Measurement of Social Support Across Women from Four Ethnic Groups: Evidence of Factorial Invariance

To examine whether a multidimensional social support instrument can be used for comparative research in four diverse ethnic groups of women (African American, Latina, Chinese, non-Latina White). The social support instrument was administered as part of a larger survey to 1,137 women. We tested the reliability and validity of this instrument. A confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) framework was used to test for the invariance of the instrument’s psychometric properties across ethnic groups. We used multitrait scaling to eliminate items that did not meet the item-convergence criterion (r > 0.30) and where items were non-convergent items in at least three groups. A series of nested CFA models assessed the level of factorial invariance. One thousand seventy-four women completed the survey; Their mean age was 61 years with Chinese and Latinas reporting lower education compared to non-Latino Whites (p <. 001). A four-factor model (Tangible, Informational, Financial, Emotional/Companionship) fit within each ethnic group separately, suggested good fit. Multi-group CFA supported configural and metric invariance across all ethnic groups. Only partial scalar invariance was supported. This 8-item instrument is a reliable and valid tool that can be used as a multidimensional measure of social support. It can used to examine social support within one ethnic group and for comparative research across diverse ethnic groups of women

Effect of Heteroatoms on Field-Induced Slow Magnetic Relaxation of Mononuclear Fe-III (S=5/2) Ions within Polyoxometalates.

In this paper, the synthesis and magnetic properties of mononuclear FeIII-containing polyoxometalates (POMs) with differ- ent types of heteroatoms, TBA7H10[(A-α-XW9O34)2Fe] (IIX, X = Ge, Si; TBA = tetra-n-butylammonium), are reported. In these POMs, mononuclear highly distorted six-coordinate octahedral [FeO6]9− units are sandwiched by two trivacant lacunary units [A-α- XW9O34]10− (X = Ge, Si). These POMs exhibit field-induced slow magnetic relaxation based on the single high-spin FeIII magnetic center (S = 5/2). Combining experiment and ab initio calculations, we investigated the effect of heteroatoms of the lacunary units on the field-induced slow magnetic relaxation of these POMs. By changing the heteroatoms from Si (IISi) to Ge (IIGe), the coordination geometry around the FeIII ion is mildly changed. Concretely, the axial Fe−O bond length in IIGe is shortened compared with that in IISi, and consequently the distortion of the [FeO6]9− unit in IIGe from the ideal octahedral coordination geometry becomes larger Si Ge Si than that in II . The effective demagnetization barrier of II (11.4 K) is slightly larger than that of II (9.2 K). Multireference ab initio calculations predict zero-field splitting parameters in good agreement with experiment. Although the differences in the coordination geometries and magnetic properties of IIGe and IISi are quite small, ab initio calculations indicate subtle changes in the magnetic anisotropy which are in line with the observed magnetic relaxation properties

Scenedesmus incrassatulus CLHE-Si01: A potential source of renewable lipd for high quality biodiesel production

The potential of microalgal oil from Scenedesmus incrassatulus as a feedstock for biodiesel production was studied. Cell concentration of S. incrassatulus and lipid content obtained during mixotrophic growth were 1.8 g/L and 19.5 ? 1.5% dry cell weight, respectively. The major components of biodiesel obtained from S.incrassatulus oil were methyl palmitate (26%) and methyl linoleate (49%), which provided a strong indication of high quality biodiesel. Fuel properties were determined by empirical equations and found to be within the limits of biodiesel standard ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. The quality properties of the biodiesel were high cetane number (62), low density (803 kg/m3), low viscosity (3.78 mm2/s), oxidation stability (9 h) and cold filter plugging point (-4 ?C). Hence, S. incrassatulus has potential as a feedstock for the production of excellent quality biodiesel

Avaliando a Formação de Professores no Contexto do Pensamento Computacional

Este artigo descreve a implementação de um programa de formação de professores oferecida `a rede municipal de ensino de um município do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Um total de 49 professores participaram da formação que trouxe conceitos relacionados ao Pensamento Computacional utilizando como ferramenta de implementação o Scratch. Uma análise do desempenho dos professores na utilização do Scratch dentro das 7 dimensões do Pensamento Computacional foi realizada utilizando a ferramenta Dr. Scratch. As impressões dos professores com relação `a formação foram analisadas através das análises de conteúdo com processo de codificação. Os resultados obtidos sugerem determinada resistência por parte dos professores em integrar atividades relacionadas ao pensamento computacional em seus encargos e práticas de ensino correntes

Assessment of awareness and knowledge of schistosomiasis among school-aged children (6–13 years) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Background: Schistosomiasis is a global health problem affecting 250 million people, with 90% in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Botswana, the burden is high in the Okavango delta because of the water channels. WHO recommends integrated measures, including access to clean water, sanitation, health education, and drugs to control and eliminate schistosomiasis. Gauging knowledge and awareness of schistosomiasis for School-Aged Children (SAC) is crucial. Our study aimed at assessing knowledge and awareness of schistosomiasis among SAC in the Okavango Delta. Methods: A cross-sectional survey assessing awareness and knowledge of schistosomiasis in schools was conducted. 480 questionnaires were administered to gather demographic profiles, awareness, and knowledge of risky behaviors. Chi-square and descriptive analysis determined the differences in SAC`s awareness and knowledge levels based on localities, gender, age, and health education. Results: The results showed a low awareness level, with only (42%) of respondents having heard about the disease and (52%) knowing its local name. Younger children from Sekondomboro (83%) and Samochima lacked awareness, while children from Mohembo (77%) and those who had health education (70%) demonstrated significant awareness levels (P ≤ 0.001). Seventy-two percent (72%) lacked knowledge of the cause and (95%) did not know the disease life-cycle. Children from Xakao (91%), (85%) Sepopa, and (75%) of younger children did not know haematuria is a symptom of the disease. Older and SAC with health education were more likely to know that swimming is a risk factor (P ≤ 0.001) and (P ≤ 0.05) respectively. Conclusions: Although respondents from four schools demonstrated some level of awareness of the disease, and knowledge of risky behaviors, the study showed a lack of in-depth knowledge on the life-cycle and cause of the diseases. We, therefore, recommend the implementation of an integrated approach to health education and improvement in access to clean water and sanitation in all study areas

Efficiency of the cerebroplacental ratio in Identifying high-risk late-term pregnancies

Background and Objectives: Over the last few years, great interest has arisen in the role of the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) to identify low-risk pregnancies at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to assess the predictive capacity of the CPR for adverse perinatal outcomes in all uncomplicated singleton pregnancies attending an appointment at 40–42 weeks. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study including all consecutive singleton pregnancies undergoing a routine prenatal care appointment after 40 weeks in three maternity units in Spain and the United Kingdom from January 2017 to December 2019. The primary outcome was adverse perinatal outcomes defined as stillbirth or neonatal death, cesarean section or instrumental delivery due to fetal distress during labor, umbilical arterial cord blood pH &lt; 7.0, umbilical venous cord blood pH &lt; 7.1, Apgar score at 5 min &lt; 7, and admission to the neonatal unit. Logistic mixed models and ROC curve analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 3143 pregnancies were analyzed, including 537 (17.1%) with an adverse perinatal outcome. Maternal age (odds ratio (OR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.04), body mass index (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.06), racial origin (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.90 to 4.12), parity (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.45), and labor induction (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.35) were significant predictors of adverse perinatal outcomes with an area under the ROC curve of 0.743 (95% CI 0.720 to 0.766). The addition of the CPR to the previous model did not improve performance. Additionally, the CPR alone achieved a detection rate of only 11.9% (95% CI 9.3 to 15) when using the 10th centile as the screen-positive cutoff. Conclusions: Our data on late-term unselected pregnancies suggest that the CPR is a poor predictor of adverse perinatal outcomes

Towards effective and efficient COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria

Vaccines are prospective subverts in battling the COVID-19 virus ravaging the globe and the Nigerian cold-chain system needs a thorough overhaul in order to optimize vaccine distribution. This paper presents a situational analysis of the Nigerian cold chain system, the challenges and opportunities that exist. The problems plaguing the aforementioned system are diverse, ranging from lack of infrastructure, inadequate capacity and limited integration of recent technology to poor training of workers in the cold chain system and these problems are accentuated by the storage peculiarities of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. It also compares the capabilities of cold chain workers in the various geopolitical zones in Nigeria and gives a succinct insight into the situation of the cold chain system in neighbouring African countries. Additionally, measures to mitigate the devastating effects of the defective cold-chain system and facilitate effective and efficient distribution of the vaccines are also proffered and these measures include reorganization of the supply chain, training of vaccinators and technicians, accurate estimation of future needs and procurement of infrastructure to increase storage capacity and preserve the cold chain. Finally, it offers recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine procurement in consistence with our economic realities and distribution

A simple architecture with self-assembled monolayers to build immunosensors for detecting the pancreatic cancer biomarker CA19-9

Accepted ManuscriptThe challenge of the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in routine clinical practice requires low-cost means of detection, and this may be achieved with immunosensors based on electrical or electrochemical principles. In this paper, we report a potentially low-cost immunosensor built with interdigitated gold electrodes coated with a self-assembled monolayer and a layer of anti-CA19-9 antibodies, which is capable of detecting the pancreatic cancer biomarker CA19-9 using electrical impedance spectroscopy. Due to specific, irreversible adsorption of CA19-9 onto its corresponding antibody, according to data from polarization-modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), the immunosensor is highly sensitive and selective. It could detect CA19-9 in commercial samples with a limit of detection of 0.68 U mL−1, in addition to distinguishing between blood serum samples from patients with different concentrations of CA19-9. Furthermore, by treating the capacitance data with information visualization methods, we were able to verify the selectivity and robustness of the immunosensor with regard to false positives, as the samples containing higher CA19-9 concentrations, including those from tumor cells, could be distinguished from those with possible interferents.CAPES, FAPESP (Grant 2013/14262-7 and 2012/15543-7), CNPq (150985/2017-7), nBioNet network and Barretos Cancer Hospital for financial supportinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Coffee and tea consumption in the early adult lifespan and left ventricular function in middle age: the CARDIA study

AIMS: The long-term impact of coffee or tea consumption on subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic or diastolic function has not been previously studied. We examined the association between coffee or tea consumption beginning in early adulthood and cardiac function in midlife. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated 2735 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study participants with long-term total caffeine intake, coffee, and tea consumption data from three visits over a 20 year interval and available echocardiography indices at the CARDIA Year-25 exam (2010-2011). Linear regression models were used to assess the association between caffeine intake, tea, and coffee consumption (independent variables) and echocardiography outcomes [LV mass, left atrial volume, and global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and transmitral Doppler early filling velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e )]. Models were adjusted for standard cardiovascular risk factors, socioeconomic status, physical activity, alcohol use, and dietary factors (calorie intake, whole and refined grain intake, and fruit and vegetable consumption). Mean (standard deviation) age was 25.2 (3.5) years at the CARDIA Year-0 exam (1985-1986), 57.4% were women, and 41.9% were African-American. In adjusted multivariable linear regression models assessing the relationship between coffee consumption and GLS, beta coefficients when comparing coffee drinkers of \u3c 1, 1-2, 3-4, and \u3e 4 cups/day with non-coffee drinkers were beta = -0.30%, P \u3c 0.05; beta = -0.35%, P \u3c 0.05; beta = -0.32%, P \u3c 0.05; beta = -0.40%, P \u3e 0.05; respectively (more negative values implies better systolic function). In adjusted multivariable linear regression models assessing the relationship between coffee consumption and E/e , beta coefficients when comparing coffee drinkers of \u3c 1, 1-2, 3-4, and \u3e 4 cups/day with non-coffee drinkers were beta = -0.29, P \u3c 0.05; beta = -0.38, P \u3c 0.01; beta = -0.20, P \u3e .05; and beta = -0.37, P \u3e 0.05, respectively (more negative values implies better diastolic function). High daily coffee consumption ( \u3e 4 cups/day) was associated with worse LVEF (beta = -1.69, P \u3c 0.05). There were no associations between either tea drinking or total caffeine intake and cardiac function (P \u3e 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Low-to-moderate daily coffee consumption from early adulthood to middle age was associated with better LV systolic and diastolic function in midlife. High daily coffee consumption ( \u3e 4cups/day) was associated with worse LV function. There was no association between caffeine or tea intake and cardiac function