bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
REFLEXÕES ACERCA DA SÉRIE THE BOYS: APROXIMAÇÕES ENTRE O BEM E MAL INTERSEÇÕES ENTRE A FICÇÃO E A REALIDADE
Authors: Quadros Laura Cristina De Toledo , De Toledo Quadros Musco Leticia
Published: September 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo fazer uma interseção entre elementos presentes na série americana The Boys com temas e situações pertinentes à sociedade e ao sujeito moderno, considerando como as narrativas propostas na série, mesmo representando um mundo fantasioso, atravessam de modo nada sutil o chamado “mundo real”.  Dentre as inúmeras possibilidades de reflexões que The Boys nos proporciona, escolhemos abordar as desvirtudes dos heróis não reduzidas a dicotomia entre o bem e o mal, passando pelo deslocamento dos estereótipos para os arquétipos. Recorremos a temas que envolvem questões estruturais, culturais e filosóficas que fazem com que a série seja tão pertinente, cativante e, principalmente, familiar ao espectador. Por fim, ressalta-se a importância de uma narrativa que coloque conflitos em cena de modo não maniqueísta, promovendo reflexões acerca da aproximação entre a ficção e a realidade.
Balzac entre realismos: uma leitura de A obra-prima ignorada (1831) à luz de Rancière Por uma brevíssima arqueologia do retrato que falta
Authors: Gutierrez Maurício Chamarelli , Pugliesi Lucas Bento
Published: September 2021

O artigo visa propor alguns pontos de referência para compreender a singularidade do Realismo como parte integrante da literatura moderna e desatrelado do suposto imperativo de representação do real – tão criticado por vanguardas e teorias do século XX. Para tanto, partimos de uma contraposição entre, de um lado, a leitura auerbachiana de Stendhal e, de outro, a lógica antiga do decoro e o que esta previa como os possíveis da representação literária – a observância de sedes argumentativas que, mesmo onde os gêneros se misturam, mantém intacta uma ordem do discurso que guarda forte analogia com uma partilha de lugares sociais. Contra esse fundo, o novo que emerge no discurso realista aparece como o que Rancière denomina “revolução estética”: uma implosão da lógica hierárquica da representação em nome de um regime em que o real adentra o relato literário sem o apoio de sedes previstas. A desierarquização posta em jogo pelo regime estético é uma glória do qualquer, segundo a qual não só o os homens mais infames (como propõe Foucault) podem sentir e falar como os reis da tragédia, como também o detalhe mais anódino pode guardar em si a significação da obra. A partir disso, propomos uma análise do conto A obra prima ignorada, de Balzac, enquanto figuração privilegiada tanto dos riscos e excessos possíveis das vanguardas por vir, como da vida infame que visa representar o relato realista.
Da revista ao livro: Brandão entre o mar e o amor (1941), ficção coletiva e realismo na Geração de 1930
Authors: Sereza Haroldo Ceravolo
Published: September 2021

A publicação no início dos anos 1940, na revista Diretrizes, de Brandão – entre o mar e o amor, assinado em conjunto por Jorge Amado, José Lins do Rego, Graciliano Ramos, Aníbal Machado e Rachel de Queiroz, teve de obedecer aos limites impostos pela censura do Estado Novo, que procurava subordinar as publicações às conveniências das alianças externas do país num tempo de guerra. Misto de projeto de ficção e de engajamento jornalístico e publicitário dos leitores da revista de caráter liberal e democrático, a obra expõe também projetos literários concorrentes dentro da Geração de Trinta. As inconsistências da trama e contrastes formais permitem observar como escritores que são aproximados pela tradição e pelo cânone expressam culturas, posições políticas e interesses nem sempre conciliáveis. Por outro lado, a falta de unidade na obra expõe também características da literatura pensada para ser lida, primeiramente, em periódicos, e não em livros.
USO DE CINZAS DE BIOMASSA GERADAS NA AGROINDÚSTRIA DO MALTE PARA PRODUÇÃO DE ARGAMASSAS
Authors: Centenaro Sauana Haeffner , Da Silva João Adriano Godoy , Paulino Rafaella Salvador
Published: September 2021

: Nas maltarias, madeira de eucalipto e resíduos da agroindústria, como grãos e cascas, são utilizadas como combustível de caldeiras, gerando cinzas, cujas propriedades são pouco conhecidas, o que limita sua correta disposição ou aplicação. Com o intuito de diminuir a quantidade desse resíduo no meio ambiente, o presente estudo analisou a viabilidade da utilização das cinzas de caldeira (CC) oriundas da coletadas durante o processo de limpeza das caldeiras foram caracterizadas física e quimicamente e para avaliação do seu efeito, produziram-se argamassas de proporção 1:3, em massa, com teores de substituição da cinza em relação ao agregado miúdo de 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% e 20%, e relação água/cimento fixada em 0,7. As propriedades avaliadas nas argamassas no estado fresco foram índice de consistência, densidade de massa e teor de ar incorporado, e no estado endurecido, absorção de água, índice de vazios, resistência à compressão axial e resistência à tração na flexão. Os resultados demonstraram que com o aumento do teor de substituição da areia pela CC houve uma redução na trabalhabilidade das argamassas, um aumento no teor de ar incorporado e consequente diminuição da densidade de massa. Houve ainda um aumento da absorção de água e da porosidade para todas as argamassas, manutenção das propriedades mecânicas nos teores de substituição de 10 e 15% e aumento das resistências, no teor de 20%, quando comparada com a argamassa sem adição, demonstrando assim a viabilidade do uso desta cinza como adição mineral.
AVALIAÇÃO DO POTENCIAL DE REUSO DE ÁGUA PARA INDÚSTRIAS NA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
Authors: Faria André Alcantara de , Obraczka Marcelo , Silva Junior Luís Carlos Soares da , Muricy Bruno , Oliveira Kelly , Monteiro Ana Cecília
Published: September 2021

A poluição das principais fontes de água e a recorrente condição de escassez hídrica agravada pelos efeitos das mudanças climáticas, como a que ocorreu em 2014 na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro (RMRJ), afetaram consideravelmente a disponibilidade hídrica e vem fomentando a busca por fontes alternativas para atendimento de demandas básicas da sociedade. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar, em termos de quantidade, o potencial de oferta e demanda da água de reúso para fins não potáveis a partir do efluente tratado de Estações de Tratamento de Esgotos (ETE) na RMRJ. Para avaliar o potencial de reúso, identificou-se as ETEs cujas características, como localização e capacidade instalada de tratamento, favorecem a definição dos geradores de água de reúso, assim como foram levantadas, na área de estudo, as indústrias de transformação. Essa tipologia industrial é elencada dentro do rol de setores econômicos responsáveis pelo terceiro maior uso consuntivo de água do país, atrás somente da agricultura e do abastecimento urbano. De forma pioneira, o presente estudo desenvolveu um inventário georreferenciado desses potenciais geradores e consumidores na RMRJ, que demonstra ser uma ferramenta promissora na identificação de regiões/clusters para implementação do reúso de águas regeneradas para uso industrial não potável, especialmente, no entorno das ETEs. Pôde ser constatada a existência de grande potencial do emprego da água de reúso tendo em vista a capacidade instalada de tratamento e geração de vazão de efluente secundário e de água de reúso nas ETEs elencadas, bem como, sua proximidade com indústrias cujas demandas podem ser atendidas por essa fonte alternativa.
POLIMORFISMO GSTM1 E GSTT1 NO CÂNCER DE TIREOIDE: REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA E META-ANÁLISE
Authors: Cândido Gonçalves Lucas , Custódio Rodrigues da Silva Bárbara , Ferreira Fernandes Joaquim , Ferreira Duarte Talita , Ferreira Silva Thainá , Ferreira da Silva Santos Aline , De Oliveira Rosa Marques Larissa , Teodoro Cordeiro Silva Antonio Márcio
Published: September 2021

Introdução: Os cânceres de tireoide são doenças multifatoriais, derivadas do epitélio folicular e de células C parafoliculares. A deleção dos genes das glutationas-S-transferase, theta (GSTT1) e mu (GSTM1), pode reduzir a capacidade das células em desintoxicar agentes carcinogênicos. Objetivo: Verificar a associação dos polimorfismos nulos de GSTT1 e GSTM1 com a suscetibilidade ao câncer da tireoide. Metodologia: Trata-se de revisão sistemática e metanálise, com seleção de artigos científicos nas bases de dados: PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect e LILACS. Os dados de 15 artigos foram extraídos e os testes estatísticos, considerando limite de significância de 5%, foram realizados com o auxílio do software Cochrane Training RevMan® 5.4. Resultados e discussão: O polimorfismo nulo de GSTM1 está associado ao desenvolvimento do câncer da tireoide (OR=1,15; IC95%=1,01-1,32). No entanto, os polimorfismos nulos de GSTT1 e GSTM1 não apresentaram associação, quando os cânceres da tireoide foram estratificados por tipos (papilar, folicular e papilar/folicular). Conclusão: A deleção de GSTM1 e GSTT1 reduz a defesa frente agentes carcinogênicos. No entanto, os resultados da presente pesquisa apontaram ausência de associação entre os polimorfismos GSTT1 e GSTM1 e a ocorrência dos tipos de câncer da tireoide. Por outro lado, a ausência da GSTM1 apresentou associação com o câncer da tireoide, quando não estratificados por tipos.
Interculturalism and Higher Education: The Role of Academic Staff in Promoting Campus-Based International Academic Environment
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Myhovych Iryna
Published: September 2021

The paper presents an attempt to articulate the link between the notions of «interculturalism», «internationalization», «collaborative online international learning» as a new educational paradigm enhancing intercultural competence of all actors of educational process within jointly established multicultural academic environment. The focus of empirical research is centered on the «internationalization-at-home» paradigm, which is viewed as the nexus of international and intercultural dimensions integrated into formal, non-formal, and informal learning with the application of digital teaching formats such as international virtual exchange and virtual mobility projects, etc. The analysis has been conducted with regard to the internationalisation process at Slovak higher education based on the empirical data provided by online open platforms of Commenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic. The collected data have showed that the enhancement of interculturalism in higher education should be aimed at developing more of an education for all in the spirit of recognizing the differences that exist within the same society, and less an education for different cultures, which would involve isolation of cultural groups. Among the results of the research the ways of achieving interculturality at higher educational institution are highlighted, such as: simultaneous learning of at least two foreign languages; integration in twinning European programmes; obtaining scholarships for academic mobility (including virtual one), etc.
Light-emitting diode treatments and indications for treatment
Authors: Charlson Paul
Published: September 2021

Light-emitting diode treatments are an established therapy in many medical aesthetic clinics. Most machines are designed for facial treatment and work by non-thermal photobiomodulation-stimulating fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and growth factors. They use mainly blue, red and near infrared light and are efficacious in treating acne, psoriasis, photorejuvenation and wound healing. The treatment has relatively few side effects and has a short downtime. They tend to be used in combination with other treatment modalities, such as radiofrequency, skin-tightening and lasers, but can be used as a standalone treatment. Treatment protocols vary but usually require several treatments over a few weeks, with the effects taking 3 to 6 months to become evident.

Recently, light-emitting diode masks have become popular, but their evidence base for effectiveness is currently weak.
Treatment of thread veins with intense pulsed light
Authors: GROVE JODIE
Published: September 2021

This article will explore the treatment of thread veins using the well-established and common modality of intense pulsed light.

The diagnosis of these veins and a variety of treatment options will also be detailed, and the mechanism of action of intense pulsed light will be analysed, explaining how it delivers satisfactory clinical and cosmetic outcomes. Transdermal laser and intense pulse light will also be compared.
The work of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners and Aesthetic Complications Expert Group
Authors: King Martyn
Published: September 2021

Dr Marytn King provides an insight into the ongoing work of the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners and the Aesthetic Complications Expert Group
Making a high-quality and professional social media profile
Authors: Constantinou Katerina
Published: September 2021

Social media profiles are a great way to have fun and be creative. However, as a medical practitioner, it is crucial that these profiles remain professional. Katerina Constantinou details the importance of sharing correct, ethical information and adhering to guidelines while online
Building a strong brand reputation in aesthetics
Authors: Kendrick Julia
Published: September 2021

In this article, Julia Kendrick explains the the tools and strategies that businesses can use to build a strong brand reputation
DEVELOPMENT OF RISK ASSESSMENT METHOD FOR SMALL SIZED HOSPITALS USING AHP: A CASE IN NORTHERN INDIA
Authors: Singh Lakhwinder Pal , Suthar Harish
Published: September 2021

Several studies suggest that a major factor causing acute low back pain in nursing staff is the manual handling of disabled patients. In India, especially the northern part that consists of non-metropolitan cities, most of the hospitals still lack advanced patient handling methods and techniques. Therefore, it is necessary to devise a method of assessment for testing the effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention or training for safe patient handling. A proper quantification of risk involved in manual handling is required so that the severity of injuries caused by this handling can be reduced by an ergonomic intervention, which in turn helps redesign the task of manual handling. This study aimed to develop a qualitative method of risk assessment using the AHP for manual patient handling and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the risk assessment. The method is validated using the concepts of construct validity and content validity. The reliability was estimated through stability (test-retest) and homogeneity (internal consistency). The tests for validity and reliability were conducted in 130 units of 7 small-sized hospitals. The results of the current study reveal that the method was reliable and valid for risk assessment of patient handling.
PILLARS IN THE MAKING, INDUSTRY 4.0 ON THE HORIZON
Authors: Akman Engin , Karaman Abdullah
Published: September 2021

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) marks a new era in manufacturing and has attracted notable attention from practitioners and researchers. Current production processes are being transformed towards interconnecting the elements of manufacturing systems as a result of digitization. Adopting new technologies is an indispensable practice to compete and sustain business concerns. In this paper, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making methodology, is employed to evaluate and weigh the nine pillars that are the building blocks of an I4.0 system. The assessment model suggests three dimensions, nine pillars, and thirty-four sub-pillars which are evaluated by fourteen I4.0 professionals responding to a pairwise questionnaire. The results are important as they reflect the opinions of the professionals and can help define strategies for companies investing in I4.0 technologies by elucidating the relative impacts of factors in an I4.0 environment.
PRIORITY SECTOR OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES USING AHP: A CASE STUDY OF YAMARU ENTERPRISE
Authors: Raco Jozef Richard , Krejci James , Ohoitimur Johanis , Raton Yulius , Adrian Angelia Melani , Rottie Ronaldo , Soputan Jeanette , Ngenget Stevanus , Sumual Loureine , Sumakud Erick
Published: September 2021

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the development of a country's economy by providing employment and using local resources; they also have the ability to quickly adapt to external and internal changes and technological developments due to their flexible nature. The development of SMEs continues to be encouraged, but there are many complex factors that impact their development, primarily focused on the lack of resources. This study seeks to determine priority sectors for developing SMEs and business units that offer the greatest potential opportunities. This study uses the AHP method, which is widely used in Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Out of the five criteria analyzed, human resources was the priority factor (28.1%) that must become the main focus for Yamaru enterprise. The results of this study can be adopted by other SMEs.
World Events: AHP/ANP as multidimensional tools
Authors: Petrillo Antonella
Published: September 2021

MAS 2021 and INFORMS 2021 both have sessions discussing the use of AHP/ANP.
AHP/ANP Community Transitions
Authors: Mu Enrique
Published: September 2021

Our beloved IJAHP editorial board member and associate editor Dr. Birsen Karpak has announced her retirement from the institution where she has worked for the past 36 years...
Another Tunnel at the End of the Tunnel
Authors: Mu Enrique
Published: September 2021

Dear IJAHP Reader:
The events of the past weeks and days have shown how complex and dynamic today's environment is. When we thought the pandemic was over, the appearance of a new, more contagious Delta variant seriously affected our expectations of getting back to normal (or a new normal) soon...
International Center for Conflict Resolution (IC4CR) Wins Award from the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research
Authors: Vargas Luis G.
Published: September 2021

The International Center for Conflict Resolution (IC4CR) won a $30,000 grant award, given by the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research (NCGVR), to develop a method to estimate the harms and benefits that gun policy and violence prevention interventions have on legal users of firearms.
High-power tandem-pumped fiber amplifier with beam quality maintenance enabled by the confined-doped fiber
Authors: Wu Hanshuo , Li Ruixian , Xiao Hu , Huang Liangjin , Yang Huan , Pan Zhiyong , Leng Jinyong , Zhou Pu
Published: September 2021

The high absorption confined-doped ytterbium fiber with 40/250 μm core/inner-cladding diameter is proposed and fabricated, where the relative doping ratio of 0.75 is selected according to the simulation analysis. By employing this fiber in a tandem-pumped fiber amplifier, an output power of 6.2 kW with an optical-to-optical efficiency of ∼82.22% is realized. Benefiting from the large-mode-area confined-doped fiber design, the beam quality of the output laser is well maintained during the power scaling process with the beam quality factor of ∼1.7 of the seed laser to ∼ 1.89 at the output power of 5.07 kW, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the output spectrum reaches ∼40 dB under the maximum output power. In the fiber amplifier based on the 40/250 μm fully-doped ytterbium fiber, the beam quality factor constantly degrades with the increasing output power, reaching 2.56 at 2.45 kW. Moreover, the transverse mode instability threshold of the confined-doped fiber amplifier is ∼4.74 kW, which is improved by ∼170% compared with its fully-doped fiber amplifier counterpart.
Highly efficient dual page reproduction in holographic data storage
Authors: Katano Yutaro , Muroi Tetsuhiko , Kinoshita Nobuhiro , Ishii Norihiko
Published: September 2021

We propose a simultaneous dual-page reproduction for holographic data storage (HDS) with high-efficiency and high-speed data reproduction by reusing a transmitted reference beam that passes through a recording medium after data reconstruction. The transmitted reference beam enters the recording medium at a different incident angle to reproduce different data pages; thus, this technology can double data-transfer rates without increasing the laser’s output power or preparing another laser source. In the experiment, neighboring angle-multiplexed two data pages were simultaneously reconstructed and a data transfer rate of 1.0 Gbps was obtained.
Temperature-dependent optical phonon shifts and splitting in cubic 10BP, natBP, and 11BP crystals
Authors: Zhu Siqi , Zheng Wei , Lu Xuefang , Huang Feng
Published: September 2021

The infrared reflectance spectrum of cubic boron phosphide (BP) single crystals shows a very narrow Reststrahlen band, indicating a small TO-LO (transverse optical-longitudinal optical) splitting. To study the phonon thermal behavior of the

T
O

(
Γ
)

and the

L
O

(
Γ
)

of

10

B
P

,

n
a
t

B
P

, and

11

B
P

bulk single crystals, temperature-dependent infrared reflectance spectroscopy in 85–500 K is applied here. As the temperature increases, the Reststrahlen band broadens. The frequencies of the

T
O

(
Γ
)

and the

L
O

(
Γ
)

exhibit nonlinear red shifts, and the TO-LO splitting gradually increases. Our research found that thermal expansion plays a leading role at low temperatures while phonon anharmonicity gradually takes place at high temperatures.
Die digitale Transformation kommunaler Einrichtungen – Herausforderungen und Erfolgsfaktoren
Authors: Redmann Janina , Rückel David
Published: September 2021

Der Einsatz digitaler Innovationen verfolgt den Zweck, Prozesse zu digitalisieren und zu automatisieren. Dabei ist die Digitalisierung nur ein Aspekt der digitalen Transformation, beschreibt diese doch einen tiefgreifenden Wandel des öffentlichen Sektors. Die digitale Transformation, beispielsweise von Kommunen, umfasst die Organisation, Kultur, Prozesse und ganze Geschäftsmodelle. Folglich stellt die Transformation insbesondere kommunale Einrichtungen vor große Herausforderungen. Die Kombination der Analyse des aktuellen Stands der Forschung in Kombination mit einer qualitativen Befragung einer ausgewogenen Expertenrunde, aus der Wissenschaft, Leitungsebenen kommunaler Betriebe und der Informationstechnologie führen zu praxisnahen Ergebnissen, insbesondere die Identifikation der kritischen Erfolgsfaktoren. Aus Sicht der Wissenschaft trägt dieser Artikel zu einer breiteren Diskussion im Bereich Strategisches IT-Management, der digitalen Transformation sowie dem Change-Management bei. Letztlich wird aufgezeigt, welche Herausforderungen und Erfolgsfaktoren vorliegen und welche Maßnahmen eine erfolgreiche digitale Transformation unterstützen.
A hydro-osmotic coarsening theory of biological cavity formation
Authors: Le Verge-Serandour Mathieu , Turlier Hervé
Published: September 2021

Fluid-filled biological cavities are ubiquitous, but their collective dynamics has remained largely unexplored from a physical perspective. Based on experimental observations in early embryos, we propose a model where a cavity forms through the coarsening of myriad of pressurized micrometric lumens, that interact by ion and fluid exchanges through the intercellular space. Performing extensive numerical simulations, we find that hydraulic fluxes lead to a self-similar coarsening of lumens in time, characterized by a robust dynamic scaling exponent. The collective dynamics is primarily controlled by hydraulic fluxes, which stem from lumen pressures differences and are dampened by water permeation through the membrane. Passive osmotic heterogeneities play, on the contrary, a minor role on cavity formation but active ion pumping can largely modify the coarsening dynamics: it prevents the lumen network from a collective collapse and gives rise to a novel coalescence-dominated regime exhibiting a distinct scaling law. Interestingly, we prove numerically that spatially biasing ion pumping may be sufficient to position the cavity, suggesting a novel mode of symmetry breaking to control tissue patterning. Providing generic testable predictions, our model forms a comprehensive theoretical basis for hydro-osmotic interaction between biological cavities, that shall find wide applications in embryo and tissue morphogenesis.
The color phi phenomenon: Not so special, after all?
Authors: Keuninckx Lars , Cleeremans Axel
Published: September 2021

We show how anomalous time reversal of stimuli and their associated responses can exist in very small connectionist models. These networks are built from dynamical toy model neurons which adhere to a minimal set of biologically plausible properties. The appearance of a “ghost” response, temporally and spatially located in between responses caused by actual stimuli, as in the phi phenomenon, is demonstrated in a similar small network, where it is caused by priming and long-distance feedforward paths. We then demonstrate that the color phi phenomenon can be present in an echo state network, a recurrent neural network, without explicitly training for the presence of the effect, such that it emerges as an artifact of the dynamical processing. Our results suggest that the color phi phenomenon might simply be a feature of the inherent dynamical and nonlinear sensory processing in the brain and in and of itself is not related to consciousness.
Changes in maternal risk factors and their association with changes in cesarean sections in Norway between 1999 and 2016: A descriptive population-based registry study
Authors: Nedberg Ingvild Hersoug , Lazzerini Marzia , Mariani Ilaria , Møllersen Kajsa , Valente Emanuelle Pessa , Anda Erik Eik , Skjeldestad Finn Egil
Published: September 2021

Background

Increases in the proportion of the population with increased likelihood of cesarean section (CS) have been postulated as a driving force behind the rise in CS rates worldwide. The aim of the study was to assess if changes in selected maternal risk factors for CS are associated with changes in CS births from 1999 to 2016 in Norway.

Methods and findings

This national population-based registry study utilizes data from 1,055,006 births registered in the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry from 1999 to 2016. The following maternal risk factors for CS were included: nulliparous/≥35 years, multiparous/≥35 years, pregestational diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, previous CS, assisted reproductive technology, and multiple births. The proportion of CS births in 1999 was used to predict the number of CS births in 2016. The observed and predicted numbers of CS births were compared to determine the number of excess CS births, before and after considering the selected risk factors, for all births, and for births stratified by 0, 1, or >1 of the selected risk factors. The proportion of CS births increased from 12.9% to 16.1% (+24.8%) during the study period. The proportion of births with 1 selected risk factor increased from 21.3% to 26.3% (+23.5%), while the proportion with >1 risk factor increased from 4.5% to 8.8% (+95.6%). Stratification by the presence of selected risk factors reduced the number of excess CS births observed in 2016 compared to 1999 by 67.9%. Study limitations include lack of access to other important maternal risk factors and only comparing the first and the last year of the study period.

Conclusions

In this study, we observed that after an initial increase, proportions of CS births remained stable from 2005 to 2016. Instead, both the size of the risk population and the mean number of risk factors per birth continued to increase. We observed a possible association between the increase in size of risk population and the additional CS births observed in 2016 compared to 1999. The increase in size of risk population and the stable CS rate from 2005 and onward may indicate consistent adherence to obstetric evidence-based practice in Norway.
Badger territoriality maintained despite disturbance of major road construction
Authors: Gaughran Aoibheann , Mullen Enda , MacWhite Teresa , Maher Peter , Kelly David J. , Kelly Ruth , Good Margaret , Marples Nicola M.
Published: September 2021

Road ecology has traditionally focused on the impact of in-situ and functional roads on wildlife. However, road construction also poses a major, yet understudied, threat and the implications for key aspects of animal behaviour are unknown. Badgers (Meles meles) have been implicated in the transmission of tuberculosis to cattle. There are concerns that environmental disturbances, including major road construction, can disrupt badger territoriality, promoting the spread of the disease to cattle. To address these knowledge gaps the ranging behaviour of a medium-density Irish badger population was monitored using GPS-tracking collars before, during, and after a major road realignment project that bisected the study area. We estimated badgers’ home range sizes, nightly distances travelled, and the distance and frequency of extra-territorial excursions during each phase of the study and quantified any changes to these parameters. We show that road construction had a very limited effect on ranging behaviour. A small increase in nightly distance during road construction did not translate into an increase in home range size, nor an increase in the distance or frequency of extra-territorial excursions during road construction. In addition, suitable mitigation measures to prevent badger deaths appeared to ensure that normal patterns of ranging behaviour continued once the new road was in place. We recommend that continuous badger-proof fencing be placed along the entire length of new major roads, in combination with appropriately sited underpasses. Our analysis supports the view that road construction did not cause badgers to change their ranging behaviour in ways likely to increase the spread of tuberculosis.
High real-time reporting of domestic and wild animal diseases following rollout of mobile phone reporting system in Kenya
Authors: Njenga M. Kariuki , Kemunto Naomi , Kahariri Samuel , Holmstrom Lindsey , Oyas Harry , Biggers Keith , Riddle Austin , Gachohi John , Muturi Mathew , Mwatondo Athman , Gakuya Francis , Lekolool Isaac , Sitawa Rinah , Apamaku Michael , Osoro Eric , Widdowson Marc-Alain , Munyua Peninah
Published: September 2021

Background

To improve early detection of emerging infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), many of them zoonotic, numerous electronic animal disease-reporting systems have been piloted but not implemented because of cost, lack of user friendliness, and data insecurity. In Kenya, we developed and rolled out an open-source mobile phone-based domestic and wild animal disease reporting system and collected data over two years to investigate its robustness and ability to track disease trends.

Methods

The Kenya Animal Biosurveillance System (KABS) application was built on the Java® platform, freely downloadable for android compatible mobile phones, and supported by web-based account management, form editing and data monitoring. The application was integrated into the surveillance systems of Kenya’s domestic and wild animal sectors by adopting their existing data collection tools, and targeting disease syndromes prioritized by national, regional and international animal and human health agencies. Smartphone-owning government and private domestic and wild animal health officers were recruited and trained on the application, and reports received and analyzed by Kenya Directorate of Veterinary Services. The KABS application performed automatic basic analyses (frequencies, spatial distribution), which were immediately relayed to reporting officers as feedback.

Results

Of 697 trained domestic animal officers, 662 (95%) downloaded the application, and >72% of them started reporting using the application within three months. Introduction of the application resulted in 2- to 14-fold increase in number of disease reports when compared to the previous year (relative risk = 14, CI 13.8–14.2, p<0.001), and reports were more widely distributed. Among domestic animals, food animals (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and chicken) accounted for >90% of the reports, with respiratory, gastrointestinal and skin diseases constituting >85% of the reports. Herbivore wildlife (zebra, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, antelopes) accounted for >60% of the wildlife disease reports, followed by carnivores (lions, cheetah, hyenas, jackals, and wild dogs). Deaths, traumatic injuries, and skin diseases were most reported in wildlife.

Conclusions

This open-source system was user friendly and secure, ideal for rolling out in other countries in SSA to improve disease reporting and enhance preparedness for epidemics of zoonotic diseases.
Association between serum lactate dehydrogenase and frailty among individuals with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Chen Li-Hsiang , Wu Li-Wei
Published: September 2021

While metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with frailty, the correlation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (sLDH) and frailty with MetS remain uncertain. To investigate the relationship between sLDH and frail components in the US with MetS. A total of 4,066 participants aged 40–90 years were assessed from the database of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994. The participants were classified into MetS and non-MetS groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with four models were performed to assess the odds ratio (OR) of the divided tertiles of sLDH levels with frailty, and frail components including slow walking (SW), weakness, exhaustion, low physical activity (LPA), and low body weight (LBW). Higher sLDH levels were positively associated with frailty in the MetS group (p= 0.024) but not in non-MetS group (p= 0.102). After covariate adjustments, the OR of frailty in the upper two tertiles compared to the lowest tertile and revealed statistical significance (p< 0.05). Frail components of SW, weakness, exhaustion, and LPA were associated with higher sLDH (p< 0.05) except for LBW in MetS and non-MetS groups. The results demonstrated the strong association of higher sLDH levels and frailty among US individuals with MetS.
Cockatiels sing human music in synchrony with a playback of the melody
Authors: Seki Yoshimasa
Published: September 2021

It is known among aviculturists that cockatiels imitate human music with their whistle-like vocal sounds. The present study examined whether cockatiels are also able to sing “in unison”, or, line up their vocalizations with a musical melody so that they occur at the same time. Three hand-raised cockatiels were exposed to a musical melody of human whistling produced by an experimenter. All the birds learned to sing the melody. Then, two out of these three birds spontaneously joined in singing during an ongoing melody, so that the singing by the bird and the whistling by the human were nearly perfectly synchronous. Further experiments revealed that the birds actively adjusted their vocal timing to playback of a recording of the same melody. This means cockatiels have a remarkable ability for flexible vocal control similar to what is seen in human singing. The proximate/ultimate factors for this behavior and implications for musicality in humans are discussed.
Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous herniorrhaphy as an alternative to open surgery technique in farm swines
Authors: Prządka Przemysław , Liszka Bartłomiej , Antończyk Agnieszka , Skrzypczak Piotr , Kiełbowicz Zdzisław , Patkowski Dariusz
Published: September 2021

Background

Despite numerous experimental studies presenting laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernia in a pig model so far no described technique has been used in clinical patients of this species. Minimal invasiveness and the simplicity of closure of the inguinal canal using the Percutaneous Internal Ring Suturing (PIRS) technique makes it the world’s first technique for laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernia in pigs as clinical patients.

Aim

This study aims to assess the applicability and effectiveness of the laparoscopic PIRS technique in the treatment of inguinal hernia in pigs as clinical patients and to compare the PIRS technique with the open surgery technique, which is currently being used.

Methods

The study was conducted on 22 non-castrated male pigs with inguinal hernia (clinical patients), divided into two equal groups: PIRS and open surgery (OS). In the PIRS group, the inner inguinal ring was closed with an optical trocar inserted at the umbilicus level and an injection needle with a suture material inserted percutaneously over the inguinal canal. The suture material was threaded through the inner inguinal ring and then tied, leaving the knot under the skin. As a result to this the inguinal canal was closed. In the OS group the procedure was performed with open access above the inguinal canal where, after dissection of the vaginal processus and reducing the contents of the hernia to the abdominal cavity, it was ligated as close to the inguinal canal as possible, and the wound was then closed in layers.

Results

All operated pigs returned to full fitness immediately after recovery from anesthesia. There was one case of hernia recurrence in the PIRS group. In the OS group all the operated pigs had a temporary swelling of the postoperative wound and the scrotum on the side of the operated inguinal hernia, which was not found in the PIRS group.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of the PIRS technique is comparable to that of open surgery. Considering the simplicity of the PIRS procedure and its minimal invasiveness, this technique may be used as an alternative to the open technique in the treatment of inguinal hernias in pigs not subjected to surgical castration.
COVID-19 prevalence, symptoms, and sociodemographic disparities in infection among insured pregnant women in Northern California
Authors: Ames Jennifer L. , Ferrara Assiamira , Avalos Lyndsay A. , Badon Sylvia E. , Greenberg Mara B. , Hedderson Monique M. , Kuzniewicz Michael W. , Qian Yinge , Young-Wolff Kelly C. , Zerbo Ousseny , Zhu Yeyi , Croen Lisa A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Research on COVID-19 during pregnancy has mainly focused on women hospitalized for COVID-19 or other reasons during their pregnancy. Little is known about COVID-19 in the general population of pregnant women.

Objective

To describe the prevalence of COVID-19, symptoms, consequent healthcare use, and possible sources of COVID-19 exposure among a population-based sample of pregnant women residing in Northern California.

Methods

We analyzed data from 19,458 members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California who were pregnant between January 2020 and April 2021 and responded to an online survey about COVID-19 testing, diagnosis, symptoms, and their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical diagnosis of COVID-19 during pregnancy was defined separately by self-report and by documentation in electronic health records (EHR). We examined relationships of COVID-19 with sociodemographic factors, underlying comorbidities, and survey measures of COVID-19-like symptoms, consequent healthcare utilization, and possible COVID-19 exposures.

Results

Among 19,458 respondents, the crude prevalence of COVID-19 was 2.5% (n = 494) according to self-report and 1.4% (n = 276) according to EHR. After adjustment, the prevalence of self-reported COVID-19 was higher among women aged <25 years compared with women aged ≥35 years (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.75, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.49) and among Hispanic women compared with White women (PR, 1.91, 95% CI: 1.53, 2.37). Prevalence of self-reported COVID-19 was higher among women affected by personal or partner job loss during the pandemic (PR, 1.23, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.47) and among women living in areas of high vs. low neighborhood deprivation (PR, 1.74, 95% CI: 1.33, 2.27). We did not observe differences in self-reported COVID-19 between women with and without underlying comorbidities. Results were similar for EHR-documented COVID-19. Loss of smell or taste was a unique and common symptom reported among women with COVID-19 (42.3% in self-reported; 54.0% in EHR-documented). Among women with symptomatic COVID-19, approximately 2% were hospitalized, 71% had a telehealth visit, and 75% quarantined at home. Over a third of women with COVID-19 reported no known exposure to someone with COVID-19.

Conclusions

Observed COVID-19 prevalence differences by sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors underscore social and health inequities among reproductive-aged women. Women with COVID-19 reported unique symptoms and low frequency of hospitalization. Many were not aware of an exposure to someone with COVID-19.
Prevalence and correlates of voluntary medical male circumcision adverse events among adult males in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mutanekelwa Imukusi , Siziya Seter , Daka Victor , Kabelenga Elijah , Mfune Ruth L. , Chileshe Misheck , Mulenga David , Nyirenda Herbert Tato , Nyirenda Christopher , Mudenda Steward , Mukanga Bright , Bowa Kasonde
Published: September 2021

Background

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is a key intervention in HIV/AIDS. Improving VMMC program uptake in Zambia requires careful monitoring of adverse events (AE) to inform program quality and safety. We investigate the prevalence of VMMC AE and their associated factors among adult males in Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study using secondary clinical data collected in 2015 using two validated World Health Organisation/Ministry of Health reporting forms. We reviewed demographics and VMMC surgical details from 391 randomly sampled adult males aged ≥18 years at Ndola Teaching Hospital, a specialised VMMC fixed site in Zambia. Non-parametric tests (Fisher’s exact test or Chi-square depending on assumptions being met) and logistic regression were conducted to determine the relationships between associated factors and VMMC AE.

Results

The overall VMMC AE prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 1.60%– 5.30%) and most AEs occurred postoperatively. In decreasing order, the commonly reported VMMC AE included; bleeding (47.1%), swelling (29.4%), haematoma (17.6%), and delayed wound healing (5.9%). There was an inversely proportional relationship between VMMC volume (as measured by the number of surgeries conducted per VMMC provider) and AEs. Compared to the highest VMMC volume of 63.2% (247/391) as reference, as VMMC volume reduced to 35.0% (137/391) and then 1.8% (7/391), the likelihood of AEs increased by five times (aOR 5.08; 95% CI 1.33–19.49; p = 0.018) and then sixteen times (aOR 16.13; 95% CI 1.42–183.30; p = 0.025) respectively.

Conclusions

Our study found a low prevalence of VMMC AEs in Ndola city, Copperbelt Province of Zambia guaranteeing the safety of the VMMC program. We recommend more surgically proficient staff to continue rendering this service. There is a need to explore other high priority national/regional areas of VMMC program safety/quality, such as adherence to follow-up visits.
Autonomic, endocrine, and psychological stress responses to different forms of blood draw
Authors: Lorenz Tierney K.
Published: September 2021

Background

Although fingerstick is often favorably compared to venipuncture as a less invasive method of drawing blood for clinical labs, there is little empirical research that compares physical and psychological stress responses to fingerstick vs. venipuncture (blood draw using a needle in the arm) within the same person.

Methods and findings

We assessed changes in cortisol (a stress hormone), heart rate variability (a marker of autonomic stress), and psychological stress in 40 healthy women who completed both venipuncture and fingerstick. Contrary to our predictions, there was a significant decline in cortisol across conditions, with greater decline from pre- to post-draw in response to venipuncture than fingerstick. There were similar patterns of rise and fall in heart rate variability in both types of blood draw, suggestive of mild vasovagal responses. Psychological measures of stress (such as negative emotion and perceived stress) were generally stronger predictors of participant’s reported pain and blood draw preferences than physical stress measures.

Conclusions

These findings challenge the characterization of fingerstick as necessarily “less invasive” than venipuncture, as participant’s stress responses to fingerstick were equivalent to (and for some measures greater than) their response to venipuncture. Heart rate variability response to fingerstick significantly predicted that individual’s vasovagal-like responses to venipuncture, suggesting that measuring heart rate variability during pre-donation hemoglobin testing may identify donors at risk for adverse events during venipuncture.
Condições sensíveis à Atenção Primária
Authors: Lima Cavaletti Ana Carolina , Caldas Célia Pereira
Published: September 2021

Este ensaio crítico foi delineado tendo como objetivo discutir o protagonismo da Atenção Primária à Saúde – APS para a prevenção de internações de pessoas idosas por condições sensíveis à atenção primária. Inicialmente é abordado o conceito de internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária – CSAP e fatores associados a tais internações.  A seguir, a cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família – ESF como medida para redução de iniquidades em saúde e a rede de atenção à saúde da pessoa idosa são discutidas. Por fim, uma reflexão sobre os desafios para a expansão da APS no país é apresentada. Como conclusão, ressalta-se que para que seu protagonismo seja real é necessário que a APS seja expandida para todo território nacional e, executada pela ESF, cumpra seu papel na redução de iniquidades em saúde. Portanto, o fortalecimento da APS é um caminho que precisa ser seguido para corresponder às expectativas dos usuários e gestores do Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS.
Financial Reporting Quality, Corporate Governance, and Idiosyncratic Risk: Evidence from a Frontier Market
Authors: Nguyen Linh T.M. , Le Duyen , Tran Trang , Dang Tung
Published: September 2021

We extend current literature by providing empirical evidence on the impacts of financial reporting quality and corporate governance mechanism - two firm-level determinants that are strongly affected by the unique market setting and regulatory framework in emerging/frontier markets - and idiosyncratic risk in Vietnam. Utilizing different panel data analysis techniques, we find high-quality financial reports can mitigate firm-specific risk. Firms with high state ownership tend to have lower idiosyncratic risk too, implying the monitoring role of the government. We also document a positive link between board size and firm specific risk. Our results are thus beneficial for industry regulators and firms in ensuring good governance and reporting framework to better manage firm risk.