bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Η φυσική αγωγή μέσω των ομαδικών παιχνιδιών (αθλοπαιδιές) και της δραματικής τέχνης
Authors: Γεροδήμος Κωνσταντίνος
Published: March 2022

Το περιεχόμενο του μαθήματος της Φυσικής Αγωγής είναι ιδιαίτερα σημαντικό αλλά το ίδιο ισχύει και για τον τρόπο διδασκαλίας του. Ο τρόπος διδασκαλίας του μαθήματος της Φυσικής Αγωγής είναι σημαντικός διότι καθορίζει τις ικανότητες και τις δεξιότητες που οι μαθητές θα αποκτήσουν. Βασικό σκοπό της έρευνας αποτέλεσε η διερεύνηση των επιδράσεων και επιρροών, μέσω τροποποιημένων κανονισμών στα ομαδικά παιχνίδια της Φυσικής Αγωγής, (ιδιαίτερα στο παιχνίδι του ποδοσφαίρου) στην κινητική και κοινωνική ανάπτυξη των μαθητών. Επίσης, στην εναλλακτική προσέγγιση του παιχνιδιού με τους διαφοροποιημένους κανονισμούς, εισήχθησαν σε αυτό τεχνικές της Δραματικής Τέχνης. Η Δραματική Τέχνη έρχεται να προσφέρει μια διασκεδαστική και ανάλαφρη ατμόσφαιρα, χωρίς όμως να υπερκαλύπτει το νόημα του αγωνίσματος και το μάθημα της Φυσικής Αγωγής να χάνει τις βασικές επιδιώξεις του. Διεξήχθη έρευνα δράσης με τη χρήση ερωτηματολογίου, συνέντευξης και φύλλου παρατήρησης. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 5 Δημοτικά Σχολεία της πόλης των Ιωαννίνων. Οι μαθητές που έλαβαν μέρος, 120 στο σύνολο, (56 αγόρια και 64 κορίτσια) ήταν όλοι 11 ετών και παρακολουθούν την Ε΄τάξη του Δημοτικού. Από τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας φάνηκε ότι μετά την παρέμβαση, υπήρξε μια ξεκάθαρη αύξηση του χρόνου συμμετοχής των εμπλεκομένων στο παιχνίδι με τους τροποποιημένους κανόνες, καθώς και το ότι η βελτιωμένη επίδοση σε κάποιο άθλημα, που προφανώς συνδέεται με την αυξημένη συμμετοχή, θα ωθήσει τους μαθητές να ασχοληθούν με αυτό και εκτός σχολείου. Οι μαθητές συνεργάστηκαν σε μεγάλο βαθμό με τους συμπαίκτες τους κατά τη διάρκεια του αγώνα και υπήρχε το αίσθημα της ευχαρίστησης σχετικά με το αποτέλεσμα. Ακόμη, παρατηρήθηκε πως οι μαθητές πιστεύουν πως η συμμετοχή και η συνεργασία στο παιχνίδι βοηθάει προς το καλύτερο στις σχέσεις μεταξύ συμμαθητών, καθώς και ότι το παιχνίδι με τροποποιημένους κανόνες και τη χρήση Δραματικής Τέχνης, συμβάλλει πολύ στη σωματική και την πνευματική τους ανάπτυξη. Αυτό που προτείνεται λοιπόν, είναι η εφαρμογή εναλλακτικών μεθόδων διδασκαλίας, ώστε οι μαθητές να βελτιώσουν τις κινητικές δεξιότητές τους και να συνεργαστούν μεταξύ τους προκειμένου να ενισχυθεί η κοινωνική τους αλληλεπίδραση.
A GC-IRMS method for measuring sulfur isotope ratios of carbonyl sulfide from small air samples
Authors: Baartman Sophie L. , Krol Maarten C. , Röckmann Thomas , Hattori Shohei , Kamezaki Kazuki , Yoshida Naohiro , Popa Maria Elena
Published: March 2022

A new system was developed for measuring sulfur isotopes δ 33S and δ 34S from atmospheric carbonyl sulfide (COS) on small air samples of several liters, using pre-concentration and gas chromatography – isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS). Measurements of COS isotopes provide a tool for quantifying the COS budget, which will help towards better understanding climate feedback mechanisms. For a 4 liter sample at ambient COS mixing ratio, ~500 parts per trillion (ppt), we obtain a reproducibility error of 2.1 ‰ for δ 33S and 0.4 ‰ for δ 34S. After applying corrections, the uncertainty for an individual ambient air sample measurement is 2.5 ‰ for δ 33S and 0.9 ‰ for δ 34S. The ability to measure small samples allows application to a global-scale sampling program with limited logistical effort. To illustrate the application of this newly developed system, we present a timeseries of ambient air measurements, during the fall and winter of 2020 and 2021 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The observed background values were δ 33S = 1.0 ± 3.4 ‰ and δ 34S = 15.5 ± 0.8 ‰ (VCDT). The maximum observed COS mixing ratios was only 620 ppt. This, in combination with the relatively high δ 34S suggests that the Netherlands receives little COS-containing anthropogenic emissions. We observed a change in COS mixing ratio and δ 34S with different air mass origin, as modelled with HYSPLIT backward trajectory analyses. An increase of 40 ppt in mean COS mixing ratio was observed between fall and winter, which is consistent with the expected seasonal cycle in the Netherlands. Additionally, we present the results of samples from a highway tunnel to characterize vehicle COS emissions and isotopic composition. The vehicle emissions were small, with COS/CO 2 being 0.4 ppt/ppm; the isotopic signatures are depleted relatively to background atmospheric COS.
The genome sequence of the small elephant hawk moth, Deilephila porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Boyes Douglas ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective, Sivess Laura ,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Deilephila porcellus (the small elephant hawk moth; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Sphingidae). The genome sequence is 402 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (99.99%) is scaffolded into 29 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled.
Ormianie Mohylowa Podolskiego pod koniec XVIII i w połowie XIX wieku (na podstawie pomiarów statystycznych ludności)
Authors: Potapenko Мaksym
Published: March 2022

Armenians in Mohylów Podolski (Mohyliv-Podilskyi) at the end of the 18th century and in the middle of the 19th century (on the basis of the statistical measurement of the people)

The author presents the analysis of five statistical sources which document social and demographical character of the Armenian commune in Mohylów Podolski from the end of the 18th century to the middle of the 19th century. These sources include: inventory of the town form 1772 and the so-called revisions, conducted on the order of the Russian authorities in 1795, 1811, 1834 and 1850. As a result, it as possible to determine the names of at least 600 Mohylów Armenians from 70 families. Moreover, the thesis was confirmed that Armenians in this town constituted the distinct and privileged social group, which – as Vartan Grigoryan already believed – was declining, primarily because of the unfavourable economic situation after the incorporation of Podole into Russia.
Z materiałów źródłowych do dziejów Ormian w zasobie Archiwum Państwowego w Przemyślu: biskupa Franciszka Ksawerego Zachariasiewicza wypisy i szkice do „Wiadomości o Ormianach w Polszcze”
Authors: Grin-Piszczek Ewa
Published: March 2022

From source materials concerning the history of Armenians in the resource of the State Archive in Przemyśl. Entries and outlines of the bishop Franciszek Ksawery Zachariasiewicz for his work “Wiadomość o Ormianach w Polszcze”
The State Archive in Przemyśl includes materials concerning the history of Polish Armenians. Among these sources, the unit with the signature 516 in the division „Kapituła greckokatolicka w Przemyślu” [„Greek and Catholic Chapter in Przemyśl”] contains important data. It presents source abstracts and a manuscript of the work of Franciszek Ksawery Zachariasiewicz – the Przemyśl bishop of the Latin rite – titled Wiadomość o Ormianach w Polszcze [News About Armenians in Poland], Lwów 1842. These data show the research workshop of the historian who as the first Polish Armenian managed to finish his research and present its results in print.
Refleksje o Ormianach polskich na marginesie pracy „Ormiańska Polska”
Authors: Pudło Kazimierz M.
Published: March 2022

Reflections about Polish Armenians on the margin of the work “Ormiańska Polska”

The author discusses the work Ormiańska Polska [ Armenian Poland] written by Krzysztof Stopka and Andrzej A. Zięba (Warszawa 2018), and on the margin of its review forms reflections connected with migrations of Armenians to Poland and their social and identity status between the 14th and 20th centuries.
Analyzing the Impact of Public Buyer–Seller Engagement During Online Auctions
Authors: Tripathi Arvind K. , Lee Young-Jin , Basu Amit
Published: March 2022

Information asymmetry between sellers and buyers is inherent in online markets where transactions often occur between strangers. Trust-building mechanisms such as seller feedback ratings have reduced these problems because a seller’s feedback ratings build buyers’ trust in the seller before they engage in a transaction. However, these ratings are retrospective, that is, they generate information about a transaction after it is completed, rather than during the transaction itself. Additionally, they are based on other users’ experiences, possibly in different contexts, not based on any direct interaction between the prospective buyer and the seller. To address this problem, we study public buyer–seller engagement via question and answer during online auctions and find that seller engagement (responding to buyers’ questions) can affect buyer behavior, including those who do not ask any questions. Our analysis shows that the impact of the seller’s engagement on buyer behavior varies with product type and seller reputation (feedback ratings). A key insight is that sellers with higher reputation reap greater benefits from this engagement than other sellers. We also find that the cost of an additional negative feedback rating outweighs the benefit of a positive one.
PERCEPÇÕES E COMPORTAMENTOS NA DECISÃO EM GRUPO PELA ANÁLISE DOS PERFIS DE NEGOCIAÇÃO
Authors: Da Silva Marcelo Rodrigo , Leoneti Alexandre Bevilacqua
Published: March 2022

O estudo avalia as percepções (i.e. expectativa frente ao resultado do processo decisório e influência das contrapartes) e o comportamento durante o processo de tomada de decisão em grupo apresentados em um experimento de decisão que abrangia a resolução de três casos distintos em um grupo de cinco pessoas. Esta análise foi realizada a partir da vinculação destas variáveis ao perfil de negociação dos participantes. O objetivo foi avaliar como os participantes se comportaram ao longo das negociações, por exemplo, a partir do número de concessões realizadas, e analisar a maneira em que tal comportamento pode ser influenciado pelos níveis de assertividade e cooperação apresentados por eles. Com relação às percepções, identificamos que a cooperação foi mais importante para os jogadores ao avaliar o grau de influência dos demais em sua decisão e que negociadores mais assertivos são mais confiantes de que as suas preferências serão escolhidas pelo grupo. Quanto ao comportamento, verificamos que perfis mais cooperativos tendem a realizar mais concessões ao longo das negociações com o intuito de conciliar os interesses dos integrantes da equipe.
A Dinâmica Simbólica e sua Aplicação em Difeomorfismos
Authors: Rodrigues Karen De Almeida Fonseca , Villapouca Mariana Gesualdi
Published: March 2022

No presente artigo serão expostos conceitos e proposições da dinâmica simbólica assim como resultados que permitem sua aplicação a difeomorfismos que apresentem seu conjunto recorrente por cadeia hiperbólico. Tais conceitos serão aplicados em exemplos conhecidos de forma a ilustrar como, através da construção de matrizes de interseção geométrica e de subshifts de tipo finito, podemos obter características dinâmicas interessantes dos exemplos estudados.
“Um índio descerá de uma estrela colorida e brilhante”: memórias de uma pedagogia macunaímica
Authors: Odinino Juliane , Severo Takashi
Published: March 2022

Este relato de experiência traz algumas vivências pessoais e profissionais de seus autores/as, as quais foram reconhecidas como inspiradas pelo sonho de uma identidade nacional diversificada, inventiva, brincante e pós-colonial, na esteira do que idealizou e colocou em prática Mário de Andrade no contexto do movimento modernista brasileiro. Tem o objetivo de produzir um atravessamento dessas questões sobre suas práxis. A primeira autora, como educadora e pesquisadora atuando na formação de professores/as por meio das temáticas da diversidade, da cultura popular e da valorização da infância, e o segundo autor, dramaturgo com atuação voltada no desenvolvimento de projetos educacionais não-escolares, buscam trazer elementos que apontam caminhos e endossam o que denominam uma pedagogia macunaímica, através da inseparabilidade entre arte, ludicidade, cultura popular e operária. Como metodologia optou-se pelo memorial, como relato de experiência dos/as narradores/as perpassado pela história-cultural a qual estão inseridos/as. A reflexão atenta para traços de experiências marcadas pela luta, pela utopia e o potencial de transformação de iniciativas libertárias e macunaímicas nos espaços públicos, no campo da arte e da educação.
(In)disciplina e visibilidade: considerações sobre as ambiguidades e tensões no ambiente escolar
Authors: Monteiro Leonardo Henrique Brandão
Published: March 2022

O paper se dedica a refletir sobre a lógica (in)disciplina e suas corporificações no ambiente escolar. Traça uma linha de inteligibilidade que permita compreender os comportamentos estudantis lidos como indisciplinados pelos profissionais escolares e como estes comportamentos acabam se conectando e (re)atualizando esta lógica. A metodologia deste trabalho engloba a discussão de dados etnograficos e de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Discute dimensões dos comportamentos lidos como indisciplinados de modo a não os alocar automaticamente ao polo da resistência, e sim, de problematizar esta alocação. Aponta a importância de considerarmos questões que envolvem dinâmicas de prazer/poder entre os polos de normalização/resistência, assim como, a existência de um jogo entre o ver e ser visto existente na escola, na qual os comportamentos classificados como indisciplinados são centrais. Estas reflexões nos levarão a concluir que a existência da escola no modelo disciplinar como conhecemos hoje persiste dentro da lógica (in)disciplina.
Por uma educação democrática: elaborando uma análise do "Programa Escola sem Partido” a partir do pensamento de Paulo Freire
Authors: Ramôa Hosana Do Nascimento
Published: March 2022

O presente artigo tem como objetivo alinhavar o pensamento de Paulo Freire à atual inquietação sobre a viabilidade da composição de uma Educação Democrática e possível. Partimos de uma análise crítica do posicionamento conservador, com base no “Programa Escola sem Partido”, para desenhar um entendimento de suas propostas para a educação. Em seguida, assinalamos elementos para a composição de uma amálgama entre Democracia e Educação, no intuito de cunhar uma visão, junto à Freire, de uma Educação Democrática que responda de maneira coerente aos anseios do exercício educacional, diante de visões embrutecidas do papel da escola e dos professores. Norteando nossa discussão, perguntamos, a democracia se apresenta como orientação possível e realizável dentro e fora do ambiente escolar, diante de proposições conservadoras de educação? Com base em nossa investigação, inferimos que a possibilidade de uma Educação Democrática caminha junto ao questionamento da realidade e a desnaturalização das relações sociais, buscando a cidadania plena, crítica e dialógica.
A educação do campo como espaço de resistência política e epistemológica: as lutas por outras pedagogias
Authors: Lima Elmo De Souza
Published: March 2022

Este trabalho discute sobre o movimento de constituição da Educação do Campo, destacando suas vinculações com as lutas sociais e com os esforços empreendidos pelo Movimento de Educação do Campo na construção de um projeto de educação contenha os avanços do agronegócio e difundam as sementes de outro projeto de sociabilidade forjado nas redes de solidariedade tecidas a partir da agricultura camponesa. Este movimento pedagógico tem instituído novos espaços e tempos educativos voltados ao reconhecimento dos conhecimentos presentes nas práticas sociais camponeses, com a implementação de estratégias pedagógicas que ampliem os diálogos entre os saberes dos camponeses com os conhecimentos universais que compõem o patrimônio histórico da humanidade. Por essa razão, acreditamos que as experiências de Educação do Campo instituídas pelos movimentos sociais trazem importantes contribuições políticas, pedagógicas e epistemológicas para se pensar numa pedagogia crítica e libertadora, ancorada nos pressupostos políticos e filosóficos das teorias críticas da educação.
Criança, escola e acolhimento institucional: a escola como espaço de socialização
Authors: Moreno Gilmara Lupion , Sudario Maria Vitória Braga
Published: March 2022

O artigo versa sobre o papel da escola na socialização das crianças acolhidas institucionalmente. Elencou-se como objetivos pesquisar sobre o papel da escola no processo de construção da identidade e da socialização da criança acolhida; conhecer a trajetória da criação, implementação e consolidação das instituições de acolhimento no Brasil; e reconhecer a escola como importante espaço de socialização. Quanto à metodologia, trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa do tipo bibliográfica. Como resultado, percebeu-se a importância do conhecimento sobre a história e a função das instituições de acolhimento, a fim de desmistificar mitos e preconceitos; assim como a relevância do papel da escola na infância das crianças acolhidas. A escola tem o papel de ajudá-las na superação das possíveis dificuldades em seu desenvolvimento, e desmistificar a visão, muitas vezes, preconceituosa sobre a criança acolhida.
Making self-harm everyone's business: a consideration of the new national guideline
Authors: Clough Isobel
Published: March 2022

This article discusses the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's consultation and draft guideline on self-harm management, placing the recommendations in the context of ongoing pressures on NHS services and the UK's growing mental health crisis.
Optimising progression
Authors: Bridges Glenys
Published: March 2022

Glenys Bridges discusses proactive CPD choices for dental nurses with extended duties

Aims

To define CPD requirements for dental nurses performing extended duties. To identify the implications of GDC Principle 7.2 on dental nurse development.

Objectives

To be able to recognise a range of proactive development opportunities for dental nurses. To be able to make informed choices to select CPD programmes that progress confidence and competence. To be able to select CPD opportunities that reflect ongoing learning needs. To be able to use record-keeping, peer review and reflective practice to implement ongoing personal and professional development. GDC development outcome B and D
Adaptive energy filtering method based on time-domain image sequences for high-accuracy spot target localization
Authors: Bao Jingyu , Zhan Haiyang , Sun Ting , Xing Fei , You Zheng
Published: March 2022

High-accuracy spot target localization is an essential optical measurement technique in fields such as astronomy and biophysics. Random noise generated during the imaging process limits further improvement of centroiding accuracy. Research for centroiding methods can no longer meet the demand for higher accuracy. This limitation is even more severe for low signal to noise ratio (SNR) imaging measurements. This paper proposes an energy filtering method based on time-domain extended image sequences, which is a typical application such as a star tracker. The energy variations of the spot in continuous sequences are analyzed, and the energy is filtered at pixel level. The filtered pixel response that is closer to real energy is involved in the calculation of the centroid. Adaptive variations of filter parameters for different energy distributions are also realized. Both simulations and laboratory experiments are designed to verify the effectiveness of the approach. The results show that this method can effectively and adaptively filter the spot energy at pixel level and further improve centroiding accuracy.
Fabrication of microlens arrays with high filling factors by combining a thermal reflow and parylene CVD technique and the applications on OLEDs
Authors: Sun Rui , Zhang Xuehua , Zhang Yaqi , Zhang Xinwen , Hu Fangren
Published: March 2022

In this paper, microlens array (MLA) templates with high filling factors were prepared by combining a thermal reflow method and parylene chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Then photoresist MLAs were replicated from the MLA templates by using ultraviolet nanoimprint technology. The surface morphology of the replicated photoresist MLAs was characterized by scanning an electron microscope and optical microscope. Results show that the photoresist MLAs have a relatively smooth surface, and the filling factor has been improved obviously. Also, the surface profiles of the MLAs were measured. The optical imaging properties of the MLAs were also characterized, and they had a relatively good imaging performance. Finally, the photoresist MLAs were applied on organic LEDs (OLEDs), and their luminance and current efficiencies were measured. Results show that the current efficiency of the OLEDs increased by about 42.41%, 29.01%, and 35.51%, respectively, for OLEDs with circular, hexagonal, and square MLAs. All the results above indicate that it is a simple and effective process to prepare MLA templates with high filling factors by combining thermal reflow and CVD techniques, and the prepared photoresist MLAs have great application potential in OLED areas.
A PRISMA systematic review of adolescent gender dysphoria literature: 1) Epidemiology
Authors: Thompson Lucy , Sarovic Darko , Wilson Philip , Sämfjord Angela , Gillberg Christopher
Published: March 2022

It is unclear whether the research literature on adolescent gender dysphoria (GD) provides sufficient evidence to adequately inform clinical decision making. In the first of a series of three papers, this study sought to systematically review published evidence regarding: the prevalence of GD in adolescence; the proportions of natal males/females with GD in adolescence and whether this changed over time; and the pattern of age at (a) onset (b) referral and (c) assessment. Having searched PROSPERO and the Cochrane library for existing systematic reviews (and finding none), we searched Ovid Medline 1946 –October week 4 2020, Embase 1947–present (updated daily), CINAHL 1983–2020, and PsycInfo 1914–2020. The final search was carried out on the 2nd November 2020 using a core strategy including search terms for ‘adolescence’ and ‘gender dysphoria’ which was adapted according to the structure of each database. Papers were excluded if they did not clearly report on clinically-verified gender dysphoria, if they were focused on adult populations, if they did not include original data (epidemiological, clinical, or survey) on adolescents (aged at least 12 and under 18 years), or if they were not peer-reviewed journal publications. From 6202 potentially relevant articles (post de-duplication), 38 papers from 11 countries representing between 3000 and 4000 participants were included in our final sample. Most studies were observational cohort studies, usually using retrospective record review (26). A few compared to normative or population datasets; most (31) were published in the past 5 years. There was significant overlap of study samples (accounted for in our quantitative synthesis). No population studies are available, so prevalence is not possible to ascertain. There is evidence of an increase in frequency of presentation to services, and of a shift in the natal sex of referred cases: those assigned female at birth are now in the majority. No data were available on age of onset. Within the included samples the average age was 13 years at referral, 15 years at assessment. All papers were rated by two reviewers using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool v1·4 (CCAT). The CCAT quality ratings ranged from 45% to 96%, with a mean of 78%. Almost half the included studies emerged from two treatment centres: there was considerable sample overlap and it is unclear how representative these are of the adolescent GD community more broadly. The increase in clinical presentations of GD, particularly among natal female adolescents, warrants further investigation. Whole population studies using administrative datasets reporting on GD / gender non-conformity may be necessary, along with inter-disciplinary research evaluating the lived experience of adolescents with GD.
Characterising spatial patterns of neglected tropical disease transmission using integrated sero-surveillance in Northern Ghana
Authors: Fornace Kimberly M. , Senyonjo Laura , Martin Diana L. , Gwyn Sarah , Schmidt Elena , Agyemang David , Marfo Benjamin , Addy James , Mensah Ernest , Solomon Anthony W. , Bailey Robin , Drakeley Chris J. , Pullan Rachel L.
Published: March 2022

Background

As prevalence decreases in pre-elimination settings, identifying the spatial distribution of remaining infections to target control measures becomes increasingly challenging. By measuring multiple antibody responses indicative of past exposure to different pathogens, integrated serological surveys enable simultaneous characterisation of residual transmission of multiple pathogens.

Methodology/Principal findings

Here, we combine integrated serological surveys with geostatistical modelling and remote sensing-derived environmental data to estimate the spatial distribution of exposure to multiple diseases in children in Northern Ghana. The study utilised the trachoma surveillance survey platform (cross-sectional two-stage cluster-sampled surveys) to collect information on additional identified diseases at different stages of elimination with minimal additional cost. Geostatistical modelling of serological data allowed identification of areas with high probabilities of recent exposure to diseases of interest, including areas previously unknown to control programmes. We additionally demonstrate how serological surveys can be used to identify areas with exposure to multiple diseases and to prioritise areas with high uncertainty for future surveys. Modelled estimates of cluster-level prevalence were strongly correlated with more operationally feasible metrics of antibody responses.

Conclusions/Significance

This study demonstrates the potential of integrated serological surveillance to characterise spatial distributions of exposure to multiple pathogens in low transmission and elimination settings when the probability of detecting infections is low.
Conjugates for use in peptide therapeutics: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wijesinghe Ashan , Kumari Sarika , Booth Valerie
Published: March 2022

While peptides can be excellent therapeutics for several conditions, their limited in vivo half-lives have been a major bottleneck in the development of therapeutic peptides. Conjugating the peptide to an inert chemical moiety is a strategy that has repeatedly proven to be successful in extending the half-life of some therapeutics. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the available literature and assess it in an unbiased manner to determine which conjugates, both biological and synthetic, provide the greatest increase in therapeutic peptide half-life. Systematic searches run on PubMed, Scopus and SciFinder databases resulted in 845 studies pertaining to the topic, 16 of these were included in this review after assessment against pre-specified inclusion criteria registered on PROSPERO (#CRD42020222579). The most common reasons for exclusion were non-IV administration and large peptide size. Of the 16 studies that were included, a diverse suite of conjugates that increased half-life from 0.1 h to 33.57 h was identified. Amongst these peptides, the largest increase in half-life was seen when conjugated with glycosaminoglycans. A meta-analysis of studies that contained fatty acid conjugates indicated that acylation contributed to a statistically significant extension of half-life. Additionally, another meta-analysis followed by a sensitivity analysis suggested that conjugation with specifically engineered recombinant peptides might contribute to a more efficient extension of peptide half-life as compared to PEGylation. Moreover, we confirmed that while polyethylene glycol is a good synthetic conjugate, its chain length likely has an impact on its effectiveness in extending half-life. Furthermore, we found that most animal studies do not include as much detail when reporting findings as compared to human studies. Inclusion of additional experimental detail on aspects such as independent assessment and randomization may be an easily accomplished strategy to drive more conjugated peptides towards clinical studies.
What are we learning about HIV testing in informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa? Results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Psaki Stephanie R. , Pulerwitz Julie , Zieman Brady , Hewett Paul C. , Beksinska Mags
Published: March 2022

Background

Recent evidence highlighting high HIV incidence and prevalence in informal settlements suggests that they are environments that foster HIV risk. Given growing urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a critical need to assess the successes and challenges of implementing HIV testing, prevention and treatment interventions in these contexts.

Methods

We randomly selected a household-based sample of 1528 adult men (18–35) and women (18–24) living in 18 randomly selected communities in KZN, South Africa. After the baseline interview, communities were randomized to one of three intervention rollout arms in a stepped wedge design. At approximately 8-month intervals, theAsibonisane Community ResponsesProgram (and in particular the implementation ofStepping Stones, a participatory HIV prevention program focused on strengthening relationships and communication) was rolled at by intervention phase. Using data from this evaluation, we describe levels and trends in HIV testing and treatment during follow-up, and we use fixed effects models to estimate the effects of participation in the program on testing.

Results

Study respondents reported high levels of economic insecurity and mobility, and men report various HIV risk behaviors including about 50% reporting multiple partnerships. About two-thirds of respondents (73% of women, 63% of men) had been tested for HIV in the last six months. Among those living with HIV, treatment levels were high at baseline, and almost universal by endline in 2019. Program participation led to a 17% increase in the probability of testing for women (p<0.05) but had no effect on testing for men due, in part, to the fact that the program did not reach men who were least likely to be tested, including those who had migrated recently, and those who had never been tested at baseline.

Conclusions

Near universal HIV treatment use demonstrates positive trends in access to some HIV services (including treatment as prevention) in these communities. Stepping Stones had positive effects on HIV testing for women, yet barriers to HIV testing remain, especially for men. Redoubled efforts to reach men with testing are vital for improving HIV outcomes for both men and their partners.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent plasma do not enhance viral infection
Authors: Clark Natasha M. , Janaka Sanath Kumar , Hartman William , Stramer Susan , Goodhue Erin , Weiss John , Evans David T. , Connor Joseph P.
Published: March 2022

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 has resulted in the death of nearly 4 million people within the last 18 months. While preventive vaccination, and monoclonal antibody therapies have been rapidly developed and deployed, early in the pandemic the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) was a common means of passive immunization with a theoretical risk of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of viral infection. Though vaccines elicit a strong and protective immune response and transfusion of CCP with high titers of neutralization activity are correlated with better clinical outcomes, the question of whether antibodies in CCP can enhance infection of SARS-CoV-2 has not been directly addressed. In this study, we analyzed for and observed passive transfer of neutralization activity with CCP transfusion. Furthermore, to specifically understand if antibodies against the spike protein (S) enhance infection, we measured the anti-S IgG, IgA, and IgM responses and adapted retroviral-pseudotypes to measure virus neutralization with target cells expressing the ACE2 virus receptor and the Fc alpha receptor (FcαR) or Fc gamma receptor IIA (FcγRIIA). Whereas neutralizing activity of CCP correlated best with higher titers of anti-S IgG antibodies, the neutralizing titer was not affected when Fc receptors were present on target cells. These observations support the absence of antibody-dependent enhancement of infection (ADE) by IgG and IgA isotypes found in CCP. The results presented, therefore, not only supports the therapeutic use of currently available antibody-based treatment, including the continuation of CCP transfusion strategies, but also the use of various vaccine platforms in a prophylactic approach.
Optimization of COVID-19 vaccination and the role of individuals with a high number of contacts: A model based approach
Authors: Rocha Filho Tarcísio M. , Mendes José F. F. , Murari Thiago B. , Nascimento Filho Aloísio S. , Cordeiro Antônio J. A. , Ramalho Walter M. , Scorza Fúlvio A. , Almeida Antônio-Carlos G. , Moret Marcelo A.
Published: March 2022

We report strong evidence of the importance of contact hubs (or superspreaders) in mitigating the current COVID-19 pandemic. Contact hubs have a much larger number of contacts than the average in the population, and play a key role on the effectiveness of vaccination strategies. By using an age-structures compartmental SEIAHRV (Susceptible, Exposed, Infected symptomatic, Asymptomatic, Hospitalized, Recovered, Vaccinated) model, calibrated from available demographic and COVID-19 incidence, and considering separately those individuals with a much greater number of contacts than the average in the population, we show that carefully choosing who will compose the first group to be vaccinated can impact positively the total death toll and the demand for health services. This is even more relevant in countries with a lack of basic resources for proper vaccination and a significant reduction in social isolation. In order to demonstrate our approach we show the effect of hypothetical vaccination scenarios in two countries of very different scales and mitigation policies, Brazil and Portugal.
Is lack of health insurance a predictor of worsening of heart failure among adult patients attending referral hospitals in Northwestern Tanzania?
Authors: Wajanga Bahati M. K. , Kim Christine Yaeree , Peck Robert N. , Bartlett John , Mabula Deodatus , Juma Adinan , Muiruri Charles
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Health insurance coverage is critical for persons living with chronic conditions such as heart failure. Lack of health insurance may affect the ability to access regular healthcare appointments, pay for medication refills which can result in frequent hospitalization that is associated with poor clinical outcomes. In scarce resource locations such as sub-Saharan Africa, where uptake of health insurance is still suboptimal, the effect of health insurance on chronic conditions such as heart failure is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess the association of health insurance on the severity of heart failure for patients attending outpatient clinics at tertiary hospitals in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methods

As part of a larger cohort study, patients with heart failure were recruited from Bugando Medical Center (BMC) and Sekou Toure Regional Hospital (STRH) in Mwanza City, Tanzania. Heart failure was based on Framingham criteria and the severity was determined by New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. Descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to describe the study participants and to assess the association between health insurance status and the severity of heart failure at baseline.

Results

418 patients were enrolled, and majority were female (n = 264, 63%), small scale farmers (n = 278, 66.5%) and were from Mwanza City (n = 299, 71.5%). More than two-thirds of patients did not have health insurance (n = 295, 70.6%) and the majority were in the NYHA I and II classification (n = 267, 64.7%). There was no association between health insurance status and the severity of heart (aOR 0.97; 95% CI 0.84–1.60). Being male, small-scale businessperson and those seen at STRH was associated with higher odds of being in NYHA Class III/IV (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.21–3.17), (aOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.27–5.34) and (aOR 1.91 95% CI: 1.17–3.13) respectively. Having secondary and college education was associated with lower odds of being in Class III/IV (0.42; 95% CI: 0.18–0.98) and (aOR = 0.23 95% CI: 0.06–0.86) respectively.

Conclusion

In this study, only a third of the patients had health insurance. Health insurance was not associated with the severity of heart failure. Since heart failure is a chronic condition patients who do not have health insurance may incur out of pocket expenses, future research should focus on the effect of out-of-pocket expenditures on clinical outcomes.
The effects of Parkinson’s disease, music training, and dance training on beat perception and production abilities
Authors: Hsu Prisca , Ready Emily A. , Grahn Jessica A.
Published: March 2022

Humans naturally perceive and move to a musical beat, entraining body movements to auditory rhythms through clapping, tapping, and dancing. Yet the accuracy of this seemingly effortless behavior varies widely across individuals. Beat perception and production abilities can be improved by experience, such as music and dance training, and impaired by progressive neurological changes, such as in Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we assessed the effects of music and dance experience on beat processing in young and older adults, as well as individuals with early-stage Parkinson’s disease. We used the Beat Alignment Test (BAT) to assess beat perception and production in a convenience sample of 458 participants (278 healthy young adults, 139 healthy older adults, and 41 people with early-stage Parkinson’s disease), with varying levels of music and dance training. In general, we found that participants with over three years of music training had more accurate beat perception than those with less training (p < .001). Interestingly, Parkinson’s disease patients with music training had beat production abilities comparable to healthy adults while Parkinson’s disease patients with minimal to no music training performed significantly worse. No effects were found in healthy adults for dance training, and too few Parkinson’s disease patients had dance training to reliably assess its effects. The finding that musically trained Parkinson’s disease patients performed similarly to healthy adults during a beat production task, while untrained patients did not, suggests music training may preserve certain rhythmic motor timing abilities in early-stage Parkinson’s disease.
Seminal lipid profiling and antioxidant capacity: A species comparison
Authors: Jakop Ulrike , Müller Karin , Müller Peter , Neuhauser Stefanie , Callealta Rodríguez Isabel , Grunewald Sonja , Schiller Jurgen , Engel Kathrin M.
Published: March 2022

On their way to the oocyte, sperm cells are subjected to oxidative stress, which may trigger the oxidation of phospholipids (PL). Applying MALDI-TOF MS, HPTLC and ESI-IT MS, we comparatively analyzed the PL compositions of semen and blood of species differing in their reproductive systems and types of nutrition (bull, boar, stallion, lion and man) with regard to the sensitivity to oxidation as well as the accumulation of harmful lyso-PL (LPL), transient products of lipid oxidation. In addition, the protective capacity of seminal fluid (SF) was also examined. The PL composition of erythrocytes and blood plasma is similar across the species, while pronounced differences exist for sperm and SF. Since the blood function is largely conserved across mammalian species, but the reproductive systems may vary in many aspects, the obtained results suggest that the PL composition is not determined by the type of nutrition, but by the relatedness of species and by functional requirements of cell membranes such as fluidity. Sperm motion and fertilization of oocytes require a rather flexible membrane, which is accomplished by significant moieties of unsaturated fatty acyl residues in sperm lipids of most species, but implies a higher risk of oxidation. Due to a high content of plasmalogens (alkenyl ether lipids), bull sperm are most susceptible to oxidation. Our data indicate that bull sperm possess the most effective protective power in SF. Obviously, a co-evolution of PL composition and protective mechanisms has occurred in semen and is related to the reproductive characteristics. Although the protective capacity in human SF seems well developed, we recorded the most pronounced individual contaminations with LPL in human semen. Probably, massive oxidative challenges related to lifestyle factors interfere with natural conditions.
Can high-performance work practices influence employee career competencies? There is a need for better employee outcomes in the banking industry
Authors: Kamna Damis Feruzi , Ilkhanizadeh Shiva
Published: March 2022

It is essential for organizations to invest and improve employee outcomes to enhance organizational competitiveness and growth in today’s world. However, most organizations place management objectives above the career competencies of employees. Therefore, this study investigated 1. the effect of high-performance work practices on employee career competencies in the banking industry. 2. the mediating effect of employee career competencies on the relationship between high-performance work practices and employee outcomes in the banking sector. The study adopted a quantitative approach with a total of 340 respondents from various banks in Tanzania. The data was analyzed using Covariance Based Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM). The results of the finding indicate that high-performance work practices have a significant effect on employee career competencies. Similarly, employee career competencies significantly impact service quality, creative performance, and extra-role performance in banks. Also, employee career competency does not mediate the relationship between high-performance work systems and service quality in the banking industry.
A quantitative wildfire risk assessment using a modular approach of geostatistical clustering and regionally distinct valuations of assets—A case study in Oregon
Authors: Schmidt Andres , Leavell Daniel , Punches John , Rocha Ibarra Marco A. , Kagan James S. , Creutzburg Megan , McCune Myrica , Salwasser Janine , Walter Cara , Berger Carrie
Published: March 2022

The intensity and scale of wildfires has increased throughout the Pacific Northwest in recent decades, especially within the last decade, destroying vast amounts of valuable resources and assets. This trend is predicted to remain or even magnify due climate change, growing population, increased housing density. Furthermore, the associated stress of prolonged droughts and change in land cover/land use puts more population at risk. We present results of a multi-phase Extension Fire Program Initiative combining fire model results based on worst-case meteorological conditions recorded at 50 weather stations across Oregon with spatially distinct valuations of resources and assets based on regional ecological and socio-economic conditions. Our study focuses on six different Fire Service Areas covering the state of Oregon. We used a geostatistical approach to find weather stations that provide worst-case meteorological input data on record for representative sub-domains. The results provide regionally distinct assessments of potential value loss by wildfire and show that, depending on the region, 12% to 52% of the highest relative risk areas are on private land. This underscores the need to unite strategies and efforts on the landscape scale by including different landowners, managers, and stakeholders of public land and private land efficiently address wildfire damage protection and mitigation. Our risk assessments closely agreed with risks identified during landscape-scale ground projects.
Sensitizing drug-resistant cancer cells from blood using microfluidic electroporator
Authors: Sung Hyun Woo , Choi Sung-Eun , Chu Chris H. , Ouyang Mengxing , Kalyan Srivathsan , Scott Nathan , Hur Soojung Claire
Published: March 2022

Direct assessment of patient samples holds unprecedented potential in the treatment of cancer. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in liquid biopsies are a rapidly evolving source of primary cells in the clinic and are ideal candidates for functional assays to uncover real-time tumor information in real-time. However, a lack of routines allowing direct and active interrogation of CTCs directly from liquid biopsy samples represents a bottleneck for the translational use of liquid biopsies in clinical settings. To address this, we present a workflow for using a microfluidic vortex-assisted electroporation system designed for the functional assessment of CTCs purified from blood. Validation of this approach was assessed through drug response assays on wild-type (HCC827 wt) and gefitinib-resistant (HCC827 GR6) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. HCC827 cells trapped within microscale vortices were electroporated to sequentially deliver drug agents into the cytosol. Electroporation conditions facilitating multi-agent delivery were characterized for both cell lines using an automatic single-cell image fluorescence intensity algorithm. HCC827 GR6 cells spiked into the blood to emulate drug-resistant CTCs were able to be collected with high purity, demonstrating the ability of the device to minimize background cell impact for downstream sensitive cell assays. Using our proposed workflow, drug agent combinations to restore gefitinib sensitivity reflected the anticipated cytotoxic response. Taken together, these results represent a microfluidics multi-drug screening panel workflow that can enable functional interrogation of patient CTCs in situ, thereby accelerating the clinical standardization of liquid biopsies.
Clinical improvement after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy; A comparison of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures during 12-month follow-up
Authors: Mjåset Christer , Zwart John-Anker , Kolstad Frode , Solberg Tore , Grotle Margreth
Published: March 2022

Object

Although many patients report clinical improvement after surgery due to degenerative cervical myelopathy, the aim of intervention is to stop progression of spinal cord dysfunction. We wanted to provide estimates and assess achievement rates of Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) at 3- and 12-month follow-up for Neck Disability Index (NDI), Numeric Rating Scale for arm pain (NRS-AP) and neck pain (NRS-NP), Euro-Qol (EQ-5D-3L), and European Myelopathy Score (EMS).

Methods

614 degenerative cervical myelopathy patients undergoing surgery responded to Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) prior to, 3 and 12 months after surgery. External criterion was the Global Perceived Effect Scale (1–7), defining MCID as “slightly better”, “much better” and “completely recovered”. MCID estimates with highest sensitivity and specificity were calculated by Receiver Operating Curves for change and percentage change scores in the whole sample and in anterior and posterior procedural groups.

Results

The NDI and NRS-NP percentage change scores were the most accurate PROMs with a MCID of 16%. The change score for NDI and percentage change scores for NDI, NRS-AP and NRS-NP were slightly higher in the anterior procedure group compared to the posterior procedure group, while remaining PROM estimates were similar across procedure type. The MCID achievement rates at 12-month follow-up ranged from 51% in EMS to 62% in NRS-NP.

Conclusion

The NDI and NRS-NP percentage change scores were the most accurate PROMs to measure clinical improvement after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. We recommend using different cut-off estimates for anterior and posterior approach procedures. A MCID achievement rate of 60% or less must be interpreted in the perspective that the main goal of surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy is to prevent worsening of the condition.