bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“A double twist” presentation – a case report of purulent cardiac tamponade following a rare complication of small-cell lung cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Amorim Diana , Miguel Gonçalves Carolina , Cabral Margarida , Silva Sónia , Saraiva Fátima , Morais João , Feijó Salvato
Published: April 2024

Background: Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis that requires prompt treatment. While radiotherapy may enhance survival when superior vena cava syndrome is present, radiation therapy–induced pericardial disease can be a potential complication. Case Report: A 55-year-old man, who recently underwent radiotherapy for stage IV small-cell lung cancer complicated by superior vena cava syndrome, presented with chest pain and dyspnea. In the emergency room, he was dyspneic, hypotensive, and tachycardic. Pulmonary auscultation revealed the absence of lung sounds on the right. The initial electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in lateral leads and in lead DII, with reciprocal changes in lead DIII. A bedside transthoracic echocardiogram revealed cardiac tamponade and emergent pericardiocentesis was performed, removing 500 ml of purulent fluid, resulting in an immediate clinical improvement. Thoracentesis was also performed, showing no empyema. Large spectrum empirical antibiotic therapy was started. Cultures from the pericardial fluid and peripheral blood grew multi-sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cytological analysis of the pericardial fluid was consistent with infection. The patient improved after 2 weeks of targeted antibiotic therapy and underwent the first cycle of chemotherapy. He was discharged with an early scheduled pulmonology appointment. Conclusions: Although the most common causes of pericardial effusion in lung cancer are malignant, non-malignant etiologies should also be considered. This patient had an infectious pericardial effusion most probably due to a pericardial-mediastinal mass fistula caused by radiotherapy. This was a diagnostic challenge, both in the emergency room as well in the inpatient setting.
Some symmetric sign patterns requiring unique inertia
Authors: Rana Partha , Bandopadhyay Sriparna
Published: April 2024

A sign pattern is a matrix whose entries are from the set $\{+,-,0\}$. A sign pattern requires unique inertia if every matrix in its qualitative class has the same inertia. For symmetric tree sign patterns, several necessary and sufficient conditions to require unique inertia are known. In this paper, sufficient conditions for symmetric tree sign patterns to require unique inertia based on the sign and position of the loops in the underlying graph are given. Further, some sufficient conditions for a symmetric sign pattern to require unique inertia if the underlying graph contains cycles are determined.
OSSEOINTEGRATION IN LIMB REPLACEMENT SURGERY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE QUALITY AND READABILITY OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
Authors: Stanley Ciaran , Sheridan Gerard A. , Paige Brian , Hoellwart Jason S. , Reif Taylor J. , Fragomen Austin T. , Rozbruch S. Robert
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The use of osseointegrated limb replacement prostheses for amputees are rapidly growing in popularity due to the many benefits over conventional sockets. Many institutions worldwide are beginning to provide this surgical option to their patients and are advertising the service online. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and reading level of related information available online.

Materials & Methods

A search was performed using the 3 most popular English language search engines reviewing the top 40 websites from each, using the term osseointegration on. Duplicates, videos, medical journal articles and dentistry websites were excluded. All included websites were assessed for reading using the FKGL, G-Fog and FRE. Quality was assessed using the JAMA benchmark criteria, HONC erificate and a novel 16-point scoring system developed specifically for limb replacement osseointegration.

Results

The search resulted in 9,985,000 websites, 120 were assessed. 23 websites were included after removal of duplicates, medical journals and dentistry websites. None with reading grades of 6 or lower. Mean FKGL grade was 11.3/18. Mean FRE was 38.83/100. Mean G-FOG was 12.57/20. No websites had HONC. Mean JAMA score was 1.76/4. Mean HSSOIS was 5.70/16. Most provided information on indications(16/23) and explanation of osseointegration 17/23) but few discussed costs(3/23) or restrictions(9/23).

Conclusions

There is already a large amount of information available online regarding osseointegrated prostheses. However, the most accessible information may exceed most patients’ reading levels, limiting is usefulness. Further, the information available is generally of low quality, The quality of information and the readability of online content should be improved to ensure more effective patient education.
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE CONTENT VALIDITY OF PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES (PROMS) FOR ADULTS HAVING LOWER LIMB RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Authors: Lister Jennie , McDaid Catriona , Hewitt Catherine , Leggett Heather , James Sophie , Sharma Hemant
Published: April 2024

Introduction

There are concerns that patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) currently used for adults requiring, undergoing or after undergoing lower limb reconstruction (LLR) are not adequately capturing the range of experiences important to these patients. The ‘Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Lower Limb Reconstruction’ (PROLLIT) study developed a conceptual framework of outcomes identified as important and relevant by adult LLR patients. This review explored whether existing PROMs address these outcomes, and exhibit content validity in this population.

Materials & Methods

A range of key PROMs was selected (n=32). Systematic and hand-searches were employed to find studies assessing content validity of these PROMs in the adult LLR population, along with PROM content and development information. A systematic review of content validity of the measures was carried out following ‘COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments’ (COSMIN) guidance, alongside conceptual mapping of the content of the PROMs against the PROLLIT conceptual framework.

Results

The searches uncovered very few content validity studies assessing the PROMs when applied in adult LLR patients. The COSMIN review found that these measures lacked content validity when applied in this population. The conceptual mapping found that PROMs did not capture all concepts identified as important and relevant in the PROLLIT framework.

Conclusions

Existing PROMs applied in the adult LLR population lack content validity and fail to adequately capture relevant outcomes for this patient group. There is a need for a new, dedicated PROM designed for adult LLR patients.
Dynamics of manual impaction instruments during total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Reynolds Adam , Doyle Ruben , Boughton Oliver , Cobb Justin , Muirhead-Allwood Sarah , Jeffers Jonathan
Published: April 2024

Aims

Manual impaction, with a mallet and introducer, remains the standard method of installing cementless acetabular cups during total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aims to quantify the accuracy and precision of manual impaction strikes during the seating of an acetabular component. This understanding aims to help improve impaction surgical techniques and inform the development of future technologies.

Methods

Posterior approach THAs were carried out on three cadavers by an expert orthopaedic surgeon. An instrumented mallet and introducer were used to insert cementless acetabular cups. The motion of the mallet, relative to the introducer, was analyzed for a total of 110 strikes split into low-, medium-, and high-effort strikes. Three parameters were extracted from these data: strike vector, strike offset, and mallet face alignment.

Results

The force vector of the mallet strike, relative to the introducer axis, was misaligned by an average of 18.1°, resulting in an average wasted strike energy of 6.1%. Furthermore, the mean strike offset was 19.8 mm from the centre of the introducer axis and the mallet face, relative to the introducer strike face, was misaligned by a mean angle of 15.2° from the introducer strike face.

Conclusion

The direction of the impact vector in manual impaction lacks both accuracy and precision. There is an opportunity to improve this through more advanced impaction instruments or surgical training.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(4):193–200.
Serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Students: Examining How Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander- Serving Institutions Build Students’ Capacities
Authors: Hoa Nguyen Mike
Published: April 2024

This study examines how Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) serve Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA&NHPI) students. Through a two-site case study of a community college on the west coast and a regional comprehensive university on the east coast, this study details the processes that are undertaken to serve and enhance the educational experiences of AA&NHPI students by building their capacities. Findings suggests that federally-funded AANAPISIs design and implement their programs in a manner that reflects the lived experiences and realities of AA&NHPI students through academic coursework, co-curricular programming, and research opportunities, in an intentional and strategic multilayered process, which resembles a developmental nested design focused on five thematic domains. Implications for policy, practice, and research are also offered to advance the work of AANAPISIs.
A Victorian Fashion in Edwardian Portraits: The Paisley Shawl in Paintings by Francis H. Newbery
Authors: Quaile Sheilagh
Published: April 2024

Abstract: In this article, I examine the paisley shawl within and through two paintings, Portrait of a Devonian (ca. 1908) and The Paisley Shawl (ca. 1910), by Glasgow School of Art director Francis H. Newbery (1855–1946). The paintings feature the same sitter and were completed decades after the shawl declined as a feature of British fashion. Using primary sources to expound upon the sitter’s identity, and drawing from the artist’s biography, I argue that these portraits testify to both sitter’s and artist’s nostalgia for an iconic Victorian fashion and manufacturing industry. As I explain, the shawl had varied meanings for different people and in different contexts. These included femininity, family, and life passages, as well as patriotism, a successful alliance between art and manufacturing, and Britain’s technological triumph over other parts of the globe.
Panretinal handheld OCT angiography for pediatric retinal imaging
Authors: Ni Shuibin , Liang Guangru Ben , Ng Ringo , Ostmo Susan , Jia Yali , Chiang Michael F. , Huang David , Skalet Alison H. , Young Benjamin K. , Campbell J. Peter , Jian Yifan
Published: April 2024

Comprehensive visualization of retina morphology is essential in the diagnosis and management of retinal diseases in pediatric populations. Conventional imaging techniques often face challenges in effectively capturing the peripheral retina, primarily due to the limitations in current optical designs, which lack the necessary field of view to characterize the far periphery. To address this gap, our study introduces a novel ultra-widefield optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) system. This system, specifically tailored for pediatric applications, incorporates an ultrahigh-speed 800 kHz swept-source laser. The system’s innovative design achieves a 140° field of view while maintaining excellent optical performance. Over the last 15 months, we have conducted 379 eye examinations on 96 babies using this system. It demonstrates marked efficacy in the diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity, providing detailed and comprehensive peripheral retinal angiography. The capabilities of the ultra-widefield handheld OCTA system in enhancing the clarity and thoroughness of retina vascularization assessments have significantly improved the precision of diagnoses and the customization of treatment strategies. Our findings underscore the system’s potential to advance pediatric ophthalmology and broaden the scope of retinal imaging.
In-vivo characterization of scleral rigidity in myopic eyes using fundus-pulsation optical coherence elastography
Authors: Gong Zhaoyu , Bojikian Karine D. , Chen Andrew , Chen Philip P. , Rezaei Kasra A. , Olmos Lisa C. , Mudumbai Raghu C. , Li Jonathan , Schwartz Daniel M. , Wang Ruikang K.
Published: April 2024

The sclera plays an important role in the structural integrity of the eye. However, as myopia progresses, the elongation of the eyeball exerts stretching forces on the posterior sclera, which typically happens in conjunction with scleral remodeling that causes rigidity loss. These biomechanical alterations can cause localized eyeball deformation and vision impairment. Therefore, monitoring scleral rigidity is clinically important for the management and risk assessment of myopia. In this study, we propose fundus pulsation optical coherence elastography (FP-OCE) to characterize posterior scleral rigidity in living humans. This methodology is based on a choroidal pulsation model, where the scleral rigidity is inversely associated with the choroidal max strain obtained through phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PhS-OCT) measurement of choroidal deformation and thickness. Using FP-OCE, we conducted a pilot clinical study to explore the relationship between choroidal strain and myopia severity. The results revealed a significant increase in choroidal max strain in pathologic myopia, indicating a critical threshold beyond which scleral rigidity decreases significantly. Our findings offer a potential new method for monitoring myopia progression and evaluating therapies that alter scleral mechanical properties.
Extending the quantum tomography of a quasi-photon-number-resolving detector
Authors: Santana Ted S. , Muñoz Christian Daniel , Starkwood Robert A. , Chunnilall Christopher J.
Published: April 2024

The ability to discriminate the number of photons in a radiation field has a critical role in the implementation of quantum optical technologies. True photon-number-resolving detectors are rare and complex devices, while a quasi-photon-number-resolving detector (qPNRD) is a practical alternative for real-world applications. Our qPNRD is composed of a fiber demultiplexer and individual non-photon-number-resolving detectors. We perform quantum tomography on our qPNRD based on the positive operator-valued measure and extend the analysis using the Bayesian formalism to uncover how the measurement influences knowledge of the measured photon probability distribution.
Highly transparent Ce:Nd:YAG ceramic with good light conversion capacity for solar-pumped solid-state lasers
Authors: Zheng Xinyu , Xie Hui , Zhou Tianyuan , Li Yanbin , Li Jianqiang , Wang Siqing , Zhou Zihan , Xu Lele , Zhou Yuhuan , Chen Hao , Strek Wieslaw , Zhang Jing , Zhang Le
Published: April 2024

Developing a high quality ceramic laser gain medium for solar directly pumped solid state lasers is essential, and yet the light conversion efficiency of the gain media for solar pumping remains a challenge. In this study, Ce and Nd ions, co-doped YAG transparent ceramics with theoretical transmittance and stable Ce3+ valent state were developed, and revealed that the absorbed visible light and light conversion efficiency in Ce,Nd:YAG ceramics were 3.98 times and 1.34 times higher than those in widely reported Cr,Nd:YAG ceramics, respectively. A concentration matching principle between Ce3+ and Nd3+ ions in YAG was established, and a higher Nd3+ ion doping concentration with a relatively low Ce3+ concentration was favorable to improve both the light conversion efficiency and emission intensity at 1064 nm of Ce,Nd:YAG ceramics. Energy transfer efficiency from Ce3+ to Nd3+ of the 0.3 at.%Ce,1.5at.%Nd:YAG ceramic reached as high as 61.71% at room temperature. Surprisingly, it was further promoted to 64.31% at a higher temperature of 473 K. More excited electrons at the upper energy level of Ce3+ ion under the high temperature accounted for this novel phenomenon. This study proposes a new design strategy of gain materials for solar directly pumped solid state lasers.
Absolute evaluation of the optical transfer function of the high aperture infrared cryogenic objective
Authors: Gorée Joris , Huard de Verneuil Edouard , Primot Jérôme , Gravrand Olivier , Boulade Olivier , Derelle Sophie
Published: April 2024

The field of infrared detectors is experiencing a strong movement towards smaller pixel pitches, and it is now common to see pitches close to the wavelength. This raises major problems in measuring their characteristics, especially their transfer function. The latter can be measured by optical pattern projection methods using a low F/# objective, such as the spot scan method. However, in order to obtain the quantitative transfer function measurement of detectors, the objective spatial response should be measured and deconvoluted precisely, since the size of the focused optical spot is close to the pixel pitch. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to propose a protocol that performs an absolute measurement of a high-quality infrared objective. The main idea of the article is to link the measurement standard to a fundamental theory, the Huygens-Fresnel principle, using a particular wavefront sensor as a secondary measurement standard. This has various metrological advantages, that allow the uncertainties of the optical transfer function measurement to be controlled and evaluated. The protocol and the propagation of errors described in the article are both used to demonstrate the value of this approach.
Optical coherence elastography under homolateral parallel acoustic radiation force excitation for ocular elasticity quantification
Authors: Wang Chongyang , Fan Fan , Ma Jiawei , Ma Zongqing , Meng Xiaochen , Zhu Jiang
Published: April 2024

Alteration in the elastic properties of biological tissues may indicate changes in the structure and components. Acoustic radiation force optical coherence elastography (ARF-OCE) can assess the elastic properties of the ocular tissues non-invasively. However, coupling the ultrasound beam and the optical beam remains challenging. In this Letter, we proposed an OCE method incorporating homolateral parallel ARF excitation for measuring the elasticity of the ocular tissues. An acoustic–optic coupling unit was established to reflect the ultrasound beam while transmitting the light beam. The ARF excited the ocular tissue in the direction parallel to the light beam from the same side of the light beam. We demonstrated the method on the agar phantoms, the porcine cornea, and the porcine retina. The results show that the ARF-OCE method can measure the elasticity of the cornea and the retina, resulting in higher detection sensitivity and a more extensive scanning range.
Simulation of diffraction and scattering using the Wigner distribution function
Authors: Pietersoone Emilie , Létang Jean Michel , Rit Simon , Langer Max
Published: April 2024

We present a new, to the best of our knowledge, method to simulate
diffraction images accounting for both coherent and incoherent
effects, based on the Wigner distribution function of the exit wave.
This permits the simulation of wave and particle effects
simultaneously and simulates images photon by photon. It is motivated
by artifacts observed in x ray phase-contrast images after phase
retrieval, present as noise in the low spatial frequency range, which
can make analysis of such images challenging. Classical simulations
have so far not been able to reproduce these artifacts. We hypothesize
that these artifacts are due to incoherent scatter present in the
images, hence the interest in developing a simulator that permits the
simulation of both diffraction and incoherent scattering. Here, we
give a first demonstration of the method by simulating the Gaussian
double-slit experiment. We demonstrate the capability of combining
diffraction and incoherent scattering, as well as simulating images
for any propagation distance.
Self-healing propagation of a longitudinally varying vector optical beam for distance measurement
Authors: Guo Ji-Xiang , Li Jin-Song , Wang Yulei , Lü Jia-Qi , Lu Zhiwei
Published: April 2024

Based on the longitudinal manipulation of polarization, a special vector optical beam (VOB) with customized polarization variation in propagation direction can be generated, whose properties and applications remain to be studied. Here, the self-healing propagation behaviors of the longitudinally varying VOB after an opaque object are investigated, and the localized polarization responses on the object distance are revealed. On this basis, characteristic parameters are defined to measure the distance of object, achieving a minimum relative error of 0.63% in a longitudinal range of 300 mm. Besides, the correlations and uncoupling methods of object distance and size are discussed. Our studies open new ways to use the structural properties of VOB and may be instructive for laser measurement.
Enhanced Autofocusing with a Compact and Swift ST-VGG Network
Authors: Li hanheng , Zhao Wenyi , yang huihua
Published: April 2024

In autofocus systems, the rapid and precise determination of the focusing distance is crucial for capturing clear images, presenting a challenge that requires efficient and effective algorithms. To enhance this process, we introduce a novel autofocus mechanism employing a deep learning approach based on an optimized VGG network architecture, designated as ST-VGG. This method adapts the VGG16 framework by refining its convolutional layers and optimizing parameters to improve efficiency, notably incorporating global average pooling to reduce overfitting risks. Moreover, we integrate the Inception architecture to enable feature assimilation across multiple scales without additional computational burdens, enhancing the model's analytical depth and efficiency. Significantly, by adopting depthwise separable convolution, we achieve a reduction in model complexity and computational demand, making ST-VGG more suitable for mobile and embedded applications. We frame autofocus as a regression problem and, through extensive validation against a comprehensive dataset, demonstrate that our model outperforms existing compact networks (TVGG, TSwinT, TViT) and established architectures (LeNet, AlexNet) in terms of prediction accuracy and consistency, with minimal bias. The ST-VGG model markedly reduces the number of parameters required for training, decreases validation loss by 0.02, and achieves an impressive inference speed of 1.4 ms per image. These advancements not only elevate the model's efficacy but also mitigate the GPU memory requirements for neural network training, offering significant potential benefits for applications in life sciences and micro robotics.
Correlation analysis of serum TLR4 protein levels and TLR4 gene polymorphisms in gouty arthritis patients
Authors: Liu Lu , He Shuang , Jia Lin , Yao Hua , Zhou Dan , Guo Xiaobin , Miao Lei
Published: April 2024

Objective

The Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulates the production of inflammatory factors and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of gouty arthritis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the link among TLR4 gene polymorphisms at various loci, protein expression, and gouty arthritis susceptibility.

Methods

Between 2016 and 2021, a case-control study was used to collect a total of 1207 study subjects, including 317 male patients with gouty arthritis (gout group) and 890 healthy males (control group). The association between gout susceptibility and different genetic models was analyzed by typing three loci of the TLR4 gene (rs2149356, rs2737191, and rs10759932) using a multiplex point mutation rapid assay, and the association between protein expression and gout was confirmed by measuring TLR4 protein concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Results

In a codominant models AA and AG, the rs2737191 polymorphism in the gout group increased the risk of gout compared to the AA genotype (OR = 2.249, 95%CI 1.010~5.008), and the risk of gout was higher for those carrying the G allele compared to the A allele (OR = 2.227, 95%CI 1.006~4.932). TLR4 protein expression was different between the two groups with different locus genotypes. The differences in TLR4 protein expression between the gout group and control group were statistically significant between the following genotypes: the GG and GT genotypes of the rs2149356 polymorphism; the AA and AG genotypes of the rs2737191 polymorphism; and the TT and TC genotypes of the rs10759932 polymorphism(P<0.05). The TLR4 protein level in the gout group (19.19±3.09 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in the control group (15.85±4.75 ng/ml).

Conclusion

The AG genotype of the TLR4 gene rs2737191 polymorphism may be correlated with the development of gouty arthritis. The level of TLR4 protein expression is significantly higher in patients with gouty arthritis than in controls, and there is a correlation between high TLR4 protein expression and the development of gouty arthritis.
Predictive coding in musical anhedonia: A study of groove
Authors: Benson Peter , Kathios Nicholas , Loui Psyche
Published: April 2024

Groove, or the pleasurable urge to move to music, offers unique insight into the relationship between emotion and action. The predictive coding of music model posits that groove is linked to predictions of music formed over time, with stimuli of moderate complexity rated as most pleasurable and likely to engender movement. At the same time, listeners vary in the pleasure they derive from music listening: individuals with musical anhedonia report reduced pleasure during music listening despite no impairments in music perception and no general anhedonia. Little is known about musical anhedonics’ subjective experience of groove. Here we examined the relationship between groove and music reward sensitivity. Participants (n = 287) heard drum-breaks that varied in perceived complexity, and rated each for pleasure and wanting to move. Musical anhedonics (n = 13) had significantly lower ratings compared to controls (n = 13) matched on music perception abilities and general anhedonia. However, both groups demonstrated the classic inverted-U relationship between ratings of pleasure & move and stimulus complexity, with ratings peaking for intermediately complex stimuli. Across our entire sample, pleasure ratings were most strongly related with music reward sensitivity for highly complex stimuli (i.e., there was an interaction between music reward sensitivity and stimulus complexity). Finally, the sensorimotor subscale of music reward was uniquely associated with move, but not pleasure, ratings above and beyond the five other dimensions of musical reward. Results highlight the multidimensional nature of reward sensitivity and suggest that pleasure and wanting to move are driven by overlapping but separable mechanisms.
The Last Grand Külliye of Istanbul: The Yeni Valide Mosque Complex and the Little Ice Age
Authors: Öztürk Onur
Published: April 2024

The construction of the Yeni Valide Mosque complex, located on the northern edge of Istanbul’s historical peninsula in the district of Eminönü, began in 1597 under the patronage of Sultan Mehmed III’s mother Safiye Sultan. The project was halted abruptly in 1603 at the foundation phase and stood dormant for almost six decades. Between 1661 and 1663, another royal woman patron, Valide Hatice Turhan, supported the revision and completion of the project. Although scholars have long examined the construction process, architecture, and decoration of the project in detail, I reevaluate our knowledge of the monument based on recent scientific discoveries regarding the climate change phenomenon known as the ‘Little Ice Age’, which reached its peak in the seventeenth century. As we address another major climate change event today, this study provides insight into our understanding of the social, cultural, and historical impacts of such dramatic changes to climate conditions on architectural projects and urban dynamics in the Ottoman Empire.
‘Architectural Design for Procuring Thermal Comfort’: Hassan Fathy, Nubia, and Desert Building
Authors: Reynolds Nancy Y.
Published: April 2024

As part of an indigenous building movement in the Global South, the United Nations published two books by Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy (1900–89): one on building ‘for the poor’ and the other on passive cooling in vernacular architecture from hot environments. Using his correspondence, reports, designs, published writings, and built forms, this article tracks Fathy’s changing use of a crucial technique, mud-brick vaulting, that he learned in Nubia, an area of Egypt’s arid south largely destroyed by dams in the twentieth century. I show how Fathy mined Nubia rhetorically and materially to use, and later attempt to copyright, its residents’ ‘instinctive’ skills for living in hot arid lands. Over time, Fathy’s appropriations helped to transform Nubia’s vernacular morphology into a universal commons of desert and ‘Islamic’ forms, which enabled him to expand the geographic scope of his practice into the Arabian Peninsula in Oman and Saudi Arabia and into the southwestern United States.
The Oasis Loop: Vernacular Agricultural Landscapes in Arid Conditions
Authors: Pérez-Ramos Pablo
Published: April 2024

The commonplace image of the oasis is of a natural occurrence emerging from the desert sands. However, most oases are agricultural landscapes, that is, environments built to produce food for human consumption. Agriculture often constitutes a driving force in land degradation, but in some of the most arid regions of the world, traditional agricultural practices sometimes lead to the rise and long-term establishment of vegetation at levels of abundance and intricacy that would otherwise not be possible. In this article, I investigate some of these vernacular oases at the intersection of their geomorphological and technological causes. On the one hand, there are tectonic and climatic processes that give shape to the geomorphological structure of these arid lands. On the other, there are myriad infrastructural and agronomic techniques – many of which can be traced a thousand years back through Islamic traditions of agroecology – aimed at increasing vegetation cover through water harvesting and topsoil conservation. Because of their fragility, these landscapes have historically been associated with the decline of ecosystems, economies, and cultures. In the current context of climate change and environmental degradation, the possibilities and limitations of these arid landscapes offer great insights into the future of the built environment.
A Culture of Building: Courtyard Houses in the Old City of Aleppo, Vols 1 and 2, ed. Dima Dayoub, Ruba Kasmo, and Anne Mollenhauer (2023)
Authors: Poier Veronika
Published: April 2024

Review of: A Culture of Building: Courtyard Houses in the Old City of Aleppo, Vols 1 and 2, ed. Dima Dayoub, Ruba Kasmo, and Anne Mollenhauer (2023)

Beirut: al Ayn, 591 pp. (2 vols), 1000 b&w illus.,

ISBN: 9789953058788, €55 (paperback)
Making small changes together
Authors: TakaHashi NaoKo
Published: April 2024

My work involves writing textual scores to be performed live by participants on site. In my work, there is the use of different layers of borrowing, a term which is used to describe the method used in my approach to both practice and related research. My approach to borrowing is similar to re-enactment as argued by David Evans on page 16 in Document of Contemporary Art: Appropriation (2009). Borrowing is to decentralize the power from the singular ‘I’ and share it with others. In this article, one of my projects, In the Process of Knitting a Netting, a live performance activated verbally by local participants in two locations on the Kent coast over four weeks in 2021 as part of Estuary 2021 Associated Programme, is being articulated to identify the crossover between my practice and the theoretical discourses: diffractive methodology by Karen Barad, the notion of ‘working with’ by Donna Haraway, Jean-Luc Nancy’s ‘being singular plural’ and the Barthesian Scriptor. Breaking down the process of borrowing through references to these writers, the article analyses the outcome at each mediation, exploring the process involved in making the work. By allowing the process to reveal itself, it is perhaps possible to provoke future small-scale social actions through art practice.
Antimicrobial resistance and associated risk factors in Escherichia coli isolated from Peruvian dogs: A focus on extended-spectrum β-lactamases and colistin
Authors: Ventura Margot , Oporto-Llerena Rosario , Espinoza Kathya , Guibert Fernando , Quispe Antonio M. , Vilar Nidia , López María , Rojo-Bezares Beatriz , Sáenz Yolanda , Ruiz Joaquim , Pons Maria J.
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim: Established antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in companion animals is lacking, particularly in low-middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to analyze AMR and its risk factors in Escherichia coli isolated from dogs at two veterinary centers in Lima (Peru).

Materials and Methods: Ninety dogs were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility was established by disk diffusion, whereas microdilution was used to determine colistin susceptibility. Mechanisms related to extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and colistin resistance were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Clonal relationships of colistin-resistant isolates were assessed by XbaI-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Results: Thirty-five E. coli strains were isolated. High levels of resistance to ampicillin (57.1%), nalidixic acid (54.3%), tetracycline (48.6%), and azithromycin (25.7%) were detected. Cephalosporin resistance levels were ≥20% and those for colistin were 14.3%. Twelve (34.2%) isolates were ESBL producers; of these, six blaCTX-M-55 (50.0%), 2 (16.6%) blaCTX-M-15, and 2 (16.6%) blaCTX-M-8-like genes were found. The five colistin-resistant isolates were clonally unrelated, with four of them presenting amino acid codon substitutions in the mgrB gene (V8A) or mutations in the mgrB promoter (a12g, g98t, and c89t). Furthermore, dog age, <6 years (p = 0.027) and raw diet (p = 0.054) were associated with resistance to a greater number of antibiotic families.

Conclusion: Despite small number of samples included, the study found that dogs studied were carriers of multidrug-resistant E. coli, including last-resort antimicrobials, representing a public health problem due to close contact between dogs and humans. This issue suggests the need for larger studies addressed to design strategies to prevent the spread of resistant micro-organisms in small animal clinics and domestic settings.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance, colistin, dogs, extended-spectrum β-lactamases, Peru, risk factor.
A Comparative Analysis on Economic Roles of Government and Principles of Taxation between Public Economics and Siyasah Shar‘iyyah
Authors: Ariffin Muhammad Irwan
Published: April 2024

This research is an exploratory study on the similarities and differences of the justifications, objectives, roles of government and principles of taxation between public economics and siyasah shar‘iyyah. It aims to contribute towards integration of knowledge between modern economic theories and Islamic heritage in public economics. Despite similar focus on governance and social welfare, there is a lack of comparative study between public economics and siyasah shar‘iyyah in the literature. The research utilizes qualitative analysis on relevant textual materials on public economics and siyasah shar‘iyyah to identify and compare the major themes in terms of arguments for the establishment of a government, its economic objectives and roles, and taxation principles. The establishment of a government in public economics is based on the need to balance between efficiency and equity, address market failures, and provide public goods. Siyasah shari‘iyyah argues for a government based on fulfilling maqasid shari‘ah, uphold justice, and protect the rights of people. The principles of taxation in public economics often emphasize efficiency, equity, revenue sufficiency, neutrality, and administrative feasibility. In contrast, the principles of taxation in siyasah shar‘iyyah prioritize justice, prohibition of exploitation, funding public services, transparency and accountability, and wealth distribution in accordance with Islamic values.
Originality/Value: The advancement of Islamic economics requires the integration of modern economic knowledge with divine revelation. Since public economics is a specialized subfield within economics, the integration efforts with siyasah shar‘iyyah have been notably deficient. This study aims to address this gap by undertaking a comparative analysis of fundamental principles and objectives between public economics and siyasah shar’iyyah.
Assessing the Availability of Information Sources and Services During the COVID 19 Pandemic in University Libraries in Nigeria
Authors: Omeluzor Saturday Unwelegbemenwe , Okonoko Vera N , Ojukwu Njideka Nwawih Charlotte
Published: April 2024

The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic hampered the availability of information sources and services in most academic institutions around the world. Making information available during major crisis reveals the long-standing position of the library in helping its patrons. This post COVID-19 study that took place between February 2020 and January 2021 investigated the availability of information sources and services during the COVID-19 pandemic in university libraries in Nigeria. Using a descriptive design, the study used 240 students who were purposely selected from 30 universities including federal, state and private universities in South-South geographical zone of Nigeria as sample. The study revealed that information sources such as: e-books, print journals, e-journals and electronic databases and services such as: Circulation, interlibrary loan, remote access, SDI, online reference services among others were available to the patrons in university libraries in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed that the inhibiting factors against the availability of information sources and service in university libraries were poor telecommunication network, closure of some library sections, lack of preparation, unavailability of library policy on pandemic/disaster management and poor coordination among others. The study recommended some areas for improvement to ensure the availability of information sources and services to the library patrons during major crisis.
O papel do governo federal no financiamento da educação: Efeitos da complementação do Fundeb no combate à desigualdade entre redes estaduais do Brasil
Authors: Dias Peres Ursula , Branco Capuchinho Cristiane , Machado Limonti Tibúrcio Rogério
Published: April 2024

O Brasil tem feito importantes esforços para reduzir a desigualdade de financiamento educacional entre suas diferentes redes públicas de ensino, visto que a assimetria de recursos para custear direitos sociais previstos na Constituição Federal é derivada de seu modelo de federalismo fiscal. Este estudo analisa o efeito da complementação do governo federal para o fundo da educação básica (Fundeb) na redução da desigualdade de receitas estaduais disponíveis por aluno entre 2009 e 2020. O
objetivo é compreender, no período analisado, o efeito do aporte de recursos federais na desigualdade interestadual de receitas disponíveis por aluno da rede pública, principalmente após a aplicação da regra de partilha do Fundeb, que promove perda de recursos dos Estados para seus Municípios. Para isso, são considerados os potenciais econômicos dos Estados, as regras constitucionais estaduais de vinculação de recursos à educação, o atendimento escolar e a repartição e a complementação do Fundeb. Os resultados apontam para um efeito positivo da complementação federal, que reduz o desequilíbrio criado pela regra de partilha de recursos educacionais estaduais com seus Municípios e, assim, contribui para a equidade do potencial de financiamento entre as diferentes redes estaduais do Brasil.
Effect of DSS on Bacterial Growth in Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Hlinková Jana , Svobodová H. , Brachtlová T. , Gardlík Roman
Published: April 2024

Inflammatory bowel disease is an idiopathic autoimmune disorder that is mainly divided into ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Probiotics are known for their beneficial effect and used as a treatment option in different gastrointestinal problems. The aim of our study was to find suitable bacterial vectors for gene therapy of inflammatory bowel disease. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL7207 and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 were investigated as potential vectors. Our results show that the growth of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 was inhibited in the majority of samples collected from dextran sodium sulphate-treated animals compared with control growth in phosphate-buffered saline. The growth of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL7207 in all investigated samples was enhanced or unaffected in comparison with phosphate-buffered saline; however, it did not reach the growth rates of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. Dextran sodium sulphate treatment had a stimulating effect on the growth of both strains in homogenates of distant small intestine and proximal colon samples. The gastrointestinal tract contents and tissue homogenates did not inhibit growth of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL7207 in comparison with the negative control, and provided more suitable environment for growth compared to Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. We therefore conclude that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL7207 is a more suitable candidate for a potential bacterial vector, even though it has no known probiotic properties.
Vitamin B6 Modifies the Immune Cross-Talk between Mononuclear and Colon Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Bessler Hanna , Djaldetti M.
Published: April 2024

The role of vitamin B6 as a key component in a number of biological events has been well established. Based on the relationship between chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis on the one hand, and the interaction between immune and cancer cells expressed by modulated cytokine production on the other hand, the aim of the present work was to examine the possibility that vitamin B6 affects cancer development by an interference in the cross-talk between human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and those from two colon carcinoma cell lines. Both non-stimulated PBMC and mononuclear cells induced for cytokine production by HT-29 and RKO cells from human colon carcinoma lines were incubated without and with 4, 20 and 100 μg/ml of pyridoxal hydrochloride (vitamin B6) and secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-1ra was examined. Vit B6 caused a dose-dependent decrease in production of all cytokines examined, except for that of IL-1ra. The results indicate that vitamin B6 exerts an immunomodulatory effect on human PBMC. The finding that production of inflammatory cytokines is more pronounced when PBMC are in contact with malignant cells and markedly inhibited by the vitamin suggests an additional way by which vitamin B6 may exert its carcinopreventive effect.
Evaluation of the nutritional potential of peach palm flour and its application in crunchy snacks
Authors: Pereira da Silva Bernardi Delma , Freitas Pires Caroline Roberta , Martins da Costa Douglas , Melo Viroli Sérgio Luis , Sousa da Silva Najara , Ferreira Lima Roze Anne , Souza Pereira Anielli , Mello Silva Bruna
Published: April 2024

The pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is a palm tree native to the Amazon rainforest, and its fruits have high nutritional quality and are highly appreciated by the population where the fruits occur. One of the ways of processing this raw material is the production of flour, which expands the possibilities of industrial application. Therefore, the objective of this study was to produce peach palm fruit flour, evaluate its physical-chemical, properties technological, antioxidant activity, and carotenoid content, elaborate snack-type biscuit formulations with different concentrations of peach palm flour in substitution for corn flakes, and evaluate the physical-chemical characteristics and carotenoid content of the biscuits. Peach palm flour had low moisture content (6.15%), protein (4.82%), and fiber (5.07%); however, it had a considerable carbohydrate content (77.62%), energy value (386,84 kcal), and carotenoids. The technological properties showed a high rate of water and oil absorption and emulsifying activity; however, it did not show foaming capacity or gel formation. The replacement of corn flakes by peach palm flour showed an increase in fiber, ash, lipids, and carotenoids and intensified the orange color of the cookies.
Cuidado contínuo das pessoas que vivem com HIV/aids no estado do Maranhão: análise e construção da cascata
Authors: Sousa Livia Cristina , Caldas Arlene de Jesus Mendes , Silva Tereza Cristina , Barros Luís Fillype da Silva Lago Cutrim , Ferreira Thaís Furtado , Moreira da Silva Soeiro Vanessa , Coutinho Nair Portela Silva , Pedra Renata Pinheiro
Published: April 2024

A infecção causada pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana é um importante problema de saúde pública, apesar dos avanços na prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento da doença. Objetivou-se analisar as etapas do cuidado contínuo das pessoas que vivem com HIV/aids (PVHA) no Estado do Maranhão. Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal das etapas da cascata de cuidado contínuo em uma série temporal. A população foi constituída por todas as PVHA, residentes no Maranhão. Os dados foram coletados nos Sistemas de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, de Controle Logístico de Medicamentos e de Controle de Exames Laboratoriais referentes ao período de 2013 a 2018. As análises foram realizadas no programa Python, versão 3.8. Foram notificados 10.733 casos de HIV/aids. A maioria das PVHA era homem, com idade entre 25 e 39 anos, de cor parda, com escolaridade entre 8 e 11 anos de estudo e categoria de exposição predominante foi a heterossexual. Quanto à avaliação do alcance da meta 90-90-90, embora os diagnosticados e em supressão apresentem os percentuais superiores ao proposto em relação ao degrau anterior, manter os diagnosticados em TARV, para que cheguem à fase de supressão, tem sido um desafio que distancia o alcance da meta. O maior alcance ocorreu em 2018, com 61,87% dos diagnosticados chegando à fase de supressão, com déficit de 19,10% para o alcance da meta. Observou-se que apesar dos avanços ocorridos ao longo dos anos analisados, o alcance da meta proposta ainda não ocorreu, indicando a necessidade de maiores esforços.
The Places We’ll Go
Authors: Ulen Thomas S.
Published: April 2024

This article explores, first, what the central tenet of law and economics is and uses an example to illustrate. Then I turn to discussing behavioral law and economics and empirical law and economics. In the final section, I consider three topics that are likely to be central to the next era of law and economics–data collection, constitutional law and economics, and artificial intelligence.