bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Murine typhus is a common cause of acute febrile illness in Bandung, Indonesia
Authors: Riswari Silvita Fitri , Prodjosoewojo Susantina , Mony Siti Rasnawati , Megantara Imam , Iskandar Shelly , Mayasari Wulan , Heryaman Henhen , Mast Quirijn de , der Ven Andre van , Kosasih Herman , Alisjahbana Bachti
Published: July 2023

Murine typhus (MT), an infection caused by the gram-negative bacteria Rickettsia typhi (R. typhi), is a significant cause of acute febrile illness (AFI) in Southeast Asia but is rarely reported in Indonesia. The current study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of MT cases in Bandung, West Java. Non-confirmed AFI cases (n = 176) from a prospective cohort study of whom paired serum samples (acute (T1), midterm (T2), or convalescent (T3)) were available were screened using MT serology. IgG against R. typhi was detected in the T2 or T3 samples using an in-house ELISA. Positive IgG samples were further screened for the presence of IgM. If both IgM and IgG were positive, the endpoint titer of T1, T2, or T3 was determined. In cases with a fourfold increase in titer, real-time PCR of T1 samples was performed to detect R. typhi DNA. In total, 71/176 (40.3%) patients tested positive for IgG antibody, and 26 AFI cases were confirmed as MT (23 cases by PCR, 3 cases by fourfold titer increased IgG or IgM titer). The most common clinical symptoms in the confirmed cases were headache (80%), arthralgia (73%), malaise (69%), and myalgia (54%). In these cases, the presumptive clinical diagnoses were typhoid fever (43.2%), dengue (38.5%), and leptospirosis (19.2%). MT was not considered in any of the patients, and no patients received doxycycline. These findings confirmed that MT is an important cause of AFI in Indonesia. MT should be included in the differential diagnosis of AFI, and empirical treatment with doxycycline should be considered.
Learning important common data elements from shared study data: The All of Us program analysis
Authors: Mayer Craig S. , Huser Vojtech
Published: July 2023

There are many initiatives attempting to harmonize data collection across human clinical studies using common data elements (CDEs). The increased use of CDEs in large prior studies can guide researchers planning new studies. For that purpose, we analyzed the All of Us (AoU) program, an ongoing US study intending to enroll one million participants and serve as a platform for numerous observational analyses. AoU adopted the OMOP Common Data Model to standardize both research (Case Report Form [CRF]) and real-world (imported from Electronic Health Records [EHRs]) data. AoU standardized specific data elements and values by including CDEs from terminologies such as LOINC and SNOMED CT. For this study, we defined all elements from established terminologies as CDEs and all custom concepts created in the Participant Provided Information (PPI) terminology as unique data elements (UDEs). We found 1 033 research elements, 4 592 element-value combinations and 932 distinct values. Most elements were UDEs (869, 84.1%), while most CDEs were from LOINC (103 elements, 10.0%) or SNOMED CT (60, 5.8%). Of the LOINC CDEs, 87 (53.1% of 164 CDEs) originated from previous data collection initiatives, such as PhenX (17 CDEs) and PROMIS (15 CDEs). On a CRF level, The Basics (12 of 21 elements, 57.1%) and Lifestyle (10 of 14, 71.4%) were the only CRFs with multiple CDEs. On a value level, 61.7% of distinct values are from an established terminology. AoU demonstrates the use of the OMOP model for integrating research and routine healthcare data (64 elements in both contexts), which allows for monitoring lifestyle and health changes outside the research setting. The increased inclusion of CDEs in large studies (like AoU) is important in facilitating the use of existing tools and improving the ease of understanding and analyzing the data collected, which is more challenging when using study specific formats.
Ethical challenges of using remote monitoring technologies for clinical research: A case study of the role of local research ethics committees in the RADAR-AD study
Authors: Muurling Marijn , Pasmooij Anna M. G. , Koychev Ivan , Roik Dora , Froelich Lutz , Schwertner Emilia , Religa Dorota , Abdelnour Carla , Boada Mercè , Almici Monica , Galluzzi Samantha , Cardoso Sandra , de Mendonça Alexandre , Owens Andrew P. , Kuruppu Sajini , Gjestsen Martha Therese , Lazarou Ioulietta , Gkioka Mara , Tsolaki Magda , Diaz Ana , Gove Dianne , Visser Pieter Jelle , Aarsland Dag , Lucivero Federica , de Boer Casper ,   the RADAR-AD Consortium
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Clinical research with remote monitoring technologies (RMTs) has multiple advantages over standard paper-pencil tests, but also raises several ethical concerns. While several studies have addressed the issue of governance of big data in clinical research from the legal or ethical perspectives, the viewpoint of local research ethics committee (REC) members is underrepresented in the current literature. The aim of this study is therefore to find which specific ethical challenges are raised by RECs in the context of a large European study on remote monitoring in all syndromic stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and what gaps remain.

Methods

Documents describing the REC review process at 10 sites in 9 European countries from the project Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse–Alzheimer’s Disease (RADAR-AD) were collected and translated. Main themes emerging in the documents were identified using a qualitative analysis approach.

Results

Four main themes emerged after analysis: data management, participant’s wellbeing, methodological issues, and the issue of defining the regulatory category of RMTs. Review processes differed across sites: process duration varied from 71 to 423 days, some RECs did not raise any issues, whereas others raised up to 35 concerns, and the approval of a data protection officer was needed in half of the sites.

Discussion

The differences in the ethics review process of the same study protocol across different local settings suggest that a multi-site study would benefit from a harmonization in research ethics governance processes. More specifically, some best practices could be included in ethical reviews across institutional and national contexts, such as the opinion of an institutional data protection officer, patient advisory board reviews of the protocol and plans for how ethical reflection is embedded within the study.
“My wellbeing-their wellbeing “– An eHealth intervention for managing obesity in early care and education: Protocol for the Go NAPSACC Cares cluster randomized control trial
Authors: Willis Erik A. , Burney Regan , Hales Derek , Ilugbusi LeAndra O. , Tate Deborah F. , Nezami Brooke , Clarke Emily C. , Moore Renee H. , Mathews Emma , Thompson Meredith , Beckelheimer Brittany , Ward Dianne S.
Published: July 2023

Background

To fully leverage the potential of the early care and education (ECE) setting for childhood obesity prevention, initiatives must not intervene solely at the organizational level, but rather they should also address the health needs of the ECE workers. Workers suffer disproportionately high rates of obesity, and have reported low confidence in modeling and promoting healthy eating and activity behaviors. However, information regarding the effectiveness of improving ECE workers’ health behaviors or whether such improvements elicit meaningful change in the ECE environment and/or the children in their care is limited.

Method

The proposed study will integrate a staff wellness intervention into a nationally recognized, ECE obesity prevention initiative (Go NAPSACC). Go NAPSACC+ Staff Wellness program will be assessed using a clustered randomized controlled trial including 84 ECE centers, 168 workers, and 672 2–5-year-old children. Centers will be randomly assigned to 1) standard “Go NAPSACC” or 2) Go NAPSACC+ Staff Wellness. Outcome measures will assess impact on dietary intake and PA behaviors of 2-5-year-old children at 6 months (primary aim) and 12 months. Secondarily, we will compare the impact of the intervention on centers’ implementation of healthy weight practices and the effect on ECE workers’ diet quality and PA at 6- and 12 months.

Discussion

This trial expects to increase our understanding of how ECE worker’s personal health behaviors impact the health behaviors of the children in their care and the ECE environment.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05656807, registered on 19 December 2022. Protocol version 1.0, 22 March 2023.
Pressure sensing mat as an objective and sensitive tool for the evaluation of lameness in rabbits
Authors: von der Ahe Christin , Marahrens Hannah , Schwarze Michael , Angrisani Nina , Reifenrath Janin
Published: July 2023

In orthopaedic research, the analysis of the gait pattern is an often-used evaluation method. It allows an assessment of changes in motion sequence and pain level during postoperative follow up periods. Visual assessments are highly subjective and dependent on the circumstances. Particular challenge in rabbits is their hopping gait pattern. The aim of the present study was to establish a more objective and sensitive lameness evaluation using a pressure sensing mat. Twelve NZW rabbits were implemented in the study. They got an artificial anterior cruciate ligament transection of the right knee in connection with an experimental study, which investigated PTOA treatment. Rabbits were examined by a visual lameness score. Additionally, load of the hindlimbs was measured by the use of a pressure sensing mat and a video was recorded. Peak pressure and time force integral, defined as cumulated integral of all sensors associated to a hind paw, were evaluated. Preoperative data were collected on three independent days. As postoperative measurement time points, week 1 and week 12 after surgery were chosen. The subjective visual scoring was compared to the objective data of the pressure sensing mat. Following the visual score, lameness in week one was mild to moderate. In week twelve, rabbits were evaluated as lame free bar one. Contrary, following the values of the sensor mat, lameness in week one appeared to be more pronounced and almost all rabbits still showed low-grade lameness in week twelve. Consequently, the pressure sensing mat is more sensitive than the visual score and captures the grade of lameness much more accurately. For specific orthopaedic issues, where subtle differences in lameness are important to detect, the used system is a good supplementary evaluation method.
Scientific research input and output efficiency evaluation of universities in Chengdu–Chongqing economic circle based on data envelopment analysis
Authors: Wang Chong , Zeng Jun , Zhong Hui , Si Wei
Published: July 2023

The study takes 10 urban agglomerations in China as the research object, focusing on the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration, and applies Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure and compare their scientific input and output efficiency of universities. First, this paper analyzes the input and output of scientific research in universities in major provinces in China in detail. Second, according to the construction principles of the indicator system, using qualitative interview to construct evaluation indicators of university research efficiency. Third, using DEA method, first analyze the input and output profile of some urban agglomeration universities such as Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, measure and compare their research input and output efficiency, then compare and analyze the research efficiency of research-type sample universities within Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, and conduct a projection study of non-DEA effective sample universities. The main conclusions are as follows: first, the average efficiency of scientific research in universities in Chengdu-Chongqing and other urban agglomerations in 2020 has slightly increased compared with that in 2016, but the gap between urban agglomerations is prominent, and the innovation level of scientific research in higher education institutions in urban agglomerations needs to be improved. Second, there is a mismatch between the themes of research, funding and human resources in research-oriented universities in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. Third, there is considerable room for improvement in research efficiency, and the influence of scale on overall efficiency is weak. We found that excessive investment in scientific research in universities is the main reason for the non-effect.
Bayesian function registration with random truncation
Authors: Lu Yi , Herbei Radu , Kurtek Sebastian
Published: July 2023

In this work, we develop a new set of Bayesian models to perform registration of real-valued functions. A Gaussian process prior is assigned to the parameter space of time warping functions, and a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is utilized to explore the posterior distribution. While the proposed model can be defined on the infinite-dimensional function space in theory, dimension reduction is needed in practice because one cannot store an infinite-dimensional function on the computer. Existing Bayesian models often rely on some pre-specified, fixed truncation rule to achieve dimension reduction, either by fixing the grid size or the number of basis functions used to represent a functional object. In comparison, the new models in this paper randomize the truncation rule. Benefits of the new models include the ability to make inference on the smoothness of the functional parameters, a data-informative feature of the truncation rule, and the flexibility to control the amount of shape-alteration in the registration process. For instance, using both simulated and real data, we show that when the observed functions exhibit more local features, the posterior distribution on the warping functions automatically concentrates on a larger number of basis functions. Supporting materials including code and data to perform registration and reproduce some of the results presented herein are available online.
Increased tissue modulus and hardness in the TallyHO mouse model of early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Arora Daksh , Taylor Erik A. , King Karen B. , Donnelly Eve
Published: July 2023

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a higher fracture risk compared to those without T2DM despite having higher bone mineral density (BMD). Thus, T2DM may alter other aspects of resistance to fracture beyond BMD such as bone geometry, microarchitecture, and tissue material properties. We characterized the skeletal phenotype and assessed the effects of hyperglycemia on bone tissue mechanical and compositional properties in the TallyHO mouse model of early-onset T2DM using nanoindentation and Raman spectroscopy. Femurs and tibias were harvested from male TallyHO and C57Bl/6J mice at 26 weeks of age. The minimum moment of inertia assessed by micro-computed tomography was smaller (-26%) and cortical porosity was greater (+490%) in TallyHO femora compared to controls. In three-point bending tests to failure, the femoral ultimate moment and stiffness did not differ but post-yield displacement was lower (-35%) in the TallyHO mice relative to that in C57Bl/6J age-matched controls after adjusting for body mass. The cortical bone in the tibia of TallyHO mice was stiffer and harder, as indicated by greater mean tissue nanoindentation modulus (+22%) and hardness (+22%) compared to controls. Raman spectroscopic mineral:matrix ratio and crystallinity were greater in TallyHO tibiae than in C57Bl/6J tibiae (mineral:matrix +10%, p < 0.05; crystallinity +0.41%, p < 0.10). Our regression model indicated that greater values of crystallinity and collagen maturity were associated with reduced ductility observed in the femora of the TallyHO mice. The maintenance of structural stiffness and strength of TallyHO mouse femora despite reduced geometric resistance to bending could potentially be explained by increased tissue modulus and hardness, as observed at the tibia. Finally, with worsening glycemic control, tissue hardness and crystallinity increased, and bone ductility decreased in TallyHO mice. Our study suggests that these material factors may be sentinels of bone embrittlement in adolescents with T2DM.
Indirect estimation of the need for palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive cross-sectional study using mortality data in the Biobío Region, Chile
Authors: Barría-Sandoval Claudia , Espinoza Venegas Maritza , Ferreira Guillermo
Published: July 2023

Background

People with chronic diseases in their advanced phase require palliative care. This is essential to ensure their quality of life as it ends. However, a very low percentage of patients receive the necessary palliative care. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the planning and provision of palliative care. Despite this, in Chile, palliative care coverage was extended by law to cover nononcological chronic diseases. Implementation of this law is expected to be a significant challenge in terms of material resources, as well as the need for the formation of specialized palliative care teams. Therefore, it is essential to estimate the need for palliative care for all chronic diseases to generate useful input for planning and decision-making in public health.

Objectives

To indirectly estimate the need for palliative care among people with Chronic Oncological Diseases (COD) and Chronic Non-Oncological Diseases (CNOD) during the prepandemic and pandemic context due to COVID-19 in the Biobío Region in Chile.

Methods

Cross-sectional study based on mortality data from chronic oncological and nononcological diseases during the prepandemic (2010-2018) and pandemic (2020-2021) contexts due to COVID-19 in a Region of Chile through indirect estimation using minimal estimate, standardized mortality rates and geographically weighted regression.

Results

It was estimated that 76.25% of deaths from chronic diseases in the Biobío Region would have required palliative care, which represents 77,618 people who should have been included in these health benefits. The pandemic had a significant effect on the average number of deaths from CNOD. People belonging to this group were more likely to die from COVID-19 than from their baseline disease, unlike the deaths of people from COD, where no significant changes were observed.

Conclusion

These estimates highlight the potential size of the population requiring palliative care and emphasize the importance of recognizing the rights of individuals with COD and CNOD conditions. It is evident that there is a significant demand for palliative care services, as well as a pressing need for adequate resources, effective management, and strategic planning to cater to the needs of this population. This is particularly crucial in the heavily impacted areas and communes of the Biobío Region, Chile.
An edge-based approach for virtual network embedding based on the graph edit distance
Authors: Xu Zexi , Zhuang Lei , He Mengyang , Yang Sijin , Song Yu , Guo Junli , Li Wencui
Published: July 2023

Virtualization and resource isolation techniques have enabled the efficient sharing of networked resources. How to control network resource allocation accurately and flexibly has gradually become a research hotspot due to the growth in user demands. Therefore, this paper presents a new edge-based virtual network embedding approach to studying this problem that employs a graph edit distance method to accurately control resource usage. In particular, to manage network resources efficiently, we restrict the use conditions of network resources and restrict the structure based on common substructure isomorphism and an improved spider monkey optimization algorithm is employed to prune redundant information from the substrate network. Experimental results showed that the proposed method achieves better performance than existing algorithms in terms of resource management capacity, including energy savings and the revenue-cost ratio.
Piloting the informed health choices resources in Barcelona primary schools: A mixed methods study
Authors: Jofra Laura Samsó , Alonso-Coello Pablo , Martínez Esther Cánovas , de Britos Marsal Carol , Gallego Iborra Ana , Niño de Guzman Quispe Ena Pery , Pérez-Gaxiola Giordano , Requeijo Carolina , Roqué i Figuls Marta , Rosenbaum Sarah , Salas-Gama Karla , Urreta-Barallobre Iratxe , Martínez García Laura
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The main objective of the Informed Health Choices (IHC) project is to teach people to assess treatment claims and make informed health choices. For this purpose, the IHC learning resources were developed for primary school children. The aim of this study is to explore students’ and teachers’ experience when using the IHC resources in primary schools in Barcelona (Spain).

Methods

We conducted a mixed methods study for piloting the IHC resources in a convenience sample of primary schools in Barcelona. The intervention included a workshop with teachers, and nine lessons with students. We collected data using multiple approaches. We performed quantitative and qualitative analyses, and integrated the findings in a joint display. Finally, we formulated recommendations for using the IHC resources in this setting.

Results

Two schools, with a total of 143 students in 4th and 5th grade and six teachers, participated in the study. One school followed the suggested IHC teaching plan and competed all the lessons; the other school modified the plan substantially and did not complete all the lessons. Overall, students and teachers from both schools understood, were interested in, and were able to apply the content of the lessons. During the lessons, the textbook was useful for students; nevertheless, for the teachers, the usefulness of the IHC resources was variable. Teachers adapted the IHC resources to increase student participation and used Information and Communications Technologies tools. We observed more facilitators than barriers to teach the lessons. The teachers suggested some ideas to improve the lessons based on activities they developed and implemented. The integration analysis showed great convergence of the quantitative and qualitative findings. We propose seven recommendations for using the IHC resources in this setting.

Conclusions

Students and teachers from primary schools in Barcelona showed a positive experience when using IHC resources; however, these resources should be adapted to promote classroom participation.
Alkaline-SDS cell lysis of microbes with acetone protein precipitation for proteomic sample preparation in 96-well plate format
Authors: Chen Yan , Gin Jennifer W. , Wang Ying , de Raad Markus , Tan Stephen , Hillson Nathan J. , Northen Trent R. , Adams Paul D. , Petzold Christopher J.
Published: July 2023

Plate-based proteomic sample preparation offers a solution to the large sample throughput demands in the biotechnology field where hundreds or thousands of engineered microbes are constructed for testing is routine. Meanwhile, sample preparation methods that work efficiently on broader microbial groups are desirable for new applications of proteomics in other fields, such as microbial communities. Here, we detail a step-by-step protocol that consists of cell lysis in an alkaline chemical buffer (NaOH/SDS) followed by protein precipitation with high-ionic strength acetone in 96-well format. The protocol works for a broad range of microbes (e.g., Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, non-filamentous fungi) and the resulting proteins are ready for tryptic digestion for bottom-up quantitative proteomic analysis without the need for desalting column cleanup. The yield of protein using this protocol increases linearly with respect to the amount of starting biomass from 0.5–2.0 OD*mL of cells. By using a bench-top automated liquid dispenser, a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly option to eliminating pipette tips and reducing reagent waste, the protocol takes approximately 30 minutes to extract protein from 96 samples. Tests on mock mixtures showed expected results that the biomass composition structure is in close agreement with the experimental design. Lastly, we applied the protocol for the composition analysis of a synthetic community of environmental isolates grown on two different media. This protocol has been developed to facilitate rapid, low-variance sample preparation of hundreds of samples and allow flexibility for future protocol development.
Examining the attitudes of sexually abused and non-abused individuals towards marriage in terms of ambivalent sexism
Authors: Çelik Eyüp , Dombak Kübra , Kaya Mehmet , Sahranç Ümit , Makas Samet , Koçak Lokman , Takunyacı Mithat , Bekir Seyhan
Published: July 2023

The research aims to examine the attitudes of individuals who are victims of abuse and those who are not towards marriage in terms of ambivalent sexism. The research study group consists of 718 individuals between the ages of 18–48. Research data were collected with the Inonu Marriage Attitude Scale and Ambivalent Sexism Inventory. As a result of the correlation analysis, it was concluded that the marriage attitude was positively and significantly correlated with hostile and protective sexism. However, since the relationship between hostile sexism and attitudes towards marriage is lower than that of protective sexism, hostile sexism was not included in the model as a control variable. In the covariance analysis, it is seen that protective sexism and sexual abuse predict the attitude towards marriage at a statistically significant level. In addition, when the effect of sexual abuse on the attitude towards marriage was examined by controlling the protective sexism variable, it was found that it was statistically significant without the effect of sexism. According to the findings, it was determined that individuals who were not victims of sexual abuse had higher attitudes towards marriage than those who were victims.
The role of γ-aminobutyric acid and salicylic acid in heat stress tolerance under salinity conditions in Origanum vulgare L.
Authors: Garoosi Meisam Keshtkar , Sanjarian Forough , Chaichi Mehrdad
Published: July 2023

Origanum vulgare L., a medicinal and aromatic herb, has been used for hundreds of years. This plant contains valuable chemical compounds that can be used as medicine for treatment. On the other hand, a gradual increase in the planet’s average temperature could negatively affect the growth and the composition of the O. vulgare. For this reason, in this study, the effect of two protective compounds, namely salicylic acid (SA) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), on temperature and salinity stress conditions was investigated. Oregano plants were grown at 23/12°C temperature as control and 27/16°C heat stress in the greenhouse (16/8 h photoperiod) for one months. The plants were treated with GABA and SA and subjected to salt stress for 30 days. Subsequently, the plant’s physiological, biochemical, and phytochemical characteristics were examined. The results showed that all studied traits (in control and treated samples) were significantly different at 27°C, from 23°C. In addition, the highest amount of thymol and carvacrol were detected from plants grown at 27°C. In regards to salinity, stressed- plants had less damage to membrane stability and H2O2 level, when treated with GABA or SA. This study revealed that both SA and GABA compounds had an exellent protective effect on temperature and salt stress on O. vulgare. Based on enzyme-pigment evaluations and secondary metabolites, SA showed a better protective effect on temperature effects and GABA in a saline environment. In general, using these compounds can provide better conditions for the growth and preservation of O. vulgare chemical compounds. However, it certainly requires more experiments to find the signal pathways involved in these processes.
Insight in schizophrenia is associated with psychoeducation and social support: Testing a new more comprehensive insight tool in Turkish schizophrenia patients
Authors: Gundogmus Ayse Gokcen , Gerretsen Philip , Song Jianmeng , Erdi Akdag Funda , Demirel Cagri , Kokurcan Ahmet , Orsel Sibel , Karadag Hasan , Ozdel Kadir
Published: July 2023

Insight is a continuous and multidimensional phenomenon, including awareness of having an illness, the presence of symptoms and accurate symptom attribution, the need for treatment, and the consequences of treatment. Good insight into illness is associated with better adherence to treatment, better cognitive, psychosocial, and vocational functioning along with less symptom severity, decreased relapses, and hospitalizations. Several tools are used for insight evaluation. We recruited 90 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and analyzed the forms of 58 patients. The patients completed the VAGUS-SR (self-rated), Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, Knowledge About Schizophrenia Questionnaire, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Clinicians performed a mental status examination and completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Schedule for the Assessment of Insight, VAGUS-CR (clinician-rated), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, and Clinical Global Impressions. We found that the level of insight evaluated using the VAGUS forms increased with knowledge regarding schizophrenia. Upon investigating the relationship between perceived social support and insight, we identified a relationship between VAGUS-CR and only significant other subscales of MSPSS, and between one of the VAGUS-SR scale sub-dimensions and significant other and total scores of MSPSS. Our findings also suggest that the VAGUS-SR and VAGUS-CR scales can be used to evaluate insight in Turkish populations. The positive relationship between perceived social support and insight emphasizes the importance of increasing social support through interventions aimed at improving insight. Our data also highlighted the value of psychoeducational studies in this patient group. Considering the multidimensional effects of insight on patients with schizophrenia, it would be beneficial to use scales such as VAGUS, which allow the insights of individuals to be evaluated in detail by both the clinician and the patient.
Critical and steady-state characteristics of delay propagation in an airport network
Authors: Yao Hong-Guang , Zhang Hang
Published: July 2023

In this work, we established a density equation for delayed airports to investigate the horizontal propagation mechanism of delays among airports in an airport network. We explored the critical conditions, steady-state features, and scale of the delay propagation, and designed a simulation system to verify the accuracy of the results. The results indicated that, due to the no-table scale-free feature of an airport network, the critical value of delay propagation is extremely small, and delays are prone to propagate among airports. Furthermore, as delay propagation reaches a steady state in an aviation network, the degree value of the node becomes highly correlated with its delay state. Hub airports with high degree values are the most prone to being affected by delay propagation. In addition, the number of airports that are initially delayed influences the time required for delay propagation to reach a steady state. Specifically, if there are fewer initially delayed airports, a longer time is required to reach a steady state. In the steady state, the delay ratios of airports with different degree values in the network converge to a balance point. The delay degree of the node is highly positively correlated with the delay propagation rate in the network, but negatively related to the degree distribution index of the network.
A photo-elicitation as an arts-based method for exploring the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in higher education in Ireland
Authors: McGarvey John
Published: July 2023

The lack of research on the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in Ireland’s higher education (HE) sector prompted this study, which aims to address the deficit. Semi-structured interviews were employed in tandem with photo-elicitation to gain a deeper and more personal capture of individual experiences. This article explores a number of questions relating to the Irish LGBTQ+ student experience in HE: what can photo-elicitation tell us about the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in terms of campus climate? How did photo-elicitation assist in exploring aspects of the LGBTQ+ student experience which were not part of the interview guide? LGBTQ+ students found an unconditional trusting love from their pets especially during stressful times, where they could disclose anything to them knowing they would not share this. This study provides an insight into the lives of newly ‘out’ LGBTQ+ students, caused due to a heteronormative secondary school which suppressed and denied LGBTQ+ identities. The absence of LGBTQ+ identities from the institutional memory further enforces the heteronormativity present in HE institutes and universities which often fail to record their experiences. Symbolism in the form of rainbow flags were cited as being significant to most LGBTQ+ students given the rejection of previous educational context and participants gave effusive portrayals on the importance of the rainbow flag on campus. The study highlighted how HE institutes can better support, understand and create an awareness of the challenges that many LGBTQ+ students face. I argue that employing an arts-based research model facilitated a deeper more nuanced understanding of the LGBTQ+ student experiences.
Introduction to Design Education: Theory, Research, and Practical Applications for Educators, Steven Faerm (2023)
Authors: Palomo-Lovinski Noël
Published: July 2023

Review of: Introduction to Design Education: Theory, Research, and Practical Applications for Educators, Steven Faerm (2023)

New York: Routledge, 301 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-36750-230-0, h/bk, $39.95
Problema da Unidade da Cultura Europeia
Authors: Reis Patrícia
Published: July 2023

A geração de filólogos alemães da primeira metade do século XX interpretou os eventos políticos, sociais e culturais de seu tempo nos termos de uma crise europeia. Tal situação evocaria uma urgência, uma tarefa que, a seu ver, poderia ser enfrentada de modo eficaz pela Filologia Românica. Naturalmente, essa crise remete aos eventos políticos imediatamente anteriores: a ascensão do Nacional-Socialismo, a Segunda Guerra Mundial, o exílio, mas não apenas. Ela traduz, também, as transformações culturais em curso, ao surgimento da estética modernista e o desaparecimento gradativo de um mundo cuja unidade era o pressuposto fundamental. A função da filologia, disciplina construída sobre os pilares do idealismo e do romantismo alemão, seria recuperar o sentido dessa totalidade para a Europa contemporânea, recolocando os clássicos em seu lugar devido e opondo aos partidarismos político-nacionais o cosmopolitismo próprio da cultura ocidental. Nos quadros da Romanística, essa tarefa restauradora teve como ideal o resgate da Idade Média latina, anteriormente desprestigiada pela sobriedade da estética iluminista e neoclássica. Dante Alighieri foi exemplar, nesse sentido: um modelo estético, político e moral para a Alemanha contemporânea. Gostaria de evidenciar, nesse artigo, a relevância que o poeta assumiu na reflexão de dois destacados romanistas – Erich Auerbach e Ernst R. Curtius – em seus escritos da década de 1930.
Diálogos entre os quadrinhos de super-heróis e o movimento feminista estadunidense
Authors: Godinho Rocha Bruna Amanda
Published: July 2023

O presente trabalho busca investigar a representação feminina nos quadrinhos norte-americanos de superaventura, em especial, de editoras mainstream, como a Marvel e a DC Comics. Para subsidiar essa pesquisa, lancei mão de estudos a respeito do movimento feminista e seus impactos na sociedade. De modo geral, desde o surgimento dos quadrinhos contemporâneos, têm se debatido sobre aspectos sociais, políticos e culturais no interior deles. Contudo, apenas a partir da década de 60 devido ao crescente interesse acadêmico é que eles passam a ser analisados como manifestação artística, com possibilidades de crítica, manutenção ou ainda subversão dos modelos tradicionalmente fabricados e naturalizados.

 

Palavras-chave: Feminismo – comics – super-heróis.
FUGIRE URBEN: QUALIDADE DE VIDA E BEM-ESTAR HUMANO E AMBIENTAL NA URBANIZAÇÃO E NO PLANEJAMENTO URBANO
Authors: Gobbo Maximiliano Soares Lemos Araujo , Araujo Thiago de Oliveira , Salema Claudia de Oliveira Faria
Published: July 2023

Neste ensaio analisou-se as bases fundamentais das Teorias da Urbanização através da ótica da Biotecnologia Ambiental, para que esta possa contribuir no desenvolvimento de projetos urbanos que auxiliem na manutenção da vida. Nele, buscou-se compreender como, ao longo dos anos, as dinâmicas urbanas incidiram na qualidade de vida e no bem-estar da população e do ambiente. Comparativamente, investigou-se como estruturas de poder e de dominação determinaram processos de risco e vulnerabilidade socioambientais, determinando quadros de injustiça ambiental que se replicam desde as cidades industriais do Século XIX até às estruturas urbanísticas da atualidade. Para além, tentou-se estabelecer um paralelo entre a circulação do capital nas cidades e a produção destes espaços para atender um grupo seleto de habitantes dos centros e das periferias. A análise permitiu a identificação de diferentes fatores nos fundamentos das Teorias da Urbanização que se articulam com o bem-estar e a qualidade de vida da população e do ambiente. Ao longo da discussão foram pormenorizados os aspectos relevantes sobre o capital, a estrutura urbana, o processo de gentrificação, os centros e centralidades, trazendo exemplos ilustrativos sobre a periodicidade dos eventos urbanísticos e seus respectivos impactos na produção do espaço urbano e na vida humana e ambiental. Diante disso, inferiu-se que a complementariedade entre as ciências é essencial para compreender a complexidade da urbanização e para atender o desafio do planejamento urbano.
Konsep dan Etika Kebahagiaan Melalui Ekonomi Sufistik
Authors: Casmini Casmini
Published: July 2023

This article aims to describe the thinking about economic practices that are not dichotomous with religion to get happiness. The offer of Sufistic spirituality becomes a bridge that connects economic activity with servitude to Allah SWT. This research is a literary study with primary sources of positive psychology literature, Sufistic economics and happiness, and secondary sources in the form of complementary sources, namely data about which supports a person can be happy such as economics and Sufism practices. Data analysis was carried out with stages of identification data collection, clarification between sources, classification of discussion themes, narrating, and discussing in a systematic and coherent system. The results showed that happiness is found in the course of economic practices inspired by Sufi spiritual values. Economic practice is guided by the foundation of life that relies on spiritual feelings namely, faith, Islam and ihsan through the stages of takhalli, tahalli and tajalli to find ultimate happiness. Economic behavior runs through the integration of physical and spiritual elements which are integrated into the spirit of economic practice in people's lives.
Keywords: happiness, sufistic-economic, spirituality, economic action
 
Artikel ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan pemikiran tentang praktik ekonomi yang tidak dikhotomis dengan agama untuk mendapatkan kebahagiaan. Tawaran spiritualitas sufistik menjadi jembatan yang menghubungkan kegiatan ekonomi dengan penghambaan kepada Allah SWT. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian literartur dengan sumber primer literatur psikologi positif, ekonomi sufistik dan kebahagiaan, dan sumber sekunder berupa sumber komplementer yaitu data-data mengenai yang mendukung seseorang dapat bahagia seperti ekonomi dan praktik tasawuf. Analisis data dilakukan dengan tahapan pengumpulan data identifikasi, klarifikasi antar sumber, klasifikasi tema-tema bahasan dan menarasikan serta mendiskusikan dalam sistematika yang runtut dan jelas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kebahagiaan ditemukan seiring perjalanan praktik ekonomi yang dijiwai oleh nilai-nilai spiritualitas sufistik.  Praktik ekonomi tertuntun dengan landasan kehidupan yang bersandar pada perasaan spiritual yaitu, iman, Islam dan ihsan melalui tahapan takhalli, tahalli dan tajalli untuk menemukan kebahagiaan hakiki. Laku ekonomi berjalan melalui integrasi unsur jasmaniah dan ruhaniah yang menyatu menjadi ruh spiritualitas praktik ekonomi dalam kehidupan masyarakat.
Kata Kunci: kebahagiaan, ekonomi sufistik, spiritualitas, praktik ekonomi
Métodos heurísticos para despachar veículos de emergência com níveis de prioridade para responder às falhas de energia elétrica
Authors: Breda Gabriel Rafalski , Mestria Mário
Published: July 2023

A energia elétrica é um bem essencial para a população, devido a isso, há uma grande exigência por parte da sociedade em manter o seu fornecimento em tempo integral. Além disso, é interessante para as concessionárias de distribuição de energia elétrica evitar possíveis falhas, ao passo que essas interrupções causam penalização como custos de reparo, insatisfação do cliente e energia não faturada. Portanto, este trabalho apresenta estratégias para despachar veículos de emergência para os consumidores com falta de energia elétrica estabelecendo rotas. As rotas estabelecidas irão considerar níveis de prioridade e demandas estocásticas que podem ocorrer durante o atendimento nos atuais desligamentos. O objetivo nesse estudo é melhorar a eficiência energética no sentido de diminuir o tempo nas falhas de energia elétrica, de forma a promover o uso racional. Para isso, o trabalho propõe um modelo matemático, atrelado ao uso de algoritmos heurísticos construtivos e busca local. Os resultados obtidos foram promissores nos quesitos de tempo de processamento e qualidade.
Úroveň bádateľských zručností žiakov 6. ročníka základných škôl
Authors: Čipková Elena , Fuchs Michael , Šmida Dominik
Published: July 2023

Primárnym cieľom prírodovedného vzdelávania je rozvíjať prírodovednú gramotnosť žiaka tak, aby disponoval širokým spektrom vedomostí, postojov, kompetencií a zručností, ktoré mu umožňujú využívať a uplatňovať poznatky a postupy spojené s vedeckým skúmaním v každodennom živote pri riešení rôznych situácií. Významnou zložkou prírodovednej gramotnosti sú bádateľské zručnosti, prostredníctvom ktorých sa pri riešení problémov môžu uplatňovať metódy a postupy kopírujúce povahu práce vedcov. Žiakom zároveň umožňujú získavať nové poznatky a porozumieť prírodným konceptom, na základe ktorých môžu hlbšie preniknúť do spôsobu fungovania okolitého sveta. V predloženom príspevku predstavujeme výsledky realizovaného výskumu zameraného na hodnotenie úrovne bádateľských zručností žiakov šiesteho ročníka nižšieho sekundárneho vzdelávania (ISCED 2). Získané údaje naznačujú, že žiaci participujúci na výskume disponujú pomerne nízkou úrovňou bádateľských zručností, čo môže výrazne ovplyvniť ich schopnosť vyhľadávať a objavovať nové poznatky z oblasti prírodných vied a v konečnom dôsledku mať negatívny dopad na ich celkovú úroveň prírodovednej gramotnosti.
Pre-service teachers’ noticing: On the way to expert target
Authors: Vondrová Naďa , Novotná Magdalena , Pavlasová Lenka , Robová Jarmila , Stará Jana , Uličná Klára
Published: July 2023

Unlike prevailing research focusing on what pre-service teachers attend to in a lesson and how they interpret it, the study investigates the content of their comments, knowledge-based reasoning and whether it agrees with experts’ views. Study 1 determined the dimensions of quality teaching pertinent to lessons in which a new subject matter is introduced and made a noticing target. In Study 2, pre-service teachers (n = 174) at the end of their university study made a written reflection of a video lesson, which was compared against the target. Most could not discern situations important for deep work with the content in the lesson. They failed to apply their theoretical knowledge in their interpretation of the ones they mentioned. Only half of their comments included knowledge-based reasoning, and their views were mostly partially consistent or inconsistent with the experts’ ones. This highlights the need to focus on content-related important situations in a lesson and their interpretation in teacher preparation and on developing the ability to discern the dimensions of instructional quality in concrete lessons.
Secondary and university students' understanding of independence and conditional probability
Authors: Mošna František
Published: July 2023

The primary objective of the study was to investigate the perceptions of Czech secondary and university students regarding independence in tasks involving multiple repetitions of random events and their understanding of conditional probability. The study employed a sample of 43 students, ranging in age from 15 to 23, who engaged in think-aloud interviews. The selection of eight tasks was based on existing literature.A qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts established that students encountered difficulties comprehending the concepts of independence and conditional probability, irrespective of whether they had previously undertaken a university course on probability. Notably, certain misconceptions about independence only surfaced in more challenging tasks, wherein students relied more on their intuition than their acquired knowledge. The misconceptions primarily manifested when describing the random space. The research findings have significant educational implications, which are discussed.
Segregación residencial socioeconómica en Latinoamérica. Una visión crítica del concepto
Authors: Galván-Farías Abel Giovani , De la Torre Marina Inés
Published: July 2023

La segregación es un concepto polisémico, cuya definición adopta los sesgos propios del interés de cada disciplina. Sociólogos, geógrafos, antropólogos y arquitectos aluden a la segregación, tanto social y urbana como residencial, para referirse al mismo fenómeno. En tal sentido, se hace necesario un análisis teórico conceptual, en el que se identifiquen los elementos estructuradores del concepto, desde su sentido más elemental hasta sus específicas determinaciones. Con tal fin, se acomete una revisión descriptiva del conocimiento acumulado en relación con el tema mencionando consensos y discrepancias entre sus referentes teóricos más importantes. La consideración del fenómeno en el contexto social y urbano de las ciudades latinoamericanas actuales es una constante en el desarrollo del presente artículo.
Habitante, ambiente y sociedad: experiencias de un modelo de diseño integral
Authors: Díaz-Macías Brenda Estefanía , López-León Ricardo
Published: July 2023

Uno de los inconvenientes a los que más se enfrentan los arquitectos a la hora de diseñar es la complejidad que, por naturaleza, implica dicha actividad, la cual se debe a las múltiples variables que intervienen en ella. La falta de comprensión de esta complejidad puede llevar a diseños con errores y deficiencias, a soluciones formales que no resuelven verdaderamente el problema. Se requieren herramientas que ayuden a comprender y manejar esta complejidad y guíen al diseñador en la toma de decisiones. El objetivo es presentar un modelo de diseño integral que cumpla con dicha tarea. Para evaluar su aplicabilidad se recurrió a una metodología cualitativa, en la cual el modelo fue implementado en talleres por estudiantes de arquitectura. El resultado es una herramienta metodológica que se diferencia de los modelos existentes por su perspectiva integral y su naturaleza, centrada en tres ejes de diseño: habitante, ambiente y sociedad.