An imported case of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, Spain in the context of the ongoing polio Public Health Emergency of International Concern, September 2021

The monthly retrospective search for unreported acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases conducted as a complementary component of the Spanish AFP surveillance system identified a case of AFP in a child admitted in Spain from Senegal during August 2021. Vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 was identified in the stool in September 2021. We present public health implications and response undertaken within the framework of the National Action Plan for Polio Eradication and the Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Design an Adaptive Mobile Scaffolding System According to Students’ Cognitive Style Simplicity vs Complexity for Enhancing Digital Well-Being

The present study is aimed to design an adaptive mobile scaffolding System (AMSS) to provide educational scaffolding to students that is compatible with their cognitive style simplicity vs complexity (CSSC), and to measure the effectiveness of the model in enhancing students' digital well-being (DWB) in the Faculty of education, University of XXXX. Semi-experimental design of two groups was used: the first experimental group received unified mobile scaffold regardless of their cognitive styles. The second experimental group received mobile scaffold that was organized and directed to the students based on their characteristics related to their CSSC. Both experimental groups received mobile scaffold as a complementary component to the lectures delivered for the Technological Innovations in Education course in the General Diploma in Education. The study sample consisted of (71) students who met the requirements and they were randomized to two experimental groups. To examine the effectiveness of the AMSS, a DWB scale was developed. Kelly's scale of CSSC was used to identify students who fell within the scope of this style. The results were statistically analyzed using T-test to compare between the groups and to determine the significance of differences. The results showed the effectiveness of the proposed model of AMSS in developing the students’ DWB compared to the unified scaffold model.

A Consumer Segmentation Study for Meat and Meat Alternatives in Switzerland

The aim of this study was to identify consumer groups regarding meat and meat alternatives, which are homogeneous in themselves but very different from one another. To date, the literature has analysed the attitudes towards, and the motives behind, the consumption of meat and meat alternatives. However, segmentation research portraying homogeneous consumer groups that are consuming or willing to consume meat alternatives is lacking. This study closes this research gap and, in doing so, also shows how meat consumption is related to the consumption of alternative products. A questionnaire was sent out to a random sample in the German- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland, resulting in 561 responses. A hierarchical cluster analysis using seven scales revealed six distinct consumer groups, which covered all types of consumers, from the uncompromising meat-eater to the health-conscious meat avoider. The results show that meat alternatives are not always consumed as a substitute for meat but can also be a complementary component in one’s diet. This study contributes to the scientific literature by providing useful information for the food industry involved in producing and marketing meat and meat alternatives to different target groups.

A Newly Reported Parasitoid, Pentatomophaga latifascia (Diptera: Tachinidae), of Adult Halyomorpha halys in Beijing, China

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a serious pest in agriculture and forests, as both adults and nymphs feed by piercing the surface of the plant and fruit tissues, causing damage. The eggs of H. halys are commonly attacked by parasitoids, however, the nymph and the adult are rarely attacked by natural enemies. We surveyed the parasitoids of adult H. halys by collecting samples from overwintering populations at three different locations and checked their body surfaces for the presence of tachinid eggs. Any host adults carrying tachinid eggs were reared in a cage for further species identification. We found that the eggs of Pentatomophaga latifascia (Villeneuve) (Diptera: Tachinidae) were laid on the surface of H. halys, and the hatched larvae penetrated the host body and fed internally to develop. The last larval instar emerged from the host to develop into pupae, killing the host in the process. According to the field survey, the average parasitism of H. halys by P. latifascia was 2.42%. The parasitoids of adult H. halys in their native range have so far been little studied and may provide a complementary component of egg parasitoids for biological control against H. halys in invaded areas.

From Theory to Science: Publication Characteristics of Medical Thesis Composed by Anesthesia Reanimation Residents in Turkey

INTRODUCTION: Completing a medical thesis (MT) is regarded as a complementary component of residency training in Turkey. We believe, announcing these precious scientific records in worldwide accepted scientific journals is the most reliable way to promote their accessibility. In the presented research, our aim is to examine the publication statistics and the scientific quality of the MT written in the field of Anesthesiology and Reanimation (A&R). METHODS: We collected the data about MTs from the web-site of the National Thesis data center of the Academic Educational Board in Turkey, and scanned the author name, title, and keywords of the MTs in the search engines of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Turkish Academic Network and Information Center Turkish Database. RESULTS: Between the years 1975-2019, three thousand three hundred and fifty-two MTs were published, and we accessed to full texts of 1207 (36%) MTs. The publication rate was 11.3% (n=137), and 76 (55.4%) of these theses were published in a journal indexed in SCI/SCIE databases. MTs focusing on peripheral blocks, algology, and the subjects related to the problems in outpatient clinics had higher publication rates (p=0.003; p=0.022; p=0.014, respectively). According to Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendation System only 21 MTs were in Level III (15.3%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: MTs in the field of A&R have low publication rates. The foremost cause of the problem is that most MTs have low scientific evidence levels.

Synthesis and Properties of Bionanocomposites of Polyhydroxybutyrate-Polylactic Acid Doped with Copper and Silver Nanoparticles

Global pollution has caused a real interest on the use of biodegradable materials to the sustainable development. PLA and PHB are interesting materials due to their properties and their biodegradability, and their blends in different ratios are proposed in this study; also, Ag and Cu nanoparticles were incorporated to observe possible enhances and advantages on it. Blends were characterized through FTIR, TGA, tensile, and DMA tests. Theoretically, results obtained were coherent; FTIR spectra showed a characteristic band (around 1740 cm-1) corresponding to the carbonyl bond at different intensities for each blend which is an evidence of the polymers. Likewise, TGA results showed different marked decomposition points (except for PLA/PHB 70/30), which is another indicative parameter. Regarding tensile tests, PLA/PHB/nanoparticle (NP) blends showed higher Young modulus value action improving exponentially some properties and they can act as a powerful complementary component even in small amounts. The NPs incorporated exhibited clustering due to the blending process with ranges from 93.24 nm for Cu to 123.71 nm for Ag.

The Role of Leadership Competencies in Supporting the Al Nahda University for Becoming a Learning Organization: A New Qualitative Framework of the DLOQ

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to contribute to research on learning organizations in higher education institutions (HEIs), by researching the role of individual, group, and organization competencies and skills that support the (NUB) Al Nahda University in Egypt toward becoming a learning organization.Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight executive academics and researchers in (NUB) Al Nahda University in Egypt. Questions emphasised leadership competencies, including those at individual, group, and organizational level, for utilising their skills in creating, sharing and transferring knowledge for modifying and changing their behaviour to achieve a learning organization.Findings: Leadership competencies emerged as a complementary component to the DLOQ framework and it was found that the Seven Characteristics (7Cs) proposed by Watkins and Marsick (2003) did not lead to being a learning organization, nor did being a learning organization lead to knowledge performance and financial performance by itself unless fully supported by leadership competencies, as was confirmed in the case of the Al-Nahda University operating in Egypt.Originality/value: There is still a lack of investigation and global response to the question of how leadership competencies can support learning inside higher education institutions. The outcomes of this research allow a better understanding of how leadership competencies can support the process of becoming a learning organization in HEIs, via a qualitative investigation of the DLOQ framework.

Hollow quasi-Fatou components of quasiregular maps

We define a quasi-Fatou component of a quasiregular map as a connected component of the complement of the Julia set. A domain in ℝd is called hollow if it has a bounded complementary component. We show that for each d ⩾ 2 there exists a quasiregular map of transcendental type f: ℝd → ℝd with a quasi-Fatou component which is hollow.Suppose that U is a hollow quasi-Fatou component of a quasiregular map of transcendental type. We show that if U is bounded, then U has many properties in common with a multiply connected Fatou component of a transcendental entire function. On the other hand, we show that if U is not bounded, then it is completely invariant and has no unbounded boundary components. We show that this situation occurs if J(f) has an isolated point, or if J(f) is not equal to the boundary of the fast escaping set. Finally, we deduce that if J(f) has a bounded component, then all components of J(f) are bounded.

Dance and Movement as Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

This chapter attempts to introduce the concept of Dance and Movement Therapy (DMT) in treating autistic-like symptoms and discusses the validity and feasibility of adopting DMT as a complementary component of an existing intervention framework. By defining mainstream DMT, identifying its implications for children across the spectrum, and briefly touching upon the theoretical aspects of its workings, it is hoped that parents, teachers, and educators can gain a more thorough understanding of this method. An outline of how it can be adapted for children with a range of abilities is also supplied. Finally, initial observations of DMT applied in Kuching, Malaysia, are shared with concluding suggestions for success within this particular cultural and social context. This chapter is aimed at the new practitioner looking for a starting point resource as well as parents, teachers, and educators who may be thinking about implementing DMT into a child's routine or programme.