Understanding Scientific Literacy and Pedagogy Competence: A Critical Insight into Religious Integration Thinking Skills

This study aims to examine the scientific literacy and pedagogical competence on the ability to comprehend the religious integration amongst Islamic education pre-service teachers. This research used a quantitative approach involving 156 participants from several universities. Data were obtained through conducting survey. Data analysis was performed with bivariate correlation. Based on the data analysis carried out, the finding showed that the significant correlation between scientific literacy skills and pedagogy competence to the ability of religious integration thinking skills within Islamic religious content and values. This is based on the value of sig. (2-tailed) between X1 (Science Literacy) to the integration ability obtained that the value of 0,000, which means <0.05. This data proves that there is a significant correlation between the ability of scientific literacy skills and pedagogy skills to the ability of science integration comprehension amongst the Islamic education pre-service teachers. Received: 2 September 2021 / Accepted: 30 October 2021 / Published: 3 January 2022

BIOLOGICAL AGE ESTIMATION BASED ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY: A PILOT STUDY

Introduction. Biomarkers of biological age (BA) are essential for anti-aging research and practice because of their prediction of life expectancy, detection of premature aging, and estimation of anti-ageing programs' effectiveness. The purpose of this study is a clinical validation of the method of biological age estimation based on the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), artificial intelligence technologies, and biometric monitoring. Methods. In 51 patients who received wellness and rehabilitation services in the medical center "Edem Medical", biological age was determined based on the analysis of HRV and machine learning algorithms. A comparison was made between the proposed method and other known methods of biological age estimation. Biological age estimation by physicians which is based on the Frailty Index was chosen as a reference method. The second method was DNA methylation age (DNAm PhenoAge). This method predicts biological age based on nine parameters of blood (albumin, creatinine, glucose, C-reactive protein, lymphocytes [%], mean corpuscular volume [MCV], red cell distribution width [RDW], alkaline phosphatase, WBC count). Using the «leave one out» technique, an additional algorithm was created for approximating biological age in view of blood test parameters and ECG signals as input data. Morning HRV assessment was performed on empty stomach and after 10-minute rest in horizontal position. ECG was recorded using Mawi Vital multisensor device. The following statistical tests were used to reveal associations between different methods of biological age estimation: 1. bivariate correlation, 2. mean absolute error (MAE), 3. qualitative binary age estimation. Results. All tested methods of BA evaluation were strongly correlated with the reference method (physician-determined age). HRV based approach was superior in comparison with other methods. In 9 out of 10 cases, the qualitative binary age assessment using HRV coincided with the reference method. The HRV method was the most accurate for biological age estimation (3.62 vs 12.62) based on MAE. Conclusion. The method based on HRV is an affordable and convenient approach to biological age estimation. This method offers opportunities for early stratification of individuals at risk of accelerated aging. It combines well with the paradigm of 3 P medicine which is based on Prevention, Prediction, and Personalized approach to each patient

Impact of Quality of Online Education on Student’s Satisfaction Level: A Study during Pandemic

This study was conducted to check the impact of quality of online education during a worldwide pandemic on satisfaction level of students. The total sample size of this study was 212. Through the use of purposive sampling technique, the participants were chosen from different departments of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Cross-sectional survey research design is included in the present study. Students’ Perceptions of E-learning Questionnaire and Student Satisfaction with Online Learning were the two questionnaires used for collecting data. Using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Bivariate Correlation, and Regression Analysis, the results were examined. Online education was significantly negatively associated with student satisfaction, indicated the findings of this analysis. The sample of the study was restricted to students only. Further, in order to broad the scope of the study it is suggested to expand the present research on other universities students from all over Punjab.

Disability in Older People and Socio-Economic Deprivation in Italy: Effects on the Care Burden and System Resources

The sustainability of European Long-Term Care systems faces the demographic and socio-economic circumstances, mainly the increasing ageing of the population, with its chronic disease conditions, and the simultaneous economic general crises, exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond the increase in general rate of relative poverty, there is a higher risk of poverty among elderly and families in a high demand of care, especially if situations of Activities Daily Living (ADL) disability are present. Italian welfare, which is based on family care regimes and regional strategies, and is oriented to private or public care, is a relevant case study with which to analyze such a relationship. This paper aims to study the relationship between ADL disability and the socio-economic deprivation of families, that is, household poverty. Variables came from the ISTAT Health for All Italian Database and the INAIL Disability Allowance Database. A pool of statistical methods, based on bivariate and multivariate analyses, from bivariate correlation, through multiple linear regression to principal component factor analysis, were used to reduce the number of the variables and compute the indicators. The multivariate analysis underlines how ADL disability impacts on a household’s poverty, confirming the existence of statistical correlation between them. Moreover, the study identifies and measures two answer capability models to cope with household poverty. The answer capability of the formal system is the main tool for reducing poverty due to one family member’s ADL disability. Integration and collaboration between the formal system and family capabilities remains the main solution.

Effects of Urbanization on the Dynamics and Equity of Access to Urban Parks from 2000 to 2015 in Beijing, China

Urban parks provide multiple ecosystem services as an important element of the urban space and improve human health and wellbeing. This study used the Gaussian-based 2SFCA method to evaluate the spatiotemporal distribution of and changes in park accessibility within the Sixth Ring Road in Beijing over 15 years. The study also used bivariate correlation analysis to analyze the relationship between urbanization factors and park access. The results showed that the overall park accessibility in both quantity and proximity had increased from 2000 to 2015, but there were still certain areas (percentage) that had limited access to parks. The inequity of distribution in park accessibility had been detected accompanying the rapid increase in park quantity in 2015. Furthermore, the development of urban parks mismatched that of urbanization in terms of urban land increase. The correlation between accessibility changes and population urbanization is not significant. Proper urban green space planning based on the distribution of population density and urban land use is indispensable in avoiding the aggravation of inequity in the process of urban expansion. This study contributes to the assessment of the current park allocation efficiency and helps urban planners and policymakers make prompt adjustments in the rapidly urbanizing process.

Claims in construction projects: how causes are linked to effects?

Purpose Claims are increasingly becoming a norm in construction projects and thus an area that is attracting interventions through researches. This paper aims to establish causes–effects relationship of claims in construction projects. Design/methodology/approach This is correlation study type of study that attempts to establish causes–effects relationship of claims in construction projects. Significant causes and effects of construction claims were determined using one-sample t-test. To establish the relationship, the significant causes and effects of construction claims were correlated using bivariate correlation analysis. Findings Among the significant causes, variations, change of scope of the project and delay in completion of works have high level of significant positive relationship with five to six other causes and positive relationship with multiple effects ranging from five to six. Besides, among significant effects, delay in completion and delivering of construction projects, poor contractual relationship among parties and extension of time have significant positive relationship with multiple causes. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study are limited to causes-causes relationship and causes–effects relationship of claims in construction projects. This means effects–effects relationship was not covered that could be an important area to investigate as some of causes and effects are at times termed interchangeably. Practical implications With reference to previous studies which have focused on determining the causes and effects of construction claims, the findings of the current study have specific contribution on claims management as it divulges the causes of constructions claims that have multiplier effects to the project as a result of their linkage. Originality/value The paper unveils causes of claims with multiplier effects to construction projects for project participants to devise strategies to minimize and consequently eliminate them.

The optimal WC cut-off points for the prediction of subclinical CVD as measured by carotid intima-media thickness among African adults: a cross-sectional study

Background Increased waist circumference (WC) is one of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors used to predict cardiovascular events. Waist circumference cut-off values for predicting metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risks have been previously studied. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is one of the cardiovascular risk factor recently described and reported to be suitable as it is a direct measurement of vascular quality. Hence the aim of the present study was to determine the optimal WC cut-off point for the prediction of subclinical CVD. Methods The study was a cross-sectional study using quantitative methods, conducted among 1318 adults aged between 40 and 60 years old, residing in a rural Black population in Limpopo province. Carotid Intima-Media Thickness measurements were performed using a LOGIQ ultrasound system (GE Healthcare, CT, USA). Waist Circumference (WC) (cm) was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm. Bivariate correlation, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic were analysed using the statistical package for social sciences version 26.0 software. Results Among the total population, 69% were women and 31% men with a mean age of 53 ± 7 years. Among women, WC at a cut-off value of 95 cm gave the highest sensitivity of 57%, the specificity of 55% and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.588. In men, an optimum WC cut-off point of 82 cm yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity at 72% and 70% respectively, with an AUC of 0.767 p < 0.001. Conclusion The traditional waist circumference cut-off points (94 cm for women and 80 cm for men) that are currently used for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome might not be suitable in the prediction of an increased CIMT.

Big and Mini: A Promising Program to Link Generations to Cope With Social Isolation

Introduction Social isolation disproportionately affected older adults prior to and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help older adults cope with social isolation, a new program “Big and Mini” was created in April 2020 to link young and older adults together (matched through a custom website developed for this program) and to help increase social connectivity through weekly phone calls. Using a survey with both closed and open questions, this study evaluated participant feedback three months after the program was launched. Methods 63 Bigs (age 50+) and 53 Minis (age 18+) completed the survey. Stress compared to before COVID-19, social isolation, life satisfaction, intergenerational solidarity, and satisfaction with the program were measured for both the Big and Mini participants. Descriptive, bivariate correlation, group comparison and conventional content analyses were conducted. Results Results showed that 38.1% of Bigs and 37.7% of Minis felt higher levels of stress than before COVID-19. Both Bigs and Minis had medium levels of social isolation. They also reported high levels of satisfaction with life, satisfaction with the program, and intergenerational solidarity. Content analysis suggested that the reasons to join or expectations of the program were curiosity, friendship, mutually beneficial intergenerational connections, and coping with loneliness. Both Bigs and Minis reported benefits from the learning and sharing opportunities that the program offered. Conclusions The Big and Mini program offers a promising approach with mutual benefits for both Bigs and Minis. Strategies to improve the program and implications for other phone-based intergenerational programs are presented.

Higher prevalence of geriatric depression, catastrophizing pain and sleep disorders in institutionalized elders: a cross-sectional study in Galle District, Sri Lanka

Background Population aging is a significant social problem in the twenty first century. Recent economic and social changes lead increasing number of elders to spend their lives in elderly homes. Institutionalized elders have to face many physical and psychological problems which negatively impact their quality of life. Geriatric depression (GD), catastrophizing pain (CP) and sleep disorders (SD) are some common problems among them. Methods Present study was designed to assess the prevalence of GD, CP and SD and their correlations in institutionalized elders. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in elderly homes (n = 20) in the Galle district of Sri Lanka enrolling 310 subjects. GD, CP and SD were assessed using validated Sinhala versions of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 for windows by using descriptive statistics, the Pearson’s chi-square test and Pearson’s bivariate correlation (p < 0.05). Results Among the participants (response rate: 95.7%), 34.8% (n = 108) and 65.2% (n = 202) were males and females respectively. Age range of the subjects was 60–103 years with the mean age of 74.97 years (SD 8.852). Most of the study subjects (n = 234, 75.5%) had spent five or less than 5 years in elderly homes at the time of the study and 52.8% (n = 164) of them were unmarried. GD was present in 76.5% (95% CI: 71.7–81.2) of subjects and of them 44% had moderate to severe depression. PCS revealed that 29% (95% CI: 24.0–34.1) had CP. SD were identified in 55.5% (95% CI: 49.5–61.0) of elders and according to PSQI, 86% (95% CI: 82.3–90.0) had poor quality sleep. Positive correlations between GD and CP (r = 0.24, p < 0.01), GD and SD (r = 0.13, p = 0.02), CP and SD (r = 0.32, p < 0.01) were statistically significant. Conclusions Prevalence of GD, CP and SD were significantly higher in this sample of institutionalized elders who were apparently healthy. Findings highlighted the importance of early screening of physical and psychological problems in institutionalized elders to assure better quality of life and to reduce the burden to health care system of the country.

Air quality index variation before and after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive study on 87 capital, industrial and polluted cities of the world

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided an opportunity for the environment to reduce ambient pollution despite the economic, social and health disruption to the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the air quality indexes (AQI) in industrial, densely populated and capital cities in different countries of the world before and after 2020. In this ecological study, we used AQI obtained from the free available databases such as the World Air Quality Index (WAQI). Bivariate correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations between meteorological and AQI variables. Mean differences (standard deviation: SD) of AQI parameters of different years were tested using paired-sample t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test as appropriate. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to recognize meteorological variables affecting the AQI parameters. Results AQI-PM2.5, AQI-PM10 and AQI-NO2 changes were significantly higher before and after 2020, simultaneously with COVID-19 restrictions in different cities of the world. The overall changes of AQI-PM2.5, AQI-PM10 and AQI-NO2 in 2020 were – 7.36%, – 17.52% and – 20.54% compared to 2019. On the other hand, these results became reversed in 2021 (+ 4.25%, + 9.08% and + 7.48%). In general, the temperature and relative humidity were inversely correlated with AQI-PM2.5, AQI-PM10 and AQI-NO2. Also, after adjusting for other meteorological factors, the relative humidity was inversely associated with AQI-PM2.5, AQI-PM10 and AQI-NO2 (β = − 1.55, β = − 0.88 and β = − 0.10, P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions The results indicated that air quality generally improved for all pollutants except carbon monoxide and ozone in 2020; however, changes in 2021 have been reversed, which may be due to the reduction of some countries’ restrictions. Although this quality improvement was temporary, it is an important result for planning to control environmental pollutants.