bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CURRENT ADVANCES IN DENTAL COMPOSITES- A REVIEW ARTICLE
Authors:   Intern, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana., Chaudhary Shweta , Sachdeva Siddhant ,   Intern, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana.
Published: July 2022

Dental composites have almost entirely replaced amalgam restorations in the recent times. Amalgam restorations were highly un-aesthetic and toxic to the human body. Dental composites prove to be an aesthetic and biocompatible alternative to the dental amalgam. But however, composite resins present with certain limitations such as inadequate mechanical properties and wear resistance in contact areas, primarily in restorations in posterior teeth, in contrast to dental amalgam. Therefore, not entirely accepted in the dental profession, the continued advancements of composite resins have broadened the scope of acceptance into posterior restorations. This article presents a review of new age composite resins with advanced properties.
Analysis of vitamin D availability of premature infants in the south of Russia
Authors: Verisokina N. E. , Kuryaninova V. A. , Petrosyan M. A. , Zakharova I. N. , Zaplatnikov A. L. , Zubkov V. V. , Klimov L. Ya. , Dmitrieva D. V. , Beketova N. Yu. , Momotova A. A.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Inadequate vitamin D supply worldwide is a public health problem. Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy can lead to abnormal placentation, placental insufficiency and abnormal fetal development, which contributes to poor health after birth.

Objective of the study is to analyze the vitamin D status of premature infants born in the south of Russia.

Materials and methods. A total of 141 premature infants were examined. Extremely low birth weight was found in 19 (13.4%) newborns, very low birth weight in 35 (24.8%), and low birth weight in 75 (53.2%).

Results and discussion. Premature infants had vitamin D deficiency in the majority of cases (51%), with a median of 16.9 [11.7; 22.9] ng/mL. Correlation analysis demonstrated a positive association between 25(OH)D levels and body weight in very low birth weight infants (r = 0.34, p = 0.043). Serum vitamin D concentrations were 1.6 times lower in infants whose mothers did not receive multivitamins than in those whose mothers received multivitamins, 13.8 [9.7; 20.9] and 21.6 [16.9; 28.6] ng/mL, respectively (p = 0.001). Infants with an Apgar score of 7-10 had higher vitamin D levels, 17.8 [11.9; 22.7] ng/mL, than infants with severe asphyxia, 13.8 [9.9; 16.8] ng/mL (p = 0.036). Premature infants with congenital infection had lower 25(OH)D levels than infants without an infectious process, 15.6 [10.8; 22.9] and 18.4 [14.2; 22.7] ng/mL, respectively. Children with an infectious process that subsequently ended in death had lower 25(OH)D levels than children without an infectious process (p = 0.001). Children with cerebral ischemia had lower 25(OH)D concentrations than children without cerebral ischemia (p = 0.001).

Conclusions. Premature infants born in the south of Russia have vitamin D deficiency in more than half of the cases. Administration of preparations containing cholecalciferol reduces the proportion of newborns with severe vitamin D deficiency, but does not ensure optimal serum levels. Initially low levels of 25(OH)D can be considered as an unfavorable prognostic sign against the background of the development of congenital infection.
Clinical observations of complex therapy of atopic dermatitis of moderate severity
Authors: Stadnikova A. S.
Published: July 2022

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is more common in children, but can also occur in adults. Doctors of different specialties, including pediatricians, dermatologists, allergists-immunologists, gastroenterologists and infectious disease specialists deal with this problem. Despite the efforts of pediatricians, the problem of AD remains pressing. The progressive growth of this disease among children and increased persistence in adulthood make it important to study the mechanisms of AD not only for dermatology, but also for the health care system as a whole. The presence of pruritus is an obligatory manifestation of AD, which entails an inevitable decrease in the quality of life of patients. Thus, there are prerequisites for the emergence of new concepts of pathogenesis and the search for the most effective therapeutic methods of treatment. Currently, AD is considered as an interaction of endogenous (impaired immune response, insufficient function of the epidermal barrier) and exogenous factors (exposure to allergens, chemical or physical irritants, microorganisms). The work presents clinical cases of topical calcineurin inhibitor use in the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD. We presented patients with complaints of rashes accompanied by intense itching, on the skin of the extensor surfaces of the limbs, on the skin of the face and torso. Application of topical cal-cineurin inhibitor resulted in reduction of severity of subjective and objective symptoms of various forms of atd. The efficacy of topical calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of atd with a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect was confirmed. Long-term staggered scheme of their use is the most pathogenetically justified and safe method of treatment of moderate forms of AD.
New realities of chickenpox
Authors: Zakirova A. M. , Tambova N. A. , Samorodnova E. A. , Lazareva O. M. , Ivanova N. V.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. The causative agent of chickenpox is ubiquitous. In children, especially with a burdened premorbid background, there is a high incidence of severe forms and complications.

Aim. To study the course of chickenpox in children in modern conditions.

Material and methods. 58 pediatricians (group 1), 42 parents of children aged 0 to 3 years (group 2) and 43 parents of children aged 3 to 6 years (group 3) were surveyed.

Results and discussion. In the 1st group, 224 children (73.68%) had a long period of rashes, 57 children (18.75%) had a mild and not long period. At the age of 16, unvaccinated children first fell ill with chickenpox. In 23 patients (7.57%), there were obvious clinical manifestations of chickenpox with a pronounced and prolonged intoxication syndrome. In 67.43%, a positive Mantoux test was recorded with an increase in papule and corolla of hyperemia in dynamics. The development of complications significantly more often (p = 0.0429) was recorded in the group of children with aggravated premorbid background. All pediatricians are positive about vaccination. In the 2nd group, out of 37.5% of parents who are against vaccination, 16.67% believe that the vaccine does not always have a positive effect on the health of the child. The ineffectiveness of vaccines is recognized by 45.83% of respondents. 40.47% of children have not been vaccinated and they do not have vaccination certificates. In the 3rd group, 32.56% of children were ill with chickenpox, of which 79.07% had a mild form of the disease. 67.44% have a positive attitude towards vaccination against chickenpox. The coverage of all vaccines according to the National calendar was 100%.

Conclusion. Chickenpox is a serious unsafe infectious disease that requires specific prophylaxis.
New devices to control fever in children with COVID-19 and other acute respiratory infections
Authors: Zakharova I. N. , Osmanov I. M. , Berezhnaya I. V. , Sugian N. G. , Maykova I. D. , Samitova E. R. , Kolushkin D. S. , Pupykina V. V. , Rodionov I. E.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. When performing thermometry, different measuring instruments can be used: from contact individual to remote. Doubts about the accuracy of the measurements obtained arise in the course of severe infections, impaired general well-being, a feeling of fever, headache.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily monitoring of body temperature in children with COVID-19 coronavirus infection and other acute respiratory viral infections using a medical thermograph designed to graphically display the dynamics of changes in the child's body temperature during the day to monitor its variability, compared to a halystone thermometer.

Materials and methods. The clinical study was performed at two clinical sites of the Academician G.N. Speransky Department of Pediatrics, Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education: the Khimki Regional Hospital and the Z.A. Bashlyaeva Children's City Clinical Hospital. The study included 120 children aged from 3 months to 3 years, divided into 4 groups. Group 1 and 2 were children with ARI, Group 3 and 4 were children with COVID-19. Body temperature in the 1st and 3rd groups was measured only by a halistane thermometer; in the 2nd and 4th groups - by a new generation intellectual thermograph with halistane thermometer control in the specified time intervals.

Results. The study obtained high reliability of indicators of the new thermograph, designed to graphically display the dynamics of changes in body temperature during the day, compared with the halistane thermometer, commonly used in hospitals.

Conclusions. The thermograph registers the child's body temperature with high reliability, which makes it possible to react to its changes in time. The use of thermograph makes it possible to set the critical value of body temperature at its rise for each user individually depending on his premorbid background, which is especially important in the group of children with a high risk of febrile convulsions and microcirculatory disorders in terms of prevention of the possible development of adverse events.
Antipyretic drugs: benefits and undesirable consequences
Authors: Zakharova I. N. , Berezhnaya I. V. , Sugian N. S. , Svintsitskaya V. I. , Novikov D. V. , Fedorov P. V. , Gostyukhina A. D. , Sabinina T. S.
Published: July 2022

Fever is a defensive and adaptive reaction of the body that develops in response to the action of pathogenic stimuli. It often accompanies various infectious, autoimmune, oncohematological and other diseases. Due to the frequent significant deterioration of children's general health, the occurrence of fever in children gives rise to concern not only in parents, but also in pediatricians. According to temperature level, fever can be classified into different categories: subfebrile - 37.1 to 37.9 °C, moderate -38 to 39 °C, febrile - 39.1 to 41 °C and hyperthermic - above 41 °C. By clinical manifestation distinguish benign, or rose, and malignant, or white, fever. The need to use antipyretic drugs depends not only on the hight of the body temperature elevation, but also on the patient's general health. The clinical guidelines state that the use of acetylsalicylic acid, nimesulide and met-amizole to lower the body temperature in children is not recommended, due to high risk of adverse reactions. Ibuprofen and paracetamol are the drugs of choice to lower body temperature in children both in Russia and abroad. Over 120 comparative studies of these two drug formulations have shown their close efficacy, but ibuprofen is most preferred for the treatment of fever and pain. In order to lower body temperature, parents can uncontrollably use antipyretic drugs in various combinations and incorrect dosages, which leads to severe toxic effects. The article presents a clinical case of Reye's syndrome in a 10-year-old girl, which is most likely associated with the use of aspirin as an antipyretic.
Shear wave elastography options in the integrated assessment of liver parenchyma in children
Authors: Pykov M. I. , Kuzmina N. E. , Rostovtsev N. M.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Chronic liver diseases in children are accompanied by fibrocirrhotic transformation of the organ. Modern ultrasound diagnostic procedures offer a method that can differentiate between the fibrous and unchanged tissues. The paper includes the results of a study of liver stiffness in healthy children using shear wave elastography. The method presented in the article can come to an active use in the non-invasive detection of fibrosis as part of the integrated assessment of liver in pediatric practice. Aim. To study the stiffness of unchanged liver in children of different gender and age groups.

Materials and methods. Shear wave elastography was performed in 200 healthy children aged 3 to 18 years (103 girls and 97 boys) using Aixplorer apparatus (Supersonic Imagine, France), in three age subgroups: a 3- to 6-year-old group (n = 103), a 7- to 11-year-old group (n = 52), and a 12- to 18-year-old group (n = 45). The measurements were taken in different segments of the right lobe of the liver, in the area free from the vascular structures, fixing the zone of scanning at the depth of 3-5 cm from the capsule. Not less than 10 measurements were made, which enabled to calculate the mean value of liver elasticity.

Results. The study identified the liver stiffness measurement normal range in a group of healthy children. Significant differences in liver stiffness were obtained by comparing the values of 3- to 6- year-old and 7- to 11-year-old groups (P = 0.001); 3- to 6-year-old and 12- to 18-year-old groups (P = 0.001); there were no statistically significant differences in the stiffness values depending on gender (P = 0.345).

Conclusions. Young modulus values obtained may be used as normative. The use of shear wave elastography enhances the accuracy of the conventional ultrasound examination in identifying patients with liver disease.
Clinical effects of probiotics on the functioning of the gut-brain axis in children
Authors: Zakharova I. N. , Dmitrieva D. K. , Berezhnaya I. V. , Serikova L. S. , Sugian N. G. , Gostyukhina A. D.
Published: July 2022

The gut microbiota is a complex collection of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, archaea, and fungi colonising the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The microbiota plays a fundamental role in keeping the body healthy and the development of various diseases, including mental ones. Clinical studies have showed that there exists a bidirectional communication between the gut, microbiota and brain within the brain-gut-microbiome axis. It is understood that gut microbes play a role in many mental disorders and may be a potential therapeutic target. The nervous system and GI tract communicate through a bidirectional signalling network that includes multiple pathways, among which are the vagus nerve, the immune system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, some transmitters, and bacterial metabolites. The available data indicate the mutual influence of the microbiota and the activation of inflammatory processes in the brain. Psychobiotics have been increasingly used for the management of the microbiota in case of injury of this pathway. The term that was used for the first time in 2013 defined psychobiotics as probiotics, which have a positive effect on mental health provided that they are taken orally at adequate doses.

Afterwards they were included in the definition, given the proven benefit of prebiotics. Thus, psychobiotics are beneficial bacteria (probiotics) or auxiliary substances for such bacteria (prebiotics) that affect the communication and interactions between bacteria and the brain. Following ingestion, probiotic bacteria concentrate mainly in the intestinal epithelium, providing the host with nutrients and influencing the immune system, as well as producing neuroactive substances that act on the brain-gut axis. This review is devoted to the new interesting area that correlates the gut microbiota with nervous system diseases and its possible treatment with psychobiotics.
A clinical case of successful treatment with an interleukin 6 receptor blocker of a systemic variant of juvenile arthritis associated with spinal injury
Authors: Santalova G. V. , Plakhotnikova S. V.
Published: July 2022

The article presents a clinical case of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis that began after a spinal injury in a 9-year-old child. The authors noted the importance of dysregulation of the innate immune system in the pathogenesis of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis that entitled this variant of the disease to be regarded as autoinflammatory, and not “classical” autoimmune diseases. The article emphasized the leading role played by interleukin 6 in the development of extra-articular manifestations of the disease (fever and thrombocytosis, stimulation of hepatic production of acute-phase proteins of inflammation, anaemia, inhibition of the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol, production of growth hormone and procalcitonin, development of amyloidosis), highlighting the need for inhibition of interleukin 6 activity in patients receiving therapy for systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It stressed the importance of early initiation of therapy from the standpoint of modern understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease: the use of new biological agents, which action is directed at interleukins 1 and 6. This approach is associated with inefficiency of such drugs as corticosteroids, methotrexate, tumour necrosis factor inhibitors. Of no less importance is the fact that the use of these biological agents can significantly reduce the effect of corticosteroids. The course of the presented disease caused some difficulties in its diagnosis and selection of therapy. This is largely due to the fact that the pathology of the sacroiliac joint is extremely difficult to diagnose clinically. Inflammatory immune response associated with trauma may be accompanied by cytokine release, free radical accumulation and apoptosis, pointing to the need to exclude juvenile spondyloarthritis and other juvenile arthritis with a view to administer adequate therapy. In this case, an attempt to treat sacroiliitis as an inflammatory disease was unsuccessful. The focus on persisting fever, arthralgia, anemia, lymphadenopathy, high values of acute phase parameters in the patient, who received courses of antibiotic therapy, allowed the doctors of the surgical department to refer the patient to a specialized pediatric rheumatology department. Resistance to glucocorticoids and a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (etanercept) was also noted. The successful result of the use of tocilizumab (interleukin 6 receptor blocker) includes: relief of visceral manifestations, normalization of laboratory activity indicators of the disease that persisted for 1.5 years.
Bronchial asthma evolution in children within 3 years from the diagnosis
Authors: Trusova O. V. , Kamaev A. A. , Gaiduk I. M. , Kuznetsova I. V.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. The natural history of bronchial asthma (BA) in newly diagnosed children is not well understood.

Objective. To determine the trends in the course of mild BA in children over 3 years from the date of initial diagnosis.

Materials and methods. A prospective controlled study included 149 children (106 boys, 43 girls) aged 5 years to 5 years 11 months with mild BA diagnosed less than 1 year ago. During a 3-year follow-up, the severity of BA, the need for basic and emergency therapy were assessed. An increase in therapy and the severity of BA was regarded as progression of the disease; the spectrum and extension of sensitization to inhaled allergens were taken into account.

Results and discussion. Of 149 children with persistent asthma, 103 were sensitized to one or more household allergens, most frequently to cat (36.2% in the cohort) and dust mites (30.9%). During 3 years of follow-up, the patients did not develop a stable remission of BA with the possibility of canceling basic therapy for more than 6 months in a row. In children receiving basic therapy, it is typical (up to 71% of cases) that the need for therapy remains, or the volume of therapy increases (up to 27% of cases). In children who initially did not receive basic therapy, an increase in therapy is typical (63% of cases). Disease progression was noted over 3 years of follow-up in 70 (47%) patients, most often in the group who initially did not receive basic therapy (73.5%) as well as among children with polysensitization to household allergens (88.9%).

Conclusion. Dynamic observation of preschool age patients with BA shows a tendency to persistence or progression of the disease in the first 3 years from the diagnosis.
History of pediatric endoscopy in the Republic of Karelia
Authors: Nikitin S. S. , Guseva N. B. , Derbenev V. V. , Shevchenko I. Yu. , Nikitin V. S.
Published: July 2022

The article is dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the pediatric endoscopic service of the Republic of Karelia. In the introductory part of the article, the authors briefly describe the history of the appearance of endoscopy in the world, which dates back to 1881, when J. Mikulicz-Radecki designed and first used a rigid gastroscope in an adult patient, and then developed very slowly for a long time. Isolated attempts to use gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, and laparoscopy are described. For laparoscopy, a frontal reflector, electric lamps, mirrors were used, and later - the first cystoscopes and rectoscopes. In 1890-1930, there were only a few publications per decade devoted to the development of endoscopic technology. In the Republic of Karelia, the formation of the endoscopic service is associated with the formation of the Karelian Center for Pediatric Surgery. Gastroscopies were initially performed with rigid endoscopes and the main reasons for the appointment of such studies were injuries and burns of the esophagus. The first gastroscopy of a teenager was performed in March 1982, an artifact is presented - a photo of the conclusion of this study. The authors tell about the stages of the formation of the service in the Republic of Karelia. In pediatric practice, the most difficult contingent of patients are newborns and premature babies. Endoscopies for newborns have been performed since 1985. Intraluminal endoscopic interventions have been performed since 1989, and diagnostic laparoscopies have been performed since 1990. Since 1991, laparoscopic operations have been performed under visual control - 57 interventions were performed before the appearance of video resistance. We also recall the period of the economically difficult last decade of the twentieth century, when the development of the endoscopic service continued thanks to the supply of equipment from the twin city of Tubingen. With the advent of the video system, the endoscopic service has gradually developed to the modern level, at which the entire main range of endosurgical interventions is performed.
Acute respiratory infections of concomitant etiology in children
Authors: Nikolaeva S. V. , Khlypovka Yu. N. , Gorelov A. V.
Published: July 2022

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) still represent a considerable challenge in the infectious pathology patterns. ARIs are included in the list of diseases with the greatest economic importance in the Russian Federation. According to the State Report on Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of Population in the Russian Federation in 2020, ARIs hold a dominant position in the infectious and parasitic disease patterns. The issue of concomitant infection is extremely topical today. Three scenarios of interaction between respiratory causative pathogens may develop in co-infections: synergism (more severe progress of a disease as compared to mono-infections), antagonism (milder progress of an infectious disease) or indifference (absence of interaction between two infectious pathogens, as a result of which a disease develops as two separate infections). A clinical symptom presentation of a disease may be distorted, as new symptoms that are not typical of the traditional progression of each of the infections may appear. In clinical practice, antibacterial therapy is often prescribed in cases where etiological infectious agents are not identified, and a reference point is the clinical characteristics of a disease and the severity of patient's condition that is most frequently caused by intoxication symptoms and intensity of feverish reaction and is exhibiting similar symptoms in viral and bacterial ARIs. That is why the rapid identification of the causative agents can help avoid irrational therapy and polypragmasia. The article provides a clinical case of the treatment of ARI of concomitant etiology which required a differentiated approach and prescription of an antiviral drug.
Neurodevelopmental outcomes and neurophysiological parameters in children with congenital hyperinsulinism
Authors: Nikitina I. L. , Sarakaeva L. R. , Bairov V. G. , Sukhotskaya A. A. , Smorodin A. P. , Ryzhkova D. V. , Mitrofanova L. B. , Eftich E. A. , Melikyan M. A. , Kelmanson I. A.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Congenital hyperinsulinism is a rare group of genetic disorders resulting in persistent hypoglycemia which can lead to delay of neurodevelopment.

Aim. To assess psychomotor development and certain neurophysiological parameters of children treated for congenital hyperin-sulinism.

Materials and methods. This prospective and retrospective cohort study included 73 infants with congenital hyperinsulinism admitted to the National Almazov Research Centre from 2017 to 2021. All subjects underwent standard clinical examination including physical and neurological assessment as well as 18F-DOPA PET/CT, genetic testing, electroencephalography. Developmental screening was performed using “Ages and Stages” questionnaire in 33 subjects. Possible risk factors for neurode-velopmental sequelae due to hypoglycemia were analyzed.

Results and discussion. Normal neurodevelopment in general was observed in 23 subjects (69%), 10 patients had developmental delay. Focal form of CHI had the greatest modifying effect on positive neurodevelopmental outcome in general. Individual skills such as communication, fine and gross motor, problem solving in children with a focal form of CHI were significantly better than those with a nonfocal forms. Age of manifestation and verification of the disease, the minimum level of glycemia and the maximum level of glucose utilization did not significantly affect the formation of either individual skills (with the exception of gross motor skills) or psychomotor development in general. The indicators of gross motor skills in children with a lower level of glucose utilization turned out to be significantly better. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the alpha rhythm appearance was significantly earlier in patients with a focal form of CHI and with earlier verification of the diagnosis (<28 days of life).

Conclusion. The focal form of the disease has the greatest modifying effect on the positive outcome of the psychomotor development. The age-appropriate gross motor skills were observed more often in the group of children with low glucose disposal rates. The association of the early occurrence of the alpha rhythm with the focal form of congenital hyperinsulinism, as well as with the early verification of the disease, was found.
Friedel-Crafts Reaction: Theoretical Study of the Mechanism of Benzene Alkylation with Isopropyl Chloride Catalyzed by AlCl3 and Al2Cl6
Authors: Nogueira Isac , Pliego Jr. Josefredo
Published: July 2022

The classical alkylation reaction of benzene with isopropyl chloride catalyzed by the species AlCl3 and Al2Cl6 was studied using reliable calculations at M06-2X/def2-TZVPP//X3LYP/def2/SVP level of theory and SMD model for solvent effect. We evaluated the formation of dimers, trimers, tetramers, and pentamers and showed that Al2Cl6 dimers exist in greater proportion, in agreement with experimental observations. The experimental solubility of Al2Cl6 in benzene was also included in the theoretical kinetics analysis. The reaction catalyzed by AlCl3 species presents the highest barrier, in part due to unfavorable dissociation of the Al2Cl6 species. The mechanism via Al2Cl6 catalysis is more effective and even considering its low solubility, the calculated observed ΔG‡ is only 20.6 kcal mol-1, indicating a fast reaction rate. The mechanism involves the formation of the CH3CHCH3+…Al2Cl7− ion pair, which reacts with benzene to form a Wheland intermediate and this carbon-carbon bond formation step corresponds to the rate-determining one.
Adaptation of Shakespeare’s Plays into Assamese Farce: A Study on Historical Perspective
Authors:   Department of English, College of Science & Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, Karim Mohammad Rezaul
Published: July 2022

William Shakespeare has always been unanimously the most accepted model to follow for the writers of tragedy, comedy and other types of dramas. He enjoyed a great fascination in the latter half of the nineteenth century and the first few decades of the twentieth in India and almost all his works were translated to or adapted into different languages. As the Assamese writers did not lag behind in this respect too, they were inspired to translate and adapt Shakespeare in 1887 starting with The Comedy of Errors as Bhramaranga in Assamese. In this article, the researcher aims to examine the available Assamese translations and adaptations of Shakespearean comic plays and studied how far they contributed to the growth and development of Assamese comedy in particular and modern Assamese drama in general. With the help of the comparative method of analysis, the researcher found that Assamese comedy specially farces and the complete pre-independent Assamese dramatic literature have been impacted by the dramas of Shakespeare.
“The forest is my wife”: The Ethno-political and Gendered Relationship of Land and the Indigene
Authors:   Department of English, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India, Riba Karyir
Published: July 2022

The imperative presence of land as a personified being in Indigenous Literatures asserts the crucial connection between land and the native ‘self’ in defining ‘indigeneity’. While this ‘self’ is often reclaimed in a wrestle against the geo-political confines of the nation-state; an indigenous woman, however, navigates ‘self’ in ways non-identical. Women’s connection to land, as opposed to indigenous men, shapes ethno-political struggle of proprietorship and rather builds upon shared feminine traits of fertility, nurture, and service. Focusing on the integration of gender and ecology as an important aspect of ecological critique on power and progress, this paper attempts to delineate the gendered relationship between the indigene and land. It delves into two important areas of study: firstly, probing the distinct ways the indigene ‘self’ unifies itself with the land, and secondly, critiquing the gendered dynamics involved in this merger. The study focuses on the emancipatory impediments of indigenous women by analysing select works of Easterine Kire and Mamang Dai, also, tangentially referring to a few other indigenous women’s writings from North East India.
Navakanta Barua’s Posthuman Wonderland in Siyali Palegoi Ratanpur
Authors:   Assistant Professor in Darrang College, under Gauhati University, India, Bordoloi Himaxee , Mokashi Rohini ,   IIT Guwahati, Assam, India
Published: July 2022

In the wake of the emerging body of scholarship on Posthumanism and Animality studies, the borderline between the human and the ‘non-human’ has been ‘thoroughly breached’. Interestingly, one of the key areas where the boundaries between the human and the animal are problematized is the field of children’s literature. Children’s literature has the potential to radically challenge the anthropocentric worldview of Man as an ‘exceptional’ being by deploying a playful, but subversive logic. The paper attempts to examine how Navakanta Barua deploys nonsense and fantasy in his novella, Siyali Palegoi Ratanpur to challenge this very prospect of human supremacy as opposed to the non-human ‘other’. The paper also seeks to examine how the fantastic encounters between Barua’s child-protagonist and the mysterious non-human entities challenge the centrality and superiority of the ‘human’, and, in doing so, how the text draws attention to the complexities of our lived relations with non-human others.
Working with local governments to increase access to WASH services: a case of WaterAid's participatory approaches in Nigeria
Authors: Yusuf Tariya Sarauta , Murray Anna , Okereke Chukwumerije
Published: July 2022

Attempts to implement participatory processes are often complicated by realities which make objectives of participation unattainable. Hence, if participation is to mean more than good intentions, it is vital to understand the strategies deployed by international nongovernmental organisations (INGOs) in participatory development. This study employed a qualitative case-study approach to evaluate the participatory processes employed in two WASH projects implemented by WaterAid Nigeria attempting work with Local Government Areas: the Sustainable Total Sanitation project and the HSBC Water programme. WaterAid Nigeria's participatory development approach recognises the responsibility of the various tiers of government for its citizens' wellbeing, especially the need for partnership with the Local Government Area (LGA) towards the delivery of WASH services. The state, as the ‘duty bearer’, is responsible for the provision of WASH services. Thus, both projects centred on government capacity building and community empowerment through the establishment and capacity development of WASH units in LGAs, insistence on counterpart funding and the establishment of water, sanitation and hygiene committees (WASHCOMs). Despite these attempts, findings highlighted the persistence of inefficiencies within the LGA WASH system that rendered partnerships ineffective. At the community level, WASHCOMs were not sustainable. Despite the challenges of implementing partnerships between INGOs and LGAs, such partnership remains a way to improve the provision of WASH services in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries. To better work within the participatory model, WASH INGOs should explore how to better use existing LGA arrangements for service delivery. Additionally, the LGA, as a duty bearer, could foster genuine, non-discriminatory spaces for the participation of communities by taking political, socio-economic and cultural differences into account.
Development and characterization of N-substituted derivative of 2-sulfanylacetamide on Phyllanthus emblica seed coat as novel adsorbent for remediation of As(III) from water
Authors: Nayyar Madhvi , Kumar Rajeev , Chawla Jyoti
Published: July 2022

Primary aliphatic or aromatic amino acids on Phyllanthus emblica seed coat are derivatized in the form of N-substituted 2-sulfanylacetamide derivative. Pristine P. emblica (PPE) and derivatized P. emblica (DPE) products were used for removal of trivalent arsenic from aqueous sample. Thioglycolic acid and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimidehydrochloride (EDC) were used for the derivatization process. The carboxylic group of thioglycolic acid reacts with EDC to form an activated ester leaving group, which is displaced by nucleophilic attack of primary amino acids on seed coat. The BET surface area (0.3152±0.0081 m2/g) and Langmuir surface area (0.3571±0.0054 m2/g) of PPE are changed after modification. DPE showed high surface area compared to un-derivatized adsorbent due to presence of more modified groups on the surface (BET surface area 0.5812 m2/g, Langmuir surface area 0.6372 m2/g). Infrared and EDX studies confirmed modification of prepared material. The batch study was carried out by using 0.06 g/L of adsorbent dose at pH 7 for 120 minutes of contact time. The Langmuir qmax for PPE and DPE were observed to be 76.92 and 90.90 mg/g respectively.
Assessing the influence of treated effluent on nutrient enrichment of surface waters using water quality indices and source apportionment
Authors: Ofori Solomon , Agyeman Prince Chapman , Adotey Enoch Kwasi , Růžičková Iveta , Wanner Jiří
Published: July 2022

Discharges from wastewater treatment plants have been cited as one of the point sources contributing to surface water quality deterioration. However, does high-quality effluent affect water quality, and contribute significantly to nutrient enrichment or the eutrophication of receiving waters? The Vltava River and a wastewater treatment plant in the Czech Republic were used in a case study, to try to answer these questions through water quality indices and source identification. Samples were collected upstream and downstream of the effluent discharge point, and analyzed for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate and sulfate. No statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed between most of the upstream and downstream samples’ physicochemical characteristics. The water quality, organic pollution and eutrophication indices of the river, upstream of the effluent discharge point were 83.48, 2.05 and 2.67, respectively, but increased to 99.06, 2.87 and 3.74 downstream. Nutrient source identification using principal component analysis suggests that the increase might be due to the effluent discharge. However, the river's comprehensive ecological (quality classification) status was the same upstream as downstream, indicating that the discharged effluent did not cause nutrient enrichment of the river.
A real-time and eco-layout platform for optimization of supply/costs for water distribution systems management
Authors: Atashin Sabrine , Niksokhan Mohammad Hossein , Zahed Mohammad Ali
Published: July 2022

This research discusses developing a coupled system with both structural and operational aspects of the water distribution system. Operating view is provided through a real-time control scheduler (RTC), which satisfactorily attends to solve the dynamic control problem at every timestep via minimization of energy costs over the day and satisfying hydraulic reliability constraints through suggesting near-optimal pump schedules. Moreover, the network layout provides the structural view with a focus on inventing the most prosperous cost-effective topology. The modeling process was exerted by group-based machine learning techniques, a dynamic random search (DDS) algorithm and ultimately, the model performance was evaluated. In addition to providing stable hydraulic conditions, evaluating the coupled optimization platform (RTC-eco-layout) formulation on a typical day was adequate to beget an average of up to 23% daily energy savings as well as preserving the hydraulic feasibility properties in the range of up to 30% energy cost economies. The sensitivity analysis admitted that both operating and environmental variables contribute to the total uncertainty.
Study of hydraulic characteristics of trapezoidal piano key side weir using different approaches
Authors: Kilic Zeyneb , Emin Emiroglu M.
Published: July 2022

Side weirs are widely used in hydraulic engineering applications. The studies on the subject have been generally focused on classical and labyrinth side weirs. However, the same is not true for piano key side weirs (PKSW) in a straight channel. The piano key weir (PKW) has high discharge capacity compared with classical weirs. In this study, the hydraulic characteristics of a trapezoidal piano key side weir (TPKSW) in straight channels were investigated experimentally. In all experiments, the hydraulic characteristics of nine TPKSW models were studied extensively using the De Marchi, Domínguez and Schmidt approaches in the subcritical flow regime, with Froude number range 0.12 < F1 < 0.87. The results show that a TPKSW provides better performance compared to traditional rectangular and triangular labyrinth side weirs. Specifically, for the 0.12 < F1 < 0.4 condition, the efficiencies of a TPKSW and trapezoidal labyrinth side weir are close to each other. A trapezoidal labyrinth side weir is more efficient than a TPKSW at larger Froude numbers. The discharge capacity of the TPKSW is 2.9 to 12 times higher than that of the rectangular side weir. Scatter diagrams were obtained for CPW and F1 numbers using various approaches available in the literature. The diagram generated by the De Marchi approach has much less scattering, compared to the diagrams generated by the Domínguez and Schmidt approaches. It has been determined that TPKSWs are an effective type of side weir in lateral flows. Lastly, an empirical equation was obtained for the discharge coefficient, which is in good agreement with the experimental data.
Empirical formulas for groundwater use under wheat growth conditions in the Huaibei Plain of China
Authors: Jiang Shangming , Zhang Yuliang , Ning Shaowei , Jin Juliang , Zhou Yuliang , Cui Yi , Pan Zhengwei , Xu Zhengguang
Published: July 2022

Using groundwater for crop growth plays a key role in the sustainable management of water resources and irrigation and drainage design. Some studies did not consider the influence of different crop growth stages and the non-linear effect of the groundwater depth on groundwater use. In this study, three types of formulae for groundwater use were developed by referencing the phreatic evaporation formula without crops. According to the observation data, groundwater depth and use, and wheat evapotranspiration were fitted using these three non-linear formulae in each crop growth stage. The Accelerated Gene Algorithm (AGA) was used to optimize the parameters, and their performance indices were calculated. We observed that groundwater use increased gradually as the decrease in groundwater depth and the increase in wheat evapotranspiration; the correlation coefficients of wheat evapotranspiration and groundwater use were small (such as 0.539, 0.428) in the seedling stage and mature stage and large (such as 0.631, 0.625) in other stages. The performance of the Aviriyanover formula was the best with a correlation coefficient of 0.686 between the simulation and observation; therefore, this formula was recommended to determine groundwater use.
Kinetic evaluation of sonicated food waste in continuously stirred tank reactor
Authors: Md Sabiani Nor Habsah , Tajarudin Husnul Azan , Wan Ab Karim Ghani Wan Azlina , Idris Azni , Samsu Baharuddin Azhari
Published: July 2022

This work aimed to evaluate the process performance and stability of the anaerobic digestion of sonicated food waste (SFW) by determining the kinetic parameters using Monod, Contois, Modified Stover-Kincannon, and Grau second-order multicomponent substrate removal kinetic models. The anaerobic digestion was conducted on the sonicated food waste (SFW) in a 13 L continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with a stepwise organic loading rate (OLR) ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 gCOD/L.day. The experimental works were carried out in two stages (start-up then followed by semi-continuous). The ultrasonic pretreatment was performed by sonicating the food waste slurry for 10 minutes at a 20 kHz frequency and specific energy input of 25,997 kJ/kg TS. The process performance, as well as acceptable stability in the SFW digester, provided satisfactory predictions with Monod, Modified Stover-Kincannon, Grau second-order multicomponent substrate removal, and Contois kinetic models. A significant relationship was seen between the predicted and experimental data with correlation coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.893 to 0.996. In this study, the Monod model with R2 = 0.996 indicates the most suitable model for understanding the kinetic parameters of the anaerobic system in the CSTR which digests the sonicated food waste (SFW) slurry.
Region social capital: institutional and social and cultural resources for the development of human capital in the republics of Tyva and Khakassia
Authors: Aksyutin Yuri M.
Published: July 2022

Social capital, which is considered as a resource of human and physical capital, is increasingly positioned as one of the most significant factors in the development of modern society, especially local, regional, striving, in view of objective reasons and limitations, to use all available development resources. The South Siberian republics of Tyva and Khakassia, which still show low indicators of economic growth and the human development index, rarely fell into the focus of research interest in terms of analyzing the characteristics and dynamics of the functioning of social capital. The article examines the general conceptual approaches and particular methodological developments of domestic and foreign authors to the analysis of social capital. The main goal of the study, which is to analyze the features of the functioning of the components of the regional social capital of the South Siberian republics, is achieved by combining private indicators (index of trust capital, norms and values, social networks). As an empirical basis for the study, we used the results of opinion polls in 2013, 2016 and 2019 in the Republics of Tyva and Khakassia according to a standardized program (sample population: Khakassia — 520 people, Tuva — 290 people). The results of the study allow us to draw a well-grounded conclusion that the strongest component of the region’s social capital is the capital of values and norms, which is a consequence of the formation of a stable norm of tolerance and universal morality system, a stable complementarity of interethnic and cultural relations. The processes of actualization of alternative national identities, the preservation of tension in interethnic relations remain the risk space with low indices of the development of open social capital; decrease in trust and satisfaction with the activities of the authorities and preservation of a predominantly conformist model of social and political behavior of the region inhabitants. The priority of the federal and regional authorities, as well as civil society institutions and local self-government bodies, should be to increase the level of trust in them by the residents of the region.
Milovanova Developing High School Students’ Listening Skills in The Context of Multimodal English Communication by Means of a MoodleBased Training Program
Authors: Gryzunova O. V. , Gryzunov V. V.
Published: July 2022

There are many publications about the importance of emotions in the educational process. They prove that emotions are an effective management tool, including the attention of students. However, the practical application of this tool remains outside the scope of research, that is, there are no methods for managing emotions. This article offers the experience of transferring theoretical concepts into practice using all basic emotions in the context of the main forms of studies at the university.

The aim of the research is to analyze the features of the use of emotions in the educational process in higher education and to offer practical tools for managing emotions.

Research methods: content analysis of specialized literature, morphological analysis of all basic emotions and basic forms of employment, descriptive analysis for presenting emotion management tools, their main advantages and disadvantages.

Results: correspondence of emotions to learning goals and forms of classes was obtained, a method for managing students’ emotions was developed, a test example of applying the method was given, the capabilities and limitations of the most common tools for managing emotions were analyzed: teaching metaphor, storytelling, facilitation, and gamification.

Practical use. The results allow managing the students’ emotions in the context of solving educational and methodological problems. The proposed tools are universal and can be used in teaching technical and humanitarian disciplines to increase the emotional involvement of the audience in the educational process, as a motivating component, thereby increasing the quality of mastering the material.

Discussion. Since excessive emotions can block the cognitive abilities of students, lead to emotional “sticking”, methods of harmonizing the cognitive and emotional components in the educational process are needed.