bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of prisoners’ survey responses: comparison of self-reported health and biomedical data from an australian prisoner cohort
Authors: Butler Tony Gerard , Gullotta Mathew , Greenberg David
Published: January 2022

Objective

Prisoner health surveys primarily rely on self-report data. However, it is unclear whether prisoners are reliable health survey respondents. This paper aimed to determine the level of agreement between self-report and biomedical tests for a number of chronic health conditions.

Method

This study was a secondary analysis of existing data from three waves (1996, 2001, 2009) of the New South Wales (NSW) Inmate Health Survey. The health surveys were cross-sectional in nature and included a stratified random sample of men (n=2,114) from all NSW prisons. Self-reported histories of hepatitis, sexually transmissible infections, and diabetes were compared to objective biomedical measures of these conditions.

Results

Overall, the sensitivity (i.e., the respondents who self-reported having the condition also had markers indicative of the condition using biomedical tests) was high for hepatitis C (96%) and hepatitis B (83%), but low for all other assessed conditions (ranging from 9.1% for syphilis using RPR to 64% for diabetes). However, Kappa scores indicated substantial agreement only for hepatitis C. That is, there were false positives and false negatives which occurred outside of chance leading to poor agreement for all other assessed conditions.

Conclusions

Prisoners may have been exposed to serious health conditions while failing to report a history of infection. It may be possible that prisoners do not get tested given the asymptomatic presentation of some conditions, were unaware of their health status, have limited health-service usage preventing the opportunity for detection, or are subject to forgetting or misunderstanding prior test results. These findings demonstrate the importance of the custodial environment in screening for health conditions and referral for treatment should this be needed. Testing on entry, periodically during incarceration, and prior to release is recommended.
Occupational health care personnel tackling alcohol overuse – an observational study of work processes and patient characteristics
Authors: Kuronen Jarmo O. , Winell Klas , Hartsenko Jelena , Räsänen Kimmo P.
Published: January 2022

Background

Overuse of alcohol is a significant risk factor for early retirement. This observational study investigated patient characteristics and work processes in occupational health care (OHC) affecting practices in tackling alcohol overuse.

Methods

The data were from 3089 patient contacts gathered for quality improvement purposes in fifteen OHC units during the years 2013–2019 in Finland. A two-proportion z-test was performed to find associations between reason for contact, and 17 other factors, and the probability of alcohol use being checked and overuse tackled.

Results

OHC personnel checked alcohol use twice as often with male patients as with female patients. Employees at risk of needing sick leave were checked for alcohol use more often (55.4, 95% confidence interval 49.2–61.6%) than those on > 30-day sick leave or working with permanent work disability (p < 0.01). Alcohol use was checked in 64.1% (59.5–68.7%) of patients while making an individual health promotion plan compared to 36.9% of those without a plan (33.1–40.6%, p < 0.0001). Patients with depression were actively checked for alcohol use, especially in cases of major depression (72.7%, 64.0–81.0%). Work processes in which OHC should have been more active in checking and tackling alcohol use included assessing the need for rehabilitation (36.5%, 32.0–41.0%) and health check-ups (HCUs) for mental reasons (43.8%, 38.1–49.4%). HCUs where alcohol overuse was detected led to brief interventions to tackle the overuse in 58.1% (43.4–72.9%) of cases.

Conclusions

The study showed factors that increased OHC personnel’s practices in checking and tackling alcohol use and work processes where the activity should be improved. Discussions about alcohol use took place more often with working-aged men than women, the younger the more. OHC personnel checked actively alcohol use with patients in danger of sick leave, patients treated for depression, while making an individual health promotion plan, and in planned HCUs with a confirmed protocol. More improvement is needed to conduct brief interventions in disability prevention processes, and especially when overuse is detected.
Assessing colposcopic accuracy for high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion detection: a retrospective, cohort study
Authors: Bai Anying , Wang Jiaxu , Li Qing , Seery Samuel , Xue Peng , Jiang Yu
Published: January 2022

Background

Inappropriate management of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) may be the result of an inaccurate colposcopic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess colposcopic performance in identifying HSIL+ cases and to analyze the associated clinical factors.

Methods

Records from 1130 patients admitted to Shenzhen Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital from 12th January, 2018 up until 30th December, 2018 were retrospectively collected, and included demographics, cytological results, HPV status, transformation zone type, number of cervical biopsy sites, colposcopists’ competencies, colposcopic impressions, as well as histopathological results. Colposcopy was carried out using 2011 colposcopic terminology from the International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy. Logistic regression modelling was implemented for uni- and multivariate analyses. A forward stepwise approach was adopted in order to identify variables associated with colposcopic accuracy. Histopathologic results were taken as the comparative gold standard.

Results

Data from 1130 patient records were collated and analyzed. Colposcopy was 69.7% accurate in identifying HSIL+ cases. Positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of detecting HSIL or more (HSIL+) were 35.53%, 64.47%, 42.35% and 77.60%, respectively. Multivariate analysis highlighted the number of biopsies, cytology, and transformation zone type as independent factors. Age and HPV subtype did not appear to statistically correlate with high-grade lesion/carcinoma.

Conclusion

Evidence presented here suggests that colposcopy is only 69.7% accurate at diagnosing HSIL. Even though not all HSIL will progress into cancer it is considered pre-cancerous and therefore early identification will save lives. The number of biopsies, cytology and transformation zone type appear to be predictors of misdiagnosis and therefore should be considered during clinical consultations and by way of further research.
Students’ intentions to practice primary care are associated with their motives to become doctors: a longitudinal study
Authors: Pfarrwaller Eva , Voirol Lionel , Piumatti Giovanni , Karemera Mucyo , Sommer Johanna , Gerbase Margaret W. , Guerrier Stéphane , Baroffio Anne
Published: January 2022

Background

Medical schools can contribute to the insufficient primary care physician workforce by influencing students’ career preferences. Primary care career choice evolves between matriculation and graduation and is influenced by several individual and contextual factors. This study explored the longitudinal dynamics of primary care career intentions and the association of students’ motives for becoming doctors with these intentions in a cohort of undergraduate medical students followed over a four-year period.

Methods

The sample consisted of medical students from two classes recruited into a cohort study during their first academic year, and who completed a yearly survey over a four-year period from their third (end of pre-clinical curriculum) to their sixth (before graduation) academic year. Main outcome measures were students’ motives for becoming doctors (ten motives rated on a 6-point scale) and career intentions (categorized into primary care, non-primary care, and undecided). Population-level flows of career intentions were investigated descriptively. Changes in the rating of motives over time were analyzed using Wilcoxon tests. Two generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate which motives were associated with primary care career intentions.

Results

The sample included 217 students (60% females). Career intentions mainly evolved during clinical training, with smaller changes at the end of pre-clinical training. The proportion of students intending to practice primary care increased over time from 12.8% (year 3) to 24% (year 6).Caring for patientswas the most highly rated motive for becoming a doctor.The importance of the motivescure diseases,saving lives, andvocationdecreased over time. Primary care career intentions were positively associated with the motivesaltruismandprivate practice, and negatively associated with the motivesprestige,academic interestandcure diseases.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that career intentions are not fixed and change mainly during clinical training, supporting the influence of clinical experiences on career-related choices. The impact of students’ motives on primary care career choice suggests strategies to increase the attractivity of this career, such as reinforcing students’ altruistic values and increasing the academic recognition of primary care.
Ethical and practical considerations for HIV cure-related research at the end-of-life: a qualitative interview and focus group study in the United States
Authors: Kanazawa John , Gianella Sara , Concha-Garcia Susanna , Taylor Jeff , Kaytes Andy , Christensen Christopher , Patel Hursch , Ndukwe Samuel , Rawlings Stephen A. , Hendrickx Steven , Little Susan , Brown Brandon , Smith Davey , Dubé Karine
Published: January 2022

Background

One of the next frontiers in HIV research is focused on finding a cure. A new priority includes people with HIV (PWH) with non-AIDS terminal illnesses who are willing to donate their bodies at the end-of-life (EOL) to advance the search towards an HIV cure. We endeavored to understand perceptions of this research and to identify ethical and practical considerations relevant to implementing it.

Methods

We conducted 20 in-depth interviews and 3 virtual focus groups among four types of key stakeholders in the United States (PWH, biomedical HIV cure researchers, HIV clinicians, and bioethicists) to obtain triangulated viewpoints because little was known about the ethics of this topic. Each group was queried as to ethical considerations, safeguards, and protections for conducting HIV cure-related research at the EOL to ensure this research remains acceptable.

Results

All four key stakeholder groups generally supported HIV cure-related research conducted at the EOL because of the history of altruism within the PWH community and the potential for substantial scientific knowledge to be gained. Our informants expressed that: (1) Strong stakeholder and community involvement are integral to the ethical and effective implementation, as well as the social acceptability of this research; (2) PWH approaching the EOL should not inherently be considered a vulnerable class and their autonomy must be respected when choosing to participate in HIV cure-related research at the EOL; (3) Greater diversity among study participants, as well as multi-disciplinary research teams, is necessitated by HIV cure-related research at the EOL; (4) The sensitive nature of this research warrants robust oversight to ensure a favorable risk/benefit balance and to minimize the possibility of therapeutic misconception or undue influence; and (5) Research protocols should remain flexible to accommodate participants’ comfort and needs at the EOL.

Conclusion

Because of the ethical issues presented by HIV cure-related research at the EOL, robust ethical safeguards are of utmost importance. The proposed ethical and practical considerations presented herein is a first step in determining the best way to maximize this research’s impact and social value. More much inquiry will need to be directed towards understanding context-specific and cultural considerations for implementing EOL HIV cure research in diverse settings.
Correction to: A novel approach to increasing community capacity for weight management a volunteer-delivered programme (ActWELL) initiated within breast screening clinics: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Anderson Annie S. , Chong Huey Yi , Craigie Angela M. , Donnan Peter T. , Gallant Stephanie , Hickman Amy , McAdam Chloe , McKell Jennifer , McNamee Paul , Macaskill E. Jane , Mutrie Nanette , O’Carroll Ronan E. , Rauchhaus Petra , Sattar Naveed , Stead Martine , Treweek Shaun
Published: January 2022

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
SLAMF6 is associated with the susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese population
Authors: Xia Guodong , Li Yetian , Pan Wei , Qian Chengmei , Ma Lin , Zhou Jingli , Xu Henggui , Cheng Chen
Published: January 2022

Objectives

A recently published genome-wide association study identified six novel loci associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Korean population. We aimed to investigate whether these newly reported RA-risk loci are associated with RA in the Chinese population and to further characterize the functional role of the susceptible gene.

Methods

The susceptible variants of RA were genotyped in 600 RA patients and 800 healthy controls, including rs148363003 of SLAMF6, rs117605225 of CXCL13, rs360136 of SWAP70, rs111597524 of NFKBIA, rs194757 of ZFP36L1 and rs1547233 of LINC00158. Synovial tissues were collected from the knee joint of 50 RA patients and 40 controls without osteoarthritis for the gene expression analysis. Inter-group comparisons were performed with the Chi-square test for genotyping data or with Student's t-test for gene expression analysis.

Result

For rs148363003 of SLAMF6, RA patients were observed to have a significantly lower frequency of genotype CC (4.5% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.004) as compared with the controls. The frequency of allele C was remarkably higher in the patients than in the controls (11.5% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.002), with an odds ratio of 1.49 (95% CI = 1.16–1.92). There was no significant difference between the patients and the controls regarding genotype or allele frequency of the other 5 variants. The mRNA expression of SLAMF6 was 1.6 folds higher in the RA patients than in the controls. Moreover, SLAMF6 expression was 1.5 folds higher in patients with genotype CC than in the patients with genotype TT.

Conclusions

SLAMF6 was associated with both the susceptibility and severity of RA in the Chinese population. Moreover, rs148363003 could be a functional variant regulating the tissue expression of SLAMF6 in RA patients. It is advisable to conduct further functional analysis for a comprehensive knowledge on the contribution of this variant to the development of RA.
Sex-specific differences and how to handle them in early psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Passia E. , Vis M. , Coates L. C. , Soni A. , Tchetverikov I. , Gerards A. H. , Kok M. R. , Vos P. A. J. M. , Korswagen L. , Fodili F. , Goekoop-Ruiterman Y. P. M. , van der Kaap J. , van Oosterhout M. , Luime J. J.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is the same in men and women; however, the latter experience a higher burden of disease and are affected more frequently by polyarthritis. Here, we performed an early PsA cohort analysis to assess sex-related differences in demographics, disease characteristics, and evolution over 1 year including applied treatment strategies.

Methods

Our study is embedded in the Dutch south-west Early Psoriatic Arthritis cohoRt. We described patient characteristics and treatment decisions. For the comparison across sexes and baseline and 1 year follow-up, appropriate tests depending on the distribution were used.

Results

Two hundred seventy-three men and 294 women with no significant differences in age and ethnicity were included. Women reported significantly longer duration of symptoms before diagnosis and significantly higher tender joint count, a higher disease activity, higher levels of pain, and lower functional capacity. Although minimal disease activity (MDA) rates increased over time for both sexes, MDA remained significantly more prevalent among men at 1 year (58.1% vs 35.7%, p < 0.00).

Initially, treatment strategies were similar in both sexes with methotrexate being the most frequently used drug during the first year. Women received methotrexate for a shorter period [196 (93–364) vs 306 (157–365), p < 0.00] and therefore received a lower cumulative dose compared to men. Retention time was shorter for all DMARDs, and women had a delayed start on b-DMARDs.

Conclusion

After 1 year of standard-of-care treatment, women did not surpass their baseline disadvantages. Despite the overall improvement, they still presented higher disease activity, higher levels of pain, and lower functional capacity score than men. The nature of these findings may advocate a need for sex specific adjustment of treatment strategies and evaluation in early PsA patients.
Causes and age of neonatal death and associations with maternal and newborn care characteristics in Nepal: a verbal autopsy study
Authors: Erchick Daniel J. , Lackner Johanna B. , Mullany Luke C. , Bhandari Nitin N. , Shedain Purusotam R. , Khanal Sirjana , Dhakwa Jyoti R. , Katz Joanne
Published: January 2022

Background

In Nepal, neonatal mortality fell substantially between 2000 and 2018, decreasing 50% from 40 to 20 deaths per 1,000 live births. Nepal’s success has been attributed to a decreasing total fertility rate, improvements in female education, increases in coverage of skilled care at birth, and community-based child survival interventions.

Methods

A verbal autopsy study, led by the Integrated Rural Health Development Training Centre (IRHDTC), conducted interviews for 338 neonatal deaths across six districts in Nepal between April 2012 and April 2013. We conducted a secondary analysis of verbal autopsy data to understand how cause and age of neonatal death are related to health behaviors, care seeking practices, and coverage of essential services in Nepal.

Results

Sepsis was the leading cause of neonatal death (n=159/338, 47.0%), followed by birth asphyxia (n=56/338, 16.6%), preterm birth (n=45/338, 13.3%), and low birth weight (n=17/338, 5.0%). Neonatal deaths occurred primarily on the first day of life (27.2%) and between days 1 and 6 (64.8%) of life. Risk of death due birth asphyxia relative to sepsis was higher among mothers who were nulligravida, had <4 antenatal care visits, and had a multiple birth; risk of death due to prematurity relative to sepsis was lower for women who made ≥1 delivery preparation and higher for women with a multiple birth.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest cause and age of death distributions typically associated with high mortality settings. Increased coverage of preventive antenatal care interventions and counseling are critically needed. Delays in care seeking for newborn illness and quality of care around the time of delivery and for sick newborns are important points of intervention with potential to reduce deaths, particularly for birth asphyxia and sepsis, which remain common in this population.
Prevalence and determinants of dietary practices among pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Fite Meseret Belete , Tura Abera Kenay , Yadeta Tesfaye Assebe , Oljira Lemessa , Roba Kedir Teji
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Appropriate dietary practices in pregnancy are critical to meet the increased metabolic and physiological demands; however, information about dietary practices among pregnant women, particularly rural residents, is limited. The study aimed to assess the level of appropriate dietary practices and associated determinants among pregnant women in Haramaya District, eastern Ethiopia, 2021.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 448 pregnant women in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews by trained research assistants, using a validated frequency questionnaire. The pregnant women were labeled as “appropriate dietary practice” when they consumed at least four meals daily, had a good food variety score, high dietary diversity score, and high consumption of animal source foods during the reference period. Otherwise, they were defined as “inappropriate.” A Poisson regression model with robust variance estimation was used to investigate the association of the independent variables with the dietary practice. An adjusted prevalence ratio with a 95% confidence interval was reported to show an association using a p-value < 0.05.

Results

The appropriate dietary practice among the study participants was 15.2% (95% CI = 12–18%). Of the respondents, 29.46, 37.5, and 24.7% had a high dietary diversity, high food variety score, and high consumption of animal source foods. The appropriate dietary practice was more prevalent among merchant women (APR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.07–4.02) and those whose husbands have at least a high school educational level (APR = 1.96; 95% CI 1.06–3.46). However, the prevalence of appropriate dietary practice was significantly lower among those who chewed khat (APR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.37–0.90) and among respondents who reported restriction of the intake of some foods (APR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.20–0.65).

Conclusion

We found sup-optimal appropriate dietary practice among pregnant women in this predominantly rural setting. Additionally, the lower appropriate dietary practice was observed among women who reported chewing khat and experienced restriction of dietary consumption during pregnancy. Therefore, nutrition policy programs and interventions aimed at encouraging maternal nutritional guidance and counseling are recommended.
Current findings and future prospective of high-value trans Himalayan medicinal plant Lycium ruthenicum Murr: a systematic review
Authors: Sharma Rajni , Raghuvanshi Rinky , Kumar Raj , Thakur Mohan Singh , Kumar Santosh , Patel Manoj K. , Chaurasia O. P. , Saxena Shweta
Published: January 2022

Background

The genus Lycium is commercially known for its nutrient dense goji-berries, among these berries, black goji-berries obtained from Lycium ruthenicum Murr are highly valued and widely used as traditional medicine in trans-himalayan cold desert Ladakh and as functional food in several countries.

Methods

The current collection of data and literature was done by exploring different scientific portals like SciFinder, Google scholar, PubMed, Dictonary of Natural Products, Institute for Scientific Information, Web of Science and Scopus by searching keywords like black goji berry, crystal pearl, and trans-Himalayan plant.

Results

Fruits of L. ruthenicum Murr, are overwhelmingly enriched in anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, polysaccharides, spermine and spermidine alkaloids. The presence of these bioactive phyto-chemicals has been linked with reported anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, anti-atherosclerosis and neuro-protective properties of black goji berries. A unique color of these berries makes them exceptional as compared to other berries.

Conclusions

In this article, we have reviewed the variety of high value phytochemicals of Lycium ruthenicum Murr, with a special focus on health promoting anthocyanins which will provide an insight to the readers for exploring novel applications of L. ruthenicum Murr in field of medicine and food industries.
Influence of Physiological Media on over-1000 nm NIR Fluorescent DSPE-PEG Micelles for Bio-imaging
Authors: Doan Thi Kim Dung , Umezawa Masakazu , Kobayashi Hisanori , Oshima Atsushi , Ikeda Kazuno , Okubo Kyohei , Kamimura Masao , Soga Kohei
Published: January 2022

Fluorescence imaging in the over-thousand nanometer (OTN-) near-infrared (NIR) wavelength region is an emerging technique for real-time bioimaging. OTN-NIR probes are made from micellar nanoparticles encapsulating IR-1061 dye in the core of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) phospholipid (PL), such as 1, 2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DSPE)-N-[methoxy PEG] micelles. The property investigation revealed that the probe is less stable in albumin and PBS while remaining unchanged in water and saline. The results are critical for applying OTN-NIR probe from DSPE-PEG micelles in physiological environments.
Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM)-guided breast biopsy as an alternative to MRI-guided biopsy
Authors: James Jonathan
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) breast biopsy has been recently introduced into clinical practice. This short communication describes the technique and potential as an alternative to MRI-guided biopsy.

Methods and materials:

An additional abnormality was detected on a breast MRI examination in a patient with lobular carcinoma. The lesion was occult on conventional mammography, tomosynthesis and ultrasound and required histological diagnosis. Traditionally, this would have necessitated an MRI-guided breast biopsy, but was performed under CESM guidance.

Results:

A diagnostic CESM study was performed to ensure the lesion visibility with CESM and then targeted under CESM guidance. A limited diagnostic study, CESM scout and paired images for stereotactic targeting were obtained within a 10 min window following a single injection of iodinated contrast agent. The time from positioning in the biopsy device to releasing compression after biopsy and marker clip placement was 15 min. The biopsy confirmed the presence of multifocal breast cancer.

Conclusion:

CESM-guided breast biopsy is a new technique that can be successfully used as an alternative to MRI-guided breast biopsy.

Advances in knowledge:

CESM-guided biopsy can be used to sample breast lesions which remain occult on standard mammography and ultrasound.
Co-existent breast malignancy and contralateral primary axillary tuberculosis
Authors: Dluzewski Sam , Brown Adam , Musaddaq Besma , Hogben Rosalyn KF , Malhotra Anmol
Published: January 2022

Breast tuberculosis is an extremely rare entity representing less than 0.1% of all breast disease in developed countries. Tuberculous infections within the United Kingdom have seen a steady decline with the highest rates present within North West London where infection rates reach 24.8 per 100,000.

The presentation can mimic malignancy and lymphatic involvement of the breast both clinically and mammographically, with nodules within the upper outer quadrant, making accurate diagnosis challenging. Approximately, 30% of breast TB cases present with axillary lymphadenopathy and a recent case series review of approximately 44 cases in London found that the most common presenting feature was a solitary breast lump in 87% of cases. 4

We present a case of a patient presenting with primary malignancy and contralateral nodal disease highly suspicious for breast malignancy. Subsequent investigation led to the identification of synchronous localized cancer and tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Synchronous presentation is uncommon and recognition and differentiation is vital as axillary lymph node metastasis is the most important factor in the staging of breast carcinoma and determining the subsequent oncological and surgical management.
Farm income and its taxation
Authors: Podstawka Marian , Podstawka Łukasz
Published: January 2022

Motivation: It is increasingly common to hear the opinion that farm income should be taxed with income tax, just like other types of economic activity. Currently, the level of taxation of farm income is low. As the economic power of the farm increases, the level of taxation of its income decreases. Over the years 2014–2019, no variation can be observed in the level of taxation of farm income. Certain simplified attempts to record economic events on farms, due to the fact that they receive all kinds of subsidies, are being gradually introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The time has come to carry out a reliable assessment of the income situation of farms. The calculation of income is important for making management decisions on the farm so as to optimise the production structure, costs, etc.

Aim: The objective of the study is to assess the level of income among FADN farms in various economic classes, to assess the level of taxation of income of these farms, and to present the problems related to a potential change in the taxation of agricultural activities. The study aims to show the problems related to calculating income on farms and to present the advantages and disadvantages of the existing taxes paid by farmers.

Results: The result of the study is a proposal regarding tax rates in agriculture. According to the author, in the case of taxation of farm income, in order to maintain its current level of taxation, the tax rate should be 1–2%. If farm income were to be taxed, the tax rate, which would not increase the current tax burden, should be 2–5%.
Retail Payments Strategy for the EU versus the challenges of the payment sector
Authors: Polasik Michał , Widawski Paweł , Keler Grzegorz , Butor-Keler Agnieszka
Published: January 2022

Motivation: The payment services sector has become one of the main areas for the development of financial innovation and the key element of the digital economy. However, the payment services market in the European Union (called the European Payments Market) is still fragmented along national borders, insufficiently integrated, and facing several challenges. Therefore, the newly announced Retail Payments Strategy for the EU is a document of great importance for the future of the entire EU economy, and deserves in-depth study.

Aim: The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the trends and challenges identified by the European Commission in the Retail Payments Strategy, and the general directions and proposed actions presented in this document, appropriately reflect the challenges faced by the European payment market.

Results: A comparative analysis of the Strategy’s assumptions and proposed actions was conducted, in relation to the identified challenges of the payment sector. The empirical data were derived from a survey of 202 experts from all EU member states, and the UK, Norway and Switzerland, covering all types of bank and non-bank payment market players. The analysis confirmed that the Strategy identified the main challenges and opportunities, in line with the results of the expert survey: the need for further development of open banking; cross-border integration and development of instant payments systems; and ensuring access to the banking payment infrastructure, including contactless and NFC mobile payments. However, the proposed directions of action in selected areas have not been sufficiently rationalised, and most of the actions have been left to be specified in the future. In addition, the Strategy relies mostly on the use of regulatory tools that may limit innovativeness. Although the Commission and the surveyed experts agreed in recognising the challenges related to the increasing role of BigTechs in the payment sector, no comprehensive solution addressing the related challenges was proposed in the Strategy.
Technologia eye-trackingowa jako art medium i narzędzie interwencji klinicznej w arteterapii dziecka z niepełnosprawnością sprzężoną
Authors: Kochanowicz Aneta Maria
Published: January 2022

Rozwijająca się dynamicznie technologia eye- trackingowa jest coraz częściej stosowana w diagnozie i terapii dzieci ze sprzężoną niepełnosprawnością, dla których jedynym kanałem komunikacyjnym jest wzrok. Celem artykułu jest ukazanie, w jaki sposób technologia eye‐trackingowa staje się art medium imoże być używana jako optymalne narzędzie interwencji klinicznej w arteterapii dzieci ze sprzężonąniepełnosprawnością. Autorka przeprowadziła kilkumiesięczne badania w działaniu mające formę sesji arterapeutycznych dla kilkudziesięciu dzieci ze sprzężoną niepełnosprawnością. Ustaliła, że wykorzystanie w arteterapii eye‐trackingu jako narzędzia technologii wspomagającej (EGAT) umożliwia uczestnikom relatywnie niezależne i samodzielne działania twórcze. Dzięki temu mogą oni wyrażać swoje emocje i ujawniać swoje umiejętności. Eye‐tracking wprowadza korzystną zmianę w samopoczuciu i jakości życia badanych. Dlatego współcześni arteterapeuci pracujący z dziećmi zesprzężoną niepełnosprawnością nie powinni się ograniczać do tradycyjnych zajęć arteterapeutycznychukierunkowanych na doświadczenia stricte sensoryczne, lecz szukać innowacyjnych narzędzi ioprogramowań, które pozwolą dzieciom na aktywne i twórcze zaangażowanie się w arteterapię.
Wita Szulc (1941-2021).
Authors: Bieś Andrzej Paweł
Published: January 2022

Podjęta w niniejszym artykule rekonstrukcja biografii naukowej Profesor Wity Szulc pragnie przybliżyć badaczom współczesnych dziejów wychowania, a także pedagogom – teoretykom i praktykom szczególnie tym zorientowanym na przyswojenie form terapeutycznych wykorzystujących sztukę, czyli na stosowanie sztuki w charakterze narzędzia terapeutycznego, sylwetkę i dokonania uczonej oryginalnej i wyjątkowej, należącej do grona prekursorów arteterapii w Polsce, tworzącej naukowe fundamenty i przecierającej szlaki instytucjonalnego rozwoju subdyscypliny i kierunku studiów. Opisane w tekście koleje życia, związane z nieustannym pogłębianiem wiedzy i zdobywaniem nowych kwalifikacji, z wytrwałą naukowo-badawczą refleksją nad kulturą i sztuką w obszarze promocji zdrowia, oświaty i wychowania, z prowadzonymi badaniami nad historią i metodologią arteterapii, z zaangażowaniem w promocję naukową nowych pokoleń badaczy i z wypracowaniem standardówkształcenia przyszłych arteterapeutów, z działalnością na rzecz integracji i konsolidacji polskiego środowiska arteterapeutycznego i jego obecności na międzynarodowej arenie naukowej, pozwalają dostrzec w profesor Wicie Szulc osobę z oddaniem i bezwarunkowo realizującą życiową misję pedagoga – uczonej – organizatorki – animatorki życia naukowego. Podstawą źródłową opracowania są przede wszystkimopublikowane teksty i materiały o charakterze autobiograficznym, jakie znalazły się dorobku uczonej, jak również nieliczne jeszcze omówienia i szkice poświęcone jej działalności, dostępne w literaturze przedmiotu.
El idealismo romántico en la cultura flamenca: mito, modernidad y tristeza
Authors: Luna Inés María
Published: January 2022

Nadie hablaría hoy de flamenco como de un arte puro. Sin embargo, esta disciplina no puede comprenderse si no atendemos a lo que ha sido, en distintos momentos de su construcción artística, la búsqueda constante de un ideal. Defender su pureza ha significado, en muchas ocasiones, no hablar estrictamente de un arte sin mezclas, sino la defensa de un ideal humanístico. Olvidarnos de este anhelo de cultura idealizada y de sus principales representantes significa olvidarnos de la naturaleza romántica de esta manifestación artística y de aquellos que han ido, a lo largo de los años, conformando su dimensión estética. Cuando han sido superados muchos de los postulados de la flamencología tradicional, nos planteamos la necesidad de revisar de manera crítica la importancia del mito. Consideramos desde una nueva perspectiva, sobre todo desde la revolución idealista que inunda el arte y la literatura de finales del XIX, cómo la búsqueda constante de un ideal ha enriquecido y dignificado la realidad flamenca y la ha convertido en modelo de cultura idealizada, sin que ello haya significado el alejamiento de los escenarios ni la pérdida de contacto con otras disciplinas artísticas.
Socialize More, Pay Less: Randomized Field Experiments on Social Pricing
Authors: Gao Haibing , Kumar Subodha , Tan Yinliang (Ricky) , Zhao Huazhong
Published: January 2022

We propose social pricing, a novel pricing framework under which consumers with higher social capital enjoy a better price. Conceptually, social pricing enables firms to achieve price discrimination based on a consumer’s social value. This is in sharp contrast with traditional price discrimination strategies where price differentiation typically hinges on consumers’ personal value. We design and conduct two randomized field experiments on a leading online fresh food retailer to understand the value of social pricing. Social pricing has been commonly credited for its effectiveness in new customer acquisition. Interestingly, our study reveals that it is also highly effective on existing consumers. Our analysis shows that social pricing can increase an online retailer’s profit by 40% solely from existing consumers, compared with regular firm-offered discounts. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms reveals that perceived engagement and social cost are the main drivers, which not only help to increase purchasing frequency but also induce higher order value per purchase. In a follow-up experiment, we vary the rules of social interactions by requiring heterogeneity in consumers’ purchasing frequencies. The results suggest that a heterogeneity-based strategy can further amplify the benefits of social pricing.
Bunching with the Stars: How Firms Respond to Environmental Certification
Authors: Houde Sébastien
Published: January 2022

Voluntary environmental certification programs have been a popular tool used by governments, industry groups, and nonprofit organizations alike. A central question in the design of such programs is who should pay for them. In a context where firms respond strategically to a certification, the answer to this question is a priori ambiguous and, ultimately, empirical. This paper provides important insights on this question using ENERGY STAR, a voluntary certification program for energy-efficient products, as a case study. I show that firms are highly strategic with respect to this certification and extract consumer surplus associated with certified products via three mechanisms. They offer products that bunch at the certification requirement, differentiate certified products in the energy and nonenergy dimensions, and charge a price premium on certified products. I use these findings to motivate a structural econometric model with firms’ strategic behaviors with respect to product line and pricing decisions and to investigate the incidence of a certification licensing fee to fund the certification program.

This paper was accepted by Juanjuan Zhang, marketing.
Justice: what is it and how can you ensure your patients receive it?
Authors: Bifarin Oladayo , Stonehouse David
Published: January 2022

This article discusses the important concept of justice, one of the four ethical principles developed by Beauchamp and Childress (2019) . Gillon (1994) divided justice into three categories: distributive justice, rights-based justice and legal justice. Justice also forms an important part of British values regarding democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Following an introduction defining what is meant by the term ‘justice’, the relevant parts of the Nursing Midwifery Council code ( NMC, 2018a ) will be identified and presented. There will then follow a discussion on the three categories of justice as laid out by Gillon (1994) and how justice fits in with British values. Finally, this discussion will point towards how justice can be achieved for the patients in your care and the colleagues you work alongside.
FATORES QUE INFLUENCIAM OS TURISTAS PARA DESTINOS ECOGASTRONÔMICOS
Authors: DE FARIAS ELISANGELA , SILVA Adrielly Souza , Da Costa Marconi Freitas
Published: January 2022

O objetivo deste estudo foi mensurar qual influência o consumo socialmente responsável (CSR), a influência social (IS) e os hábitos alimentares do turista (HAT) poderiam exercer sobre a intenção de visitar destinos ecogastronômicos. Portanto, sua natureza foi quantitativa, com estratégia de pesquisa survey online. Os dados, por sua vez, foram tratados com regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados indicaram que a demanda constituinte deste segmento é influenciada apenas pelas escolhas alimentares e rituais gastronômicos dos visitantes nas destinações (HAT). Embora estes destinos se proponham a ser mais sustentáveis, a responsabilidade socioambiental dos consumidores (CSR) não influencia, neste caso, a tomada de decisão. Para mais, a influência de outros indivíduos ou grupos (IS), por meio do qual se molda o comportamento alimentar, também não se constitui como um fator determinante. Em face ao exposto, apesar destes destas localidades se proporem a ser mais responsáveis ecologicamente, além de preocupadas com as questões sociais, estes atributos parecem não ser tão importantes quanto as escolhas alimentares dos consumidores turísticos. Este achado, portanto, é a principal contribuição do estudo.
The effect of chitosan levels in feed on the growth and daily feed consumption of giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy)
Authors: Putra Dito Maryanto , Grandiosa Roffi , Hamdani Herman , Haetami Kiki
Published: January 2022

Chitosan is an ingredient that can be used as a feed additive. In aquaculture, chitosan can be used as an antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant growth-promoting and immunostimulant. This study aims to determine the optimum addition of chitosan to feed to increase growth and daily feed consumption of giant gourami. The method used in this research is an experimental method using a completely randomized design (CRD), which consists of five treatments and three replications. The treatments used were (A) without chitosan (control), (B) 2.5 g/kg feed, (C) 5 g/kg feed, (D) 7.5 g/kg feed, and (E) giving chitosan of 10 g/kg feed. The test fish used were giant gourami with a 6 – 8 cm length and a weight of 8 – 10 g. The container used was hapa measuring 1 x 1 x 1 m3 with a density of 15 fish per treatment and 42 days of maintenance. The feeding rate was 3% of the fish biomass. Data from observations of length and weight were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with a 95% confidence level; if there was a significant difference, Duncan's multiple distance test was performed. The results showed that addition of chitosan 7.5 g/kg feed was effective in improving growth on giant gourami. During maintenance, absolute length growth was 2.90 ± 0.10 cm, absolute weight growth was 15.33 ± 1.19 g, daily growth was 36.51 ± 2.84%, feed conversion ratio was 1.69 ± 0.06, and survival rate was 100 ± 0.00%. This research concluded that the optimum level of addition of chitosan to increase growth and daily feed consumption of giant gourami was 7.5 g/kg feed.Keywords:ChitosanFeed additiveGiant gouramiGrowth
Evaluation of Xa inhibitors as potential inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protease
Authors: Papaj Katarzyna , Spychalska Patrycja , Kapica Patryk , Fischer André , Nowak Jakub , Bzówka Maria , Sellner Manuel , Lill Markus A. , Smieško Martin , Góra Artur
Published: January 2022

Based on previous large-scale in silico screening several factor Xa inhibitors were proposed to potentially inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. In addition to their known anticoagulants activity this potential inhibition could have an additional therapeutic effect on patients with COVID-19 disease. In this study we examined the binding of the Apixaban, Betrixaban and Rivaroxaban to the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with the use of the MicroScale Thermophoresis technique. Our results indicate that the experimentally measured binding affinity is weak and the therapeutic effect due to the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibition is rather negligible.
Zebrafish as an experimental model for the simulation of neurological and craniofacial disorders
Authors: Rai Ashwin Rohan , Joy Teresa , Rashmi K. S. , Rai Rajalakshmi , Vinodini N. A. , Jiji P. J.
Published: January 2022

Zebrafish have gained momentum as a leading experimental model in recent years. At present, the zebrafish vertebrate model is increasingly used due to its multifactorial similarities to humans that include genetic, organ, and cellular factors. With the emergence of novel research techniques that are very expensive, it is necessary to develop affordable and valid experimental models. This review aimed to highlight some of the most important similarities between zebrafish and humans by emphasizing the relevance of the first in simulating neurological disorders and craniofacial deformity.
The Inverse Epsilon Distribution as an Alternative to Inverse Exponential Distribution with a Survival Times Data Example
Authors: Jónás Tamás , Chesneau Christophe , Dombi József , Bakouch Hassan Salah
Published: January 2022

This paper is devoted to a new flexible two-parameter lower-truncated distribution, which is based on the inversion of the so-called epsilon distribution. It is called the inverse epsilon distribution. In some senses, it can be viewed as an alternative to the inverse exponential distribution, which has many applications in reliability theory and biology. Diverse properties of the new lower-truncated distribution are derived including relations with existing distributions, hazard and reliability functions, survival and reverse hazard rate functions, stochastic ordering, quantile function with related skewness and kurtosis measures, and moments. A demonstrative survival times data example is used to show the applicability of the new model.
Two Step Cost-Saving Process for Industrial Scale Production of
1-Amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane Hydrochloride (An Anti-Alzheimer’s Drug)
Authors: Tham Nguyen Thi Hong , Le Viet Duc , Ngo Sy Thinh , Thanh Nguyen Thi Hong , Phan Dinh Chau , Vu Binh Duong
Published: January 2022

This work presents a predominant cost-saving process for the industrial scale synthesis of memantine
hydrochloride (1) from 1,3-dimethyladamantane (2) by a two-step method in which both steps were
carried out in one-pot. The conversion of 2 to N-(3,5-dimethyladamantane-1-yl)acetylamide (3) was
synthesized first in mixture of sulfuric acid 96-98% and nitric acid 64-65% at 25 ºC for 2.5 h and then in
acetonitrile at 40 ºC for 3.5 h as a key step. The yield of this process reached to 98%. Next, the
deacetylation of 3 with potasium hydroxide in mixture of water-ethylene glycol at 140 ºC for 15 h to
get memantine base which was then converted into memantine hydrochloride (1) by aq. HCl 14%
(yield of 93%). Overall yield of this synthetic route was 91.65%. The advantages of this process is
saving time, solvents, reagents and giving a higher yield as compared to reported procedures.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B and
Malachite Green by Cobalt Sulfide Nanoparticles
Authors: Chauhan Gunjan , Sharma Manjeet
Published: January 2022

Present study reports the simple and cost effective thermolytic method for the synthesis of cobalt
sulphide nanoparticles (CoS NPs). The PXRD spectrum of cobalt sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles exhibited
four peaks indexed to (100), (101), (102) and (110) crystal planes. The average particle size observed
from DLS and PXRD was in the range 4.81-12.20 nm. A blue shift in band gap was observed from
UV-visible spectra. The FESEM and TEM studies revealed that cobalt sulfide nanoparticles are of
cubic and rectangle shapes. FTIR spectra of hexadecylamine (HDA) capped CoS NPs exhibited ν(N-H)
absorption around 3350-3240 cm–1. The stretching frequency due to ν(Co-S) appeared in the region
334-332 cm–1. Proton NMR (1H) spectra of CoS NPs showed signals at nearly same positions as in
case of capping agent, suggesting its capping nature. ESI-MS analyses of cobalt sulphide nanoparticles
displayed peak at m/z = 124.93 corresponding to the [CoS2]+ ion. Thermogravimetric curves showed
single step decomposition corresponding to 84.28% weight loss and 15.72% as final residue due to
cobalt oxide. The degradation rate of rhodamine B and malachite green dyes after irradiating with
sunlight showed 92-94% degradation while irradiated with UV-light of 4.8 eV show much slower
degradation rate.