EXPLORING IRANIAN EFL TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE ONLINE IN-SERVICE TRAINING

It is widely acknowledged that in order to improve the quality of education in schools, there is a need to place pedagogy and its training implications at the center of teacher education reform. This study investigated the EFL teachers’ perception of the online in-service training. In doing so, an adapted 30-item questionnaire, having been piloted, was administered to 32 Iranian high school English teachers out of a total population of 40 teachers selected based on convenience sampling in Fouman and Somesara high schools in Guilan, Iran. Next, to add depth and detail to the participants’ responses to the questionnaire, a five-item interview was conducted with volunteer participants. The results of analyses revealed that there was not any statistically significant mean difference in the perceptions of male and female teachers about online in-service training (INSET). However, statistically significant differences were found among the teachers in terms of their university degrees and teaching experiences. The teachers were reported to view online programs as an essential tool needed for teachers’ professional development. The findings can be utilized pedagogically by teachers as an encouraging factor to attend the online INSET courses and, most importantly, by education administration to hold such courses more effectively.  Article visualizations

The role of biomarkers in diagnosis of COVID-19 - A systematic review.

AIMS:As of the 28th April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated over 200 countries and affected over three million confirmed people. We review different biomarkers to evaluate if they are able to predict clinical outcomes and correlate with the severity of COVID-19 disease. METHODS:A systematic review of the literature was carried out to identify relevant articles using six different databases. Keywords to refine the search included 'COVID-19', 'SARS-CoV2', 'Biomarkers', among others. Only studies which reported data on pre-defined outcomes were included. KEY FINDINGS:Thirty-four relevant articles were identified which reviewed the following biomarkers: C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, interleukin-6, lactate dehydrogenase, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, D-dimer, cardiac troponin, renal biomarkers, lymphocytes and platelet count. Of these, all but two, showed significantly higher levels in patients with severe complications of COVID-19 infection compared to their non-severe counterparts. Lymphocytes and platelet count showed significantly lower levels in severe patients compared to non-severe patients. SIGNIFICANCE:Although research is still in its early stages, the discovery of how different biomarkers behave during the course of the disease could help clinicians in identifying severe disease earlier and subsequently improve prognosis. Nevertheless, we urge for more research across the globe to corroborate these findings

Aortic valve surgery: management and outcomes in the paediatric population

Congenital anomalies of the aortic valve frequently necessitate intervention in childhood. The most common aortic valve pathologies present in childhood are aortic stenosis and insufficiency. Presentation of aortic valve disease depends on severity and presence of concomitant syndromes and valvular disorders. Treatment options are largely categorised as medical, percutaneous repair or surgical repair and replacement. Surgical techniques have been refined over the last few years making this the mainstay of treatment in paediatric cases. Whilst repair is considered in most instances before replacement, there are substantial limitations which are reflected in the frequency of reintervention and restenosis rate. Replacements are typically undertaken with tissue or mechanical prosthesis. The current gold-standard aortic valve replacement surgery is called the Ross procedure-where replacement is undertaken with a competent pulmonic valve and a simultaneous pulmonary homograft.Conclusion: In this review, we aim to outline the various surgical options and discuss efficacy and complications of various interventions. What is Known: • Congenital aortic valve defects repair options medically and surgically What is New: • Comparisons between surgical options for aortic valve repair including efficacy, risks and long-term outcomes

The Innovativeness and Value of Quick Response Code Payment for MSMEs: The Influence of Security-Related Factor

The implementation of QR code technology aims to make it easier for MSMEs and consumers to create a cashless society. However, many MSMEs still need to implement digital payment methods over time. This research aims to evaluate the acceptance of QR codes for MSMEs, especially regarding the role of innovativeness, security, and ease of use. This research targets MSMEs in Indonesia that have used the QR Code as a tool for making transactions. Questionnaires were distributed via Google form online, totalling 489 respondents who filled out. After the data is obtained, it is analyzed using a partial least square using smart-pls 4.0. Behaviour intention (BIQ) is the most influential construct on user behaviour (UBQ). The other most significant factors are convenience (PEUQ) and security (PSQ) for users. Meanwhile, other variables such as Personal innovativeness (PI), PEUQ, PSQ, and perceived usefulness (PUQ) can increase the positive impact on Perceived value (PVQ). Several factors, such as PEUQ and PSQ, can positively influence PUQ. However, there is a construct with few results: Perceived usefulness on intention to use. This is because MSMEs are more oriented toward consumer needs to buy products and services. So these findings provide insight for the government and service providers to improve security, convenience, and necessary QR code features that support MSME business activitie

The impact of Ramadan intermittent fasting on anthropometric measurements and body composition: Evidence from LORANS study and a meta-analysis

BackgroundAlthough the effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on anthropometry and body composition has been questioned, none of the previous studies tried to explain the reported changes in these parameters. Also, systematic reviews that investigated the topic were limited to healthy individuals or a specific disease group.MethodsThe London Ramadan Study (LORANS) is an observational study on health effects of RIF. We measured weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), basal metabolic rate (BMR), fat percentage (FP), free-fat mass (FFM), extremities predicted muscle mass, total body water (TBW), trunk FM, trunk FFM and trunk predicted muscle mass before and immediately after Ramadan. Using mixed-effects regression models, we investigated the effect of RIF with adjustment for potential confounders. We also conducted a meta-analysis of the results of LORANS with other studies that investigated the effect of RIF on anthropometry and body composition. The review protocol is registered with PROSPERO registry (CRD42020186532).ResultsWe recruited 146 participants (Mean ± SD age = 43.3 ± 15 years). Immediately after Ramadan, compared with before Ramadan, the mean difference was−1.6 kg (P<0.01) in weight,−1.95cm (P<0.01) in WC,−2.86cm (P <0.01) in HC, −0.60 kg/m2 (P < 0.01) in BMI and −1.24 kg (P < 0.01) in FM. In the systematic review and meta-analysis, after screening 2,150 titles and abstracts, 66 studies comprising 7,611 participants were included. In the general population, RIF was followed by a reduction of 1.12 Kg in body weight (−1.89– −0.36, I2 = 0), 0.74 kg/m2 reduction in BMI (−0.96– −0.53, I2 = 0), 1.54cm reduction in WC (−2.37– −0.71, I2 = 0) and 1.76cm reduction in HC (−2.69– −0.83, I2 = 0). The effect of fasting on anthropometric and body composition parameters starts to manifest in the second week of Ramadan and starts to diminish 3 weeks after Ramadan.ConclusionRIF is associated with a reduction in body weight, BMI, WC, HC, FM, FP and TBW. Most of these reductions are partially attributed to reduced FM and TBW. The reductions in these parameters appear to reverse after Ramadan

The COVID-19 vaccination acceptance/hesitancy rate and its determinants among healthcare workers of 91 Countries: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate and its determinants among healthcare workers in a multicenter study. This was a cross-sectional multi-center survey conducted from February 5 to April 29, 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 26 items in 6 subscales. The English version of the questionnaire was translated into seven languages and distributed through Google Forms using snowball sampling; a colleague in each country was responsible for the forward and backward translation, and also the distribution of the questionnaire. A forward stepwise logistic regression was utilized to explore the variables and questionnaire factors tied to the intention to COVID-19 vaccination. 4630 participants from 91 countries completed the questionnaire. According to the United Nations Development Program 2020, 43.6 % of participants were from low Human Development Index (HDI) regions, 48.3 % high and very high, and 8.1 % from medium. The overall vaccination hesitancy rate was 37 %. Three out of six factors of the questionnaire were significantly related to intention to the vaccination. While 'Perceived benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination' (OR: 3.82, p-value<0.001) and 'Prosocial norms' (OR: 5.18, p-value<0.001) were associated with vaccination acceptance, 'The vaccine safety/cost concerns' with OR: 3.52, p-value<0.001 was tied to vaccination hesitancy. Medical doctors and pharmacists were more willing to take the vaccine in comparison to others. Importantly, HDI with OR: 12.28, 95 % CI: 6.10-24.72 was a strong positive determinant of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. This study highlighted the vaccination hesitancy rate of 37 % in our sample among HCWs. Increasing awareness regarding vaccination benefits, confronting the misinformation, and strengthening the prosocial norms would be the primary domains for maximizing the vaccination coverage. The study also showed that the HDI is strongly associated with the vaccination acceptance/hesitancy, in a way that those living in low HDI contexts are more hesitant to receive the vaccine

Super-spreading social events for COVID-19 transmission: evidence from the investigation of six early clusters in Bahrain

IntroductionThis study aimed to characterize six early clusters of COVID-19 and derive key transmission parameters from confirmed cases that were traced between April and June 2020 in Bahrain.MethodsPairs of “infector-infectee” allowed us to map the clusters and estimate the incubation period serial interval as the secondary attack rate. The chi-squared test, with a p-value computed using the Monte Carlo test, measured associations between categorical variables. Statistical analysis was performed using R software and the “data.tree, tidyverse” libraries.ResultsFrom 9 April to 27 June 2020, we investigated 596 individuals suspected of COVID-19, of whom 127 positive cases were confirmed by PCR and linked in six clusters. The mean age was 30.34 years (S.D. = 17.84 years). The male-to-female ratio was 0.87 (276/318), and most of the contacts were of Bahraini citizenship (511/591 = 86.5%). Exposure occurred within the family in 74.3% (411/553), and 18.9% of clusters' cases were symptomatic (23/122 = 18.9%). Mapped clusters and generations increased after 24 May 2020, corresponding to “Aid El-Fitr.” The mean incubation period was 4 days, and the mean serial interval ranged from 3 to 3.31 days. The secondary attack rate was 0.21 (95% C.I.) = [0.17–0.24].ConclusionCOVID-19 transmission was amplified due to the high number of families mixing during “Aid El Fitr” and “Ramadhan,” generating important clusters. Estimated serial intervals and incubation periods support asymptomatic transmission

Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) upregulation is associated with unfavorable prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and shapes tumor immune microenvironment: A bioinformatics analysis

Cell cycle regulatory proteins plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of many human malignancies. Identification of their biological functions as well as their prognostic utility presents an active field of research. As a continuation of the ongoing efforts to elucidate the molecular characteristics of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC); we present a comprehensive bioinformatics study targeting the prognostic and mechanistic role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) in ccRCC. The ccRCC cohort from the Cancer Genome Atlas Program was accessed through the UCSC Xena browser to obtain CDKN3 mRNA expression data and their corresponding clinicopathological variables. The independent prognostic signature of CDKN3 was evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox logistic regression analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis and co-expression gene functional annotations were used to discern CDKN3-related altered molecular pathways. The tumor immune microenvironment was evaluated using TIMER 2.0 and gene expression profiling interactive analysis. CDKN3 upregulation is associated with shortened overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.325, 95% confident interval [CI]: 1.703–3.173, P < .0001) in the Cancer Genome Atlas Program ccRCC cohort. Univariate (HR: 0.426, 95% CI: 0.316–0.576, P < .001) and multivariate (HR: 0.560, 95% CI: 0.409–0.766, P < .001) Cox logistic regression analyses indicate that CDKN3 is an independent prognostic variable of the overall survival. High CDKN3 expression is associated with enrichment within the following pathways including allograph rejection, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, mitotic spindle, inflammatory response, IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling, spermatogenesis, TNF-α signaling via NF-kB pathway, complement activation, KRAS signaling, and INF-γ signaling. CDKN3 is also associated with significant infiltration of a wide spectrum of immune cells and correlates remarkably with immune-related genes. CDKN3 is a poor prognostic biomarker in ccRCC that alters many molecular pathways and impacts the tumor immune microenvironment.Scopu

Exploring the impact of the level of absorptive capacity in technology development firms

Absorptive capacity (ACAP) is widely recognized as an effective means of obtaining and sustaining a competitive advantage. Although ACAP was globally introduced decades ago, researchers from Central and Eastern Europe have since underestimated its importance. The research objective of this paper is to answer the following questions: how does the level of ACAP influence the performances of technology-driven firms, and how does it catalyse their innovation outputs? Furthermore, we argue that exporting technology-driven firms possess even higher levels of ACAP than those who are weak or not-at-all exporters. ACAP measured value is examined alongside the innovation outputs of firms and their business performance, with an extended focus on exporters. A selected population of >600 Croatian firms were asked to fill in the questionnaire. Out of the 103 firms that completed the survey, 45 were recognized as intensive technology development performers, and 34 were identified as large exporters. Both populations were tested against formulated hypotheses, ultimately proving that higher levels of ACAP can be seen to positively drive innovation performance which, notably, can be seen most clearly with exporters

COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity Reduces Hospitalization and Critical Care Needs Related to COVID-19: a USIDNET Report

Background The CDC and ACIP recommend COVID-19 vaccination for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Not much is known about vaccine safety in IEI, and whether vaccination attenuates infection severity in IEI. Objective To estimate COVID-19 vaccination safety and examine effect on outcomes in patients with IEI. Methods We built a secure registry database in conjunction with the US Immunodeficiency Network to examine vaccination frequency and indicators of safety and effectiveness in IEI patients. The registry opened on January 1, 2022, and closed on August 19, 2022. Results Physicians entered data on 1245 patients from 24 countries. The most common diagnoses were antibody deficiencies (63.7%). At least one COVID-19 vaccine was administered to 806 patients (64.7%), and 216 patients received vaccination prior to the development of COVID-19. The most common vaccines administered were mRNA-based (84.0%). Seventeen patients were reported to seek outpatient clinic or emergency room care for a vaccine-related complication, and one patient was hospitalized for symptomatic anemia. Eight hundred twenty-three patients (66.1%) experienced COVID-19 infection. Of these, 156 patients required hospitalization (19.0%), 47 required ICU care (5.7%), and 28 died (3.4%). Rates of hospitalization (9.3% versus 24.4%, p &lt; 0.001), ICU admission (2.8% versus 7.6%, p = 0.013), and death (2.3% versus 4.3%, p = 0.202) in patients who had COVID-19 were lower in patients who received vaccination prior to infection. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, not having at least one COVID-19 vaccine significantly increased the odds of hospitalization and ICU admission. Conclusion Vaccination for COVID-19 in the IEI population appears safe and attenuates COVID-19 severity