cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213150.v1
title: Spatio-temporal dynamics of surface water quality of two large reservoirs of Brazilian hydroelectric plants

description: ABSTRACT The use of water resources for energy generation, generally, involves the design of artificial dams and reservoirs. The construction of reservoirs may be associated with socio-environmental impacts. The use of statistical techniques and indexes to assess surface water quality data has been an efficient tool for understanding the spatial dynamics of these environments. The work aimed to evaluate the water quality in two large reservoirs and their main tributaries, the Emborcação and Nova Ponte hydroelectric power plants in Minas Gerais. Secondary data were evaluated using the Multivariate Statistical Technique of Cluster Analysis (CA), followed by non-parametric tests, also the Environment Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Trophic State Index (TSI). To support the discussion of the results, the types of land use and occupation in the study area were also analyzed. The results of the CA indicated the separation of the monitoring sites of each reservoir into groups, according to their locations and the type of environment in which they are inserted. The results of the statistical tests suggested a better water quality in the groups formed by stations located in the reservoir and close to it, which have been confirmed by WQI. The results of the WQI indicated the adequacy of the quality of these waters, in relation to the proposed uses for class 2 framing. About the TSI, there was the presence of intermediate primary productivity at acceptable levels. The predominance of land use for agriculture can partially justify the degradation conditions of the water quality watercourses’, especially about the parameters associated with solids and nutrients.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213153
title: Cysteine and Aspartic Proteases Underlie the Digestion of Egg Yolk Proteins during the Development of Columba livia domestica Embryo

description: ABSTRACT Yolk proteins undergo digestion either inside the egg yolk or in the surrounding yolk sac membrane (YSM) before being consumed by the developing avian embryo. However, the mechanisms underlying the digestion of yolk proteins during embryogenesis are largely unexplored in the pigeon Columba livia domestica. To better understand these mechanisms, the present study examined the classes of activated proteases in the egg yolk and the gene expression patterns of cathepsin B (CTSB) and cathepsin D (CTSD), which encode for lysosomal cysteine and aspartic proteases, respectively, in the YSM. We investigated the activated proteases by applying different types of protease inhibitors to yolk samples taken from incubation day 16. Then, we detected the mRNA levels of CTSB and CTSD in the YSM at incubation days 6, 8, 10, and 12-17. Both cysteine and aspartic proteases appeared to be activated in the egg yolk. Moreover, CTSB expression increased progressively and reached the maximum value on day 13; however, it decreased significantly on days 14 and 15 and further reduced toward hatching (day 17). In contrast, CTSD expression was weak and fluctuated insignificantly during development. Our results suggest that the degradation of yolk proteins at late developmental stages largely occurs in the egg yolk itself, probably by the activated cysteine and aspartic proteases. Furthermore, cathepsin B in the YSM seems to have a primary role in protein digestion, but this role decreases toward hatching.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213153.v1
title: Cysteine and Aspartic Proteases Underlie the Digestion of Egg Yolk Proteins during the Development of Columba livia domestica Embryo

description: ABSTRACT Yolk proteins undergo digestion either inside the egg yolk or in the surrounding yolk sac membrane (YSM) before being consumed by the developing avian embryo. However, the mechanisms underlying the digestion of yolk proteins during embryogenesis are largely unexplored in the pigeon Columba livia domestica. To better understand these mechanisms, the present study examined the classes of activated proteases in the egg yolk and the gene expression patterns of cathepsin B (CTSB) and cathepsin D (CTSD), which encode for lysosomal cysteine and aspartic proteases, respectively, in the YSM. We investigated the activated proteases by applying different types of protease inhibitors to yolk samples taken from incubation day 16. Then, we detected the mRNA levels of CTSB and CTSD in the YSM at incubation days 6, 8, 10, and 12-17. Both cysteine and aspartic proteases appeared to be activated in the egg yolk. Moreover, CTSB expression increased progressively and reached the maximum value on day 13; however, it decreased significantly on days 14 and 15 and further reduced toward hatching (day 17). In contrast, CTSD expression was weak and fluctuated insignificantly during development. Our results suggest that the degradation of yolk proteins at late developmental stages largely occurs in the egg yolk itself, probably by the activated cysteine and aspartic proteases. Furthermore, cathepsin B in the YSM seems to have a primary role in protein digestion, but this role decreases toward hatching.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213156
title: Online physical exercise and the neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia: a cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic

description: ABSTRACT. Social isolation is necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic but can be harmful to mental health, especially in people with neurocognitive disorders. Although physical exercise can alleviate neuropsychiatric symptoms and improve quality of life (QoL), sedentary behavior increased during the pandemic. Online interventions can contribute to improving physical activity and mental health. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the neuropsychiatric symptoms and QoL of older adults with neurocognitive disorders who participated in an online physical exercise program with sedentary patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25 older patients with neurocognitive disorders (control group=11; online exercise group=14) were evaluated based on Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) scale. Results: There were differences between the two groups in the total NPI (U=36.50, p=0.025) and the nighttime behavior disturbances item (U=38.00, p=0.033), both with large effect sizes (ES=-1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]:-1.83 to -0.16 and ES=-1.06, 95%CI -1.86 to -0.19, respectively). In terms of QoL-AD, a difference was identified only in the memory subitem (U=20.00, p=0.005), with a large ES (1.59, 95%CI 0.59-2.48). Conclusions: Older adults with neurocognitive disorders who participated in an online physical exercise program, during the COVID-19 pandemic, showed fewer neuropsychiatric total symptoms, fewer nighttime disturbances episodes, and better subjective memory, compared to their physically inactive counterparts. Randomized controlled trials should be performed to better understand the effect of physical exercise in neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients during periods of social isolation.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213156.v1
title: Online physical exercise and the neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia: a cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic

description: ABSTRACT. Social isolation is necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic but can be harmful to mental health, especially in people with neurocognitive disorders. Although physical exercise can alleviate neuropsychiatric symptoms and improve quality of life (QoL), sedentary behavior increased during the pandemic. Online interventions can contribute to improving physical activity and mental health. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the neuropsychiatric symptoms and QoL of older adults with neurocognitive disorders who participated in an online physical exercise program with sedentary patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25 older patients with neurocognitive disorders (control group=11; online exercise group=14) were evaluated based on Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) scale. Results: There were differences between the two groups in the total NPI (U=36.50, p=0.025) and the nighttime behavior disturbances item (U=38.00, p=0.033), both with large effect sizes (ES=-1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]:-1.83 to -0.16 and ES=-1.06, 95%CI -1.86 to -0.19, respectively). In terms of QoL-AD, a difference was identified only in the memory subitem (U=20.00, p=0.005), with a large ES (1.59, 95%CI 0.59-2.48). Conclusions: Older adults with neurocognitive disorders who participated in an online physical exercise program, during the COVID-19 pandemic, showed fewer neuropsychiatric total symptoms, fewer nighttime disturbances episodes, and better subjective memory, compared to their physically inactive counterparts. Randomized controlled trials should be performed to better understand the effect of physical exercise in neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients during periods of social isolation.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213159
title: The concurrent accuracy of the modified telephone interview for cognitive status and mini-mental state examination tools in detection of cognitive impairment among older adults

description: ABSTRACT. Due to the need for face-to-face administration of many cognitive screening tests, it is not always feasible to screen large-scale samples. Objective: This study aimed to assess the discriminant validity of the Persian version of Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (P-TICS-m) and Mini-Mental State Examination in the middle-aged Iranian population. Methods: The P-TICS-m and MMSE were administered to 210 randomly selected middle-aged community-dwelling adults who had been registered in the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Participants also underwent psychological examination by two neurologists to assess cognitive impairment based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria. To evaluate the discriminant validity of P-TICS-m and MMSE with DSM-V criteria, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−) were calculated. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59.6±6.8 years. The TICS and MMSE were highly correlated (r=0.635, p&lt;0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+, and LR− to discriminate cognitive impairment were, respectively, 83%, 92%, 68%, 96%, 10, and 0.182 for MMSE and 100%, 13%, 19%, 100%, 1.16, and 0 for TICS-m. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results showed no statistically significant differences between P-TICS-m and MMSE. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the TICS-m test can be used as a screening tool instead of the MMSE. Due to the low specificity and low PPV of the TICS-m compared to MMSE, the diagnosis should be confirmed using definitive diagnostic tests when a subject is classified as having cognitive impairment.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213159.v1
title: The concurrent accuracy of the modified telephone interview for cognitive status and mini-mental state examination tools in detection of cognitive impairment among older adults

description: ABSTRACT. Due to the need for face-to-face administration of many cognitive screening tests, it is not always feasible to screen large-scale samples. Objective: This study aimed to assess the discriminant validity of the Persian version of Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (P-TICS-m) and Mini-Mental State Examination in the middle-aged Iranian population. Methods: The P-TICS-m and MMSE were administered to 210 randomly selected middle-aged community-dwelling adults who had been registered in the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Participants also underwent psychological examination by two neurologists to assess cognitive impairment based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria. To evaluate the discriminant validity of P-TICS-m and MMSE with DSM-V criteria, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−) were calculated. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59.6±6.8 years. The TICS and MMSE were highly correlated (r=0.635, p&lt;0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+, and LR− to discriminate cognitive impairment were, respectively, 83%, 92%, 68%, 96%, 10, and 0.182 for MMSE and 100%, 13%, 19%, 100%, 1.16, and 0 for TICS-m. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results showed no statistically significant differences between P-TICS-m and MMSE. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the TICS-m test can be used as a screening tool instead of the MMSE. Due to the low specificity and low PPV of the TICS-m compared to MMSE, the diagnosis should be confirmed using definitive diagnostic tests when a subject is classified as having cognitive impairment.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.13365385
title: Effectiveness of a video-based education on fertility awareness: a randomized controlled trial with partnered women

description: Fertility awareness (FA) among young people is low. Fertility awareness interventions have been found to contribute to increase FA in the short-term. The long-term effectiveness of FA interventions on childless and presumed fertile people, committed in a heterosexual relationship and wishing to have children in the near future is not known. In a double-blind parallel randomized controlled trial conducted between 2016 and 2018, 652 childless partnered women were randomized to either watch a 5-min video about fertility (IG: ‘Intervention Group’) or to not receive any intervention (CG: ‘Control Group’). Participants filled out an online questionnaire at the start of the study (and in the IG group immediately before intervention). They then completed the questionnaire after 1 month, 6 months and 1 year. The questionnaire assessed FA and intentions to adopt fertility-protective behaviours. In the IG, FA levels were found to increase at 1 month post-intervention. However, significant interaction effects between group and time were only found for four out of the seven FA variables at the 6-month and 1-year follow-up. No effects were found for: (i) intentions to adopt fertility-protective behaviours; or (ii) desired timing of pregnancy. These results suggest that the fertility video intervention seems to partially increase FA in the long term. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of different intervention formats with a focus on overcoming high attrition rates.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.13365385.v1
title: Effectiveness of a video-based education on fertility awareness: a randomized controlled trial with partnered women

description: Fertility awareness (FA) among young people is low. Fertility awareness interventions have been found to contribute to increase FA in the short-term. The long-term effectiveness of FA interventions on childless and presumed fertile people, committed in a heterosexual relationship and wishing to have children in the near future is not known. In a double-blind parallel randomized controlled trial conducted between 2016 and 2018, 652 childless partnered women were randomized to either watch a 5-min video about fertility (IG: ‘Intervention Group’) or to not receive any intervention (CG: ‘Control Group’). Participants filled out an online questionnaire at the start of the study (and in the IG group immediately before intervention). They then completed the questionnaire after 1 month, 6 months and 1 year. The questionnaire assessed FA and intentions to adopt fertility-protective behaviours. In the IG, FA levels were found to increase at 1 month post-intervention. However, significant interaction effects between group and time were only found for four out of the seven FA variables at the 6-month and 1-year follow-up. No effects were found for: (i) intentions to adopt fertility-protective behaviours; or (ii) desired timing of pregnancy. These results suggest that the fertility video intervention seems to partially increase FA in the long term. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of different intervention formats with a focus on overcoming high attrition rates.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213165
title: The ability of patients with Parkinson’s disease to recognize masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic

description: ABSTRACT. Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) have face recognition difficulties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difficulties of PwP in recognizing masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 64 PwP, 58 age-matched older healthy controls (OHCs), and 61 younger healthy controls (YHCs) were included in the study. The Benton Face Recognition Test - short form (BFRT-sf) and the 13-item questionnaire on face recognition difficulties due to masks during the pandemic developed by the authors were applied to all three study groups. Results: Both the PwP and OHC groups scored worse in BFRT-sf when compared with the YHC group (p&lt;0.001 and p&lt;0.001, respectively). The number of those who had difficulty in recognizing people seen every day and the number of those who asked people to remove their masks because they did not recognize them were higher in the PWP group (p=0.026 and p=0.002, respectively). The number of individuals who looked at the posture and gait of people when they did not recognize their masked faces and those who stated that this difficulty affected their daily lives were higher in the OHC group (p=0.002 and p=0.009, respectively). The number of participants whose difficulty in recognizing masked faces decreased over time was higher in the YHC group (p=0.003). Conclusions: The PwP group demonstrated similar performance to their peers but differed from the YHC group in recognizing masked faces. Knowing difficulties experienced by elderly people in recognizing people who are masked can increase awareness on this issue and enhance their social interaction in pandemic conditions through measures to be taken.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213165.v1
title: The ability of patients with Parkinson’s disease to recognize masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic

description: ABSTRACT. Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) have face recognition difficulties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difficulties of PwP in recognizing masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 64 PwP, 58 age-matched older healthy controls (OHCs), and 61 younger healthy controls (YHCs) were included in the study. The Benton Face Recognition Test - short form (BFRT-sf) and the 13-item questionnaire on face recognition difficulties due to masks during the pandemic developed by the authors were applied to all three study groups. Results: Both the PwP and OHC groups scored worse in BFRT-sf when compared with the YHC group (p&lt;0.001 and p&lt;0.001, respectively). The number of those who had difficulty in recognizing people seen every day and the number of those who asked people to remove their masks because they did not recognize them were higher in the PWP group (p=0.026 and p=0.002, respectively). The number of individuals who looked at the posture and gait of people when they did not recognize their masked faces and those who stated that this difficulty affected their daily lives were higher in the OHC group (p=0.002 and p=0.009, respectively). The number of participants whose difficulty in recognizing masked faces decreased over time was higher in the YHC group (p=0.003). Conclusions: The PwP group demonstrated similar performance to their peers but differed from the YHC group in recognizing masked faces. Knowing difficulties experienced by elderly people in recognizing people who are masked can increase awareness on this issue and enhance their social interaction in pandemic conditions through measures to be taken.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213168
title: THE IMPACT OF LARGE-SCALE EXTERNAL EVALUATIONS ON THE ORGANIZATION OF PEDAGOGICAL WORK: A POSSIBILITY OF DISCUSSION FROM SUPERVISED INTERNSHIP

description: ABSTRACT: This article aims to analyze the presence of large-scale external evaluations in the organization of the pedagogical work of schools oversaw by the mathematics undergraduates from the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of São Paulo, Bragança Paulista campus, during their supervised internship, contemplating the reflections created by them from theoretical studies that guided this process. For this purpose, considering the technique of content analysis, 19 reports built in the 2nd semester of 2019 by the undergraduates of the Licentiate Degree in Mathematics were analyzed. It was observed that, during the internships, the undergraduates were faced with the repercussions of external evaluations on the organization of the pedagogical work. Such repercussions permeate the moments of Collective Pedagogical Work Classes (ATPC), Class Councils, Parent-Teacher Meetings, and the planning of activities for students. The analysis of the reports shows that the future teachers reflected on these repercussions about school management, pedagogical practices of teachers, and the training process of students. It is argued that teacher training courses devote time and space to analyze the relationship between assessment and organization of pedagogical work, in order to foster the (de)construction of concepts and practices related to the logic of training and curriculum structure, arising from large-scale external evaluations.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21213168.v1
title: THE IMPACT OF LARGE-SCALE EXTERNAL EVALUATIONS ON THE ORGANIZATION OF PEDAGOGICAL WORK: A POSSIBILITY OF DISCUSSION FROM SUPERVISED INTERNSHIP

description: ABSTRACT: This article aims to analyze the presence of large-scale external evaluations in the organization of the pedagogical work of schools oversaw by the mathematics undergraduates from the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of São Paulo, Bragança Paulista campus, during their supervised internship, contemplating the reflections created by them from theoretical studies that guided this process. For this purpose, considering the technique of content analysis, 19 reports built in the 2nd semester of 2019 by the undergraduates of the Licentiate Degree in Mathematics were analyzed. It was observed that, during the internships, the undergraduates were faced with the repercussions of external evaluations on the organization of the pedagogical work. Such repercussions permeate the moments of Collective Pedagogical Work Classes (ATPC), Class Councils, Parent-Teacher Meetings, and the planning of activities for students. The analysis of the reports shows that the future teachers reflected on these repercussions about school management, pedagogical practices of teachers, and the training process of students. It is argued that teacher training courses devote time and space to analyze the relationship between assessment and organization of pedagogical work, in order to foster the (de)construction of concepts and practices related to the logic of training and curriculum structure, arising from large-scale external evaluations.