bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A successful intervention to improve conceptual knowledge of medical students who rely on memorization of disclosed items
Authors: Heber Stefan , Grasl Matthaeus Ch , Volf Ivo
Published: August 2023

Background: The mere memorization of isolated facts without the claim of integrating them is detrimental to the desired learning outcomes in medical education. The current study was conducted within an environment where items from summative assessments are regularly disclosed by the university and consequently collected into an item bank that is shared between students. Within this environment, we aimed to quantify 1) to which extent students use disclosed items for their preparation for the summative exam, 2) a putative mismatch between (isolated factual) knowledge regarding distinct questions from the item bank and conceptual knowledge, and 3) to which extent this mismatch can be ameliorated by a project aiming to steer student learning away from the memorization of isolated facts toward the acquisition of conceptual knowledge.

Methods: This steering project in the midst of the first semester consisted of the implementation of an oral exam based on selected learning objectives, preceded by two seminars. After their summative exam at the end of semester, 135 students performed a voluntary exam for study purposes. Here, authentic (i.e., presumably preknown) physiology questions taken from the item bank were used to assess students’ ability to 1) recognize the correct answer in a multiple choice (MC) question, 2) recall the answer (short answer), or 3) display conceptual knowledge closely corresponding to the question presented in the other formats. Additionally, students received a questionnaire addressing their learning habits and attitudes.

Results: The median reported percentage of learning time for the summative exam exclusively spent with this item bank was 80%. The results of the voluntary exam indicate that students frequently recognize and recall correct answers of included items without displaying knowledge of the underlying concept. Compared to recall of the correct answer, the probability of giving a correct answer regarding the corresponding basal physiologic concept was lower by 47 percentage points (p <0.001) for topics not included in the steering project. Regarding topics included in the steering project, this discrepancy was reduced to 25.5% (p <0.001).

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the influence of disclosed items on student learning and learning outcomes and suggest that a carefully implemented assessment is able to improve conceptual knowledge in physiology.
A novel 3D insect detection and monitoring system in plants based on deep learning
Authors: Choi Nak Jung , Ku Kibon , Mansoor Sheikh , Chung Yong Suk , Tuan Thai Thanh
Published: August 2023

Insects can have a significant impact on biodiversity, ecology, and the economy. Certain insects, such as aphids, caterpillars, and beetles, feed on plant tissues, including leaves, stems, and fruits. They can cause direct damage by chewing on the plant parts, resulting in holes, defoliation, or stunted growth. This can weaken the plant and affect its overall health and productivity. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop a model system that can identify insects and track their behavior, movement, size, and habits. We successfully built a 3D monitoring system that can track insects over time, facilitating the exploration of their habits and interactions with plants and crops. This technique can assist researchers in comprehending insect behavior and ecology, and it can be beneficial for further research in these areas.
Limited effectiveness of selected bioeffectors combined with recycling phosphorus fertilizers for maize cultivation under Swiss farming conditions
Authors: Symanczik Sarah , Lipp Carina , Mäder Paul , Thonar Cécile , Kundel Dominika
Published: August 2023

The use of plant biostimulants, also known as bioeffectors (BEs), has attracted increasing attention as an environmentally friendly strategy for more sustainable crop production. BEs are substances or microorganisms that are applied to plants or the surrounding soil to stimulate natural processes to enhance nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and plant growth. Here, we tested the effectiveness of five BEs to enhance maize growth and phosphorus (P) uptake from various recycled P fertilizers in a series of pot and field experiments. First, the impact of two bacterial BEs and one soil-specific plant-based BE on crop performance was assessed in a 4-week screening experiment conducted in two arable, P-deficient soils of differing soil pH (a silty clay loam of pH 7.1 and a silty loam of pH 7.8) amended with recycled P-fertilizers (rock phosphate, biogas digestate, green waste compost, composted dairy manure, and chicken manure pellets). Then, for each soil type, the plant growth-promoting effect of the most promising BE–fertilizer combinations was re-assessed in an 8-week experiment. In addition, over a period of up to 3 years, three field experiments were conducted with maize in which up to two bacterial BEs were used either alone or in combination with a plant-based BE. Our experiments show that while BEs in combination with specific P-fertilizers can promote maize growth within the first weeks of growth under controlled conditions, the observed effects vanished in the long term, both in pots and under field conditions. In a tracing experiment, in which we tested the persistence of one bacterial BE over a period of 5 weeks, we observed a drastic decrease in colony-forming units already 2 weeks after inoculation. As previously shown in other studies, our data indicate that the plant growth-promoting effects of BEs found under controlled conditions are not directly transferable to field conditions. It is suggested that the drastic decline in inoculated bacterial strains in the tracing experiment is the reason for the decline in plant growth effect.
Genome-wide association study of cooking-caused grain expansion in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Zheng Yan , Thi Khin Mar , Lin Lihui , Xie Xiaofang , Khine Ei Ei , Nyein Ei Ei , Lin Min Htay Wai , New Win Win , Aye San San , Wu Weiren
Published: August 2023

Cooking-caused rice grain expansion (CCRGE) is a critical trait for evaluating the cooking quality of rice. Previous quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping studies on CCRGE have been limited to bi-parental populations, which restrict the exploration of natural variation and mapping resolution. To comprehensively and precisely dissect the genetic basis of CCRGE, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on three related indices: grain breadth expansion index (GBEI), grain length expansion index (GLEI), and grain length-breadth ratio expansion index (GREI), using 345 rice accessions grown in two years (environments) and 193,582 SNP markers. By analyzing each environment separately using seven different methods (3VmrMLM, mrMLM, FASTmrMLM, FASTmrEMMA, pLARmEB, pKWmEB, ISIS EM-BLASSO), we identified a total of 32, 19 and 27 reliable quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) associated with GBEI, GLEI and GREI, respectively. Furthermore, by jointly analyzing the two environments using 3VmrMLM, we discovered 19, 22 and 25 QTNs, as well as 9, 5 and 7 QTN-by-environment interaction (QEIs) associated with GBEI, GLEI and GREI, respectively. Notably, 12, 9 and 15 QTNs for GBEI, GLEI and GREI were found within the intervals of previously reported QTLs. In the vicinity of these QTNs or QEIs, based on analyses of mutation type, gene ontology classification, haplotype, and expression pattern, we identified five candidate genes that are related to starch synthesis and endosperm development. The five candidate genes, namely, LOC_Os04g53310 (OsSSIIIb, near QTN qGREI-4.5s), LOC_Os05g02070 (OsMT2b, near QTN qGLEI-5.1s), LOC_Os06g04200 (wx, near QEI qGBEI-6.1i and QTNs qGREI-6.1s and qGLEI-6.1t), LOC_Os06g12450 (OsSSIIa, near QTN qGLEI-6.2t), and LOC_Os08g09230 (OsSSIIIa, near QTN qGBEI-8.1t), are predicted to be involved in the process of rice grain starch synthesis and to influence grain expansion after cooking. Our findings provide valuable insights and will facilitate genetic research and improvement of CCRGE.
Climate distress and social identity: bringing theory to clinical practice
Authors: Williams Marc O.
Published: August 2023

Guidance for supporting individuals with climate distress often lacks a theoretical foundation to account for its social dimension. This paper argues for the value of the social identity approach (SIA) for understanding and supporting individuals with climate distress in clinic. Three aspects of climate distress are considered: social isolation, collective emotions, and climate action. It is posited that the SIA can guide interventions in a way that is tailored to the specific social dynamics entailed in each client’s climate distress. The paper also considers how clinicians can weigh up the potential advantages and disadvantages of interventions that are commonly advised for these individuals, such as contact with nature and engaging in collective action. The author is a clinical psychologist and lecturer researching climate distress.
Reviewing the effect of teachers’ resilience and wellbeing on their foreign language teaching enjoyment
Authors: Zhang Linlin
Published: August 2023

This paper reviews evidence on teachers’ resilience (TR) and wellbeing (TWB) on foreign language teaching enjoyment (FLTE). This review improves the understanding of the multi-dimensional, dynamic and context-dependent structural attributes of TR and TWB, as well as the relationship between them and the FLTE. The literature review verifies the positive effects of teachers’ positive optimism, self-efficacy, positive teacher-student relationship, teacher support and pro-social dynamic classroom environment on TR and TWB under person-context interaction, and also confirms that TR and TWB have predictive effect and significant impact on personal enjoyment, social enjoyment and student appreciation of FLTE three-factor structure. Some important findings from the review verifies the important role of teachers’ social enjoyment in the three-factor structure and the dominant role of prosocial situational characteristics in predicting FLTE. This paper finally explains its pedagogical significance and provides some suggestions for expanding the research on antecedent variables related to FLTE.
Assessment of the psychomotor fitness level of cadet pilots after a 6-month flight training period - pilot study
Authors: Wochyński Zbigniew , Skrzyńska-Rękawek Justyna , Kobos Zdzisław
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of 6-month aviation practice on the improvement of physical fitness and cognitive abilities of cadet pilots.

Materials and methods

Twenty cadet pilots (men) with an average age of 22 from the Polish Air Force Academy were tested. Two tests of effort were conducted: before (test I) and after (test II) practical flights. Test of physical effort relyed on the number of rotations of looping accomplished. When performing rotations on looping, in tests I and II, the percentage level of task performance was assessed using a diagnostic and training device. Tasks for the exerciser were sent wirelessly to the glasses from the operator’s position. The heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured with a camera-type Microlife AG.

Results

In test II, there was a statistically significant improvement in the percentage of task completion (p < 0.01) and an insignificant improvement in the performance of rotations on looping compared to test I. After Test I and II demonstrated a statistically significant increase in HR and systolic blood pressure when compared to before test values. Test II illustrated a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure after effort (p < 0.05) with regard to test I.

Conclusion

The study showed that cadet aviation practice ameliorated their physical fitness and cognitive skills, as well as helped to diminish their situational stress, which resulted in a decrease in systolic blood pressure after test II.
The relationship between performance appraisal interval and employees’ proactive working behavior – analysis based on time-gain effect and time-loss effect
Authors: Yang Jun , Ma Jun , Li Liping
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Performance appraisal is the most widely motivation means for employees’ initiative and work improvement. As a large number of organizations are moving from traditional annual performance appraisal to more frequent appraisals, there is little research to compare the motivational effect of different performance appraisal intervals.

Methods

We explore the relationship between performance appraisal interval (PAI) and positive work behavior (PWB) as well as how to improve the relationship between them. Drawing from the psychological momentum (PM) theory, we constructed a model of the dual effect (the time-gain effect and time-loss effect) of PAI on PWB as well as their boundary conditions.

Results

A cross-level analysis of 622 employees in 57 teams indicated that: (1) PAI exerted a positive but marginal decreasing effect on delay of gratification (DG), and then increase PWB indirectly (i.e., the time-gain effect). (2) PAI exerted a positive and marginal increasing effect on perceived uncertainty (PU), and then decrease PWB indirectly (i.e., the time-loss effect). (3) According to the additive principle of the benefit and cost proposed by Hanns et al (2016), the addition of the time-gain effect and time-loss effect leads to an inverted U-shape effect of PAI on PWB. (4) Supervisor developmental feedback (SDF) moderated the inverted U-shape effect of PAI on PWB.

Discussion

This research enriches the application of PM theory in performance appraisal research, advances employee proactivity research from a perspective of organizations’ time mechanisms, and also provides a theoretical basis for leaders to adopt developmental feedback as an optimization strategy.
Parenting stress and needs for social support in mothers and fathers of deaf or hard of hearing children
Authors: Marie Amélie , Clabaut Laëtitia , Corbeil Marjolaine , Vanlerberghe Clémence , Vincent-Delorme Catherine , Le Driant Barbara
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Hearing parents of deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) children may experience parenting stress and social support could be a buffer to this stress. Differences in levels of these two indicators may exist between mothers and fathers. This study focuses on the parenting stress and social support needs of mothers and fathers of DHH children.

Methods

Twenty-seven French parental couples of DHH children completed the Parenting Stress Index and the Family Needs Survey, a questionnaire on social support needs.

Results

Their overall stress scores showed no difference, but subdomain scores show that mothers and fathers are more stressed by the child’s hyperactivity, and fathers by the child’s adaptability, than parents of children with normal hearing. Mothers are more stressed than fathers by role restriction; they feel less free because of their parenting role. Fathers have a lower quality of attachment to their child than mothers. Parents have a high social support need, especially for obtaining information about their child’s individual characteristics and health situation. The ranking of mothers and fathers in the top 10 needs reveals different needs profiles. Parenting stress profiles show that mothers and fathers with higher-than-normal stress levels have a greater overall need for social support than mothers and fathers with lower than normal stress levels.

Discussion

This study highlights the value of assessing parenting stress and social support needs in parents of DHH children for a better understanding of their situation in research and its clinical implications, as well as the importance of differentiating outcomes for mothers and fathers.
Psychometric evaluation and validation of Urdu Social Rank Scale for women with infertility in Pakistan
Authors: Mubashir Anila Sadaf , Batool Syeda Shahida , Arafat S. M. Yasir
Published: August 2023

Background

Infertility negatively affects nearly all aspects of women’s life and is a source of demotion in the rank/status of women that they have achieved after marriage. This social rank/status demotion due to infertility may result in depression and several other psychopathologies. No extant instrument is available to measure the phenomenon of social rank in women with infertility in Pakistan.

Objective

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and validate the Social Rank Scale for women experiencing infertility in Pakistan.

Methodology

This study was conducted in four phases. The data were collected from women with primary infertility who visited hospitals all over Pakistan from 2016 to 2018. Social Rank Scale for Women with Infertility (SRS-WI) comprising of two scales, the Social Comparison Scale for Women with Infertility (SCS-WI) and the Submissive Behavior Scale for Women with Infertility (SBS-WI), was developed.

Results

The factor structure of 37 items of SCS-WI and of 21 items of SBS-WI was determined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on a sample of 215 women with primary infertility with an age range of 20–45 years (Mage = 31.03; SD = 6.18). Principal component analysis with varimax rotation method yielded a three-factor solution for SCS-WI, and 32 items were retained for SCS-WI that accounted for 62.38% variance. For SBS-WI, a uni-factor solution was obtained, and 20 items were retained for SBS-WI, which collectively accounted for 42.01% variance. The factor structure for both scales was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis among a sample of 210 participants with good model fit indices.

Conclusion

The study provides acceptable psychometric properties of the SRS-WI in Pakistan. Testing of psychometric properties in different groups of samples would justify the generalized use of the instrument.
Functional connectivity in a monetary and social incentive delay task in medicated patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Hanewald Bernd , Lockhofen Denise Elfriede Liesa , Sammer Gebhard , Stingl Markus , Gallhofer Bernd , Mulert Christoph , Iffland Jona Ruben
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Numerous studies indicate impaired reward-related learning in individuals with schizophrenia, with various factors such as illness duration, medication, disease severity, and level of analysis (behavioral or neurophysiological data) potentially confounding the results. Patients with schizophrenia who are treated with second-generation antipsychotics have been found to have a less affected reward system. However, this finding does not explain the neural dysfunctions observed in previous studies. This study aimed to address the open question of whether the less impaired reward-related behavior is associated with unimpaired task-related functional connectivity or altered task-related functional connectivity.

Methods

The study included 23 participants diagnosed within the schizophrenia spectrum and 23 control participants matched in terms of age, sex, and education. Participants underwent an MRI while performing a monetary incentive delay task and a social incentive delay task. The collected data were analyzed in terms of behavior and functional connectivity.

Results

Both groups exhibited a main effect of reward type on behavioral performance, indicating faster reaction times in the social incentive delay task, but no main effect of reward level. Altered functional connectivity was observed in predictable brain regions within the patient group, depending on the chosen paradigm, but not when compared to healthy individuals.

Discussion

In addition to expected slower response times, patients with schizophrenia demonstrated similar response patterns to control participants at the behavioral level. The similarities in behavioral data may underlie different connectivity patterns. Our findings suggest that perturbations in reward processing do not necessarily imply disturbances in underlying connectivities. Consequently, we were able to demonstrate that patients with schizophrenia are indeed capable of exhibiting goal-directed, reward-responsive behavior, although there are differences depending on the type of reward.
Prevalence of common mental disorders among medical students in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Jinxingyi , Liu Min , Bai Jian , Chen Yuhan , Xia Jie , Liang Baolin , Wei Ruixuan , Lin Jiayin , Wu Jiajun , Xiong Peng
Published: August 2023

Background

The prevalence of mental distress is common for medical students in China due to factors such as the long duration of schooling, stressful doctor-patient relationship, numerous patient population, and limited medical resources. However, previous studies have failed to provide a comprehensive prevalence of these mental disorders in this population. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs), including depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors, among medical students in China.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search for empirical studies on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, suicide attempt, suicide ideation, and suicide plan in Chinese medical students published from January 2000 to December 2020. All data were collected pre-COVID-19. The prevalence and heterogeneity estimations were computed by using a random-effects model and univariate meta-regression analyses.

Results

A total of 197 studies conducted in 23 provinces in China were included in the final meta-analysis. The prevalence data of depression, anxiety, suicide attempt, suicide ideation, and suicide plan were extracted from 129, 80, 21, 53, and 14 studies, respectively. The overall pooled crude prevalence for depression was 29% [38,309/132,343; 95% confidence interval (CI): 26%−32%]; anxiety, 18% (19,479/105,397; 95% CI: 15%−20%); suicide ideation, 13% (15,546/119,069; 95% CI: 11%−15%); suicide attempt, 3% (1,730/69,786; 95% CI: 1%−4%); and suicide plan, 4% (1,188/27,025; 95% CI: 3%−6%).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated the high prevalence of CMDs among Chinese medical students. Further research is needed to identify targeted strategies to improve the mental health of this population.
Improved prediction of 5-year mortality by updating the chronic related score for risk profiling in the general population: lessons from the italian region of Lombardy
Authors: Corrao Giovanni , Bonaugurio Andrea Stella , Chen Yu Xi , Franchi Matteo , Lora Antonio , Leoni Olivia , Pavesi Giovanni , Bertolaso Guido
Published: August 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to improve the performance of the Chronic Related Score (CReSc) in predicting mortality and healthcare needs in the general population.

Methods

A population-based study was conducted, including all beneficiaries of the Regional Health Service of Lombardy, Italy, aged 18 years or older in January 2015. Each individual was classified as exposed or unexposed to 69 candidate predictors measured before baseline, updated to include four mental health disorders. Conditions independently associated with 5-year mortality were selected using the Cox regression model on a random sample including 5.4 million citizens. The predictive performance of the obtained CReSc-2.0 was assessed on the remaining 2.7 million citizens through discrimination and calibration.

Results

A total of 35 conditions significantly contributed to the CReSc-2.0, among which Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, dementia, heart failure, active neoplasm, and kidney dialysis contributed the most to the score. Approximately 36% of citizens suffered from at least one condition. CReSc-2.0 discrimination performance was remarkable, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83. Trends toward increasing short-term (1-year) and long-term (5-year) rates of mortality, hospital admission, hospital stay, and healthcare costs were observed as CReSc-2.0 increased.

Conclusion

CReSC-2.0 represents an improved tool for stratifying populations according to healthcare needs.
Client experience of food assistance programs among adults in the United States: a qualitative evidence synthesis protocol
Authors: Rhodes Elizabeth C. , Nyhan Kate , Okoli Ngozi , O’Connor Duffany Kathleen , Rodriguez Maria Elena , Perkins Benjamin , Ross Daniel , Pérez-Escamilla Rafael
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Policymakers, health practitioners, and other key partners are increasingly focused on ensuring that clients of food assistance programs have positive experiences, a key aspect of high-quality programming. The objectives of this review are to describe the experiences of clients participating in food assistance programs in the United States (US) and to identify ways that these programs promote or hinder positive experiences.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis with partners from food security organizations and community members. Peer-reviewed literature will be systematically searched in Scopus, CINAHL, and AGRICOLA. To identify grey literature, we will use Google’s programmable search engine. This review will consider sources that present results of primary qualitative studies that focus on at least one food assistance program in the US and explore the perspectives of adult clients. Only sources published in English or Spanish from 2007 onward will be included. Multiple reviewers will screen articles for inclusion and extract data from articles that meet the inclusion criteria, using a structured data extraction tool. Thematic synthesis or meta-ethnography may be appropriate approaches for synthesizing the extracted data. The final selection of synthesis method will be determined once the set of primary qualitative studies to be included in the review is complete and the type of data presented in these studies is known. We will assess the methodological quality of the included studies using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) tool for qualitative studies and assess the confidence in the review findings using the GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) approach.

Discussion

The findings of this review will inform the development of measures to assess client experience and quality improvement efforts.
Prevalence and associated factors of myopia among school students in Shenyang, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Dan , Sun Baijun , Wu Ming , Liu Huiying , Zhou Lin , Guo Lianying
Published: August 2023

Background

In recent years, the prevalence of myopia has increased significantly and caused great concern. Nevertheless, an estimate of myopia in the student population in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China is still lacking. This study aims to determine the prevalence of myopia among students in Shenyang and investigate the associated factors affecting myopia development.

Methods

Standard logarithmic visual acuity chart and automatic computerized optometry under non-ciliary muscle paralysis were used to test the students’ naked visual acuity of their right and left eyes. The included students were organized to fill in questionnaires on WeChat to collect the factors affecting myopia.

Results

A total of 34,644 students with a median age of 11.9 years were examined, including 17,563 males and 17,081 females. The overall prevalence of myopia was 60%, with a prevalence of 45% for mild myopia, 13% for moderate myopia, and 1.9% for high myopia. The sex, high educational stage, family history of myopia, doing homework after school or reading and writing for more than 2 h were associated with a higher risk of myopia, while doing eye exercises twice a day or more, going outdoors during recess, reading and writing with eyes more than one foot from books, and sleeping more than 8 h a day were associated factors for preventing myopia. The associated factors influencing myopia vary among different subgroups.

Conclusion

The prevalence of myopia in Shenyang is at a high level. In addition to sex, high educational stage and genetic factors, environmental factors including length of eye usage, eye exercises, outdoor activities, eye working distance, and sleep duration are associated with myopia prevalence. Therefore, it is recommended that the occurrence and development of myopia can be prevented by controlling the above environmental factors.
Antimicrobial resistance interventions in the animal sector: scoping review
Authors: Jacobsen Alice B. J. E. , Ogden Jane , Ekiri Abel B.
Published: August 2023

Animals are considered key contributors to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, little is known about the existing AMR interventions in the animal sector. This scoping review examines the existing evidence on AMR interventions aimed at livestock, animal health professionals (AHPs), and farmers, while reviewing their impact, limitations, gaps, and lessons for future use. The scoping review was conducted following guidelines from the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The databases, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and international organisations’ websites (WHO, FAO, WOAH) were searched for articles reporting interventions targeting livestock, farmers, and AHPs. Interventions were categorised based on seven pre-defined primary measures including: change in antimicrobial use (AMU) practices; change in the uptake of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS); change in development of AMR; change in knowledge of appropriate AMU practices, AMR, and AMS; change in attitudes and perceptions concerning AMU, AMR, and AMS; and surveillance strategies. In total, ninety three sources were included: 66 studies, 20 reports, and 7 webpages. The reviewed interventions focused mostly on AMU practices (22/90), AMS uptake (8/90), and reduction of bacterial or resistant strains (30/90). Changes in knowledge (14/90) and attitude (1/90) were less frequently assessed and were often implicit. Most interventions were conducted within a select country (83/90) and 7/90 were at a global level. Only 19% (16/83) of interventions were implemented in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and most were at herd level with many self-reporting changes. Most of the interventions that focused on surveillance strategies (30/83) were implemented in high-income countries (62/83). Only one study investigated the financial implications of the intervention. The study findings provide an overview of existing AMR interventions and insights into the gaps which can be addressed to guide future interventions and research. A focus on developing, implementing and evaluating interventions in LMICs coupled with the use of objective outcome measures (e.g., measurable outcomes vs. self-reporting) will improve our understanding of the impact of interventions in these settings. Finally, assessing the financial benefits of interventions is necessary to inform feasibility and to encourage uptake of interventions aimed at reducing AMR in the animal health sector.
Metabolic profile of goats fed diets containing crude glycerin from biodiesel production
Authors: Bezerra Higor Fábio Carvalho , Santos Edson Mauro , de Carvalho Gleidson Giordano Pinto , de Oliveira Juliana Silva , da Silva Fabiano Ferreira , Cassuce Meiry Rodrigues , Guerra Ricardo Romão , Pereira Danillo Marte , Ferreira Daniele de Jesus , Nascimento Thiago Vinicius Costa , Zanine Anderson de Moura
Published: August 2023

Feedlot finishing of goats is a growing practice, but the economic viability of this technology is compromised by the inclusion of ingredients such as corn and soybean. An alternative to minimize this barrier is the use of agroindustry coproducts as substitutes for those ingredients, such as crude glycerol. This study aimed to evaluated the metabolism of crossbred Boer finishing goats fed diets containing crude glycerin from biodiesel production. Thirty-two crossbred, castrated goat of age were distributed in a fully randomized experimental design with four treatments and eight replicates. The experiment lasted 69 days, and goats were fed sorghum silage and concentrate, with the inclusion of crude glycerin in the diet at levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 g/kg on a dry matter basis. The diets did not have an effect (p > 0.05) on the serum urea levels. Increasing dietary crude glycerin levels did not the influence the metabolic or urinary profiles (p > 0.05). The liver tissue of the goats fed diets containing the highest crude glycerin inclusion levels showed deleterious effects. The inclusion of crude glycerin with approximately 6.6 g/kg methanol caused deleterious effects to the liver tissue of Boer crossbred goats as the glycerin concentrations increased. However, glycerin levels did not cause deleterious effects on the liver tissue or on the serum or urinary profiles. The use of crude glycerin with lower methanol content is recommended for goat diets.
Beyond accuracy: leveraging ASSURED criteria for field evaluation of point-of-care tests for food animal diseases
Authors: Ochwo Sylvester , Perez Andres M. , Pérez Aguirreburualde María Sol
Published: August 2023

The growing availability of point-of-care tests (POCTs) for food-animal diseases offers opportunities for timely diagnosis, facilitating the efficient implementation of control measures. However, field assessment of new POCTs are yet to be standardized. This paper discusses the opportunity of expanding the current approach for the evaluation and validation of POCTs in food animal disease diagnosis, highlighting the limitations of traditional practice that primarily relies on estimating diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity). Here, the use of a protocol referred to as FIT-REASSURED, a modified framework combining the ASSURED and REASSURED criteria, is proposed to comprehensively assess POCTs. FIT-REASSURED encompasses key criteria such as fitness for purpose, real-time connectivity, ease of specimen collection, affordability, sensitivity, specificity, user-friendliness, rapidity and robustness, equipment-free operation, and deliverability. By incorporating these attributes, FIT-REASSURED provides a customizable approach to assess the accuracy, affordability, and utility of POCTs. Through collaborative efforts among stakeholders, the implementation of a standardized scorecard based on these FIT-REASSURED criteria can improve the reliability and practicality of POCTs in food-animal health.
Newly Designed Identification Scheme for Monitoring Ice Thickness on Power Transmission Lines
Authors: Nusantika Nalini Rizkyta , Hu Xiaoguang , Xiao Jin
Published: August 2023

Overhead power transmission line icing (PTLI) disasters are one of the most severe dangers to power grid safety. Automatic iced transmission line identification is critical in various fields. However, existing methods primarily focus on the linear characteristics of transmission lines, employing a two-step process involving edge and line detection for PTLI identification. Nonetheless, these traditional methods are often complicated when confronted with challenges such as background noise or variations in illumination, leading to incomplete identification of the target area, missed target regions, or misclassification of background pixels as foreground. This paper proposes a new iced transmission line identification scheme to overcome this limitation. In the initial stage, we integrate the image restoration method with image filter enhancement to restore the image’s color information. This combined approach effectively retains valuable information and preserves the original image quality, thereby mitigating the noise presented during the image acquisition. Subsequently, in the second stage, we introduce an enhanced multi-threshold algorithm to separate background and target pixels. After image segmentation, we enhance the image and obtain the region of interest (ROI) through connected component labeling modification and mathematical morphology operations, eliminating background regions. Our proposed scheme achieves an accuracy value of 97.72%, a precision value of 96.24%, a recall value of 86.22%, and a specificity value of 99.48% based on the average value of test images. Through object segmentation and location, the proposed method can avoid background interference, effectively solve the problem of transmission line icing identification, and achieve 90% measurement accuracy compared to manual measurement on the collected PTLI dataset.
Sugar and Dyslipidemia: A Double-Hit, Perfect Storm
Authors: Gugliucci Alejandro
Published: August 2023

The availability of sugar has expanded over the past 50 years, due to improved industrial processes and corn subsidies, particularly in the form of sweetened beverages. This correlates with a surge in the prevalence of cardiometabolic disorders, which has brought this issue back into the spotlight for public health. In this narrative review, we focus on the role of fructose in the genesis of cardiometabolic dyslipidemia (an increase in serum triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL): VLDL, chylomicrons (CM), and their remnants) bringing together the most recent data on humans, which demonstrates the crucial interaction between glucose and fructose, increasing the synthesis while decreasing the catabolism of these particles in a synergistic downward spiral. After reviewing TRL metabolism, we discuss the fundamental principles governing the metabolism of fructose in the intestine and liver and the effects of dysregulated fructolysis, in conjunction with the activation of carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) by glucose and the resulting crosstalk. The first byproduct of fructose catabolism, fructose-1-P, is highlighted for its function as a signaling molecule that promotes fat synthesis. We emphasize the role of fructose/glucose interaction in the liver, which enhances de novo lipogenesis, triglyceride (TG) synthesis, and VLDL production. In addition, we draw attention to current research that demonstrates how fructose affects the activity of lipoprotein lipase by increasing the concentration of inhibitors such as apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) and angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), which reduce the catabolism of VLDL and chylomicrons and cause the building up of their atherogenic remnants. The end outcome is a dual, synergistic, and harmful action that encourages atherogenesis. Thus, considering the growing concerns regarding the connection between sugar consumption and cardiometabolic disease, current research strongly supports the actions of public health organizations aimed at reducing sugar intake, including dietary guidance addressing “safe” limits for sugar consumption.
El aluvión Milei y las elecciones argentinas
Authors: Stefanoni Pablo
Published: August 2023

Las elecciones primarias argentinas alteraron el escenario electoral rumbo a las presidenciales del 22 de octubre próximo. El primer lugar del candidato libertario Javier Milei, alineado con la extrema derecha global, hace posible que Argentina tenga como presidente a un outsider con ideas radicales y sin estructura política. Estos resultados han relegado a la candidata de la coalición Juntos por el Cambio (JxC), Patricia Bullrich, quien podría quedar fuera del balotaje. Por su parte, el peronismo ha obtenido su peor resultado desde 1983. En una elección que coincidirá con los 40 años de la recuperación democrática, el país se encuentra sumido en una profunda crisis económica y de representación política.
La Gaitana : preludio a una biografia a la espéra
Authors: Mächler Tobar Ernesto
Published: August 2023

« La Gaitana, biographie en attente ».

La Gaitana, cacique Yalcón (Cauca, Colombie), est une icône des luttes revendicatives des Indiens, mais jusqu'à nos jours aucune étude biographique sérieuse n'a été écrite. À la fois cacique et mère, la Gaitana venge la mort de son fils, brûlé vivant par ordre de Pedro de Añasco. Le Conquistador est fait prisonnier, ses yeux arrachés, et il sera exécuté avec lenteur. Qu'est- ce qui détermine sa biographie ? La vengeance d'une femme est-elle l'élément primordial ? Si certains auteurs soutiennent qu'elle est un être légendaire, les Cronistas, comme Juan de Castellanos qui se pose comme témoin privilégié, écrivent des centaines de pages sur elle. La communication étudie divers portraits d'elle, parmi lesquels ceux de Gómez Picón, Méndez Bernal, Diaz Diaz, et Vargas Villamil. La cacique perd son nom, et son caractère innominé souligne ainsi une banalisation ; tous les portraits masculins utilisent un lexique péjoratif ; si la Vierge est le côté positif, cultivé, La Gaitana représente le côté négatif, animal, archaïque : la Conquête se justifie donc elle-même.
Du funambulisme en biographie : de Miguel Enriquez, corsario boricua del siglo XVIII à Mi tio Miguel Enriquez
Authors: Leroux Marie-Caroline
Published: August 2023

« Del funambulismo en biografia : Miguel Enriquez, corsario boricua del siglo XVIII y Mi tio Miguel Enriquez ».

El présente articulo se centra en la doble biografia del armador de corso Miguel Enriquez escrita por el historiador español Angel Lopez Cantos. El primer estudio, Miguel Enriquez, corsario boricua del siglo XVIII, privilégia el rigor cientifico : recopila y organiza los datos existentes acerca de este humilde mulato que Ilegó a convertirse en uno de los hombres mes influyentes del Caribe de su época. Mi tio Miguel Enriquez adopta una forma mas novelesca, pues basándose en los elementos reunidos con ocasión del primer trabajo, le cede la palabra al négociante. En el proemio, el propio Lopez Cantos aprovecha su autoridad cientifica para proclamar la autenticidad de estas supuestas memorias.

El análisis comparado invita a considerar los dos textos como fases sucesivas de la reflexion Ilevada a cabo por el historiador. La empresa brinda una inédita oportunidad de observar el proceso de maduración del relato de vida a partir del material histórico. Asimismo, vuelve a plantear las inevitables preguntas relativas a las indecisiones genéricas de la biografia : ¿ es o no es biografia el estudio liminar, caracterizado por un claro desdén por las cuestiones de forma y la ausencia de acercamiento a la intimidad del personaje ?, ¿ es biografia o novela el segundo texto cuando Mena los espacios dejados en bianco por la historiografia ? Por lo demés, el polifacético proyecto de López Cantos Neva naturalmente a contemplar la posibilidad de proponer biografias alternativas. Porque dista de agotar el tema, y porque, dado el innegable compromiso del autor, la singular figura de Enriquez clama por enfoques nuevos. Palabras claves : Puerto Rico, época colonial, memoria y relato biográfico, biografia novelada.
Dariographies. Formes et impensés du discours biographique : le cas de Rubén Dario
Authors: Le Corre Hervé
Published: August 2023

« Dariografias ; las formas y lo impensado del discurso biográfico. El caso de Rubén Dario ».

Entre las muchas biografias o demás biografemas que constituyen la mitografia dariana, se ha elegido para este estudio una série de relatos biográficos cuyos presupuestos se van interrogando. Analizar esos presupuestos, explicitos o implieitos, supone cotejar elementos de tipo ideológico y formal. Si bien el sujeto que emerge de esas biografias es reflejo de los ideologemas epocales, las estrategias narrativas obvian una lectura univoca : las formas de legitimación, los estratagemas enunciativos o las formulas (narratemas) adoptadas requieren un análisis matizado. Cada uno de esos relatos construye una figura (personaje/estructura narrativa) mediante la cual el biógrafo trata de acercarse al sujeto dariano, un sujeto siempre en fuga, como lo sugiere Matamoro.
Autour de sept biographies de J. L. Borges
Authors: Larrue Christophe
Published: August 2023

« En torno a siete biografias de J. L. Borges ».

A través de siete biografias de Jorge Luis Borges se prétende indagar algunas caracteristicas formales y de contenido de la biografia borgesiana. En muchos aspectos son obras poco innovadoras y hasta se les puede achacar los defectos metodológicos reprochados a Sainte-Beuve por su relación circular con la obra literaria propiamente dicha ; además en su mayoria están demasiado apegadas a la propia Autobiografia redactada por Borges en inglés con di Giovanni (1970). Sin embargo permiten percibir cómo se sitúan sus respectivos autores en torno a la figura de Borges : asi el lector se da cuenta de que esta es todavia un campo de enfrentamiento para sus allegados o de cómo parece servirle a la intelectualidad argentina para ajustar cuentas con parte del pasado politico del pais. En los casos examinados la biografia es un género «blando» mes cercano al periodismo que a la critica, más hagiográfico que histórico y que muchas veces participa de la propagación de la leyenda del escritor, pero que a veces le dépara al ávido lector algún pedazo suculento para saciar su hambre fetichista, producto al parecer inevitable de la admiración, incluso literaria.
'Cristal invisible'. Comienzos, poética y exilio en Julio Cortázar
Authors: Broichhagen Vera
Published: August 2023

« 'Cristal invisible'. Commencements, poétique et exil chez Julio Cortézar ».

On a l'habitude de chercher dans l'enfance d'un auteur les germes de sa poétique. Souvent même, dans des accès de déterminisme, on y recherche les uniques sources de son écriture. L'intellectuel germanophone Elias Canetti a signalé le risque non seulement scientifique mais aussi éthique d'une telle entreprise, tant pour l'artiste que pour son biographe. Nous portons tous en nous, dit-il, plusieurs enfances et il est aisé de trouver celle qui justifie l'œuvre. Il y a, selon Canetti, un moment décisif que traverse tout futur écrivain « après » l'enfance, et où les éléments nés durant celle-ci s'agrègent pour former ce qu'il appelle un « cristal invisible », indestructible. Ce cristal, qui rappelle les « beginnings » d'Edward Saïd, est la poétique ou la promesse de l'œuvre. Il n'a pas en lui même une force déterminante absolue ; car, comme l'exprime Jean Starobinski, une œuvre n'est jamais seulement conséquence, elle est toujours « aussi » « une manière de s'anticiper ». Le moment de cristallisation est cependant décisif, car il révèle à l'artiste - et à lui seul - son destin artistique, et les responsabilités envers ce destin : rendre visible pour les autres ce cristal, à travers l'accomplissement de l'œuvre, et le préserver de contextes qui menacent son intégrité, car il guidera la création. Je propose d'appeler « expérience du déboussolement » la vision que l'Argentin Julio Cortâzar, à la fin des années 1940, a de sa propre poétique : ce qu'il s'agit de préserver et protéger. À partir de cette idée, l'émigration de l'écrivain à Paris en 1951 peut se lire comme le geste d'un créateur qui, ayant reconnu la substance fondamentale de son art, l'isole d'un climat politique et culturel peu propice sous le premier péronisme.
Biografia, historia de vida, testimonio
Authors: López Lemus Virgilio
Published: August 2023

« Biographie, histoire de vie, témoignage... ».

Raconter une vie dépend de l'auteur qui raconte, des sources et du choix de la forme, conditions qui font prendre en considération des genres parfois différents, ne découlant pas des mêmes motifs ni des mêmes buts. Le témoignage, le roman, le « récit de vie » en tant que forme narrative et sociologique sont des variations autour de la biographie qui a cependant des exigences qui la caractérisent. La deuxième étape de réflexion montre que la volonté d'objectivité attendue du biographe passe par une connaissance documentaire et pose, lorsqu'il s'agit d'un artiste, la question de l'interprétation de l'œuvre en ce qu'elle peut éclairer la vie de l'auteur. La contribution du personnage biographie fournit un matériau important (lettres, entretiens, mémoires, textes autobiographiques) que l'auteur de la biographie peut replacer dans un contexte. Cette vue de la biographie en tant que genre est complétée par les définitions de sous-genres qui s'y rattachent : récit de vie, témoignage, autobiographie, mémoires et par le facteur décisif que représente la présence d'une autre personne qui écrit.