bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ALIMUS—We are feeding! Study protocol of a multi-center, cluster-randomized controlled trial on the effects of a home garden and nutrition counseling intervention to reduce child undernutrition in rural Burkina Faso and Kenya
Authors: Mank Isabel , Sorgho Raissa , Zerbo Fanta , Kagoné Moubassira , Coulibaly Boubacar , Oguso John , Mbata Michael , Khagayi Sammy , Muok Erick M. O. , Sié Ali , Danquah Ina
Published: June 2022

Background

Climate change heavily affects child nutritional status in sub-Saharan Africa. Agricultural and dietary diversification are promising tools to balance agricultural yield losses and nutrient deficits in crops. However, rigorous impact evaluation of such adaptation strategies is lacking. This project will determine the potential of an integrated home gardening and nutrition counseling program as one possible climate change adaptation strategy to improve child health in rural Burkina Faso and Kenya.

Methods

Based on careful co-design with stakeholders and beneficiaries, we conduct a multi-center, cluster-randomized controlled trial with 2 × 600 households in North-Western Burkina Faso and in South-Eastern Kenya. We recruit households with children at the age of complementary feed introduction (6–24 months) and with access to water sources. The intervention comprises the bio-diversification of horticultural home gardens and nutritional health counseling, using the 7 Essential Nutrition Action messages by the World Health Organization. After 12-months of follow-up, we will determine the intervention effect on the primary health outcome height-for-age z-score, using multi-level mixed models in an intention-to-treat approach. Secondary outcomes comprise other anthropometric indices, iron and zinc status, dietary behavior, malaria indicators, and household socioeconomic status.

Discussion

This project will establish the potential of a home gardening and nutrition counseling program to counteract climate change-related quantitative and qualitative agricultural losses, thereby improving the nutritional status among young children in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00019076. Registered on 27 July 2021.
On a nonlinear elasticity problem with friction and Sobolev spaces with variable exponents
Authors: Boukrouche Mahdi , Merouani Boubakeur , Zoubai Fayrouz
Published: June 2022

We consider a nonlinear elasticity problem in a bounded domain, its boundary is decomposed in three parts: lower, upper, and lateral. The displacement of the substance, which is the unknown of the problem, is assumed to satisfy the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions on the upper part, and not homogeneous one on the lateral part, while on the lower part, friction conditions are considered. In addition, the problem is governed by a particular constitutive law of elasticity system with a strongly nonlinear strain tensor. The functional framework leads to using Sobolev spaces with variable exponents. The formulation of the problem leads to a variational inequality, for which we prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the associated variational problem.
Causal mechanisms of a scapular stabilization intervention for patients with subacromial pain syndrome: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hotta Gisele Harumi , Alaiti Rafael Krasic , Ribeiro Daniel Cury , McQuade Kevin James , de Oliveira Anamaria Siriani
Published: June 2022

Background

Causal mediation analysis is one way to bridge this gap by exploring the causal pathways of a given intervention. The aim of this study was to assess whether scapular motion, position, and periscapular muscle strength are mediators for pain and shoulder disability outcomes following a scapular stabilization intervention for patients with subacromial pain syndrome.

Methods

Sixty patients were randomized into two groups: scapular stabilization or periscapular strengthening exercises. The intervention consisted of three sessions per week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measures were pain and disability and the following outcome measures were considered as potential mediators: scapular motion, scapular position, periscapular muscle strength, age, duration of symptoms, and side of the complaint. A model-based inference approach with bootstrap simulations was used to estimate the average causal mediation effect, average direct effect, and the average total effect from the data of a randomized clinical trial that evaluated the effect of adding scapular stabilization exercises to a scapulothoracic strengthening program in people with subacromial pain syndrome.

Results

The results demonstrated that none of the putative mediators were influenced by the intervention. However, muscle strength of serratus anterior, upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles was associated with shoulder disability.

Conclusion

Scapular kinematic and periscapular muscle strength did not mediate the effect of scapular stabilization exercises on shoulder pain or disability scores in subjects with subacromial pain syndrome. Muscle strength of serratus anterior, upper, middle and lower trapezius were associated with shoulder disability scores at 8-weeks follow-up.
Duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity from various specimens and clinical characteristics in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Okita Yasutaka , Morita Takayoshi , Kumanogoh Atsushi
Published: June 2022

Background

The duration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA positivity will be important to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA to determine the duration from several parts of the body and clinical characteristics affecting it.

Main text

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CENTRAL were searched for original studies reporting the duration from COVID-19 onset to the disappearance of viral RNA. Of the 1682 studies identified, 100 met the selection criteria and 13,431 patients were included in this study. The duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity was 18.29 [95% confidence interval: 17.00–19.89] days in the upper respiratory tract samples, 23.79 [20.43–27.16] days in the sputum, 14.60 [12.16–17.05] days in the blood, and 22.38 [18.40–26.35] days in the stool. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the duration was positively correlated with age, comorbidities, severity, and usage of glucocorticoid. Subgroup analysis indicated that the presence or absence of complications had the greatest impact on the difference in DSRP.

Conclusions

The duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity was 18.29 days in the upper respiratory tract samples. The duration in the sputum and the stool was longer, while that in the blood was shorter. The duration in the upper respiratory tract samples was longer in older, with any comorbidities, severer, and treated with glucocorticoid. These results provide the basic data for the duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity, and in the future, the effect of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and the SARS-CoV-2 variants on the duration of RNA positivity should be assessed.
Gender demographics of departmental seminar speakers reflect gender disparities of faculty hosts
Authors: Hutto Rachel A. , Voelker Lisa , O’Connor Jacob J. , Lin Lucy H. , Mesa Natalia , Rusch Claire
Published: June 2022

Increasing access, representation, and retention of underrepresented groups is essential across academia. Invited speaker seminars are common practice in academic science departments and serve to disseminate research, establish connections and collaborations, advance faculty careers, and connect trainees to mentors outside of departmental faculty. Thus, lack of representation among seminar speakers can affect both faculty and trainee professional development. This study characterizes gender demographics of seminar speakers across science departments at an R1 institution for the years 2015–2019, using pronoun usage as a proxy for gender identity. We found that most faculty and invited speakers were male, and few were female or nonbinary. The percentage of female and nonbinary invited speakers increased from 2015–2019 along with the percentage of female and nonbinary host faculty. Overall, male faculty hosted fewer female and nonbinary speakers than their female and nonbinary faculty colleagues. This study provides evidence for a correlation between faculty identity and the scientists they host at their department and motivates further studies investigating this relationship at other R1 institutions and institution types.
Psychosocial treatment outcomes of common mental disorders vary widely in persons in low- and middle-income countries affected by humanitarian crises and refugees in high-income countries
Authors: Tay Alvin Kuowei , Carlsson Jessica
Published: June 2022

This commentary discusses methodological and contextual factors that might account for variations in psychosocial treatment outcomes found in persons in low- and middle-income countries affected by humanitarian crises and refugees. Factors discussed are related to cultural adaptations, content and intensity of treatment, population characteristics and factors related to research design.
Chiral Transcription from Chiral Au Nanowires to Self-Assembled Monolayers of Achiral Azobenzene Derivatives
Authors: Kawasaki Yukie , Nakagawa Makoto , Ito Tomoki , Imura Yoshiro , Wang Ke-Hsuan , Kawai Takeshi
Published: June 2022

Chiral transcription from chiral inorganic nanoobjects to achiral organic molecules is a fascinating topic. In this study, chiral transcription was demonstrated using helically controlled Au nanowires (NWs) and achiral azobenzene derivatives with thiol moieties as the terminal group. The azobenzene derivatives mAZonSH can form a self-assembled monolayer on helical Au NWs through thiol-Au bonding. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed that mAZonSH in the self-assembled monolayer forms H-aggregates. The self-assembled monolayers on the right- and left-handed Au NWs showed opposing circular dichroism (CD) signals derived from the azobenzene chromophore. This result indicates that chiral transcription from the helical Au NWs to the azobenzene derivatives was successfully accomplished by the self-assembly of achiral mAZonSH. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the CD responses of mAZonSH are independent of the tail (m) and spacer (n) alkyl lengths.
L’ héroïsme dans le théâtre de Voltaire
Authors: Γεωργούλας Ιάκωβος
Published: June 2022

Η παρούσα μελέτη αναλύει ένα τμήμα του δραματικού έργου του Βολταίρου, 22 θεατρικά έργα στο σύνολο, διαφόρων ειδών (από την τραγωδία μέχρι την όπερα Μπούφα), προκειμένου να σκιαγραφηθούν οι ιδιαίτερες μορφές ηρωισμού, κυρίως μέσα από τρία πλέγματα ανάγνωσης: του Boileau , του Hamon και του Jouve. Γίνεται μία συστηματική σύγκριση τόσο με αρχαία έργα, όσο και με έργα του κλασικού γαλλικού θεάτρου (Ρακίνας, Corneille), ενώ παράλληλα επιχειρείται μία χαρτογράφηση της δραματουργικής, πνευματικής και ενίοτε πολιτικής πορείας του συγγραφέα, μίας πορείας συνυφασμένης φυσικά με τον Γαλλικό Διαφωτισμό. Το θέατρο του Βολταίρου εξυψώνει την αρχαία αρετή, τη ρωμαϊκή virtus, το ιπποτικό ιδεώδες και τον ηρωισμό του Corneille, εις τ'όνομα των ιδίων αρχών της φιλοσοφίας του Διαφωτισμού. Ο Βολταίρος - δραματουργός αναλαμβάνει έτσι την υπεράσπιση της κλασικής κληρονομιάς και με τη σειρά του αφήνει μια παρακαταθήκη που θα βρει πρόσφορο έδαφος για να εδραιωθεί κατά τη διάρκεια των επαναστατικών αναταραχών που θα σημαδέψουν την ιστορία του 18ου αιώνα.
Greater than zero?
Authors: Varjo Mikael
Published: June 2022

This article focuses on the variation of subject expression in modal constructions of necessity with pitää ‘must, have to’ in Finnish everyday conversations. In spoken Finnish, subjects are typically encoded with both a pronominal and a verbal marker although in principle it is possible to omit the pronominal subject. The modal verbs of necessity, however, are unipersonal which means that the verb does not show agreement with the person of the subject. Omitting the pronominal subject altogether is common in necessity constructions, typically resulting in a so-called zero-person construction which is a type of referentially open personal construction in Finnish. The present article sets out to explore the semantico-grammatical and discourse features of necessity constructions without an overt grammatical subject comparing them with those with a speech act pronoun as their subject. The Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) is employed to model the differences in the characteristics of the two constructions. After an overview of the statistical results, the article goes on to provide a qualitative analysis of the statistically significant differences. The quantitative findings indicate that different types of subject expression are entwined in the semantico-grammatical and discoursive characteristics of the modal constructions of necessity. The qualitative analysis then shows how these differences are reflected in the ways in which they are used as interactional resources.

Kokkuvõte. Mikael Varjo: Enam kui null? Referentsiaalselt erilised ja avatud netsessiivkonstruktsioonid soome argivestlustes. Käesolevas artiklis uuritakse grammatilise subjekti vaheldumist. Võrdlen omavahel soomekeelses argivestluses esinevaid pitää-verbiga moodustatud modaalseid netsessiivkonstruktsioone, mis esinevad kas subjektita või sisaldavad kõneaktis osalevat subjekti positsioonis pronoomenit (pronoomensubjekti). Soome keeles tähistatakse grammatilist subjekti tüüpiliselt nii pronoomeni kui ka pöördelõpuga, kuigi põhimõtteliselt võib subjekti funktsioonis pronoomeni ära jätta. Netsessiivverbid on siiski vaegpöördelised, esinedes ainult ainsuse 3. pöörde vormis, mis tähendab seda, et verb ei ühildu subjektiga. Netsessiivkonstruktsiooni puhul on tavaline pronoomensubjekti täielik ärajätt, mille tulem on nn üldisikuline konstruktsioon (nollapersoonarakenne) – soome keelele omane referentsiaalselt avatud isikut väljendav konstruktsioon. Üldistatud lineaarse segamudeli (GLMM) tulemused näitavad, et subjektivaheldust mõjutavad mitmed semantilis-grammatilised ning ka diskursiivsed tegurid. Tulemused näitavad, et üldisikulistel netsessiivkonstruktsioonidel on selgelt eristatavad sotsiaalset interaktsiooni liigendavad funktsioonid, näiteks (ühine) planeerimine või soovide väljendamine ja kõnesituatsiooni osalejarollide muutmine. Grammatilist subjekti sisaldavad netsessiivkonstruktsioonid aga rõhutavad pigem teo või tegevuse vajalikkust või kohustuslikkust kui selle otsest algatamist.
Posterity of Saussure’s sign in the study of cultural meanings: A dialogue between Barthes and Hjelmslev
Authors: Perusset Alain
Published: June 2022

Saussure’s proposals on the sign, formulated more than a century ago in 1916, continue to exert an undisputed authority on linguistics and social sciences. In semiotics, the dyadic model of the sign is continuously used, even in the context of reflections on non-linguistic objects. The tendency in semiotics has been to adopt the Saussurean theory of the sign and enhance it with Hjelmslev’s findings, which has led to Hjelmslev becoming as significant as Saussure in the field of semiotics. In particular, it is to Hjelmslev that we owe the notions of denotation and connotation, which the present article aims at clarifying. Indeed, a misunderstanding still exists regarding the sense of these two concepts, that is to say, some forms of denotation are often – and wrongly – considered as connotations. Hence, this paper deals with Saussure’s legacy; his legacy in Hjelmslev, as well as Barthes, since I shall refer to the propositions formulated by the latter in his Mythologies (1957) to clarify the distinction between denotation and connotation.
Ferdinand de Saussure. USSR. 1950…
Authors: Velmezova Ekaterina
Published: June 2022

During the linguistic discussion organized in the Soviet newspaper Pravda in 1950, Ferdinand de Saussure was mentioned only a few times, but the corresponding references are important from the point of view of both the opinions about Saussure that were prevalent in Soviet linguistics before the discussion, and in light of its evolution afterwards. In 1950, both a supporter and an opponent of Marrist linguistics, Ivan Meschaninov and Arnold Chikobava respectively, unconditionally agreed on at least one thing: namely, that the theories of Saussure were, from their point(s) of view, unacceptable for “progressive” Soviet linguistics. This criticism of Saussure shows the significant shift made by Soviet humanities in the middle of the last century over the course of just a few years: in the late 1950s, it was the “revision” of the main theses of the criticism of Saussure that made possible the (relative) triumph of structuralism, which finally took place in the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
The term ‘Biosemiotik’ in the 19th century
Authors: Kull Kalevi
Published: June 2022

Tracing the emergence of biosemiotics, attention can be drawn to the very early usage of the term ‘biosemiotics’ (Biosemiotik) in the writings of Austrian chemist Vincenz Kletzinsky (1826–1882) that dates back to the 1850s. In the same decade, Kletzinsky also proved to be among the first to use the terms ‘biochemistry’ and ‘biophysics’.
Influence of Heat Generation and Thermal Radiation on MHD Flow in a Vertical Micro-Porous-Channel in the Presence of Viscous Dissipation
Authors: Ponna Bhaskar , Malapati Venkateswarlu
Published: June 2022

This article analyses the influence of heat generation and thermal radiation on steady hydromagnetic fully developed natural convection flow in a vertical micro-porous–channel in the presence of viscous dissipation. The governing ordinary differential equations, exhibiting the physics of the flow formation are displayed. Using the relevant non–dimensional variables, the governing equations are transformed into their corresponding non–dimensional form and then solved exactly by employing the perturbation technique. The influence of different admissible parameters such as fluid wall interaction parameter, Knudsen number, heat generation parameter, thermal radiation parameter, magnetic parameter, Eckert number, and permeability parameter on the fluid velocity, temperature, skin friction coefficient, and heat transfer coefficient at the micro-porous–channel surfaces is discussed with the aid of line graphs and tables.
Psycho-Take Corona and Fear Appeal: Psycho-Insights
Authors: Kumar Alok , Pathak Pramod
Published: June 2022

Human being has been the most vulnerable lot amongst living species on earth. And all this is because human being has the ability to think! In fact, they think more, much more beyond requirement. Corona crisis gave humans ample time to think, yes, about pros and cons of different scenarios emerging and they tried their level best to cope up with such a situation. More so, interestingly, in this critical situation of CoViD lockdowns, there arose the psycho-connect, obviously not to be understood by the masses, but then as researchers and students of management or applied sciences, we chose to bring forward this unique write-up involving the ‘appeal’ parlance. The paper is based upon observations encountered during CoViD days right from March 2020 till today and tries to explore the situation through the ‘appeal’ lens.
Investors Behavioural Bias and Trading Behaviour - A Systematic Review
Authors: Shree Prathibha
Published: June 2022

A systematic review of literature has been conducted on investor’s trading behaviour, andscientific literature until the year 2020 has been reviewed. It comprises research articles, reviews, and research reports. Appropriate keywords have been used, and each chosen literature has been assessed for itsquality. Based on the quantitative and qualitative research, evidence has been made, and a multi-dimensional framework has been developed, which is the basis for further research.The review examinesthe factors influencing women investors trading in thestock market and the behavioural biases affecting women in due course of investment and trading.Findings from research evidence have been integrated through thematic synthesis. The findings broadly indicate that there is less participation by females trading inthe stock market, and the behavioural biases explored by past researchers have not explored on females alone. Hence, this study can be further used for analyzing thebehavioural biases inherent in women investors trading inthe stock market.
Customer Awareness and Expectation of Product Water Softener in Maharashtra Region
Authors: Nautiyal Jyoti
Published: June 2022

The interplay of several elements influences a consumer'sdecision to purchase a product. The market is now mostlydriven by consumers. Consumers have a variety ofoptions from which to choose. The study sheds light on anumber of elements that the maker should emphasise inorder to entice potential buyers. The goal of this study is tolook into consumer knowledge, preferences, satisfactionassessment, and competition analysis in relation toAquasoft water Softener (EFL). To fulfil the goals, aDescriptive Research was done in many parts ofMaharashtra and few regions in Bhopal. A wellstructured questionnaire was filled out by 100 people intotal. Customers' satisfaction levels are influenced by threedimensions: product quality, price, and size, according tothe findings. Further findings reveal that there is aconsiderable link between the brand name and customerpreference. As a result, it has been suggested that thecorporation concentrate on brand awareness, productsupply, and distribution. Manufacturers are encouraged tobuild aggressive marketing strategies in order to boostconsumer satisfaction and encourage them to becomebrand loyalists.
Impulsive buying during Flash Sales on ECommerce sites and the Ramification of Flash Sales on Shopping
Authors: Dsilva Hansel , N Elangovan
Published: June 2022

Even though E-Commerce has been advanced fordecades, it is today's buzzword. The industry hasendured impressive growth since the last decade. Thebusiness context is fierce as big companies try to vanquishwhile small companies enter the space and institutethemselves. Flash sales are a comparatively recent ECommerce phenomenon in which a business offers asubstantial discount on one or more products or servicesfor a limited time. Though many studies have beenexecuted on flash sales and how they are crucial for ECommerce sites to increase sales and visibility. Very littlehas been investigated on the attributes of flash sales. Thispaper endeavours to examine the eclectic characteristicsof flash sales, namely effective duration, a variety andassortments on online shopping enjoyment, portalpreference towards online impulse buying, and factorssuch as perceived perishability and perceived scarcity onattitude towards flash sales. The research further countsto better knowledge while formulating flash sales.
Trust Factors’ Influence on Consumers’ Purchase Intention When Browsing Unfamiliar E-Commerce Websites
Authors: Doma Pulger Dechen , Raman Sreedhara
Published: June 2022

This research aimed to look into the importance of trustfactors and consumer purchase intentions to buy fromunfamiliar websites. The new entrants in the online ecommerce space need to attract customers to its websites.The study enables the retailers to understand these trustfactors which also influence the consumers’ purchaseintention on their websites. A survey was conductedamong the users of new or unfamiliar websites. Therewere major five trust factors considered for this study andan attempt had been made to establish a relationshipbetween these trust factors and the Purchase Intention ofconsumers from unfamiliar websites. Multiple linearregression techniques were used. The major outcome ofthe study was that the trust factors, secured transactions,website design, associated offers, E-retailers' contactinformation had a significant influence on the PurchaseIntention of consumers.
Reconceptualising Selfhood and Identity in Indian Tradition: A Philosophical Investigation
Authors: Kumar Sethy Deepak
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a synoptic overview of two key philosophical concepts – self and identity - in Indian tradition. Drawing on both Indian and Western studies on the concept of self-hood and its implications for conceptualising identity, the paper reviews the contemporary scholarship on self-hood and outlines its relation to identity needs to be rethought if ethical possibilities of self-hood are to be given due consideration. This paper asks and addresses the nature and experience of the self in the Indian intellectual tradition, how representative Indian thinkers conceptualised the self, how such a conception of self-hood engages with the overall conception of Western history of self-hood and so on. The paper offers a comparative study of self-hood that not only underscores the significant points of convergence and divergence as theorised in Indian and Western philosophical traditions but also highlights how certain conceptions of self-hood and identity enable the project of the self’s ethical transformation.
Capitalism, Inequality and Labour in India
Authors: Ranganath Gopi
Published: June 2022

Jan Breman, Capitalism, Inequality and Labour in India, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2019, [ISBN No: 978-1-108-48241-7]
Lottery Design for School Choice
Authors: Arnosti Nick
Published: June 2022

This paper studies outcomes of the deferred acceptance algorithm in large random matching markets where priorities are generated either by a single lottery or by independent lotteries. In contrast to prior work, my model permits students to submit lists of varying lengths and schools to vary in their popularity and number of seats. In a limiting regime where the number of students and schools grow while the length of student lists and number of seats at each school remain bounded, I provide exact expressions for the number of students who list l schools and match to one of their top k choices, for each [Formula: see text]. These expressions provide three main insights. First, there is a persistent tradeoff between using a single lottery and independent lotteries. For students who submit short lists, the rank distribution under a single lottery stochastically dominates the corresponding distribution under independent lotteries. However, the students who submit the longest lists are always more likely to match when schools use independent lotteries. Second, I compare the total number of matches in the two lottery systems, and find that the shape of the list length distribution plays a key role. If this distribution has an increasing hazard rate, then independent lotteries match more students. If it has a decreasing hazard rate, the comparison reverses. To my knowledge, this is the first analytical result comparing the size of stable matchings under different priority rules. Finally, I study the fraction of assigned students who receive their first choice. Under independent lotteries, this fraction may be arbitrarily small, even if schools are equally popular. Under a single lottery, we provide a tight lower bound on this fraction which depends on the ratio r of the popularity of the most to least popular school. When each school has a single seat, the fraction of assigned students who receive their first choice is at least [Formula: see text]. This guarantee increases to [Formula: see text] as the number of seats at each school increases.

This paper was accepted by Gabriel Weintraub, revenue management and market analytics.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4338 .
Efficient Fair Division with Minimal Sharing
Authors: Sandomirskiy Fedor , Segal-Halevi Erel
Published: June 2022

When assets are to be divided among several partners, for example, a partnership split, fair division theory can be used to determine a fair allocation. The applicability of existing approaches is limited as they either treat assets as divisible resources that end up being shared among participants or deal with indivisible objects providing only approximate fairness. In practice, sharing is often possible but undesirable, and approximate fairness is not adequate, particularly for highly valuable assets. In “Efficient Fair Division with Minimal Sharing,” Sandomirskiy and Segal-Halevi introduce a novel approach offering a middle ground: the number of shared objects is minimized while maintaining exact fairness and economic efficiency. This minimization can be conducted in polynomial time for generic instances if the number of agents or objects is fixed. Experiments on real data demonstrate a substantial improvement over current methods.
Effect of music intervention in colonoscopy-naïve adults: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Brix Lone Dragnes , Pedersen Anne Sofie Bomholt
Published: June 2022

Background:

Previous studies have evaluated music interventions before and during a colonoscopy, but the results are contradictory and inconclusive.

Aims:

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effect of a music intervention with MusiCure music, both before and during colonoscopy.

Methods:

The study was a two-armed, prospective, randomised, controlled trial and 337 patients undergoing colonoscopy were included. Patients were allocated to receive relaxing music (MusiCure) before and during the colonoscopy or standard care (no music). Outcome measures included pain intensity, duration of the colonoscopy, consumption of alfentanil and midazolam, vital signs, patient satisfaction and caecal intubation rates (CIR).

Findings:

Men in the music group had a lower middle arterial blood pressure compared with men in the no music group. The majority of patients in the music group would prefer to listen to music if they need a colonoscopy in the future. No differences were found between groups regarding pain intensity, duration of the colonoscopy, consumption of alfentanil and midazolam, vital signs, patient satisfaction and CIR.

Conclusion:

The researchers were unable to show an effect on the primary endpoints. However, a high patient satisfaction was found in the music group and a decrease in the blood pressure during the colonoscopy, indicating a reduced stress level. Music before and during a colonoscopy may improve the patient experience.
Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: the evolving treatment landscape and role of nurse specialists
Authors: Hunnisett Andrew , Victor Debbie
Published: June 2022

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men in the UK. Within 2 years of diagnosis, one-third of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) will develop metastatic disease, which is associated with significantly greater morbidity and mortality compared to disease without metastases. The approval of second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors such as darolutamide has transformed the nmCRPC treatment landscape because they lead to prolonged metastasis-free survival and better maintenance of quality of life compared with placebo. Early identification of patients with nmCRPC who are suitable for treatment is imperative because most of these patients are asymptomatic. Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) play a critical, supportive role in the management of disease and treatment follow-up. This product-focused article discusses the use of darolutamide in nmCRPC and the vital role that CNSs play in the management and care of patients with prostate cancer.
Pictures as mementos after perinatal death: a case study
Authors: Jesus Roberta Carolina de Almeida , Benute Gláucia , Bertolassi Nathália , Barbosa Tercília , Bolibio Renata , Figueiredo Fernanda , Setubal Maria Silvia , Gibelli Maria Augusta , Gomes Ana , Ferreira Raquel , Francisco Rossana , Bernardes Lisandra
Published: June 2022

Background:

The grieving process following perinatal loss caused by life-limiting conditions presents some particularities associated with the family's culture and the symbolic relationship with the deceased.

Objective:

To reflect on the symbolic meaning attributed to mementos, particularly pictures taken immediately after birth.

Method:

Case study–a qualitative analysis of the data collected through semidirected interviews.

Results:

Of the three women that took part in the study, one woman chose not to take a picture but opted to take home the hat with her son's name on it that was provided as a regular procedure for every birth at the maternity centre. During the interview, she questioned her decision. The two other women took pictures and still look at them affectionate. One of the women keeps the picture of her child in a shrine at home, thus attributing a symbolic religious meaning to the whole experience that alleviates her pain.

Conclusion:

The symbolic meaning attributed to pictures of the deceased can help parents process grief.
Palliative pain: putting the patient back in control of their analgesia
Authors: Munro Jordan , Grove Graham
Published: June 2022

A common reason for admission to palliative care wards is severe cancer-related pain. The delivery of therapy, an essential component in combating pain, is complicated by boundaries imposed by the law and quality use of medicines standards, which patients do not necessarily face in their own homes. These boundaries significantly delay the time until the patient is relieved of pain. Subcutaneous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), delivered via a continuous ambulatory drug device, offers a potential method of mitigating these boundaries. This case series describes the experiences of the first four patients treated when subcutaneous PCA was introduced to an Australian palliative care ward and offers comments for consideration for future studies and wider implementation of use. It is noted that although PCA was generally effective overall, considerations about the patient's mental state and pain behaviours should be made before deciding to initiate PCA in lieu of nurse-administered breakthroughs.
May's election merry-go-round
Authors: Jones Alice
Published: June 2022

Our Political Editor discusses the tumultuous election cycle in May.
The question of assisted dying
Authors: Marsh H
Published: June 2022

Henry Marsh breaks down the arguments against assisted dying and looks at whether these are valid arguments.
‘I'm not trying to be rude but…’
Authors: Thorpe P
Published: June 2022

Surgeons see the effects of disability every day, so why are those with disabilities still treated differently – and how do we address these issues?
Do you really need a will?
Authors: Extance-Vaughan Nicola
Published: June 2022

Making a will may not be on the top of your to-do list, but ensuring your estate passes to good hands is so important – here's what you need to know.
Consultants’ attitudes to the ideal age for orchidopexy
Authors: Bradshaw CJ , Skerritt C , Rhodes H , Hall NJ , Woodward M , McCarthy L
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Recent consensus statements recommend that orchidopexy for undescended testis is performed between 6 and 12 months of age. We designed a survey to determine what age consultant surgeons believe is the optimal age for orchidopexy as well as surveying other aspects of surgery for testicular maldescent.

Methods

An anonymous survey was distributed to 122 UK consultants who participated in an international prospective audit of orchidopexy outcomes. Preferences and management strategies were compared between different groups of surgeons (specialist paediatric general surgeons, specialist paediatric urologists and general surgeons/urologists with an interest in general surgery of childhood [but who mainly treat adult patients]).

Results

There were 105 responses (62 specialist paediatric surgeons, 30 specialist paediatric urologists and 13 general surgeons/urologists) from 25 centres. The overall response rate was 86%. The median preferred age for orchidopexy was 10.5 months (range: 3–24 months). This differed significantly between groups, with a median of 12 months among specialist paediatric surgeons, 9 months among specialist paediatric urologists and 12 months among general surgeons/urologists (p = 0.001). Fifty-one consultants (49%) stated that the optimal age to perform orchidopexy was twelve months or more. Respondents cited concerns about the possible long-term effects of general anaesthesia at a young age and higher atrophy rates in younger children as the main reasons for postponing orchidopexy until 12 months.

Conclusions

There remains no consensus among surgeons as to the optimal age for orchidopexy. Management practice of undescended testis varies across different surgical specialties, particularly with regard to optimal age of surgery.
Coatings for Petawatt-Class High-Energy Lasers
Authors: Bellum John
Published: June 2022

Laser-damage-resistant coatings for meter-class optical
elements—key to operation of large-scale, high-energy lasers and to
research efforts toward sustainable laser-driven fusion—are a
fascinating, dynamic branch of optical technology.
Spatial modelling for population replacement of mosquito vectors at continental scale
Authors: Beeton Nicholas J. , Wilkins Andrew , Ickowicz Adrien , Hayes Keith R. , Hosack Geoffrey R.
Published: June 2022

Malaria is one of the deadliest vector-borne diseases in the world. Researchers are developing new genetic and conventional vector control strategies to attempt to limit its burden. Novel control strategies require detailed safety assessment to ensure responsible and successful deployments. Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) and Anopheles coluzzii, two closely related subspecies within the species complex Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.), are among the dominant malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa. These two subspecies readily hybridise and compete in the wild and are also known to have distinct niches, each with spatially and temporally varying carrying capacities driven by precipitation and land use factors.

We model the spread and persistence of a population-modifying gene drive system in these subspecies across sub-Saharan Africa by simulating introductions of genetically modified mosquitoes across the African mainland and its offshore islands. We explore transmission of the gene drive between the two subspecies that arise from different hybridisation mechanisms, the effects of both local dispersal and potential wind-aided migration to the spread, and the development of resistance to the gene drive. Given the best current available knowledge on the subspecies’ life histories, we find that an introduced gene drive system with typical characteristics can plausibly spread from even distant offshore islands to the African mainland with the aid of wind-driven migration, with resistance beginning to take over within a decade. Our model accounts for regional to continental scale mechanisms, and demonstrates a range of realistic dynamics including the effect of prevailing wind on spread and spatio-temporally varying carrying capacities for subspecies. As a result, it is well-placed to answer future questions relating to mosquito gene drives as important life history parameters become better understood.
COVID-19 vaccines uptake: Public knowledge, awareness, perception and acceptance among adult Africans
Authors: Ahiakpa John K. , Cosmas Nanma T. , Anyiam Felix E. , Enalume Kingsley O. , Lawan Ibrahim , Gabriel Ijuptil B. , Oforka Chinonyelum L. , Dahir Hamze G. , Fausat Salisu T. , Nwobodo Maureen A. , Massawe Getrude P. , Obagha Adachukwu S. , Okeh Debra U. , Karikari Benjamin , Aderonke Samuel T. , Awoyemi Olushola M. , Aneyo Idowu A. , Doherty Funmilayo V.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The willingness of Africa’s population to patronise the COVID-19 vaccines is critical to the efficiency of national immunisation programmes. This study surveys the views of adult African inhabitants toward vaccination and the possibility of participating or not participating in governments’ efforts to get citizens vaccinated.

Method

A cross-sectional online survey of adult Africans was undertaken from December 2020 to March 2021. Responses were anonymised. The Pearson Chi-square test was performed to determine whether or not there were any variations in knowledge, awareness, perception and acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccines among the participants. Binomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors associated with willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccines and participate in immunisation programmes.

Results

The results indicate that COVID-19 vaccines are more likely to be used by adult Africans over the age of 18 who are largely technologically savvy (55 percent) if the vaccine is made broadly available. A total of 33 percent of those who responded said they were unlikely to receive the vaccine, with another 15 percent stating they were undecided. Aside from that, we found that vaccine hesitancy was closely associated with socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, education and source of information. We also found that there were widespread conspiracies and myths about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Conclusion

More than one-third of African adults who participated in the survey indicated they would not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with majority of them expressing skepticisms about the vaccine’s efficacy. It is possible that many of the people who would not be vaccinated would have an impact on the implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme that is meant for all of society. Majority of the respondents were unwilling to pay for the COVID-19 vaccines when made available. An awareness campaign should be focused on promoting the benefits of vaccination at the individual and population levels, as well as on taking preemptive actions to debunk misconceptions about the vaccines before they become further widespread.
BR2 cell penetrating peptide effectively delivers anti-p21Ras scFv to tumor cells with ganglioside expression for therapy of ras-driven tumor
Authors: Yu Ting , Shi Yingxian , Pan Xinyan , Feng Qiang , Wang Peng , Song Shuling , Yang Lilin , Yang Julun
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Cell membrane penetrating peptide BR2 can bind with ganglioside and introduce foreign drugs into tumor cells. In this study, we employed BR2 to carry the broad-spectrum anti-p21Ras scFv prepared in our laboratory into ganglioside expressing tumor cells for therapy of ras-driven tumors.

Methods

BR2-p21Ras scFv gene was cloned to prokaryotic expression vector and expressed in E. coli BL21, then the fusion protein was purified with HisPur Ni-NTA. The immunoreactivity of the fusion protein with p21Ras was detected by ELISA and western blotting. The membrane-penetrating and immune co-localization with p21Ras of the fusion protein were determined by immunofluorescence. The antitumor activity was investigated using MTT, wound healing, colone formation, and apoptosis assays in vitro.

Results

BR2-p21Ras scFv fusion protein was successfully expressed and purified. We found that the fusion protein could specifically penetrate into human tumor cell lines which express ganglioside including human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH, human colon cancer cell line HCT116 and human glioma cell line U251. After entering tumor cells the fusion protein bonded specifically with p21Ras. In vitro experiments revealed that it could significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and colone formation of HCT116, SK-N-SH, and U251 cells and promote the apoptosis of these tumor cells.

Conclusions

BR2-p21Ras scFv can penetrate ganglioside expressing tumor cells and inhibit the growth of ras-driven tumor by binding with p21Ras, and producing an inhibitory effect. It is suggested that BR2-p21Ras scFv is a potential ras-driven tumor therapeutic antibody.
Suffering and smiling: Nigerians’ humorous response to the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Ali Aminu
Published: June 2022

Nigerians have intriguing penchant for humour even in moments of life tribulations, grief and uncertainties. They tend to defy being overwhelmed by sorrow, fear or even their helplessness in the face of adversity. Consequently, despite the global hysteria that has trailed the outbreak of the dreaded coronavirus, Nigerians stoically manage their grief through humour. The growing predilection for humour production and consumption in the country, which is partly occasioned by the advent of social media and an unprecedented growth of the Night of a Thousand Laughs (a stand-up comedy industry), deserves scholarly attention on account of its social and mental health impacts. This work blends Freudian psychoanalysis with Merton’s functional analysis to build a framework of analysis that captures the psychogenesis and consequences of Nigerians’ humorous response to the coronavirus pandemic. Semiotic method was used to analyse some selected humorous memes, cartoons, pictures and videos on or about COVID-19 obtained from WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube between March and August, 2020. In so doing, these humorous stuffs were subjected to both broad and context specific analyses. It was found that although the humours were expressed in different styles, they are mostly aggressive (intended to ridicule their leaders using satire, sarcasm), and self-enhancing (used as mechanisms to cope with boredom and anxiety occasioned by the pandemic) and, in a few cases, self-defeating (involved self-mockery: use of remarks that are self-demeaning or self-disparaging). The article concludes that the COVID-19-induced humours are a route to their peddlers’ unconscious realm and a defence mechanism to anxiety, stress and boredom. While the spread of these jokes has manifest function of self-enhancing, their latent consequence is that they trivialize the pandemic and, by extension, make people reluctant to take precautionary measures and comply with the established guidelines and protocols.
Radio edutainment and participatory communication for social change: A case of lived reality among a rural Malawian audience
Authors: Kamlongera Mtisunge Isabel
Published: June 2022

This article draws upon research exploring a project that combines edutainment and participatory communication strategies as an approach to social change in Malawi. Throughout the research, I take a critical stance that seeks to uplift voices of an audience attending a radio listening club (RLC) and therefore utilize participatory methods to co-create the body of knowledge with study participants. In this article, I query RLC audience’s thoughts of the project’s relevance and influence in their daily lives. Oriented by Hall’s concepts of encoding and decoding, I analyse my data focusing on the dynamics between the objectives of the producers and the lived reality of the participants. Findings reveal that audience’s motivation for continued attendance of the RLC is different to that intended in the encoding process; rather audiences negotiate the relevance of messages to their own needs, those of their children and utilize the space to extend their social capital.
Impact & Production of Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Sen Susmita
Published: June 2022

Biotechnology is “the integration of natural sciences and engineering sciences in order to achieve the application of organisms, cells, parts thereof and molecular analogues for products and services.” The term biotechnology was first used by Karoly Ereky in 1919. The concept of biotechnology encompasses a wide range of procedures wherein the modern usage includes genetic engineering as well as cell and tissue culture technologies. Monoclonal antibodies are prepared by cloning a white blood cell and they have been found to impose immense benficial effects in therapeutic use.
College Student-Parents: The Significant Role of Support Systems and How Institutions Can Provide Support
Authors: Roy Roudi N. , Dayne Nancy , Kim Ann , Bradecich Abby
Published: June 2022

As the number of student-parents on college campuses continues to rise, college personnel are often unaware of their experiences. This study examines the distress of college students who are expecting or currently are parents of young children and the factors that promote student resilience.
With a sample of 422 heterosexual college student-parents, 30 years of age or younger, we find no gender differences in the levels of perceived parental stress or psychological distress. We do find, however, that grandfathers play a significant supporting role. Implications for campus support
systems and resources are discussed.