bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efectos de la cadena de valor del café en el desarrollo socioeconómico de los pequeños cafetaleros de Corquín, departamento de Copán-Honduras.
Authors: Reyes Orellana Erwin Lenin
Published: October 2022

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar los efectos de la cadena de valor del café en el desarrollo socioeconómico de los pequeños cafetaleros de Corquín, departamento de Copán-Honduras, para proponer estrategias participativas que contribuyan a fortalecer la productividad y posicionar el rubro. Mediante metodología mixta descriptiva con diseño no-experimental transversal e investigación acción, se obtuvo la información de 140 pequeños cafetaleros y 14 organizaciones. Entre los resultados destaca la importancia de las organizaciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales en el proceso productivo del café, se constató que la mayoría de los productores tienen cuidados rigurosos de control de malezas, plagas y enfermedades, tratan de emplear como tecnología la fertilización de los cultivos, han logrado mejorar sus condiciones de vida por medio de la comercialización, las carreteras se encuentran en buen estado lo que facilita la movilización del café extraído de las fincas hacia las viviendas y posteriormente hacia el exterior de las fincas. Como conclusión es importante seguir impulsando el desarrollo de los cafetaleros por medio de la integración de mejores procesos de capacitación, apoyo en cuanto a la dotación de mayor cantidad de insumos y la oportunidad de crecimiento a través de la comercialización de los productos,
First description of the male of Neoatractides tashiwangmoi Pešić, Smit & Gurung, 2022 from the Indian Himalayas (Acariformes, Hydrachnidia, Torrenticolidae)
Authors: Pešić Vladimir , Smit Harry , Sharma Neha , Bahuguna Pankaj , Rayal Rajesh
Published: October 2022

Neoatractides tashiwangmoi Pešić, Smit & Gurung, 2022 is known from a single female recently collected in Bhutan. In this paper the first male is described based on a specimen collected in Uttarakhand State of India.
US Presidential Election-2020
“અમેરિકન પ્રમુખ ની ચૂંટણી-2020”
Authors: Chouhan Harish D. , Khatik Mukesh H.
Published: October 2022

2020 અમેરિકન પ્રમુખની ચૂંટણી ચોક્કસ મુદ્દાઓ પર લડાઈ હતી. ડોનાલ્ડ ટ્રમ્પને હરાવીને અમેરિકાની પ્રજાએ સાબિત કર્યું કે તેઓ વિશ્વનું નેતૃત્વ કરનારી પ્રજા છે અને વિશ્વ સામેના પડકારોના નિરાકરણમાં રસ દાખવે છે. આ ચૂંટણી એ સાબિત કર્યું કે વિશ્વનો કોઈ પણ દેશ ભાગલાવાદી રાજકારણ અને વંશ ભેદભાવને ચલાવી લેશે નહિ. જો બાઈડેન અને કમલા હેરિસની વિજય દર્શાવે છે કે વિશ્વમાં લોકતંત્ર મજબૂત થઈ રહ્યું છે.
SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF PREVAILING DESIDERATUM OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Authors: Joshi Jagdish , Advani Priya
Published: October 2022

In India, English is less important as a "lingua franca" than Hindi, which is used only in specific regions. The truth is that English has become one of the world's most important languages, and one cannot deny its importance or fail to learn it. If one wants to advance in life, learning spoken English has become a crucial factor. Spoken English institutes are springing up everywhere in the United States. In the article, the enormous difference between learning and gaining a second language is discussed. Unfortunately, students are not regularly taught to speak, read, and write English in our schools. One of the major factors contributing to this picture is a lack of good teachers willing to take the required steps to ensure that children's speaking skills improve. The second cause is a lack of learner enthusiasm and low self-esteem. Inadequate time and money are the third factor. If such programmers are given permanently, it would be a positive step in the lives of students. The government is not paying enough attention to the growth of spoken English skills. For several years after students join the school, it never performs any research on their learning outcomes.
Due to the colonization culture that existed across Asia and Africa for the past two centuries, spoken English has acquired paramount significance. The rise of the United States as a global bellwether and the proliferation of ecumenical media have been the main proponents of spoken English's increasing presence in the western world. The paper currently discusses the mechanism of second language learning and the desideratum.
Limits of product liability of the marketplace owners in the Russian Federation and the USA
Authors: Kraulin K. K.
Published: October 2022

The paper analyzes the limits of product liability of the marketplace for the actions of sellers (performers) in both countries. Research objectives are to identify the main trends in regulating the business of marketplace owners and prepare proposals for amendments to Russian legislation in view of the foreign experience. The relevance of the study is due to the global trend to expand the limits of liability of digital platforms, as evidenced by individual legislative initiatives in recent years, as well as doctrinal studies and discussions in the media. The paper consistently analyzes the special provisions of Russian legislation on consumer protection, which determine the legal status of the owners of marketplaces. Then it reviews the most significant legal disputes in Russia and the USA reflecting the main trends in the field of defining the limits of liability of the owner of the marketplace as an intermediary and directly the seller (performer). Besides, the author identifies and substantiates the main enforcement problems of the responsibility of owners of aggregators in Russia and in the USA. In particular, the author describes the controversial decisions of Russian courts regarding the legal status of the «owner of the aggregator» in the same legal entity. The courts’ formalistic approach based on the literal content of the marketplace owner’s agreements with users is also mentioned. Finally, it is concluded that it would be fair to consolidate the subsidiary liability of the «owners of aggregators» at the legislative level.
MOSQUE-BASED UMMAT ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT STRATEGY
Authors: Yuliasih Muzayyanah
Published: October 2022

Latar Belakang, Masalah sosial yang terjadi di kehidupan masyarakat adalah kemiskinan. Al-Qur'an melihat kemiskinan sebagai masalah sosial yang perlu diselesaikan. Salah satu potensi ekonomi ummat adalah potensi dana sosial masjid. Masjid dalam sejarah peradaban Islam merupakan sarana  dakwah dan pengembangan sumber  ekonomi  Islam. Konsep pemberdayaan ekonomi adalah salah satu tujuan pembangunan ekonomi. Artinya, meningkatkan tingkat kesejahteraan, kualitas, kelangsungan hidup, dan memulihkan fungsi sosial untuk memperoleh kemandirian,  ketahanan, keterampilan, kepedulian, dan tanggung jawab sosial. Upaya meningkatkan kesejahteraan finansial masyarakat merupakan bagian dari tanggung jawab bersama. Metode, Penelitian ini tergolong studi pustaka yaitu  informasi dan data dikumpulkan dari macam-macam sumber. Penggunaan metode ini karena masalah penelitian ini adalah masalah yang dapat diamati secara langsung terkait dengan strategi pemberdayaan ekonomi ummat berbasis masjid. Pembahasan, Ada beberapa langkah yang dapat dilakukan dalam membangun dan merealisasikan potensi kekuatan umat berbasis masjid, yaitu memahami potensi ummat di sekitar masjid, memahami potensi ekonomi di sekitar masjid, dan memperkuat jaringan ekonomi dengan masjid lain.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NITROGEN COMPOUNDS POLLUTION IN CONTROLLED AND FREE DRAINAGE WATER
Authors: Stankevičienė Rasa
Published: October 2022

Agricultural drainage and associated water management systems are designed to eliminate to an acceptable level the factors associated with excess water that limit crop growth. In order to eliminate excess water in cultivated areas, it is important to reduce the leaching of nitrogen compounds flowing together with drainage water, as well as to ensure the safe and sustainable use of plant protection products and fertilizers. One possible solution is to transform free drainage structures into controlled drainage systems. In such systems, it is possible to regulate the groundwater level according to the needs of the plants and reduce the leaching of nutrients with drainage water. This paper presents a comparative analysis of controlled and free drainage water pollution by nitrogen compounds. The research was carried out in Pasvalys district, where both types of drainage systems operate next to each other.
Revealing the millipede and other soil-macrofaunal biodiversity in Hong Kong using a citizen science approach
Authors: So Wai Lok , Ting Ka Wai , Lai Sheung Yee , Huang Elaine Yi Ying , Ma Yue , Chong Tze Kiu , Yip Ho Yin , Lee Hoi Ting , Cheung Billy Chun Ting , Chan Man Ka , Consortium Hong Kong Soil Biodiversity , Nong Wenyan , Law Michelle Man Suet , Lai Derrick Yuk Fo , Hui Jerome Ho Lam
Published: October 2022

Soil biodiversity plays important roles in nutrient recycling in both the environment and agriculture. However, they are generally understudied worldwide. To reveal the diversity of soil macrofauna in Hong Kong, here we initiated a citizen science project involving university, non-governmental organisations and secondary school students and teachers. It is envisioned that the citizen science approach used in this study could be used as a demonstration to future biodiversity sampling and monitoring studies.

Throughout a year of monitoring and species sampling across different localities in Hong Kong, 150 soil macrofaunal morphospecies were collected. Eighty five of them were further identified by morphology and DNA barcoding was assigned to each identified morphospecies, yielding a total of 646 DNA barcodes, with new millipede sequences deposited to the GenBank. The soil macrofauna morphospecies in Hong Kong found in this study are mainly dominated by millipedes (23 out of 150) and oligochaetes (15 out of 150). Amongst the twenty three identified millipedes, two polyxenid millipedes, Monographis queenslandica Huynh & Veenstra, 2013 and Alloproctoides remyi Marquet and Condé, 1950 are first recorded in Hong Kong. Information has been curated on an online platform and database (http://biodiversity.sls.cuhk.edu.hk/millipedes). A postcard summarising the findings of millipedes in Hong Kong has also been made as a souvenir and distributed to citizen participants. The identified macrofauna morphospecies and their 646 DNA barcodes in this study established a solid foundation for further research in soil biodiversity.
Land use change and monitoring of endangered wetlands using geospatial technologies: A case study of Boyana marsh
Authors: Todorov Leonid , Kirilov Kristian
Published: October 2022

A specific feature of the period of transition in Bulgaria in the field of urban planning is that a large part of the newly developed urbanized territories was transformed from their previous purpose (mainly agricultural lands) via detailed urban plans that were very fragmented. When changing the purpose of the land in this way, the procedure is significantly easier than with an Urban master plan, but this leads to many negatives. Thus, the territory becomes significantly fragmented when it comes to the purpose of the properties. This leads to environmental consequences that are overlooked by the officials in charge. One such example is the basis of our present study - the attempt to destroy the Boyana Marsh so that the land can be used for building a residential complex. In this study we examine the application and integration of various types of geospatial technologies for the purpose of land use change detection and monitoring of endangered territories that should be protected.  We examine the processes of collecting primary historical spatial data and their combination with two UAV field surveys carried out specifically for this purpose. Based on the collected data, specific analyzes of the affected territories were made. The data and all results are presented in a web application that aims to promote the case study and help garner wider public support for the initiative “Save the Boyana Marsh”.
Sodium selenite supplementation does not reduce the effectiveness of X-ray irradiation treatment on human cancerous esophageal TE-8 cells
Authors: Puspitasari Irma Melyani , Abdulah Rizky
Published: October 2022

Sodium selenite supplementation at a concentration 50 nM before X-ray irradiation was suggested to protect non-cancerous human esophageal CHEK-1 cells from irradiation-induced damage. This present study investigated those effects on cancerous human esophageal cell line. The human cancer esophageal cell line, TE-8, was cultured and supplemented for the cytotoxicity assay, the GPx-1 activity, the cell viability assay, clonogenic assay and western blot analysis. An apoptosis biomarker, Cleaved PARP, was used. The results show that cell survival post-irradiation of supplemented-cells had the same effect as the cells treated by irradiation only, tended to decrease the cell viability (p=0.27), and decrease the survival rate of cancerous cells (p=1.00). The cleaved PARP level was higher in supplemented-and irradiated- cells than cells with irradiation alone. These results suggest that 50 nM sodium selenite supplementation prior to irradiation does not reduce the effectiveness of irradiation treatment on cancerous cells.
Description of two species of the genus Astrodia Verrill, 1899 (Ophiuroidea, Euryalida, Asteronychidae), including a new species from seamounts in the West Pacific
Authors: Xie Xiaojun , Lu Bo , Pang Jie , Zhang Dongsheng
Published: October 2022

Five specimens of Ophiuroidea from deep-sea seamounts in the West Pacific were collected and identified as two species, Astrodia duospinasp. nov. and Astrodia abyssicola. The new species, Astrodia duospinasp. nov., can be distinguished from its congeners by having indistinct or underdeveloped oral papillae, relatively short genital slits, crescent-shaped lateral arm plates, and plate-shaped external ossicles on the aboral surface of the disc. One specimen was identified as Astrodia abyssicola, which has been reported in the north-western Pacific and the north-eastern coast of Japan. The most recent tabular key of Astrodia was revised with two more key characteristics added, the shape and presence of oral papillae and the number of arm spines. The phylogenetic relationship of Astrodia and Asteronyx was analyzed based on 16S and COI sequences. The discovery of the two species further expanded the geographical distribution of the genus Astrodia.
APPLICATION OF RISK ANALYSIS METHOD WITH SYSTEM MODELING TO REMOTE OPERATION OF EXPERIMENTAL SHIP, SHINPO
Authors: Shiokari M , Kudo J , Miyake R , Itoh H , Yuzui T , Ishimura E , Kawashima S , Hirata K , Kobayashi M , Sawada R
Published: October 2022

The authors proposed a risk analysis method suitable for autonomous ships, which consists of a system modeling method and a hazard identification method. In this study, to verify the applicability of the method and identify critical issues for a remote ship operation, we tried to apply the method to a remote operation of a small experimental ship, Shinpo. A model diagram of Shinpo was developed and hazards within the ship were identified referring to the diagram. As a result, some critical issues for a remote ship operation such as communication troubles between a ship and a remote operation centre, and human-related factors were identified. Through the trial application of the method, we found the method was suitable for risk analysis of a remote ship operation, and would contribute to improving the safety of autonomous ship systems including remote operation systems.
MAKING 3D MODEL-BASED APPROVAL A REALITY
Authors: Sakagami M , Otaguro T , Masui T , Lin P , Shimakawa Y , Hisano S
Published: October 2022

In recent years, various classification societies and shipbuilders have conducted R&D activities on the use of 3D models created during the design phase for approval (so-called 3D Model-Based Approval, hereafter “3DMBA”). 3DMBA is an attractive concept that could bring digital transformation to the ship design process, but it also poses significant practical challenges.
In particular, there is an issue with the division of design work and information in structural design, which requires the use of different software applications for different tasks such as 3D modeling, rule calculation, direct strength calculation, and 2D drawing. This causes a situation whereby each time a design change happens, it becomes necessary to modify the data in each software application, resulting in frequent duplication of work. This is also an error-prone process, because of possible
discrepancies between various types of information in each application. The introduction of 3DMBA under such circumstances would further increase the workload of shipyards, as they would have to repeat this duplication of work on each software application to complete a precise 3D model.
The authors have been conducting a project to realize an efficient 3DMBA process, and they concluded at ICCAS2019 that the key to achieving 3DMBA is to integrate the engineering process for rule and direct strength calculations into 3D CAD, and to implement viewer functions for efficient plan approval to enable shipyards to easily create 3D approval models. This paper presents the latest achievements and future prospects of the project.
Inevitable or Exploitative? A Case Study of Consumers’ Divergent Attitudes towards Video Game Crunch
Authors: Cote Amanda C , Harris Brandon C
Published: October 2022

As with many media industries, poor labor practices such as crunch—excessive, often unpaid overtime—are common within video game production. Researchers have addressed how industry structures normalize crunch, but game consumers’ integration in this process is less understood. This case study of comments (n = 1,080) on articles about crunch develops an overall perspective on consumer attitudes by coding whether comments support or critique crunch and then evaluating the comments’ main ideas. More comments supported crunch than critiqued it, often treating it as inevitable, justifying paid/short-term crunch, or comparing game development crunch to commenters’ experiences. Conversely, critical comments considered crunch’s negative consequences, blamed its persistence on executives, and advocated for better work practices across industries. While this piece focuses on games, the conclusions potentially speak across media industries by addressing the pervasive nature of “Do What You Love” ideologies and asking: Do consumers care about the conditions under which media is produced?
« Le musée doit gagner en mérite, le marchand en argent » : l’expertise de Jean-Baptiste-Pierre Lebrun au service du Muséum central des arts (1796-1797)
Authors: Bakkali Sarah
Published: October 2022

Les saisies des biens des émigrés durant la Révolution française ont joué un rôle important dans l’enrichissement des collections nationales. Parmi elles, celles du Muséum ont largement profité de ces mouvements d’œuvres d’art. En particulier, en 1796, le ministre des Finances conjointement avec la commission décident d’« épurer et d’enrichir » les collections du Muséum en ouvrant la possibilité d’échanges d’œuvres d’art avec des particuliers. Pour ces opérations, on a fait intervenir une figure majeure du marché de l’art de l’époque, le marchand Jean-Baptiste-Pierre Lebrun (1748-1813). L’examen comparé des pièces utilisées comme monnaie d’échange et de celles conservées pour le Muséum permet d’éclairer cet épisode peu étudié de l’histoire du musée du Louvre.
Confisquer et classer des archives étrangères pour la France : les Archives de l’Empire sous Napoléon
Authors: Donato Maria Pia
Published: October 2022

L’une des plus grandes opérations de confiscation d’archives fut réalisée sous le Premier Empire. Enrichies par celles du Vatican, du Saint-Empire et de la monarchie française dont Napoléon se voulait l’héritier, ces Grandes Archives devaient être à la fois un outil pour l’administration, la réserve de titres de souveraineté et une manifestation de la puissance de l’Empire. Depuis les guerres révolutionnaires, des milliers d’objets « des arts et des sciences » des pays vaincus avaient enrichi les collections nationales françaises. Comment se fit la sélection des archives ? Que révèlent ces choix du rapport au passé de la société européenne à l’aube du xixe siècle ? Comment ces archives étrangères furent-elles classées et rangées ? Quelles transformations leur arrivée provoqua-t-elle dans l’architecture générale des archives nationales françaises ? Dans les pages qui suivent, j’aborderai le sujet des collections nationales de la Révolution à la Restauration par le biais de la confiscation d’archives étrangères sous Napoléon et du projet de créer de grandes Archives impériales à Paris.
Contra a correnteza: Rio Madre de Dios em Puerto Maldonado – Peru
Authors: Nogueira Ricardo José Batista , Neto Thiago Oliveira , Rafael Carlos Eduardo Silva Simões
Published: October 2022

Os rios apresentam dinâmicas fluviais de erosão e de deposição que alteram suas margens, principalmente quando estes estão localizados em áreas de formação sedimentar como é o caso do rio Madre de Dios na Amazônia peruana. Para fins reduzir o processo de erosão de uma das margens do rio e o colapso da “carretera interoceánica sur”, foram construídas 12 enormes estruturas que constituem em espigões metálicos denominados de Defensa Ribereña La Pastora, estes funcionam como “quebra-ondas” diminuindo a velocidade da correnteza, em uma tentativa de barrar um processo de erosão e de solapamento das margens.
Irrigar para colonizar: a rivalidade anglo-francesa no Egito segundo Jean Brunhes
Authors: Gomes Barreto Vitor Julio
Published: October 2022

Este trabalho revela as reflexões produzidas pelo geógrafo francês Jean Brunhes (1869-1930), no primeiro momento de sua carreira, sobre o Egito. Através da análise de uma série de artigos publicados entre os anos de 1897 e 1905 em revistas francesas, evidencia-se a disputa de narrativa travada com intelectuais ingleses, na qual oferece argumentos técnicos, econômicos e sociais, que darão embasamento político sobre a questão egípcia à França. O geógrafo se debruçou intensamente sobre os problemas relacionados à irrigação e acusou os ingleses de, através da introdução da propriedade privada e do controle da distribuição da água, ameaçarem a soberania hídrica daquele país e intensificar a destruição de seus meios. Paralelamente, defende a contribuição técnica francesa construída ao longo do século.
Desafios dos produtores de base familiar na produção do coco em reassentamentos públicos do Vale do São Francisco – Brasil
Authors: Araújo Guilherme José Ferreira de , Santos Clélio Cristiano dos , Gomes Edvânia Tôrres Aguiar
Published: October 2022

A produção do coco (cocos nucifera) cresceu exponencialmente nos últimos 20 anos no Brasil, ampliando-se em diferentes níveis de complexidade, possibilitando o crescimento econômico local. Alinha-se nesta pesquisa a preocupação de potencializar o sistema produtivo e de comercialização do coco e derivados, com ênfase na sua água. O foco é o município de Petrolândia, situado no Semiárido pernambucano, segundo maior produtor de coco e água de coco para exportação do Estado. Este trabalho objetiva discutir os entraves para produção do coco em reassentamentos irrigados públicos, destinados à promoção do desenvolvimento regional. Embasou-se metodologicamente no Sustainable Livelihood Approach, partindo da hipótese que é viável, através da ênfase nas estruturas de produção, comercialização e logística, a transformação deste produto em fator de crescimento econômico para o município. O recorte empírico compreende os perímetros irrigados de Apolônio Sales, Icó-Mandantes e Barreiras Bloco 2, reassentamentos criados pela Chesf. Constatou-se o elevado potencial de crescimento econômico local, com possibilidades do estabelecimento de um complexo agroindustrial e a inserção do pequeno produtor nos benefícios do circuito internacional de produção da água de coco.
Shopping centers, sociabilidade e conflitos socioespaciais urbanos
Authors: Patrício João Victor Sanches , Silva William Ribeiro da
Published: October 2022

Os shopping centers são importantes equipamentos que influem na redefinição das centralidades e na lógica espacial da sociabilidade e dos conflitos urbanos contemporâneos. Neste sentido, este artigo tem como objetivo discutir e analisar conflitos socioespaciais produzidos pela implementação de um shopping center na cidade de Juiz de Fora (MG), localizado próximo de um bairro formado por comunidade quilombola onde se organizou um movimento social que contestou ações do Independência Shopping. Optou-se por uma metodologia com entrevistas e pesquisas em fontes secundárias, com destaque às redes sociais (Facebook) e sites corporativos. Concluiu-se que a cidade policêntrica amplia a complexidade na reprodução dos espaços e potencializa a ocorrência de conflitos por ampliar espacialmente o interesse dos agentes capitalistas no tecido urbano, tendo o shopping center como um dos elementos centrais.
Os novos vetores da produção do espaço urbano em Dourados-MS e o processo de reconfiguração da periferia
Authors: Calixto Maria Jose Martinelli Silva , Silva Paulo Fernando Jurado da , Bernardelli Mara Lúcia Falconi da Hora
Published: October 2022

Nas últimas décadas, diversas cidades vêm experimentando expansão do tecido urbano. Não se trata de um fenômeno novo, nem exclusivo do Brasil, mas identificado em diferentes países e realidades urbanas. A periferia urbana, compreendida como a borda geométrica da cidade, apresentou forte expansão, mudando o seu conteúdo. Essa produção do espaço revela-se cada vez mais desigual, com uma acirrada disputa pelas localizações no interior da cidade. Com o objetivo de analisar os vetores responsáveis por tais mudanças (o capital financeiro, o capital incorporador e o poder público), o texto discute como elas vêm ocorrendo na cidade de Dourados, estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, tomando como recorte temporal os últimos 15 anos. Para sua elaboração, foram adotados os seguintes procedimentos metodológicos: revisão bibliográfica referente à temática, levantamento de dados sobre a expansão territorial recente de Dourados, privilegiando os empreendimentos do Programa Minha Casa Minha Vida (Faixa 1) e a instalação de loteamentos fechados, bem como a elaboração cartográfica dessa produção. Ressalta-se como resultado o papel do segmento imobiliário, particularmente o capital incorporador, que apoiado pelo poder público, atua para a valorização do capital a partir do lançamento de novos produtos, impactando o tecido urbano e reconfigurando a periferia.
A pilot study of participatory video in early psychosis: Qualitative findings
Authors: MacDougall Arlene G. , Price Elizabeth , Glen Sarah , Wiener Joshua C. , Kukan Sahana , Powe Laura , Bird Richelle , Lysaker Paul H. , Anderson Kelly K. , Norman Ross M.G.
Published: October 2022

For people with psychotic disorders, developing a personal narrative about one’s experiences with psychosis can help promote recovery. This pilot study examined participants’ reactions to and experiences of participatory video as an intervention to help facilitate recovery-oriented narrative development in early psychosis. Outpatients of an early psychosis intervention program were recruited to participate in workshops producing short documentary-style videos of their collective and individual experiences. Six male participants completed the program and took part in a focus group upon completion and in an individual semistructured interview three months later. Themes were identified from the focus group and interviews and then summarized for descriptive purposes. Prominent themes included impacts of the videos on the participants and perceived impacts on others, fulfilment from sharing experiences and expressing oneself, value of collaboration and cohesion in a group, acquiring interpersonal and technological skills, and recommendations for future implementation. Findings of this study suggest that participatory video is an engaging means of self-definition and self-expression among young people in recovery from early psychosis.
EUS-guided biliary drainage in malignant distal biliary obstruction: An international survey to identify barriers of technology implementation
Authors: Palmieri Vincent , Barkun Alan , Forbes Nauzer , Martel Myriam , Lam Eric , Telford Jennifer , Sandha Gurpal , Paquin Sarto , Sahai Anand , Chen Yen-I
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives:

EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is a promising alternative to ERCP in malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO). Despite accumulating data, however, its application in clinical practice has been impeded by undefined barriers. This study aims to evaluate the practice of EUS-BD and its barriers.

Methods:

An online survey was generated using Google Forms. Six gastroenterology/endoscopy associations were contacted between July 2019 and November 2019. Survey questions measured participant characteristics, EUS-BD in different clinical scenarios, and potential barriers. The primary outcome was the uptake of EUS-BD as a first-line modality, without previous ERCP attempts, in patients with MDBO.

Results:

Overall, 115 respondents completed the survey (2.9% response rate). Respondents were from North America (39.2%), Asia (28.6%), Europe (20%), and other jurisdictions (12.2%). Regarding the uptake of EUS-BD as first-line treatment for MDBO, only 10.5% of respondents would consider EUS-BD as a first-line modality regularly. The main concerns were the lack of high-quality data, fear of adverse events, and limited access to EUS-BD dedicated devices. On multivariable analysis, lack of access to EUS-BD expertise was an independent predictor against the use of EUS-BD, odds ratio 0.16 (95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.65). In salvage situations following failed ERCP, most favored EUS-BD (40.9%) over percutaneous drainage (21.7%) in unresectable cancer. In borderline resectable or locally advanced disease, however, most favored the percutaneous approach due to fear of EUS-BD complicating future surgery.

Conclusions:

EUS-BD has not reached widespread clinical adoption. Identified barriers include lack of high-quality data, fear of adverse events, and lack of access to EUS-BD dedicated devices. Fear of complicating future surgery was also identified as a barrier in potentially resectable disease.
Value of EUS in determining infiltration depth of early carcinoma and associated precancerous lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Chen Huizhu , Wang Xueping , Shao Shenghui , Zhang Jian , Tan Xuejiao , Chen Weigang
Published: October 2022

Objective:

The objective is to evaluate the value of EUS in the determination of infiltration depth of early carcinoma and precancerous lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract and to analyze the various factors affecting the accuracy of EUS.

Methods:

One hundred and sixty-three patients diagnosed with early gastric cancer or early esophageal cancer, and associated precancerous lesions, who were seen in our hospital in the recent 10 years were selected. These patients received EUS before endoscopic submucosal dissection or surgery. With a pathological diagnosis as the gold standard, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and misjudgment rate of EUS in determining the invasion depth were evaluated using the pathological stratification (mucosa, M1/2; muscularis mucosa, M3; submucosa, [SM]; and muscularis propria) or TN stratification (mucosa, T1a; SM, T1b), and the possible causes of miscalculation were analyzed.

Results:

Based on the pathological stratification, the overall accuracy of EUS was 78.5%, and the overestimation and underestimation rates were 17.8% and 3.7%, respectively. Based on the TN stratification, the overall accuracy of EUS was 81%, and the overestimation and underestimation rates were 16.6% and 2.5%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of overestimation and underestimation rates (P < 0.05), indicating that EUS was more likely to overestimate the depth. Univariate analysis showed that the factors affecting accuracy included lesion size, macroscopic features, sunken mucosa, mucosa with granular and nodular changes, and ulceration. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that larger lesions, mucosa with granular and nodular changes, and ulceration were independent risk factors for the overestimation of infiltration depth by EUS.

Conclusion:

EUS is highly accurate in determining the infiltration depth of early cancer and precancerous lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. It also has a good reference value for treatment selection and prognostication. However, attention should be paid to its overestimation, especially accompanied by the aforementioned factors.
Three-year evaluation of a novel, nonfluoroscopic, all-artificial model for EUS-guided biliary drainage training for the impact to practice: A prospective observational study (with videos)
Authors: Chantarojanasiri Tanyaporn , Siripun Aroon , Kongkam Pradermchai , Pausawasdi Nonthalee , Ratanachu-ek Thawee
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives:

EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) required a dedicated training. We developed and evaluated a nonfluoroscopic, all-artificial training model known as Thai Association for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Model 2 (TAGE-2) for the training of EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) and EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS). We hypothesize that trainers and trainees would appreciate the ease of the nonfluoroscopy model and increase their confidence to start their real procedures in humans.

Materials and Methods:

We prospectively evaluated the TAGE-2 launched in two international EUS hands-on workshops and have followed trainees for 3 years to see long-term outcomes. After completing the training procedure, the participants answered questionnaires to assess their immediate satisfaction of the models in and also the impact of these models on their clinical practice 3 years after the workshop.

Results:

A total of 28 participants used the EUS-HGS model and 45 participants used the EUS-CDS model. The EUS-HGS model was rated as excellent by 60% of beginners and 40% by experienced and the EUS-CDS model was rated as excellent by 62.5% of beginners and 57.2% of experienced. The majority of trainees (85.7%) have started the EUS-BD procedure in humans without additional training in other models.

Conclusion:

Our nonfluoroscopic, all-artificial model for EUS-BD training is convenient to be used with good-to-excellent satisfaction scored by the participants in most aspects. It can help the majority of trainees start their procedures in humans without additional training in other models.
EUS-guided versus percutaneous liver biopsy: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis of outcomes
Authors: Chandan Saurabh , Deliwala Smit , Khan Shahab R. , Mohan Babu P. , Dhindsa Banreet S. , Bapaye Jay , Goyal Hemant , Kassab Lena L. , Kamal Faisal , Sayles Harlan R. , Kochhar Gursimran S. , Adler Douglas G.
Published: October 2022

EUS-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) has gained momentum in recent years, especially with availability of newer needle designs. Given the emerging comparative data on EUS-LB with second-generation needles and percutaneous LB (PC-LB), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of the two techniques. We searched multiple databases from inception through November 2021 to identify studies comparing outcomes of EUS-LB and PC-LB. Pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model, and the results were expressed in terms of pooled proportions and odds ratio (OR) along with relevant 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Five studies with 748 patients were included in the final analysis. EUS-LB was performed in 276 patients and PC-LB in 472 patients. Across all studies, PC-LB had an overall higher diagnostic accuracy than EUS-LB, 98.6% confidence interval (CI: 94.7–99.7) versus 88.3% (49.6–98.3), OR: 1.65, P = 0.04. On assessing data from randomized controlled trials, there was no difference between the two. While pooled diagnostic adequacy and overall adverse events were not significantly different between PC-LB and EUS-LB, the former was superior in terms of the mean number of complete portal tracts (CPT) and total specimen length. PC-LB and EUS-LB produce similar results. PC-LB allows obtaining longer samples and more CPT. Further studies are needed to see if these trends hold up as more providers begin to perform EUS-LB.
EUS development in China: Results from national surveys in 2013 and 2020
Authors: Xin Lei , Gao Ye , Wang Tian-Jiao , Meng Qian-Qian , Jin Zhen-Dong , Fu Zeng-Jun , Wang Yi-Lin , Lin Han , Li Zhao-Shen , Wang Luo-Wei
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives:

EUS has recently gained attraction in mainland China. This study aimed to evaluate the development of EUS from results of two national surveys.

Methods:

EUS-related information, including infrastructure, personnel, volume, and quality indicator, was extracted from the Chinese Digestive Endoscopy Census. Data from 2012 and 2019 were compared, and differences among various hospitals and regions were analyzed. The EUS rates (EUS annual volume per 100,000 inhabitants) between China and developed countries were also compared.

Results:

The number of hospitals performing EUS in mainland China increased from 531 to 1236 (2.33-fold), and 4025 endoscopists performed EUS in 2019. The volumes of all EUS and interventional EUS increased from 207,166 to 464,182 (2.24-fold) and 10,737 to 15,334 (1.43-fold), respectively. The EUS rate in China was lower than that in developed countries but showed a higher growth rate. EUS rate varied substantially among different provincial regions (in 2019: 4.9–152.0 per 100,000 inhabitants) and showed significant positive association with gross domestic product per capita (in 2019: r = 0.559, P = 0.001). The EUS-FNA–positive rate in 2019 was comparable between hospitals in terms of annual volume (≥50 or < 50: 79.9% vs. 71.6%, P = 0.704) and practice duration (starting EUS-FNA before or after 2012: 78.7% vs. 72.6%, P = 0.565).

Conclusion:

EUS has developed considerably in China in recent years but still needs substantial improvement. More resources are in demand for hospitals in less-developed regions and with low EUS volume.
Association between Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D and Bilirubin Levels in Term Neonates with Hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Kumar Hemant , Bandyopadhyay Tapas , Kumari Pratima , Maria Arti , Upadhyay Swati
Published: October 2022

Introduction:

Neonatal jaundice is a common cause of hospital admission among neonates in the 1st week of life. The condition results from an imbalance between oxidative stress and antioxidant mechanisms. Considering the fact that the metabolism of both bilirubin and 25-hydroxy Vitamin D occurs in the liver and 25-hydroxy Vitamin D being a potent antioxidant, we hypothesized that there exists an association between 25-hydroxy Vitamin D and serum bilirubin levels.

Methods:

A total of 174 neonates were enrolled in the study and were further subclassified into 4 groups: Group A (no clinical jaundice), Group B (clinical jaundice with the value of serum bilirubin <10 mg/dl), Group C (clinical jaundice with the value of serum bilirubin >10 mg/dl but not in phototherapy range), and Group D (clinical jaundice with serum bilirubin value requiring initiation of phototherapy). 25-hydroxy Vitamin D and serum bilirubin levels along with parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase levels were estimated.

Results:

The mean 25-hydroxy Vitamin D levels were highest in Group A and lowest in Group D (21.92 ± 20.85 vs. 14.38 ± 8.52, P = 0.020) and vice versa for serum bilirubin levels (15.08 ± 0.93 vs. 4.28 ± 0.97, P < 0.001). There was a nonsignificant negative correlation between serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D and bilirubin levels (correlation coefficient: −0.113 [−0.257–0.0364], P = 0.138).

Conclusion:

The present study suggests a lack of association between serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D and bilirubin levels. However, the results need to be confirmed by further prospective studies to conclude that 25-hydroxy Vitamin D has no role in the pathogenesis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava and Ipsilateral Intraventricular Hemorrhage in a Preterm Infant
Authors: Karunwi Adenike , Manzar Shabih , Jones Ryan
Published: October 2022

We describe a preterm infant with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement. The PICC line was suspected to be in the persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), confirmed by echocardiogram. PLSVC is a rare anomaly. On routine screening, the infant was noted to have an ipsilateral intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) postulated to be secondary to the altered retrograde blood flow through the PLSVC. No such association has been reported previously. The case presentation is followed by evidence supporting the postulated mechanism. Although the association between PLSVC and IVH could be coincidental, clinicians should be aware of the blood flow-related problem associated with PLSVC in preterm infants.
On the correlations of $n^\alpha$ mod 1
Authors: Technau Niclas , Yesha Nadav
Published: October 2022

A well known result in the theory of uniform distribution modulo 1 (which goes back to Fejér and Csillag) states that the fractional parts

\{n^{\alpha}\}

of the sequence

(n^{\alpha})_{n\ge1}

are uniformly distributed in the unit interval whenever

\alpha>0

is not an integer. For sharpening this knowledge to local statistics, the

k

-level correlation functions of the sequence

(\{n^{\alpha}\})_{n\geq1}

are of fundamental importance. We prove that for each

k\ge2,

the

k

-level correlation function

R_{k}

is Poissonian for almost every

\alpha>4k^{2}-4k-1

.
Savage surfaces
Authors: Troncoso Sergio , Urzúa Giancarlo
Published: October 2022

Let

G

be the topological fundamental group of a given nonsingular complex projective surface. We prove that the Chern slopes

c_1^2(S)/c_2(S)

of minimal nonsingular surfaces of general type

S

with

\pi_1(S) \simeq G

are dense in the interval

[1,3]

.
On the rational approximation to $p$-adic Thue–Morse numbers
Authors: Bugeaud Yann
Published: October 2022

Let

p

be a prime number and let

\xi

be an irrational

p

-adic number. Its multiplicative irrationality exponent

\mu^{\times}(\xi)

is the supremum of the real numbers

\mu^{\times}

for which the inequality

|b \xi - a|_{p} \leq | a b |^{-\mu^{\times} / 2}

has infinitely many solutions in nonzero integers

a

and

b

. We show that

\mu^{\times} (\xi)

can be expressed in terms of a new exponent of approximation attached to a sequence of rational numbers defined in terms of

\xi

. We establish that

\mu^{\times} ({\xi_{\mathbf{t}, p}}) = 3

, where

{\xi_{\mathbf{t}, p}}

is the

p

-adic number

1 - p - p^2 + p^3 - p^4 + \ldots

, whose sequence of digits is given by the Thue–Morse sequence over

\{-1, 1\}

.
Inequitable distribution of excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea, 2020
Authors: Kim Jin-Hwan , Kim Saerom , Park Eunhye , Kim Chang-yup
Published: October 2022

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed inequities in excess mortality according to region and socioeconomic position to explain the distribution of excess mortality in Korea in 2020.METHODS: We acquired weekly all-cause mortality data from January 2015 to December 2020 from (1) the National Health Insurance Database and (2) Vital Statistics. Excess mortality for 2020 was calculated by comparing the weekly observed and expected deaths from the same period (2015-2019) using quasi-Poisson regression.RESULTS: An inequitable distribution of excess mortality was identified. The estimated excess mortality in Korea was -29,112 (95% confidence interval, -29,832 to -28,391), corresponding to -55 per 100,000, and the ratio of observed deaths to expected deaths was 0.91. Negative excess mortality was observed except for females in the 0-14 age group. Male Medical Aid beneficiaries showed positive excess mortality, while non-disabled and disabled groups showed similar negative values. When the standardized mortality ratio was calculated for the top 10 causes of death, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease and septicemia increased, whereas those from diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular disease decreased. The decrease in mortality was primarily concentrated in older adults, while the mortality of young females increased due to increased intentional self-harm.CONCLUSIONS: This study adds essential evidence regarding the overall performance of Korea. The observed inequalities according to various socioeconomic variables indicate that the results of strict measures to control coronavirus disease 2019 were not distributed equitably. Efforts should be made to properly evaluate the current and future problems related to the pandemic.
Monkeypox: the resurgence of forgotten things
Authors: Kim Sun Bean , Jung Jaehun , Peck Kyong Ran
Published: October 2022

Monkeypox, a rare zoonotic disease, is primarily prevalent in Central and Western Africa. However, monkeypox is emerging as a worldwide concern due to the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, which is the first instance of widespread community transmission outside Africa. Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus and presents as a vesicular-pustular disease that may be preceded by fever, malaise, and other constitutional symptoms. If present, lymphadenopathy may distinguish it from chickenpox or smallpox. However, contrary to previous manifestations, most monkeypox patients presented with atypical features during the 2022 outbreak. Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting between 2 weeks and 4 weeks and is mainly transmitted when a person comes into contact with an infected animal, person, or fomites contaminated with the virus. Very few treatment options are available for this disease. Tecovirimat has been licensed in some countries for the treatment of smallpox and monkeypox infections. Two other medications, cidofovir and brincidofovir, have been found to be effective against poxviruses in in vitro and animal studies, but data on human cases of monkeypox are limited. Although Imvamune (JYNNEOS), a vaccine against monkeypox, is authorized in the United States, there are currently no established routine vaccination programs. Current preventive strategies focus on the detection of probable cases and containment of the outbreak through the implementation of selected ring vaccination programs. Fundamental principles to prevent the spread of monkeypox, including maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding close contact with symptomatic patients, are of paramount importance.
Fatty Acid Content of Farmed Rainbow Trout: How Much Should We Consume for Enough EPA and DHA?
Authors: Bayir Hilal , Arslan Murat
Published: October 2022

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA), have drawn increasing attention, recently due to their important disease-preventing and health-promoting functions. The present study investigates the fatty acids profile of rainbow trout cultured in different farms in the different provinces (Erzurum and Sakarya) of Turkey. After detecting lipids and fatty acids content, the amount of fillet required for weekly intake of 3.5 g EPA+DHA suggested by International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) for human consumption was calculated for each farm. The amount of EPA+DHA in fillets from Erzurum and Sakarya were 236.2±91.8 and 193.8±75.1 mg/g lipid, respectively, with no significant difference between the two provinces. The amounts of fillet required for weekly intake of 3.5 g EPA+DHA suggested by ISSFAL were calculated as 714±215 and 896±590 g for the farms in Erzurum and Sakarya, respectively, with no significant difference between the two provinces. Based on our results, required EPA+DHA for healthy purposes could be achieved by consuming rainbow trout approximately two or three times a week depending on the farm and the portion size.