bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and determinants of sexting behaviour among undergraduates in Kawara State
Authors: Olatunji Balogun Abdulrasaq , Ayodeji Obimuyiwa Gabriel , Isiaka Abdulaziz , Oniye Oniye
Published: November 2020

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of sexting behaviour among undergraduates in Kwara State. The population for this study comprised all undergraduates in Kwara State while the target population was undergraduates of three universities in the Kwara States. A stratified sampling the technique was used to categorise universities based on ownership (Federal, State and Private) as well as gender. A random sampling technique was used to select 100 undergraduates from each university, totaling 300 respondents. A researcher-designed questionnaire titled Prevalence and Determinants of Sexting Behaviour Questionnaire (PASODOEBEQ) was used to elicit information from sampled respondents. The instrument was validated by experts in Sociology of Education and Educational Psychology. Test re-test method of reliability was applied to test the reliability of the instrument, using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics. The coefficient value of 0.86r was derived. The data collected were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation and Multiple Regression Statistical Tool. The result of the findings revealed that sexting behaviour is prevalent among undergraduates and low self-esteem and peer association are significant determinants. The study recommended among others that schools authorities as a matter of fact should organize a sensitization workshop or seminar for undergraduates on the meaning, ripple effects and the punishment associated with sexting behaviour for necessary social adjustment.
Etno-social knowledge: How does knowledge of basic school teachers in Indonesia?
Authors: Asrial Asrial , Syahrial Syahrial , Kurniawan Dwi Agus , Maryono Maryono , Nugroho Putut , Perdana Rahmat
Published: November 2020

Etnososial is learning that integrates culture and local wisdom into social learning. Indonesia is very rich with a variety of cultures and local wisdom. These cultural values and local wisdom must be used by the teacher as a material and source of learning. So from that, the purpose of this study is to know the ethnosocial knowledge of elementary school teachers and the obstacles in applying it. This research uses quantitative design with survey research design. This study used 30 teachers as respondents. The instruments used were questionnaires and interviews. The results of this study are about the knowledge of ethno-social elementary school teachers in Indonesia in good condition. It is known that the ethno-social knowledge of teachers in Bajubang District is 6.7% included in the very bad category. While 30.0% are in a bad category, 43.3% are in a good category and 20.0% are in the very good category. The teacher applies ethno-social knowledge through various methods, learning strategies, using simple learning media and using the environment as a learning resource. While the obstacles faced by teachers are the ability of different students, media and learning resources that are lacking, lack of knowledge and experience of ethno-social teachers.
Technology-driven teaching skills’need of business education lecturers and content delivery in a globalised economy
Authors: Okon Edet E. , Chukwurah Chris C.
Published: November 2020

This paper determined the skills needed by business education lecturers, considering the need for them to be at breast with modern technology in the arts of teaching with emphasis on activity-based learning. This study is further heightened with the need to expose business education students to globalized economy. Thus, the need arises to probe the readiness of business educators (saddled with the responsibility of guiding these students) in terms of their competencies in the use of technology in teaching. This study seeks to achieve one objective, answers one research question and test a null hypothesis. The survey research design is adopted and the study was carried out in Nigeria with an accessible population of 500 business educators, out of which 217 respondents were used. A questionnaire on technology-driven teaching skills and content delivery in Business Education generated data for the study analyzed using Linear Regression Analysis. Findings are that technology-driven teaching skills significantly predict effective delivery of the content of business education. This implies that business educators require skills in the use of modern technology in teaching business education. Based on the finding of this study, it is concluded that the effectiveness of content delivery in business education in today’s globalized society is to an average extent dependent upon the skill level of business education lecturers in the use of technology in teaching.
Exploring the instructional leadership development practices in Ethiopia
Authors: Gedifew Matebe Tafere
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study is twofold: to examine the curriculum structure for instructional leaders’ training and development against the desired competences; and to evaluate the career development framework of instructional leaders. With these ends in view, the study examined the instructional leadership framework, the curriculum document, and the instructional leaders’ recruitment, selection and retention strategies. The perspectives of instructional leadership trainers, instructional leaders, zone education department heads, and national level education experts who were selected using a purposive sampling technique were explored through one-on-one interviews. In the light of these, the qualitative data analysis discloses the absence of national instructional leadership framework from which instructional leadership curriculum should have emerged. It was also understood that the loosened curriculum development culture ultimately resulted in the curriculum’s lack of relevance to the desired competences for instructional leadership development. It was further learnt that there existed an absence of context specific recruitment, selection and retention strategies for instructional leaders. It is, therefore, concluded that the instructional leadership development practices of Ethiopia, seemed to have been deviating from expectations. Hence, it is recommended that there is a need to design a national instructional leadership development framework based on which the instructional leadership curriculum development and implementation practices could be managed. The recruitment, selection, and retention strategies should also involve incentive packages that could attract competent candidates to the profession. It is further recommended that there is a need to promote positive mindset exercises for instructional leaders to take their own professional development initiatives.
The effect of organizational culture, personality, job satisfaction, and trust on school supervisor performance
Authors: Virgana Virgana , Kasyadi Soeparlan
Published: November 2020

This research was about school supervisors who play a strategic role in the management of human resources in the school environment. The study aims to determine the direct and indirect influences of organizational culture, personality, job satisfaction, and trust on the school supervisor's performance. The research samples were 180 supervisors of the school Education Office Special capital Jakarta. Data collection using questionnaires with a Likert scale, before analyzed the obtained data will be validated and reliably in respondents outside of the research sample. Data were analyzed through path analysis, as data analysis requirements were tests of normality, homogeneity, and linearity. Research results there was a direct influence of organizational culture, and personality on job satisfaction; Organizational culture, and personality on trust; Organizational culture, and personality on performance; Job satisfaction, and trust on performance, then there was an indirect influence of organizational culture through job satisfaction on the performance of school supervisor. The conclusion that the performance of the school supervisor at the Education Office of Jakarta was influenced by variations level of organizational culture, personality, and Trust, but the personality of school supervisors should have a priority attention to improving their performance.
Family(ies) in studies about school coexistence in Chile: a systematic review
Authors: Andrades-Moya Jonathan , Castrillón Correa Elsa María , Pérez-Álvarez Eugenio O. , Philominraj Andrew
Published: November 2020

Studies on school coexistence generally focus on the interaction between those who make up an educational institution. Many studies, in Chile, focus on students, teachers, and the management team, leaving aside other educational agents as educational assistants. The present study seeks to: a) Know whether research on school coexistence carried out in Chile considers family(ies) as an educational actor; b) Identify how their participation is assumed in processes related to school coexistence reported by research in this field. A systematic review was carried out for this purpose, selecting 27 articles processed through the prism flowchart. There is little consideration of the family(ies) as an active educational agent in studies of school coexistence in Chile. This makes the family(ies) invisible, reducing their responsibility and possibilities of participation as active agents in the constructive and interactive processes of school coexistence and the educational process of the new generations in their charge. These results show the need to strengthen this field of study and to promote the recognition of the family(ies) as active educational agents in the construction of school coexistence.
Model united nations (MUN): Learning method to enhance critical thinking skill and communication skill for high school students
Authors: Khadzir Syahroni Al , Sumarmi Sumarmi
Published: November 2020

The 21st Century learning focuses on 4Cs, so students’s target can have basic abilities. Current learning methods are less suitable with 4Cs skills in geography subjects. In addition, students are required to have global awareness. Learning methods that are suitable for improving students' critical thinking and communication skills are using Model united nations (MUN). This research is Analysis-Design-Development-Implementation-Evaluation (ADDIE) development model with data collection that is student need analysis, product validation, implementation validation, and audience validation. Data collection from 59 high school students found 60% of students needed the development of a fun learning method and 92% wanted MUN to be applied to learning. The results of the product validation gained a score of 97.58% and the results of the validation of the implementation got 95% and the results of the validation of the audience based on the critical thinking skills assessment got an average score of 82.58 and communication skills assessment got an average score of 84.45 with 31 students. Based on the results of the validation of the product development is considered very appropriate without revision. Thus, Model United Nations as a learning method is able to train and measure students' critical thinking skills and communication skills.
Epigenetic Analyses of Human Left Atrial Tissue Identifies Gene Networks Underlying Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Hall Amelia Weber , Chaffin Mark , Roselli Carolina , Lin Honghuang , Lubitz Steven A. , Bianchi Valerio , Geeven Geert , Bedi Kenneth , Margulies Kenneth B. , de Laat Wouter , Tucker Nathan R. , Ellinor Patrick T.
Published: November 2020

Background:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) often arises from structural abnormalities in the left atria (LA). Annotation of the noncoding genome in human LA is limited, as are effects on gene expression and chromatin architecture. Many AF-associated genetic variants reside in noncoding regions; this knowledge gap impairs efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms of AF and cardiac conduction phenotypes.

Methods:

We generated a model of the LA noncoding genome by profiling 7 histone post-translational modifications (active: H3K4me3, H3K4me2, H3K4me1, H3K27ac, H3K36me3; repressive: H3K27me3, H3K9me3),
CTCF
binding, and gene expression in samples from 5 individuals without structural heart disease or AF. We used MACS2 to identify peak regions (
P
<0.01), applied a Markov model to classify regulatory elements, and annotated this model with matched gene expression data. We intersected chromatin states with expression quantitative trait locus, DNA methylation, and HiC chromatin interaction data from LA and left ventricle. Finally, we integrated genome-wide association data for AF and electrocardiographic traits to link disease-related variants to genes.

Results:

Our model identified 21 epigenetic states, encompassing regulatory motifs, such as promoters, enhancers, and repressed regions. Genes were regulated by proximal chromatin states; repressive states were associated with a significant reduction in gene expression (
P
<2×10
−16
). Chromatin states were differentially methylated, promoters were less methylated than repressed regions (
P
<2×10
−16
). We identified over 15 000 LA-specific enhancers, defined by homeobox family motifs, and annotated several cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci. Intersecting AF and PR genome-wide association studies loci with long-range chromatin conformation data identified a gene interaction network dominated by
NKX2-5
,
TBX3
,
ZFHX3
, and
SYNPO2L
.

Conclusions:

Profiling the noncoding genome provides new insights into the gene expression and chromatin regulation in human LA tissue. These findings enabled identification of a gene network underlying AF; our experimental and analytic approach can be extended to identify molecular mechanisms for other cardiac diseases and traits.
1. Fathers and Sons
Authors: McAleer Sean
Published: November 2020

Chapter One, ‘Fathers and Sons’, covers the first half of Book I of the Republic, where Socrates raises the Republic’s first question about the nature of justice at the home of Cephalus, a wealthy merchant who lives in a suburb of Athens. Cephalus suggests that justice is paying one’s debts and telling the truth, but Socrates thinks this cannot be the essence of justice, since there are times when one should not return what one has borrowed. This alerts us to an important fact about what Socrates is looking for in an account of justice: the account should be unconditionally correct, with no ifs, ands, or buts. Cephalus’ son Polemarchus jumps into the conversation and offers a revision of his father’s definition, suggesting that justice—right conduct, generally—is benefiting one’s friends and harming one’s enemies. Socrates finds this account has implications that Polemarchus himself cannot accept, so the chapter explores Socrates’ reasoning, especially the assumption that justice, a virtue of character, is a craft or skill. We then discuss Socrates’ more direct argument against Polemarchus’ account, that the just person would not harm anyone.
2. Taming the Beast
Authors: McAleer Sean
Published: November 2020

Chapter Two, ‘Taming the Beast: Socrates versus Thrasymachus’, is devoted to Socrates’ encounter with the sophist Thrasymachus in the second half of Book I. Thrasymachus’ answers to the Republic’s main questions are a provocative challenge to the reverential attitude Socrates has toward justice in particular and virtue in general. Thrasymachus defines justice as whatever benefits the politically powerful and argues that a conventionally just person lives less happily than their unjust counterpart. Socrates offers five different arguments against Thrasymachus’ views, which are spelled out clearly and evaluated carefully, with attention paid to the connections between them and to the crucial concepts around which they orbit (e.g., the notion of a virtue). Socrates’ arguments fall short of the mark, and we will examine why this is the case, exploring avenues of response that Thrasymachus could but does not take. By the close of Book I, Socrates realizes that he has not answered the Republic’s second question because he has not yet answered the first: we cannot know whether the just life is happier until we first know what justice is.
10. Metaphors to Think by
Authors: McAleer Sean
Published: November 2020

Chapter Ten, ‘Metaphors to Think By: The Sun and Divided Line Analogies’, is devoted to the marquee analogies of Book VI, both of which address the Third Wave by developing the distinction between the sensible world of concrete particular things and the intelligible world of the Forms. Having suggested that the Form of the good is even more important than justice, Socrates cannot or will not say what the good is, but he does say what he thinks it is like: the good plays the same role in the intelligible world as the sun plays in the visible world. In the Analogy of the Divided Line, Socrates further develops the distinction between belief, which is appropriate to the sensible, visible world, and knowledge, which is appropriate to the intelligible world of the Forms. By exploring the role that hypotheses play in reasoning, he distinguishes philosophical knowledge from mathematical knowledge, somewhat surprisingly taking the former to be more rigorous.
13. The Republic’s Second Question Answered
Authors: McAleer Sean
Published: November 2020

Chapter Thirteen, ‘The Republic’s Second Question Answered: Three and a Half Arguments that the Just Life is Happier’, explores the arguments Socrates gives in Book IX that the just life is happier—indeed, 729 times happier—than the unjust life. There are fascinating features of the first two arguments, for example that the tyrannical person is incapable of friendship and that each part of the soul has a distinctive kind of pleasure. The third argument, the Metaphysics of Pleasure Argument, argues that since what is more filling is more pleasant and what is more real is more filling, the Forms, being the most real things, ground the most pleasant pleasures. We discuss this argument at some length, noting its dependence on the Powers Argument but also exploring ways in which Socrates seems to anticipate and preemptively respond to objections. In the last argument, which Socrates does not identify as such (hence the ‘half’), is a metaphorical argument which, despite its being less philosophically rigorous than the Metaphysics of Pleasure Argument, is more intuitively persuasive and in no way relies on the problematic Powers Argument. This chapter concludes with a discussion of Plato’s paternalism: his view that most of us, being incapable of the philosophical wisdom that consists of knowledge of the good, are incapable of good self-governance, so we are all better off being governed by someone else’s (i.e., a philosopher-king’s or -queen’s) reason.
Pretreatment of Chlorine Dioxide Solution for Pulp Bleaching
Authors: Yao Shuangquan , Liu Baojie , Nie Shuangxi , Wang Shiwei , Qin Chengrong , Wang Shuangfei
Published: November 2020

Adsorbable organic halogen (AOX) is mainly produced by the reaction of residual lignin and chlorinated bleaching agents during bleaching processes. The formation of AOX can be reduced via optimization, addition of chemical additives, and/or pretreatment processes. Only a few studies
exist on the effective purification of chlorine dioxide solutions and its effect on AOX reduction. In this paper, the effects of the extraction pressure, temperature, pH, and extraction time on the chlorine gas removal rate (CR) were evaluated. In addition, a response surface model was established
to optimize the chlorine gas removal. The temperature of chlorine gas separation was optimized at 39.85 °C, with a separation pressure of –51.20 kPa and solution pH of 1.94, providing an estimated CR of 70.93% under the optimum separation conditions. Chlorine dioxide solutions with
and without chlorine gas removal were used for pulp bleaching. AOX formation was reduced by 69.57% at the same 2.0% chlorine dioxide dosage, while the pulp brightness decreased by 3.0%ISO. In addition, AOX formation was reduced by 27.90% at the same bleached pulp brightness (80.00%ISO). The
results provide theoretical support for the production of high-purity chlorine dioxide solutions and the development of clean pulping and papermaking processes.
Intraocular Pressure Elevation During Laparoscopic Hysterectomy of Patients in the Steep Trendelenburg Position Under Propofol Anesthesia
Authors: Weng Li-Jun , Hu Xian-Wen , Li Yun , Jin Shi-Yun , Li Rui , Zhang Ye
Published: November 2020

Objective: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) during laparoscopic hysterectomy of patients in the steep trendelenburg (ST) position under propofol anesthesia. Methods: Seventy female patients, without history of ocular pathology, undergoing elective laparoscopic
hysterectomy, were randomly assigned to control (Con) group or dexmedetomidine (Dex) group. The Dex group was treated with a loading dose of Dex (1 μg/kg), infusing intravenously over 15 min, followed by continuous infusion of Dex (0.4 μg/kg/h) until the end of procedure.
The Con group received an equal volume of normal saline. IOP was measured three times in each eye at 11 different time points. Intraoperative data, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and end-tidal CO2, total dose of propofol and remifentanil were measured. Results: The IOP
was increased in a time dependent manner following anesthesia induction until the end of surgery period under the ST position (T3–T8), while this tendency was depressed by Dex at T7 (p = 0.024) and T8 (p = 0.004) points as compared
to the Con group. IOP was declined in the Dex group at 5 and 60 min after tracheal extubation (p = 0.000 and p = 0.007, respectively). Compared with T1 point, the IOP recovered to the baseline in the Dex group at T10 point (p = 0.235), but not in
the Con group (p = 0.009). Conclusions: IOP can be controlled to a certain level in patients undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy in the ST position when receiving propofol combined with Dex which can also promote the IOP recovery to the preoperative level during the immediate post-tracheal
extubation period.
Biological Data Classification and Analysis Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Ahmad Iftikhar , Iqbal Muhammad Javed , Basheri Mohammad
Published: November 2020

The size of data gathered from various ongoing biological and clinically studies is increasing at an exponential rate. The bio-inspired data mainly comprises of genes of DNA, protein and variety of proteomics and genetic diseases. Additionally, DNA microarray data is also available
for early diagnosis and prediction of various types of cancer diseases. Interestingly, this data may store very vital information about genes, their structure and important biological function. The huge volume and constant increase in the extracted bio data has opened several challenges. Many
bioinformatics and machine learning models have been developed but those fail to address key challenges presents in the efficient and accurate analysis of variety of complex biologically inspired data such as genetic diseases etc. The reliable and robust process of classifying the extracted
data into different classes based on the information hidden in the sample data is also a very interesting and open problem. This research work mainly focuses to overcome major challenges in the accurate protein classification keeping in view of the success of deep learning models in natural
language processing since it assumes the proteins sequences as a language. The learning ability and overall classification performance of the proposed system can be validated with deep learning classification models. The proposed system can have the superior ability to accurately classify
the mentioned datasets than previous approaches and shows better results. The in-depth analysis of multifaceted biological data may also help in the early diagnosis of diseases that causes due to mutation of genes and to overcome arising challenges in the development of large-scale healthcare
systems.
UCDiff: Difference Detection in Use Case Models of Healthcare System
Authors: Mehmood Waqar , Jari Hassan , Tahir Ali , Aslam Waqar , Kamran Muhammad
Published: November 2020

Development of large-scale healthcare software projects essentially need the efficient management of the created software artifacts during software development process. In such projects different versions of an artifact are created at different times. Traditional software configuration
management systems, such as Git, Subversion (SVN), etc., are designed for later phases of software development, which mainly handle the source code document. These systems are unable to perform difference detection and version management tasks on models such as unified modeling language diagrams.
UML use case model is used for capturing functional requirements at analyses phase. Different versions of the use case model are created during analyses phase. This paper addresses the detection of differences between two versions of a use case model. In order to perform difference detection,
we need to perform three main tasks, i. e., extract the contents of the model, comparison of models and difference representation. Most of the existing approaches in literature of model comparison deal with UML class diagrams. To the best of our knowledge, so far no appropriate approach addresses
difference computation of use case model. Existing approaches are not applicable on use case model due to different semantics of use case model. In this research, the concept of model-based software configuration management (SCM) for use case difference detection is proposed. The use case
models are created in an open source tool, starUML. The proposed difference algorithm is applied on intermediate tree structure representation of models. As a case study, different versions of a patient appointment healthcare system is used to evaluate different evaluation parameters, such
as accuracy, domain independence, high conceptual level and tool independence.
Software Process Improvement Implementation Issues in Small and Medium Enterprises That Develop Healthcare Applications
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Nasir Mohd Hairul Nizam , Khan Muzafar , Awan Imtiaz , Farid Shahid
Published: November 2020

Software Process Improvement (SPI) intends to recuperate software processes to realize high quality software. But numerous SPI initiatives predominantly in the case of software Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are failed to achieve desired results as certain issues occur during this
progression. Objective of this research work is to facilitate the efficacious SPI implementation in the case of software SMEs that develop healthcare applications. The study identifies and ranks common SPI implementation issues in the case of related SMEs. For this purpose, two questionnaire
surveys have been performed by involving relevant software industry practitioners. In the first survey, by providing a literature-based list of SPI issues, we have solicited respondents to choose common issues or resistant factors for SPI in the case of SMEs that deal with healthcare application
development. We have also requested the practitioners to mention the issues that they have been generally spotting during the SPI in case of pertinent SMEs but have not been mentioned in the given list. During the second survey, by employing two rounds of the Delphi method, practitioners have
ranked the commonly transpiring SPI issues regarding SMEs that deal with the development of healthcare applications. The ranking is based on the issues' impact having four categories: catastrophic, serious, tolerable and insignificant. To incorporate various SMEs standards that are followed
worldwide, the concept of 'common/shared range standard' is presented. The study identifies 26 SPI issues in the case of SMEs that develop healthcare applications whereas top 10 issues instigate from finance and management. To enable swift and fruitful SPI in the case of pertinent SMEs, this
study suggests that the 26 identified issues must be tackled proactively whereas financial and managerial issues must be given top priority.
Determining Large Scale Healthcare Projects by Resource Attribution
Authors: Bakhsh Sheikh Tahir , Shahzad Basit , Tahir Sabeen , Alghamdi Rayed A.
Published: November 2020

Software development activity deals with the development of the healthcare software by using given resources. The allocation of the resources needs to be consistent with the scale of the project for which the resources are being allocated. The allocation of resources depends on the
scale of healthcare projects. As far as resource planning for healthcare projects is concerned, healthcare projects are similar to software development in other areas. In this research, the effort is made to quantify the scale of healthcare projects. The scale can be small, medium, or large.
Each scale has a different set of attributes associated with it. The quantification of attributes can further be translated to the actual number of resources to be allocated in terms of healthcare projects.
A Feature-Based Evaluation of Model Merge Methods for e-Health Solutions
Authors: Mehmood Waqar , Shafiq Muhammad , Saleem Muhammad Qaiser , Alowayr Ali Saeed , Aslam Waqar
Published: November 2020

Model-driven engineering (MDE) paradigm considers models as central artifacts for software development lifecycle during which models evolve. Developing an e-health solution using MDE poses challenges of model version control, model differencing and model merging, which requires appropriate
software configuration management (SCM). In this paper we focus on model-driven merging, which refers to combining two or more versions of a model into a single consolidated version. SCM for model-driven merging leverages evolution of valid configurations, which is a highly desired behavior.
Our investigation is based on the features that are required for model-driven SCM realization. Initially, we identify these features using which the existing model-driven merging techniques are evaluated. It is observed that though various proposals are made by academia and research community,
a standard model-driven SCM solution that can cater to the needs of industry is still absent. This is in contrary to the situation of traditional SCM systems where standard solutions exist. We also present the usefulness of each technique along with the tradeoffs involved. Finally, guidelines
are provided to select techniques appropriate for given circumstances.
Coordination-Driven Self-Assembled Ag2S Quantum Dots/Polymer Composite Film and Fluorescence Sensing to Benzaldehyde
Authors: Liu Jing , Bai Zhuangwei , Wang Shan , Zhang Fang , Huan Ruirui , Zeng Xingguo , Liu Ting , Shen Lihua
Published: November 2020

A novel sensor based on Ag2S/chitosan films was prepared via a coordination-driven self-assembled method. Experiments demonstrated that Ag2S was inert to chitosan film. Structural, and sensing property studies were realized by FTIR, DSC, SEM, and fluorescence analysis.
DSC showed good crystallization after manipulation, showing that the Ag2S QDs were uniformly distributed in the film, leading to a good fluorescence property. The fluorescence of the films was selective to benzaldehyde. The linear detection on benzaldehyde concentration by the fluorescence
method can be established was from 0 to 108 mg/L. The films could be quenched because of the electron transfer between benzaldehyde and Ag2S QDs. It would therefore be developed as an optical sensor.
Influence of Trehalose Mouth Rinse on Anaerobic and Aerobic Exercise Performance
Authors: Suzuki Yoshio , Sato Kotaro , Arai Norie , Endo Shin
Published: November 2020

Trehalose is a disaccharide consisting of 2 glucose units linked in an alpha 1,1-glycosidic bond. Pre-exercise trehalose ingestion enhances exercise performance within 30 minutes. Enhanced performance was hypothesized to be due to a mouth rinse effect. A 3-arm double-blind crossover trial was conducted to test this hypothesis. Ten healthy male collegiate distance runners rinsed their mouths with either trehalose (6% w/v) or maltose (6% w/v) or acesulfame potassium (0.04 mg/mL) for 5 seconds and then performed an exercise assessment composed of 6-second peak power and endurance tests. Trehalose induced the highest mean power output ( P < .01) in peak power tests. In the endurance test, trehalose consistently showed higher mean power output than maltose. The 3 test drinks displayed indistinguishable sweetness and were expected to activate receptors for sweetness (T1R2-T1R3) with the same intensity. Trehalose activates taste receptors T1R1-T1R3, T1R3-T1R3 homodimer, and T1R2-T1R3, whereas sucrose activates only T1R2-T1R3. Therefore, a difference in mouth rinse effect might be due to a specific receptor in the oral cavity that recognizes differences between trehalose and maltose.
Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Have a Higher Risk of Tendon Retear After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Hong Chih-Kai , Chang Chao-Jui , Kuan Fa-Chuan , Hsu Kai-Lan , Chen Yueh , Chiang Chen-Hao , Su Wei-Ren
Published: November 2020

Background:

Retear of a repaired rotator cuff tendon is a major issue for shoulder surgeons. It is possible that diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with a greater risk of tendon retear after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Purpose:

To determine whether patients with DM have a higher tendon retear risk after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases. Inclusion criteria were articles written in the English language that included patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgeries, reported the numbers of patients with and those without DM, and reported the number of rotator cuff retears. Data relevant to this study were extracted and statistically analyzed. Random-effects models were used to generate pooled odds ratio estimates and CIs.

Results:

A total of 160 studies were identified from the initial search, and 5 of them met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1065 patients (207 patients with DM and 858 patients without DM) were included. The pooled results showed that the patients in the DM group had a significantly higher tendon retear risk than did those in the non-DM group (relative risk, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.14-4.45; P = .02).

Conclusion:

Patients with DM have a 2.25 times higher risk of tendon retear after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair compared with patients without DM.
Die Rolle der Betriebsräte in der Aus- und Weiterbildung: Erhebungen zur Mitbestimmungspraxis
Authors: Grass Bernd
Published: November 2020

Die formal-rechtlichen Regeln der Betriebsverfassung spielen für das Handeln der Betriebsräte bei der Aus- und Weiterbildung der Bescchäftigten nur am Rande eine Rolle. Sie sind in diesem Bereich jedoch nicht ohne Einfluß auf Unternehmensentscheidungen, weil sie sich ein Instrumentarium informeller Methoden geschaffen haben, mit denen sie regulierend eingreifen können. Die Betriebsräte haben Probleme bei der Wahrnehmung der strategischen Ausrichtung der Personalpolitik. Ihr Handlungsspielraum erstreckt sich häufig nur auf die Konsequenzen der Personalpolitik – auf die personellen Einzelmaßnahmen. Die Forschung über die personalpolitische Bedeutung der Mitbestimmung kann sich nicht mit der Analyse von Defiziten der Betriebsräte im formal-rechtlichen Bereich erschöpfen. Die informellen Beziehungen auf der betrieblichen Ebene müssen einbezogen werden, um die Prozesse zureichend erkennen zu können.
Vom Arbeitnehmer zum Mitunternehmer. Anmerkungen zur Intention, Begründung und Umsetzung eines Transformationsvorhabens
Authors: Kuhn Thomas
Published: November 2020

Gegenstand der folgenden Ausführungen ist die für Managementtheorie wie -praxis gleichermaßen feststellbare steigende Beachtung bzw. neue Wertschätzung des „subjektiven Faktors” von Unternehmen, die sich im Bemühen um eine verbesserte bzw. umfassendere Nutzung des Humanpotentials niederschlägt und in der Forderung eines „Mitunternehmertums” seitens der Mitarbeiter pointierten Ausdruck findet. Ziel des Aufsatzes ist es, diesen heute – namentlich oder intentional – zunehmend geforderten, häufig jedoch nur vage begründeten und unzureichend problematisierten Prozeß der Transformation von „Arbeitnehmern” in „Mitunternehmer” eingehender zu untersuchen. Dazu wird im einzelnen versucht, das Transformationsvorhaben inhaltlich genauer zu bestimmen (Abschnitt 1), von seinen übergeordneten wirtschaftlichen Zusammenhängen her systematisch zu begründen (Abschnitt 2) und schließlich – durch die Bestimmung zweier verschiedener „Umsetzungsphilosophien” – in seiner Pragmatik kritisch zu hinterfragen (Abschnitt 3). Eine kurze – ökonomische wie lebenspraktische – Bewertung des Transformationsvorhabens schließt den Beitrag (Abschnitt 4).
Surgical strategies for placenta percreta invading the bladder and review of literature
Authors: Jain Nikhar , Patwardhan Sujata , Jain Hitesh , Patil Bhushan
Published: November 2020

Background

Major obstetric hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. In rare cases, life-threatening hematuria in pregnant women may result from invasion of the bladder by the placenta. We present our experience with 18 cases of placenta percreta with suspected bladder invasion.

Methods

It is a retrospective single-center study conducted over a period of 3 years. Total 18 patients of radiologically diagnosed placenta percreta were included in the study. All patients who are at risk for placenta percreta underwent prenatal sonograms. Patients of Placenta Accreta Spectrum presenting electively also underwent MRI pelvis. Elective patients who were high risk of placenta percreta underwent bilateral placement of the balloon catheter in internal iliac artery. In case of doubt regarding bladder invasion, patient underwent anterior cystotomy and posterior wall of the bladder was examined and proximity of the ureteric orifice to the placenta and amount of involvement of bladder wall was assessed. Ureteric catheter placement was used as adjuncts depending on the proximity of placental invasion with ureteric orifice. Postoperative outcomes in the form of maternal morbidity, maternal mortality, fetal mortality, postoperative bleeding, bladder status, vesicovaginal fistula, bladder capacity were all evaluated.

Results

In our series, 17 cases all cases were diagnosed preoperatively by antenatal ultrasound and MRI. Only one patient presented with hematuria. Only in one patient, we attempted separation of placenta from bladder wall, and it resulted in profuse bleeding, and in rest, we excised the involved bladder. Partial cystectomy was done in 33.4% patients, 27% patients required bilateral placement of ureteric catheter due to proximity to the ureteric orifice. 33.4% patient underwent bilateral internal iliac artery ligation or balloon placement. Clot evaluation was needed in one patient. Intraoperatively—39% patients had uterus adhered to the bladder but no placental invasion into the bladder. One patient was managed with obstetric hysterectomy and methotrexate followed by clot evacuation and bilateral internal iliac artery ligation at a later date. One (5.6%) patient developed vesicovaginal fistula in postoperative period. There was one (5.6%) maternal mortality with no fetal mortality. On follow-up, patient had good bladder capacity, 3 weeks after the surgery.

Conclusion

MRI done preoperatively can help us guide regarding the extent or severity of placental invasion. Intraoperatively, anterior cystostomy should be done in suspected placenta percreta. Grade I or II accrete/percreta patients can be managed conservatively. Partial cystectomy with placement of bilateral ureteric catheter is safer and less morbid approach in tackling placenta percreta invading the bladder with mucosal involvement.
Genomic regions and signaling pathways associated with indicator traits for feed efficiency in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Dvergedal Hanne , Harvey Thomas Nelson , Jin Yang , Ødegård Jørgen , Grønvold Lars , Sandve Simen Rød , Våge Dag Inge , Moen Thomas , Klemetsdal Gunnar
Published: November 2020

Background

One objective of this study was to identify putative quantitative trait loci (QTL) that affect indicator phenotypes for growth, nitrogen, and carbon metabolism in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, and for feed efficiency. Another objective was to perform an RNAseq analysis (184 fish from all families), to identify genes that are associated with carbon and nitrogen metabolism in the liver. The material consisted of a family experiment that was performed in freshwater and included 2281 individuals from 23 full-sib families. During the 12-day feed conversion test, families were randomly allocated to family tanks (50 fish per tank and 2 tanks per family) and fed a fishmeal-based diet labeled with the stable isotopes15N and13C at inclusion levels of 2 and 1%, respectively.

Results

Using a linear mixed-model algorithm, a QTL for pre-smolt growth was identified on chromosome 9 and a QTL for carbon metabolism in the liver was identified on chromosome 12 that was closely related to feed conversion ratio on a tank level. For the indicators of feed efficiency traits that were derived from the stable isotope ratios (15N and13C) of muscle tissue and growth, no convincing QTL was detected, which suggests that these traits are polygenic. The transcriptomic analysis showed that high carbon and nitrogen metabolism was associated with individuals that convert protein from the feed more efficiently, primarily due to higher expression of the proteasome, lipid, and carbon metabolic pathways in liver. In addition, we identified seven transcription factors that were associated with carbon and nitrogen metabolism and located in the identified QTL regions.

Conclusions

Analyses revealed one QTL associated with pre-smolt growth and one QTL for carbon metabolism in the liver. Both of these traits are associated with feed efficiency. However, more accurate mapping of the putative QTL will require a more diverse family material. In this experiment, fish that have a high carbon and nitrogen metabolism in the liver converted protein from the feed more efficiently, potentially because of a higher expression of the proteasome, lipid, and carbon metabolic pathways in liver. Within the QTL regions, we detected seven transcription factors that were associated with carbon and nitrogen metabolism.
Usability and utility of eHealth for physical activity counselling in primary health care: a scoping review
Authors: Wattanapisit Apichai , Tuangratananon Titiporn , Wattanapisit Sanhapan
Published: November 2020

Background

Physical activity (PA) counselling is an effective approach to promote PA in primary health care (PHC). Barriers to PA counselling in PHC include time constraints, lack of knowledge and skills of providers, and systemic barriers. Using electronic health (eHealth) has the potential to promote PA. This scoping review aimed to identify usability and utility of eHealth for tailored PA counselling introduced in PHC settings.

Methods

A scoping review included primary research articles. The authors systematically searched six databases (Cochrane Library, CINAHL Complete, Embase, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) from the inception of the databases. The search terms consisted of three search components: intervention (PA counselling), platform (eHealth), and setting (PHC). Additional articles were included through reference lists. The inclusion criteria were research or original articles with any study designs in adult participants.

Results

Of 2501 articles after duplicate removal, 2471 articles were excluded based on the title and abstract screening and full text review. A total of 30 articles were included for synthesis. The eHealth tools had a wide range of counselling domains as a stand-alone PA domain and multiple health behaviours. The included articles presented mixed findings of usability and utility of eHealth for PA counselling among patients and providers in PHC settings. Technical problems and the complexity of the programmes were highlighted as barriers to usability. The majority of articles reported effective utility, however, several articles stated unfavourable outcomes.

Conclusions

eHealth has the potential to support PA counselling in PHC. Facilitators and barriers to eHealth usability should be considered and adapted to particular settings and contexts. The utility of eHealth for promoting PA among patients should be based on the pragmatic basis to optimise resources.
An essay on ecosystem availability of Nicotiana glauca graham alkaloids: the honeybees case study
Authors: Kasiotis Konstantinos M. , Evergetis Epameinondas , Papachristos Dimitrios , Vangelatou Olympia , Antonatos Spyridon , Milonas Panagiotis , Haroutounian Serkos A. , Machera Kyriaki
Published: November 2020

Background

Invasive plant species pose a significant threat for fragile isolated ecosystems, occupying space, and consuming scarce local resources. Recently though, an additional adverse effect was recognized in the form of its secondary metabolites entering the food chain. The present study is elaborating on this subject with a specific focus on theNicotiana glaucaGraham (Solanaceae) alkaloids and their occurrence and food chain penetrability in Mediterranean ecosystems. For this purpose, a targeted liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometric (LC–ESI–MS/MS) analytical method, encompassing six alkaloids and one coumarin derivative, utilizing hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) was developed and validated.

Results

The method exhibited satisfactory recoveries, for all analytes, ranging from 75 to 93%, and acceptable repeatability and reproducibility. Four compounds (anabasine, anatabine, nornicotine, and scopoletin) were identified and quantified in 3 N. glaucaflowers extracts, establishing them as potential sources of alien bio-molecules. The most abundant constituent was anabasine, determined at 3900 μg/g in the methanolic extract. These extracts were utilized as feeding treatments onApis melliferahoneybees, resulting in mild toxicity documented by 16–18% mortality. A slightly increased effect was elicited by the methanolic extract containing anabasine at 20 μg/mL, where mortality approached 25%. Dead bees were screened for residues of theN. glaucaflower extracts compounds and a significant mean concentration of anabasine was evidenced in both 10 and 20 μg/mL treatments, ranging from 51 to 92 ng/g per bee body weight. Scopoletin was also detected in trace amounts.

Conclusions

The mild toxicity of the extracts in conjunction with the alkaloid and coumarin residual detection in bees, suggest that these alien bio-molecules are transferred within the food chain, suggesting a chemical invasion phenomenon, never reported before.