bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult malaria mortality during 2019 at Bo Government Hospital, Sierra Leone
Authors: Kpagoi Satta Sylvia T.K. , Aimone Ashley , Ansumana Rashid , Swaray Ibrahim , Gelband Hellen , Eikelboom John W. , Jha Prabhat , Bogoch Isaac I.
Published: March 2023

It is uncertain whether malaria is an important cause of death among adults in endemic areas. We performed a chart review of adults admitted to Bo Government Hospital during 2019. Of 893 admissions, 149 (59% female, mean age 58.5 years) had a laboratory diagnosis of malaria and 22 (14.8%) died. Mortality was significantly higher among patients with severe malaria compared with those who had non-severe malaria (6/20 [30%] versus 16/129 [12.4%], p=0.031).  Our results suggest that malaria is a common cause of death in hospitalized Sierra Leonian adults.
Basal cell carcinoma in the elderly Cryosurgery or surgery – a case study with reference to the literature
Authors: Kapłon Kamil , Wojtala Laura , Pawlak Weronika , Pawłocik Weronika , Musiał Lena , Możdżyńska Agnieszka , Szymańska Julia , Grabowska Ewa , Rymarz Anna , Kojder Dominika
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The aging of society leads to an increase in the occurrence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC includes both superficial and nodular lesions with a good prognosis as well as foci that are difficult to treat and require a multidisciplinary approach. There are two basic methods of treating BCC, surgery to remove the tumor and cryosurgery. The paper presents a case of an 82-year-old female patient suffering from BCC in a non-advanced stage of the disease with the presentation of subsequent stages of treatment.Aim of the studyAn attempt was made to confront an alternative method of BCC treatment by cryosurgery with the first-choice procedure - surgical excision of the tumor with a margin of healthy tissues.Description of the caseAn individual clinical case study including the patient's medical records.ConclusionsThe work emphasizes the importance of comprehensive care for a patient diagnosed with BCC.Individualization of the diagnostic and therapeutic process is the basis for dealing with the elderly patient.
The Effect of Physical Activity on the Non-cognitive Ability of Adolescents
Authors: Qin Jianchao , Yao Jiali , Teng Luyan
Published: March 2023

Based on the Big Five personality trait dimensions of non-cognitive ability measures, the CFPS 2020 database was used as the basis, and the self-answered questionnaires and messages that were under the age of 18 and had information on physical activity were selected as the study sample from the total sample of 28590 in this database, and the valid 1562 samples were used as the study subjects, and the corresponding options and answers were selected as the dependent variables related to the Big Five personality of responsibility, agreeableness, extraversion, and neuroticism. After constructing a model with logit regression and calculating the marginal effects, it was empirically demonstrated that increasing the frequency of physical exercise (frequency) had positive promotion or improvement effects on adolescents' sense of responsibility, agreeableness, extraversion, and neuroticism, with the frequency of physical exercise (frequency) in the past 12 months as the dependent variable, and the effects were different between urban and rural areas, age, and gender. There were differences between urban and rural areas, age, and gender.
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency - diagnostic and therapeutic challenges
Authors: Hawranik Izabela , Tomasik Mikołaj , Warzyszak Paweł , Małek Róża , Milczek Maria , Żołyniak Wojciech , Niski Szymon , Żaba Ziemowit , Lisowska Aleksandra , Skrzypek Mateusz
Published: March 2023

Introduction and purpose: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is a rare but serious disease diagnosed in about 1% of women before the age of 40. It is characterized by hypoestrogenism and an increase in the level of the follicle-stimulating hormone, which is associated with menstrual disorders, pregnancy failures and a reduced quality of life. The main causes of POI include a genetic background and autoimmune abnormalities, as well as increasingly jatrogenic factors. Care for patients is focused on hormone replacement therapy and infertility treatment. The aim of this review is to discuss current treatment methods, the impact of early diagnosis and the prevention of premature ovarian insufficiency, which affects the ability to have one's own offspring. The article also describes new methods of infertility treatment that are under investigation.

Materials and methods: This literature review is based on articles published in the PubMed database from 2015 to 2022 using the following phrases: premature ovarian insufficiency, premature ovarian insufficiency stem cells

State of knowledge: The only way to treat infertility in women with POI is egg donation. Currently, research is being conducted to achieve early diagnosis, introduce new treatment methods and reduce the number of iatrogenic forms of POI.

Conclusion: The main problem for women diagnosed with POI is the difficulty or often impossibility of having their own children. Egg donation does not allow for the transfer of the patient's genetic material, and is also not available as a treatment option in some countries. For this reason, new methods for early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of POI are being developed.
Embedded response technology and service cloud platform for vehicle information tracking
Authors: Faisal Muhammad , Ida Ida , Darniati Darniati , Irmawati Irmawati , Khayyir Muh
Published: March 2023

Based on the Indonesia national police crime database, it is reported that vehicle theft cases have increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. The database reported an increasing trend of vehicle theft, 4,065 cases from January 2019 to January 2020 in the province and regency region. Therefore, to help police officers work and minimize the criminal cases of vehicle theft, an effective strategy is needed to reduce these threats. This study proposes implementing SMS and QRcode technology embedded in the vehicle for validation information. Cloud computing capabilities can offer real-time network access to technology resources that can be physically located anywhere geographically based on business needs. This technology can rapidly search and show detailed information regarding the specific vehicle, including the vehicle owner, the vehicle registration number, and the validation of the driver's license. To implement and examine the effectiveness of the proposed technology, this study was conducted an experimental study in a real-world setting from January 2021 until April 2021 in Makassar city, Indonesia. This study concluded that the proposed technology could successfully be implemented and effectively show detailed information regarding the specific vehicle based on the experimental results. This study concluded the potential use of the proposed technology in the real world as an alternative solution to minimize the criminal cases of vehicle theft. It can be used as an alternative solution to reduce the increase in criminal cases of inter-island private vehicle theft syndicates.
AÇÕES AFIRMATIVAS NO ENSINO BÁSICO – IMPLICAÇÕES EM UMA ESCOLA DA BAIXADA FLUMINENSE
Authors: COSTA RICARDO Dias da , Jesus Marize Conceição de , Silva Ivan Cerqueira de Oliveira
Published: March 2023

Este artigo tem as suas lentes analíticas voltadas para a discussão do entendimento da relações étnico-raciais e as políticas de ação afirmativa para o acesso ao ensino médio em instituições federais de ensino médio. Este estudo tem como foco uma unidade de ensino básico da cidade de Nova Iguaçu, Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro. O pano de fundo desta pesquisa, que originou este artigo é o Projeto Educação para as relações étnico raciais na escola - “múltiplas Identidades”, onde os sujeitos da pesquisa foram os docentes e pessoal de apoio e administrativo de uma unidade de ensino da periferia da cidade de Nova Iguaçu/RJ. Além das discussões que perpassam um breve relato sobre as políticas de ação afirmativa, este artigo tratou também das bancas de heteroidentificação, que surgiram como ferramentas no combate à afroconveniência. Os resultados da banca de heteroidentificação, operacionalizada para confirmar ou não as autodeclarações étnico-raciais dos sujeitos de pesquisa mostraram, que alguns não se reconheciam como negros e isto afeta diretamente a sua participação no processo de informação e efetivação da lei 12711/2012, mais conhecida como lei de cotas, junto aos alunos do ensino básico.
O PRÉ-VESTIBULAR SOCIAL DA FUNDAÇÃO CECIERJ (PVS) E O SER NEGRO (A)
Authors: Nagamatsu Gabriela Alves da Silva , Gonçalves Maria Alice Rezende
Published: March 2023

A investigação tem como objetivo descrever as experiências de ser negro (a) vivenciadas por universitários (as) egressos do Pré-Vestibular de uma Fundação estadual, o PVS, polo do município de Belford Roxo. A partir do estudo realizado, evidenciou-se que os cursos de pré-vestibulares surgem para promover oportunidades educacionais tanto para jovens negros (as) e pobres quanto para outros segmentos excluídos. Observou-se também que, dentro do grupo entrevistado, alunos negros (as) constroem suas experiências em um contexto racista que alimenta novas formas de exclusão que gera dores e traumas. Assim, esses cursos podem oferecer ferramentas que auxiliam na construção de uma identidade positiva, seja por meio de discussões, as quais foram colocadas como negligenciadas em escolas, seja por meio da sociabilidade. A partir dessas conclusões, sugere-se uma educação antirracista a fim de contribuir para atenuar as desigualdades estruturais na sociedade.
Defining avoidable healthcare-associated harm in prisons: A mixed-method development study
Authors: Keers Richard N. , Wainwright Verity , McFadzean Joy , Davies Kate , Campbell Stephen M. , Stevenson Caroline , Purchase Thomas , Shaw Jennifer , Carson-Stevens Andrew
Published: March 2023

Background

Reducing avoidable healthcare-associated harm is a global health priority. Progress in evaluating the burden and aetiology of avoidable harm in prisons is limited compared with other healthcare sectors. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop a definition of avoidable harm to facilitate future epidemiological studies in prisons.

Methods

Using a sequential mixed methods study design we first characterised and reached consensus on the types and avoidability of patient harm in prison healthcare involving analysis of 151 serious prison incidents reported to the Strategic Executive Information System (StEIS) followed by in-depth nominal group (NG) discussions with four former service users and four prison professionals. Findings of the NG discussions and StEIS analysis were then synthesised and discussed among the research team and study oversight groups to develop an operational definition of avoidable harm in prison healthcare which was subsequently tested and validated using prison patient safety incident report data derived from the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS).

Results

Analysis of StEIS incident reports and NG discussions identified important factors influencing avoidable harm which reflected the unique prison setting, including health care delivery issues and constraints associated with the secure environment which limited access to care. These findings informed the development of a new working two-tier definition of avoidable harm using appropriate and timely intervention, which included an additional assessment of harm avoidability taking into the account the prison regime and environment. The definition was compatible with the NRLS incident report narratives and illustrated how the prison environment may influence identification of avoidable harm and judgements of avoidability.

Conclusions

We have developed a working definition of avoidable harm in prison health care that enables consideration of caveats associated with prison environments and systems. Our definition enables future studies of the safety of prison healthcare to standardise outcome measurement.
Better sleep, better life? testing the role of sleep on quality of life
Authors: Kudrnáčová Michaela , Kudrnáč Aleš
Published: March 2023

Previous research has shown that sleep deprivation, low quality sleep or inconvenient sleeping times are associated with lower quality of life. However, research of the longitudinal effects of sleep on quality of life is scarce. Hence, we know very little about the long-term effect of changes in sleep duration, sleep quality and the time when individuals sleep on quality of life. Using longitudinal data from three waves of the Czech Household Panel Study (2018–2020) containing responses from up to 4,523 respondents in up to 2,155 households, the study examines the effect of changes in sleep duration, sleep quality and social jetlag on satisfaction with life, happiness, work stress, subjective health and wellbeing. Although sleep duration and timing are important, panel analyses reveal that sleep quality is the strongest predictor of all sleep variables in explaining both within-person and between-person differences in quality of life indicators.
Weaning U.S. food-animals off antimicrobials: What can we learn from state- and city-level policies?
Authors: Bliss Scarlet S. , King Maya Homsy , Bermejo Miriam I. , Nguyen Andrew , Amato Heather K. , Graham Jay P.
Published: March 2023

Antimicrobials are widely used worldwide in food animal production for controlling and preventing disease and for improving feed conversion efficiency and growth promotion. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture has the potential to promote antimicrobial resistance, which represents a threat to human, animal, and environmental health. State and municipal policies in the United States have recently been implemented to improve antimicrobial use and reporting in this sector. This study analyzed the implementation of two state-level policies (California (CA) and Maryland (MD)) and a city-level policy in San Francisco (SF), California that aimed to reduce the use of antimicrobials in food-animals and increase transparency of antimicrobial use. A qualitative analysis was based on in-depth interviews with key informants (KIs) (n = 19) who had direct experience implementing or working in the context of these sub-national policies. Interviews were recorded and transcriptions were analyzed independently by two researchers using a three-stage, grounded theory coding procedure. This study identified four major findings, including 1) vague language on antimicrobial use within policies reduces policy effectiveness; 2) the lack of reporting by producers challenges the ability to evaluate the impact of the policies on actual use; 3) diverse stakeholders need to be involved in order to develop a more effective policy; and 4) funding should be linked to the policy to provide for reporting and data analysis. This analysis provides insights on the successes and failures of existing policies and serves to inform future sub-national policies aiming to improve the judicious use of antimicrobials in food-animals.
The role of personality in neighborhood satisfaction
Authors: Neal Zachary P. , Brutzman Brian
Published: March 2023

Urbanists have long been interested in understanding what makes people satisfied with their neighborhoods. However, relatively little is known about how residents’ personality traits may affect their neighborhood satisfaction. In this paper, we explore the direct and indirect associations of personality traits with neighborhood satisfaction in a representative sample of adults in Michigan (USA). We find that each of the personality traits in the five factor model are associated with neighborhood satisfaction in the same way that they are known to be associated with subjective well-being. However, we fail to observe evidence that personality traits moderate the association between perceptions of neighborhoods and neighborhood satisfaction, or that personality’s association with neighborhood satisfaction is mediated by neighborhood perceptions. We conclude that there is potential for drawing on theoretical and empirical developments in positive psychology for understanding neighborhood satisfaction, but observe that the underlying mechanisms for the association between personality and neighborhood satisfaction remain unknown.
The akin vs. the good in Plato’s Lysis
Authors: Jennings David
Published: March 2023

The two most compelling accounts of the friend in Plato’s Lysis are that the neither good nor bad is friend of the good and that the akin is friend of the akin. In this paper I challenge a common interpretation that these accounts are the same, similar to, or compatible with one another. I argue instead that the two accounts are incompatible because they rely on opposing assumptions about the nature of desire and its relationship to need and about friendship and its orientation towards what benefits the one who loves. Although I do not offer a comprehensive interpretation of the dialogue, I argue that, given his main assumptions about the friendship, desire, and philosophy in the Lysis, Socrates could only endorse first of these accounts, that the neither good nor bad is a friend of the good, if indeed endorses any of them.
Origen plural de un espacio industrial: familia, empresa y negocio. Ontinyent, Alcoi, Cocentaina y su área de influencia (segunda mitad del siglo XV)
Authors: Llibrer Escrig José Antonio
Published: March 2023

El artículo analiza el espacio industrial que se articuló en una región interior-sur del antiguo reino de Valencia en la baja Edad Media. Su objetivo es descubrir qué factores permitieron la formación de ese auténtico distrito pañero en el área de influencia de las villas de Ontinyent, Alcoi y Cocentaina a lo largo del siglo XV, especializado en la elaboración de tejidos de calidad media-alta. La particular estructura agraria, junto al crecimiento de la demanda y la articulación de mercados interiores están en la raíz de este desarrollo manufacturero. Mediante el método prosopográfico se accede a las empresas artesanales, a sus estrategias y negocios, y se reconstruye su origen. A su vez, se analiza la especialización técnica y profesional de estos colectivos a través de los más de cuatrocientos artesanos del textil documentados, de sus numerosos oficios y de los perfiles socioeconómicos resultantes, lo que permite observar la formación de un grupo emprendedor local (esencialmente de pelaires y pañeros o drapers), nacido de la esfera de la producción, que capitalizará y gestionará los procesos de fabricación de toda esta iniciativa industrial en crecimiento, además de intervenir de forma muy activa en la comercialización de los paños producidos. Como base documental, se ha realizado la prospección de una veintena de registros municipales (Manual de Consell y Cort de Justícia) y de sesenta protocolos de diversos notarios que trabajaron en la región durante la segunda mitad del siglo XV.
Bartolomeo d’Alviano e Orsina Orsini: un ignoto contratto matrimoniale come suggello tra famiglie di condottieri
Authors: Di Giovannandrea Riccardo , Bergamaschi Maria Temide
Published: March 2023

La recente individuazione del contratto di matrimonio del 15 giugno 1478, nei rogiti di Camillo Beneimbene notaio tra i più accreditati nella Roma del tempo, tra Bartolomeo d’Alviano (1455-1515) e Orsina Orsini di Foglia apporta nuovi dati alla ricostruzione della biografia del condottiero originario dell’Umbria che nelle sue numerose spedizioni militari fu impegnato anche a favore della Corona d’Aragona di Napoli1. Si conosce poco della prima parte della sua vita a cominciare dalla data di nascita incompleta, fissata al 1455 sulla base di un’iscrizione funeraria, andata perduta, della madre Isabella degli Atti, morta di parto. Inoltre non esiste una prova documentale del matrimonio con Bartolomea Orsini di Bracciano, sorella di Gentil Virginio, signore del luogo, della quale la tradizione storiografica riporta capacità virili ed anche l’aver fronteggiato l’assedio dei Borgia al castello nel 1496. Certo è l’altro matrimonio del febbraio 1498 con Pantasilea Baglioni, sorella di Gian Paolo Baglioni, anch’egli uomo d’arme che si insediò a Terni. I relativi festeggiamenti si protrassero per cinque giorni, in uno stile grandioso decisamente diverso dal primo matrimonio che fu per procura, tramite Andrea, suo fratello di parte paterna. Le scelte matrimoniali, dunque, confermano che gli appartenenti alle antiche stirpi di origine feudale optavano per l’unione con donne di famiglie di analogo ceto, preferendo quelle che potevano esibire esponenti del mondo militare con i quali stabilire una rete difensiva con i loro castelli e formare alleanze per condurre insieme le campagne unendo gli sforzi economici e organizzativi per dotarsi di formazioni armate. Non mancando, è facile intuirlo, in quella contiguità anche la saldezza dei legami personali e la naturale condivisione e comprensione, dato il particolare ed esclusivo contesto.
Villanueva Morte, C. (2020). Diplomacia y desarrollo del Estado en la Corona de Aragón (siglos XIV-XV). Gijón: Ediciones Trea. 397 pp. ISBN: 978-84-18105-14-2
Authors: Cañizares Gómez María José
Published: March 2023

Reseña: Villanueva Morte, C. (2020). Diplomacia y desarrollo del Estado en la Corona de Aragón (siglos XIV-XV). Gijón: Ediciones Trea. 397 pp. ISBN: 978-84-18105-14-2
Desenvolvimento sustentável na agricultura familiar
Authors: Viganó Caroline , Gazolla Marcio , Gonçalves Larisse Medeiros , Godoy Cristiane Maria Tonetto
Published: March 2023

O objetivo geral deste estudo foi selecionar e construir indicadores de desenvolvimento sustentável (DS) na agricultura familiar (AF) leiteira, de forma a proceder a avaliação dos processos e práticas multidimensionais de sustentabilidade. A elaboração deste trabalho ocorreu a partir de uma pesquisa de campo realizada em 10 unidades produtivas de agricultores familiares da pecuária leiteira, da Comunidade Passo da Ilha, no Município de Pato Branco/PR. Para operacionalizar a avaliação da sustentabilidade foram identificados na literatura através de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, 79 indicadores. Destes, foram selecionados e propostos 31 indicadores nas três dimensões do DS da AF (econômica, social e ambiental). Os dados foram coletados mediante a aplicação de um questionário, entrevista semiestruturada, observações e diário de campo, que foram analisados quanti e qualitativamente. Os principais resultados obtidos evidenciam que o DS das experiências investigadas corresponde a um nível médio de sustentabilidade com nota 2,4, em uma escala de 1 a 4. Os indicadores mais fragilizados são os ganhos econômicos nos canais de comercialização, valor agregado da produção, práticas de saneamento básico e pretensão em continuar atividades da UP, que apresentaram as menores notas. Os indicadores com melhores resultados são a renda bruta per capita anual, qualidade da moradia dos agricultores e as práticas sustentáveis das unidades de produção. Enfatiza-se que indicadores de DS são instrumentos importantes de planejamento dos atores sociais regionais e seu acompanhamento e avaliação constantes, podem fornecer subsídios valiosos para as instituições e as políticas públicas que visam o desenvolvimento sustentável na agricultura familiar.
Expansão capitalista e conflitos territoriais no semiárido brasileiro no século XXI
Authors: Dantas José Carlos , Feliciano Carlos Alberto
Published: March 2023

O conflito se constitui como parte intrínseca à formação territorial do semiárido brasileiro, desde a invasão europeia aos territórios de povos originários até o período atual da acumulação capitalista. Este texto objetiva relacionar a expansão do capitalismo no espaço agrário do semiárido brasileiro no século XXI com os conflitos territoriais produzidos durante esse processo. Utilizamos a pesquisa bibliográfica, a coleta e sistematização de dados secundários e trabalhos de campo durante a realização da pesquisa. Identificamos que o movimento de expansão do capitalismo no campo está intimamente associado à produção de conflitos territoriais entre as classes sociais envolvidas: de um lado estão as classes dominantes, representadas pelos capitalistas e latifundiários; e de outro está o campesinato. Por fim, constatamos que os conflitos territoriais no semiárido brasileiro são resultantes das práticas de violência das classes dominantes e das ações de resistência do campesinato.
A produção sucroenergética na MRG de Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais
Authors: Teixeira Matheus Eduardo Souza , Pereira Mirlei Fachini Vicente
Published: March 2023

Na microrregião de Ituiutaba, extremo oeste do estado de Minas Gerais, plantio e processamento industrial da cana-de-açúcar se fortalecem na virada do século XXI, mas, já na segunda década, a produção também é marcada por instabilidades, reveladas nas constantes trocas dos agentes que controlam o setor. Deste modo, o objetivo do trabalho é avaliar as implicações da expansão do setor sucroenergético na Microrregião Geográfica (MRG) de Ituiutaba, as expressões indicativas de instabilidade do mesmo, bem como as estratégias de seus agentes. Realizamos coleta de dados secundários e pesquisa de campo, com o intuito de reunir informações acerca dos grupos sucroenergéticos, bem como avaliar as implicações territoriais da atividade. A área de estudo possui atualmente três usinas sucroenergéticas em funcionamento, responsáveis pelo beneficiamento de quase toda a cana-de-açúcar plantada na região. A dinâmica recente dos grupos investigados revela que a atual instabilidade do setor os obriga a tornar a atividade mais lucrativa, o que aparentemente se realiza a partir do controle da produção por grupos com maior expertise de gestão, mais competitivos e capitalizados, o que resultou na atração de agentes de capital aberto.
Experiencias en la atención primaria de salud mental durante la pandemia por COVID-19
Authors: Gutiérrez Muñoz Gabriela
Published: March 2023

En el Perú, la descentralización de los servicios de atención en salud mental y la priorización de sus recursos en el nivel primario representan acciones principales para el desarrollo de la salud mental en el país. Sin embargo, las barreras socioculturales y económicas que aún persisten en la población dificultan su acceso a dichos servicios, situación que se ha agudizado durante el contexto de pandemia por COVID-19. El presente artículo busca analizar las experiencias de atención primaria en salud mental en acompañantes de un centro de consejería de Lima Metropolitana durante los años 2020 y 2021. Mediante un análisis narrativo, los resultados mostraron que la pandemia ha exacerbado vulnerabilidades psicológicas, sociales y materiales tanto para acompañantes como usuarios, rescatándose la necesidad de sostener procesos de capacitación y supervisión grupal constantes que garanticen el autocuidado y cuidado de los equipos, así como la calidad de la atención brindada.
Scholars and Literati at the University of Molsheim (1621–1793)
Authors: De la Croix David
Published: March 2023

This note is a summary description of the set of scholars and literati who taught at the University of Molsheim from its inception in 1621 to its dissolution in 1793.
Choosing Sides in a Two-Sided Matching Market
Authors: Zhou Kit
Published: March 2023

I model a competitive labor market in which agents of different skill levels decide whether to enter the market as a manager or as a worker. After roles are chosen, a two-sided matching market is realized and a cooperative assignment game occurs. There exists a unique rational expectations equilibrium that induces a stable many-to-one matching and wage structure. Positive assortative matching occurs if and only if the production function exhibits a condition that I call role supermodularity, which is stronger than the strict supermodularity condition commonly used in the matching literature because a high skilled agent with a role choice is only willing to enter the market as a worker if she expects that it is more profitable to cluster with only other high skilled agents than to exclusively manage. The wage structure in equilibrium is consistent with empirical evidence that the wage gap is driven both by increased within-firm positive sorting as well as between-firm segregation.
Exploratory quasi-experimental study of anti-arthritic activity of Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, Abha Guggulu in osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Hedaoo Mrinmayee , Patil-Bhole Trupti , Sharma Rohit , Mahajan Madhavi
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Abha Guggulu (AG) is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation used for treating joint disorders and bone fractures. Individually, the ingredients are known for their promising anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating actions. The present study attempts to explore the anti–arthritic potential of AG through an exploratory clinical trial.

Methods

The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental model. The clinical trial has been registered in Clinical Trials Registry of India (registration number: CTRI/2019/09/021354). Osteoarthritis patients of both genders (n=12, 40–70 years age group), meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria, were recruited in the single arm study. AG was administered in tablet form in a dose of 1.5 g, twice daily. The WOMAC score was used as a primary outcome measure. The WOMAC scale of patients was recorded on 0th, 15th and 30th days of treatment.

Results

At the end of treatment, there was a significant difference in the scores of the outcome measure. As per WOMAC total score, participants were significantly improved (p=0.002) after consuming the drug for 1 month.

Conclusions

Overall, the data indicates significant improvement of subjects in both scales and objective measures used for assessment purposes. There were no adverse drug reactions reported during the trial. AG may be used as a safe and effective supplement to reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis. The clinical efficacy of the formulation might be mediated through the synergistic blend of herbal bioactive compounds from AG.
Modeling and assessment of the flow and air pollutants dispersion during chemical reactions from power plant activities
Authors: Issakhov Alibek , Alimbek Aidana
Published: March 2023

In this work, numerical modeling and assessment of the dispersion of pollutants as a result of a chemical reaction from the activities of the Ekibastuz SDPP-1 was considered. The simulation was done on a valid thermal power plant. At the same time, to model the dispersion of pollutants NO, NO2 and CO were used, and the products NO2, HNO3 and CO2 from a chemical reaction with oxygen were also considered. The validation of the mathematical model, taking into account the chemical reaction, was carried out using several test problems and the obtained numerical results were compared with experimental data and numerical data of other authors. So in this work, estimates of the concentration level were given, both for pollutants and for products that were formed from a chemical reaction. As a result, the mass fractions of concentration and product were determined during a chemical reaction for various distances from chimneys. According to the data obtained, it can be noticed that, under the influence of diffusion, concentrations and products during a chemical reaction spread wider in width and due to this diffusion, the concentration level with an increase in the distance from the chimneys is lower. So, according to the data obtained, it is possible to assess the choice of the optimal distance of the thermal power plant from residential areas, at which the concentration of emissions and products from a chemical reaction will remain at a safe level.
Downregulation of RBM17 enhances cisplatin sensitivity and inhibits cell invasion in human hypopharyngeal cancer cells
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , Chen Deshang , Han Guoying , Wang Xiaomin , Liu Xuebao , Xu Binbin , Liu Weiwei , Li Hui , Zhang Mingjie , Ma Shiyin , Han Yuefeng
Published: March 2023

Most of advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) are resistant to chemotherapy, and there is still lack of effective treatment for HSCC now. The present study aimed to investigate whether downregulation of RNA-binding motif protein 17 (RBM17) could enhance cisplatin sensitivity and inhibit cell invasion in HSCC and the underlying mechanism. We observed that RBM17 was upregulated in tumor tissues and associated with poor progression. Treatment of FaDu cells with cisplatin increased RBM17 expression in mRNA levels. Downregulation of RBM17 enhanced cisplatin-mediated inhibition of FaDu cells. In addition, downregulation of RBM17 effectively suppressed tumor cell migration and invasion through the reversion of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Moreover, downregulation of RBM17 could significantly slow tumor growth in FaDu xenograft tumor model. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry detection and independent PRM analysis showed that 21 differentially expressed proteins were associated with the downregulation of RBM17. Taken together, our study implied that downregulation of RBM17 could serve as a novel approach to enhance cisplatin sensitivity in HSCC.
The effect of removing a 2-downer edge or a cut 2-downer edge triangle for an eigenvalue
Authors: Toyonaga Kenji
Published: March 2023

Edges in the graph associated with a square matrix over a field may be classified as to how their removal affects the multiplicity of an identified eigenvalue. There are five possibilities:

+
2

+2

(2-Parter);

+
1

+1

(Parter); no change (neutral);

−
1

-1

(downer); and

−
2

-2

(2-downer). Especially, it is known that 2-downer edges for an eigenvalue comprise cycles in the graph. We investigate the effect for the statuses of other edges or vertices by removing a 2-downer edge. Then, we investigate the change in the multiplicity of an eigenvalue by removing a cut 2-downer edge triangle.
Blue Print Plant Model
Authors: Lange Annika , Magret Ihnen Deike , Knothe Thomas
Published: March 2023

In den letzten beiden Dekaden sind die Unsicherheiten und Abhängigkeiten externer Faktoren bei der Fabrikplanung gestiegen. Immer relevanter wird eine Datendurchgängigkeit, die quer zu den Planungsphasen verbessert wird, sodass externe und interne Änderungen sowie deren Auswirkungen auf die Planungsobjekte einfacher und schneller bewertet werden können. In dem Beitrag wird ein Konzept vorgestellt, welches mithilfe eines verteilten digitalen Fabrikzwillings, bereits in der frühen Planungsphase die Durchgängigkeit unterstützt. Die Vernetzung der Komponenten wird durch ein Unternehmensmodell realisiert, das entlang des Fabriklebenszyklus aufgebaut und angewendet wird.
Optimierte Auswahl von Fabrikelementen
Authors: Kreß Antonio , Metternich Joachim
Published: March 2023

Bei der Planung von Fabriken bestimmt die geeignete Auswahl der Fabrikelemente, wie gut eine Fabrik ihren geplanten Zweck erfüllt. Die Herausforderung bei den Auswahlentscheidungen besteht darin, die bestmögliche Auswahl in Bezug auf ein geplantes Ziel zu treffen, während gleichzeitig bestimmte Restriktionen, wie z. B. bei Budget oder Flächen, eingehalten werden müssen. In der Regel werden die Entscheidungen zur Auswahl von Fabrikelementen für jeden Fabrikbereich separat getroffen. Dabei wird entweder intuitiv oder auf der Basis von Heuristiken vorgegangen. In diesem Beitrag wird gezeigt, wie die Auswahl auf Basis eines ganzheitlichen Optimierungsansatzes erfolgen kann, durch das eine nutzenoptimale Fabrikkonfiguration unter Betrachtung vorab definierter Budgets ermöglicht wird. Darüber hinaus werden ein einfaches, vierstufiges Vorgehen sowie ein softwarebasiertes Konfigurationssystem vorgestellt. Das Optimierungsmodell wurde genutzt, um die Forschungs- und Lernfabrik FlowFactory des Forschungsinstituts PTW zu konfigurieren.
Energieoptimierte Produktionsplanung
Authors: Eckhoff Jannis , Adomat Vincent , Fette Marc
Published: March 2023

Faserverbundwerkstoffe sind ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der modernen Luftfahrtindustrie und einer der wichtigsten Treiber eines ressourceneffizienten Betriebs. Die energieoptimierte Verarbeitung von Kohlenstofffasern gewinnt dabei zunehmend an Bedeutung. Dieser Beitrag stellt aktuelle Bestrebungen zur Optimierung des Energieeinsatzes industrieller Faserverbundverarbeitung dar. Erneuerbare Energie bietet ein hohes Potenzial bei der Optimierung der Produktion, deren Grundlage die detaillierte Kenntnis der Energieintensität ist. Digitalisierung liefert die Erkenntnisse für eine solche Optimierung.
Zieltransformation in Ganzheitlichen Produktionssystemen
Authors: Dombrowski Uwe , Dreyer Maximilian
Published: March 2023

Zielorientierung in Ganzheitlichen Produktionssystemen ist essenziell für den wirtschaftlichen Erfolg produzierender Unternehmen. Handelnde müssen erkennen, welche Prozesse einen Zielbeitrag leisten und welches Verbesserungspotenzial in ihnen liegt. Vielschichtige Zielsysteme, unklare Zielbeiträge und eine hohe Methodenvielfalt erschweren die Zielausrichtung von Prozessen über Bereichs- und Prozessgrenzen hinweg. Dieser Beitrag benennt die Herausforderungen und schlägt einen Ansatz zu deren systematischer Bewältigung vor.
How to Inform Vaccine Hesitant Individuals about the Potential Risks Associated with Vaccination
Authors: Maity Tuhin , Von Schlegell Ahmad , Longo Christopher
Published: March 2023

Despite their strong safety profiles, paradoxical fear about vaccine safety is the primary driver of vaccine hesitancy. We believe that vaccine-hesitant individuals inaccurately perceive the risk associated with vaccination due to the lack of appropriate benchmarks. If presented with appropriate safety comparison data, vaccine-hesitant individuals may reassess the potential risk associated with vaccination and change their minds.
Compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Measures: Exploring Perspectives of Younger Adults in Ontario
Authors: De Rubeis Vanessa , Desjardins Elise , Charron Danielle , Roy Rachel
Published: March 2023

To slow the spread of COVID-19, public health mitigation strategies were implemented globally. Compliance with these measures varied greatly among different age groups in Ontario, Canada, with lower compliance found among adults 20-39 years of age. The objectives of this study were to explore facilitators and barriers to adherence to COVID-19 public health measures among these young adults and to use insights gathered from this research to inform interventions to address the identified barriers. A total of 5 focus groups with 22 participants were conducted in December 2020. Participants were eligible to be included if they were English-speaking, aged 20-39 years, resided in a specific geolocation, and had access to the internet. A phenomenological research design was used, and data were analysed using a notes-based thematic approach. Several themes emerged as barriers or facilitators to compliance including concern for others, weather, social pressure or influence, and potential shame or guilt. Many participants reported assessing their own risks to determine their level of compliance, and most tried to mitigate harms if they did not follow the measures. The findings from this project fill a current gap in understanding the complex factors that influence compliance to public health infection control measures and offers practical recommendations to inform health promotion strategies to increase compliance not only for COVID-19 measures but for other and future infectious diseases as well.
Exploring Canadian Career Firefighters’ Understanding of the Return-to-Work Process after Musculoskeletal Injuries
Authors: Killip Shannon
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Firefighters perform dangerous and physically demanding work, increasing their risk of musculoskeletal injuries that can lead to work absences. Return-to-work procedures can help firefighters return-to-work. The purpose was to explore what firefighters understand about return-to-work procedures in their workplaces, and what firefighters believe the facilitators and barriers to return-to-work are.

METHODS: Thirty-eight Canadian career firefighters were recruited for semi-structured interviews. Qualitative description methods were used to analyze the transcripts. Two researchers performed the inductive coding and thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Five themes were identified: 1. Variation in the return-to-work process knowledge among firefighters; 2. Accessible medical resources and treatments for the recovery of an injury; 3. Modified work must be meaningful and suitable; 4. Pressures to return-to-work too soon can lead to negative consequences; 5. Heavy physical demands of firefighting can make it more difficult to return-to-work. There was a variation in the experiences and understanding of return-to-work, as some firefighters were unaware of return-to-work procedures in their departments, while others had been through the return-to-work process for injuries they had sustained. Many reported facilitators for return-to-work were also reported as barriers in different contexts. For example, the availability of modified work allowed firefighters to return-to-work sooner and was seen as a facilitator by many firefighters, whereas some firefighters believed that the modified work lacked meaning, was not suitable, and acted as a barrier to returning to firefighting duties.

CONCLUSION: There is a lack of knowledge of the return-to-work processes; thus, firefighters should have access to clear return-to-work policies and procedures. Firefighters require treatments that are targeted to firefighting duties to help recover from injuries and regain functional physical abilities after an injury. Firefighters must be fully recovered, as returning to work too soon due to personal and workplace pressures can lead to re-injury or injuries to others.
Fall Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Umbrella Review Protocol
Authors: Saunders Stephanie
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Falls are among the leading cause of accidental injury in Canada, with one in three older adults experiencing a fall each year. This leads to disability, long-term pain, loss of independence, reduced quality of life, mental health challenges, and increased mortality risk. Alongside these injuries, falls are a growing national public health concern given their direct cost of over $2 billion a year. Further, with an aging Canadian population, the prevalence and incidence of falls are expected to increase at a rapid rate. A large body of literature has identified risk factors that contribute to falls in older adults, however, to date this literature has been disjointed and often groups together fall risks for different populations. To address these limitations, this review will aim to summarize the evidence identifying risk factors for falls in community-dwelling older adults (60 years).

 

METHODS: We searched seven databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, Ageline) for articles that: are systematic reviews (including scoping reviews), include a population of community dwelling older adults (60 years), and report modifiable and non-modifiable factors that have shown to increase the risk for falls in prospective studies. Multiple independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts, and full text articles, and perform data extraction and quality assessment. Risk factors will be synthesized narratively. Wherever possible, findings will be grouped according to the International Classification of Functional Disability (ICF).

 

ANTICIPATED IMPACT: Given the substantial amount of research conducted in this area, we anticipate that the identified risk factors for falls will cover a wide breadth. Further, our results will identify the risk factors that are of the utmost importance to consider when undertaking fall prevention efforts.
The Fusion of Public Health and Speech-Language Therapy in Schools: Has the Time Come?
Authors: Cahill Peter , Campbell Wenonah N
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: The burden of communication disorders in school age children is substantial. These disorders are among the most prevalent in schools. Communication disorders are also linked to numerous sequalae, such as poor socio-emotional health, poor academic and professional outcomes, high levels of unemployment, and increased healthcare utilization and costs. Nevertheless, children with these disorders are among the least likely to receive services from a rehabilitation professional. In fact, more than half of school-aged children with a communication disorder do not receive any speech-language therapy support. Clearly, new approaches to communication disorders in schools are needed.

 

METHODS: We conducted a narrative review of scholarly and applied literature in three parts. The first justifies the fusion of public health and speech-language therapy in schools. The second explores public health frameworks for speech-language therapy and compares the same to tiered service delivery models recently implemented within schools. The third addresses the implications of this fusion for research in communication disorders and for clinical practice.

 

RESULTS: Traditional models of speech-language therapy clinical practice in schools are no longer sustainable given the current challenges posed by childhood communication disorders. A communication disability public health approach is needed to overcome these challenges. Tiered service delivery models provide an excellent opportunity to pivot speech-language therapy practice and research in schools towards a public health approach.

 

CONCLUSION: Through this narrative review, we argue that the future of speech-language therapy in schools must take advantage of advances in public health to respond to current child health needs in our communities. We strongly recommend the fusion of public health and school-based speech-language therapy to address the communication health needs of future generations.
Crecimiento del fruto en tres ecotipos de Spondias purpurea de estación seca
Authors: Alia-Tejacal Iran , Cancino-Labra Samuel , López-Martínez Víctor , Juárez-López Porfirio
Published: March 2023

La fruta de ciruela mexicana es consumida principalmente en fresco. Se tiene amplia diversidad del fruto, pero se desconoce la cinética de crecimiento. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar algunos cambios físicos, químicos y fisiológicos durante el crecimiento del fruto. Se realizaron muestreos en árboles de tres ecotipos cada 15 días, entre el cuajado de fruto y madurez fisiológica. Los resultados indican que la respiración de frutos de los tres ecotipos alcanzó su máximo entre los 30 y 60 días de crecimiento del fruto, aunque posteriormente disminuye; por su parte, la acidez titulable mostró un comportamiento similar. El índice de sabor fue mayor en Amarilla (12.2) que en Morada y Roja (7-8). El crecimiento de ciruela mexicana es de aproximadamente 90 días, de tipo doble sigmoidal, donde la acidez titulable, el índice de sabor, el diámetro polar, la luminosidad y la cromaticidad ayudan a diferenciar las variedades.