The impact of regular sperm donation on bulls’ seminal plasma hormonal profile and phantom response

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the concentration of hormones in the seminal plasma, the bull maintenance system in the insemination station, and the regularity of sperm donation and the response to the phantom (libido level). An additional goal was to determine whether there is a relationship between the hormonal profile in the blood, the sperm plasma, the oxidative and antioxidant profile in the blood of bulls and the biometry of their testicles and scrotum, as well as the quality of their sperm in both different seasons and intensities of reproductive use. For the study, 220 healthy and sexually mature Polish Holstein–Friesian bulls were used. They all had normal libido and were fed equally. The animals were grouped according to the scheme: young (16–20 month/n = 60) and old (26–30 month/n = 60) including: individually housed (n = 30) and group housed (n = 30) young, old individually housed (n = 30) and group housed (n = 30) (n total animals = 120); young animals donating semen once a week (every Thursday) (n = 25) and sporadically (once every two months on a random day of the week) (n = 25), old animals donating semen once a week (every Thursday) (n = 25 ) and sporadic donors (once every two months on a random day of the week) (n = 25) (n total animals = 100). When analyzing the results of this study, it should be stated that regular use has a positive effect on the secretion of sex hormones in bulls. Higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of estradiol and prostaglandins resulted in higher sexual performance, expressed by a stronger response to the phantom. The differences in favor of regular use were independent of the bull's age. The results of our research illustrate that the quality of semen and its freezing potential may depend on the season and frequency of its collection, as well as on the age of the males.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Competitive Quasi-Market on Service Delivery in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria

GIS Business ◽

10.26643/gis.v14i4.5120 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 85-98

Author(s):

Idoko Peter

Keyword(s):

Service Delivery ◽

A Priori ◽

Least Square ◽

Secondary Source ◽

State University ◽

Ordinary Least Square ◽

Negative Effect ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

This research the impact of competitive quasi market on service delivery in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria. Both primary and secondary source of data and information were used for the study and questionnaire was used to extract information from the purposively selected respondents. The population for this study is one hundred and seventy three (173) administrative staff of Benue State University selected at random. The statistical tools employed was the classical ordinary least square (OLS) and the probability value of the estimates was used to tests hypotheses of the study. The result of the study indicates that a positive relationship exist between Competitive quasi marketing in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria (CQM) and Transparency in the service delivery (TRSP) and the relationship is statistically significant (p<0.05). Competitive quasi marketing (CQM) has a negative effect on Observe Competence in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria (OBCP) and the relationship is not statistically significant (p>0.05). Competitive quasi marketing (CQM) has a positive effect on Innovation in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria (INVO) and the relationship is statistically significant (p<0.05) and in line with a priori expectation. This means that a unit increases in Competitive quasi marketing (CQM) will result to a corresponding increase in innovation in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria (INVO) by a margin of 22.5%. It was concluded that government monopoly in the provision of certain types of services has greatly affected the quality of service experience in the institution. It was recommended among others that the stakeholders in the market has to be transparent so that the system will be productive to serve the society effectively

Download Full-text

Quinoa for the Brazilian Cerrado: Agronomic Characteristics of Elite Genotypes under Different Water Regimes

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10081591 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1591

Author(s):

Patrícia Carvalho da Silva ◽

Walter Quadros Ribeiro Junior ◽

Maria Lucrecia Gerosa Ramos ◽

Sonia Maria Costa Celestino ◽

Alberto do Nascimento Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Quality ◽

Winter Season ◽

Field Conditions ◽

Water Restriction ◽

Water Regimes ◽

Agronomic Characteristics ◽

Relative Water ◽

Different Seasons ◽

The Relationship

Quinoa stands out as an excellent crop in the Cerrado region for cultivation in the off-season or irrigated winter season. Here, we tested the effects of different water regimes on the agronomic characteristics, physiology, and grain quality of different elite quinoa genotypes under field conditions. The experiment was conducted under field conditions at Embrapa Cerrados (Planaltina, DF, Brazil). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in a split-plot scheme, with four replications. The plots were composed of 18 quinoa genotypes and modified BRS Piabiru (the currently used genotype), and the split-plots were divided into 4 different water regimes. The following variables were evaluated: productivity and productivity per unit of applied water (PUAA), plant height, flavonoids, anthocyanins, gas exchange, chlorophyll, leaf proline, and relative water content. Our results showed that water regimes between 309 and 389 mm can be recommended for quinoa in the Cerrado region. CPAC6 and CPAC13 presented the highest yield and PUAA under high and intermediate WRs, and hence were the most suitable for winter growth under irrigation. CPAC17 is most suitable for off-season growth under rainfed conditions, as it presented the highest PUAA under the low WRs (247 and 150). CPAC9 stood out in terms of accumulation of flavonoids and anthocyanins in all WRs. Physiological analyses revealed different responses of the genotypes to water restriction, together with symptoms of stress under lower water regimes. Our study reinforces the importance of detailed analyses of the relationship between productivity, physiology, and water use when choosing genotypes for planting and harvest in different seasons.

Download Full-text

COVID-19 Pandemic and Quality of Life among Romanian Athletes

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4065

Author(s):

Germina-Alina Cosma ◽

Alina Chiracu ◽

Amalia Raluca Stepan ◽

Marian Alexandru Cosma ◽

Marian Costin Nanu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Trait Anxiety ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale ◽

Personality Item ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

The aim of this study was to analyze athletes’ quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 249 athletes between 15 and 35 of age, M = 21.22, SD = 5.12. The sample was composed of eight Olympic Games medalists, three European medalists, 67 international medalists, and 63 national medalists. The instruments used were: (1) COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, (2) Athlete Quality of Life Scale, (3) Impact of Pandemic on Athletes Questionnaire, and (4) International Personality Item Pool (IPIP Anxiety, Depression, and Vulnerability Scales). The results indicate significant differences in COVID-19 anxiety depending on the sport practiced, F (9239) = 3.81, p < 0.01, showing that there were significant differences between sports. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic mediates the relationship between trait anxiety and the athletes’ quality of life. The percentage of mediation was 33.9%, and the indirect effect was −0.11, CI 95% (−0.18, −0.03), Z = −2.82, p < 0.01. Trait anxiety has an increasing effect on the intensity of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 0.23, CI 95% (.10, 0.35), Z = 3.56, p < 0.01, and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has a decreasing effect on quality of life, −0.47, CI 95% (−0.67, −0.27), Z = −4.62, p < 0.01. Gender and age did not moderate the relationship between the negative impact of COVID-19 and athletes’ quality of life. The results of the study highlighted the impact that social isolation and quarantine have on athletes’ affective well-being.

Download Full-text

Are “Internet+” tactics the key to poverty alleviation in China’s rural ethnic minority areas? Empirical evidence from Sichuan Province

Financial Innovation ◽

10.1186/s40854-021-00236-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiang Yin ◽

Zhiyi Meng ◽

Xin Yi ◽

Yong Wang ◽

Xia Hua

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Minority ◽

Poverty Alleviation ◽

Large Scale ◽

Sichuan Province ◽

Infrastructure Investment ◽

Communication Infrastructure ◽

Gdp Growth Rate ◽

The Relationship ◽

Positive Effect

AbstractChina has made great efforts to alleviate poverty in rural ethnic minority areas and targeted achieving the poverty-alleviation task by the end of 2020. Aba, Ganzi, and Liangshan, three of the poorest ethnic prefectures in Sichuan Province, Southwest China, have all implemented “Internet+” tactics since 2013, which have had the positive effect of increasing family revenues by improving communication infrastructure and encouraging the large-scale use of e-commerce. This paper aims to comprehensively investigate whether “Internet+” tactics play a key role in poverty alleviation in Sichuan’s rural ethnic minority areas and to propose further measures to enhance the efficiency of e-commerce practice. To this end, we conduct an analysis using the framework of classic growth theory and use panel data from 2000 to 2018 to examine the relationship between Communication Infrastructure Investment (CII) and a set of poverty-alleviation indicators, including local GDP growth rate (LGGR), local government revenue (LGR), and per-capita income of residents (PCIR). The results indicate that strengthening CII improves the PCIR and local economic growth, playing a key role in poverty alleviation. However, the stimulation of CII on LGGR and LGR wanes as time passes. More financial and technical actions will be needed to improve the efficiency and quality of current strategies for sustainable development in those areas.

Download Full-text

Exploratory study into the relationship between the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM) using a quasiexperimental design

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041947 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e041947

Author(s):

Pamela G Mckay ◽

Helen Walker ◽

Colin R Martin ◽

Mick Fleming

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Symptom Experience ◽

Fatigue Syndrome ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM). The hypothesis predicated that there would be no significant differences between the group’s symptom experience.DesignA quasiexperimental design. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and invariance testing.ParticipantsMales (M) and females (F) >16 with a confirmed diagnosis of CFS/ME or FM by a general practitioner or specialist. CFS/ME (n=101, F: n=86, M: n=15, mean (M) age M=45.5 years). FM (n=107, F: n=95, M: n=12, M=47.2 years).Outcome measuresDiagnostic criteria: the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for CFS/ME and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for FM. Additional symptom questionnaires measuring: pain, sleep quality, fatigue, quality of life, anxiety and depression, locus of control and self-esteem.ResultsInvariance was confirmed with the exception of the American CDC Symptom Inventory, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p<0.05) based on five questions. Consequently, it was erroneous to conclude differences. Therefore, the Syndrome Model was created. SEM could not have tested the ACR previously, as it comprised a single data point. Thus, it was combined with these three questionnaires, increasing the data points, to create this new measurable model. Results confirmed no significant differences between groups (p=0.07 (p<0.05)).ConclusionParticipants responded in a similar manner to the questionnaire, confirming the same symptom experience. It is important to consider this in context with differing criteria and management guidelines, as this may influence diagnosis and the trajectory of patient’s management. With the biomedical cause currently unclear, it is the symptom experience and the impact on quality of life that is important. These findings are meaningful for patients, clinicians and policy development and support the requirement for future research.

Download Full-text

Study for the Design of a Protocol to Assess the Impact of Stress in the Quality of Life of Workers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041413 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1413

Author(s):

Patricia Concheiro-Moscoso ◽

Betania Groba ◽

Francisco José Martínez-Martínez ◽

María del Carmen Miranda-Duro ◽

Laura Nieto-Riveiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Occupational Stress ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Complete Study ◽

Stress Coping Strategies ◽

Personal Level ◽

Stress Influences ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Effect

(1) Background: Work stress is one of the most relevant issues in public health. It has a significant impact on health, especially the development of mental disorders, causing occupational imbalance. There is a growing interest in the development of tools with a positive effect on workers. To this end, wearable technology is becoming increasingly popular, as it measures biometric variables like heartbeat, activity, and sleep. This information may be used to assess the stress a person is suffering, which could allow the development of stress coping strategies, both at a professional and personal level. (2) Methods: This paper describes an observational, analytical, and longitudinal study which will be set at a research center in A Coruña, Spain. Various scales and questionnaires will be filled in by the participants throughout the study. For the statistical analysis, specific methods will be used to evaluate the association between numerical and categorical variables. (3) Discussion: This study will lay the foundation for a bigger, more complete study to assess occupational stress in different work environments. This will allow us to begin to understand how occupational stress influences daily life activity and occupational balance, which could directly enhance the quality of life of workers if the necessary measures are taken.

Download Full-text

Quality of Care Provided by Family Caregivers of Older People With Dementia: Measurement and Interpretations

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.496 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 152-152

Author(s):

Afeez Hazzan

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Older People ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Family Caregiver ◽

Primary Reason ◽

People With Dementia ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Family caregivers of older people living with dementia are relatives, friends, or neighbors who provide assistance related to this condition, but who are unpaid for the services they provide. Although caregiving could be personally rewarding, many caregivers report a high level of strain. Compared to caregivers of older adults who do not have dementia, family caregivers of older people living with dementia report lower quality-of-life (QoL). In a published systematic review examining the relationship between family caregiver QoL and the quality of care provided, only one study was found to be somewhat relevant. The study suggested that the primary reason for an absence of research into the link between family caregiver QoL and quality of care was the absence of a questionnaire for measuring quality of care in dementia. Therefore, any attempt to investigate the impact of caregiver QoL on the care provided to older people with dementia must first address the lack of an instrument to measure quality of care. To address this issue, we interviewed approximately 20 family caregivers in order to elicit feedback on measurements and interpretation of the quality of care provided by family caregivers of older people living with dementia. Content analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that the quality of relationships with family, caregiver availability to provide or supervise care, and availability of paid or volunteer help are important for the quality of care provided. These results have important implications, particularly for the development of an instrument to measure quality of care in dementia.

Download Full-text

The relationship between patient donation and satisfaction with online healthcare service quality

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.8400 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (12) ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Yuanrong Hu ◽

Shengkang Lu ◽

Zhongming Tang

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Healthcare Service ◽

Outcome Quality ◽

Healthcare Applications ◽

Mobile Healthcare ◽

Process And Outcome ◽

Patient Consultation ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

We explored how donation relates to patient satisfaction with the quality of process and outcome in an online healthcare service. Using a dataset of 496,723 patient consultation records collected from ChunyuDoctor, which is among the largest of the Chinese mobile healthcare applications, we conducted a multiple regression and found that patient satisfaction with both process and outcome jointly influenced their donation. We also found that higher quality satisfaction levels meant paying patients were more likely to donate than were free patients. Our results also showed satisfaction with the quality of the process and the outcome had an equal impact on patient donation for the free patients, but the impact of process quality was greater than that of outcome quality for the paying patients, suggesting the importance of enhancing the quality of the process in an online healthcare service. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Download Full-text

Impact of Lockdown on Health of the Yamuna river at Delhi Stretch, India

FLORA AND FAUNA ◽

10.33451/florafauna.v27i1pp03-09 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

MANOJ KUMAR SHUKLA

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Industrial Waste ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Domestic Sewage ◽

Pollution Monitoring ◽

Yamuna River ◽

Industrial Pollutants ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Effect

Present study points out the impact of Lockdown on the health of the Yamuna river at Delhi stretch by comparing prelockdown and Post-lockdown period by studying the reports of pollution monitoring agencies. Delhi segment of the Yamuna is highly polluted, where alongwith domestic sewage a huge quantity of industrial waste is being discharged continuously without proper treatment. Pre lockdown (March 2020) water quality parameters at three sampling stations named as Palla, Nizammuddin Bridge and Okhla barrage U/s in Delhi were, pH were 8.7, 7.3 and 7.2, DO were 17.1 mg/L, not detected in later two sites, BOD were 7.9 mg/L, 57 mg/L and 27 mg/L and COD were 28 mg/L, 90 mg/L and 95 mg/L respectively and postlockdown period (April 2020) the pH was 7.8, 7.2 and 7.1, DO was 8.3 mg/L, 2.4 mg/L and 1.2 mg/L BOD was 2 mg/L, 5.6 mg/ L and 6.1 mg/L and COD were 6 mg/L, 16 mg/L and 18 mg/L respectively. The study of these parameters at three sampling stations reveals that the lack of industrial pollutants discharging due to nationwide lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic had positive effect on water quality of this river. Water quality could be maintained by planned establishment of industries and setup of ETP with without gap between generation and treatment.

Download Full-text

Abstract 279: The Impact of Heart Failure on Depression and Quality of Life is Greater in Men than Women

Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes ◽

10.1161/circoutcomes.5.suppl_1.a279 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Rory Hachamovitch ◽

Brian Griffin ◽

Alan Klein ◽

Benjamin Nutter ◽

Irene Katzan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cardiovascular Assessment ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Background. Patients (pts) diagnosed with congestive heart failure (HF) have been reported to have more frequent depression and worsened health related quality of life (HRQOL). Although depression is more common in women than men in this condition, the impact of HF on depression and HRQOL in men versus women is unclear. We sought to examine the relationship between pt sex, HF diagnosis, and pt-perceived depression and HRQOL. Methods. Depression (PHQ-9) and HRQOL (EQ5D) data were collected using tablet computers from pts presenting for routine outpatient cardiovascular assessment at our institution between November, 2010 and December, 2011. Demographic, clinical, and historical data was collected as per routine. We examined the association of pt sex and clinical diagnosis of HF with instrument results after adjusting for potential confounding information using mutliple linear regression. Results. Of 3046 pts (age 61±15), 39% were female and 8.7% were diagnosed with HF. Overall, PHQ-9 was greater, and minor or major depression (PHQ-9≥10) was more frequent, in women than men (4.6±4.6 vs. 3.3±4.4; 14.0% vs. 8.9%, both p<0.05) and in HF pts than pts without HF (5.9±5.6 vs. 3.6±4.3, 22.0% versus 9.6%; both p<0.05). Similarly, HRQOL was worse in women than men (EQ-5D 0.80±0.18 vs. 0.87±0.16; p<0.01) and in HF pts than no HF (EQ-5D 0.76±0.18 vs. 0.85±0.17; p<0.01). However, the difference in PHQ-9 between pts with versus without HF was greater in men (6.23±6.06 vs. 3.02±4.06, p<0.01) than women (5.43±4.85 vs. 4.55±4.58, p=0.09). After adjusting for cardiovascular diagnoses, comorbidities, clinical and demographic data, multivariable modeling of PHQ-9 revealed a significant interaction between pt sex and HF diagnosis (p=0.001; see Figure) such that women had greater PHQ-9 scores compared to men without HF, but in the setting of HF, mens' PHQ-9 scores were greater. Modeling of EQ-5D also revealed that after risk-adjustment an interaction between HF diagnosis and sex was present with a similar pattern of findings. Conclusion. Although depression is more frequent and severe in women compared to men, and in pts with versus without HF, HF appears to impact depression severity more in men compared to women.

Download Full-text