bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Place-Based and Experiential Pedagogies: Teaching radical concepts in social movements and political sociology
Authors: Shannon Deric
Published: August 2022

This piece argues that radical ideas in political sociology and social movement studies can sometimes be difficult to teach because of the ideological training that we all undergo in the process of our socialization. However, using a place-based and experiential form of pedagogy can be useful in explaining three particular concepts within the discipline: prefigurative politics, direct action, and self-management. First, I outline this approach as developed in my travel course to Spain, “Global Political Economy and Sustainability.” I begin with a brief explanation of this method and some relevant literature in sociology. Next, I identify those three concepts within the sociological study of social movements and political sociology that this type of pedagogy can help students see clearly and understand. Finally, I add some concluding remarks, self-criticism, and suggest some further research to investigate learning outcomes. [Article copies available for a fee from The Transformative Studies Institute. E-mail address: journal@transformativestudies.org Website: http://www.transformativestudies.org ©2022 by The Transformative Studies Institute. All rights reserved.]
Mean platelet volume (MPV) levels in subclinical hypothyroidism and its relation to serum lipid levels
Authors: ERCAN Zafer , DEMİR Mehmet Emin
Published: July 2022

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a term to define a mild and early thyroid deficiency. Some reports claim SCH has an association with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially in individuals 4 mIU/L TSH levels were labelled for SCH group. Both groups were evaluated for MPV, lipid profiles and epidemiological features.

Results: SCH group had higher levels of MPV, total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (P
The effect of empagliflozin on monocyte high-density lipoprotein ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: DOĞAN Murat
Published: July 2022

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effect of empagliflozin, which is started in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), on neutrophil leumphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), which are used as inflammation, glycemic control and oxidative markers.
Material and Method: The file systems of T2DM patients who used empagliflozin for at least 12 weeks were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data of the patients were recorded. biochemical and hemogram parameters were compared before and after empagliflozin.
Results: 194 patients were included in the study. Plasma fasting glucose (p<0.001), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)(p<0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p=0.041), NLR(p=0.002) and MHR(p=0.042) values of T2DM patients after empagliflozin treatment were statistically significantly decreased compared to pre-treatment with empagliflozin. HDL-C value(p=0.003), on the other hand, increased significantly after empagliflozin
Conclusion: NLR and MHR are inexpensive and practical markers of inflammation. This result shows us that NLR and MHR should be used as inflammation markers in patients using empagliflozin.
Manuka Honey Versus Wet to Dry Dressing for Wound Closure Time After Open Pilonidal Sinus Surgery
Authors: Abtar Houssam Khodor , Terro Jad Jamal , El-Helou Etienne , Jammoul Kassem Mohammad , Lakkis Ryan Said , Ismail Nathalie Haidar , Al-Raishouni Mohammad Ahmad , Aoun Charbel Joseph
Published: August 2022

Background: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease is a very common chronic inflammation of the natal cleft that presents frequently as an abscess. Management requires the eradication of the sinus tract and postoperative wound care. Manuka honey (Medihoney) was used in acute and chronic wounds. In our study, we sought to investigate the clinical effectiveness of Manuka honey in decreasing wound healing time post excision.
Material and Methods: We describe patients’ characteristics using traditional descriptive statistics. We compared the study endpoint (wound closure time) in patients who received Medihoney versus those who did not by Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Results: A total of 119 patients underwent pilonidal cyst surgery between the years 2017 and 2018. The median time for healing in the Medihoney group was 40 days compared with 39 days in the control group. After adjusting for age, BMI, wound length, wound volume, smoking and operative time, the time to healing in the Medihoney group was significantly less compared to the group not receiving the treatment (Hazard Ratio 1.56, 95% Confidence interval 1.02- 2.49, p= 0.041).
Conclusion: Postoperative use of Manuka honey showed a significant decrease in wound healing time when compared to gauze fabric dressings. Further research would be beneficial to explore optimal treatment protocols for this dressing technique.
The financial crisis and dividend policy: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Tran Quoc Trung , Nguyen Xuan Minh , Dao Thi Huong
Published: August 2022

Prior research shows that firms restrict their dividend policy due to precautionary motives when they face high uncertainty and external financial constraint during a financial crisis. However, the effect of a financial crisis on dividend policy may also be explained by the bird in hand mechanism. This paper investigates how the global financial crisis affects corporate dividend policy in the Vietnamese stock market. We choose this emerging market since its weak corporate governance environment strengthens shareholders’ bird in hand motive. With a sample of 5,489 observations between 2007 and 2017, we find that both the probability of dividend payment and dividend payout ratio are higher during the crisis period of 2008-2009. The effect of the financial crisis is weaker in firms with high leverage and large size. Moreover, our findings show that the likelihood of dividend omission is lower while the probability of dividend initiation and dividend increase is higher during the financial crisis.
Modeling Thermal Emission under Lunar Surface Environmental Conditions
Authors: Prem Parvathy , Greenhagen Benjamin T. , Donaldson Hanna Kerri L. , Shirley Katherine A. , Glotch Timothy D.
Published: July 2022

Thermal emission spectra can provide key insights into the composition and thermophysical properties of the regolith on the Moon and other airless bodies. However, under lunar surface environmental conditions, the uppermost millimeters of the regolith (from which thermal emission originates) cannot be characterized by a single temperature, leading to changes in spectral characteristics that should be accounted for in interpreting thermal emission measurements. Here, we develop and apply a Monte Carlo radiative transfer method to model thermal emission from particulate media with varying, nonisothermal subsurface temperature profiles. We model emission spectra for three major lunar mineral phases (pyroxene, olivine, and plagioclase), and investigate the effects of particle size and packing density. Modeled spectra are compared to lab measurements acquired under both ambient and simulated lunar conditions. We find that in some cases, the model provides useful constraints on the magnitude of the temperature profile established in a lab sample under lunar-like conditions, whereas in other cases, lab spectra are not well represented by the linear temperature profiles considered in this work. The model is generally successful at predicting changes in spectral contrast under lunar-like conditions, but less successful in accurately predicting shifts in the position of the Christiansen feature emissivity maximum; we illustrate and discuss the validity of the modeling approach for a range of different cases. Model results can also be used to quantify the depth within which observed thermal emission originates; this depth depends on composition and grain size, and ranges from ∼100 to 1000 μm for representative packing densities.
First record of the soldier fly genus Beris Latreille (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) from Korea, with designation of two new synonyms
Authors: Lee Junho , Suh Sang Jae
Published: August 2022

The soldier fly subfamily Beridinae in the family Stratiomyidae contains approximately 280 known species, these being distributed across nearly all biogeographical regions with the exception of the polar regions. On the Korean Peninsula, the species diversity of this subfamily has been poorly examined to date, as is reflected in the National species list of Korea by the National Institute of Biological Resources.

In this paper, the soldier fly genusBerisLatreille is reported for the first time from Korea, based on observations of the following three species:B. fuscipesMeigen, 1820,B. hildebrandtaePleske, 1930 andB. hirotuiÔuchi, 1943. Additionally, the authors propose two nomenclatural acts: 1)B. angustifaciesNagatomi and Tanaka, 1972syn. nov.=B. hildebrandtaePleske, 1930; 2)B. liaoninganaCui, Li and Yang, 2010syn. nov.=B. hildebrandtaePleske, 1930. The authors also provide an identification key, descriptions, photographs and distributional notes on these Korean species.
GBIF’s (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) New Strategic Framework to Address Biodiversity Data Needs
Authors: Miller Joe
Published: August 2022

Every five years the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) reevaluates its work in an updated Strategic Framework. The latest was recently approved and will be in effect 2023–2027. In responding to our Governing Board and network expectations to accelerate data mobilization and capacity enhancement to improve science for research and policy relevance, the new Framework specifically responds to the biodiversity crisis in its Vision, Mission and Values statements.

In addition to the successful national data mobilization framework, GBIF is developing thematic data use cases to accelerate towards the goals set forth in the Framework's priority areas. The thematic data mobilization will identify critical data gaps in areas of research and policy importance and work with new communities to mobilize this data into the GBIF network. Additionally, we will work with user communities to facilitate and track data use. These thematic topics will include areas of interest to global policy initiatives, such as human health, invasive species, agricultural biodiversity, eDNA and others. Aligned with this work is the enhancement of the GBIF Data Model, based on DwC, to better integrate data from diverse sources. We expect that this advancement will encourage the publishing of more and diverse data types that can be used to improve science for research and policy relevance of GBIF-mediated data.

In order to accomplish this ambitious Strategic Framework, GBIF will also need to evolve how we operate. The pandemic has taught us that virtual interactions are positive, but have limits. We are developing a more distributed workforce and importantly expanding collaborations, such as with the Atlas of Living Australia, Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG), and the Catalogue of Life on joint infrastructure and models. These alliances build interoperability, enlarge and improve data mobilization and use, and quicken knowledge growth to strengthen the entire biodiversity knowledge network to meet our critical needs.
L'évaluation dans le secteur social et médico-social
Authors: Camberlein Philippe
Published: July 2022

La présente communication présente les différentes étapes et problèmes rencontrés dans la mise en œuvre de l’évaluation interne, au sein d’un CESAP. Du choix d’un référentiel, ici le référentiel PÉRICLÉS, aux conditions et niveaux d’appropriation des équipes de la démarche, les avancées comme les aléas confirment bien l’idée selon laquelle l’évaluation interne agit comme « un analyseur institutionnel. »
L'évaluation dans le secteur social et médico-social
Authors: Ott Laurent
Published: July 2022

La loi 2002-2 semble avoir introduit de nouvelles contraintes pour les professionnels, principalement dans leur rapport à l’écrit. L’accès de l’usager aux écrits le concernant sonne pour le travailleur social comme un avertissement, une invitation à la prudence voire à la censure.
L'évaluation dans le secteur social et médico-social
Authors: Portier-Le Cocq Fabienne
Published: July 2022

La violence des adolescents, problème international, regroupe dans le présent article une évaluation faite en Allemagne, en France, en Pologne, en Suède et en Suisse. L’accent est mis sur les convergences et les difficultés structurelles qui entravent le processus de coopération autour du jeune.
Crimes pittoresques. La construction culturelle du brigand italien dans la première moitié du XIX e siècle
Authors: Tatasciore Giulio
Published: July 2022

Cet article porte sur la construction culturelle du brigand italien, une figure marquante de l’imaginaire social de l’Europe du xix e  siècle. Le principal objectif est d’établir un lien entre les représentations culturelles des brigands et le discours romantique sur les « mystères » des classes criminelles. L’article vise notamment à analyser les mécanismes d’identification, médiatisation, politisation et criminalisation liées aux brigands et au phénomène du brigandage. L’article offre ainsi une contribution à l’étude du mélange complexe d’imaginaire littéraire, de discours criminologique et de conflit politique, qui semble être le vecteur privilégié de définition des représentations changeantes de ce type social.
Bounded positive solutions for diffusive logistic equations with unbounded distributed limitations
Authors: Díaz Jesús Ildefonso , Hernández Jesús
Published: August 2022

We establish the existence of bounded very weak solutions to a large class of stationary diffusive logistic equations with weights by constructing suitable sub and supersolutions. This class of problems corresponds to the case in which the absorption term dominates over the forcing term. The case of simultaneous singular nonlinearities and singular weights is also considered. This shows that if limitations in the growth of a population are distributed and unbounded, but satisfy some mild integrability assumption in terms of the distance to the boundary, solutions can still be bounded. The results extend several papers in the literature.
A deficiency of prescriptive analytics—No perfect predicted value or predicted distribution exists
Authors: Wang Shuaian , Tian Xuecheng , Yan Ran , Liu Yannick
Published: July 2022

Researchers and industrial practitioners are now interested in combining machine learning (ML) and operations research and management science to develop prescriptive analytics frameworks. By and large, a single value or a discrete distribution with a finite number of scenarios is predicted using an ML model with an unknown parameter; the value or distribution is then fed into an optimization model with the unknown parameter to prescribe an optimal decision. In this paper, we prove a deficiency of prescriptive analytics, i.e., that no perfect predicted value or perfect predicted distribution exists in some cases. To illustrate this phenomenon, we consider three different frameworks of prescriptive analytics, namely, the predict-then-optimize framework, smart predict-then-optimize framework and weighted sample average approximation (w-SAA) framework. For these three frameworks, we use examples to show that prescriptive analytics may not be able to prescribe a full-information optimal decision, i.e., the optimal decision under the assumption that the distribution of the unknown parameter is given. Based on this finding, for practical prescriptive analytics problems, we suggest comparing the prescribed results among different frameworks to determine the most appropriate one.
Existence of solutions for the boundary value problem of non-instantaneous impulsive fractional differential equations with $ p $-Laplacian operator
Authors: Li Yiyun , Xie Jingli , Mao Luping
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we consider a boundary value problem of impulsive fractional differential equations with the nonlinear $ p $-Laplacian operator, where impulses are non-instantaneous. By converting the given problem into an equivalent integral form and applying the Schauder fixed point theorem, we obtain some sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions. An illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the validity of our results.
We Know More Than We Can Zoom
Authors: Mols Anouk , Wijngaarden Yosha , Greven Imke , van Wijnen Marloes
Published: August 2022

Measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic forced many young professionals to work from (often small and sometimes shared) homes. On the basis of in-depth interviews in the Netherlands, this chapter aims to unpack how working from home in times of COVID-19 affects the whole personhood of young knowledge workers. Three important insights are provided. First, when it comes to around boundary sculpting practices, many respondents' boundary negotiations between personal and professional spheres entail personal, collective, temporal, and spatial borders. Second, interpersonal connections prove to be of vital importance because a lack of face-to-face interactions not only causes a lack of interpersonal contact and emotional connection to colleagues, but also a lack of tacit knowledge. Third, additional spheres like the public sphere are crucial for providing motivation and inspiration. This research shows that working from home can be detrimental to the whole personhood of young professionals.
Identifying the Key Themes in Auditing Sales Force Management
Authors: Pires Paulo Botelho , Cardoso Pedro Cotta
Published: August 2022

So far, academic research and subsequent publication of the results on how to audit salesforce is almost non-existent. As a result, the objective of this study is to identify the main themes associated with the management of the salesforce, using a literature review of the main academic journals and reference books. A historical review of auditing, its origins, and evolution was performed, followed by an identification of the main themes. The main themes identified were recruitment and selection of salespeople; training and education of salespeople; motivation of salespeople; and leadership, compensation, performance, and territorial allocation of salespeople.
Evaluating the Benefits of Omnichannel Retail
Authors: Failli Forzoni Beatrice , Reyes-Menendez Ana , Rodríguez Herráez Beatriz
Published: August 2022

With the evolution of the retail industry, the concept of omnichannel has emerged as a new strategy that merges the online and the offline world. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the benefits of an omnichannel retail strategy through a systematic literature review focused on consumer-related concepts. This chapter follows an exploratory methodology to collect and analyze available literature on omnichannel retail, which also focuses on consumers. The results have been reviewed through a scientometric analysis and an in-depth, qualitative analysis to highlight the main research areas and find underexplored topics. With this chapter, the authors are bringing a significant scientific contribution by identifying and filling a research gap. In fact, the present systematic literature review highlights the consumer perspective and highlights new research areas that other authors are encouraged to explore to further enrich the omnichannel literature.
Non-Invasive Technologies in Neurorehabilitation
Authors: Matamala-Gomez Marta , Malighetti Clelia , Mancuso Valentina , Bernini Sara , Bottiroli Sara
Published: August 2022

Neurological disorders are one of the most common causes of motor/cognitive impairments leading to adult disability. Neurorehabilitation is defined as a complex rehabilitation process directed to recovery from a nervous system injury, and to minimize or compensate the associated functional limitations. The frequent incomplete recovery of the neurological patients induces to the introduction of novel neurorehabilitative treatments, tailored to the patients, targeting the specific motor or cognitive disorders. The aim of this chapter is to bring together the latest findings on new technologies including virtual reality across the multiple research fields of rehabilitation in neurological disorders, mapping key developments and innovations such as telerehabilitation systems.
Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Based Wearable Sensors in Deep Residual Network for Detecting Heart Disease
Authors: Abdul Haleem Sulaima Lebbe , P. Rethik Rham , N. Manikandan , Ramachandran Manikandan
Published: August 2022

Recently, there has been growing attention to the advances in the areas of electronic and biomedical engineering and the great applications that these technologies can offer mainly for health diagnosis and monitoring. In the past decade, deep learning (DL) has revolutionized traditional machine learning (ML) and brought about improved performance in many fields, including image recognition, object detection, speech recognition, and natural language processing. This chapter discusses detection of heart disease using deep learning techniques. Here the input data has been collected based on wearable device-collected data with IoT module. This data has been preprocessed using adaptive histogram normalization, and the authors segment the image based on threshold method using Ostu thresholding technique. The segmented image feature has been extracted using generative adversarial network and classification of extracted features using deep residual network. The experimental analysis is obtained by the proposed GAN_DRN in terms of accuracy as 96%, precision of 85%, recall of 80%, F-1 score of 71%, and AUC of 75%.
Resource-Efficient Pareto-Optimal Green Scheduler Architecture
Authors: Shrawankar Urmila , Dhule Chetan Ashokrao
Published: July 2022

Rapidly developing cloud technology with enormous number of clients creates need of reducing power consumption of data centers. VM live migration is the most promising tool to achieve resource consolidation but it creates overheads in terms of additional CPU, disk I/O and network bandwidth utilization. This paper proposes a power-aware VM live migration based dynamic VM consolidation mechanism that focuses on reduction in datacenter’s resource utilization. Proposed mechanism is Pareto Optimal because during live migration it not only optimize the migration overheads but also select the VM and destination server by considering all the performance overheads to be generated during and after live migration. The proposed algorithm reduces nearly 60% of the VMs migration overheads. In terms of energy saving the proposed mechanism is 43% more efficient than the greedy scheduling approach and about 47% more energy efficient than the round-robin approach and thus achieves green computing goal.
Evaluating the Nexus Between Honesty and Integrity in the Hospitality and Tourism Teaching Industry
Authors: Maitra Rekha , Bansal Tarun
Published: July 2022

Good teaching skills result from hard work and perseverance, for which teacher has to spend time structuring their lesson and session plan with optimum efforts. To be an effective teachers, they sometimes compromise their ethics and values. The paper discusses how entrepreneurship skills can be developed to make students job-ready and focuses on responses of hospitality and tourism faculty members to understand the challenges in offering quality. This paper analyses the honesty and integrity of tourism and hospitality academicians in contributing to quality education and skillsets required by the students. The study aims to fill the gaps identified by Iberahim et al. (2013) and map the hospitality academician perspective on student academic dishonesty. The research objective identifies the gap between honesty and integrity in teaching practices. The authors present findings and suggestions which emerged from the study. Finally, conclusions, recommendations are drawn for academicians to develop perspectives on academic dishonesty.
Designing a Fuzzy Q-Learning Power Energy System Using Reinforcement Learning
Authors: J. Avanija , Konduru Suneetha , Kura Vijetha , NagaJyothi Grande , Dudi Bhanu Prakash , S. Mani Naidu
Published: July 2022

Modern power and energy systems are becoming more complicated and uncertain as distributed energy resources (DERs), flexible loads, and other developing technologies become more integrated. This brings great challenges to the operation and control. Furthermore, the deployment of modern sensor and smart metres generates a considerable amount of data, which opens the door to fresh data-driven ways for dealing with complex operation and control difficulties. One of the most commonly touted strategies for control and optimization problems is reinforcement learning (RL). Designing a fuzzy Q-learning power energy system using RL technique will control and reduce the problems arranging in the energy system.
Adhesion and Cohesion of the Sealed Joint after Exposure to Water
Authors: Boháček Adam
Published: July 2022

This article deals with the sealing of problematic cement-based building material and its adhesion and cohesion after exposure to water. Aqupanel cement board is chosen as a problematic material for the needs of this research. Furthermore, sealants are selected according to several criteria. These criteria include the manufacturer's recommendations on the suitability for use of cementitious substrates, affordability, and commercial availability for the average consumer. The selected sealants, the so-called primers, are then used for selected sealants. Test specimens are made of selected materials, which consist of two cement base plates, a primer, and an applied sealant. These test specimens with correctly matured sealant are further conditioned and tested according to the European standards ČSN EN ISO 8339 and ČSN EN ISO 10591. The results of these two tests are carefully recorded in the result tables and then evaluated and compared. These results show that for a tensile test without the use of water, it is necessary to apply a greater tensile force for the failure of the test specimen than for a tensile test after exposure to water. Furthermore, based on these results, we can say that polyurethane sealant is more resistant to tensile stress than acrylic sealant, for which the value of maximum elongation at failure of the test specimen is even several times higher.
Properties of Samples from Polymer Materials Manufactured by the Additive Method
Authors: Erofeev V.T. , Elchishcheva Tatyana F. , Makarchuk M.V. , Preobrazhenskaya E.M. , Tingaev A.V.
Published: July 2022

A promising direction in industry and construction is the replacement of cast products made of metal, polymer and composite materials for products made by additive methods using FDM technologies. This stimulates the development of research work towards improving the physical, mechanical and operational characteristics of such products. The paper studies the problems arising in the process of using the FDM technology for the industrial production of products. It has been established that it is necessary to solve the problem of heterogeneity of the structure of products, to study the mechanisms of formation of cracks and pores, as well as their influence on the strength characteristics of products and their ability to sustain strength characteristics under dynamic and temperature effects in real operating conditions. The ways of solving the problem of using FDM technology in industry and construction, associated with low physical, mechanical and operational characteristics of polymer products, are shown. Using optical microscopy, it was revealed that the optimal modes of FDM printing are near temperatures of 250°C with a filament layer thickness of 0.2 mm. The specified printing parameters allow the formation of homogeneous parts from a material with minor defects and gaps. Printing parameters are determined based on the initial properties of the materials used, specified by different filament manufacturers, as well as the characteristics and settings of 3D printers. The results obtained ensure the production of 3D-printed parts with the highest possible strength, comparable to the strength of homogeneous samples produced by the traditional casting method.
Remote Visual Information System for Identification of Dangerous Substances Using Unmanned Aircrafts
Authors: Bychenko Artem , Udovenko Maksym , Nuianzin Vitalii , Berezovskyi Andriy
Published: July 2022

Development of a functional model of the process of creating a knowledge base on the recognition of objects and actions of the enemy on the basis of neural networks and fuzzy logic. The aim of the work is to develop a set of software and hardware designed for remote identification of hazardous substances by machine visual recognition of information signs of dangerous goods with the output of relevant information to the means of visual display (interface). Recommendations concerning providing UAVs with the necessary technical means to monitor the zone of emergencies are analyzed. The recommendations of the organization of radio communication between the UAV and the operator depending on the range of the UAV departure, terrain conditions etc are analyzed and given. The structural scheme of the complex of remote recognition of HC in the form of blocks, units and software and hardware is developed. As a result of the analysis of programming systems, it was found that Python programming language is the best choice to ensure the full operation of the software due to the built-in capabilities and the involvement of third-party frameworks. A database containing information on more than 3.000 HCs with detailed recommendations for emergency response is developed. The hardware and software complex for remote identification of dangerous substances by machine visual recognition of information signs of dangerous goods by UAV, consisting of unmanned aerial platform with photo-video recording means, data transmission system to ground control station, PC for processing results and related software are substantiated and developed. A test of the UAV's capabilities in recognizing danger signs with UN numbers in different lighting conditions was tested. In all cases, the HC was accurately identified. The ideas and methods proposed in this article will allow to create cheap and simple tools for rescue units of Ukraine, which deal with the consequences of emergencies related to the leakage of HCs.
Effects of climate change on pastoral households in the Harshin District of the Somali Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Abrham Tigist , Mekuyie Muluken
Published: August 2022

This study was conducted in the Harshin District of the Somali Region, Ethiopia, to understand the climate change trends, their consistency with pastoralists’ perceptions and their effects on pastoral households. The study used both qualitative and quantitative data collected from 143 households through household surveys. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also employed to triangulate and substantiate the reports from household surveys. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and chi-square tests to test a degree of significance between the pastoral and agropastoral households for the impact of climate change. Mann–Kendall’s trend test and Sen’s slope estimator were employed to determine climate change trends of the study area. The result showed that pastoral households perceived an increasing trend in annual temperature and a decreasing trend in annual and seasonal rainfall. Mann–Kendall’s trend analysis confirmed pastoral communities’ perceptions of higher temperatures and rainfall variability, with the exception of a long-term decline in rainfall. The findings further indicated that six droughts (one severe and five moderate) were observed for the period 1983–2017. The result indicated that the significant increase in temperature along with high interannual and seasonal rainfall variability have been causing adverse impacts on crop and livestock production. Therefore, there is a need to provide drought-tolerant and early-maturing crops and improved livestock breeds for pastoral households. Water-related interventions such as small-scale irrigation farming and water harvesting during good rainy seasons is also paramount to enhance climate resilience of the local people.
Species identification and cow risks of non-aureus staphylococci from South African dairy herds
Authors: Petzer Inge-Marie , Labuschagne Christiaan , Phophi Lufuno , Karzis Joanne
Published: August 2022

Detailed information on specific species of non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) has become a necessity for effective udder health control programs in South Africa. The main objective of this preliminary study was to identify the different NAS species and strains present in dairy herds in South Africa using a cost-effective method. A further objective was to investigate the effects of cow risk factors and farming systems on the NAS isolates identified. A total of 214 NAS, isolated from milk collected from 17 South African dairy herds, were identified using three diagnostic tests (API Staph test, MALDI-TOF and 16s rRNA). There was a good observed agreement between the MALDI-TOF and 16S rRNA sequencing (92.2%) and a poor observed agreement between the MALDI-TOF and API Staph (25.7%). The genetic relatedness within species was investigated in 128 of these isolates using random polymorphic amplified deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (RAPD), verified by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and phylogenetic analysis and cow risk factors were investigated on species level. The main NAS species isolated were Staphylococcus chromogenes (75.2%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (9.4%) and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (8.9%). The RAPD test identified 34 Staphylococcus chromogenes, 13 Staphylococcus epidermidis and nine Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains, indicating genetic diversity amongst strains and herds. The presence of NAS intramammary infections was found to be significantly related to the farming systems, composite cow milk somatic cell count (SCC), parity and days in milk (DIM). Significantly more NAS were isolated from primiparous and from older cows. This knowledge could assist with the management of NAS on dairy farms.
Perceptions and attitudes of black men in a rural district of South Africa towards depression and its treatment
Authors: Masemola Hlabje C. , Moodley Saiendhra V. , Shirinde Joyce
Published: August 2022

Background: Depression is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease, impacting social life, family life and occupational functioning if left untreated. Despite its high prevalence and morbidity, the evidence suggests that men are hesitant to seek help, with a large percentage remaining undiagnosed. This study aimed to determine the attitudes and perceptions related to depression and its treatment amongst black men in a rural district of South Africa.Methods: The design used was an exploratory descriptive qualitative design. Participants were selected by purposive sampling. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were subsequently analysed thematically to develop themes and subthemes.Results: Participants described depression as a psychological problem associated with lack of sleep, loneliness, feeling unwanted, increased stress, deep sadness, weight loss, forgetfulness, crying over small things and lack of concentration. Collectively, the interviews with participants showed a good understanding of the psychosocial determinants of depression but exposed a lack of awareness of its biological determinants. A large proportion (n = 13; 68.4%) of participants reported not having knowledge of available services in their area for people seeking treatment for depression. Barriers to help-seeking behaviours were fear of social stigma, fear of expressing their feelings, gender norms and stereotypes and lack of trust in others.Conclusion: Interventions such as support groups and mental health awareness programmes to counteract personal perceptions may help to improve and expand the effectiveness of depression treatment. The results highlight the future need to raise awareness of depressive symptoms and expand health outreach programmes
Children’s development of an understanding of number: A model for Grade R teachers
Authors: Ndabezitha Lerato B.
Published: August 2022

Background: Teachers teach mathematics by focusing on procedural knowledge (what steps to follow when doing mathematics) and pay scant attention to the conceptual understanding that underlies these procedures such as double-digit addition or subtraction and overall additive and multiplicative relations. They teach concepts in a haphazard way instead of looking at them from a convergent perspective of concepts that a child builds, one after the other.Aim: This study explores what Grade R teachers know about young children’s specific developmental numerical cognition and if they infuse their understanding of number concept development in their pedagogy.Setting: Samples of 15 female Grade R teachers were purposefully selected from five schools in what was previously a racially segregated living area in South Africa.Methods: This research design is a descriptive case study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and observation notes documented during workshops and when the teachers implemented their learnings in their classrooms.Results: The main finding was that although teachers could reflect on the model of number concept development they had learned, they found it hard to infuse their knowledge into a strictly structured curriculum.Conclusion: Despite the Meerkat Maths programme offered to the teachers, they could not rely on their intuitive pedagogy, coupled with the model of number concept development that they had learned because of the strict demands of the school curriculum content with which they had to comply.
Low-dose localised electron radiotherapy in a case of refractory mycosis fungoides
Authors: Joram George O. , Burger Henriette , Visser Willem I. , Mohamed Zainab
Published: August 2022

We present a case of refractory mycosis fungoides (MF) that responded to low-dose localised electron radiotherapy. A 59-year-old man presented with a 5-year history of a generalised, pruritic, scaly, red skin rash that had recently become more nodular. Skin biopsy confirmed MF. After a variable initial response to topical steroids and oral methotrexate, progressive tumours were treated with low-dose electron radiotherapy. We describe the clinical effect of different radiation doses and fractionation schedules applied over a 2-year period. Our experience in this case of MF suggests that low-dose localised electron radiotherapy offers excellent palliation by effectively resolving tumorous lesions, improving quality of life and allowing for retreatment of refractory lesions.
Does the efficacy of neurodynamic treatments depend on the presence and type of criteria used to define neural mechanosensitivity in spinally-referred leg pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Murape Tawanda , Ainslie Timothy R. , Basson Cato A. , Schmid Annina
Published: August 2022

Background: It remains unclear whether definite neural mechanosensitivity (NM) is required for neural mobilisations to be beneficial in people with spinally referred leg pain.Objective: To determine whether the efficacy of neural mobilisations in patients with spinally referred leg pain depends on the presence and type of criteria used to define NM.Method: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro and Science Direct were searched from 1980 to March 2020. Randomised controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of neural mobilisations on pain and disability in spinally referred leg pain were included. Studies were grouped according to the certainty of NM into NMdefinite, NMunclear, NMuntested and NMabsent. Effects on pain and disability and subgroup differences were examined.Results: We identified 21 studies in 914 patients (3 NMdefinite, 16 NMunclear, 2 NMuntested, 0 NMabsent). Meta-analysis revealed medium to large effect sizes on pain for neurodynamic compared to control interventions in NMdefinite and NMunclear groups. For disability, neurodynamic interventions had medium to large effects in NMunclear but not NMdefinite groups. NMuntested studies could not be pooled.Conclusion: The nonexistence of studies in patients with negative neurodynamic tests prevents inferences whether neural mobilisations are effective in the absence of NM. The criteria used to define NM may not impact substantially on the efficacy of neural mobilisations. The mostly high risk of bias and heterogeneity prevents firm conclusions.Clinical implications: Neural mobilisations seem beneficial to reduce pain and disability in spinally referred leg pain independent of the criteria used to interpret neurodynamic tests.
Patients’ voices from music therapy at a South African psychiatric hospital
Authors: Lotter Carol , Van Staden Werdie
Published: August 2022

Background: In the Life Esidimeni tragedy, crucial voices of mental healthcare users and practitioners were silenced, captured in the Ombud’s report as a ‘failure to listen’. Working against this kind of failure, various therapeutic interventions listen deliberately and uncover the voice of the patient, that is, what matters from his or her subjective perspective in his or her particular circumstances. Amongst these interventions, music therapy provides for this sensitive listening by expanding the scope and means of expression from the verbal to the musical.Aim: This article reports on a qualitative exploration of patients’ lived experiences both during and after their course of individual music therapy, expressed both verbally and in the language of active music-making.Setting: A tertiary public psychiatric hospital in South Africa.Methods: Audio-video recordings of 131 music therapy sessions and 15 post-therapy interviews were analysed thematically. From three sets of themes accounting for patients’ verbal contents, musical participation and verbal post-therapy reflections, 11 salient voices were identified.Results: The 11 voices that emerged were (1) the voice of struggle, (2) the voice of disturbance, (3) the voice that feels, (4) the voice of isolation, (5) the powerless voice, (6) the voice that desires, (7) the voice of flow and connection, (8) the reflecting voice, (9) the symbolic voice, (10) the resilient voice and (11) the voice of liberation.Conclusion: Although mental health practitioners may recognise these voices from their clinical experience, space and opportunity for hearing the voice of each patient should be generated deliberately.
Conventional treatments and non-PEGylated liposome encapsulated doxorubicin for visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Satapathy Soumya Ranjan , Sahoo Rudra Narayan
Published: July 2022

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as Kala-azar, is caused by Leishmania (L.) donovani complex, which includes L. donovani and L. infantum and is associated with a high death rate as compared to the cutaneous and subcutaneous form. Treatment of VL includes chemotherapeutic agents which are associated with some major hurdles like toxicities, parenteral administration, high cost, parasite resistance and stability. Hence, there is an urgent requirement to develop novel chemotherapeutic agents or repurposing of existing drugs against VL. Developing formulation of new chemical entity for the treatment of VL is laborious, time consuming and associated with huge financial burden. However, screening of existing chemotherapeutic agents is a good alternative to avail cost-effective treatment option for VL. Non-PEGylated liposome encapsulated doxorubicin (Myocet®) is proposed as an alternative treatment option for VL in this review article. Here, we covered the fundamental aspects of VL, loophole associated with available current treatment strategies and non-PEGylated liposome encapsulated doxorubicin as a novel alternative formulation for treating VL, as this liposomal delivery system of doxorubicin might passively target the intra- cellular regions of macrophage.
Impacts of androgen deprivation therapy on the risks and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Huang Yuan-Bin , Li Wei-Lin , Sun Man , Duan Xu , Wang Yu-Tong , Zhang Lu-Xin , Xin Zi-Han , Yun Zhi-Fei , Fan Bo , Li Xian-Cheng
Published: July 2022

Studies have investigated the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use on the incidence and clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the results have been inconsistent. We searched the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception to March 2022; 13 studies covering 84 003 prostate cancer (PCa) patients with or without ADT met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. We calculated the pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to explore the association between ADT use and the infection risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and severity of COVID-19. After synthesizing the evidence, the pooled RR in the SARS-CoV-2 positive group was equal to 1.17, and the SARS-CoV-2 positive risk in PCa patients using ADT was not significantly different from that in those not using ADT (P = 0.544). Moreover, no significant results concerning the beneficial effect of ADT on the rate of intensive care unit admission (RR = 1.04, P = 0.872) or death risk (RR = 1.23, P = 0.53) were found. However, PCa patients with a history of ADT use had a markedly higher COVID-19 hospitalization rate (RR = 1.31, P = 0.015) than those with no history of ADT use. These findings indicate that ADT use by PCa patients is associated with a high risk of hospitalization during infection with SARS-CoV-2. A large number of high quality studies are needed to confirm these results.
Qi, Return to Bodily Experience: A New Perspective of Qi and Qigong Experience Research
Authors: Huang Xinzhe
Published: July 2022

For a long period, Qi and Qigong experience were studied within the theoretical framework of natural science, psychology, and TCM. This article reviews the modes and problems of Qi and Qigong researches, discusses the theoretical basis of phenomenological researches in anthropology, exemplifies some important researches and ideas about bodily experience. Furthermore, the possibility and difficulty of utilizing these methodologies and ideas are analyzed out as well. Aims to open up a brand-new horizon of Qi and Qigong research, enriches our understandings of the culture of Qi and Qigong, and makes Qigong better adapt itself to the contemporary and the world.