bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Schistosoma mansoni alter transcription of immunomodulatory gene products following in vivo praziquantel exposure
Authors: McCusker Paul , Rohr Claudia M. , Chan John D.
Published: March 2021

Control of the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis relies almost entirely on praziquantel (PZQ) monotherapy. How PZQ clears parasite infections remains poorly understood. Many studies have examined the effects of PZQ on worms culturedin vitro, observing outcomes such as muscle contraction. However, conditions worms are exposed toin vivomay vary considerably fromin vitroexperiments given the short half-life of PZQ and the importance of host immune system engagement for drug efficacy in animal models. Here, we investigated the effects ofin vivoPZQ exposure onSchistosoma mansoni. Measurement of pro-apoptotic caspase activation revealed that worm death occurs only after parasites shift from the mesenteric vasculature to the liver, peaking 24 hours after drug treatment. This indicates that PZQ is not directly schistocidal, since PZQ’s half-life is ~2 hours in humans and ~30 minutes in mice, and focuses attention on parasite interactions with the host immune system following the shift of worms to the liver. RNA-Seq of worms harvested from mouse livers following sub-lethal PZQ treatment revealed drug-evoked changes in the expression of putative immunomodulatory and anticoagulant gene products. Several of these gene products localized to the schistosome esophagus and may be secreted into the host circulation. These include several Kunitz-type protease inhibitors, which are also found in the secretomes of other blood feeding animals. These transcriptional changes may reflect mechanisms of parasite immune-evasion in response to chemotherapy, given the role of complement-mediated attack and the host innate/humoral immune response in parasite elimination. One of these isoforms, SmKI-1, has been shown to exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-coagulant properties. These data provide insight into the effect ofin vivoPZQ exposure onS.mansoni, and the transcriptional response of parasites to the stress of chemotherapy.
A nationwide study of metabolic syndrome prevalence in Iran; a comparative analysis of six definitions
Authors: Tabatabaei-Malazy Ozra , Saeedi Moghaddam Sahar , Rezaei Nazila , Sheidaei Ali , Hajipour Mohammad Javad , Mahmoudi Negar , Mahmoudi Zohreh , Dilmaghani-Marand Arezou , Rezaee Kamyar , Sabooni Mahdi , Razi Farideh , Kompani Farzad , Delavari Alireza , Larijani Bagher , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: March 2021

Introduction

To integrate and execute a proper preventive plan and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), policy makers need to have access to both reliable data and a unique definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was conducted on the data collected by cross-sectional studies of WHO’s STEPwise approach to surveillance of NCD risk factors (STEPs) to estimate the national and sub-national prevalence rates of MetS in Iran in 2016.

Materials and methods

The prevalence of MetS was estimated among 18,414 individuals aged ≥25 years living in urban and rural areas of Iran using various definition criteria; National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III 2004 (ATP III), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI), Joint Interim Statement (JIS). Regional IDF (RIDF) and JIS (RJIS) were defined using ethnicity-specific values of waist circumference for the country.

Results

National prevalence rate of MetS based on ATP III, IDF, AHA/NHLBI, JIS, RIDF and RJIS criteria were 38.3% (95% CI 37.4–39.1), 43.5% (42.7–44.4), 40.9% (40.1–41.8), 47.6% (46.8–48.5), 32.0% (31.2–32.9), and 40.8% (40.0–41.7), respectively. The prevalence was higher among females, in urban residents, and those aged 65–69 years. MetS was expected to affect about 18.7, 21.3, 20.0, 23.3, 15.7, and 20.0 million Iranians, respectively, based on ATP III, IDF, AHA/NHLBI, JIS, RIDF and RJIS. The two most common components noted in this population were reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and central obesity.

Conclusion

High prevalence rate of MetS among Iranian adults is alarming, especially among females, urban residents, and the elderly. The JIS definition criteria is more appropriate to determine higher number of Iranians at risk of NCDs. Proper management and prevention of MetS is required to adopt multiple national plans including lifestyle modifications, medical interventions, and public education on NCDs risk factors.
Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and hip fracture in adults aged ≥ 50 years
Authors: Liu Pin-Sung , Huang Huei-Kai , Ding Dah-Ching
Published: March 2021

Aim

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) result in morbidities; however, their association with the occurrence of hip fracture is relatively unknown in the context of Asian studies. The purpose of the study was to investigate this link with the hip fracture risk in Taiwanese men and women aged 50 years and above.

Materials and methods

From 2000 through 2012, a population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted; claims data of 18,976 patients diagnosed with LUTS (dysuria, urinary retention, incontinence, and increased urinary frequency and urgency) were retrieved from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. The patients were compared with 1:2 age, sex, and index year-matched controls (comparison group, n = 37,952). The incidence and hazard ratios of the hip fracture risk were calculated by the Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Results

The mean age was 66.2 ± 9.7 years, and the proportion of men was 58.1% in both study groups. Fractures occurred in 772 patients and 1,156 control subjects. The corresponding incidences were 7.0 and 5.0/1000 person-years. Compared to the control subjects, the patients with LUTS had an increased hip fracture risk [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–1.42]. LUTS was independently associated with an increased hip fracture risk in both men (aHR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.08–1.42) and women (aHR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.18–1.53) (p for interaction = 0.557). Similarly, the subgroup effect of age on hip fracture risks was not found (p for interaction = 0.665).

Conclusion

The study found LUTS was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. Large-scale prospective studies in diverse populations are required to investigate causalities.
The role of short-term changes in cognitive capacity on economic expenditure among Kenyan agro-pastoralists
Authors: Iles Richard A. , Surve Aditi , Kagundu Samuel , Gatumu Haniel
Published: March 2021

The increased exposure of pastoralist communities in East Africa to climatic shocks has focused attention on the resilience of these communities. Although many social scientists directly or indirectly infer versions of homo-economic agents, increasing evidence in development behavioral economics, indicates that such assumptions may be misplaced. Despite on-going advances in the science concerning the effects of stress on dynamic changes in short-term cognitive capacity, there remains limited understanding of the effects of changes in cognitive capacity on economic decision making. The present research empirically evaluates the drivers of short-term changes in cognitive capacity–cognitive ability and heuristic use–and its effect on crop and livestock expenditure among predominantly poor Kenyan agro-pastoralists. Three rounds of cognition and survey data from Samburu, Kenya is analysed. The primary data was collected at the end of the 2015–16 East African drought and covers an 11-month period between October 2016 and September 2017. Dynamic panel estimation, employing maximum likelihood, is used on balanced and unbalanced data. Results indicate that fluid intelligence and heuristic use, along with literacy and stressors, affect crop expenditure. Perceptions of scarcity, relative to prior expectations, are also identified as an important determinant of short-term changes in cognitive ability. These results underscore the importance of better understanding the effects of short-term changes in cognitive capacity on economic expenditure among the poor.
Transmission mode of watermelon silver mottle virus by Thrips palmi
Authors: Mou De-Fen , Chen Wei-Te , Li Wei-Hua , Chen Tsung-Chi , Tseng Chien-Hao , Huang Li-Hsin , Peng Jui-Chu , Yeh Shyi-Dong , Tsai Chi-Wei
Published: March 2021

Thrips and thrips-transmitted tospoviruses cause significant losses in crop yields worldwide. The melon thrips (Thrips palmi) is not only a pest of cucurbit crops, but also a vector that transmits tospoviruses, such as the watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV). Vector transmission of tospoviruses has been well studied in the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)–Frankliniella occidentalis model system; however, until now the transmission mode of WSMoV by T. palmi has not been sufficiently examined. The results of the transmission assays suggest that T. palmi transmits WSMoV in a persistent manner, and that the virus is mainly transmitted by adults, having been ingested at the first-instar larval stage. Complementary RNAs corresponding to the NSm and NSs genes of WSMoV were detected in viruliferous thrips by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; NSs protein was also detected in viruliferous thrips by western blotting, verifying the replication of WSMoV in T. palmi. Furthermore, we demonstrated that in thrips infected with WSMoV at the first-instar larval stage, the virus eventually infected various tissues of the adult thrips, including the primary salivary glands. Taken together, these results suggest that T. palmi transmits WSMoV in a persistent-propagative mode. The results of this study make a significant contribution to the understanding of the transmission biology of tospoviruses in general.
Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy associated mutations uncover important kinetic roles of α4β2- nicotinic acetylcholine receptor intracellular structures
Authors: Weltzin Maegan M. , George Andrew A. , Lukas Ronald J. , Whiteaker Paul
Published: March 2021

Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE) is a group of seizure disorders prominently associated with mutations in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). The most prevalent central nervous system nAChR subtype contains α4 and β2 subunits, in two ratios. (α4β2)2β2-nAChR have high agonist sensitivity (HS-isoform), whereas (α4β2)2α4-nAChR agonist responses exhibit a small high-sensitivity, and a predominant low-sensitivity, phase of function (LS-isoform). Multiple non-synonymous mutations in the second and third transmembrane domains of α4 and β2 subunits are associated with SHE. We recently demonstrated that two additional, SHE-associated, missense mutations in the major cytoplasmic loops of these subunits [α4(R336H) and β2(V337G)] cause increased macroscopic function-per receptor. Here, we use single-channel patch-clamp electrophysiology to show that these mutations influence single-channel amplitudes and open- and closed-state kinetics. Pure populations of HS- or LS-isoform α4β2-nAChR were expressed by injecting either 1:10 or 30:1 α4:β2 cRNA ratios, respectively, into Xenopus laevis oocytes. Functional properties of the resulting mutant α4β2-nAChR isoforms were compared to their wildtype counterparts. α4(R336H) subunit incorporation minimally affected single-channel amplitudes, whereas β2(V337G) subunit incorporation reduced them significantly in both isoforms. However, for both mutant subunits, increased function-per-receptor was predominantly caused by altered single channel kinetics. The α4(R336H) mutation primarily destabilizes desensitized states between openings. By contrast, the β2(V337G) mutation principally stabilizes receptor open states. The use of naturally-occurring and physiologically-impactful mutations has allowed us to define valuable new insights regarding the functional roles of nAChR intracellular domains. Further mechanistic context is provided by intracellular-domain structures recently published for other members of the Cys-loop receptor superfamily (α3β4-nAChR and 5-HT3AR).
Translation and validation of the Dutch version of the health professional education in patient safety survey amongst nursing students in Belgium: A psychometric analysis
Authors: Bergs Jochen , Peeters Katrien , Kortleven Isabel , Creemers Sarah , Ulenaers Dorien , Desmedt Melissa , Schrooten Ward
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSSDutch), an instrument used to assess self-efficacy regarding patient safety competence.

Methods

The H-PEPSSDutch was administered to 610 students in two Belgian nursing schools. We used confirmatory factor analysis, for both classroom and clinical learning, to examine the psychometric properties.

Results

The analysis of construct validity showed a good fit to the hypothesised models. Cronbach’s alpha values ranged from 0.70 to 0.87 for classroom learning and from 0.56 to 0.86 for clinical learning, indicating good reliability. Differentiating between the H-PEPSS constructs in the clinical setting showed to be complicated; hence, discriminant validity was not supported for all dimensions.

Conclusions

Overall, this provides us with a reliable instrument to measure self-reported patient safety competence among nursing students. Further research is needed to validate the H-PEPSS as a longitudinal monitoring tool and as a pre-and-post measurement on the impact of interventions related to patient safety in the nursing curricula.
Banco de sementes com serrapilheira como indicador de restauração florestal em região de cerrado no município de Coxim, MS
Authors: Freitas Leonardo Neves de , Costa Poliana Ferreira da , Costa Carla Messias , Santos Bruna Souza dos
Published: March 2021

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar o banco de sementes considerando a serrapilheira como indicador de restauração florestal da nascente do Córrego Criminoso, situada no município de Coxim, Mato Grosso do Sul – MS, Brasil. A área de estudo possui vegetação predominante de cerrado stricto senso. Para a obtenção dos dados realizou-se uma coleta de 40 amostras no entorno de duas das nascentes do Córrego Criminoso e foi realizado o acompanhamento da germinação, após 90 dias foi feito a identificação das espécies. Utilizou-se a ferramenta Qgis 2.18.21 para elaboração dos mapas, no sistema de projeção UTM Datum Sirgas 2000. Observou-se uma predominância de espécies herbáceas, sendo necessárias aplicações de técnicas de manejo para melhor eficiência da recuperação da área, e a partir dos mapas observa-se que a predominância de espécies herbáceas esta provavelmente relacionada a grandes áreas de pastagens presentes no entorno da nascente e reduzida presença de remanescentes florestais.
The impact of the Covid-19 related emergency measures on the democracy and human rights in Armenia
Authors: Tatikyan Sossi
Published: March 2021

This paper analyses the adoption, enforcement and parliamentary oversight of the emergency measures in response to COVID-19, and their impact on the democracy, human rights and good governance in Armenia.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: March 2021: Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Pregnancy
Authors: Bushyhead Daniel W.
Published: March 2021

Article Title: Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Pregnancy
Continuing Medical Education Questions: March 2021: ACG Clinical Guideline: Colorectal Cancer Screening 2020
Authors: Hachem Christine Y.
Published: March 2021

Article Title: ACG Clinical Guideline: Colorectal Cancer Screening 2020.
Jürgen Gosch/Johannes Schütz Theater
Authors: Tigges Stefan
Published: March 2021

Der Regisseur Jürgen Gosch und der Bühnen- und Kostümbildner Johannes Schütz haben mit ihren szenischen Versuchsanordnungen eine ebenso konsequente wie avancierte Theatergrundlagenforschung begründet, die in Bezug auf die Spiel-, Darstellungs- und Bühnenästhetik bis heute nachwirkt und theoretisch herausfordert. Am Beispiel wegweisender Arbeiten speziell aus der Spätphase (Shakespeare, Čechov, Schimmelpfennig) werden autorenspezifische sowie autorenübergreifende künstlerische Suchbewegungen und signifikante Entwicklungsschritte bestimmt. Im Hinblick auf die Schauspielerinnen und Schauspieler wird insbesondere danach gefragt, warum diese als verdichtetes Ensemble so eigenverantwortlich, augenblickszentriert und (form-)bewusst handeln, komplexe Spielräume, hohe performative Energien als auch szenische Ergänzungsenergien entfalten und in ihrer spielerisch-reflexiven Präsenz potenziert werden. Mit umfangreichem Bildmaterial und einem Nachwort von Jens Harzer.
Intergeschlechtlichkeit als Herausforderung für Fachkräfte in Erziehungs- und Bildungsprozessen
Authors: Groß Melanie , Hechler Andreas
Published: March 2021

Der institutionalisierte Bildungs- und Erziehungsbereich ist wesentlich an der Formung von Geschlechterverständnissen beteiligt und wirkt (bislang) an der Unsichtbarkeit intergeschlechtlicher Personen systematisch mit. In dem vorliegenden Text zeigen wir, welche Aspekte einer geschlechtersensiblen Selbstreflexion von Fachkräften notwendig sind, um den Bedarfen intergeschlechtlicher Menschen in Erziehungs- und Bildungsinstitutionen gerechter werden zu können. Der Beitrag thematisiert die Relevanz des Wissens über Intergeschlechtlichkeit in Kontexten der Sozialen Arbeit aus zwei Blickwinkeln. Zum einen wird eine theoretische Perspektive eingenommen, die unter Bezugnahme verschiedener theoretischer Ansätze begründet, weshalb die Berücksichtigung der Lebenswelten und Bedarfe intergeschlechtlicher Menschen in sozialarbeiterischen Kontexten elementar wichtig ist. Zum anderen zeigt der Beitrag konkrete Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten in die sozialarbeiterische Praxis auf. Ziel der hier vorgelegten Perspektive ist die Herstellung angst- und diskriminierungsfreier Räume sowie die Unterstützung von Handlungsfähigkeit der Adressat*innen.
Kulturrelativistische Positionen und ihre Aktualität
Authors: Kopp Magdalena
Published: March 2021

In der Geschichte der amerikanischen Kulturanthropologie stellt der Kulturrelativismus einen Meilenstein dar. Dementsprechend gefeiert wird Franz Boas, dessen Werk The Mind of Primitive Man (1911) vielen noch heute als kulturrelativistisches Manifest gilt. Doch er wird zunehmend kritisch betrachtet, und vor allem indigene Stimmen relativieren seine Bedeutung für die Entstehung einer antirassistischen Kulturanthropologie. Um die Rolle Boas' besser bewerten zu können, zeichnet Magdalena Kopp die Genese des Kulturrelativismus ausgehend von Johann Gottfried Herder über Boas selbst bis hin zu Melville J. Herskovits nach. Das Ergebnis: Eine einheitliche Traditionslinie gibt es nicht.
Fremdbestimmte Freude
Authors: Schoenrock Andreas
Published: March 2021

Der Einfluss werbetreibender Marken auf die Musikkulturen der Gegenwart ist ungeachtet ihrer dortigen Omnipräsenz bislang kaum Gegenstand musikwissenschaftlicher Forschung. Andreas Schoenrocks Pionierarbeit Fremdbestimmte Freude legt die autoritative Wirkkraft von Marken und Werbeindustrie auf kontemporäre populäre Musikkulturen im jungen 21. Jahrhundert offen und untersucht die von diesem Markenmandat ausgehenden musikalischen Homogenisierungseffekte. Die transparente Darstellung des Zusammenhangs zwischen werbetreibenden Marken und Musikentwicklung kulminiert in der detaillierten Analyse eines prototypischen Beispiels für »synchronisationsfreundliche« Musik: Pharrell Williams' Happy.
Warum Kreislaufwirtschaft allein nicht genügt
Authors: Widmer Jennifer
Published: March 2021

Jennifer Widmer widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Kreislaufwirtschaft, welche als eine viel diskutierte Strategie im Kampf gegen Food Waste gilt. Sie vergleicht dazu kreislauforientierte Geschäftsmodelle von zwei Schweizer Insekten-Start-ups und fragt: Wie können Organisationen Nahrungsmittelabfälle so aufwerten, dass sie von Menschen weiter bzw. wieder konsumiert werden? Mit dem Rückgriff auf die Soziologie der Bewertung zeigt ihr Vergleich, dass kreislauforientierte Geschäftsmodelle nicht allein mit ökologischen Argumenten überzeugen können. Vielmehr müssen die aufgewerteten Produkte (d.h. die Insekten) auch geschmacklich überzeugen und der Gesundheit förderlich sein.
PEMIKIRAN K.H. A.WAHID HASYIM TENTANG RELASI ISLAM DAN NEGARA
Authors: Asroni Ahmad
Published: March 2021

This article describes the thought and political wisdom of K.H.A. Wahid Hasyim about the relationship between Islam and the state. As one of the founders of the Nation, A. Wahid Hasyim was known as a true nationalist figure. This is among others can be seen from its acceptance of the overall chest to the deletion of the Jakarta Charter and the entire formula that explicitly contains Islam in the opening and body/main text of UUD 1945. Although he was one of the people who persistently proposed Islam as the basis of the country, but in his perspective, the unity of the nation of Indonesia is much more important than formal recognition of Islam. The acceptance of Pancasila and the UUD 1945 by A. Wahid Hasyim (as well as several Islamic figures at the time) signifies that they are willing to sacrifice for the interes of the nation. Keywords: ideologization of Islam, formalization, state, nationalism
Scholars and Literati at the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences (1700–1800)
Authors: De la Croix David , Eisfeld Thomas , Ganterer Maximilian
Published: March 2021

This note is a summary description of the set of scholars and literati who participated in the activities of the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin, from its inception in 1700 to the eve of the Industrial Revolution (1800).
Perception of Polish Democracy in a Comparative Approach in Relation to the European Integration Processes
Authors: Grosse Tomasz Grzegorz
Published: March 2021

The aim of the article is to show the condition of Polish democracy on the example of two elections held in 2019 and 2020. The elections brought about a positive phenomenon for democ racy, which is an increase in voter turnout. On the other hand, negative phenomena appeared, in particular the violent political polarization within the political community. The example of the Polish elections was then confronted with the perception of democracy among Polish society in a comparative approach, i.e. against the perception of other European nations. Against this background, the assessment of Polish democracy by Poles is exceptionally positive. Later in the article, an attempt was made to consider to what extent the integration processes may be responsible for weakening democracy in the Member States, as well as for the decline in trust in democratic institutions in the west and southern part of the continent.
Niemiecka chadecja wobec Brexitu
Authors: Bielawska Agnieszka
Published: March 2021

Celem artykułu jest przybliżenie stanowiska niemieckich partii chadeckich (niem. Christlich-Demokratische Union Deutschlands – CDU i Christlich-Soziale Union – CSU) wobec wystąpienia Zjednoczonego Królestwa Wielkiej Brytanii i Irlandii Północnej z Unii Europejskiej. Poddano w nim analizie dokumenty partyjne oraz wypowiedzi czołowych przedstawicieli CDU i CSU. Artykuł podzielony został na trzy części bezpośrednio powiązane z kwestiami, które najczęściej pojawiały się w wypowiedziach chadeków w kontekście Brexitu.
Aleksandra Kruk, Konferencje monachijskie ds. bezpieczeństwa (2009–2019), Wydawnictwo Naukowe FNCE, Poznań 2020, ss. 298.
Authors: Molo Beata
Published: March 2021

Recenzja
Detection of adverse events leading to inadvertent injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Beyersdorffer Patrick , Kunert Wolfgang , Jansen Kai , Miller Johanna , Wilhelm Peter , Burgert Oliver , Kirschniak Andreas , Rolinger Jens
Published: March 2021

Uncontrolled movements of laparoscopic instruments can lead to inadvertent injury of adjacent structures. The risk becomes evident when the dissecting instrument is located outside the field of view of the laparoscopic camera. Technical solutions to ensure patient safety are appreciated. The present work evaluated the feasibility of an automated binary classification of laparoscopic image data using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to determine whether the dissecting instrument is located within the laparoscopic image section. A unique record of images was generated from six laparoscopic cholecystectomies in a surgical training environment to configure and train the CNN. By using a temporary version of the neural network, the annotation of the training image files could be automated and accelerated. A combination of oversampling and selective data augmentation was used to enlarge the fully labeled image data set and prevent loss of accuracy due to imbalanced class volumes. Subsequently the same approach was applied to the comprehensive, fully annotated Cholec80 database. The described process led to the generation of extensive and balanced training image data sets. The performance of the CNN-based binary classifiers was evaluated on separate test records from both databases. On our recorded data, an accuracy of 0.88 with regard to the safety-relevant classification was achieved. The subsequent evaluation on the Cholec80 data set yielded an accuracy of 0.84. The presented results demonstrate the feasibility of a binary classification of laparoscopic image data for the detection of adverse events in a surgical training environment using a specifically configured CNN architecture.
Reduced forms in the nominal morphology of the Lindisfarne Gospel Gloss. A case of accusative/dative syncretism?
Authors: Fernández-Cuesta Julia , Rodríguez-Ledesma Nieves
Published: March 2021

One of the most characteristic features of the grammar of the Lindisfarne Gospel gloss is the absence of the etymological -e inflection in the dative singular in the paradigm of the strong masculine and neuter declension (a-stems). Ross (1960: 38) already noted that endingless forms of the nominative/accusative cases were quite frequent in contexts where a dative singular in -e would be expected, to the extent that he labeled the forms in -e ‘rudimentary dative.’ The aim of this article is to assess to what extent the dative singular is still found as a separate case in the paradigms of the masculine and neuter a-stems and root nouns. To this end a quantitative/statistical analysis of nouns belonging to these classes has been carried out in contexts where the Latin lemma is either accusative or dative. We have tried to determine whether variables such as syntactic context, noun class, and frequency condition the presence or absence of the -e inflection, and whether the distribution of the inflected and uninflected forms is different in the various demarcations that have been identified in the gloss. The data have been retrieved using the Dictionary of Old English Corpus. All tokens have been checked against the facsimile edition and the digitised manuscript in order to detect possible errors.
Pulp pumping efficiency I – A critical review on loss and its estimation
Authors: Zhang Qihua , Kang Shun , Xie Zhiang , Cao Li , Yan Zhaoxu , Zhang Weidong
Published: March 2021

With growing demand of paper products, the electric consumption in pulp and paper industry is increasing globally where a share of 30 % is attributed to the pulp pumping system. The efficient designing and running of pumping system are critical for energy efficiency. The incomplete information on pulp flows and the oversized designs are the major causes of low efficiency. In the first part of this research, the fiber level models and rheological properties covering a series of unit applications are examined. A loss model of pulp pump is set up by considering different factors influencing pumping performance. The efficiency improvement opportunities in pulp pumping are systematically investigated. The drag-reducing feature at low consistency pulp pumping is highlighted which will be further applied in energy optimized sizing and dimensioning of a pulp pump in the second part of this research.
The Carrot, the String and the Hand that Controls Them.
Authors: Schokking David
Published: March 2021

Introduction to the 2013, 10th anniversary edition of the McMaster Journal of Communication, written by editor-in-chief, David Schokking.
Destination Ambassadors: Examining how Hospitality Companies Value Brand Ambassadorship from Front-Line Employees – A Case Study of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Authors: Morgan John
Published: March 2021

This case study examines how Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts develops brand image, brand reputation, and customer loyalty though the interactions that front-line employees have with guests. It sets out to define employee brand ambassadorship within the organization, understand how Four Seasons trains employees to communicate effectively with guests, and research the metrics used to evaluate and analyze the effectiveness of its employee communication strategy. What emerged from interviews and an examination of media coverage indicates that Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts considers the interactions between employees and guests to be the most important factor in delivering the brand promise. Furthermore, hiring employees who are most aligned with the company’s culture and values is an important factor in the ability to develop brand-supportive behaviours within the workforce.
Public sphere, alternative media and social involvement in Belarus: The role of an individual in history
Authors: Lesnikova Nataliya
Published: March 2021

Radical media plays a vital role in initiating political changes in totalitarian societies (Hong, 1998; Downing, 2001), by promoting media literacy, and acting as a catalyst to forming social identities among people. Unlike in democratic societies, people living under the totalitarian government are unable to form pressure groups or otherwise voice their concerns to their government (Downing, 2001). As going against the status quo places them at a constant risk of political repression. Moreover, most citizens lack media literacy skills that are critical to assessing the biases hidden in progovernment propaganda (Rose, 1998). This essay discusses the utmost importance of the formation and active development of what Jürgen Habermas refers to as “the public sphere.” This essay sets out to prove that active public participation in the political process is a necessary element of initializing a socio-political reform within totalitarian societies. Underground media outlets are specifically highlighted as promoters of anti-hegemonic codes of the authoritarian rule as radical media can reach out to international governments and NGOs, and bring their attention to the human rights violations. Concerned international players are then able to use financial sanctions and political negotiations to demand cessation of human rights violations.
“So, should we stay in touch?” A Plan to Build Community Using Social Media Among Alumni of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University
Authors: Emigh Susan
Published: March 2021

Can a community be maintained or put back together when there is distance? Students of McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine spend an intense three years together in its undergraduate program, and then they move on. However, universities, including McMaster, look to maintain rapport with alumni who often support their alma mater: Alumni often appreciate ties to the prestige of a high profile academic institution and to the memories of their time there. The new social media technologies appear to give the chance to maintain or even rebuild that engagement, but universities are stepping into the opportunities slowly. They are cautious because there is no wave of social media acceptance except, perhaps, for Facebook, and the costs of providing true two-way communications on a one-to-one basis is not in the budget. However, building on a survey of its market, this case study looks at using social media to start to build community among alumni of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
Review of “Socialnomics” by Erik Qualman and “The Business of Influence” by Philip Sheldrake
Authors: Edgar Rebecca
Published: March 2021

This comparative book review of Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business (2009, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.) by Eric Qualman and The Business of Influence: Reframing Marketing and PR for the Digital Age (2011, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.) by Philip Sheldrake, examines two popular, yet markedly different books addressing social media. Referencing Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory, the author claims Qulaman’s descriptive approach vs. Sheldrake’s methodological one effectively target readers at opposite ends on the adoption curve.
Developing a Social Media Strategy: A Professional Association Perspective
Authors: McLean-Cobban Wendy
Published: March 2021

Relationship engagement is the cornerstone of social media, hence the word “networking” in social networking sites. Social media sites can make excellent communications vehicles for many not-for-profits since building and maintaining relationships are fundamental to their existence. This social media strategy audit and case study examines the best practices for organizations, in particular, non-profit professional associations, and proposes a social media strategy for a national Canadian professional association. The study found that while many professional associations are using social media to engage with their members and other stakeholders, there are a number of key elements that need to be considered when associations develop social media strategies including: implementing a social media policy for staff and members; allocating proper staff resources, including training; tying social media activities back to the strategic plan of the organization; ensuring consistency of messages and content across platforms; and finally making sure social media activities are measured with both quantitative and qualitative measures.
The Impact of a Repeated Sprint Training Program on Performance Measures in Male Field Hockey Players
Authors: Taylor Luke , Jakeman John R.
Published: March 2021

Taylor, L and Jakeman, JR. The impact of a repeated sprint training program on performance measures in male field hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1984–1988, 2022—Sprint interval training (SIT) has been shown to be effective at improving athletic performance in laboratory studies, but the efficacy of SIT programs incorporated into normal training schedules is poorly considered. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a running SIT intervention applied to competitive athletes within a training program and to consider whether an uphill or flat (horizontal) SIT protocol had different effects on performance changes over time. Eighteen male hockey players (mean ± SD: age, 20.7 ± 0.9 years; hockey training experience, 9.9 ± 3.0 years) completed 2 sessions of SIT per week for 8 weeks, with intensity progressively increasing from 6 sprints in week 1 to 12 sprints in week 8. Subjects were randomly allocated to a flat or uphill (6% gradient) training condition (n = 9) and completed 30-m maximal sprint efforts with a 30-second recovery. Performance measures, including squat jump, 30-m sprint speed, and repeated sprint time, all improved significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Squat jump performance improved by 3.84 (d = 0.8) and 3.55 (d = 0.7) in the flat and uphill groups, respectively. Thirty-meter sprint speed improved by 0.06 (d = −0.4) and 0.10 (d = −0.7), and repeated sprint performance also improved, with the fastest of recorded sprints after intervention being 0.06 and 0.04 faster in the flat and uphill groups, respectively. Supplementing a normal hockey training week with SIT can have a positive impact on performance measures in male university hockey players. Furthermore, using an uphill training modality had a small, nonsignificant additional positive effect to some performance adaptations.
The Only Thing I Have to Fear Is Fear Itself
Authors: Muskin Philip R.
Published: March 2021

This autobiographical essay provides a discussion of how understanding being counterphobic limited the physician's ability to be realistically afraid during the intial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is the Noise the Message in Psychoanalytic Listening?
Authors: Movahedi Siamak
Published: March 2021

In psychoanalytic discourse, the question of meaning or lack thereof should be relegated only to the domain of the interlocutor's perception. Not every slip of the tongue or bungled action is necessarily precipitated by some unconscious motivation, although one may construct meaning for it après coup (Nachträglichkeit). What is a message versus a noise depends on the perceptual experience of the analytic couple, and a cigar, if not just a cigar, depends on the context-specific fantasy of the perceiver. The author's aim is to show the difficulty of distinguishing the noise from the message in the interactive matrix of the analytic situation. Yet what at first may seem to be a banal error such as double-booking may at times enliven a stultified course of the analytic process; it may even drag a stillborn transference out of its embalmed closet.
Religious Affiliation and Conceptions of the Moral Domain
Authors: Levine Sydney , Rottman Joshua , Davis Taylor , O'Neill Elizabeth , Stich Stephen , Machery Edouard
Published: March 2021

What is the relationship between religious affiliation and conceptions of the moral domain? Putting aside the question of whether people from different religions agree about how to answer moral questions, here we investigate a more fundamental question: How much disagreement is there across religions about which issues count as moral in the first place? That is, do people from different religions conceptualize the scope of morality differently? Using a new methodology to map out how individuals conceive of the moral domain, we find dramatic differences among adherents of different religions. Mormon and Muslim participants moralized their religious norms, while Jewish participants did not. Hindu participants in our sample did not seem to make a moral/non-moral distinction of the same kind. These results suggest a profound relationship between religious affiliation and conceptions of the scope of the moral domain.
Uma África do Sul pós independência analisada sob a perspectiva pós-colonial: da emancipação ao Apartheid
Authors: Lima Gabrielle , Colino Izabella
Published: March 2021

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo utilizar-se dos estudos pós-coloniais para analisar o contexto da África do Sul, desde sua independência até a instituição e desenvolvimento do Apartheid. Baseando-se principalmente nos escritos de Albert Memmi e Immanuel Wallerstein, discorrer-se-ão perspectivas políticas, econômicas e sociais para comentar o processo de descolonização do país. Em conclusão, nota-se que, apesar da emancipação sul-africana da sua antiga metrópole, ideais de opressão e desigualdade continuaram a ser perpetuados.Palavras-chave: África do Sul; Pós-colonialismo; Apartheid. AbstractThe present research aims to make use of the postcolonial studies to analyze the South African context, from its independence until the establishment and development of the Apartheid. The theoretical basis of this study are the works of Albert Memmi and Immanuel Wallerstein. Based on these authors, this paper will illustrate the political, economical, and social perspectives of the decolonization process in South Africa.  In conclusion, it is identified that, even though South Africa was emancipated from its old metropolis, ideals of oppression and inequality were still being sustained.Keywords: South Africa; Postcolonialism; Apartheid.
South Korea in 2020
Authors: Hahm Sung Deuk
Published: March 2021

The two biggest stories of 2020 were South Korea’s successful response to the coronavirus crisis and the lack of progress in the denuclearization of North Korea. South Korea was able to contain the spread of the coronavirus mainly due to aggressive tracing and testing. There has been no substantial progress on the denuclearization of North Korea. Macroeconomic performance in 2020 virtually came to a halt amid the pandemic. South Korea’s GDP shrank considerably and shows no signs of rebounding.
Taiwan in 2020
Authors: Yu Ching-hsin
Published: March 2021

Taiwan saw a series of crucial developments at home and abroad in 2020. Externally, the massive confrontations in Hong Kong were taken as justifying the ruling DPP’s anti-China cross-Strait policy. The impacts of the intense US–China trade war reshaped relations in the US–China–Taiwan triangle. Internally, the results of the 2020 general election strengthened the DPP’s political dominance. Likewise, the successful fight against COVID-19 buttressed the government’s popular support. Still, there are old and new socio-economic issues that will continue to challenge the governing capability of the DPP in 2021.
The Benefit non-take-up in the Context of Cash Social Assistance Reform in Lithuania
Authors: Vencius Tautvydas , Gabnytė Vitalija , Navickė Jekaterina
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this article is to present the results of cash social assistance (CSA) benefit non-take-up in the context of the CSA system reform in Lithuania. The right to adequate minimum income benefits is one of the 20 key principles under the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR). Using the tax-benefit microsimulation model EUROMOD we seek to identify all those eligible to CSA benefit and to analyse its non-take-up rates in Lithuania. The analysis for 2016 showed that CSA benefit non-take-up in Lithuania was around 22%. This means that around one fifth of those who are entitled to this benefit do not get it for various reasons. The results show that there are two types of households, with a non-take-up rate exceeding 30%: single person and lone parent households. The dynamics of CSA benefit non-take-up between 2007-2016 were strongly negatively correlated to the annual average number of recipients of the CSA benefit. This makes for a counter-cyclical dynamic of the CSA non-take-up relative to the economic growth cycle. We find some evidence of an increase in the CSA non-take-up rate following the recent CSA reform in Lithuania. Further analysis is needed to distinguish between the effects of the economic cycle and the CSA reform.
Moggallana’s Journey to Another Buddha-field
Authors: Kuan Tse-fu
Published: March 2021

The Chinese Ekottarika Agama (EA) stands out among the four Pali Nikayas and the corresponding four Chinese Agamas, which are supposed to be collections of early Buddhist texts. My study of anomalies in a sutta of EA reveals that it is a composite of various textual sources. The original translation of this sutta, presumably non-numerical, was merged with a much shorter, numerical sutta in the process of forming the extant sutta. Zhu Fonian was not satisfied with his original translation of EA, which was carried out under difficult circumstances. As time went by, he had access to other Indic sources and Chinese translations, which could have enabled him to improve this translation. On the other hand, he modified part of his translation in such a creative way that it deviates significantly from the Indic original. Thus our sutta incorporated some new elements, including an episode adapted from a passage in Dharmaraksa’s translation of a Mahayana text. Therefore, Moggallana’s travel to the Brahma Heaven in the original translation was turned into a journey to another buddhafield in the revised version. The religious milieu may have prompted Zhu Fonian to draw upon the Mahayana texts, especially those translated by Dharmaraksa, when revising his translation of EA.
Enzymatic characterization of blood lymphocytes in various clinical and pathogenetic variants of respiratory allergy
Authors: Lazareva A. M. , Kolenchukova O. A. , Smirnova S. V.
Published: March 2021

Allergy is a sufficient social and economic issue of modern times. Altered immunity in allergic disorders is based, mainly, on the lymphocyte disturbances.

Immune characteristics depend both on populations and subpopulational profile of immune cells, and on intrinsic intensity and specific features of theirintracellular metabolism. Interest to studies of intracellular metabolism of lymphocytes id determined by high-scale energetic and plastic processes aimed for support of immune homeostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of intracellular metabolism in peripheral blood lymphocytes from the patients with respiratory allergies of different genesis and respiratory affection.

The study included patients with various clinical variants of respiratory allergy (n = 152) at the age of 21 to 63 years old, and virtually healthy blood donors (n = 209), comparable for age and sex. Within these cohorts, we have separately analyzed, e.g., respiratory atopy (atopic rhinosinusitis and atopic bronchial asthma), as well as respiratory pseudoatopy (polypous rhinosinusitis and asthmatic triad). Allergic disorders of upper respiratory ways were diagnosed in a complex clinical examination by allergologist/immunologist and otorhinolaryngologists. Bronchial asthma verification was based on current GINA criteria (2014). We used m standard common clinical methods and specific allergological diagnostics, e.g., allergological anamnesis, skin prick tests, with different non-infectious allergens, measurement of total and specific IgE’s with ELISA method. The parameters of intracellular metabolism of peripheral blood lymphocytes were determined with bioluminescent technique with bacterial luciferase. Actifity of NAD(P) and NAD(P)H enzymes was measured.Dehydrogenase activities in lymphocytes were expressed as enzyme un its (EU, 1 unit = 1 mcmol/min) per 104 cells.

Certain changes of intracellular activities in peripheral lymphocytes are revealed, dependent on genesis and origin of allergic inflammation, and affection level of respiratory ways. In respiratory atopy (atopic rhinosinusitis and atopic bronchial asthma), irrelevant on the level of respiratory affection, the activities of intracellular enzymes suggest increased plastic processes that are maximally pronounced in atopic bronchial asthma. In respiratory pseudoatopy (polypous rhinosinusitis and asthmatic triad) the metabolic changes of lymphocytes presume activation of both plastic and energetic processes, with decreased intensity in asthmatic triad condition. Independent on genesis of respiratory allergic inflammation, we have determined low activity of NAD(P)-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase, and NAD(H)-dependent lactate dehydrogenase in allergic inflammation of upper respiratory ways (atopic rhinosinusitis and polypous). Its activity is statistically higher in bronchial asthma (atopic bronchial asthma and asthmatic triad.