bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity and Executive Function in Children with ADHD: A Systematic Review
Authors: Barudin-Carreiro Amanda M. , Camhi Sarah M. , Lindsay Ana C. , Wright Julie A.
Published: December 2021

As of 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that approximately 9.4% (6.1 million) of children 2–17 yr of age have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recent studies have looked at physical activity (PA) as a possible alternative and/or adjunct treatment option for children with ADHD. There is no clear picture on the amount of PA needed to elicit an improvement or what type of exercise is most beneficial. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used to search six databases to identify studies that assessed the relationship between PA and executive functioning (EF) in children with ADHD. Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool was used, and dose response using MET levels was attempted. Eligibility criteria included (a) peer-reviewed, experimental, quantitative study designs that included a control group or a within-subject design; (b) published in English between January 1997 and December 31, 2019; (c) children 5–18 yr of age; and (d) assessed the relationship between PA and EF in children with ADHD. A total of 49 full-text manuscripts were identified, with 24 studies being included in the final review. Although results should be interpreted with caution because of variability across studies and a high risk of bias, there seems to be consensus that acute and training PA positively influence inhibition and cognitive flexibility. More rigorous study protocols that clearly identify which EF component they are assessing and how they are addressing areas of bias will provide a more cohesive representation of the evidence on how to effectively incorporate PA to enhance EF in children with ADHD. Dose response using MET levels is also needed to improve our knowledge of how much exercise is needed to affect EF in this population.
On Stabilization of the Construction Sector
Authors: Baurina Svetlana
Published: December 2021

This article is devoted to assessing the business potential and risk tolerance of the construction industry. New requirements for ensuring the quality and competitiveness of construction organizations are put forward to enterprises of the construction industry in the conditions of self-regulation. The material base, qualified personnel, used technologies and efficient management of the enterprise are the main factors in ensuring the quality of construction. Only a combination of these factors guarantees the stable functioning of the enterprise. The article revealed development trends and main changes in the construction industry of the Russian Federation in recent years. The consequences of the influence of coronavirus spread around the world on the functioning of the industry were determined. The dynamics of the Business Potential Index in construction is presented. Dynamics of the Risk Tolerance Index in the industry were analyzed.
Construction of a Multiplicative Model for Calculating the Volume of Production of Finished Products of a Mining Enterprise
Authors: Shembel' A. , Sorvina O.
Published: December 2021

The article is devoted to the issues of planning and budgeting of mining enterprises. External conditions (mining and geological, mining engineering, weather) have a significant impact on the volume of production of finished products and the amount of conditionally variable expenses of a mining enterprise. A different combination of these conditions during a calendar year leads to a change in the volume of production of finished products per unit of time, which creates uncertainty and complicates the planning and budgeting process. The paper proposes a method for calculating the planned volume of production of finished products, taking into account various external conditions, the limitations (limits) that should be taken into account when calculating the volume of production are disclosed. The methodology is developed taking into account the peculiarities of the technological process of production of finished products (fractional crushed stone) of a mining enterprise. Methodological tools of the research: analysis of statistical data on the industry and individual mining enterprises, analysis of the practical activities of mining enterprises. The factors that have a significant impact on the volume of production of finished products in the mining industry are considered. A three-factor multiplicative model is constructed that allows taking into account the influence of mining, geological, mining and weather conditions on the volume of production of finished products of a mining enterprise.
Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of the Restinga de Cabedelo National Forest, Paraíba State, Brazil
Authors: Medeiros Adalberto , Gualberto Emanoel Pereira , Rodrigues Rafael Pereira , Kerpel Solange Maria
Published: December 2021

Restinga forests are plant formations that occur on plains of quaternary sandy deposits along the Brazilian coast. Despite historical reduction of the Restinga forests, little effort has been made to know the butterfly fauna of these areas. This paper is an important contribution to the butterfly’s knowledge, being the second inventory in the Restinga forest of northeastern Brazil. The survey was conducted in the Restinga de Cabedelo National Forest (FLONA de Cabedelo, following the Portuguese abbreviation) and aimed to provide preliminary information on the butterflies richness in this region. A total of 89 butterfly species and 1,503 individuals were recorded at FLONA de Cabedelo. Hesperiidae was the richest family (34 species), followed by Nymphalidae (33) Pieridae (eight), Lycaenidae (seven), Riodinidae (five), and Papilionidae (two). In general, the butterfly fauna of the FLONA de Cabedelo is dominated by species widely distributed and commonly found in open or forested areas in Brazil. Five species are new records in Paraíba state: Calydna sturnula (Geyer), Theope foliorum (Bates), Cogia hassan (Butler), Vehilius inca (Scudder), and Chiothion asychis (Stoll). We suggest carrying out monthly samplings which will certainly increase the list of species herein presented.
Patient safety and the law: looking back and looking forward
Authors: Tingle John
Published: December 2021

John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, picks out some of the highs and lows of patient safety reports in the NHS in England over the past year
Implementation of a patient progress diary for stoma patients living with dementia
Authors: Coston Lorraine , Pullen Judy
Published: December 2021

With an ageing population and an increase in the prevalence of dementia, stoma care nurses (SCNs) are experiencing greater challenges in their role supporting this group of patients with their stoma care. Following concerns raised in our department by relatives about the care and teaching provided in this area, with patients occasionally denying having even seen an SCN, the need for a visual tool to enable timely interventions and increase knowledge for family, carers and ward staff became apparent. There is a comprehensive list of local and national guidelines underlining the need to provide more support and an increased comprehensive teaching plan specially tailored to dementia patients’ needs. The development of a patient progress diary, with a traffic light system showing each stage that the patient has reached, has provided a visual, up-to-date guide to the patient’s stoma management and highlights the need for further input to enable the patient to be discharged home safely and in a timely manner. The diary was formulated by the SCNs and printed by Coloplast, culminating in an easy-to-read booklet with a pictorial step-by-step guide to be inserted into patients’ washbags. The diary was reviewed by Great Western Hospitals Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and the Carers Committee, who provided positive feedback and subsequently supported the development of this patient-focused tool. Since introducing the diary, our team has decided to implement it with all patients, with positive feedback from patients, relatives, carers and ward staff. This has assisted in safe, timely and effective discharge planning.
Experimental Study on Connection Strength between Tobacco Stem and Leaf
Authors: Yu Jie , Chu Jinkui , Li Yang
Published: December 2021

Highlights

The connection strength between tobacco stem and leaf was obtained for ‘Zhongyan-100(CF965)’ variety.

The connection strength between tobacco stem and leaf relates to the leaf growing location and maturity of the leaf.

The tobacco leaf is easier to be separated from the stem with an oblique force than a vertical force.

The distance between the harvesting tool and the leaf base was suggested to be less than 50 mm for the tested variety.

Abstract. Harvesting of tobacco leaves is an important and basic tobacco production process. With the increase of labor costs and the development of agricultural mechanization, mechanical harvesting of tobacco leaves will inevitably replace manual harvesting. The connection strength between tobacco stem and leaf is a key mechanical parameter for tobacco harvester design. In this study, one tobacco cultivar, “Zhongyan-100(CF965)” was selected as an experimental plant. Experiments were designed and carried out by collecting mature and immature tobacco leaf samples to test the connection strength between the leaf and stem. The experimental results showed that the connection strength between tobacco stem and leaf was related to the position of the leaf on the stem and the maturity level of tobacco leaf. The connection strength obtained from the experiments was in the range of 0.64 to 2.76 MPa. The connection strength had a linear relationship with its water content. The connection strength was higher at higher moisture content or lower maturity level. Besides, experimental results indicated that the tobacco leaves were more easily detached from the stem when the oblique force was applied to the tobacco leaf. The maximum horizontal distance between the harvesting tool and the leaf base should be 50 mm to ensure the integrity of the tobacco leaf after harvesting. The results of this study could be applied to the design of tobacco harvesters. Keywords: Connection strength, Mechanization, Specialty crop, Tobacco harvesting.
A Geographical Survey of Center Pivot Irrigation Systems in the Central and Southern High Plains Aquifer Region of the United States
Authors: Hassani Kianoosh , Taghvaeian Saleh , Gholizadeh Hamed
Published: December 2021

Highlights

All center pivot irrigation systems in the Central and Southern High Plains Aquifer region were digitized.

Out of 2.76 Mha under center pivots, the largest portion (58%) was in Texas and the smallest (2%) in Colorado.

Most center pivots were about 50 ha, with a range of 1 to >230 ha.

The new layer can be used in extracting distributed soil, weather, and crop data for various precision agriculture applications.

Abstract. With the declines in water levels of the Central and Southern High Plains Aquifer, there is a critical need to accurately map the irrigated agriculture in this region as it is the largest user of groundwater resources. The goal of this study was to develop a geospatial database of all areas under the most dominant irrigation system in the region: center pivots. The borders of all center pivots (50,116) were manually digitized using high spatial resolution satellite imagery, delineating the area that can be potentially irrigated by these systems. Most center pivots were comparable in size (ca. 50 ha), with a range of 1 to >230 ha. The areas of digitized center pivots at the state and study area levels were relatively close to estimates of two actual irrigated area products based on automatic land classification. The new layer was also used to extract available data on groundwater level changes since predevelopment (before 1950). Aquifer regions under center pivots in Colorado and Texas had the smallest and largest declines in water level, respectively. The new layer offers advantages in terms of accurately identifying the area covered by center pivots and has potential research and practical applications such as studying adopted practices in response to water level declines, assessing field-scale irrigation uniformity, and extracting distributed soil, weather, and crop data to be used in various precision agriculture applications. The new layer is freely available to the public as supplemental information of this article (https://doi.org/10.13031/14707284). Keywords: Groundwater decline, Irrigated fields, Ogallala, Sprinkler irrigation.
Beam-crossing configuration to control plasma position, improve spatial resolution, and enhance emissions in single-pulse, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in gases
Authors: Sun Zhiwei , Alwahabi Zeyad
Published: December 2021

We report a relatively simple configuration of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) that is suitable for gas flow diagnostics with increased spatial resolution, signal intensity, and stability. In this optical configuration, two laser beams are generated by splitting a single laser beam, and then they are focused and crossed orthogonally at the detection volume from two different optical paths. Different from dual-pulse LIBS, this LIBS configuration uses only one laser source, and thus is of relatively low cost. Several advantages were found for this simple beam-crossing LIBS when it was demonstrated in air in the present work, particularly on signal enhancement and stabilization, confining plasma volume, and controlling plasma position. Both of the latter two advantages are relevant to spatial resolution improvement of LIBS in gases, which has rarely been discussed in previous reports. An enhancement factor of 2 was found for atomic hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen emissions with respect to conventional LIBS. Another advantage is that the position of breakdown can be precisely controlled through adjustment of the propagation of the two beams, also resulting in smaller plasma volume and stable emission intensity. Furthermore, the technique is moderately tolerant to dust particles neutrally present in the environment, avoiding the spark occurring at a position out of the detection volume. Beyond LIBS, the new configuration has other potential applications, e.g., laser-induced ignition, which is also briefly discussed.
Information entropy of quantitative chemometric endogenous fluorescence improves photonic lung cancer diagnosis
Authors: Xu Zhang , Xie Xin , Li Run , Yu Kangyuan , Lish Samantha R. , Xu Min
Published: December 2021

Quantitative chemometric widefield endogenous fluorescence microscopy
(CFM) maps the endogenous absolute chromophore concentration and
spatial distribution in cells and tissue sections label-free from
fluorescence color images under broadband excitation and detection. By
quantifying the endogenous chromophores, including tryptophan,
elastin, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
[NAD(P)H], and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), CFM reveals the
biochemical environment and subcellular structure. Here we show that
the chromophore information entropy, marking its spatial distribution
pattern of quantitative chemometric endogenous fluorescence at the
microscopic scale, improves photonic lung cancer diagnosis with
independent diagnostic power to the cellular metabolism biomarker.
NAD(P)H and FAD’s information entropy is found to decrease from normal
to perilesional to cancerous tissue, whereas the information entropy
for the redox ratios [FAD/tryptophan and FAD/NAD(P)H] is smaller for
the normal tissue than both perilesional and cancerous tissue. CFM
imaging of the specimen’s inherent biochemical and structural
properties eliminates the dependence on measurement details and
facilitates robust, accurate diagnosis. The synergy of quantifying
absolute chromophore concentration and information entropy achieves
high accuracies for a three-class classification of lung tissue into
normal, perilesional, and cancerous ones and a three-class
classification of lung cancers into grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3
using a support vector machine, outperforming the chromophore
concentration biomarkers.
Femtosecond LIPSS on indium-tin-oxide thin films at IR wavelengths
Authors: Bánhegyi Balázs , Péter László , Dombi Péter , Pápa Zsuzsanna
Published: December 2021

We investigated laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) generated on indium-tin-oxide thin films with femtosecond laser pulses in the infrared region. Using pulses between 1.6 and 2.4 µm central wavelengths, we observed robust LIPSS morphologies with a periodicity close to

λ

/

10

. Supporting finite-difference time-domain calculations suggests that the surface forms are rooted in the field localization in the surface pits leading to a periodically increased absorption of the laser pulse energy that creates the observed periodic structures.
Computer-generated full-color phase-only hologram using a multiplane iterative algorithm with dynamic compensation
Authors: Zheng Huadong , Zhou Chaojun , Shui Xinghua , Yu Yingjie
Published: December 2021

Depth-division multiplexing (DDM) is a common method for full-color
hologram generation. However, this method will result in uneven
image-quality levels at different color channels of the original color
image. In this paper, the DDM method with dynamic compensation is
proposed for a full-color holographic display. Three monochromatic
images of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) channels from the original
color image are placed orderly at different positions (object planes)
of the same optical axis; then, the complex amplitudes of the three
object planes are iteratively updated in a designed order when a laser
wavefront propagates between object planes and the hologram plane. In
the iterative process, a dynamic compensation factor is added to the
complex amplitude of each object plane, which can effectively balance
the quality level of the reconstructed image in each color channel. As
a result, the image quality of a full-color object is improved.
Numerical simulation and optical experiments are carried out to verify
the method’s feasibility.
Range selective digital holographic imaging using FMCW lidar
Authors: Goodman Matthew A. , Mohan R. Krishna , Babbitt Wm. Randall
Published: December 2021

The integration of chirped frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar techniques into digital holography enables range selective holographic imaging well beyond the depth of field of the system. The technique uses FMCW transmit and reference beams. By frequency shifting the reference beam to compensate for the typical FMCW beat frequency associated with a particular range, temporally stable holograms are formed for objects at the selected range. The holograms associated with objects at all other ranges oscillate and integrate towards zero. Experimental demonstrations of the technique are presented, showing enhanced imaging of objects at different ranges and cancellation of obscuring objects. The technique is expandable to range-Doppler selective digital holographic imaging.
Broadband and highly efficient integrated polarization rotator designed by topology optimization
Authors: de Paula Rômulo A. , Bustamante Yesica R. R. , Aldaya Ivan
Published: December 2021

Being a fundamental block for systems that utilize polarization-diversity schemes, such as coherent transceivers, polarization rotators allow the conversion of polarization states. In this work, we present an ultra-compact efficient silicon polarization rotator designed via an inverse design method. By optimizing a topology based on the adjoint method, we designed polarization rotators for several combinations of lengths and widths. Simulation results show that the best optimized device presents a polarization conversion loss of 0.67 dB and cross talk of

−

18

d
B

for a central wavelength of 1550 nm. These results were achieved for a 7 µm long and 1.2 µm width device. Furthermore, the high coupling efficiency and low cross talk were achieved for a bandwidth exceeding 100 nm. The polarization conversion loss and cross talk were maintained below 0.82 dB and

−

18

d
B

, respectively, for a band ranging from 1500 nm to 1600 nm.
Third-order optical nonlinearity measurements and optical limiting experiment in Tm: YAG crystal
Authors: Wu Zhengnan , Lu Yuangang , Huang Jian , Peng Jianqin , He Chongjun
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we investigate the third-order nonlinearities and optical limiting effect of Tm: YAG crystal at a wavelength of 1064 nm. We experimentally measure different energy densities (6.4, 12.8, and

19.2

J

/

c

m

2

) and obtain the nonlinear absorption coefficient, nonlinear refractive index, and third-order nonlinear susceptibility of Tm: YAG crystal. Z-scan results show that Tm: YAG crystal exhibits a large nonlinear absorption coefficient (

3.34

×

1

0

−
9

m

/

W

) at the wavelength of 1064 nm. We also measure the transmittance of Tm: YAG crystals of three different lengths (7, 15, and 20 mm) to evaluate its nonlinear optical limiting performance. For the 20 mm Tm: YAG crystal, the maximum transmittance without optical limiting effect and minimum transmittance with nonlinear optical limiting effect at a 1064 wavelength nm are 84.2% and 47.8%, respectively, which indicates that Tm: YAG crystal may be a solid material for nonlinear optical limiting at 1064 nm.
High precision angular displacement measurement based on self-correcting error compensation of three image sensors
Authors: Yu Hai , Wan Qiuhua , Lu Xinran , Zhao Changhai , Liang Lihui
Published: December 2021

As the feedback link of a numerical control system, the measurement accuracy of absolute angular displacement measurements directly affects the control performance of a numerical control system. In previous research, angular displacement measurements based on dual image sensors can achieve higher measurement performance. However, the elimination of harmonic error by the dual image sensor is still limited. For this reason, this paper proposes an image-type angular displacement measurement method based on self-correction error compensation of three image sensors. First, the mathematical model of harmonic error is established, and the shortcomings of using dual image sensors to compensate the error are analyzed. Then, a high precision angular displacement measurement method based on three image sensors is proposed. Finally, the self-correction error compensation method of three image sensors is applied to the angular displacement measurement system, and the measurement performance is verified. The experimental results show that a measurement accuracy of

1.7

6

′
′

can be achieved on the circular grating with a diameter of 96 mm. In contrast, the dual image sensor can only achieve a measurement accuracy of

2.8

8

′
′

. It is concluded that the odd number of image sensors can achieve higher measurement accuracy than the even number. This research lays a foundation for the realization of high precision image angular displacement measurement.
Analysis of the surface plasmon resonance interferometric imaging performance of scanning confocal surface plasmon microscopy
Authors: Tontarawongsa Sorawit , Visitsattapongse Sarinporn , Pechprasarn Suejit
Published: December 2021

Here, we apply rigorous coupled-wave theory to analyze the optical phase imaging performance of scanning confocal surface plasmon microscope. The scanning confocal surface plasmon resonance microscope is an embedded interferometric microscope interfering between two integrated optical beams. One beam is provided by the central part around the normal incident angle of the back focal plane, and the other beam is the incident angles beyond the critical angle, exciting the surface plasmon. Furthermore, the two beams can form an interference signal inside a confocal pinhole in the image plane, which provides a well-defined path for the surface plasmon propagation. The scanning confocal surface plasmon resonance microscope operates by scanning the sample along the optical axis z, so-called V(z). The study investigates two imaging modes: non-quantitative imaging and quantitative imaging modes. We also propose a theoretical framework to analyze the scanning confocal surface plasmon resonance microscope compared to non-interferometric surface plasmon microscopes and quantify quantitative performance parameters including spatial resolution and optical contrast for non-quantitative imaging; sensitivity and crosstalk for quantitative imaging. The scanning confocal SPR microscope can provide a higher spatial resolution, better sensitivity, and lower crosstalk measurement. The confocal SPR microscope configuration is a strong candidate for high throughput measurements since it requires a smaller sensing channel than the other SPR microscopes.
3,3’-Diindolylmethane induces apoptosis and autophagy in fission yeast
Authors: Emami Parvaneh , Ueno Masaru
Published: December 2021

3,3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, found in the broccoli family. It induces apoptosis and autophagy in some types of human cancer. DIM extends lifespan in the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. The mechanisms by which DIM induces apoptosis and autophagy in humans and expands lifespan in fission yeasts are not fully understood. Here, we show that DIM induces apoptosis and autophagy in log-phase cells, which is dose-dependent in fission yeast. A high concentration of DIM disrupted the nuclear envelope (NE) structure and induced chromosome condensation at an early time point. In contrast, a low concentration of DIM induced autophagy but did not disrupt NE structure. The mutant defective in autophagy was more sensitive to a low concentration of DIM, demonstrating that the autophagic pathway contributes to the survival of cells against DIM. Moreover, our results showed that thelem2mutant is more sensitive to DIM. NE in thelem2mutant was disrupted even at the low concentration of DIM. Our results demonstrate that the autophagic pathway and NE integrity are important to maintain viability in the presence of a low concentration of DIM. The mechanism of apoptosis and autophagy induction by DIM might be conserved in fission yeast and humans. Further studies will contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of apoptosis and autophagy by DIM in fission yeast and humans.
The Southern Ocean diatom Pseudo-nitzschia subcurvata flourished better under simulated glacial than interglacial ocean conditions: Combined effects of CO2 and iron
Authors: Pagnone Anna , Koch Florian , Pausch Franziska , Trimborn Scarlett
Published: December 2021

The ‘Iron Hypothesis’ suggests a fertilization of the Southern Ocean by increased dust deposition in glacial times. This promoted high primary productivity and contributed to lower atmospheric pCO2. In this study, the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia subcurvata, known to form prominent blooms in the Southern Ocean, was grown under simulated glacial and interglacial climatic conditions to understand how iron (Fe) availability (no Fe or Fe addition) in conjunction with different pCO2 levels (190 and 290 μatm) influences growth, particulate organic carbon (POC) production and photophysiology. Under both glacial and interglacial conditions, the diatom grew with similar rates. In comparison, glacial conditions (190 μatm pCO2 and Fe input) favored POC production by P. subcurvata while under interglacial conditions (290 μatm pCO2 and Fe deficiency) POC production was reduced, indicating a negative effect caused by higher pCO2 and low Fe availability. Under interglacial conditions, the diatom had, however, thicker silica shells. Overall, our results show that the combination of higher Fe availability with low pCO2, present during the glacial ocean, was beneficial for the diatom P. subcurvata, thus contributing more to primary production during glacial compared to interglacial times. Under the interglacial ocean conditions, on the other hand, the diatom could have contributed to higher carbon export due to its higher degree of silicification.
Vaginal microbiota of American Indian women and associations with measures of psychosocial stress
Authors: Borgogna Joanna-Lynn C. , Anastario Michael , Firemoon Paula , Rink Elizabeth , Ricker Adriann , Ravel Jacques , Brotman Rebecca M. , Yeoman Carl J.
Published: December 2021

Molecular-bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by low levels of vaginal Lactobacillus species and is associated with higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Perceived psychosocial stress is associated with increased severity and persistence of infections, including STIs. American Indians have the highest rates of stress and high rates of STIs. The prevalence of molecular-BV among American Indian women is unknown. We sought to evaluate measures of psychosocial stress, such as historic loss (a multigenerational factor involving slavery, forced removal from one’s land, legally ratified race-based segregation, and contemporary discrimination) and their association with the vaginal microbiota and specific metabolites associated with BV, in 70 Northwestern Plains American Indian women. Demographics, perceived psychosocial stressors, sexual practices, and known BV risk factors were assessed using a modified version of the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project survey. Self-collected mid-vaginal swabs were profiled for bacterial composition by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolites quantified by targeted liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry. Sixty-six percent of the participants were classified as having molecular-BV, with the rest being either dominated by L. crispatus (10%) or L. iners (24%). High levels of lifetime trauma were associated with higher odds of having molecular-BV (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 2.5, 95% Credible Interval (CrI): 1.1–5.3). Measures of psychosocial stress, including historic loss and historic loss associated symptoms, were significantly associated with lifestyle and behavioral practices. Higher scores of lifetime trauma were associated with increased concentrations of spermine (aFC: 3.3, 95% CrI: 1.2–9.2). Historic loss associated symptoms and biogenic amines were the major correlates of molecular-BV. Historical loss associated symptoms and lifetime trauma are potentially important underlying factors associated with BV.
Identification of patients at risk of new onset heart failure: Utilizing a large statewide health information exchange to train and validate a risk prediction model
Authors: Duong Son Q. , Zheng Le , Xia Minjie , Jin Bo , Liu Modi , Li Zhen , Hao Shiying , Alfreds Shaun T. , Sylvester Karl G. , Widen Eric , Teuteberg Jeffery J. , McElhinney Doff B. , Ling Xuefeng B.
Published: December 2021

Background

New-onset heart failure (HF) is associated with poor prognosis and high healthcare utilization. Early identification of patients at increased risk incident-HF may allow for focused allocation of preventative care resources. Health information exchange (HIE) data span the entire spectrum of clinical care, but there are no HIE-based clinical decision support tools for diagnosis of incident-HF. We applied machine-learning methods to model the one-year risk of incident-HF from the Maine statewide-HIE.

Methods and results

We included subjects aged ≥ 40 years without prior HF ICD9/10 codes during a three-year period from 2015 to 2018, and incident-HF defined as assignment of two outpatient or one inpatient code in a year. A tree-boosting algorithm was used to model the probability of incident-HF in year two from data collected in year one, and then validated in year three. 5,668 of 521,347 patients (1.09%) developed incident-HF in the validation cohort. In the validation cohort, the model c-statistic was 0.824 and at a clinically predetermined risk threshold, 10% of patients identified by the model developed incident-HF and 29% of all incident-HF cases in the state of Maine were identified.

Conclusions

Utilizing machine learning modeling techniques on passively collected clinical HIE data, we developed and validated an incident-HF prediction tool that performs on par with other models that require proactively collected clinical data. Our algorithm could be integrated into other HIEs to leverage the EMR resources to provide individuals, systems, and payors with a risk stratification tool to allow for targeted resource allocation to reduce incident-HF disease burden on individuals and health care systems.
How political choices shaped Covid connectivity: The Italian case study
Authors: Amico Enrico , Bulai Iulia Martina
Published: December 2021

The importance of implementing new methodologies to study the ever-increasing amount of Covid-19 data is apparent. The aftermath analysis of these data could inform us on how specific political decisions influenced the dynamics of the pandemic outbreak. In this paper we use the Italian outbreak as a case study, to study six different Covid indicators collected in twenty Italian regions. We define a new object, the Covidome, to investigate the network of functional Covid interactions between regions. We analyzed the Italian Covidome over the course of 2020, and found that Covid connectivity between regions follows a sharp North-South community gradient. Furthermore, we explored the Covidome dynamics and individuated differences in regional Covid connectivity between the first and second waves of the pandemic. These differences can be associated to the two different lockdown strategies adopted for the first and the second wave from the Italian government. Finally, we explored to what extent Covid connectivity was associated with the Italian geographical network, and found that Central regions were more tied to the structural constraints than Northern or Southern regions in the spread of the virus. We hope that this approach will be useful in gaining new insights on how political choices shaped Covid dynamics across nations.
Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity on weight gain
Authors: Obata Shumpei , Ichiyama Yusuke , Matsumoto Riko , Kakinoki Masashi , Saishin Yoshitsugu , Yanagi Takahide , Maruo Yoshihiro , Ohji Masahito
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the short-term effect on body weight (BW) gain after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods

This was a retrospective 1:1 matched case-control study. Infants with ROP treated by IVB or photocoagulation (PC) at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital between April 2010 and December 2019 were included in the study. To match BWs at treatment between the IVB and PC groups, 1:1 matching for BWs at treatment within 100 g was performed. The BW gains for the 7 days before treatment (pre-treatment week), the 7 days after treatment (first post-treatment week), and the period from 7 to 14 days after treatment (second post-treatment week) were compared between the IVB and PC groups.

Results

Following 1:1 matching, 13 infants in both groups were enrolled in the analysis. The weekly BW gain for the first post-treatment week was significantly lower in the IVB group compared with the PC group (86 g vs. 145 g; P = 0.046), whereas the weekly BW gains for the pre-treatment week (173 g vs. 159 g; P = 0.71) and the second post-treatment week (154 g vs. 152 g; P = 0.73) were comparable between the two groups. The short-term inhibitive effect of IVB on BW gain was particularly observed in infants weighing less than 1500 g at treatment (<1500 g: 47 g vs. ≥1500 g: 132 g; P = 0.03).

Conclusion

IVB could have a short-term inhibitive effect on BW gain in infants with ROP, and this effect is more likely to occur in infants with a lower BW at the time of treatment.
Socio-spatial disparities in access to emergency health care—A Scandinavian case study
Authors: Hassler Jacob , Ceccato Vania
Published: December 2021

Having timely access to emergency health care (EHC) depends largely on where you live. In this Scandinavian case study, we investigate how accessibility to EHC varies spatially in order to reveal potential socio-spatial disparities in access. Distinct measures of EHC accessibility were calculated for southern Sweden in a network analysis using a Geographical Information System (GIS) based on data from 2018. An ANOVA test was carried out to investigate how accessibility vary for different measures between urban and rural areas, and negative binominal regression modelling was then carried out to assess potential disparities in accessibility between socioeconomic and demographic groups. Areas with high shares of older adults show poor access to EHC, especially those in the most remote, rural areas. However, rurality alone does not preclude poor access to EHC. Education, income and proximity to ambulance stations were also associated with EHC accessibility, but not always in expected ways. Despite indications of a well-functioning EHC, with most areas served within one hour, socio-spatial disparities in access to EHC were detected both between places and population groups.
Feeling political
Authors: Dannreuther Charlie
Published: December 2021

By exploring some of the challenges of teaching a radical politics in the neo-liberal university, the article looks to the writings of radical pedagogues like Freire and Giroux to position hope as an important resource for critical pedagogy for teachers. Drawing on Coole’s work on Merleau-Ponty, the article examines the potential of a critical pedagogy that taps into the body, rather than a mind, as a vessel for capturing hope and thus as a way of opening up a new resource for linking hope to educational practice. These resources are discussed in relation to debates concerning the politics of artistic practices, particularly with regard to how an embodied pedagogy might work around the constraints imposed by neo-liberal universities. Three themes are identified as warranting further discussion for an embodied pedagogy and their implications are reflected upon. These relate to how we view the student as embodying hope, how we view the classroom as a place of rich connections and how we capture learning through richness and reflection. The United Kingdom is the focus of the article, but there is a wider relevance given ongoing global trends in and debates about higher education.
Participatory, art-based appreciative inquiry with artists labelled/with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Miller Sara
Published: December 2021

People labelled/with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) participate in community-based studio programming across the United States, yet their experiences and preferences for studio programming are not well known. The goal of this research was to learn what artists in a community-based studio think is important about their studio and what they want to change in the future. Using art-based appreciative inquiry and online methods, the artists were prompted to talk and create artwork about ‘what is most important’ in the studio and ‘what we want for the future’. The artists reported that the most important aspects of the studio are the staff and their friends at the studio and the opportunity to make art that is motivated by their interests. The wishes expressed by the artists included increased opportunities to be social, to make more money, to have more community access and more choice and control in the studio.
Perturbación y feminicidio: El terror de lo masculino-monstruoso en «Rara avis» de Rocío Silva Santisteban
Authors: Raggio Salvador Luis
Published: December 2021

Este artículo analiza la representación de la violencia de género, a través de estetización posmodernista de lo “masculino-monstruoso”, en el relato breve “Rara avis” (1994) de Rocío Silva Santisteban. En tanto que figura nociva y aberrante, el monstruo tradicional proyecta un sujeto deshumanizado, y en ese sentido suele suscitar espanto y desgracia. En la narración de corte extraño de Silva Santisteban, la masculinidad hegemónica, representada por un minero violento y misógino, cumple claramente esta función; sin embargo, la autora establece una oposición entre dicho cuerpo “normal” y un organismo femenino feérico (la “rara avis” de la historia), con el que el protagonista mantiene una inusual relación de pareja. Al examinar la manera en que la monstruosidad es reformulada gradualmente en el texto, creando organismos en divergencia, reflexionaremos sobre las intenciones feministas del relato y sus facultades subversivas para criticar los aspectos más indecibles del mundo concreto: especialmente los impulsos atávicos de la violencia sistémica hacia las mujeres en las sociedades patriarcales.
«Espero que lo entienda: un ser así trae el futuro». Monstruosidad y género en los cuentos de Mónica Ojeda y Solange Rodríguez Pappe
Authors: Boccuti Anna
Published: December 2021

Este trabajo explora el retorno de los monstruos locales en la narrativa de Mónica Ojeda y Solange Rodríguez Pappe. En particular, nos detendremos en el uso del imaginario vinculado a figuras monstruosas de gran difusión en el mundo andino como las voladoras o las umas, que se revelan centrales en el proceso del empoderamiento de las protagonistas que estas autoras plantean en sus textos. A diferencia de otros cuentos fantásticos del siglo XX donde el pasado prehispánico o “lo autóctono” aparece en clave monstruosa y por lo tanto ominosa, fijado como alteridad radical, en estas autoras –y en particular en algunos cuentos de Las voladoras (2020) de Ojeda y La primera vez que vi un fantasma (2018) de Rodríguez Pappe– los monstruos femeninos del folclore amerindio determinan reconocimientos sorprendentes y metamorfosis inesperadas, lo cual implica, como veremos, la reivindicación del poder abyecto de la monstruosidad: de esta manera, no sólo se subvierte la connotación del monstruo, sino que también se cuestionan y reescriben, desde el género, los arquetipos literarios que naturalizan el orden patriarcal de la cultura.
Formación de profesores en los sistemas educativos africanos
Authors: Eyeang Eugénie
Published: December 2021

La clave del éxito de un sistema educativo se encuentra en la calidad de sus docentes, maestros de preescolar y primaria, profesores de secundaria y educación superior. Un buen profesional de la docencia debe tener condiciones naturales para el ejercicio de la actividad educativa, principios éticos, capacidad de trabajo en equipo, disponibilidad y empatía hacia sus alumnos y compañeros. Los supuestos anteriores son condición para el éxito en la docencia, pero si no van acompañados de una buena formación cultural y científica en su respectivo campo de especialidad, y de una excelente formación pedagógica de base y actualizada de forma permanente, el profesor no se verá recompensado con un buen reconocimiento profesional. Los sistemas educativos de África en el siglo XXI, para avanzar y mejorar, necesitan muy buenos profesores, que deben poseer una formación científica y pedagógica de primer nivel. Este “III Foro de África, educación y desarrollo” busca precisamente contribuir a mejorar la formación de los docentes africanos con un cupo muy representativo de textos originales, escritos sobre el tema y que son resultado de investigaciones precedentes.
INTERVENTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH YOUNG-ONSET DEMENTIA. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Authors: Aplaon M. , Belchior P. , Gélinas I. , Bier N. , Aboujaoudé A.
Published: December 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review of the literature to investigate non-pharmacological interventions for individuals with young-onset dementia and examine their success. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. The following databases were included in our search: Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, Pubmed, CINHAL. Studies were retained if they were 1) peer-reviewed; 2) published in English; 3) focused on non-pharmacological interventions; 4)designed for persons with dementia; and 5) diagnosis before the age of 65. Results: A total of 7 articles met our inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Of those, four consisted in social programs involving the community as part of the intervention, two focused on a cognitive based intervention and one focused on a cognitive behavioral intervention. The social interventions were successful in improving the mood and well-being of participants as well as providing respite for caregivers. The cognitive interventions were successful in improving perceived functional outcomes and affective symptoms of participants. Discussion: A discussion of each intervention including their benefits for individuals with young-onset dementia and their caregivers is presented.
PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE SUBJECTIVE-OBJECTIVE MALNUTRITION RISK ASSESSMENT (SOMRA) IN A STUDY OF SWEDISH PEOPLE AGED ? 60 YEARS
Authors: Naseer M. , Fagerström C.
Published: December 2021

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the risk of malnutrition and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Subjective-Objective Malnutrition Risk Assessment (SOMRA), SOMRA cut-offs and Swedish-Guidelines on Malnutrition Risk Assessment (SGMRA) for Swedish people aged ≥ 60 years. Setting: This study included both older people living at home and those in special housing. Participants: 1222 of the 1402 subjects aged ≥ 60 years who had participated in the baseline survey (2001–2003) as part of the ongoing National Study on Aging and Care-Blekinge (SNAC-B) were included because they had provided complete information on Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Measurements: The risk of malnutrition was estimated by the SOMRA, MNA, and SGMRA. To measure concurrent validity, the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve, Cohen’s kappa (κ) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient rho (rs) were used. Youden’s index (J) was computed to assess the optimal cut-off on SOMRA. Cronbach’s alpha (α) was used to test reliability. Results: The risks of malnutrition measured by SOMRA, MNA and SGMRA were 6.5%, 8.6% and 20.9%, respectively. The risk was higher among older people living in special housing compared to those at home (p < 0.05). Different optimal cut-offs on SOMRA were observed for residents living at home (≥ 1) and those in special housing (≥ 3). Compared to SGMRA, the SOMRA and SOMRA cut-off ≥ 3 gave higher values for J (0.68, 0.81, and 0.84, respectively), κ (0.59, 0.77, and 0.84, respectively) and rs (0.64, 0.78, and 0.84, respectively) for the older people in special housing. The reliability for SOMRA was α = 0.71. Conclusion: The risk of malnutrition was higher among older people in special housing than among those living at home. For the people in special housing, the SOMRA and SOMRA cut-off ≥ 3 showed higher concurrent validity with MNA compared to the SGMRA, but not for older people living at home. SOMRA includes six items, takes less time to implement and is composed of both subjective and anthropometric measurements; therefore, it is suitable for use in special housing and/or clinical settings to identify the risk of malnutrition or the need for nutritional support.
HYDROGEN: THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN WELLNESS AND MEDICINE
Authors: Lemaire, M. , Barbier F.
Published: December 2021

Persistent oxidative stress plays an important role in a variety of pathologies, and the search for an effective and well tolerated antioxidant agent continues. Molecular hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals. The non-specific mechanism of hydrogen as a therapeutic antioxidant gives it broad therapeutic potential across a wide range of medical applications, as has been shown by a substantial volume of preclinical data, as well as a growing body of clinical evidence. This review provides an overview of the therapeutic potential of hydrogen, in ageing and wellness applications as well as medical applications, including acute ischemia/reperfusion injury, inflammation and ulceration, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer (anti-cancer effects, radiation toxicities, and side effects of cisplatin) with an emphasis on clinical data. Overall, this review shows that hydrogen is an effective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agent.