bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential vulnerability of the dentate gyrus to tauopathies in dementias
Authors: Kawles Allegra , Minogue Grace , Zouridakis Antonia , Keszycki Rachel , Gill Nathan , Nassif Caren , Coventry Christina , Zhang Hui , Rogalski Emily , Flanagan Margaret E. , Castellani Rudolph , Bigio Eileen H. , Mesulam M. Marsel , Geula Changiz , Gefen Tamar
Published: January 2023

The dentate gyrus (DG), a key hippocampal subregion in memory processing, generally resists phosphorylated tau accumulation in the amnestic dementia of the Alzheimer’s type due to Alzheimer’s disease (DAT-AD), but less is known about the susceptibility of the DG to other tauopathies. Here, we report stereologic densities of total DG neurons and tau inclusions in thirty-two brains of human participants with autopsy-confirmed tauopathies with distinct isoform profiles—3R Pick’s disease (PiD, N = 8), 4R corticobasal degeneration (CBD, N = 8), 4R progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP, N = 8), and 3/4R AD (N = 8). All participants were diagnosed during life with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), an aphasic clinical dementia syndrome characterized by progressive deterioration of language abilities with spared non-language cognitive abilities in early stages, except for five patients with DAT-AD as a comparison group. 51% of total participants were female. All specimens were stained immunohistochemically with AT8 to visualize tau pathology, and PPA cases were stained for Nissl substance to visualize neurons. Unbiased stereological analysis was performed in granule and hilar DG cells, and inclusion-to-neuron ratios were calculated. In the PPA group, PiD had highest mean total (granule + hilar) densities of DG tau pathology (p < 0.001), followed by CBD, AD, then PSP. PPA-AD cases showed more inclusions in hilar cells compared to granule cells, while the opposite was true in PiD and CBD. Inclusion-to-neuron ratios revealed, on average, 33% of all DG neurons in PiD cases contained a tau inclusion, compared to ~ 7% in CBD, 2% in AD, and 0.4% in PSP. There was no significant difference between DAT-AD and PPA-AD pathologic tau burden, suggesting that differences in DG burden are not specific to clinical phenotype. We conclude that the DG is differentially vulnerable to pathologic tau accumulation, raising intriguing questions about the structural integrity and functional significance of hippocampal circuits in neurodegenerative dementias.
Household food insecurity and coping strategies among rural households in Kedida Gamela District, Kembata-Tembaro zone, Southern Ethiopia: mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design
Authors: Yohannes Gizachew , Wolka Eskinder , Bati Temesgen , Yohannes Tadele
Published: January 2023

Background

Household food insecurity is a state in which household members experienced limited or uncertain physical and economic access to safe, plenty, and healthy food to meet the dietary needs for a fruitful, healthy, and active life. Food insecurity continues to be a major development and public health problem across the globe, having adverse consequences. This study was done to assess household food insecurity and to explore coping strategies in Kedida Gamela District, Southern Ethiopia.

Method

A cross-sectional study complemented with the qualitative inquiry was carried-out from August to November 2020. Multistage sampling was used to select study subjects. A total sample of 597 households was selected randomly using up to date family folder list in the district as a sampling frame. For the qualitative study, 16 food-insecure households were selected randomly from food in secured households. Quantitative data were entered using Ep-Data 3.1 and exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. Bivariate analysis was carried out to see the crude association between each independent variable and outcome variable. P-value < 0.05 and 95%CI for adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were used to declare the significance of the associations. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Result

The findings of this study showed that 76% of the households were food insecure. Being female-headed households [AOR: 2.82:CI(1.10, 7.24)], absence of formal education [(AOR: 9.75:CI (3.7, 11.31)], lack of engagement in non-farm farm activities [(AOR; 3.30: CI (1.86, 5.96)], absence of credit service [AOR:4.04; C I (2.11,7.73)], presence of dependent household members [AOR: 3.47;(2.91,6.34)], poorest wealth status [AOR;9.86:CI (3.72, 15.85)] were factors significantly associated with food insecurity of the households. Food insecure households employed different coping strategies with the respective level of food insecurity.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicated that household food insecurity was higher in the study area. Moreover, sex, educational status, wealth status of the households; engagement of households in off/non-farm farm activities, credit service, and active and inactive labor force were significantly associated with household food insecurity.

Food insecure households practice different coping strategies with respective food insecurity levels from the less severe strategy of eating inedible, fewer-quality foods to the most severe of migrating and begging for food.

Planning and exhaustively implementing sustainable food security programs should get due attention.
Examining a technology-focused language teacher community on Facebook during a crisis situation
Authors: Ito Yurika
Published: January 2023

Due to the chaos and confusion caused by the sudden transition from face-to-face teaching to online and remote teaching in early 2020, numerous language teachers had no choice but to rely on online communities on social networking sites. The current study therefore examined how some language teachers were utilising online communities on Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were mainly collected through: (1) an eight-month observation of a technology-focused language teacher community on Facebook to identify different types of posts generated by its members before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 340); (2) a questionnaire to understand the community members’ backgrounds and experiences of being in the community (n = 51); (3) semi-structured interviews with some of the questionnaire participants (n = 13); and (4) a post-interview questionnaire (n = 12) to get a better understanding of their responses. A content analysis of online posts and community members’ responses suggest that language teacher communities on Facebook were supporting teachers during the stressful periods of the pandemic professionally and emotionally. The main findings are discussed in terms of the benefits and drawbacks of using online language teacher communities for professional purposes. The overall goal of the study is to offer much-needed answers on how pre-existing communities can be used to assist language teachers in times of a crisis.
Relating plasticity to dislocation properties by data analysis: scaling vs. machine learning approaches
Authors: Hiemer Stefan , Fan Haidong , Zaiser Michael
Published: January 2023

Plasticity modelling has long relied on phenomenological models based on ad-hoc assumption of constitutive relations, which are then fitted to limited data. Other work is based on the consideration of physical mechanisms which seek to establish a physical foundation of the observed plastic deformation behavior through identification of isolated defect processes (’mechanisms’) which are observed either experimentally or in simulations and then serve to formulate so-called physically based models. Neither of these approaches is adequate to capture the complexity of plastic deformation which belongs into the realm of emergent collective phenomena, and to understand the complex interplay of multiple deformation pathways which is at the core of modern high performance structural materials. Data based approaches offer alternative pathways towards plasticity modelling whose strengths and limitations we explore here for a simple example, namely the interplay between rate and dislocation density dependent strengthening mechanisms in fcc metals.
A radiographic, deep transfer learning framework, adapted to estimate lung opacities from chest x-rays
Authors: Vardhan Avantika , Makhnevich Alex , Omprakash Pravan , Hirschorn David , Barish Matthew , Cohen Stuart L. , Zanos Theodoros P.
Published: January 2023

Chest radiographs (CXRs) are the most widely available radiographic imaging modality used to detect respiratory diseases that result in lung opacities. CXR reports often use non-standardized language that result in subjective, qualitative, and non-reproducible opacity estimates. Our goal was to develop a robust deep transfer learning framework and adapt it to estimate the degree of lung opacity from CXRs. Following CXR data selection based on exclusion criteria, segmentation schemes were used for ROI (Region Of Interest) extraction, and all combinations of segmentation, data balancing, and classification methods were tested to pick the top performing models. Multifold cross validation was used to determine the best model from the initial selected top models, based on appropriate performance metrics, as well as a novel Macro-Averaged Heatmap Concordance Score (MA HCS). Performance of the best model is compared against that of expert physician annotators, and heatmaps were produced. Finally, model performance sensitivity analysis across patient populations of interest was performed. The proposed framework was adapted to the specific use case of estimation of degree of CXR lung opacity using ordinal multiclass classification. Acquired between March 24, 2020, and May 22, 2020, 38,365 prospectively annotated CXRs from 17,418 patients were used. We tested three neural network architectures (ResNet-50, VGG-16, and ChexNet), three segmentation schemes (no segmentation, lung segmentation, and lateral segmentation based on spine detection), and three data balancing strategies (undersampling, double-stage sampling, and synthetic minority oversampling) using 38,079 CXR images for training, and validation with 286 images as the out-of-the-box dataset that underwent expert radiologist adjudication. Based on the results of these experiments, the ResNet-50 model with undersampling and no ROI segmentation is recommended for lung opacity classification, based on optimal values for the MAE metric and HCS (Heatmap Concordance Score). The degree of agreement between the opacity scores predicted by this model with respect to the two sets of radiologist scores (OR or Original Reader and OOBTR or Out Of Box Reader) in terms of performance metrics is superior to the inter-radiologist opacity score agreement.
Directly and instantly seeing through random diffusers by self-imaging in scattering speckles
Authors: Liu Jietao , Yang Wenhong , Song Guofeng , Gan Qiaoqiang
Published: January 2023

Imaging through scattering medium is challenging but important for different applications. Most advances rely on computational image reconstruction from scattering signals. In these conventional investigations, speckles were always treated as scrambled grainy patterns. Directly seeing through scattering diffusers has never been realized. Here, we report a new strategy to see through random diffusers directly using self-imaging of speckles. By analyzing the physics, a direct observation strategy through scattering media is reported with improved image quality. Using this method, we experimentally demonstrated reconstruction-free real-time imaging of static and moving objects with their actual orientation information under single-wavelength and white light illumination. We also proposed a modified speckle autocorrelation imaging (SAI) method inspired by the self-imaging results. Importantly, our strategy requires no pre-calibration or acquisition of point-spread-function, no active control of wavefronts or complicated equipment, nor iterations or carefully adjusted parameters, paving the way towards rapid and high-quality imaging through scattering diffusers.
Spectrophotometric studies of low-cost method for determination of ceftriaxone using a novel charge transfer acceptor, N-(2,4-dinitro-1-naphthyl)-p-toluenesulphonamide
Authors: Umoh O. E. , Adegoke O. A. , Effiong D. E.
Published: January 2023

Background

This study reports a new, cost-effective and validated method for the determination of ceftriaxone (CFR). The method involved charge transfer (CT) complexation reaction of ceftriaxone (as n-electron donor) and N-(2,4-dinitro-1-naphthyl)-p-toluenesulphonamide {N-(2,4-DN1NL) PTS} as π-electron acceptor to form a complex. Ultraviolet, infrared and1H NMR spectra of CFR, N-(2,4-DN1NL) PTS and adduct were then studied to predict the site of interaction between the donor and acceptor.

Result

The complex formed had deep golden-yellow colour, having a new absorption band at 440 nm. Molar absorptivity of 1.667 × 105L M−1 cm−1was obtained. The complexation reaction was completed at 30 °C optimal temperature within 10 min. Acetonitrile was found to be the best diluting solvent for optimal detector response and the complex was stable (absorbance unchanged) at room temperature for hours. At concentration of 1.708–11.956 µg mL−1, with low limits of detection of 0.143 µg mL−1, Beer’s law was observed. Between-day recovery statistics of CFR from quality control samples were 102.15 ± 0.062 (% RSD = 0.61, n = 12) over three days. The site of interaction of donor and acceptor molecules, as revealed through infrared (IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies (1H NMR) and the formation of charge transfer complex is through intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the amino group of the donor and the acidic proton of the acceptor. Common tablet excipients, as observed, did not interfere with the analytical method and no significant difference existed between the results of this new method and the high performance liquid chromatographic procedures (p > 0.05) documented in the USP. The new CT procedure described in this paper is not only simple but also fast, accurate and precise. Also, the reactions were carried out at room temperature compared to previously described procedures.

Conclusions

This novel method could therefore be adopted as a fast but cost-effective alternative for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of CFR in its pure and dosage form. It could find usefulness in on-the-spot detection of counterfeit drugs and in field inspections with reliable accurate results that compares with established methods.
Evaluation of antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of GC/MS characterized methanol leaf extract of Terminalia superba (Combretaceae, Engl. & Diels)
Authors: Ani Njideka Ifeoma , Okolo Kenneth Obinna , Offiah Raymond Ogbonna
Published: January 2023

Background

Terminalia superba is a well-known medicinal plant used in folk medicine for the management of various diseases and swelling. Validation of its efficacy in standardized scientific models is lacking. This gap needs to be filled as a way of enhancing modern drug discovery. The aim is to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of T. superba in known and established models. Also, to establish and possibly correlate the established activity with the phytochemicals identified using GC/MS and qualitative methods.

Results

The result showed a dose-dependent percentage inhibition of DPPH, HO•, and Fe3+ reducing activity. The antibacterial activity showed dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) inhibition against all the organisms used. The anti-inflammatory activity of METS was confirmed in the carrageenan model with significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of paw volume when compared to control while significantly decreasing (p < 0.05) weight of xylene-induced ear. For instance, after 6 h, there was  a reduction of 42%, 33%, and 22% for diclofenac, 200 mg, and 100 mg, respectively, as against 4% in control. The significant (p < 0.05) increase in MDA was attenuated by the treatment with METS dose dependently. Phytochemical assay and GC/MS characterization showed that alkaloids, saponins, phenols, quinone, tannins, coumarins, proteins, flavonoids, and amino acids were dominant with fatty acids accounting for 53%. Others are esters (23%), organic compounds (12%), alkanes (9%), and carboxylic acids (3%).

Conclusions

T. superba possesses antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties which are believed to arise from the secondary metabolites observed in the GC–MS characterization.

Graphical Abstract
Effects of physical therapy intervention in the management of neuromyelitis optica: a case report
Authors: Chakraverty Sneha , Dutta Sayak , Das Himadri
Published: January 2023

Background

Neuromyelitis optica is a rare immune-mediated demyelinating central nervous system disorder affecting the spinal cord and optic nerves. There is no permanent cure for this disease, and its management requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Objective

The objective of this case report is to see the effectiveness of physical therapy in the management of neuromyelitis Optica.

Methods

A case of a 13-year-old female with symptoms of left side weakness, balance, and gait impairments administered a 2-week exercise protocol including progressive resistance training for strength improvements, virtual reality gaming for balance and stability improvements, and modified constraint-induced movement therapy for upper extremity functioning and activities of daily living (ADLs). Pre- and post-outcome measures include manual muscle testing (MMT) scores for strength, ProKin TecnoBody assessment for balance and stability, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Capabilities of Upper extremity Questionnaire (CUE-Q) for ADLs.

Results

Results showed a marked improvement in the scores of MMT, FIM, CUE, and ProKin TecnoBody post-intervention.

Conclusion

Physical therapy is effective in the management of neuromyelitis optica.
Associations between activity, sedentary and sleep behaviours and psychosocial health in young children: a longitudinal compositional time-use study
Authors: Taylor Rachael W. , Haszard Jillian J. , Meredith-Jones Kim A. , Azeem Anita A. , Galland Barbara C. , Heath Anne-Louise M. , Taylor Barry J. , Healey Dione
Published: January 2023

Background

Good quality sleep, regular physical activity, and limited time spent sedentary are all considered individually important in promoting good mental health in children. However, few studies have examined the influence of each behaviour simultaneously, using compositional analysis which accounts for the closed nature of the 24-h day. Our aim was to determine how compositional time use in early childhood is prospectively related to mental and psychosocial health at 5 years of age.

Methods

A total of 392 children wore Actical accelerometers 24-h a day for one week at 2, 3.5 and 5 years of age to examine time in sleep, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Psychosocial and mental health were assessed at age 5 using both laboratory based (researcher-assessed) and questionnaire (parental-report) measures. Associations were estimated using regression models with isometric log-ratios of time-use components as predictors.

Results

Cross-sectionally, 5-year old children who spent 10% (64 min) more time asleep than average had better inhibitory control (standardised mean difference [d]; 0.19; 95% confidence interal [CI]: 0.02, 0.36 for Statue test and d = 0.16; 95% CI: − 0.01, 0.33 for Heads–Toes–Knees–Shoulders task). A greater proportion of time spent active (10%, 31 min) was associated with poorer inhibitory control (d = − 0.07; 95% CI: − 0.13, − 0.02 for Statue test, d = − 0.06; 95% CI: − 0.11, − 0.01 for Heads–Toes–Knees–Shoulders task). By contrast, differences in time-use were not found to be significantly associated with any measure of self-regulation or mental health at 5 years of age, nor were any significant longitudinal relationships apparent.

Conclusions

We did not find a significant association between 24-h time use in the preschool years and any measure of psychosocial or mental health at 5 years of age, although some relationships with inhibitory control were observed cross-sectionally.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00892983, registered 5th May 2009.
Capitalist Humanitarianism
Authors: Hulsether Lucia
Published: January 2023

The struggle against neoliberal order has gained momentum over the last five decades---to the point that economic elites have not only adapted to the Left's critiques but incorporated them for capitalist expansion. Venture funds expose their ties to slavery and pledge to invest in racial equity. Banks pitch microloans as a path to indigenous self-determination. Fair-trade brands narrate consumption as an act of feminist solidarity with women artisans in the global South. In Capitalist Humanitarianism Lucia Hulsether examines these projects and the contexts of their emergence. Blending historical and ethnographic styles, and traversing intimate and global scales, Hulsether tracks how neoliberal self-critique creates new institutional hegemonies that, in turn, reproduce racial and neocolonial dispossession. From the archives of Christian fair traders to luxury social entrepreneurship conferences, from US finance offices to Guatemalan towns flooded with their loan products, from service economy desperation to the internal contradictions of social movements, Hulsether argues that capitalist humanitarian projects are fueled as much by a profit motive as by a hope that racial capitalism can redeem the losses that accumulate in its wake.
The role of mitosis in generating fitness heterogeneity
Authors: Buss Julieti Huch , Lenz Luana Suéling , Pereira Luiza Cherobini , Torgo Daphne , Marcolin Júlia , Begnini Karine Rech , Lenz Guido
Published: January 2023

Cancer cells have heterogeneous fitness, and this heterogeneity stems from genetic and epigenetic sources. Here, we sought to assess the contribution of asymmetric mitosis (AM) and time on the variability of fitness in sister cells. Around one quarter of sisters had differences in fitness, assessed as the intermitotic time (IMT), from 330 to 510 min. Phenotypes related to fitness, such as ERK activity (herein referring to ERK1 and ERK2, also known as MAPK3 and MAPK1, respectively), DNA damage and nuclear morphological phenotypes were also asymmetric at mitosis or turned asymmetric over the course of the cell cycle. The ERK activity of mother cell was found to influence the ERK activity and the IMT of the daughter cells, and cells with ERK asymmetry at mitosis produced more offspring with AMs, suggesting heritability of the AM phenotype for ERK activity. Our findings demonstrate how variabilities in sister cells can be generated, contributing to the phenotype heterogeneities in tumor cells.
Aristotle & meaningful art
Authors: Papadopoulou Maria
Published: January 2023

Τhis article approaches the philosophical work of Aristotle, because it is the basis of all later philosophy. The universality that distinguishes Aristotelian thought and the fundamental truths contained in it make his philosophical view great, universal and timeless with deep insight. In this context, this study focuses mainly on Aristotle's work, Poetics, which mostly refers to tragedy, and derives some elements regarding the ethical dimension and happiness from his work Nicomachean Ethics.
Mezirow’s Theory of Transformative Learning and Freire’s Pedagogy
Authors: Fleming Ted
Published: January 2023

Jack Mezirow (1923-2014) and Paulo Freire (1921-1997) are two of the most important contributors to understanding adult learning. Mezirow (Bloom, 2015) frequently acknowledged the impact that Freire had on his thinking and one can wonder if there is a distance between the critical consciousness of Freire and the critical reflection of transformative learning? This study is restricted to the works of Freire and Mezirow and engages in a critical dialogue about their contribution. It does not focus on the multiple ways in which each has been amplified and reinterpreted by sympathetic scholars. These are the main focus of the study: an autobiographical moment; a look at Dewey as the precursor of both Freire and Mezirow; Hegel’s influence; a theological moment that divides the two educators; their contributions to teaching methods useful in critical pedagogy.
University students dataset related to achievement, classroom practices, perceptions and attitudes of multimedia-based learning quantum physics
Authors: Nyirahabimana Pascasie , Minani Evariste , Nduwingoma Mathias , Kimeza Imelda
Published: January 2023

This dataset presents data collected to assess teaching and learning of quantum physics at the University of Rwanda - College of Education (UR-CE), Rwanda. Data were collected between August and November 2019 as the baseline, and between January and April 2022 under a quasi-experimental design. Three sets of data were collected. The first set was about students' performance and conceptual understanding collected before and after teaching intervention (lecture method or multimedia-aided approach) using mainly Quantum Physics Conceptual Survey (QPCS). The second set documented classroom practices during teaching and learning using the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS). The last set is comprised of the data related to lecturers' and students' perceptions before teaching and learning quantum physics and students' attitudes after learning Quantum physics. The Quantum Physics Attitude Test (QPAT) was mainly used to collect these data. The dataset is important to education stakeholders because university managers can visualize the status of teaching and learning outcomes, lecturers can reflect on the study, and researchers can use the data to analyze various independent variables.
BOARD MEETING AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING OF BANKS IN NIGERIA
Authors: Ojuolape Gold Nusirat , Osayantin Aifuwa Hope
Published: January 2023

A board meeting is an avenue for directors of an organization to carry out their oversight and monitoring functions as well as discuss and meet the request and needs of the stakeholders. Corporate strategies of an organization are taken and implemented when board members meet. Leaning on this fact, this study examined the impact of board meetings on sustainability reporting in listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. A sample of ten (10) listed deposit money banks from 2014 to 2020 was conveniently selected. Descriptive and inferential statistics (panel least squares and logistic regression) was employed to summarize the data and to draw an inference on the population studied. Results from both the panel least squares regression and the binary logit regression revealed that board meetings have no significant impact on sustainability reporting of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria after controlling corporate administration and firm-level attributes. The study concluded that board meetings do not have an impact on sustainability reporting influences sustainability reporting of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study recommends that issues on sustainability should be discussed in the board meeting frequently.
Analysis of banking sector stability using the taxonomic measure of development
Authors: Paduszyńska Marta , Lesiak Magdalena
Published: January 2023

Motivation: The stability of the financial system means that the entire system performs its key functions properly. It is a prerequisite for sustained economic growth. Maintaining stability of the banking sector is of particular importance for the firmness of the financial system, as it plays a key role in financing the economy, transmission of monetary policy impulses, and monetary settlements. Therefore, in the context of financial security, it is extremely important to analyse the banking stability.
Aim: Assessment of the stability of banking sectors of the Central and Eastern European EU Member States and a comparative analysis and classification of the CEE countries in terms of selected indicators characterising the stability of their banking sectors using the model method of linear ordering, i.e. the Hellwig’s method. The analysis will verify the thesis whether banks in countries of lower national income (according to the World Bank’s classification) perform worse in terms of stability than banks in countries of higher national income. To illustrate the situation in the field of banking sector stability more clearly, the authors presented the dynamics of all variables considered from the point of view of the analysis (dynamics were presented for 2015 and 2019 in relation to the base year, which was assumed to be 2011).
Results: A multivariate analysis was used in the comparative analysis of banking sectors development in Central and Eastern Europe. For this purpose, the development pattern method was used so that a synthetic indicator of the development of the banking sector with regard to its stability was calculated. Based on the proposed measure of development, a ranking of the Central and Eastern European EU Member States was prepared for 2019. It should be emphasized that the thesis outlined in the article was not empirically confirmed, namely, banks from countries of lower national income (according to the World Bank classification) did not have much worse results than banks from countries of higher national income.
Varicocele – impact on fertility and results of various methods of surgical treatment
Authors: Szymańska Ewa , Ostaszewska Sandra , Świąder Kinga , Augustynowicz Kinga , Chrzanowski Jakub
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Varicoceles, a dilation of veins within the pampiniform plexus, are present in ∼15% of the general male population. In this article we reviewed the epidemiology, symptoms, and various surgical techniques for the treatment of varicoceles and the results of following treatment.Material and methods: The work was based on medical articles collected in PubMed, websites and medical books. The research was conducted by looking at keywords such as: "Varicoceles", "varicocelectomy" and “infertility”.

Results: There are many methods of treating varicoceles ranging from Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) or Laparoscopic varicocelectomy.

Conclusions: The interdisciplinary approach to the patient and innovative surgical techniques can provide us with many solutions in the treatment of the disease.

Doctors should adjust treatment to provide the best therapeutic effects.
JÓZEF Z NAZARETU – OJCIEC PRZY DZIEWICY. EDEN NA NOWO ODCZYTANY
Authors: Kunka Sławomir
Published: January 2023

Artykuł podejmuje temat św. Józefa, zaślubionego Maryi Pannie. Jako pochodzący z rodu Dawida został on wybrany na Oblubieńca Dziewicy z Nazaretu, która potem w Zwiastowaniu zgodziła się na bycie Matką Boga Wcielonego. Realizacja odwiecznych planów Ojca w sposób wyjątkowy dotyczyła więc też Józefa. Przez swoje zawierzenie i postawę „posłuszeństwa” wobec woli Bożej stał się budowniczym domu dla Pana. Przyjmując Maryję pod swój dach, został opiekunem Matki Pięknej Miłości. Jako wierny i sprawiedliwy sługa Bożych tajemnic wyznaczył wzór duchowej drogi wzrostu. Oblubieńcza miłość Maryi i św. Józefa pozwala na wspomnienie pierwszej pary ludzkiej, Adama i Ewy. Dzięki nim nasz „powrót” do Ogrodu Eden jest możliwy. Wiele faktów z życia Józefa pozwala dostrzegać w nim męża Bożej Opatrzności i obrońcę życia, najpierw samego Odkupiciela, a potem wszystkich odkupionych. Źródła objawione, liturgia Kościoła i praktyka życia wierzących potwierdza znaczącą rolę Józefa z Nazaretu w planach Bożych i pośród dzieci Bożych w świętym Kościele. Jak w soczewce, w osobie Opiekuna Odkupiciela skupiają się promienie starotestamentalnych zapowiedzi i obietnic oraz nowotestamentalne wydarzenia, stanowiące ich wypełnienie. Głowa Świętej Rodziny jest gwarantem realizacji i wypełnieniem tego, co od wieków przepowiedzieli prorocy. Dziewiczy małżonek Matki Bożej w jakimś sensie odnawia „rolę” Adama z Ogrodu Eden. Jako opiekun i wychowawca nowego Adama, Chrystusa, swoją postawą pełną wiary i zgodą na uczestnictwo w planach Boga Ojca, już w sobie uprzedza to, co w pełni stanie się udziałem Syna Bożego, cichego i pokornego Odkupiciela ludzkości.
POLEMIKA AUGUSTYNA Z PORFIRIUSZEM W PAŃSTWIE BOŻYM X, I–XXII
Authors: Łangowski Marek
Published: January 2023

Według Augustyna z Hippony jego nauka i teorie neoplatońskie nie pozostawały ze sobą w konflikcie, jeśli chodzi o pochodzenie szczęścia, które ma swoje źródło w Bożym świetle. Porfiriusz twierdził jednak, że szczęście mogło być dane przez pośredników, którymi były według niego dobre demony, na drodze kultu i teurgii, która pozwala człowiekowi oczyścić swoją duszę, aby mógł on pozostać w relacji z Bogiem. Przeciwko tej teorii Augustyn zmuszony jest sformułować kilka argumentów. Teurgia, według Porfiriusza, pozwala człowiekowi na bycie w relacji z Bogiem dzięki interwencji pośrednictwa dobrych demonów. Proces ten, według niego, usprawiedliwia kult dobrych demonów, które same w sobie są szczęśliwe i które są w stanie, według tej teorii, przekazać owo szczęście człowiekowi. Augustyn już w Księdze IX nie zgadza się na pojęcie „dobrego demona”. Według niego istnieją anioły, jedne dobre, inne złe, lecz nie można się zgodzić na istnienie dobrych demonów. Słowo „demon” posiada więc sens pejoratywny. W Księdze X Augustyn rozpoczyna swoją argumentację od tego, że demony mogą być jedynie fałszywymi mediatorami w osiąganiu szczęścia przez człowieka. Prawdziwym Mediatorem, który pozwala człowiekowi osiągnąć błogosławieństwo, jest Chrystus. To on zbliża nas do Boga i przekazuje nam szczęście. W efekcie, jedynie Chrystus jest tym, który może oczyścić naszą duszę. Staje się on prawdziwym Mediatorem pomiędzy Bogiem a ludźmi. Jest on jednocześnie prawdziwą Ofiarą i Kapłanem, czyli tym który ofiaruje. W życiu Kościoła absolutnie wszystko odnosi się do jego jedynej Ofiary. Jest on więc jedynym Mediatorem, dzięki któremu przez prawdziwy kult sakramentu Eucharystii, człowiek może odnaleźć prawdziwą drogę ku szczęściu, które się urzeczywistnia w zjednoczeniu ludzi z Bogiem. Ta prawda Chrystusa, jako jedynego Mediatora, jest potwierdzona przez cuda zawarte w Piśmie Świętym. Cuda Pisma Świętego są doskonalsze niż sztuczki teurgów. W języku polskim należy zwrócić uwagę na rozgraniczenie pojęć „pośredników” i „Mediatora” dla podkreślenia diametralnej różnicy między nimi w odniesieniu do ich sensu teologicznego.
ŻYCIE CODZIENNE KAMEDUŁÓW W EREMIE WIGIERSKIM (1667–1800)
Authors: Łupiński Józef
Published: January 2023

Stosunkowo wiele napisano na temat działalności Kongregacji Kamedułów Pustelników

Góry Koronnej na terenach dawnej Rzeczypospolitej. Najczęściej przedmiotem badań są materialne dokonania zakonu, brakuje natomiast analiz dotyczących sfery duchowej, zachowywania reguły zakonnej, czy też życia codziennego kamedułów. Współczesna historiografia coraz częściej interesuje się codziennością osób konsekrowanych. Léo Moulin – belgijski historyk mediewista zauważył: „świat zakonny jest rozległy, rozmaity, złożony”. Zakony w historii Kościoła katolickiego realizowały własne charyzmaty poprzez modlitwę lub np. działalność na polu miłosierdzia. Zgromadzenie kamedułów zostało założone w Italii w XI wieku. Z czasem zakon stopniowo zmienił swój charakter z eremickiego na cenobicki. Na początku XVI wieku bł. Paweł Giustiniani zainicjował powrót do dawnego radykalnego życia pustelniczego. Centralnym eremem odnowionego zakonu kamedulskiego stała się Góra Koronna (Monte Corona) koło Perugii. Życie codzienne Kongregacji Kamedułów określały Reguły życia eremickiego napisane przez Giustinianiego w 1516 roku, oparte na regułach spisanych przez św. Benedykta oraz św. Romualda2. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest przedstawienie życia codziennego kamedułów w eremie wigierskim działającym w latach 1667–1800, jednym z najbogatszych na ziemiach polskich w oparciu o teksty źródłowe – Reguły i Konstytucje kamedulskie oraz inne dokumenty archiwalne odnoszące się do omawianej wspólnoty eremickiej.
TEOLOGIA ZWIERZĄT JAKO NOWA (SUB)DYSCYPLINA
Authors: Małek Krzysztof
Published: January 2023

W artykule zaprezentowana została teologia zwierząt jako nowe pole badawcze w polskiej teologii. Celem artykułu jest wskazanie zakresu prowadzonych badań oraz dalszych możliwości rozwoju. W pierwszej części badacz przedstawił recepcję Teologii zwierząt Andrew Linzeya w polskiej literaturze naukowej. Druga część zawiera próbę usystematyzowania nazwy i obszaru badań. Wskazane zostały zaproponowane definicje, w tym autorska. W trzeciej części zaprezentowane zostało zestawienie z ekoteologią oraz wskazane zostały elementy wspólne oraz typowe dla każdej z (sub)dyscyplin. W zakończeniu wskazano braki na tym polu badawczym oraz możliwości dalszego rozwoju.
EKUMENIZM W POSTMODERNISTYCZNYM ŚWIECIE: W POSZUKIWANIU WŁAŚCIWEJ DROGI
Authors: Mudrak Łukasz
Published: January 2023

Ekumeniczne dążenie do tego, „aby wszyscy stanowili jedno” wydaje się być nadzwyczaj trudne w dobie postmodernistycznego pluralizmu. Czy jednak różnorodność musi ze swej natury negować ideał jedności tak fundamentalny dla zachowania tożsamości Kościoła? Co powinno charakteryzować ruch ekumeniczny XXI wieku? Jak oceniać konflikty towarzyszące wspólnemu dążeniu do prawdy? Niniejszy artykuł stanowi próbę odpowiedzi na te pytania „na sposób ekumeniczny”, poprzez zestawienie ze sobą wizji ekumenizmu prezentowanych przez dwóch współczesnych teologów niemieckojęzycznych – ewangelickiego teologa Michaela Welkera oraz o. Raymunda Schwagera SJ. Artykuł argumentuje, że Kościół w swojej istocie odpowiada pluralizmowi współczesnego świata, podkreślając jednocześnie nieuniknioność konfliktów i odrzucając negatywną ocenę ich natury.
POWODY WĘDRÓWEK DUCHOWIEŃSTWA W ŚWIETLE POSTANOWIEŃ PÓŹNOANTYCZNYCH ZGROMADZEŃ BISKUPICH (IV, V WIEK)
Authors: Wojcieszak Maciej
Published: January 2023

W artykule zajęliśmy się przyczynami wędrówek późnoantycznego duchowieństwa (IV, V w.), które pojawiały się w kościelnych tekstach normatywnych ustalanych na zgromadzeniach biskupich Cesarstwa Rzymskiego. Poruszyliśmy kwestie powodów wędrówek osób duchownych podzielone na te zgodne z prawem kanonicznym i wszelkie inne wynikające z powodów czy to ambicjonalnych, prestiżowych, niezgadzania się na ekskomuniki, czy to różnych skandali. Kanony ustalane przez synody i sobory były naszym głównym źródłem. Kolekcja tekstów normatywnych jest bogata i można na jej podstawie odtwarzać fragmenty obrazu dyscypliny duchowieństwa (i wielu problemów nękających ówczesnych chrześcijan) w interesującej nas epoce. Temat wędrówek potrzebuje dalszych badań, zwłaszcza w analizie innych późnoantycznych źródeł.
WOLNOŚĆ WOBEC SOLIDARNOŚCI I MIŁOŚCI MAŁŻEŃSKIEJ W MYŚLI JÓZEFA TISCHNERA
Authors: Zientkowski Przemysław
Published: January 2023

Celem artykułu jest odszukanie i wskazanie powiązań pomiędzy solidarnością małżeńską, miłością małżeńską a wolnością w oparciu o twórczość filozoficzną i homiletyczną ks. prof. Józefa Tischnera. Tekst opiera się na założeniu, że solidarność małżeńska zależna jest tylko od ludzi, a miłość małżeńska od ludzi i obecności Boga między nimi. Całości dopełnia specyficzna dialektyka, według której solidarność małżeńska jest tezą, miłość małżeńska antytezą, a wolność syntezą, jako pochodną obu.
Problemática de las pensiones de los emigrantes retornados en el contexto de la Unión Europea.
Authors: Díaz Quintero María Luisa
Published: January 2023

La Federación Andaluza de Asociaciones de Emigrantes y Retornados se constituyó en Antequera en enero de 2001, aglutinando a ocho asociaciones provinciales del territorio de nuestra Comunidad Autónoma, teniendo como fines, entre otros: La defensa y promoción de los derechos e intereses de los emigrantes y retornados y la difusión de su problemática. Este artículo se centrará en analizar problemáticas que sufren emigrantes retornados en la consecución de sus derechos, existiendo un denominador común: falta de normativa, interpretaciones restrictivas por administraciones públicas implicadas y corrección jurisprudencial; todo un esfuerzo. Se abordarán la ausencia de procesos de homologación en España de las prestaciones de invalidez reconocidas por los estados miembros y cómo afecta a su fiscalidad. Y las consecuencias de la modificación del Convenio Hispano Alemán de doble imposición y su repercusión en las declaraciones del Impuesto de la renta de las personas físicas de los emigrantes retornados.
La inmigración desde una perspectiva garantista.
Authors: Amaadachou Kaddur Farah
Published: January 2023

Es bien sabido que el fenómeno migratorio es una realidad compleja y, por tanto, las políticas del Derecho también lo son. Asimismo, resulta remarcable su sometimiento a un proceso de continuos cambios que en modo alguno puede darse por concluido, es por ello que el legislador está llamado a readaptar la normativa reguladora para proporcionar soluciones efectivas a los nuevos retos que plantea. Es en este contexto donde el fenómeno migratorio adquiere tal dimensión en España y sus repercusiones en el orden social, económico y cultural revisten tal magnitud que exige a los poderes públicos que lleven a cabo una actuación decidida a fin de: lograr una canalización legal y ordenada de los flujos migratorios pero desde la reafirmación de su compromiso con la defensa de los derechos humanos y la dignidad de las personas, favoreciendo la plena integración social de los inmigrantes en nuestro país y garantizando tanto la convivencia como la cohesión social.
Employment opportunities for personal and professional development for women in Science and University Education - some Bulgarian experience.
Authors: Nacheva-Skopalik Lilyana
Published: January 2023

La medición y el seguimiento del trabajo decente ocupan un lugar destacado en la agenda de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT). “Oportunidades de empleo para el desarrollo personal y profesional” es un indicador con un alto rango dentro del conjunto emergente aceptado de indicadores de Trabajo Decente. El equipo de investigación comienza a explorar este indicador en el ámbito de la educación científica y universitaria y la participación de las mujeres. Se ofrecen algunos ejemplos de la contribución de las mujeres a la educación de niñas y mujeres y al desarrollo del sistema educativo en Bulgaria en periodos históricos. El documento presenta datos sobre la proporción de mujeres en el moderno sistema búlgaro de enseñanza superior. Se prevé que en el futuro la red de Trabajo Decente recopile, analice y compare los datos de las universidades asociadas.
Disability and inclusion of persons with autism spectrum disability –example of Tetouan–.
Authors: Klaina Mekki
Published: January 2023

La condición de las personas en estado de discapacidad por deficiencia mental, física o visual, que sea permanente o temporal, representa un problema para las sociedades. Por eso, este artículo estudia este tema con el objetivo de resaltar sus dimensiones, discutir la situación social de estas personas y su capacidad de inclusión a partir de la capacidad de obrar. Se ha elegido el término “autismo” para poder controlarlo. Para elaborar esta investigación, se ha adoptado la metodología histórica para estudiar el desarrollo del término “discapacidad”, la metodología analítica y crítica al estudiar el comportamiento social en frente de las personas con discapacidades, así como al estudiar los textos legales relacionados con ellos. Hay una necesidad de prestar atención a las palabras utilizadas hablando de ellos o con ellos, sus derechos a la inclusión social y disfrutar de la elegibilidad para actuar con la presencia de una decisión de apoyo.
Working with care homes: new initiatives for integrated care
Authors: Cowan Helen
Published: January 2023

This quarterly column sheds some light on the lesser known area of cardiac nursing in care homes, looking at nurse-led diagnosis and management of cardiac conditions. In this final instalment, Helen Cowan interviews qualified nurse, Leah Bressington, about her roles as a newly-appointed care home fellow at the British Geriatrics Society and within the One Weston Care Home Hub, and their potential to improve care for residents in care homes.
Comparison of Olfactory Thresholds between Elderly with Parkinson Disease and Controls
Authors: Foguem Clovis , Brand Gérard
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Olfactory dysfunction is an early warning and most common symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is a promising marker mainly at the early stage of the disease for PD. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the deficits in odor detection in Elderly with PD. We hypothesized that trigeminal sensitivity dysfunction would be less important than olfactory sensitivity impairment in elderly with PD and could improve diagnostic accuracy. Experimental procedure: Olfactory detection thresholds to Phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) [activating only the olfactory system] and n- Butanol (BUT) [activating both olfactory and trigeminal systems], were determined in twenty four patients with PD aged over 65 years old [mean age: 75 +/-4.5 years, range: 70-86 years] and in twenty-four healthy controls who were matched for age and gender [mean age: 73 +/-7.1 years, range: 65- 84 years]. The study also included neuropsychological evaluations and stage of PD estimations. Results: Results show a trend towards an impaired olfactory (CN I) detection sensitivity in relation to PEA thresholds in patients with PD compared to controls independently of age and stage of PD, although no significant difference was observed. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed for BUT thresholds between PD’s patients and controls. PEA and BUT thresholds were significantly correlated in both patients with PD and controls. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the olfactory senescence and decreased detection threshold in elderly (both patients with PD and controls) may influence our results by reducing detection olfactory threshold differential between the two groups, contrary to previous findings in young adults with PD and controls. Trigeminal sensitivity seems to be preserved in Elderly with PD. Future investigations should focus on odorants with higher properties to highlight a potential difference between the two groups.
Normative Values and Contralateral Comparison of Anterior Chamber Depth Measured by Orbscan II in an Iranian Population
Authors: Gharaee Hamid , Abrishami Mojtaba , Shafiee Masoud , Zadeh Samira Hasan , Abrishami Mostafa , Eghbali Pardis , Eghbali Parisa
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The objective of study was (i) to determine the normative values of anterior chamber depth (ACD) with Orbscan II Topography System and (ii) to compare right and left eyes data in the normal young population. Methods: A total of 1001 healthy participants aged 18-45 years participated in this observational cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of 616 female and 385 male subjects. The ACD was measured with the Orbscan II. In our study, ACD was defined as the distance between the corneal epithelium and the anterior lens surface. The differences between genders, between right and left eyes and age-related changes were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using student t test. Results: The average ACD in our study population was recorded as 3.653 ± 0.306 mm (median: 3.670 mm, mode: 3.70 mm, minimum: 2.35 mm and maximum: 6.60 mm, 95% Confidence interval: 3.640 to 3.666). The ACD was 3.64±0.30 mm in males and 3.67±0.32 mm in females which was statistically different between genders (P < 0.01). There was a much similarity in ACD values in both eyes. ACD was decreased with age (r= -0.250, p<0.001). Conclusion: Detailed description and analysis of ACD with Orbscan demonstrated that the obtained average value of ACD was higher in female than male and decreased slightly with increasing age. There was no difference between the eyes.