Stockpiles: Strategizing for an Efficient and Sufficient Inventory List of Essential Items
Authors: Khawaja Shehryar Nasir , Qadri Hussain Ahmed , Yusuf Muhammed Aasim
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected health care systems worldwide, resulting in critical shortages of essential items and materials. The available guidelines are of little use for cancer hospitals in low-income and low-middle–income countries. They have been designed for community hospitals serving in a centralized health care network. This study aimed to draft and field test a framework to establish a list of essential supplies that should be stockpiled for subsequent waves of the COVID-19 virus by a tertiary care cancer hospital in a low-middle–income country.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A model was formulated using the consumption trends during the peak month of the first wave of COVID-19 infection to compile a list of essential materials and supplies. Furthermore, costing analyses were conducted to determine the financial benefits of stockpiling.

RESULTS

A proposed list of items to stockpile, including personal protective equipment, radiology supplies, laboratory reagents, medication, and oxygen, was shared with the hospital administration. However, the hospital administration only accepted the proposals for stockpiling personal protective equipment and oxygen.

CONCLUSION

This paper provides a framework and strategies that cancer hospitals and health care systems can modify and use as per individual, institutional requirements and specifications for stockpiling essential items during the COVID-19 or other similar pandemics.
CDC50A is required for aminophospholipid transport and cell fusion in mouse C2C12 myoblasts
Authors: Grifell-Junyent Marta , Baum Julia F. , Välimets Silja , Herrmann Andreas , Paulusma Coen C. , López-Marqués Rosa L. , Günther Pomorski Thomas
Published: October 2021

Myoblast fusion is essential for the formation of multinucleated muscle fibers and is promoted by transient changes in the plasma membrane lipid distribution. However, little is known about the lipid transporters regulating these dynamic changes. Here, we show that proliferating myoblasts exhibit an aminophospholipid flippase activity that is downregulated during differentiation. Deletion of the P4-ATPase flippase subunit CDC50A (also known as TMEM30A) results in loss of the aminophospholipid flippase activity and compromises actin remodeling, RAC1 GTPase membrane targeting and cell fusion. In contrast, deletion of the P4-ATPase ATP11A affects aminophospholipid uptake without having a strong impact on cell fusion. Our results demonstrate that myoblast fusion depends on CDC50A and may involve multiple CDC50A-dependent P4-ATPases that help to regulate actin remodeling.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Impact of Mitomycin-C-Induced Neutropenia after Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy with Cytoreductive Surgery in Colorectal Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Authors: Lee Suk Jun , Jeon Youngbae , Lee Hae Won , Kang Jeonghyun , Baik Seung Hyuk , Park Eun Jung
Published: October 2021

Background

Mitomycin-C (MMC) is the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS). However, MMC has a side effect of myelosuppression. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical manifestations and impact of MMC-induced neutropenia after CRS and HIPEC in colorectal cancer patients.

Methods

A total of 124 colorectal cancer patients who underwent CRS with HIPEC between March 2015 and January 2019 were evaluated. Patients with malignancies of non-colorectal origin, hospital stay longer than 60 days, peritoneal cancer index > 30, and complete cytoreduction score > 2 were excluded. MMC 35 mg/m2 was administered for 90 min at 41–43 °C. The patients were divided into three groups: no neutropenia, mild neutropenia (grade 1–2), and severe neutropenia (grade 3–4).

Results

In total, mild and severe neutropenia occurred in 30 (24.2%) and 48 (38.7%) patients, respectively. Age and body surface area were significantly different among the neutropenia groups. Severe neutropenia developed significantly earlier than mild neutropenia (6.9 days vs. 10.4 days, p < 0.001) and also lasted significantly longer (4.6 days vs. 2.5 days, p = 0.005). The rate of major postoperative complications was significantly higher in the severe neutropenia group than in the no and mild neutropenia groups (8.3% vs. 6.7% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.015)

Conclusions

Severe neutropenia starts earlier and lasts longer than mild neutropenia after CRS and HIPEC using an MMC triple method. The higher rate of major postoperative complications in patients with severe neutropenia highlights the importance of postoperative management during the neutropenia period.
The impact of the ECB intervention on investor expectations and the macroeconomic and financial environment of Eurozone countries with financial instability
Authors: Λιώση Κωνσταντίνα
Published: October 2021

Ως στόχος εκπόνησης της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής τέθηκε η διερεύνηση συγκεκριμένων θεμάτων όπως η επίδραση της συμβατικής και μη-συμβατικής Νομισματικής Πολιτικής της Ευρωπαϊκής Κεντρικής Τράπεζας (ΕΚΤ) σε σημαντικούς δείκτες οικονομικής δραστηριότητας, όπως τραπεζικά μετοχικά χαρτοφυλάκια, δείκτες ανισότητας εισοδήματος και δείκτες οικονομικής αβεβαιότητας, καλύπτοντας σημαντικές πτυχές της οικονομίας και χρονικές περιόδους, όπως αυτή της παγκόσμιας χρηματοοικονομικής ύφεσης τους έτους 2008. Η παγκόσμια χρηματοπιστωτική κρίση εισήγαγε την εφαρμογή μέτρων μη-συμβατικής Νομισματικής Πολιτικής, καθώς η επίδραση των συμβατικών μέτρων άσκησης της Νομισματικής Πολιτικής είχε πιο αδύναμο αντίκτυπο στην διαμόρφωση των χρηματοοικονομικών συνθήκων της οικονομίας. Καθώς η ανταπόκριση μεταξύ των χωρών της Κεντρικής και της Περιφερειακής Ευρωζώνης ήταν διαφορετική όσον αφορά την παγκόσμια χρηματοοικονομική κρίση, επιχειρείται να διερευνηθεί και η ύπαρξη διαφορετικών μοτίβων μεταξύ των Κεντρικών και Περιφερειακών χωρών.Αρχικά, το πρώτο κεφάλαιο περιγράφει τα μέτρα μη-συμβατικής Νομισματικής Πολιτικής που ακολουθήθηκαν λόγω της παγκόσμιας χρηματοοικονομικής ύφεσης. Στην συνέχεια, το δεύτερο κεφάλαιο συζητά την βιβλιογραφία σχετικά με την ΕΚΤ και την άσκηση της Νομισματικής Πολιτικής στην Ευρωζώνη. Ακολούθως, το τρίτο κεφάλαιο εξετάζει εμπειρικά την αντίδραση τραπεζικών μετοχικών χαρτοφυλακίων πέντε Κεντρικών και επτά Περιφερειακών αγορών της Ευρωζώνης τόσο στις ανακοινώσεις της ΕΚΤ, όσο και στις αντίστοιχες της Ομοσπονδιακής Τράπεζας των ΗΠΑ που ήταν σχετιζόμενες με την διεξαγωγή της μη-συμβατικής Νομισματικής Πολιτικής. Εν συνεχεία, το τέταρτο κεφάλαιο εξετάζει την επίδραση της Νομισματικής Πολιτικής της ΕΚΤ στην ανισότητα εισοδήματος στο σύνολο της Ευρωζώνης, αλλά και σε επιλεγμένες χώρες ξεχωριστά. Αξιοποιείται ένα δείγμα τριών χωρών που ανήκουν στην Κεντρική Ευρωζώνη και πέντε χωρών της Περιφέρειας και σε αντίθεση με τις προηγούμενες μελέτες δεν εξετάζεται μόνο το σύνολο του πληθυσμού, αλλά εξετάζονται ξεχωριστά εμπειρικά μοντέλα με βάση το φύλο. Έπειτα, το πέμπτο κεφάλαιο διερευνά πιθανές πηγές οικονομικής αβεβαιότητας στις χώρες της Ευρωζώνης με έμφαση στην σχέση μεταξύ της Νομισματικής Πολιτικής της ΕΚΤ και της οικονομικής αβεβαιότητας. Η εμπειρική μελέτη βασίζεται σε ένα δείγμα τεσσάρων χωρών της Κεντρικής Ευρωζώνης και τεσσάρων χωρών της Περιφέρειας και εξετάζεται τόσο το σύνολο του δείγματος, όσο και κάθε χώρα ξεχωριστά με την χρήση ενός μεγάλου αριθμού μεταβλητών που προσφέρει αξιοσημείωτη πληροφόρηση. Τέλος, το έκτο και τελευταίο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζει τα κύρια συμπεράσματα που προέκυψαν από την διατριβή.
Digital taxation to promote frugal innovation in institutions of higher learning: a three-decade systematic literature review
Authors: Kwan Wei Ling , Dorasamy Magiswary , Bin Ahmad Abdul Aziz , Jayabalan Jayamalathi , Kumar Pradeep , Subermaniam Lingeswaran
Published: October 2021

Background: In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), digital taxation emerged as a tool for accelerating the economic growth of a nation. While Industry 4.0 focuses on enabling real-time decision-making with sophisticated technology to enhance productivity, digital taxation can serve as an important tool for improving business sustainability. Institutions of higher learning (IHL), which aim to design an IR 4.0 educational ecosystem, can embrace digital taxation, as they face various challenges with different resources. The literature indicates that frugal innovation through digital taxation in institutions of higher learning, can solve emerging resource challenges.

Method: We present a systematic review of studies on digital taxation to promote frugal innovation published in the past three decades (1991 to 2021). We obtained a total of 21 papers from a ‘digital taxation’ keyword search, 10 of which were related to digital taxation. However, the 10 papers were not related to frugal innovation.

Result: We present two major findings. Firstly, research on digital taxation for frugal innovation is scant. Secondly, challenges exist in digital taxation implementation, which requires further attention.

Conclusion: We conclude this review with a recommendation for the conceptual framework, to highlight potential research warranting the attention of the research community.
Project PaThWay: protocol for a school-based health promotion intervention for prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) behavioral risk factors
Authors: Bassi Shalini , Bahl Deepika , Shah Vinod Gajanan , Kandasamy Arun , Harrell Melissa Blythe , Sharma Shreela V , Arora Monika
Published: October 2021

Background: Prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their behavioral risk factors (tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol) among children and adolescents have garnered paramount importance under the Sustainable Development Goals.

Methods: Project PaThWay is a school-based, two years, multi-component intervention to prevent key behavioral NCD risk factors among school-going children (classes 6-8th; 10-14 years) from private and public schools across two Indian cities (Pune and Bengaluru). We assessed the baseline knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to NCD risk factors (unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco use) of the participating students through a survey. The intervention was developed and designed for implementation by the trained teachers and similar-age peers, as facilitators. The teachers and peer leaders were trained through organising school-level orientation workshops for implementation of intervention activities, after baseline assessment. Year 1 of the intervention focuses on the knowledge and learnings and year 2 on enhancing the life-skills (leadership, communication, refusal, health advocacy, etc.). Regular monitoring visits by the project team to ensure intervention activities are being carried out as planned and providing continuous support. The end line evaluation will be done after the completion of two years’ intervention to evaluate the effectiveness of the Project PaThWay intervention. Outcome measures will include improved knowledge, positive attitude, improve behaviors related to diet, physical activity, and tobacco use, and enhanced skills in handling NCD risk factors. A process evaluation will explore several aspects of Project PaTHWay intervention (fidelity, dosage, reach, adaptations), social validity (acceptability, feasibility, utility).

Conclusion: Project PaTHWay, having a multiple-component intervention, may offer the best chance for success, as it addresses multiple risk factors using multi-pronged strategies. The agents of intervention implementation are trained teachers and similar-age student peer leaders (as facilitators), one of the successful and effective approaches in school-based interventions globally and in India.
Children’s Oxygen Administration Strategies And Nutrition Trial (COAST-Nutrition): a protocol for a phase II randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kiguli Sarah , Olopot-Olupot Peter , Alaroker Florence , Engoru Charles , Opoka Robert O. , Tagoola Abner , Hamaluba Mainga , Mnjalla Hellen , Mpoya Ayub , Mogaka Christabel , Nalwanga Damalie , Nabawanuka Eva , Nokes James , Nyaigoti Charles , Briend André , van Woensel Job B. M. , Grieve Richard , Sadique Zia , Williams Thomas N. , Thomas Karen , Harrison David A. , Rowan Kathryn , Maitland Kathryn
Published: October 2021

Background: To prevent poor long-term outcomes (deaths and readmissions) the integrated global action plan for pneumonia and diarrhoea recommends under the ‘Treat’ element of Protect, Prevent and Treat interventions the importance of continued feeding but gives no specific recommendations for nutritional support. Early nutritional support has been practiced in a wide variety of critically ill patients to provide vital cell substrates, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals essential for normal cell function and decreasing hypermetabolism. We hypothesise that the excess post-discharge mortality associated with pneumonia may relate to the catabolic response and muscle wasting induced by severe infection and inadequacy of the diet to aid recovery. We suggest that providing additional energy-rich, protein, fat and micronutrient ready-to-use therapeutic feeds (RUTF) to help meet additional nutritional requirements may improve outcome.

Methods: COAST-Nutrition is an open, multicentre, Phase II randomised controlled trial in children aged 6 months to 12 years hospitalised with suspected severe pneumonia (and hypoxaemia, SpO2 <92%) to establish whether supplementary feeds with RUTF given in addition to usual diet for 56-days (experimental) improves outcomes at 90-days compared to usual diet alone (control). Primary endpoint is change in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) at 90 days and/or as a composite with 90-day mortality. Secondary outcomes include anthropometric status, mortality, readmission at days 28 and 180. The trial will be conducted in four sites in two countries (Uganda and Kenya) enrolling 840 children followed up to 180 days. Ancillary studies include cost-economic analysis, molecular characterisation of bacterial and viral pathogens, evaluation of putative biomarkers of pneumonia, assessment of muscle and fat mass and host genetic studies.  

Discussion: This study is the first step in providing an option for nutritional support following severe pneumonia and will help in the design of a large Phase III trial.

Registration: ISRCTN10829073 (6th June 2018) PACTR202106635355751 (2nd June 2021)
TeenCovidLife: a resource to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents in Scotland
Authors: Huggins Charlotte F , Fawns-Ritchie Chloe , Altschul Drew M , Campbell Archie , Nangle Clifford , Dawson Rebecca , Edwards Rachel , Flaig Robin , Hartley Louise , Levein Christie , McCartney Daniel L , Sinclair Stephanie L , Dolan Clare , Haughton Dawn , Mabelis Judith , Brown Judith , Inchley Jo , Smith Daniel J , Deary Ian J , Hayward Caroline , Marioni Riccardo E , McIntosh Andrew M , Sudlow Cathie , Porteous David J
Published: October 2021

TeenCovidLife is part of Generation Scotland’s CovidLife projects, a set of longitudinal observational studies designed to assess the psychosocial and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. TeenCovidLife focused on how adolescents in Scotland were coping during the pandemic. As of September 2021, Generation Scotland had conducted three TeenCovidLife surveys. Participants from previous surveys were invited to participate in the next, meaning the age ranges shifted over time.

TeenCovidLife Survey 1 consists of data from 5,543 young people age 12 to 17, collected from 22 May to 5 July 2020, during the first school closures period in Scotland. TeenCovidLife Survey 2 consists of data from 2,245 young people aged 12 to 18, collected from 18 August to 14 October 2020, when the initial lockdown measures were beginning to ease, and schools reopened in Scotland. TeenCovidLife Survey 3 consists of data from 597 young people age 12 to 19, collected from 12 May to 27 June 2021, a year after the first survey, after the schools returned following the second lockdown in 2021. A total of 316 participants took part in all three surveys.

TeenCovidLife collected data on general health and well-being, as well as topics specific to COVID-19, such as adherence to COVID-19 health guidance, feelings about school closures, and the impact of exam cancellations.

Limited work has examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people. TeenCovidLife provides relevant and timely data to assess the impact of the pandemic on young people in Scotland. The dataset is available under authorised access from Generation Scotland; see the Generation Scotland website for more information.
How the Finnish compulsory school science curriculum emphasises scientific literacy
Authors: Lavonen Jari
Published: October 2021

Soome põhikooli ülemise astme riiklikus õppekavas käsitletakse loodusaineid eraldi õppeainetena. Õppekava keskendub hoiakute kujundamisele, mis toetavad teaduslike teadmiste kasutamist erisugustes uurimuslikes olukordades ja kontekstides. Õppekava kohaselt on loodusainete õpetamise eesmärk anda õpilastele loodusteaduslik pädevus, mis võimaldab neil teaduslikele teadmistele tuginedes kirjeldada, selgitada ja prognoosida loodusnähtusi, märgata ja määratleda elukeskkonnas esinevaid probleeme ning tõlgendada andmeid ja tõendusmaterjale. Õppekavas pannakse suurt rõhku ülekantavate pädevuste omandamisele, näiteks kriitilise ja loova mõtlemisoskuse ning mitmekesiste töötamisviiside omandamisele. Õppekava keskendub ka omandatud teadmiste kasutamisele uurimistöös ning elulistes ja ühiskondlikes olukordades. Üldiselt püütakse loodusainete õpetamise peamise eesmärgi kirjeldamisel ühendada Robertsi esimest visiooni (kontseptuaalne lähenemine) teise visiooniga (kontekstipõhine lähenemine), millega saavutatakse loodusteadusliku kirjaoskuse areng.

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Development of entrepreneurial literacy in upper secondary school with Junior Achievement tasks
Authors: Hiiemäe-Metsar Külli , Raudsaar Mervi , Uibu Krista
Published: October 2021

Ettevõtluskirjaoskus hõlmab ettevõtluspädevust, mille arendamine suurendab võimalusi ühiskondliku, sotsiaalse, kultuurilise ja majandusliku heaolu kasvuks. Õpilaste ettevõtluspädevuse kujundamiseks õppetöös on arendatud teoreetiline raamistik European Entrepreneurship Competence Framework (EntreComp). Siinse uurimuse eesmärk oli välja selgitada, millist liiki ülesandeid kasutatakse gümnaasiumiastmes õpilaste ettevõtluspädevuse alapädevuste kujundamiseks. Kasutades kvantitatiivset sisuanalüüsi, analüüsiti gümnaasiumiastme ettevõtlusõppeks koostatud Junior Achievementi ülesandeid, toetudes EntreCompi raamistikule. Ülesanded liigitati individuaalseteks ja rühmatöö ülesanneteks. Ülesannete sagedusanalüüsist selgus, et individuaalsete ülesannetega saab arendada rohkem õpilaste finants- ja majanduskirjaoskust, eneseteadvust ja enesetõhusust. Rühmatöö ülesanded sobivad meeskonnatöö ja koostööoskuste kujundamiseks. Selliseid ettevõtluspädevuse alapädevusi nagu motivatsioon, loovus, riskijulgus ja ressursside kaasamine arendatakse Junior Achievementi ülesandekogu ülesannetega väga vähe. Ometi on ettevõtluspädevuse alapädevuste kujundamine oluline, et toetada tegelemist ettevõtlusega täiskasvanueas.

 Summary
Estonian in-service teachers’, pre-service teachers’ and teacher educators’ research literacy
Authors: Malva Liina , Leijen Äli
Published: October 2021

Õpetajate uurimistööalane kirjaoskus väljendub teaduspõhises praktikas, oma õpetamise ja õpilaste õppimise uurimises ning õpilaste uurimistööalaste teadmiste omandamise toetamises. Kasutades kombineeritud uurimismeetodit, oli siinse uuringu eesmärk selgitada välja, millised on Eesti õpetajakoolituse üliõpilaste ja õppejõudude ning õpetajate uurimistööalased teadmised ning kirjeldada, kuidas kasutavad õpetajad uurimistööalast kirjaoskust oma õpetamistöös. Tulemused näitavad, et kui õppejõududel on teiste valimirühmadega võrreldes paremad teadmised, siis õpetajate ja üliõpilaste uurimistööalased teadmised on pigem sarnased. Intervjuudest õpetajatega selgus, et igapäevases õpetamistöös rakendatakse uurimistööalaseid teadmisi eelkõige õpilastele uurimistööga seotud ülesannete koostamisel. Teaduspõhisele õpetamisele eelistatakse praktilisi koolitusi ja arutelusid kolleegidega ning enda õpetamist ja õpilaste õppimise uurimist intervjuudes osalenud õpetajad pigem ei rakenda. Tulemused näitavad, et uurimistööalase kirjaoskuse kujunemist tuleb rohkem toetada ning kõige enam toetust vajavad just töötavad õpetajad.

 Summary
Regional Labor Market in the Context of the Coronavirus Pandemic: Analysis of Current Trends (on the Example of the Tyumen Region)
Authors: Gridneva B.
Published: October 2021

The coronavirus pandemic, in which the entire world economy operates, has had a serious impact on all spheres of activity and in the national economy: production, distribution, exchange and consumption. Significant changes in the new conditions are observed in the regional labor markets. The decline in the turnover of enterprises in various sectors of the economy, the bankruptcy of the small business sector led to an increase in unemployment in the Tyumen region. At the same time, the active introduction of new technologies into business processes that provide a remote format of work has contributed to an increase in demand for specialists who support and service their use. In the labor market, the demand from enterprises for employees processing online orders, online purchases, delivering goods, etc. was steadily formed.

Based on the analysis of the dynamics of statistical indicators, their generalization and systematization, the article provides an overview of current trends in the labor market of the region.
On the failure of systems of economic indicators on the example of indicators of the knowledge economy of the World Bank
Authors: Basovskiy Leonid , Basovskaya Elena
Published: October 2021

To assess the state and the possibility of development of the economy, countries, regions, due to neglect of the basic principles of the methodology of economic science, without empirical justification, various systems of indicators and indicators are introduced. To assess the consistency of the World Bank Group's knowledge economy index system, a correlation analysis of data on the value of knowledge indices, institutions, innovations, education, ICT, GDP per capita and economic growth rates of countries of the world was carried out, and the corresponding econometric models were constructed. A close positive correlation has been established between the values of all five indices for the countries of the world, per capita GDP. The close relationship between the values of all indices and per capita GDP shows that, due to multicollenarity, it is impossible to assess the complex im-pact of indices on per capita GDP. Thus, the system of indices can be considered redun-dant, and the problem of the cause-and-effect relationship remains unresolved. In addition, the values of all five indices are associated with a significant negative correlation with the magnitude of the growth rates. The results obtained indicate that the system of indicators - indicators of the knowledge economy, proposed by the World Bank Group, is untenable and cannot be productively used to reasonably assess the possibility of economic develop-ment of a country or region.
Managing Complexity in a Digital Transformation
Authors: Shirinkina Elena , Sobirov B.
Published: October 2021

The relevance of the study is due to the fact that today doing business without digitalization is simply impossible, thanks to new technologies, operations have appeared that ten years ago we could not even imagine, and many of the familiar ones, in turn, have been transformed beyond recognition. At the same time, with the growth of the technological complex, corporate architectures continue to rapidly become more complex. The purpose of this study is to develop tools for managing complexity as one of the components of the VUCA world. The experience and evidence of why the leaders of digital transformation need to change their thinking are presented, the author's interpretation of complexity is given and how to manage it. The practical significance of the study will allow organizations to develop a strategy for the formation of a corporate culture in the context of digitalization of business processes.
Sprawa compositio inter status w czasie rokoszu sandomierskiego (1606–1609)
Authors: Pawłowska-Kubik Agnieszka
Published: October 2021

Przedmiotem badań w niniejszym artykule jest problematyka kompozycji między stanami w czasie rokoszu sandomierskiego (1606–1609). Postulat rozstrzygnięcia najważniejszych punktów spornych między duchowieństwem a świeckimi, podnoszony wielokrotnie przed rokoszem, był w latach 1606–1609 jednym z elementów programu zarówno przeciwników króla, jak i stronników Zygmunta III. W artykule zanalizowano zabiegi podejmowane o realizację kompozycji w czasie wojny domowej przez wszystkie zainteresowane strony i na tej podstawie ustalono, dlaczego nie doszło do jej uchwalenia.
SDP-Based Bounds for the Quadratic Cycle Cover Problem via Cutting-Plane Augmented Lagrangian Methods and Reinforcement Learning
Authors: de Meijer Frank , Sotirov Renata
Published: October 2021

We study the quadratic cycle cover problem (QCCP), which aims to find a node-disjoint cycle cover in a directed graph with minimum interaction cost between successive arcs. We derive several semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxations and use facial reduction to make these strictly feasible. We investigate a nontrivial relationship between the transformation matrix used in the reduction and the structure of the graph, which is exploited in an efficient algorithm that constructs this matrix for any instance of the problem. To solve our relaxations, we propose an algorithm that incorporates an augmented Lagrangian method into a cutting-plane framework by utilizing Dykstra’s projection algorithm. Our algorithm is suitable for solving SDP relaxations with a large number of cutting-planes. Computational results show that our SDP bounds and efficient cutting-plane algorithm outperform other QCCP bounding approaches from the literature. Finally, we provide several SDP-based upper bounding techniques, among which is a sequential Q-learning method that exploits a solution of our SDP relaxation within a reinforcement learning environment.

Summary of Contribution: The quadratic cycle cover problem (QCCP) is the problem of finding a set of node-disjoint cycles covering all the nodes in a graph such that the total interaction cost between successive arcs is minimized. The QCCP has applications in many fields, among which are robotics, transportation, energy distribution networks, and automatic inspection. Besides this, the problem has a high theoretical relevance because of its close connection to the quadratic traveling salesman problem (QTSP). The QTSP has several applications, for example, in bioinformatics, and is considered to be among the most difficult combinatorial optimization problems nowadays. After removing the subtour elimination constraints, the QTSP boils down to the QCCP. Hence, an in-depth study of the QCCP also contributes to the construction of strong bounds for the QTSP. In this paper, we study the application of semidefinite programming (SDP) to obtain strong bounds for the QCCP. Our strongest SDP relaxation is very hard to solve by any SDP solver because of the large number of involved cutting-planes. Because of that, we propose a new approach in which an augmented Lagrangian method is incorporated into a cutting-plane framework by utilizing Dykstra’s projection algorithm. We emphasize an efficient implementation of the method and perform an extensive computational study. This study shows that our method is able to handle a large number of cuts and that the resulting bounds are currently the best QCCP bounds in the literature. We also introduce several upper bounding techniques, among which is a distributed reinforcement learning algorithm that exploits our SDP relaxations.
Talking Behind Your Back: Communication and Team Cooperation
Authors: Abbink Klaus , Dong Lu , Huang Lingbo
Published: October 2021

Communication is one of the most effective devices in promoting team cooperation. However, asymmetric communication sometimes breeds collusion and hurts team efficiency. Here, we present experimental evidence showing that excluding one member from team communication hurts team cooperation; the communicating partners collude in profit allocation against the excluded member, and the latter reacts by exerting less effort. Allowing the partners to reach out to the excluded member partially restores cooperation and fairness in profit allocation, but it does not stop the partners from talking behind that member’s back even when they could have talked publicly. The partners sometimes game the system by tricking the excluded member into contributing but then grabbing all profits for themselves.

This paper was accepted by Axel Ockenfels, behavioral economics and decision analysis.
Budgeting in International Humanitarian Organizations
Authors: Keshvari Fard Milad , Ljubić Ivana , Papier Felix
Published: October 2021

Problem definition: International humanitarian organizations (IHOs) prepare a detailed annual allocation plan for operations that are conducted in the countries they serve. The annual plan is strongly affected by the available financial budget. The budget of IHOs is derived from donations, which are typically limited, uncertain, and to a large extent earmarked for specific countries or programs. These factors, together with the specific utility function of IHOs, render budgeting for IHOs a challenging managerial problem. In this paper, we develop an approach to optimize budget allocation plans for each country of operations. Academic/practical relevance: The current research provides a better understanding of the budgeting problem in IHOs given the increasing interest of the operations management community for nonprofit operations. Methodology: We model the problem as a two-stage stochastic optimization model with a concave utility function and identify a number of analytical properties for the problem. We develop an efficient generalized Benders decomposition algorithm as well as a fast heuristic. Results: Using data from the International Committee of the Red Cross, our results indicate 21.3% improvement in the IHO’s utility by adopting stochastic programming instead of the expected value solution. Moreover, our solution approach is computationally more efficient than other approaches. Managerial implications: Our analysis highlights the importance of nonearmarked donations for the overall performance of IHOs. We also find that putting pressure on IHOs to fulfill the targeted missions (e.g., by donors or media) results in lower beneficiaries’ welfare. Moreover, the IHOs benefit from negative correlation among donations. Finally, our findings indicate that, if donors allow the IHO to allocate unused earmarked donations to other delegations, the performance of the IHO improves significantly.
Public Health England (PHE) and Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) (FGDP(UK)) guidance notes for dental practitioners on the safe use of X-ray equipment 2020: an update for the dental team
Authors: Gribben Mark
Published: October 2021

PHE and FGDP(UK) co-published Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment in 2020 to encompass all relevant information to safely use and maintain radiographic equipment by dental practitioners. This guidance supersedes the first edition, previously published in 2001 by the Department of Health, and there are a number of notable changes that should be highlighted to the dental team. The document is freely available and accessible on the FGDP(UK) website and should be an essential tool to ensure the safety of the dental team, patients and the public.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Members of the dental team must acknowledge the updated guidance notes and look to incorporate these changes into their working routine to ensure good clinical practice.
An update on headaches for the dental team
Authors: Chana Pav , Renton Tara
Published: October 2021

Pain is often the reason for which patients seek help from the dental team. Although dental pain is likely to be the most common cause, chronic pain conditions, such as headaches, may also show similar symptoms to toothache, resulting in mismanagement and a delay in diagnosis. Many patients experience headaches, which are often debilitating. Despite this, dentists have a lack of knowledge about both headaches and neurovascular pain. The dental team should be able to identify when the pain is likely to be of neurovascular origin rather than toothache, and the team should be able to provide advice and an appropriate referral, if necessary. This should help reduce unnecessary dental treatment and improve the pain relief to these patients.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article provides information on how to initially manage neurovascular pain primary care.
Domiciliary dental care: considerations and challenges
Authors: Pal Anjan David , Farrar Abigale
Published: October 2021

This article examines the planning that goes into successfully providing domiciliary dental care. It includes a comment on patient demand for this type of service, what dental treatment is appropriate to offer, and the impact of relevant legislation introduced over the past 15 years.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article highlights some of the considerations that should be taken into account when providing dental care for patients outside the clinic environment when the need arises.
Cardiac syncope: lessons learned from Sir Roger Bannister's textbook
Authors: Cowan Helen
Published: October 2021

In the third article of the new Neurocardiology series, Helen Cowan looks at cardiac syncope and the link between the heart and brain.