bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early access to a cardio-oncology clinic in an Australian context: a qualitative exploration of patient experiences
Authors: White Jennifer , Byles Julie , Williams Trent , Untaru Rossana , Ngo Doan T. M. , Sverdlov Aaron L.
Published: August 2022

Background

Dedicated cardio-oncology services are emerging rapidly around the world in order to provide cardiovascular care (CV) for cancer patients. The perspectives of patients regarding their experience of cardiac surveillance during their cancer journey has not been qualitatively evaluated.

Methods

An interpretative qualitative study. Fifteen, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a diverse range of community dwelling patients who attended a newly established cardio-oncology clinic in a large regional city in Australia. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.

Results

Key themes were identified: (1) Access to a cardio-oncology clinic promotes information and understanding, (2) The experience of early CV intervention, (3) Factors promoting integrated care, (4) Balancing cancer treatment and CV symptoms and (5) Managing past and emerging CV risk factors.

Conclusion

As cardio oncology clinics continue to emerge, this study confirms the benefit of early access to a cardiologist for management of existing or emerging CV risk factors and diseases in the context of cancer treatment. Participants valued the opportunity for regular monitoring and management of CV issues that enabled them to continue cancer treatment. However, we identified gaps in education and support towards making positive lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of CV diseases in cancer patients.
Spontaneous hyperinflation of a giant bulla of the non-ventilated lung during laparoscopic cholecystectomy under one-lung ventilation: a case report
Authors: Mayahara Taku , Fukuoka Ryosuke , Shimada Norihiro , Nishiyama Junji
Published: August 2022

Background

Anesthetic management of non-thoracic surgery in patients with giant bullae is challenging. We present a case of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with a giant bulla managed with one-lung ventilation (OLV).

Case presentation

A 75-year-old man with a giant bulla occupying the lower half of the right hemithorax underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We managed anesthesia with OLV to avoid positive pressure ventilation of the giant bulla. Surgery was completed uneventfully; however, postoperative chest radiography indicated a large lucency occupying the entire right hemithorax. Although we suspected a pneumothorax due to a ruptured bulla, chest computed tomography (CT) led to a diagnosis of giant bulla hyperinflation. The giant bulla deflated gradually to its preoperative size within three postoperative days.

Conclusions

Managing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with a giant bulla with OLV resulted in spontaneous hyperinflation of the giant bulla. Chest CT ruled out a pneumothorax.
Adoption of telehealth technologies: an approach to improving healthcare system
Authors: Sharma Arpana , Pruthi Madhu , Sageena Geetanjali
Published: August 2022

Background

Globally, the healthcare industry is well known to be one of the strongest drivers of economic growth and development. The sector has gained substantial attention to deal with the fallout of COVID-19, leading to improvement in the quality observed in developed and developing nations. With the advent of the twenty-first century, globalization an ever-growing populace, and environmental changes prompted the more noteworthy spread of irresistible diseases, highlighting the association between wellbeing and future health security. The massive spread of COVID-19 paralyzed the global economy and took a toll on health governance and wellbeing. The present review aims to map the harrowing impacts of COVID-19 on the QoL (quality of life) observed. Particularly the post-pandemic era is likely to boot-strap the healthcare sector. Hence in post COVID era, there is a dire need to strengthen the healthcare system and understand the evolving challenges to answer calls in recovery in the wake of COVID-19.

Conclusion

There is a flurry of research highlighting the implications faced due to the rise of the pandemic, resulting in the wrecking growth and development. However, the massive potential of telehealth is still largely underexplored with scarce research on countless evolving technologies. The current crisis highlighted the need to develop emerging frameworks and facilitate multilateral cooperation. The present research can serve as the baseline for better future strategies to improve global health initiatives. Further, this can help to focus on wider health determinants, redesign strategies and policies for the healthcare industry and to mitigate/deal better with future pandemics.
Altered brain activity in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy with a monotherapy: a resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Qin Linyuan , Zhang Yingying , Ren Jiechuan , Lei Du , Li Xiuli , Yang Tianhua , Gong Qiyong , Zhou Dong
Published: August 2022

Background

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common syndrome of idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Although resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) studies have found thalamocortical circuit dysfunction in patients with JME, the pathophysiological mechanism of JME remains unclear. In this study, we used three complementary parameters of rs-fMRI to investigate aberrant brain activity in JME patients in comparison to that of healthy controls.

Methods

Rs-fMRI and clinical data were acquired from 49 patients with JME undergoing monotherapy and 44 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. After fMRI data preprocessing, the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and degree centrality (DC) were calculated and compared between the two groups. Correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between local brain abnormalities and clinical features in JME patients.

Results

Compared with the controls, the JME patients exhibited significantly decreased fALFF, ReHo and DC in the cerebellum, inferior parietal lobe, and visual cortex (including the fusiform and the lingual and middle occipital gyri), and increased DC in the right orbitofrontal cortex. In the JME patients, there were no regions with reduced ReHo compared to the controls. No significant correlation was observed between regional abnormalities of fALFF, ReHo or DC, and clinical features.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a wide range of abnormal functional activity in the brains of patients with JME, including the prefrontal cortex, visual cortex, default mode network, and cerebellum. The results suggest dysfunctions of the cerebello-cerebral circuits, which provide a clue on the potential pathogenesis of JME.
A framework for testing the impact of co-infections on host gut microbiomes
Authors: Schmid Dominik W. , Fackelmann Gloria , Wasimuddin  , Rakotondranary Jacques , Ratovonamana Yedidya R. , Montero B. Karina , Ganzhorn Jörg U. , Sommer Simone
Published: August 2022

Parasitic infections disturb gut microbial communities beyond their natural range of variation, possibly leading to dysbiosis. Yet it remains underappreciated that most infections are accompanied by one or more co-infections and their collective impact is largely unexplored. Here we developed a framework illustrating changes to the host gut microbiome following single infections, and build on it by describing the neutral, synergistic or antagonistic impacts on microbial α- and ß-diversity expected from co-infections. We tested the framework on microbiome data from a non-human primate population co-infected with helminths and Adenovirus, and matched patterns reported in published studies to the introduced framework. In this case study, α-diversity of co-infected Malagasy mouse lemurs (Microcebus griseorufus) did not differ in comparison with that of singly infected or uninfected individuals, even though community composition captured with ß-diversity metrices changed significantly. Explicitly, we record stochastic changes in dispersion, a sign of dysbiosis, following the Anna-Karenina principle rather than deterministic shifts in the microbial gut community. From the literature review and our case study, neutral and synergistic impacts emerged as common outcomes from co-infections, wherein both shifts and dispersion of microbial communities following co-infections were often more severe than after a single infection alone, but microbial α-diversity was not universally altered. Important functions of the microbiome may also suffer from such heavily altered, though no less species-rich microbial community. Lastly, we pose the hypothesis that the reshuffling of host-associated microbial communities due to the impact of various, often coinciding parasitic infections may become a source of novel or zoonotic diseases.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public bus occupancy and real-world tailpipe emissions of gaseous pollutants per passenger kilometer traveled
Authors: Dhital Narayan Babu , Wang Lin-Chi , Yang Hsi-Hsien , Lee Che-Hsuan , Shih Wei-Hung , Wu Cheng-Shiu
Published: August 2022

Public buses typically have less emission per passenger kilometer traveled (PKT) than private cars and motorcycles, and the emission benefit of public buses increases with ridership. However, the drop in public bus usage during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic could lead to an increase in air pollutant emissions per PKT, making the emission benefits of public buses questionable. This study investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public bus occupancy rates in Taichung City, Taiwan, and also compared real-world emissions per PKT of carbon monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbons (THC), nitric oxide (NO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) of a public bus before and during the pandemic. Mean bus occupancy rates were 11–25% on different bus routes before the pandemic, indicating that only a fourth or less of the bus passenger capacity was utilized. During the pandemic, mean bus occupancy rates dropped to 4–15%. Moreover, the public bus was less polluting based on CO and THC emissions than the car and motorcycle, even at the low passenger occupancy rates observed during the pandemic. However, NO and CO2 emissions per PKT of the bus were remarkably higher during the pandemic than those of the car and motorcycle. Furthermore, we estimated the break-even passenger occupancy rate for buses as 15%, which was the minimum threshold occupancy rate below which the buses would be more polluting than cars and motorcycles in terms of CO, THC, and CO2 emissions per PKT. Our findings will help transport management authorities and policymakers to optimize bus route designs and frequencies and implement anti-pandemic measures to maximize the environmental benefits of the public bus transit systems.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a multi-center study
Authors: El-Anwar Mohammad Waheed , Mesriga Rasha Mohamed Kamel Mostafa , Mobasher Mohamed Adel , Heggy Mohamed , Meky Abdelfatah , Nofal Ahmed Abdelfattah
Published: August 2022

Background

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most frequent vestibular disorder with significant morbidity, psychosocial impact, and medical costs. This multi-center study work aimed to review BPPV clinical features, treatment, and outcomes.

Methods

After a detailed history, clinical examination, audiological assessment, and position provocation tests to diagnose BPPV type, the suitable repositioning maneuver was done. BPPV was diagnosed according to the criteria developed for this study through piloting and validation in a specialized dizziness clinic. The main outcome measures were patient demographics, comorbidities, canal involvement, response to treatment, and incidence of recurrence.

Results

Within included 114 patients, the affected canal was 93% posterior semicircular canal, 3.5% horizontal semicircular canal, and 3.5% anterior semicircular canal. The response after repositioning maneuver was (86%) after one session and 100% after the second session.

Conclusion

Meticulous BBPV assessment with choosing appropriated provocation test help to diagnose and identify the type of BPPV and so applying appropriated suitable repositioning maneuver.
Controlling hydrocarbon dew point and water dew point of natural gas using Aspen HYSYS
Authors: El Maghraby M. A. , El Moniem N. A. , Abdelghany Amr
Published: August 2022

A great attention is subjected to the environmentally friendly natural gas. Compared to other fossil fuels, natural gas is a cleaner burning due to the lower emission of carbon dioxides into the air. Removal of associated hydrocarbons from natural gas streams plays an important role to sell and to achieve the pipeline specification of natural gas. To satisfy the specification of pipelines, the hydrocarbon dew point and water dew point of natural gas must be controlled below the pipeline operating conditions to prevent many problems: two-phase flow and hydrate formation in the system. The main purpose of this paper is to simulate the gas plant process to study the effect of natural gas composition and changing in differential pressure of Joule–Thomson expansion valve on the obtained values of hydrocarbon, water dew points, and cricondentherm temperature.

The results of process simulation using Aspen HYSYS have shown that the control of hydrocarbon dew point, water dew point, and cricondentherm of natural gas is achieved through increasing the Joule-Thomson valve differential pressure. There is an inverse relation between increasing Joule-Thomson valve differential pressure (∆p) and hydrocarbon dew point, water dew point, and cricondentherm to meet the specification of gas pipeline transmission. Increasing differential pressure (∆p) from 14 bar to 24 bar causes a decrease in hydrocarbon dew point, water dew point from −1 to −26°C and from 0 to −18°C, respectively. Cricondentherm is also decreased from 4 to −12°C by increasing differential pressure (∆p) from 14 to 24 bars. The operating conditions at differential pressure below 14 bar is not advisable because cricondentherm temperature does not meet the specification of gas pipeline transmission and hence lead to many problems. Careful adjustment of the operating conditions of gas processing plant is very important by making such simulations to choose the optimum operating conditions which meet gas pipeline transmission.
Development of an autogeneration program for building a clear height cloud map based on BIM
Authors: Wang Dejiang , Li Fan , Liu Chang , Hu Youyang , Cheng Jianji , Zhan Yu
Published: August 2022

Because the clear height of a building involves many particularities of buildings, structures and equipment, the traditional design mode can only roughly estimate the clear height of a building and cannot fully reflect the distribution of the clear height of the whole building, which is not conducive to designers’ design and optimization of buildings. To solve this problem, the concept of a cloud map of the clear height of buildings was proposed for the first time. Based on Revit software, a BIM-based, automatic building clear height cloud map generation program, which realized the efficient analysis of BIM model clear height and can quickly obtain the building clear height cloud map, was developed, therefore enhancing the clear height analysis function of Revit. Compared with the traditional clear height area analysis color block diagram, the clear height cloud diagram of BIM was more accurate, which provides an effective technical means for designers to comprehensively evaluate the clear heights of buildings.
Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft Harvest Prolongs Extensor Latency during Gait 2 yr after ACLR
Authors: ITO NAOAKI , CAPIN JACOB J. , KHANDHA ASHUTOSH , BUCHANAN THOMAS S. , SILBERNAGEL KARIN GRÄVARE , SNYDER-MACKLER LYNN
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) graft harvest for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction alters patellar tendon properties, which inflict poor quadriceps neuromuscular function. BPTB autografts are associated with higher rates of posttraumatic osteoarthritis, which in turn is associated with pathological gait. The purpose of this study was to investigate the latency between the time of peak quadriceps activity and the peak knee flexion moment during gait, between those with BPTB grafts (n = 23) and other graft types (hamstring autograft or allografts, n = 54), 5 ± 2 months and 2 yr (25 ± 3 months) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We hypothesized that longer latencies would be observed in the BPTB graft group in the involved limb. We expected latencies to shorten over time.

Methods

Knee moments and quadriceps EMG were collected during gait, and vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris (RF), and quadriceps latencies were calculated. Linear mixed-effects models were used to compare latencies between graft types and over the two time points.

Results

The main effects of graft type were observed for vastus medialis (P = 0.005) and quadriceps (P = 0.033) latencies with the BPTB graft group demonstrating longer latencies. No main effects of graft type were observed for vastus lateralis (P = 0.051) and RF (P = 0.080) latencies. Main effects of time were observed for RF latency (P = 0.022).

Conclusions

Our hypothesis that the BPTB graft group would demonstrate longer extensor latency was supported. Contrary to our second hypothesis, however, latency only improved in RF and regardless of graft type, indicating that neuromuscular deficits associated with BPTB grafts may persist 2 yr after surgery. Persistent deficits may be mediated by changes in the patellar tendon’s mechanical properties. Graft-specific rehabilitation may be warranted to address the long-term neuromechanical deficits that are present after BPTB graft harvest.
Impact of an Isometric or Eccentric Hip Extension Exercise Intervention on Hamstring Strength, Architecture, and Morphology
Authors: Carmichael Declan S. , Hickey Jack T. , Tofari Paul J. , Bourne Matthew N. , Ward Mark R. , Timmins Ryan G.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To investigate hamstring architectural, strength and morphological adaptations following an eccentric or isometric hip extension exercise intervention.

Methods

Twenty-four recreationally active males performed either an eccentric (n=12) or isometric hip extension (n=12) exercise intervention, twice per week for six weeks, followed by a four-week detraining period. Biceps femoris long head (BFlh) architecture was assessed pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and post-detraining via two-dimensional ultrasound. Strength was assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention and post-detraining during isokinetic knee flexion, isometric hip extension, the Nordic hamstring exercise and a single leg hamstring bridge repetitions to fatigue test. Hamstring muscle morphology was assessed via magnetic resonance imaging prior to strength testing sessions.

Results

The eccentric hip extension exercise intervention significantly lengthened BFlh fascicles (+19.7%; p < 0.001; d=1.57), increased eccentric knee flexion torque (ECC60°.s-1; +12%; p < 0.005; d=0.66; ECC180°.s-1; +8.3%; p < 0.05; d=0.41), and increased BFlh (+13.3%; p < 0.001; d=1.96) and semimembranosus (SM) muscle volume (+12.5%; p < 0.001; d=2.25). Following four weeks of detraining, BFlh fascicles were significantly shortened in the eccentric group (-14.8%; p < 0.005; d=-1.25), while eccentric knee flexion torque, and BFlh and SM volumes were unchanged. The isometric hip extension exercise intervention significantly increased isometric knee flexion torque (+10.4%; p < 0.05; d=0.54), isometric hip extension force (+12.4%; p < 0.05; d=0.41), and semitendinosus (ST) volume (+15%; p=0.054; d=1.57). All other outcome measures saw no significant changes. Following four weeks of detraining, no significant changes to any variables were observed in the isometric group.

Conclusions

The eccentric but not isometric hip extension exercise intervention significantly increased BFlh fascicle length. Both exercise interventions demonstrated contraction mode-specific increases in strength. However, the eccentric hip extension exercise intervention resulted in preferential hypertrophy of BFlh and SM and the isometric hip extension exercise intervention led to selective hypertrophy of ST.
Blending Theory and Data: A Space Odyssey
Authors: Donaldson Dave
Published: August 2022

This article describes methods used in the field of spatial economics that combine insights from economic theory and evidence from data in order to answer counterfactual questions. I outline a general framework that emphasizes three elements: a specific question to be answered, a set of empirical relationships that can be identified from exogeneity assumptions, and a theoretical model that is used to extrapolate from such empirical relationships to the answer that is required. I then illustrate the application of these elements via a series of twelve examples drawn from the fields of international, regional, and urban economics. These applications are chosen to illustrate the various techniques that researchers use to minimize the theoretical assumptions that are needed to traverse the distance between identified empirical patterns and the questions that need to be answered.
Four Facts about Human Capital
Authors: Deming David J.
Published: August 2022

This paper synthesizes what economists have learned about human capital since Becker (1962) into four stylized facts. First, human capital explains at least one-third of the variation in labor earnings within countries and at least half of the variation across countries. Second, human capital investments have high economic returns throughout childhood and young adulthood. Third, we know how to build foundational skills such as literacy and numeracy, and resources are often the main constraint. Fourth, higher-order skills such as problem-solving and teamwork are increasingly valuable, and the technology for producing these skills is not well understood. We know that investment in education works and that skills matter for earnings, but we do not always know why.
Impacts of the Monetary Policy Committee decisions on the foreign exchange rate in Brazil
Authors: Machado Vicente José Valentim , Terra Moura Marins Jaqueline , Piazza Gaglianone Wagner
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this paper is to measure the impact of interest rate decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on foreign exchange (FX) rate in Brazil. Two new daily measures of interest rate surprises are proposed using market and survey data. The results indicate a significant effect of MPC's decisions on FX returns. In particular, the surprise variable based on market data is statistically significant to explain FX returns and has a negative sign, as expected (a positive surprise implies an appreciation of the domestic currency). Moreover, this effect is symmetric, in terms of positive or negative surprises, and does not depend on the level of Selic interest rate. Nonetheless, the surprise variable is not significant to explain FX returns in recent years, under a single-digit interest rate regime. Robustness exercises—using GARCH models or including FX market official intervention series as additional controls—corroborate the previous findings.
Virus and Autoimmunity: Can SARS-CoV-2 Trigger Large Vessel Vasculitis?
Authors: Lázaro Mendes João , Venade Gabriela , Manuel Paula , Costa Matos Luís , Nascimento Edite
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Viral infections can induce autoimmune diseases in susceptible patients. SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with the development of rheumatic disease, especially small vessel vasculitis and arthritis. Typically, onset occurs days to weeks after the antigenic challenge and in patients with mild COVID-19. We report a case of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) temporally related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Case description: An otherwise healthy 19-year-old woman presented with fatigue, malaise, and chest and low back pain. The symptoms had begun 5 weeks earlier and 1 month after mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serological work-up revealed a marked proinflammatory state and anaemia without signs of infectious or autoimmune disease. Computerized tomography revealed thickening and blurring of the perivascular fat of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta, progressing along the proximal iliac and renal arteries. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography confirmed inflammatory activity. Symptoms and laboratory values normalized after prednisolone treatment. Discussion: Recent SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a trigger for LVV, including Takayasu arteritis, as well as other rheumatic diseases. A prompt and thorough differential diagnosis is essential to exclude aortitis and LVV mimickers. Moreover, physicians should be aware of the potential spectrum of systemic and autoimmune diseases that could be precipitated by SARS-CoV-2 infection. This will allow timely diagnosis and treatment, with significant improvement in prognosis.
El brazo fuerte, Tamandua mexicana
Authors: Rojas-Sánchez Vladimir , Sánchez-Cordero Víctor , Flores-Martínez José Juan
Published: August 2022

Acompañado de un chaleco negro sobre su tupido pelaje amarillo pálido, ideal para aventurarse en los nidos de sus presas favoritas, el brazo fuerte o tamandúa norteño explora las selvas húmedas y secas del sur de México.
Working towards net zero in general practice
Authors: Hancock Dave
Published: August 2022

The NHS has a vision to ‘deliver the world's first net zero health service and respond to climate change, improving health now and for future generations’. Dave Hancock explains how the Greener Practice organisation can help you support this vision
Health and Care Act 2022: What it means for GP practices
Authors: Cumberlege Justin
Published: August 2022

The Health and Care Bill received Royal Assent on 28 April and is now the Health and Care Act 2022. In this article, Justin Cumberlege explores what it might mean for the future of GP practices
Numerical simulation of femtosecond laser ablation of quartz glass and silicon nitride
Authors: Yao Longyuan , Wu Dongjiang , Ma Guangyi
Published: August 2022

The ablation threshold and depth models were established based on the electron density evolution equation of dielectric and ionization theory. The volume model was then deduced, and the models were validated. For quartz glass and silicon nitride, the dependences of the threshold with pulse duration, ablation depth, and volume with fluence were analyzed. Also, the relations of scallop height and scanning velocity were predicted. The results show that the thresholds of quartz glass at durations of 12, 35, and 220 fs were 3.3, 2.9, and

2.3

J

/

c
m

2

, respectively, while the thresholds of silicon nitride at the same durations were 2.0, 1.8, and

1.4

J

/

c
m

2

, respectively. The ablation depth of quartz glass decreased with the increase of duration when the fluence deviated from the threshold. The depth of silicon nitride was opposite to it, and the ablation volume of silicon nitride was larger than that of quartz glass in the same condition. When the scanning velocity and fluence were determined, the scallop height decreased with the increase of duration. However, when the velocity and duration were determined, the scallop height increased with the increase of fluence. The shorter the duration was, the greater the variation of the scallop height.
Spectral coherence of white LEDs
Authors: Halder Atri , Turunen Jari
Published: August 2022

We address space–frequency domain coherence properties of broadband light-emitting diodes (white LEDs) and fields radiated by them. Inverse-source techniques are employed to determine the spectral degree of spatial coherence of an effective planar source representing a real LED, and coherent elementary fields associated with it. By fitting with experimental measurements, we formulate simple analytical coherence models that can be used as a basis for theoretical and experimental studies of the coherence of polychromatic stationary light in free space and in various optical systems. In particular, we find that radiation from white LEDs follows closely Wolf’s scaling law for spectral invariance [Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 1370 (1986)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.56.1370] in the blue and the phosphor-generated parts of the spectrum separately, but not across the entire white-light spectrum.
Dietary and socioeconomic risk factors for fumonisin exposure among women of reproductive age in 18 municipalities in Guatemala from 2013 to 2014
Authors: Garsow Ariel V. , Torres Olga R. , Matute Jorge A. , Riley Ronald T. , Harris Julie R. , Lamichhane Archana P. , McCotter Orion , Kowalcyk Barbara B.
Published: August 2022

Fumonisin exposure is common in populations where maize is a dietary staple, such as in Guatemala, and has been associated with negative health outcomes including neural tube defects. The objective of this study was to estimate fumonisin B1 (FB1) exposure among Guatemalan reproductive-age women and develop a better understanding of the dietary and sociodemographic risk factors for exposure. A cross-sectional study in 18 municipalities in Guatemala was conducted. Midwives and study nurses enrolled consenting women and collected individual and household demographic and socioeconomic data. A food frequency questionnaire was administered to estimate quantity and types of food products consumed. A urine sample was collected and urinary fumonisin B1 (uFB1) concentration was measured. A univariable analysis was conducted to identify predictors of low/high uFB1. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In total, 775 women had analyzable urine samples. Higher uFB1 levels were associated with speaking Mayan (OR = 2.33, 95% CI:1.44–3.77), less than high school education (OR = 1.61, 95% CI:1.12–2.30), increasing dietary proportion of maize-based foods (OR = 1.02, 95% CI:1.01–1.03), and consumption of tostadas (fried tortillas) (OR = 1.11, 95% CI:1.02–1.22). Lower uFB1 levels were associated with consumption of highly processed maize-based foods (OR = 0.93, 95% CI:0.87–0.99). Tortillas were the most frequently consumed maize-based food among study participants and significantly associated with high uFB1 exposure in the univariable but not multivariable analysis. Consumption of >4,750 grams/week of maize-based foods, >5,184 g/week of locally produced maize-based foods, and >110 servings/week of tortillas were also significantly associated with high uFB1 exposure in univariable analysis. Populations with low socioeconomic status/education levels and high consumption of maize-based foods had higher fumonisin exposure. Interventions aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to mycotoxins through maize in Guatemala, including the increased consumption of non-maize-based foods, should be further explored.
Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae isolation and sympatric occurrence with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in geckoes, dogs and sand flies
Authors: Mendoza-Roldan Jairo Alfonso , Zatelli Andrea , Latrofa Maria Stefania , Iatta Roberta , Bezerra-Santos Marcos Antonio , Annoscia Giada , Gernone Floriana , Votýpka Jan , Modrý David , Tichá Lucie , Volf Petr , Otranto Domenico
Published: August 2022

The trypanosomatid protist Leishmania tarentolae is a saurian-associated parasite vectored by the Sergentomyia minuta sand fly. This study aimed to confirm the circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in sand flies, reptiles and dogs and to isolate new strains of these protists. Reptilian and sheltered dog blood samples were collected, and sand flies were captured. Samples were tested for Leishmania spp. using duplex real-time PCR (dqPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR); the origin of blood meal was identified in engorged sand flies by conventional PCR. The reptilian blood and intestinal content of sand fly females were cultured. Dog sera were tested by IFAT using both Leishmania species. Four Tarentola mauritanica geckoes were molecularly positive for L. infantum or L. tarentolae, with no co-infections; moreover, amastigote-like forms of L. infantum were observed in the bone marrow. 24/294 sand flies scored positive for Leishmania spp. by dqPCR, 21 S. minuta and two Phlebotomus perniciosus were positive for L. tarentolae, while only a single Ph. perniciosus was positive for L. infantum. Blood meal analysis confirmed reptile and dog in S. minuta, dog and human in Ph. perniciosus and dog in Phlebotomus neglectus. Two axenic strains of L. tarentolae were obtained. Twelve of 19 dogs scored positive for L. infantum and L. tarentolae by IFAT and three of them also for L. infantum by dqPCR, and six by qPCR. These data confirm the sympatric circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in geckoes, sand flies, and dogs, and suggest that geckoes may be infected with L. infantum.
Staying local or going back: A study on international university graduates’ mobility
Authors: Wut Tai Ming , Xu Jing (Bill) , Sum Carmen Ka-man
Published: August 2022

Upon graduation, international students studying abroad often have to decide whether to stay local or return home. We investigate university graduates’ mobility from the perspective of social capital theory. An empirical study of mainland Chinese university students’ intention to remain in Hong Kong upon completion of their university studies was conducted. An online survey was used to recruit the participants. In total, 155 valid questionnaires were received, with a response rate of 40.8%. Structural capital and relational capital were found to be the important factors affecting mainland Chinese students’ intention to stay in a linear manner. Cognitive capital self-moderated the relationship between cognitive capital and intention to stay. Cognitive capital affected the intention to stay in a non-linear way. We make a unique contribution to the field by showing that 1) the effect of cognitive capital is quadratic rather than linear; 2) relational capital is more important to female students than to male students; and 3) structural capital is more important to senior year university degree students than to junior year degree students. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.
Observed trends and projections of temperature and precipitation in the Olifants River Catchment in South Africa
Authors: Adeola Abiodun Morakinyo , Kruger Andries , Elias Makgoale Thabo , Ondego Botai Joel
Published: August 2022

Among the projected effects of climate change, water resources are at the center of the matrix. Certainly, the southern African climate is changing, consequently, localized studies are needed to determine the magnitude of anticipated changes for effective adaptation. Utilizing historical observation data over the Olifants River Catchment, we examined trends in temperature and rainfall for the period 1976–2019. In addition, future climate change projections under the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios for two time periods of 2036–2065 (near future) and 2066–2095 (far future) were analysed using an ensemble of eight regional climate model (RCA4) simulations of the CORDEX Africa initiative. A modified Mann-Kendall test was used to determine trends and the statistical significance of annual and seasonal rainfall and temperature. The characteristics of extreme dry conditions were assessed by computing the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). The results suggest that the catchment has witnessed an increase in temperatures and an overall decline in rainfall, although no significant changes have been detected in the distribution of rainfall over time. Furthermore, the surface temperature is expected to rise significantly, continuing a trend already evident in historical developments. The results further indicate that the minimum temperatures over the Catchment are getting warmer than the maximum temperatures. Seasonally, the minimum temperature warms more frequently in the summer season from December to February (DJF) and the spring season from September to November (SON) than in the winter season from June to August (JJA) and in the autumn season from March to May (MAM). The results of the SPI affirm the persistent drought conditions over the Catchment. In the context of the current global warming, this study provides an insight into the changing characteristics of temperatures and rainfall in a local context. The information in this study can provide policymakers with useful information to help them make informed decisions regarding the Olifants River Catchment and its resources.
The psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and experiencing discrimination at a Peruvian public hospital among outpatients
Authors: Carbajal Claudia , Rodríguez Talib , Proaño Falconí Diego
Published: August 2022

Aim

To evaluate the association between outpatient’s perceived psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and experiencing discrimination at a Peruvian public hospital.

Material and methods

Cross-sectional study in a Peruvian public hospital, where 207 outpatients (18–30 years old) were surveyed. We asked participants about self-reported experiences of discrimination in the last six months at a Peruvian public hospital using a question from the Peruvian National Household Survey on Living Conditions and Poverty (ENAHO) 2017. We also measured the perceived psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics with the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ). Additionally, we evaluated age, sex, ethnicity, education, income, and reason for being discriminated against. Association was assessed with Poisson regression using a robust estimator of variance and reporting prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals in crude and adjusted models.

Results

About two out of every five participants having experienced discrimination at a Peruvian public hospital in the last six months. On our adjusted estimates, we found discrimination to be positively associated with two components of the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics, which were social impact (PR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04) and the psychological impact (PR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04–1.10). Conversely, dental self-confidence (PR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.98) was negatively associated with discrimination.

Conclusions

The perceived psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics is associated with experiencing discrimination among outpatients from a Peruvian public hospital. We advocate for structural changes to address discrimination in healthcare spaces by corresponding governmental authorities.
Illuminating somatics
Authors: Barr Sherrie , Andersen Hannah
Published: August 2022

That somatics is now part of the dance lexicon should neither be startling nor unexpected. Subjective first-person experiences and bodily knowledges, integral to somatics and dance education, became accepted ways of knowing in the 1980s. As the presence of somatics in today’s tertiary education dance curricula continues to be manifested through the discourse’s practices and beliefs, three overarching perspectives are revealed: movement re-education, teaching and learning paradigms and sociocultural constructs. In mining these distinct yet interrelated perspectives, the authors illuminate key attributes as stepping stones to consider what is essential to a somatics course offering. The authors suggest that with such understanding, it is then that a fuller engagement with the somatic discourse in dance academia can be actualized.
Foerderung des konzeptuellen Wissens ueber Evolution durch Selbsteinschaetzung und konditionales metakonzeptuelles Wissen
Authors: Hartelt Tim , Martens Helge
Published: August 2022

Schüler*innen besitzen häufig alternative Vorstellungen zur Evolution – insbesondere teleologische, anthropomorphe und essentialistische Vorstellungen –, die als zentrale Lernhindernisse für den Erwerb konzeptuellen Wissens in diesem Themenbereich angesehen werden (Gregory, 2009). Diese alternativen Vorstellungen gehen auf allgemeine Denkweisen zurück, die im Alltag häufig verwendet werden und sich dort oft als hilfreich erweisen. Daher haben sich alternative Vorstellungen auch als weitgehend resistent gegenüber Instruktion erwiesen und koexistieren nach dem Unterricht häufig mit wissenschaftlichen Vorstellungen (Lammert, 2012). Es wird davon ausgegangen, dass konzeptuelles Wissen über Evolution gefördert werden kann, indem den Schüler*innen ihre eigenen Präkonzepte – etwa durch eine kriteriengeleitete Selbsteinschätzung – bewusst gemacht werden und sie konditionales metakonzeptuelles Wissen zur Differenzierung zwischen verschiedenen Anforderungssituationen (z.B. Alltag vs. Wissenschaft) erwerben (vgl. González Galli et al., 2020). Die Befunde verschiedener Studien deuten zumindest darauf hin, dass der Erwerb metakognitiven Wissens das konzeptuelle Wissen fördern kann (González Weil, 2006; Wiser & Amin, 2001). Jedoch fehlen experimentelle Studien, die kausale Wirkmechanismen systematisch belegen (Zohar & Barzilai, 2013). Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes soll daher der Frage nachgegangen werden, inwiefern a) eine Selbsteinschätzung der eigenen Präkonzepte sowie b) eine Instruktion zum Erwerb konditionalen metakonzeptuellen Wissens den Erwerb konzeptuellen Wissens über Evolution beeinflussen. Um die Effekte besser zu verstehen, soll zudem der Einfluss auf die Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, die kognitive Belastung sowie das metakonzeptuelle Bewusstsein und die metakonzeptuelle Regulierung untersucht werden. Dazu wird eine experimentelle Interventionsstudie im Biologieunterricht der Sekundarstufe II mit
N = 500 Schüler*innen im Prä-Post-Follow-Up-Design durchgeführt. Dabei werden als unabhängige Variablen a) die Selbsteinschätzung der eigenen Präkonzepte sowie b) die Instruktion zum Erwerb konditionalen metakonzeptuellen Wissens systematisch variiert und der Effekt auf die abhängigen Variablen konzeptuelles Wissen, Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, kognitive Belastung sowie metakonzeptuelles Bewusstsein und metakonzeptuelle Regulierung untersucht.
Método para determinação da capacidade e de medidas de desempenho em zonas de obras de rodovias de pista simples
Authors: Quintão de Andrade Rafael , Bessa Júnior José Elievam
Published: August 2022

O presente estudo propõe um método para determinação da capacidade e de medidas de desempenho em zonas de obras de rodovias de pista simples. Para tanto, desenvolveu-se uma formulação matemática determinística, baseada em Teoria de Filas e nas semelhanças com a dissipação de veículos que ocorre em semáforos, o que permite estimar algumas medidas de desempenho como atraso e tamanho de pelotão. Foram desenvolvidas também equações para determinar a capacidade e o comprimento máximo de zona de obras, a partir de valores aceitáveis de medidas de desempenho. Para validação do método, utilizou-se um conjunto de dados de tráfego coletados em trechos de uma rodovia durante a execução de obras para calibrar e validar o simulador de tráfego Aimsun Next. Com o simulador calibrado, foi gerado um conjunto de dados sintéticos, a partir da simulação de diversos cenários hipotéticos, que serviram tanto para obter algumas variáveis do problema quanto para validar o método proposto. Por fim, foram comparadas medidas de desempenho – obtidas do modelo matemático proposto e em campo – tais como ciclo, tamanho de pelotão e atraso, as quais apresentaram resultados bastante aderentes.
ESTUDO DA POBREZA SOB A ÓTICA MULTIDIMENSIONAL: UMA ANÁLISE ACERCA DO MEIO RURAL E URBANO DA REGIÃO INTERMEDIÁRIA ILHÉUS-ITABUNA, ESTADO DA BAHIA
Authors: Santo Monick Midlej do Espírito , Gomes Andréa da Silva , Gomes Ronaldo Lima , Pires Mônica de Moura , De Cerqueira Cristiane Aparecida
Published: August 2022

A premência de trabalhar com temas relacionados à pobreza em suas múltiplas dimensões tem crescido exponencialmente. Apesar de presente em todo o país, a pobreza acomete de forma desigual as regiões brasileiras. Ao constatar poucas pesquisas publicadas, e a partir da observação in loco acerca das disparidades entre o meio rural e urbano, é que emerge esta pesquisa que objetivou analisar a pobreza sob a ótica multidimensional na Região Intermediária Ilhéus-Itabuna, para o ano censitário de 2010. Para tanto, estimou-se o Índice de Pobreza Multidimensional (IPM) a partir de três dimensões e sete indicadores. Os resultados apontam que as zonais rurais apresentam IPM superior ao das zonas urbanas. No que tange à privação dos habitantes, na zona rural os maiores percentuais estão relacionados ao esgotamento sanitário (84,6%), abastecimento de água (78,6%) e coleta de lixo (77,8%). Na zona urbana as maiores privações estão relacionadas à renda, 76,1% dos habitantes não possuem condições de adquirir ativos e 46,6% são privados de se alimentar e adquirir medicamentos. Conclui-se pela necessidade de políticas que fomentem o crescimento e o desenvolvimento das localidades, oferecendo maior acesso a serviços básicos essenciais à população rural, além de fomentar o emprego e a renda à toda população.
QUÃO DISTANTE É LONGE O SUFICIENTE? A JORNADA AO CRIME DE ASSASSINOS EM SÉRIE EM CIDADES BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Lino Denis , Gomes Clarice Santoro , Valente Mariana Coelho Marques , Lobato Aline
Published: August 2022

Pesquisas sobre jornada ao crime vêm sendo realizadas há quase 90 anos, no entanto, ainda há uma lacuna na literatura quando se trata de dados sobre países em desenvolvimento ou assassinos em série. O presente artigo visa preencher essa lacuna ao analisar a jornada ao crime de assassinos em série brasileiros. Um método quantitativo foi seguido, utilizando dados documentais coletados em registros jurídicos de três cidades brasileiras entre 1999 e 2017. A amostra final consistiu em 67 assassinos em série. Verificou-se que eles não viajam muito longe de casa, apresentando distâncias menores que as relatadas em outros países. A maioria dos assassinos em série agiram de acordo com o modelo marauder e eram espacialmente consistentes, geralmente viajando distâncias curtas ou longas ao longo de suas séries. Além disso, não houve diferenças significativas entre as distâncias percorridas em cada uma das cidades, apesar de apresentarem variações na densidade populacional. Baseado nestes resultados, novas ações para auxiliar investigações criminais no Brasil podem ser utilizadas, porém pesquisas adicionais são necessárias para entender por que os assassinos em série brasileiros viajam distâncias mais curtas do que os de outros países, e se este padrão se estende a outros tipos de crimes.
ANÁLISE MULTITEMPORAL DE TRÊS ASSENTAMENTOS RURAIS DO MUNICÍPIO DE NIOAQUE, MATO GROSSO DO SUL: O USO DAS GEOTECNOLOGIAS NA AVALIAÇÃO DAS PAISAGENS
Authors: Oliveira Ademir Kleber Morbeck , Oliskovicz Katiúcia , Pinto Jorge de Souza , Pina José Carlos , Matias Rosemary
Published: August 2022

No Brasil, a reforma agrária é um amplo programa de políticas públicas de redistribuição e ocupação de áreas, objetivando dar oportunidades às famílias para desenvolverem a agricultura familiar, propiciando desenvolvimento e inclusão social. Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar, de forma multitemporal (anos de 1986 e 2019), a partir da análise do uso e ocupação do solo e a consequente alteração da paisagem, três assentamentos no município de Nioaque (Andalucia, Boa Esperança e Nioaque), Mato Grosso do Sul. O uso das geotecnologias e processamento digital de imagens de satélites indicou, nos assentamentos Boa Esperança, Andalucia e Nioaque, uma redução significativa da vegetação florestal (26,5%, 36,6% e 18,4%, respectivamente) e a predominância de áreas de pastagens (68,3%, 57,7% e 78,4%, respectivamente), com as florestas estacionais desaparecendo em vários locais, em conjunto com as áreas úmidas, que não mais existem. A nova paisagem indica que a atividade predominante são as pequenas propriedades de criação de gado, com poucas áreas de agricultura. Ao final, os assentamentos se assemelham às propriedades rurais existentes no entorno, baseadas na criação extensiva de gado. Essa dinâmica no uso e ocupação do solo demonstra que os processos de degradação ambiental não são restritos a apenas as propriedades rurais tradicionais.