bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preservice and In-Service Music Educators’ Perceptions of Functional Piano Skills
Authors: Snell Alden H. , Stringham David A.
Published: March 2021

Class piano instruction is a mainstay of music higher education. At many institutions, curricula are guided by accreditation organization standards, which bifurcate aspiring music teachers’ piano requirements by specialization. The purpose of this survey study was to document preservice and in-service music educators’ perceptions related to acquisition and use of specific functional piano skills across specializations. To create a survey instrument, we reviewed piano class outcomes from eight schools of music accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. This review yielded 32 skills that we organized into five categories: technique, repertoire, accompanying and functional piano skills, sight-reading, and generative creativity. Using a Likert-type scale for each skill, we asked preservice participants (n = 316) to rate their level of agreement with “learned” and “anticipate using” for each skill; in-service participants (n = 295) rated “learned” and “using” for each skill. In-service teachers reported using all skills less than preservice teachers’ responses indicated using them. Both sets of participants learned basic piano technique, but anticipated need for more advanced and functional skills for teaching. Participants’ responses related to sight-reading skills did not have a clear pattern; we suspect this may relate to participants’ licensure track(s) and current teaching responsibilities. Statistically significant differences existed between choral and nonchoral in-service teachers’ use of skills within all five categories. Based on these findings, we conclude a need for several interrelated conversations among stakeholder groups and recommend further research to clarify our profession’s currently murky definition of functional piano skills.
Drivers and Barriers of Implementing Sustainability Curricula in Higher Education - Assumptions and Evidence
Authors: Weiss Marie , Barth Matthias , Wiek Arnim , von Wehrden Henrik
Published: March 2021

Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends, in part, on the sustainability competencies of professionals in various fields, and thus, on the implementation of sustainability curricula in higher education. While many universities now offer sustainability curricula, and many more aspire to, there is a lack of evidence on what supports or hinders such implementation. This article presents a meta-study on 133 case studies from universities around the world and synthesizes the main drivers and barriers, identifies information gaps, and tests prominent assumptions on implementing sustainability curricula in higher education. The findings confirm that such implementation is associated with strong leadership by the university; incentives and support through professional development; concurrent implementation of sustainability in research, campus operations, and outreach; formal involvement of internal and external stakeholders as well as sustainability champions, among others. Common research protocols for case studies are needed to yield comparable data on these influencing variables and to enhance reliability of cross-case comparisons. Most sustainability programs could utilize the findings for informing their implementation processes.
Institutions and Cyclicality of the Fiscal and Monetary Policies in Brazil
Authors: Gadelha Aline , Divino José Angelo
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the relationship between the quality of institutions and the cyclical properties of macroeconomic policies in the Brazilian economy in the recent period. We extend the monetary and fiscal policy rules proposed by Taylor (2000) to incorporate a proxy for institutional quality. In the empirical analysis, we estimate reaction functions for monetary and fiscal policies by the Markov-Switching method. This methodology allows us to analyze how changes in the quality of institutions might influence the guidance of the fiscal and monetary policies over the sample period. The major results maintain that both monetary and fiscal policies are significantly countercyclical in periods that exhibit higher levels of institutional quality and are pro-cyclical or acyclical in periods which exhibit lower levels of institutional quality. Thus, the quality of institutions plays a key role in the government's ability to implement countercyclical monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the Brazilian economy over the business cycle.
Association of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I genotype with body weight, dominance of body weight, and mRNA expression in Korat slow-growing chickens
Authors: Sinpru Panpradub , Bunnom Rujjira , Poompramun Chotima , Kaewsatuan Pramin , Sornsan Sirangkun , Kubota Satoshi , Molee Wittawat , Molee Amonrat
Published: March 2021

Objective: Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) play a critical role in animal growth rates. We aimed to investigate the effect of GH and IGF-I genotypes on body weight (BW), dominance, and gene expression in slow-growing chickens at different ages.Methods: A total of 613 Korat chickens (KRs) were bred and divided into three groups by genotype – A1A1, A1A3, and A3A3 for GH and AA, AC, and CC for IGF-I. Chickens were weighed every two weeks, and liver and breast muscle tissues were collected at 10 weeks of age. Genetic parameters of KRs were estimated using ASReml software. The GH and IGF-I mRNA levels were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Significant differences between traits were analyzed using the generalized linear model.Results: A significant effect of GH genotypes on BW was found at most ages, and the A1A1 genotype had the highest value of BW. Compared with the A3A3 genotype, the A1A1 and A1A3 genotypes showed a higher dominance effect at 0 and 2 weeks, and genotype A1A1 had the highest value of dominance at 8 weeks of age. A difference in GH mRNA levels between genotypes was detected in breast muscle at 6 weeks and in the liver tissue at 2 weeks. In the case of IGF-I gene, the AA genotype had the highest BW at the beginning of life. Significant differences in BW dominance were found at 2 weeks. However, IGF-I mRNA levels were not different among genotypes in both breast muscles and liver tissues.Conclusion: Our results revealed that GH and IGF-I influence growth, but may not be involved in heterosis. GH can be used as a marker gene in selection programs for growth because the homozygous genotype (A1A1) had the highest BW at all ages. The IGF-I is not a useful marker gene for selection programs.
Effect of additives and filling methods on whole plant corn silage quality, fermentation characteristics and in situ digestibility
Authors: Jiao Ting , Lei Zhaomin , Wu Jianping , Li Fei , Casper David P. , Wang Jianfu , Jiao Jianxin
Published: March 2021

Objective: This project aimed to evaluate the effects of both different additives and filling methods on nutritive quality, fermentation profile, and in situ digestibility of whole plant corn silage.Methods: Whole plant corn forage harvested at 26.72% dry matter (DM) was chopped and treated with two filling methods, i) fill silos at one time (F1), ii) fill silos at three times (F3), packing samples into one/three silo capacity at the first day, another one/three capacity at the second day, then one/three at the third day, three replicates. For each replicate, samples were treated with three additives, i) control (CTRL, no additive), ii) Sila-Max (MAX, Ralco Nutrition Inc., Marshall, MN, USA), and iii) Sila-Mix (MIX, Ralco Nutrition Inc., USA). With three replicates of each secondary treatment, there were nine silos, 54 silos in total. Each silo had a packing density of 137.61 kg of DM/m3. All silos were weighed and stored in lab at ambient temperature.Results: After 60 d of ensiling, all items showed good silage fermentation under MAX filled one time or three times (p<0.01). Higher silage quality for all additives was obtained at filling one time than that filled three times (p<0.01). The highest DM and lowest DM loss rate (DMLR) occurred to MAX treatment at two filling methods (p<0.01); Digestibility of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and curde protein had the same results as silage quality (p<0.01). Yield of digestible DM and digestible NDF also showed higher value under MAX especially for filling one time (p<0.05).Conclusion: All corn silages showed good fermentation attributes (pH<4.0). The forage filled one time had higher silage quality than that filled three times (p<0.01). MAX with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria enhanced the lactic acid fermentation, silage quality and nutrient digestibility, and so improved the digestible nutrient yield.
Effects of ergothioneine-enriched mushroom extract on oxidative stability, volatile compounds and sensory quality of emulsified sausage
Authors: Tao Ye , Xiao Shan , Cai Jiaming , Wang Jihui , Li Lin
Published: March 2021

Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the effect of ergothioneine (ESH)-enriched mushroom extract on oxidative stability, volatile compounds, and sensory quality of emulsified sausage.Methods: The ESH content was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of Flammulina velutipes (F. velutipes) extract was determined through radical-scavenging activity of 1,1 diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and hydroxyl radicals. Four different groups of emulsified sausage were manufactured: control, no antioxidants; BHA, 0.01% butylated hydroxyanisole; EEME, 0.8% ESH-enriched mushroom (F. velutipes) extract; AE, 0.012% authentic ESH, after storage for 14 days (at 4°C), the quality of sausage including oxidative stability (2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyls content), volatile compounds and sensory quality were studied.Results: It was demonstrated that adding ESH-enriched F. velutipes extract to sausage could effectively prevent lipid and protein oxidation, and its efficacy was equivalent with 0.01% BHA. During meat processing, the ESH mainly contributed to the antioxidative activity of F. velutipes extract. The flavor and sensory attributes of emulsified sausage were improved through adding ESH-enriched F. velutipes extract.Conclusion: Accordingly, the extract of F. velutipes contained high-level of ESH and could be a good antioxidant candidate for processed meat production.
Padronização de um protocolo para assepsia de segmentos nodais de Phalaenopsis para clonagem in vitro
Authors: Kelly Mezzalira Fernanda , Cristiane Kuhn Betty
Published: March 2021

Plantbiotechnologysan área ofhighimportancesinceit has forobtainingplantorganismswithcharacteristics superior tothosealreadyonthemarket. Cloningisoneofthetolos that forthisfunction, throughit, organismswithcharacteristicsofinterest are selected and this individual ismultiplied, ensuringthattheregeneratedplants are geneticallyidenticaltothedesiredmatrix, establishing a standardization. Knowingthatthe ornamental plants sector contributessignificantlytotheeconomy and amongthemostesteemed ornamental plantsamongBrazilians, there are orchidswhichhaveacquired cultural visibility and a largenumberofcollectors in recentyears. Theobjectiveofthepresentworkwastoestablishanefficientassepsisprotocolfor lateral meristems and toobtain clones oftheorchidofthegenusPhalaenopsis. Formethodology, aiming at thestandardization o fan asepsisprotocol, 4 treatmentsweredeveloped and testedwithdifferentcombinations (concentration x time) ofagentssuch as sodiumhypochlorite, alcohol, copper, tween and washingtheexplantswithsteriledistilled wáter formeristemsoftheorchidofthegenusPhalaenopsis. Themeristems, alsoknown as lateral bud, were removed fromthestemoftheseedlings, fromtheir floral stems. As forobtained clones, theexperimentcarriedoutconsistedofinoculatingthemeristems, after anasepsisprocess, in Knudson culture media, containingdifferentcombinationsofgrowthregulators, usinganauxin and cytokinin. Theresultsobtained show that, no asepsistreatmentstested in thiswork, presentedsignificant and positive results, so itwasnot posible toestablish, as yet, anasepsisprotocolfor lateral meristemoforchidsofthegenusPhalaenopsis. Sinceallmeristemssufferedcontamination and oxidation. Therefor, itwasnotyet posible toobtain clones, usingthismethodology. Thisworkserves as aninitialbasis, forfutureresearch, regardingcloningthroughmeristems in Phalaenopsis.
Physalis growth, development and yield at different sowing seasons in the brazilian northeastern semiarid
Authors: Torres  Tanan Tamara , Leite  da  Silva Alismário , da  Silva  Leite Romeu , Soares  Arriero Stephanie , Neves do Nascimento Marilza
Published: March 2021

The Physalisgenus is composed of species with economic andmedicinal importance, its cultivation is expanding in Brazil,andis neededresearch on the performance of species in different regions of the country. Thus, the objective was to characterize the growth, development and yield of Physalis angulataand Physalis ixocarpaspecies cultivated in three sowing seasons in Bahia's semiarid region.The days after sowingwere determined for the occurrence of vegetative and reproductive stages, and the length and diameter of the main branch were evaluated weekly. At the end of cultivation, the number and total weight of fruits per plant were determined. The plants sown in April showed the best results, as floweringprecocity, higher productivity and growth close to other producing regions, which is the best period for the cultivation of species. P. angulatais a more tolerant species and can be sown at different periods without compromising yield. High temperatures combined with scarcity of rainfall compromise the development of plants of both speciesof Physalis.
Quality of calcium and magnesium silicate coated Phaseolus vulgaris seeds
Authors: Migliorini Patrícia , Rossetti Cristina , da  Silva  Almeida Andreia , de  Conceição  Ávila Nicolas , Pedra Madruga Natalia , Pedra Mattos Filipe , Vanussa Madruga de Tunes Lilian
Published: March 2021

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of bean seed coating with different doses of silicon (Si) on their physical, physiological and sanitary attributes, as well as to determine the amount of nutrients absorbed in the seedlings. BRS Expedito beans, 2014/15 harvest, were used, with an initial germination of 82%. Being used as a source of Si, calcium and magnesium silicate powder (Agrosilício®) (Si: 10.53%; Ca: 25.00%; Mg: 7.00%; Fe: 10.20%; Cr: 4 , 48%; Mn: 1.72%; Ti: 0.69%; S: 0.52%; K: 0.35%), previously sieved, with a density of 1.30g / cm³. The treatment consisted of covering bean seeds, in the equivalent doses of 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180g Si 100kg-1 of seeds, which corresponded to 0; 427.3; 854.7; 1,282; 1.709g of the product for 100kg-1 of seeds. The increase in doses of up to 116g of Si 100kg-1 of seeds positively influences the expression of vigor, providing a superior development of seedlings, as well as an increase in the concentration of Si in the leaves and root Ca. Doses other than Si do not control pathogens associated with seeds.
Identifying and Fusing Duplicate Features for Data Mining
Authors: Barcelos Hortênsia Costa , Mendoza Mariana Recamonde , Moreira Viviane Pereira
Published: March 2021

This work addresses the problem of identifying and fusing duplicate features in machine learning datasets. Our goal is to evaluate the hypothesis that fusing duplicate features can improve the predictive power of the data while reducing training time. We propose a simple method for duplicate detection and fusion based on a small set of features. An evaluation comparing the duplicate detection against a manually generated ground truth obtained F1 of 0.91. Then,the effects of fusion were measured on a mortality prediction test. The results were inferior to the ones obtained with the original dataset. Thus we concluded that the investigated hypothesis does not hold.
Kultur der Ehre und Religion. Gewaltakzeptierende Geschlechterrollenorientierungen muslimischer Jugendlicher
Authors: Windzio Michael , Hirsch Thalia , Baier Dirk
Published: March 2021

Anhand einer groß angelegten Schülerbefragung wird der Einfluss muslimischen Glaubens auf gewaltakzeptierende Geschlechterrollenorientierungen bei Jugendlichen untersucht. Im theoretischen Teil der Arbeit wird zunächst die Bedeutung einer religiösen Norm erörtert, die schriftlich kodifiziert ist: das Verbot von „Unzucht“ (zinā). Wir argumentieren auf Basis religionssoziologischer und anthropologischer Überlegungen, dass diese Norm zwar mit dem allgemeinen Ordnungsprinzip von Clans in nichtstaatlichen Gesellschaften zusammenhängt, nämlich der Kultur der Ehre. Infolge der Fixierung in den religiösen Schriften ist sie aber auch heute noch verhaltensrelevant. Empirisch wird auf Basis einer bundesweiten Schülerbefragung gezeigt, dass muslimische Religiosität auch nach Kontrolle zahlreicher einschlägiger Variablen einen robusten Effekt auf gewaltakzeptierende Geschlechterrollenorientierungen aufweist, der von den Indikatoren der „Kultur der Ehre“ unabhängig ist. Sodann wird für 52 Regionen die Segregation muslimischer Jugendlicher über Schulklassen hinweg berechnet und überprüft, ob gewaltfördernde Geschlechterrollenorientierungen umso schwächer ausgeprägt sind, je stärker muslimische Jugendliche potentiellen Kontakten mit Nichtmuslimen ausgesetzt sind.
Römisches Privatrecht
Authors: Meincke Jens Peter
Published: March 2021

Das Römische Recht gehört in den Kanon jener Fächer, die Selbstvergewisserung und Perspektiven einer Disziplin eröffnen. Das vermeintlich „Eigene“ lässt sich beim Blick in das Vergangene neu und anders begreifen. Dies leistet der Grundriss von Meincke. Über zwölf Kapitel hinweg werden angefangen beim Personen- und Sachenrecht, über das Erbrecht bis hin zum Vertrags- und Deliktsrecht wesentliche Grundlagen unseres heutigen Privatrechtssystems dargestellt. Die 4. Auflage wurde noch einmal grundlegend überarbeitet und durchgesehen.
Arbeitsschutz bei ehrenamtlichen Beschäftigungsformen
Authors: Erdmann Roja
Published: March 2021

Volunteers encounter physical and psychological risks - for example in the volunteer fire brigade or telephone counseling. It is also linked to the occupational health and safety and working time challenges as a voluntary works council. The aim of this study is to counter the uncertainties regarding the application of health and safety regulations for these working forms. This is done by evaluating the personal scope of the Directive 89/391 /EEC, with the corresponding developed consequences for German occupational health and safety law.
Beweisanforderungen in der internationalen Sportschiedsgerichtsbarkeit vor dem Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
Authors: Axer Leonie Franziska
Published: March 2021

Due to the nature of the sport, in particular the proof of doping, the requirements that are placed on the evidence before the CAS are unique. For the detection of violations of anti-doping regulations, in addition to the analytical, the non-analytical evidence is comprehensively analyzed.

In addition, there is a naturally existing imbalance between athletes and associations, in which an athlete's complaint can have the effect of a “David versus Goliath” fight. Therefore, when examining the individual standard of proof, a focus is always placed on maintaining equality.

Overall, the work offers orientation for users and suggestions for amendments by showing potential for improvement.
Pedro Almodóvar’s Communities of Circumstance
Authors: Rose Meribah ,   Society for the Philosophic Study of the Contemporary Visual Arts
Published: March 2021

This article engages in a close analysis of community across the films of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. What emerges from this is that while Almodóvar has a strong subversive streak, his films are deeply concerned with questions about how we might live together in the best way possible. Drawing on the feminist ethics of care—with its emphasis on the maternal as an ethical model—and the work of Jean-Luc Nancy, I argue that Almodóvar’s preferred communities are “communities of circumstance,” best conceptualized as dynamic networks of relations that respond directly to the varied needs of their members. Rather than fitting any fixed social boundaries, they emerge organically from lived experience. Ultimately, I conclude that Almodóvar’s films not only offer screen representations of communities of circumstance, but might contribute to our understanding of what it means to live in community in the “real world.”
A critique of the jusnaturalist notion of marriage: A view from Italian legal practice
Authors: Prelević-Paladino Aleksandra
Published: March 2021

This paper attempts to answer the following research question: What is modern marriage? The author combines the critical analysis of the jusnaturalist view, more precisely the notion of marriage in the work of Robert George, with a conceptual analysis of marriage in the process of its transformation. In order to do this, the author examines the case of Italy, a society with a traditional, Catholic jusnaturalist conception of marriage, which enables testing the jusnaturalist view of marriage and pointing out what makes it dysfunctional in practice. Then, I examine how well-founded the constituent components of the notion of "real marriage" are, both in the context of modern marriage and within George's conception of marriage itself. The paper's central argument is that marriage is a legal institution undergoing the process of redefining that involves an expansion of participants and a redistribution of the hitherto known functions of marriage. It is the author's standpoint that there is a methodological possibility to functionally yet neutrally explain the nature of law, and so the institution of marriage. Thus the author arrives at the new function of modern marriage and brings a value-neutral definition of modern marriage based on the idea of a privileged emotional relationship.
Elements of the philosophy of human rights
Authors: Đikanović Mina
Published: March 2021

The paper investigates the possibility of establishing the philosophy of human rights as a distinct philosophical science. Contemporary thematizations of problems related to human rights are called philosophies, but they are not philosophical in their essence. Following Hegel's understanding of the modern ethical order and Aristotle's teaching on the four causes, an attempt is made to give a framework for exploring the possibility of establishing the philosophy of human rights as a particular philosophical science. The framework includes considerations of the definition of the subject matter and methods, as well as an attempt to practically apply Aristotle's teaching on the four causes to the notion of human rights.
Basic mathematical form of Michell structure
Authors: Khushak Sanaullah , Luo Ani , Basit Chandio , Raza Asif
Published: March 2021

Michell structure is well known among tensegrity structures due to its optimization form and minimum mass of the structure. Michell had adopted this idea from the results of James C Maxwell's research on truss design. This paper presents the basic mathematical model of Michell structure based on complexity order q=2 in the two-dimensional coordinate system. This mathematical model imparts the analysis of all nodes and all members of Michell structure and investigates their position to construct a stable Michell structure. This basic mathematical model of Michell structure of complexity order q=2 can be used as a foundation to develop the Michell structure of high complexity orders. Furthermore, the force density in each member of the structure has been studied. An expression to calculate the minimum mass of structure has been defined at the end of this paper, which is the most important factor to construct any kind of tensegrity structure.
Foreign experience in agricultural insurance
Authors: Radović Gordana
Published: March 2021

The aim of this paper is to present characteristics of agricultural insurance at the global level. Agricultural insurance is most often seen, in a narrower sense, as crop insurance and livestock insurance. This type of economic protection has been applied since the 18th century, and today it is considered a part of a comprehensive risk management strategy in agricultural production. The most significant differences in agricultural insurance, at the global level, are the risks that can be insured in certain countries, as well as whether, or to what extent, agricultural insurance premiums are subsidized by the state. Agricultural insurance in most countries is voluntary, somewhere it is a condition for exercising the right to agricultural subsidies, and it is mandatory only in Greece and Cyprus.
Anthropometric, strength, endurance and flexibility characteristics of male elite ice climbers and sport climbers
Authors: Vujic S , Mirkov D , Dikic N , Küpper T , Totic S , Djokovic A , Radivojevic N , Andjelkovic M , Oblakovic BJ , Baralic I , Manovski K
Published: March 2021

Objective: Purpose of this study was to compare elite male ice climbers and sport climbers for their anthropometry, muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. Although there is a certain overlap between these two activities, sport climbing, which recently became an Olympic discipline, has been studied significantly more than the ice climbing. Hence, the second aim was to indirectly determine whether sport climbing training processes and nutrition can be beneficial for the ice climbing athletes. Methods: 23 male ice climbers of the Ice Climbing World Cup 2010 in Saas Fee (Switzerland) who all reached the final round were compared to 23 elite male sport climbers, which refers to "on sight" climbing grade of VII+/6b (UIAA/French) or higher. Measurements included anthropometry, three different tests for flexibility, two for strength and two for endurance. Results: Ice climbers have more fat in the trunk region (Fat%-T), have significantly less handgrip strength in both hands, as well as strength to mass ratio (SMR) of the dominant hand. In the test "foot raise", ice climbers showed significantly less flexibility. Conclusion: Results indicate that ice climbers have not only higher body fat percentage, probably as an adaption to cold environment but also lower strength and flexibility than sport climbers. With such data, we can conclude that sport climbing training protocols for development of strength, endurance and flexibility can be potentially beneficial to ice climbers. Key Words: Training Processes, Nutrition, Handgrip Strength, Measurements, Training Protocol
Raiva bovina na mesorregião nordeste do estado do Pará: uma abordagem agroambiental
Authors: Silva Lucila Pereira da , Pontes Altem Nascimento , Bichara Cléa Nazaré Carneiro
Published: March 2021

A raiva é uma zoonose de curso geralmente fatal que acomete tanto animais quanto seres humanos, causada por um vírus Lyssavirus. A doença causa consideráveis perdas econômicas tanto ao agronegócio quanto ao setor público, além de sério problema de Saúde Pública. O principal transmissor da raiva para bovinos e humanos é o morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus. A epidemiologia da raiva está diretamente relacionada à questão ambiental, a exemplo do desmatamento e da introdução de animais domésticos. O estudo foi na mesorregião Nordeste do Pará por ser proporcionalmente a mais desmatada e considerada área de principal foco da raiva bovina e foi conduzido de modo a analisar a evolução da ocorrência e distribuição espacial e temporal da raiva bovina por 13 anos, em dois períodos distintos, verificando-se a existência de tendência, difusão, ciclicidade e sazonalidade, além de relacionar os casos com desmatamento e pecuária. Os dados secundários foram obtidos de fontes oficiais: Agência de Defesa Agropecuária (casos de raiva bovina), IBGE (pecuária bovina) e INPE/PRODES (desmatamento). Para análise estatística foram utilizados os programas Microsoft Excel® 2013 e BioEstat 5.3. Os resultados demonstraram tendências diferentes de ocorrência da raiva nos períodos analisados, além de grande difusão da doença entre as microrregiões, exceto a microrregião Salgado que se apresentou como área silenciosa. As microrregiões Bragantina e Guamá se destacaram pelo elevado número de casos positivos e grande difusão entre seus municípios, respectivamente. A raiva apresentou maior correlação com o desmatamento do que com a atividade pecuária. A sazonalidade da doença não pode ser comprovada, porém é mais comum no período mais chuvoso. Sugere-se ciclicidade em áreas específicas da mesorregião Nordeste.  O intenso desmatamento e a presença do vírus rábico nesta área demonstram quanto o desiquilíbrio ambiental tende a impactar negativamente na ocorrência de doenças como a raiva nesta área da Amazônia brasileira.
Experience with an ultrasound donation program in a low-income country
Authors: Hershman Michelle , Hershman Melody , Blain Yamile , Moise Marie Evelyne , Monchil Natasha , Schmit Berndt P.
Published: March 2021

Increasing radiology capacity in low-income countries (LIC) can improve clinicians’ access to diagnostic imaging tools and improve patient care. Ultrasound (US) is important
in LIC due to its lower cost compared to that of CT or MRI scans and its excellent
diagnostic ability. The relative portability of the equipment makes it ideal for donation
by charitable organizations. We describe our experience as a radiology-capacity-focused
charity working with the Haitian healthcare system and propose strategies to increase
ultrasound capacity in other poor countries.
Lady Gaga, el vídeo clip musical y la cultura postmoderna
Authors: San Cornelio Gemma
Published: March 2021

El vídeo clip musical ha sido un género que desde siempre me ha interesado por distintos motivos, no sólo por la puesta en imágenes de la música pop, sino especialmente por ser uno de los pocos reductos para la experimentación audiovisual, a mitad de camino en muchos casos entre la publicidad televisiva –el spot– y la vídeo creación, en el sentido más artístico. En la actualidad, a pesar del auge experimentado por el vídeo clip musical en Internet –especialmente en lo referente a la producción audiovisual casera, y montajes semiprofesionales– hay que reconocer que el vídeo clip musical comercial, al más puro estilo MTV, no está en sus mejores momentos. En las listas de reproducción de las cadenas musicales abundan fórmulas preestablecidas y agotadas como la representación de actuaciones, donde se priorizan las coreografías y las actitudes chulescas de los cantantes de hip-hop –en algunos casos acompañados de divas de la altura de Jennifer López o Rihanna– en entornos ostentosos y cargados de dorados que destacan sobre atmósferas oscuras. De todos modos, hay que reconocer que a pesar de esta aparente homogeneidad en los estilos audiovisuales del vídeo clip, hay algunas excepciones que recuerdan los buenos tiempos de este género en los inicios en los años 80, así como su renacimiento en los primeros años 2000.
Giant idiopathic pyoderma gangrenosum at an unusual site with highly elevated c-ANCA levels: A rare association
Authors: Kaur Lovleen , Mahajan Mohita , Chojer Parul , Mahajan Bharat Bhushan , Malhotral Suresh Kumar
Published: March 2021

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic disorder with an incidence rate of 3–10 cases per million per year, characterized by classically painful and aseptic ulcers, which may be associated with underlying systemic diseases. The pathergy reaction is seen in one-fourth of patients with PG. Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial, as PG is known for its rapid progression. The management of PG is challenging and depends on its severity and rate of progression. An underlying systemic involvement should be sought even in spite of no symptoms. Herein, we report a case of giant pyoderma gangrenosum involving almost the entire left buttock with exceptionally raised c-ANCA levels, but no underlying systemic abnormality. The patient reported intense pain, rapid progression of the ulcers, an inability to perform daily activities, was significantly morbid and pathergy-positive. Aggressive and early management is required in cases such as this. A dramatic response was achieved with a combination of cyclosporine, dapsone, and methylprednisolone pulses.
Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis in a patient with generalized vitiligo: A case report
Authors: Abdullah Mancy
Published: March 2021

Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is the most common type of porokeratosis, occurring mainly on sun-exposed skin. Chronic sun exposure is one of the main risk factors, in addition to genetic susceptibility. Most published data concerning the relationship between vitiligo and its predisposition to nonmelanoma skin cancer suggests that patients with vitiligo show the same or even a lower incidence than other populations. Herein, we report a case of disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis occurring in vitiligo in which chronic sun exposure was the main risk factor
KÜLTÜR ENDÜSTRİSİ BAĞLAMINDA INSTAGRAM
Authors: KOÇ ALAMASLI Irmak
Published: March 2021

Kültür endüstrisi kavramı bize her şeyin endüstrileşmesini, şeyleşmesini anlatır. İdeolojiden ve ekonomiden ayrı bir kültür oluşumunun olamayacağını anlatır. Üretimde kolaylık olsun diye en sevilen müzikler, en çok izlenen filmler, en çok okunan yazarlar arasında birlik oluşturulurken; eğlence işletmesi olarak kültür endüstrisi metaforu olarak kullanılır. Günümüz dijital dünyasında, sosyal medya aracı olarak kullanılan Instagram üzerinden bu durumu okumaya çalıştığımızda da durum farklı değildir. Adorno ve Horkheimer, kültür endüstrisinden söz ederken, kitlelerin aldatılışı diye bahsederler. Günümüz dijital dünyasında sosyal medya da kitleleri aldatan bir araca dönüşmüştür. En sevilenlere, beğenilenlere, takip edilenlere baktığımızda, arkalarında destekleyen kapitalist pazarların olduğunu görürüz. Toplumların sahip olduğu, özümsediği kültürel çeşitlilikler ve sahip oldukları kültür ürünleri en güzel tabiriyle kültür endüstrisine dönüşmüştür. Günümüz dijital dünyasına bakarak bu durumun izlerini görmek mümkündür. Bireyin kendi hayatındaki kazanımlarını oluşturan boş vakit olgusu, anlamını yitirirken, değer kavramı nicelleşmiştir; en çok satılması istenen ürünler, en çok tercih edilen metaforlara dönüşmüştür. İşte, kültür endüstrisi ve kültür endüstrisine hâkim toplumlardaki bireyin, günümüz dijital dünyasındaki görünümü en yalın haliyle böyledir.
In Defense of Education: Schooling, Teaching, Learning and Leading in Globalized Educational Contexts
Authors: Waite Duncan , Arambula Heriberto
Published: March 2021

In this post-truth era, public education—and education more generally—appears to be under attack. In the US, the numbers who forsake a public education for either home schooling, or for for-profit or charter schools, are increasing. Public schools are closing with more rapidity,
especially in the urban areas of the US. Conservative legislators villainize teachers and administrators. State legislatures enact ever more restrictive and controlling laws and policies; for example, bills seeking to restrict even which bathroom a student might use (the so-called “bathroom
bills”). Schools are also under attack in a more literal sense, via school shootings and also via a perceived, socially-constructed increase of school violence. In response, leaders and policy makers seek a quick fix: they call for increased use of metal detectors in schools, an increased
police presence, and even for arming teachers/staff (forcing some/all teachers to carry a gun, or at minimum, making a gun-carry certificate a requirement). In more global terms, and framing the issue in neoliberal terms, schools are criticized for preparing students poorly for their future
roles in capitalist economies/societies. But such instrumentalist logics, employing the language of productivity, efficiency and profit, neglect the intrinsic purposes of education. This article explores the current trends and suggests alternatives.
Characterization of the first vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus genomes isolated in Brazil
Authors: Oliveira de Almeida Marcelle , Carvalho Rodrigo , Figueira Aburjaile Flavia , Malcher Miranda Fabio , Canário Cerqueira Janaína , Brenig Bertram , Ghosh Preetam , Ramos Rommel , Kato Rodrigo Bentes , de Castro Soares Siomar , Silva Artur , Azevedo Vasco , Canário Viana Marcus Vinicius
Published: March 2021

Background

Lactobacillus crispatus is the dominant species in the vaginal microbiota associated with health and considered a homeostasis biomarker. Interestingly, some strains are even used as probiotics. However, the genetic mechanisms of L. crispatus involved in the control of the vaginal microbiome and protection against bacterial vaginosis (BV) are not entirely known. To further investigate these mechanisms, we sequenced and characterized the first four L. crispatus genomes from vaginal samples from Brazilian women and used genome-wide association study (GWAS) and comparative analyses to identify genetic mechanisms involved in healthy or BV conditions and selective pressures acting in the vaginal microbiome.

Methods

The four genomes were sequenced, assembled using ten different strategies and automatically annotated. The functional characterization was performed by bioinformatics tools comparing with known probiotic strains. Moreover, it was selected one representative strain (L. crispatus CRI4) for in vitro detection of phages by electron microscopy. Evolutionary analysis, including phylogeny, GWAS and positive selection were performed using 46 public genomes strains representing health and BV conditions.

Results

Genes involved in probiotic effects such as lactic acid production, hydrogen peroxide, bacteriocins, and adhesin were identified. Three hemolysins and putrescine production were predicted, although these features are also present in other probiotic strains. The four genomes presented no plasmids, but 14 known families insertion sequences and several prophages were detected. However, none of the mobile genetic elements contained antimicrobial resistance genes. The genomes harbor a CRISPR-Cas subtype II-A system that is probably inactivated due to fragmentation of the genes csn2 and cas9. No genomic feature was associated with a health condition, perhaps due to its multifactorial characteristic. Five genes were identified as under positive selection, but the selective pressure remains to be discovered. In conclusion, the Brazilian strains investigated in this study present potential protective properties, although in vitro and in vivo studies are required to confirm their efficacy and safety to be considered for human use.
Clinical Manifestation and Diagnostic Approach Towards ‘TORCH Test’: A Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Study
Authors: Soni Priyanka , Soni Laxman Kumar , Gupta Prabhu Prakash , Gupta Eshank , Soni Ankita
Published: March 2021

Introduction:‘TORCH Test’ (Toxoplasmosis, Rubella Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex) is usually requisitioned in females having ‘BadObstetrics History (BOH)’ or those who are suspicious of ‘intrauterine infection’ or for neonates having congenital malformation. However, the understanding of the test is lacking amongst the practitioners. Hence, this Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) study was conducted to access the knowledge of resident doctors about the correct way of requesting TORCH test. Aim: To assess the understanding, clinical manifestation and diagnostic approach towards TORCH test amongst the Resident Doctors. Materials and Methods: Four groups of questions were put to Resident Doctors from Obstetrics and Gynecology (ObG), Paediatrics (Paeds) and Microbiology Department to assess their understanding of TORCH test. The questionnaire having 30 questions was divided in four groups A, B, C and D. Group A (Q. 1-4) about the fundamental of TORCH infection; Group B (Q. 5-8) brief clinical manifestation; Group C (Q. 9-12) indication of TORCH test i.e., when torch test should be requested and Group D (Q. 13-30) result interpretation of TORCH profile. Results: Questions as to the full form of TORCH test were correctly answered by almost all participants. As far as questions as to Clinical Manifestation, residents of ObG (72.3%) were more accurate in predicting than that of Paeds residents (48%). Amongst Microbiology residents only 5.2% of them were able to gave correct answers. When questions as to when the TORCH test is to be recommended were asked, only 30.7% residents of Paeds, 59% of ObG and 10.5% of Microbiology were aware about it. Interpretation of the test results amongst the participants was also not that up to the mark as only 36.1% in Paeds, 67.6% in ObG and 29.8% in Microbiology residents were correctly able to predict. To sum up, understanding, clinical manifestation and diagnostic approach towards TORCH test is better amongst the ObG residents (67.7%) as compared to that of the Microbiology Residents (26.7%) and Paeds Residents (42%). Conclusion: It can be understood that since the clinical branch residents of ObG and Paeds are not that thoroughly acquainted with the TORCH test understanding and complete clinical information is necessary. Therefore, it is apparent that the same is being not requisitioned in cases where pregnant women or infants have non-descript illnesses where testing is not necessary at all. It is, therefore, highly recommended that regular seminars and teaching activities are conducted by the concerned respective departments in order to impart TORCH test understanding and complete clinical information regarding it.
Use of Ertapenem as a Marker for Detection of Carbapenem Resistance for Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Mohapatra Sarita , Kumar Amarjeet , Bir Raunak , Tyagi Sonu , Sood Seema , Das Bimal Kumar , Kapil Arti
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Detection of carbapenem resistance in the clinical microbiology laboratory is challenging. Production of carbapenemase enzymes remains the most important mechanism among Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Ertapenem has been found as a sensitive marker for detecting CRE, especially the non-carbapenemase producing CRE. However, limited literature is available discussing its specificity and sensitivity in comparison to gold standard tests. Aim: To compare the ability of the ertapenem disc diffusion test with other confirmatory tests i.e., Epsilometer test (E test), Carbapenemase Nordmann-Poirel (CNP) test, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for CRE identification. Materials and Methods: Seventy six phenotypically confirmed Enterobacteriaceae isolates were tested for carbapenem resistance. Ertapenem susceptibility was compared with imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem disc individually and in combination to determine its sensitivity. Further, it was compared with the E test, CNP test, and PCR to find the concordance of the result. Data were analysed by statistical software using Chi-square test with p-value <0.05 as significant. Results: Ertapenem disc independently was able to detect maximum resistant isolates (64/76) in comparison to other individual carbapenem discs or their combinations. Among the four carbapenem discs, the result of the ertapenem disc showed maximum concordance with its corresponding E test. The sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of the Ertapenem disc compared to the gold standard tests (CNP and PCR) were 89.7%, 62.5%, 95.3%, and 41.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Disc diffusion test using ertapenem disc was observed as a sensitive marker for detecting CRE. The result of the ertapenem disc diffusion test was observed less discordant with E test, CNP test, and PCR in comparison to other carbapenem discs.
Study of Pattern of Histopathological Lesions in Nephrectomy Cases in Southern Rajasthan
Authors: Mukhiya Gulshan Kumar , Mukhiya Geeta W , Jain Manisha , Bhumbla Upasana , Mogra Narendra , Gupta Mohan L
Published: March 2021

Introduction: The kidney is one of the most highly differentiated organs in the body, affected by various disease processes, some resulting in permanent damage leading to surgical removal of the organ i.e., nephrectomy. Patterns of the indications for nephrectomy vary in different age groups, geographical locations and time periods. Nephrectomy is a common procedure in urological practice done for various conditions like calculi, chronic pylelonephritis, malignancy, obstruction, injury etc., with wide range of morbidity and mortality. Aim: The aim of this study was to study the pattern of histopathological lesions in nephrectomy cases in Southern Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Udaipur, Rajasthan. It was a cross-sectional study performed on 121 patients, from January 2015 to March 2020 in which patient’s detail such as age, sex, gross and microscopic findings were retrieved and reviewed. Data was tabulated and analysed. Results: A total of 121 specimens of nephrectomy were included in the study. Among 121 nephrectomy cases, higher incidence was observed in 6th and 3rd decade of life with approximately equal preponderance of male and female; 0.98:1. Out of 121 cases 88 (72.7%) were non-neoplastic and 33 (22.27%) were neoplastic. Conclusion: Benign conditions of kidney are the leading cause of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in the developing world. In our country, there are an increased number of ESRD which require dialysis and transplantation. This study has been performed to know the different causes of nephrectomy in a tertiary care center of India.
The levels of soluble cMET ectodomain in the blood of patients with ovarian cancer are an independent prognostic biomarker
Authors: Klotz Daniel Martin , Link Theresa , Goeckenjan Maren , Wimberger Pauline , Kuhlmann Jan Dominik
Published: March 2021

The tyrosine kinase mesenchymal–epithelial transition (cMET) is typically overexpressed in up to 75% of patients with ovarian cancer, and cMET overexpression has been associated with poor prognosis. The proteolytic release of the soluble cMET (sMET) ectodomain by metalloproteases, a process called ectodomain shedding, reflects the malignant potential of tumour cells. sMET can be detected in the human circulation and has been proposed as biomarker in several cancers. However, the clinical relevance of sMET in ovarian cancer as blood‐based biomarker is unknown and was therefore investigated in this study. sMET levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in a set of 432 serum samples from 85 healthy controls and 86 patients with ovarian cancer (87% FIGO III/IV). Samples were collected at primary diagnosis, at four longitudinal follow‐up time points during the course of treatment and at disease recurrence. Although there was no significant difference between median sMET levels at primary diagnosis of ovarian cancervs. healthy controls, increased sMET levels at primary diagnosis were an independent predictor of shorter PFS (HR = 0.354, 95% CI: 0.130–0.968,P = 0.043) and shorter OS (HR = 0.217, 95% CI: 0.064–0.734,P = 0.014). In the follow‐up samples, sMET levels were prognostically most informative after the first three cycles of chemotherapy, with high sMET levels being an independent predictor of shorter PFS (HR = 0.245, 95% CI: 0.100–0.602,P = 0.002). This is the first study to suggest that sMET levels in the blood can be used as an independent prognostic biomarker for ovarian cancer. Patients at high risk of recurrence and with poor prognosis, as identified based on sMET levels in the blood, could potentially benefit from cMET‐directed therapies or other targeted regimes, such as PARP inhibitors or immunotherapy.