bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Rastafari movement in South Africa: Before and after apartheid
Authors: Chawane Midas
Published: February 2024

Rastafari as a movement originated in the Caribbean Island of Jamaica during the 1930s. From Jamaica, it spread to other parts of the world including South Africa. It is argued in this article that the ideological foundation that formed the base upon which the movement emerged in South Africa was laid long before its formal introduction in 1997, comprising Ethiopianism1 and Garveyism.2 The ideology of Ethiopianism in South Africa gained its expression when groups of some Black Christians broke away from missionary authority during the late 18th century. Garveyism, on the other hand can be traced back to 1920, in the wake of the International Conference of Negro Peoples of the World. This article further traces the formalisation and spread of Rastafari in South Africa and argues that its development in the country took place through three phases, namely, Ethiopianism and Garveyism as the foundation period, the period of the apartheid government (i.e. between 1948 and 1994), and the post-apartheid era (after 1994). There are significant differences between the Rastafari that existed before 1994 and that of the postapartheid period. This article thus identifies these differences, explains why and how the transformation took place after 1994, and the current state of this Movement in South Africa. Their impact (“positive” and “negative”) certainly should be considered.
Voor 1652 – Vakhistorici se interpretasies van die vroeë SuidAfrikaanse geskiedenis
Authors: De Klerk Pieter
Published: February 2024

During the last few decades scholars from various disciplines, such as paleonthology, archeology, anthropology and linguistics, have steadily increased our knowledge of early South African history. Historians are dependent on the research of these scholars when writing interpretative overviews of South African history. In 1918 GM Theal included an account of South African history before 1652 in his multi-volume History of South Africa, but only since the 1970s have a number of professional historians studied the early phase of South African history. Richard Elphick made an important contribution to the study of the early Khoikhoi of the Western Cape. Other historians wrote overviews with a section on early history. Some of them regarded the early period primarily as an introduction to the history of South Africa since the seventeenth century, which, according to them, has the struggle between indigenous inhabitants and Western colonizers as its dominant theme. A few historians, such as HJ van Aswegen, wrote more extensively on early history, although Van Aswegen and his fellow-historians mainly provided a synthethis of research done by archeologists, anthropologists and linguists. Very little comparison with the history of other countries was done and very few problems regarding the research findings of scholars in the above-mentioned disciplines were pointed out. It is concluded that by paying more attention to the period before 1652 historians can provide new perspectives on major trends in the development of South African society.
Indigenous “Africans” and transnational “PanNetherlanders”: Past and present in the “re-construction” of post-1994 Afrikaner identity
Authors: Furlong Patrick J.
Published: February 2024

This article explores two strategies to “re-imagine” Afrikaner identity in a post-apartheid South Africa in which white Afrikaners, once politically and culturally dominant, have become increasingly marginalized. One, using the early meaning of “Afrikaner” as “African”, claims “indigenous” status, pressing for limited autonomy as an African “tribe,” championing language rights for all Afrikaans-speakers regardless of color, or embracing a larger “African” identity, even joining the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The other seeks to rebuild old links, broken under apartheid, to Flemish and especially Dutch cousins, joined in a pan-Netherlandic community. The article explores how, although in recent times the parochial and essentialist “official” Afrikaner nationalist understanding of Afrikaner “ethnogenesis” had stressed its shaping by the “original” “white” settlers’ struggles with Africans and British latecomers, denying multiracial ancestry and even downplaying broader, European (particularly Low Country) influences, a closer examination shows that that this narrower model long contended with more multicultural and transnational approaches. The evolution of these rival views of Afrikaner identity and responses from the Low Countries and some ANC leaders to these alternative models suggest that such ethnic “re-construction” could help recast Afrikaner self-definition in promising contemporary yet historically grounded terms, provided in the case of pan-Netherlandism that it is not hijacked by the extreme Right, but instead presents Afrikaners as a bridge between Europe and Africa.
Counterurbanisation and the emergence of a postproductivist economy in South Africa’s arid Karoo region, 1994-2010
Authors: Ingle Mark
Published: February 2024

This review article serves to broach the concept of the “post-productivist countryside” where the primacy of agricultural production is supplanted by tertiary industries such as tourism, recreational farming, and arts and crafts production. The essay maintains that advances in communications technology have facilitated the phenomenon of “counterurbanisation” whereby a new breed of well-qualified, highly mobile professionals (a “creative class”) opt for rural living, all the while continuing to derive urban-denominated incomes. In recent years South Africa’s arid Karoo hinterland has enjoyed something of a renaissance occasioned by an influx of human capital from the cities. Although the onset of post-productivism inevitably entails costs it is argued that these are more than compensated for by the beneficial cultural and economic impacts of the new rural creative class in the Karoo.
The usable past and socio-environmental justice: From Lady Selborne to Ga-Rankuwa
Authors: Kgari-Masondo Maserole Christina
Published: February 2024

This article presents a case study in forced removals and their ramifications from 1905 to 1977 from the perspective of socio-environmental history. It depicts environmental damages and misunderstandings suffered due to forced removals from Pretoria in a location called Lady Selborne (currently known as Suiderberg) and Ga-Rankuwa where some of the displaced were relocated. The article demonstrates that forced removals did not only result in people losing their historical lands, properties and material possessions, but they lost their inheritance – homes, history and their sense of being and connectedness. The article depicts the complex picture of the ramifications of forced removals among former inhabitants of Lady Selborne where the township was a scenic home, with fertile soils and situated closer to the city centre - where they experienced environmental justice and felt human in the process. With the forced removals and relocation in Ga-Rankuwa the former inhabitants of Lady Selborne were resettled in a place with infertile soil on the outskirts of Pretoria. The article illustrates that successive white governments (from the colonial period till the reign of the National Party under De Klerk) and many scholars have tried to downplay African environmental ethics and to dismiss them as “superstition”. This resulted in forced removals and consequently in Africans being apathetic to environmental issues in the resettlement area; GaRankuwa. This impacted on the oral traditional environmental education on environmental preservation which was ignored by Africans and successive governments and this hastened the deterioration of African environmental settlements in Ga-Rankuwa. Thus, in this article it will be argued that through environmental justice that embraces the “Usable past” of African environmental ethics, environmental education and activism is possible.
The Concentration Camps of the Anglo-Boer War. A Social History
Authors: Vigne Randolph
Published: February 2024

No abstract available.
The emergence and radicalisation of black political formations in Kroonstad, 1915 to 1957
Authors: Moloi Tshepo
Published: February 2024

From the beginning of the 1920s to the 1950s Kroonstad witnessed the emergence of black radical formations, although this happened intermittently. The inaction of the ANC in the 1920s provided the ICU with space to infuse its radical protest methods in this town. This caused members of Kroonstad black community, particularly women, to challenge the Kroonstad Town Council after it had hiked rents in the late 1920s. This was unheard of in Kroonstad, and it undoubtedly left a lasting impression on some of the residents. This was reflected later when some of the residents openly defied the Council. For a brief moment, after the demise of the ICU, moderate formations like the Native Advisory Board (NAB) and the Joint Council of Europeans and Natives (JCEN) filled the political space in Kroonstad. However, after several unsuccessful attempts to challenge the Kroonstad Town Council’s unpopular decisions on behalf of the residents of Kroonstad’s black locations, they ceased to exist. The early 1950s saw the revival and emergence of another black radical formation led by women, resisting the government’s Abolition of Passes and Coordination of Documents Act of 1952. The women in Kroonstad mobilised and demonstrated against this law. Although the government responded swiftly and crushed the women’s resistance and forced them to carry passes, it was not, however, able to totally eradicate the radical ideas which had been infused by the black radical formations in Kroonstad over the years.
Engineering probiotic bacteria to express tcdB antigen as an oral vaccine carrier against Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Bahr May M.A. , ElRakaiby Marwa T. , Mansour Nahla M.
Published: February 2024

Background

Clostridium (now known as Clostridioides) difficile (C. difficile) is a spore-forming, gram-positive organism that can pose serious public health complications. The elderly are especially vulnerable to C. difficile infections, which can be fatal. C. difficile strains cause symptomatic diseases via the release of two toxins; tcdA and tcdB, that induce inflammation and tissue damage. Vaccines targeting any of these toxins may offer an effective strategy against C. difficile infections.

Objective

This study aimed to use live probiotics as oral vaccines to express the C. difficile toxin B gene. Oral vaccination has many advantages over intramuscular injection, as it has higher compliance, feasibility, and simpler administration. In addition, oral vaccines can stimulate both mucosal and systemic immunity against the target antigen. Probiotic bacteria were chosen as they present ideal candidates for this goal in terms of safety and health promotion.

Materials and methods

We chose two probiotic strains: Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323 in addition to Enterococcus faecium NM1015, which had previously been identified in our lab and is capable of suppressing C. difficile colonization. The C-terminal of the tcdB gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from C. difficile, cloned, and transformed into an E. coli EZ strain. The tcdB fragment was digested with BamHI and XhoI (NEB, UK) and subcloned into the bile salt-inducible expression plasmid pLB210 (obtained from INRA, France). The transformation and electroporation procedures were employed to insert cloning and expression plasmids into the target bacteria. Colony PCR was used to confirm the engineering strains. Reverse transcription PCR was used to confirm the expression of the C. difficile
tcdB fragment.

Results and conclusion

The expression vector ‘p210-tcdB’ was constructed, then introduced into the selected probiotic strains by electroporation and confirmed by colony PCR and plasmid extraction. The reverse transcription (RT)-PCR confirmed the expression of the gene by the engineered strains. No significant difference in the survival rate was observed between the engineered strains and their parental types at pH 2.00 and 1% oxygen. Moreover, the strains showed satisfactory plasmid stability for 210 generations. Future work will involve the in vivo evaluation of the engineered probiotic strains as oral vaccines against C. difficile using an animal model.
How to create a successful mobile learning strategy for medical education during lockdowns?
Authors: Kalantarion Masomeh , Ahmady Soleiman , Kallestrup Per , Katibeh Marzieh , Sadoughi Mohammad Mehdi , Khajeali Nasrin , Faghihi Seyed Aliakbar
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:

Mobile learning has played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic and medical schools now consider it as an effective educational method in current and future crises. In this qualitative study, an attempt was made to demonstrate the principles of designing a mobile learning strategy in medical education from the perspective of experts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The study was conducted by the qualitative content analysis method. The data were collected from July 2022 to Feb 2023. Twelve participants were included in this study from Iran’s medical universities, consisting of two members of the Higher Council of Virtual Education, three educational directors, three clinical faculty members, two faculty members specializing in e-learning and medical education, an educational vice, and a dean. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed by Granheim and Lundman’s (2004) method.

RESULTS:

Out of twelve participants in the study, eight (66%) were males and four (44%) females. Data were classified into eight categories and one theme. Based on the participants’ experiences, the main theme, that is, “the principles of medical education design in mobile learning,” included pedagogical component, interactive design, effective and comprehensive analysis, achieving objectives with the mobile learning platform, generating micro- and interactive e-content, teaching-learning interactive methods, course implementation and interactive evaluation at both micro- and macro-levels.

CONCLUSION:

Data analysis revealed that in addition to the eight principles in the medical education design in mobile learning, the participants prioritized the two principles of pedagogical component and interactive design over other principles in educational design. Using a successful mobile learning strategy in situations of restrictions limiting physical presence may improve the quality of medical education.
The barriers and facilitators to nursing care for patients with permanent colostomy in outpatient centers: A qualitative study
Authors: Shoja Maryam , Arsalani Narges , Fallahi-Khoshknab Masoud , Mohammadi-Shahboulaghi Farahnaz
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:

Ostomy care nurses are responsible for the management of patients with colostomy from the time of diagnosis. Currently, most ostomy care services are provided in outpatient ostomy care centers in order to reduce patients’ hospital stay and reduce hospitalization-related costs. Many different factors can affect colostomy nursing care provision in these centers. Identification of these factors can facilitate quality care provision.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This descriptive qualitative study was conducted in 2020–2021 to explore the barriers and facilitators to nursing care for patients with permanent colostomy in Tehran and Qom ostomy centers. Participants were twelve nurses with ostomy care licenses, two adult patients with permanent colostomy for at least two years, and one family caregiver of a patient with permanent colostomy purposefully selected from outpatient ostomy care centers in Iran.

RESULT:

Data were collected via fifteen in-depth semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s conventional content analysis. The barriers and facilitators to nursing care for patients with permanent colostomy in outpatient centers came into three main categories, namely specialized capabilities of colostomy care, care continuity, and caring status in the family.

CONCLUSION:

These findings imply that not only nurses, but also patients, family caregivers, and referral systems can influence nursing care provision to permanent colostomy. Effective management of these factors can improve the quality of ostomy nursing care.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Phrygian Cap Gallbladder: Two- and Three-dimensional Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Three-dimensional Reconstructions
Authors: Martins Maria Rosa Pereira , Alves Juliana Assis , Melo Mayra Martins , Caldas João Victor Jacomele , Araujo Júnior Edward , Szejnfeld Patrícia Soares Oliveira , Castro Pedro Teixeira , Werner Heron , Rolo Liliam Cristine
Published: February 2024

A congenital anomaly of the gallbladder called Phrygian cap occurs when an enlarged gallbladder presents a folded shape in the fundus along the body of the organ. The incidence in adults is about 4%. The diagnosis is usually incidental during abdominal imaging for other causes, but prenatal diagnosis of this condition is rare. In this report, two cases of prenatal diagnosis of Phrygian cap were performed using two-(2D) and three-dimensional (3D), magnetic resonance imaging, and 3D reconstructions.
A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Mycobacterium w in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (ARMY-2)
Authors: Sehgal Inderpaul S. , Agarwal Ritesh , Jindal Atul , Siddiqui Md Sabah , Mohan Anant , Pal Arnab , Guleria Randeep , Bhalla Ashish , Kajal Kamal , Malhotra Pankaj , Puri Goverdhan Dutt , Khadanga Sagar , Joshi Rajnish , Singh Sarman , Saigal Saurabh , Nagarkar Nitin M. , Suri Vikas , Bhatnagar Sushma , Tiwari Pawan , Singh Mini P. , Yaddanapudi Laxmi Narayana , Mittal Saurabh , Chauhan Anshika , Banerjee Gaurab , Rai Deependra K. , Gupta Bikram K. ,   For the ARMY-2 trial study group*
Published: February 2024

Background:

Mycobacterium w (Mw), an immunomodulator, resulted in better clinical status in severe coronavirus infectious disease 19 (COVID-19) but no survival benefit in a previous study. Herein, we investigate whether Mw could improve clinical outcomes and survival in COVID-19.

Materials and Methods:

In a multicentric, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial, we randomized hospitalized subjects with severe COVID-19 to receive either 0.3 mL/day of Mw intradermally or a matching placebo for three consecutive days. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. The co-primary outcome was the distribution of clinical status assessed on a seven-point ordinal scale ranging from discharged (category 1) to death (category 7) on study days 14, 21, and 28. The key secondary outcomes were the change in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score on days 7 and 14 compared to the baseline, treatment-emergent adverse events, and others.

Results:

We included 273 subjects (136 Mw, 137 placebo). The use of Mw did not improve 28-day survival (Mw vs. placebo, 18 [13.2%] vs. 12 [8.8%], P = 0.259) or the clinical status on days 14 (odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.79-2.3), 21 (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.83-2.7) or 28 (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.79-2.8) between the two study arms. There was no difference in the delta SOFA score or other secondary outcomes between the two groups. We observed higher injection site reactions with Mw.

Conclusion:

Mw did not reduce 28-day mortality or improve clinical status on days 14, 21 and 28 compared to placebo in patients with severe COVID-19. [Trial identifier: CTRI/2020/04/024846]
Delocalization of the height function of the six-vertex model
Authors: Duminil-Copin Hugo , Karrila Alex M. , Manolescu Ioan , Oulamara Mendes
Published: February 2024

We show that the height function of the six-vertex model, in the parameter range

\mathbf{a}=\mathbf{b}=1

and

\mathbf{c}\ge1

, is delocalized with logarithmic variance when

\mathbf{c}\le 2

. This complements the earlier proven localization for

\mathbf{c}>2

. Our proof relies on Russo–Seymour–Welsh type arguments, and on the local behaviour of the free energy of the cylindrical six-vertex model, as a function of the unbalance between the number of up and down arrows.
Non-invasive assessment of esophageal varices: Status of today
Authors: Gupta Tarana
Published: February 2024

With increasing burden of compensated cirrhosis, we desperately need non-invasive methods for assessment of clinically significant portal hypertension. The use of liver and spleen stiffness measurement helps in deferring unnecessary endoscopies for low risk esophageal varices. This would reduce cost and patient discomfort. However, these special techniques may not be feasible at remote areas where still we need only biochemical parameters. More prospective studies validating the non-invasive risk prediction models are definitely needed.
Dynamic changes and clinical value of lipocalin 2 in liver diseases caused by microbial infections
Authors: Chen Feng , Wu Shan-Shan , Chen Chao , Zhou Cheng
Published: February 2024

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) plays a pivotal role in iron metabolism, particularly in the context of microbial infection resistance (e.g. , viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc. ). LCN2 combats microbial infection by directly assisting the body in competing with microorganisms for iron, inducing immune cells to secrete various cytokines to enhance systemic immune responses, or recruiting neutrophils to infectious sites. The liver serves as the primary organ for LCN2 secretion during microbial infections. This review encapsulates recent advances in dynamic changes, clinical values, and the effects of LCN2 in infectious liver diseases caused by various microbial microorganisms.
Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on incidence and treatment strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma in people with chronic liver disease
Authors: Mak Lung-Yi , Chung Matthew Shing Hin , Li Xue , Lai Francisco Tsz Tsun , Wan Eric Yuk Fai , Chui Celine Sze Ling , Cheng Franco Wing Tak , Chan Esther Wai Yin , Cheung Ching Lung , Au Ivan Chi Ho , Xiong Xi , Seto Wai-Kay , Yuen Man-Fung , Wong Carlos King Ho , Wong Ian Chi Kei
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Chronic liver disease (CLD) was associated with adverse clinical outcomes among people with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

AIM

To determine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the incidence and treatment strategy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with CLD.

METHODS

A retrospective, territory-wide cohort of CLD patients was identified from an electronic health database in Hong Kong. Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)+CLD] between January 1, 2020 and October 25, 2022 were identified and matched 1:1 by propensity-score with those without (COVID-19-CLD). Each patient was followed up until death, outcome event, or November 15, 2022. Primary outcome was incidence of HCC. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, adverse hepatic outcomes, and different treatment strategies to HCC (curative, non-curative treatment, and palliative care). Analyses were further stratified by acute (within 20 d) and post-acute (21 d or beyond) phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated by Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

Of 193589 CLD patients (> 95% non-cirrhotic) in the cohort, 55163 patients with COVID-19+CLD and 55163 patients with COVID-19-CLD were included after 1:1 propensity-score matching. Upon 249-d median follow-up, COVID-19+CLD was not associated with increased risk of incident HCC (IRR: 1.19, 95%CI: 0.99-1.42, P = 0.06), but higher risks of receiving palliative care for HCC (IRR: 1.60, 95%CI: 1.46-1.75, P < 0.001), compared to COVID-19-CLD. In both acute and post-acute phases of infection, COVID-19+CLD were associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality (acute: IRR: 7.06, 95%CI: 5.78-8.63, P < 0.001; post-acute: IRR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.14-1.36, P < 0.001) and adverse hepatic outcomes (acute: IRR: 1.98, 95%CI: 1.79-2.18, P < 0.001; post-acute: IRR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.13-1.35, P < 0.001), compared to COVID-19-CLD.

CONCLUSION

Although CLD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were not associated with increased risk of HCC, they were more likely to receive palliative treatment than those without. The detrimental effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection persisted in post-acute phase.
Autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis after direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus: A case report
Authors: Morihisa Yoshiki , Chung Hobyung , Towatari Shuichiro , Yamashita Daisuke , Inokuma Tetsuro
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health concern that leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Regimens containing direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have become the mainstay of HCV treatment, achieving a high sustained virological response (SVR) with minimal adverse events.

CASE SUMMARY

A 74-year-old woman with chronic HCV infection was treated with the DAAs ledipasvir, and sofosbuvir for 12 wk and achieved SVR. Twenty-four weeks after treatment completion, the liver enzyme and serum IgG levels increased, and antinuclear antibody became positive without HCV viremia, suggesting the development of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). After liver biopsy indicated AIH, a definite AIH diagnosis was made and prednisolone was initiated. The treatment was effective, and the liver enzyme and serum IgG levels normalized. However, multiple strictures of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts with dilatation of the peripheral bile ducts appeared on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography after 3 years of achieving SVR, which were consistent with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

CONCLUSION

The potential risk of developing autoimmune liver diseases after DAA treatment should be considered.
Influence of Rotatory speed and Frictional Pressure on Tensile
Strength of Friction Welded Mild Steel/AISI 304 L Joints
Authors: Hari Prasath S. , Abishek D. , Hamshavardhan S. , Sankar Guru K. , Gunasekaran K.N.
Published: February 2024

Mild steel and AISI 304 L have gained widespread usage across diverse industries,
such as naval vessels, boilers, aviation, and automobile sector, due to their
ready availability and distinct attributes. Fusion welding techniques have been
employed to join this alloy, which is known for its specific qualities. The
strength of welded joints is directly proportional to a certain percentage of
the strength exhibited by the base materials. However, the welding process
becomes intricate when dissimilar steels need to be joined. In such cases,
achieving consistent and reliable welding become a challenge. Therefore,
meticulous attention is required in the selection of electrodes, filler wires,
and other operational parameters, such as current, voltage, and shielding gas.
Among the solid-state joining methods, FW (Friction Welding) stands out as an
excellent approach to achieving robust joints. This technique ensures strong
joint formation. In this study, two pivotal FW parameters viz. rotational speed
and friction force were employed to investigate their effects on joint strength.
The aim was to optimize these two parameters for achieving higher joint
strength, The outcome of this investigation reveals that a rotational speed of
1000 rpm and forging pressure of 35MPa results in successful welding joint. The
maximum joint strength of dissimilar joint was found 375 MPa. It could be
achieved by the balanced flow of plasticized material at the interface of the
joint.
Side Mirror Soiling Investigation through the Characterization of
Water Droplet Formation and Size behind a Generic Plate
Authors: Kille Lukas , Strohbücker Veith , Niesner Reinhold , Sommer Oliver , Wozniak Günter
Published: February 2024

The improvement of vehicle soiling behavior has increasing interest over the past
few years not only to satisfy customer requirements and ensure a good visibility
of the surrounding traffic but also for autonomous vehicles, for which soiling
investigation and improvement are even more important due to the demands of the
cleanliness and induced functionality of the corresponding sensors. The main
task is the improvement of the soiling behavior, i.e., reduction or even
prevention of soiling of specific surfaces, for example, windows, mirrors, and
sensors. This is mostly done in late stages of vehicle development and performed
by experiments, e.g., wind tunnel tests, which are supplemented by simulation at
an early development stage. Among other sources, the foreign soiling on the side
mirror and the side window depend on the droplet detaching from the side mirror
housing. That is why a good understanding of the droplet formation process and
the resulting droplet diameters behind the side mirror is necessary, including
all the possible influencing factors. A first fundamental study was already
investigated by the authors at a vehicle side mirror using a modified wind
tunnel soiling test rig [1].

In the current study, a generic plate with a defined edge for droplet detachment
is placed inside the open jet of a calibration wind tunnel. The aim of the
investigation is to test different parameters of the detachment process and to
analyze the resulting droplet sizes behind the generic edge. Parameters such as
the radius of the detachment edge, the liquid, and the volumetric flow rate are
varied and their influence on the atomization as well as soiling processes is
analyzed using shadowgraphy measuring technique and high-speed video
recording.

Our results show that the droplet detachment behind a generic plate can be
divided into two separate topics: the detachment position and the detachment
process. The detachment position is dependent on the air velocity and the edge
radius. With an increased radius and an increased velocity, the water can stay
longer wall-bound and detach further downstream. The detachment process at the
edge shows two different ligament formation processes independent of the air
velocity: ligament formation and ligament-bag formation. A secondary breakup
process may occur for droplets in the air, where four different processes are
observed, covering vibration breakup, bag breakup, bag-and-stamen breakup, and
sheet thinning. In all tested variations, most of the droplets show a diameter
of about 65 μm.
Comparative Prevalence of Oral Parasites in Orthodontic and Non-orthodontic Subjects
Authors: Mushtaq E. , Al-Abboodi A.K.
Published: February 2024

In recent years, the use of orthodontics has increased, despite the benefits it provides, and the damage caused by orthodonticscannot be overlooked. In the study current, our aim is to assess the prevalence of oral parasites (Entamoeba gingivalis andTrichomonas tenax) among individuals who use orthodontic appliances (fixed and mobile) and individuals withoutorthodontics as a control group. The study included 103 participants, 53(42 females and 11 males) orthodontics patients, and50(37 females and 13 males) non-orthodontics participants (control). collected two specimens for each participant, formicroscopic examination. Chi-square and Fisher's tests were performed to detect any association significant betweeninfection with parasites and orthodontic applications. The results show the rates of infection with these parasites were higherin orthodontic disease, where the percentage of infection with only E. gingivalis was 37.7% in orthodontic patients, while32.0% was in control. The rate of infection with only T. tenax was 5.7% in orthodontic patients while the percentage was 4.0%in the control group. The rates of infection with both parasites (E. gingivalis and T. tenax) were the highest in orthodonticpatients with a percentage of 41.5% and 14.0% in the control group The statistical analysis demonstrated a significantcorrelation between infection and the use of orthodontics, with a level of significance at P≤ 0.05. Also, the effect of otherfactors on the incidence of oral parasites such as (age, gender, gingivitis, orthodontic type, and dental calcification) wasstudied and compared between the two groups. In the study, there is no significant between infection age and sex, and type oforthodontic. Orthodontic appliances can lead to the accumulation of oral parasites which leads to the development of variousdiseases such as periodontal and gingivitis. Therefore, proper oral hygiene practices and regular dental check-ups should beemphasized during orthodontic treatment to prevent such conditions from emerging.
Sediment-thickness and upper-lower crustal boundary of the Maracaibo block, Venezuela, from gravity study
Authors: Araujo Francisco , Orihuela Nuris
Published: February 2024

The Maracaibo Block is a triangularly shaped fraction of independent continental lithosphere located in north‐western Venezuela, controlled by a complex system of strike‐slip and thrusts faults; the Oca‐Ancon fault (north), the Santa Marta‐Bucaramanga fault (southwest) and Boconó fault (east). In the present research we study two interfaces associated with the upper crust, the basement‐sediment, and the upper‐lower crustal interface, as well the interaction with the Caribbean plate. These interfaces were defined using gravimetric inversion methods in conjunction with well information, refraction and reflection seismic and seismological data. Applying the inversion algorithm of Cordell and Henderson to the gravimetric data, 10 km of sedimentary column are estimated in the deepest part of the Maracaibo Lake basin and 5 km in the Apure Barinas basin, both zones coincide with the minimum gravimetric anomaly of each basin. Using spectral analysis, a discontinuity with depths between 17 and 24 km is observed; located between the upper and lower crustal boundary. Four gravimetric domains are defined; to the north related to the displacement of the Oca‐Ancon fault and its influence on the Bonaire block, to the west the displacement of the Santa Marta Bucaramanga fault, to the east the Apure fault and the central domain, relacionated with the Maracaibo block. There are 60 km of distance between the gravity minimums belonging to the Apure Barinas and Maracaibo Lake basins; this displacement is associated with the right lateral strike slip offsets of the Boconó fault. The displacement of Boconó fault, and the shortening in a northeast‐southeast direction, is consistent with ongoing strain partitioning in the Mérida Andes. A displacement of 110 km is proposed for the Santa Marta Bucaramanga fault and 100 km for the Oca Ancon fault, respectively. The first pulses of Oligocene uplift of the Merida Andes are due to the interaction of the Maracaibo block with the Caribbean plate. The uplift of the Merida Andes was dominated mainly by the northwest‐southeast compression until 4 Ma ago; in the Pleistocene, the displacement of the Boconó fault and the rotation of the Trujillo block began to control the current structural configuration of the northeastern Mérida Andes. This interaction gives rise to a pattern of gravimetric lows and highs associated with subbasins and basement highs, located between Oca Ancón and Boconó faults.
Stefan Szuman – człowiek wielowymiarowy
Authors: Kielar-Turska Maria
Published: February 2024

The paper presents Stefan Szuman as a multidimensional person both in his personal life and academic work. He was characterised by his academic knowledge in several areas: medicine,
psychology and art. He communicated with professionals from various fields – philosophy, pedagogy, literary studies, linguistics and musicology – such as: Witkacy, Bruno Schulz or Jan
Puget. In his research, he was interested in topics related to mental development (the essence of development; developmental factors; cognitive, emotional, personality changes), education, teaching (students’ attention, teaching skills) and communing with art. He used different research methods: observation, conversation, quasi-experiment and tests. He presented the results of his researches using appropriate and sophisticated language. The paper shows the current remembrance of Szuman and his works both through public events (e.g. art exhibitions) and conferences.
Szuman o historycznym charakterze rozwoju osobowości człowieka
Authors: Niemczyński Adam
Published: February 2024

At the beginning of his scientific career Szuman (1930a) indicted the individual personality development to be the object of his psychological investigations. He put a stress on historical
character of the personality development and the role of significant deeds in it. He placed psychology of human development among humanistic disciplines of investigation in his book on human personality and character (Szuman 2014). Psychology of child and adolescent development also belong to them and are irreducible to the development of human biological organism. Child’s own actions and upbringing as well as education branch the development of individual human beings out of biology without detaching it from biology nonetheless. Szuman’s historical psychology of the individual personal development did not completely abandon a stance represented in the theory of cognition called the British empiricism, although he clearly put aside positivistic philosophy of science. It is necessary to emancipate historical psychology from the obstacles of the British empiricism’s theory of cognition in order to continue its progress. Niemczyński (2017) seems to go in this direction.
Stefan Szuman we wspomnieniach rodzinnych: życie pełne pasji, poszukiwania prawdy i obcowania z pięknem
Authors: Grabowska Anna , Jackowska Grażyna
Published: February 2024

The paper presents aspects of Stefan Szuman’s activities and passions that influenced both his scientific interests and friendships. He was involved in various forms of fine arts: painting, wood carving, hand weaving, poetry writing and joint music making in small home bands. For both him and Zofia Szuman – his beloved wife – aesthetic impressions were extremely important for building up their lifestyle and creating relationships with others, including famous Polish painter – Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz (Witkacy), philosopher – Roman Ingarden and writer – Bruno Schulz. The paper references the old family correspondence which creates genuine and trustworthy foundation for the image of their lives.
Stefan Szuman – the Unknown Pioneer of Cognitivism. Genesis of the Object Compared to Neisser’s Cycle of Perception
Authors: Kubicka Dorota
Published: February 2024

Urlic Neisser (1928–2012) is widely considered to be one of the leading figures of contemporary psychology. This scholar is also thought to have come up with an original idea
concerning the constructive nature of the perception process referred to as Neisser’s cycle of perception (1976, 1978). The thesis has contributed to the development of scientific psychology, but few notice that the idea ascribed to Neisser had been developed much earlier by Stefan Szuman (1889–1972) in his concept known as the genesis of the object (1932). Comparing the two concepts makes one reach the conclusion that they are strikingly similar and that novel ideas originating on the fringes of a given field are not given enough credit.
Critical Thinking as a key competence and the factor of self-development of the modern teacher
Authors: Bubnys Remigijus , Mróz Anna , Zsigmond Istvan
Published: February 2024

Critical thinking is described as a competence for the future, a key competence in a global information society, enabling efficient and proactive action in a changing reality in which individuals must cope with information chaos. In addition, the competence of critical thinking is exceptionally important in the context of self-development, and especially – the development of teachers, because this professional group has to cope in its work with unpredictability, ambiguity, the need to constantly verify information, update existing competencies and acquire new ones. Critical thinking also makes it possible to discover weaknesses/deficiencies in one’s own thinking, shortcomings in one’s skills, and make judgments based on evidence/arguments. The article addresses the issue of critical thinking in the context of teacher development. Attention was paid to the understanding of the concept of “critical thinking” as a key competence in the modern world, and it was pointed out how critical thinking supports the process of self-development, especially among teachers.

Myślenie krytyczne jako kompetencja kluczowa oraz czynnik samorozwoju współczesnego nauczyciela

Myślenie krytyczne jest określane jako kompetencja dla przyszłości, kluczowa w społeczeństwie globalnej informacji, umożliwiająca sprawne i aktywne działanie w zmieniającej się rzeczywistości, w której jednostki muszą sobie radzić z chaosem informacyjnym. Ponadto, kompetencja myślenia krytycznego wyjątkowo ważna jest w kontekście samorozwoju, a szczególnie – rozwoju nauczycieli, bowiem ta grupa zawodowa musi w swojej pracy radzić sobie z nieprzewidywalnością, niejednoznacznością koniecznością nieustannego wersyfiowania informacji, aktualizowania posiadanych kompetencji i nabywania nowych. Myślenie krytyczne pozwala także odkryć słabości/niedostatki własnego myślenia, braki w zakresie posiadanych umiejętności oraz wydawać oparte na dowodach/ argumentach sądy. W artykule podjęto problematykę myślenia krytycznego w kontekście rozwoju nauczyciela. Zwrócono uwagę na rozumienie pojęcia „myślenie krytyczne” jako kompetencji kluczowej we współczesnym świecie oraz wskazano, jak myślenie krytyczne wspiera proces samorozwoju, szczególnie wśród nauczycieli.
Talent and passion management by the seniors living in Canada
Authors: Pikuła Norbert G.
Published: February 2024

Like personal development, managing own talents and hobbies is a lifelong process and activity. The paper focuses on the passions and hobbies of the seniors who have been living in emigration (Canada) for several decades, and on values they assign to these passions and hobbies in the context of the meaning and satisfaction in life. To confirm that passions can be developed also in late life, a study, using a qualitative interview, was conducted among 12 seniors from the Polish diaspora in Canada. The interview procedure as well as the direction of data analysis and interpretation are described in the empirical part. Conclusions in the final section confirm that developing passions and hobbies gives meaning and purpose to the life of seniors and helps them feel fulfilled. Th ere are also some postulates formulated regarding recommended activities dedicated to seniors living abroad to help them fully manage the development of their passions, hobbies and talents – not only as part of their home activities and interactions with other Poles, but also by participating in initiatives off ered by the institutions that support senior citizens in Canada.

Zarządzanie własnymi talentami i pasjami przez seniorów zamieszkałych w Kanadzie

Zarządzanie własnymi talentami oraz pasjami podobnie jak rozwój człowieka jest procesem i aktywnością całożyciową. W prezentowanym artykule skoncentrowano się na pasjach i zainteresowaniach seniorów żyjących na emigracji (Kanada) od kilkudziesięciu lat oraz na wartościach, jakie im nadają w perspektywie sensu życia i życiowego spełnienia. Aby potwierdzić, że pasje można rozwijać również w okresie późnej dorosłości przeprowadzono badania z wykorzystaniem wywiadu jakościowego wśród 12 seniorów z Polonii Kanadyjskiej, żyjących w Toronto. W części empirycznej sformułowano procedurę prowadzenia badań oraz określono kierunek analizy i interpretacji danych. W konkluzjach końcowych potwierdzono, iż pasje i zainteresowania rozwijane przez seniorów nadają ich życiu sens, cel i pozwalają czuć się w pełni zrealizowanymi. Ponadto sformułowano postulaty, jakie działania należy podjąć – w odniesieniu do osób żyjących na emigracji – aby mogły w pełni zarządzać rozwojem własnych pasji, zainteresowań, talentów nie tylko poprzez aktywność domocentryczną i skoncentrowaną wokół Polonii, ale również podejmowaną w profesjonalnych instytucjach działających na rzecz wsparcia i rozwoju seniorów żyjących w Kanadzie.
Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Dyeing Wastewater Organic Matter Indicators
Authors: Cho Youngbeom , Ahn June-shu , kim Chae ho , Shin Dong chul
Published: February 2024

Objectives:Since 2016, TOC (Total Organic Carbon) has replaced COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) as an organic indicator for effluent wastewater quality standards. However, the distribution of organic substances by process in wastewater treatment facilities is not properly identified, making it difficult to secure stable treated wastewater quality. Therefore, in this study, we identified the correlation between TOC and existing organic matter indicators in raw wastewater, primary treated, secondary treated, and effluent wastewater for dyeing wastewater.Methods:Samples for each process were collected twice a week, a total of 24 times, from a dyeing wastewater treatment plant located in Y-city, Gyeonggi-do, and organic pollutant indicators (TOC, CODCr, CODMn, BOD5) were analyzed. TOC was analyzed by the NPOC (non-purgeable organic carbon) method using TOC-VCHP (Shimadzu, Japan). Using the analysis results, the characteristics of organic pollutants in dyeing wastewater were analyzed. In addition, multivariate statistical analysis was performed using SPSS to analyze correlations between organic pollutant indicators and principal component analysis.Results and Discussion:As a result of multivariate statistical analysis, TOC was inflowed at an average of 574.9 mg/L and treated at 58.2mg/L. In the case of CODCr, CODMn, and BOD5, the inflow was 1,644, 448.9, and 440.7 mg/L and was treated at 98.2, 39.7, and 10.8mg/L. When evaluated based on effluent water quality standards, all of them satisfied the Region III standards, but were discharged at a relatively high level compared to the TOC concentration of sewage treatment plants effluent. As a result of comparing correlations between organic matter indicators through Pearson correlation analysis, the inflow raw water shows a high positive correlation with TOC:TCODCr (r=0.720), TOC:TCODMn (r=0.636), and TOC:TBOD5 (r=0.302) showed low correlation. This is reason to be due to the fact that most organic substances in dyeing wastewater are non-degradable substances and have low biodegradability. As a result of principal component analysis of influent, primary treated, and final treated, three main components each (two for final treated) were extracted, with cumulative contribution rates of 80.1%, 83.2%, and 95.6%.Conclusion:Because the properties of wastewater differ greatly depending on the type of leather and chemicals handled at the dyeing factory, the correlation between influent water was low, but the correlation between treated water and treated water was relatively high. The correlation between processes in wastewater treatment facilities also tended to increase toward later processes. It is believed that the above statistical analysis can be used as basic data for effective organic matter management.
Child Drug Abuse: Factors, Judicial Process, and Legal Protection
Authors: Sidiq Fahmi , Binti Abdullah Suhaimi Nurnisaa , Prabowo Agung
Published: February 2024

Drug abuse among children is a serious issue that requires special attention. This article discusses the factors that influence children from engaging in drug abuse, the judicial proceedings against them, and the legal protections provided. The research method used is a normative legal research method with a qualitative approach. The results showed that peer factors, personality, psychiatric conditions, family, and the availability of narcotics in the market play an important role in narcotics abuse. The juvenile justice process for drug abusers goes through several stages, including investigation, prosecution, trial, and formation at the Special Child Development Institute. Legal protection for children is regulated in the Child Protection Law and the Juvenile Criminal Justice System Law. The adverse effects of the formal criminal justice process are also discussed, including trauma, stigma, and exclusion from school. Diversion programs are an important alternative to protect children from the negative consequences of the formal criminal justice process.