bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytical Evaluation of Food Safety Knowledge and Practices of Street Food Vending in the Philippines
Authors: Tiu Ann Myril Chua , Tanaid Reciel Ann B. , Durano Jonash Oropeza , Del Fierro Esperanza M. , Yamagishi Kafferine D. , Medalla Maria Esther , Abellana Dharyll Prince , Galli Brian J. , Himang Celbert M. , Ocampo Lanndon
Published: July 2021

This study explores the disparity between the food safety knowledge and practices of street food vendors in a developing country. A purposive survey to determine the knowledge and practices of street food vendors was conducted on 36 street food vendors. The food safety knowledge of the street vendors was tested under five factors, as adopted in the literature. Through a chi-square goodness-of-fit test, a disparity between the food safety knowledge and practices of street food vendors was observed. Moreover, a structural modeling technique was adopted to analyze the interrelationships between food safety knowledge factors and practices. As a result, it was found that most of the food safety knowledge impact their counterpart factors on food safety practices. Likewise, such factors on food safety knowledge are crucial in explaining the reported food safety practices. When mapping the food safety knowledge.of the street food vendors to their practices, it was found that street vendors have a high level of food safety knowledge but low in actual practice, as evidenced by poor food handling practices among street food vendors which also significantly differs from the established standards. The results in this study provide crucial insights into the literature in developing a holistic view of the dynamics of street food vending. Moreover, the results may be beneficial to stakeholders as it may aid them in the development of management and policy initiatives that may be crucial in addressing the contemporary issues of street food vending in developing countries.
Talent Management Practices and Competitive Advantage
Authors: Al-Haraisa Yazan Emnawer , Al-Ma'aitah *Noor , Al-Tarawneh Khalaf , Abuzaid Ahmad
Published: July 2021

This study investigated the role of talent management practices (talent discovery, talent development, and talent retention) on achieving a competitive advantage in Jordanian insurance companies. Data were collected via a questionnaire using a convenience sample consisting of 130 managers and their assistants. Using SPSS 21, a multiple regression analysis was conducted and found a positive effect for talent management (talent discovery, talent development, and talent retention) on competitive advantage, and the relative importance of dimensions was talent development, talent discovery, and talent retention, respectively. This study concluded the importance of talent management practices in Jordanian insurance sector, in particular in the selection stage for choosing the right people. Recommendations for future researches are also identified.
A QFD Approach Based on Fuzzy TOPSIS to Reduce the Mental Stress of Farmers
Authors: Chauhan Hullash , Satapathy Suchismita , Sahoo Ashok K.
Published: July 2021

Framing is a hazardous, stressful occupation that can directly affect farmers' health. In accumulation, a farmer makes a large economic commitment exposing them to high levels of economic risk. Stressors among farmers may help health professionals improve health outcomes by developing targeted intervention strategies and services. Throughout the last 70 years, the agricultural sectors have changed, and it is found to be one of the latent areas for stress. On large uses of mechanization technology, more uses of organic production, there is a decrease in price of agricultural product, and new complex legislation has made the life of farmers more stressful. In this study, based on in-depth review of literature and analysis of works based on the mental work pressure and stresses over framers, the risk associated with the Indian agricultural sectors were recognized by the use of fuzzy TOPSIS method. All the identified risk-factors were ranked based on their preferences. Then, the QFD technique was used to suggest the design parameters so as to minimize the work stress on farmers.
Sexual behaviour of the blister beetle Epicauta atomaria (Germar), with remarks on the bionomics of Epicauta maculata species group (Meloidae: Meloinae: Epicautini)
Authors: Campos-Soldini María P. , Wagner Leandro S.
Published: July 2021

The sexual behaviour of the blister beetle Epicauta atomaria (Germar) (Meloidae: Meloinae: Epicautini), a pest that affects diverse crops of economic importance in South America, was evaluated for the first time under laboratory conditions. Twelve pairs of E. atomaria adults were collected from low-lying roadsides adjacent to grazed areas in Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina. To describe the sexual behaviour of this species, the number of events and their duration within different courtship phases in E. atomaria males were compared. An ethogram was built, showing that males perform three different behaviours during courtship phases: the quiescent period, antennal rubbing, and mounting. Our results showed that, during courtship, the number of events and the time of the mounting were low and significantly lower compared to behaviours undertaken during the quiescent period and antennal rubbing. In conclusion, the courtship of E. atomaria was clearly dominated by the quiescent period and antennal rubbing. To date, this is the first study to investigate sexual behaviour in E. atomaria, providing a foundation for future phylogenetic studies.
PLZF Acetylation Levels Regulate NKT Cell Differentiation
Authors: Klibi Jihene , Joseph Claudine , Delord Marc , Teissandier Aurelie , Lucas Bruno , Chomienne Christine , Toubert Antoine , Bourc’his Deborah , Guidez Fabien , Benlagha Kamel
Published: July 2021

The transcription factor promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) is encoded by the BTB domain–containing 16 (Zbtb16) gene. Its repressor function regulates specific transcriptional programs. During the development of invariant NKT cells, PLZF is expressed and directs their effector program, but the detailed mechanisms underlying PLZF regulation of multistage NKT cell developmental program are not well understood. This study investigated the role of acetylation-induced PLZF activation on NKT cell development by analyzing mice expressing a mutant form of PLZF mimicking constitutive acetylation (PLZFON) mice. NKT populations in PLZFON mice were reduced in proportion and numbers of cells, and the cells present were blocked at the transition from developmental stage 1 to stage 2. NKT cell subset differentiation was also altered, with T-bet+ NKT1 and RORγt+ NKT17 subsets dramatically reduced and the emergence of a T-bet−RORγt− NKT cell subset with features of cells in early developmental stages rather than mature NKT2 cells. Preliminary analysis of DNA methylation patterns suggested that activated PLZF acts on the DNA methylation signature to regulate NKT cells’ entry into the early stages of development while repressing maturation. In wild-type NKT cells, deacetylation of PLZF is possible, allowing subsequent NKT cell differentiation. Interestingly, development of other innate lymphoid and myeloid cells that are dependent on PLZF for their generation is not altered in PLZFON mice, highlighting lineage-specific regulation. Overall, we propose that specific epigenetic control of PLZF through acetylation levels is required to regulate normal NKT cell differentiation.
Differential Integrin Adhesome Expression Defines Human NK Cell Residency and Developmental Stage
Authors: Hegewisch-Solloa Everardo , Seo Seungmae , Mundy-Bosse Bethany L , Mishra Anjali , Waldman Erik H , Maurrasse Sarah , Grunstein Eli , Connors Thomas J , Freud Aharon G , Mace Emily M
Published: July 2021

NK cells are innate immune cells that reside within tissue and circulate in peripheral blood. They interact with a variety of microenvironments, yet how NK cells engage with these varied microenvironments is not well documented. The adhesome represents a molecular network of defined and predicted integrin-mediated signaling interactions. In this study, we define the integrin adhesome expression profile of NK cells from human tonsil, peripheral blood, and those derived from human hematopoietic precursors through stromal cell coculture systems. We report that the site of cell isolation and NK cell developmental stage dictate differences in expression of adhesome associated genes and proteins. Furthermore, we define differences in cortical actin content associated with differential expression of actin regulating proteins, suggesting that differences in adhesome expression are associated with differences in cortical actin homeostasis. These data provide understanding of the diversity of human NK cell populations and how they engage with their microenvironment.
Evaluating Adult Decision-Making Modifiers in Support of Youth Contact-Sport Participation
Authors: Memmini Allyssa K. , Van Pelt Kathryn L. , Wicklund Alissa , Breedlove Katherine M. , Broglio Steven P.
Published: July 2021

Context

Nearly 44 million youth participate in organized youth sports programs in the United States each year. However, approximately 25% of parents have considered removing their children from sports due to the fear of concussion.

Objective

To determine which adult decision-making modifiers (eg, gender, educational attainment, career type) influenced support for youth contact-sports participation.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Midwestern university and medical center.

Patients or Other Participants

Convenience sample of staff and faculty (N = 5761; 73.9% female) from 2017 to 2018.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Support for youth contact-sports participation using multivariate binary logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and 95% CIs.

Results

The sample was split between adults with children (AWCs; n = 3465, age = 45.39 ± 13.27 years, 76.72% female) and adults without children (AWOCs; n = 2296, age = 30.84 ± 9.01 years, 70.26% female). Among AWCs, those who obtained a bachelor's degree or higher were more likely to support contact-sports participation. Females were more inclined to allow all contact sports, specifically football (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.64, 3.01) and ice hockey (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.42, 2.78). Overall, previous adult sport participation, increasing number of children, and child gender were significant modifying variables in greater support of youth contact-sports participation among AWCs (P < .001). Among AWOCs, previous sport participation in football (OR = 3.27; 95% CI = 2.14, 4.87), ice hockey (OR = 4.26; 95% CI = 2.23, 8.17), or soccer (OR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.48, 3.54) increased the likelihood of an adult supporting contact-sports participation. Lastly, all adults were less inclined to support a daughter participating in any contact sport than a son.

Conclusions

These results reveal adult- and child-specific variables that may influence youth contact-sports participation. These decisions may be developed through the lens of certain gender role beliefs and may lead adults to perceive certain sports as more appropriate for sons than daughters.
Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Soccer: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019
Authors: Chandran Avinash , Morris Sarah N. , Boltz Adrian J. , Robison Hannah J. , Collins Christy L.
Published: July 2021

Context

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has sponsored men's soccer programs since 1959, and the popularity of the sport has grown over time.

Background

Routine examinations of athlete injuries are important for identifying emerging temporal patterns.

Methods

Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program from 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates.

Results

The overall injury rate was 8.51 per 1000 athlete exposures. Lateral ligament complex tears (ankle sprains) (9.2%), hamstring tears (7.0%), and concussions (5.2%) were the most commonly reported injuries. Rates of lateral ligament complex tears remained stable from 2014–2015 through 2018–2019, whereas hamstring tear rates decreased and concussion rates increased.

The findings of this study were in line with the existing epidemiological evidence, although notable temporal patterns were observed. Incidence trajectories of commonly observed injuries warrant particular attention in the future.
Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019
Authors: Chandran Avinash , Morris Sarah N. , Boltz Adrian J. , Robison Hannah J. , Collins Christy L.
Published: July 2021

Context

The National Collegiate Athletic Association held the first women's soccer championship in 1982; sponsorship and participation have greatly increased since.

Background

Routine examinations of athlete injuries are important for identifying emerging temporal patterns.

Methods

Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during the 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 seasons were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates.

Results

The overall injury rate was 8.33 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Lateral ligament complex tears (ankle sprains) (8.6%), concussions (8.3%), and quadriceps tears (5.0%) were the most commonly reported injuries. Rates of lateral ligament complex tears followed an increasing trajectory during the study period, whereas quadriceps tear rates fluctuated during the early years, and concussion rates decreased then increased.

The findings of this study were mostly consistent with existing evidence; notable temporal patterns were observed with regard to lateral ligament complex tears and concussions.
Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Cross-Country: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019
Authors: Chandran Avinash , Morris Sarah N. , Boltz Adrian J. , Robison Hannah J. , Collins Christy L.
Published: July 2021

Context

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has sponsored men's cross-country programs since 1938, and the sport has grown greatly in scope since then.

Background

Routine examinations of men's cross-country injuries are important for identifying emerging temporal patterns.

Methods

Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates.

Results

The overall injury rate was 4.01 per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs). Most reported injuries were inflammatory conditions (30.2%), strains (18.7%), and sprains (11.5%); rates of inflammatory conditions were highest in preseason. The most commonly reported injuries were lateral ligament complex tears (ankle sprains; 8.2%).

Findings of this study were not entirely consistent with existing evidence; continued monitoring of competition injury rates and rates of commonly reported injuries is needed beyond 2018–2019.
Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Field Hockey: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019
Authors: Nedimyer Aliza K. , Boltz Adrian J. , Robison Hannah J. , Collins Christy L. , Morris Sarah N. , Chandran Avinash
Published: July 2021

Context

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has sponsored women's field hockey since 1981, and team membership as well as student-athlete participation has grown over time.

Background

Routine examinations of injuries sustained by athletes are important for identifying and understanding patterns that can be used to inform sport safety practices.

Methods

Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program from 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates.

Results

The overall injury rate was 6.27 per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs). Head/face injuries (16.0%) and thigh injuries (12.3%) were the most commonly injured body parts during the 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 academic years. Concussion (8.6%) was the most commonly reported injury, and concussion rates notably decreased between 2017–2018 and 2018–2019.

Study findings were generally consistent with the existing epidemiologic evidence. Incidence rates and trajectories of commonly observed injuries warrant particular attention in the future.
Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Football: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019
Authors: Chandran Avinash , Morris Sarah N. , Powell Jacob R. , Boltz Adrian J. , Robison Hannah J. , Collins Christy L.
Published: July 2021

Context

Football is among the most popular collegiate sports in the United States, and participation in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football has risen in recent years.

Background

Continued monitoring of football injuries is important for capturing the evolving burden of injuries in NCAA football. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of football-related injuries among men's NCAA football players during the 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 academic years.

Methods

Exposure and injury data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates.

Results

The overall injury rate was 9.31 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Most injuries occurred during general play (17.5%), blocking (15.8%), and tackling (14.0%). Concussions (7.5%), lateral ligament complex tears (6.9%), and hamstring tears (4.7%) were the most commonly reported injuries.

Conclusions

Results of this study were generally consistent with previous findings, though changes over time in rates of commonly reported injuries warrant attention. Continued monitoring of injury incidence is needed to appraise the effectiveness of recently implemented rules changes.
Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Track and Field: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019
Authors: Chandran Avinash , Morris Sarah N. , Roby Patricia R. , Boltz Adrian J. , Robison Hannah J. , Collins Christy L.
Published: July 2021

Context

Women's track and field events at the National Collegiate Athletic Association level have grown in popularity in recent years, and track and field athletes are vulnerable to a broad range of potential injuries.

Background

Routine examination of track and field injuries is important for identifying emerging patterns in injury incidence.

Methods

Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during the 2014–2015 to 2018–2019 academic years were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates.

Results

The overall injury rate was 2.20 per 1000 athlete exposures; the competition injury rate was higher than the practice injury rate (injury rate ratio = 1.73; 95% confidence interval = 1.51, 1.97). Hamstring tears (8.9%), medial tibial stress syndrome (5.4%), and lateral ligament complex tears (4.2%) were the most reported injuries.

Conclusions

Given the results of this study, further attention may be directed toward factors associated with noncontact injury risk in the competitions. The changing injury rates of most reported injuries also warrant monitoring post 2018–2019.
Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Ice Hockey: 2014–2015 Through 2018–2019
Authors: Boltz Adrian J. , Nedimyer Aliza K. , Chandran Avinash , Robison Hannah J. , Collins Christy L. , Morris Sarah N.
Published: July 2021

Context

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has supported men's ice hockey, a distinct sport that mandates high-velocity gamesmanship, since 1974.

Background

Injury surveillance systems are designed to identify evolving injury trends and their temporal qualities. Continual monitoring of collegiate men's ice hockey athletes remains essential.

Methods

Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program from 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios (IRR) were used to examine differential injury rates.

Results

The overall injury rate was 7.65 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Injuries from competition occurred at a rate nearly 7 times that from practice injuries (IRR = 6.54, 95% CI = 6.08, 7.04). The most common specific injury diagnoses were concussions (9.6%), acromioclavicular sprains (7.3%), and medial collateral ligament tears (3.7%).

Injury rates by event type and season segment were higher than previously reported. Contusions accounted for nearly a quarter of all injuries, and acromioclavicular sprain rates increased notably across the study period.
The effect of 10% alpha-tocopherol solution and 5% grape seed extract on the microhardness and shear bond strength to bleached dentin
Authors: Srivastava Manvi , Yeluri Ramakrishna
Published: July 2021

Background:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of 10% alpha-tocopherol and 5% grape seed extract on the microhardness and shear bond strength (SBS) to bleached human dentin.

Materials and Methods:

This in vitro study was done on 200 extracted premolars which were decoronated and grinded to get flat dentin surface occlusaly. They were divided into four groups: (a) bleaching, (b) bleaching and application of alpha-tocopherol, (c) bleaching and application of grape seed extract, and (d) control. Groups were further subdivided into Subgroups I and II (n = 30) based on storage period before building with composite and were then tested for microhardness and SBS determination. The data thus obtained was subjected to statistical analysis which was performed using ANOVA test and post hoc Tukey's test. The significance for the entire statistical test was predetermined at P < 0.05.

Results:

The results showed that the microhardness values were minimum in Group A (immediately after bleaching) and maximum in control group. Comparison of data using one-way ANOVA showed that the P value was highly significant (P < 0.001) among the groups. The intergroup comparison of SBS using post hoc Tukey's tests revealed that the P value was significant (P < 0.05) when the comparison was done between the Group A and Group C and Group B with Group D immediately after bleaching.

Conclusion:

Adverse effects of bleaching can be reversed with the application of 10% alpha-tocopherol and 5% grape seed extract over the dentinal surface microhardness and SBS.
Etiopathogenesis of reproductive tract infections and the emerging role of bitter taste receptors
Authors: Welcome Menizibeya O. , Jeremiah Abraham , Allagoa Dennis O. , Dane Senol , Pereverzev Vladimir A.
Published: July 2021

Reproductive tract infections pose an immense public health concern worldwide as over 600 million new cases are recorded annually along with several complications, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, preterm delivery, and neonatal death. Despite improved understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenic invasion, the etiopathogenesis of reproductive tract infections is yet to be completely understood. Recent data has suggested a critical role of bitter taste receptors of the reproductive tract in etiopathogenesis of reproductive tract infections. Here, we review the literature on current etiopathogenesis of reproductive tract infections and the role of bitter taste receptors of the reproductive tract in etiopathogenesis of reproductive tract infections. Emerging evidence suggests a critical role of microbiota disorder of the reproductive tract in reproductive tract infections. Several bacterial, protozoan parasitic, helminthic parasitic and viral pathogens have been identified as causative agents of reproductive tract infections. These pathogens subvert host defenses and activate specific architectural units of the uroepithelium such as Toll-like receptors, which recognize conserved motifs on the pathogens. The activated Toll-like receptors mediate downstream signaling, stimulating nuclear factor-κB, which in turn activates the production of proinflammatory cytokines. This pathway is also associated with recruitment of immunocytes to the site of aggression and release of proteinases, which drive tissue damage in the reproductive tract. Defects in detection of pathogenic components by the bitter taste receptors of the reproductive tract may play a critical role in the etiopathogenesis of reproductive tract infections. This review provides important information for identification of novel frontiers for the treatment of reproductive tract infections.
Taxifolin attenuates ischemia-reperfusion induced oxidative ovarian damage in rats
Authors: Kiremitli Sevil , Kiremitli Tunay , Nayki Umit , Yilmaz Nesrin , Turkler Can , Dinc Kemal , Mammadov Renad , Yazici Gulce Naz , Gulaboglu Mine , Cetin Nihal
Published: July 2021

Objective:

To investigate preventive effects of taxifolin on ischemia-reperfusion induced oxidative ovarian damage in rats.

Methods:

A total of 18 female Wistar albino rats were randomly and equally divided into three groups: the sham group, the ovarian ischemia reperfusion group, and the 50 mg/kg taxifolin+ovarian ischemia reperfusion group. The ovarian ischemia reperfusion and taxifolin+ovarian ischemia reperfusion groups were exposed to ischemia for 2 h and then followed by two-hour reperfusion protocol. Biochemical and histopathologic examinations were performed on the extracted ovaries.

Results:

Levels of malondialdehyde and cyclooxygenase-2 were increased, while reduced-glutathione and cyclooxygenase-1 were decreased in the ovarian ischemia reperfusion group. However, these values were reversed in the taxifolin+ovarian ischemia reperfusion group. Similarly, the number of primordial and developing follicules decreased in the ovarian ischemia reperfusion group, while they were within normal range in the taxifolin+ovarian ischemia reperfusion group.

Conclusions:

Ischemia followed by reperfusion leads to oxidative stress-related ovarian injury, and taxifolin may be useful for protecting ovarian tissue from such injury.
The Effect of Jacobson's Progressive Relaxation Technique on Postoperative Pain, Activity Tolerance, and Sleeping Quality in Patients Undergoing Gynecological Surgery
Authors: Ibrahim Heba Abdel-Fatah , Elgzar Wafaa Taha , Hablas Reda Mhmoud
Published: July 2021

Background:

Inadequate pain management and sleep disturbances of patients undergoing gynecological surgery are associated with delayed recovery time. This study aimed to assess the effect of Jacobson's Progressive Relaxation Technique (JPRT) on postoperative pain, activity tolerance, and sleeping quality in patients undergoing gynecological surgery.

Materials and Methods:

A randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department/Damanhour educational institute, Elbehira, Egypt. The study sample involved 116 patients undergoing gynecological surgery who were equally distributed between intervention and control groups. Data collected from April to September 2019. Four tools were used for data collection: Demographic data interview schedule, pain analog scale, activity tolerance questionnaire, and the Groningen sleeping quality scale. For the intervention group, the women were asked to perform JPRT for 30 min on the second and third postoperative day, three times a day. SPSS 23.0 is used to analyze data using Chi-square, Fisher's exact, independent t-test, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). A significance level considered at p < 0.05.

Results:

The study results showed that JPRT significantly improves pain, sleep quality, and activity tolerance mean scores among the intervention group compared to the control group (F1 = 119.13, p < 0.001), (F1 = 361.49, p < 0.001), and (F1 = 157.49, p < 0.001), respectively. ANCOVA results showed that 33% of the decreased pain score, 12% of decreased sleeping quality score, and 26% of improved activity tolerance score are due to JPRT.

Conclusion:

JPRT should be offered as a part of standard postoperative nursing care for patients undergoing gynecological surgery to control pain and improve sleeping quality and activity tolerance.
The Relationship between Self-Compassion and the Experience of Memorial Symptoms in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer
Authors: Zarei Kolsoom , Musarezaie Amir , Ashouri Elaheh
Published: July 2021

Background:

Patients with Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer experience a range of physical and psychological memorial symptoms after developing cancer and beginning to receive medical care. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between self-compassion and the experience of memorial symptoms in patients with GI cancer.

Materials and Methods:

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in July to August 2019. The study sample included 190 patients admitted to Seyed Al-Shohada Hospital, with GI cancer who entered the study by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a patient demographic information form, Neff's Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Memorial Symptoms Assessment Scale (MSAS) and then analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS-20.

Results:

The mean (SD) total score of self-compassion was 86.67 (16.65) out of 130, and the mean (SD) total score of memorial symptoms was 1.40 (0.64) out of 4 in patients with GI cancer. The most frequently reported physical symptom was lack of energy, with an 86.84% prevalence, and the most frequently reported psychological symptoms included worrying and feeling nervous, with 70.52% prevalence rates. The total score of self-compassion was inversely correlated with the total score of memorial symptoms, the score of psychological symptoms, and the score of physical symptoms. Furthermore, the total score of the memorial symptoms was inversely correlated with the scores of all the self-compassion components (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Cancer patients had memorial symptoms in both physical and psychological domains. These symptoms decrease with an increase in self-compassion, so compassion-based educational interventions by nurses can be used to reduce these symptoms.
On the entropies of subshifts of finite type on countable amenable groups
Authors: Barbieri Sebastián
Published: July 2021

Let

G,H

be two countable amenable groups. We introduce the notion of group charts, which gives us a tool to embed an arbitrary

H

-subshift into a

G

-subshift. Using an entropy addition formula derived from this formalism we prove that whenever

H

is finitely presented and admits a subshift of finite type (SFT) on which

H

acts freely, then the set of real numbers attained as topological entropies of

H

-SFTs is contained in the set of topological entropies of

G

-SFTs modulo an arbitrarily small additive constant for any finitely generated group

G

which admits a translation-like action of

H

. In particular, we show that the set of topological entropies of

G

-SFTs on any such group which has decidable word problem and admits a translation-like action of

\mathbb{Z}^2

coincides with the set of non-negative upper semi-computable real numbers. We use this result to give a complete characterization of the entropies of SFTs in several classes of groups.
Local maxima of the systole function
Authors: Fortier Bourque Maxime , Rafi Kasra
Published: July 2021

We construct a sequence of closed hyperbolic surfaces that are local maxima for the systole function in their respective moduli spaces. Their systole is arbitrarily large and the number of examples grows rapidly with the genus. More precisely, for every

n\geq 3

there is some positive number

L_n

(growing roughly linearly in

n

) such that the number of local maxima of the systole function in genus

g

with systole equal to

L_n

grows super-exponentially in

g

along an arithmetic sequence of step size

n

. Many of these surfaces have no orientation-preserving isometries other than the identity and are the first examples of local maxima with this property.
Lieb–Thirring inequalities for an effective Hamiltonian of bilayer graphene
Authors: Briet Philippe , Cuenin Jean-Claude , Golinskii Leonid B. , Kupin Stanislas
Published: July 2021

Combining the methods of Cuenin [7] and Borichev, Golinskii, and Kupin [4] and [5], we obtain the so-called Lieb–Thirring inequalities for non-selfadjoint perturbations of an effective Hamiltonian for bilayer graphene.
Maximal estimates for the Fokker–Planck operator with magnetic field
Authors: Karaki Zeinab
Published: July 2021

We consider the Fokker–Planck operator with a strong external magnetic field. We show a maximal type estimate on this operator using a nilpotent approach on vector field polynomial operators and including the notion of representation of a Lie algebra. This estimate makes it possible to give an optimal characterization of the domain of the closure of the considered operator.
Coexistence of absolutely continuous and pure point spectrum for kicked quasiperiodic potentials
Authors: Bjerklöv Kristian , Krikorian Raphaël
Published: July 2021

We introduce a class of real analytic “peaky” potentials for which the corresponding quasiperiodic 1D-Schrödinger operators exhibit, for quasiperiodic frequencies in a set of positive Lebesgue measure, both absolutely continuous and pure point spectrum.
A Comparison of the Risk for Chronic Fascioliasis between Children 3 to 5 Years and Children 6 to 12 Years of Age in the Cusco Region of Peru
Authors: Tanabe Melinda B. , Caravedo Maria A. , Morales Maria L. , Lopez Martha , White A. Clinton , Baca-Turpo Benicia , Arque Eulogia , Cabada Miguel M.
Published: July 2021

School-age children bear the highest burden of fascioliasis in endemic countries. Few studies have addressed Fasciola in preschool children. We performed a secondary data analysis using two Fasciola databases from Cusco, Peru, comparing preschoolers with elementary school children. We included 2,630 children, 50% were female, the median age was 8.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 6.1–10.5), and 15% (396/2,630) were < 5 years of age. Children < 5 years were less likely to be infected with Fasciola hepatica (P = 0.008) and Hymenolepis nana (P < 0.001) and more likely to have anemia (P < 0.001) and a lower median height for age Z (HAZ) score (P = 0.002). Fascioliasis was less common in younger children, but this group may be at higher risk for chronic complications caused by fascioliasis.
Anti-Racism and Anti-Colonialism Praxis in Global Health—Reflection and Action for Practitioners in US Academic Medical Centers
Authors: Daffé Zeinabou Niamé , Guillaume Yodeline , Ivers Louise C.
Published: July 2021

The movement to decolonize global health and address power inequities among its actors is not new. Founded on the work of colonized and marginalized people themselves, initiatives at universities, schools of public health, and international development organizations have emerged to call for anti-racism and anti-colonialism within the field. US Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) have been less vocal in this wider discussion, despite their large engagement in the field through clinical, research, and medical education activities. As global health practitioners currently based at an AMC, we believe that it is important to critically evaluate our practices. We therefore propose three starting questions for our colleagues and students to consider and act upon as they adopt and navigate a praxis in anti-racism and anti-colonialism as foundational principles in global health. These questions call on us to closely examine the legacies of racism and colonialism in global health, the value placed on different ways of knowing in this field, and our motivations for engaging in this work. They are presented as a tool to reexamine global health, challenging the constructed binary of the “global South” and “global North,” and the perceived ideas of poverty and resource scarcity as the natural immutable reality of the global South.
Gut Helminth Infection-Induced Immunotolerance and Consequences for Human Papillomavirus Persistence
Authors: Clark Eva H. , Gilman Robert H. , Chiao Elizabeth Y. , Gravitt Patti E.
Published: July 2021

Cervical cancer, a malignancy caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, develops in more than 500,000 women annually. More than 90% of deaths from cervical cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. A common epidemiological feature of countries with high cervical cancer incidence is a high burden of intestinal helminth infection. The ability of intestinal helminths to trigger immunoregulation, resulting in a “tolerogenic” systemic immune environment, provides fertile soil for the persistence of oncogenic viruses such as HPV. Animal models have shown that intestinal helminth infection permits the persistence of some viruses, however, HPV-specific and human studies are lacking. Large, well-organized trials evaluating the consequences of intestinal helminth infection on the human immune system and HPV persistence may lead to improved strategies for HPV prevention in helminth-endemic regions of the world. Additionally, such studies would offer insight into the specific ways that intestinal helminth infection contributes to immunomodulation, which could identify new therapeutic targets for a range of diseases, from inflammatory disorders to cancer. In this review, we discuss the evidence for helminth-induced systemic and local immune dysregulation, discuss possible mechanisms by which chronic intestinal helminth infection may facilitate HPV persistence, and suggest novel helminth-related interventions that could offer a high leverage (if somewhat unconventional) approach to HPV and cervical cancer control in resource-constrained regions.
La Crosse Virus Disease in the United States, 2003–2019
Authors: Vahey Grace M. , Lindsey Nicole P. , Staples J. Erin , Hills Susan L.
Published: July 2021

La Crosse virus (LACV) is an arthropod-borne virus that can cause a nonspecific febrile illness, meningitis, or encephalitis. We reviewed U.S. LACV surveillance data for 2003–2019, including human disease cases and nonhuman infections. Overall, 318 counties in 27 states, principally in the Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic, and southeastern regions, reported LACV activity. A total of 1,281 human LACV disease cases were reported, including 1,183 (92%) neuroinvasive disease cases. The median age of cases was 8 years (range: 1 month–95 years); 1,130 (88%) were aged < 18 years, and 754 (59%) were male. The most common clinical syndromes were encephalitis (N = 960; 75%) and meningitis (N = 219, 17%). The case fatality rate was 1% (N = 15). A median of 74 cases (range: 35–130) was reported per year. The average annual national incidence of neuroinvasive disease cases was 0.02 per 100,000 persons. West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio had the highest average annual state incidences (0.16–0.61 per 100,000), accounting for 80% (N = 1,030) of cases. No animal LACV infections were reported. Nine states reported LACV-positive mosquito pools, including three states with no reported human disease cases. La Crosse virus is the most common cause of pediatric neuroinvasive arboviral disease in the United States. However, surveillance data likely underestimate LACV disease incidence. Healthcare providers should consider LACV disease in patients, especially children, with febrile illness, meningitis, or encephalitis in areas where the virus circulates and advise their patients on ways to prevent mosquito bites.
Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding by Percutaneous Transsplenic Varices Embolization in Chronic Hepatic Schistosomiasis Japonicum Patients
Authors: Li Ying , Cai Ban Sheng , Li Xin , Ju Shuai , Yang Xiu Ying , Qiang Jin Wei
Published: July 2021

To evaluate percutaneous transsplenic varices embolization (PTSVE) in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with chronic hepatic schistosomiasis japonicum (CHS), 29 CHS patients (20 males and 9 females) complicated with UGIB were selected as the investigation subjects. The patients were treated by PTSVE under the guidance of X-ray fluoroscopy. The success rate of PTSVE and the rate of complications were observed. In addition, the degrees of varices before and after PTSVE were evaluated by abdominal computed tomography (CT). Results showed that 26 CHS patients (89.6%) were successfully treated with PTSVE. Three cases (10.3%) failed, and two experienced intraperitoneal bleeding within 1 week after PTSVE. The abdominal CT showed a significant decrease of the varices stage in coronary (P < 0.001), esophageal (P = 0.006), and paraesophageal (P = 0.013) varices, but slightly increased perisplenic varices within 1 month of the intervention (P = 0.014). PTSVE may be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of UGIB in CHS patients, particularly suitable for those with a widened hepatic fissure and exposed hepatic portal vein trunk and an enlarged spleen.
Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Cooperative Driving Automation for On-Road Motor Vehicles
Authors:   Cooperative Driving Automation(CDA) Committee
Published: July 2021

This document describes machine-to-machine (M2M) communication to enable cooperation between two or more participating entities or communication devices possessed or controlled by those entities. The cooperation supports or enables performance of the dynamic driving task (DDT) for a subject vehicle with driving automation feature(s) engaged. Other participants may include other vehicles with driving automation feature(s) engaged, shared road users (e.g., drivers of manually operated vehicles or pedestrians or cyclists carrying personal devices), or road operators (e.g., those who maintain or operate traffic signals or workzones).

Cooperative driving automation (CDA) aims to improve the safety and flow of traffic and/or facilitate road operations by supporting the movement of multiple vehicles in proximity to one another. This is accomplished, for example, by sharing information that can be used to influence (directly or indirectly) DDT performance by one or more nearby road users. Vehicles and infrastructure elements engaged in cooperative automation may share information, such as state (e.g., vehicle position, signal phase), intent (e.g., planned vehicle trajectory, signal timing), or seek agreement on a plan (e.g., coordinated merge). Cooperation among multiple participants and perspectives in traffic can improve safety, mobility, situational awareness, and operations. However, nothing in this document is intended to suggest that driving automation requires such cooperation in order to be performed safely.

Cooperative strategies may be enabled by the sharing of information in a way that meets the needs of a given application. The needs may be expressed in terms of performance characteristics, such as latency, transmission mode (e.g., one-way, two-way), range, privacy and security, and information content and quality. There are several potential technologies for communicating information between the subject vehicle and other participants.

This document focuses on application-oriented functionality and does not imply the need for or require any specific functionality associated with communications protocols or the open systems interconnection model layers in a protocol stack. This document addresses the operational and tactical timescales of dynamic driving on ADS-operated vehicles, and excludes strategic functions such as trip scheduling and selection of destinations and waypoints. This information report is intended to facilitate communication and awareness for the design and anticipated development and validation of cooperative driving automation.
Effect of pre-slaughter beef cattle handling on welfare and beef quality in Ambo and Guder markets and abattoirs, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Diro Mesfin , Mekete Berhane , Gebremedhin Endrias Zewdu
Published: July 2021

Improper beef cattle handling could affect welfare and meat quality. The effect of beef cattle handling during transportation and in the lairage on the animal welfare and beef quality was studied in relation to Guder and Ambo markets and abattoirs. Data were collected from 200 respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. For laboratory analysis, animals were randomly assigned into three groups: Group I - trekked from the nearest places (≤30 km), Group II - trekked farthest places (>30 km), and Group III - transported using vehicles (>50 km). One-hundred pooled beef swab samples were collected from the flank, brisket, and rump to determine aerobic bacterial load and another 100 beef samples to assess pH values. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and ANOVA were used for analysis. The result of the study indicated that trekking was the major means of transportation (72%). The majority of animal handlers (92%) did not allow animals to feed, water, and rest during trekking. Beef cattle were overcrowded and beaten during vehicle transport. About 47% of the beef samples were abnormal of which the majority were DFD (dark, firm and dry) beef and DFD beef with spoilage. The pH of meat was significantly affected by the distance traveled before slaughter using both trekking and vehicle transportation (t= -3.5, p=0.001). Therefore, it is concluded that there was poor handling and stressful situation of beef cattle before slaughtering, which negatively affected the welfare and beef quality. Hence, pertinent proclamations, regulations, and delivery of animal welfare awareness training for different stakeholders are urgently needed.
The effect of prey refuge on the dynamics of three species food web system
Authors: Melese Dawit , Hailu Abraha
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a mathematical model is proposed to study the effect of prey refuge on the dynamics of three species food web system. The food web comprises of a single prey and two competing predators. The two predators predate their prey following Holling type II functional response. In this work we discussed boundedness of the system, existence condition of the equilibrium points and the Jacobean matrix is obtained by linearization techniques. The local stability of the equilibrium points was discussed by using Routh-Hurwitz criteria and the global stability of the equilibrium points by constructing suitable Lyapunov function. Numerical simulation is conducted to support the analytical result. Finally, the effect of prey refuge on the dynamics of one prey two predator was discussed based on the analytical and numerical simulation results. From the numerical simulations, it is found that the dynamical system is persistent for a small value of the refuge constant. However, an increase in the refuge constant leads to the extinction of one of the predator species.