bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative Counseling could Enhance Knowledge and Attitudes of Women Sex Workers about Sexually Transmitted Infections
Authors: Kamsatun Kamsatun , Karjatin Atin , Mulyo Gurid Pramintarto Eko
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are preventable and treatable diseases. Female sex workers are more susceptible to contracting STIs. Successful prevention of STIs will not be achieved without community involvement and patient compliance in implementing prevention programs.

AIM: The study aimed to analyze the effect of integrative counseling on knowledge and attitudes about STIs.

METHODS: This type of research is a quasi-experiment with a pre-post test two-group design. The population was female sexual workers (FSW) at the Mawar PKBI clinic in Bandung City. The number of samples per group was 28 people. The sampling technique was the purposive sampling technique. The knowledge and attitude instruments used a questionnaire. Differences in knowledge and attitudes pre and post-test in the treatment and control groups used the dependent t-test. The effect of integrative counseling on knowledge and attitudes was used in the independent t-test.

RESULTS: This study showed that the intervention group’s mean ability before and after integrative counseling increased higher than the control group. The statistical test results showed that the value of p = 0.000, meaning that at 5% alpha, there was a significant difference in the mean knowledge between the intervention group and the control group. p <α (0.05), so statistically, there is a significant effect of integrative counseling on knowledge about STIs. The mean of attitudes before and after integrative counseling in the intervention group increased more than in the control group. The statistical test results showed that the value of p = 0.000, meaning that at 5% alpha, there was a significant difference in the average attitude between the intervention and control groups. p < α (0.05), so statistically, integrative counseling significantly affects attitudes about STIs.

CONCLUSION: Suggestions for the Mawar Clinic PKBI, Bandung City, West Java, and Indonesia can facilitate counseling to FSW using modules so that knowledge and attitudes can be increased so that they can improve STI prevention behavior.
Clinical Evaluation of Bioactive Restorative Material versus Resin Modified Glass Ionomer in Cervical Restorations: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Hafez Yehia Yehia , Ibrahim Amir Hafez , Abou-auf Eman , Elzogbhi Amira Farid
Published: February 2022

Abstract:
Objective:
In the context of great attention given to fluoride containing restorative material and development of easily applied and reliable material for different clinical situations. This current study aimed to compare Bioactive resin-based composite (ACTIVA) to Resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI) in cervical restorations.
Materials and methods:
 Fuji II LC® capsules (conventional resin modified glass ionmer), or ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE™ (enhanced resin-modified glass-ionmer) with using Etch-Rite™ and Prime&Bond universal (universal adhesive system) were applied randomly in thirty anterior teeth and six premolars with class V cavities; all materials were applied according to manufacturers’ instructions. Restorations were evaluated at baseline (one week), after six months, and after 12 months by two blinded assessors using modified USPHS criteria.
Results: 
The results in this study were ordinal data, so Mann-Whitney test was used to compare between tested materials. Freidman test was used to test the effect of time within tested materials. Kruskal Wallis test used to compare the interaction between variables for all tested parameters. The results were statistically significant when p≤0.05. There was no significant difference between interaction of both restorations and time in marginal discoloration (p=0.051), recurrent caries (p=1.00) and retention analysis (p=1.00), but there was a significant change in marginal adaptation (p=0.001), surface roughness (p=0.017), color change (p= 0.004) and surface luster (p=0.017) with 100 % survival rate in this study.
Conclusions:
Both conventional resin-modified glass ionmer and enhanced resin-modified glass ionomer are acceptable as intermediate restoration. Bioactive restorations proved to retain its esthetic characteristics over the conventional one. Bioactive restorations with an adhesive system can be used as long-term restoration in small-defined cavities, not in stress-bearing areas.
 
Clinical relevance:
Within the limitations of this study, ACTIVA BIO-ACTIVE Restorative showed similar results to FUJI II LC in class V cavity restorations.
A long-read amplicon approach to scaling up the metabarcoding of lichen herbarium specimens
Authors: Gueidan Cécile , Li Lan
Published: February 2022

Reference sequence databases are critical to the accurate detection and identification of fungi in the environment. As repositories of large numbers of well-curated specimens, herbaria and fungal culture collections have the material resources to generate sequence data for large number of taxa, and could therefore allow filling taxonomic gaps often present in reference sequence databases. Financial resources to do that are however often lacking, so that recent efforts have focused on decreasing sequencing cost by increasing the number of multiplexed samples per sequencing run while maintaining high sequence quality. Following a previous study that aimed at decreasing sequencing cost for lichen specimens by generating fungal ITS barcodes for 96 specimens using PacBio amplicon sequencing, we present a method that further decreases lichen specimen metabarcoding costs. A total of 384 mixed DNA extracts obtained from lichen herbarium specimens, mostly from the four genera Buellia, Catillaria, Endocarpon and Parmotrema, were used to generate new fungal ITS sequences using a Sequel I sequencing platform and the PacBio M13 barcoded primers. The average success rate across all taxa was high (86.5%), with particularly high rates for the crustose saxicolous taxa (Buellia, Catillaria and others; 93.3%) and the terricolous squamulose taxa (Endocarpon and others; 96.5%). On the other hand, the success rate for the foliose genus Parmotrema was lower (60.4%). With this taxon sampling, greater specimen age did not appear to impact sequencing success. In fact, the 1966–1980 collection date category showed the highest success rate (97.3%). Compared to the previous study, the abundance-based sequence denoising method showed some limitations, but the cost of generating ITS barcodes was further decreased thanks to the higher multiplexing level. In addition to contributing new ITS barcodes for specimens of four interesting lichen genera, this study further highlights the potential and challenges of using new sequencing technologies on collection specimens to generate DNA sequences for reference databases.
Xenos yangi sp. nov.: A new twisted-wing parasite species (Strepsiptera, Xenidae) from Gaoligong Mountains, Southwest China
Authors: Dong Zhiwei , Liu Xingyue , Mao Chuyang , He Jinwu , Li Xueyan
Published: February 2022

Here we report a new twisted-wing parasite species of the family Xenidae based on both morphological and molecular evidence. By using nearly complete mitogenomes, we confirmed the twisted-wing parasites on two wasps (Vespa velutinaandVespa bicolor) (China: Yunnan) as the same species, and associated its neotenic females and alate males. Combining the mitogenomic data (COI) and morphological traits, this species was identified to be a new species of the genusXenos, namelyXenos yangiDong, Liu & Li,sp. nov.Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided for the new species.
Moral Distress in Academia
Authors: Ganske Kathryn
Published: February 2022

The concept of moral distress is not new to nursing. As early as 1984 Jameton described moral distress as occurring when one knows the right thing to do, but institutional constraints make it nearly impossible to pursue the right course of action. Nurses may experience moral distress when confronted with chosen treatment options that they believe are not be in the best interest of the patient, and/or do not mesh with their sense of right and wrong. Although the nursing literature documents moral distress in the clinical area, it does not address moral distress in academia. Yet anecdotal evidence indicates that moral distress also occurs in academic institutions. The author begins this article by describing the experience of moral distress and suggesting that moral distress occurs not only in the clinical setting, but also in the academic setting. This is followed by a review of the literature related to moral distress in nursing education and a discussion of the seeds of moral distress in nursing education, such as dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism; grade inflation; and incivility. The author concludes by identifying the professional implications of moral distress in nursing education.
Electronic Personal Health Records That Promote Self-Management in Chronic Illness
Authors: Mitchell Beverly , Begoray Deborah
Published: February 2022

Adequate health literacy is critical for patients charged with the responsibility of self-managing chronic conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In COPD, complex care demands require patients to be able to access, comprehend, and evaluate multiple sources of health information. Self-management education programs aim to empower patients by providing information and by teaching skills that can improve self-care and enable patients to live fuller and more functional lives. A growing trend in self-management is to offer patients access to their health information through the use of electronic personal health records (PHRs). However, there needs to be a match between patients’ health literacy levels and the PHR software used in electronic PHRs to effectively promote self-management. In this article the authors use COPD as an example of a chronic illness that can be self-managed through the use of electronic PHRs. They begin by providing overviews of COPD management, self-management, health literacy, and the use of electronic personal healthrecords as self-management tools. Then they draw upon Nutbeam’s health literacy framework to guide healthcare providers in matching a patient’s health literacy level with a software program appropriate for a particular patient.
Paso Doble : Note on an Early Old Babylonian Seal Found at Abu Tbeirah
Authors: Romano Licia
Published: February 2022

L’article analyse l’iconographie particulière d’un sceau paléo-babylonien ancien qui a été récemment découvert à Abu Tbeirah. La scène de danse représentée, ainsi que les motifs secondaires, semblent suggérer un lien entre la représentation et la déesse Ištar. En outre, l’identification du type de danse en honneur de la déesse est hypothétiquement liée aux célébrations établies par Ea dans le poème contemporain de Agušaya.
Where is the Llengua Valenciana ? A Study of Language Ideologies in Textbooks in Spain
Authors: Iranzo Vicente
Published: February 2022

Les manuels sont fortement influencés par les idéologies des groupes dominants et ne constituent pas un matériel pédagogique objectif ou neutre (Amalsaleh, Javid, & Rahimi, 2010). La présente étude a examiné comment les manuels scolaires utilisent la langue pour diffuser une idéologie linguistique déterminée dans laquelle la langue valencienne n’a pas le même statut linguistique que la langue castillane en Espagne. Dans ce but, les titres présents sur 38 couvertures de manuels scolaires de la Communauté de Valence ont été analysés. Les résultats ont montré que la construction linguistique llengua valenciana i literatura (langue et littérature valenciennes) est intentionnellement évitée. Cette idéologie linguistique se manifeste par le processus sémiotique de l’effacement (Irvine & Gal, 2000) et par l’utilisation de choix lexicaux spécifiques. Cette étude soutient que l’évitement de l’expression llengua valenciana i literatura est motivé idéologiquement avec l’intention d’abaisser le statut linguistique de la langue valencienne, une des langues co-officielles en Espagne.
La société des exodes
Authors: Le Blanc Guillaume
Published: February 2022

Comme nous n’y croyons plus, nos sociétés sont marquées par l’exode. Mais la lecture de Robinson Crusoé par Michel de Certeau montre que le projet est désormais de faire société par les individus. Il faut donc se rendre attentif aux nouvelles croyances.
Le populisme chrétien, un phénomène transatlantique ?
Authors: Chelini-Pont Blandine
Published: February 2022

La politisation du christianisme connaît différents usages : en Europe de l’Ouest, elle permet d’exclure les musulmans et les immigrés ; en Europe de l’Est, elle associe le refus de l’islam à la critique du libéralisme ; aux États-Unis, elle a basculé dans le populisme. Mais cette troisième variante connaît un essor en Europe pour lutter contre le « lobby gay » et empêcher l’Europe de devenir une « colonie islamique ».
Les dénominations en langue occitane de produits agroalimentaires : quels ressorts ethnosociolinguistiques, quels enjeux glottopolitiques ?
Authors: Alén Garabato Carmen , Boyer Henri
Published: February 2022

L’émergence de nouveaux usages de la langue occitane dans les domaines du commerce de l’agro-alimentaire est un paradoxe : la langue dominée dont les usagers natifs sont en bonne voie d’extinction, apparaît sous les auspices de mises en scène de lexies et d’énoncés dans cette même langue. Il s’agit là d’usages certes très minoritaires mais dont la visibilité est inversement proportionnelle à leur normalité. Par ailleurs, ils témoignent souvent d’une étonnante créativité. Ce phénomène de dénomination patrimoniale en langue minor (is) ée, que l’on peut considérer comme un micro-acte glottopolitique , relève d’une certaine attitude de loyauté linguistique nostalgique qui semble freiner (du moins durant une certaine période) la dynamique vers la substitution totale et définitive. La patrimonialisation qui est à l’origine de ces nouveaux usages de l’occitan est une patrimonialisation dynamique , qui confère à la langue dominée un sursaut de considération et de fonctionnalité sociétales bien réelles, à la différence d’une patrimonialisation atone, de type strictement folklorique.
Les limites d’une action de normalisation sociolinguistique « de haut en bas » : le cas des entreprises galiciennes
Authors: Formoso Gosende Valentina
Published: February 2022

L’auteure présente un cas particulier de politique linguistique conçue à partir de l’Administration autonome galicienne (Espagne) et visant le secteur des entreprises, ainsi que sa réception chez les responsables et chez leurs employés. Elle analyse les dispositions élaborées à partir de l’approbation de la loi de normalisation linguistique jusqu’en 2000 par la direction générale de la politique linguistique de la Xunta de Galicia (DXPL) et rend compte des données à propos des usages oraux et écrits dans les entreprises galiciennes. Il s’agit ainsi de faire une évaluation d’un aspect de la politique linguistique institutionnelle du gouvernement de Galice.
Le Secrétariat général du Conseil de l’Union européenne : entre transformations politiques de long terme et réformes néomanagériales
Authors: Gilloz Oriane
Published: February 2022

Le Secrétariat général du Conseil de l’Union européenne fait l’objet d’une véritable cécité académique. Pourtant, il se situe au cœur de l’échiquier politique puisqu’il est non seulement l’administration du Conseil de l’Union, mais également celle du Conseil européen et de son président permanent. Le présent article explore le double contexte des réformes politiques et administratives qui traversent le Secrétariat. De quelle manière ces réformes successives modifient-elles l’espace du Conseil ? Comment s’insèrent-elles dans les transformations plus générales du champ bureaucratique européen ? Pour répondre à ces questions, ce travail analyse le Secrétariat général à travers le prisme de sa dynamique historique de long terme et de celui de ses perceptions par les fonctionnaires. L’article révèle que les transformations institutionnelles du Conseil se sont accompagnées de changements administratifs au départ graduels et relativement autonomes. Ces derniers ont fini par devenir radicaux et systémiques lors du tournant néomanagérial qui a imprégné l’ensemble de la fonction publique européenne dans les années 2000. S’appuyant sur un travail d’archives et sur des entretiens menés avec des fonctionnaires du Conseil, le présent travail entend dès lors éclairer d’une lumière plus vive les liens existants entre les transformations politiques, administratives et sociologiques qui caractérisent le Secrétariat général et le champ bureaucratique européen depuis une vingtaine d’années.
Le Secrétariat général de la Commission européenne sous le mandat de Jean-Claude Juncker : un instrument au service de la présidentialisation de l’institution ?
Authors: Agosta Clémentine
Published: February 2022

Cet article s’interroge sur le rôle du secrétariat général (SG), direction générale de la Commission européenne, en tant que service présidentiel sous le mandat du président Jean-Claude Juncker (entre le 1 er novembre 2014 et le 30 novembre 2019). Après avoir présenté les évolutions historiques du secrétariat général, notamment sous l’influence des différents styles de présidences et des avancées institutionnelles majeures, nous examinerons les spécificités de la « séquence » Juncker. Celle-ci a été marquée par de nouvelles prérogatives dévolues au chef de la Commission européenne par les traités et par un fort volontarisme politique. En conséquence, le secrétariat général a été transformé en un service organisé, expert et loyal au président. Plus encore, nous constaterons qu’il a joué un rôle important d’interface dans le nouveau processus décisionnel de cette « Commission politique », au-delà de ses missions traditionnelles. Ainsi, le secrétariat général a permis, tout au long du mandat, de maintenir le cap des priorités politiques définies par le président. Faire le bilan de la nature du secrétariat général sous le mandat de Jean-Claude Juncker revient à s’intéresser à une présidence marquée par plusieurs phases, qui a construit un modèle unique de Commission. Son héritage demeure toujours perceptible avec acuité sous la présidence von der Leyen.
Women leaders in SMEs: Looking back, looking ahead
Authors: Chabaud Didier , Lebègue Typhaine
Published: February 2022

Les recherches menées sur les femmes entrepreneures demeurent rares dans le monde francophone, alors que ces dernières années ont vu une prolifération d’actions et de mesures en faveur du développement de l’entrepreneuriat féminin. Cette recherche vise donc à remédier partiellement à ce décalage, en proposant un état des lieux de la place des femmes à la direction des PME françaises de 10 à 250 salariés. Les résultats de cette recherche quantitative menée auprès de 483 dirigeants de PME permettent de mettre en évidence les particularités (ou similitudes) des dirigeantes en matière d’objectifs, de mode de management et d’insertion dans les réseaux et instances professionnelles. Une discussion des résultats permettra de montrer à la fois combien les résultats des études anglophones et francophones peuvent être tantôt confortés - tantôt relativisés - par nos observations, et combien il peut être important d’introduire de nouvelles questions dans l’agenda de recherche.
Experimental Investigation of Fenestron Noise
Authors: Olsman W.F.J.
Published: February 2022

The noise radiation of an EC135 Fenestron is investigated by means of flight tests. The noise emission was measured with ground microphones during several different maneuvers. These include hover, rearward flight, and forward flight at different combinations of the side slip angle and
the airspeed. In hover, a high level of broadband noise is observed. A comparison with available engine noise data suggested that engine noise is not dominant in hover. In rearward flight, the Fenestron may encounter a relatively clean aerodynamic inflow. However, the measurements do not indicate
a reduction in noise radiation of the Fenestron. For rearward flight, a significant increase in main rotor noise is observed. Flights at different combinations of the side slip angle and airspeed show that the Fenestron radiates high levels of tonal noise at high-speed flight at negative side
slip. The most likely cause for this is a highly disturbed inflow caused by flow separations of the diffusor outlet edge and the sharp trailing edges of the stator blades. Measurements of the tail boom yaw moment and Fenestron drive shaft torque imply that a reverse flow is possible at medium
airspeed, while the Fenestron thrust does not reverse sign. Only at higher airspeeds and negative side slip, it is possible to achieve a thrust reversal in addition to a flow reversal.
La corporeità disponibile
Authors: Mordacci Roberto
Published: February 2022

In questo articolo, che sarà pubblicato in due parti su numeri diversi della rivista, viene proposta un'analisi del significato morale della ricerca biomedica, in vista di una caratterizzazione etica della situazione di chi partecipa come volontario alla sperirnentazione di farmaci, con particolare riferimento alla fase 1. A partire dalla considerazione della natura propria della ricerca biomedica, intesa come ricerca di un sapere orientato al miglioramento della capacità di curare i malati, il significato etico della partecipazione di pazienti o soggetti sani alla sperimentazione è descritto come "disponibilità" a contribuire agli sforzi fatti dal ricercatore biomedico per soccorrere chi soffre. A tale atteggiamento si contrappone quello di "disposizione" della corporeità da parte di chi (soggetto o ricercatore) la considera come puro oggetto su cui sperimentare o per mezzo della quale trarre vantaggio. L'analisi dei risultati di un breve sondaggio fra i ricercatori e volontari sani sulle motivazioni del loro agire fornisce alcuni dati sulla difficoltà a tradurre nel concreto i valori percepiti alla base della ricerca: la motivazione prevalente alla partecipazione ad esperimenti risulta essere l'incentivo economico, mentre vi è scarso interesse per la effettiva rilevanza delle formalità della ricerca. Ne risulta che la prassi della sperimentazione sembra inscriversi per lo più in un atteggiamento diffuso di "disposizione" della corporeità propria o altrui.
Association of body mass index with clinicopathological characteristics and hormone receptor status in breast cancer patients
Authors: Dahiya Divya , Kaur Maninder Deep , Yadav Budhi Singh , Kumar Ashok
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND:

There have been inconsistent results on the association of body mass index (BMI) with tumor characteristics, hormone, and menopausal status in breast cancer (BC) patients.

OBJECTIVE:

This study was intended to analyze the association of BMI with menopausal status, tumor characteristics, and hormone receptor status in BC patients. We also analyzed the significance of human epidermal growth factor type 2 receptor (HER-2)/neu status in association with menopausal status, tumor size, tumor grade, and nodal status in patients with BC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Histologically proven 188 patients of BC with IHC report were included in this study done over 1 year period. Demographic data, pathologic features, and biological receptor status of cases were collected from the patient's records. Chi-square/Fisher's exact test, independent t- and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were adopted to explore whether BMI differed according to biological receptor status in pre- and post-menopausal women.

RESULTS:

BMI was found to be significantly associated with the menopausal status of patients (P = 0.02). However, BMI lacks significant association with tumor size, stage, grade, and lymph node status in both pre- and post-menopausal patients. Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2/neu expression were found to have a statistically significant correlation with tumor size (P < 0.001). Statistically significant correlation was also observed between age at the time of diagnosis and HER-2/neu expression (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION:

This study revealed that BMI has a significant association with menopausal status. The frequency of expression of ER/PR was the same as reported in the literature; however, expression of HER-2/neu was high in postmenopausal women. Findings from this study may help to develop patient awareness of potentially modifiable lifestyle risk factors such as overweight and obesity as HER-2/neu positivity is associated with poor prognosis.
Jejunal Trichobezoar
Authors: Hal Michele Van , Kinnane Janet
Published: February 2022

We present the youngest case of trichotillomania and trichophagia in a 3-year-old African-American boy who resulted in bowel obstruction. Trichophagia should be taken into consideration in a young child presenting with abdominal pain, especially with no obvious source. Although rare, undiagnosed trichobezoar has a high complication rate. However, if diagnosed and treated promptly, with appropriate psychiatric follow-up, recovery is nearly 100% with very low recurrence rate and ultimately an excellent prognosis.
Innovations in Cervical Spine Trauma
Authors: Karamian Brian A. , Levy Hannah A. , Minetos Paul D. , Smith Michael L. , Vaccaro Alexander R.
Published: February 2022

The upper cervical spine not only consists of intricate bony and ligamentous anatomy affording unique flexibility but also has increased susceptibility to injuries. The upper cervical spine trauma can result in a wide spectrum of injuries that can be managed both operatively and nonoperatively. Several existing classification systems have been proposed to describe injuries of the upper cervical spine, many of which rely on anatomic descriptions of injury location. Prior fracture classifications are limited in scope, characterizing fractures restricted to a single region of the upper cervical spine, and fail to provide insight into injury management. The AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System (AO Spine UCCS) has recently been developed as a comprehensive, yet concise classification scheme to describe all injuries of the upper cervical spine. The AO Spine UCCS represents a significant development in the classification of upper cervical spine injuries, with the potential to serve as a decision-making instrument to aid in patient management.
Approach and Considerations for Surgery in Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury
Authors: Anand K. S. Sri Vijay , Shetty Ajoy Prasad , Rajasekaran S
Published: February 2022

Subaxial cervical spine injuries are common and encompass a spectrum of injuries ranging from a minor ligamentous sprain to fracture dislocation with spinal cord injury. These injuries are often missed in the initial evaluation, and a high index of suspicion is needed to evaluate and diagnose these injuries, which otherwise could lead to spinal cord injury. Computed tomography scans are the gold standard in the evaluation of fractures as plain radiographs have limited sensitivity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is necessary to identify injury to the disco-ligamentous complex and to assess cord injury. The principles of the treatment of cervical spine injuries include early immobilization to prevent secondary neurological injury, achieving alignment by reduction and stabilization of the unstable injured segment and decompression of the cord in the presence of cord injury. Owing to a broad spectrum of injuries, there is no unified approach, and the management plan depends on the morphology of injury, the extent of structures damaged, and the presence of neurological impairment. Various classifications grade and help assess the severity of the injury. Minor injuries are conservatively managed with cervical orthoses, and unstable injuries require stabilization either anterior, posterior, or combined approaches, depending on the injury morphology. Controversy exists over the safety of closed reduction in facetal subluxations, need for pre-reduction MRI, and the ideal approach for each injury. This review presents the current evidence and guidelines on the management of subaxial cervical spine injuries.
A Rare Case of Voriconazole-induced Vertebral Periostitis in a Patient with Invasive Aspergillus Spondylodiscitis
Authors: Jain Alok , Kashikar Aaditya , Nagad Premik B. , Bhojraj Shekhar Y.
Published: February 2022

The author illustrates the first ever reported case of voriconazole-induced periostitis of vertebral body. A 66-year-old immunocompetent male patient was diagnosed with multilevel invasive aspergillus spondylodiscitis of dorsal spine and was put on long-term voriconazole therapy for the same. Initially, the patient showed a good response to treatment but later on paradoxically the patient started to deteriorate symptomatically as well as radiologically. Differential diagnosis of misdiagnosis or co-in­fection with an another mold, inadequate voriconazole blood levels, voriconazole-induced periostitis were thought. After a detailed radiological and serological investigation, the patient was diagnosed with voriconazole-induced vertebral periostitis. Based on thorough literature review, discontinuation of voriconazole therapy was opted as treatment. Clinically, the patient started improving within four weeks of cessation of therapy and was symptom-free by the end of four months. Hence, to conclude, clinicians and spine surgeons should be aware of the fact that long-term voriconazole treatment of invasive aspergillosis can be complicated by skeletal fluorosis and painful periostitis. Once the symptoms of periostitis develop, investigations such as skeletal imaging and measurement of serum fluoride levels should be performed and if periostitis deformans is confirmed, reducing the dose or ceasing voriconazole should be considered.
Management of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with peripheral neuropathy through Virechana karma
Authors: Yadav Uttamram , Bhatted Santosh Kumar
Published: February 2022

Majority of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) cases are unable to keep plasma glucose levels under control despite adequate medications and follow-up. They are being managed with insulin in contemporary medicine. The WHO estimates that diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in 2016. Ayurveda literature has emphasized in this regard to cure Madhumeha (~diabetes mellitus) or control blood sugar levels with Panchakarma (~five internal bio-cleansing therapies) treatment. A 64-year-old male suffering from type-2 DM with chief complaints of excessive urination, thirst, pain in both legs, numbness in bilateral feet, and whole-body weakness was presented in the outpatient department of Panchakarma. He was diagnosed as a case of Madhumeha associated with peripheral neuropathy on the basis of clinical presentation and laboratory investigations. He was on allopathic medicines for 10 years. However, the symptoms worsened with time. Management was started, from Deepana (~enhancing metabolic fire) and Pachana (~enhancing digestion) followed by Snehapana (~internal oleation), Sarvanga abhyanga (~external oleation), Vashpa swedana (~whole body steam), Virechana karma, and Samsarjana krama (~special dietetic regimen). The current management showed significant results in reducing blood glucose, levels of hemoglobin A1c, visual analog scale score.
Early Detection of Gambling Among At-Risk Adolescents. Validation of EDGAR-A Scale
Authors: Cabrera-Perona Víctor , Lloret-Irles Daniel , Núñez Núñez Rosa
Published: February 2022

Despite the fact that minors have prohibited access to commercial gambling, and legislation trying to constrain gambling, an important proportion declares that they have bet either online, or by illegally entering gambling venues. This situation highlights the need to implement selective prevention programs that requires assessment tools to identify vulnerable groups. This paper aims to design and validate a scale of evaluation for the psycho-social characteristics that predict onset and maintenance of gambling behavior among adolescents. 2,716 students of Secondary Education, 15.12 years (± 1.03) answered a frequency, intensity and problematic gambling questionnaire and a scale to evaluate risk profiles. The resulting scale is compounded by 26 items classified in 4 sub-scales: Accessibility, Risk Perception, Normative Perception and Parental Attitudes. Internal consistency coefficients were: 0.668, 0.728, 0.746 and 0.818 respectively, and 0.811 for the total scale. Results offer a robust support on the structural validity and internal consistency of the Early Detection of Gambling among At-Risk Adolescents (EDGAR-A) Scale, a useful tool for the design and assessment of effective preventive interventions.
Adolescent Health in Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Mabika Wivine Kalanga
Published: February 2022

No abstract
Factors affecting use of information communication technologies among extension agents in North-East, Nigeria
Authors: Sa’adu Mustapha , Norsida Man , Jasmin Arif Shah , Nitty Hirawaty Kamarulzaman , Ahmadu Abubakar Tafida
Published: February 2022

The study identified the levels of ICT use, awareness, accessibility, perceived organizational support, assessed the perception of the respondents on problems in using ICTs for agriculture extension work and, clarifies the relationships between awareness, accessibility, perceived organizational support, and use of ICTs. Data were collected through the use of a questionnaire distributed to 254 respondents using a multi-stage sampling and stratified sampling procedures. Mean, frequency, standard deviation and structural equation modelling in analysis of morement structure (AMOS) was used. Findings revealed that levels of ICT use (x̄ = 3.43), awareness (x̄ =3.40) accessibility (x̄ 3.66), and perceived organizational support (x̄ 3.574) were moderates. The high cost of ICT garget (x̄ =4.71), poor electricity supply (x̄ =4.69), lack of training (x̄ =4.63), ICT illiteracy (x̄ =4.61), outdated contents (x̄ =4.61), inability to use ICT (x̄ =4.55) and network issue (x̄ =4.34) were the critical problems in using ICTs in extension work. There was relationship between awareness, accessibility and motivation with ICT adoption among extension agents. Governments should design a policy that will focus on awareness, training, access to ICTs among the extension agents, provide an alternative source of power, this will enable them to remain within the system and also increase their usage of ICTs in extension service delivery.
Viewpoint: How to Teach Global Challenges? A Solution-Focused Approach
Authors: Hoffman Thomas
Published: February 2022

Our present and our future are determined by massive global challenges. While the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 attempts a global answer to cope with these challenges, schooling in general and Geography teaching in particular, have to find answers for how to deal with challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, poverty or migration. Historically, a mainly problem-oriented teaching approach shaped the learning settings on these topics, with most of the lesson time dedicated to the problem. A solution-focused teaching approach, presented here, makes the solution the main focus in terms of time, thoughts, creativity and discussion, without neglecting the challenges. This approach considers principles of Education for Sustainable Development and contributes extensively to the key competences it strives for. By means of concrete examples from Germany and India and suitable elements such as ‘stories of change’, this paper explains and reflects on this innovative teaching approach.Keywords: global challenges, Geography teaching, solution-oriented teaching, Education for Sustainable Development
Delicaflavone induces apoptosis and autophagy, and improves the cytotoxicity of multiple myeloma cells to cisplatin by inactivating the AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Yi Liangbo , Yang Feifei , Yi Zhonglu
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To determine the effects of delicaflavone in multiple myeloma cells.

Methods: Multiple myeloma cells were incubated with different concentrations of delicaflavone (20, 40, and 80 μM) or coincubated with 40 μM delicaflavone and 20 μM cisplatin. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated using MTT and colony formation assays, respectively. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis were applied to investigate cell apoptosis and autophagy.

Results: Treatment with delicaflavone decreased cell viability and proliferation of multiple myeloma cells but promoted cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Protein expression of Autophagy-related protein 7 (Atg7) and LC3-II/LC3-I were increased by delicaflavone treatment, while p62 was decreased by the same treatment. Delicaflavone also conferred cisplatin sensitivity in multiple myeloma cells through decreases in cell viability and in cell proliferation. AKT/mTOR phosphorylation was reduced in multiple myeloma cells treated with delicaflavone.

Conclusion: Delicaflavone induces apoptosis and autophagy of multiple myeloma cells, and confers cisplatin sensitivity through inactivation of the AKT/mTOR pathway.
Fertility-enhancing potential of ethanol extract of Cuscuta chinensis seeds in a rat model of unilateral cryptorchidism
Authors: Shu Jiao , Li Li , Yu Hui , Zhang Dandan
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To investigate the fertility-enhancing potential of the ethanol extract of Cuscuta chinensis seeds in a rat model of unilateral cryptorchidism (ULC), and the mechanism(s) of action.

Methods: Healthy male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 48; mean weight = 220 ± 10 g) were randomly assigned to 4 groups (12 rats/group): control, ULC, 100 mg extract/kg and 200 mg extract/kg groups. Unilateral cryptorchidism of right testis was induced via standard method using an operating microscope. Rats in the treatment groups received 100 and 200 mg of ethanol extract of Cuscuta chinensis/kg orally once a day for 60 days. Sperm count and sperm motility were determined in seminal vesicular fluid (SVF) suspension. Oxidative stress markers and histological changes in rat testis were evaluated. The levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in testicular tissue were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the protein expressions of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were determined using Western blotting.

Results: Body and reproductive organ weights, sperm count, sperm motility, and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly reduced in ULC group, relative to control group, but these parameters were significantly and dose-dependently increased following extract treatment (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels were significantly higher in ULC group than in control group, but they were reduced significantly and dose-dependently after extract treatment (p < 0.05). Moreover, the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly downregulated in ULC group, when compared with control group, but they were significantly and dose-dependently upregulated by the extract (p < 0.05). Cross sections of testicular tissues of rats in ULC group revealed narrowed and thickened seminiferous tubules (disrupted spermatogonia) characterized by increased apoptotic bodies (increased number of necrotic Sertoli and Leydig cells). However, there were few damaged or necrotic Sertoli and Leydig cells, and complete absence of thickening of seminiferous tubules in testicular tissues of rats treated with the extract.

Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Cuscuta chinensis seeds effectively mitigates cryptorchidism in rats via mechanisms involving the regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and inhibition of apoptosis and oxidative stress. Thus, the plant extract has potentials for further development for the management of male infertility
Effect of fallopian tube dredging with a combination of hysteroscopy and Traditional Chinese medicine containing marine-derived principles in patients with inflammatory obstruction of fallopian tube
Authors: Li Meng-meng , Wang Wei-juan , Huang Feng , Wang Xiao
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect of fallopian tube dredging using a combination of hysteroscopy and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) containing marine-derived bioactive principles on patients with inflammatory obstruction of fallopian tube.

Methods: A total of 108 patients with inflammatory obstruction of fallopian tube admitted to Weifang Maternal and Child Health Hospital from February 2017 to February 2018 were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized into study group (n = 54) and reference group (n = 54). The reference group received traditional laparotomy, while the study group received fallopian tube dredging using hysteroscopy in combination with TCM containing marine-based bioactive principles. The clinical effects of the two treatments were compared.

Results: The number of completely unobstructed patients was significantly higher in the study group than in the reference group, with lower number of patients unilaterally unobstructed in the study group (p < 0.05). No significant differences in the number of bilaterally obstructed patients between the two groups were observed (p > 0.05). The study group showed an evidently higher total effectiveness rate than the reference group (p < 0.05). Stronger evidence of a higher number of cases of intrauterine pregnancy in the study group than that in the reference group was found, while a strikingly lower number of pregnancy failures and ectopic gestations in the study group was obtained, when compared to the reference group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Fallopian tube dredging combined with hysteroscopy and TCM containing marine-derived principles effectively improves treatment outcomes in patients with fallopian tube obstruction. Thus, the combination therapy has greater benefits than the traditional approach.
Carbon dynamics and sequestration by urban mangrove forests of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Maseta Grace J. , Mwansasu Simon , Njana Marco A.
Published: February 2022

This study intended to 1) determine spatial and temporal changes of mangrove forests, 2) identify drivers of mangrove deforestation and forest degradation, 3) determine historical carbon storage, sequestration and deforestation emissions by mangrove forests, and 4) determine whether mangrove forests are a source or sink of CO2 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mangrove forests have decreased from 4,813 hectares in 1986 to 1961 hectares in 2016. The following were prominent drivers of deforestation in descending order: clearing mangrove forests for salt pans; hotel construction; settlement; and charcoal making. Tree removals for firewood and building poles were also prominent drivers of mangrove forest degradation. Similarly, carbon stored in mangrove forests has decreased from 1,131,055 tonnes CO2e in 1986 to 460,835 tonnes CO2e in 2016. Sequestration of CO2 by mangrove forests is estimated at 133,516 (1986-1995); 106,110 (1995-2006) and 69,616 (2006-2016) tonnes CO2e year-1. Conversely, mangrove deforestation has resulted in emissions of about 27,400, 16,500 and 24,000 tonnes CO2e year-1 in 1986-1995, 1995- 2006 and 2006-2016, respectively. Urban mangrove forests play an important environmental role in mitigating climate change and amelioration of local weather through the large carbon stocks they store and sequester. Mangrove forests in the study area remain a net carbon sink, however, the sink role played by mangrove forests in the study area is decreasing rapidly. The declining spatial and temporal trends of urban mangrove forest cover has resulted in a systematic decrease in the total carbon stored and sequestered by mangrove forests. In the absence of timely measures of preserving and rehabilitating degraded mangrove areas, the mangrove forests of Dar es Salaam may become the source of CO2. The study recommends effective urban land use planning and effective law enforcement to ensure a win-win situation through sustained ecosystem services offered by urban mangrove forests to support economic growth.
Distribution of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls present in surface sediments of the Sabaki and Tana estuaries, Kenya
Authors: Wayayi Veronica W. , Okuku Eric O. , Ohowa Boaz O.
Published: February 2022

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the surface sediments of the Sabaki and Tana estuaries were studied to determine distribution as well as their ecological risk. The concentration range of PCBs and OCPs were 0.65-9.29 ng/g dw and 0.47-9.84 ng/g dw, respectively. Sabaki Bridge in the Sabaki River and Tana 4 in the Tana River recorded high levels of both PCBs and OCPs. The calculated values of DDD+DDE/ DDT showed that the presence of DDT from both the rivers is a result of historical input. The ecotoxicological impact of sediment pollution by PCBs and OCPs was assessed using sediment quality guidelines specified by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. The concentration values for PCB, HCB, Heptachlor epoxide, and Chlordane in this study indicate low ecological risk to sediment dwelling organisms. DDT showed an adverse biological effect to sediment dwelling organisms. As a result, there is a need to establish a programme for monitoring persistent organic pollutants in Kenya, so that any elevation in concentration above the environmental quality standards can be detected and appropriate actions taken to minimize potential adverse effects to the environment and public health.
Verifying liquidity of recursive Bitcoin contracts
Authors: Bartoletti Massimo , Lande Stefano , Murgia Maurizio , Zunino Roberto
Published: February 2022

Smart contracts - computer protocols that regulate the exchange of
crypto-assets in trustless environments - have become popular with the spread
of blockchain technologies. A landmark security property of smart contracts is
liquidity: in a non-liquid contract, it may happen that some assets remain
frozen, i.e. not redeemable by anyone. The relevance of this issue is witnessed
by recent liquidity attacks to Ethereum, which have frozen hundreds of USD
millions. We address the problem of verifying liquidity on BitML, a DSL for
smart contracts with a secure compiler to Bitcoin, featuring primitives for
currency transfers, contract renegotiation and consensual recursion. Our main
result is a verification technique for liquidity. We first transform the
infinite-state semantics of BitML into a finite-state one, which focusses on
the behaviour of a chosen set of contracts, abstracting from the moves of the
context. With respect to the chosen contracts, this abstraction is sound, i.e.
if the abstracted contract is liquid, then also the concrete one is such. We
then verify liquidity by model-checking the finite-state abstraction. We
implement a toolchain that automatically verifies liquidity of BitML contracts
and compiles them to Bitcoin, and we assess it through a benchmark of
representative contracts.
Optimizing tree decompositions in MSO
Authors: Bojańczyk Mikołaj , Pilipczuk Michał
Published: February 2022

The classic algorithm of Bodlaender and Kloks [J. Algorithms, 1996] solves
the following problem in linear fixed-parameter time: given a tree
decomposition of a graph of (possibly suboptimal) width k, compute an
optimum-width tree decomposition of the graph. In this work, we prove that this
problem can also be solved in mso in the following sense: for every positive
integer k, there is an mso transduction from tree decompositions of width k to
tree decompositions of optimum width. Together with our recent results [LICS
2016], this implies that for every k there exists an mso transduction which
inputs a graph of treewidth k, and nondeterministically outputs its tree
decomposition of optimum width. We also show that mso transductions can be
implemented in linear fixed-parameter time, which enables us to derive the
algorithmic result of Bodlaender and Kloks as a corollary of our main result.