bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rethinking Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development for Improved Teaching and Learning of English Language in the 21st Century
Authors: Ossai Rosemary Chidimma , Oluikpe Professor Esther N. , Uloh-Bethels Annah C , Ibenegbu Christopher Ifeanyi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This study focused on rethinking teachers’ continuing professional development for improved teaching and learning of the English language in the 21st century. The study was carried out in Enugu East and Enugu North local government areas, Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A total number of 158 English language teachers were used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was the Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development Questionnaire (TCPDQ). This instrument was validated by two specialists in Language Education and one specialist in Measurement and Evaluation, all from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Mean and standard deviations were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that the CPD provided for English language teachers does not equip them properly for English language teaching in the 21st century. Poor monitoring, lack of continuity and poor integration of ICT in the training programs were identified as the loopholes of teachers’ CPD; while focusing the CPD programs on technology literacy, collaboration among teachers during the training programs, and online CPD were found to be strategies for improving English language teachers’ CPD for improved teaching and learning of English language in the 21t century. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that professional bodies for teachers’ professional development should be organizing high-quality CPD programs to enable the English language teachers to develop leadership, collaborative, social, and technological skills that will enable them to teach English effectively in this century.
Communication skills training in advance care planning: a survey among medical students at the University of Antwerp
Authors: de Wiel Mick van , Bombeke Katrien , Janssens Annelies 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Palliative care (PC) medicine is a strongly emerging discipline worldwide. Despite efforts to integrate this important topic in the medical curriculum in Belgium, still little time is spent on PC and its implementation during theoretical and practical training.
Materials & Methods
To explore possible gaps in PC training and to evaluate students’ self-confidence regarding end-of-life-conversations, we had two cohorts of second master’s year MD students at the University of Antwerp complete a survey compromising a custom-built PC knowledge test and a self-confidence assessment of communicative skills used in end-of-life conversations before and after the PC training program. We also wished to know whether the PC classes enabled the students to adequately reflect on factors that might influence end-of-life conversations and added an open-end question about the potential implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on advance care planning (ACP) conversations. Finally, we compared the results of the respondents having enjoyed face-to-face training with those having received online training only.
Results
Although the respondents in both cohorts indicated that the overall curriculum did not pay enough attention to PC training, their theoretical knowledge about PC was good. Feeling confident about their communicative skills in general, they indicated to be less confident when it came to communications concerning PC and ACP in particular. The COVID-19 pandemic was initially equally deemed to impede and facilitate ACP and end-of-life conversations, but after the ACP training class more respondents saw the pandemic as an opportunity to broach end-of-life issues. Finally, we found no differences in scores between online and regular classroom teaching.
Conclusion
Students experience a lack of confidence in communication skills used in end-of-life conversations and ACP. To help improve skills and competencies in conducting end-of-life conversations, it is recommended to have medical students assess PC/ACP training programs regularly and to modify the curriculum and course content based on these outcomes and current developments.
Review and outlook of river morphology expression
Authors: Li Ziwei , Yan Chaode , Boota Muhammad Waseem 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The morphological expression of rivers provides a primary medium for human understanding of river geomorphology and the transmission of geographical information. In an ever-changing environment, constantly updated river monitoring data and products offer considerable potential for an explicit expression of river morphological characteristics and associated processes. This paper reviewed the advances in river morphology expression and examines how the various approaches can be utilized to interpret changing geomorphic features of rivers. First, taking alluvial rivers as the research object, river morphology is classified into three types of expression data and four categories of expression models. Then, the limitations of current river morphology models, such as uncertainty, inconsistency, and poor joint application, are analyzed. Finally, four outlooks are offered for improving river morphology expression, including stimulating the expression of river morphology with big data of rivers, redefining different river types, promoting multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary integration, and serving scientific management and decision-making.
Suitability pre-assessment for decoupling in-sewer captured streams to support urban blue-green climate adaptation measures
Authors: Prenner F. , Müller H. , Stern P. , Holzer M. , Rauch H. P. , Kretschmer F. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe application of nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation in cities has increased in recent years. To improve microclimatic conditions and to preserve the natural components of related assets, water supply is necessary. As an alternative to drinking water, stream water might serve as a natural source for irrigation. However, due to continuous urbanisation, water courses have often been banned underground in pipes or integrated in the combined sewer network, both making them not directly available for further usage. This article focuses on the perspectives of decoupling captured streams from underground infrastructure to support nature-based urban climate adaptation measures. It introduces a method to identify suitable locations for practical implementation considering the hydrological potential of the stream and the urban microclimatic sensitivity of the concerned area. The approach was applied in a case study in the north-western part of Vienna, including 16 streams with a total length of about 39 km covering an area of approximately 95 km2 with about half a million inhabitants. This work proved the general practicality of the suggested method. It also revealed that about one-third of the investigated stream lengths appears high or medium suitable to support climate adaption measures, leading to notable cost savings for irrigation (for the substitution of drinking water) and wastewater treatment. Concluding, the decoupling of captured streams could contribute to a more sustainable and nature-based urban water management. The introduced method for suitability pre-assessment is applicable with rather easily available input data, which makes it transferable to other cities.
Intravenous Injection of SDF-1α-overexpressing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells has a Potential Protective Effect on Myocardial Ischemia in Mice
Authors: Wang Ruihua , Wei Wen , Rong Shuling , Wang Ting , Li Bao 
Published: March 2022

Background:Neutrophils are involved in the injury of myocytes during myocardial ischemia (MI). Stem cells migrate to the site of myocardial injury under homing signals and play a protective role, such as inhibiting inflammation. Chemokine SDF-1α and its related receptor CXCR4 are upregulated after myocardial infarction, which may play an important role in stem cell homing.Objectives:This study aimed to explore the potential therapeutic effect of SDF-1α-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.Methods:We explored the role of SDF-1α modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vivo and in vitro. SDF-1α and CXCR4 expression was detected under hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) condition. Cell migration was detected by the transwell method. The levels of SDF-1α and IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were detected in different groups.Results:In vitro, SDF-1α was mainly upregulated and secreted by cardiomyocytes, and cardiomyocytes recruited stem cells through the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway to reduce the damage of polymorphic mononuclear neutrophils to cardiomyocytes under H/R. Upregulation of SDF-1α increased the migration ability of BMSC Stem Cells to H/R-induced cardiomyocytes. In vivo, intravenous injection of SDF-1α genemodified BMSC Stem Cells reduced inflammatory infiltration in the injured area as well as the level of systemic inflammatory factors.Conclusions:SDF-1α-overexpressing BMSC Stem Cells protected the heart function of mice and significantly reduced I/R-induced myocardial injury, which has a potential protective effect on MI.
Development and Evaluation of Exenatide Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles
for Intranasal Delivery in the Treatment of Obesity
Authors: Pandya Tosha , Bhatt Priyanka , Misra Ambikandan 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Obesity, considered a complex condition, is the fastest-growing public health concern worldwide. Its treatment is limited due to the side effects of pharmacological options available, outweighing their benefits.

Aim:
The present study aims to formulate a novel biodegradable formulation of exenatide for direct brain delivery through the nasal route.

Methods:
To formulate exenatide loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles, a dou-ble emulsion (w/o/w) solvent evaporation method was employed. A full factorial (33) design of the experiment was used to optimize the formulation.

Results:
The entrapment efficiency and particle size of the optimized formulation were found to be 68% and 110 nm, respectively. The in-vitro drug release study indicated the sustained release of 48% drug in 5 days. The safety of drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for intranasal delivery was in-dicated by the sheep nasal toxicity study. The efficacy of the developed nanoparticles was demon-strated by an in-vivo pharmacodynamics study on Albino Wistar rats, showing a 6.2% weight reduc-tion after 30 days of treatment.

Conclusion:
Thus, exenatide is a novel peptide having significant weight loss benefits and no se-vere side effects. Long-term studies in at least two or more animal models followed by extensive clinical evaluation can safely result in a product for clinical use.
Phytochemical Analysis andIn vitroEvidence of Antimalarial, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Ethanol Extract ofEmblica officinalisFruit
Authors: Kaushik Jyoti , Yadav Monu , Sharma Nidhi , Jindal Deepak K. , Joshi Kajal , Dahiya Mini , Deep Aakash 
Published: March 2022

Introduction:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of Emblica officinalis fruit ethanol extract.Methods:Emblica officinalis fruit extract was prepared using the Soxhlet apparatus at room temperature for 48 hours with 99% ethanol and 1% of double distilled water. GCMS was used to determine the phytoconstituent profile of an extract of Emblica officinalis fruit, and in-vitro assays were used to assess the biological activities.Results:Malic acid, pyrogallol, cinnamic acid, pidolic acid, L-glucose, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, heneicosane, and levoglucosenone were identified in the extract by GCMS analysis. Ethanol extract of Emblica officinalis fruit showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with EC50=13.68 g/ml and antibacterial activity with MIC=6.25µg/ml and MIC=12.5 µg/ml on Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi respectively. Also, significant antifungal activity of the extract was observed with MIC=6.25µg/ml on Aspergillus niger.Conclusion:The extract showed excellent affinity to scavenge the free radicals and protection of protein denaturation, which indicates its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects respectively. These protective effects are possibly due to therapeutically active compounds available in Emblica officinalis fruit.
Increased ACE2, sRAGE, and Immune Activation, but Lowered Calcium
and Magnesium in COVID-19
Authors: Al-Hakeim Hussein Kadhem , Al-Jassas Hawraa Kadhem , Morris Gerwyn , Maes Michael 
Published: March 2022

Background:
The characterization of new biomarkers that could help externally validate the diagnosis of COVID-19 and optimize treatments is extremely important. Many studies have es-tablished changes in immune-inflammatory and antibody levels, but few studies measured the soluble receptor for the advanced glycation end product (sRAGE), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), calcium, and magnesium in COVID-19.

Objective:
To evaluate serum advanced glycation end-product receptor (sRAGE) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)2 and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and chest CT scan abnormalities (CCTA) in COVID-19.

Methods:
sRAGE, ACE2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), calcium, magnesium, and albumin were measured in 60 COVID-19 patients and 30 healthy controls.

Results:
COVID-19 is characterized by significantly increased IL-6, CRP, IL-10, sRAGE, ACE2, and lowered SpO2, albumin, magnesium, and calcium. COVID-19 with CCTAs showed lower SpO2 and albumin. SpO2 was significantly inversely correlated with IL-6, IL-10, CRP, sRAGE, and ACE2, and positively with albumin, magnesium, and calcium. Neural networks showed that a combination of calcium, IL-6, CRP, and sRAGE yielded an accuracy of 100% in detecting COVID-19 patients, with calcium being the most important predictor followed by IL-6 and CRP. Patients with positive IgG results showed a significant elevation in the serum level of IL-6, sRAGE, and ACE2 compared to the negatively IgG patient subgroup.

Conclusion:
The results show that immune-inflammatory and RAGE pathways biomarkers may be used as an external validating criterion for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Those pathways coupled with lowered SpO2, calcium, and magnesium are drug targets that may help reduce the consequences of COVID-19.
Demographic and Psychosocial Characteristics Associated With Use of a Prostate Cancer Survivorship Website: Implications From a Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Marziliano Allison , Diefenbach Michael A , Hudson Shawna V , Tagai Erin K , Handorf Elizabeth A , Bator Alicja , Miller Suzanne M 
Published: March 2022

Background
Many prostate cancer (PC) survivors experience disease and treatment-related symptomatology in both the physical and psychosocial domains. Although the benefits and barriers to using web-based resources for cancer patients are well-documented, less research has focused on the personal characteristics important for efficient tailoring and targeting of information that are associated with usage.

Objective
We used the Cognitive-Social Health Information Processing (C-SHIP) framework to guide our exploration of personal characteristics associated with use of PROGRESS, an informational PC survivorship website that addresses physical, emotional, interpersonal, and practical concerns relevant for PC survivors.

Methods
PC survivors (N=217) were randomized to the intervention arm (PROGRESS) of a randomized controlled trial. Of those randomized to the intervention arm, 84 used PROGRESS, and 133 did not use PROGRESS. Multivariable analyses evaluated demographic and psychosocial characteristics (eg, style of coping, health literacy, self-efficacy, affective states of depression, anxiety, and fatigue) associated with website use.

Results
A larger proportion of non-Hispanic White (68/160, 42.5%), compared with non-Hispanic Black (9/40, 23%), participants used PROGRESS (P<.001). Further, PROGRESS users were older in age (P<.001), had a monitoring style of coping (P=.01), and were less depressed (P=.004), anxious (P=.02), and fatigued (P<.001) than nonusers. Education, income, health literacy, blunting style of coping, self-efficacy, and treatment type (radiation therapy or surgery) were not significantly related to use. On multivariable analyses, race (OR 0.28, P<.001), age (OR 1.05, P<.001), monitoring style of coping (OR 1.27, P=.02), and overall mood (OR 0.98, P<.001) remained significant.

Conclusions
A combination of monitoring and low levels of negative affect were associated with website use. Additionally, users were older, non-Hispanic White survivors. To ensure that important survivorship-relevant information reaches users, future efforts need to focus on enhancing patient engagement.

Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02224482; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02224482
Development of an Internet of Things Technology Platform (the NEX System) to Support Older Adults to Live Independently: Protocol for a Development and Usability Study
Authors: Timon Claire M , Heffernan Emma , Kilcullen Sophia M , Lee Hyowon , Hopper Louise , Quinn Joe , McDonald David , Gallagher Pamela , Smeaton Alan F , Moran Kieran , Hussey Pamela , Murphy Catriona 
Published: March 2022

Background
In a rapidly aging population, new and efficient ways of providing health and social support to older adults are required that not only preserve independence but also maintain quality of life and safety.

Objective
The NEX project aims to develop an integrated Internet of Things system coupled with artificial intelligence to offer unobtrusive health and wellness monitoring to support older adults living independently in their home environment. The primary objective of this study is to develop and evaluate the technical performance and user acceptability of the NEX system. The secondary objective is to apply machine learning algorithms to the data collected via the NEX system to identify and eventually predict changes in the routines of older adults in their own home environment.

Methods
The NEX project commenced in December 2019 and is expected to be completed by August 2022. Mixed methods research (web-based surveys and focus groups) was conducted with 426 participants, including older adults (aged ≥60 years), family caregivers, health care professionals, and home care workers, to inform the development of the NEX system (phase 1). The primary outcome will be evaluated in 2 successive trials (the Friendly trial [phase 2] and the Action Research Cycle trial [phase 3]). The secondary objective will be explored in the Action Research Cycle trial (phase 3). For the Friendly trial, 7 older adult participants aged ≥60 years and living alone in their own homes for a 10-week period were enrolled. A total of 30 older adult participants aged ≥60 years and living alone in their own homes will be recruited for a 10-week data collection period (phase 3).

Results
Phase 1 of the project (n=426) was completed in December 2020, and phase 2 (n=7 participants for a 10-week pilot study) was completed in September 2021. The expected completion date for the third project phase (30 participants for the 10-week usability study) is June 2022.

Conclusions
The NEX project has considered the specific everyday needs of older adults and other stakeholders, which have contributed to the design of the integrated system. The innovation of the NEX system lies in the use of Internet of Things technologies and artificial intelligence to identify and predict changes in the routines of older adults. The findings of this project will contribute to the eHealth research agenda, focusing on the improvement of health care provision and patient support in home and community environments.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/35277
Digital Health Opportunities to Improve Primary Health Care in the Context of COVID-19: Scoping Review
Authors: Silva Cícera Renata Diniz Vieira , Lopes Rayssa Horácio , de Goes Bay Jr Osvaldo , Martiniano Claudia Santos , Fuentealba-Torres Miguel , Arcêncio Ricardo Alexandre , Lapão Luís Velez , Dias Sonia , Uchoa Severina Alice da Costa 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic brought social, economic, and health impacts, requiring fast adaptation of health systems. Although information and communication technologies were essential for achieving this objective, the extent to which health systems incorporated this technology is unknown.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to map the use of digital health strategies in primary health care worldwide and their impact on quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe performed a scoping review based on the Joanna Briggs Institute manual and guided by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) Extension for Scoping Reviews. A systematic and comprehensive three-step search was performed in June and July 2021 in multidisciplinary health science databases and the gray literature. Data extraction and eligibility were performed by two authors independently and interpreted using thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 44 studies were included and six thematic groups were identified: characterization and geographic distribution of studies; nomenclatures of digital strategies adopted; types of information and communication technologies; characteristics of digital strategies in primary health care; impacts on quality of care; and benefits, limitations, and challenges of digital strategies in primary health care. The impacts on organization of quality of care were investigated by the majority of studies, demonstrating the strengthening of (1) continuity of care; (2) economic, social, geographical, time, and cultural accessibility; (3) coordination of care; (4) access; (5) integrality of care; (6) optimization of appointment time; (7) and efficiency. Negative impacts were also observed in the same dimensions, such as reduced access to services and increased inequity and unequal use of services offered, digital exclusion of part of the population, lack of planning for defining the role of professionals, disarticulation of actions with real needs of the population, fragile articulation between remote and face-to-face modalities, and unpreparedness of professionals to meet demands using digital technologies.ConclusionsThe results showed the positive and negative impacts of remote strategies on quality of care in primary care and the inability to take advantage of the potential of technologies. This may demonstrate differences in the organization of fast and urgent implementation of digital strategies in primary health care worldwide. Primary health care must strengthen its response capacity, expand the use of information and communication technologies, and manage challenges using scientific evidence since digital health is important and must be integrated into public service.