bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collection of cancer Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) to link with primary and secondary electronic care records to understand and improve long term cancer outcomes: A protocol paper
Authors: Stamp Elizabeth , Clarke Gemma , Wright Penny , Velikova Galina , Crossfield Samantha S. R. , Zucker Kieran , McInerney Ciarán , Bojke Chris , Martin Adam , Baxter Paul , Woroncow Barbara , Wilson David , Warrington Lorraine , Absolom Kate , Burke Dermot , Stables Graeme I. , Mitra Angana , Hutson Richard , Glaser Adam W. , Hall Geoff
Published: April 2022

Introduction

More people are living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. There is limited understanding of the long-term effects of cancer and cancer treatment on quality of life and personal and household finances when compared to people without cancer. In a separate protocol we have proposed to link de-identified data from electronic primary care and hospital records for a large population of cancer survivors and matched controls. In this current protocol, we propose the linkage of Patient Reported Outcomes Measures data to the above data for a subset of this population. The aim of this study is to investigate the full impact of living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis compared to age and gender matched controls. A secondary aim is to test the feasibility of the collection of Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMS) data and the linkage procedures of the PROMs data to electronic health records data.

Materials and methods

This is a cross-sectional study, aiming to recruit participants treated at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Trust. Eligible patients will be cancer survivors at around 5 years post-diagnosis (breast, colorectal and ovarian cancer) and non-cancer patient matched controls attending dermatology out-patient clinics. They will be identified by running a query on the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust patient records system. Approximately 6000 patients (2000 cases and 4000 controls) will be invited to participate via post. Participants will be invited to complete PROMs assessing factors such as quality of life and finances, which can be completed on paper or online (surveys includes established instruments, and bespoke instruments (demographics, financial costs). This PROMs data will then be linked to routinely collected de-identified data from patient’s electronic primary care and hospital records.

Discussion

This innovative work aims to create a truly ‘comprehensive patient record’ to provide a broad picture of what happens to cancer patients across their cancer pathway, and the long-term impact of cancer treatment. Comparisons can be made between the cases and controls, to identify the aspects of life that has had the greatest impact following a cancer diagnosis. The feasibility of linking PROMs data to electronic health records can also be assessed. This work can inform future support offered to people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis, clinical practice, and future research methodologies.
Identifying variation for N-use efficiency and associated traits in amphidiploids derived from hybrids of bread wheat and the genera Aegilops, Secale, Thinopyrum and Triticum
Authors: Nehe Ajit , King Julie , King Ian P. , Murchie Erik H. , Foulkes M. John
Published: April 2022

Future genetic progress in wheat grain yield will depend on increasing biomass and this must be achieved without commensurate increases in nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs to minimize environmental impacts. In recent decades there has been a loss of genetic diversity in wheat through plant breeding. However, new genetic diversity can be created by incorporating genes into bread wheat from wild wheat relatives. Our objectives were to investigate amphidiploids derived from hybrids of bread wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) and related species from the generaAegilops,Secale,ThinopyrumandTriticumfor expression of higher biomass, N-use efficiency (NUE) and leaf photosynthesis rate compared to their bread wheat parents under high and low N conditions. Eighteen amphidiploid lines and their bread wheat parents were examined in high N (HN) and low N (LN) treatments under glasshouse conditions in two years. Averaged across years, grain yield reduced by 38% under LN compared to HN conditions (P = 0.004). Three amphidiploid lines showed positive transgressive segregation compared to their bread wheat parent for biomass per plant under HN conditions. Positive transgressive segregation was also identified for flag-leaf photosynthesis both pre-anthesis and post-anthesis under HN and LN conditions. For N uptake per plant at maturity positive transgressive segregation was identified for one amphidiploid line under LN conditions. Our results indicated that introgressing traits from wild relatives into modern bread wheat germplasm offers scope to raise biomass and N-use effciency in both optimal and low N availability environments.
Predictors of histopathological esophagitis in infants and adolescents with esophageal atresia within a national follow-up programme
Authors: Donoso Felipe , Beckman Anna , Malinovschi Andrei , Engstrand Lilja Helene
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital anomaly of the foregut. Although the survival has improved over the years there is a significant gastrointestinal morbidity affecting physical function and health-related quality of life. The aims of the study were to identify and evaluate predictors of histopathological esophagitis in infants and adolescents with EA.

Methods

Single centre, cross-sectional study including one and 15-year-old patients operated for EA that participated in the national follow-up programme between 2012 and 2020 according to a pre-established protocol including upper endoscopy with oesophageal biopsies and 24h-pH-test. Data was collected from patients’ medical records and pH-analysis software. Regression models were used to identify predictors of histopathological oesophagitis. Possible predictors were abnormal reflux index, endoscopic esophagitis, hiatal hernia, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and age.

Results

65 patients were included, 47 children and 18 adolescents. All children were treated with PPI during their first year of life. Symptoms of GER were reported by 13 (31.7%) of the infant’s caregivers, 34 of the children (72.3%) had abnormal reflux index and 32 (68.1%) had histopathological esophagitis. The corresponding numbers for adolescents were 8 (50%), 15 (83.3%) and 10 (55.6%). We found no significant associations between histopathological esophagitis and endoscopic esophagitis, symptoms of GER, hiatus hernia or age group. Abnormal reflux index was an independent predictor of histopathological esophagitis. Seven patients with normal reflux index had histopathological esophagitis, all grade I.

Conclusions

We found a high prevalence of histopathological esophagitis despite PPI treatment in accordance with recommendations. No significant difference between the two age groups was seen. Abnormal reflux index was an independent predictor of histopathological esophagitis. However, we cannot recommend the use of pH-metry as a substitute for esophageal biopsies; future studies are needed to elucidate if esophageal biopsies might be postponed in infants with normal reflux index.
Prevalence of breast muscle myopathies (spaghetti meat, woody breast, white striping) and associated risk factors in broiler chickens from Ontario Canada
Authors: Che Sunoh , Wang Chaoyue , Varga Csaba , Barbut Shai , Susta Leonardo
Published: April 2022

Spaghetti meat (SM), woody breast (WB), and white striping (WS) are myopathies that affect the pectoral muscle of fast-growing broiler chickens. The prevalence and possible risk factors of these myopathies have been reported in other countries, but not yet in Canada. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with these myopathies in a representative population of Canadian broilers. From May 2019 to March 2020, 250 random breast fillets from each of 37 flocks (total, 9,250) were obtained from two processing plants and assessed for the presence and severity of myopathies. Demographic data (e.g., sex and average live weight), environmental conditions during the grow-out period (e.g., temperature), and husbandry parameters (e.g., vaccination) were collected for each flock. Associations between these factors and the myopathies were tested using logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of SM, severe WB, and mild or moderate WS was 36.3% (95% CI: 35.3–37.3), 11.8% (95% CI: 11.2–12.5), and 96.0% (95% CI: 95.6–96.4), respectively. Most (85.1%) of the fillets showed multiple myopathies. Regression analyses showed that the odds of SM increased with live weight (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.01–1.69) and higher environmental temperature during the grow-out period (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.31–2.34). The odds of WB increased with live weight (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.03–1.47) and when flocks were not vaccinated against coccidia (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.51–2.29). This study documents for the first time a high prevalence of myopathies in Ontario broilers, and suggests that these lesions may have a significant economic impact on the Canadian poultry industry. Our results indicate that environmental conditions and husbandry are associated with the development of breast myopathies, in agreement with the current literature. Future studies are needed to determine how risk factors can promote the occurrence of these conditions, in order to implement possible mitigating strategies.
To assess the determinants of family planning uptake among women of reproductive age in rural settings, Morogoro Region, Tanzania. Protocol for a cross-sectional study
Authors: Machange Margareth Danielistan , Munyogwa Mariam John
Published: April 2022

Background

Maternal health outcomes in Tanzania had continued to be of great concern. According the Tanzania Demographic and Health surveys, maternal mortality is still unacceptable higher. Effective use of family planning is reported to prevent maternal deaths by more than 30%. However, the prevalence of family planning uptake is still lower especially in rural areas of this country despite the fact that family planning services are provided freely and at a subsidized cost in all public and private health care facilities respectively.

Objective of the study

The broad objective is to assess the determinants of family planning uptake among women of reproductive age in rural settings, Morogoro Region, Tanzania.

Methods

This study will be a cross-sectional study that will be conducted in rural areas of Morogoro Region. Study population will be women of reproductive age. Qualitative and quantitative approaches will be used to collect the data. Sampling techniques will involve stratification of urban and rural wards, simple and systematic random sampling for selection wards and households respectively and kish selection table for the selection one participant from a household. Purposive sampling will be applied to get participants for qualitative data. Data collection will be done by using semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide. Frequencies, percentages, chi-square test and logistic regression will be used to analyze the quantitative data whereas codes and themes formation will be used to analyze the qualitative data.
The impact of subject positioning on body composition assessments by air displacement plethysmography evaluated in a heterogeneous sample
Authors: Horhat Raluca , Miclos-Balica Monica , Muntean Paul , Popa Sandra , Sima Irina , Glisici Bogdan , Cîrja Onisim , Neagu Adrian , Neagu Monica
Published: April 2022

Introduction

This study sought to evaluate the impact of subject positioning on body composition assessments by air displacement plethysmography using the BOD POD®.

Methods

Eighty-two adults (42 men and 40 women), aged 26.1 ± 8.4 y (mean ± standard deviation), body mass index = 23.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2, were assessed by repeated measurements in two different positions: relaxed (legs apart, back away from the rear) and compact (legs together, arms near the body, back touching the rear). We relied on Bland-Altman analysis to quantify the agreement between results recorded in the two positions. Using body surface charts, we tested the hypothesis that posture-induced variability stems from differences in exposed skin area.

Results

Switching from compact to relaxed position resulted in a bias of -197 mL for body volume, -1.53% for percent body fat, and 1.085 kg for fat-free mass. The body surface area in contact with air was larger in relaxed position by 3632 ± 522 cm2. When body volume was expressed in terms of the actual area of exposed skin in the compact position, the percent body fat bias became 0.08%, with a 95% confidence interval of (-0.14, 0.29)%.

Conclusions

Subject posture is a source of significant variability in air displacement plethysmography. The disagreement between results obtained in different positions can be eliminated by adjusting the surface area artifact, suggesting that subject positioning in the BOD POD® should be controlled to avoid changes in the amount of air maintained under isothermal conditions by the body.
WalkIm: Compact image-based encoding for high-performance classification of biological sequences using simple tuning-free CNNs
Authors: Akbari Rokn Abadi Saeedeh , Mohammadi Amirhossein , Koohi Somayyeh
Published: April 2022

The classification of biological sequences is an open issue for a variety of data sets, such as viral and metagenomics sequences. Therefore, many studies utilize neural network tools, as the well-known methods in this field, and focus on designing customized network structures. However, a few works focus on more effective factors, such as input encoding method or implementation technology, to address accuracy and efficiency issues in this area. Therefore, in this work, we propose an image-based encoding method, called as WalkIm, whose adoption, even in a simple neural network, provides competitive accuracy and superior efficiency, compared to the existing classification methods (e.g. VGDC, CASTOR, and DLM-CNN) for a variety of biological sequences. Using WalkIm for classifying various data sets (i.e. viruses whole-genome data, metagenomics read data, and metabarcoding data), it achieves the same performance as the existing methods, with no enforcement of parameter initialization or network architecture adjustment for each data set. It is worth noting that even in the case of classifying high-mutant data sets, such as Coronaviruses, it achieves almost 100% accuracy for classifying its various types. In addition, WalkIm achieves high-speed convergence during network training, as well as reduction of network complexity. Therefore WalkIm method enables us to execute the classifying neural networks on a normal desktop system in a short time interval. Moreover, we addressed the compatibility of WalkIm encoding method with free-space optical processing technology. Taking advantages of optical implementation of convolutional layers, we illustrated that the training time can be reduced by up to 500 time. In addition to all aforementioned advantages, this encoding method preserves the structure of generated images in various modes of sequence transformation, such as reverse complement, complement, and reverse modes.
Understanding child disability: Factors associated with child disability at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in Uganda
Authors: Zia Nukhba , Bachani Abdulgafoor M. , Kajungu Dan , Galiwango Edward , Loeb Mitchell , Diener-West Marie , Wegener Stephen , Pariyo George , Hyder Adnan A.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

There is scarcity of data on children with disabilities living in low-and-middle-income countries, including Uganda. This study describes disability prevalence and explores factors associated with different disability categories. It highlights the value of using a standardized, easy-to-use tool to determine disability in children and contextualizing disability in children in light of their developmental needs.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2018–January 2019 at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in Uganda. Respondents were caregivers of children between 5–17 years and were administered an in-depth Child Functioning Module (CFM). The outcome variable, disability, was defined as an ordered categorical variable with three categories–mild, moderate, and severe. Generalized ordered logit model was applied to explore factors associated with disability categories.

Results

Out of 1,842 caregivers approached for the study, 1,439 (response: 78.1%) agreed to participate in the study. Out of these 1,439, some level of disability was reported by 67.89% (n = 977) of caregivers. Of these 977 children with disability, 48.01% (n = 692) had mild disability and 15.84% (n = 228) had moderate disability, while 3.96% (n = 57) had severe disability. The mean (SD) score for mild disability was 2.22±1.17, with a median of 2. The mean and median for moderate disability was 5.26±3.28 and 4 (IQR:3–6), and for severe disability was 14.23±9.51 and 12 (IQR:6–22). The most common disabilities reported were depression (54.83%) and anxiety (50.87%). Statistically significant association was found for completion of immunization status and school enrollment when controlled for a child’s age, sex, having a primary caregiver, age of mother at child’s birth, family system, family size and household wealth quintile.

Conclusion

This study suggests association between incomplete immunization status and school enrollment for children with disability. These are areas for further exploration to ensure inclusive health and inclusive education of children with disabilities in Uganda.
Severe community-acquired pneumonia in Reunion Island: Epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics, 2016–2018
Authors: de Mangou Axel , Combe Agathe , Coolen-Allou Nathalie , Miltgen Guillaume , Traversier Nicolas , Belmonte Olivier , Vandroux David , Bohrer Michel , Cousty Julien , Caron Margot , Vidal Charles , Allyn Jérôme , Allou Nicolas
Published: April 2022

Purpose

No data are available on severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the French overseas department of Reunion Island. This is unfortunate as the microorganisms responsible for the disease are likely to differ from those in temperate regions due to a tropical climate and proximity to other islands of the Indian Ocean region. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical, prognosis, and microbiological characteristics of patients with severe CAP in Reunion Island.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study evaluated all patients with CAP aged >18 years and hospitalized in one of the two intensive care units of Reunion Island between 2016 and 2018. Microorganisms were identified by culture from blood and respiratory samples, multiplex polymerase chain reaction from respiratory samples, urinary antigen tests, and serology.

Results

Over the study period, 573 cases of severe CAP were recorded, with a mean incidence of 22 per 100,000 person-years. The most frequently isolated microorganism was influenza (21.9%) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (12%). The influenza virus was detected in affected patients all year round. Twenty-four patients with severe CAP came from another island of the Indian Ocean region (4.2%), mainly Madagascar (>50%). Two of these patients presented with melioidosis and 4 were infected with Acinetobacter spp.

Conclusions

Our findings have major implications for the management of severe CAP in tropical regions. The most frequently isolated microorganism in patients with severe CAP in Reunion Island is influenza followed by S. pneumoniae. Physicians should be aware that influenza is the main cause of severe CAP in patients living in or returning from Reunion Island, where this virus circulates all year round.
When does selection favor learning from the old? Social learning in age-structured populations
Authors: Deffner Dominik , McElreath Richard
Published: April 2022

Culture and demography jointly facilitate flexible human adaptation, yet it still remains unclear how social learning operates in populations with age structure. Here, we present a mathematical model of the evolution of social learning in a population with different age classes. We investigate how demographic processes affect the adaptive value of culture, cultural adaptation and population growth, and identify the conditions that favor learning from older vs. younger individuals. We find that, even with age structure, social learning can evolve without increasing population fitness, i.e., “Rogers’ paradox” still holds. However, a process of “demographic filtering”, together with cultural transmission, can generate cumulative improvements in adaptation levels. We further show that older age classes have higher proportions of adaptive behavior when the environment is stable and adaptive behavior is hard to acquire but important to survival. Through individual-based simulations comparing temporal and spatial variability in the environment, we find a “copy-the-old”-strategy only evolves when social learning is erroneous and the opposite “copy-the-young”-strategy can function as a compromise between individual and social information use. Our results reveal that age structure substantially changes how culture evolves and provide principled empirical expectations about age-biased social learning and the role of demography in cultural adaptation.
Mosquito surveillance in maritime entry ports in Miami-Dade County, Florida to increase preparedness and allow the early detection of invasive mosquito species
Authors: Wilke André B. B. , Vasquez Chalmers , Carvajal Augusto , Moreno Maday , Petrie William D. , Beier John C.
Published: April 2022

Invasive mosquito vector species have been inadvertently transported to new areas by humans for decades. Strong evidence supports that monitoring maritime, terrestrial, and aerial points of entry is an essential part of the effort to curb the invasion and establishment of invasive vector mosquito species. Miami-Dade County, Florida is an important operational hub for the cruise ship industry and leisure boats that routinely visit nearby areas in the Caribbean, and freight cargo ships transporting goods from Miami-Dade to Caribbean countries and vice versa. To deal with the increasing public health concern, we hypothesized that mosquito surveillance in small- and medium-sized maritime ports of entry in Miami-Dade is crucial to allow the early detection of invasive mosquito species. Therefore, we have selected 12 small- and medium-sized maritime ports of entry in Miami-Dade County with an increased flow of people and commodities that were not covered by the current mosquito surveillance system. Collection sites were comprised of two distinct environments, four marinas with international traffic of leisure boats, and eight maintenance and commercial freight cargo ship ports. Mosquitoes were collected weekly at each of the 12 collection sites for 24 hours for 6 weeks in the Spring and then for 6 additional weeks in the Summer using BG-Sentinel traps. A total of 32,590 mosquitoes were collected, with Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti being the most abundant species totaling 19,987 and 11,247 specimens collected, respectively. Our results show that important mosquito vector species were present in great numbers in all of the 12 maritime ports of entry surveyed during this study. The relative abundance of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti was substantially higher in the commercial freight cargo ship ports than in the marinas. These results indicate that even though both areas are conducive for the proliferation of vector mosquitoes, the port area in the Miami River is especially suitable for the proliferation of vector mosquitoes. Therefore, this potentially allows the establishment of invasive mosquito species inadvertently brought in by cargo freights.
Prevalence and associated factors of diabetes mellitus among Governmental Civil Servants at Guji Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, 2021. A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Utura Takala , Fikrie Anteneh
Published: April 2022

Background

Despite it being easily preventable, still diabetes mellitus is found in every population in the world and all regions, with the greatest escalation in low and middle-income countries. Moreover, undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes can lead to lower limb amputation, blindness, and kidney disease. However, there is a paucity of information on the magnitude and associated factors among adult populations in rural pastoral areas. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of diabetes mellitus and associated factors among Guji Zone Government Civil Servants, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1-14/2018, among 437 randomly selected Government employees of Guji Zone. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were coded and entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify significant factors associated with the magnitude of DM. P<0.05 was used to declare statistical significance and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated.

Result

The median (±IQR) age of participants was 33 (±14) years of age. Overall, the prevalence of DM in the study population was found to be 16 (3.9%) [95% CI: 2.2–5.6%]. The prevalence of DM among males and females was 3.8% and 4.2% respectively. Age (<35 years) [0.21 (0.04–0.94)], increasing salt amount in dietary feeding [14.31(1.28–159.2)], Consumption of vegetable &fruit once per week [23.38(2.01–269.17)], diagnosed with HTN [21.35(2.28–199.37)], and Family history of DM [9.42(1.72–51.42)] were significantly associated with DM.

Conclusion

Comparably lower prevalence of previously undiagnosed DM was found by this study. Being old, excess salt consumption, intake of vegetables & fruit once per week, hypertension, and family history of DM were significantly associated with DM. Therefore, the zonal Health department should enhance and strengthen the provision of health education programs and counseling about nutrition, weight control, and appropriate physical activity and advised the communities for mass screening for diabetes.
Antibiotic prophylaxis for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jung Hae Do , Cho Kang Su , Moon Young Joon , Chung Doo Yong , Kang Dong Hyuk , Lee Joo Yong
Published: April 2022

Introduction

A single dose of preventive antibiotics is known to be sufficient to reduce the rate of infection-related complications in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). However, some studies reported that the extended dose showed lower complications for high-risk groups. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing single- and extended-dose antibiotic prophylaxis for PCNL.

Materials and methods

Relevant studies that compared single- and extended-dose antibiotic prophylactic therapies were identified. Articles were selected from PubMed, EMBASE, KoreaMed, and Google Scholar up to September 2021. Fever and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were compared by meta-analysis. A subgroup analysis was performed according to the degree of risk to the patient.

Results

A total of 10 articles were included in this study. There were no significant differences between single dose and extended dose in the rate of fever [p = 0.93, OR = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44–2.13, I2 = 64%]. Extended dose showed lower rate of SIRS compared to single dose (p = 0.0005, OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.30–2.53, I2 = 53%); in the subgroup analysis, extended dose also showed lower rates of SIRS compared to single dose in high-risk patients (p <0.0001, OR = 3.53, 95% CI 1.91–6.54, I2 = 36%).

Conclusions

The results of our meta-analysis showed that single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis can be effective for PCNL, but extended-dose antibiotics can be required in high-risk patients to reduce post-PCNL infection-related complications.
Combining the traditional craft of twined flower making with stone
Authors: Chou Yen-Fei , Lo Tsai-Yun
Published: April 2022

Twined flower making has been a handicraft practiced by women since the Qing Dynasty (1885–94) in which wires, papers and silk threads are the main materials used by entwining the materials together in various combinations into the forms of flowers. However, the rise of plastic flowers in the 1970s, the evolution of lifestyle and weakened folk traditions has led to the gradual decline of twined flower craft. The craft of twined flower making has not been taught in a systematic fashion and thus is more difficult to pass onto new generations. The research aims to bring the art of twined flower into daily life to continue the future of this craft. The eastern region of Taiwan has an abundance of stone resources. The conception of the project is to unite the contrasting materials of twined paper flowers and to augment the scope of the craft. Traditionally twined flower handicraft has been applied mostly as an ornament or fashion accessory for women. The project extends the craft to the context of stationery by combining features found in traditional Chinese painting to produce a modern object.
Rediscovering value through crafting plastic bags
Authors: Kim Taeyoun
Published: April 2022

As a fibre artist, I have tried to create unique work that differentiates from contemporary art and historical art forms. One such attempt involves my work using plastic bags and the resulting outcomes, which began with my interest in yarn. Many factors determine the quality of a material but a common characteristic is that a textile has its roots in yarn. I questioned ‘what if the yarn changes? – that is, if the materials sourced for yarn production change, before conceptualizing a specific artefact, the yarn can become a unique fabric in itself’. After a long series of tests with different materials, I chose to use the plastic bag, which has astounding potential as an art/craft material. My aim was to return the practicality of an everyday object back into everyday life. By giving a new value to the plastic bags’ original function of holding and moving things, I intended to unveil questions of ‘utility’ and ‘meaning’. In addition to its physical properties and material potential, the plastic bag broadened my conceptual framework of meaningful craft practice. When plastic bags first appeared, they were a symbol of hygiene and convenience in modern life. However, this ground-breaking material has since turned out to be a main culprit of environmental destruction; these contradictory perspectives representing contrasting ‘values’. Through my extensive work with recycled plastic bags, mainly sourced through waste streams, I have discovered further values and realize that the utility and value of an object (existence) are not fixed, but are dependent on the gaze and attitude of the viewer or user. In this article, I convey what I have found and realized through hand crafted yarn production and weaving techniques and hope it will lead to the discovery of further values for new audiences.
Berber Memories: Women and Jewellery in Morocco, Michel Draguet (2021)
Authors: Bernabei Roberta
Published: April 2022

Review of: Berber Memories: Women and Jewellery in Morocco, Michel Draguet (2021)

Brussels: Mercatorfonds and Yale University Press, 600 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-30025-395-5, h/bk, £65.00s
Pengaruh Peran Orang Tua dan Aksesibilitas Buah dan Sayuran terhadap Rendahnya Konsumsi Buah dan Sayur pada Anak Pra Sekolah di Kota Bima Nusa Tenggara Barat
Authors: Rostinah Rostinah , Nelly Nelly
Published: April 2022

Early childhood is critical to the development of lifelong food habits. Given the high proportion of children with inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, identification of modifiable factors associated with higher consumption may be useful in developing interventions to address this public health issue. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that affect fruit and vegetable consumption in a sample of Mpunda districts preschool children. Methods using  A cross-sectional telephone survey and questioner was conducted with 60 parents of 3 to 5 year-old children. Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption was measured using a valid and reliable subscale from the Children’s Dietary Questionnaire. Associations were investigated between children’s fruit and vegetable intake and characteristics of the home food environment including parental role-modeling, parental providing behaviour, fruit and vegetable availability, fruit and vegetable accessibility, pressure to eat, education and knowlwdge, family mealtime practices. Characteristics of the home food environment that showed evidence of an association with children’s fruit and vegetable consumption in simple regression models were entered into a backwards stepwise multiple regression analysis. The multiple regression analysis found positive associations between children’s fruit and vegetable consumption and parental fruit and vegetable intake (p = 0.004), and accessibility (p = 0.002).
Analisis Penerapan Manajemen di Puskesmas Pacet Berdasarkan PMK No. 44 Tahun 2016 Tentang Pedoman Manajemen Puskesmas
Authors: Al Hikami Muhammad Ulul Arham , Marianah Marianah , Haksama Setya
Published: April 2022

Puskesmas Pacet is a functional organization that functions as a center for community health development in Pacet. In order for the Puskesmas Pacet to be able to manage all work programs and health efforts properly and continuously, it is necessary to implement good management. For this reason, this study was made to analyze the suitability of the implementation of the management of Puskesmas Pacet with Puskesmas management guidelines in Permenkes No. 44 of 2016 concerning Guidelines for Management of Community Health Centers. This research is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The results of this study indicate that the management of Puskesmas Pacet is in accordance with the Permenkes No. 44 of 2016 concerning Puskesmas management guidelines although there are some shortcomings. Several technical obstacles were found, such as the lack of human resources which were not immediately addressed by the Puskesmas. In the future, Puskesmas Pacet is expected to immediately propose HR recruitment and improve performance evaluation so that activities can run more optimally and the performance of Puskesmas Pacet will be better.
Approximating coarse Ricci curvature on submanifolds of Euclidean space
Authors: Ache Antonio G. , Warren Micah W.
Published: April 2022

For an embedded submanifold Σ ⊂ ℝ
N
, Belkin and Niyogi showed that one can approximate the Laplacian operator using heat kernels. Using a definition of coarse Ricci curvature derived by iterating Laplacians, we approximate the coarse Ricci curvature of submanifolds Σ in the same way. For this purpose, we derive asymptotics for the approximation of the Ricci curvature proposed in [2]. Specifically, we prove Proposition 3.2 in [2].
Calculation of the estimated glomerular filtration rate using the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation and whole blood creatinine values measured with Radiometer ABL 827 FLEX
Authors: Song Lu , Buggs Vincent , Samara Vishnu Amaram , Bahri Shadfar
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be calculated using serum/plasma creatinine measured with automated chemistry analyzers. It is unclear whether eGFR can be calculated using creatinine values measured in whole blood (WB creatinine). The aim of this study is to determine the comparability between the eGFR calculated using WB creatinine and plasma creatinine.

Methods

Blood samples from 1,073 patients presented to the emergency department (ED), perioperative areas, intensive care unit (ICU) or nuclear medicine were used to determine the accuracy of WB creatinine. For each sample, WB creatinine was first measured with Radiometer ABL827 FLEX blood gas analyzer, then plasma creatinine was measured with Roche Cobas702 chemistry analyzer after samples were centrifuged. In a subset of 247 samples with the information of age and sex, whole blood eGFR (WB eGFR) and plasma eGFR were calculated using WB creatinine and plasma creatinine and the 2021 chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) creatinine equation, respectively.

Results

WB creatinine correlated with plasma creatinine linearly with a slope of 1.06 and an intercept of −0.01. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.99. WB eGFR correlated with plasma eGFR linearly with a slope of 0.95, intercept of −1.63, and R2 of 0.97. Comparing to plasma eGFR, the sensitivity and specificity for WB eGFR to identify those with high risk (eGFR<30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and low risk (eGFR>45 mL/min/1.73 m2) for kidney injuries was 100 and 92.2%, respectively. The overall concordance in classifying the four stages of kidney damage between WB eGFR and plasma eGFR was 87.9%.

Conclusions

WB creatinine measured with Radiometer ABL827 Flex can be used to calculate eGFR using the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation. The sensitivity and specificity for WB eGFR to identify those with high and low risks for potential kidney injuries are acceptable in patients needing rapid assessment of their kidney functions.
Verbs of motion and intermediate source domains of modality: the understudied case of Italian occorrere ‘to be necessary, to be needed’
Authors: Dell’Oro Francesca
Published: April 2022

Though the emergence of modality from verbs of motion is a well-attested phenomenon, the assessment of cross-linguistically valid pathways still remains a desideratum. In this paper I offer an outline of the pathway followed by the understudied Italian modal verb occorrere ‘to happen; to be necessary/needed’ (from Latin occurrere, originally ‘to run towards, into something or someone’). Based on the analysis of two large corpora, this paper reconstructs the emergence of the impersonal constructions ‘occorre + INF’ and ‘occorre che + SBJV’ vis-à-vis the personal one (‘to be needed’). The data and their analysis confirm the complexity of the pathway: in fact, the emergence of modality is strongly interlaced with the co-presence of the ancient meaning ‘to happen’, but also with the emergence of a deontic construction in which occorrere assumes the function of the auxiliary essere (‘to be’) as well as with the later evolution of another construction with negative polarity and in which occorrere is a telic metaphoric verb of motion. Though the pathway followed by Italian occorrere could be idiosyncratic in a cross-linguistic perspective, its in-depth study sheds new light on the question of how modality emerges and in particular on its source domains and their relations.
The influence of SrCl2 on the corrosion behavior of magnesium
Authors: Cao Fuyong , Zhang Jing , Song Xin , Chen Jinhua , Ying Tao , Song Guang-Ling
Published: April 2022

The influence of SrCl2 on the corrosion behavior of magnesium (Mg) in 3.5 wt.% NaCl was evaluated by immersion testing, electrochemical measurement and the examination of the corrosion morphology. A small addition of SrCl2 decreased the corrosion rate of Mg. In contrast, an excess of SrCl2 increased the corrosion rate of Mg, even higher than that in 3.5 wt.% NaCl. There is a competition effect of the SrCl2 on the corrosion behavior of Mg in 3.5 wt.% NaCl. The Sr2+ can improve the protection of corrosion product film through the formation of SrCO3. While the Cl− can damage the protection of the corrosion product film. The Mg specimen achieved the best corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt.% NaCl + 0.005 mol L−1 SrCl2.
Fabrication of bimetallic Au–Pt NSs for the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes
Authors: Rauf Muhammad Furqan , Mukhtar Aiman , Rauf Muhammad Kamran , Wu Kaiming
Published: April 2022

This work is based on the preparation of Au–Pt NSs (Nano stars) @Au core, Au–Pt NSs@Au1Pt3 core, Au–Pt NSs@Au1Pt1 core, Au–Pt NSs@Au3Pt1 core and Au@Pt NCs (Nano cubes) by a seed-mediated synthesis route. The characterizations of the prepared bimetallic NSs and NCs were conducted with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The catalytic activities of the prepared Au–Pt NPs for 2-nitrophenol (2NP), 3-nitrophenol (3NP), 4-nitrophenol (4NP), 2-nitroresorcinol (2NR), and 4-nitrocatchol (4NR) reduction have been investigated. The results evidently demonstrated that the superior catalytic activities of Au–Pt alloy nano-dendrites can be attributed to the metal–metal connection (synergy between Au and Pt) in the catalysts.
In Defense of Wishful Thinking
Authors: Prendergast E. R.
Published: April 2022

In Utopophobia: On the Limits (If Any) of Political Philosophy, David Estlund defends against utopophobia in political philosophy. Estlund claims that it is no defect in a theory of justice if it sets a high standard that has little chance of being achieved by any society. The book does not, however, give similar permission to argue for unrealistically optimistic political proposals. Going beyond Estlund, I consider the possibility that some utopian thinking is warranted not just in the context of formulating a theory of justice, but in the practical context, too. Sometimes theorizers ought to argue for and pursue political proposals that seem unrealistically optimistic.
Effects of the Application of Cummins‟ Model on Learners‟ Language Use
Authors: Darmi Ramiaida
Published: April 2022

Studies on language use in task-based activities have shown that there are effects of task complexity, which focus on the cognitive demands of tasks, on learners‟ second language (L2) use. However, the use of the first language (L1) and the effect of contextual support have been given lesser attention in these studies. This paper reports an exploration of both learners‟ L1 and L2 use in L2 task-based activities based on Cummins‟ (1981) model of contextual support and cognitive demands of tasks. The main aim of this paper is to explain how Cummins‟ (1981) model can be used in designing L2 tasks, and how the tasks affect learners‟ language use in the classroom. The study involved fourteen L2 learners, who completed four information-gap tasks, in an English as a second language (ESL) class in a university in Malaysia. Learners‟ language use was transcribed verbatim, analysed quantitatively, and compared to Cummins‟ (1981) matrix. The data revealed higher use of L2 in cognitively-demanding tasks, but language use shows no difference when the contextual support is embedded or reduced. This shows that teachers need to consider the cognitive challenge of tasks in order to encourage L2 use in task-based activities
Ten Interesting Facts about OnVac: A Tool to Learn Engineering and Technology Vocabulary
Authors: Ali Zuraina , Sinnadurai Suriya Kumar , Hamzah Faridah , Azmuddin Ruhil Amal , Sabuan Nur Syafawati
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this paper is to impart interesting facts about an online vocabulary game namely OnVac, which can be used to learn engineering and technology vocabulary. E-mail interviews conducted with 32 students on a voluntary basis in a public university in Malaysia revealed positive perceptions of OnVac as an interesting tool to learn engineering and technology vocabulary. It implied that online games such as OnVac could facilitate university students to enrich their engineering and technical vocabulary. Since the vocabularies are selected from their core engineering and technical reference books, it seemed that OnVac was able to facilitate the students in understanding of their core subjects better. The study also showed evidence that OnVac enabled them to retain the engineering and technology vocabulary for both short- and long-term recalls.
Investigating L2 Students’ Listening Anxiety: A Survey at a Malaysian University
Authors: Tahsildar Mohammad Nasim , Yusoff Zailin Shah
Published: April 2022

Listening anxiety is said to have a direct effect on listeners’ abilities to comprehend what has been said. This is often because listeners are concerned that the message is so complex that they will not be able to understand what they are listening to. In relevance to listening tests, students’ listening anxiety may prove to be a variable that could affect their listening test scores especially for second language (L2) learners. This preliminary study was carried out, as a part of a bigger experimental study to investigate if L2 students experienced listening anxiety. The Foreign Language Learning Survey (FLLAS) (Kim, 2000) was used as the main data collection instrument. The survey comprised of 33 items, which was tested for reliability in this study (Cronbach Alpha α = .928). Eighty-three (n = 83) undergraduate students from one of the universities in Malaysia participated in the survey. The findings of the survey indicated that the students have a rather high level of listening anxiety. This paper elaborates on areas in which students were most anxious about while listening, which may have some implications on the teaching of listening specifically listening comprehension to L2 students.
Genetic Relationship among Languages: An Overview
Authors: Ersheidat Ghayeth , Tahir Hafsa
Published: April 2022

This paper reviews the basic concepts of historical linguistics and the comparative techniques used by various linguists who studied Indo-European and American languages to determine a shared ancestry among languages. This paper also evaluates the major concepts of historical linguistics and the well-grounded theories and classifications that have guided and shaped the modern linguistic classification practices. For over one and a half century, historical linguists have been deducing the origins of different languages. Genetic classifications have been proposed for languages from all parts of the world and thus far, 142 language-families have been identified. Although all of these classification schemes are controversial in terms of their validity and reliability but with the progress in the field of bioinformatics, the problems in linguistic reconstruction have been greatly resolved. Therefore, the historical classification schemes that have been proposed earlier are being radically revised as further progress is made. It is suggested that, to develop further understanding of the typical pattern of language diversification and genetic classification of languages, more recent studies based on sophisticated bioinformatics and statistical techniques for linguistic data analysis should be reviewed.
Nilai-nilai Islam dan Pembentukan Akhlak dalam Cerita Rakyat Melayu
Authors: Mohamad Hanafiah Muhammad Nur Al-Hakim , Che Yaacob Mohd Firdaus
Published: April 2022

Masyarakat Melayu tradisional dengan cerita rakyat merupakan sebuah jalinan akrab yang tidak dapat dipisahkan. Hal ini demikian kerana, kisah-kisah yang berkisar dalam cerita rakyat merupakan gambaran terhadap corak hidup masyarakat Melayu terdahulu. Selain itu, kandungan cerita rakyat Melayu juga tidak terkecuali daripada nilai Islam kerana orang Melayu zaman lampau kebanyakannya beragama Islam. Seterusnya, kajian ini dijalankan kerana bertitik tolak daripada kelompongan sejumlah kajian lepas, yang mana aspek nilai Islam yang masih belum diteroka secara menyeluruh kepada pembentukan akhlak masyarakat Melayu. Oleh itu, kajian ini akan berpandukan beberapa objektif iaitu mengenal pasti dan menganalisis nilai-nilai Islam dalam cerita rakyat Melayu terhadap pembentukan akhlak masyarakat Melayu. Kajian ini menggunakan teori Takmilah sebagai deduktif kajian untuk memantapkan hujah analisis. Pendekatan kualitatif digunakan dengan melibatkan kaedah kepustakaan dan teks. Kajian ini akan memberi pencerahan mengenai nilai-nilai Islam seperti merendah diri, tawakal, bersyukur, taat dan persahabatan dalam cerita rakyat Melayu berdasarkan teks Koleksi 366 Cerita Rakyat Malaysia. Antara cerita-cerita rakyat yang dibataskan ialah Mengapa Bangau Kurus, Kelekatu Sombong, Kalimah Bismillah, Ditelan Yu, Angsa Berbulu Emas, Bertukar Menjadi Batu, Mengapa Pinggang Kerengga Ramping, Bukit dan Pokok dan Setiakawan. Hasil kajian ini membuktikan masyarakat zaman dahulu menerapkan nilai-nilai Islam dalam cerita rakyat bagi membina sebuah masyarakat yang berakhlak mulia.