bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the adverse pregnancy outcomes and its associated factors among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Tadese Mesfin , Dagne Kefyalew , Wubetu Abate Dargie , Abeway Shiferaw , Bekele Alemayehu , Misganaw Kebede Worku , Baye Mulu Getaneh
Published: July 2022

Background

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are the main causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and long-term physical and psychological sequels in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. In Ethiopia, maternal mortality remained high despite the country’s maximum effort. This study aimed to assess adverse pregnancy outcomes and associated factors among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was done among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018. The data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire by reviewing labor and delivery service log books and admission or discharge registration books. The data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Logistic regression analysis was computed to identify independent predictors of pregnancy complications.

Result

In this study, the magnitude of adverse pregnancy outcomes was 28.3%, 95% CI (25.7–30.9). The most frequently recorded obstetric complications were obstructed labor (7.4%), retained placenta (5.3%), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (2.4%). Whereas stillbirths (10%), malpresentation (3%), and prematurity (2.3%) frequently occurred fetal/neonatal complications. There were 29 maternal deaths and the possible causes of death were obstructed labor (51.7%), hemorrhage (44.7%), eclampsia (24.1%), and sepsis (6.9%). Home delivery (AOR (CI = 4.12 (2.30–7.15) and low birth weight (AOR (CI = 1.63 (1.36–1.96) were significant associates of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion

The magnitude of adverse pregnancy outcomes was high. Obstructed labor, retained placenta, hypertension in pregnancy, malpresentation, prematurity, and stillbirth are the commonest adverse pregnancy outcomes. Place of delivery and birth weight were independent predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Institutional delivery, early detection and management of complications, and adequate nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy should be encouraged to minimize the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Quantifying carotid stiffness in a pre-hypertensive population with ultrafast ultrasound imaging
Authors: Ma Xuehui , Zhu Zhengqiu , Wang Yinping , Shen Bixiao , Jiang Xuezhong , Liu Wenjun , Wu Yiyun , Zou Chong , Luan Yun , Gao Hui , Huang Hui
Published: July 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess carotid stiffening in a pre-hypertensive (PHT) population using ultrafast pulse wave velocity (ufPWV).Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 626 individuals who underwent clinical interviews, serum tests, and assessments of the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), pulse wave velocity-beginning of systole (PWV-BS), and pulse wave velocity-end of systole (PWV-ES) between January 2017 and December 2021. The patients were divided into three groups according to their blood pressure (BP)—normal BP (NBP): SBP <130 mmHg and DBP <80 mmHg (n=215); PHT: 130 mmHg≤SBP<140 mmHg and/or 80 mmHg≤DBP<90 mmHg (n=119); hypertensive (HT): SBP ≥140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥90 mmHg (n=292). Correlation analyses and comparisons were performed among the groups and in the cIMT subgroups (cIMT ≥0.050 cm and <0.050 cm).Results: cIMT and PWV-ES significantly differed among the BP groups (P<0.05). The BP groups had similar PWV-BS when cIMT <0.050 cm or cIMT ≥0.050 cm (all P>0.05). However, the NBP group had a notably lower PWV-ES than the PHT (P<0.001 and P=0.024) and HT (all P<0.001) groups in both cIMT categories, while the PWV-ES in the PHT group were not significantly lower than in the HT group (all P>0.05).Conclusion: Carotid morphological and biomechanical properties in the PHT group differed from those in the NBP group. ufPWV could be used for an early evaluation of carotid stiffening linked to pre-hypertension.
Las prácticas comunicativas en la co–construcción de conocimiento entre la academia y las organizaciones de migrantes para la incidencia de políticas públicas en Argentina
Authors: Costanzo Gabriela , Sander Joanna
Published: July 2022

Este artículo analiza las prácticas comunicativas que se dieron en torno a la experiencia de la primera Encuesta Nacional Migrante de Argentina 2020, desarrollada en conjunto por el eje Migración y Asilo de la Red Institucional Orientada a la Solución de Problemas en Derechos Humanos del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas y organizaciones de migrantes y de derechos humanos. Con la expansión de la pandemia por COVID–19, las organizaciones de migrantes alertaron sobre la situación de extrema vulnerabilidad y precariedad en la que se encontraban personas migrantes en el país. Por ello, se propuso generar datos e información estadística que pudieran incidir en las políticas públicas estatales. Consideramos que la Encuesta planteó un enfoque y abordaje novedosos a partir de un trabajo articulado de co–construcción de conocimientos entre la comunidad académica y las organizaciones en un vínculo dialógico y democrático.
Merenderos y ollas populares en Montevideo: mejoras espaciales desde un enfoque dialógico
Authors: Berrutti Guillermo , García Stephanie , Hernández Johana , Lista Florencia
Published: July 2022

El presente texto describe y reflexiona acerca de los procesos de comunicación llevados a cabo en las diferentes etapas del proyecto de extensión universitaria "FADU en ollas", el cual tuvo como objetivo el desarrollo de mejoras espaciales en los locales donde se llevan a cabo actualmente algunas de las ollas y merenderos populares en Montevideo, Uruguay. Fue un trabajo colaborativo entre vecinos y vecinas de las ollas y merenderos, estudiantes, docentes y técnicos de la Intendencia de Montevideo en el que la comunicación jugó un papel relevante para construir proyectos técnicos que mejorarán la actividad y materializarlos en un proceso de construcción participativa.El proyecto se dio en el marco del convenio entre el Plan ABC de la Intendencia de Montevideo y la Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo de la Universidad de la República. El artículo propone abrir el debate sobre el rol de la universidad como articuladora y facilitadora de la comunicación en la concreción de las políticas públicas en el territorio.
Editorial #16. Comunicación en extensión universitaria
Authors: Iucci Cecilia
Published: July 2022

Editorial de la revista #16
Synchro Software-Based Alternatives for Improving Traffic Operations at Signalized Intersections
Authors: Hussein Nasreen A.
Published: July 2022

Traffic congestion is a considerable problem in urban arterials, especially at signalized intersections. Signalized intersections are critical elements of the highway system, thus improving their performance would significantly influence the overall operating performance of the system in terms of delay and level of service (LOS). The aim of this study is to assess the capacity performance of two signalized intersections in Duhok city, namely, Zari land intersection and Salahaddin Mosque intersection using the procedure in the Highway Capacity Manual and Synchro software. Total intersection delay, LOS, and volume to capacity ratio (v/c) were the measures of effectiveness used for comparison purposes. Different optimization alternatives have been tested to improve current and future performance. The results have shown that the Zari land intersection is currently operating at LOS F with an average delay of 590 s/veh and high values of v/c at specific movements. Results of optimization show that the scenario of creating an overpass with a change in cycle length and adding one additional lane in each direction is the best alternative to improve its performance to the LOS D with the maximum v/c ratio of 0.86. For Salahaddin Mosque intersection, the delay can be reduced from 544 s/veh (LOS F) with high values of v/c at the major street through movement to an average delay of 70 s/veh (LOS E) and maximum v/c ratio of 1, when cycle length and geometrics are changed, and approaching traffic from the minor street is prohibited.
Filmmaking by students or rethinking thinking
Authors: Clausen Kyra , Hoinkes Ulrich
Published: July 2022

As proPIC partners in Kiel, the area of expertise we brought into the
project was filmmaking in teacher training as an innovative learning
approach. In 2013, the so-called Viducation project was launched at the
Institute of Romance Studies at the University of Kiel (CAU) as a reaction
to the new Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degree programmes in order
to improve students’ learning skills and core competences by creating
subject-related videos. Filmmaking by students is already widely used in
primary and secondary schools (Reid, Burn, & Parker, 2002), while
teacher education is still hardly prepared for it (as shown for German
teacher education training, Müller, 2012). The aim of this article is to
present a learning approach that enables students to expand their subject
knowledge in a sustainable, value-based, and personality-building way on the
basis of constructivist learning theories by means of filmmaking...
Emissions Characteristics and Engine Performance from the Interaction Effect of EGR and Diesel-Ethanol Blends in Diesel Engine
Authors: Fayad Mohammed Ali , Al-Ghezi Moafaq Kaseim , Hafad Sanaa A , Ibrahim Slafa I , Abood Marwa K , Al-Salihi Hind A , Mahdi Louay A , Chaichan Miqdam Tariq , Dhahad Hayder Abed
Published: July 2022

Recently, most of the researchers focused on provide lower greenhouse gas emissions that emitted from diesel engines by using renewable fuels to be good alternative to the conventional diesel fuel. Ethanol can be derived from renewable sources such as sugar cane, corn, timber and dates. In the current study, the ethanol fuel used in the tests was derived from the dates. The effects of using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) diesel-ethanol blend (E10) with on engine performance and emissions characteristics have been studied in diesel engine under various engine loads. This study focused the use of oxygen in the bio-ethanol composition to compensate for the decrease occurred by the addition of EGR, which improves the engine performance and reduces its emissions. In this experiment, the ratios of EGR were 10%, 20% and 30% as well as 10% ratio of ethanol was blended into the diesel fuel blend under fixed engine speed. A traditional (without additional systems to reduce emissions) four cylinders direct injection (DI) diesel engine was used for all tests. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) increased with increasing the EGR ratio by 10%, 20% and 30% by 18.7%, 22.4% and 37.4%, respectively. The thermal efficiency decreased under variable conditions of engine load for different ethanol blends. Furthermore, the emissions of NOX decreased when fuelled B10 into the engine in comparison with diesel under low engine load. Significant reduction in the NOx emissions were found when applied EGR in the tests than to the absence EGR for E10 blend and diesel. The NOx reduction rate was 12.3%, 30.6% and 43.4% when EGR rate was 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively. In addition, the concentrations of HC and CO emissions decreased more by 8.23% and 6.4%, respectively, when using E10 in comparison with the diesel for various engine loads. It is indicated that the oxygen reduction by EGR effect was compensated from ethanol blend combustion. The results showed that the combination use of E10 and EGR leads to significant reduction in engine emissions accompanied with partial reduction in the engine performance.
Influence of different sources of nitrogen fertilizer and weed control on yield, yield components and some qualitative traits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars under dryland conditions of Khorramabad
Authors: KORDI Sajad , DANAYE-TOUS Tayebeh , DASTBORHAN Soheila
Published: July 2022

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate yield, yield components, and some qualitative traits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars under nitrogen fertilizers and weed control in dryland conditions of Khorramabad during the 2017 - 2018 growing season. Treatments were arranged in split-split-plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor included F1: control (without fertilizer); F2: bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium); F3: 100 % chemical fertilizer and F4: integration of bio-fertilizer + 50 % chemical fertilizer; sub-factor consisted of three cultivars of chickpea (Adel, Mansour, and Arman) and sub-sub-factor included weeds control (weeding) and weed infested (non-weeding). The results indicated that nitrogen fertilizers, especially the integration of bio-fertilizer + 50 % chemical fertilizer, had a positive effect on all studied traits. The highest number of pods per plant, grain yield, and biological yield were obtained from the Arman cultivar with the application of bio-fertilizer + 50 % chemical fertilizer and for the same cultivar under weed control conditions. The maximum number of pods per plant (28.2) and amount of grain protein content (25.3 %) were obtained by integrating of bio-fertilizer + 50% nitrogen chemical fertilizer and weeds control. In general, the Arman cultivar has priority over other cultivars for the grain yield under Khorramabad climate conditions, and integration of bio-fertilizer + 50 % chemical fertilizer could be considered as a means to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.
Comprehensive seed priming assessment of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in germination and seedling growth stage under salt stress
Authors: AHMADIZADEH Mostafa , ASGARI Ashkan , PASALARI Hossein
Published: July 2022

This study was performed to appraise the effects of several seed pretreatment solutions and priming time on seed germination indices and growth characteristics of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in various salt stress levels. Seed priming was accomplished by KCl (1 and 2 %), Na2SO3 (0.5 and 1 %), KNO3 (0.5 and 1 %), and Ca2CO3 (1 and 2 %) as halopriming and distilled water as hydropriming at 12 and 24 h priming durations and control (non-primed), then primed seeds exposed to four levels (0, 50, 100, 200 mM) of NaCl solutions. The highest germination percentage was observed in 12 and 24 h hydropriming (63.3 and 53.3 %) and non-primed (56.6 %) under normal condition, respectively. Besides, there was no germinated seed at 24 h priming by 0.5 and 1 percentage of KNO3. Under saline condition, 24 h 2 % Ca2CO3 had the highest germination percentage (43.3 %) in 50 mM, while 12 h treatment with 0.5 % Na2SO3 (33.3 %) had high germination percentage in 100 mM levels of saline conditions. Also, the highest germination rate index was observed in 0.5 % Na2SO3 with 12 h treatment time (4.05 and 3.95 respectively) in 50 and 100 mM levels of saline conditions. Overall, salt stress considerably reduced germination and growth traits of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. seedlings. Considering the effect of various seeds priming of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on germination indices like germination percentage and mean germination time, the importance of priming duration and type of priming solutions could be concluded.
« J’ai l’impression d’être la seule à aimer l’allemand » : Perceptions et représentations d’étudiants face à leur apprentissage de l’allemand en Alsace
Authors: Faucompré Chloé , Putsche Julia
Published: July 2022

This contribution proposes a reflection on the representations and perceptions that Alsatia students have of their German language learning in the context of the Upper Rhine. After explaining the challenge of teaching and learning German in this cross-border context, we will present some significant quantitative and qualitative results in order to establish a sort of diagnosis of the decline in bilingualism observed by interregional institutions.
Le rôle de l’apprentissage informel du FLE dans la stimulation de la conscience et de l’autoconscience métacognitive des étudiants de philologie française. Exemple des films et séries francophones
Authors: Grabowska Monika Ewa
Published: July 2022

The research concerns a specific learning environment, namely the Institute of Romance Studies at the University of Wrocław, and attempts to address two questions: 1. To what extent do students of French philology currently benefit from the affordances offered to them by modern digital tools, in particular the various video-on-demand platforms, for informal learning of French via French-language films and series? 2. How does this activity stimulate their metacognitive awareness and self-awareness in the area of learning French as a foreign language? To this end, students of French philology took part in a survey which demonstrated that films and series are an important leisure activity, even if French-language titles represent only 21% of what they are watching. However, these films and series are subjected to important metacognitive reflection.
Autoconscience professionnelle des enseignants de langues étrangères – comment outiller les étudiants en formation initiale ?
Authors: Sujecka-Zając Jolanta , Szymankiewicz Krystyna
Published: July 2022

The aim of the text is to discuss the possibilities of developing professional self-awareness at the stage of initial education of foreign language teachers. The first part of the article presents theoretical considerations on teachers’ professional self-consciousness, distinguishing three areas of it: professional competence as goals to be achieved, self-evaluation and self-regulation, and teachers’ cognitive, emotional and communicative functioning in professional situations. The second part of the text contains an analysis of selected practical tools that serve to develop teachers’ professional self-awareness, such as The European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages, and the European Profiling Grid, tools inspired by E. Berne’s concept of Transactional Analysis, and the author’s reflection grids. The conclusions of the analysis indicate the possibility of the coherent use of available tools and creation of additional tools within the context of education, so that the process of developing teachers’ self-awareness is multifaceted and leads to a sense of professionalism.
Distribution and cultural identity of sacred groves in Togo
Authors: Hounkpati K. , Adjonou K. , Kokou K.
Published: July 2022

Sacred groves are important for biodiversity conservation but they face several threats. This study explores the contribution of these forest to the Togo Forest Landscape Restoration initiative and REDD+ implementation, based on inventories and systematic mapping. The results reveal
that Togo has more than 780 sacred groves which cover 3,627.68 ha. The vegetation types cover by the sacred groves are woodlands (1 974.3 ha), dry semi-deciduous forests (882.52 ha) and tree savannas (537.82 ha). Many deities and vocations were associated with the sacred groves; ceremonial
and prayer sacred groves (80,86%), voodoo and conservation sacred groves (12,46%), cemetery or burial sacred groves (3,11%), residence or retreat sacred groves (2.52%), secret meetings, and festivities or celebrations sacred groves (1,03%). These results highlight the need to consider sacred
groves within the framework of the Togo Forest Landscape Restoration initiative and implementation of REDD+ strategies.
MT-12 inhibits the proliferation of bladder cells in vitro and in vivo by enhancing autophagy through mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Chen Yan , Xia Chengxing , Ye Chunwei , Liu Feineng , Ou Yitian , Yan Ruping , Wang Haifeng , Yang Delin
Published: July 2022

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies involving the urinary system. Our previous study demonstrated that cobra venom membrane toxin 12 (MT-12) could effectively inhibit BC cell growth and metastasis and induce apoptosis. However, the specific molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we explored whether MT-12 inhibits BC cell proliferation by inducing autophagy cell death through mitochondrial dysfunction. As a result, MT-12 inhibited proliferation and colony formation in RT4 and T24 cells. In the BC xenograft mouse model, autophagy inhibitor 3-MA alleviated the inhibitory effect of MT-12 on tumor growth. In addition, immunostaining revealed downregulated autophagy in MT-12-treated RT4 and T24 cells. We also found that MT-12 led to dysfunctional mitochondria with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, mtDNA abundance, and increased ROS production, ultimately inducing autophagic apoptosis via the ROS/JNK/P53 pathway. MT-12 inhibits BC proliferation in vitro and in vivo by enhancing autophagy. MT-12 induces mitochondrial dysfunction and decreases autophagy, leading to increased ROS production, which in turn activates the JNK/p53 pathway, leading to BC apoptosis.
Logistic fitting model application for evaluation of gas-liquid two-phase mixing effects
Authors: Gao Shuai , Li Biao , Gao Wengui , Xu Jianxin , Wang Hua
Published: July 2022

The evaluation of mixing effects is crucial in industrial production such as chemical and metallurgical industries. An improved Betti number method is proposed by using a gas-liquid top-blow mixing experiment and a direct contact heat exchange experiment. This method is adapted to the comprehensive evaluation of flow mixing and heat transfer performance under conditions of dispersed particles or bubbles where the target is identifiable. The comparison results and reveals that our method can not only portray the mixing effect by the critical point of the area integration curve of the Betti number time series but also the parameters (i.e., slope and intercept) obtained after the area integration of the Betti number curve by the logistic regression model can effectively characterize the mixing time and heat exchange performance. The intercept variation of the area integral of the Betti number curve was found to have a high correlation with the correlation coefficients of mixing time and heat transfer coefficient. Meanwhile, a new index for evaluating the mixing performance was obtained. The optimal working condition was obtained. This method is simple and easy to implement and can be extended to processes where the target is identifiable in a transparent reactor and where both mixing and heat transfer effects need to be quantified.
Hard Times for Sippar Women: Three Late Old Babylonian Cases
Authors: Richardson Seth
Published: July 2022

Despite important work on issues of gender and representation with regard to women’s history in Mesopotamia over the past generation or two, less direct attention has been devoted to the hard reality of women’s socio-economic inequality in this starkly patriarchal culture. The present contribution takes up three examples of groups of women living in varying degrees of hardship and deprivation in the Late Old Babylonian period: slave, poor nadītums, and dependents. I analyze small corpora of evidence about these women to make two basic points: first, Mesopotamian women were subject to structural inequities which manifested themselves in repeatable ways (without requiring that we call them “weak” or “powerless”); second, despite consistent and persistent inequality, women’s histories were yet as mutable and subject to change as those of men. It is no more effective to write the histories of only “strong women” than it is to write them of only “great men.” Intersectional issues such as socio-economic difference must be taken into account to arrive at a better working picture of this or any society.
Screening of non-syndromic early-onset child and adolescent obese patients in terms of LEP, LEPR, MC4R and POMC gene variants by next-generation sequencing
Authors: Nalbantoğlu Özlem , Hazan Filiz , Acar Sezer , Gürsoy Semra , Özkan Behzat
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Non-syndromic monogenic obesity is a rare cause of early-onset severe obesity in the childhood period. The aim of this study was to screen four obesity related genes (LEP, LEPR, MC4R and POMC) in children and adolescents who had severe, non-syndromic early onset obesity.

Methods

Next-generation sequencing of all exons in LEP, LEPR, MC4R and POMC was performed in 154 children and adolescents with early onset severe obesity obesity.

Results

Fifteen different variants in nineteen patients were identified with a variant detection rate of 12.3%. While six different heterozygous variants were observed in MC4R gene (10/154 patients; 6.5%), five different variants in POMC gene (four of them were heterozygous and one of them was homozygous) (6/154 patients; 3.9%) and four different homozygous variants in LEPR gene (3/154 patients; 1.9%) were described. However, no variants were detected in the LEP gene. The most common pathogenic variant was c.496G>A in MC4R gene, which was detected in four unrelated patients. Six novel variants (6/15 variants; 40%) were described in seven patients. Four of them including c.233C>A and c.752T>C in MC4R gene and c.761dup and c.1221dup in LEPR gene were evaluated as pathogenic or likely pathogenic.

Conclusions

In conclusion, MC4R variants are the most common genetic cause of monogenic early-onset obesity, consistent with the literature. The c.496G>A variant in MC4R gene is highly prevalent in early-onset obese patients.
Harnessing African Free Trade Area and WTO for Clean Energy Transition
Authors: Turksen Umut , Abukari Adam
Published: July 2022

In 2018, the African Union adopted the Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the aim of creating a common market for goods and services that would serve over 1.3 billion people in Africa. This is a paradigm shift towards a deeper continental integration in Africa whereby AfCFTA would be one of the biggest multilateral trading areas in the world. Although AfCFTA pursues sustainable development goals that embed reducing carbon dioxide emissions in line with international legal instruments on sustainability which applies to Member States of the WTO too, the legal provisions of AfCFTA and WTO that link trade and CET appear rather weak. This article provides a comparative analysis of AfCFTA and WTO legal frameworks with a focus on relationships, challenges and opportunities that incentivise clean energy transition (CET) as part of their sustainability agenda. The article contributes to the discourse on the interplay between regional trade and global trade laws in relation to climate change and sustainable development. As no previous study has compared the legal dynamics of the WTO and AfCFTA in relation to CET, the article provides a novel contribution to the efforts of unlocking the development potential of AfCFTA while enhancing global and regional multilateral trading systems.
The Dual State in the United States: The Case of Lynching and Legal Lynchings
Authors: Tushnet Mark
Published: July 2022

This article uses Ernst Fraenkel’s concept of the “dual state” as the vehicle for examining the role of “lynch law” as a mode of governance of African Americans in the United States from 1865 to 1940 (roughly). It begins with a largely jurisprudential inquiry placing my interpretation of Ernst Fraenkel’s distinction between the normative state and the prerogative state in dialogue with a version of American Legal Realism, in which law consists entirely of “moves” such as permissible distinctions and analogies that are treated (sociologically) as acceptable by relevant professional communities. Seen through that lens the distinction between the normative state and the prerogative state thins out. The arbitrariness Fraenkel associates with the prerogative state infects the normative state and the prerogative state is pervaded by norms that aren’t mere simulacra of legal norms. The two kinds of state are different in degree rather than in kind—but differences in degree can matter. Part II uses the revised distinction in a preliminary examination of lynch law in the U.S. South. Lynch law was not an example of Fraenkel’s prerogative state; the norms enforced through lynch law might have been popular versions of norms drawn from the prerogative state. And yet “lynch law” was different not only in content from the rules of law formally applicable to all people in the United States but also in the lived experience of those subject to lynch law. Lynch law might not have been arbitrary in the sense that it had no knowable normative content, but, perhaps because the norms were popular rather than legislated or formal, it was substantially vaguer than the formal law and significantly less able to guide the choices made by those subject to it.
Cerebral infarction following bee stings: Case report and literature review
Authors: Yang Shuiquan , Wellington Jack , Chen Juanmei , Regenhardt Robert W. , Chen Alex Y. , Li Guilan , Yan Zile , Fu Pingzhong , Hu Zhaohui , Chen Yimin
Published: July 2022

Background

To date, only 25 cases of cerebral infarction following a bee or wasp sting have been reported. Due to its rarity, undefined pathogenesis, and unique clinical features, we report a case of a 62-year-old man with progressive cerebral infarction following bee stings, possibly related to vasospasm. Furthermore, we review relevant literature on stroke following bee or wasp stings.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old retired male presented with progressive ischemic stroke after bee stings to the ear and face. Initial magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed small punctate infarcts in the left medulla oblongata. Head and neck computed tomography angiography showed significant stenosis in the basilar artery and occlusion in the left V4 vertebral artery. The patient received intravenous alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) without symptomatic improvement. Digital subtraction angiography later demonstrated additional near occlusion in the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Thrombectomy was considered initially but was aborted due to hemodynamic instability. Repeated CT brain after 24 h showed acute infarcts in the left parieto-occipital region and left thalamus. The near occluded PCA was found to be patent again on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) 25 days later. This reversibility suggests that vasospasm may have been the underlying mechanism. Unfortunately, the patient had persistent significant neurological deficits after rehabilitation one year later.

Conclusion

Cerebral infarction following bee stings is rare. There are several proposed pathophysiological mechanisms. While the natural course of this phenomenon is not well characterized, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Furthermore, it is important to establish standardized care procedures for this unique entity.
Analytical solutions of nonlocal forced vibration of a functionally graded double-nanobeam system interconnected by a viscoelastic layer
Authors: Chen Bo , Lin Baichuan , Yang Yukang , Zhao Xiang , Li Yinghui
Published: July 2022

The double-nanobeam system has important applications in nano-optomechanical systems (NOMS), its dynamic analysis is of importance to the effective design of nanodevices. This paper aims to present analytical solutions of the forced vibration of a functionally graded double-nanobeam system (FGDNS) interconnected by a viscoelastic layer supported on an elastic foundation subjected to time-harmonic external forces. Employing the Hamilton’s principle, the governing differential equations of the FGDNS are derived in the context of the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory. Green’s functions method in conjunction with the superposition principle are adopted to obtain the explicit expressions of the steady-state responses of the FGNDS. A unified strategy applied to various boundary conditions is proposed to determine unknown constants involved in the Green’s functions. Meanwhile, the implicit equation calculating the natural frequency of the FGDNS is proposed. Numerical calculations are performed to check the validity of the present solutions and to discuss the influences of the small-scale parameter, material distribution parameter, and connecting layer parameters on dynamic behaviors of the FGNDS. Results show that the bond between the two nanobeams can be significantly reinforced by increasing the stiffness and damping coefficient of the connecting layer; the small-scale effect can soften or harden the system, depending upon the boundary conditions and the size of the frequency of external force.
Roles of Tenascin-XB in the Glioma Immune Microenvironment
Authors: Ma Chaofu , Qiu Ouwen , Huang Chengying , Huang Jing , Qu Shanqiang
Published: July 2022

Background: Previous studies have reported the critical roles of tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment in tumor prognosis and immunotherapeutic response. However, how Tenascin-XB (TNXB) expression relates to glioma prognosis and to the levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in various cancers has remained elusive. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate the expression, prognostic value, biological function and correlation between TNXB expression and the levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in glioma tissues.

Methods: First, we explored TNXB expression in glioma tissues by using online biological databases. Second, we assessed the clinical importance of TNXB expression with chi-squared tests, Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curve analyses. Third, we examined the relationship between TNXB expression and the levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in glioma tissues in an online database. Additionally, we assessed the associations of TNXB expression with genetic markers of immune cells and common immune-checkpoint molecules.

Results: Elevated TNXB expression in glioma tissues correlated with tumor grade, according to several databases. Elevated TNXB expression was significantly associated with negative clinicopathological manifestations and poorer prognosis, on the basis of TCGA (n=510) data. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate Cox regression indicated that TNXB was an independent indicator of glioma prognosis. Pathway enrichment analyses suggested that TNXB participates in the immune response, humoral immune response and interferon-gamma-mediated signaling pathways. Importantly, TNXB expression was significantly associated with higher levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in diverse cancers. Furthermore, TNXB expression was strongly associated with genetic markers of immune cells and common immune-checkpoint molecules (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA4, TIM-3, LAG3, PDCD1LG2, TIGIT and Siglec-15).

Conclusions: TNXB expression correlates with poorer prognosis and higher levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in several cancers. In addition, TNXB expression is likely to contribute to the regulation of dendritic cells, exhausted T cells, regulatory T cells and tumor-associated macrophages in gliomas. Consequently, TNXB may serve as an important prognostic marker and may play an immunomodulatory role in tumors.
Discrete spread model for COVID‐19: the case of Lebanon
Authors: Mourad Ayman , Mroue Fatima
Published: July 2022

Background

Mathematical models are essential to predict the likely outcome of an epidemic. Various models have been proposed in the literature for disease spreads. Some are individual based models and others are compartmental models. In this study, discrete mathematical models are developed for the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).

Methods

The proposed models take into account the known special characteristics of this disease such as the latency and incubation periods, and the different social and infectiousness conditions of infected people. In particular, they include a novel approach that considers the social structure, the fraction of detected cases over the real total infected cases, the influx of undetected infected people from outside the borders, as well as contact‐tracing and quarantine period for travelers. The first model is a simplified model and the second is a complete model.

Results

From a numerical point of view, the particular case of Lebanon has been studied and its reported data have been used to estimate the complete discrete model parameters using optimization techniques. Moreover, a parameter analysis and several prediction scenarios are presented in order to better understand the role of the parameters.

Conclusions

Understanding the role of the parameters involved in the models help policy makers in deciding the appropriate mitigation measures. Also, the proposed approach paves the way for models that take into account societal factors and complex human behavior without an extensive process of data collection.
Ostracodes (Crustacea, Ostracoda) in the Rocky Nearshore Water Area of Zmiiniy Island (Black Sea)
Authors: Uzun O.
Published: July 2022

Data about meiobenthic ostracodes species on the different substrates of Zmiiniy Island nearshore water area are presented. The density and biomass means of the ostracodes were higher on the algal substrates (on Laurencia paniculata made up 41931 ± 12689 ind.·m-2 and 400.56 ± 125.65 mg·m-2 respectively). In the current study for the first time 13 ostracodes species were found, most of which are common in all types of substrate. The dominant species were Loxoconcha pontica Klie, 1937, Paradoxostoma intermedium Müller, 1894, Xestoleberis cornelii Caraion, 1963 and Xestoleberis decipiens (Müller, 1894). All of them are common species in the north-western Black Sea. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis of ostracodes species abundance shown that the samples of sandy-shells bottom differed significantly from algal and mussel substrates. According to the cluster analysis sand-shells bottom samples on almost 80 % differed from hard substrates.
Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Rationale for and Practical Use of a Successful Therapy
Authors: Gori Mauro , D’Elia Emilia , Sciatti Edoardo , Senni Michele
Published: July 2022

Heart failure (HF) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction is a common disease with a poor prognosis and rising prevalence in the community. The current paradigm of treatment includes symptomatic therapy, such as diuretics, and risk factor control and treatment of comorbidities. According to European guidelines, there is no effective therapy for patients with HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50%, while drugs normally used in HF with reduced LVEF might also be effective for patients with mildly reduced LVEF (40–50%), with a IIB class of recommendation. The recently published EMPEROR-Preserved trial has challenged current guidelines, demonstrating improved outcomes in patients with HF and LVEF >40% with the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2I) empagliflozin, compared with placebo. This result was consistent in patients with and without diabetes as well as in those with LVEF below and above 50%. The authors describe the rationale for this therapy, presenting the main results of the EMPEROR-Preserved trial, and provide some recommendations for the everyday clinical management of HF with preserved left ventricular ejection with an SGLT2I.
Intersubjectivity and the meaning of Nordic Walking practice in the view of people with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Casarotto Veronica Jocasta , Bubols Milena Nardini , Figueiredo Anelise Ineu , Baptista Rafael Reimann , Peyré-Tartaruga Leonardo Alexandre , Mestriner Régis Gemerasca
Published: July 2022

Aims: whilst Nordic Walking (NW) practice is spreading worldwide, few studies have addressed the issue of intersubjectivity and the perception of PD individuals practicing NW and its possible impact on their daily life across different countries and cultures. This pilot study sought to explore the possible relationship between the habit of practicing NW and the perception of functionality and quality of life in the participants’ cultural context. Methods: the focus group (FG) technique was used, with 10 individuals participating in a NW program. Results: content analysis revealed five main discourse categories: a) “NW benefits for people with PD”; b) “incorporation of the NW poles in daily life”; c) “Belonging to a NW group as a treatment aid”; d) “how PD people feel about their condition”; and, finally, e) “the present and the future: expectations and issues”. Conclusion: in general, NW was found to generates positive content regarding coping with PD, beyond the biomechanical and quantitative functional effects previously studied. We suggest NW might be an important adjuvant resource for improving perceived functionality among people with PD.
Adaptive single case design (ASCD)
Authors: Leppink Jimmie
Published: July 2022

Aims: single case designs (SCDs) can help us understand change in learning-related variables, such as knowledge and skill, at the level of an individual learner, at the level of a team or group of learners, or at the level of a situation or system. Adaptive single case design (ASCD) is a new model that integrates (i.) elements of methods of education, training, and assessment that, through research methods other than SCDs, have received solid empirical evidence in the research literature and (ii.) principles of SCDs that can facilitate the integration of research in everyday practice. The rationale behind ASCD is to allow rapid evidence-based decision making in the practice of education, training, and assessment, at the unit of analysis – individual, group, team, situation, or system – that is considered appropriate in the context at hand. Method: an ASCD algorithm is introduced and discussed in the context of change at the level of the individual, change in a group or team, and change in a situation or system. Results: ASCD can be used to understand change at each of the previously mentioned units of analysis at any number of units including a single unit (one individual, one team, or one situation or system), and this change can be used for research purposes as well. Conclusion: ASCD enables both evidence-based practical decision making and research without stringent demands on the number of learners, groups, teams, situations, or systems.
A new small-flowered Cyrtochilum (Oncidiinae) from Peru
Authors: Dalström Stig , Trujillo Delsy
Published: July 2022

A new small-flowered Cyrtochilum from Peru is described, illustrated with photos and drawings, and compared to similar species. The new species is similar to C. fidicularium and C. gracile in having extra thumb-like projections above the rounded ventral lobes of the column but differs from C. fidicularium by the more sharply pointed and forward projecting callus keels on the lip and by a longer front-lobe of the lip, versus blunt and downward directed lobes in C. fidicularium. The new species differs readily from C. gracile by the long and wiry inflorescence, versus a more sub-erect and straighter panicle in C. gracile.
PENGEMBANGAN USAHA PERIKANAN TANGKAP SKALA KECIL DI KABUPATEN KOLAKA, SULAWESI TENGGARA
Authors: S Ramlah , Adimu Hasan Eldin , Asni Asni , Fekri Latifa
Published: July 2022

Sektor perikanan tangkap memiliki peran penting dalam upaya meningkatkan ekonomi masyarakat. Salah satunya dengan pengembangan usaha nelayan skala kecil. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui potensi pengembangan usaha perikanan skala kecil dan menganalisis tingkat efisiensi jenis alat tangkap nelayan. Penelitian dilakukan di Kabupaten Kolaka, Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara. Data yang digunakan adalah data primer berdasarkan hasil wawancara langsung di lapangan serta data sekunder dikumpulkan dari instansi pemerintah terkait. Kegiatan usaha perikanan tangkap skala kecil, khususnya pada alat tangkap pancing tonda dan rawai dasar, memiliki nilai efisiensi yang rendah jika dilihat dari nilai profitabilitasnya, yaitu 20% dan 30%, jika dibandingkan dengan alat tangkap jala jatuh berkapal dan bagan dengan nilai profitabilitas, yaitu 40% dan 50%. Secara umum, perikanan skala kecil di Kolaka masih sangat memiliki ketergantungan dengan pemilik modal usaha untuk menjalankan kegiatan perikanan. Pengembangan usaha perikanan, khususnya pada alat tangkap yang memiliki nilai efisiensi rendah, perlu bantuan modal yang besar untuk meningkatkan nilai pendapatannya. Kebijakan perikanan skala kecil di Kabupaten Kolaka dikelola oleh Unit Pelaksana Teknis Dinas (UPTD) Perikanan Tangkap, khususnya pada bidang pemberdayaan nelayan skala kecil. Title: Analysis of Small Scale Catch Fisheries Business in Kolaka District, South SulawesiThe capture fisheries sector has an important role in efforts to improve the community’s economy, one of which is the development of small-scale fishing businesses. This study aims to determine the potential for developing small-scale fisheries and to analyze the efficiency level of types of fishing gear. The research location is in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, the data used is primary data based on the results of direct interviews in the field and secondary data collected from relevant government agencies. Small-scale capture fishery business activities, especially in line fishing gear and basic longlines, have low-efficiency values seen from their profitability values, namely 20%, and 30% compared to fishing gear, Jalah Jatu, and boats, with profitability values of 40% and 50%, respectively. In general, small-scale fisheries in Kolaka are still very dependent on business capital owners to carry out fishing activities. The development of fisheries business, especially in fishing gear that has a low-efficiency value, requires large capital assistance to increase the value of its income. Small-scale fisheries policies in Kolaka Regency are managed by the Capture Fisheries Technical Implementation Unit, especially in the field of empowering small-scale fishermen.
Analysis of the effect of biomass variants (fish waste, tamanu waste and duckweed) on the characteristics of syngas, bio oil, and carbon charcoal produced in the pyrolysis process
Authors: Syuriadi Adi , Siswantara Ahmad Indra , Nurhakim Fadia Ramadhania , Irbah Yubdina Nurfazlia , Al Rizky Bagas , Zulfa Fara Arinda , Devitra Faisal Azizi , Permana Sulaksana , Susanto Iwan
Published: July 2022

Biomass is one of the renewable energy sources that are often found around the Indonesia area. It can be converted into various forms of fuel by pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is a process of chemical decomposition of biomass through a heating process at high temperatures that occurs with no or little oxygen. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the type of biomass on the characteristics of syngas, bio oil and carbon charcoal produced in pyrolysis.
Syngas consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be used as raw materials for the chemical industry in addition to electrical energy, such as methanol, formic acid and ammonia industries. Bio-oil contains a number of chemical compounds that have the potential as raw materials for preservatives, antioxidants, disinfectants, or as biopesticides. Carbon charcoal is useful as an energy source, activated carbon with higher economic value such as catalysts, adsorbents, and supercapacitors.
This research used an experimental method. Biomass comes from fish waste, tamanu waste, and duckweed. The parameters observed were temperature of 400–500 °C, for 30 minutes, and 150 grams biomass, in order to determine the duration of the syngas flame and the amount of bio-oil and carbon charcoal. The syngas produced from duckweed has a longer flame test with a time of 126 seconds with a blue flame while the syngas from tamanu waste produces a reddish blue flame for 18 seconds. On the other hand, the results of the bio-oil produced from fish waste, 19.1 grams are weightier than from duckweed, 3.2 grams. Then the most carbon charcoal is produced by tamanu waste weighing 141.9 grams while the least is produced by duckweed weighing 27.7 grams