bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boosting Peach Production in Rainfed Areas of Punjab Through Mulching Techniques
Authors: Yunas Muhammad , Rahim Majid , Bibi Riffat , Aulakh Azhar Mahmood , Naseem Waqas , Malik Safia Naureen , Rizvi Sultan Ahmad , Rehman Obaid-ur
Published: June 2024

Mulching is an approach to cover soil around plants with materials like polyethylene sheets, organic matter or crop residues, gaining wide recognition for its capability to enhance soil moisture retention, regulate soil temperature and suppress weed growth. The experiment was conducted at Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute, Chakwal aimed at investigating the potential of mulching techniques to enhance peach production in rainfed areas of Punjab. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), selecting two years old peach plants. The mulch treatments were polypropylene sheet, black plastic polyethene sheet, grass, gypsum amendment, and control (without any mulch). The results indicated a substantial improvement in mean soil moisture content, with the maximum enhancement observed in the treatment utilizing black sheet mulch (10.8% and 11.2%) followed closely by polypropylene sheet mulch (10% and 10.1%) in 1st and 2nd year respectively. Fruit yield, a critical parameter for assessing orchard productivity, exhibited the highest values in treatment unit comprising black sheet mulch, recording an impressive 27.2 kg plant-1. Conversely, the control showed the lowest fruit yield as 18.5 kg plant-1. These findings emphasize the significant potential of mulching techniques in optimizing soil moisture levels and augmenting peach fruit yield in rainfed areas. The study contributes into sustainable agricultural practices, illustrating the practical benefits of mulching strategies to improve water retention and overall orchard productivity in rain fed areas. This study will be helpful for policymakers, farmers, and researchers for adopting this technique in peach cultivation in rainfed areas of Punjab.
Ma cabane dans les bois: les modalités de la présence de Thoreau au Québec
Authors: Morency Jean
Published: June 2024

Les écrits de Henry David Thoreau se sont imposés au Québec à partir des années 1970, avec la venue d’une nouvelle génération d’écrivains nés aux environs de 1945 (Pierre Morency, André Major, Yvon Rivard, François Hébert, Jean-Pierre Issenhuth). Cet article vise à saisir quelques-unes des modalités de l’influence exercée par Thoreau sur les écrivains québécois, tout en mettant l’emphase sur deux romanciers emblématiques du phénomène de l’américanité, Andrée A. Michaud et Louis Hamelin, qui ont fait de Thoreau une importante figure d’identification, en la situant dans une réflexion sur la figure du double. Dans le roman
Mirror Lake
(2006) d’Andrée A. Michaud, ce phénomène d’identification est exprimé au moyen d’une réflexion sur la métempsychose, tandis que dans le roman de Louis Hamelin,
Un lac le matin
(2023), Thoreau devient un personnage familier grâce à sa relation particulière avec un Franco-Américain nommé Alex Thérien.
Le retour à la nature et la désobéissance civile: fuir la civilisation pour reconnecter avec le soi dansEncabanéede Gabrielle Filteau-Chiba
Authors: Thibeault Jimmy
Published: June 2024

Il semble que le début du vingt-et-unième siècle représente pour plusieurs un moment de désenchantement face à une humanité constamment confrontée à des tensions sociétales et existentielles. Un désenchantement prend forme, notamment dans le sillage des attentats terroristes du 11 septembre 2001 et de ceux qui se sont succédé dans les grandes villes (Paris, Londres, Madrid), confrontant l’occident à une violence mondiale qui la rattrapait, dans le sillage, aussi, d’une angoisse écologique grandissante face à une planète à bout de souffle. C’est dans ce contexte qu’on assiste, depuis le début des années 2000, à la résurgence des régions et de la nature dans la littérature québécoise. Si la région semble permettre pour plusieurs de retrouver un certain attachement à un mode de vie rurale dont les valeurs sont héritées d’un certain régionalisme, pour d’autres, le retour à la nature s’inscrit dans une démarche de refus d’un monde contemporain voué à sa propre destruction: le retour à la nature agit comme un geste de désobéissance civile en ce sens qu’il oppose les protagonistes à l’ordre social. C’est notamment le cas du romanEncabanée(2018) de Gabrielle Filteau-Chiba où la protagoniste, Anouk, quitte le confort de la civilisation urbaine de Montréal, pour une cabane isolée dans la forêt du Kamouraska. La narratrice, à l’instar du Henry David Thoreau deWalden(1854), se détache volontairement du monde civilisé afin de reconnecter avec la nature. Pendant son séjour, elle fait la rencontre de Rio, un activiste responsable d’un acte récent de sabotage. Comment définir l’acte entre le geste de l’activiste pour la suite du monde et l’acte terroriste au nom d’une lutte qu’on considère juste. Anouk s’en remettra à la sagesse de Thoreau pour définir sa posture. Dans cet article, je propose d’examiner le discours de désenchantement de la narratrice à l’égard de la société contemporaine, de mettre en lumière son repositionnement face à la nature et, enfin, de mieux comprendre comment ce retrait de la narratrice apparaît dans le roman comme une marque de désobéissance civile.
Return Currents in Collisionless Shocks
Authors: Gupta Siddhartha , Caprioli Damiano , Spitkovsky Anatoly
Published: June 2024

Collisionless shocks tend to send charged particles into the upstream, driving electric currents through the plasma. Using kinetic particle-in-cell simulations, we investigate how the background thermal plasma neutralizes such currents in the upstream of quasi-parallel non-relativistic electron–proton shocks. We observe distinct processes in different regions: the far upstream, the shock precursor, and the shock foot. In the far upstream, the current is carried by nonthermal protons, which drive electrostatic modes and produce suprathermal electrons that move toward upstream infinity. Closer to the shock (in the precursor), both the current density and the momentum flux of the beam increase, which leads to electromagnetic streaming instabilities that contribute to the thermalization of suprathermal electrons. At the shock foot, these electrons are exposed to shock-reflected protons, resulting in a two-stream type instability. We analyze these processes and the resulting heating through particle tracking and controlled simulations. In particular, we show that the instability at the shock foot can make the effective thermal speed of electrons comparable to the drift speed of the reflected protons. These findings are important for understanding both the magnetic field amplification and the processes that may lead to the injection of suprathermal electrons into diffusive shock acceleration.
Evolution of the Disk in the Be Binary δ Scorpii Probed during Three Periastron Passages
Authors: Rast R. G. , Jones C. E. , Carciofi A. C. , Suffak M. W. , Fonseca Silva A. C. , Henry G. W. , Tycner C.
Published: June 2024

We examine the evolution of the disk surrounding the Be star in the highly eccentric 10.8 yr binary system δ Scorpii over its three most recent periastron passages. V-band and B − V photometry, along with Hα spectroscopy, are combined with a new set of extensive multiband polarimetry data to produce a detailed comparison of the disk's physical conditions during the time periods surrounding each closest approach of the secondary star. We use the three-dimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer code HDUST and a smoothed particle hydrodynamics code to support our observations with models of disk evolution, discussing the behavior of the Hα and He i 6678 Å lines, V-band magnitude, and polarization degree. We compare the characteristics of the disk immediately before each periastron passage to create a baseline for the unperturbed disk. We find that the extent of the Hα emitting region increased between each periastron passage, and that transient asymmetries in the disk become more pronounced with each successive encounter. Asymmetries of the Hα and He i 6678 Å lines in 2011 indicate that perturbations propagate inward through the disk near periastron. When the disk’s direction of orbit is opposite to that of the secondary, the parameters used in our models do not produce spiral density enhancements in the Hα emitting region because the tidal interaction time is short due to the relative velocities of the disk particles with the secondary. The effects of the secondary star on the disk are short-lived and the disk shows independent evolution between each periastron event.
Thermal Structure Determines Kinematics: Vertical Shear Instability in Stellar Irradiated Protoplanetary Disks
Authors: Zhang 张 Shangjia 尚嘉 , Zhu 朱 Zhaohuan 照寰 , Jiang 姜 Yan-Fei 燕飞
Published: June 2024

Turbulence is crucial for protoplanetary disk dynamics, and vertical shear instability (VSI) is a promising mechanism in outer disk regions to generate turbulence. We use the Athena++ radiation module to study VSI in full and transition disks, accounting for radiation transport and stellar irradiation. We find that the thermal structure and cooling timescale significantly influence VSI behavior. The inner rim location and radial optical depth affect disk kinematics. Compared with previous vertically isothermal simulations, our full disk and transition disks with small cavities have a superheated atmosphere and cool midplane with long cooling timescales, which suppresses the corrugation mode and the associated meridional circulation. This temperature structure also produces a strong vertical shear at τ
* = 1, producing an outgoing flow layer at τ
* < 1 on top of an ingoing flow layer at τ
* ∼ 1. The midplane becomes less turbulent, while the surface becomes more turbulent with effective α reaching ∼10−2 at τ
* ≲ 1. This large surface stress drives significant surface accretion, producing substructures. Using temperature and cooling time measured/estimated from radiation-hydro simulations, we demonstrate that less computationally intensive simulations incorporating simple orbital cooling can almost reproduce radiation-hydro results. By generating synthetic images, we find that substructures are more pronounced in disks with larger cavities. The higher velocity dispersion at the gap edge could also slow particle settling. Both properties are consistent with recent near-IR and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations. Our simulations predict that regions with significant temperature changes are accompanied by significant velocity changes, which can be tested by ALMA kinematics/chemistry observations.
The SN 2023ixf Progenitor in M101. II. Properties
Authors: Van Dyk Schuyler D. , Srinivasan Sundar , Andrews Jennifer E. , Soraisam Monika , Szalai Tamás , Howell Steve B. , Isaacson Howard , Matheson Thomas , Petigura Erik , Scicluna Peter , Stephens Andrew W. , Van Zandt Judah , Zheng WeiKang , Chun Sang-Hyun , Fillippenko Alexei V.
Published: June 2024

We follow our first paper with an analysis of the ensemble of the extensive preexplosion ground- and space-based infrared observations of the red supergiant (RSG) progenitor candidate for the nearby core-collapse supernova SN 2023ixf in Messier 101, together with optical data prior to the explosion obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We have confirmed the association of the progenitor candidate with the supernova (SN), as well as constrained the metallicity at the SN site, based on SN observations with instruments at Gemini-North. The internal host extinction to the SN has also been confirmed from a high-resolution Keck spectrum. We fit the observed spectral energy distribution (SED) for the star, accounting for its intrinsic variability, with dust radiative-transfer modeling, which assumes a silicate-rich dust shell ahead of the underlying stellar photosphere. The star is heavily dust obscured, likely the dustiest progenitor candidate yet encountered. We found median estimates of the star’s effective temperature and luminosity of 2770 K and 9.0 × 104
L
⊙, with 68% credible intervals of 2340–3150 K and (7.5–10.9) × 104
L
⊙, respectively. The candidate may have a Galactic RSG analog, IRC −10414, with a strikingly similar SED and luminosity. Via comparison with single-star evolutionary models we have constrained the initial mass of the progenitor candidate from 12 M
⊙ to as high as 14 M
⊙. We have had available to us an extraordinary view of the SN 2023ixf progenitor candidate, which should be further followed up in future years with HST and the James Webb Space Telescope.
Current Sheet Alignment in Oblique Black Hole Magnetospheres: A Black Hole Pulsar?
Authors: Selvi S. , Porth O. , Ripperda B. , Sironi L.
Published: June 2024

We study the magnetospheric evolution of a nonaccreting spinning black hole (BH) with an initially inclined split monopole magnetic field by means of 3D general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations. This serves as a model for a neutron star (NS) collapse or a BH–NS merger remnant after the inherited magnetosphere has settled into a split monopole field creating a striped wind. We show that the initially inclined split monopolar current sheet aligns over time with the BH equatorial plane. The inclination angle evolves exponentially toward alignment, with an alignment timescale that is inversely proportional to the square of the BH angular velocity, where higher spin results in faster alignment. Furthermore, magnetic reconnection in the current sheet leads to exponential decay of event-horizon-penetrating magnetic flux with nearly the same timescale for all considered BH spins. In addition, we present relations for the BH mass and spin in terms of the period and alignment timescale of the striped wind. The explored scenario of a rotating, aligning, and reconnecting current sheet can potentially lead to multimessenger electromagnetic counterparts to a gravitational-wave event due to the acceleration of particles powering high-energy radiation, plasmoid mergers resulting in coherent radio signals, and pulsating emission due to the initial misalignment of the BH magnetosphere.
Impatiens yingjingensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Sichuan, China
Authors: Song Xinqiang , Song Boni , Fu Mingxia , Wang Jiacai , Liu Jingyi , Qin Weirui , Jiang Yuzhou , Fan Leni , Yang Biao
Published: June 2024

This study describes Impatiens yingjingensis X.Q. Song, B.N. Song & Biao Yang, sp. nov., a new species collected from the Yingjing area of the Giant Panda National Park. This new species is distributed at an altitude of 1400–2100 m, with a plant height of 30–130 cm. The flowers are purple-red or light purple red, with 3–9 flowers on each inflorescence and the dorsal auricle of the lateral united petals is thread-like and about 2 cm long, differing significantly from other species of Impatiens. Furthermore, molecular data, as well as micro-morphological evidence under SEM (of pollens), also support the establishment of the new species.
Politique de dividendes et qualité des résultats : une relation curvilinéaire
Authors: Allani Ghassen , Mard Yves
Published: June 2024

Cette étude examine l’impact de la politique de dividendes sur la qualité des résultats dans le contexte français sur la période 1994-2018. En utilisant quatre mesures de la qualité des résultats, nous constatons une relation en forme de U inversé entre le niveau des dividendes et la qualité des résultats. La qualité des résultats s’améliore lorsque le dividende augmente jusqu’à un certain niveau de distribution. Au-delà de ce seuil, l’augmentation du dividende entraîne une baisse de la qualité des résultats. Nous observons également que la diminution de la persistance des résultats, observée pour les valeurs élevées des ratios de dividendes, s’explique par la gestion des résultats. De plus, nous constatons que la relation curvilinéaire observée est moins marquée pour les grandes entreprises et pour les entreprises dont les dividendes sont volatils. Nos résultats dans le contexte français étendent la littérature existante et permettent de réconcilier les résultats divergents des travaux antérieurs.
Infangare le aristocrazie nei processi politici tardorepubblicani: l’accusa di (in)constantia e simulatio
Authors: Traversa Luciano
Published: June 2024

Résumé Résumé : Cette étude porte sur les atteintes à l’honneur de l’aristocratie dans les procès politiques, c’est-à-dire un trait distinctif de la République romaine tardive. La conflictualité généralisée et la concurrence de ces années sont attestées par l’éloquence judiciaire qui sera une source privilégiée dans ces pages. En particulier, nous avons l’intention d’enquêter sur les arguments rhétoriques de l’ inconstantia / constantia et de la simulatio , souvent utilisés conjointement pour ternir l’image de la noblesse, avec des différences entre les attaques infligées à l’aristocratie traditionnelle et celles dirigées contre la nouvelle noblesse formée après la guerre sociale. À travers une étude diachronique de ce type d’attaques, un cas remontant à l’époque des Gracques sera comparé à certains événements remontant au i er  siècle avant J.-C. et reconstruits du point de vue de Cicéron.
Le meurtre de Trebonius par Dolabella dans les Philippiques de Cicéron : corps pénétrés, jouissants, souffrants
Authors: Akar Philippe
Published: June 2024

Résumé Résumé : En février 43, Cicéron consacra le début de sa 11 e  Philippique au récit du meurtre de Trebonius, qui avait participé à l’assassinat de César, par Dolabella, partisan du dictateur défunt. Cicéron raconta cet épisode selon une opposition entre le corps indigne de Dolabella, abject en raison de ses vices et de son incapacité à modérer ses pulsions, et le corps idéal de Trebonius, ses vertus le rendant impénétrable à la douleur et aux tortures que lui infligea Dolabella. Or ce récit n’est pas corroboré par d’autres sources, et il intervint alors que le Sénat avait déjà déclaré Dolabella ennemi public. Par la description des tortures infligées à Trebonius, Cicéron tentait de faire du corps absent de Trebonius, jeté à la mer sur ordre de Dolabella, ce qu’avait été celui de César pour ses partisans, une présence rendant impossible de renoncer à la vengeance.
Le sang lave-t-il l’honneur à Rome ?
Authors: Greggi-Badel Candice
Published: June 2024

Résumé Résumé : Dans le modèle anthropologique de l’« honneur méditerranéen », le déshonneur est vu comme une tache que le sang peut laver, en raison de sa fonction purificatrice. Un homme offensé peut laver son honneur en faisant couler le sang de son ennemi comme une femme déshonorée peut laver le sien en faisant couler son propre sang par le suicide. Cet article désire vérifier l’existence de ce modèle dans la Rome antique à travers l’analyse des œuvres de quatre auteurs, Cicéron, Tite-Live, Valère Maxime et Sénèque. La réponse est négative car les Romains pensent que le sang de la blessure, le cruor , a un effet corrupteur et de plus le rapprochent du vin et non de l’eau. Les contre‑exemples proposés – le suicide de Lucrèce et le meurtre de Virginie chez Tite-Live et Valère Maxime – se rapportent à une logique différente. L’expression sanguine luo ou abluo existe bien chez Cicéron et Sénèque, mais elle y a le sens de « camoufler » et non de « purifier ».
Psychologie clinique du vieillissement
Authors: Fernandez Lydia , Loison Camille
Published: June 2024

Cette fiche a pour objectif de montrer comment se manifestent l’identité sexuée et la féminité chez la personne âgée (affirmation et/ou reconnaissance) à travers le dessin de la personne (présence ou non d’attributs physiques ou vestimentaires spécifiquement féminins par exemple). Un cas clinique, Madame L, est présenté pour illustrer nos propos.
Psychologie clinique du vieillissement
Authors: Bruyère Flora , Delavenne Natacha , Fernandez Lydia
Published: June 2024

L’estime de soi et l’image du corps des personnes âgées en EHPAD souffrant de démences de type Alzheimer s’altèrent progressivement avec l’évolution de la maladie. Les relations sociales et le regard d’autrui sont des aspects particulièrement touchés. L’illustration clinique proposée montre l’intérêt de pratiquer des activités groupales permettant aux personnes âgées d’être en lien et d’interagir avec autrui pour ralentir cette altération.
Market power, internal and external monitoring, and firm distress in the Chinese market
Authors: Sheng Dachen , Guyot Opale
Published: June 2024

This research revealed the factors that cause firm distress in the Chinese market. The stock exchange–listed firm samples are classified as moderate or severe distressed firms if they receive a special treatment warning from stock exchanges due to continuous negative net loss or are suffering from negative equities. By applying ordinary least square and logit regressions to the 2015–2022 data sample, the results showed that market power and internal and external monitoring significantly affect the likelihood of firm distress. Interestingly, debt only negatively affects a firm's earnings, has no impact on moderate firm distress, and reduces the likelihood of falling into severe distress. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) receive government support and are therefore less likely to be distressed, in contrast to family-owned firms. The recovery results confirmed that SOEs are easier to recover that family-owned firms. The ability to repay debt increases credibility and is a good signal of recovery. We differentiated from past discussions that focused on earning management and business failure. Our research contributes to the literature by analyzing firm distress and recovery from market power and monitoring, which are not well discussed with observable evidence. These findings could be helpful for both corporate and regulatory policy decision-making.
On the analysis of a mechanically consistent model of fluid-structure-contact interaction
Authors: Champion Marguerite , Fernández Miguel A. , Grandmont Céline , Vergnet Fabien , Vidrascu Marina
Published: June 2024

This paper is devoted to the mathematical analysis of the contact capabilities of the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model with seepage reported in [Comput. Methods Appl. Mech., 392:114637, 2022]. In the case of a rigid disk moving over a fixed horizontal plane, we show that this model encompasses contact and hence removes the non collision paradox of traditional FSI models which rely on Dirichlet or Dirichlet/Navier boundary conditions. Numerical evidence on the theoretical results is also provided.
Past emissions and distributive climate duties: A reply to my critics.
Authors: Gosseries Axel
Published: June 2024

NA
Perceptions of the Lausanne Treaty in the Greek public sphere
Authors: Michailidis Iakovos D.
Published: June 2024

Abstract: the article focuses on the reception of the Treaty of Lausanne in Greece from 1923 until today. It argues that the Treaty was disadvantageous to Greece, due to its defeat in the war with Turkey from 1919 to 1922. During the interwar period, the Treaty was criticized by several sides, mainly regarding the compulsory exchange of the Greek and Turkish populations. However, the majority of Greeks accepted it as the only option. From the early 1930s onwards, the Treaty of Lausanne gradually became a fundamental pillar of Greek foreign policy. Today, Greece strongly supports the implementation of the Treaty of Lausanne, often accusing Turkey of violating it.
Crétois, Musulman, Turc, Crétois musulman : la ronde des identités, Candie-Ayvalık-Héraklion
Authors: Dalègre Joëlle
Published: June 2024

Résumé : entre 1866 et 1924, des dizaines de milliers de Crétois, renégats puis assimilés à des Turcs en raison de leur conversion à l’islam, doivent quitter leur île et deviennent des « moitiés d’infidèles » en Turquie où Atatürk travaille à les turquifier. Depuis la fin du xxe siècle, on assiste cependant à la résurgence d’une identité crétoise qui pousse leurs petits-enfants à se présenter comme Turcs et Crétois musulmans à la fois, tout en cultivant ce qui est, ou ce qu’ils imaginent être, leur héritage crétois. Le silence qui recouvrait ces « infidèles » aux deux pays disparaît, les études et les échanges se multiplient. C’est ce parcours identitaire qui est l’objet de cet article.
Présences de la diaspora arménienne en Grèce après le traité de Lausanne
Authors: Pitsos Nicolas
Published: June 2024

Résumé : cet article propose une synthèse panoramique sur la formation d’une communauté gréco-arménienne en Grèce après 1923. Il s’agit d’étudier d’une part, les conditions d’installation des réfugiés arméniens et leur répartition sur le territoire grec ainsi que les dynamiques démographiques de cette population au fil du temps. D’autre part, l’organisation sociale et la vie culturelle de cette communauté sont également mises en avant.
Comment Aristote intègre la méthode de division dans l’analytique
Authors: McCONAUGHEY Zoé
Published: June 2024

Aristote entretient un rapport complexe avec la méthode de division qu’il hérite de Platon : tantôt il la critique en la taxant d’inefficace et la compare à un syllogisme « sans force », tantôt il affirme qu’il s’agit d’une « petite partie » de la méthode analytique qu’il avance (APr. I, 31). Un parcours dans le « pont aux ânes » des Premiers Analytiques (I, 27‑31) montrera d’une part comment Aristote intègre une grande partie de la division à l’analytique, à savoir les principes de la division (découvrir les différences, percevoir les similitudes) déjà très présents dans les Topiques, ainsi que les « paliers » de division permettant de constituer des listes de termes, et d’autre part comment il réduit le reste de la division à des déductions à partir d’hypothèse (I, 29), ce qui lui permet de maintenir la prétention d’exhaustivité de sa méthode analytique.
Time Series Trends Forecasting for Manufacturing Enterprises in the Digital Age
Authors: Yang Chaolin , Yan Jingdong , Wang Guangming
Published: June 2024

In the digital age, manufacturing enterprises face challenges like information overload and data fragmentation. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel method that integrates the Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm (IWOA), Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BILSTM), and Temporal Pattern Attention (TPA) for analyzing time series data. IWOA optimizes hyperparameters, BILSTM captures temporal dependencies, and TPA enhances interpretability. Experimental results show the method's effectiveness in market trend prediction, production planning, and supply chain management. It enables accurate forecasts in a competitive environment, enhancing flexibility and foresight. This research overcomes existing limitations, offering a valuable analytical tool for understanding the digital economy's impact on manufacturing enterprises. It provides guidance for the industry's development in the digital era.
Comparison of intrathecal morphine versus erector spinae block for postoperative analgesia in patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing kidney transplantation: A randomised clinical study
Authors: Mittal Saurabh , Bhardwaj Medha , Shekhrajka Praveenkumar , Goyal Vipin Kumar
Published: June 2024

Background and Aims:

Intrathecal morphine (ITM) or erector spinae plane (ESP) block reduces postsurgical pain in patients who underwent kidney transplantation surgeries. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of both modalities in terms of duration and quality of postoperative analgesia along with postoperative fentanyl consumption.

Methods:

We conducted a randomised study and analysed 60 patients posted for elective live-related kidney transplantation surgery. They were randomised into two groups. Group M patients received ITM, whereas Group E patients received ESP block. We standardised the postoperative analgesia for both groups with intravenous fentanyl-based patient-controlled analgesia. The primary outcome was to compare the quality of analgesia using the numerical rating scale score between the groups. The secondary outcome was to observe the effect of both modalities on the duration of analgesia, postoperative fentanyl consumption, rescue analgesics requirement, catheter-related bladder discomfort and any complications.

Results:

We found significantly lower pain scores at rest and while coughing in Group M at all time intervals, except at 24 h while coughing. The mean time to first analgesia requirement was significantly longer in Group M than in Group E (P= 0.002). No significant difference was found in postoperative consumption of total fentanyl (P= 0.065) and rescue analgesia in both groups. In Group M, there was significantly more nausea, vomiting and pruritus (P= 0.001).

Conclusions:

ITM provides long-lasting postoperative analgesia at the cost of higher side effects than ESP block.
Comparison of Analgesic Efficacy of Continuous Adductor Canal Block versus Single-shot Adductor Canal Block Using Ropivacaine for Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Choudhary Ashish , Gupta Arushi , Sahni Ameeta , Mehta Khushboo
Published: June 2024

Context:

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) associated with moderate-to-severe surgical site pain postoperatively requires multimodal analgesia for which adductor canal block (ACB) is an effective modality.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of continuous versus single-shot ACB in patients undergoing unilateral TKA.

Settings and Design:

It was a prospective randomized controlled trial carried out in a tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty patients (18–65 years) undergoing unilateral TKA were prospectively randomized into continuous (CACB) and single (SACB) shot adductor canal blockade groups. Postoperative ultrasound-guided ACB was given, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, time to first rescue analgesia, and total amount of analgesia required in 24 and 48 h were noted. Straight leg raise (SLR) test and maximum knee extension test were performed to check for quadriceps muscle strength.

Statistical Analysis:

Both the groups were compared using appropriate statistical tests, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results:

In both the demographically comparable groups, VAS scores were similar at 0, 4, 8, and 12 h postsurgery, but higher in the SACB group at 24 (P < 0.0001) and 48 h (P = 0.02), needing rescue analgesia in 4 out of 30 patients. One out of 30 patients of the SACB group could not perform the SLR test on the 1st postoperative day. Knee extension was present in all 60 patients.

Conclusions:

ACB is a pure sensory block. CACB provides a longer duration of analgesia; however, SACB can be an equally useful alternative in resource-limited settings, to avoid catheter dislodgement, risk of infection, and need for continuous monitoring.
Out-of-pocket and catastrophic health expenditure among patients of sexually transmitted infections at a tertiary care center: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Suvirya Swastika , Tripathi Srishti , Shukla Mukesh , Verma Parul , Kar Sujita Kumar , Sachan Sonal
Published: June 2024

Context:

Economic burden imposed by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is substantial in low-middle-income countries like India, in spite of the fact that national programs for controlling STIs are operational.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to estimate the out-of-pocket expenses and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) incurred by patients of STIs and analyze expenditure pattern in relation to various clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.

Settings and Design:

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study among patients attending Suraksha Clinic.

Subject and Methods:

The study was conducted among patients aged ≥18 years. Data were collected regarding various direct and indirect expenses incurred, after adjusting any reimbursement or waive off. Total costs exceeding 10% of annual household income were considered catastrophic. Stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze predictors, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Out of 157 patients, most were suffering from herpetic ulcers (27.4%). The median and interquartile range (IQR) for total OOPE of STI management was `1950 (IQR 1035–5725). Direct expenditure constituted major expenses with a median of `1850 (IQR 787.50–5385.0). The cost of STI management was catastrophic in 15.2% of cases. Lower socioeconomic status, longer traveling distance, overnight stay as a part of seeking treatment at Suraksha Clinic, previous history of other than allopathic treatment, and quack consultation were found to be independent predictors of CHE.

Conclusions:

Despite free diagnostic and treatment services to STI patients under the National AIDS Control Programme, many incurred considerable costs and catastrophic expenditure toward STI care. Better outreach of health services is required to maximize STI control and lower financial morbidity.
A case report of donovanosis in HIV-positive female
Authors: Kumari Niharika , Agarwal Aanchal , Mohan Atul , Singh Satyendra Kumar
Published: June 2024

Donovanosis is a chronic granulomatous ulcerative sexually transmitted infection caused by Klebsiella (Calymmatobacterium) granulomatis. A 39-year-old female patient with underlying HIV infection presented to the department of dermatology outpatient department with a painless ulcer over the left labia majora for 3 months. Histopathological examination revealed histiocyte which contains granular material resembling coccobacilli and Giemsa staining was positive for Donovan bodies. She was treated with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily and azithromycin 1 g once weekly for 3 weeks and further azithromycin 1 g weekly for the next 9 weeks till complete healing of the lesion. Due to the rarity of this condition in our region, we present this case of donovanosis in an HIV-positive female patient.
Nevus comedonicus of glans with unusual morphology due to manipulation
Authors: Patel Varniraj , Verma Vaishnavi
Published: June 2024

Nevus comedonicus, an uncommon skin condition, was originally termed “comedo nevus” by Kofmann in 1895. It is characterized by the clusters of pits-containing black keratinous plugs resembling blackheads. Conventionally, nevus comedonicus manifests at birth (in 50% of cases) or during the first decade of life. The commonly affected areas include the head, neck, chest, upper, and lower limbs, with patterns ranging from unilateral, bilateral, linear, interrupted, segmental, to blaschkoid. While genital nevus comedonicus is rare, some cases have been reported. In this report, we present a case of nevus comedonicus on the glans, underscoring the importance of considering nonsexually transmitted disease-related causes for genital lesions.
The effect of bioactive glass-based, bioceramic based and epoxy amine resin based root canal sealers on post-obturation pain: A double blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nagpal Ritesh , Taneja Sonali , Bhalla Vidhi Kiran
Published: June 2024

Aim:

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two calcium silicate-based and an epoxy resin-based root canal sealers on postoperative pain and analgesic intake following single-visit root canal treatment.

Materials and Method:

Ninety patients with at least one first or second molar tooth diagnosed as symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis were selected and allocated into three groups (n=30) according to the sealer used. Root canals were prepared using Protaper Gold instruments (Dentsply Sirona) in a crown down technique and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl (Calyx, India) and saline solution. Root canal filling was then accomplished with a single cone obturation technique and treated in a single visit by the same endodontist. Patients were told to use a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to rate their postoperative pain severity as none, minimal, moderate, or severe after 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 5 days and 7 days following obturation using the appropriate sealers. The need for analgesic intake was also recorded. The data were statistically analyzed.

Results:

Results showed a significant difference among the studied groups. Bio-C Sealer Ion+ reported the least pain score followed by Nishika Canal Sealer BG and AH plus sealer at all the time intervals recorded. The intergroup analysis, revealed was a significant difference in postoperative pain at 6 h (p=0.000) and 24 h (p = 0.028), but not at 48 h, 5 day or 7 days (P > 0.05). VAS ratings for all the three groups decreased over time. Also, there were significant differences between the means of analgesic intake among 3 groups (p=0.022). Analgesic intake in group BIO-C Sealer Ion+ is significantly lesser than AH Plus and Nishika Canal Sealer BG group.

Conclusion:

Calcium silicate-based sealer (Nishika Canal Sealer BG and Bio-C Sealer Ion+) resulted in significantly lower levels of pain as compared to epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus) at 6h and 24-h interval, there was no significant difference in postoperative pain occurrence at 48-h, 5 day and 7-day period. The analgesic intake in Bio-C Sealer Ion+ group is significantly lesser than Nishika Canal Sealer BG and AH Plus group.
Diversity of mosquito natural enemies and their feeding efficacy on Aedes vectors
Authors: Dissanayake Dinithi Shamalee , Wijekoon Chandana Dammika , Wegiriya Hemantha
Published: June 2024

Background & objectives:

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major health issue among communities in Asia, and dengue has grown up as a serious public health concern in Sri Lanka with varying magnitude since 1960. With the realization of the failures and limitations of current vector control strategies, the authorities are moving towards simple, low-cost, and eco-friendly vector management methods. Thus, the present study was devised to evaluate the potential densities of mosquito natural enemies in natural water habitats in Galle district, Sri Lanka, and to investigate the feeding efficacy of prominent mosquito natural enemies on main dengue vectors (Aedes sp.) in a laboratory setting.

Methods:

The survey was carried out using eight sentinel sites in Galle district, and samples of mosquito natural enemies and mosquito larvae were collected, and then they were identified using taxonomic keys.

Results:

Study records, the aquatic insects of Family Hydrometridae, Belostomatidae, Notonectidae, Nepidae, Ranatridae, and Corixidae as dominant mosquito natural enemies, and Libellulidae and Dytiscidae insects as sub-dominant families. The highest density of the family Hydrometridae was recorded in rural, natural inland, and rocky study sites. The order Hemiptera was recorded as the key order of the mosquitoes natural enemies in Galle district. The family Hydrometridae had the highest density of recorded mosquito natural enemies.

Interpretation & conclusion:

Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus were recorded as abundant vector mosquitoes. Family Nepidae is the most effective natural mosquito predator on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, and this knowledge will be vital for implementing future biological control strategies for Aedes vectors in Sri Lanka.
Chemical composition and mosquitocidal activity of methanolic leaf extracts from Ziziphus mauritiana L. against Aedes aegypti L. and Culex quinquefasciatus Say
Authors: Sumathi Ganesan , Pushpanathan Thambusamy , Abhirami Muthukumar
Published: June 2024

Background & objectives:

Mosquito vectors are a significant cause of pathogen transmission to both animals and humans. Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting various diseases, including chikungunya, filariasis, West Nile fever, dengue, malaria, and Zika fever, placing approximately 80% of the world’s population at risk of infection at any given time. Controlling mosquitoes has become a multifaceted challenge, influenced by diverse environmental factors such as deforestation, urbanization, and climate change on a global scale. For centuries, medicinal plants have been utilized as bioinsecticides to control insect pests. Ziziphus mauritiana, also known as Chinese apple or Indian jujube is a deciduous thorny tree or shrub. Different parts of the Z. mauritiana plant have been traditionally used to treat various common diseases, a practice still prevalent in India and China.

Methods:

In the current investigation, the chemical properties of Z. mauritiana leaf extract were examined through UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), and GC-MS Analysis. Second and fourth instar larvae, as well as pupae, of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus were subjected to different concentrations of the methanolic extract of Z. mauritiana for 24 h and 48 h to assess larvicidal and pupicidal activity.

Results:

The FT-IR spectrum analysis revealed the presence of various functional groups in the chemical compounds extracted from Z. mauritiana, including amines, aromatics, alkanes, alkyls, carbonyls, and carboxylic acids. Additionally, GC-MS analysis identified Isoborneol (25.37%), 4-Acetylbutyric Acid (26.82%), and 2-Vinyl- 9-[Beta-D-Ribofuranosyl] Hypoxanthine (24.24%) as the three major phytoconstitutents in the methanol extracts of Z. mauritiana. Regarding the larvicidal activity, the methanolic extract of Z. mauritiana exhibited LC50 values of 155.67 mg/L and 208.57 mg/L for second instar larvae, and 177.68 mg/L and 252.13 mg/L for fourth instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti, respectively, after 24 h of exposure. For pupicidal activity, the LC50 values were 502.02 mg/L and 514.99 mg/L on pupae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti, respectively, within 24 h.

Interpretation & conclusion:

Overall, the GC-MS analysis provides valuable insights into the chemical composition of the Z. mauritiana extract, highlighting its potential as a natural and eco-friendly alternative for combating insect vectors and contributing to integrated mosquito management programs.
Single jar for collecting and rearing mosquito life stages: An innovative prototype
Authors: Kachhwaha Neetu
Published: June 2024

Background & objectives:

Mosquitoes vectors are the key threat that spread viruses, bacteria, nematodes, protozoans, and other infections responsible for the transmission of serious public health ailments including dengue, yellow fever, malaria, and chikungunya.

Methods:

To rear and cultivate mosquitoes at multiple stages of development (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) to be employed in various biomedical research, an innovative tool mosquito larva adult 2-in-1 rearing jar was designed and developed. The eggs/larvae or adults collected from the field or laboratory cultures can be released into the lower larvae or upper adult-rearing chamber so that they can find a suitable breeding place to oviposit or metamorphose into wrigglers and tumblers attaining the adult stage. Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex are three significant genera (Diptera: Culicidae) that were reared in experiments using this jar (Method I) in contrast to other conventional instruments available (Method II).

Results:

Results of one-way ANOVA showed that the prototype was compatible and competitive for rearing, as the data was non-significant when compared in both groups. However, throughout the trials, it was discovered that the prototype had a greater record of mean percentage of adult emergence (98.33), which supports the novelty of the instrument.

Interpretation & conclusion:

This unique device eliminates the need for multiple tools, causes minimum bodily damage to stages during handling, can be used in both the lab and the field, is inexpensive, lightweight, portable, and requires single manpower to operate.
Additive neurorestorative effects of exercise and docosahexaenoic acid intake in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kerdiles Olivier , Oye Mintsa Mi-mba Méryl-Farelle , Coulombe Katherine , Tremblay Cyntia , Émond Vincent , Saint-Pierre Martine , Rouxel Clémence , Berthiaume Line , Julien Pierre , Cicchetti Francesca , Calon Frédéric
Published: June 2024

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202502000-00033/figure1/v/2024-11-07T113602Z/r/image-tiff

There is a need to develop interventions to slow or reverse the degeneration of dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s disease after diagnosis. Given that preclinical and clinical studies suggest benefits of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid, and exercise in Parkinson’s disease, we investigated whether both could synergistically interact to induce recovery of the dopaminergic pathway. First, mice received a unilateral stereotactic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the striatum to establish an animal model of nigrostriatal denervation. Four weeks after lesion, animals were fed a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched or a control diet for the next 8 weeks. During this period, the animals had access to a running wheel, which they could use or not. Docosahexaenoic acid treatment, voluntary exercise, or the combination of both had no effect on (i) distance traveled in the open field test, (ii) the percentage of contraversive rotations in the apomorphine-induction test or (iii) the number of tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta. However, the docosahexaenoic acid diet increased the number of tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive terminals and induced a rise in dopamine concentrations in the lesioned striatum. Compared to docosahexaenoic acid treatment or exercise alone, the combination of docosahexaenoic acid and exercise (i) improved forelimb balance in the stepping test, (ii) decreased the striatal DOPAC/dopamine ratio and (iii) led to increased dopamine transporter levels in the lesioned striatum. The present results suggest that the combination of exercise and docosahexaenoic acid may act synergistically in the striatum of mice with a unilateral lesion of the dopaminergic system and provide support for clinical trials combining nutrition and physical exercise in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Negotiating War and Patriarchy
Authors: Zinhom Haithm
Published: June 2024

The horrific scenes of the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990), which left the country in ruins, had a traumatic effect on the entire nation particularly the Lebanese author, Hanan al-Shaykh who was haunted by the nightmarish war memories until she managed to overcome them by reliving the whole experience through the events of her remarkable novel The Story of Zahra. Disillusioned by the political scene during the war and exasperated with the traditional artistic themes advocated by previous generations of war writers, al-Shaykh rejected the linear development of character, the sense of order and progression integral to the war literature in the Arab world. Instead, she captures the atrocities of war by creating a unique novel, giving the Lebanese tragedy mythic proportions and turning it into more than a historical event. In light of this background and within the context of contemporary war fiction studies, the paper critically examines al-Shaykh’s novel in order to explore the deadly impact of war, which uproots the foundations of a civilized country turning it into a wasteland. The paper argues that the author creates a multi-layered narrative, which reflects the collapse of the moral and political structure of a patriarchal society paralyzed by coercive masculinity and devastated by sectarian violence. Navigating the protagonist’s journey of suffering and pain during the brutal civil conflict, the paper uncovers the underpinnings of war interpreting the novel as a gendered reflection of a divided country. The paper also emphasizes that the author presents a counter-narrative exposing the ugly side of war and revealing how war catastrophically damages the social fabric of the nation.