bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in Behcet's disease activity and manifestations: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Parsaei Amirhossein , Moradi Soroush , Masoumi Maryam , Davatchi Fereydoun , Najafi Anahita , Kooshki Ashkan Mohammadi , Hajighadery Abdolkarim , Akhlaghi Massoomeh , Faezi Tahereh , Kavosi Hoda
Published: February 2022

Background

Behcet’s disease (BD) as a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the eyes, skin, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and vessels. According to the literature, the exact value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in predicting active manifestations of BD remains controversial. In this study, we aim to assess and compare values of ESR and CRP between BD patients with active/inactive BD and active/inactive manifestations of the disease. Moreover, we try to determine the predictive value of ESR and CRP for disease activity.

Methods

Participants (n = 514) were drug-naïve BD patients; Based on last two visits, ESR and CRP values, disease activity, and active manifestations were recorded. The Man-Whitney U test measured the associations, and the binomial logistic regression evaluated the predictive value of ESR and CRP for active disease and each active manifestation. The sensitivity and specificity and the area under the curve (AUC) for each model were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). Multiple regressions were run to predict BD activity score from ESR and CRP.

Result

Patients with active oral, genital, joint and dermal manifestations had higher ESR and CRP values (Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.05 for all). Binomial logistic regressions showed that ESR had valuable predictive value for active BD (OR = 1.09 [1.04–1.13], AUC = 0.79 [0.74–0.83], p < 0.001) and active vascular manifestations (1.03 [1.01–1.05], AUC = 0.85 [0.79–0.92], p < 0.001). CRP had good predictive value for active vascular manifestations (OR 1.98 [1.45–2.72], AUC = 0.86 [0.8–0.91], p < 0.001). The optimal value of ESR ≥ 10.5 and ESR ≥ 42.5 could predict active BD and active vascular manifestations with sensitivity, specificity = 71%, 75% and = 81%, 83% respectively.

Conclusions

ESR and CRP are both associated with active BD and most manifestations of the diseases. They can be used for the prediction of active BD and active vascular manifestations in BD patients. Further studies can help to confirm the findings of the current research.
Mass spectrometry and two-dimensional electrophoresis in prenatal diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type VI
Authors: Aboulnasr Aly A. , Gaber Khaled R. , Abdel Sameea Gamal , Gouda Amr S. , Ibrahim Mona M. , Shalabi Taghreed A. , Elnouri Amr
Published: February 2022

Background

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) or Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. Clinical manifestations are related to progressive accumulation of dermatan sulfate (DS). Two-dimensional electrophoresis has traditionally been used for the diagnosis of MPS disorders. The method is only qualitative and is time consuming. For prenatal diagnosis of MPS, 6–8 ml of amniotic fluid is required and 5 working days to complete. It needs personal experience to do the test and to interpret the results. Mass spectrometry (MS) is now available as a quantitative method and for prenatal diagnosis of MPS it needs less amniotic fluid and takes only 2 working days. It is more accurate, less person dependent, but it costs more. Our aim was to introduce quantitative determination of dermatan sulfate using mass spectrometry in the prenatal diagnosis of MPS VI in Egypt and to compare this technique to the classical qualitative diagnosis using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DEP) of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in amniotic fluid. Thirty pregnant females each with single fetus were subjected to amniocentesis at 16 weeks gestation. Ten with a previously affected MPS VI infant and twenty served as controls. Prenatal diagnosis (PD) was done by both MS and 2-DEP.

Results

MS verified 2-DEP results which showed 5 affected and 5 non-affected fetuses with MPS VI.

Conclusion

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of the GAGs in amniotic fluid is a good qualitative method and MS was an accurate quantitative method for prenatal diagnosis of MPS type VI. Quantitative determination of GAGs in AF by mass spectrometry is quicker. Where prenatal diagnosis is recommended for at risk pregnancies, mass spectrometry could be used more in the future as it gives rapid and accurate results.
Accuracy of MRI (TLICS vs AOSIS) in assessment of thoracolumbar spine injuries for guiding treatment
Authors: Nagi Mona Ali Mohamed Ali , Sakr Mai Mohamed Sedik
Published: February 2022

Background

The thoracic segment represents the most common area fractured in the whole spine. Complete neurological deficits are commonly associated with thoracic injuries possibly due to a relatively small canal diameter as compared to the cervical or lumbar spine. Magnetic resonance is the gold standard of imaging, especially in patients suffering from neurological deficits as well as in soft tissue assessment mainly the disc, ligaments, and neural elements. The thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score system (TLICS) and the thoracolumbar AO Spine injury score (TLAOSIS), are two scoring systems designed to help surgeons in management plans of thoraco-lumbar injuries. The aim of our study is to compare these two main thoracolumbar injury classification systems in deciding the management strategies in thoraco-lumbar injuries. This study is a retrospective study that included 70 patients (42 males and 28 females) who suffered acute traumatic vertebral fractures. All patients underwent MRI including T1WI, T2W and STIR sequences. The MRI was viewed by two independent radiologists of 5- and 10-years’ experience and compared to surgical decisions.

Results

Out of 70 patients included in our study, the TL AOSIS matched treatment recommendation in 62 patients (88.6%), and the TLICS matched in 60 patients (85.7%). The TL AOSIS achieved sensitivity 95%, specificity 80%, while the TLICS achieved sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 100%.

Conclusion

Both TL AOSIS and TLICS have very close results in their reliability for guiding treatment strategy, yet TL AOSIS matched treatment recommendation more than TLICS, with sensitivity more than TLICS, while TLICS had more specificity.
Ultrafast modulation of valley dynamics in multiple WS2 − Ag gratings strong coupling system
Authors: Zhao Le-Yi , Wang Hai , Wang Hai-Yu , Zhou Qiang , Zhang Xu-Lin , Cui Tong , Wang Lei , Liu Tian-Yu , Han Yu-Xiao , Luo Yang , Yue Yuan-Yuan , Song Mu-Sen , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: February 2022

Strong light-matter interactions in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) with robust spin-valley degrees of freedom open up the prospect of valleytronic devices. A thorough understanding on the dynamics of the valley polarizations in the strong coupling regime is urgently required. Here, multiple polarized TMDCs-SPPs hybrid systems were constructed by combining monolayer WS2 flakes to linear, circular, and spiral Ag gratings, resulting in linear and circular polarized modulation on the coherent hybrid states, respectively. Particularly, valley polaritons can be tailored asymmetrically by chiral strong coupling regime. Furthermore, the dynamics of the polarized polaritons were directly analyzed by transient absorption (TA) measurement. Both of the linear and circular polarization difference in the TA spectra can be retained for a remarkable long time, leading to a polarized PL even at room temperature. More importantly, in the chiral strong coupled WS2-spiral Ag grating devices, the mechanism of the asymmetrical valley-polarized PL (p σ+ = 14.9% and p σ- = 10.8%) is proved by the opposite valley polarization dynamics in the circularly polarized TA spectra. The multiple polarization modulation in monolayer TMDCs-SPPs strong coupling devices could provide a viable route toward multiple polarization polaritonic devices.
Effect of sustained virological response after direct-acting antivirals on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV infection
Authors: Agwa Ramy H. , Elgazzar Mohamed H. , El-Zayyadi Islam A. , Saed Ahmed M. , Ghannam Mayada A. , Saleh Ahmed
Published: February 2022

Background

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized the therapy of HCV infection with higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates. Fibrosis regression after achieving SVR to DAA remains to be evaluated in chronic hepatitis C patients. One of the main inquiries here is what occurs with liver fibrosis after achieving a SVR, albeit the current DAA was not intended to be antifibrotic. Liver biopsy was replaced by various non-invasive methods, like FIB4 score and fibroscan. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of SVR following DAAs on liver fibrosis in chronic HCV patients.

Results

Five hundred of 1170 F4 treated patients (42.7%) improved and became 190 F3, 90 F2, and 220 F1. Also, 40 of 60 F3 patients improved and became 10 F2 and 30 F1. Also, 350 of 1230 treated patients (28.4%) transited from significant fibrosis (≥F3) to non-significant fibrosis (≤F2). There was a significant improvement of FIB-4 (p<0.001) in the improved group after DAAs were proved by liver stiffness measurement.

Conclusion

Treatment of chronic HCV with DAAs is associated with regression of liver fibrosis as about 28% of patients improved from significant fibrosis (≥F3) to non-significant fibrosis (≤F2) after treatment.
Developing a Prediction Model for Pathologic Complete Response Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: A Comparison of Model Building Approaches
Authors: Basmadjian Robert B. , Kong Shiying , Boyne Devon J. , Jarada Tamer N. , Xu Yuan , Cheung Winson Y. , Lupichuk Sasha , Quan May Lynn , Brenner Darren R.
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE

The optimal characteristics among patients with breast cancer to recommend neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an active area of clinical research. We developed and compared several approaches to developing prediction models for pathologic complete response (pCR) among patients with breast cancer in Alberta.

METHODS

The study included all patients with breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Alberta between 2012 and 2014 identified from the Alberta Cancer Registry. Patient, tumor, and treatment data were obtained through primary chart review. pCR was defined as no residual invasive tumor at surgical excision in breast or axilla. Two types of prediction models for pCR were built: (1) expert model: variables selected on the basis of oncologists' opinions and (2) data-driven model: variables selected by trained machine. These model types were fit using logistic regression (LR), random forests (RF), and gradient-boosted trees (GBT). We compared the models using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and integrated calibration index, and internally validated using bootstrap resampling.

RESULTS

A total of 363 cases were included in the analyses, of which 86 experienced pCR. The RF and GBT fits yielded higher optimism-corrected area under the receiver operating characteristic curves compared with LR for the expert (RF: 0.70; GBT: 0.69; LR: 0.65) and data-driven models (RF: 0.71; GBT: 0.68; LR: 0.64). The LR fit yielded the lowest integrated calibration indices for the expert (LR: 0.037; GBT: 0.05; RF: 0.10) and data-driven models (LR: 0.026; GBT: 0.06; RF: 0.099).

CONCLUSION

Our models demonstrated predictive ability for pCR using routinely collected clinical and demographic variables. We show that machine learning fit methods can be used to optimize models for pCR prediction. We also show that additional variables beyond clinical expertise do not considerably improve predictive ability and may not be of value on the basis of the burden of data collection.
Genome Nexus: A Comprehensive Resource for the Annotation and Interpretation of Genomic Variants in Cancer
Authors: de Bruijn Ino , Li Xiang , Sumer Selcuk Onur , Gross Benjamin , Sheridan Robert , Ochoa Angelica , Wilson Manda , Wang Avery , Zhang Hongxin , Lisman Aaron , Abeshouse Adam , Zhang Emily , Thum Alice , Sadagopan Ananthan , Heins Zachary , Kandoth Cyriac , Rodenburg Sander , Tan Sander , Lukasse Pieter , van Hagen Sjoerd , Fijneman Remond J. A. , Meijer Gerrit A. , Schultz Nikolaus , Gao Jianjiong
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE

Interpretation of genomic variants in tumor samples still presents a challenge in research and the clinical setting. A major issue is that information for variant interpretation is fragmented across disparate databases, and aggregation of information from these requires building extensive infrastructure. To this end, we have developed Genome Nexus, a one-stop shop for variant annotation with a user-friendly interface for cancer researchers and clinicians.

METHODS

Genome Nexus (1) aggregates variant information from sources that are relevant to cancer research and clinical applications, (2) allows high-performance programmatic access to the aggregated data via a unified application programming interface, (3) provides a reference page for individual cancer variants, (4) provides user-friendly tools for annotating variants in patients, and (5) is freely available under an open source license and can be installed in a private cloud or local environment and integrated with local institutional resources.

RESULTS

Genome Nexus is available at https://www.genomenexus.org . It displays annotations from more than a dozen resources including those that provide variant effect information (variant effect predictor), protein sequence annotation (Uniprot, Pfam, and dbPTM), functional consequence prediction (Polyphen-2, Mutation Assessor, and SIFT), population prevalences (gnomAD, dbSNP, and ExAC), cancer population prevalences (Cancer hotspots and SignalDB), and clinical actionability (OncoKB, CIViC, and ClinVar). We describe several use cases that demonstrate the utility of Genome Nexus to clinicians, researchers, and bioinformaticians. We cover single-variant annotation, cohort analysis, and programmatic use of the application programming interface. Genome Nexus is unique in providing a user-friendly interface specific to cancer that allows high-performance annotation of any variant including unknown ones.

CONCLUSION

Interpretation of cancer genomic variants is improved tremendously by having an integrated resource for annotations. Genome Nexus is freely available under an open source license.
exTREEmaTIME: a method for incorporating uncertainty into divergence time estimates
Authors: Carruthers Tom , Scotland Robert W.
Published: February 2022

We present a method of divergence time estimation (exTREEmaTIME) that aims to effectively account for uncertainty in divergence time estimates. The method requires a minimal set of assumptions, and, based on these assumptions, estimates the oldest possible divergence times and youngest possible divergence times that are consistent with the assumptions. We use a series of simulations and empirical analyses to illustrate that exTREEmaTIME is effective at representing uncertainty. We then describe how exTREEmaTIME can act as a basis to determine the implications of the more stringent assumptions that are incorporated into other methods of divergence time estimation that produce more precise estimates. This is critically important given that many of the assumptions that are incorporated into these methods are highly complex, difficult to justify biologically, and as such can lead to estimates that are highly inaccurate.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
RAS-mediated tumor stress adaptation and the targeting opportunities it presents
Authors: Redding Alexandra , Aplin Andrew E. , Grabocka Elda
Published: February 2022

Cellular stress is known to function in synergistic cooperation with oncogenic mutations during tumorigenesis to drive cancer progression. Oncogenic RAS is a strong inducer of a variety of pro-tumorigenic cellular stresses, and also enhances the ability of cells to tolerate these stresses through multiple mechanisms. Many of these oncogenic, RAS-driven, stress-adaptive mechanisms have also been implicated in tolerance and resistance to chemotherapy and to therapies that target the RAS pathway. Understanding how oncogenic RAS shapes cellular stress adaptation and how this functions in drug resistance is of vital importance for identifying new therapeutic targets and therapeutic combinations to treat RAS-driven cancers.
Convolutional neural network-based reconstruction for acceleration of prostate T2 weighted MR imaging: a retro- and prospective study
Authors: Jung Woojin , Kim Eu Hyun , Ko Jingyu , Jeong Geunu , Choi Moon Hyung
Published: February 2022

Objective:

The aim of this study was to develop a deep neural network (DNN)-based parallel imaging reconstruction for highly accelerated 2D turbo spin echo (TSE) data in prostate MRI without quality degradation compared to conventional scans.

Methods:

155 participant data were acquired for training and testing. Two DNN models were generated according to the number of acquisitions (NAQ) of input images: DNN-N1 for NAQ = 1 and DNN-N2 for NAQ = 2. In the test data, DNN and TSE images were compared by quantitative error metrics. The visual appropriateness of DNN reconstructions on accelerated scans (DNN-N1 and DNN-N2) and conventional scans (TSE-Conv) was assessed for nine parameters by two radiologists. The lesion detection was evaluated at DNNs and TES-Conv by prostate imaging-reporting and data system.

Results:

The scan time was reduced by 71% at NAQ = 1, and 42% at NAQ = 2. Quantitative evaluation demonstrated the better error metrics of DNN images (29–43% lower NRMSE, 4–13% higher structure similarity index, and 2.8–4.8 dB higher peak signal-to-noise ratio; p < 0.001) than TSE images. In the assessment of the visual appropriateness, both radiologists evaluated that DNN-N2 showed better or comparable performance in all parameters compared to TSE-Conv. In the lesion detection, DNN images showed almost perfect agreement (κ > 0.9) scores with TSE-Conv.

Conclusions:

DNN-based reconstruction in highly accelerated prostate TSE imaging showed comparable quality to conventional TSE.

Advances in knowledge:

Our framework reduces the scan time by 42% of conventional prostate TSE imaging without sequence modification, revealing great potential for clinical application.
Συνεταιρισμοί και ανάπτυξη της κοινωνικής επιχειρηματικότητας και της συνεργατικής οικονομίας ως μέσω ανάπτυξης των νησιωτικών περιοχών τη παρούσα περίοδο της οικονομικής κρίσης
Authors: Βουγλάνης Ταξιάρχης
Published: February 2022

Βασικός σκοπός της έρευνας αποτέλεσε η κοινωνική επιχειρηματικότητα και η συνεργατική οικονομία των Γυναικείων Συνεταιρισμών της Λέσβου ως μέσο ανάπτυξης κατά την διάρκεια της οικονομικής κρίσης. Αναλυτικότερα, μελετάται τόσο η σκοπιά των πολιτών, των γυναικείων συνεταιρισμών, των Τραπεζών καθώς και των εμπλεκομένων δημοσίων φορέων όπως η Περιφέρεια. Η ερευνητική προσέγγιση που υιοθετήθηκε είναι η μεικτή με τον συνδυασμός της ποσοτικής και ποιοτικής μεθοδολογίας. Τα ερευνητικά εργαλεία που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ήταν τα δομημένα ερωτηματολόγια και οι ημί-δομημένες συνεντεύξεις. Το δείγμα της έρευνας αποτέλεσαν 97 πολίτες, 15 τραπεζικοί υπάλληλοι και 7 γυναικείοι συνεταιρισμοί του νομού Λέσβου. Τα ευρήματα της έρευνας έδειξαν πως η συμβολή των συνεταιρισμών στην ανάπτυξη του τόπου είναι ιδιαίτερα υψηλή αλλά αναδείχθηκε και το πρόβλημα της δημογραφικής γήρανσης του δυναμικού που συμμετέχει στου συνεταιρισμούς θέτοντας ως επιτακτικό θέμα την ενίσχυση της νεανικής Κοινωνικής Επιχειρηματικότητας με στόχο την αντιμετώπιση του σημαντικού αυτού προβλήματος βιωσιμότητας. Οι συνθήκες της οικονομικής κρίσης που είναι σημαντικές στην επιβάρυνση της τοπικής οικονομίας επιβάλλουν την υποστήριξη προς τους γυναικείους συνεταιρισμούς. Η ενασχόληση με το συνεταιρισμό δίνει την ευκαιρία στις γυναίκες της απομακρυσμένης νησιωτικής υπαίθρου να αναδείξουν τις μέχρι τώρα αθέατες πλευρές και ικανότητες ενός ανενεργού ουσιαστικά πληθυσμού που προσφέροντας υπηρεσίες στα πλαίσια της οικιακής απασχόλησης δεν αμείβονται και με τη συμμετοχή τους σε ένα τοπικό παραγωγικό σχήμα απέκτησαν την δυνατότητα να συνεισφέρουν οικονομικά στον οικογενειακό προϋπολογισμό. Οι γυναικείοι συνεταιρισμοί αποτελούν την ιδανική έφραση της συλλογικής δράσης σε τοπικό επίπεδο που οδηγεί με την σειρά της στη δημιουργία κοινωνικού κεφαλαίου και τοπικής ανάπτυξης. Το τοπικό επίπεδο αποτελεί έναν σημαντικό παράγοντα δεδομένου ότι διασφαλίζει τη συλλογική δράση. Στην ουσία, οι γυναικείοι συνεταιρισμοί δημιουργούν το κοινωνικό κεφάλαιο και αποτελούν την κινητήριο δύναμη ως φορείς συλλογικής δράσης. Αποτελούν επίσης τη βάση για την τοπική ανάπτυξη επειδή εκπροσωπούν την κοινότητα. Στόχος τους συνεπώς θα πρέπει να είναι η ενδογενής ανάπτυξη και η ενδυνάμωση των συνεργασιών τους.
Διερεύνηση των απόψεων και των πρακτικών υποψήφιων εκπαιδευτικών για τη διδασκαλία της Ιστορίας μέσα από την εφαρμογή και την αξιολόγηση εναλλακτικών διδακτικών προσεγγίσεων
Authors: Ανδρίκου Ασημίνα
Published: February 2022

Σύγχρονες έρευνες τεκμηριώνουν ότι οι διδακτικές επιλογές στο μάθημα της Ιστορίας διαδραματίζουν καίριο ρόλο και επηρεάζουν το ενδιαφέρον των μαθητών και των μαθητριών, οι οποίοι/ες επιζητούν εναλλακτικές και καινοτόμες μεθόδους διδασκαλίας τονίζοντας την αποστροφή τους προς την απομνημόνευση και την αδιαφορία τους για το συγκεκριμένο διδακτικό αντικείμενο, όταν διεξάγεται με συμβατικούς όρους. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί από την πλευρά τους, ενώ κατανοούν τους λόγους εξαιτίας των οποίων η Ιστορία αποτελεί για τους/τις περισσότερους/ες μαθητές/τριες ένα βαρετό και δυσνόητο μάθημα, θεωρούν αδύνατη την αποφυγή εμφάνισης πλήξης και επιτακτική την ανάγκη επιμόρφωσης πάνω σε εναλλακτικές διδακτικές πρακτικές. Το μάθημα της Ιστορίας, επομένως, δεν είναι δυνατόν να απελευθερωθεί ως διά μαγείας από τα δεσμά της μετωπικής αφήγησης και της μηχανικής αποστήθισης, καθώς κρίνεται απαραίτητη η αναμόρφωσή του με βάση τις σύγχρονες θεωρίες μάθησης, οι οποίες στρέφονται και στην αξιοποίηση της Δημόσιας Ιστορίας. Άλλωστε, το άτομο εξοικειώνεται με τα ιστορικά γεγονότα και εκτός σχολικής τάξης, αφού η Δημόσια Ιστορία διαμορφώνει την ιστορική του κουλτούρα και επηρεάζει την ιστορική σκέψη και συνείδησή του περισσότερο από την Ιστορία που προκύπτει από επιστημονικές διαδικασίες. Κρίνεται, λοιπόν, απαραίτητη η εκπαίδευση των μελλοντικών εκπαιδευτικών σε καινοτόμες διδακτικές πρακτικές, όπως το Historical Educomic, το CineScience, τη διαλογική αντιπαράθεση, το παιχνίδι ρόλων, τη μελέτη και επίσκεψη ιστορικού τοπίου, τα εργαλεία των Νέων Τεχνολογιών, που θα συμβάλλουν ενεργά στην ανανέωση του ιστορικού μαθήματος. Μια τέτοια περίπτωση αποτελεί και η έρευνα της συγκεκριμένης διδακτορικής διατριβής που μελετά τη διαφοροποίηση των απόψεων και των πρακτικών των φοιτητών/τριών του Παιδαγωγικού Τμήματος Δημοτικής Εκπαίδευσης του Πανεπιστημίου Δυτικής Μακεδονίας σχετικά με τη διδασκαλία του μαθήματος της Ιστορίας μετά από την εξειδικευμένη ενασχόλησή τους με εναλλακτικές διδακτικές προσεγγίσεις στο πλαίσιο του Προγράμματος Σπουδών. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας, που σχεδιάσθηκε και υλοποιήθηκε σε δύο φάσεις, υποστηρίζουν πως, ενώ στην αρχή οι φοιτητές και οι φοιτήτριες φαίνονται επιφυλακτικοί/ές και παρουσιάζουν συγκεχυμένες απόψεις για τις καινοτόμες πρακτικές, στην πορεία οι απόψεις τους διαφοροποιούνται και απομακρύνονται από την παραδοσιακή διδακτική μεθοδολογία γνωρίζοντας σύγχρονα εργαλεία για την ιστορική εκπαίδευση των μαθητών/τριών. Επιπλέον, κατά τη διάρκεια της Πρακτικής τους Άσκησης οι φοιτητές/τριες του δείγματος διαφοροποίησαν δραστικά τις διδακτικές τους επιλογές σε σχέση με συμφοιτητές/τριές τους που δεν είχαν ασχοληθεί με εναλλακτικές διδακτικές προσεγγίσεις και παρά την όποια κατάρτισή τους στη Διδακτική της Ιστορίας τείνουν να αξιοποιούν τρόπους διδασκαλίας που ανακαλούν από την προσωπική τους σχολική εμπειρία.
The impact of condom use on the HIV epidemic
Authors: Stover John , Teng Yu
Published: February 2022

Background: Condom promotion and supply was one the earliest interventions to be mobilized to address the HIV pandemic. Condoms are inexpensive and provide protection against transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) as well as against unintended pregnancy. As many as 16 billion condoms may be used annually in all low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In recent years the focus of HIV programs as been on testing and treatment and new technologies such as PrEP. Rates of condom use have stopped increasing short of UNAIDS targets and funding from donors is declining.

Methods: We applied a mathematical HIV transmission model to 77 high HIV burden countries to estimate the number of HIV infections that would have occurred from 1990 to 2019 if condom use had remained at 1990 levels.

Results: The results suggest that current levels of HIV would be five times higher without condom use and that the scale-up in condoms use averted about 117 million HIV infections.

Conclusions: HIV programs should ensure that affordable condoms are consistently available and that the benefits of condom use are widely understood.
Behaviour change and physical activity interventions for physical activity engagement in community dwelling adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Hanrahan Ciara , Broderick Julie , O’Connor Terence M. , McVeigh Joseph G.
Published: February 2022

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex respiratory disease and the third leading cause of death worldwide. Pulmonary rehabilitation is recognised as the gold standard of care in the management of COPD, however engagement with pulmonary rehabilitation is low and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle in community dwelling adults with COPD is poor. Supporting positive behaviour change in people with COPD could help to increase their engagement with physical activity. This systematic review will examine behaviour change and physical activity interventions delivered to community dwelling adults with COPD with the aim of increasing physical activity engagement. Interventions will be mapped against Michie’s theoretical domains framework (TDF) to inform clinical practice and health policy.

Methods: The following databases will be searched from inception until December 2021: Web of Science, CENTRAL, MEDLINE (via EBSCO), EMBASE, APA PsychINFO, CINAHL (via EBSCO), AMED, PROSPERO, Cochrane Airways Trials Register. Reference lists of the relevant studies and grey literature will be searched using Grey Literature Report, Open Grey and Google Scholar search engines. Relevant studies will be systematically reviewed and subject to quality appraisal to determine the impact of behaviour change and physical activity interventions on outcomes of community-dwelling adults with COPD. Interventions will be mapped to Michie’s TDF and a narrative synthesis with respect to nature, effectiveness on target population and setting/environment will be provided. Findings will be reported in relation to the generalisability of the primary results and research question, and will include secondary findings on quality of life, self-reported participation in physical activity, exercise capacity, adverse events and intervention adherence. The review will be presented according to the PRISMA guidelines 2020.

Conclusions: This systematic review is necessary to explain the impact of behaviour change and physical activity interventions on outcomes of community dwelling people with COPD.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42021264965 (29.06.2021)
Formation of Educational Independence of Primary Schoolchildren by Means of Project Tasks
Authors: Aksyuchic Svetlana , Panova A.
Published: February 2022

The article reveals the essence of the concept of "educational independence", which became a subject of study back in the 19th century. and remains one of the most pressing problems of modern education. The main criteria for its formation have been determined. Approaches to the formation of educational independence in younger students are considered. The idea is substantiated that the project task is an effective means of developing the educational independence of students. Specific examples of assignments for solving design problems with the aim of developing educational independence of primary schoolchildren are given.
Ergonomic Environment As a Safety Factor for Children in Winter Activities
Authors: Ovchinnikov Yu.
Published: February 2022

The article discusses the problem of children's safety when using ice and tubing during winter activities. The author notes that modern winter entertainment facilities are difficult to control, if evaluated from a biomechanical point of view, and require technically equipped ski areas that allow for a security system, that is, an appropriate territory, ski slopes, protective equipment, ski equipment, as well as the availability of special instructors. Only taking into account the factors of ergonomic biomechanics can we talk about a safe and comfortable environment in the winter period for children's entertainment.
Civic Education of Younger Schoolchildren Based on Patriotic Songs
Authors: Pavlovich Bilyana
Published: February 2022

The article discusses the problem of patriotic education of children in modern society as a condition for strengthening national traditions, preserving the national identity and identity of peoples within a single global society. The special importance of instilling love for the Motherland in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija is emphasized. The article reveals a methodology for introducing primary school students to patriotic music, in particular songs of patriotic content, which develops children's interest in getting to know the musical culture of their native country, forms a positive attitude towards their people and love for the Motherland.
Força de trabalho de Profissionais de Educação Física na Atenção Primária à Saúde
Authors: Silva Debora Bernardo da , Sixel Taciana Rocha dos Santos , Medeiros Arthur de Almeida , Schmitt Ana Carolina Basso
Published: February 2022

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a distribuição espaço temporal de Profissionais de Educação Física na Atenção Primária à Saúde do Sistema Único de Saúde nos Estados brasileiros. Este estudo possui característica ecológica de série temporal, em que foram utilizados dados secundários do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde de 2008 a 2020 para identificar a força de trabalho desta área profissional. Foram construídos mapas e gráficos para a análise espacial da força de trabalho, número de Profissionais de Educação Física por 10.000 habitantes, por Estados e regiões brasileiras. As análises de regressão foram realizadas no Joinpoint Regression Program versão 4.7.0.0, considerando o intervalo de confiança de 95%. Em 2008 no Brasil havia 321 Profissionais de Educação Física na atenção primária e 139 em 2020, representando uma diminuição de 56% para a quantidade de profissionais vinculados à Atenção Primária à Saúde. Observou-se o crescimento da densidade deste profissional na maioria dos Estados no primeiro momento e o decréscimo em seguida. Destaca-se o Estado de Espírito Santo, com a maior densidade de profissionais em 2008 e Pernambuco que atingiu em 2012 o maior pico entre os Estados. A tendência temporal variou entre os Estados brasileiros, Goiás foi o único que apresentou aumento no período de 2008 a 2020, já na região Sudeste todos os Estados demonstraram decréscimo. O incentivo da prática de atividade física supervisionada e orientada é importante para auxiliar no aumento da força de trabalho do Profissional de Educação Física na Atenção Primária à Saúde, como também aumentar o nível de atividade física da população, contribuindo para adquirir benefícios de saúde oriundos da prática regular de atividade física.
Factors associated with Physical Activity Counseling by Health Workers Questionnaire: construction, validation and reliability
Authors: Souza Neto João Miguel de , Silva Sanderson Soares da , Farias Júnior José Cazuza de , Costa Filipe Ferreira da
Published: February 2022

The main purpose of this study is to describe the development, validation and reliability of a questionnaire to measure the associated factors of physical activity counseling by health workers. The development of the questionnaire was carried out in four steps: construction of the analytical matrix; face validation; pilot study; and reliability assessment. The analytical matrix consisted of ten modules with a total of 47 questions. In the second step, 21 Brazilian experts of different knowledge backgrounds gave their opinion on the presentation, clarity and adequacy of each item. In the third step, a pilot study was carried out with 20 professionals (doctors, nurses and community health agents) from the Joao Pessoa, Paraíba Family Health Strategy. In the last step, reliability index was assessed among a sample of 53 health workers from five health units. The final version of the questionnaire was composed of 53 questions distributed in ten modules. Results showed a total validity index of 0.90 ranging from 0.83 to 0.95 in the modules. The clarity and adequacy of  the scale showed mean values of 0.93 (ranging from 0.87 to 0.96) and 0.95 (ranging from 0.91 to 0.98), respectively. Eight out of ten modules showed all items with reliability greater than 0.60 (kappa). The questionnaire showed a satisfactory validity and reliability and it is recommended for studies to measure physical activity counseling and other practices in health promotion by health workers in the primary health care.
Building Status in an Online Community
Authors: Smirnova Inna , Reitzig Markus , Sorenson Olav
Published: February 2022

We argue that the actions for which actors receive recognition vary as they move up the hierarchy. When actors first enter a community, the community rewards them for their easier-to-evaluate contributions to the community. Eventually, however, as these actors rise in status, further increases in stature come increasingly from engaging in actions that are more difficult to evaluate or even impossible to judge. These dynamics produce a positive feedback loop, in which those who have already been accorded some stature garner even greater status through quality-ambiguous actions. We present evidence from Stack Overflow, an online community, and from two online experiments consistent with these expected patterns.

Funding: All authors would like to acknowledge funding from the Austrian Science Fund [Grant P 25768-G16].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.1559 .
Getting to the Root of Things: The Role of Epistemic Motivation and Construal Levels in Strategic Problem Formulation
Authors: Park Chan Hyung , Baer Markus
Published: February 2022

When formulating strategic problems, managers and executives routinely overlook relevant causes. This oversight, in turn, compromises the effectiveness of solutions and strategies. To illuminate the factors determining the success of problem formulation, we develop a model of the individual-level drivers of problem formulation comprehensiveness—the number of nonredundant and relevant causes to a problem that individuals identify. Specifically, we theorize that epistemic motivation—the desire to learn and hold well-informed views of the world—is an important driver of comprehensiveness. Furthermore, we suggest that high construal levels—an abstract thinking style—enhance the benefits of epistemic motivation because they direct individual information processing away from the symptoms of a problem toward its underlying causes. We test this interaction model in two experimental studies involving Chinese top executives and university students in the United States. The results of our two studies are consistent with our theoretical model. High construal levels strengthen the effect of epistemic motivation, resulting in greater comprehensiveness of problem formulation. We discuss the implications of our work for theory and practice.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2022.0155 .
Toward a Reference Experimental Benchmark for Solving Hub Location Problems
Authors: Wandelt Sebastian , Dai Weibin , Zhang Jun , Sun Xiaoqian
Published: February 2022

Our study provides an experimental benchmark for state-of-the-art solution algorithms with hub location problems. Such problems are fundamental optimization problems in location science with widespread application areas, such as transportation, telecommunications, economics, and geography. Given they combine aspects of facility location and quadratic assignment problems, the majority of hub location problems are NP-hard and, accordingly, several solution techniques have been proposed for solving these problems. In this study, we report on the results of a large benchmark and reproduction effort to investigate 12 fundamental hub location problems that combine single or multiple allocation, a p-hub median objective or fixed hub set-up costs, capacitated or uncapacitated hubs, and complete or incomplete networks. We implemented four standard exact algorithms on these 12 problems as proposed in the literature. Algorithms are evaluated on subsets of three standard data sets in the field (CAB, TR, and AP); we computed more than 5,000 optimal solutions for these data sets. We report comparisons of solution techniques regarding wall clock time, convergence speed, memory use, and the impact of data features. In addition, we identify patterns in optimal solutions across these 12 problems, extracting insights regarding solution similarity, hub set candidates, and economies of scale. All results and programs are being made available to the public for free academic use.
Every child a reader
Authors: Burns Robbie
Published: February 2022

What are the most effective strategies to ensure that every child leaves primary school a fluent reader? In this Best Practice Focus, Robbie Burns dissects the science, principles and essential elements of effective whole-school reading strategies before advising us how we might best implement these approaches across the primary school
Reviewing your school uniform policy
Authors: Lamb Ciara
Published: February 2022

New statutory rules on school uniform require schools to review their uniform policies, keep branding to a minimum, and ensure best value for money. Ciara Lamb advises how to develop a policy in line with the new guidance
Prehospital airway management
Authors: Bell Steve , Pennington Elspeth , Hill James , Harrison Joanna
Published: February 2022

The prehospital emergency airway management is a key moderating factor for patient survival and mortality rates. There has been much debate around the optimum method of prehospital emergency airway management. This commentary critically appraises a recent systematic review which assesses the harms and benefits of three different airway management strategies for a range of emergency clinical scenarios.

Commentary on: Carney N, Totten AM, Cheney T et al. Prehospital Airway Management: A Systematic Review. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2021;1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2021.1940400
A level playing field for ethnic minority-led GP practices?
Authors: Halliwell Amanda
Published: February 2022

Do practices led by GPs from ethnic minorities experience unequal inspection outcomes? In response to the RCGP's escalation of this matter, CQC undertook a study to find out. Amanda Halliwell reports
Video Lectures in Online EFL Flipped-Classroom: Effectiveness, Students’ Evaluation and Experiences
Authors: Purwanti Indah Tri , Suryawati Evi , Eliwarti Eliwarti
Published: February 2022

The online flipped classroom has become increasingly applied to provide students with active learning. This search aimed to investigate the effectiveness of video lectures in an online flipped learning on students’ learning outcomes, students' video evaluation, and their experience in an online flipped classroom. This study employed mixed-method research implementing a quasi-experimental design using quantitative and qualitative data collection: pre-test and post-test, a questionnaire and interview. The participants were 78 Indonesian undergraduate students taking English as a foreign language (EFL) content course at one of the universities in Indonesia. The findings revealed that the students’ learning outcomes in the flipped classroom outperformed those in the control group. The students’ evaluation of the video lectures was high, and their evaluation was consistent with how they positively perceived the video lectures in the flipped classroom. This investigation showed the roles of video lectures on the students' participation and active learning in the flipped classroom during Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic time.
Expectations and Level of Satisfaction of University Students from the Higher Education System
Authors: Işık Metin
Published: February 2022

This study aims to determine the expectations of university students on the part of the Higher Education System and to what extent these expectations are met. Phenomenological approach, which is counted among qualitative research models, was utilized as the research model. The data obtained from student interviews were analyzed by content analysis. Findings were presented as themes and categories. The research participants consist of 21 students studying at different universities and programs in the 2020-2021 academic year. This study ascertained that the opinions of participating students in terms of themes, categories and codes and their satisfaction levels vary depending on the university they attend. Students expect from the Higher Education System that it enables them to get to their dream job, curricula and materials based on their needs, qualified lecturers, a foreign language education, academic freedom, a democratic environment, equal opportunities in education, an substructure, socio-cultural and physical-material opportunities, international interaction, practice-oriented opportunities for training/internship and participation in administration. The faculty or program choice is highly determined by the condition of a country, the gained scores in the central examination system, surroundings, offered orientation assistances in secondary education, the quality-perceptions of students related to universities, acquisition of employment and the sufficiency of universities to acquire a profession. Findings of this research made clear, that the level of The Higher Education System responding to the expectations of the students differs according to the possibilities of universities.
Computational optical sensing and imaging 2021: feature issue introduction
Authors: Ke Jun , Alieva Tatiana , Oktem Figen S. , Silveira Paulo E. X. , Wetzstein Gordon , Willomitzer Florian
Published: February 2022

This Feature Issue includes 2 reviews and 34 research articles that highlight recent works in the field of Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging. Many of the works were presented at the 2021 OSA Topical Meeting on Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging, held virtually from July 19 to July 23, 2021. Articles in the feature issue cover a broad scope of computational imaging topics, such as microscopy, 3D imaging, phase retrieval, non-line-of-sight imaging, imaging through scattering media, ghost imaging, compressed sensing, and applications with new types of sensors. Deep learning approaches for computational imaging and sensing are also a focus of this feature issue.
Characteristics and expectations among emergency department patients in India
Authors: Davey Kevin , Jacob Sumin , Prasad Nilesh , Shri Manjula , Amdur Richard , Blanchard Janice , Smith Jeffrey , Douglass Katherine
Published: February 2022

In India, and many low-middle income countries (LMICs), emergency medicine (EM) remains a poorly defined specialty and an unregulated field of clinical practice. Recognition of the attitudes, understanding, and expectations of patients presenting to Indian EDs will be crucial to the continued development of EM as a specialty. This is a multicenter, prospective, cross sectional study of adult and pediatric patients presenting to the ED in three geographically distinct regions of India. Participants were surveyed about their expectations regarding the type of care that they expected to receive, previous treatment options they have utilized, basic understanding of ED operations, factors contributing to their decision to seek ED care, and basic demographic information. 779 patients were approached to participate in the study, of which 698 (90%) completed the survey. Common ways that patients reported learning about the ED were referral from another healthcare provider (45%) and recommendation by a family member (61%). Participants chose the ED was because they thought they would be seen quickly (89%), would receive acute pain management (45%), their regular outpatient care was closed (45%), or were sent by another doctor (45%). Patients expected to wait 0.3 hours (18 minutes) on average to see a doctor in the ED. Over 75% or patients expected to see a specialist consultant in the ED and 12% expected to see their personal physician. Eighty-five percent of patients were triaged as moderate or high acuity, and 74% of patients were admitted. This study found that ED in India is utilized by a population with an extremely high acuity of medical illness that attempts to access healthcare through multiple avenues. Patients most frequently visit the ED due to a referral from another healthcare provider or family member. Most patients are aware of the existence of the ED, though understanding of available services may be lacking. Future research should focus on community outreach and education initiatives on ED services.
Phthalate exposure among U.S. college-aged women: Biomonitoring in an undergraduate student cohort (2016-2017) and trends from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2016)
Authors: Beckingham Barbara A. , Wischusen Kerry , Walker Joanna P.
Published: February 2022

Importance

Phthalates are ubiquitous and many are known or suspected human reproductive and endocrine-disrupting toxicants. A data gap exists in reporting on biomonitoring of phthalate biomarkers in college-aged adults.

Objective

To analyze phthalate exposure in a cross-sectional sample of female college students using urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and compare to reference populations including college-aged women sampled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods

Nine monoester phthalate metabolites were analyzed in spot urine collected from 215 female undergraduates (age 18–22, 2016–2017) at a public university in Charleston, SC USA and a subset of participants completed a questionnaire detailing demographics and behaviors including personal care and cosmetic product use (e.g. in the past 6 or 24 hrs). Urine specific gravity was used to assess effect of urine dilution. Phthalate metabolite concentrations were compared to reference populations and the temporal trends of the same age-group in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed.

Results

Total urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in individuals ranged three orders of magnitude (geometric mean 56.6 ng/mL, IQR 26.6–114 ng/mL). A third of urine samples had relatively high urine specific gravity levels indicating potential dehydration status. All geometric mean concentrations were similar to the U.S. female population in the most recent NHANES cycle (2015–2016) except for MEP and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP). Relatively low MEP and MiBP may be explained by a time trend of declining MEP in the general U.S. population, the sociocultural character of this cohort, and the time of day of spot sampling in evening. NHANES data indicate a significant effect of sample timing on phthalate metabolite concentrations and decline in most, but not all, phthalate metabolites sampled in women aged 18–22 years over the decade (2005–2016).

Significance

This study reports phthalate metabolites in college-aged women, an understudied group, emphasizes the benefit of survey information for interpreting biomonitoring data, and is a useful case study for communicating phthalate chemical exposure risks to college students.