bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced learners’ responses to Chinese greetings in study abroad
Authors: Ying Jieqiong , Ren Wei
Published: April 2021

This study explored the pragmatic strategies that advanced L2 learners of Chinese produced in greeting responses (GRs). Data were collected through roleplays and retrospective verbal reports (RVRs) from 11 advanced learners of Chinese who were studying in China. To obtain comparison data, 20 Chinese students were recruited to complete the same roleplays. The GRs were coded into openings, head acts and closings, and classified into ten strategies: phatic phrases, address terms, corresponding answers, reciprocal compliments, disagreeing, seeking confirmation, thanking, reciprocity questions, introducing another topic and reasons. The findings revealed that compared with Chinese native speakers (NSs), advanced learners produced non-target-like GRs, although their GRs were acceptable based on two NSs’ evaluation. The RVR data indicated that the learners’ non-target-like GRs might result from their idiosyncratic perceptions of Chinese greetings, pragmatic knowledge deficits, effects of instruction and learner agency. Implications for future research and teaching Chinese pragmatics are also discussed.
Association of microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene (fast genotype) with lung functions impairment in wood workers
Authors: Taha Mona M. , Saad-Hussein Amal , Mahdy-Abdallah Heba
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Exposure to wood dust may lead to impairment of the lung functions. Microsomal epoxide hydrolase enzyme (EPHX1) was shown to take part in protection against oxidative stress. An alteration in enzyme activity might be associated with its gene polymorphisms. In vitro polymorphisms in exons 3 (His113Tyr) and 4 (Arg139His) lead to reduced activity (slow allele) and increased activity (fast allele). Macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) is produced in rat lung epithelial cells after exposure to fine particles. We aimed to investigate the associations between mEPHX1 polymorphisms (in exon 3 and 4) and lung function in furniture workers and assessment of MIP-2 effect.

Methods

Our study was performed on 70 wood dust exposed male workers and 70 matched normal controls subjects. Ventilatory function tests were measured by spirometer, MIP-2 was performed by ELISA methods and EPHX gene was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods for each participant.

Results

Significant reduction in forced vital capacity (FVC%) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) levels in Tyr–Tyr and Tyr–Hist genotypes of EPHX (exon 3) was observed. Reduced peak expiratory flow (PEF) levels and significant rise in MIP-2 levels were detected in Tyr–Tyr genotype. While high significant reduction in FVC% and FEV1 levels were shown in different genotypes in exon 4. Significant rise was observed in MIP-2 levels in Hist–Hist genotype of exon 4. An increase in duration of exposure showed positive correlation with fall in ventilatory functions.

Conclusions

It was concluded that in Hist139Arg of EPHX gene, fast genotype (Arg–Arg) was associated with impaired ventilatory functions.
Efficacy of Khār-i-khasak (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) in prehypertension: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Siddiqui Mansoor Ahmad , Itrat Malik , Mobeen Abdul , Khan Md Imran
Published: April 2021

Background

Prehypertension is a state of above-normal blood pressure that does not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension and its prevalence estimated in population-based samples ranges from 22 to 52%. It conveys potentially many deleterious consequences such as high risk of progression to hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in life.

Objectives

The present study was conducted to evaluate the blood pressure-lowering effect of Khār-i-khasak (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) in prehypertensive individuals.

Methods

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was conducted at the National Institute of Unani Medicine, Hospital, Bengaluru, after approval by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Prehypertensive individuals over 18 years of age were enrolled after obtaining their written informed consent and were randomly allocated to the test or placebo group. The test and placebo groups were administered powdered dried fruits of Khār-i-khasak (6g) and matched placebo (6g) in three divided doses for two months respectively. The efficacy assessment was determined by changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

Results

Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a significant decline in the test group (p<0.001) as compared to the placebo group. The average decline in systolic/diastolic blood pressure was −7.7/5.5 mmHg in the test group and −1.9/0.2 mmHg in the placebo group. During the post-therapy follow-up period, no prehypertensive developed full-blown hypertension in either group. Safety parameters were found to be within normal limits.

Conclusions

The test drug Khār-i-khasak (T. terrestris Linn.) was found to be effective and safe in lowering blood pressure compared to placebo in prehypertensive individuals.
Subjective constructions in polite discourse: negotiating between Speech-Act Empathy Hierarchy and social hierarchy
Authors: Minagawa Harumi
Published: April 2021

Using data from interviews and television programs where social demeanor must be observed by the speaker, this study examines what the Japanese speaker does when reporting a transitive event where the speaker is the Undergoer and the Actor is someone they are expected to express respect toward. The speaker’s decision in such contexts is influenced by two seemingly conflicting motivations, i.e. tell a story from a speaker’s perspective by placing empathy on self (the “Speech-Act Empathy Hierarchy”) (Kuno, Susumu & Etsuko Kaburaki. 1977. Empathy and syntax.Linguistic Inquiry8(4). 627–672) or give up this privilege of empathy in consideration for the respected Actor in the event. The study suggests that social consideration takes precedence over of the Speech-Act Empathy Hierarchy unless both are satisfied simultaneously. This study identified further factors that appear to be at work: productivity of the construction, desire to portray themselves as an affected Undergoer of the event, and reluctance to convey a sense of benefit.
High data rates in optic fiber systems based on the gain optimization techniques
Authors: Eid Mahmoud M. A. , El-Meadawy Shimaa , Mohammed Abd El-Naser A. , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki
Published: April 2021

The signal gain is improved by nearly about 15 dB by using the hybrid optical amplifiers technique. The gain flattened filter technique has outlined a larger value of signal gain than the hybrid optical amplifiers technique by about 17 dB whereas the Glass Composition method in the hybrid modified model has a better increase in the optimum value of signal gain that reached to about 70 dB. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technique has outlined optimum gain value that is reached to about 50 dB. The combination of these techniques are used for the best optimized value of signal gain.
Comparison of processing parameter effects during magnetron sputtering and electrochemical anodization of TiO2 nanotubes on ITO/glass and glass substrates
Authors: Başalan Emine , Erol Mustafa , Sancakoğlu Orkut , Dikici Tuncay , Çelik Erdal
Published: April 2021

Titanium thin films were deposited on glass and indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering under varying sputtering parameters as: power, pressure, substrate temperature and target-substrate distance. The crystalline structure, crystallite size and texture coefficients of the films were evaluated in detail. As the evaluation points out, 100 W, 1.33 Pa ambient temperature and 70 mm were determined as the optimum sputtering parameters for intended crystalline structures. Subsequently, electrochemical anodization experiments were performed via varied electrolytes and under various anodization parameters (voltage, time and electrolyte type) in a two-electrode electrochemical cell using the films obtained through the optimized sputtering parameters. The anodized samples were annealed at 450 °C for 1 h in air in order to obtain anatase transformation and the desired crystalline structure. The surface morphologies and the crystalline structures of the anodized films were evaluated through x-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. Finally, the anodization parameters for the formation of TiO2 nanotube arrays were determined as: 35 V and 35 min. in an electrolyte composed of 0.3 wt.-% NH4F – 2 wt.-% water – ethylene glycol.
Analysis of the possibility and molecular mechanism of carbon dioxide consumption in the Diels-Alder processes
Authors: Kula Karolina , Kącka-Zych Agnieszka , Łapczuk-Krygier Agnieszka , Jasiński Radomir
Published: April 2021

The large and significant increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the Earth’s atmosphere is a serious problem for humanity. The amount of CO2 is increasing steadily which causes a harmful greenhouse effect that damages the Earth’s climate. Therefore, one of the current trends in modern chemistry and chemical technology are issues related to its utilization. This work includes the analysis of the possibility of chemical consumption of CO2 in Diels-Alder processes under non-catalytic and catalytic conditions after prior activation of the C=O bond. In addition to the obvious benefits associated with CO2 utilization, such processes open up the possibility of universal synthesis of a wide range of internal carboxylates. These studies have been performed in the framework of Molecular Electron Density Theory as a modern view of the chemical reactivity. It has been found, that explored DA reactions catalyzed by Lewis acids with the boron core, proceeds via unique stepwise mechanism with the zwitterionic intermediate. Bonding Evolution Theory (BET) analysis of the molecular mechanism associated with the DA reaction between cyclopentadiene and carbon dioxide indicates that it takes place thorough a two-stage one-step mechanism, which is initialized by formation of C–C single bond. In turn, the DA reaction between cyclopentadiene and carbon dioxide catalysed by BH3 extends in the environment of DCM, indicates that it takes place through a two-step mechanism. First path of catalysed DA reaction is characterized by 10 different phases, while the second by eight topologically different phases.
Mechanistic studies on the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from the sugars fructose and glucose
Authors: Liu Yi , Kerton Francesca M.
Published: April 2021

In recent years the transformations of fructose and glucose to the platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) have been studied extensively, and a variety of mechanisms have been proposed. This review summarizes the varied mechanisms proposed and methods used to study the dehydration of biomass, such as fructose and glucose, to give 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. For fructose dehydration, two main mechanisms have been suggested including a cyclic and an acyclic pathway, of which the cyclic pathway dominates. The conversion of glucose to 5-HMF can proceed either through initial isomerization to fructose or a direct dehydration. For glucose to fructose isomerization, two main reaction pathways have been proposed (1,2-hydride shift and enolization). This review discusses the mechanisms that have been determined based on the evidence from experiments and/or calculations, and briefly introduces the techniques frequently used in such mechanistic studies. Mechanisms in this field are strongly dependent on the nature of the solvent and the catalyst used, so it is important that researchers have a general idea about the existing mechanisms, and the methods and techniques used for investigation, before pursuing their own mechanistic studies.
Adverse effects of PM2.5 on cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Yang Liwei , Zhang Yuezhu , Qi Wen , Zhao Tianyang , Zhang Lele , Zhou Liting , Ye Lin
Published: April 2021

As an air pollutant, fine particulate matter with a diameter  ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) can enter the body through the respiratory tract and cause adverse cardiovascular effects. Here, the effects of PM2.5 on atherosclerosis, hypertension, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction are summarized from the perspective researches of human epidemiology, animal, cell and molecule. The results of this review should be proved useful as a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease caused by PM2.5.
A specter is haunting Europe: the Alps as a linguistic area?
Authors: Gaeta Livio , Seiler Guido
Published: April 2021

As is well-known, the Alps are a zone of long-standing, intensive contact and multilingualism among Germanic, Romance and Slavic languages and varieties. In this introductory paper, some reflections are presented on the viability of the Sprachbund hypothesis to encompass the occurring phenomena of convergence observed throughout the whole area.
Dynamics of Glutamatergic Drive Underlie Diverse Responses of Olfactory Bulb OutputsIn Vivo
Authors: Moran Andrew K. , Eiting Thomas P. , Wachowiak Matt
Published: April 2021

Mitral/tufted (MT) cells of the olfactory bulb (OB) show diverse temporal responses to odorant stimulation that are thought to encode odor information. Much of this diversity is thought to arise from inhibitory OB circuits, but the dynamics of excitatory input to MT cells, which is driven in a feedforward manner by sensory afferents, may also be important. To examine the contribution of excitatory input dynamics to generating temporal diversity in MT cells, we imaged glutamate signaling onto MT cell dendrites in anesthetized and awake mice. We found surprising diversity in the temporal dynamics of these signals. Inhalation-linked glutamate transients were variable in onset latency and duration, and in awake mice the degree of coupling to inhalation varied substantially with odorant identity and concentration. Successive inhalations of odorant produced nonlinear changes in glutamate signaling that included facilitating, adapting and suppressive responses and which varied with odorant identity and concentration. Dual-color imaging of glutamate and calcium signals from MT cells in the same glomerulus revealed highly correlated presynaptic and postsynaptic signals across these different response types. Suppressive calcium responses in MT cells were nearly always accompanied by suppression in the glutamate signal, providing little evidence for MT cell suppression by lateral or feedforward inhibition. These results indicate a high degree of diversity in the dynamics of excitatory input to MT cells, and suggest that these dynamics may account for much of the diversity in MT cell responses that underlies OB odor representations.
Application of synthetic and grafted polymeric flocculants in agricultural wastewater treatment
Authors: Ali Mohamed N , Fahmy Mohammed S , Elhefny Rehab M
Published: April 2021

Due to the large amounts of freshwater consumed in Egypt by the agricultural sector that is more than 85% of Egypt share of freshwater in addition to the high concentrations of salts, chemicals and nutrients produced from fertilizers. Reduction of these pollutants concentrations to an acceptable level and breaking the sedimentation stability of colloidal substances and organic particles for reuse for irrigation purposes was associated with the application of biological treatment with coagulants addition. The flocculation process was performed by using polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC) and polyacrylamide grafted oatmeal (OAT-g-PAM). The scale-pilot consists of an aeration tank equipped with an air blower, sedimentation tank followed by a filtration stage through 20 cm of pottery scrubs media. To study the performance of synthetic and grafted polymeric flocculants, 3 trials were performed. Activated sludge process without adding any polymeric flocculants was the control trial. In the second trial, polyDADMAC was added with a dose of 5 mg/l. Finally, OAT-g-PAM with a dose of 1.25 mg/l was used in the third trial. The physicochemical properties of agricultural wastewater were measured at the national research center in Cairo. It was found that OAT-g-PAM incorporated with activated sludge process was the most effective in treating agricultural wastewater as it achieved COD, BOD,TKN, TP, and TSS removal efficiency up to 92.29%, 93.13%, 90.64%, 90.46%, and 92.5%, respectively which made it suitable to reuse for agricultural purposes, in addition to its ability to biodegrade, environmentally friendly, and low dosage required compared to polyDADMAC.
Gender Considerations in Advancing the Vancouver Principles in Armed Forces
Authors: Brown Vanessa
Published: April 2021

Drawing from United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security and the Vancouver Principles, this paper highlights key factors to be addressed in military training and education to ensure that military members are adequately prepared to protect children affected by conflict and to enhance military capabilities to participate in the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers.  Informed by feminist theories and analysis, this paper argues that military professionals are better prepared for the protection of children when they are given the opportunity to explore gender concepts in relation to their own socialization to the military and if they are provided with the right theories and tools to understand and respond to gender and intersectional dynamics of children and armed conflict. The paper suggests that while content that illuminates gender constructs and their relation to the security of children is crucially important, determining the right pedagogic approaches that support the effective training and education of military professionals is equally vital.
ВИХОВАННЯ КУЛЬТУРИ СПІЛКУВАННЯ УЧНІВ МОЛОДШОГО ШКІЛЬНОГО ВІКУ В РІЗНОВІКОВІЙ ГРУПІ ПОДОВЖЕНОГО ДНЯ У ШКОЛАХ ГІРСЬКОГО РЕГІОНУ
Authors: Kilichenko Oksana
Published: April 2021

У статті розглянуто особливості формування і розвитку культури спілкування в дітей молодшого шкільного віку в різновіковій групі подовженого дня. Проаналізовано і визначено сутність поняття «культура спілкування». Визначено, що початкова школа є початком найважливішого для соціалізації особистості вікового періоду, оскільки сприяє формуванню групи подовженого дня як контактної групи, де діти засвоюють нові норми, цінності, стереотипи поведінки. Відзначено, що молодший шкільний вік є найбільш соціально значущим і найбільш педагогічно підступним періодом, тому що відхилення у формуванні особистості часто маскуються захисною формою поведінки (ретельністю, слухняністю). Однак молодший шкільний вік є унікальним за наявністю досвіду довільного спілкування. Він стає базою культурних норм, які перевіряються пізніше в найрізноманітніших ситуаціях спілкування. Він є сензитивним періодом формування культури спілкування. Усе це сприяє виробленню умінь розумно аналізувати, визнавати й оцінювати свої вчинки та дії, шукати і знаходити засоби досягнення поставленої мети, уміти переборювати перешкоди і труднощі.Дослідження процесу формування культури спілкування було організоване в різновіковій групі подовженого дня в початковій школі гірського середовища. Визначено основні напрями формування культури спілкування в групі подовженого дня: розвиток культури вербального і невербального спілкування, боротьба із лихослів’ям, розвиток уміння уважного слухання.
СИСТЕМА ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ЯКОСТІ УНІВЕРСИТЕТСЬКОЇ ОСВІТИ В АВСТРІЇ
Authors: Mukan Nataliya , Shyika Oksana , Shyika Julia
Published: April 2021

Стаття присвячена аналізу специфіки сучасної системи забезпечення якості університетської освіти в Австрії на основі виконання історико-педагогічного дослідження. Відповідно до мети та завдань дослідження автори використали теоретичні та прикладні методи дослідження (описовий, статистичний, порівняльний, аналітичний метод, метод узагальнення, інтерпретації даних, логічний, структурний, системний метод, а також методи індукції і дедукції; інтерв’ю, опитування, анкетування). У статті представлена методологія аналізу забезпечення якості освіти в австрійських університетах. Автори висвітлюють теоретичні та методологічні основи процесу забезпечення якості університетської освіти в досліджуваній країні. Проаналізовано забезпечення якості університетської освіти в Австрії відповідно до структурно-функціональної моделі. Ця модель охоплює концептуальний, цільовий, операційний та оцінювальний компоненти. Представлено класифікацію та характеристику ресурсів дослідження якості університетської освіти в Австрії. Охарактеризовано сучасні тенденції розвитку системи забезпечення якості університетської освіти,а також виконано аналіз та порівняння європейських та австрійських стандартів кваліфікації. Автори представляють висновки з виконаного дослідження та обґрунтовують необхідність проведення подальших досліджень.
РОЗВИТОК ЛЮДИНИ В ЇЇ СОЦІАЛЬНОМУ ЖИТТІ
Authors: Skzydlewski Pavel
Published: April 2021

Автор розглядає питання буття людини в соціальному житті. Важливим питанням є розвиток самої людини, це залежить від правової політики держави, розвитку економіки, освіти, від того, який політичний напрям веде держава тощо. Усе це створює певну систему соціальних відносин. Поняття людської природи є основою формування суспільного життя, його структури та діяльності людей у соціумі.Порушену проблему розглядають такі науки, як педагогіка, психологія, соціологія, історія, антропологія та інші. Найглибше це питання розглядає філософія, яка має на меті пізнати людину в її соціальному житті, пізнати відносин, які пов’язують природу людини із соціальним життям.Автор розглядає філософські знання, набуті західною культурою, а саме: «персональне бачення людини», в основі якого людина постає як щось найдосконаліше в усій природі, самоіснуючий суб’єкт, який керується своїм розумом та волею. Людина, яка живе в суспільстві, є вільною, має честь та гідність, які повинні постійно стверджуватись в її благо у сфері соціального життя.Ця теорія, за думкою автора, стверджує, що кожна людина, яка живе у світі товарів (матеріального), повинна прагнути до мети свого життя, що є Нескінченним і Нематеріальним Благом. Цим добром є Бог, який постає не лише причиною та джерелом усього того, що існує, але й кінцевою метою і кінцем людського життя, до якого людина схильна за своєю природою. Бог є також безпосередньою причиною існування людської душі, тобто принципом життя, ідентичності та існування людської особистості. Отже, на основі персоналізму кожна людина сприймається як прямий«плід» втручання Абсолюта у світ, це визнається як особливий доказ Його творчої сили та любові. Автор розглядає ідеї та концепції провідних філософів минулого та сучасності. У цьому контексті істотне завдання реалістичної філософії представлено не лише як засіб подолання ідеологізації та утопізації суспільного життя, але передовсім як тип пізнання, що розкриває правду про людину, необхідну для створення та функціонування соціального життя відповідно до природи людини та її долі.
ОСВІТА І ВИХОВАННЯ У ЗДОРОВ’ЯЗБЕРЕЖЕННІ ДІТЕЙ ТА МОЛОДІ: ЗАГАЛЬНОЄВРОПЕЙСЬКА РЕТРОСПЕКТИВА, СТАНОВЛЕННЯ НА ПОЛЬСЬКИХ ЗЕМЛЯХ
Authors: Slyvka Larysa
Published: April 2021

У статті схарактеризовано дидактичні аспекти оптимізації здоров’язбереження дітей та молоді Яна Амоса Коменського, висвітлено здоров’яорієнтований вимір системи «виховання джентльмена» Джона Локка, увиразнено здоров’язбережувальну педагогічну програму Жана-Жака Руссо. Репрезентовано погляди Клода Адріана Гельвеція про роль фізичного виховання у формуванні здоров’я зростаючої особистості. Представлено практичні аспекти здоров’язбереження учнів, реалізовані Йоганном Генріхом Песталоцці. Актуалізовано бачення Йогана Христофа Фридриха Гутса-Мутса щодо здоров’язбережувальної функції фізичного виховання. Анонсовано погляди Джованні Боско і Герберта Спенсера про роль фізкультурного складника у здоров’язбереженні. Представлено гуманістичні концепції освіти і виховання Еллен Кароліни Софії Кей, Вільгельма Августа Лая, Георга Кершенштейнера та Марії Монтессорі.
ФОРМУВАННЯ ПРИРОДНИЧО-НАУКОВОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ МАЙБУТНІХ УЧИТЕЛІВ ПОЧАТКОВОЇ ШКОЛИ: ДЕФІНІТИВНО-НАУКОВИЙ ДИСКУРС
Authors: Vysochan Lesya
Published: April 2021

У статті представлений аналіз науково-дефінітивного дискурсу проблеми формування природничо-наукової компетентності майбутніх учителів початкової школи як важливого теоретико-методологічне підґрунтя їхнього професійного становлення. Виходячи з аналізу репрезентативних досліджень українських і зарубіжних учених та базових нормативних освітніх документів синтезована рецепція компетентнісного підходу в професійно-педагогічній освіті як концептуального науково-теоретичного підґрунтя удосконалення її змісту та орієнтованості на підвищеннярівня знань, навичок, досвіду, обізнаності, необхідних для продуктивної діяльності, фахового прийняття рішень, ефективної комунікації в різних сферах і галузях суспільного і професійного життя.Запропоновано визначення природничо-наукової компетентності майбутнього вчителя початкової як сукупності актуалізованих якостей і властивостей та інтелектуальну, особистісно обумовлену соціально-професійну характеристику, що ґрунтується на засвоєних знаннях, уміннях, навичках, набутому практичному досвіді, ціннісних орієнтаціях, морально-світоглядних уявленнях, спроможності самостійно організовувати і здійснювати науково-дослідну діяльність, готовності самостійно розв’язувати професійні завдання, здатності до творчого мислення, саморозвитку, самовдосконалення. З’ясовано суть предметної природничо-наукової компетентності майбутнього фахівця.
This Business Analytics Tool Looks Nice, but... I am Still Happy Without It - Evidence from the Financial Services Industry
Authors: Leyer Michael , Strohhecker Jürgen , Kettenbohrer and Janina
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this paper is to take a behavioural perspective to reveal why employees hesitate to use business analytics in their operations throughout the whole organisation. We gather quantitative data with a survey in the financial services industry with 332 responses including both users of analytic tools as well as non-users. The results reveal that on an individual level it is skills being important for usage but not perceived value. On the organisational side, perceived norms from supervisors and peers as well as accessibility are important. Further analyses on the level of different business analytic tool categories show e.g. that the attitude of employees is important for forecasting but not for other tools. Practical implications are that supervisors should be convinced of the importance of analytic tools to foster usage among employees and selfservice options for having access to software supporting business analytics should be offered.
Congenital Hyperinsulinism
Authors: Sims Kathryn
Published: April 2021

Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) is fairly common in neonates, particularly those born to diabetic mothers and those who are either large or small for gestational age. Immediate management of the disease focuses on achieving normoglycemia through frequent high-calorie feedings and/or intravenous glucose administration. Glucagon may be used for unstable infants in whom intravenous access cannot be obtained and enteral feedings cannot be administered. HH that persists despite these interventions should raise concern for congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), prompting clinicians to perform a thorough evaluation. CHI consists of a group of genetic disorders in which inappropriate insulin secretion results in persistent hypoglycemia. Defects can occur in the various genes that regulate the pathway for insulin secretion in the pancreatic β-cells. Pharmacologic therapies are used for long-term management of the disease coupled with either curative or therapeutic surgical intervention. Because of the developing brain’s high demand for glucose, these infants are at increased risk for hypoglycemic brain injury. This review will describe the pathogenesis of CHI, outlining the more common genetic mutations and associated syndromes. We will also discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of CHI while providing insight into the overall prognosis.
Frailty Scores and Their Utility in Older Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Ng Cheong Chung Kenneth Jordan , Wilkinson Chris , Veerasamy Murugapathy , Kunadian Vijay
Published: April 2021

The world’s population is ageing, resulting in more people with frailty receiving treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The emergence of novel interventions, such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation, has also increased the proportion of older patients being treated in later stages of life. This increasing population burden makes the assessment of frailty of utmost importance, especially in patients with CVD. Despite a growing body of evidence on the association between frailty and CVD, there is no consensus on the optimal frailty assessment tool for use in clinical settings. Previous studies have shown limited concordance between validated frailty instruments. This review evaluates the evidence on the utility of frailty assessment tools in patients with CVD, and the effect of frailty on different outcomes measured.
Elizabeth McAnally, Loving Water Across Religions: Contributions to an Integral Water Ethic
Authors: Zenner Christiana
Published: April 2021

Elizabeth McAnally, Loving Water Across Religions: Contributions to an Integral Water Ethic (Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2019), 180 pp., $26.00 (pbk), ISBN: 978-1-62698-307-6.
Three-Dimensional Gaze Projection Heat-Mapping of Outdoor Mobile Eye-Tracking Data
Authors: Simpson James
Published: April 2021

The mobilization of eye-tracking for use outside of the laboratory provides new opportunities for the assessment of pedestrian visual engagement with their surroundings. However, the development of data representation techniques that visualize the dynamics of pedestrian gaze distribution upon the environment they are situated within remains limited. The current study addresses this through highlighting how mobile eye-tracking data, which captures where pedestrian gaze is focused upon buildings along urban street edges, can be mapped as three-dimensional gaze projection heat-maps. This data processing and visualization technique is assessed during the current study along with future opportunities and associated challenges discussed.
Patient Satisfaction on Surgical Service Decision Time in Emergency Department of A Tertiary Hospital in Indonesia
Authors: Adzania Shabrina , Hidajat Nucki Nursjamsi , Setiawati Elsa Pudji
Published: April 2021

Background: Patient satisfaction survey is essential for evaluating and developing plans to improve health services' quality. One of the emergency department service quality indicators is decision time. Overcrowding of the emergency room as a result of long decision time may cause dissatisfaction among patients. This study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction level of patients receiving surgical services and the correlation between the satisfaction level and  surgical service decision time.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive analytical study was conducted from September to November 2019 at the emergency department of Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital. The consecutive sampling method was applied and a total of 110 patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a validated questionnaire and data on decision time was obtained from the patient’s medical record. Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the data.Results: This study discovered that most of the respondents were satisfied with the service (92.7%) and that decision was mostly made in less than 2 hours (79.1%). A weak negative correlation (ρ = - 0.144), was identified between decision time and patient satisfaction, albeit insignificant (p = 0.067), with a confidence interval of 95% (α = 5%).Conclusion: This study suggested that there is no correlation between patient satisfaction and decision time. Thus, decision time is not the main factor that determines patient satisfaction.
The Basolateral Polarity Module Promotes Slit Diaphragm Formation in Drosophila Nephrocytes, a Model of Vertebrate Podocytes
Authors: Mysh Michael , Poulton John S.
Published: April 2021

Significance Statement

Apical polarity proteins are key regulators of podocyte function, particularly with respect to slit diaphragm (SD) integrity. However, no experimental evidence demonstrates basolateral polarity proteins regulate SDs, suggesting apicobasal polarity in itself may not be important. Using Drosophila nephrocyte SDs as a model, this study reports the basolateral polarity module promotes SD integrity through roles in endocytic trafficking. These findings suggest apicobasal polarity proteins are cooperative regulators of SDs, and connect these polarity proteins to other pathways important for SD integrity.

Background

Podocyte slit diaphragms (SDs) are intercellular junctions that function as size-selective filters, excluding most proteins from urine. Abnormalities in SDs cause proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome. Podocytes exhibit apicobasal polarity, which can affect fundamental aspects of cell biology, including morphology, intercellular junction formation, and asymmetric protein distribution along the plasma membrane. Apical polarity protein mutations cause nephrotic syndrome, and data suggest apical polarity proteins regulate SD formation. However, there is no evidence that basolateral polarity proteins regulate SDs. Thus, the role of apicobasal polarity in podocytes remains unclear.

Methods

Genetic manipulations and transgenic reporters determined the effects of disrupting apicobasal polarity proteins in Drosophila nephrocytes, which have SDs similar to those of mammalian podocytes. Confocal and electron microscopy were used to characterize SD integrity after loss of basolateral polarity proteins, and genetic-interaction studies illuminated relationships among apicobasal polarity proteins.

Results

The study identified four novel regulators of nephrocyte SDs: Dlg, Lgl, Scrib, and Par-1. These proteins comprise the basolateral polarity module and its effector kinase. The data suggest these proteins work together, with apical polarity proteins, to regulate SDs by promoting normal endocytosis and trafficking of SD proteins.

Conclusions

Given the recognized importance of apical polarity proteins and SD protein trafficking in podocytopathies, the findings connecting basolateral polarity proteins to these processes significantly advance our understanding of SD regulation.
Pre-emptive Short-term Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Treatment in a Mouse Model of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Yasuda Itaru , Hasegawa Kazuhiro , Sakamaki Yusuke , Muraoka Hirokazu , Kawaguchi Takahisa , Kusahana Ei , Ono Takashi , Kanda Takeshi , Tokuyama Hirobumi , Wakino Shu , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: April 2021

Significance Statement

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is the precursor of NAD+ that activates Sirtuin1 (Sirt1), an antiaging enzyme. Although some studies have administered NMN treatment in several disease models with favorable outcomes, NMN treatment in diabetic nephropathy has been scarcely examined. The authors showed a long-lasting renoprotective effect by transient pulse NMN administration in early DN in a murine model. Specifically, although NMN treatment did not change metabolic parameters, it attenuated decreased Sirt1, foot-process effacement of podocytes, and decreased albuminuria even long after pulse NMN treatment cessation. These findings indicate NMN is a potential preventive treatment in DN.

Background

The activation of NAD+-dependent deacetylase, Sirt1, by the administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) ameliorates various aging-related diseases.

Methods

Diabetic db/db mice were treated with NMN transiently for 2 weeks and observed for effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Results

At 14 weeks after the treatment period, NMN attenuated the increases in urinary albumin excretion in db/db mice without ameliorating hemoglobin A1c levels. Short-term NMN treatment mitigated mesangium expansion and foot process effacement, while ameliorating decreased Sirt1 expression and increased claudin-1 expression in the kidneys of db/db mice. This treatment also improved the decrease in the expression of H3K9me2 and DNMT1. Short-term NMN treatment also increased kidney concentrations of NAD+ and the expression of Sirt1 and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), and it maintained nicotinamide mononucleotide adenyltransferase1 (Nmnat1) expression in the kidneys. In addition, survival rates improved after NMN treatment.

Conclusions:

Short-term NMN treatment in early-stage DN has remote renal protective effects through the upregulation of Sirt1 and activation of the NAD+ salvage pathway, both of which indicate NMN legacy effects on DN.
Back to the Present: Learning about the Euro Area through a Now-casting Model
Authors: Cascaldi-Garcia Danilo , Ferreira Thiago R.T. , Giannone Domenico , Modugno Michele
Published: April 2021

&lt;ns2:p&gt;We build a model for simultaneously now-casting economic conditions in the euro area and its three largest member countries|Germany, France, and Italy. The model formalizes how market participants and policymakers monitor the euro area by incorporating all market moving indicators in real time. We find that area wide and country-specific data provide informative signals to now-cast the economic conditions in the euro area and member countries. The model provides accurate predictions of economic conditions in real time over a period that covers the past three recessions.&lt;/ns2:p&gt;
Comprehensive Assessment of the Efficiency and Sustainability of the Regional Health Care System
Authors: Chereshnev V.A. , Krivenko N.V. , Krylov V.G.
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, the sustainability of the health care system is a relevant research topic. The works of Russian scientists demon- strate the lack of a systematic approach to determining the efficiency and sustainability of the Russian health care. International experience and the data of the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO) show that, despite exten- sive research, efficiency indicators of the health care system have been insufficiently developed. Using the methods of multidi - mensional comparative analysis, determined factor analysis, structural analysis, expert assessment, statistical modelling and forecasting methods, we developed a methodology for the comprehensive assessment of the efficiency and sustainability of the regional health care system. The methodological toolkit includes the comprehensive assessment of the relative efficien cy and relative sustainability of the regional health care system based on the established integral indicators. We tested this methodol- ogy on the example of the health care system of Sverdlovsk Oblast in the period 2017–2018. Integral indicators of the relative efficiency are directly influenced by the indicators of medical and social performance, which largely depend on the funding and management of the health care system. Simultaneously, the indicators of the relative efficiency can be high even if the indicators of the relative sustainability did not reach the established threshold. An integral indicator of the risk level considers the need to maintain the sustainability of the health care system for its functioning and development. Further, we constructed an interactive model for determining the risk zone and safe zone of the health care system. Due to its versatility, the proposed methodological toolkit allows an objective assessment of the efficiency and sustainability of the regional health care system
Comparing the values of economic, ecological and population indicators in High- and Low-Income Economies
Authors: Baba Ernest  Ali , Amfo Bismark
Published: April 2021

The quest to achieve economic development worldwide has increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which could vary in high- and low-income economies due to differences in economic activities. Using empirical evidence from the panel data for the period 1960–2018 obtained from the World Bank, we investigate differences in the impact of population, gross domestic product (GDP), and renewable energy on CO2 emissions in high- and low-income economies. For that purpose, we applied the Pesaran cross-sectional dependence test (for cross-sectional dependence), Levin-Lin-Chu unit root test (for Unit roots), Granger causality Wald test (for the possibility of Granger causality among the variables), fixed-effects and random-effects regressions. We established that population, GDP and energy consumption considerably influence CO2 emissions. Results of the Granger causality Wald test, fixed-effects and random-effects regressions clearly demonstrated that growth in population and GDP directly correlates with CO2 emissions in high- and low-income economies, while renewable energy consumption has an indirect correlation. While there are no differences in terms of directions, we revealed differences in the magnitude in high- and low-income economies. The impact of population and renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions in low-income economies is greater than that of high-income economies. The impact of GDP on CO2 emissions is greater in high-income economies than in low-income economies. Thus, to reduce CO2 emissions, policy makers should promote low carbon emission economic activities and implement population control measures.
The othering of teacher training in Lebowa bantustan: A historical perspective
Authors: Seroto Johannes
Published: April 2021

In this paper, I focus on the history of teacher training for Africans in the former Lebowa bantustan. My discussion of this is informed by the theoretical concepts of othering and structural racialisation, which capture various prejudices such as segregation, marginalisation, hierarchisation, subjugation, and racism. I examined textual data for the period 1970-1994 which included unpublished material, Lebowa Department of Education reports, memoranda, administrative documents, and newspaper articles and journals housed in Limpopo Provincial Archives, Polokwane, to elicit meaning and gain insight into the othering of teacher training in Lebowa. I established that African teachers were othered from economic, educational, political, and technological power through the bantustan policy and that this othering was interconnected. For African teachers to be inferior, subjugated, and marginalised, they needed to be spatially isolated; they had to receive a segregated, racialised, gendered, and inferior curriculum. This meant that resources were inequitably allocated and distributed across racial groups. Further, I argue that to understand the underlying problem of teacher education and other related challenges, we need to interrogate processes, structures, relationships, and the interconnectedness of the various factors and systems that produced a particular outcome.
Un caso di intossicazione digitalica
Authors: Negro Francesco , Morrone Doralisa
Published: April 2021

La digossina è un farmaco appartenente alla famiglia dei glicosidi cardioattivi, che hanno importanti effetti inotropi, neuro-ormonali ed elettrofisiologici e che viene tuttora impiegata nel trattamento sintomatico dello scompenso car-diaco con compromissione della funzione ventricolare sinistra e della fibrillazione/flutter atriale. La conoscenza della sua farmacologia e dei suoi effetti clinici è di fondamentale importanza al fine di selezionare i pazienti che possano trarre beneficio da tale terapia ed al fine di evitare l’intossicazione digitalica, che è tuttora un importante problema con il quale il clinico deve confrontarsi. Parole chiave: Digossina; Intossicazione digitalica; Scompenso cardiaco; Iperpotassiemia.
Follow up cardiologico a lungo termine post terapia oncologica potenzialmente cardiotossica
Authors: Parrini Iris
Published: April 2021

I pazienti guariti dal cancro hanno un rischio maggiore di eventi cardiovascolari tardivi dopo un trattamento con chemioterapia e/o radioterapia. L’attuale terapia oncologica comprende molteplici agenti i cui effetti cardiaci avversi possono essere additivi o sinergici. La disfunzione cardiaca può essere irreversibile e derivare da agenti come le an-tracicline, o da agenti che sembrano influenzare transitoriamente la contrattilità ventricolare sinistra come il trastu-zumab. La cardiotossicità da radioterapia può indurre un danno miocardico, malattia coronarica, valvulopatie e coinvolgi-mento del pericardio con una latenza di 10-20 anni. Inoltre, numerosi farmaci come il cisplatino, gli inibitori dell’aromatasi e la terapia anti-androgenetica aumentano i fattori di rischio coronarico incrementando il rischio di infarto miocardico e stroke. Una attenta modifica dello stile di vita, un trattamento aggressivo dei fattori di rischio coronarico e una adeguata modalità di sorveglianza è determinante nel ridurre le complicanze cardiovascolari e la mortalità.
Cell dissociation from nasal, bronchial and tracheal brushings withcold-active protease for single-cell RNA-seq v1
Authors: B Worlock Kaylee , Yoshida Masahiro , Meyer Kerstin , Z. Nikolić Marko
Published: April 2021

This modified protocol provides details on the cell dissociation that should be performed to obtain single-cell suspensions from nasal, tracheal and bronchial epithelium brushings. Cell dissociation is performed at 4°C to avoid gene expression alterations and maximize viability for scRNAseq. The typical cell number recovery is 200,000-300,000 per nasal brushing and 10,000-30,000 per tracheal/bronchial brushing .Cell suspensions are suitable for single-cell RNA-sequencing protocols with viability generally >70%.
Research on Hydrometallurgical Processing of Gold-Concentrate of Jamgyr Deposit
Authors: Karimova Lyutsiya M. , Zakharyan Dmitry V. , Agapitov Yaroslav E.
Published: April 2021

Laboratory studies have been carried out on the processing of gold-bearing concentrate from the “Jamgyr” deposit using the JIN CHAN reagent. The influence of the concentration JIN CHAN, the duration of leaching, the temperature of the solution were studied. As a result of research, the extraction of gold and silver into solution using cyanide-free technology was 97,5% and 96%, respectively. The processing of the obtained solutions by the method of sorption was carried out on the MA940BG (gold) ion-exchange resin with the extraction of target components from the solution into the ion-exchange resin: Au – 100,0%, Ag – 77,5%
Nimophulelani na umfazi: Ndiyindoda.
Authors: Penxa-Matholeni Nobuntu
Published: April 2021

In 2019, the South African media put a spotlight on the brutal killings of women by men in the months of August and September. This femicide sparked conversations around masculinity which in turn spurred this article. Herein, I seek to investigate the space that will enable pastoral care to dialogue between Jesus’ masculinity and the masculinity of umXhosa men. This will be done through a comparison of Jesus’ words to the woman in Mark 14:6, which is included in the title of this paper, and the umXhosa word for masculinity, “ndiyindoda” (I am a man). The story of Jesus’ healthy masculinity as God will be linked to amaXhosa masculinity. The aim of this article is to ascertain whether pastoral care can serve as a channel between these two masculinities. The relational indigenous methodology will be employed through narrative pastoral care. In that, narrative enables one to hear people’s stories and link them to God’s story.