bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of chest CT in outpatient for COVID-19 compare with RT-PCR
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Zhu Meifen , Zhang Min
Published: November 2022

Objectives: The pneumonia caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus recently break out in Wuhan, China, and was named as COVID-19. With the spread of the disease, it bring numbers of casualties,so now we need a way could fast and accuracy diagnose the disease.This paper aims to compare two way for diagnose COVID-19 in outpatient :Chest CT and RT-PCR.
Materials and methods: The study picked 248 patients who treated in fever clinical of GanZhou people's hospital,their complete clinical and imaging data were analysed retrospectively.Epidemiological data,symoptoms,laboratory test results include RT-PCR and the CT results include CT features,lesion location,lesion distribution of suspected COVID-19 infected patients were gathered.
Results: All of 248 patients,at last 20 patients confirmed COVID-19,15 patients were confirmed in outpatient.More than 200 cases has laboratory test results disnormal.Only 15/248 patients had initial positive RT-PCR for COVID-19,5 patients had COVID-19 confirmed by two or more RT-PCR.50 cases(20.2%) had Ground glass opacity,42 cases(16.9%) had Consolidation,39 cases(15.7%) had Spider web pattern,38 cases(15.3%) had Interlobular septal thickening.For lesion location,22 cases(8.9%) involved Single lobe of one lung,13 cases(5.2%) involved Multiple lobes of one lung,174 cases(70.2%) involved Multiple lobes of both lungs,9 cases(3.6%) involved Bilateral lower lungs,25 cases(10.1%) involved Bilateral middle and lower lungs.Regarding the distribution of the lesions in the lung lobes,119 cases(47.98%) involved Subpleural distribution,19 cases(7.7%) involved Diffuse distribution,7 cases(2.8%) involved Peribronchial distribution,81 cases(32.7%) involved Mixed distribution.
Conclusion: Chest CT can be applied in outpatient to make early diagnosis with sensitivity and accuracy better than that of nucleic acid detection.
Identifying the presence of context and item-writing flaws in practice items: The case of Turkish mathematics textbooks
Authors: İLGÜN DİBEK Münevver , TOKER Zerrin
Published: November 2022

This study seeks to ascertain the degree to which context-based items are offered in Turkish mathematics textbooks as well as the quality of the items in terms of item writing guidelines, whether or not they are given as traditional or context-based. A qualitative research approach is used in this study. The eighth-grade mathematics textbook used in public schools and a textbook used in certain private school chains constitute its sample. The practice items (i.e, exercises without solutions given) included in the textbooks were analyzed by performing document analysis. The results revealed that both textbooks contain several flawed items in terms of item writing rules, as well as having mainly non-contextual items.
Adaptation of Teachers' Perceptions of Grading Practices Scale to Turkish and Examination of Measurement Invariance
Authors: ÖZER ÖZKAN Yeşim , ACAR GÜVENDİR Meltem , GUVENDİR Emre
Published: November 2022

Grading is a complicated decision-making process that needs teachers to make value judgements on the learning, accomplishment, and development of their students. When assigning grades, teachers tend to examine a variety of criteria, including students' efforts, work habits, and accomplishments. Grades are a reflection of the value judgements made about students based on the evaluation of their academic performance. Consequently, describing how to reach a value judgment utilizing general measures will contribute to a better understanding of the difficulties encountered throughout the grading process. The purpose of this research is to adapt the Teacher Perceptions of Grading Practices Scale into Turkish and to examine the measurement invariance. This scale, which examines teachers' perceptions of grading methods, has six components: importance, usefulness, student effort, student ability, teacher's grading patterns, and perceived self-efficacy of the grading process. Before adapting the scale, permission was first acquired from the researcher who developed it. To ensure linguistic comparability, bilingual translators were recruited in the second phase. The semantic, experiential, conceptual, and idiomatic equivalence between the two variants of the scale were evaluated. The original and adapted scales were administered to a group of English teachers twice at a predetermined interval, and the consistency between the two applications was analyzed due to the fact that the language employed in the original test was a widely spoken group. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the original scale. Cronbach's alpha and Omega coefficients were calculated for the reliability of the data obtained from the scale. Finally, the measurement invariance of the scale according to gender was examined by using Multiple Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA), and it was determined that the measurement model fulfilled the criteria of complete gender-group invariance.
Antropoceno e Humanidades
Authors: Veiga José Eli da
Published: November 2022

A ideia do Antropoceno como nova Época geológica surgiu vinculada ao modelo geoepistémico da Ciência do Sistema Terrestre, emergente na segunda metade da década de 1980, e foi pacificamente adotada no âmbito da comunidade de pesquisa da Ciência da Sustentabilidade. Todavia, no domínio da Ecologia Política, as suas figuras mais proeminentes enjeitaram-na, numa reação idêntica à tida por vários destacados académicos das Humanidades, propondo, ambos, em convergência, periodizações e nomenclaturas alternativas. O propósito deste artigo é, pois, triplo: examinar como é que a corrente da Ecologia Política reagiu à adesão conjunta da Ciência do Sistema Terrestre e da Ciência da Sustentabilidade à ideia do Antropoceno; analisar como é que académicos das Humanidades se distanciaram dessa proposta e alvitraram, alternativamente, conceitos de conotação menos neutral (e.g., “Capitaloceno”); ponderar criticamente como é que se pode abandonar, no plano ontológico, a velha separação natureza/cultura, implicada na ideia do Antropoceno, conservando, ao mesmo tempo, no plano lógico, a indissolúvel distinção entre o natural e o social.
Assessing and Promoting Cardiovascular Health for Adolescent Women: User-Centered Design Approach
Authors: Bradley Kolbi , Arconada Alvarez Santiago J , Gilmore Amanda K , Greenleaf Morgan , Herbert Aayahna , Kottke Melissa J , Parsell Maren , Patterson Sierra , Smith Tymirra , Sotos-Prieto Mercedes , Zeichner Elizabeth , Gooding Holly C
Published: November 2022

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. A considerable number of young women already have risk factors for CVD. Awareness of CVD and its risk factors is critical to preventing CVD, yet younger women are less aware of CVD prevalence, its risk factors, and preventative behaviors compared to older women.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to assess CVD awareness among adolescent and young adult women and develop a lifestyle-based cardiovascular risk assessment tool for the promotion of CVD awareness among this population.

Methods

This study used a 3-phase iterative design process with young women and health care practitioners from primary care and reproductive care clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. In phase 1, we administered a modified version of the American Heart Association Women’s Health Survey to young women, aged 15-24 years (n=67), to assess their general CVD awareness. In phase 2, we interviewed young women, aged 13-21 years (n=10), and their health care practitioners (n=10), to solicit suggestions for adapting the Healthy Heart Score, an existing adult cardiovascular risk assessment tool, for use with this age group. We also aimed to learn more about the barriers and challenges to health behavior change within this population and the clinical practices that serve them. In phase 3, we used the findings from the first 2 phases to create a prototype of a new online cardiovascular risk assessment tool designed specifically for young women. We then used an iterative user-centered design process to collect feedback from approximately 105 young women, aged 13-21 years, as we adapted the tool.

Results

Only 10.5% (7/67) of the young women surveyed correctly identified CVD as the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Few respondents reported having discussed their personal risk (4/67, 6%) or family history of CVD (8/67, 11.9%) with a health care provider. During the interviews, young women reported better CVD awareness and knowledge after completing the adult risk assessment tool and suggested making the tool more teen-friendly by incorporating relevant foods and activity options. Health care practitioners emphasized shortening the assessment for easier use within practice and discussed other barriers adolescents may face in adopting heart-healthy behaviors. The result of the iterative design process was a youth-friendly prototype of a cardiovascular risk assessment tool.

Conclusions

Adolescent and young adult women demonstrate low awareness of CVD. This study illustrates the potential value of a cardiovascular risk assessment tool adapted for use with young women and showcases the importance of user-centered design when creating digital health interventions.
Feasibility and Experiences of Using Virtual Reality in a Rehabilitation Program for Breast Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wu Shih-Chung , Chuang Chia-Wen , Li Chung-Fang , Liao Wen-Chun
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Surgery is an essential treatment for early breast cancer. However, the management of side effects after breast cancer surgery, such as arm dysfunction and lymphedema, remains a cause for concern. Rehabilitation exercises for such side effects should be initiated within 24 hours after surgery. Virtual reality (VR) can assist the process of rehabilitation; however, the feasibility and experiences of applying VR for rehabilitation must be explored.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of developing a VR rehabilitation system for patients with breast cancer and the potential accessibility of such a system. In addition, this study explored patients’ attitudes toward and experiences of using VR for their rehabilitation.

METHODS

A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted from September to December 2021. Eighteen patients with breast cancer who had undergone surgical treatment were interviewed using open-ended questions. Colaizzi’s seven-step procedure for phenomenological analysis was employed for data analysis. To ensure high study reliability, this study followed Guba and Lincoln’s quality criteria for trustworthiness.

RESULTS

Four themes were identified: (1) increased recognition on rehabilitation exercises, (2) positive support through real-time interaction, (3) Inspired motivation to engage in early rehabilitation exercises, and (4) challenges of extensive VR use to be overcome. Most of the interviewed patients reported positive experiences using VR for rehabilitation. Specifically, they were able to understand appropriate motion and angle limits while exercising, and they reported perceiving moral support and enjoying good company when using the system. In addition, the gamified nature of the system apparently made VR-based rehabilitation more engaging than traditional rehabilitation. However, the high cost of VR equipment makes VR-based rehabilitation difficult to perform at home.

CONCLUSIONS

The interviewed patients with breast cancer had positive experiences in using VR for rehabilitation. High costs of both VR equipment and software development present an application challenge for VR-based rehabilitation.
Estimasi Deviasi Parameter pada Motor DC Menggunakan Sliding-Mode Observer dan Algoritme Least-Square
Authors: Dzuhri Radityo Utomo  , Muhammad Faris
Published: November 2022

Pemeliharaan suatu plant menjadi hal yang penting untuk menghindari terjadinya kegagalan pada operasi plant tersebut. Salah satu cara untuk mendeteksi adanya kegagalan pada plant adalah dengan melakukan estimasi parameter dari plant tersebut. Penyimpangan nilai parameter plant yang terlalu jauh dari nilai nominalnya dapat meningkatkan potensi terjadinya kegagalan pada plant. Dalam makalah ini, diusulkan suatu metode estimasi deviasi parameter sebuah sistem linear sebagai pengembangan dari metode estimasi deviasi parameter yang telah diusulkan sebelumnya. Komponen utama dalam sistem estimasi deviasi parameter ini adalah sebuah blok observer yang mengadopsi metode sliding-mode observer dan dikombinasikan dengan sebuah blok tapis adaptif. Blok tapis adaptif yang digunakan dalam metode estimasi deviasi parameter yang diusulkan ini mengadopsi algoritme least-square, alih-alih menggunakan algoritme gradient-descent yang diusulkan pada metode estimasi sebelumnya. Metode estimasi deviasi parameter yang diusulkan ini kemudian diujikan untuk melakukan proses estimasi deviasi parameter pada kasus plant sebuah motor DC. Hasil simulasi menunjukkan bahwa metode ini mempunyai akurasi yang baik dalam proses estimasi deviasi nilai parameter motor DC dengan galat maksimal hasil estimasi kurang dari 4%. Metode estimasi deviasi parameter yang diusulkan ini mampu mengestimasi deviasi nilai parameter motor DC, baik nilai deviasi yang bernilai konstan maupun nilai deviasi yang semakin besar seiring dengan berjalannya waktu. Selain itu, proses estimasi deviasi parameter menggunakan metode ini juga menghasilkan tingkat akurasi yang baik walaupun menggunakan isyarat masukan dengan frekuensi yang tidak terlalu tinggi. Metode estimasi deviasi parameter yang diusulkan ini cocok diadopsi dalam proses monitoring parameter sebuah sistem linear sehingga fault pada plant dapat dideteksi dan ditangani sebelum terjadinya kegagalan pada plant.
Eugenol Affects the Germ Tube Formation and Cell Adhesion of Candida albicans
Authors: Pootong Anek , Chumphon Chanida , Jangjaibun Ploirung , Mungkornkeaw Narissara , Norrapong Benja
Published: November 2022

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in humans. Antimicrobial resistance in C. albicans is increasingly reported. The antifungal activity of eugenol against clinically relevant fungi including C. albicans has been recently described. In this study, the antifungal effects of eugenol on major virulence factors of C. albicans were evaluated. C. albicans isolates were exposed to sub-MIC of eugenol. The crystal violet-based method was used to quantify the germ tube formation. Extracellular enzymatic activity (proteinase, phospholipase, and lipase) was determined using the agar plate test. The adhesion to buccal epithelial cells was monitored microscopically. Our result showed that eugenol possesses fungicidal activity against C. albicans. At sub-inhibitory doses, eugenol significantly suppressed germ tube formation and cell adhesion of C. albicans (p<0.05). However, the enzymatic activity of yeast cells exposed to eugenol was slightly reduced. Our data indicate the inhibitory effect of eugenol on the growth and the pathogenicity of C. albicans in terms of germ tube formation and adhesion.
Representaciones sociales de la masculinidad en un grupo de hombres agresores de mujeres
Authors: Ceballos Ochoa Daniela
Published: November 2022

Este artículo de investigación muestra las representaciones sociales de la masculinidad hegemónica como un elemento que contribuye a la reproducción y perpetuación del sistema patriarcal, por medio del ejercicio del poder masculino en el ámbito público y privado, y que conlleva a la naturalización de las violencias ejercidas hacia los cuerpos feminizados. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar las representaciones sociales de la masculinidad que tiene un grupo de hombres heterosexuales agresores de mujeres. El diseño metodológico utilizado fue de corte cualitativo bajo el método fenomenológico-hermenéutico. La técnica de recolección de información fue la entrevista a profundidad, que se realizó a cuatro hombres y una mujer, como criterio de triangulación. La descripción de la información se hizo a través del análisis narrativo. Los resultados encontrados evidencian que las representaciones sociales, que los participantes tienen respecto a la masculinidad, son los de una masculinidad hegemónica, debido a que se hallaron tres resultados principales que dan cuenta de la influencia de la estructura patriarcal en la configuración de esta masculinidad: legitimación de la violencia sexual hacia las mujeres, ideal de masculinidad y feminidad hegemónicos y, por último, la construcción del poder en torno a la masculinidad hegemónica.
Religiosidade/espiritualidade (R/E) na atuação profissional em oncologia pediátrica: recurso ou protocolo?
Authors: Rossato Lucas , Salgado Sena Bruna Thaís , Nascimento Lucila Castanheira , Scorsolini-Comin Fabio
Published: November 2022

A inclusão da religiosidade/espiritualidade (R/E) como uma dimensão do cuidado em saúde ainda desperta reflexões, sobretudo quando analisamos as práticas profissionais. Assim, esta revisão integrativa de literatura teve por objetivo analisar como os profissionais da oncologia pediátrica vivenciam a R/E em suas práticas. Pelas bases/bibliotecas CINAHL, PsycINFO, Pubmed, SciELO e Lilacs foram recuperados 12 estudos produzidos entre 2009-2019, sendo nove qualitativos e três quantitativos. Os resultados foram apresentados em duas categorias temáticas: 1) A R/E como elemento que perpassa situações vividas no trabalho; 2) A R/E como uma dimensão presente na vida de pacientes e familiares. Evidenciou-se que, embora os profissionais da oncologia pediátrica considerem a R/E como uma dimensão importante no cuidado, a mesma ainda é compreendida como um recurso empregado sobretudo por pacientes e familiares, predominando, entre os profissionais, um sentido mais ligado a um protocolo do que a um efetivo recurso para o trabalho na área.
Adaptação e evidências de validade do Traumatic Grief Inventory para o Brasil
Authors: Ferraresi Rodrigues Queluz Francine Náthalie , Lessa João Paulo , Rinaldo Priolo Filho Sidnei , Trombini Frick Loriane , Zacarias Martins Jucimara , Sanches Peres Rodrigo , Magali Silva Veiga Heila , Christine Santos Fernandes Sheyla , Stelko-Pereira Ana Carina , Cortez Pedro A.
Published: November 2022

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar as evidências de validade da versão reduzida adaptada para o português do Brasil do Traumatic Grief Inventory, por meio de uma análise fatorial confirmatória e relação com variáveis externas, além de aferir a precisão e presença de invariância. A primeira etapa consistiu na adaptação e avaliação por juízes especialistas da versão traduzida. Após a avaliação, a versão piloto foi aplicada em cinco participantes da população-alvo para avaliação semântica e de conteúdo, sendo nomeado de Inventário de Luto Traumático (ILT-BR). Em seguida, 211 brasileiros, que passaram por um processo de luto, responderam aos seguintes instrumentos: Questionário Sociodemográfico, Questionário de Autopercepção de Saúde Mental e ILT-BR. O ILT-BR apresentou bons índices de ajuste e precisão, se correlacionando positivamente com estresse, medo e pensamentos obsessivos, sem variação entre grupos. A partir destes resultados, conclui-se que há evidências de que o ILT-BR apresenta boas propriedades psicométricas.
The Role of Peer Assessment in Developing Adolescent Learners’ Autonomy
Authors: Czura Anna
Published: November 2022

The aim of language education is no longer limited to developing learners’ linguistic skills only. In order to promote language learning as a life-long process, a growing impact in the language classroom is placed on non-linguistic aspects, such as motivation or learner autonomy. The latter can be fostered in the classroom by means of alternative assessment methods, such as portfolio, project, observation and peer assessment. This article provides an account of a quasi­-experiment conducted in the first and second year of lower secondary school in Poland in order to investigate whether and to what extent the application of peer assessment affects the level of autonomy in adolescent learners aged 13-14. The study is based on mixed methods research comprising both quantitative and qualitative data elicitation tools such as a questionnaire, classroom observation and interviews. The applied methodology helped to discover that although the overall level of autonomy did not change as the result of the treatment, a number of autonomous behaviours emerged. It can be concluded that peer assessment does not suffice to foster autonomy in adolescent learners; still, it might appear as a useful element of a wide­-ranging teaching scheme aiming at involving learners in the teaching and learning processes.
Outside Matter Components of English-­Latvian Dictionaries Compiled before World War II
Authors: Karpinska Laura
Published: November 2022

The study focuses on the investigation of outside matter components included in the general English-­Latvian dictionaries published before World War II (WWII). The first English-­Latvian dictionary was published in 1924, six more dictionaries of various sizes and structural complexity were compiled before WWII which temporarily interrupted the development of the English­-Latvian lexicographic tradition. Most of the dictionaries compiled during this period are small, only three of them contain 20-30 000 headwords, the others are considerably smaller. The goal of the study is to identify, classify and describe the functions of the outside matter components included in these dictionaries. The framework of the analysis was based on Svensén’s (2009) classification of outside matter components focusing on the functions rather than the location of these components. The analysis revealed some typical features related to the scope and location of the outside matter components of various functions encountered in the front and back matters of the seven ELDs published before the outbreak of WWII.
Phonostylistic Features of Discussion as a Type of Informational Style of Intonation in English
Authors: Brēde Maija
Published: November 2022

The article looks into suprasegmental features of discussion as a type of the informational style of intonation in English. Phonostylistic approach on the suprasegmental level presupposes examination of different intonation styles including the informational style. Discussion as one of the variations of informational style can be characterised as a public spoken variety inclusive of three forms of communication (monologue, dialogue, polilogue) with various degrees of preparedness in a relatively formal manner. The research material of the present study, comprising excerpts from a Sky News programme underwent thorough auditive analysis. Among the phonostylistic features singled out for the research (discussion style, speakers – two men and one woman) the following suprasegmental characteristics of speech were chosen: the speakers’ speech tempo, their voice timbre, the division of speech into segments marked by pauses, the choice of nuclear tones in final and non-final tone units, and phonetic means of highlighting particular pieces of information. The results of the analysis confirm that informational discussion type shares the basic style-marking features with news broadcasting as a typical type of the informational intonation style. What is particularly characteristic of discussion type is a relatively high degree of spontaneity, presence of emotional speech features resulting both in overlapping utterances and irregular temporal characteristics of speech.
Complete Coverage Path Planning for wheeled agricultural robots
Authors: PourArab Danial , Spisser Matthias , Essert Caroline
Published: November 2022

In the agricultural industry, an evolutionary effort has been made over
the last two decades to achieve precise autonomous systems to perform
typical in-field tasks including harvesting, mowing, and spraying. One
of the main objectives of an autonomous system in agriculture is to
improve the efficiency while reducing the environmental impact and cost.
Due to the nature of these operations, complete coverage path planning
approaches play an essential role to find an optimal path which covers
the entire field while taking into account land topography, operation
requirements and robot characteristics. The aim of this paper is to
propose a complete coverage path planning approach defining the optimal
movements of mobile robots over an agricultural field. First, a method
based on tree exploration is proposed to find all potential solutions
satisfying some predefined constraints. Second, a Similarity check and
selection of optimal solutions method is proposed to eliminate similar
solutions and find the best solutions. The optimization goals are to
maximize the coverage area and to minimize overlaps, non-working path
length and overall travel time. In order to explore a wide range of
possible solutions, our approach is able to consider multiple entrances
for the robot. For fields with a complex shape, different dividing lines
to split it into simple polygons are also considered. Our approach also
computes the headland zones and covers them automatically which leads to
a high coverage rate of the field.
Assessment of nutritional quality of cheeses and cheese analogues on the market of the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Djurovic Ana , Kravic Snezana , Stojanovic Zorica , Ilicic Mirela , Kanuric Katarina , Vukic Dajana , Vukic Vladimir , Degenek Jovana , Curic Katarina
Published: November 2022

In this paper, the nutritional quality of cheese samples and cheese analogues
was assessed throughout the fatty acid profile and lipid indices. The
research included cheese analogues in which milk fat was completely replaced
by vegetable fat with the addition of palm and coconut oil, as well as mixed
cheese analogues products, whose production was based on the use of palm
oil, milk protein and cheese. Fatty acid profile was analysed by gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while the atherogenic index,
thrombogenic index and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio were
calculated for the estimation of the lipid quality of the analysed samples.
GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 29 fatty acids in the analysed
samples, among which dominated palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic fatty
acid. Samples of cheese analogues showed improved fatty acid composition
with a decreased content of saturated fatty acids and increased content of
unsaturated fatty acids (monounsaturated and ?6 fatty acids). Values of
atherogenic, thrombogenic indices and hypocholesterolemic/
hypercholesterolemic ratio (AI, TI and H/H) in the analysed samples varied
in the range 0.81-11.89, 1.64-5.22 and 0.14-1.31, respectively. Lower AI and
TI values accompanied by higher H/H values were observed for cheese
analogues obtained by partial or complete substitution of milk fat with palm
oil. Cheese analogue, in which production coconut oil completely replaced
milk fat, demonstrated unfavourable fatty acid content and accompanying
lipid indices, indicating the low nutritional quality of the specific
sample.
Xanthan production on crude glycerol-based medium by local Xanthomonas isolate: Optimization of inoculum incubation time
Authors: Zahovic Ida , Dodic Jelena , Trivunovic Zorana
Published: November 2022

This study is concerned with the optimization of inoculum preparation for xanthan production on crude glycerol-based medium in terms of incubation time of the Xanthomonas strain isolated from infected pepper leaves. Experiments within this research were performed according to 3-level factorial design in order to evaluate the effects of varied parameters, i.e. incubation time of inoculum I (24-48 h) and incubation time of inoculum II (24- 48 h) on xanthan concentration in production medium at the end of bioprocess. Inoculum preparation was performed in two steps (inoculum I and inoculum II) under aerobic conditions, at 25 ?C and 150 rpm. Xanthan biosynthesis was performed at a laboratory level under aerobic conditions at 30 ?C and 150 rpm for 168 h. The quality of the prepared inoculum was assessed indirectly, based on xanthan concentration in the production medium at the end of the bioprocess. Response surface methodology was used to define mathematical model, which describes the individual and interactive effects of examined parameters on the xanthan quantity, while desirability function approach was applied to optimize their values. The obtained results suggest that applied strain is the most productive if the incubation time of inoculum I is between 32 h and 40 h, and the incubation time of inoculum II is in the range from 40 h to 48 h. The developed model predicts that the maximum xanthan concentration of about 10.5 g /L can be achieved if the incubation times of inoculum I and inoculum II are 36 h and 48 h, respectively.
The analysis of industrial produced autochthonous type of kajmak
Authors: Vukic Dajana , Vukic Vladimir , Ilicic Mirela , Kravic Snezana , Kanuric Katarina , Degenek Jovana , Stojanovic Zorica , Djurovic Ana
Published: November 2022

Kajmak is autochthonous product, traditionally made as farmhouse milk product
by farmers. In such manufacturing conditions, the quality of kajmak is
usually very variable, nonstandard and out of the limits described by
official regulations. In this paper the chemical composition, fatty acid
profile, textural and sensory quality of the most used autochthonous kajmak
samples (unripened kajmak and mature kajmak from mjesina) were analysed.
Although all samples had satisfied quality according to the Serbian
regulations, chemical composition and sensory quality revealed some
variability between tested kajmak samples. Fat content was higher in mature
kajmak than in unripened kajmak. The dominant fatty acid in all samples was
palmitic acid (C16:0) and its higher content was observed in unripened
kajmak sample, 33.20 %, compared with 29.45% in sample of kajmak from
mjesina. In both samples, long-chain acids are the dominant ones. The
saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in the tested samples were dominantly present
with the share of 64-66%. The content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs)
were in the range of 30.2-31.52 % and most abundant in both samples were
oleic acid (18:1c). Unripened kajmak had higher score of sensory
characteristics compared to kajmak from mjesine. According to the textural
analysis the mature kajmak from mjesina had overall better textural
characteristics.
Application of the vacuum distillation in isolation of juniper berry (Juniperus communis L.) essential oil
Authors: Bajac Jelena , Terzic Milena , Zengin Gökhan , Antic Igor , Nikolovski Branislava , Radojkovic Marija
Published: November 2022

Plants and plant products, including essential oils, are globally recognized
for their medicinal and therapeutic values. Various methods have been used
to obtain essential oils efficient isolation from the plant material. In
this research, vacuum hydrodistillation (VHD) was used to isolate oil from
juniper berry (Juniperus communis L). Using GC-MS analysis, the chemical
composition of the obtained oil was examined, which was compared with
commercial ones. In the composition of VHD essential oil monoterpene
fraction was dominant, with a significant percent of the sesquiterpene
fraction, while the ?-pinene was the most abundant compound (21.7%). The
analysis of the biological and pharmacological potential revealed that the
oil obtained by VHD was a better antioxidant agent then commercial oil when
it comes to scavenger activity against the ABTS radical (VHD oil 77.23 mg
TE/g; commercial oil 8.31 mg TE/g) and reduction potential according to Cu2+
ion (VHD oil 107.13 mg TE/g). On the other hand, the enzyme inhibitory
potential resulted in a stronger ability of the commercial oil to reduce
excessive enzyme activity. The conducted research indicates that J. communis
oil has shown significant biopotential and its use in food production and as
a source of potent herbal medicines should be considered.
Adsorption of Heavy Metals Fe and Mn in Acid Mine Drainage from Coal Mining Waste Using Calcium Oxide and Fly Ash
Authors: Pratama Hendra , Nursanto Edy , Ernawati Rika , Giatman Muhammad
Published: November 2022

Acid mine drainage for Fe and Mn metals have a negative impact on the environment. This study studies the use of calcium oxide and fly ash as adsorbents, used to absorb Fe and Mn metals contained in acid mine drainage. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Calcium Oxide and fly ash as adsorbents, that an adsorbent of Fe and Mn metals in acid mine drainage. The method used is experimental with a laboratory scale, the test is carried out by adsorption using a batch system. Magnetic stirrer is used as a stirring medium in the adsorption process. Calcium oxide with various doses (0.1; 0.2; 0.3 grams) and fly ash with various doses (10; 14; 17 grams) were mixed with 250 ml acid mine drainage, then stirred at a speed of 150 rpm and (30; 60; 90 minutes) stirring time. The characterization of the adsorbent was carried out by SEM testing. The results show that fly ash adsorbent has a better adsorption effectiveness than calcium oxide. The effectiveness of Fe is 85.35% and Mn 78.14%. While calcium oxide has the effectiveness of Fe 72.91% and Mn 61.81%. SEM testing of holes that increase and enlarge after adsorption, as well as the filling of the cavity by the material indicates the success of the adsorption process.
The influence of chronotropic incompetence on maximum aerobic capacity and heart rate responses during boxing in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Panassollo Tone
Published: November 2022

Non-contact boxing (NCB) is a popular form of high-intensity interval training used to improve aerobic capacity (VO2peak) which may be reduced in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, heart rate (HR) responses are likely to vary in this population due to chronotropic incompetence (CI), described as the inability to raise HR to at least 85% of predicted maximum HR (HRmax), and is present in 40-50% of the PD population. In this presentation, I describe the impact of CI on VO2peak and HR responses during NCB. 25 people with PD and 16 age-matched controls underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to identify the presence of CI and to determine VO2peak, HRmax, and %HRmax. Two boxing sessions then were performed on different days, during which HR response was measured via Polar H10 and further expressed as %HRmax predicted (220-age), and %HRmax obtained during CPET. Results from this study show that CI was present in 11 participants with PD (PDCI), with peak HR on average 30 beats lower than those without CI (PDnonCI). There was also a trend for lower VO2peak in the PDCI group and a significantly lower HR during each boxing round (p≤0.001). However, data from CPET shows that all groups were able to exercise in the high-intensity training zone. This study is the first to show that people with PD have the capacity to exercise in a high-intensity zone during NCB despite the presence of CI, which is encouraging. The results also show that %HRmax based on predicted equations do not accurately reflect exercise intensity, especially for people with CI. They should therefore be used with caution as a basis for high-intensity training regimes.
He Pounamu Ko Āu: Celebrating a mana wahine Māori narrative
Authors: Barrett Tia
Published: November 2022

“He wāhine, he whenua, e ngaro ai te tangata.” 
 
"By women and land, men are lost ‐ also refers to the essential nourishing roles that women and land fulfil, without which humanity would be lost." (Mikaere, 1994) 
 
My master's is a kaupapa Māori creative, practice-led study that explores my wahine Māori identity. I expound on my journey through moving image, mōteatea (traditional Māori chant, sung poetry), ambient sound, and installation, sharing my healing process of overcoming the adversity of colonisation and the impacts it has had on me as a wāhine Māori. On an artistic level, my research showcases the wahine Māori worldview through film. I use my maternal whakapapa (genealogy) to celebrate intergenerational wāhine talent. As a finale, I honour my Māori creativity through an exhibition: an immersive experience installation at St Paul's Gallery at Auckland University of Technology. Delving deeper into my research, I explore the application of a mana wāhine Māori paradigm, drawing knowledge from whakapapa, whakawhānaungatanga (process of establishing relationships) and wairuatanga (spirituality). My understanding is supplemented with personal experiences, empowering my wāhine Māori pūrākau (stories). Moreover, applying a conceptual identity framework of a pounamu (jade, nephrite) pūrākau methodology (developed by my mother, Dr Alvina Jean Edwards) reinforces my Te Ao Māori worldview understanding and ways of knowing. Further, the pounamu pūrākau methodology provides a valuable lens to review my experimental and explorative moving-image practice. It guided me to my whenua in Te Waipounamu (South Island), activating my art-making process. Finally, Papatūānuku (mother earth) is my atua (god) who is chosen for her healing character and represents a central mana wahine figure within my wahine Māori pūrākau. In this presentation, I will discuss the pounamu pūrākau methodology and the creative methods I took to create all the components for the final exhibition He Pounamu Ko Āu.
Measuring the performance of New Zealand universities
Authors: Wei Xiaoqi Yuki
Published: November 2022

Education plays a crucial role in every country and contributes to economic productivity growth. The performance of public NZ universities is of broader interest, and the teaching and research labour productivity vary across NZ universities. This study is built on the work of Gemmell et al. (2017), who established quality-adjusted productivity indices for the tertiary education sector. In this presentation, I will introduce the productivity estimates across NZ universities over 2008-18 by using a range of teaching and research quality indexes to adjust both output and input amounts, as well as present a summary for alternative weights to adjust these measures. I used partial labour productivity (methodology) for this study, a ratio of a university's outputs to labour input. Valid productivity measures account for changes in the quality-adjusted teaching and research outputs, such as the use of qualification completions weighted by credit or/and income weights and citation weights from bibliometric databases. The preliminary data analysis aims to determine whether adding a quality adjustment impacts the university's labour productivity and how the impacts vary between different quality adjustments. Providing such an empirical base is crucial as a platform for further analysis that would lead to meaningful policy advice to increase university productivity. My results suggest that quality adjustments might significantly affect conclusions about labour productivity comparison. For teaching labour productivity, the University of Waikato, the University of Otago and Lincoln University all show positive annual average growth rates when qualification completions are adjusted for credit or/and income weights. Instead, Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Canterbury experienced negative annual growth in labour productivity. For research, research outputs weighted for citation rates increase labour productivity growth for all NZ universities while decelerating labour productivity growth by introducing PBRF-ranked adjusted research staff, except for Massey University.
When I Cry Into My Icosahedral Mermaid Womb, The Sea Cradles Me: Creating Imaginary Water Worlds For Suicidal Depression and Healing Through Multisensory Environments
Authors: Pearson Joshua
Published: November 2022

Imagine a future where technology is liquid, where the human senses are entirely wet, foggy, mushy, and gooey. Where everything and everywhere is liquefied and watery. Where humans evolve into pluviophile (love of rain) and hydrophile species. Imagine what state our depressed and suicidal bodies would react to and sustain in this hyper-watery world. This thesis set out to reimagine and recreate my personal experiences with depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviours through a wet, watery, emotional, and hyper-futuristic narrative. The project aimed to design and create a series of immersive multi-sensory environments that provide therapeutic and healing spaces for mental health and well-being. Thus I have been informed by my personal story through imaginary water worlds and speculative fiction writing as a method of inquiry. These immersive multi-sensory works explore various emerging creative technologies to help realise my thesis project, such as using sound, interactive installation, digital, and extended reality (XR) technologies. I have used my own body, bodily experience, and personal feelings as a storytelling tool and primary material for my master's project. Water plays a significant role in my creative research and practice. Also, it hugely influences my writing, providing therapeutic and healing qualities. The approach to my research has drawn from methodological perspectives, including autophenomenography, first-person narrative, sensory ethnography, and speculative fiction through creative practice. I am using 'water' as a metaphorical guideline for methodological approaches to tie together as one, connecting these bodies of watery perspectives into an oceanic methodology. The significance of the research is the engagement and immersion of the multi-sensory environments through creating imaginary water worlds that offer a space for others to swim, dive, and acknowledge these critical issues relating to mental health by sharing personal stories and connections to their own experiences.
Water flossing for the management of gum disease
Authors: Sarkisova Farzana
Published: November 2022

Periodontitis (gum disease) affects half of the worldwide adult population (Petersen & Ogawa, 2012) and is caused by an exaggerated inflammatory response to dental plaque. Therefore, providing patients with effective tools to maintain good oral hygiene is vital. Toothbrushing, the most common method of oral home care, cannot clean deep under the gumline or reach areas between the teeth. Other tools, such as dental floss and interdental brushes, are commonly used. However, these tools cannot go deeper than 2.5 mm under the gumline and may be challenging for patients to use. In contrast, water flossers can reach areas between the teeth and penetrate, on average, as far as 68% of the depth of periodontal pockets over 7 mm (Eakle et al., 1986). Some studies show that oral irrigators reduce inflammation by changing the amount and microbial composition of dental plaque (Chaves et al., 1994), but the evidence has been inconclusive. This presentation will discuss a research project examining the effects of water flossing on gum health and the microbial composition of dental plaque and saliva. This will be a randomised controlled clinical trial investigating 141 patients with periodontitis. The participants will use different oral hygiene regimens for six months. Clinical signs of inflammation in the gums will be recorded at the baseline, three and six months of the study. The microbiologic changes in the dental plaque and saliva will be assessed using next-generation sequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques. The study results will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the pathogenesis of periodontitis and the mechanisms of action of water flossers, as well as guide the future directions in technology development and support practitioners in the advice they provide to their clients.
Understanding child abuse victim, caregiver and clinician Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) treatment experience
Authors: Kusasira-Sutton Audrey
Published: November 2022

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) global statistics, 25% of individuals have experienced physical abuse as children, 36.3% emotional abuse and 16.3% physical neglect. One in five girls had undergone sexual abuse compared to 1 in 13 boys (WHO, 2020). An overwhelming amount of research shows that children who have suffered child abuse present with symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, suicidality and aggression. Various therapeutic models have been employed to work with victims of child abuse. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) is one of the models (Cohen & Mannarino, 2008). TF-CBT’s efficacy has been tested by a number of randomised trials and evidence has supported its superiority in the treatment of child abuse. The quantitative measures, however, have limited knowledge of the therapy experience for youth, caregivers or clinicians (‘users’) (Dittmann & Jensen, 2014). This poster will outline my current study which aims to ask what users’ experience is for different aspects of TF-CBT treatment. It is built upon previous enquiries’ recommendations and based on a pragmatic framework, with a primary focus on youth experience. A typical sample of fifteen participants ages 8-17 are being approached in two steps. First, five participants who have completed TF-CBT are being consulted about appropriate information gathering methods for youth undergoing therapy. This is an effort to address the emphasised deficit in youth-focused interview methods in research. Second, that guidance will be used in subsequent information gathering sessions with ten participants after each of the four TF-CBT phases. Corresponding caregivers and clinicians will be interviewed upon treatment completion. Data will be analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. It is the hope that, in addition to contributing to a growing body of literature attempting to fill a gap, this study might also, through insight into the user lens, possibly afford information that assists in enhancing the therapeutic practice.
Kupepeta ‘winnowing’: A metaphor for reading the Bible seMadzimai
Authors: Chataira Tekweni
Published: November 2022

My doctoral study engages womanist perspectives in formulating seMadzimai, a Bible reading approach that takes into consideration the ancient contexts of biblical texts while addressing comparative Zimbabwean women’s contexts. In the Shona language seMadzimai means ‘as women’ or ‘from the perspectives of women’. Womanist scholars and theologians prioritise the experiences, perspectives, and aspirations of women of colour. They recognise that distinctive voices - particularly those of women of African descent from diverse cultural contexts - have been few in theological and biblical interpretation discourses (hence the clarion call for more voices). The Shona language and culture (which are essential to the seMadzimai approach), as well as the biblical texts and their ancient contexts, make extensive use of metaphors. Metaphors help people understand new or abstract concepts by relating them to other commonly known concepts. Various metaphors have been suggested to describe approaches to reading the Bible. However, there has neither been gender sensitive Bible reading approaches formulated specifically for Zimbabwean contexts nor metaphors to describe such work. In this oral presentation I propose that kupepeta, or ‘winnowing’ is a suitable metaphor that captures the essence of the task of reading the Bible seMadzimai. The kupepeta metaphor can aid the conceptualization, interpretation, and application of biblical texts in terms of reference that are familiar in Zimbabwean contexts. The presentation surveys several core components of the kupepeta, or winnowing process, while expounding their practical functions, and elucidating their corresponding metaphoric value in illustrating the core elements of the seMadzimai Bible reading approach.