bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The shifts in the structure of the prokaryotic community of mountain-grassland soil under the influence of artificial larch plantations
Authors: Ivanova Ekaterina , Abakumov Evgeny , Vasilyeva Nadezda , Zverev Alexei , Vladimirov Artem , Ksenofontova Natalia , Andronov Evgeny , Kostenko Igor
Published: February 2022

Creation of artificial forest plantations on a global scale is one of the ways to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on ecosystems, at the same time providing soil protection from erosion, regulation of the hydrological regime and carbon sequestration in soils of different natural and climatic zones. However, the change of the dominant plant community cause significant ecosystem changes, reflecting at the structure and functioning of the soil microbial complex as well. The shifts in prokaryotic community of the meadow soil resulting from the conversion of the native meadow (further grassland) phytocenosis to the artificial forest plantations was investigated with the use of NGS sequencing technology and metabarcoding approach–amplicon sequencing of V4 region of 16 S rRNA (performed on Illumina Miseq platform). The identified shifts in taxonomic structure and diversity may be the result of changes in the physic-chemical conditions of soils and, on the other hand, may serve as indicators of such changes. Cultivation of larch led to an increase in the diversity of the prokaryotic community and its stratification by depth. The acidifying effect of larch manifested itself in an increase in the proportion and diversity of acidobacteria, in the abundance of oligotrophic microorganisms of phyla Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and a simultaneous comparative decrease in the bacteria of Verrucomicrobia phylum, alphaproteobacteria of or. Rhizobiales and Burkholderiales. The absence of clearly expressed dominants in the prokaryotic community, as well as a significant increase in alpha-diversity indices, compared with the control plot of native mountain-meadow soil under grassland vegetation, suggests a transitional nature of the soil ecosystem of artificial forest plantations.
Eczema is a shared risk factor for anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Long Qing , Jin Hongxia , You Xu , Liu Yilin , Teng Zhaowei , Chen Yatang , Zhu Yun , Zeng Yong
Published: February 2022

Globally, anxiety and depression are the most common psychiatric disorders that add large burdens to individuals and society; however, the mechanisms underlying these disorders are unclear. Several studies have found that eczema is a shared risk factor for both these conditions. We identified and evaluated eligible observational studies from EMBASE and PubMed. In total, 20 relevant cohort and case-control studies comprising 141,910 patients with eczema and 4,736,222 control participants fulfilled our established criteria. Information extracted included study design, location, sample size, sex distribution of cases and controls or reference cohorts, measurements of outcomes, odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and adjusted factors for exposure associated with outcome risk. The meta-analysis was performed by calculating the pooled OR with 95% CI, and heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane Q and I2statistics. The pooled effect showed a positive association (n = 4,896,099, OR = 1.63, 95% CI [1.42−1.88],p<0.001) between eczema and depression or anxiety, with positive associations also observed in the depression (n = 4,878,746, OR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.39−1.94],p<0.001) and anxiety (n = 4,607,597, OR = 1.68, 95% CI [1.27−2.21],p<0.001) groups. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed that these findings were stable and reliable. This study suggests that eczema is associated with an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety, which may assist clinicians in the prevention or treatment of these disorders.
Evaluating the detection ability of a range of epistasis detection methods on simulated data for pure and impure epistatic models
Authors: Russ Dominic , Williams John A. , Cardoso Victor Roth , Bravo-Merodio Laura , Pendleton Samantha C. , Aziz Furqan , Acharjee Animesh , Gkoutos Georgios V.
Published: February 2022

Background

Numerous approaches have been proposed for the detection of epistatic interactions within GWAS datasets in order to better understand the drivers of disease and genetics.

Methods

A selection of state-of-the-art approaches were assessed. These included the statistical tests, fast-epistasis, BOOST, logistic regression and wtest; swarm intelligence methods, namely AntEpiSeeker, epiACO and CINOEDV; and data mining approaches, including MDR, GSS, SNPRuler and MPI3SNP. Data were simulated to provide randomly generated models with no individual main effects at different heritabilities (pure epistasis) as well as models based on penetrance tables with some main effects (impure epistasis). Detection of both two and three locus interactions were assessed across a total of 1,560 simulated datasets. The different methods were also applied to a section of the UK biobank cohort for Atrial Fibrillation.

Results

For pure, two locus interactions, PLINK’s implementation of BOOST recovered the highest number of correct interactions, with 53.9% and significantly better performing than the other methods (p = 4.52e − 36). For impure two locus interactions, MDR exhibited the best performance, recovering 62.2% of the most significant impure epistatic interactions (p = 6.31e − 90 for all but one test). The assessment of three locus interaction prediction revealed that wtest recovered the highest number (17.2%) of pure epistatic interactions(p = 8.49e − 14). wtest also recovered the highest number of three locus impure epistatic interactions (p = 6.76e − 48) while AntEpiSeeker ranked as the most significant the highest number of such interactions (40.5%). Finally, when applied to a real dataset for Atrial Fibrillation, most notably finding an interaction between SYNE2 and DTNB.
Endoparasitism of Golden Retrievers: Prevalence, risk factors, and associated clinicopathologic changes
Authors: Kubas Elizabeth A. , Fischer Julie R. , Hales Erin N.
Published: February 2022

Endoparasitism is a common disease in dogs throughout their lifetime despite the widespread availability of inexpensive diagnostic tests and effective treatments. The consequences of host parasite interactions in otherwise apparently healthy dogs remains largely unknown. This cross-sectional study used complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and fecal flotation data collected from 3,018 young dogs (<3 years of age) enrolled within the Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS) to determine the prevalence of endoparasitism and compare bloodwork values of parasite positive and negative participants using logistic regression. Variables including age, gender, reproductive status, and geographic region at the time of evaluation were assessed to identify potential associations. To the authors’ knowledge, a comprehensive assessment of clinicopathological changes associated with endoparasite infection in a large cohort has not been completed in the recent decade. The overall prevalence of endoparasitism was 6.99% (211/3018). Dogs who were parasite positive had statistically lower albumin (P = 0.004), lower RBC count (P = 0.01), higher neutrophil count (P = 0.002), and higher platelet count (P <0.001) as compared to parasite negative dogs. It was also concluded that dogs living in rural areas were more likely to have endoparasites than those living in suburban areas. Epidemiological data is crucial for the design and monitoring of prevention and control strategies. Identification of endoparasites by fecal testing is an essential tool to identify susceptible and resistant animals that can act as spreaders and reservoirs of intestinal parasites thereby enabling appropriate therapy and reducing the risk of new infection to animals and humans. Further epidemiological studies are needed to prevent, monitor, and develop new strategies to control endoparasites.
Pea-KD: Parameter-efficient and accurate Knowledge Distillation on BERT
Authors: Cho Ikhyun , Kang U
Published: February 2022

Knowledge Distillation (KD) is one of the widely known methods for model compression. In essence, KD trains a smaller student model based on a larger teacher model and tries to retain the teacher model’s level of performance as much as possible. However, existing KD methods suffer from the following limitations. First, since the student model is smaller in absolute size, it inherently lacks model capacity. Second, the absence of an initial guide for the student model makes it difficult for the student to imitate the teacher model to its fullest. Conventional KD methods yield low performance due to these limitations. In this paper, we propose Pea-KD (Parameter-efficient and accurate Knowledge Distillation), a novel approach to KD. Pea-KD consists of two main parts: Shuffled Parameter Sharing (SPS) and Pretraining with Teacher’s Predictions (PTP). Using this combination, we are capable of alleviating the KD’s limitations. SPS is a new parameter sharing method that increases the student model capacity. PTP is a KD-specialized initialization method, which can act as a good initial guide for the student. When combined, this method yields a significant increase in student model’s performance. Experiments conducted on BERT with different datasets and tasks show that the proposed approach improves the student model’s performance by 4.4% on average in four GLUE tasks, outperforming existing KD baselines by significant margins.
Usability, acceptability, and self-reported impact of an innovative hepatitis C risk reduction intervention for men have sex with men: A mixed methods study
Authors: Prinsenberg Tamara , Illidge Joël , Zantkuijl Paul , Bedert Maarten , Prins Maria , van der Valk Marc , Davidovich Udi
Published: February 2022

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination among men who have sex with men (MSM) is unlikely to be feasible without effective behavioural interventions. We developed a multilevel intervention to reduce HCV transmission among MSM in Amsterdam. The intervention includes a toolbox to facilitate risk reduction among MSM and support health care professionals in risk reduction counselling. To assess the use of the toolbox and its impact on behavior, we conducted a mixed-methods study. We collected data through online questionnaires (n = 49), and in-depth interviews with MSM at risk of HCV (n = 15) and health care professionals (n = 7). We found that the toolbox has been well received by MSM, increased awareness of HCV risks and has facilitated preventive behaviours and risk-reduction communication with peers. Professionals reported the toolbox to be a useful aid for discussions about HCV risk and risk reduction strategies with their clients.
Health complexity assessment in primary care: A validity and feasibility study of the INTERMED tool
Authors: Oliveira Camila Almeida de , Weber Bernardete , dos Santos Jair Lício Ferreira , Zucoloto Miriane Lucindo , de Camargo Lisa Laredo , Zanetti Ana Carolina Guidorizzi , Rzewuska Magdalena , de Azevedo-Marques João Mazzoncini
Published: February 2022

Background

Health complexity includes biological, psychological, social, and health systems. Having complex health needs is associated with poorer clinical outcomes and higher healthcare costs. Care management for people with health complexity is increasingly recommended in primary health care (PHC). The INTERMED complexity assessment grid showed adequate psychometric properties in specialized settings. This study aimed to evaluate INTERMED’s validity and feasibility to assess health complexity in an adult PHC population.

Method

The biopsychosocial health care needs of 230 consecutive adult patients from three Brazilian PHC services were assessed using the INTERMED interview. Participants with a total score >20 were classified as “complex”. Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF); symptoms of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); social support using the Medical Outcomes Study—Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS); comorbidity levels using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). We developed two questionnaires to evaluate health services use, and patient perceived feasibility of INTERMED.

Results

42 participants (18.3%) were classified as “complex”. A moderate correlation was found between the total INTERMED score and the total scores of WHOQOL-BREF (rho = - 0.59) and HADS (rho = 0.56), and between the social domains of INTERMED and MOS-SSS (rho = -0.44). After adjustment, the use of PHC (β = 2.12, t = 2.10, p < 0.05), any other health care services (β = 3.05, t = 3.97, p < 0.01), and any medication (β = 3.64, t = 4.16, p < 0.01) were associated with higher INTERMED scores. The INTERMED internal consistency was good (ω = 0.83), and the median application time was 7 min. Patients reported satisfaction with the questions, answers, and application time.

Conclusion

INTERMED displayed good psychometric values in a PHC population and proved promising for practical use in PHC.
What second-language speakers can tell us about pragmatic processing
Authors: Khorsheed Ahmed , Md. Rashid Sabariah , Nimehchisalem Vahid , Geok Imm Lee , Price Jessica , Ronderos Camilo R.
Published: February 2022

Upon hearing the phraseSome cats meow, a listener might pragmatically infer that ‘Some but not all cats meow’. This is known as a scalar implicature and it often arises when a speaker produces a weak linguistic expression instead of a stronger one. Several L2 studies claim that pragmatic inferences are generated by default and their comprehension presents no challenges to L2 learners. However, the evidence obtained from these studies largely stems from offline-based tasks that provide limited information about how scalar implicatures are processed. This study investigated scalar implicature processing among L2 speakers of English and the degree to which differences in L2 proficiency and Theory of Mind abilities would modulate pragmatic responding. The experiment used an online sentence verification paradigm that required participants to judge, among multiple control items, the veracity of under-informative sentences, such asSome cats are mammals, and to respond as quickly as possible. A true response to this item is indicative of a logicalsome and perhaps allreading and a false response to a pragmaticsome but not allreading. Our results showed evidence that scalar inferences are not generated by default. The answer linked to the pragmatic readingsome but not alltook significantly longer to make relative to the answer that relies on the logical interpretationsome and perhaps all. This processing slowdown was also significantly larger among participants with lower English proficiency. Further exploratory analyses of participants’ Theory of Mind, as measured by the Social Skill subscale in the Autism Spectrum Quotient, revealed that socially inclined participants are more likely than the socially disinclined to derive a scalar inference. These results together provide new empirical insights into how L2 learners process scalar implicatures and thus implications for processing theories in experimental pragmatics and second language acquisition.
Evaluation on the implementation effect of public participation in the decision-making of NIMBY facilities
Authors: Zhao Hui , Ge Yuanyuan , Zhang Jingqi
Published: February 2022

The construction of NIMBY (Not in my backyard) facilities has caused many conflicts but is struggling to reduce it in China. With the background of public participation in social governance in the future, effective public participation is extremely helpful to solve this issue. Promoting public participation and scientifically evaluating the implementation effect of public participation are urgent problems to be solved at present. This study aims to analysis the factors hindering public participation and improve the implementation effect. Therefore, an evaluation system with 16 factors is established based on literature review and questionnaire survey, namely the basis of participation, participation process, external support, and cost-effectiveness. Interactions among the 16 factors are further evaluated by expert opinions. The objective and subjective weights of indicators are determined and combined by introducing Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and entropy weight method (EWM). Considering the uncertainty and randomness of subjective judgment, cloud model is introduced to evaluate the implementation effect of public participation. Finally, this framework is applied to evaluate the project of Jiu Feng waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Hangzhou, China, which verifies the applicability of the evaluation framework for the implementation effect of public participation in NIMBY facilities. The results indicate that the implementation of public participation is between "average" and "good", with significant room for improvement in the involvement of NGOs and the influence of public opinion on decision-making. Additionally, the participation process has a significant impact on the whole system. The framework can provide government departments with guidance in implementing public participation.
Interaction between bacteria and cholesterol crystals: Implications for endocarditis and atherosclerosis
Authors: Boumegouas Manel , Raju Manjunath , Gardiner Joseph , Hammer Neal , Saleh Yehia , Al-Abcha Abdullah , Kalra Apoorv , Abela George S.
Published: February 2022

Background

The interaction between pathogenic bacteria and cholesterol crystals (CCs) has not been investigated. However, CCs are found extensively in atherosclerotic plaques and sclerotic cardiac valves. Interactions between pathogenic bacteria and CCs could provide insights into destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and bacterial adhesion to cardiac valves.

Methods

Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used to assess in vitro bacterial adhesion to CCs and proliferation in the presence of CCs compared to plastic microspheres and glass shards as controls. Ex vivo studies evaluated bacterial adhesion to atherosclerotic rabbit arteries compared to normal arteries and human atherosclerotic carotid plaques compared to normal carotid arteries. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize bacterial adhesion to CCs and confocal microscopy was used to detect cholesterol binding to bacteria grown in the presence or absence of CCs.

Results

In vitro, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa displayed significantly greater adhesion, 36% (p<0.0001) and 89% (p<0.0001), respectively, and growth upon exposure to CCs compared to microspheres or glass shards. Rabbit and human atherosclerotic arteries contained significantly greater bacterial burdens compared to controls (4× (p<0.0004); 3× (p<0.019), respectively. SEM demonstrated that bacteria adhered and appeared to degrade CCs. Consistent with this, confocal microscopy indicated increased cholesterol bound to the bacterial cells.

Conclusions

This study is the first to demonstrate an interaction between bacteria and CCs showing that bacteria dissolve and bind to CCs. This interaction helps to elucidate adhesion of bacteria to sclerotic valves and atherosclerotic plaques that may contribute to endocarditis and plaque destabilization.
Prognosis conversations in advanced liver disease: A qualitative interview study with health professionals and patients
Authors: Arney Jennifer , Gray Caroline , Clark Jack A. , Smith Donna , Swank Annie , Matlock Daniel D. , Melcher Jennifer , Kanwal Fasiha , Naik Aanand D.
Published: February 2022

Advanced Liver Disease (AdvLD) is common, morbid, and associated with high likelihood of death. Patients may not fully understand their prognosis and are often unprepared for the course of illness. Little is known about how and when to deliver prognosis-related information to patients with AdvLD, who should participate, and what should be discussed. We conducted in-depth interviews with a multi-profession sample of Hepatology clinicians and patients with AdvLD. Participants were drawn from three geographically diverse facilities (New England, Texas, California). We used inductive and deductive qualitative data analysis approaches to identify themes related to AdvLD prognosis discussions. Thematic analysis focused on content, timing, and participants’ roles in prognosis discussions. In total, 31 patients with AdvLD and 26 multi-profession clinicians completed interviews. Most participants provided a broad conceptualization of prognosis beyond predictions of survival, including expectations about illness course, ways to manage or avoid complications and a need to address patients’ emotions. Patients favored initiating discussions early in the AdvLD course and welcomed a multi-profession approach to conducting discussions. Clinicians favored a larger role for specialty physicians. All participants recognized that AdvLD prognosis discussions occur infrequently and favored a structured, standardized approach to broadly discussing prognosis. Patients with AdvLD and their clinicians favored a multifaceted approach to prognosis conversations including discussions of life expectancy, predictions about likely course of liver disease, and expected changes in function and capabilities over time. Structured and early prognosis discussions should be part of routine AdvLD care.
Episodic memory and aging: Benefits of physical activity depend on the executive resources required for the task
Authors: Moutoussamy Ilona , Taconnat Laurence , Pothier Kristell , Toussaint Lucette , Fay Séverine
Published: February 2022

Physical activity has beneficial effects on executive functions and episodic memory, two processes affected by aging. These benefits seem to depend on the type of memory task, but only a few studies have evaluated them despite their importance in understanding aging. This study aimed to confirm that the benefits of physical activity on episodic memory in older adults vary according to the executive resources required by the memory task, comparing free recall and cued recall. Thirty-seven young adults and 37 older adults performed two memory tasks and an updating task. The two groups had a similar level of physical activity over the preceding 12 months, assessed by a questionnaire. Both the memory and the updating tasks were performed better by the younger than the older adults. A similar cueing effect was observed in the two groups. Physical activity was positively correlated with updating and free recall, but not with cued-recall, and only in older adults. Regression analyses indicated that physical activity accounted for 24% of the variance in free recall in older adults. Updating did not predict free recall (ns) when physical activity was entered in the analysis. The present results show that the benefits of physical activity vary with age and episodic memory task. Only free-recall performance, which relies on updating, seems to depend on physical activity, suggesting that the executive resources required for the task play an important role in the effect of physical activity on memory performance. This should be investigated in greater depth in subsequent studies.
A supertree of Northern European macromoths
Authors: Davis Robert B. , Õunap Erki , Tammaru Toomas
Published: February 2022

Ecological and life-history data on the Northern European macromoth (Lepidoptera: Macroheterocera) fauna is widely available and ideal for use in answering phylogeny-based research questions: for example, in comparative biology. However, phylogenetic information for such studies lags behind. Here, as a synthesis of all currently available phylogenetic information on the group, we produce a supertree of 114 Northern European macromoth genera (in four superfamilies, with Geometroidea considered separately), providing the most complete phylogenetic picture of this fauna available to date. In doing so, we assess those parts of the phylogeny that are well resolved and those that are uncertain. Furthermore, we identify those genera for which phylogenetic information is currently too poor to include in such a supertree, or entirely absent, as targets for future work. As an aid to studies involving these genera, we provide information on their likely positions within the macromoth tree. With phylogenies playing an ever more important role in the field, this supertree should be useful in informing future ecological and evolutionary studies.
Association between behavioral patterns and mortality among US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2014
Authors: Jung Jiyun , Lee Jeonghwan , Bae Eunjin , Kim Yong Chul , Kim Eun Young , Lee Jangwook , Shin Sung Joon , Kim Yon Su , Lee Jung Pyo , Park Jae Yoon
Published: February 2022

Few large-scale studies have been conducted to show the joint effects of mortality associated with physical activity and sedentarism. Therefore, we examined the relationship between all-cause mortality and behavioral patterns among adults in the United States. Data of 17,730 non-institutionalized US civilians aged ≥20 years were extracted from the 2007–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We set the criteria for metabolic equivalents as 600 according to the WHO guideline, and sedentary time as 300 min/day according to the median. The Cox proportional hazards model was adjusted for demographic and lifestyle characteristics. During the 58.54±28.18 months follow-up, all-cause mortality rate was 4% and heart-related and cancer mortality rate was 1%. Participants in the high metabolic equivalents and low sedentary time group had a lower risk of all-cause (hazard ratio = 0.41, 95% confidence interval = 0.34–0.50), cardiovascular (hazard ratio = 0.36; 95% confidence interval = 0.23–0.55), and cancer (hazard ratio = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = 0.37–0.83) mortality, compared to those in the low metabolic equivalents and high sedentary time group. Sufficient physical activity and less sedentary behavior reduce all-cause and cause-specific mortality in adults in the United States, especially cardiovascular mortality among the elderly. Additional nationwide policies to improve behavioral patterns among adults need to be implemented in the United States.
Protocol for the diagnosis of keratoconus using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Schatteburg Jan , Langenbucher Achim
Published: February 2022

Keratoconus is the corneal disease with the highest reported incidence of 1:2000. The treatment’s level of success highly depends on how early it was started. Subsequently, a fast and highly capable diagnostic tool is crucial. While there are many computer-based systems that are capable of the analysis of medical image data, they only provide parameters. These have advanced quite far, though full diagnosis does not exist. Machine learning has provided the capabilities for the parameters, and numerous similar scientific fields have developed full image diagnosis based on neural networks. The Homburg Keratoconus Center has been gathering almost 2000 patient datasets, over 1000 of them over the course of their disease. Backed by this databank, this work aims to develop a convolutional neural network to tackle diagnosis of keratoconus as the major corneal disease.
An exploration of barriers and enablers to the conduct and application of research among complementary and alternative medicine stakeholders in Australia and New Zealand: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Veziari Yasamin , Kumar Saravana , Leach Matthew J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Most studies examining complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) stakeholder engagement with evidence-based practice have relied on quantitative research methods, which often fail to capture the nuances of this phenomena. Using qualitative methods, this study aimed to explore the experiences of CAM stakeholders regarding the barriers and enablers to the conduct and application of research.

Methods

This research was guided by a qualitative descriptive framework. CAM practitioners and researchers of multiple CAM disciplines from across Australia and New Zealand were invited to share their personal perspectives of the study phenomena. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Rigour strategies were applied to ensure the credibility of results. The transcript was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

CAM stakeholders identified an array of barriers and enablers to the conduct and application of research within their disciplines. The barriers and enablers that emerged were found to be inter-connected with two similar constructs: capacity and culture. Captured within the construct of capacity were five themes—lack of resources, inadequate governance/leadership, lack of competency, bias directed from outside and within CAM, and lack of time for research. Within the construct of culture were two themes—intrinsic perceptions in CAM, and lack of communication within and outside CAM.

Conclusions

Promoting evidence-based practice and engaging with research in CAM continues to face challenges. This study, for the first time, has highlighted the multitude of interlinked barriers that confront CAM stakeholders when engaging with research. These findings highlight the need for a concerted and targeted approach to tackle these challenges.
The meanings of Blackness: Belonging and exclusion among African immigrant parents and students in US schools
Authors: Wang Chenyu , Hoffman Diane
Published: February 2022

This article explores how particular understandings of Blackness among African immigrant students and parents shape their experiences of exclusion and belonging within the American educational landscape. Based on ethnographic interviews drawn from a larger mixed-methods study of African immigrant students and parents in a mid-Atlantic community, the article discusses the meanings these immigrants give to race, and the ways in which being an African Black was associated with experiences of exclusion in US society. Interviews also revealed a significant resistance to identification as African American ‘Black’, as African American Blackness was associated with styles of self-presentation and behaviour that do not conform to immigrant ideologies surrounding a good education. Lastly, African immigrants express a powerful belief in American opportunity that fuels aspirations for economic success. This analysis suggests avenues for exploring how Blackness, immigrant status and transnational identifications matter for theorizing intersections of race and belonging in diasporic populations.
Citizenship and democratic education in the time of rising nationalism: Implications for citizenship education from the cases of Australia and Singapore
Authors: Neoh Jia Ying
Published: February 2022

Notions of citizenship and citizenship education that were traditionally related to mainly nation-centric agendas are increasingly inadequate in preparing young citizens for the dynamism of societies and complexities of social issues stimulated by globalization. Depending on the political and social ideologies within and across societies, different citizenship education curricula are designed differently to achieve these goals. This article uses the cases of Australia and Singapore to discuss how different forms of citizenship education can contribute to an ongoing construction of a more just and peaceful world. Through the analysis of the social science curricula in the two countries, three key factors that can influence the value of democratic citizenship education in developing ‘active’ and ‘informed’ citizens were identified. First, the extent to which democratic values are referenced as the basis for citizenship, hence supporting an understanding of ‘politics’ in contexts of diversity. Second, the balance to be sought between development of competencies to achieve nationalistic goals and responding effectively to the dynamism of contemporary societies. Third, the extent to which curriculum arrangements support democratic citizenship development.
Reconceptualizing citizenship beyond national civic citizenship models: A discussion of British Columbia’s curricula
Authors: Broom Catherine
Published: February 2022

This article begins by reviewing different conceptions of citizenship, particularly ethnic and civic citizenship, and then focuses on the one primarily found in government curriculum guides – national civic citizenship – through a discussion of mandated curriculum, texts and related documents released over the twentieth century in the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC). This review illustrates how, over the twentieth century, government curricula in BC have aimed to create good, national citizens. After this review, the author discusses the shortcomings of this conception of citizenship in relation to current events and concludes with recommendations to develop a new conception of citizenship. This new conception aims to address issues that arise from the national civic conception of citizenship, tackle today’s challenges and develop well-being in both individuals and the collective community.
Value-Creating Global Citizenship Education for Sustainable Development: Strategies and Approaches, Namrata Sharma (2020)
Authors: Chhikara Alankrita
Published: February 2022

Review of: Value-Creating Global Citizenship Education for Sustainable Development: Strategies and Approaches, Namrata Sharma (2020)

Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 166 pp.,

ISBN 978-3-03058-062-9, e-book, €42.79
Teaching and Learning for Comprehensive Citizenship: Global Perspectives on Peace Education, Candice C. Carter (ed.) (2020)
Authors: Ward Caitlyn
Published: February 2022

Review of: Teaching and Learning for Comprehensive Citizenship: Global Perspectives on Peace Education, Candice C. Carter (ed.) (2020)

Routledge, New York, NY, 194 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-00024-621-6, $160
Discurso terrorista, discurso de odio y el delito de enaltecimiento/humillación (art. 578 del código penal): ¿riesgo o imposición de una determinada visión del pasado?
Authors: Cancio Meliá Manuel
Published: February 2022

El delito de exaltación del terrorismo o de los terroristas, contenido en el art. 578 del Código Penal español, castiga dos tipos de conducta: la exaltación del terrrorismo o la humillación de sus víctimas. El Tribunal Supremo español lo ha entendido de dos modos diferentes en su jurisprudencia: o como una (mera) ofensa o como el riesgo de un daño futuro. Se argumenta con frecuencia que este delito implica un discurso de odio. Este ensayo trata de mostrar que, mientras que el terrorismo comparte algunos elementos con los delitos referidos a los discursos del odio, no debería confundirse con ellos, y al mismo tiempo que no hay espacio en el marco español de los delitos de discursos de terrrorismo para un delito como la ofensa contenida en el art. 578 SPC, que sería considerada inconstitucional.
Fundamentalismo, estrategias argumentativas y emociones: una perspectiva desde la cognición de segundo orden
Authors: Garavito Gómez Maria Clara , Bula Caraballo Germán
Published: February 2022

Se examina el problema del fundamentalismo desde el punto de vista de la cognición de segundo orden, es decir, los sistemas compuestos por más de un solo individuo. Se propone que estos sistemas funcionan bien si 1) son diversos, es decir, recogen en sí diversas perspectivas y heurísticas; y 2) tienen cohesión, es decir, las diferentes partes que los componen se escuchan entre sí. El fundamentalismo se caracteriza tanto desde el punto de vista del autoritarismo en autores como Robert Altemeyer y Teodoro Adorno, como desde teorías de la cognición autoritaria y democrática, como la de Solomon Schimmel y Humberto Maturana, como de los fundamentos de la política y emociones morales de Johnatan Haidt. Este se entenderá como un esfuerzo activo, que incluye sentimientos como el odio, de no participar en el cerebro mundial, entendido como un sistema de segundo orden que incluye a todos los seres humanos.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on Assessment of Analgesia on Using Magnesium Sulphate by Different Routes in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopy of Knee under Spinal Anaesthesia
Authors: Kumar Ch Anil , S. Kalyan
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Adequate pain management has a great importance for smooth postoperative recovery, early hospital discharge and early rehabilitation. In this study, we compare the analgesic effect and possible side effects of different routes of magnesium sulphate administration in cases of spinal anaesthesia for knee arthroscopy. METHODS This is an experimental prospective randomized control study. 196 patients undergoing knee arthroscopy were divided into 4 groups (49 each): Group A: Given bupivacaine intrathecally during spinal anaesthesia. Group B: Given magnesium sulphate 50 mg with bupivacaine intrathecally. Group C: Given magnesium sulphate IV 10 min after intrathecal injection (30 mg/kg MgSo4). Group D: Given magnesium sulphate intra-articular route, 10 min before the end of surgery (800 mgSo4 diluted in 12 ml normal saline (0.9 % NaCl). Operative time in minutes, VAS at rest and after procedure, time lapse before first analgesic dose after surgery, total dose of rescue analgesics used, pulse rate, mean arterial pressure and side effects were observed and analysed. RESULTS In regards to the lapse of time between end of surgery and first rescue analgesic given, total doses of tramadol used during the 24 hours after the procedure were significantly better in patients given intra-articular magnesium sulphate than other groups (P = 0.001). Patients of Group C who received IV magnesium sulphate were significantly better than patients who were given intrathecal magnesium sulphate in relation to time taken from end of surgery until first analgesic dose. VAS at rest and during the period of first 24 hours followed by surgery was statistically significant in patients who received intra-articular magnesium sulphate (p- 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Intra-articular administration of magnesium sulphate was observed to be superior to other routes of administration or not using at all. Next to intra-articular route, intravenous magnesium sulphate was found to be superior to intrathecal route in providing post operative analgesia in arthroscopy patients. KEY WORDS Analgesia, Knee Arthroscopy, Pain, Magnesium Sulphate, Intrathecal, Intra-articular
Dosimetric Study for the Feasibility of Carotid Sparing Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Early Glottic Cancer
Authors: Vasanthakumary Preeya , Karumathil Anilkumar , David Gargy Anjolian , Ramachandran Sivaramakrishnan , Nair Anjana Sasikumar
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND The primary objective of this study is a dosimetric comparison for the feasibility of carotid sparing intensity modulated radiation therapy (CS-IMRT) for early glottis cancer. The planning target volume coverage and the spinal cord dose are compared in the 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and IMRT plans. METHODS In this single reconcile study twenty-five patients who had been already treated for early-stage glottis cancer (T1, T2N0M0) from June 2015 to June 2021 with 52.5 Gy/15 fractions were included. All patients were simulated in supine position with an orfit shell and treatment planning computed tomography scans were obtained from the vertex to sternal angle with a 3-mm slice thickness. Treatment was executed with 3-DCRT plan and comparison was made with the newly created IMRT plan. The analysis was made regarding mean dose to the carotid arteries, volume of carotid artery receiving more than 25 Gy (V25), 35 Gy (V35), 50 Gy (V50), planning target coverage and doses to organ at risk. RESULTS The dose to carotids was significantly higher in the 3-DCRT plan compared with the IMRT plan (p=0.004). For target coverage the volume receiving 95% of the dose was significantly higher in IMRT plan (p=.001). The dose to the spinal cord was higher-in the IMRT plan (p=.001) compared to 3-DCRT plan. CONCLUSIONS IMRT maintains target volume coverage with significant reduction in carotid artery dose. This reduces the incidence of cerebrovascular accidents by decreasing the radiation induced carotid artery stenosis, thereby improving the quality of life of patients. KEY WORDS CS-IMRT, 3D-CRT, Mean Carotid Dose
Expression of DOG1, CD117 & PDGFRA in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours and Correlations with Clinicopathological Features & Risk Assessment
Authors: Kunjunny Reshma Pallikkara , Ponnappan Muthukrishnan Chirayil
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) was first named in 1983. Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are a special kind of tumours which are derived from mesenchymal tissues of gastrointestinal tract and arises from the interstitial cells of Cajal, the pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract responsible for the contractions of smooth muscles.1 Determination of the type of mutations in GIST plays a major role in assessing the risk of progression of the disease and also allows determination of the clinical management and treatment. More accurate GIST diagnosis is possible by using simultaneously various types of antibodies to immunohistochemistry methods in routine procedures.2 METHODS In this descriptive cross sectional study expression of DOG1, CD117 & PDGFRA was analysed in 70 patients with histopathologically diagnosed specimens of gastrointestinal stromal tumour, received in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, using the immunohistochemical method. RESULTS On evaluating the CD117, DOG1 & PDGFRA expression in GIST by immunohistochemistry showed 71.4%, 84.3% and 55.7% positivity respectively. Most of the patients fall in the age group of 60 – 70 years with a slight male predominance. Most common location of GIST is stomach with tumour size of 5 – 10cm. On microscopic evaluation spindle type GIST was predominant histopathological type. Considering the risk groups, histological type, mitotic count and tumour size, PDGFRA expression is more in low-risk groups. PDGFRA expression has insignificant relation with clinicopathologic features including age, sex, site of lesion, risk groups, histologic type, mitotic count and tumour size. Relationship between positive expression by CD117 & DOG1 with risk group & site of lesion are not statistically significant. When compared to the similar studies in literature, the obtained results are concordant. CONCLUSIONS Our study concluded that, 71.4% positive immunoreactions for CD117, 84.3% positive immunoreactions for DOG1 & 55.7% positive immunoreactions for PDGFRA. PDGFRA expression has insignificant relation with clinicopathologic features including age, sex, site of lesion, risk groups, histologic type, mitotic count and tumour size. Relationship between positive expression by CD117 & DOG1 with risk group & site of lesion are not statistically significant. The importance of this study is that PDGFRA expression in tumours can be considered for treatment by using tyrosine kinase inhibitors and avapritinib. So PDGFRA testing in GIST show a new path in the targeted therapy. KEY WORDS GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour), Discovered on GIST 1(DOG1), Cluster of Differentiation (CD117), Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor A(PDGFRA), Anoctamin 1(ANO1), Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH), Risk Group, Mitotic Count
Impact of Covid-19 on Survival among Kidney Transplant Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre in North Kerala – A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Puthiyottil Noushad Thekke , Krishnan Jayakumar Edathedathe , Melemadathil Sreelatha
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND In this study we wanted to measure the prevalence of Covid-19 disease among patients of renal transplant. The secondary outcome was to determine the demographic, clinical profile, and functional parameters of renal function and co morbidities associated with outcome in Covid-19 disease and to determine the predictors of mortality in patients who are post kidney transplant. METHODS A longitudinal study of 19 post-transplant patients with Covid-19 infection was conducted in our institute. The inclusion criteria included those patients who were post-transplant with age more than 18 years. The exclusion criteria were patients with graft failure and return to dialysis. The impact of Covid-19 on transplant patients was assessed. Various parameters including age, date of transplant, related or unrelated transplant, change in immunosuppression, comorbidities, graft function, radiological findings of Covid-19, dialysis requirement, and mortality was assessed. The data was analysed using PASW 18 statistical software. Qualitative variables were expressed in frequency and percentage. Quantitative variables as mean and standard deviation. RESULTS Mortality rates of patients with post renal transplant who developed Covid-19 infection was 23 %. The incidence of Covid-19 among transplant population was 3.8 %. In our series most of our patients had live related kidney donor transplantation. And the incidence of co morbidities like hypertension and diabetes was 57 % and 47 % respectively. The factors that was responsible for poor prognosis among transplant patients was graft dysfunction at the time of presentation and the presence of co morbidities. There was worsening of the mean graft functioning after the patient had recovered from Covid, and the mortality of patients on renal replacement therapy and patients on mechanical ventilation was very high. CONCLUSIONS Mortality rates among transplant patients was higher than the general population, and the factors responsible was graft dysfunction and co morbidities. KEY WORDS Covid-19, Post-Transplant, Mortality
Comparison between Retinal Ophthalmoscopy Vs Fundus Photography with ETDRS Field for Clinical Screening of Diabetic Retinopahty
Authors: Patil Prerana , Shetty Niharika Krishna
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Screening of Diabetic retinopathy is essential for detection of diabetic retinopathy and its management. Diabetic retinopathy is a common and preventable cause of blindness in adults. Laser pan-retinal photocoagulation has been proven to have established efficacy in treating diabetic visual loss. Since India has a wide geographical area and there is a lack of trained ophthalmologists in peripheral India, there is an immense need for telemedicine in diabetic retinopathy screening. This study was done to evaluate the comparability of non-stereoscopic fundus photography with conventional fundoscopy for detection of diabetic maculopathy. METHODS All patients with diabetic retinopathy and mixed retinopathy presenting to Ophthalmology OPD at Sri Siddhartha Medical College between June 2020 and June 2021, were included in the study. The patients were evaluated for visual acuity on Snellen Visual Acuity Chart, Anterior Segment evaluation on a slit-lamp examination. Fundus was evaluated with 90 Diopter Volk lens with Slit Lamp biomicroscopy, Direct Ophthalmoscopy with Welch Allyn ophthalmoscope with medium size aperture, and the peripheral fundus was seen by an Indirect Ophthalmoscope with 20 Diopter lens Volk lens. ETDRS 7 Field Picture on Carl Zeiss Meditec AG VISUCAM SN model AA107 was taken. The observations were subjected to the statistical analysis of Cohen’s Kappa and the percentile description. RESULTS The commonest retinopathy was moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), seen in 41.667 %. The commonest maculopathy found was the absence of maculopathy seen in 78.3 % of cases. There was perfect agreement (Kappa k-1.00) in the evaluation of background retinopathy on Conventional Fundoscopy and Fundus imaging, P-value < 0.001. There was moderate agreement (Kappa k-0.5) in the evaluation of maculopathy on Conventional Fundoscopy and Fundus imaging, Pvalue < 0.001, only for CSME and No maculopathy. However diffuse macular oedema and Ischemic Maculopathy were missed on Fundus Photography. CONCLUSIONS Non-Stereoscopic Fundus Photography is a good telemedicine tool for diabetic retinopathy screening, but there is under-diagnosis of it, though it can detect diabetic maculopathy. As a diagnosis”Absence of maculopathy” is inconclusive until and unless screened by Conventional Ophthalmoscopy. KEY WORDS Diabetic Retinopathy, Maculopathy, Clinically Significant Macular Oedema, NonStereoscopic Fundus Imaging, Ophthalmoscopy.