bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Identify Priority Areas for the Conservation of a Vulnerable Family of Fishes in Spanish Marine National Parks
Authors: Planas Miquel , Piñeiro-Corbeira Cristina , Bouza Carmen , Castejón-Silvo Inés , Vera Manuel , Regueira Marcos , Ochoa Verónica , Bárbara Ignacio , Terrados Jorge , Chamorro Alexandro , Barreiro Rodolfo , Hernández-Urcera Jorge , Alejo Irene , Nombela Miguel , García Manuel E. , Pardo Belén G. , Peña Viviana , Díaz Pilar , Cremades Javier , Morales-Nin Beatriz
Published: November 2020

Background: Syngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) are flagship species strongly associated with seaweed and seagrass habitats. Seahorses and pipefishes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently Data Deficient according to the IUCN (IUCN, 2019), requiring more biological and ecological research. This study provides the first insights into syngnathid populations in the two marine Spanish National Parks (PNIA –Atlantic- and PNAC –Mediterranean). Fishes were collected periodically, marked, morphologically identified, analysed for size, weight, sex and sexual maturity, and sampled for stable isotope and genetic identification. Due the scarcity of previous information, habitat characteristics were also assessed in PNIA. Results: Syngnathid diversity and abundance were low, with two species identified in PNIA (Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus acus) and four in PNAC (S. abaster, S. acus, S. typhle and Nerophis maculatus). Syngnathids from both National Parks (NP) differed isotopically, with much lower δ15N in PNAC than in PNIA. The dominant species were S. abaster in PNAC and S. acus in PNIA. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages in PNIA and Cymodocea meadows in PNAC. The occurrence of very large specimens, the absence of small-medium sizes and the isotopic comparison with a nearby population suggest that the population of Syngnathus acus (the dominant syngnathid in PNIA) mainly comprised breeders that migrate seasonally. Novel 16S rDNA haplotypes and sequence variants were detected for H. guttulatus, N. maculatus, S. acus, and S. abaster. Our data suggest the presence of a cryptic Syngnathus species in PNAC. Conclusions: This is the first multidisciplinary approach to the study of syngnathids in Spanish marine NPs. Habitat preferences and population characteristics in both NPs differed. Further studies are needed to assess potential species misidentifications of genus Syngnathus in PNAC, and migratory events in PNIA. We propose several preferential sites in both NPs for future monitoring of syngnathid populations and some recommendations for their conservation.
Post-Triassic Spermatophyta Timetree Adding the Quaternary Radiated Asarum Wild Gingers
Authors: Osozawa Soichi , Nackejima Cunio , Wakabayashi John
Published: November 2020

BackgroundAngiospermae radiation was known as the mid-Cretaceous event, but adaptive radiation of Asarum is also expected in the Quaternary. In order to know such the Angiospermae evolutionary history through the time, we constructed a whole Spermatophyta timetree employing BEAST v1. X associated with robust fossil calibration function.ResultsWe successfully and precisely dated the Spermatophyta phylogeny, and the Angiospermae topology was concordant to the APG system. Using another function of BEAST, we discovered the exponential increase in base substitution rate in recent geologic time, and another rise of rate at the mid-Cretaceous time. These increasing events correspond to the Quaternary and mid-Cretaceous Angiospermae radiations.ConclusionsA probable cause of the recently increasing rate and the consequent radiation was ultimately generation of C4 grasses, reduction of atomospheric CO2, and the start of the Quaternary glacial period. Mid-Cretaceous event was explained by co-radiation with insect beetles as the food plant.
Student Support Systems for Undergraduate Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Ardekani Ali , Hosseini Seyed Ali , Tabari Parinaz , Rahimian Zahra , Feili Afrooz , Amini Mitra
Published: November 2020

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has boosted medical students' vulnerability to various problems. Given the stressful nature of medical disciplines, considerable attention must be paid to student support systems during pandemics. This study aimed to review the current literature regarding medical student support systems systematically.Methods: We performed a systematic review of six databases and grey literature sources in addition to a hand search in the references of the articles in July 2020. We included all studies about support for undergraduate medical students delivered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In conducting this review, we used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.Results: A total of 5347 articles were retrieved from the databases, and 30 additional articles were extracted from other sources. After removing duplicates, we screened 3492 titles and abstracts according to our criteria. Among them, 51 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, before seven studies were ultimately included for reviewal. We identified two major themes: (a) academic support and (b) mental health support.Conclusion: There are several methods of supporting medical students while they are experiencing unprecedented changes in their educational trajectory. This review showed that, given the novel circumstances after the outbreak of COVID-19, the use of online student support methods had received more attention. Implications for further developments in student support systems in the time of the present pandemic were also discussed.
Evolution of Fe-Ti-V oxides from the main magnetite layer, Upper Zone, Bushveld Complex, South Africa: a comparison across the Western, Northern and Eastern Lobes
Authors: Iorga-Pavel Adina
Published: November 2020

Data set accompanying thesis:

 Iorga-Pavel, Adina. 2017. Evolution of Fe-Ti-V oxides from the main magnetite layer, Upper Zone,
Bushveld Complex, South Africa: a comparison across the Western,
Northern and Eastern Lobes. Thesis (MSc), Rhodes University, Department of Geolo. Available:

http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7357
Extrachorial placentation. Part 2. Perinatal outcomes
Authors: À.Å. Volkov , V.V. Voloshin
Published: November 2020

The article presents an analysis of the perinatal outcomes of 320 pregnancies and childbirths with
extrachorionic placentation type (EPT): placenta circumvallata — 103 (32.2%) cases, placenta marginata —
217 (67.8%). The control group consisted of 9869 cases without signs of EPT. An association of EPT, especially
placenta circumvallata, with a high frequency of premature births, fetal growth restriction, increased blood loss
in labor, fetal developmental abnormalities, umbilical cord abnormalities and low birth weight was noted.
Monozygotic twin discordant by phenotype and cytogenetic results
of Edward syndrome
Authors: O.V. Pribushenya , E.I. Golovataya , A.A. Lazarevich et all
Published: November 2020

A case of dichorionic diamniotic twins with discordance of the clinical manifestations of Edwards syndrome
in both fetuses is presented. One fetus was diagnosed at 12 weeks when neck hygroma was detected. Selective
reduction and amniocentesis were performed and karyotype 47, XY+18 was established. Another fetus underwent
diagnostic amniocentesis at 20 weeks in connection with the detection of ultrasound markers of chromosomal
anomalies and the karyotype 47,XY+18[34]/46,XY[66] was established. Pregnancy was terminated for medical
genetic reasons. At the end of pregnancy, a pathomorphological study of both fetuses was performed. As a result
of molecular genetic research at all loci, the same genotype for the samples was established, which confirms
the origin of the fetuses from one zygote
Los baptisterios de Egitania (Idanha-a-Velha, Portugal). Contexto arqueológico y cultural
Authors: Cordero Ruiz Tomas , Tente Catarina , Carvalho Pedro C. , Cristoväo José , Dias Patrícia , Fernández Fernández Adolfo
Published: November 2020

En el ámbito del proyecto de investigación IGAEDIS (Da civitas Igaeditanorum à Egitânia. A construção e evolução da cidade e a definição dos seus territórios da Época Romana até à doação dos Templários - séculos I a XII) se han realizado diferentes actuaciones arqueológicas en la actual aldea histórica de Idanha-a-Velha (Portugal). Además, la revisión de anteriores intervenciones, complementadas con la realización de dataciones absolutas, han permitido atribuir una cronología más temprana de la asignada hasta ahora a los dos “baptisterios” documentados en el yacimiento. Esta nueva lectura nos lleva a plantear un renovado marco de reflexión y crítica histórica, tanto de estas construcciones - piscinas bautismales - como del contexto en el que se insertan. Un ejercicio presentado en este trabajo de manera diacrónica, con el objetivo de mejorar el conocimiento sobre la evolución histórica de este sitio arqueológico entre los siglos IV-VIII.
Modeling the spatio-temporal flow dynamics of groundwater-surface water interactions of the Lake Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia
Authors: Tigabu Tibebe B. , Wagner Paul D. , Hörmann Georg , Fohrer Nicola
Published: November 2020

The Ethiopian government has selected Lake Tana basin as a development corridor due to its water resources potential. However, combined use of groundwater (GW) and surface water (SW) is still inadequate due to knowledge gaps about the flow dynamics of GW and SW. Mostly, there is no information about groundwater use. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the dynamics of GW-SW interactions on a spatio-temporal basis in three of the main catchments (Gilgelabay, Gumara and Ribb) that drain into Lake Tana. To this end, the SWAT-MODFLOW model, which is an integration of SWAT (Soil and Water assessment Tool) and MODFLOW, is used. The results reveal strong hydraulic connection between the GW and SW in all the three catchments. In the Gilgelabay catchment, the flow from the aquifer to the river reaches dominates (annual discharge from the aquifer varies from 170 to 525,000 m3/day), whereas in Gumara (annual exchange rate between −6,530 and 1,710 m3/day) and Ribb (annual exchange rate between −8,020 and 1,453 m3/day) the main flow from the river reaches to the aquifer system. The flow pattern differs in the three catchments due to variations of the aquifer parameters and morphological heterogeneity. Overall, this study improves our understanding of GW-SW flow dynamics and provides insights for future research works and sustainable water management in the Nile region.
Groundwater recharge in the oasis-desert areas of northern Tarim Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Wang Weihua , Chen Yaning , Wang Wanrui
Published: November 2020

Groundwater is an important source for maintaining desert ecological processes in arid areas. With the increasing intensity of climate change and human activities, the rivers in Tarim Basin are severely dried-up. Aiming at the dried-up river, vegetation degradation and oasis maintenance in the middle and lower reaches of dried-up river basin, groundwater recharge and groundwater-surface water interaction have become hotspots, but are not well known. We examined spatial distributions and controlling factors of groundwater stable isotopes and recharge at oasis scale using data from 247 samples surveyed in the four headwaters in the northern Tarim Basin. Stable isotopes of surface water and groundwater were different from each other, and varied among sampling sites. Surface water and groundwater isotopes generally became enriched towards the east throughout the study area, while surface water isotopes showed enrichment towards the upstream direction within each catchment, mainly due to cultivated area expansion. Surface water mainly originated from precipitation, groundwater, and meltwater, while shallow groundwater derived from lateral groundwater flow, river and irrigated water infiltration, and little precipitation. The mainstream water was directly recharged by the headwaters. The results could provide a new insight into groundwater cycling in oases of dried-up river basins, which is helpful for regional groundwater management.
Quantifying effects of urban land-use patterns on flood regimes for a typical urbanized basin in eastern China
Authors: Song Mingming , Zhang Jianyun , Bian Guodong , Wang Jie , Wang Guoqing
Published: November 2020

Artificial adjustment and urbanization are key factors of global change and have significant influences on hydrological processes. This study focuses on the effects of urban land-use patterns on flood regimes in a typical urbanized basin in eastern China. Comprehensive assessments of urban land-use patterns were implemented on three levels: total imperviousness area (TIA) magnitude, landscape configuration and relative location in the basin. Hydrologic Engineering Center's Modeling System (HEC-HMS) was calibrated and validated using four groups of parameters associated with land-use conditions. Fourteen flood events were simulated based on 10 land-use scenarios with different land-use patterns. The results indicate that floods are closely associated with three landscape pattern indicators. First, over the past 20 years, the impermeability rate has increased from 3.92 to 17.48%, with the landscape pattern converted from extension growth form to fill-up growth form after 2003. Second, the average flood peak discharge increased by 80% due to impermeable surfaces expansion, with minor floods more sensitive to the expansion than major floods. Third, the contribution of imperviousness expansion to peak discharge in the inner basin is more remarkable than downstream of the river basin, with the landscape pattern metrics of TIA, arable land and forest land displaying strong correlations with flood characteristics.
Hydrological and water balance studies to evaluate options for climate resilience in smallholder irrigation systems in Sri Lanka
Authors: Imbulana Naditha , Manoharan Seenithamby
Published: November 2020

Smallholder agriculture shares a great portion of Sri Lanka's economy and provides a livelihood to 20% of the country's labour force. However, smallholder agricultural systems are considered highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. As such, improving their climate resilience is critical to ensuring sustainable development of the country. In the country's dry zone, agricultural systems are supported by thousands of small and large irrigation tanks in cascades, whose water supply potential keeps fluctuating widely between years and seasons due to rainfall variability which is a unique characteristic of this zone. In this study, we assessed the hydrological potential of the catchments of these tanks in a typical irrigation system and provided a framework to design an optimal strategy to enhance climate resilience of such systems for improved agricultural production, using a water balance model. The results show that climate-induced impacts on hydrology coupled with population growth and agricultural expansion increase irrigation water demands in the near future. Moreover, demand-side interventions will be more effective than supply-side adaptation in reducing the demand-supply gap. The study recommends evaluating more adaptation measures under expert guidance, uncertainty assessments of future climate and socio-economic pathways, and incorporating a cost-benefit assessment in the model.
COVID-19 Pandemisi Sırasında Sağlık Çalışanlarında Psikososyal Etkilenme ile İlişkili Risk Etkenleri ve Koruyucu Etkenler: Bir Sistematik Derleme
Authors: UYURDAĞ Nermin , ESKİCİOĞLU Gaye , AKSU Serkan , SOYATA Ahmet Zihni
Published: November 2020

Amaç: COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında sağlık sistemlerinin olağandışı bir yükle karşı karşıya kalması ve dünya genelinde salgın kontrolü için kısıtlamalar uygulanması sağlık çalışanlarını psikososyal stres açısından risk grubu haline getirmiştir. Bu sistematik derlemede sağlık çalışanlarında COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında psikososyal etkilenme düzeylerinin ve ilişkili etkenlerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: MEDLINE, ULAKBİM ve Türk Psikiyatri Dizini veri tabanlarında 20 Haziran 2020'ye dek olan makaleler incelenmiş, sağlık çalışanlarında psikososyal etkilenme düzeylerini geçerli ölçüm araçlarıyla değerlendiren yirmi beş araştırma değerlendirme kapsamına alınmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırmaların on yedisinin Çin’de gerçekleştirildiği gözlenmiştir. Yirmi bir araştırmada anksiyete, on dokuz araştırmada depresyon, on iki araştırmada akut stres bozukluğu belirtileri/algılanan stres, sekiz araştırmada uykusuzluk/uyku kalitesi incelenmiştir. Koruyucu etkenler olarak üç araştırmada sosyal destek, iki araştırmada psikolojik dayanıklılık, bir araştırmada başa çıkma tarzları ve bir araştırmada özyeterlilik incelenmiştir.Sonuç: Sağlık çalışanlarında en sık gözlenen durumlar sırasıyla anksiyete, depresyon ve akut stres bozukluğu olarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırmalarda genellikle ön hatlarda çalışan sağlık personelinde daha fazla psikososyal etkilenme olduğu ve salgının erken dönemlerinde daha fazla etkilenme olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Koruyucu etkenler olan sosyal destek, psikolojik dayanıklılık, özyeterlilik ve aktif başa çıkma tarzının stresin olumsuz etkilerine karşı tampon görevi üstlendiği gösterilmiştir. Sonuç olarak koruyucu ve sağaltıcı ruh sağlığı programlarının planlanması ve uygulanması için ülkemizde ve dünyada COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında sağlık çalışanlarında psikososyal etkilenme düzeylerini inceleyen daha çok araştırmaya gereksinim bulunmaktadır.
Conventional and Non-Conventional Targets of Natural Products in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Complications
Authors: Mahomoodally Mohamad Fawzi , Lobine Devina , Picot-Allain Marie Carene Nancy , Sadeer Nabeelah , Jugreet Sharmeen , Zengin Gokhan
Published: November 2020

Background:

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a severe endocrine metabolic disease
coupled with various long-term complications. A plethora of targets have been identified,
however, with possible adverse effects. Therefore, researchers are in the perpetual quest
for safe and more effective therapeutics. Natural products, particularly derived from
plants, have proven to exert anti-diabetic effects via diverse mechanisms.

Methods:

An overview of DM pathogenesis and its associated micro- and macro-vascular
complications is presented. Possible underlying mechanisms of herbal remedies in DM management
are provided, highlighting some key therapeutic targets. The review also appraises the
recent progress of herbal products in treating DM through regulating inflammation and gut
microbiota. Finally, currently available pharmacological treatments are discussed.

Results:

The results show that numerous plants have proven to be promising sources of
insulin secreting agents, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors. Among the non- conventional
targets, inhibition of key enzymes such as lipase, cholinesterases and angiotensin
converting enzyme has been directly and/or indirectly linked to DM and DM complications.
For instance, hypericin, pseudohypericin and I3,II8-biapigenin isolated from Hypericum
perforatum L., and palmatine and columbamine isolated from Dichocarpum auriculatum
(Franch.) W. T. Wang & P. K have been found to be powerful lipase and cholinesterase
inhibitors, respectively. Moreover, a number of plant-derived compounds such as
feruloylated oligosaccharides from maize bran, baicalein and berberine are reported to
mediate anti-diabetic property via modulation of gut microbiota.

Conclusion:

The information amassed in this review is anticipated to provide useful scientific
baseline information to support advanced research in natural antidiabetic drug development.
The Role of microRNAs in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Complications
Authors: Paschou Stavroula A. , Siasos Gerasimos , Katsiki Niki , Tentolouris Nikolaos , Tousoulis Dimitrios
Published: November 2020

MicroRNAs represent a class of small (19-25 nucleotides) single-strand pieces of RNA that are noncoding
ones. They are synthesized by RNA polymerase II from transcripts that fold back on themselves. They
mostly act as gene regulatory agents that pair with complementary sequences on mRNA and produce silencing
complexes, which, in turn, suppress coding genes at a post-transcriptional level. There is now evidence that microRNAs
may affect insulin secretion or insulin action, as they can alter pancreatic beta cells development, insulin
production, as well as insulin signaling. Any molecular disorder that affects these pathways can deteriorate
insulin resistance and lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) onset. Furthermore, the expression of several
microRNAs is up- or down-regulated in the presence of diabetic microvascular complications (i.e., peripheral
neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers), as well as in patients with coronary heart disease, stroke,
and peripheral artery disease. However, more evidence is needed, specifically regarding T2DM patients, to
establish the use of such microRNAs as diagnostical biomarkers or therapeutic targets in daily practice.
Flavonoids and Polyphenolic Compounds as Potential Talented Agents for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and their Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Akter Rokeya , Chowdhury Md. Arifur Rahman , Rahman Md. Habibur
Published: November 2020

Aging is a normal human cycle and the most important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases.
Alternations in cells due to aging contribute to loss of the nutrient-sensing, cell function, increased oxidative
stress, loss of the homeostasis cell, genomic instability, the build-up of malfunctioning proteins, weakened cellular
defenses, and a telomere split. Disturbance of these essential cellular processes in neuronal cells can lead to
life threats including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), Lewy's disease, etc. The most common
cause of death in the elderly population is AD. Specific therapeutic molecules were created to alleviate AD’s
social, economic, and health burden. In clinical practice, almost every chemical compound was found to relieve
symptoms only in palliative treatment. The reason behind these perfect medicines is that the current medicines are
not effective in targeting the cause of this disease. In this paper, we explored the potential role of flavonoid and
polyphenolic compounds, which could be the most effective preventative anti-Alzheimer 's strategy.
Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) and Proteomics: A High-Performance Bioanalytical Technique for the Peptide Drug Discovery
Authors: Kumar T. Durai A. , Desai Sandhya , Venkaraddiyavar Soumya , Swathi Naraparaju , Pujar Gurubasavaraj V.
Published: November 2020

Drug discovery research focuses on the Rational Drug Design (RDD) concepts, and the
major obstacles in the drug discovery process are the lack of target specificity and selectivity. The
realization of higher target selectivity of peptide drugs has promoted peptide research. Rapid growth
in genomics along with recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology and gene expression studies stimulated
the peptide research. The promising use of peptide therapeutics demands sensitive and selective quantification
methods. Protein sequencing and proteomic investigations can be successfully accomplished
through the Mass Spectroscopy (MS) based methods. Mass spectroscopy-based soft ionization methods,
namely, electrospray ionization (ESI) and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI),
offer high-throughput sequencing to provide the characterization (sequence and structure) of intact
proteins/peptides. The advent of tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) along with data acquisition
methods are the basis for the evolution of peptide therapeutics research. The evolution of data science
helped in developing computational proteomics, which assists in the quantitative determination of
protein samples. This review narrates the role of mass spectrometry in the peptide drug discovery
particularly in the sequence characterization along with the latest developments, such as computational
proteomics.
Understanding work engagement through multi-level investigations: From antecedents to outcomes
Authors:   Department of Economics and Business Management, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan, et al. Hamza
Published: November 2020

Work engagement is a valuable organizational resource, and it has many positive outcomes. In today’s dynamic and competitive business environment, organizations can only be successful when they have an engaged workforce. The current study examines how supervisors support and fairness is important for employee’s work engagement and how the role of perceived organizational support is significant in an employee's workplace. In line with Organizational Support Theory (OST) and Conservation of Resource Theory (CRT), the current study is an empirical attempt to explain antecedents that could increase work engagement and resultantly fetch productivity and profit in the context of South Asia (the case of Pakistan) by considering the outcomes. This cross-sectional study draws data through structured questionnaires from 310 employees of eight mega retail stores by using simple random sampling. The outcomes of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis revealed a positive effect of supervisors’ support and organizational fairness on work engagement through the mediation of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and explained the impact of work engagement on task performance and career satisfaction of employees. The current study tested the model for work engagement; future research might test the model using other employee factors (employee sustainability or motivation) in order to test continuous employee behaviors in their workplaces.
DANE Mechanizm i obszary wsparcia rozwoju współpracy transgranicznej oraz ochrony dziedzictwa i krajobrazu kulturowego w ramach programu „Interreg Polska – Słowacja”
Authors:   Ontario, Canada Fundacja Polish Heritage, Pochwała Jan
Published: November 2020

In order to support the development of Polish and Slovak border regions, after the accession of both countries to the EU, the “Interreg Poland – Slovakia” Program was implemented. One of the priorities of the Program is the protection and use of the common Polish-Slovak cultural and natural heritage for the development of cross-border cooperation. As part of Interreg since 2004, EU-Structural Funds have co-financed joint Polish-Slovak projects implemented in selected counties/poviat located in the following voivodeships/provinces: Śląskie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie (on the Polish side) and Žilinskom kraji, Prešovskom kraji and Košickým kraji (on the Slovak side). The next editions of Interreg are becoming increasingly popular in Poland and Slovakia including its recognition by experts as well as the implementation of a cross-border effect.
Uzależnienie od Internetu jako wyraz patologii społecznej
Authors:   Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie, Zawada Piotr
Published: November 2020

The Internet, i.e. the computer network, which is currently spread all over the world, has become an inseparable element of modern life. Social media aimed at, among other things, maintaining interpersonal relationships have gained and yet continue to gain on enormous popularity by offering its users various functions and possibilities. The Internet is used mainly by young people who are most vulnerable to many dangers posed by it. As research shows, Internet addicts gradually begin to neglect their responsibilities, family, or friends, and replace them with virtual life. Consequently, it is difficult for them to return to normal functioning, especially when the enormity of neglected issues begins to become overwhelming, which can lead to depression and other serious diseases.
„Bitwa pod Lepanto” Tomasza Dolabelli z Kaplicy Różańcowej przy kościele podominikańskim w Poznaniu
Authors:   Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie, Stankiewicz Aleksander
Published: November 2020

The Article deals with the circumstances of ordering in 1632 the painting “The Battle of Lepanto” with the painter Tomasso Dolabella. This work has so far received numerous references in the literature, but the proposals for its interpretation have aroused discussion among researchers. The painting was originally exposed in the rosary chapel next to the former Dominican church in Poznań, where it was part of an ideological program, referring to the cult of Our Lady of the Snows and Saint Jack. The Foundation of the Rosary Brotherhood was part of the tradition of commemorating the Battle of Lepanto, which was considered a victory thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God.
Coaching While Waiting for Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment: Protocol of a Pilot Feasibility Study for a Randomized Controlled Trial on Occupational Performance Coaching and Service Navigation Support
Authors: Bernie Charmaine , Williams Katrina , Graham Fiona , May Tamara
Published: November 2020

Background

In Australia, the average time between a first concern of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and diagnosis is over 2 years. After referral for assessment, families often wait 6-12 months before their appointment. This can be a time of uncertainty and stress for families. For some families, other forms of assistance are not accessible and thus timely intervention opportunities are missed. There is little evidence about how to provide the best support for children or caregivers while on assessment waiting lists.

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine whether use of a coaching intervention called Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) combined with service navigation support is feasible for families waiting for ASD assessment, as a crucial first step in planning a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

A pilot and feasibility study will be conducted using recommended constructs and associated measures, which will be reported using CONSORT (Consolidated Standards or Reporting Trials) guidance. Participants will be child and caregiver dyads or triads, recruited within 4 months of their child (aged 1-7 years) being referred to one of two services for an ASD assessment in Victoria, Australia. A blinded randomization procedure will be used to allocate participants to one of three trial arms: (1) coaching and support intervention delivered face to face, (2) coaching and support intervention via videoconference, and (3) usual care. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the sample characteristics of parents and children, inclusive of service access at baseline and follow up. Recruitment rates will be reported, and retention rates will be evaluated against a predicted rate of 70%-80% in each intervention arm. Goal attainment, using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, will indicate preliminary evidence for efficacy within the intervention arms, with an increase of 2 or more points on a 10-point performance and satisfaction scale considered clinically significant.

Results

The study was approved by The Royal Children’s Hospital Research Ethics and Governance Department in September 2018. As of October 2020, 16 families have been recruited to the study. Data analysis is ongoing and results are expected to be published in 2021.

Conclusions

Study findings will support planning for a future randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of OPC and service navigation support for caregivers of children awaiting ASD assessment.

Trial Registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000164998; www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378793&isReview=true

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/20011
Effectiveness of Telemedicine Solutions for the Management of Patients With Diabetes: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Laursen Sisse , Hangaard Stine , Udsen Flemming , Vestergaard Peter , Hejlesen Ole
Published: November 2020

Background

Telemedicine is often suggested as a promising approach to support patients with diabetes. However, the effectiveness of diabetes-related telemedicine interventions in regard to patient-related outcomes requires further evaluation. Previous systematic reviews describing the effectiveness of telemedicine in diabetes management focus on a specific type of telemedicine, a specific type of diabetes, specific comparators, or specific outcomes. Moreover, the rapid development within telemedicine emphasizes the need for a new review.

Objective

The present review has a broad scope with an eye to performing an updated and exhaustive review within the field. The review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of existing telemedicine solutions versus any comparator without the use of telemedicine on diabetes-related outcomes among adult patients with diabetes.

Methods

The review will consider studies that include adult subjects with a diagnosis of diabetes (type 1, 2, or gestational), studies that evaluate various types of telemedicine interventions, and randomized controlled trials comparing a telemedicine intervention to any control that does not include telemedicine. Peer-reviewed full-text papers in English, Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish will be considered. A thorough search will be performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. Data extraction will include details about the populations, study methods, interventions, and outcomes of significance based on the review objective.

Results

The results of the review are expected to provide an estimate of the treatment effect. The studies will be pooled via statistical meta-analysis and supplemented with narrative comparisons when necessary.

Conclusions

The review is important as it will inform clinicians and investigators about the effect of various telemedicine solutions within the field of diabetes.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/22062
Does a Pandemic Preempt Participatory Medicine?
Authors: Millenson Michael Louis
Published: November 2020

For those of us who believe deeply in a collaborative relationship between patients and doctors, the chaos created by the COVID-19 pandemic has brought an uncomfortable question to the fore: Is participatory medicine still relevant during a pandemic? Drawing liberally upon the Jewish tradition of Talmudic reasoning, I would like to offer 3 considered replies: “Yes,” “no,” and “it depends.” Sometimes, patients may have no choice but to cede control to medical professionals, even though patients are still the experts on their own lives. Other times, the shared control of participatory medicine is both an ethical and clinical imperative. However, as the worldwide toll exacted by COVID-19 has made us grimly aware, no one is really in control. That is why, in these uncertain times, the path forward requires maintaining mutual trust between health care providers and patients, whatever the circumstances. After all, it is our bodies and our selves at stake.
Balancing Accuracy and Privacy in Federated Queries of Clinical Data Repositories: Algorithm Development and Validation (Preprint)
Authors: Yu Yun William , Weber Griffin M
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, the emergence of several large federated clinical data networks has enabled researchers to access data on millions of patients at dozens of health care organizations. Typically, queries are broadcast to each of the sites in the network, which then return aggregate counts of the number of matching patients. However, because patients can receive care from multiple sites in the network, simply adding the numbers frequently double counts patients. Various methods such as the use of trusted third parties or secure multiparty computation have been proposed to link patient records across sites. However, they either have large trade-offs in accuracy and privacy or are not scalable to large networks.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to enable accurate estimates of the number of patients matching a federated query while providing strong guarantees on the amount of protected medical information revealed.

METHODS

We introduce a novel probabilistic approach to running federated network queries. It combines an algorithm called HyperLogLog with obfuscation in the form of hashing, masking, and homomorphic encryption. It is tunable, in that it allows networks to balance accuracy versus privacy, and it is computationally efficient even for large networks. We built a user-friendly free open-source benchmarking platform to simulate federated queries in large hospital networks. Using this platform, we compare the accuracy, k-anonymity privacy risk (with k=10), and computational runtime of our algorithm with several existing techniques.

RESULTS

In simulated queries matching 1 to 100 million patients in a 100-hospital network, our method was significantly more accurate than adding aggregate counts while maintaining k-anonymity. On average, it required a total of 12 kilobytes of data to be sent to the network hub and added only 5 milliseconds to the overall federated query runtime. This was orders of magnitude better than other approaches, which guaranteed the exact answer.

CONCLUSIONS

Using our method, it is possible to run highly accurate federated queries of clinical data repositories that both protect patient privacy and scale to large networks.
Lessons Learned: Beta-Testing the Digital Health Checklist for Researchers Prompts a Call to Action by Behavioral Scientists (Preprint)
Authors: Bartlett Ellis Rebecca , Wright Julie , Miller Lisa Soederberg , Jake-Schoffman Danielle , Hekler Eric B , Goldstein Carly M , Arigo Danielle , Nebeker Camille
Published: November 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Digital technologies offer unique opportunities for health research. For example, Twitter posts can support public health surveillance to identify outbreaks (eg, influenza and COVID-19), and a wearable fitness tracker can provide real-time data collection to assess the effectiveness of a behavior change intervention. With these opportunities, it is necessary to consider the potential risks and benefits to research participants when using digital tools or strategies. Researchers need to be involved in the risk assessment process, as many tools in the marketplace (eg, wellness apps, fitness sensors) are underregulated. However, there is little guidance to assist researchers and institutional review boards in their evaluation of digital tools for research purposes. To address this gap, the Digital Health Checklist for Researchers (DHC-R) was developed as a decision support tool. A participatory research approach involving a group of behavioral scientists was used to inform DHC-R development. Scientists beta-tested the checklist by retrospectively evaluating the technologies they had chosen for use in their research. This paper describes the lessons learned because of their involvement in the beta-testing process and concludes with recommendations for how the DHC-R could be useful for a variety of digital health stakeholders. Recommendations focus on future research and policy development to support research ethics, including the development of best practices to advance safe and responsible digital health research.
MERAYAKAN RECORDS IN CONTEXTS: LATAR DAN KANDUNGAN STANDAR DESKRIPSI ARSIP TERBARU KELUARAN INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ARCHIVES
Authors: Pratama Raistiwar
Published: November 2020

This article aims to describe several major themes of a newly released standard by International Committee on Archives, namely Records in Contexts (RiC). More than mere comprising all four existing standards, RiC to uplift function and activity of records within their own origin contexts. Almost three decades after the publication of the first standard (General International Standard Archival Description [ISAD-G]), RiC has developed its own understanding about major archival themes such as provenance, fonds, and original order, to comply with a very recent development of rapidly changing medium by questioning the famous adagium “medium is the message” back in 1970’s and reading machines that are understood as being separated from the records itselves. Either records or archives have shifted from texts to contexts.
The Relation between English Language Cultural Exposure and EL Teachers’ Competencies
Authors: Qadhi Dr. Saba , Abu-Shawish Dr. Reem Khalid
Published: November 2020

English language learning is more than acquiring language skills, as the universality of the Englishlanguage gives it an array of socio-cultural facets that need to be encompassed in English languageteaching to non-native speakers.This research explores the impact of personal exposure to western cultures on the professional abilities ofnovice female English language teachers in Qatar. Using a mixed approach of quantitative andqualitative data collection tools, findings from this research show that there is a statistically significantcorrelation using Pearson’s test between the teacher’s exposure to English language cultures and hercompetency as an EL Teacher. Furthermore, results show that when teachers are more confident withtheir grasp of the language especially because of familiarity, they are more able to focus on improvingtheir teaching methods and educational strategies. Feedback also emphasized the importance of suchexposure on improving accents and comprehension, which directly aided in the teachers’ abilities toimpart knowledge to their students.The impact of these results is significant with high implications on higher education policies andcurriculum design. The findings of this research provide valuable insight into the training of ELT innon-native contexts and recommends to policy makers to consider cultural emersion and exposure ofstudent teachers to EL cultures in order to improve their competencies.
Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR): Opportunities for Sustainable Community Developments in Africa
Authors: Adeyeye Adewole , Ginah Ginah O. , Adekeye Daniel O.
Published: November 2020

As the quest for multi-stakeholders’ approach to the development of communities and societies across Africa becomes intensified in view of reduced government pro-active development efforts due to dwindling resources and high competing demands from other sectors, the paper examines available opportunities for community development through CSR programs of multinational corporations. It observes that corporate social responsibility programs of multinational corporations have not made meaningful development impacts despite the fact that corporate social responsibility platforms are veritable means of fast-tracking development at community level across Africa. It concludes by identifying strategies for enhancing corporate social responsibility impacts and possible areas of interventions for community development across Africa through multinational corporations’ corporate social responsibility platforms.
Exploration on Smart Classroom Construction Based on Educational Ecology
Authors: Yanli Liu
Published: November 2020

At present, multimedia classroom construction in colleges and universities faces the problems such as no unified planning, repeated or isolated construction, no teacher/student participation, no sufficient consideration of social needs, unchanged construction environment, and no support for diversified teaching activities. According to the viewpoint of system, dynamics and balance of educational ecology, smart classroom construction in colleges and universities should be completed based on unified planning, step-by-step construction, full consideration of the needs of teachers/students/society, and diversified classroom environment. Only then, the smart ecological classrooms can meet the demands of teachers/students/society, strongly support teaching and learning activities, and train innovative and research talents for the society.
Prefabricated Chunks and Second Language Output
Authors: Ouyang Xiya , Lin Yuewu
Published: November 2020

Based on the theory of prefabricated language chunks, this article will mainly discuss the role of prefabricated language chunks in improving the quality of second language output. The explicit input of English chunks requires certain teaching strategies, so the teaching of prefabricated chunks should first distinguish the corresponding chunk features, combine instructive input with autonomous input, and design reasonable chunk output training, which promotes the prefabricated language chunks transformed into internal knowledge from input, thereby improving the level of second language output.
La Ecología de Saberes como impulso teórico a proyectos económicos regionales. Estudio de caso: las potencialidades ecoturísticas de la ciudad de Ipiales, Colombia
Authors: Latif Olmos Soraya , Niño Arteaga Yesid
Published: November 2020

Este artículo de reflexión aspira a presentar una interpretación crítica de lo que puede significar la construcción de proyectos de emprendimiento económico en sectores vulnerables del municipio de Ipiales. El artículo se desprende de una investigación cualitativa en la que se pretende vincular a la población local con las potencialidades ecoturísticas en economías cambiantes, en entornos competitivos y devastadores del ecosistema natural, bajo la premisa de que se pueden buscar opciones que puedan equilibrar situaciones relacionadas con la depredación ambiental y con el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de las personas que laboran en entornos rurales. De allí que el artículo aborde un contexto del ecoturismo desde la economía regional, luego se plantee una reflexión sobre el sistema económico desde la ecología de saberes y finalmente se configure el problema práctico y algunas sugerencias dentro del diseño y la consolidación de proyectos de impacto regional. Se llega a la conclusión de que es muy importante permitir la participación comunitaria en lugar de la apropiación del ecosistema por parte de la racionalidad capitalista.
International market selection models: a literature review
Authors: Deaza José Armando , Díaz Néstor Fabián , Castiblanco Suelen Emilia , Barbosa María Inés
Published: November 2020

Objective: This research aims to characterize the current scientific literature on the different models of International Market Selection (IMS) used by Microenterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) within their internationalization processes. Design: This characterization was made from a bibliometric and content analysis of academic publications on the two categories. Besides, based on these findings, it was conducted another search considering the papers cited in these publications (backward), and the documents which are cited by them (forward). Findings: Smaller companies mostly use cognition and qualitative models to select the target market abroad. For their part, medium-sized companies have a greater tendency to apply quantitative models to more efficiently carry out the IMS process, mainly using macroeconomic factors, and, to a lesser extent, microeconomic ones. The use of qualitative and quantitative techniques for the selection of international markets is highly limited in small and medium enterprises. Originality and value: The findings described characterize the state of the art of research on SME and selection of international markets, with an emphasis on the last ten years. This allows to identify empty in the literature and possible fields of action for the further development of this area of ​​knowledge.