bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADAPTING A DUAL HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN VILNIUS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGIES AND DESIGN: THE CASE OF UNIVERSITY OF SZEGED
Authors: Ginavičienė Jurgita , Vitkūnas Rolandas , Gál József , Bíró István
Published: May 2020

The system of higher education in the European Union based on legal instruments valid for all States Member. However, each EU State Member has additional national legislation, which taken into account in the design of the higher education system. The design and implementation of study programs is one of the activities of higher education. Compliance with EU and national legislation are important in design of study programs. It is equally important that the programs are necessary for the national economy, companies and attractive to students. The aim of the article is to determine the need and possibilities of dual teaching in the study program Transport Logistics of Vilnius College of Technology and Design. The structure of curricula of dual education at Szeged University in Hungary is analysed. The indicators of changes in studies and practical training from the point of view of students and companies at Szeged University are present.The article presents a comparative analysis of legislation, study programs and business needs in Lithuania. The analysis showed that business enterprises in Lithuania would be interested in dual training; the application of dual training is not in principle contrary to Lithuanian legislation.
DIFFERENCES ABOUT CALORIE INTAKE MEASUREMENT ACROSS FITNESS DEVICE AND MOBILE APPS
Authors: Arnis Voldemārs , Buliņa Ramona , Veseta Una , Upeniece Irēna , Vīnberga Indra
Published: May 2020

Various technologies are increasingly used in sports and fitness classes. Portable fitness devices are the fastest growing fitness trend worldwide in the recent years (Thompson, 2019). More and more people are using fitness bracelets, smart watches, GPS tracking devices and fitness apps on mobile phones. One of the most commonly used functions in both portable fitness devices and stationary technology is the measurement of calories intake. The simplest, most convenient, and cheapest way to measure calorie intake (CI) is smart devices and custom mobile apps (Ramirez, 2018) that store and process data. However, not all of these devices are accurate and objective enough. Aim of the study: to find out and evaluate the calorie intake of a bicycle ergometer and various mobile apps under different physical loads. CI at various physical loads was determined using the MONARK ERGOMEDIC 839E cycling and applications. Comparing the measurement difference between the apps and the ergometer, it was found that the lowest load difference was for all apps, the least difference was for the POLAR app and the highest was for the SAMSUNG app, and the mid to higher load for the SAMSUNG app. App calorie intake figures are closer to those of the ergometer at peak load.
FEATURES OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF STUDENT YOUTH
Authors: Kovalenko Alla , Hryshchuk Eliso , Rohal Nina
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the article is to study the characteristics and factors of students’ psychological well-being. The basic approaches to psychological well-being studies are considered. The study was based on C. Ryff’s model, according to which psychological well-being is a complex, integral phenomenon that characterizes an individual’s positive functioning and is expressed in the subjective experience of life satisfaction, realization of one’s own potential and depends on the subjective quality of an individual’s communication with others. The empirical research tools used in the study are: Ryff's Six-factor Model of Psychological Well-being and the Questionnaire of Subjective Social Well-Being (T. V. Danylchenko). The main characteristics of modern students’ psychological profile are: independence, self-sufficiency, clearly set goals and understood ways of their implementation, a large number of trusting relationships with other people and a moderate level of control over life situations.The article shows that students’ psychological well-being is associated with their subjective social well-being: personal achievements alone do not make students feel psychologically well without their positive assessment from the side of their social environment. Based on the factor analysis results, students’ psychological well-being factors depending on their gender are identified. Boy’s psychological well-being factors are: self-sufficiency, social approval and social activity; those of girls are: self-improvement / self-realization, social noticeability (publicity), social proximity.
O processo de judicialização na educação infantil em Sorocaba-SP: para um início de conversa
Authors: Santorum e Silva Petula Ramanauskas , Lima Paulo Gomes
Published: May 2020

Este trabalho discute a judicialização da política e a exigibilidade do Direito à Educação no contexto do município de Sorocaba, estado de São Paulo (SP), por meio de documentos oficiais do município, das demandas/oferta da educação infantil e os respectivos desafios e encaminhamentos que transversalizam essa relação. A demanda reprimida das vagas em creche no município de Sorocaba pode ser constatada através da observação da quantidade de inscrições no CMU (Cadastro Municipal Único), das ordens judiciais e das solicitações de vaga via conselho tutelar. Conforme dados da Secretaria da Educação de Sorocaba/SP, após o atendimento das solicitações das vagas existentes através do CMU, as ordens judiciais estavam sendo atendidas pelo poder público, ocasionando a superlotação das creches sorocabanas. A demanda é gigantesca, bem como os desafios diários para atendimento das determinações judiciais. Entre o direito da criança e um planejamento, por meio de políticas públicas para os devidos encaminhamentos ainda há um fosso que precisa ser considerado: o espaço da criança como prerrogativa do poder público competente – mas um espaço de qualidade que contribua para a educação da criança
Neonatal cholestasis due to citrin deficiency: diagnostic pitfalls
Authors: Lipiński Patryk , Jurkiewicz Dorota , Ciara Elżbieta , Płoski Rafał , Więcek Sabina , Bogdańska Anna , Stradomska Teresa , Socha Piotr , Rokicki Dariusz , Tylki-Szymańska Anna , Jankowska Irena
Published: May 2020

Citrin deficiency can manifest in newborns or infants as neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD). The paper presents a case of Polish NICCD patient presenting with low birth weight, failure to thrive, prolonged cholestatic jaundice with coagulopathy and hypoalbuminemia with normal results of MS/MS newborn screening but with high blood citrulline level observed at 3 months of age. Unreported findings included N-hypoglycosylation and increased serum very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA), probably secondary to liver impairment. Final diagnosis was established based on whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis.
Resumiendo hipnosis y cirugía
Authors: Llanos Raúl
Published: May 2020

La señora P.C. tenía 21 años cuando aprendió algunas técnicas de relajamiento durante el cuidado de su embarazo. Previamente había tenido una cesárea y también como consecuencia de su habilidad para aprender a relajarse, se interesó por tener su bebé bajo hipnoanestesia.
Muertes perinatales
Authors: Jubiz Hasbún Alfonso , León J. Oscar José , Martínez M. Javier , Villa G. Cruz Elena , Restrepo R. Fabiola
Published: May 2020

Se analizan los datos matemos y fetoneonatales de 3.051 nacimientos consecutivos ocurridos en el Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Antioquia (Fund. Hosp. San Vicente de Paúl) entre el 1o. de julio de 1986 y el 30 de junio de 1987.Se hace énfasis en el estudio de las muertes perinatales y se determinan las proporciones específicas, el riesgo relativo, el exceso de riesgo y el porcentaje de riesgo atribuible poblacional (%RAP).En el presente estudio se incluyen los recién nacidos productos de embarazos únicos y múltiples. El total de recién nacidos vivos fue de 2.952 (96.7%) y los restantes 99 (3.3%) corresponden a las muertes perinatales distribuidas así: fetales tardías 63.6%, intraparto 10.1% y neonatal precoz 26.3%.Se incluyeron todos los embarazos que terminaron de 28 semanas o más o cuyo producto pesó 1.000 gramos o más. Se excluyeron aquellos casos en los cuales la terminación tuvo lugar en otro centro médico y que posteriormente fueron remitidos a la Unidad de Neonatología.La información correspondiente a las madres y recién nacidos se extrajo del libro de egresos y se utilizó un formulario previamente diseñado para los casos de muertes perinatales. Los datos se pasaron a un computador NEC—PC4 y la sistematización y el procesamiento de la información se efectuó por medio del programa dBASE III.El 60.3% de las muertes fetales tardías correspondió a niños con un peso inferior a 2.500 gramos. En las intraparto este peso se presentó en el 40% de los niños, mientras que en las neonatales fue del 75%.Las anomalías congénitas se presentaron en el 17.2% de todos los casos de muertes y en el 88.2% de ellos, la anomalía era incompatible con la vida. La más frecuente fue anencefalia.En 55 de las 99 muertes (55.5%) se realizó el estudio anatomopatológico completo y en 26 se incluyó la placenta. El resultado final de la autopsia permitió clasificar las causas de la siguiente manera: anoxia 67.3%, anomalías congénitas 20.0%, infección 5.5%, hemorragia 5.5% e insuficiencia suprarrenal aguda 1.8%.El 72.7% de todas las muertes se consideraron como prevenibles. La mortalidad perinatal no corregida fue de 32.4 por mil nacidos vivos y la neonatal precoz de 8.5 por mil. Durante el mismo lapso murieron 18 madres de causa obtétrica directa (0.6%).
Criminal Offences against Public Health under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Slovenia
Authors: Jakulin Vid
Published: May 2020

The author discusses criminal offences against public health under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Slovenia. In this Chapter of the Criminal Code, the object of protection under criminal law is human health, i.e. the health of both individuals and people in general as a common (general) value. Although criminal offences against public health are statistically insignificant in the author’s opinion, they are important for protecting human health as one of the most significant values protected by law. Given the rapid development of medicine, it may be expected that the need will arise in the future for some new incriminations. Modern law places an increasing importance on an injured person’s approval for interference with his or her body, which will lead to a different way of assessing the completeness of the essence of several criminal offences, referred to in this Chapter of the Criminal Code.
Samorząd lokalny a podatek od towarów i usług w świetle orzecznictwa Trybunału Sprawiedliwości Unii Europejskiej i Naczelnego Sądu Administracyjnego
Authors: Mudrecki Artur
Published: May 2020

W artykule dokonano przeglądu i analizy orzecznictwa Trybunału Sprawiedliwości Unii Europejskiej i Naczelnego Sądu Administracyjnego dotyczącego opodatkowanie gmin podatkiem od towarów i usług. W praktyce stosowania prawa podatkowego, ze względu na brak precyzyjnych przepisów, gminy napotykają trudności w dokonywaniu ich interpretacji. NSA w swoich orzeczeniach stara się wypełnić powstałe luki prawne, stosując wykładnię prounijną.
Czy sąd administracyjny może odstąpić od kontroli nadużycia prawa popełnionego przez organy skarbowe? Uwagi na tle wyroku Naczelnego Sądu Administracyjnego z dnia 24 listopada 2016 r. (sygn. I FSK 759/15)
Authors: Dominik-Ogińska Dagmara
Published: May 2020

Autorka artykułu wskazuje na błędną praktykę sądów administracyjnych, zgodnie z którą nie badają one wszczęcia postępowania karnego skarbowego przez organy skarbowe w celu jedynie zawieszenia biegu terminu przedawnienia na podstawie art. 70 § 6 pkt 1 ustawy – Ordynacja podatkowa (nadużycie prawa). Takie działanie jest niezgodne z konstytucyjnym i unijnym prawem do sądu, a także z zasadą państwa prawa i wywodzonych z nich zasad: legalności, praworządności, pewności prawa oraz prawa do dobrej administracji. W konsekwencji rezygnacja z takiej kontroli sądowej doprowadza do naruszenia prawa własności podatnika.
Odpowiedzialność osób trzecich oraz następstwo prawne w obecnie obowiązującej Ordynacji podatkowej i projekcie Nowej Ordynacji podatkowej. Zarys problematyki
Authors: Babiarz Stefan
Published: May 2020

Zasadniczym celem artykułu jest wykazanie różnic w uregulowaniu pozycji prawnej osób trzecich oraz następców prawnych na gruncie obowiązującej ustawy – Ordynacja podatkowa oraz projektu Nowej Ordynacji podatkowej. Celem ubocznym jest wskazanie wad i błędów w uregulowaniu tych zagadnień na gruncie obowiązującej ustawy – Ordynacja podatkowa.

W opracowaniu jako metodę badawczą zastosowano krytyczną analizę przepisów art. 107–118 ustawy – Ordynacja podatkowa oraz art. 249–273 i art. 274–293 NOP. Wykazano wiele wad i błędów w uregulowaniu omawianych zagadnień na gruncie obowiązującej ustawy – Ordynacja podatkowa. Wskazano także, które z uregulowań projektu NOP mogą służyć do trafniejszej wykładni przepisów obowiązującej ustawy.
Cibercultura y prácticas de los profesores
Authors: Barragán Giraldo Diego Fernando
Published: May 2020

De la complejidad de una práctica cultural como la del maestro, la del docente, expuesto a las transformaciones contemporáneas, pero obligado a la vez a encontrar caminos seguros y estables para la enseñanza, la educación y la formación en tiempos revueltos como estos de la cibercultura, trata este libro; escrito por un autor que no solo conoce a profundidad la tradición y la reflexión sobre el ejercicio docente, sino que es él mismo un practicante, un artesano, como creo que se autodefiniría él mismo, un hombre que ha hecho de su oficio un arte y, ahora, una oportunidad para que nosotros, sus lectores, emprendamos con valentía los retos que la educación nos ofrece y nos demanda
Teaching course development of a professional foreign language in an agrarian university based on the model of content and language integrated learning
Authors: Kapranchikova Ksenia V. , Zavgorodnyaya Elena L. , Belyanskiy Roman G.
Published: May 2020

Content and language integrated learning is a new innovative approach to professional foreign language teaching in an agrarian university. Its distinctive feature is the dual purpose of teaching – the simultaneous teaching students a foreign language and a profile specialty. Developed on the basis of actualizing reliance on intersubject connections, the course of a professional foreign language is aimed at intraprofile specialization of students and the development of a number of general professional and professional competencies in them. At the same time, the full-fledged implementation of content and language integrated learning requires appropriate changes both in the planning of a professional foreign language course and in the development of educational materials new in content and orientation. In the work, we consider the definition and main provisions of content and language integrated learning, analyze the works devoted to the courses development for English for specific purposes, offer the author’s stages of course development of a professional foreign language based on the model of content and language integrated learning. These stages include: 1) an assessment of the students’ needs; 2) determination of the goals and objectives of the course; 3) determination of course topics or content and thematic modules; 4) determination of subtopics of each content and thematic module; 5) selection of foreign texts of a professional orientation; 6) the development of problem tasks of a foreign speech and professional orientation; 7) course assessment. The work describes in detail all the stages.
The upbringing of the performance skills of the piano class students in contemporary conditions
Authors: Volkova Anna V.
Published: May 2020

We reveal the content of “performance skill” concept in the process of implementation of artistic and creative potential in the framework of initial piano training. Attention is paid to the ways of preparing the student for a concert performance, which are necessary for overcoming stage excitement. We analyze and highlight modern platforms and projects that affect the success rate of skill formation in children’s performance practice, taking into account different degrees of giftedness. The degree of performance success depends on the competent construction of educational work by the teacher, the complex development of individual abilities of the student. It is emphasized that the process of mastering performance skills is carried out in result of cognitive interests formation of the student depending on the creative abilities, as well as increasing the overall musical culture of the child. It is determined that the ability to convey the most effective own way of work interpretation is possible as a result of continuous public activity from the first steps of a young musician. We draw conclusion that it is necessary to create additional conditions for creative self-realization of students during the initial training in playing the instrument, in which the process of forming the studied skill can be more effective by developing separate leisure programs and including family music.
Visualization technology features in the formation of school students’ artistic competence
Authors: Ryzhkova Irina Y.
Published: May 2020

In modern fast-paced world, changes are also taking place in the education system. A search is constantly being made for new forms, means, technologies for presenting information in order to increase the volume and improve the quality of assimilation of educational information by school students. Given the current informational oversaturation, there is a need for certain conditions to be presented to educational information, consisting in the supply of knowledge to students in a visually imaginative way by folding information. This is what visualization technology does. We consider the formation of visualization technology in a historical perspective and the ideas about this technology from different scientists. We also consider the features of teaching school students the visual arts based on visualization technology. We describe the process of translating visually obtained information into a visual series. The visualization technology used in the educational process at the lessons of visual art allows you to reach and engage all students, including “visuals”, “audiles” and “kinestics”. The scheme of organization and assimilation of knowledge in the process of visualization is given, taking into account the main features of human memory. We provide recommendations for teachers who want to master and apply visualization technology in their educational activities.
Theoretical and legal aspects of canceling decisions on citizenship of the Russian Federation in connection with the use of false documents or reporting knowingly false information
Authors: Kursaev Aleksandr
Published: May 2020

The subject of this work is the study of legal norms contained in Federal Law of May 31, 2002 No. 62-FZ “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” and international law, establishing grounds for canceling decisions on citizenship in connection with the use of false documents or the reporting of knowingly false information, as well as the judicial practice of their application. We pay attention to the fact that the cancellation of decisions on the acquisition of citizenship is a form of constitutional legal responsibility in the form of the cancellation of a legally significant result. The methodological basis of the research is formal logical, interpretative, logical, comparative legal research methods. Formal legal, interpretative, and comparative legal methods are used in the analysis of the specific content of legal requirements relating to questions of canceling decisions on questions of canceling citizenship of the Russian Federation. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the analysis of the practice of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation regarding the content of the concepts of “false document” or “knowingly false information”. Of practical interest is also the question of the possibility of applying restraint periods when canceling decisions on citizenship issues.
Automation and Robotics for Crisis Management of Agriculture in Developing Countries
Authors: Micheal Debrezion Yecalo , L Bovas Joe Joe , James Aravind , Berhane Michael Yonas
Published: May 2020

The book provides detailed information on the development of automation technologies in agriculture in a developing country perspective. A comprehensive review on automated weather stations, robotics and drones in agriculture will serve as a quick reference. The possibility of using open source micro controllers such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi are also briefly discussed. Practical experience on the design and fabrication of these components in Eritrea, a sub-Saharan African country is also shared in detail. One among the three developmental explorations was the design, fabrication, programing and evaluation of a sensor integrated, micro controller based, solar powered farm weather monitoring unit. Another investigation on the development of a rover type Agro-robot is narrated in detail giving the step by step procedure understandable to persons with a little bit of technical knowledge. The comprehensive account of methodologies for the crop monitoring drone will serve as a practical guide in utilizing the technology in low income countries. The book also provides information about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture. A brief prognosticated analysis on possibilities of using robotics and automation in post COVID-19 agriculture is also done. As automated systems in agriculture are going to be more crucial in the coming days, this book can serve as a guide for a beginner, reference for a researcher and knowledge bank for an academician.
Proposed O-GalNAc/Gal Glycosylation Pathways in Blood Group O and Non-O Blood Groups during Plasmodium falciparum Infections
Authors: Arend Peter
Published: May 2020

The coevolution of species drives diversity in animals and plants and contributes to natural selection, while in host–parasite coevolution, a parasite may complete an incomplete evolutionary/developmental function by utilizing the host cell’s machinery. Analysis of related older data suggests that Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), the pathogen of malaria tropica, cannot survive outside its human host because it is unable to perform the evolutionarily first protein glycosylation or blood group-independent (serologically A-like) O-GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr-R, Tn antigen (“T nouvelle”) formation owing to its inability for synthesizing the amino sugar N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc). This parasite breaks the species barrier via hijacking the host's A-like/Tn formation by abundantly expressing serine residues and creating hybrid A-like/Tn structures. In the human blood group O(H), these hybrid structures are attacked by the germline-encoded nonimmune polyreactive immunoglobulin M (IgM), which physiologically regulates the expression of the syngeneic A-like/Tn antigen. In non-O blood groups, this antibody molecule has undergone the phenotypic accommodation of plasma proteins, which results in loss of blood group A- and B-corresponding anti-A and anti-B isoagglutinin activities. This loss allows the generation of human A- and B allele-connected hybrid epitopes and the development of life-threatening disease almost exclusively in non-O blood groups. Although malaria infection occurs regardless of the blood group, the synthesis of the blood group AB enables the strongest contact with the pathogen, and molecularly precluding any isoagglutinin activity makes this group the least protected and the smallest among the ABO blood groups. In contrast, blood group O(H) individuals have the least contact with the pathogen; they maintain the isoagglutinins, rarely develop severe disease, and survive this coevolution in an immunological balance with the pathogen as the largest blood group worldwide.
A Comprehensive Comparative Phylogenomics and Demographic Evolutionary History of the SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Doğan Özgül , Korkmaz Ertan Mahir , Budak Mahir , Çıplak Battal , Başıbüyük Hasan Hüseyin
Published: May 2020

A new form of beta coronavirus called severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing a recent pandemic outbreak possesses a linear positive ss-RNA genome with a length of 29,903 nt. Here, the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 from 821 samples were characterised for its better understanding of the genomic and evolutionary patterns. The phylogeny of SARS-CoV-2 was reconstructed using concatenated dataset consisting of all peptide encoding sequences under Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) approaches. Comparison of all peptide encoding sequences reveals high divergence of amino acid sequences proportional to divergence of nucleotides, indicating that the viral genomic evolution has not been strictly neutral. The most part of the genome was under neutral evolution, however, the specific sites for peptide encoding sequences were evolved under positive selection. As well as providing reliable evidence on transmission routes of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, the phylogenetics and network analyses suggest the sample reported from Guangdong province is likely ancestor of the pandemic virus form. The overall substitution rate of SARS-CoV-2 genome was estimated to be 1.65 x 10-3 per site per year, falling within the range for previously reported RNA viruses. Median estimation of tMRCA from Bayesian coalescent analyses corresponds to 10 September 2019. The exponential growth rate (r), doubling time (Td) and R0 were estimated to be 47.43 per year, 5.39 days and 2.72, respectively. These findings convincingly emphasise that the use of more comprehensive genome data improves robustness and also enhances understanding of the demographic history of the outbreak.
Higher Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Retail Prices After Excise Taxes in Oakland and San Francisco
Authors: Falbe Jennifer , Lee Matthew M. , Kaplan Scott , Rojas Nadia A. , Ortega Hinojosa Alberto M. , Madsen Kristine A.
Published: May 2020

Objectives. To examine how much sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) excise taxes increased SSB retail prices in Oakland and San Francisco, California.

Methods. We collected pretax (April–May 2017) and posttax (April–May 2018) retail prices of SSBs and non-SSBs from 155 stores in Oakland, San Francisco, and comparison cities. We analyzed data using difference-in-differences high-dimensional fixed-effects regressions, weighted by regional beverage sales.

Results. Across all beverage sizes, the weighted average price of SSBs increased by 0.92 cents per ounce (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.28, 1.56) in Oakland and 1.00 cents per ounce (95% CI = 0.35, 1.65) in San Francisco, compared with prices in untaxed cities. The tax did not significantly alter prices of water, 100% juice, or milk of any size examined. Diet soda only, among non-SSBs, exhibited a higher price increase for some sizes in taxed cities.

Conclusions. Within 4 to 10 months of implementation, Oakland’s and San Francisco’s SSB excise taxes significantly increased SSB retail prices by approximately the amount of the taxes, a key mechanism for reducing consumption.
Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Suicide Ideation and Attempt Among Sexual Minority Adults, United States, 2016–2018
Authors: Blosnich John R. , Henderson Emmett R. , Coulter Robert W. S. , Goldbach Jeremy T. , Meyer Ilan H.
Published: May 2020

Objectives. To examine how sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are associated with suicide morbidity after controlling for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Methods. Cross-sectional survey data are from the Generations survey, a nationally representative sample of 1518 nontransgender sexual minority adults recruited between March 28, 2016, and March 30, 2018, in the United States. Self-identified transgender individuals were included in a separate, related TransPop study. We used weighted multiple logistic regression analyses to assess the independent association of SOCE with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt while controlling for demographics and ACEs.

Results. Approximately 7% experienced SOCE; of them, 80.8% reported SOCE from a religious leader. After adjusting for demographics and ACEs, sexual minorities exposed to SOCE had nearly twice the odds of lifetime suicidal ideation, 75% increased odds of planning to attempt suicide, and 88% increased odds of a suicide attempt with minor injury compared with sexual minorities who did not experience SOCE.

Conclusions. Over the lifetime, sexual minorities who experienced SOCE reported a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts than did sexual minorities who did not experience SOCE.

Public Health Implications. Evidence supports minimizing exposure of sexual minorities to SOCE and providing affirming care with SOCE-exposed sexual minorities.
The Sweetened Beverage Tax in Cook County, Illinois: Lessons From a Failed Effort
Authors: Chriqui Jamie F. , Sansone Christina N. , Powell Lisa M.
Published: May 2020

Objectives. To describe the public health and policy lessons learned from the failure of the Cook County, Illinois, Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT).

Methods. This retrospective, mixed-methods, qualitative study involved key informant (KI) and discussion group interviews and document analysis including news media, court documents, testimony, letters, and press releases. Two coders used Atlas.ti v.8A to analyze 321 documents (from September 2016 through December 2017) and 6 KI and discussion group transcripts (from December 2017 through August 2018).

Results. Key lessons were (1) the SBT process needed to be treated as a political campaign, (2) there was inconsistent messaging regarding the tax purpose (i.e., revenue vs public health), (3) it was important to understand the local context and constraints, (4) there was implementation confusion, and (5) the media influenced an antitax backlash.

Conclusions. The experience with the implementation and repeal of the Cook County SBT provides important lessons for future beverage tax efforts.

Public Health Implications. Beverage taxation efforts need to be treated as political campaigns requiring strong coalitions, clear messaging, substantial resources, and work within the local context.
Monetary and Nonmonetary Costs and Benefits of a Public Health Master’s Degree in the 21st Century
Authors: Beck Angela J. , Leider Jonathon P. , Krasna Heather , Resnick Beth A.
Published: May 2020

As postsecondary tuition and debt levels continue to rise, the value proposition of higher education has been increasingly called into question by the popular media and the general public. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics now show early career earnings and debt, by program, for thousands of institutions across the United States. This comes at an inflection point for public health education—master’s degrees have seen 20 years of growth, but forecasts now call for, at best, stagnation.

Forces inside and outside the field of public health are shifting supply and demand for public health master’s degrees. We discuss these forces and identify potential monetary and nonmonetary costs and benefits of these degrees.

Overall, we found a net benefit in career outcomes associated with a public health master’s degree, although it is clear that some other master’s degrees likely offer greater lifetime earning potentials or lower lifetime debt associated with degree attainment. We outline the issues academic public health must engage in to successfully attract and train the next generation of public health graduates.
Perinatal Health Outcomes Following a Community Health Worker–Supported Home-Visiting Program in Rochester, New York, 2015–2018
Authors: Pan Zhi , Veazie Peter , Sandler Mardy , Dozier Ann , Molongo Melissa , Pulcino Tiffany , Parisi Wendy , Eisenberg Katherine W.
Published: May 2020

We evaluated the effectiveness of a community health worker–supported home visitor program on perinatal outcomes of 455 at-risk pregnant women with program data merged with electronic medical records from July 2015 through October 2017 in Rochester, New York. Program participants had fewer adverse outcomes than did nonparticipants, including lower rates of preterm birth (12% vs 20%; χ2, P = .05) and low birth weight (14% vs 22%; χ2, P = .05). This program was effective at achieving improved perinatal outcomes.
Lifetime Asthma Prevalence and Correlates Among US Youths by Sexual Identity and Race/Ethnicity, 2009–2017
Authors: Curry Caleb W. , Felt Dylan , Beach Lauren B. , Ruprecht Megan M. , Wang Xinzi , Phillips Gregory L.
Published: May 2020

Objectives. To comprehensively assess asthma disparities and identify correlates in youths at the intersections of sex, sexual identity, and race/ethnicity in the United States.

Methods. We obtained a diverse sample of youths (n = 307 073) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We pooled data across 107 jurisdiction-years (2009–2017). We calculated lifetime asthma prevalence by sexual identity, race/ethnicity, and their intersections—stratified by sex. We developed multivariable weighted logistic regression models to examine the impact of selected correlates on lifetime asthma prevalence.

Results. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths have significant disparities in asthma prevalence compared with heterosexual peers. Moreover, across sex, higher prevalence of lifetime asthma was seen for most sexual identity and race/ethnicity subpopulations (27 of 30) when compared with White heterosexual sex-matched participants. Selected traditional risk factors (overweight, obese, and smoking) and bullying tended to attenuate odds among groups, especially those with a minority sexual identity.

Conclusions. Asthma inequities at the intersection of sexual identity and race/ethnicity are substantive. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms contributing to these disparities to promote health equity among vulnerable youth populations.
The utility of red cell distribution width to predict mortality of septic patients in a tertiary hospital of Nepal
Authors: Ghimire Rajan , Shakya Yogendra Man , Shrestha Tirtha Man , Neupane Ram Prasad
Published: May 2020

Background: Sepsis is a common problem encountered in the emergency room which needs to be intervened early. Predicting prognosis is always a difficult task in busy emergency rooms using present scores, which has several variables to calculate. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an easy, cheap, and efficacious score to predict the severity and mortality of patients with sepsis.Methods: This prospective analytical study was conducted in the emergency room of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital among the patients age ≥16 years and with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis using qSOFA score. 148 patients were analyzed in the study by using a non-probability purposive sampling method. Results: RDW has fair efficacy to predict the mortality in sepsis (Area under the Curve of 0.734; 95% C. I= 0.649-0.818; p-value=0.000) as APACHE II (AUC of 0.728; 95% C. I= 0.637 to 0.819; p-value=0.000) or SOFA (AUC of 0.680, 95% C.I =0.591-0.770; p-value=0.001). Youden Index was maximum (37%) at RDW value 14.75, which has a sensitivity of 83% (positive likelihood ratio=1.81) and specificity of 54% (negative likelihood ratio=0.32). Out of 44 patients with septic shock 16 died (36.4 %) and among 104 patients without septic shock, 24 died (22.9%) which had the odds ratio of 0.713 (p=0.555, 95% C. I= 0.231-2.194). Overall mortality was 27.02% (n=40). RDW group analysis showed no mortality in RDW <13.1 group, 3.6% mortality in 13.1 to 14 RDW group, 22.0% mortality in 14 to >15.6 RDW group and 45.9% mortality in >15.6 RDW group. Significant mortality difference was seen in 14 to >15.6 and >15.6 RDW subgroups with a p-value of 0.003 and 0.008 respectively.Conclusion: Area under the curve value for RDW is fair enough to predict the mortality of patients with sepsis in the emergency room. It can be integrated with other severity scores (APACHE II or SOFA score) for better prediction of prognosis of septic patients.
An assessment of the level of awareness of e-health among Saudi medical students
Authors: Aldebasi Bader , Alhassan Abdulaziz I. , Al-Nasser Sami , Abolfotouh Mostafa
Published: May 2020

Background. Many studies are available in the literature about e-health in Saudi Arabia, however, data is limited to a few organizations and does not necessarily reflect the the current and potential use of e-health for health care organizations in the country. The aims of this study were 1)To determine the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students on e-health, and 2) To identify the predictors of e-health practice. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of 440 medical students at the college of medicine, King Saud bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was conducted, during October/November 2019, using a previously validated questionnaire, to assess: (1) knowledge in three domains; e-health definition (13 statements), fields of application of e-health (8 statements), methods of using e-health (7 statements), (2) attitude toward using e-health (8 statements) and (3) reported practice of e-health in medical training (5 statements). A scoring system was used to calculate the total and percentage score of knowledge, attitude and practice for each student. Multiple regression analysis was applied to identify predictors of e-health practice. Significance was considered at p<0.05. Results. Of 440 medical students surveyed, the majority were females (55.7%), of stream type1 (79.8%) and from families whose monthly income was more than 10,000SR (82.8%). Overall knowledge about e-health was unsatisfactory (PMS=71.6%), with only 43.6% of students reporting satisfactory level. However, this level was satisfactory for fields of application (Percentage mean score-PMS=76.6%) and unsatisfactory for definition of e-health (PMS=70.7%) and methods of its use (PMS=65.7%) domains. Overall attitude towads e-health use was positive (PMS=82.3%), with nearly three-quarters of students (73.4%) reporting positive attitude. Generally, good level of practice of e-health was reported by students (PMS=84.3%), with more than three-quarters of students (78.4%) reporting good practice. Adjusting for age, gender, stream, educational grade and family monthly income, good practice was significantly predicted with higher knowledge (t=2.22, p=0.03) and attitude (t=2.11, p=0.04) scores.Conclusion. This study provides basic information regarding medical students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice on e-health. More resources should be directed to elevate medical students’ knowledge and to motivate them to practice e-health using the available tools.
Reducing Barriers to Post-9/11 Veterans’ Use of Programs and Services as They Transition to Civilian Life
Authors: Morgan Nicole R. , Aronson Keith R. , Perkins Daniel F. , Bleser Julia A. , Davenport Katie , Vogt Dawne , Copeland Laurel A. , Finley Erin P. , Gilman Cynthia L.
Published: May 2020

Background - Numerous programs exist to support veterans in their transitions to civilian life. Programs are offered by a host of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Veterans report encountering many barriers to program participation. This was the first study to identify barrier reduction strategies offered by programs that post-9/11 veterans report using, determine which strategies veterans use and value, and to examine veteran characteristics that impact their odds of using programs that offer barrier reduction strategies. Method - This study reflects findings from the first wave of data collection of The Veterans Metrics Initiative, a longitudinal study examining the military-to-civilian reintegration of post-9/11 veterans. Veterans were asked to indicate which programs they had used. The websites of these programs were coded for the barrier reduction components. Veterans also indicated which barrier reduction components they found most helpful in meeting their reintegration goals. Results - Of 9,566 veterans who participated in Wave 1 data collection, 84% reported using a program that offered at least one barrier reduction component. Barrier reduction components included tangible supports (e.g., scholarships, cash), increased access to programs, decreased stigma, and encouraged motivation to change. Although only 4% of programs that were used by veterans focused on helping them obtain Veterans Administration benefits, nearly 60% of veterans reported that this component was helpful in reaching their goals. Access assistance to other resources and supports was also reported as a helpful barrier reduction component. For instance, approximately 20% of veterans nominated programs that offered transportation. The study also found evidence of a misalignment between the kinds of barrier reduction components veterans valued and those which programs offered. Veterans from the most junior enlisted ranks, who are at most risk, were less likely than those from other ranks to use barrier reduction components. Conclusions – Despite the evidence that barrier reduction components enhance access to programs and contribute to program sustainability, many programs used by post-9/11 veterans do not offer them. There is also a misalignment between the barrier reduction strategies veterans value and the strategies offered by programs. Veteran serving organizations should increasingly implement barrier reduction strategies that veterans value.
Another piece of the Zika puzzle: Assessing the associated factors to microcephaly in a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Gallo Luciana Guerra , Martinez-Cajas Jorge L , Peixoto Henry Maia , Pereira Ana Carolina Esteves da Silva , Carter Jillian E , McKeown Sandra , Shaub Bruno , Ventura Camila V. , de França Giovanny Vinicius Araújo , Pomar Leo , Ventura Liana O. , Nerurkar Vivek R. , de Araújo Wildo Navegantes , Velez Maria P.
Published: May 2020

Background: Although it is known that Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy may lead to microcephaly in the fetus, the prognostic factors associated with this tragic disorder remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prognostic factors associated with the incidence of microcephaly in congenital ZIKV infection. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE (R) Epub ahead of print, Embase, Embase Classic, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, LILACS, and various thesis databases to identify human studies reporting microcephaly associated with congenital ZIKV infection. We requested primary data from the authors of the included studies to calculate summary estimates and conduct the meta-analysis of the most prevalent factors. Results: We screened 4106 titles and abstracts, and identified 12 studies for inclusion in the systematic review. The assessment of ZIKV infection and the definition of microcephaly varied among studies. A total of 6154 newborns/fetuses were enrolled; of those, 1120 (18.20%) had a diagnostic of ZIKV infection, of which 509 (45.45%) were diagnosed with microcephaly. Nine studies addressed the link between congenital ZIKV infection and neurological findings in newborns/fetuses. Half of the studies provided primary data. Three out of 11 factors of interest seem to be prognostic factors of microcephaly: infant’s sex – males compared to females: Relative Risk (RR) 1.30, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 1.14 to 1.49; the stage of pregnancy when infection occurred – infection in the first trimester of pregnancy compared to infection at other stages of pregnancy: RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.82; and asymptomatic infection compared to symptomatic infection during pregnancy: RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.77. Conclusion: Our findings support the female-biased resistance hypothesis and reinforce the risk associated with the stage of pregnancy when ZIKV infection occurs. Continued surveillance of ZIKV infection during pregnancy is needed to identify additional factors that could contribute to developing microcephaly in affected fetuses.
Vaccine uptake and associated factors in an irregular urban settlement in northeastern Brazil: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Veras Ana Amélia Corrêa de Araújo , Lima Eduardo Jorge da Fonseca , Caminha Maria de Fátima Costa , Silva Suzana Lins da , de Castro Amanda Alves Moreira , Bernardo Andressa Lílian Bezerra , Ventura Maria Lídia Amaral Barbosa , de Lira Pedro Israel Cabral , Filho Malaquias Batista
Published: May 2020

Background: Globally, childhood immunization saves the lives of 2-3 million children annually by protecting them against vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2017, 116.2 million children were vaccinated worldwide according to the World Health Organization. Nevertheless, figures suggest that 19.5 million children around the world fail to receive the benefits of complete immunization. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed vaccine uptake and the factors associated with incomplete vaccination schedule in children of up to 36 months of age assisted by the family health strategy in an irregular settlement located in a state capital city in northeastern Brazil. This study was nested within a larger study entitled “Health, nutrition and healthcare services in an urban slum population in Recife, Pernambuco”, conducted in 2015. A census included 309 children, with vaccination data obtained, exclusively, from their vaccination cards records. An ad hoc database was constructed with variables of interest. Absolute and relative values were calculated for the socioeconomic, demographic, obstetric and biological data. To identify possible factors associated with incomplete vaccination schedule, crude and multivariable Poisson regression analyses were performed, and conducted in accordance with the forward selection method with robust variance and the adjusted prevalence ratio was calculated with the 95% CI. Variables with p-values <0.20 in the unadjusted stage were included in the multivariable analysis. The statistical significance of each variable was evaluated using the Wald test, with p-values <0.05. Results: Just half of the children (52,1%) was classified as complete vaccination schedule. In the final model, the factors associated with incomplete vaccination schedule were age 12-36 months and the mother who did not complete high school. Conclusion: The percentage of vaccine uptake found was far below the recommendation of the National Childhood Immunization Schedule and was associated with child’s age and mother’s education level. Based on these findings, the family healthcare teams may elaborate vaccination strategies aimed at reaching the coverage rates established by the national immunization program. Optimizing coverage will ultimately prevent the resurgence, at epidemic level, of infectious diseases that are already under control in this country.