bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chancen und Grenzen digitaler Lehre an Hochschulen aus Studierendenperspektive: Empirische Befunde und Gestaltungshinweise
Authors: Vladova Gergana , Ullrich André , Bender Benedict
Published: September 2021

Die Ausgestaltung qualitativ hochwertiger Lehre erfordert eine Zusammenwirkung zwischen Lehrenden und Lernenden. Die Präsenzlehre profitiert hierzu von einer langjährigen Tradition, digitale Lehre dagegen befindet sich vergleichsweise noch am Anfang ihrer Verbreitung. Ein großer Entwicklungsschritt Richtung Digitalisierung des Unterrichts wurde im Kontext der Hochschullehre während der Covid-19-Pandemie im Frühjahr 2020 erzielt, als der Präsenzunterricht für Monate unterbrochen wurde. Dabei konnten wichtige Erkenntnisse zu Chancen und Grenzen digitaler Lehre gewonnen werden. Dieser Beitrag zeigt ausgewählte Ergebnisse einer Studie, die an vier deutschen Hochschulen und mit 875 Antworten im Frühjahr 2020 durchgeführt wurde. Die Studie deckt Chancen und Grenzen digitaler Lehre aus der Sicht der Studierenden und vor Hintergrund ihrer Erfahrung im komplett digitalen Semester auf. Die Ergebnisse werden als Grundlage für die Ableitung von Gestaltungshinweisen für digitale Lehr- und Lernangebote genutzt. Ausgehend von einem Modell zur Analyse der Ausgestaltung von Lehr- und Lern-Formaten, werden diese Hinweise nach den Elementen Lernende, Lehrende, Lehrinhalte, Umgebung und Lehrstil strukturiert.
Optima TB: A tool to help optimally allocate tuberculosis spending
Authors: Goscé Lara , Abou Jaoude Gerard J. , Kedziora David J. , Benedikt Clemens , Hussain Azfar , Jarvis Sarah , Skrahina Alena , Klimuk Dzmitry , Hurevich Henadz , Zhao Feng , Fraser-Hurt Nicole , Cheikh Nejma , Gorgens Marelize , Wilson David J. , Abeysuriya Romesh , Martin-Hughes Rowan , Kelly Sherrie L. , Roberts Anna , Stuart Robyn M. , Palmer Tom , Panovska-Griffiths Jasmina , Kerr Cliff C. , Wilson David P. , Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan , Skordis Jolene , Abubakar Ibrahim
Published: September 2021

Approximately 85% of tuberculosis (TB) related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries where health resources are scarce. Effective priority setting is required to maximise the impact of limited budgets. The Optima TB tool has been developed to support analytical capacity and inform evidence-based priority setting processes for TB health benefits package design. This paper outlines the Optima TB framework and how it was applied in Belarus, an upper-middle income country in Eastern Europe with a relatively high burden of TB. Optima TB is a population-based disease transmission model, with programmatic cost functions and an optimisation algorithm. Modelled populations include age-differentiated general populations and higher-risk populations such as people living with HIV. Populations and prospective interventions are defined in consultation with local stakeholders. In partnership with the latter, demographic, epidemiological, programmatic, as well as cost and spending data for these populations and interventions are then collated. An optimisation analysis of TB spending was conducted in Belarus, using program objectives and constraints defined in collaboration with local stakeholders, which included experts, decision makers, funders and organisations involved in service delivery, support and technical assistance. These analyses show that it is possible to improve health impact by redistributing current TB spending in Belarus. Specifically, shifting funding from inpatient- to outpatient-focused care models, and from mass screening to active case finding strategies, could reduce TB prevalence and mortality by up to 45% and 50%, respectively, by 2035. In addition, an optimised allocation of TB spending could lead to a reduction in drug-resistant TB infections by 40% over this period. This would support progress towards national TB targets without additional financial resources. The case study in Belarus demonstrates how reallocations of spending across existing and new interventions could have a substantial impact on TB outcomes. This highlights the potential for Optima TB and similar modelling tools to support evidence-based priority setting.
dGPredictor: Automated fragmentation method for metabolic reaction free energy prediction and de novo pathway design
Authors: Wang Lin , Upadhyay Vikas , Maranas Costas D.
Published: September 2021

Group contribution (GC) methods are conventionally used in thermodynamics analysis of metabolic pathways to estimate the standard Gibbs energy change (ΔrG′o) of enzymatic reactions from limited experimental measurements. However, these methods are limited by their dependence on manually curated groups and inability to capture stereochemical information, leading to low reaction coverage. Herein, we introduce an automated molecular fingerprint-based thermodynamic analysis tool called dGPredictor that enables the consideration of stereochemistry within metabolite structures and thus increases reaction coverage. dGPredictor has comparable prediction accuracy compared to existing GC methods and can capture Gibbs energy changes for isomerase and transferase reactions, which exhibit no overall group changes. We also demonstrate dGPredictor’s ability to predict the Gibbs energy change for novel reactions and seamless integration withinde novometabolic pathway design tools such as novoStoic for safeguarding against the inclusion of reaction steps with infeasible directionalities. To facilitate easy access to dGPredictor, we developed a graphical user interface to predict the standard Gibbs energy change for reactions at various pH and ionic strengths. The tool allows customized user input of known metabolites as KEGG IDs and novel metabolites as InChI strings (https://github.com/maranasgroup/dGPredictor).
Mitochondrial dysfunction in adult midbrain dopamine neurons triggers an early immune response
Authors: Filograna Roberta , Lee Seungmin , Tiklová Katarína , Mennuni Mara , Jonsson Viktor , Ringnér Markus , Gillberg Linda , Sopova Elena , Shupliakov Oleg , Koolmeister Camilla , Olson Lars , Perlmann Thomas , Larsson Nils-Göran
Published: September 2021

Dopamine (DA) neurons of the midbrain are at risk to become affected by mitochondrial damage over time and mitochondrial defects have been frequently reported in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. However, the causal contribution of adult-onset mitochondrial dysfunction to PD remains uncertain. Here, we developed a mouse model lacking Mitofusin 2 (MFN2), a key regulator of mitochondrial network homeostasis, in adult midbrain DA neurons. The knockout mice develop severe and progressive DA neuron-specific mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in neurodegeneration and parkinsonism. To gain further insights into pathophysiological events, we performed transcriptomic analyses of isolated DA neurons and found that mitochondrial dysfunction triggers an early onset immune response, which precedes mitochondrial swelling, mtDNA depletion, respiratory chain deficiency and cell death. Our experiments show that the immune response is an early pathological event when mitochondrial dysfunction is induced in adult midbrain DA neurons and that neuronal death may be promoted non-cell autonomously by the cross-talk and activation of surrounding glial cells.
Characterization of the β-tubulin gene family in Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum and its implication for the molecular detection of benzimidazole resistance
Authors: Roose Sara , Avramenko Russell W. , Pollo Stephen M. J. , Wasmuth James D. , Ame Shaali , Ayana Mio , Betson Martha , Cools Piet , Dana Daniel , Jones Ben P. , Mekonnen Zeleke , Morosetti Arianna , Venkatesan Abhinaya , Vlaminck Johnny , Workentine Matthew L. , Levecke Bruno , Gilleard John S. , Geldhof Peter
Published: September 2021

Background

The treatment coverage of control programs providing benzimidazole (BZ) drugs to eliminate the morbidity caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) is unprecedently high. This high drug pressure may result in the development of BZ resistance in STHs and so there is an urgent need for surveillance systems detecting molecular markers associated with BZ resistance. A critical prerequisite to develop such systems is an understanding of the gene family encoding β-tubulin proteins, the principal targets of BZ drugs.

Methodology and principal findings

First, the β-tubulin gene families of Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum were characterized through the analysis of published genomes. Second, RNA-seq and RT-PCR analyses on cDNA were applied to determine the transcription profiles of the different gene family members. The results revealed that Ascaris species have at least seven different β-tubulin genes of which two are highly expressed during the entire lifecycle. Third, deep amplicon sequencing was performed on these two genes in more than 200 adult A. lumbricoides (Ethiopia and Tanzania) and A. suum (Belgium) worms, to investigate the intra- and inter-species genetic diversity and the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with BZ resistance in other helminth species; F167Y (TTC>TAC or TTT>TAT), E198A (GAA>GCA or GAG>GCG), E198L (GAA>TTA) and F200Y (TTC>TAC or TTT>TAT). These particular SNPs were absent in the two investigated genes in all three Ascaris populations.

Significance

This study demonstrated the presence of at least seven β-tubulin genes in Ascaris worms. A new nomenclature was proposed and prioritization of genes for future BZ resistance research was discussed. This is the first comprehensive description of the β-tubulin gene family in Ascaris and provides a framework to investigate the prevalence and potential role of β-tubulin sequence polymorphisms in BZ resistance in a more systematic manner than previously possible.
Zones of cellular damage around pulsed-laser wounds
Authors: O’Connor James , Akbar Fabiha Bushra , Hutson M. Shane , Page-McCaw Andrea
Published: September 2021

After a tissue is wounded, cells surrounding the wound adopt distinct wound-healing behaviors to repair the tissue. Considerable effort has been spent on understanding the signaling pathways that regulate immune and tissue-resident cells as they respond to wounds, but these signals must ultimately originate from the physical damage inflicted by the wound. Tissue wounds comprise several types of cellular damage, and recent work indicates that different types of cellular damage initiate different types of signaling. Hence to understand wound signaling, it is important to identify and localize the types of wound-induced cellular damage. Laser ablation is widely used by researchers to create reproducible, aseptic wounds in a tissue that can be live-imaged. Because laser wounding involves a combination of photochemical, photothermal and photomechanical mechanisms, each with distinct spatial dependencies, cells around a pulsed-laser wound will experience a gradient of damage. Here we exploit this gradient to create a map of wound-induced cellular damage. Using genetically-encoded fluorescent proteins, we monitor damaged cellular and sub-cellular components of epithelial cells in livingDrosophilapupae in the seconds to minutes following wounding. We hypothesized that the regions of damage would be predictably arrayed around wounds of varying sizes, and subsequent analysis found that all damage radii are linearly related over a 3-fold range of wound size. Thus, around laser wounds, the distinct regions of damage can be estimated after measuring any one. This report identifies several different types of cellular damage within a wounded epithelial tissue in a living animal. By quantitatively mapping the size and placement of these different types of damage, we set the foundation for tracing wound-induced signaling back to the damage that initiates it.
"The added value of 18f-FDG PET/CT in the assessment of onset and steroid resistant polimyalgia rheumatica"
Authors: Moya-Alvarado Patricia , Fernandez Leon Alejandro , Corica Maria Emilia , Camacho Marti Valle , López-Mora Diego Alfonso , Castellví Ivan , Corominas Hèctor
Published: September 2021

PMR is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease. Although its clinical characteristics are fully recognized, no specific test for its diagnosis has been established to date. Several studies have described a wide variety of diseases that present with polymyalgic symptoms. A 18FDG-PET/CT scan could help to deal with these differential diagnoses. The goal of our study is to describe the findings of the 18FDG-PET/CT scan in a cohort of PMR patients and to detail how the 18FDG-PET/CT scan improves accuracy when diagnosing other underlying conditions. This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with a diagnosis of PMR who underwent to a 18FDG-PET/CT scan to rule out other diagnosis. The 18FDG-PET/CT scan was performed either following clinical criteria at the onset of clinical symptoms or when the patient became PMR steroid resistant. Patients’ demographic, clinical and analytical data at the moment of the 18FDG-PET/CT scan were recorded. The final diagnosis was confirmed according to clinical judgement. A total of 103 patients with PMR were included. In 49.51% of patients, the 18FDG-PET/CT scan was ordered to study resistance to steroid therapy. The final diagnoses of patients were PMR in 70.9% patients, large vessel vasculitis in 15.5%, neoplasms 4.8% and another diagnosis in the rest. The 18FDG-PET/CT scan is a very useful technique for the study of Polymyalgia Rheumatica, not only to help in the diagnostic process, but also due to its role in the identification of a variety of PMR-like patrons.
Evaluation and analysis on suitability of human settlement environment in Qingdao
Authors: Jiaxing Zhou , Lin Liu , Hang Li , Dongmei Pei
Published: September 2021

Human settlement environment is space places closely related to human production and life, and also surface spaces inseparable from human activities. As a coastal city in the east of China, Qingdao has a relatively high level of urbanization. However, it also along with many urban problems at the same time, among which the problem of human settlement environment has attracted more and more general attention from people. According to the characteristics of human settlement environment in Qingdao, the research constructs an index system with 10 index factors from natural factors and humanity factors, and proposes a comprehensive evaluation model. Evaluate and grade suitability of human settlement environment in Qingdao, explore the spatial aggregation and differentiation of the quality of human settlement environment, and reveal the internal connection of spatial evolution. The results indicate that the overall livability of Qingdao is relatively good, showing a multi-center and radial driving development. The distribution of livability is uneven, showing a decreasing spatial distribution law from the coast to the inland, and the quality of human settlement environment in Jiaozhou Bay and the coastal areas is relatively high. Qingdao is mainly based on natural livability, supplemented by humanity livability, compared with natural suitability, the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of humanity livability have experienced three stages: rising-contradictory rising-harmonious rising. The quality of human settlement environment has obvious spatial correlation and is positively correlated with the degree of agglomeration, and the agglomeration of blocks with a higher quality of human settlement environment is higher than that of blocks with a lower level. The rule of human settlement environment changing over time is that areas with high quality of human settlement environment begin to shift from the city center to the north and the south, transforming into multi-point development, and overall environmental suitability has been improved. According to the results of the comprehensive evaluation, combined with its local development status and policies, the research puts forward developmental suggestions for the construction of human settlement environment in Qingdao, and provides decision-making basis for relevant departments to solve the problem of deterioration of human settlement environment.
Geographic proximity, supply chain and organizational glocalized survival: China’s e-commerce investments in Indonesia
Authors: Zhu Jinsheng (Jason) , Lan Weidian , Zhang Xianchun
Published: September 2021

Chinese e-commerce companies are in the ascendant into the overseas market, while still lack adequate academic attention. Adopting case study and public policy approaches, this article applies the symbiosis theory, based on the fundamentals of the development data of Chinese e-commerce companies in the Indonesia market, to construct an evaluation model and proposes a strategic orientation to reaching an embedded survival and further development. Through understanding the structural characteristics and developing status of different types of Chinese e-commerce companies going overseas, a detailed investigation to the Chinese e-commerce companies investing in Indonesia has been conducted. Findings show that the production capacity cooperation stage of the two countries has a trend of asymmetric symbiosis gradually developing towards symmetric symbiosis. To promote a continuous economic cooperation between China and Indonesia, this article proposes that the national-level collaboration policies, cross-border e-commerce value chain, as well as organizational-level coordination are the key sectors for reaching the vision of symmetric symbiosis between the two countries. Sectors in infrastructure, trade, capital, and people’s mindset intimacy also contribute to construct a symbiosis mechanism for capacity cooperation between the two nations.
Coronary endothelial dysfunction appears to be a manifestation of a systemic process: A report from the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation – Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) study
Authors: Jalnapurkar Sawan , Landes Sofy , Wei Janet , Mehta Puja K. , Shufelt Chrisandra , Minissian Margo , Pepine Carl J. , Handberg Eileen , Cook-Wiens Galen , Sopko George , Bairey Merz C. Noel
Published: September 2021

Background

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is prevalent in symptomatic women with ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) is a measure of renal microvascular endothelial dysfunction. Both are predictors of adverse cardiovascular events. It is unknown if CMD could be a manifestation of a systemic process. We evaluated the relationship between renal microvascular dysfunction and CMD as measured by invasive coronary function testing (CFT).

Methods and results

We measured urine albumin and creatinine to provide UACR in 152 women enrolled in the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation–Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) study (2008–2015) with suspected INOCA who underwent CFT. Invasive CFT measures of endothelial and non-endothelial dependent coronary microvascular function were obtained. Subjects were divided into those with detectable (≥20 mg/g) and undetectable urine albumin (<20 mg/g). The group mean age was 54 ± 11 years, with a moderate cardiac risk factor burden including low diabetes prevalence, and a mean UACR of 12 ± 55 mg/g (range 9.5–322.7 mg/g). Overall, coronary endothelial-dependent variables (change in coronary blood flow and coronary diameter in response to cold pressor testing) had significant inverse correlations with log UACR (r = -0.17, p = 0.05; r = -0.18, p = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions

Among women with INOCA and relatively low risk factor including diabetes burden, renal microvascular dysfunction, measured by UACR, is related to coronary endothelial-dependent CMD. These results suggest that coronary endothelial-dependent function may be a manifestation of a systemic process. Enhancing efferent arteriolar vasodilatation in both coronary endothelial-dependent function and renal microvascular dysfunction pose potential targets for investigation and treatment.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00832702.
The new evidence of China’s economic downturn: From structural bonus to structural imbalance
Authors: Chen Yimin , Liu Yulin , Fang Xin
Published: September 2021

The slowdown of China’s economic growth in the middle-income stage has caused widespread concerns. Based on the analysis of economic structures to explain the downward trend of economic growth, this study expanded the Solow-Swan model to investigate the structural imbalances and evaluated their impacts during the structural transformation in different stages and regions on the economic downturn. Considering the processes of production, distribution, and consumption, six structures were chosen for national and prefecture-levels in China from 1997 to 2017, including sectoral structure, population structure, investment and consumption structure, import-export structure, urban-rural income structure, and financial structure. The study found that China’s comprehensive economic structure was significantly different before and after the middle-income stage, and structural bonus tended to decline. Structural imbalance presented a U-shaped pattern of decreasing first and then increasing, and the impact on economic growth underwent stages of suppression-promotion-suppression. There was a significant difference in the imbalance of six sub-structures and their impacts; furthermore, in the four regions of east, center, west, and northeast the observations were very different. Taken together, the imbalance of economic structure and economic transformation coexisted, and the economic growth slowed down. Based on the experiences from China, this paper provided some evidence for promoting structural optimization and transformation.
Genotypic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency protects against Plasmodium falciparum infection in individuals living in Ghana
Authors: Amoah Linda Eva , Asare Kwame Kumi , Dickson Donu , Abankwa Joana , Busayo Abena , Bredu Dorcas , Annan Sherifa , Asumah George Adu , Peprah Nana Yaw , Asamoah Alexander , Laurencia Malm Keziah
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The global effort to eradicate malaria requires a drastic measure to terminate relapse from hypnozoites as well as transmission via gametocytes in malaria-endemic areas. Primaquine has been recommended for the treatment of P. falciparum gametocytes and P. vivax hypnozoites, however, its implementation is challenged by the high prevalence of G6PD deficient (G6PDd) genotypes in malaria endemic countries. The objective of this study was to profile G6PDd genotypic variants and correlate them with malaria prevalence in Ghana.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of G6PDd genotypic variants was conducted amongst suspected malaria patients attending health care facilities across the entire country. Malaria was diagnosed using microscopy whilst G6PD deficiency was determined using restriction fragment length polymorphisms at position 376 and 202 of the G6PD gene. The results were analysed using GraphPad prism.

Results

A total of 6108 subjects were enrolled in the study with females representing 65.59% of the population. The overall prevalence of malaria was 36.31%, with malaria prevalence among G6PDd genotypic variants were 0.07% for A-A- homozygous deficient females, 1.31% and 3.03% for AA- and BA- heterozygous deficient females respectively and 2.03% for A- hemizygous deficient males. The odd ratio (OR) for detecting P. falciparum malaria infection in the A-A- genotypic variant was 0.0784 (95% CI: 0.0265–0.2319, p<0.0001). Also, P. malariae and P. ovale parasites frequently were observed in G6PD B variants relative to G6PD A- variants.

Conclusion

G6PDd genotypic variants, A-A-, AA- and A- protect against P. falciparum, P. ovale and P. malariae infection in Ghana.
Need or opportunity? A study of innovations in equids
Authors: Krueger Konstanze , Esch Laureen , Byrne Richard
Published: September 2021

Debate persists over whether animals develop innovative solutions primarily in response to needs or conversely whether they innovate more when basic needs are covered and opportunity to develop novel behaviour is offered. We sourced 746 cases of “unusual” behaviour in equids by contacting equid owners and caretakers directly and via a website (https://innovative-behaviour.org), and by searching the internet platforms YouTube and Facebook for videos. The study investigated whether differences in need or opportunity for innovation were reflected in the numbers of different types of innovations and in the frequencies of repeating a once-innovative behaviour (i) with respect to the equids’ sex, age, and breed type, (ii) across behavioural categories, and whether (iii) they were affected by the equids’ management (single vs group housing, access to roughage feed, access to pasture, and social contact). We found that the numbers of different types of innovation and the frequency of displaying specific innovations were not affected by individual characteristics (sex, age, breed or equid species). Few types of innovation in escape and foraging contexts were observed, whilst the comfort, play, and social contexts elicited the greatest variety of innovations. We also found higher numbers of different types of innovations in horses kept in groups rather than in individual housing, and with unlimited rather than with restricted access to pasture and roughage. Equids in permanent social contact performed high rates of once-innovative behaviour. We suggest that equids produce goal-directed innovations and repeat the behaviour at high frequency in response to urgent needs for food and free movement or when kept in conditions with social conflict. However, equids devise the greatest variety of innovations when opportunity to play and to develop comfort behaviour arises and when kept in good conditions.
A comparison among three maximal mathematical models of the glucose-insulin system
Authors: Pompa Marcello , Panunzi Simona , Borri Alessandro , De Gaetano Andrea
Published: September 2021

The most well-known and widely used mathematical representations of the physiology of a diabetic individual are the Sorensen and Hovorka models as well as the UVAPadova Simulator. While the Hovorka model and the UVAPadova Simulator only describe the glucose metabolism of a subject with type 1 diabetes, the Sorensen model was formulated to simulate the behaviour of both normal and diabetic individuals. The UVAPadova model is the most known model, accepted by the FDA, with a high level of complexity. The Hovorka model is the simplest of the three models, well documented and used primarily for the development of control algorithms. The Sorensen model is the most complete, even though some modifications were required both to the model equations (adding useful compartments for modelling subcutaneous insulin delivery) and to the parameter values. In the present work several simulated experiments, such as IVGTTs and OGTTs, were used as tools to compare the three formulations in order to establish to what extent increasing complexity translates into richer and more correct physiological behaviour. All the equations and parameters used for carrying out the simulations are provided.
The Active Hospital pilot: A qualitative study exploring the implementation of a Trust-wide Sport and Exercise Medicine-led physical activity intervention
Authors: Myers Anna , Quirk Helen , Lowe Anna , Crank Helen , Broom David , Jones Natasha , Reid Hamish , Speers Chris , Copeland Robert
Published: September 2021

Background

In 2017 Public Health England and Sport England commissioned a Consultant-led Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) pilot to test the feasibility and acceptability of embedding physical activity interventions in secondary care clinical pathways. The aim of this paper is to report qualitative findings exploring the experience of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients involved in the Active Hospital pilot.

Methods

Qualitative data was collected by semi-structured interviews with Active Hospital pilot SEM Consultants, and staff and patients involved in three clinical pathways. Interviews with SEM Consultants explored the experience of developing and implementing the pilot. Interviews with staff and patients explored the experience of delivering and receiving Active Hospital interventions. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Interviews identified the importance of the Active Hospital pilot being Consultant-led for the following reasons; i) having trusting relationships with decision makers, ii) having sufficient influence to effect change, iii) identifying champions within the system, and iv) being adaptable to change and ensuring the programme fits within the wider strategic frameworks. HCPs emphasised the importance of the Active Hospital interventions fitting easily within existing work practices, the need for staff training and to tailor interventions for individual patient needs. The Active Hospital pilot was well received by patients, however a lack of dedicated resource and capacity to deliver the intervention was highlighted as a challenge by both patients and HCPs.

Conclusion

The SEM Consultants’ ability to navigate the political climate of a large National Health Service (NHS) Trust with competing agendas and limited resource was valuable. The interventions were well received and a valued addition to usual clinical care. However, implementation and ongoing delivery of the pilot encountered challenges including lack of capacity within the system and delays with recruiting to the delivery teams in each pathway.
A Clinico-Etiological Study of Erythroderma in Adults in a Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Amrutha Jagaragallu , Gurram Narasimha Rao Netha , Pinjala Padmaja , Katakam Bhumesh Kumar , Thakur Rajeev Singh
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Erythroderma is a clinical entity that may cause severe systemic manifestations. The difficulty with erythroderma lies in finding the underlying aetiology. It is imperative to demonstrate precise aetiology whenever possible so that distinct therapy may be initiated. At times, despite finding the aetiology, relapses constitute a great menace. The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical profile and aetiology of erythroderma. Besides, the study also illustrated factors leading to relapses; such studies are rare in literature. METHODS This hospital-based, cross-sectional study included 88 patients of erythroderma of either sex and age more than 18 years; their clinical, laboratory, histopathological findings, treatment and outcome were studied. RESULTS The mean age of onset was 47.3 ± 12.35 years with the male to female ratio being 2.38:1. The most common cause of erythroderma was pre-existing dermatoses (67 %) followed by drugs (10.2 %), infections (3.4 %), malignancies (4.54 %), and idiopathic (14.7 %). Psoriasis was the predominant aetiology (45.4 %) among the pre-existing dermatoses with a maximum number of relapses (P = 0.02). Psoriasis was significantly associated with pruritus (P = 0.001), subungual hyperkeratosis (P = 0.0001), palmoplantar keratoderma (P = 0.001). Clinicohistological association was found in 64.6 % of cases. Mortality was seen in 6.8 % of cases. CONCLUSIONS As in previous studies, pre-existing dermatoses were the most common causes in our study; albeit, a special emphasis on factors leading to relapses was given to prevent further episodes. The most common factor of relapse was uncontrolled comorbid disorders (diabetes and hypertension) followed by medication nonadherence. Hence, our study suggests a need for more effective comorbidity management and creating awareness regarding judicial use of drugs which can go far in preventing mortality and morbidity. KEY WORDS Erythroderma, Adults, Aetiology, Relapses, Comorbidities.
Evaluation of Different Parameters Responsible for Perception of a Pleasing Profile - A Photographic Silhouette Study from Vadodara, India
Authors: Shah Romil Bharatkumar , Bhanushali Manisha Dipakbhai , Goje Santoshkumar
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Orthodontics has witnessed a paradigm shift in the perception of aesthetics. Soft tissue assessment and correction has become a greater concern when compared with dental and skeletal correction. In the current era, pleasing profile is a prime requisite. The purpose of this study is to evaluate different parameters responsible for perception of a pleasing profile. METHODS Hundred dental students with well-balanced faces were selected. Profile photographs of participants were taken by DSLR camera maintaining standardized photography protocol. The principal investigator had measured ten soft tissue parameters for each profile photograph. These profile photographs were further converted into profile silhouettes. 10 laypersons appraised each profile silhouette using visual analog scale (VAS). The obtained scores were again correlated with photographic measurements of each individual to identify role of different parameters responsible for pleasing profile. RESULTS When comparing the data statistically, significant differences were found amongst the parameters between less attractive and more attractive profile; parameters include facial convexity angle, naso-labial angle, protrusion of lip relative to each other, vertical lip to chin ratio and vertical height ratio. CONCLUSIONS It was clear from this study that, amongst individuals with normal overjet, overbite and a pleasing profile, those subjects with more obtuse facial convexity angle, obtuse nasolabial angle, slightly more protruded upper lip than lower lip, equivalent vertical height ratio, and smaller lip-chin ratio vertically, were found to be more attractive, as perceived by laypersons. KEY WORDS Parameters, Photographic Soft Tissue Analysis, Silhouette Study, Pleasing Profile
The Influence of the ‘Tomos Narrative’ as a Part of the Ukrainian National and Strategic Narrative
Authors: Zakharchenko Artem , Zakharchenko Olena
Published: September 2021

One of the most prominent parts of the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election was the mediatized topic of achieving Ukrainian church independence, and its symbol, the tomos document received from the Ecumenical Patriarch in January 2019. This process was a part of incumbent president Petro Poroshenko’s electoral campaign. Narrative analysis of this topic showed that it had a structure similar to that of classic Hollywood plots. It is unlike most other media narratives present in the information space. We prove that this topic had a major influence on its audience: media attention to the topic of Tomos was found to be closely correlated to Google search data associated with the ‘tomos’ search term and with electoral support for Poroshenko. However, this narrative`s audience was limited to the patriotic electorate, thus Poroshenko did not win the election. Nevertheless, the Tomos story became so influential that it can be considered a part of national and strategic narratives.
Gamificar en el aula
Authors: Salas Labayen María Rosa
Published: September 2021

A lo largo del artículo se analizan las ventajas de la gamificación como recurso didáctico, así como las principales preguntas que debe hacerse un docente si piensa en utilizar o diseñar algún juego en su asignatura. Finaliza con una reflexión sobre los momentos y edades más adecuados para implementar la gamificación.
Juegos de cartas con unos naipes muy especiales
Authors: Maestre Blanco Nelo Alberto
Published: September 2021

En el siguiente artículo el lector va a descubrir cómo surgió la idea de hacer un mazo de cartas con personajes importantes de la historia de las matemáticas con realidad aumentada. Y también encontrará información de cómo lo utilizamos con los alumnos para mejorar sus competencias matemáticas a través de juegos de estrategia para que los profesores puedan incorporarlo a su colección de herramientas didácticas para su uso en el aula.
Los Mimibrados
Authors: López-Pintor Quesada Aránzazu
Published: September 2021

El estudio de los invertebrados en Biología es un tema que, a un gran número de alumnos, le resulta arduo por la gran cantidad de información, vocabulario nuevo y la variabilidad de organismos que están involucrados.

Se consideró la gamificación como correcto vehículo para trabajar este contenido y se planteó un juego de mímica que resultara realmente divertido y motivador, desplazando la parte competitiva del juego por la participativa. Se trabajaron los objetivos y estándares evaluables, así como las relaciones personales entre los grupos de la clase y el respeto y ayuda mutua a través del trabajo cooperativo.

El juego se aplicó en primero de ESO en tres grupos diferentes y en dos cursos no consecutivos. En este nivel, los alumnos tienen una edad en la que todavía el juego es una parte importante de sus vidas por lo que la acogida es muy buena.

Los resultados generales fueron muy satisfactorios. Los alumnos se involucraron mucho en la elaboración de los materiales y en el cumplimiento de las reglas de participación y juego. Se observó un efecto llamada en los alumnos habitualmente menos participativos, logrando una participación del 100% en los tres grupos.

Los resultados académicos fueron similares a unidades didácticas de similar dificultad y se comprobaron con evaluaciones posteriores a la práctica del juego. Nos encontramos mejores resultados entre los alumnos que suelen mostrar calificaciones más bajas, con lo cual las medias de la clase fueron ligeramente superiores.

Los objetivos de esta actividad se han visto cumplidos con creces, de manera que se desarrollarán formatos parecidos para otras unidades.
Kobieta w czeskich dowcipach
Authors: Balowska Grażyna
Published: September 2021

W swoim artykule autorka zwraca uwagę na problematykę stereotypu kobiety, który reprezentuje potoczną wiedzę użytkownika języka na temat wskazanego wycinka otaczającej go rzeczywistości. Wpisuje się zatem w szerszy obraz świata utrwalony w języku czeskim w postaci dowcipów. Autorka zwraca uwagę, że stereotyp może być pozytywny bądź negatywny lub może łączyć oba aspekty. W dowcipach analizowanych w artykule kobieta przedstawiona jest w sposób negatywny. Powstaje więc antymodel, który jest przeciwieństwem wzorcowego zestawu cech, jakimi, zgodnie z powszechną opinią społeczną, powinna charakteryzować się kobieta. Obraz ten jest jednak zależny od konwencji gatunku, jakim jest dowcip językowy, który pozwala patrzeć na negatywne kobiece cechy z humorem i wyrozumiałością. Autorka podkreśla, że wizerunek kobiety w czeskich dowcipach ma charakter uniwersalny, międzynarodowy.
The emotional valence of candidate ratings in televised debates
Authors: König Pascal D. , Waldvogel Thomas , Wagschal Uwe , Becker Bernd , Feiten Linus , Weishaupt Samuel
Published: September 2021

It is well-established that party identity biases the processing of political information and the evaluation of political actors. This is presumed to avoid cognitive dissonance and achieve positive affect. What happens, however, when individuals diverge from this pattern and do make identity-inconsistent evaluations of political actors – how does this translate into positive and negative emotions toward the candidates? The paper addresses this question using large-N data from the main televised debate of the 2017 German national election by combining survey responses with viewer perceptions measured during the debate. The findings suggest that candidate ratings made during the debate have different valence depending on a person’s party identity. Strikingly, a stronger party identity does not mean a reduced impact of identity-inconsistent evaluations on emotional responses toward a candidate. Rather, only evaluations in accordance with one’s party identity, and hence with lower information value, show a reduced effect on emotional responses.
Fold cracking of coated papers: investigation on automated computer-aided visual assessment method
Authors: Pál Magdolna , Dedijer Sandra , László Koltai , Gregor-Svetec Diana , Cigula Tomislav , Pavlović Živko , Milić-Keresteš Neda
Published: September 2021

In this paper, white pixel percentage (WPP) value, as an overall measure of fold crack damages, has been analysed with respect to selected parameters of sample preparation and digitalization process, as well as the results of residual tensile strength. The WPP values were derived by an automated image processing algorithm, developed earlier, based on extensive comparative analysis of the existing computer-aided methods. Results indicate that WPP values correlate well with the extent of fold cracks on the coated samples, as far as the used parameters of sample preparation and digitalization are concerned. In the case of correlation with residual tensile strength, results for samples folded in cross direction revealed that the extent of the visually registered fold cracks agree well with the actual damage, while for samples folded in machine direction, the overall strength losses weren’t alarming, although the fold cracks were detected correctly. In addition, results pointed out that the simplest sample placement position (inner angle of 180°) is not applicable for realistic sample representation. Furthermore, scanners could provide a superior image quality in lab conditions, but for industry application, a camera-based solution would be more purposeful, while micrographs are more suitable for traditional visual analysis.
Tackling Dementia: A Systematic Review of Interventions Based on Physical Activity
Authors: Liu Lu , Dong Hua , Jin Xiaoneng , Brooke-Wavell Katherine
Published: September 2021

Background and Purpose:

Dementia prevalence is expected to increase dramatically with population aging. As a nonpharmacological therapy, physical activity is an appealing alternative to tackling aging and dementia. However, contradictions were found in previous studies. The aim of this systematic review is to gather the latest evidence of the effects of physical activity interventions on cognition and noncognitive functions of older people with dementia.

Methods:

PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant studies. We followed the PRISMA guidelines to identify randomized controlled trials that reported original findings of physical activity interventions on older people with dementia (≥65 years of age). These studies were published in English between January 1, 2009 and November 9, 2019.

Results:

In total, 16 trials with 2085 participants were included in the review. Compared to baseline, cognitive function improved significantly in 2 studies, deteriorated in 3 studies, and remained stable in 11 studies. In the exercise relative to the control group, 5 studies showed no significant differences, 2 studies showed significantly greater deterioration in cognition, and 9 studies showed significantly greater improvement in cognition. However, most studies (n = 13.81%) had notable limitations (eg, with a high risk of bias, limited follow-up time, or unexplained high heterogeneity in their findings). Fourteen studies reported a positive impact on one or more areas of physical function, mobility, activities of daily living, depression levels, and behavioral/psychological symptoms of dementia.

Conclusions:

Physical activity interventions have a positive impact on physical function, mobility, and activities of daily living. However, the available evidence is insufficient to support the conclusion that physical activity improves cognitive function of older people with dementia.
Rotational Medicine Ball Throw Velocity Relates to NCAA Division III College Baseball Player Bat Swing, Batted Baseball, and Pitching Velocity
Authors: Taniyama Daiki , Matsuno Jun , Yoshida Kei , Pyle Brandon , Nyland John
Published: September 2021

Taniyama, D, Matsuno, J, Yoshida, K, Pyle, B, and Nyland, J. Rotational medicine ball throw velocity relates to NCAA Division III college baseball player bat swing, batted baseball, and pitching velocity. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3414–3419, 2021—Previous studies have evaluated relationships between baseball batting or pitching and whole-body power tests such as rotational medicine ball throw velocity (RMBTV) (transverse plane), lateral-to-medial hop for distance (frontal plane), and two-legged standing broad jump for distance (sagittal plane). However, no previous report has evaluated all 3 whole-body power tests in the same study to determine their relationship to bat swing velocity or pitching velocity. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine correlational relationship strength between bat swing velocity, batted baseball velocity, and throwing velocity with 2-legged standing broad jump for distance, lateral-to-medial jump for distance, and RMBTV whole-body power tests in collegiate baseball players. Thirty-five NCAA Division III players (15 pitchers and 23 hitters; 3 players played pitcher and other positions) participated in this study. An alpha value of p < 0.05 was selected to indicate statistical significance. Moderate relationships were observed between bat swing velocity and RMBTV (r = 0.65, p = 0.003), explaining 39% of the variance, and between pitching velocity and RMBTV (r = 0.62, p = 0.02), explaining 38% of the variance. A moderate correlation was also observed between batted baseball velocity and RMBTV (r = 0.53, p = 0.02), explaining 28% of the variance. Only the RMBTV whole-body power test displayed significant relationships with bat swing velocity, batted baseball velocity, and pitching velocity. Significant relationships were not identified for either the two-legged standing broad jump for distance or the lateral-to-medial jump for distance whole-body power tests and bat swing velocity or pitching velocity. Further studies should evaluate whether the coordination developed during RMBTV movements can decrease baseball shoulder and elbow injuries associated with repetitive, poorly timed, sequential lower extremity–trunk–upper extremity whole-body movements.
Reverse Engineering in Strength and Conditioning: Applications to Agility Training
Authors: Turner Anthony N. , Read Paul , Maestroni Luca , Chavda Shyam , Yao Xiang , Papadopoulos Kostas , Virgile Adam , Spiegelhalter Abbie , Bishop Chris
Published: September 2021

Typically, a coach may follow a process in which they first identify the key performance indicators of their sport, determine the physical attributes that map back to them, and then distribute the development of those capacities over the allocated timeframe. Furthermore, effective training plans are based on a theoretical or biological basis for how we move and adapt to exercise stimuli, coupled with an understanding of how these are best sequenced, such that one stimulus and subsequent adaptation can potentiate the next. Thus, reverse or backward engineering, when appropriately converged with the plans of those devised around nutrition, conditioning, technical, and tactical training, for example, likely gives athletes the best chance of attaining their performance goals. The aim of this article is to describe the application of reverse engineering, exampling it within the context of developing an athlete who can demonstrate a high level of agility.