bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing an Integrated Model of Adults’ Wearable Activity Tracker Use and Obesity Information–Seeking Behaviors From a National Quota Sample Survey
Authors: Kim Bokyung , Hong Seoyeon , Kim Sungwook
Published: April 2021

Background

Research from multiple perspectives to investigate adults’ use of wearable activity-tracking devices is limited. We offer a multiperspective model and provide empirical evidence of what leads to frequent usage of wearable health technologies from a large, nationally representative survey sample.

Objective

This study aims to explore factors affecting the use of wearable activity-tracking devices among health consumers from the perspectives of individual health beliefs (perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy) and information-seeking behaviors.

Methods

Our Integrated Model of Wearable Activity Tracker (IMWAT) use and proposed hypotheses were validated and tested with data collected from a telephone survey with a national quota sample. The data were analyzed using a variety of statistical techniques, including structural equation analysis.

Results

The sample comprised 2006 participants. Our results showed that the perceived benefits of physical activity, perceived susceptibility, and self-efficacy toward obesity were significant predictors of information-seeking behaviors, which, in turn, mediated their effects on the use of wearable activity trackers. Perceptions of obesity severity directly promoted wearable device usage.

Conclusions

This study provided a new and powerful theoretical model that combined the health beliefs and information-seeking behaviors behind the use of wearable activity trackers in the adult population. The findings provide meaningful implications for developers and designers of wearable health technology products and will assist health informatics practitioners and obesity prevention communicators.
Generalizability of an Automatic Explanation Method for Machine Learning Prediction Results on Asthma-Related Hospital Visits in Patients With Asthma: Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Luo Gang , Nau Claudia L , Crawford William W , Schatz Michael , Zeiger Robert S , Koebnick Corinna
Published: April 2021

Background

Asthma exerts a substantial burden on patients and health care systems. To facilitate preventive care for asthma management and improve patient outcomes, we recently developed two machine learning models, one on Intermountain Healthcare data and the other on Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) data, to forecast asthma-related hospital visits, including emergency department visits and hospitalizations, in the succeeding 12 months among patients with asthma. As is typical for machine learning approaches, these two models do not explain their forecasting results. To address the interpretability issue of black-box models, we designed an automatic method to offer rule format explanations for the forecasting results of any machine learning model on imbalanced tabular data and to suggest customized interventions with no accuracy loss. Our method worked well for explaining the forecasting results of our Intermountain Healthcare model, but its generalizability to other health care systems remains unknown.

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate the generalizability of our automatic explanation method to KPSC for forecasting asthma-related hospital visits.

Methods

Through a secondary analysis of 987,506 data instances from 2012 to 2017 at KPSC, we used our method to explain the forecasting results of our KPSC model and to suggest customized interventions. The patient cohort covered a random sample of 70% of patients with asthma who had a KPSC health plan for any period between 2015 and 2018.

Results

Our method explained the forecasting results for 97.57% (2204/2259) of the patients with asthma who were correctly forecasted to undergo asthma-related hospital visits in the succeeding 12 months.

Conclusions

For forecasting asthma-related hospital visits, our automatic explanation method exhibited an acceptable generalizability to KPSC.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/resprot.5039
Retention of the Aboriginal Health, Ageing, and Disability Workforce: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Gilroy John , Bulkeley Kim , Talbot Folau , Gwynn Josephine , Gwynne Kylie , Henningham Mandy , Alcorso Caroline , Rambaldini Boe , Lincoln Michelle
Published: April 2021

Background

Despite a plethora of research into Aboriginal employment and recruitment, the extent and nature of the retention of frontline Aboriginal people in health, ageing, and disability workforces are currently unknown. In this application, frontline service delivery is defined as Aboriginal people who are paid employees in the health, ageing, and disability service sectors in roles that involve direct client, participant, or patient contact. There is a need to identify the factors that inhibit (push) and promote (pull) staff retention or departure of this workforce from the sectors. This study will provide additional insight about this topic.

Objective

The objective of this project is to uncover the factors that influence the retention of frontline Aboriginal workers in the health, ageing, and disability workforces in New South Wales (NSW) who do not have university qualifications. The aim of the proposed project aims to discover the push and pull factors for the retention of the frontline Aboriginal workforce in the health, ageing, and disability sectors in NSW in relation to their role, employment, and community and design evidence-based strategies for retaining the Aboriginal frontline workforce in the health, ageing, and disability sectors in NSW.

Methods

The proposed research will use a mixed methods approach, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data via surveys and interviews to capture and represent the voices and perspectives of Aboriginal people in a way that the participants chose.

Results

Indigenous research methodologies are a growing field in Aboriginal health research in Australia. A key strength of this study is that it is led by Aboriginal scholars and Aboriginal controlled organizations that apply an Indigenous methodological framework throughout the research process.

Conclusions

This study uses a mixed methods design. The survey and interview questions and model were developed in partnership with Aboriginal health, ageing, and disability service workers rather than relying only on research publications on the workforce, government policies, and human resources strategies. This design places a strong emphasis on generalizable findings together with an inductive approach that explores employers and workers’ lived experience of the Aboriginal health workforce in NSW. Excluding workers who have graduated from university places a strong focus on the workforce who have obtained either school or Technical and Further Education or registered training organizations qualifications. Data collection was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and results will include the unique experiences of Aboriginal workers and employers delivering services in an extremely challenging organizational, community, and personal context.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/25261
Knowledge of Sleep Disorders Among Physicians at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Qatar: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Haq Irfan Ul , Hameed Mansoor Ali , Thomas Merlin Marry , Syed Khezar Shahzada , Othman Ahmad Mohammad Mahmoud , Ahmed Shakeel , Alabbas Abbas Abdallah , Ahmad Mushtaq
Published: April 2021

Background

Sleep disorders constitute a major health problem because of their relatively high and rising prevalence. Several studies worldwide have analyzed health care providers’ knowledge of sleep disorders.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge of sleep disorders among physicians in Qatar.

Methods

A total of 250 physicians were surveyed regarding their knowledge of sleep medicine by using the validated 30-item Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education (ASKME) Survey. The participants included residents, fellows, and consultants in medicine and allied subspecialties. A high score was defined as ≥60% of correctly answered questions, implying the respondent has adequate knowledge of sleep disorders.

Results

Responses were received from 158 of the 250 physicians, with a response rate of 63.2%. This included responses from 34 residents, 74 clinical fellows, and 50 consultants. The overall mean score was 15.53 (SD 4.42), with the highest possible score of 30. Only 57 of 158 (36.1%) respondents were able to answer ≥60% of the questions correctly. No statistically significant difference was found in the scores of participants with regard to their ranks (ie, residents, fellows, or consultants) or years of medical training.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that health care providers in Qatar have decreased awareness and knowledge about sleep medicine, which may reflect reduced emphasis on sleep disorders during medical school and training. Increasing awareness regarding sleep medicine among nonspecialist physicians will allow early detection and treatment of sleep disorders, thereby reducing the morbidity associated with these disorders.
A Mobile-Based Intervention to Increase Self-esteem in Students With Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bruhns Alina , Lüdtke Thies , Moritz Steffen , Bücker Lara
Published: April 2021

Background

Depressive symptoms are one of the most common and ever-increasing mental health problems among students worldwide. Conventional treatment options, particularly psychotherapy, do not reach all students in need of help. Internet- and mobile-based interventions are promising alternatives for narrowing the treatment gap.

Objective

In the framework of a randomized controlled trial, we aim to investigate the effectiveness, acceptance, and side effects of a self-help smartphone app (MCT & More) based on cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and metacognitive training in a sample of students with self-reported depressive symptoms. Furthermore, we were interested in examining the influence of treatment expectations and attitudes toward internet- and mobile-based interventions on treatment adherence and effectiveness.

Methods

A total of 400 students were recruited via open access websites and randomized to either the intervention group (n=200), who received access to the self-help smartphone app MCT & More for a period of 4 weeks, or to a wait-list control group (n=200). The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (depression) served as the primary outcome parameter, and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (self-esteem) and the global item of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-abbreviated version (quality of life) served as the secondary outcome parameters. The Attitudes Towards Psychological Online Interventions was used to measure attitudes toward internet- and mobile-based interventions. Outcome expectations were assessed using the Patient Questionnaire on Therapy Expectation and Evaluation, and side effects were assessed using the Inventory for Assessing Negative Effects of Psychotherapy.

Results

Per-protocol (PP), complete-case, and intention-to-treat analyses showed a significantly higher reduction in depressive symptoms (PP: F1,222=3.98; P=.047; d=0.26) and a significantly higher increase in self-esteem (PP: F1,220=8.79; P=.003; d=0.40) in the intervention group than in the wait-list control group. Most participants regularly used the self-help smartphone app (91/120, 75.8%, at least once a week). The more positive the attitude toward internet- and mobile-based interventions (r=0.260; P=.004) and the more positive the outcome expectation (r=0.236; P=.009), the more frequently the self-help smartphone app was used.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of the self-help smartphone app MCT & More was demonstrated among students with depressive symptoms compared with a wait-list control group. The app could be offered regularly as a low-threshold intervention to enhance students’ health.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00020941; https://tinyurl.com/pr84w6er
Outcomes of Digital Biomarker–Based Interventions: Protocol for a Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Motahari-Nezhad Hossein , Péntek Márta , Gulácsi László , Zrubka Zsombor
Published: April 2021

Background

Digital biomarkers are defined as objective, quantifiable, physiological, and behavioral data that are collected and measured using digital devices such as portables, wearables, implantables, or digestibles. For their widespread adoption in publicly financed health care systems, it is important to understand how their benefits translate into improved patient outcomes, which is essential for demonstrating their value.

Objective

The paper presents the protocol for a systematic review that aims to assess the quality and strength of the evidence reported in systematic reviews regarding the impact of digital biomarkers on clinical outcomes compared to interventions without digital biomarkers.

Methods

A comprehensive search for reviews from 2019 to 2020 will be conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Library using keywords related to digital biomarkers and a filter for systematic reviews. Original full-text English publications of systematic reviews comparing clinical outcomes of interventions with and without digital biomarkers via meta-analysis will be included. The AMSTAR-2 tool will be used to assess the methodological quality of these reviews. To assess the quality of evidence, we will evaluate the systematic reviews using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. To detect the possible presence of reporting bias, we will determine whether a protocol was published prior to the start of the studies. A qualitative summary of the results by digital biomarker technology and outcomes will be provided.

Results

This protocol was submitted before data collection. Search, screening, and data extraction will commence in December 2021 in accordance with the published protocol.

Conclusions

Our study will provide a comprehensive summary of the highest level of evidence available on digital biomarker interventions, providing practical guidance for health care providers. Our results will help identify clinical areas in which the use of digital biomarkers has led to favorable clinical outcomes. In addition, our findings will highlight areas of evidence gaps where the clinical benefits of digital biomarkers have not yet been demonstrated.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/28204
Assessment of the Effectiveness of Identity-Based Public Health Announcements in Increasing the Likelihood of Complying With COVID-19 Guidelines: Randomized Controlled Cross-sectional Web-Based Study (Preprint)
Authors: Dennis Alexander S , Moravec Patricia L , Kim Antino , Dennis Alan R
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Public health campaigns aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 are important in reducing disease transmission, but traditional information-based campaigns have received unexpectedly extreme backlash.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate whether customizing of public service announcements (PSAs) providing health guidelines to match individuals’ identities increases their compliance.

METHODS

We conducted a within- and between-subjects, randomized controlled cross-sectional, web-based study in July 2020. Participants viewed two PSAs: one advocating wearing a mask in public settings and one advocating staying at home. The control PSA only provided information, and the treatment PSAs were designed to appeal to the identities held by individuals; that is, either a Christian identity or an economically motivated identity. Participants were asked about their identity and then provided a control PSA and treatment PSA matching their identity, in random order. The PSAs were of approximately 100 words.

RESULTS

We recruited 300 social media users from Amazon Mechanical Turk in accordance with usual protocols to ensure data quality. In total, 8 failed the data quality checks, and the remaining 292 were included in the analysis. In the identity-based PSA, the source of the PSA was changed, and a phrase of approximately 12 words relevant to the individual’s identity was inserted. A PSA tailored for Christians, when matched with a Christian identity, increased the likelihood of compliance by 12 percentage points. A PSA that focused on economic values, when shown to individuals who identified as economically motivated, increased the likelihood of compliance by 6 points.

CONCLUSIONS

Using social media to deliver COVID-19 public health announcements customized to individuals’ identities is a promising measure to increase compliance with public health guidelines.

CLINICALTRIAL

ISRCTN Registry 22331899; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN22331899.
A Virtual Reality Resident Training Curriculum on Behavioral Health Anticipatory Guidance: Development and Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Herbst Rachel , Rybak Tiffany , Meisman Andrea , Whitehead Monica , Rosen Brittany , Crosby Lori E , Klein Melissa D , Real Francis J
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Behavioral health disorders have steadily increased and been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though behavioral health disorders can be successfully mitigated with early implementation of evidence-based parent management strategies, education for pediatric residents on behavioral health anticipatory guidance has been limited to date, with training challenges compounded by the physical distancing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual reality (VR) simulations provide an opportunity to train residents on this complex competency by allowing deliberate practice of necessary skills while adhering to current social distancing guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the usability of a VR-based behavioral health anticipatory guidance curriculum for pediatric residents.

METHODS

This mixed methods study included 14 postgraduate third-year pediatric residents who completed the behavioral health anticipatory guidance VR curriculum. Residents completed the MEC Spatial Presence Questionnaire to assess immersion in the virtual environment. Semistructured interviews were used to elucidate residents’ perspectives on the curriculum’s content and format. The interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Quantitatively, residents reported a high degree of immersion, spatial presence, and cognitive involvement. Most residents (11/14, 79%) agreed or strongly agreed that it seemed as though they took part in the action of the simulation. Qualitatively, two themes emerged from the data: (1) the curriculum expands behavioral health anticipatory guidance and motivational interviewing knowledge and skills and (2) VR technology is uniquely positioned to develop competence. These themes revealed that the curriculum expanded their current level of knowledge and skill, addressed training gaps, and was applicable to all residents. Additionally, residents experienced VR as immersive, feasible, realistic to the clinic setting, and a safe space to practice and learn new skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Pilot data indicates that VR may be an effective tool to teach pediatric residents behavioral health anticipatory guidance, meeting a current gap in medical education training. This VR curriculum is particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic given the increased behavioral health concerns of families.
The resistance status of Aedes aegypti larvae to Temephos in Depok, Sleman, Yogyakarta
Authors: Yuniyanti Mia Munawaroh , Umniyati Sitti Rahmah , Ernaningsih
Published: April 2021

There are still many cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever and tend to increaseover time. One strategy to reduce the increase in cases of dengue infection isto eradicate Aedes aegypti as a vector using insecticides. The use of insecticidesfor a long time can cause resistance. The purpose of this study was to determinethe resistance status of Aedes aegypti larvae against temephos in Depok, Sleman.This quasi experimental test was carried out on 3rd instar larvae of aedesaegypti from RW 9 and 10 Minomartani, Depok, Sleman. The treatment groupwas exposed 0.02 ppm temephos for 24 hours. The analysis was presented in theform of percentage of larval mortality and resistance categories based on WHOguidelines. The mortality percentage of Aedes aegypti larvae in RW 9 was 100%,while the mortality from RW 10 was 97%. Aedes aegypti larvae in Depok district,Sleman are still susceptible to temephos at a dose of 0.02 ppm.
Chancen feministischer Evaluation. Methodische Herausforderungen bei der Evaluation von Gender Mainstreaming und Gleichstellungspolitiken. Working Paper 119
Authors: Wroblewski Angela , Knoll Bente , Pichler Barbara , Reitinger Elisabeth , Hofleitner Birgit , Egger Barbara , Englmaier Victoria , Koller Peter , Sauer Arn
Published: April 2021

Studies in the context of gender mainstreaming, gender equality policy or feminist issues often face specific challenges in connection with the empirical approach. The Gender Mainstreaming Working Group (AK GM) of the German Evaluation Society (DeGEval) focused on the choice of adequate methods and research designs for the evaluation of gender mainstreaming measures, gender equality policies and feminist evaluation at its spring conference 2017, which took place at the IHS on 11 May 2017 and is documented in this volume.
True cost of surgical aortic valve replacement and implications for price setting and diagnosis-related groups: evidence from a tertiary hospital in Eastern China
Authors: Qin Xiaoxiao , Liu Xianbao , Huang Jiayan , Wang Wei , Shao Yanting , He Yuxin , Zhu Qifeng , Fan Jiaqi , Kong Minjian , Dong Aiqiang , Huang Zhen , Chen Yingyao , Wang Jian'an
Published: April 2021

Background:
Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has long been the standard treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis in China, but the costs of SAVR from a hospital perspective in China have not been thoroughly researched. Currently, diagnosis-related groups in China are based on historical expenses that are closely related to the unit charges set by the official pricing department and are frequently inaccurate compared with actual resource consumption.
Materials & methods:
Through a retrospective empirical study on the costs and charges of SAVR cases in a tertiary hospital, this study aimed to compare the costs and charges of service items. We collected clinical information from patients undergoing SAVR (isolated or concomitant procedures) and financial information from the hospital in 2015 and 2016. Top-down full cost accounting and step-allocation were the main methods used in this study.
Result:
This research selected 203 SAVR cases in 2015 and 214 cases in 2016. The median length of hospital stay was 15.92 days (6.07 days pre surgery and 9.57 days post surgery). The average human resource cost of care per day per bed in the cardiovascular surgery department, including doctors and nurses, was US $62.22 in 2015 and $66.17 in 2016, but the corresponding charge was no more than $24. For operation, the cost of isolated SAVR was $665 in 2015 and $1015 in 2016, while the charge was $820. For anesthesiology, the cost of isolated SAVR was $400 in 2015 and $526 in 2016, while the average charge was $192. For examination service items, some costs did not exceed charges. The average total cost of a case was $19,299 ± 8954, while the average total charge was $18,923 ± 9194.
Conclusion:
SAVR is associated with significant resource utilization and hospital stay duration. The fees for human resources and services associated with SAVR do not reflect the true costs of SAVR in a Chinese hospital setting. This study may assist in future budget planning and price setting for policy makers in China.
ТВЕРДОТЕЛЬНЫЕ СВЧ-ПЕРЕКЛЮЧАТЕЛИ С ВЫСОКОЙ СКОРОСТЬЮ КОММУТАЦИИ. Часть 3
Authors: Кочемасов В. , Сафин А. , Дингес С.
Published: April 2021

Рассмотрены твердотельные СВЧ-переключатели с высокой скоростью коммутации. Приведена информация о различных типах переключателей на транзисторах, выпускаемых рядом производителей.
NEW SPECTRAL ANALYSIS RESULTS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF EXTENDED MATTER RESEARCH IN THE AR LACERTAE ACTIVE BINARY SYSTEM
Authors: Karakuş O. , Ekmekçi F.
Published: April 2021

Within the scope of extended matter research, we present new spectral analysis results of an active binary system, AR Lac. The low and high resolution spectra of this system, were taken during the period 2013-2016. The evaluation of low dispersion spectra together with the B, V, Rc, Ic and WISE photometric data showed that AR Lac has an excess radiation in the W2 band. In addition, the spectral energy distribution and the minima depth ratios of the light curves of this active binary system were studied to examine the flux contributions of the components of the system depending on wavelengths and on orbital phase. Furthermore, high resolution spectral analysis showed evidence of prominence-like structures and a possible extended matter around the cooler component of AR Lac.
Elections in Canada and Russia in 2019: a comparative analysis of cross-national media coverage
Authors: Tsurkan Anna
Published: April 2021

In 2019, Canada and Russia went through election campaigns in their respective countries. While Canada voted at the federal level, Russia held regional and municipal elections, and therefore the scale and outcome of these two campaigns cannot be compared per se. Yet shifting a focus to media coverage, this paper explores Canada-Russia relations at a given moment in time, including the extent to which disinformation took place on either side. The two countries were actively involved in cross-commenting about the situation on the ground. Russian English-language media outlets were visibly more anti-Trudeau in nature in their Canadian election coverage, while Canadian authorities called on their Russiancounterparts to respect freedoms of assembly during pre-election opposition rallies in Moscow. However, in a modern highly interconnected world, where should the border between news reporting/tweeting and an attempt to interfere in elections be located; and how do these efforts advance each country’s interests?
Climate maps as instruments for urban planning
Authors: Freitas Ruskin Fernandes Marinho de , Azerêdo Jaucele de Fátima Ferreira Alves de , Carvalho Laís Teixeira de , Costa Renato Freitas da
Published: April 2021

There has been a significant increase in studies on climatic mapping linked to urban planning, with the spatialized distribution of urban microclimates, in order to guide municipal actions, aiming at environmental comfort. In this research, various climatic studies have been reviewed so as to develop maps for climate analysis and to draw up recommendations on the use and occupation of land. Climatic classification was adapted for topoclimates, through the overlapping of layers and by attributing heat accumulation values to the base layers. In the city of Recife, fourteen microclimates were identified, categorized into coastal, plain and hillside macrozones. The neighborhoods of Boa Vista and Soledade presented eight microclimates, synthetized into three classes of heat accumulation, which were predominantly high, chiefly in areas of densification, and verticalization. The recommendations aim to assist in urban management, so as to act more precisely in the critical areas, and thereby, as a result of reviewing the urban parameters, provide guidelines for more effective projects on both urban and architectural scales.
Alteraciones Hepaticas en pacientes con infección por VIH en un centro de investigacion en Bogotá Colombia 2009 – 2019
Authors: Sánchez-Pardo Santiago , Ochoa-Díaz Andrés , Prieto-Ortiz Jhon E
Published: April 2021

Introducción: Las alteraciones de la bioquímica hepática son frecuentes en los pacientes con infección por VIH, la etiología es variada, la esteatosis hepática es frecuente con una prevalencia estimada del 60% Objetivos: Caracterizar las alteraciones hepáticas en una serie de pacientes con infección por VIH en un centro de investigación de Bogotá Colombia durante el periodo 2009 – 2019. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, observacional de pacientes con infección por VIH que asistieron a un centro de investigación durante los años 2009-2019. Resultados: 94% fueron hombres y 6% mujeres con edad promedio de 44 años, 92,5% de los pacientes presentaba uso de terapia antiretroviral. Las principales hepatopatías fueron la coinfección VIH-Hepatitis C y el hígado graso en iguales porcentajes, 31,3%. El promedio del indice HOMA fue de 2,58. Discusión: Las enfermedades hepáticas son una causa importante de morbimortalidad en pacientes con infección por VIH, las coinfecciones virales y el hígado graso pueden ser muy frecuentes en nuestro medio a diferencia de otros estudios Conclusiones: Este es el primer estudio a nivel local en describir las alteraciones hepáticas en pacientes con VIH, las comorbilidades no SIDA, juegan un papel importante dentro de la enfermedad. La hepatitis C continúa siendo una coinfección frecuente en la población VIH.
Corporate social responsibility and firm risk: Egypt’s case
Authors: Hassouna Dina , Salem Rania
Published: April 2021

Studies amongst developed countries have extensively investigated the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance. However, due to lack of research in the Middle East, especially in Egypt, the association between CSR and firm risk remains much less understood (Nguyen & Nguyen, 2015). Therefore, this paper is one of the very few studies that investigate the impact of CSR on firm risk amongst developing countries. A sample of 31 Egyptian listed companies was examined over four years, from 2011 to 2015. We test the impact of CSR on firm risk using fixed and random effects estimation models. We use operating leverage, financial leverage and the beta coefficient of the sample companies’ stocks as a proxy for the companies’ risk. Identified control variables are firm size, market-to-book value, return on equity, return on assets, and firm age. Other variables are used to control for corporate governance, board characteristics and audit committee characteristics. The results show that CSR affects operating risk, yet it does not have a significant impact on financial or market risks in Egypt, which in turn emphasizes that CSR in developing countries differs in characteristics from that in developed countries (Vo & Arato, 2020).
Community phylogenetics require phylogenies reconstructed from plastid genomes
Authors: Jin Lu , Liu Jia-Jia , Xiao Tian-Wen , Li Qiao-Ming , Lin Luxiang , Shao Xiao-Na , Ma Chen-xin , Li Bu-Hang , Mi Xiang-Cheng , Qiao Xiu-Juan , Lian Ju-Yu , Hao Gang , Ge Xue-Jun
Published: April 2021

Phylogenetic trees have been extensively used in community ecology.
However, how the phylogenetic reconstruction affects ecological
inferences is poorly understood. In this study, we reconstructed three
different types of phylogenetic trees (a synthetic-tree generated using
VPhylomaker, a barcode-tree generated using rbcL+matK+trnH-psbA and a
genome-tree generated from plastid genomes) that represented an
increasing level of phylogenetic resolution among 580 woody plant
species from six dynamic plots in subtropical evergreen broadleaved
forests of China. We then evaluated the performance of each phylogeny in
estimations of community phylogenetic structure, turnover and
phylogenetic signal in functional traits. As expected, the genome-tree
was most resolved and most supported for relationships among species.
For local phylogenetic structure, the three trees showed consistent
results with Faith’s PD and MPD; however, only the synthetic-tree
produced significant clustering patterns using MNTD for some plots. For
phylogenetic turnover, contrasting results between the molecular trees
and the synthetic-tree occurred only with nearest neighbor distance. The
barcode-tree agreed more with the genome-tree than the synthetic-tree
for both phylogenetic structure and turnover. For functional traits,
both the barcode-tree and genome-tree detected phylogenetic signal in
maximum height, but only the genome-tree detected signal in leaf width.
This is the first study that uses plastid genomes in large-scale
community phylogenetics. Our results highlight the outperformance of
genome-trees over barcode-trees and synthetic-trees for the analyses
studied here. Our results also point to the possibility of Type I and II
errors in estimation of phylogenetic structure and turnover and
detection of phylogenetic signal when using synthetic-trees.
Factors affecting colistin nephrotoxicity: Advanced age and/or other factors?
Authors: Gülen Tugba Arslan , Imre Ayfer , Kayabas Uner
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The population is aging and older adults comprise the
majority of patients in intensive care units. Colistin (COL) has been
reintroduced to treat increasingly common resistant Gram-negative
bacterial infections. Our study aims to investigate the factors
affecting colistin nephrotoxicity in the general population and
geriatric age group. Materials and Method: This retrospective study
included 170 patients, 116 (68.2%) of which were in the geriatric group
(age ≥65). Acute renal failure was evaluated using the RIFLE score.
Firstly, factors associated with COL nephrotoxicity in the general
population were investigated. Then, risk factors for COL nephrotoxicity
were evaluated in the geriatric patient group. Results: Advanced age
(odds ratio [OR]=1.043; 95% confidence interval [CI]:
1.018-1.068; p=0.001) and initial serum creatinine level (OR=23.122;
95% CI: 3.123-171.217; p=0.002) were found to be independent risk
factors associated with nephrotoxicity. In the evaluation of the
geriatric population-based on nephrotoxicity, the initial serum urea and
creatinine levels, immunosuppression, and overall mortality rates were
found to be statistically significant in the group with nephrotoxicity
(p<0.05). Initial serum creatinine level (OR=22.48; 95% CI:
2.835-178.426; p=0.003) and concomitant nephrotoxic agent use (OR=2.516;
95% CI: 1.275-4.963; p=0.008) were independent risk factors associated
with nephrotoxicity in geriatric patients. Conclusion: Advanced age was
found to be a risk factor for COL nephrotoxicity. Caution should be
exercised especially in geriatric patients who have initial serum
creatinine levels close to the upper limit, concomitant use of
nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided and if possible, evaluation should
be made in terms of non-COL treatment options in these patients.
The crosstalk between insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, redox imbalance and the thyroid in subjects with obesity
Authors: Răcătăianu Nicoleta , Leach Nicoleta , Bolboacă Sorana , Soran Maria , Flonta Mirela , Valea Ana , Lazăr Andrada-Luciana , Ghervan Cristina
Published: April 2021

We aimed at assessing the interaction between visceral adipose tissue (VAT), insulin resistance (IR), circulating levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the thyroid parameters in obese subjects. Methods. Obese subjects without thyroid pathologies or diseases associated with systemic inflammation and OS were recruited. Insulinemia, visceral fat thickness, metabolic and thyroid parameters were assayed. Circulating levels of MCP-1 and MDA were used to quantify inflammation and OS. Results. A number of 160 obese subjects were included. The MCP-1 level increased with the degree of obesity and HOMA-IR. MCP 1 was positively associated with antithyroperoxidase antibody (TPOab) levels and the frequency of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). The MDA level was positively correlated with the degree of obesity, aspartate aminotransferase and MCP-1. MDA was an independent predictor for the occurrence of hypothyroidism. IR patients showed higher fT3 levels and a positive association between insulin and TPOab levels. Conclusions. Systemic inflammation increased with VAT, IR and OS and was correlated with the frequency and the severity of HT, suggesting that, in obesity, MCP-1 could be part of the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis. MDA was an independent risk factor for hypothyroidism; therefore, redox imbalance associated with obesity can produce cell damage and thyroid dysfunction. FT3 is increased in IR patients, thus being a marker for the severity of metabolic impairment.
Periodontitis as a potential risk factor for premature delivery
Authors: Turcu-Duminică Ana , Dumitriu Anca , Paunica Stana , Gică Corina , Botezatu Radu , Gică Nicolae , Peltecu Gheorghe , Panaitescu Anca
Published: April 2021

Pregnancy is a particular period of time for a woman, so that it is important to accurately determine the impact of adjacent pathologies on the natural evolution of the nine months of pregnancy. Although there is still much to debate on the association between periodontal disease and pregnancy, the conclusion seems to remain the same: untreated periodontal pathology in pregnancy could have adverse consequences such as premature birth or low birth weight fetuses. Periodontopathies are introduced as risk factors, the novelty of the subject being the association between untreated periodontal pathology and the evolution of pregnancy. The affected periodontal tissue has the potential of releasing microorganisms that could colonize the placenta, ultimately having adverse consequences on the evolution of pregnancy, consequences such as premature birth or inadequate birth weight. The purpose of this review is to assess the association between periodontal disease and the negative consequences on pregnancy. Using databases such as PubMed, more than 1,500 articles were screened, including systematic reviews, case-control studies and prospective cohort studies assessing the association between periodontitis and pregnancy. Only 54 from the abovementioned papers were included in the final review.
Support for family members who are caregivers to relatives with acquired brain injury
Authors: Walker Janet , Schlebusch Lourens , Gaede Bernhard
Published: April 2021

Objectives. Family members caring for a patient with acquired brain injury (ABI) are coping with inordinate levels of stress partially due to their lack of understanding of the neuropsychological effects of acquired brain injury in the patient. The objective of this research is to show that as the caregivers’ stress levels increase, there is an increase in suicidal ideation. This highlights the causal relationship between unhealthy stress and reduced psychological well-being in these caregivers. In addition, qualitative research evidence regarding the caregivers’ views of their main sources of stress are presented. Methods. The participants were a random sample of 80 family caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury, out of whom 72.5% (58) are primary caregivers and 27.5% (22) are secondary caregivers. A mixed methodology was utilized. It comprised cross-sectional descriptive and phenomenological approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from two standardized measures: The Stress Symptom Checklist (SSCL) and item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory. The qualitative data were derived from self-report procedures that were part of a structured questionnaire administered individually during the interviews. Results. The Kruskal-Wallis test with a significance level of p = .05 was used to compare the stress and suicidal ideation scores, which revealed that increasing levels of stress led to increased suicidality. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed five themes which were identified as the triggers of the caregivers’ profound stress. Most caregivers felt that it was predominantly the patient’s neuropsychological deficits, such as emotions and/or moods, cognitive ability, behavior and personality, executive function, and social factors that caused them profound stress. Conclusions. Support and education are needed to help family caregivers understand the neuropsychological impact of acquired brain injury on the patient. Once caregivers have an improved understanding and receive better support from healthcare providers, they should experience less stress and be better prepared to provide the appropriate support to patients with acquired brain injury.
SNP Association in the Leptin Gene and Beef Quality Traits in Indigenous Sudanese Baggara Cattle
Authors:   Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Omer Romaz M.A. , Masri Mai A. ,   Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Musa Lutfi M.A. ,   Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Nour Ikhlas A. ,   Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, University of Khartoum, Sudan; Department of Meat Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Tsubo Mitsuru ,   Arid Land Research Centre (ALRC), Tottori University, 1390 Hamasaka, Tottori 680-0001, Japan, El-Hag Faisal M. ,   Arid Land Research Centre (ALRC), Tottori University, 1390 Hamasaka, Tottori 680-0001, Japan; Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Sudan, Biraima Ahmed D.A. ,   Department of Meat Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Jawasreh Khaleel I.Z. ,   Department of Animal Productions, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan, Kurosaki Yasunori ,   Arid Land Research Centre (ALRC), Tottori University, 1390 Hamasaka, Tottori 680-0001, Japan, Ahmed Mohammed-Khair A. ,   Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan
Published: April 2021

The present study was conducted on 112 Sudanese Baggara bulls (Nyalawi and Mesairi strains) from two separate locations in Darfur and Kordofan, Sudan, raised under dryland farming conditions. A single nucleotide polymorphism (C/T) Arg25Cys in exon 2 of the bovine leptin gene (NC_032653.1) was studied and the association of leptin genotypes with meat quality attributes was evaluated for these two Sudanese Baggara cattle strains which comprise the mainstay of Sudan export and local beef trade. The accuracy of genotyping was checked through PCR-RFLP technique followed by DNA sequencing and analyzed using BioEdit, MEGA6 and project Hope softwares. The genotype frequencies for CC, CT and TT genotypes in Nyalawi strain were 37.5, 39.3 and 23.2%, respectively, whereas the respective genotypic frequencies for Mesairi strain were 46.4, 28.6 and 25%. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, Myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, moisture and fat between the two Baggara cattle strains. Association between the C>T SNP at the leptin gene and carcass weight, dressing and fat percentages was significant (P<0.05). It was concluded that Leptin gene polymorphisms contributed to the observed meat quality differences among these Sudanese cattle strains. This will allow for the use of molecular information in future selection of beef cattle in Sudan. The possible value of the leptin gene and its polymorphisms have been elucidated for the first time in Baggara cattle.
Antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic effects and GC-MS analysis of mangrove-derived Streptomyces achromogenes TCH4 extract
Authors: Tangjitjaroenkun Janpen , Pluempanupat Wanchai , Tangchitcharoenkhul Rungnapa , Yahayo Waraporn , Supabphol Roongtawan
Published: April 2021

The in vitro biological activities of the ethyl acetate extract of the culture filtrate from Streptomyces achromogenes TCH4 (TCH4 extract) were evaluated. The ethyl acetate extract of TCH4 produced a bacteriostatic effect against Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Bacillus subtilis, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The extract had bactericidal activity against S. aureus, S. saprophyticus, S. aureus (MRSA) and K. pneumoniae with minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values in the range of 500-1000 ?g/mL. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in TCH4 extract were 107.20?}2.57 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 44.91?}0.84 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g of dry extract. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical (IC50 299.64?}6.83 ?g/mL) and ABTS radical scavenging (IC50 65.53?}0.95 ?g/mL), and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (822.76?}9.12 mM FeSO4.7H2O/g dry extract) assays. TCH4 extract exhibited cytotoxic activity in the DU-145 cell line (IC50 9.36?}0.37 ?g/ mL). Analysis of extract constituents by GC-MS revealed pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl) (36.85%), benzeneacetamide (23.76%), and deferoxamine (12.85%) as the major compounds, which have been reported to possess pharmaceutical properties. S. achromogenes TCH4 could be a potential source of bioactive metabolites with antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer activities for pharmaceutical applications.
Regularities of organic solvents diffusion into fluoropolymer structure
Authors:   Department of Physical Chemistry of Combustible Minerals L.M. Lytvynenko Institute of Physico-Organic Chemistry and Coal Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, Yevchuk Iryna , Makitra Roman ,   Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Combustible Minerals NAS of Ukraine 3а Naukova str., Lviv, 79053, Ukraine, Pal’chykova Olena ,   Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Combustible Minerals NAS of Ukraine 3а Naukova str., Lviv, 79053, Ukraine, Khovanets’ Galyna ,   Department of Physical Chemistry of Combustible Minerals L.M. Lytvynenko Institute of Physico-Organic Chemistry and Coal Chemistry NAS of Ukraine
Published: April 2021

Diffusion coefficients of organic solvents into tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer structure may be generalized by multiparameter equations. Molar volume and cohesion energy of penetrating liquids are suggested to be determining their values and retarding the process.
Power Quality Improvement in Modular Multilevel Inverter Using for Different Multicarrier PWM
Authors: Kaliannan Thenmalar , Albert Johny Renoald , Begam D. Muhamadha , Madhumathi P.
Published: April 2021

Pulse width modulation (PWM) is a powerful technique employed in analog circuit convert with a microprocessor based digital output. Besides, Pseudo Random Multi Carrier (PRMC) involves in two random PWM strategies to minimize the harmonic order for 9- level cascaded multilevel H-bridge (CHB) inverter and 9-level Modular Multilevel inverter are introduced. The design mainly focuses on the (Pulse Width Modulation) PWM method, in which two nearest voltage levels are approached in estimated output voltage prediction based on the Partial swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, and it conveys a random variation in the pulse position of output by Pseudo Random Multi Carrier- Pulse Width Modulation (PRMC-PWM). The CHB and the Modular inverters generate low distortion output by using PMRC. The simulation and prototype circuit are developed for the nine level output using sixteen switches and ten with Resistive-Inductive (R-L) load variation condition. The power quality is improved in CHB and Modular inverter (MoI) with minimized harmonics in various modulation index (MI) as varied from 0.1 up to 0.8. The circuit is designed by using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Implementing a PSO algorithm for both CHB, and MoI are proposed. The comparisons of results are verified with lower order harmonics and find the best switching angle across the MLI switches. Modular inverter furthermore investigates with PRMC, Random Nearest level (RNL) modulation scheme are presented, and the proposed circuit is along with the respective degree of the output voltage were synthesized in non-linear load by the development of reactive power across a motor load.