bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consequences of COVID19-pandemic lockdown on Italian occupational physicians’ psychosocial health
Authors: De Sio Simone , La Torre Giuseppe , Buomprisco Giuseppe , Lapteva Ekaterina , Perri Roberto , Corbosiero Paola , Ferraro Pietro , Giovannetti Arianna , Greco Emilio , Cedrone Fabrizio
Published: February 2021

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 12, 2020. Italy has been the most affected country in the world, right after China. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were among the hardest hit by this event from both a working and psychological point of view. The aim of this web-based cross-sectional study is to assess the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian Occupational Physicians’ well-being and psychological distress, in relation to demographic and occupational characteristic, lifestyle and habits during the lockdown period. We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey questionnaire from April 1 to April 21st, 2020. To evaluate the level of psychological distress and the level of well-being, the general Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index were utilized. Since the statistical assumptions were respected, we proceeded with an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to ascertain the differences between the averages of the scores of the GHQ-12. Doctors who live in the most affected regions have a prevalence of psychological distress higher than their colleagues from the rest of Italy. ANOVA shows significant differences relating to the female gender, and to the life changes provoked by the lockdown for example not feeling sheltered at home or suffering from loneliness. This study showed a high prevalence of psychological distress in occupational physicians. To prevent the occurrence of mental disorders among Occupational Physicians, it is urgent to put in place policies of psychological support and well-being preservation.
Improved cryopreservation of in vitro produced bovine embryos using FGF2, LIF, and IGF1
Authors: Stoecklein Katy S. , Ortega M. Sofia , Spate Lee D. , Murphy Clifton N. , Prather Randall S.
Published: February 2021

In vitro embryo production systems are limited by their inability to consistently produce embryos with the competency to develop to the blastocyst stage, survive cryopreservation, and establish a pregnancy. Previous work identified a combination of three cytokines [fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)], called FLI, that we hypothesize improve preimplantation development of bovine embryos in vitro. To test this hypothesis, FLI was supplemented into oocyte maturation or embryo culture medium. Embryos were produced in vitro using abattoir-derived oocytes and fertilized with sperm from a single bull known to have high fertility. After an 18–20 h fertilization period, putative zygotes were cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) for 8 days. The addition of FLI to the oocyte maturation medium increased (P< 0.05) the dissociation of transzonal projections at 12, 18, and 24 h of maturation, as well as, the proportion of oocytes that reached the metaphase II stage of meiosis. Additionally, lipid content was decreased (P< 0.05) in the blastocyst stage embryo. The addition of FLI during the culture period increased development to the blastocyst stage, cytoskeleton integrity, and survival following slow freezing, as well as, decreased post thaw cell apoptosis (P< 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of these cytokines in vitro has the potential to alleviate some of the challenges associated with the cryo-survival of in vitro produced bovine embryos through improving embryo development and embryo quality.
A new formulation of compartmental epidemic modelling for arbitrary distributions of incubation and removal times
Authors: Hernández Pilar , Pena Carlos , Ramos Alberto , Gómez-Cadenas Juan José
Published: February 2021

The paradigm for compartment models in epidemiology assumes exponentially distributed incubation and removal times, which is not realistic in actual populations. Commonly used variations with multiple exponentially distributed variables are more flexible, yet do not allow for arbitrary distributions. We present a new formulation, focussing on the SEIR concept that allows to include general distributions of incubation and removal times. We compare the solution to two types of agent-based model simulations, a spatially homogeneous one where infection occurs by proximity, and a model on a scale-free network with varying clustering properties, where the infection between any two agents occurs via their link if it exists. We find good agreement in both cases. Furthermore a family of asymptotic solutions of the equations is found in terms of a logistic curve, which after a non-universal time shift, fits extremely well all the microdynamical simulations. The formulation allows for a simple numerical approach; software in Julia and Python is provided.
Rational design of multi epitope-based subunit vaccine by exploring MERS-COV proteome: Reverse vaccinology and molecular docking approach
Authors: Ashfaq Usman Ali , Saleem Saman , Masoud Muhammad Shareef , Ahmad Matloob , Nahid Nazia , Bhatti Rashid , Almatroudi Ahmad , Khurshid Mohsin
Published: February 2021

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-COV), first identified in Saudi Arabia, was caused by a novel strain of coronavirus. Outbreaks were recorded from different regions of the world, especially South Korea and the Middle East, and were correlated with a 35% mortality rate. MERS-COV is a single-stranded, positive RNA virus that reaches the host by binding to the receptor of dipeptidyl-peptides. Because of the unavailability of the vaccine available for the protection from MERS-COV infection, the rapid case detection, isolation, infection prevention has been recommended to combat MERS-COV infection. So, vaccines for the treatment of MERS-COV infection need to be developed urgently. A possible antiviral mechanism for preventing MERS-CoV infection has been considered to be MERS-CoV vaccines that elicit unique T-cell responses. In the present study, we incorporated both molecular docking and immunoinformatic approach to introduce a multiepitope vaccine (MEP) against MERS-CoV by selecting 15 conserved epitopes from seven viral proteins such as three structural proteins (envelope, membrane, and nucleoprotein) and four non-structural proteins (ORF1a, ORF8, ORF3, ORF4a). The epitopes, which were examined for non-homologous to host and antigenicity, were selected on the basis of conservation between T-cell, B-cell, and IFN-γ epitopes. The selected epitopes were then connected to the adjuvant (β-defensin) at the N-terminal through an AAY linker to increase the immunogenic potential. Structural modelling and physiochemical characteristic were applied to the vaccine construct developed. Afterwards the structure has been successfully docked with antigenic receptor, Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR-3) and in-silico cloning ensures that its expression efficiency is legitimate. Nonetheless the MEP presented needs tests to verify its safety and immunogenic profile.
Improved exclusive breastfeeding rates in preterm infants after a neonatal nurse training program focusing on six breastfeeding-supportive clinical practices
Authors: Maastrup Ragnhild , Rom Ane L. , Walloee Sisse , Sandfeld Helle B. , Kronborg Hanne
Published: February 2021

Background

Early breast milk expression, prolonged skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, use of test-weighing and minimizing use of pacifiers are positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding of preterm infants, whereas use of nipple shields is negatively associated.

Aim

To test whether a training program for neonatal nurses with a focus on these six breastfeeding-supportive clinical practices affects the rate of preterm infants exclusively breastfed at discharge to home, the postmenstrual age at establishment of exclusive breastfeeding, and maternal self-reported use of the practice in the neonatal intensive care unit, the.

Methods

A quasi-experimental multi-centre intervention study from 2016–2019 including a control group of 420 preterm mother-infant dyads, an intervention with a training program for neonatal nurses and implementation of weekly breastfeeding meetings for neonatal nurses, and an intervention group of 494 preterm mother-infant dyads.

Results

Significantly more preterm infants in the intervention group were exclusively breastfed at discharge to home (66.6%) than in the control group (58.1%) p = 0.008. There was no significant difference in postmenstrual age at establishment of exclusive breastfeeding between control and intervention group (37.5 vs.37.8 weeks, p = 0.073). Compared to the control group the number of infants continuing daily skin-to-skin contact after incubator care increased (83.2% vs. 88.3%, p = 0.035), infants using a nipple shield decreased (61.8% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.029), and the number of mothers initiating breast milk expression before six hours post-partum increased (32.6% vs. 42.4%, p = 0.007). There was a significant correlation between percentage of neonatal nurses participating in the breastfeeding training program and changes in exclusive breastfeeding rates (Pearson Correlation 0.638, p = 0.047).

Conclusion

Exclusive breastfeeding rates in preterm infants and maternal self-reported use of breastfeeding-supportive practices increased by training neonatal nurses in the six clinical practices. It is important to include all nurses in the breastfeeding training program to ensure positive effect on exclusive breastfeeding rates.
Social isolation induces hyperactivity and exploration in aged female mice
Authors: Sullens D. Gregory , Gilley Kayla , Jensen Kendall , Vichaya Elisabeth , Dolan Sara L. , Sekeres Melanie J.
Published: February 2021

Prolonged social isolation is associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes, findings observed in both humans, and rodent models of isolation. Humans, like mice, may engage in enhanced exploratory and social behaviour following isolation, which may protect against subsequent cognitive decline and psychological distress. Understanding how these effects may impact behaviour in older adults is particularly relevant, as this population is likely to experience periods of late-life social isolation. We report that late-life social isolation in female mice did not lead to robust depressive-like symptomology, altered social interaction behaviour, sensitivity to context fear acquisition and memory, or alterations in inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, Tnf-α) or microglial activation (Itgam) within the hippocampus. Rather, isolation increased hyperactivity and exploration behaviours. These findings have translational value as the first female mouse model of late-life social isolation, and provide evidence to inform the development of interventions aimed at promoting functional recovery following isolation in late-life.
Exploring 3D miniatures with action simulations by finger gestures: Study of a new embodied design for blind and sighted children
Authors: Valente Dannyelle , Palama Amaya , Gentaz Edouard
Published: February 2021

Tactile books for blind children generally contain tactile illustrations referring to a visual world that can be difficult to understand. This study investigates an innovative way to present content to be explored by touch. Following embodied approaches and evidence about the advantages of manipulations in tactile processing, we examined 3D miniatures that children explored using their middle and index fingers to simulate leg movements. This “Action simulations by finger gestures–ASFG” procedure has a symbolic relevance in the context of blindness. The aim of the present study was to show how the ASFG procedure facilitates the identification of objects by blind and sighted children. Experiment 1 examined the identification of 3D miniatures of action objects (e.g. the toboggan, trampoline) by 8 early blind and 15 sighted children, aged 7 to 12, who explored with the ASFG procedure. Results revealed that objects were very well identified by the two groups of children. Results confirmed hypotheses that ASFG procedures are relevant in the identification process regardless of the visual status of subjects. Experiment (control) 2 studied identification of tactile pictures of same action objects by 8 different early blind and 15 sighted children, aged 7 to 12. Results confirmed that almost all objects obtained lower recognition scores in tactile pictures than in 3D miniatures by both groups and showed surprisingly higher scores in blind children than in sighted children. Taken together, our study provides evidence of the contribution of sensorimotor simulation in the identification of objects by touch and brings innovative solutions in book design for blind people. Moreover, it means that only the ASFG procedure has a very inclusive potential to be relevant for a larger number of subjects, regardless of their visual skills.
Facial shape affects self-perceived facial attractiveness
Authors: Kanavakis Georgios , Halazonetis Demetrios , Katsaros Christos , Gkantidis Nikolaos
Published: February 2021

Facial appearance expresses numerous cues about physical qualities as well as psychosocial and personality traits. Attractive faces are recognized clearly when seen and are often viewed advantageously in professional, social and romantic relationships. On the other hand, self-perceived attractiveness is not well understood and has been mainly attributed to psychological and cognitive factors. Here we use 3-dimensional facial surface data of a large young adult population (n = 601) to thoroughly assess the effect of facial shape on self-perceived facial attractiveness. Our results show that facial shape had a measurable effect on self-perception of facial attractiveness in both sexes. In females, self-perceived facial attractiveness was linked to decreased facial width, fuller anterior part of the lower facial third and more pronounced middle forehead and root of the nose. Males favored a well-defined chin, flatter cheeks and zygomas, and more pronounced eyebrow ridges, nose and middle forehead. The findings of this study support the notion that self-perceived facial attractiveness is not only motivated by psychological traits, but objectively measured phenotypic traits also contribute significantly. The role of social stereotypes for facial attractiveness in modern society is also inferred and discussed.
Beneficial effects of choir singing on cognition and well-being of older adults: Evidence from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pentikäinen Emmi , Pitkäniemi Anni , Siponkoski Sini-Tuuli , Jansson Maarit , Louhivuori Jukka , Johnson Julene K. , Paajanen Teemu , Särkämö Teppo
Published: February 2021

Background and objectives

Choir singing has been associated with better mood and quality of life (QOL) in healthy older adults, but little is known about its potential cognitive benefits in aging. In this study, our aim was to compare the subjective (self-reported) and objective (test-based) cognitive functioning of senior choir singers and matched control subjects, coupled with assessment of mood, QOL, and social functioning.

Research design and methods

We performed a cross-sectional questionnaire study in 162 healthy older (age ≥ 60 years) adults (106 choir singers, 56 controls), including measures of cognition, mood, social engagement, QOL, and role of music in daily life. The choir singers were divided to low (1–10 years, N = 58) and high (>10 years, N = 48) activity groups based on years of choir singing experience throughout their life span. A subcohort of 74 participants (39 choir singers, 35 controls) were assessed also with a neuropsychological testing battery.

Results

In the neuropsychological testing, choir singers performed better than controls on the verbal flexibility domain of executive function, but not on other cognitive domains. In questionnaires, high activity choir singers showed better social integration than controls and low activity choir singers. In contrast, low activity choir singers had better general health than controls and high activity choir singers.

Discussion and implications

In healthy older adults, regular choir singing is associated with better verbal flexibility. Long-standing choir activity is linked to better social engagement and more recently commenced choir activity to better general health.
Patients’ experiences and perceptions of Guillain-Barré syndrome: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research
Authors: Laparidou Despina , Curtis Ffion , Akanuwe Joseph , Jackson Jennifer , Hodgson Timothy L. , Siriwardena A. Niroshan
Published: February 2021

Background

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy, with an incidence of 1-2/100,000 per year. Its severity is variable, ranging from very mild cases with brief weakness to severe paralysis, leading to inability to breathe independently, or even death. Currently there is limited evidence exploring the experiences of GBS patients. The aim of this study was to review patients’ experiences and perceptions of GBS and its variants at diagnosis, discharge and during recovery, by conducting a systematic review and thematic meta-synthesis of qualitative studies of patients’ experiences of GBS (and its variants).

Methods

We searched twelve electronic databases, supplemented with internet searches and forward and backward citation tracking from the included studies and review articles. Data were synthesised thematically following the Thomas and Harden approach. The CASP Qualitative Checklist was used to assess the quality of the included studies of this review.

Results

Our search strategy identified a total of 5,282 citations and after removing duplicates and excluding citations based on title and abstract, and full-text screening, five studies were included in the review and meta-synthesis; all included studies were considered of acceptable quality. Through constant discussions and an iterative approach, we developed six analytical themes following a patient’s journey from suspecting that they had a health problem, through to being hospitalised, experiencing ongoing difficulties, slowly recovering from GBS, adjusting to their new circumstances, and re-evaluating their lives.

Conclusions

Despite the variety of experiences, it was evident from all included studies that being diagnosed with and surviving GBS was a life-changing experience for all participants.

Trial registration

Protocol was registered (CRD42019122199) on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO).
Effects of COVID-19 government travel restrictions on mobility in a rural border area of Northern Thailand: A mobile phone tracking study
Authors: Haddawy Peter , Lawpoolsri Saranath , Sa-ngamuang Chaitawat , Su Yin Myat , Barkowsky Thomas , Wiratsudakul Anuwat , Kaewkungwal Jaranit , Khamsiriwatchara Amnat , Sa-angchai Patiwat , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Cui Liwang
Published: February 2021

Background

Thailand is among the top five countries with effective COVID-19 transmission control. This study examines how news of presence of COVID-19 in Thailand, as well as varying levels of government restriction on movement, affected human mobility in a rural Thai population along the border with Myanmar.

Methods

This study makes use of mobility data collected using a smartphone app. Between November 2019 and June 2020, four major events concerning information dissemination or government intervention give rise to five time intervals of analysis. Radius of gyration is used to analyze movement in each interval, and movement during government-imposed curfew. Human mobility network visualization is used to identify changes in travel patterns between main geographic locations of activity. Cross-border mobility analysis highlights potential for intervillage and intercountry disease transmission.

Results

Inter-village and cross-border movement was common in the pre-COVID-19 period. Radius of gyration and cross-border trips decreased following news of the first imported cases. During the government lockdown period, radius of gyration was reduced by more than 90% and cross-border movement was mostly limited to short-distance trips. Human mobility was nearly back to normal after relaxation of the lockdown.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into the impact of the government lockdown policy on an area with extremely low socio-economic status, poor healthcare resources, and highly active cross-border movement. The lockdown had a great impact on reducing individual mobility, including cross-border movement. The quick return to normal mobility after relaxation of the lockdown implies that close monitoring of disease should be continued to prevent a second wave.
OCLSTM: Optimized convolutional and long short-term memory neural network model for protein secondary structure prediction
Authors: Zhao Yawu , Liu Yihui
Published: February 2021

Protein secondary structure prediction is extremely important for determining the spatial structure and function of proteins. In this paper, we apply an optimized convolutional neural network and long short-term memory neural network models to protein secondary structure prediction, which is called OCLSTM. We use an optimized convolutional neural network to extract local features between amino acid residues. Then use the bidirectional long short-term memory neural network to extract the remote interactions between the internal residues of the protein sequence to predict the protein structure. Experiments are performed on CASP10, CASP11, CASP12, CB513, and 25PDB datasets, and the good performance of 84.68%, 82.36%, 82.91%, 84.21% and 85.08% is achieved respectively. Experimental results show that the model can achieve better results.
Incident mobility disability, parkinsonism, and mortality in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Oveisgharan Shahram , Yu Lei , Bennett David A. , Buchman Aron S.
Published: February 2021

Background

Mobility disability and parkinsonism are associated with decreased survival in older adults. This study examined the transition from no motor impairment to mobility disability and parkinsonism and their associations with death.

Methods

867 community-dwelling older adults without mobility disability or parkinsonism at baseline were examined annually. Mobility disability was based on annual measured gait speed. Parkinsonism was based on the annual assessment of 26 items from the motor portion of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. A multistate Cox model simultaneously examined the incidences of mobility disability and parkinsonism and their associations with death.

Results

Average age at baseline was 75 years old and 318 (37%) died during 10 years of follow-up. Mobility disability was almost 2-fold more common than parkinsonism. Some participants developed mobility disability alone (42%), or parkinsonism alone (5%), while many developed both (41%). Individuals with mobility disability or parkinsonism alone had an increased risk of death, but their risk was less than the risk in individuals with both impairments. The risk of death did not depend on the order in which impairments occurred.

Conclusion

The varied patterns of transitions from no motor impairment to motor impairment highlights the heterogeneity of late-life motor impairment and its contribution to survival. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying biology of these different transitions and how they might impact survival.
Ultrasound imaging identifies life history variation in resident Cutthroat Trout
Authors: Carim Kellie J. , Relyea Scott , Barfoot Craig , Eby Lisa A. , Kronenberger John A. , Whiteley Andrew R. , Larkin Beau
Published: February 2021

Human activities that fragment fish habitat have isolated inland salmonid populations. This isolation is associated with loss of migratory life histories and declines in population density and abundance. Isolated populations exhibiting only resident life histories may be more likely to persist if individuals can increase lifetime reproductive success by maturing at smaller sizes or earlier ages. Therefore, accurate estimates of age and size at maturity across resident salmonid populations would improve estimates of population viability. Commonly used methods for assessing maturity such as dissection, endoscopy and hormone analysis are invasive and may disturb vulnerable populations. Ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive method that has been used to measure reproductive status across fish taxa. However, little research has assessed the accuracy of ultrasound for determining maturation status of small-bodied fish, or reproductive potential early in a species’ reproductive cycle. To address these knowledge gaps, we tested whether ultrasound imaging could be used to identify maturing female Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi). Our methods were accurate at identifying maturing females reared in a hatchery setting up to eight months prior to spawning, with error rates ≤ 4.0%; accuracy was greater for larger fish. We also imaged fish in a field setting to examine variation in the size of maturing females among six wild, resident populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in western Montana. The median size of maturing females varied significantly across populations. We observed oocyte development in females as small as 109 mm, which is smaller than previously documented for this species. Methods tested in this study will allow researchers and managers to collect information on reproductive status of small-bodied salmonids without disrupting fish during the breeding season. This information can help elucidate life history traits that promote persistence of isolated salmonid populations.
Pregnant women’s daily patterns of well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland: Longitudinal monitoring through smartwatch technology
Authors: Niela-Vilén Hannakaisa , Auxier Jennifer , Ekholm Eeva , Sarhaddi Fatemeh , Asgari Mehrabadi Milad , Mahmoudzadeh Aysan , Azimi Iman , Liljeberg Pasi , Rahmani Amir M. , Axelin Anna
Published: February 2021

Background

Technology enables the continuous monitoring of personal health parameter data during pregnancy regardless of the disruption of normal daily life patterns. Our research group has established a project investigating the usefulness of an Internet of Things–based system and smartwatch technology for monitoring women during pregnancy to explore variations in stress, physical activity and sleep. The aim of this study was to examine daily patterns of well-being in pregnant women before and during the national stay-at-home restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland.

Methods

A longitudinal cohort study design was used to monitor pregnant women in their everyday settings. Two cohorts of pregnant women were recruited. In the first wave in January-December 2019, pregnant women with histories of preterm births (gestational weeks 22–36) or late miscarriages (gestational weeks 12–21); and in the second wave between October 2019 and March 2020, pregnant women with histories of full-term births (gestational weeks 37–42) and no pregnancy losses were recruited. The final sample size for this study was 38 pregnant women. The participants continuously used the Samsung Gear Sport smartwatch and their heart rate variability, and physical activity and sleep data were collected. Subjective stress, activity and sleep reports were collected using a smartphone application developed for this study. Data between February 12 to April 8, 2020 were included to cover four-week periods before and during the national stay-at-home restrictions. Hierarchical linear mixed models were exploited to analyze the trends in the outcome variables.

Results

The pandemic-related restrictions were associated with changes in heart rate variability: the standard deviation of all normal inter-beat intervals (p = 0.034), low-frequency power (p = 0.040) and the low-frequency/high-frequency ratio (p = 0.013) increased compared with the weeks before the restrictions. Women’s subjectively evaluated stress levels also increased significantly. Physical activity decreased when the restrictions were set and as pregnancy proceeded. The total sleep time also decreased as pregnancy proceeded, but pandemic-related restrictions were not associated with sleep. Daily rhythms changed in that the participants overall started to sleep later and woke up later.

Conclusions

The findings showed that Finnish pregnant women coped well with the pandemic-related restrictions and lockdown environment in terms of stress, physical activity and sleep.
Urban-rural differences in COVID-19 exposures and outcomes in the South: A preliminary analysis of South Carolina
Authors: Huang Qian , Jackson Sarah , Derakhshan Sahar , Lee Logan , Pham Erika , Jackson Amber , Cutter Susan L.
Published: February 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic moved beyond the initial heavily impacted and urbanized Northeast region of the United States, hotspots of cases in other urban areas ensued across the country in early 2020. In South Carolina, the spatial and temporal patterns were different, initially concentrating in small towns within metro counties, then diffusing to centralized urban areas and rural areas. When mitigation restrictions were relaxed, hotspots reappeared in the major cities. This paper examines the county-scale spatial and temporal patterns of confirmed cases of COVID-19 for South Carolina from March 1st—September 5th, 2020. We first describe the initial diffusion of the new confirmed cases per week across the state, which remained under 2,000 cases until Memorial Day weekend (epi week 23) then dramatically increased, peaking in mid-July (epi week 29), and slowly declining thereafter. Second, we found significant differences in cases and deaths between urban and rural counties, partially related to the timing of the number of confirmed cases and deaths and the implementation of state and local mitigations. Third, we found that the case rates and mortality rates positively correlated with pre-existing social vulnerability. There was also a negative correlation between mortality rates and county resilience patterns, as expected, suggesting that counties with higher levels of inherent resilience had fewer deaths per 100,000 population.
Growing up in a digital era: The journey towards independence, agency and individuality
Authors: Dempsey Lauren
Published: February 2021

The move from adolescence to adulthood is a pivotal transitional period rife with cultural, social and personal changes. It also involves an era of in-between moments: rather than a sudden change, teenagers spend years navigating the grey areas between adolescence and adulthood. This transition has been further complicated by the use of digital technologies (DTs) and computer-mediated communication (CMC) shaping teenagers’ experiences during this period. By utilizing UK communication regulator Ofcom’s Adults’ Media Lives dataset, this study longitudinally studies the same teenagers between 2006 and 2018. It observes how they are both aided and hindered by the use of DT and CMC over time, identifying three key aspects of their lives that are shaped during this transition – relationships with their parents, their friends and their move from school to work – as they strive for independence, agency and individuality.
Commemoration, ambivalent attachments and catharsis: David Ireland’s Cyprus Avenue at the Abbey Theatre in 2016
Authors: Wallace Clare
Published: February 2021

This article analyses David play, Cyprus Avenue, in which Eric, a middle-aged Ulster Unionist, becomes convinced that his infant granddaughter is Gerry Adams. Ireland is a Belfast-born actor and playwright whose works – Can’t Forget about You (2013) and Ulster American (2018) – have recently generated critical acclaim and debate. Cyprus Avenue, directed by Vicky Featherstone, opened in February at the Abbey Theatre Dublin as part of the theatre’s 1916 commemorative programme, before transferring to the Royal Court. With attention to the nuances of these production conditions, the ways in which Ireland’s play unravels a crisis of northern Irish identity in a post-Agreement context in relation to temporality and gender are explored. Particular attention is focused on how ontological crisis is presented through dislocated, non-linear experiences of time that are enacted within a scenographically crafted space. This crisis is at once personal and impersonal – a metaphor for a northern state of being – and is brutally distilled in acts of violence against women. I will argue that the ideological dimensions to the affective mechanisms of the play and its performance at the Abbey Theatre in 2016 and beyond are deeply ambivalent and deserve scrutiny.
Touch in Irish performance art: Haptic encounters in Becoming Beloved (1995) and The Touching Contract (2016)
Authors: Antosik-Parsons Kate
Published: February 2021

Over the last 50 years, Irish feminists have campaigned for women’s sexual health and reproductive rights, including access to contraception, legal abortion and choice in maternity care and childbirth. Recent cases like Ms. Y (2014), P. P. v. HSE (2014) and Ms. B (2016) invite a close scrutiny of the power dynamics relating to women’s reproductive bodies in Ireland. This article examines Becoming Beloved (1995) and The Touching Contract (2016), two performance-based artworks located in Dublin maternity hospitals. Both artworks centred the body as a site of production to interrogate these power dynamics while engaging with specifics of each location. This article charts the management of childbearing bodies in Ireland, looking specifically at issues concerning reproductive and sexual health, information and consent. It details how Irish performance art has responded to the political, social and cultural climate of restrictions on women’s bodies. Becoming Beloved and The Touching Contract both employed haptic encounters, multisensory perceptions composed of tactile, kinaesthetic and proprioceptive sensations that extended beyond a visual aesthetic. These haptic encounters contributed to a dimension of viewer engagement, integral in performance art to activating meaning. This article examines how these two artworks utilized haptic encounters to produce a situated, corporeal knowledge that critiqued the authority wielded over reproductive bodies by political, religious and medical establishments in Ireland.
Cilliní: (Re)addressing the past in the present
Authors: Allen Victoria , Duffy Joe , Scally Garret
Published: February 2021

This article examines the ‘Cilliní’ project’s interdisciplinary approach of research and filmmaking practice to explore the phenomena of cilliní. The project has created artwork that investigates and visualizes landscapes and provides a spatial narrative on the subject of cilliní, which were historic sites in Ireland used for the burial of ‘unfortunates’, principally stillborn and unbaptized infants. The article draws on the material created and experiences involved in making the short film The Lament and creating a virtual reality installation, Cilliní Tales, which, respectively, employ the technologies and approaches of drone and 360° camera filmmaking. As the article combines the perspectives of digital storytelling, cultural memory and a consideration of the ethics of undertaking such a project, it is written in the form of a triptych. This article addresses how the (re)visitings and difficult enquiries of arts-based research in the ‘Cilliní’ project contribute to an ongoing social, political and ethical reappraisal of cilliní and the implications of (re)addressing the past in the present.
I’m Garrett Lynch (IRL)
Authors: Lynch IRL Garrett
Published: February 2021

This article discusses a selection from a series of performances created between 2008 and 2019 that as practice as research (PaR) explore ideas of identity, representation and place as they relate to the intersection of what are termed ‘virtual’ and ‘real’ spaces. These include I’m Garrett Lynch (IRL) (2010), I’m Not Garrett Lynch (IRL) – Identity Badge Performance (2018–19), I’m Not Garrett Lynch (IRL) – Zazzle Store (2019), the three complementary performances of Three Wearable Devices for Augmented Virtuality (2011) and As Yet Unnamed (2019). The performance series initially occurred online and later incorporated gallery spaces and sites in six countries. From the outset, my Irish identity formed a crucial background to my practice but remained an implied rather than directly discussed perspective. This article’s purpose is to discuss practice from an Irish perspective and in so doing foreground and clarify how nationality and place were in fact essential to its development. Examining the use of written and to a lesser extent spoken language in performances, discussion explores how language is a problematizing starting point but equally enables an extension of my identity by implying my Irish nationality and Ireland as place. Irish nationality is described in this article as comparable to what is defined as ‘real’ and forms a component in the territorialization of both ‘virtual’ space and places of the phenomenological Other. Methods of moving between ‘virtual’ and ‘real’ spaces, influenced by the philosophical theory of Gilles Deleuze, are described in detail and performances are employed to demonstrate how this occurs. Finally, the use of naming and how it has impacted my identity in ‘real’ space and ongoing life is explored through the discussion of a performance in 2019.
EMI Lecturers’ Training Needs: Towards the Construction of a Measurement Instrument
Authors: Beltrán-Palanques Vicent
Published: February 2021

English-medium instruction (EMI) is a relatively new phenomenon that has come to the fore in most higher education institutions (Dafouz and Smit 2019). It is spreading in an unprecedented manner and increasingly gaining ground globally. At the micro-level, lecturers are key stakeholders since they are the driving force in implementing EMI in the classroom. EMI lecturing involves more than delivering content through English; it is a complex process that requires pedagogical and methodological attention (Cots 2013; Fortanet-Gómez 2013; Morell 2018). Thus, to lecture successfully in EMI contexts, it is important to provide lecturers with specific training. Against this backdrop, the present study addresses EMI lecturers’ training needs, a relatively unexplored aspect (Fenton-Smith et al. 2017; Macaro 2018; Beaumont 2020). This study reports on the adequacy of a survey to explore lecturers’ EMI training needs and on the preliminary results derived from its administration to a group of EMI lecturers at a Spanish university. Findings revealed the suitability of the survey items to identify EMI lecturers’ training needs. Specifically, the findings indicated that, in general, EMI training courses should deal mainly with communication and language use, and pedagogy.
EMI Lecturer Trainers: Reflections on the Implementation of EMI Lecturer Training Course
Authors: Volchenkova Ksenia , Kravtsova Elizaveta
Published: February 2021

Universities in non-native English-speaking countries strive to increase the number of international students using EMI as one of their internationalisation strategies, “being caught up in the rush to offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through the medium of English” (Macaro et al. 2018, 37). This has resulted in an unprecedented demand for EMI lecturers to acquire both improved English language proficiency and new teaching methodology skills (Gay et al. 2020). The research, however, evidences the lack of published materials for the development of EMI lecturer training courses (Costa 2015; Dafouz 2018; Gay et al. 2020). Moreover, the literature on hands-on practice with respect to the experience of those involved in EMI lecturer training is scant. Thus, here, the authors offer an outline of an EMI lecturer training course and provide an analysis of the experience of eight EMI lecturer trainers from three leading Russian universities that conducted EMI training courses in the academic years 2017-2019. Semi-structured interviews and pre-and post-course surveys show that EMI trainers encounter difficulties which are psychological, methodological and linguistic in nature, these being low English language proficiency of EMI lecturers, their insufficient knowledge of pedagogical strategies, their lack of self-reflection and feedback and their resistance to active learning techniques and a student-centered approach. The findings of this study will be useful for EMI lecturer trainers since the study highlights potential challenges and practical advice on how to increase training efficacy.
Monitoring EMI Teachers to Assess their Progress in University Bilingual Programs
Authors: Rubio-Cuenca Francisco , Perea-Barberá María Dolores
Published: February 2021

The implementation of a bilingual teaching program requires a series of actions concerning methodological training and language support for both teachers and students. The Bilingual Education Program at Escuela Superior de Ingeniería (School of Engineering, University of Cádiz, Spain) was approved by the Board of the School in 2014 with the aim of developing English-Spanish CLIL-based bilingual curricula for the various Bachelor degrees offered. Amongst the measures taken to implement the program, teacher training has been a priority, with monitoring being an essential part. Monitoring sessions have now been carried out for more than six academic years and have a double objective: gathering the teachers’ perceptions and beliefs regarding their role as EMI teachers and providing them with feedback as to their practice through class observation in order to fine-tune future language development and methodology programs. The goal of this paper is to show that monitoring sessions may serve as a valid tool for assessing the impact of in-service training on bilingual teaching. The results show that teachers have experienced remarkable progress by incorporating language awareness into their practice as EMI teachers, thus contributing to improve the language level of both their students and themselves, and by applying specific didactic strategies to make the learning process more dynamic, participatory, stimulating and creative.
Introduction
Authors: Morell Teresa , Ksenia Nickolaevna Volchenkova
Published: February 2021

Introduction. Special Issue: English Medium Instruction (EMI) Teacher Training in Higher Education. Revista Alicantina de Estudios Ingleses, no. 34, 2021.
Clinical, hematological, and biochemical studies on hypozincemia in neonatal calves in Egypt
Authors: El-Maghraby Mamdouh M. , Mahmoud Ahmed E.
Published: February 2021

Background and Aim: Zinc has a wide spectrum of biological activities and its deficiency has been related to various dysfunctions. This study aimed to clarify the clinical, hematological, and biochemical changes in Holstein dairy calves with naturally occurring hypozincemia before and after treatment.

Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 25 Holstein dairy calves <1 month of age in the El-Salhya Dairy Farm, Al-Sharqiya Province, Egypt. Calves were born from apparent healthy dams without any clinical signs of zinc deficiency. They were divided into two groups. The first group (G1) included five clinically healthy calves that were used as controls. The second group (G2) included 20 calves suffering from alopecia and skin lesions. The diseased calves were then treated by oral administration of zinc oxide at the rate of 80 mg/day for 10 successive days and then 20 mg/week for 2 weeks (G3). A total of 90 samples, whole blood and serum samples were collected during the study across all groups. Whole blood was evaluated for complete blood count and serum was used to estimate total protein, albumin, globulin, zinc, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase.

Results: The diseased calves had macrocytic normochromic anemia. Total leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were significantly reduced in the diseased calves than in the control and treated groups. Biochemical analysis of serum revealed a highly significant decrease in the globulin, zinc, and calcium concentrations in the diseased calves than in the control and treated groups. ALP activity was significantly lower in the diseased and treated calves than in control. There were no differences in any other parameters between the groups.

Conclusion: Zinc deficiency naturally occurring in calves caused clinical, hematological, and biochemical alterations such as alopecia, skin abnormalities, and macrocytic normochromic anemia. In addition, zinc deficiency altered the cell-mediated immunity as indicated by leukopenia and lymphopenia. These alterations were improved by oral administration of zinc oxide.
Inclusive Approach for Quality and Safety Environment Improvement in Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Ghani Mochammad Wahyu , Sitohang Marya Yenita
Published: February 2021

Implementing safety behavior in the oil and gas industries is still challenging, although fatal accidents often occur. This research aims to analyze how SHEQ talks, a Badak LNG program, can successfully prevent workers' work accidents. Using qualitative methods with a case study approach, the researchers interviewed several key persons in the SHEQ talk program, including the board of management, the SHEQ department's employees, and Badak LNG's employers. Inclusiveness is the main component in the SHEQ talks program. It leads to safety behavior among all Badak LNG's workers (interdependent stage). Unlike the usual behavior-based safety program, SHEQ talks encourage all employees to have good knowledge and skill of health and safety environments. Therefore, safety performance among the workers does not entirely depend on the OSH officers. Eliminating the superior and subordinate when conducting the safety talks are essential to build the safety culture among workers in the oil and gas industries.
DISINFORMASI KEAGAMAAN DI INDONESIA: TINJAUAN WACANA
Authors: Ubaidillah Ubaidillah , Hartanto Arief
Published: February 2021

This paper attempts to describe the disinformation on communism, the Republic of China, and Chinese Indonesians that show the correlation between ethnicity and religious sentiments, especially Islam intertwined with historical narratives from the early days of the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia. The interwoven narratives were used to describe a projection of disinformation impact desired by the disinformation actors. Data on religious disinformation discourse was obtained from the cekfakta.com managed by the Indonesian Anti-Defamation Society (Mafindo). The site confirmed whether or not the information is classified as disinformation. The data were analyzed using the theoretical foundation of critical discourse analysis proposed by Fairclough (1989; 1992; 1995) and speech acts developed by Austin (1968) and Searle (1969). Islamic religious disinformation in Indonesia may have a high degree of persuasion since it has a historical foundation, the underlying narrative is maintained by authoritative actors, and is supported by economic inequality conditions among groups of people associated with aspects of religion and ethnicity. This persuasion power can ignite the mental state of the recipient of disinformation dominated by anger, hatred, or revenge in interpreting a discourse. This disinformation can also change the demographic resource potentials into political resources because it is able to reach the majority of Indonesia population. The incident of Chinese worship houses burning in Tanjung Balai shows that the religious disinformation also brings about a potency to escalate into riots or conflicts among groups of people.