New records about helminth parasites of the marsh frog, Rana ridibunda ridibunda (Anura: Ranidae) from the north of Iran

A field trials were conducted to assess the helminth parasites of 12 marsh frogs (Rana ridibunda ridibunda) in the Anzali, Astara and Aghbaba regions in the north of Iran in May 1994. Experimental results showed that 83.8% of the Anzali marsh frogs were infected by one or two kinds of metacercarian cysts of digenetic trematodes. The helminth parasites were included Skrjabinoeces breviansa, S. smilis, Gorgodera dollfusi, Opisthioglyphe ranae, Prosotocus confusus, Encyclometra colubrimurorum and Codonocephalus urniger. Frogs collected from the Astara region was infected by the helminth parasites such as Diplodiscus subclavatus, P. confusus, C. urniger and Cosmocerca ornata. There were only one digenetic trematodes cysts such as Pleurogenoides medians in the Aghbaba region. In this paper, except the S. smilis, C. urniger and O. ranae we report 7 new helminth parasites in the north Iranian freshwater system for the first time

Narratives of traumatic birth: Quality and changes over time

Childbirth is a highly emotive event that can involve complications. Around 1% of births in the United Kingdom involve life-threatening complications to the mother (Waterstone, Bewley, & Wolfe, 2001) and 0.8% result in stillbirth or perinatal death (Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health [CEMACH], 2009). A review found that 3.1% of women report posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after birth (Grekin & O'Hara, 2014). The aim of this study was to examine whether narrative characteristics of traumatic birth were specific to women with PTSD or observed in all women who experience a highly emotive and potentially traumatic birth. Parturient women were matched for birth events, but either had severe PTSD symptoms (n = 22) or no, or very low, PTSD symptoms (n = 22). Women were interviewed about the birth 3 and 6 months postpartum, and their birth narratives were examined for content, coherence, and cognitive and perceptual processing. Results showed birth narratives became shorter and more coherent over time. Consistent with PTSD literature, birth memories were more likely to be recalled and involuntarily triggered in women with PTSD symptoms. However, women with PTSD symptoms had more coherent narratives, used more causal and fewer tentative words. These latter findings are inconsistent with research finding that PTSD is associated with fragmented or incoherent memories but are consistent with the view that highly emotive events result in improved memory (e.g., Berntsen, Willert, & Rubin, 2003). Possible reasons for this are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Recor

Protease signaling regulates apical cell extrusion, cell contacts, and proliferation in epithelia.

Mechanisms that sense and regulate epithelial morphogenesis, integrity, and homeostasis are incompletely understood. Protease-activated receptor 2 (Par2), the Par2-activating membrane-tethered protease matriptase, and its inhibitor, hepatocyte activator inhibitor 1 (Hai1), are coexpressed in most epithelia and may make up a local signaling system that regulates epithelial behavior. We explored the role of Par2b in matriptase-dependent skin abnormalities in Hai1a-deficient zebrafish embryos. We show an unexpected role for Par2b in regulation of epithelial apical cell extrusion, roles in regulating proliferation that were opposite in distinct but adjacent epithelial monolayers, and roles in regulating cell-cell junctions, mobility, survival, and expression of genes involved in tissue remodeling and inflammation. The epidermal growth factor receptor Erbb2 and matrix metalloproteinases, the latter induced by Par2b, may contribute to some matriptase- and Par2b-dependent phenotypes and be permissive for others. Our results suggest that local protease-activated receptor signaling can coordinate cell behaviors known to contribute to epithelial morphogenesis and homeostasis

A double blind community-based randomized trial of Amoxicillin Versus Placebo for fast breathing Pneumonia in children aged 2-59 months in Karachi, Pakistan (RETAPP)

Background: Fast breathing pneumonia is characterized by tachypnoea in the absence of danger signs and is mostly viral in etiology. Current guidelines recommend antibiotic therapy for all children with fast breathing pneumonia in resource limited settings, presuming that most pneumonia is bacterial. High quality clinical trial evidence to challenge or support the continued use of antibiotics, as recommended by the World Health Organization is lacking. Methods/Design: This is a randomized double blinded placebo-controlled non-inferiority trial using parallel assignment with 1:1 allocation ratio, to be conducted in low income squatter settlements of urban Karachi, Pakistan. Children 2-59 months old with fast breathing, without any WHO-defined danger signs and seeking care at the primary health care center are randomized to receive either three days of placebo or amoxicillin. From prior studies, a sample size of 2430 children is required over a period of 28 months. Primary outcome is the difference in cumulative treatment failure between the two groups, defined as a new clinical sign based on preset definitions indicating illness progression or mortality and confirmed by two independent primary health care physicians on day 0, 1, 2 or 3 of therapy. Secondary outcomes include relapse measured between days 5-14. Modified per protocol analysis comparing hazards of treatment failure with 95 % confidence intervals in the placebo arm with hazards in the amoxicillin arm will be done. Discussion:This study will provide evidence to support or refute the use of antibiotics for fast breathing pneumonia paving a way for guideline change

A detailed exploration of changes in everyday task performance in people with dementia

For most people, everyday tasks, such as tea making, are familiar, routine tasks that are normally performed without effort. A diagnostic feature of dementia, however, is an insidious decline in the ability to perform everyday tasks. Through a series of six studies, I examined how everyday task performance changes in people with dementia and I piloted two behavioural strategies that might enhance memory for everyday tasks in people with dementia. Study 1 developed a detailed error and error-monitoring taxonomy to explore the minutia of everyday task performance in healthy ageing. The study demonstrated that older adults without dementia rarely make errors in everyday tasks, even when conditions are manipulated to reduce cognitive resources. Study 2 documented errors and error-monitoring of everyday task performance in individuals with a developing dementia, using archive data to chart performance change over 5 years. While errors increased with dementia progression, there was no reactive increase in error-monitoring, suggesting a lack of awareness characterises the breakdown of task performance. Study 3a explored the impact of verbally instructing another person how to perform an everyday task on recall of an everyday task. People with dementia were able to do this surprisingly well, appearing to use both visual and motor cues to support recall. Study 3b piloted the impact of verbal self-explanation on everyday task performance, in four people with dementia. Self-explanation did not benefit recall and implementation of a familiar task. Study 4a compared observation with verbal instruction on acquisition of a novel routine. Results showed that people with mild-moderate dementia learned a new routine better under observation compared to verbal instruction. Study 4b tested observational learning of an everyday task over five weeks in three people with dementia. The initial benefit over verbal instruction was sustained, but did not increase over time. These studies constitute a detailed and meticulous exploration of everyday task performance in people with dementia and provide pilot evidence of a potential strategy that could support memory of everyday tasks in people with dementia

Can verbal instruction enhance the recall of an everyday task and promote error-monitoring in people with dementia of the Alzheimer-type?

People with dementia of the Alzheimer-type (DAT) have difficulties with performing everyday tasks and error awareness is poor. Here we investigated whether recall of actions and error monitoring in everyday task performance improved when they instructed another person on how to make tea. In this situation, both visual and motor cues are present, and attention sustained by the requirement to keep instructing. The data were drawn from a longitudinal study recording performance in four participants with DAT, filmed regularly for five years in their own homes, completing three tea-making conditions: performed-recall (they made tea themselves); instructed-recall (they instructed the experimenter on how to make tea); and verbal-recall (they described how to make tea). Accomplishment scores (percentage of task they correctly recalled), errors and error-monitoring were coded. Task accomplishment was comparable in the performed-recall and instructed-recall conditions, but both were significantly better than task accomplishment in the verbal-recall condition. Third person instruction did not improve error-monitoring. This study has implications for everyday task rehabilitation for people with DAT

Investigating the effect of teachers 'curriculum literacy on their job performance with the mediating role of principals' leadership style among high school teachers in Chabahar city

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of teachers' curriculum literacy on their job performance with the mediating role of principals' leadership style among high school teachers in Chabahar city. The research method was descriptive and of correlational type. The statistical population included all high school teachers in Chabahar city which was 337 people and its sample size was calculated using Cochran's formula with 180 people. Data collection tools in this study were three standard questionnaires of curriculum literacy, job performance and leadership style the reliability of which, in the present study, were calculated by Cronbach's alpha method being 0.79, 0.79 and 0.69, respectively. Based on the results of the research hypotheses, there was a significant relationship between the teachers' curriculum literacy and the leadership style of principals in Chabahar high schools. In addition, based on the results of this study, a significant effect was found with the teachers' curriculum literacy on their job performance in high schools in Chabahar city, which was expected by the researcher since similar research has been done in this field or with similar variables that have shown the direct impact of the above variables. Furthermore, the results showed that there was a significant effect between the leadership style of school principals in Chabahar city and teachers' job performance. Similar studies in this field or with similar variables have also shown a direct effect of the two variables. Finally, we concluded that the leadership style of managers plays a mediating role in the effect of curriculum literacy on job performance

The Role of Gender and Content Format towards Enhancing the Engagement on Instagram

This study is aimed at exploring the effectiveness of Instagram’s different content formats and assessing the role of influencer’s gender on user engagement. In this regard, content analysis of the posts from 20 Pakistani male and female macro influencers, along with three focus group discussions were conducted. The results highlight that photos generate the highest average likes for both the male and female influencers. The deeper interaction of the audience with long videos is evident from the most comments and shares. Interestingly, the female influencers receive higher likes across all content formats, especially in the categories of lifestyle, beauty, and fashion. On the contrary, the long videos posted by the male influencers attain higher shares, particularly in the fitness and technology categories. Focus group discussions provide additional insights into user preferences and behaviors. Participants prefer photos for quick consumption, short videos for their engaging nature, and long videos for detailed content. Personal Stories are favored for their authenticity. Gender-specific engagement patterns show that content from female influencers resonates more with female audiences, while male influencers' content is appreciated in niche categories by male audiences. In order to optimize engagement and enhance influencer marketing effectiveness, brands should undertake a mix of various content formats and gender specific campaigns

Studies of emotional design factors in perfume industry

LAUREA MAGISTRALEle nostre emozioni arrichiscono praticamente tutti i nostri momenti di vita sia piacevole o sgradevole. dato il fatto che una parte consistente di questi emozioni è suscitato dai prodotti culturali, come l’arte, abbigliamento e prodotti di consumo, i progettisti possono trovare molto importante includere “emozioni” nelle intenzioni dei loro sforzi di progettazione. Inoltre, la risposta emotiva può indurre i clienti a scegliere un manufatto particolare da una serie di prodotti simili, e può quindi avere una notevole influenza sulle nostre decisioni di acquisto. di conseguenza, i progettisti sono sempre più attualmente sfidano l’impatto emotivo del design. tuttavia in design, le emozioni si considerano la fascia immateriale del prodotto ,e quindi spesso impossibile da manipolare. questo fatto è causato da alcuni charatteristiche pratiche del prodotto: In primo luogo, i prodotti possono ottenere tutti i tipi di emozioni. piuttosto, il concetto di emozioni aplicati nei prodotti è ampia e indefinite.emotzioni sono suscitato non solo l’estetica dei prodotti, ma anche da altri aspetti, come la funzione dei prodotti, del marchio, il comportamento e significati associati. in secondo luogo, le emozioni sono personali, cioè che ogni persona esperienza diversi emozioni verso lo stesso prodotto. in terzo luogo, i prodotti suscitano “ emozioni contrastanti”,piuttosto che suscitare una emozione unica, i prodotti possono suscitare emozioni diverse insieme. tuttavia, i progettisti possono influenzare le emozioni suscitate dai loro disegni, perché queste emozioni potrebbe non essere così immateriale come sembrano.questa affermazione si basa sulle teorie delle emozioni che sostengono che, sebbene le emozioni sono idiosincratiche, la condizione che stanno alla base sono universali. quelle teorie indicano che ogni emozione distinto è suscitato da un modello unico di suscitare condizioni. Nel’ambito di high fashion,lusso e fast fashion, i prodotti cosmetici e di bellezza sono giustamente considerati, i prodotti che creano massimo profitto nel trancio di mercato di lusso accessibile, approfittando di immagine del brand di lusso e mercato superiori. i profumi hanno un ruolo fondamentale, sia per target di fast fashion o high fashion o lusso. proprio come un bel esempio , possiamo notare che la Chanel No.5 è il prodotto più vendoto di casa chanel di tutti i tempi e normalmente la macchina di produrre i soldi per casa di Chanel. Alcuni grandi nomi del mondo del design come Karim Rashid,Starck,Ron Arad sono stati chiamati a creare le bottiglie di profumi per i marchi più famosi nel mondo,mostrando la importanza di questo piccolo oggetto che non è solo un semplice bottiglia contenitore, ma è un portatore dei valori e le immagini circondati attraverso un marchio. questo prodotto rende un legame tra arte, design, marketing, lusso, moda, comunicazione, produzione,etc. che ne fanno una vera sfida per ogni progettista. questo studio cerca di capire queste relazione e sprimere le nuove idee e soluzioni per mettere insieme tutti questi fattori fondamentali con estreme attenzioni sul ecologia,innovazione ed emozione