bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature Range of Heating Rate Dependent Reactions Leading to Spinel Formation on a Ni-based Superalloy
Authors: Taylor Mary , Calderwood Daniel , Reynolds Thomas , Warnken Nils , Mignanelli Paul , Hardy Mark , Collins David
Published: March 2023

Improved oxidation kinetics for a polycrystalline Ni-based superalloy used in turbine disc applications has been shown to be possible by controlling the heating rate of the first thermal exposure to 5°C min− 1. The beneficial effect arises from the formation of a protective layer of NiCr2O4, instead of the more usually formed doped Cr2O3. This study shows that it was possible to form the NiCr2O4 at temperatures up to 725°C, within the operational conditions for this alloy, and that at higher temperatures Cr2O3 formed. The improvements in alloy performance extended to the internal oxidation processes where reduced depths of degradation were observed. It is demonstrated here that Al2O3 formation is less thermodynamically stable when the highly protective NiCr2O4 oxide is present at the alloy surface compared to the doped Cr2O3. Synchrotron XRD was performed on samples removed during the heating stage and provided evidence of the oxidation sequence occurring, enabling refinement in the thermodynamic calculations and suggesting an additional route to the formation of the NiCr2O4.
Effect of digestible protein on intermediate metabolism, hepatic enzyme activities, energy reserves and growth performance of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) in the finishing growth phase
Authors: Oshiro Amanda Miyuki , Khan Kifayat Ullah , Carli Gabriela Castellani , Pahor-Filho Eduardo , Sakomura Nilva Kazue , Fernandes João Batista Kochenborger , Takahashi Leonardo Susumu
Published: March 2023

This research aimed to determine the effect of digestible protein (DP) on blood metabolites, hepatic enzyme activities, energy reserves and production characteristics of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) in the finishing growth phase. For this purpose, six semi-purified and isoenergetic diets containing graded levels (16.3, 20.1, 23.8, 27.2, 31.5 and 34.8%) of DP were fed to finishing pacu (1,100.0 ± 10.3 g, initial weight) three times daily for seven weeks. The experiment consisted of six treatments with three randomly arranged replicates (tanks) per treatment. At the end of the experimental period, the data obtained were analyzed through the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the significant difference (p < 0.05) among treatments was determined by the Tukey’s test. The blood metabolites including glucose, triglycerides, total protein and total cholesterol were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by DP while the serum ammonia concentration did not show any significant (p > 0.05) difference among the treatments. The hepatic enzyme activities including glucokinase, pyruvate kinase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, with the exception of hexokinase, as well as the energy reserves including hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic fat index, except the hepatic total lipid content, were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with DP. The growth performance parameteres including food intake, feeding rate and weight gain were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by DP. This study show that overall the pacu in the finishing growth phase fed on the relatively intermediate level of DP (23.8%) with digestible energy of 17.95 MJ kg− 1 promoted better physio-biochemical health status and production characteristics.
Craving among patients seeking treatment for substance use disorder
Authors: Cless Mallory M. , Courchesne-Krak Natasia S. , Bhatt Kush V. , Mittal Maria Luisa , Marienfeld Carla
Published: March 2023

Background: Craving has been implicated as a central feature of addiction and a predictor of relapse. However, a complete understanding of how craving varies across patient populations is lacking. This study aimed to better inform the effective and accurate use of craving as a clinical prognostic tool for patients with substance use disorders (SUD).
Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized information gathered on patients (n=112) entering specialty treatment for a SUD. Craving in the prior 30 days was assessed with a single item with other intake questionnaires.
Results: Patients who reported substance use in the last 30 days were more likely to report craving compared to patients who did not report substance use in the last 30 days (AOR = 6.86 [95% CI, 2.17-21.7], p-value = 0.001). Patients who reported Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity were less likely to report craving compared to patients who did not report Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity (AOR = 0.28 [95% CI, 0.08-0.95], p-value = 0.04). There was no association between craving and Adverse Childhood Events (OR = 1.03 [95% CI, 0.84-1.25], p-value = 0.81).
Conclusion: The association between recent substance use and craving supports previous findings. The observed variation in craving among patients who report Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity is novel and suggests socio-cultural influences and possibly genetic factors influencing reported craving amongst patients. Additional research is needed to further understand the underlying factors leading to this finding, in order for better utilization of craving as a clinical indicator across patient populations.
Screening of Methylmercury-Resistance in Bacterial Culture Strains Isolated from Soil of Oak Ridge Reservation Site, USA
Authors: Marechal Walker , Stewart Whitley , Badisa Veera LD , Mwashote Benjamin , Jagoe Charles , Ibeanusi Victor
Published: March 2023

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly toxic heavy metal that severely threatens biota worldwide and causes neurotoxicity in humans. The seriousness of toxicity of this neurotoxin is characterized by its ability to augment food chains. The general population is primarily exposed to MeHg by consuming contaminated fish and other marine food. In this study, Pseudomonas sp. strains SM-1, SM-2, SM-3, SM-4, SM-5, SM-6, SM-8, and SM-11 previously isolated from contaminated soil at the Oak Ridge Reservation site, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility, were screened for methylmercury (MeHg) tolerance level through the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using Bioscreen C Pro automated microbiology growth curve analysis system. The results showed that these bacterial strains exhibited the MeHg MIC, which ranged from 1250 to 2000 µg/L. Overall, data indicated that the Pseudomonas strains could grow at high methylmercury concentrations and could be tested for remediation of MeHg in polluted environmental samples.
Did Labour Migration Programs and Policies Perform or Reform?
Circular Migration in India during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wasdani Kishinchand Poornima , Priya Devi S , Sailesh Savita
Published: March 2023

The Government of India through its programs and policies intended to help migrant workers with work, food, travel, and shelter needs that were attenuated by virtue of their informal nature of work and lockdown situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shortfalls in the programs and policies for migrants during the lockdown could not help migrant workers meet even the basic needs in their migrated Indian state (for work), as observed from personal accounts of migrant workers and news reports, leading to their decision to return to their home States. It was initially assumed that these workers would not return back to their work State* once they reach their homes. But the authors were intrigued by the decision of the migrants to return back in spite of the grave difficulties they faced in the work State during the pandemic and the struggles they underwent in going back to their home States**, leading to an exodus of circular migration. Using the grounded theory approach, this phenomenon of circular migration was analyzed through the lens of performance and reformation of policies (and programs) as an institutional representation of the Indian government. Using the snowball sampling technique, 27 migrant workers employed in Tamil Nadu (an Indian State) but hailing from different Indian States were interviewed to capture the first-hand experience of these workers during the first episode of the pandemic-imposed lockdown between April 2020 and December 2020. It was inferred from the analysis that when both new and amended policies failed to meet the needs of migrants in their work State, the ‘need to belong’ to their familial structures was held superior and hence the workers went back to their home States. Nevertheless, even the policies in their home States did not perform any differently. Hence, within a few months, to meet their ‘economic needs’, the migrants again returned or planned to return to their work State leading to circular migration amidst the concerns for their own health, survival anxieties, and livelihood challenges.
*Work State-An Indian State where the individuals migrated for work
**Home State-An Indian State where the individuals were born and raised
Preparation of Pt/CNT Catalyst with High Dispersion Structure via Plasma Jet
Authors: Li Shaolong , Gao Fanchuan , chang qiang , Guo Ruiyu , Guo Jiaru , Wang Yixuan , Wu Jingyu , Zhang Ye
Published: March 2023

A plasma jet method based on free arc was carried out to disperse carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in gas phase and produce Pt nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) on them at the same time. The plasma jet is generated through the discharge between the cathode composed of CNTs, PtCl4 and ID water and the anode with a hole. Plasma jet prepares the Pt/CNT catalyst by directly spraying. The CNT carrier in the catalyst have good dispersion by SEM images. The mean size of Pt-NPs estimated by TEM images is 3.41nm with the plasma jet method and about 4.77nm with the commercial Pt/C respectively. It was showed that the bulk of Pt-NPs produced by plasma jet is in metal state in the analysis of XPS measurements. Compared with Pt/C, Pt/CNT have roughly equal catalytic activity and higher durability by cyclic voltammetry measurements. On the basis of these properties, the plasma jet method greatly simplifies the preparation process of the catalyst by simultaneously solving carrier dispersion and metal particle preparation.
Rational treatment options for T1/2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal: A retrospective study combined with external validation
Authors: Liu Shuang , Lv Dongmei , Zhao Yixuan
Published: March 2023

Background: Treatment options for T1/2N0M0 anal squamous cell carcinoma include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and local excision, although the optimal treatment method has not been determined.
Methods: The National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and Results database was used to search and screen 1,465 patients with cT1/2N0M0 anal squamous cell carcinoma who were clinically diagnosed between 2004 and 2016. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to screen independent prognostic factors and build a nomogram survival prediction model. According to the risk score, patients were divided into low, medium, and high risk groups using X-tile software.
Results: Age, sex, grade, size, and cT stage were identified as independent prognostic factors for cT1/2N0M0 anal squamous cell carcinoma and were included in the nomogram to construct a prediction model. The C-index of the model was 0.670 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.693–0.756], which was higher than the C-index of T stage 0.565 (95% CI, 0.550–0.612). Low risk patients benefited from local resection, medium risk patients benefited from radiotherapy, and high risk patients benefited from radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. This was confirmed using external validation data from the center.
Conclusion: The nomogram developed in this study effectively and comprehensively evaluated the prognosis of patients with cT1/2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Local excision is recommended for low risk patients, radiotherapy for intermediate risk patients, and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for high risk patients.
Inflammation Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Its Pro-apoptotic Effect is Attenuated by Hexokinase 2-mediated Glycolysis in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells: A Potential Role in Lymphatic Malformations
Authors: Li Xuecong , Jiang Hao , Chai Maosheng , Zhu Tianshuang , Liu Jingjing , Huang Congfa , Yang Shaodong , Mou Dongsheng , Zhou Xiaoshun , Zhong Wenqun , Cai Yu
Published: March 2023

Lymphatic malformations(LMs) are a kind of developmental disease most occurring in the head and neck with different symptoms. Clinical experiences showed that the lesion will grow rapidly after infection. Previous studies have shown that inflammation can cause endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER Stress) in many cell lines and would affect the progression of the disease. In this study, we explored the contribution of ER Stress and ER stress-related apoptosis in LMs. Our in vivo and in vitro models showed inflammation could induce the activation of aerobic glycolysis and ER stress, while glycolysis could rescue ER stress-mediated apoptosis in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells, which is required for the accelerated development of LMs. Besides, our study showed that compared to normal skins, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78/BIP), a key ER stress-associated protein, was up-regulated in lymphatic endothelial cells of LMs, which was closely correlated with the inflected state. In addition, excessively activated ER stress inhibited the progression of LMs in rat models, which implies a promising target for the treatment of LMs.
Application of single-incision laparoscopic-assisted technique for the closure of end colostomy with intestinal shortening
Authors: 吴 晓凤 , fu guang , Xiao Shuai
Published: March 2023

Brief reports do not require abstract
Analysis on the Evolution of the Green Infrastructure Network Pattern of the Hanjiang Ecological Economic Zone in China
Authors: He Pengfei , Chen Kunlun
Published: March 2023

Context Green Infrastructure (GI) can provide multifunctional ecosystem services to cities and their inhabitants. Among them, it has become a new field to study GI planning from the perspective of landscape ecology.
Objectives To reveal the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of GI network in the Hanjiang Ecological Economic Zone from 2010 to 2020. it provides an important basis for regional GI planning.
Methods adopting the methods of morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), landscape index, minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) and network analysis to construct and evaluate the GI network.
Results The area of GI landscape continued to grow, and the Core was the most important landscape category which was densely distributed in the upper reach. the GI connectivity firstly decreased and then increased, which was consistent with results of patch density and contagion index. The comprehensive resistance value decreased from northwest to southeast, but high-resistance area showed a continuous trend of expansion. The α, β and γ values of GI network has decreased first and then increased, which is consistent with the change of the number of GI sources.
Conclusions The GI landscape around city was severely affected by urban expansion. Its area was continually shrinking and structure tended to be simplified. Thereby, there was great challenge to protect and restore it. The network structure presented a pattern of “local connectivity and overall looseness”, which greatly limited the scope of species dispersion and energy flow. The number and area of GI sources were the key to network structure optimization.
Predicting emerging zoonotic disease under resource-limited settings: Case study of Kyasanur Forest Disease using event-based surveillance data and transfer learning
Authors: Keshavamurthy Ravikiran , Charles Lauren E.
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the reports of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) breaking endemic barriers by spreading to new regions and crossing state boundaries is alarming. Effective disease surveillance and reporting systems are lacking for this emerging zoonosis, hence hindering control and prevention efforts. We compared time-series models using weather data with and without Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) information, i.e., news media reports and internet search trends, to predict monthly KFD cases in humans. We fitted Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) and Long Short Memory Chain (LSTM) models at the national and regional levels. We utilized the rich epidemiological data from endemic regions by applying Transfer Learning (TL) techniques to predict KFD cases in new outbreak regions where disease surveillance information was scarce. Overall, the inclusion of EBS data, in addition to the weather data, substantially increased the prediction performance across all models. The XGB method produced the best predictions at the national and regional levels. The TL techniques outperformed baseline models in predicting KFD in new outbreak regions. Novel sources of data and advanced machine-learning approaches, e.g., EBS and TL, show great potential towards increasing disease prediction capabilities in data-scarce scenarios and/or resource-limited settings, for better-informed decisions in the face of emerging zoonotic threats.
The effect of hold-melt time of micro-regime precipitation size and hardness in Al-Cu alloy
Authors: Suprapto Wahyono , Irawan Yudy Surya , Suparman Sudjito , Amrullah Muhammad Rafi , Auliasyah Pratama , Ramdhani Aditya Rafi
Published: March 2023

This study aims to control the characterization and mechanical properties of smelting Al-Cu Alloy through Hold-Melt Time. This research uses aluminum scrap and copper wire scrap to produce quality as-cast ingots, clean the environment, and increase waste utilization. Copper melting point of 1083 °C is immersed in molten aluminum at a temperature of 900 °C for 10–30 minutes causing copper to dissolve in aluminum due to smelting events based on diffusion phenomena. Parameters of temperature and immersion time of copper in molten aluminum in this study are expressed by hold-melt time. In the copper aluminum alloy trade, commonly called Duralumin, it is commonly used for impact loads and is heat-treatable. Resistance to cryogenic temperatures, in the future Duralumin has the potential to replace stainless steel. This study used an electric resistance furnace with the specifications for smelting aluminum 3 kg, electric power 2.5–3.0 kW, electric voltage 220 Volts, maximum temperature 1000 °C. It had been conducted an experiment where copper had been melted under its melting point in duralumin ingot casting. In this study, copper pieces were soaked in liquid aluminum with temperature of 900 °C. After 10–30 minutes of holding melt, the soaked copper became Al-Cu alloys and was called molten Duralumin. After the molten duralumin had been cleaned from dross, it was poured into ingot casting. From specific weight test, more soaking time of the copper in liquid aluminum caused specific weight of ingot duralumin increase from 47.08 % to 57.56 % and its hardness increase from 93 to 113 BHN. This study contributes on melting energy saving and improves the characteristic and hardness of ingot aluminum type 2xxx
Combination of symmetry point of criterion, compromise ranking of alternatives from distance to ideal solution and collaborative unbiased rank list integration methods for woodworking machinery selection for small business in Vietnam
Authors: Dua Tran Van
Published: March 2023

Woodworking industry plays an important role in the development of Vietnam’s economy. The efficiency of woodworking process depends a lot on the machinery used in the woodworking process. Selecting the best option among a variety of machines is tedious and complex work. However, if the choice of machine is based only on the subjective opinion of the customer, it will lead to mistakes. That mistake is understood that the customer will choose the option that is not the best among the machines proposed by the supplier. Instead, machine selection must be based on all machine parameters. This is called multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). There are MCDM methods, when used it is necessary to know the weights of the criteria. However, there are also methods that do not need to know the weights of the criteria. CRADIS (Compromise Ranking of Alternatives from Distance to Ideal Solution) is a method that, when used, is required to weight the criteria. In contrast, this problem is unnecessary when using the CURLI (Collaborative Unbiased Rank List Integration) method. In this study, three kinds of machinery commonly used for small business in woodworking field were selected. The three kinds of machinery mentioned in this study include wood milling machine, wood saw machine, wood planer. The SPC (Symmetry Point of Criterion) method was used to calculate the weights of the criteria for each kind of machinery. This is the youngest method among the methods of determining the weights for the criteria, it was only found in 2023. The two methods include CRADIS and CURLI were used to rank the machinery kinds. The result showed that in all the surveyed situation, the best alternative is always determined consistently when using CRADIS and CURLI methods. Accordingly, three best alternatives with three different machinery kinds (milling machine, saw machine and planer) were found in this study
Relationship between financial risks and firm value: A moderating role of capital adequacy
Authors: Saeed Jagirani Tahir , Chee Chee Lim , Binti Kosim Zunarni
Published: March 2023

The study of firm value and financial risks became more important after the global financial crisis of 2007–2008, as the required risk was mismanaged, resulting in a deterioration in firm value. It is important to study the relationship between financial risks and firm value. This study aims to examine the moderating effect of capital adequacy on the relationship between financial risks and the firm value of listed banks in Pakistan. This study is based on half-yearly secondary data of 560 sample observations from 2009 to 2021. Multiple regression and panel data estimation techniques were employed for the analysis. The study used firm value as a dependent variable, proxied by Tobin’s Q, along with five independent variables and one moderating variable. The results of this study indicate that a higher capital adequacy ratio (CAR) increases firm value and has a moderating effect on financial risks and firm value. Nonperforming loans, net interest margin, and cost income ratio are found to have a significant negative relationship with firm value. The study concludes that the stock prices of listed banks in Pakistan are declining persistently, which causes the stock’s worth to shift from being inflated to being undervalued.
The effect of trade liberalization on SMEs performance in Nigeria
Authors: Olagunju Opeyemi , Olakanmi Olujide , Osakede Uche
Published: March 2023

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are vital for achieving sustainable development. However, it remains unclear whether engagement in international trade-oriented policies improves SMEs operations, particularly in Africa, where concluded arrangements are made to partake in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). This study examined the role of trade liberalization on SMEs performance in Nigeria using the Central Bank of Nigeria’s statistical bulletin and the World Development Indicators from 1981 to 2019. The ARDL model showed that a 1% rise in trade openness improves SMEs performance by approximately 2% but only in the short run. For the control variables, a 1% increase in labor force participation reduced SMEs performance by about 6% in the short run and increased it by approximately 9% in the long run. The results also showed that a 1% rise in gross fixed capital formation in the short run reduced SMEs performance by approximately 5%. The results showed an inconclusive short-run effect of the exchange rate and taxes on SMEs performance. With a 1% increase in the exchange rate, SMEs performance improved by approximately 0.04% in the long run. Similarly, a 1% increase in taxes improves SMEs performance by approximately 2.90% in the long run. Findings suggest a positive effect of trade liberalization on SMEs performance and support the operation of AfCFTA in achieving sustainable development. Policy efforts should focus on productive investment strategies and using locally sourced inputs to raise the competitiveness of SMEs.
Severus of Antioch’s idea of transforming the theological language from Triadology to Christology and its critique in Leontius of Byzantium’s treatise “Refutation of syllogisms of Severus”. Part two
Authors:   Sociological Institute, Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nogovitsin Oleg N.
Published: March 2023

The given study is the second part of the article, which scrutinizes the idea of Severus of Antioch concerning which way, in the event of Christ’s incarnation, the meanings of the concepts of essence, nature, hypostasis, and person, which are the most important for representation of the theological sense of this event, are mystically transformed. Along with that, the polemics between the Chalcedonites and Severian Monophysites deployed on this idea, which is immediately represented in the third chapter of Leontius’ of Byzantium treatise “Refutation of syllogisms of Severus”, is taken into consideration. By its content, this chapter is split into two parts, each consisting of an argument of a Severian adversary of the Chalcedonite confession and a detailed refutation of this argument proposed by Leontius. While the content of the first half of the text is focused on the philosophical analysis of the problem of methodological adequacy of the very formulation of Severus’ idea both from the viewpoint of external philosophical wisdom and of theology, the second half is dedicated to the problem of the grammatical and philosophical status of the exegesis of ambiguous expressions of the Fathers. In this section of the study, a detailed interpretation is proposed of the first part of the third chapter of Leontius’ treatise, and, on the grounds of addressing the models of philosophical and theological argumentation authentic for the first half of the 6th century, an analysis is performed of the logico-philosophical and theological sense of the polemical arguments applied by the opponents.
The doctrine of the Image of God by Аrchbishop Feofan (Prokopovich) and Amand Polyansky: The comparative analysis
Authors:   St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University, Redkin Priest Arkady
Published: March 2023

The article is devoted to the analysis of the doctrine of the image of God by Archbishop Feofan (Prokopovich) and the reformed theologian Amand Polyansky. The main engine of church reform, Archbishop Feofan, was repeatedly accused of Protestantism, while others considered his position Orthodox and believed that he used the works of Protestant authors to build his position. The anthropocentrism of the New time has posed new questions to theology that require answers and an appropriate reaction and development of the anthropological provisions of the Christian doctrine. In this era, there is a surge of appeals to the teachings of St Augustine, on which both Protestant and Catholic authors relied. At the same time, the assessment of the Synodal period largely began to be based on the concept of the Western influence of Russian theology. There is no doubt that there was an influence of Western theology on the Russian tradition, but it seems premature and unreasonable to unequivocally negative assessment of this period, which is little studied in the scientific literature. An assessment of this period becomes possible when referring to its origins. Using the example of a narrow section of the anthropology of Archbishop Feofan (Prokopovich), the doctrine of the image of God, it is proposed to compare his theological positions with the provisions of Amand Polyansky, the proximity to which has been repeatedly noted by researchers both modern and prerevolutionary researchers.
The relations between Church and state in Czechoslovakia in 1947–1949: New archival documents
Authors:   Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dommarco Maria Chiara
Published: March 2023

Thanks to the opening of the Vatican archives concerning the pontificate of Pius XII, it is possible to shed light on how between 1947 and 1949 the Secretariat of State of the Holy See faced with the crisis between the Communist government of Czechoslovakia and the Catholic Church. In the context of secularisation after the Second World War, the Catholic Church in Czechoslovakia faced a wave of anti-religious persecution by members of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, which gradually gained prestige in society from 1946 up to the events of February 1948 (the so-called “Victorious February”) when the Communists assumed leading positions in the political system of the country. This study, based on archival data, provides an insight into the following aspects of these critical years: a deeper understanding of the chronological links of events; the reasons and aims of the modi operandi of the Vatican and the local episcopate; the bilateral relations between the Secretariat of State of the Holy See and the bishops of Czechoslovakia and their interaction in opposing the anti-church policies of the state; the reasons why the number of adherence to the so-called “Catholic Action” movement was much lower than that expected of the Communist Party in Czechoslovakia; Pius XII’s closeness to the Catholic clergy and believers in Czechoslovakia.
Peculiarities of religious and secular views on upbringing and moral development
Authors:   Nikolo-Ugreshskaya Orthodox Theological Seminary, (Mikryukov) Hieromonk Athanasius
Published: March 2023

This article analyzes two approaches to the educational process: postsecular, based on John Dewey’s educational project, and religious, based on Sergei Rachinsky’s peasant school project, which was based on the principle of Christian love. The need to analyze these approaches stems from the global challenges that call for a rethinking of the philosophical foundations of contemporary education, which until recently was understood as a “marketplace of educational services”, where all pedagogical approaches and practices are in demand, while the achievements of educational creativity are losing their most important and essential element — human personality development. The secularization tendency leads to haphazardness and randomness in organizing both the educational process and the implementation of pedagogical training, because the processes are in fact dependent on momentary and transient historical, political, cultural, and other circumstances. As a result, an important property of contemporary science is pointed out, which determines the one-sidedness of any purely secular approach to educational problems. This quality is manifested in the fact that contemporary science urgently needs such an integrated discipline as theology, which would unify the diverse achievements of secular science on the basis of traditional values.
How to measure spirituality? Review of new methodologies in the research of spirituality
Authors:   Oslo Metropolitan University, Blinkova Alexandra O.
Published: March 2023

Inconsistency of the universal character of the theory of secularisation and the increasing presence of religion in social life has resulted in a new paradigm in sociology of religion, according to which religion has not been losing its social significance but has been transforming. Religiousness and spirituality are being differentiated, with the latter often being a wider construct that also includes religiousness. The article presents an analytical review of some of the new approaches and measuring scales published in “Assessing Spirituality in a Diverse World” in 2021 under the editorship of A. L. Ai, P. Wink et al. These scales are specifically interesting for the further application of the methods to multidimensional research of students’ spirituality. During the research the concept of ‘spirituality’, widely used in educational field, was specified within new paradigms in sociology and psychology of religion; and three of the most recent approaches in the study of spirituality including research of ‘new’ spirituality, (non)religiosity/ (non)spirituality, and spirituality as an aspect of meaning in life were analysed. The analysis shows potential strengths and weaknesses of the showcased measuring instruments. Review of the recent western theories and methodologies in the study of spirituality, developing within the field of sociology and psychology of religion, enriches interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and invites researches from other fields of humanities to test existing western methodologies in Russian context.
Jornalismo transmédia e literacia mediática: participação dos jovens em contexto escolar no combate à desinformação
Authors: Faria Eduardo , Andrade José Gabriel
Published: March 2023

Os jovens têm um papel importante no combate à desinformação, em especial no Brasil, em que a população abaixo dos 30 anos representa mais de 42% da população. A relação entre o jovem e os média demanda novas formas de pedagogia de ensino que possam promover diferentes níveis de literacia. Neste sentido, a educação escolar pode ser o caminho para despertar nos jovens novos saberes sobre os média, auxiliando-os nos processos que incidem sobre a informação jornalística e o combate à desinformação. A convergência entre os média possibilitou a proliferação de narrativas que, com a democratização das redes digitais e dos dispositivos tecnológicos, passaram a circular de maneira transmediática, alterando a forma como as informações são produzidas, consumidas e mediatizadas. Esta pesquisa apresenta alguns dados considerados relevantes, extraídos de uma pesquisa desenvolvida no Mestrado em Ciências da Comunicação pela Universidade do Minho. Os dados foram colhidos presencialmente em escolas públicas brasileiras, visando avaliar as perceções e práticas dos estudantes quanto aos média e, consequentemente, às leituras transmédia da informação e à identificação da desinformação.
The use of information technology applications by faculty members at the college of basic education in the public authority for applied education and training in the state of Kuwait
Authors:   Ministry of Education, Kuwait City, Kuwait, Alazemi Nourah F. S. A.
Published: March 2023

This study sought to determine the importance of the use of information technology by faculty members in the educational departments of the College of Basic Education in the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training in the States of Kuwait. A descriptive survey method is used to achieve these goals. A questionnaire is utilized as the main tool for the study on a stratified random sample of 42 faculty members. One of the most prominent results is that a large number of faculty members do not deal efficiently with information technology, and are not aware of all the available technological tools. The study also concluded with a proposed vision to increase the efficiency of information technology performance, including training, periodic updating, and permanent empowerment to use it as an integral part of the quality of the educational process in the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training.
Virtual Reflection Group Meetings as a Structured Active Learning Method to Enhance Perceived Competence in Critical Care: Focus Group Interviews With Advanced Practice Nursing Students (Preprint)
Authors: Solberg Marianne Trygg , Sørensen Anne Lene , Clarke Sara , Nes Andrea Aparecida Goncalves
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are in high demand in critical care units. In Norway, APNs are educated at the master’s degree level and acquire the competence to ensure the independent, safe, and effective treatment of patients in constantly and rapidly changing health situations. APNs’ competence embraces expert knowledge and skills to perform complex decision-making in the clinical context; therefore, it is essential that educational institutions in nursing facilitate learning activities that ensure and improve students’ achievement of the required competence. In clinical practice studies of APN education, face-to-face reflection group (FFRG) meetings, held on campus with the participation of a nurse educator and advanced practice nursing students (APNSs), are a common learning activity to improve the competence of APNSs. Although FFRG meetings stimulate APNSs’ development of required competencies, they may also result in unproductive academic discussions, reduce the time that APNSs spend in clinical practice, and make it impossible for nurse preceptors (NPs) to attend the meetings, which are all challenges that need to be addressed.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to address the challenges experienced in FFRG meetings by implementing virtual reflection group (VRG) meetings and to explore the experiences of APNSs, NPs, and nurse educators in VRG meetings as an active learning method supported by technology to stimulate students’ development of the required competence to become APNs in critical care.

METHODS

This study adopted a qualitative explorative design with 2 focus group interviews and used inductive content analysis to explore the collected data.

RESULTS

The main finding is that reflection group meetings supported by technology resulted in a better-structured active learning method. The VRG meeting design allowed APNSs to spend more time in clinical practice placements. The APNSs and NPs experienced that they participated actively and effectively in the meetings, which led to a perceived increase in competence. The APNSs also perceived an improved learning experience compared with their prior expectations.

CONCLUSIONS

Users perceived that the implemented novel teaching design supported by technology, the VRG meeting, was a more effective method than FFRG meetings on campus to develop APNSs’ required competence in critical care. The VRG was also perceived as an improved method to solve the challenges encountered in FFRG meetings. Specifically, the APNSs felt that they were prepared to undertake complex decision-making with a higher level of analytic cognition in a clinical context and to lead professional discussions in the ward. This developed teaching design can easily be adapted to diverse educational programs at various levels of professional education.
The Effect of Activity Participation in Middle-Aged and Older People on the Trajectory of Depression in Later Life: National Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Gao Yan , Jia Zhihao , Zhao Liangyu , Han Suyue
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

More activity participation is an important means of handling depression and promoting positive aging, but the impact of changes in activity participation on the developmental trajectory of depression has not been fully studied.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to study the relationship between current activity participation and depression in middle-aged and older people (≥45 years old) and the relationship between activity participation and the developmental trajectory of depression in later life in China.

METHODS

This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) across 7 years and included a total of 4818 middle-aged and older people (≥45 years old). Controlling for relevant control variables, the latent growth curve model and the cross-lag model were used to assess the effect of changes in activity participation on the depression trajectory in later life and the main lag relationship between activity participation and depression. Activity participation as well as depression were measured using the self-reported activity and health status based on the CHARLS questionnaire.

RESULTS

Among the 4818 respondents, the mean values of physical activity participation, social leisure activity participation, and depression ranged from 76.98 (SD 15.16) to 83.95 (SD 5.72), from 7.43 (SD 8.67) to 9.25 (SD 10.16), and from 7.61 (SD 5.72) to 8.82 (SD 6.51), respectively. Our findings revealed that activity participation could be related to depression. Physical activity participation predicted initial depression (β=–0.631, P<.001) and its trajectory (β=0.461, P<.001). However, social leisure activity participation predicted initial depression (β=–0.223, P<.001) but did not predict its trajectory (β=0.067, P=.159). Finally, cross-lag regression analysis further demonstrated the predictive effect of activity participation on depression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the prediction of activity participation for future depression in the Chinese middle-aged and older populations. The data showed that activity participation is significantly associated with changes in depression and future depression among middle-aged and older people in China. The Chinese government should encourage middle-aged and older people to participate in various activities, which can effectively prevent the aggravation of depression and also have a positive significance for positive aging.
Optimizing Patient-Reported Outcome Collection and Documentation in Medical Music Therapy: Process-Improvement Study (Preprint)
Authors: Rodgers-Melnick Samuel N , Block Seneca , Rivard Rachael L , Dusek Jeffery A
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

To measure the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic interventions delivered during clinical care, investigators need to ensure robust and routine data collection without disrupting individualized patient care or adding unnecessary documentation burden.

OBJECTIVE

A process-improvement study was undertaken to improve documentation consistency and increase the capture of patient-reported outcomes (PROs; ie, stress, pain, anxiety, and coping) within a medical music therapy (MT) team.

METHODS

We used 2 Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to improve documentation processes among an MT team (13.3 clinical full-time equivalent staff). Trainings focused on providing skills and resources for optimizing pre- and postsession PRO collection, specific guidelines for entering session data in the electronic health record, and opportunities for the team to provide feedback. Two comparisons of therapists’ PRO collection rates were conducted: (1) between the 6 months before PDSA Cycle 1 (T0) and PDSA Cycle 1 (T1), and (2) between T1 and PDSA Cycle 2 (T2).

RESULTS

Music therapists’ rates of capturing any PRO within MT sessions increased significantly (P<.001) from T0 to T1 and from T1 to T2 for all domains, including stress (4/2758, 0.1% at T0; 1012/2786, 36.3% at T1; and 393/775, 50.7% at T2), pain (820/2758, 29.7% at T0; 1444/2786, 51.8% at T1; and 476/775, 61.4% at T2), anxiety (499/2758, 18.1% at T0; 950/2786, 34.1% at T1; and 400/775, 51.6% at T2), and coping (0/2758, 0% at T0; 571/2786, 20.5% at T1; and 319/775, 41.2% at T2). Music therapists’ feedback and findings from a retrospective analysis were used to create an improved electronic health record documentation template.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of PRO data collection improved within the medical MT team. Although the process improvement in this study was applied to a nonpharmacologic MT intervention, the principles are applicable to numerous inpatient clinical providers. As hospitals continue to implement nonpharmacologic therapies in response to the Joint Commission’s recommendations, routine PRO collection will provide future researchers with the ability to evaluate the impact of these therapies on pain relief and opioid use.
Quality of Digital Health Interventions Across Different Health Care Domains: Secondary Data Analysis Study (Preprint)
Authors: Hyzy Maciej , Bond Raymond , Mulvenna Maurice , Bai Lu , Dix Alan , Daly Robert , Frey Anna-Lena , Leigh Simon
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

There are more than 350,000 digital health interventions (DHIs) in the app stores. To ensure that they are effective and safe to use, they should be assessed for compliance with best practice standards.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper was to examine and compare the compliance of DHIs with best practice standards and adherence to user experience (UX), professional and clinical assurance (PCA), and data privacy (DP).

METHODS

We collected assessment data from 1574 DHIs using the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps Baseline Review (OBR) assessment tool. As part of the assessment, each DHI received a score out of 100 for each of the abovementioned areas (ie, UX, PCA, and DP). These 3 OBR scores are combined to make up the overall ORCHA score (a proxy for quality). Inferential statistics, probability distributions, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Cliff delta, and Dunn tests were used to conduct the data analysis.

RESULTS

We found that 57.3% (902/1574) of the DHIs had an Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA) score below the threshold of 65. The overall median OBR score (ORCHA score) for all DHIs was 61.5 (IQR 51.0-73.0) out of 100. A total of 46.2% (12/26) of DHI’s health care domains had a median equal to or above the ORCHA threshold score of 65. For the 3 assessment areas (UX, DP, and PCA), DHIs scored the highest for the UX assessment 75.2 (IQR 70.0-79.6), followed by DP 65.1 (IQR 55.0-73.4) and PCA 49.6 (IQR 31.9-76.1). UX scores had the least variance (SD 13.9), while PCA scores had the most (SD 24.8). Respiratory and urology DHIs were consistently highly ranked in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Evidence Standards Framework tiers B and C based on their ORCHA score.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high level of variability in the ORCHA scores of DHIs across different health care domains. This suggests that there is an urgent need to improve compliance with best practices in some health care areas. Possible explanations for the observed differences might include varied market maturity and commercial interests within the different health care domains. More investment to support the development of higher-quality DHIs in areas such as ophthalmology, allergy, women’s health, sexual health, and dental care may be needed.
Promoting Higher Order Thinking Skills in a Cross-Cultural Communication Project
Authors: Sato Kate , Horn Birte
Published: March 2023

Students are going to need skills for employment including: self-reflection, and cognitive skills, such as critical thinking, flexibility and creativity. Consequently, teachers need to provide opportunities for students to develop these skills in the classroom. Within teaching requirements, teachers have to be creative, and innovative. We propose that by implementing cross-cultural communication projects based on the revised version of Bloom’s taxonomy, teachers can offer students opportunities to improve skills needed for employment in the future. In this study, we implemented a project with tasks and outcomes based on Bloom’s taxonomy. The aim was to provide a clear structure for students to gather new knowledge whilst encouraging the further processing of this knowledge and critical reflection. To accomplish the tasks, students used English as a common communication instrument. Using BT gave a theoretical foundation to the tasks through which the data could be examined. The data shows using Bloom’s Taxonomy provided a way for students to strengthen cognitive skills and complete the tasks given. This study suggests cross-cultural projects combined with BT can be a powerful tool in helping students prepare for future employment.