bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes towards the economic costs associated with measures against the spread of COVID-19: Population perceptions from repeated cross-sectional data of the nationally representative COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring in Germany (COSMO)
Authors: Hajek André , De Bock Freia , Sprengholz Philipp , Kretzler Benedikt , König Hans-Helmut
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Our aim was to examine attitudes of the general population towards reasonableness of these costs, as well as the degree to which these costs are shared across society (solidarity financing) and to determine the factors associated with them.

Method

Repeated cross-sectional data from a nationally representative online-survey. More precisely, data from wave 8 (21–22 April 2020) and wave 16 (7–8 July 2020) were used (in wave 8: analytical sample with n = 976, average age was 47.0 years (SD: 15.3 years), ranging from 18 to 74 years, 51.8% female; in wave 16: analytical sample with n = 978, average age was 46.1 years (SD: 15.9 years), ranging from 18 to 74 years, 50.9% female). After a short introduction emphasizing considerable economic costs associated with the measures against the spread of the coronavirus, individuals were asked to rate the following statements (outcome measures), in each case from 1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree: “These economic costs are currently reasonable in relation to the objective pursued” (reasonableness of costs), “These economic costs should be borne jointly by all citizens and depending on income” (solidarity financing).

Results

In wave 8 (wave 16 in parentheses), the average rating for the attitude towards reasonableness of costs was 4.3, SD: 1.8 (wave 16, average: 4.2, SD: 1.8) and the average rating for the attitude towards solidarity financing was 3.7, SD: 1.9 (wave 16, average: 3.3, SD: 2.0). In wave 8, more positive attitudes towards the reasonableness of costs and solidarity financing were associated with being male, higher education, not being in a partnership/being unmarried, higher affect regarding COVID-19 and higher presumed severity with respect to COVID-19. Furthermore, more positive attitudes towards the reasonableness of costs were associated with having a migration background. More positive attitudes towards solidarity financing was associated with higher age groups. Mainly similar findings were observed in wave 16.

Discussion

Agreement with reasonableness of costs of preventative measures as well as solidarity financing was moderately high. Knowledge of these attitudes is important to ensure social cohesion during the fight against COVID-19.
Serum indoxyl sulphate and its relation to albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein as a potential biomarkers of maternal intestinal metabolism during pregnancy and postpartum
Authors: Lisowska-Myjak Barbara , Zborowska Hanna , Jaźwiec Radosław , Karlińska Maria , Skarżyńska Ewa
Published: November 2021

Background

Serum indoxyl sulfate (IS) levels depend on the production of indole in the gut. The biological effects of IS in the vascular bed could be confirmed by changes in the levels of individual serum proteins during normal pregnancy and in the postpartum period as compared with non-pregnant controls. Albumin (Alb) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP, orosomucoid) are the most abundant serum carrier proteins with potential interrelationships with serum levels of IS.

Methods

Serum levels of IS, Alb and AGP were measured in 84 pregnant women in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy and in the postpartum period, as well as in non-pregnant controls (n = 20), using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (IS), colorimetric assay (Alb) and immunoturbidimetric assay (AGP).

Results

The postpartum serum levels [mg/L] of IS were lower (p = 0.027) than in the second trimester (mean±SD: 0.85±0.39 vs 0.58±0.32). There were no differences in the IS to ALB ratio calculated in the three trimesters of pregnancy, the postpartum period, and in the non-pregnant controls. The IS/AGP ratio increased from the first to the second trimester (p = 0.039), and decreased in the postpartum period (p<0.05), when it was lower than in the second and third trimester.

Conclusions

The variability of the serum IS/AGP ratio during pregnancy and in the postpartum period may reflect shared involvement in the regulation of their intravascular relationships. The link between serum levels of IS derived from the gut and AGP could serve a potential biomarkers of maternal intestinal metabolism during pregnancy and postpartum.
Libidibia ferrea (jucá) anti-inflammatory action: A systematic review of in vivo and in vitro studies
Authors: Almeida Nayanne C. O. S. , Silva Felipe R. P. , Carneiro Ana Lúcia B. , Lima Emerson S. , Barcellos José Fernando M. , Furtado Silvania C.
Published: November 2021

Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz (jucá) is a plant extensively used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of the inflammatory process. Primary studies have focused on the verification of these biological activities, highlighting the role of this plant in inflammatory conditions. This systematic review aimed to critically establish which part of the plant and what type of plant extract present the highest evidence of anti-inflammatory activity as in vivo and in vitro experimental models. This study has followed the recommendations by PRISMA and was registered in the PROSPERO database under number CRD42020159934. The literature review was carried out in several medical and scientific databases (Google Scholar, LILACS, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science) in studies published up to February 2020 and updated on March 2021. No language restriction was made to this search. Eligibility criteria were adopted instead. The risk of bias was evaluated through SYRCLE’s RoB tool for the in vivo studies. 609 studies were initiated to identify the whole and the subsequent steps of screening. 13 studies remained in the results (10 in vivo and 3 in vitro). In most studies the risk of bias was low or unclear. The high risk of bias was related to the risk of attrition and reporting bias. The fruit and the aqueous extract were identified as the most used in the studies carried out on the qualitative analysis and the results of the in vivo and in vitro studies were conducive to the anti-inflammatory action, a meta-analysis could not be performed due to heterogeneity between studies and the potential risk of bias to estimate the side effects. Therefore, the implementation of in vivo studies following the international guidelines could collaborate with analyses of the anti-inflammatory effect of jucá.
Changing the pattern of the back-muscle flexion–relaxation phenomenon through flexibility training in relatively inflexible young men
Authors: Chen Yi-Lang , Lin Wei-Cheng , Liao Ying-Hua , Chen Yi , Kang Pei-Yu
Published: November 2021

Although several studies have investigated the back-muscle flexion–relaxation phenomenon (FRP), the effect of individual flexibility on the FRP has been discussed infrequently, with very limited data on the influence of flexibility training on the FRP. This study thus examined the effect of flexibility training on the change of back-muscle FRP pattern in relatively inflexible young men. We collected and analyzed the valid data from 20 male participants (10 each with high and low flexibility included in the control and trained groups, respectively) when flexing their trunks at seven trunk flexion positions (0°–90°, in increments of 15°); their erector spinae and hamstring activation, pelvic tilt, and lumbosacral angle were then recorded. After 7 weeks of flexibility training for the low-flexibility group, no difference in flexibility was discovered between this group and the control (originally high-flexibility) group. The trunk flexion experiment was then repeated. The results showed that before the training stage, the low-flexibility group had lower erector spinae and higher hamstring activation, a larger pelvic tilt, and a smaller lumbosacral angle. By contrast, after training, the erector spinae and hamstring activation, pelvic tilt, and lumbosacral angle were significantly changed, and no intergroup differences were observed in FRP patterns. The study results suggest that flexibility training changes lumbopelvic movement and thereby reduces the degree of the back-muscle FRP when trunk flexion is performed.
Factors influencing nurses’ behavioral intention toward caring for COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Cheng Jingxia , Cui Jinbo , Yu Wenwen , Kang Hua , Tian Yongming , Jiang Xiaolian
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To investigate nurses’ behavioral intention toward caring for COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation, as well as the factors affecting their intention.

Background

COVID-19 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation have many care needs and pose more challenges for nurses, which might adversely affect nurses’ intention toward caring behavior.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted by using simple random sampling to recruit 598 nurses from five tertiary hospitals in Sichuan Province, China. The participants responded to an online questionnaire that included questions on demographic characteristics; the Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intention of Nurses toward Mechanically Ventilated Patients (ASIMP) questionnaire; the Nursing Professional Identity Scale (NPIS); and the Compassion Fatigue-Short Scale (CF-Short Scale). ANOVA, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed to analyze the data.

Results

The mean total behavioral intention score was 179.46 (± 14.83) out of a total score of 189.00, which represented a high level of intention toward caring for patients on mechanical ventilation. Multiple linear regression revealed that subjective norms (β = 0.390, P<0.001), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.149, P<0.001), professional identity (β = 0.101, P = 0.009), and compassion fatigue (β = 0.088 P = 0.024) were significant predictors of nurses’ behavioral intention.

Conclusions

Most nurses have a positive behavioral intention to care for COVID-19 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. The findings in this study provide some insight for developing effective and tailored strategies to promote nurses’ behavioral intention toward caring for ventilated patients under the pandemic situation.
Detection of structural variations in densely-labelled optical DNA barcodes: A hidden Markov model approach
Authors: Dvirnas Albertas , Stewart Callum , Müller Vilhelm , Bikkarolla Santosh Kumar , Frykholm Karolin , Sandegren Linus , Kristiansson Erik , Westerlund Fredrik , Ambjörnsson Tobias
Published: November 2021

Large-scale genomic alterations play an important role in disease, gene expression, and chromosome evolution. Optical DNA mapping (ODM), commonly categorized into sparsely-labelled ODM and densely-labelled ODM, provides sequence-specific continuous intensity profiles (DNA barcodes) along single DNA molecules and is a technique well-suited for detecting such alterations. For sparsely-labelled barcodes, the possibility to detect large genomic alterations has been investigated extensively, while densely-labelled barcodes have not received as much attention. In this work, we introduce HMMSV, a hidden Markov model (HMM) based algorithm for detecting structural variations (SVs) directly in densely-labelled barcodes without access to sequence information. We evaluate our approach using simulated data-sets with 5 different types of SVs, and combinations thereof, and demonstrate that the method reaches a true positive rate greater than 80% for randomly generated barcodes with single variations of size 25 kilobases (kb). Increasing the length of the SV further leads to larger true positive rates. For a real data-set with experimental barcodes on bacterial plasmids, we successfully detect matching barcode pairs and SVs without any particular assumption of the types of SVs present. Instead, our method effectively goes through all possible combinations of SVs. Since ODM works on length scales typically not reachable with other techniques, our methodology is a promising tool for identifying arbitrary combinations of genomic alterations.
MEG activity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during optic flow stimulations detects mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Noguchi-Shinohara Moeko , Koike Masato , Morise Hirofumi , Kudo Kiwamu , Tsuchimine Shoko , Komatsu Junji , Abe Chiemi , Kitagawa Sachiko , Ikeda Yoshihisa , Yamada Masahito
Published: November 2021

Dorsal stream, which has a neuronal connection with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), is known to be responsible for detection of motion including optic flow perception. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), this study aimed to examine neural responses to optic flow stimuli with looming motion in the DLPFC in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD-MCI) compared with cognitively unimpaired participants (CU). We analyzed the neural responses by evaluating maximum source-localized power for the AD-MCI group (n = 11) and CU (n = 20), focusing on six regions of interest (ROIs) that form the DLPFC: right and left dorsal Brodmann area 9/46 (A9/46d), Brodmann area 46 (A46) and ventral Brodmann area 9/46 (A9/46v). We found significant differences in the maximum power between the groups in the left A46 and A9/46v. Moreover, in the left A9/46v, the maximum power significantly correlated with the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised general memory score and delayed recall score. The maximum power in the left A9/46v also revealed high performance in AD-MCI versus CU classification with the area under the ROC curve of 0.90. This study demonstrated that MEG during the optic flow task can be useful in discriminating AD-MCI from CU.
Referrals for physical therapy for osteoarthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Kaur Manmeet , Black Daniel , Fine Jeffrey , Wise Barton L.
Published: November 2021

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability among Americans. Physical therapy (PT) is recommended per the 2019 ACR /Arthritis Foundation Guideline for Treatment of OA of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. During COVID-19, access to healthcare has been altered in a variety of clinical settings, with the pandemic creating delays in healthcare, with an unknown impact on access to PT care for OA.

Objectives

We sought to determine whether referrals to PT for OA were reduced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 2019.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was done of 3586 PT referrals placed by the University of California, Davis for 206 OA ICD-10 codes from January to November 2019 and from January to November 2020. The numbers of PT referrals per month of each year were compared using both descriptive statistics and Poisson Regression analysis.

Results

A total of 1972 PT referrals for OA were placed from January to November 2019. Only 1614 referrals for OA were placed from January to November 2020, representing a significant decrease (p= 0.001). Month-by-month analysis of 2020 compared to 2019 revealed statistically significant drops in PT referrals for OA in April (p= 0.001), May (p= 0.001), and August (p= 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings reveal a significant reduction in the number of referrals for PT for OA placed in 2020 during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. These reductions were particularly evident in the months following state-mandated actions and closures. Factors associated with this outcome may include decreased access to primary care providers, perceptions of PT availability by health care providers, decreased mobility limiting access to both clinic and PT appointments, and/or willingness to engage in PT by patients during the pandemic.
Early administration of Vitamin C in patients with sepsis or septic shock in emergency departments: A multicenter, double blinded, randomized controlled trial: The C-EASIE trial protocol
Authors: Vandervelden Stefanie , Wauters Lina , Breuls Jan , Fieuws Steffen , Vanhove Philippe , Hubloue Ives , Bartiaux Magali , Creteur Jacques , Stifkens François , Monsieurs Koen , Desruelles Didier
Published: November 2021

Background

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by a deregulated body’s response to infection causing injury to its own tissues and organs. Sepsis is the primary cause of death from infection. If not recognized and treated timely, it can evolve within minutes/hours to septic shock. Sepsis is associated with an acute deficiency of Vitamin C. Despite the proof-of-concept of the benefit of administering Vitamin C in patients with sepsis or septic shock, Vitamin C administration is not yet current practice.

Objective

To investigate the potential benefit of early administration of high doses of Vitamin C in addition to standard of care in patients with sepsis or septic shock.

Methods

This phase 3b multi-center trial is conducted in 8 hospitals throughout Belgium. In total 300 patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups in a 1:1 allocation ratio. The intervention group will receive 1.5 g Vitamin C 4 times a day during 4 days, started within 6 hours after admission. The primary outcome is the average post-baseline patient SOFA score.

Conclusion

This trial will determine whether the early administration of Vitamin C in patients with sepsis or septic shock can lead to a more rapid solution of shock and less deterioration from sepsis to septic shock, hereby reducing morbidity and mortality as well as the length of hospital stay in this patient population.

Trial registration

The C-EASIE trial has been registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov website on 10 February 2021 with registration number NCT04747795.

Trial Sponsor

UZ Leuven (sponsor’s reference S63213)
Exploring the distribution of grey and white matter brain volumes in extremely preterm children, using magnetic resonance imaging at term age and at 10 years of age
Authors: Kvanta Hedvig , Bolk Jenny , Strindberg Marika , Jiménez-Espinoza Carmen , Broström Lina , Padilla Nelly , Ådén Ulrika
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To investigate differences in brain volumes between children born extremely preterm and term born controls at term age and at 10 years of age.

Study design

Children born extremely preterm (EPT), up to 26 weeks and 6 days gestational age, in Stockholm between January 1 2004 to March 31 2007 were included in this population-based cohort study. A total of 45 EPT infants were included at term age and 51 EPT children were included at 10 years of age. There were 27 EPT children included at both time points. Two different control groups were recruited; 15 control infants were included at term age and 38 control children at 10 years of age. The primary outcomes were the grey and white matter volumes. Linear regression, adjusted for intracranial volume and sex, was used.

Results

At term age, the extremely preterm infants had significantly smaller grey matter volume compared to the control infants with an adjusted mean difference of 5.0 cm3 and a 95% confidence interval of −8.4 to −1.5 (p = 0.004). At 10 years of age the extremely preterm children had significantly smaller white matter volume compared to the control children with an adjusted mean difference of 6.0 cm3 and a 95% confidence interval of −10.9 to −1.0 (p = 0.010).

Conclusion

Extremely preterm birth was associated with reduced grey matter volume at term age and reduced white matter volume at 10 years of age compared to term born controls.
Formalisasi sektor informal: Proses, faktor pengaruh, dan dampak pada pelaku usaha sektor informal di Kota Palembang
Authors: Armansyah Armansyah , Sukamdi Sukamdi
Published: November 2021

This study aims to examine the process of formalizing informal sector through an analysis of characteristics of informal and formal sectors, factors affecting the formalization process, and its impact on informal sector actors in Palembang City. This study combines quantitative and qualitative methods with sequential explanatory designs. Quantitative data collection are conducted through survey, while qualitative data are gathered through in-depth interviews. Informants for this study are informal business actor who stayed in Palembang and have run their business for at least 1 year. Quantitative data analysis using Chi-square test and descriptive frequencies, while qualitative data analysis uses three stages, namely, reduction, display, and conclusion. The formalization process can be classified into three stages, namely the informal, transition, and formal stages. Most informal business actors in Palembang are still at the informal stage. The process of formalizing the informal sector in Palembang does not occur systematically, but rather with random or up and down patterns. The results also shows that the process of formalization of the informal sector is largely based on the initiative of business actors. In addition, informal businesses that have undergone a formalization process tend to have better income and business security.
Polarisasi etnis dan potensi konflik dalam kebijakan pencetakan sawah baru: Sebuah kajian kepustakaan
Authors: Pujiriyani Dwi Wulan
Published: November 2021

This study aims to analyse the implementation of new rice field plan  policies in Indonesia and their impacts on population and ethnic composition in new rice field locations. This research is conducted by applying a literature review method. It is shown that the implementation of the policies had two major implications. Firstly, it creates assimilation opportunities through collaboration between ethnic migrants and local ethnic groups to work on or cultivate new rice fields. Secondly, the great flows of transmigrants that move to the new rice field locations trigger ethnic polarization, which is prone to cause inter-ethnic conflict. In the future, potential problems associated with the provision of new rice fields are available are the risk of having aging population. The aging population indicates a decrease in productive labor that may also affect on decreasing attractiveness of the rice fields to the younger generation. This situation can lead to the re-involvement of older generation in managing the new rice fields. However, it can raise a new concern on their ability to improve the rice fields’ productivity or, even worse, the new rice fields might be neglected or be sold.
Barcelona com a espai narratiu vertical i horitzontal en l’obra de Juan Marsé
Authors: Faix Dóra
Published: November 2021

En l’obra de Juan Marsé l’acció se situa en un espai literari molt típic que comença a formar-se ja a partir de Encerrados con un solo juguete, la primera novel·la de l’autor. Es tracta d’un espai basat en la realitat extraliterària ‒la ciutat de Barcelona i alguns del seus barris‒ que dintre del text es relaciona amb pràcticament tots els elements de la narració, molt especialment amb els personatges i amb la seva acció. Les teories de Gabriel Zoran i Gaston Bachelard permeten descobrir com aquest espai es converteix en portador del valor simbòlic del text literari i pot contribuir a la interpretació. En Últimas tardes con Teresa aquest espai ja està completament configurat i en novel·les posteriors estarà implícitament present amb les mateixes característiques.ixes característiques.
Quatre poemes de Sándor Petőfi en versió catalana inèdita
Authors: Faluba Kálmán
Published: November 2021

A l’inici del 1907 el catalanòfil hongarès Albin Kőrösi demana a Benet Roura Barrios, el seu corresponsal barceloní, trobar traductors per a set poemes de Sándor Petőfi, poeta nacional d’Hongria. Aquest treball repassa el procés de gestació de les versions, de les qual només quatre van arribar a Kőrösi: dues realitzades per À. Guimerà i dues pel poeta valencià Francesc Badenes.
II Jornadas Argentinas de Educación Estadística y I Jornadas Latinoamericanas de Investigación en Educación Estadística
Authors: Cabrera Gabriela Pilar , Tauber Liliana Mabel
Published: November 2021

El año 2020 fue el año que se desató la pandemia de COVID-19, lo cual implicó que todas las actividades educativas, de investigación y de divulgación se hayan desarrollado de manera virtual. Esta situación que provocó muchas complejidades en diversos ámbitos de la vida, generó un ambiente propicio para que la comunidad latinoamericana interesada en la Educación Estadística, pudiera encontrarse a la distancia para poder intercambiar experiencias de aula, enseñanzas, aprendizajes y resultados de investigaciones centradas en la Educación Estadística. El medio para este encuentro fueron las Jornadas Argentinas de Educación Estadística y Latinoamericanas de Investigación en Educación Estadística. En este trabajo presentamos una breve descripción de las actividades realizadas y principalmente, comentamos las principales conclusiones que se obtuvieron, a partir de las cuales se han generado distintos proyectos de trabajo entre esta comunidad de aprendizaje que se presentan como cierre de este artículo.
Zeolite/Cerium Oxide Coat-on Activated Alumina Ball for Arsenite Removal via Fixed- Bed Continuous Flow Adsorption Column
Authors: Suwannatrai Suttikorn , Yan Dickson Y. S. , Khamdahsag Pummarin , Tanboonchuy Visanu
Published: November 2021

Arsenite (As(III)) has threatened human life for ages. It is a necessity to remove As(III) from the contaminated water before general use. With the improvement of adsorption, higher As(III) removal can be achieved. This study aimed to develop zeolite/cerium oxide coat-on activated alumina ball adsorbent (CeZ-ball) with the aid of PVA binder and apply it to a fixed-bed continuous flow column for As(III) adsorption. The coating percentage of CeZ-ball was studied. Cerium ions leaching from CeZ-ball were monitored throughout the 2,880-min-column run to confirm the stability of CeZ attached to an activated alumina ball. Surface area, pH point of zero charge, and structural property of CeZ-ball were characterized. An average CeZ coating of 83.3% and rare leaching of cerium proved the coating method. The models proposed by Yoon-Nelson provided the most satisfactory fit with the breakthrough curve (r2 = 0.985, MPSD = 2.547, and q0 = 3.481 mg·g–1) under experimental conditions of the flow rate of 5 mL·min–1, As(III) influent concentration of 1 mg·L–1, and CeZ-ball weight of 40 g. The half-time of breakthrough (τ) was 1,228.739 min. The effects of the key parameters, including initial adsorbent weight, initial flow rate, and initial As(III) concentration, were investigated for the performance of As(III) adsorption. Simulated from the Yoon-Nelson model, the τ increased as well as the adsorbent weight but decreased as the flow rate increased, thus impacting the As(III) concentration. With the optimal condition, the fixed-bed continuous column with CeZ-ball could be used in As(III) removal from contaminated water.
Bioética ambiental: aproximações entre Fritz Jahr e Van R. Potter
Authors: Renk Valquiria , Catellain Guebert Mirian Celia , Enns Cristoph
Published: November 2021

Este artigo analisa a concepção de Bioética Ambiental apresentada por Fritz Jahr em 1927 e V. R. Potter em 1971. Os procedimentos da pesquisa historiográfica orientam a seleção e análise das fontes documentais. A história cultural analisa o corpus documental. Jahr propôs o imperativo bioético e Potter a Bioética como a ciência de sobrevivência. Ambos propõem a Bioética como um paradigma de vida. Seus legados contribuíram na consolidação da Bioética e reconhecidos na formação de uma memória histórica. Os autores compreendiam que havia a necessidade de uma nova ética, para construir um novo projeto civilizatório.
Novel Use in Psychological Counseling and Guidance Education: An Analysis of the Novel of "Oblomov" in Terms of Reality Therapy
Authors: DURU Hazel
Published: November 2021

Novels are literary works and contain many psychological elements. Analyzing the attitudes of the characters, reflecting them, depicting their life frame and experiences are among the most important features of the novels. At this point, it is not surprising that there is a relationship between novels and psychology. In this study, it was aimed to examine the work named “Oblomov” in terms of reality therapy in order to show the use of novel in psychological counseling and guidance education. Reality therapy is based on the necessity of taking responsibility and the choices individuals make throughout their lives. Basic requirement, choice and responsibility, quality world-picture album, being here and now, successful and failure identity, etc. concepts constitute some of the basic concepts of reality therapy. The study was carried out with an analytical research model. In addition to being among the important classics of World Literature, the novel discussed in this study can be examined in terms of reality therapy because it deals with a character that has never met the need for freedom, does not value himself, and has difficulty in fulfilling his duties in life. This research has shown that the novel "Oblomov" can be used as an additional resource to understand the concepts of reality therapy and to illustrate the concepts.
Covid-19 and Online Music Education: A Qualitative Study on the Views of Preschool Teacher Candidates
Authors: YILMAZ Huseyin , SAKARYA Gul , GAYRETLI Serif , ZAHAL Onur
Published: November 2021

: This study aims to examine distance music education practices in the pandemic period in line with the opinions of pre-school teacher candidates. The study, in which the single case study design, one of the qualitative research approaches, was used, was carried out with 22 preschool teacher candidates studying at the Kafkas University, Turkey. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview form created by the researchers in line with expert opinions. The obtained data were collected under different themes and analyzed with content analysis. The results of the study showed that the acquisitions made by the preschool teacher candidates during distance music education were mainly based on a theoretical foundation. It was found that the greatest practical deficiency occurred in learning a musical instrument.The participants mostly expressed their views on saving time and space as the positive aspects of distance education. On the other hand, negative results were also obtained, such as the inadequacy of mutual communication in the distance education process, the lack of infrastructure in practice, and the limited course time. In future studies, it is recommended to implement synchronized applications, especially for instrument training, by supporting online materials.
Sake Journal (Goshu no nikki)
Authors: Rath Eric C.
Published: November 2021

This article presents the first English translation and commentary on Sake Journal (Goshu no nikki), the earliest guide to sake brewing and one of the most important sources for understanding the history of sake making in medieval Japan (1192–1600). Sake Journal includes six recipes for sake, five of which are translated here, along with the directions for pasteurization. Besides providing insights into the technology and tools of medieval brewing, as a secret manuscript whose dissemination was strictly controlled, Sake Journal documents the professionalization of the brewing craft and the popularization of certain styles.
Angiopoietin-like proteins 3, 4 and 8 are linked to cardiovascular function in naïve sub-clinical and overt hypothyroid patients receiving levothyroxine therapy
Authors: El Hini Sahar Hossam , Mahmoud Yehia Zakaria , Saedii Ahmed Abdelfadel , Mahmoud Sayed Shehata , Amin Mohamed Ahmed , Mahmoud Shereen Riad , Matta Ragaa Abdelshaheed
Published: November 2021

Objective

Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTL) 3, 4 and 8 are upcoming cardiovascular biomarkers. Experimental studies showed that thyroid hormones altered their levels. We assessed ANGPTL3, 4 and 8 as predictors of cardiovascular functions among naïve subclinical and naïve overt hypothyroidism (SCH and OH) and altered ANGPTL levels with levothyroxine replacement (LT4) and their association with improved cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular function.

Design and methods

The study was a prospective follow-up study that assessed ANGPTL3, 4 and 8 levels, vascular status (flow-mediated dilation% of brachial artery (FMD%), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), aortic stiffness index (ASI)), left ventricle (LV) parameters (ejection fraction (EF), myocardial performance index (MPI), and LV mass), well-known cardiovascular risk factors and homeostatic model for the assessment of insulin resistance, at two time points, that is, among naïve SCH, naïve OH, and healthy subjects groups; and at 6 months after achieving the euthyroid state with LT4 by calculating their increased or decreased delta changes (∆↑ or ∆↓) in longitudinal arm among LT4-hypothyroid groups.

Results

Significantly elevated levels of ANGPTL3, 4 and 8 among hypothyroid groups than the healthy subjects were reduced with LT4. Multivariate analysis revealed ANGPTLs as independent predictors of cardiovascular functions and the contributors for ANGPTL level included ANGPTL3 and 4 for impaired FMD%, and ANGPTL8 for LV mass among naïve SCH; ANGPTL3 for EF% and ANGPTL8 for CIMT in naïve OH; ∆↓ANGPTL3 for ∆↓ASI meanwhile ∆↑freeT4 for ∆↓ANGPTL3, ∆↓fasting glucose, ∆↓triglyceride, and ∆↓thyroid peroxidase antibody for ∆↓ANGPTL4 among LT4-SCH. ∆↓ANGPTL4 for ∆↓MPI and ∆↓LV mass, meanwhile ∆↓TSH and ∆↓triglyceride for ∆↓ANGPTL3, ∆↑free T3 and ∆↓HOMA-IR for ∆↓ANGPTL4, and systolic blood pressure and waist circumference for ∆↓ANGPTL8 among LT4-OH.

Conclusion

Elevated ANGPTL3, 4 and 8 levels are differentially independent predictors of endothelial and cardiac function and are reduced with LT4 in SCH and OH.
Investigation of the fire, thermal, and mechanical properties of zinc borate and synergic fire retardants on composites produced with PP-MDF wastes
Authors: Altuntas Ertugrul , Narlioglu Nasir , Hakki Alma Mehmet
Published: November 2021

Synergic effects of different fire retardant compounds and zinc borate on wood-plastic composites filled with polypropylene (PP) and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) waste fibers were investigated. For this purpose, zinc borate, synergic compounds (antimony trioxide, ammonium phosphate, and magnesium hydroxide), and a coupling agent, i.e., maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP), were used in the production of wood-plastic composites (WPCs). The composite samples were characterized in terms of the burning rate and limiting oxygen index (LOI) analyses, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) along with mechanical tests, i.e., flexural properties, tensile properties, elasticity modulus, and impact strength. It was found that the synergic influence of the combination of zinc borate, antimony trioxide, and magnesium oxide on WPCs increased the heat resistance according to the burning rate, LOI, TGA, and DSC tests. Also, the mechanical properties of the WPCs decreased slightly, but their elasticity modulus increased.
Preparation and flame-retardant mechanism of flame-retardant air filter paper
Authors: Li Yan , Sha Lizheng , Zhao Huifang , Huang Cheng
Published: November 2021

Four flame retardants and styrene-acrylic latex were used to make flame-retardant air filter paper via emulsion impregnation. The compositions and flame retardant mechanism of the flame retardants were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The flame retardance of air filter paper was evaluated using TGA and limiting oxygen index (LOI) meter, and the physical properties and pore structure of the flame-retardant air filter paper were measured using stiffness tester, burst tester, and aperture analyzer. The results showed that the optimal ratio of flame retardant to styrene-acrylic latex was 1:1.4. The synergistic effect of boron, phosphorus and nitrogen made FR3 have good flame-retardant effect on air filter paper. Air filter paper with FR3 also had good physical strength and suitable pore size distribution.
Xylanase SMXL1 from Stenocarpella maydis: Purification and biochemical characterization
Authors: Hernández-Domínguez Edna M. , Álvarez-Cervantes Jorge , Lucio-Ávila Pedro Gersain , Díaz-Godínez Gerardo , Mercado-Flores Yuridia
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to develop a method for the purification of a xylanase called SMXL1 produced by Stenocarpella maydis and its biochemical characterization. The enzyme was purified using a Rotofor preparative chamber and one chromatographic step in an ion exchange column coupled to equipment FPLC. Posteriorly the protein was characterized, and its effect on the birchwood xylan degradation was determine by HPLC. The purified enzyme showed a molecular weight of 55 kDa calculated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The purification process obtained a yield of 6.5  0.3 %. The activity was stable at a pH range of 4 to 10 and temperatures of 45 to 60 °C. The optimum values of temperature and pH were 55 °C and 4, respectively. The Michaelis constant (Km) value was 2.61 mg/mL and the Vmax was 3.02 µmol/mL/min using birchwood xylan as substrate and the Michaelis-Menten equation. The enzyme is inhibited by the cations Mn2+ and by Fe3+ and degrades the birchwood xylan being the principal products the xylobiose and the xylose. This work is the first report of the purification and biochemical characterization of a xylanase called SMXL1 produced by S. maydis.
African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) and other local Tanzanian tree species’ biological performance against subterranean termites and wood decay fungi
Authors: Nakai Kazushi , Yoshimura Tsuyoshi
Published: November 2021

African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) is known as an indispensable material for the production of musical instruments, e.g., clarinets, oboes, and piccolos. The authors focused on the biological performance of African blackwood and other local Tanzanian species in order to collect preliminary data for developing further uses for these local timbers. Five local species, including African blackwood, were exposed to both subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus) and two wood decay fungi (White rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) and Brown rot fungus (Fomitopsis palustris)) according to Japanese standard test methods. African blackwood heartwood had high durability against both termite and fungal attacks, as well as the highest air-dried density of all test species. Some species also indicated a higher durability, even though they had a lower density than African blackwood heartwood. The authors showed the importance of heartwood extractives in terms of biological performance for the local Tanzanian timbers. The authors findings suggested that African blackwood heartwood was clearly useful as a high-durability material in addition to current major applications. The potential of the other local species was also suggested in terms of further timber utilization. These results presented fundamental information about sustainable forest management based on the effective utilization of local timbers.
Pore structure characterization of oak via X-ray computed tomography
Authors: Guo Liangyan , Cheng Hongchao , Chen Junfeng , Chen Wentao , Zhao Jingyao
Published: November 2021

The microscopic pore structure of wood is an important factor that affects its macroscopic properties. In this study, an oak sample was used for pore structure characterization. X-ray computed tomography imaging was carried out, and the scanning results (a multi-layer two-dimensional planar image) were rendered using Avizo software (a three-dimensional stereo image). A digital image processing method was used to identify the characteristics of the three-dimensional pore structure features and to calculate the characteristic parameters, i.e., the porosity (volume/surface), pore area and volume, pore size distribution, and the connectivity. The 27 mm3 oak sample had the following characteristics: a pore size which ranged from 8.56 µm to 1262.84 µm; a pore volume of 1.01 × 1010 µm3; a pore area and volume porosity of 1.12 × 109 µm2 and 37.6%, respectively; a surface porosity range of approximately 36.1% to 39.1%; a pore diameter for axial connection ranging from approximately 164.57 µm to 1262.84 µm; and had corresponding proportions of the pore area and volume of approximately 74.4% and 67.3%, respectively. This information provided useful structural data for the construction of future models.
Comparative analysis of indicators of competitive activity of the strongest male and female fighters of mixed martial arts MMA
Authors: Tropin Y. , Myroshnychenho Y. , Holovach I. , Chornii I. , Latyshev M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose: to conduct a comparative analysis of the indicators of the competitive activity of the strongest fighters of men and women of mixed martial arts MMA from the TOP-10, regardless of weight. Material and methods. The research used the following methods: analysis of scientific and methodological information and Internet sources; generalization of best practical experience; analysis of protocols and videos of the competitive activity of men and women fighters from the TOP-10, regardless of weight; methods of mathematical statistics. The performance output of the strongest male and female MMA fighters is taken from the UFC website. Results: the analysis of the strongest fighters of women and men from the TOP-10, regardless of weight, showed that the average age of women is 32,7±3,74 years, and of men – 33,2±2,75 years. The average fight time for women is 16,25±3,43 minutes, and for men – 12,76±3,05 minutes. The TOP-10 strongest female fighters, regardless of weight, include representatives of six countries (four fighters from the United States, two representatives from Brazil and one athlete each from Kyrgyzstan, China, and the Netherlands), and the TOP-10 strongest male fighters regardless of weight also includes representatives of six countries (four fighters from the USA, two representatives from Russia and one athlete each from France, Nigeria, Brazil, Australia). It was found that male fighters from the TOP-10, regardless of weight, during their sports careers won 204 fights and lost 17 fights. For female fighters, these results are worse – 151 wins and 35 losses. Conclusions. Comparative analysis of the indicators of the competitive activity of the strongest fighters of women and men from the TOP-10, regardless of weight, showed that fighters of women and men deliver the same number of punches per minute (4,52 punches), and women fighters miss more punches (3,36 punches) than male fighters (2,60 strokes). The greatest number of punches was carried out by women and men in a standing position (women – 66,9 %; men – 64,6 %), then on the ground (women – 19,0 %; men – 21,6 %) and in a clinch (women – 14,1 %; men – 13,8 %). The largest number of blows are in the head (women – 60,2 %; men – 68,4 %), then on the body (women – 20,9 %; men – 18,3 %) and on the legs (women – 18,9 %; men – 13,3 %). The strongest fighters, women and men, defend against takedowns more efficiently (women – 77,5 %; men – 81,6 %) than against punches (women – 56,8 %; men – 59,8 %). The number of takedown attempts in 15 minutes is greater (women – 1,53 times; men – 1,86 times) than performing a submission in 15 minutes (women – 0,55 times; men – 0,53 times). Keywords: competitive activity, mixed martial arts MMA, TOP-10, indicators, fighters, men, women.
Using digital technologies in refereeing to correctly identify the winner in judo competitions
Authors: Chobotko M. , Chobotko I.
Published: November 2021

Purpose: to analyze the impact of the use of digital technology in judging to correctly identify the winner in judo competitions. Material and methods. The following methods were used during the research: theoretical analysis and generalization of literature sources and data of the Internet, analysis of video recording, methods of mathematical statistics. Results: based on the recordings of 42 fights of the final block of the European Championship and the Ukrainian Junior Judo Championship on video hosting (You Tube), the analysis of the impact of video replays on the referee's decision was conducted to correctly identify the winner in the competition. In 22 bouts of the European Championship and in 24 bouts of the Ukrainian Championship, the referees made decisions that did not require revision or change. In the other 20 fights of the European Championship and in 18 fights of the Ukrainian Championship, video replays were used. A comparison of the average rates of fights in which digital replays were used or not used with the help of digital technologies showed a statistically significant difference in the performance of refereeing at the European Championship and the Ukrainian Judo Championship among juniors (<0,05). Since t (0,051) < tgr (1,98) the analysis of the refereeing of the European Championship and the Ukrainian Junior Judo Championship can be considered statistically significant. As a percentage of the total number of 42 fights, of which 20 fights – 47,6 % of international judges use video replays and 22 fights – 52,3 % of international judges did not use video replays. Analyzing the championship of Ukraine with a total of 42 fights, of which 18 fights – 42,8 % of judges use video replays and 24 fights – 57,1 % of judges did not use video replays. Conclusions. Analysis of existing digital technologies used in judo refereeing has revealed a set of programs that assist in the competition. The use of digital technologies provides an opportunity to improve the quality of refereeing at various ranks of the competition. The percentage of using video views and the percentage without video views at the European Championship and the Ukrainian Championship is almost the same. This speaks to the quality of judging at these events. This is because the refereeing of the final block allows more qualified judges who did not make mistakes during the refereeing or these mistakes were minimal. Keywords: judo, digital technologies, video replays, YouTube, European Championship, Ukrainian Championship, judges.
Bacterial Profile of Bile Culture from Patients Undergoing Cholecystectomy
Authors:   Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Chaloob F.A.
Published: November 2021

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most commonly performed routine surgical operation in general surgery. There is a debate about utility of prophylactic antibiotic therapy following cholecystectomy. The aim of the study was to investigate bacterial growth in bile culture from patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods. This study included 80 patients who undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All gallbladder specimens were sent for histopathology. A bile sample from each case was cultured on Brain heart infusion broth, MacConkey agar, and chocolate agar. Analytical profile indices were used for identification of isolated bacteria. Results. Six histopathological abnormalities were detected, of which chronic cholecystitis was the most common abnormality (58.75%) followed by acute cholecystitis with mucocele (11.25%). Thirty one bile samples (38.75%) were positive for bacterial growth. The overall bacterial isolates from bile samples showed Escherichia coli, 13.75%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 8.75%, Enterococcus faecium, 5%, Citrobacter freundii, 3.7%, Staphylococcus epidermidis, 3.75%, Lactobacillus gasseri, 2.5% and Bifiidobacterium, 1.25%. Bacterial colonization of gallbladder was significantly associated with acute cholecystitis with mucocele and empyema. Conclusions. More than one third of patients with cholelithiasis are positive for bacterial culture. Bacterial infection of stoned gallbladder associated with the development of empyema. Thus, prophylactic antibiotic therapy is recommended for patients undergoing cholecystectomy due to gallbladder stone.