bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
India’s Frantic Fight Against COVID-19: Rescuing a Broken Healthcare System by Adopting a “Doctor and Patient First” Approach
Authors: Baqal Omar J. , Farouk Amal
Published: March 2022

India’s public healthcare system is reeling under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country reporting over 30 million cases and 481,000 deaths by the end of 2021. The rise of the omicron variant threatens to add further strain on a chronically underfunded public health system, which a considerable proportion of the population living in poverty depend on. The pandemic has aggravated the shortage of supplies and capacity, pushing the Indian healthcare system to its breaking point. This write up calls for a major and urgent reform of the doctor and patient experience, achievable through prioritized funding to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, improving job security and satisfaction for healthcare workers, and improving the quality and safety of care delivered to patients throughout the nation. India must build a healthcare system focused on ensuring patient satisfaction and a positive patient experience by offering convenient healthcare access and high standards of care and treatment delivery.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5970

How to cite this:Baqal OJ, Farouk AF. India’s Frantic Fight Against COVID-19: Rescuing a Broken Healthcare System by Adopting a “Doctor and Patient First” Approach. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5970

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Githua Kevin Kariuki , Maitho Timothy Elias , Nguta Joseph Mwanzia , Okumu Mitchel Otieno
Published: March 2022

Background: The Mbeere South community of Embu County consume leaves of Catha edulis for its stimulant and euphoretic actions. Other indigenous uses of the plant are undocumented. Information on the pharmacology and safety of this plant is also scanty. This study aimed to document the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial properties, and toxicity of C. edulis leaves collected from the Mbeere South community in Kenya.

Methods: Ethnopharmacological data was collected from 35 informants using semi-structured questionnaires. Leaf extracts of C. edulis were prepared using acetone, water, and methanol. The antimicrobial properties of these extracts were evaluated against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The toxicity of the aqueous extract was determined using hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters in male and female Sprague Dawley rats at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg doses over 28 days. p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: All informants were male, married, >50 years old, with >10 years of experience. The sources, local names, preparation, storage conditions, indications, frequency of use, dosage, and side effects of C. edulis were documented. All extracts were ineffective against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans. They had limited efficacy against B. cereus and S. aureus. Significant differences were observed in the hematological and biochemical parameters of rats at the tested doses. Low, intermediate, and high doses of the aqueous extract of C. edulis produced local congestion of the cardiac and hepatic vessels. Localized interstitial connective tissue proliferation, multifocal kidney interstitial hemorrhage, and localized tubular epithelium necrosis were also observed in female rats.

Conclusions: The ethnobotanical uses of C. edulis among the Mbeere South community were documented for the first time. Limited antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity at high doses limit the use of leaves of C. edulis.
Effects of Remote Ischemic Conditioning on Hand Engagement in individuals with Spinal cord Injury (RICHES): protocol for a pilot crossover study
Authors: Wu Yu-Kuang , Harel Noam Y. , Wecht Jill M. , Bloom Ona E.
Published: March 2022

​​​​​​Background: Most spinal cord injuries (SCI) are not full transections, indicating that residual nerve circuits are retained. Rehabilitation interventions have been shown to beneficially reorganize motor pathways in the brain, corticospinal tract, and at the spinal level. However, rehabilitation training require a large number of repetitions, and intervention effects may be absent or show transient retention. Therefore, the need remains for an effective approach to synergistically improve the amount and duration of neuroplasticity in combination with other interventions. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) demonstrates several potential advantages as a candidate for such an approach. Therefore, we propose a protocol to investigate RIC coupled with physical training to promote neuroplasticity in hand muscles.

Methods: This will be a prospective randomized-order crossover trial to be performed in eight able-bodied participants and eight participants with chronic cervical SCI. Patients will participate in two experimental sessions consisting of either active or sham RIC preceding a bout of pinch movement exercise. Serial evaluations will be conducted at baseline, after RIC, immediately after pinch exercise, and follow up 15-minutes later. The primary outcome is the change in corticospinal excitability (primarily measured by the motor evoked potential of abductor pollicis brevis muscle). Secondary outcomes will include maximal volitional pinch force, and inflammatory biomarkers. To ensure safety, we will monitor tolerability and hemodynamic responses during RIC.

Discussion: This protocol will be the first to test RIC in people with cervical SCI and to investigate whether RIC alters corticospinal excitability. By sharing the details of our protocol, we hope other interested researchers will seek to investigate similar approaches – depending on overlap with the current study and mutual sharing of participant-level data, this could increase the sample size, power, and generalizability of the analysis and results.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov, ID: NCT03851302; Date of registration: February 22, 2019
Saint Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: a Dermatological Weakness?
Authors: Macaya Pascual Antonio , Manresa Lamarca Ignacio , Casals Jaime Piquero
Published: March 2022

Saint Paul's "thorn in the flesh" has been the subject of much controversy in medical, historical and religious literature. It was crucial for the development of Paul's theology and, therefore, its study is important for a better understanding of early Christianity. The purpose of this article is to review the available evidence on this issue, perform a historical and medical critical analysis and suggest plausible diagnosis that have not been previously published in scientific literature.
Our research on primary sources seem to indicate that in 41–42 AD Paul of Tarsus developed a clinical picture with a pain similar to that of a thorn injury and bad physical appearance. It could also have a chronic course with a limited number of relapses and few global. It could remind Job’s illness and provoke humiliation in Paul and repulse in his audience.
Multiple diseases could explain some of these data, but fewer explain all of them. Though a definitive diagnosis cannot be achieved, we think that cutaneous disorders are the most obvious candidates for a humiliating and painful disease which, however, would permit long journeys during more than a decade. Disorders with cutaneous involvement like lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, urticaria/angioedema, leukocytoclastic vasculitis or nodular vasculitis should be added to other possibilities previously reported.
Gestar una cultura de acompañamiento como clave para la formación en la universidad desde la mirada de Benedicto XVI
Authors: Viñado Oteo Fernando , Miró López Susana
Published: March 2022

La idea de universidad de Benedicto XVI nos invita a retomar su vocación originaria de búsqueda de la verdad, transmisión de valores, diálogo fecundo entre ciencias y humanidades y síntesis de saberes encarnados en formadores y alumnos. Desde el estudio y análisis de sus textos, planteamos la universidad como lugar privilegiado para recuperar la formación integral que atañe a la persona en su totalidad y que sale al encuentro de su realidad vital, de los anhelos y preguntas más profundos. Una de las claves esenciales para cumplir esta misión es gestar una cultura de acompañamiento que nos comprometa con el proceso de desarrollo integral de cada persona en todas sus dimensiones y los haga capaces de transformar la sociedad.
Transhumanismo y Gnosis: Un Paralelismo
Authors: Abbate Stefano
Published: March 2022

En este artículo se pretende entablar un paralelismo entre el fenómeno de la gnosis y el transhumanismo juntamente a su versión última, el poshumanismo. Después de unas aclaraciones de carácter metodológico, el trabajo se centra en cuatro ejes de confrontación: el reconocimiento de sí; el dualismo cósmico y antropológico; el sentido de la moral, de la muerte y del sufrimiento, y, por último, la promesa de salvación. Finalmente, se encuadra el transhumanismo en el marco de la revolución gnóstica haciendo hincapié en el sentido de desarraigo propio la posmodernidad para explicar el resurgimiento de dichos fenómenos.
In Favour of Dispositional Explanations. A Christian Philosophy Perspective with Some References to Economics
Authors: Hardt Łukasz
Published: March 2022

From among philosophical concepts of explanation those referring to causes have been the most influential. The aim of this paper it to show that a particular kind of causal explanations, namely dispositional explanations are particularly suited to explain the workings of the world. Apart from purely philosophical arguments, I claim that the view treating dispositions as important elements of the basic ontology of nature is in line with the Christian worldview and the ways God impacts the world. Also, this paper shows that dispositional explanations are not only appropriate in the domains studied by natural sciences but also in the ones being under investigation in social sciences, and thus the case of economics.
Successes and Failures in the Implementation of the Eastern Partnership Objectives in a Changing Security Environment
Authors: Tkachuk Olesia
Published: March 2022

The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a Polish-Swedish initiative to strengthen cooperation between the European Union (EU) and its eastern neighbours in both bilateral and multilateral dimensions. The programme was inaugurated in May 2009; as the eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), it was intended to help initiate or accelerate the political and economic transformation of the partner countries and bring them closer to the EU, thus stabilising the eastern neighbourhood of the EU and strengthening European security. However, over the past twelve years, the security environment of the EU and the region of Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus have undergone significant transformations, and new challenges and threats have emerged requiring active measures to counteract them effectively. Consequently, the initial goals and objectives of the EaP were updated. The aims of this paper are to analyse the new objectives of the Eastern Partnership proposed by the EU in the context of the changing security environment and closer relations with the eastern neighbours of the EU, and to show the prospects for further development of the eastern dimension of the ENP.
Within the EAEU and with the EU: The Evolution of the Attitude of Armenian Ruling Elites Towards the Eastern Partnership
Authors: Galstyan Narek S.
Published: March 2022

The article analyzes the evolution of the approaches of Armenian ruling elites towards the Eastern Partnership during 2009-2021. In particular, the fundamental principles of the positions of the Armenian ruling elites are identified, as well as the desired international statuses and national roles that the Armenian elites sought to fulfill within or through the Eastern Partnership. It also identifies the main external and internal factors that have changed the approaches of the Armenian authorities and transformed the designated international statuses and national roles. In conclusion, the author highlights the commonalities and differences in the positions of the administrations of Serzh Sargsyan and Nikol Pashinyan, as well as stable, transformed and new international statuses and national roles in relation to the Eastern Partnership. The article also provides a list of recommendations for decision-makers to improve the effectiveness of Armenia’s European agenda and the EU’s Armenian agenda.
Transparency and Control in Platforms for Networked Markets
Authors: Pang John , Lin Weixuan , Fu Hu , Kleeman Jack , Bitar Eilyan , Wierman Adam
Published: March 2022

Platforms: How Much and What Should They Control?

Platforms exert control in many ways: from determining which buyers are shown to which sellers to directly controlling allocation of aggregate supply across different consumer markets. How should platforms exercise control to increase social welfare? In “Transparency and Control in Platforms for Networked Markets,” authors J. Pang, W. Lin, H. Fu, J. Kleeman, E. Bitar, and A. Wierman examine the trade-offs that emerge between efficiency loss, transparency, and control across different platform designs. They show that open access platforms incentivize increased production toward perfectly competitive levels and limit efficiency loss, whereas controlled allocation designs can lead to supply-side withholding, resulting in unbounded efficiency loss. Balancing transparency and control, discriminatory access designs strictly improve upon the worst-case efficiency loss of both open access and controlled allocation platforms. Besides providing insights into the design and operation of two-sided platforms, this paper contributes to the growing theory of Cournot competition in networked markets.
Technical Note: A Comparison of Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms for Predicting Subfield Yield Variability of Maize Grain
Authors: Jiang Guopeng , Grafton Miles C. E. , Pearson Diane , Bretherton Michael R. , Holmes Allister
Published: March 2022

Abstract. Precision farming is about managing within-field spatial variability by applying appropriate inputs with the right amount, at the right place, and at the right time. This typically leads to the delineation of site-specific management zones that represent different yield potentials. However, a focus on spatiotemporal interactions is generally lacking. This technical note explores the viability of predicting spatial yields within fields, in the small-field arable production commonly practiced in New Zealand, using supervised machine learning algorithms. The methods used are multiple linear regression (MLR), feed-forward backpropagation neural network (FFNN), classification and regression tree (CART), random forest (RF), XGBoost, and Cubist, using predictors compiled from a range of spatiotemporal factors, including soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (OM), elevation, rainfall, growing degree days, and solar radiation. Despite poor results (R2 = 0.06 to 0.50) for predicting the spatial yield of each year, the RF, XGBoost, and Cubist models demonstrated greater capability for modeling spatiotemporal interactions than the previously tested FFNN and MLR. The inclusion of consistently calibrated yield data for additional years and more related variables (e.g., soil moisture and canopy cover) could improve the models. The results of these modeling analyses could lead to the delineation of dynamic yield management zones for improving the precision of mid-season fertilizer prescriptions to improve yield. Keywords: GIS, Machine learning, Precision farming, Spatiotemporal.
The development of the Old High German umlauted vowels and the reflex of New High German /ɛ:/ in Present Standard German
Authors: Cercignani Fausto
Published: March 2022

A critical reconstruction of the development of the Old High German umlauted vowels sheds light on the phonological history of various vocalic phonemes and in particular of /ɛ/ and /e/ as well as of /ɛ:/ and /e:/. The changes that affected the two pairs led to different results in the New High German Schriftsprache, in which today’s /ɛ:/ beside /e:/ in words with “long ä” (e. g. spät) is not an artificial vowel based on the spelling, but a historical variant with a phonological history behind it.
The Chinese Messaging Application WeChat as Used by German Speakers in China
Authors: Szurawitzki Michael
Published: March 2022

The article presents findings on how German-speaking expatriates in China use the multi-functional messaging application WeChat. The paper is structured as follows: After the introduction (1.), in which the societal relevance of WeChat and its potential for sociolinguistic research is addressed, the current state of research is presented (2.). Subsequently, the main features of WeChat are explained (3.). After that, the method used to acquire the data on China-based German speakers’ WeChat usage is described (4.): Between Nov. 2018 and April 2019, an online survey was conducted, and answered by 208 individuals. The answers provided form the basis of the results, which are presented in the fifth section. The last section (6.) contextualizes the findings and discusses perspectives for further research. After the bibliography, an appendix is given. It provides the link to the publicly available dataset on which the presented research is based.
Konjunktiv II-Variation im urbanen Sprachgebrauch in Österreich
Authors: Edler Stefanie , Oberdorfer Georg
Published: March 2022

The city as a social structure has a distinct relationship with its inhabitants. It creates a socio-pragmatic environment that produces communicative characteristics in the form of usage patterns that go hand in hand with conventionalised practices (cf. Gal 1987) and are dependent on everyday-life contextual aspects.

Accordingly, research of urban varieties is ideally based on language data that is as authentic as possible and includes socio-demographic and diatopic aspects. Following this idea, the study presented examines the subjunctive II in urban Austria by analysing free conversations in formal and informal contexts (interviews and conversations among friends), and correlating the results with spatial and social parameters. The data used was collected in Vienna and Graz, the two largest cities in Austria, as well as in their respective surrounding areas and was grouped by gender, age and place of residence.

The subjunctive II is realised in synthetic as well as periphrastic forms (cf. Merkle 1993: 69–73.; Donhauser 1992; Glauninger 2008). In rural Austria speakers use the entire range of variants (cf. Ziegler/Glantschnig 2013; Breuer/Wittibschlager 2020), while urban speakers exhibit a much narrower range, as we show in our analysis. Striking features in the use of variants can be seen above all in the form of contrasting modes of construction, i. e. synthetic vs. periphrastic realisation. The study reveals that there are hardly any differences between the two urban centres and only minor differences between a city and its surrounding area. However, the inclusion of social parameters provides a more differentiated picture: Here, higher relative frequencies of synthetic forms are found among male and older speakers compared to female and younger speakers. Thus, a preference for more conservative forms among the former contrasts with a preference for more modern (analytical) variants among the latter.
Routes of Aircraft Cabin Air Contamination from Engine Oil, Hydraulic and Deicing Fluid
Authors: SCHOLZ Dieter
Published: March 2022

Purpose: This paper discusses potential contamination of the air in passenger aircraft cabins. It gives an overview of cabin air contamination basics. It further names possible contamination sources and possible routes of contamination. – Methodology: Evidence follows from a review of material found on the Internet and from the documentation of a visit to an aircraft recycling site. Parts were retrieved at the site and investigated later with more time. – Findings: Jet engine seals leak oil in small quantities. Metallic nanoparticles are found in the oil and have been detected in human fatty tissue of aviation workers. It has been observed that the potable water on board can also be contaminated. Oil traces have been found in bleed ducts, air conditioning components, and in air conditioning ducts. Deicing fluid and hydraulic fluid can find their way into the air conditioning system via the APU air intake. Fuel and oil also leak down onto the airport surfaces. These fluids can be ingested by the engine from the ground and can enter the air conditioning system from there. Entropy is the law of nature that states that disorder always increases. This is the reason, why it is impossible to confine engine oil and hydraulic fluids to their (predominantly) closed aircraft systems. This is why engine oil with metal nanoparticles hydraulic fluids, and deicing fluids eventually can go everywhere and finally into the human body. – Research Limitations: No measurements have been made. – Practical Implications: Awareness and prevention of contaminated cabin air can protect passengers and crew. – Social Implications: The exposure of contaminated cabin air provides a basis for a general discussion and shows that people should be alerted and need to act. New technologies need to be implemented such as a bleed free architecture. – Originality: This paper shows many original images of contaminated parts and air ducts between engine compressor and cabin air outlet. Own observations are combined with similar observations found in literature and online. The collected evidence is visualized in a diagram showing the routes of possible aircraft cabin air (and water) contamination.
Satellites FDI system design using sliding mode observers
Authors: STANCU Florin-Adrian , STOICA Adrian-Mihail
Published: March 2022

This paper presents a fault detection and isolation system for the satellites attitude control. The fault detection and isolation system is based on an innovative bank of sliding mode observers, designed taking into account the satellite nonlinear dynamics. The observers are based on the sliding mode control theory, thus being robust to parametric uncertainties and bounded disturbances. A pseudo-sliding law is used to avoid the chattering effect and to reconstruct disturbances and faults based on equivalent injection signal. The bank of observers contains a total of seven sliding mode observers designed for different working scenarios. The first sliding mode observer is called the global observer and it is used to detect the fault appearance in the system, based on the equivalent injection signal. The other sliding mode observers are used to isolate and report any malfunction that may occur in the satellite's guidance and control unit. In order to reduce false alarms a mean window is used over the equivalent injection signal.
Active robust control for wing vibrations attenuation
Authors: URSU Ioan , TOADER Adrian , ENCIU Daniela , TECUCEANU George
Published: March 2022

In this paper a flexible smart wing is presented. The aileron wing with aileron was tested in the INCAS Subsonic Wind Tunnel with the aim of flutter mitigation and vibrations attenuation. The work takes over some of the results of the active anti-flutter control tests performed in the wind tunnel based on the receptance method. More specifically, the mathematical models in the time domain, necessary for the synthesis of control laws, are obtained from experimentally identified transfer functions. The main part of the paper presents the synthesis and analysis of the robustness of the control laws LQG, LQG/LTR, 𝐻𝐻∞ standard and 𝐻𝐻∞ robust from which the optimal solution will be chosen in a later work for the active vibration control tests on this smart wing model.
Finite element method analysis of flow and heat transfer of aging heat furnace for aluminum alloy plates
Authors: VELI Yelda , PETRE Marin , MOREGA Alexandru M. , DOBRE Alin A. , NECOLA Alexandra Valerica
Published: March 2022

Due to its high hardness and easy processing in certain tempers, the 2014 aluminum alloy is often used in the aerospace industry. Therefore, heat treatment for the aging of the 2014 aluminum alloy plates is an important quality concern, and its prediction using numerical simulations may contribute to the optimization of the process. The simulation of the aging treatment covers steps from the introduction of the plates in the furnace, at room temperature until their removal, respectively after 9 hours at 177°C ± 3°C. The simulation results are compared with the industrial tests on an indirectly heated, fuel-fired batch furnace. The study is aimed to determine the airflow inside the furnace and the minimum time to reach the set temperature. The simulation results help to better understand the healing process and to predict the minimum time required for a batch to reach the set temperature according to its weight.
Optimization of Machining Parameters for Wire EDM of AMCs (LM5/ZrO2) using Taguchi Technique
Authors: JEBAROSE JULIYANA S. , UDAYA PRAKASH J.
Published: March 2022

Aluminium alloy with high toughness, hardness, and impact resistance, is increasingly in demand in the aerospace and mechanical industries. Machine tools have seen rapid growth over the past two decades, but they are still not commonly used to their maximum potential. The inability to use machine tools at their peak output thresholds is at the core of the problem. Practicing engineers and researchers were intrigued by the difficulty of reaching a meticulous analysis of effective parameters. AMCs-LM5/3,6,9% ZrO2 fabricated by stir casting process are machined in Wire EDM to choose the optimum parameters by changing the Pulse on Time, Pulse off Time, Gap Voltage and Wire Feed. Achieving a good surface finish, as well as a better MRR and less kerf in the WEDM machining is of paramount importance. The experiments were conceded using the Taguchi’s L27 OA to obtain the desired effects. ANOVA determines the parameters that affect the Wire EDM, and also the relative contribution of machining parameters. The optimum levels of process parameters, for maximum MRR, minimum SR and minimum kerf were calculated. S/N ratio analysis determines the parameter that has the most impact on the response. A confirmation experiment was done for the best combination of parameters.
Parametric analysis of a two-stage small launcher using a MDO approach
Authors: ONEL Alexandru-Iulian , CHELARU Teodor-Viorel
Published: March 2022

The paper presents the influence of the main design requirements on the optimal two-stage small launcher configuration. The influence of target orbit altitude, payload mass, typical missions, and the type of liquid propellant (oxidizer - fuel pair) used on the launcher characteristics is quantified. The launchers are obtained using a multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) algorithm, where the lowest mass configuration capable of accurately inserting the payload into the target orbit is considered to be optimal.
Spectral diagnosis of in situ plasma cleaning in large-aperture optical
components: reactive species characterization and prediction of
cleaning
Authors: Liu Hao , Li Yuhai , Niu Longfei , Zhang Peng , Miao Xinxiang , Bai Qingshun , Zhou Guorui , Yuan Xiaodong
Published: March 2022

The damage of large-aperture optical components caused by organic
contamination limits the performance improvement of high-power laser
facilities. We propose an in situ plasma
cleaning technology to remove the organic contaminants on
large-aperture optical components, demonstrated by the simulated
equipment. The cleaning characteristics of the equipment were
investigated by spectral diagnosis. The cleaning capability
coefficient was defined to evaluate the performance of the plasma
equipment. Then diffusion properties of reactive species along the
surface of optical components were elucidated under various charge
parameters, including powers, source frequencies, and gas pressures.
We discuss the underlying cleaning mechanism for removing organic
contaminants. A new plasma cleaning model is established to predict
the treatment time with the cleaning capability coefficient.
Nodal points and the eye
Authors: Simpson Michael J.
Published: March 2022

Nodal points are defined using parallel object and image rays at very small angles to the optical axis, and Johann Listing described them when characterizing the eye in 1845. They are only distinct from principal points when there is a refractive index difference, but Reginald Clay used the term “nodal slide” in 1904 for equipment that uses lens rotation when measuring a lens focal length in air. Over time, sketches of nodal rays at large angles have become common, and these perhaps appear to support observations that input angles to the eye match image angles measured to the nodal point. Raytrace calculations confirm that this is correct for very large angles, but the relationship comes from the cornea curving around, towards incoming light, angles being rescaled at the exit pupil by a constant factor, and then the retina curving around to meet the image rays. The eye has high linearity, with 1:1 angular scaling occurring at approximately the nodal point, but ray bundles passing through the pupil center, rather than paraxial nodal rays, define the optical properties.
In vivo assessment of inflammatory bowel disease in rats with ultrahigh-resolution colonoscopic OCT
Authors: Yuan Wu , Feng Yan , Chen Defu , Gharibani Payam , Chen Jiande D. Z. , Yu Huimin , Li Xingde
Published: March 2022

A technology capable of high-resolution, label-free imaging of subtle pathology in vivo during colonoscopy is imperative for the early detection of disease and the performance of accurate biopsies. While colonoscopic OCT has been developed to visualize colonic microstructures beyond the mucosal surface, its clinical potential remains limited by sub-optimal resolution (∼6.5 µm in tissue), inadequate imaging contrast, and a lack of high-resolution OCT criteria for lesion detection. In this study, we developed an ultrahigh-resolution (UHR) colonoscopic OCT and evaluated its ability to volumetrically visualize and identify the pathological features of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a rat model. Owing to its improved resolution (∼1.7 µm in tissue) and enhanced contrast, UHR colonoscopic OCT can accurately delineate fine colonic microstructures and identify the pathophysiological characteristics of IBD in vivo. By using a quantitative optical attenuation map, UHR colonoscopic OCT is able to differentiate diseased tissue (such as crypt distortion and microabscess) from normal colonic mucosa over a large field of view in vivo. Our results suggest the clinical potential of UHR colonoscopic OCT for in vivo assessment of IBD pathology.
Knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and control of rabies among community households and health practitioners at the human-wildlife interface in Limpopo National Park, Massingir District, Mozambique
Authors: Mapatse Milton , Sabeta Claude , Fafetine José , Abernethy Darrell
Published: March 2022

Background

Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease that kills more than 26,000 people each year in Africa. In Mozambique, poverty and inadequate surveillance result in gross underreporting and ineffective control of the disease in animals and people. Little is known of the role of human attitudes and behaviour in prevention or control of rabies, thus this study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst selected households and health practitioners in one affected area, the Limpopo National Park (LNP), Massingir district.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 233 households in eight villages in LNP and among 42 health practitioners from eight health facilities in Massingir district between 2016 and 2018. Consenting household representatives aged 18 years or over were purposively selected. A KAP survey was administered to obtain information on dog ownership and knowledge of rabies, host species affected, modes of transmission, symptoms, recommended treatment and preventive methods.

Similar to household study participants, health practitioners were purposively selected and completed the questionnaire during the investigators’ visit. The questionnaire sought information on knowledge of rabies, management of bite wounds, vaccination sites and schedules of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed using SPSS software version 18.0.

Results

Approximately twenty per cent (18.9%; 95% CI: 14.3–24.3) and 13.3% (95% CI: 9.4–18.1) of households had good knowledge and practices of rabies, respectively. For health practitioners, only 16.7% (95% CI: 7.5–31.9) had good knowledge, whilst 33.3% (95% CI: 20.0–49.7) adopted adequate attitudes/practices towards the disease.

Conclusions/Significance

In conclusion, both households and health practitioners displayed poor levels of knowledge and adopted bad attitudes and practices towards rabies. The former, had more gaps in their attitudes and practices towards the disease. Village location and education level (P < .05) and similarly, sex and occupation, were found to be statistically associated with good knowledge of rabies among households as compared to HPs. Overall, a lack of community-based education and professional retraining courses contribute significantly to poor awareness of rabies in the LNP of Mozambique. Enhancing public health knowledge should consequently reduce dog-mediated human rabies deaths in this country.
The moisture distribution in wall-to-floor thermal bridges and its influence on mould growth
Authors: Xue Yucong , Fan Yifan , Ge Jian
Published: March 2022

Moisture in the building envelopes increase the energy consumption of buildings and induce mould growth, which may be amplified within the area of thermal bridges due to their different hygrothermal properties and complex structures. In this study, we aimed to (1) reveal the moisture distribution in the typical thermal bridges (i.e., wall-to-floor thermal bridge, WFTB) and its surrounding area, and (2) investigate the mould growth in the building envelope that includes both WFTB and the main part of the wall. The transient numerical simulations that lasted for five years were performed to model the moisture distribution. Simulated results indicate that the moisture distribution presents significant seasonal and spatial differences due to the WFTB. The areas where moisture accumulates have a higher risk of mould growth. The thermal insulation layer laid on the exterior surface of WFTB can reduce the overall humidity while uneven moisture distribution, which may promote mould growth and water vapour condensation.
revisionismo utilizado como política de governo pelo bolsonarismo
Authors: Cherxes Batista Ariel
Published: March 2022

Entre 1964 e 1985 adveio a Ditadura Militar no Brasil.

Desdobrada a partir de um Golpe Civil-Militar, contra o presidente João Goulart em 31 de março de 1964. Apoiada pelo governo estadunidense, organizada pelas Forças Armadas e setores da elite brasileira, a medida teria buscado conter o suposto avanço comunista no país. Os episódios que circundam a Ditadura Militar ocasionaram controvérsias estendidas até os dias atuais. É possível observar em discursos da sociedade civil, ou mesmo em parcelas ligadas aos meios institucionais, a defesa da construção de uma narrativa revisionista sobre esta fase da história republicana brasileira. O presidente da República, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, assim como seu grupo político, são grandes entusiastas do revisionismo. Neste artigo buscaremos discutir a narrativa revisionista sobre a Ditadura Militar como um aspecto da cultura política bolsonarista, partindo da hipótese de que Bolsonaro busca criar uma versão alternativa sobre esse período da história a partir de sua visão revisionista e saudosista. Argumenta-se que a visão elogiosa ao “Regime Militar” representa uma ameaça à manutenção de uma democracia sólida no país. Por fim, as fontes documentais utilizadas no trabalho constam majoritariamente de notícias veiculadas em periódicos da imprensa brasileira e internacional entre os anos de 2011 a 2020, além de recursos audiovisuais postados no site Youtube, discursos de personalidades públicas e legislações. Todas trabalhadas a partir da metodologia de análise do discurso. No que toca aos aspectos teóricos utiliza-se a abordagem da História do Tempo Presente adjunta aos conceitos de cultura política, revisionismo e bolsonarismo, principalmente.
“Negando o racismo nas escolas”
Authors: Arantes Erika Bastos
Published: March 2022

Muito tem se debatido – nos espaços acadêmicos, nas mídias e redes sociais – sobre o chamado negacionismo. No campo da História, os negacionismos podem ser equivocadamente confundidos com a revisão histórica própria da área e gerar consequências reais na sociedade, uma vez que produzem discursos que justificam a perspectiva ideológica da extrema direita, como temos assistido ocorrer no Brasil. Nas escolas, esses negacionismos históricos vêm produzindo uma série de impactos, que vão desde a crítica a livros didáticos considerados comprometidos com o discurso “de esquerda” e, por isso, propagadores de uma “história deturpada”, até a perseguição de professores acusados de doutrinação ideológica. Este artigo pretende propor uma discussão sobre como negacionismos difundidos atualmente no Brasil – mais especificamente relacionados à questão racial – impactam as escolas e lançam novos desafios à implementação da lei 10.639/03 e à luta por uma educação antirracista.
uso da história no mercado empresarial
Authors: Roza Luciano , Reis Nascimento Maria Isabel
Published: March 2022

A presente proposta é o resultado da discussão desenvolvida no mestrado, defendida, em 2020, na Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Na ocasião foi apresentado o trabalho intitulado o uso da história no mercado empresarial: a utilidade do núcleo de história oral Trem da Vale como estratégia de comunicação social da mineradora Vale S.A. Desse modo, a intenção desse artigo é demonstrar os usos da história no mercado empresarial, além de salientar os fatores que impulsionaram a abertura do setor a  produção histórica. Como plano de fundo, a título de exemplo, reportaremos ao estudo de caso do Núcleo de História Oral Trem da Vale, um subprograma do Programa de Educação Patrimonial Trem da Vale, criado em 2008 nas cidades de Ouro Preto-MG e Mariana-MG.
"No permitas ahora que ellos 'descubran' que el tercer nombre de Martí era Popov”
Authors: Ferreira Drummond Caroline Maria
Published: March 2022

Mariel – Revista de Literatura y Arte foi fundada em 1983, em Miami, por escritores cubanos exilados nos Estados Unidos durante o exílio massivo de Mariel (1980), e circulou até 1985 nos Estados Unidos, América Latina e Europa. Em nosso estudo, analisamos como os intelectuais que colaboraram com a revista debateram a obra de José Martí, o exílio e a identidade nacional. Nossa proposta central é compreender como o projeto editorial constituiu uma oposição política ao governo revolucionário cubano durante o exílio nos Estados Unidos, por meio de disputas pelas memórias da Revolução e da intelectualidade cubana. Dessa forma, investigamos a seção Confluencias da revista, que estabelecia um “contra-cânone” combativo da literatura cubana.
RELIGIOUS MODERATION IN ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS PRACTICES THROUGH WASATHIYAH CONCEPT
Authors: AHMAD ABDULLOH SAJJAD
Published: March 2022

Diversity is a natural event due to the meeting of various cultural differences in one place. Indonesia is a very plural and multicultural society. Diversity includes differences in culture, religion, race, language, ethnicity, ethnic traditions and so on. In such a multicultural society, tensions and conflicts between cultural groups often occur and have an impact on the harmony of life which can lead to imbalances and divisions. The purpose of this paper is to discuss religious moderation in the Indonesian context, religious moderation in Islamic religious practice through the concept of wasathiyah. The method used is a literature review. The conclusion in this study is that religious moderation is a religious attitude that is fair and balanced in viewing, responding and practicing between the practice of one's own religion (exclusive) and respect for the religious practices of other people with different beliefs (inclusive). In dealing with the diversity that occurs in Indonesia with its cultural diversity and its plural nature, it is necessary to strive for an increase in multicultural awareness in the Indonesian nation, and furthermore it will foster an attitude of religious moderation. The attitude of religious moderation is in the form of acknowledging the existence of other parties, having a tolerant attitude, respect for differences of opinion, and not imposing the will by means of violence. The concept of Islam wasathiyah, an inclusive way of Islam or an open religious attitude, which is called an attitude of religious moderation. In viewing and solving a problem, moderate Islam (wasathiyah) tries to take a compromise approach and is in the midst of its tribe, ethnicity, tradition, culture, and religion, is oriented towards islahiyah (good deeds) which is based on tradition, willing to listen to each other. and learn from each other to practice the ability to manage and overcome differences between them without compromising on the teachings of Islam that are believed.

Keywords: Religious Moderation, Islamic Religious Practice, Wasathiyah Concept.
On fractional logarithmic Schrödinger equations
Authors: Li Qi , Peng Shuangjie , Shuai Wei
Published: March 2022

We study the following fractional logarithmic Schrödinger equation:

(

−
Δ

)

s

u
+
V

(

x

)

u
=
u
log

u

2

,

x
∈

R

N

,

{\left(-\Delta )}^{s}u+V\left(x)u=u\log {u}^{2},\hspace{1em}x\in {{\mathbb{R}}}^{N},

where

N
≥
1

N\ge 1

,

(

−
Δ

)

s

{\left(-\Delta )}^{s}

denotes the fractional Laplace operator,

0
<
s
<
1

0\lt s\lt 1

and

V

(

x

)

∈
C

(

R

N

)

V\left(x)\in {\mathcal{C}}\left({{\mathbb{R}}}^{N})

. Under different assumptions on the potential

V

(

x

)

V\left(x)

, we prove the existence of positive ground state solution and least energy sign-changing solution for the equation. It is known that the corresponding variational functional is not well defined in

H

s

(

R

N

)

{H}^{s}\left({{\mathbb{R}}}^{N})

, and inspired by Cazenave (Stable solutions of the logarithmic Schrödinger equation, Nonlinear Anal. 7 (1983), 1127–1140), we first prove that the variational functional is well defined in a subspace of

H

s

(

R

N

)

{H}^{s}\left({{\mathbb{R}}}^{N})

. Then, by using minimization method and Lions’ concentration-compactness principle, we prove that the existence results.
Polarimetric 360° absolute rotary encoder
Authors: Johnson Mark
Published: March 2022

Encoders of angle based on rotating polarizers suffer from 180° ambiguity due to their inherent twofold rotational symmetry. This restricts their applications in motor and machine controls. We show that the ambiguity can be resolved through a geometrical mapping from a plane to a conical surface. Seen from the local surface normal, one full rotation of the cone gives one half rotation of the polarizer axis. With appropriate transmission or reflective optics and multiphase detection, we build high resolution, moderate accuracy, absolute-angle encoders without 180° ambiguity. Polymer birefringent retarders can be used similarly.
Investigation of the adhesive strength in a combined compaction and back-injection process to produce back-injected self-reinforced composites (SRCs)
Authors: Jakob Fabian , Gothe Marcel , Gansiniec Fabian , Heim Hans-Peter
Published: March 2022

This publication investigates the adhesion between an injection molded component and a self-reinforced composite (SRC) produced in a combined compaction and back-injection process to produce back-injected self-reinforced composites. To study the influence of the process, the parameters barrel temperature, time of injection, and tool temperature were varied. In addition, samples were taken at different positions along the flow path. In light of the orthotropic material behavior of SRCs, investigations were conducted to see whether different loading cases lead to different mechanical behavior. Shear-off and pull-off tests revealed a different strength as a function of the loading type. In the shear-off tests, a mean strength of 11.37 MPa was recorded over the entire test series, while the measured mean strength in the pull-off tests is considerably lower, 4.04 MPa. The type of failure is determined with the aid of SEM images, and the influence of the microstructure of the thermoplastic fibre materials on the adhesion is set out. It is shown that, as of a sufficiently high level of adhesion, failure occurs within the fibres.
Determination of Sigma metric based on various TEa sources for CBC parameters: the need for Sigma metrics harmonization
Authors: Ozdemir Seyda , Ucar Fatma
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The application of Sigma metrics can be used for assessing the performance of diagnostic laboratories. Clinical laboratories are confronted with the trouble of having to select the best and suitable quality specifications that are required for quality planning. In this regard, our study aims at evaluating the performance of Sysmex XN-1000 hematology analyzer by using Sigma metrics based on different total allowable error (TEa) source and to determine the effects of these variations in Sigma metric evaluation.

Methods

Five TEa requirements were selected to calculate Sigma metrics of 11 complete blood count (CBC) parameters. Coefficient of variation (CV) and bias data were supplied from internal quality control (IQC) and External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) respectively.

Results

According to TEa based on desirable biological variation (BV) database specifications, the highest Sigma value was achieved by white blood cell count for each level, the lowest value was achieved by Red Cell Distribution Width-Standard Deviation parameter. The Sigma calculation based on Spanish TEa showed that seven CBC parameter achieved Sigma value ≥3.

Conclusions

According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that Sigma scores have a significant fluctuation based on which TEa sources are utilized and the need for Sigma metrics harmonization and standardization is highlighted. Additionally, low Sigma values of most CBC parameters are resulted in the conclusion that the use of performance goals depending on BV data is difficult for common clinical use. Therefore, clear standardized criteria are quite necessary for the selection of TEa goal by laboratories.