In a preregistered, cross-sectional study we investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19 using a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0-100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n=4148) or negative (C19-; n=546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified univariate and multivariate predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Both C19+ and C19- groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean±SD, C19+: -82.5±27.2 points; C19-: -59.8±37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate models (ROC AUC=0.72). Additional variables provide negligible model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms (e.g., fever). Olfactory recovery within 40 days of respiratory symptom onset was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since respiratory symptom onset. We find that quantified smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 amongst those with symptoms of respiratory illness. To aid clinicians and contact tracers in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of having COVID-19, we propose a novel 0-10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss, the ODoR-19. We find that numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (4<OR<10). Once independently validated, this tool could be deployed when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable.
This study investigates preschool teachers' beliefs about integrated curriculum and, more specifically, their beliefs about integration of visual arts with other activities. The participants of this study consisted of 255 female preschool teachers who are employed in preschools in Ankara, Turkey. For the study, teachers were asked to complete 'teachers' beliefs about integration of visual arts questionnaire'. The questions in the instrument were constructed as open-ended and closed-ended. Results indicated that teachers have positive beliefs about an integrated curriculum in general; however, teachers revealed that they tend not to integrate visual arts activities with subjects, rather they use them as a consolidation of other activities. The results also revealed that there was a significant link between both teachers' years of experience and their educational background and their beliefs about the integrated curriculum and integration of art activities into early childhood curriculum.
The effects of raw and leached cocoa bean hulls were investigated as a fat replacer in pound cakes. This substitution was applied for raw (RCBH) and leached (LCBH) grinded cacao bean hulls/oil in the ratios of 30/70 (30%), 40/60 (40%) and 50/50 (50%). Chemical, physical and sensorial properties of raw and leached cocoa bean hulls were studied as well as fat substituted cakes. Ash, protein, total phenolic compounds and total antioxidant activity decreased with leaching process. Crude fiber content increased in fat substituted cakes compared to control cake. RCBH cakes showed higher bioactive components than LCBH cakes because of raw cocoa bean hulls were higher phenolic compounds and total antioxidant activities than leached cocoa bean hulls. The results showed that 50% of vegetable oil replacement with raw cocoa bean hull in cake formulation significantly improved chemical, physical and sensory properties of fat substituted cakes.
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