bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Novel Geminiviruses Identified in Bees (Apis mellifera and Nomia sp.)
Authors: Bandoo Rohan Antonio , Kraberger Simona , Varsani Arvind
Published: April 2024

Members of the Geminviridae family are circular single-stranded DNA plant-infecting viruses, some of which impact global food production. Geminiviruses are vectored by sap-feeding insects such as leafhoppers, treehoppers, aphids, and whiteflies. Additionally, geminivirus sequences have also been identified in other insects such as dragonflies, mosquitoes, and stingless bees. As part of a viral metagenomics study on honeybees and solitary bees (Nomia sp.), two geminivirus genomes were identified. These represent a novel citlodavirus (from honeybees collected from Westmoreland, Jamaica) and a mastrevirus-like genome (from a solitary bee collected from Tempe, Arizona, USA). The novel honeybee-derived citlodavirus genome shares ~61 to 69% genome-wide nucleotide pairwise identity with other citlodavirus genome sequences and is most closely related to the passion fruit chlorotic mottle virus identified in Brazil. Whereas the novel solitary bee-derived mastrevirus-like genome shares ~55 to 61% genome-wide nucleotide identity with other mastreviruses and is most closely related to tobacco yellow dwarf virus identified in Australia, based on pairwise identity scores of the full genome, replication-associated protein, and capsid protein sequences. Previously, two geminiviruses in the Begomovirus genus were identified in samples of stingless bee (Trigona spp.) samples. Here, we identify viruses that represent two new species of geminiviruses from a honeybee and a solitary bee, which continues to demonstrate that plant pollinators can be utilized for the identification of plant-infecting DNA viruses in ecosystems.
Viral Threats to Fruit and Vegetable Crops in the Caribbean
Authors: Tennant Paula , Rampersad Sephra , Alleyne Angela , Johnson Lloyd , Tai Deiondra , Amarakoon Icolyn , Roye Marcia , Pitter Patrice , Chang Peta-Gaye , Myers Morgan Lisa
Published: April 2024

Viruses pose major global challenges to crop production as infections reduce the yield and quality of harvested products, hinder germplasm exchange, increase financial inputs, and threaten food security. Small island or archipelago habitat conditions such as those in the Caribbean are particularly susceptible as the region is characterized by high rainfall and uniform, warm temperatures throughout the year. Moreover, Caribbean islands are continuously exposed to disease risks because of their location at the intersection of transcontinental trade between North and South America and their role as central hubs for regional and global agricultural commodity trade. This review provides a summary of virus disease epidemics that originated in the Caribbean and those that were introduced and spread throughout the islands. Epidemic-associated factors that impact disease development are also discussed. Understanding virus disease epidemiology, adoption of new diagnostic technologies, implementation of biosafety protocols, and widespread acceptance of biotechnology solutions to counter the effects of cultivar susceptibility remain important challenges to the region. Effective integrated disease management requires a comprehensive approach that should include upgraded phytosanitary measures and continuous surveillance with rapid and appropriate responses.
Host Immune Response Modulation in Avian Coronavirus Infection: Tracheal Transcriptome Profiling In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: O’Dowd Kelsey , Isham Ishara M. , Vatandour Safieh , Boulianne Martine , Dozois Charles M. , Gagnon Carl A. , Barjesteh Neda , Abdul-Careem Mohamed Faizal
Published: April 2024

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a highly contagious Gammacoronavirus causing moderate to severe respiratory infection in chickens. Understanding the initial antiviral response in the respiratory mucosa is crucial for controlling viral spread. We aimed to characterize the impact of IBV Delmarva (DMV)/1639 and IBV Massachusetts (Mass) 41 at the primary site of infection, namely, in chicken tracheal epithelial cells (cTECs) in vitro and the trachea in vivo. We hypothesized that some elements of the induced antiviral responses are distinct in both infection models. We inoculated cTECs and infected young specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens with IBV DMV/1639 or IBV Mass41, along with mock-inoculated controls, and studied the transcriptome using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) at 3 and 18 h post-infection (hpi) for cTECs and at 4 and 11 days post-infection (dpi) in the trachea. We showed that IBV DMV/1639 and IBV Mass41 replicate in cTECs in vitro and the trachea in vivo, inducing host mRNA expression profiles that are strain- and time-dependent. We demonstrated the different gene expression patterns between in vitro and in vivo tracheal IBV infection. Ultimately, characterizing host–pathogen interactions with various IBV strains reveals potential mechanisms for inducing and modulating the immune response during IBV infection in the chicken trachea.
Developmental Dynamics of the Gut Virome in Tibetan Pigs at High Altitude: A Metagenomic Perspective across Age Groups
Authors: Luo Runbo , Guan Aohan , Ma Bin , Gao Yuan , Peng Yuna , He Yanling , Xu Qianshuai , Li Kexin , Zhong Yanan , Luo Rui , Cao Ruibing , Jin Hui , Lin Yan , Shang Peng
Published: April 2024

Tibetan pig is a geographically isolated pig breed that inhabits high-altitude areas of the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. At present, there is limited research on viral diseases in Tibetan pigs. This study provides a novel metagenomic exploration of the gut virome in Tibetan pigs (altitude ≈ 3000 m) across three critical developmental stages, including lactation, nursery, and fattening. The composition of viral communities in the Tibetan pig intestine, with a dominant presence of Microviridae phages observed across all stages of development, in combination with the previous literature, suggest that it may be associated with geographical locations with high altitude. Functional annotation of viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) highlights that, among the constantly increasing vOTUs groups, the adaptability of viruses to environmental stressors such as salt and heat indicates an evolutionary response to high-altitude conditions. It shows that the lactation group has more abundant viral auxiliary metabolic genes (vAMGs) than the nursery and fattening groups. During the nursery and fattening stages, this leaves only DNMT1 at a high level. which may be a contributing factor in promoting gut health. The study found that viruses preferentially adopt lytic lifestyles at all three developmental stages. These findings not only elucidate the dynamic interplay between the gut virome and host development, offering novel insights into the virome ecology of Tibetan pigs and their adaptation to high-altitude environments, but also provide a theoretical basis for further studies on pig production and epidemic prevention under extreme environmental conditions.
Fusarium sacchari hypovirus 1, a Member of Hypoviridae with Virulence Attenuation Capacity in Phytopathogenic Fusarium Species
Authors: Zhou Qiujuan , Yao Ziting , Cao Xueying , Chen Yuejia , Zou Chengwu , Chen Baoshan
Published: April 2024

In a survey of mycoviruses in Fusarium species that cause sugarcane Pokkah boeng disease, twelve Fusarium strains from three Fusarium species (F. sacchari, F. andiyazi, and F. solani) were found to contain Fusarium sacchari hypovirus 1 (FsHV1), which we reported previously. The genomes of these variants range from 13,966 to 13,983 nucleotides, with 98.6% to 99.9% nucleotide sequence identity and 98.70% to 99.9% protein sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis placed these FsHV1 variants within the Alphahypovirus cluster of Hypoviridae. Intriguingly, no clear correlation was found between the geographic origin and host specificity of these viral variants. Additionally, six out of the twelve variants displayed segmental deletions of 1.5 to 1.8 kilobases, suggesting the existence of defective viral dsRNA. The presence of defective viral dsRNA led to a two-thirds reduction in the dsRNA of the wild-type viral genome, yet a tenfold increase in the total viral dsRNA content. To standardize virulence across natural strains, all FsHV1 strains were transferred into a single, virus-free Fusarium recipient strain, FZ06-VF, via mycelial fusion. Strains of Fusarium carrying FsHV1 exhibited suppressed pigment synthesis, diminished microspore production, and a marked decrease in virulence. Inoculation tests revealed varying capacities among different FsHV1 variants to modulate fungal virulence, with the strain harboring the FsHV1-FSA1 showing the lowest virulence, with a disease severity index (DSI) of 3.33, and the FsHV1-FS1 the highest (DSI = 17.66). The identification of highly virulent FsHV1 variants holds promise for the development of biocontrol agents for Pokkah boeng management.
Risk of Cardiovascular Events in People with HIV (PWH) Treated with Integrase Strand-Transfer Inhibitors: The Debate Is Not Over; Results of the SCOLTA Study
Authors: Corti Nicolò , Menzaghi Barbara , Orofino Giancarlo , Guastavigna Marta , Lagi Filippo , Di Biagio Antonio , Taramasso Lucia , De Socio Giuseppe Vittorio , Molteni Chiara , Madeddu Giordano , Salomoni Elena , Pellicanò Giovanni Francesco , Pontali Emanuele , Bellagamba Rita , Celesia Benedetto Maurizio , Cascio Antonio , Sarchi Eleonora , Gulminetti Roberto , Calza Leonardo , Maggi Paolo , Cenderello Giovanni , Bandera Alessandra , Carleo Maria Aurora , Falasca Katia , Ferrara Sergio , Martini Salvatore , Guadagnino Giuliana , Angioni Goffredo , Bargiacchi Olivia , Ricci Elena Delfina , Squillace Nicola , Bonfanti Paolo
Published: April 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in people with HIV (PWH), and has great impact in terms of morbidity and mortality. Several intertwined mechanisms are believed to play a role in determining the increased risk of CVD, including the effect of certain antiretrovirals; among these, the role of integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) is yet to be fully elucidated. We conducted a multicenter, observational study comprising 4984 PWH evaluating the antiretroviral therapy (ART)-related nature of CVD in real life settings, both in naïve vs. treatment-experienced people. A comparison was conducted between INSTIs vs. either protease inhibitors (PIs) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) considering demographic, baseline clinical characteristics, incidence of CVD in both 2-year and complete follow-up periods. Among 2357 PWH exposed to INSTIs, 24 people experienced CVD; the corresponding figure was 12 cases out of 2599 PWH exposed to other ART classes. At univariate and multivariate analysis, a tendency towards an increased risk of CVD was observed in the 2-year follow-up period in PWH exposed to INSTIs in the absence, however, of statistical significance. These findings leave open the hypothesis that INSTIs may play a role, albeit minimal, in determining an increased risk of CVD in PWH.
Estimating All-Cause Deaths Averted in the First Two Years of the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign in Italy
Authors: Corrao Giovanni , Porcu Gloria , Tratsevich Alina , Cereda Danilo , Pavesi Giovanni , Bertolaso Guido , Franchi Matteo
Published: April 2024

Comparing deaths averted by vaccination campaigns is a crucial public health endeavour. Excess all-cause deaths better reflect the impact of the pandemic than COVID-19 deaths. We used a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous factors model to regress daily all-cause deaths on annual trend, seasonality, and environmental temperature in three Italian regions (Lombardy, Marche and Sicily) from 2015 to 2019. The model was used to forecast excess deaths during the vaccinal period (December 2020–October 2022). We used the prevented fraction to estimate excess deaths observed during the vaccinal campaigns, those which would have occurred without vaccination, and those averted by the campaigns. At the end of the vaccinal period, the Lombardy region proceeded with a more intensive COVID-19 vaccination campaign than other regions (on average, 1.82 doses per resident, versus 1.67 and 1.56 in Marche and Sicily, respectively). A higher prevented fraction of all-cause deaths was consistently found in Lombardy (65% avoided deaths, as opposed to 60% and 58% in Marche and Sicily). Nevertheless, because of a lower excess mortality rate found in Lombardy compared to Marche and Sicily (12, 24 and 23 per 10,000 person-years, respectively), a lower rate of averted deaths was observed (22 avoided deaths per 10,000 person-years, versus 36 and 32 in Marche and Sicily). In Lombardy, early and full implementation of adult COVID-19 vaccination was associated with the largest reduction in all-cause deaths compared to Marche and Sicily.
Respiratory Syncytial Vaccination: Parents’ Willingness to Vaccinate Their Children
Authors: Sansone Vincenza , Angelillo Silvia , Licata Francesca , Miraglia del Giudice Grazia , Di Giuseppe Gabriella
Published: April 2024

Background: This study was conducted to assess parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children with the RSV vaccine and the key predictors of this intention among parents in Italy. Methods: Data were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire from April to November 2023, targeting parents in public kindergartens and nursery schools in southern Italy. The survey assessed parents’ socio-demographic characteristics, health-related details, their child’s health status, attitudes toward RSV infection and its vaccine, and their source(s) of information. Results: A total of 404 parents agreed to participate in the study. Only 18.2% of participants were very concerned that their children could get infected by RSV, and this concern was more likely among parents whose child had been diagnosed with bronchiolitis, those who received information from HCWs, those who had heard of RSV, and those who needed additional information. Almost half (51.3%) were willing to vaccinate their child, and this inclination was more likely among fathers, employed parents, those with daughters, those who had heard of RSV, those who received information from HCWs, and those who needed additional information. Conclusions: An educational campaign regarding a future RSV vaccine, especially about its safety and efficacy, is needed in order to improve parents’ willingness.
Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Streamflow in the Meghna River Basin: An Analysis Using SWAT and CMIP6 Scenarios
Authors: Mamoon Wasif Bin , Jahan Nasreen , Abdullah Faruque , Rahman Ataur
Published: April 2024

This study assesses future climate change impacts on the hydrologic response of the Upper Meghna River Basin (UMRB), a major river system in Bangladesh. Separate SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) hydrologic models were developed for the three major sub-basins of the UMRB, i.e., Barak, Meghalaya, and Tripura, considering their unique geographical, hydrological, and land-use characteristics. To evaluate the efficiency of multi-site modeling in providing better model performance, the SWAT models were calibrated at both single and multiple locations. Those models were then simulated to estimate future flows using climate projection data from thirteen CMIP6 General Circulation Models (GCMs) under moderate and extreme emission scenarios, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. The results revealed that the annual maximum flow will keep increasing gradually with time. The outlets of the Meghalaya sub-basin will experience a more significant rise in future flow in the upcoming decades compared to the Barak and Tripura sub-basins. Results showed that dry season flows with increases of up to 31–50% would be less affected compared to the wet periods, which could experience increases of up to 47–66%) across the sub-basins by the end of the 21st century under extreme emission projections. Besides an increasing trend in the mean flow, future flows at several outlets also exhibited an escalation in the intensity and frequency of extreme flood events.
Influence of Structural Symmetry of Fault Zones on Fluid-Induced Fault Slips and Earthquakes
Authors: Niu Zhiyong , Bai Bing
Published: April 2024

Subsurface fluid injection and extraction can reactivate faults and induce earthquakes. In current research, faults are typically described as symmetrical structures and the presence of asymmetric structures is often overlooked. The reality is that numerous asymmetric faults exist within the Earth’s crust. The architectural and permeability characteristics of fault zones differ significantly between symmetrical and asymmetrical faults. These differences may have a great influence on fault stability during fluid injection or extraction. In this study, the impact of fault zone structures on fluid-induced slips and seismic activity were investigated through numerical analysis. The findings indicated that symmetrical faults were more likely to induce larger slips and earthquakes during various subsurface fluid operations. For asymmetric faults, larger induced slips occurred when fluid was operated in a hanging wall reservoir than in a footwall reservoir. In symmetrical faults, the opposite was true. When evaluating the stability of a fault in subsurface fluid engineering, the fault structure and fluid pattern and their combined effects must be considered comprehensively.
Trends in clinical workload in UK primary care 2005–2019: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: de Dumast Lyvia , Moore Patrick , Snell Kym IE , Marshall Tom
Published: April 2024

Background

Substantial increases in UK consulting rates, mean consultation duration, and clinical workload were observed between 2007 and 2014. To the authors’ knowledge, no analysis of more recent trends in clinical workload has been published to date. This study updates and builds on previous research, identifying underlying changes in population morbidity levels affecting demand for primary health care.

Aim

To describe the changes in clinical workload in UK primary care since 2005.

Design and setting

Retrospective cohort study using GP primary care electronic health records data from 824 UK general practices.

Method

Over 500 million anonymised electronic health records were obtained from IQVIA Medical Research Data to examine consulting rates with GPs and practice nurses together with the duration of these consultations to determine total patient-level workload per person–year.

Results

Age-standardised mean GP direct (face-to-face and telephone) consulting rates fell steadily by 2.0% a year from 2014 to 2019. Between 2005 and 2019 mean GP direct consulting rates fell by 5.8% overall whereas mean workload per person–year increased by 25.8%, owing in part to a 36.9% increase in mean consultation duration. Indirect GP workload almost tripled over the 15 years, contributing to a 48.3% increase in overall clinical workload per person–year. The proportion of the study population with ≥3 serious chronic conditions increased from 9.7% to 16.1%, accounting for over a third of total clinical workload in 2019.

Conclusion

Findings show sustained increases in consulting rates, consultation duration, and clinical workload until 2014. From 2015, however, rising demand for health care and a larger administrative workload have led to capacity constraints as the system nears saturation.
Weight management with orlistat in type 2 diabetes: an electronic health records study
Authors: Ghosal Shraboni , Heron Neil , Mason Kayleigh J , Bailey James , Jordan Kelvin P
Published: April 2024

Background

Orlistat is recommended as an adjunct to diet and exercise for weight loss in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Aim

To explore associations between patient characteristics and orlistat prescribing, and to determine associations of orlistat with weight loss in T2DM and prediabetes.

Design and setting

Cohort study using anonymised health records from a UK database of general practice.

Method

The UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum database was searched to compile a cohort of patients aged ≥18 years, first diagnosed with T2DM or prediabetes in 2016 or 2017. Once the data had been collated, multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations with starting orlistat and stopping it early (<12 weeks of prescriptions) and orlistat’s associations with weight loss in those who had not been prescribed second-line antidiabetic medications.

Results

Out of 100 552 patients with incident T2DM or prediabetes, 655 (0.8%) patients with T2DM and 128 (0.7%) patients with prediabetes were prescribed orlistat. Younger people, females, those in areas of deprivation, current smokers, those coprescribed metformin, and those recorded as having hypertension were statistically significantly more likely to be prescribed orlistat; higher baseline glycated haemoglobin levels were associated with early stopping. In comparison with patients not on orlistat, those who continued using it for ≥12 weeks were more likely to lose ≥5% weight (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07 to 2.67) but those who stopped orlistat early were less likely to lose ≥5% weight (AOR 0.56, 95% CI = 0.29 to 1.09).

Conclusion

Orlistat was significantly associated with weight loss in patients with T2DM and prediabetes when taken for at least 12 weeks; however, it was infrequently prescribed and often taken for <12 weeks. Orlistat may be a useful adjunct to lifestyle modifications for patients with T2DM and prediabetes, but barriers to continued use means it may not be effective for everyone in managing weight loss.
Intercontinental translatability of a peer-led GP education model from New Zealand to the UK: a pilot study
Authors: Hudson Ben , Walmsley Matthew , Bidwell Susan , Kennedy Louise
Published: April 2024

Background

Pegasus Small Group education for GPs is a professional development programme that has been delivered in Canterbury, New Zealand for over 30 years. Peer-developed content is delivered in small groups supporting interactive discussions informed by evidence and locally relevant data.

Aim

An international collaboration between South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group in the UK and Pegasus Health in Canterbury, New Zealand aimed to determine whether the Canterbury model of Small Group professional development for GPs was transferrable to the South Tyneside context.

Design & setting

This was a pilot qualitative study testing proof of concept for the Pegasus Small Group GP education model of professional development in another country.

Method

To test the concept, three pilot sessions on persistent pain, screening, and optimising treatment were delivered between November 2021 and March 2022. Four UK GPs were trained as Small Group leaders, and a member of the Pegasus team liaised with various UK GPs in South Tyneside to adapt topics for the local context. The use of videoconferencing (Microsoft Teams and Zoom) to deliver support, training, and the programme itself had been developed and refined during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that it could be run entirely online without losing its core components or interactive nature.

Results

Of the 68 registered GPs, 31, 50, and 61 GPs attended the three sessions, respectively, 90% of whom rated the overall quality as good or excellent. These results and other positive feedback from attendees provided a mandate for a further extension of the programme over the following months.

Conclusion

The pilot proved the potential for health systems to collaborate globally despite geographical distance. A wider evaluation to assess the impact of the education initiative is needed to determine the impact on patient care and to demonstrate the benefits of supporting the small group peer education model.
THE ADVERTISING MARKET IN UKRAINE: CRISIS AND POST-CRISIS PERIODS
Authors:   Yuriy Fedcovych Chernivtsi National University, Vardevanian Vardan
Published: April 2024

The advertising market in Ukraine has been in a state of crisis quite often over the past 10 years, but always finds opportunities to start recovery. Understanding the actual market situation is important for making adequate decisions when evaluating competitive opportunities, reviewing advertising budgets and advertising strategies. Reliable information about the market is obtained using various methods of calculating market indicators. In the conditions of frequent crises, it is important to adequately assess the situation in the market, to understand the amplitude of fluctuations and regenerative capabilities of the market. The purpose of the research is to study the dynamics of the advertising market of Ukraine in its crisis and post-crisis periods of development. The following methods served as methodological basis for writing the article, namely: the scientific abstraction methods - when defining the research concept, statistical methods - when forming a sample of advertising market indicators, analysis and synthesis - when comparing the obtained market indicators. The article examines the dynamics of indicators of the advertising market of Ukraine calculated at actual current prices, the prices of the previous year and the prices of 2013. The use of different methods of calculating indicators made it possible to detect discrepancies in the volumes of the advertising market of different years calculated at actual current prices and at 2013 prices. In this way, two cases were discovered when, according to indicators calculated at actual current prices, the advertising market showed growth (it’s 2015 with an indicator of +1% and 2018 with an indicator of +13%), and the market declined significantly in the prices of 2013 (-27% in 2015 and -2% in 2018). Also a significant discrepancy was found in the growth of the advertising market during 2013– 2023. For example, in the best year for the advertising market (2021), the volume of the market at current prices amounted to UAH 31,053 million, which is 2.7 times higher than the volume of the advertising market in 2013. In 2013 prices, the volume of the advertising market in 2021 counts UAH 7,976 million, which is 29.8% less than in 2013. The use of indicators for market analysis without their prior recalculation in relative prices - prices of a separate period, leads to wrong conclusions. Wrong conclusions lead to wrong decisions.
REGIONAL MARKETING CYCLE AND TERRITORIAL MARKETING TOOLS
Authors:   Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics of SUTE, Kyfyak Vasyl , Kyfyak Oleksandr ,   Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics of SUTE
Published: April 2024

In the modern conditions of the development of the regional economy, there is a need to create a system of multi-level marketing-oriented management of the development of the region, which determines the relevance of the study of the regional marketing cycle and the establishment of territorial marketing tools. Determining the stages of the regional marketing cycle, where each subsequent process is based on the previous one, and solving the problem of correct positioning and promotion of the region on the interregional market is the most important factor in ensuring its sustainable development. The purpose of the study is to determine the stages of the regional marketing cycle, their sequence, and establish the tools of territorial marketing. The theoretical and methodological basis of writing the article was the work of domestic and foreign scientists, the study of foreign experience, scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, observation and comparison. In the article, based on the study of foreign experience, observation and comparison of the work of regional marketing institutions in Suceava County (Romania) and marketing structures of the Chernivtsi Region, the main stages of the regional marketing cycle and their sequence are established. Analysis of the activities of regional marketing services contributed to the identification of separate tools of territorial marketing, which include the formation of the region's brand, advertising and communications, exhibition activities, and others. The determination of the stages of the regional marketing cycle and the tools of territorial marketing is a product of practical activity formed by summarizing foreign and domestic experience and using scientific methods, based on specific examples. The sequence of actions of the regional marketing cycle and the definition of territorial marketing tools will contribute to the improvement of activities for the promotion and positioning of the region, goods and services, to increase the efficiency of the relevant services that ensure the vitality of the region and affect the quality of life of the population.
USING GAME THEORY TO FORM A RECOMMENDATION MECHANISM FOR RESTAURANT SERVICES
Authors:   Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics of SUTE, Brykova Тetiana
Published: April 2024

Global digitalization and migration processes of the population necessitate the formation of services for the convenience and attractiveness of food establishments for consumers. These establishments are designed to address one of the most important human needs - providing quality food for individual needs. This issue is a critical one for Ukraine now, and it will become especially relevant during the post-war recovery. In this regard, the development of approaches to create recommendation mechanisms that will allow you to quickly find a restaurant via the Internet that meets the requirements and needs of the user for the dish, which, in turn, determines the relevance of the study. The purpose of the article is to study the application of game theory in the development of a recommender mechanism for searching for restaurants on the Internet at the user's location in order to improve the level of satisfaction of the needs for quality food. In the course of the study, general scientific methods were used: analysis and synthesis - to conduct a theoretical study of the needs of users searching on the Internet, abstract-logical method - to create logical generalizations based on the results of the analysis of literature sources, methods and approaches of game theory - to substantiate the approach to creating a recommendation mechanism for restaurant services. The article highlights the main features of the use of game theory in marketing to determine the needs of users and promote restaurant services, proposes an algorithm for implementing such an approach and its formal representation. Using the example of the implementation of the two-player strategy, the author shows how a recommendation mechanism can be implemented to satisfy the tastes of two or more consumers, provided that consumers choose restrictions from the context menu, the mechanism is presented through a matrix of recommendations on mixed strategies. A general methodology and a formalized algorithm for the formation of a recommendation mechanism for restaurant services that can be used in the development of restaurant websites and services for finding places to eat according to preferences are proposed. Implementation of theoretical substantiation of mechanisms for creating recommendations based on models of user behavior on the Internet. Formation of restaurant menu suggestions with the possibility of ordering a dish for a certain time of the user's arrival at the restaurant with reference to geolocation.
La collection étrusque du musée national de Céramique : un ensemble technique
Authors: Perru Nicolas
Published: April 2024

The Sèvres museum has a remarkable collection of Etruscan terracottas and ceramics assembled between the end of the 18th and the end of the 19th century. This collection of nearly 70 pieces, offers a wide panorama of the techniques developed by the Etruscans, from the Villanovian period to the Hellenistic times. This article proposes a selection of the most evocative pieces, which reflect the history of the formation of the collection, of its presentation in the museum and of its contribution to Etruscan studies.
Les frères Rouart, Augustin, le peintre et Philippe, le céramiste. Essai pour deux oeuvres croisées
Authors: Lajoix Anne
Published: April 2024

Representing ceramics in a pictorial work is not a novelty in the 1930s but it remains exceptional. This approach stems from familiarity, the softness of intimacy and recognition of its aesthetic and/ or symbolic value.
The Experience of Witnessing Resuscitation among Patients’ Families: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Hassankhani Hadi , Haririan Hamidreza , Porter Joanne E
Published: April 2024

Background: Understanding the experiences of patients’ family members witnessing resuscitation helps develop care plans. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the experiences of witnessing resuscitation among the patients’ family members. Methods: A total of 15 patients’ family members were interviewed over a 4-month period (from April to July 2019). The participants were recruited through purposive sampling, and they were enlisted from three educational hospitals in Tabriz. Data were analyzed using Smith’s interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) via the MAXQDA12 software. Results: Data analysis led to the identification of four main themes and nine subthemes. The main themes included "the insistence on being present", "achieving calmness", "partnership and collaboration" and "hindrance". Conclusion: Although family members reported feelings of agitation towards the health professionals, there was also strong evidence of the benefits of witnessing resuscitation such as open communication, psychological support, and facilitating acceptance of the patient’s prognosis. The study highlighted the importance of developing formal policies based on a family-centered care (FCC) approach to observe family presence during resuscitation while maintaining the patient’s and family’s rights.
The Experience of Living with Multiple Sclerosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Shirooyeh Roozbeh , Khodabakhshi-Koolaee Anahita , Jouybari Leila
Published: April 2024

Background: Many studies have shown that psychological distress such as worries and anxiety is one of the causes of the development, recurrence, or exacerbation of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of patients with MS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using an interpretive phenomenological approach. The participants were selected from patients with MS in Tehran, Iran who were members of the Iranian MS Society in 2021. The research sample included 19 patients with MS who were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews until the data were saturated. The collected data were analyzed using Van Manen’s phenomenological approach, and the validity and truthfulness of the data were confirmed using the four criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba. Results: Explication of the data revealed 22 subthemes and 5 main themes. The main themes identified were: Feeling of helplessness and fear of inadequacy in self-care, Economic concerns and financial problems, Ineffective interaction with family members, preoccupations and obsessions with the pandemic, and ambivalent and conflicting beliefs about others. Conclusion: The experiences of those affected by the pandemic were linked to personal and familial concerns, health issues, feelings of inadequacy in self-care, and economic difficulties. Additionally, participants were preoccupied with the pandemic and the social problems they faced. Gaining an understanding of these experiences can offer valuable insights to medical professionals, families of patients, and relevant organizations regarding the lived experiences of individuals with MS.
Pregnant Women’s Experiences of Sexual Activity During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Eskandari Narges , Gharlipour Zabihollah , Mohebi Siamak , Tavakolian Roghayeh
Published: April 2024

Background: Pregnancy is a sensitive time in women’s lives, as they experience numerous physical, psychological, and behavioral changes that can affect their sexual and marital relations. Due to the significance of this topic, the present study aimed to examine pregnant women’s experiences of sexual activity during pregnancy. Methods: The participants in this qualitative content analysis study were 23 pregnant women who visited hospitals in Babolsar, Iran (2019-2020) and were selected using purposive sampling. Following in-depth interviews, a semi-structured questionnaire guide was used to collect qualitative data. Data were analyzed using the conventional content analysis method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. The MAXQDA 10 software was utilized for qualitative data analysis. Results: In the present study, pregnant women ranged in age from 19 to 35 years. The analysis of pregnant women’s experiences of sexual activity during pregnancy led to the identification of four categories including sexual changes perceived during pregnancy, strategies for coping with sexual changes during pregnancy, sexual changes leading to the couple’s development, and factors influencing sexual activity during pregnancy. Conclusion: During pregnancy, women observe various sexual changes in themselves and their partners, influenced by gestational age, medical disorders, physical changes, psychological and emotional factors, and underlying factors. Accordingly, it is recommended that couples be educated on sexual health during pregnancy which emphasizes the need for further research in this area.
Para Medicine Students’ Experiences of Virtual Education: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Rakhshan Mahnaz , Mousazadeh Noushin , Hajihosseini Fatemeh , Bagherian Samaneh , Moradi Narges , Hakimi Hamideh , Ranjbar Hadi
Published: April 2024

Background: The emergence of the Internet and its development led to the expansion of virtual education. The development of virtual education in recent years has had a tremendous impact on the improvement of education and the establishment of educational justice in different parts of the world. Despite its advantages, virtual education is also associated with some challenges. The present study aimed to investigate para medicine students’ experiences of virtual education. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis. The participants were 25 students in various fields of para medicine who were selected using purposive sampling. The study took place at universities in the north of Iran. The data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups from January to April 2022. The collected data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s qualitative content analysis method. Results: The core category identified in this study was from helplessness to interaction which was divided into three main categories (challenges and desperation, deprivation of mutual interaction and learning, and resilience and adaptation) and fourteen subcategories. Conclusion: The main theme extracted from the interviews with the participants was from helplessness to interaction. When a person has numerous failures, cannot control environmental conditions, and feels the ineffectiveness of their activity and response, they will experience a sense of vulnerability. Thus, the person has to accept the conditions and interact with them. In other words, interaction is a skill that improves the ability to quickly learn new skills and behaviors in response to the conditions. Thus, identifying challenges and realizing the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and threats governing the existing virtual education environment can help to turn many threats into opportunities, promote virtual education, and support teachers and students to improve the quality and quantity of the teaching-learning process in the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 era.
Dissatisfaction and Protest of First-Year Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents and Related Factors: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Shiri Fatemeh Hasan , Shojaei Amir Ahmad
Published: April 2024

Background: Physical and emotional stress during the residency period can have lasting negative effects on residents’ health as well as patient care. Such stress can cause emotional and psychological burnout, decreased physician productivity, impaired job performance, and poor social relationships. First-year residents have more burnout and stress due to many factors. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for the protest of this group of residents. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with the participation of residents and professors of obstetrics and gynecology in one of the teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in spring of 2021. Data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews and group discussions. The conventional content analysis method was used to analyze the data. To ensure the accuracy of the qualitative data, the criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba were considered. Results: A total of 14 participants were interviewed and 16 people participated in focus group discussion sessions. From the text of the interviews, two themes were extracted. Participants’ experiences showed unbearable pressure, domination, and anonymity as stressors in first-year obstetrics and gynecology residents. Conclusion: The results showed that the main reason for the protest of the first-year residents was the wrong behavior of the second-year residents and the lack of supervision over these behaviors. Launching a kindness campaign was a suggested solution in this research that could help improve communication between residents and the educational atmosphere.
Living with a Foggy Future: Experiences of Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Ghapanvari Fatemeh , Hosseinigolafshan Seyedehzahra
Published: April 2024

Background: Caregivers of hemodialysis patients experience several daily challenges due to the specific condition of their patients. It is necessary to study the challenges of this group to reduce the adverse effects on the caregivers and the patients. Accordingly, the present study aimed to describe the caregivers’ lived experiences of caring for hemodialysis patients. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted using a phenomenological approach. The participants were 21 caregivers of hemodialysis patients from three hemodialysis centers in Qazvin, Iran who were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: A total of 107 primary codes, 15 subcategories, 7 categories, and 3 main themes were extracted from the analysis of the interviews. The main themes included caregiver as the central pillar, fear of the foggy future, and the heavy burden of being judged by others. Conclusion: Caring for patients with hemodialysis constantly imposes many challenges for caregivers. The managers of hospitals and hemodialysis clinics can prevent the severe consequences experienced by caregivers and patients by planning and implementing individual development training courses and effective policies to enable caregivers.
Umalusi (The Shepherd)
Authors: Smith Edwin
Published: April 2024

In Xhosa, a shepherd is Umalusi. As imagined in this poetry collection, shepherds mind their charges. Furthermore, communication connects people. Speech and writing are material expressions of experiences, thoughts, dreams, fears, aspirations, and wonders. With the diversity of languages in South Africa, access to people’s experiences and thoughts is often limited and constrained through one’s command of language, spoken and written. As a result, there can be hurdles to connecting with one another. Language can divide, separate, and alienate us from one another. Consequently, a shepherd’s responsibilities in this context are multifold. The poems collected in Umalusi were conceived and written in Xhosa because my mother, the central subject of the collection, is a Xhosa woman and spoke Xhosa to me throughout my life with her. This is how I learned the language without formal instruction in school. Through writing the poems in Xhosa, I gift the original giver her treasures in return. In essence, Umalusi is an amalgamation of my formal learning to read and write Afrikaans and English in school and my mother’s tuition by immersing me in the culture and traditions of her people.
AI Applications in Education: How Educators and Students can Capitalize on the AI Revolution
Authors: Bhattacharya Saurav
Published: April 2024

This article explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of education. It delves into various applications of AI, including personalized learning, predicting learning outcomes, automation of administrative tasks, assisting students with special needs, and resource planning. The article also discusses how educators and students can make the most of the AI revolution by embracing AI tools, fostering AI literacy, and ensuring the ethical use of AI. The aim is to highlight the immense potential of AI to enhance the inclusivity, efficiency, and impact of education, thereby paving the way for a more engaging, personalized, and effective learning environment.
Industry-Backed Laboratories in Universities: A Nexus for Innovation, Research, and Talent Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Bhattacharya Saurav
Published: April 2024

This article explores the role of industry-backed laboratories in universities as a conduit for fostering innovation, promoting research, and developing talent. It delves into the need for these laboratories, citing successful case studies of industry-university collaborations. The benefits of these laboratories, such as experiential learning for students, advancement of research, talent development, and strengthening university-industry ties, are discussed. The article also addresses the potential challenges in setting up these laboratories and the need for policies that encourage such collaborations. With a focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the article underscores the significance of industry-backed laboratories in shaping a future where academia and industry work together to drive progress.