bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-benefit analysis of the backyard duck production systems in the rural areas of Bangladesh: A study in Laksam upazila, Comilla
Authors: Islam Nahidul , Abul Hossain Md. , Akter Nasima , Faruk Miazi Omar , Sultan Nahid , Islam Shilpi , Emran Hossain Md.
Published: September 2023

The study was conducted to explore the present status, production practices and cost-benefit analysis of the existing backyard duck rearing systems in the rural areas of Comilla district, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using simple random sampling technique and data were collected directly from the duck farmers through face to face interview using a structured questionnaire during 13th October to the 12th December 2019 from 4 villages under Laksam upazila of Comilla district. Socio-economic status of the duck farmers, feeding systems of ducks, availability of feeds for raising ducks, productive performance of scavenging ducks and cost-benefit analysis of raising ducks were evaluated. Results indicated that the most of the duck farmers (56%) were middle aged (25- 50 years). About 66.0% of them had only primary education. Majority of them (56%) were landless. Only 18.0% of them owned large duck flocks (75-200). The ducks attained sexual maturity at the age of 6.0 months and produced on an average 110 eggs per year. Egg production reached the peak during the winter season specially after crop-harvest. Approximately, 10% of the respondents did not spend any money for supplementary feeding. The mortality rate was 19% which reached the peak during the winter season (27%). The ducks were vaccinated mostly against duck plague. Around 80% of the households sold eggs to the local market and 20% to the wholesalers and other local dealers. On average, total gross expenditure and annual income per duck were 453.0 and 1450.0 BDT, respectively. It was concluded that the knowledge of the duck farmers related to the housing, feeding, breeding, prevention and control of duck diseases was not satisfactory. Introduction of improved duck breeds, training of the duck farmers, easy access of vaccination, financial and technical supports to the farmers could boost up the productivity of the rural ducks.
Antimicrobial efficacy of Terminalia arjuna, Vitex negunda and Cynodon dactylon against Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from broiler chicken
Authors: Adhikary Kona , Azizul Islam S. K. M.
Published: September 2023

Globally, traditional medicine has been gaining popularity to combat ailments including emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial screening of Terminalia arjuna (Arjun; Fruit), Vitex negundo (Nishinda; Leaf), Cynodon dactylon (Durba; Whole plant) along with some commercially available antibiotics was performed against Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from commercial broiler chicken. Methanolic extract of plants were used to test their antimicrobial activity against these bacteria. Three different concentrations of 1mg/µl, 0.5 mg/µl and 0.25 mg/µl methanolic plant extracts were treated against E. coli and Salmonella spp. cultured in commercial media to observe the level of sensitivity. Terminalia arjuna was more sensitive for both E. coli with the highest zone of inhibition 17 mm and Salmonella spp. with the highest zone of inhibition 14 mm than the other two. Within commercial antibiotics, Ciprofloxacin and Enrofloxacin were 100% sensitive to both E. coli and Salmonella spp., whereas Tetracycline against E. coli and Trimethoprim against Salmonella spp. were found to be 100% resistant. In conclusion, plant derived antimicrobials from Terminalia arjuna and commercial antibiotics including Ciprofloxacin and Enrofloxacin might be used for treating Colibacillosis and Salmonellosis in chicken. As the herbal drugs have fewer side effects, further study is warranted to detect the effects in vivo for the proper establishment of the medicinal plants in modern medicine along with pharmaceutically driven antibiotics.
Food, nutrition and health status of the pet animals in Dhaka and Chattogram city of Bangladesh
Authors: Bhowmik Priunka , Khatun Mim Hafsa , Datta Aparna , Adhikar Kona , Akter Nasima , Barua Karabi , Emran Hossain Md.
Published: September 2023

The study aimed to investigate the socio-economic status of the pet owners and the traditional feeding, immunization and health practices of the pet animals in Bangladesh. During, August 2019 to January 2020, 100 pet owners were face to face interviewed who came to the Central Veterinary Hospital, Teaching and Training Pet Hospital and Research Center and SAQ Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Results indicated that, the cats were reared mostly by the female while most of the dogs were reared by the male owners. The highest number of cat owners (50.0%) was student while majority of the government officers and businessmen used to rear dog. The local breed was the most dominant cat breed (60.5%) followed by the Persian breed (35.5%). Accordingly, the most dominant category of dog breed was local (50.0%) followed by the Spitz breed (29.2%). The cat population was mostly female (52.6%) unlike the majority was male in case of dog (66.7%). The ‘Lara’ and ‘Drools’ were the most frequently used commercial foods for the cats and dogs, respectively. The majority of the dogs and cats (were fed thrice a day. Trade name of the vaccines used and the incidence of skin diseases were different (p<0.05) whereas the pattern of deworming, vaccination, anthelmintics, digestive disorder and disease occurrence were similar (p>0.05) in cats and dogs. About 50.0% of the dogs and 48.7% of the cats were dewormed. Among the anthelmintics, ‘Delentin’ were used most frequently both in the cats and dogs. Vaccination was given in 57.9% and 62.5% in cats and dogs, respectively. It was concluded that the ownership of pet, occupation of the pet owners, sex, breed, nutrition, and immunization pattern of cats and dogs in Chattogram and Dhaka cities of Bangladesh are different.
Alterations of sex steroid hormone in an unusually sex-reversed duck: a case study
Authors: Paul Thomby , Saif Arfanul , Ashif Imtiaz Mohammed , Ridoan Pasha Md. , Hossan Shaikat Amir
Published: September 2023

A two-year old female duck from Chattogram area of southern Bangladesh was found to develop unusual male phenotypic characters followed by a history of egg laying. This apparently sex-reversed duck was reportedly showed several visible changes including masculine body, appearance of drake feather, gradual changes in feather colour. During this study, we attempted to measure biochemical parameters to evaluate the case. These include knowing the alterations of sex steroid hormone concentration such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone in sex-reversed duck. We isolated the duck and observed it for two weeks. The sex steroid hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone concentrations were measured on day 0 (D0), day 7 (D7) and day 14 (D14) by using specific ELISA kit. Besides, an autopsy was performed to find out any gross changes in reproductive organs. We identified a gradual increase of male sex hormone testosterone from 1.88 ng/ml to 3.04 ng/ml from day 0 to day 14. The female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone has a decreasing trend in concentration (estrogen 110.2pg/ml to 85.3pg/ml; progesterone 2.5 ng/ml to 1.68ng/ml) from day 0 to day 14 of observation period. On postmortem examination, atrophied left ovary with no grossly visible ovarian follicle was found. The increasing concentration of male hormone and decreasing trend of female hormone might be associated with the sex-reversal phenomenon in this duck.
Management of dystocia due to postural defect (carpal flexion) in Holstein Friesian cross breed cow- A case report
Authors: Azizunnesa  , Hasan Tanjila , Yadav Usha , Jit Yadav Chandra , Moktadir Billah Reza Md.
Published: September 2023

Dystocia or difficulty in parturition in a cow may need veterinary assistance for the successful parturition. Among different types of fetal origin carpal flexion most frequent one. An adult Holstein Friesian crossbreed cow weighing 250 kg in its third parity was attended at doorstep by the doctor’s team of SAQ Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Science University (CVASU), Chattogram with the history of complete gestation and rupture of amnioticsac. General clinical examination revealed that the cow was depressed with normal body temperature and tachycardia. By per vaginal examination of fetal condition, it was diagnosed as dystocia due to carpal flexion. Fetotomy followed by mutation and traction was performed to expel out the dead fetus and to save the dam. The cow recovered successfully without any complication though the calf was dead as it was delayed in managing the case.
Presentación e-Revista Multidisciplinaria del Saber: emerge un nuevo órgano divulgativo
Authors:   Centro de Investigación en Tecnologías de Salud y Ambiente, Romero Palmera José Antonio
Published: September 2023

Hoy día de jubilo académico, desde el Centro de Investigación en Tecnologías de Salud y Ambiente (CITSA),ente ejecutor de investigación multidisciplinaria en el diseño, evaluación y certificación de tecnologías, estándares y procesos eficientes y sostenibles en pro del bienestar humano y la preservación ambiental, presentamos el novel órgano divulgativo e-Revista Multidisciplinaria del Saber. Es una revista electrónica de publicación continua,arbitrada y próximamente indexada, de acceso libre.
The Influence of Organizational Culture, Physical Work Environment, and Work Life Balance on Job Satisfaction of Employees of the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Department of Kediri City
Authors: Widyawan Agit , Wardhani Rike Kusuma , Munawaroh Nuril Aulia
Published: September 2023

This research aims to explain the influence of Organizational Culture, Physical Work Environment and Work Life Balance on employee job satisfaction at the Kediri City Department (PMPTSP). The data analysis techniques used in this research are validity test, reliability test, classical assumption test, multiple linear regression test, t test, F test with SPSS version 24.0 tools. The methods used are questionnaires, interviews and observations. The sampling technique used purposive sampling technique with a total of 32 respondents. Based on the research results obtained from the multiple linear regression equation Y = 1.330 + 0.272X 1 + 0.201X2 + 0.400X3 + e. The results of the analysis carried out show that the Organizational Culture variable has a positive and significant effect on employee job satisfaction with evidence of Sig. 0.007 < 0.05 and the regression coefficient is positive 0.272. The Physical Work Environment variable has a positive and significant effect on employee job satisfaction with evidence of Sig. 0.046 < 0.05 and the regression coefficient is positive 0.201. The Work Life Balance variable has a positive and significant effect on employee job satisfaction with evidence of Sig. 0.005 < 0.05 and the regression coefficient is positive 0.400. And Organizational Culture, Physical Work Environment and Work Life Balance simultaneously have a significant influence on employee job satisfaction with evidence of Sig. 0.000 < 0.05 R Square value 0.651 or 65.1%.
Investigaciones en educación matemática en contraste
Authors: Carnelli Gustavo
Published: September 2023

En el campo de la educación matemática se investiga respecto de problemáticas muy variadas y desde distintos  marcos teóricos. En este artículo tomamos tres  investigaciones en las que hemos participado y que  expresan esta diversidad: una tesis doctoral y dos  proyectos radicados en una universidad argentina.  Analizamos cada una de ellas a partir de algunas  dimensiones: las motivaciones que las originaron, el marco  teórico elegido para el abordaje del problema y los  resultados obtenidos y aportes brindados al campo de conocimiento. Consideramos que este recorrido sirve  especialmente a quienes se inician en la investigación en  educación matemática.
Criptografía: un tema de interés en el currículo de matemáticas de secundaria
Authors: Olgin Clarissa de Assis
Published: September 2023

Este artículo discute la importancia de desarrollar el trabajo con temas a lo largo del Currículo de Matemáticas de Enseñanza Media, presentando el tema Criptografía como una posibilidad didáctica para explorar un conjunto de situaciones problema que involucran contenidos matemáticos. La elección del tema Criptografía se debió a su relevancia, ya que se utiliza en diferentes situaciones de la vida moderna, ya sea en auditorías electrónicas, autenticación de pagos electrónicos, transacciones financieras digitales, seguridad de datos digitales confidenciales, entre otros. De esta forma, el objetivo es presentar el tema Criptografía como generador de situaciones didácticas aplicables en el currículo de Matemáticas, posibilitando la revisión y profundización de la comprensión de los conceptos matemáti- cos. Como resultado de la investigación realizada, se presenta un conjunto de actividades que exploran el tema y sus aplicaciones, así como actividades didácticas para introducir, ejercitar, repasar y profun- dizar los contenidos de aritmética, funciones y matrices
Planificación escolar y desarrollo de habilidades en la educación matemática contemporánea
Authors: Groenwald Claudia Lisete Oliveira
Published: September 2023

Este artículo presenta un extracto de los resultados de la investigación desarrollada en el grupo de Estudios Curriculares en Educación Matemática (GECEM), en el ámbito del Programa de Posgrado en Enseñanza de Ciencias y Matemáticas (PPGECIM), de la Universidad Luterana de Brasil (ULBRA) , en Canoas, en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. El énfasis está en la importancia de un currículo escolar acorde con las necesidades del mundo contemporáneo y en las competencias de los estudiantes del siglo XXI. Es importante reflexionar acerca de los cambios que la Escuela necesita poner en marcha para que responda a las necesidades de los estudiantes y para que pueda contribuir a los cambios en la sociedad, de manera que coadyuve en la modernización de esta sociedad, ayudando a transformarlo, siendo un lugar de igualdad de oportunidades, un espacio para vivir bien y en armonía, un espacio donde los conflictos sean manejables y no impidan la convivencia armónica y el desarrollo de los ciudadanos.
Estudiantes chilenos y norteamericanos en un proyecto sobre entrevistas en el idioma inglés
Authors: Astudillo Carolina , Pereira Hernan , Jogan Karen , Gee Roger
Published: September 2023

Este artículo se basa en un proyecto de innovación docente en que estudiantes chilenos y estadounidenses participaron en la creación de un libro (Voices for global communication) que incluye entrevistas a hablantes nativos norteamericanos. El texto presenta conversaciones en inglés para la enseñanza de este idioma en niveles intermedio o preavanzado. De igual forma, el trabajo intenta responder de qué manera es posible crear un recurso educativo basado en lo que conocemos como material auténtico en el aprendizaje de un segundo idioma. Se presenta la literatura especializada que describe y analiza la utilidad de comprender la cultura, leer, entender, escribir y hablar respecto del lenguaje utilizado por hablantes nativos en contextos de la vida diaria. Se describen las etapas de desarrollo del proyecto, el entrenamiento a estudiantes chilenos para realizar entrevistas en inglés, el análisis de discurso producto de las entrevistas, las actividades del libro, el trabajo en red de un equipo de académicos de la Universidad Arturo Prat y Holy Family University y Albright College de Estados Unidos y evaluación del impacto en los estudiantes chilenos por medio de un cuestionario lista de cotejo y focus group. Los resultados entregan información significativa acerca de las estrategias metodológicas adecuadas para el desarrollo de competencia lingüística en universitarios chilenos, principalmente aquellas que son necesarias para entrevistar e interactuar con hablantes nativos en inglés, en este caso, mediante un libro que promueve la comprensión y tolerancia cultural por medio de actividades diseñadas para su uso.
Kajian Penggunaan Kombinasi TDF/3TC/EFV untuk Pasien HIV/AIDS Kota Bandung pada Salah Satu Rumah Sakit Swasta
Authors: Vitamia Cszahreyloren , Rachmawati Cristina Yuni
Published: September 2023

Virus yang menyebabkan Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) adalah virus Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS sendiri merupakan suatu kumpulan gejala dengan kondisi berkurangnya kemampuan sistem kekebalan tubuh yang disebabkan oleh infeksi virus HIV ke dalam tubuh penderita. Obat Antiretroviral (ARV) berfungsi untuk menginhibisi perkembangan HIV di dalam sel CD4, menurunkan jumlah virus yang bisa menularkan ke sel CD4 baru sehingga parameter peningkatan jumlah sel CD4 sebagai penanda keberhasilan terapi ARV ini. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui persentase karakteristik usia, jenis kelamin dan stadium pada pasien HIV/AIDS, persentase faktor resiko penyebab terjadinya penyakit HIV/AIDS, kategori penyakit penyerta, perbedaan peningkatan CD4 pada pasien dewasa HIV/AIDS kategori imunodefisiensi berdasarkan jumlah CD4 awal dan CD4 akhir dengan menggunakan terapi kombinasi obat Tenofovir, Lamivudin, Efavirenz di salah satu rumah sakit swasta kota Bandung. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian noneksperimental dengan penelusuran secara retrospektif, melalui pengambilan data catatan rekam medis pasien rawat jalan HIV/AIDS pada periode 2017-2019. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jenis kelamin terbanyak yaitu pasien laki-laki 81 orang (78%), karakteristik usia tertinggi pada pasien dewasa awal (26-35 tahun) 41 orang (39,42%), dan stadium IV sebanyak 74 orang (70,48%). Faktor resiko tertinggi penyebab penyakit HIV/AIDS adalah heteroseksual 68 orang (65,38%). Kategori penyakit penyerta yang tertinggi yaitu penyakit yang tidak diketahui sebanyak 50 orang (47,62%), kandidiasis 29 orang (28,57%). Peningkatan CD4 pada pasien dewasa HIV/AIDS kategori imunodefisiensi berdasarkan jumlah CD4 awal dan CD4 akhir dengan menggunakan terapi obat TDF/3TC/EFV sebanyak 97 orang (93,27%).
Yaşlı Hastalara Bakım Veren Bireylerdeki Bakım Yükünün ve Etkileyen Faktörlerin Belirlenmesi
Authors: AYDAR BAKIR Necife , KARABAĞ AYDIN Arzu
Published: September 2023

Amaç: Bu çalışma yaşlı hastalara bakım veren bireylerdeki bakım yükünün ve etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir.

Gereç ve Yöntem: Araştırma tanımlayıcı-kesitsel tasarımda yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın verileri 17 Ekim-25 Aralık 2021 tarihleri arasında toplanmıştır. Çalışmaya bir Devlet Hastanesi dahiliye, palyatif, kardiyoloji, göğüs hastalıkları, nöroloji, fizik tedavi ve rehabilitasyon kliniklerinde yatan 65 yaş ve üzeri yaşlı hastalara bakım veren 334 birey katılmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri yüz yüze görüşme yöntemiyle elde edilmiştir. Yaşlı hastaya bakım veren bireye Kişisel Bilgi Formu ve Zarit Bakım Verme Yükü Ölçeği uygulanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler kullanılmıştır. Normal dağılım gösteren ikili gruplarda Bağımsız Gruplarda t testi, ikiden fazla gruplarda Tek Yönlü Anova testi kullanılmıştır.

Bulgular: Çalışmada hastalara bakım verenlerin yaş ortalamasının 43,55±14,80 (min:18-max:82) olduğu, bakım verilen yaşlı hastaların yaş ortalamasının ise 74,66±7,70 (min: 65-max:94) olduğu bulunmuştur. Zarit Bakım Verme Yükü Ölçeği toplam puan ortalaması 33,83±14,71 (min:3-max:76) olarak bulunmuştur. Yaşlı hastaya bakım veren bireylerden çalışmayanlarda, ev hanımı-emekli-öğrenci olanlarda, hastaya yakınlık derecesi “gelin” olanlarda, 3-5 yıl ve 6 yıldan uzun süredir bakım verenlerde Zarit Bakım Verme Yükü Ölçeği puan ortalaması anlamlı derecede yüksek bulunmuştur (p
Parkinson Hastalığı'nda Myotonometri Yönteminin Rijidite Değerlendirmesinde Kullanımı
Authors: ÜĞÜT Birön Onur , GENÇ Arzu
Published: September 2023

Parkinson hastalığı (PH) nigrostriatal dopaminerjik yolaktaki bozulmadan kaynaklı, Alzheimer Hastalığından sonra en sık görülen ikinci nörodejeneratif hastalıktır. Rijidite, bir ekstremitenin ya da aksiyal vücut parçasının pasif harekete karşı hızdan ve hareketin yönünden bağımsız olarak gösterdiği artmış direnç olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Rijidite, PH’nin tanı koydurucu, temel ve en sık görülen semptomlarından biridir ve rijidite değerlendirilmesi PH’de motor semptomları takip etme, hastalığın seyrini izleme ve tedavilerin etkinliğini değerlendirme, ilaç dozunu belirleme gibi önemli konularda kullanılabilmektedir. Rijidite değerlendirilmesinde kullanılan objektif ve kantitatif yöntemler bu nedenle büyük önem taşımaktadır. Myotonometri; kasın mekanik özelliklerinin belirlenmesinde kullanılan noninvaziv, kolay uygulanabilir, ucuz, geçerli ve güvenilir bir yöntemdir. Myotonometri aynı zamanda kasın sağlıklı olma durumu dışında tonusta değişikliklere yol açan rijidite ya da spastisite gibi durumlarında kasın mekanik özeliklerinin kantitatif olarak değerlendirilmesinde dolayısıyla kasın hastalık durumunun sayısal olarak ifade edilmesinde de kullanılmaktadır. Bu derlemenin amacı rijiditenin değerlendirilmesinde kullanılan yöntemleri genel olarak açıklamak ve bu yöntemler arasında myotonometrinin yerini belirlemektir.
TUJUAN, FUNGSI HUKUM DAN MAQASID TASYRI’
Authors: Sufriadi
Published: September 2023

Dalam kajian hukum Islam, sumber-sumber yang dapat dijadikan pegangan dalam menetapkan hukum suatu masalah pada dasarnya terdiri dari dua macam, yaitu nash dan ra`yu (rasio). Termasuk dalam kategori nash adalah Al-Qur’an dan hadis, sedangkan yang tergolong dalam kategori ra`yu adalah selain dari keduanya. Adapun jika ditinjau dari kekuatannya, sumber tersebut dapat digolongkan atas sumber hukum yang disepakati dan sumber hukum yang tidak disepakati oleh ulama. Salah satu sumber hukum yang termasuk dalam kategori ra`yu dan tidak disepakati oleh ulama adalah maslahah mursalah. Maslahah mursalah ialah penetapan hukum berdasarkan kepentingan umum terhadap suatu persoalan yang tidak ada ketetapan hukumnya dalam syara’, baik secara umum maupun secara khusus. Maksud dari pengambilan maslahah tersebut adalah untuk mewujudkan manfaat, menolak kemudharatan dan menghilangkan kesusahan manusia. Di sisi lain, segala larangan Allah Swt. mengandung kemasalahatan di baliknya, manusia dilarang melakukan larangan-Nya agar dapat terhindar dari kerusakan atau kebinasaan. Salah satu contoh adalah larangan meminum minuman keras (khamar) yang bertujuan untuk menghindarkan seseorang dari hal-hal yang merusak tubuh, jiwa dan akal sehat. Maqashid al-syar’iyyah terbentuk sebagai peta dalam peumusan tujuan dan fungsi hukum yang berkenaan dengan mukallaf. Maqashid al-syar’iyyah bagi mujtahid menuntun proses ijtihad untuk melahirkan fiqh yang dinamis, tentunya juga mengharuskan sikap profesional dalam memberikan porsi peran maqashid al-syar’iyyah itu sendiri. Maqashid al-syar’iyyah yang sebagian ulama mereduksinya sebagai inti dari menarik mashlahah dan mafsadah mengambarkan bahwa setiap hukum yang terlahir harus bernilai rahmatan lil ‘alamin.
Psychological Task: Life "Before" and "After"
Authors: Maltsev Oleg
Published: September 2023

War has settled in the city as a neighbor, necessitating a unique approach to addressing the challenges that arise in such circumstances. This scientific article delves into the central psychological challenge that individuals in Ukraine face in light of the significant events of February 2022, as they adapt to the changed city life. It presents a heuristic model of human skills block formation in the process of life and activity is introduced; the role of psychologism and the dynamics of changing realities on personal reconsideration of individual’s approaches and methods of life and activity safety is described. Three levels of adaptivity to situations that potentially might unfold in the city under military conditions these days are categorized by the concepts of individual’s adaptability and maladaptability. The primary objective of this research is to demonstrate how feelings of helplessness can serve as a powerful motivator, compelling individuals to acquire essential skills necessary for adaptation in specific conditions. Consequently, there is a growing urgency for individuals to gain proficiency in firearm usage, as the psychological challenges of our times force people to either seek refuge or embark on a journey of acquiring practical skills that enable them to live and effectively address challenges even in novel and transformed circumstances.
The Fateful Nature of State-Building Projects
Authors: Skvorets Vladimir
Published: September 2023

The article delves into an examination of pivotal state-building initiatives that have significantly shaped societal trajectories. The clash between the February project (Provisional Government) and the October project (Soviets) emerged as a decisive determinant in steering the socio-political course within the former Russian Empire in 1917. The confrontation between the anti-Soviet endeavor and the Soviet undertaking ultimately contributed to the demise of the USSR and the Soviet system. In the contemporary context of swift social dynamics and emerging threats, safeguarding the stability and coherence of societies and nations necessitates the formulation of a novel realm of social understanding. This is proposed to be encompassed under the scholarly discipline of "Theory of Fate Analytics of Societies, Peoples, and States."
Exploring Individual Choices When Joining the Mafia or ‘Ndrangheta
Authors: Shevchenko Maxim
Published: September 2023

The relevance of issues pertaining to human choice in modern times is unquestionable. In this article, we will delve into the matter of choice for the first time — its presence or absence within criminal organizations. The activities of criminal organizations serve as a litmus test for gauging the efficacy and endurance of both the organization and its individual members under intense external pressures. According to modern postmodern doctrine, the choice of a contemporary human is ostensibly independent in virtually all aspects; however, the question of the effectiveness of such an approach for both society as a whole and the individual remains unresolved. The purpose of this article is to examine the concept of human choice within the Mafia and 'Ndrangheta — its presence or absence. Does the availability of personal choice benefit both the individual and the organization? Furthermore, what factors contribute to the resilience of organizations existing beyond the boundaries of the law? Addressing these questions provides criminologists with insights into the structure, organizational dynamics, and individual attitudes within such entities. Throughout this study, the author considers the organizational structures of criminal groups like the Mafia and 'Ndrangheta, drawing from previous research in southern Italy, as well as philosophical, anthropological, and criminological postmodern literature. Methodologically, the study employs a descriptive approach, comparative analysis, immersion in the studied environment, and prototypological method.
Helicobacter Pylori: A Belittled Cause of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) and Role of Helicobacter Pylori Eradication Therapy for Treating ITP
Authors:   Associate Professor, Medicine, Ad-din Women’s Medical College, Hospital, Dhaka Bangladesh, R Gomes Richmond
Published: September 2023

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by production of auto antibodies against platelet surface antigens. ITP affects women more often than men and is more common in children than adults. ITP is a diagnosis of exclusion after other identifiable etiologies have been ruled out. After the first report by Gasbarrini et al. showing rising platelet counts in ITP patients following Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication therapy, there is growing evidence that highlights the role of HP in triggering ITP. The H-pylori infection induced ITP is validated by many proposed mechanisms such as molecular mimicry due to production of auto antibodies against H-pylori surface virulent factors (CagA) and cross reactivity of these antibodies with platelet surface antigens (GP IIb/IIIa, GP Ib/IX, and GP Ia/IIa), phagocytic perturbation due to enhanced phagocytic activity of monocytes, enhanced dendritic cell numbers and response, platelets aggregation due to presence of anti- H-pylori IgG and von Willebrand factor (vWf) and finally host immune response against H-pylori virulent factors CagA and VacA leading to ITP. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection has been variably associated with a platelet response in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Eradication therapy is simple and inexpensive, with limited toxicity and the advantage of avoiding long-term immunosuppressive treatment for those who respond. Although the evidence and follow-up are limited, it appears reasonable to routinely screen patients with ITP for H pylori, particularly in those populations with a high background prevalence of H pylori infection.
Saudi Health Care System a Review
Authors:   King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Albeshr Abdulhameed G , Alhabdan Yazeed A , Alanazi Setah T , Hazzazi Ibtesam A
Published: September 2023

Saudi Arabia as many countries fight to deliver best possible quality and cost-effective healthcare services to their people. The general health of the Saudi population has greatly improved in recent years. however, it does face a variety of complex mid-to long-term challenges. Though, a number of issues pose challenges to the health care system, such the health ministry’s various roles, limited financial resources, changing patterns of disease etc... The Saudi Arabian government has committed huge resources to improve health care, with the ultimate goal of providing free and accessible healthcare services for every Saudi citizen and expatriate working within the public sector. Therefore, this review will focus on health care system in Saudi Arabia from general view and the challenges opposing the Saudi health care system.
Features of the perceived age among representatives of ethno-cultural groups with different appearance
Authors: Artamonova Alena Gennadievna , Vorontsova Tat'yana Alekseevna
Published: September 2023

The authors focus on the phenomenon of perceived age and the ethno-cultural factor of its construction. The subject of the study is: the perceived age of the objects of perception, attitude to them, self-assessment of age and attitude to their appearance of the subjects of perception (women, representatives of Slavic and Caucasian peoples). The study was carried out within the framework of a socio-psychological approach to the appearance and model of ethnolucism by V.A. Labunskaya. The main method of research was the procedure of "Photo-visual representations of the external appearance" by T.A. Vorontsova. The scientific novelty of the study was the identification of the influence of the ethno-cultural factor on the construction of the age of an unfamiliar person and the assessment of their age. The main conclusions of the study: 1) the belonging of the subjects of perception to an ethnocultural group associated with the type of appearance affects the self-esteem of the perceived age, the planned life expectancy, the attitude towards unfamiliar others; 2) the age attributed to the perceived stranger is associated with the attitude towards him regardless of the ethno-cultural group; 3) the structure of the perception of the age of an unfamiliar other is identical from the point of view of the central and peripheral categories and does not depend on the ethno-cultural factor.
Thin-film lithium niobate photonic integrated devices: Advances and oppotunities
Authors: Xiong Xiao , Cao Qi-Tao , Xiao Yun-Feng ,   Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics, State Key Laboratory of Artificial Microstructure and Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Published: September 2023

Lithium niobate, known as one of the most widely used nonlinear optical crystals, has recently received significant attention from both academia and industrial circles. The surge in interest can be attributed to the commercial availability of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) wafers and the rapid advancements in nanofabrication techniques. A milestone was achieved in 2020 with the successful fabrication of wafer-scale TFLN photonic integrated circuits, which paved the way for mass-producible and cost-effective manufacturing of TFLN-based products.

At present, the majority of research on TFLN photonic integrated devices focuses on light manipulation, i.e. field modulation and frequency conversion. The electro-optic, acousto-optic, photo-elastic and piezo-electric effects of lithium niobate are harnessed to modulate the amplitude, phase and frequency of light. The second-order and third-order nonlinearities of lithium niobate enable frequency conversion processes, which leads to the development of frequency converters, optical frequency combs, and supercontinuum generation devices. These exceptional optical properties of lithium niobate enable the electromagnetic wave to manipulate covering from radio-frequency to terahertz, infrared, and visible bands. Using the outstanding performance of TFLN photonic integrated devices, including remarkable modulation rate, wide operation bandwidth, efficient nonlinear frequency conversion, and low power consumption, diverse applications, such as spanning optical information processing, laser ranging, optical frequency combs, microwave optics, precision measurement, quantum optics, and quantum computing, are demonstrated.

Additionally, it is reported that TFLN-based lasers and amplifiers have made remarkable progress, and both optical and electrical pumps are available. These achievements include combining gain materials, such as rare-earth ions or heterostructures, with III-V semiconductors. The integration of low-dimensional materials or absorptive metals with TFLN can also realize TFLN-based detectors. These significant developments expand the potential applications of TFLN photonic integrated devices, thus paving the way for monolithic TFLN chips.

The versatility and high performances of TFLN photonic integrated devices have made revolutionary progress in these fields, opening up new possibilities for cutting-edge technologies and their practical implementations. In this point of view, we briefly introduce the development of TFLN nanofabricationn technology. Subsequently, we review the latest progress of TFLN photonic integrated devices, including lasers, functional nonlinear optical devices, and detectors. Finally, we discuss the future development directions and potential ways of TFLN photonics.
First-principles calculation method for periodic system under external electromagnetic field
Authors: Lü Cheng-Ye , Chen Ying-Wei , Xie Mu-Ting , Li Xue-Yang , Yu Hong-Yu , Zhong Yang , Xiang Hong-Jun ,   Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Institute of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China,   Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, Shanghai 200030, China,   Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing 210093, China
Published: September 2023

The influence of electromagnetic field on material characteristics remains a pivotal concern in scientific researches. Nonetheless, in the realm of computational condensed matter physics, the extension of traditional density functional theory to scenarios inclusive of external electromagentic fields poses considerable challenges. These issues largely stem from the disruption of translational symmetry by external fields inherent in periodic systems, rendering Bloch's theorem inoperative. Consequently, the using the first-principles method to calculate material properties in the presence of external fields becomes an intricate task, especially in circumstances where the external field cannot be approximated as a minor perturbation. Over the past two decades, a significant number of scholars within the field of computational condensed matter physics have dedicated their efforts to the formulation and refinement of first-principles computational method adopted in handling periodic systems subjected to finite external fields. This work attempts to systematically summarize these theoretical methods and their applications in the broad spectrum, including but not limited to ferroelectric, piezoelectric, ferromagnetic, and multiferroic domains. In the first part of this paper, we provide a succinct exposition of modern theory of polarization and delineate the process of constructing two computation methods in finite electric fields predicated by this theory in conjunction with density functional theory. The succeeding segment focuses on the integration of external magnetic fields into density functional theory and examining the accompanying computational procedures alongside the challenges they present. In the third part, we firstly review the first-principles effective Hamiltonian method, which is widely used in the study of magnetic, ferroelectric and multiferroic systems, and its adaptability to the case involving external fields. Finally, we discuss the exciting developments of constructing effective Hamiltonian models by using machine learning neural network methods , and their extensions according to the external fields.
Antipsychotic drugs selectively decorrelate long-range interactions in deep cortical layers
Authors: Heindorf Matthias , Keller Georg B.
Published: September 2023

Psychosis is characterized by a diminished ability of the brain to distinguish externally driven activity patterns from self-generated activity patterns. Antipsychotic drugs are a class of small molecules with relatively broad binding affinity for a variety of neuromodulator receptors that, in humans, can prevent or ameliorate psychosis. How these drugs influence the function of cortical circuits, and in particular their ability to distinguish between externally and self-generated activity patterns, is still largely unclear. To have experimental control over self-generated sensory feedback we used a virtual reality environment in which the coupling between movement and visual feedback can be altered. We then used widefield calcium imaging to determine the cell type specific functional effects of antipsychotic drugs in mouse dorsal cortex under different conditions of visuomotor coupling. By comparing cell type specific activation patterns between locomotion onsets that were experimentally coupled to self-generated visual feedback and locomotion onsets that were not coupled, we show that deep cortical layers were differentially activated in these two conditions. We then show that the antipsychotic drug clozapine disrupted visuomotor integration at locomotion onsets also primarily in deep cortical layers. Given that one of the key components of visuomotor integration in cortex is long-range cortico-cortical connections, we tested whether the effect of clozapine was detectable in the correlation structure of activity patterns across dorsal cortex. We found that clozapine as well as two other antipsychotic drugs, aripiprazole and haloperidol, resulted in a strong reduction in correlations of layer 5 activity between cortical areas and impaired the spread of visuomotor prediction errors generated in visual cortex. Our results are consistent with the interpretation that a major functional effect of antipsychotic drugs is a selective alteration of long-range layer 5 mediated communication.
Neural Correlates of Perceptual Similarity Masking in Primate V1
Authors: Chen Spencer C. , Chen Yuzhi , Geisler Wilson S. , Seidemann Eyal
Published: September 2023

Visual detection is a fundamental natural task. Detection becomes more challenging as the similarity between the target and the background in which it is embedded increases, a phenomenon termed “similarity masking”. To test the hypothesis that V1 contributes to similarity masking, we used voltage sensitive dye imaging (VSDI) to measure V1 population responses while macaque monkeys performed a detection task under varying levels of target-background similarity. Paradoxically, we find that during an initial transient phase, V1 responses to the target are enhanced, rather than suppressed, by target-background similarity. This effect reverses in the second phase of the response, so that in this phase V1 signals are positively correlated with the behavioral effect of similarity. Finally, we show that a simple model with delayed divisive normalization can qualitatively account for our findings. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that a nonlinear gain control mechanism in V1 contributes to perceptual similarity masking.
In vitro sensitivity of Malassezia furfur isolates from HIV-positive and negative patients to antifungal agents
Authors: Ehemann Kevin , Contreras Andrés , Celis-Ramírez Adriana Marcela
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Malassezia is a lipophilic and lipid-dependent yeast genus belonging to the skin microbiota of humans and other animals. However, due to dysbiosis processes or other factors in the host, this yeast can cause different pathologies, ranging from skin diseases, such as seborrheic dermatitis, to fungemia. Isolation of Malassezia furfur has been reported in HIV-positive patients with or without skin lesions. Due to its opportunistic nature and its variable resistance to antifungal compounds, it is relevant to know the Malassezia sensitivity profiles.Objective. To determine the sensitivity to different antifungal agents, of clinical isolates of M. furfur obtained from HIV-positive or negative patients, with or without seborrheic dermatitis.Materials and methods. Assessment of isolates sensitivity to itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, and amphotericin B was performed by two techniques: (1) Broth microdilution using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocol M27-A3 with modifications; and (2) agar tests using Etest®.Results. Isolates obtained from HIV patients showed an increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration of fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B, compared with those of non-HIV patients. Itraconazole was the antifungal with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in most isolates.Conclusion. We observed differences in the sensitivity profiles of M. furfur isolates according to the context of the patient. High MIC of antifungals like fluconazole, commonly used for treating pathologies caused by Malassezia, were identified.
Descripción de la micobiota de los tubos endotraqueales de pacientes de unidades de cuidados intensivos en Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Huertas Mónica Gabriela , Rodríguez Miguel , Castro Patricia , Cruz Sergio Danilo , Cifuentes Erika Alejandra , Yepes Andrés Felipe , Zambrano María Mercedes , Baldión Ana Margarita
Published: September 2023

Introducción. La colonización por microorganismos patógenos de los dispositivos médicos usados en las unidades de cuidados intensivos es un factor de riesgo para el aumento de infecciones asociadas con la atención en salud y, por lo tanto, al de la morbilidad y la mortalidad de los pacientes intubados. En Colombia, no se ha descrito la colonización por hongos de los tubos endotraqueales, con lo cual se podrían considerar nuevas opciones terapéuticas para el beneficio de los pacientes.Objetivo. Describir los hongos que colonizan los tubos endotraqueales de los pacientes en unidades de cuidados intensivos, junto con su perfil de sensibilidad a los antifúngicos.Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, en dos centros hospitalarios durante 12 meses. Se recolectaron tubos endotraqueales de pacientes de las unidades de cuidados intensivos. Estos fueron procesados para cultivar e identificar hongos, y para establecer su perfil de sensibilidad a los antifúngicos.Resultados. Se analizaron 121 tubos endotraqueales obtenidos de 113 pacientes. De estos, el 41,32 % se encontró colonizado por los hongos Candida albicans (64,61 %), C. no-albicans (30,77 %), Cryptococcus spp. (3,08 %) o mohos (1,54 %). Todos los hongos evaluados presentaron una gran sensibilidad a los antifúngicos, con un promedio del 91 %.Conclusión. Se encontró colonización fúngica en los tubos endotraqueales de pacientes con asistencia respiratoria mecánica. El perfil de sensibilidad en estos pacientes fue favorable. Se requiere un estudio clínico para correlacionar los microorganismos colonizadores y su capacidad de generar infección.
Diagnóstico micológico de paracoccidioidomicosis en un hospital de área no endémica: metodología clásica y molecular
Authors: Fernández Norma B. , Toranzo Adriana , Farias Luciana , Canteros Cristina E.
Published: September 2023

Introducción. La paracoccidioidomicosis es una micosis sistémica y endémica en Latinoamérica. El cambio climático y el movimiento migratorio del huésped enfatizan la necesidad de optimizar el diagnóstico de esta infección.Objetivo. Evaluar la implementación de la detección de ADN de Paracoccidioides spp. al diagnóstico micológico de pacientes con sospecha de paracoccidioidomicosis.Materiales y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo con datos de laboratorio de pacientes con sospecha de paracoccidioidomicosis en un hospital de área no endémica.Resultados. Se analizaron los resultados de las muestras de 19 pacientes con sospecha clínica de paracoccidioidomicosis. El 90 % de los pacientes había nacido o visitado un área endémica de esta micosis en Latinoamérica. En 14 pacientes varones adultos se confirmó paracoccidioidomicosis por diagnóstico convencional. El examen directo fue positivo en 12 pacientes con enfermedad comprobada y en 4 de ellos se obtuvo crecimiento del hongo. Se detectaron anticuerpos contra Paracoccidioides spp. en ocho pacientes con la enfermedad. Se realizó PCR anidada con muestras de 14 pacientes para detectar ADN de Paracoccidioides spp. En 9 de los 10 pacientes con diagnóstico convencional de paracoccidioidomicosis se obtuvo una prueba de PCR positiva.Conclusiones. La implementación de técnicas moleculares para detectar ADN de Paracoccidioides spp. complementa el diagnóstico convencional de paracoccidioidomicosis y permite instaurar el tratamiento antifúngico, sobre todo en los casos clínicos donde no se observa la presencia del hongo en las muestras clínicas. La migración actual de poblaciones humanas dificulta el diagnóstico de paracoccidioidiomicosis y otras infecciones endémicas, por lo que se requiere optimizar el diagnostico micológico en los laboratorios clínicos para tratar pacientes con este tipo micosis desatendida.
Comparative efficacy of intraoperative radiotherapy and external boost irradiation in early-stage breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Shi Xiaowei , Niu Zhenbo , Qian Cheng
Published: September 2023

External boost radiotherapy (EBRT) and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) are shown to be effective in patients with early-stage breast cancer. However, the difference between IORT and EBRT for patients’ prognosis remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate differences in local recurrence (LR), distant metastases, disease free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) between these two therapies. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase, from inception to Jan 10th, 2022. We used The Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool to assess the risk of bias of the included studies, and the STATA15.0 tool was used for the meta-analyses. Eight studies were ultimately included. Meta-analysis demonstrated that there was an inconsistent finding in the long-term risk of LR between the two radiotherapies, and there was no significant difference in short-term risk of LR, the metastasis rate, DFS, and OS IORT would be more convenient, less time-consuming, less costly, and more effective at reducing side effects and toxicity. However, these benefits must be balanced against the potential for increased risk of LR in the long term.