bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efforts to Increase Student Interest, Motivation and Business Skills Through Entrepreneurship Courses at Mandalika University Of Education
Authors: Nuraeni Nuraeni , Sudiarta I Gusti Putu , Sutawijaya I Made
Published: July 2023

Entrepreneurship is a personality who dares to take risks to get financing through existing opportunities by acting as an inventor and playing a role in creating economic growth. Based on the description of student perceptions regarding the effectiveness of entrepreneurship course learning methods to increase interest, and motivation, and foster student business skills. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of student perceptions regarding the effectiveness of entrepreneurship course learning methods to increase interest, and motivation, and foster student business skills in the Mandalika Education University Management Study Program. This study uses a qualitative research descriptive approach that uses the online survey method and the literature method as its data collection method. The results found that the perception of education students (learning methods) of entrepreneurship courses is considered effective for increasing interest, and motivation, increasing student business skills through practical activities (Maranatha Entrepreneurship Day), entrepreneurship seminars, and surveys to customers, and developing entrepreneurial learning methods (soft skills) and (live skills) can strengthen entrepreneurial interest and make entrepreneurship a promising career choice.
Lactation performance in polar bears is associated with fasting time and energetic state
Authors: Archer LC , Atkinson SN , Pagano AM , Penk SR , Molnár PK
Published: July 2023

Females must continually make resource allocation decisions because of fitness trade-offs between self-maintenance and investment in current offspring, yet factors underpinning these decisions are unresolved. Polar bears Ursus maritimus face considerable allocation challenges when seasonal sea-ice melt precludes access to prey for several months, and females rely solely on energy stores to cover their own energetic needs and provision offspring. We tested how female polar bears regulate lactation during onshore fasting (i.e. capital breeding) and determined the consequences of moderated lactation for females and cubs. Overall, milk energy declined, and lactation was more likely to cease with longer time fasting. Lactation was partially mediated by maternal energetic state and depended on litter characteristics. Milk energy declined more sharply with fasting time (~2.6 times more strongly) in females with 2 offspring compared to those with 1. Females with cubs-of-the-year produced higher energy milk than those with yearlings, and their milk energy also increased more strongly with maternal energy density. Milk energy declines benefited females via reduced depletion of maternal energy reserves, but cub growth decreased. Altered lactation investment likely has consequences for both female survival and the fate of offspring, which could scale up to influence population dynamics. Given that Arctic warming means polar bears across much of their range will experience longer periods without access to primary prey, our results underscore how lactation will likely become increasingly compromised.
Lab-scale Process Parameter Determination of a Two-stage DRI (direct reduced iron) Process Using Reformed COG (coke oven gas)
Authors: Ko Min Jeong , Kim Su Young , Jo Jong-Oh , Lee Jae-Rang , Kim Yong Ha , Won Yong Sun
Published: July 2023

On the road to carbon neutrality, a great deal of attention is being paid to emerging technologies such as the DRI (direct reduced iron) process. This study proposes a two-stage DRI process using reformed COG (coke oven gas), and determined optimal process parameters. The reduction and carbonization of Carajás iron ore used in the field were examined by monitoring the weight loss of the samples, and EDS and XRD measurements with respect to the reaction temperature and operating time for different reducing environments. While the reduction of iron ore is completed in 60 min at 800oC regardless of the reducing environment, the carbonization of reduced iron is attainable only at 800oC with high hydrogen content in the reducing gas. Thus, a countercurrent scheme in the proposed DRI process is justified, in which COG containing high hydrogen content is flowed into the 2nd stage operated at 800oC and subsequently directed to the 1st stage operated at 600oC. The reduction of iron ore is initiated in the 1st stage for 60 min irrespective of the reducing environment, and the completion of the reduction and the following carbonization is fulfilled in the 2nd stage for 40 min under a high reducing environment. An equilibrium analysis supported that the cracking of CH4 in COG to graphite leads to the formation of CO from CO2 and the successive formation of Fe3C from reduced Fe. The carbonization of iron ore is possible only in the presence of CO2 . It also showed that too high or low reducing environments are not desirable to accomplish the DRI process. This study is expected to be provide an effective guideline for optimizing similar DRI processes.
Improving the Electrical Properties of Zinc-Tin Oxide Thin-Film Transistors by Additive using Electrohydrodynamic Jet Technology
Authors: Choi Woon-Seop , Lee Young Jik , Kim Yong Jae
Published: July 2023

Oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) are important semiconductor materials for display backplanes. To fabricate flexible displays, not only display modes but also TFTs are important. Flexible TFTs are especially needed for flexible displays, and related processes need to be developed. Printing is a good choice for the new fabrication of oxide TFTs. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing is an excellent alternative for making flexible TFTs. To improve the electrical properties of oxide TFTs using EHD jet printing, propylene monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA) was added to a zinc-tin oxide (ZTO) formulation. EHD jet printing was performed by Taylor cone jet mode with parameters of 2.4 kV and 0.064 µL/s to obtain uniform thin films at a substrate temperature of 50oC. Much improved TFT properties were obtained, including a mobility of 7.11 cm2/V s, on-to-off current ratio of 2.8 × 106 and subthreshold slope of 1.44 V/dec for ZTO TFT with 5 wt% of PGMEA, and a mobility of 1.43 cm2/V s, on-to-off current ratio of 2.7 × 105 and subthreshold slope of 1.32 V/dec for the ZTO TFT. Almost no hysteresis behavior was observed in the oxide TFTs with added PGMEA. We report a new way to improve the electrical properties of oxide TFTs, by the simple addition of PGMEA.
Kadınların Doğum Deneyimlerinin Feminist Perspektiften Çözümlenmesi
Authors: Yılmazbilek Merve
Published: July 2023

Bu çalışma kadınların doğum deneyimlerine yerleşmiş ataerkil kapitalist ögeleri çözümlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu doğrultuda doğumun ataerkil kültür ve kapitalizm tarafından annelikle bağlantılı olarak nasıl inşa edildiğini, kadınlar için ne anlam ifade ettiğini ve bu anlam doğrultusunda nasıl deneyimlendiğini değerlendirmektedir. Feminist metodolojiye dayanan bu çalışma, 21 kadınla derinlemesine görüşmelerle gerçekleşirken araştırma süreci boyunca feminist metodolojik ilkelere bağlı kalınmıştır. Feminist analiz ile kadınların doğum deneyimlerindeki ataerkil unsurları ortaya çıkaran bu çalışma aynı zamanda kadınların ataerkil baskı ile mücadele edip edemediklerinin sorgulamasını da yapmaktadır.
The Reception of Frozen among Young Women in Turkey: A Feminist Film or Not?
Authors: Tepe Fatma Fulya , Bauhn Per
Published: July 2023

This article focuses on the reception of Frozen by young Turkish women, posing three major questions: (1) How did young women in Turkey describe Elsa? (2) What are the differences between Frozen and other princess movies? (3) Do young Turkish women think Frozen is a feminist movie? The most interesting findings of this research have to do with the third question. Here a superficial view of the responses would suggest that the research participants agree with those critics of Frozen who claim that it is not a feminist film. However, once one takes a closer look at their responses, one can see that this agreement holds only in form, and not in content, as the research participants recognize feminist qualities in the film but without being willing to label them as feminist. The reason for this has to do with the negative connotations of the terms “feminism” and “feminist” in Turkish mainstream language. Here, a feminist viewpoint has to be expressed in terms of “women – men equality” instead. This particular finding points to the more general need in any cross-cultural research to ascertain the translatability of central terms having evaluative connotations, like “feminism” and “feminist” in this case.
Moving beyond the desktop: prospects for practical bioimage analysis via the web
Authors: Ouyang Wei , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Cimini Beth A.
Published: July 2023

As biological imaging continues to rapidly advance, it results in increasingly complex image data, necessitating a reevaluation of conventional bioimage analysis methods and their accessibility. This perspective underscores our belief that a transition from desktop-based tools to web-based bioimage analysis could unlock immense opportunities for improved accessibility, enhanced collaboration, and streamlined workflows. We outline the potential benefits, such as reduced local computational demands and solutions to common challenges, including software installation issues and limited reproducibility. Furthermore, we explore the present state of web-based tools, hurdles in implementation, and the significance of collective involvement from the scientific community in driving this transition. In acknowledging the potential roadblocks and complexity of data management, we suggest a combined approach of selective prototyping and large-scale workflow application for optimal usage. Embracing web-based bioimage analysis could pave the way for the life sciences community to accelerate biological research, offering a robust platform for a more collaborative, efficient, and democratized science.
Controlling factors on patterns of dissolved organic carbon and volatile fatty acids in a submarine mud volcano offshore southwestern Taiwan
Authors: Chen Nai-Chen , Yang Tsanyao Frank , Liou Ya-Hsuan , Lin Huei-Ting Tina , Hong Wei-Li , Lin Saulwood , Su Chih-Chieh , Lin Li-Hung , Wang Pei-Ling
Published: July 2023

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) play key roles in the carbon cycling of marine sediment. Both microbially or thermally activated cracking of organic matter often produces high quantities of DOC and VFAs. To uncover the distribution pattern of DOC and VFAs in sediments under both impacts, a submarine mud volcano (SMV), was chosen to denote a model system that could witness how microbial activities react under the mixing of seawater and deeply-sourced fluids in a subsurface environment. We examined the concentration profiles of DOC and several VFAs (lactate, formate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate) in pore water, covering both sulfate reduction and methanogenesis zones, and further numerically modeled six porewater species (DOC, bromide, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, and total alkalinity) to quantify their fluxes from depth as well as the rates of in-situ microbial processes. Apparently, bulk DOC concentrations fluctuated with depths, probably primarily controlled by in situ microbial processes. Lactate was detectable in some samples, while propionate and butyrate were under detection limit. Acetate and formate concentrations were consistently and uniformly low throughout all biogeochemical zones, with a slightly increasing trend with depth at the center of the SMV, suggesting active utilization and turnover by the terminal steps of organic matter mineralization. The numerical modeling suggests that most DOC patterns were primarily influenced by in-situ organic matter degradation, while the impact of upward migrating fluid become more significant at center sites. The calculation of the Gibbs energy of metabolic redox reactions reveals that acetoclastic sulfate reduction yields the highest energy throughout sediment columns and may co-exist with methanogenesis below sulfate reduction zone. In contrast, acetoclastic methanogenesis yields higher energy within sulfate reduction zone than below that region, suggesting it is thermodynamically feasible to co-occur with sulfate reduction in dynamic SMV environments.
Comparation between novel online models and the AJCC 8th TNM staging system in predicting cancer-specific and overall survival of small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Meiyun , Zhang Peng , Wang Suyu , Guo Wei , Guo Yibin
Published: July 2023

Background

Most of previous studies on predictive models for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were single institutional studies or showed relatively low Harrell concordance index (C-index) values. To build an optimal nomogram, we collected clinicopathological characteristics of SCLC patients from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Methods

24,055 samples with SCLC from 2010 to 2016 in the SEER database were analyzed. The samples were grouped into derivation cohort (n=20,075) and external validation cohort (n=3,980) based on America’s different geographic regions. Cox regression analyses were used to construct nomograms predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) using derivation cohort. The nomograms were internally validated by bootstrapping technique and externally validated by calibration plots. C-index was computed to compare the accuracy and discrimination power of our nomograms with the 8th of version AJCC TNM staging system and nomograms built in previous studies. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was applied to explore whether the nomograms had better clinical efficiency than the 8th version of AJCC TNM staging system.

Results

Age, sex, race, marital status, primary site, differentiation, T classification, N classification, M classification, surgical type, lymph node ratio, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were chosen as predictors of CSS and OS for SCLC by stepwise multivariable regression and were put into the nomograms. Internal and external validations confirmed the nomograms were accurate in prediction. C-indexes of the nomograms were relatively satisfactory in derivation cohort (CSS: 0.761, OS: 0.761) and external validation cohort (CSS: 0.764, OS: 0.764). The accuracy of the nomograms was superior to that of nomograms built in previous studies. DCA showed the nomograms conferred better clinical efficiency than 8th version of TNM staging system.

Conclusions

We developed practical nomograms for CSS (https://guowei2020.shinyapps.io/DynNom-CSS-SCLC/) and OS (https://drboidedwater.shinyapps.io/DynNom-OS-SCLC/) prediction of SCLC patients which may facilitate clinicians in individualized therapeutics.
Inflammation mediates the effect of adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators on the embryogenesis of PCOS women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Authors: Jiang Huahua , Chen Lixue , Tian Tian , Shi Huifeng , Huang Ning , Chi Hongbin , Yang Rui , Long Xiaoyu , Qiao Jie
Published: July 2023

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive endocrine and metabolic disease affecting women of reproductive age. The low-grade chronic inflammation in PCOS is considered to be associated with obesity and dyslipidemia. We aim to investigate the potential mediating role of white blood cell (WBC) count, a representative inflammatory marker, in the effect of adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators on IVF/ICSI outcomes in PCOS women.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,534 PCOS women who underwent their first IVF/ICSI cycles with autologous oocytes at a reproductive center from January 2018 to December 2020. The associations between PCOS women’s adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators and WBC count and IVF/ICSI outcomes were examined using multivariable generalized linear models. Mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the possible mediating role of WBC count.

Results

We found significant dose-dependent correlations between adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators and IVF/ICSI outcomes (i.e., hormone levels on the ovulatory triggering day, oocyte development outcomes, fertilization, early embryo development outcomes, and pregnancy outcomes) (all p < 0.05), as well as between adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators and WBC count (all p < 0.001). Increasing WBC count was associated with adverse oocyte and embryonic development outcomes (all p < 0.05). Mediation analyses suggested that increasing serum TG and LDL-C levels and decreasing serum HDL-C level were significantly associated with reduced high-quality Day 3 embryo count in PCOS women, with 21.51%, 9.75%, and 14.10% mediated by WBC count, respectively (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

We observed significant associations between lipid metabolism indicators and high-quality Day 3 embryo count in PCOS women, partially mediated by inflammation-related mechanisms, suggesting the potential intervention target for improving embryo quality in PCOS women.
Case Report: Life-threatening pancytopenia with tislelizumab followed by cerebral infarction in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gu Hang-Yu , Zhao Jing-Wen , Wang Yin-Shuang , Meng Zhuo-Nan , Zhu Xiu-Ming , Wang Fu-Wei , Zheng Ai-Hong , Wu Guo-Qing
Published: July 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an integral antitumor therapy for many malignancies. Most patients show very good tolerability to ICIs; however, serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs) with ICIs have been well documented and prevent some patients from continuing ICIs or even become the direct cause of patient death. Cytopenia is a rare irAE but can be life-threatening. Here, we present the case of a 66-year-old male patient with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma who received two doses of chemotherapy + PD-1 antibody tislelizumab and developed pancytopenia after each dose. Although the first episode of pancytopenia resolved with a treatment regimen of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), thrombopoietin (TPO), and red blood cell and platelet transfusion, the second episode showed extreme resistance to these treatments and improved only after the administration of steroids. His second pancytopenia episode resolved after a long course of treatment with methylprednisolone, G-CSF, TPO, hetrombopag and multiple red blood cell and platelet transfusions. However, he suffered a cerebral infarction when his platelet count was in the normal range and gradually recovered 1 week later. This case highlights the importance of the early recognition and management of hematological irAEs.
Evaluation of fisheries management policies in the alien species-rich Eastern Mediterranean under climate change
Authors: Ofir Eyal , Corrales Xavier , Coll Marta , Heymans Johanna Jacomina , Goren Menachem , Steenbeek Jeroen , Amitai Yael , Shachar Noam , Gal Gideon
Published: July 2023

Recent decades have witnessed declines in the amount of fishing catch due to changes in the marine ecosystem of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. These changes are mainly a consequence of direct human activities as well as global warming and the entry of invasive species. Therefore, there is a need to improve fisheries management so that it accounts for the various stressors and uses of the marine environment beyond fishing, while providing sustainable catches and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The ability to understand, and sustainably manage, the fishing industry relies on models capable of analyzing and predicting the effects of fishing on the entire ecosystem. In this study, we apply Ecospace, the spatial-temporal component of the Ecopath with Ecosim approach, to study the Israeli continental shelf to evaluate the impact of climate change and alternative management options on the ecosystem. We examine several management alternatives under the severe assumption of the RCP8.5 climate change scenario for the region. Results indicate that under business-as-usual conditions, the biomass of the native species will decrease, the biomass of the invasive species will increase, and there will be a decrease in the fishing catch. In addition, of the management alternatives examined, the alternative of prohibition of fishing in the northern region of Israel along with the establishment of a network of marine nature reserves provides the optimal response for the ecosystem and fisheries. The Achziv Nature Reserve is projected to be successful, improving the biomass of local species and reducing, to some extent, the presence of invasive species. These results are consistent with visual surveys conducted inside and outside the reserve by the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority. Furthermore, simulation results indicate spill-over effects in areas close to nature reserves yielding higher catches in those regions.
Enzymatic properties of alcohol dehydrogenase PedE_M.s. derived from Methylopila sp. M107 and its broad metal selectivity
Authors: Xiao Ying , Wu Kaijuan , Batool Syeda Sundas , Wang Qingqun , Chen Hao , Zhai Xingyu , Yu Zheng , Huang Jing
Published: July 2023

As an important metabolic enzyme in methylotrophs, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases play significant roles in the global carbon and nitrogen cycles. In this article, a calcium (Ca2+)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase PedE_M.s., derived from the methylotroph Methylopila sp. M107 was inserted into the modified vector pCM80 and heterologously expressed in the host Methylorubrum extorquens AM1. Based on sequence analysis, PedE_M.s., a PQQ-dependent dehydrogenase belonging to a methanol/ethanol family, was successfully extracted and purified. Showing by biochemical results, its enzymatic activity was detected as 0.72 U/mg while the Km value was 0.028 mM while employing ethanol as optimal substrate. The activity of PedE_M.s. could be enhanced by the presence of potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+), while acetonitrile and certain common detergents have been found to decrease the activity of PedE_M.s.. In addition, its optimum temperature and pH were 30°C and pH 9.0, respectively. Chiefly, as a type of Ca2+-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase, PedE_M.s. maintained 60–80% activity in the presence of 10 mM lanthanides and displayed high affinity for ethanol compared to other PedE-type enzymes. The 3D structure of PedE_M.s. was predicted by AlphaFold, and it had an 8-bladed propeller-like super-barrel. Meanwhile, we could speculate that PedE_M.s. contained the conserved residues Glu213, Asn300, and Asp350 through multiple sequence alignment by Clustal and ESpript. The analysis of enzymatic properties of PedE_M.s. enriches our knowledge of the methanol/ethanol family PQQ-dependent dehydrogenase. This study provides new ideas to broaden the application of alcohol dehydrogenase in alcohol concentration calculation, biosensor preparation, and other industries.
Predictive value of brain atrophy, serum biomarkers and information processing speed for early disease progression in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Oset Magdalena , Domowicz Małgorzata , Wildner Paula , Siger Małgorzata , Karlińska Iwona , Stasiołek Mariusz , Świderek-Matysiak Mariola
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). A clinical presentation of the disease is highly differentiated even from the earliest stages of the disease. The application of stratifying tests in clinical practice would allow for improving clinical decision-making including a proper assessment of treatment benefit/risk balance.

Methods

This prospective study included patients with MS diagnosed up to 1 year before recruitment. We analyzed serum biomarkers such as CXCL13, CHI3L1, OPN, IL-6, and GFAP and neurofilament light chains (NfLs); brain MRI parameters of linear atrophy such as bicaudate ratio (BCR), third ventricle width (TVW); and information processing speed were measured using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) during the 2 years follow-up.

Results

The study included a total of 50 patients recruited shortly after the diagnosis of MS diagnosis (median 0 months; range 0–11 months), and the mean time of observation was 28 months (SD = 4.75). We observed a statistically significant increase in the EDSS score (Wilcoxon test: Z = 3.06, p = 0.002), BCR (Wilcoxon test: Z = 4.66, p < 0.001), and TVW (Wilcoxon test: Z = 2.84, p = 0.005) after 2 years of disease. Patients who had a significantly higher baseline level of NfL suffered from a more severe disease course as per the EDSS score (Mann–Whitney U-test: U = 107, Z = −2,74, p = 0.006) and presence of relapse (Mann–Whitney U-test: U = 188, Z = −2.01, p = 0.044). In the logistic regression model, none of the parameters was a significant predictor for the achieving of no evidence of disease activity status (NEDA). In the model considering all assessed parameters, only the level of NfL had a significant impact on disease progression, measured as the increase in EDSS (logistic regression: β = 0.002, p = 0.017).

Conclusion

We confirmed that NfL levels in serum are associated with more active disease. Moreover, we found that TVW at the time of diagnosis was associated with an impairment in cognitive function measured by information processing speed at the end of the 2-year observation. The inclusion of serum NfL and TVW assessment early in the disease may be a good predictor of disease progression independent of NEDA.
Self-consistent numerical solution of quantum regime with exchange-correlation effects of space charges for electron field emission in a nano-gap
Authors: Li Nan , Wu Kai , Cheng Yonghong , Xiao Bing
Published: July 2023

The quantum effects of space charge on electron field emission have been widely investigated since the last century. When electrons energy and their mean spacing approach the Hartree level and the de Broglie wavelength respectively, the influence of the quantum effects on the field emission current becomes significant. In this work, by developing an in-house software, we self-consistently solve the one-dimensional Poisson-Schrödinger equation together with the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin-Jeffreys (WKBJ) model for metal-vacuum-metal nanogaps, after considering the anode screening effect, space charge Coulomb potential and exchange-correlation effects simultaneously. Employing the method, the electron field emission characteristics were studied by varying the nanogap spacing (D) and the electric field strength (F), and four different emission regimes including quantum regime (QR), space charge limited regime (SCLR), direct tunnelling regime (DTR) and field emission regime (FER) are defined. The influences of space charge field components on the field emission characteristics and space charge distribution are analyzed for different emission regimes in nanogap. In addition, the impact of using different exchange-correlation functionals (LDA, GGA and meta-GGA) on Jacob’s ladder for describing the quantum effects of space charge on the electron emission current density was analyzed. Finally, electron field emission properties of one-dimensional (1-D) nanogaps consisting of refractory metals (W and Mo) as well as the three-dimensional (3-D) nano-tip are discussed to elucidate the impact of the exchange-correlation effects on the enhanced field emission process at nanoscale.
Induction of photosynthesis under anoxic condition in Thalassiosira pseudonana and Euglena gracilis: interactions between fermentation and photosynthesis
Authors: Gain Gwenaëlle , Berne Nicolas , Feller Tom , Godaux Damien , Cenci Ugo , Cardol Pierre
Published: July 2023

Introduction

In their natural environment, microalgae can be transiently exposed to hypoxic or anoxic environments. Whereas fermentative pathways and their interactions with photosynthesis are relatively well characterized in the green alga model Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, little information is available in other groups of photosynthetic micro-eukaryotes. In C. reinhardtii cyclic electron flow (CEF) around photosystem (PS) I, and light-dependent oxygen-sensitive hydrogenase activity both contribute to restoring photosynthetic linear electron flow (LEF) in anoxic conditions.

Methods

Here we analyzed photosynthetic electron transfer after incubation in dark anoxic conditions (up to 24 h) in two secondary microalgae: the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and the excavate Euglena gracilis.

Results

Both species showed sustained abilities to prevent over-reduction of photosynthetic electron carriers and to restore LEF. A high and transient CEF around PSI was also observed specifically in anoxic conditions at light onset in both species. In contrast, at variance with C. reinhardtii, no sustained hydrogenase activity was detected in anoxic conditions in both species.

Discussion

Altogether our results suggest that another fermentative pathway might contribute, along with CEF around PSI, to restore photosynthetic activity in anoxic conditions in E. gracilis and T. pseudonana. We discuss the possible implication of the dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) in T. pseudonana and the wax ester fermentation in E. gracilis.
A comparative study of frequency effect on acquisition of grammar and meaning of words between Chinese and foreign learners of English language
Authors: Zhao Jizheng , Huang Jing
Published: July 2023

Frequency effect on vocabulary acquisition has been widely investigated in second language acquisition (SLA) research, whereas comparative studies of vocabulary acquisition of learners from different language types, such as hieroglyphic writing and alphabetic writing, are still rarely found. This type of studies could be of great significance in exploring some unique characteristics of how second language learners of native languages of different writing perceive and acquire second language. Using artificial words of alphabetic writing and low-frequency English words as experimental materials, this study aims to compare the effect of frequency on the acquisition of grammar and meaning of alphabetic words between Chinese learners of the hieroglyphic native language and foreign learners of alphabetic native languages. Specifically, the study intends to find out whether frequency effect plays the key role in language acquisition; to what extent frequency effect affects language acquisition; and whether there are any differences between learners of different language types for vocabulary acquisition in terms of frequency effect. The results show that Chinese and foreign learners of English language have no significant differences as a whole in terms of type of languages affecting the acquisition of grammar and meaning of artificial words and English words, indicating the difference in the type of mother tongue might not be the factor causing differences on grammar and meaning acquisition of vocabulary. Learner types, language types, frequency and part of speech of a word have interaction effect toward the acquisition of grammar and meaning of a word. However, exposure frequency of vocabulary plays the determining role in the acquisition of grammar and meaning of words.
Talent management and job satisfaction of medical personnel in Polish healthcare entities
Authors: Pomaranik Wioletta , Kludacz-Alessandri Magdalena
Published: July 2023

Background

There is a mass exodus of qualified medical personnel in countries such as Poland. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important to study the satisfaction of medical personnel employed in public healthcare entities and the factors influencing this satisfaction. One such factor is the quality of talent management.

Purpose

The study aimed to assess the quality of talent management in Polish healthcare entities and its impact on the job satisfaction of medical personnel. The study also considered the impact of other demographic, organizational and behavioral factors on medical personnel satisfaction, such as social competencies, job mobility, orientation toward the patient, gender and education stage.

Methods

A questionnaire for healthcare professionals was used to collect data. A total of 747 respondents (506 defined as medical talent) participated in the survey. A 5-point Likert scale was adopted to assess job satisfaction and talent management practices. Reliability analysis was conducted to investigate the properties of this scale and the items that comprise it. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling.

Results

The survey showed that the quality of talent management in Polish healthcare institutions is not well assessed. Professional satisfaction of medical personnel working in Polish public healthcare entities depends mainly on talent management measured by talent motivation, talent development, employee appraisal and organizational culture. Among the factors that have a positive but smaller impact on job satisfaction are job mobility and the education stage. The impact of gender, patient orientation and social competence had the smallest but most significant impact on job satisfaction.

Conclusion

Healthcare organizations should improve their talent management strategy to meet healthcare professionals’ current and future demands and improve their job satisfaction.
EFL teachers’ digital literacy: the role of contextual factors in their literacy development
Authors: Zhang Jie
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Digital technology can have significant effects on language education. This effect makes the English language teachers teach the subjects better to the students and also improves the quality of teachers’ education.

Methods

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the digital literacy of English language teachers and to investigate the difference between digital literacy and their gender, education level, and teaching experience. To conduct the study, the researcher invited 2,110 EFL teachers to fill out the Teachers’ Digital Literacy questionnaire. The researchers used SPPS and AMOS in analyzing the obtained data.

Results

The results of the study indicated that teachers’ contextual factors do not influence their digital literacy skills. In addition, the study showed that teachers’ attitudes toward technology, their skill to use technology, and their access to technology can significantly affect teachers’ digital literacy.

Discussion

Implications of the study are further discussed in this paper.
What motivates customers to repurchase online under social distancing?
Authors: Wu Weishen , Widiatmo Gumilang , Riantama Dalianus
Published: July 2023

Global e-commerce is growing rapidly during the COVID pandemic. Previous research on customers' online shopping decisions rarely considered social distancing. To investigate customers' continued intention toward online purchases while socially isolated, we propose a framework based on the UTAUT model. A survey of 330 valid samples was collected through an online survey among internet users during a period of social distancing in Indonesia. Hypotheses were validated using a structural equation modeling approach. The results showed that social contingency is the most influential factor on customers' intention to repurchase online under social restriction conditions, followed by customer perceived value and other significant factors. The findings contribute to providing a new understanding of customers' online repurchase intentions when they are in a contingency situation.
Leptin, but not ghrelin, is associated with food addiction scores in a population-based subject sample
Authors: Wittekind Dirk Alexander , Kratzsch Jürgen , Mergl Roland , Baber Ronny , Wirkner Kerstin , Schroeter Matthias L. , Witte A. Veronica , Villringer Arno , Kluge Michael
Published: July 2023

Background

Ghrelin and leptin are both peptide hormones and act as opposing players in the regulation of hunger, satiety and energy expenditure. Leptin reduces appetite and feelings of hunger and is secreted mainly by adipocytes, while ghrelin increases appetite and food intake and reduces metabolic rate. Both hormones have been implicated in addictive disorders. Ghrelin was shown to have pro-addictive effects while leptin’s role in addiction yields more conflicting results. Their involvement in the regulation of both food intake and addictive behaviors make them interesting candidates when investigating the regulation of food addiction. However, only few human studies have been performed and large-scale studies are lacking to date. We aimed to investigate the association between total ghrelin and leptin serum levels with scores in the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS).

Methods

Subjects were recruited in the LIFE Adult cohort. 909 subjects were included in the analysis and we performed univariate multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex (in total group analyses only), alcohol consumption, smoking status, BMI scores, cortisol concentrations, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) sum scores. The dependent variable was the YFAS score.

Results

In men, leptin serum levels showed a significant positive association (standardized β = 0.146; p = 0.012) with the YFAS score. This finding was confirmed in an extreme-group comparison: men in the highest quartile of leptin levels had significantly higher YFAS sum scores than men in the lowest quartile (1.55 vs. 1.18; p = 0.00014). There was no association with YFAS sum score in the total group (standardized β = −0.002; p = 0.974) or in women (standardized β = −0.034; p = 0.674). Total serum ghrelin showed no association with YFAS sum score neither in the total group (standardized β = −0.043; p = 0.196) nor in men (n = 530; standardized β = −0.063; p = 0.135) or women (n = 379; standardized β = −0.035; p = 0.494).

Conclusion

Our findings are in line with previous literature and suggest that total ghrelin serum levels are not associated with food addiction scores. Leptin had been previously shown to be associated with food addiction and we confirmed this finding for men in a large, population-based approach.
Examining the impacts of public transit on healthy aging through a natural experiment: study protocols and lessons learned from the Active El Paso project
Authors: Li Wei , Lee Chanam , Zhong Sinan , Xu Minjie , Towne Jr Samuel D. , Zhu Xuemei , Lee Sungmin , Wang Suojin , Aldrete Rafael , Garcia Eufemia B. , Whigham Leah , Toney Ashley M. , Ibarra Jorge , Ory Marcia G.
Published: July 2023

This paper describes protocols and experiences from a seven-year natural-experiment study in El Paso, Texas, a border city of predominantly Latino/Hispanic population. The study focuses on how Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) impacts physical activity and thus plays a role in alleviating obesity and related chronic diseases that impact healthy aging. Our protocols describe a longitudinal and case-comparison study, which compared residents exposed to new BRT stations with those who were not. This paper also introduces lessons and experiences to overcome the following challenges: delays in the BRT opening (the main intervention), the COVID-19 pandemic, methodological challenges, participant recruitment and retention, and predatory survey takers. Our transdisciplinary approach was pivotal in addressing these challenges. We also proposed and tested multi-level intervention strategies to reduce modifiable barriers to transit use. Our most important takeaway for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers is the importance of being flexible and ready to adapt to new circumstances. Future natural-experiment researchers need to become more versatile in an increasingly volatile and uncertain world.
Policies on children and schools during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Western Europe
Authors: Soriano-Arandes Antoni , Brett Ana , Buonsenso Danilo , Emilsson Louise , de la Fuente Garcia Isabel , Gkentzi Despoina , Helve Otto , Kepp Kasper P. , Mossberg Maria , Muka Taulant , Munro Alasdair , Papan Cihan , Perramon-Malavez Aida , Schaltz-Buchholzer Frederik , Smeesters Pierre R. , Zimmermann Petra
Published: July 2023

During the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), mitigation policies for children have been a topic of considerable uncertainty and debate. Although some children have co-morbidities which increase their risk for severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome and long COVID, most children only get mild COVID-19. On the other hand, consistent evidence shows that mass mitigation measures had enormous adverse impacts on children. A central question can thus be posed: What amount of mitigation should children bear, in response to a disease that is disproportionally affecting older people? In this review, we analyze the distinct child versus adult epidemiology, policies, mitigation trade-offs and outcomes in children in Western Europe. The highly heterogenous European policies applied to children compared to adults did not lead to significant measurable differences in outcomes. Remarkably, the relative epidemiological importance of transmission from school-age children to other age groups remains uncertain, with current evidence suggesting that schools often follow, rather than lead, community transmission. Important learning points for future pandemics are summarized.
Increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 death among older patients at long-term care hospitals in Korea
Authors: Seon Jeong-Yeon , Kim Sunjea , Lim Min Kyoung , Oh In-Hwan
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Long-term care hospitals are known to be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and death given their numerous older chronic disease patients. However, the actual effect of long-term care hospital admission is not well known in Korea; hence, this study sought to analyze the effect of long-term care hospitalization on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 death by correcting for patients’ characteristics.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used the data from K-COV-N cohort, which is linked to the National Health Insurance Service and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency; it analyzed 70,373 individuals aged ≥60 years, who had been tested for COVID-19 between January 1 and May 30, 2020 (KDCA-NHIS-2020-1-601). Patients admitted to a long-term care hospital were defined as those with a confirmed history of hospitalization within 30 days of the COVID-19 testing date. The final data analysis was performed in December 2022. Logistic regression analysis of the national data was employed to determine the association between long-term care hospital admission, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and death from COVID-19. The odds ratios for SARS-CoV-2 infection and death from COVID-19 were calculated by adjusting for sex, age, residential area, health insurance premium, disability, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index.

Results

Older patients at long-term care hospitals had a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR:2.91, 95% CI:2.33–3.64) and death from COVID-19 (OR:3.58, 95% CI:2.13–6.02). A difference in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk was observed based on residential area, health insurance premium (economic level), and disability; no difference was observed for COVID-19 mortality risk.

Discussion

Admission to a long-term care hospital itself could be a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the consequent high mortality risk after adjusting for sex, age, disability, and comorbidities. Patients are at high risk of infection through contact with workers, leading to death; therefore, quarantine policies for workers must be strengthened.
Increasing consumer engagement: tools to engage service users in quality improvement or implementation efforts
Authors: Woodward Eva N. , Ball Irenia A. , Willging Cathleen , Singh Rajinder Sonia , Scanlon Celia , Cluck Damon , Drummond Karen L. , Landes Sara J. , Hausmann Leslie R. M. , Kirchner JoAnn E.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Engaging service users or consumers in quality improvement or implementing a new service is important across settings and may reduce health inequities. Implementation strategies leveraging consumer engagement are neither commonly used nor robustly operationalized in implementation science. Implementers (e.g., middle managers, facilitators) want to involve consumers in implementation activities, but do not always feel confident in how to proceed. We developed a compendium of tools called Consumer Voice to guide others how to engage consumers in design/delivery of implementation strategies. Although generalizable to other settings, we developed Consumer Voice within the context of implementing suicide prevention treatments in healthcare to reach rural U.S. military veterans, as there are suicide inequities for people in rural areas.

Methods

We developed Consumer Voice using a multistep process and human-centered design methods. In between steps, a design team met to generate insights from data, and decide which prototypes to create/refine. In preliminary work, we conducted a scan of examples in healthcare of patient engagement in implementation activities and interviewed two implementation experts about preferred learning styles. In Step 1, we interviewed 26 participants with experience in community engagement, implementation, or lived experience as a rural U.S. veteran with suicidal thoughts/behavior. In Step 2, 11 implementers beta tested prototypes then share feedback in focus groups. In Step 3, we reconvened participants from prior steps to review tools and, using nominal group technique, prioritized remaining recommendations.

Results

Consumer Voice is online, modular, and nonlinear for self-guided learning tailored to beginner, intermediate, or advanced experience with consumer engagement. Tools consist of slides, audiovisual content with written text, and templates. Findings indicated there is not one “right” way to engage consumers in implementation activities, rather that implementers wanted tools showcasing core principles for consumer engagement and practical ideas.

Discussion

Consumer Voice can be used by implementers to reflect and decide on how to apply consumer engagement implementation strategies to improve equitable dissemination and uptake of evidence-based practices. Most insights generated by user data were explicitly to build trust between consumers and professionals representing institutions, which may be one component to reducing healthcare inequities.