bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial profile of high-touch surfaces, leftover drugs and antiseptics together with their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Firesbhat Atsedewoyn , Tigabu Abiye , Tegene Birhanemeskel , Gelaw Baye
Published: November 2021

Background

The hospital environment serves as a source of nosocomial infections, which pose a major therapeutic challenge. Although many bacteria species are common in hospital environments, their distribution, frequency, and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern from high-touch surfaces, leftover drugs, and antiseptics in different wards remain largely unknown. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and frequency of bacterial contaminants and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Methods

A total of 384 samples were collected from five selected wards and processed according to standard bacteriological procedures. Samples were collected from high-touch surface using swabs and inoculated on Blood agar, MacConkey agar, Chocolate agar and Mannitol salt agar plates, and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. On the other hand, the leftover drugs and 80% ethanol samples were collected using sterile cotton swab immersed in sterile tryptone soy broth then inoculated on culture medias and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. Identification of bacteria species was done using the morphological characteristics, Gram stain, and biochemical tests while antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done using modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique following the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute 2021guidelines.

Results

Among the 384 samples processed, 102 (26.6%) were culture positive and a total of 114 bacterial isolates were identified. Gram-positive bacterial isolates were predominant, 64.9%, while Gram-negatives were 35.1%. The most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase negative Staphylococci (38.6%) followed by S. aureus (13.2%) and P. aeruginosa (11.4%). On the other hand, the proportion of bacteria isolated from surgical ward, post-natal ward, orthopedic ward, trauma ward, and neonatal intensive care unit ward were 24.6, 21, 20.2, 18.4,15.8%, respectively. Sinks were mainly contaminated with Klebsiella species (81.8%) and A. baumannii (55.6%), while A. baumannii (22.2%) was the most contaminant for 80% ethanol. Gram-positive bacteria had significantly high resistance levels to penicillin (67.6%), cotrimoxazole (67.8%), and cefepime (80%). On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria revealed the highest resistance levels to tetracycline (82.4%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (76.5%), cefepime (66.7%), ceftazidime (67.5%), and piperacillin (92.3%). Moreover, the proportion of multidrug resistant bacteria isolates was 44.7%.

Conclusions

Data of the present study showed that coagulase negative Staphylococci was the dominant bacterial isolates followed by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The proportion of multi-drug resistant bacteria isolates was relatively high. Therefore, appropriate infection prevention and control measures should be implemented.
Comparison of chrysanthemum flowers grown under hydroponic and soil-based systems: yield and transcriptome analysis
Authors: Ai Penghui , Liu Xiaoqi , Li Zhongai , Kang Dongru , Khan Muhammad Ayoub , Li Han , Shi Mengkang , Wang Zicheng
Published: November 2021

Background

Flowers of Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. are used as tea in traditional Chinese cuisine. However, with increasing population and urbanization, water and land availability have become limiting for chrysanthemum tea production. Hydroponic culture enables effective, rapid nutrient exchange, while requiring no soil and less water than soil cultivation. Hydroponic culture can reduce pesticide residues in food and improve the quantity or size of fruits, flowers, and leaves, and the levels of active compounds important for nutrition and health. To date, studies to improve the yield and active compounds of chrysanthemum have focused on soil culture. Moreover, the molecular effects of hydroponic and soil culture on chrysanthemum tea development remain understudied.

Results

Here, we studied the effects of soil and hydroponic culture on yield and total flavonoid and chlorogenic acid contents in chrysanthemum flowers (C. morifolium ‘wuyuanhuang’). Yield and the total flavonoids and chlorogenic acid contents of chrysanthemum flowers were higher in the hydroponic culture system than in the soil system. Transcriptome profiling using RNA-seq revealed 3858 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between chrysanthemum flowers grown in soil and hydroponic conditions. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment annotation revealed that these differentially transcribed genes are mainly involved in “cytoplasmic part”, “biosynthetic process”, “organic substance biosynthetic process”, “cell wall organization or biogenesis” and other processes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed enrichment in “metabolic pathways”, “biosynthesis of secondary metabolites”, “ribosome”, “carbon metabolism”, “plant hormone signal transduction” and other metabolic processes. In functional annotations, pathways related to yield and formation of the main active compounds included phytohormone signaling, secondary metabolism, and cell wall metabolism. Enrichment analysis of transcription factors also showed that under the hydroponic system, bHLH, MYB, NAC, and ERF protein families were involved in metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and plant hormone signal transduction.

Conclusions

Hydroponic culture is a simple and effective way to cultivate chrysanthemum for tea production. A transcriptome analysis of chrysanthemum flowers grown in soil and hydroponic conditions. The large number of DEGs identified confirmed the difference of the regulatory machinery under two culture system.
Case report of Ureaplasma urealyticum meningitis in a patient with thymoma and hypogammaglobulinaemia
Authors: Zhang Ting , Li Haiyan , Hou Shuping , Yu Huanxin , Yue Wei
Published: November 2021

Background

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is found among the normal vaginal flora in a considerable proportion of asymptomatic women; however, adult central nervous system (CNS) infection of UU is extremely rare. Good's syndrome (GS) is an adult-onset immunodeficiency characterized by thymoma, hypogammaglobulinaemia, low or absent B‑cells, and an inverted CD4+/CD8+ T‑cell ratio. Patients with GS usually have severe or recurrent infections.

Case presentation

We describe the case report of a 49-year-old woman who developed UU meningitis. Initial routine anti-viral and anti-bacterial therapy showed no improvement in the patient's condition. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified the UU DNA sequence. Accordingly, a diagnosis of UU meningitis was made, and minocycline therapy was initiated. The patient responded favourably, with no signs of disease at subsequent follow-up. According to the severity and rarity of the case, secondary immunodeficiency was suspected. Flow cytometry found hypogammaglobulinaemia. Combined with the previous history of thymoma, the patient was diagnosed with immune deficiency disease of GS.

Conclusions

This case may be the first adult case report in the literature describing UU meningitis in a patient with GS. The diagnosis of GS should be considered in patients presenting with unexplained antibody deficiency and thymoma.
Ambiguous definitions for baseline serum creatinine affect acute kidney diagnosis at the emergency department
Authors: Niemantsverdriet Michael , Khairoun Meriem , El Idrissi Ayman , Koopsen Romy , Hoefer Imo , van Solinge Wouter , Uffen Jan Willem , Bellomo Domenico , Groenestege Wouter Tiel , Kaasjager Karin , Haitjema Saskia
Published: November 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence is increasing, however AKI is often missed at the emergency department (ED). AKI diagnosis depends on changes in kidney function by comparing a serum creatinine (SCr) measurement to a baseline value. However, it remains unclear to what extent different baseline values may affect AKI diagnosis at ED.

Methods

Routine care data from ED visits between 2012 and 2019 were extracted from the Utrecht Patient Oriented Database. We evaluated baseline definitions with criteria from the RIFLE, AKIN and KDIGO guidelines. We evaluated four baseline SCr definitions (lowest, most recent, mean, median), as well as five different time windows (up to 365 days prior to ED visit) to select a baseline and compared this to the first measured SCr at ED. As an outcome, we assessed AKI prevalence at ED.

Results

We included 47,373 ED visits with both SCr-ED and SCr-BL available. Of these, 46,100 visits had a SCr-BL from the − 365/− 7 days time window. Apart from the lowest value, AKI prevalence remained similar for the other definitions when varying the time window. The lowest value with the − 365/− 7 time window resulted in the highest prevalence (21.4%). Importantly, applying the guidelines with all criteria resulted in major differences in prevalence ranging from 5.9 to 24.0%.

Conclusions

AKI prevalence varies with the use of different baseline definitions in ED patients. Clinicians, as well as researchers and developers of automatic diagnostic tools should take these considerations into account when aiming to diagnose AKI in clinical and research settings.
Comparison of bone and articular cartilage changes in osteoarthritis: a micro-computed tomography and histological study of surgically and chemically induced osteoarthritic rabbit models
Authors: Sulaiman Sharifah Zakiah Syed , Tan Wei Miao , Radzi Rozanaliza , Shafie Intan Nur Fatiha , Ajat Mokrish , Mansor Rozaihan , Mohamed Suhaila , Ng Angela Min Hwei , Lau Seng Fong
Published: November 2021

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifaceted condition that affects both the subchondral bones and the articular cartilage. Animal models are widely used as an effective supplement and simulation for human OA studies in investigating disease mechanisms and pathophysiology. This study is aimed to evaluate the temporal changes of bone and cartilage in surgically and chemically induced osteoarthritis using micro-computed tomography and histology.

Methods

Thirty rabbits underwent either anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) procedure or injected intraarticularly with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA, 8 mg) at the right knee joint. The subchondral bones were scanned via micro-CT, and articular cartilage was assessed histologically at 4-, 8- and 12-week post-induction.

Results

Based on bone micro-architecture parameters, the surgically induced group revealed bone remodelling processes, indicated by increase bone volume, thickening of trabeculae, reduced trabecular separation and reduced porosity. On the other hand, the chemically induced group showed active bone resorption processes depicted by decrease bone volume, thinning of trabeculae, increased separation of trabecular and increased porosity consistently until week 12. Histologically, the chemically induced group showed more severe articular cartilage damage compared to the surgically induced group.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that in the ACLT group, subchondral bone remodelling precedes articular cartilage damage and vice versa in the MIA group. The findings revealed distinct pathogenic pathways for both induction methods, providing insight into tailored therapeutic strategies, as well as disease progression and treatment outcomes monitoring.
Health concerns and use of biomass energy in households: voices of women from rural communities in Western Uganda
Authors: Kyayesimira Juliet , Muheirwe Florence
Published: November 2021

Background

Over the years, there has been advocacy for use of improved cookstoves as one of the initiatives towards reducing overdependence on biomass energy. There is growing concern that the use of biomass energy may expose users to pollution which may be detrimental to their health. This study aimed at examining the health concerns of women attributed to access and use of biomass fuel in rural areas of Western Uganda.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was employed where 193 respondents and 10 key informants participated in the interviews. Four focused group discussions were held in the districts of Mbarara and Bushenyi in Western Uganda. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, while qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic approach.

Results

Dependence on biomass energy may expose users especially women to both physical and psychological health challenges. Findings suggest that the type of cookstove and cooking structure contribute to indoor air pollution. Women are exposed to pollution while preparing meals using biomass fuel which may lead to respiratory complications and other health-related challenges. Additionally, while gathering biomass fuel, women may be exposed to other risks and hazards that may lead to poor health and or trauma.

Conclusion

It is crucial for different stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to promote use of improved cookstoves through sensitization programs, promotional campaigns, and development of supportive regulatory frameworks for the well-being of women and their families.
Bone augmentation with autologous tooth shell in the esthetic zone for dental implant restoration: a pilot study
Authors: Li Shuyi , Gao Ming , Zhou Miao , Zhu Yibo
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To investigate the outcome and short-term follow-up of autogenous tooth shell (TS) grafting for bone augmentation in the esthetic zone, as well as stability and esthetics of implant-supported restoration.

Materials and methods

A total of 8 patients with 11 implants in 11 sites were enrolled in this study. All the horizontal and/or vertical bone defects in the esthetic zone were augmented by tooth shells, which were fixed laterally to the residual bone with osteosynthesis screws. The gap between the shell and residual bone was filled with Bio-Oss® granules. Four months after bone augmentation, dimensionally sufficient dental implants were inserted and implants-supported prostheses were made 3 months later. The esthetic outcome was evaluated by pink esthetic score (PES) and white esthetic score (WES) one year after prosthetic restoration. Horizontal ridge width (HRW) was assessed before and immediately after bone augmentation, as well as 4 and 19 months post-augmentation by radiography. The stability and absorption of TS grafts were evaluated at the 4th and 19th months post-augmentation.

Results

Though wound dehiscences occurred in 3 cases, secondary healings were obtained after TS modification and irrigation. The other 5 cases went through uneventful healing during the whole observation period. Radiographic examination showed that HRW was 8.01 ± 0.93 mm (median: 7.80, 95% CI 7.38, 8.64) 4 months after TS augmentation, which was statistically different compared to HRW (2.72 ± 1.73 mm) at the baseline. Mean HRW gain was 5.29 ± 2.03 mm (median: 4.60, 95% CI 3.92, 6.66). Three-dimensional bone volume in all the augmented sites was sufficient for dental implants insertion and prosthetic restoration. Follow-up of one year showed stable marginal bone around dental implants. The implant survival rate was 100%. HRW losses were 0.65 ± 0.43 mm (the 4th month) and 1.05 ± 0.54 mm (the 19th month) compared to HRW immediately after augmentation. The PES and WES of final prosthetic restorations were 8.09 ± 0.70 and 8.91 ± 0.54, respectively.

Conclusions

Autogenous tooth shell grafting is a reliable approach for bone augmentation in the esthetic zone for dental implant treatment, allowing for favorable stability and esthetic outcome of implant-supported prosthesis within the one-year follow-up period.
Determinants of growth monitoring and promotion service utilization among children 0–23 months of age in northern Ethiopia: unmatched case-control study
Authors: Dagne Samuel , Aliyu Jemal , Menber Yonatan , Wassihun Yosef , Petrucka Pammla , Fentahun Netsanet
Published: November 2021

Background

One of the strategies to promote child health and reduce child mortality is growth monitoring and promotion services. But, there is limited information on determinants of Growth Monitoring and Promotion service utilization.

Objective

To identify determinants of growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) service utilization among children 0–23 months of age in Legambo district, South Wollo zone, Northern Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods

Community based un-matched case-control study was conducted on 363 (91 cases and 272 controls) study participants from March 15 to April 15, 2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed and an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was estimated to identify determinants of GMP service utilization.

Results

A total of 358 mothers (89 cases and 269 controls) with 98.6% response rate were included in the study. The mean (±SD) age of child was 11.66(±6.29) months among controls and 15.02 (±6.06) months among cases. Good maternal knowledge (AOR) = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.23, 4.75), favorable attitude (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI; 1.20, 4.98), counseling on GMP (AOR = 2.34; 95% CI; 1.19, 4.56), attending ante natal care services (AOR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.18, 5.16), index child age 12–17 months (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.26, 9.41) and 18–23 months (AOR = 4.38; 95% CI: 1.53, 12.49), and short distance to health facilities (AOR = 4.53; 95% CI; 1.99, 10.28) were determinants of GMP service utilization.

Conclusion

Index child age, good knowledge, favorable attitude, attending antenatal care services, receiving nutritional counseling, and a short distance to health facility were determinants of GMP service utilization. Nutritional interventions should emphasize nutritional counseling and accessibility of growth monitoring and promotion services.
Perspectives of engagement in distance debriefings
Authors: Mosher Cynthia J. , Morton Alex , Palaganas Janice C.
Published: November 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic propelled remote simulation and online distance debriefings. Like in-person debriefings, educators seek to facilitate reflective learning conversations, yet, in the online setting, educators face challenges to learner engagement that differ considerably from in-person debriefing.

Methods

We performed a thematic analysis of fourteen semi-structured interviews conducted with fourteen participants who had experience with virtual debriefing as an educator or as a learner. We explored the experiences and perceptions of both educators and learners to provide a more in-depth understanding of the factors that influence engagement in online distance debriefing.

Results

Our study identified the challenges online distance debriefing poses for educators and learners. We found ten themes that support the Community of Inquiry (CoI) theoretical framework and provided additional considerations related to internal and external factors of engagement, including the influence of the simulation, false engagement, and self-presence.

Conclusions

We believe these findings can inform the design and facilitation of online debriefings to help provide educators with guidance and innovative solutions to best engage their learners in the challenging online environment.
Psychosocial assessment and quality of life assessment in children with congenital heart in a developing country
Authors: Mohsen Aly Abdel , Kassem Mona Gamal , Antonios Manal A.-M.
Published: November 2021

Background

Few studies have examined the clinical utility of a brief psychosocial screening questionnaire and assessing the health-related quality of life as part of routine care in a pediatric cardiology clinic.

Subject and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 months duration involving 224 patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD) aged 4–18 years and their parents to fulfill Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) and Health related – Quality Of Life (HR-QOL) score. Statistical analysis of reliability of these scores among the studied population was carried using Cronbach’s alpha value.

Results

The studied population with CHD, aged 4–18 years with a mean ± standard deviation of 99.48 ± 43.37 months. They were 54.5% males (n = 122) and 45.5% females (n = 102). Internalizing problems were identified by PSC in 12.95% of patients (n = 29), Cyanosis was found to be the only significant independent risk factor for developing internalizing defects (p < 0.001). Quality of school functioning was the most affected domain in HR-QOL. While, the quality of social functioning remained good in the majority of cases. Cronbach’s alpha value coefficient of PSC and HR-QOL scores were 0.846 and 0.900 respectively, reflecting good to excellent reliability of these scores within the studied population.

Conclusions

Children with CHD have increased need for psychosocial assessment for improvement of their quality of life.
Depot Pure GnRH Antagonist for Long-term Treatment of Ovarian Hyperthecosis Monitored by Multisteroid LCMS Profiling
Authors: Ni Huajing , Schmidli Robert , Savkovic Sasha , Strasser Simone I , Hetherington Julie , Desai Reena , Handelsman David J
Published: November 2021

Ovarian hyperthecosis (OHT), severe hyperandrogenism after menopause in the absence of ovarian or adrenal tumors, is usually treated by surgical excision. We report a 58-year-old woman presenting with severe hyperandrogenism (serum testosterone 15.7-31.0 nmol/L, normal female <1.8 nmol/L) with menopausal gonadotropins and virilization but no adrenal or ovarian lesions. Multisteroid profiling by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) of adrenal and ovarian vein samples identified strong gradients in the left ovarian vein (10- to 30-fold vs peripheral blood in 17OHP4, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, 17 hydroxypregnenolone, androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone) but the right ovarian vein could not be cannulated with the same findings in a second ovarian vein cannulation. OHT diagnosis was confirmed by an injection of a depot pure gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (80 mg Degarelix, Ferring) producing a rapid (<24 hour) and complete suppression of ovarian steroidogenesis as well as serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone lasting at least 8 weeks, with reduction in virilization but injection site reaction and flushing and vaginal spotting ameliorated by an estradiol patch. Serum testosterone remained suppressed at 313 days after the first dose despite recovery of menopausal gonadotropins by day 278 days. This illustrates use of multisteroid LCMS profiling for confirmation of the OHT diagnosis by ovarian and adrenal vein sampling and monitoring of treatment by peripheral blood sampling. Injection of a depot pure GnRH antagonist produced rapid and long-term complete suppression of ovarian steroidogenesis maintained over 10 months. Hence a depot pure GnRH antagonist can not only rapidly confirm the OHT diagnosis but also induce long-term remission of severe hyperandrogenism without surgery.
Average IGF-1 Prediction for Once-Weekly Lonapegsomatropin in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Lin Zhengning , Shu Aimee D , Bach Mark , Miller Bradley S , Rogol Alan D
Published: November 2021

Context

Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels are relatively constant in somatropin-treated children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and guide dose adjustments for clinical efficacy and long-term safety. IGF-1 levels following treatment with long-acting growth hormones such as lonapegsomatropin (lonapegsomatropin-tcgd, TransCon hGH), a once-weekly somatropin prodrug, exhibit a characteristic profile over the dosing interval.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a method to predict average IGF-1 in lonapegsomatropin-treated GHD children to interpret IGF-1 data based on a single sample obtained any time at steady state.

Methods

A population nonlinear mixed-effect pharmacodynamic model for IGF-1 was developed based on 2 randomized, open-label trials of TransCon hGh in GHD children and used to develop a linear mixed model with Taylor series to fit simulated IGF-1 profiles of lonapegsomatropin-treated children.

A total of

49 896 IGF-1 sample data simulated from 105 lonapegsomatropin-treated GHD children were utilized for the final prediction model. The dosage range of TransCon hGh was 0.14 to 0.30 hGH mg/kg/week, and weekly average IGF-1 was calculated using IGF-1 profiles simulated from the nonlinear pharmacodynamic model. Predicted average IGF-1 was obtained by linear mixed model with Taylor series.

Results

The nonlinear mixed-effect model provided satisfactory model fit. The linear mixed model with Taylor series fit simulated IGF-1 data well, with a relatively straightforward prediction formula. IGF-1 values sampled at ~4.5 days post-dose coincided with weekly average IGF-1 at steady state.

Conclusion

A formula to predict average IGF-1 from a single sample of IGF-1 at steady state was established to aid clinicians in interpreting IGF-1 levels in GHD children administered lonapegsomatropin.
Πληροφοριακά Μέσα, Ανθρωπόκαινος Εποχή, Καθεστώτα Μετα-αλήθειας
Authors: Κυριακόπουλος Λέανδρος , Πετρίδης Πέτρος
Published: November 2021

Ποιος είναι ο αντίκτυπος της (ανα-)μεσοποίησης του φυσικού και κοινωνικού κόσμου από τα πληροφοριακά συστήματα; Πως διερευνούμε τον ρόλο των βιο-πληροφοριακών και τεχνο-κοινωνικών μέσων στην εργασία, στη πολιτική, στις κοινωνικές σχέσεις, στη συγκρότηση του σώματος, στην άρθρωση της υποκειμενικότητας, στη γνώση, και στις πλανητικής κλίμακας μετατοπίσεις στο περιβάλλον και τη διακυβέρνηση;Το παρόν κείμενο - αντι εισαγωγικού σημειώματος - φιλοδοξεί να θέσει κάποιες βάσεις που θα σκιαγραφούν ένα θεωρητικό και επιστημολογικό πεδίο για τη διεπιστημονική προσέγγιση των πολιτισμικών μετασχηματισμών του 21ου αιώνα. Το κείμενο επιχειρεί να χαρτογραφήσει το αντικείμενο του περιοδικού όπως αυτό σημαδεύεται από τους πολιτικούς μας χρόνους, και από την ανάδυση νέων (έμβιων και μη) τεχνο-κοινωνικών μορφών ζωής και των τεχνικών διακυβέρνησής τους.
Πολιτική και εκπαιδευτική διοίκηση: Ασυμμετρίες και ανισότητες στην ελληνική πρωτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση
Authors: Σπυριάδου Κωνσταντία , Κουτούζης Μανώλης
Published: November 2021

Το παρόν άρθρο πραγματεύεται τις υφιστάμενες ασυμμετρίες στην Ελληνική Πρωτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση σχετικά με την επιλογή των διοικητικών στελεχών, αλλά συνάμα θίγει ποικίλα εκπαιδευτικά, οργανωσιακά και διοικητικά ζητήματα, έτσι όπως αυτά αναδύθηκαν από τις απαντήσεις των ερωτώμενων που συμμετείχαν στην πρωτογενή ποιοτική έρευνα. Πραγματοποιήθηκαν 43 τηλεφωνικές συνεντεύξεις και συγκεκριμένα σε 14 έμπειρους/ες διευθυντές/τριες σχολικών μονάδων, 8 νέους/ες διευθυντές/τριες, 9 υποψήφιους/ες διευθυντές/τριες και 12 εκπαιδευτικούς από τις 13 περιφερειακές διευθύνσεις εκπαίδευσης. Σύμφωνα με τα ερευνητικά ευρήματα, η ισχυρή διαμεσολάβηση πολιτικών παραγόντων στις κρίσεις διοικητικών στελεχών, αλλά και η ρευστότητα και ασάφεια των χρησιμοποιούμενων αξιολογικών κριτηρίων συναποτελούν μείζονος σημασίας ασυμμετρίες αποδιδόμενες στο βαθιά συγκεντρωτικό, τυπολατρικό και φορμαλιστικό Ελληνικό Εκπαιδευτικό Σύστημα και στις κυρίαρχες ομάδες πίεσης. Επιπρόσθετα, η ύπαρξη ενός εμφανούς ομαδικού πρωτότυπου (δάσκαλοι/ες) στην Ελληνική Πρωτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση, αναπόδραστα, αποτελεί μια κρίσιμη και καίρια παράμετρο, η οποία, συνδεόμενη με τη διαμόρφωση άτυπων και λανθανόντων ιεραρχικών ομάδων (υποκατηγοριών) των εκπαιδευτικών, επιδρά καταλυτικά στη μορφή και δομή της οργανωσιακής κουλτούρας, ορθώνοντας ποίκιλα εμπόδια στη διοικητική και ιεραρχική ανέλιξη των κυριαρχούμενων εκπαιδευτικών ειδικοτήτων. Οι συμμετέχοντες/ουσες υπογράμμισαν, ακόμη, την ύπαρξη και άλλων ασυμμετριών, προτείνοντας λύσεις για την άμβλυνσή τους, οι οποίες, κατά τη γνώμη τους, θα πρέπει να αξιοποιηθούν καταλλήλως από τους φορείς της Εκπαιδευτικής Πολιτικής.
rmcorrShiny: A web and standalone application for repeated measures correlation
Authors: Marusich Laura R. , Bakdash Jonathan Z.
Published: November 2021

We describe a web and standalone Shiny app for calculating the common, linear within-individual association for repeated assessments of paired measures with multiple individuals: repeated measures correlation (rmcorr). This tool makes rmcorr more widely accessible, providing a graphical interface for performing and visualizing the output of analysis with rmcorr. In contrast to rmcorr, most widely used correlation techniques assume paired data are independent. Incorrectly analyzing repeated measures data as independent will likely produce misleading results. Using aggregation or separate models to address the issue of independence may obscure meaningful patterns and will also tend to reduce statistical power. rmcorrShiny (repeated measures correlation Shiny) provides a simple and accessible solution for computing the repeated measures correlation. It is available at: https://lmarusich.shinyapps.io/shiny_rmcorr/.
The genome sequence of the black clock beetle, Pterostichus madidus (Fabricius, 1775)
Authors: Crowley Liam M. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: November 2021

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Pterostichus madidus (the black clock beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Carabidae). The genome sequence is 705 megabases in span. The majority (99.96%) of the assembly is scaffolded into 19 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled.
Scheduling the Valley Baseball League
Authors: Bouzarth Elizabeth L. , Grannan Benjamin C. , Harris John M. , Hutson Kevin R.
Published: November 2021

The Valley Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league with 11 teams playing 42 games between June and August. Producing a schedule has proved challenging for league management, because of the odd number of teams as well as a large number of league mandates and team-specific requests. As an amateur league with limited financial resources, there is pressure to best leverage the league schedule to maximize revenue for each team. A schedule generated by mathematical programming was enthusiastically adopted for the 2020 season and significantly outperformed previous manually produced schedules.
Overcoming the Single-IS Paradigm in Individual-Level IS Research
Authors: Gerlach Jin P. , Cenfetelli Ronald T.
Published: November 2021

Over the years, the number of digital technologies that individuals use in their work and nonwork lives has increased significantly. These different technologies are often subject to interactions and interdependencies among them, which creates new challenges and opportunities for individuals. For instance, multiple digital technologies might be incompatible or offer redundant information to individuals. In this research, we offer a framework that can help scholars to study phenomena that involve multiple digital technologies and can assist designers and developers in making design decisions that facilitate beneficial interactions between technologies and mitigate undesirable ones.
Anonymous Stochastic Routing
Authors: Erturk Mine Su , Xu Kuang
Published: November 2021

We propose and analyze a recipient-anonymous stochastic routing model to study a fundamental trade-off between anonymity and routing delay. An agent wants to quickly reach a goal vertex in a network through a sequence of routing actions, whereas an overseeing adversary observes the agent’s entire trajectory and tries to identify the agent’s goal among those vertices traversed. We are interested in understanding the probability that the adversary can correctly identify the agent’s goal (anonymity) as a function of the time it takes the agent to reach it (delay). A key feature of our model is the presence of intrinsic uncertainty in the environment, so that each of the agent’s intended steps is subject to random perturbation and thus may not materialize as planned. Using large-network asymptotics, our main results provide near-optimal characterization of the anonymity–delay trade-off under a number of network topologies. Our main technical contributions are centered on a new class of “noise-harnessing” routing strategies that adaptively combine intrinsic uncertainty from the environment with additional artificial randomization to achieve provably efficient obfuscation.
Ceftriaxone-induced Encephalopathy: A Pharmacokinetic Approach
Authors: Jadot Laurent , Judong Aurelie , Canivet Jean-Luc , Lorenzo Villalba Noel , Damas Pierre
Published: November 2021

We report a case of ceftriaxone-induced encephalopathy correlated with high cerebrospinal fluid concentration. Neurotoxicity of cephalosporin is increasingly reported, especially regarding fourth-generation cephalosporins. The factors influencing the corticospinal fluid (CSF) concentration are plasma concentration, liposolubility, ionization, molecular weight, protein binding and efflux. In our patient, high levels of ceftriaxone (27.9 mg/l) were found in the CSF. β-lactam associated neurotoxicity is mainly related to similarities between GABA and β-lactam ring. Because of disparate CSF/plasma ratio and blood-brain barrier efflux among patients, plasmatic drug monitoring probably cannot be used as a surrogate of CSF concentration. This is, as we know, the first case of described ceftriaxone-induced encephalopathy associated with an objective excessive cerebrospinal concentration.
Positive psychology: hope and its role within mental health nursing
Authors: Macfarlane Jan
Published: November 2021

This is the twelfth article in a series that explores the meaning of positive psychology and the impact it has on the wellbeing of the mental health workforce. It will focus on positive psychology interventions that help to develop hope and considers how its uplifting effect, through contemporary use in the field of mental health nursing, can be experienced. This article initially introduces the concept of hope then links it with the field of positive psychology. It then focuses on Snyder's theory of hope and its use in promoting wellbeing. It follows with the application of hope within the nursing context. Finally, it refers to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and how hope may be used to support the mental health nursing workforce. The practical activities provided in the article will help the reader increase their own awareness of hope and consider ways to develop its use and transferability within their own life..
Retention and Spread Capability of Impacted Droplets with Surfactant and Hydrocolloid Based Adjuvants
Authors: Abbott JohnPaul R. , Zhu Heping , Jeon Hongyoung
Published: November 2021

Highlights

Retention and spread of droplets with seven adjuvants were investigated on flat leaves.

Surface tension of spray solutions, leaf wettability, and roughness strongly affected droplet retention and spread.

Complete droplet retention occurred on hydrophilic leaves with all adjuvants and concentrations.

High retention and spread on superhydrophobic leaves were achieved with the organo-silicone adjuvant.

No retention occurred on superhydrophobic leaf surfaces with the hydrocolloid polymer adjuvant.

Abstract. To optimize spray application efficiency, it is necessary to understand how the addition of adjuvants modifies the deposition properties of spray droplets on leaf surfaces due to variations in adhesive characteristics, such as roughness and wettability. Retention and spread of droplets with seven commercially available adjuvants were tested and compared at different concentrations. Tests were conducted with three leaf surfaces ranging in roughness and wettability from very smooth and hydrophilic to very rough and superhydrophobic. The adjuvants were formulated with non-ionic surfactant, crop oil, seed oil, organo-silicone, hydrocolloid polymer, or combinations of these agents as primary ingredients. Droplets of approximately 340 µm diameter were emitted from a streamed mono-sized generator. Droplet impact and spread were recorded with a 3D imaging system consisting of three high-speed digital cameras and analyzed using 3D motion analysis software. Retention and spread were determined by comparing droplet liquid volumes and droplet cross-sectional areas before and after impact, respectively. The surface tension of spray solutions and wettability of leaf surfaces strongly affected droplet retention. Droplets with lower surface tension were more likely to achieve high retention than those with higher surface tension. Droplet retention generally decreased with increasing leaf roughness-wettability. All droplets with and without adjuvants achieved 100% retention on the hydrophilic leaf surface. Addition of non-ionic, oil, or organo-silicone based adjuvants in the spray solution improved droplet retention on hydrophobic leaves, while the organo-silicone based adjuvant achieved the highest retention on superhydrophobic leaf surfaces. Droplet retention with the hydrocolloid polymer adjuvant was generally comparable to the other six adjuvants on the hydrophilic leaves and on the hydrophobic leaves with intermediate roughness and wettability but failed to achieve any retention on the superhydrophobic leaves. To improve droplet retention and adhesion, selection of adjuvants representing the non-ionic, oil, organo-silicone, blended, or hydrocolloid-based additives for enhancing spray solution performance must comply with the leaf surface characteristics. Keywords: Droplet rebound, High-speed imaging, Leaf wettability, Pesticide droplet deposition, Topography parameters.
DRAINMOD-P: A Model for Simulating Phosphorus Dynamics and Transport in Drained Agricultural Lands: I. Model Development
Authors: Askar Manal H. , Youssef Mohamed A. , Vadas Peter A. , Hesterberg Dean L. , Amoozegar Aziz , Chescheir George M. , Skaggs R. Wayne
Published: November 2021

Highlights

DRAINMOD-P has been developed to simulate phosphorus (P) dynamics in drained croplands.

Key hydrological and biochemical processes affecting P cycling are represented in the model.

The model predicts surface and subsurface P losses as affected by weather, soil, and management factors.

Abstract. High phosphorus (P) loads to streams and lakes can promote harmful algae blooms and cause water quality deterioration. Recent research has identified subsurface drainage as an important pathway for the transport of dissolved P from drained croplands to receiving surface water bodies, particularly when macropore flow contributes a considerable portion of the subsurface drainage outflow. Currently, a few models are capable of simulating P dynamics in poorly drained soils with artificial drainage systems. The objective of this study was to develop DRAINMOD-P, a field-scale, process-based model that simulates P cycling and transport in drained croplands. Processes represented in the model include atmospheric deposition, organic and inorganic fertilizer applications, plant uptake, sediment-bound and dissolved P losses in both surface runoff and subsurface drainage, tillage practices, and P mineralization and immobilization. The model predicts P losses under different management practices, climatic conditions, drainage systems, and crop rotations. The model is an extension to the nitrogen model DRAINMOD-NII, with full integration of the nitrogen and P model components. DRAINMOD-P uses the recently modified hydrology component that simulates macropore flow. A soil erosion component, based on the RUSLE approach, has been incorporated into the model to estimate sediment loss and associated particulate P loss. Sediment deposition in tile drains is considered to quantify particulate P settling in the drainage system. In this article, we review the approaches used in DRAINMOD-P for simulating P-related processes. Model testing against field-measured data from a subsurface-drained field in northwest Ohio is presented in a companion article. Keywords: Best management practices, Phosphorus model, Phosphorus processes, Soil erosion, Water quality modeling.
An Automatic Handheld Device for Firmness Measurement of Fruit with Edible Peel Based on Resistance Sensing: A Case Study of Peaches
Authors: Wang Dachen , Feng Zhe , Cui Di
Published: November 2021

Highlights

A handheld device was developed for automatic on-site measurement of fruit firmness.

The prototype device achieved better performance than a typical commercial penetrometer.

Two commonly used firmness-related parameters could be predicted based on the prototype readings.

The distribution and changes of firmness could be visualized based on 3D models of the prototype readings.

Abstract. Firmness is an important indicator of fruit quality. The devices for on-site fruit firmness measurement need to be portable, low-cost, lightweight, reliable, and flexible. Existing portable devices can provide firmness-related parameters, but their measurement results cannot be converted to each other. Their measurement results are also susceptible to operator error due to the manual measurement process. To solve this problem, a prototype handheld device was developed based on sensing fruit resistance to achieve automatic on-site firmness measurement of fruit with edible peel and provide commonly used firmness-related parameters. The prototype’s precision was verified by analyzing the repeatability and reproducibility of the measurement results with four Shore hardness blocks. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the results obtained by the same operator were less than 0.61%, and there was no significant difference among the results obtained by different operators (p < 0.05), which indicated that the prototype could provide reliable measurement results. A case study of peaches was performed, and the results showed that (1) the prototype had better performance than a commercial penetrometer, (2) two commonly used firmness-related parameters could be predicted based on regression models between a texture analyzer and the prototype readings (R2P = 0.908 and RMSEP = 4.191 N for maximum force; R2P = 0.923 and RMSEP = 1.613 N mm-1 for initial slope), (3) changes in the prototype readings for peaches during growth corresponded with the growth characteristics, and (4) the distribution and changes of peach firmness over time could be visualized based on 3D models of the prototype readings. Keywords: Automatic, Fruit firmness, Handheld device, High precision, Peach.
"We have always been there…": de feminismos afrodiaspóricos y la producción de Eulalia Bernard Little
Authors: Muñoz Muñoz Marianela
Published: November 2021

Mientras el aparato crítico sobre la escritora afrocostarricense Eulalia Bernard Little afirma su foco en la lucha negra, sugiere la neutralidad o ausencia de las discusiones de género, o incluso, una sobreatención a la figura masculina en su poesía. Sin embargo, hasta el momento no ha habido una revisión que permita valorar el tratamiento de las experiencias simultáneas de raza y género en el transcurso de su carrera literaria. Mediante una revisión diacrónica del conjunto de sus publicaciones y activismo poético, este artículo examina el lugar fundamental ocupado por el ser y la visión de las mujeres negras y su relación con una tradición de pensamiento y movilización de los feminismos afrodiaspóricos. La centralidad de su propio cuerpo y la referencia a la maternidad de herencia africana y caribeña pueden rastrearse desde los primeros trabajos de Bernard; pero, además, la autora otorga un mayor protagonismo a la imagen y vínculos con figuras femeninas, escritoras, divinidades de la diáspora africana y activistas, de manera progresiva, en sus últimos poemarios. La coincidencia entre estos gestos, las producciones de otras autoras afrodescendientes, los movimientos feministas afrolatinoamericanos y una epistemología derivada de la experiencia de las mujeres negras, nos permite iniciar una conversación sobre las contribuciones de Bernard Little a la génesis de un pensamiento afrofeminista y de la diáspora en Costa Rica. Al mismo tiempo, pone en evidencia las complejidades del uso y (auto) adscripción de los feminismos negros, sus antecedentes y la diversidad de sus experiencias en el contexto del Caribe y Centroamérica.
Dynamic deformation measurement of dual-wavelength arbitrary phase-shifting digital holography with automatic phase-shift detection
Authors: Xia Peng , Ri Shien , Wang Qinghua
Published: November 2021

Dual-wavelength arbitrary phase-shifting digital holography with automatic phase-shift detection is first proposed in this study. Holograms with two wavelengths and the interference fringes used to detect the phase-shifting amount for each wavelength were simultaneously recorded in one image using the space-division multiplexing technique. Compared with conventional methods, the proposed approach can achieve simultaneous phase shifting of the reference beams of two wavelengths, which substantially reduces recording time and does not require excessive phase-shifting device precision. The proposed and conventional methods were quantitatively evaluated with numerical simulations, and a dynamic deformation measurement was obtained using the system. In the quantitative evaluation of the simulation, the root-mean-square errors of amplitude and phase images reconstructed by the proposed method were reduced by 12% and 19% compared to the conventional method, respectively. Both numerical simulations and experiments verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Image-matching assisted dual-frequency phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry
Authors: Dexin Ba , Ayana Lamessa A. , Ying Wang , Long Wang , Qi Chu , Yong kang Dong
Published: November 2021

An image-matching assisted dual-frequency phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (

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, which retrieves data via curve matching, the proposed scheme can effectively improve the temporal resolution and measurement precision while keeping the spatial resolution without additional hardware. In the experiments, with a 10 s temporal window, the proposed scheme realized the same measurement precision as the conventional method that used a 40 s window, suggesting a fourfold improvement of temporal resolution. When both used the 10 s temporal window, the measurement error was suppressed from 21.4% to 1.2% in the sensing for a 2 m hot zone at the end of a 90-m fiber.