bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public health preparedness and response competency model methodology
Authors: Ablah, PhD, MPH Elizabeth , Weist, MA, MPH, CPH Elizabeth McGean , McElligott, MPH, CPH John E. , Biesiadecki, MSPH, CPH Laura A. , Gotsch, DrPH, MCHES Audrey R. , Keck, MD, MPH C. William , Gebbie, DrPH, RN Kristine M.
Published: September 2020

Objective: The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act calls for establishing a competency-based training program to train public health practitioners. To inform such training, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of Schools of Public Health managed groups of experts to produce a competency model which could function as a national standard of behaviorally based, observable skills for the public health workforce to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from all hazards.Design: A systematic review of existing competency models generated a competency model of proposed domains and competencies.Participants: National stakeholders were engaged to obtain consensus through a three-stage Delphi-like process.Results: The Delphi-like process achieved 84 percent, 82 percent, and 79 percent response rates in its three stages. Three hundred sixty six unique individuals responded to the three-round process, with 45 percent (n = 166) responding to all three rounds. The resulting competency model features 18 competencies within four core learning domains targeted at midlevel public health workers.Conclusions: Practitioners and academics have adopted the Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competency Model, some of whom have formed workgroups to develop curricula based on the model. Efforts will be needed to develop evaluation materials for training and education programs to refine the model as well as for future training and education initiatives.
The Transitional Medical Model: An innovative methodology for a community’s disease outbreak and pandemic preparedness and response plan
Authors: Rega, MD, FACEP Paul , Bork, PT, PhD, EMT-B, FASAHP Christopher , Bisesi, PhD, CIH Michael , Gold, MD Jeffrey P. , Burkholder-Allen RN, MSEd Kelly
Published: September 2020

Infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and subsequent pandemics are not typical disasters in the sense that they often lack clearly delineated phases. As in any event that is biological in nature, its onset may be gradual with signs and symptoms that are so subtle that they go unrecognized, thus missing opportunities to invoke an early response and implement containment strategies. An infectious disease outbreak--whether caused by a novel virus, a particularly virulent influenza strain, or newly emerging or resistant bacteria with the capability of human-to-human transmission--can quickly degrade a community’s healthcare infrastructure in advance of coordinated mitigation, preparation, and response activities. The Transitional Medical Model (TMM) was developed to aid communities with these crucial phases of disaster response as well as to assist with the initial steps within the recovery phase. The TMM is a methodology that provides a crosswalk between the routine operations and activities of a community’s public health infrastructure with action steps associated with the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of an infectious disease outbreak.
Planning for the next influenza pandemic: Using the science and art of logistics
Authors: Cupp, PhD O. Shawn , Predmore, MHA Brad G.
Published: September 2020

The complexities and challenges for healthcare providers and their efforts to provide fundamental basic items to meet the logistical demands of an influenza pandemic are discussed in this article. The supply chain, planning, and alternatives for inevitable shortages are some of the considerations associated with this emergency mass critical care situation. The planning process and support for such events are discussed in detail with several recommendations obtained from the literature and the experience from recent mass casualty incidents (MCIs). The first step in this planning process is the development of specific triage requirements during an influenza pandemic. The second step is identification of logistical resources required during such a pandemic, which are then analyzed within the proposed logistics science and art model for planning purposes. Resources highlighted within the model include allocation and use of work force, bed space, intensive care unit assets, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and oxygen. The third step is using the model to discuss in detail possible workarounds, suitable substitutes, and resource allocation. An examination is also made of the ethics surrounding palliative care within the construction of an MCI and the factors that will inevitably determine rationing and prioritizing of these critical assets to palliative care patients.
Delivering primary healthcare in conflict-affected settings: A review of the literature
Authors: Chaudhury, MD, MPH, ScD Sumona , Ravicz, MD Miranda McKinley , McPherson Heather , Arlington, MPH Lauren , Lin, BA, BS Tianyu , Turco, MEd, BA, BS Jessica , Nelson, MD, MPH, DTM&H Brett D.
Published: September 2020

Objective: Conflict is often destructive to existing services and exacerbates population health inequities and the vulnerabilities of existing healthcare. We undertook a scoping review of the literature concerning delivery of primary healthcare (PHC) in post-conflict settings.Design: We undertook a scoping review of the peer-reviewed and gray literature to identify articles related to the development and delivery of PHC in post-conflict settings. We searched PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase/Ovid, CAB abstracts, POPLINE, and WHO.int. between January 1990 through the December end of 2017, for articles in the English language. Two researchers independently assessed each article and applied inclusion criteria: referring to postconflict settings and a range of terms related to PHC or health system development. Search terms were selected by careful review of the World Health Organization’s analytical framework for developing a strategy on universal coverage and analysis according to the availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of healthcare and further themes involving demand-side or user-side concerns.Results: Findings were captured to reflect a range of conflict-affected settings and varied priorities and approaches to PHC reconstruction. Integrated immediate and longer-term strategies, involving needs-assessments, effective administration, development of institutions, and cost-efficient investment in human resources, infrastructure, and capacity building are needed to deliver expanded and equitable services, responsive to population health needs, critical to the delivery of equitable PHC.Conclusions: Scoping review of the literature may be formative in the generation of evidence-base to inform delivery of universal PHC, when applied according to context specificity of conflict-affected setting.
Adaptation of labor and delivery to COVID-19
Authors: Karuppiah, MBBS, MD Arunthevaraja , Bharadwaj, MBBS Shobana , Crimmins, MD Sarah , Elsamadicy, MD Emad , Rabin, MD Joseph , Kodali, MBBS, MD Bhavani Shankar
Published: September 2020

As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) escalates globally, and no end in sight, we describe an approach for adapting swiftly to the increasing number of COVID-19 parturients admitted into labor and delivery unit. The adaptability includes physical layout, triaging, quick testing, isolating confirmed parturients, access to designated intensive care units, facilitating emergent cesarean deliveries, and educating health care personnel. It is vital that other healthy parturients and healthcare providers must be protected from COVID-19. It is encouraged that institutions exchange and disseminate information to succeed in the global fight against this dreaded pandemic.
Beauvoir’s Concept of “Decline”
Authors: McLennan Matthew R.
Published: September 2020

This paper explicates Simone de Beauvoir’s concept of “decline” in ageing and assesses both its plausibility and its ethical and political promise. Though I maintain that the concept is largely plausible, and that it helps us to envision social justice for the aged, I also note certain limitations, and these lead me to suggest philosophical and ethical caution as to its range of application. Briefly, both in theory and in practice, Beauvoir appears to questionably conflate the decline of the phenomenological subject with that of a younger adult version of the psychological self or structure of the personality. Through examinations of Beauvoir’s account of dementia and her paternalism towards her dying mother and the declining Jean-Paul Sartre, I suggest how her concept of decline may fall short, but also how her rich phenomenological descriptions point the way to a pluralistic approach to ageing as a social justice issue.
A Feasibility Study for the Optimized Development of Renewable Air-Conditioning for Different Climatic Conditions
Authors: Oye Tosin T. , Gupta Naren , Goh Keng , Oye Toyosi K.
Published: September 2020

This paper aims to present renewable air-conditioning as a sustainable system for varied climatic conditions with the feasibility of optimization to reduce the level of energy consumption and the rate of carbon emissions. Extreme use of air-conditioning has caused substantial growth in the level of energy consumption and carbon emissions. This fact clarifies the requirement for considering improvement applications of renewable energy sources for air-conditioning systems. The components of solar air-conditioning are studied and employed as the basis for system optimization. The approach this paper presented implements a key component-based modelling analysis of renewables and modelling concepts that the geometry of this air-conditioning is founded on. The optimized model is performed using Polysun program, a renewable system analysis tool. As an exercise in the system modelling, the principle component analysis also accounts for the renewables of air-conditioning in relation to the context of the application and with respect to their integration into the climatic conditions of London, Toulouse and Rome. This, in turn, allows for the interpretation of the findings on the significance of renewables in energy consumption and carbon emissions. It also allows for the generation of a sustainability-based system that can reduce the level of energy consumption and the rate of carbon emissions. In this way, this paper uncovers the significance of renewables as a source of clean energy and sustainable practice in air-conditioning. It also reveals the particular contribution they make to the levels of energy consumption and carbon emissions that not only tackles global warming but also combats climate change.
The Significance of Erosion Channels on Gold Metallogeny in the Witwatersrand Basin (South Africa): Evidence from the Carbon Leader Reef in the Carletonville Gold Field
Authors: Nwaila G. T. , Bourdeau J. E. , Jinnah Z. , Frimmel H. E. , Bybee G. M. , Zhang S. E. , Manzi M.S.D. , Minter W.E.L. , Mashaba D.
Published: September 2020

Within the eastern portion of the Carletonville gold field, the gold- and uranium-rich Carbon Leader reef of the Central Rand Group (Witwatersrand Supergroup) is truncated by an erosion channel. This channel is asymmetrical and lenticular in shape, measuring 150 to 180 m in width and up to 100 m in depth. High-resolution seismic data show that the erosion channel cuts from the Carbon Leader reef into all older units of the Central Rand Group down to the Roodepoort Formation of the underlying West Rand Group. A total of seven boreholes were drilled into the channel, revealing that it is composed of quartzite at its base (9 m thick), overlain by deformed (lower) and laminated (upper) chloritoid-bearing shale (21 m thick) and quartzite (18 m thick). The Carbon Leader reef is highly enriched in gold (5–40 g/t Au), whereas the gold tenor of the erosion channel fill is in general much lower (<1 g/t Au), although locally grades of as much as 3.8 g/t Au are reached. Detailed seismic, sedimentological, and petrographic analyses revealed that the channel was filled with locally sourced sediments from the Main Formation. A closed-system mass balance further demonstrates that gold in the erosion channel could have been entirely sourced from the Carbon Leader reef. Sediment load played a crucial role in the distribution of gold in the channel, thus supporting a stratigraphically controlled modified placer model for the origin of gold in the Carbon Leader reef.
Serviceability fragility functions for New Zealand residential windows
Authors: Carradine David , Kumar Aman , Fairclough Roger , Beattie Graeme
Published: September 2020

Glazing and window systems in New Zealand have been shown to be susceptible to significant damage as evidenced by the past decade of earthquakes. The seismic performance of glazing and window systems has resulted in considerable financial loss, disruption in business and physical injuries following earthquakes.  In order to investigate the vulnerability of residential windows in typical light timber framed buildings racking testing was conducted on six wall configurations.  Numerous observations of window performance were made during the testing and from these results fragility functions were developed for timber and aluminium framed windows.  These fragility functions suggest that even at low displacement levels damage can occur to windows that can potentially affect weather-tightness and require repairs following an earthquake.  These functions can inform decisions around designing for resiliency in residential structures in New Zealand.
Experimental investigation into the seismic fragility of a commercial glazing system
Authors: Arifin Fransiscus , Sullivan Timothy , Dhakal Rajesh
Published: September 2020

Good seismic performance of glazing systems is essential to maintaining building functionality and limiting repair costs in a post-earthquake scenario. This paper reports on experimental research into the seismic performance of a standard commercial glazing system used in New Zealand. The focus of the research is to provide information not only on the life-safety performance of glazing but also on the serviceability of glazing systems, considering post-earthquake weather-tightness. This paper first describes the experimental testing set-up developed at the University of Canterbury to achieve this, then details the damage observed and finally, fragility functions for different damage states are reported. Leakage of the glazing is seen to initiate at a median storey drift demand of only 0.35%, whereas glass breakage did not occur until a median drift storey demand of 5.0%. The results obtained from this research demonstrate that the life-safety risk posed by modern commercial glazing in earthquakes will typically be low but the serviceability performance, and in particular weather-tightness post-earthquake, should be improved.
A Mediastinal Mass with Abdominal and Pulmonary Presentation
Authors: Ish Pranav , Das Abanti , Gupta Nitesh , Srikanth Juvva Kishan , Batra Sakshi , Chakrabarti Shibdas
Published: September 2020

A 60-year-old male presented with the acute onset of breathlessness and dry cough. He had a documented weight loss of 5 kgs with the lack of appetite [...]
Vitamin D Supplementation to Prevent COVID-19 in Patients with COPD: A Research Perspective
Authors: Chaabouni Malek , Feki Walid , Chaabouni Khansa , Kammoun Samy
Published: September 2020

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that has caused now more than 200,000 deaths [...]
Analysis of Hospital Management of Chronic Respiratory Diseases in Light of the “Maps of Health Needs” Project in Poland
Authors: Jahnz-Różyk Karina , Czajkowska-Malinowska Małgorzata , Krenke Katarzyna , Sands Dorota , Gabryel Halina Batura , Kabicz Paweł , Diaków Emilia , Więckowska Barbara
Published: September 2020

Introduction: The “Maps of Health Needs” project has been carried out in Poland since 2016 and its purpose is to implement quality-promoting and organisational solutions in the Polish healthcare system. This paper is the analysis of hospitalisations for chronic respiratory diseases recorded in Polish National Health Fund databases in 2014. Material and methods: The study included 122,000 hospitalisations of adults and 22,000 hospitalisations of children. Epidemio-logical parameters (incidence and prevalence) and major hospitalisation parameters were determined through statistical analysis. Results: The highest registered incidence was observed in asthma patients (548 per 100,000 inhabitants) followed by COPD patients (233 per 100,000 inhabitants). Asthma patients were also characterised by the highest prevalence, with lower values being observed in COPD patients. In the group of adults, patients aged 65 years or older and 80 years or older accounted for 44% and 14% of hospitalised adults respectively. The analysis also revealed that 66% of hospitalisations of adults included patients with asthma, COPD and respiratory failure. The development of respiratory failure prolongs hospitalisation and increases both in-hospital and post-discharge mortality. In children, 90% of the identified hospitalisations were for asthma, chronic inflammatory lung diseases and cystic fibrosis. Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate that pulmonary obstructive diseases are associated with a considerable burden. Therefore, corrective actions within the Polish healthcare system are required to decrease the number of hospitalisations for these diseases.
THE IMPACT OF PADDING WELD SHAPE OF AGRICULTURAL
MACHINERY TOOLS ON THEIR ABRASIVE WEAR
Authors: ROMEK Dawid , SELECH Jarosław , ULBRICH Dariusz , FELUSIAK Agata , KIERUJ Piotr , JANEBA-BARTOSZEWICZ Agata , PIENIAK Daniel
Published: September 2020

The paper presents laboratory tests results of wear in the abrasive mass of cultivator coulters subjected to
coated electrode pad welding. In the first stage of the test, one type of electrode was used and a padding weld
was applied to the coulter surface in three different shape variants (perpendicular, parallel to the abrasive mass
stream and V-shaped). The lowest abrasive wear was obtained for samples with a padding weld deposited
perpendicularly to the abrasive mass stream. Therefore, in the second stage of the research, this padding
weld shape was selected and made using three different electrodes. Tests of abrasive wear both in the first
and the second stage of the experiment were carried out at a distance of 100 km by the "rotating bowl unit"
method. Both the direction of the application of the padding weld (shape) and the chemical composition of the
electrode used in the pad welding process significantly increased the resistance to abrasive wear compared to
coulters whose surface has not been welded.
Inclusão do índice de espaçamento relativo no diagrama de manejo da densidade do povoamento
Authors: Schneider Paulo Renato , Schneider Paulo Sérgio Pigato , Longhi Solon Jonas , Mendes Junior Oliveira , Meyer Evandro Alcir
Published: September 2020

Este estudo teve por objetivo estruturar a produção em volume de povoamentos de Pinus taeda L., através de diagrama de manejo, tomando como base os parâmetros: densidade populacional, altura dominante, diâmetro médio de área basal e índice de espaçamento relativo. Os dados utilizados são oriundos de 128 parcelas permanentes, as quais foram medidas anualmente até aos 18 anos de idade e conduzidas em densidade completa, com espaçamentos de 1,5 x 1,0 m e 1,5 x 2,0 m. Concomitantemente, foram utilizados dados de parcelas permanentes submetidas a diferentes intensidades de desbaste, sendo a densidade regulada pelo índice de espaçamento relativo. O diagrama de manejo elaborado permitiu a prognose do volume por hectare, do diâmetro médio de área basal e da disponibilidade de espaço de crescimento, através do índice de espaçamento relativo, a partir das variáveis altura dominante e número de árvores com precisão e baixo erro de estimativa.
Estruturação espacial de traços funcionais de espécies arbóreas em função da distância da borda em Floresta Alto-Montana no sul do Brasil
Authors: Dreyer Jaqueline Beatriz Brixner , Schlickmann Monique Bohora , Cuchi Tarik , Vieira Francielle Santos , Moraes Giselli Castilho , Higuchi Pedro , Silva Ana Carolina da
Published: September 2020

O presente estudo visou avaliar a organização funcional de espécies arbóreas em um remanescente de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Alto-Montana no município de Urubici, SC. A hipótese de que as espécies avaliadas apresentam elevada heterogeneidade funcional e que é espacialmente estruturada em função da distância da borda do remanescente foi testada. Para a determinação das espécies mais abundantes do fragmento, foi alocada uma transecção (20 x 100 m) perpendicular à borda do fragmento, em que foram amostradas as árvores com diâmetro a altura do peito (DAP) ≥ 5 cm. Para as espécies mais abundantes, foram caracterizados os seus traços funcionais: densidade da madeira (DM), área foliar (AF), área foliar específica (AFE) e altura máxima potencial (Hmax). Foram determinados os valores médios dos traços ponderados para a comunidade (CWM) e a diversidade funcional (RaoQ). Os dados foram analisados por meio de uma Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA) e por meio de correlograma de Mantel. Enquanto o eixo 1 da PCA sintetizou um gradiente funcional relacionado com a Hmax e AFE, o eixo 2 indicou uma variação relacionada com a DM e a AF. Além disso, observou-se estruturação espacial dos traços foliares (AF e AFE) e da diversidade funcional. Na borda, que é o ambiente onde a vegetação está mais exposta à geada, foi observada menor diversidade funcional, com a predominância de espécies com folhas pequenas. Assim, foi possível concluir que as espécies estudadas não são funcionalmente homogêneas e que a organização funcional é espacialmente estruturada em função da distância da borda.
Atributos físicos do solo de florestas urbanas como indicadores de degradação
Authors: Rocha Gabriela Manente , Garcia Joice Machado , Silva Alessandra Leite da , Longo Regina Márcia
Published: September 2020

A falta de planejamento urbano tem levado ao crescimento desordenado das cidades e a problemas sociais e ambientais como: a falta de saneamento básico, a poluição hídrica do ar e do solo, o desmatamento, dentre outros e também à fragmentação dos ecossistemas naturais. Nesse contexto, em áreas urbanas é possível observar um número menor e cada vez mais degradado de fragmentos florestais, sobretudo nas suas bordas, em razão de alteração física dos solos nesses locais, dentre outros fatores de degradação. Diante disso, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a degradação física do solo nas áreas de borda de dois fragmentos florestais localizados na Bacia Hidrográfica do Ribeirão Anhumas, em Campinas-SP. Para tanto, foram avaliados os índices físicos dos solos, além do Índice de Área Foliar (IAF) e do Índice de Avermelhamento do Solo (IAV). As amostras foram coletadas em pontos equidistantes entre 70 e 80 metros e a 20 metros da borda em cada fragmento de interesse. Com os resultados obtidos, procedeu-se à Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) a fim de identificar se existem correlações entre os indicadores analisados. As análises físicas do solo indicaram que ambos os remanescentes se encontram em estágio de degradação avançado. Um deles, porém, apresentou resultados com maiores variações em todos os parâmetros físicos analisados. Apesar de não ter sido identificada correlação entre os índices físicos, o IAF e o IAV, os parâmetros são eficientes na análise e identificação da degradação do solo e os resultados contribuem para o estabelecimento de uma proposta de recuperação dessas áreas.
Panorama das dissertações e teses defendidas no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Extensão Rural da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (1968-2017)
Authors: Ribeiro Isadora Moreira , Doula Sheila Maria , Oliveira Marcelo Leles Romarco de
Published: September 2020

O estudo apresenta um panorama das dissertações e teses defendidas no Programa de Pós-graduação em Extensão Rural da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, o mais antigo do Brasil, que completou 50 anos de implantação em 2018. Metodologicamente, utiliza-se a análise documental, classificando qualitativamente e quantitativamente os principais termos presentes nos títulos dos 538 trabalhos defendidos entre 1968 e 2017. Os resultados mostram o deslocamento de um projeto difusionista e produtivista de Extensão Rural para as reflexões acerca das consequências desse modelo, o que se acentua com a institucionalização da PNATER, em 2003. Com base no histórico institucional da Extensão Rural no Brasil, conclui-se que há uma inter-relação entre as pesquisas acadêmicas e as políticas públicas da área.
Da lavoura para a máquina de costura: a inserção dos homens no Polo de Confecções do Agreste de Pernambuco
Authors: Milanês Renata
Published: September 2020

Este artigo tem como foco analisar as relações de trabalho no âmbito das atividades produtivas têxteis desenvolvidas na zona rural no Polo de Confecções do Agreste de Pernambuco. Tomando como base empírica a inserção dos homens no mercado de trabalho, pretende-se realizar uma análise etnográfica com os/as agricultores(as) e/ou costureiros(as), observando também como o trabalho pluriativo da costura tem interferido na garantia da reprodução social das famílias camponesas. Este trabalho procura oferecer uma análise antropológica e etnográfica, a partir das ações e valores das pessoas que moram e trabalham nas suas próprias residências. A pesquisa de campo que orientou essas reflexões foi fruto de uma dissertação de Mestrado, na qual foram realizadas trinta entrevistas com os diversos atores que compõem o cenário deste estudo. A partir da inserção masculina no ramo da costura e da construção da representação social dessa profissão, o estudo conclui (através de uma análise geracional) que existe um conflito de identidade visível sobre o que é “ser agricultor” e “ser costureiro”, elucidando possíveis resistências a esse ofício na região.
Representing Student Voice in an Approximation of Practice: Using Planted Errors in Coached Rehearsals to Support Teacher Candidate Learning
Authors: Campbell Matthew P. , Baldinger, Erin E. , Graif Foster
Published: September 2020

Approximations of practice provide opportunities for teacher candidates (TCs) to engage in the work of teaching in situations of reduced complexity. A problem of practice for teacher educators relates to how to represent student voice in approximations to engage TCs with interactive practices in meaningful ways. In this article, we share an analysis of our use of “planted errors” in coached rehearsals with secondary mathematics TCs focused on the practice of responding to errors in whole-class discussion. We highlight how different iterations of the planted errors affect the authenticity of how student voice was represented in the rehearsals and the resulting opportunities for TC learning. We offer design considerations for coached rehearsals and other approximations of practice.
Interventions, Tools, and Equity-Oriented Resources in the MTE Journal
Authors: Elrod Emily , West Heather , Hollebrands, Karen F. , Faulkner Valerie
Published: September 2020

The Mathematics Teacher Educator journal is co-sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. In June, both organizations released statements that call for mathematics teachers and mathematics teacher educators (MTEs) to “engage in anti-racist and trauma-informed education in our daily practices as processes of learning and adjustments” (NCTM, 2020) and to “actively work to be anti-racist in our acts of teaching, research, and service” (AMTE, 2020). This editorial highlights equity-related interventions and tools that can be implemented by MTEs. We reiterate statements made by NCTM and AMTE, describe key features of interventions and tools, and share equity-related resources published in the journal for MTEs to use with teachers.
Molecular characteristic of activin receptor IIB and its functions in growth and nutrient regulation in Eriocheir sinensis
Authors: Wang Jingan , Zhang Kaijun , Hou Xin , Yue Wucheng , Yang He , Chen Xiaowen , Wang Jun , Wang Chenghui
Published: September 2020

Activin receptor IIB (ActRIIB) is a serine/threonine-kinase receptor binding with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily ligands to participate in the regulation of muscle mass in vertebrates. However, its structure and function in crustaceans remain unknown. In this study, the ActRIIB gene in Eriocheir sinensis (Es-ActRIIB) was cloned and obtained with a 1,683 bp open reading frame, which contains the characteristic domains of TGF-β type II receptor superfamily, encoding 560 amino acids. The mRNA expression of Es-ActRIIB was the highest in hepatopancreas and the lowest in muscle at each molting stage. After injection of Es-ActRIIB double-stranded RNA during one molting cycle, the RNA interference (RNAi) group showed higher weight gain rate, higher specific growth rate, and lower hepatopancreas index compared with the control group. Meanwhile, the RNAi group displayed a significantly increased content of hydrolytic amino acid in both hepatopancreas and muscle. The RNAi group also displayed slightly higher contents of saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid but significantly decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid compared with the control group. After RNAi on Es-ActRIIB, the mRNA expressions of five ActRIIB signaling pathway genes showed that ActRI and forkhead box O (FoxO) were downregulated in hepatopancreas and muscle, but no significant expression differences were found in small mother against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 3, SMAD4 and mammalian target of rapamycin. The mRNA expression s of three lipid metabolism-related genes (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1β (CPT1β), fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid elongation) were significantly downregulated in both hepatopancreas and muscle with the exception of CPT1β in muscles. These results indicate that ActRIIB is a functionally conservative negative regulator in growth mass, and protein and lipid metabolism could be affected by inhibiting ActRIIB signaling in crustacean.
Factors Influencing Depression: Comparison according to Economic Status
Authors: Kwon Myoungjin , Seo Kawoun
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare factors influencing depression in elderly women according to economic status.Methods: The data were obtained from the 6th and 7th KNHNES. Data for 1,814 elderly women were included. Variables related to general, physical and psychological characteristics were selected.Results: The results of the study were as follows. 1) In elderly women, factors influencing depression were found to be: higher economic level, older age, myocardial or angina pectoris, diabetes, dietary status, drinking more than one drink at a time, higher stress level, marital status and home ownership. 2) In elderly women with a moderate economic level, economic activity, stress level, subjective health status, frequency of drinking, and chewing problems were the major factors contributing factors to depression. 3) In elderly women with a lower economic level, level of educational, physical discomfort for two weeks, hypertension subjective body shape, subjective health status, frequency of drinking, amount drank at one time, number of household members, dietary condition, home ownership, body mass index, chewing problems and frequency of breakfast, lunch and dinner per week were the variables influencing depression.Conclusion: The results of this study show that factors influencing depression are different according to the economic status of elderly women. In order to prevent depression in elderly women, it is necessary to establish different strategies according to their economic status.
Development and Effects of Supplementary Textbook about EKG for Nursing Students
Authors: Yeom Gye Jeong , Yang Jeongha , Kim Hyun Sook
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop teaching material of electrocardiography (ECG) education for nursing students. Teaching material was designed to increase ECG knowledge and self-confidence of nursing students.Methods: A convenience sample of 72 nursing students in a university of South Korea were recruited to an experimental group (n=36) or a control group (n=36). A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was employed to test effects of teach material on ECG knowledge and self-confidence of nursing students. Teaching material was developed based on analysis learners, state objectives, select media & materials, utilize media & materials, require learner participation, and evaluate & revise (ASSURE) model. ECG knowledge and self-confidence were self-reported using scales developed by authors. Pre-test and post-test data were collected before and after a three-week intervention period.Results: The ECG knowledge of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (t=6.86, p<.001). And the self-confidence of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (t=3.07, p=.003).Conclusion: Teaching material developed in this study was effective in improving ECG knowledge and self-confidence of nursing students. Thus, this teaching material could be used as supplementary textbook in diverse nursing practice education such as simulation or nursing skill training.
O papel do turismo nas transformações espaciais no litoral da região metropolitana de salvador
Authors: Santana Mariana de Oliveira , Silva Maina Pirajá , Giudice Dante Severo
Published: September 2020

A borda atlântica da Região Metropolitana de Salvador (RMS) sofreu e vem sofrendo grandes transformações, sobretudo nas últimas décadas. Reflexo das atividades imobiliárias e turísticas que estão em crescente ascensão e são os principais fomentadores desta área. Neste contexto, o objetivo central da pesquisa foi analisar como ocorreu o processo de produção do espaço neste litoral, por meio do turismo, e sobre quais foram os principais elementos que influenciaram essa produção, utilizando como estudo de caso o município de Mata de São João. Em relação aos aspectos conceituais e metodológicos, o trabalho fundamenta-se nos conceitos de espaço e turismo, e utiliza-se dos procedimentos metodológicos: monográfico-descritivo, histórico e estatístico, bem como análises através de observações semiestruturadas in loco. Os resultados evidenciaram que as áreas urbanas isoladas, Praia do Forte, Imbassaí e Sauípe foram as mais afetadas pelas atividades turísticas e, consequentemente, sofreram profundas mudanças socioespaciais. Isto ocorreu, principalmente, por causa da construção da BA-099, além de outras infraestruturas criadas pelo Estado.
Táticas para o jogo turístico em grupos de municípios da Província de Buenos Aires
Authors: Porto Natalia , Dowbley Victoria , Garcia Carolina Inés
Published: September 2020

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a distribuição de recursos e comodidades turísticas, juntamente com outras variáveis relevantes nos municípios da Província de Buenos Aires, a fim de propor uma classificação que considere a potencialidade de determinados recursos no seu desenvolvimento turístico. Emprega-se uma metodologia de classificação estatística multivariada e, como resultado, obtêm-se oito grupos de municípios. Eles apresentam uma transição gradual de municípios onde a atividade turística é relativamente mais importante a outros mais urbanizados e industrialmente desenvolvidos. Três grupos destacam-se do ponto de vista da atividade turística: um deles está principalmente composto por municípios da Costa Atlântica, com uma maioría de recursos naturais e uma alta participação da Atividade de Alojamento e Restaurantes na economia local. Os outros dois grupos estão maiormente compostos por municípios com uma dotação relativamente alta de recursos turísticos esportivos: um deles é mais urbano, com recursos vinculados ao futebol e ao rugbi, enquanto o outro é mais rural e tem um outro tipo de recursos esportivos, como pólo, golfe, basquetebol ou pesca, incluindo clubes e associações. Estes descobrimentos mostram que existe uma grande oportunidade para o desenvolvimento de uma estratégia de turismo de esportes. Espera-se que o presente trabalho contribua para a comprensão da diversidade dos municípios da Província de Buenos Aires, estimule o uso de métodos estatísticos multivariados nesta área de pesquisa, e proponha a consideração de recursos alternativos, como aqueles vinculados aos esportes, para o desenvolvimento local por meio do turismo.
Characterization of Bio-active Compounds Essential for Blood Coagulation in the Crude Extracts of Tradescantia zebrina, Tagetes minuta and Codiaeum variegatum Leaves
Authors: Grace Gakuo , Aloys Osano , Chaka Bakari
Published: September 2020

Aims: Many commercial drugs used for blood clotting are expensive and have associated side-effects.  The extracts of Tagetes minuta, Codieum variegatum and Tradescantia zebrine are used for blood clotting. These extracts are highly efficient and have no known side-effects. This study aimed at characterizing crude extracts of these plant species used to accelerate blood clotting.

Study Design: An independent measures experimental design was used in the study.

Place and duration of study: The research was conducted between 21st September, 2018 and 21st May, 2019. The study was conducted in Maasai mara university, Kenya and Multimedia university of Kenya.

Methodology: Extracts of these herbs were obtained and analyzed for absorption bands, functional groups, bio-metal concentrations, physical-chemical parameters, phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity. Test for blood clotting factors (calcium and vitamin K) was also conducted.

Results: All extracts had common functional group peaks at 2800-3500 cm-1 (carboxylic OH), 1680 cm-1 (carbonyl), and 1035cm-1 (C-Ostretch). The extracts had an average pH of 6.59 0.702 and conductivity of 0.58 0.079mS. The average solubility in distilled water was 16.67 1.534 g/100 ml water at 37°C. The extracts were found to be abundant in iron, copper and phytochemicals. All extracts portrayed moderate inhibition to E. coli bacteria and C. albicans fungi but mild inhibition towards S. aureus bacteria. The extracts had trace amounts of Vitamin K and moderate amounts of calcium.
Error Analysis of Meshfree Approximation in Nonlinear Black-Scholes Model
Authors: Onwona-Agyeman Godwin , Oduro Francis T. , Okyere Gabriel Asare , Obeng Awudu
Published: September 2020

The transaction cost model of Guy Barles and Halil Mete Soner is incorporated into the standard Black Scholes Equation. The resulting model is solved by a numerical method, called, the meshfree approximation using radial basis function. The errors produced by the scheme are discussed and presented in diagrams and tables.
Acroischemia in a Patient with Tracheostomy in COVID-19: A Case Report
Authors: Sagane Bhagyashree , Divity Shivakumar , Dabholkar Yogesh G.
Published: September 2020

As a part of global health care system we are now facing an unprecedented increase in the number of COVID positive patients. While the SARS-CoV2 continues to expand its reach, newer information gets reported every day. The phenomenon of acro-ischemia in patients testing positive for SARS-CoV2 has started gathering attention within the medical community. Also, with increased need for tracheostomy HCWs (health care workers) are constantly at a high risk of aerosol exposure. We report a case of a critically ill, late detected, COVID positive male, with dermatological signs who landed in a tracheostomy. We aim to highlight the importance of high index of suspicion and early detection that would make a significant difference.
Screening, Isolation and Identification of High Antioxidant Strains from 16 Kinds of Mushrooms
Authors: Pei-Xia Li , Tian-Tian Jan , Wei-Yi Li , Dong-Hao He , Yi Huang
Published: September 2020

Aims: To promote the rational exploration of the mushroom resources, this study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity of 16 kinds of mushrooms collected from the Sichuan province in China and completed the identification of the optimal active strains.

Place and Duration of Study: School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan province, China. April 2019 to May 2020 (13 Months).

Methodology: 16 kinds of mushrooms were collected in the wild. These strains were isolated and cultivated. The extract’s antioxidant activities of fermentation broth and mycelium were assessed using the DPPH radical-scavenging method. The higher activity strains were also evaluated by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and the Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Meanwhile, the contents of total flavonoids and total phenols were determined. Finally, The highly active strains were identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) Identification.

Results: All extract of fermentation broth and mycelium from 16 kinds of mushrooms had scavenging effects on DPPH. Among them, strain No. 6 and No. 7 exhibited obvious antioxidant capacity, and the scavenging rates of their fermentation broths on DPPH were 89.47% and 84.27%, respectively. And the results of TEAC and FRAP were consistent with those of DPPH. Besides, these two kinds of mushrooms were all rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, and the content in the fermentation broth was significantly higher than that in the mycelium, indicating that phenolic and flavonoid substances may be the material basis of their antioxidant effect. The strain No. 6 and No. 7 were confirmed to be Bjerkandera and Nigrospora sp, respectively by 16S nrDNA sequence identification.

Conclusion: The results showed that Bjerkandera and Nigrospora sp. possessed the highest antioxidant capacities with rich total phenolic and total flavonoids. They could be potential sources of natural antioxidants for further exploration and application.
Comparative Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis among Four Subgroups in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Orevaoghene Onosakponome Evelyn , Wogu Michael Ndubuisi
Published: September 2020

Aims: This study was carried out to investigate the comparative seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxoplasmosis among four subgroups in Port Harcourt viz: immunocompromised persons (HIV), pregnant women (PTW) and schizophrenics (SZN), using immunocompetent persons (IP) as controls.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was adopted.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) and Neuro Psychiatric Hospital (NPH) between March 2016 and February 2017.

Methodology: A total of 800 (200 from each of the group) samples were collected from subjects from the three hospitals. Study participants of ≥20 years were used in this study. The detection of T. gondii antibodies in examined sera was carried out using ELISA –IgG and IgM assay using standard procedures. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on social demographic risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis.

Results: Out of the 800 (200 per group) examined, SZN recorded the highest seroprevalence of IgG 50%(100)(P.= .05) and IgM 4%(8) followed closely by HIV subjects with seroprevalence of IgG 32%(72) (P=.05) and IgM 2%(3). However, the seroprevalence were not significantly different from that of the immunocompetent control group which had the least seroprevalence. Schizophrenia subjects in age group 20-24 years recorded the highest seroprevalence with (P=.05) The unemployed recorded the highest seroprevalence for SZN with rates of 43% for IgG. More males were infected with the disease than females. Male Schizophrenics recorded a seroprevalence of 20.9%. There was no significant relationship between seroprevalence and demographic factors among subjects.

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that toxoplasmosis was relatively prevalent (P=.05) among the studied population, with schizophrenics having the highest seroprevalence. Therefore, incorporating detection of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in routine testing in our health care centers is recommended for monitoring and control of the disease.
Expression of the translation termination factor eRF1 is autoregulated by translational readthrough and 3'UTR intron‐mediated NMD in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Kurilla Anita , Szőke Anita , Auber Andor , Káldi Krisztina , Silhavy Dániel
Published: September 2020

Eukaryotic release factor 1 (eRF1) is a translation termination factor that binds to the ribosome at stop codons. The expression of eRF1 is strictly controlled, since its concentration defines termination efficiency and frequency of translational readthrough. Here, we show that eRF1 expression in Neurospora crassa is controlled by an autoregulatory circuit that depends on the specific 3'UTR structure of erf1 mRNA. The stop codon context of erf1 promotes readthrough that protects the mRNA from its 3'UTR‐induced nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD). High eRF1 concentration leads to inefficient readthrough, thereby allowing NMD‐mediated erf1 degradation. We propose that eRF1 expression is controlled by similar autoregulatory circuits in many fungi and seed plants and discuss the evolution of autoregulatory systems of different translation termination factors.
Multicompartment Microreactors Prevent Excitotoxic Dysfunctions In Rat Primary Cortical Neurons
Authors: Armada‐Moreira Adam , Coelho Joana E. , Lopes Luísa V. , Sebastião Ana M. , Städler Brigitte , Vaz Sandra H.
Published: September 2020

Excitotoxicity is a cellular phenomenon that comprises the consequences of toxic actions of excitatory neurotransmitters, such as glutamate. This process is usually related to overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ammonia (NH4+) toxicity. Platinum nanoparticle (Pt‐NP)‐based microreactors able to degrade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and NH4+, are previously described as a novel therapeutical approach against excitotoxicity, conferring protection to neuroblasts. Now, it is demonstrated that these microreactors are compatible with rat primary cortical neurons, show high levels of neuronal membrane interaction, and are able to improve cell survival and neuronal activity when neurons are exposed to H2O2 or NH4+. Additionally, more complex microreactors are assembled, including enzyme‐loaded liposomes containing glutamate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase, in addition to Pt‐NP. The in vitro activity of these microreactors is characterized and they are compared to the Pt‐NP‐based microreactors in terms of biological activity, concluding that they enhance cell viability similarly or more extensively than the latter. Extracellular electrophysiological recordings demonstrate that these microreactors rescue neuronal functionality lost upon incubation with H2O2 or NH4+. This study provides more evidence for the potential application of these microreactors in a biomedical context with more complex cellular environments.