bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A joint analysis of service quality: a case study of SERVQUAL and INTSERVQUAL models in Ecuadorian lodges
Authors: Manzano Insuasti Pablo Raúl , Silva Eliud
Published: February 2022

The main objective of this document is to combine and analyze, from a statistical perspective, the expectations and perceptions of the quality of service of national and foreign tourists staying in lodge-type hotels through the so-called SERVQUAL model. We also seek to study the employees who work in these companies, using the INTSERVQUAL model. The study has been conducted among establishments located in the Sierra and Amazon of Ecuador. Statistical tools such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlations are used. The main findings coincide with the existing results in the specialized literature. Significant new correlations have been identified and indices for each of the cases addressed have been estimated, all of them with a high explanatory capacity. These indices are considered as a means to facilitate decision-making in order to improve the quality of the service in the lodges under study.
Women’s voices in tourism research. Contributions to knowledge and letters to future generations
Authors: Mantecón Terán Alejandro
Published: February 2022

Reseña del libro de Antonia Correia y Sara Dolnicar (eds.) (2021): Women’s voices in tourism research. Contributions to knowledge and letters to future generations. Brisbane: The University of Queensland. E-Book ISBN: 978-1-74272-365-5. https://doi.org/10.14264/817f87d
Análisis de la resiliencia social en sistemas socio-ecológicos: Una propuesta interdisciplinaria para los destinos turísticos y su desarrollo sostenible
Authors: García González Erick David , López Guevara Víctor Manuel , López Pardo Gustavo
Published: February 2022

En la búsqueda por avanzar hacia el desarrollo sostenible, se han postulado diversos constructos, entre los cuales, figura la resiliencia. La literatura científica da cuenta de diversos esfuerzos por modelar la operacionalización de esta, pero dando prioridad a los aspectos ecológicos. En cuanto al turismo, se reconoce la necesidad por desarrollar aproximaciones que, desde el ámbito específico del sector, permitan ensayar su aplicación, pero sin faltar al reconocimiento de su naturaleza social y su dinámica con el entorno. En este sentido, el presente escrito tiene por objetivo presentar una propuesta teórico-conceptual para el análisis y evaluación de la resiliencia social en destinos turísticos construida a partir del seguimiento de los estatutos de la primera fase de teorización planteada por Swedberg (2012). El análisis crítico de la literatura relacionada con el paradigma de la resiliencia desde la teoría de sistemas socio-ecológicos y el modelo del ciclo adaptativo, evidencia la necesidad de reconocer la complejidad de la esfera social para una mejor estimación y gestión de los efectos del turismo a multi escala, lo que a su vez permitirá contribuir en el avance de su conocimiento tanto en teoría como práctica.
Gastronomía local, cultura y turismo en Ciudades Patrimonio de la Humanidad: el comportamiento del turista extranjero.
Authors: Menor-Campos Antonio , Hidalgo-Fernández Amalia , López-Felipe Teresa , Jara-Alba Carol
Published: February 2022

Actualmente, la gastronomía se muestra como un componente fundamental para los turistas en el descubrimiento de la herencia cultural del lugar. Ello implica que los placeres culinarios se conviertan en motivaciones determinantes en la elección del destino, y, al mismo tiempo, se manifiesten como un factor explicativo esencial de la satisfacción que experimenten los turistas. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las experiencias que, en el ámbito de la gastronomía, tienen los visitantes extranjeros en una ciudad Patrimonio de la Humanidad, como es el caso de la ciudad de Córdoba. Los resultados obtenidos permiten, en base a las percepciones sobre las experiencias gastronómicas en la ciudad, clasificar a los turistas en tres grupos que se han denominado supervivientes, disfrutadores y experimentadores. Los resultados sugieren que la experiencia gastronómica del turista extranjero varía en función de la actitud del visitante hacia la gastronomía en los viajes.
Assessment of the vulnerability to contamination of fractured aquifers based on DRASTIC method
Authors: Souza Maria Eduarda Ribeiro de , Vargas Tiago de , Belladona Rossano
Published: February 2022

Vulnerability map is an effective tool to assess and identify the areas that are most susceptible to groundwater contamination, and can aid in the planning and management of municipal groundwater. These maps can help decision-making regarding land use and cover, pointing out proper sites to rural and/or urban sprawling but also highlighting restrictions for groundwater withdrawal. This paper aims at evaluating the influence of the lineament density (DRASTIC-LD) and the influence of the land use and cover, along with the lineament density, (DRASTIC-LDLU) in the classification of the vulnerability of the Serra Geral Aquifer System. The DRASTIC approach was modified by adding the lineament density. The DRASTIC-LD method showed high (70.73%), moderate (17.04%) and very high (12.17%) vulnerability. The DRASTIC-LDLU method presented high (55.35%), extreme (19.65%), very high (14.66%) and moderate (10.31%) vulnerability. Lineament density and land use and cover had a significant influence on the vulnerability classification. The spatial distribution of vulnerable zones was quite similar to those obtained by applying the original DRASTIC model. However, a significant increase in vulnerability was observed across the study area when the lineament density parameter was added, followed by an even greater vulnerability when the lineaments were inserted together with land use land cover. Inserting these two parameters together provides a more accurate result of vulnerability in fractured aquifers, as it is a more faithful representation of the reality of this system.
Potabilidade da água de poços artesianos em comunidades rurais do agreste sergipano
Authors: Gomes de Siqueira Celia , Lima Tayná Menezes , Santos Misleide dos
Published: February 2022

A água é um recurso indispensável para todos os seres vivos e as formas de captação e distribuição desse recurso são importantes para a manutenção dos sistemas hídricos terrestres onde a disponibilidade de água potável é escassa. No nordeste brasileiro, devido às características climáticas, a distribuição da água ocorre de forma irregular, principalmente nas comunidades afastadas dos centros urbanos. Na cidade de Itabaiana, localizada no agreste sergipano, dezenas de povoados são abastecidos com água proveniente de poços artesianos que são construídos de forma aleatória, muitas vezes em locais de declive em relação a fossas negras. Neste trabalho o objetivo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica da água em 14 destes povoados. Os resultados das análises mostraram que apenas três poços apresentaram água adequada para consumo humano, sendo que em 11 foi detectada a presença de coliformes termotolerantes e E. coli, e em dois povoados a água apresentou heterotróficos em quantidade acima de 500 UFCs. Como medida a curto prazo, a prefeitura foi orientada a instalar cloradores na saída dos poços contaminados. Entretanto, para solucionar efetivamente este problema, os gestores precisam fazer cumprir as orientações da ABNT para a instalação de poços artesianos e fossas, assim como as leis de saneamento estaduais e federais.
Apontamentos de pesquisas produzidas pelo NIPEEA como fluxos de reexistências de uma educação ambiental decolonial
Authors: Tristão Martha
Published: February 2022

A educação ambiental decolonial será problematizada neste texto, a partir de algumas pesquisas desenvolvidas pelo Núcleo Interdisciplinar de Pesquisa e Estudo em Educação ambiental (NIPEEA),[1] como uma máquina desejante, que pode engendrar linhas de fuga em meio ao poder axiomático do dispositivo da colonialidade. A educação ambiental decolonial promove fluxos decolonizadores que se articulam para além dos espaçostempos[2] comunitários-escolares, pois se pode articular como máquina, uma máquina desejanteambiental[3] que engendra fluxos de naturezasculturas.[4] E são esses fluxos cartografados nas pesquisas, como movimentos de reexistências, que criam possibilidades e facilitam uma Educação ambiental decolonial.
 
[1] O NIPEEA foi criado em 2005 e emergiu da necessidade de integração entre projetos que envolvem ensino, pesquisa e extensão, com vistas à consolidação de um grupo formado por professores e alunos dos cursos de graduação, mestrado e doutorado em Educação, do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (PPGE/Ufes) e de egressos interessados.
[2] Como uma imbricação entre os conceitos, Alves (2001) desenvolve uma concepção com a qual também dialogamos neste texto, que compreende o espaçotempo escolar como dimensão material do currículo, composto de relações múltiplas entre múltiplos sujeitos, com saberes múltiplos, que aprendem/ensinam, o tempo todo, múltiplos conteúdos e de múltiplas maneiras.
[3] Compreendemos a Educação ambiental como uma máquina desejante, em suas articulações com as comunidades-escolas. Assim, como uma imbricação entre os conceitos, chamamos de máquina desejanteambiental, essa Educação ambiental que reexiste para além das escolas.
[4] Buscamos, através dessa imbricação conceitual, mostrar a indissociabilidade entre as naturezas e as culturas, que são múltiplas e plurais em suas formas de existir.
Syrian Refugee Children's Education in Turkish Public Schools: Primary School Teachers' Experiences
Authors: ATALAY Nurhan , KILIC Zeynep , ANILAN Burcu , ANILAN Huseyin , ANAGUN Sengul S.
Published: February 2022

This study aims to explain the problems encountered in the education of Syrian children with the experiences of Turkish teachers. A descriptive qualitative research method was used for the study. The participants of the study were 70 elementary school teachers. The participants were selected based on the sampling criterion. The study data were collected through structured interviews. The participants were asked structured questions, and they responded as written to the questions. At the end of the study, the most significant responsibility in Syrian 'children's adjustment to the education system in Turkey falls on the shoulders of primary school teachers. Turkish primary school teachers clearly stated that the main reason for all problems they experienced was the language difference. The study results revealed that not being able to solve the communication problem deepens the problem and creates an emotional pressure on primary school teachers refugee children.
The Examination of Special Education Teachers’ Views On Teaching Play Skills to Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: GULVEREN Ayse Cigdem , YUCESOY OZKAN Serife , ONCUL Nuray
Published: February 2022

The current study aims to understand how the special education teachers define play skills, examine their views on the teaching of play skills to children with ASD, and determine their experiences in teaching play skills to children with ASD. The phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. The participants were 14 special education teachers working in a special education school. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data. The findings reveal that the special education teachers defined the play skills as entertaining and teaching activities; they found the play skills are essential and should be taught to children with ASD. They also think that the play affects the psychomotor, language and communication, social-emotional, and cognitive development of children with ASD positively, play skills can be taught in any age and anywhere by teachers, parents, and caregivers. The findings also indicate that most of the teachers involved play skills training in individualized education programs of their students. They used peer tutoring, in-vivo and video modelling, dramatization, response prompt strategies, and incidental teaching as an intervention. Based on the results, it can be suggested that teachers should receive training and seminars on teaching play skills to children with ASD and that teachers should be encouraged and supported to include play skills goals when designing an individualized educational program for children with ASD.
Primary care providers’ experiences treating low back pain
Authors: Al Sad Sondos , Start Amanda R.
Published: February 2022

Context

Our original work addresses the biological sex impact on low back pain (LBP) management and prognosis in primary care settings. To our knowledge, our study is the first in the United States to evaluate the differences in clinicians’ approaches to LBP in the ambulatory setting specifically based on patient gender. Our findings suggest that there is a knowledge gap among primary care providers (PCPs) toward the potential impact of biological sex on LBP and a bias toward gender roles when counseling patients for home chores or occupational tasks. Further evaluation of this knowledge gap and its impact on LBP management and prognosis is recommended in US healthcare settings.

Objectives

This study aims to explore PCP experiences and practice patterns regarding LBP in females compared to males in US healthcare settings.

Methods

We utilized a cross-sectional study design and convenience sampling. Data were collected anonymously utilizing a 27-item online survey sent periodically via email to PCPs working in Ohio. We had 58 responses for analysis; data were analyzed utilizing bivariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

On average, approximately 9 out of 10 responding clinicians reported experiencing LBP. PCPs were not in agreement that LBP is different in women than men. Clinicians with a women’s health, osteopathic, or sport’s medicine background were more likely to agree that LBP is different in women than in men. PCPs were more likely to counsel female patients about pelvic floor exercises; however, their intake of present pelvic symptoms in LBP female patients is suboptimal. PCPs were more likely to counsel females for home chores than males, which is aligned with the perceived traditional gender roles among PCPs.

Conclusions

There may be a knowledge gap among PCPs toward the potential impact of biological sex on LBP and a bias toward gender roles when counseling patients for home chores or occupational tasks. Further investigation of this knowledge gap and counseling approaches is recommended to better bridge the gender disparity.
A comparative corpus study on a case of non-canonical question
Authors: Tovena Lucia M.
Published: February 2022

This paper concerns wh-interrogatives with French comment ‘how’ in their reason interpretation. Some of the peculiarities that make them non-canonical are the modified semantic type of the domain of the wh-item, which is closer to propositions than to ‘manners’, and a high base generation position. These questions are used by a speaker to put on hold a (possibly implicit) invitation from the interlocutors to admit the prejacent into the common ground, and tackle preconditions to admitting it. We aim to gain insight about the characterisation of reason-comment by testing potential constraints on its occurrences, using data about lack of subject-auxiliary inversion from corpora research. The paper reports on a survey that reveals that these questions facilitate the setting up a jousting discursive procedure, in monological texts. They are not among the characteristics of informal French.
French questions alternating between a reason and a manner interpretation
Authors: Brunetti Lisa , Tovena Lucia M. , Yoo Hiyon
Published: February 2022

The French wh-word comment ’how’ may be used with a reason interpretation, that is in a question that inquires about how the situation described by the proposition that follows comment (the pseudo-prejacent) might occur or have occurred, which goes against the expectations of the speaker. In this paper, we report on a rating study whose goal was to understand the extent to which reason-comment questions – compared to manner-comment questions – are interpreted as having some questioning force or, conversely, as being rhetorical. We also test whether reason-comment questions express a certain degree of surprise and confirm our hypothesis that with reason-comment questions the speaker tries to recover from an expectation failure, while results concerning the questioning force show that reason-comment questions can be true questions (though questioning is not their sole function), and invalidate analyses that systematically treat them as rhetorical questions.
Two-dimensional nanomaterial-based polymer composites: Fundamentals and applications
Authors: Liu Jialin , Hui David , Lau Denvid
Published: February 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial-reinforced polymer composites exhibit superior properties and multifunctional applications. Compared to lower dimensional nanomaterials such as nanotubes and nanoparticles, 2D nanomaterials show a larger surface area. The large surface area makes 2D nanomaterials more effectively restrict the mobility of polymer chains and yields better reinforcing efficiency than the lower-dimensional nanomaterials. To gain an in-depth understanding and extend the applications of polymer composites reinforced with 2D nanomaterials, this paper reviews the progress in the fundamentals of synthesis and applications of such composites. The motivation and improvement of adding 2D nanomaterials to polymer materials are introduced first, followed by the synthesis approaches and the properties of typical 2D nanomaterials, including graphene, boron nitride nanosheet, and molybdenum disulfide nanosheet. Based on the properties of 2D nanomaterials, polymer composites reinforced with different types of 2D nanomaterials are designed for structural application, thermal dissipation application, tribological application, three-dimensional printing composite structures, and strain sensing application. Afterwards, the significance of reinforcement–matrix interaction and its improving approach are reviewed. The current progress envisions that polymer composites reinforced with 2D nanomaterials can be used in the fields of aviation and aerospace for improving radiation shielding capacity and nanomedical engineering.
Assessment of processibility and properties of raw post-consumer waste polyethylene in the rotational moulding process
Authors: Pick Louise , Hanna Paul R. , Gorman Luke
Published: February 2022

This paper presents work from an ongoing study into the use of post-consumer waste polymer in the rotational moulding process. Raw plastic recyclate, predominantly consisting of polyethylene, was processed into polymer powders containing an additive package suitable for rotational moulding, with and without the addition of a compatibiliser. Rheological studies on the materials showed very high viscosities at low shear rates in comparison with materials typically used in rotational moulding, which has significant implications for melt flow and bubble removal during the process. It was possible to mould the materials successfully, but poor surface finishes were achieved. Impact strength was drastically lower for recyclate mouldings compared with virgin material. Tensile strength of the recyclate mouldings was reduced compared to virgin polyethylene, but results indicated that optimising the processing conditions could lead to improvements. This work gives some baseline indicators to inform further planned work on optimising processing conditions and identifying viable material compositions.
Gesture, a tool for synthetic reasoning
Authors: Maddalena Giovanni
Published: February 2022

In this paper I propose to read and understand gestures as logical tools within a synthetic paradigm of knowledge. This interpretation of gesture is drawn from a new pragmatist reading of reasoning in general, and synthetic reasoning in particular. Complete gestures are actions with a beginning and an end that bear a meaning. It is our regular way to embody vague ideas into singular actions with general meaning. The tool is forged by a dense blending of icons, indices, and symbols and by a complexity of phenomenological characteristics as feelings, actual actions, general concepts and habits (firstness, secondness, and thirdness in Peirce’s phenomenology). The paper illustrates this new way to look at gestures and different kinds of complete and incomplete gestures.
Einflussfaktoren der touristischen Verkehrsmittelwahl
Authors: Bünstorf Nicole
Published: February 2022

Mobilität und Tourismus gehören untrennbar zusammen, denn ohne einen Ortswechsel gibt es keine Urlaubsreise. Der Tourismus aber verursacht anthropogene Kohlendioxidemissionen, von denen etwa 75 % auf den touristischen Verkehr entfallen. Angesichts dieses Beitrags zum Klimawandel erscheint es notwendig, sich mit Wegen zu einer ökologischen touristischen Mobilität zu beschäftigen. Zur Untersuchung der Einflussfaktoren auf die touristische Verkehrsmittelwahl wurde ein Erklärungsmodell basierend auf der Theorie des geplanten Verhaltens entwickelt. Neben den Basiskonstrukten wurden als ergänzende Modellkonstrukte die persönliche Norm, das allgemeine Umweltbewusstsein sowie gewohnheitsmäßiges Handeln hinzugefügt. Eine empirische Untersuchung mit n=738 ermittelte durch multiple lineare Regression wichtige Ansatzpunkte für die Gestaltung von Handlungsempfehlungen.
Barrierefreier Tourismusraum Konstanz
Authors: Eitzenberger Florian J. , Kromer Luzie , Thimm Tatjana
Published: February 2022

Die vorliegende Studie analysiert die Barrierefreiheit der Stadt Konstanz im Hinblick auf Angebote für und Nachfrage von Touristinnen und Touristen. Die Datenerhebung basierte auf einem Methodenmix aus Interviews und Umfragen von Probanden und Probandinnen mit Behinderungen und zuständigen Akteurinnen und Akteuren in der Stadtplanung sowie Begehungen vor Ort. Als theoretische Grundlage wird das Modell der Unabhängigkeit nach Nosek and Fuhrer (1992) verwendet. Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass der Bedarf an barrierefreien Angeboten sehr divers ist und die Umsetzung im Sinne eines Universal Design durch die zunehmende Nachfrage zentral. Die Analyse des Tourismusraum Konstanz zeigt Schwachpunkte und Stärken, mit denen sich Implikationen für andere Tourismusregionen ableiten lassen.
Klimaschutz und Luftverkehr – Bewusstsein, Flugkonsum und Kompensationsbereitschaft der Generationen Y und Z
Authors: Zimmer Kirstin , Ferschke Verena , Keck Ellen , Scheiber Niclas , Woll Julia
Published: February 2022

Die Reiselust der Generationen Y und Z steigt ebenso wie deren Umweltbewusstsein. Doch wie lassen sich diese beiden Strömungen miteinander vereinen? Dieser Bericht stellt die Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung zum Spannungsfeld Klimaschutz und Reiselust dar. Im Rahmen einer qualitativen und quantitativen Befragung zeigte sich, dass der Zielgruppe beides wichtig ist, sie sich jedoch für das Reisen entscheidet, wenn sie wählen müsste. Nichtsdestotrotz wünschen sich die Generationen Y und Z Änderungen im Luftverkehr zu Gunsten des Klimaschutzes – auch wenn diese Änderungen mit Kosten für die Reisenden verbunden sind. Das Prinzip der CO2-Kompensation stößt zwar auf positive Rückmeldungen, jedoch haben die meisten Befragten der Generationen Y und Z noch nie einen Flug kompensiert.
Crystallography in Germany rejuvenated
Authors: Zschornak Matthias , Meyer Dirk C. , Paufler Peter
Published: February 2022

This article briefly reflects the history and development of the Young Crystallographers as work group of the German Crystallographic Society within the last decade. It presents the preface to this special issue Spotlight on Germany’s Young Crystallographers.
Successful Treatment of Pemphigus Vulgaris with a Modified Regimen of Rituximab Biosimilar(CT-P10) Combined with IVIG
Authors: Kim Woo Il , Hong KyuRak , Kim Sooyoung , Kyun Cho Moon , Whang KyuUang , Kim Hyun-Sook
Published: February 2022

Keywords: Pemphigus vulgaris;Modified Regimen;Rituximab biosimilar; IVIG Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) has been known as fatal autoimmune bullous diseases affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Here, we report that a patient with PV responded rapidly to a modified regimen of rituximab biosimilar (CT-10, Truxima®)combined with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG). A 53-year-old man presented with extensive erosions due to blistering on the whole body following initial mucosal erosions which started at 3 years ago. Laboratory tests revealed an eosinophil count of 16.7% (normal range: 0~5%) with normal liver and renal functions. Antinuclear antibody was a nuclear membrane pattern with a titer of 1:40. Anti-dsDNA, anti-Ro/La, anti-Scl-70, and anti-phospholipid antibodies were negative. Myeloperoxidase and PR3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody were both negative. Histological examination showed suprabasala cantholysis, while direct and indirect immunofluorescence assays demonstrated a deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) on anintercellular surface at 1:640 dilutions (Figure. 1a, b). Based on the blistering on the whole body and characteristic biopsy result, the patient was diagnosed as PV. Although he was initially treated with topical and highdose methylprednisolone (1000 mg/day) pulse therapy for 3 consecutive days, there was no significant improvement in skin blistering lesions. We decided to administer CT-P10 combined with IVIG. We treated the patient with CT-P10 (500, 500, and 1000mg once weekly for 3 weeks) combined with IVIG (1g/ kg at first and third week). During the treatment of CT-P10 combined with IVIG, a clinical response rapidly appeared, and levels of antibodies were decreased from 1:640 to 1:40 (Figure. 1c). Disease activity was dramatically controlled within 3 weeks. It achieved the end of the consolidation phase for PV within 5 weeks after starting CT-P10 combined with IVIG (Figure. 1dg). Then, we tapered oral prednisolone and steroid-sparing agents including mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine for maintenance therapy. Until now, there has been no recurrence of PV on 36 months follow up.
Onychomycosis Treatment with FotonaLaser
Authors: Huacuja Aristides Arellano , Montalvo Dafne Arellano , Montalvo Anja Arellano
Published: February 2022

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails. It does not usually cause discomfort, but it alters the aesthetics of the affected nails and, if not treated in time, it can become chronic and spread. The cause of onychomycosis are fungi of the dermatophyte type. Onychomycosis is the disease that most frequently affects the nails of humans (50%), being responsible for more than half of the cases of nail alteration. Studies show prevalence figures between 2% - 18% of the population. It manifests in the form of onychodystrophy or alteration of the normal appearance of one or more fingernails or toenails. Toenails are affected more often than fingernails. It is very common to affect several nails at the same time. Clinically there may be onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis with desquamation, dyschromia ranging from yellowish or greenish to brown or black. The treatment of onychomycosis may require taking oral antifungal drugs (undecenoic acid, azoles and sometimes allylamines) combined with long-term treatment (2 to 18 months), they can cause liver damage, kidney failure, anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, gastrointestinal disorders and alopecia among other diseases. In addition, other treatments can be performed, ranging from surgery (laminectomy, matrixectomy), onychoabrasion, to the use of new therapies such as: photodynamic therapy, iontophoresis, and lasers today. The laser is a revolutionary treatment for Onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective procedure that uses Neodymium or Erbium: Yag laser to act to the depths of the damaged nail and the underlying skin, weakening and eliminating the fungus that has invaded the patient’s nail. The body’s natural defense process is stimulated to regenerate the nail in a normal way. Compared with traditional methods, the laser does not damage the tissue and is not limited to its chemical action like topical drugs, nor does it risk causing liver damage like oral medications. By applying the Fotona Laser with smoothmode technology throughout the nail plate, we achieve, through heat irradiation, eradicate any fungus or germ lodged in the nail. Without side effects, fast, simple and 100% safe.
Valsartan (or/and Nitrosamine) Induced BCC and Dysplastic Nevi: Current Insights
Authors: Tchernev Georgi , Oliveira Nikhil , Joseph Kandathil Lorraine , W Patterson James
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Contamination of drugs for high blood pressure (sartans/ angiotensin receptor blockers) with nitrosamines occurs during the manufacturing process and has proven to be a serious international health problem. The reason for this problem is that the 4 nitrosamines discovered so far have been associated with the simultaneous or gradual development of cutaneous tumors as well as tumors of other organ systems. The presence of angiotensin receptors in melanocytic and keratinocytic tumors and their metastases adds difficulty when attempting to determine the relative importance of each of these two components (i.e. nitrosamines and angiotensin receptors) in the context of carcinogenesis. Case report: We report a 40-year-old patient with arterial hypertension with a duration of skin complaints of about 7 months, clinically manifested by 1) the appearance of a solitary tumor near the medial corner of the left eye, verified histologically as Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), and 2) multiple, eruptive dysplastic nevi in the area of the posterior sweat gutter. The patient’s systemic medications included: bisoprolol 5mg (1-0-1 / 2) and indapamide 1.5mg (1-0- 0), taken for one year, and 2 years of treatment with amlodipine / valsartan - 5 mg / 160 mg (1-0-1/2) for an initial period of 1 year, followed by a reduced dose of (1/2-0-0) for an additional year. Conclusion: We report the simultaneous development of basal cell carcinoma and dysplastic nevi after the use of a preparation containing generic valsartan. We discuss 1) the role of nitrosamines as possible major factors in the development of dysplastic nevi and BCC; 2) the possible effect of sartans themselves on angiotensin receptors in the skin and: 3) a new, innovative scheme for treatment of drug-induced BCC by cryoimmunotherapy. Keywords Nitrosamines; Valsartan; Angiotensin Receptor Blockers; Arterial Hypertension; Melanoma; BCC; Cryoimmunotherapy
Migration Problems at the Regional Security Level: Reasons for Georgian Migration Abroad
Authors: Beraia Eka
Published: February 2022

Migration has become one of the most current themes in the reality of Georgian society since the destruction of the Soviet Union. However, this process dates backs to the twentieth century in the history of Georgian migration. Wars, chaos and turmoil, geopolitical location, and social and political conflicts constantly triggered the population to migrate either within the country or abroad. The most recent history of Georgian migration can be divided into several waves or phases: 1. Before the 1950s (Soviet Union regime), when the population was forced to leave their living place by brutal political repressions; 2. In the period of the 1950s to the 1990s, when Georgians migrated within the territory of the Soviet Union Republic; 3. The mass migration of the 1990s, which was caused by social crisis, economic hardship, political turmoil, military conflicts (including inter-ethnic conflicts in Abkhazia (1992–1993) and South Ossetia (1988–1992) and the civil war of 1993, against the democratically elected Georgian president Zviad Gamsakhurdia; 4. The later migration outflow from Georgia was mainly recorded in 2000, when a huge wave of migrants went to Russia but, as the visa regime had been restricted, Georgian citizens had to choose another destination. This time migrants headed to European countries and the USA. It has to be mentioned that since 2002, the emigration process has become more and more diverse as the motivation of migrants varied as well as the places of destination. Unfortunately, the data that reflects the precise picture of migration in Georgia does not exist. Even the official data cannot be acknowledged as accurate information about the migrants or migration because of the absence of a precise mechanism that collects reliable statistical information. It depicts data based on various sources and methodologies that should be taken into consideration when highlighting the number of migrants.
Sex differences in MEN 2A penetrance and expression according to parental inheritance
Authors: Machens Andreas , Lorenz Kerstin , Weber Frank , Dralle Henning
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study aimed to delineate the age-dependent clinical penetrance and expression of heterozygous rearranged during transfection (RET) missense mutations associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN2A) according to parental inheritance.

Design

This was an observational study of RET carriers operated for MEN2A-associated tumors between 1985 and 2021.

Methods

Kaplan−Meier time-to-event and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed on node metastases from medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, bilateral pheochromocytoma, and primary hyperparathyroidism.

Results

Some 405 (70.1%) of 578 patients carrying heterozygous MEN2A RET missense mutations had information about the parental inheritance of the trait. On Kaplan−Meier analysis, offspring who inherited the trait from the father developed node metastases (Plog-rank= 0.007), pheochromocytoma (Plog-rank= 0.029), bilateral pheochromocytoma (Plog-rank= 0.002), and primary hyperparathyroidism (Plog-rank= 0.018) at a significantly younger age than offspring who inherited the trait from the mother. On multivariable Cox regression, controlling for index status, offspring sex, and (where feasible) mutational risk, parental inheritance was consistently associated with each MEN2A-associated tumor (hazard ratios (HR) = 1.7–1.8 for the earlier manifestations node metastases and pheochromocytoma vs HR of 2.9–3.4 for the late manifestations bilateral pheochromocytoma and primary hyperparathyroidism). Herein, node metastases were 3.1- and 1.7-fold more closely associated with mutational risk (HR of 5.3 for high and 2.9 for moderate-high risk mutations vs low-moderate risk mutations) than parental inheritance (HR = 1.7).

Conclusion

These findings illustrate the importance of considering not just mutational risk but also parental inheritance when it comes to personalization of screening for and early detection of the various components of MEN2A-associated tumors.
Integrierte Governance, Risk & Compliance
Authors: Röhm-Kottmann Mariella , Kesting Burkhard , Gratwohl Sven
Published: February 2022

Die Fallstudie stellt die Implementierung eines integrierten Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Ansatzes als Lösungsbestandteil zum Umgang mit den Herausforderungen der digitalen Transformation bei der ZF Friedrichshafen AG (im Folgenden kurz „ZF“) dar.
Unterstützung der Risikotransparenz durch Digitalisierung bei Bayer
Authors: Britsch Simon , Sielemann Birgit , Bürgel Andreas
Published: February 2022

Transparenz über die Risiken des Unternehmens ist eine Voraussetzung für optimale Managemententscheidungen. Digitalisierung erleichtert die Identifikation und Bewertung der Risiken, vor allem aber auch den Zugang zu den jeweils für bestimmte Funktionen oder Gruppen relevanten Risikoinformationen. Damit wird ein bewusster Umgang mit Risiken und eine offene Risikokultur im Unternehmen unterstützt.
Status Quo von IT-Unterstützung im Risikomanagementprozess
Authors: Schwarz Max
Published: February 2022

Getrieben durch eine sich zunehmend verändernde Unternehmensumwelt rückt die Funktion des Risikomanagements kontinuierlich in den Fokus. Dies bedingt zudem den Einsatz von IT-Unterstützung im Risikomanagement. Der Beitrag befasst sich daher mit dem Status Quo der IT-Unterstützung des Risikomanagementprozesses sowie den damit in Verbindung stehenden Medienbrüchen und gibt Hinweise, worauf bei der Verwendung von IT-Unterstützung im Risikomanagement zu achten ist.
Wertorientierte Unternehmenssteuerung
Authors: Lukas Christian , Rapp Matthias J.
Published: February 2022

Dieser Artikel skizziert die Entwicklung wertorientierter Steuerungskonzepte und gibt einen Überblick über ausgewählte empirische Studien zum Einsatz dieser Konzepte. Die Grundidee wertorientierter Unternehmenssteuerung ist deutlich älter als es die anhaltende Popularität und wissenschaftliche Diskussion vielleicht vermuten lassen. In der Praxis dominieren unternehemensspezifische Konzepte.
Combined Treatment of the Anterior Accessory Saphenous Vein and the Great Saphenous Vein
Authors: Welch Harold J
Published: February 2022

The anterior accessory saphenous vein (AASV) is a common source of primary and recurrent lower extremity varicose veins. Reflux in the AASV can occur independently or simultaneously with great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux. A number of published reports describe recommendations and treatment of symptomatic refluxing AASVs, but descriptions of combined treatment are sparse. Treatment options for ablation of the AASV include both thermal and non-thermal techniques, and results are equivalent to ablation of the great and small saphenous veins. Although not commonly performed, concomitant ablation of the AASV and the GSV is effective and safe, and can be accomplished with minimal additional time. Concomitant treatment is an appropriate option that should be discussed with the patient.
Long-term stability of uranium-oxide-based microparticle reference materials: Shelf-life in alcoholic suspension and storage media
Authors: Potts Shannon Kimberly , Kegler Philip , Hammerich Simon , Klinkenberg Martina , Niemeyer Irmgard , Bosbach Dirk , Neumeier Stefan
Published: February 2022

For the analysis of individual micrometer- and submicrometer-sized particles collected by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards inspectors on swipe samples during in-field verification, well-defined microparticulate reference materials are requested by the IAEA for quality control measures. In the safeguards laboratory of the Forschungszentrum Jülich, an aerosol-based process is established to produce well-defined U3O8 microparticulate reference materials according to the IAEA requirements. One of these requirements is the stability of the particles under storage conditions over a certain period. The stability of U3O8 microparticles stored in ethanol was monitored over a period of approximately 4 years indicating some alteration effects. On this basis, systematic shelf-life studies were conducted to understand the interaction of these particles with various storage media over a defined period of time. The paper discusses the first results of shelf-life investigations on U3O8 microparticles in various alcoholic solvents.

Graphical abstract
Synthesis and characterisation of Ce-doped zirconolite Ca0.80Ce0.20ZrTi1.60M0.40O7 (M = Fe, Al) formed by reactive spark plasma sintering (RSPS)
Authors: Aldean Ismail , Sun Shi-Kuan , Wilkins Malin C. Dixon , Gardner Laura J. , Mason Amber R. , Stennett Martin C. , Corkhill Claire L. , Hyatt Neil C. , Blackburn Lewis R.
Published: February 2022

Reactive spark plasma sintering has been utilised as a high-throughput processing route for the synthesis of two simulant zirconolite wasteform materials, targeting Ca0.80Ce0.20ZrTi1.60M0.40O7 (M = Fe3+ and Al3+). Materials were processed under 15 MPa uniaxial pressure, with heating/cooling rates of 100 °C/min to 1320 °C, maintained under vacuum. Despite moderate yield (> 80 wt%) of zirconolite-2M, a considerable Ce-rich perovskite phase was formed in both formulations, attributed to complete reduction of the Ce inventory to Ce3+, as determined by Ce L3-edge XANES analysis. The composition charge balanced with Al3+ was favoured on the basis of lower accompanying perovskite fraction.

Graphical abstract
Development of a Buddhist Self
Authors: Park Jungnok
Published: February 2022

I will now briefly survey the development of the later Buddhist conceptions of self in India. Since Mahāyāna and non-Mahāyāna scriptures were introduced to China almost simultaneously, and Mahāyāna Buddhism became the mainstream in China from an early stage, it is essential to examine the later Buddhist conceptions of self, in order to understand how Chinese Buddhists came to form their own ideas of self. I cannot survey the whole development of later Buddhist ideas in detail, so I will focus on how the basic premises and principles that structured the early Buddhist conception of self were maintained, revised and abandoned by later Buddhists.
Nirvāṇa and a Permanent Self
Authors: Park Jungnok
Published: February 2022

In this chapter, I highlight those factors that appear incompatible with a doctrinal system of established Buddhism and that facilitated a new development.
Making Buddhism Universal
Authors: Ellis Robert M.
Published: February 2022

This section focuses on the positive ways that Sangharakshita tried to relate Buddhism to key Western concepts: those of creativity, provisionality, integration, and individuality. These all connect aspects of Buddhism to Western practices in the arts, science, psychology and democracy. They can be connected together particularly through the concept of the Middle Way. Sangharakshita’s treatment of these themes helped Westerners to engage with Buddhism, but they also contain various limitations, inconsistencies and dogmatic assumptions.
Controversies
Authors: Ellis Robert M.
Published: February 2022

The aspects of Sangharakshita’s ideas that have caused most controversy are those that relate to his personal authority in the Order he founded, the use of his image, and his attitudes to feminism, single sex practice, families and sexual activity. In all of these areas this section tries to focus on Sangharakshita’s underlying assumptions, and assess how far they were responsible for unhelpful outcomes. The sexual abuse allegations are put in the context of his thought rather than judged on an individual basis. In many of these areas his odd mixture of traditionalism, Platonism, and bias towards promiscuity seem to have created serious conflict, although there are also a few genuine practical achievements.
On the specificities of L1 and L2 (dis)fluencies and the interactional multimodal strategies of L2 speakers in tandem interactions
Authors: Kosmala Loulou
Published: February 2022

‘Disfluencies’, defined as a suspension of speech, are usually more frequent in L2 than in L1, which is said to be related to the learners’ proficiency level. ‘Disfluency’ or ‘fluency’ have thus often been associated with language proficiency and temporal characteristics. Grounded in a functionally ambivalent view of (dis)fluency captured in situated multimodal discourse, our research program aims to measure the degree of (dis)fluency found in tandem interactions by comparing their specificities in L1 and L2 productions of French and American English. In this paper, we stress out the need to regard (dis) fluency as a multimodal and multilevel phenomenon, which takes into account vocal and visual-gestural modalities of discourse. While our quantitative results indicate a higher rate of complex (dis)fluencies in L2 than in L1, which supports previous studies, and a higher gestural activity in L2, the qualitative analyses conducted on the data illustrate their multimodal and interactional dimension. This paper presents new methods to evaluate the degree of (dis)fluency, by combining quantitative and qualitative methods, based on an interactional scale, which takes into account the multimodal communication strategies of L2 speakers. We thus argue that (dis)fluency is not only the result of communication breakdowns as it is highly contextualized. It should thus not only be measured with temporal variables and overall frequency rates, but also with regards to the individual speaker's use in multimodal interactional and intersubjective contexts.
Un catecismo para los tercios: estudio y edición
Authors: Zafra-Molina Rafael
Published: February 2022

En este artículo se presenta el texto de la versión castellana del catecismo breve de san Pedro Canisio que el también jesuita Thomas Sailly preparó para el uso de los Tercios de Flandes en el último tercio del siglo XVI y el primero del XVII. En una primera parte se analiza el manual al que pertenece este catecismo, que fue también publicado en 1595 en valón y flamenco para las tropas de Felipe II. En la segunda parte se pone en contexto la composición de esta doctrina dentro del entorno de la Missio Castrensis, capellanía militar encargada a la Compañía de Jesús por Alejandro Farnesio y los sucesivos gobernadores de los Países Bajos españoles. Por último, se edita el texto del catecismo atendiendo a los criterios filológicos habituales para las obras de este periodo.
Huellas de Dios en el espíritu humano. San Agustín, «De Trinitate», Libro IX
Authors: Calabrese Claudio
Published: February 2022

Trabajamos los modos en que san Agustín presenta las huellas trinitarias en la persona humana y las correlaciones que, para ello, establece entre inmanencia y trascendencia. De este modo, se considera su aportación quizás más relevante para nuestro presente, desde el punto de vista filosófico: clarificar la inmanencia es el paso previo y necesario para circunscribir el misterio de Dios, es decir, establecer la razonabilidad del acto de fe. En este sentido, san Agustín interrelaciona los instrumentos intelectuales a su alcance: Escritura, exégesis, semiótica y filosofía neoplatónica, que le permiten vislumbrar per similitudinem los principios del Ser.
Reading Teresa’s Sixth Dwelling Places of the «Interior Castle» on Mystical Knowledge through Aquinas
Authors: Kutarňová Kateřina
Published: February 2022

The focal point of this article is the nature of the mystical knowledge presented in the sixth dwelling places of the Interior Castle of Teresa of Avila. The aim is to offer a rational argument to explain the possibility and nature of such mystical knowledge. The introduction explains why the focus is specifically on the mystical knowledge of the sixth dwelling places and not on mystical knowledge in general. Further, the argument is based on Aquinas’s teaching and proceeds therefrom. Since this choice of the «mental frame» is not intuitively comprehensible, the methodological part explains the reasons for it.
Nitrate removal from drinking water using different reactor/membrane types: A comprehensive review
Authors: Al-Rashed Wael S , Lakhouit Abderrahim
Published: February 2022

Nitrate is considered one of the key contaminants in drinking water sources, particularly groundwater. This could be a result of excessive human activities. Numerous studies have been successfully developed and are still developing eco-friendly and cost-effective treatment techniques for highly efficient nitrate removal from drinking water. Although most of the nitrate removal techniques are physically and chemically based, for example, ion exchange and reverse osmosis, biological treatment is an equally potent approach applied in full scale through autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification. However, many studies are trying to reduce some of the disadvantages of the biological treatment, such as the need for further treatment for microbial or organic carbon removal. This paper addresses some of the conventional nitrate removal approaches and reviews the biological denitrification processes, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of the following methods: (i) conventional nitrate removal techniques, (ii) biological denitrification via bioreactor membrane techniques, (iii) membrane bioreactor (MBR), (iv) membrane biofilm-reactor (MBfR), (v) ion exchange membrane bioreactor (IEMBR), and (vi) biofilm-electrode reactor (BER).