bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Line of Sight LoRa –Based Localization using RSSI-Kalman-Filter and Trilateration
Authors: Anugrah Thirafi Wian , Rakhmatsyah Andrian , Wardana Aulia Arif
Published: July 2020

The method that analyzes in this research is the combination of the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) with the Trilateration Method. This research also filtered the RSSI value using the Kalman filter method for smoothing data. The localization system traditionally based on Global Positioning System (GPS) device. However, GPS technology not working well in Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) like an indoor location or mountain area. The other way to implement the localization system is by using LoRa technology. This technology used radio frequency to communicate with each other node. The radiofrequency has a measurement value in the form of signal strength. These parameters, when combined with the trilateration method, can be used as a localization system. After implementation and testing, the system can work well compared with the GPS system for localization. RMSE is used to calculate error distance on these methods, the result from three methods used, the value from RSSI with Kalman filter have a close result to actual position, then value GPS follows with close result from Kalman filter, and the last one is RSSI without Kalman filter.
Desenvolvimento Institucional em Organizações da Sociedade Civil: Gestão Social ou Gestão Estratégica do Social?
Authors: Persson Erik , Moretto Neto Luís
Published: July 2020

Nos últimos anos tem surgido no campo das Organizações da Sociedade Civil (OSCs) no Brasil uma perspectiva teórica e prática denominada Desenvolvimento Institucional (DI). Para além de mero aprimoramento técnico-gerencial das organizações, o DI leva em conta seus posicionamentos no ambiente e suas intervenções para desempenhar suas funções de forma eficiente, legítima e sustentável. Nesse diapasão, o propósito deste artigo é discutir se (i) a proposta de DI em OSCs vai ao encontro dos pressupostos teóricos e conceituais da gestão social, tendo como fim imanente a emancipação dos sujeitos nessas organizações, ou (ii) se permanece arraigada nas premissas managerialistas dominantes da gestão estratégica. Argumentamos que, a despeito das ações de DI terem o potencial de promover espaços promissores para práticas comunicativas, reflexivas e emancipadoras de uma gestão social, esta nova corrente se aproxima, teórica e conceitualmente, de uma perspectiva de gestão estratégica do social, descambando para a ortodoxia do gerencialismo.
Sistema de cotas e desempenho: uma comparação entre estudantes cotistas e não cotistas
Authors: Silva Bruna Caroline Moreira , Xavier Wescley Silva , Da Costa Thiago de Melo Teixeira
Published: July 2020

Passados seis anos da publicação da Lei nº 12.711 (Lei de Cotas), ainda são muitos os questionamentos acerca da legitimidade da mesma, principalmente questionamentos embasados em aspectos meritocráticos e na perda de qualidade das universidades. Diante desse cenário, esse artigo tem como objetivo analisar o desempenho de alunos cotistas e não cotistas, bem como as taxas de evasão. O caso analisado foi o da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, com uma amostra de 4906 estudantes. Os resultados nos permitem afirmar que estatisticamente não há diferença de desempenho entre cotistas e não cotistas na grande maioria dos cursos. Além disso, identificamos que o desempenho dos estudantes não se correlaciona às notas de entrada na universidade (ENEM). Por fim, verificamos que a taxa de evasão de estudantes cotistas é menor do que de estudantes não cotistas.
Lexicografia monolíngue pedagógica e ensino do vocabulário: interfaces teóricas e práticas
Authors: Rodrigues-Pereira Renato
Published: July 2020

Neste artigo refletimos sobre a importância e o uso de dicionários monolíngues pedagógicos no processo de ensino e de aprendizagem de Espanhol como Língua Estrangeira (E/LE), com foco para o Ensino do Vocabulário (EV). Para tanto, além de orientarmo-nos pelos princípios teóricos e metodológicos da Lexicografia Pedagógica (LEXPED), apoiamo-nos em autores que valorizam o desenvolvimento do conhecimento léxico no estudo de línguas. Ademais, propomos uma atividade com exercícios dirigidos com vistas a demonstrar que léxico, texto e dicionário caminham juntos, como possibilitadores de significados e informações para a realização dos sentidos que desejamos.
Olhar histórico do português brasileiro através do gênero lírico: contribuições de análises advindas das Cantigas de Santa Maria
Authors: Favaro Gisela Sequini
Published: July 2020

O presente artigo consiste em ressaltar a importância do gênero lírico para os estudos historiográficos da língua, em especial, o emprego das Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM) para os estudos linguísticos. Segundo Mattos e Silva (1989, p.15), o lugar de produção coincide com os limites históricos em que o português era usado como língua escrita – e isso não se restringe aos limites da nação portuguesa, como se sabe – e os informantes são os produtores dos documentos que, elaborados naqueles limites cronológicos, chegam até o pesquisador atual. Desejamos demonstrar as contribuições do gênero lírico (em especial, da lírica religiosa) para a observação das mudanças linguísticas pelas quais o português passou no decorrer de sua constituição, com destaque para as formas verbais imperativas. Assim, visamos mostrar que a retomada de fatos do passado linguístico da língua portuguesa pode trazer uma maior compreensão da estrutura do português atual.
O sintagma nominal descontínuo: ordenações não canônicas dos constituintes do SN no português do interior paulista
Authors: Souza-Martins Nathalia Pereira de
Published: July 2020

O objetivo do presente artigo é examinar, com base na Gramática Discursivo-Funcional (HENGEVELD; MACKENZIE, 2008), o comportamento de sintagmas nominais com ordenações não canônicas de suas partes constituintes, denominados descontínuos por Keizer (2007), bem como investigar as motivações que ativam a descontinuidade. Para tanto, elegem-se dois princípios de ordenação: o de complexidade estrutural e o de peso comunicativo. Ambos podem favorecer uma mesma ordem, mas, quando eles entrarem em competição e favorecerem ordens diferentes, o falante irá selecionar a ordenação que melhor cumpre seu propósito comunicativo. A partir de dados extraídos do córpus IBORUNA, foram analisadas 77 ocorrências de sintagmas nominais descontínuos. O resultado da análise aponta para a prevalência do princípio de peso comunicativo na determinação da ordem dos constituintes do SN.
Literatura, afeto e masculinidade: uma leitura de obras de Ondjaki e Mia Couto
Authors: Micheletti Everton Fernando
Published: July 2020

O afeto marca grande parte das obras do escritor angolano Ondjaki e do escritor moçambicano Mia Couto, muitas vezes caracterizado pelas relações de gênero. Neste artigo, são analisadas as relações afetivas que envolvem a masculinidade, especialmente no âmbito das personagens, procurando-se verificar se a perspectiva é conformadora ou crítica quanto à ordem da divisão de gênero, a hegemonia masculina e consequente violência. Para tanto, são abordadas várias obras de modo a se identificar as características recorrentes de tais relações e as diferenças de perspectiva entre os dois autores, tomando-se como referenciais teóricos principais os textos de Connell (2005, 2002, 1995) sobre as “masculinidades”, de Sedgwick (1985) sobre o “desejo homossocial masculino” e, também, alguns conceitos e pressupostos das “teorias do afeto” (SEIGWORTH; GREGG, 2010; ANDERSON, 2009) que podem contribuir com as discussões sobre masculinidade e literatura.
Ethos e pathos na elaboração de vínculos: considerações sobre a construção enunciativo-discursiva dos efeitos de empatia na argumentação em colunas jornalísticas
Authors: Fernandes Ivani Cristina Brito
Published: July 2020

O presente artigo tem o objetivo de identificar as principais articulações de natureza textual, retórica, enunciativa e discursiva no que se refere ao esboço de um ethos e na projeção de um efeito patêmico pretendido. Para alcançar esta finalidade, selecionamos 39 textos do colunista Antonio Prata, publicados entre os meses de setembro de 2018 e maio de 2019 no jornal Folha de S. Paulo. A base teórica que estrutura esse trabalho se caracteriza pelas noções presentes nos estudos da Argumentação, da Linguística da Enunciação e da Análise do Discurso. Por outro lado, a base metodológica que nos guiará é o Paradigma Indiciário. Como hipótese, defendemos que a estrutura ético-patêmica tem auxiliado no estabelecimento de um vínculo identitário e empático entre interlocutores em torno da construção do discurso de natureza polêmica, caracterizado pela dicotomização, polarização e desqualificação da voz do outro.
Discurso e ensino: diretrizes para conceber novos significados para a escola na contemporaneidade
Authors: Goulart Cecilia Maria Aldigueri
Published: July 2020

A escola é o espaço público, coletivo, em que aprendemos sobre o mundo e sobre a ação dos homens no mundo. Espaço de aprendizagem da história do ser humano e de seus conhecimentos e, ao mesmo tempo, de criação de novos conhecimentos e novas possibilidades de vida. O objetivo do ensaio é apresentar diretrizes de uma concepção discursiva de trabalho escolar, pressupondo que todo professor é professor de linguagem. Com base na teoria da enunciação do Círculo de Bakhtin, serão focalizados, ainda que brevemente, dados sobre o trabalho com a oralidade, a leitura e a escrita, na educação infantil, no processo de alfabetização e nas áreas de ensino de História, Física e Ciências, em que alunos estão aprofundando conhecimentos sobre o universo letrado. É o viés discursivo que atravessa e encorpa toda a proposta de trabalho.
O corpo feminino em discurso: memória e (r)existência
Authors: Ruiz Marco Antonio Almeida
Published: July 2020

O corpo feminino traz certas memórias de violência no interior da história construídas e reverberadas pelas práticas sociais que se materializa(ra)m nos e pelos discursos. Tal condição possibilitou um certo idealismo do seu corpo, visto como objeto sexual, além de colocá-lo num espaço discursivo de luta, sempre desigual. A partir de certos movimentos sociais em prol das mulheres, podemos dizer que há a instauração de uma nova memória ressignificada pelo corpo que resiste, que produz dizeres e que movem as mulheres na luta contra certos imaginários socialmente estigmatizados. Vemos, a partir dessas novas condições de produção a passagem do corpo terno e delicado de antigamente ao corpo profano, dono de si, militante. Embasados teórico-metodologicamente na análise do discurso francesa, nosso objetivo, com este artigo, é analisar essa nova memória que emerge a partir do surgimento de movimentos sociais feministas, tais como, a Marcha das Vadias e a Marcha das Margaridas. Nosso material é composto por alguns recortes de páginas feministas do Facebook e da mídia.
Base definicional e ficha terminológica: etapas semiautomatizadas que auxiliam na elaboração de definições terminológicas
Authors: Balestero Mirella , Murakawa Clotilde
Published: July 2020

Com o advento da Informática, as pesquisas em Terminologia passaram a ser otimizadas, tornando mais rápida a obtenção dos resultados, das análises e dos produtos terminológicos. Por meio de tarefas semiautomatizadas, a execução de um trabalho terminológico pode auxiliar atividades que vão desde a elaboração do corpus até a elaboração de definições terminológicas, podendo gerar um glossário. Por conta disso, o objetivo, neste trabalho, é apresentar as etapas de elaboração da ficha terminológica e do incremento da base definicional, que são responsáveis, respectivamente, pelo registro das informações referentes a determinado termo e pelo registro de excertos definitórios cujos traços semânticos apresentam a descrição do conceito. As atividades foram sistematizadas no e-Termos e auxiliaram a elaboração das definições terminológicas dos termos da Revisão de Textos.
Aposições restritivas e não restritivas: correlações pragmáticas e semânticas
Authors: Serafim Monielly Saverio , Camacho Roberto Gomes
Published: July 2020

Este trabalho se debruça sobre o estudo das aposições restritivas e não restritivas no português escrito. Entende-se por aposições restritivas SNs como o poeta Drummond, a cor azul, FHC presidente e a cidade de São Paulo, o conceito de proletariado, o mês de janeiro. Por aposições não restritivas, entendem-se as construções prototípicas de aposição como Machado de Assis, o bruxo de Cosme Velho. O objetivo geral é aplicar critérios de formulação e de codificação que distingam essas aposições com base numa correlação entre aposições restritivas e construções classificacionais e entre aposições não restritivas e construções identificacionais cujos fundamentos teóricos se assentam na Gramática Discursivo-Funcional (HENGEVELD; MACKENZIE, 2008).
Rede de herança para construções complexas subjetivas
Authors: Gonçalves Sebastião Carlos Leite
Published: July 2020

Este artigo trata de construções complexas, sob a perspectiva dos Modelos Baseados no Uso (BARLOW; KEMMER, 2000), que assumem a construção como unidade de análise, um pareamento simbólico de forma e sentido. Recorrendo-se a dados de fala do português brasileiro e, a partir do esquema genérico [[Argumento][Predicado]], organiza-se uma rede de herança para construções complexas subjetivas, considerando-se se ocorre ou não topicalização de Sujeito ou Objeto encaixado para o domínio de sua matriz. Assentada em princípios cognitivos relevantes (GOLDBERG, 1995), a rede de herança comprova a adequação da abordagem construcional para o tratamento também de construções complexas.
Estudo da tradução de cartas patrimoniais com base em um corpus paralelo bilíngue (inglês-português)
Authors: Delvizio Ivanir Azevedo
Published: July 2020

Cartas patrimoniais são documentos que definem os conceitos e estabelecem as diretrizes gerais para a conservação, preservação e restauração do patrimônio cultural. Há um fluxo constante de publicação de novas cartas e, portanto, há a demanda pela tradução desses textos especializados. Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre a tradução de cartas patrimoniais baseado em um corpus paralelo composto por 32 cartas em inglês e suas respectivas traduções em português, também utilizado em estudo anterior para a elaboração de um glossário de termos usados em cartas patrimoniais. Por meio da análise do corpus, foi possível descrever a estrutura das cartas patrimoniais, compreender algumas condições e características das cartas traduzidas e analisar questões relativas à tradução de sua terminologia. Para tanto, foi usado o programa WordSmith Tools 6.0, seguindo os fundamentos teóricos e metodológicos da Terminologia (CABRÉ, 1993; 1999; BARROS, 2004) e da Linguística de Corpus (BERBER SARDINHA, 2000; 2004).
Mulheres-Maravilhas, as Capitãs Contemporâneas?
Authors: Paula Luciane de , Gava Luana Maria
Published: July 2020

Este artigo se propõe a pensar a constituição das super-heroínas Mulher-Maravilha e Capitã Marvel e suas funções sociais no momento sócio-histórico contemporâneo. A fundamentação teórica se calca nas concepções bakhtinianas de dialogia, sujeito, voz social, enunciado e linguagem, bem como em estudos sobre a mulher e sobre super-heróis. O objetivo é entender como a mulher é representada nos dois filmes, o que significa ser super-heroína e, se é possível, de fato, considerar ou não as protagonistas modelos de empoderamento feminino. A hipótese é a de que os sujeitos das obras refletem e refratam vozes sociais sobre ser mulher, com comportamentos que atendem necessidades de mercado e corroboram com estereótipos. Metodologicamente, a proposta utiliza a dialética-dialógica, calcada na construção histórica dos sujeitos, em cotejo com outros enunciados. A justificativa se volta à função social desses ícones.
Terminologia da Agricultura de Precisão: proposta de verbete para um Dicionário Pedagógico Bilíngue Especializado
Authors: Soares Nathalia Maria
Published: July 2020

O processo de Globalização e o vertiginoso desenvolvimento das tecnologias trouxeram novos desafios às sociedades. Dentre estes desafios, destacamos o conhecimento de uma ou mais línguas para a comunicação nos mais variados contextos. Dito conhecimento tornou-se um diferencial para o profissional que, além de saber a língua, precisa saber usá-la dentro e fora de sua área de formação e/ou atuação, constituindo-se um desafio para o docente. Assim, nosso objetivo neste texto é refletir, a partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, sobre possíveis articulações entre as Ciências do Léxico, neste caso mais especificamente, a Terminografia (GÓMEZ DE ENTERRÍA, 2009; CABRÉ, 1999) e a Lexicografia Pedagógica (WELKER, 2008; MOLINA GARCÍA, 2006) com o Ensino de Línguas para Fins Específicos por meio da proposta de Hutchinson e Waters (2010) – English for Specific Purposes. Dita articulação tem por finalidade pensar em uma proposta de dicionário pedagógico bilíngue especializado da língua espanhola do domínio da Agricultura de Precisão.
Analysing the preferences for family doctor contract services in rural China: a study using a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Fu Peipei , Wang Yi , Liu Shimeng , Li Jiajia , Gao Qiufeng , Zhou Chengchao , Meng Qingyue , Sylvia Sean
Published: July 2020

Background: Preliminary evaluations have found that family doctor contract services (FDCSs) have significantly controlled medical expenses, better managed chronic diseases, and increased patient satisfaction and service compliance. In 2016, China proposed the establishment of a family doctor system to carry out contract services, but studies have found the uptake and utilization of these services to be limited. This study aimed to investigate rural residents’ preferences for FDCSs from the perspective of the Chinese public.Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was performed to elicit the preferences for FDCSs among rural residents in China. Attributes and levels were established based on a literature review and qualitative methods. Five attributes, i.e., cost, medicine availability, the reimbursement rate, family doctor competence, and family doctor attitude, were evaluated using a mixed logit model.Results: A total of 609 residents were included in the main DCE analysis. The respondents valued the high competence (coefficient 2.44, [SE 0.13]) and the good attitude (coefficient 1.42, [SE 0.09]) of family doctors the most. Cost was negatively valued (coefficient -0.01, [SE 0.01]), as expected. Preference heterogeneity analysis was conducted after adjusting the interaction terms, and we found that rural residents with higher educational attainment prefer a good attitude more than their counterparts with lower educational attainment. The estimated willingness to pay (WTP) for “high” relative to “low” competence was 441.13 RMB/year, and the WTP for a provider with a “good” attitude relative to a “poor” attitude was 255.77 RMB/year. Conclusion: The present study suggests that strengthening and improving the quality of primary health care, including the competence and attitudes of family doctors, should be prioritized to increase the uptake of FDCSs. The contract service package, including the annual cost, the insurance reimbursement rate and individualized services, should be redesigned to be congruent with residents having different health statuses and their stated preferences.
Continuum of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Risks among Syrian Refugee Women and Girls in Lebanon
Authors: Roupetz Sophie , Garbern Stephanie , Michael Saja , Bergquist Harveen , Glaesmer Heide , Bartels Susan A.
Published: July 2020

Background: A myriad of factors including socio-economic hardships impact refugees, with females being additionally exposed to various forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The aim of this qualitative analysis was to understand and to provide new insight into the experiences of SGBV among Syrian refugee women and girls in Lebanon. Methods: The data are gained from a larger mixed-methods study, investigating the experiences of Syrian refugee girls in Lebanon, using an iPad and the data collection tool, SenseMaker®. The SenseMaker survey intentionally did not ask direct questions about experiences of SGBV but instead enabled stories about SGBV to become apparent from a wide range of experiences in the daily lives of Syrian girls. For this analysis, all first-person stories by female respondents about experiences of SGBV were included in a thematic analysis as well as a random selection of male respondents who provided stories about the experiences of Syrian girls in Lebanon. Results: In total, 70 of the 327 first person stories from female respondents and 42 of the 159 stories shared by male respondents included dialogue on SGBV. While experiences of sexual harassment were mainly reported by women and girls, male respondents were much more likely to talk explicitly about sexual exploitation. Due to different forms of SGBV risks in public, unmarried girls were at high risk of child marriage, whereas married girls more often experienced some form of IPV and/or DV. In abusive relationships, some girls and women continued to face violence as they sought divorces and attempted to flee unhealthy situations. Conclusions: This study contributes to existing literature by examining SGBV risks and experiences for refugees integrated into their host community, and also by incorporating the perceptions of men. Our findings shed light on the importance of recognizing the impact of SGBV on the family as a whole, in addition to each of the individual members and supports considering the cycle of SGBV not only across the woman’s lifespan but also across generations. Gendered differences in how SGBV was discussed may have implications for the design of future research focused on SGBV.
Premature Mortality of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Iran: Trends and Projections for 2001–2030
Authors: Shadmani Fatemeh Khosravi , Farzadfar Farshad , Yoosefi Moein , Mansori Kamyar , Shadman Reza Khosravi , Haghdoost Ali Akbar
Published: July 2020

Background: The present study was conducted to determine the trend and projection of premature mortality from gastrointestinal cancers (GI cancers) at national and subnational levels in Iran.Methods: Employing the data obtained from Iranian Death Registry System (DRS) and population data from census, the mortality rates of GI cancers was calculated among 30-70 age groups. The trends of esophageal, colon and rectum, gallbladder, pancreases, stomach, and liver cancer premature mortalities were estimated and projected at the national and subnational levels from 2001 to 2030. Then, Spatio-temporal model was used to project spatial and temporal correlations. Results: The overall mortality rate of GI cancers was higher in males than in females, indicating 6.1, 3.9 and 3.9 percent per 100000 individuals among males in 2001, 2015 and 2030 respectively and 3.8, 3.1 and 3.7 per 100000 individuals among females in the same time-frame. The overall mortality rate of GI cancers in males was decreasing until 2015 and will remain stationary into 2030; however, the rate will be increasing among females in both time-frames. Also, there was a considerable variation in the mortality trends of different cancers. Pancreatic, gallbladder, and liver cancers were shown to have an increasing trend while a drop was observed in the mortality rates of stomach, colon and rectum, and esophageal cancers. Conclusion: Variation of GI cancers patterns and trends around the country indicated that a more comprehensive control plan is needed to include the predicted variations.
Effect of Bowel Preparation Volume in Inpatient Colonoscopy. Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Comparative Pilot Study
Authors: Hernandez Patricia V , Horsley-Silva Jennifer L. , Snyder Diana L. , Baffy Noemi , Atia Mary , Koepke Laura , Buras Matthew R. , Lim Elisabeth S. , Ruff Kevin , Umar Sarah B. , Islam Sameer , Ramirez Francisco C.
Published: July 2020

Background: Inpatient status has been shown to be a predictor of poor bowel preparation for colonoscopy; however, the optimal bowel preparation regimen for hospitalized patients is unknown. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of bowel preparation volume size in hospitalized patients undergoing inpatient colonoscopy.Methods: This prospective, single blinded (endoscopist), randomized controlled trial was conducted as a pilot study at a tertiary referral medical center. Hospitalized patients undergoing inpatient colonoscopy were assigned randomly to receive a high, medium, or low-volume preparation. Data collection included colon preparation quality, based on the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale, and a questionnaire given to all subjects evaluating the ability to completely finish bowel preparation and adverse effects (unpleasant taste, nausea, and vomiting). Results: Twenty-five colonoscopies were performed in 25 subjects. Patients who received low-volume preparation averaged a higher mean total BBPS (7.4, SD 1.62), in comparison to patients who received high-volume (7.0, SD 1.41) and medium-volume prep (6.9, SD 1.55), P = 0.77. When evaluating taste a higher score meant worse taste. The low-volume group scored unpleasant taste as 0.6 (0.74), while the high-volume group gave unpleasant taste a score of 2.2 (0.97) and the medium-volume group gave a score of 2.1 (1.36), P < 0.01.Conclusion: In this pilot study we found that low-volume colon preparation may be preferred in the inpatient setting due its better rate of tolerability and comparable bowel cleanliness when compared to larger volume preparation, although we cannot overreach any definitive conclusion. Further more robust studies are required to confirm these findings.Trial registration: The Affect of Low-Volume Bowel Preparation for Hospitalized Patients Colonoscopies. Trial registration: NCT01978509 (terminated). Retrospectively registered on November 07, 2013.
Can people-centered community-oriented interventions improve skilled birth attendance? Evidence from a quasi-experimental study in rural communities of Cambodia, Kenya, and Zambia
Authors: Edward Anbrasi , Krishnan Aparna , Ettyang Grace , Jung Younghee , Perry Henry B , Ghee Annette E , Chege Jane
Published: July 2020

Background Skilled attendance at delivery is a key marker for reducing maternal mortality. Effective community engagement strategies complemented by community health worker (CHW) services can improve access to maternal health services in areas with limited health infrastructure or workforce. Methods A quasi-experimental study with matched comparison groups was conducted in Cambodia, Kenya and Zambia to determine the effect of integrated community investments on skilled birth attendance (SBA). In each country, communities in two districts/sub-districts received a package of community-oriented interventions comprised of timed CHW household health promotion for maternal, newborn and child health complemented by social accountability mechanisms using community scorecards. Two matched comparison districts/sub-districts received ongoing routine interventions. Data from the final evaluation were examined to determine the effect of timed CHW services and community-oriented interventions on SBA. Results Over 80% of the 3,037 women in Cambodia, 2,805 women in Kenya and 1,171 women in Zambia reported SBA. Women in intervention sites who received timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms in Cambodia showed significantly higher odds of SBA (aOR=7.48; 95% CI: 3.87, 14.5). The findings also indicated that women over the age of 24 in Cambodia, women with primary or secondary education in Cambodia and secondary education in Kenya, women from higher wealth quintiles in Cambodia, and women with four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits in all countries reported significantly higher odds of SBA. Inclusion of family members in pregnancy-related discussions in Kenya (aOR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.26) and Zambia (aOR=6.78; 95% CI: 1.15, 13.9) and follow up CHW visits after a referral or health facility visit (aOR=2.44; 95% CI: 1.30, 4.60 in Cambodia; aOR=2.17; 95% CI 1.25, 3.75 in Kenya; aOR=1.89; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.02 in Zambia) also showed significantly greater odds of SBA.Conclusions Enhancing people-centered care through culturally appropriate community-oriented strategies integrating timely CHW health promotion and social accountability mechanisms shows some evidence for improving SBA during delivery. These strategies can accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals for maternal child and newborn health.
Community health worker motivation to perform systematic household contact tuberculosis investigation in a high burden metropolitan district in South Africa
Authors: Kigozi Gladys , Heunis Christo , Engelbrecht Michelle
Published: July 2020

Background South Africa faces a chronic shortage of professional health workers. Accordingly, community health workers (CHWs) are being employed to mitigate the ongoing health workforce deficiencies. As increased access to quality service delivery hinges upon their motivation, this study explored CHWs’ motivation to deliver systematic household contact TB investigation (SHCI). Methods In 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among CHWs in the Mangaung Metropolitan District, Free State Province. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on a 30-item scale to determine the dimensions underlying CHW motivation. Items with factor loadings of 0.4 and above were retained. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to determine CHW motivation levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the determinants of CHW motivation. Results Out of 235 participants, 89.2% were female. Participants’ median age was 39 (interquartile range: 33-45) years. CHW motivation was defined by 16 items across three dimensions — intrinsic job satisfaction, burnout and team commitment, together explaining 56.04% of the total variance. The derived 16-item scale showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.81), with a mean motivation score of 51.29 (standard deviation [sd]: 5.14) out of 64. Statistically significant differences were observed between formal CHWs — those with at least phase 1 standardised accreditation, and informal CHWs — those with non-standardised accreditation regarding mean team commitment scores (17.82 [sd: 2.48] vs. 17.07 [sd: 2.82]; t(233) = 2.157; p = 0.013). CHW age (β = 0.118, p = 0.029), location (β = 1.737, p = 0.041), length of service (β = -0.495, p <0.001), attendance of TB SHCI training (B = 1.809, p = 0.036), and TB SHCI competence (β = 0.706, p <0.001), contributed statistically significantly to CHW motivation. Conclusion: CHW motivation to perform TB SHCI was both intrinsic and extrinsic. The high overall mean score implies that the CHWs were well-motivated to perform TB SHCI. To ensure sustained improved access to quality TB SHCI service provision, programme managers in the Free State and similar settings could potentially use the tool derived from this study to monitor and inform CHW motivation interventions. Interventions should pay close attention to the CHWs’ formalisation, competence and training.
Response of phytohormone mediated plant homeodomain (PHD) family to abiotic stress in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum spp.)
Authors: Wu Huanhuan , Zheng Lei , Qanmber Ghulam , Guo Mengzhen , Wang Zhi , Yang Zuoren
Published: July 2020

Background: The sequencing and annotations of cotton genomes provide powerful theoretical support to unravel more physiological and functional information. Plant homeodomain (PHD) protein family has been reported to be involved in regulating various biological processes in plants. However, their functional studies have not yet been carried out in cotton. Results: In this study, 108, 55, and 52 PHD genes were identified in G. hirsutum, G. raimondii, and G. arboreum, respectively. A total of 297 PHD genes from three cotton species, Arabidopsis, and rice were divided into five groups. We performed chromosomal location, phylogenetic relationship, gene structure, and conserved domain analysis for GhPHD genes. GhPHD genes were unevenly distributed on each chromosome, however, more GhPHD genes were distributed on At_05, Dt_05, and At_07 chromosomes. GhPHD proteins depicted conserved domains, and GhPHD genes exhibiting similar gene structure were clustered together. Further, whole genome duplication analysis indicated that purification selection greatly contributed to the functional maintenance of GhPHD gene family. Expression pattern analysis based on RNA-seq data showed that most GhPHD genes showed clear tissue-specific spatiotemporal expression patterns elucidating the multiple functions of GhPHDs in plant growth and development. Moreover, analysis of cis-acting elements revealed that GhPHDs may respond to a variety of abiotic and phytohormonal stresses. In this regard, some GhPHD genes showed good response against abiotic and phytohormonal stresses. Additionally, co-expression network analysis indicated that GhPHDs are essential for plant growth and development, while GhPHD genes response against abiotic and phytohormonal stresses may help to improve plant tolerance in adverse environmental conditions. Conclusion: This study will provide useful information to facilitate further research related to the vital roles of GhPHD gene family in plant growth and development.
Late complications of radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations: report of 5 cases of chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematomas and review of the literature.
Authors: Finitsis Stephanos , Bernier Valerie , Buccheit Isabelle , Klein Olivier , Bracard Serge , Zhu Francois , Gauchotte Guillaume , Anxionnat René
Published: July 2020

Background: Chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematomas (CEIHs) are a rare, late complication of radiosurgery for intracranial AVM. We present 5 cases treated mostly by surgical excision and review the literature.Methods: Patients (age 39, 42, 36, 31, 62) presented with headache, paresthesia, hemiparesis or were asymptomatic. CEIHs presented 10 to 13 years (median 12 years) post radiosurgery. Three patients had demonstrated early radiation induced changes post radiosurgery. Angiographic cure, assessed with DSA, was present in all cases except 1 case with a small nidus remnant. MRI demonstrated mixed lesions with a solid enhancing part, organized hematoma and extensive surrounding edema while three cases had also a cystic component.Results: Excision of the CEIHs with complete or partial removal of the capsule was performed in 4 patients and resulted in marked clinical improvement. One patient was managed conservatively with administration of steroids as surgery was judged excessively hazardous with eventual stabilization of his symptoms.Conclusions: CEIHs are rare, late complications of radiosurgery for cranial AVM. They may be asymptomatic or provoke symptoms and may be preceded by early radiation induced changes. Complete removal of CEIHS is an effective treatment. Because of the long latency period of CEIHs, patients who had radiosurgery for brain AVMs should be followed by MRI at least 10 years even after complete obliteration.
A long non-coding RNA, HOTAIR, promotes cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis by inhibiting WIF-1 expression and activating Wnt pathway
Authors: Yang Yang , Xing Dan , Wang Yawei , Jia Haobo , Li Bing , Li Jiao Jiao
Published: July 2020

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are recently found to be critical regulators of the epigenome. However, our knowledge of their role in osteoarthritis (OA) development is limited. This study investigates the mechanism by which HOTAIR, a key lncRNA with elevated expression in OA, affects OA disease progression.Results: HOTAIR expression was greatly elevated in osteoarthritic compared to normal chondrocytes. Silencing and over-expression of HOTAIR in SW1353 cells respectively reduced and increased the expression of genes associated with cartilage degradation in OA. Investigation of molecular pathways revealed that HOTAIR acted directly on Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF-1) by increasing histone H3K27 trimethylation in the WIF-1 promoter, leading to WIF-1 repression that favours activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.Conclusions: Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling by HOTAIR through WIF-1 repression in osteoarthritic chondrocytes increases catabolic gene expression and promotes cartilage degradation. This is the first study to demonstrate a direct link between HOTAIR, WIF-1 and OA progression, which may be useful for future investigations into disease biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
ERK3 is transcriptionally upregulated by ∆Np63α and mediates the role of ∆Np63α in suppressing cell migration in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers
Authors: Alshammari Eid S. , Aljagthmi Amjad A. , Stacy Andrew J. , Bottomley Mike , Shamma H. Nicholas , Kadakia Madhavi , Long Weiwen
Published: July 2020

Background: p63, a member of the p53 gene family, is an important regulator for epithelial tissue growth and development. ∆Np63α is the main isoform of p63 and highly expressed in Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) is an atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) whose biochemical features and cellular regulation are distinct from those of conventional MAPKs such as ERK1/2. While ERK3 has been shown to be upregulated in lung cancers and head and neck cancers, in which it promotes cancer cell migration and invasion, little is known about the implication of ERK3 in NMSCs. Methods: Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression levels of DNp63a and ERK3 in normal and NMSC specimens. Dunnett’s test was performed to compare mean fluorescence intensity (MFI, indicator of expression levels) of p63 or ERK3 between normal cutaneous samples and NMSC samples. A mixed effects (ANOVA) test was used to determine the correlation between DNp63a and ERK3 expression levels (MFI). The regulation of ERK3 by DNp63a was studied by qRT-PCR, Western blot and luciferase assay. The effect of ERK3 regulation by DNp63a on cell migration was measured by performing trans-well migration assay. Results: The expression level of ∆Np63α is upregulated in NMSCs compared to normal tissue. ERK3 level is significantly upregulated in AK and SCC in comparison to normal tissue and there is a strong positive correlation between ∆Np63α and ERK3 expression in normal skin and skin specimens of patients with AK, SCC or BCC. Further, we found that ∆Np63α positively regulates ERK3 transcript and protein levels in A431 and HaCaT skin cells, underlying the upregulation of ERK3 expression and its positive correlation with ∆Np63α in NMSCs. Moreover, similar to the effect of ∆Np63α depletion, silencing ERK3 greatly enhanced A431 cell migration. Restoration of ERK3 expression under the condition of silencing ∆Np63α counteracted the increase in cell migration induced by the depletion of ∆Np63α. Mechanistically, ERK3 inhibits the phosphorylation of Rac1 G-protein and the formation of filopodia of A431 skin SCC cells.Conclusions: ERK3 is positively regulated by ∆Np63α and mediates the role of ∆Np63α in suppressing cell migration in NMSC.
Nutritional status and dietary diversity of school-age children living with HIV: a cross-sectional study in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Authors: Yasuoka Junko , Yi Siyan , Okawa Sumiyo , Tuot Sovannary , Murayama Makoto , Huot Chantheany , Chhoun Pheak , Yem Sokunthea , Yuzuriha Kazuki , Mizutani Tetsuya , Kikuchi Kimiyo
Published: July 2020

Background: HIV/AIDS continues to be a major public health concern for children. Each day, worldwide, approximately 440 children became newly infected with HIV, and 270 children died from AIDS-related causes in 2018. Poor nutrition has been associated with accelerated disease progression, and sufficient dietary diversity is considered a key to improve children’s nutritional status. Therefore, this study aims to 1) examine nutritional status of school-age children living with HIV in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and 2) identify factors associated with their nutritional status, especially taking their dietary diversity into consideration.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2018 within the catchment area of the National Pediatric Hospital, Cambodia. Data from 298 children and their caregivers were included in the analyses. Using semi-structured questionnaires, face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, quality of life, and dietary diversity. To assess children’s nutritional status, body weight and height were measured. Viral load and duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) were collected from clinical records. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with stunting and wasting.Results: Of 298 children, nearly half (46.6%) were stunted, and 13.1% were wasted. The mean number of food groups consumed by the children in the past 24 hours was 4.6 out of 7 groups. Factors associated with children’s stunting were age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.166, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.151, 4.077), household wealth (AOR 0.543, 95%CI: 0.299, 0.986), duration of receiving ART (AOR 0.510, 95%CI: 0.267, 0.974), and having disease symptoms during the past one year (AOR 1.871, 95%CI: 1.005, 3.480). The only factor associated with wasting was being male (AOR 5.304, 95%CI: 2.210, 12.728). Conclusions: Prevalence of stunting was more than double that of non-infected school-age children living in urban areas in Cambodia. This highlights the importance of conducting nutritional intervention programs, especially tailored for children living with HIV in the country. Although dietary diversity was not significantly associated with children’s nutritional status in this study, the findings will contribute to implementing future nutritional interventions more efficiently by indicating children who are most in need of such interventions in Cambodia.
Social, economic, and legislative factors and global road traffic fatalities
Authors: Haghighi Mohammad Reza Rahmanian , Sayari Mohammad , Ghahramani Sulmaz , Lankarani Kamran Bagheri
Published: July 2020

Background: Road traffic fatalities (RTF) is the 8th cause of mortality around the world. At the end of the Decade of Action, it would be of utmost importance to revisit our knowledge on the determinants of RTF. Methods: We used road safety development index which accounts for the interactions between system, human and products to assess the RTF in 115 and 113 countries in 2013 and 2016, respectively. To analyze data, three statistical procedures (linear regression, classification and regression trees, and multivariate adaptive regression splines) were employed. Results: Classification and regression trees has the best performance amongst all others followed by multivariate adaptive regression splines for 2013 and 2016 data set with an R2 around 0.83. Results show that any increase in human development index was associated with RTF reduction. Comparing RTF data of 2013 and 2016, 8 countries experienced a change of more than 30%, which demonstrated a significant relationship with GINI index (named after Corrado Gini). Considering the three components of human development index, it is revealed that education explained most of RTF variation in classification and regression trees model followed by income and life expectancy. Conclusion: Policymakers should consider road traffic accidents as a socio-economic issue. In this regard, they can make provisions to reduce RTF in the long run by focusing on enhancing the three components of human development index, mainly education. However, there is a need to investigate the causation pathway among these three components with RTF with different time-trend procedures.
Quantification of Arterial, Venous, and Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Dynamics by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Under Simulated Micro-Gravity Conditions: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zahid Arslan , Martin Bryn , Collins Stephanie , Oshinski John N. , Ethier Christopher Ross
Published: July 2020

Background: Astronauts undergoing long-duration spaceflight are exposed to numerous health risks, including Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), a spectrum of ophthalmic changes that can result in permanent loss of visual acuity. The etiology of SANS is not well understood but is thought to involve changes in cerebrovascular flow dynamics in response to microgravity. There is a paucity of knowledge in this area; in particular, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics have not been well characterized under microgravity conditions. Our study was designed to determine the effect of simulated microgravity (head-down tilt [HDT]) on cerebrovascular flow dynamics. We hypothesized that under microgravity conditions simulated by HDT, increased pressure in the intracranial space would alter intracranial CSF and venous flow dynamics by causing: 1) increased venous pressure reflected by increased venous cross-sectional area; and 2) a decrease in cardiac-related pulsatile CSF flow.Methods: In a prospective cohort study, we measured flow in major cerebral arteries, veins, and CSF spaces in fifteen healthy volunteers using phase contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) before and during 15° HDT.Results: We found a significant increase in venous cross-sectional area with HDT (p=0.005), indicating increased venous pressure, along with a decrease in all CSF flow variables [systolic peak flow (p=0.009), and peak-to-peak pulse amplitude (p=0.001)]. Arterial average flow (p=0.04), systolic peak flow (p=0.04), and peak-to-peak pulse amplitude (p=0.02) all also significantly decreased.Conclusions: These results collectively demonstrate that acute application of 15° HDT caused a reduction in CSF flow variables (systolic peak flow and peak-to-peak pulse amplitude), coupled with an increase in venous CSA suggesting increased venous pressure with HDT.
Cost-utility Analysis of Extensile Lateral Approach Versus Sinus Tarsi Approach in Sanders type II/III Calcaneus Fractures
Authors: Li Zihua , Wu Xinbo , Zhou Haichao , Xu Shaochen , Xiao Fajiao , Huang Hui , Yang Yunfeng
Published: July 2020

Background. Extensile lateral approach had been recognized as the gold standard technique for displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures (DIACFs) while sinus tarsi approach had been increasingly valued by surgeons. And comparative clinical outcome was shown in both techniques. Appropriate decisions could be made by the clinicians with the help of CUA about optimal healthcare for type II/III calcaneus fracture. Method. A single-center, retrospective study was conducted in which basic characteristics, clinical outcomes and health care costs of 109 patients had been obtained and analyzed. Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores, validated by EuroQol five-dimensional-three levels (EQ-5D-3L), were used to enumerate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Cost-effectiveness was determined by the incremental cost per QALY. Results. 109 patients were enrolled in our study including 62 in the ELA group and 47 in the STA group. There were no significant differences between these two groups in mean total cost, laboratory and radiographic evaluation expense, surgery, anesthesia and antibiotic expense. The expense of internal fixation materials ($3289.0 ± 543.9) versus ($2630.6 ± 763.7) and analgesia ($145.8 ± 85.6) versus ($102.9 ± 62.7) in ELA group were significantly higher than in the STA group (P＜.001, P=.008, respectively). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores showed significant difference at postoperative 3 and 5 days (P＜.001). American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores and the Bohlers’ and Gissane angle showed no significant differences between the two groups before and after the operation. The cost-effectiveness ratios of ELA and STA were $8766.8±2835.2/QALY and $7914.9 ± 1822.0/QALY respectively and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICERs) of ELA over STA was $32110.00/QALY, but both showed no significant difference. Conclusion. Both ELA and STA techniques are effective operative procedures for the patients with calcaneus fracture. Moreover, STA seems to be more reasonable for its merits including less postoperative pain, and less expense of analgesia as well as internal fixation materials.