bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to antibiotic use and resistance among prescribers from public primary healthcare facilities in Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Olaru Ioana D. , Ferrand Rashida A. , Yeung Shunmay , Chingono Rudo , Chonzi Prosper , Masunda Kudzai P.E. , Dixon Justin , Kranzer Katharina
Published: April 2022

Background

Overuse of antibiotics is one of the main drivers for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Globally, most antibiotics are prescribed in the outpatient setting. This survey aimed to explore attitudes and practices with regards to microbiology tests, AMR and antibiotic prescribing among healthcare providers at public primary health clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in nine primary health clinics located in low-income suburbs of Harare between October and December 2020. In Zimbabwe, primary health clinics provide nurse-led outpatient care for acute and chronic illnesses. Healthcare providers who independently prescribe antibiotics and order diagnostic tests were invited to participate. The survey used self-administered questionnaires. A five-point Likert scale was used to determine attitudes and beliefs.

Results

A total of 91 healthcare providers agreed to participate in the survey. The majority of participants (62/91, 68%) had more than 10 years of work experience. Most participants reported that they consider AMR as a global (75/91, 82%) and/or national (81/91, 89%) problem, while 52/91 (57%) considered AMR to be a problem in their healthcare facilities. A fifth of participants (20/91, 22%) were unsure if AMR was a problem in their clinics. Participants felt that availability of national guidelines (89/89, 100%), training sessions on antibiotic prescribing (89/89, 100%) and regular audit and feedback on prescribing (82/88, 93%) were helpful interventions to improve prescribing.

Conclusions

These findings support the need for increased availability of data on AMR and antibiotic use in primary care. Educational interventions, regular audit and feedback, and access to practice guidelines may be useful to limit overuse of antibiotics.
Incidence of invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella in Blantyre, Malawi between January 2011-December 2019
Authors: Wilson Catherine N. , Chunga Angeziwa , Masesa Clemens , Denis Brigitte , Silungwe Niza , Bilima Sithembile , Galloway Heather , Gordon Melita , Feasey Nicholas A.
Published: April 2022

Background: The Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme (MLW) has undertaken sentinel surveillance of bloodstream infection and meningitis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi for 20 years. Previously, three epidemics of Salmonella bloodstream infection have been identified. Here we provide updated surveillance data on invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease from 2011 – 2019.

Methods: Surveillance data describing trends in invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease and associated antimicrobial susceptibility profiles are presented for the period January 2011 – December 2019.

Results: Between January 2011-December 2019, 128,588 blood cultures and 40,769 cerebrospinal fluid cultures were processed at MLW. Overall, 1.00% of these were positive for S. Typhimurium, 0.10% for S. Enteritidis, and 0.05% positive for other Salmonella species. Estimated minimum incidence of invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease decreased from 21/100,000 per year in 2011 to 7/100,000 per year in 2019. Over this period, 26 confirmed cases of Salmonella meningitis were recorded (88.5% S. Typhimurium). Between 2011-2019 there was a substantial decrease in proportion of S. Typhimurium (78.5% to 27.7%) and S. Enteritidis (31.8% in 2011 to 0%) that were multidrug-resistant. Resistance to fluoroquinolones and third-generation generation cephalosporins (3GC) remained uncommon, however 3GC increased amongst Salmonella spp. and S. Typhimurium in the latter part of the period.

Conclusions: The total number of iNTS bloodstream infections decreased between 2011-2019. Although the number multidrug resistance (MDR) S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis isolates has fallen, the number of MDR isolates of other Salmonella spp. has increased, including 3GC isolates.
Just Diverse Among Themselves: How Does Negative Performance Feedback Affect Boards’ Expertise vs. Ascriptive Diversity?
Authors: Jung HeeJung , Lee Yonghoon G. , Park Sun Hyun
Published: April 2022

We investigate how negative performance feedback affects board diversity, which is instrumental in shaping a firm’s strategic change. When a firm underperforms compared with its aspiration, its board is motivated to promptly address the underperformance. The board needs to not only help search for strategic alternatives but also quickly build consensus around its strategic reorientation. These two motivations lead the board to value two dimensions of diversity among its members differently. On the one hand, to understand the problem of underperformance and find a solution, the board is motivated to seek new expertise, avoiding redundancy in the pool of expertise already represented in the boardroom. This results in a higher level of diversity in director expertise. On the other hand, the urgent need to build consensus prompts the board to value trust and solidarity and to avoid potential conflict among directors. Because people perceive others with similar ascriptive backgrounds as trustworthy, changes in the board of an underperforming firm are likely to yield a lower level of diversity in its members’ ascriptive backgrounds. These changes in board are affected by the committee chairs of the board whose power and influence are significant in the boardroom. Analyses of the boards of 733 U.S. listed manufacturing firms show that when a firm underperforms compared with its aspirations, it increases the board expertise diversity, but decreases the board ascriptive diversity. When chairs on the board are gender or racial minorities, the negative association between underperformance and the board ascriptive diversity is weakened.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1595 .
Your Presence Is Requested: Mindfulness Infusion in Workplace Interactions and Relationships
Authors: Reina Christopher S. , Kreiner Glen E. , Rheinhardt Alexandra , Mihelcic Christine A.
Published: April 2022

In an increasingly fast-paced work environment filled with distractions, an overabundance of information, and complex decision making, scholars and practitioners alike have begun to recognize the need to slow down and direct attention to the present moment. As such, the study and implementation of mindfulness in the workplace has received growing attention in recent years. This body of work, however, is preoccupied with the outcomes of individual- and collective-level mindfulness, largely ignoring mindfulness as brought into workplace interactions and relationships. In this study, we take a qualitative, grounded theory approach wherein we put forth and unpack a model of interpersonal mindfulness infusion: the process whereby individuals instill their mindfulness into their workplace interactions and relationships. We further distinguish between formal and informal and self- and other-focused mindfulness practices. We show how these practices underlie the mindfulness infusion process and can enhance workplace interactions and relationships. In doing so, we contribute to the organizational literature on mindfulness and positive relationships at work.
Assessment of Fast and Junk Food Consumption and Addiction Among Saudi Population. National Descriptive Study 2020.
Authors: A.Amer Samar , A. Alasmari Samirah , A.Amer Mostafa , Al Aissa Nouf , Abd-Ellatif Eman Elsayed
Published: April 2022

Kingdome of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has undergone lifestyle changes that have resulted in unhealthy dietary patterns So this study aims to investigate the frequency, determinants, and the context of Fast Food (FF), and Junk Food (JF) consumption,, to study the effect of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) food related policy, and to study the use of Ministry of Health (MOH) calorie guide among Saudi population all over KSA. Through a cross-sectional study recruited 355 randomly selected Saudis stratified to represent the 20 health regions in KSA through a self-administered and validated questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained for this work. Results; The majority had age distribution between 20-< 40 y, and 218 (61.4%) were single. The prevalence of FF, and JF consumption was 308 (86.7 %).The most frequently consumed FF in descending order were (French fries, Shawarma, Burger, then Pizza) , while the most frequently consumed JF in descending order were (all kinds of cocoa, and cakes, then Ice cream), and more than half of participants did not drink carbonated soft drinks. Dinner was the main time of consuming FF (79.2%), and soft drinks (55.6%), while sweets were consumed mainly as snack (68.8%). The consumption of FF, and JF were significantly higher among young participants. The most common causes for consuming the above mentioned foods were entertainment 173 (48.5%), eating with friends 100 (28.1%) and due to better taste 92 (25.8%). The majority 48.7% of Saudi were unaware about the SFDA food related policy. Although the use of calorie labeling policy significantly (p<0.05) affected the food choices, reduced the average weekly spending on Saudi Riyal, but not on weight loss. We concluded that FF, and JF consumption among Saudis is a prevalent, and complex problem, indicating a critical need for community-based interventions to change the attitudes and behaviors toward healthy eating.
The Volatile Compounds and Aroma Profile of Some Pigmented Rice Brans After Fermentation
Authors: Nadhifah Amalia Mar’atun , Nur Fibri Dwi Larasatie , Handoko Dody Dwi , David Wahyudi , Budijanto Slamet , Shirakawa Hitoshi , Ardiansyah Ardiansyah
Published: April 2022

Pigmented rice is known to have nutritional and bioactive compounds which commonly concentrated in the bran layers. Solid-state fermentation is known to enhance the bioactive compounds of rice bran. The study aims to identify fermented rice bran’s volatile compounds and aroma attributes from some pigmented rice (Inpari 24, Saodah, Cempo Ireng and Jeliteng). The rice brans were sterilized at 121oC for 15 minutes and produced non-fermented rice bran and some of them were fermented for 72 hours at 30ºC using Rhizopus oligosporus. Both non-fermented and fermented rice brans were analysed using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and qualitative descriptive analysis (QDA). The result showed that a total 114 of volatile compounds were identified from fermented and non-fermented rice bran. They consisted of 14 aldehydes, 12 ketones, 14 alcohols, 15 hydrocarbons, 8 acids, 23 esters, 9 benzenes, 5 phenols, 6 furans, 2 lactones, 1 monoterpene, 1 sesquiterpene, 1 thiazole, 1 pyrazine and 1 pyridine. The aroma attributes of fermented rice brans obtained by 10 trained panellists in QDA were sweet, caramel, vanilla, grass, milky, fatty, nutty, smokey, rancid, acid, cereal, pungent, earthy and fermented. The non-fermented rice bran has the same aroma as the corresponding fermented rice bran except fermented aroma. Furthermore, Pearson’s correlation test has resulted in several positive correlations between GC-MS results and QDA. These studies indicated that fermented rice bran might increase the volatile compound of rice bran; thus, it may provide opportunities to develop the production of fermented rice bran as a functional ingredient.
Links Between Eating Habits, Cognitive Skills Associated with Learning to Read, and Academic Achievement in Moroccan School-Age Children
Authors: Ihbour Said , Chaoui Bouchra , Anarghou Hammou , Chahbi Hind , Boutahar Kaltoum , Chigr Fatiha , Najimi Mohamed
Published: April 2022

The links between learning disabilities and food consumption modes are not yet sufficiently explained. The objectives of this study were to describe the dietary behavior of school children, to examine the association between certain dietary patterns and cognitive skills related to learning to read, and to identify, afterward, dietary profiles that are beneficial or harmful to reading acquisition and academic performance. 611 children, aged 10 years, who participated in this study, were assessed for cognitive functions that predominate in learning to read. The children were selected from schools belonging to areas with the same socioeconomic level. Absenteeism and neurodevelopmental disorders were two exclusion criteria. The study was conducted from December 2019 to the end of February 2020. A food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary information from the respondents. Descriptive and explanatory analyses were applied to the collected data. The study population's diet was varied, with a low consumption of fruits and vegetables. The number of meals/snacks eaten per day and the regularity of main meals was significantly and positively associated with the underlying reading skills. High consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread/starches, olive oil, vegetables, poultry, and water with low consumption of meats are behaviors consistently associated with better reading performance and academic achievement. Educating children to practice healthy eating habits can help them minimize academic difficulties and improve their learning abilities.
Shift Share Location Quotient, and ARIMA Forecasting Methods in the Analysis of the Competitiveness of Tual City and the Economic Growth of the Maluku Province.
Authors: La Adisamu Nova Prista , Endroyono Endroyono , Nugroho Sumpeno Mardi Susiki
Published: April 2022

Abstract— Economic development and high competitiveness are significant factors in a region’s success, especially since the enactment of Law Number 32 of 2004 on Regional Government, which converted the centralized to a decentralized system. This study analyzes the GRDP data of Tual City and Maluku Province using the shift share method and the Location Quotient method, resulting in a shift share assessment of Tual City’s regional competitiveness. It can be seen that the economic state of Tual City is still influenced by the Maluku Province’s economic growth of 593,688 with an overall slowdown in Proportional Shift of (-633.686) and an differential shift of (-5,756.040) during 9 years. The ARIMA forecasting method was then used to project the province’s 5th-year economic growth of 8,486,707 (billions) in the 5th period.
Evaluation of the Curriculum of Junior High School Mathematics Subject Using Spatial Analysis in the Regions of Pekanbaru
Authors: Darwis Amri , Yendra Rado , Marizal Muhammad
Published: April 2022

Evaluation of the K-13 curriculum (2013 Curriculum) on the value of the national mathematics examination “Nilai Ebtanas Murni” (NEM) in every State Junior High School needs to be carried out thoroughly in order to improve the quality of education. This study uses spatial analysis to evaluate the curriculum and determine the development of NEM scores in the school year. Furthermore, the kriging interpolation method via surfer software was used to generate scores. The results showed that the 2015 K-13 mathematics curriculum did not give good results based on the 36-68 NEM score interval for the entire Pekanbaru area. In addition, the curriculum only gives good results for a small area in the north and south. In 2016, the curriculum which was accompanied by the entry of the new education unit level curriculum “Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan” (KTSP) showed a significant change in the NEM value. Although most of these areas experienced an increase in scores, the intervals still ranged from 36-68. The total revision of the K-13 curriculum carried out and used in 2017 showed a significant increase in scores for all regions with an interval of 68-84 scores. In conclusion, this study shows that the revision of the K-13 curriculum is the right step to produce quality mathematics learning.
Scale of Attitudes Towards Online Formative Assessment: Teacher’ Attitudes during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: İlhan Nail , Güngör Hülya , Gülseven Emine
Published: April 2022

Due to the pandemic in many countries, schools were closed in 2020. Therefore, education was suspended, and distance education was started. During the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, teachers gave lessons online in virtual classrooms. In this study, Scale of Attitudes Towards Online Formative Assessment (S-AOFA) for teachers conducting online and distance courses was developed, and the teachers' attitudes were examined with respect to demographic variables. In the study conducted in the mixed-design method, qualitative and quantitative data were collected for the scale development and survey. Data were obtained from 369 teachers (science teacher, mathematics teacher, classroom teacher, and teachers in other fields) working in school in Turkey. S-AOFA was made up of 20 items and two factors as a five-point Likert-type. When the teachers' attitudes towards online formative assessment (AOFA) was examined, it was found that the mean for the factor of "Assessment Systems" was lower than that of the "Assessment Approaches". In addition, the findings revealed that there was no significant difference in the teachers' AOFA in terms of gender and that no significant difference existed in AOFA with respect to the school levels of the teachers (elementary, secondary and high school). Moreover, the results demonstrated that there was a low negative significant relationship between the teachers' AOFA and the number of students in which virtual lessons were given online. Lastly, there was a low level positive significant relationship between the teachers' AOFA and the in-class participation percentages of the students who were taught online in virtual classrooms. S-AOFA could be used by researchers in different studies in future.
NVivo e Twitter: da coleta de dados à exploração do dataset #coronavirusnobrasil
Authors: Depexe Sandra
Published: April 2022

Com o objetivo de contribuir com o campo das ciências da comunicação, este texto apresenta notas de uso do software NVivo para investigação exploratória da hashtag #coronavirusnobrasil no Twitter. Aborda a pesquisa qualitativa auxiliada por computador, com atenção à descrição da coleta de dados, formação de datasets e incursão às ferramentas de visualização de dados nativos do software. Articula os achados em diálogo ao fazer metodológico operacional, indicando as potencialidades e limitações do software. Quanto aos dados empíricos, revela que as menções ao presidente do Brasil são recorrentes na amostra.
Morfologia de fruto, semente e plântula de três espécies de Annona (Annonaceae)
Authors: Lima-Brito Alone , Bellintani Moema Cortizo , Rios Ana Paula de Souza , Silva José Roberto dos Santos , Dornelles Ana Lúcia Cunha
Published: April 2022

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever e ilustrar os caracteres morfológicos de fruto, semente e plântula de Annona crassiflora, A. squamosa e A. muricata. Foram avaliados, em 50 frutos de cada espécie, a forma, coloração, peso, diâmetros longitudinal e transversal, peso da polpa, peso da casca + receptáculo, peso das sementes e número de sementes por fruto. Também foram determinados diâmetros longitudinal e transversal, espessura e peso individual de 100 sementes de cada espécie. Para o estudo da morfologia de plântulas, a semeadura foi efetuada em substrato contendo terra e areia (3:1) em DIC, com quatro repetições de 25 sementes para cada espécie. Foram realizadas observações diárias sendo determinadas oito fases de desenvolvimento. Os frutos das três espécies são múltiplos formados por numerosos frutículos, concrescidos entre si, formando um sincarpo; as sementes são glabras de forma oblonga e testa dura. Na análise dos dados biométricos foi observada uma grande variabilidade interespecífica, sendo que em todas as espécies a polpa revelou-se o principal constituinte dos frutos. A. crassiflora e A. squamosa apresentaram germinação epígeo-fanerocotiledonar e A. muricata, hipógea criptocotiledonar. Em cada espécie, os aspectos morfológicos, nas distintas fases, apresentaram-se homogêneos e constantes podendo ser seguramente empregados em estudos taxonômicos e ecológicos.
Entomologia pitoresca I – Os insetos nas crenças, superstições e medicina popular. Análise bibliográfica
Authors: Nomura Hitoshi
Published: April 2022

Há muitas particularidades interessantes sobre os insetos, desde sua biologia até seu uso na medicina popular e sua aparição nas crenças, lendas e superstições dos povos. Este artigo trata da segunda subclasse da Classe Insecta: Pterygogenea, com 26 ordens. Começamos com 12 ordens dessa subclasse, deixando as demais para outra contribuição. Os insetos que mais aparecem nas crendices, lendas e superstições são os gafanhotos, grilos, baratas, cupins e louva-a-deus. Os insetos utilizados na alimentação são os gafanhotos, grilos e baratas e eles aparecem no cardápio principalmente dos indígenas e classes pobres. Vários insetos são utilizados na medicina popular para tratamento de várias enfermidades, como gagueira, retenção de urina, litíase, otites, asma, icterícia etc.
Suppressing backscattering noise of a resonant fiber optic gyroscope using coherent detection
Authors: Liu Lu , Li Hanzhao , Liu Shuang , Jin Zhonghe , Ma Huilian
Published: April 2022

This paper provides a novel, to the best of our knowledge, method for suppressing backscattering noise of a resonant fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) with a coherent detection technique. The light from the fiber ring resonator is mixed with a reference beam rather than being demodulated directly in traditional configurations, generating a coherent signal with a radio frequency. The central frequencies of the two reference lights used for the clockwise and counterclockwise waves are different to avoid the effect of backscattered waves. Besides, a common phase modulation is applied on the two counter-propagating waves to eliminate the parasitic effect due to the residual amplitude modulation in the phase modulator. Two demodulation schemes for the rotation rate detection from the coherent signals are then proposed and demonstrated, with performance on noise suppression tested. One is the beat-frequency demodulation, and the other is the self-mixing demodulation technique. The influence of backscattering intensity is reduced from 270°/h to 3°/h and 0.05°/h with the two demodulation techniques, respectively, showing a full suppression of backscattering noise.
Fiber optic sensor for nondestructive detection of microbial growth on a silk surface
Authors: Xue Zhengda , Yu Qiuhui , Zhong Nianbing , Zeng Tan , Tang Huan , Zhao Mingfu , Zhao Ya , Tang Bing
Published: April 2022

To nondestructively detect the mold growth process on silk, a coaxial concave reflection conical fiber optic sensor was developed using conical quartz fibers, fiber connectors, fiber couplers, and a plastic fixator. We established a theoretical model of this sensor and studied the influence of its structural parameters on its sensitivity, characterized the morphology of Aspergillus niger, and detected its growth process on a silk surface. A linear relationship between the sensor’s output signal and the mold height was found. The sensor sensitivity, maximum detection error, and low limit of detection were 2.4 E-5 AU/µm, 7.83%, and 10 µm, respectively.
Gaussian profile estimation in one dimension: erratum
Authors: Hagen Nathan , Kupinski Matthew , Dereniak Eustace L.
Published: April 2022

This erratum corrects errors in Appl. Opt.
46, 5374 (2007)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.46.005374.
Clot composition characterization using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Skyrman Simon , Burström Gustav , Aspegren Oskar , Babic Drazenko , Lucassen Gerald , Edström Erik , Arnberg Fabian , Ohlsson Marcus , Mueller Manfred , Elmi-Terander Adrian , Andersson Tommy
Published: April 2022

Acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion is treated with endovascular thrombectomy, but treatment failure may occur when clot composition and thrombectomy technique mismatch. In this proof-of-concept study, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is evaluated for identification of clot composition ex vivo. DRS spectra and histology were acquired from 45 clot units retrieved from 29 stroke patients. DRS spectra correlated to clot RBC content, R= 81, p < .001, and could discriminate between RBC-rich and fibrin-rich clots, p < 0.001. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of RBC-rich clots were 0.722 and 0.846 respectively. Applied in an intravascular device, DRS could potentially provide intraprocedural information on clot composition that could increase endovascular thrombectomy efficiency.
Deep reinforcement with spectrum series learning control for a mode-locked fiber laser
Authors: Li Zhan , Yang Shuaishuai , Xiao Qi , Zhang Tianyu , Li Yong , Han Lu , Liu Dean , Ouyang Xiaoping , Zhu Jianqiang
Published: April 2022

A spectrum series learning-based model is presented for mode-locked fiber laser state searching and switching. The mode-locked operation search policy is obtained by our proposed algorithm that combines deep reinforcement learning and long short-term memory networks. Numerical simulations show that the dynamic features of the laser cavity can be obtained from spectrum series. Compared with the traditional evolutionary search algorithm that only uses the current state, this model greatly improves the efficiency of the mode-locked search. The switch of the mode-locked state is realized by a predictive neural network that controls the pump power. In the experiments, the proposed algorithm uses an average of only 690 ms to obtain a stable mode-locked state, which is one order of magnitude less than that of the traditional method. The maximum number of search steps in the algorithm is 47 in the 16°C–30°C temperature environment. The pump power prediction error is less than 2 mW, which ensures precise laser locking on multiple operating states. This proposed technique paves the way for a variety of optical systems that require fast and robust control.
Ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for Neural Pain in Leprosy
Authors: Spitz Clarissa Neves , Mogami Roberto , Pitta Izabela Jardim Rodrigues , Hacker Mariana Andrea Vilas Boas , Sales Anna Maria , Sarno Euzenir Nunes , Jardim Marcia Rodrigues
Published: April 2022

Leprosy is still a prevalent disease in Brazil, representing 93% of all occurrences in the Americas. Leprosy neuropathy is one of the most worrying manifestations of the disease. Acute neuropathy usually occurs during reaction episodes and is called neuritis. Twenty-two leprosy patients were included in this study. These patients had neural pain associated with ulnar sensory neuropathy, with or without adjunct motor involvement. The neurological picture began within thirty days of the clinical evaluation. The patients underwent a nerve conduction study and the demyelinating findings confirmed the diagnosis of neuritis. Ultrasonographic study (US) of the ulnar nerve was performed in all patients by a radiologist who was blinded to the clinical or neurophysiological results. Morphological characteristics of the ulnar nerve were analyzed, such as echogenicity, fascicular pattern, transverse cross-sectional area (CSA), aspect of the epineurium, as well as their anatomical relationships. The volume of selected muscles referring to the ulnar nerve, as well as their echogenicity, was also examined. Based on this analysis, patients with increased ulnar nerve CSA associated with loss of fascicular pattern, epineurium hyperechogenicity and presence of power Doppler flow were classified as neuritis. Therefore, patients initially classified by the clinical-electrophysiological criteria were reclassified by the imaging criteria pre-established in this study as with and without neuritis. Loss of fascicular pattern and flow detection on power Doppler showed to be significant morphological features in the detection of neuritis. In 38.5% of patients without clinical or neurophysiological findings of neuritis, US identified power Doppler flow and loss of fascicular pattern. The US is a method of high resolution and portability, and its low cost means that it could be used as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of neuritis and its treatment, especially in basic health units.
Characteristics of anaphylaxis patients who visited emergency departments in Korea: Results from a national emergency department information system
Authors: Lee Mi-Hee , Roh Eui-Jeong , Jung Yu-Mi , Ahn Youngmin , Chung Eun Hee
Published: April 2022

Background

Anaphylaxis is an allergic disease with fatal respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms that require immediate emergency treatment. We aimed to understand the characteristics and frequency of emergency department (ED) visits of patients with anaphylaxis in Korea.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2013, using data from 147 ED from the National Emergency Department Information System in Korea, we retrospectively evaluated patients with a primary diagnosis of anaphylaxis.

Results

During the study, a total 23,313 patients visited the ED due to anaphylaxis. The number of patients with anaphylaxis who visited the ED increased from 3.0 per 100,000 population in 2007 to 11.6 per 100,000 population in 2013 (P<0.001). Overall, the frequency of anaphylaxis emergency department visits increased by 1.24 times each year (95% CI 1.23–1.25). The risk of visiting ED due to anaphylaxis by population-based age-specific group was highest in the 60–69 years old (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.96–2.70). Deaths from anaphylaxis increased by 1.35 times per year (95% CI 1.13–1.62). The causes of anaphylaxis were unknown (80.8%; 95% CI 80.35–81.38), drugs (8.9%; 95% CI 8.47–9.24), food (4.1%; 95% CI 3.87–4.39), bees (3.2%; 95% CI 3.02–3.48) and arthropods (2.3%; 95% CI 2.11–2.48). In 2009, drugs were the most common cause of anaphylaxis in November (35.5%), followed by food in May (15.5%) (P<0.001). Between July and September, stings from insects were the most common causes (P<0.001). By age, food was the most common cause in children aged <6 years (7.6%, <12 months; 9.0%, 1–6 years) and drugs in those aged ≥7 years. The 7-year overall mortality rate was 0.104 case per 1,000,000 population; men accounted for 77.8% of the deaths. By region, the number of cases was the highest in metropolitan areas, Gyeonggi and Seoul; however, the number of anaphylaxis cases per 100,000 population was the highest in Jeju and Gangwon.

Conclusion

Based on ICD-10 codes, the number of ED visits due to anaphylaxis is increasing in Korea, and the incidence of anaphylaxis varies by region, season, and age.
Efficacy of laparotomy sponges to reduce bacterial contamination using an in vitro gastrointestinal surgery model
Authors: Bezhentseva Alla , St. Germaine Lindsay L. , Hoffmann Daniel E.
Published: April 2022

Use of laparotomy sponges to protect abdominal viscera during gastrointestinal surgery is described in nonspecific terms by various sources, but no definitive guidelines have been established in veterinary literature. The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro efficacy of various layer-densities of laparotomy sponges at reducing bacterial contamination from multiple contaminant volumes during multiple exposure times. A standardized Escherichia coli inoculum water solution was applied over sterile laparotomy sponges overlying blood agar plates. Four laparotomy sponge layer-densities, 4 volumes of E. coli inoculum water solution, and 4 exposure times were evaluated. All blood agar plates were incubated for 48 hours followed by surface area measurements of colonization of each blood agar plate at 24 and 48 hours. The procedure was repeated thrice. Bacterial colonization occurred on 100% (192/192) of inoculated blood agar plates. There was a statistically significant decrease in colonized area with increasing layer-density of laparotomy sponges (P<0.0001). Comparison between the layer-density of sponges were statistically significant in resulting infected area (P<0.01), except comparison between 6- and 8-layers (P = 0.9490). Colonized area was not significantly altered by time of exposure. Results suggested that increasing the layer-density of laparotomy sponges has significant effect on reducing strikethrough bacterial colonization in an in vitro model. The results of this study can be used when performing gastrointestinal surgery to help guide laparotomy sponge use to reduce peritoneal bacterial contamination.
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics for early psychosis: A comprehensive systematic review
Authors: Lian Lulu , Kim David D. , Procyshyn Ric M. , Cázares Diana , Honer William G. , Barr Alasdair M.
Published: April 2022

Aim

Long acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are an alternative to oral antipsychotic (OAP) treatment and may be beneficial for patients in the early stages of schizophrenia. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review on the efficacy of first-generation and second-generation LAI antipsychotics in recent-onset, first-episode, and early psychosis patients.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core databases were used to search for studies that used LAIs in early psychosis patients. Studies published up to 06 Jun 2019 were included with no language restrictions applied. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of schizophrenia or related disorder, where patients were in their first episode or had a duration of illness ≤5 years.

Results

33 studies were included: 8 RCTs, 4 post-hoc analyses, 2 case reports, and 19 naturalistic studies. The majority of studies evaluated risperidone LAIs (N = 14) and paliperidone palmitate (N = 10), while the remainder investigated fluphenazine decanoate (N = 3), flupentixol decanoate (N = 2), and aripiprazole (N = 1). Two studies did not specify the LAI formulation used, and one cohort study compared the efficacy of multiple different LAI formulations.

Conclusions

While the majority of data is based on naturalistic studies investigating risperidone LAIs or paliperidone palmitate, LAIs may be an effective treatment for early psychosis patients in terms of adherence, relapse reduction, and symptom improvements. There is still a need to conduct more high quality RCTs that investigate the efficacy of different LAI formulations in early psychosis patients.
Level of dengue preventive practices and associated factors in a Malaysian residential area during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mashudi Dina Nurfarahin , Ahmad Norliza , Mohd Said Salmiah
Published: April 2022

Background

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is endemic in more than 100 countries and has the highest incidence among infectious diseases in Malaysia. The increase of dengue fever cases during the COVID-19 pandemic and the movement control order (MCO) highlighted the necessity to assess the dengue preventive practices among the population. Thus, this study aimed to determine the level of dengue preventive practices and its associated factors among residents in a residential area in Johor, Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 respondents from a Johor residential area between May and June 2021. A validated self-administered questionnaire was created using google forms and distributed to the respondents via WhatsApp. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: (i) Sociodemographic characteristics and history of dengue fever, (ii) dengue preventive practices, and (iii) six constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM). The association between the dependent and independent variables were examined using multiple logistic regression with a significant level set at less than 0.05.

Result

About half of the respondents have a good level of dengue preventive practices. Respondents with a history of dengue fever (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1–4.2, p = 0.033), low perceived susceptibility (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0, p = 0.018), high self-efficacy (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.8, p = 0.045), and high cues to take action (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5–4.2, p < 0.001) had higher odds of practicing good dengue preventive measures.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a moderate level of dengue preventive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, a stronger dengue control programme is recommended by focusing on cues to take action, self-efficacy, and recruiting those with a history of dengue fever to assist health authorities in promoting good dengue preventive practices in the community.
Slow hospitality: Family perspectives of holiday experiences at beach fale in Samoa
Authors: Schänzel Heike , Urie Gavin , Lynch Paul
Published: April 2022

In Samoa, customarily most tourism accommodation is locally owned and operated. Against a backdrop of increasingly foreign-owned large hotels and resorts, local families have built low-cost beach fale accommodation (consisting of thatched beach huts) in coastal locations. These beach fale, traditionally frequented by the backpacker market, are proving increasingly popular with visiting families from overseas. A major attraction at these beach fale is the local food experience. Yet, only a superficial understanding exists of the tourists’ perspective on food preferences and beach fale experiences, especially for families and their children. There have been several development research studies on fale operations but none on the growing international family tourism market. This article provides insights into the neglected family perspectives of social hospitality experiences at Samoan beach fale accommodation and to elicit the key elements of the emerging slow hospitality concept. This exploratory study is based on ten semi-structured whole-family group interviews conducted with New Zealand and Australian families (30 parents, grandparents and children [aged 7–17]). The findings support a trend towards families seeking more authentic, immersive and socially interactive experiences on holiday that are more akin to the local way of life or Fa‘asamoa. It emerged that beach fale tourism provides culturally, culinary, socially and sensually richer experiences as part of slow hospitality offerings for families. This study contributes to broader academic debates about whole-family perspectives on holiday, slow hospitality, beach fale accommodation, seaside or thalasso tourism and understandings of family well-being.
El empleo con apoyo: una alternativa inclusiva para la transición sociolaboral de las personas con discapacidad intelectual en Canarias
Authors: Peña Quintana María Teresa , Santana Vega Lidia Esther , Feliciano-García Luis
Published: April 2022

El tránsito al empleo competitivo de las personas con discapacidad intelectual en Canarias presenta carencias; de ahí que se esté implementando el programa de Empleo con Apoyo (EcA). Este es un modelo de inclusión laboral para personas con discapacidades significativas, basado en el acompañamiento y apoyo a la persona para facilitar su acceso al empleo. Dicho acompañamiento y apoyo es proporcionado por la figura del preparador laboral. Nuestro estudio pretende conocer: 1) la importancia del preparador laboral desde el punto de vista de los profesionales de los servicios de Empleo con Apoyo; 2) el papel de la formación profesional previa de los sujetos en el éxito de la inclusión. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con profesionales, vinculados a programas de Empleo con Apoyo en Canarias, empleándose la técnica del grupo de discusión. Los resultados señalan que: 1) el preparador laboral es clave para el éxito de la inserción laboral, siendo importante el apoyo que proporciona a la persona y a la empresa; 2) el entrenamiento en competencias laborales básicas, previo a la inserción laboral, puede estar relacionado con el éxito en el empleo y también la “formación a la carta”. Se discute el papel del modelo como alternativa para garantizar el derecho a la inclusión sociolaboral de las personas con discapacidad intelectual.
Mulheres, floresta e extrativismo: modos de ser, existir, educar e resistir de quebradeiras de coco babaçu da comunidade “Sítio” (Cristino Castro, Piauí/Brasil)
Authors: da Mata Dias Millena Ayla , Pereira Kelci Anne
Published: April 2022

Para compreender os modos de vida, educação e resistência das mulheres quebradeiras de coco babaçu da comunidade Sítio, situada no município de Cristino Castro-PI (Brasil), em uma região afetada pelo agronegócio, o estudo baseou-se em metodologia qualitativa, de abordagem participante, constituindo-se a partir de técnicas como entrevistas, questionários, observação, rodas de diálogo, presencialmente e a distância. Vozes de seis mulheres quebradeiras de coco, do agente da Comissão Pastoral da Terra (CPT) da região e da própria pesquisadora, que já atuava em práticas socioeducativas junto às mulheres, compõem o universo empírico da pesquisa. As análises foram estabelecidas em perspectiva crítica-dialética, permitindo-nos conhecer a condição das mulheres quebradeiras de coco em dois sentidos interconectados: de um lado, como guardiãs da socioagrobiodiversidade, promotoras de uma economia baseada na vida e atuantes como educadoras ambientais; de outro, elas como sujeitos coletivos em co-evolução com um ecossistema, ameaçados pelo agronegócio. Entretecendo seus cotidianos entre ameaças e resistência, elas recriam-se e a seus modos de vida, afirmando o valor da floresta de babaçu para a reprodução dos povos do campo e a importância da organização coletiva e de formação, implicando a necessidade do compromisso dos setores públicos com a garantia dos seus direitos.
Beyond Meaning: Employing an Artefact Approach to Study Figurines as Functional Items. A Case Study from Çatalhöyük (Turkey)
Authors: Arntz Monique
Published: April 2022

Even though figurines are a ubiquitous find on many Neolithic sites, some aspects of figurines are still poorly understood. Figurines have been studied as symbolic messages to be decoded, as art, and as ritual/cult objects. The main drawback of these interpretative frameworks is that they fail to analyse figurines as artefacts. Instead, figurines are treated primarily, or even exclusively, as images or texts. In this paper it will be argued that in order to understand figurines we need to engage with their materiality in order to understand how figurines worked in their social setting. Within the framework of craft theory a sensory approach will be applied to the chaîne opératoire, and formulate perceptive categories, or those aspects of the material(s) that are recognisable and (possibly) relevant to craftspeople and elements that reflect choices made during the production process. This chaîne opératoire is embedded within a larger aim of creating object biographies for figurines where production, use and deposition are analysed holistically. 
Rebuilding Public Confidence in Educational Assessment
Authors: Richardson Mary
Published: April 2022

Educational assessment is important. But in the twenty-first century it is easy to feel that schooling and other phases of education are shaped entirely by certain assessments, and that assessment is only about exam results. The idea that test grades can accurately describe the aims and outcomes of education is unfair and reductive. Yet it is a pervasive and persuasive discourse. This book is about such discourses - the stories we tell each other - and how they impact public trust and confidence in educational assessment. It explains the roots and nature of assessment discourses, and proposes a restructuring of the debates in order to rebuild public confidence. It aims to challenge dominant assessment discourses and demands a more nuanced, informed debate about what happens in and beyond schools, and how this influences public thinking. Questioning the status quo needs buy-in from policymakers, teachers, parents and students, and from the broader public: from journalists, you, me, our friends and our children. Using examples from international settings to explore the nature of trust in assessment discourses, Rebuilding Public Confidence in Educational Assessment shows how these discourses can be reframed so that all aspects of the assessment system - policymaking, school planning, home practice with students - can be undertaken with confidence.
Un ser agraciado. Alegato contra el neuroesencialismo
Authors: Caamaño López José Manuel
Published: April 2022

Uno de los campos de investigación que mayor expectación genera en la actualidad tiene que ver con el estudio del cerebro, la disciplina conocida con el nombre de neurociencia. Muchas empresas e incluso gobiernos están invirtiendo grandes cantidades de recursos en el conocimiento del cerebro, dado que puede ser el primer paso en la batalla contra un número considerable de enfermedades con base neurológica. Pero asimismo bastantes autores llevan tiempo estudiando las experiencias religiosas desde un punto de vista neurocientífico, lo que a veces ha llevado a una cierta deriva neuroesencialista. Algunas de las preguntas que esto suscita podrían ser las siguientes: ¿Qué aporta la neurociencia a la pregunta por Dios? ¿Qué nos dice acerca del origen de la fe? ¿Cuál es la relación entre ambas? ¿Son las experiencias religiosas o espirituales un mero producto de alteraciones cerebrales? Tales son las preocupaciones del presente escrito.
Examining Nigeria’s Digital Identity Project as Tool for Economic Inclusion and Regional Integration
Authors:   University of Johannesburg, Olaoluwa Faboye Samson
Published: April 2022

Access to the digitised economy has an increased penetration across the spectrum of Africa's rural and urban population. In Nigeria, which is the context of this study, there is a long unsettling debate delineating citizens residing within any locality in Nigeria as 'indigenes' or 'settlers'. This is at variance with the concept of 'transnational citizenship', which confers rights to social inclusion in any individual's nation-state. Digital identity registration becomes imperative to preserve social order and broaden the lines of inclusion for access to social services and monitoring access to the digital economy. The National Identity Number (NIN) is the digital identity for Nigerian citizens and residents, which can be leveraged for economic digitisation and regional and continental integration efforts. The research methodology employs descriptive and explanatory analysis of national, regional and continental policy frameworks applicable to Nigeria's digital identity management systems. Boundaries of inclusion, transnational citizenship and the Westphalian Treaty of nation sovereignty form the theoretical underpinning of the study. This is used to present digital identity as a vital tool for socioeconomic inclusion, regional and continental integration. The case study of the Schengen Agreement as a successful integrative digital identity system fostering economic integration in Europe forms the basis of the recommendation. This calls for the ultimate use of digital identity to enhance international operable smart border practice, which would in turn guarantee border security while encouraging the desired free movement of persons and goods within the African continent
Ciudades Portuarias en la gran cuenca del Caribe
Authors: Lázaro Julián
Published: April 2022

Reseña del libro Ciudades Portuarias en la Gran Cuenca del Caribe de los autores Antonino Vidal Ortega y Jorge Elías Caro
Informe del Gobernador de la Provincia de Cartagena a la Cámara provincial, 1835
Authors: Solano de las Aguas Sergio Paolo
Published: April 2022

Este informe lo presentó el gobernador de la Provincia de Cartagena a la Cámara provincial de esa entidad territorial, catorce años después del triunfo definitivo de la Independencia, el que se logró en octubre de 1821. En 1826 de esta provincia, que conservó su nombre colonial, se desprendió la provincia de Mompox, quedando reducida a 9 cantones.
Historia de El Carmen de Bolívar y su tabaco en los Montes de María. Siglos XVIII –XX
Authors: Salas Martínez Luisinho
Published: April 2022

Reseña del libro "Historia del Carmen de Bolívar y su tabaco en los Montes de María" Del autor Wilson Blanco Romero