bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Parenchymal B-Cell Follicles and CT-Proven Enlarged Mediastinal Lymph Nodes in Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Kronborg-White Sissel , Bendstrup Elisabeth , Madsen Line Bille , Rasmussen Finn , Poletti Venerino
Published: July 2023

Background: Mediastinal lymph node enlargement (MLNE) is a finding described in a subset of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and is associated with accelerated disease progression and increased mortality. The cause of MLNE is still not known. Our hypothesis is that there is an association between MLNE and B-cell follicles in lung tissue, another aspect detectable in the lung tissue of patients with IPF and other ILDs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess if there is an association between MLNE and B-cell follicles in lung tissue in patients with IPF and other ILDs. Method: Patients having transbronchial cryobiopsies performed as part of an investigation for ILD were included in this prospective observational study. MLNE (smallest diameter ≥10 mm) were assessed in station 7, 4R, and 4L on high-resolution computed tomography scans. B-cell follicles were assessed on haematoxylin-eosin-stained specimens. Lung function, 6-minute walk test, acute exacerbation, and mortality were registered after 2 years. In addition, we investigated if the finding of B-cell follicles was consistent in patients who underwent both surgical lung biopsies (SLBs) and cryobiopsies. Results: In total, 93 patients were included for analysis (46% diagnosed with IPF, 54% diagnosed with other ILDs). MLNE was found in 26 (60%) of the IPF patients and in 23 (46%) of the non-IPF patients (p = 0.164). Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was significantly lower (p = 0.03) in patients with MLNE compared to patients without MLNE. B-cell follicles were found in 11 (26%) of the IPF patients and in 22 (44%) of the non-IPF patients (p = 0.064). Germinal centres were not seen in any of the patients. There was no association between MLNE and B-cell follicles (p = 0.057). No significant difference in change of pulmonary function test was seen at 2-year follow-up when comparing the patients with and without MLNE or B-cell follicles. In 13 patients, both SLBs and cryobiopsies were performed. The presence of B-cell follicles was not consistent when comparing the two different methods. Conclusion: MLNE is evident in a substantial part of patients with ILD and is associated with lower DLCO at inclusion. We could not demonstrate an association between histological B-cell follicles in biopsies and MLNE. A possible explanation for this is that the cryobiopsies might not have captured the changes we sought.
Effective learning model bases problem based learning and digital mind maps to improve student’s collaboration skills
Authors: Hidayati Nurkhairo , Zubaidah Siti , Amnah Sri
Published: July 2023

Student’s collaboration skills are still low while this skill is important for students. The selection of an active learning model is an attempt to overcome this problem. This study aimed to investigate the effects of problem based learning (PBL) and integrated PBL digital mind maps (DMM) on university students’ collaboration skills. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design. The participants consisted of 103 students majoring in biology education from Riau, Indonesia. Each of the classes was randomly picked to act as the PBL group, integrated PBL-DMM group, and traditional group. The students’ collaboration skills were observed using an observation sheet which contained aspects of responsibility, respect, contribution, organize work and work as a whole team. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANACOVA) and least significance different (LSD) test. The ANACOVA results demonstrated some significant changes in both comparison groups: PBL and integrated PBL-DMM. In other word, learning models had an effect on students’ collaboration skills. However, the LSD test proved that both learning models were not significantly different in improving students’ collaboration skills, despite the fact that the students in the integrated PBL-DMM model class could perform better than those of PBL. Therefore, educators may either use PBL or integrated PBL-DMM in the classroom.
Bibliometric analysis of leadership and physical education based on Scopus data
Authors: Gazali Novri , Saad Norazlinda
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of articles published in the Scopus database on leadership and physical education. The bibliographic data set was administered using VOSviewer. According to the search results, there were a combined 614 articles on leadership and physical education studies. Additionally, the researchers restricted the search to English-language journal articles and the types of documents that may be found. Consequently, 427 articles worth of records were discovered. Based on publications in the Scopus database, the findings revealed that the development of publications in the fields of leadership and physical education has increased, although there is an up-and-down trend from year to year; “quest” became the first choice among other publication media to publish research results; Beauchamp from Canada is the most contributing and influential author on this topic; physical education, physical activity, leadership, curriculum, transformational leadership, adolescents, health, sport, professional development, and education are keywords that frequently feature in those. Therefore, by highlighting specific gaps, a thorough analysis of leadership in physical education might help scholars and practitioners advance current understanding in this field.
Assessment of kinematic concepts comprehension: A systematic review
Authors: Jufriadi Akhmad , Sutopo Sutopo , Kusairi Sentot , Sunaryono Sunaryono
Published: July 2023

A systematic study on the development of the assessment instrument of the concept of kinematics which is one of the basic concepts of physics has not yet been conducted. This systematic study reported the characteristics, quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the instrument assessment regarding the concept of kinematics. This systematic review method has used a systematic approach based on the practical guidelines of systematic reviews by Petticrew and Roberts and has used PRISMA diagrams for the process of searching and selecting articles, who reviewed 12 articles published between 1985 and 2021. The research findings show that the instrument of concept mastery of kinematics using multiple-choice formats, while others combine the true-false and multiple-choice formats. Almost all instruments of mastery of the concept of widely used kinematics have reported validity assessment (content validity, construct validity) and internal consistency reliability. However, predictive validity, discriminatory validity, and temporal stability reliability have not been reported. Other results indicate that the development of further assessments must pay attention to five important aspects: the validity and reliability of instruments, the scopes and specificity of the concept of kinematics, the conformity with the intellectual level of students, the effectiveness and efficiency of instrument assessment, and the fulfillment of research gaps. This study can help educators and researchers choose and develop an appropriate instrument assessment to reveal students’ understanding of the concept of kinematics.
Digital literacy competency of elementary school teachers: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ibda Hamidulloh , Syamsi Ibnu , Rukiyati Rukiyati
Published: July 2023

The article presents a literature review on the digital literacy competencies of elementary school teachers. The method used is a systematic literature review with the process of determining objectives, searching for literature, selecting articles by reading abstracts and keywords, reading articles as a whole, abstracting data, and presenting the results of analysis of recent articles using the publish or perish 7, Mendeley, VOSviewer, and NVIVO 12 Plus applications. The search for articles in Scopus-indexed journals is limited to 2018-2022. From searching articles through publish or perish 7, there were 259 pieces. Then 259 articles were selected into 50 articles according to relevance to research questions. The results of the topic findings in the 50 articles through the help of the VOSviewer are the use of devices in learning, use of digital media in learning, the impact of digital literacy in learning, digital literacy, digital competence, digital literacy ability, digital collaboration, digital technology, literacy, technology, computer literacy, and others. The selected articles were analyzed according to the research questions through the NVIVO 12 plus and described in narrative form. This article contributed to future research and became a study for the theme of digital literacy competence.
Teacher’s perception on student’s self-regulated learning in a technology-based learning setting
Authors: Majitol Deafey , Yunus Melor Md
Published: July 2023

It was inevitable that during the COVID-19 pandemic, various teaching and learning experiences were taken into virtual platforms. With the direct and total integration of technology in education during the pandemic, students had to rely mostly on their own self-regulated learning in order to progress in their learning. This systematic review explored teachers’ perception on students’ self-regulated learning (SRL) in a technology-based learning (TBL) setting. By using the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 as the review methodology, 39 articles were selected from the databases of ERIC and Google Scholars to complete this study. Findings revealed that teachers perceive the following factors to play a significant part for SLR and TBL to complement each other: i) Digital educational resources and accessibility for both teachers and students; ii) Teacher and student’s readiness and competencies regarding technology-based learning; and iii) Parents’ involvement in students’ self-regulated learning for security and motivational purposes. It is believed that by implementing student-centered approach with the facilitation of various education stakeholders, students’ learning can occur more effectively, purposeful and meaningful. Future research suggests an investigation on students’ self-regulated learning from the perspective of parents and other related social issues.
Effectiveness of simulation-based learning using “e-archive” technology in the archiving subject vocational school
Authors: Permansah Sigit , Indrawati Cicilia Dyah Sulistyaningrum , Muhtar Muhtar , Rusmana Dede
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the simulation-based learning model using “e-archive” technology in the archiving subject in the vocational school of management program. A randomized pretest-posttest control group design and 144 students from Central Java, Indonesia were employed in this quasi-experimental study. The data were analyzed by using the independent sample t-test to determine whether there was a significant mean difference between the experimental class and the control class. The results of this study indicated that the experimental class with the simulation-based learning model using e-archive technology gets better scores than the control class using the conventional learning model. The pretest t-test results in a score of 0.139, while the posttest results in a score of 0.000. We concluded that the simulation-based learning model using e-archive technology is effective and suitable for use in vocational schools, with implications for enhancing student learning results.
Strengthening students’ scientific literacy through scientific coaching programs
Authors: Muzayanah Umi , Santoso Arif Gunawan , Saimroh Saimroh , Fauzah Titi Isnaini
Published: July 2023

The scientific literacy of madrasa students currently shows a very proud trend. This is shown by the achievements in the field of science obtained in various science competitions. Scientific achievements are obtained through a long and continuous process, including through science coaching. By using qualitative methods, this study aimed to describe the science coaching model at State Madrasah Aliyah (MAN) 2 Malang City. The results showed that the science coaching model in MAN 2 Malang City includes four main aspects. First, strengthening the management aspect through establishing the olympic and research program and fulfilling adequate infrastructure. Second, strengthening students’ concepts and abilities through matriculation and programmed guidance. Third, empowering the olympic class and the olympic club through a rigorous selection and the implementation of periodic tests and tryouts. Fourth, synergy with other parties, such as Ma’had Al-Qalam, state universities, and National Achievement Center (Pusat Prestasi Nasional/Puspresnas). The success of scientific development cannot be separated from the interest and motivation of students to learn, adequate infrastructure, a conducive learning environment, and the support of the madrasa principal, committee, and parents.
Critical thinking and hypothetic-deductive scheme for studying the elements of quantum theory
Authors: Tereshchuk Serhii , Sharov Sergii , Tereshchuk Andriy , Kolmakova Vira , Sharova Tetiana
Published: July 2023

The study provided research and experimental verification of the hypothetic-deductive scheme for teaching the theory of quantum physics to secondary school students. The study highlighted the technologies and didactic tools, which help to boost the effectiveness of teaching physics to students and develop their critical thinking. It was found that the hypothetic-deductive scheme is based on the concept of critical rationalism and it has such stages: problem-hypotheses-rational criticism-choice of hypothesis-rational criticism of the new theory-new problem. The study described the stages of its implementation for teaching students the basics of quantum physics. To prove the effectiveness of the suggested scheme, the study carried out a comparative experiment in which 479 students took part (there were 241 students in experimental classes and 238 students in control classes). The statistical procession and interpretation of the experiment results were carried out with Pearson’s Chi-squared test. After the experiment, the quality of learning achievements that corresponds to the sufficient and high levels is 62.87% in the experimental classes, whereas in the control classes this figure is 52.48%. In further prospect, researchers plan to check the effectiveness of the suggested scheme to study other theories, which are studied in secondary school.
Physics mathematization assessment: The nominal group technique as a context to investigate student understanding
Authors: El Azzouzi Abdelwahab , Kaddari Fatiha , Elachqar Abdelrhani
Published: July 2023

This work has its origin in physics learning with secondary school students in Morocco. The present work focuses on the relationship between physics and mathematics as well as the source of difficulties in learning the half-life concept. To highlight our research objectives, the researchers resorted to the nominal group technique (NGT) which is used not only to identify students’ opinions about physics mathematization difficulties but also to assess the scientific education of this discipline. The results obtained showed that mathematics has an impact on Moroccan students’ understanding of the half-life concept. The results also showed that coherent and simultaneous management of physics and mathematics favors the learning of Moroccan students in both disciplines.
Mixed gamification with virtual tools modify poor school performance
Authors: Holguin-Alvarez Jhon , Ruiz-Salazar Jenny , Manrique-Alvarez Giovanna , Gonzales Juan Antonio Picoy , Holgado-Quispe Ana
Published: July 2023

Currently, the use of gamifiers as teaching tools in virtuality is present due to the digital education that is developed in Latin America. The objective was to determine the effects of two methodologies: i) Mixed gamification; and ii) Usefulness of virtual teaching tools, in the cognitive processes of poor school performance. The methodology was experimental, quantitative. The evaluation was carried out on 150 Spanish-speaking schoolchildren, grouped into three comparison groups (8.5 years of age ±0.4). They underwent 40 learning sessions with the D-S-F methodology (dynamics, strategy, feedback). The validated instruments were three performance tests on the areas of mathematics, science and communication. Significant results were obtained in cognitive processes from the activities designed with mixed gamification, although the effects were not decisive in the area of communication. It is concluded that gamification reduces low performance to raise cognitive processes for logical reasoning, cognitive deduction in mathematics, skills to generate hypotheses in science; and those of reading and oral expression. It is suggested to develop experiments with variables that include a digital evaluation of text writing, to avoid the limitations presented in this research.
The relationship between diabetes self-care management and blood glucose level among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Dewi Erika Untari , Widari Ni Putu , Nursalam Nursalam , Mahmudah Mahmudah , Sari Esti Yunita , Ning Susiana Yohana Fransiska
Published: July 2023

There are still many patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Self-care was needed to control blood glucose levels. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between diabetes self-care management and blood sugar levels in type 2 DM (T2DM) patients. This study was used a correlational design. Data was collected from the Internal Medicine Polyclinic of William Booth Hospital Surabaya. The dependent variable was blood glucose and the independent variable was diabetes self-care management. The 99 respondents were selected using the purposive sampling technique. The inclusion criteria were patients with T2DM, the ages between 45-and 64 age years old. We used the summary of diabetes self-care activities to assess self-care management and blood sugar level was measured using a capillary blood glucose test. Chi-square was used to calculate the relationship between diabetes self-care management and blood glucose level. This study showed that most of the respondents with good diabetes self-care management had good blood sugar levels and there was a significant relationship between diabetes self-care management and blood sugar levels among T2DM patients (p<0.05). Increasing diabetes self-care management among T2DM patients was required to control blood glucose levels.
A systematic review of artificial intelligence-based methods in healthcare
Authors: Apio Anthony Lirase , Kissi Jonathan , Achampong Emmanuel Kusi
Published: July 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has enormous potential for transforming healthcare. AI is the ability of machines to learn and exhibit close to human levels of cognition in various specific ways. Leveraging AI software to support activities will improve patient satisfaction which is inextricably tied to the length of time patients spend in waiting queues. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Research Gate, BMC Health Services Research, JMIR Publications and Cochrane Central to find related documentation that was published between January 2011 and April 2021. The studies featured and reported on AI technologies that had been used in primary, secondary, or tertiary healthcare situations directed towards reducing waiting times. A total of 22 articles were primarily used, including 8 retrospective studies, 4 prospective studies and 3 case-control studies. AI technologies have enormous potential in the creation of a future with more reliable healthcare systems. It is however clear that more studies in the field are required to validate the existing evidence of its potential. AI in healthcare is crucial to reducing patients' time at healthcare facilities. The use of AI can also help improve patient outcomes and more research should be geared toward that.
The impact of therapeutic group therapy on the life purpose of elderly people suffering from loneliness
Authors: Wijoyo Eriyono Budi , Daulima Novy Helena C. , Wardani Ice Yulia , Rosyad Habibi Rohman
Published: July 2023

The elderly face a variety of psychological issues, including loneliness, as they reach the end of their human development stage. Some external stimuli are required to overcome loneliness because it affects the life goals of the elderly, which differ from those of younger people. Therapeutic group therapy (TGT) is one of the stimuli provided, and it trains the elderly to adapt to changes in their lives, including their life goals. A quasi-experimental study was used to evaluate the effect of therapeutic group therapy on the sense of purpose in life among lonely elderly people. Following the assessment of loneliness, 86 elderly people experiencing loneliness were recruited for this study and divided into two groups. The intervention group received health education on the development of the elderly as well as therapeutic group therapy. Only health education was provided to the control group. When compared to the control group, the elderly who experienced loneliness in the intervention group had a higher score on purpose of life.
Prediction of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence based on epidemiological triad as a preventive measure
Authors: Sutriyawan Agung , Anri Anri , Imbar Andri W. J. , Natsir Ramdhani M. , Pangeran Paryany , Akbar Hairil
Published: July 2023

The decline in the incidence of tuberculosis to date still looks very slow, although some efforts have been made to improve case identification and treatment adherence. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. The research design for this study was observational analytical with a cross-sectional design. A total of 830 people suspected of tuberculosis, aged over 15 years, and not drug-resistant were selected by simple random sampling. Overall, 59.9% of people are infected with pulmonary tuberculosis. There was a significant association between age (p=0.002) (OR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.35), smoking behavior (p=0.000) (OR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.67, 3.30), temperature (p=0.000) (OR=4.2; 95% CI: 2.84, 6.47), humidity (p=0.000) (OR=6.7; 95% CI: 4.69, 9.77), lighting (p=0.000) (OR=4.174; 95% CI: 2.94, 5.92) and incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. The study showed that tuberculosis was more common among productive age and smokers living in homes with unqualified temperature, humidity, and lighting. Room humidity is the most associated factor with the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, education on the importance of paying attention to the physical environment of the house to avoid pulmonary tuberculosis is highly recommended.
Maternal perception and fear on the adverse effects of immunization, Surabaya City
Authors: Maulana Mulyanti Ayu Wulandari , Sintari Made Nita , Hargono Arief
Published: July 2023

The achievement of immunization has become a global focus, not only in Indonesia. Maternal perception is one of the factors in increasing complete basic immunization (IDL) status in an area. The aimed to analyze several perceptions and fear of the adverse effects of mothers with IDL status in non-universal child immunization (UCI) urban village areas in Surabaya City. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to May 2020. The sample was the community taken from the baseline data survey on IDL problems in non-UCI villages in Surabaya City in 2017. The five variables are the mother's characteristics, the mother's fear of the adverse effects of immunization, the belief/culture, the mother's busyness, and the family support that can be changed in maternal perception. The Chi-square test and a logistic regression test were both used in the multivariate analysis. And 1,449 mothers were included. The mother's perception that has the most influence is the mother's fear of the adverse effects of immunization with an OR of 10.139 at 95% CI (4.063–25.302). The findings show that they need to get an education or socialization from health professionals, collaborate with religious community leaders, as well as getting health campaigns.
Análise do impacto da técnica do role play como ferramenta de metodologia ativa no ensino da farmacologia em um curso de graduação de medicina
Authors: Borges Yan Santos , Paes André Luiz Fonseca Dias , Crema Fernanda Batista , Zem Franciely , Szemberg Janaína Daiane , Czepula Alexandra I. S.
Published: July 2023

O ensino da farmacologia na medicina é visto como difícil e ‘pesado’ por grande parte dos alunos, novas técnicas de ensino surgem com a premissa de contornar essa dificuldade, uma delas é através da técnica role-play, técnica de ensino baseada na interpretação de papéis. Objetivo: avaliar o impacto da utilização da técnica do role-play no ensino da farmacologia em uma unidade curricular do curso de graduação de Medicina. Método: estudo de delineamento descritivo com abordagem quantitativa. O público-alvo desta pesquisa foi composto por estudantes de um curso de graduação em Medicina. A coleta dos dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado utilizando escala Likert, utilizou-se o programa Microsoft Excel para análise dos dados. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Instituição com o CAAE: 24462619.7.0000.5580. Discussão: No estudo observou-se que a grande maioria dos entrevistados concordam que a atividade role play contribuiu para o aprendizado e que consegue contextualizar casos clínicos que poderão ser encontrados no cotidiano médico, isso demonstra que a técnica do role-play é agregadora na futura tomada de decisões, visto que eles exercitam o raciocínio clínico a partir de casos do cotidiano impactando de forma positiva na formação acadêmica para uma parcela significativa dos entrevistados. Os resultados coletados neste estudo confirmam que é possível inovar a forma de abordagem de assuntos da farmacologia, mostrando que a técnica do role-play teve impacto positivo no ensino, tornando mais prazerosa e dinâmica a aprendizagem facilitando, também, a sedimentação do conteúdo.
Polineuropatia Desmielinizante Inflamatória Crônica: relato de caso
Authors: Hamamoto Amanda Kaori , Cunha Beatriz Ferreira , Koba Luana Nozella Monteiro , Martins Tayla Ranieri , Bagio Tony Maronesi , Lima Eloíza Zacharini de
Published: July 2023

A Polineuropatia Desmielinizante Inflamatória Crônica é uma doença de caráter progressivo,  incapacitante e rara, sendo necessário maior entendimento para melhor abordagem propedêutica e terapêutica, agregando maior qualidade de vida ao paciente. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 48 anos com queixa de perda de movimentos de 4º e 5º quirodáctilo bilateral, associado a perda de força de membros superiores há dois meses atendido em Unidade Básica de Saúde. Realizado diagnóstico de Polineuropatia Desmielinizante Inflamatória Crônica em serviço especializado e iniciado tratamento com imunoglobulina. Atualmente encontra-se estável clinicamente com metilprednisolona. O tratamento atual baseia-se na diminuição do processo inflamatório e consequente melhora dos sintomas, entretanto não possui um esquema terapêutico com fortes evidências de superioridade entre as opções disponíveis.
Vitamina D - Aspectos Fisiológicos, Nutricionais, Imunológicos, Genéticos. Ações em doenças autoimunes, tumorais, infecciosas. Funções musculoesqueléticas e cognitivas
Authors: Ruscalleda Regina Maria Innocencio
Published: July 2023

Vitamina D representa de fato, um hormônio esteroide lipossolúvel com funções endócrinas, parácrinas e autócrinas. Este artigo buscou realizar revisão de aspectos fisiológicos, ambientais, nutricionais e genéticos relacionados a esta vitamina, classificação dos níveis séricos da forma circulante representativa do status, bem locais de armazenamento em tecidos. Sugestões são apresentadas, de acordo com literatura consultada, quanto a hábitos alimentares, exposição solar adequada, suplementação oral e/ou necessidade de doses de manutenção, riscos de toxicidade. Funções imunológicas, imunomoduladoras, participação a nível celular e tecidual em doenças autoimunes, tumorais, infecto-contagiosas, com ênfase ao SARS-CoV-2 também foram abordadas. Entre as inúmeras ações da vitamina D, houve destaque à participação no metabolismo musculoesquelético, ocorrência de quedas, particularmente entre os idosos, sistema nervoso central, com ênfase à cognição, demência, doença de Alzheimer. Aspectos consensuais ou controversos também foram abordados, bem como sugestões de novos estudos a nível mundial para esclarecimento de resultados questionáveis.
Fears, Deaths, Mourning, and Burials in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria
Authors: Johnson Sesan Michael
Published: July 2023

Extant studies on deaths in Nigeria have been conducted without much critical focus on how the public responded to emergency politics or the government’s interventions during pandemics. Fundamentally, this is the gap this research aims to fill. This study focuses on pain events, grieves, and mourning following COVID-19-related deaths. Thus, this study analyzes the intersections between COVID-19 and death discourse by exposing and interrogating the variances, ambiguities, ambivalences, corollaries, and paradoxes amid convoluted public health conversations. This research employed both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include African beliefs, newspapers reports of past and current pandemics, and radio, television, and social media narratives. Secondary sources include reviews of existing literature on deaths and pandemics. Historical analysis is used in this study, identifying two categories of dead bodies created during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first category is Pandemic Dead Bodies (PDBs) and the second category is Non-Pandemic Dead Bodies (NPDBs). Many concomitants characterizing Pandemic Dead Bodies including stigmatization, apathy, otherization, ambiguities, genderization, demographication, politicization, contestations, and weaponization are interrogated from socio-historical perspectives. Heightening the stress of grieving families are issues around deaths, as burials are postponed or held within the restrictions of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) COVID-19 protocols, often with the presence of limited family members of the deceased. Thus, the pains and grieves are not just about the loss of loved ones, but the inability to give them a befitting burial, since Nigerians love to celebrate the liminality of their loved ones into eternity. Likewise, anticipatory grief became more accentuated and aggravated in Nigeria regarding the manner of announcing the demise of some popular politicians who died of COVID-19. Fundamentally, these problematic encumbrances, nuances, and intrigues concerning deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic are historicized. This study concludes that pains, grief, sorrow, death, and burial are historically constituted and configured regarding social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental interactions.
A identidade crioula luandense: a obra Cenas de África? Romance íntimo e a Luanda oitocentista
Authors: Henriques Luís Filipe Correia
Published: July 2023

Este estudo pretende identificar a mensagem política de Cenas de África? Romance Íntimo, de Pedro Félix Machado, autor angolano do século XIX. Publicada em 1892, pouco depois do Ultimato, a obra, originalmente um folhetim e com as características do género, critica os aspectos censuráveis da colonização portuguesa de Angola: a escravidão e o trabalho forçado, os maus-tratos dos escravos e libertos, o mau carácter dos colonos, a deficiência da política metropolitana e a falta de instrução e de educação dos luandenses, nomeadamente das elites sociais e económicas. Não propondo um corte radical entre Portugal e a sua colónia, o romance de Pedro Machado defende o reforço do esforço civilizador metropolitano em Angola.
Birds of Kanetiya area - inventory, notable sightings, and overview of seasonal changes in reporting frequency of bird species in an unprotected area of Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Tiwari Samakshi
Published: July 2023

Biodiversity of unprotected areas in the western Himalayan region is under threat. Despite this, it is poorly studied and documented. The citizen science platform eBird was used to record bird species of the unprotected Kanetiya area (Darbhog panchayat), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh from August 2019–2020. Reporting frequency using this data was calculated to represent an index of species abundance. This was calculated independently for each species across three seasons and reported as a metric that can be tracked over time. One-hundred-and-twenty-four (20% of the species from Himachal Pradesh) species of birds belonging to 13 orders and 43 families were recorded. Of these, 37 (30%) were recorded year-round and the remaining 87% (80%) were migratory. The checklist consisted of five species of high conservation concern and 22 species of moderate conservation concern. This checklist also provides insights into the distributions of some species whose ranges within India are not yet well defined (Northern Long-eared Owl Asio otus, Aberrant Bush Warbler Horornis flavolivaceus, Himalayan Owl Strix nivicolum) and into migration through this part of the Himalaya (Black Stork Ciconia nigra). Locals can be educated to upload short checklists for monitoring since they have helped the local forest department’s conservation efforts.
First record of Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Passeriformes: Podicipedidae) from Jammu & Kashmir, India
Authors: Zargar Bilal Nasir , Umer Nazir  , Najar Zakir Hussain
Published: July 2023

The recent literature documented many sightings of Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus in some states of India excluding Jammu & Kashmir. Here we report the first record of the species in the Wular Lake, located in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, India. During the routine birding, the Horned Grebes were sighted and documented. The head, beak, plumage colour pattern, and longish neck were used to identify the bird. This finding will be a new member to the bird checklist of Jammu & Kashmir.
DASH-HF Study: A Pragmatic Quality Improvement Randomized Implementation Trial for Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Verma Aradhana , Fonarow Gregg C. , Hsu Jeffrey J. , Jackevicius Cynthia A. , Vaghaiwalla Mody Freny , Nguyen Amanda , Amidi Omid , Goldberg Sarah , Vetrivel Reeta , Upparapalli Deepti , Theodoropoulos Kleanthis , Gregorio Stephanie , Chang Donald S. , Bostrom Kristina , Althouse Andrew D. , Ziaeian Boback
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND:

Heart failure is a prevailing diagnosis of hospitalization and readmission within 6 months, and nearly a quarter of these patients die within a year. Guideline-directed medication therapies reduce risk of mortality by 73% over 2 years; however, the implementation of these therapies to their target dose in clinical practice continues to be challenging. In 2020, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System developed a HF dashboard to monitor and improve outpatient HF management. The DASH-HF (Dashboard Activated Services and Telehealth for Heart Failure) study is a randomized, pragmatic clinical trial to evaluate proactive dashboard-directed telehealth clinics to improve the use and dosing of guideline-directed medication therapy for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction not on optimal guideline-directed medication therapy within the VA.

METHODS:

Three hundred veterans with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction met inclusion criteria with an optimization potential score (OPS) of 5 or less out of 10, representing nonoptimal guideline-directed medication therapy. The primary outcome was a composite score of guideline-directed medical therapy, the OPS, 6 months after the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes included active prescriptions for each individual guideline-directed medical therapy class, HF-related hospitalizations, deaths, and clinician time per patient during the intervention clinics.

RESULTS:

There was no significant difference between the intervention arm and usual care group in the primary outcome (OPS, 2.9; SD=2.1 versus OPS, 2.6, SD=2.1); adjusted mean difference 0.3 (95% CI, −0.1 to 0.7) or in the prespecified secondary outcomes for hospitalization and all-cause mortality for the intervention of proactive dashboard-based clinics.

CONCLUSIONS:

A dashboard-based clinic intervention did not improve the OPS or secondary outcomes of hospitalization and all-cause mortality. There remains a larger opportunity to better target patients and provide more intensive follow-up to further evaluate the utility of proactive dashboard-based clinics for HF management and quality improvement.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT05001165.
Patients’ Perspectives Regarding Generator Exchanges of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: Montembeau Sarah C. , Merchant Faisal M. , Speight Candace , Kramer Daniel B. , Matlock Daniel D. , Horný Michal , Dickert Neal W. , Rao Birju R.
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND:

Shared decision-making is mandated for patients receiving primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Less attention has been paid to generator exchange decisions, although at the time of generator exchange, patients’ risk of sudden cardiac death, risk of procedural complications, quality of life, or prognosis may have changed. This study was designed to explore how patients make ICD generator exchange decisions.

METHODS:

Emory Healthcare patients with primary prevention ICDs implanted from 2013 to 2021 were recruited to complete in-depth interviews exploring perspectives regarding generator exchanges. Interviews were conducted in 2021. Transcribed interviews were qualitatively coded using multilevel template analytic methods. To investigate benefit thresholds for pursuing generator exchanges, patients were presented standard-gamble type hypothetical scenarios where their ICD battery was depleted but their 5-year risk of sudden cardiac death at that time varied (10%, 5%, and 1%).

RESULTS:

Fifty patients were interviewed; 18 had a prior generator exchange, 16 had received ICD therapy, and 17 had improved left ventricular ejection fraction. As sudden cardiac death risk decreased from 10% to 5% to 1%, the number of participants willing to undergo a generator exchange decreased from 48 to 42 to 33, respectively. Responses suggest that doctor’s recommendations are likely to substantially impact patients’ decision-making. Other drivers of decision-making included past experiences with ICD therapy and device implantation, as well as risk aversion. Therapeutic inertia and misconceptions about ICD therapy were common and represent substantive barriers to effective shared decision-making in this context.

CONCLUSIONS:

Strong defaults may exist to continue therapy and exchange ICD generators. Updated risk stratification may facilitate shared decision-making and reduce generator exchanges in very low-risk patients, especially if these interventions are directed toward clinicians. Interventions targeting phenomena such as therapeutic inertia may be more impactful and warrant exploration in randomized trials.
A new species of the genus Achalinus (Squamata: Xenodermidae) from Nanning, Guangxi, China
Authors: YANG DIAN-CHENG , XU YU-HAO , WU JIA-XIANG , GONG YAN-AN , HUANG RU-YI , XIANG JUN , FENG ZHENG-LIAN , HUANG TIAN-QI , HUANG SONG
Published: July 2023

We describe a new species of the genus Achalinus Peters, 1869 from Daming Mountain, Shanglin County, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, based on a single adult male specimen. It can be distinguished from all the other species in Achalinus by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) a bright yellow collar around the neck, extending forward to the ventral of the head; (2) tail length comparatively long, TaL/Tol ratio 0.25; (3) DSR 23-23-23, moderately keeled; (4) VS 3+162; (5) SC 74, unpaired; (6) cloacal plate entire; (7) SPL 6, the fourth and fifth in contact with the eye; (8) IFL 6, the first three touching the first pair of chin shields; (9) a single loreal; (10) length of suture between internasal significantly longer than that between prefrontal, LSBI/LSBP ratio 1.34; (11) two pairs of chin shields; (12) longitudinal vertebral line absent. In addition, the uncorrected p-distances between the new species and other known congeners ranged from 6.3% to 25.4% for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1). With the addition of the new species the total number of described Achalinus species is increased to 23 of which 17 are found in China.
Predicting Region-Dependent Biases in a GOES-16 Machine Learning Precipitation Retrieval
Authors: Goldenstern Eric , Kummerow Christian
Published: July 2023

Despite its long history, improving upon current precipitation estimation techniques remains an active area of research. While many methods exist to assess precipitation, the use of satellites has allowed for near-global observation. However, satellites do not directly sense precipitation, resulting in retrieval uncertainties. Analysis of these uncertainties is typically conducted through validation studies, which, while necessary, are sensitive to local conditions. As such, predicting retrieval uncertainties where there is no validation data remains a challenge. In this study, we propose a method by which validation statistics can be extended to other regions. Using a neural network–style retrieval, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite–16 (GOES-16) Precipitation Estimator using Convolutional Neural Networks (GPE-CNN), we show that, by exploiting the information content of both the satellite and ancillary meteorological data, one can predict large-scale retrieval behaviors over other regions without the need for that region’s validation data. By developing classes using satellite information content, we demonstrate bias prediction improvement of up to 83% relative to a simple extension of mean bias. Including relative humidity information improves the overall prediction by up to 98% relative to the original mean bias. Although limited in scope, this method presents a pathway toward characterizing uncertainties on a broader scale.
Seasonality in the Amplitude of Decadal Variability
Authors: Zheng Fei , Li Jianping , Wang Hao , Li Yuxun , Liu Xiaoning , Wang Rui
Published: July 2023

As the understanding of decadal variability in climate systems deepens, there is a growing interest in investigating the decadal variability of seasonal-mean or monthly mean variables. This study aims to understand the seasonality observed in the amplitude of decadal variability. To accomplish this, we analyze the decadal variability of the monthly mean North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index and North Pacific index (NPI) over the past decades using two different calculating processes: the full smoothing (F) process and the seasonal-specific (SS) process. Our findings suggest that the F process only captures the decadal variability of annual-mean variables, whereas the SS process is suited for capturing the seasonality of decadal variability. We find that the seasonality in decadal variability aligns with the seasonality in interannual variability. Additionally, we explore the seasonality in decadal variability in atmospheric and oceanic variables. The seasonality in oceanic decadal variability, including sea surface temperature and salinity, is found to be weak and small. The amplitude of decadal variability in the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) is similar across different months, indicating weak seasonality in the PDO. On the other hand, decadal variability of lower-tropospheric atmospheric circulation, including horizontal wind, geopotential height, and surface air temperature, exhibits significant seasonality in the extratropics, with the strongest decadal variability occurring in winter. Moreover, the significant seasonality in decadal variability of precipitation is observed in the tropics, with the strongest decadal variability occurring in summer. Our study provides insights into understanding the seasonality of decadal variability, which can aid in the improvement of decadal prediction of climate variability.

Significance Statement

The amplitude of decadal variability of seasonal-mean or monthly mean variables exhibits seasonality. Our results show that the seasonality in decadal variability is consistent with the seasonality in interannual variability. We also identified that the seasonality in oceanic decadal variability is weak and smaller than that in atmospheric decadal variability. Decadal variability of lower-tropospheric atmospheric circulation exhibits significant seasonality in the extratropics, with the strongest decadal variability occurring in winter. However, the significant seasonality in decadal variability of precipitation occurs in the tropics, with the strongest decadal variability occurring in summer. Our study provides insights into the seasonality of decadal variability in climate systems.
Gastrocardiac Fistula as a Complication of Prior Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Hlavaty Joel , Holley Tyler , Tymitz Kevin , Kerlakian George , Meister Katherine
Published: July 2023

Gastrocardiac fistula is a rare, typically fatal, diagnosis which has been reported infrequently in post-esophagectomy patients and, to a much lesser extent, patients with history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This case describes a patient with a history of an eroded adjustable gastric band and subsequent removal with conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass that initially presented with an upper gastrointestinal bleed. She was found to have a transdiaphragmatic fistula between the gastric lumen and left ventricle.
L’acquisizione dei marcatori metadiscorsivi negli apprendenti sinofoni d’italiano L2 e LS: Una ricerca longitudinale
Authors: Ni Yang
Published: July 2023

I marcatori metadiscorsivi giocano un ruolo importante nella gestione e nella produzione dei testi scritti soprattutto per quanto concerne il livello intermedio-avanzato. Il presente contributo intende analizzare l’uso dei marcatori metadiscorsivi nei testi argomentativi prodotti dagli apprendenti sinofoni d’italiano in contesti L2 e LS, nonché osservare se e in che misura tale uso si differenzia dalle caratteristiche della lingua target. Il lavoro conclude con alcune implicazioni utili al fine di proporre strategie didattiche efficaci da indirizzare ad apprendenti sinofoni.
Multi-axial elastic–viscoplastic curves of unidirectional carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites considering interphase and interface debonding using finite element modeling
Authors: Ahmadi Masoud , Ansari Reza , Hassanzadeh-Aghdam MK
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to predict the elastic-viscoplastic curves of unidirectional carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced polymer nanocomposites under the multi-axial tensions, including bi-axial transverse-transverse, bi-axial longitudinal-transverse and tri-axial longitudinal-transverse-transverse loadings by the use of finite element (FE) modeling. The role of the interphase between the CNT and polymer matrix as well as the debonding at the CNT/interphase interface in the stress-strain curves of nanocomposites is investigated. The polymer matrix and interphase region are characterized as elastic-viscoplastic materials, while the CNT behaves as the elastic material. The present results in uni-axial loading are compared to the available numerical outcomes for indicating the accuracy of the FE modeling. The simulation of multi-axial load conditions is based on the three-dimensional representative volume element (RVE) of the unidirectional CNT-polymer nanocomposite. The effect of interface strength on the elastic-viscoplastic stress-strain curves is examined under bi-axial and tri-axial loadings.