bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamic performance of submerged breakwater in tandem with thin-walled as submerged reef structure
Authors: Patil Shivakumar B , Karmakar Debabrata
Published: October 2022

The interaction of gravity waves with submerged tandem breakwater of different structural configurations is analysed in finite water depth using the Multi-Domain Boundary Element Method (MDBEM). The wave transformation characteristics, wave forces and wave energy dissipation are analysed considering the presence of impermeable type thin-walled as reef structure in front of the primary submerged breakwater. The comparative study is performed for the submerged structures of various shapes (trapezoidal, triangular, rectangular and thin-walled) and types (rubble mound, permeable, impermeable) that are designed to function together as a tandem breakwater. The effect of varying angle of incidence, relative submergence depth, and relative gap between the reef structure and primary breakwater on wave reflection and transmission are derived for the suggested tandem breakwater models. Among all the impermeable-type models, the thin-walled as reef structure designed at a distance in front of thin-walled as a primary submerged breakwater as a tandem is observed to perform efficiently in terms of energy dissipation and also offers an optimum wave transmission for both short and long wave conditions. Further, the permeable and rubble mound type trapezoidal tandem breakwater offers higher energy dissipation in comparison with all other breakwaters. In view of the design considerations and structural stability of submerged breakwaters, the addition of a reef structure acts as a defence system for the primary breakwater and also creates an energy dissipation zone that allows the shore dynamics to be preserved, making tandem models more effective in the harbour region.
Attracting international students to a developing Asian country: Push–pull factors for a niche market, the case of a Vietnamese higher education institution
Authors: Kim Khanh Mai Thi , Ngoc Chau Huy
Published: October 2022

Student mobility has become a global phenomenon with an upward trend in the past two decades, and Asian countries are becoming important receiving countries. Such phenomenon has been increasingly investigated producing a growing body of literature on Asia-bound international student mobility. However, while some countries stand in the spotlight of international student scholarship, other lesser known destinations remain underrepresented. This article provides an exploratory effort to examine factors that attract international students to Vietnam, a country which has not been visible on international student mobility landscape as a receiving destination. The study employs push–pull factors framework and a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods (n = 94) to examine the push–pull factors that influence the decision of international students to choose Vietnam as the destination country and a Vietnamese higher education institution as host institution. Research findings show that major push factors include aspirations for new experiences, home country economic outlook and pessimistic job prospects at home. Regarding pull factors, at national level, bright economic prospect is the top pull factor attracting international students to a developing country like Vietnam, and at institutional level, the university’s reputation and its Vietnamese Studies and language programmes are the most important pull factors attracting international students to the university to study. Based on the research results, recommendations are proposed for higher education institutions in Vietnam and other developing Asian countries to attract international students with implications against the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Using Empathy Interviews and Qualitative Evidence to Improve Human Resource Development Practice and Theory
Authors: Lochmiller Chad R.
Published: October 2022

Scholars have long advocated the use of evidence, particularly quantitative evidence, to guide program improvement efforts in the field of human resource development. Yet, there is also widespread recognition that quantitative data has limitations and that new sources of information are useful. The purpose of this article is to consider the use of qualitative evidence to support program improvement efforts within the field of human resource development (HRD). Specifically, the article describes how HRD professionals might design and conduct empathy interviews, a technique widely used in improvement research, to produce a compelling theory of practice that can be used to support program improvement activities. Empathy interviews are thus positioned as a valuable but under-utilized form of qualitative data in the field. As such, the article describes a design process that considers how to select a perspective, structure the conversation, and analyze data. The completion of this process has implications for the development of HRD theory because it shifts the focus from a program-to user-centered understanding of practice.
Comparison of predictors of failure of early neurological improvement after successful endovascular treatment for posterior and anterior circulation large vessel occlusion: Data from ANGEL-ACT registry
Authors: Yang Xinguang , Yang Jie , Sun Dapeng , Wang Anxin , Tong Xu , Jia Baixue , Miao Zhongrong ,   On behalf of ANGEL-ACT study group
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To identify and compare the predictors of failure of early neurological improvement (fENI)after successful EVT for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO) and posterior circulation LVO (PCLVO).

Methods

Subjects were selected from the ANGEL-ACT registry. fENI was defined as unchanged or worsened in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSS) between admission and 24 h after EVT. Predictors of fENI after successful EVT (mTICI 2b-3) were determined via center-adjusted analyses. Univariable and multivariable comparisons between ACLVO and PCLVO were performed.

Results

A total of 1447 patients, 1128 were with ACLVO, and 319 were with PCLVO. Among the patients with ACLVO, there were 409 patients (36.3%) with fENI and 719 patients (63.7%) with ENI. We observed that pre-stroke mRS scale score of 2 (odd ratio[OR] 95% confidence interval[CI], 6.93[1.99–24.10], P = 0.002), initial NIHSS score (OR per point[95%CI], 0.97[0.95–0.99], P = 0.012), diabetes (OR[95%CI], 1.56[1.08–2.25], P = 0.017), previous ICH (OR[95%CI] 9.21[1.76–48.15], P = 0.008), local anesthesia (OR[95%CI] 1.63[1.10–2.42], P = 0.014), onset-to-puncture time (OR[95%CI], 1.001[1.000–1.001], P = 0.009), symptomatic ICH (OR[95%CI] 3.90[2.27–6.69], P < 0.001), and continued use of tirofiban within 2 h after EVT (OR[95%CI], 0.69[0.51–0.93], P = 0.014) were independent predictors of fENI of ACLVO after EVT. Among the patients with PCLVO, there were 112 patients (35.1%) with fENI and 207 patients (64.9%) with ENI. In contrast, admission SBP (OR[95%CI], 0.98[0.97–0.99], P = 0.012), and vascular dissection within 2 h after EVT (OR[95%CI], 7.23[1.33–39.13], P = 0.022) were independent predictors of fENI of PCLVO after EVT.

Conclusion

In selected patients, successful EVT can lead to similar outcomes in PCLVO and ACLVO. Some predictors of fENI in both anterior circulation and posterior circulation were identified in our study, which should be highly considered in the clinical practice in LVO patients undergoing EVT.
Extravascular incidental findings in computed tomography angiography are associated with lower amputation-free survival in patients with acute lower limb ischaemia
Authors: Kulezic Andrea , Acosta Stefan , Ekberg Olle , Lehti Leena
Published: October 2022

Background

Emergency computed tomography angiography (CTA) is the most important imaging modality to visualize arterial occlusions in patients with acute lower limb ischaemia (ALI). Extravascular incidental findings (EVIFs) have received less attention.

Purpose

The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of EVIFs of immediate clinical relevance in patients with ALI undergoing CTA and evaluate the association between EVIFs and emergency revascularization and amputation-free survival at 1 year.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Emergency CTA in patients with ALI between 2015 and 2018 were independently scrutinized by two senior radiologists. EVIFs were classified into immediate (category I), potential (category II) or no clinical relevance (category III). Multi-variable binary logistic regression analysis was expressed in Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficient for EVIF category I between the raters was 0.94 (95% CI 0.92–0.96). Among 118 patients with ALI, 78 patients underwent emergency revascularization. Forty-six EVIFs (34 patients) were category I, of which 63% were found in the chest, including pleural effusion ( n = 12), pneumonia ( n = 8) and cardiac thrombus ( n = 4). Ascites ( n = 4) and cancer disease ( n = 4) were other category I findings. Category I EVIFs were associated with reduced rate of emergency revascularization (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10–0.66) and increased rate of combined major amputation/mortality at 1 year (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1–8.2) in adjusted analysis.

Conclusion

It is important to evaluate EVIFs in emergency CTA in patients with ALI since these findings are both common and associated with reduced emergency revascularization and amputation-free survival at 1 year.
Feasibility of recruiting in prisons during a randomized controlled trial with people with serious mental illness
Authors: Phillips Jonathan , Blank Wilson Amy , Villodas Melissa L. , Parisi Anna , Dohler Ehren , Givens Ashley
Published: October 2022

Background

Successful participant recruitment is vital to the feasibly of intervention research. In the behavioral and social sciences, intervention researchers face a myriad of recruitment barriers, many of which stem from working in real-world settings and among hard-to-access populations. Optimizing recruitment efforts requires being intentional about study planning and resource allocation, carefully documenting the outcomes of recruitment efforts, and developing and implementing procedures and strategies to overcome anticipated recruitment barriers.

Methods

The current article presents recruitment flowcharts to illustrate (a) the multistep recruitment process and (b) the points of potential participant attrition during recruitment from a two-phase group-based intervention study conducted among individuals with serious mental illness incarcerated in a state prison system in the U.S. In addition, qualitative methods are used to examine strategies employed during the study to support recruitment efforts.

Results

Despite challenges, this study was able to achieve recruitment goals. Analyses found the majority of potential participant attrition occurred prior to informed consent, highlighting the need for studies to track recruitment efforts in more detail than is currently recommended by commonly used guidelines. Strategies to optimize recruitment efforts included maximizing recruiter availability, developing a responsive communication approach, demonstrating respect for facility procedures and operations, and ensuring peak preparedness.

Conclusion

Careful documentation of recruitment efforts and the early deployment of recruitment strategies is vital to the feasibility of intervention studies conducted in real-world settings with hard-to-access populations. The publication of recruitment procedures and outcomes can help future researchers anticipate recruitment challenges and inform recruitment goals, timelines, and strategies.
Beyond Infant’s Looking: The Neural Basis for Infant Prediction Errors
Authors: Berger Andrea , Posner Michael I.
Published: October 2022

Contemporary conceptualizations on infant cognitive development focus on predictive processes; the basic idea is that the brain continuously creates predictions about what is expected and that the divergence between predicted and actual perceived data yields a prediction error. This prediction error updates the model from which the predictions are generated and therefore is a basic mechanism for learning and adaptation to the dynamics of the ever-changing environment. In this article, we review the types of available empirical evidence supporting the idea that predictive processes can be found in infancy, especially emphasizing the contribution of electrophysiology as a potential method for testing the similarity of the brain mechanisms for processing prediction errors in infants to those of adults. In infants, as with older children, adolescents, and adults, predictions involve synchronization bursts of middle-central theta reflecting brain activity in the anterior cingulate cortex. We discuss how early in development such brain mechanisms develop and open questions that still remain to be empirically investigated.
Trends in the incidence of stroke and its subtypes from 1963 to 2018 in Japanese urban and rural communities: The Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS)
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Imano Hironori , Kitamura Akihiko , Kiyama Masahiko , Yamagishi Kazumasa , Tanaka Mari , Ohira Tetsuya , Sankai Tomoko , Umesawa Mitsumasa , Muraki Isao , Hayama-Terada Mina , Cui Renzhe , Shimizu Yuji , Okada Takeo , Sato Shinichi , Tanigawa Takeshi , Iso Hiroyasu
Published: October 2022

Background:

Few studies have provided observational data on long-term trends in the incidence of stroke and its subtypes, and shown the urban–rural disparities of stroke incidence in Japan.

Methods:

A multiple-source, community-based stroke surveillance was performed since 1963/1964 to determine all first-ever stroke cases among Japanese residents aged ⩾40 years living in the Minami-Takayasu district in Yao city, an urban community, and Ikawa town, a rural community. Sex-specific, age-standardized incidence per 1000/year with 95% confidence intervals was calculated during seven periods of 1963/1964–1971 (urban population (% men): 3242 (47.3%); rural population (% men): 2311 (46.0%)), 1972–1979, 1980–1987, 1988–1995, 1996–2003, 2004–2011, and 2012–2018 (13,307 (46.7%); 3586 (44.8%)).

Results:

The age-standardized incidence of all strokes in the Japanese urban community decreased from 6.60 to 1.15 per 1000/year for men and 3.28 to 0.59 for women. In the rural community, the corresponding incidence decreased from 11.51 to 1.98 for men and 6.46 to 1.31 for women. Similar reductions were observed in the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, and lacunar stroke. In the period of 2012–2018, the incidence ratios (95% confidence intervals) of all strokes for the rural compared to the urban community were 1.72 (1.08–2.75) for men and 2.23 (1.23–4.03) for women.

Conclusion:

The stroke incidence continued to decline in both urban and rural Japanese communities with the regional disparities over the past half century, whereas it remained higher than that in many Western countries.
Integrating One Health topics to enhance health workers’ leadership in health promotion activities
Authors: Chapman Helena J. , Veras-Estévez Bienvenido A.
Published: October 2022

Moving into the next decade, the global health workforce can lead efforts to identify emerging health threats and develop immediate action plans to mitigate adverse effects on community health and well-being. To prepare health workers in their delivery of health education activities, the authors propose three didactic (‘train the trainers’) approaches: essential ‘learning moments’, critical analyses of One Health challenges, and the use of innovative real-time visualizations. Health workers’ leadership is vital to achieve the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to safeguard population health, and ultimately to strengthen global health security.
Multiparty work relationships in Denmark: The active role of social partners
Authors: Munkholm Natalie Videbaek
Published: October 2022

The article discusses selected forms of multiparty work relationships that are surfacing in Denmark, and the responses of the social partners to these developments. The overall approach of the Danish labour market parties and legislators is with a view to ensuring that work performed by workers in atypical employment relationships, such as multiparty work relationships, are also covered by collective agreements, which can be enforced. Collective agreements must be effective and adhered to, and attempts to circumvent collective agreements are strictly prohibited. As such, multiparty work relationships are addressed as any other work relationships, and are often expressly included in normal collective agreements. This is the case, unless a setup is viewed as an attempt to circumvent a collective agreement by creating pro forma contracts. In particular, subcontracting by independent contractors has been the subject of legal review, where the trade unions have filed claims before the industrial courts to test the reality of subcontracting arrangements. Also, the question of who is the responsible employer surfaces in multiparty work relationships in particular, as the responsible employer is subject to the duty of adhering to the collective agreement and other workers’ rights. The duty to adhere to provisions in collective agreements covers fraudulent contractual setups, and the user entity that in reality is the employer can be liable for breach of the agreement. Furthermore, the social partners enter into negotiations in respect of new forms of work, adapting collective agreements to such new forms of work. This is the case for platform work. Finally, certain trade unions engage with the interests of their members in becoming independent contractors, and have developed support for their members’ endevaours by way of a formal service bureau to look after the administrative side of being an indepdent contractor. The role of the social partners continues to be central and necessary to counteract circumvention and fraudulent business structures. At the same time, the role of the social partners is also characterised as adaptive and dynamic as they seek to actively engage with the interests of their memberes, and to continue to be a relevant partner for their members as well as for society at large.
Engaging Knowledge Capabilities to Sustain the Application of Information Technology Governance in Healthcare Institutions
Authors: Hammami Samir , Durrah Omar , Jamil Syed Ahsan , Eltigani Mohammedosman
Published: October 2022

The healthcare sector has faced increasing pressures to reduce costs and increase healthcare quality in recent years. Thus, managing knowledge in healthcare organizations is critical to achieving low-cost optimization of higher quality services. Also, information technology (IT) plays an essential and crucial role in providing a central database for managing patient data in the healthcare sector. The current study investigates the effects of three aspects of knowledge capabilities (i.e., individual knowledge capabilities, managerial knowledge capabilities, and collaborative organizational capabilities) on information technology governance in healthcare institutions in the Sultanate of Oman. Data were collected using a non-simple random sampling technique by distributing a questionnaire completed by (325) employees working in (13) public hospitals and medical centers in (8) governorates. The collected data were analyzed using AMOS software and structural equation modeling (SEM). This study indicates that individual knowledge capabilities significantly affect only one dimension of IT governance: IT risk management. Moreover, collaborative knowledge capabilities significantly influence all dimensions of IT governance pillars in healthcare institutions, while managerial knowledge capabilities have no significant effect. The study findings can be used to deeply understand the role of knowledge capabilities in sustaining the IT governance application in the health sector context.
Reguetón y representaciones de la mujer: un estudio en Educación Secundaria
Authors: Campo Sandra Soler , Faure-Carvallo Adrien , Carrasco Ana Mercedes Vernia
Published: October 2022

El reguetón es uno de los estilos musicales preferidos por los adolescentes. No obstante, las letras de sus canciones pueden ejercer una influencia perniciosa respecto a la consideración de la mujer en la sociedad y en las relaciones sociales. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar la influencia del reguetón en una muestra de estudiantes adolescentes, teniendo en cuenta su diversidad sociodemográfica. Para ello se ha construido y aplicado un cuestionario en línea a 406 alumnos de secundaria de diversos centros educativos de la ciudad de Barcelona y su área metropolitana. Los resultados indican diferencias según sexo, edad, origen social, clase social y nivel académico, en consonancia con otros estudios que se han realizado previamente. Con todo ello se pretende explicar la preferencia de los adolescentes por este estilo musical, así como hacer propuestas coeducativas de educación musical que promuevan una mejor consideración social de la mujer en el entorno de la educación, fomentando en todo momento un espíritu crítico en el alumnado.
Entender la educación musical como un derecho humano
Authors: Angel-Alvarado Rolando , León Rosalía Trejo
Published: October 2022

Este artículo es la introducción al monográfico de la Revista Internacional de Educación Musical titulado Entender la educación musical como un derecho humano. Con tal fin partimos de que la Agenda de Seúl estableció de manera implícita y supranacional que la educación artística es un derecho humano, de modo que los sistemas educativos no deberían cuestionar la incorporación curricular de la educación musical en las aulas escolares. Al contrario, es obligación de los estados dar garantías para que las personas puedan acceder al aprendizaje musical de manera equitativa y democrática. A 12 años de la Agenda de Seúl, se ve cómo aún hay naciones que ponen trabas para que la educación musical sea parte del currículo obligatorio en los distintos niveles educativos. En la presente sección de monográfico se reportan experiencias que reconocen el acceso a la educación musical como un derecho humano. Sin embargo, también se informan barreras administrativas que establecen los sistemas educativos para proveer una educación musical de calidad. Por lo dicho, es crucial que el profesorado de música asuma un rol activista, cuestionando la propia praxis pedagógica porque, a veces, la educación musical es deshumanizada por el desempeño docente.
Educación musical y derechos humanos: diálogos necesarios
Authors: Souza Jusamara , Frega Ana Lucía
Published: October 2022

En los últimos años, se ha notado un creciente interés por el «derechos humanos» por las referencias teóricas que explican y definen ese concepto, al mismo tiempo en que proliferan las discusiones al respecto en los campos específicos.

En el área de la educación musical, podemos afirmar que los debates han contemplado varios ángulos de abordaje, que abarcan desde la discusión del concepto y de las referencias teóricas que le dan soporte hasta su vinculación con la innovación tecnológica o la conexión entre música, transformación social y desarrollo sostenible. En este ensayo, se propone una reflexión sobre esos temas y sobre en qué medida han estado presentes los derechos humanos en nuestra praxis actual de educación musical.

Se sostiene aquí que las acciones en educación musical, en el escenario social, deben configurarse como otro campo independiente que preserve y garantice los derechos humanos, tomándolos como una dimensión esencial en el trabajo profesional y en las interacciones con la vida y la sociedad.
Telehealth Physical Therapy for Sports Medicine Rehabilitation: What Is Its Role in the Postpandemic Era?
Authors: Kim Billy I. , Peairs Emily , Lander Sarah , Antonelli Christopher , Lau Brian C.
Published: October 2022

Background:

The adoption of telehealth visits for physical therapy (PT) has accelerated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient reception of virtual PT at the outbreak of the pandemic was positive, but it is unclear how telehealth visits compare to in-person visits in the postpandemic era.

Purpose:

To evaluate utilization trends and patient satisfaction with virtual PT compared with in-person PT during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We identified 59,461 in-person and 2016 telehealth visits at a single physical rehabilitation center between March 2020 and December 2021. Patient socioeconomic and demographic variables, including insurance status, were compared between telehealth users and in-person visitors. A total of 1012 patient satisfaction surveys were available and analyzed using the top-box method. Univariable statistics ( t test or Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests) were used for group comparisons.

Results:

Overall, telehealth users when compared with in-person visitors were older (median age, 47 vs 42 years, respectively; P < .001), and a higher proportion was female (60.6% vs 54.8%; P < .001), was White (69.7% vs 66.6%; P = .023), spoke English as their primary language (99.2% vs 98.1%; P = .001), and had Medicare insurance (20.3% vs 16.1%; P < .001). Telehealth patients more often lived out-of-county (50.7% vs 45.8%; P < .001) and in small towns rather than in urban areas (1.0% vs 0.3%; P < .001). When we compared telehealth use before and after official reopening of the PT center in September 2020, telehealth users in the postpandemic era had an out-of-county rate of 58.7%, and 68.7% were female. Patient satisfaction survey results demonstrated that telehealth patients compared with in-person patients were less likely to recommend visits to others (75.0% vs 89.1%, respectively; P = .008) and had lower overall assessment of their visits (71.7% vs 88.6%; P = .001). Accordingly, there was a significant reduction in telehealth visits from 2020 to 2021 (from 6.9% to 0.9% of visits; P < .001).

Conclusion:

We noted a decline in telehealth PT use during the postpandemic era, consistent with reduced patient satisfaction when compared with in-person visits. Telehealth is a useful option for populations with limited time or access to care and may serve a role in a hybrid care model. Further studies on long-term outcomes after telehealth PT are warranted to evaluate its efficacy.
Who Benefited More From the Developmental Education Reform in Florida? The Role of Exemption Status
Authors: Zhao Kai , Mokher Christine G. , Park-Gaghan Toby J. , Hu Shouping
Published: October 2022

Under Florida’s developmental education (DE) reform since 2014, recent public high school graduates and active-duty military personnel became exempt from DE and traditional placement tests. The legislation also required colleges to provide accelerated instruction strategies for students remaining in DE and offer enhanced advising and support services for all incoming students. Focusing on the differential policy impacts on exempt and nonexempt students, we used statewide administrative data to examine changes in first-year completion rates for gateway math and English courses before and after the reform. Overall, and for those deemed to be college-ready, nonexempt students benefited more from the reform; however, the opposite is true for students who were not college-ready, with exempt students benefiting more. This study confirms that each component of the reform has played a role in contributing to its success.
Patient-Centered Care and Healthcare Consumerism in Online Healthcare Service Advertisements: A Positioning Analysis
Authors: Park Sung-Yeon , Yun Gi Woong , Friedman Sarah , Hill Kylie , Coppes Max J
Published: October 2022

Patient-centered care and healthcare consumerism are the two most dominant ideas about the relationship between patients and providers in the United States. To identify providers’ positions between the two perspectives, we analyzed the content of direct-to-consumer healthcare service advertisements. The advertisements were collected in the state of Nevada ( N = 323) and their landing pages were analyzed for provider attributes, patient experience features, and terms referring to patients and providers. The results showed that the advertisements fully embraced the notion of patient-centeredness by commonly claiming patient-centered care and frequently using the term “patient.” The advertisements also contained multiple indicators of healthcare consumerism, although they avoided using the terms “consumer/customer/client” closely associated with consumerism. Contrary to the prominence of patient experience features, provider attributes were not common. An additional analysis of inter-specialty differences in advertising features confirmed the strong consumerism position of cosmetic surgery providers. Application of the healthcare service advertising analytic scheme developed for this study could help providers and healthcare administrators recognize how their advertising messages may reflect their values.
Investing in Students With Extensive Support Needs: Steps to Integrate Personal Financial Literacy in Inclusive Settings for Educators, Students, and Families
Authors: Merry Krystle E. , Webster Fanee , Kucharczyk Suzanne
Published: October 2022

Financial education is vital to improving financial literacy for students with extensive support needs (ESN) to be successful in real-world scenarios and improve financial behaviors. Financial literacy skills should be taught and explored within the mathematics curriculum (Newman et al., 2009) in inclusive settings by both general and special educators with sensitivity to the needs of the students and families. This article introduces a series of steps that allow educators to integrate financial literacy skills in both inclusive school and community-based settings to support students and their families in the process. These steps include (a) assessing financial literacy skills, (b) gathering financial literacy resources, (c) integrating financial literacy activities in inclusive settings, and (d) monitoring and reflecting on financial literacy progress, of all stakeholders including educators, students, and their families. The article also includes financial literacy resources, a sample lesson plan, recommended financial literacy and transition-based learning goals, and guiding questions for families to support financial literacy for students with ESN.
Gut microbiota differs between two cold-climate lizards distributed in thermally different regions
Authors: Chen Jun-Qiong , Zhang Lu-Wen , Zhao Ru-Meng , Wu Hai-Xia , Lin Long-Hui , Li Peng , Li Hong , Qu Yan-Fu , Ji Xiang
Published: October 2022

Background

The metabolic cold-climate adaption hypothesis predicts that animals from cold environments have relatively high metabolic rates compared with their warm-climate counterparts. However, studies testing this hypothesis are sparse. Here, we compared gut microbes between two cold-climate lizard species of the genus Phrynocephalus to see if gut microbiota could help lizards adapt to cold environments by promoting metabolism. We conducted a 2 species (P. erythrurus and P. przewalskii) × 2 temperatures (24 and 30 °C) factorial design experiment, whereby we kept lizards of two Phrynocephalus species at 24 and 30 °C for 25 d and then collected their fecal samples to analyze and compare the microbiota based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology.

Results

The gut microbiota was mainly composed of bacteria of the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucomicrobia in both species (Proteobacteria > Firmicutes > Verrucomicrobiota in P. erythrurus, and Bacteroidetes > Proteobacteria > Firmicutes in P. przewalskii). Further analysis revealed that the gut microbiota promoted thermal adaptation in both lizard species, but with differences in the relative abundance of the contributory bacteria between the two species. An analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes revealed that the gut microbiota played important roles in metabolism, genetic information processing, cellular processes, and environmental information processing in both species. Furthermore, genes related to metabolism were more abundant in P. erythrurus at 24 °C than in other species ⋅ temperature combinations.

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence that gut microbiota promotes thermal adaptation in both species but more evidently in P. erythrurus using colder habitats than P. przewalskii all year round, thus confirming the role of gut microbiota in cold-climate adaptation in lizards.
Niche differentiation modulates metabolites abundance and composition in silicon fertilizer amended soil during sugarcane growth
Authors: Fallah Nyumah , Pang Ziqin , Dong Fei , Zhou Yongmei , Lin Wenxiong , Fabrice Kabore Manegdebwaoga Arthur , Hu Chaohua , Yuan Zhaonian
Published: October 2022

Background

As one of the vital crops globally, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) has been one of model crops for conducting metabolome research. Although many studies have focused on understanding bioactive components in specific sugarcane tissues, crucial questions have been left unanswered about the response of metabolites to niche differentiation such as different sugarcane tissues (leaf, stem and root), and soil regions (rhizosphere and bulk) under silicon (Si) amended soils. Here, nontargeted metabolite profiling method was leveraged to assess the similarities and differences in the abundance and community composition of metabolites in the different sugarcane and soil compartments. Identify the compartment-specific expression patterns of metabolites, and their association with cane agronomic traits and edaphic factors. We also investigated the response of sugarcane agronomic traits and edaphic factors to Si amended soil.

Results

We found that Si fertilizer exhibited the advantages of overwhelmingly promoting the height and theoretical production of cane, and profoundly increased soil Si content by 24.8 and 27.0%, while soil available potassium (AK) was enhanced by 3.07 and 2.67 folds in the bulk and rhizosphere soils, respectively. It was also noticed that available phosphorus (AP) in the rhizosphere soil tremendously increased by 105.5%. We detected 339 metabolites in 30 samples using LC–MS/MS analyses, 161 of which were classified and annotated, including organooxygen compounds (19.9%), carboxylic acids and derivatives (15.5%), fatty acyls (15.5%), flavonoids (4.4%), phenols (4.4%), and benzene and substituted derivatives (3.7%). In addition, the total percentages covered by these core metabolites in each compartment ranged from 94.0% (bulk soil) to 93.4% (rhizosphere soil), followed by 87.4% (leaf), 81.0% (root) and 80.5% (stem), suggesting that these bioactive compounds may have migrated from the belowground tissues and gradually filtered in various aboveground niches of the plant. We also observed that the variations and enrichment of metabolites abundance and community were compartment-specific. Furthermore, some key bioactive compounds were markedly associated with plant growth parameters and soil edaphic.

Conclusion

Taken together, we hypothesized that Si utilization can exhibit the advantage of enhancing edaphic factors and cane agronomic traits, and variations in metabolites community are tissue-specific.
‘If I am playing football, I forget that I have this virus’: the challenges and coping strategies of adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Loveday Marian , Furin Jennifer , Hlangu Sindisiwe , Mthethwa Thabile , Naidoo Tasneem
Published: October 2022

Background

Adolescents who have acquired HIV perinatally (ALHIV) face unique challenges in taking lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART), but little is known about what factors affect their adherence over the course of their lifelong treatment journey.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study with ALHIV who had periods of poor adherence to ART in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa using Participant-generated Visual Methodologies (PVM). Participants used photography to represent their perspectives and experiences.

Results

14 individuals participated in the research process. We developed a framework and identified four social domains which combined with the adolescent’s own experiences and sense of self to either support or undermine adherence. Periods of non-adherence were reported by all participants. Participants described the importance of supportive relationships and households as well as the benefits of ART as supporting adherence. The fear of inadvertent disclosure of their HIV status and the side-effects of ART were barriers to adherence. Possible interventions to support adolescents in their treatment journey are identified.

Conclusions

Current models of adherence support fail to address the challenges to lifelong therapy ALHIV face. Ongoing education and honest communication with health care providers, interventions that build resilience together with peer support, have the potential to improve adherence in ALHIV.
Prevalence of dental caries in the permanent dentition amongst 12-year-olds in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kimmie-Dhansay F. , Bhayat A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Dental caries (DC) is highly prevalent condition affecting mostly young children. There has been no systematic review done on the prevalence of DC amongst 12-year -olds in Africa. Although some African countries have reported a decrease in DC prevalence, others have shown an increase and it is essential to measure current trends in order to identify strategies and programmes that could assist in reducing DC in Africa. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of DC (condition) amongst the permanent dentition of 12-year-old children (population) in Africa (context).

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Peer reviewed cross-sectional articles from January 2000 until December 2021 was searched and this included the following databases: Pubmed (Medline); SCOPUS; CINAHL (via EBSCOhost); Academic Search Complete (via EBSCOhost); Dentistry and Oral Sciences Sources (via EBSCOhost); and Science Direct. The search was last updated on the 10th January 2022. Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used to assess risk of bias. Prevalence figures were stratified by Urban/Rural status, country and time using a random-effects model. All studies performed on children 12-year-olds on the African continent were included. The prevalence of DC and the DMFT scores were the primary and secondary outcome measures, respectively. Only articles consisting of 12-year-old children who reside in Africa were included in this study. The systematic review was registered with Prospero CRD42021293666.

Results

18,080 participants were included in this review. A total of thirty studies were included in the review. The pooled effect size of dental caries severity was 1.09 (CI 0.91–1.27) and the overall prevalence was 36% (CI 29.4–41.7%). Eritrea (78%) had the highest prevalence of DC while Zambia had the lowest (11%); Eritrea also had the highest DMFT score (2.5) with Sudan having the lowest score (0.49). Urban cities had the highest DMFT score (1.32, CI 0.97–1.68), compared to rural cities (1.13, CI 0.86–1.4) and there was an increasing trend in DC prevalence over time from 28% (CI 23–34%) in 2000 to 2005 to 57% (CI 43–72%) in studies conducted after 2015. The risk of bias was very low where majority of the studies scored more than 50% in the JBI critical appraisal tool.

Conclusions

There was a wide discrepancy in the DC prevalence and scores across the different countries, settings (rural versus urban) and there was an increase in the prevalence over time. This review was self-funded.
Rethinking ovary preservation by adnexal torsion reversal in adolescents: a case of delayed diagnosis
Authors: He Yue , Ji Chen , Shen Xiao-Chang , Zhang Ke-Xin , Wu Yu-Mei , Wang Yan
Published: October 2022

Background

This article discusses the management of an adolescent woman with a delayed diagnosis of adnexal torsion (AT) whose ovaries were successfully preserved.

Case presentation

The patient was a 14-year-old female teen admitted with the chief complaint of lower abdominal pain for 3 days and worsening pain for 2 days. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested a high possibility of torsion in the anterosuperior uterine mass and was accompanied by severe ovarian edema, bleeding, and enlargement. Intraoperatively, the left fallopian tube was characterized by thickening and torsion and appeared blackish purple. The left fallopian tube paraovarian cyst was about 20 cm in size, and the left adnexa was twisted 1080° along the left infundibulopelvic ligament (suspensory ligament of the left ovary). The left ovary appeared blackish purple, with an enlarged diameter of about 10 cm. At the request and with the informed consent of the patient’s parents, we preserved the left ovary and removed the left fallopian tube. The results of the endocrine, ultrasound, and tumor marker tests were normal 1 month after surgery. Follicles and blood flow signals seen in ultrasound examinations indirectly proved the successful preservation of the left ovary in the follow-up.

Conclusions

Our attempt to preserve the ovaries in an adolescent with a delayed diagnosis of AT was successful.
The pangenome of the wheat pathogen Pyrenophora tritici-repentis reveals novel transposons associated with necrotrophic effectors ToxA and ToxB
Authors: Gourlie Ryan , McDonald Megan , Hafez Mohamed , Ortega-Polo Rodrigo , Low Kristin E. , Abbott D. Wade , Strelkov Stephen E. , Daayf Fouad , Aboukhaddour Reem
Published: October 2022

Background

In fungal plant pathogens, genome rearrangements followed by selection pressure for adaptive traits have facilitated the co-evolutionary arms race between hosts and their pathogens.Pyrenophora tritici-repentis(Ptr) has emerged recently as a foliar pathogen of wheat worldwide and its populations consist of isolates that vary in their ability to produce combinations of different necrotrophic effectors. These effectors play vital roles in disease development. Here, we sequenced the genomes of a global collection (40 isolates) of Ptr to gain insights into its gene content and genome rearrangements.

Results

A comparative genome analysis revealed an open pangenome, with an abundance of accessory genes (~ 57%) reflecting Ptr’s adaptability. A clear distinction between pathogenic and non-pathogenic genomes was observed in size, gene content, and phylogenetic relatedness. Chromosomal rearrangements and structural organization, specifically around effector coding genes, were detailed using long-read assemblies (PacBio RS II) generated in this work in addition to previously assembled genomes. We also discovered the involvement of large mobile elements associated with Ptr’s effectors:ToxA, the gene encoding for the necrosis effector, was found as a single copy within a 143-kb ‘Starship’ transposon (dubbed ‘Horizon’) with a clearly defined target site and target site duplications. ‘Horizon’ was located on different chromosomes in different isolates, indicating mobility, and the previously described ToxhAT transposon (responsible for horizontal transfer ofToxA) was nested within this newly identified Starship. Additionally,ToxB, the gene encoding the chlorosis effector, was clustered as three copies on a 294-kb element, which is likely a different putative ‘Starship’ (dubbed ‘Icarus’) in a ToxB-producing isolate.ToxBand its putative transposon were missing from theToxBnon-coding reference isolate, but the homologtoxband ‘Icarus’ were both present in a different non-coding isolate. This suggests thatToxBmay have been mobile at some point during the evolution of the Ptr genome which is contradictory to the current assumption ofToxBvertical inheritance. Finally, the genome architecture of Ptr was defined as ‘one-compartment’ based on calculated gene distances and evolutionary rates.

Conclusions

These findings together reflect on the highly plastic nature of the Ptr genome which has likely helped to drive its worldwide adaptation and has illuminated the involvement of giant transposons in facilitating the evolution of virulence in Ptr.
Radiographic and computed tomographic evaluation of supinator sesamoid bones in dogs
Authors: Vali Yasamin , Villamonte-Chevalier Aquilino , Dorny Manon , Ludewig Eberhard , van Bree Henri , Gielen Ingrid
Published: October 2022

Background

The present study evaluated the frequency of supinator sesamoid bones (SSB) on radiography and computed tomography (CT). Interobserver agreement was evaluated in the detection of the SSBs in both methods. A correlation between the existence of SSBs and elbow diseases (ED) was assessed. For these purposes, radiographs, and CT scans of 100 dogs were scored by 3 observers.

Results

The SSB was identified as a round to oval-shaped opacity and measured 0.5–6.56 mm × 0.5–6.2 mm. SSBs were reported in an average of 8,33% of dogs on radiographs and 26% of dogs on CT; a bilateral sesamoid bone was present in 43,52% and 76,92% of these dogs, respectively. Seventy-two percent of the SSBs was identified on CT were not detected on radiographs. The Kappa test showed a substantial agreement (κ = 0.691) and a perfect agreement (κ = 1) between the observers in the detection of SSBs on radiography and on CT scans respectively. Additionally, a weak positive correlation was detected between ED and the existence of SSBs.

Conclusion

A supinator sesamoid bone can be detected occasionally in the evaluation of the canine elbow joints by routine radiography. CT is superior to radiography for assessing SSBs with a higher interobserver agreement. The correlation of the existence of the SSBs and ED, needs further evaluations to prove a probable pathophysiological connection.
Role of a lipid metabolism-related lncRNA signature in risk stratification and immune microenvironment for colon cancer
Authors: Lin Yaobin , Xiao Yu , Liu Shan , Hong Liang , Shao Lingdong , Wu Junxin
Published: October 2022

Background

Energy metabolism disorder, especially lipid metabolism disorder, is an important biological characteristic of colon cancer. This research sought to examine the association between lipid metabolism-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and prognoses among colon cancer patients.

Methods

The transcriptome profile and clinical data of patients with colon cancer were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Using consensus clustering, cases were divided into two clusters and Kaplan–Meier analysis was executed to analyze differences in their prognoses. The gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to discover biological processes and signaling pathways. A lipid metabolism-related lncRNA prognostic model (lipid metabolism-LncRM) was created utilizing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The tumor microenvironment was evaluated on the basis of the composition of immune and stromal cells.

Results

The patients in Cluster 2 were found to have a better prognosis and higher expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) relative to Cluster 1. The results of GSEA showed the enrichment of energy metabolism pathways in Cluster 2. LASSO regression was used to identify the five LncRNAs that were shown to be most substantially linked to patient prognosis. These were NSMCE1-DT, LINC02084, MYOSLID, LINC02428, and MRPS9-AS1. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and survival analysis illustrated that the lipid metabolism-LncRM had a significant prognostic value. Further analysis showed that high- and low-risk groups were significantly different in terms of clinical characteristics and immune cells infiltration.

Conclusions

Lipid metabolism-related lncRNAs could predict the prognoses and tumor microenvironment of colon cancer and might be important biomarkers relevant to immunotherapy.