bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactor microbiome enriches vegetable oil with n-caproate and n-caprylate for potential functionalized feed additive production via extractive lactate-based chain elongation
Authors: Contreras-Dávila Carlos A. , Zuidema Norwin , Buisman Cees J. N. , Strik David P. B. T. B.
Published: December 2021

Background

Biotechnological processes for efficient resource recovery from residual materials rely on complex conversions carried out by reactor microbiomes. Chain elongation microbiomes produce valuable medium-chain carboxylates (MCC) that can be used as biobased starting materials in the chemical, agriculture and food industry. In this study, sunflower oil is used as an application-compatible solvent to accumulate microbially produced MCC during extractive lactate-based chain elongation. The MCC-enriched solvent is harvested as a potential novel product for direct application without further MCC purification, e.g., direct use for animal nutrition. Sunflower oil biocompatibility, in situ extraction performance and effects on chain elongation were evaluated in batch and continuous experiments. Microbial community composition and dynamics of continuous experiments were analyzed based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. Potential applications of MCC-enriched solvents along with future research directions are discussed.

Results

Sunflower oil showed high MCC extraction specificity and similar biocompatibility to oleyl alcohol in batch extractive fermentation of lactate and food waste. Continuous chain elongation microbiomes produced the MCC n-caproate (nC6) and n-caprylate (nC8) from l-lactate and acetate at pH 5.0 standing high undissociated n-caproic acid concentrations (3 g L−1). Extractive chain elongation with sunflower oil relieved apparent toxicity of MCC and production rates and selectivities reached maximum values of 5.16 ± 0.41 g nC6 L−1 d−1 (MCC: 11.5 g COD L−1 d−1) and 84 ± 5% (e− eq MCC per e− eq products), respectively. MCC were selectively enriched in sunflower oil to concentrations up to 72 g nC6 L−1 and 3 g nC8 L−1, equivalent to 8.3 wt% in MCC-enriched sunflower oil. Fermentation at pH 7.0 produced propionate and n-butyrate instead of MCC. Sunflower oil showed stable linoleic and oleic acids composition during extractive chain elongation regardless of pH conditions. Reactor microbiomes showed reduced diversity at pH 5.0 with MCC production linked to Caproiciproducens co-occurring with Clostridiumtyrobutyricum, Clostridiumluticellarii and Lactobacillus species. Abundant taxa at pH 7.0 were Anaerotignum, Lachnospiraceae and Sporoanaerobacter.

Conclusions

Sunflower oil is a suitable biobased solvent to selectively concentrate MCC. Extractive reactor microbiomes produced MCC with improved selectivity and production rate, while downstream processing complexity was reduced. Potential applications of MCC-enriched solvents may include feed, food and biofuels purposes.
Interoperability between OPC UA and oneM2M
Authors: Cavalieri Salvatore , Mulè Salvatore
Published: December 2021

A key requirement of realizing the connected world featured by IoT is to ensure interoperability among different connected devices. Interoperability is also at the basis of the realization of the novel vision of Industry 4.0; a lot effort is put to make interoperable the interchange of information between industrial applications, also including IoT ecosystems. For this reason, during these last years, several approaches aimed to enhance interoperability between industrial applications and IoT appeared in the literature. In this paper an interoperability proposal is presented. It is based on the idea to realize interworking between the two standards considered among the reference ones in the industrial and IoT domains. They are the OPC UA for the industrial domain and oneM2M for the IoT. Interworking is realized in such a way to allow industrial applications based on OPC UA to acquire information coming from oneM2M-based IoT devices. The proposal allows an OPC UA Server to publish each piece of information produced by oneM2M-based IoT devices, so that this information may be consumed by industrial applications playing the OPC UA Client role.
Exploration and augmentation of pharmacological space via adversarial auto-encoder model for facilitating kinase-centric drug development
Authors: Bai Xinyu , Yin Yuxin
Published: December 2021

Predicting compound–protein interactions (CPIs) is of great importance for drug discovery and repositioning, yet still challenging mainly due to the sparse nature of CPI matrixes, resulting in poor generalization performance. Hence, unlike typical CPI prediction models focused on representation learning or model selection, we propose a deep neural network-based strategy, PCM-AAE, that re-explores and augments the pharmacological space of kinase inhibitors by introducing the adversarial auto-encoder model (AAE) to improve the generalization of the prediction model. To complete the data space, we constructed Ensemble of PCM-AAE (EPA), an ensemble model that quickly and accurately yields quantitative predictions of binding affinity between any human kinase and inhibitor. In rigorous internal validation, EPA showed excellent performance, consistently outperforming the model trained with the imbalanced set, especially for targets with relatively fewer training data points. Improved prediction accuracy of EPA for external datasets enhances its generalization ability, making it possible to gracefully handle previously unseen kinases and inhibitors. EPA showed promising potential when directly applied to virtual screening and off-target prediction, exhibiting its practicality in hit prediction. Our strategy is expected to facilitate kinase-centric drug development, as well as to solve more challenging prediction problems with insufficient data points.
Knowledge of and willingness to take pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in Israel
Authors: Zohar Mor , Guy Shilo , Itzchak Levy
Published: December 2021

Background

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) has been found to reduce viral acquisition among HIV-negative MSM. This cross-sectional study was conducted before pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) licensure in Israel, and aimed to compare men who have sex with men (MSM) who had heard of PrEP with those who had not, as well as MSM willing to take PrEP with those who were hesitant or not willing to take PrEP.

Methods

HIV-negative MSM responded anonymously to questionnaires in 2017 regarding their knowledge of and willingness to take PrEP, prior use of PrEP and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and their sexual behaviors.

Results

Among 1705 participants, 1431 (83.9%) had heard about PrEP. They were older and more often reported being Jewish, having an academic degree, self-identifying as gay/bisexual, being tested for HIV in the last year, participating in group sex, using alcohol or drugs before or during sex, and having prior use of PrEP/PEP compared with MSM who had not heard about PrEP. A total of 760 (44.8%) participants indicated that they would consider taking PrEP, 567 (33.5%) maybe would consider taking PrEP, and 367 (21.7%) would not take PrEP. Those who were willing to take PrEP had a lower level of education, were involved in high-risk sexual behaviors, used alcohol or drugs before or during sex, and had previously used PrEP/PEP compared with participants who maybe would consider taking or would not take PrEP. When participants were asked to indicate if they were willing to take PrEP at different potential efficacies and costs, the willingness to using PrEP increased with the potential efficacy of the drug and adversely related to its cost.

Conclusions

PrEP awareness was high, and 44.8% indicated willingness to take PrEP, especially those who reported high-risk sexual behaviors. This supports the current policy in Israel to allow PrEP to MSM who are at high-risk. In order to maintain a high level of PrEP-adherence, physicians should consider structural barriers, such as negative stigma of being promiscuous, lack of perceived HIV-risk, difficulties in accessing clinics or paying for PrEP, inability to follow-up or low tolerability of the medication.
Effects of home visits on quality of life among older adults: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Tay Yea Lu , Abu Bakar Nurul Salwana , Tumiran Ruzimah , Ab Rahman Noor Hasidah , Mohd Ma’amor Noor Areefa Ameera , Yau Weng Keong , Abdullah Zalilah
Published: December 2021

Background

Home visiting services for older adults have been offered for decades to maintain and promote health and independent functioning, thus enhancing quality of life. Previous systematic reviews have provided a mixed picture of the benefits of home visiting programmes in older adults, primarily because of heterogeneity in study designs, targeted populations, and intervention strategies. These reviews may also become out of date; thus, an updated synthesis of relevant studies is warranted. Our objective is to perform a systematic review of recently published primary studies on the effectiveness of multi-professional home visits on quality of life among older adults.

Methods

We will perform a comprehensive search for studies investigating the effect of a multi-professional home visit approach on quality of life among older adults. We will conduct the literature search in selected electronic databases and relevant research websites from January 2010 onwards. We will include randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster randomised controlled trials (cluster RCTs), and observational studies that enrolled older adults without dementia over 60 years old, along with studies involving multi-professional preventive–promotive home visit approaches not related to recent hospital discharge. We will report our planned review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We will retrieve and record relevant data in a standardised data extraction form and evaluate the quality of the included articles using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the quality assessment tool for studies with diverse designs (QATSDD). Where appropriate, outcomes will be pooled for meta-analysis using a random-effects model. The main outcomes include quality of life, incidence of falls, depression, dementia, and emergency department admissions.

Discussion

This review may provide evidence for the effectiveness of home visits in improving older adults’ quality of life. It will potentially benefit health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers by facilitating the design and delivery of interventions related to older generations and improve service delivery in future.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021234531.
High-flow nasal oxygenation reduces the risk of desaturation in adults receiving procedural sedation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liu Hsin-Yi , Tam Ka-Wai , Loh El-Wui , Liu Wan-Chi , Kuo Hsien-Cheng , Li Chun-Cheng , Cherng Yih-Giun , Chen Jui-Tai , Tai Ying-Hsuan
Published: December 2021

Background

Procedural sedation reduces patients’ discomfort and anxiety, facilitating performance of the examination and intervention. However, it may also cause adverse events, including airway obstruction and hypoxia. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of high-flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) compared with that of standard oxygen therapy in adult patients undergoing procedural sedation.

Methods

We identified randomized controlled trials published before November 2020 based on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases and ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Intraprocedural desaturation [peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) < 90%] was evaluated as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were the lowest SpO2, need for airway intervention, oxygen therapy-related complications, and patient, operator, and anesthetist’s satisfaction.

Results

Six trials with a total of 2633 patients were reviewed. Patients using HFNO compared with standard oxygen therapy had a significantly lower risk of intraprocedural desaturation [risk ratio 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.87]. The lowest intraprocedural SpO2 in HFNO group was significantly higher than that in standard oxygen therapy group (mean difference 4.19%, 95% CI 1.74-6.65).

Conclusions

Compared with standard oxygen therapy, HFNO may reduce the risk of desaturation and increase the lowest SpO2 in adult patients undergoing sedation for medical procedures.
The impact of Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts (JDTC) implementing Federal Evidence-Based Guidelines on recidivism and substance use: multisite Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) and Regression Discontinuity (RDD) Designs
Authors: Hiller Matthew L. , Belenko Steven , Dennis Michael , Estrada Barbara , Cain Chelsey , Mackin Juliette R. , Kagan Raanan , Pappacena Lauren
Published: December 2021

Background

Juvenile drug treatment courts (JDTC) have struggled to define themselves since their inception in 1995. Early courts followed a format similar to adult drug courts, but these did not address the unique needs of juveniles, which led to the creation of 16 Strategies by a consensus panel of practitioners and researchers. But, like the first JDTCs, research with courts following these strategies failed to provide convincing evidence that this “model” was associated with significant reductions in recidivism or drug use. More recently, a new set of evidence-based guidelines were developed through meta-analyses commissioned by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP, 2016).

Method

OJJDP provided funding for a rigorous multi-site evaluation of the guidelines. This study protocol paper for the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court (JDTC) Guidelines Cross-Site Evaluation presents research designs for the comparison of youth outcomes from 10 JDTCs compared with 10 Traditional Juvenile Courts (TJCs) in the same jurisdictions. Two sites opted into a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and eight sites chose to follow a regression discontinuity design (RDD). Youth data are captured at baseline, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups using an interview comprised of several standardized assessments. The youths’ official records also are abstracted for recidivism and substance use information. The degree to which the evidence-based guidelines are implemented at each site is assessed via an in-depth court self-assessment collected at baseline and again 2 years later and via structured site visits conducted once during implementation.

Discussion

As a field-based trial, using both RCT and RDD designs, findings will provide important, policy-relevant information regarding the implementation of the OJJDP evidence-based guidelines, including the degree to which JDTCs adopted and/or modified these practices, their relative impact on recidivism and substance use, as well as the degree to which JDTCs differ from TJCs. Specific inferences may be drawn about whether following or not following specific guidelines differentially impact youth outcomes, yielding recommendations about the translation of this information from research-to-practice for potentiating the broader adoption of these guidelines by JDTCs nationwide.

Clinical trials registration

This was not an NIH supported trial. The funder, OJJDP/NIJ, instead required publishing the design with even more information at https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/juvenile-drug-treatment-court-jdtc-guidelines-cross-site-evaluation.
Enhancing Early Engagement (E3) in mental health services training for children’s advocacy center’s victim advocates: feasibility protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Taylor Erin K. , Dopp Alex R. , Lounsbury Kaitlin , Thompson Yutian , Miller Michelle , Jorgensen Ashley , Silovsky Jane F.
Published: December 2021

Background

Child maltreatment is a major public issue in the United States, yet most children affected by abuse or neglect never engage in evidence-based practices (EBP) for child mental health. Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs’) are uniquely situated to serve as Family Navigators who connect children impacted by maltreatment to appropriate EBPs. In fact, the CAC position of Victim Advocate mirrors the Mental Health Family Navigator national initiative.

Methods

The feasibility study protocol is to develop, implement, and evaluate web-based and consultative training for Victim Advocates to enhance early engagement in services (E3 training). The interactive web-based training embeds key targets of knowledge and skills related to family engagement, trauma, and EBP services. Participating CACs were randomized to E3 webinar-based training, E3 webinar plus consultation, or delayed training. The project will test the E3 training’s impact on key mechanisms of change (e.g., knowledge, skills) to improve rates of screening, referral, and access to EBP services. The feasibility of implementing the training program and differential impact and costs by level of training will be examined.

Discussion

The overarching goal of this project is to test the feasibility of training that is readily implemented through CACs and examine the mechanisms for improving early engagement and, ultimately, child, and adolescent mental health outcomes. Results and cost findings will be used to plan a large-scale comprehensive, mixed-methods hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation and cost-effectiveness trial of family navigator E3 training. If outcomes are positive, considerable infrastructure exists to support the scale-up and sustainability of E3 training nationwide, by embedding the training in national CAC training protocols.

Trial registration

NCT04221633

Date and version identifier

March 25, 2021; Vers. 1.0 (original); September 11, 2021; Vers 2.0 (revision); October 29, 2021; Vers. 3.0 (revision)
Central bank digital currency, loan supply, and bank failure risk: a microeconomic approach
Authors: Jun Jooyong , Yeo Eunjung
Published: December 2021

Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which are legal tenders in digital form, are expected to reduce currency issuance and circulation costs and broaden the scope of monetary policy. In addition, these currencies may also reduce consumers’ need for conventional demand deposits, which, in turn, increases banks’ loan provision costs because deposits require higher rates of return. We use a microeconomic banking model to investigate the effects of introducing an economy-wide, account-type CBDC on a bank’s loan supply and its failure risk. Given that a CBDC is expected to lower the cost of liquidity circulation and become a strong substitute for demand deposits, both the loan supply and the bank failure risk increase. These increases are countered by subsequent increases in the rates of return on term deposits and loans, which, in turn, reduce the loan supply and thus bank failure risk. These offsetting forces lead to no significant change in banking, as long as the rate of return on loans is below a certain threshold. However, once the rate is above the threshold, bank failure risk increases, thereby undermining banking stability. The problem is more pronounced when the degree of pass-through of funding costs to the loan rate is high and the profitability of a successful project is low. Our results imply that central banks wishing to introduce an economy-wide, account-type CBDC should first monitor yields on bank loans and consider policy measures that induce banks to maintain adequate liquidity reserve levels.
A weighted voltage model predictive control method for a virtual synchronous generator with enhanced parameter robustness
Authors: Guo Leilei , Xu Zhiye , Jin Nan , Li Yanyan , Wang Wei
Published: December 2021

To address the problem of insufficient system inertia and improve the power quality of grid-connected inverters, and to enhance the stability of the power system, a method to control a virtual synchronous generator (VSG) output voltage based on model predictive control (MPC) is proposed. Parameters of the inductors, capacitors and other components of the VSG can vary as the temperature and current changes. Consequently the VSG output voltage and power control accuracy using the conventional MPC method may be reduced. In this paper, to improve the parameter robustness of the MPC method, a new weighted predictive capacitor voltage control method is proposed. Through detailed theoretical analysis, the principle of the proposed method to reduce the influence of parameter errors on voltage tracking accuracy is analyzed. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are verified by experimental tests using the Typhoon control hardware-in-the-loop experimental platform.
Repeated, low-dose oral esketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression: pilot study
Authors: Smith-Apeldoorn Sanne Y. , Veraart Jolien K. E. , Ruhé Henricus G. , aan het Rot Marije , Kamphuis Jeanine , de Boer Marrit K. , Schoevers Robert A.
Published: December 2021

Background

Intravenous infusion of ketamine can produce rapid and large symptom reduction in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) but presents major obstacles to clinical applicability, especially in community settings. Oral esketamine may be a promising addition to our TRD treatment armamentarium.

Aims

To explore the safety, tolerability and potential clinical effectiveness of a 3-week treatment with repeated, low-dose oral esketamine.

Method

Seven patients with chronic and severe TRD received 1.25 mg/kg generic oral esketamine daily, over 21 consecutive days. Scores on the Systematic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events (SAFTEE), Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE), Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) instruments, as well as blood pressure and heart rate, were repeatedly assessed.

Results

Treatment with oral esketamine was well-tolerated. No serious side-effects occurred, and none of the participants discontinued treatment prematurely. Psychotomimetic effects were the most frequently reported adverse events. Mean HDRS score decreased by 16.5%, from 23.6 to 19.7. Three participants showed reductions in HDRS scores above the minimum clinically important difference (eight-point change), of whom two showed partial response. No participants showed full response or remission.

Conclusions

These results strengthen the idea that oral esketamine is a safe and well-tolerated treatment for patients with chronic and severe TRD, but therapeutic effects were modest. Results were used to design a randomised controlled trial that is currently in progress.
Prospective Phase II Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Mandibular Preservation in Upfront Surgery With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery in Operable Oral Cavity Cancer
Authors: Chaukar Devendra , Prabash Kumar , Rane Pawan , Patil Vijay Maruti , Thiagarajan Shivakumar , Ghosh-Laskar Sarbani , Sharma Shilpi , Pai Prathamesh S. , Chaturvedi Pankaj , Pantvaidya Gouri , Deshmukh Anuja , Nair Deepa , Nair Sudhir , Vaish Richa , Noronha Vanita , Patil Asawari , Arya Supreeta , D'Cruz Anil
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to explore the potential role and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in tumor shrinkage and resultant mandibular preservation in oral cancers compared with conventional surgical treatment.

METHODS

This study was a single-center, randomized, phase II trial of treatment-naive histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity with cT2-T4 and N0/N+, M0 (American Joint Committee on Cancer, seventh edition) stage, necessitating resection of the mandible for paramandibular disease in the absence of clinicoradiologic evidence of bone erosion. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either upfront surgery (segmental resection) followed by adjuvant treatment (standard arm [SA]) or two cycles of NACT (docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil) at 3-week intervals (intervention arm [IA]), followed by surgery dictated by postchemotherapy disease extent. All patients in the IA received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and patients in the SA were treated as per final histopathology report. The primary end point was mandible preservation rate. The secondary end points were disease-free survival and treatment-related toxicity.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients were enrolled over 3 years and randomly assigned to either SA (34 patients) or IA (34 patients). The median follow-up was 3.6 years (interquartile range, 0.95-7.05 years). Mandibular preservation was achieved in 16 of 34 patients (47% [95% CI, 31.49 to 63.24]) in the IA. The disease-free survival ( P = .715, hazard ratio 0.911 [95% CI, 0.516 to 1.607]) and overall survival ( P = .747, hazard ratio 0.899 [95% CI, 0.510 to 1.587]) were similar in both the arms. Complications were similar in both arms, but chemotherapy-induced toxicity was observed in the majority of patients (grade III: 14, 41.2%; grade IV: 11, 32.4%) in the IA.

CONCLUSION

NACT plays a potential role in mandibular preservation in oral cancers with acceptable toxicities and no compromise in survival. However, this needs to be validated in a larger phase III randomized trial.
Propane Dehydrogenation Catalysis of Titanium Hydrides: Positive Effect of Hydrogen Co-feeding
Authors: Yasumura Shunsaku , Wen Yuxiang , Toyao Takashi , Kanda Yasuharu , Shimizu Ken-ichi , Maeno Zen
Published: December 2021

This study investigated non-oxidative propane dehydrogenation over TiH2. It was found that H2 co-feeding positively affected dehydrogenation, improving the propylene formation rate. In situ spectroscopic characterization of TiH2 in the presence of H2 indicated that partially dehydrogenated titanium hydrides are active for dehydrogenation.
Association Behavior of a Homopolymer Containing Choline Phosphonate Groups in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Nguyen Thi Lien , Mukai Masaru , Ihara Daiki , Takahara Atsushi , Yusa Shin-ichi
Published: December 2021

Poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl choline methylphosphonate) (PMCP) containing choline phosphonate groups, which consist of quaternary ammonium and anionic phosphonate groups in reverse order to that of phosphorylcholine, was synthesized via controlled radical polymerization. PMCP formed aggregates in water through electrostatic interactions. Meanwhile, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) having a similar structure to that of PMCP was dissolved as a unimer in both water and salt solutions.
Recovery-Stress States of Professional Ballet Dancers During Different Phases of a Ballet Season
Authors: De Wet Jana S. , Africa Eileen , Venter Ranel
Published: December 2021

Ballet dancers are exposed to chronic high training and performance demands that are associated with overtraining syndrome and injury. Balancing high training loads with recovery to reduce the risk of negative training adaptations is critical. Moreover, the recovery-stress states of
professional ballet dancers during training phases of a season are largely unknown. Professional dancers (n = 27) from one classical ballet company in South Africa were monitored for two 8-week phases of a ballet season. A recovery-stress questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-76 Sport) was completed
weekly during the rehearsal phase (P1) and the performance phase (P2), which took place at the start and the end of the ballet season, respectively. Comparisons were calculated between phases, sexes, and levels of performance with a mixed-model ANOVA and between demographic variables with
a one-way ANOVA. The performance phase was signified by lower total recovery (TR, p < 0.01) and higher total stress (TS, p < 0.01) for the group. Female dancers had significantly lower recovery scores than male dancers during P2 (p < 0.01). No differences between levels of performance
were found. Subscales previously associated with overreaching and injury were identified in certain groups during P2. In conclusion, P2 was a critical period where dancers, especially females, experienced high stress and low recovery. This could increase the risk for injury and negative training
adaptations.
Relationships Between Perfectionism, Stress, and Basic Need Support Provision in Dance Teachers and Aesthetic Sport Coaches
Authors: Nordin-Bates Sanna M. , Jowett Gareth
Published: December 2021

A substantial body of evidence links perfectionism to well-being and performance outcomes in dancers and athletes. Yet, we know relatively little about leaders' perfectionism in dance and sport. This is important because leaders' perfectionism likely impacts both themselves and their
performers. In this study, we examined relationships between leader perfectionism, their provision of basic needs support, and whether stress explains these relationships. Aesthetic activity leaders (N = 463; n = 336 dance teachers, n = 127 aesthetic sport coaches, and n = 376 female; Mean
age = 35.47 and SD = 12.46 years) completed an online questionnaire measuring multidimensional perfectionism (self-oriented perfectionism, SOP; socially prescribed perfectionism, SPP; and other-oriented perfectionism, OOP), self-reported provision of basic needs support (autonomy, competence,
and relatedness), and perceived stress. Correlations suggested that leaders displaying higher levels of any perfectionism dimension (SOP, SPP, and OOP) provided less support for autonomy and perceived higher levels of stress. Leaders displaying higher levels of SPP also reported providing
less support for competence. Structural equation modeling revealed that perceived stress partially mediated the relationships between perfectionism and provision of basic needs support. Socially prescribed perfectionism shared a negative indirect relationship with autonomy support as well
as negative direct and indirect relationships with competence support, both via perceived stress. By contrast, OOP shared positive indirect relationships with autonomy support and competence support via perceived stress. Based on these findings, it would be prudent for dance and sport organizations
to minimize pressures on leaders to be perfect, help them identify how their perfectionism impacts both themselves and others, and work with them to optimize basic needs support.
Correlations Between Physical Activity Level, Quality of Life, and Cognitive Performance in Elderly Individuals Engaging in Multi-Year Dance Activities
Authors: Tommasini Ester , Cipriani Eleonora , Antonietti Alessandro , Galvani Christel
Published: December 2021

Introduction: It is well-acknowledged that cognitive and physical decline associated with aging can be prevented or reduced with the engagement in regular physical activity (PA). Dance activities combine cardiovascular, cognitive, and coordinative demands, providing a popular leisure
PA among elderly. This study examined the correlations between quality of life (QoL), cognitive and physical performance, and PA level in older adults who participated in at least 10 years of amateur ballroom dancing.
Methods: The study was designed as an observational study. A
sample of 20 (10 men; age range: 65 to 80 years; BMI: 26.3 ± 3.0 kg/m2) amateur senior dancers were compared with a sample of 18 (8 men; age range: 65 to 75 years; BMI: 25.5 ± 2.4 kg/m2) non-sedentary individuals (control group) following an adapted PA program.
Quality of life and cognitive functioning assessment tools were administered: 36 Health Status Survey (SF-36v2), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq). Physical performance was measured with their preferred walking speed (PWS), and level of
moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was evaluated using a multi-sensor activity monitor.
Results: Participants presented a good SF-36v2 physical component and a very good mental com- ponent summary, a total MoCA score within the limits, and an average total CRIq score.
Their PWS and daily MVPA were high. Differences neither in the three questionnaires nor in PWS and PA level were observed between groups. A significant, moderate, and positive correlation was found between PWS and SF-36v2 physical component summary score.
Conclusion: Ballroom dancing
seems to allow elderly individuals to maintain good cognitive and physical abilities, QoL, an acceptable normal cognitive reserve, notable physical performance, and PA level to the same extent as an adapted PA program. Both types of PA seem to be able to contrast the mental and physical decline
associated with aging.
Is Scoliosis Associated with Dance Injury in Young Recreational Dancers? A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study
Authors: Wong Arnold Y.L. , Chan Cliffton , Hiller Claire , Yung Patrick S.H. , Lau Kenney K.L. , Samartzis Dino , Surgenor Brenton
Published: December 2021

Some studies suggested that adolescent scoliotic dancers were more likely to sustain dance injuries than non-scoliotic dancers. This study aimed to investigate the association between scoliosis and dance injury among children and adolescent recreational dancers. Identical web-based
and paper-based questionnaires were distributed to children and adolescent recreational dancers to collect demographic information, dance experiences, history and location of dance injuries, as well as the frequency of dance injury in the last 12 months. The prevalence rates of the top three
dance injury sites (lower back, knee, and ankles) were estimated. Associations between the presence of scoliosis and various dance injuries in the last 12 months were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression. Data from 704 respondents (644 females, 13.3 ± 2.4 years) was analyzed.
Ninety-one respondents (12.9%) reported scoliosis and 11 respondents (1.6%) were wearing scoliosis braces. The 12-month prevalence rates of lumbar, knee, and ankle injuries in scoliotic dancers (24.2%, 22.2%, and 28.5%, respectively) were significantly higher than those of non-scoliotic dancers
(10.4%, 14.9%, and 14.8%, respectively). Scoliosis was an independent risk factor for lumbar spine injury (Odds ratio, OR = 2.7), knee injury (OR = 2.6), and multi-site dance-related injury (OR = 1.9). Given the observed strong associations between scoliosis and lumbar or knee dance injuries
in the current study, future studies are warranted to investigate the underlying causes.
Influence of surface peripheral electrical stimulation on nerve regeneration after digital nerve neurorrhaphy: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mattos Enilton , Guedes Alex , Lessa Paulo Itamar Ferraz , Baptista Abrahão Fontes
Published: December 2021

We will study the influence of low intensity and frequency surface peripheral electrical stimulation (PES) on nerve regeneration of digital nerve injuries of the hand after its surgical repair in humans. Participants will be patients with acute traumatic peripheral nerve injury referred to the Hand Surgery Service of the General Hospital of the State of Bahia, a reference service in the state. These patients will undergo surgery followed by PES in the immediate postoperative period. After hospital discharge, they will be followed up on an outpatient basis by researchers, who will remotely supervise a physiotherapy program. Our hypothesis is that PES will positively influence the recovery of sensory function in patients undergoing neurorrhaphy of digital nerves of the hand.

ReBEC registration:  U1111-1259-1998 (12/18/2020)
Population variation in Y-chromosome microdeletion and its role in the evaluation of male infertility management: a systematic review
Authors: Birowo Ponco , Deswanto Isaac Ardianson , Atmoko Widi , Rasyid Nur
Published: December 2021

Background: Infertility has been a significantly growing problem worldwide, affecting approximately 10-15% of couples within reproductive age. Among the many causes of male infertility, Y-chromosome microdeletion is considered one of the most frequent genetic causes. Thus, this systematic review was constructed to determine the prevalence of Y-chromosome microdeletion and the population variations in the different types of Y-chromosome microdeletions.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Scielo, and Science Direct databases to obtain articles that addressed the frequency of Y-chromosome microdeletion and male infertility. We identified 14 articles that originated from China, India, Iran, Brazil, Indonesia, North America, South Korea, and Slovakia, and the vital information collected included the year of publication, authors, number of patients with different types of Y-chromosome microdeletions, and the proportion of microdeletion in the major affected sub-regions of the Y-chromosome.

Results: In this review, we attempted to highlight the variation in the frequency of Y-chromosome microdeletion in different geographical populations. The highest and lowest frequencies of Y-chromosome microdeletion were found in Indonesian (23.94%) and Slovakian (3.5%) populations, respectively.

Conclusion: In conclusion, Y-chromosome microdeletion was undeniably found to be one of the leading genetic causes of male infertility. Azoospermic factor c (AZFc) microdeletion was the most frequent type of Y-chromosome microdeletion, typically presenting in patients with various clinical manifestations that ranged from oligozoospermia to azoospermia and exhibiting the highest chance for sperm retrieval. This review will undoubtedly help clinicians in providing a more accurate consultation to their patients and determining the success rates of assisted reproductive technology.
Factors Associated with Knowledge and Awareness of Stroke Among the Jordanian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Barakat Muna , A. AlSalamat Husam , Jirjees Feras , Al-Obaidi Hala , k. Hussain Zainab , El Hadidi Seif , Mansour Sara , Malaeb Diana , Hosseini Hassan
Published: December 2021

Background and objective: Stroke is the second leading cause of death in Jordan and over the world. Knowledge and awareness towards stroke play a crucial role in the management and prevention of its complications. This study aims to assess the knowledge and awareness about stroke among the Jordanian population and determine factors associated with stroke awareness.

Methods: This cross-sectional study through a web-based anonymous questionnaire that needed 10 minutes to be completed. It examined sociodemographic characteristics and recognition of the risk factors, warning signs, stroke consequences, and early response to stroke symptoms. Logistic regression analysis identified the factors associated with poor knowledge of stroke. 

Results: A total of 573 Jordanian adults participated in this study. The participant's ability to identify at least one early symptom of stroke and the proper response to the symptoms were significantly correlated with the educational level (OR of 3.4 and 2.5, respectively). At least one consequence of stroke was significantly associated with different demographic factors such as gender, socioeconomic income, females versus males and those with medium income versus low income had significantly higher odds (OR of 6.6 and 4.1, respectively).

Conclusion: This study revealed a good knowledge and awareness level about stroke among Jordanians correlated mainly with their educational level. Therefore, new strategies should be considered to decrease the prevalence of stroke in Jordan, including the need for engagement in enhanced awareness campaigns.
Inflammatory laboratory findings associated with severe illness among hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 in Medan, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Darmadi Darmadi , Pakpahan Cennikon , Ruslie Riska Habriel , Rezano Andri
Published: December 2021

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is still a global health problem. COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia have a higher risk for critical illness, mostly complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. The inflammatory response is critical, and the cytokine storm increases severity of COVID-19. Many factors could be associated with a cytokine storm but these are incompletely understood.

The aim of this study is to present characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and explore the clinical and inflammatory parameters of severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted in all severe COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Peripheral blood was taken for laboratory examination within 24 hours of admission. Hematologic parameters, serum electrolyte, renal function, liver function, pancreas enzyme, D-dimer, inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed in this study. Comparison analyses were done between sex, comorbidity existed, body mass index (BMI), and vaccination status.

Results: A total of 80 subjects were included in the study. The most frequent comorbidities found among the subjects were obesity (36.35%) and diabetes (22.5%). Only 13.75% of subjects were vaccinated. Laboratory results indicated leukocytosis and neutrophilia, with neutrophil-lymphocyte-ratio (NLR) of 7. The mean inflammatory findings (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, MCP-1), D-dimer, CRP, and lipase increased. Lipase levels were higher in men (p=0.003) and in comorbidity groups. No significant differences found with different BMI groups. Lipase, IL-6, and MCP-1 levels were significantly higher (p=0.019, <0.0001, and 0.03, respectively) in the non-vaccinated group.

Conclusions: Most patients with severe COVID-19 have comorbidities and increased inflammatory markers.
Developing a team-based assessment strategy: direct observation of interprofessional team performance in an ambulatory teaching practice
Authors: Marrast Lyndonna , Congliaro Joseph , Doonachar Alana , Rogers Aubrey , Block Lauren , LaVine Nancy , Fornari Alice
Published: December 2021

Background: High functioning interprofessional teams may benefit from understanding how well (or not so well) a team is functioning and how teamwork can be improved. A team-based assessment can provide team insight into performance and areas for improvement. Though individual assessment via direct observation is common, few residency programs in the United States have implemented strategies for interprofessional team (IPT) assessments.

Methods: We piloted a program evaluation via direct observation for a team-based assessment of an IPT within one Internal Medicine residency program. Our teams included learners from medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant and psychology graduate programs. To assess team performance in a systematic manner, we used a Modified McMaster-Ottawa tool to observe three types of IPT encounters: huddles, patient interactions and precepting discussions with faculty. The tool allowed us to capture team behaviors across various competencies: roles/responsibilities, communication with patient/family, and conflict resolution. We adapted the tool to include qualitative data for field notes by trained observers that added context to our ratings.

Results: We observed 222 encounters over four months. Our results support that the team performed well in measures that have been iteratively and intentionally enhanced – role clarification and conflict resolution. However, we observed a lack of consistent incorporation of patient-family preferences into IPT discussions. Our qualitative results show that team collaboration is fostered when we look for opportunities to engage interprofessional learners.

Conclusions: Our observations clarify the behaviors and processes that other IPTs can apply to improve collaboration and education. As a pilot, this study helps to inform training programs of the need to develop measures for, not just individual assessment, but also IPT assessment.
Iterative Collaborative Filtering for Sparse Matrix Estimation
Authors: Borgs Christian , Chayes Jennifer T. , Shah Devavrat , Yu Christina Lee
Published: December 2021

Matrix estimation or completion has served as a canonical mathematical model for recommendation systems. More recently, it has emerged as a fundamental building block for data analysis as a first step to denoise the observations and predict missing values. Since the dawn of e-commerce, similarity-based collaborative filtering has been used as a heuristic for matrix etimation. At its core, it encodes typical human behavior: you ask your friends to recommend what you may like or dislike. Algorithmically, friends are similar “rows” or “columns” of the underlying matrix. The traditional heuristic for computing similarities between rows has costly requirements on the density of observed entries. In “Iterative Collaborative Filtering for Sparse Matrix Estimation” by Christian Borgs, Jennifer T. Chayes, Devavrat Shah, and Christina Lee Yu, the authors introduce an algorithm that computes similarities in sparse datasets by comparing expanded local neighborhoods in the associated data graph: in effect, you ask friends of your friends to recommend what you may like or dislike. This work provides bounds on the max entry-wise error of their estimate for low rank and approximately low rank matrices, which is stronger than the aggregate mean squared error bounds found in classical works. The algorithm is also interpretable, scalable, and amenable to distributed implementation.
The future is green
Authors: Morris Michayla
Published: December 2021

Michayla Morris discusses the need to change our habits
Elevating implant dental nursing
Authors: Hylton Preetee
Published: December 2021

Preetee Hylton reviews the ITI Dental Nurses Day
The Role of Second Language Motivation in Constructing the Self: An Empirical Study to Investigate the Role of Motivational Trajectories in Negotiating and Reconstructing Academic Sojourners’ Desired Selves in the UK
Authors: Alshatti Abdullatif
Published: December 2021

This study is an endeavour to explicate the dissonance of the linguistic quality outcome of study abroad (SA) experiences by exploring the second language (L2) motivation of six academic sojourners in Manchester. A person-in-context approach revealed that developing intimate relationships with ‘native-speakers’, providing L2-mediated interaction opportunities with international students, and social approval were key determinants of the extent to which SA students were invested in social practices. Such social engagements were found to stem from second language motivation that is part of identity construction process. In addition, the thematic analysis of the narrative inquiries suggests that the global status of the English language defies the traditional conceptualisations of L2 motivation as most participants’ motivations were formed despite their negative or neutral attitudes towards the English community. The findings also endorse the role of the other as a robust motivational source by which learners can replenish their motivation stream, leading to social identity investment to construct their ideological selves. The paper concludes with a recommendation to re-interpret the conceptualisation of the Ideal L2 Self system because ‘native-speakers’ are rarely the closest parallels to L2 learners, and it should incorporate explicit intrinsic orientations. Furthermore, language institutions in SA contexts should direct their focus on establishing conversation clubs and hosting social events for SA students to provide a safe space for their identities to be developed, enacted and reconstructed.
Disseminação de Informações no Twitter: uma análise sobre o debate eleitoral dos presidenciáveis de 2018 no Brasil
Authors: Angeluci Alan César Belo , Silva Matheus Felske da
Published: December 2021

Este artigo aborda a disseminação de mensagens no Twitter e os papéis de seus atores em torno do último debate dos candidatos a presidência do Brasil de 2018. Ampara-se na formação da estrutura da rede com base em postagens sobre o debate, em especial na identificação dos principais atores e das diferentes funções exercidas pelos usuários que tuitaram sobre o evento. Os resultados apontam a relevância da imprensa na produção de conteúdos, agregada ao papel fundamental de usuários comuns no sentido de espalhar o conteúdo produzido por estes veículos.