bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Normativität der Wissenschaften. Zu Frieder Vogelmanns »materialistischer« Erkenntnistheorie .
Authors: Ladwig Bernd
Published: June 2022

In dem Beitrag diskutiere ich Frieder Vogelmanns Vorschlag einer materialistischen Erkenntnistheorie. Sie soll uns erlauben, die Wissenschaften ohne falsche Idealisierung gegen ihre Verächter zu verteidigen. Doch Vogelmann nimmt die Normativität der Forschung nicht angemessen ernst, weil er nicht zwischen epistemischen Werten und außerepistemischen Einflussfaktoren unterscheidet. Auch seine Konzeption der Wahrheit als emergenter Kraft ist normativ nicht trennscharf und überdies begrifflich nicht brauchbar: Sie ist auf wahre und falsche Überzeugungen gleichermaßen anwendbar und geht an der wirklichen Bedeutung der Wahrheit für den Forschungsprozess vorbei. Mein eigener konstruktiver Vorschlag lautet, Wissenschaft als institutionalisierte Kritik zu Erkenntniszwecken zu verstehen.
Symptoms of Stress Amongst Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Shiraz, Iran: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Yazdani Negar , Pourarian Shahnaz , Moravej Hossein
Published: June 2022

Background: Because of the high daily mortality and quarantine procedures, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause several psychological problems, especially in younger people. Objectives: Since most studies have mainly focused on physical problems of COVID-19 and they have neglected children in their analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the frequency and severity of stress symptoms and associated factors amongst children and adolescents aged 4 - 18 years during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: Using a convenience sampling technique, this descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran, from March 2020 to June 2020. To collect data, the link of the online Children's Self-Reported Stress Symptoms Questionnaire was sent to eligible participants via SMS and WhatsApp. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Results: According to our results, 270, 77, and 16 cases had low, moderate, and severe stress, respectively. Age group, living with both parents, and birth rank had a significant relationship with the degree of stress. Furthermore, more than 50% of participants reported cognitive-emotional symptoms more than physical ones. There was a significant relationship between the age group and physical symptoms, the duration of quarantine with bad temper and sadness, and between no clear thoughts with mother’s workplace and father’s job. Conclusions: Generally, almost 25% of participants reported moderate-to-severe stress. The most common symptoms of stress in children and adolescents were worrying, anger, and weakness. Furthermore, older children, those being the first child, and children living with both parents were more exposed to stress. Therefore, these items should be included in the healthcare team's training.
Four-Year Laboratory Performance of the First College of American Pathologists In Silico Next-Generation Sequencing Bioinformatics Proficiency Testing Surveys
Authors: Furtado Larissa V. , Souers Rhona J. , Vasalos Patricia , Halley Jaimie G. , Aisner Dara L. , Nagarajan Rakesh , Voelkerding Karl V. , Merker Jason D. , Konnick Eric Q.
Published: June 2022

Context.—

In 2016, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) launched the first next-generation sequencing (NGS) in silico bioinformatics proficiency testing survey to evaluate the performance of clinical laboratory bioinformatics pipelines for the detection of oncology-associated variants at varying allele fractions. This survey focused on 2 commonly used oncology panels, the Illumina TruSeq Amplicon Cancer Panel and the Thermo Fisher Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot v2 Panel.

Objective.—

To review the analytical performance of laboratories participating in the CAP NGS bioinformatics (NGSB) surveys, comprising NGSB1 for Illumina users and NGSB2 for Thermo Fisher Ion Torrent users, between 2016 and 2019.

Design.—

Responses from 78 laboratories were analyzed for accuracy and associated performance characteristics.

Results.—

The analytical sensitivity was 90.0% (1901 of 2112) for laboratories using the Illumina platform and 94.8% (2153 of 2272) for Thermo Fisher Ion Torrent users. Variant type and variant allele fraction were significantly associated with performance. False-negative results were seen mostly for multi-nucleotide variants and variants engineered at variant allele fractions of less than 25%. Analytical specificity for all participating laboratories was 99.8% (9303 of 9320). There was no statistically significant association between deletion-insertion length and detection rate.

Conclusions.—

These results demonstrated high analytical sensitivity and specificity, supporting the feasibility and utility of using in silico mutagenized NGS data sets as a supplemental challenge to CAP surveys for oncology-associated variants based on physical samples. This program demonstrates the opportunity and challenges that can guide future surveys inclusive of customized in silico programs.
Theoretical Investigations on Slamming of Cone-Shaped Bodies
Authors: Chuang Sheng-Lun
Published: June 2022

A general expression for the pressure distribution on a cone penetrating the water surface is derived from the similar procedure developed by Wagner for a wedge. The effect of trapped air between the falling body and the water is ignored for this investigation. The pressure distributions, velocity potentials, stream functions, and piled-up water phenomenon are summarized and compared with those for the wedge.

Wagner provided a theoretical analysis on the slamming of a wedge [1,2,3].3 His approach was to approximate the wedge as an equivalent flat plate provided that the wedge had a small deadrise angle. By means of the velocity potential technique and the Bernoulli equation, he derived equations for determining the pressure distributions on the impact surface of the wedge.

A cone piercing the water surface has been studied experimentally by Watanabe [4] and theoretically by Shiffman and Spencer [5]. However, their work provided only the total force acting on the impact surface of a cone. The purpose of the present work is therefore to determine theoretically the slamming pressure distribution of a cone. The similar approaches developed by Wagner for his wedge equations are used for this investigation.
Keanekaragaman dan kelimpahan arhtropoda tanah pada lahan cabai dengan perlakuan bioremediasi
Authors: Rubiana Ratna , Meilin Araz
Published: June 2022

Tingkat kontaminan di tanah dapat dikurangi dengan remediasi. Remediasi memungkinkan untuk menghancurkan atau membuat berbagai kontaminan menjadi tidak berbahaya menggunakan aktivitas biologis alami (bioremediasi). Kondisi lahan sebelum dan sesudah perlakuan bioremediasi dapat diketahui dengan menggunakan beberapa jenis arthropoda tanah sebagai indikator terhadap kesuburan tanah. Penelitian bertujuan untuk menilai faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi keanekaragaman, membandingkan kemiripan struktur, dan komposisi spesies arthropoda tanah sebagai bioindikator pulihnya sifat biologi tanah pada pertanaman cabai. Pengambilan sampel arthropoda tanah dilakukan di lahan cabai petani dengan 5 perlakuan bioremediasi di Desa Sangir Tengah, Kecamatan Kayu Aro, Kabupaten Kerinci, Provinsi Jambi dengan metode perangkap jebak (pitfall trap) yang dipasang selama 2 malam. Perlakuan bioremediasi yang dilakukan, yaitu kontrol (tanpa bioremediasi), dan 4 perlakuan bioremediasi (trichocompos 10 ton/ha, trichocompos + biochar ampas tebu dosis 2 ton/ha, trichocompos + biochar tongkol jagung dosis 2 ton/ha, dan trichocompos + biochar sekam padi dosis 2 ton/ha). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat 9.712 individu yang termasuk dalam 10 ordo dan 28 spesies arthropoda tanah. Keanekaragaman arthropoda tanah pada perlakuan bioremediasi menunjukkan beda nyata (R = 0,3953; P < 0,001). Indeks keanekaragaman Shannon-Wiener tertinggi pada lahan kontrol demikian halnya dengan indeks kemerataan (E) yang berarti bahwa perlakuan bioremediasi tidak berpengaruh pada keanekargaman arthropoda tanah. Perlakuan bioremediasi pada lahan cabai tidak menunjukkan peningkatan jumlah ordo dan spesies.
Kognitivne motnje pri bolnikih s sladkorno boleznijo tipa 2
Authors: Špeh Andreja , Šatej Nika , Janež Andrej , Gregorič Kramberger Milica
Published: June 2022

Prevalenci sladkorne bolezni in demence v zadnjih letih naraščata, bolezni pa si delita številne dejavnike tveganja, kot so hipertenzija, dislipidemija, čezmerna telesna teža, nezdrava prehrana in telesna neaktivnost. Pomanjkanje glikemičnega nadzora se povezuje z višjim tveganjem za kognitivni upad, mikrožilni in makrožilni zapleti sladkorne bolezni pa z višjim tveganjem za razvoj demence. Bolniki s sladkorno boleznijo imajo oškodovane različne kognitivne domene. Posebej izrazite so težave na področju spomina in izvršilnih funkcij. Tovrstne težave lahko vplivajo na potek sladkorne bolezni, posameznikove možnosti uvida v lastno bolezen in sposobnosti sledenja režimu zdravljenja. Kognitivne motnje pri bolnikih s sladkorno boleznijo se povezujejo s slabšim znanjem in slabšo skrbjo za lastno bolezen, pogostejšimi napakami pri spremljanju krvne glukoze in odmerjanju inzulinskih injekcij, pogosteje zamujenimi zdravstvenimi pregledi in večjim številom epizod hipoglikemije ter srčnožilnih zapletov. Pomembno je, da pri bolnikih s sladkorno boleznijo prepoznamo kognitivne težave in jih upoštevamo pri načrtovanju zdravljenja; opredelitvi tarčnih vrednosti, edukaciji, izbiri farmakoloških in nefarmakoloških načinov zdravljenja ter nudenju podpore bolnikom in njihovim svojcem oziroma skrbnikom. Pomembni so individualni pristop, postopno uvajanje sprememb in čim bolj enostaven protokol zdravljenja (npr. uporaba zdravil s podaljšanim učinkom, uporaba razdelilcev zdravil), ki upoštevajo tudi socialno situacijo posameznika.
Influence of side-groove depth and heat treatment on super-high energy Charpy specimens of 9310 steel
Authors: Lucon Enrico
Published: June 2022

NIST provides certified reference Charpy specimens to companies and laboratories around the world for the indirect verification of impact machines in accordance with ASTM E23. Specimens are available at three energy levels, low (?15 J at 40 ?C), high (?100 J at -40 ?C), and super-high (?200 J at room temperature). Specimens of this latter energy level have been out of stock from the late 2000s until the late 2010s, when specimens of AISI 9310 steel were found to be suitable for standardization, provided they were side-grooved in order to prevent the formation of shear lips. This study was aimed at establishing an optimal combination of heat treatment (specifically, final tempering temperature) and side-groove depth for Charpy specimens of 9310 steel, and was conducted by testing almost 900 specimens corresponding to six different combinations. As a result of this study, a recommendation for the heat treatment and side-groove depth of future super-high energy specimen lots was formulated.
Foreword: Preparedness and response to SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa
Authors:   Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, Pillay Y , Leonard E ,   Clinton Health Access Initiative South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa, Mayet N ,   National Institute of Communicable Disease, Johannesburg, South Africa, Moonasar D ,   National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
Published: June 2022

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) China Country Office was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China on the 31st of December 2019. On 7 January 2020, the causative pathogen was identified as the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and on 11th of March 2020, the WHO declared a global pandemic. This paper serves as an introduction to a series of research articles which consider South Africa’s preparedness and response to SARS-CoV-2.
Immunological and virological outcomes in children on lamivudine monotherapy: A South African public sector experience
Authors:   Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa, Makatini Z N ,   Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Blackard J T ,   Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa; Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, Towobola O E ,   Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa, Miles P ,   Health Education England, London, UK, Mda S ,   Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
Published: June 2022

Background. In resource-limited settings, holding regimens such as lamivudine monotherapy (LAM) have been used to manage HIV-positive children failing combination antiretroviral therapy to mitigate the risk of drug resistance developing, while adherence barriers are addressed or when access to second- or third-line regimens is restricted. South African HIV treatment guidelines previously advocated the use of LAM to manage HIV-infected children with virological failure. However, the outcomes of patients on LAM compared with those who continued on a failing regimen have not been well described. Objectives. To investigate characteristics of a large cohort of children placed on LAM and their outcomes. Methods. This was a retrospective review of children with virological failure and the documented M184V drug resistance mutation who were placed on LAM v. a control group of children who continued on a failing regimen despite persistent virological failure. Virological and immunological outcomes of LAM were compared with those in patients who remained on a failing regimen. Results. A total of 179 children were included in the analysis, with 92 in the LAM group and 87 in the control group. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age at baseline was 9.2 (5.4 - 12) years, the median CD4 count was 384 (184 - 622) cells/μL, and the median HIV viral load was 4.7 (IQR 3.7 - 5.3) log10. Twenty-two children (25.6%) in the LAM group and 15 (17.4%) in the control group experienced immunological deterioration. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with regard to overall time to immunological deterioration (log-rank p-value 0.4810). Conclusion. Given that a higher proportion of children in the LAM group experienced immunological failure, the LAM strategy may be a useful short-term one but should be restricted to children with limited treatment options. Managing children with virological failure will continue to be a challenge until improved adherence strategies are available.
Diagnostic performance of dobutamine stress echocardiography: A South African experience
Authors:   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, Scherman L , Cilliers C ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, Odendaal D ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, Saaiman J A ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, Heradien M J ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, Dippenaar A P ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, Swart Y ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, Louw J ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, Brink P A ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, van der Bijl P ,   SA Endovascular, Kuils River Netcare Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
Published: June 2022

Background. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a well-established modality for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, but there are no reported diagnostic data in southern Africa. Objectives. To compare the safety, sensitivity and specificity of a South African (SA) DSE programme with larger, international series. Methods. All patients undergoing DSE from 2019 to 2021 at a single SA centre were included. A new wall motion abnormality (≥2 segments) signified inducible ischaemia. Results. A total of 106 patients (mean (standard deviation) age 61 (11) years, 68% male) were analysed. Six patients (6%) experienced chest pain during DSE and 4 (4%) developed an atrial arrhythmia. The sensitivity and specificity for epicardial coronary stenosis were 77% and 74%, respectively, changing to 82% and 72% when excluding those who had previous coronary artery bypass surgery. Conclusion. The sensitivity, specificity and safety of an SA DSE programme were comparable to international series. A DSE programme is feasible in a resource-constrained environment.
A gallant holiday of the XVII century as an introduction to management
Authors: Zaуtseva Nataliya Vladimirovna
Published: June 2022

In the XVII century in France, under the influence of gallant aesthetics, a new secular socio-integrative model and a new typology of the holiday were formed, which not only spread throughout Europe, but also reached Russia. The transformation of holidays into a management tool is influenced by specific socio-political reasons: the transformation of the knightly estate into a courtier under the onslaught of the advancing monarchy, the final collapse of the old feudal system with its traditional ties. At the same time, new ties and a new social structure of the monarchy of the classical model were being formed. Under the influence of these processes, royal holidays have turned from recreation and entertainment into a powerful lever of political and social influence, which is used by the royal power. The study of the holiday phenomenon has a multidimensional character. However, none of the researchers analyzed the festive culture of modern times from the point of view of a management tool. In this article, the phenomenon of a gallant holiday is considered not only as an important socio-cultural phenomenon, but as an institution of elite management, a new tool of power that helped solve economic, social and psychological problems. Under the influence of gallant aesthetics in France in the XVII century, a new scenography of the holiday is being formed - a holiday system on several sites united by one plot. This is what modern experts call the method of installation and dismemberment of space. This scenography will henceforth come into use and establish itself in the festive European culture for centuries.
Metaphor of the labyrinth in the musical culture of the second half of the XX century: ballet "Labyrinths" by A. Schnittke
Authors: Kalashnikova Daria Igorevna
Published: June 2022

The metaphor of the labyrinth in the second half of the XX century becomes an iconic model of the postmodern world order. In musical culture, the phenomenon of the labyrinth has acquired the meaning of a symbol of intertextuality, a game with cultural codes and musical heritage of the past, multivariance, variability, uncertainty. The ballet "Labyrinths" by Alfred Schnittke is an example of the embodiment of the labyrinth paradigm and is the object of research. The subject of the study is the peculiarity of the implementation of the idea of the labyrinth at the compositional and dramatic level of the ballet cycle. In the light of the author's individual interpretation, the labyrinth model takes the form of a "macrolabirint" and a "microlabiint", where the macrostructure is the construction of the whole, and the microstructure is the last, fifth part. The novelty of the research lies in the consideration of the compositional and dramatic features of the ballet "Labyrinths" in the context of the metaphor of the labyrinth. The concept of the "macrolabyrint" contributed to the relief display of the principles of symmetry and centralization inherent in the labyrinth of the classical Cretan type. Symmetry in the ballet cycle found expression in the structure of the extreme parts, in their author's division into sections, the presence of a reprise in Maestoso and Meno mosso, a single tonal organization interspersed with modal episodes, the assertion of the third c–e in the intonation system of the parts. Centralization of the Cretan labyrinth was reflected in the endowment of the fourth part with the properties of the culmination point, characterized by an increase in sonorous qualities, an abundance of cluster verticals, and heterogeneous stratified tissue. The concept of "microlabirint" contributed to the depiction of the multivariance of the maze-confusion in the fifth part of the ballet. The nonlinear movement of the characters along the branched labyrinth model was carried out by the interaction of contrasting sections correlated with deviation into various emotional states. The conducted research allowed us to conclude about a new interpretation of the labyrinth paradigm in ballet in the light of Schnittke's individual author's handwriting.
Research progress of tuning correlated state in two-dimensional system by organic molecule intercalation
Authors: Shi Meng-Zhu , Kang Bao-Lei , Meng Fan-Bao , Wu Tao , Chen Xian-Hui ,   Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China,   CAS Key Laboratory of Strongly-coupled Quantum Matter Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China,   Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China,   CAS Center for Excellence in Superconducting Electronics (CENSE), Shanghai 200050, China
Published: June 2022

Abundant novel physical properties have been observed in thin-flake samples of two-dimensional correlated electronic systems prepared by mechanical exfoliation. Developing new methods of preparing bulk two-dimensional samples can further understand the low-dimensional system by combining traditional bulk characterization methods like X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements. It is possible to maintain the novel properties of thin-flake samples in bulk state and promote these novel physical properties for potential applications. This article introduces a class of organic molecular intercalation methods to regulate two-dimensional correlated electronic systems, focusing on the changes of structure and physical properties of two-dimensional materials after organic molecular intercalation. The applications of organic molecular intercalation method in regulating thermoelectricity, two-dimensional magnetism, charge density wave and two-dimensional superconductivity are also presented.
Virtually Amish
Authors: Ems Lindsay
Published: June 2022

How the Amish have adopted certain digital tools in ways that allow them to work and live according to their own value system.

The Amish are famous for their disconnection from the modern world and all its devices. But, as Lindsay Ems shows in Virtually Amish, Old Order Amish today are selectively engaging with digital technology. The Amish need digital tools to participate in the economy—websites for ecommerce, for example, and cell phones for communication on the road—but they have developed strategies for making limited use of these tools while still living and working according to the values of their community. The way they do this, Ems suggests, holds lessons for all of us about resisting the negative forces of what has been called “high-tech capitalism.”

Ems shows how the Amish do not allow technology to drive their behavior; instead, they actively configure their sociotechnical world to align with their values and protect their community's autonomy. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork conducted in two Old Order Amish settlements in Indiana, Ems explores explicit rules and implicit norms as innovations for resisting negative impacts of digital technology. She describes the ingenious contraptions the Amish devise—including “the black-box phone,” a landline phone attached to a device that connects to a cellular network when plugged into a car's cigarette lighter—and considers the value of human-centered approaches to communication. Non-Amish technology users would do well to take note of Amish methods of adopting digital technologies in ways that empower people and acknowledge their shared humanity.

The open access edition of this book was made possible by generous funding from Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.
National Policy for Internationalisation in Higher Education
Authors: Ndaipa Charnaldo , Edström Kristina , Geschwind Lars
Published: June 2022

The impetus of this study is to explore the internationalisation of higher education policy in Mozambique at a national level. Internationalisation has been one of the major themes of discussion across countries but except for South Africa, it is rarely researched in sub-Saharan Africa from the perspective of the policy of higher education at a national level. This study is qualitative and applies the policy analysis method. Data derive from higher education policy documents and semi-structured interviews with policy-makers. Two research questions are asked. First, how do policy-makers understand and strategise the internationalisation of higher education in Mozambique? Second, what are the rationales and challenges for undertaking internationalisation of higher education? The findings reveal that internationalisation is understood as mobility of students and staff, establishment of agreements and cooperation and integration of higher education in the Southern African Development Community and worldwide. The findings further reveal that the rationales for undertaking internationalisation of higher education policy encompass quality, academic training, competitiveness, prestige, and knowledge production. An ideological mismatch in the strategies of the internationalisation between policy-makers and policy documents was noted, identifying opportunities for a more creative approach.
Genomic insights into Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus paragasseri
Authors: Ene Adriana , Stegman Natalie , Wolfe Alan , Putonti Catherine
Published: June 2022

Background

Antimicrobial and antifungal species are essential members of the healthy human microbiota. Several different species of lactobacilli that naturally inhabit the human body have been explored for their probiotic capabilities including strains of the species Lactobacillus gasseri. However, L. gasseri (identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing) has been associated with urogenital symptoms. Recently a new sister taxon of L. gasseri was described: L. paragasseri. L. paragasseri is also posited to have probiotic qualities.

Methods

Here, we present a genomic investigation of all (n = 79) publicly available genome assemblies for both species. These strains include isolates from the vaginal tract, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, oral cavity, wounds, and lungs.

Results

The two species cannot be distinguished from short-read sequencing of the 16S rRNA as the full-length gene sequences differ only by two nucleotides. Based upon average nucleotide identity (ANI), we identified 20 strains deposited as L. gasseri that are in fact representatives of L. paragasseri. Investigation of the genic content of the strains of these two species suggests recent divergence and/or frequent gene exchange between the two species. The genomes frequently harbored intact prophage sequences, including prophages identified in strains of both species. To further explore the antimicrobial potential associated with both species, genome assemblies were examined for biosynthetic gene clusters. Gassericin T and S were identified in 46 of the genome assemblies, with all L. paragasseri strains including one or both bacteriocins. This suggests that the properties once ascribed to L. gasseri may better represent the L. paragasseri species.
Microplastic pollution at Qilianyu, the largest green sea turtle nesting grounds in the northern South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Ting , Lin Liu , Li Deqin , Wang Jichao , Liu Yunteng , Li Rui , Wu Shannan , Shi Haitao
Published: June 2022

Microplastics, new persistent pollutants, have recently attracted considerable attention. When present in beach sediments, microplastics may adversely affect the nesting and hatching of sea turtles on beaches. In this study, we investigate microplastic pollution at Qilianyu (northeastern Xisha Islands), the largest known nesting ground for green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in China. We found that the average abundance of microplastics in the beach surface sediments was 338.44 ± 315.69 thousand pieces·m−3 or 1,353.78 ± 853.68 pieces·m−2, with foam and fragments as the main microplastic type identified. The microplastic particles were categorised as small and were predominantly within the 0.05–1 mm size category. Most microplastic particles were white (71.31%). Polystyrene and polyethylene were found to be the most common forms of plastic present. Microplastic pollution was not only observed on the beach surface but also at the bottom of nests approximately 60 cm may be harmful to the incubation of sea turtle eggs. We suggest removing plastic litter, especially small pieces of plastic, on beaches to reduce the threat of microplastic pollution to marine life, including sea turtles. Furthermore, the foam used in aquaculture should be recovered and replaced before it becomes fragmented due to age. In addition, regional cooperation between stakeholders in the South China Sea should be strengthened to collectively promote the reduction and cleanup of marine litter.
Cuticular hydrocarbons as caste-linked cues in Neotropical swarm-founding wasps
Authors: da Silva Rafael Carvalho , Prato Amanda , Tannure-Nascimento Ivelize , Akemi Oi Cintia , Wenseleers Tom , Nascimento Fabio
Published: June 2022

Wasps (Vespidae) are important organisms to understand the evolution of social behaviour. Wasps show different levels of sociality, which includes solitary to highly eusocial organisms. In social insect species, queens and workers differ in physiology and morphology. The Neotropical swarm-founding wasps (Epiponini) show a variety of caste syndromes. In this clade, the caste-flexibility is a unique characteristic, in which workers can become queens and swarm to start a new nest. The investigation of the caste system comparing several Epiponini species show a clear-cut morphological distinction between queens and workers, with a morphological continuum between queens and workers. However, whether cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are used as cues for caste recognition in swarm-founding wasps is still unknown. We studied whether CHCs may display caste-linked differences in eleven species of Epiponini wasps and if CHCs differences would follow morphological patterns. Our results suggest that queens and workers of Epiponini wasps are chemically different from each other at two levels, qualitatively and quantitatively, or merely quantitatively. This variation seems to exist regardless of their morphological traits and may be useful to help us understanding how chemical communication evolved differently in these species.
Producción de textos narrativos en el aula de historia análisis lexicométrico de una propuesta interdisciplinaria
Authors:   Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (España), Valdés-León Gabriel
Published: June 2022

En el marco de una experiencia de aprendizaje+servicio (A+S) con carácter interdisciplinario, la Escuela de Educación en Castellano de la UCSH colaboró con el desarrollo de competencias disciplinares de historia universal en estudiantes de séptimo básico del colegio Los Bosquinos de Maipú. Para ello, se realizó un módulo didáctico que orientaba la escritura de textos narrativos relacionados con la unidad 3 del programa de estudios. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evidenciar el impacto en el desarrollo de competencias disciplinares en los estudiantes de dicha institución mediante un análisis lexicométrico que permita comparar los corpus generados en el pretest y postest utilizando la herramienta Iramuteq. Los resultados señalan que los textos elaborados desde un enfoque de proyectos y redactados de manera procesual evidencian un aumento en la presencia de léxico disciplinar, lo que se relaciona directamente con un mayor dominio del área de estudio.
Estudio comparado de los campos linguoculturales de lo propio y lo ajeno en ruso y español
Authors:   Universidad de Granada (España), Vercher García Enrique J.
Published: June 2022

El articulo analiza y compara los campos linguoculturales de svoë-mir-lad-pokoj-ujutdom-stroj-ˇcelovek-svoboda-porjadoˇcnoe-teplota y de ˇcužoe-prostor-razdol’e-volja-ljudinˇcužezemec-udal’-razgul-holod en ruso, y de mundo(en su concepción física de conjunto de todas las cosas)-paz-humanidad-propio-conveniente-armonía-acuerdo-casa-hogar-fuegocalidez y mundo(en su concepción teológica negativa, y sus derivados como mundanear)- inmundicia(inmundo)-ajeno-extraño-albedrío-extranjero en español. A partir de métodos y conceptos de la linguoculturología como son el culturema, el linguoculturema, el linguoconcepto y la teoría de los campos linguoculturales, el objetivo del presente estudio es conocer en profundidad el origen, interrelación y connotaciones culturales de los linguoconceptos analizados. El resultado más destacable del estudio es el de comprobar que entre estos linguoconceptos de ambas lenguas existe una correlación compleja y no unívoca de equivalencias y diferencias.
Shoulder Impingement and its Association with Acromial Morphology- A Review
Authors: Goshi Rashmi C , Pushpalatha K
Published: June 2022

Shoulder with its chronic disability recognized by impingement of the rotator cuff beneath the coracoacromial arch. Varying acromial morphology revealed alterations attributable to mechanical impingement. The undersurface of the anterior part of the acromion and the front lip were always implicated. Extrinsic factors caused impingement and tendonopathy, with the antero-lateral acromion 'impinging' on the superior surface of the rotator cuff. The present review clearly describes the acromial morphology and its role as extrinsic causative factor in shoulder impingement. Treatment options for confirmed impingement range from analgesics and physiotherapy to injectable therapy and, open and arthroscopic surgery. In most studies, the results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression are positive, and data suggest that, the operation minimises the occurrence of rotator cuff injuries when compared to a control group. Complete acromionectomy and lateral acromionectomy yielded dismal results, prompting researchers to investigate the undersurface of the acromion in the development of impingement syndrome. There are however contradictory studies discussing the role of extrinsic and intrinsic causative factors of impingement.
Analysis of Blood and Blood Component Wastage and its Reasons among Various Departments in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Southern India
Authors: Ravikanth Chinta , Babu Bandi Suresh , Arun Rajendran , Babu Kinnera Vijaya Sreedhar
Published: June 2022

Introduction: The main aim of many blood centers are to supply sufficient amount of safe blood and blood components whenever required. Shortage of blood may be due to low donation rate, inadequate storage, improper transportation and wastage at ward side. Wastage of blood can have a negative impact on blood transfusion services. Aim: To determine the rates of wastage of blood and blood components units at the ward side and identify the various reasons for wastage and explain the strategies to reduce the wastage rate. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India from January 2018 to December 2020. The data was collected from the blood centre record. All blood and blood components issued during the study period were included in the study. The number, type and blood group of blood and blood components issued, the number of blood units wasted after issue, and the reason for wastage was collected. The collected data were entered in Microsoft excel and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were performed as necessary. Results: During the study period, a total of 69198 units of blood and blood components were issued to different wards and operation theatres in the hospital. Among the total issues, 26863 (38.82%) were in the form of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC), 3968 (5.73%) in the form of Whole Blood (WB), 26069 (37.67%) in the form of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP), 11272 (16.29%) in the form of Random Donor Platelets (RDP), 933 (1.35%) in the form of Cryoprecipitate (CP) and 93 (0.13%) in the form of Single Donor Platelets (SDP). Among issued, 115 (0.17%) of blood and blood components were wasted with packed red cells accounting for 51 (44.35%). Among the various reasons, 43 (37.39%) was due to demise of patients before transfusion was initiated, followed by non requirement by the patients due to no loss/minimal loss blood during surgery 24 (20.87%). Majority of blood and blood components were wasted by the Department of Emergency Medicine (EMD) 36 (31.3%) followed by the Department of Neurology 20 (17.39%) and Orthopaedics 12 (10.43%). Conclusion: Implementation of proper blood transfusion policies and continuous educational programs in coordination with clinicians and staff nurses at ward side and operation theatres will help to decrease the blood wastage at ward side.
Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Features of Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Neoplastic Lesions- A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Anushree CN , Maharana Seema Sanghamitra , Nair Bhavya S , Manjunatha YA
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Majority of nasal and paranasal sinus lesions clinically present as polypoidal lesions, complicating the diagnosis for the physician which inturn hampers the patient prognosis and in few cases survival of patient, so histopathology is imperative to arrive at the diagnosis. Carcinoma of the paranasal sinus cavity is rare representing 3-4% of head and neck tumours and less than 1% of all malignancies. Aim: To examine the histopathological patterns of neoplastic nasal and paranasal sinus lesions, to categorise neoplastic lesions into benign and malignant types, to find the relation of these lesions with age and sex and also to find the utility of Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in differentiating morphologically suspicious lesions. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out between January 2020-January 2021. A total of 22 cases were taken for the study, which were received as nasal and paranasal sinus lesions in histopathology. All the lesions received were processed according to standard protocol and diagnosed histopathologically and confirmed by relevant special stains and immunohistochemical analysis (CD99, CD56 etc.). Results: Out of 22 cases, 16 were benign and six were malignant. The lesions were commonly detected between fourth to sixth decades. Male to female ratio was 1.4:1. The ratio of benign to malignant lesion was 2.67:1. The most common benign lesion encountered was capillary haemangioma (seven cases) and malignant lesion seen was squamous cell carcinoma (three cases), comparable to other similar studies. The IHC was done in malignant lesions for accurate diagnosis. Conclusion: In the present study, the cases are divided into benign and malignant lesions with the help of histopathological examination. Cases showing features of malignancy were further subjected to immunohistochemical examination as to diagnose the cases precisely and thus help in patient treatment and prognosis.
Seroprevalence of Transfusion Transmitted Diseases in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Northern India: A Five Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Sharma Honey Bhasker , Bansal Megha , Sharma Ritu , Kumar Nikhilesh , Munjal Deepak
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Although transfusion of blood and its components is life saving but it may also pose a threat to life as with every unit of blood there is 1% chance of transfusion associated problems which include the transfusion of transmitted diseases as well. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Government of India) under The Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1945 (amended from time to time) mandates the screening of blood donations against five major infections- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Syphilis and Malaria. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTIs) among blood donors in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective five year study from February 2016 to January 2021. The study was undertaken at TS Misra Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The sample size included 5420 blood donors. The data concerning type of donors, gender and results of screening tests were obtained from blood bank register/records. Donor selection was based on history of present and past illness and also included a pre-donation questionnaire. Serum samples were screened for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to HIV Type 1 and 2 and antibodies to HCV using Microwell Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) Test. For syphilis and malaria detection, membrane based immunoassay and sandwich immunoassay techniques were used respectively. Results: Out of a total of 5420 blood donations over a period of five years, there were 5298 male donors and 122 female donors. There were 5368 replacement donors and 52 voluntary donors. The prevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV, syphilis and malaria was 0.16%, 0.77%, 0.11%, 0.53% and 0%, respectively. Conclusion: Voluntary blood donations, stringent screening measures, advanced screening techniques, strict donor selection are essential features for decreasing the prevalence further and also would ensure blood safety.
Lymphocytic Thyroiditis- Association between Cytology and Biochemical Findings
Authors: Kartha Priya P , Ali Aysha , Jayasree KA , Sreeram B
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis otherwise called as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and one of the most common thyroid lesions in Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). Diagnosis depends on clinical findings, ultrasonographic findings, thyroid profile and antithyroid antibody levels along with the FNAC findings. Not much studies are there which have assessed the association of the clinical and biochemical parameters with the cytological findings. Aim: To grade the cytological features of lymphocytic thyroiditis and to study the association of the grades with Thyroid Function Test (TFT) and antithyroid antibody levels. Materials and Methods: A prospective time bound analytical observational study of one year was carried out in the Department of Pathology at Government Medical College, Palakkad, Kerala, India after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC). Out of the total of 462 cases of thyroid lesions who underwent Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA), 147 cases were lymphocytic thyroiditis as per cytology. Of these, 40 cases had Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Antithyroglobulin Antibody (ATG) and Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibody (ATPO) levels known which were included in the study. Cytological grading of those were done and the association of the same with the above mentioned parameters was studied. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Descriptive statistics were calculated and presented as percentages, mean and Standard Deviation (SD). Chi-square test was used to find the association between the categorical variables. The p-value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Cytomorphology was diagnostic of thyroiditis in all the cases. Out of the 40 cases, 32 were females.The most common age group affected was 31-40 years, though it ranged from 18-68 years. Most common clinical presentation was diffusely enlarged thyroid, though a few presented as nodular disease. Most of the patients had grade 1 thyroiditis (23 cases) followed by grade 2 (13 cases). Elevated antithyroid antibody levels - ATPO elevated in 32 cases and ATG in 20 cases. TSH was seen elevated in 28 cases of thyroiditis. No association was observed with the antithyroid antibody levels and the cytological grade. Conclusion: Lymphocytic infiltration into the follicles is the diagnostic cytological feature of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. TSH elevation and positive ATPO levels strongly suggest Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. No association was found between the cytological grade and TSH and antibody levels.
A CASE STUDY OF AGNI KARMA IN STANYA GRANTHI WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GYNECOMASTIA
Authors: Sharma Rachna , Barahate Ganesh , Neralkar Uday
Published: June 2022

Gynecomastia is the benign enlargement of male breast glandular tissue and is the most common breast condition in males. It is usually caused by increased estrogen activity, decreased testosterone activity, or the use of numerous medications. Granthi is a pathological condition of vitiated Doshas in Mamsa, Rakta, Meda, and other structures, resulting in a knot like elevated abnormal growth. In Granthi doshas (vata, pitta, kapha), the mamsa and asruk, meda and sira cause an elevated swelling which is rounded and knotted. Granthi, as explained by Acharya Sushruta, is of 5 types, and by Acharya Vagbhata, is of 9 types. Agnikarma acts on multiple levels in the body. It is mainly done in Vata-Kapha diseases because it has vikasi, tikshna and ushna properties by which it removes strotorodha. A 26-year-old male patient presented with complaints of enlargement of the left breast associated with pain. There was no history of direct trauma or use of any hormonal pills. Based on clinical examination, the patient was diagnosed with a case of Stanya Granthi (gynecomastia). After careful review, the patient was treated with Agnikarma (Once weekly for five weeks) and Samshamana chikitsa. After five weeks of treatment patient’s breast lump was softened, mildly reduced in size, and there was a significant improvement in pain. It was concluded that Agnikarma could be done in Stanya Granthi (Gynecomastia) along with Samshamana chikitsa as an effective treatment modality.
EFFECT OF ARDHAMATRIKA VASTI IN GRIDHRASI: A CASE STUDY
Authors: US Amrutha , PC Maneesha
Published: June 2022

A 59-year-old male patient complained of a low backache radiating from his left leg to foot for five years and associated with burning sensation in both feet for one year. There is a history of diabetic Mellitus for ten years and hyperlipidemia for four years. The patient could not carry out his daily work due to severe pain from Katipradesa to Padanguli. The present case is diagnosed as Gridhrasi from the clinical examination. In this case, Ardhamatrika Vasti is used in the Yoga Vasti pattern. After the treatment, pain and burning sensation were reduced, and he was able to raise his legs to 75 degrees. Moreover, no recurrence was observed even after one year of treatment.