bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coaching doctors to improve ethical decision-making in adult hospitalised patients potentially receiving excessive treatment: Study protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Benoit Dominique D. , Vanheule Stijn , Manesse Frank , Anseel Frederik , De Soete Geert , Goethals Katrijn , Lievrouw An , Vansteelandt Stijn , De Haan Erik , Piers Ruth ,   on behalf of the CODE study group
Published: March 2023

Background

Fast medical progress poses a significant challenge to doctors, who are asked to find the right balance between life-prolonging and palliative care. Literature indicates room for enhancing openness to discuss ethical sensitive issues within and between teams, and improving decision-making for benefit of the patient at end-of-life.

Methods

Stepped wedge cluster randomized trial design, run across 10 different departments of the Ghent University Hospital between January 2022 and January 2023. Dutch speaking adult patients and one of their relatives will be included for data collection. All 10 departments were randomly assigned to start a 4-month coaching period. Junior and senior doctors will be coached through observation and debrief by a first coach of the interdisciplinary meetings and individual coaching by the second coach to enhance self-reflection and empowering leadership and managing group dynamics with regard to ethical decision-making. Nurses, junior doctors and senior doctors anonymously report perceptions of excessive treatment via the electronic patient file. Once a patient is identified by two or more different clinicians, an email is sent to the second coach and the doctor in charge of the patient. All nurses, junior and senior doctors will be invited to fill out the ethical decision making climate questionnaire at the start and end of the 12-months study period. Primary endpoints are (1) incidence of written do-not-intubate and resuscitate orders in patients potentially receiving excessive treatment and (2) quality of ethical decision-making climate. Secondary endpoints are patient and family well-being and reports on quality of care and communication; and clinician well-being. Tertiairy endpoints are quantitative and qualitative data of doctor leadership quality.

Discussion

This is the first randomized control trial exploring the effects of coaching doctors in self-reflection and empowering leadership, and in the management of team dynamics, with regard to ethical decision-making about patients potentially receiving excessive treatment.
Paramilitaries, parochialism, and peace: The moral foundations and personality traits of Slovenskí Branci
Authors: Kosnáč Pavol , Lane Justin E. , Toft Monica Duffy , Shults F. LeRon
Published: March 2023

Paramilitary organizations have increasingly become a cause for concern among policy makers and the media in recent years, in part because the former are often seen as a potential threat to peace (or at least to the status quo of the current political systems) in the countries in which they emerge. Organizations such as the Oathkeepers and 3 Percenters (also known as III%ers) in the United States have grown significantly in the last two decades, while paramilitary organizations playing a key role in both offensive and defensive actions in Crimea and the Donbas Region have become a focus of discussion in the Russian war on Ukraine. Although they have not always garnered as much attention, paramilitary organizations in Central and Eastern Europe have a long history. While most are relatively inactive, others play a wide variety of active roles, sometimes even running operations in parallel with a state’s official armed forces (e.g., the PMO serving the state in Poland, or the Night Wolves helping Russia capture Crimea). Despite the increase in the number and activity of these paramilitary organizations, little is known about the personal, social, moral, and psychological background of the individuals who join them. After reviewing the history and ideology of the largest paramilitary organization in the Slovak Republic, this article presents and discusses the results of a survey administered to the group. This survey used different measures of personality, morality, and identity, as well as information about respondents’ personal background, family history, socio-economic status, and political ideology. We find significant relationships between certain individual personality traits and the importance of certain moral foundations among members of these organizations in relation to their broader social community.
Denial of legal abortion in Nepal
Authors: Puri Mahesh C. , Raifman Sarah , Daniel Sara , Karki Sunita , Maharjan Dev Chandra , Ahlbach Chris , Diamond-Smith Nadia , Foster Diana Greene
Published: March 2023

Introduction

In Nepal, abortion is legal on request through 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to 28 weeks for health and other reasons. Abortion is available at public facilities at no cost and by trained private providers. Yet, over half of abortions are provided outside this legal system. We sought to investigate the extent to which patients are denied an abortion at clinics legally able to provide services and factors associated with presenting late for care, being denied, and receiving an abortion after being denied.

Methods

We used data from a prospective longitudinal study with 1835 women aged 15–45. Between April 2019 and December 2020, we recruited 1,835 women seeking abortions at 22 sites across Nepal, including those seeking care at any gestational age (n = 537) and then only those seeking care at or after 10 weeks of gestation or do not know their gestational age (n = 1,298). We conducted interviewer-led surveys with these women at the time they were seeking abortion service (n = 1,835), at six weeks after abortion-seeking (n = 1523) and six-month intervals for three years. Using descriptive and multivariable logistic regression models, we examined factors associated with presenting for abortion before versus after 10 weeks gestation, with receiving versus being denied an abortion, and with continuing the pregnancy after being denied care. We also described reasons for the denial of care and how and where participants sought abortion care subsequent to being denied. Mixed-effects models was used to accounting clustering effect at the facility level.

Results

Among those recruited when eligibility included seeking abortion at any gestational age, four in ten women sought abortion care beyond 10 weeks or did not know their gestation and just over one in ten was denied care. Of the full sample, 73% were at or beyond 10 weeks gestation, 44% were denied care, and 60% of those denied continued to seek care after denial. Nearly three-quarters of those denied care were legally eligible for abortion, based on their gestation and pre-existing conditions. Women with lower socioeconomic status, including those who were younger, less educated, and less wealthy, were more likely to present later for abortion, more likely to be turned away, and more likely to continue the pregnancy after denial of care.

Conclusion

Denial of legal abortion care in Nepal is common, particularly among those with fewer resources. The majority of those denied in the sample should have been able to obtain care according to Nepal’s abortion law. Abortion denial could have significant potential implications for the health and well-being of women and their families in Nepal.
Performance analysis of improved path loss models for millimeter-wave wireless network channels at 28 GHz and 38 GHz
Authors: Oladimeji Tolulope T. , Kumar Pradeep , Elmezughi Mohamed K.
Published: March 2023

The importance of the path loss in millimeter wave channel propagation cannot be taken for granted in terms of deployment, design, performance assessment, and planning. The path loss helps to determine the network’s geographic coverage. Although many path loss models, including statistical and empirical models based on measurement and linear regression, have been proposed by various researchers, high fidelity is required to determine the performance of the wireless network’s channel. This research validates the improved version of the well-known close in (CI) and floating intercept (FI) path loss models at frequency bands of 28 and 38 GHz. The measurement surroundings comprised of an enclosed passageway with vertical-horizontal (V-H) and vertical-vertical (V-V) antenna polarizations. One of the key findings of this study is that the enhanced versions of these models typically perform better in terms of consistency than the standard models thereby justifying their high accuracy level. The improved versions of the CI and the FI models demonstrate a significant improvement for various antenna polarizations. The mean prediction error (MPE) and standard deviation error (SDE) also show how precisely and accurately the improved models predict the path loss. Additionally, the improved models provide the reasonable responsiveness and uniformity of the parameters with the change in the antenna polarization and lower the shadow fading’s standard deviation in LOS as well as NLOS situations. The results confirm that the modified versions of CI and FI models predict path loss better in an enclosed environment for 5G networks.
Digital physiotherapy assessment vs conventional face-to-face physiotherapy assessment of patients with musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Bernhardsson Susanne , Larsson Anette , Bergenheim Anna , Ho-Henriksson Chan-Mei , Ekhammar Annika , Lange Elvira , Larsson Maria E. H. , Nordeman Lena , Samsson Karin S. , Bornhöft Lena
Published: March 2023

Background

This systematic review aimed to assess the certainty of evidence for digital versus conventional, face-to-face physiotherapy assessment of musculoskeletal disorders, concerning validity, reliability, feasibility, patient satisfaction, physiotherapist satisfaction, adverse events, clinical management, and cost-effectiveness.

Methods

Eligibility criteria: Original studies comparing digital physiotherapy assessment with face-to-face physiotherapy assessment of musculoskeletal disorders. Systematic database searches were performed in May 2021, and updated in May 2022, in Medline, Cochrane Library, Cinahl, AMED, and PEDro. Risk of bias and applicability of the included studies were appraised using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool and the Quality Appraisal of Reliability Studies tool. Included studies were synthesised narratively. Certainty of evidence was evaluated for each assessment component using GRADE.

Results

Ten repeated-measures studies were included, involving 193 participants aged 23–62 years. Reported validity of digital physiotherapy assessment ranged from moderate/acceptable to almost perfect/excellent for clinical tests, range of motion, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), pain, neck posture, and management decisions. Reported validity for assessing spinal posture varied and was for clinical observations unacceptably low. Reported validity and reliability for digital diagnosis ranged from moderate to almost perfect for exact+similar agreement, but was considerably lower when constrained to exact agreement. Reported reliability was excellent for digital assessment of clinical tests, range of motion, pain, neck posture, and PROMs. Certainty of evidence varied from very low to high, with PROMs and pain assessment obtaining the highest certainty. Patients were satisfied with their digital assessment, but did not perceive it as good as face-to-face assessment.

Discussion

Evidence ranging from very low to high certainty suggests that validity and reliability of digital physiotherapy assessments are acceptable to excellent for several assessment components. Digital physiotherapy assessment may be a viable alternative to face-to-face assessment for patients who are likely to benefit from the accessibility and convenience of remote access.

Trial registration

The review was registered in the PROSPERO database, CRD42021277624.
Association between urinary albumin creatinine ratio and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Kim Yoo Jin , Hwang Sang Won , Lee Taesic , Lee Jun Young , Uh Young
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The association between microalbuminuria and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is accumulating in various patient populations. However, when stratified by sex, the relationship between microalbuminuria and CVD remains unclear.

Method

We obtained data from the 2011–2014 and 2019–2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Microalbuminuria was measured based on spot urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). The Framingham risk score (FRS) model was implemented to evaluate the CVD risk. Linear and logistic regression models were used to identify the associations of microalbuminuria status with cardiometabolic predictors and CVD status determined by the FRS score.

Results

Among 19,340 representative Korean participants, the (UACR) in Korean women and men with history of CVD was higher than in those without history of CVD. Among patients without history of CVD, multivariate regression analysis showed that a high UACR was related to older age, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, higher total cholesterol level, higher systolic blood pressure, higher prevalence of current smoking, higher prevalence of diabetes, and higher anti-hypertensive medication use in both women and men. The UACR showed a positive linear correlation with the Framingham risk score in both women and men.

Conclusion

The presence of microalbuminuria was significantly associated with the cardiometabolic risk factors and the increased risk of CVD evaluated by FRS model in both women and men in a nationally representative sample of Korea.
Comparative metabolomics analysis reveals alkaloid repertoires in young and mature Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil. Leaves
Authors: Veeramohan Rubashiny , Zamani Arief Izzairy , Azizan Kamalrul Azlan , Goh Hoe-Han , Aizat Wan Mohd , Razak Mohd Fauzi Abd , Yusof Nur Sabrina Mohd , Mansor Sharif Mahsufi , Baharum Syarul Nataqain , Ng Chyan Leong
Published: March 2023

The fresh leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil. have been traditionally consumed for centuries in Southeast Asia for its healing properties. Although the alkaloids of M. speciosa have been studied since the 1920s, comparative and systematic studies of metabolite composition based on different leaf maturity levels are still lacking. This study assessed the secondary metabolite composition in two different leaf stages (young and mature) of M. speciosa, using an untargeted liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-TOF-MS) metabolite profiling. The results revealed 86 putatively annotated metabolite features (RT:m/z value) comprising 63 alkaloids, 10 flavonoids, 6 terpenoids, 3 phenylpropanoids, and 1 of each carboxylic acid, glucoside, phenol, and phenolic aldehyde. The alkaloid features were further categorised into 14 subclasses, i.e., the most abundant class of secondary metabolites identified. As per previous reports, indole alkaloids are the most abundant alkaloid subclass in M. speciosa. The result of multivariate analysis (MVA) using principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear separation of 92.8% between the young and mature leaf samples, indicating a high variance in metabolite levels between them. Akuammidine, alstonine, tryptamine, and yohimbine were tentatively identified among the many new alkaloids reported in this study, depicting the diverse biological activities of M. speciosa. Besides delving into the knowledge of metabolite distribution in different leaf stages, these findings have extended the current alkaloid repository of M. speciosa for a better understanding of its pharmaceutical potential.
Dynamic sub-route-based self-adaptive beam search Q-learning algorithm for traveling salesman problem
Authors: Zhang Jin , Liu Qing , Han XiaoHang
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a dynamic sub-route-based self-adaptive beam search Q-learning (DSRABSQL) algorithm is proposed that provides a reinforcement learning (RL) framework combined with local search to solve the traveling salesman problem (TSP). DSRABSQL builds upon the Q-learning (QL) algorithm. Considering its problems of slow convergence and low accuracy, four strategies within the QL framework are designed first: the weighting function-based reward matrix, the power function-based initial Q-table, a self-adaptive ε-beam search strategy, and a new Q-value update formula. Then, a self-adaptive beam search Q-learning (ABSQL) algorithm is designed. To solve the problem that the sub-route is not fully optimized in the ABSQL algorithm, a dynamic sub-route optimization strategy is introduced outside the QL framework, and then the DSRABSQL algorithm is designed. Experiments are conducted to compare QL, ABSQL, DSRABSQL, our previously proposed variable neighborhood discrete whale optimization algorithm, and two advanced reinforcement learning algorithms. The experimental results show that DSRABSQL significantly outperforms the other algorithms. In addition, two groups of algorithms are designed based on the QL and DSRABSQL algorithms to test the effectiveness of the five strategies. From the experimental results, it can be found that the dynamic sub-route optimization strategy and self-adaptive ε-beam search strategy contribute the most for small-, medium-, and large-scale instances. At the same time, collaboration exists between the four strategies within the QL framework, which increases with the expansion of the instance scale.
Evaluating the efficacy of non-thermal microbial load reduction treatments of heat labile food components for in vitro fermentation experiments
Authors: Paff Andrew , Cockburn Darrell W.
Published: March 2023

Increasingly, in vitro simulated colon fermentations are being used as a pre-clinical step to assess the impacts of foods and drugs on the gut microbiota in a cost-effective manner. One challenge in such systems is that they are potentially susceptible to the influences of contaminating microbes in test materials. Simulated gastric and intestinal digestion can relieve some of these concerns, however, live microbes may remain that can confound analysis. Autoclave treatment of test materials is the surest way to eliminate these microbes but presents problems when using heat labile components such as resistant starch. In this study, liquid chemical sterilant alternatives to moist heat sterilization were explored for treating pulse flours for use during in vitro simulated colon fermentation. Key attributes considered in chemical selection were accessibility, impact on treated food components, and effectiveness of the treatments for reducing microbial load. Three chemicals were selected for evaluation, bleach, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide, at varying concentrations. Flours chosen for testing were from green lentil, field pea, chickpea, or sprouted green lentil. All treatments significantly reduced microbial loads, though there were still detectable levels of microbes after alcohol treatments. Furthermore, in vitro simulated colon fermentations of the treated pulses showed minimal difference from the untreated control both in terms of microbial composition and short chain fatty acid production. Scanning electron microscopy showed minimal impact of sterilization treatments on the gross structure of the pulse flours. Together these results suggest that bleach and hydrogen peroxide treatments can be effective nonthermal treatments to eliminate contaminating microbes in pulse flours without causing significant damage to starch and other fermentable substrates. This is thus also a promising treatment method for other starchy food substrates, though further testing is required.
Navigating the Eisenhower Interstate System: Paving the way for cyberspace
Authors: Kearney Michael R.
Published: March 2023

This project discerns an early cybernetic paradigm for the internet in the worldwide movement towards uninterrupted motor travel that developed in the first half of the twentieth century. Freeway designers, especially in Germany and the United States, pursued utopias of control over nature, independence from the topography of a particular locale and unrestricted transportation on a national scale. As a physical analogue of the digital landscape that would follow it, the execution of the Eisenhower Interstate System prioritized modern technological values in real space that went on to guide the design of virtual space. Moreover, in recent years physical and virtual transportation networks have become even more closely linked through location-based social navigation technologies such as Waze and Google Maps. Located at the intersection, or rather at the interchange, of media ecology and urban communication, this project seeks to illuminate the utopias of design that guide real and virtual space in the era of the interstate and the internet, with ramifications for those who seek to navigate them thoughtfully in the twenty-first century.
Nanoteknologia Farmazeutikoaren Iraultza
Authors: Fidalgo Mayo Maria Luz
Published: March 2023

LABURPENA: (250 hitz gehienez eta paragrafo batean)

Norio Taniguchi zientzialari japoniarrak 1974.urtean nanoteknologia hitza erabili eta definitu zuen lehengo aldiz. Handik geroztik, mikroskopio elektronikoaren aurrerapausoak bultzatuta, ohiz kanpokoa den teknologia berri honek gailendu besterik ez du egin. Nanoteknologia materia eskala atomikoan kontrolpean izatean datza eta bera erabilita etorkizunean gure bizitzako alderdi askotan izugarrizko garapena lortuko da. Azken urteotan medikuntza eta farmazia arloan ikerkuntza ugarik nanoteknologiaren abantailak aztertu dituzte eta egun emaitza ikusgarriak sorzen ari dira. Artikulu honetan haietariko batzuk aurkezten dira.
Emozioak musika absolutuan
Authors: Agirrebaltzategi Ana
Published: March 2023

Emozioek musika absolutuan duten lekua argitzeko bi azalpen nagusi daude. Lehena konpositoreak sorkuntza unean bizitako egoera emotiboarekin edo musika adierazkorrak entzulearengan pizten dituen erreakzio emotiboekin lotzen da. Bigarrenak, formalismoak, emozioak musikaren propietate direla ukatzen du. Nire ustez, musikaren ikuspegi formalista bateragarria da emozioak musikaren propietate estetiko izatearekin. Suposatuz emozioak musikan entzun egiten direla sentitu baino lehen, musikaren adierazkortasuna musikan bertan dagoenarekin azaldu beharko litzateke, kanpora jo gabe. Argudiatzen dut entzuleak musikan emozioak entzuten dituela, musikak baduelako bizitza arrunteko emozioen adierazpenak irudikatzeko gaitasuna; baita emozioak sentitzen diren modua gorpuztekoa ere. Ezaugarri espresiboak musikaren elementu formalen menpeko diren bigarren mailako propietate estetiko gisa hartzen ditut. Musika absolutuaren jatorriari buruzko sarrera labur baten ondoren, musikaren adierazkortasunaren dilema aurkezten dut, eta formalismoarekin uztartzeko modukoa den musika eta emozioen ikusmolde bat garatzen dut.
Errepresentazioen egibaldintzak: zerbaitez jardun eta zerbaiti buruzkoa izan
Authors: Esnaola Beñat
Published: March 2023

Artikulu honetan azaltzen dut filosofo batzuek oker egotzi dizkiotela bi gauza John Perryri. Zehazki, “Thought without Representation” ([1986] 2000) lanean, batetik, errepresentazioa zerbaiti buruzkoa izatea vs errepresentazioak zerbaitez jardutea bereizketa esklusiboa egin zuela; eta, bestetik, osagai artikulatugabeak dituzten errepresentazioen egibaldintzak jasotzeko proposizio erlatibizatuak erabili zituela. Argudiatzen dut Perryren bereizketa ez dela esklusiboa, eta Perryrentzat osagai artikulatugabeak errepresentazioaren egibaldintzen osagai direla, eta errepresentazioa osagai artikulatu zein artikulatugabeei buruzkoa dela. Horrez gainera, diot, proposizio erlatibizatuak onartzeak Perry ([1986] 2000)ren tesi nagusiaren kontra egingo zukeela.
En busca del diario perdido: El (bi)semanario "El Cruzado Español" en la reconstrucción propagandística y organizativa del carlismo (1929-1932)
Authors: Agudín Menéndez José Luis
Published: March 2023

La historia de El Cruzado Español no resulta bien conocida ya que ha trascendido la implicación de su grupo propietario en la búsqueda de un sucesor al pretendiente carlista durante la II República, Alfonso Carlos I. Sin embargo, el propósito de su existencia no fue otro que el de servir como plataforma para la refundación del extinto diario El Correo Español. La formación de una nueva amalgama contrarrevolucionaria entre 1931 y 1932 desarticuló por completo las ansias del grupo de los jaimistas ortodoxos que controlaban el semanario, al recuperarse al diario integrista El Siglo Futuro como órgano oficioso de la Comunión Carlista Tradicionalista. Este artículo persigue caracterizar los primeros años de andadura de esta publicación semanal y posteriormente bisemanal. Igualmente se indaga en los proyectos de recuperación de El Correo Español, su papel en la reorganización política del carlismo y las principales polémicas que significaron su expulsión de la Comunión.
Compromisos aseverativos
Authors: Forero-Mora José Andrés
Published: March 2023

Este texto pretende aclarar cuáles y de qué tipo son los compromisos adquiridos por un hablante en la aseveración; se caracterizan los compromisos aseverativos como actitudes prácticas relacionadas directamente con las razones. El texto tiene tres momentos: en el primero, se muestra el desarrollo de la idea de aseveración como acto de habla y se evidencia que desde sus primeras concepciones la cuestión del compromiso del hablante desempeña un papel importante; en el segundo, mediante una comparación con la promesa, se esclarece de qué tipo son los compromisos que adquiere un hablante a la hora de hacer una aseveración, se introducen las nociones de compromisos primarios y secundarios y se aplican específicamente al caso de los compromisos aseverativos; finalmente, en el tercero, se muestra en qué sentido estos compromisos aseverativos pueden ser entendidos como actitudes prácticas.
Teaching as Improvisation
Authors: Säfström Carl Anders , Rytzler Johannes
Published: March 2023

In this article, we discuss the centrality of improvisation for teaching, based particularly on readings of Cassin (2014, 2020), Rancière (1991, 1999, 2013, 2020), and Bailey (1992). Our starting point is that there simply can be no teaching without improvisation, i.e., the delicate practice of responding to, situating, and attuning to events within educational encounters that cannot be foreseen, but constantly call for attention and action through the finest virtue of our intellect at play. In the article, we go along with the early Sophists for whom improvisation meant to be able to speak about everything by allowing oneself to be led by opportunity (Cassin 2014). We will be claiming that improvisation of the sophist teacher is both an intellectual and bodily virtue, requiring discipline as well as poêsis and technê as well as praxis. In short, improvisation as a specific form of educational performativity. Together with Rancière (1991, 2020), diPiero (2020), and Bailey (1992) we intend to show how improvisation in teaching speaks to our senses and sets into motion simultaneously the sharing and uniqueness of sensing as such, captured by Rancière’s understanding of le partage du sensible. Improvisation, we conclude, can be understood as the product of contingent encounters between subjects, objects, and environments, where it emerges in the rupture between form and content (diPiero 2020). As such, it allows for other ways of speaking and being in the world than those desired by the institutionalisation of a certain police orderand therefore becomes, we suggest, a central element in a democratic realization of the teaching practice.
Effectiveness of raw bacteriocin produced from lactic acid bacteria on biofilm of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ibraheim Hanaa Khaleel , Madhi Khadeeja S. , Baqer Gaida K. , Gharban Hasanain A. J.
Published: March 2023

Background and Aim: Probiotics are proven beneficial to health since they enhance immunity against dangerous pathogens and increase resistance to illness. Bacteriocin produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), demonstrates a broad inhibitory spectrum and therapeutic potential. This study aimed to isolate LAB-producing bacteriocin and investigate the effect of crude bacteriocin on biofilm from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Materials and Methods: This study used randomly collected 80 white soft local cheeses (40 each from cows and sheep) from different supermarkets in Basrah Province. The obtained samples were cultured and the bacterial suspension of S. aureus was prepared at 1.5 × 108 cells/mL. The crude bacteriocin extracted from LAB was obtained, and the tube was dried and inverted to detect the biofilm loss at the bottom. Results: There were 67 (83.75%) LAB isolates. Among 40 milk samples collected directly and indirectly, there were 36 (83.33%). Staphylococcus aureus isolates based on conventional bacteriological analysis and biochemical tests. Molecular testing was conducted to identify LAB and MRSA. Depending on genotypic results, the effect of white soft local cheese (cows and sheep) and the amplification results of the 16S rRNA gene were detected in 46 LAB isolates from white soft local cheese from cows and sheep. Based on the molecular identification of the mecA, results on Staphylococcus determined that only 2 of 36 isolates of S. aureus carried the mecA. Moreover, there were 26 (86.66%) isolates (MRSA) from samples of raw milk from local markets and subclinical mastitis in cows. The ability of LAB isolates was tested. The effects of bacteriocin production on preventing biofilm growth and formation were investigated. Results demonstrated that bacteriocin has high activity. Microtiter plates applied to investigate the ability of S. aureus to produce biofilms revealed that all isolates were either weak or moderate biofilm producers, with neither non-biofilm nor strong biofilm producers found among the tested isolates. Conclusion: Lactic acid bacteria demonstrate a high ability to produce bacteriocin. Crude bacteriocin from LAB has a restrictive effect on biofilms produced by MRSA; thus, it can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of this bacterium. Keywords: 16S rRNA gene, biofilm formation assay, mecA gene, polymerase chain reaction, subclinical mastitis.
Developing Mathematics and Science Teachers’ Ability to Design for Active Learning: A Design-based Research Study
Authors:   Queensland University of Technology, Kickbusch Steven , Dawes Les ,   Queensland University of Technology, Kelly Nick ,   niversity of Southern Queensland; and Queensland University of Technology, Nickels Katherine ,   Queensland University of Technology
Published: March 2023

This paper describes an approach to working with secondary preservice mathematics and science (M&S) teachers to develop their ability to design for active learning. It presents the design of a studio-style intervention that augments existing teacher education. It describes the way that these studios can be organised, with specific suggestions that a specialised learning designer, a subject matter expert, and administrative support be included to aid in the design for learning—on the justification that this can both improve the learning design as well as advance teacher learning. It describes a study in which 10 secondary M&S preservice teachers experienced this style of studio, through iterations of learning design sessions and teaching practice. The studio differs from existing models (such as the ‘clinical model’) through its focus on learning design, the structure of the learning network, and the way that it augments (rather than replaces) existing teacher education. The paper presents results from the study in terms of teacher self-efficacy and self-reported perceptions. It discusses a set of design principles that emerged through the process of developing and testing this model and proposes considerations for researchers or teacher educators looking to use a similar approach in future by focusing on the roles, tasks, and activities for members within the network.
Femtosecond laser processing of advanced technical materials
Authors: Primus Tomáš , Novák Martin , Zeman Pavel , Holešovský František
Published: March 2023

Ultra-short pulsed laser ablation may be used for high-precision machining with very low thermal influence on the processed materials. Due to this reason, lasers are increasingly used for processing of advanced materials, such as titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys or steel, every year. In this study, four advanced technical materials were analysed and compared under femtosecond laser irradiation with three different wavelengths. The main laser-material interaction parameters were identified, namely the ablation threshold and removal efficiency parameters. Higher removal rates were found for Ti6Al4V alloy with all three harmonic wavelengths. To increase process productivity, a method of increasing the repetition rate and scanning speed was presented. With the maximum repetition rate, the productivity increased five-fold with a similar removed depth and surface quality. Finally, the suitability of the identified parameters with regard to quality and productivity was demonstrated for fabrication of two complex structures – honeycomb and dot – which has the potential to improve friction properties of advanced materials.
Features of managing patients with amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis in real clinical practice
Authors: Markova T. N. , Beltsevich D. G. , Kalinicheva E. A. , Koshkodan A. , Salavatova N. M-R. , Gaunova K. A.
Published: March 2023

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug that is widely used in clinical practice to control various types of arrhythmias. One of the most significant side effects of amiodarone therapy is thyroid dysfunction, which is observed in about 15–20% of patients. This article presents a clinical case of a 55-year-old patient with a paroxysmal form of atrial fibrillation, for which amiodarone therapy was performed with the development of manifest amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis, refractory to drug therapy with glucocorticosteroids and thyrostatics. Due to the ineffectiveness of drug therapy, a total thyroidectomy was performed, which led to a rapid resolution of thyrotoxicosis and normalization of the heart rhythm.
Microbiota as a factor influencing the change in taste preferences after bariatric surgery
Authors: Dzgoeva F. Kh. , Silina N. V.
Published: March 2023

Currently, surgical methods of treatment are increasingly used to achieve remission of diabetes mellitus associated with obesity: laparoscopic gastric bypass, longitudinal resection of the stomach and others. In clinical practice, after this type of surgical intervention, patients often experience changes in taste habits and violations of tolerance to foods, nausea, vomiting, intolerance to the smell, type and texture of food. This review summarizes research data on the factors influencing changes in the gut and salivary microbiota, on the impact of microbiota composition on the development of obesity, on changes in taste habits in patients after bariatric surgery, and on possible causes of changes. To search for sources, Internet resources PubMed, Google Scholar, eLIBRARY.ru were used for the last 10 years, to access the full text of articles, the websites of publishers Springer, Elsevier and others were used. According to the search results, 101 sources were analyzed, 60 of them are included in this review.
Recontando clássicos sob a perspectiva dos estudos de gênero
Authors: Gomes Fabiana de Oliveira , Pereira Diego Carlos
Published: March 2023

Este artigo busca investigar as possíveis rupturas dos scripts de gênero nos livros da coleção infantil ‘A Revolução das Princesas’. A partir da análise realizada, é possível perceber que as obras questionam os padrões de gênero vigentes nas versões originais dos contos de fadas e, portanto, provocam rupturas na normatividade hegemônica.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Contos de Fadas. Literatura Infantil. Estudos Culturais. Estudos de Gênero.
Os desafios do home office e a maternidade em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Pacheco Isis Bruna Gomes , Pereira Russlana Rocha , Braga Iluska Lobo , Morais Fabio Rogerio de
Published: March 2023

O estudo analisa conceitualmente os desafios do home office e da maternidade em tempos de pandemia. Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa descritiva por meio de revisão sistemática da literatura sobre produções científicas relevantes acerca do tema.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Pandemia. Home-office. Maternidade. Motivação. Gênero.
Formal Modelling and Verification of the Clock Synchronization Algorithm of FlexRay
Authors: Asokan Shimmi , Kochaleema K.H. , Santhosh Kumar G.
Published: March 2023

The hundreds of electronic control devices used in an automotive system can effectively communicate with one another, thanks to an in-vehicle network (IVN) like FlexRay. Even though every node in the network will be running on its local clock, a global notion of time is essential. The clock synchronisation algorithm accomplishes this global time between the nodes in FlexRay. In this era of self-driving cars, the vehicle’s safety is paramount. For the vehicle to operate safely and smoothly, timely communication of information is critical, and the clock synchronisation algorithm plays a vital role in this. It is essential to formally test the clock synchronisation algorithm’s correctness. This paper attempts to model and verify the clock synchronisation algorithm of FlexRay using formal methods, which in turn enhance the reliability of safety-critical automotive systems. The clock synchronisation is modelled as a network of six timed automata in the UPPAAL model checker. Three system models were developed, a model for an ideal clock, another for a drifting clock, and a third model considering propagation delay. The precision of the clocks is verified to be within the prescribed limits. Simulation studies are also conducted on the model to ensure that the clock’s drift is always within the precision.
Endovascular Aortic Repair for Thoracic Aortic Compression Resulting From Chance Fracture of the Thoracic Spine
Authors: Matsuo Akinobu , Matsuyama Sho , Kurisu Kazuhiro , Ueno Yasutaka , Oishi Yasuhisa , Shiose Akira
Published: March 2023

Blunt aortic injury is a serious condition with a high mortality rate. Although rare, blunt aortic injury associated with spinal fracture has also been reported, and appropriate management of aortic disease is key to a good outcome. This report is a case of a 78-year-old man who was found to have a transverse fracture (Chance fracture) in the ninth thoracic vertebra, with a sharp bone fragment compressing the thoracic aorta. Early spinal surgery was needed; however, there was concern about the possibility of bleeding from the aorta and surrounding small arteries associated with the bone fragment during spinal surgery. Therefore, thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed before spinal surgery. The next day after thoracic endovascular aortic repair, posterior spinal instrumentation was performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Because aortic injury associated with vertebral fracture can lead to massive bleeding and spinal cord injury, endovascular repair before spinal surgery is reasonable.
Project Delays Caused by the Owner: Evaluation of Causal Factors and Contractor Claims
Authors: Hatmoko Jati Utomo Dwi , Pratistha Raden Arya , Hidayat Arif
Published: March 2023

Delays in construction projects are generally understood to be the sole responsibility of the contractor. In fact, these delays can also be caused by factors that actually are the responsibility of the owner, resulting in project completion exceeding the contract target date. As a result, the contractors can be affected and suffer losses due to delays that are not actually their responsibility. This study intends to evaluate project delays caused by the owner and the delay claims submitted by the contractor. This research is exploratory and uses a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative approach. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires with 80 respondents of the construction industry. The study found five main factors causing delays caused by the owner, including: land acquisition problems, changes in design and work instructions, payment problems, and unclear drawings in the contract documents. Of these delays, the majority (93%) were claimed by contractors, with an average claim success rate of 53%, and the compensation generally in the form of extension of project completion time (63%). The most frequently chosen claim dispute settlement method (93%) is non-litigation settlement through negotiation. This research has provided a comprehensive overview of delays due to owners and the contractor claims, and gives valuable lessons for the construction industry stakeholders to cope with delays in the future.
Current Status, Prevention and Treatment of BK Virus Nephropathy
Authors: Kurašová Ester , Štěpán Jakub , Krejčí Karel , Mrázek František , Sauer Pavel , Janečková Jana , Tichý Tomáš
Published: March 2023

All renal transplant recipients should undergo a regular screening for BK viral (BKV) viremia. Gradual reduction of immunosuppression is recommended in patients with persistent plasma BKV viremia for 3 weeks after the first detection, reflecting the presence of probable or suspected BKV-associated nephropathy. Reduction of immunosuppression is also a primary intervention in biopsy proven nephropathy associated with BKV (BKVN). Thus, allograft biopsy is not required to treat patients with BKV viremia with stabilized graft function. There is a lack of proper randomised clinical trials recommending treatment in the form of switching from tacrolimus to cyclosporin-A, from mycophenolate to mTOR inhibitors or leflunomide, or the additive use of intravenous immunoglobulins, leflunomide or cidofovir. Fluoroquinolones are not recommended for prophylaxis or therapy. There are on-going studies to evaluate the possibility of using a multi-epitope anti-BKV vaccine, administration of BKV-specific T cell immunotherapy, BKV-specific human monoclonal antibody and RNA antisense oligonucleotides. Retransplantation after allograft loss due to BKVN can be successful if BKV viremia is definitively removed, regardless of allograft nephrectomy.
Deficits and biases in the leading German press coverage of the Greek sovereign debt crisis
Authors: Teschendorf Victoria Sophie , Kruß Marwin , Otto Kim , Rusch Roman
Published: March 2023

In times of crisis and social turbulence, the mass media play a crucial role. This becomes particularly evident in economic crises within the European Union. The (biased) way the crisis is reported shapes people’s understanding of the crisis and the parties involved. In this study, the coverage of the Greek sovereign debt crisis in the German newspapers BILD, Die Welt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Süddeutsche Zeitung, tageszeitung and Der Spiegel (online) is examined for the quality criteria relevance, neutrality, balance, and analytical quality. The results show that the reporting is appropriate to the relevance of the topic, but shows deficits in the criteria of balance, neutrality, and analytical quality. During the study period, coverage focuses on a small number of topics, journalists include their value judgments in news and reports. Overall, there is an obvious media bias against the Greek government’s position.
Korrelation zwischen Eingangsparametern und der Performance für ein Miniatur-Fluoreszenzphotometer innerhalb einer Kleinserie
Authors: Müller Ralf , Hintz Michael , Neckermann Kristin , Krivanek Roland , Müller Achim
Published: March 2023

Diese Arbeit setzt sich mit der Entwicklung und die Einführung in die Serienfertigung eines miniaturisierten Fluoreszenzphotometers mit zwei Mess-Kanälen auseinander (Würfelzuckerformat). Die vorwiegende Anwendung wurde für ein faserbasiertes fluorometrisches Farbstoffsystem zur kontinuierlichen Blutzuckermessung realisiert. Ferner beschäftigt sich diese Arbeit mit der empirischen Bestimmung von bestimmten Toleranzangaben, die bei der Entwicklung selbst, die häufig mit Materialmangel verbunden war, nicht belastbar bestimmt werden konnten. Die Performance der Fluoreszenzphotometer ergibt sich einmal aus dem sogenannten internen Übersprechen, aus dem Verhältnis zwischen diesem internen Übersprechen und der Sensitivität sowie aus dem Verhältnis der Fluoreszenzsignale von Mess-Kanal eins und zwei (relative Fluoreszenz). Als Eingangsparameter wurden untersucht: (1) das Streulicht, welches von der sogenannten Beleuchtungseinheit ausgeht. (2) ein Optimierungsparameter, der bei der optisch aktiven Justage der Beleuchtungseinheit generiert wird. (3) der geometrische Versatz zwischen der Optik des Moduls und der „Ankoppelöffnung“ für den Multimode-Lichtwellenleiter. Zwischen (2) und der relativen Fluoreszenz konnte keine Korrelation nachgewiesen werden. Hier wurde über 206 Module bei einem Mittelwert von 6,68 für die relative Fluoreszenz eine Standardabweichung von 0,24 erreicht. Bezüglich (3) konnte bis zu einer Toleranz von ±100 μm keine Korrelationen zur Performance der Module festgestellt werden (141 Module). Dies kommt einer preiswerten Fertigung entgegen.
Plattformgenossenschaften: Perzeption und Diskurs im Kontext der Plattformökonomie - Einordnung anhand einer systematischen Literaturrecherche
Authors: Kaiser Philip , Balk Anselm , Schaffhauser-Linzatti Michaela
Published: March 2023

Die Plattformökonomie hat sich als irreversible Entwicklung im Austausch von Waren, Dienstleistungen und Informationen in der digitalen Welt etabliert. Anfangs als transparentes Instrument des direkten Kontaktes unter Ausschaltung von Intermediären und somit Transaktionskosten befürwortet, werden nun ihre Schattenseiten wie einseitige Marktmacht und Marktverzerrung sichtbar. Plattformgenossenschaften können aufgrund ihrer Konzeption eine Alternative darstellen. Um die akademische Rezeption der Möglichkeiten und Herausforderungen sowie die Abgrenzung der Plattformgenossenschaft zu gewinnmaximierenden Plattformunternehmen aufzuzeigen, widmet sich dieser Aufsatz anhand einer systematischen Literaturrecherche einer quantitativen und qualitativen Analyse in Hinblick auf wirtschaftliche, soziale und rechtliche Unterscheidungskriterien. Er stellt dabei gewinnmaximierende Plattformen den Plattformgenossenschaften gegenüber und ermöglicht dadurch sowohl eine Systematisierung des Verständnisses von Plattformgenossenschaften als auch ein Aufzeigen aktueller Forschungslücken.
Friedrich Niebergalls „Praktische Dogmatik“ – Eine Lektüre nach 100 Jahren
Authors: Henrik Boysen Knud
Published: March 2023

Der vorliegende Aufsatz untersucht aus systematisch-theologischer Sicht den von dem Heidelberger und Marburger Praktischen Theologen Friedrich Niebergall (1866–1932) zwischen ca. 1900 bis 1925 ausgeabeiteten Ansatz einer „Praktischen Dogmatik“. Niebergall wollte damit primär eine pastoraltheologisch orientierte Dogmatik entwickeln, die dem christlichen Prediger Handwerkszeug für seine „Erziehungsarbeit“ an der Gemeinde bereitstellt, mit deren Hilfe er die Gemeindeglieder zur Integration christlicher Ideale in die Pluralität ihres sozialen Alltags anleiten soll. Der Aufsatz unternimmt eine kritische Sichtung von theologischen Voraussetzungen, Inhalt, Aufbau und Folgen von Niebergalls Ansatz und stellt auch die Frage nach der Möglichkeit einer heutigen Adaption.
“Thanking God for the Humiliation”: Henry Scott Holland, British Idealism, and the Penitential Self
Authors: Norman Ralph
Published: March 2023

This paper provides a new reading of the theology of Lux Mundi (1889), emphasising the creative and constructive theological leadership of Henry Scott Holland (1847–1918). A wide range of works by Holland are examined, showing his resistance to the philosophical Idealism of Thomas Hill Green (1836–1882). This usefully illustrates ways in which Holland provided inspiration for later Anglican Social Theology. Holland’s influence on key trends in Anglican interpretation of doctrine, including theories of sin, penitence, forgiveness, atonement, and sacrifice are explored with reference to the moral climates of both the finde-siècle and the Great War (1914–1918).