bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Child Participation in Early Childhood Education from the Perspective of Female Students Specialising in Preschool and Early Childhood Education
Authors: Stek-Łopatka Natalia , Piekarska Karolina
Published: December 2023

This article addresses the subject matter of child participation in decision-making, events and social or civic activities at the early childhood education stage from the perspective offemale students at a Polish university. This study aimed to explore and analyse the opinions of female students preparing to become teachers for grades 1–3 in primary school, focusing on their perspectives regarding child participation while utilising Roger Hart’s “Ladder of Children’s Participation” concept. In this qualitative study, a semi-directed, problem-oriented focus group interview was conducted, followed by a content analysis of the data obtained. Female students at a large university in a medium-sized city in Poland were invited to participate in the study. The study depicted that they equated theprocess of developing skills related to participation, understood as involvement in society,with formal education. Their responses were dominated by approaches related to full participation, while other views indicated a lack of confidence in implementation of full participation at the early childhood education stage. These concerns, inter alia, include the presumed lack of developmental readiness of children, as well as the requirements that prevent the creation of a participatory environment (compulsory core curriculum). As the analysis of the study programme of future female teachers, conducted as a context, has shown, issues related to child participation have been dealt with marginally, which needs to be corrected.
Between Museum Theory and Practice: Museological Education Illustrated by the Ethnology Curriculum at the Jagiellonian University
Authors: Trebunia-Staszel Stanisława
Published: December 2023

Curricular training in museology at Jagiellonian University has a tradition spanning over 60 years. It was initiated by Mieczysław Gładysz, who, upon assuming the Chair of Slavic Ethnography at Jagiellonian University in 1960, developed a museum education module for the students of the department he headed. He entrusted the implementation of the course to Dr Jan Bujak. The curriculum created by Gładysz and refined by Bujak encompassed a broad spectrum of issues and subjects, offering a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to museum theory and practice. After J. Bujak’s death in 1991, museology was completely removed from the curriculum of ethnological studies. It returned to university education in 2000 with the employment of Jan Święch at the Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology at Jagiellonian University. He was tasked with reactivating the Postgraduate Museological Studies Programme, as well as full-time classes. Currently, Jagiellonian University offers three museology courses as part of its ethnology studies: Museology in Contemporary Culture; Between Museum Theory and Practice; and Exhibition Design.
An Efficient Global Optimal Method for Cardinality Constrained Portfolio Optimization
Authors: Xu Wei , Tang Jie , Yiu Ka Fai Cedric , Peng Jian Wen
Published: December 2023

This paper focuses on the cardinality constrained mean-variance portfolio optimization, in which only a small number of assets are invested. We first treat the covariance matrix of asset returns as a diagonal matrix with a special matrix processing technique. Using the dual theory, we formulate the lower bound problem of the original problem as a max-min optimization. For the inner minimization problem with the cardinality constraint, we obtain its analytical solution for the portfolio weights. Then, the lower bound problem turns out to be a simple concave optimization with respect to the Lagrangian multipliers. Thus, the interval split method and the supergradient method are developed to solve it. Based on the precise lower bound, the depth-first branch and bound method are designed to find the global optimal investment selection strategy. Compared with other lower bounds and the current popular mixed integer programming solvers, such as CPLEX and SCIP, the numerical experiments show that our method has a high searching efficiency.

History: Accepted by Pascal Van Hentenryck, Area Editor for Computational Modeling: Methods & Analysis.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 12101317, 12271071, and 11991024], the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [Grant BK20200819], the Team Project of Innovation Leading Talent in Chongqing [Grant CQYC20210309536], the Contract System Project of Chongqing Talent Plan [Grant cstc2022ycjh-bgzxm0147], and the Philosophy and Social Science Fund of Education Department of Jiangsu Province [Grant 2020SJA0168]. K.F.C. Yiu is supported in part by the Research Grants Council of Hong Hong [Grant PolyU 15223419], the Hong Kong Polytechnic University [Grants 4-ZZPT and 1-WZ0E], and the Research Centre for Quantitative Finance [Grant 1-CE03].

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0344 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2022.0344 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA SOBRE AVALIAÇÃO PARA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL (2001-2021)
Authors: Souza Diego Tarcísio Matos de Sousa e , Martins Rodrigo Lema Del Rio , Calheiros Vicente Cabrera , Barcelos Marciel
Published: December 2023

O objetivo deste artigo é compreender o contexto das pesquisas sobre avaliação para educação infantil. De natureza quali-quantitativa assume como método a revisão integrativa, apresenta como fontes 46 artigos mapeados a partir de indexadores. A técnica de organização e análise das fontes mobilizou conceitos da bibliometria. Os resultados evidenciaram que a produção acadêmica possui duas características, estudos sobre a prática avaliativa e sobre a qualidade da educação infantil. Evidencia o aumento de produção científica sobre o tema, especialmente a partir de 2017, também indicou a existência de três periódicos que se destacam na divulgação da temática em tela. Conclui que os estudos com maior recorrência de citação impactam na característica da publicação científica sobre o tema, marcando a produção científica em torno da corrente que debate a avaliação da educação infantil.
AVALIAÇÃO DA APRENDIZAGEM NO ENSINO REMOTO EMERGENCIAL: RELATOS DE EXPERIÊNCIAS DOCENTES SOBRE OS DESAFIOS DESSE PROCESSO DURANTE A PANDEMIA
Authors: Gualberto Neves Daniella , Maciel Borges Regilson
Published: December 2023

Emergencial (ERE) foi implantado para possibilitar a continuidade dos estudos. Logo, a educação se deparou com vários obstáculos, inclusive, ter que avaliar a aprendizagem remotamente. Assim sendo, este estudo teve como objetivo compreender os desafios de avaliar a aprendizagem vividos por 11 professoras que lecionaram nos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental durante o período de ERE em uma escola pública municipal no Sul de Minas Gerais. Como método, propôs-se a pesquisa qualitativa através de um estudo de caso e os instrumentos utilizados para coletar dados foram questionários e entrevistas semiestruturadas, sendo os materiais obtidos nas entrevistas submetidos à Análise de Conteúdo. Conclui-se, que a maior dificuldade para avaliar as aprendizagens foi devido ao distanciamento social, pois este prejudicou o retorno das atividades, causou incertezas sobre quem resolvia as avaliações enviadas para a casa, e restringiu o contato físico com os alunos e suas famílias.
"Everyone Can Help the Earth": Environmental Dispositions of Elementary Students in Los Angeles, California's South Bay
Authors: Minaravesh Bita , Ruddell Darren , Unger Jennifer B.
Published: December 2023

Abstract: Early environmental exposures profoundly affect children's development of pro-environmental attitudes, yet the perspectives of children from historically environmentally disadvantaged neighborhoods are rarely heard. This study sought to understand children's environmental dispositions in the South Bay Region of Los Angeles County, California. We held focus groups with 109 third- and fourth-grade students across four public elementary schools. The young students in the South Bay conveyed largely positive eco-perspectives and suggested a lifelong interest in environmental sustainability. Placing their responses within the school's environmental context suggests that unfavorable local conditions do not hinder the development of eco-affinity or eco-awareness.
Active and Independent Mobility on the Way to School: Case Study of the Redesign of the Infrastructure Surrounding Bunte Schule Währing in the City of Vienna
Authors: Stark Juliane , Kaiser Sebastian , Aschauer Florian
Published: December 2023

Abstract: This article reports on a case study in the city of Vienna that investigated the influence of redesigning the infrastructure surrounding an elementary school on students' mobility behavior. The redesign mainly comprised construction and traffic organization measures. The evaluation is based on before-and-after surveys among parents. The results show significantly better ratings in terms of accessibility, quality of stay, and perceived social and traffic safety. While a positive mode choice tendency was observed for school trips of less than 500 m, there were no significant overall changes in mode choice or independent mobility.
Compact all-optical half adder based on topology optimization
Authors: Chen Houyu , Li Jin , Cheng Lirong , Zhao Caiyue , Liu Xuanyi , Li Qian , Fu H. Y.
Published: December 2023

We proposed an inverse-designed compact half adder on a silicon-on-insulator platform with a footprint of 2µm×2µm. The optical power of SUM and CARRY is controlled by different input combinations, according to the truth table of a half adder. Topology optimization is applied to cope with multiple objective functions in such a combinational logic circuit. The transmittance at 1550 nm for CARRY with 11 input is 170.2%, with extinction ratios (ERs) of 27.1 and 5.8 dB for SUM and CARRY, respectively. The SUM and CARRY outputs have ERs over 22.0 dB and 5.7 dB from 1515 nm to 1600 nm. Phase condition and morphology analysis show that the device has high tolerance on phase fluctuation and fabrication. The proposed device with compact footprint, low insertion loss, and large bandwidth presents a novel, to the best of our knowledge, approach to achieve all-optical combinational logic circuits with inverse design.
Contrast enhancement method in aero thermal radiation images based on cyclic multi-scale illumination self-similarity and gradient perception regularization
Authors: Wang Yu , Sui Xiubao , Wang Yihong , Liu Tong , Zhang Chuncheng , Chen Qian
Published: December 2023

In aerospace, the effects of thermal radiation severely affect the imaging quality of infrared (IR) detectors, which blur the scene information. Existing methods can effectively remove the intensity bias caused by the thermal radiation effect, but they have limitations in the ability of enhancing contrast and correcting local dense intensity or global dense intensity. To address the limitations, we propose a contrast enhancement method based on cyclic multi-scale illumination self-similarity and gradient perception regularization solver (CMIS-GPR). First, we conceive to correct for intensity bias by amplifying gradient. Specifically, we propose a gradient perception regularization (GPR) solver to correct intensity bias by directly decomposing degraded image into a pair of high contrast images, which do not contain intensity bias and exhibit inverted intensity directions. However, we find that the GPR fails for dense intensity area due to small gradient of the scene. Second, to cope with the cases of dense intensity, we regard the dense intensity bias as the sum of multiple slight intensity bias. Then, we construct a cyclic multi-scale illumination self-similarity (CMIS) model by using multi-scale Gaussian filters and structural similarity prior to removing the dense intensity layer by layer. The result acts as coarse correction for GPR, which does not need to be overly concerned with whether the result has intensity residuals or not. Finally, the coarse corrected result is input to the GPR module to further correct residual intensity bias by enhancing contrast. Extensive experiments in real and simulated data have demonstrated the superiority of the proposed method.
High CO2 adaptation mechanisms revealed in the miR156-regulated flowering time pathway
Authors: Zhang Kun , Wang Erkang , Liu Qiong Alison , Wang Jin
Published: December 2023

Elevated CO2 concentrations have been observed to accelerate flowering time in Arabidopsis through the action of a highly conserved regulatory network controlled by miR156 and miR172. However, the network’s robustness to the impact of increasing CO2 concentrations on flowering time remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate this question by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the global landscape of network dynamics, including quantifying the probabilities associated with juvenile and flowering states and assessing the speed of the transition between them. Our findings reveal that a CO2 concentration range of 400–800ppm only mildly advances flowering time, contrasting with the dramatic changes from 200 to 300ppm. Notably, the feedback regulation of miR156 by squamosal promoter binding protein-like proteins (SPLs) plays a substantial role in mitigating the effects of increasing CO2 on flowering time. Intriguingly, we consistently observe a correlation between delayed flowering time and increased variance in flowering time, and vice versa, suggesting that this might be an intrinsic adaptation mechanism embedded within the network. To gain a deeper understanding of this network’s dynamics, we identified the sensitive features within the feedback loops of miR156 SPLs and miR172—APETALA2 family proteins (AP2s), with the latter proving to be the most sensitive. Strikingly, our study underscores the indispensability of all feedback regulations in maintaining both juvenile and adult states as well as the transition time between them. Together, our research provides the first physical basis in plant species, aiding in the elucidation of novel regulatory mechanisms and the robustness of the miRNAs-regulated network in response to increasing CO2, therefore influencing the control of flowering time. Moreover, this study provides a promising strategy for engineering plant flowering time to enhance their adaptation and resilience.
Image-localized biopsy mapping of brain tumor heterogeneity: A single-center study protocol
Authors: Urcuyo Javier C , Curtin Lee , Langworthy Jazlynn M. , De Leon Gustavo , Anderies Barrett , Singleton Kyle W. , Hawkins-Daarud Andrea , Jackson Pamela R. , Bond Kamila M. , Ranjbar Sara , Lassiter-Morris Yvette , Clark-Swanson Kamala R. , Paulson Lisa E. , Sereduk Chris , Mrugala Maciej M. , Porter Alyx B. , Baxter Leslie , Salomao Marcela , Donev Kliment , Hudson Miles , Meyer Jenna , Zeeshan Qazi , Sattur Mithun , Patra Devi P. , Jones Breck A. , Rahme Rudy J. , Neal Matthew T. , Patel Naresh , Kouloumberis Pelagia , Turkmani Ali H. , Lyons Mark , Krishna Chandan , Zimmerman Richard S. , Bendok Bernard R. , Tran Nhan L. , Hu Leland S. , Swanson Kristin R.
Published: December 2023

Brain cancers pose a novel set of difficulties due to the limited accessibility of human brain tumor tissue. For this reason, clinical decision-making relies heavily on MR imaging interpretation, yet the mapping between MRI features and underlying biology remains ambiguous. Standard (clinical) tissue sampling fails to capture the full heterogeneity of the disease. Biopsies are required to obtain a pathological diagnosis and are predominantly taken from the tumor core, which often has different traits to the surrounding invasive tumor that typically leads to recurrent disease. One approach to solving this issue is to characterize the spatial heterogeneity of molecular, genetic, and cellular features of glioma through the intraoperative collection of multiple image-localized biopsy samples paired with multi-parametric MRIs. We have adopted this approach and are currently actively enrolling patients for our ‘Image-Based Mapping of Brain Tumors’ study. Patients are eligible for this research study (IRB #16–002424) if they are 18 years or older and undergoing surgical intervention for a brain lesion. Once identified, candidate patients receive dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), in addition to standard sequences (T1, T1Gd, T2, T2-FLAIR) at their presurgical scan. During surgery, sample anatomical locations are tracked using neuronavigation. The collected specimens from this research study are used to capture the intra-tumoral heterogeneity across brain tumors including quantification of genetic aberrations through whole-exome and RNA sequencing as well as other tissue analysis techniques. To date, these data (made available through a public portal) have been used to generate, test, and validate predictive regional maps of the spatial distribution of tumor cell density and/or treatment-related key genetic marker status to identify biopsy and/or treatment targets based on insight from the entire tumor makeup. This type of methodology, when delivered within clinically feasible time frames, has the potential to further inform medical decision-making by improving surgical intervention, radiation, and targeted drug therapy for patients with glioma.
Development and psychometric evidence of the Academic Engagement Scale (USAES) in Mexican college students
Authors: Parra-Pérez Lizeth Guadalupe , Valdés-Cuervo Angel Alberto , Urías-Murrieta Maricela , Addo Reuben , Cota-Valenzuela Laura Violeta , García-Vázquez Fernanda Inéz
Published: December 2023

School engagement is considered an effective college dropout antidote; therefore, understanding the construct, its underpinnings, and its effects remains critical for scholars. Although several scholars have offered multiple scales to measure engagement, their use has been hindered by significant limitations. This study sought to develop a scale to measure academic engagement by unifying and improving existing work and theories that resulted in a three-dimensional measurement model (behavioral, emotional, and cognitive). The items included were validated by a group of experts who ensured that the wording of the items captured the uniqueness of the college experience. A sample of 992 Mexican college students was used to test the fit of a second-order three-dimensional factor model of school engagement. The sample was randomly split in two for model cross-validation. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed that student engagement is a three-dimensional construct, with evidence that supports the hypothesized second-order engagement factor structure (behavioral, emotional, and cognitive). The stability of these models was confirmed by using an independent sample. Measurement invariance by gender was found in this model. Then, differences in latent factor means were analyzed. Finally, the scale showed discriminant and concurrent validity. These results indicate that the scale is theoretically and psychometrically grounded for measuring college students’ school engagement.
Exploring patients’ experiences with telehealth in obstetrics care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Alkawaldeh Mohammad , Alkhawaldeh Asma , Yeboah Tracy
Published: December 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ experiences with telehealth provision of obstetrics and gynecology care during the COVID-19 pandemic qualitatively.

Design and setting

In this study, a qualitative research design, namely descriptive phenomenology, was employed. Participants were recruited from the OB department at UMass Memorial Medical center in Worcester, MA, between 6/2020 and 7/2020.

Methods

Between June 2020 and July 2020, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women receiving care at the Obstetrics and Maternal and Fetal Medicine clinics. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke.

Results

Telehealth is a feasible and safe health-care tool that is available during these unprecedented times. This study provided qualitative evidence based on patients’ perspectives and experiences. Participants’ meanings in relation to their experiences of using telehealth services emerged from the data in four themes: the overall experience of using modern telehealth platforms, telehealth and its perceived benefits, telehealth and its perceived challenges, and telehealth and its potential future use.

Conclusion

While this study highlights areas in telehealth implementation that require improvement, the overall positive experiences and consistent perceived benefits of most participants suggests that telehealth can be an important tool in healthcare delivery for appropriate patients and situations moving forward in a post-pandemic world.

Impact

During the global pandemic, telehealth has been recognized to have the potential to play a critical role in healthcare delivery. Establishing qualitative evidence-based practices in the emerging field of telehealth for OB services is pivotal to mitigate potential safety, feasibility, and cost issues that could be associated with the rapid adoption of telehealth. Yet, this qualitative study However highlighted several challenges that are necessary to be addressed in order for telehealth to meet maximum effectiveness and functionality in the future.
Mental flexibility assessment: A research protocol for patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Borghesi Francesca , Mancuso Valentina , Bruni Francesca , Cremascoli Riccardo , Bianchi Laura , Mendolicchio Leonardo , Cattaldo Stefania , Chirico Alice , Mauro Alessandro , Pedroli Elisa , Cipresso Pietro
Published: December 2023

Mental Flexibility oscillates between adaptive variability in behavior and the capacity to restore homeostasis, linked to mental health. It has recently been one of the most investigated abilities in mental and neurological diseases such as Anorexia nervosa and Parkinson’s disease, studied for rigidity or cognitive inflexibility. Patients with anorexia nervosa have rigid cognitive processes about food and weight, which leads to restrictive eating and excessive exercise. People who struggle to adapt their cognitive processes and actions to change their diet and exercise habits may have a harder time recovering from the disorder. On the other hand, research suggests that Parkinson’s disease patients may have cognitive flexibility impairments that impair their ability to perform daily tasks and adapt to new environments. Although of clinical interest, mental flexibility lacks theoretical liberalization and unified assessment. This study introduces "IntellEGO" a protocol for a new, multidimensional psychometric assessment of flexibility. This assessment evaluates a person’s authentic ability to handle daily challenges using cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors. Since traditional assessments often focus on one domain, we aim to examine flexibility from multiple angles, acknowledging the importance of viewing people as whole beings with mental and physical aspects. The study protocol includes two assessment phases separated by a rehabilitation period. T0, the acute phase upon admission, and T1, the post-rehabilitation phase lasting 15 days for Parkinson’s patients and 4 weeks for eating disorder patients, will be assessed. Neuropsychological performance, self-report questionnaires, psychophysiological measures, and neuroendocrine measures will be collected from Anorexia Nervosa and Parkinson’s Disease patients during each study phase. The objective of this procedure is to provide clinicians with a comprehensive framework for conducting meticulous assessments of mental flexibility. This framework considers emotional, cognitive, and behavioral factors, and is applicable to various patient populations.
Who makes a better university adjustment wingman: Parents or friends?
Authors: Wider Walton , Tanucan Jem Cloyd M. , Lin Jiaming , Jiang Leilei , Udang Lester Naces
Published: December 2023

The first year of university is one of the most difficult times in a student’s life due to numerous changes that occur. This cross-sectional study explores the concept of parental and peer attachment, which has been researched for its ability to predict students’ success in higher education. Yet, less research has investigated the mechanisms underpinning the relationship between attachment and university adjustment among first-year students. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of parent and peer attachment on first-year university students, and understand how these attachments can facilitate university adjustment through identity exploration. This investigation is underpinned by Bowlby and Ainsworth’s attachment theory and Arnett’s emerging adulthood theory. Data were collected from 568 first-year students at a public university in Sabah, Malaysia, via adapted questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was employed using SmartPLS Software 3.0 to analyse the data. The study found that identity exploration mediates the relationship between parental trust, peer communication, and university adjustment. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for professionals working with emerging adult clients, especially those in higher education institutions, aiming to enhance the adjustment level among first-year students.
The self online: When meaning-making is outsourced to the cyber audience
Authors: Wang Qi , Khuu Angel , Jivotovski Miryam
Published: December 2023

This study examines the cyber audience’s perception of social media users’ persona based on their online posts from a cognitive meaning-making perspective. Participants (N = 158) answered questions about their personal characteristics and provided their 20 most recent Facebook status updates. Two groups of viewers, who viewed either the text-only or multimedia version of the status updates, answered questions about the Facebook users’ personal characteristics. The viewers’ perceptions of Facebook users deviated from the users’ self-perceptions, although user characteristics that serve social motives were more accurately perceived. Multimedia viewers were more accurate than text viewers, whereas the latter showed a greater consensus. Gender and ethnic differences of Facebook users also emerged in online person perceptions, in line with gendered and cultured characteristics. These findings shed critical light on the dynamic interplay between social media users and the cyber audience in the co-construction of a digitally extended self.
By cyclists, for cyclists: Road grade and elevation estimation from crowd-sourced fitness application data
Authors: Berjisian Elmira , Bigazzi Alexander , Barkh Hamed
Published: December 2023

Road grade or slope is a key factor for walking and cycling behavior and outcomes (influencing route, speed, energy, etc.). For this reason, the scarcity of precise road grade data presents a challenge for travel information and analysis. This paper examines the accuracy of using crowd-sourced GPS data from a fitness application to estimate roadway grade profiles, which can then be used to develop network-wide road grade datasets. We externally validate an elevation estimation method described by McKenzie and Janowicz using field surveying data, and then propose and evaluate modifications for estimation of road grade (which is more directly relevant than elevation for walking and cycling analysis). We find that a modest amount of crowd-sourced GPS data can be used to generate relatively accurate road grade estimates: better than commonly-used low-resolution elevation models, but not as accurate as high-resolution data derived from LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). We also find that the grade estimates are more reliable than the elevation estimates, relative to alternative data sources. The most accurate method to aggregate crowd-sourced GPS data builds a composite roadway grade profile using partition-around-medoid clustering of individual grade sequences, first smoothed with a Savitzky-Golay filter and cleaned with Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). Implementing this method with an average of 150 GPS traces per location yields a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1% road grade. The findings in this paper can be used to incorporate precise road grade information into street network datasets over a wide spatial scale, which is necessary for walking and cycling analysis that fully considers the physiological aspects of active transportation.
Genetic distinctiveness of an endangered falcon: Implications for conservation in Europe
Authors: Attili Lorenzo , Garofalo Luisa , Puddu Giuseppe , Tirone Giampiero , Pizzarelli Antonella , Barbara Nicholas , Haring Elisabeth , Lorenzini Rita
Published: December 2023

In the Falconidae, the genus Falco comprises species of large birds of prey with wide distribution worldwide. However, the European lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii is rapidly heading for global extinction following a dramatic decline caused by anthropogenic interference. Conservation projects are currently underway with the main purpose of increasing its population size in the Mediterranean basin through captive breeding and release of birds into the wild. To support the projects, and strengthen the legitimacy of conservation efforts consistently with the Evolutionary Significant Unit concept, we explored the possibility of characterising the gene pool of the European lanner and reliably distinguishing it from other falcon taxa inhabiting the Mediterranean area, which show morphological and genetic similarities. To address the issue, we examined genetic variability at the nuclear level through the analysis of 12 neutral Short Tandem Repeat loci, and, for the first time in these taxa, two single-copy functional genes, coding for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor precursor and the oocyte maturation factor, respectively. The second exon of the major histocompatibility complex class II B gene was also investigated. Additionally, to frame our data with previously published data, we assess variation at the mitochondrial level by sequencing portions of the cytochrome b, 12S rRNA gene, and the control region. Our results showed that the European lanner is highly distinct from other falcon taxa, as revealed by nuclear, but not by mitochondrial DNA. We discuss our findings focusing on their implications for the preservation of this highly endangered European bird, and highlighted the critical role of genetic information in planning and monitoring concrete interventions.
Understanding the value of brain donation for research to donors, next-of-kin and clinicians: A systematic review
Authors: Griffin Cassandra P. , Bowen Jenna R. , Walker Marjorie M. , Lynam James , Paul Christine L.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Post-mortem brain donation affords the opportunity to characterise disease by exploring global neuropathological changes. Such opportunities are essential to progress knowledge of CNS tumours such as Glioblastoma. A comprehensive understanding of the experience of consenting to brain donation is crucial to maximising consent rates while providing patient-centred care. This review aimed to synthesise the reported facilitators and barriers according to potential donors, next-of-kin (NOK) and clinician respondents.

Design

Database searches included Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Science and Scopus. Search terms focused on motivations, attitudes and psychosocial experiences of brain donation. Exclusions included organ transplantation and brain death. All studies were assessed for quality and validity using tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. To determine perceptions of benefit and harm, a method guided by the thematic analysis of Braun and Clarke was employed to reflexively assess and identify common themes and experiences.

Results

40 studies (15 qualitative, 25 quantitative) were included involving participants with paediatric cancer, neurodegenerative and psychological diseases. Perceptions of benefit included benefit to future generations, aiding scientific research, avoidance of waste, improved treatments and the belief that donation will bring consolation or aid in the grieving process. Perceptions of harm included a perceived conflict with religious beliefs, disfigurement to the donor, emotional distress at the time of autopsy and discord or objections within the family.

Conclusion

Brain donation can afford a sense of purpose, meaning and empowerment for donors and their loved ones. Careful strategies are required to mitigate or reduce potential harms during the consent process.
Risk stratification in patients with structurally normal hearts: Does fibrosis type matter?
Authors: Gil Katarzyna E. , Mikrut Katarzyna , Mazur Jan , Black Ann Lowery , Truong Vien T. , Smart Suzanne , Zareba Karolina M.
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The study sought to assess the prognostic significance of nonischemic myocardial fibrosis (MF) on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)–both macroscopic MF assessed by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and diffuse microscopic MF quantified by extracellular volume fraction (ECV)–in patients with structurally normal hearts.

Background

The clinical relevance of tissue abnormalities identified by CMR in patients with structurally normal hearts remains unclear.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing CMR were screened for inclusion to identify those with LGE imaging and structurally normal hearts. ECV was calculated in patients with available T1 mapping. The associations between myocardial fibrosis and the outcomes of all-cause mortality, new-onset heart failure [HF], and an arrhythmic outcome were evaluated.

Results

In total 525 patients (mean age 43.1±14.2 years; 30.5% males) were included. Over a median follow-up of 5.8 years, 13 (2.5%) patients died and 18 (3.4%) developed new-onset HF. Nonischemic midwall /subepicardial LGE was present in 278 (52.9%) patients; isolated RV insertion fibrosis was present in 80 (15.2%) patients. In 276 patients with available T1 mapping, the mean ECV was 25.5 ± 4.4%. There was no significant association between LGE and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.36, CI: 0.42–4.42, p = 0.61), or new-onset HF (HR: 0.64, CI: 0.25–1.61, p = 0.34). ECV (per 1% increase) correlated with all-cause mortality (HR: 1.19, CI: 1.04–1.36, p = 0.009), but not with new-onset HF (HR: 0.97, CI: 0.86–1.10, p = 0.66). There was no significant association between arrhythmic outcomes and LGE (p = 0.60) or ECV (p = 0.49). In a multivariable model after adjusting for covariates, ECV remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR per 1% increase in ECV: 1.26, CI: 1.06–1.50, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Nonischemic LGE in patients with structurally normal hearts is common and does not appear to be associated with adverse outcomes, whereas elevated ECV is associated with all-cause mortality and may be an important risk stratification tool.
Price tag of glaucoma care is minor compared with the total direct and indirect costs of glaucoma: Results from nationwide survey and register data
Authors: Purola Petri K. M. , Taipale Joonas , Väätäinen Saku , Harju Mika , Koskinen Seppo V. P. , Uusitalo Hannu M. T.
Published: December 2023

Background

The estimations of the economic burden of glaucoma have focused on comparing different treatment modalities; hence, the total direct and indirect costs of glaucoma at population level are not well known.

Objective

To estimate the direct and indirect costs of glaucoma and its treatment in Finland.

Methods

Economic and glaucoma data were collected from the cross-sectional nationwide Health 2000 health examination survey linked to multiple national registers, which allowed a 13-year follow-up between 1999–2011 among survey participants. Direct costs covered eye- and non-eye-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits, outpatient health care services, and travel costs among participants aged 30 years or older, adjusted for age and sex. Indirect costs covered premature retirement and productivity losses among participants aged 30–64 years. Glaucoma patients (n= 192) were compared with non-glaucomatous population (n= 6,952).

Results

The annual additional total direct costs were EUR 2,660/glaucoma patient, EUR 1,769/glaucoma patient with medication, and EUR 3,979/operated glaucoma patient compared with persons without glaucoma. The respective additional total indirect costs were EUR 4,288, EUR 3,246, and EUR 12,902 per year. In total, the additional annual direct and indirect expenditures associated with glaucoma in Finland were EUR 202 million (0.86% of total expenditures of health care) and EUR 71 million (0.03% of the Finnish gross domestic product) arising mainly from non-eye-related hospitalizations and productivity losses, respectively.

Conclusion

Glaucoma is associated with an increased health care consumption mainly due to non-eye-related health care, which can be explained by the vision loss as well as increased number of co-morbidities among glaucoma patients. Therefore, glaucoma constitutes a major economic burden for the health care system and society, highlighting the importance of early glaucoma interventions. The difference in direct and indirect costs between glaucoma treatment groups is explained by the uneven distribution of co-morbidities.
Delays in seeking treatment for fever in children under five years of age in Nigeria: Evidence from the National Demographic Health Survey
Authors: Anyasodor Anayochukwu E. , Ahmed Kedir Y. , Osuagwu Uchechukwu L. , Mgbemena Nnamdi C. , Kalinna Bernd H. , Thapa Subash , Mahmood Shakeel , Ross Allen G.
Published: December 2023

Background

In countries with high child mortality rates, such as Nigeria, early intervention for common childhood illnesses (e.g., pneumonia and malaria) is essential for improving clinical outcomes. The timely reporting and treatment of fever is therefore critical in making a differential diagnosis and choosing an appropriate course of treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and major risk factors associated with delays in seeking treatment for fever in children under five years of age in Nigeria.

Methods

This study used a total weighted sample of 7,466 children under five years of age from the 2018 National Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey. Multivariable binary logistic regression modelling was used to investigate the association between predisposing, enabling, need, health service and community level factors, and delay in treatment-seeking for fever.

Results

We report the delays in seeking treatment for childhood fever that was reported by mothers in the last two weeks prior to the national survey. The prevalence for delayed treatment was 62.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 60.1%, 64.1%). Our findings showed that there were fewer delays in seeking treatment in children aged 24–59 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.93), among mothers who were formally employed (aOR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.96), regularly attended antenatal services (aOR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.66, 0.88), and for those who resided in wealthier households (aOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.89). Children whose mothers resided in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria were less likely to delay seeking treatment for fever (aOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.73). However, mothers who had an unwanted pregnancy had a higher odds of delaying treatment for childhood fever (aOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.39).

Conclusion

There were significant delays in seeking treatment for childhood fever in poorer homes found in geopolitically unstable zones of Nigeria. Mothers who were poor, unemployed, and with younger children (<12 months) often delayed seeking treatment for their febrile child. Future health promotion strategies and microenterprise schemes should target both rural and urban mothers residing in poor households. Children under 12 months of age should be a priority.
BMI trajectory in adulthood in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality: A retrospective cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Chiu Po-Wei , Yu Tsung , Kukreti Shikha , Strong Carol
Published: December 2023

A dynamic change of weight over time has been known as an important factor that impacts mortality risk. The aims of this study were to identify the heterogeneity of BMI trajectory groups and to examine the association of the trajectories of BMI and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. The data for this study were obtained from a large prospective cohort study in Taiwan between 1998 and 2019 that was linked to the National Death Registry for death information. The participants were stratified into four groups by age and gender; self-reported demographics and measured BMI data were used. We used group-based trajectory analysis to identify the distinct trajectories of changes in BMI. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk. Data were analyzed in April 2020 and included 89,886 participants. Four trajectory groups were identified by the pattern of BMI change over time. Our study shows that different trajectories were associated with mortality. Our findings suggest that the mortality risk differs in each trajectory group and in each age and gender stratification. It appears that obesity is a protective factor in cancer-related mortality in females but not in males in group of old age participants; low-normal weight is a risk factor in respiratory-related mortality in all participants. Our findings can be used to suggest the appropriate BMI in each age and gender groups and thereby earlier health interventions can be taken to avoid mortality.
Psychosocial determinants of adolescent romantic relationship in Malaysia: Social media use, pornography surfing, sexual and reproductive health knowledge, and depression
Authors: Mud Shukri Muhammad Ikhwan , Baharom Anisah
Published: December 2023

It is socially natural that adolescents engage in romantic relationship. However, there are negative health implications when they are not properly monitored and guided. The engagement in unsafe sexual practices has been reported to cause various adverse health and social implications affecting Malaysian adolescents. To date, why adolescents engage in romantic relationship has remained understudied. Prior studies on adolescent romantic relationship mainly focused on the western context. Hence, the reported findings are deemed not applicable for the Malaysian population. There are insufficient data on the prevalence and determinants of adolescent romantic relationship within the Malaysian context. Thus, the current study aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants of romantic relationship among adolescents in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Adopting a cross-sectional research design, this study’s self-administered questionnaire survey, which was conducted from 25 May 2021 to 5 June 2021 in residential areas that were part of the “Healthy Community Empowers the Nation” programme (KOSPEN), involved 396 adolescents who fulfilled the study’s selection criteria. In terms of age, the respondents were of between 14 and 19 years old, with median age (IQR) of 19 (2). Adolescent romantic relationship in this study recorded prevalence of 24.1%, which was comparatively lower than that of the western countries. The results further revealed social media use (AOR: 2.162, 95% CI: 1.202–3.888, p = 0.01), pornography website surfing (AOR 2.748, 95% CI: 1.517–4.977, p = 0.001), poor SRH knowledge (AOR: 3.885, 95% CI: 2.144–7.040, p < 0.001), and depression (AOR: 2.830, 95% CI: 1.323–6.055, p = 0.007) as significant determinants of adolescent romantic relationship. Thus, this study demonstrated the significant role of social media use, pornography website surfing, SRH knowledge, and depression on adolescent romantic relationship. Further longitudinal studies to investigate the temporal relationships between depression and romantic relationship are recommended. The highly significant association between SRH knowledge and romantic relationship in this study suggests that strategies on improving the level of SRH knowledge among adolescents should be prioritised.
High frequency of germline recombination in Nestin-Cre transgenic mice crossed with Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor floxed mice
Authors: Kajitani Yusuke , Miyazawa Takashi , Inoue Tomoaki , Kajitani Nao , Fujita Masamichi , Takeichi Yukina , Miyachi Yasutaka , Sakamoto Ryuichi , Ogawa Yoshihiro
Published: December 2023

The Cre-loxP strategy for tissue-specific gene inactivation has become a widely employed tool in several research studies. Conversely, inadequate breeding and genotyping without considering the potential for non-specific Cre-recombinase expression may lead to misinterpretations of results. Nestin-Cre transgenic mice, widely used for the selective deletion of genes in neurons, have been observed to have an incidence of Cre-line germline recombination. In this study, we attempted to generate neuron-specific Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (Glp1r) knock-out mice by crossing mice harboring the Nestin-Cre transgene with mice harboring the Glp1r gene modified with loxP insertion, in order to elucidate the role of Glp1r signaling in the nervous system. Surprisingly, during this breeding process, we discovered that the null allele emerged in the offspring irrespective of the presence or absence of the Nestin-Cre transgene, with a high probability of occurrence (93.6%). To elucidate the cause of this null allele, we conducted breeding experiments between mice carrying the heterozygous Glp1r null allele but lacking the Nestin-Cre transgene. We confirmed that the null allele was inherited by the offspring independently of the Nestin-Cre transgene. Furthermore, we assessed the gene expression, protein expression, and phenotype of mice carrying the homozygous Glp1r null allele generated from the aforementioned breeding, thereby confirming that the null allele indeed caused a global knock-out of Glp1r. These findings suggest that the null allele in the NestinCre-Glp1r floxed breeding arose due to germline recombination. Moreover, we demonstrated the possibility that germline recombination may occur not only during the spermatogenesis at testis but also during epididymal sperm maturation. The striking frequency of germline recombination in the Nestin-Cre driver underscores the necessity for caution when implementing precise breeding strategies and employing suitable genotyping methods.