From a case-control survey to a diagnostic viral gastroenteritis panel for testing of general practitioners’ patients

Objective To evaluate the pathogenicity of a broad range of 11 possible gastroenteritis viruses, by means of statistical relationships with cases vs. controls, or Ct-values, in order to establish the most appropriate diagnostic panel for our general practitioner (GP) patients in the Netherlands (2010–2012). Methods Archived stool samples from 1340 cases and 1100 controls were retested using internally controlled multiplex real-time PCRs for putative pathogenic gastroenteritis viruses: adenovirus, astrovirus, bocavirus, enterovirus, norovirus GI and GII, human parechovirus, rotavirus, salivirus, sapovirus, and torovirus. Results The prevalence of any virus in symptomatic cases and asymptomatic controls was 16.6% (223/1340) and 10.2% (112/1100), respectively. Prevalence of astrovirus (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 10.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34–80.06) and norovirus GII (aOR 3.10; CI 1.62–5.92) was significantly higher in cases versus controls. Rotavirus was encountered only in cases. We did not find torovirus and there was no statistically significant relationship with cases for salivirus (aOR 1,67; (CI) 0.43–6.54)), adenovirus non-group F (aOR 1.20; CI 0.75–1.91), bocavirus (aOR 0.85; CI 0.05–13.64), enterovirus (aOR 0.83; CI 0.50–1.37), human parechovirus (aOR 1.61; CI 0.54–4.77) and sapovirus (aOR 1.15; CI 0.67–1.98). Though adenovirus group F (aOR 6.37; CI 0.80–50.92) and norovirus GI (aOR 2.22, CI: 0.79–6.23) are known enteropathogenic viruses and were more prevalent in cases than in controls, this did not reach significance in this study. The Ct value did not discriminate between carriage and disease in PCR-positive subjects. Conclusions In our population, diagnostic gastroenteritis tests should screen for adenovirus group F, astrovirus, noroviruses GI and GII, and rotavirus. Case-control studies as ours are lacking and should also be carried out in populations from other epidemiological backgrounds.

Overview of E-Cigarette (Vape) Usage Behavior in 2021 UMJ FKM Students

E-cigarettes were first created in a modern way by a pharmacist from China in 2003 and patented in 2004 and then began to spread throughout the world. The results of a survey conducted by the International Tobacco Control Survey in America, Canada, Australia, and England, currently 29% of former smokers use electronic cigarettes, 7.6% have tried using electronic cigarettes and 46.6% are aware of the existence of electronic cigarettes. Some conditions that can arise from long-term use of nicotine are increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. Based on in-depth interviews with the informants, it was found that the informants had various reasons for using vapor, both for health reasons and for environmental reasons. All resource persons also argue that the dominant factor that makes a person use vapor is environmental factors. Meanwhile, when viewed from the behavior of all informants, they do not use vapor continuously but at certain times, even one of the informants still uses conventional cigarettes to be accompanied by vapor.

ADAPTIVE FUZZY CONTROL CONCEPTS AND SURVEY

In this paper an adaptive fuzzy control concepts and survey are introduced. Starting with the global adaptive control towered the adaptive fuzzy control, the required concepts are explained. Some of the adaptive fuzzy control subjects are viewed as sequential steps with simplifying their views to enable the reader to get a fast and global idea with some details if it is necessary. Most of the stability considerations in the corresponding references are proved by using the lyapunov criteria, where the derivation is a mathematical concept with long steps. Therefore, it is mentioned without details, and for more information, the corresponding reference must be studied. It can be seen from this topic, that the main role of the fuzzy system in adaptive control is the system identification, controller construction and output predictor. The adaptive fuzzy control survey is presented at the end, so the reader can go along with the topics after he reviewed the necessary concepts.

COVID-19 positivity associated with traumatic stress response to childbirth and no visitors and infant separation in the hospital

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread globally, a significant portion of pregnant and delivering women were infected with COVID-19. While emerging studies examined birth outcomes in COVID-19 positive women, knowledge of the psychological experience of childbirth and maternal wellness remains lacking. This matched-control survey-based study included a sample of women recruited during the first wave of the pandemic in the US who gave birth in the previous six months. Women reporting confirmed/suspected COVID-19 (n = 68) during pregnancy or childbirth were matched on background factors with women reporting COVID-19 negativity (n = 2,276). We found nearly 50% of COVID positive women endorsed acute traumatic stress symptoms at a clinical level in response to childbirth. This group was more than twice as likely to endorse acute stress and to have no visitors during maternity hospitalization than COVID negative women; they were also less likely to room-in with newborns. The COVID positive group reported higher levels of pain in delivery, lower newborn weights, and more infant admission to neonatal intensive care units. Our findings suggest COVID-19 affected populations are at increased risk for traumatic childbirth and associated risk for psychiatric morbidity. Attention to delivering women’s wellbeing is warranted during the pandemic.

Minimal mindfulness of the world as an active control for a full mindfulness of mental states intervention: A Registered Report and Pilot study

Mindfulness is a continual renewal of non-elaborative attention on an object of focus, without clinging or aversion, and with equanimity. As this requires the capacity to monitor and control the extent to which one is on task, it is a metacognitive exercise. Mindfulness is especially metacognitive when directed towards mental states themselves, which is how the practice was conceived in the original Buddhist scriptures. Alternatively, mindfulness could be directed towards the world around oneself in a less metacognitive fashion. Notably, whilst mindfulness of the world is directed towards the referents of sensory states (e.g. “the sky is blue”), mindfulness of mental states includes a higher-order awareness of the experience of a sensory state as a mental state in and of itself (e.g. “I see the sky is blue”) – as a sensation.We test the centrality of metacognition in mindfulness practice by contrasting a full Mindfulness of Mental States intervention against a minimal Mindfulness of the World intervention, to act as a potential active control for non-specific effects. We also used the standard Waitlist control. Survey measures of mindfulness directed at the world and mental states separately, along with depression and anxiety measures, will be administered, along with participant expectations for each of these outcomes. Bayesian contrasts between the two mindfulness interventions will be the primary analysis to test for the first time the effects of mindfulness against a true active control (if it should turn out to be one). Pilot data (available online, above) presented in the first section below show some promising initial results. Between the Mental States and World focused conditions, evidence in the hypothesised direction was discovered on the Observe facet of the 24-item FFMQ-sf (other facets were insensitive), and on the PHQ-4 measure of depression and anxiety. Bar one single-item measure, evidence for the null was relegated to comparisons between the World and Waitlist groups, indicating its function as a placebo.

Comparative Evaluation of The Accuracies of Differential GPS and Total Station in Determining the Coordinates of Existing Controls

A Control survey is a survey operation that is carried out in order to establish position of points with a high degree of accuracy in order to support activities like mapping and map revisions, property boundary surveys, construction projects and so on. Control densification is a continuous exercise in the field of geomatics. This forms the basis upon which other geomatics and engineering activities geared toward development are referenced. This study is aimed at determining the coordinates of existing control points network along Ayetoro / Egbeda Atuba road using dual frequency GPS and Total Station with a view to comparing the accuracies of DGPS and Total Station using statistical analysis to determine which one has better accuracy. The Objectives of the study are to locate the existing control points, to collect the information/coordinates of the existing control points, and to carry out the observation using DGPS and Total station and process/compute the final coordinates and compare the results by using statistical analysis. The methodology that are adopted for this project is Satellite Positioning Technology using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and Total Station. And the acquired data was processed and adjusted. The statistical analysis was used to compare the result obtained from DGPS and Total Station with the data collected from the Ministry of Land and Housing. The result of the analysis shows that DGPS has better accuracy. It is recommended that whenever more suitable and accurate method of measurement is to be employed, the DGPS method should be selected as this study has demonstrated and compared the accuracy of the two methods and showed that the DGPS method is better.

Study to Know the Impact of Ayurvedic Lifestyle on Dark Circles Around Eyes

Background: The Dark circles under the eyes, is very common and frustrating cosmetic grievance in both male and female especially among the stress prone population. Due to various reasons, skin becomes very thin and dry leading to the visible appearance of veins. This makes skin appear very dark. Possible causes include excessive pigmenta-tion, thin and luminous lower eyelid, lack of sleep, excessive fatigue, heredity, allergic disorders and aging. Dark circles comes under the broad umbrella of features of aggravation of Vata like blackish discoloration (Karshnya), Dark coloration (Shyavata) which can also be categorized under disease predominant in Vata (Vata Nanatmaja Vikara). In spite of its prevalence and cosmetic importance, there are very few reported works regarding dark circles. Objectives: This study was an attempt to find the most probable and commonest factor that influences dark circles so that modifications can be made in lifestyle as mentioned in Ayurveda in the form of daily regimen (Dinacharya) and Night regimen (Ratricharya). Methods: 30 subjects (20-40 years) each with or without dark circles were registered and Case Control survey was con-ducted using a standard questionnaire. A questionnaire was prepared comprising of different processes of daily regimen (Dinacharya vidhis) as per ideal Ayurveda lifestyle. The perceived stress scale that may influence the development of dark circles was also included in the study. The data collected were computed in the excel sheet .The data was analyzed by applying odd’s ratio and Chi square test. Results: A positive relationship between intake of ghee and milk and absence of dark circles was observed and odd’s ratio calculated as 1.5 and 3.54 respectively. The subjects practicing Yoga were found less affected by dark circles odd’s ratio was calculated 3.7. Stress was moderately high among the subjects having dark circles. Conclusion: The present study shows that individuals following Ayurvedic lifestyle in the form of processes of daily reg-imen (Dinacharya vidhis) like head and feet massage with oil, Yogic practices, taking milk and ghee in diet regularly and taking adequate sleep, are less prone to loss of lusture in the form of dark circles around the eyes.