bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole genome structure and resistance genes in carbapenemase-producing multidrug resistant ST378 Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Kyung Su Min , Lee Jun Ho , Lee Eun-Seo , Hwang Cheol-Yong , Yoo Han Sang
Published: November 2023

Background

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) is one of the most dangerous multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens in human health due to its widespread circulation in the nosocomial environment. CPKP carried by companion dogs, which are close to human beings, should be considered a common threat to public health. However, CPKP dissemination through companion animals is still under consideration of major diagnosis and surveillance systems.

Methods

Two CPKP isolates which were genotyped to harbor blaNDM-5-encoding IncX3 plasmids, were subjected to the whole-genome study. Whole bacterial DNA was isolated, sequenced, and assembled with Oxford Nanopore long reads and corrected with short reads from the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. The whole-genome structure and positions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were identified and visualized using CGView. Worldwide datasets were downloaded from the NCBI GenBank database for whole-genome comparative analysis. The whole-genome phylogenetic analysis was constructed using the identified whole-chromosome SNP sites from K. pneumoniae HS11286.

Results

As a result of the whole-genome identification, 4 heterogenous plasmids and a single chromosome were identified, each carrying various AMR genes. Multiple novel structures were identified from the AMR genes, coupled with mobile gene elements (MGE). The comparative whole-genome epidemiology revealed that ST378 K. pneumoniae is a novel type of CPKP, carrying a higher prevalence of AMR genes.

Conclusions

The characterized whole-genome analysis of this study shows the emergence of a novel type of CPKP strain carrying various AMR genes with variated genomic structures. The presented data in this study show the necessity to develop additional surveillance programs and control measures for a novel type of CPKP strain.
Genomic signals of local adaptation in Picea crassifolia
Authors: Feng Shuo , Xi Erning , Wan Wei , Ru Dafu
Published: November 2023

Background

Global climate change poses a grave threat to biodiversity and underscores the importance of identifying the genes and corresponding environmental factors involved in the adaptation of tree species for the purposes of conservation and forestry. This holds particularly true for spruce species, given their pivotal role as key constituents of the montane, boreal, and sub-alpine forests in the Northern Hemisphere.

Results

Here, we used transcriptomes, species occurrence records, and environmental data to investigate the spatial genetic distribution of and the climate-associated genetic variation in Picea crassifolia. Our comprehensive analysis employing ADMIXTURE, principal component analysis (PCA) and phylogenetic methodologies showed that the species has a complex population structure with obvious differentiation among populations in different regions. Concurrently, our investigations into isolation by distance (IBD), isolation by environment (IBE), and niche differentiation among populations collectively suggests that local adaptations are driven by environmental heterogeneity. By integrating population genomics and environmental data using redundancy analysis (RDA), we identified a set of climate-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and showed that environmental isolation had a more significant impact than geographic isolation in promoting genetic differentiation. We also found that the candidate genes associated with altitude, temperature seasonality (Bio4) and precipitation in the wettest month (Bio13) may be useful for forest tree breeding.

Conclusions

Our findings deepen our understanding of how species respond to climate change and highlight the importance of integrating genomic and environmental data in untangling local adaptations.
Political instability and hiv/aids response in the south west and north west regions of Cameroon: a qualitative study
Authors: Mekolle Julius Enongene , Tshimwanga Katayi Edouard , Ongeh Niba Juste , Agbornkwai Agbor Nyenty , Amadeus Omeichu Agwenam , Esa Ismaela , Mekolle Keshia Ebude , Forbinake Ndung Ako , Nkfusai Claude Ngwayu , Atanga Pascal Nji
Published: November 2023

Background

Politically motivated violence and insecurity continue to be a major threat to progress in HIV epidemic control and a significant contributor to health inequality. Despite a decreasing HIV/AIDS disease burden, the Republic of Cameroon in West Africa is experiencing ongoing political instability in her North and South West Regions. Our study used qualitative methods to better understand key frontline health care providers’ (fHCP) perceptions of the effects of political instability on HIV/AIDS response gains in Cameroon since 2018, as well as lessons learned for overcoming them.

Methods

Between July and August 2022, semi-structured, in-depth key informant interviews involving 10 purposively selected participants were conducted in the two regions. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded thematically, and analyzed manually.

Results

Six overarching themes emerged from the transcribed key informant interviews. They were as follows: Challenge with access to and availability of health care services (HIV care, commodity supply chain) in the smaller communities; Impact on continuity of treatment; Increased risk of new HIV infections; The socioeconomic impact of the crisis on the quality of life; The impact of the crisis on fHCPs’ physical and mental health and the health system’; and Coping mechanisms.

Conclusions

Frontline healthcare workers have acknowledged the significant impact the current political instability has had in hindering the development and advancement of a successful local response to HIV/AIDS in the two impacted regions of Cameroon. Coordinated efforts must be made to strengthen the health sector in areas such as HIV healthcare decentralization, supply chain, and protecting frontline healthcare workers from political quagmires in order to lessen the impact of the nation’s socio-political crisis on the HIV/AIDS response and, more generally, on the entire health sector.
The predictive value of the change of the number of pixels under different CT value intervals in the CT-occult central lung squamous cell carcinoma and squamous epithelial precancerous lesions
Authors: Zhou Jiaming , Yu Bijun , Guo Peng , Wang Shi
Published: November 2023

Background

Due to the fact that the CT-occult central lung squamous cell carcinoma and squamous epithelial precancerous lesions.

(CT-occult CLSCC and SEPL) cannot be detected by lung CT screening, early and timely diagnosis of central lung cancer becomes very difficult, which directly affects the prognosis of patients.

Methods

We retrospectively review medical records of patients at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital and enrolled 41 patients with the CT-occult CLSCC and SEPL and 48 patients without the CT-occult CLSCC and SEPL. We compare the clinical characteristics, imaging features and Changes in the number of pixels under different CT value intervals of patients with and without the CT-occult CLSCC and SEPL and we perform univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore independent factors for the CT-occult CLSCC and SEPL in the patients.

Results

We demonstrate that pack-years ≥ 20 (OR: 3.848, 95% CI: 1.086 ~ 13.633), the number of pixels change of CT value in interval [-850 ~ -750HU] (OR: 5.302, 95% CI: 1.122 ~ 25.057) and in interval [-900 ~ -850HU] (OR: 3.478, 95% CI: 1.167 ~ 10.365) are independently associated with the CT-occult CLSCC and SEPL in the patients. Ultimately, the logistic model obtained is statistically significant (p < 0.05) and an area under the ROC curve is 0.776 (95% CI: 0.682–0.870). The sensitivity of this model is 90.2% and the specificity is 52.1%.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that in the CT value range [-950 ~ -750HU], when the total number of lung pixels tend to increase towards the region with high CT value, the probability of the occurrence of CT-occult CLSCC and SEPL lesions also increases. Meanwhile, these results have guiding significance for the further study of radiomic.
Is there a sexual difference in the relationship between sociodemographic information and the unmet dental care needs of disabled adults? An analysis from a national survey on persons with disabilities
Authors: Kim Na-Hyeon , Ryu Jae-In
Published: November 2023

Background

Health status and health care utilization in people with disabilities are more likely to be poorer than those without disabilities. Previous studies showed that there were gaps in health-related conditions by sociodemographic information and gender but the association between these factors was not explained. This study aims to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic information and the unmet dental care needs of people with disabilities and explore the effect of sex within this relationship.

Methods

The 2014 national survey on persons with disabilities was used, which separated unmet healthcare needs into medical and dental services. Unweighted samples included 6,824 people with disabilities in total and 6,555 (96.1% of the total, weighted as 6,583) people aged 20 years or older were selected as the study population. Frequency and chi-square tests were conducted to determine differences in the prevalence of unmet dental needs based on socioeconomic information, chronic diseases, and behavioral factors after applying weights. Logistic regressions were performed using an adjusted model with sociodemographic information, chronic diseases, and behavioral variables. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA).

Results

Analysis of the sociodemographic factors related to unmet dental care revealed that they were higher in women and the elderly. In the fully adjusted logistic model, most of the sociodemographic information was significantly associated with unmet dental needs. The lowest group was 4.18 times more likely to have unmet dental care needs than the richest group, and females and middle-school graduates were almost twice as likely to experience unmet dental care needs than males and university graduates. Considering the interaction effect of age on unmet dental needs depending on sex differences, the odds ratio decreased for females with every annual increase in both models. Compared with the younger group, the older group showed a lower risk of having unmet dental needs, especially in females.

Conclusions

The factor most closely related to the unmet dental care needs of disabled people was socioeconomic problems. Its influence also differed by sex and age. Therefore, economic support measures and sexual differences are needed for long-term policy consideration to reduce the unmet dental care needs of disabled people.
A preoperative nomogram predicting risk of lymph node metastasis for early-stage cervical cancer
Authors: Deng Yuan-Run , Chen Xiao-Jing , Xu Cai-Qiu , Wu Qiao-Zhi , Zhang Wan , Guo Sui-Qun , Li Li-Xian
Published: November 2023

Objective

This study aimed to develop a preoperative nomogram based on clinical and pathological characteristics to provide a more individualized and accurate estimation of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Methods

A total of 7,349 early-stage cervical cancer patients with pathologically confirmed between 1988 and 2015 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. All the patients were divided into training (n = 5,500) and validation (n = 1,849) cohorts randomly. A cohort of 455 patients from multicenter was used for the external validation. We established a multivariate logistic regression model based on preoperative clinicopathological data, from which a nomogram was developed and validated. A predicted probability of LNM < 5% was defined as low risk.

Results

From multivariate logistic regression analysis, age at diagnosis, histologic subtype, tumor grade, tumor size and FIGO stage were identified as preoperative independent risk factors of LNM. The nomogram incorporating these factors demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (concordance index = 0.723; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.707–0.738). In the validation cohort, the discrimination accuracy was 0.745 (95% CI, 0.720–0.770) and 0.747 (95% CI, 0.690–0.804), respectively. The nomogram was well calibrated with a high concordance probability. We also established an R-enabled Internet browser for LNM risk assessment, which tool may be convenient for physicians.

Conclusions

We developed an effective preoperative nomogram based on clinical and pathological characteristics to predict LNM for early-stage cervical cancer. This model could improve clinical trial design and help physicians to decide whether to perform lymphadenectomy or not.
Support for affirmative actions to increase inclusivity of intersex* persons at an Austrian medical university
Authors: Walser Judith , Hochleitner Margarethe , Komlenac Nikola
Published: November 2023

Background

Since the ruling handed down by the Austrian Constitutional Court in 2018 intersex variation has been recognized under Austrian law as a “third sex”. In order to ensure that people with intersex variation are not discriminated against based on their group membership affirmative actions (i.e., proactive practices to avert discrimination) can be implemented. The current study explored whether students and employees at an Austrian medical university know about intersex variation. Furthermore, the study investigated what affirmative actions are practiced at the medical university to be inclusive for intersex persons and students’ and employees’ support for such affirmative actions.

Methods

All students and employees of a medical university in Austria were invited by e-mail to participate at the current study that included a self-constructed knowledge test on intersex variation with ten true-false questions. On five-point Likert scales participants reported for each of twelve listed affirmative actions whether they had seen a certain affirmative action at their university and how important they thought the implementation of an affirmative action was. Finally, participants’ gender, age, sexual orientation, highest level of education, and nationality was assessed. A cluster analysis was performed to determine groups of people with different degrees of support for affirmative actions for intersex persons.

Results

220 students (62% cisgender women, 38% cisgender men) and 200 employees (72% cisgender women, 28% cisgender men) participated. Participants responded correctly to three out of ten knowledge test questions. The cluster analysis revealed that participants could be clustered as heterosexual cisgender women (Cluster 1; 55%), heterosexual cisgender men (Cluster 2; 30%), or sexual minority cisgender women and men (Cluster 3; 15%). Sexual minority persons knew more about intersex variation than did heterosexual participants. On average, affirmative actions for the inclusivity of intersex people have not been encountered (M = 1.5, SD = 0.4) at the studied university. Participants, especially those in Cluster 3, believed that the listed actions are moderately important.

Conclusions

At the medical university many actions should be taken to increase inclusivity for intersex people. Increasing the knowledge of university staff and students concerning intersex might help increase their support for such actions.
Explainable convolutional neural networks for assessing head and neck cancer histopathology
Authors: Dörrich Marion , Hecht Markus , Fietkau Rainer , Hartmann Arndt , Iro Heinrich , Gostian Antoniu-Oreste , Eckstein Markus , Kist Andreas M.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Although neural networks have shown remarkable performance in medical image analysis, their translation into clinical practice remains difficult due to their lack of interpretability. An emerging field that addresses this problem is Explainable AI.

Methods

Here, we aimed to investigate the ability of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to classify head and neck cancer histopathology. To this end, we manually annotated 101 histopathological slides of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We trained a CNN to classify tumor and non-tumor tissue, and another CNN to semantically segment four classes - tumor, non-tumor, non-specified tissue, and background. We applied Explainable AI techniques, namely Grad-CAM and HR-CAM, to both networks and explored important features that contributed to their decisions.

Results

The classification network achieved an accuracy of 89.9% on previously unseen data. Our segmentation network achieved a class-averaged Intersection over Union score of 0.690, and 0.782 for tumor tissue in particular. Explainable AI methods demonstrated that both networks rely on features agreeing with the pathologist’s expert opinion.

Conclusion

Our work suggests that CNNs can predict head and neck cancer with high accuracy. Especially if accompanied by visual explanations, CNNs seem promising for assisting pathologists in the assessment of cancer sections.
Domain definition and preliminary functional exploration of the endonuclease NOBP-1 in Strongyloides stercoralis
Authors: Zhou Huan , Yuan Wang , Lei Weiqiang , Zhou Taoxun , Qin Peixi , Zhang Biying , Hu Min
Published: November 2023

Background

Ribosome biogenesis is the process of assembling ribosome complexes that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation with potential regulatory effects on development. Many factors regulate ribosome biological processes. Nin one binding protein (Nob1) has received widespread attention as key genes regulating ribosome biogenesis—the 3ʹ end of the 20S rRNA is cleaved by Nob1 at cleavage site D to form 18S rRNA, generating translationally capable 40S subunit. As a ribosome biogenesis factor, Nob1 may regulate the development of organisms, but almost nothing is known about the function of Nob1 for any parasitic nematode. We explored the functional role of NOBP-1 (the homologous gene of Nob1) encoding gene from a parasitic nematode—Strongyloides stercoralis.

Methods

The full-length cDNA, gDNA and promoter region of Ss-nobp-1 was identified using protein BLAST in WormBase ParaSite according to the Caenorhabditis elegans NOBP-1 sequence to analyze the gene structure. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data in wormbase were retrieved and analyzed to assess the transcript abundance of Ss-nobp-1 in seven developmental stages of S. stercoralis. The standard method for gonadal microinjection of constructs was carried out to determine the anatomic expression patterns of Ss-nobp-1. The interaction between Ss-NOBP-1 and partner of NOBP-1 (Ss-PNO-1) was assessed by yeast two-hybridization and bimolecular fluorescence complementarity (BiFC) experiments.

Results

The NOBP-1 encoding gene Ss-nopb-1 from the zoonotic parasite S. stercoralis has been isolated and characterized. The genomic DNA representing Ss-nobp-1 includes a 1599-bp coding region and encodes a protein comprising 403 amino acids (aa), which contains conserved PIN domain and zinc ribbon domain. RNA-seq analysis revealed that Ss-nobp-1 transcripts are present throughout the seven developmental stages in S. stercoralis and have higher transcription levels in iL3, L3 and P Female. Ss-nobp-1 is expressed mainly in the intestine of transgenic S. stercoralis larvae, and there is a direct interaction between Ss-NOBP-1 and Ss-PNO-1.

Conclusions

Collectively, Ss-NOBP-1 has a potential role in embryo formation and the infective process, and findings from this study provide a sound foundation for investigating its function during the development of parasitic nematode.

Graphical Abstract
Diversity of Thelazia spp. in domestic cattle from Romania: epidemiology and molecular diagnosis by a novel multiplex PCR
Authors: Cotuțiu Vlad-Dan , Ionică Angela Monica , Dan Teodora , Cazan Cristina Daniela , Borșan Silvia Diana , Culda Carla Andreea , Mihaiu Marian , Gherman Călin Mircea , Mihalca Andrei Daniel
Published: November 2023

Background

Thelaziosis is a neglected vector-borne disease caused by parasitic nematode worms of the genus Thelazia which affects various hosts. Limited attention has been given to ungulate-associated Thelazia species. Current diagnosis of thelaziosis and the identification/differentiation of species heavily relies on morphological features. Therefore, we conducted an epidemiological study in Romanian cattle, with the aim to obtain morphological and molecular data that can be used for species identification.

Methods

The eyes of 705 slaughtered cattle were sampled and subjected to morphological identification, morphometric analysis, and molecular characterization. PCR amplification and sequence analysis were performed based on the cytochromec oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. Statistical tests assessed the correlations between infection parameters and ecological or biogeographical factors. A novel PCR method was developed based on the consensus sequence from each species. Specific forward primers were designed for each of the three species, and a reverse primer (COIintR) was used for all reactions. A consensus thermal profile was established by gradient PCR amplification of each species separately.

Results

Of the sampled cattle, 19.3% were infected with Thelazia spp. Prevalence varied significantly with ecogeographical factors. A total of 585 Thelazia nematodes were recovered, with T. rhodesi being the most abundant, followed by T. skrjabini and T. gulosa. Morphometric and molecular analyses supported the morphological identification, yielding unique sequences for each species. From the 59 T. rhodesi specimens sequenced, 29 unique sequences were obtained, with a 99.1–99.85% nucleotide identity to the only other COI sequence present in GenBank®. All nine T. gulosa isolates were unique (99.37–100% nucleotide identity to other sequences), while T. skrjabini specimens displayed 98.47–100% nucleotide identity to the sole available sequence.

Conclusions

Bovine thelaziosis is prevalent in Romania, raising concerns for animal welfare and potential economic impacts. Infected cattle grazing alongside vulnerable wild ruminants, such as the European bison, may affect conservation efforts. Our newly developed multiplex PCR shows promise as a valuable surveillance tool, enabling the detection of occult infections in apparently healthy animals through lachrymal secretion testing.

Graphical Abstract
Investigating the association between characteristics of local crisis care systems and service use in an English national survey
Authors: Rojas-García Antonio , Dalton-Locke Christian , Sheridan Rains Luke , Dare Ceri , Ginestet Cedric , Foye Una , Kelly Kathleen , Landau Sabine , Lynch Chris , McCrone Paul , Nairi Shilpa , Newbigging Karen , Nyikavaranda Patrick , Osborn David , Persaud Karen , Sevdalis Nick , Stefan Martin , Stuart Ruth , Simpson Alan , Johnson Sonia , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor
Published: November 2023

Background

In England, a range of mental health crisis care models and approaches to organising crisis care systems have been implemented, but characteristics associated with their effectiveness are poorly understood.

Aims

To (a) develop a typology of catchment area mental health crisis care systems and (b) investigate how crisis care service models and system characteristics relate to psychiatric hospital admissions and detentions.

Method

Crisis systems data were obtained from a 2019 English national survey. Latent class analyses were conducted to identify discernible typologies, and mixed-effects negative binomial regression models were fitted to explore associations between crisis care models and admissions and detention rates, obtained from nationally reported data.

Results

No clear typology of catchment area crisis care systems emerged. Regression models suggested that provision of a crisis telephone service within the local crisis system was associated with a 11.6% lower admissions rate and 15.3% lower detention rate. Provision of a crisis cafe was associated with a 7.8% lower admission rates. The provision of a crisis assessment team separate from the crisis resolution and home treatment service was associated with a 12.8% higher admission rate.

Conclusions

The configuration of crisis care systems varies considerably in England, but we could not derive a typology that convincingly categorised crisis care systems. Our results suggest that a crisis phone line and a crisis cafe may be associated with lower admission rates. However, our findings suggest crisis assessment teams, separate from home treatment teams, may not be associated with reductions in admission and detentions.
The Economics Profession’s Socioeconomic Diversity Problem
Authors: Stansbury Anna , Schultz Robert
Published: November 2023

It is well-documented that women and racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented in the economics profession, relative to both the general population and other academic disciplines. Less is known about the socioeconomic diversity of the economics profession. In this paper, we use data on parental education from the Survey of Earned Doctorates to examine the socioeconomic background of US economics PhD recipients, as compared to other disciplines. We find that economics PhD recipients are substantially more likely to have highly educated parents, and less likely to have parents without a college degree, than PhD recipients in other non-economics disciplines. This is true for both US-born PhD recipients and non-US-born PhD recipients, but is particularly stark for the US-born. The gap in socioeconomic diversity between economics and other PhD disciplines has increased over the last five decades, and particularly over the last two decades.
Analysis of risk factors for postoperative deep vein thrombosis after craniotomy and nomogram model construction
Authors: Su Zhen-Jin , Wang Hong-Rui , Liu Li-Qin , Li Nan , Hong Xin-Yu
Published: November 2023

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is distinguished by increased glucose levels in the bloodstream, is a metabolic disease with a rapidly increasing incidence worldwide. Nevertheless, the etiology and characteristics of the mechanism of T2DM remain unclear. Recently, abundant evidence has indicated that the intestinal microbiota is crucially involved in the initiation and progression of T2DM. The gut microbiome, the largest microecosystem, engages in material and energy metabolism in the human body. In this review, we concentrated on the correlation between the gut flora and T2DM. Meanwhile, we summarized the pathogenesis involving the intestinal flora in T2DM, as well as therapeutic approaches aimed at modulating the gut microbiota for the management of T2DM. Through the analysis presented here, we draw attention to further exploration of these research directions.
Air conditioning for photons
Authors: Pendry John
Published: November 2023

A simple time dependent system is solved analytically taking the form of a moving step-up or step-down in refractive index. We demonstrate that step motion, by a process of compression or expansion, adds or subtracts energy from radiation passing through, so heating or cooling the photons.
Palliative care need in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and human resource requirements for effective response
Authors: Krakauer Eric L. , Kwete Xiaoxiao J. , Rassouli Maryam , Arreola-Ornelas Héctor , Ashrafizadeh Hadis , Bhadelia Afsan , Liu Yuwei A. , Méndez-Carniado Oscar , Osman Hibah , Knaul Felicia M.
Published: November 2023

Integration of palliative care into health care systems is considered an ethical responsibility, yet no country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EaMReg) has achieved integration. Data on palliative care need and cost are crucial forEaMReg health care planners and implementers in the region. Using data from the Lancet Commission on Palliative Care and Pain Relief, we estimated the number of people in each EaMReg country who needed palliative care in 2015 and their degree of access. In three countries, we estimated the number of days during which an encounter for palliative care was needed at each level of the health care system. This enabled calculation of the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) of clinical and non-clinical staff members needed at each level to administer the essential package of palliative care recommended by WHO. In 2015, 3.2 million people in the EaMReg needed palliative care, yet most lacked access to it. The most common types of suffering were pain, fatigue, weakness, anxiety or worry, and depressed mood. To provide safe, effective palliative care at all levels of health care systems, between 5.4 and 11.1 FTEs of trained and supervised community health workers per 100,000 population would be needed in addition to 1.0–1.9 FTEs of doctors, 2.2–4.3 FTEs of nurses, and 1.4–2.9 FTEs of social workers. Data from our study enables design of palliative care services to meet the specific needs of each EaMReg country and to calculate the cost or cost savings.
Effects of dietary aromatase inhibitors on masculinization of rosy barb (Pethia conchonius): Evidence from growth, coloration and gonado-physiological changes
Authors: Lal Jham , Biswas Pradyut , Singh Soibam Khogen , Debbarma Reshmi , Deb Suparna , Yadav Nitesh Kumar , Patel Arun Bhai
Published: November 2023

The objective of this study was to reveal the growth, colouration and gonado-physiological changes due to the exogenous aromatase inhibitor (AIs) in an ornamental fish. 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) and letrozole (LET) were used as potential AIs. The AI were supplemented with a gel-based feed (LET: 50, 100, 150 and MT: 12.5, 25, 37.5 mg/kg feed) in Rosy barb, Pethia conchonius fry. The fishes were reared in a 45-L glass tank using AI treated gel-based feed for 3 months. Growth in AI-based diets was reduced but the reduction was minimal compared to the control. At 25 mg/kg feed of 17 MT, the highest male proportion (84.72% 6.05%) was recorded, which was significantly higher (P≤0.05) than other groups. L*, a*, and b* values showed that 17α-MT-fed groups had brighter coloration (P≤0.05). Histological sections showed that LET-17α-MT suppressed ovarian development, causing atretic oocytes. Testicular development was unaffected. 25 mg/kg-treated feed increased SOD, CAT, GST, and GPX. The AI (MT) at 25 mg/kg gel-based feed could therefore be utilised for musculinization without impacting growth, colour, and antioxidant activity of rosy barb, which serves the entire male population in the ornamental fish sector.
A New History of ‘Made in Italy’: Fashion and Textiles in Post-War Italy, Lucia Savi (2023)
Authors: Hart Rachel
Published: November 2023

Review of: A New History of ‘Made in Italy’: Fashion and Textiles in Post-War Italy, Lucia Savi (2023)

London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 204 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-35024-7758, h/bk, £85
Effects of ZnO nanoparticles, polyethylene glycol 400, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester Tween 80 on PLA films properties
Authors: Tajari Neda , Sadrnia Hassan , Hosseini Fereshte
Published: November 2023

Polylactic acid has the potential to be an alternative to petroleum-based materials in the food packaging industry. In this study, the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles, polyethylene glycol 400, and Tween 80 as plasticizers on the properties of polylactic acid films was investigated. In order to study the mechanical properties more accurately, the tests were repeated for four months. An experimental design method was used to investigate the effects of additives on the measurement factors and finally to choose the optimal combination with the help of the TOPSIS technique. The results showed that the addition of different materials increased the opacity, most of which being related to P400/ZnO (6.82 ± 0.07 mm−1). The presence of plasticizers increases the hydrophilicity of the film and the water vapor permeability. The highest contact angle (85.33° ± 4.00) and the lowest water vapor permeability (0.074 ± 0.002 g mm/kPa h m2) were related to neat PLA film. The lowest modulus of elasticity, the highest tensile strength and elongation at break were related to P400/T80/ZnO (1.18 ± 0.17 GPa, first month), PLA/ZnO (96.28 ± 3.17 MPa, fourth month), and P400/ZnO (76.82 ± 27.22 %, first month), respectively. The effect of plasticizers was significant in most of the measurement factors, but the effect of nanoparticles was significant in some cases such as opacity and contact angle. The results of an ANOVA analysis showed that the effect of film type on the mechanical properties was significant, and the effect of storage time was only significant on the elongation at break. According to the results obtained from the TOPSIS technique, P400/ZnO was chosen as the combination with the best features among the produced films.
Path Analysis of Factors Affecting Management Success of Islamic Cooperatives in Southern Border Provinces of Thailand
Authors: Laeheem Kasetchai
Published: November 2023

The objective of the study was to analyze the paths of factors affecting the management success of Islamic cooperatives in Southern border provinces of Thailand. Data were collected from 301 operations committee members of Islamic cooperatives selected using stratified sampling and systematic sampling and data were analyzed using path analysis. The study found that the path model of factors affecting the management success of Islamic cooperatives in Southern border provinces was consistent with the empirical data with no statistical significance (?2 = 0.000, p = 1.000, GFI=1.000, and RMSEA=0.000). The management success of the Islamic cooperatives was influenced the highest by strategy focus, followed by cooperatives management, organizational shared value, and organizational competence, with statistical significance at the level 0.05 with total effect sizes of 0.490, 0.341, 0.311, and 0.214, respectively.
La educación inicial con una perspectiva hacia el emprendimiento en el contexto rural
Authors: Burbano Jiménez Neyit Sveidy , Molina Burbano Jessica Dayana , Castro Juan José
Published: November 2023

El acercamiento del ser humano hacia su propio entorno le ayuda a descubrir la esencia que lo rodea, a la vez que contribuye en el desarrollo de las dimensiones que integran la individualidad de la persona. En el presente artículo se hace un análisis de la importancia de la educación trabajada desde el contexto donde está ubicado el ser que aprende y que enseña, tomando como referencia las experiencias vividas desde la práctica pedagógica de los autores en la búsqueda de favorecer las habilidades de emprendimiento de los niños. El estudio referido en el artículo se adelantó con estudiantes del nivel preescolar y básica primaria del sector rural, en donde se dispone de los recursos proporcionados por el entorno y que permiten dar significado al aprendizaje.
Antropoceno
Authors: Acosta Díaz Emilio
Published: November 2023

La humanidad asiste a innumerables cambios y transformaciones, unas más radicales que otras, en el gran caudal de la vida y de sus ecosistemas. Nada escapa a esas transformaciones que afectan de manera integral y envolvente. El presente escrito se convierte, en tal sentido, en una oportunidad para preguntar si estamos en una nueva era geológica denominada Antropoceno y por lo tanto, en una nueva forma de establecer relaciones del hombre con el cosmos, ¿es entonces el Antropoceno una nueva era geológica que involucra al hombre en su deseo y sentido de transformación o es acaso solo una nueva mirada cargada de preocupaciones sin precedentes? Vale la pena pensar en que consiste esta teoría y que implicaciones tiene ahondar en una mirada de la realidad desde esta perspectiva, con el deseo de contribuir a regular y orientar la vida hacia el cuidado del cosmos como el escenario apropiado para la subsistencia de la vida.
Antes que gritar en el aula, canta
Authors: Lasso Bastidas Nury Elena
Published: November 2023

Hablar de conductas en los niños es hablar de modos y maneras de ser, de personalidades y de formas de crianza. Aproximarse al concepto disrupción es entender las relaciones sociales saludables, las dificultades en el desarrollo del estudiante infante para adaptarse al medio social y especialmente educativo. Es también acercarse a la responsabilidad de los adultos, poner freno a conductas inaceptables y saber por parte del estudiante la diferencia entre qué está bien y qué está mal de su compartir social presentando la expresión musical como estrategia para el manejo de las conductas disruptivas con niños entre 6 y 12 años de edad.
La responsabilidad social
Authors: Benavides Paz Nelson Felipe
Published: November 2023

La Responsabilidad Social en las Organizaciones nace a comienzos del siglo XX con el concepto denominado filantropía, el cual se sustenta en acciones esporádicas por parte de las estructuras organizacionales a favor de una causa contextual, sin un seguimiento o estrategia empresarial transversal.

Entre los años 50‘s y 60‘s ese concepto se desarrolla hasta empezar a hablar de estrategia y se comienza a generar la noción de Responsabilidad Social [RS], la cual debe ser gestionada para considerarse estratégica; es así como la RS debe ser una obligación a fin de que pueda ser valorada como sustentable y aporte al desarrollo sostenible de los contextos mundiales.
La vida desde el heterodoxo cósmico
Authors: Rojas Vergara Emma Del Pilar
Published: November 2023

Hablar de la vida, hablar del hombre, hablar del hombre heterodoxo en la realidad donde se hace, se forma y existe, es el ejercicio permanente del hombre que se mira a sí mismo, reconoce su entorno y descubre el sentido de su vida. Esta es una comprensión que conlleva a que el hombre se aproxime cada vez a una mayor profundización en el conocimiento de sí mismo, de los demás y del espacio donde transcurre el milagro permanente de la existencia.

Desde la Filosofía tenemos la oportunidad de explorar este grandioso horizonte para el pensamiento de los heterodoxos de hoy, propósito que se esboza en el artículo a partir del compartir el ejercicio investigativo doctoral en Filosofía.
El erotismo, parte de la cotidianidad que muchos prefieren callar
Authors: Huertas Timaná Laura Sofía , Yamá Diana Lucía , Timaná de la Cruz Alba Yamile
Published: November 2023

El erotismo, es una característica propia del ser humano, prácticamente ineludible desde sus orígenes. No obstante, ha sido invisibilizado y menospreciado por la sociedad, a tal punto de ser un tema prohibido hasta la actualidad. Debido a esto, con el presente escrito se pretende cavilar a la luz de diferentes autores sobre el tema, de tal forma que se lo considere y reconozca como una dimensión propia de la existencia de cada individuo, que no puede recaer únicamente en lo biológico y fisiológico enmarcado en el placer, lo inmoral y obsceno, sino dar la posibilidad de entenderlo como una forma en que el cuerpo se expresa, no solo desde el apetito carnal, sino también espiritual, el autorreconocimiento y el respeto por el otro, como resultando de una forma amplia de lenguaje.
REVISITANDO O EXPERIMENTO DE LIBET: CONTRIBUIÇÕES ATUAIS DA NEUROCIÊNCIA PARA O PROBLEMA DO LIVRE-ARBÍTRIO
Authors: Andrade Otávio Morato de , Cardoso Renato César
Published: November 2023

RESUMO Por muito tempo, a questão da existência do livre-arbítrio tem alimentado o debate filosófico sem solução definitiva. O paradigma de Libet (1983) pareceu demonstrar que movimentos simples e aparentemente voluntários poderiam ser desencadeados não pela consciência, mas por processos cerebrais pré-conscientes ou aleatórios. Tais achados repercutiram amplamente no meio acadêmico e científico, desencadeando extensa discussão entre neurocientistas, filósofos e juristas. Explorando as interfaces entre neurociência e livre-arbítrio, o presente trabalho objetiva formular uma síntese atualizada das diversas problematizações sobre os achados Libetianos. Constata-se que o ensaio de Libet, embora repetidamente analisado e replicado nas últimas décadas, ainda não possui uma interpretação definitiva, em parte devido a controvérsias metodológicas e deficiências conceituais específicas. O aprofundamento dessas investigações, aliado às novas descobertas oferecidas pela neurociência, pode enriquecer a pesquisa sobre o livre arbítrio nos próximos anos.
KANT, LIBERDADE E A HERMENÊUTICA DO FRACASSO
Authors: Rego Pedro
Published: November 2023

RESUMO Neste artigo, analiso o modo como uma importante tradição interpretativa do kantismo se deixou desencaminhar pelo fato de Kant trabalhar, em sua filosofia prática, com duas acepções distintas e aparentemente conflitantes da liberdade da vontade humana em sentido positivo: como causalidade numênica e como poder de escolha entre possibilidades alternativas. Em primeiro lugar, defendo que nenhuma acepção de liberdade na filosofia kantiana pode ser conflitante com aquela que, afirmada nas mais importantes obras fundacionais do filósofo, a define como o efetivo (e não meramente potencial) exercício da racionalidade moral. Em seguida, procuro mostrar, por argumentos tanto textuais quanto conceituais, a impertinência da adesão predominante a uma versão equivocada da segunda delas: a liberdade de escolha como o poder de escolher a favor ou contra a moralidade. Finalmente, sustento que a única maneira consistente de se entender a liberdade de escolha em consonância com a liberdade como efetivo exercício da moralidade implica uma real dificuldade conceitual no kantismo, que é o problema da imputabilidade das decisões imorais. O fio condutor desta exposição é uma interpretação das passagens mais importantes do artigo de Karl Ameriks de 2002 intitulado “Pure Reason of Itself Alone Suffices to Determine the Will”.
Efeito da Goma Xantana como estabilizador da espuma em concretos celulares de diferentes densidades
Authors: Grenzel Miriã Pereira dos Santos , Grenzel Lucas Yagor dos Santos , Tamiosso Bruna Santos , Costa Fernanda Bianchi Pereira da , Marangon Ederli
Published: November 2023

RESUMO O concreto celular é um material cimentício de estrutura porosa e com baixa densidade, resultante do endurecimento de uma mistura constituída por aglomerantes, agregados miúdos e poros de ar. Uma das formas de inserҫão dos poros de ar é através de uma espuma pré-formada, composta por bolhas de ar, as quais influenciam o comportamento do concreto celular no estado fresco e endurecido. Trabalhos recentes propuseram a utilizaҫão de pequenas quantidades Goma Xantana (XG) como agente espessante da espuma, e verificaram que XG aumentou a estabilidade da mesma e proporcionou melhor desempenho ao concreto celular no estado endurecido. No entanto, o funcionamento da XG em diferentes teores ainda não está esclarecido. Assim, este artigo apresenta um estudo da influência de XG na qualidade da espuma pré-formada, como também nas propriedades físicas e mecânicas do concreto celular. Foram avaliadas amostras com duas densidades diferentes, 800 Kg/m3 e 1200 Kg/m3. A composiҫão que proporcionou melhor qualidade da espuma foi 2% de XG. No concreto celular, a adiҫão de XG mostrou-se mais eficiente para as amostras com densidade alvo de 800 Kg/m3, pois proporcionou uma diminuiҫão do índice de vazios e da interconectividade entre poros, além de maior resistência á compressão.
Evaluación clínica de vello corporal terminal y prevalencia de hirsutismo en estudiantes universitarias de la ciudad de Manizales (Caldas), 2012
Authors: Naranjo Cardona Andrés Leonardo , Montilla Garzón Juan Carlos , Sepúlveda Gallego Luz Elena , González G. Leonardo José
Published: November 2023

Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia del hirsutismo en la ciudad de Manizales, caracterizar la patología desde su perspectiva demográfica y clínica, y relacionar las diferentes variables con la presencia o no de hirsutismo. Metodología: Investigación de corte transversal de nivel analítico, basada en el estudio de una población de acceso de 830 estudiantes de primer año de las universidades de la ciudad, quienes fueron encuestadas y examinadas aplicando la escala estandarizada de Ferriman y Gallwey modificada (F-Gm), previo consentimiento informado. Resultados: La prevalencia de hirsutismo encontrada para un puntaje de 8 de la escala de F-Gm es del 20,5%, el percentil 95 hallado equivale a 12 puntos. Se encontró mayor frecuencia de hirsutismo en los diferentes puntos de corte evaluados en las mujeres: con edad entre los 20 y 24 años, mestizas, con antecedente y presencia de acné, con padres con calvicie, con hermanas con hirsutismo. Existe correlación negativa entre el puntaje de la escala de F-Gm y edad de la pubarca, presión arterial sistólica y estrato socioeconómico; y correlación positiva con el perímetro abdominal. Conclusiones: Para la población estudiada el signo hirsutismo presenta prevalencia similar a la encontrada en otros estudios publicados, el percentil 95 como parámetro de normalidad de 12 en la escala F-Gm es superior a los puntos de corte informados en la literatura.
Reflecting on Teaching in the Higher Education Context During the Covid-19 Era: A Collaborative Self-Study Project
Authors: Kortjass Makie , Mkhize-Mthembu Ntokozo
Published: November 2023

The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic created unimaginable upheaval, uncertainty, and even hostility in the education system, worldwide. Teacher educators in higher education settings were compelled to interact with their students using online platforms to ensure the continuation of teaching and learning. However, the effectiveness of that approach has been questioned. This article presents the narratives of two South African teacher educators who explored pedagogical approaches using such digital platforms. We created collages, concept maps, and a pantoum poem to reflect on our teacher educator practices during the initial and ensuing levels of the Covid-19 lockdown period to provide guidelines for such approaches in the aftermath of the pandemic. We gained various insights into future teaching practices using arts-based media and platforms such as WhatsApp, Moodle, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. The sociocultural theoretical perspective underpinned this self-study project. This theoretical approach highlights the importance of working together in educational settings to create knowledge and make sense of teaching and learning experiences. We discovered that the transition to digital platforms presented both advantages and disadvantages for our teaching. In the latter instance, we found that teaching and learning using digital platforms were rendered inefficient for students from rural settings who were computer illiterate and who had limited access to technology and the internet. However, by conducting workshops, engaging in collaborative initiatives, and appropriating feedback from various role players, we gained understanding of ways to support our students and address their diverse needs. In light of these findings, we recommend intensified teacher educator collaboration and sharing to reimagine and reshape teaching and learning in the higher education teacher training context in the post-Covid-19 era.
The psychopathological evolution of “Behavior and Conduct Disorder in Childhood”: Deviant and criminal traits in preadolescence and adolescence. A review
Authors: Giulio Perrotta , Gianfranco Fabiano , Federica Posta
Published: November 2023

Starting from the general concept of “Behavior and Conduct Disorder in Childhood”, the present review seeks to highlight the main predictive elements that, in preadolescent and adolescent age, can correlate with the symptomatological picture of distinctive disorders in deviant and criminal conduct. Early educational intervention, prevention in all its forms and the use of therapeutic corrective tools can encourage expected and expected behavioural improvement, especially in subjects who are still not adults and with a family and social environment that responds to corrective stimuli. Understanding such passages is functional from a strategic point of view, to prevent, educate, plan, intervene, and/or correct certain psychopathological inclinations, also from a socio-environmental, family, and personal perspective.