bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating unique genes of five molecular subtypes of breast cancer using penalized logistic regression
Authors: Raoufi Sadegh , Jafarinejad-Farsangi Saeideh , Dehesh Tania , Hadizadeh Morteza
Published: April 2023

Background:

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and the fifth cause of death in women worldwide. Exploring unique genes for cancers has been interesting.

Patients and Methods:

This study aimed to explore unique genes of five molecular subtypes of BC in women using penalized logistic regression models. For this purpose, microarray data of five independent GEO data sets were combined. This combination includes genetic information of 324 women with BC and 12 healthy women. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression and adaptive LASSO logistic regression were used to extract unique genes. The biological process of extracted genes was evaluated in an open-source GOnet web application. R software version 3.6.0 with the glmnet package was used for fitting the models.

Results:

Totally, 119 genes were extracted among 15 pairwise comparisons. Seventeen genes (14%) showed overlap between comparative groups. According to GO enrichment analysis, the biological process of extracted genes was enriched in negative and positive regulation biological processes, and molecular function tracking revealed that most genes are involved in kinase and transferring activities. On the other hand, we identified unique genes for each comparative group and the subsequent pathways for them. However, a significant pathway was not identified for genes in normal-like versus ERBB2 and luminal A, basal versus control, and lumina B versus luminal A groups.

Conclusion:

Most genes selected by LASSO logistic regression and adaptive LASSO logistic regression identified unique genes and related pathways for comparative subgroups of BC, which would be useful to comprehend the molecular differences between subgroups that would be considered for further research and therapeutic approaches in the future.
Frequency of Supraventricular Arrhythmias in COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Al-Daydamony Mohammad Mustafa , El-Shaer Mohamed Hosam , Abdel-Latif Hany , El-Sanan Moataz Ali
Published: April 2023

Background:

Cardiac arrhythmias had a significant association with the increased mortality rate in COVID-19 patients in hospitals. The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of supraventricular arrhythmias in COVID-19 patients and to assess the echocardiographic parameters and inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19 patients who developed supraventricular arrhythmias.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study enrolled 196 patients, 33 of them developed supraventricular arrhythmias during hospitalization in Zagazig University isolation hospital.

Results:

There was a statistically significant association between the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and both oxygen saturation and lymphocyte percentage, which was significantly lower in those with AF. There was a statistically significant association between the occurrence of AF and CORADS, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6, which were significantly higher in those with AF. Younger age and higher oxygen saturation decreased the risk of supraventricular tachycardia among the studied patients. Increasing oxygen saturation decreased the risk of AF among the studied patients, while higher CRP significantly increased risk by 1.045 folds.

Conclusions:

Atrial arrhythmias, especially with AF considered prevalent in cases with COVID-19. The atrial arrhythmias were correlated with higher cardiac injury and inflammatory markers and elevated severe COVID-19 clinical manifestations. Regarding mortality in-hospital, the association between COVID-19 and atrial arrhythmias was independent.
Interpreting High Sensitivity Troponins in Various Acute Clinical Settings – Increased Significance to the Present-Day Cardiologist
Authors: Palaparti Raghuram , Koduru Gopala Krishna , Parvathaneni Sarada Srinivas Chowdary
Published: April 2023

High-sensitivity cardiac troponins expedite the evaluation of patients with chest pain in the emergency department. The utility of troponins extends beyond the acute coronary syndromes to accurate the diagnosis of myocardial injury. Troponins are best friends for physicians; however, they are a double-edged sword if not interpreted appropriately. Misdiagnosis is harmful with regard to patient outcomes. The present review focuses on the recent updates in the understanding and interpretation of high-sensitivity troponins in various acute clinical settings. Common mistakes and gray zones in the interpretation of troponins, the concept of myocardial injury versus infarction, newer entities like myocardial infarction (MI) with Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries, recent controversies over the definition of periprocedural MI, complementary role of imaging in the diagnosis of myocardial injury and the role of troponins in the current COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.
Morbidity profile of the out patients in Swasthya Rakshan Programme of Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai
Authors: Lawrence Juliet , Karunanidhi Samraj , Purushothaman Vinoth Nalupalil , Rajendran Parthiban , Panneerselvam Thenmozhi , Parameswaran Sathiyarajeswaran
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Siddha medicine is an ancient system and it is based on holistic health principles with main aim on preventive health care. Goal of public health is to improve health outcomes by preventing disease, promoting behaviors that reduce the risk of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and ensure the public access to quality health services. Swasthya Rakshan Programme (SRP) is a nationwide program to propagate Ayush systems. The purpose of the program is to promote health and health education in villages. The objective of this study is to develop a morbidity profile of the patients attending the SRP for further research in the particular area.

Materials and Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study has been done in the outreach outpatient department (OPD) and the data were collected from the old records maintained in the Statistical and Survey Division, Department of Clinical Research, Siddha Central Research Institute from April 2017 to March 2020. This record contains the demographic data, socioeconomic status, literacy, and diseases follow-up with diseases codes in the Ayapakkam, Mangadu, and Vanagaram villages in Tamil Nadu, India.

Results:

Totally 5409 cases who were attending the SRP OPDs from April 2017 to March 2020 have been included in the study. These patients have been repeatedly visiting the Siddha OPD for various illnesses. The women were seeking the Siddha treatment more than the male with Female-1114 cases, Male-553 cases, Female children-42 cases, Male children-29 cases. The diseases have been classified as per the National Siddha Morbidity codes in National Ayush Morbidity standardized terminologies Electronic Portal (NAMASTE Portal). The topmost category of diseases is musculo skeletal diseases and osteo arthritis (41%). diabetes mellitus (10%), cough (8%), and eczema (8%) are the diseases which have a greater number of cases.

Conclusion:

The success of a public health program depends on the public need. The more revisits of the patients show good response of the Siddha medicine. Hence this morbidity profile shows that there is a great need among the public toward the traditional medicines particularly Siddha medicine and it has been achieved to some extent through SRP program.
Unusual finding of deodorant bottle in the rectum
Authors: Kujur Maikal , Aslam Mohammad , Kundu Rajashree , Ansari Mohammad Atif
Published: April 2023

A foreign body in the rectum is not an uncommon encounter in current medical practice. In most cases, rectal foreign bodies are a result of sexual eroticism, sexual abuse, assault, or rarely, accidental involuntary insertion. It poses diagnostic difficulties and management challenges among medical professionals. The diagnostic approach usually involves careful history and physical and radiological examination. Here, we present the case of a 22-year-old man with a retained rectal foreign body for a duration of 3 hours. He presented with impacted foreign body per rectum, non-specific abdominal pain, abdominal mass, and non-passage of stool and flatus. Successful removal of the rectal foreign body was done manually under local anesthesia in the lithotomy position in the operation theatre.
Polarity assignment method (PAM), ANN, Neural networks strategy for the data of PAM for the single degree of freedom flexible joint robot
Authors: Danh Nguyen
Published: April 2023

This paper “describes” the investigation of the stability of a single Degree of Freedom (DOF) flexible robotic arm by the diagrams shown below. The derived model is based on Euler- Lagrange approach. Exploration of a flexible robotic arm with using state-of-the-art controllers is essential for intelligent applications. These robot arms have joints that work independently of each other in order to create a smooth connection between joints. They still ensures the natural properties like a real human arm. The use of polarity assignment method  “helps” the system to achieve desired output signals which has not been thoroughtly studied before for this system. The author can also compare the effectiveness of control methods for this system to find the most effective method for control strategies. In particular, ANN ( artificial neural network) is the most modern technique currently  applied to this system to investigate the security and stability of the system through this program. This is new and it has never been used before for a system of this type. Neural networks strategy has been implemented in this paper as an application of artificial intelligence. It has successfully performed a mission in re-simulating functions of another control method: Polarity assignment method. Simulation results are done by Matlab.
Haagerup property for wreath products constructed with Thompson's groups
Authors: Brothier Arnaud
Published: April 2023

Using recent techniques introduced by Jones, we prove that a large family of discrete groups and groupoids have the Haagerup property. In particular, we show that if

\Gamma

is a discrete group with the Haagerup property, then the permutational restricted wreath product

\bigoplus_{\mathbb{Q}_2}\Gamma \rtimes V

obtained from the group

\Gamma

and the usual action of Richard Thompson's group

V

on the dyadic rational

\mathbb{Q}_2

of the unit interval has the Haagerup property.
A criterion for cofiniteness of modules
Authors: Khazaei Mohammad , Sazeedeh Reza
Published: April 2023

Let

A

be a commutative noetherian ring,

\mathfrak{a}

be an ideal of

A

, and

m,n

be non-negative integers. Let

M

be an

A

-module such that

\operatorname{Ext}^i_A(A/\mathfrak{a},M)

is finitely generated for all

i\leq m+n

. We define a class

\mathcal{S}_n(\mathfrak{a})

of modules and we assume that

H_{\mathfrak{a}}^s(M)\in\mathcal{S}_{n}(\mathfrak{a})

for all

s\leq m

. We show that

H_{\mathfrak{a}}^s(M)

is

\mathfrak{a}

-cofinite for all

s\leq m

if either

n=1

or

n\geq 2

and

\operatorname{Ext}_A^{i}(A/\mathfrak{a},H_{\mathfrak{a}}^{t+s-i}(M))

is finitely generated for all

1\leq t\leq n-1

,

i\leq t-1

and

s\leq m

. If

A

is a ring of dimension

d

and

M\in\mathcal{S}_n(\mathfrak{a})

for any ideal

\mathfrak{a}

of dimension

\leq d-1

, then we prove that

M\in\mathcal{S}_n(\mathfrak{a})

for any ideal

\mathfrak{a}

of

A

.
The impact of international exhibition of tourism and travels “SITEV” on the improvement of Algerian tourism destination image
Authors: Madoui Abdelaziz , Bendjeroua Hakim
Published: April 2023

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of international exhibition of tourism and travels “ SITEV” in improving the Algerian tourism destination image, and its impact on attractiveness of tourists, through the questionnaire that was sent by e-mail and Facebook, and it was conducted on a sample of responsible of Algerian travels and tourism agencies especially in inbound tourism and its participation in the 19th edition that was organized in 2018.The findings indicate that the SITEV has many positive aspects and reflects the history, authenticity and cultural heritage of Algeria tourism destination that it was contributing in improving Algeria tourism destination image. However, the weakness of media coverage and the high costs of venue are contributed to reluctance of foreign operators and tourists to participate in the last editions which will require great efforts and promotion campaigns across big media channels and diminishing costs.

Cette étude vise à examiner l'efficacité du Salon International du Tourisme et des Voyages « SITEV » dans l'amélioration de l'image de la destination touristique Algérienne, et son impact sur l'attractivité des touristes étrangers. Et ce à travers le questionnaire qui a été envoyé par e-mail et Facebook, et qui a été réalisé chez un échantillon de responsables Algériens au niveau d'agences de voyages et de tourisme ; notamment les agences qui s’occupent des touristes étrangers et spécialement celles qui ont participés à la 19ème édition du Salon organisée en 2018.Les résultats obtenus indiquent que le SITEV dispose de nombreux aspects positifs et reflète réellement l'histoire, l'authenticité et le patrimoine culturel de l'Algérie. Ces éléments ont contribué à leur tour à l’amélioration de l'image de la destination touristique Algérienne. Néanmoins ; la faiblesse de la couverture médiatique et les coûts élevés de loyer des stands contribuent à la réticence des opérateurs étrangers et des touristes à participer surtout aux dernières éditions, ce qui nécessitera de grands efforts et des campagnes de promotion sur les grandes chaines médiatiques internationales spécialisées, ainsi que la révision des coûts de loyer des stands afin de les diminuer.
Compressive Strength and Resistance to Sodium Sulphate Attack of Concrete Incorporated with Fine Aggregate Recycled Ceramic Tiles
Authors: Ambrose E. E. , Ogirigbo O. R. , Ekop I. E.
Published: April 2023

In this experimental study, compressive strength and resistance to sodium sulphate attack of concrete incorporating recycled ceramic tiles (RCT) as fine aggregate were investigated. RCT was used as partial replacement for river sand at four levels (0%, 33%, 66%, 100%). Samples for sulphate resistance tests were immersed in 5% Na2SO4 solution for 180 days after they had been cured under water for 28 days, and were monitored for change in physical appearance, mass change and loss of compressive strength. From experimental results, RCT was found to be capable of producing light weight concrete compared to river sand. The results showed increase in compressive strength as the level of RCT content increased. On resistance to sulphate attack, sodium sulphate seems not to attack C-S-H bond which is produced in excess in RCT concrete, rather it attacks calcium hydroxide and calcium aluminate which are produced in equal amounts for both RCT and control samples. Hence, RCT might not play much direct role in concrete’s resistance to strength loss due to sulphate attack. However, the residual compressive strength of the RCT samples after the attack was seen to be much higher than that of the control samples because of their initial higher strength before the attack. This shows that RCT can improve the properties of concrete when incorporated as fine aggregates.
Prevalence and risk factors for Falls among older adults in a primary care facility in Ghana
Authors: Adanusa Madison , Pobee Seth Kofi , Zaabaar Ebenezer , Mawuko Vukey , Asiedu Kofi , Amuzu Solomon Kweku , Adubofour Wendy , Bazayeya Celestine , Senaya Ethel Enam Yawo , Ofori Desiree Citsofe , Kyei Samuel
Published: April 2023

BackgroundFalls are a serious problem and are among the leading causes of morbidity, functional dependency, and death in older adults. Fallshave become a social and global public health concern due to the current aging population in Africa and across the globe. However,their prevalence and risk factors have received little attention in Africa.PurposeThus, this study aimed to provide a baseline survey to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for falls among older adultsattending a primary care facility in Cape Coast, Ghana.ResultsParticipants (n = 244) were patients aged 60 years and older who visited the University of Cape Coast Hospital. The prevalence offalls identified in this hospital-based study was 40.2%. The following independent variables were found to be statistically significantpredictors of risk of falls among the participants when compared with their respective reference categories; age 80 years and above[OR = 3.707, 95% CI = 1.738 – 7.907, p = 0.001], participants who had a history of falls [OR = 2.234, 95% CI = 1.326 – 3.765, p= 0.003], participants with three or more co-morbidities [OR = 16.456, 95% CI = 2.099 – 129.020, p = 0.008] and obesity [OR =2.211, 95% CI = 1.151 – 4.250, p = 0.017].ConclusionThe prevalence of falls among older adults is high. Thus, clinicians in the primary care setting should screen for, give fall preventioneducation, and prescribe appropriate interventions to at-risk patients.
Lessons learned from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative: A roadmap for the international COVID-19 vaccination campaign
Authors: Belshe William B. , Alswang Jared M. , Brown Alexander M. Uplift- , Chilenga Luso , Chipolombwe John , Seaman Vincent Y.
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 vaccine is lauded by many as one of the greatest accomplishments in modern medicine, with the potential to definitively contain the deadliest pandemic of the last century. With the vaccine rollout now underway in the developing world, a robust, methodical, and swift global distribution effort is required to ensure that it will be done in an equitable manner. Taking into account the vast geographic, socioeconomic, cultural, and political diversity of countries around the world, global vaccination efforts have historically required multifaceted, time consuming, and labor-intensive approaches to be effective. However, with over 33 years of experience from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative – an international health initiative aimed at eradicating poliomyelitis – the COVID-19 vaccination campaign does not have to be approached blindly. Using lessons learned from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, this paper aims to identify the supply- and demand-side barriers to the success of the international COVID-19 vaccination effort, and ways each can be overcome. Most notably, health systems shortcomings, political and cultural messaging, and civil unrest and violent conflict serve as daunting obstacles to the success of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has been able to overcome many of these same obstacles with innovative strategies such as context-specific microplanning, robust health surveillance systems, and community-centered education and advocacy programs. Ultimately, while the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is still fighting the battle of polio eradication, it has provided a roadmap for the COVID-19 vaccination campaign to be executed in a more swift and equitable manner.
Is the prognostic nutritional index a predictor of Covid-19 related hospitalizations and mortality?
Authors: Demirkol Muhammed Emin , Aktas Gulali , Alisik Murat , Yis Ozgur Mehmet , Kaya Musa , Kocadag Derya
Published: April 2023

Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a novel inflammation marker that useful in predicting prognosis of certain conditions. We aimed to study PNI of the outpatient and inpatient subjects with established Covid-19 and also aimed to compare PNI of deceased and survived Covid-19 patients.Methods The patients with Covid-19 whom presented to outpatient or inpatient clinics of Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital were enrolled to the study. PNI levels of the inpatients and outpatients, deceased and survived were compared. PNI values of deceased and survived in inpatients were also compared. ResultsStudy population was consisted of 4419 subjects (2907 outpatients and 1512 inpatients). PNI of the inpatient (41.55 (36.42-47.1)) group was significantly lower than the PNI of the outpatient (51.95 (47.95-55.75)) subjects (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of PNI (≤46.2 level) in determination of requirement inpatient treatment were 71.2% and 83.5%, respectively. PNI of the deceased patients (37(33.39-40.86)) was lower than the PNI of the survivors (50.45(45.6-54.65)), (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of PNI at ≤44.55 level in determining mortality were 89.22% and 78.87%, respectively. Conclusion We suggest that PNI could serve as a reliable prognostic index in covid-19 patients. Reduced level of PNI should alert physicians since it is associated with need for hospitalization and mortality in this population.
Spatiotemporal Mapping of Annual Malaria Incidence in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Egbom S.E. , Nduka F.O. , Nzeako S.O. , Chukwuocha U.M.
Published: April 2023

Rivers State is the centre of Nigeria's oil industry and has the presence of oil prospectors including expatriates who are at risk of malaria infection.  Periodic analysis of epidemiological data will enable malaria control programmers to appraise the interventions carried out over the years and assist in  the development of sustainable and adaptive strategies directed from an informed local level. This study, therefore, examined spatiotemporal variations  in malaria incidence in the State using Annual Parasite Incidence (API) as an indicator. Monthly reported malaria cases from 2007-2017 at the local  government area (LGA) level were retrieved from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Response (IDSR) system of Rivers State Ministry of Health while  projected population data for the same period were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics. API of the LGAs from 2007 to 2017 were computed,  integrated into GIS, and subjected to weighted overlay analysis to delineate the risk zones. The eleven-year retrospective study of malaria in Rivers State  displayed geographical variations which were statistically significant between the LGAs. Malaria incidence fluctuated throughout the study period. API  values increased from 13.746 in 2007 to 34.067 in 2013 and dropped to 8.721 in 2017. All the LGAs recorded API values below 100, indicating a very low  malaria burden in a controlled setting. However, none of the LGAs has reached the WHO standard level for the elimination of transmission. Ikwerre,  Eleme, Ogu-Bolo and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs were assigned to the very high malaria risk stratum (362.615 to 490.005) whereas Abua-Odual, Akuku-Toru and  Degema LGAs were assigned to very low-risk malaria stratum (103.281 to 113.897). The findings of this research will aid stakeholders in evaluating the  impact of control strategies employed over the years and possibly, revisit malaria extant interventions for improved malaria control outcomes.
Monkeypox outbreak -Is this another pandemic?
Authors: Ipinnimo T.M. , Adeniyi I.O. , Ehizibue P.E. , Dan-Ugbomoiko O.S.
Published: April 2023

The WHO declares a pandemic when there is a community transmission of a disease that is occurring in at least two countries in two WHO regions. This  research evaluated the current (year 2022) outbreak of monkeypox against the criteria of a pandemic and suggests necessary health interventions.  Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, causing diseases in humans similar to smallpox. Since its discovery in humans in 1970, several outbreaks have occurred  with the most recent spreading widely to non-endemic areas and fulfilling the WHO criteria for phase 6 of an outbreak as high cases of  infections were seen in Europe and America. Although, the pandemic from monkeypox may not be remarkable because the basic reproductive number,  attack, and case fatality rates are much lower than some of the previous pandemics. However, it should not be underestimated, as spread to vulnerable  groups may be detrimental. It is therefore important for the health systems of countries to develop a pandemic preparedness and response plan for  monkeypox and continue to monitor the outbreak with a prompt response when needed.
Performance and egg quality of light laying hens fed with canthaxanthin and marigold flower extract
Authors: Maia K.M. , Grieser D.O. , Ton A.P.S. , Aquino D.R. , Paulino M.T.F. , Toledo J.B. , Marcato S.M.
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the best level of inclusion of natural (marigold flower extract) and synthetic (canthaxanthin) pigments in the diet of light laying hens from 75 to 85 weeks old in terms of effects on performance, egg quality, and economic viability of production. A total of 288 laying hens were used in a completely randomized design, with a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement, with four levels of marigold flower extract (2.10; 2.40; 2.70; 3.00 ppm) and four of canthaxanthin (0. 40; 0.70; 1.00; 1.30 ppm), with three replications and six hens per experimental unit. The feed conversion by mass of eggs, egg mass, and egg laying rate showed linear improvement with the inclusion of canthaxanthin. The yolk index showed a quadratic effect with the inclusion of marigold and canthaxanthin, presenting a better estimate with diets containing 2.60 ppm/kg of marigold feed and 0.95 ppm/kg of canthaxanthin feed. The percentage of yolk and the Haugh unit increased linearly with the rising levels of marigold, whereas the percentage of albumen decreased linearly. In the evaluation of the YolkFan DSM® and the redness/yellowness, chroma (a*) presented a quadratic effect for the inclusion of marigold (2.73 and 2.80 ppm/kg of feed) and linear increase with canthaxanthin. It was concluded that the best yolk index was with 2.60 ppm/kg marigold flower extract and 0.95 ppm/kg canthaxanthin in the diet of light laying hens from 75 to 85 weeks old.
Does dietary inclusion of defatted yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) affect growth and body composition of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio)?
Authors: Gebremichael A. , Sándor Z.J. , Kucska B.
Published: April 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of total and partial replacement of fishmeal with defatted yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal on one-summer-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with an initial bodyweight of 97.54 g ± 51.0 g. Fish were kept in an experimental recirculating aquaculture system (9 x 250 L tanks) and fed with two experimental diets formulated with mealworm meal replacements and one control, which had 100 g/kg fishmeal without mealworm meal (MWM0). In the first treatment, 50% of fishmeal was replaced with mealworm meal (MWM50). In the second treatment, fishmeal was replaced totally with mealworm meal (MWM100). Fish were fed three times per day at 3.0% of fish biomass. After six weeks of the experimental period, growth performance, nutrient utilization, body composition, and biometric indices were compared. The results revealed that the growth performance of common carp was not affected significantly by the inclusion level of mealworm meal. However, the highest weight gain was observed in MWM100, where specific growth rate was 0.76 ± 0.10 g/day. Crude fat content of the fish body differed significantly between experimental groups and the control. This investigation demonstrated that MWM could be used as an alternative dietary protein source to replace fishmeal without adverse effects on the growth performance of one-summer-old common carp.
Inclusion of licuri cake in high-grain diets for steers: Intake, digestibility, carcass characteristics, and meat quality
Authors: De Oliveira A. B. , Da Silva F. F. , Da Silva J. W. D. , De Carvalho G. G. P. , Santos L. V. , Paixão T. R. , Da Silva A. P. G. , De Souza S. O. , Soares C. , De Lima Júnior D. M. , Silva R. R.
Published: April 2023

A high-grain diet is essential to maximize growth and yield as well as to provide high-quality meat in beef cattle. This study evaluated the effects of including licuri cake in high-grain diets for steers on performance and carcass and meat quality. Forty-four crossbred (1/2 Bos taurus × 1/2 Bos indicus) castrated steers at 24 months of age, with an initial weight of 358.19 ± 41.57 kg, were used. The animals were distributed into four treatments that consisted of diets including licuri cake (0, 85, 170, or 255 g/kg, dry matter basis). Dry matter intake and digestibility decreased with the inclusion of licuri cake in the diet. However, the addition of the ingredient did not influence the intakes of total digestible nutrients (6.7 ± 0.5 kg/day) or crude protein. Licuri cake inclusion did not influence weight gain (1.5 ± 0.2 kg/day) or hot carcass weight (255.1 ± 24.9 kg). There was also no effect on carcass fat thickness, whereas the cholesterol content in the meat decreased with the addition of the cake. We recommend the inclusion of up to 255 g/kg licuri cake in the diet of feedlot steers fed high-concentrate diets.
Mitigating heat stress in broiler chickens using dietary onion (Allium cepa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation
Authors: Shah M. , Chand N. , Khan R.U. , Saeed M. , Ragni M. , Tarricone S. , Laudadio V. , Losacco C. , Tufarelli V.
Published: April 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary onion (Allium cepa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on growth, carcass  quality, antioxidant status, and immune response in broilers under heat stress. A total of 700 day-old Hubbard broiler chicks were weighed and assigned  to five treatments and five replicates. Broilers were maintained in a thermoneutral (TN) environment or were exposed to heat stress (HS). For 35 days, HS  birds were fed a control diet and three levels of onion and ginger powder as: 5 g/kg ginger + 1.5 g/kg onion (T1), 10 g/kg ginger + 2.5 g/kg onion (T2), and  15 g/kg ginger + 3.5 g/kg onion (T3). Body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), dressing percentage, and the weight of immune-related organs  improved in T2 compared to the control. Blood concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) were substantially higher in T2 than  the control. Similarly, in the same dietary group, the antibody titre against Newcastle disease (ND) and total leucocyte count (TLC) were greater than  the control diet. The findings of this research indicate that 10 g of ginger combined with 2.5 g of onion in the diet enhance broiler growth  performance, carcass quality, antioxidant status, and immunological response under heat stress conditions.
Serological and haemato-biochemical insights into bovine leukosis in dairy cattle in D.I. Khan, Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Habib , Nasir A. , Kashif M. , Sajid M. , Sikandar A. , Farooq M. Umer , Rahman A. , Ullah F.
Published: April 2023

Bovine leukosis is an economically important disease of dairy cattle caused by the bovine leukaemia virus (BLV). The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, haemato-biochemical effects, and risk factors pertinent to the prevalence of bovine leukosis in Holstein–Friesian purebred dairy cattle in the D.I. Khan region of Pakistan. A total of 192 sera were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 31.3% (60/192) cattle were detected as seropositive. There was a marked increase in total leukocyte count (11.29 ± 0.48×103/μl), lymphocytes (5.73 ± 0.42%), monocytes (0.81 ± 0.06%), haemoglobin (11.09 ± 0.46 g/dl), red blood cells (7.23 ± 0.37 ×106/μl), and packed cell volume (31.75 ± 1.48%) in seropositive cattle. Serum biochemical parameters in seropositive cattle showed a marked increase in the liver enzymes, alanine transaminase (24.25 ± 1.03 U/l) and aspartate aminotransferase (49.33 ± 3.31 U/l), with a marked decrease in glutathione peroxidase (1365.63 ± 12.03 (U/l) and superoxide dismutase (2.14 ± 0.13 U/ml) activity. A significant association of age, pregnancy, breeding method, milk yield, and health status of seropositive animals with bovine leukosis was also recorded. The prevalence was higher in animals which were older, pregnant, artificially inseminated, low milk producers, and had a history of ailments. The current study found that bovine leukosis virus could cause changes in internal homeostasis, oxidative stress, and liver dysfunction, all of which should be considered during a control regimen. It was concluded that bovine leukosis was moderately prevalent in the D.I. Khan region in Pakistan.
Effects of far infrared ray illumination on the performance, blood biochemistry, and faecal microflora of laying hens at different production stages
Authors: Lim C.I. , Kim H.W. , You A.S. , Heo K.N. , Choo H.J.
Published: April 2023

This study investigated the effect of far-infrared ray (FIR) illumination on performance, blood biochemistry, and faecal microflora of laying hens at different production stages. A total of 360 Hy-line brown laying hens were randomly allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with six replicates. Hens were distributed in two production stages (30–39 and 45–54 weeks-old). Each group was exposed to two light types (light emitting diode; LED and LED+FIR) in separate rooms. The LED treatment illuminated a wavelength of 650 ± 10 nm (0.65 ± 0.01 μm), while LED+FIR treatment emitted 15 ± 10 μm with an LED wavelength. The results showed an interaction between egg production stages and light types on the serum triglyceride concentration. The hens exposed to the LED+FIR and LED treatments showed similar egg production, feed intake, egg weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), as well as albumen height, haugh unit, and shell thickness of eggs. LED+FIR substantially decreased the concentration of serum cholesterol (CHOL), HDL cholesterol (HDLC), and triglyceride (TG) compared to LED lighting. LED+FIR substantially reduced the number of total microbes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella in faeces compared to birds exposed to LED light. These findings suggest that LED+FIR lights may improve hen health and the hen house environment.
Effects of mulberry leaves on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Japanese quail
Authors: Ustundag A.M. , Ozdogan M.
Published: April 2023

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of mulberry leaves on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Japanese quail. A total of 240 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly allocated to three experimental groups and fed a basal diet (control) and the basal diet plus 50 g/kg and 100 g/kg mulberry leaf meal (MLM) for 42 days. By the end of the study, performance parameters of quail fed the 100 g/kg MLM-supplemented diet were affected negatively. The highest carcass weight and carcass yield levels were exhibited in the control group. In terms of meat quality, the shear force of the breast meat of quail fed the diet with 100 g/kg supplemented MLM was higher than the other groups. The highest L* and hue angle values of breast meat were found in the 50 g/kg MLM group. Released water from the thigh meat in the control group was higher than in the experimental groups. The current study indicates that 50 g/kg MLM can be used easily in quail rations without any negative effects.
The first inflation problem of the twenty-first century
Authors: DeLong Brad
Published: April 2023

Inflation in the US after World War II peaked at 19.7 per cent in the 12 months to March 1947. The US economy reoriented itself from its wartime to its post-war structural configuration. The Federal Reserve did nothing at all. Inflation went negative in 1949 at the onset of a minor recession. Inflation revived in 1951, and was in some ways a reverse of 1947 – not a demobilization but a remobilization inflation. Again, the Federal Reserve did nothing. And, again, the inflation wave passed. Then came the long siege of moderate inflation that took place between 1966 and 1980, as the Federal Reserve dithered before the Volcker disinflation. What policy you think would have been and will be appropriate for the Biden Administration and the Yellen–Powell Fed depends on which of these past historical episodes provides the best model and analogy for the state of the US economy today. The odds right now seem to me to be on the first two, rather than the third.
Price and prejudice: reflections on the return of inflation and ideology*,**
Authors: Vernengo Matías , Caldentey Esteban Pérez
Published: April 2023

The current debate on the causes of inflation is dominated by a particular view of what caused the inflationary acceleration in the 1970s, the so-called Great Inflation. In this view, inflation is always and everywhere a demand phenomenon and requires contractionary monetary policy to be kept under control. The alternative view put forward by many heterodox authors emphasize what might be termed the oligopolistic view of inflation. In this paper, we trace the limitations of both views for the center and the periphery.
New Modalities of the Global Sanctions Policy
Authors: Arapova E. Ya.
Published: April 2023

The relevance and scientific novelty of the study lies in the author’s identifi cation of fundamentally new modalities of the global sanctions policy, including: the gradual expansion of the circle of countries initiating sanctions, the transformation of sanctions tools and thematic regimes of sanctions, the replication of the practice of using unilateral sanctions as tools to achieve foreign policy goals in a crisis of the unilateral world order and increasing competition and strategic confrontation between the great powers.

   The discourse and content analysis of legal documents regulating the institutionalization of sanctions regimes in the initiating countries made it possible to identify a number of important global trends in the last decade in the fi eld of sanctions policy. First, in the context of the growing popularity of fi nancial restrictions in the last decade, they are rapidly becoming more complex. The practice of imposing sanctions against Central banks and freezing the foreign exchange reserves of sanctioned countries is being replicated. From “freezing” the assets of sanctioned persons (individuals and legal entities), the initiators of sanctions are increasingly moving towards the practice of their confi scation, while forming appropriate legal mechanisms. Secondly, there are important shifts in the thematic regimes of sanctions: the “collective” legalization of cybersanctions regimes, the massive introduction of liability for circumvention of sanctions into national legislations and the replication of the experience of introducing sanctions restrictions against transactions with cryptocurrency and alternative mechanisms for cross-border settlements. Thirdly, the gradual replication of secondary sanctions tools is obvious, which are beginning to be used not only by the United States, but also by the United Kingdom and China, which in the long term (taking into account the strategic confrontation between China and the United States) might create a fundamentally new phenomenon of actual competition of sanctions extraterritoriality.
Using Climatological Data to Identify Locations with Viticultural Potential in Colorado
Authors:   Colorado Climate Center, Colorado State University, Goble Peter E. , Caspari Horst W. ,   Colorado State University, Schumacher Russ S. ,   Colorado Climate Center, Colorado State University
Published: April 2023

Western Colorado’s warm, dry summers and access to mountain river water for irrigation create ideal conditions for the growth of wine grapes, specifically cultivars of the European grape species Vitis vinifera. The largest limiting factor to Vitis vinifera production is nocturnal temperatures cold enough to damage crops, or Low Temperature Injury Events (LTIEs). LTIEs require producers to undergo the time-and-cost prohibitive venture of retraining vines. Eastern Mesa County Colorado has sustained large-scale grape production due to the area’s relatively mild cold season weather. Areas with similarly hospitable conditions may exist elsewhere within western Colorado. Parametrized Regression on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) temperatures (1981-2020) were used to estimate the frequency of LTIEs across Colorado, and identify trends associated with a warming climate. In the interest of comparing PRISM temperatures to observations over actual vineyards, thermometers were placed on current vineyards in Montezuma County from 2016 to 2020. Findings suggest additional areas of opportunity for Vitis vinifera production exist in Colorado, particularly western Montezuma County, and western Mesa and Montrose Counties. Like eastern Mesa County, these areas experience a LTIE in fewer than 20 % of years. PRISM data also suggest southeast Colorado is becoming more hospitable for Vitis vinifera growth over time. Temperature measurements in Montezuma County during potentially lethal weather events compared closely with PRISM data, with a mean absolute difference of 1.8 ˚C. This comparison suggests PRISM is a reliable tool for identifying areas of opportunity in spite of western Colorado’s complex terrain.
Causal Unfoldings and Disjunctive Causes
Authors: de Visme Marc , Winskel Glynn
Published: April 2023

In the simplest form of event structure, a prime event structure, an event is
associated with a unique causal history, its prime cause. However, it is quite
common for an event to have disjunctive causes in that it can be enabled by any
one of multiple sets of causes. Sometimes the sets of causes may be mutually
exclusive, inconsistent one with another, and sometimes not, in which case they
coexist consistently and constitute parallel causes of the event. The
established model of general event structures can model parallel causes. On
occasion however such a model abstracts too far away from the precise causal
histories of events to be directly useful. For example, sometimes one needs to
associate probabilities with different, possibly coexisting, causal histories
of a common event. Ideally, the causal histories of a general event structure
would correspond to the configurations of its causal unfolding to a prime event
structure; and the causal unfolding would arise as a right adjoint to the
embedding of prime in general event structures. But there is no such
adjunction. However, a slight extension of prime event structures remedies this
defect and provides a causal unfolding as a universal construction. Prime event
structures are extended with an equivalence relation in order to dissociate the
two roles, that of an event and its enabling; in effect, prime causes are
labelled by a disjunctive event, an equivalence class of its prime causes. With
this enrichment a suitable causal unfolding appears as a pseudo right adjoint.
The adjunction relies critically on the central and subtle notion of extremal
causal realisation as an embodiment of causal history. Finally, we explore
subcategories which support parallel causes as well the key operations needed
in developing probabilistic distributed strategies with parallel causes.
Optics and Cosmology: from Euclid to Freud
Authors: Stephenson David
Published: April 2023

This paper explores how the scientific materialist worldview, where any inexplicable phenomenon is regarded as an artefact of incomplete understanding or error, arose from earlier models of the cosmos. In these earlier cosmologies, the mysterious remained an important component and the role of light was a key factor in expressing an ordered hierarchical ontology. Demonstrating the role of optics in the development and evolution of our understanding of the cosmos, the conception of light in the writings of Euclid, Plato and Ficino is surveyed. It is postulated that light starts off as an aspect of divine ineffability, and through the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment becomes the light of human understanding. This development in understanding is traced through an examination of the optical studies of Descartes, Kircher and Bentham, and explored through four optical technologies: the spyglass, the camera obscura, the magic lantern, and the panopticon. As Jean Gebser points out in ‘The Ever Present Origin’ darkness must necessarily accompany the light, and this paper also examines the idea that the darkness that exists as the opposite of the Enlightenment, ends up located in the mind itself. This is investigated through an examination of Freud's use of the metaphor of the optical phenomenon of projection.
Politikdidaktik als Wissenschaft
Authors: Massing Peter
Published: April 2023

In zehn ausgewählten Aufsätzen legt dieses Studienbuch die politikdidaktische Konzeption Peter Massings dar. Es ist dadurch eine Einführung in die Politikdidaktik als Wissenschaft und ein Muss für alle angehenden Politiklehrer. Die Beiträge im ersten Abschnitt verweisen auf die Entwicklung der Politikdidaktik als eigenständige Wissenschaft. Im zweiten Abschnitt wirbt der renommierte Berliner Politikdidaktiker für Politik als „Kern“ der politischen Bildung. Dabei macht er den Zusammenhang von Politik-Lernen und Demokratie-Lernen deutlich. In den Beiträgen des dritten Abschnitts erarbeitet der Autor mit Hilfe von Demokratietheorien eine normative und theoretische Grundlegung für die politische Bildung. Von diesem
Fundament aus führt der letzte Abschnitt hin zum kompetenzorientierten Politikunterricht.
Vom Salpetergeschäft zum Sammlerglück: Die Gemäldesammlung Eduard F. Weber – glanzvoll und doch verschmäht
Authors: Sitt Martina
Published: April 2023

Weitsichtiger Unternehmer, erfolgreicher Netzwerker und Inhaber der größten deutschen Privatsammlung Alter Meister im Kaiserreich vor 1890. Der Hamburger Konsul Weber agierte international und vereinte in seiner Sammlung Kunstwerke aus aller Welt. Mit seinem Sammlungskonzept für die Alten Meister war er seiner Zeit um einiges voraus. Neben Rembrandts frühestem Gemälde und Werken von Holbein d. Ä. oder Mantegna erwarb er auch primär kunsthistorisch bedeutende Arbeiten. Sein Privatmuseum, von Martin Haller, dem Architekten des Hamburger Rathauses, nach neuesten Standards gebaut, machte Weber öffentlich zugänglich. In dem Hamburger Kunsthallendirektor Alfred Lichtwark traf er aber auf einen hartnäckigen Gegenspieler, denn nach Webers Tod beschloss dieser zunächst: keine Sammlung für Hamburg. Doch der folgende spektakuläre Verkauf der Sammlung sprengte alle Erwartungen des internationalen Kunstbetriebs und wird hier von Martina Sitt so eindrücklich geschildert, dass man gerne dabei gewesen wäre. Eduard Weber (1830-1907) widmete sich ab 1856 dem Handel mit Salpeter und entwickelte seine Firma zu einer der einflussreichsten Importfirmen aus Chile. Als betuchter Finanzier wirkte er in seiner weitverzweigten Kaufmannsfamilie einflussreich hinter den Kulissen. Aufgewachsen in einem sehr kunstinteressierten Elternhaus erwarb Weber sein erstes eigenes Bild 1864. Der vielseitige und belesene Sammler verfügte über einen guten Blick und ein kenntnisreiches Urteilsvermögen.
Investigation of Temperature Variations in Kozhikode District, Kerala
Authors: NK Mufeeda , VP Dinesan
Published: April 2023

Kerala is situated on the Western Ghats' southern edge. Kerala has a topography that is asymmetrical. Its landform is characterized by steep slopes and rolling, quiet hills. Kerala has been experiencing temperature rise, irregular monsoons, and water scarcity for the past few years. The present study includes an investigation of temperature variations in the Kozhikode district, Kerala by examining the Maximum, Minimum, and Average Temperature in annual, seasonal, and monthly variations by time series of meteorological stations in the Kozhikode district. Gridded data of temperature prepared by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) for the Kozhikode region have been used in the study. The temperature data is collected from three meteorological stations in the Kozhikode district. The variation of temperature was analyzed by linear regression method. The statistical significance of the trend can be tested by a non-parametric test, such as the Mann-Kendall Trend Test.
Law and Society in a Populist Age
Authors: Etzioni Amitai
Published: April 2023

Amitai Etzioni argues for a new liberal communitarian approach as an effective response to populism. The book considers national security versus privacy, private sector responsibility, freedom of the press, campaign finance reform, regulatory law and the legal status of terrorists, offering a timely discussion of key issues.