bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence–based technology for semi-automated segmentation of rectal cancer using high-resolution MRI
Authors: Hamabe Atsushi , Ishii Masayuki , Kamoda Rena , Sasuga Saeko , Okuya Koichi , Okita Kenji , Akizuki Emi , Sato Yu , Miura Ryo , Onodera Koichi , Hatakenaka Masamitsu , Takemasa Ichiro
Published: June 2022

Aim

Although MRI has a substantial role in directing treatment decisions for locally advanced rectal cancer, precise interpretation of the findings is not necessarily available at every institution. In this study, we aimed to develop artificial intelligence-based software for the segmentation of rectal cancer that can be used for staging to optimize treatment strategy and for preoperative surgical simulation.

Method

Images from a total of 201 patients who underwent preoperative MRI were analyzed for training data. The resected specimen was processed in a circular shape in 103 cases. Using these datasets, ground-truth labels were prepared by annotating MR images with ground-truth segmentation labels of tumor area based on pathologically confirmed lesions. In addition, the areas of rectum and mesorectum were also labeled. An automatic segmentation algorithm was developed using a U-net deep neural network.

Results

The developed algorithm could estimate the area of the tumor, rectum, and mesorectum. The Dice similarity coefficients between manual and automatic segmentation were 0.727, 0.930, and 0.917 for tumor, rectum, and mesorectum, respectively. The T2/T3 diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy were 0.773, 0.768, and 0.771, respectively.

Conclusion

This algorithm can provide objective analysis of MR images at any institution, and aid risk stratification in rectal cancer and the tailoring of individual treatments. Moreover, it can be used for surgical simulations.
Impact of network density on the efficiency of innovation networks: An agent-based simulation study
Authors: Hua Lei , Yang Zhong , Shao Jiyou
Published: June 2022

Network density is an important attribute that affects the efficiency of innovation networks. However, the understanding of how network density affects the innovation efficiency of innovation networks is still unclear and even controversial. This paper uses a multiagent simulation method to study this problem. First, an innovation simulation model is established to describe the generation process of innovations in the context of network innovation, and a classical random network model is used to generate a test set of structures with different network densities. Then, the innovation model is run on the test set of networks to obtain the innovation efficiency of the structures with different network densities. The result shows that for explorative innovation, high network density is more conducive to improving innovation efficiency, and for exploitative innovation, low network density is more conducive to improving innovation efficiency. However, when network density is small enough to destroy network connectivity, it will lead to a large risk of innovation failure. Finally, the reasons for the results are further analyzed, and the theoretical and practical significance of the conclusions are discussed.
Differential effects of excess high-fructose corn syrup on the DNA methylation of hippocampal neurotrophic factor in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Kageyama Itsuki , Yamada Hiroya , Munetsuna Eiji , Yamazaki Mirai , Ando Yoshitaka , Mizuno Genki , Fujii Ryosuke , Nouchi Yuki , Wakasugi Takuya , Sakakibara Tomohide , Teshigawara Atsushi , Ishikawa Hiroaki , Shimono Yohei , Suzuki Koji , Hashimoto Shuji , Ohashi Koji
Published: June 2022

Consumption of fructose-containing beverages such as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is increasing, raising concerns about the negative effects of excessive fructose intake. A recent report indicated that excess HFCS intake impairs hippocampal function. In this study, we focused on neurotrophic factors (NFs) in the hippocampus from the viewpoint of epigenetics to clarify the adverse effects of fructose. We analyzed the effects of HFCS intake on hippocampal function in three age categories: childhood and adolescence (postnatal day (PD) 21–60), young adulthood (PD60-100), and late adulthood (PD100-140). For the experiments, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three age categories, the control group was received distilled water and the HFCS group was received 20% HFCS solution for 40 days in each period. We analyzed mRNA and protein levels for qPCR and western blotting, respectively, of a hippocampal NF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). HFCS consumption reduced hippocampal Bdnf mRNA and protein expressions in childhood and adolescence. Moreover, pyrosequencing assays revealed increased DNA methylation at the Bdnf promoter in childhood and adolescence. This Bdnf levels reduction may be due to hypermethylation of the promoter regions. It should be noted that this phenomenon was observed only in childhood and adolescence fructose consumption. Our results indicate that the sensitivity of the hippocampus to fructose may vary with age. This study provides insight into the adverse effects of excessive HFCS consumption on the hippocampus in children.
The Neisseria gonorrhoeae type IV pilus promotes resistance to hydrogen peroxide- and LL-37-mediated killing by modulating the availability of intracellular, labile iron
Authors: Hu Linda I. , Stohl Elizabeth A. , Seifert H Steven
Published: June 2022

The Neisseria gonorrhoeae Type IV pilus is a multifunctional, dynamic fiber involved in host cell attachment, DNA transformation, and twitching motility. We previously reported that the N. gonorrhoeae pilus is also required for resistance against hydrogen peroxide-, antimicrobial peptide LL-37-, and non-oxidative, neutrophil-mediated killing. We tested whether the hydrogen peroxide, LL-37, and neutrophil hypersensitivity phenotypes in non-piliated N. gonorrhoeae could be due to elevated iron levels. Iron chelation in the growth medium rescued a nonpiliated pilE mutant from both hydrogen peroxide- and antimicrobial peptide LL-37-mediated killing, suggesting these phenotypes are related to iron availability. We used the antibiotic streptonigrin, which depends on free cytoplasmic iron and oxidation to kill bacteria, to determine whether piliation affected intracellular iron levels. Several non-piliated, loss-of-function mutants were more sensitive to streptonigrin killing than the piliated parental strain. Consistent with the idea that higher available iron levels in the under- and non-piliated strains were responsible for the higher streptonigrin sensitivity, iron limitation by desferal chelation restored resistance to streptonigrin in these strains and the addition of iron restored the sensitivity to streptonigrin killing. The antioxidants tiron and dimethylthiourea rescued the pilE mutant from streptonigrin-mediated killing, suggesting that the elevated labile iron pool in non-piliated bacteria leads to streptonigrin-dependent reactive oxygen species production. These antioxidants did not affect LL-37-mediated killing. We confirmed that the pilE mutant is not more sensitive to other antibiotics showing that the streptonigrin phenotypes are not due to general bacterial envelope disruption. The total iron content of the cell was unaltered by piliation when measured using ICP-MS suggesting that only the labile iron pool is affected by piliation. These results support the hypothesis that piliation state affects N. gonorrhoeae iron homeostasis and influences sensitivity to various host-derived antimicrobial agents.
S-Nitrosylation of the virulence regulator AphB promotes Vibrio cholerae pathogenesis
Authors: Chen Jiandong , Byun Hyuntae , She Qianxuan , Liu Zhi , Ruggeberg Karl-Gustav , Pu Qinqin , Jung I-Ji , Zhu Dehao , Brockett Mary R. , Hsiao Ansel , Zhu Jun
Published: June 2022

Vibrio cholerae is the etiologic agent of the severe human diarrheal disease cholera. To colonize mammalian hosts, this pathogen must defend against host-derived toxic compounds, such as nitric oxide (NO) and NO-derived reactive nitrogen species (RNS). RNS can covalently add an NO group to a reactive cysteine thiol on target proteins, a process called protein S-nitrosylation, which may affect bacterial stress responses. To better understand how V. cholerae regulates nitrosative stress responses, we profiled V. cholerae protein S-nitrosylation during RNS exposure. We identified an S-nitrosylation of cysteine 235 of AphB, a LysR-family transcription regulator that activates the expression of tcpP, which activates downstream virulence genes. Previous studies show that AphB C235 is sensitive to O2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under microaerobic conditions, AphB formed dimer and directly repressed transcription of hmpA, encoding a flavohemoglobin that is important for NO resistance of V. cholerae. We found that tight regulation of hmpA by AphB under low nitrosative stress was important for V. cholerae optimal growth. In the presence of NO, S-nitrosylation of AphB abolished AphB activity, therefore relieved hmpA expression. Indeed, non-modifiable aphBC235S mutants were sensitive to RNS in vitro and drastically reduced colonization of the RNS-rich mouse small intestine. Finally, AphB S-nitrosylation also decreased virulence gene expression via debilitation of tcpP activation, and this regulation was also important for V. cholerae RNS resistance in vitro and in the gut. These results suggest that the modulation of the activity of virulence gene activator AphB via NO-dependent protein S-nitrosylation is critical for V. cholerae RNS resistance and colonization.
Phytoplankton Composition and Water Quality of Lake Palakpakin, San Pablo City, Laguna
Authors: De Los Santos Amanda , Alba Vince Jethro , Bautista Noelle Anne , Garcia Angelo Miguel , Geronimo Akhaila Jale , Nidea Gaye , Perez Teresita
Published: June 2022

The richness of the phytoplankton community is evidence of changes in the physical, chemical, and biological parameters of a lake. Nitrates and phosphates are essential for the growthof living organisms in the water. Nevertheless, excessive levels lead to eutrophication. The objective of the study focuses on the assessment of nutrients and richness of phytoplankton in LakePalakpakin, one of the Seven Crater Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna. Specifically, this study aims to (1) assess the richness of phytoplankton in the lake and (2) determine the effect of the lake’snitrate and phosphate levels on phytoplankton richness. Results show that green algae were the richest group with 21 genera (44%), followed by diatoms with 13 genera (27%) and blue-greenalgae with 9 genera (19%). Among the sampling stations, the outlet was the richest with 36 genera, followed by the center (26 genera), inlet (22 genera), and fish pen (19 genera). There was noobserved effect between phytoplankton richness and nitrate and phosphate levels among the different study sites.
Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Because of Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome Showing an Impressive Response to Sirolimus
Authors: Pérez Jorge Sandelis , Cintrón Dahima , Deyá-Quinquilla Alexandra , Molina Josselyn , Pagán Verónica Beyley , Vargas-Otero Pedro , Rivera Enid , Tirado-Gómez Maribel , Pacheco Eileen , Costas Pablo
Published: June 2022

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is a rare but life-threatening disease in which a rapidly growing vascular tumor induces localized intravascular coagulation, causing thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and consumption coagulopathy. It presents mainly in infants and young children. We present an adult with recurrent and severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, treated successfully with sirolimus after multiple other failed interventions.
Ki Hajar Dewantara: Pendidikan Agama Islam Sebagai Proses Transformasi Sosial
Authors: Sugiharto Fachri , Nurani Qoim
Published: June 2022

The background of this research is concerned with the phenomenon of social transformation that occurs in Indonesia. The social transformation offered by the current globalization requires changes in various aspects, both economic, political, socio-cultural, and moral, including aspects of education. The purpose of this study was to examine the relevance of Ki Hajar Dewantara's Islamic education thought as a process of social transformation in the current era. The method used is library research. Data collection is done by the documentation method. The method used is a descriptive-analytic method. The results of the study show that: 1) Islamic education is the first level of teaching, which teaches the existence of eternal life afterlife in the world. 2) Education as a process of social transformation must pay attention to every element in education. The family is the smallest element that must set a good example, namely etiquette, and character. Goals must be adapted to the conditions, circumstances, and needs of the community. The school environment must teach intellectual intelligence and other education to equip students to become someone who can bring change for the better.
Opções de tratamento ortodôntico em paciente com variante genética extremamente rara de displasia cleidocraniana
Authors: Marya Anand , Venugopal Adith , Vaid Nikhilesh
Published: June 2022

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença de Pierre-Marie e Santon, também conhecida como displasia cleidocraniana, é um distúrbio genético autossômico dominante raro. OBJETIVO: O presente artigo descreve uma variante extremamente rara da doença de Pierre-Marie e Santon que nunca foi documentada na literatura. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Paciente com 15 anos de idade, sem diagnóstico prévio, compareceu para tratamento com a queixa principal de falta de dentes em ambas as arcadas. O exame clínico, das imagens 3D e a posterior análise de DNA levaram ao diagnóstico dessa variante rara. O manejo odontológico de tais casos é particularmente importante e deve constituir uma parte essencial da sua avaliação clínica. CONCLUSÃO: Uma equipe multidisciplinar deve ser envolvida no tratamento, a fim de se obter os melhores resultados possíveis. A displasia cleidocraniana é uma doença rara, com achados clínicos únicos em quase todos os pacientes, que devem ser estudados para melhorar a qualidade de vida desses pacientes.
Tratamento da Classe II em paciente hiperdivergente com intrusão da maxila, utilizando aparelhos autoligáveis passivos com prescrição individualizada, associados a miniparafusos ortodônticos
Authors: Villela Henrique Mascarenhas
Published: June 2022

INTRODUÇÃO: A correção da má oclusão de Classe II em pacientes hiperdivergentes em crescimento precisa de uma abordagem diferente dos tratamentos ortodônticos tradicionais, que não apresentam bons resultados. OBJETIVO: O presente artigo apresenta, por meio do relato de um caso clínico, uma sugestão de protocolo para corrigir esse tipo de deformidade dentofacial, com a contenção do crescimento vertical da maxila. CASO CLÍNICO: Foi efetuada a intrusão da maxila, em uma paciente que se encontrava em crescimento, utilizando dois miniparafusos na região posterior do palato, associados a uma barra transpalatina colada nas coroas dos molares e dos pré-molares, juntamente com dois miniparafusos na região anterior. RESULTADOS: Essa abordagem intruiu a maxila, promovendo uma rotação anti-horária de 3° no plano oclusal (PHF.Pl Ocl de 11,5° para 8,5°). Essa mecânica ainda promoveu uma redução de 5,5° no plano mandibular (FMA de 31° para 25,5°) e de 1,5° no ANB (ANB de 6,0° para 4,5°). As compensações dentárias foram atenuadas com as prescrições individualizadas dos braquetes autoligáveis, com o objetivo de potencializar a correção ortopédica. A inclinação dos incisivos superiores aumentou 3° e os inferiores tiveram um aumento de 2,5° (1.Pp de 111° para 114° e IMPA de 96,5° para 99°). O prognóstico desse tratamento depende da quantidade de intrusão na maxila, associada ao potencial de crescimento da mandíbula.
Enxaguantes bucais isoladamente usados antes do atendimento ao paciente: reflexões e implicações sobre o que representam
Authors: Consolaro Alberto
Published: June 2022

OBJETIVO: Refletir sobre o significado clínico e biológico dos enxaguantes bucais, quando isoladamente usados fora do contexto de uma higiene bucal representada pela escovação com dentifrícios e fio dental. FUNDAMENTAÇÃO: Os biofilmes microbianos são protegidos por um manto protetor em forma de gel de polissacarídeos, pelo qual, à luz do conhecimento atual, não passam agentes de defesa ou produtos antibióticos e antissépticos. CONCLUSÕES: 1) Bochecho com enxaguante antes do procedimento bucal traz apenas a sensação de odor agradável e bem estar, mas não deve ser considerado uma antissepsia segura do meio bucal; 2) Isoladamente utilizados, os antissépticos não diminuem a microbiota, pelo pouco tempo de ação na boca e pelo fato de não destruírem ou desorganizarem os biofilmes microbianos; 3) Se, antes do bochecho, realizar-se uma escovação com dentifrício e uso de fio dental, pode atuar de forma eficiente sobre muitas bactérias planctônicas que se soltaram dos biofilmes microbianos durante os procedimentos mecânicos; 4) O ideal é uma sessão de higiene bucal com escovação com dentifrício e fio dental, podendo-se finalizar com o bochecho, antes de todo atendimento em qualquer das especialidades – seria mais seguro biologicamente, pela redução considerável dos biofilmes microbianos e das bactérias planctônicas.
Rural Community Development Click-by-Click. Processes and dynamics of digitally supported social innovations in peripheral rural areas
Authors: Zerrer Nicole , Sept Ariane , Christmann Gabriela
Published: June 2022

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, residents in peripheral and structurally weak rural areas began to move into the digital age. Digital tools are being used and developed to address existing challenges in rural areas such as local communication, healthcare or mobility. Against the background of a conceptual framework of social and digital innovations from a process perspective, this paper asks how the processes and dynamics of digitally supported social innovations in rural areas can be understood and described. By analysing five villages in Germany, we show that the digital initiatives – despite their different contexts, contents and driving actors – develop over three phases: an inspiration phase, an emergence phase and a consolidation phase. This dynamic process can be interpreted as “linear-circular”, because while overall a very targeted development of innovative problem solutions can be observed within the three-phase process, at the same time creative development loops and new inspirations exercise influence.
FARMER- HERDER CONFLICTS AND THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC PREDICAMENTS OF WOMEN IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA
Authors: Gbamwuan Asor
Published: June 2022

Farmer-Herder conflicts in North Central Nigeria have been rife since 1999. The emergence, development, and intensity of these clashes are underpinned by socio-economic, religious, and political undertones. Majorly, the area is endowed with fertile land, abundant water, and mineral resources attracting peasant farmers and herders for sustenance. The study made use of both primary and secondary sources. The study discovers that women are a powerful force in agricultural production, processing, and utilisation, and were seriously affected by these conflicts. This is because women have been killed, displaced, raped, and maimed, while their farming activities were truncated leading to joblessness, abject poverty, and food insecurity. Against this background, the study suggests that the government and other humanitarian bodies should focus on women empowerment programmes in North Central Nigeria. While anti-open grazing laws should be enforced in a manner to ensure that both farmers and herders live a symbiotic, resourceful, peaceful, and harmonious life in Central Nigeria.
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Motivation and Performance in Selected Public Sector Organizations
Authors: Ahwireng Koomson Gifty , Tetteh Elizabeth Sonia , Boadiwaa Bosamtwi Evelyn
Published: June 2022

Effective Transformational leadership drives an organization’s members to achieve a common purpose. Leaders must influence followers to work to achieve a common vision. Leaders understand their values and the values of their followers. In other to guide and direct behavior. Motivation skills required by managers to impact positively on the performance of employees.

This study assesses the impact of Transformational leadership on employee motivation and performance.  The scope of the study is limited to selected public sector organizations; organizations as; Ghana Standard Authority (GSA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The sample consisted of employees of the above-mentioned organizations. A total of 69 questionnaires were used for the analysis. The study found that two of the variables of Transformational leadership that is, inspirational leadership and intellectual stimulation have a strong positive and significant impact on employee motivation whiles the other two variables which are charismatic leadership and individualized consideration have a negative impact on employee motivation. Simply put, fifty percent (50%) of Transformational leadership have a positive impact on employee motivation.

The study also found that charismatic leadership is the best predictor of employee performance than employee motivation. For public sector organizations to obtain highest employee performance and motivation, managers should use inspirational, intellectual stimulation and charismatic leadership styles of transformational leadership.

For an organization to gain the competitive edge in its respective industry, needs among other things transformational leaders who would use their charisma, inspirational abilities and intellectual stimulation to motive their followers to obtain employee highest performance for the enhancement of a high productivity to achieve the organizational goals.
A Man Who Is Not a Dog: Thomas Mann and the Question of the Jew, the Human and the Animal
Authors: Ben Yehuda Omri
Published: June 2022

In this study I confront the work of Thomas Mann with the Jewish question in order to examine the relationship between literary (human) agency and the inferior margins that enable it: those creatures who do not share the language of (the European and civilized) man. Through a reading of several of Mann’s narratives that concern the relationship between human beings and animals as well as texts by Jewish authors, Kafka in German and Agnon in Hebrew, I seek to shed light on the concept of ‘animality,’ a term that implies continuity between the human and the animal, thereby laying bare man’s political precariousness and fragility and aligning the human with the creature by exposing the body. Based on my reading of Mann’s figuration of the dog in the early story “Tobias Mindernickel” (1898), the novella Herr und Hund (1917), and his Jewish mythical depiction of the biblical Joseph as a dog in Joseph und seine Brüder (1933–1943), I argue that Mann’s humanism is limited in that it guards against the mimetic alignment of man with other creatures by portraying the (often muted) creaturely object of the literary depiction as an inferior – albeit frequently admirable – being. By contrasting Mann’s treatment of this question with Jewish literature’s complete immersion in the animal, I suggest how descriptive speech identifies orientalism as a form of descriptive knowledge, thus clarifying as well the process whereby the modern European nation-state was consolidated by its invisible margins. The article thus suggests that literary description is a means to differentiate and gain agency by adhering to language’s elevated and hierarchical terms.
Scientific surrealism: Creation and rigour in Paul Nougé’s experimental method
Authors: Sjöberg Sami
Published: June 2022

The surrealists saw their activity as research, which often resulted in art. However, in surrealist scholarship less attention has been paid to how individual surrealists understood research and how their methods were developed. Many of them, such as Paul Nougé and Roger Caillois, launched serious investigations into the irrational with the aim of acknowledging the affective dimensions of (rational) knowledge. Nougé preferred the rigour of science over literature and mapped out ways to import this rigour into poetics. His unique artistic praxis was based on an understanding of language as neither a transparent medium nor an expression of the subjective, ‘unlimited’ imagination favoured by French surrealism. Instead, Nougé’s notions of language and creative invention were informed by mathematics, in particular the thought of the mathematician and philosopher of science Henri Poincaré. For Nougé, scientific research invigorated poetic endeavours as he developed an experimental method that in spirit was closer to mathematics than literary language. The evocation of new phenomena through both science and poetry opened a new view of the human mind: an alternative epistemology of identity, exteriority and the selective evolution of objects.
Jiu-conditionals in Mandarin Chinese: thoughts on a uniform pragmatic analysis of Mandarin conditional constructions
Authors: Liu Mingya , Wang Yuting
Published: June 2022

Conditionals in Mandarin can be expressed by conjunctive sentences with no overt conditional connective (Type 1:P,Q) or with a conditional connective (CC) in the antecedent (Type 2: CCP,Q) and/or a conditional particle (CP) in the consequent (Type 3: (CC)P, CPQ). In this paper, we focus onjiu-conditionals (Type 3) without CCs. We assume thatjiuin Mandarin is ambiguous betweenjiu1(unstressed, nonexclusive, left associating) andjiu2(stressed, exclusive, right associating), and thatjiu-conditionals involvejiu1without exclusive force. We argue against a conditional conjunction analysis ofjiu-conditionals and for a scalar analysis ofjiuin conditionals as well as in temporal or spatial use. Furthermore, we present what we believe is the first uniform pragmatic account of Mandarin conditional constructions across Types 1–3: it is the subjective (non)veridicality property of the first clausePthat determines the reading of the sentenceP,Q. IfPis entailed or presupposed, we get a conjunctive reading; ifPis not entailed or presupposed, that is, if it is nonveridical, we get a conditional reading. Devices triggering the conditional reading include CCs or negative polarity items in the antecedent, as well as the broader discourse context or world knowledge.
Risk prediction of cardiovascular disease using machine learning classifiers
Authors: Pal Madhumita , Parija Smita , Panda Ganapati , Dhama Kuldeep , Mohapatra Ranjan K.
Published: June 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) makes our heart and blood vessels dysfunctional and often leads to death or physical paralysis. Therefore, early and automatic detection of CVD can save many human lives. Multiple investigations have been carried out to achieve this objective, but there is still room for improvement in performance and reliability. This study is yet another step in this direction. In this study, two reliable machine learning techniques, multi-layer perceptron (MLP), and K-nearest neighbour (K-NN) have been employed for CVD detection using publicly available University of California Irvine repository data. The performances of the models are optimally increased by removing outliers and attributes having null values. Experimental-based results demonstrate that a higher accuracy in detection of 82.47% and an area-under-the-curve value of 86.41% are obtained using the MLP model, unlike the K-NN model. Therefore, the proposed MLP model was recommended for automatic CVD detection. The proposed methodology can also be employed in detecting other diseases. In addition, the performance of the proposed model can be assessed via other standard data sets.
A More Liberal Public Reason Liberalism
Authors: Fumagalli Roberto
Published: June 2022

In recent years, leading public reason liberals have argued that publicly justifying coercive laws and policies requires that citizens offer both adequate secular justificatory reasons and adequate secular motivating reasons for these laws and policies. In this paper, I provide a critical assessment of these two requirements and argue for two main claims concerning such requirements. First, only some qualified versions of the requirement that citizens offer adequate secular justificatory reasons for coercive laws and policies may be justifiably regarded as plausible liberal principles of public justification. And second, the requirement that citizens offer adequate secular motivating reasons for coercive laws and policies is untenable on multiple grounds. Public reason liberals should focus on assessing the justificatory reasons offered for and against coercive laws and policies rather than requiring citizens to offer adequate secular motivating reasons for such laws and policies.
Intermarine Area Archaeology and its Contribution to Studies of Prehistoric Europe
Authors: Kośko Aleksander , Szmyt Marzena , Makarowicz Przemysław , Ignaczak Marcin
Published: June 2022

Intermarine Area Archaeology refers to research programmes focusing on the prehistory of the Baltic-Pontic Intermarine Area, i.e. lands extending between the Baltic and Black seas. This article outlines the development stages and current state of Intermarine Area Archaeology in Poland, being one of the several important research studies into the prehistory of the continent in the Eneolithic, Bronze, and Early Iron Ages. The authors concentrate on the southern portion of the Intermarine Area that covers the Black Sea catchment area. When describing the current state of the Polish conceptual and research contribution to Intermarine Area Archaeology, space shall be given to the programme offer, formation of international research teams, and research specializations.
Colonists and Natives. The Beginning of the Eneolithic in the Middle Warta Catchment. 4500–3500 BC
Authors: Żurkiewicz Danuta
Published: June 2022

The article presents the history of research and the latest archaeological discoveries of the Greater Poland Neolithic in the Middle Warta River catchment. I propose focusing on new areas of research that have potential but have not yet been conducted. It focuses on two social groups, the Funnel Beaker culture (FBC) and the Brześć Kujawski culture (BKC). The unsatisfactory level of knowledge about the development of these cultural communities in the region may be supplemented by recently conducted research. The discovery and excavation of the first megalithic tombs in Greater Poland, conducted with the help of LiDAR, was of great importance. Following this, more such cemeteries have been located. The re-analysis of previously excavated materials from the site in Kotowo determined that the early phase of FCB occurred around 3700 BC. A fruitful area for future study is the acquisition of unique BKC settlement evidence obtained from the site in Kąkolewo. Another important area that can supplement current understandings of cultural relations in this area is understanding the environmental background, which is to be served by the proposed palaeoenvironmental research, particularly near the cemetery in Sobota. Considering this new information will allow for a proper estimation of the role of Greater Poland in the transmission of cultural patterns that created the image of the Central European Plain in 4500–3500 BC.
Home and Exile – Dancing in the Mess of Contradictions
Authors: Hellsten Laura
Published: June 2022

This is a meta-reflection on the methodological and epistemological challenges of doing ethnographic theology in a context outside the church or religious communities. Particularly, it argues that in a multi- or inter-disciplinary setting theologians are placed in a precarious position when it comes to use of language, theories and concepts if they want to speak simultaneously to the people they encounter in the field and to their “own” scientific community. The article asks how a researcher can do theology in a secular environment without doing violence towards ones interlocutors and still be considered to “belong” in the theological community? Based on the lived experiences of ongoing research and particularly concerning the gathering and telling the stories of Women in the Natural sciences, the author weaves together Eileen Campbell-Reed’s and Sarah Coakley’s methodological frameworks in order to present her own method of contemplative dance. The author uses rich metaphors and the sensory experience of “Home” and “Exile” in relationship to the movements in a foot to bring forth her embodied insights about dancing in the messy entanglement of ethnographic research.
Early creatinine and e-GFR changes as prognostic predictors of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Ahmet Karatas , Ebru Canakci , Emre Erdem , Aykut Ozturan , Yasemin Kaya , Beyza Sayim , Mervegul Kaya
Published: June 2022

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 disease on kidney functions and early prognosis.

Methods

All cases were divided into those discharged and exitus cases. The patients were diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI) according to the KDIGO criteria.

Results

As a result of the ROC analysis, the patients with a creatinine value above 1.05 for day 1 and 0.975 for creatinine value on day 7 would be mortal (AUC values of 0.641 (0.569–0.714) and 0.757 (0.689–0.825), respectively). As a result of Univariate analysis; D-Dimer, Procalcitonin, BUN and creatinine values are risk factors and a one-unit increase in these values is 1.184; 1.105; It was determined that it would increase 1.024 and 1.304 times (p values 0.008; 0.007; <0.001; 0.002), respectively. Decreased in e-GFR value would increase the risk of death 1.026 (1/0.975) times (p<0.001).

Conclusions

We observed the high creatinine, D-dimer, procalcitonin, ferritin, and low e-GFR levels were risk factors for severity and mortality for COVID-19 disease. While physicians and all stakeholders focus on the prognosis and mortality of the disease of COVID-19 disease, it is necessary to be thorough about kidney involvement as much as respiratory system involvement.
Pumpkin: Horticultural Importance and Its Roles in Various Forms; a Review
Authors: Ahmad Gufran , A. Khan Abrar
Published: June 2022

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch ex Poir) is one of the important among the vegetable crops and native of Mexico and extensively cultivated in India, Africa, Latin America, Southern Asia and the United States. Since past times it is in the diet of agronomic and some metropolitan areas throughout the world while today pumpkin is more analyzed crop mid-October horticulture, commercial, industrialization, and research. There are few of scientific studies on its physiological, chemical, physicochemical, nutritional, functional and technological characteristics. There is some scientific literature on pumpkin has been highlighting its importance as a source of α and β-carotene, lutein, vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), dietary fibers, minerals etc and these nutritional and bioactive components are very important for providing benefits to human health. Many of the researchers agree to indicate that more of the scientific investigations are needed to achieve greater and better utilization of this important pumpkin crop. This review will focus on nutritional, minerals, physical, phytochemical, medicinal, industrial and some technological approaches of the pumpkin. Keywords: Diet; ethnomedicine; horticulture; nutrition; lphytochemical; pumpkin
An Economic Analysis of Potato Production in AchhaM District of Nepal
Authors: Sapkota Sushil Chandra , Raj Rokaya Pradeep , Acharya Himal , Uprety Suresh
Published: June 2022

The objective of this study was to assess the production and economics of potato in Achham district, Nepal. Sampling was conducted among the total of 90 registered farmers by simple random sampling method. The respondents were categorized into small and large scale farm holders based on the mean of the land holding under potato cultivation. The data were analyzed using SPSS, Stata and Microsoft excel. Cobb Douglas production function was used to find out the technological relationship between inputs used and output produced and to estimate and analyze the return to scale. The result of sociodemographic characters showed that the average household size, dependency ratio and area under potato cultivation was 7.53, 1.05 and 0.081 ha respectively. About 58% of respondents were growing potato in summer season. Human labor was the major input followed by seed, manure and bullock labor in both large and small farms. The production per household (kg), productivity (mt/ha) and price of yield (NRs. /kg) were 937.17, 12.287 and 30.33 respectively and there was significant difference in production (kg) per household between small scale farms (408.70) and large scale farms (1729.86). The total average cost, gross revenue and gross margin per hectare were estimated as NRs. 256,285.293, NRs. 373384.449 and NRs. 117099.156 respectively. The findings showed significant difference of variable cost between small and large scale farm which was due to the significant difference in use of inputs i.e. human and bullock labor mainly. Despite of adoption of improved potato production practices in most farms the average benefit cost ratio was 1.47. From the analysis of Cobb Douglas production function the inputs; human labor, seed and manure had positive relationship with income while bullock labor use had negative relation with the total income. The return to scale value was computed to be 1.033 indicating increasing return to scale in potato production in Achham district. Therefore, the findings suggest that, the production and income can be maximized if existing problems of irrigation, insect-pests, storage and marketing are solved and the inputs are made available in time and used properly. Keywords: Potato, Production, Cost, Economics, Production function
KOMPETENSI MANAJERIAL KEPALA MADRASAH DALAM KINERJA TENAGA KEPENDIDIKAN DI MADRASAH
Authors: Aristianingsih Riska , Irawan Irawan , Sulhan Moh
Published: June 2022

Based on the results of the 2012 madrasah principal competency test, it shows that the competence of madrasah principals in Indonesia is 70% out of 250 thousand with test scores below 75. This indicates that madrasah principals in Indonesia are incompetent or weak in the areas of managerial and supervisory competence. This research was conducted with the aim of knowing the relationship between the managerial competence of the madrasah principal and the performance of the education staff in Madrasah Negeri in Bandung Regency. This study used a quantitative approach, and distributed questionnaires to 59 education staff respondents in Madrasah Negeri in Bandung Regency with a sample consisting of the entire population. The researcher then used a Likert scale model as primary data which was distributed by coming directly to the madrasa and some others by going through the google form. The data analysis technique used is validity test, reliability test, partial analysis, normality test, linearity test, correlation test, regression test and coefficient of determination test. Based on the results of the analysis showed that there was a relationship between the managerial competence of the madrasah principal and the performance of the education staff in State Madrasahs in Bandung Regency. The results showed that the correlation coefficient value was 0.466, this value was included in the correlation category 0.40 – 0.59 (medium), while the significance value was 0.000 <0.05. Thus it can be concluded that H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted. This shows that there is a positive and significant relationship between managerial competence and the performance of education staff in State Madrasahs throughout Bandung Regency.
Retrospective analysis of the main indicators of Kosiv CRH efficiency for the period 2014–2018
Authors: Stovban Mykola , Tolstanov Alexandr , Kravchenko Oleksiy
Published: June 2022

This article presents a retrospective analysis relating to the main performance indicators of the Kosovo Central District Hospital (CDH).

The author's method of calculating the efficiency of the hospital on the components of medical, social and economic efficiency is proposed. The reason for the low level of efficiency of the Kosovo CDH is substantiated and ways to increase the efficiency are suggested.

The aim of this article is to conduct a retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of the Kosiv Central District Hospital to identify the main problems of local hospitals and to formulate scientifically sound proposals for improving the medical system in the newly formed united territorial communities.

Research methods. In the article were used general scientific research methods:

Analysis and synthesis, in the study of scientific literature and determining the effectiveness of the Kosiv CDH;

Economic and statistical analysis and comparison, when calculating indicators of medical, social and economic efficiency of the Kosiv CDH,

Generalization - when developing recommendations for improving the efficiency of the Kosiv CDH.

Results: The author's method of calculating indicators for assessing the medical, social, and economic efficiency of the Kosiv CDH was developed.

A retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of the Kosiv CDH was conducted, which allowed us to state the low level of efficiency, which was formed under the influence of factors independent of the hospital itself.

The necessity of introduction of paid medical services and their realization by the Kosiv CDH, development of public-private partnership and the mechanism of acquisition of the diagnostic car for realization of programs on complex diagnostics of health of the population of the Kosiv city united territorial community are substantiated.

Conclusions. A retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of the Kosiv CDH in 2014-2018 allowed us to conclude that the level of such efficiency is quite low. However, the low level of efficiency of the Kosiv CDH is due to the existing principles of medical development in Ukraine, which is, “de jure” based on the concept of free medical care
Comparative study of intrathecal tramadol and fentanyl as adjuvants in lower abdominal surgeries
Authors: Rani H. L. Baby , Rao J. Samba Siva , Vaishnavi G.
Published: June 2022

Spinal anesthesia is preferred choice of anesthesia in lower abdominal surgeries for a long time. However, the problem with this is limited duration of action, so for long duration surgeries alternatives are required.

The aim: to compare the intra-operative effects of a low dose of intrathecal tramadol and intrathecal fentanyl with hyperbaric bupivacaine hydrochloride.

Materials and methods: prospective randomized control study for a duration of study is one year. 50 patients, aged 18 years to 60 years, belonging to ASA physical status I and II, posted for elective lower abdominal surgeries under spinal anaesthesia were chosen.

These patients were divided into two groups: group BT- this group of patients received 2.5 mL volume of 0.5 % hyperbaric bupivacaine with 25 mg of tramadol intrathecally. Group BF- this group of patients received 2.5 mL volume of 0.5 % hyperbaric bupivacaine with 25 μg of fentanyl intrathecally.

Results: demographic parameters in both the groups are not statistically significant. The association between the differences in duration of surgeries of both the study groups is not statistically. The association between the differences in mean time of onset of sensory block and motor block of both the study groups was comparable with p>0.05

The duration of sensory block (analgesia) and duration of motor block difference between the two means was statistically significant with p<0.0000001. The difference between the mean VAS score at 3 hours and at 20 hours was statistically significant with p<0.05. Among the study BT group, 52 % needed 2 analgesics and 48 % needed 3 doses of analgesics. Among BF group, 6 % needed only one dose of analgesics and 44 % needed 2 doses of analgesics. The difference between the two was statistically significant with p<0.000002. The association between the hemodynamic variables between both the groups at the end of procedure was statistically significant with p<0.05.

Conclusions: Intrathecal fentanyl and tramadol produced a similar onset of sensory and motor blocks. Fentanyl provided better duration and quality of postoperative analgesia compared to tramadol
Features of training of vocational education teachers in Germany
Authors: Lysenko Galyna
Published: June 2022

Influenced by the processes of European integration, globalization and, in particular, in order to build a single European higher education area, an important task of Ukrainian educators is to study the practical experience of our foreign colleagues in training teachers for vocational schools at all levels. Among the European countries where close attention is paid to the quality of teacher training, in particular in the field of vocational education, Germany stands out. The purpose of the study is to analyze the features of modern training of teachers of vocational education in Germany with the prospect of using progressive German experience in the Ukrainian system of training/retraining of teachers for institutions of professional and higher technical education. A detailed analysis of the German teacher training system, carried out in the course of this study, allowed us to make some important generalizations. First, it is worth noting the high expediency and effectiveness of Germany's extensive system of institutions, which, thanks to a clear division of functions, contribute to the effective organization of three-stage training of qualified teachers for vocational education. Secondly, the analysis of the content of the curriculum for future teachers of vocational education in Germany shows an attempt to train competitive professionals not only in the vocational education system, but also in the labor market in general. Third, the developed Standards for teachers in the field of educational sciences effectively influence the implementation of training programs for teachers of vocational education, requiring the formation and further improvement of their competencies in the field of teaching, education, evaluation and implementation of innovations. Finally, it is worth noting the urgent need to use the achievements of the German experience of practical training of VET teachers in the Ukrainian system of training and retraining of teachers for institutions of professional and higher technical education