BACKGROUND OF U AND Th IN SEDIMENTS OF BEDROCK RIVERS

The Miño River is a good example of bedrock rivers, where sediment geochemistry is scarcely studied. Its urban reach when passing through the city of Ourense gathers some characteristics that provide interest to its sediments, like scarcity of fine sediments accumulation and the impact of several human activities. Sediments trapped by potholes and other rock cavities were considered. In order to evaluate society-nature interactions through sediment composition it is critical to determine the compositional background (in absence of human alterations), particularly when working with trace elements. This work presents an exploratory assay to determine background in sediments from bedrock rivers by using two uncommon elements, uranium (U) and thorium (Th). To determine their background different statistical techniques were applied in order to set the background composition value and calculate possible enrichments. Background was calculated by simple least squares lineal regression by using Al as independent variable (reference element) resulting in 8.7 mgU kg-1 and 5.6 mgTh kg-1. Enrichments were found in some particular samples and can be attributed to intrinsic microenvironment complexities inside rock cavities.

Refugee Influx in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State: A Sociological Insight into its Impact on Food Security

The study examines the sudden and unabated influx of refugee exiles from the cameroun into the border town of Ikom and food security within the Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. In pursued of the study objective, the survey research design was adopted and a sample of 400 respondents was selected from the study population, using the purposive and simple randomization technique from Ikom Local Government area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The instrument used for data collection is a four point likert scale questionnaire structured to accommodate the options of true, completely true, false and completely false. The questionnaire contained 12 items. Data gathered from the field was meticulously while lineal regression was considered appropriate instrument used to analyses the field coded data at 0.05 confidence level. Result revealed that there is a significant relationship between refugee influx and Food Security in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study recommends That the Cross River state synergize with the relevant agencies of the Federal Government as well as other international Agencies to stimulate production in ikom through agricultural programmes such as farmers small holders schemes, cassava, banana, yam, plantain plantations schemes, animal husbandry, cottage industries etc. to promote aggressive food revolution within affected areas in order to avert serious food crisis amongst others

Modelo de gravedad económico, México – China para incrementar la competitividad de las mypes

En el presente proyecto de investigación se da a conocer un modelo económico de competitividad entre México y China con el objetivo de incrementar las exportaciones y aprovechar el comercio que se tiene entre ambas naciones, se desarrolló un modelo cuantitativo ocupando los últimos cinco Productos Internos Brutos (PIB) y la distancia entre estas naciones para aplicar un modelo de regresión lineal, en lo encontrado fue que las relaciones comerciales bilaterales pueden ayudar a crecer a las Micro y pequeñas empresas (mypes) de México ya sea exportando o importante insumos de calidad. AbstractIn this investigative project, an economic model of competitiveness between Mexico and China is set forth. Its objective is to increase exportations and to take advantage of trade that exists among both nations; a quantitative model was developed using the last five gross domestic product indicators (GDP) and the distance between these two nations to apply a lineal regression model. Our findings show that the bilateral commercial relationship may lead to growth in micro and small enterprises (SMEs) in Mexico, whether by exporting or importing quality inputs.

Room staff radiation dose in a vascular surgery hybrid operating room and evaluation of a real-time radiation dosimeter

Objective Real-time radiation dosimeter have been shown to decrease radiation exposure of the staff. This effect is mainly explained by increased awareness of the radiation due to direct radiation exposure feedback to the operator. We aimed to measure the radiation exposure of all staff members working in a hybrid operating room and wanted to compare the equivalent doses of real-time radiation dosimeters with thermoluminescence dosimeters. Methods Prospective non-randomized comparative trial. From April – October 2019, all staff members working in a hybrid operating room were equipped with real-time radiation dosimeters (Unfors RaySafe i3). The table positions of all staff members were documented. In addition, the first operator was equipped with a thermoluminescence Hp(3) eye lens dosimeter (TLD) placed outside the lead glasses to validate the real-time radiation dosimeter. Results The median dose of the operator / the first assistant was 73.6 µSv / 21.8 µSv for EVAR (n = 30); 57.25 µSv / 18.2 µSv for TEVAR (n = 23); 207.0 µSv / 76.65 µSv for more complex aortic procedures (f/bEVAR etc.; n = 15); 14.85 µSv / 8.5 µSv for occlusive disease of the iliac arteries (n = 27) and 6.1 µSv / 3.4 µSv for occlusive disease of the peripheral arteries (n = 53). The anesthesiologist’s median dose was 0.3 µSv, with highest values in f/bEVAR (3.9µSv). The scrub nurse’s median dose was 2 µSv with highest values in f/bEVAR (24 µSv). The position of any staff member at the left arm for transbrachial cannulation in f/bEVAR was associated with higher median equivalent radiation doses compared to the right femoral position (272.5 vs. 207 µSv for the operator (p=ns), 175.3 vs. 27.8 µSv for the first assistant (p = 0.027) and 45.55 vs. 8.0 µSv for the scrub nurse (p = 0.14)). The equivalent doses of the TLD and RaySafe did not correlate well using simple lineal regression analysis (r2 0.1713, p = 0.0014). Conclusion With the RaySafe real-time radiation dosimeter, table positions with increased radiation exposure can be identified. This allows for improvement in shielding at these positions, possibly leading to lower radiation exposure of the staff.

Técnicas de enseñanza para un desempeño eficaz del estudiante

El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer y describir un modelo empírico para un desempeño eficaz a partir de las técnicas en estudiantes de bachillerato. El diseño de investigación es cuantitativo, de tipo transversal y de predicción y control. La recolección de datos fue por medio de una encuesta. La muestra fue estratificada por semestre y sección de un bachillerato de la ciudad de Saltillo, Coahuila, seleccionando a un total de 263 estudiantes, de los cuales, 65% fueron mujeres y 35% hombres. Para la obtención de resultados, se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal, obteniendo un modelo a partir del lugar donde se desarrolla el aprendizaje y otro en relación con las técnicas empleadas por el docente. Concluyendo que las técnicas de instrucción que manejen aprendizajes elaboracionales deductivos y las representaciones de éstos en formatos visuales son fuente de un mejor aprovechamiento académico de los alumnos. AbstractThe objective of this investigation is to understand and outline an empirical model for effective performance drawn from techniques in high school students. The investigative design is quantitative under a transversal type and of prediction and control. The recollection of data was performed with the use of a questionnaire. The sample was stratified per semester and section in a high school in Saltillo Coahuila where a total of 263 students were selected, those of which 65% were female and 35% were male. To obtain the findings, an analysis of a lineal regression was used, obtaining a model from where learning takes place and another in relation to techniques applied by the teacher. Concluding that instructional techniques which manage deductive elaborational learning and the representation of these through visual formats are a source of greater academic achievement of students.

Women and Small Business: Contributing to Household income and Family wellbeing

The objective of the study is to examine the extent to which women involvement is small business contributes to household income and family wellbeing. The study adopted the survey research method in collecting data from 317 women from Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria using Cluster and Purposive sampling technique. The Survey Monkey Sample Determinant Technique was used to determine the sample size for the study. The instrument of data collection was a semi-structured self-developed questionnaire. Data collected from the Field was analyzed using descriptive statistic and parametric statistic (Simple Lineal Regression) at 0.05 level of significance. The result from the descriptive statistics revealed that most of the women used in the study, 97.41 per cent do not depend solely on their husband income. 63.70 cent of women spend all the money from their endeavour in taking care of their homes. 81.10 per cent of the women reported that they are able to contribute to the household and take care of themselves. From the parametric statistics carried out, result revealed a significant correlation between women involved in small business and household income and family wellbeing in Yala. The study thereby concludes that women in small business significantly contribute to household income and family wellbeing. The study calls for governmental effort towards improving the capacity of women in Yala through self-help programs and microcredit.

Information on the Impact National N-Power Scheme on Employment Creation

This study attempts to provide valuable data on the impact of the National N-Power scheme on youth employment in Bekwara Local Government Area of Cross River state. The ex post facto research design was adopted in collecting data from 398 samples from a population of 632 beneficiaries of the scheme using a self-structured questionnaire. The convenience sampling technique was used in selecting the samples from the study area. Data collected from the field was analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics. The descriptive statistics include frequency distribution, charts, simple per centages, means and standard deviation. The result from the descriptive statistics was then subjected to parametric statistics at 0.05 confidence level. Out of the 398-instrument distributed, only 389 was returned and used for analysis. from the analysis, it was discovered that nearly all the respondents (96.92%) were unemployed before becoming beneficiaries of the N-Power Scheme. It was also discovered that out of all the programs registered under the scheme, only three programs had beneficiaries in Bekwara, these were N-Teach, N-Agro and N-Health. From the analysis carried out using lineal regression, it was discovered that there is a significant relationship between N-Power and Employment Creation. Based on these findings the study recommends amongst others that there is a need for an increase in the number of beneficiaries of the Scheme in the Local Government Area.

Swimming World Championships: Association between Success at the Junior and Senior Level for British Swimmers

The present study examines the association between the success at junior and senior level for British swimmers in World Championships (WCs). It also explores the relationships between swimming performance and the swimmers’ gender, swim stroke, distance, status (finalist, semifinalist and heats) and swimming category. Data were collected for swimmers participating in junior and/or senior World Championships (29,000 entries: 5585 swimmers) from 2006–2017. The final filtered database included only swimmers from the United Kingdom (836 entries: 141 swimmers). A descriptive analysis was made to characterize the swimmers who reached elite status in the senior category. A lineal regression model was run by gender to predict the influence of category, swim stroke, and distance in the results reached in the senior category. The results showed that the ratio of conversion from junior to senior was quite low. Females who participated in both junior and senior WCs were likely to reach top positions in the senior category. Overall, few British swimmers participated in a junior category before the senior level, but female swimmers participating in both junior and senior WCs were likely to reach top positions in the senior category.

The Acute Stress Scale in healthcare professionals caring for patients with COVID-19. Validation study. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Clinical uncertainty, the shortage of equipment and the difficulties in maintaining the supply chain, constant changes in instructions, the interruption of all non-delayable care, the increased perception of self-risk and the experience of isolation of admitted patients has affected healthcare workers mental health. During the first outbreak, the exceptionality and urgency of the situation demanded measures and a specific screening tool to support healthcare workers identifying their stress levels that affected their wellbeing. OBJECTIVE This study designed and validated in the first days of the outbreak in Spain a scale to measure acute stress experienced by healthcare workforce during the care of patients with COVID-19 (EASE scale). METHODS Item development, scale development, and scale evaluation were considered. Qualitative research was conducted to produce reactive items, assure their legibility, and content assess content validity. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega. Confirmatory Factorial Analysis, and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test were used to assess construct validity. Lineal Regression was applied to assess criterion validity. Back translation methodology was used to adapt the scale into Portuguese, and English. RESULTS A total of 228 health professionals from the Spanish public health system responded to the ten items, of the EASE scale. Internal consistency was 0.87 (McDonald’s Omega). Goodness-of-fit indices confirmed a two factors structure, explaining 55% of the variance. As expected, the highest level of stress was found among professionals working in health services who accumulated a higher number of deaths from COVID-19 (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS EASE gathers adequate metric properties regarding consistency and construct validity. Its systematic use would allow the identification of professionals with a higher risk of developing affective/anxiety disorders and Moral injury that could limit that patients received safety and integrated care.

Locating the Origin of Femoral Maltorsion Using 3D Volumetric Technology—The Hockey Stick Theory

Background: The origin of femoral maltorsion is often unknown. However, defining the origin of the rotation of the femoral maltorsion can be useful for establishing the most suitable point to do an external derotational osteotomy. Previous studies have not considered the femoral diaphysis in their investigations of the origin of the deformity. The study of the whole morphology of the femur with 3D volumetric tools, including the femoral diaphysis can contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of femoral maltorsion. Methods: An atypical case of unilateral femoral anteversion was selected. Both femurs were used to obtain 3D bio-models. The mirror image of the asymptomatic side was obtained and overlapped with the symptomatic femur. The Hausdorff–Besicovitch method was used to evaluate the morphologic discrepancies (in mm) between the two femurs in three zones: (1) the femoral neck, (2) the proximal diaphysis, and (3) the distal diaphysis. The differences between the two femurs were analyzed and its correlation was statistically defined using a lineal regression model. Results: The deformity in the distal diaphysis increased from the supracondylar area until the apex of the antecurvatum angle (R2 = 0.91) and then decreased until the base of the femoral neck (R2 = (−0.83)), to finally increase significantly in the femoral neck area (R2 = 0.87). All of the correlations were statistically significant (p-value ˂ 0.001). Conclusion: The femoral maltorsion originates in the supracondylar area and its rotational axis is the longitudinal axis of the femoral diaphysis. Even though the deformity affects the femoral diaphysis, its clinical relevance is much higher in the femoral neck since the rotational axis passes through its base. Thus, the osteotomy can be conducted along all of the femoral diaphysis as long as it is done perpendicular to it.