bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Agama Kristen Terhadap Konsep Kehidupan Setelah Kematian dalam Budaya Batak Toba
Authors: H. Anak Ampun Hastuti , Pangga Yakobus
Published: May 2024

Sebelum evangelisasi oleh Gereja Katolik sampai ke tanah Batak, masyarakat Batak sendiri sudah memiliki konsep kepercayaan akan wujud tertinggi, yaitu Mulajadi Na Bolon. Kepercayaan itu dikenal dengan sebutan Parmalim. Dalam kosep ini tidak hanya berbicara tentang sistem kehidupan, tetapi juga menyangkut penciptaan bahkan hingga kehidupan setelah kematian. Konsep kehidupan setelah kematian dalam agama tradisional Batak sangat berbeda dengan konsep kehidupan setelah kematian adama Katolik. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah hendak melihat pengaruh agama Katolik terhadap konsep kehidupan setelah kematian dalam Budaya Batak. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kepustakaan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa upacara pemujaan terhadap leluhur orang Batak didasari oleh konsep kehidupan setelah kematian agama tradisional Batak, bahwa roh leluhur mampu mempengaruhi kehidupan orang yang masih hidup, mampu memberi berkat maupun kutuk. Kehadiran agama Kristen memurnikan konsep ini, bahwa upacara kepada leluhur merupakan bentuk penghormatan dan belas kasih terhadap mereka yang sudah meninggal, yang ditujukan untuk mendoakan demi keselamatan jiwa mereka.
Study of design parameters of coulter elements for sowing row crops
Authors:   Non-Government Organization ", Artemenko Dmytro ,   Academy of Technical Sciences of Ukraine"
Published: May 2024

Третій розділ присвячено питанням розвитку та удосконалення конструкцій робочих органів сільськогосподарських машин. Теоретично обґрунтовані основні технологічні параметри удосконаленої конструкції наральника сошника просапної сівалки: кут входження в ґрунт верхньої і нижньої частини наральника та п’яти. Розроблені удосконалені щоки сошника та теоретично встановлено закон руху часток ґрунту після сходу з їх поверхні. Нова конструкція сошника може забезпечити якісне укладання і загортання насіння просапних культур згідно агровимог.
Comparative Analysis of Digital Trade Rules between China and the United States: Taking USMCA as an Example
Authors: ZHENG Yumiao , TANG Jing
Published: May 2024

With the rapid development of digital economy, the rule setting and practice of China and the United States in the field of digital trade have become the focus of international attention. The coordination and cooperation of digital trade rules between China and the United States will definitely play a key role in the healthy development of the global digital trade. Taking USMCA as an example, this paper conducts an in-depth comparative analysis of the digital trade rules between China and the US, summarizes the differences between China and the US in the field of digital trade rules at the levels of national strategy, interest orientation, rule claims and dispute settlement mechanism, and puts forward policy suggestions on China's docking of international high-standard digital trade rules as well as how to construct a digital trade rules system with Chinese characteristics.
Research on the Sentiments of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education in Universities—Based on Field Research in Fujian Province Universities
Authors: CAI Yilin , LI Pingru , CHEN Shuyu , REN Ninghan , WANG Aiqing
Published: May 2024

“Mass entrepreneurship and innovation” is a national strategy of China, aimed at stimulating the innovative potential and entrepreneurial vitality of the entire society to promote economic transformation and upgrading. The introduction of this strategy not only helps to drive economic growth and improve employment rates but also aids in cultivating innovative talents and enhancing national competitiveness. In response, Fujian Province has implemented a series of policy measures to support and encourage university students to actively engage in innovation and entrepreneurship activities. This study focuses on students from five types of institutions within Fujian Province, exploring their awareness of their universities' emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, and the number of related courses they have attended. It assesses the implementation of innovation and entrepreneurship education across different universities in Fujian, identifies existing disparities among various types of institutions, and proposes relevant countermeasures and suggestions to further develop the models of innovation and entrepreneurship education in universities within the province.
The Impact of Content Marketing in an E-Commerce Live Shopping Program on Consumer’s Purchasing Decision (Research on Tokopedia Play’s In-House Live Shopping Program: Night Deals)
Authors: Fathma Mutiara Annisa , Kartikawangi Dorien
Published: May 2024

The rise of technology advancement has led to many aspects of life becoming digitized. One of the aspects of life that has been digitized and also reformed through innovation is shopping in the form of Live shopping. Various e-commerce such as Tokopedia, is now utilizing this as their content marketing strategy to gain more attraction and purchase from its users. This study would like to research on the impact of Tokopedia Play Night Deal’s Content Marketing towards a consumer’s purchasing decision. Based on content marketing and purchasing decision theories, this research use quantitative approach. The independent variable in this study is content marketing and the dependent variable is purchasing decision. This study utilizes 102 samples from the greater Jakarta area (JABODETABEK). This research utilizes a simple linear regression analysis. The result of this research is that content marketing has a significant impact towards a consumer’s purchasing decision.
Bynamnet Stavanger
Authors: Særheim Inge
Published: May 2024

There has been much discussion about the origin of the city name Stavanger, Old Norse Stafangr, in south-west Norway. There is consensus that the final element is from the Old Norse *angr m., meaning ‘bay’, ‘fjord’ and that the first element is from the Old Norse stafr m. ‘stick’, ‘pole’, however, there are various suggestions regarding what lies behind these words. Some previous interpretations are discussed in this article. Does the first element refer to a special boundary mark, to a steep mountainside or to a bay with a straight formation? Exploring the development of discussions around the name Stavanger is also of interest. These two words appear in several place names in Scandinavia, making studying possible parallels relevant.
Bustadnamn i Østfold
Authors: Særheim Inge
Published: May 2024

The project Bustadnavn i Østfold (BØ) aims to publish settlement names in Østfold County, by municipalities. Vol. 20, Rakkestad Municipality (2021), completes the series. This reaches a milestone in Norwegian and Scandinavian name research. BØ was first planned as a revision of the first volume, Smaalenenes amt (i.e. Østfold County), of Oluf Rygh’s (ed.) Norske Gaardnavne (Norwegian settlement names) 1–19 (1897–1936). However, the project expanded to include a number of names denoting younger habitations. In 1950, name researcher Kåre Hoel at the University of Oslo started compiling information from oral and written sources in Østfold. Between 1955 and 1980, he produced a handwritten manuscript comprising 7,789 pages. This manuscript has now been edited and published by two of Hoel’s younger research colleagues, Margit Harsson (vols. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) and Tom Schmidt (vols. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13–20).
The Guta Lag’s injunctions against pagan worship
Authors: Sayers William
Published: May 2024

The term stafgarþr (pl. stafgarþar), as it figures in the Laws of the Gotlanders, refers to earlier farmsteads at which natural topographical features could be combined with buildings, earlier house foundations, and the erection of stretches of palisade so as to form a sacralized enclosure and thereby move ontologically from real everyday houses, barns, byres, and fences to a sacred, inwardly focused site, on the model of other natural and earlier favored cult sites such as hills, woods, and marshes.
Hälsingska ortnamn på -åck, -uck med sörmländska motsvarigheter
Authors: Hagåsen Lennart
Published: May 2024

This article aims to demonstrate how the final element of some place-names with a modern or reconstructed older pronunciation [-ɔk], [-ok], [-ʊk] can be traced back phonetically to the appellative vik ʻbay, inlet, coveʼ. In the province of Södermanland there are six place-names in which [-ɔk] appears in both modern pronunciation and in older spellings, rendered there as -aak, -ack, etc. In a majority of cases the names later took the form -åker (åker ʻarable landʼ). In the province of Hälsingland the final element of three of the names was phonetically replaced by [-ɪk], and given an orthography accordingly. The [-ɪk] element occurs in several place-names throughout the region, all of which can be traced back to vik. The older spellings of the two remaining names – now lost – seem to indicate an [-ɔk], [-ok] pronunciation. Certain appellatives, personal names and other place-names appear to have undergone a similar phonological development and are presented here as evidence. The first elements of the majority of the Södermanland place-names were previously discussed by another onomastician, and in the current study the first elements of the Hälsingland names have been scrutinised by the author. All of the eleven Hälsingland and Södermanland names occur quite close to bays or inlets that either still exist or have dried up owing to land uplift.
Storytelling, the Bible, and Marketing: An Ancient Framework for Modern Practice
Authors: Keith A. Quesenberry
Published: May 2024

Storytelling is deeply rooted in Western culture, from parables in the Bible and ancient classical Greek drama to marketing research and practice. This paper analyzes the presence of story structure via Freytag’s Pyramid, applied to biblical accounts and modern marketing examples, presenting Freytag’s framework as a best practice for effective marketing. Additional noted patterns of stories in the Bible are presented as possible premises for creating effective marketing stories.
A Response to “Storytelling, the Bible, and Marketing: An Ancient Framework for Modern Practice”
Authors: Mindy Welch
Published: May 2024

It is with great pleasure that I thank Keith Quesenberry for allowing me to humbly add my thoughts in response to his article, “Storytelling, the Bible, and Marketing: An Ancient Framework for Modern Practice.” The author makes a well-documented case for the use of Freytag’s Pyramid (Freytag, 1863) as a framework for today’s marketing, demonstrating the utility of this model by applying it to famous Bible stories. Quesenberry’s (2019) assertions include that Freytag’s Pyramid can, and should, be used in marketing messages and branding efforts. In this response, the author will extend Quesenberry’s argument to offer a critique of Freytag’s Pyramid, the benefit of emotional appeals and stickiness, and the call to create messages that produce action in both the Christian context and the business world.
A Response to “The Clay Feet of Servant Leadership”
Authors: Jeffrey Moore
Published: May 2024

The paper “The Clay Feet of Servant Leadership” (Locke, 2019) brings forward an interesting question about the validity of the Christian community to adopt the modern philosophy of servant leadership. This is an interesting and timely perspective. My reflection will center on three points that I feel deserve more emphasis: the image of God, the example of Jesus Christ, and a modern Christian leadership perspective.
Apologetics Without Apology: Developing Arguments for the Existence of God from Business and Economics
Authors: Michael E. Cafferky
Published: May 2024

In this paper, the author offers the reader ways for the business practitioner to participate in Christian apologetics. Apologetics is defined. The purpose and tasks of apologetics is described. The author makes a case for the importance of Christian apologetics and introduces several tactics that offer potential for the Christian apologist. A table describes the potential opportunities to develop Christian apologetics for the context of business and economics. The article concludes with an  introduction to the limitations of apologetics in the context of business and a call for further research in the application of Christian apologetics in business.
Aquinas and the Market: Toward a Humane Economy
Authors: Chris Langford
Published: May 2024

Achieving the good life can be a complicated undertaking. Many economic indicators suggest this elusive goal is becoming a reality for large segments of modern society. Unemployment is near a historic low, GDP continues to trend upward, and most individuals’ retirement accounts have largely recovered from the 2008 market crash. Yet, at the same time, many marriages are crumbling, countless individuals are suffering from physical or mental illness, and society appears extremely polarized on a variety of social issues. There is a disconcerting disconnect between certain economic indicators of the good life and true human flourishing. This disconnect needs to be reconciled by economists (and others), considering howeconomic activities contribute to human flourishing, and founded on religious insight. This is the position Mary Hirschfeld advances in Aquinas and the Market.
Social Impact Bonds: A Response
Authors: Drougas Anne
Published: May 2024

Reeve, Hrynuik, and Devine’s insightful research into social impact bonds (SIB) is very comprehensive and demonstrates the enigma such bonds pose to all investors, not just Christians. SIB investments are relatively new and are designed to fund social justice programs with a twist, focusing on early intervention and prevention via joint private-government solutions. For example, if SIBs could fund a project to reduce the probability of a person becoming homeless, then resources and taxpayer money could be diverted away from building homeless shelters and towards other critical societal needs (programs moving people to employment prior to homelessness occurring). The twist is that SIB investors assume the risk for holding that bond, earning returns only if key benchmarks are achieved (i.e., homelessness is reduced by a certain percentage), and questions still remain how those benchmarks are set.
Sharon Johnson: Master of Dialogue
Authors: Cafferky Michael E.
Published: May 2024

I first had contact with Sharon Johnson when he was editor of the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business. He welcomed a submission from me, at the time an outsider to the Christian Business Faculty Association. Three years later, I studied business ethics under his leadership during my doctoral degree program at Anderson University.
Good Work: How Blue Collar Business Can Change Lives, Communities, and the World By D. Hataj
Authors: Jackson Kirk
Published: May 2024

Integrating successful business practice and faithful discipleship in Christ is difficult because no singular method is available. In his book, Good Work, David Hataj provides a first-person perspective on how he has tried to integrate his faith with business, working as a second-generation small business owner in a blue-collar company, Edgerton Gear. The author is overt in connecting biblical principles (usually referred to as “kingdom principles”) to business practices. When the author uses direct Scripture references to illustrate a point, he uses the Message translation.
The Impact of Self Deception on Leadership Effectiveness
Authors: Cohee Garrett Lane , Voorhies Samuel
Published: May 2024

Self-deception in leadership occurs when leaders make mistaken assessments about themselves and act according to those assessments. Results can be unhealthy, if not destructive. To help mitigate this natural tendency, we first seek to characterize the overall life cycle of self-deceived leadership. Second, we offer a model, rooted in Scripture and research, explaining the behavioral root of self-deception. Finally, we present an alternate path toward leadership self-awareness, reinforcing a lifelong commitment to Christian spiritual formation.
Breaking the Cycle: A Response to “The Impact of Self-Deception on Leader Effectiveness”
Authors: Langford Chris
Published: May 2024

In their article “The Impact of Self-Deception on Leader Effectiveness,” Dr. Lane Cohee and Dr. Sam Voorhies apply a biblical perspective to the self-deception that often occurs in leadership and its many challenges to leader effectiveness. The authors propose leader self-deception follows an insidious life cycle that is fueled by a false success narrative that brings corruption and ultimately harms both the individual and the organization. The framework developed in the article is useful for exploring this important construct and the actions leaders should consider when desiring to overcome this impediment to personal and professional effectiveness. This response provides a critique of their article and considers potential areas for future exploration.
Shalom at Work: Bridging the Sunday-Monday Gap
Authors: Phillips Mark H. , Phillips Laura C.
Published: May 2024

This article describes the Sunday-Monday gap, the perception that one’s Sunday worship experience is unrelated to, or unhelpful in, one’s weekly work. It then applies Wolterstorff’s four-element definition of shalom to this issue, offering practical ways the pursuit of shalom might help individuals enact their faith in their vocation. Finally, it examines whether an individual’s pursuit of shalom at work is helpful or harmful to the organization’s overall performance.
Solomon’s Lessons for Leading Sustainable Lives and Organizations
Authors: Stuebs Marty , Kraten Michael
Published: May 2024

Corporate sustainability (CS) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are important contemporary issues in the field of business management and education. This article explores the relationships between biblical principles and sustainable management practices. It employs Solomon’s lessons and wisdom to build a foundation for sustainable management concepts. Solomon’s life and literature enable individuals to explore how the spiritual characteristics of the Creator offer lessons for Christian leaders who need to steward resources in a sustainable manner. God’s love, as revealed in Song of Songs, can motivate leaders to treat others justly and fairly. It also can empower them to sustainably manage social and relational resources. God’s wise righteousness, as revealed in Proverbs, may guide leaders to sustainably manage intellectual and human capital. Solomon also reveals God’s sovereign control in Ecclesiastes, emboldening the courage and self-control of leaders to sustainably manage natural, manufactured, and monetary resources. Truett Cathy at Chick-fil-A, Marion Wade at Service Master, and leaders at Hobby Lobby and Catholic Relief Services International serve as examples of Solomon’s lessons of sustainable management.
Review of The Christian Entrepreneur: Dream, Plan, Execute, Grow
Authors: McCoy Paul G.
Published: May 2024

Review of The Christian Entrepreneur: Dream, Plan, Execute, Grow
Christ, Trust, and the Twelve Disciples: The Roles of Cognitive and Affective Trust through Tuckman’s Four Stages of Group Development
Authors: Kuvshinikov Joseph
Published: May 2024

Followers’ trust can build the leader’s influence and the followers’ trust in the leader’s mission. Cognitive (based on perceptions of ability and predictability) and affective (based on perceptions of benevolence and integrity) trust between Christ and His twelve disciples enabled movement to group performance and acceptance of Him as Savior and His Great Commission. The disciples began with knowledge-driven cognitive trust and transitioned to experience-driven affective trust. Tuckman’s model may be used to assess group development.
Biblical Economic Policy: Ten Scriptural Truths for Fiscal and Monetary Decision-Making
Authors: Shankle David
Published: May 2024

Dave Arnott and Sergiy Saydometov offer a timely overview of macroeconomics from a biblical perspective in Biblical Economic Policy: Ten Scriptural Truths for Fiscal and Monetary Decision-Making. The authors state that they “are going to seek God’s creational intent for taxes, for minimum wage, and thirty-eight other meaningful macroeconomic questions” (p. 34). While no small task, they developed Ten Commandments of Biblical Economics as a framework
When Leadership Goes Wrong: Self-Serving Shepherds and their Followers
Authors: Seibert Kent
Published: May 2024

In Christian business circles, leadership is usually viewed positively. After all, we have as an example the best leader in human history, Jesus Christ. The Bible describes how to lead effectively, but it spends more time warning against people who abuse the power that comes with a formal leadership role. The negative fallout from this abuse is considerable. Abuses of leadership are easy to find in the business world. How should Christian business people respond? After reviewing the literature on self-serving leaders and examining what Scripture
A Unified Oikonomia: How God’s Economy of Salvation Changes a Christian Household’s Economy
Authors: Enete Shane , Merrill Dave
Published: May 2024

In the Bible, the word oikonomia is used in two very different ways: one material (Luke 16:2) and the other spiritual (Ephesians 1:10). The purpose of this paper will be to unify the material definition of oikonomia with the Apostle Paul’s spiritual use of the word. Once unified, a Christian household will be equipped to manage their finances (i.e., economize) in a way that fully integrates with its union with Christ. This paper concludes with three case studies, aligning oikonomia to finance-related theories, such as the life-cycle hypothesis, debt repayment, and retirement account contributions.
In Search of an Ideal Christian Follower in Modern Organizations
Authors: Ganu Josephine , Razafiarivony Marie Anne
Published: May 2024

This paper offers fresh ways of thinking and perceiving the importance of effective followership in the context of modern organizations and Christian discipleship. It reviews the extant literature on the concept of followership to advance the importance of the follower role in modern organizations. Specifically, we examine the meaning of followership in modern organizations and the role and qualities of an ideal follower. We argue that followership is a self-conscious choice by the follower to actively partner with the leader to advance the organizational mission and objectives. We also discuss how Christian workers can blend biblical discipleship and organizational followership in the workplace to reflect their calling as true disciples and, in the process, benefit the organization. We propose a model for the authentic Christian follower, which can be further explored.
Editor’s Opinion: JBIB, Macroeconomic Biblical Integration, and the Problem of Schengen Exclusion
Authors: Locke Larry
Published: May 2024

The project of the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business is the attempt to bring the discipline of Scripture and Christian theology to the theory and practice of business. JBIB articles, including some in this edition, demonstrate how businesses might better conduct their marketing, finance, management, and even accounting efforts by the application of biblical principles. In this article, the author seeks to extend the JBIB experiment to the area of macroeconomics and the commercial activity of nations. At a fundamental level, the activities of these parties are the same; they buy, sell, negotiate, finance, hire, communicate, strategize, and perform other commercial functions in much the same way that businesses do. One premise of this opinion is that the Word of God bears on the commercial choices of nations in much the same way that it does on the business activity of individuals and corporations. In this article, the author attempts to extend the discipline of biblical integration to macroeconomic decisions of nations utilizing the example of the continued refusal by various European governments to admit Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen Agreement.
Diabetes mellitus manifestations and challenges in post-COVID-19 syndrome: A critical review
Authors: Sakat Sachin Shridhar , Kuvar Vijaykumar , Kharche Ajay , Sagar Milind , Pandey Prashant Kumar , Bagade Om , Bendgude Rupali , Bendgude Ravindra
Published: May 2024

The human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has targeted millions of people globally leading to significant mortality in more than 3.5 million people. A spectrum of incapacitating symptoms or indications that may continue for a year and are consistent with COVID-19 emerge during or after an infection and cannot be explained by any other disorder. The term “long COVID” or “post COVID-19 syndrome (PCS)” refers to this collection of symptoms. While diabetes and COVID-19 have an antagonistic relationship, it is still not clear whether chronic hyperglycemia leads to an increased predisposition for PCS or whether people with PCS have a higher prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes or prediabetes. A higher predisposition toward infectivity and mortality was recorded in persons with diabetes which made up about 35% of the patients who passed away from the illness. The SARS-CoV-2 infection and diabetes appear to be linked in three different ways. The infection is linked to a weakened immune system, ongoing inflammation, and maybe immediate pancreatic dysfunction. This review will explore the diabetes manifestations and associated challenges in COVID-19 and PCS. In addition, the review will also focus on the management strategies of diabetes with emphasis on the development of a comprehensive care plan for self-care among PCS patients.
Combination administration of alprazolam and N-Ethylmaleimide synergistically enhances sleep behaviors in mice with no potential CNS side effects
Authors: Zhu Siqing , Shi Jingjing , Zhang Yi , Chen Xuejun , Shi Tong , Li Liqin
Published: May 2024

Background

N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM), an agonist of the potassium chloride cotransporters 2 (KCC2) receptor, has been correlated with neurosuppressive outcomes, including decreased pain perception and the prevention of epileptic seizures. Nevertheless, its relationship with sleep-inducing effects remains unreported.

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the potential enhancement of NEM on the sleep-inducing properties of alprazolam (Alp).

Methods

The test of the righting reflex was used to identify the appropriate concentrations of Alp and NEM for inducing sleep-promoting effects in mice. Total sleep duration and sleep quality were evaluated through EEG/EMG analysis. The neural mechanism underlying the sleep-promoting effect was examined through c-fos immunoreactivity in the brain using immunofluorescence. Furthermore, potential CNS-side effects of the combination Alp and NEM were assessed using LABORAS automated home-cage behavioral phenotyping.

Results

Combination administration of Alp (1.84 mg/kg) and NEM (1.0 mg/kg) significantly decreased sleep latency and increased sleep duration in comparison to administering 1.84 mg/kg Alp alone. This effect was characterized by a notable increase in REM duration. The findings from c-fos immunoreactivity indicated that NEM significantly suppressed neuron activation in brain regions associated with wakefulness. Additionally, combination administration of Alp and NEM showed no effects on mouse neural behaviors during automated home cage monitoring.

Conclusions

This study is the first to propose and demonstrate a combination therapy involving Alp and NEM that not only enhances the hypnotic effect but also mitigates potential CNS side effects, suggesting its potential application in treating insomnia.
A genre-based approach to teaching personal recount writing to 6th grade EFL students in Chile
Authors:   , Ortega Abigail
Published: May 2024

This mixed-methods study intended to implement a genre-based approach to writing, informed by SFL (Systemic Functional Linguistics), in a Chilean EFL (English as a Foreign Language) context. The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness and student perceptions of a genre-based pedagogical intervention (GBP) designed to enhance the writing proficiency of sixth-grade EFL students in producing personal recount texts.The writing assignments of five students were analyzed, engaging in the production of a specific form of personal recount text: diary entries. The assessment of the effectiveness of the genre-based intervention involved the analysis of pre-test and post-test diary entries, with a focus on the social purpose and language choices inherent to the personal recount genre. Data was collected through quantitative analysis of diary entries, and qualitative analysis of the participants’ responses to an open-ended questionnaire.The findings of the pre-test and post-test compositions, supported by a statistical analysis, identified a substantial improvement in students' overall personal recount writing skills following the implementation of the genre-based approach, in aspects such as use of evaluative language and cohesively connecting a sequence of main events. Results also indicated that students' perspectives were mostly positively impacted by the GBP's application, with students indicating that each stage of the method was effective in helping them write their compositions. Overall, the results highlight students' predominantly positive perspectives on the application of the GBP, emphasizing the effectiveness of each stage of the method in facilitating their composition process in aspects such as genre comprehension and easiness in the writing process. Ultimately, this research contributes to the understanding of the potential of genre-based pedagogy in the Chilean EFL context and its impact on students' writing performance and perceptions.
Governança no transporte aeroportuário: o caso do aeroporto de Natal/RN
Authors: Medeiros Rodrigo Danilson de Paiva , Silva Algéria Varela da , Macedo Marconi Neves
Published: May 2024

Dez anos após sua inauguração, que foi marcada pela resistência de grande parte da população da Zona Metropolitana de Natal, o Aeroporto Internacional Aluízio Alves, localizado em São Gonçalo do Amarante, na região metropolitana de Natal-RN, passou por um processo de devolução à União e de relicitação do empreendimento, considerando estudos de viabilidade técnica e econômica. Durante esse breve período, o aeroporto provocou um prejuízo de cerca de R$ 1 bilhão de reais à concessionária anterior, apresentando resultados inferiores ao estimado no movimento de cargas e passageiros. Assim, este estudo visa a evidenciar a necessidade da discussão sobre governança no empreendimento – pública, corporativa e aeroportuária –, destacando alguns fatores importantes à sociedade. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto utilizou-se de uma pesquisa exploratória, com características bibliográfica e documental. Como resultado preliminar, se observou a necessidade da participação da sociedade no processo de tomada de decisões e percebeu-se que algumas questões demandam maior atenção do poder público, enquanto outras demandam maior atenção dos novos gestores do empreendimento, bem como algumas demandam atenção de ambos. Ainda, se evidenciou a necessidade de ações integradas, baseadas em critérios técnicos e científicos que visem à coletividade para que o empreendimento, nesse novo projeto, possa retomar sua efetividade e gerar os resultados sociais esperados há cerca de uma década.
Utility of Conventional ZN Staining and Modified Bleach Techniques in Detection of Acid Fast Bacilli from Aspirates of Suspected Cases of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis
Authors: Shandilya Anjali , Krishnappaappa Indrani , Hamza A Mohamed
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health problem in many developing countries, including India. Diagnosing tuberculous lymphadenitis, in particular, poses challenges as it requires the demonstration of Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) using the conventional Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) technique. The Modified Bleach Technique, which involves liquefying the aspirated specimen with sodium hypochlorite followed by centrifugation, has been described to enhance the yield of AFB, improving sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy. Aim: To highlight the role of the bleach concentration method compared to conventional ZN staining in detecting AFB in Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) material from clinically suspected cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India from November 2020 to December 2022. Fine needle aspiration material from 100 cases of clinically suspected tuberculous lymphadenitis was included. In each case, part of the aspirate was processed for ZN staining, while the remaining material was used for modified bleach staining and Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT). Patient data, including age, sex, duration and site of swelling, nature of aspirate, and cytomorphological diagnosis, were documented. The data was entered into a Microsoft excel spreadsheet and analysed using the Chi-square test, with a p-value<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The age range of the study participants was 1-80 years. Out of 100 cases, 13 were excluded due to inadequate material. The most common lymph node site was cervical 69 (79.3%), followed by axillary 8 (9.1%) and supraclavicular 6 (6.89%). Among the 87 cases, reactive lymphadenitis was diagnosed in 36 (41.3%), suppurative lymphadenitis in 12 (13.8%), necrotising granulomatous lymphadenitis in 12 (13.8%), granulomatous lymphadenitis in 15 (17.3%), and necrotising lymphadenitis in 12 (13.8%). Out of the 100 cases included in the study, 32 cases were confirmed as tubercular lymphadenitis by CBNAAT. Among these 32 cases, conventional ZN stain was positive for AFB in only 3 cases (9%), whereas the Modified bleach stain was positive in 16 cases (50%). The results were compared with CBNAAT findings, and the modified bleach technique showed sensitivity (59.4%), specificity (100%), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) (100%), Negative Predictive Value (NPV) (80%), and Accuracy (85%). Conclusion: The Modified bleach method of ZN staining is a simple, safe, inexpensive, and easy-to-perform technique. With the bleach method, AFB was easily visible and detectable in the majority of AFB-positive cases. Additionally, the bleach method preserved the morphology of AFB better. It improves the microscopic detection of AFB, leading to a definitive diagnosis of TB on cytology.
Utility of Abdominal Fat Pad Aspiration in the Early Diagnosis of Systemic Amyloidosis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Malashree . , Ranade Ranjana Shashidhar , Yamakanamardi Basavaraj Dundappa , Rani Hephzibah , Athanikar Vidhisha S
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Abdominal Subcutaneous Fat Pad aspiration (AFPA) is a quick, sensitive, and specific screening and diagnostic method for detecting amyloid deposits. This procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting. The present study aimed to demonstrate amyloid deposits in subcutaneous fat pad aspirates on Congo Red stained slides using polarised microscopy. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal fat pad aspiration cytology as a screening procedure for systemic amyloidosis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a three-year period (January 2019 to July 2021) at SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad. Fat pad aspirate slides stained with Congo Red stain were independently reviewed by two cytopathologists. Slides were examined under a polarising microscope and interpreted as either positive or negative for amyloid deposits based on the presence or absence of apple green birefringence. The data were evaluated using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. Results: The present study included 54 abdominal fat pad aspirates. The ages ranged between 29 and 80 years, with a mean age of presentation of 59 years. Among all AFPA samples, 35 (64.8%) were positive for amyloid, 16 (29.6%) were negative, and three (5.5%) were inconclusive for interpretation. Follow- up deep/visceral biopsies, such as kidney and bone marrow biopsies, were performed in 31 (57.4%) cases, and approximately half of these cases showed amyloid deposition on deep biopsy. AFPA demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of 94%, 92%, 94%, and 93.3%, respectively, considering visceral biopsies including bone marrow and/or kidney as the gold standard. Conclusion: Abdominal fat pad aspiration is a quick, minimally invasive, outpatient-based procedure that helps in the early diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis before patients clinically present with complications.
Oxidative DNA Damage and Deranged Lipid Profile in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Salunkhe Vaishnavi Sandip , Rai Pooja SK , Ingale Pramod
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major health problems and a leading cause of death from infectious diseases. Oxidative damage in tuberculosis results from biochemical interactions between Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and target biomolecules. Increased oxidative stress leads to elevated Oxidative Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) damage in Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) patients. It is important to study serum lipids and oxidative DNA damage as they affect the overall immune system of individuals. Aim: To investigate deranged lipid profiles and oxidative DNA damage in PTB. Materials and Methods: A single-centered, cross-sectional study was conducted at Grant Government Medical College, Mumbai from October 2016 to November 2017. A total of 50 PTB patients in the age group of 20-60 years and 50 healthy subjects were included in the study. Oxidative DNA damage was assessed using 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker with a highly sensitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit, and lipid profiles were estimated. An Unpaired t-test was used to analyse the significance of the study parameters in the cases and control groups. Results: The study involved 100 participants, predominantly males (63%), with most falling in the age group of 18-45 years (77%). The present study revealed significantly elevated levels (p-value <0.05) of 8-OHdG in patients; however, significantly reduced levels (p-value <0.05) of total cholesterol, Triglycerides (TG), High-density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), Very Low- density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), and Low-density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were observed in cases compared to controls. Conclusion: The present study observed an increase in the level of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), indicating greater oxidative DNA damage in tuberculosis patients due to oxidative stress, leading to lipid profile derangement.
Comparison of Liquid Sodium Heparin Syringe and Preheparinised Syringe for Sample Rejection in Arterial Blood Gas Analysis: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Unni C Sumithra N , Kishore Sreejith J , Krishnan PP Sajitha
Published: May 2024

Introduction: In hospital settings, Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis is a routine investigation. Many errors can arise in the process, with 70% of errors in ABG analysis occurring during the preanalytical phase. Liquid heparin is commonly used as an anticoagulant in sample collection devices for Blood Gas (BG) analysis; however, inadequate heparin concentration and improper mixing of blood samples after collection often lead to incorrect results. This can be prevented by using syringes preloaded with lyophilised heparin. Aim: To monitor the prevalence of sample rejection collected by the device using liquid sodium heparin and calcium-balanced dried lithium heparin. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the ABG laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Amrita Viswavidyapeetham University, Kochi, Kerala, India over a 4-month period from December 2022 to March 2023. ABG samples collected using either of the techniques were included, while venous BG samples were excluded. The sample size was 10,957 for each of the two groups- Group A and Group B. Group A included samples collected using liquid sodium heparin, and group B included spray-dried, calcium-balanced lithium heparin from different departments. The incidence of blood clots, air bubbles, and inadequate volume was studied. For all categorical variables, the results were expressed as the frequency and percentage of errors. An unpaired t-test (two-tailed) was used for data analysis. Results: In comparison with liquid sodium heparin collection, errors in the quality of the specimen such as blood clots (1.7% to 1.1%), air bubbles (0.04% to 0%), and inadequate volume (0.2% to 0.03%) were significantly reduced (p-value=0.002) with spray-dried, calcium-balanced lithium heparin (BD Preset™ Safety BG Syringe). Conclusion: The present study found that using calcium- balanced lithium heparin syringes over manually flushed liquid sodium heparin syringes reduces the risk of clots, thus preventing equipment malfunction and maintenance costs. With the introduction of preset syringes, the chance of air bubbles and insufficient volume can also be overcomed.
Intriguing Cases of Rare Malignancies of Childhood and Adolescence- A Series of Six Cases
Authors: Guha Rena , Mukherjee Sanghamitra , Sarkar Sucharita , Mandal Palash Kumar , Mandal Meghadipa
Published: May 2024

Intracranial teratomas constitute the majority of congenital Central Nervous System (CNS) germ cell tumours. Pure mature or immature teratomas present with giant intracranial masses that cause irreversible brain damage and impair the quality of life. Two such cases are reported here: the first involves a four-month-old female infant with a large right hemispheric lesion, and the second involves a three-month-old female infant with a similar large right hemispheric space-occupying lesion. Both underwent craniotomy but ultimately succumbed to death within a few days after the operation. Immature teratomas of the ovaries are the second most common malignant germ cell tumour following dysgerminoma, with good prognosis and excellent overall survival rates. One such case is presented here, involving a 16-year-old adolescent female with a history of irregular and painful menstruation presenting with a large abdomino-pelvic mass that was determined to be of ovarian origin through imaging studies. Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma with a poor prognosis, demonstrated in a 17-year-old girl who presented with a painless left thigh mass that was clinically misdiagnosed as a benign intramuscular lipoma. Another case involves a 14-year-old boy with Ewing sarcoma of the ring finger, an extremely rare hand tumour with a high potential for misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, accompanied by a focus of pulmonary metastasis. The final case involves a poorly differentiated carcinoma of the Ileum in a 17- year-old girl who was eventually lost to follow-up checkups.
Changes in Reproductive Hormones Levels Following Administration of Hydroethanolic Extract of Azanza garckeana Fruit in Cadmium Chloride Exposed Female Wistar Rats
Authors: J. O. A Laz-Okenwa , F. S. Amah-Tariah, , S. O. Ojeka,
Published: May 2024

There have been many claims of aphrodisiac and other beneficial attributes of Azanza garckeana fruit by both tradomedicinal practitioners and some early scientific investigations; the present study, thus, set out to investigate the changes in reproductive hormones following administration of hydroethanolic extract of azanza garckeana fruit (HEAGF) in cadmium chloride exposed female Wistar rats. Thirty five (35) female Wistar rats weighing 230±10 grams were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 served as negative control that received 1ml of distilled water; Group 2 served as positive control and received oral dose of 10mg/kg body weight of CdCl2 (or Cd); Group 3 had Clomiphene citrate (0.3mg/ml) + Cd; Group 4 received Vitamin E (0.3mg/ml) + Cd; Group 5 received 250mg/kg HEAGF+ Cd; Group 6 received 500mg/kg HEAGF+ Cd and Group 7received 1000mg/kg HEAGF+ Cd. All treatments were done orally and daily for 28 days.  Blood samples were collected, and serum levels of reproductive hormones including estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured using ELISA and spectrophotometric technique. The results showed that CdCl2 exposure significantly (P<0.05) decreased FSH level but non-significantly (P>0.05) decreased LH level while increasing oestrogen and progesterone levels compared to the negative control group. However, administration of HEAGF, especially the 250mg/kg bw dose most appreciably restored the hormonal balance towards normal levels. In conclusion, although, the findings of the present study highlights the potential therapeutic value of HEAGF in improving the adverse effects of an environmental toxin―CdCl2 on female reproductive health indicators, further studies may be necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action prior to its clinical exploration and possible recommendation for supplementation in reproductive disorders associated with a heavy metal toxicity.
Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Food Handlers towards Food Hygiene
Authors: Singh Swechha , Singh Rashmi
Published: May 2024

Knowledge of food hygiene essentially entails the handlers’ awareness or things to be done or things to be put in place, in the course of either acquiring raw food materials, preparing food or serving food to the consumers, so that food safety is achieved. Food hygiene knowledge, attitude and practices are important because inadequate knowledge, poor attitude and poor sanitation practices have life-threatening danger to food safety. It is important to have an understanding of the interaction on prevailing food hygiene knowledge attitude and practices of food handlers in order to minimize foodborne outbreaks. The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of food handlers regarding the aspect of food hygiene in Kanpur. One hundred ten food handlers from fifty food establishments of Kanpur were involved in this study. The data was collected from the street food vendors with the help of structured questionnaire and extensive observation. Analysis of data revealed that Knowledge and attitude towards food hygiene was satisfactory among food handlers, where most of the food handlers have fair knowledge and attitude that was (50.0 %) and (40.90%) but fair practice was practiced by only (17.27%) whereas,   majority of them had poor practice (46.36). About 53.6 per cent of food handlers always wash their hands before handling food and only (38.1%) of the food handlers had knowledge about hygiene and sanitation. Statistical testing with chi-square at p<0.05 showed that there is no correlation between educational level of the food handlers and practice of food hygiene; like-wise attitude of the handlers towards food hygiene and work experience had no impact on food hygiene practices of food handlers.
The present study concludes that practice regarding food hygiene is not satisfactory and therefore there is need to increase the practice level of food handlers towards food hygiene.