bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel theatre-based behaviour change approach for influencing community uptake of schistosomiasis control measures
Authors: Sule May N. , Mosha Justina , Soboka Teshome Emana , Kinung’hi Safari M. , Sfynia Chrysoula , Rafiq Kamran , Dower Alex , Comparet Marianne , Bewley Emma , Angelo Teckla , Beshah Feleke Zewge , Templeton Michael R.
Published: August 2022

Background

Appropriate behaviour change with regard to safe water contact practices will facilitate the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health concern. Various approaches to effecting this change have been trialled in the field but with limited sustainable outcomes. Our case study assessed the effectiveness of a novel theatre-based behaviour change technique (BCT), in combination with cohort awareness raising and capacity training intervention workshops.

Methodology

Our study was carried out in four rural communities in the Mwanza region of Tanzania and in the semi-urban town of Kemise, Ethiopia. We adapted the Risk, Attitude, Norms, Ability and Self-regulation (RANAS) framework and four phases using a mixed methods approach. Participatory project phase engagement and qualitative formative data were used to guide the design of an acceptable, holistic intervention. Initial baseline (BL) data were collected using quantitative questionnaire surveys with 804 participants in Tanzania and 617 in Ethiopia, followed by the theatre-based BCT and capacity training intervention workshops. A post-intervention (PI) survey was carried out after 6 months, with a participant return rate of 65% in Tanzania and 60% in Ethiopia.

Results

The intervention achieved a significant improvement in the knowledge of schistosomiasis transmission being associated with poorly managed sanitation and risky water contact. Participants in Tanzania increased their uptake of preventive chemotherapy (males: BL, 56%; PI, 73%, females: BL, 43%; PI, 50%). There was a significant increase in the selection of sanitation (Tanzania: BL, 13%; PI, 21%, Ethiopia: BL, 63%; PI, 90%), safe water and avoiding/minimising contact with infested waters as prevention methods in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Some of the participants in Tanzania followed on from the study by building their own latrines.

Conclusions

This study showed that substantial positive behaviour changes in schistosomiasis control can be achieved using theatre-based BCT intervention and disease awareness training. With the appropriate sensitisation, education and stakeholder engagement approaches, community members were more open to minimising risk-associated contact with contaminated water sources and were mobilised to implement preventive measures.

Graphical Abstract
Choroid and choriocapillaris changes in early-stage Parkinson’s disease: a swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Yang Li , Gao Yuzhu , Zhang Dan , Tao Yunhan , Xu Hanyue , Chen Yi , Xu Yanming , Zhang Ming
Published: August 2022

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the aging population. Previous literature has reported thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, and photoreceptor layer in PD patients. However, very few studies have used swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) to study the choroid and choriocapillaris vascular changes in PD and their correlations with altered contrast sensitivity.

Methods

PD patients and controls were enrolled in the current study. We used a CSV-1000E instrument to assess contrast sensitivity and performed SS-OCT and SS-OCTA to measure outer retinal thickness, choroidal thickness, choriocapillaris flow density, choroidal vascular volume (CVV), and choroidal vascular index (CVI).

Results

One hundred eyes of 52 PD patients and 200 eyes of 100 healthy controls were recruited in the present study. Our study found remarkably impaired contrast sensitivity in PD patients (all P < 0.05). Significant thinning of the outer retinal layer and the choroid was appreciated in the PD group compared with the healthy controls (all P < 0.05). Choriocapillaris flow density, CVI, and CVV were significantly decreased in PD patients compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.05). Contrast sensitivity was weakly associated with outer retina thickness in the 3 mm circular area, with 3 cycles per degree being the most relevant (r = 0.535, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study indicates that there is a significant decrease in contrast sensitivity, outer retina thickness, choriocapillaris flow density, CVI, and CVV in PD patients. This research has also identified a positive correlation between outer retina thickness and contrast sensitivity.
Physiologic responses to exercise in survivors of critical illness: an exploratory pilot study
Authors: Mart Matthew F. , Ely E. Wesley , Tolle James J. , Patel Mayur B. , Brummel Nathan E.
Published: August 2022

Background

ICU survivors suffer from impaired physical function and reduced exercise capacity, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The goal of this exploratory pilot study was to investigate potential mechanisms of exercise limitation using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and 6-min walk testing (6MWT).

Methods

We enrolled adults aged 18 years or older who were treated for respiratory failure or shock in medical, surgical, or trauma ICUs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN, United States). We excluded patients with pre-existing cardiac dysfunction, a contraindication to CPET, or the need for supplemental oxygen at rest. We performed CPET and 6MWT 6 months after ICU discharge. We measured standard CPET parameters in addition to two measures of oxygen utilization during exercise (VO2-work rate slope and VO2 recovery half-time).

Results

We recruited 14 participants. Low exercise capacity (i.e., VO2Peak < 80% predicted) was present in 11 out of 14 (79%) with a median VO2Peak of 12.6 ml/kg/min [9.6–15.1] and 6MWT distance of 294 m [240–433]. In addition to low VO2Peak, CPET findings in survivors included low oxygen uptake efficiency slope, low oxygen pulse, elevated chronotropic index, low VO2-work rate slope, and prolonged VO2 recovery half-time, indicating impaired oxygen utilization with a hyperdynamic heart rate and ventilatory response, a pattern seen in non-critically ill patients with mitochondrial myopathies. Worse VO2-work rate slope and VO2 recovery half-time were strongly correlated with worse VO2Peak and 6MWT distance, suggesting that exercise capacity was potentially limited by impaired muscle oxygen utilization.

Conclusions

These exploratory data suggest ICU survivors may suffer from impaired muscular oxygen metabolism due to mitochondrial dysfunction that impairs exercise capacity long-term. These findings should be further characterized in future studies that include direct assessments of muscle mitochondrial function in ICU survivors.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of supervised, at-home, self-administered transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to manage long COVID symptoms
Authors: Badran Bashar W. , Huffman Sarah M. , Dancy Morgan , Austelle Christopher W. , Bikson Marom , Kautz Steven A. , George Mark S.
Published: August 2022

Background

Although the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has now impacted the world for over two years, the persistent secondary neuropsychiatric effects are still not fully understood. These “long COVID” symptoms, also referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), can persist for months after infection without any effective treatments. Long COVID involves a complex heterogenous symptomology and can lead to disability and limit work. Long COVID symptoms may be due to sustained inflammatory responses and prolonged immune response after infection. Interestingly, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may have anti-inflammatory effects, however, until recently, VNS could not be self-administered, at-home, noninvasively.

Methods

We created a double-blind, noninvasive transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) system that can be self-administered at home with simultaneous remote monitoring of physiological biomarkers and video supervision by study staff. Subsequently, we carried out a pilot (n = 13) randomized, sham-controlled, trial with this system for four weeks to treat nine predefined long covid symptoms (anxiety, depression, vertigo, anosmia, ageusia, headaches, fatigue, irritability, brain fog). No in-person patient contact was needed, with informed consent, trainings, ratings, and all procedures being conducted remotely during the pandemic (2020–2021) and equipment being shipped to individuals’ homes. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier: NCT04638673 registered November 20, 2020.

Results

Four-weeks of at-home self-administered taVNS (two, one-hour sessions daily, delivered at suprathreshold intensities) was feasible and safe. Although our trial was not powered to determine efficacy as an intervention in a heterogenous population, the trends in the data suggest taVNS may have a mild to moderate effect in reducing mental fatigue symptoms in a subset of individuals.

Conclusions

This innovative study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of supervised self-administered taVNS under a fully contactless protocol and suggests that future studies can safely investigate this novel form of brain stimulation at-home for a variety of neuropsychiatric and motor recovery applications.
Consanguinity in the Chaouia population (Morocco): prevalence, trends, determinants, fertility, and spontaneous abortions
Authors: Cheffi Khadija , Dahbi Noura , El Khair Abderrazak , Stambouli Hamid , Elbouri Aziz , Talbi Jalal , Hilali Abderraouf , El Ossmani Hicham
Published: August 2022

Background

One of the aspects that helps to understand the genetic structure of a population throughout its biological history is the description of its matrimonial practices. Thus, the objective of this study is to explore consanguinity, one of these practices, to its full extent by identifying the prevalence, determinants, and trends of a consanguineous marriage, as well as its impact on fertility and spontaneous abortions in the Chaouia population, a region located in the western center of Morocco. Therefore, a survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2020. The sample was collected by province using a stratified random sampling approach, yielding a sample of 788 people. The association between consanguinity and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, as well as reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes, was described using chi-square and ANOVA analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of a consanguineous marriage.

Results

Our findings revealed a consanguinity rate of 25.38%. The mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.012214. The most common type of union was between first cousins. This practice was strongly associated with an early age at marriage for both genders and with endogamy and immobility of couples, according to their place of birth. Consanguinity was significantly associated with fertility (p < 0.001) and spontaneous abortions (p = 0.029). The average number of pregnancies and spontaneous abortions was higher in consanguineous unions (5.18 ± 0.20/0.47 ± 0.08) compared to non-consanguineous unions (4.33 ± 0.10/0.31 ± 0.03).

Conclusions

Consanguinity is a deeply rooted social and cultural tradition in this population, providing individuals with a sense of social-economic stability while assuring their attachment to the group. Despite being highly associated with fertility, this practice has a significant influence on pregnancy outcomes, namely spontaneous abortions. Therefore, further studies are needed to examine the impact of consanguinity on various aspects of reproductive health and its association with numerous genetic abnormalities and diseases.
Josephson oscillation in the open two-site Bose-Hubbard system
Authors: Kolovsky Andrey R.
Published: August 2022

We analyze Josephson’s oscillation of Bose particles in the open two-site Bose-Hubbard system. First, we excite the system from the vacuum state into a state suitable for observing the oscillation by using a special protocol for external driving. Next, we switch off the driving and observe the oscillation. It is shown that the main mechanism for the decay of Josephson’s oscillation is the dephasing due to the fluctuating number of particles in open systems. An analytical estimate for the decay time is obtained.
Analysis of factors that influence the companies’ market value in England, France, and Germany. How can managers maximize such value?
Authors: Vasconcelos Tiago de , Forte Denis
Published: August 2022

One of the classic issues in business administration is whether managers can maximize profit. Thus, this article aims to identify the causal factors regarding the maximization of companies’ market value to subsidize decision-makers. The sample was extracted from the Capital IQ database and formed of nonfinancial public companies from Germany, France, and England, considering the period from 1999 to 2019, with quarterly frequency. The study finds theoretical support from market-to-book decomposition concepts as in Rhodes-Kropf, Robinson, and Viswanathan (2005), and uses the classical theory decision model with hypotheses proposed by Lindenberg and Ross (1981), Hirschey and Wirchem (1984), Habib and Ljungqvist (2005), Hertzel and Li (2010), and Belenzon (2012). The research adopted a t-1 period lag in the independent variables in relation to the dependent variable to demonstrate the result of actions of independent variables in the dependent variable in subsequent periods. Subsequently, correlation and regression analyses were performed with panel data. The results show that the management of tangible and intangible assets, goodwill, revenue, Ebitda, return on assets, research and development, advertising, Capex, and return on equity contribute to increasing the companies’ market value, and they can be maximized through good management. Therefore, because these variables are manageable, it is possible to infer that managers are in the position to maximize companies’ market value.
Um ensaio sobre a constituição e evolução da concepção do trabalho gerencial à luz de distintas linhagens teóricas
Authors: Leite Rose
Published: August 2022

O presente ensaio propõe apresentar, de forma sintética, um panorama sobre a constituição e evolução da concepção do trabalho gerencial sob a ótica de duas diferentes linhagens teóricas. A primeira ampara-se nas referências da herança clássica, denominada Escola das Atividades Cotidianas, sob uma perspectiva epistemológica de caráter empiricista e racionalista, em que o trabalho gerencial, no nível intermediário, é determinado por sua posição na estrutura hierárquica e tem o papel de transmitir aos trabalhadores do chamado “âmbito operacional” os objetivos definidos pela direção. A segunda pauta-se no legado de tradição francófona, que congrega a articulação de conteúdos das ciências sociais com a Psicologia do Trabalho Ergonômica e a Ergonomia da Atividade, privilegiando as situações reais de trabalho. É um ensaio que tem como objetivo fornecer subsídios e pistas que fundamentem investigações envolvendo o trabalho gerencial, incluindo o gerenciamento do espaço produtivo e de serviços, assim como a gestão de equipes.
Relevância do fluxo de caixa operacional para previsão de falência das empresas brasileiras abertas
Authors: Melo Laís Lopes de , Bortoluzzo Adriana Bruscato , Venezuela Maria Kelly
Published: August 2022

O objetivo do artigo é avaliar se o fluxo de caixa operacional sobre passivo total (FCOPT) é relevante para melhor estimar a previsão de falência de empresas brasileiras abertas, no período de 2008 a 2019. A justificativa para a inclusão de tal indicador é baseada no fato de ele ser uma medida da capacidade das empresas de pagarem suas dívidas com o caixa gerado com suas operações. Foram construídos seis modelos de regressão logística com amostra pareada para empresas que faliram e não faliram no período: três baseados na literatura (ALTMAN, 1968; SANVICENTE e MINARDI, 1998; ROCHA, 2017) e três acrescidos da variável FCOPT para validar sua significância na previsão de falência de empresas brasileiras. O fluxo de caixa apresentou relevância estatística, e, de maneira geral, a área sob a curva ROC foi maior em todos os modelos em que a variável foi adicionada, o que indica que a inclusão de FCOPT traz uma melhor qualidade aos modelos de previsão de falência. A variação da área sob a curva ROC do modelo de Altman melhora em 2,2% com a inclusão de FCOPT; nos demais modelos, em 3,8%. Considerando dois anos antes da falência, essa variação melhora em pelo menos 11%. Outra contribuição do artigo é a forma como os modelos de previsão são avaliados e comparados, usando a curva ROC, que balanceia sensibilidade e especificidade dos modelos preditivos.
O uso de dados pessoais no combate à COVID-19: alcances e limites das experiências do Brasil e da União Europeia
Authors: Silva Mariana Leite Fernandes da , Teixeira Marco Antonio Carvalho , Francisco Eduardo de Rezende
Published: August 2022

Este artigo investiga como dados pessoais estão sendo tratados pelo governo brasileiro e pelo governo central da União Europeia no combate à COVID-19. Para isso, apresenta-se um panorama da legislação de referência dos governos sobre proteção de dados durante a pandemia da COVID-19; mapeiam-se as medidas do governo brasileiro e do governo central da União Europeia no combate à COVID-19 que envolvem dados pessoais e investiga-se se essas medidas contribuem para o gerenciamento da crise da COVID-19. A metodologia é qualitativa exploratória, dados o contexto e o enfoque no combate à COVID-19. Além disso, realizou-se um estudo de caso coletivo, incluindo uma análise documental da legislação de referência, valendo-se, ainda, da triangulação de fontes de dados. Como resultado, entende-se que o tratamento de dados pessoais por governos ocorre, nesse caso, para fomentar o ciclo de políticas públicas e permitir um diagnóstico preciso, um desenho da política baseado no conhecimento da realidade e uma avaliação com rapidez para mitigar os efeitos indesejados. Esse tratamento de dados ocorreu por meio de aplicativos e mecanismos de geolocalização, sendo, no Brasil, o Coronavírus – SUS em âmbito nacional e o SIMI – SP, estadual, enquanto, na Europa, o caso escolhido foi o Corona-Datenspende. Além disso, o tratamento de dados aconteceu, no Brasil, de forma legal, porém, com lacunas em termos de segurança. Já na Europa, o tratamento de dados ocorreu de modo a respeitar o consentimento dos cidadãos e oferecer privacidade e segurança a eles. Assim, concluiu-se que o tratamento de dados pessoais foi especialmente relevante durante a pandemia da COVID-19, mas é necessário analisar como a tentativa de promover o direito à saúde pode afetar o direito à proteção de dados.
Inclusion of palliative and end of life care in health strategies aimed at integrated care: a documentary analysis
Authors: Chambers Rachel L. , Pask Sophie , Higginson Irene J. , Barclay Stephen , Murtagh Fliss E.M. , Sleeman Katherine E.
Published: August 2022

Background: In England, Integrated Care Systems have been established to improve integration of care, as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. For people near the end of life, palliative care can improve integration of care. We aimed to understand whether and how palliative and end of life care was included in Integrated Care System strategies, and to consider priorities for strengthening this. Methods: Documentary analysis of Integrated Care System (ICS) strategies, using summative content analysis, was performed. Google searches were used to identify NHS Trust, Clinical Commissioning Group or ICS websites. We searched these websites to identify strategies. Key terms were used to identify relevant content. Themes were mapped onto an adapted logic model for integrated care. Results: 23 Integrated Care System strategy documents were identified. Of these, two did not mention any of the key terms, and six highlighted palliative and end of life care as either a priority, area of focus, or an ambition. While most (19/23) strategies included elements that could be mapped onto the adapted logic model for integrated care, the thread from enablers and components, to structures, processes, outcomes, and impact was incomplete. Conclusions: Greater prioritisation of palliative and end of life care within recently established Integrated Care Systems could improve outcomes for people near the end of life, as well as reduce reliance on acute hospital care. Integrated Care Systems should consider involving patients, the public and palliative care stakeholders in the ongoing development of strategies. For strategies to be effective, our adapted logic model can be used to outline how different components of care fit together to achieve defined outcomes and impact.
Artificial intelligence and digital twins in power systems: Trends, synergies and opportunities
Authors: Shen Zhiwei , Arraño-Vargas Felipe , Konstantinou Georgios
Published: August 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises solutions to the challenges raised by the digitalization of power grids and their assets. Decision-making, forecasting and even operational optimization of grids and assets are just some of the solutions that AI algorithms can provide to operators, utilities and vendors. Nevertheless, barriers such as access to quality datasets, interpretability, repeatability, and availability of computational resources currently limit the extent of practical AI implementations. At the same time, Digital Twins (DTs) are foreseen as platforms that can overcome these barriers, and also provide a new environment for the development of enhanced and more intelligent applications. In this manuscript, we review the published literature to determine the existing capabilities and implementation challenges of AI algorithms in power systems, and classify AI-based applications based on their time scale to reveal their temporal sensitivity. By combining AI and DT, we outline multiple prospective use cases for AI-enhanced power grid and power asset DTs. Our review also identifies that the combination of AI-based solutions and DTs leverages new applications with the potential to fundamentally change multiple aspects of the power industry.
Non-Invasive measurement of the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen using MRI in rodents
Authors: Wood Tobias C , Cash Diana , MacNicol Eilidh , Simmons Camilla , Kim Eugene , Lythgoe David J , Zelaya Fernando , Turkheimer Federico
Published: August 2022

Malfunctions of oxygen metabolism are suspected to play a key role in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, but this hypothesis cannot be properly investigated without an in-vivo non-invasive measurement of brain oxygen consumption. We present a new way to measure the Cerebral Metabolic Rate of Oxygen (CMRO2) by combining two existing magnetic resonance imaging techniques, namely arterial spin-labelling and oxygen extraction fraction mapping. This method was validated by imaging rats under different anaesthetic regimes and was strongly correlated to glucose consumption measured by autoradiography.
Sobre a reeducação das relações étnico-raciais na escola pública: percepções de docentes de Mossoró/RN
Authors: Da Silva Francinaldo Rita , Paiva de Carvalho Guilherme , Vieira da Silva Francisco
Published: August 2022

O artigo analisa a percepção de docentes de escolas públicas de Mossoró/RN acerca da reeducação das relações étnico-raciais no período pós-lei 10.639/2003.  Fundamenta-se principalmente nas Diretrizes Curriculares Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para a Educação das Relações Étnico-raciais e para o Ensino de História e Cultura Afro-brasileira e Africana e em autores como Madeira (2020), Munanga (2005), Gomes (2001) e Gomes (2008). O corpus de análise é composto por fragmentos extraídos de entrevistas semiestruturadas feitas com nove docentes da rede estadual da cidade de Mossoró/RN. As análises pontuam que os docentes concebem a importância da efetivação de relações étnico-raciais positivas na escola, mas enumeram alguns obstáculos, como a ausência de formação adequada e os impactos de um currículo ainda matizado por um viés racial homogeneizante.
A escritora Anilda Leão no contexto cultural de Alagoas
Authors: Sena Fabiana , Santos Ângela Maria dos
Published: August 2022

Historicamente a mulher foi vista de acordo com a sua inserção na sociedade local onde estava inserida. No século XIX, a história registrou a participação da mulher no âmbito do trabalho assalariado, o que posteriormente desencadeou movimentos por melhores condições de trabalho, gerando embates entre os que divergiam de opinião quanto aos papéis possíveis à mulher na sociedade. Nesse período, a narrativa desses embates, da defesa ou do rechaço a esses papéis não foi feita por elas, e sim por homens. Homens que teceram as representações do feminino na literatura, nos jornais e em seus poemas. Não obstante, conforme a mudança do cenário estrutural do corpo social na passagem do século XIX para o XX, a mulher conseguiu marcar presença, mesmo sofrendo repressões, nos mesmos espaços dominados pelos considerados doutos. Com base nessas asserções, apresentamos este estudo, orientado pela perspectiva da História Cultural, a fim de buscar, com base nas categorias de representação e de redes de sociabilidade, dar visibilidade à escritora Anilda Leão Moliterno (1923-2012). Essa mulher alagoana que trouxe em seus escritos muito de si, das mazelas sociais e do desafio de ser mulher em uma sociedade tomada pelo machismo. Destarte, a visibilidade que é dada à Anilda Leão no campo da história do feminino, na atualidade, faz com que reconheçamos suas atuações e que ela seja inserida no rol da escrita da história.
O despertar da mulher negra: processos de lutas e existências
Authors: Carneiro Gleicy Borges , Nascimento Ladislau Ribeiro do
Published: August 2022

Este artigo apresenta análises e reflexões sobre o despertar para a negritude em mulheres negras. O termo negritude indica os processos de subjetivação a partir dos quais negras e negros se afirmam como sujeitos racializados, herdeiros de uma história marcada por violência e exploração enfrentadas desde o período colonial. Com inspiração em análises e reflexões de mulheres negras como Djamila Ribeiro, Grada Kilomba e Maria Aparecida da Silva Bento, analisamos relatos extraídos de três palestras publicadas no YouTube, sendo duas protagonizadas por Nátaly Neri e uma por Stephanie Ribeiro - mulheres reconhecidas publicamente como ativistas que despertaram para a negritude feminina. As narrativas e os relatos expressos nos vídeos foram submetidos a processos de Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados apontam para lutas associadas aos modos de subjetividade carreados pelo racismo operado nas dimensões estrutural, institucional e individual. Em meio às mais diversas pressões para o assujeitamento, mulheres negras se afirmam e resistem através da partilha e do fortalecimento de laços e vínculos. A resistência envolve posicionamentos situados nos domínios da ética, da política e da estética. Por fim, enfatiza-se a relevância de pesquisas capazes de fazer ecoar vozes, gestos e acenos da negritude feminina.
Choirs in end-of-life care: a thematic literature review
Authors: Ryan Colleen , McAllister Margaret , Mulvogue Jennifer
Published: August 2022

Background:

Choirs are an important source of wellbeing for people experiencing palliative and end-of-life care. Threshold choirs are an innovation that could be more widely introduced, as hospital and palliative care settings have become more open to community input.

Aims:

Before such choirs are recommended and encouraged, evidence for their effectiveness and implementation barriers need to be known.

Methods:

A literature review was undertaken in 2019 and 2020 using CINAHL, PUBMED, Medline, ProQuest, Google Scholar and an internet manual search.

Findings:

The review identified a total of 26 research and discussion papers relevant to the topic of choir in palliative care settings.

Conclusion:

Following the review, guidelines were developed that may be useful to assist choirs and service providers to effectively introduce this valuable initiative. Choirs may be a creative, and uplifting arts-based activity to augment and enrich the culture of person-centred care during palliative care processes.
Nurses' perceptions of supporting a ‘good death’ in intensive care units
Authors: Stanzl Nicola , Scammell Janet
Published: August 2022

Background:

Death in the intensive care unit (ICU) is an unavoidable aspect of nursing practice. Nurses are the primary front-line healthcare professionals (HCPs) which care for dying patients in this setting. Facilitating ‘good deaths’ in the ICU has become increasingly debated due to the challenges involved, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: To explore how nurses perceive a ‘good death’ for patients in the ICU.

Method:

Literature published in English between 2005 and 2020 was rigorously searched and recorded using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data sources were: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE complete, APA PsycInfo, ScienceDirect, SocINDEX, SwePub, SciELO, Complementary Index, Academic Search Ultimate, Supplemental Index, Education Source and Directory of Open Access Journals. Search terms included: nurses' perceptions, ICUs, ‘good deaths’, quality of death and dignified deaths.

Findings:

Seven articles met the search criteria, five used qualitative methods, one used a quantitative method and one used a mixed method design. Each of these were critically analysed. A process of thematic analysis identified three prevalent themes: ensuring physical comfort, providing an appropriate physical environment and the importance of relatives.

Conclusion:

The review revealed that creating a less technical environment within the ICU can influence a ‘good death’, but further research is needed to establish how this can be enacted. More effective management of physical symptoms such as pain and dyspnoea are also recommended. Including care of relatives in care plans was also found to contribute toward a ‘good death’ and that this could be facilitated through improved staff education. Providing a private area for grieving relatives within the ICU has also had an impact in enabling a ‘good death’.
Effect of bromelain on mast cell numbers and degranulation in diabetic rat wound healing
Authors: Fathi Amene Nikgoftar , Babaei Sepehr , Babaei Soroush , Baazm Maryam , Sakhaie Hassan , Babaei Saeid
Published: August 2022

Objective:

Many studies have revealed the prominent roles of mast cells in wound healing, including inflammatory reactions, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix reabsorption. In the present study, we aimed to assess the probable therapeutic features of bromelain on wound contraction and mast cell degranulation in wound healing in experimental diabetic animals.

Method:

Male rats were grouped as control, vehicle and experiment. Skin wounds were generated in all groups. Treatments were applied with distilled water and with bromelain (BR) intraperitoneally in the vehicle and experimental groups, respectively. Following skin wound generation, animals were euthanised on days 3, 5, 7 and 15. We gathered 16,800 microscopic images to count the mast cells and degranulation level (Image J software). The wound contraction index was assessed both microscopically (Image J software) and macroscopically (time-lapse photography). The meshwork evaluation method was used to assess wound healing.

Results:

Time-lapse photography revealed that the BR significantly (p<0.05) accelerated wound contraction and healing. BR significantly (p<0.05) increased the total number of mast cells in all experimental groups on days 5 and 7. The count of grade III (degranulated) mast cells was reduced significantly (p<0.05) on days 5 and 7 in experimental groups compared to control and vehicle groups.

Conclusion:

In this study, the rate of wound healing was accelerated considerably following BR administration. In addition, this agent decreased the count of degranulated mast cells, leading to wound contraction and healing.
O MST NO SUL DA BAHIA: O caso da fazenda Santa Luzia
Authors: Dantas Saulo Lúcio
Published: August 2022

O presente artigo tem, como escopo, analisar os discursos jurídicos e midiáticos de um determinado conflito agrário situado na região sul da Bahia, que vem se alastrando há cerca de 16 (dezesseis) anos. No seio do conflito analisado, estudamos quais são os pressupostos legais usados pelo latifúndio em busca de barrar a atuação do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra – MST, aprofundando principalmente os fundamentos jurídicos e midiáticos usados para criminalizar as atuações do MST. Para isso, fizemos uma pequena pesquisa bibliográfica com algumas teorias que tendem a explicar o fenômeno do Crime, do Sistema Penal e da Criminologia como um todo, além claro, de nos embasarmos em teorias críticas do Direito e da Sociologia. Além do mais, fontes orais dos próprios protagonistas da História real, para que estes pudessem relatar os acontecimentos ao longo dos anos. Desta forma, a metodologia usada para tal feito foi incluir também uma pesquisa de campo na área em conflito - o acampamento -, onde foram coletadas informações e depoimentos, e os fóruns da Comarca de Camacã e Itabuna - cidades do sul da Bahia -, em prol de termos acesso aos autos processuais como pesquisa documental para tentarmos desvendar o que estava por trás dos discursos jurídicos tanto dos advogados como dos juízes. Com base nesses pontos supracitados, essa pesquisa tanto no viés da exegese, como do contexto social, tem como pano de fundo o caráter de responsabilidade social que deve ter o Estado brasileiro, principalmente através do seu Poder Judiciário nos julgamentos que envolvem trabalhadores rurais organizados enquanto classe social de um lado, e do outro lado o latifúndio, acobertado pelo capital financeiro e pelo próprio Estado. Por fim, a nossa intenção não é de fazer afirmações por tantas vezes já repetidas ao longo da História Agrária Brasileira, e sim trazer à tona várias inquietações e problematizações sobre os conflitos agrários - em especial o caso da fazenda Santa Luzia -, para que o debate acerca dos direitos fundamentais da pessoa humana, a criminalização dos movimentos sociais, a (im)parcialidade do Poder Judiciário e o papel da mídia na formação de opinião pública, sejam colocados em xeque nesse jogo da vida.
COVID-19, ESTADO DE EXCEÇÃO E NECROPOLÍTICA: UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE A SITUAÇÃO DA SAÚDE PÚBLICA E DO TRABALHO.
Authors: Ramos Beatriz Santana , Lomanto Maíra Neves
Published: August 2022

O presente estudo pretende analisar o cenário da saúde pública e da precarização do trabalho que ditam o estado de exceção permanente no país, agravado pela fascistização da política e pela instauração da pandemia do COVID-19. Com base nas informações dos relatórios emitidos pelo grupo de GeoCombate da UFBA, busca-se desvendar o  panorama necropolítico-geográfico, traçando a ideia de que esse não se estabelece apenas pela escolha governamental por determinadas vidas e abandono para morte de outras, mas que o sistema capitalista exige, necessariamente, que esse quadro faça parte de sua estrutura, sobretudo nos países sulistas colonizados, como meio de reprodução e sustentação do próprio sistema, adquirindo o Direito, então, papel fundamental nessa ação.
ESTABELECIMENTO E MULTIPLICAÇÃO INVITRO DE VELLOZIA JOLYI
Authors: De Andrade Verônica Santos
Published: August 2022

Vellozia jolyi é uma herbácea endêmica da porção média da Cadeia da Serra do Espinhaço com alto potencial ornamental devido a beleza de suas flores (Neves, 2009; Silva, 2013). Na literatura não há estudo de propagação para a V. jolyi, sendo observados apenas trabalhos na área de fenologia e polinização (Neves, 2009).
Optimization of surface high-order harmonic generation by tailoring nanostructures
Authors: Song Lin , Ma Chao , Du Tao-Yuan
Published: August 2022

Many applications in attosecond science, lensless imaging, and industrial metrology need coherent extreme-ultraviolet pulses from high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in solids. However, the efficiency of the HHG plateau and the higher cutoff energy are nontrivial due to the limitation of the lower damage threshold of solids irradiated by laser fields. Here, we propose nanoengineered solid bowtie samples to overcome this limitation, which enables one to tailor the characteristic spacing between two nanotips. The near-field effect combined with recombined emissions with multiple scatterings can robustly increase conversion efficiencies and extend the cutoff energies of the HHG plateau. Our result paves the way to the manipulation of harmonic emissions in nanostructures and introduces imaging of the sub-cycle resolution of ultrafast electronic dynamics.
Improving the measurement range of FFPI strain sensing using second-order control PDH technology
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Jin Wei , An Ran , Liu Zhihai , Yuan Yonggui , Yang Jun , Wang Yuncai , Qin Yuwen
Published: August 2022

A novel demodulation method is presented to expand the measurement dynamic range for fiber optic strain sensors using PDH technology. The new control algorithm uses two integrators to form a 2nd order control, and the FFPI strain sensor can have a dynamic range of 20 dB/octave larger than the PID control method when the input signal frequency decreases a magnitude. A strain resolution of 4.7 pɛ Hz−1/2@10Hz, a 118 dB@10Hz dynamic range without consecution, and 158 dB with consecution is obtained. The experiment results show that the new control method can improve the sensing system’s dynamic range with the corner frequency unchanged and without the system noise level degradation.
Study of MXene Ti3C2Tx quantum dot thin film on quartz bulk acoustic wave uncooled infrared sensors
Authors: Feng Lihui , Luo Jiajun , Ma Xiaoxiao , Cui Jianmin , Chen Yu , Lu Jihua , Zhang Linlin , Pei Zhiqiang
Published: August 2022

The infrared absorption efficiency is essential for an infrared sensor. We propose a quartz bulk acoustic wave (BAW) uncooled infrared sensor coated with MXene quantum dot film. The infrared detection is realized by measuring the resonant frequency of a Y-cut quartz BAW sensitive unit. An infrared sensor is fabricated by MEMS process, then the MXene quantum dot film is coated through the spin coating technology. The mechanism of infrared absorption enhancement is analyzed. Test results show that after coating the film, the responsivity (R) of the sensor increased by nearly 41% at a wavelength of 830nm, from 10.88MHz/W to 15.28 MHz/W. The quartz BAW infrared sensor combined with MXene quantum dots film has the potential of high-performance infrared detection.
Spatial rogue waves in the actively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser under low Kerr nonlinearity
Authors: Navitskaya Roza , Stashkevich Ihar , Derevyanko Stanislav , Karabchevsky Alina
Published: August 2022

We report the generation of spatial rogue waves in an actively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. We observed that spatial rogue waves can emerge when the laser operates in a low-power regime below the self-focusing limit, while the lasing takes place at a large number of high-order transverse modes. These results suggest that the main mechanism leading to rogue waves generation is the modal overlap while large Kerr nonlinearity in the cavity is not a necessary factor in the process of spatial rogue waves formation. We have also investigated the spatio-temporal and coherence properties of the observed rogue waves.
Ag NPs/PMMA nanocomposite as an efficient platform for fluorescence regulation of riboflavin
Authors: Liu Xinxin , Liu Jinhua , Zhao Xuemiao , Zhang Dong , Wang Qingru
Published: August 2022

The fluorescence detection platform has broad application in many fields. In this paper, we report a simple and efficient fluorescence detection platform based on the synergistic effects of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Ag NPs were introduced to realize the plasmon enhancement fluorescence and a thin PMMA layer was used to adjust the distance between Ag NPs and riboflavin. The thin PMMA layer not only enhances the fluorescence by enhancing adhesion of substrate, but also optimizes the plasmon enhancement fluorescence effect by serving as the spacer. The fluorescence enhancement factor based on this platform shows a trend of increasing with the decrease of the concentration of riboflavin, and the detection of riboflavin is realized based on this feature, the lowest detectable concentration is as low as 0.27 µM. In addition to the detection based on plasmon enhancement fluorescence, the detection of riboflavin at low concentrations can also be realized by the shift and broadening of the fluorescence peak due to the Ag NPs. The combination of the two ways of plasmon enhancement fluorescence and shift of the fluorescence spectra is used for the detection of riboflavin. These results show that the platform has great potential applications in the field of detection and sensing.
Switchable ultra-broadband absorption and polarization conversion metastructure controlled by light
Authors: Liao Siyuan , Sui Junyang , Zhang Haifeng
Published: August 2022

This article proposed a metastructure device that can realize polarization conversion (PC) and absorption function switching in the terahertz (THz) range based on the photoconductivity effect. The photoconductance is formed by exposing silicon to different intensities of light, then the PC and absorption function can be switched. At the same time, the absorption bandwidth is expanded by inserting air resonant cavities into the dielectric substrate, changing the thickness of the dielectric locally, and cutting rectangular slots at the metal bottom plate. When the device works as a polarization converter, linear-to-linear PC with a polarization conversion rate of over 90% at 0.96-1.47 THz can be achieved, and its relative bandwidth is 42%. And when the silicon conductivity is fixed at 3500 S/m through illuminating, the device switches to an ultra-broadband absorber with over 90% absorption at 0.75-1.73 THz and a relative bandwidth of 79%. The designed device can be applied efficiently in many fields, such as electromagnetic cloaking and communication.
Simple method for microwave photonic temperature interrogation with high resolution and sensitivity
Authors: Wang Lu , Hao Tengfei , Chen Xiaoyu , Guan Mengyuan , Li Fangping , Li Guangyi , Li Ming , Zhu Ninghua , Li Wei
Published: August 2022

We propose a microwave photonic temperature interrogation system with high resolution and sensitivity based on temperature-to-time mapping with a simple structure. In this work, a bidirectional chirped optical signal is constructed, and the temperature information is mapped to the time interval change of the output pulses by filtering the bidirectional chirped optical signal using the transmission spectrum of a Fabry–Perot filter. Only a low-speed oscilloscope is required to extract the time interval of the output pulses in the proposed scheme, and complex data processing as well as synchronizing processes are avoided. In a proof-of-concept experiment, a high temperature interrogation sensitivity of 18.24 µs/°C and a high resolution of 0.035°C are realized, demonstrating good potential for practical applications.
Practical identifiability analysis of a mechanistic model for the time to distant metastatic relapse and its application to renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Álvarez-Arenas Arturo , Souleyreau Wilfried , Emanuelli Andrea , Cooley Lindsay S. , Bernhard Jean-Christophe , Bikfalvi Andreas , Benzekry Sebastien
Published: August 2022

Distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) curves are widely used in oncology. They are classically analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator or agnostic statistical models from survival analysis. Here we report on a method to extract more information from DMFS curves using a mathematical model of primary tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. The model depends on two parameters, α and μ, respectively quantifying tumor growth and dissemination. We assumed these to be lognormally distributed in a patient population. We propose a method for identification of the parameters of these distributions based on least-squares minimization between the data and the simulated survival curve. We studied the practical identifiability of these parameters and found that including the percentage of patients with metastasis at diagnosis was critical to ensure robust estimation. We also studied the impact and identifiability of covariates and their coefficients in α and μ, either categorical or continuous, including various functional forms for the latter (threshold, linear or a combination of both). We found that both the functional form and the coefficients could be determined from DMFS curves. We then applied our model to a clinical dataset of metastatic relapse from kidney cancer with individual data of 105 patients. We show that the model was able to describe the data and illustrate our method to disentangle the impact of three covariates on DMFS: a categorical one (Führman grade) and two continuous ones (gene expressions of the macrophage mannose receptor 1 (MMR) and the G Protein-Coupled Receptor Class C Group 5 Member A (GPRC5a) gene). We found that all had an influence in metastasis dissemination (μ), but not on growth (α).
Genetic adaptations to SIV across chimpanzee populations
Authors: Pawar Harvinder , Ostridge Harrison J. , Schmidt Joshua M. , Andrés Aida M.
Published: August 2022

Central and eastern chimpanzees are infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) in the wild, typically without developing acute immunodeficiency. Yet the recent zoonotic transmission of chimpanzee SIV to humans, which were naïve to the virus, gave rise to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS and is responsible for one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. Chimpanzees have likely been infected with SIV for tens of thousands of years and have likely evolved to reduce its pathogenicity, becoming semi-natural hosts that largely tolerate the virus. In support of this view, central and eastern chimpanzees show evidence of positive selection in genes involved in SIV/HIV cell entry and immune response to SIV, respectively. We hypothesise that the population first infected by SIV would have experienced the strongest selective pressure to control the lethal potential of zoonotic SIV, and that population genetics will reveal those first critical adaptations. With that aim we used population genetics to investigate signatures of positive selection in the common ancestor of central-eastern chimpanzees. The genes with signatures of positive selection in the ancestral population are significantly enriched in SIV-related genes, especially those involved in the immune response to SIV and those encoding for host genes that physically interact with SIV/HIV (VIPs). This supports a scenario where SIV first infected the central-eastern ancestor and where this population was under strong pressure to adapt to zoonotic SIV. Interestingly, integrating these genes with candidates of positive selection in the two infected subspecies reveals novel patterns of adaptation to SIV. Specifically, we observe evidence of positive selection in numerous steps of the biological pathway responsible for T-helper cell differentiation, including CD4 and multiple genes that SIV/HIV use to infect and control host cells. This pathway is active only in CD4+ cells which SIV/HIV infects, and it plays a crucial role in shaping the immune response so it can efficiently control the virus. Our results confirm the importance of SIV as a selective factor, identify specific genetic changes that may have allowed our closest living relatives to reduce SIV’s pathogenicity, and demonstrate the potential of population genomics to reveal the evolutionary mechanisms used by naïve hosts to reduce the pathogenicity of zoonotic pathogens.