bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Partisan Dimensions of Earmarking in the U.S. House of Representatives
Authors: Fagan Edward J. , Theriault Sean M. , Whittington Ryan
Published: August 2023

Passing out federal dollars to specific projects in particular districts had been a popular way for congressional leaders to build large bipartisan majorities for major bills since the very first meeting of Congress. By matching projects to districts, scholars have been able to systematically analyze which members were successful in getting their project funded. But for one year, though, the requests members submitted were never known. Using earmark requests data during the 111th Congress, we can know both the requests and the awards. Knowing the former changes our understanding of the latter. We find that the request process is largely driven by ideology, rather than electoral vulnerability. More moderate Republicans tended to seek more earmarks than their more conservative copartisans; some of whom completely opted out of the process. The effect was the opposite for Democrats, whose moderates requested fewer earmarks. When these requests are taken into consideration, the awarding process appears to be even less partisan than the raw data would suggest, confirming the bipartisan nature of the earmarking process.
The assessment of fetal cardiac functions in pregnancies with autoimmune diseases: a prospective case-control study
Authors: Yildirim Muradiye , Oluklu Deniz , Beser Dilek Menekse , Hendem Derya Uyan , Aktas Betul Akgun , Yildiz Esra Gulen , Kara Ozgur , Sahin Dilek
Published: August 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the effect of the inflammatory process on fetal cardiac functions in pregnant women with autoimmune diseases (AID).

Methods

This prospective study included 36 pregnant women with diagnosed AID. Nineteen systemic lupus erythematosus, 12 antiphospholipid syndrome, 5 Sjögren’s syndrome, and 72 healthy pregnancies were included. Fetal cardiac functions were evaluated with pulsed-wave, tissue Doppler, and M-mode echocardiography.

Results

Sociodemographic data were similar in both groups. Significant increases were found in tricuspid E (43.5 ± 0.9, p<0.001) and A (59.2 ± 2.2, p<0.001) and E/A (0.74 ± 0.03, p<0.001), E’/A’ (0.64 ± 0.15, p<0.001), E/E’ (6.5 ± 0.6, p<0.001), and left ventricular myocardial performance index (0.54 ± 0.03, p=0.005). We demonstrated a significant decrease in tricuspid E’ (6.7 ± 0.6, p<0.001) and S’ (6.9 ± 1, p<0.001) and in TAPSE (7.7 ± 0.5, p=0.002). We also found a significantly prolonged PR interval (130 ± 8, p<0.001). There was a significant increase in E’ (6.8, p=0.033) and a significant decrease in E/E′ ratio (6.4, p=0.027) in the group using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) compared to non-users.

Conclusions

We found that pregnancy with autoimmune diseases affects fetal heart functions. Additionally, hydroxychloroquine may positively affect the heart of AID fetuses. This information might be useful to clinicians in the follow-up of cardiovascular diseases.
Análisis del efecto de las bacterias promotoras de crecimiento vegetal en la redistribución de elementos potencialmente tóxicos en jales de minas
Authors: Mendoza Hernández José Carlos , Arriola Morales Janette , Castillo Morales Maribel , Santamaria Juarez Juana Deisy , Urbina Trinidad Pamela Alejandra
Published: August 2023

Los residuos de mina generan grandes cantidades de elementos potencialmente tóxicos (EPT), entre los que encontramos al plomo (Pb) y al arsénico (As), que causan daños importantes al medio ambiente y a la salud humana. El estudio de estos EPT normalmente se realiza sobre la cantidad total presente en el suelo, pero no así en su distribución. El análisis de la redistribución del Pb y As con bacterias promotoras de crecimiento vegetal (BPCV) indica que se hacen menos biodisponibles y se redistribuyen en las fracciones de materia orgánica y residual con diferencias significativas (p < 0.05). Estos resultados muestran una estabilización de los EPT y, por consiguiente, una reducción en el riesgo al medio ambiente y a la salud humana.
Les Migrants en Bas de Chez Soi
Authors: Corrêa Otávio Amaral da Silva
Published: August 2023

Resenha da obra "Les Migrants en Bas de Chez Soi", de Isabelle Coutant, pesquisadora CNRS no Institut interdisciplinaire sur les enjeux sociaux, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, publicado pelas Éditions du Seuile em 2018.
Juventude Negra na pegada da transgressão como prática de liberdade: perspectivas e abordagens etnomusicológicas
Authors: Batista Leonardo Moraes , Nascimento Thamara Collares do , Santos Danilo Cunha de Jesus dos , Costa Acsa Braga , Silva Victor Hugo Costa Cantuaria da
Published: August 2023

O artigo discute perspectivas, caminhos e percursos de uma pesquisa etnomusicológica desenvolvida por jovens negros/as sobre suas experiências estéticas – sonoras, imagéticas e corpóreas –, enquanto pesquisadores e praticantes a partir de uma das ações da plataforma BATEKOO – a festa. O texto discute a questão racial que persegue a juventude negra colocando-a em lugar de subalternidade e extermínio por meio da ação necropolítica. Destaca-se percursos de pesquisa etnomusicológica desses jovens como abordagens possíveis em dias de destruição. Defende as ações que essa plataforma desenvolve enquanto mediações das concepções do Movimento Negro. São apontadas possíveis maneiras de realização de um trabalho colaborativo, participativo, engajado e político, através de uma abordagem que realiza a etnografia das práticas musicais da/na festa por aqueles/as que não são mais objetos de pesquisa, e sim autores de seus próprios percursos. Este artigo é uma aposta e se utiliza de perspectivas étnico-raciais enquanto debate político-metodológico-epistemológico mediado por discussões e abordagens que transgridem o eixo acadêmico branco-hetero-patriarcal-burguês e libertadoras da condição racial por meio de estudos do campo da Etnomusicologia como mecanismo de ação contra o racismo, neofascismo e o neoliberalismo.
Perspectivas e resistências afro-colombianas: neoliberalismo, multiculturalismo e conflito social armado
Authors: Meza Álvarez Luis
Published: August 2023

Na criação do Estado social de direito surgido da constituição de 1991 o multiculturalismo constituiu-se em marco de compreensão e tratamento das relações do Estado com a sociedade colombiana e, assim, os setores sociais pensados como encarnando a diferença (indígenas, populações negras, Rom ou ciganos) passaram a ser pensados como grupos étnicos e tornaram-se sujeitos de direitos. Apesar de certa abertura democrática, a declaratória de estado laico e do reconhecimento da pluri-culturalidade da sociedade colombiana como bases do novo pacto social, a implementação da política neoliberal e a continuidade do conflito social armado apresentaram-se como principais obstáculos para sua realização, especialmente para as populações negras e indígenas. Pontualmente, interessa-me aqui analisar alguns efeitos derivados desse novo marco de relações para as populações negras no que tange às condições de vida, sua organização e interlocução com o Estado. Interessa-me também apontar as ambiguidades, contradições, efeitos inesperados e, especialmente, os desafios enfrentados, agencias e respostas criativas das resistências desses povos e sua tradução nas ciências sociais e, mais especificamente na antropologia colombiana. Ainda, destaco a construção de uma perspectiva negra/afro-colombiana a partir de vários espaços de atuação política e acadêmica.
Editorial
Authors: Comissão Editorial Equipe
Published: August 2023

Apresentação.
APRESENTAÇÃO DO DOSSIÊ PERSPECTIVAS ANTROPOLÓGICAS AFROLATINAS E CARIBENHAS: A ATUALIDADE DO RACISMO, FASCISMO E NEOLIBERALISMO EM NOSSOS CONTEXTOS
Authors: De Oliveira Dias Luciana , Aparecida Rubert Rosane , Rodrigues Vera
Published: August 2023

APRESENTAÇÃO DO DOSSIÊ "PERSPECTIVAS ANTROPOLÓGICAS AFROLATINAS E CARIBENHAS: A ATUALIDADE DO RACISMO, FASCISMO E NEOLIBERALISMO EM NOSSOS CONTEXTOS".
Editorial
Authors: Revista Tessituras Comissão Editorial , Machado Sanches Pedro Luís , Reus Gonçalves da Rosa Rogério
Published: August 2023

Editorial: OS PRIMEIROS 10 ANOS DO PPGANT-UFPEL PARA ALÉM DOS NÚMEROS
Acquired hypothalamic dysfunction in childhood: ‘what do patients need?’ – an Endo-ERN survey
Authors: van Roessel I M A A , de Graaf J P , Biermasz N R , Charmandari E , van Santen H M
Published: August 2023

Objective

Hypothalamic dysfunction is a rare condition and can be encountered in patients who have been diagnosed or treated for a suprasellar brain tumor. Due to its rarity, the signs and symptoms of hypothalamic dysfunction may be difficult to recognize, leading to delayed diagnosis of the suprasellar brain tumor or to difficulties in finding the health-care expertise for hypothalamic dysfunction after tumor treatment. To improve the care and outcome of patients with acquired hypothalamic dysfunction, professionals are required to understand the patient’s needs.

Design

A worldwide online survey was distributed from April 2022 to October 2022 to patients with childhood-onset hypothalamic dysfunction (as reported by the patient) following a brain tumor.

Methods

Patients were notified about the survey through patient advocacy groups, the SIOPe craniopharyngioma working group and the Endo-ERN platform.

Results

In total, 353 patients with hypothalamic dysfunction following craniopharyngioma (82.2%), low-grade glioma (3.1%) or a pituitary tumor (8.2%) or caregivers responded to the survey. Sixty-two percent had panhypopituitarism. Obesity (50.7%) and fatigue (48.2%) were considered the most important health problems. Unmet needs were reported for help with diet, exercise and psychosocial issues. Patients’ suggestions for future research include new treatments for hypothalamic obesity and alternative ways for hormone administration.

Conclusions

According to the patient’s perspective, care for acquired hypothalamic dysfunction can be improved if delivered by experts with a holistic view of the patient in a multidisciplinary setting with a focus on quality of life. Future care and research on hypothalamic dysfunction must integrate the patients’ unmet needs.

Significance statement

Patients with hypothalamic dysfunction may experience a variety of symptoms, which are not always adequately recognized or addressed. In previous papers, the perspective of caregivers of children with craniopharyngioma has been reported (Klages et al. 2022, Craven et al. 2022). Now we address the patients’ perspective on acquired hypothalamic dysfunction using an Endo-ERN global survey. According to the patients’ perspective, care can be improved, with needs for improvement in the domains of obesity, fatigue and lifestyle. Research may focus on ways to improve hypothalamic obesity and alternative ways for hormone administration. Ideally, care should be delivered by doctors who have a holistic view of the patient in a multidisciplinary expert team. The results of this study can be used to formulate best practices for clinical care and to design future research proposals.
Long-term, real-world experience of pasireotide dose reduction in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Marques Nelma Veronica , Wildemberg Luiz Eduardo Armondi , Gadelha Monica R
Published: August 2023

Pasireotide long-acting release is effective in achieving biochemical control and reducing tumour volume in patients with acromegaly inadequately controlled by first-line therapy. As part of a long-term, real-world study at our centre, 20 of 50 patients receiving pasireotide benefited from a reduction in pasireotide dose. Pasireotide reduced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) levels to below the upper limit of the normal range, with some patients responding within 1−3 months of treatment (n = 11) and others after ≥4 months (n = 9). Following pasireotide dose reduction, IGF1 levels showed a mild increase but remained within the normal range after a median of 39 months in the early responders and 17 months in the late responders. Glucose and glycated haemoglobin levels decreased following dose reduction. Identifying patients who may benefit from a reduction in pasireotide dose warrants further research as it may improve the management of pasireotide-associated hyperglycaemia in susceptible patients.

Significance statement

Patients with acromegaly often need medical therapy for extended periods of time, and pasireotide is an effective, long-term treatment option. However, pasireotide may increase blood glucose levels in some patients, such as those with pre-existing diabetes. In this single-centre study, we show that following dose reduction of pasireotide over time, patients with acromegaly maintained their biochemical response (IGF1 < ULN) and had improved glycaemic control. As such, dose reductions may be an effective, personalised treatment approach for managing some patients receiving long-term pasireotide therapy and could allow patients to achieve early and long-term biochemical control while minimising adverse drug effects.
ASSESSMENT MEDIA FOR OFFLINE AND ONLINE WRITING TESTS AT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Zulfa Siti , Husna Nida , Azmi Dhila Nurul , Hidayat Didin Nuruddin
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTThis study explores writing assessment media used by English teachers in offline and online assessment procedures during the last Covid-19 pandemic. This qualitative study incorporates a case study design with five English teachers of junior high schools serving as research participants selected purposively. The data for this study were gathered using semi-structured interviews with English teachers and students writing documents. The study results indicate that English teachers utilized different media in their offline and online assessments. For the offline activities, they used conventional paper-based media to collect writing samples, administer written tests, and conduct writing projects to measure students' attainment levels of their writing skills. For the online activities, they used platforms familiar to them, including Google Classroom, Google Form, and WhatsApp, and most of them assessed their students using multiple choice questions; yet some of the teachers did paper-based tests but submitted them to the online media. The teachers used rubrics for both assessment modes and provided feedback accordingly. One important implication of this research for post-pandemic English teaching underscores the significance of teachers' initiatives of alternating offline and online media to assess students' writing skills and maximize students' learning experiences in response to actual classroom constraints and opportunities.ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi berbagai bentuk media penilaian menulis yang digunakan oleh guru bahasa Inggris dalam kegiatan offline dan online selama Covid-19. Penelitian ini menggunakan studi kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus. Partisipan penelitian ini meliputi lima guru bahasa Inggris di sekolah menengah pertama yang dipilih dengan teknik purposive sampling. Instrumen penelitian menggunakan wawancara semi-terstruktur untuk setiap guru bahasa Inggris dan dokumen tulisan siswa. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa guru bahasa Inggris menggunakan dan menerapkan media penilaian menulis yang berbeda dalam kegiatan luring dan daring selama dan pasca pandemi Covid-19. Selama kegiatan offline, guru bahasa Inggris menggunakan kertas sebagai media produk tulisan, tes tertulis, dan proyek untuk menilai tulisan siswa. Sementara itu, selama kegiatan daring, guru bahasa Inggris menggunakan media platform daring seperti Google Classroom, Google Form, dan WhatsApp; guru menilai dengan menggunakan pertanyaan pilihan ganda namun beberapa guru masih menggunakan kertas untuk dikirimkan ke media tersebut. Guru bahasa Inggris menggunakan rubrik khusus dan memberikan umpan balik dalam menilai tulisan siswa selama kegiatan offline dan online. Pengalaman baru dalam mengintegrasikan media penilaian alternatif dalam menulis dapat bermanfaat bagi guru bahasa Inggris dan siswa, terutama untuk membantu tugas menulis.
Awareness, knowledge, and management of long COVID amongst a cohort of primary care-based physiotherapists in New Zealand
Authors: Rhodes Sarah , Waite Ella
Published: August 2023

Long COVID is an emerging condition predicted to have a high impact on the health system, with primary care often being the point of contact for people living with long COVID. However, there is currently very little known about primary care physiotherapists’ assessment and management of long COVID in New Zealand. An online survey was distributed to New Zealand based physiotherapists working in primary care via Physiotherapy New Zealand special interest group and branch networks, with the aim of exploring current knowledge and awareness of long COVID diagnosis, assessment, and management. Forty one responses were analysed and highlighted good recognition of long COVID symptoms and secondary effects. There was a limited degree of confidence in long COVID symptom management and a lack of consistency in assessment and management strategies currently being applied. Respondents perceived a lack of awareness by the public and other health professionals of the physiotherapist’s role in long COVID, possibly creating a barrier to patients with long COVID accessing services. In the absence of validated long COVID treatments, symptom management is of vital importance. There is a need to support primary care-based physiotherapists and ensure access to up-to-date, evidence informed information to provide best patient care.
Artificial intelligence and the future of clinical care
Authors: Pederson Mangor
Published: August 2023

Guest editorial
EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF A SOLAR DESALINATION SYSTEM WITH GRAPHENE NANOPLATELET-EMBEDDED LATENT HEAT THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE UNIT
Authors: Şirin Ceylin , Selimefendigil Fatih
Published: August 2023

In the present work, it is aimed to improve the yield of a single-slope solar desalination system (SDS) using graphene nanoplatelet-embedded thermal energy storage unit (TSU). In the initial stage of this work, three SDSs with different slope angles of condensation surface including 40°, 50°, and 60° are considered. According to the result of the initial experiments, the SDS with 40° gave the superior performance. In the second part of the study, three different SDS configurations with 40° slope angle including a conventional SDS, an SDS with only paraffin-containing TSU, and an SDS with graphene nanoplatelet-embedded paraffin-containing TSU have been developed and tested under the same environmental conditions. According to the findings of the second experimental stage, utilizing only paraffin-containing and graphene nanoplatelet-embedded paraffin-containing TSUs in the conventional system with 40° slope angle improved the accumulated yield of the system as 11.85% and 26.96%, respectively. Also, energy and exergy efficiencies of the SDS with 40° slope angle were improved from 16.02% to 19.69% and from 1.36% to 2.13%, respectively, using the TSU with graphene nanoplatelets. The attained findings of this work clearly present the positive influence of employing graphene nanoplatelets in TSU of a single-slope SDS.
FLOW MAP LEARNING FOR UNKNOWN DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS: OVERVIEW, IMPLEMENTATION, AND BENCHMARKS
Authors: Churchill Victor , Xiu Dongbin
Published: August 2023

Flow map learning (FML), in conjunction with deep neural networks (DNNs), has shown promise for data driven modeling of unknown dynamical systems. A remarkable feature of FML is that it is capable of producing accurate predictive models for partially observed systems, even when their exact mathematical models do not exist. In this paper, we present an overview of the FML framework, along with the important computational details for its successful implementation. We also present a
set of well defined benchmark problems for learning unknown dynamical systems. All the numerical details of these problems are presented, along with their FML results, to ensure that the problems are accessible for cross-examination and the results are reproducible.
A Novel Machine Learning-based Diagnostic Algorithm for Detection of Onychomycosis through Nail Appearance
Authors: DÜZAYAK Serkan , UÇAR Muhammed Kürşad
Published: August 2023

Onychomycosis is the most common nail fungus disease in clinical practice worldwide, caused by the localization of various fungal agents, including dermatophytes, on the nail. The tests traditionally used for diagnosing onychomycosis are native examination, histopathological examination with periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining, and nail culture. There is no gold standard method for diagnosing the disease, and the diagnosis process is time-consuming, costly, and quite laborious. Today, new technologies are needed to detect onychomycosis via AI-based ML to reduce the clinician and laboratory-induced error rate and increase diagnostic sensitivity and reliability. The present study aimed to design a decision support system to help the specialist doctor detect toenail fungus with artificial intelligence-based image processing techniques. The toenail images were taken by any camera initially from the individuals referred to the clinic. The image is divided into 12 RGB channels. Three hundred features were removed from each channel as 25 in the time domain. The best features were selected through feature selection algorithms in the next step to increase the performance and reduce the number of features, and models were created by algorithm classification. The average performance values of all proposed models, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, are 89.65, 0.9, and 0.89, respectively. The performance values of the most successful model-created accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity are 97.25, 0.96, and 0.98, respectively. Although the proposed method, according to the findings obtained in the study, has many advantages compared to the literature, it can be used as a decision support system for clinician diagnosis.
Development of Cordierite Based Carrier Refractory Sagar Bodies for Bone Porcelain Firing Process
Authors: ISPALARLI Murat , KARAAĞAÇ Zuhal
Published: August 2023

During the firing process of porcelain tableware; Biscuit firing takes place at low temperatures (980-1000°C), while glazed firing takes place at high temperatures (1250-1280°C for soft porcelain, 1350-1380°C for hard porcelain). Biscuit firing in bone porcelain products, which is in the soft porcelain class, is done at higher temperatures than glazed firings. Due to the presence of bone ash in the Bone China recipe formulation, it causes the bodies to undergo vitrification in a narrow range and thus the final product to deform during sintering. Bone porcelain products are fired on carrier refractories called sagar so that they do not deform during sintering. Sagars are designed to support that model for each product model and do not shrink or deform during firing thanks to its low thermal expansion coefficient. In this study, a refractory body with a porous structure with the code of "PS1-Std" was developed by performing the characterization analyzes of refractory products with different technical properties supplied from different companies. In order to improve the mechanical properties by changing the ratios of talc, alumina, quartz and zircon in the recipe composition; A refractory product containing 8.47% zircon in its recipe composition and containing indialite, corundum, mullite, quartz and zircon phases after sintering has been developed. The microstructure images of the developed refractory product were examined with the support of SEM analysis. It has been observed that refractory products obtained as a result of recipe development studies offer a 10% longer service life than equivalent refractory products.
Abraham Lincoln in the Hollywood cinema
Authors: Brown Tom
Published: August 2023

Abraham Lincoln is a towering figure in American popular consciousness, one who acts as a rich and complex motif and metaphor across its cinema history. This essay is broad-ranging in considering Hollywood’s Lincoln but places particular emphasis on ‘classical’ representations. Its primary aim is to consider the cinematic uses of Lincoln (Lincoln as embedded in the style and rhetoric of a range of films) but a minor thread running through is why Lincoln and which Lincoln is called upon at different points of US movie history. The essay distinguishes itself from previous accounts by combining the analysis of the flesh and blood incarnation of the president’s peculiar physicality with a consideration of the literal and metaphoric solidity of the Lincoln memorial. A final section conveys the sixteenth president’s symbolic power by, paradoxically, revealing it in films that are not even about Lincoln. Lincoln is one of the Greatest Men of Vision™ in US history. In It’s a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946) and Bigger than Life (Nicholas Ray, 1956), a portrait and a verbal invocation, respectively, connect to themes of hubris and the tensions that ensue when the visions of frustrated ordinary men go too far.
Indirect Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) - Fluoresence v1
Authors: Ulusoy Ayse
Published: August 2023

Indirect Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) is a powerful molecular technique used to detect and visualize protein-protein interactions, protein modifications, and protein complex formations within cells or tissues. This method is based on the principles of proximity-dependent ligation and utilizes specific antibodies to detect the nitration of proteins on free-floating brain sections. Here we describe the PLA protocol that we routinely use in our laboratory to detect nitrated alpha-synuclein and nitration of mitochondrial enzymes such as SOD2 and the mitochondrial complex 1 subunit NDUFB8.
Human ovarian tissue explant cultures (static or fluidic conditions) v2
Authors: not provided hannah.anvari
Published: August 2023

The Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet) was recently established to map senescent cells in the human body. As part of this initiative, our goal is to profile senescent cells in the human ovary in vivo as well as ex vivo using a microphysiological platform called LATTICE. Human ovarian tissue is collected through the Northwestern University Reproductive Tissue Library. Tissue is collected from women undergoing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies or hysterectomies with absence of ovarian neoplasia. With this model, we are generating a molecular signature of Doxorubicin-induced cellular senescence in static and fluidic culture which will then be mapped onto human ovaries across an aging series. To do this, human ovarian explants (cortex and medulla) are cultured in Doxorubicin (0.1 μg/ml) for 24 hours followed by up to 11 days of culture.
Mouse perfusions and brain tissue processing v1
Authors: Ulusoy Ayse
Published: August 2023

The protocol describes tissue processing for histological analyses and includes perfusions, brain fixation, and tissue harvesting from perfused rodents.
Fabrication of fluid-walled dumbbells and generation of the human corticostriatal pathway v1
Authors: Do Quyen
Published: August 2023

This protocol described the generation of fluid-walled dumbbells for culturing of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons with directional connectivity so as to recapitulate the human corticostriatal connectivity. The fluid-walled microfluidic technology was first reported by Walsh et al., 2017 and subsequently shown to be adaptable for cell culture.
DNA/RNA extraction from fresh-frozen tissue, AllPrep DNA/RNA/miRNA Universal Kit v2
Authors: Fendler Annika
Published: August 2023

Protocol for combined RNA and DNA extraction from fresh-frozen tissue using the AllPrep DNA/RNA/miRNA Universal Kit.
Nuclei Isolation for FACS v2
Authors: Caceres Lakme
Published: August 2023

This protocol is for purifying nuclei for downstream 10X sequencing.
Los ciempiés escolopendromorfos (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha) de Colombia: actualización de su riqueza
Authors: Díaz Sandoval Juan Carlos , Reinoso-Flórez Gladys
Published: August 2023

El orden Scolopendromorpha incluye 700 especies de ciempiés a nivel mundial. Es el grupo de miriápodos más diverso en Colombia con alrededor de 40 especies y seis subespecies. En este trabajo se actualizó el número de especies de ciempiés conocidas para el país a partir de la revisión de literatura especializada, así como bases de datos y registros de especímenes en colecciones digitales en línea. Se encontraron nuevos registros de 19 especies y una subespecie. Así, la riqueza del grupo se incrementó a cincuenta y cuatro especies y siete subespecies dentro de tres familias, cinco subfamilias, ocho géneros y siete subgéneros. Además, 30 de los 32 departamentos del territorio colombiano registraron un representante identificado al menos al nivel de género. Antioquia, Boyacá y Cundinamarca son los departamentos con mayor riqueza de especies.
Historia de vida de Ulex europaeus y acciones de gestión para controlar su invasión
Authors: Cárdenas Cárdenas María Alejandra , Cortés Peréz Francisco
Published: August 2023

Ulex europaeus es una de las especies invasoras más agresivas para los sistemas naturales, ya que incide sobre la dinámica del paisaje, altera la composición edáfica original y puede eliminar pastizales y cultivos. Los densos matorrales de Ulex europaeus compiten por recursos y espacio con los taxones nativos, disminuyendo la riqueza y diversidad. Se ha encontrado que el fuego favorece su regeneración y amenaza las comunidades y poblaciones de especies nativas. En esta revisión se analizaron la ecología de la especie, su distribución geográfica y las acciones de manejo. En este sentido, se encontró que el control de esta especie es más eficiente en etapas juveniles y en bajas densidades de invasión. Los tratamientos usados incluidos los herbicidas, los controles biológicos, la remoción manual y el fuego, no han tenido un éxito generalizado, debido a las condiciones de heterogeneidad y la historia de invasión de cada territorio. La revisión de literatura evidencia que existe un vacío de información en cuanto a las estrategias de gestión combinadas, diferentes periodos de tiempo y monitoreos constantes que permitan controlar y erradicar esta especie estableciendo las características y particularidades de cada región.
Özel Yetenekli Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Gerçekçi Problem Kurma Performanslarının Belirlenmesi
Authors: KÖSA Temel , ERKAN Beyzanur
Published: August 2023

Bu araştırmanın amacı özel yetenekli ortaokul öğrencilerinin sınıf düzeyinde kurdukları problemlerin matematiksel geçerlilik, semantik karmaşıklıkları, gerçekçilikleri belirlenmesi ve karşılaştırılmasıdır. Durum çalışması yöntemiyle yürütülen araştırmanın katılımcılarını bir bilim ve sanat merkezinde öğrenim gören 16 altıncı sınıf, beş yedinci sınıf, yedi sekizinci sınıf düzeyinde olmak üzere toplamda 28 özel yetenekli öğrenci oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada öğrencilerden karmaşık ve gerçek yaşam ile ilişkili matematik problemi kurmaları istenmiştir. Öğrencilerin kurdukları problemler ilk aşamada matematiksel geçerliliğine, ikinci aşamada ise semantik karmaşıklığına ve gerçekçiliğine yönelik analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmada elde edilen sonuçlar, özel yetenekli öğrencilerin geçerli matematik problemleri kurabildiğini göstermiştir. Yine araştırma sonuçları, öğrencilerin problemlerinde farklı semantik yapılara yer veremediği buna karşın gerçekçi matematik problemleri yazabildiklerini göstermiştir. Öğrenciler gerçekçi matematik problemlerinde bağlam seçimlerinin alışveriş, yemek tarifi gibi bağlamlarla sınırlandığı belirlenmiştir. Bu yönüyle öğretmenlerin matematik derslerinde daha fazla gerçek yaşam durumlarına uygun problem kurma ve çözme etkinliklerine yer vermesi gerektiği önerilebilir.
Number-theoretic functions for Gaussian integers
Authors:   Ukrainian Physical and Mathematical Lyceum of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Arskyi Nikita
Published: August 2023

The classical number-theoretic functions – a number of divisors τ(n), sum of the divisors σ(n) and product of the divisors π(n) of a positive integer n – were generalized to the ring Z[i] of Gaussian integers. For the evaluation of the corresponding functions τ*(α), σ*m(α) and π*(α), obtained were the explicit formulae that use the canonical representation of α. A number of properties of these functions were studied, in particular, estimates from above for the functions τ*(α) and σ*m(α) and the properties connected with divisibility of their values by certain numbers. Researched are also sums of products of powers of the divisors for α∈Z[i].
COVİD 19 PANDEMİSİ: NEOLİBERALİZM DÜŞÜŞÜ VE ULUS DEVLETİN YÜKSELİŞİ
Authors: TAYLAN Omer , ÇİÇEK Ali
Published: August 2023

Covid 19 pandemisi ortaya çıktığı andan itibaren birçok sorunu beraberinde meydana getirmiştir. Bu sorunlara yönelik en büyük eleştirilerden biri de neoliberal politikalara sahip devletlerin uyguladıkları kamu politikaları olmuştur. Özellikle 1980’lerde Amerika ve İngiltere’de iktidara gelen neoliberal hükümetler; kamu yararını önceleyen politikalardan vazgeçtiklerini, serbest piyasa mekanizmasına geçiş yaptıklarını, minimum devlet anlayışını benimsediklerini açıklamışlardır. Bundan dolayı neoliberal hükümetler; toplumun zayıf kesimlerini koruyan, sosyal eşitliği sağlayan, piyasaya müdahale eden, mal ve hizmetleri sunan devletin hantal ve güçsüz olduğunu ileri sürmüşlerdir. Bu iddiaların Covid 19 pandemisiyle zayıf kaldığı ve böylelikle devletin korumacı, düzenleyici ve müdahaleci özelliğine daha çok ihtiyaç duyulduğu görülmüştür. Bir başka deyişle Covid 19 pandemisi, neoliberal sistemin kapsayıcılıktan yoksun, vatandaşlara müşteri gözüyle bakan ve devlete biçilen rolü minimal bir alana hapseden anlayışın ciddi manada eleştirilmesine yol açmıştır. Ulus devlet paradigmasına geri dönüş, neoliberal sistemin kriz zamanlarında meydana getirdiği habis sorunlara bir çözüm iddiası taşımıştır. Çalışma bu kapsamdan hareketle neoliberal politikaların eleştirisini ve ulus devletin gerekliliği fikrini ele almaktadır.
Prevention of Post-operative Crohn’s disease recurrence; beyond medications
Authors: Javed Asima , Cooney Rachel
Published: August 2023

Historically up to 80% of Crohn’s disease patients required at least one surgical resection in their lifetime. Current ‘treat to target’ management and a burgeoning availability and variety of agents beyond anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha drugs aim to delay and/or reduce the rates of surgery in Crohn’s disease. However, surgery continues to be necessary for many. Even more difficult for patients is the need for repeated surgery with the impact this has on their daily life as well as the increasing risk of stoma and nutritional deficiencies with each operation. Despite the use of biologics, immunomodulators and antibiotics post-operative recurrence is common leading to re-operation in about a third of patients at 10 years from the first operation. Therefore, new approaches are required. Predicting which patients will develop recurrence using genetic and microbiome markers is one approach. Choosing surgical techniques that reduce recurrence rates is another and finally dietary approaches to manipulate the microbiome to reduce recurrence are another potential avenue. We review the literature on postoperative recurrence rates as well as the evidence for these alternative approaches. The aim is to be able to reduce recurrence rates whilst accurately predicting which patients will have disease recurrence with the ultimate goal of a more personalised preventive approach.
Energy Drink Consumption in Adolescents is Harmful and Everyone Needs to Know Why
Authors: Moussa Mohamad , Grasso Miriam
Published: August 2023

The consumption of energy drinks among adolescents and young adults has escalated tremendously in recent years, with increasing evidence of adverse events related to these beverages resulting in emergency department visits and, at times, catastrophic patient outcomes. While the evidence of harm has grown, little has been done to regulate the advertisement and sales of energy drinks to young people. The regulation of other substances of abuse, such as tobacco and alcohol, serve to similarly protect this young population. These policies should be used as a guide to begin to combat the problem of energy drink consumption among adolescents and young adults.
Characteristics Associated with Fear of COVID-19 among Syrian Refugee Parents in Canada
Authors: Alzaghoul Aseel , Eloulabi Rama , Fotoohi Paniz , Yunis Khalid , Tamim Hala
Published: August 2023

Introduction: The aim was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with fear of COVID-19 among Syrian refugee parents in Ontario, Canada. Methods: A sample of 540 Syrian refugee parents who resettled in Ontario were interviewed between March 2021, and March 2022. The level of fear was measured using the Fear of COVID-19 scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationships between socio-demographic, migration, and health-related factors and fear of COVID-19. Results: The mean (SD) score for the Fear of COVID-19 scale was 15.6 (6.02), and 15.4% of the participants were categorized as having high levels of Fear of COVID-19. Results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that low self-rated English/French language ability was significantly associated with increased fear of COVID-19 (Adjβ=0.65, p=0.047). When compared to participants who do not need an interpreter, those who needed an interpreter, and were always provided with one, were at reduced fear of COVID-19 (Adjβ=-1.56, p=0.061). In addition, findings indicated that low self-perceived socioeconomic status, more years spent in Canada, living in a refugee camp, and poor self-rated mental health contributed significantly to elevated levels of fear of COVID-19. Discussion: Targeted intervention and prevention strategies for reducing the fear of COVID-19 should be considered for the Syrian refugee population in Canada. Language ability is one of the factors related to increased fear of COVID-19, thus, providing information and interventions in different languages is essential for this population.
Can Functional Echocardiography be Useful in the Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease? Review of Two Cases of Transposition of Great Arteries
Authors: Torres Ronaldo , Torres Tiago , Andrade Filipe , Bastos Marcus
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Congenital heart diseases represent the most frequent form of malformation and can be diagnosed by fetal echocardiography, neonatal screening or clinical signs. Whenever this is suspected, a pediatric cardiologist should be contacted, and comprehensive echocardiography performed. But the availability of a specialist for immediate implementation is not the reality of many services. As functional echocardiography is often carried out in neonatal units because of its utility in several clinical situations, we consider its usefulness in diagnosing congenital heart diseases. Case reports: we report two cases of transposition of the great arteries diagnosed by functional echocardiography. Case 1 was a premature neonate transferred to the neonatal unit with a suspected diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis without improvement with initial treatment. Functional echocardiography on admission allowed the diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries. Case 2 was a full-term neonate with early cyanosis, with functional echocardiography suggesting transposition of the great arteries and the images used for discussion with a specialist from a reference center, speeding up the transfer. Discussion: early recognition of critical heart disease is essential to improve prognosis. Diagnosis of these diseases can be performed by fetal echocardiography, neonatal screening and clinical signs. When congenital heart structural defect is likely, pediatric cardiologist should be consulted and comprehensive echocardiography promptly performed. Functional echocardiography has been performed in neonatal units with the aim of analyzing the patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular function, diagnosing cardiac tamponade and neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension. As not all services have a pediatric cardiologist readily available, we considered whether functional echocardiography could help in the diagnostic conclusion through systematic analysis of cardiac images. Conclusion: we reinforce that comprehensive echocardiography performed by a specialist is the first option or performed as soon as possible when congenital heart disease is the main hypothesis.
XBB.2.3, Prevalence, Structural, Genomic, and Pathogenic Properties.
Authors: Cobar Oscar , Cobar Stella
Published: August 2023

Background: The World Health Organization -WHO- declares the end of COVID-19 pandemic on May 5, 2023, and the contagious and pathogenic XBB.2.3 “Acrux” begins to spread worldwide. XBB.2.3 has a higher transmission rate and greater evasive capacity of immune-generated antibodies and vaccines than the XBB.1.16 strain, the potential to evade all forms of immunity, including those conferred by current booster vaccination or by previous infections, besides that current virus vaccines and their boosters may provide little or no protection against XBB.2.3*. Those infected with XBB.2.3*, are expected to acquire more opportunistic secondary infections that contribute to the severity of the disease and more long-term problems (Post-COVID Syndrome) and a possible increase in the mortality rate. Aim: The purpose of the manuscript is to present a systematic review on the prevalence, structural, genomic, and pathogenic characteristics of XBB.2.3 and its descendants as of May 31, 2023, emphasizing the symptoms generated in children, adults, and the elderly. Material and methods: Original scientific articles published in Medline, Pubmed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO and BioMed Central databases, official health organizations (WHO, CDC, ECDEC, DOH Philippines) electronic publications, and specialized media in the subject, were electronically searched to accomplish the aim of the study. Articles published in any language were included from 2020 to present using a variety of keywords in combination. The studies relevant to our review were analysed and compared. Results and discussion: XBB.2.3 probably originated in India, but is expanding, being detected as early as Europe in mid-January 2023 and as of May 31, 2023, in more than 47 countries, including the United States, India, Philippines and Thailand. XBB.2.3* has five defining mutations; S:D253G (previously found in Lambda and Iota variants), S:P521S (new since XBB family), S:S486P and the unprecedented ORF1a:G2091S, and ORF7a:A13V. S:S486P is probably the responsible of the superior transmissibility of XBB.2.3*, appears to have a 37% rate of infection and hospitalisation, which is 3-8% higher than other sub-variants. Conclusions: XBB.2.3* SARS-CoV-2 strain has a higher transmission rate than XBB.1.16*, exhibits a greater evasive capacity of immune-generated antibodies and vaccines than XBB.1.16*, and even has the potential to evade all forms of immunity, including those conferred by current booster vaccination or by previous infections. Those infected with XBB.2.3*, are expected to acquire more opportunistic secondary infections that contribute to the severity of the disease and more long-term problems (Post-COVID Syndrome) and a possible increase in the mortality rate. Preliminary data from the study suggest that current virus vaccines and their current boosters may provide little or no protection against XBB.2.3*. The potential consequences of XBB.2.3* underscore the importance of coordinated, proactive and productive efforts to contain its spread.
Wnt signaling-associated proteins, β-catenin, and E-cadherin as a potential immunohistochemical bi-omarker of the progression of adenoma to colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Garalla Hanan , G.Y. Ahmed
Published: August 2023

Background: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the most common and one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity globally among gastrointestinal tract tumors. A benign polyp is the first step in the multistage pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, which eventually progresses to an adenoma and a carcinoma. Wnt/ βeta-catenin signaling pathway plays an initiating and rate-limiting role in colorectal tumorigenesis. Aim of the work: To evaluate the association between the immunohistochemistry (expression of E-cadherin, and β-catenin with the histopathological grade, and stage of colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: The study was retrospectively collected from the archives of the Department of Pathology in Tobruk Medical Center. Eighty-two histopathologically confirmed cases of adenomas (n = 48) (tubular, villous, and tubulovillous), and colorectal adenocarcinoma (Mucinous, and Non-mucinous) (n = 34) were included in this study over two years (2021-2023). The histopathological diagnosis, grade, and staging of the tumors were obtained. While clinical information was obtained from medical records and pathology reports. immunohistochemical staining was performed for all the cases using E-cadherin and β-catenin antibodies, and the results were analyzed. Results: A total of 82 patients were studied out of these, 51(62.2%) patients were male, whereas 31 (37.8%) were females with a male: female ratio of 1.6:1. Age ranged from 30 years to 80 years. The mean age was the mean age of 52.9 (SD±15.8). A high prevalence of adenoma cases was observed in the age group 30– 40 years. The peak incidence for both types of colorectal carcinoma was in 61-70 years. By scoring the intensity of β-catenin there are significant correlation of β-catenin expression with tumor grade, stage, lymph node metastasis, and types of adenomas. The intensity of staining of E-cadherin in 48 cases of adenomas was showing high expression in 39 cases (81.3%), and low expression in only 9 cases (18.7%). While, the majority of the patients with CRC (58.8%) had low expression of E-cadherin levels, and (41.2%) had high expression. Conclusion: Our findings imply that E-cadherin and β-catenin may contribute to the invasion and progression of colorectal cancer, which may serve as prognostic indicators for colorectal carcinoma