bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological and biochemical properties of thermophilic bacteria taken from the Dachnie hot springs of Kamchatka (Far East, Russia)
Authors: Lebedeva Elena G. , Kharitonova Natalya A.
Published: November 2020

In this work, we studied some ecological and biochemical characteristics (cultural, morphological, physiological and biochemical properties, extracellular enzymatic activity, bacterial growth in various ranges of temperatures, pH, NaCl concentrations, resistance to heavy metals) of 14 strains of thermophilic bacteria taken from thermal waters and microbial mats of Kamchatka Dachnie springs. On selective environment the strains formed mostly transparent, beige, white-gray, brown, yellow and pink colonies. It was shown that the isolates were represented most of all by asporogenic, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive, mobile, gram-negative rods of various sizes. Most of the cultures were capable of forming exozymes, especially amylases and proteinases. The strains grew in a wide range of temperatures (3550C), pH (58), NaCl concentration (15%) and were characterized by increased resistance to a number of heavy metals. 4 strains of thermophilic heterotrophic bacteria exhibited multiple multidrug resistance to metals. They were identified and it was shown that the isolates were represented by bacteria of the genus Bacillus sp. (№ 19), Thermus sp. (№ 40), Pseudomonas sp. (№ 15), Rhizobium sp. (№ 125). The strains with high enzymatic activity and increased resistance to pollutants are promising for use in the field of ecology for cleaning contaminated environmental objects.
Demutation of the Volga meadow steppes in a reserve
Authors: Novikova Lyubov A.
Published: November 2020

The paper deals with the problem of restoring rare communities of meadow steppes after plowing using the example of the Volga forest-steppe state nature reserve. The author has studied 9 uneven-age deposits in three forest-steppe protected areas: Kuncherovsky 5, Poperechensky 2 and Ostrovtsovsky 2. The study of deposits of different ages was carried out by the method of periodic large-scale geobotanical mapping using modern GIS-technologies. Maps of vegetation of different scale (1:5000, 1:10000, 1:25000) have been created. Deposits areas that adjoined to the virgin steppe were studied by a method of geobotanical profiling. At the same time, profiles (out of 1025 sample plots of 4 m in size) were laid at a distance of 10 m from each other. About 500 geobotanical descriptions were made at 9 different-age deposits at different times. Restoration of meadow steppes is impossible without the introduction of elements of anthropogenic intervention (moderate grazing and regulated haying) into the existing protection regime. Restoration of the steppes in an absolutely protected mode is possible only on the slopes of the southern exposure in forest-steppe landscapes of erosion-denudation plains (Kuncherovskaya forest-steppe).
Intrapopulation and inter-population variability of color polymorphism of synanthropic blue rock pigeon
Authors: Polyavina Olga V. , Dukalskaya Anastasia V.
Published: November 2020

The paper deals with intrapopulation and inter-population variability of color polymorphism of synanthropic blue rock pigeons (Columba livia Gm., 1789) living in industrial centers of the Middle Urals. The authors have identified seasonal and inter-annual differences of color morphotypes of synanthropic blue rock pigeons, which are primarily determined by the total number of birds in clusters (flocks). With an increase of birds concentration in a flock, which occurs in winter, the relative proportion of the blue and the aberrant morphotypes increases while the relative proportion of the black-chequer individuals decreases. Density-dependent mechanisms of phenotypic structure formation of synanthropic blue pigeons populations work in conditions of significant increase of bird population in accumulations when different behavioral strategies, especially food, ensuring survival, are vividly manifested. The inter-population variability of color morphs from the geographically close localities of the Middle Ural may be determined by the degree of urbanization of the habitat, the diversity and abundance of forage resources and the technogenic load. The obtained materials may be of interest in general for the study of sustainable color polymorphism of blue rock pigeons synanthropic populations as well as for identifying and justifying inter-population differences of blue rock pigeons populations from geographically remote localities of the Urals.
The quality of drinking water supply in Samara
Authors: Sazonova Olga V. , Ryazanova Tatyana K. , Tupikova Daria S. , Sudakova Tatyana V. , Vistyak Lyudmila N. , Toropova Natalia M. , Sokolova Irina V.
Published: November 2020

The purpose of the study was to monitor the quality of drinking water supply in Samara. The quality of drinking water was evaluated in 7 districts of Samara on the basis of 20 sanitary-chemical indicators in accordance with health and safety norms and regulations (SanPiN 2.1.4.107401 20102013 and 20182019). A changed color of drinking water was mainly observed in the areas with water supply from the Saratov reservoir (53,5 8,5% of samples). In the areas with underground water sources the dry residue and hardness of drinking water exceeded hygiene requirements by 100% and 87,5% of samples respectively. 64% of samples in 20102013 and 17,4% of samples in 20182019 were non-standard in terms of permanganate oxidation. Several samples didnt meet the hygienic standard for iron content. Adverse changes in the temporal dynamics of the proportion of samples that didnt meet the hygienic standard for the content of oil products were noted. The quality of some samples of drinking water in Samara did not meet sanitary requirements for some indicators. No significant differences were found between the average long-term values of sanitary and hygienic indicators for urban areas and the obtained data for drinking water in the new housing estate, which suggests that the condition of the water supply pipes doesnt influence the composition of the drinking water in the yard or at home.
Phytodiversity of the Irgiz Floodplain nature monument
Authors: Solovieva Vera V.
Published: November 2020

The Bolshoy Irgiz River is 375 km long and has a catchment area of 24 thousand km, including the Orenburg Region and the Samara Region. The flora contains 64 species of plants: 14 belong to the class of monocotyledons (Liliopsida) and 48 belong to the class of dicotyledons (Magnoliopsida), the most numerous families by the number of species are Lamiaceae (5), Cyperaceae (5), Potamogetonaceae (5), Polygonaceae (4), Poaceae (4). The ecological spectrum of the flora is represented by hydrophytes (20 species), helophytes (8), hygrohelophytes (5), hygrophytes (19) and mesophytes (12). These are mainly broad-area species of the Eurasian (23), Holarctic (23) and pluriregional (11) ranges. There are only 7 species of plants with narrow range borders. In economic terms the flora consists of 28 species of medicinal plants, as well as forage (23), tanning (15), food (14), dye (13), honey (12), ornamental (11) and poisonous (8) plants. Vegetation is represented by 17 formations and is represented by the coastal-aquatic vegetation type and two subtypes: coastal and aquatic vegetation. The first subtype contains formations: Phragmiteta australis, Typheta angustifolitae, Scirpeta lacustris, Sagittarieta sagittifoliae, Persicarieta amphibii, Alismateta plantago-aquaticae. The second subtype contains: Nymphaeeta candidae, Nuphareta luteae, Potameta lucentis, Potameta perfoliati, Potameta crispus, Lemneta minori, Salvinieta natantis, Hydrocharieta morsus-ranae, Spirodeleta polyrhizi, Lemneta trisulcae, Ceratophylleta demersi. Coastal plant communities are characterized by a 23-tier structure, a high degree of projective coverage, and a relatively high abundance of species (from 15 to 26). Water phytocoenoses are poor in species composition, have a spotty character of overgrowth and 12 tiered structure. The Irgiz Floodplain nature monument requires compliance with the stipulated protection measures in order to preserve the habitat of rare plant populations Nuhar luteum L., Nymphaea candida J. et C. Presl., Salvinia natans L. (All.), Cicuta virosa L., Najas major All. Descriptions of phytocenoses were carried out according to the generally accepted method of geobotanical research in the summer of 2018, while tiering, abundance, projective cover and vitality were noted as well as all species included in plant communities were registered.
The assessment of woody plants vital state in the landscaping of Ishim
Authors: Tokar Olga E.
Published: November 2020

This paper analyzes the current state of landscaping in Ishim. The data on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of woody plants have been obtained for the first time; the assessment of trees and shrubs state is based on the analysis of the vitality index. A database of green plants within 21 objects in Ishim was created and analyzed. The paper also contains data on the species diversity of trees and shrubs in Ishim. It turned out that the objects under study have trees and shrubs placed in special dividing strips, linearly, in rows or in small compact groups, less often they are planted singly. The species composition is represented by 47 species from 28 genera, 16 families and 2 divisions. The biomorphological structure is represented by trees (25, or 53% of species) and shrubs (22, or 47% of species). The total composition of tree and shrub plantations, determined by the number of trunks (bushes) and the percentage of woody plants, is 2854; the composition of the preserved ones is 2 815 (99%) pieces; the ones assigned for removal are 39 (1%) pcs. The vitality index shows that among 85% of the studied objects of the town at the time of the survey were healthy, among 10% of the objects they were qualified as damaged, among 5% of them were severely damaged. Based on the results of examining crowns and trunks of woody plants, signs of diseases and pests, a plan of measures for the treatment, restoration and preservation of woody plants was drawn up and recommendations were given for caring, sanitary felling and removal of single specimens.
Dwellings of the Elshan Early Neolithic culture
Authors: Andreev Konstantin M.
Published: November 2020

Dwelling is the most important source, revealing the details of social structure, economy, technical traditions and is of key importance for understanding society. Only a limited number of dwelling complexes which can be reliably interpreted as early Neolithic and classified as the Elshan culture have been identified. Moreover, the cultural and chronological attribution of some interpreted as early Neolithic dwellings, in our opinion, is not sufficiently reasoned. In this paper data on all Elshan residential buildings is combined and a brief interpretation is given, as well as some of the previously mentioned provisions are disclosed in more detail. To the early Neolithic in the forest-steppe Volga region, with a high degree of probability, only dwellings identified on the sites of Vyunovo ozero I, Imerka VII and Utyuzh I, with certain reservations, the dwelling of the Lugovoe III site, with the same reservations, the residential structure investigated at the Lebyazhinka IV site, can be classified with a high probability. Most likely, it belongs to the developed and late Neolithic of the region. In general, the dwellings of the Elshan culture were light frame structures, slightly deepened into the mainland, such as a hut, without a visible system in the location of pillar holes. Probably, but not doubtfully, the area of residential buildings of the Elshan culture increased from early to late stages of its development. In connection with the specific life support model of the Elshan population, which implied a systematic change of place of residence, they functioned for a short time. Judging by the available data, the use of a limited number of dishes (13 vessels) is associated with a period of Elshan population residence in one place, and, therefore, settlements with relatively large collections of ceramics were most likely visited many times by the Neolithic population.
Livestock industry of the Urals on the eve of the Great Patriotic War
Authors: Bakhtiyarov Rustam S. , Fedorova Alla V.
Published: November 2020

The study examines the development of the most important branch of agriculture and livestock farming on the eve of the great Patriotic war of 19411945. The work provides the most important indicators of the livestock development in the USSR as a whole and in the Ural Region in particular after the beginning of agricultural production reconstruction in the Soviet Union on an industrial basis. The authors analyze the reasons that influenced the dynamics of the agricultural livestock sector development in the country after the beginning of collectivization in the Soviet village. The paper contains the facts of the negative impact of the first steps that the leaders of the country and the Ural regions made during the transition to industrial methods of livestock farming. The paper also considers the ways of the identified shortcomings and excesses elimination in the agricultural policy in the 20s30s of the XX century. The paper provides clear evidence that, despite the most serious mistakes in planning the development of the industry in conditions when the bulk of commercial livestock products gradually began to be produced by large collective and state agricultural enterprises rather than by small farms, the states efforts to improve the efficiency of the industry yielded positive results. Compared with previous periods, the marketability of agricultural production in general and the livestock industry in particular significantly increased. For example, in comparison with the pre-revolutionary period, the marketability of meat had risen from 42% to 67% by 1940 as well as the amount of meat produced in the country had increased from 2,4 million tons in the late 20s to 4,2 million tons by 1940. At the same time, the Ural economic area during the period under review, contrary to many established stereotypes, was one of the largest livestock areas in the USSR. In the Soviet Union the share of livestock in agricultural production reached 25,4% while in the Urals it was 28,4%.
Turkey’s political crisis of the 1970s and the military coup on September 12, 1980
Authors: Tovsultanova Malika S. , Tovsultanov Rustam A. , Galimova Lilia N.
Published: November 2020

In the 1970s, Turkey was in a state of political turbulence. Weak coalition governments changed frequently and could not bring order to the country. The city streets turned into an arena of battles for various armed radical groups of nationalist, communist, Islamist and separatist persuasions. For 9 years from 1971 to 1980, 10 governments changed in Turkey. The political crisis was accompanied by an economic downturn, expressed in hyperinflation and an increase in external debt. Chaos and anarchy caused discontent among Turkish financial circles and generals with the situation in the country and led to the idea of a military coup, already the third in the republican history of Turkey. The US State Department was extremely concerned about the situation in Turkey, hoping to find a reliable cover against further exports of communism and Islamism to the Middle East, approving the possibility of a coup. The coup was led by the chief of the General Staff K. Evren. Political events of the second half of the 1970s allow us to conclude that, despite the interest of the financial and military circles of the United States in it, the military coup on September 12, 1980 had mainly domestic political reasons.
Alcohol in the Bashkirs’ value system
Authors: Migranova Elza V.
Published: November 2020

The paper touches upon such a relevant topic as alcohol in the Bashkirs value system. The history of alcohol in the life of a traditional Bashkir society shows that they were previously uncharacteristic of drinking strong alcoholic beverages; in addition, it was condemned by the public, elders, representatives of a religious cult, etc. Traditional Bashkir drinks were koumiss, buza, ayran, katyk, less commonly mead. The study conducted in 1913 on the spread of alcoholism among the rural population of the Ufa province showed that the population of the Mohammedan, including Bashkir, villages had practically no alcoholism. However, with the decomposition of the traditional social system of the Bashkirs, strengthening of commodity-money relations, development of capitalism and urban culture, the alcoholization of the Bashkir population intensified. This process also continued under the secular system; in the middle of the twentieth century alcohol abuse in certain circles was a legacy of the front-line subculture, as well as the introduction of Soviet civilian rituals into the life of the Bashkirs. The paper presents the results of an ethno sociological study conducted by us in 20182019 among the Bashkir population. It turned out that almost half of the respondents drink alcohol from time to time or during the holidays; more than 35% indicated that they did not drink at all. These data are almost identical to those obtained in a similar study conducted among the Bashkirs in the mid-1980s. The comparison of the materials obtained on the subject of this study in other Russian regions and in the whole country is also consistent with the data on the Bashkirs and shows that the problem of alcoholization of the Russian population is currently very acute. The materials that we received can be used for further research of the transformation processes of Bashkir society, for the preparation of practical recommendations for state authorities, scientific, educational institutions, public organizations, etc.
Linguodidactic potential of concepts in teaching foreign languages to students-interpreters
Authors: Vasilenko Svetlana S.
Published: November 2020

The paper discusses possibilities and ways of studying concepts in teaching foreign languages to students-interpreters. The author notes that modern didactic research has interdisciplinary nature, analyzes the theory of the concept from the point of view of linguistics, cultural studies and psycholinguistics. The author also notes the fact of creation of linguo-conceptodidactics as a new scientific direction. The paper presents a linguodidactic understanding of the concept, analyzes its structure and semantic content. The author describes in detail the process of foreign language concepts acquisition and presents it as a sequence of several stages. The acquisition of foreign language concepts is associated with the development of concept competence. The paper notes that the acquisition of foreign language concepts should go in parallel with the acquisition of foreign language lexis. In addition, it is necessary to use authentic materials in teaching foreign languages that allows forming a conceptual picture of the world of native speakers. Acquisition of foreign language concepts is especially important for students-interpreters who study several foreign languages and are faced with the problem of translating foreign concepts and phenomena of foreign language reality. The paper presents how conceptuality can be realized in teaching foreign languages. The author gives a practical example of studying the English concept Travel, offers examples of exercises and tasks for mastering it, as well as mnemonic techniques for memorizing lexemes that represent the concept. In the paper is stressed, that the concepts should be included in the content of foreign language teaching to students-interpreters. This contributes to the development of correct ideas about foreign language reality, understanding the facts of the native and foreign language culture, i.e. cultural reflection development.
Professional substitutability and additional education of engineering graduates
Authors: Mikhelkevich Valentin N. , Ovchinnikova Lyudmila P. , Chugunova Svetlana V.
Published: November 2020

The paper deals with the psycho-didactic problems arising in employing engineering graduates for positions that dont meet either the level or the area of training acquired at a technical higher school. Foreign authors refer to this socio-didactic phenomenon as professional substitutability. It is stressed that in a market-based society professional substitutability is, to some extent, predictable and inevitable. For that reason, the adaptation of university graduates to taking up job vacancies is becoming highly relevant both for young specialists and for their potential employers, as well as for the system of additional education. It is shown that professional substitutability may be of two kinds: vertical and horizontal. Vertical substitutability refers to the situations when graduates with a specific degree (specialist, bachelor, master) in a specific field and subject of training are employed according to the area of their higher school, but the job qualification doesnt match the graduates qualification (it may be either higher or lower). Horizontal substitutability refers to the processes when the graduate, due to some extraordinary circumstances, is to take up a vacancy that is fully in line with the university qualification; however (in a more favorable situation) it doesnt match the university training, although that major belongs to the same field of training. In a less favorable case, the graduate takes up a position requiring the qualification that may differ from the field of university training. The paper outlines the content and the components of the adaptation period needed for the young employee, when he/she is to go through psychological and professional subject and industry specific functional adaptation independently to bridge the knowledge gap and acquire professional competencies. Usually, the young specialist is to undergo additional training (in industry, technology, science), take a refresher course or enter a masters degree or a post-graduate program. In the paper there is a summary table demonstrating the kinds and types of additional education for young specialists taking up job vacancies according to different types of horizontal and vertical professional substitutability. This table (which, actually, is a morphological matrix) can be used as a navigator for engineering graduates when taking up a job vacancy. It can be also applied by institutions of additional education to develop educational programs and curricula for refreshment and requalification courses.
Development of foreign language communicative competence in the process of academic and professional interaction in a second foreign language
Authors: Odaryuk Irina V. , Gampartsumov Artem S.
Published: November 2020

This paper examines the peculiarities of teaching German as a second foreign language in a railway university. The analysis emphasizes the inefficiency of traditional methods and the success of the bilingual approach, which consists in a harmonious combination of methodological principles of teaching the first and second foreign languages. The authors carry out a theoretical analysis of the fundamental principles of teaching a second foreign language: a comparative approach, the principle of reliance on the first foreign and native languages, an autonomous approach, a cognitive principle. The paper deals with the issues related to interference and transfer in teaching a second foreign language. Project methods (simulation, presentation speech, Lapbook-technology) tested by the author in the learning process are offered as learning technologies, the use of which facilitates effective mastering of foreign language skills and abilities. The syllabus of the course A Second Foreign language developed by teachers of the Rostov State Transport University in accordance with the new edition of the Federal State Educational Standard is analyzed. The conclusion is made that this syllabus satisfies the requirements put forward by methodologists to the process of teaching a second foreign language. The analysis of the organization of the educational process with the use of textbooks and a fund of assessment tools prepared for the course is expected to be the subject of our further research.
Experimental study: Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α/Notch1 in colorectal cancer modulates angiogenesis(link for different topic
Authors: Xu Vincent , Yan An
Published: November 2020

Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels. This is distinct from vasculogenesis, has significant relationship was detected in tumor angiogenesis of colorectal cancer. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor responsible for cellular and tissue adaptation to low oxygen tension. HIF-1 is a heterodimer consisting of a constitutively expressed β subunit and an oxygen-regulated α subunit, which primarily determines HIF-1 activation, and regulates a series of genes that participate in angiogenesis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between HIF-1/Notch-1 and colorectal cancerangiogenesis. The levels of HIF-1/Notch-1 were significantly higher in patients with colorectal cancer (P<0.05). Further, these result were correlated with incresed the level of VEGF (Stage 3-4) (P<0.05). Therefore, targeting VEGF by suppressing hypoxia- and Notch-induced angiogenesis may benefit colorectal cancer therapy and larger studies with long-term follow-up are necessary to clarify this hypothesis.
Molecular Mechanisms of Curcumin in COVID-19 Treatment and Prevention: A Global Health Perspective
Authors: Roberts Nathan , Brown Robert , Buja L. , Weerasinghe Priya
Published: November 2020

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) has a near 4000-year history of extensive medical use in South Asia. Its main physiologically active phytochemical is curcumin (diferuloylmethane), derived from the rhizome of turmeric. Curcumin is a hydrophobic polyphenol with a diketone moiety connecting two phenoxy rings. It is widely available, and exerts systemic and pleiotropic effects via several key mechanisms. Most famously, it is known to inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways such as PI3k/akt/NF-kB activation. It is also a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger via a sequential proton loss electron transfer mechanism in ionizing solvents due to its extended conjugating ability across the entire molecule, and its ability to induce NRF-2. It has been implicated in the treatment of diseases ranging from asthma to various cancers, and is also a broad spectrum anti-microbial. COVID-19 is a novel beta-coronavirus that was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March, 2020. It is primarily a respiratory disorder, but it can spread hematogenously and effect many other organs such as the heart, nervous system, and kidneys. There is a significant intersection between the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and curcumin’s therapeutic effects. In addition, curcumin has been shown to inhibit initial viral infectivity. Thus, there is potential for curcumin to safely both prevent and treat COVID-19 infection across the globe.
La sensatez del conocimiento: saber, poscolonialidad y crítica ambiental en El abrazo de la serpiente de Ciro Guerra
Authors: Jaramillo Castrillón Camilo
Published: November 2020

El abrazo de la serpiente (2015) del director Ciro Guerra es una reapropiación ficcional de los discursos antropo-científicos de Theodor Koch-Grünberg y Richard Evans Schultes sobre la Amazonía en la primera mitad del siglo XX. La película subvierte muchas de las categorías políticas y culturales que han determinado la representación de la región desde la perspectiva occidental. En particular, inscribe la sensibilidad indígena a través de lenguas, mitos e historias de las comunidades amazónicas. Al mostrar las complejas relaciones coloniales presentes en la Amazonía, la película abre un debate cultural y ecológico sobre la región, su gente y su historia.
Augusto Ferrer-Dalmau: Nostalgia, Cultural Angst, and the Recovery of Aesthetic Carlism
Authors: Viscarri Dionisio
Published: November 2020

Artistic representations of the Carlist wars waned as the movement relinquished its political and discursive agency. In our present century, however, neo-historical painter Augusto Ferrer-Dalmau has reconfigured the aesthetic parameters of Spanish legitimism, while reallocating its ideological and cultural signifiers. This article explores how the resurgence of Carlist military imagery serves as a nostalgic repository of an imagined historical trajectory challenging contemporary political discursive practices. It also examines the visual texts’ function as a reaffirmation of Traditionalism’s unionist identity, decoupled from the legacy of Francoism, and as a contemplative lamentation of a vanishing cultural value system.
El espejo quebrado: la sátira visual de Andrés Rábago, OPS
Authors: Puerto Francisco J.
Published: November 2020

Este ensayo analiza las viñetas satíricas de OPS, alias de Andrés Rábago, actualmente conocido como El Roto, publicadas durante la Transición española. El ejercicio intelectual que suponen, su profundidad y capacidad interpretativa, las convierten en una herramienta privilegiada para adentrarse en la cultura transicional. Propongo que su falta de palabras las aísla, reforzando su invitación a la reflexión; su violencia hace visible la violencia subjetiva del régimen franquista; y su distopía trata de universalizarlas, subrayando su mensaje. Así, pretendo explorar nuevas vías para reflejar los relatos disidentes de la Transición mediante un artista que documenta el trauma latente tras el relato oficial.

 

Palabras clave: Sátira, Transición, Violencia, Imagen.
La representación del enemigo: la violencia ejercida por los caballeros villanos contra los musulmanes en la Crónica de la población de Ávila
Authors: López Rasch Juan Cruz
Published: November 2020

El estudio de la Crónica de la población de Ávila, escrita a mediados del siglo XIII, da cuenta de la violencia ejercida por los caballeros villanos contra los musulmanes. En el relato, las tropas musulmanas constituyen una amenaza para las comunidades asentadas en la zona. Presentándose entonces como guardianes de la frontera y garantes de la seguridad, los jinetes concejiles tienen justificado su accionar contra los enemigos del reino y de la Iglesia. Gracias a esas incursiones, adquieren cierta autoridad y prestigio, además que las acciones de rapiña les garantizan la obtención de riquezas.
YASMINE BEALE-RIVAYA AND JASON BUSIC, EDS. A Companion to Medieval Toledo. Reconsidering the Canons. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2018. xii + 306 pp.
Authors: Otín María José Lop
Published: November 2020

Review of A Companion to Medieval Toledo. Reconsidering the Canons by YASMINE BEALE-RIVAYA AND JASON BUSIC
LUISA ELENA DELGADO, PURA FERNÁNDEZ Y JO LABANYI, EDS. Engaging the Emotions in Spanish Culture and History. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 2016. 300 pp.
Authors: Gómez-Castellano Irene
Published: November 2020

Reseña de Engaging the Emotions in Spanish Culture and History de LUISA ELENA DELGADO, PURA FERNÁNDEZ Y JO LABANYI, EDS.
“Sabes cómo te voy a hacer gritar con esta, ¿no?”: el sexo queer dentro del espacio urbano patriarcal como estrategia de reapropiación y resignificación
Authors: Kokalov Assen
Published: November 2020

El presente artículo se enfoca en varias narrativas argentinas del inicio del siglo XXI que utilizan prácticas discursivas queer para reapropiar y resignificar algunos de los espacios urbanos ligados con el sistema patriarcal heteronormativo. En términos teóricos se partirá de ciertos conceptos epistemológicos de Henri Lefebvre y Michel Foucault relacionados con el espacio – la producción de espacio, los espacios representacionales y la heterotopía – y de sus reinterpretaciones consecuentes para demostrar que los textos de escritores como Gerardo González y Facundo R. Soto logran crear nuevos paradigmas y espacios queer que amenazan las nociones tradicionales del planeamiento urbano patriarcal.
ROBERT PATRICK NEWCOMB. Iberianism and Crisis. Spain and Portugal at the Turn of the Twentieth Century. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2019. 246 pp.
Authors: Isasi Santiago Pérez
Published: November 2020

Review of Iberianism and Crisis by ROBERT PATRICK NEWCOMB.
AURÉLIE VIALETTE. Intellectual Philanthropy. The Seduction of the Masses. West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University Press, 2019. xii + 289 pp.
Authors: Louis Annick
Published: November 2020

Reseña de Intellectual Philanthropy de AURÉLIE VIALETTE.
Evaluation of non-invasive ventilation compliance in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or obesity hypoventilation syndrome patients: an observational study
Authors: Agarwal Rajat , Saini Rishi Kumar , Rajpal Aseem , Agrawal Rajesh , Kumar Amit
Published: November 2020

Background: Recent times have seen the rise in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome/obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OSAS/OHS) patients across the globe. Availability of sleep study centers, questionnaires, and more awareness have made the diagnosis of OSAS/OHS early. But still, the majority of patients suffer from morbidity associated with OSAS/OHS despite the better diagnosis, the most common cause being non-adherence to (CPAP). This needs to be addressed more vigilantly and with utmost importance for successful management of OSAS/OHS.Methods: This is an observational study, we selected patients by reviewing sleep study records at a tertiary care center (Rohilkhand medical college and hospital) in Bareilly, India. All diagnosed patients with OSAS/OHS (i.e. AHI >5) were telephoned and enquired about symptoms and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) use. They were evaluated using a self-designed questionnaire.Results: In our study, we had total of 49 OSAS/OHS patients with mean age of 50.6 years and mean BMI of 35.63. Male patients were 37 (75.5%) and at the time of diagnosis AHI (mean) was 60.67 events/hour. In NIV users there were 24 patients (48.97%), 22 patients (91.7%) feel they have been benefitted from CPAP and 2 patients (8.3%) do not feel benefit from CPAP (NIV) use. Among NIV users there was significant drop of AHI (mean) to 8.07. Among NIV users there was a reduction in symptoms like excessive day time sleepiness in 18 patients (81.81%), witnessed apnea in 15 patients (88.23%), snoring in 21 patients (91.30%), blood pressure in 3 patients (21.42%), blood sugar levels in 2 patients (20%), morning headache in 5 patients (83.30%), depressive mood in 2 patients (40%), perceived memory loss in 3 patients (33.3%), sense of choking in 17 patients (94.4%) and weight loss in 19 patients (76%).Conclusions: CPAP significantly improves symptoms and provides objective as well as subjective benefit to OSAS/OHS patients but still significant proportion of patients hesitate to initiate the therapy. Poor education/awareness regarding OSAS/OHS and non-availability of affordable CPAP remains the leading cause of non-compliance. There is a need for early education, reinforcement and affordable CPAP therapy.
Role of a modified epigastric port in reducing post operative pain and causing early ambulation in a patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy as compared to a standard four port procedure, a randomized controlled study
Authors: Roy Arijit , Datta Pramatha Nath , Guha Kushankur
Published: November 2020

Background: Standard four port laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard in the treatment of gall stones. Modified epigastric port laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be considered an alternative, as this procedure maintains the advantages of four ports and does not require any special set of instruments. In this study we aimed to see whether this procedure is comparable to the standard four port laparoscopic cholecystectomy based on the primary objectives of postoperative pain score, degree of ambulation, time to return to normal activities.Methods: Consecutive patients due to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy, meeting all the predefined criteria were recruited into the study. The group A was assigned to receive intervention in the form of modified epigastric port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The group B was assigned to receive intervention in the form of standard four port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients in group A were compared with patients in group B based on multiple pre-defined parameters.Results: Pain scores were significantly better in group A. Degree of ambulation at was significantly better in group A. In respect to the time to resumption of normal activities there was no significant difference between the two groups. When comparing the quality life at 1 month following surgery with SF-36 health survey, the patients in group A did better than patients in group B with respect to the six scales. Conclusions: Modified epigastric port laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be significantly better than the standard four port cholecystectomy in terms of postoperative recovery.
A cross sectional study on musculoskeletal discomfort and its determinants among agricultural workers in a rural community of Tamil Nadu
Authors: Ramanathan Parthasarathi , Prabhakar Ram , Ananthan Velmurugan Anbu
Published: November 2020

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are the major contributors of disability worldwide. So, the aim of the present study was to estimate the magnitude and the determinants of musculoskeletal discomfort among agricultural workers in a rural area of Tamil Nadu.  Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among 110 subjects aged 15 years and above residing in Veerapandi village, Theni, Tamil Nadu from July to December 2018. A structured questionnaire incorporating nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to collect data. The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and its determinants were the main outcome variables. It was analysed with Epi info statistical software. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were done keeping p vale<0.05 as statistically significant.  Results: The mean age of the study population was 39.37±12.75 years. Majority (38.2%) were between 25 to 34 years. 54.5% were feamles. The prevalence of MSD was 63.6% (95% C.I. of 53.9% to 72.6%). Lower back (48.5%) was the most common site of MSD followed by knees (45.75%) and neck (35.7%). In bivariate and multivariate analysis, age, female gender and obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) were the statistically significant determinants of MSD in the study population.  Conclusions: The prevalence of MSD was very high in the study population. There is a pressing need for introduction of lifestyle modifications in high‐risk groups and initiate rehabilitative measures for those affected.
Evaluation of functional outcome of distal tibial fractures stabilized with distal tibial locking plate
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Thakur Manoj , Kashyap Sandeep
Published: November 2020

Background: The present study is an attempt to evaluate the results of locking compression plate for distal tibia in lower tibial fractures using open reduction internal fixation and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique.

Methods: Prospective and retrospective study was conduct on patients attending the outpatient department (OPD)/Emergency OPD in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla during September 2015 to August 2016 with distal tibial fractures. The patients treated with locking compression plates using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) are reviewed for inclusion and exclusion criteria. All data were collected and analyzed by Epi-info software.

Results: Out of 52 patients, 48.4% patients undergo open reduction internal fixation had excellent results and 28.6% patients undergo surgery by MIPPO technique had excellent results. p value is 0.352 which is not significant. Overall, 40.4% patients had excellent results. In our study, 32.6% patients having AO/OTA type A fractures had excellent score while type B and C had 1.9% excellent score. This is attributed to more comminution and involvement of ankle joint. Overall, 40.4% patients had excellent score. P value is 0.863 which is insignificant.

Conclusions: We observed excellent/ good functional outcome in 65.3% of patients.
Effects of Irritability of the Youth on Subjective Well-Being: Mediating Effect of Coping Styles
Authors: ZHANG Ling , YAO Benxian , ZHANG Xiaodan , XU Hao
Published: November 2020

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic caused great impacts and influences to human psychology. As a result, youths who are kept at home for a long time easily develop irritability and problematic behaviors. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the relations among irritability, coping style, and subjective well-being of the youth.
Methods: Overall, 1,033 youth respondents (aged 18–30 yr) from seven provinces in China were investigated in 2020 using the irritability, depression, and anxiety scale, coping style scale, and well-being index scale.
Results: Among the dimensions of irritability of the youth, anxiety received the highest score, followed by introversion irritability, extroversion irritability, and depression. Irritability had significant regional differences. The total score of irritability among rural youth was significantly higher than that of urban youth (P<0.05). The irritability level of youths with parents’ emotional status was harmonious and good relations with family members and peers was far lower than those of youths who have poor relations between parents, family members, and peers (P<0.05). The irritability level of youths with a lower monthly household income was higher (P<0.05). Irritability of the youth had significantly negative correlations with positive response and SWB, and it had a significantly positive correlative with negative response. Coping style can mediate the relationship between irritability and SWB of the youth to some extent.
Conclusion: Significant correlations exist among irritability, coping style, and SWB of the youth. Irritability can be used to predict SWB indirectly through positive response.
Kinematic Comparisons of Increased Exercise Repetitions and Intensities on the Dominant and Non-Dominant Upper Limbs for Prevention of Dyskinesia
Authors: JEE Haemi
Published: November 2020

Background: Increased exercise repetitions and intensities need to be compared between dominant and non-dominant sides to prevent asymmetrically conducted movements for possible dyskinesia.
Methods: A total of 20 participants were enrolled from Inha University, Incheon, Korea in 2019. They were assessed for comparisons of asymmetrical motion between the dominant and non-dominant arms during the abduction and adduction lateral raises during more than fifteen repetitions and low and high exercise intensity by giving different weight loads based on 1-RM.
Results: Repetition led to significant reductions in range of motion for both dominant and non-dominant sides. In addition, increased repetitions led to significant greater reductions in range of motion especially toward the last phases of repetitions. Moreover, the dominant side showed significantly increased accelerations with increased intensities.
Conclusion: Increased repetitions and exercise intensity led to reduced range of motion and increased accelerations especially for the dominant sides. Dispersing kinematics should be considered to minimize possible dyskinesia between the symmetric sides when performing repetitive and loading physical activity.
Effects of Docetaxel Combined with Icotinib on Serum Tumor Markers and Quality of Life of Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: LIN Huawei , CHANG Jing , LI Jun
Published: November 2020

Background: To investigate the effects of docetaxel combined with icotinib on tumor markers in serum and quality of life of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: Overall, 121 patients with advanced NSCLC, admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, China from 2017- 2018 were selected as subjects. Among them, 58 patients treated with docetaxel combined with icotinib for chemotherapy were considered as study group, and 63 patients treated with paclitaxel combined with carboplatin as control group. The clinical efficacy, adverse reactions, and ECOG scores of the two groups were observed. CEA, CA125, and SCC (Tumor markers) levels of the two groups before and after treatment were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA).
Results: The leukopenia, oral mucosa ulcer and mild numbness in the control group were significantly higher than those in the study group (P<0.05). After treatment, ECOG scores of both groups decreased (P<0.05), and the ECOG score of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The serum CEA, CA125 and SCC levels of the study group and the control group after treatment decreased significantly compared with that before treatment (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Application of docetaxel combined with icotinib for chemotherapy of patients with advanced NSCLC can effectively reduce the serum levels of CEA, SCC, and the CA125. Docetaxel combined with icotinib can significantly reduce adverse reactions and better improve the quality of life of patients compared with paclitaxel combined with carboplatin, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Methylation Assessment of Two DKK2 and DKK4 Genes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: KHEIRANDISH Sedigheh , ESHGHYAR Nosratollah , YAZDANI Farzad , AMINI SHAKIB Pouyan , HOSSEINI-BERESHNEH Ali , NOURI Zahra , KHEIRANDISH Ali , KARAMI Fatemeh
Published: November 2020

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most important types of oral malignancies. DKK gene family members as well as DKK2/4 have critical roles in regulation of Wnt signaling as one of the main determining pathway in oral carcinogenesis. This study aimed to identify promoter methylation status of DKK2/4 genes to provide possible biomarkers for early detection and treatment of OSCC patients.
Methods: A case control study was performed on 31 fresh tissues obtained from oral cavity of patients affected by OSCC and 31 fresh corresponding tissues from normal healthy controls in Tehran and, between the years of 2016-2018. Purified DNA from tissue samples was subjected to bisulfite treatment and then methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP-PCR) was carried out on treated DNA samples.
Results: DKK4 promoter was methylated in none of OSCC samples while it was methylated in 16.1% of healthy controls. 16.1% of OSCC samples were detected to be semimethylated and 22.6% of healthy normal samples were methylated for DKK2 promoter gene. Meaningful difference was found in DKK4 promoter methylation among OSCC patients and healthy controls. Significant correlation was found between DKK4 promoter methylation and tumor grade. The age of all enrolled samples was demonstrated to have strong effect on promoter methylation of studied genes.
Conclusion: Hypomethylation of DKK2 and DKK4 genes in higher grades of OSCC samples may indicate the pivotal role of their expression in tumor cells invasion and progression through modulation of Wnt signaling pathway. Further study required to determine simultaneous expression of those genes and Wnt signaling elements at mRNA and protein levels.