bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What does it mean to be the main caregiver to a terminally ill family member in Lithuania?: A qualitative study
Authors: Kuznecovienė Jolanta , Butkevičienė Rūta , Harrison W. David , Peičius Eimantas , Urbonas Gvidas , Astromskė Kristina
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Family caregivers are a great resource for providing dignified end-of-life care for terminally ill patients. Framed from the perspective of role theory and the relational nature of providing and receiving care, study objectives were as follows: (1) to capture caregivers’ understanding of the process of taking on the role of main caregiver, (2) to conceptualize their understanding of the functions that they assume while being the main caregivers, and (3) to understand how they experienced the consequences they confronted.

Methods

The research team employed the methodological strategy of descriptive thematic analysis using a semi-structured interview guide. The sample consisting of 33 family caregivers was recruited using purposeful and snowball sampling strategies in 2020. Interview data was analyzed using content-driven inductive thematic analysis.

Results

The data analysis revealed four main themes that structure the process of becoming the main care giver of a terminally ill family member and the meaning of the caregiver role: (1) inaccessibility and mistrust of public care services for persons with terminal illness, (2) moral obligations and responsibilities of immediate family and friends, (3) cultural traditions, (4) the caregiver feels responsible for everything. The themes describe the social role of family caregiver in social context, address the process of taking on the role of caregiver and living with systemic corruption.

Conclusions

Recognition of caregiving experiences is essential in planning better systems, in direct practice and in confronting corruption. The study suggests the need for open communication, accessibility of quality services, and the recognition of caregivers as care-team members. The larger implication is that the increasing numbers of distressed caregivers and aging populations can be considered as public health populations, and thus addressable through public health methods.
Role of organizational commitment in career growth and turnover intention in public sector of Oman
Authors: Al Balushi Adil Khamis , Thumiki Venkat Ram Raj , Nawaz Nishad , Jurcic Ana , Gajenderan Vijayakumar
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Creating a proper career program is the best way to enhance employees’ organizational commitment; it motivates and retains them. This research aims to measure career growth’s influence on turnover intention, mediated by employees’ commitment through self-reported employees’ perceptions. This study identifies the key dimensions of organizational commitment (affective, continuance and normative commitment) that mediate the relationship between career growth and employee turnover intention exploring the indirect effects between career growth and turnover intention. The relationship is examined among the public sector employees in the Sultanate of Oman, a sector currently facing high turnover rates and losing key skilled talent pool.

Methodology

Data collection was executed through an adopted questionnaire distributed among 500 employees of 38 government units within the Sultanate of Oman. A total of 351 questionnaires were returned, and after the initial screening process, 329 were found to be valid for further analysis. CFA analysis was conducted to identify the factors falling under the three primary constructs of the study. Assessment of the models was explained through Goodness-of-fit Indices. Structural equation modeling, which is most recommended to study the effect of latent variables, was performed using AMOS to evaluate the mediating role of organizational commitment between career growth and employee turnover intention.

Findings

The results indicated that the potential for career growth is an essential motivating element for public sector employees in the Sultanate of Oman to encourage retention and reduce intention to leave. The findings also confirm that effective and continuous commitment significantly mediates the relationship between career growth and employees’ turnover intention.

Contribution and originality value

The results generated could help both researchers and those involved in public sector policy-making to understand how employee turnover intention is influenced by career growth and organizational commitment in the public sector in the Sultanate of Oman.
Nutritional status, antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of different fruits and vegetables’ peels
Authors: Sadef Yumna , Javed Tayyaba , Javed Rimsha , Mahmood Adeel , Alwahibi Mona S. , Elshikh Mohamed S. , AbdelGawwa Mohamed Ragab , Alhaji Jawaher Haji , Rasheed Rabab Ahmed
Published: May 2022

The present study assessed nutritional status, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content in fruits, i.e., mango (Mangifera indica), apple (Malus domestica), and vegetable, i.e., bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), and ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) peels. The antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC) were evaluated by using methanol extracts along with 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Folin–Ciocalteu (FC) assay, respectively having Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Gallic acid (GA) as standard. The TPC and antioxidant activity in the peels ranged from 20 mg GAE/g to 525 mg GAE/g and 15.02% to 75.95%, respectively, which revealed that investigated fruit and vegetable peels are rich source of phytochemical constituents. Bottle gourd peels exhibited the highest value of DPPH compared to the rest of the peels included in the study. Likewise, mango peels had the highest TPC as compared to the rest of the fruit peels. This research showed that the utilization of agricultural wastes should be promoted at commercial level to achieve the nutritional benefit at zero cost and minimize the generation of biological waste.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Indonesian urban communities regarding HPV infection, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination
Authors: Winarto Hariyono , Habiburrahman Muhammad , Dorothea Maya , Wijaya Andrew , Nuryanto Kartiwa Hadi , Kusuma Fitriyadi , Utami Tofan Widya , Anggraeni Tricia Dewi
Published: May 2022

Background

Few studies explored Indonesian understanding of cervical cancer (CC) and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. We aimed to investigate the association between knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and socio-demographical influences related to HPV, CC, and vaccination among Indonesian urban citizens.

Methods

We conducted an online survey during March 2020-August 2021 using the Snowball sampling technique. The socio-demographic characteristic and KAP responses were collected via Google Forms from 400 respondents in Jakarta. The knowledge and attitudes were divided into HPV and CC (aspect 1) and HPV vaccination (aspect 2). Correlation between KAP scores was performed using Spearman’s test, and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine KAP predictors.

Results

Indonesian urban citizens in Jakarta were found to have poor knowledge in individual aspects of the inquiry but moderate knowledge overall, good attitude in inquiry both in each aspect and overall, and unsatisfying practices. Overall, in the general population, men, and women respectively: 50.8%, 32.4%, and 53.6% had good knowledge; 82.0%, 75.2%, and 84.4% expressed positive attitude; and 30.3%, 15.2%, and 35.6% applied favorable practice regarding questions inquired. Knowledge was weakly correlated towards attitude (ρ = 0.385) but moderately correlated with practice (ρ = 0.485); attitude was moderately correlated with practice (ρ = 0.577), all results: p<0.001. Significant odds ratio (OR) for predictors to good knowledge were female sex (OR = 2.99), higher education (OR = 2.91), and higher mother’s education (OR = 2.15). Factors related to positive attitudes were higher mother’s education (OR = 4.13), younger age (OR = 1.86), and better results in the knowledge inquiries (OR = 2.96). Factors that suggested better practices were female sex (OR = 2.33), being employed (OR = 1.68), excellent knowledge scores (OR = 4.56), and positive attitudes expressions (OR = 8.05). Having done one vaccination dose and intention to receive vaccines were significantly influenced by good KAP.

Conclusions

KAP had inter-association to successful CC and HPV prevention programs, and socio-demographical characteristics are critical to influencing better KAP.
Molecular epidemiology of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Russia
Authors: Volynkina Anna , Lisitskaya Yana , Kolosov Albert , Shaposhnikova Lyudmila , Pisarenko Sergey , Dedkov Vladimir , Dolgova Anna , Platonov Alexander , Kulichenko Alexander
Published: May 2022

In this report, we present new data on the diversity and geographical distribution of genetic variants in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in Russia. Partial S, M, and L segment sequences of the CCHFV genome were obtained from 500 serum samples from CCHF patients and 103 pools of ticks collected in the south of the European region of Russia in 2007–2017. The investigated viral strains belonged to the lineages Europe 1 (596 samples), Africa 3 (1 sample) and a new genetic lineage, Europe 3 (6 samples). The Russian CCHFV strains of the Europe 1 lineage formed four subgroups (Va-Vd) correlated with the geographical site of virus isolation. Segment reassortment events between strains of different subgroups within lineage Europe 1 were revealed. The complete S, M and L genome segments of 18 CCHFV strains belonging to different subgroups of the Europe 1 lineage and the complete S segments of 3 strains of the Europe 3 lineage and 1 strain of the Africa 3 lineage were sequenced. The analysis of the geographical distribution of CCHFV genetic variants in southern Russia revealed local viral populations with partially overlapping boundaries.
Hidden heterogeneity: Uncovering patterns of adherence in microbicide trials for HIV prevention
Authors: Miller Lori , Prieto Merino David , Baisley Kathy , Hayes Richard
Published: May 2022

Background

Interpretation of clinical trial results testing vaginal microbicide gels for HIV prevention depends on participant adherence. Prior to the era of antiretrovirals, microbicide trials collected adherence data via self-report, and trials typically reported trial population adherence as overall averages in primary results manuscripts. This study first sought to determine if different patterns of adherence from three trials of vaginal microbicide gels could be identified, using self-reported data and if so, how those patterns compare across trials. The second objective was to explore which individual-level factors were associated with different adherence patterns.

Methods

Data from the following three clinical trials of vaginal microbicides were used for this study: HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 035 testing PRO 2000 and Buffergel, the Microbicides Development Programme (MDP) 301 testing PRO 2000, and the Population Council’s Carraguard study, testing Carraguard gel. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify longitudinal patterns of adherence using self-reported data about gel use. Multinomial multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate relative risk-ratios for factors which were independently associated with different latent adherence trajectories within each trial, and compared across trials.

Results

Included in this analysis are 2,282 women from HPTN 035 (age 17–56 years), 6238 women from MDP 301 (age 16–75 years), and 6039 women from Carraguard (age 16–73 years). Using LCA, 3–4 different patterns of gel adherence were identified in each trial; these patterns were similar across the trials. Factors associated with adherence patterns were identified in all trials. Older age was associated with the adherence trajectory that consistently reported gel use in three trials. Participant-reported negative reaction of partners to the gel was associated with trajectories that reported less consistent adherence in two trials. A greater number of baseline-reported sex partners or sex acts was associated with trajectories which reported less consistent adherence in some trials. Trial site location was associated with membership of trajectories in all trials.

Conclusion

LCA was able to identify patterns of microbicide gel adherence in clinical trials that used self-reported data. Key factors associated with patterns of adherence in this study were participant age, clinical trial site location, and partner reaction to the study gel. These findings, in particular, age and perceived partner reaction to the method, are consistent with results from other clinical trials and programmatic rollout of biomedical HIV prevention methods for women in Africa. This study contributes to the body of evidence that women need more support to navigate power dynamics within their relationships with men so that they can successfully use HIV prevention methods.
Passive motion of the lower extremities in sedated and ventilated patients in the ICU – a systematic review of early effects and replicability of Interventions
Authors: Vollenweider Rahel , Manettas Anastasios I. , Häni Nathalie , de Bruin Eling D. , Knols Ruud H.
Published: May 2022

Early mobilization, which includes active / passive motion in bed along with mobilization out of bed, is recommended to prevent the development of intensive care unit acquired-weakness (ICU-AW) for patients with critical illness on the intensive care unit. To date, the impact of passive motion of the lower extremities in sedated and ventilated patients remains unclear. The aim of the study is to systematically review and summarize the currently available randomized controlled trials in English or German language on the impact of passive motion of the lower extremities in sedated and ventilated patients ≥ 18 years in the intensive care unit on musculature, inflammation and immune system and the development of intensive care unit-acquired weakness and to evaluate the replicability of interventions and the methodological quality of included studies. A systematic literature search was performed up to 20th February 2022 in the databases Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and PEDro. The description of the intervention (TIDieR checklist) and the methodological quality (Downs and Black checklist) were assessed. Five studies were included in the qualitative syntheses. On average, the studies were rated with 6.8 out of 12 points according to the TIDieR checklist. For the methodological quality an average of 19.8 out of 27 points on the Downs and Black checklist was reported. The results of included studies indicated that muscle loss may be reduced by passive manual movement, passive cycling and passive motion on a continuous passive motion-unit. In addition, positive effects were reported on the reduction of nitrosative stress and the immune response. The impact on the development of ICU-AW remains unclear. In conclusion, passive movement show a slight tendency for beneficial changes on cellular level in sedated and ventilated patients in the ICU within the first days of admission, which may indicate a reduction of muscle wasting and could prevent the development of ICU-AW. Future randomized controlled trials should use larger samples, use complete intervention description, use a comparable set of outcome measures, use rigorous methodology and examine the effect of passive motion on the development of ICU-AW.
Effect of health facility linkage with community using postnatal card on postnatal home visit coverage and newborn care practices in rural Ethiopia: A controlled quasi-experimental study design
Authors: Tesfau Yemane Berhane , Gebrehiwot Tesfay Gebregzabher , Godefay Hagos , Kahsay Alemayehu Bayray
Published: May 2022

Background

Postnatal home visit has the potential to improve maternal and newborn health, but it remains as a missed opportunity in many low-and middle-income countries. This study examines the effect of health extension worker administered postnatal card combined with health facility strengthening intervention on postnatal home visit coverage, newborn care practices, and knowledge of newborn danger signs in rural Ethiopia.

Methods

We employed quasi-experimental design using controlled before-and-after study in intervention and comparison districts of rural Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Training of health extension workers (HEWs) on postnatal home visit (PNHV), training of healthcare providers on maternal and newborn care, and capacity building of healthcare authorities on leadership, management and governance together with health system strengthening were the implemented interventions. Baseline (n = 705) and end line (n = 980) data were collected from mothers who delivered a year before the commencement of the actual data collection in the respective surveys. We used difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis to assess the effect of the intervention on PNHV coverage, essential newborn care practices and maternal knowledge of newborn danger signs.

Results

A total of 1685 (100%) mothers participated in this study. In all districts, more than 1/3rd of the mothers 633(37.57%) were in the age of 30–39 years. The difference-in-differences estimator showed an average of 23.5% increase in coverage of PNHVs within three days (DiD, p<0.001) and the provision of most postnatal contents significantly increased in the intervention district in the end line survey. The knowledge of at least three danger signs increased by 13.6% (p = 0.012).The DiD estimator showed an average of 27.6% increase to check the mothers for heavy bleeding (DiD, p = 0.011). This study also revealed that the checking of maternal blood pressure increased from 5.8% to 11.8% in the comparison districts and from 9.4% to 93.3% in the intervention district. The difference-in-differences estimator result showed a 9% difference in clean cord care practices among the participants (p = 0.025), 12.2% in skin to skin care (p = 0.022), and borderline significant increase in early initiation of breastfeeding (10.5%, p = 0.051).

Conclusion

We conclude that the intervention package was effective in improving the coverage of PNHV, increase in knowledge of newborn danger sign and essential newborn care practices. Hence, further strengthening the linkages between health facilities and community is imperative to improve the coverage of essential lifesaving maternal and newborn care services by HEWs at home.
An ancestral genomic sequence that serves as a nucleation site for de novo gene birth
Authors: Delihas Nicholas
Published: May 2022

The process of gene birth is of major interest with current excitement concerningde novogene formation. We report a new and different mechanism ofde novogene birth based on the finding and the characteristics of a short non-coding sequence situated between two protein genes, termed a spacer sequence. This non-coding sequence is present in genomes ofMus musculus, the house mouse and Philippine tarsier, a primitive ancestral primate. The ancestral sequence is highly conserved during primate evolution with certain base pairs totally invariant from mouse to humans. By following the birth of the sequence of human lincRNABCRP3(BCR activator of RhoGEF and GTPase 3 pseudogene) during primate evolution, we find diverse genes, long non-coding RNA and protein genes (and sequences that do not appear to encode a gene) that all stem from the 3’ end of the spacer, and all begin with a similar sequence. During primate evolution, part of the BCRP3 sequence initially formed in the Old World Monkeys and developed into different primate genes before evolving into theBCRP3gene in humans. The gene developmental process consists of the initiation of DNA synthesis at spacer 3’ ends, addition of a complex of tandem transposable elements and the addition of a segment of another gene. The findings support the concept of the spacer sequence as a starting site for DNA synthesis that leads to formation of different genes with the addition of other sequences. These data suggest a new process ofde novogene birth.
Microbiomes and Planctomycete diversity in large-scale aquaria habitats
Authors: Elbon Claire E. , LeCleir Gary R. , Tuttle Matthew J. , Jurgensen Sophie K. , Demas Thomas G. , Keller Christian J. , Stewart Tina , Buchan Alison
Published: May 2022

In commercial large-scale aquaria, controlling levels of nitrogenous compounds is essential for macrofauna health. Naturally occurring bacteria are capable of transforming toxic nitrogen species into their more benign counterparts and play important roles in maintaining aquaria health. Nitrification, the microbially-mediated transformation of ammonium and nitrite to nitrate, is a common and encouraged process for management of both commercial and home aquaria. A potentially competing microbial process that transforms ammonium and nitrite to dinitrogen gas (anaerobic ammonium oxidation [anammox]) is mediated by some bacteria within the phylum Planctomycetes. Anammox has been harnessed for nitrogen removal during wastewater treatment, as the nitrogenous end product is released into the atmosphere rather than in aqueous discharge. Whether anammox bacteria could be similarly utilized in commercial aquaria is an open question. As a first step in assessing the viability of this practice, we (i) characterized microbial communities from water and sand filtration systems for four habitats at the Tennessee Aquarium and (ii) examined the abundance and anammox potential of Planctomycetes using culture-independent approaches. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed distinct, yet stable, microbial communities and the presence of Planctomycetes (~1–15% of library reads) in all sampled habitats. Preliminary metagenomic analyses identified the genetic potential for multiple complete nitrogen metabolism pathways. However, no known genes diagnostic for the anammox reaction were found in this survey. To better understand the diversity of this group of bacteria in these systems, a targeted Planctomycete-specific 16S rRNA gene-based PCR approach was used. This effort recovered amplicons that share <95% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity to previously characterized Planctomycetes, suggesting novel strains within this phylum reside within aquaria.
Exposure factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the first eight months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Pagen Demi M. E. , Brinkhues Stephanie , Dukers-Muijrers Nicole H. T. M. , den Heijer Casper D. J. , Bouwmeester-Vincken Noortje , Hanssen Daniëlle A. T. , van Loo Inge H. M. , Savelkoul Paul H. M. , Hoebe Christian J. P. A.
Published: May 2022

Background

The availability of valid Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronvirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) serological tests overcome the problem of underestimated cumulative Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases during the first months of the pandemic in The Netherlands. The possibility to reliably determine the number of truly infected persons, enabled us to study initial drivers for exposure risk in the absence of routine testing. Numerous activities or circumstances can accelerate virus spread, here defined as exposure factors. Hence, we aimed to evaluate a wide variety of demographic, behavioural and social exposure factors associated with seropositivity during the first eight months of the pandemic in Limburg, The Netherlands.

Methods

SARS-CoV-2 point-seroprevalence was determined cross-sectionally to indicate previous infection in a convenience sample of minimal 10,000 inhabitants of the study province. All adult (18+ years) inhabitants of the study province were eligible to register themselves for participation. Once the initial 10,000 registrations were reached, a reserve list was kept to ensure sufficient participants. Possible exposure factors were mapped by means of an extensive questionnaire. Associated exposure factors were determined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Seropositivity was established in 19.5% (n = 1,948) of the 10,001 participants (on average 49 years old (SD = 15; range 18–90 years), majority women (n = 5,829; 58.3%). Exposure factors associated with seropositivity included current education, working in healthcare and not working from home, and being a member of three or four associations or clubs. Specifically for February-March 2020, visiting an après-ski bar during winter sports in Austria, travelling to Spain, celebrating carnival, and participating in a singing activity or ball sport were associated with seropositivity.

Conclusions

Our results confirm that relevant COVID-19 exposure factors generally reflected circumstances where social distancing was impossible, and the number and duration of contacts was high, in particular for indoor activities.
Artificial neural network in the discrimination of lung cancer based on infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Lugtu Eiron John , Ramos Denise Bernadette , Agpalza Alliah Jen , Cabral Erika Antoinette , Carandang Rian Paolo , Dee Jennica Elia , Martinez Angelica , Jose Julius Eleazar , Santillan Abegail , Bangaoil Ruth , Albano Pia Marie , Tomas Rock Christian
Published: May 2022

Given the increasing prevalence of lung cancer worldwide, an auxiliary diagnostic method is needed alongside the microscopic examination of biopsy samples, which is dependent on the skills and experience of pathologists. Thus, this study aimed to advance lung cancer diagnosis by developing five (5) artificial neural network (NN) models that can discriminate malignant from benign samples based on infrared spectral data of lung tumors (n= 122; 56 malignant, 66 benign). NNs were benchmarked with classical machine learning (CML) models. Stratified 10-fold cross-validation was performed to evaluate the NN models, and the performance metrics—area under the curve (AUC), accuracy (ACC) positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), specificity rate (SR), and recall rate (RR)—were averaged for comparison. All NNs were able to outperform the CML models, however, support vector machine is relatively comparable to NNs. Among the NNs, CNN performed best with an AUC of 92.28% ± 7.36%, ACC of 98.45% ± 1.72%, PPV of 96.62% ± 2.30%, NPV of 90.50% ± 11.92%, SR of 96.01% ± 3.09%, and RR of 89.21% ± 12.93%. In conclusion, NNs can be potentially used as a computational tool in lung cancer diagnosis based on infrared spectroscopy of lung tissues.
Managing university e-learning environments and academic achievement in the United Arab Emirates: An instructor and student perspective
Authors: Fernandez Alberto Ibanez , Al Radaideh Ahmed , Singh Sisodia Gyanendra , Mathew Asok , Jimber del Río Juan Antonio
Published: May 2022

The present research evaluates how E-learning environment, E-learning adoption, Digital readiness, and Students attitudes towards E-learning, affect Academic achievement. The study focuses on a much-neglected cultural context, Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), since Student’s readiness as well as institutions and professors’ endowments greatly varied within countries and among universities. The study further incorporates Instructors attitudes and evaluates the mediation effect of Academic engagement on Academic achievement. The methodology relies on Partial Least Squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The research findings emphasize the role of E-learning environment, Digital readiness, Academic engagement, students as well as instructors E-learning attitude as the decisive factors that determine students’ Academic achievement. This implies that institutions who adapt to a changing environment by aligning students and instructors’ goals to develop a positive and supportive E-learning environment, will foment Academic engagement and promote students’ Academic achievement.
Production function for modeling hospital activities. The case of Polish county hospitals
Authors: Sielska Agata , Nojszewska Ewelina
Published: May 2022

The aim of the article is to present the use of production function as a source of knowledge for managers of county hospitals to make rational decisions so as to achieve economic efficiency, including naturally the financial efficiency. The healthcare sector in each country differs from other sectors of the economy. The economically effective operation of county hospitals in Poland is very difficult due to all their determinants. Therefore, all economic analyses should be used to help hospital managers achieve this goal, and production function remains underestimated as a source of knowledge. The Cobb-Douglas and translog production functions were used as sources of knowledge for decision-making by county hospitals. Total number of patient-days was a dependent variable; and the total number of beds, the number of doctors and nurses (in full time equivalents, FTEs) and costs (of materials, electricity, services) were a set of explanatory variables. The significance of explanatory variables most often appeared in models accounting for the workload of nurses. On the other hand, the greatest fit measured with the residual standard error was characterised by models accounting for the number of beds. For each type of production function, the diversified results obtained show the properties of production function. This kind of knowledge is not provided by analyses which are not based on production functions.
Dynamic physical examination indicators of cardiovascular health: A single-center study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Kuang Rongren , Liao Yiling , Xie Xinhan , Li Biao , Lin Xiaojuan , Liu Qiang , Liu Xiang , Yu Wenya
Published: May 2022

Dynamic physical examination data can provide both cross-sectional and time-series characteristics of cardiovascular health. However, most physical examination databases containing health and disease information have not been fully utilized in China. Hence, this study aimed to analyze dynamic physical examination indicators for cardiovascular health to provide evidence for precise prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases in the primary prevention domain among healthy population with different demographic characteristics in Shanghai. Three-year continuous data were collected from the physical examination center of a hospital in Shanghai from 2018 to 2020, which included a total of 14,044 participants with an average age of 46.51±15.57 years. The cardiovascular status of overall healthy individuals may have a decreasing trend, which is manifested as a significant year-on-year decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; a significant year-on-year increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood glucose levels; and a possible increasing trend of diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, and triglycerides. Healthy population with different sex and age groups have various sensitives to cardiovascular physical examination indicators. To conduct more accurate cardiovascular health management and health promotion for key populations in primary prevention, focusing on the dynamic trends of blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose, and body mass index in men and changes in total cholesterol in women over time is especially important. The age group of 50–69 years is key for better prevention and control of cardiovascular health.
Endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in mice with postnatal deletion of nephronectin
Authors: Wilson Carole L. , Hung Chi F. , Schnapp Lynn M.
Published: May 2022

Acute injury of the lung involves damage to the epithelium and its underlying extracellular matrix (ECM), the basement membrane (BM). How BMs contribute to injury resolution is poorly understood. Nephronectin (NPNT) is a high-affinity ligand for integrin α8β1 and, although first identified in the mouse kidney, is prominently expressed in the lung, where it localizes to BMs in the alveoli. To determine if NPNT plays a role in acute injury and inflammation of the lung, we developed a model for postnatal deletion of NPNT using mice with a floxed allele of Npnt in combination with a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase expressed at the ROSA locus. Expression of NPNT was substantially reduced in lungs from tamoxifen-treated Cre+ animals. Cre+ mice and Cre- controls were given E. coli LPS by oropharyngeal aspiration to induce injury and inflammation. In Cre- lungs, although both Npnt and Itga8 (integrin α8) transcripts were downregulated at the peak of inflammation, NPNT protein was still detectable. While the onset of inflammation was similar for Cre+ and Cre-, NPNT-deficient lungs still had thickened alveolar septa and there were increased macrophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the resolution phase. BALF from Cre+ lungs was more chemotactic for bone marrow-derived macrophages than Cre- in in vitro experiments, but there were no differences in the elaboration of chemokines in vivo. We speculate that absence of NPNT in BMs of the alveoli impairs or delays inflammatory and injury resolution in this model, but further studies are needed to establish the precise role of NPNT in tissue repair.
The Immunometabolic Atlas: A tool for design and interpretation of metabolomics studies in immunology
Authors: Maas Pascal , den Hartog Ilona , Kindt Alida , Boman Sonja , Hankemeier Thomas , van Hasselt Coen
Published: May 2022

Immunometabolism, which concerns the interplay between metabolism and the immune system, is increasingly recognized as a potential source of novel drug targets and biomarkers. In this context, the use of metabolomics to identify metabolic characteristics associated with specific functional immune response processes is of value. Currently, there is a lack of tools to determine known associations between metabolites and immune processes. Consequently, interpretation of metabolites in metabolomics studies in terms of their role in the immune system, or selection of the most relevant metabolite classes to include in metabolomics studies, is challenging. Here, we describe the Immunometabolic Atlas (IMA), a public web application and library of R functions to infer immune processes associated with specific metabolites and vice versa. The IMA derives metabolite-immune process associations utilizing a protein-metabolite network analysis algorithm that associates immune system-associated annotated proteins in Gene Ontology to metabolites. We evaluated IMA inferred metabolite-immune system associations using a text mining strategy, identifying substantial overlap, but also demonstrating a significant chemical space of immune system-associated metabolites that should be confirmed experimentally. Overall, the IMA facilitates the interpretation and design of immunometabolomics studies by the association of metabolites to specific immune processes.
Addressing the need for interactive, efficient, and reproducible data processing in ecology with the datacleanr R package
Authors: Hurley Alexander G. , Peters Richard L. , Pappas Christoforos , Steger David N. , Heinrich Ingo
Published: May 2022

Ecological research, just as all Earth System Sciences, is becoming increasingly data-rich. Tools for processing of “big data” are continuously developed to meet corresponding technical and logistical challenges. However, even at smaller scales, data sets may be challenging when best practices in data exploration, quality control and reproducibility are to be met. This can occur when conventional methods, such as generating and assessing diagnostic visualizations or tables, become unfeasible due to time and practicality constraints. Interactive processing can alleviate this issue, and is increasingly utilized to ensure that large data sets are diligently handled. However, recent interactive tools rarely enable data manipulation, may not generate reproducible outputs, or are typically data/domain-specific. We developed datacleanr, an interactive tool that facilitates best practices in data exploration, quality control (e.g., outlier assessment) and flexible processing for multiple tabular data types, including time series and georeferenced data. The package is open-source, and based on the R programming language. A key functionality of datacleanr is the “reproducible recipe”—a translation of all interactive actions into R code, which can be integrated into existing analyses pipelines. This enables researchers experienced with script-based workflows to utilize the strengths of interactive processing without sacrificing their usual work style or functionalities from other (R) packages. We demonstrate the package’s utility by addressing two common issues during data analyses, namely 1) identifying problematic structures and artefacts in hierarchically nested data, and 2) preventing excessive loss of data from ‘coarse,’ code-based filtering of time series. Ultimately, with datacleanr we aim to improve researchers’ workflows and increase confidence in and reproducibility of their results.
Egészséges táplálkozásra nevelés, mint értékközvetítés az iskolában
Authors: Kiss Anna , Soós Sándor , Lakner Zoltán , Tompa Orsolya
Published: May 2022

Az iskolai egészségnevelés, illetve az egészségnevelés hazai és nemzetközi szemléletének bemutatása a neveléstudomány területén részletesen feldolgozott és ismertetett, azonban az egészséges táplálkozásra nevelést mint az egészségnevelés részét még nem, vagy csak részleteiben mutatták be. A kutatás célja ezért az egészséges táplálkozásra nevelés mint értékközvetítés szerepének és lehetőségeinek bemutatása az iskolában, valamint az egészséges táplálkozásra nevelés elméleti alapjainak, az egészséges táplálkozás értékrendszerben elfoglalt helyének ismertetése. Az iskolai oktatás az egészséges táplálkozási magatartás alapja és kialakulásának feltétele. Az egészséges táplálkozásra nevelés az iskolában két formában jelenik meg: az iskolai közétkeztetés és az ahhoz kapcsolódó iskolai reformok, valamint a táplálkozási oktatási intervenciók keretében. A táplálkozástudatosság kialakításában az egyik legfontosabb szocializációs színtér az iskola, amely kiemelkedő szerepet tölt be a gyermekek táplálkozási magatartásának megváltoztatásában.
Modern railways for the 21st century – a challenge not only for designers
Authors: Kolář Josef
Published: May 2022

The paper outlines the basic goals for modern rail transport in the Czech Republic. This contribution points out some challenges and technical tasks that project engineers and operators of the rail transport in the Czech Republic will have to deal with if they want to succeed in the conditions of the liberalized European railway market after the year 2035. Moreover, the article assesses the demands placed on safety of the railway transport and presents suggestions for reduction of the consequences of a rolling stock-car collisions in the regional transport.
Railway track deflection analysis by using evolutionary algorithms
Authors: Kulich Pavel , Plášek Otto
Published: May 2022

In contrast to numerical methods, analytical modelling of the railway track is one of the less time-consuming and computationally demanding methods which, in combination with the computing power commonly available today, can form an effective tool for analysing the behaviour of the railway track.This paper deals with the use of iterative methods of evolutionary algorithms, together with analytical modelling, for the purpose of reverse analysis of the measured deflection caused by moving loads acting on the railway track. The theoretical assumptions of the analytical model used, the data collection methodology and the method used for the reverse analysis are presented. The results of the analysis are also presented.
Accident rate of regional railway vehicles at railway crossings for the years 2014 to 2018
Authors: Seidl Jakub
Published: May 2022

From a societal point of view, there are growing demands to increase traffic safety and reduce the risk of accidents of rail and road vehicles. The research to increase the safety of railway vehicles, which is carried out at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague, aims to increase the active and passive safety of railway vehicles. Components and systems of active safety are designed to reduce the risk of an accident. Components and systems of passive safety are designed to minimize the consequences of accidents. One of the parts of the active safety of railway vehicles is the condition and safety of the railway lines on which the railway vehicle is operated. The first part of the article focuses on the evaluation of accident statistics of railway vehicles with other road users at railway crossings for the years 2014 to 2018 with regard to the cause of the accident and the level of security of railway crossings. The conclusion of the article is devoted to proposals for solutions that could lead to a reduction in accidents at railway crossings.
À la croisée des « terrains ». Enseigner la méthodologie de recherche en école de travail social
Authors: Cardi Coline , Rannoux Julie , Saussey Magalie
Published: May 2022

À partir d’une expérience d’enseignement à la méthodologie de recherche en école de travail social, cet article se propose d’explorer concrètement les conditions de possibilité d’une articulation entre savoirs professionnels et savoirs académiques. L’article met en évidence combien les contextes matériel, temporel, organisationnel de la formation tendent à réifier l’opposition entre ces savoirs. Il s’agira d’aborder ces tensions à travers les injonctions contradictoires et les difficultés qu’elles occasionnent en pratique pour les étudiantes et les enseignantes dans le cours de la formation.
Les ficelles sans le métier
Authors: Czerny Estelle , Lepaux Victor
Published: May 2022

L’autonomisation universitaire de la médecine générale dans les années 2000 s’est accompagnée de la création d’un champ de recherche qui se veut indépendant et qui emprunte les méthodes de terrain des sciences sociales pour se distinguer de la recherche médicale traditionnelle. Cet article propose de revenir sur les conditions sociales de la réalisation de formations aux méthodes qualitatives à destination d’internes qui réalisent leurs thèses d’exercice. Il explore les usages particuliers de ces méthodes au sein d’un curriculum qui reste orienté vers la pratique médicale, et les conditions spécifiques de transmission des méthodes des sciences sociales dans un cursus qui ne prépare pas à devenir social scientist. Celles-ci se comprennent à la fois par les propriétés des formateurs issus des sciences sociales et des généralistes enseignants, et par les contraintes (temporelles et de positions académiques) auxquelles sont soumis ces différents acteurs et la place accordée à la méthode, à la fois fonction de certification et dissociée de socle théorique.
Enquêtes et projets : pour une hybridation des modalités pédagogiques au sein des écoles d’architecture
Authors: Bossé Anne , Didelon Valéry
Published: May 2022

Au sein des écoles nationales supérieures d’architecture, le rapprochement avec l’université se traduit notamment par un désir de clarifier « la recherche par le projet » et « le projet par la recherche ». Cet article propose un retour réflexif sur plusieurs expériences pédagogiques menées en cycle master dans des écoles d’architecture françaises entre 2016 et 2021. S’appuyant sur le cadre d’un séminaire de recherche et sur celui d’un atelier de projet, l’article détaille pourquoi enseigner l’enquête aux futurs architectes, et propose de premières bases au « projet par l’enquête ».
Comparison of Reading Habits between Research Scholars and Postgraduate Students of Pondicherry University A Survey
Authors: Ramaiah Chennupati K. , Daimari Bonty M.
Published: May 2022

This study examined the reading habits among Research scholars and Postgraduate (PG) students in Pondicherry University. Out of the 13 schools of Pondicherry University, 6 schools were selected for the study based on simple random sampling. The purposes of using the various types of reading materials, the accessibility and the use of the Internet and online reading materials and the problems faced while reading were looked at in this study. The survey method and questionnaire tool are used in conducting this study. The findings highlighted some of the factors related to reading habits and interest in Pondicherry University. The study is expected to stimulate further in-depth studies that may help improve reading habits and interests and increase the value of the Central library of Pondicherry University. The findings also revealed that their reading habits changed after joining the university. Most respondents enjoy reading for pleasure and read 2-3 hours during weekends and 4-6 hours during exam days, preferably during the night. While reading, they took small breaks and their break time varied from 5-20 minutes. The majority of them are reading to gain knowledge, preparing for exams. Most of them also confirmed that their reading certainly impacted their academic performance and helped in their vocabulary, learn new facts, and gaining more knowledge. It is observed that the majority of the Research Scholars and PG Students stated the main reasons that are negatively affecting their reading habits is because of their busy schedule of classes. The majority of the respondents indicated that due to lack of concentration, they are not able to read well.
Antonio García de León Griego: El mar de los deseos. El Caribe hispano musical. Historia y contrapunto. México D.F.: Siglo veintiuno editores, 2002, 244 páginas.
Authors: Gonzalez Cueto Danny
Published: May 2022

“Los bailes y cantos del folclor costeño del Caribe (cumbia, porro, gaita, mapalé, bullerengue, paseo y vallenato), así como los del Pacífico (currulao, jota, juga, aguabajo, etcétera) son definitivamente mucho más neoafricanos y se relacionan con géneros similares del vecino Panamá (en especial, el tamborito, una especie de cumbia panameña). Sin embargo, la costa colombiana cultiva también la décima sabida e improvisada -y cuyos cultivadores son fundamentalmente negros-, lo cual la acerca en gran medida a los géneros ternarios del interior y al resto del ternario caribeño”1 Con que peso esta descripción de los recorridos musicales en la costa del Caribe colombiano cae sobre los argumentos de los historiadores y musicólogos colombianos, que por mucho tiempo desconocieron el estudio de la música caribeña como fenómeno, y la ausencia, sin embargo, en la misma región, de un rigor científico, modelado por las metodologías interdisciplinarias, para los estudios culturales, que en el caso de Antonio García de León Griego, configura en su obra “El mar de los deseos. Historia del Caribe hispano musical. Historia y contrapunto”, la travesía de los saberes musicales que se combinaron en densas mixturas y poblaron las tierras enmarcadas por el salitre y los huracanes.
Alfonso Múnera: Fronteras imaginadas. La construcción de las razas y de la geografía en el siglo XIX colombiano. Bogotá: Editorial Planeta Colombiana, 2005, 225 páginas.
Authors: Vidal Ortega Antonino
Published: May 2022

Por allá por la navidad del año de 1992 al 93 llegué por primera vez a la ciudad de Cartagena. No era más que un estudiante de doctorado que investigaba sobre el pasado colonial de la ciudad de Cartagena y el Caribe. Llevaba más de un año sumergido en los documentos que al otro lado del Atlántico se conservan en el bello y valioso Archivo General de Indias y arribaba con la excitación de poder oler, ver y sentir de lo que solo sabía por papeles antiguos y libros de historia, de alimentar lo que sólo tenía en mi cabeza, en mi imaginación. Desde hacía tiempo el grupo de investigación del cual formaba parte venía manteniendo contactos con un historiador cartagenero, que por ese tiempo trataba de construir un espacio académico donde discutir y releer la historia de Cartagena, de la región Caribe y sobre todo la historia de los silenciados.