bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert cricket coaches’ conceptions of the fast-bowling technique and how they coach it
Authors:   , Anderson Harvey Roy
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate expert coaches’ conceptions (internal models) of the fast-bowling technique, how they coached it and how they acquired the knowledge for both. Twenty expert cricket coaches from around the world, took part in semi-structured interviews, with all interviews being transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke 2006) was carried out and thematic networks (Attride-Stirling, 2001) were produced for the coaches’ models of a ‘good’ fast-bowling technique, a ‘poor’ fast-bowling technique; coaches’ approaches to coaching; and coaches’ sources of knowledge. The coaches’ model of a ‘good’ fast-bowling technique matched the empirical literature findings, as did the model of a ‘poor’ technique, with both models using the six-phase technique (Bartlett et al 1996). It is believed that the model of a ‘poor’ technique is the first of its kind to be produced. Fetisova et al (2020) suggested that coaches (expert and non-expert) tend to be able to identify the individual components of a technique, but the ability to distinguish the ‘big picture’ of the technique, how individual elements fit together and the biomechanical principles that cause this, are the factors that differentiate the expert coaches from the non-expert coaches. The coaches’ explicit discussion of biomechanical principles was varied across the cohort. The coaches’ approach to coaching was broken down into six sub-themes: ‘Coaching philosophy & beliefs’, ‘Physical and mental preparation and development’, ‘Coaching environments and interventions’, ‘Coach-player relationships and communications’, and ‘Other factors’. Coaches believed strongly in individualising coaching analysis and interventions and stated a preference for holistic development. However, there was little discussion of variation to pedagogical approaches, with coaches having a strong preference for using drill-based coaching interventions. The coaches’ sources of knowledge were also pulled into six sub-themes: ‘Experience, Coach education/CPD’, ‘Other formal professional knowledge and education’, ‘Conversations with other experts’, ‘Self-directed study’, and ‘Personal theory and experimentation’. Coaches built their knowledge and expertise in a non-linear fashion. Coaches preferred referring to former and current high-level performers as models of technique and worked closely with
Justice in the provision of healthcare services – A stifled right in the private sector
Authors: Mahomed Safia , Labuschaigne Melodie , Slabbert Magda
Published: April 2023

Private medical aids are essentially non-profit organisations that aim to deliver speedy treatment and should prevent members from unexpected, out of pocket expenses for medical care. However, although the latest statistics show that 16.2% of individuals in South Africa were members of medical aid schemes, making the promise of private healthcare accessible to a small percentage of the population, they are not without their own unique set of challenges. The restrictions that exist within the private sector have a direct bearing on the types of healthcare services patients can access, which in turn impacts on the fundamental right to access healthcare. Using a recent High Court Case decision, this article seeks to explore whether there is justice in the provision of healthcare services, specifically within the private sector in South Africa.
Barriers affecting COVID‑19 vaccination in Phalombe District, Malawi: A qualitative study
Authors: Chimatiro CS , Hajison P , Jella CD , Tshotetsi L , Mpachika-Mfipa F
Published: April 2023

Background. In Malawi, only 1 072 229 people out of a national target population of 13 546 324 had received at least one dose ofthe AstraZeneca COVID‑19 vaccine by 26 December 2021, and only 672 819 people were classified as fully vaccinated. PhalombeDistrict in Malawi had particularly low COVID‑19 vaccine uptake, with only 4% (n=8 538) of 225 219 people being fully vaccinated by26 December.Objectives. To explore reasons for vaccine hesitancy and refusal among people living in Phalombe District.Methods. This cross-sectional qualitative study employed six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 19 in-depth interviews (IDIs) to collect data. We purposefully selected two traditional authorities (TAs), Nazombe and Nkhumba, as study areas, and conducted FGDs and IDIs in 6 randomly selected villages in these two TAs. Participants were religious leaders, traditional leaders, youths, traditional healers and ordinary community members. We explored reasons for vaccine refusal and hesitancy, how contextual cultural beliefs influenced people’s decision to receive the COVID‑19 vaccine, and which sources of information were trusted in the community. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.Results. We conducted 19 IDIs and six FGDs. Themes that emerged from the data were reasons for vaccine refusal and hesitancy, contextual cultural beliefs affecting the decision whether to be vaccinated, ways to improve COVID‑19 vaccine uptake, and means of communicating information about COVID‑19 vaccines. Participants mentioned that myths contributing to vaccine refusal and hesitancy circulated in the community through social media. With regard to contextual cultural beliefs, most participants believed that COVID‑19 was a disease of rich people, while others believed that it signalled the end of the world and that it could not be cured.Conclusion. Health systems should recognise and acknowledge the reasons leading to vaccine hesitancy and refusal and address these appropriately to improve vaccine uptake. Effective community sensitisation and engagement should be enhanced to clarify myths and address misinformation about the COVID‑19 vaccine.
Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South Africa
Authors: Sprong K E , Wright C A , Mabenge M , Govender S
Published: April 2023

Background. Preterm birth remains a global health concern and is one of the most common pregnancy complications associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality.Objective. To investigate placental pathology and its associations with obstetric, maternal and neonatal outcomes in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa (SA) in order to help understand its associations with preterm birth in that region.

Methods. In this prospective study, placentas were collected consecutively from patients attending a public tertiary referral hospital in SA, delivering preterm (n=100; 28 - 34 weeks gestational age) and term (n=20; >36 weeks gestational age). Placentas were submitted for histopathology, and comparisons with maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes in preterm birth were undertaken.Results. Histological analysis revealed pathology in all preterm placentas (100%), with maternal vascular malperfusion (47%) and abruptio placentae (41%) most commonly identified. Acute chorioamnionitis (21%) was associated with term births (p=0.002). Maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes significantly associated with preterm birth included pre-eclampsia (p=0.006), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.004) and neonatal jaundice (p=0.003). Intrauterine demise (p=0.004) and alcohol abuse (p≤0.005) were significantly associated with term delivery. The number of mothers delivering preterm who were HIV-positive was high (41%).

Conclusion. The pathology identified in all preterm placentas supports the need to update institutional policies for submission of placentas from all preterm births for histopathology, particularly in countries with a high burden of preterm birth.
Disentangling the rhythms of human activity in the built environment for airborne transmission risk: An analysis of large-scale mobility data
Authors: Susswein Zachary , Rest Eva C , Bansal Shweta
Published: April 2023

Background:

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial public attention has focused on the role of seasonality in impacting transmission. Misconceptions have relied on seasonal mediation of respiratory diseases driven solely by environmental variables. However, seasonality is expected to be driven by host social behavior, particularly in highly susceptible populations. A key gap in understanding the role of social behavior in respiratory disease seasonality is our incomplete understanding of the seasonality of indoor human activity.

Methods:

We leverage a novel data stream on human mobility to characterize activity in indoor versus outdoor environments in the United States. We use an observational mobile app-based location dataset encompassing over 5 million locations nationally. We classify locations as primarily indoor (e.g. stores, offices) or outdoor (e.g. playgrounds, farmers markets), disentangling location-specific visits into indoor and outdoor, to arrive at a fine-scale measure of indoor to outdoor human activity across time and space.

Results:

We find the proportion of indoor to outdoor activity during a baseline year is seasonal, peaking in winter months. The measure displays a latitudinal gradient with stronger seasonality at northern latitudes and an additional summer peak in southern latitudes. We statistically fit this baseline indoor-outdoor activity measure to inform the incorporation of this complex empirical pattern into infectious disease dynamic models. However, we find that the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic caused these patterns to shift significantly from baseline and the empirical patterns are necessary to predict spatiotemporal heterogeneity in disease dynamics.

Conclusions:

Our work empirically characterizes, for the first time, the seasonality of human social behavior at a large scale with a high spatiotemporal resolutio and provides a parsimonious parameterization of seasonal behavior that can be included in infectious disease dynamics models. We provide critical evidence and methods necessary to inform the public health of seasonal and pandemic respiratory pathogens and improve our understanding of the relationship between the physical environment and infection risk in the context of global change.

Funding:

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01GM123007.
GABABR silencing of nerve terminals
Authors: Cook Daniel C , Ryan Timothy A
Published: April 2023

Control of neurotransmission efficacy is central to theories of how the brain computes and stores information. Presynaptic G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are critical in this problem as they locally influence synaptic strength and can operate on a wide range of time scales. Among the mechanisms by which GPCRs impact neurotransmission is by inhibiting voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) influx in the active zone. Here, using quantitative analysis of both single bouton Ca2+ influx and exocytosis, we uncovered an unexpected non-linear relationship between the magnitude of action potential driven Ca2+ influx and the concentration of external Ca2+ ([Ca2+]e). We find that this unexpected relationship is leveraged by GPCR signaling when operating at the nominal physiological set point for [Ca2+]e, 1.2 mM, to achieve complete silencing of nerve terminals. These data imply that the information throughput in neural circuits can be readily modulated in an all-or-none fashion at the single synapse level when operating at the physiological set point.
Columnar neurons support saccadic bar tracking in Drosophila
Authors: Frighetto Giovanni , Frye Mark A
Published: April 2023

Tracking visual objects while maintaining stable gaze is complicated by the different computational requirements for figure-ground discrimination, and the distinct behaviors that these computations coordinate. Drosophila melanogaster uses smooth optomotor head and body movements to stabilize gaze, and impulsive saccades to pursue elongated vertical bars. Directionally selective motion detectors T4 and T5 cells provide inputs to large-field neurons in the lobula plate, which control optomotor gaze stabilization behavior. Here, we hypothesized that an anatomically parallel pathway represented by T3 cells, which provide inputs to the lobula, drives bar tracking body saccades. We combined physiological and behavioral experiments to show that T3 neurons respond omnidirectionally to the same visual stimuli that elicit bar tracking saccades, silencing T3 reduced the frequency of tracking saccades, and optogenetic manipulation of T3 acted on the saccade rate in a push–pull manner. Manipulating T3 did not affect smooth optomotor responses to large-field motion. Our results show that parallel neural pathways coordinate smooth gaze stabilization and saccadic bar tracking behavior during flight.
An unexpected role of neutrophils in clearing apoptotic hepatocytes in vivo
Authors: Cao Luyang , Ma Lixiang , Zhao Juan , Wang Xiangyu , Fang Xinzou , Li Wei , Qi Yawen , Tang Yingkui , Liu Jieya , Peng Shengxian , Yang Li , Zhou Liangxue , Li Li , Hu Xiaobo , Ji Yuan , Hou Yingyong , Zhao Yi , Zhang Xianming , Zhao You-yang , Zhao Yong , Wei Yuquan , Malik Asrar B , Saiyin Hexige , Xu Jingsong
Published: April 2023

Billions of apoptotic cells are removed daily in a human adult by professional phagocytes (e.g. macrophages) and neighboring nonprofessional phagocytes (e.g. stromal cells). Despite being a type of professional phagocyte, neutrophils are thought to be excluded from apoptotic sites to avoid tissue inflammation. Here, we report a fundamental and unexpected role of neutrophils as the predominant phagocyte responsible for the clearance of apoptotic hepatic cells in the steady state. In contrast to the engulfment of dead cells by macrophages, neutrophils burrowed directly into apoptotic hepatocytes, a process we term perforocytosis, and ingested the effete cells from the inside. The depletion of neutrophils caused defective removal of apoptotic bodies, induced tissue injury in the mouse liver, and led to the generation of autoantibodies. Human autoimmune liver disease showed similar defects in the neutrophil-mediated clearance of apoptotic hepatic cells. Hence, neutrophils possess a specialized immunologically silent mechanism for the clearance of apoptotic hepatocytes through perforocytosis, and defects in this key housekeeping function of neutrophils contribute to the genesis of autoimmune liver disease.
A generic binding pocket for small molecule IKs activators at the extracellular inter-subunit interface of KCNQ1 and KCNE1 channel complexes
Authors: Chan Magnus , Sahakyan Harutyun , Eldstrom Jodene , Sastre Daniel , Wang Yundi , Dou Ying , Pourrier Marc , Vardanyan Vitya , Fedida David
Published: April 2023

The cardiac IKs ion channel comprises KCNQ1, calmodulin, and KCNE1 in a dodecameric complex which provides a repolarizing current reserve at higher heart rates and protects from arrhythmia syndromes that cause fainting and sudden death. Pharmacological activators of IKs are therefore of interest both scientifically and therapeutically for treatment of IKs loss-of-function disorders. One group of chemical activators are only active in the presence of the accessory KCNE1 subunit and here we investigate this phenomenon using molecular modeling techniques and mutagenesis scanning in mammalian cells. A generalized activator binding pocket is formed extracellularly by KCNE1, the domain-swapped S1 helices of one KCNQ1 subunit and the pore/turret region made up of two other KCNQ1 subunits. A few residues, including K41, A44 and Y46 in KCNE1, W323 in the KCNQ1 pore, and Y148 in the KCNQ1 S1 domain, appear critical for the binding of structurally diverse molecules, but in addition, molecular modeling studies suggest that induced fit by structurally different molecules underlies the generalized nature of the binding pocket. Activation of IKs is enhanced by stabilization of the KCNQ1-S1/KCNE1/pore complex, which ultimately slows deactivation of the current, and promotes outward current summation at higher pulse rates. Our results provide a mechanistic explanation of enhanced IKs currents by these activator compounds and provide a map for future design of more potent therapeutically useful molecules.
Kunnskapsoppsummering og klassifisering av tiltaket: VIP makkerskap (1. utg.)
Authors: Havik Trude , Rye Marte
Published: April 2023

Bakgrunn: VIP Makkerskap er et helsefremmende og universalforebyggende tiltak, som er utviklet for å sikre en bedre overgang fra ungdomsskolen til Vg1, og fra barne- til ungdomsskolen, for en bedre skolestart og for å fremme et godt læringsmiljø. VIP Makkerskap er utviklet og eiet av Vestre Viken HF/VIP psykisk helse i skolen, med finansiering fra Helsedirektoratet over tilskuddsordningen «Psykisk helse i skolen».
Metode: Denne kunnskapsoppsummeringen bygger på et systematisk litteratursøk i databasene Embase, Medline og Psykinfo, NORART, Cochrane, Cristin, NORA, SCOPUS og SweMed. Det er også søkt i internasjonale kunnskapsdatabaser om evidens samt innhentet informasjon om tiltaket fra tiltakseier. Litteratursøk og annen innhentet informasjon ble gjennomgått for å identifisere nordiske effektstudier, internasjonale oppsummeringsstudier og eventuelt andre norske studier om tiltaket.
Resultater: Resultatene består av en vurdering av tiltakets beskrivelse, foreliggende effektstudier, forskningsmetodisk kvalitet og implementeringskvalitet. VIP Makkerskap vurderes som godt beskrevet med et bredt faglig fundament, men det har en noe uklar teoretisk referanseramme. Tiltaket tilbyr noe implementeringsstøtte i form av informasjonsmøter og tilbud om 3-timers opplæring, men ingen prosedyrer for å sikre eller måle implementeringens kvalitet. Det er gjennomført en norsk effektstudie, presentert i to artikler, der kvasieksperimentelt design benyttes. Funnene indikerer en signifikant bedring for skoler med VIP Makkerskap på ett utfallsmål, sosialt klassemiljø, sammenlignet med kontrollskoler som ikke gjennomførte programmet. Effekten var liten, og fordi VIP Makkerskap ved noen skoler ble innført før baseline og avhengighet (nesting) i data ikke ble tatt hensyn til i analysene, er funnene noe usikre. Det ble også funnet korttidseffekter for lykke og depresjon-/angstsymptomer for elever uten eller med lav sosial angst ved baseline, men ingen effekter for elever med høy sosial angst, og det ble ikke funnet signifikante effekter etter 6 måneder. Når det gjelder ensomhet var det ingen kort- eller langtidseffekter. Det er behov for flere effektstudier av høy kvalitet som kan gi mer valide effektestimater på relevante utfallsmål både på videregående skole og i ungdomsskolen. I tillegg bør det teoretiske rasjonale for tiltaket bli tydeligere og mer spisset, og begrunnes ut fra primærlitteratur og implementeringsstrategien bør videreutvikles.
Konklusjon: VIP Makkerskap klassifiseres på evidensnivå 3 – tiltak med noe dokumentasjon på effekt.
Research on the Impact of the Development Level of Endowment Insurance on Urban Residents' Consumption
Authors: Lin Li , Zaijuan Xu
Published: April 2023

The insufficient consumption demand of residents is closely related to changes in the population structure and the pension insurance system. In recent years, the growth rate of China's economy has gradually slowed down. According to statistical data, the proportion of the elderly population in China has shown a trend of increasing year by year. One of the problems existing in the development process of China is the insufficient effective domestic demand, low consumption levels, high savings, and aging population are important factors restricting consumption levels. Pension insurance affects people's disposable income and savings behavior through the role of adjusting income redistribution, thereby affecting people's consumption behavior. The marginal consumption propensity of pension insurance fund expenditure is smaller than the impact of current disposable income on urban residents' consumption, indicating that income level is an important factor affecting urban residents' current consumption. Improving the social security system, broadening the channels for maintaining and increasing the value of pensions, expanding residents' income sources, reducing residents' preventive savings, and improving residents' consumption levels are the only ways to maintain rapid economic growth.
Research on Developing Project Teaching Method in Computer Course Teaching
Authors: Ling Zhang
Published: April 2023

This article focuses on the research and analysis of project-based teaching methods in the teaching of computer courses. Based on the existing problems in traditional education of computer courses and the application methods of project-based teaching methods in computer course teaching, it conducts in-depth discussions and analysis from the following aspects: student-oriented teaching, building a complete teaching system, and building a complete evaluation mechanism, Its purpose is to strengthen the value of project-based teaching methods in computer course teaching. This article focuses on the research and analysis of project-based teaching methods in computer course teaching, combining the existing problems in traditional education of current computer courses and the application methods of project-based teaching methods in computer course teaching as the main basis, from student-oriented teaching to building a complete teaching system The purpose of in-depth discussion and analysis on the construction of a complete evaluation mechanism is to strengthen the value of project based teaching methods in computer course teaching,
Intelligent Modeling of Practical Teaching Quality Evaluation Based on Distributed Scoring Terminal Data Classification Algorithm
Authors: LI Lin , XU Zaijuan
Published: April 2023

Research the data flow classification and mining algorithm based on decision tree, the research idea is to first describe the general decision tree; then focus on the implementation of the data flow decision tree VFDT algorithm, using the parallel computing of Twitter Storm distributed streaming computing framework and Yahoo SAMOA scoring Platform. Encouraging the design and development of smart courses has gradually become the focus of teaching work in major universities, and the construction of a teaching evaluation system for smart courses is the top priority of the work. Convert half of ordinary colleges and universities to vocational education. As an important link to ensure the teaching results of vocational education, practical teaching has become an important research field of teaching reform. How to improve the teaching quality of practical teaching.
Violin Music Timeliness and Aesthetics Evaluation System Based on Melody Signal Cyclic Fluctuation Matching Algorithm
Authors: Wang Xiaoling
Published: April 2023

On the basis of the original spectrum allocation scheme based on the cyclostationary characteristics of the signal, a new spectrum allocation scheme is proposed. And take three kinds of digital signals widely used in real life as an example. From the perspective of modern art, this paper discusses and analyzes the aesthetic characteristics of Chinese violin music, taking the concerto "Liang Zhu" as an example. It is proposed that "unfinished" stimulates "re-creation", symbolic meaning evokes emotional resonance, contextual expression stimulates artistic conception association, and abstract lines lead to essential thinking. Starting with the demonstration strategy of violin performance and the innovation strategy of violin performance, it expounds the strategies of cultivating students' musical aesthetic awareness in violin performance.
Estrategias de despliegue : diseño y construcción a partir de objetos en la ciudad
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Arquitectura, Larral Molina Daniela
Published: April 2023

La presente investigación toma como punto de partida la recolección de fragmentos que se articulan en torno a un objeto concreto: el libro usado, dentro del barrio de San Borja. El análisis de estas situaciones sugiere que los actores involucrados en ellas buscan generar o fortalecer el vínculo objeto-usuario en el espacio público, con el fin último de cumplir sus diversos objetivos, sean estos vender, compartir, comunicar, convencer, movilizar a una acción, entre otros. En función de lo anterior, los personajes de las situaciones ponen en relación al objeto con su espacio de acción, esperando conseguir un efecto o desatar consecuencias que satisfagan sus propósitos iniciales. En simples palabras, desarrollan una estrategia a partir de la planificada disposición del objeto en el espacio. Desde esa base, la primera aproximación al problema de la tesis corresponde a preguntarse si otros casos, donde el encuentro objeto-usuario en el espacio público justifica las operaciones de despliegue sobre la arquitectura de la ciudad, operan bajo esa misma lógica. Esta tesis se propone analizar esas supuestas decisiones estratégicas y, asumiendo que desde ellas se construyen ciertas relaciones entre objeto y espacio, cabe también preguntarse cuáles son esas relaciones, bajo qué condiciones surgen y cuáles serían las implicancias de esas construcciones resultantes para la disciplina arquitectónica.
Voz y género en la práctica musical de artistas queer de Santiago de Chile
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Artes, Durán Trujillo Ariel Eduardo
Published: April 2023

La presente investigación aborda algunas de las formas en que la voz funciona como articulador del género en la performance musical vocal de artistas queer de Santiago de Chile, abarcando el período histórico comprendido entre el año 2015 y 2017. El objetivo central es comprender la manera en que la voz cumple el rol de articulador del género en la performance de dichos artistas, aplicando tres enfoques distintos para el análisis de casos. El primer grupo de artistas son transformistas y drag queens, en quienes se aplica un enfoque que apunta a establecer el nivel de validación de la matriz heterosexual propuesta por Butler en su práctica musical vocal, sea esta mediante el canto, el doblaje o técnicas mixtas de grabación. El segundo grupo analizado son artistas de la escena underground LGBTI, a partir de cuyas performances se establece la manera en que se expresa la Utopía Queer. Por último, se aplica el enfoque de determinar la influencia del artefacto cultural “voz” en la práctica artística de los contratenores de Santiago de Chile.
Commodity price shocks and business cycle in the eyes of a SOE-RBC model : A case study in LATAM
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Instituto de Economía, Macchiavello Noguera Martín
Published: April 2023

Este paper estudia el rol de los shocks de precios de commodities en los movimientos del ciclo económico de los países emergentes latinoamericanos. Para lo anterior se desarrolla un modelo teórico SOE-RBC con un sector intermedio de commodities, y se calibra este para 2 economías emergentes representativas de Latinoamérica: Chile y Colombia. Encontramos efectos procíclicos importantes y persistentes en el output, balanza comercial, consumo e inversión. De la misma manera, al estudiar las descomposiciones de varianza se obtiene que los shocks de precios de commodities explican en promedio un 31% de la volatilidad de los movimientos del producto y un 13% de la volatilidad de los movimientos del consumo en los países estudiados. Al contrastar los resultados del modelo para los países emergentes estudiados con Nueva Zelandia, país desarrollado exportador de commodities, se encuentra una mayor amplitud y persistencia de los efectos de shocks de commodities en el ciclo económico de los países emergentes. Lo anterior plantea a los shocks de commodities como un factor explicativo de los movimientos del ciclo económico y parece ser evidencia de un efecto amplificador de los shocks de commodities en los ciclos de países emergente, por lo que estos shocks externos podrían ser un factor clave para entender las diferencias en las volatilidades de los ciclos económicos entre emergentes y desarrollados.
Anticipación de necesidades de egresados de educación superior
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Instituto de Economía, Faúndez Osorio Gustavo Alberto
Published: April 2023

En este trabajo se desarrolla un modelo que anticipa a un mediano plazo las necesidades que tiene Chile de egresados de la educación superior. Para esto, a partir de niveles y crecimiento del salario y la empleabilidad de los últimos años, entre otros criterios, se identifican las carreras que se encuentran en escasez o exceso de profesionales para los niveles técnico profesional y universitario. Tomando en cuenta esos desbalances, se proyecta el cambio en la oferta y demanda laboral para estos profesionales en el período 2020-2025. Con esa proyección, se anticipa que los desbalances identificados a partir de datos de los últimos años van a aumentar o disminuir dependiendo de la carrera. Se encuentra que a nivel agregado la oferta de profesionales va a exceder en alrededor de dos veces la demanda en el período 2020-2025. Desagregando por carrera, se concluye que algunas actualmente saturadas, como técnico en prevención de riesgos e ingeniería en prevención de riesgos, van a tener una mayor saturación para el año 2025. Por otro lado, carreras actualmente en escasez de profesionales como medicina y técnico contador auditor no van a enfrentar nuevos excesos de oferta o demanda en el caso de la primera y tendrían una disminución en su escasez en el caso de la segunda.
Los orígenes y propósitos de las políticas religiosas del emperador Juliano (337-363)
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Instituto de Historia, Moreno Molina Felipe
Published: April 2023

El presente trabajo estudia las causas y objetivos de las políticas religiosas del emperador Juliano (331-363 d.C.). En un análisis de la vida de Juliano hasta antes de ser coronado emperador, y de su pensamiento religioso, esbozado desde sus escritos, se verá que las políticas religiosas de Juliano surgieron de su particular pensamiento religioso, originado de sus experiencias vividas entre los años 337-361. La relación que Juliano tuvo con su primo y emperador, Constancio II, y con los maestros con los cuales se educó, orientaron los intereses que Juliano siguió durante su vida. El deseo por aprender sobre el mundo griego llevó a Juliano a distanciarse de Constancio y a formarse con intelectuales de la época, muchos de ellos paganos, quienes además promovieron la conversión al paganismo del emperador. El pensamiento religioso de Juliano, caracterizado por su influencia neoplatónica, el sincretismo de diversas religiones y su escasa originalidad teológica, se plasmó en el Imperio a través de sus políticas religiosas dictadas durante su reinado (361-363). En base al pensamiento religioso de Juliano y al análisis de las políticas religiosas decretadas durante su reinado, sostenemos que el propósito de Juliano con estas medidas era guiar a la sociedad romana hacia el paganismo. Sin embargo, el emperador no buscaba regresar a la religión pagana practicada en el siglo I d.C., sino desarrollar en el Imperio Romano la forma en cómo él concebía el paganismo. Para ello, estableció diversas reformas con las cuales esperaba convertir a las masas con el paso del tiempo. No obstante, la reacción de la sociedad a las medidas de Juliano no fue la que él esperaba. Las políticas religiosas de Juliano promovieron escenarios de violencia dentro del Imperio, tanto por los que apoyaban las reformas como por quienes se opusieron a ellas.
Necroescrituras del siglo XXI : narcotráfico, migración y paramilitarismo en la novela mexicana y colombiana
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Letras, Urgelles Latorre Ingrid
Published: April 2023

Este trabajo estudia la violencia de nuestra realidad continental y su representación literaria en novelas mexicanas y colombianas recientes. Desde una visión situada y descolonizada se apela al concepto de necropolítica de Achille Mbembe para analizar el tipo de violencia que se representa al interior de esta literatura. Se define necroescrituras como una herramienta teórico-crítica que apela a un modo de leer las novelas a partir de un pacto de lectura ambiguo provocado por la interferencia de la realidad extratextual en la ficción que provoca una reacción política en el lector. Así, el corpus se compone de novelas que se enmarcan en los subgéneros de la narcoliteratura, literatura paramilitar y de migrantes, que tienen como asunto la representación de la muerte violenta de un colectivo o sujeto que lo representa, marginalizado o racializado por parte de diversos victimarios: tanto para-estatales como agentes del crimen organizado. Esta narrativa retrata la destrucción de los cuerpos de sujetos considerados desechables por la gubernamentalidad neoliberal en espacios donde el estado de excepción se ha vuelto lo normal.
Inclusión de niños y niñas con discapacidad en aulas preescolares chilenas: Análisis de prácticas y creencias de educadoras de párvulos
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Psicología, Lagos González Daniela
Published: April 2023

La presente investigación tuvo por objetivo describir las prácticas de educadoras, que pueden favorecer o no la inclusión de niñas y niños que presentan alguna discapacidad, en contextos de educación preescolar. Para dar respuesta a la pregunta que guió esta investigación se utilizó un diseño de investigación no experimental, descriptivo y de tipo transversal, se realizó un muestreo no probabilístico, ya que la muestra fue intencionada en base a los criterios que se exponen más adelante en este documento. A través de este estudio se buscaba: (1) Describir las prácticas de educadoras y coeducadoras que trabajan en aulas de nivel preescolar, en las que hay al menos un niño que presente discapacidad; (2) Analizar dichas prácticas para poder determinar cuan inclusivas son en términos de brindar oportunidades de aprendizaje para estos alumnos y (3) Generar sugerencias respecto a cómo podrían ser mejoradas. Para obtener la información, se utilizó la pauta de observación Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP), diseñada especialmente para observar programas inclusivos de educación inicial. Los principales resultados dan cuenta que existen ciertas áreas de las prácticas inclusivas que se están desarrollando de manera relativamente adecuada, especialmente lo que dice relación con las adaptaciones al espacio físico y la participación del adulto en la relación entre pares. Por el contrario, aquellas prácticas en torno a la relación entre el adulto y el niño en situación de discapacidad, la promoción del sentido de pertenencia y las transiciones entre actividades requieren de mayores avances. En relación a los discursos de las educadoras, la mayoría de ellos manifiesta una necesidad de contar con más tiempo para realizar un trabajo colaborativo y la necesidad de desarrollar mayores competencias en relación a los procesos de inclusión. Finalmente, se vislumbra como futura línea de investigación la posibilidad de desarrollar una adaptación del instrumento ICP al contexto nacional.
Correlation of Homocysteine, Paraoxonase 1 and Malondialdehyde in Healthy Elderly Population: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Nirmale Prachee Harishchandra
Published: April 2023

Introduction: There is rapid increase in the life expectancy worldwide. Altered metabolism and biochemical interactions between homocysteine, Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) result in development and worsening of various diseases of elderly population. Aim: To correlate the levels of homocysteine, PON1 and MDA in healthy elderly population with respect to age, Vitamin B12 and lipid profile. Materials and Methods: The present study was cross-sectional study and conducted in Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Medical College and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India between July 2013 to July 2014. Study group consisted of 61 participants (30 elderly and 31 young healthy volunteers). Serum Homocysteine and Vitamin B12 were estimated by Chemiluminescence Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) while PON1 and MDA by Spectrophotometry. Lipid profile was estimated by Biochemistry autoanalyser. Statistical analysis was done by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Homocysteine and PON1 levels were found to be lower in elderly participants than in young participants (p-value <0.05, <0.01). The levels of Vitamin B12 and MDA were higher in elderly participants than in young participants (p-value <0.01, <0.01). The levels of Total Cholesterol (TC) (p-value <0.01), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) (p-value <0.05) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (p-value <0.05) were statistically significantly high in elderly participants as compared to young participants. Statistically significant negative correlation of homocysteine with vitamin B12 levels in both elderly participants (p-value <0.01) as well as young participants (p-value <0.01) were observed. There was no statistically significant correlation between homocysteine and PON1 well as MDA in both the groups. There was statistically significant negative correlation between the levels of homocysteine and TC (p-value <0.05), HDL (p-value <0.05) and LDL (p-value <0.01) in elderly participants. Conclusion: Elderly population is not at the risk of developing diseases whose risk factor is homocysteine. Males are at higher risk of development of diseases because of homocysteine than females of any age group. Homocysteine is not pathogenic in old age even in the presence of other risk factors such as lipid peroxidation, decreased defense mechanisms to lipid peroxidation, raised levels of atherogenic lipids and overweight. Improvement in the vitamin B12 status can decrease the homocysteine levels.
Shoulder and Upper Arm Surgery Anaesthesia with Interscalene Approach of Brachial Block and Sedation versus Same Method Adjunct with Additional Suprascapular Nerve Block: A Randomised Controlled Study
Authors: Chattopadhyay Surajit , Biswas Hirak , Mukherjee Anindya , Roybasunia Sandip , Saha Sudipta , Leena Bhowmick Leena Bhowmick , Das Anjan , Mandal Subrata Kumar
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block (ISBPB) block provides optimal analgesia for shoulder and upper arm surgery. However, higher incidence of phrenic nerve palsy limits the application of ISBPB for patients with limited pulmonary reserve. The Supplemented Suprascapular Nerve Block (SSNB) is a landmark based technique that is believed to block the sensory fibres supplying major part of shoulder joint, as well as, supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. Aim: To compare the analgesic effect and duration of sensory block in interscalene versus interscalene with SSNB block for shoulder and upper arm surgery. Materials and Methods: This double-blinded randomised controlled study was conducted in a Tertiary Care Institute, from April 2021 to march 2022. Eighty patients posted for shoulder and upper arm surgery were divided into two equal groups (group A and B). In group A (n=40), 30 mL 0.5% levobupivacaine in ISBPB and in group B (n=40), 15 mL 0.5% levobupivacaine in ISBPB+15 mL 0.5% levobupivacaine in SSNB were administered. Demographic data, sensory and motor block, onset times and durations, time to administer first rescue analgesic, total analgesic requirement, indications of upper arm surgeries, surgical bleeding and surgeon’s satisfaction score, postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were recorded for each patient. Results: The onset and duration of sensory and motor block was significantly faster and longer in group B. Consequently, time to administer first rescue analgesic in group A vs group B (325.88±33.23 vs. 348.34±37.12) minutes were significantly delayed and in lesser in amount in group B respectively. On the other hand, suprascapular block reduced the odds of block-related respiratory (group A vs group B are 14 and 10, respectively) complications. In group B postoperative VAS score at 24 hour was significantly lower (p-value <0.05) than group A was (3.5 vs 4.5). Intraoperative haemodynamic parameters were comparable among two groups throughout the study period. Conclusion: SSNB when supplemented with Interscalene Block (ISB) could be an effective adjunct for shoulder and upper arm surgery. This combination prolongs the sensory blockade duration, reduces requirement of analgesics and side-effects in postoperative period.
Secondary Bloodstream Infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae Primary Source either from Respiratory Pneumonia or Pneumococcusuria: A Case Report
Authors: Vaishnavadevi G
Published: April 2023

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is one of the bacterial aetiologic agent in otitis media, Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), meningitis and septicaemia. Bacteriuria is the isolation of the microorganisms as ≥105 Colony-Forming Unit (CFU)/mL in association with clinical signs of Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) and urinalysis. However, the isolation of S. pneumoniae in urine specimen is a rare event as it can only survive in environment for several hours in pH between 5 to 6 has short duration between collection of the urine sample and culture, and due to immune clearance mechanism. The primary source of infection originates from distant sites such as respiratory tract. The predisposing factors include immunosuppression and asplenia leads to UTI. The literature details showing lack of information regarding S. pneumoniae as a cause of UTI. Present case report describes S. pneumoniae isolate in the blood and sputum specimen from 53-year-old male presented with fever, shortness of breath, cough with chest pain and mild clinical symptoms of UTI.
An Update on the Recent Diagnostic Modalities of SARS-CoV-2: A Review
Authors: Charles Marie Victor Pravin , Kali Arunava , Vidyalakshmi Santhanam
Published: April 2023

The pandemic of respiratory viral pneumonia initiated as an outbreak during December 2019, at the Hubei region, China. The demanding research work conducted by the scientific community across the globe identified the causative agent as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is high for the infection. Laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases has an integral role in case surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive sense single stranded Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus grouped under the order nidovirales, Family Coronaviridae, and subfamily Orthocoronavirinae. The structural proteins are spike protein (S), membrane protein (M), nucleocapsid protein (N), and the envelope protein (E). The common symptoms are fever, cough, dyspnoea, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, anosmia, and ageusia. The less common symptoms are sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Sample collection is a critical step in the laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The molecular methods used for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 are Real time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (r-RT-PCR), Reverse Transcription Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP), digital PCR, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) based assay and sequencing methods. The antigen and antibody detection methods supplement the molecular tests. Although a huge array of tests are available, the pertinent choice of diagnostic test is crucial. The molecular detection methods are highly sensitive, accurate and reliable.
Lactoferrin as a New Alternative for Prevention of Recurrent Preterm Delivery: A Case Report
Authors: Reddy Manila , Agrawal Manjusha , Dewani Deepika , Goyal Nidhi , Halani Dhruva
Published: April 2023

The upper female genital tract connects to the external world through the vaginal canal and can be a potential route of entry to pathogens into the reproductive organs. Lactobacilli exert their protective action by reducing the vaginal pH by producing lactic acid by degrading glycogen released by epithelial cells. Whenever a breach in this intricate defence mechanism or its balance is disturbed, the female genital tract becomes vulnerable to infections. A 30-year-old reported with complaints of abdominal pain and vaginal discharge with poor obstetrical history and had three consecutive Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) at the 20th, 22nd, and 25th week of gestation. All three pregnancies were natural conceptions. Three consecutive miscarriages were presumed to be due to recurrent vaginitis, cervical inflammation, and chorioamnionitis. The vaginal discharge culture examination was negative for Lactobacilli and positive for gram-positive bacteria. The patient was advised topical antibiotics, oral probiotics containing Lactobacilli species, and prebiotic Lactoferrin 100mg. In a few weeks, Lactobacillus predominant vaginal flora was observed. During pregnancy, she used Lactoferrin and Lactobacillus combination orally until delivery. Cervical maturation was not observed before the term in this gestation. Lactobacillus had been the dominant vaginal flora during pregnancy, and the course of the pregnancy was good. She delivered vaginally at term a healthy male infant. Aetiopathogenesis of preterm delivery in humans has been hypothesised to be triggered by the inflammatory response caused by intrauterine infections. Lactoferrin inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines and significantly prevents preterm delivery induced by infection.
Analysis of Fungal Flora of a Soil Near Biology Laboratory of COOU ULI
Authors: Frances Ejimofor Chiamaka , Johnson Oledibe Odira , Enoch Nwakoby Nnamdi , Eziamaka Afam-Ezeaku Chikaodili , Ann Mbaukwu Onyinye
Published: April 2023

In order to suggest the most effective management strategies, an analysis of the fungal flora in the soil next to the biology laboratory at the COOU Uli campus was conducted. By plating washings from skin surfaces and liquid taken from soil samples in test tubes containing sabourd dextrose agar (SDA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA), which had been mixed with streptomycin sulphate to prevent bacterial growth, fungi were isolated, characterised, and identified. 48 hours were spent incubating the inoculated tubes at 28 2°C. The genera of the isolated fungus include Aspergillus (40%), Mucor (30%), Fusarium (10%), Penicillium (10%), and Geotrichum (10%), with Aspergillus accounting for the majority of their occurrences. This study revealed that the two common genera of fungi were Aspergillus and Mucor, and that the number of colony forming units of the two genera in the soil studied exceeded the tolerance limits in foodstuffs specified by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF). As a result, it is advised that proper precaution should be taken when interacting with soil samples from the study areas.