bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived Motivational Climate Determines Self-Confidence and Precompetitive Anxiety in Young Soccer Players: Analysis by Gender
Authors: Morales-Sánchez Verónica , Caballero-Cerbán Montserrat , Postigo-Martín Cristina , Morillo-Baro Juan P. , Hernández-Mendo Antonio , Reigal Rafael E.
Published: November 2022

The main objective of this study was to analyze whether the perception of the motivational climate in young soccer players determines the level of competitive anxiety and self-confidence. In addition, the results were explored according to gender, in order to observe if there were differences between the female and male categories. A total of 113 cadet and youth soccer players from six soccer teams in the provinces of Malaga and Granada, aged between 14 and 19 years, who competed in regional leagues, participated in the study. Of these, 50 were female and 63 were male. The Competitive Sport Anxiety (CSAI-2), Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2), and Self-Confidence in Sport Competition Questionnaire (CACD) were used to collect the information. Correlation, linear regression and cluster analyses were performed. The data analyses carried out affirmed the relationship between the study variables, observing that the perception of ego climate was positively related to cognitive anxiety (p < 0.05) and insecurity (p < 0.01), and inversely to self-confidence (p < 0.05). By gender, boys showed a higher perception of an ego-oriented (p < 0.001) and lower perception of a task-oriented climate (p < 0.05) than girls. However, girls showed a greater intensity in the relationships related to ego climate and lower scores in self-confidence (p < 0.01), as well as higher scores in insecurity (p < 0.001). The results have shown positive relationships between self-confidence and a task-oriented climate, as well as negative ones with an ego-oriented climate. It is also observed that ego orientation generates more insecurity and anxiety, which is more evident in girls.
Determinants of Development of Social Enterprises according to the Theory of Sustainable Development
Authors: Oliński Marian , Mioduszewski Jarosław
Published: November 2022

Social enterprises today are a worldwide phenomenon that has had a major impact on local communities and societies. Apart from pursuing their mission within the market, social enterprises are closely linked through scientific theories with the concept of sustainable development. In practice, they are linked with pursuing so-called sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. It is a universal call to action to end poverty. One of the ways of fighting against poverty is providing people excluded from the labor market with decent jobs. It is one of the main aims of many social enterprises. The aim of this paper is to identify internal and external conditions influencing the functioning and development of social enterprises operating in the Warmia and Mazury region, which is underdeveloped according to the EU taxonomy. This paper used survey research conducted among social enterprises in the region of Warmia and Mazury. In the context of sustainable development as a concept, this paper identifies the scale of influence of the analyzed social enterprises on restoring people who are professionally excluded into the labor market. This paper indicates that not only financial and legal issues limit the development of social enterprises, but also elements such as the insufficient number of people willing to do social work or the level of creativity of the employed staff. It has been established that among analyzed enterprises, the level of received support is associated with the number of created workplaces, but it is not connected with gained income, nor is the volume of employment within the analyzed social enterprises correlated with gained income.
Autonomous Vehicles: The Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Countermeasures for Big Data Communication
Authors: Algarni Abdullah , Thayananthan Vijey
Published: November 2022

The possible applications of communication based on big data have steadily increased in several industries, such as the autonomous vehicle industry, with a corresponding increase in security challenges, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities (CVs). The cybersecurity-related symmetry of big data communication systems used in autonomous vehicles may raise more vulnerabilities in the data communication process between these vehicles and IoT devices. The data involved in the CVs may be encrypted using an asymmetric and symmetric algorithm. Autonomous vehicles with proactive cybersecurity solutions, power-based cyberattacks, and dynamic countermeasures are the modern issues/developments with emerging technology and evolving attacks. Research on big data has been primarily focused on mitigating CVs and minimizing big data breaches using appropriate countermeasures known as security solutions. In the future, CVs in data communication between autonomous vehicles (DCAV), the weaknesses of autonomous vehicular networks (AVN), and cyber threats to network functions form the primary security issues in big data communication, AVN, and DCAV. Therefore, efficient countermeasure models and security algorithms are required to minimize CVs and data breaches. As a technique, policies and rules of CVs with proxy and demilitarized zone (DMZ) servers were combined to enhance the efficiency of the countermeasure. In this study, we propose an information security approach that depends on the increasing energy levels of attacks and CVs by identifying the energy levels of each attack. To show the results of the performance of our proposed countermeasure, CV and energy consumption are compared with different attacks. Thus, the countermeasures can secure big data communication and DCAV using security algorithms related to cybersecurity and effectively prevent CVs and big data breaches during data communication.
The Effect of Kitchen Ventilation Modification on Independent and Combined Associations of Cooking Fuel Type and Cooking Duration with Suicidal Ideation: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Caiyun , Kang Ning , Hou Xiaoyu , Chang Gaohua , Yuchi Yinghao , Liu Xiaotian , Huo Wenqian , Mao Zhenxing , Hou Jian , Wang Chongjian
Published: November 2022

Although household air pollution (HAP) is associated with an increased risk of mental disorders, evidence remains scarce for the relationship between HAP and suicidal ideation. A total of 21,381 qualified participants were enrolled on the Henan Rural Cohort Study. HAP information including cooking fuel type, cooking duration and kitchen ventilation was collected by questionnaires. Suicidal ideation was evaluated by item nine of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Independent and combined associations of cooking fuel type and cooking duration with suicidal ideation were explored by logistic regression models. Analyses were conducted in different kitchen ventilation groups to detect the potential effect modification. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of solid fuel users versus clean fuel users for suicidal ideation was 1.37 (1.16, 1.62), and the risk of suicidal ideation increased by 15% (95% CI: 5%, 26%) for each additional hour of the cooking duration. Participants cooking with solid fuel for long durations were related to the highest risk of suicidal ideation (OR (95% CI): 1.51 (1.22, 1.87)). However, all these associations were not observed in those cooking with mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation ameliorated relationships between solid fuel use and long-duration cooking with suicidal ideation.
Chemical Characteristics and Source-Specific Health Risks of the Volatile Organic Compounds in Urban Nanjing, China
Authors: Wang Jingyun , Yue Hao , Cui Shijie , Zhang Yunjiang , Li Haiwei , Wang Junfeng , Ge Xinlei
Published: November 2022

This work comprehensively investigated the constituents, sources, and associated health risks of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sampled during the autumn of 2020 in urban Nanjing, a megacity in the densely populated Yangtze River Delta region in China. The total VOC (TVOC, sum of 108 species) concentration was determined to be 29.04 ± 14.89 ppb, and it was consisted of alkanes (36.9%), oxygenated VOCs (19.9%), halogens (19.1%), aromatics (9.9%), alkenes (8.9%), alkynes (4.9%), and others (0.4%). The mean TVOC/NOx (ppbC/ppbv) ratio was only 3.32, indicating the ozone control is overall VOC-limited. In terms of the ozone formation potential (OFP), however, the largest contributor became aromatics (41.9%), followed by alkenes (27.6%), and alkanes (16.9%); aromatics were also the dominant species in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation, indicative of the critical importance of aromatics reduction to the coordinated control of ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Mass ratios of ethylbenzene/xylene (E/X), isopentane/n-−pentane (I/N), and toluene/benzene (T/B) ratios all pointed to the significant influence of traffic on VOCs. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) revealed five sources showing that traffic was the largest contributor (29.2%), particularly in the morning. A biogenic source, however, became the most important source in the afternoon (31.3%). The calculated noncarcinogenic risk (NCR) and lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) of the VOCs were low, but four species, acrolein, benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,2-dibromoethane, were found to possess risks exceeding the thresholds. Furthermore, we conducted a multilinear regression to apportion the health risks to the PMF-resolved sources. Results show that the biogenic source instead of traffic became the most prominent contributor to the TVOC NCR and its contribution in the afternoon even outpaced the sum of all other sources. In summary, our analysis reveals the priority of controls of aromatics and traffic/industrial emissions to the efficient coreduction of O3 and PM2.5; our analysis also underscores that biogenic emissions should be paid special attention if considering the direct health risks of VOCs.
Adverse Health Effects and Mercury Exposure in a Colombian Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Community
Authors: Vergara-Murillo Fredy , González-Ospino Shirley , Cepeda-Ortega Nazly , Pomares-Herrera Fredy , Johnson-Restrepo Boris
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was, first of all, to associate the mercury (Hg) concentrations and respiratory functions of the gold miners in the artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) environment in San Martín de Loba, Colombia. We carried out a cross-sectional study using a survey whereby we collected basic demographic information, occupational medical history, and applied two validated questionnaires (Q16 and SF36). We measured Hg levels in all volunteers using direct thermal decomposition-atomic absorption spectrometry. Univariate and bivariate statistical analyses were carried out for all variables, performing logistic regression to assess the effect of ASGM on health outcomes. Volunteers enrolled (n = 124) were between the ages of 20 and 84 years (84% miners and 79% males). No changes were found in the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate from the ASGM miners, in crude and adjusted statistical analyses. ASGM miners increased 8.91 (95% confidence interval, 1.55–95.70) times the risk of having these than of having neurotoxic effects. Concentrations of total whole blood mercury (T-Hg) in all participants ranged from 0.6 to 82.5 with a median of 6.0 μg/L. Miners had higher T-Hg concentrations than non-miners (p-value = 0.011). Normal and abnormal respiratory spirometry patterns showed significant differences with the physical role and physical function of quality-of-life scales (the (p-value was 0.012 and 0.004, respectively). The spirometry test was carried out in 87 male miners, with 25% of these miners reporting abnormalities. Out of these, 73% presented a restrictive spirometry pattern, and 27%, an obstructive spirometry pattern. The ASGM population had higher Hg concentrations and worse neurotoxic symptomatology than non-miners of the same community.
Application of Virtual Reality in Learning the Concepts of Special Relativity and Mass–Energy Equivalence
Authors: Tarng Wernhuar , Liao Yu-Chia , Ou Kuo-Liang
Published: November 2022

Einstein described the relationship between mass and energy using the theory of special relativity by a simple equation, E=mc2. Mass–energy equivalence implies that mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. In this study, a virtual reality (VR) system was developed for learners to take a spacecraft travelling at nearly the speed of light to conduct space exploration and understand the concepts of special relativity and mass–energy equivalence. A teaching experiment was conducted to investigate the learning effectiveness and cognitive load of learners by recruiting 60 students as research samples. The experimental group (30 students) used the VR system and the control group (30 students) used physics textbooks for learning special relativity and mass–energy equivalence. The experimental results reveal that the learning effectiveness of the experimental group is higher than that of the control group while the cognitive load of the former is lower than that of the latter. The questionnaire results show that students of the control group had responded positively to learning content, cognitive usefulness, cognitive ease of use, and user satisfaction, indicating that they were satisfied with the learning experience of the VR system.
The Preventive Role of mRNA Vaccines in Reducing Death among Moderate Omicron-Infected Patients: A Follow-Up Study
Authors: Yen Amy Ming-Fang , Chen Sam Li-Sheng , Hsu Chen-Yang , Chen Tony Hsiu-Hsi
Published: November 2022

Very few studies have been conducted to assess the potential preventive role of vaccines, particularly mRNA vaccines, in the improvement of survival among moderate and severe hospitalized patients with COVID-19. After community-acquired outbreaks of the Omicron variant from 18 March until 31 May 2022, occurred in Taiwan, this retrospective cohort of 4090 moderate and 1378 severe patients admitted to hospital was classified according to whether they were administered an mRNA-based vaccine, and followed up to ascertain rates of death in both the vaccinated (≥2 doses) and unvaccinated (no or 1 dose) groups. The age-adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of less than 1 was used to assess the preventive role of mRNA vaccines in reducing deaths among moderate and severe Omicron-infected patients. Survival was statistically significantly better for the ≥2 dose jab group (aHR, 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60 to 0.94) and even higher among those who had received a booster jab (aHR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.91) compared with the unvaccinated group among moderate patients, but not among severe patients. In conclusion, unveiling the role of mRNA vaccines in preventing moderate but not severe COVID-19 patients from death provides new insights into how mRNA vaccines play a role in the pathway leading to a severe outcome due to Omicron COVID-19.
Efficacy and Safety of Native and Recombinant Zona Pellucida Immunocontraceptive Vaccines Formulated with Non-Freund’s Adjuvants in Donkeys
Authors: French Hilari , Segabinazzi Lorenzo , Middlebrooks Brittany , Peterson Erik , Schulman Martin , Roth Robyn , Crampton Michael , Conan Anne , Marchi Silvia , Gilbert Trevor , Knobel Darryn , Bertschinger Henk
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to test zona pellucida (ZP) vaccines’ immunocontraceptive efficacy and safety when formulated with non-Freund’s adjuvant (6% Pet Gel A and 500 Μg Poly(I:C)). Twenty-four jennies were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: reZP (n = 7) received three doses of recombinant ZP vaccine; pZP (n = 9) received two doses of native porcine ZP; and Control group (n = 8) received two injections of placebo. Jennies were monitored weekly via transrectal ultrasonography and blood sampling for serum progesterone profiles and anti-pZP antibody titres. In addition, adverse effects were inspected after vaccination. Thirty-five days after the last treatment, jacks were introduced to each group and rotated every 28 days. Vaccination with both pZP and reZP was associated with ovarian shutdown in 44% (4/9) and 71% (4/7) of jennies, 118 ± 33 and 91 ± 20 days after vaccination, respectively (p > 0.05). Vaccination delayed the chances of a jenny becoming pregnant (p = 0.0005; Control, 78 ± 31 days; pZP, 218 ± 69 days; reZP, 244 ± 104 days). Anti-pZP antibody titres were elevated in all vaccinated jennies compared to Control jennies (p < 0.05). In addition, only mild local injection site reactions were observed in the jennies after treatment. In conclusion, ZP vaccines formulated with non-Freund’s adjuvant effectively controlled reproduction in jennies with only minor localised side effects.
Serology Assays Used in SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Surveys Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Assay Features, Testing Algorithms, and Performance
Authors: Ma Xiaomeng , Li Zihan , Whelan Mairead G. , Kim Dayoung , Cao Christian , Yanes-Lane Mercedes , Yan Tingting , Jaenisch Thomas , Chu May , Clifton David A. , Subissi Lorenzo , Bobrovitz Niklas , Arora Rahul K.
Published: November 2022

Background: Many serological assays to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences in the detection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 serological assays limited the comparability of seroprevalence estimates for populations being tested. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of serological assays used in SARS-CoV-2 population seroprevalence surveys, searching for published articles, preprints, institutional sources, and grey literature between 1 January 2020, and 19 November 2021. We described features of all identified assays and mapped performance metrics by the manufacturers, third-party head-to-head, and independent group evaluations. We compared the reported assay performance by evaluation source with a mixed-effect beta regression model. A simulation was run to quantify how biased assay performance affects population seroprevalence estimates with test adjustment. Results: Among 1807 included serosurveys, 192 distinctive commercial assays and 380 self-developed assays were identified. According to manufacturers, 28.6% of all commercial assays met WHO criteria for emergency use (sensitivity [Sn.] >= 90.0%, specificity [Sp.] >= 97.0%). However, manufacturers overstated the absolute values of Sn. of commercial assays by 1.0% [0.1, 1.4%] and 3.3% [2.7, 3.4%], and Sp. by 0.9% [0.9, 0.9%] and 0.2% [−0.1, 0.4%] compared to third-party and independent evaluations, respectively. Reported performance data was not sufficient to support a similar analysis for self-developed assays. Simulations indicate that inaccurate Sn. and Sp. can bias seroprevalence estimates adjusted for assay performance; the error level changes with the background seroprevalence. Conclusions: The Sn. and Sp. of the serological assay are not fixed properties, but varying features depending on the testing population. To achieve precise population estimates and to ensure the comparability of seroprevalence, serosurveys should select assays with high performance validated not only by their manufacturers and adjust seroprevalence estimates based on assured performance data. More investigation should be directed to consolidating the performance of self-developed assays.
Cytokines and Chemokines in Breastmilk of SARS-CoV-2 Infected or COVID-19 Vaccinated Mothers
Authors: Trofin Felicia , Dorneanu Olivia Simona , Constantinescu Daniela , Nastase Eduard Vasile , Luncă Cătălina , Iancu Luminița Smaranda , Andrioaie Ioana-Maria , Duhaniuc Alexandru , Cianga Corina Maria , Pavel-Tanasa Mariana , Anton-Păduraru Dana-Teodora , Cianga Petru
Published: November 2022

Introduction: The COVID-19 disease and anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were accompanied by alterations in several inflammatory markers. The aim of our research was to check to what extent such cytokines are transferred to infants via the breastmilk of SARS-CoV-2-infected or vaccinated mothers. Thus, we wanted to check if breastfeeding is safe during SARS-CoV-2 infection or after COVID-19 mRNA-vaccination. Material and method: The Luminex Multiplexing Assay was used for quantifying 10 cytokine in the human breastmilk of SARS-CoV-2-infected or COVID-19-vaccinated mothers, compared with anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG naïve mothers. Two milk samples were collected at 30 and 60 days either after the booster dose or afterthe onset of symptoms. A single milk sample was collected from the mothers within the control group. Results: The cytokine concentrations were mostly found within the reference intervals for all mothers. The status of the vaccinated/infected mother, the age of the breastfed child, the parity of the mother and the maternal age were variation factors of the above-mentioned cytokine concentrations. The type of birth and the presence of IgG in the milk had no influence on these cytokine concentrations in milk. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were recorded between the cytokine concentrations of the two milk samples. Conclusion: Our study provides data that support the safety of breastfeeding in the case of mild COVID-19 infection or after Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies Post-COVID-19 or Post-Vaccination in Libyan Population: Comparison of Four Vaccines
Authors: Ebrahim Fawzi , Tabal Salah , Lamami Yosra , Alhudiri Inas M. , El Meshri Salah Edin , Al Dwigen Samira , Arfa Ramadan , Alboeshi Asma , Alemam Hafsa A. , Abuhtna Fauzia , Altrhouni Rabeeah , Milad Mohamed B. , Elgriw Nada A. , Ruaua Mahmoud A. , Abusrewil Zakarya , Harroush Warda , Jallul Mwada , Ali Fouziyah S. , Eltaib Farag , Elzagheid Adam
Published: November 2022

Measurement of strength and durability of SARS-COV-2 antibody response is important to understand the waning dynamics of immune response to both vaccines and infection. The study aimed to evaluate the level of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and their persistence in recovered, naïve, and vaccinated individuals. We investigated anti-spike RBD IgG antibody responses in 10,000 individuals, both following infection with SARS-CoV-2 and immunization with SARS-COV-2 AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, and Sinovac. The mean levels of anti-spike IgG antibodies were higher in vaccinated participants with prior COVID-19 than in individuals without prior COVID-19. Overall, antibody titers in recovered vaccinee and naïve vaccinee persisted beyond 20 weeks. Vaccination with adenoviral–vector vaccines (AstraZeneca and Sputnik V) generates higher antibody titers than with killed virus vaccine (Sinopharm and Sinovac). Approximately two-thirds of asymptomatic unvaccinated individuals had developed virus-specific antibodies. A single dose of vaccine is likely to provide greater protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with apparent prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, than in SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals. In addition, the high number of seropositivity among asymptomatic unvaccinated individuals showed that the number of infections are probably highly underestimated. Those vaccinated with inactivated vaccine may require more frequent boosters than those vaccinated with adenoviral vaccine. These findings are important for formulating public health vaccination strategies during COVID-19 pandemic.
Waning of Humoral Immunity and the Influencing Factors after BNT162b2 Vaccination: A Cohort Study with a Latent Growth Curve Model in Fukushima
Authors: Kobashi Yurie , Takebayashi Yoshitake , Yoshida Makoto , Kawamura Takeshi , Shimazu Yuzo , Kaneko Yudai , Nishikawa Yoshitaka , Nakayama Aya , Takita Morihito , Zhao Tianchen , Yamamoto Chika , Ito Naomi , Tsubokura Masaharu
Published: November 2022

Measuring long-term antibody titer kinetics and subsequent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations are crucial for identifying vulnerable populations. Our aim was to determine the association between long-term antibody kinetics, including peak titers and factors, up to seven months post-second vaccination. A three-time antibody survey was conducted in 2021 among healthcare workers in Japan to investigate the changes in humoral immunity using chemiluminescence immunoassay. The study involved 205 participants who had received the second vaccine dose, completed the three-time survey, and were not infected with SARS-CoV-2. A latent growth curve model was used to identify factors affecting the peak titer and decreasing the antibody slope. Of the eligible participants, the mean titers of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against the spike (S) protein and the neutralizing activity 7 months after the second vaccination decreased to 154.3 (8.8% of the peak titer) and 62.1 AU/mL (9.5% of the peak titer), respectively. The IgG growth model showed that age significantly affected peak titers (p < 0.001); however, a significant difference was not found for the decreasing slope. Ultimately, aging adults had significantly low peak antibody titers; however, age was unrelated to the slope of log-transformed IgG against the S protein.
Influenza Vaccination Reduces the Risk of Liver Cancer in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Hao Wen-Rui , Yang Tsung-Yeh , Chen Chun-Chao , Lin Kuan-Jie , Chiu Chun-Chih , Fang Yu-Ann , Jian William , Lei Meng-Huan , Yeh Hsien-Tang , Hsu Min-Huei , Chen Nai-Hsuan , Jong Hung-Chang , Zheng Jing-Quan , Liu Ju-Chi
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have indicated that influenza vaccination reduces the development of lung cancer. However, the protective effects of influenza vaccination on primary liver cancer in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are unclear. This cohort study identified 12,985 patients aged at least 55 years who had received a diagnosis of CKD between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2012 from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The patients were classified according to vaccination status. Propensity score matching was used to reduce selection bias. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between influenza vaccination and primary liver cancer in patients with CKD. The prevalence of primary liver cancer was lower in patients with CKD who had received an influenza vaccine (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35–0.58, p < 0.001). The protective effects were observed regardless of sex, age, and comorbidities. Moreover, dose-dependent protective effects were observed. In the subgroup analysis, where the patients were classified by the number of vaccinations received, the adjusted hazard ratios for 1, 2–3, and ≥4 vaccinations were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.63–1.17), 0.45 (95% CI: 0.31–0.63), and 0.21 (95% CI: 0.14–0.33), respectively. In conclusion, influenza vaccination was associated with a lower incidence of liver cancer in patients with CKD.
Validation of the Vietnamese version of the low anterior resection syndrome score questionnaire
Authors: Mai-Phan Tuong-Anh , Pham Vu Quang
Published: November 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to validate the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score questionnaire in the Vietnamese language among Vietnamese patients who underwent sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer.Methods: The LARS score questionnaire was translated from English into Vietnamese and then back-translated as recommended internationally. From January 2018 to December 2020, 93 patients who underwent sphincter-preserving surgery completed the Vietnamese version of the LARS score questionnaire together with an anchored question assessing the influence of bowel function on quality of life. To validate test-retest reliability, patients were requested to answer the LARS score questionnaire twice.Results: Ninety-three patients completed the LARS score questionnaire, of whom 89 responded twice. The patients who responded twice were included in the analysis of test-retest reliability. Fifty-eight patients had a “major” LARS score. The LARS score was able to discriminate between patients who were obese and those who were not (P<0.001) and between the LAR and AR procedures (P<0.001). Age and sex were not associated with higher LARS scores (P=0.975). There was a perfect fit between the quality of life category question and the LARS score in 56.2% of cases, and a moderate fit was found in 42.7% of cases, showing reasonable convergent validity. The test-retest reliability of 89 patients showed a high intraclass correlation coefficient.Conclusion: The Vietnamese version of the LARS score questionnaire is a valid tool for measuring LARS.
A case report of a giant solitary juvenile polyp: from obstructed defecation syndrome to incontinence
Authors: Teoh Zhan Huai , Soh Jien Yen , Mohamad Nasibah , Zawawi Norzaliana , Zakaria Andee Dzulkarnaen , Zakaria Zaidi , Wong Michael Pak-Kai
Published: November 2022

Juvenile polyps (JPs) are the most common polyps in pediatric patients. We present the case of an 18-year-old male patient with a giant solitary JP resembling solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS). The presenting history was rectal bleeding and symptoms of obstructed defecation syndrome. Colonoscopy revealed a polypoidal mass at the anorectal junction, with biopsy-confirmed SRUS. The symptoms worsened, and a protruding mass from the anus caused fecal incontinence. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a huge pedunculated mass occupying the low rectum with local compression of the urinary bladder. Transanal excision of the anal tumor was performed due to bleeding. A histopathological examination showed a JP with high-grade dysplasia. A histological examination to differentiate JPs and SRUS could be challenging based on a superficial forceps biopsy. Therefore, an excision biopsy is usually warranted with the understanding that adenomatous or malignant transformation is found in 5.6% to 12% of all JPs.
Practical Use of Education and Dyslexic Lenses within Tertiary Education: The Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark
Authors: Beckwith Victoria
Published: November 2022

This paper offers a lens to the Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark experience, from the perspective of a dyslexic person, how their perceptions shaped their perspectives, and the manifestation of these while journeying towards achieving the Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark. Normalising dyslexia and providing safe environments where dyslexia awareness is seen to be commonplace is important, and will support those who have prior experiences of struggling with education. Positive awareness of dyslexia supports diversity, performance, motivation and retention. It also benefits the learning of all learners and staff, not just those with dyslexic tendencies, by equipping them with awareness of advantageous strategies for themselves, their communities and organisations, both now and in the future. It is important for tertiary organisations to remember that a dyslexic person is likely to have dyslexic family members. Dyslexic people and whānau (family) may not know they are dyslexic (or may not identify as such), dyslexic people remain in education despite prior experiences or frustrations, and our dyslexic people are resilient and determined, having manoeuvred their way around obstacles to be in our organisations. The discussion surrounding dyslexia continues globally; significantly, there are things afoot in Aotearoa New Zealand that have gained attention overseas, and will have a resounding impact on tertiary staff and learners. It is an exciting time for dyslexia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Using a Repertory Grid to Review Compliance Reports on Literacy Provision in Vocational Training in the Tertiary Sector in Aotearoa
Authors: Greyling Willfred
Published: November 2022

The main aim of this article is to outline the findings of a grid-based review process (Caputi et al., 2012; Fransella et al., 2004) directed at literacy and numeracy (LN) practices documented by the literacy team in the institute’s evidence-based LN compliance reports for a four-year period (2017–2020). Outlined is the author-reviewer’s use of a repertory grid to address two research questions: How could a repertory grid be used to explore his constructs (as a reviewer) and show how these constructs were interconnected? How could the repertory grid findings raise his and his team’s awareness of hidden meanings in his construing? Hence, the focus of convenience of the grid was defined as follows: Reviewing LNembedding practices at a tertiary institute in Aotearoa from a business strategy perspective. The ten most recent institutional LN compliance reports and a selection of six schools of business strategy served as sources for identifying 12 elements to be used in constructs elicitation. The so-called difference method was applied in formulating 12 bipolar constructs for the review. The author then donned the reviewer’s hat, rating each element on a 7-point rating scale for the 12 constructs – this yielded a 12 x 12 matrix of data for analysis. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Version 27) (IBM Corp, 2020) was used to perform a principal components analysis (PCA). Five components, explaining 81.25% of the variance in the grid ratings, were identified. These components highlighted the underlying structure and connectedness of the constructs elicited for the review, uncovering five themes: deliberate innovative practices, solution-centred transformation, deliberate evidence-based tracking, contesting contentious LN practices, and flexibility and responsiveness to unintended events in the educational setting. The conclusion was that anyone performing a review or reflective activity could profitably use repertory grids to raise their awareness of hidden meanings in their construing.
Converting Research to Outputs in One Week: The Efficacy of Writing Retreats
Authors: Fraser Cath , Hamerton Heather , Picken Dawn , Marsh Marguerite
Published: November 2022

Academic teaching staff are beset by a host of demands and responsibilities in these challenging times – for many, the onus of demonstrating that they are ‘research active’ and producing scholarly publications threatens to become the final straw. This presentation will outline one possible solution that some Te Pūkenga subsidiaries, including our own, have found highly effective. Since the 2016 inauguration of Toi Ohomai, the research office have been convening an annual, offcampus, week-long writers’ retreat for staff. We have also recently added a second event specifically for Māori researchers. Objectives include developing academic writing capability, achieving publications/research outputs, and progressing theses/dissertations. Feedback from the 4 to 12 participants at each event has been generally enthusiastic, and anecdotally there appears to have been a high rate of conversion of writing to publication. Further, the literature suggests that writing retreats offer additional benefits; coaching relationships, cross-disciplinary connections and collaborations, and a new or renewed engagement with research culture. Our research team decided that a more formal evaluation of retreat participant outcomes would be timely, and would potentially allow us to promote this initiative to Te Pūkenga’s research strategy development arm. Using a multi-method design, we reviewed survey feedback from the seven retreats held between 2017 and 2021, and verified research outputs registered with our institute’s research management system. We then developed and piloted interview questions, and met with nine past retreat attendees. This paper shares our emerging findings, including enablers and barriers to attendance and productivity, and suggested work-arounds. We believe that this approach to assisting staff to progress their publishing careers is easily transferable across other subsidiaries, and hope that colleagues, managers, and the teaching and learning teams who support them will find some of our learnings helpful.
Exploring the Impact of Promoting Mental Health, Addiction, and Intellectual Disability Nursing as a Career to Undergraduate Nurses in Their Last Year of Study
Authors: Owen Katie , Rodrigues Augustilia , Fraser Cath
Published: November 2022

Specialist nursing practice in mental health, addiction and intellectual disability (MHAID) comprises a growing sector of public health demand, and yet this field is one of the least popular career pathways for student nurses (Happell et al., 2019a; Owen, 2021). International studies and personal observations by members of the research team as nurse educators suggest two key factors at play. First, student willingness to work in MHAID specialist roles is impacted by entrenched stigma and discrimination against people who experience mental distress, addictions and intellectual disabilities. Second, students have voiced their perceptions of specialist mental-health nursing as less important than general nursing. Working in MHAID is commonly seen as carrying little prestige, variety, challenge or opportunity for skill development; worse, such findings from surveys of final-year student nurses’ employment preferences have remained relatively unchanged over the last 20 years, at least (Wilkinson et al., 2016). With employers desperate for specialist MHAID staff, and education providers charged with meeting industry needs, how can nursing programmes begin to combat this bias and bring about attitudinal change? This paper describes a pilot initiative with Year 3 undergraduate student nurses in one Te Pūkenga subsidiary, which we believe shows considerable promise for a wider roll-out across the tertiary healthcare-education sector. A hui supported by Whitireia’s Community of Practice for Mental Health and Addiction within the School of Health and Social Services allowed students to interact with multiple industry stakeholders: District Health Board (DHB) partners; graduates working in the mental health and addictions sector, experts by experience; and the postgraduate New Entry to Specialist Practice in Mental Health teaching team. A subsequent survey evaluation confirmed the positive impact of the initiative regarding altering negative stereotypes of nursing roles within MHAIDs and increasing the number of students who may consider specialising in these areas, post-graduation.
Managing Professional Learning in Aged Residential Care Settings
Authors: Hannigan Bradley Robert John , Choken Gunjan
Published: November 2022

This research focuses on the management of professional learning and development (PLD) for nursing staff in aged residential care settings from the perspective of clinical managers. The research question was: What strategies and barriers are present in the professional development of nurses in aged healthcare in Whakatū Nelson? This study uses an inductive constructivist strategy to explore this question. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from five participating organisations. All organisations were medium-sized aged-care services in the Nelson Tasman region. Inductive thematic analysis was used to organise and interpret the data to construct findings that provide insight into the experiences of the participating professional leaders. The strategies adopted by clinical managers were found to be PLD and performance management alongside the use of diverse tools to engage nurses in PLD. Shortage of time for managing PLD processes and lack of funding were found to be key barriers experienced by clinical managers in managing PLD for nurses. This paper contributes to the literature on leadership and management in aged-care settings by highlighting the experiences of a group of clinical managers in a small Aotearoa New Zealand city.
Working from Home and Resilience among Working Parents During Covid-19
Authors: Jain Shilpa , Choudhary Neeru
Published: November 2022

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, working from home (WFH) was introduced wherever it was possible around the world. For working parents (employees with at least one dependent child), it was not simply WFH, but it also included challenges related to a new way of learning from home for their children. The pandemic changed the way people worked in organisations; we’ve all had to adjust our daily routines to cope with it and we are still learning how to do so. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of working parents and examine the factors that contributed to their resilience while working from home during New Zealand’s first lockdown in March–April 2020. Ten in-depth, semistructured interviews were undertaken with working parents (having at least one school-aged child) drawn from sectors such as banking, education and professional services in the Wellington region. Data was analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Study results highlight that WFH was effective in enabling business continuity facilitated by virtual tools. However, participants reported high levels of stress as a result of uncertainty due to the pandemic and balancing work–family life, which had a negative impact on their performance and productivity. The key implication for organisations is to be mindful of the unique needs and challenges that working parents face when working from home. They need to nurture a culture of empathy while providing the right work set-up, including the use of virtual tools to connect and collaborate for WFH effectiveness. The study provides insight into the experiences of working parents and possible factors that contribute to resilience during a pandemic.
Unfettered Resilience of School Archivists in Maintaining Value of Records to Support the New Zealand School Curriculum
Authors: Boamah Eric
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to explore the key function of school archives and to highlight the important roles school archivists play in maintaining the value of records to support the curriculum. Although school archives play an important role in the school, little has been researched in New Zealand about the challenges school archivists face and their unfettered resilience to push through those obstacles to maintain the value of school records to support the curriculum. This article is part of a study in progress that employs an interpretive qualitative approach to understand the perspectives of school archivists on their purpose. The perspectives of seven school archivists from four regions of New Zealand are presented. The findings reveal the core functions of the school archive as a source of information for researchers, family members of past students, and corporate entities. The archive supports teaching and learning by providing teachers with useful and unique teaching aids from the collection. It also serves to preserve the identity and memory of the school. Specific tasks of the school archivist include collecting items for the archive, organising the collection, reporting, and displaying the materials for easy access and use by those who need them. Certain resources enable the archivist to achieve their purposes, but their passion is a key enabler. The main challenges school archivists face relate to issues with training and skills development, resourcing, recognition and awareness, inadequate facilities and collaboration. The study has useful implications for archival research in New Zealand as it discusses an area that has not been explored before. This article is limited to the perspectives of only seven school archivists, meaning it can be difficult to form a generalisation of school archivists in the whole of New Zealand. However, the study is still in progress and the author hopes to gather more perspectives in order to make a comprehensive generalisation.
A Māori Modern Learning Environment: Ko te Akā Pūkaea Kia Ita, Ko te Akā Pūkaea Kia Eke!
Authors: Lee-Morgan Jenny , Mane Jo , Gallagher Joanne , Aperahama Ruia
Published: November 2022

This kaupapa Māori research project investigates the ways that two Māori-medium pathways (bilingual and immersion) work together in a newly built Flexible Learning Space (FLS) to progress te reo Māori and the aspirations of whānau. This paper introduces the project that proposes the notion of the Māori Modern Learning Environment (MMLE). Funded by Teaching Learning Research Initiative (TLRI), this two-year project is still in progress with the project only being at an early stage. The researchers are currently exploring how ‘space’ is understood and utilised by Māori teachers, students and whānau of two Māori-medium pathways, within the wider English-medium primary-school context. This pūrākau (casestudy) project takes a strengths-based approach, and is based on the experiences, pedagogies and potential of Te Akā Pūkaea, at Newton Central School. The two whānau groups and Māori-medium pathways at the centre of the study are: Te Uru Karaka (immersion) and Te Awahou (bilingual). This research is intended to respond to the call from Stewart and Benade (2020) to ‘spatial biculturalism’ as we theorise ‘space’ from a kaupapa Māori lens. Hence, the project is titled “A Māori Modern Learning Environment: Ko te Akā Pūkaea Kia Ita, Ko te Akā Pūkaea Kia Eke!”.
Managing Employee-Based Brand Equity and Firm Performance in the Hospitality Industry: The Role of an Employer’s Symbolic Brand Image and Work Environment
Authors: Wisker Zazli Lily
Published: November 2022

This paper examines the effect of an employer's symbolic brand image on employee-based brand equity (EBBE) and firm performance. Drawing upon theories of Field and Equity, it hypothesises that EBBE mediates the relationship between the employer's symbolic brand image and firm performance, and the work environment acts as a moderating variable. The study has two sampling frames: senior managers to provide firm-performance perception; and cross-sectional employees to provide symbolic brand image, workplace environment and EBBE data. Data for the proposed model was regressed using SPSS Macro PROCESS Model 58 (Hayes, 2018). Results validate the proposed model except for the role of a moderating variable on the EBBE and firm-performance relationship.
Determinación de condiciones ideales de temperatura para la germinación de esclerocios de Claviceps maximensis Theis
Authors: Sarubbi Humberto , Godoy María Mercedes , Zorraquín Rosario Riveros , Dávalos Viviana María García , González Tania Mireya
Published: November 2022

Los pastizales naturales e implantados son el alimento más económico para el ganado vacuno que tienen los productores, siendo la especie Megathrysus maximus una de las más utilizadas en los potreros paraguayos. Las pasturas y los cultivos forrajeros son atacados por diversos hongos, siendo uno de ellos el hongo del género Claviceps. Estos hongos atacan a las inflorescencias de las plantas forrajeras produciendo un exudado azucarado y esclerocios que pueden producir diferentes micotoxinas causando ergotismo en animales vacunos. La especie Claviceps maximensis se presenta parasitando inflorescencias de Megathyrsus maximus en el Paraguay, siendo escasos los informes sobre su biología. En el presente trabajo se determinó la viabilidad de los esclerocios de C. maximensis almacenados a temperatura de ambiente por un periodo de 5 años, obtenidos de inflorescencias del pasto Megathyrsus maximus, provenientes del Chaco Paraguayo. Se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente al azar (DCA) con 300 esclerocios distribuidos en 3 tratamientos y 4 repeticiones, totalizando 12 unidades experimentales. Cada unidad experimental consistió en una bandeja de plástico con arena lavada húmeda esterilizada y 25 esclerocios. El objetivo general de esta investigación fue evaluar diferentes temperaturas para la germinación de esclerocios de Claviceps maximensis. Se observó que la temperatura más favorable para la germinación de esclerocios de Claviceps maximensis fue de 20°C, presentando el mayor número de esclerocios germinados (17%).