bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship of Anti-Money Laundering Index with GDP, financial market development, and Human Development Index
Authors: Šikman Mile , Grujić Miloš
Published: July 2021

Money laundering has a direct impact, among other things, on the economic development of a country. The aim of this research is to determine the correlation between money laundering and economic development expressed through GDP, as well as between financial market development (FDI) and the Human Development Index (HDI). The results of the research show that there was a significant relationship between the observed variables, i.e. that there is a relation of the Anti-Money Laundering Index (AMLI) on GDP, financial market development and the HDI. Namely, given that medium-strong links between the observed variables have been established, it can be claimed that there is reason to believe that "copying the behaviour" of a certain country in the fight against money laundering can further develop the financial market, influence human development or an increase in GDP per capita. In particular, a decrease in the AMLI was expected to increase the FDI (R2 = 0.2601). A decrease in the AMLI was expected to increase the HDI (R2 = 0.5747). In that way, financial institutions are directly affected, which negatively relates to economic and political stability.
A contribution to the study of Rodolphe Archibald Reiss's activities in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (1919-1929)
Authors: Milošević Srđan
Published: July 2021

In this paper two hitherto unknown letters related to the activity of Dr Archibald Reiss in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (1919-1929) are presented and commented on. While Reiss's activities during WWI (1914-1918) are well documented and thoroughly researched, the knowledge about his engagement in the first post-war decade remains fairly scarce, due to the lack of sources. However, the available sources generally confirm that there was insurmountable tension in the relations between R. A. Reiss and the authorities of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, almost from the very beginning of his "second term" in the service of the Belgrade government. The two Reiss's letters addressed to the Regent and King Aleksandar, published in this paper (one of which was hitherto unknown), clearly reveal the peculiar relationship between them. Another letter, rather a short diplomatic report, sheds some new light on the conditions of Reiss's return to the service of the government in Belgrade in 1919. The research clearly shows that Reiss occupied the position of the head of the Technical Service at the Department for Public Safety and also points out at his official reporting missions to Macedonia, on the request of the Minister of the Interior, in 1921 and 1922.
Effect of grip size and grip strength on pistol marksmanship in police officers: A pilot study
Authors: Orr Robin , Rofe Anthony , Hinton Ben , Dawes Jay , Greco Gianpiero , Lockie Robert
Published: July 2021

Police officers may be required to use their firearms in self-defence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between hand grip size and strength with pistol shooting accuracy in police officers. Twelve (age = 38.08 ± 6.24 years; height = 174.42 ± 7.33 cm) police officers had their hand sizes (palm width and hand span) and hand grip strength measured. Handgrip dynamometer was set at a Glock 17 pistol's grip width (50 mm). The officers fired 10 rounds from their service pistols at a stationary target. Independent samples t-tests were performed to identify differences between the sexes. Correlations were used to investigate relationships between measures of hand size, strength, and marksmanship. Alpha levels were set at p < 0.05. Male officers were significantly stronger (p = 0.01) and had a bigger hand width (p = 0.03), but not hand span. There were no significant differences in marksmanship between the sexes. Neither hand size nor grip strength had a significant impact on marksmanship even though there were strong and significant relationships between hand size (span and MCP) and grip strength. A V-shaped curve appears to exist between grip strength and marksmanship and hand span and marksmanship, with a potential influencing factor being the standard sizing of the pistol grip.
State capture: Case of South Africa
Authors: Bester Deretha , Dobovšek Bojan
Published: July 2021

"Grand corruption" and "state capture" are two intertwined concepts of corruption that have become systemic and institutionalized in many transitional countries around the world. "State capture" can simply be defined as "the payment of bribes at high levels of government in order to extract or plunder significant amounts of money from the state". The following paper will argue that when state capture occurs in transitional countries, it runs the risk of becoming socially embedded and institutionalized, which in turn makes it difficult to maintain the principles of democracy and threatens the overall stability of a country in transition. South Africa makes for a useful case study because it clearly represents how corruption in the form of state capture has infiltrated the political landscape of a country in transition, thereby rendering all state institutions redundant and threatening the principles of democracy. The paper will research what the dangers of state capture means for the countries in transition with the aim of proposing recommendations of minimizing state capture in order to reduce the negative consequences for security, peace and democracy. One corruption scandal that occurred in South Africa will be described which became known as "state capture". The paper was prepared based on the analysis of documents, academic and media articles that focus on state capture and the corruption in transitional countries. The paper will conclude that governmental corruption has become socially embedded in the "logics" of negotiation and interaction, thereby indicating that it has become institutionalized and culturally embedded within South Africa.
The role of local governance in the process of brownfield regeneration: European planning practice
Authors: Perić Ana
Published: July 2021

Because a large number of participants with various interests in the process of brownfield regeneration increase the complexity of the process itself, it is interesting to observe the nature of their collaboration. The focus of this paper is on the role of the local authorities as one of the key stakeholders responsible for the success of brownfield regeneration. Their position and the instruments they use in such a process can be elucidated by observing the organisation of the planning process, the negotiation and decision-making procedures, and the means of conflict resolution. Two European case studies on brownfield regeneration form the empirical research scope of this paper: A former cable and wire factory in Vienna and a former Roma settlement in Budapest. The paper provides an insight into possibilities for a redefinition of planning culture through innovative and proactive planning approaches to brownfield regeneration.
"Glocal" governance capacity: Mining heritage of Sardinia
Authors: Beretić Nađa , Bibo Cecchini , Đukanović Zoran , Plaisant Alessandro
Published: July 2021

The paper explores government capacities of Sardinian mining heritage (dating back 8 thousand years of mining culture, crashed as an industrial engine in '60s and proclaimed as heritage of great importance by UNESCO in 1997.). Nowadays, characterized by depopulation, lack of management and managing, astonishing sites are conceived, semi-perceived and pseudo-lived. The research has an orientation, character and strategy, pragmatic orientated with qualitative character; oriented to determine what and how should be done in relation to what is wanted to be done. It is a multidisciplinary approach, which implies that research always takes place in a specific social, historical, economic and political context. Questioning trends and urban potentials of Sardinian territories, with a contemporary European strategy, the research discusses on shared cultural experience as long term sustainability, lies down and raises at the level of the local community. The main paper issue is examining "Glocal" - local and global intergovernance capacity by using "Axes of partnership" (local - Parco Geominerario Storico e Ambientale - European and Global Geoparks Network - UNESCO) as the first component of creative partnering, which leads to integration of local communities into participative, cultural, redevelopment process in the context of Sardinian mining heritage as system design sustainability.
Local development strategies without strategic thinking: Lost in between politicians' games, administrations' rigidity and planner's depression
Authors: Milovanović-Rodić Danijela
Published: July 2021

A large number of different strategies at the central, regional and local level have been done in the last decade in Serbia. Studies on their quality show that quite a number of strategic documents meet the standards in their form, but in terms of the content, they do not have a clear strategy and strategic projects, they overlap and are poorly intercoordinated. The paper identifies and discusses the stages and steps in the strategic planning process, that are crucial for formulating long-term sustainable development solutions for a specific territory and the improvement of its citizens' lives. Its main thesis is that the local strategies lack strategic thinking, i. e. that the solutions are not based on its products. Attitudes about the causes of the lack of the strategic in the strategies are illustrated with a specific example: the planning process and the content of the Development strategy of the City of Pančevo.
Cytomegalovirus reactivation in patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kessler Jovana , Ivanović Katarina , Stanisavljević Dejana , Todorović-Balint Milena
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Opportunistic CMV reactivation is the most common viral complication after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Aim: The aim of our study is to evaluate the frequency of CMV reactivation in relation to the serostatus od the donor and the recipient, and the correlation with the day of leukocyte (Le) and thrombocyte (Tr) engraftment. We compared the frequency of CMV reactivation in myeloablative conditioning (MAC) versus reduced intensity conditioning (RIC), as well as in match related donor (MRD) versus match unrelated donor (MUD) allo-HSCT. We analyzed whether CMV reactivation affected the overall survival (OS) after allo-HSCT. Materials and methods: In a retrospective cohort study, we inspected 42 patients over the age of 18 years, who were treated at the Clinic for Hematology of the Clinical Center of Serbia, from December 2017 to November 2019. Results: Most CMV reactivations were noticed if the recipient (R) was seropositive, and the donor (D) was seronegative (R+/D= 60.0%). The number of CMV DNA copies corelated with the day of leukocyte engraftment of (p = 0.031), but not of thrombocyte engraftment (p = 0.598). The frequency of reactivation in patients treated with RIC was 25.0%, and it was 63.5%, if they were treated with MAC. The intensity of the conditioning regimen corelated with the number of CMV DNA copies (p = 0.025%). There was no correlation found between the type of transplantation (MRD or MUD) and CMV reactivation (p = 0.515). OS after allo-HSCT was 36.39 months (95% CI 26,0 - 46,78). The mean OS in patients with CMV reactivation was 7.39 months (95% CI 5,72 - 9,06), but we did not prove that CMV reactivation had an impact on OS (p = 0.527). Conclusion: CMV reactivation was most common in the R+/Dgroup. CMV reactivation did not affect OS after allo-HSCT in our group of patients.
Differences in demographic characteristics, risky behavior and HIV status of men and women who were voluntarily and confidentially counseled and tested at the Counseling Center for HIV/AIDS of the Institute of Public Health in Belgrade
Authors: Stijović Vesna , Piperac Pavle , Begović Biljana , Grujičić Sandra
Published: July 2021

Introduction/Aim: Voluntary and confidential counseling and testing (VCCT) means getting information about HIV, ways of transmission, recognizing, reducing or avoiding risks for HIV infection, about safe sexual relations, the place where people can be tested, and what they should do depending on the test results in order to protect themselves and other people. The aim of this study was to examine differences in demographic characteristics, risky behavior and HIV status between men and women who were voluntarily and confidentially counseled and tested at the Counseling Center for HIV/AIDS of the Institute of Public Health in Belgrade. Methods: This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study and it included 3,480 persons (43.2% of women and 56.8% of men), who were counseled and tested at the Counseling Center for HIV/AIDS of the Institute of Public Health in Belgrade from 2017 to 2019. ch2 or Fisher's test was used for the statistical analysis of data. Results: The majority of women (42.1%) and men (42.5%) who were counseled and tested were in the age group 21-30 years. Men used DPST services significantly more often than women. HIV positive status was significantly more frequent in men (2.5%) than in women (0.3%). Women came significantly more often to voluntary counseling and testing due to the possible exposure to HIV infection by heterosexual contact (84.9%), accident (11.1%) and raping (1.0%), while men were counseled and tested due to heterosexual contact (59.3%), homosexual and bisexual contact (33.6%) and intravenous drug abuse (1.1%). Men used condoms always or often (40.1%) and had two or more partners (53.2%) more frequently during the last 12 months in comparison to women (24.2% and 20.6%). Conclusion: Voluntary and confidential counseling and testing is necessary in the fight against HIV infection, especially from the perspective of early discovering of people with this infection and education of HIV negative persons about risky sexual behavior and possible prevention measures.
Reflexiones, herramientas, competencias y respuestas para la Educación Internacional en tiempo Covid-19
Authors: Gómez Rojo María Amaya
Published: July 2021

La realidad que nos asola ha transformado nuestra vida en muchos aspectos. Todos los ámbitos profesionales buscan otros caminos para realizar lo que se venía haciendo hasta la fecha. En el caso de la educación internacional o incluso del ámbito educativo en general, se debe buscar soluciones y vías para poder continuar dotando al alumno de las competencias y habilidades para ser un ciudadano global, y para ello será fundamental contar con la resiliencia, la creatividad y el emprendimiento que en épocas pasadas ya se vieron como imprescindibles para salir de otras crisis. Siguiendo un enfoque interdisciplinar con una metodología cualitativa, y basándose en el método IMRyD, este artículo tiene como objetivo inspirar propuestas y sugerencias de diferente índole con el fin de ayudar a salir adelante, de forma creativa y global, al mundo educativo, que en definitiva, será también una mejora para el futuro de los países. En toda esta incertidumbre que nos rodea, surge una invitación a firmar un Pacto Global por la Educación  que recoge  diferentes puntos a trabajar por toda la comunidad internacional. Además, desde el principio de la pandemia, ha habido reacciones rápidas que contribuyen a dar respuestas eficaces continuando con la formación y preparación de futuros educadores manteniendo el espíritu europeo y/o dotando de esta adquisición de conocimiento añadido. O bien, realizando otros proyectos que impulsen al desarrollo de otras comunidades educativas más desfavorecidas, pero de las que también hay mucho que aprender, tomando conciencia de la retroalimentación que supone trabajar conectados en el mundo. En suma y como resultado y discusión finales, se pretende  concentrar las energías en encontrar soluciones, conexiones en el mundo globalizado, convirtiendo nuestra vulnerabilidad en fortaleza y sacando partido de ella, para tener un mundo más justo, mejor preparado y cumpliendo con la Agenda 2030 de la ONU.
Los Planes Educacionales del MERCOSUR y la recontextualización de sus políticas en Brasil.
Authors: Oliveira-Dri Wisllayne Ivellyze , Pulido-Montes Cristina
Published: July 2021

El MERCOSUR surge en la década de los 90 como parte de la estrategia económica de los países del sur de América Latina. Sus objetivos han oscilado entre agendas marcadas por los movimientos de integración de la región y los procesos de neoliberalización. La Educación forma parte de su agenda como un fator de integración regional que ha estado al servicio de sus objetivos mediante el Sector de Educación del MERCOSUR (SEM). Los Planes de Acción del SEM desde 1998 han marcado la agenda política educativa de los países de la región. En este escenario, Brasil ha gozado de un protagonismo relevante en la región debido a la emergencia de su economía y su extensión poblacional. No obstante,la transferencia de políticas del MERCOSUR a Brasil ha estado marcada por la recontextualización de estas políticas en un escenario particular definido por su contexto social, cultural, estructural, económico y político. El objetivo general de este estudio es analizar los Planes Acción del SEM y su recontextualización en las políticas educativas brasileñas. El estudio ha partido del análisis cualitativo de los Planes de Acción del SEM identificando que políticas han tenido una mayor relevancia en la región y como han viajado al contexto brasileño. Lo que destacará algunos puntos importantes en la región y en Brasil como son la acreditación de títulos, la movilidad estudiantil y los objetivos de integración mediante la educación.Se ha concluido que la acreditación en Brasil no ha sido un proceso sencillo debido a la propia idiosincrasia de la Educación Superior; la movilidad ha crecido entre los países del MERCOSUR, pero la mayoría ha continuado la línea del intercambio de estudiantes con países del hemisferio norte; y la integración regional ha sido impulsada por Brasil con especial énfasis mediante la creación de una universidad de integración regional.
PREREQUISITES FOR ACCOUNTING SUPPORT IN APPLYING DIFFERENTIATION STRATEGY
Authors: Gajić Predrag
Published: July 2021

The paper is based on the thesis that the company com- petitiveness should be built on the basis of accounting support to strategic choices. Competitiveness at the sin- gle company level is, for the most part, a consequence of management activities. More recently, modern man- agement concepts are available to them, which also re- quire adequate information support. Hence, the content of the defined topic was intended to present the possi- bilities of accounting information support in achieving and measuring competitiveness, as identified based on customer attitudes about the key factors for company’s market success. Achieving such an aim would contrib- ute to identifying the criteria of accounting information system success in achieving desired market position, but also in promotion, to a great extent neglected pos- sibilities of this part of information system, in domes- tic companies. Required adequacy of information sup- port is presented in the form of accounting instruments which can help in setting and implementing differentia- tion strategy.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC CHALLENGES TO MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA: STRATEGIC OPTIONS FOR SURVIVAL
Authors: Adeniyi Akingbade Waidi
Published: July 2021

COVID-19 Pandemic posed a great threat and challenges to the business world, especially the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Many of these enterprises suffered a great downturn in business activities and reduction in profit volume. Many of them were forced to close down while others survived on the margin. The government and other stakeholders in the MSMEs have provided solutions to their problems but most of them have not really yielded the desired result. This paper investigates the challenges that MSMEs in Lagos State encountered as well as the strategic options for their survival during the Covid-19 Pandemic era. A survey research design was adopted and primary data were collected with the help of questionnaire. The population of study was 3,224,324 registered MSMEs in Lagos State, while the sample size of 400 was determined with Yamane (1967) formulae. A simple random sampling technique has been employed to administer 400 copies of questionnaire out of which 297 were properly filled and returned. The findings from the regression analysis and the descriptive statistics revealed that there is no significant effect of MSMEs Covid-19 challenges (such as: decline in productivity, business closure, supply chain breakdown, low customer demand, reduction in profit volume, self-isolation, reduced opportunities to meet new clients) on business survival. Also, it was revealed that most of the respondents adopted cutting expenses as a strategic option for the survival of their businesses. However, the study concluded that Covid-19 Pandemic is a major threat to MSMEs survival and growth. It was recommended that MSMEs should embark on cutting expenses in order to survive Covid-19 and further, they should embrace crisis management response, finance and liquidity, operation and supply chain, determine and activate the business continuity plan, monitor the implementation to enhance their survival and readjust their response approach towards environmental changes.
Investigation of hydrogen bond vibrations of ice
Authors: Qin Xiao-Ling , Zhu Xu-Liang , Cao Jing-Wen , Wang Hao-Cheng , Zhang Peng ,   School of Space Science and Physics, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, China
Published: July 2021

Despite its simple molecular structure, water is still a mystery to scientists. For the atomic and molecular vibrational modes of ice, as is well known, there are two kinds of vibrations: intra-molecular O—H stretching vibration and H—O—H bending vibration within the molecules and three kinds of molecular spatial rotations. However, thirty years ago, a high flux inelastic neutron scattering experiment showed that there are two distinct characteristic peaks in the far-infrared molecular translational vibration region of many ice phases. The origins of these peaks have not been determined till now. In this work, based on the CASTEP code, a first-principles density functional theory plane wave programme, the vibrational spectra as well as the vibrational normal modes of a series of ice phases are investigated. Two kinds of intrinsic hydrogen bond vibrational modes are first found in hydrogen-ordered ice Ic. Then it is found to be a general rule among ice family. Based on the ideal model, we prove that the two vibrational modes can be classified as four-bond vibration and two-bond vibration. There are many coupling modes in-between due to tetrahedral structure deformation under high pressure. Besides, there are also some optical vibrational modes with lower energy in the translational region, such as cluster vibrations and inter-plane vibrations. In Ice VII/VIII and XV/VI, each of which consists of two sublattices, there exist non-hydrogen bond vibrations. These molecular translational vibrations can explain all the far-infrared vibrational spectrum of ice phase, which makes up the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle for the molecular vibration theory of ice. The two vibrational modes do not exist in liquid water due to the collapse of the rigid tetrahedral structure. Thus, a window remains for ice resonance absorption with minimum energy loss in water. This theory is expected to be applicable to industrial deicing, food thawing, gas hydrate mining, and biomolecule frozen molding, etc.
Developing a dementia inclusive hospital environment using an Integrated Care Pathway design: research protocol
Authors: Riquelme-Galindo Jorge , Lillo-Crespo Manuel
Published: July 2021

People with dementia occupy 25% of the hospital beds. When they are admitted to hospitals their cognitive impairment is not considered in most of the cases. Some European and North American countries already have experience of implementing national plans about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. However South European countries such as Spain are in the early stages. The aim of this study is to design an Integrated Care Pathway to adapt the hospital environment and processes to the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers, generating a sense of confidence, increasing their satisfaction and protecting them from potential harmful situations. This study uses King’s Fund Dementia Tool to assess the hospital environment and develop a continous improvement process. People with dementia, families, caregivers and healthcare staff will evaluate the different settings in order to provide guidance based on patient needs. Person-centred care, prudent healthcare and compassionate care are the conceptual framework of this care pathway. The implementation and evaluation of this research protocol will provide information about how to successfully design dementia interventions in a hospital environment within available resources in those contexts where dementia plans are in its infancy, as only around 15% of all states worldwide have currently designed a concise dementia national plan.
Influence of the dental topical application of a nisin-biogel in the oral microbiome of dogs: a pilot study
Authors: Cunha Eva , Valente Sara , Nascimento Mariana , Pereira Marcelo , Tavares Luís , Dias Ricardo , Oliveira Manuela
Published: July 2021

Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most widespread inflammatory diseases in dogs. This disease is initiated by a polymicrobial biofilm in the teeth surface (dental plaque), leading to a local inflammatory response, with gingivitis and/or several degrees of periodontitis. For instance, the prevention of bacterial dental plaque formation and its removal are essential steps in PD control. Recent research revealed that the antimicrobial peptide nisin incorporated in the delivery system guar gum (biogel) can inhibit and eradicate bacteria from canine dental plaque, being a promising compound for prevention of PD onset in dogs. However, no information is available regarding its effect on the dog’s oral microbiome. In this pilot study, the influence of the nisin-biogel on the diversity of canine oral microbiome was evaluated using next generation sequencing (NGS), aiming to access the viability of nisin-biogel to be used in long-term experiment in dogs. Composite toothbrushing samples of the supragingival plaque from two dogs were collected at three timepoints: T1—before any application of the nisin-biogel to the animals’ teeth surface; T2—one hour after one application of the nisin-biogel; and T3—one hour after a total of three applications of the nisin-biogel, each 48 hours. After that, microbial profiling was performed by NGS of the V3V4 16s rRNA region. After only one application of the nisin-biogel to the oral cavity of dogs, a statistically significant reduction in microbial diversity was observed (T2) as well as a reduction of some bacterial species potentially related with distinct stages of PD, when compared with samples collected before any application (T1). However, after a total of three nisin-biogel applications (T3), a recovery of the microbial diversity was detected. In conclusion, the nisin-biogel may influence the canine oral microbiome. A reduction in some bacterial species potentially related with distinct stages of PD was observed. This pilot study will help to design a controlled in vivo clinical trial to evaluate nisin-biogel effect on dental plaque progression and canine periodontal indices evolution in a long-term application period.
Ecological stoichiometric characteristics and influencing factors of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the leaves of Sophora alopecuroides L. in the Yili River Valley, Xinjiang
Authors: Zhang Yulu , Cui Dong , Yang Yuhai , Liu Haijun , Yang Haijun , Zhao Yang
Published: July 2021

Background

Sophora alopecuroides L. (S. alopecuroides L.) is a perennial herb widely distributed throughout Xinjiang, China. It is characterized by its rapid diffusion ability.

Methods

To reveal the ecological mechanism of the rapid spread of S. alopecuroides, and to elucidate the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of C, N, and P (and the influencing factors) in the leaves of S. alopecuroides, leaves were sampled from four habitats—forest, roadside, farmland, and desert—across the Yili River Valley. The variation rules of the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of C, N, and P in the leaves of S. alopecuroides were analyzed. Correlations between the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of leaves and environmental factors were examined using redundancy analysis (RDA).

Results

(1) The C, N, and P contents of S. alopecuroides leaves were 391.30–533.10 g/kg, 8.90–43.14 g/kg, and 0.71–2.04 g/kg, respectively, and the C/N, C/P, and N/P ratios were 10.34–4.94, 209.05–698.73, and 10.78–31.43 respectively. (2) The C content and C/P ratio of S. alopecuroides leaves were the highest in the desert habitat, leaf N content and N/P ratio were the highest in the forest habitat, leaf P content was the highest in the farmland habitat, and the leaf C/N ratio was the highest in the roadside habitat. (3) RDA showed that available potassium (AK) and pH were the main factors affecting the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of S. alopecuroides leaves in Yili Valley (p ≤ 0.05), and these factors were positively correlated with C, N, P, and N/P, and negatively correlated with C/P and C/N. AK was the dominant factor that affected the P content of S. alopecuroides leaves, and appropriate reduction of K fertilizer would be conducive to restraining the spread of S. alopecuroides. Soil C, N, P, and K content, soil organic matter (OM), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), and AK had no significant effect on the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of leaves (p > 0.05).
Test-retest reliability of a functional electromechanical dynamometer on swing eccentric hamstring exercise measures in soccer players
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Antonio Jesús , Chirosa-Ríos Luis Javier , Chirosa-Ríos Ignacio Jesús , García-Vega Agustín José , Jerez-Mayorga Daniel
Published: July 2021

Background

The use of a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD) has been proposed as a valid and effective tool to evaluate specific movement patterns. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of FEMD on swing eccentric hamstring exercise (SEHE) measures in soccer players.

Methods

Nineteen federated male soccer players (20.74 ± 4.04 years) performed the SEHE at three different isokinetic velocities (20–40–60 cm/s). These evaluations were conducted in four sessions, two for familiarization and two for registration. The average and maximum load (N) of the three isokinetic velocities was calculated from the values obtained from the FEMD (Dynasystem®, Bangalore).

Results

The main results of this research showed that the reliability was high for the average load in the condition of 40 cm/s, presenting the highest ICC value (0.94). For maximum load, reliability was high in the condition of 20 cm/s. The manifestation of the most reliable load was the maximum load (ICC = 0.91–0.87).

Conclusions

FEMD (Dynasystem®, Bangalore) is a reliable device to evaluate the eccentric strength of the hamstring muscles in soccer players.
Conversion of alpine pastureland to artificial grassland altered CO2 and N2O emissions by decreasing C and N in different soil aggregates
Authors: Zhang Mei , Li Dianpeng , Wang Xuyang , Abulaiz Maidinuer , Yu Pujia , Li Jun , Zhu Xinping , Jia Hongtao
Published: July 2021

Background

The impacts of land use on greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions have been extensively studied. However, the underlying mechanisms on how soil aggregate structure, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N (TN) distributions in different soil aggregate sizes influencing carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from alpine grassland ecosystems remain largely unexplored.

Methods

A microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of land use change on CO2and N2O emissions from different soil aggregate fractions. Soil samples were collected from three land use types, i.e., non-grazing natural grassland (CK), grazing grassland (GG), and artificial grassland (GC) in the Bayinbuluk alpine pastureland. Soil aggregate fractionation was performed using a wet-sieving method. The variations of soil aggregate structure, SOC, and TN in different soil aggregates were measured. The fluxes of CO2 and N2O were measured by a gas chromatograph.

Results

Compared to CK and GG, GC treatment significantly decreased SOC (by 24.9–45.2%) and TN (by 20.6–41.6%) across all soil aggregate sizes, and altered their distributions among soil aggregate fractions. The cumulative emissions of CO2 and N2O in soil aggregate fractions in the treatments of CK and GG were 39.5–76.1% and 92.7–96.7% higher than in the GC treatment, respectively. Moreover, cumulative CO2emissions from different soil aggregate sizes in the treatments of CK and GG followed the order of small macroaggregates (2–0.25 mm) > large macroaggregates (> 2 mm) > micro aggregates (0.25–0.053 mm) > clay +silt (< 0.053 mm), whereas it decreased with aggregate sizes decreasing in the GC treatment. Additionally, soil CO2 emissions were positively correlated with SOC and TN contents. The highest cumulative N2O emission occurred in micro aggregates under the treatments of CK and GG, and N2O emissions among different aggregate sizes almost no significant difference under the GC treatment.

Conclusions

Conversion of natural grassland to artificial grassland changed the pattern of CO2 emissions from different soil aggregate fractions by deteriorating soil aggregate structure and altering soil SOC and TN distributions. Our findings will be helpful to develop a pragmatic management strategy for mitigating GHGs emissions from alpine grassland.
Calcium Hydroxide-based Therapeutic Pads as the Main Material in the Treatment of Deep Caries
Authors: Tsagaraeva Tamara Georgievna , Slanova Madina Kazbekovna , Aldatova Tamiris Aslanovna , Kurueva Amina Ahmedova , Semkina Evgeniya Nikolaevna , Margaryan Edita Garnikovna , Tamoeva Kristina Timurovna , Zenin Konstantin Anatolevich , Povetkin Sergey Nikolaevich
Published: July 2021

The article is devoted to increasing the efficiency of treatment of deep caries, which is an urgent problem of modern dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the treatment of deep caries using the KERR "Life" calcium hydroxide treatment liner, which is a radiopaque, durable material based on calcium hydroxide and salicylate ester, recommended for direct or indirect pulp capping and as a cementitious base for all restorative filling materials. The study involved 26 patients. The studies carried out have confirmed the efficiency of the treatment of deep caries with the Life pad and confirmed the possibility of its widespread use in practice.
Diet during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Singh Aayushmann
Published: July 2021

A group of respiratory cases brought about by a formerly obscure infection were noted in December. This infection is currently notable as the extreme intense respiratory condition Covid 2 (SARS-CoV-2), bringing about the improvement of the Covid illness 2019 (COVID-19). The sickness has spread worldwide and has been grouped by the World Health medical organization as a worldwide pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 appearance may be asymptomatic or moderate to serious with hacking, fever, and windedness. In more serious cases, inconveniences can incorporate intense respiratory misery condition, intense heart entanglements, numerous organ brokenness disorder, septic stun, and passing. These entanglements are accepted to be identified with what has been portrayed as the chemical mediators storm, in which the virus triggers an anomalous solid arrival of chemical mediators and other invulnerable related boosts, bringing about more -irritation.
Relationship between Transversus Abdominis Strength and Lumbar Lordosis in Young Adults
Authors: Patel Niketa , Patil Deepali Dinesh , Parmar Lata
Published: July 2021

Background: The researchers and clinicians are emphasizing on function of Transverse Abdominis (TrA) which is a deepest abdominal muscles because there is an evidence that TrA is recruited independently of the other abdominal muscles in many different tasks and plays an important role in lumbar stability.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between TrA muscle strength and lumbar lordosis in young adults.

Methods: Total 394 subjects were recruited from the constituent institutions of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth with the age range 18-35years. All the subjects, Lumbar lordosis angle and their TrA strength were measured with the Flexicurve and Pressure Biofeedback Unit respectively. Lumbar lordosis angle was calculated using established formula. Average of 03 trials was considered for TrA strength.

Results: Pearson correlation coefficient was -0.18 on correlating Lumbar lordosis angle with TrA strength, -0.09 for age with TrA strength and 0.11 for age with lumbar lordosis angle.

Conclusion: This study concludes that there is negative relationship between lumbar lordosis and TrA i.e. as the lumbar lordosis angle increases, the strength of TrA muscle decreases.
Does Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Powder Extract Contain Fluoride?
Authors: Iyer Ramya R. , Seth Avinash Kumar , Parmar Ghanshyam
Published: July 2021

Background: Green tea being a rich source of fluoride, may provide anti-caries benefits when incorporated in toothpaste formulation.

Aim: To estimate the concentration of fluoride in dry green tea extract.

Methods: Prior to the estimation of fluoride in the sample, the dry green tea extract powder was tested for its physical characteristics, analytical characteristics, active ingredients and contaminants. Microbial assay was done for quantifying E. Coli, yeast and Salmonella. Fluoride estimation was done by IS 3025 P 60 method.

Results: Fluoride was not detected in the dry powder extract of green tea dry extract powder.

Conclusion: Green tea powder extract incorporated in herbal toothpastes cannot be read as a natural substitute of fluoride in toothpaste.
Early Recovery after Caeserean Section What is Possible in Our Setup to Travel the Less Trodden Path: A Review
Authors: Deshmukh Pratibha , Deshmukh Priyanka , Sable Parag , Chakole Vivek
Published: July 2021

Enhanced recovery after surgery is a concept put forward by Henrik Kehlet in 1997 for colorectal surgery & presented a protocol. Since then, it is adopted for various surgical procedures in many developed countries. Obstetricians & obstetric anaesthesiologists are also following the same line. In 2020 Society for obstetric anaesthesia & perinatology (SOAP) USA published a consensus statement on “early recovery after caesarean section”, presenting the pathways. Is it possible to adopt it fully in our country? Do we need to modify here & there? We are trying to find out the answers.
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Brick Kiln Workers: A Review
Authors: Niketa Patel , Kumar Soni Arati Paresh , Kumar G. P.
Published: July 2021

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have become very common condition. Brick kiln workers are a profession which is not spare from MSDs. The workers in such industries have no knowledge of ergonomics and health problems which add on to the existing MSDs. The aim of this study is to present a summary review of the current state of knowledge about musculoskeletal disorders in brick kiln workers.

Methodology: The literatures were searched using various search engines and databases. Search engines were used are Google Scholar, Pub Med, Science Direct and Databases are COCHRANE, CINHAL, MEDLINE, PEDRO etc. The Source of the data has been electronic sources (Databases, Electronic libraries, Electronic Journals, Google Scholar) and print sources (Journals, Textbooks, Hand searching, Follow-up reference).

Result: Articles were tabulated revealing their title, author, year, study design. A total of 150 papers and reports were identified from the database search. These papers underwent title and abstract screening. 57 had full text screening, of which 13 articles did not include information on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in brick kiln workers and were therefore excluded. So, total 44 articles were included for the review.

Conclusion: Brick making is a multitask activities where specific workers are involved in specific processes. Not to forget that all the brick making manufacturing processes requires time and is a heavy manual work load with repetitive movements in awkward posture due to which MSDs are but obvious to occur. Also, the workers in such industries are uneducated with almost no knowledge of ergonomics and health problems which add on to the existing MSDs.
A Detailed Study on Matrix Sequence of Generalized Narayana Numbers
Authors: Soykan Y ¨uksel , Koc Canan
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we introduce and investigate the generalized Narayana matrix sequence and we deal with, in detail, three special cases of this sequence which we call them Narayana, Narayana-Lucas and Narayana-Perrin matrix sequences. We present Binet’s formulas, generating functions, and the summation formulas for these sequences. We present the proofs to indicate how these sum formulas, in general, were discovered. Of course, all the listed sum formulas may be proved by induction, but that method of proof gives no clue about their discovery. Moreover, we give some identities and matrices related with these sequences. Furthermore, we show that there always exist interrelation between generalized Narayana, Narayana, Narayana-Lucas and Narayana-Perrin matrix sequences.
Formulation and Evaluation of Transferosomes Loaded with an Anti-Hyperlipidemic Drug
Authors: Pravalika R. , Bindu E. Hima , Iswariya V. T. , Battu Sowjanya
Published: July 2021

The primary goal of this research is to create transferosome formulations that contain an anti-hyperlipidemic medication. Simvastatin, the medication employed in the formulation, has a low bioavailability of 60% and undergoes substantial hepatic degradation. These are the deformable nano-vesicles which can deliver both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs through transdermal route to enhance the Bioavailability of drugs which undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism when given through oral route which can increase patient compliance. Transferosomes are prepared and characterized by various evaluation tests like  SEM analysis, vesicular size,  surface morphology. After all evaluations done,  Out of 12 formulations F2 formulation showed more entrapment efficiency. The reason for this is that there are more phospholipids present, and as the surfactant concentration rises, medication release becomes more rapid. Our main goal is to improve bioavailability, which can be accomplished by optimising the concentrations of phospholipid and surfactant in this drug delivery system, resulting in a controlled release of drug.
Changes in Admissions to Specialty Addiction Treatment Facilities in California During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mark Tami L. , Gibbons Brent , Barnosky Alan , Padwa Howard , Joshi Vandana
Published: July 2021

This cohort study examines changes in initiations of treatment in specialty addiction treatment facilities before vs during the COVID-19 pandemic in California.
Commissioning of a three‐dimensional arc‐based technique for total body irradiation
Authors: Aldrovandi León G. , Farías Rubén O. , Mauri María F. , Mairal María L.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to describe the commissioning of a novel three‐dimensional arc‐based technique for total body irradiation (TBI) treatments. The development and implementation of this technique allowed our institution to transition from a bilateral two‐dimensional (2D) technique to a methodology based on volumetric dose calculation. The methodology described in this work is a derivation from the MATBI technique, with the static fields being replaced by four contiguous arc‐fields for each anterior and posterior incidence. The reduced number of fields we employed makes it possible to reach a satisfactory dose uniformity through manual optimization in a straightforward process. We use the Eclipse anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) algorithm, commissioned with preconfigured beam data for a 6 MV photon beam, at standard SSD (100 cm). A thorough evaluation of the accuracy of the AAA algorithm at an extended distance (approximately 200 cm) was carried out. For the evaluation, we compared measured and calculated percentage depth–dose and profiles that included open‐field, penumbra, and out‐of‐field regions. The analysis was performed for both static and arc fields, taking into consideration unshielded fields and also in the presence of lung shielding blocks. End‐to‐end tests were carried out for our institutional template plan by two means: with a 2D ion chamber array detector in solid phantom and using Gafchromic films in an anthropomorphic phantom. The results obtained in this work demonstrate that the Eclipse AAA algorithm commissioned for standard treatments can be safely used with our TBI planning technique. Moreover, this technique proved to be a highly efficient path to replace conventional treatment techniques, providing a homogeneous dose distribution, dosimetric robustness, and shorter treatment times. In addition, as inherited from the MATBI technique, our methodology can be implemented in small treatment rooms, with no need for ancillary equipment.
Bioengineered Biomimetic and Bioinspired Noninvasive Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Rahamim Valeria , Azagury Aharon
Published: July 2021

The main purpose herein is to provide an up‐to‐date review on noninvasive biomimetic, bioinspired, and bioengineered drug delivery system (DDS). Noninvasive DDS is an ever‐growing field critical for the applicability of drugs. It offers noninvasive administration routes with improved controlled, targeted, and triggered drug delivery. Noninvasive DDS employ many approaches and strategies, such as, nano‐ and microparticles, lipid‐based systems, sonophoresis, electrophoresis and iontophoresis, penetration enhancers, microneedles, and gels. The last decade seen a surge in research papers employing the paradigms of biomimicry, bioinspiration, and bioengineering. However, since the use of these terms in noninvasive DDS field is often inconsistent and unclear, some generalized perspectives are provided on the possible usage of these terms in future publications. Additionally, a critical discussion on the novelty and origins of these paradigms is provided. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the noninvasive routes and their current main limitations are summarized. The main aspects of indicated fields are discussed: The unique physiology of the related tissues, the main hurdles for mass transport, the various DDS tested, and materials selection. Finally, the basic concepts and therapeutic effects of these DDS are discussed and future venues for noninvasive biomimetic, bioinspired, and bioengineered DDS research are proposed.
Dynamic Schottky Diode Direct‐Current Generator under Extremely Low Temperature
Authors: Zheng Haonan , Shen Runjiang , Zhong Huikai , Lu Yanghua , Yu Xutao , Lin Shisheng
Published: July 2021

In situ energy supply method has a high demand for the various distributed devices in the fast‐developing Internet of Things. Harvesting energy from the environment that converts mechanical energy into electricity has emerged as a promising candidate for in situ energy network. However, although hardly achieved, electricity is much more desired under low temperature environments, such as the north pole or on Mars. Here, it is reported that the dynamic Schottky diode can work well under a low temperature of 77 K, while the electricity output can be greatly increased compared with that at room temperature. The voltage and current output can be increased to 1.21 V and 11.38 µA compared to 0.76 V and 4.86 µA at room temperature, the higher carrier mobility at a lower temperature is responsible for this improvement. This research passes the way for power generation in some extreme cold areas, which can further promote the practical application of dynamic diode generators.