bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of central bank intervention in the foreign exchange market of the BRICS countries
Authors: Chaudhari Dipak , Trivedi Pushpa
Published: November 2022

Central bank intervention plays a major role in managing exchange rate volatility. In comparison to advanced economies, emerging market economies are generally active in the forex market as excessive volatility of the local currency persists. The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are the major emerging economies influencing the international financial system. The paper empirically investigates the efficacy of central bank intervention in the case of the BRICS countries. It has been observed that intervention generally did not impact the exchange rate level; however, it reduced the volatility of the exchange rate. Furthermore, interventions in spot and derivatives markets are equally effective in containing exchange rate volatility, except in South Africa. It has been identified that sovereign yield spread impacts the exchange rate returns in China and South Africa and impacts the volatility in the returns in Brazil and Russia.
In vitro effects and in silico analysis of newly synthetized pyrrole derivatives on the activity of different isoforms of Cytochrome P450: CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4
Authors: Angelov Borislav , Mateev Emilio , Georgieva Maya , Tzankova Virginia , Kondeva-Burdina Magdalena
Published: November 2022

Four pyrrole based hydazide-hydrazones with established low hepatotoxicity and promising antiproliferative activity were evaluated (at 1µM concentration) for possible inhibitory activity on human isoforms of Cytochrome P450 CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. The compounds didn’t exert any statistically significant inhibitory effects on CYP1A2 and CYP2D6. However on CYP3A4 only 12 resulted in low statistically significant inhibitory effect decreasing the enzyme activity by 20%, compared to the control (pure CYP3A4). In addition the potential interactions of 12 and the evaluated CYP isoforms were displayed after molecular docking with Glide (Schrödinger). Induced-fit simulations and binding free energy (MM/GBSA) calculations were applied to elucidate the accessibility in each CYP isoform. The most active CYP3A4 inhibitor 12 demonstrated good binding affinity and was in close vicinity to the het Fe ion (2.88 Å). Overall, good correlation between the in vitro results and the free binding MM/GBSA recalculations were observed.
On the comparative performance of fourth order Runge-Kutta and the Galerkin-Petrov time discretization methods for solving nonlinear ordinary differential equations with application to some mathematical models in epidemiology
Authors: Attaullah  , Yassen Mansour F. , Alyobi Sultan , Al-Duais Fuad S. , Weera Wajaree
Published: November 2022

Anti-viral medication is comparably incredibly beneficial for individuals who are infected with numerous viruses. Mathematical modeling is crucial for comprehending the various relationships involving viruses, immune responses and health in general. This study concerns the implementation of a continuous Galerkin-Petrov time discretization scheme with mathematical models that consist of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the hepatitis B virus, the Chen system and HIV infection. For the Galerkin scheme, we have two unknowns on each time interval which have to be computed by solving a $ 2 \times 2 $ block system. The proposed method is accurate to order 3 in the whole time interval and shows even super convergence of order 4 in the discrete time points. The study presents the accurate solutions achieved by means of the aforementioned schemes, presented numerically and graphically. Further, we implemented the classical fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme accurately and performed various numerical tests for assessing the efficiency and computational cost (in terms of time) of the suggested schemes. The performances of the fourth order Runge-Kutta and the Galerkin-Petrov time discretization approaches for solving nonlinear ordinary differential equations were compared, with applications towards certain mathematical models in epidemiology. Several simulations were carried out with varying time step sizes, and the efficiency of the Galerkin and Runge Kutta schemes was evaluated at various time points. A detailed analysis of the outcomes obtained by the Galerkin scheme and the Runge-Kutta technique indicates that the results presented are in excellent agreement with each other despite having distinct computational costs in terms of time. It is observed that the Galerkin scheme is noticeably slower and requires more time in comparison to the Runge Kutta scheme. The numerical computations demonstrate that the Galerkin scheme provides highly precise solutions at relatively large time step sizes as compared to the Runge-Kutta scheme.
Les discours complotistes de l’antiféminisme en ligne
Authors: Morin Céline , Mésangeau Julien
Published: November 2022

Cet article explore les discours complotistes de l’antiféminisme en ligne à partir d’une étude de commentaires YouTube. Les rapports de genre apparaissent comme un point de crispation de plus en plus autonome du complotisme : combinant des méthodes d’étude automatisée du langage, d’analyse thématique et d’analyse discursive, la recherche montre la complémentarité de deux critiques – interpersonnelle et structurelle – et une pragmatique basée sur l’échange de noyaux sémantiques (communautarisme, lobby et racisme anti-homme blanc).
La révolution tranquille de l’ADN : questionner les usages judiciaires de la génétique à l’Assemblée nationale
Authors: Larregue Julien
Published: November 2022

Cet article vise à rendre compte des débats politiques qui ont entouré l’importation et l’usage croissant des « empreintes génétiques » par les services de police et la justice française. Il s’appuie sur l’analyse quantitative et qualitative d’un corpus de 157 questions posées par des parlementaires à des ministres en exercice, de 1988 à 2020. Technique de preuve mais aussi mode de gouvernement, l’ADN est un révélateur des tendances plus générales qui ont traversé le traitement politique et judiciaire de la délinquance au cours des trente dernières années.
Emotion-Drive Interpretable Fake News Detection
Authors: Ge Xiaoyi , Zhang Mingshu , Wang Xu An , Liu Jia , Wei Bin
Published: November 2022

Fake news has brought significant challenges to the healthy development of social media. Although current fake news detection methods are advanced, many models directly utilize unselected user comments and do not consider the emotional connection between news content and user comments. The authors propose an emotion-driven explainable fake news detection model (EDI) to solve this problem. The model can select valuable user comments by using sentiment value, obtain the emotional correlation representation between news content and user comments by using collaborative annotation, and obtain the weighted representation of user comments by using the attention mechanism. Experimental results on Twitter and Weibo show that the detection model significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art models and provides reasonable interpretation.
Assessing the Impact of Human Error Assessment on Organization Performance in the Software Industry
Authors: Paramanantham Shampave , Liyanage Sidath
Published: November 2022

The influence of human errors on organizations is wide-ranging concerning customer service, productivity, teamwork, quality, execution, decision-making, and loss (Irmi.com, 2018). When the employee makes an error, this may prompt an operational failure, effectively affecting whatever is being assessed. There is a commonly accepted connection between human errors and organizational performance. However, the theory is all hypothesis without confirmation since there is minimal literature writing in this research. Data was gathered from 365 employees of IT export companies in Sri Lanka. 5 people working as project managers in IT export companies were interviewed to get their opinion about human errors. The findings show that human errors such as skill-based, design, quality testing, and maintenance errors can significantly influence performance outcomes, namely sales growth, return on investment, customer satisfaction, innovation development, and product and service quality.
Test Zone Search Optimization Using Cuckoo Search Algorithm for VVC
Authors: Acharjee Suvojit , Chaudhuri Sheli Sinha
Published: November 2022

Motion vector approximation is an integral part of every video coding standard to reduce temporal correlation. Estimating motion necessitates a lot of computation. Several attempts were made to reduce the computation cost in exhaustive search of motion estimation. Test zone search was accepted as benchmark algorithm for fast motion estimation by the most recent video coding standard, versatile video coding. Quality and speed of test zone search completely depends on two parameters (i.e., sub sampling frequency of search space during raster scan and dimension of the search space). Cuckoo search, one of the popular nature-inspired optimization algorithms, is used to optimize the operational parameters of test zone search. The proposed optimization enhanced the speed up to 50% while maintaining or improving the Bjontegaard rate (BD-Rate) and Bjontegaard PSNR (BDSNR).
Intern to independent doctor: basic surgical skills required for South African practice and interns’ reports on their competence
Authors: Peters Frank , Van Wyk Jacky , Van Rooyen Marietjie
Published: November 2022

Background: The role and scope of general practitioners in semi-urban and rural areas is poorly understood and documented. An absence of specialist support results in generalists being called to perform surgical procedures. It is imperative that they competently and confidently perform specific surgical procedures.Method: This cross-sectional study identified a list of agreed surgical procedures in which generalists should be competent. Enquires were made about generalists’ competence in performing such skills and training junior doctors how to use these them. Interns were asked about the quality of their exposure to and their perceived competence in the skills. A questionnaire was given to interns who completed their internship in 2008 in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, and another to generalists affiliated to the University of Pretoria. Data were analysed descriptively using Microsoft® Excel®.Results: The response rate was 31% and 21% for the interns and generalists, respectively. There was agreement on specific core skills in training. Most generalists (81%) lacked the competence to provide training on some of the specific core skills needed for independent practice. Most of the internships were completed in semi-urban areas (62%). The majority of the interns perceived themselves to be competent in Caesarean sections, the excision of lumps and bumps, and abscess drainage. Interns from urban areas rated themselves as being incompetent in the core surgical skills. Interns who worked in semi-urban regions felt competent in core surgical skills.Conclusion: The training of interns should be supervised by senior doctors in in-service training settings. Basic surgical skills and in-service training can be taught during family medicine rotation internships by surgically skilled family physicians and generalists in semi-urban areas and district hospitals.
Postdural puncture headache: evidence-based review for primary care
Authors: Omole Olufemi B. , Ogunbanjo Gboyega A.
Published: November 2022

The promotion of epidural and spinal blocks as preferred and safe techniques for Caesarean section and the use of lumbar puncture for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes place patients at risk of developing postdural puncture headache (PDPH). This article reviews the literature for evidence that provides an approach to diagnosis and management of this condition for the primary care physician. A dull and throbbing, bilateral headache associated with changes in posture (worsened by sitting and standing, and better lying down), that develops within seven days of a lumbar puncture or an inadvertent dural puncture must raise the suspicion of PDPH. The exact causative mechanism is unclear but symptoms of PDPH are generally attributed to excessive loss of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The risk of PDPH is increased with the use of cutting and large-bore needles, and with horizontal orientation of the needle bevel. Given that symptoms overlap, other organic causes of headache such as intracerebral/subdural haemorrhage, pneumocephalus, central nervous system infections, adverse effects of anticoagulants and functional headaches such as migraine must be excluded. Although the initial management of PDPH comprises several conservative interventions, evidence is only available for the effectiveness of the usage of caffeine, analgesics, gabapectin, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and cosyntropin. Epidural blood patch (EDBP) offers the most favourable outcomes for patients who fail to respond to conservative management. However, given the lack of skills for performing EDBP in primary care, such patients should be referred to secondary or tertiary level of care.
Prostate cancer profile and risk stratification of patients treated at Universitas Annex Department of Oncology, Bloemfontein, Free State, during 2008 to 2010
Authors: Sherriff Alicia , Da Costa N. , Engelbrecht A. , Li A. , Price N. , Joubert G.
Published: November 2022

Background: Prostate cancer commonly occurs in older men. Since TNM staging excludes prostate-speciﬁc antigen (PSA) level and Gleason score, patients with prostate cancer are divided into risk groups when deciding on treatment options. This study determined the proﬁle and risk stratiﬁcation of patients with prostate cancer treated at the Department of Oncology, Universitas Annex in Bloemfontein, Free State, during 2008 to 2010. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. Information was gathered from 497 patient ﬁles on age, race, residence, Gleason score, PSA level, TNM stage, and initial treatment. The patients’ risk group was determined from their Gleason score, PSA level, and T stage.Results: Patients were mostly (45.7%) between 65 and 75 years of age and 72.8% were in the black race group. The largest percentage of patients had a Gleason score of 8 to 10 (43.7%), PSA level 20 ng/ml (67.9%), and a T stage ≥ T3 (62.3%). Almost half of the patients (48.7%) had stage IV disease and 38.4% received palliative hormonal therapy as initial treatment. The majority of patients (82.5%) fell into the high risk group.Conclusions: The majority of patients in each age group fell into the high risk group, which means that these patients were at a higher risk of developing metastatic prostate cancer. We recommend better education of our patient population and local clinic staﬀ, so that people in the community can understand the prevalence of the disease, the symptoms and eﬀect of the cancer, and that it is treatable if detected early.
Mastering your Fellowship, Vol 57, No 4 (2015)
Authors: Von Pressentin Klaus B. , Mash Bob
Published: November 2022

The new series, “Mastering your Fellowship”, provides examples of the question format encountered in the written examination, Part I of the FCFP(SA) examination. Examples of these question types (according to a theme) will be given in each printed edition of the journal. “General adult medicine” is the theme for this edition and model answers will be available online, but not in the printed edition.
Skin disorders affecting the feet
Authors: Motswaledi M. H.
Published: November 2022

Skin disorders of the feet can affect the glabrous skin on the dorsal aspects, or the thick skin on the plantar aspects, thereof, or both. Some can affect one foot, and others both of them. These diseases can be inflammatory, genetically inherited, infectious and neoplastic in origin. It is important to identify them and to start treatment early. If not treated, some may lead to severe pain on walking, the inability to wear shoes, and amputation with serious disability.
Clinical evidence in the management of swimmer’s ear
Authors: Marais Andre
Published: November 2022

“Swimmer’s ear” or acute otitis externa is a common condition involving the exterior part of the ear, including the ear canal and the pinna. Inflammation and pain are the main features, with bacterial infection mainly due to Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It can easily be treated in its uncomplicated stage, and the symptoms usually do not last for more than 72 hours. Management ranges from primary care to a specialist otolaringological intervention. Several nonpharmacological treatments, in addition to various pharmacological options, are employed in the treatment and prevention of swimmer’s ear. These treatments range from simple, adequate and appropriate ear cleaning, to topical antibiotics, corticosteroids and analgesics. Severe cases may require systemic antibiotics, oral anti-inflammatory drugs and even opioid analgesics.
The associations between central serous chorioretinopathy and muscle relaxants
Authors: Jain Manish , Garg Sunir J. , Khan Mohammad , Chaudhary Varun , Zeraatkar Dena , Kurian Dhanya , Lal Sarath
Published: November 2022

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the role of muscle-relaxants as risk factors for the development of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) - the second most common retinopathy in our settings; despite multiple risk factors seen in our patients, 21% were initially labelled as idiopathic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Retrospective case-control study at a tertiary hospital in the United Arab Emirates, where we reviewed the medical records of 273 patients with CSC examined between 2010 and 2019 for use of muscle-relaxants including tolperisone/eperisone, carisoprodol and gabapentin/pregabalin within a year of onset/recurrence of the disease. Intake of drugs with known association with CSC (including corticosteroids/sympathomimetics) was also recorded. Two hundred eighty-six subjects with adverse events seen at the same institute during the same study period served as controls. Odds ratios, Chi-Square tests and multivariate logistic regression were carried out to determine any associations with the muscle-relaxants and other pharmacological confounders - corticosteroids/sympathomimetics.

RESULTS:

Muscle relaxants may increase the risk of CSC as evident on multivariate regression analysis (OR: 2.55; confidence interval [CI]: 1.208-5.413); the significance was retained on removing the 6 subjects who had corticosteroids/sympathomimetics (OR: 2.30; CI: 1.073–4.939). Univariate analysis yielded an OR of 2.52 for muscle relaxants (CI: 1.2149–5.2276), 2.96 for eperisone/tolperisone (CI: 1.3531–6.5038), and 6.26 for eperisone as an individual agent (CI: 1.8146–21.6252).

CONCLUSION:

We found muscle relaxants to be associated factors of CSC regardless of inclusion of corticosteroids/sympathomimetics (P < 0.05). Among individual classes of muscle relaxants in this study, only eperisone/tolperisone posed a significant risk (P < 0.05). The vascular smooth muscle relaxation could be the possible mechanism that affects the choroidal blood flow and indirectly predisposes to CSC.
Sequelae of Unreplaced Tooth Loss in Orthodontic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alyami Bandar
Published: November 2022

Background:

The early tooth loss has an adverse effect on the overall well-being of an individual. The aim of the current study was to highlight the orthodontic complications of long-term tooth loss in the city of Najran.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cohort study of patients presenting for orthodontic rehabilitation. A total of 326 patients that presented for orthodontic rehabilitation were examined clinically and data such as age, gender, number of missing teeth, missing teeth, duration of missing teeth, tipping, and overerupted and rotated teeth were recorded. Patients that can be treated with orthodontic space closure were excluded from the study. Patients’ data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics and results were presented as simple frequencies and descriptive statistics.

Results:

Out of 326 patients that presented for orthodontic rehabilitation, 259 patients had missing teeth with its sequelae that will demand prosthodontic rehabilitation with a prevalence rate of 79.4%. There are 97 (37.5%) males and 162 (62.5%) females with M:F ratio of 1:1.7. The age ranged from 15 to 52 years with mean ± standard deviation (28.5 ± 8.5). The age group 21–30 years constitutes the group with the highest number of missing teeth. A total number of 595 (60.2%) teeth were missing, 173 (17.5%) teeth were tipped, and 124 (12.5%) teeth were overerupted, whereas only 97 (9.8%) teeth were rotated (n = 989). Fixed orthodontic appliances (FOAs) were used for all cases with rotation and FOAs + Mini Screws were used for all cases with tipping, overeruption, and/or combinations. The dental loss was managed by prosthesis depending on patients’ choice and financial capability ranging from removable/fixed prosthesis and dental implants.

Conclusion:

Orthodontic consequences of early tooth loss include tipping and rotation of adjacent teeth and overeruption of opposing teeth. Early acknowledgment of tooth replacement after tooth loss is essential in preventing long-term orthodontic adverse effects.
Innovative Technique for Correction of Open Bite - A Case Report
Authors: Siddhartha R , Sudhakar Shetty Suhani , Rai Kripal , Rai Shreyas , Rai Shivprasad
Published: November 2022

Anterior open bite is defined as a condition in which upper incisor crowns fail to overlap the incisal third of the lower incisor crowns when the mandible is brought into full occlusion. The diagnosis, treatment, and successful retention of treated open-bite malocclusion continue to be a constant subject of discussion and study, contributing to the frustrations of clinicians. Various modalities have been used for the correction of open bite for the different age groups. In adult cases, an open bite can be corrected either by anterior extrusion or posterior intrusion, or a combination of both. Kim had described a method of using multiloop edgewise archwire for posterior intrusion. Here is a case report in which an innovative method is described which is a modification of Kim’s method which is simpler, less time-consuming to place, hygienic, and they do not irritate the soft tissue. The bite closing mechanism and the treatment results are similar to Kim’s method.
Evaluation of Strain and Insertion Torque of Mini-implants at 90° and 45° Angulations on a Bone Model using Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Xavier Jes , Sarika K , Ajith VV , Sapna Varma NK
Published: November 2022

Background:

Temporary anchorage devices or mini-implants have gained great attraction due to its capability to provide absolute anchorage, low cost, versatility, and can be loaded immediately after placement.

Aims and Objectives:

The aim of this study is to use FEA analysis to assess the strain and insertion torque of mini-implants on a bone model at two distinct angulations of 45° and 90°.

Materials and Methods:

A computer-aided three-dimensional (3-D) model representing alveolar bone and mini-implants were developed using ANSYS software. Computed tomography scan images of the implant and the alveolar bone were taken and exported in DICOM format for 3-D image processing. The thickness of the bone model is 1 mm. Ti6Al4V orthodontic single and double threaded mini-implants (L = 7 mm, D = 1.5 mm) were inclined at 45° and 90° on to the bone surface to measure the insertion torque and strain produced.

Results:

Maximum insertion torque (MIT) for single-threaded mini implant at 45° and 90° angulations are 20.001 Nmm and 19.977 Nmm, respectively. MIT for double-threaded mini-implants obtained is 19.977 Nmm at 90° and 19.991 Nmm at 45° angulation. The strain of the bone at 90° angulation for single-threaded mini-implant is 0.00893 mm and for single-threaded mini implant at 45° angulation is 0.01257 mm. The strain in double-threaded mini-implant at 90° angulation is 0.0125 mm and that of 45° angulation is 0.01773 mm.

Conclusion:

For maximum stability single-threaded mini-implant with perpendicular insertion, angle is preferred.
The effect of different reconditioning methods on bond strength of rebonded brackets
Authors: Pereira Pedro Mariano , Bugaighis Iman , Matos Pedro M. , Porença Luis
Published: November 2022

AIM:

To evaluate the effect of three different reconditioning techniques on the shear bond strength (SBS) of rebonded brackets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Forty-five orthodontic brackets were bonded to human premolar teeth using Transbond™ XT. After debonding, the samples were randomly assigned into equal groups to assess three techniques for the removal of residual adhesive from bracket bases: in Group A, each bracket base was sandblasted with aluminum oxide; in Group B1, each base was cleaned superficially with a greenstone bur; and in Group B2, the bases were thoroughly abraded with a greenstone bur. Subsequently, brackets were rebonded and the SBS and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) were determined. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), plus Tukey and Kruskal–Wallis post-hoc tests (P ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS:

The average SBSs were: Group A, 11.75 (±4.83) MPa; Group B1, 8.22 (±4.01) MPa; and Group B2, 7.54 (±2.85) MPa. No statistically significant differences in SBS were found between Groups A and B1(P = 0.051) and Groups B1 and B2(P = 0.885), but there was a significant difference between Groups A and B2(P = 0.016). Regarding ARI scores, there were statistically significant differences between Groups A and B2(P < 0.001) and between B1 and B2(P = 0.014), but not between Groups A and B1(P = 0.068).

CONCLUSION:

All reconditioning methods were found to have a positive effect, but the sandblasting technique performed best. Brackets reconditioned by sandblasting and superficial grinding mainly showed mixed-type failure, while in samples thoroughly reconditioned by greenstone bur, bonding failure occurred predominantly at the adhesive/bracket interface.
One-year survival and prognostic factors for survival among stroke patients
Authors: Givi Mahshid , Badihian Negin , Taheri Marzieh , Habibabadi Roya Rezvani , Saadatnia Mohammad , Sarrafzadegan Nizal
Published: November 2022

Background:

Survival and prognostic factors following stroke occurrence differ between world regions. Studies investigating stroke features in the Middle-east region are scarce. We aimed to investigate 1-year survival and related prognostic factors of stroke patients in Central Iran.

Materials and Methods:

It is an observational analytical study conducted on patients registered in the Persian Registry of Cardiovascular Disease-Stroke (PROVE-Stroke) database. Records of 1703 patients admitted during 2015–2016 with the primary diagnosis of stroke in all hospitals of Isfahan, Iran were reviewed. Information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentations, medications, and comorbidities were recorded. The living status of patients after 1 year from stroke was considered as 1-year survival.

Results:

Among 1345 patients with the final diagnosis of stroke, 970 (72.1%) were alive at the 1 year follow-up and the mean survival time based on Kaplan–Meier procedure was estimated 277.33 days. The hemorrhagic and ischemic types of stroke were reported in 201 (15.0%) and 1141 (84.8%) patients, respectively. Age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–1.09), diabetes (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.07–2.06), history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (HR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.30–2.52), history of warfarin usage (HR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.11–2.71), hospital complications of hemorrhage (HR = 3.89, 95% CI = 2.07–7.31), sepsis (HR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.18–2.68), and hydrocephalus (HR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.34–8.79), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥3 at the time of hospital dicharge (HR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.27–3.07), were predictors of 1-year survival.

Conclusion:

Predictors of 1-year survival can be categorized into unchangeable ones, such as age, diabetes, previous stroke, and mRS. The changeable factors, such as hospital complications of infection and hemorrhage, guide physicians to pay greater attention to reduce the risk of mortality following stroke.
Evaluating the effect of intradialytic cycling exercise on quality of life and recovery time in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Moeinzadeh Firouzeh , Shahidi Shahrzad , Shahzeidi Safoora
Published: November 2022

Background:

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intradialytic cycling exercise on quality of life (QOL) and recovery time in patients who underwent hemodialysis.

Materials and Methods:

Hemodialysis patients were recruited from the referral dialysis centers affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned into the intervention and the control groups. Patients in the intervention group exercised on a stationary bike for 12 weeks (3 times per week for 30 min); however, patients in the control group received usual hemodialysis. The kidney disease QOL (KDQOL)-short-form version 1.3 was used to assess QOL. Patients were asked to answer the question “How long does it take to recover from a dialysis session?” to assess recovery time.

Results:

A total of 110 hemodialysis patients, including 60 in the intervention group and 50 in the control group were analyzed. A significant increase was observed in the generic (mean difference ± SE: 1.50 ± 0.44, P = 0.001), kidney disease (mean difference ± SE: 0.84 ± 0.28, P = 0.004), and overall QOL (mean difference ± SE: 1.18 ± 0.33, P = 0.001) scores after 12 weeks of intradialytic cycling exercise in the intervention group. Furthermore, a significant difference was noted between the intervention and the control group regarding the mean difference of all QOL scores after the intervention (P < 0.05). We also found a significant difference in the mean difference of recovery time between the intervention and the control group after the intervention (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

KDQOL and recovery time could improve in hemodialysis patients after 12-week intradialytic exercise.
Iterated Minkowski sums, horoballs and north-south dynamics
Authors: Epperlein Jeremias , Meyerovitch Tom
Published: November 2022

Given a finite generating set

A

for a group

\Gamma

, we study the map

W \mapsto WA

as a topological dynamical system – a continuous self-map of the compact metrizable space of subsets of

\Gamma

. If the set

A

generates

\Gamma

as a semigroup and contains the identity, there are precisely two fixed points, one of which is attracting. This supports the initial impression that the dynamics of this map is rather trivial. Indeed, at least when

\Gamma= \mathbb{Z}^d

and

A \subseteq \mathbb{Z}^d

is a finite positively generating set containing the identity, the natural invertible extension of the map

W \mapsto W+A

is always topologically conjugate to the unique “north-south” dynamics on the Cantor set. In contrast to this, we show that various natural “geometric” properties of the finitely generated group

(\Gamma,A)

can be recovered from the dynamics of this map, in particular, the growth type and amenability of

\Gamma

. When

\Gamma = \mathbb{Z}^d

, we show that the volume of the convex hull of the generating set

A

is also an invariant of topological conjugacy. Our study introduces, utilizes and develops a certain convexity structure on subsets of the group

\Gamma

, related to a new concept which we call the sheltered hull of a set. We also relate this study to the structure of horoballs in finitely generated groups, focusing on the abelian case.
Differentialgeometrie im Grossen
Authors: Bamler Richard H. , Hamenstädt Ursula , Lang Urs , Weinkove Ben
Published: November 2022

The field of classical differential geometry has expanded enormously over the last several decades, helped by the development of tools from neighboring fields such as partial differential equations, complex analysis and geometric topology. In the spirit of the previous meetings in the series, this meeting will bring together researchers from apparently separate subfields of differential geometry, but whose work is linked by common themes. In particular, this meeting will emphasize intrinsic geometric questions motivated by the classification and rigidity of global geometric structures and the interaction of curvature with the underlying geometry and topology.
Automorphic Forms, Geometry and Arithmetic
Authors: Chenevier Gaëtan , Kaletha Tasho , Kudla Stephen S. , Morel Sophie
Published: November 2022

The workshop on automorphic forms, geometry and arithmetic focused on important recent developments within the research area, in particular, on the different recent approaches towards the Langlands functoriality principle and the Langlands correspondence, on their
relative
analogues, and on the relations between those advances and more arithmetic questions.
MATRIX-MFO Tandem Workshop: Invariants and Structures in Low-Dimensional Topology
Authors: Friedl Stefan , Purcell Jessica S. , Ray Arunima , Tillmann Stephan
Published: November 2022

The first ever MATRIX-MFO tandem workshop addressed several research questions in low-dimensional topology and related areas.
MATRIX-MFO Tandem Workshop/Small Collaboration: Rough Wave Equations
Authors: Frey Dorothee , Guo Zihua , Hassell Andrew , Portal Pierre , Rozendaal Jan , Yung Po-Lam
Published: November 2022

The consideration of wave propagation in inhomogeneous media or the modelling of nonlinear waves often requires the study of wave equations with low regularity data and/or coefficients. Several Australian-European collaborations have recently led to deeper analytical understanding of rough wave equations. This tandem workshop provided a platform for such collaborations and brought together early career researchers and leading experts in harmonic analysis, microlocal analysis and spectral theory. The workshop focused on collaboration and technical knowledge exchange on topics such as local smoothing, spectral multipliers, restriction estimates, Hardy spaces for Fourier integral operators, and nonlinear partial differential equations.
Singularities
Authors: de Bobadilla Javier Fernández , Loeser François , Némethi András , van Straten Duco
Published: November 2022

Singularity theory concerns local and global structure of singularities of (algebraic) varieties and maps. As such, it combines tools from algebraic geometry, complex analysis, topology, algebra and combinatorics.
Geometry and Optimization in Quantum Information
Authors: Fawzi Hamza , Fawzi Omar , Harrow Aram , Laurent Monique
Published: November 2022

Quantum information theory seeks to understand the fundamental limits set by quantum mechanics for information processing tasks. The mathematical aspects of quantum information rely on tools from various fields including mathematical optimization, high-dimensional convex geometry, operator algebras and representation theory. The goal of this meeting is to focus on the mathematical aspects connecting geometry, optimization and quantum information theory and develop new tools to solve some of the open problems at the intersection of these fields.
Mini-Workshop: Variable Curvature Bounds, Analysis and Topology on Dirichlet Spaces
Authors: Carron Gilles , Güneysu Batu , Keller Matthias , Kuwae Kazuhiro
Published: November 2022

A Dirichlet form

\mathcal{E}

is a densely defined bilinear form on a Hilbert space of the form

L^2(X, \mu)

, subject to some additional properties, which make sure that

\mathcal{E}

can be considered as a natural abstraction of the usual Dirichlet energy

\mathcal{E}(f1, f2) = \int_D (\nabla f1,\nabla f2)

on a domain

D

in

\mathbb{R}^m

. The main strength of this theory, however, is that it allows also to treat nonlocal situations such as energy forms on graphs simultaneously. In typical applications,

X

is a metrizable space, and the theory of Dirichlet forms makes it possible to define notions such as curvature bounds on

X

(although

X

need not be a Riemannian manifold), and also to obtain topological information on

X

in terms of such geometric information.
Comunicación científica tras la crisis del COVID-19: estrategias de publicación en TikTok en el tablero transmedia
Authors: Martin Neira Juan Ignacio , Trillo Domínguez Magdalena , Olvera Lobo María Dolores
Published: November 2022

Introducción: La presente investigación analiza la visión de destacados periodistas y comunicadores sobre la adaptación del periodismo científico al entorno digital: por un lado, se abordan las posibilidades del ecosistema web para el uso de las narrativas transmedia y, por otro, se explora el potencial de TikTok como plataforma divulgativa. Metodología: El trabajo incluye un corpus de entrevistas semiestructuradas a profesionales vinculados a instituciones y medios junto a investigadores del área de Comunicación. Resultados: El estudio evidencia la oportunidad que supone para el periodismo científico el entorno transmedia como aliado para acercar el conocimiento a nuevos públicos. A nivel práctico, apuntan sus potencialidades gráficas, de acceso e inmediatez, además de proponer recomendaciones sobre contenidos, estilo y relación con los usuarios de los mensajes que se divulgan en TikTok. Discusión: La investigación también conlleva un sentido crítico ante la necesidad de que profesionales y medios se adapten a los nuevos entornos como un factor vital de sostenibilidad. Entendiendo que no se trata de tendencias pasajeras sino del reto de recuperar la confianza de las audiencias y garantizar su viabilidad. Conclusiones: Además de informar con rigor sobre temas de interés en un momento crítico de infodemia, se debe aspirar a crear comunidades en torno a la ciencia y generar contenidos atractivos para públicos no habituados a estas informaciones. Evitando un uso replicante de las redes sociales, aprovechando todas sus posibilidades narrativas y, en última instancia, contribuyendo a reforzar el valor del ejercicio profesional en un contexto de desprestigio mediático.
Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of the methanol extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp.
Authors: Adebisi I.M. , Mansur Y. , Fajobi S.J. , Ugwah-Oguejiofor C.J. , Abubakar K.
Published: November 2022

Most rural and urban-based communities in Africa rely on traditional remedies for their primary healthcare. One probable reason for this is the assumption that they are free of harmful side effects and toxicity, compared to orthodox drugs. However, very few plants have been thoroughly evaluated for their toxic effects. Adansonia digitata (A. digitata) also known as (Baobab) is a member of the Malvaceae family. Almost all components of the tree are utilized in traditional African medicine. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of methanol extract from the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata through acute and sub-acute oral administration in rats. The acute oral toxicity study was done according to Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines no 425 using a limit dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight (BW). Sub-acute oral toxicity using (250, 500, and, 1000 mg/kg BW) was performed by daily administration for 28 days according to the OECD guideline 407. The acute toxicity study revealed no lethal effects and behavioral signs of toxicity at the tested dose indicating that LD is greater than 2000mg/kg. In the sub-acute study, no significant difference was observed in the body weight, organ weight, liver, and kidney parameters in all treated groups compared to the control. A non-significant decrease in packed cell volume (PCV) was observed across the groups. Also, a significant increase in the white blood cell count and a decrease in the lymphocyte count occurred in the group treated with 250 mg/kg BW. These results show that methanol extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp is generally safe on short-term use but can cause changes in haematological parameters on long-term use.
Antibiogram of bacterial isolates obtained from infants and children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
Authors: Ibeneme Emmanuel Onyekachukwu , Ali Zenoh Danjuma , Bebia Glory Philemon , Ezema Joy Chinweokwu , Boniface Josephus
Published: November 2022

The gradual increase in antimicrobial resistance in children is a major challenge in the field of hospital epidemiology and medical microbiology. This study was conducted to investigate the susceptibility pattern of commonly used antimicrobial agents against bacterial isolates in children attending UCTH. Fifty clinical specimens; blood, urine, eye, ear and wound swap were collected from infants and children 1-day old to 9 years. About 2mL of the blood was dispensed into Brain Heart infusion broth (10ml) contained in a Bijou bottle and incubated for 2 days at 37°C. Midstream urine samples were collected into sterile universal containers and cultured on blood and CLED agar using the Leigh and Williams paper strip method, while sterile swab-stick was used to collect ear and eye specimen (discharge). The ear specimens were cultured on CLED and blood agar while the eye swap on CLED and chocolate agar. Isolates susceptibility was tested on gentamicin, erythromycin, Zithromax, ampicillin, amoxicillin and penicillin using disc diffusion method by Kirby-Bauer. Of the 50 subjects examined, a total of 39 bacterial isolates were obtained from the 36(72%) culture positive samples. S. aureus was the most isolated 22(56.4%), followed by P. aeruginosa 7(17.9%), Streptococci, Coliform, and Proteus were 3(7.7%), 6(15.4%) and 1(2.6%) respectively. Female children had more bacterial isolates 19(73.1%) compared to male 17(70.1%). The isolates were more sensitive to gentamicin 25(64%), followed by zithromax 23(59%), erythromycin 16(41%) and ampicillin 12(31%). The isolates were less sensitive to Penicillin 2(5) and Amoxicillin 10(26), multi resistance was seen in 14(35.9%) of the isolates. Resistance to antibiotics is on the rise and babies are particularly at increased risk because of lower immunity. The study recommends the need for the development of alternative therapy.
Acute heart failure from electrical shock: a case report
Authors: Mutunga Ann , Osman Aaron , McIntosh J. Clarke
Published: November 2022

A report of a 13-year-old female with respiratory distress following an electrical shock at home and the management undertaken at the hospital in Yei; including implications for South Sudan.
Factors associated with reduced foetal movements in Iringa, Tanzania
Authors: Ayo Elisante Ephata , Ngadaya Emmanuel Imani , Rweyemamu Maria Angelica , Mwampagatwa Ipyana Hudson , Lilungulu Athanase Gervase
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Maternal perception of foetal movement ensures foetal wellbeing. Reduced foetal movement is associated with foetal hypoxia, stillbirths, and intrauterine foetal growth restriction (IUFGR). This study aimed at assessing factors that are associated with maternal perception of reduced foetal movements.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted at Iringa Regional Referral Hospital from 1st January – 30th June 2022. A purposive sampling technique was used, and SPSS version 25 software was used for data analysis.

Results: 41.3 % of study participants were aged 24 – 34 years, with a mean and SD of 29.08 ±7.53. 75% were not employed, 52.8 % of study participants delivered from 37 – 42 weeks of gestational age, 66.1% had a posterior placenta and only 24.0 % had an anterior placenta. Women who delivered at 28 – 36 weeks of gestational age were about 4 times more likely to experience reduced foetal movement compared to those who delivered at 37 – 42 weeks of gestation (AOR=4.162, 95% CI 2.174 - 7.966, p=<0.0001). Those who attended the Antenatal clinic 2 – 3 times were 2 times more likely to complain of reduced foetal movement compared to those who attended 4 times and above (AOR = 2.655, 95% CI 1.311 - 5.375, p=0.0067).

Conclusion: Reduced foetal movements are associated with lower gestation age at delivery and decreased antenatal clinic attendance in Iringa, Tanzania. All pregnant women should be encouraged to make early antenatal clinic attendance and should attend adequate visits. Healthcare providers should educate and create awareness on methods of assessing foetal movements.
„Dokumenty osobiste” z okresu I wojny światowej w serii wydawniczej Naczelnej Dyrekcji Archiwów Państwowych
Authors: Cichoracki Piotr
Published: November 2022

Artykuł jest szczegółową, krytyczną recenzją 7-tomowej edycji dokumentów źródłowych pt. „Wielka Wojna – codzienność niecodzienności. Biblioteka pamiętników z I wojny światowej z zasobu polskich archiwów państwowych”, wydanej w latach 2014–2021 nakładem naczelnej Dyrekcji Archiwów Państwowych. Poszczególne tomy serii zawierają opracowane naukowo dokumenty pamiętnikarskie z okresu I wojny światowej. Zarówno diariusze, jak i wspomnienia wchodzące w skład serii łączy wątek wojennych losów ich autorów i obrazu życia codziennego podczas wojny na ziemiach polskich. Autor przeanalizował i ocenił tomy serii pod kątem doboru wykorzystanych źródeł pamiętnikarskich, ich opracowania edytorskiego, układu poszczególnych tomów i aparatu naukowego. Odniósł się ponadto do kwestii opracowania naukowego poszczególnych tomów; zawarł także wiele rekomendacji i wniosków dla wydawcy odnoszących się do poprawy zakresu i jakości przygotowania edytorskiego źródeł pamiętnikarskich do publikacji.

Personal documents from the period of World War I in the publishing series of the Head Office of State Archives

The article offers a detailed critical review of the 7-volume edition of source documents entitled "Wielka Wojna – codzienność niecodzienności. Biblioteka pamiętników z I wojny światowej z zasobu polskich archiwów państwowych" [The great War – the everyday of the extraordinary. The library of World War I diaries from the fonds of Polish state archives]. It is a library of World War I diaries from the fonds of Polish state archives, published in 2014–2021 by the Head Office of State Archives. Individual volumes of the series comprise academically compiled diary documents from the World War I period. The diaries and memoirs included in the series are linked by the theme of their authors’ fates during the war and depictions of daily life in wartime Polish lands. The author analysed and evaluated the publication from the perspective of selection of diary sources used, their editorial preparation, layout of individual volumes, as well as the scholarly apparatus. He also addressed the issue of the academic preparation of individual volumes; he included a number of recommendations and conclusions for the publisher, regarding the improvement of scope and quality of the editorial preparation of diary sources for publication.
A Modern Man in Search of an Identity: Mr Stone of the Knights Companion
Authors: ÖZER TANİYAN Reyhan
Published: November 2022

This article will analyse V. S. Naipaul’s Mr Stone and The Knights Companion (1963) which has special importance for being the first novel that Naipaul does not draw from his hometown, Trinidad experiences. Although this novel deals with the problem of belonging, rootlessness and relatedly the search for identity like those before penned, it is quite different in structure, setting and characterisation. The setting is England, and the main character is an old Londoner. These radical changes in the setting and the character indicate that he writes this very specific novel as a farewell to his cultural materials as well as a welcoming gesture to modernist traces in literature. With this understanding and sensibility, it can be inferred that the novel embodies Naipaul’s inner conflict in his identity process through an English man, Mr Stone, by referring to the proclaimed modernist literary names. Therefore, the leading aim of this article is to try to read this novel by mimicking modernist works as a reflection of Naipaul’s ambivalent identity during his authorship.