bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kavre, Nepal
Authors: Acharya Pandey R. , Chalise H. N. , Shrestha A. , Ranjit A. 
Published: November 2022

Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most common chronic health conditions and is increasingly becoming a major public health problem among the elderly population. As the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not curable, evaluation of and methods to improve quality of life among such patients is of utmost importance.
Objective The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life among patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Method This is a cross-sectional carried out in Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Nepal in 2017-2018. A total of 274 patients aged 40 years and above were selected for this study. The quality of life of participants was assessed through the widely used shorter version ST George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C).
Result The mean age of the participants was 68.19 (SD ± 10.36) years, with the age range of 40–94 years. More than half (55.5%) of respondents were females, 55% were from rural areas, 42.7% were illiterate and 53.3% were from joint families. Agriculture (35.4%) and homemakers (32.5%) were the most prevalent occupation. The mean total score for all domains of quality of life was 68.06 (±18.87). The mean quality of life scores for symptom, activity, and impact domains was 70.11 (±22.33), 67.59 (±20.41), 67.64 (±20.41) respectively which suggested marked impairments in quality of life in all SGRQ-C domains. The symptoms and impact domains were most affected during the activity. Among socio-demographic variables, educational status, ethnicity, number of family members, type of family and economic status had a statistically significant effect on the quality of life. Initial health condition, smoking habit, number of cigarettes smoked, and years of smoking had statistically significant effects on quality of life.
Conclusion Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a low quality of life in three components of symptom, activity, and impact domains. Major factors associated with poor quality of life were low educational status, large family size, poor health condition, and smoking.
Why Disarmament Fails: Thinking ‘Human-Human Bond’ Approach in Managing Transnational Conflicts
Authors: Onditi Francis 
Published: November 2022

Can the human-human bond (H2HB) explain the ‘cooperate to disarm’ behaviour among border communities? This article develops the H2HB approach as an explanatory framework for understanding the variations in ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ bonds as a mediating factor in cooperative or competitive behaviour in collective interest situations. This article argues that cooperation is a _voluntaristic_ and _organic_ phenomenon which arises out of informal ethnic kinship networks (herein coined, hard bonds) as opposed to contractual obligation determined by states’ foreign policies or organizational formal structures (herein coined, soft bonds). To elaborate on this more theoretical argument, the article utilizes empirical evidence to demonstrate how the C2D model remains delusional. While the C2D was created as a formal structure to coordinate disarmament among the Karamoja Cluster community, the study shows that the model has morphed into a cyclic spectacle leading to a pervasive condition known as, _arming-to-disarm_ (A2D). Interestingly, rather than resorting to this pervasive approach, the community has evolved informal kinship networks and connections that are useful for their survival. Thus, the evolution of the informal approach validates the usefulness of the H2HB model in explaining the intractable cross-border (dis)armament phenomenon.
Сучасні тенденції розвитку спортивного волонтерства
Authors: Степанюк Олена , Когут Ірина 
Published: November 2022

Анотація. У статті розглянуто сучасні тенденції розвитку спортивного волонтерства, які сприяють популяризації та поширенню його у світі. Воно є актуальним і важливим соціальним явищем, тому що це ефективний метод вирішення проблем окремої людини, суспільства та довкілля; волонтерство приносить нові творчі та сміливі ідеї вирішення найгостріших і найскладніших проблем, це спосіб, за допомогою якого кожен громадянин країни може брати участь у покращенні якості життя суспільства. Під впливом факторів зовнішнього середовища сучасне волонтерство зазнало суттєвих змін у питаннях мотивації, залучення, навчання, підготовки та контролю цієї діяльності, що й обумовило актуальність дослідження. Мета. Наукове обґрунтування основних тенденцій розвитку сучасного волонтерського руху у спорті для підвищення ефективності його популяризації серед українського суспільства. Методи. Аналіз спеціальної науково-методичної літератури, документальних матеріалів та матеріалів мережі Інтернет, синтез та узагальнення. Результати. В ході дослідження узагальнено мотиваційні чинники, які спонукають до заняття волонтерством. Визначено характеристики та зміни в соціально-демографічному портреті волонтера. Узагальнено основні напрями діяльності волонтерів. Проаналізовано основні дефініції, які утворилися внаслідок розвитку та поширення волонтерської діяльності у світі. У результаті проведених досліджень виявлено та надано характеристику тенденцій, притаманних сучасній спортивній волонтерській діяльності: інтернаціоналізація волонтерської діяльності, зміна мотиваційних чинників, розширення функціональних обов’язків волонтерів; значний вплив новітніх технологій у залученні, підготовці та роботі з волонтерами; розширення змісту програм підготовки волонтерів.
Ключові слова: спортивне волонтерство, тенденції, напрями волонтерської діяльності, волонтери.
Складові професійної компетентності вчителів фізичної культури Китаю
Authors: Трачук Сергій , Пальчук Марія , Ген Янь , Ши Янь Цзе 
Published: November 2022

Анотація. Сучасний етап розвитку шкільної освіти КНР характеризується як період освітніх змін, ключовим елементом якого є впровадження освітньої реформи, саме тому питання удосконалення професійної компетентності вчителів фізичної культури КНР набувають особливого значення. Мета. Визначити складові професійної компетентності вчителів фізичної культури Китаю. Методи. Теоретичний аналіз і узагальнення даних літературних джерел, соціологічні методи дослідження (анкетування), методи математичної статистики. Результати. Вчителям фізичної культури, які взяли участь в опитуванні, було запропоновано для вибору перелік тем, вивчення яких дозволило підвищити їхню кваліфікацію протягом останніх двох років на різних освітніх платформах. Зазначені теми були розподілені на два блоки: спрямовані на удосконалення організаційних умінь та методичних знань вчителів фізичної культури в процесі фізичного виховання та пов’язані з організацією контролю та використанням інформаційно-цифрових технологій у процесі фізичного виховання. В процесі опитування встановлено, що значна частина вчителів потребує удосконалення знань та вмінь, які пов’язані із використанням методів залучення дітей до занять фізичною активністю, технологій, спрямованих на розробку індивідуальних планів (програм) фізичної активності учнів та технологій формування рухових умінь і навичок, інформаційних технологій в процесі фізичного виховання, пристроїв для моніторингу фізичної активності та технологій проведення або використання фітнес-тестів для оцінки фізичної підготовленості.
Ключові слова: компетентність, професійна діяльність, вчитель фізичної культури, КНР.
Retrospective Analysis of the Ureaplasma spp. Prevalence with Reference to Other Genital Tract Infections in Women of Reproductive Age
Authors: Rak Katarzyna , Kiecka Aneta , Białecka Joanna , Kawalec Anna , Krzyściak Paweł , Białecka Anna 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Ureaplasma spp. are frequently isolated from the genital tract of women of reproductive age. To date, it remains unclear whether they are commensal or pathogenic. In our study, we assessed the prevalence of Ureaplasma spp. in a group of 1,155 women of childbearing age. In addition, we assessed how often women with positive Ureaplasma spp. develop genital tract co-infections and how the vaginal pH changes. This study showed a relationship between colonization by Ureaplasma spp. and presenting symptoms. In fact, we showed that colonization of the genital tract by Ureaplasma spp. can affect the occurrence of co-infections such as Gardnerella vaginalis. We also observed a relationship between increased pH values and the presence of Ureaplasma spp.
Perbandingan Metode Optimasi Non-Linear Partical Swarm Optimization (PSO) Dengan Metode Interior Point Untuk Optimasi Daya Pada Turbin Angin Dengan Menentukan Nilai Optimum Pitch Angle
Authors: Prasetyo Alfian Abdi , Rafinda Fikri Aufa , Nugroho Herminarto 
Published: November 2022

Along with the increasing development of technology, demand for electricity is also increasing. To overcome the problem of reducing electricity raw materials originating from fossil energy, new renewable energi is the solution. One of the new renewable energi sources that have high efficiency values is wind. Wind power plants require wind speed to produce efficiency and output power in the wind turbine. The optimization problem of a wind turbine is to determine the angle of placement of the wind turbine in order to produce the desired optimum power. This journal is determining the wind turbine pitch angle to determine the optimum power by comparing two optimization methods, namely Partical Swarm Optimization (PSO) and the Interior Point optimization method. The data to be obtained is the optimal distance between the turbines and the comparison of the efficiency between the two optimization methods in producing the optimal solution for the problem of placing wind turbines in the wind turbine field.
Seiring dengan meningkatnya perkembangan teknologi, kebutuhan listrik juga semakin meningkat. Untuk mengatasi permasalahan berkurangnya bahan baku listrik yang berasal dari energi fosil, maka energi baru terbarukan adalah solusinya. Sumber energi baru terbarukan yang memiliki nilai efisiensi yang tinggi salah satunya adalah angin. Pembangkit listrik tenaga angin membutuhkan kecepatan angin untuk menghasilkan efisiensi dan daya keluaran pada turbin angin tersebut. Permasalahan optimisasi dari suatu turbin angin adalah menentukan sudut peletakan turbin angin agar menghasilkan daya optimum yang diinginkan. Pada jurnal ini bertujuan menentukan pitch angle wind turbine unutk menentukan daya optimum dengan membandingkan dua metode optimasi yaitu Partical Swarm Optimization (PSO) dan metode optimasi Interior Point. Data yang akan diperoleh adalah jarak optimal antar turbin dan perbandingan efisiensi antara kedua metode optimasi tersebut dalam menghasilkan solusi optimal untuk masalah penempatan turbin angin di lapangan turbin angin.
Sistem Pakar Diagnosa Penyakit dan Hama Tanaman Kakao Dengan Metode Certainty Factor
Authors: Minarni  , Novira Engla , Yulianti Eva , Yoga Swara Ganda 
Published: November 2022

Kakao (Theobroma cacao. L) merupakan tanaman perkebunan yang memiliki nilai ekonomi yang tinggi. Biji kakao mulai dihasilkan pada saat berumur 18 bulan yang nantinya akan diproses menjadi coklat dalam bentuk bubuk. Beberapa tahun terakhir terjadi penurunan produksi tanaman kakao, yang disebabkan adanya serangan hama dan penyakit. Kurangnya pengetahuan petani tentang penyakit dan hama yang memiliki beberapa gejala yang sama, serta jumlah dan waktu kerja penyuluh terbatas mengakibatkan penanganannya menjadi terhambat. Untuk mengatasi persoalan ini dibangun sebuah sistem dengan mengimplementasikan metode Certainty Factor (CF) untuk mendiagnosis penyakit atau hama yang dialami oleh tanaman kakao. Penelitian ini menghasilkan suatu sistem pakar diagnosis tanaman kakao terdiri dari 6 penyakit dan 4 hama dengan 68 gejala. Hasil diagnosis menyatakan sistem memiliki kecocokan dengan pakar sebesar 93,33% pada 30 data uji. Ini membuktikan sistem mampu mendiagnosa penyakit dan hama tanaman kakao dengan baik. Dengan dibangunnya sistem ini diharapkan dapat dimanfaatkan oleh petani dalam mendiagnosis penyakit dan hama tanaman kakao, sehingga dapat melakukan penanganan lebih awal sehingga produktivitas tanaman kakao dapat meningkat.
Medical education during the coronavirus disease pandemic and students’ mental health: A one-year follow-up
Authors: Bolatov Aidos K. , Seisembekov Telman Z. , Dauyenov Ernur , Zhorokpayeva Meiramgul D. , Smailova Dariga S. , Pavalkis Dainius 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected medical education and psychosomatic health of medical students. In this follow-up study, conducted 1 year after the transition to online learning (OL), we aimed to investigate changes in student mental health and identify factors associated with academic burnout and changes in medical education caused by the pandemic.Materials and methodsThis study compares the burnout rate and psychosomatic status (depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms) of medical students at Astana Medical University using an online questionnaire-based repeated cross-section design of the pre-pandemic period (September–November 2019), the initial period of the pandemic (April 2020), and the current study (March 9–30, 2021). In the pre-pandemic period, students studied only in a face-to-face format. Moreover, the current study (March, 2021) analyzed factors associated with academic burnout and changes in medical education caused by the pandemic. Statistical methods included mean comparison, frequency, and regression analysis.ResultsData from a representative sample of undergraduate students were analyzed (n = 975, 58% of them participated in the previous study). The burnout rate was found to be lower compared with the period of traditional education (pre-COVID-19) and did not significantly differ from the initial period of the introduction of online learning (the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic). The levels and prevalence of depression and anxiety also showed similar patterns. The prevalence of somatic symptoms has increased compared to the initial period of the pandemic, although it has not reached the level obtained in the pre-COVID-19 period. The negative changes caused by OL in medical education and learning effectiveness have been associated with burnout. Factors associated with burnout, learning effectiveness, dissatisfaction with the quality of OL organization, and deterioration of medical education have been identified.ConclusionThe medical education and mental health of medical students has undoubtedly undergone changes in the transition to OL due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors such as changing the content of education, the organization of the educational process and support from the school, the nature of student-teacher, student-school and student-student relationships, the possibility of mastering various skills and financial problems caused by the pandemic, played a significant role in the academic life of students. The results obtained have potential applications in organizing and improving the quality of continuing medical education in an era of global healthcare crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Revealing oxidative stress-related genes in osteoporosis and advanced structural biological study for novel natural material discovery regarding MAPKAPK2
Authors: Zhao Yingjing , Li Weihang , Zhang Kuo , Xu Meng , Zou Yujia , Qiu Xiaotong , Lu Tianxing , Gao Bo 
Published: November 2022

ObjectivesThis study aimed to find novel oxidative stress (OS)-related biomarkers of osteoporosis (OP), together with targeting the macromolecule Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2) protein to further discover potential novel materials based on an advanced structural biology approach.MethodsGene expression profiles of GSE35958 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, which were included for weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differential analysis to identify the most correlated module, to identify OS-related hub genes in the progression of OP. Functional annotations were also analyzed on the interested module to get a comprehensive understanding of these genes. Then, a series of advanced structural biology methods, including high-throughput screening, pharmacological characteristic prediction, precise molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, etc., was implemented to discover novel natural inhibitor materials against the MAPKAPK2 protein.ResultsThe brown module containing 720 genes was identified as the interested module, and a group set of genes was determined as the hub OS-related genes, including PPP1R15A, CYB5R3, BCL2L1, ABCD1, MAPKAPK2, HSP90AB1, CSF1, RELA, P4HB, AKT1, HSP90B1, and CTNNB1. Functional analysis demonstrated that these genes were primarily enriched in response to chemical stress and several OS-related functions. Then, Novel Materials Discovery demonstrated that two compounds, ZINC000014951634 and ZINC000040976869, were found binding to MAPKAPK2 with a favorable interaction energy together with a high binding affinity, relatively low hepatoxicity and carcinogenicity, high aqueous solubility and intestinal absorption levels, etc., indicating that the two compounds were ideal potential inhibitor materials targeting MAPKAPK2.ConclusionThis study found a group set of OS-related biomarkers of OP, providing further insights for OS functions in the development of OP. This study then focused on one of the macromolecules, MAPKAPK2, to further discover potential novel materials, which was of great significance in guiding the screening of MAPKAPK2 potential materials.
Quantitative source apportionment of heavy metals in atmospheric deposition of a typical heavily polluted city in Northern China: Comparison of PMF and UNMIX
Authors: Cai Angzu , Zhang Haixia , Zhao Yawei , Wang Xiaojian , Wang Litao , Zhao Hui 
Published: November 2022

Receptor models are rarely utilized in atmospheric deposition but are often used to identify pollutant sources and quantify their contributions. This article focuses on the soil in atmospheric deposition in a typical polluted city. Atmospheric deposition has become an important route for exogenous heavy metals’ input into ecosystems. In this study, the heavy metals in atmospheric deposition were determined in three monitoring points arranged in Handan City. According to the functional area, fluxes, sources, and accumulation in the soil were explored. The sources of heavy metals were identified by PMF (positive matrix factorization) and UNMIX. The accumulation of heavy metals in the soil was predicted. The results showed that the deposition fluxes in industrial areas were higher than other functional areas. The mean concentrations of 8 heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and As) in the atmospheric deposition exceed their background values. PMF identified five major sources and UNMIX analyzed four sources. Similar source apportionment results were acquired via PMF and UNMIX, which were the combustion of fossil fuels, steel-smelting emission, road dust, and industrial sources. Steel-smelter emission was the highest source contributor. Therefore, combining these two models was the most effective approach, and more attention should be paid to mitigating the pollution caused by the industrial activities. The prediction indicated that the accumulation of heavy metals from atmospheric deposition to the soil would increase in 30 years, the growth rate of Cd increased significantly. The results of this study could provide reference in reduction of heavy metal pollution in atmospheric deposition.
Lipoma management with a minimally invasive 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser technique
Authors: Piccolo Domenico , Mutlag Mohammed Hussein , Pieri Laura , Fusco Irene , Conforti Claudio , Crisman Giuliana , Bonan Paolo 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundLipoma is the most common benign mesenchymal tumor that is composed of mature fat cells. Subdermal laser lipoma treatment may be recommended as an alternative to surgery for its removal.PurposeThe purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of the 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser subcutaneous intralesional application as a treatment option for lipoma.Materials and methodsOn 60 patients (37 women and 23 men) with lipomas localized above the muscle and lipomatosis in various regions, a subcutaneous, micro-pulsed 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser procedure was executed. Before treatment, an ultrasound was performed and the lipomas were measured. The same lighting setup and photographic tools were used to take pictures of each patient.ResultsThe lipoma reduced or completely disappeared in all cases at the last follow-up, and no infections, burns, skin lesions, episodes of severe bleeding, or other serious adverse effects were reported. The most common transient side effects were ecchymosis and edema. Partial lesion reduction refers to rare cases of lipomatosis in which the lipomas were so small that suction and accurate positioning of the capsular membrane contours were impossible.ConclusionLipoma treatment with a 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure without risk of scarring. For cellular disruption, laser treatment is an effective and safe option.
Do worsening lung ultrasound scans identify severe COVID-19 trajectories?
Authors: Blair Paul W. , Hwang Jimin , Pearce Jackson , Fong Tiffany C. , Cui Erjia , Herrera Phabiola , Liu Gigi , Crainiceanu Ciprian , Siddharthan Trishul , Clark Danielle V. ,   The CCPSEI Research Team
Published: November 2022

BackgroundWhile point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been used to track worsening COVID-19 disease it is unclear if there are dynamic differences between severity trajectories.MethodsWe studied 12-lung zone protocol scans from 244 participants [with repeat scans obtained in 3 days (N = 114), 7 days (N = 53), and weekly (N = 9)] ≥ 18 years of age hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia. Differences in mean lung ultrasound (LUS) scores and percent of lung fields with A-lines over time were compared between peak severity levels (as defined by the WHO clinical progression scale) using linear mixed-effects models.ResultsMean LUS scores were elevated by 0.19 (p = 0.035) and A-lines were present in 14.7% fewer lung fields (p = 0.02) among those with ICU-level or fatal peak illness compared to less severe hospitalized illness, regardless of duration of illness. There were no differences between severity groups in the trajectories of mean LUS score 0.19 (p = 0.66) or percent A-lines (p = 0.40).DiscussionOur results do not support the use of serial LUS scans to monitor COVID-19 disease progression among hospitalized adults.