University College Dublin(UCD) has implemented the Output-Based Research Support Scheme(OBRSS) since 2016. Adapted from the Norwegian model, the OBRSS awards individual academic staff using a points system based on th...University College Dublin(UCD) has implemented the Output-Based Research Support Scheme(OBRSS) since 2016. Adapted from the Norwegian model, the OBRSS awards individual academic staff using a points system based on the number of publications and doctoral students. This article describes the design and implementation processes of the OBRSS, including the creation of the ranked publication list and points system and infrastructure requirements. Some results of the OBRSS will be presented, focusing on the coverage of publications reported in the OBRSS ranked publication list and Scopus, as well as information about spending patterns. Challenges such as the evaluation of the OBRSS in terms of fairness, transparency, and effectiveness will also be discussed.展开更多
Objective To determine the characteristics of women with maternal tetanus, pattern of presentation and outcome of management. Methods A total of 19 women were managed with maternal tetanus between 1990 and 2005 from t...Objective To determine the characteristics of women with maternal tetanus, pattern of presentation and outcome of management. Methods A total of 19 women were managed with maternal tetanus between 1990 and 2005 from the University College Hospital in Ibadan Nigeria. A retrospective study was performed. The medical records of all women managed as a case of maternal tetanus were retrieved from the central record department of the hospital. The pattern of presentation, characteristics of women, the duration of hospital admission, tetanus toxoid immunization, and outcome of care were measured. Results The records of 18 women managed were analyzed. The mean age at presentation was 25.2 ±5.3 years. The patients were mostly single, nulliparous and had primary school education. The maternal tetanus cases seen mainly complicated induced abortion while 5 and 2 other cases were due to childbirth complication and leg wound respectively. The portal of entry of the remaining 3 cases could not be ascertained. None of the patient managed had complete immunization schedule. The average duration of admission was 11.2 ± 6. 7 d. Five women had intensive care with 3 of them requiring ventilatory support. The case fatality rate was 66. 7%. The only factor that significantly improved survival was presence of generalized spasm at presentation （P=0.006） Conclusion The occurrence of maternal tetanus is a reflection of low quality of health care delivery and lack or inefficient routine immunization coverage in any community.展开更多
This prospective study was undertaken to ascertain the incidence, histology and pathological features of different types of asymptomatic or sub clinical prostatic diseases. Prostate glands were obtained from 79 consec...This prospective study was undertaken to ascertain the incidence, histology and pathological features of different types of asymptomatic or sub clinical prostatic diseases. Prostate glands were obtained from 79 consecutive adult males aged 30 years and above who died from non-prostate related diseases at the University College Hospital Ibadan over an eighteen months period. The glands were weighed and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. The sampling method of the prostate gland described by Vainer et al. (2011) was employed in this study. Paraffin-embedded sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and were systematically examined for focal prostate disease. The patients’ ages ranged from 30 to 86 years. The most common lesions were nodular hyperplasia (81%), followed by adenocarcinoma (6.3%). Three cases (3.8%) had schistosomiasis. Adenocarcinoma and nodular hyperplasia occurred in relatively older patients than those with normal glands or chronic prostatitis/schistosomiasis (p = 0.05). There was an increase in weight of the prostate with age (p < 0.001) and normal prostate glands weighed significantly less than diseased glands (p = 0.02). Focal prostatic atrophy was observed in 24.1% and metaplastic changes were observed in eight (10.1%) of the cases. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) was not seen in any case, not even amongst the adenocarcinomas. The low frequency of prostatic adenocarcinoma and the absence of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in this study despite the observation of increasing number of prostatic carcinoma required further investigation. Schistosomiasis was also found to be present in the adult male population.展开更多
Objective: To explore the perception of patients and other health care professionals about the attitude and behavior of nurses working at the University College Hospital Ibadan Oyo State. Background: Observation has s...Objective: To explore the perception of patients and other health care professionals about the attitude and behavior of nurses working at the University College Hospital Ibadan Oyo State. Background: Observation has shown that despite the efforts nurses put into carrying out their duties, the acknowledgement of a job well done from co-professionals and patients still leaves much to be desired. Could this be due to impressions formed about nurses? Hence, this study attempts to explore the perception of patients and other health care professionals about nurses. Methods: Two hundred (200) consented respondents were randomly selected for this study. This consists of 165 patients and 35 doctors representing other health care professionals. Data were collected through a pretested questionnaire. Analysis was done by using SPSS version 16.0. Result: Results showed that 68% of patients and 58% of doctors perceived that nurses were competent. About 75% of patients and 54% of doctors agreed that the nurses had adequate skills. Patients (70%) and doctors (49%) agreed that the nurses had a positive attitude towards work. About 74% of patients and 59% of doctors agreed to the fact that the nurses maintained a professional demeanor. Findings also showed that patients rated the nurses higher than the doctors did. A significant difference was found between the perception of patients and doctors about the communication skills of nurses (t = 2.423;df = 198;p = 0.016). Conclusion: The study shows relative satisfaction with the quality of nurse’s work, perceptions of people about their attitudes and behaviors. Nurses could improve on how they relate with other health care providers to achieve positive patient care outcomes.展开更多
In 2009, Norway faced the global challenge of the influenza pandemic. Risk communication is an important tool within healthy promoting work. In this study the main aim was to explore reflections of students on the ris...In 2009, Norway faced the global challenge of the influenza pandemic. Risk communication is an important tool within healthy promoting work. In this study the main aim was to explore reflections of students on the risk assessment of season flu and the swine flu in 2009 according to field of study. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey based on 505 students is presented. 42.4% were health subject students, and 57.6% were non-health subject related students. The majority of the students were 20-24 years old. Most of the respondents were not concerned at being infected with the swine flu, and did underestimate the death toll of the common flu. Students were more concerned about the swine flu than the regular season flu. By logistic regression, the odds ratio for taking the swine flu vaccine was greater among students who were concerned （O.R. = 2.5）. During the swine flu pandemic, student trust towards the health authorities was low. Among the students, 74% stated they would consider advice from the health authorities, 37% from their parents and 20% from mass media. Stating risk of getting the common flu was at the medium or great risk level for far less non-health students than for health students, 38.2% versus 55.6%, P = 0.001. The perceived infection risk was likewise higher in the health student group, 52.4% versus 36.2%, P = 0.001. The respondents had little faith in general public vaccination as well as being critical concerning side effects of vaccination. The results from the study indicated that the students would rather follow advice about their personal hygiene than advice to take the swine flu-vaccine.展开更多
Two major challenges,high cost and short lifespan,have been hindering the commercialization process of lowtemperature fuel cells.Professor Wei's group has been focusing on decreasing cathode Pt loadings without lo...Two major challenges,high cost and short lifespan,have been hindering the commercialization process of lowtemperature fuel cells.Professor Wei's group has been focusing on decreasing cathode Pt loadings without losses of activity and durability,and their research advances in this area over the past three decades are briefly reviewed herein.Regarding the Pt-based catalysts and the low Pt usage,they have firstly tried to clarify the degradation mechanism of Pt/C catalysts,and then demonstrated that the activity and stability could be improved by three strategies:regulating the nanostructures of the active sites,enhancing the effects of support materials,and optimizing structures of the three-phase boundary.For Pt-free catalysts,especialiy carbon-based ones,several strategies that they proposed to enhance the activity of nitrogen-/heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts are firstly presented.Then,an indepth understanding of the degradation mechanism for carbon-based catalysts is discussed,and followed by the corresponding stability enhancement strategies.Also,the carbon-based electrode at the micrometer-scale,faces the challenges such as low active-site density,thick catalytic layer,and the effect of hydrogen peroxide,which require rational structure design for the integral cathodic electrode.This review finally gives a brief conclusion and outlook about the low cost and long lifespan of cathodic oxygen reduction catalysts.展开更多
This study investigates the effects of technical cheerleading and dance cheerleading on the psychological health of female college students by utilizing the Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90),the Comprehensive Diagnostic Sc...This study investigates the effects of technical cheerleading and dance cheerleading on the psychological health of female college students by utilizing the Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90),the Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale for Interpersonal Relationships,and the Social Adaptability Diagnostic Scale.The findings indicate the following:(1)Technical cheerleading has a highly significant impact on sensitivity in interpersonal relationships,paranoia,and psychoticism,and a significant effect on anxiety and hostility;dance cheerleading has a highly significant effect on paranoia;(2)Both technical and dance cheerleading have minimal impact on the overall score distribution of interpersonal relationships among female college students,but the dimensions of their effects differ;(3)The impact of technical cheerleading on the social adaptability of female college students is more pronounced than that of dance cheerleading.展开更多
The rapid development and popularization of Internet technology has provided important support for the informatization reform of various industries.University books and materials have the characteristics of large quan...The rapid development and popularization of Internet technology has provided important support for the informatization reform of various industries.University books and materials have the characteristics of large quantities and difficult storage and management.Its digital storage and management platform construction can effectively realize the digital storage and real-time retrieval of books and materials,and help students and teachers to find and use books and materials more quickly.Especially in recent years,with the update of intelligent platforms and other technologies,the resource-sharing platform of university books and materials can realize more convenient book information retrieval without the limitation of time and space.This paper mainly explores the optimization path and platform construction scheme of university libraries and information management under the background of the Internet,hoping to provide some theoretical references for university library managers.展开更多
In college badminton teaching,teachers utilize the group cooperative learning method,which not only helps to improve students’badminton skill level but also cultivates their teamwork spirit,communication skills,and s...In college badminton teaching,teachers utilize the group cooperative learning method,which not only helps to improve students’badminton skill level but also cultivates their teamwork spirit,communication skills,and self-management ability unconsciously.In view of this,this paper mainly describes the significance of applying the group cooperative learning method in college badminton teaching,analyzes the current problems in college badminton teaching,and aims to discover effective development strategies for group cooperative learning method in college badminton teaching in order to improve the effectiveness of college badminton teaching.展开更多
The role of university English instructors has evolved significantly over the years,encompassing various aspects.This paper explores the evolution of the role of university English instructors and examines the current...The role of university English instructors has evolved significantly over the years,encompassing various aspects.This paper explores the evolution of the role of university English instructors and examines the current challenges and opportunities they face in today’s educational landscape.It delves into the multifaceted nature of their responsibilities and discusses the importance of continuous professional development to meet the evolving needs of students and the demands of the profession.展开更多
Objective To determine the pattern of biosocial characteristics of the new IUD acceptors and describe their concerns. Methods This was a retrospective review of records of new IUD acceptors at the University Colleg...Objective To determine the pattern of biosocial characteristics of the new IUD acceptors and describe their concerns. Methods This was a retrospective review of records of new IUD acceptors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from January to December 2007. Results The age range of subjects was 19 to 49 years with a mean of 33.5 ±% 2.4 years. The commonest source （46.0%） of clientele referral was through the health care providers -doctors and nurse/midwife. Other referral patterns were from friends/ relative （23.5%）, media -TV and radio （17.0%）, outreach programmes （7.3%）, self referral （5.2%） and others -the source was not indicated （1.2%）. Of the total participants, only 239 （56.1%） reported for follow-up visits. Majority had at least one visit; about a third had two, while others had three or four and above visits. About 43.2% of those at follow-up visits had complaints. The commonest （37.5%） complaint was menstrual irregularity. Other complaints were cramping abdominal pain （22.2%）, vaginal discharge （19.6%）, amenorrhoea （10.3%）, penile discomfort during sexual intercourse （4.3%）, expulsion of IUD （3.8%） and 2.2% of missing IUD. Conclusion This audit shows that new IUD acceptors are largely referred by health care providers and are mainly offered the TCu380A version. Community outreach programmes as alternative strategy is likely to boost the uptake of this particular method in Nigeria.展开更多
Medical education in China and in Ireland began in pre-recorded history, probably around 5000 years ago, with both societies developing and nurturing those with the ability to influence the health of others. In Irelan...Medical education in China and in Ireland began in pre-recorded history, probably around 5000 years ago, with both societies developing and nurturing those with the ability to influence the health of others. In Ireland, between the 5th and12 th centuries, a Golden age of Ancient Gaelic Medicine saw the creation of more formal communities of practice. This was followed by the formation of the modern medial schools in the 18 th to 19 th centuries including University College Dublin(UCD). Since the year 2000, UCD has progressed through a series of curriculum changes, both in content and structure. This has included horizontal integration, vertical integration, modularisation, the use of recognised credit systems in association with expected volume of student learning and the outcome based pedagogical practice. These changes have utilised a topdown and bottom-up approach to ensure that the clarity of leadership is combined with the wisdom of teachers to create a modern patient-centric outcomes based programme. UCD has partnered with patients through a unique PACE programme, has maintained a science rich six-year duration course for school-leavers, has introduced a four-year course for those with degrees and introduced an additional specific programme of instruction just prior to graduation that is designed to instill confidence and competence. Future enhancements will focus on personalising the educational experience to ensure that each student reaches their full potential.展开更多
A significant portion of emerging adults do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity (PA). Previous studies observedassociations between features of emerging adulthood and PA levels, while the potential psy...A significant portion of emerging adults do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity (PA). Previous studies observedassociations between features of emerging adulthood and PA levels, while the potential psychological mechanisms that mightexplain this phenomenon are not fully understood. In this context, there is some evidence that situated decisions towardphysical activity (SDPA) and exercise-intensity tolerance might influence PA level. To provide empirical support for thisassumption, the current study investigated whether (i) features of emerging adulthood are linked to SDPA, which, in turn,might affect PA engagement;(ii) exercise-intensity tolerance moderate the relationship between SDPA and PA level;and (iii)SDPA is a mediator of the relationship between features of emerging adulthood and PA levels under the prerequisite thatexercise-intensity tolerance moderates the link between SDPA and PA engagement. In this study a group of 1,706 Chinesecollege students was recruited and asked to complete a set of questionnaires assessing their SDPA, PA levels, exercise-intensitytolerance, and features associated with emerging adulthood, namely Self-exploration, Instability, and Possibility. Our resultsindicated that SDPA positively predicted PA levels and this relationship became stronger when exercise-intensity tolerance wasused as a moderator. Furthermore, it was observed that individuals with a higher level of Instability and a lower level ofPossibility during emerging adulthood exhibited a lower level of SDPA. Taken together, the results of our study providefurther insights on a potential psychological mechanism linking features of emerging adulthood and physical activity.展开更多
Practice education is an important part of application-oriented higher education. Yet it poses many challenges when the design of practice education is questioned concerning whether it actually fulfills the education ...Practice education is an important part of application-oriented higher education. Yet it poses many challenges when the design of practice education is questioned concerning whether it actually fulfills the education purpose for high quality future professionals. This paper thus introduces an innovated ＂base＂-driven model of practice education in Zhejiang University City College in China, with a purpose to provide empirical experiences that may be valuable for the decision-making of practice education design in higher education institutions. The paper progresses by examining the philosophy of its innovated model, discussing the framework, and further highlights a strategic consideration when designing practice education activities in higher education institutions.展开更多
The rising prevalence of physical inactivity is in all age groups(e.g.,in college students)a major public health issue as not meeting the recommended minimum amount of regular physical activity is linked to adverse he...The rising prevalence of physical inactivity is in all age groups(e.g.,in college students)a major public health issue as not meeting the recommended minimum amount of regular physical activity is linked to adverse health events.Vice versa,there is mounting evidence that achieving the recommended amount of regular physical activity is a vital element to prevent chronic diseases,but there is often an insufficient adherence to planned and structured forms of physical activity(i.e.,physical exercises).In this context,there is a large body of evidence indicating that exercise adherence is,among other factors,influenced by exercise-related affective responses.The Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exer-cise Questionnaire(PRETIE-Q)has been developed to measure these affective responses(e.g.,to specific exercise inten-sities).So far,no validated Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has been available in the literature.To address this gap in literature,the present study developed and validated a Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q in a large sample of Chinese college students.Data from a total of 1117 college students were collected for analyses concerning factorial validity and construct validity.The re-test reliability was established using a sample of 150 randomly selected participants.In addition,the level of regular physical activity(PA),cardiorespiratoryfitness(CRF),and resilience were used to examine possible links with two domains(preference and tolerance)of the PRETIE-Q.Our results showed that a Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has a goodfit and reliability(Cronbach’sαof 0.72 to 0.85 for preference and tolerance,respectively;ICC:r=0.72 of preference and r=0.67 of tolerance;fit indices:χ^(2)=21.612,df=19,p>0.05,TLI=0.997,CFI=0.998,RMSEA=0.016,SRMR=0.024).Secondly,positive associations of intensity-tolerance with PA,CRF,and resilience were observed.In summary,this study indicates that the Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has sound psychometric properties and can be used in Chinese college students.The adapted version of the PRETIE-Q paves the way for further research on exer-cise-related affective responses in Chinese-speaking samples,although the generalizability of ourfindings needs to be established for other cohorts such as adolescents and older people with and without chronic diseases.展开更多
Affective exercise experience as an emerging theoretical concept has great potential to provide a more nuanced understanding of individual factors that influence exercise behavior.However,concerning the Affective Exer...Affective exercise experience as an emerging theoretical concept has great potential to provide a more nuanced understanding of individual factors that influence exercise behavior.However,concerning the Affective Exercise Experiences(AFFEXX)questionnaire,it has not been examined yet whether the structural score of the AFFEXX is a useful index to predict physical activity(refers to any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure).Furthermore,there is currently a gap in knowledge regarding the psychological mechanisms that can explain the relationship between affective exercise experiences and the level of physical activity(PA).In order to adress these gaps in the literature,we conducted two studies among Chinese collge students that aimed(i)to investigated whether the total score of the three AFFEXX-C constructs(antecedent appraisals,core affective exercise experiences,and attraction-antipathy towards exercise)is a relaible indicator that can be utilized in research and pratical settings and(ii)to evalute the specific psychological mechanisms that can explain the relationship between affective exercise experience and PA.In Study 1,we recruited 801 voluntary Chinese college students for bifactor and correlational analyses.In Study 2,875 Chinese college students were enrolled to verify our findings from Study 1 and to explore the aforementioned mechanism.Results from the bifactor analyses supported our hypothesis that the total scores of the three AFFEXX-C constructs can be used among Chinese college students to establish a link with PA.Additionally,our results suggested that core affective exercise experiences and attraction-antipathy mediated the relationship between antecedent appraisals and the level of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA.Therefore,measuring affective exercise experiences using the AFFEXX-C,specifically the total scores of each individual construct may be a useful approach to predict future PA levels.展开更多
Parkinson’s disease is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars com pacta,and although restoring striatal dopamine levels may improve symptoms,no treatment can cure or reve rse ...Parkinson’s disease is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars com pacta,and although restoring striatal dopamine levels may improve symptoms,no treatment can cure or reve rse the disease itself.Stem cell therapy has a regenerative effect and is being actively studied as a candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.Mesenchymal stem cells are considered a promising option due to fewer ethical concerns,a lower risk of immune rejection,and a lower risk of teratogenicity.We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives on motor function,memory,and preservation of dopamine rgic neurons in a Parkinson’s disease animal model.We searched bibliographic databases(PubMed/MEDLINE,Embase,CENTRAL,Scopus,and Web of Science)to identify articles and included only pee r-reviewed in vivo interve ntional animal studies published in any language through J une 28,2023.The study utilized the random-effect model to estimate the 95%confidence intervals(CI)of the standard mean differences(SMD)between the treatment and control groups.We use the systematic review center for laboratory animal expe rimentation’s risk of bias tool and the collaborative approach to meta-analysis and review of animal studies checklist for study quality assessment.A total of 33studies with data from 840 Parkinson’s disease model animals were included in the meta-analysis.Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells significantly improved motor function as assessed by the amphetamine-induced rotational test.Among the stem cell types,the bone marrow MSCs with neurotrophic factor group showed la rgest effect size(SMD[95%CI]=-6.21[-9.50 to-2.93],P=0.0001,I^(2)=0.0%).The stem cell treatment group had significantly more tyrosine hydroxylase positive dopamine rgic neurons in the striatum([95%CI]=1.04[0.59 to 1.49],P=0.0001,I^(2)=65.1%)and substantia nigra(SMD[95%CI]=1.38[0.89 to 1.87],P=0.0001,I^(2)=75.3%),indicating a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons.Subgroup analysis of the amphetamine-induced rotation test showed a significant reduction only in the intracranial-striatum route(SMD[95%CI]=-2.59[-3.25 to-1.94],P=0.0001,I^(2)=74.4%).The memory test showed significant improvement only in the intravenous route(SMD[95%CI]=4.80[1.84 to 7.76],P=0.027,I^(2)=79.6%).Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to positively impact motor function and memory function and protect dopaminergic neurons in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease.Further research is required to determine the optimal stem cell types,modifications,transplanted cell numbe rs,and delivery methods for these protocols.展开更多
With graphite currently leading as the most viable anode for potassium-ion batteries(KIBs),other materials have been left relatively underexamined.Transition metal oxides are among these,with many positive attributes ...With graphite currently leading as the most viable anode for potassium-ion batteries(KIBs),other materials have been left relatively underexamined.Transition metal oxides are among these,with many positive attributes such as synthetic maturity,longterm cycling stability and fast redox kinetics.Therefore,to address this research deficiency we report herein a layered potassium titanium niobate KTiNbO5(KTNO)and its rGO nanocomposite(KTNO/rGO)synthesised via solvothermal methods as a high-performance anode for KIBs.Through effective distribution across the electrically conductive rGO,the electrochemical performance of the KTNO nanoparticles was enhanced.The potassium storage performance of the KTNO/rGO was demonstrated by its first charge capacity of 128.1 mAh g^(−1) and reversible capacity of 97.5 mAh g^(−1) after 500 cycles at 20 mA g^(−1),retaining 76.1%of the initial capacity,with an exceptional rate performance of 54.2 mAh g^(−1)at 1 A g^(−1).Furthermore,to investigate the attributes of KTNO in-situ XRD was performed,indicating a low-strain material.Ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectra further investigated the mechanism of charge storage,with the titanium showing greater redox reversibility than the niobium.This work suggests this lowstrain nature is a highly advantageous property and well worth regarding KTNO as a promising anode for future high-performance KIBs.展开更多
BACKGROUND Traditional paper-based preoperative patient education is a struggle for new nurses and requires extensive training.In this situation,virtual reality technology can help the new nurses.Despite its potential...BACKGROUND Traditional paper-based preoperative patient education is a struggle for new nurses and requires extensive training.In this situation,virtual reality technology can help the new nurses.Despite its potential benefits,there are studies on patient satisfaction but there is limited information on the usability of virtual reality(VR)technology for new nurses in giving preoperative education to patients.AIM To investigate the impact on satisfaction,usability,and burnout of a system using VR technology in preoperative patient education.METHODS The study involved 20 nurses from the plastic surgery ward and 80 patients admitted between April and May 2019.Each nurse taught four patients:Two using traditional verbal education and two using virtual reality.The System Usability Scale,After-Scenario Questionnaire,and Maslach Burnout Inventory(MBI)were employed to evaluate the impact of these education methods.RESULTS The VR education groups showed a statistically higher satisfaction than the traditional verbal education groups.Among the three subscales of the MBI,emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment improved statistically significantly.VR was also better in terms of usability.CONCLUSION This study suggests VR enhances usability and reduces burnout in nurses,but further research is needed to assess its impact on depersonalization and objective measures like stress and heart rate.展开更多
文摘University College Dublin(UCD) has implemented the Output-Based Research Support Scheme(OBRSS) since 2016. Adapted from the Norwegian model, the OBRSS awards individual academic staff using a points system based on the number of publications and doctoral students. This article describes the design and implementation processes of the OBRSS, including the creation of the ranked publication list and points system and infrastructure requirements. Some results of the OBRSS will be presented, focusing on the coverage of publications reported in the OBRSS ranked publication list and Scopus, as well as information about spending patterns. Challenges such as the evaluation of the OBRSS in terms of fairness, transparency, and effectiveness will also be discussed.
文摘Objective To determine the characteristics of women with maternal tetanus, pattern of presentation and outcome of management. Methods A total of 19 women were managed with maternal tetanus between 1990 and 2005 from the University College Hospital in Ibadan Nigeria. A retrospective study was performed. The medical records of all women managed as a case of maternal tetanus were retrieved from the central record department of the hospital. The pattern of presentation, characteristics of women, the duration of hospital admission, tetanus toxoid immunization, and outcome of care were measured. Results The records of 18 women managed were analyzed. The mean age at presentation was 25.2 ±5.3 years. The patients were mostly single, nulliparous and had primary school education. The maternal tetanus cases seen mainly complicated induced abortion while 5 and 2 other cases were due to childbirth complication and leg wound respectively. The portal of entry of the remaining 3 cases could not be ascertained. None of the patient managed had complete immunization schedule. The average duration of admission was 11.2 ± 6. 7 d. Five women had intensive care with 3 of them requiring ventilatory support. The case fatality rate was 66. 7%. The only factor that significantly improved survival was presence of generalized spasm at presentation （P=0.006） Conclusion The occurrence of maternal tetanus is a reflection of low quality of health care delivery and lack or inefficient routine immunization coverage in any community.
文摘This prospective study was undertaken to ascertain the incidence, histology and pathological features of different types of asymptomatic or sub clinical prostatic diseases. Prostate glands were obtained from 79 consecutive adult males aged 30 years and above who died from non-prostate related diseases at the University College Hospital Ibadan over an eighteen months period. The glands were weighed and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. The sampling method of the prostate gland described by Vainer et al. (2011) was employed in this study. Paraffin-embedded sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and were systematically examined for focal prostate disease. The patients’ ages ranged from 30 to 86 years. The most common lesions were nodular hyperplasia (81%), followed by adenocarcinoma (6.3%). Three cases (3.8%) had schistosomiasis. Adenocarcinoma and nodular hyperplasia occurred in relatively older patients than those with normal glands or chronic prostatitis/schistosomiasis (p = 0.05). There was an increase in weight of the prostate with age (p < 0.001) and normal prostate glands weighed significantly less than diseased glands (p = 0.02). Focal prostatic atrophy was observed in 24.1% and metaplastic changes were observed in eight (10.1%) of the cases. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) was not seen in any case, not even amongst the adenocarcinomas. The low frequency of prostatic adenocarcinoma and the absence of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in this study despite the observation of increasing number of prostatic carcinoma required further investigation. Schistosomiasis was also found to be present in the adult male population.
文摘Objective: To explore the perception of patients and other health care professionals about the attitude and behavior of nurses working at the University College Hospital Ibadan Oyo State. Background: Observation has shown that despite the efforts nurses put into carrying out their duties, the acknowledgement of a job well done from co-professionals and patients still leaves much to be desired. Could this be due to impressions formed about nurses? Hence, this study attempts to explore the perception of patients and other health care professionals about nurses. Methods: Two hundred (200) consented respondents were randomly selected for this study. This consists of 165 patients and 35 doctors representing other health care professionals. Data were collected through a pretested questionnaire. Analysis was done by using SPSS version 16.0. Result: Results showed that 68% of patients and 58% of doctors perceived that nurses were competent. About 75% of patients and 54% of doctors agreed that the nurses had adequate skills. Patients (70%) and doctors (49%) agreed that the nurses had a positive attitude towards work. About 74% of patients and 59% of doctors agreed to the fact that the nurses maintained a professional demeanor. Findings also showed that patients rated the nurses higher than the doctors did. A significant difference was found between the perception of patients and doctors about the communication skills of nurses (t = 2.423;df = 198;p = 0.016). Conclusion: The study shows relative satisfaction with the quality of nurse’s work, perceptions of people about their attitudes and behaviors. Nurses could improve on how they relate with other health care providers to achieve positive patient care outcomes.
文摘In 2009, Norway faced the global challenge of the influenza pandemic. Risk communication is an important tool within healthy promoting work. In this study the main aim was to explore reflections of students on the risk assessment of season flu and the swine flu in 2009 according to field of study. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey based on 505 students is presented. 42.4% were health subject students, and 57.6% were non-health subject related students. The majority of the students were 20-24 years old. Most of the respondents were not concerned at being infected with the swine flu, and did underestimate the death toll of the common flu. Students were more concerned about the swine flu than the regular season flu. By logistic regression, the odds ratio for taking the swine flu vaccine was greater among students who were concerned （O.R. = 2.5）. During the swine flu pandemic, student trust towards the health authorities was low. Among the students, 74% stated they would consider advice from the health authorities, 37% from their parents and 20% from mass media. Stating risk of getting the common flu was at the medium or great risk level for far less non-health students than for health students, 38.2% versus 55.6%, P = 0.001. The perceived infection risk was likewise higher in the health student group, 52.4% versus 36.2%, P = 0.001. The respondents had little faith in general public vaccination as well as being critical concerning side effects of vaccination. The results from the study indicated that the students would rather follow advice about their personal hygiene than advice to take the swine flu-vaccine.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2020YFB1506002,2019YFB1504503,2016YFB0101202)National 973 Program of China(No.2012CB215501)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52021004,22022502(2021),21822803(2019),21576031(2016),51272297(2013),20936008(2010),20676156(2007),20376088(2004),20176066(2002),29976047(2000)).
文摘Two major challenges,high cost and short lifespan,have been hindering the commercialization process of lowtemperature fuel cells.Professor Wei's group has been focusing on decreasing cathode Pt loadings without losses of activity and durability,and their research advances in this area over the past three decades are briefly reviewed herein.Regarding the Pt-based catalysts and the low Pt usage,they have firstly tried to clarify the degradation mechanism of Pt/C catalysts,and then demonstrated that the activity and stability could be improved by three strategies:regulating the nanostructures of the active sites,enhancing the effects of support materials,and optimizing structures of the three-phase boundary.For Pt-free catalysts,especialiy carbon-based ones,several strategies that they proposed to enhance the activity of nitrogen-/heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts are firstly presented.Then,an indepth understanding of the degradation mechanism for carbon-based catalysts is discussed,and followed by the corresponding stability enhancement strategies.Also,the carbon-based electrode at the micrometer-scale,faces the challenges such as low active-site density,thick catalytic layer,and the effect of hydrogen peroxide,which require rational structure design for the integral cathodic electrode.This review finally gives a brief conclusion and outlook about the low cost and long lifespan of cathodic oxygen reduction catalysts.
文摘This study investigates the effects of technical cheerleading and dance cheerleading on the psychological health of female college students by utilizing the Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90),the Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale for Interpersonal Relationships,and the Social Adaptability Diagnostic Scale.The findings indicate the following:(1)Technical cheerleading has a highly significant impact on sensitivity in interpersonal relationships,paranoia,and psychoticism,and a significant effect on anxiety and hostility;dance cheerleading has a highly significant effect on paranoia;(2)Both technical and dance cheerleading have minimal impact on the overall score distribution of interpersonal relationships among female college students,but the dimensions of their effects differ;(3)The impact of technical cheerleading on the social adaptability of female college students is more pronounced than that of dance cheerleading.
文摘The rapid development and popularization of Internet technology has provided important support for the informatization reform of various industries.University books and materials have the characteristics of large quantities and difficult storage and management.Its digital storage and management platform construction can effectively realize the digital storage and real-time retrieval of books and materials,and help students and teachers to find and use books and materials more quickly.Especially in recent years,with the update of intelligent platforms and other technologies,the resource-sharing platform of university books and materials can realize more convenient book information retrieval without the limitation of time and space.This paper mainly explores the optimization path and platform construction scheme of university libraries and information management under the background of the Internet,hoping to provide some theoretical references for university library managers.
文摘In college badminton teaching,teachers utilize the group cooperative learning method,which not only helps to improve students’badminton skill level but also cultivates their teamwork spirit,communication skills,and self-management ability unconsciously.In view of this,this paper mainly describes the significance of applying the group cooperative learning method in college badminton teaching,analyzes the current problems in college badminton teaching,and aims to discover effective development strategies for group cooperative learning method in college badminton teaching in order to improve the effectiveness of college badminton teaching.
文摘The role of university English instructors has evolved significantly over the years,encompassing various aspects.This paper explores the evolution of the role of university English instructors and examines the current challenges and opportunities they face in today’s educational landscape.It delves into the multifaceted nature of their responsibilities and discusses the importance of continuous professional development to meet the evolving needs of students and the demands of the profession.
文摘Objective To determine the pattern of biosocial characteristics of the new IUD acceptors and describe their concerns. Methods This was a retrospective review of records of new IUD acceptors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from January to December 2007. Results The age range of subjects was 19 to 49 years with a mean of 33.5 ±% 2.4 years. The commonest source （46.0%） of clientele referral was through the health care providers -doctors and nurse/midwife. Other referral patterns were from friends/ relative （23.5%）, media -TV and radio （17.0%）, outreach programmes （7.3%）, self referral （5.2%） and others -the source was not indicated （1.2%）. Of the total participants, only 239 （56.1%） reported for follow-up visits. Majority had at least one visit; about a third had two, while others had three or four and above visits. About 43.2% of those at follow-up visits had complaints. The commonest （37.5%） complaint was menstrual irregularity. Other complaints were cramping abdominal pain （22.2%）, vaginal discharge （19.6%）, amenorrhoea （10.3%）, penile discomfort during sexual intercourse （4.3%）, expulsion of IUD （3.8%） and 2.2% of missing IUD. Conclusion This audit shows that new IUD acceptors are largely referred by health care providers and are mainly offered the TCu380A version. Community outreach programmes as alternative strategy is likely to boost the uptake of this particular method in Nigeria.
文摘Medical education in China and in Ireland began in pre-recorded history, probably around 5000 years ago, with both societies developing and nurturing those with the ability to influence the health of others. In Ireland, between the 5th and12 th centuries, a Golden age of Ancient Gaelic Medicine saw the creation of more formal communities of practice. This was followed by the formation of the modern medial schools in the 18 th to 19 th centuries including University College Dublin(UCD). Since the year 2000, UCD has progressed through a series of curriculum changes, both in content and structure. This has included horizontal integration, vertical integration, modularisation, the use of recognised credit systems in association with expected volume of student learning and the outcome based pedagogical practice. These changes have utilised a topdown and bottom-up approach to ensure that the clarity of leadership is combined with the wisdom of teachers to create a modern patient-centric outcomes based programme. UCD has partnered with patients through a unique PACE programme, has maintained a science rich six-year duration course for school-leavers, has introduced a four-year course for those with degrees and introduced an additional specific programme of instruction just prior to graduation that is designed to instill confidence and competence. Future enhancements will focus on personalising the educational experience to ensure that each student reaches their full potential.
基金supported by the University Malaya Community Campus Grant-RUU2022-LL016Private Grant PV086-2022(University Poly-Tech MARA-UPTM),Kuala LumpurUniversitas Negeri Malang,Indonesia.
文摘A significant portion of emerging adults do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity (PA). Previous studies observedassociations between features of emerging adulthood and PA levels, while the potential psychological mechanisms that mightexplain this phenomenon are not fully understood. In this context, there is some evidence that situated decisions towardphysical activity (SDPA) and exercise-intensity tolerance might influence PA level. To provide empirical support for thisassumption, the current study investigated whether (i) features of emerging adulthood are linked to SDPA, which, in turn,might affect PA engagement;(ii) exercise-intensity tolerance moderate the relationship between SDPA and PA level;and (iii)SDPA is a mediator of the relationship between features of emerging adulthood and PA levels under the prerequisite thatexercise-intensity tolerance moderates the link between SDPA and PA engagement. In this study a group of 1,706 Chinesecollege students was recruited and asked to complete a set of questionnaires assessing their SDPA, PA levels, exercise-intensitytolerance, and features associated with emerging adulthood, namely Self-exploration, Instability, and Possibility. Our resultsindicated that SDPA positively predicted PA levels and this relationship became stronger when exercise-intensity tolerance wasused as a moderator. Furthermore, it was observed that individuals with a higher level of Instability and a lower level ofPossibility during emerging adulthood exhibited a lower level of SDPA. Taken together, the results of our study providefurther insights on a potential psychological mechanism linking features of emerging adulthood and physical activity.
文摘Practice education is an important part of application-oriented higher education. Yet it poses many challenges when the design of practice education is questioned concerning whether it actually fulfills the education purpose for high quality future professionals. This paper thus introduces an innovated ＂base＂-driven model of practice education in Zhejiang University City College in China, with a purpose to provide empirical experiences that may be valuable for the decision-making of practice education design in higher education institutions. The paper progresses by examining the philosophy of its innovated model, discussing the framework, and further highlights a strategic consideration when designing practice education activities in higher education institutions.
基金supported by Start-Up Research Grant of Shenzhen University(20200807163056003)Start-Up Research Grant(Peacock Plan:20191105534C).
文摘The rising prevalence of physical inactivity is in all age groups(e.g.,in college students)a major public health issue as not meeting the recommended minimum amount of regular physical activity is linked to adverse health events.Vice versa,there is mounting evidence that achieving the recommended amount of regular physical activity is a vital element to prevent chronic diseases,but there is often an insufficient adherence to planned and structured forms of physical activity(i.e.,physical exercises).In this context,there is a large body of evidence indicating that exercise adherence is,among other factors,influenced by exercise-related affective responses.The Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exer-cise Questionnaire(PRETIE-Q)has been developed to measure these affective responses(e.g.,to specific exercise inten-sities).So far,no validated Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has been available in the literature.To address this gap in literature,the present study developed and validated a Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q in a large sample of Chinese college students.Data from a total of 1117 college students were collected for analyses concerning factorial validity and construct validity.The re-test reliability was established using a sample of 150 randomly selected participants.In addition,the level of regular physical activity(PA),cardiorespiratoryfitness(CRF),and resilience were used to examine possible links with two domains(preference and tolerance)of the PRETIE-Q.Our results showed that a Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has a goodfit and reliability(Cronbach’sαof 0.72 to 0.85 for preference and tolerance,respectively;ICC:r=0.72 of preference and r=0.67 of tolerance;fit indices:χ^(2)=21.612,df=19,p>0.05,TLI=0.997,CFI=0.998,RMSEA=0.016,SRMR=0.024).Secondly,positive associations of intensity-tolerance with PA,CRF,and resilience were observed.In summary,this study indicates that the Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has sound psychometric properties and can be used in Chinese college students.The adapted version of the PRETIE-Q paves the way for further research on exer-cise-related affective responses in Chinese-speaking samples,although the generalizability of ourfindings needs to be established for other cohorts such as adolescents and older people with and without chronic diseases.
基金This study was supported by the Start-Up Research Grant of Shenzhen University[20200807163056003]the Start-Up Research Grant[Peacock Plan:20191105534C]。
文摘Affective exercise experience as an emerging theoretical concept has great potential to provide a more nuanced understanding of individual factors that influence exercise behavior.However,concerning the Affective Exercise Experiences(AFFEXX)questionnaire,it has not been examined yet whether the structural score of the AFFEXX is a useful index to predict physical activity(refers to any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure).Furthermore,there is currently a gap in knowledge regarding the psychological mechanisms that can explain the relationship between affective exercise experiences and the level of physical activity(PA).In order to adress these gaps in the literature,we conducted two studies among Chinese collge students that aimed(i)to investigated whether the total score of the three AFFEXX-C constructs(antecedent appraisals,core affective exercise experiences,and attraction-antipathy towards exercise)is a relaible indicator that can be utilized in research and pratical settings and(ii)to evalute the specific psychological mechanisms that can explain the relationship between affective exercise experience and PA.In Study 1,we recruited 801 voluntary Chinese college students for bifactor and correlational analyses.In Study 2,875 Chinese college students were enrolled to verify our findings from Study 1 and to explore the aforementioned mechanism.Results from the bifactor analyses supported our hypothesis that the total scores of the three AFFEXX-C constructs can be used among Chinese college students to establish a link with PA.Additionally,our results suggested that core affective exercise experiences and attraction-antipathy mediated the relationship between antecedent appraisals and the level of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA.Therefore,measuring affective exercise experiences using the AFFEXX-C,specifically the total scores of each individual construct may be a useful approach to predict future PA levels.
文摘Parkinson’s disease is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars com pacta,and although restoring striatal dopamine levels may improve symptoms,no treatment can cure or reve rse the disease itself.Stem cell therapy has a regenerative effect and is being actively studied as a candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.Mesenchymal stem cells are considered a promising option due to fewer ethical concerns,a lower risk of immune rejection,and a lower risk of teratogenicity.We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives on motor function,memory,and preservation of dopamine rgic neurons in a Parkinson’s disease animal model.We searched bibliographic databases(PubMed/MEDLINE,Embase,CENTRAL,Scopus,and Web of Science)to identify articles and included only pee r-reviewed in vivo interve ntional animal studies published in any language through J une 28,2023.The study utilized the random-effect model to estimate the 95%confidence intervals(CI)of the standard mean differences(SMD)between the treatment and control groups.We use the systematic review center for laboratory animal expe rimentation’s risk of bias tool and the collaborative approach to meta-analysis and review of animal studies checklist for study quality assessment.A total of 33studies with data from 840 Parkinson’s disease model animals were included in the meta-analysis.Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells significantly improved motor function as assessed by the amphetamine-induced rotational test.Among the stem cell types,the bone marrow MSCs with neurotrophic factor group showed la rgest effect size(SMD[95%CI]=-6.21[-9.50 to-2.93],P=0.0001,I^(2)=0.0%).The stem cell treatment group had significantly more tyrosine hydroxylase positive dopamine rgic neurons in the striatum([95%CI]=1.04[0.59 to 1.49],P=0.0001,I^(2)=65.1%)and substantia nigra(SMD[95%CI]=1.38[0.89 to 1.87],P=0.0001,I^(2)=75.3%),indicating a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons.Subgroup analysis of the amphetamine-induced rotation test showed a significant reduction only in the intracranial-striatum route(SMD[95%CI]=-2.59[-3.25 to-1.94],P=0.0001,I^(2)=74.4%).The memory test showed significant improvement only in the intravenous route(SMD[95%CI]=4.80[1.84 to 7.76],P=0.027,I^(2)=79.6%).Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to positively impact motor function and memory function and protect dopaminergic neurons in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease.Further research is required to determine the optimal stem cell types,modifications,transplanted cell numbe rs,and delivery methods for these protocols.
基金Y.X.acknowledges the financial support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EP/X000087/1,EP/V000152/1)Leverhulme Trust(RPG-2021-138)Royal Society(IEC\NSFC\223016).
文摘With graphite currently leading as the most viable anode for potassium-ion batteries(KIBs),other materials have been left relatively underexamined.Transition metal oxides are among these,with many positive attributes such as synthetic maturity,longterm cycling stability and fast redox kinetics.Therefore,to address this research deficiency we report herein a layered potassium titanium niobate KTiNbO5(KTNO)and its rGO nanocomposite(KTNO/rGO)synthesised via solvothermal methods as a high-performance anode for KIBs.Through effective distribution across the electrically conductive rGO,the electrochemical performance of the KTNO nanoparticles was enhanced.The potassium storage performance of the KTNO/rGO was demonstrated by its first charge capacity of 128.1 mAh g^(−1) and reversible capacity of 97.5 mAh g^(−1) after 500 cycles at 20 mA g^(−1),retaining 76.1%of the initial capacity,with an exceptional rate performance of 54.2 mAh g^(−1)at 1 A g^(−1).Furthermore,to investigate the attributes of KTNO in-situ XRD was performed,indicating a low-strain material.Ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectra further investigated the mechanism of charge storage,with the titanium showing greater redox reversibility than the niobium.This work suggests this lowstrain nature is a highly advantageous property and well worth regarding KTNO as a promising anode for future high-performance KIBs.
基金Research Fund of Chungnam National University,Chungnam National University,the Ministry of Trade,Industry,and Energy,Korea,under the“Regional industry-based organization support program”,No.P0001940the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology,and a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute,funded by the Ministry of Health&Welfare,Republic of Korea,No.HI20C2088.
文摘BACKGROUND Traditional paper-based preoperative patient education is a struggle for new nurses and requires extensive training.In this situation,virtual reality technology can help the new nurses.Despite its potential benefits,there are studies on patient satisfaction but there is limited information on the usability of virtual reality(VR)technology for new nurses in giving preoperative education to patients.AIM To investigate the impact on satisfaction,usability,and burnout of a system using VR technology in preoperative patient education.METHODS The study involved 20 nurses from the plastic surgery ward and 80 patients admitted between April and May 2019.Each nurse taught four patients:Two using traditional verbal education and two using virtual reality.The System Usability Scale,After-Scenario Questionnaire,and Maslach Burnout Inventory(MBI)were employed to evaluate the impact of these education methods.RESULTS The VR education groups showed a statistically higher satisfaction than the traditional verbal education groups.Among the three subscales of the MBI,emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment improved statistically significantly.VR was also better in terms of usability.CONCLUSION This study suggests VR enhances usability and reduces burnout in nurses,but further research is needed to assess its impact on depersonalization and objective measures like stress and heart rate.
