bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond Monstrosity: Natural Hybridity in Medieval and Early Modern Travel Narratives
Authors: Mahaffy Caitlin
Published: May 2024

This article investigates two literary works from the premodern era: Mandeville's Travels (composed between 1357 and 1371) and Margaret Cavendish's The Blazing World (1666), both of which depict hybrid creatures as natural rather than monstrously unnatural. These two texts are compared as major examples of travel literature, a genre that explores concepts of the known and unknown, often investigating the possibility of hybrid creatures and their significance. Many literary critics describe hybridity as equating to unnaturalness, to the monstrous “other.” Yet the fact that the hybrids featured in Mandeville's Travels and The Blazing World so readily blend with ordinary animals highlights that they are meant to be understood as natural, since animals are natural by default of creation. The depiction of hybrid creatures in these two texts effectively opens up a new dialogue about hybridity in the literature of this period, unveiling a way for a creature to be simultaneously hybrid and natural.
Synergistic effects of silver nanoparticles in combination with ineffective antibiotics against multidrug resistant Salmonella typhi
Authors: Maqsood Sidra , Taj Yasmeen , Satti Luqman , Bakhat Shaista
Published: May 2024

Objectives: To determine the antimicrobial activity of silver nano-particles(AgNPs) with tetracycline and ampicillin against multi-drug resistance (MDR) and extensively-drug resistance (XDR) Salmonella typhi.
Methods: Cross sectional non-probability purposive study was conducted from September, 2021 to May, 2022 at Microbiology department PNS Shifa, Hospital Karachi. Blood cultures of patients suspicious of typhoid fever were collected and incubated in automated Bact/Alert system. Positive cultures were identified on blood and MacConkey and processed by API-10S, confirmed by serotyping (O9 antisera) (SSI Diagnostica’s Salmonella). Antibiotic resistance was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion (Sigma and Rich). MDR and XDR isolates were preserved in Brain Heart Infusion in a volume of 2ml in screw capped bottles at -70°C. Antimicrobial powders (ampicillin and tetracycline (Alfa Aesar) weighed by an electrical weighing balance (OHAUS) to take 1mg of antimicrobial drug. Absorbance spectra of serial concentrations of antibiotics (UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Mole-Qule-) AgNPs (10nm) (nanocomposix) + Antibiotic in (1:1 volume ratio). Conjugation of silver nanoparticles with tetracycline and ampicillin was done by FTIR (thermos scientificThermos ScientificNicolet 50).
Results: Out of 77 isolates, 54 were resistant to ceftriaxone (XDR) and 23 sensitive to ceftriaxone (MDR). All isolates were susceptible to azithromycin and meropenem. Comparison of zone of inhibitions of ampicillin and Amp-AgNPsas and tetracycline with Tet-AgNPs was done. Minimal inhibitory concentration was also done to determine antimicrobial activity.Conclusion: Significant synergistic inhibitory effects against Salmonella Typhi isolates were obtained by combination of tetracycline with silver nano-particles even at low concentration.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.7900
How to cite this: Maqsood S, Taj Y, Satti L, Bakhat S. Synergistic effects of silver nanoparticles in combination with ineffective antibiotics against multidrug resistant Salmonella typhi. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(6):1168-1173. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.7900
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Association of Genetic Polymorphism rs 77630697(Gly64Asp) of Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion -1 with glycemic response to metformin in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Hakim Zunera , Najam ul Hasan  , Asma Khan  , Akbar Waheed
Published: May 2024

Objective: To determine the relationship between Gly64Asp (rs77630697) polymorphism of multidrug and toxin extrusion-1 (MATE-1) and therapeutic response of metformin in Type-2 diabetic patients.
Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted at Riphah International Hospital, Islamabad from June 2020 to December 2021. Type-2 diabetic patients (n=200) on metformin monotherapy fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled and followed up till three months. Based on change in HbA1c, they were divided into responders and non-responders. DNA was extracted and genotyping was done by TETRA ARMS PCR. Data was entered and association was analyzed by SPSS 22.
Results: Out of 200 participants, 104 were categorized as responders and 96 as non-responders. The genotype and allelic distribution of rs77630697 was significantly different between responders and non-responders. The variant genotype (GG) was most prevalent among the study population and among responders. After follow up of three months, difference in glycemic response was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) among three genotypes (GG, GA and AA). The decline in HbA1c was highest in GG genotype with almost two-fold reduction in comparison with GA and AA. Carriers of allele A were significantly associated with impaired response to metformin.
Conclusion: The variable therapeutic response to metformin in the responders and non-responders may be contributed to rs77630697 isoform variation of MATE-1.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8170
How to cite this: Hakim Z, Najam ul Hasan, Khan A, Waheed A. Association of Genetic Polymorphism rs 77630697(Gly64Asp) of Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion -1 with glycemic response to metformin in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(6):1256-1260.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8170
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Factors affecting asthma control in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kaleem Ullah Toori  , Qureshi Muhammad Arsalan
Published: May 2024

Background and Objective: Asthma control in pregnant women remains of utmost importance; suboptimal control can have adverse repercussions on both fetal and maternal health. The objective was to identify the factors that affect asthma control in pregnant Pakistani women presenting to a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional research was conducted at KRL General Hospital between 1st November 2022 to 30th April 2023. Non-probability technique was used to sample one hundred and forty-five pregnant women with confirmed bronchial asthma irrespective of their trimester presented. Data regarding demographics and factors affecting asthma control was collected.
Results: The mean age was 30.39 ± 4.33 years, with two-thirds (65%) being multiparous. Approximately 48% of participants were non-compliant with treatment, and less than 40% achieved adequate asthma control. A chi-squared test applied showed that multiparity (p = 0.003), treatment compliance (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), and proper inhaler technique (p < 0.001) were statistically significant factors affecting asthma control in pregnant women while, the level of education and household income did not exhibit a significant association. Multiple regression analysis qualified higher BMI, multiparity, treatment compliance, and inhaler technique as significant predictors of asthma control amongst pregnant women.
Conclusion: Ensuring asthma control during pregnancy is important. This study identified BMI, multiparity, inhaler technique, and treatment compliance as factors that affect asthma control in pregnant women. Addressing these factors through regular antenatal check-ups can significantly mitigate risks and promote the optimal health of both maternal and fetal lives.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8659
How to cite this: Toori KU, Qureshi MA. Factors affecting asthma control in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(6):1146-1150.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8659
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
M2 Genotype of Varicella zoster virus associated with Severe Herpes zoster in Pakistan
Authors: Hanif Saba , Majeed Ayesha , Faryal Rani
Published: May 2024

This case report is of herpes zoster which is caused by Varicella zoster virus (VZV). The patient was presented with acute renal failure associated with intravenous acyclovir administration for its management. A 50 years old man visited the hospital with rashes on his back. The serum sample was positive for anti-VZV IgM via Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and vesicular swab for VZV via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Phylogenetic analysis identified it as M2-genotype. Patient was treated with intravenous acyclovir administration, which led to acute renal failure. Later with shift to oral acyclovir, renal functions were restored. Elderly patients with reactivation of VZV in Pakistan are at risk to contract herpes zoster. Acyclovir is drug of choice via intravenous route was found to be nephrotoxic, however oral acyclovir was safe and effective. This is first report on pathogenic VZV genotype from Pakistan and is presented to highlight that the herpes zoster cases of elderly patients’ treatment option need to be revisited.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8764
How to cite this: Hanif S, Majeed AI, Faryal R. M2 Genotype of Varicella zoster virus associated with Severe Herpes zoster in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(6):1303-1305. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8764
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Multiplex attacks in sigmoid volvulus
Authors: Disci Esra , Peksoz Rifat , Agirman Enes , Atamananalp Sabri Selcuk
Published: May 2024

Objectives: Sigmoid volvulus (SV) recurs in about one quarter of the patients, whereas multiplex (≥3) attacks are quite rare and attacks with five or more times are extremely rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate multiplex SV attacks in our series and worldwide data.
Methods: In Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine Department of General Surgery, among 1,071-case SV series, data were evaluated retrospectively in 612 patients, while prospectively in 459 with respect to age, gender, previous volvulus attacks, and prognosis. Worldwide data were obtained from Web of Science database and they were compared with our results.
Results: Mean SV attack count, multiple- (≥2) and multiplex- (≥3) attack rates were 1.4, 26.1%, and 4.2%, respectively, in our series, while they were 1.7, 26.7%, and 3.2%, respectively, in worldwide data (p>0.05, in all). In our series, recurrence rates were 26.1%, 19.3%, and 51.2%, respectively, (p<0.001, in all), while mortality rates were 7.3%, 13.7%, and 19.5%, respectively, (p<0.001, in all) in single-, double-, and multiplex- (≥3) attack patients.
Conclusion: Although multiplex (≥3) attacks are uncommon in SV, when it goes up, elective surgery must be considered in selected cases to avoid repetitive attacks and related high mortality.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.9172
How to cite this: Disci E, Peksoz R, Agirman E, Atamanalp SS. Multiplex attacks in sigmoid volvulus. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(6):1185-1189.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.9172
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effectiveness of nursing care intervention for alleviation of anxiety, pain and functional improvement amongst patients undergoing ambulatory surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Hongna , Shi Yan
Published: May 2024

Background & Objective: Ambulatory surgeries are increasingly prevalent, yet they often result in postoperative pain and anxiety, impacting patient recovery and satisfaction. Effective management of these complications is crucial, and nursing care interventions have been proposed as a potential solution. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing care interventions in reducing pain and anxiety and improving functional status among patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search done on December 2023 of PubMed Central, MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, CINAHL, and trial registries was done for studies from inception till November 2023, that met predefined eligibility criteria. Standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous outcomes and odds ratios (OR) for binary outcomes were calculated using a random-effects inverse-variance model. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the findings, and heterogeneity was evaluated using I² statistics.
Results: Nine studies were included. Pooled analysis revealed a significant reduction in pain (SMD = -1.224, 95% CI: -2.445 to -0.003, p=0.049) and anxiety (SMD = -1.53, 95% CI: -2.77 to -0.28, p=0.016) among patients receiving nursing care interventions, with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 98.2% for pain and 96.6% for anxiety). However, no significant improvement was observed in the functional status (SMD = -0.28, 95% CI: -0.35 to 0.91, p=0.385). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of these results.
Conclusion: Nursing care interventions are effective in significantly reducing pain and anxiety in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. However, their impact on improving functional status remains inconclusive. Our findings underscore the importance of integrating nursing care into postoperative management protocols in ambulatory surgeries and highlight areas for future research, particularly concerning functional recovery.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.9472
How to cite this: Hongna Xu1, Yan Shi2. Effectiveness of nursing care intervention for alleviation of anxiety, pain and functional improvement amongst patients undergoing ambulatory surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(6):1287-1293.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.9472
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Τhe cognitive grounds of Hobbes’ Leviathan
Authors: Tsampazis Nick
Published: May 2024

Hobbes is inspired by the mechanistic materialism of his time but is not convinced by the validity of empirical knowledge. There is no truth outside language. His own scientific method produces true propositions through rigorous logical processing of both lingual and empirical material. Leviathan is a direct product of this method as applied to the field of politics.
Alasdair Macintyre:
Authors: Sioufa Basiliki
Published: May 2024

The article provides an account of some aspects of Alasdair MacIntyre’s moral and political critique of liberal modernity. It reconstructs major concepts of his moral theory, i.e. his concept of the virtues, of a ‘practice’, of a ‘narrative unity of a human life’, of ‘external’ and ‘internal’ goods, and of a moral ‘tradition’. It then gives an account of his project of a politics of local community. The article argues that MacIntyre’s critique is a Thomist moral and political project, which understands the relation of the individual to the community in ways difficult to reconcile with the contemporary conception of the person, of individual rights and of the relation of the individual to the state.
The Buddhist Philosophy:
Authors: Mishra Nilachal
Published: May 2024

The History is well-known to Lord Buddha as Gautama Buddha, Buddha Śākyamuni, Sidhārtha Gautama, and who was born in Lumbini in the Nepalese region of the near Indian border. He was the man of Asian thinkers and was a religious master of all time. His vast contributions to the field of Philosophy, metaphysics, and epistemology highlight Indian history and spiritual paths more and more. In ethics, He explains the threefold understandings of karmas mental, verbal, and physical. In metaphysics Buddha describes the criticism of souls and the real causes of rebirth. He says the ultimate stage of a liberated soul is called ‘Nirvāṇa’.The stage of Nirvāṇa is a very well-known term in Buddhist Philosophy. Buddha explains the many stages of human life and which impressed him extremely. The present paper describes, in brief, the life history of Buddha, his moral teachings to mankind, and the wise expressions of Śrila Prabhupāda on Buddhist Philosophy, etc.
Ernst Tugendhat and Leo Strauss:
Authors: Altman William
Published: May 2024

A comparison of the way Leo Strauss and Ernst Tugendhat treat Socratic Ignorance reveals a political gulf dividing these two important thinkers. This comparison is based on Tugendhat’s Selbstbewußtsein und Selbstbestimmung (1979) and two essays of Strauss, the pre-War “Religiöse Lage der Gegenwart” (1930) and the post-War “How to Study Spinoza’s Theologico-Political Treatise” (1948). While Tugendhat points to Socratic Ignorance as a remedy against political extremism, Strauss illustrates how it can be made to subserve it. And while Tugendhat assumes that the threat posed by National Socialism has been checked, Strauss demonstrates that it still remains an ongoing danger.
Leo Strauss and the Challenges of Sex
Authors: Bauer Edgar
Published: May 2024

Although Leo Strauss (1899-1973) considered the binary distribution of sexuality a cornerstone of his political philosophy, a close reading of his essays reveals his awareness that traces of an androgynous conception of sexuality had survived in the foundational texts of the Hebrew and Greek tradition. The challenge posed by this contrarian view of sexual difference to Strauss’ anthropological premises remained without systematic consequences for his overall philosophical project. Against this backdrop, it is hardly surprising that Strauss conspicuously overlooked the groundbreaking challenge that defrocked monk and philosophical martyr Giordano Bruno (1548-1600) posed to binary sexuality. For the first time in European intellectual history, Bruno dissolved the man/woman hiatus for the sake of positing gradual, individual differentials within the male/female polarity. As regards his contemporaries, it is noteworthy that Strauss passed away the year before a young Jewish woman named Andrea Dworkin (1946-2005) published her initial book titled Woman Hating, a radical advocacy of feminism culminating in a theory of universal androgyny. It is safe to assume that Strauss, if given a chance, would have discarded the challenge posed by Dworkin’s Heraclitean design to lay out a sexual ontology that does away with the arbitrary fixities of patriarchy and welcomes the disruptive presence of androgynes.
Leo Strauss and Carl Schmitt
Authors: Herrero Montserrat , Vatter Miguel
Published: May 2024

I have devoted part of my work to the political thought of Carl Schmitt, in my opinion one of the most enlightened minds of the 20th century, not only because of his intellectual acuteness, but also because the historical point of view from which he spoke was exceptional: the collapse of the Second Reich, i.e. the absolute end of a world centred on the imperial idea, the rise of the Weimar Republic and its agony in the arms of the Third Reich, and the new international order that took shape after its fall with the total humiliation of Germany, which Schmitt saw as the triumph of liberal Americanist imperialism. Many were Carl Schmitt’s correspondents during his lifetime. Thousands of letters can be found in Schmitt’s archive. Three of these letters were from Leo Strauss. We cannot find the correlative letters of Schmitt. But from the content of the letters we have to deduce that Schmitt did not reply to Strauss, at least not to these three letters. Strange for someone who was in the habit of always replying to letters. These letters were sent between 1932 and 1933 and inform us of an opinion written by Schmitt to evaluate Strauss’s research on Hobbes before the Rockefeller Foundation in order to Strauss to apply for a grant.  Strauss won the grant and thanks Schmitt. Many scholars speculate on the idea of Schmitt’s silence and put it down to the dangers of corresponding with a Jew like Strauss at that time. There is undoubtedly a good biographical argument there, but that does not interest me as much as the content of their relationship through their texts.
Phytochemical investigation of traditional medicinal plants of Oleaceae family using modern analytical approaches
Authors: Αντωνιάδη Λεμονιά
Published: May 2024

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής αποτελεί η φαρμακογνωστική μελέτη σημαντικών φαρμακευτικών ειδών της οικογένειας Oleaceae μέσω σύγχρονων επιστημονικών προσεγγίσεων τόσο σε επίπεδο μεθοδολογίας όσο και στη χρήση εξειδικευμένων τεχνολογιών. Η ελιά (Olea europaea) αποτελεί τον πλέον άφθονο φυτικό είδος στη λεκάνη της Μεσογείου. Η σημαντικότητα της δεν εντοπίζεται μόνο στον διατροφικό και οικονομικό τομέα αλλά και στην προαγωγή της ανθρώπινης υγείας, μέσω των βιολογικά ενεργών χημικών μορίων που περιέχει. Η ανάπτυξη αποτελεσματικών μεθοδολογιών με χρήση «πράσινων» τεχνικών για την παραλαβή βιοδραστικών μεταβολιτών σε μεγάλη ποσότητα και υψηλή καθαρότητα από προϊόντα ελιάς, θα αποτελέσει τον αρχικό στόχο της παρούσας μελέτης. Μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζει και η αποκρυπτογράφηση της χημικής σύστασης του ελαιόλαδου, καθώς και η συσχέτιση διαφόρων μεταβολιτών με την ποιότητα του. Πάρα την πληθώρα των επιστημονικών μελετών, υπάρχει μια κατηγορία δευτερογενών μεταβολιτών στο ελαιόλαδο, τα οξειδωμένα παράγωγα σεκοϊριδοειδών, που παραμένουν σχετικά άγνωστα. Στα πλαίσια της διατριβής, θα αναπτυχθούν ολοκληρωμένα πρωτοκόλλα για την ημισύνθεση των παραγώγων αυτών και θα γίνει προσπάθεια συσχέτισης τους με χαρακτηριστικά ποιότητας του ελαιόλαδου. Από την άλλη, η πολυπλοκότητα των δραστικών μιγμάτων τόσο των προϊόντων ελιάς όσο και γενικότερα των φυτικών εκχυλισμάτων καθιστούν δύσκολη την ανακάλυψη νέων δραστικών μορίων μέσω των παραδοσιακών μεθόδων. Έτσι, αντικείμενο της διατριβής θα αποτελέσει η ανάπτυξη κατάλληλης μεθόδου, με χρήση σύγχρονων μεταβολομικών εργαλείων, για την ταυτοποίηση δραστικών μεταβολιτών τόσο του φαινολικού κλάσματος του ελαιόλαδου όσο και της οξειδωμένης μορφής του. Τέλος, ενδημικά είδη του γένους Fraxinus παρουσιάζουν παρόμοιο φυτοχημικό προφίλ με την ελιά και έχουν χρησιμοποιηθεί ευρέως στη λαϊκή και σύγχρονη θεραπευτική. Τα είδη αυτά θα μελετηθούν περαιτέρω με σκοπό την αποτελεσματικότερη εκμετάλλευση τους.
Interactions between special education teachers and children with chronic complex conditions: A qualitative study
Authors: Fujino Haruo , Matsumoto Megumi , Mieno Aya
Published: May 2024

Background The number of children with complex medical conditions has increased in recent decades. In this context, a complex chronic condition is characterized by multiple morbidities that require intensive or continuous health care according to the level of severity. Given their various health conditions, it is challenging to provide special education to these children, but there is still insufficient evidence regarding the practical experiences of educators. The aim of this study was to investigate special education teacher’s perceptions, experiences, and challenges while developing interpersonal relationships and communicating with children who have complex chronic conditions. Methods We recruited and interviewed 21 special education school teachers in Japan. The transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Our analysis revealed four themes, including “searching for the meaning,” “complex chronic conditions as a difficult reality,” “widening experience for the future,” and “priority for interacting with children.” These themes reflect the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of the special education teachers. Conclusions In cases where children have severe functional limitations, it is more challenging to understand child-teacher interactions. This highlights the importance of searching for meaning in educational practices used among children with complex chronic conditions. Our findings may provide helpful insight into the experiences and challenges faced by special educators who engage with these children.
Pyuria in hospitalized general medical patients without urinary tract infection
Authors: Thyagaraju Praveenkumar , Mandal Jharna , Pari Thenmozhi Hariswar , Deepanjali Surendran
Published: May 2024

Urine microscopy for detecting pus cells is a common investigation ordered in hospitalized general medical patients as part of routine care. A few previous studies have shown that sterile pyuria is not uncommon in this population. We studied the prevalence of pyuria among patients hospitalized with non-urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis in the medical wards. We excluded patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). Pyuria was quantified in uncentrifuged urine using the chamber counting method, and ≥ 10 pus cells per mm3 was considered significant. We also compared this method with the commonly used but less accurate method of counting pus cells/high power field using centrifuged urine (routine method). We studied 196 patients; 113 (57.7%) were males. Most (175[89.3%]) patients were hospitalized for an infection. We found that 18.4% of the study group had sterile pyuria, and it was strongly associated with the presence of concomitant microscopic hematuria (unadjusted odds ratio, 3.74 [1.65 to 8.50]; P=0.002). We found no association of pyuria with female gender, diabetes, acute kidney injury, or current antibiotic use. By routine method, 56 (28.6 %) patients had significant pyuria. In comparison to the chamber counting method, the routine method was 69.4(63—75.8) % sensitive and 80.6(75.1—86.2) % specific. The positive and negative predictive values were 44.6 (37.7— 51.6) % and 92.1 (88.4 — 95.9) %. We concluded that sterile pyuria and microscopic hematuria could be present in a proportion of hospitalized general medical patients without UTI or ASB. Clinical judgment is essential in interpreting the significance of abnormal urinalysis reports.
Vortex Circular Dichroism: An experimental technique to assess the scalar/vectorial regime of diffraction
Authors: Zambrana-Puyalto Xavier , De Angelis Francesco , D'Ambrosio Vincenzo
Published: May 2024

Background In classical electrodynamics, light-matter interactions are modelled using Maxwell equations. The solution of Maxwell equations, which is typically given by means of the electric and magnetic field, is vectorial in nature. Yet it is well known that light-matter interactions can be approximately described in a scalar (polarization independent) way for many optical applications. While the accuracy of the scalar approximation can be theoretically computed, to the best of our knowledge, it has never been determined experimentally. Here, we introduce Vortex Circular Dichroism (VCD), an optical measurement that has the required features to assess the vectoriality of diffraction. Methods VCD is measured as the differential transmission (or absorption) of left and right circularly polarized vortex beams. We test the VCD measurement with two different systems: i) an experimental set of single circular nano-apertures drilled in a gold film with diameters ranging from 150 to 1950 nm; and ii) a theoretical set of golden spheres with the same diameters as the nano-apertures. Results We observe that in both systems, VCD > 0 for smaller diameters, VCD ≲ 0 for intermediate values and VCD ≈ 0 for larger values of the diameter. Furthermore, the simulations show that a diffraction process characterized by a VCD ≈ 0 (VCD ≠ 0) is polarization-independent (polarization-dependent). As a result, we relate VCD ≠ 0 to a vectorial diffraction, and VCD ≈ 0 to a scalar one. Conclusions Overall, our results show compelling evidence that it is possible to experimentally assess the scalar/vectorial regime of a diffraction process, and that the VCD technique possesses the required features to measure the vectoriality of diffraction processes involving plasmonic cylindrically symmetric structures.
The genome sequence of the Grey Sedge caddis fly, Odontocerum albicorne (Scopoli, 1769)
Authors: Skipp Sue , Wallace Ian ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Odontocerum albicorne (the Grey Sedge caddis fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Trichoptera; Odontoceridae). The genome sequence is 1,287.3 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.57 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of the September Thorn moth, Ennomos erosaria (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Crowley Liam M. , Wawman Denise C. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Ennomos erosaria (the September Thorn moth; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence is 423.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 32 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z and W sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.3 kilobases in length.
How can caffeine alleviate the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? – the implications of adenosine 2A receptor antagonism
Authors: Wójcik Anna , Górny Aleksander , Chwiejczak Justyna , Młynarska Julita , Kościan Jan , Szczerkowska Karolina , Seroka Anna , Mitkowska Maria , Rybicka Maria , Obrębski Michał
Published: May 2024

Introduction and purpose: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, mainly characterized by motor impairment with symptoms including rigidity, bradykinesia, rest tremor and imbalance. It develops upon degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra associated with neuroinflammatory process initiated by alpha-synuclein deposits. Although, levodopa replacement therapy is the gold-standard treatment, majority of the treated patients develop dyskinesia as the side effect, resulting from altered function of dopamine receptors. It is thought that the abnormal pulsate release of dopamine can be prevented by antagonism of adenosine 2A receptors (A2ARs).
Aim of the study: This review aims to outline the action mechanism of A2AR antagonism on motor performance, and thus evaluate the suggested implications of coffee consumption in PD. Material and method: The involvement of A2ARs in the pathology and treatment of PD has been analyzed based on the findings of many published studies examining the effects of A2AR modulation.
Results: Blockage of A2ARs enhances the action of dopamine via D2 receptors on striatopallidal neurons, decreasing their hyperactivity, and exerts neuroprotective effect, suppressing the neuroinflammation.
Conclusions: Istradefylline, being the only approved A2AR antagonist, was able to reduce total cumulative dose of levodopa, improve motor control, alleviate postural abnormalities, and provide a reduction in daily ‘off’ time experienced by patients. Recent findings suggest the effects of drinking one cup of coffee are comparable with ones obtained by the newly introduced medication, presumably via shared action mechanism by A2AR inhibition.
Impact of physical activity on the development of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Paśnik Joanna , Sendecka Gabriela , Kistela Natalia , Hądzlik Izabela , Durowicz Marcin , Piotrowski Jan
Published: May 2024

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is a challenge for the modern world due to the due to aging populations. Researchers are trying their best to understand the mechanisms of onset and find effective ways to treat and prevent this disease. The purpose of the following paper is to present the impact of physical activity in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Numerous studies confirm that regular workouts have a positive reflection in the form of slowing the aging of the brain and alleviation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in affected individuals. During muscle work irisin is produced, which plays an important role in the formation of neurons and exhibits an anti-inflammatory effects. This review also looks at the aspect of maintaining proper composition of the gut microbiota, whose imbalance can promote the process of neuronal inflammation and cognitive dysfunction. Attention is also given to issues of training intensity and the effect of of exercise on blood flow in the brain. All of these elements play an important role in preventing and slowing down neurodegeneration.
Opium Art and Truffle Texts in the Aegean and Ancient Near East
Authors: Foster Karen Polinger
Published: May 2024

From the third millennium BC on, the opium poppy was exploited by the civilizations of the Aegean and Near East. While the terms for it in the ancient languages of the region are still unknown, the distinctive features of the harvest-ready seed pod would seem to find reflection in numerous works of Minoan, Mycenaean, Mesopotamian, and related art. This paper proposes that the corpus of opium imagery is far more extensive than previously recognized, including pins, finials, jewelry, seals, vessels, and weapons. It would also seem that certain elite women played vital roles in ancient opium matters. As for the desert truffle, it thrives in the area’s arid and semi-arid ecosystems, where the opium poppy cannot. We have no truffle art, so far as can be determined, but its suggestive presence in cuneiform documents, among them the seven Mari letters collected here, may signal that it was prized for its ability to engender altered states of consciousness, in addition to its nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits.
The Origin of the Discovered Urartian Bulla in Ziwiye
Authors: Dara Maryam
Published: May 2024

There are several discovered Urartian artifacts and among them are the bullae. They are sometimes inscribed and sealed with cylinder and/or stamp seals. The impressions sometimes contain an inscription along with a royal, mythical or ritual scene. Royal impressions include the figure and the inscription of King Rusa II. There is an Urartian bulla from Ziwiye with a stamp seal impression representing Rusa’s figure, a parasol over his head and an inscription which resembles the impressions of Ayanis bullae. Additionally, cylinder seal impressions with similar iconography and inscription are discovered in Bastam and Toprakkale. There are previous contributions on the bulla of Ziwiye but none are about its inscription or the detail of the impression in comparison with other bullae. The inscription on the bulla from Ziwiye as Dḫal-di URU (the city of God Ḫaldi). There were several cities of Ḫaldi in the Urartian kingdom but as the impression of Ziwiye bulla resembles to bullae of Ayanis, it is possible that the city this bulla came from was close to or under the control of Ayanis.
Ancient Tokens from the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse
Authors: Crisà Antonino
Published: May 2024

Called symbola by the Greeks and tesserae by the Romans, ancient tokens have played an essential role in daily life as small ‘monetiform’ objects used to get access to festivals, temples, private buildings (e.g. baths) and banquets. Produced and distributed as a means to obtain special rights ‘in exchange,’ tokens have been massively discovered within archaeological excavations or traced anew in world-wide museum collections arousing interest amongst scholars. Sicily represents a remarkable case study to understand how token production and distribution occurred in small ancient communities. Starting from the final results of the recent ERC project Token Communities in the Ancient Mediterranean project (University of Warwick, 2016-21), my contribution aims to present a novel set of clay tokens currently preserved at the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum in Syracuse. First, the article outlines the token production in Sicily benefitting from available data recently collected. Second, it assesses the Syracuse’s tokens mostly focusing on their findspot area, iconography and recurring types (in particular, Hermes and the ox). The article also includes a detailed catalogue of finds reporting all measurements and data.
Experiencias en la implementación del portafolio docente como instrumento de evaluación formativa y de acreditación en una universidad mexicana
Authors: Cisneros-Cohernour Edith J. , López Gamboa Galo E.
Published: May 2024

En este capítulo se presentan los resultados de un estudio sobre la experiencia en el uso de portafolios para evaluar la docencia y el aprendizaje en el contexto de una universidad del sureste de México. La investigación contribuye al campo de la evaluación de la enseñanza, ya que permite comprender el uso de portafolios en la práctica, con propósitos formativos, así como sus fortalezas y sus limitaciones cuando es utilizado con múltiples propósitos. El uso de múltiples fuentes de evidencia e información para obtener y analizar la calidad de la enseñanza de los docentes contribuyó a una mejor comprensión del constructo de “buena docencia”. A continuación, presentamos las características del contexto de la universidad en la que se realizó la investigación.
Thompson Sampling with Information Relaxation Penalties
Authors: Min Seungki , Maglaras Costis , Moallemi Ciamac C.
Published: May 2024

We consider a finite-horizon multiarmed bandit (MAB) problem in a Bayesian setting, for which we propose an information relaxation sampling framework. With this framework, we define an intuitive family of control policies that include Thompson sampling (TS) and the Bayesian optimal policy as endpoints. Analogous to TS, which at each decision epoch pulls an arm that is best with respect to the randomly sampled parameters, our algorithms sample entire future reward realizations and take the corresponding best action. However, this is done in the presence of “penalties” that seek to compensate for the availability of future information. We develop several novel policies and performance bounds for MAB problems that vary in terms of improving performance and increasing computational complexity between the two endpoints. Our policies can be viewed as natural generalizations of TS that simultaneously incorporate knowledge of the time horizon and explicitly consider the exploration-exploitation trade-off. We prove associated structural results on performance bounds and suboptimality gaps. Numerical experiments suggest that this new class of policies perform well, in particular, in settings where the finite time horizon introduces significant exploration-exploitation tension into the problem. Finally, inspired by the finite-horizon Gittins index, we propose an index policy that builds on our framework that particularly outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms in our numerical experiments.

This paper was accepted by Hamid Nazerzadeh, data science.

Funding: This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea [NRF-2022R1C1C1013402].

Supplemental Material: The electronic companion and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2020.01396 .
Working Duration Prediction of Electric Tractors According to Weight Reduction
Authors: Ahn Hyoung-Jong , Choi Chanho , Moon Dong-Joo , Kim Jae-Hyun , Lee Si-Yeong , Park Young-Jun
Published: May 2024

Highlights

A method for weight reduction of the tractor's structure through topology optimization was presented.

A dynamic model of an electric tractor was developed to predict working duration for various agricultural works.

The increase in working duration due to the weight reduction of the tractor structure was predicted.

A method for predicting the appropriate battery weight of an electric tractor was proposed.

Abstract. Recently, the demand for electric tractors has grown substantially in efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. To successfully introduce electric tractors into the market, ensuring sufficient working duration on a single charge is crucial. Increasing the battery capacity is one approach to extend the working duration. However, structural weight reduction strategies for tractors should be explored to mitigate potential issues associated with excessive weight, such as soil compaction. To increase the working duration of electric tractors, this paper proposes methods for structural weight reduction, to predict working duration per agricultural work based on tractor weight reduction, and to predict the appropriate battery weight for electric tractors. The proposed method involves implementing topology optimization on the rear axle housing of tractors to achieve weight reduction. The allocation of weight reduction resulting from structural improvements to the battery weight is determined using a dynamic model of a tractor to calculate the increase in working duration. Additionally, the extended working duration for various agricultural works is estimated, considering different types of batteries and battery weight ratios. Notably, light-weighting achieved a 20.21% reduction in weight when compared with the initial model. The findings of this study indicate an increase in the working duration, with approximately 56.2 and 7.1 min additional for road driving and rotavator work when using Li-S batteries, respectively. Furthermore, the battery weight required to achieve the targeted working duration is calculated, accounting for variations in power demand across different agricultural works. Finally, a method for predicting the optimal battery weight for electric tractors based on the specific power needs and targeted working duration for various agricultural activities is proposed. Keywords: Battery weight, Electric tractor, Topology optimization, Weight reduction, Working duration prediction.
Toponymy in Brazilian Sign language.
Authors: Carneiro Bruno Gonçalves , De Miranda Roselba Gomes , Andrade Karylleila dos Santos , De Sousa Alexandre Melo
Published: May 2024

This article presents the results of a research on toponyms of cities in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). Signs were collected from observation and interviews with deaf people. The state of Tocantins consists of 139 municipalities and, so far, we have surveyed 61 toponyms. Signs were categorized into (1) native, (2) initialized and (3) fingerspelled (exclusive categories). Regarding motivation, toponyms categorized as iconic motivation, covering (1) material and (2) cultural and Portuguese language motivation, covering (3) calque and (4) writing. The spelling motivation is the most prevalent in the toponyms of the cities of Tocantins, also combining with other types of motivation, such as (5) material and spelling, (6) cultural and writing, and (7) calque and spelling. We bring further considerations on these categories and suggest forearm as a productive point of articulation for toponymic signs in the context of Tocantins.
#itsneverobliqua
Authors: Meiler Matthias
Published: May 2024

Today, knowledge communication is no longer conceivable without multimodality, if it has ever been truly monomodal. Nevertheless, research on multimodal knowledge communication has not yet progressed very far. This article therefore attempts a methodological inventory and reflection on the appropriate means of investigating this phenomenon. In a media-cultural-historical perspective on knowledge mediation processes, the article explores what their determining conditions are and how they can be made methodologically explorable in their interconnectedness. The centuries-old practice of botanizing (i. e., the identification of plant species) will be examined as a subject matter of knowledge communication, both in its historical development and in a recent example.
PORTA CURTAS DO PROJETO CACIMBA DE HISTÓRIAS
Authors: Mariana Stephanie Lobo Braz  , Luciene Souza Santos
Published: May 2024

O presente resumo tem o objetivo de dialogar os resultados de uma pesquisa de iniciação científica, articulada ao projeto de pesquisa Cacimba de Histórias: vidas e saberes dos contadores de histórias tradicionais de cidades do interior da Bahia, cujoobjetivo central é a investigação das histórias de vida e do repertório de narradores de histórias orais do interior da Bahia.
MODELAGEM E OTIMIZAÇÃO DO PROCESSO FERMENTATIVO PARA A PRODUÇÃO DE CACHAÇA A PARTIR DE CANA CAIANA (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM)
Authors: Eric de Jesus Miranda  , Jose Ailton Conceicao Bispo
Published: May 2024

A cana caiana é uma variedade da cana-de açúcar muito utilizada no mundo, sendo o Brasil o maior produtor global da fruta (Nachiluk, 2021). Essa fruta possui alta concentração de açucares, de maneira que existem leveduras naturalmente presente nela, que podem ser isoladas para a sua utilização em processos fermentativos (Prashant, Arti, Isha, 2010). Nos últimos anos, tem-se desenvolvido pesquisas acerca da utilização dessas leveduras denominadas “selvagens”, para a produção de bebidas fermentadas (Varela, 2016).
Putting Virtual Reality to Disability Activism
Authors: Bookman Mark , Mondelli Frank , Yokoyama Setsuko
Published: May 2024

Japan currently enjoys a “VR boom”, a proliferation of commercial virtual reality (VR) programs. As it pertains to disability studies, however, we observe troubling ableist and assimilatory tendencies such as a VR tool for implicit bias training for medical practitioners that promises “simulated experiences” of disabled people, or a VR vocational coaching tool designed to teach disabled people social scripts in professional settings. This article cautions against such stifling and one-dimensional approaches to disability and instead offers more expansive and transformative VR usage based on the creative and pedagogical practices the authors engage with: 1) a VR co-creation approach which revolves around disabled content creators and developers who forge disability-centered community spaces, and 2) a VR intersectional education approach which invites students – regardless of their disability status – to identify their interrelated struggles in an ableist, cisheteronormative, and patriarchal society, realizing their political responsibility for nurturing inclusivity with disabled community members.
Between Global North and South
Authors: Ito Kasumi
Published: May 2024

This study explores the social movements of people with psychosocial disabilities in East Asia. Comparisons are drawn between the East Asian movements and those in other parts of the world – namely, the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (movement from the Global North), and Transforming Communities for Inclusion Global (movement from the Global South). Contextual factors that shape the character of the East Asian movements are considered. It is argued that whilst the East Asian movements share certain characteristics with movements from the Global North and South, they cannot be categorized according to this dualism. The analysis reveals some of the limitations of the Global North/South dualism and suggestions are made for progressing beyond this dualism in order to identify certain commonalities between psychosocial movements, globally.