bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kardiyoloji Hekimlerinin İskemik Koroner Arter Hastalığının Değerlendirilmesinde Nükleer Tıp Tetkikleri ile İlgili Görüşleri
Authors: SALAN Ahmet , AKSU Ekrem
Published: March 2021

Giriş:MPS'ninKAH'ta önemli bir yer tutan kullanımı nedeni ile kardiyoloji ve nükleer tıp hekimlerinin daha uyumlu bir çalışma ortamını yakalayabilmeleri için kardiyologların bu alandaki nükleer tıp tetkiklerine bakış açıları ve bunu etkileyen faktörlerin değerlendirmesi amaçlanmıştır.

Metod:1 Aralık 2019-30 Mart 2020 tarihleri arasında Kahramanmaraş'taki 21 kardiyoloji uzmanı ve 5 uzmanlık öğrencisine yönelik 14 sorudan oluşan anket çalışması yapılmıştır.

Bulgular:Hekimlerin %90'a yaklaşan oranda iskemik kalp hastalığında özellikle tanı aşamasında MPS'yi tercih etmesine rağmen üçte bir civarında hekimin MPS 'ye ulaşamadığı saptanmıştır.Nükleer tıp raporlarından genellikle tıbbi anlamda bir memnuniyet mevcuttur. MPS'ye ulaşabilen hekimler için nükleer tıp hizmetinin yapısından kaynaklanan tetkik ve randevu süresi ile ilgili olumsuzluklar öne çıkmaktadır. İletişimle ilgili olumlu yaklaşımlar mevcuttur.

Sonuç: İlimizde MPS yüksek doğruluk oranları ile tercih edilen bir tetkiktir. Ancak ulaşılabilirliği kısıtlıdır.Bu kısıtlılık nedeni ile uzamış randevu sürelerinin ve olası artmış invaziv girişimlerin getirebileceği kayıpların; MPS'nin daha yaygın kullanımı ile çözülebileceği değerlendirilmektedir.Bu durum özellikle tıp fakültesi içinde gama kamera ihtiyacını değerlendirmeyi öne çıkarmaktadır.Kardiyoloji hekimleriyle karşılıklı karar ve sorumlulukların paylaşılmasının yanı sıra iletişim kanallarının artırılması nükleer tıp görüntüleme yöntemlerinin kararlı iskemik KAH tanı ve takibinde kullanım yaygınlığının ve etkinliğinin optimal düzeye çıkmasına katkı sağlayabilir.
Triatominae fauna (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and the influence of climatic elements on their populations.
Authors: Cominetti Marlon , Andreotti Renato
Published: March 2021

Introduction: The objective of this work was to study Triatomine fauna captured during the period from 2006–2014 in Mato Grosso do Sul and to investigate the influence of climatic elements on these populations by providing subsidies to guide vector control work in the state. Methods: We verified the natural infection rate, the abundance of classes, constancy, frequency and dominance, and the influence of climatic factors on the frequency of triatomine. Results: Of the 14,178 specimens collected, 2,118 (14.94%) were domiciliary, and 12,060 (85.06%) were peridomiciles. The rate of natural infection in Triatoma matogrossensis was 18.18%, followed by Rhodnius neglectus (0.46%) and Triatoma sordida (0.27%). Triatoma sordida was the most frequent species: constant, abundant and dominant. We observed the influence of climatic factors on the encounter of insects during the period from January to December and throughout the eight years of the study period. Climatic factors such as relative humidity affect the frequency of insects. Conclusions: Although Mato Grosso do Sul is considered free of endemic vector transmission by Triatoma infestans, the persistent encounter vectors naturally infected by Trypanosoma cruzi remain worthy of attention, and the information in this work may improve actions to combat the vector in the state better selecting the periods and favorable environmental conditions for control using insecticides, ensuring greater efficiency and decreasing the possibilities of the vector triatomine becoming resistant to the chemical agent.
Notas de país sobre la situación fiscal y de la deuda pública en Centroamérica, Haití, México, Panamá y República Dominicana
Authors: Anglade Boaz , Astudillo Sáenz Jhonatan , Barrios Galván Juan José , Deza Delgado María Cecilia , Díaz Méndez Ana , Escobar Miranda Julio , Filippo Agustín , Garcimartin Alférez Carlos , Giles Álvarez Laura , Leslie Janelle , Laloum Mélanie , Monge Arias Mauricio , Prat Cordero Jordi , Ruiz-Arranz Marta , Sánchez Barahona Josiel , Silva Porto Díaz María Teresa , Teixeira Braun Gisele , Ugarte Paguaga Fadel , Vargas Bautista Fanny , Vega García Pablo , Zentner Joaquín
Published: March 2021

Este documento describe la situación fiscal y de la deuda pública en Centroamérica, Haití, México, Panamá y República Dominicana. Se presta especial atención a los impactos del brote de COVID-19 a partir de los primeros meses de 2020 y a las medidas adoptadas por los gobiernos para enfrentar la pandemia y sus efectos sobre la producción, el consumo y las cuentas públicas. También se consideran las perspectivas de crecimiento de los países y se hacen recomendaciones de política para cada uno de ellos.
Orthodoxy during the Great Patriotic War on the Pages of the Newspaper “Severny Rabochy”
Authors: Buyukli Darya A.
Published: March 2021

The article presents the results of a study of the Russian Orthodox Church in the view of readers of the Soviet press on the example of the Yaroslavl regional newspaper “Severny Rabochy” during the great Patriotic war. The study shows how the image of an Orthodox person was constructed, and what aspects of religious life were in sight of Yaroslavl correspondents. The conclusion is made about the ways to form public perception in a censored printed edition.
„Inny świat”, „kraina zeków” i… „martwy dom”
Authors: Sucharski Tadeusz
Published: March 2021

W prezentowanym szkicu próbuję wskazać wspólne płaszczyzny w dwóch największych dziełach łagrowych poprzedzających Archipelag GUŁag Sołżenicyna: Podróż do krainy zeków Juliusa Margolina i Inny świat Gustawa Herlinga-Grudzińskiego. Taki właśnie status w zachodnich badaniach historycznoliterackich zyskały te dwie książki. W Polsce dzieło Margolina nie doczekało na razie ważnych i godnych go badań.

Obu twórców i ich dzieła łączy wiele wspólnego. Margolin i Herling przebywali w tym samym kompleksie obozów (Kargopolłag); nie doczekawszy zwolnienia z łagru, obaj podjęli głodówkę protestacyjną i opisali ją w swych dziełach. Obaj traktowali swoje dzieła jako jeden z instrumentów walki z nieludzkim systemem. Obaj wreszcie przeczytali w łagrze Zapiski z martwego domu Dostojewskiego i lektura ta w istotny sposób kształtowała ich rozumienie łagrowego losu i jego konsekwencji.
Podróż do Burmy Gustawa Herlinga-Grudzińskiego – perspektywy badawcze. Rekonesans
Authors: Panas Paweł
Published: March 2021

Artykuł podejmuje problematykę dotychczasowych badań nad mniej znanym, wczesnym dziennikiem Gustawa Herlinga-Grudzińskiego z okresu jego podróży do Birmy (Podróż do Burmy). Autor wyróżnia dwa zasadnicze wątki interpretacyjne obecne w najważniejszych tekstach poświęconych temu utworowi. Są to: zagadnienia genologiczne oraz kwestie historyczno-polityczno-społeczne. Pokazując zalety i osiągnięcia tych prac, badacz wskazuje także na te elementy, które nadal nie doczekały się dokładnej analizy. I tak podkreślona zostaje potrzeba pogłębionej lektury dzieła Herlinga-Grudzińskiego z uwzględnieniem perspektywy postkolonialnej, a także bliższe przyjrzenie się temu tekstowi w kontekście całej twórczości autora Podróży do Burmy i specyfiki jego sztuki pisarskiej. W artykule szczegółowo omówione zostały główne problemy, ale także potencjalne korzyści każdego z tych podejść.
„Otóż moja Urszulko tak szczegółowy masz opis mojego tu życia, że sądzę J. J. Rousseau z równą szczerością nie pisał swoich spowiedzi” – obrazy życia prywatnego i kulturalnego w latach czterdziestych XIX wieku na podstawie korespondencji Gustawa Zieliński
Authors: Król Małgorzata
Published: March 2021

Gustaw Zieliński to poeta, powieściopisarz, powstaniec listopadowy, zesłaniec, ziemianin, społecznik, bibliofil, mecenas kultury, który współcześnie najczęściej kojarzony jest z najpopularniejszym swym tekstem, powieścią poetycką pt. Kirgiz albo encyklopedycznie, hasłowo. Wiadomo, że był mecenasem i miłośnikiem kultury, ale niewiele nadto. Artykuł jest próbą wyjścia, na podstawie epistolografii, poza suche fakty. Oddania realiów barwnego, ale też niełatwego życia w połowie XIX wieku w Warszawie i na Mazowszu. Próbą przypomnienia niebanalnego epistolografa, którego zapisy korespondencyjne przybliżają stosunki gospodarczo-społeczne, realia kulturalne nie tylko ówczesnej stolicy, ale i Mazowsza, a wraz z upływem czasu i zmieniającym się życiem osobistym autora – kraju i ówczesnej Europy.
Summary
Authors: Agrogeoambiental Revista
Published: March 2021

Summary
Experiencias psicóticas e ideación suicida en adolescentes
Authors: González Romero María C. , Lince Restrepo Manuela , Restrepo Bernal Diana , Sierra Hincapié Gloría M.
Published: March 2021

Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre experiencias psicóticas y trastornos mentales no psicóticos en población general. Metodología: Estudio de prevalencia analítico con fuente de información secundaria en población general de 15 a 65 años seleccionados de modo aleatorio por muestreo probabilístico. El instrumento de recolección de la información fue el CIDI (por su sigla en inglés), que realiza diagnóstico de 23 trastornos mentales según criterios DSM-IV (por su sigla en inglés). Se evaluaron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas psiquiátricas y seis experiencias psicóticas (alucinaciones e ideas delirantes) como variable principal. El estudio primario fue aprobado por el Comité de Investigación y de Ética Universitario. Se consideró significancia estadística valor de p<0.05. Se calcularon como medidas de asociación OR con su IC95%. Resultados: Se evaluaron 2 072 personas, el 1.85% presentó experiencias psicóticas, de los cuales el 53.3 % eran mujeres, y el 44.4 %, adolescentes. Hubo asociación entre experiencias psicóticas e ideación suicida (OR 3.51, IC95% 1.49-8.29]), ser adolescente (OR 2.29, IC95% 1.24-4.22]) y pertenecer al régimen contributivo de salud (OR 0.34, IC95% 0.18-0.63). Conclusiones: Los jóvenes y aquellas personas con ideación suicida tuvieron mayor probabilidad de reportar experiencias psicóticas. Dentro del intento global por comprender mejor para actuar de forma más efectiva frente al comportamiento suicida especialmente en la población más joven, una mejor comprensión del papel que desempeñan las experiencias psicóticas (EP) puede ser de ayuda.
Uso de ayudas diagnósticas en el paciente intoxicado en el servicio de urgencias
Authors: Caicedo Bello Luis Gabriel , Rodríguez Flórez Nelson Darío , Urrego Sepúlveda Juan Camilo , Berrouet Mejía Marie Claire , Massaro Ceballos Mónica María , Valencia Ortiz Nelcy Lorena
Published: March 2021

Objetivo: La incidencia de intoxicaciones en el servicio de urgencias viene en aumento en Colombia. En el abordaje inicial se solicitan paraclínicos de rutina, en ocasiones sin una correlación entre el xenobiótico, la fisiopatología y el riesgo clínico. El objetivo de esta investigación es describir el uso de las ayudas diagnósticas en el paciente intoxicado en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital de alta complejidad. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal con disponibilidad de datos para el periodo 2014-2016. Se recopiló información de los registros de las historias clínica de los pacientes que acudieron al servicio de urgencias con diagnósticos relacionados con intoxicaciones. Resultados: El 55.4% de la población fue de sexo femenino, el 54.5% eran menores de 25 años y la mayoría pertenencia al área urbana (77.7%). La intencionalidad en el 68.9% fue suicida. Se reportó el toxídrome en el 17.6% de los casos, donde el sedante fue el más común (9.2%). Las sustancias más usadas fueron los psicofármacos (22.8%), siendo los antidepresivos tricíclicos más comunes con un 10.9%; seguidos de los plaguicidas (19.1%), donde los organofosforados fueron los más comunes (8.8%). Las ayudas diagnósticas más solicitadas fueron el hemograma en un 94.3% de los casos, seguido de la creatinina en un 90.2%. El electrocardiograma se realizó en el 49.7% de los casos y los tóxicos en orina en el 7.8%. Conclusión: Se evidencia un uso rutinario de ayudas diagnósticas en el servicio de urgencias; se requieren estudios adicionales que evalúen la pertinencia de ayudas diagnósticas en este escenario.
Metodologías y materiales para el entrenamiento en técnicas quirúrgicas: revisión sistemática
Authors: Calle-Díaz Sebastián , García-Osorio Sofía , Flórez-Arango José F. , Torres-Silva Ever A. , Luna-Gómez Iván F. , Fernández-Ramírez Sandra M.
Published: March 2021

Objetivo: Revisar las metodologías y los materiales utilizados en la enseñanza de técnicas quirúrgicas para personal de la salud, publicados durante los últimos siete años. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica en la base de datos PubMed sobre materiales y metodologías utilizados en educación quirúrgica determinando criterios de inclusión y exclusión para filtrar los diferentes artículos. Resultados: Se encontraron 1190 artículos, de los cuales se descartaron 826 por no cumplir con el rango de la revisión sistemática. Se utilizaron 59 artículos que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y de exclusión para la revisión. Conclusiones: El entrenamiento para obtener habilidades en técnicas quirúrgicas a través de la simulación es una oportunidad para estudiantes y maestros de avanzar en el saber y el hacer; se deben acoplar los materiales con el espacio para obtener resultados esperados. La investigación continúa con el fin de encontrar mejores opciones para la adquisición de las destrezas y habilidades quirúrgicas.
Towards Homes and Graves. About the Returns, Desaparecidos and Exhumation Challenges in Peru at the End of the Twentieth Century
Authors: Pietraszczyk-Sękowska Joanna
Published: March 2021

The article concerns the wartime history of Peru and examines both topdown and bottom-up practices of accounting for the internal conflict of 1980–2000, which were initiated in the background of the warfare. The aim of the article is to discuss the connections I observed between the phenomena referred to in the title: return migrations of the inhabitants of the central-southern province, their search for the victims of forced disappearances, as well as the exhumation challenges emerging since the beginning of the war. In other words, the text constitutes an attempt to contextualise the above-mentioned issues given competing versions of memory about political violence in the Andes, with particular focus on their top-down determinants in the Fujimorism era.
Proclamation of Ferdinand VI in Cusco (23 September 1747): Art and Politics
Authors: Kubiak Ewa
Published: March 2021

The article analyses the royal proclamation of Ferdinand VI in Cusco (Peru) which took place on 23 September 1747, on the birthday of the king. A reconstruction of the celebration was possible thanks to two sources: the city chronicle written in the mid-eighteenth century by Diego de Esquivel y Navía and an occasional print containing a description of the ceremony by José Antonio Santander (1748). The article discusses three aspects of the presented celebrations. First of all, it presents the general context, i.e. the problem of festival celebrations related to the royal family as a part of the Spanish crown policy. Secondly, it details artistic issues related to the celebrations. It includes a description of the artistic setting with the features of occasional architecture and ephemeral painting. Finally, the article examines the local, social and political contexts of the celebrations, read as a manifestation of the city’s emancipation efforts based on the emphasis of Cusco’s antiquity and its rich imperial tradition in the Pre-Hispanic period.
Provision of Critical Care Nurse Education: WFCCN Position Statement
Authors: International Journal of Critical Care Editorial Team
Published: March 2021

Objective: The objective of the WFCCN review group was to review and update the existing Declaration of Madrid (2005). The aim of the revised Position Statement is to provide international recommendations based on universal principles to help guide health services, educational facilities and critical care nursing organizations in the development of appropriate educational programs for critical care nurses. Methods: Following establishment of a review group comprised of critical care clinicians, leaders, and researchers from four continents, a literature search was undertaken, which informed the review of the 2005 Declaration and its subsequent revision contained in this 2020 Position Statement. Results: The 2020 Position Statement on the Provision of Critical Care Nurse Education was developed. Conclusions: Critically ill patients have unique needs and must be cared for by registered nurses with specialized critical care knowledge and competence. The recommendations made in this position statement represent universal principles to help guide health centers, educational facilities, and critical care nursing organizations in the development of appropriate educational programs for registered nurses who are required to care for critically ill patients and their families.
Altered Mental Status: An Exploration of Definitions and Descriptors in the Literature
Authors: Ikematsu Yuko , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth
Published: March 2021

Objectives: To examine the use of “altered mental status” in studies addressing states of shock, by reviewing published English literature. We explored how the term is defined and described in the literature, and alternative words/phrases used. Background: Assessment of mental status is crucial for patients in shock and life-threatening conditions. The term “altered mental status” is being used inconsistently, and varied means of assessment have been reported, which may have implications for critical care nurses' training and implementation of clinical practice guidelines. Methods: A systemized literature review based on targeted searches in CINAHL and MEDLINE, with predefined eligibility criteria. Primary studies, reviews and case studies were included. Results: Based on eligibility criteria, 92 articles were included (48 primary studies, 32 case reports, 12 review articles). Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was most frequently used to define “altered mental status” followed by the terms “unconsciousness”, “confusion” “coma” and “disorientation”. Changes in consciousness were described in a variety of expressions, i.e. decreased level of consciousness, change in awareness, and GCS. Conclusion: There is no universal definition for altered mental status. More work is needed towards an accurate definition standardization of use of related terms, and consensus on the most valid assessment methods in order to identify patients with high risk for deterioration.
“We Are Together”: Operating Protocol and Preliminary Evaluation of a Telephone Line for the Support of Healthcare Professionals During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Karanikola Maria NK , Hatzioannou Anna , Koutroubas Virginia Sunday , Kaikoushi Katerina
Published: March 2021

Objective: The aim of the present article is to present the operating protocol of this helpline, as well as preliminary results of its evaluation. Background: The “We Are Together” telephone support helpline (TSH) was developed for the empowerment of healthcare professionals in view of the psychological distress associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Based on a scoping literature review the steps for the development of the TSH included: (a) identification of the objectives of the TSH, (b) description of the basic concepts and the structure of the telephone call, (c) development of the operating tools of the TSH, (d) definition of criteria for the enrollment of mental health professionals, (e) development of an educational program for those staffing the TSH, (f) design of the monitoring and evaluation methods of the TSH. Preliminary evaluation of the helpline was based on descriptive statistics (volume and length of calls, demographic and vocational data of service users, cause of call, number of recalls). Results: During the first month of the helpline operation, only a limited number of calls was received. Only 20% of the service users were healthcare professionals, specifically emergency and critical care nurses, while the rest came from various backgrounds, including healthcare students, private sector employed citizens, unemployed, people with mental health issues, and the elderly. The majority of users were female. Conclusion: Additional measures to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the TSH regarding the psychological and mental health needs of its users are necessary.
setifian roman basins
Authors: Mahdadi Noureddine
Published: March 2021

It was by serendipity, during a survey aimed at determining the course of an underground source by employees of the municipality of Sétif in 1907, that the beautiful monument was discovered at a depth of three meters of the “Roman basins” of Sétif (Algeria)[1]. The architecture of this site caught the attention of both elected officials and the public, and led to considering its conservation. Located in the Rafaoui garden (former Barral garden)[2], it represents one of the most beautifully preserved open-air monuments in this city. However, it remains a subject of controversy as to its "origin"[3]. The present work seeks to weave a portrait of the model, which will provide us with the arguments necessary for its "identification", and thus brought a correction on its name, and at the same time justify the action of a support for its conservation[4].

 

[1]  This source feeds the two main and famous fountains of this city (Ain Fouara & Ain Droudj), located in a part known for its wealth of Roman remains. (Elizabeth Fenteress, Paul-Albert Février, Anissa Mohamedi, 1984).

[2] Since this discovery, the site has been laid out as an "open-air museum garden", displaying this unearthed archaeological treasure.

[3] Improperly called nowadays "Roman baths", instead of "nymphs", and this is what we are going to dismantle.

[4] In our situation, the question of heritage is no longer posed only in terms of preservation, but also in terms of integration into the changing urban environment, which is another form of "valorisation".
Africanos em diáspora e as embarcações envolvidas no tráfico de escravizados
Authors: Alves Luciana Bozzo
Published: March 2021

Na Arqueologia Afrodiaspórica, as pesquisas que envolvem remanescentes materiais de embarcações utilizadas no tráfico de escravizados, assim como as demais categorias de materialidades, devem estar intrínsecas às discussões contemporâneas sobre identidades, principalmente a partir de uma perspectiva afrocentrada (Christian, 2009, p. 147). Nesse sentido, o presente artigo retoma algumas pesquisas realizadas nessas embarcações, assim como aponta iniciativas e caminhos possíveis para o envolvimento de comunidades afrodescendentes em pesquisas nesse contexto, utilizando como exemplo as ações em andamento no sítio de naufrágio da escuna Clotilda.
fazer arqueológico no Bairro da Praia
Authors: Novaes Luciana de Castro Nunes
Published: March 2021

Esse artigo apresenta a praia como um ambiente aquático fundamental nos estudos de levantamento arqueológico subaquático. A Arqueologia de Ambientes Aquáticos é problematizada para além do mergulho científico e do patrimônio subaquático. Para tanto, o texto realiza uma reflexão crítica sobre a formação de paisagens marítimas no centro histórico de Salvador. Em seguida apresenta referenciais metodológicos de duas pesquisas desenvolvidas no antigo Bairro da Praia, Salvador. Por fim, compreende a borda do mar como um ambiente de pós-memória, arena epistêmica que entrelaça o passado colonial ao devir urbano de cidades portuárias.
Arqueología del arroyo Sauce
Authors: Vallvé Elena , Malán Maira
Published: March 2021

La ensenada del Sauce, tramo medio del Río de La Plata en su costa norte, viene siendo objeto de un proyecto de investigación arqueológica aplicada al desarrollo turístico y territorial. Partiendo de la base de que la arqueología es una actividad social que tiene lugar en múltiples contextos, tanto históricos, como políticos, económicos e institucionales, el proyecto busca a través de diferentes estrategias –investigación, protección, divulgación, desarrollo económico–, posicionar el rol de la arqueología desde una perspectiva no únicamente en función del pasado sino también en función del presente. Se presentan aquí las distintas líneas de trabajo y sus resultados parciales, y se reflexiona en torno al potencial de la arqueología y los enfoques patrimoniales para afrontar contextos socio-económicos críticos.
Clostridium difficile infection secondary to ileostomy closure
Authors: Chouillard Elie , Chouillard Marc-Anthony , El Kary Nader , De Simone Belinda , Gumbs Andrew A.
Published: March 2021

Protective ileostomy may be a risk factor for the development of Clostridium difficile (CD) infection (CDI). In the postoperative period signs of CDI may be particularly difficult to differentiate from intra-abdominal sepsis. Presented here are 2 cases that developed CDI after ileostomy reversal. Two patients who underwent low anterior resections after neoadjuvant chemoradiation with protective ileostomy developed fever, leukocytosis and elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The first patient also had negative CD stool toxins and his signs were so severe that he underwent a negative diagnostic laparoscopy and re-creation of ileostomy. The second patient who presented in a similar fashion was more fortunate in that her CD stool toxin was positive and she was treated successfully with oral vancomycin. CDI after ileostomy reversal after low anterior resection can be difficult to diagnose. In the first patient, the situation was so misleading that diagnostic laparoscopy was required. Outcome was eventually favorable in both cases. CDI must be high on the list of differential diagnoses for febrile patients with a leukocytosis and elevated CRP level even in the setting of negative CD stool toxins. Prophylactic intravenous metronidazole and/or vancomycin enemas should be considered prior to colorectal surgery when a protective ileostomy is likely.
Succession politics and state administration in Africa: the case of Zimbabwe
Authors: Chikerema Arthur Fidelis , Nzewi Oguchukwu
Published: March 2021

The paper is a critical inquiry into the influence of succession politics on state administration in Africa, with particular reference to Zimbabwe, and unpacks the interactive boundaries and conceptual overlaps in this field. This study was based on 18 qualitative in­depth interviews conducted with key informants using the purposive sampling technique, complemented by extensive document review. The findings of the study show that succession politics in Africa includes executive dominance, egocentrism and excessive appointive powers. These are compounded by the lack of an institutional framework of succession, which in turn undermines the professional independence of the bureaucracy and inhibits the pursuit of comprehensive governance. The findings also isolate Zimbabwe as a victim of political, societal and historical factors that exacerbate the succession dilemma. In its recommendations, the paper argues that the succession challenge faced by the continent, in particular Zimbabwe, will continue to hound succession trends and responsive administration unless broad­based reforms are instituted to dismantle the historical legacies embedded in the political systems.
Diagnostic Relations Between Pressure and Entropy Perturbations for Acoustic and Entropy Modes
Authors: Leble Sergey , Smirnova Ekaterina
Published: March 2021

Diagnostics and decomposition of atmospheric disturbances in a planar flow are considered and applied to numerical modeling results with the direct possibility to use in atmosphere monitoring especially in such strong events which follow magnetic storms. The study examines a situation in which the stationary equilibrium temperature of a gas may depend on a vertical coordinate, that seriously complicates the problem solution. The relations connecting perturbations for acoustic and entropy modes are analytically established and led to the solvable diagnostic equations. These perturbation structures, found as the equation solutions specify acoustic and entropy modes in an arbitrary stratified gas under the condition of stability. These time-independent diagnostic relations link gas perturbation variables of the acoustic and the entropy modes. Hence, they provide the ability to decompose the total vector of perturbations into acoustic and non-acoustic (entropy) parts uniquely at any instant within the all accessible heights range. As a prospective model, we consider the diagnostics at the height interval [120;180] km, where the equilibrium temperature of a gas depends linearly on the vertical coordinate. For such a heights range it is possible to proceed with analytical expressions for pressure and entropy perturbations of gas variables. Individual profiles of acoustic and entropy parts for some data, obtained by numerical experiment, are illustrated by the plots for the pure numerical data against ones obtained by the model. The total energy of a flow is determined for both approaches and its height profiles are compared.
Resolution of the Faint Young Sun Paradox via the Expanding Earth and Radiation Balance Equilibrium Hypothesis
Authors: Nyambuya Golden Gadzirayi
Published: March 2021

We present a plausible solution to the now forty seven year old paleoclimatology riddle of the so-called Faint Young Sun Paradox via the combined hypothesis of the conservation of the state of radiation balance between the Earth and Sun and that of an expanding Earth, where, in the face of a changing (increasing) Solar luminosity, the Earth would maintain steady temperatures by re-adjusting the height of its atmosphere. That is to say, depending on whether or not the radius of the solid Earth is changing, this re-adjustment of the height of the Earth’s atmosphere would mean two things — i.e.: (1) either the height increases — in which event the Earth accretes matter from its immediate surroundings (i.e., the obvious pool formed by the Solar wind) thereby increasing the mass of the Earth’s atmosphere, or: (2) the height decreases — in which event the Earth naturally expels matter from its atmosphere, thereby decreasing the effective mass of the Earth. We demonstrate that if –- as the current state of the art ITRF observations seem to indicate, namely that — the Earth’s landmass is steadily expanding globally at a paltry rate of ∼+0.45±0.05mm·yr−1, and, that the Earth’s atmosphere is to have a present radial vertical height of about one third of the Earth’s radius (∼2860km) from the Earth’s surface, then, one can (might) with relative ease, explain not only the presence of liquid water on the Earth’s surface some ∼3.20±0.70Gyr ago during the Archaean eon when the Sun was about 75% of its current luminosity, but also the present radial expansion rate of the Earth. When all is said and done, the Earth system is herein cast as an auto-self-regulating incubator where the auto-self-regulating mechanism is as a result of the Earth’s atmosphere responding by automatically re-adjusting its height.
Benchmarking of Machine Learning Models to Assist the Prognosis of Tuberculosis
Authors: Lino Ferreira da Silva Barros Maicon Herverton , Oliveira Alves Geovanne , Morais Florêncio Souza Lubnnia , da Silva Rocha Élisson , Lorenzato de Oliveira João Fausto , Lynn Theo , Sampaio Vanderson , Endo Patricia Takako
Published: March 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by organisms in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex. In many low and middle-income countries, TB remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This work performs a benchmarking of machine learning models using a Brazilian health database related to TB confirmed cases and deaths, named SINAN-TB. The goal is to predict the probability of death by TB, assisting the TB prognosis and decision taking process. The database originally has 130 features, and many of these features had missing data, or incorrect data regarding the notification dates or birth dates, or were not related to the clinical and laboratory data. These data are treated, and after the preprocessing step, a new database with 38 features and 24,015 records is generated, having 22,876 TB cases and 1,139 deaths by TB. We design two experiments to investigated how the data unbalancing impacts on the models performance. With the evaluation of the f1-macro metric, we verify that the best result is achieved when using the imbalanced database, with the ensemble model that is composed of gradient boosting (GB), random forest (RF) and multi-layer perceptron (MLP) models.
Sphingolipidome Quantification by Liquid Chromatography- High Resolution Mass Spectrometry: Whole Blood vs. Plasma
Authors: Wang Dezhen , Xu Peining , Mesaros Clementina
Published: March 2021

Plasma and serum are the most widely used blood-derived biofluids for metabolomics and lipidomics assays, but the isolation of these products from blood may introduce additional bias as indicated by the fact that many analytes that are present at high concentrations in blood cells cannot be measured and evaluated in those samples. Of particular concern, variable hemolysis during the pre-processing of blood products could compromise accurate and reproducible quantification. Compared with plasma or serum, whole blood may be a better alternative due to simplicity of processing. In this study, we provide a comprehensive method for quantification of the whole blood sphingolipidome and the concentrations were compared with those from plasma. Combining a single-phase extraction method with liquid-chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (R=120, 000), assisted by alkaline hydrolysis, we were able to identify and simultaneously quantify more than 150 sphingolipids. Furthermore, most of sphingolipids remained stable after a freeze/thaw cycle. Whole blood contained a higher concentration of most sphingolipids than corresponding plasma. Moreover, individual variations in the levels of sphingolipids were lower for whole blood than plasma. These findings demonstrate that whole blood could be a better alternative to plasma, and potentially guide the evaluation of sphinglipidome for biomarker discovery.
Repairing the Epigenetics of Unstable Repeats by Genome Engineering
Authors: Handal Tayma , Eiges Rachel
Published: March 2021

Epimutations are the cause of a considerable number of genetically inherited conditions in humans. All result from the mis-expression of genes due to epigenetic changes that are triggered by an underlying heritable mutation. The correction of these epigenetic defects in the context of epigenetically regulated diseases constitutes a good paradigm to probe the fundamental mechanisms underlying the development of these diseases, and the molecular basis for the establishment, maintenance and regulation of epigenetic modifications in general. Here, we review current applications of key editing tools to address the epigenetic aspects of these diseases by focusing on epimutations caused by, or relate to repetitive elements, primarily unstable noncoding repeat expansions. For each approach we summarize the efforts conducted to date, highlight their contribution to a better understanding of the molecular basis of epigenetic mechanisms, describe the limitations of each approach and suggest perspectives for further exploration in this field.
COVID-19-Related Symptoms Among Cancer Patients and Healthcare Workers— First Results From the PAPESCO-19 Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhou Ke , Blanc-Lapierre Audrey , Seegers Valérie , Boisdron-Celle Michèle , Bigot Frédéric , Bourdon Marianne , Mahammedi Hakim , Lambert Aurélien , Campone Mario , Bellanger Martine , Raoul Jean-Luc
Published: March 2021

Background: Cancer patients may fail to distinguish COVID-19 symptoms such as anosmia, dysgeusia/ageusia, anorexia, headache, and fatigue, which are frequent after cancer treatments. We aimed to identify symptoms associated with COVID-19 and to assess the strength of their association in cancer and cancer-free populations. Methods: The prospective multicenter cohort study PAPESCO-19 included 878 cancer patients and 940 healthcare workers (HCWs) systematically tested for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. Participants reported the results of routine screening RT-PCR and thirteen COVID-19 symptoms. Backward logistic regression identified the symptom combinations significantly associated with COVID-19. Results: COVID+ proportions were similar in patients (8%) and HCWs (9.5%, p=0.26), whereas symptomatic proportions were lower in patients (32%) than HCWs (52%, p<0.001). Anosmia, anorexia, fever, headache, and rhinorrhea together accurately discriminated (c-statistic=0.7027) COVID-19 cases in patients. Anosmia, dysgeusia/ageusia, muscle pain, intense fatigue, headache, and chest pain better discriminated (c-statistic=0.8830) COVID-19 cases in HCWs. Anosmia had the strongest association in patients (OR=7.48, 95% CI: 2.96–18.89) and HCWs (OR=5.71, 95% CI: 2.21–14.75). Conclusions: COVID-19 symptoms and their diagnostic performance differ in cancer patients and HCWs. Anosmia is associated with COVID-19 for patients, while dysgeusia/ageusia are not. Cancer patients deserve tailored preventive measures due to their particular COVID-19 symptom pattern.
Cell Culture Adaptation of H3N2 Influenza Virus Impacts Acid Stability and Reduces Ferret Airborne Transmission
Authors: Le Sage Valerie , Kormuth Karen , Ntruibi Eric , Lee Juhye , Frizzell Sheila A , Myerburg Michael , Bloom Jesse D. , Lakdawala Seema
Published: March 2021

Airborne transmission of seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses is responsible for their epidemiological success and public health burden in humans. Efficient airborne transmission of H1N1 influenza virus relies on receptor specificity and pH of fusion of the surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA). In this study, we examine the role of HA pH of fusion on transmissibility of a cell culture-adapted H3N2 virus. Mutations in the HA head at positions 78 and 212 of A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2), which were selected after cell culture adaptation, decrease the acid stability of the virus from a pH of 5.5 (WT) to 5.8 (mutant). In addition, we observed that this mutant H3N2 virus replicated to higher titers in cell culture but had reduced airborne transmission in the ferret model. These data demonstrate that, like H1N1 HA, the pH of fusion for H3N2 HA is a determinant of efficient airborne transmission. Surprisingly, we demonstrate that the NA segment noncoding regions can impact the pH of fusion of reassortant viruses. Taken together, our data confirm that HA acid stability is an important characteristic of epidemiologically successful human influenza viruses and is influenced by HA/NA balance.
Biological Seed Treatments
Authors: Harman Gary
Published: March 2021

Abstract Bacteria and fungi are both used in biological seed treatments. While all have potential uses, some organisms are more widely and successfully used than others. Shelf life is an important consideration. For this reason, organisms that lack cell walls are more difficult to use than ones with long-lasting spores. Bacillus and Trichoderma are both widely effective, have good shelf life, and are frequently used. However, Rhizobiacae lack cell walls, which is a limitation; they are widely used because their symbiosis with legumes facilitates nitrogen fixation which is an important factor that provides economic, agricultural and environmental sustainability. For all organisms, proper formulation is critical for success; this is especially true for Rhizobiacae and other gram-negative bacteria. There are several specialized processes to deliver microbial agents or to enhance their biological activity, such as solid matrix priming and hydroseeding. Biorational chemicals derived from microorganisms are also frequently used. Both living organisms and biorationals provide benefits to plant agriculture. They can control diseases and increase resistance to abiotic stresses such as drought, temperature, salt, and flooding. They also can enhance mineral nutrition and photosynthesis. For these applications, the most effective ones colonize roots internally and provide season-long benefits. These endophytes induce systemic changes in plants’ gene expression and encoding of proteins.
Absence of the CXCR4 Antagonist EPI-X4 from Pharmaceutical Human Serum Albumin Preparations
Authors: Gilg Andrea , Harms Mirja , Olari Lia-Raluca , Urbanowitz Ann-Kathrin , Bonig Halvard , Münch Jan
Published: March 2021

Background: Endogenous Peptide Inhibitor of CXCR4 (EPI-X4) is a natural antagonist of the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). EPI-X4 is a 16-mer peptide that is released from human serum albumin (HSA) by acidic aspartic proteases such as Cathepsin D and E. Since human serum albumin (HSA) is an important medicinal substance we asked whether different pharmaceutical HSA products contain EPI-X4 which could have been generated during manufacturing and whether HSA can serve as a substrate for cathepsins despite of the presence of stabilizers like caprylate. Methods: Eight pharmaceutical HSA preparations representing all currently used fractionation technologies were analyzed. The previously described specific EPI-X4 ELISA was used for quantification; in vitro EPI-X4 generation by acidification in the presence or absence of cathepsins was followed by quantification with ELISA. Results: None of the pharmaceutical HSA preparations tested contained EPI-X4. Acidification of HSA did not generate EPI-X4. Addition of cathepsins D and E to acidified HSA yielded high concentrations of EPI-X4 in all HSA preparations, indistinguishable between individual products. Conclusion: Medicinal HSA preparations per se do not contain EPI-X4, but will replenish its precursor which can be cleaved to EPI-X4 in vivo, environmental conditions permitting.
Unfolding Jellyfish Bloom Dynamics Along the Mediterranean Basin by Transnational Citizen Science Initiatives
Authors: Marambio Macarena , Canepa Antonio , Lopez Laura , Gauci Adam , Gueroun Sonia , Zampardi Serena , Boero Ferdinando , Yahia Ons Kefi-Daly , Yahia Mohamed Nejib Daly , Fuentes Veronica , Piraino Stefano , Deidun Alan
Published: March 2021

Science is addressing global societal challenges and, due to limitations in research financing, scientists are turning to public at large to jointly tackle specific environmental issues. Citizens are therefore increasingly involved in monitoring programs, appointed as citizen scientists with potential to delivering key data at near no cost to address environmental challenges, so fostering scientific knowledge and advise policy- and decision-makers. One of the first and most successful example of marine citizen science in the Mediterranean is represented by the integrative and collaborative implementation of several jellyfish spotting campaigns in Italy, Spain, Malta, Tunisia started in 2009. Altogether, in terms of time coverage, geographic extent, and number of citizen records, these represent the most effective marine citizen science campaign so far implemented in the Mediterranean Sea. Here we analyzed a collective database merging records over the above four Countries, featuring more than 100,000 records containing almost 25,000 observations of jellyfish specimens, collected over a period of 3 to 7 years (from 2009 to 2015) by citizen scientists participating in any of the national citizen science programs included in this analysis. Such a wide citizen science exercise demonstrates to be one of the so far available most valuable and cost-effective tools to understanding ecological drivers of jellyfish proliferations over the Western and Central Mediterranean basins, and a powerful contribute to develop tailored adaptation and management strategies, mitigate jellyfish impacts on human activities in coastal zones, and support implementation of marine spatial planning, Blue Growth and conservation strategies.
Training Coping Skills and Coping With Stress Self-Efficacy for Successful Daily Functioning and Improved Clinical Status in Patients With Psychosis: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Godoy-Izquierdo Débora , Vázquez Pérez Mª Luisa , Lara Moreno Raquel , Godoy García Juan F
Published: March 2021

There is growing evidence on the relevance of self-efficacy for well-being and functioning among individuals with psychotic disorders, but specific self-efficacy for coping with stress has rarely been investigated. This study explored the outcomes of an intervention for the improvement of coping resources based on a training in coping skills and coping with stress self-efficacy (CSSE). Fourteen adult volunteers who were diagnosed with schizophrenia (n=12) or schizoaffective disorder (n=2) were matched in clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and randomly assigned to the study groups. The intervention group received the training along with their pharmacological therapy; the control group received their prescribed drug therapy. Participants completed self-reports on CSSE, perceived successful daily functioning based on coping skills, and clinical status (BPRS-E). Trained patients showed a significant increase in CSSE and reported greater successful functioning status, and significant improvements in their clinical status were also observed. All these enhancements remained at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. Control participants showed no significant changes. Moreover, the intervention condition interacted with CSSE and perceived coping functioning in explaining improvements in clinical status: in the treatment group, greater CSSE translated into enhanced daily functioning, and this improvement predicted better clinical status. These findings stress the relevance of promoting coping resources in psychotic disorders and provide preliminary evidence for the potential benefits of CSSE.
HBsAg level as a predictor of disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection with delta-agent
Authors:   Research Institute of Virology, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdukadyrova M.A. , Sharapov S.M. ,   Research Institute of Virology, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, Khikmatullaeva A.S. ,   Research Institute of Virology, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Published: March 2021

We have conducted a pilot study to identify the association between the HBsAg level and activity of the pathological process in the liver, as well as possibility of quantitative assessment of HBsAg for monitoring chronic liver diseases caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV). Objective. To assess the possibility of using HBsAg levels as a predictor of disease activity and prognosis in patients with chronic HBV infection with delta-agent. Patients and methods. We analyzed serum specimens from 30 patients with HDV and HBV co-infection. Among 15 patients with chronic hepatitis B with delta-agent, there were 5 HBV DNA positive and 10 HBV DNA negative. Among patients with liver cirrhosis, HBV DNA was detected in 11 individuals, while 4 individuals had undetectable HBV DNA levels. Results. We found that mean HBsAg level in patients with chronic HBV infection and negative HBV DNA was 1.9 ± 0.56 IU/mL. Mean HBsAg level in patients with chronic HBV infection with delta-agent and positive HBV DNA was 4.3 ± 0.62 IU/mL (p < 0.05). High HBsAg levels correlated with elevated ALT in patients with chronic hepatitis B and delta-agent. Patients with liver cirrhosis caused by HDV had normal ALT levels, but elevated bilirubin concentrations regardless of HBV DNA presence and HBsAg level. Conclusion. High levels of HBsAg can be considered as a predictor of active disease in patients with chronic HBV infection with delta-agent and also a marker of transformation of chronic hepatitis B with delta-agent into liver cirrhosis. Key words: chronic hepatitis B with delta agent, liver cirrhosis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, HBsAg levels, polymerase chain reaction