bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The costs of treating vaginal and vulval cancer in England (2009–2015)
Authors: Stephens Stephanie , Chatterjee Anuja , Coles Victoria , Crawford Robin
Published: April 2020

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a pre-requisite for cervical cancer, which represents the third most common cancer among women worldwide. A causal relationship also exists between HPV and cancer in other areas of the female reproductive system including the vagina and vulva. Whilst the incidence of vaginal cancer in the UK has remained relatively stable over the past 25 years, vulval cancer rates are increasing. A body of literature exists on the epidemiology and aetiology of vaginal and vulval cancer, but little is known about the economic burden. The objective of this study was to quantify the costs of treating these cancers on the National Health Service (NHS) in England.

Methods

Inpatient and outpatient episodes were derived from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). Health Resource Group (HRG) tariffs and National Reference Costs were used to estimate the cost of treating pre-cancerous and invasive vaginal and vulval lesions in England.

Results

The study showed that for the 5 years from 2009/2010 to 2014/2015 the total cost associated with pre-cancerous and invasive vaginal and vulval lesions was over £14 million per year on average (95% of which was attributed to inpatient costs). Vulval cancer accounted for the largest proportion; an estimated 60% of the total cost (£8.82 million). On average 4316 patients per year in England were admitted to hospital and 912 patients attended outpatient settings for pre-cancerous and invasive disease of the vagina and vulva.

Conclusion

The results indicate that vaginal and vulval cancer cost the English health care system over £14 million per year. Given the causal role of HPV in a proportion of these cancers, preventative measures such as the national HPV immunisation programme have the potential to reduce the economic burden. To ensure optimal use of NHS resources, it is important that future economic evaluations of such preventative measures consider the full burden of HPV related disease.
Moving beyond individual barriers and identifying multi-level strategies to reduce anemia in Odisha India
Authors: Sedlander Erica , Long Michael W. , Mohanty Satyanarayan , Munjral Ashita , Bingenheimer Jeffrey B. , Yilma Hagere , Rimal Rajiv N.
Published: April 2020

Background

To reduce the prevalence of anemia, the Indian government recommends daily iron and folic acid supplements (iron supplements) for pregnant women and weekly iron supplements for adolescents and all women of reproductive age. The government has distributed free iron supplements to adolescents and pregnant women for over four decades. However, initial uptake and adherence remain inadequate and non-pregnant women of reproductive age are largely ignored. The aim of this study is to examine the multilevel barriers to iron supplement use and to subsequently identify promising areas to intervene.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study in the state of Odisha, India. Data collection included key informant interviews, focus group discussions with women, husbands, and mothers-in-law, and direct observations in health centers, pharmacies and village health and nutrition days.

Results

We found that at the individual level, participants knew that iron supplements prevent anemia but underestimated anemia prevalence and risk in their community. Participants also believed that taking too many iron supplements during pregnancy would “make your baby big” causing a painful birth and a costly cesarean section. At the interpersonal level, mothers-in-law were not supportive of their daughters-in-law taking regular iron supplements during pregnancy but husbands were more supportive. At the community level, participants reported that only pregnant women and adolescents are taking iron supplements, ignoring non-pregnant women altogether. Unequal gender norms are also an upstream barrier for non-pregnant women to prioritize their health to obtain iron supplements. At the policy level, frontline health workers distribute iron supplements to pregnant women only and do not follow up on adherence.

Conclusions

Interventions should address multiple barriers to iron supplement use along the socio-ecological model. They should also be tailored to a woman’s reproductive life course stage: adolescents, pregnancy, and non-pregnant women of reproductive age because social norms and available services differ between the subpopulations.
Breakfast consumption among Saudi primary-school children relative to sex and socio-demographic factors
Authors: Al-Hazzaa Hazzaa M. , Alhowikan Abdulrahman M. , Alhussain Maha H. , Obeid Omar A.
Published: April 2020

Background

Breakfast is an important meal that provides essential nutrients and energy. However, few comprehensive studies have reported breakfast habits and related behaviors among Saudi children. This study investigated breakfast consumption patterns and the associations of socio-demographic variables with daily breakfast intake among Saudi children.

Methods

A multistage stratified cluster random sampling technique was used to select 1051 elementary school boys and girls in Riyadh. Body weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was computed. The breakfast eating habits and behaviors were assessed using a specifically designed self-reported questionnaire that was completed by the children’s parents.

Results

More than 79% of children skipped daily breakfast, with no significant sex difference. Children in private schools consumed breakfast more frequently than those attending public schools. Multivariate analyses showed that boys in private schools had a significantly higher intake of breakfast than that in boys in public schools, yet, boys in public schools had significantly higher BMI than boys in private schools. Using logistic regression while adjusting for confounders showed insignificant effect for parent education. Among breakfast eaters, spread cheese sandwiches were consumed most frequently, followed by fried egg sandwiches and breakfast cereals. Full-fat milk, tea with milk, water, and fruit juice were the most consumed drinks. Girls consumed significantly more fresh fruits during breakfast than did boys. Mothers prepared breakfast at home most of the time (84.5%). Parents appeared mostly satisfied with the breakfast consumed by their child at home and placed high importance on breakfast compared to lunch or dinner.

Conclusions

The proportion of school children who ate daily breakfast at home was low, which may have implications for children’s school performance. Effort is needed to promote daily breakfast consumption among Saudi school children and to introduce appropriate interventions aimed at promoting daily breakfast consumption among Saudi children.
Impact of air pollutants on pediatric admissions for Mycoplasma pneumonia: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Chen Ning , Shi Jianwei , Huang Jiaoling , Yu Wenya , Liu Rui , Gu Li , Yang Rong , Yu Zhaohu , Liu Qian , Yang Yan , Cui Sainan , Wang Zhaoxin
Published: April 2020

Background

Children are especially vulnerable to pneumonia and the effects of air pollution. However, little is known about the impacts of air pollutants on pediatric admissions for Mycoplasma pneumonia. This study was conducted to investigate the impacts of air pollutants on pediatric hospital admissions for Mycoplasma pneumonia in Shanghai, China.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was applied to explore the association between pediatric hospital admissions and levels of air pollutants (fine particulate matter, particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide). Data on hospital admissions for pneumonia and levels of ambient air pollutants were obtained for the period of 2015 to 2018. Associations between pediatric admissions for Mycoplasma pneumonia and ambient air pollutants were calculated using logistic regression and described by the odds ratio and relevant 95% confidence interval. The hysteresis effects of air pollutants from the day of hospital admission to the previous 7 days were evaluated in single-pollutant models and multi-pollutant models with adjustments for weather variables and seasonality. Lag 0 was defined as the day of hospital admission, lag 1 was defined as the day before hospital admission, and so forth.

Results

In the single-pollutant models (without adjustment for other pollutants), pediatric hospital admissions for pneumonia were positively associated with elevated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter. A 0.5% increase in daily admissions per 10-μg/m3 increase in the nitrogen dioxide level occurred at lag 1 and lag 2, and a 0.3% increase in daily admissions per 10-μg/m3 increase in fine particulate matter occurred at lag 1. In the multi-pollutant models, nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter remained significant after inclusion of particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

Conclusions

This study illustrated that higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter increase the risk of pediatric hospitalization for Mycoplasma pneumonia in Shanghai, China. These findings imply that the high incidence of Mycoplasma pneumonia in children in Asia might be attributed to the high concentration of specific air pollutants in Asia.
The link between hearing impairment and child maltreatment among Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory of Australia: is there an opportunity for a public health approach in child protection?
Authors: He Vincent Yaofeng , Guthridge Steven , Su Jiunn-Yih , Howard Damien , Stothers Kylie , Leach Amanda
Published: April 2020

Background

International studies provide evidence of an association between child disabilities, including hearing impairment (HI), and child maltreatment. There are high prevalences of ear disease with associated HI, and child maltreatment among Australian Aboriginal children, but the link between HI and child maltreatment is unknown. This study investigates the association between HI and child maltreatment for Aboriginal children living in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 3895 Aboriginal school-aged children (born between 1999 and 2008) living in remote NT communities. The study used linked individual-level information from health, education and child protection services. The outcome variables were child maltreatment notifications and substantiations. The key explanatory variable, HI, was based on audiometric assessment. The Kaplan–Meier estimator method was used in univariate analysis; Cox proportional hazards regression was used in multivariable analysis.

Results

A majority of the study cohort lived in very remote (94.5%) and most disadvantaged (93.1%) regions. Among all children in the study cohort, 56.1% had a record of either HI or unilateral hearing loss (UHL), and for those with a history of contact with child protection services (n = 2757), 56.7% had a record of HI/UHL (n = 1564). In the 1999–2003 birth cohort, by age 12 years, 53.5% of children with a record of moderate or worse HI had at least one maltreatment notification, compared to 47.3% of children with normal hearing. In the 2004–2008 cohort, the corresponding results were 83.4 and 71.7% respectively. In multivariable analysis, using the full cohort, children with moderate or worse HI had higher risk of any child maltreatment notification (adjusted Hazard Ratios (adjHR): 1.16, 95% CI:1.04–1.30), notification for neglect (adjHR:1.17, 95% CI:1.04–1.31) and substantiation (adjHR:1.20, 95% CI:1.04–1.40), than children with normal hearing. In the 2004–2008 birth cohort, children with moderate or worse HI had higher risk of a substantiated episode of physical abuse (adjHR:1.47, 95% CI:1.07–2.03) than children with normal hearing.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate the urgent need for HI and child maltreatment prevention strategies through raised community awareness and inter-agency collaboration. Effective information-sharing between service providers is a critical first step to a public health approach in child protection.
Patients’ experiences of internet-based Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain: a qualitative study
Authors: Bendelin Nina , Björkdahl Pär , Risell Mimmi , Nelson Karin Zetterqvist , Gerdle Björn , Andersson Gerhard , Buhrman Monica
Published: April 2020

Background

Chronic pain is a globally widespread condition with complex clusters of symptoms within a heterogeneous patient group. Internet-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (IACT) has shown promising results in the treatment of chronic pain. How IACT is experienced by patients is less well known. Qualitative studies of patients’ experiences are needed to further understand factors behind both engagement and negative effects. The aim of this study was to explore how IACT was experienced by chronic pain patients who had participated in a controlled trial.

Methods

Through an open and exploratory approach this study aimed to investigate how IACT was experienced when delivered as a guided self-help program to persons with chronic pain. Eleven participants were interviewed over telephone after completing IACT.

Results

Qualitative analysis based on grounded theory resulted in 2 core categories and 8 subcategories. In treatment: Physical and cognitive restraints, Time and deadline, Therapist contact, and Self-confrontation. After treatment: Attitude to pain, Image of pain, Control or Command, and Acting with pain. Individual differences as well as specific conditions of the treatment may explain variations in how the treatment was approached, experienced and what consequences it led to. Therapist guidance and deadlines for homework play complex roles in relation to autonomy and change.

Conclusions

Adjusting treatment content and format based on participants’ characteristics, such as expectations, motivation and restraints, might positively affect engagement, autonomy and change. Further research on attrition and negative effects of treatment might clarify what enables chronic pain patients to benefit from IACT.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01603797). Registered 22 May 2012. Retrospectively registered.
Quilting suture is better than conventional suture with drain in preventing seroma formation at pectoral area after mastectomy
Authors: Wu Yuhui , Wang Shouman , Hai Jian , Mao Jie , Dong Xue , Xiao Zhi
Published: April 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to compare quilting suture with conventional suture on the formation of seroma at pectoral area after mastectomy (ME) with sentinel lymph nodes biopsy (SLN) or axillary lymph nodes dissection (ALND) for breast cancer.

Methods

Two hundred thirty-five consecutive breast cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was the incidence of Grade 2 or Grade 3 seroma at anterior pectoral area within 1 month postoperatively. We categorized seroma into early or late seroma according to the drainage removal time. Cox regression was used for analysis.

Results

The incidence of Grade 2 and 3 seroma was significantly higher in the conventional suture group compared with that in the quilting suture group (19.3% vs. 9.5%,p = 0.032), which was attributed to the late seroma in Grade 2 and 3. Quilting suture was associated with longer time for fixing flaps compared with that of conventional suture (504.7 s vs. 109.1 s,p < 0.001), but with less volume of drainage. Old age, high body mass index and conventional suture were independently risk factors for Grade 2 and 3 seroma.

Conclusions

Quilting suture decreased the incidence of Grade 2 and 3 seroma at pectoral area within 1 month after mastectomy, especially the late seroma in Grade 2 and 3.
Competing demands in postpartum care: a national survey of U.S. providers’ priorities and practice
Authors: Krishnamurti Tamar , Simhan Hyagriv N. , Borrero Sonya
Published: April 2020

Background

A new movement towards improved postpartum care calls for restructuring how that care is provided. As professional guidelines evolve, understanding how providers prioritize and practice postpartum care can offer insights about elements of care that may be currently performed more routinely than providers deem a priority to do so, as well as those that may warrant more routine practice.

Methods

We surveyed 600 randomly-sampled U.S. postpartum care providers about their priorities for and the frequency with which specific elements of care are provided, as well as the feasibility of remote delivery of postpartum care provision (i.e., telemedicine).

Results

The survey response rate was 43% across medical specialties. Providers reported an average of only 24.4 ± 11.7 min available to spend on the postpartum visit. Certain types of postpartum care were highly prioritized and routinely performed, such as depression screening. Yet, there were also noted discrepancies between prioritized and performed care, revealing competing demands on providers’ time. For example, pelvic exams were performed more often than similarly prioritized care, whereas screening for intimate partner violence and substance use were performed less often than similarly-prioritized care. Certain types of care were identified as important that are not explicitly addressed by national practice guidelines (e.g. transitioning to parenthood). Approximately 25% of respondents regarded telemedicine as a feasible remote care delivery alternative to much of the care currently provided in-person.

Conclusions

The time providers have available to offer comprehensive postpartum care is constrained. Understanding how certain elements of care may be competing with one another at a single postpartum visit highlights those elements of care, which may be currently underperformed, as well as those elements of care that may warrant evaluation for future inclusion in standard care. For some providers experiencing time constraints, complementary remote care represents a potentially viable approach to implementing recommendations for transitioning the traditional visit to a more frequent, ongoing postpartum care process. In calling for a new approach to postpartum care delivery, professional organizations should consider the practices and priorities of their constituency as they revise guidelines and shape future research about the value of specific postpartum services.
Recombinant protein production associated growth inhibition results mainly from transcription and not from translation
Authors: Li Zhaopeng , Rinas Ursula
Published: April 2020

Background

Recombinant protein production can be stressful to the host organism. The extent of stress is determined by the specific properties of the recombinant transcript and protein, by the rates of transcription and translation, and by the environmental conditions encountered during the production process.

Results

The impact of the transcription of the T7-promoter controlled genes encoding human basic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-2) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) as well as the translation into the recombinant protein on the growth properties of the production hostE. coliBL21(DE3) were investigated. This was done by using expression vectors where the promoter region or the ribosome binding site(s) or both were removed. It is shown that already transcription without protein translation imposes a metabolic burden on the host cell. Translation of the transcript into large amounts of a properly folded protein does not show any effect on cell growth in the best case, e.g. high-level production of GFP in Luria–Bertani medium. However, translation appears to contribute to the metabolic burden if it is connected to protein folding associated problems, e.g. inclusion body formation.

Conclusion

The so-called metabolic burden of recombinant protein production is mainly attributed to transcription but can be enhanced through translation and those processes following translation (e.g. protein folding and degradation, heat-shock responses).
The effect of synbiotics supplementation on anthropometric indicators and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Karimi Elham , Heshmati Javad , Shirzad Nooshin , Vesali Samira , Hosseinzadeh-Attar Mohammad Javad , Moini Ashraf , Sepidarkish Mahdi
Published: April 2020

Background

Different therapies have been suggested for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but changes in lifestyle and diet have been considered. Diet and dietary factors can be very effective in modifying the disease. The positive effects of probiotic and synbiotics supplementation on improving lipid profiles and anthropometric indices have been examined in various diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of synbiotics supplementation on lipid and anthropometric profiles in infertile women with PCOS.

Methods

PCOS patients aged 19–37 years old were randomized to receive either synbiotics supplement (n = 50) or placebo (n = 49) for 12 weeks.

Results

Consumption of synbiotics compared to the placebo, resulted in a significant decrease in Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) value (Change Mean Difference (CMD): 4.66, 95%CI: 0.20, 9.13) and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (CMD: 1.80, 95%CI: 0.34, 3.26). Although we failed to find a significant effect of synbiotics consumption on total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels. We did not find differences in anthropometric indices between groups.

Conclusions

Overall, 12 weeks of synbiotics supplementation among PCOS women resulted in beneficial effects on LDL and HDL, although it is not yet clear how much our findings are clinically significant and more clinical studies with larger sample sizes are still needed.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of clinical Trial, IRCT.ir, ID: IRCT2014110515536N2. Registered on 19 December 2015.

Graphical abstract
Cost-effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy screening programs using telemedicine: a systematic review
Authors: Avidor Daniel , Loewenstein Anat , Waisbourd Michael , Nutman Amir
Published: April 2020

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a significant global public health and economic burden. DR accounts for approximately 15–17% of all cases of total blindness in the USA and Europe. Telemedicine is a new intervention for DR screening, however, there is not enough evidence to support its cost-effectiveness. The aim of this study is to review the most recent published literature on economic evaluations of telemedicine in DR screening and summarize the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of this technology.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar for relevant articles published between January 2010 and January 2020. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) recruited subjects with either type 1, type 2 diabetes (2) evaluated telemedicine technology (3) patients underwent primary screening for DR (4) compared a telemedicine-based intervention with standard care (5) performed an economic evaluation or provided sufficient data for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the technology used.

Results

Of 2238 articles screened, seven studies were included. Four of the studies were conducted in developed countries: The United States, Singapore and two studies in Canada. Three studies were conducted in developing countries: India, Brazil and South Africa. The patient populations in all studies were diabetic patients over the age of 18, previously not screened for DR. All seven studies used a telemedicine program which included capturing a retinal image and subsequently transmitting it to an ocular imaging center to assess the severity of DR. All studies compared telemedicine to a standard screening method for DR, including the option of no screening as standard of care. Although telemedicine requires initial and maintenance costs, it has the potential to provide significant cost savings by increasing patients’ working ability, increasing independent living ability, increasing quality of life and reducing travel costs.

Conclusions

Diabetic retinopathy telemedicine technology has the potential to provide significant cost savings, especially in low-income populations and rural patients with high transportation costs.
Correction to: Physical exercise augmented cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults with generalised anxiety disorder (PEXACOG): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Stavestrand Silje Haukenes , Sirevåg Kristine , Nordhus Inger Hilde , Sjøbø Trond , Endal Trygve Bruun , Nordahl Hans M. , Specht Karsten , Hammar Åsa , Halmøy Anne , Martinsen Egil W. , Andersson Eva , Hjelmervik Helene , Mohlman Jan , Thayer Julian F. , Hovland Anders
Published: April 2020

Following the publication of our article [1], we have become aware of one error in the exclusion criteria, inconsistencies in Figure 1 and Figure 2, and a typo in the reference list.
Small and mighty: adaptation of superphylum Patescibacteria to groundwater environment drives their genome simplicity
Authors: Tian Renmao , Ning Daliang , He Zhili , Zhang Ping , Spencer Sarah J. , Gao Shuhong , Shi Weiling , Wu Linwei , Zhang Ya , Yang Yunfeng , Adams Benjamin G. , Rocha Andrea M. , Detienne Brittny L. , Lowe Kenneth A. , Joyner Dominique C. , Klingeman Dawn M. , Arkin Adam P. , Fields Matthew W. , Hazen Terry C. , Stahl David A. , Alm Eric J. , Zhou Jizhong
Published: April 2020

Background

The newly defined superphylum Patescibacteria such as Parcubacteria (OD1) and Microgenomates (OP11) has been found to be prevalent in groundwater, sediment, lake, and other aquifer environments. Recently increasing attention has been paid to this diverse superphylum including > 20 candidate phyla (a large part of the candidate phylum radiation, CPR) because it refreshed our view of the tree of life. However, adaptive traits contributing to its prevalence are still not well known.

Results

Here, we investigated the genomic features and metabolic pathways of Patescibacteria in groundwater through genome-resolved metagenomics analysis of > 600 Gbp sequence data. We observed that, while the members of Patescibacteria have reduced genomes (~ 1 Mbp) exclusively, functions essential to growth and reproduction such as genetic information processing were retained. Surprisingly, they have sharply reduced redundant and nonessential functions, including specific metabolic activities and stress response systems. The Patescibacteria have ultra-small cells and simplified membrane structures, including flagellar assembly, transporters, and two-component systems. Despite the lack of CRISPR viral defense, the bacteria may evade predation through deletion of common membrane phage receptors and other alternative strategies, which may explain the low representation of prophage proteins in their genomes and lack of CRISPR. By establishing the linkages between bacterial features and the groundwater environmental conditions, our results provide important insights into the functions and evolution of this CPR group.

Conclusions

We found that Patescibacteria has streamlined many functions while acquiring advantages such as avoiding phage invasion, to adapt to the groundwater environment. The unique features of small genome size, ultra-small cell size, and lacking CRISPR of this large lineage are bringing new understandings on life of Bacteria. Our results provide important insights into the mechanisms for adaptation of the superphylum in the groundwater environments, and demonstrate a case where less is more, and small is mighty.
Extending reference architecture of big data systems towards machine learning in edge computing environments
Authors: Pääkkönen P. , Pakkala D.
Published: April 2020

Background

Augmented reality, computer vision and other (e.g. network functions, Internet-of-Things (IoT)) use cases can be realised in edge computing environments with machine learning (ML) techniques. For realisation of the use cases, it has to be understood how data is collected, stored, processed, analysed, and visualised in big data systems. In order to provide services with low latency for end users, often utilisation of ML techniques has to be optimized. Also, software/service developers have to understand, how to develop and deploy ML models in edge computing environments. Therefore, architecture design of big data systems to edge computing environments may be challenging.

Findings

The contribution of this paper is reference architecture (RA) design of a big data system utilising ML techniques in edge computing environments. An earlier version of the RA has been extended based on 16 realised implementation architectures, which have been developed to edge/distributed computing environments. Also, deployment of architectural elements in different environments is described. Finally, a system view is provided of the software engineering aspects of ML model development and deployment.

Conclusions

The presented RA may facilitate concrete architecture design of use cases in edge computing environments. The value of RAs is reduction of development and maintenance costs of systems, reduction of risks, and facilitation of communication between different stakeholders.
Age Features of Students of Generation Z in the Formation of Engineering Competence
Authors: Faritov A.
Published: April 2020

This work is devoted to the study of the features of generation Z of secondary school age and their influence on the formation of engineering competence. The specificity of generation Z students' engineering competence formation was studied separately. The paper substantiates the need for the introduction of classes on the formation of engineering competence from the 5th grade. The relevance of the chosen topic is due to the lack of case studies and, accordingly, scientific data on the influence of age and psychological characteristics of generation Z on the process of formation of engineering competence and its individual components. The analysis of thematic scientific literature has shown that in most cases the work is limited to the study of local aspects of the declared topic. Therefore, the main goal conducted as part of this work was to study the age peculiarities of pupils of generation Z in the formation of engineering competence (within the framework of extracurricular activities of pupils 5 – 9 classes). The methodological base of the research carried out in the framework of this work is represented by a set of General scientific methods (description, comparison, generalization and system analysis) and a private scientific method descriptive content analysis. Scientific novelty of obtained results is reduced to the design of a set of attributes of generation Z on the average school age and have a direct impact on the effectiveness of the development project and research skills of students and also in providing recommendations to build the educational process in the framework of extracurricular activities. The practical and theoretical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility of using the obtained results as a basis for drawing up methodological programs of students, for writing fundamental compilative and original scientific works, as well as for creating a new classification of characteristics of representatives of the "new generation" in the educational process. The main conclusions obtained as a result of the study can be formulated as follows: work on the formation of engineering competence and each of its components separately must begin at the middle school age; for a deeper and better development of the components of engineering competence, you should refer to the resources of extracurricular activities; generation Z needs a special approach to the formation of engineering competence, in view of its inherent interests, needs and psychological and age characteristics.
Group consultations for cancer care reviews in general practice
Authors: Hodgson Emma
Published: April 2020

The use of group consultations is expanding in general practice. Emma Hodgson discusses how they have been used to deliver cancer care reviews

More people than ever are living with and beyond cancer. After cancer treatment, individuals may have ongoing needs and concerns, including physical, mental, lifestyle and information needs. After a one-off review at diagnosis, many people with cancer have no further follow up in general practice. This article explores how group consultations can be used for cancer care reviews to improve the health of people living with cancer. Six patients were followed up in two group consultations over 6 months. The impact on patient's wellbeing was significant and feedback suggested patients felt the group consultation worked well for ongoing follow up and assessment.
Rapid diagnosis and measurement of explosively formed projectiles based on high-quality sequential images
Authors: Sun Ce , Jia Yangyu
Published: April 2020

The explosively formed projectile (EFP) is an important type of warhead technology. To verify and evaluate its design and performance, EFP testing is an essential procedure. This work applies a newly developed dual-color laser photographic system (DCLPS) to diagnose the EFP in a flight. The main concepts of the DCLPS and image measurement theory are introduced in detail. The states of the EFP in flight are recorded via experiments at the Nanshan Test Center. High-quality sequential images are obtained by the DCLPS, and the measured key parameters agree well with the simulation results. Test time is only a few minutes, and the measurement error is less than 10%. This work demonstrates the considerable capability of the DCLPS for rapid diagnosis and measurement of an ultrafast EFP, and its great potential in similar observation applications.
The Physical, Chemical, Organoleptic and Microbiological Quality of Meat and Meat products: A Case Study in Gazipur District
Authors: Hossain Sadia , Salekeen Rahagir , Khan Md. Hiron , Nahar Begum Nasrin , Akhter Md Shamim
Published: April 2020

Meat samples from Gazipur district, Bangladesh were subjected to physical and chemical quality tests consisted of temperature test, acidity (pH) test, water activity (Aw) test, total ash contents test and formalin test. For microbiological quality determination, standard plate count (SPC) and coliform count were performed while for organoleptic tests; odor, color, texture, appearance tests were conducted. In addition, the water used in the meat plant was subjected to organoleptic, physical and chemical quality tests: Odor, color, appearance, pH test, TDS test, iron test and hardness test. The results of temperature test, acidity (pH) test, water activity (Aw ) test, total ash contents test, formalin test were -3 C, 7.6, 0.75, 0.7, nil, respectively. Standard plate count (SPC) and coliform count tests showed the result less than 30 cfu/ml, < 10 cfu/ml, respectively. Organoleptic tests results highlighting odor, color, texture and appearance were, as a whole, satisfactory. The quality parameters of the water used in the meat plant were acceptable: p
H test- 6.6, TDS test- 60ppm, iron test- 0.1 and hardness test- 45. Considering all the parameters, it can be concluded that the meat and meat products were of good quality and safe enough for the consumers.
Influência da ativação ultrassônica e veículo no pH dentinário em dentes com reabsorção radicular externa simulada reparados com MTA
Authors: Marciano Marina Angélica , Piola-Rizzante Fábio Antonio , Guimarães Bruno , Cavenago Bruno , Camilleri Josette , Hungaro Marco Antonio
Published: April 2020

Avaliar o efeito da ativação ultrassônica e do veículo do MTA no pH dentinário em dentes com reab- sorção radicular externa simulada. Métodos: Uma ca- vidade foi preparada na superfície radicular de 46 dentes bovinos, as quais foram seladas com MTA preparado com 100% de água destilada (DW) ou com 80% DW e 20% de propilenoglicol (PG). Os dentes foram divididos em qua- tro grupos (n = 10), de acordo com o veículo e o proto- colo de ativação ultrassônica utilizado durante a inserção do material (ativação ou sem ativação). O grupo controle (n = 6) foi deixado sem selamento. O pH foi mensurado após 15, 30 e 60 dias de imersão. Resultados: A ativa- ção com ultrassom não alterou significativamente o pH (p>0,05). Os cimentos manipulados utilizando DW + PG apresentaram maior pH aos 15 dias, em relação ao MTA manipulado com DW (p<0,05). Conclusão: A associa- ção de 80% de água destilada com 20% de propilenogli- col aumentou o pH dentinário, o que é positivo para o reparo de reabsorções radiculares.
Influência da velocidade de rotação na resistência à fadiga cíclica do sistema rotatório Logic
Authors: Alcade Murilo , Furlan Renan , Vivan Rodrigo , HUngaro Marco Antonio
Published: April 2020

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a influência da velocidade de rotação na resistência à fa- diga cíclica do instrumento rotatório Logic 25.06 (LOG 25.06; Easy Equipamentos Odontológicos, Belo Horizonte, Brasil). Métodos: Foram utilizados 20 instrumentos rotatórios Logic 25.06 (n=10). O teste de fadiga cíclica foi realizado em um aparato com um canal artificial de aço inoxidável com ângulo de curvatura de 60° e raio de 5 mm. Os instrumentos foram utilizados a 950 e 550 rotações por minuto (RPM), sendo mensurados o tempo e o número de ciclos para a fratura. Os dados foram ana- lisados estatisticamente por meio do teste t de Student, sendo selecionado um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: O teste de fadiga cíclica demonstrou que a velocidade de 550 RPM promoveu um aumento significativo no tempo e no número de ciclos para a fratura dos instrumentos LOG 25.06 (p<0,05). Houve um aumento de 95,9% no tempo e de 27,25% do número de ciclos para a fratura. Conclusão: Os resultados desse estudo demonstraram que a velocidade de rotação possui uma influência significativa na resistência à fadiga cíclica dos instrumentos rotatório Logic 25.06. A velocidade de 550 RPM é uma velocidade mais segura, aumentando significativamente a resistência à fadiga cíclica.
Tratamento endodôntico de incisivo lateral superior com duas raízes: relato de caso
Authors: Nunes Eduardo , Sá Maria Aparecida , Silveira Frank
Published: April 2020

Alterações morfológicas podem influenciar adversamente o sucesso do tratamento endodôntico. O incisivo lateral superior caracteriza-se pela presença de um canal e uma única raiz. A interpretação cuidado- sa das radiografias, associada a recursos de iluminação e ampliação, é de extrema importância para detecção de variações anatômicas. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente relato de caso foi descrever o retratamento endodôntico não usual de um incisivo lateral superior com duas raízes. Relato de caso: O microscópio operatório foi de fundamental importância para a realização do novo tratamento. Para remoção do material obturador, foram utilizados solvente, limas manuais e pontas de ultrassom, reinstrumentação com limas manuais tipo K de aço inoxidável e obturação com guta-percha e cimento Pulp Canal Sealer, por meio da técnica de termoplastificação. Conclusão: O prognóstico favorável foi confirmado após acompanhamento de 216 meses.
ESTUDO DE EQUIVALÊNCIA FARMACÊUTICA ENTRE COMPRIMIDOS DE FUROSEMIDA SIMILARES E GENÉRICOS
Authors: Sousa Murilo Neth de , Silva Thalita Prates da , Teodoro Emilly Isabelli dos Santos , Lopes-Ortiz Mariana Aparecida , Mello João Carlos Palazzo de , Medeiros Araújo Daniela Cristina de
Published: April 2020

A furosemida é um medicamento muito utilizado em terapia hipertensiva, insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, edema de origem cardíaca, renal e hepática. Por se tratar de um diurético de alça, em relação à sua atuação no segmento espesso da alça de Henle, é considerado muito potente para essas doenças. A equivalência farmacêutica tem como objetivo promover testes comparativos de qualidade entre o medicamento referência e o medicamento que será testado. Os medicamentos‑teste e o referência devem apresentar as mesmas concentrações, formas farmacêuticas, características físicas e físico‑químicas. Neste trabalho, foi utilizado o medicamento furosemida 40 mg, onde foram testadas duas marcas de genéricos (G1 e G2), e duas similares (S1 e S2) comparando‑as com o referência (R). Quanto à variação de peso, friabilidade, desintegração, dureza, dissolução, doseamento e número total de microorganismos mesófilos, os medicamentos foram considerados equivalentes farmacêuticos.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICES VS. COVID-19 PANDEMIC FEAR – PLASTIC GOVERNANCE RE-ASSESSMENT
Authors: GRODZIŃSKA-JURCZAK MAŁGORZATA , KRAWCZYK ALEKSANDRA , JURCZAK ANNA , STRZELECKA MARIANNA , RECHCIŃSKI MARCIN , BOĆKOWSKI MARIUSZ
Published: April 2020

Alarming plastic production growth worldwide reinforces the public debate about the prevailing environmental crisis, whereby single-use-plastic (SUP) items are considered as by far the most harmful to the environment and public health. Accordingly, European environmental policy aims at eliminating SUP. Recently, we presented a model of plastic governance that derives from a circular economy approach identifying and taking into consideration perspectives of different actors in the plastic governance, such as producers, wholesalers, shop keepers, consumers, citizen scientists, and academia. Our results illustrate that the vast majority of stakeholders cared for the natural environment and understood the need to phase out SUP from the global economy. We proposed that a knowledge brokerage, undertaken by scientists via means of citizen science, as the most effective method to implement elimination policy, as it provides stakeholders with knowledge on why and how to handle SUP issues. However, at the time of the global COVID-19 pandemic, a plastic governance model required a re-assessment. The perceived role of SUP has changed, as it reflects the health emergency. Namely, due to the health safety reasons stakeholders and consumers are requesting even more SUP than previously. Following up on our data gathered prior to the pandemic, we suggest that under the new circumstances health concerns outweigh the environmental concerns being determined by a shift in the value hierarchization. The paper discusses preliminary results.
ATTITUDES TOWARD VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF GAZETA.PL ONLINE COMMENT SECTIONS
Authors: GRZELKA MICHALINA
Published: April 2020

According to the World Health Organization, older people and people with preexisting medical conditions appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the COVID-19 virus (World Health Organization 2020). A few journalists (Arielle 2020, Held 2020) have pointed out that in light of the current COVID-19 crisis, vulnerable populations such as elderly people, people with disabilities, and people with preexisting medical conditions have been talked about as if they were “disposable” or “expendable”. Therefore, this study will attempt to examine how vulnerable populations are perceived by Polish public in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemy. In order to achieve that, I will analyze, by the means of critical discourse analysis, comment sections below online articles and editorials covering the topic of the COVID-19 virus on the popular Polish portal Gazeta.pl. In order to narrow down the scope of this study I will only focus on those articles and comments that were published in the week following March 4th 2020 when the first COVID-19 case in Poland was officially confirmed. I believe that this preliminary study will provide useful data for assessing public attitudes toward vulnerable people in times of crisis.
Patterns of non-traditional thermodynamic functions ΔrG0/n and ΔfG0(averaged) changes for cobalt minerals
Authors: Ospanov Khabibulla , Smailov Kenzhegali , Nuruly Yeldar
Published: April 2020

This article considers general principle of predicting the difference in the reactivity of minerals and solvents in the conditions of their interaction at the interface between solid and liquid for cobalt minerals in the processing of mineral raw materials. The ideas of new properties of chemical affinity which allowed to carry out the forecast of a choice of efficiency of action of the dissolving reagent for opening of hardly soluble minerals of cobalt and the forecast of consecutive passing of the competing reaction proceeding on solid-liquid boundary at processing of mineral raw materials by a hydrochemical method at the level of an electron are stated. Previously unknown pattern of change the effectiveness of the solvent of the reagents and the sequence of passing a competing reaction was established, namely, that the effectiveness of the solvent of the reagent and the sequence of passing the subsequent reaction naturally varies with the calculated values given new chemical affinity (DrG0/n). It is practically proposed to use the average atomic energy of the formation of solids ΔfG0(averaged) and calculated value of the new chemical affinity DrG0/n to create scientific basis for the opening of cobalt minerals contained in the mineral raw materials with the least time.
Cavernicola pilosa Barber, 1937 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): first record in Amazonas state, Brazil
Authors: Nascimento Eudi Bonfim do , Souza Éder dos Santos , Paiva Vinicius Fernandes de , Chagas Érica Cristina da Silva , Galvão Cleber
Published: April 2020

Cavernicola pilosa Barber, 1937 is a wild triatomine species that generally lives in caves but has been found invading dwellings. It feeds mostly on bat blood. This vector has a wide geographical distribution throughout Central and South America, including Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, French Guiana, Panamá, Peru, and Venezuela. In Brazil, C. pilosa occurs in the states of Bahia, Pará, Tocantins, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Maranhão. We report for the first time its presence in Amazonas state, Brazil. 
Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille, 1811) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): first record on Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Peixoto Solange Ribeiro , Rocha Dayse da Silva , Dale Carolina , Galvão Cleber
Published: April 2020

Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille, 1811) is the most widely distributed species in Brazil. This study presents the first report of this species collected inside a building in the “Centro de Estudos Ambientais e Desenvolvimento Sustentável”, at the Vila Dois Rios, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The new record is important to understand the risk of Chagas disease transmission, mainly because this species is commonly found infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909). 
Updated distribution maps with new records of Trilepida fuliginosa (Passos, Caramaschi & Pinto, 2006) and Drepanoides anomalus (Jan, 1863) (Squamata, Serpentes) in the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Guedes Thaís B. , Queiroz Aryel , Sousa Patrícia , Hamdan Breno
Published: April 2020

We report for the first time Trilepida fuliginosa (Passos, Caramaschi & Pinto, 2006) and Drepanoides anomalus (Jan, 1863) in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Our record for T. fuliginosa represents the northernmost locality for the species and extends its geographic distribution by nearly 662 km (in a straight line) from São Geraldo do Araguaia, state of Pará. Our record for D. anomalus is the easternmost known occurrence and extends its distribution by 203 km from Piçarra, Pará. Updated distribution maps and images of preserved specimens are provided.