bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T. vaginalis in riverside women in Amazonia, Brazil: an experience using the EVALYN® BRUSH vaginal self-collection device
Authors: Rocha Danielle AP , Azevedo Maria Joana N , Batista Sávio José S , Beltrão Êmille S , Moraes Cássia O , Araújo Adriene F , Reis Renato S , Torres Kátia L , Levi José E , Mariño Josiane M
Published: December 2019

Introduction: The challenges related to the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections present more complex factors in remote and hard-to-reach areas. The use of self-collection devices that facilitate the obtaining of a biological sample with high quality for sensitive molecular tests have been examined. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and acceptance of the Evalyn® Brush (Rovers® Medical Devices) for detection of T. vaginalis among women living in the riverside communities of Amazonas, Brazil.

Methodology: The study included 300 riverside women. They received instructions for self-collection, carried out the task, and then answered a questionnaire on the use of the device. T. vaginalis was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction, using primers TVK3/TVK7.

Results: The mean age of the women was 35.8 years, and most of them presented low schooling, low income, agricultural activity and lived in a marital union. All samples were positive for human genomic DNA (100%) and the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 5.6% (n = 17). Of the 300 women, 293 (97.7%) indicated that they liked the use of the device, 287 (95.7%) reported having had no difficulty in handling it, 265 (88.3%) did not feel any type of discomfort and 228 (76%) said they preferred the self-collection to the collection made by the professional, mainly due to privacy and comfort.

Conclusions: The Evalyn® Brush proved reliable as a device for the collection of biological samples for molecular analysis and was well-accepted by women. Its use can be indicated in remote and hard to reach places.
Mutations in reverse transcriptase region of HBV affect Hepatitis B surface antigen titers and its correlation with HBV DNA
Authors: Shen Hongyu , Chen Chunhua , Ye Chunyan , Zhang Hongyu , Hang Shuangxiong , Chen Min , Zhu Zhen , Xue Yuan , Liu Longgen
Published: December 2019

Introduction: The impact of mutations in the reverse transcriptase region of HBV on serum HBsAg titer and its correlation with HBV DNA is largely unknown.

Methodology: A total of 644 patients, with a history of lamivudine or adefovir dipivoxil resistance who underwent genotypic resistance tests, were enrolled in this study. Serum HBsAg, hepatitis B e antigen and HBV DNA were quantified, and the HBV RT region was sequenced and analyzed. Then, the patients were divided into five sub-groups, including M204I/V, L180M+M204I/V, A181T/V, N236T and A181T/V+N236T according to the mutation spectra.

Results: HBsAg was lower in the wild-type and A181T/V+N236T groups as compared to the M204I/V, L180M+M204I/V and N236T groups. HBsAg was positively correlated with HBV DNA levels in the wild-type group (r = 0.322, p < 0.01), as well as in the M204I/V, L180M+M204I/V, A181T/V, and N236T subgroups, while no correlation was found in the A181T/V+N236T subgroup (r = 0.159, p = 0.217). Moreover, for patients with N236T mutation, HBsAg was positively correlated with HBV DNA level in the HBeAg negative group (r = 0.435, p = 0.016), but not in the HBeAg positive group (r = 0.105, p = 0.594). For patients with A181T/V or N236T mutation, HBsAg was positively correlated with HBV DNA in older patients (≥ 40 years), but not in younger patients (< 40 years).

Conclusions: Serum HBsAg titer and its correlation with HBV DNA may be affected by mutations in the reverse transcriptase region of HBV, that should be re-evaluated in patients with antiviral resistance.
Tuberculosis in prison and aspects associated with the diagnosis site
Authors: Ferreira Melisane RL , Bonfim Rafaele O , Siqueira Tatiane C , Andrade Rubia L de P , Monroe Aline A , Villa Tereza CS , Orfão Nathalia H
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is highly endemic in prison environments, and requires special attention in the population deprived of liberty (PDL). Thus, we aimed to describe the epidemiological situation of TB among PDL in a large municipality of the Brazilian Legal Amazon, from 2012 to 2016, and to identify the factors associated with the site of TB cases notification.
Methodology: Both descriptive and cross-sectional studies were conducted. Sociodemographic, clinical, diagnostic and treatment data of PDL with TB were collected from the National Disease Notification System - SINAN. Data analysis included frequency distribution, Chi-square test, Fisher exact test and residue analysis, with a significance level of 95%.
Results: 256 cases of TB have been notified among PDL in the penitentiary complex situated in the municipality and 100 cases in local health services, such as Primary Health Care units or referral services. Notification in the penitentiary complex was associated with non-X-ray and more than ten contacts identified. An association was found between diagnosis in local health services and female sex, AIDS, alcoholism, illicit drug use, extrapulmonary clinical form, extrapulmonary pulmonary disease, suspected X-ray, sputum smear-negative for diagnosis, HIV positive, culture of sputum not performed/ in progress, DOT ignored/ blank, less than five contacts identified, transfer and others as closure situation.
Conclusions: The results show that intricate TB cases were notified by the local health services. Strategies of surveillance and articulation with these health services seem to contribute to the identification of TB cases among PDL.
Muangnua arborea, a new semislug (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Helicarionidae, Durgellininae) from Loei Province, northeastern Thailand
Authors: Tumpeesuwan Chanidaporn , Tumpeesuwan Sakboworn
Published: December 2019

Muangnua arborea Tumpeesuwan & Tumpeesuwan, sp. nov., is described, based on specimens deposited in the land snail collection of Mahasarakham University, Thailand. This species is the second described in the genus Muangnua, for which colour pictures of the living semislug in natural habitats, scanning electron microscope photos of the radula, and anatomy of the mature specimens were studied and presented for the first time for this genus. Keys to genera of Southeast Asian slug-like semislugs and species of Muangnua are provided.
New distributional records for sixteen Mordellidae species from the Western Palearctic (Insecta, Coleoptera, Mordellidae)
Authors: Selnekovič Dávid , Ruzzier Enrico
Published: December 2019

A list of 22 new distributional records is presented for 16 Mordellidae species from the Western Palearctic:Variimorda caprai(Franciscolo, 1951) (Montenegro);V. mendaxMéquignon, 1946 (Montenegro);Mordellistena falsoparvulaErmisch, 1956 (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro);M. olympicaErmisch, 1965 (Cyprus, Montenegro);M. kraatziEmery, 1876 (Morocco);M. longicornisMulsant, 1856 (Morocco);M. divesEmery, 1876 (Kazakhstan);M. krujanensisErmisch, 1963 (Montenegro);M. tarsataMulsant, 1856 (Cyprus, North Macedonia);M. michalkiErmisch, 1956 (Kyrgyzstan);M. thuringiacaErmisch, 1963 (Bulgaria, Montenegro, Slovakia, Spain);M. koelleriErmisch, 1956 (Italy, Montenegro);Mordellistenula longipalpisErmisch, 1965 (Montenegro);Mordellochroa milleri(Emery, 1876) (Italy);Dellamora palposaNormand, 1916 (Italy). Information about the distributional range is summarised for each species, and notes on habitat and host plants are also provided.
Interculturation narrative du soi : récits socio-culturels et récits du soi des enfants du numérique et des générations antérieures
Authors: Teyssier Julien , Denoux Patrick
Published: December 2019

L’objectif de cet article est de présenter le concept d’interculturation narrative du soi (INS). Il décrit l’agencement des récits du soi et des récits socio-culturels dont témoigne un sujet mobilisé par des écarts culturels significatifs. Les auteurs examinent si des INS singulières pourraient découler de cultures générationnelles. Pour ce faire, ils s’intéressent aux rapports qu’entretiennent les « enfants du numérique » (N= 19) et les « générations antérieures » (N= 17) avec les technologies numériques, à partir d’entretiens non-directifs. Ces entretiens sont analysés avec une méthode permettant d’identifier les récits du soi et les récits socio-culturels, et d’interpréter les rapports qu’ils entretiennent entre eux. Les résultats mettent en évidence des architectures spécifiques d’INS, liées aux cultures générationnelles des deux groupes.
Qu’est-ce qu’une théologie négative ?
Authors: Boulnois Olivier
Published: December 2019

La théologie des noms divins, chez Denys, n’est pas une théologie négative mais une méditation de la transcendance. L’expression a été ajoutée dans les manuscrits anciens, mais en symétrie avec la théologie affirmative. Cette symétrie repose sur celle, plus générale, entre l’affirmation et la négation. Réduire la pensée de Denys à l’affirmation, comme le fait la théologie médiévale, ou à la négation, comme le fait la philosophie contemporaine, est donc un double contresens. Si la limite de toute pensée est « dans le langage », comme dit Wittgenstein, la pensée de Dieu doit la tracer depuis l’intérieur du langage.
L’expérience psychique, une expérience indicible ?
Authors: Gauvry Charlotte
Published: December 2019

Peut-on parler de nos vécus, à savoir des expériences que nous vivons en première personne et qui n’ont pas de manifestations dans nos comportements ? En partant de l’analyse des énoncés psychologiques de Wittgenstein, l’enjeu du présent article est de montrer l’inanité des lectures béhavioristes comme psychologiques de l’expérience psychique. On défendra que ces deux options philosophiques, en dépit de leurs oppositions, présentent le trait commun de considérer la vie psychique comme une réalité à laquelle on aurait (ou non) accès. On soutiendra par contraste la thèse suivante : loin d’être inaccessible ou indicible, l’expérience psychique ne se manifeste que dans le langage si bien que son analyse doit être conceptuelle.
Allemagne : la puissance déphasée
Authors: Stark Hans
Published: December 2019

L’Allemagne a connu une décennie de croissance économique soutenue, bénéficiant d’un taux de chômage très bas et d’excédents commerciaux et budgétaires considérables. Cette phase touche aujourd’hui à sa fin. Certains estiment même que le modèle économique allemand doit être repensé. La politique étrangère de l’Allemagne suit le même chemin, ce qui met en évidence l’interdépendance entre la puissance politique et la puissance économique de la République fédérale. Durant les trois premiers mandats d’Angela Merkel (et surtout entre 2013 et 2017), l’Allemagne a su occuper une place centrale en Europe, intensifier ses relations avec Washington, Moscou et Pékin, tout en accentuant sa présence (pour l’essentiel commerciale mais aussi culturelle) en Asie et en Afrique. 2017 représente de ce point de vue une césure. Élu fin 2016, Donald Trump défie l’Allemagne ouvertement. Le degré d’influence allemande sur la Russie est devenu marginal, voire inexistant, tandis qu’au sein de l’UE, malgré l’élection d’une dirigeante allemande à la présidence de la Commission, l’influence de Berlin sur les grandes questions (Brexit, réforme de la zone euro, Europe de la défense...) décline. La politique étrangère de l’Allemagne est à un tournant.
Turquie-Allemagne : partenariat tumultueux, liens indissolubles
Authors: Seni Nora
Published: December 2019

Ce texte insiste sur deux moments clés où des « erreurs » ont été commises dans le cours des relations turco-germaniques contemporaines : le moment où Berlin conteste la vocation ontologique de la Turquie à rejoindre un jour l’Union européenne (2006-2007) et le voyage de la chancelière Angela Merkel à Istanbul en octobre 2015, à une dizaine de jours d’élections législatives en Turquie où le parti d’Erdogan était en ballottage, pour convaincre le président turc de signer l’accord concernant le filtrage des flux de réfugiés vers l’Europe. Dans un deuxième temps, cet article analyse le rôle de la diaspora turque dans la mutation de l’univers mental de l’Allemagne d’aujourd’hui à travers ce que les critiques littéraires ont appelé le « tournant turc de la littérature allemande contemporaine ».
Panser le design graphique : courtes fictions dessinant une piste d’atterrissage
Authors: Granotier Raoul , Podesta Clarisse
Published: December 2019

Au cours du XXI e siècle, nous avons dû apprendre à vivre sur une planète endommagée. Les conditions climatiques et l’épuisement de ressources clés rendaient difficile toute activité à échelle industrielle. Comme tout ce qu’on appelait « le secteur tertiaire », le design graphique a dû se réinventer pour ne pas disparaître. Dans ce contexte d’effondrement, où les humains tâtonnent pour faire émerger de nouveaux modes d’existence, que sont devenus les designers graphiques ? Ce texte propose quatre fragments, quatre hypothèses plus ou moins vraisemblables ou désirables sur ce que le futur nous réserve (ou ce qu’on choisit qu’il soit). À travers la description de dispositifs matériels, nous avons cherché à faire apparaître en creux la possibilité d’autres modes d’organisation et d’autres façons de se définir en tant que designer graphique. La fiction nous a semblé être le meilleur outil pour déployer différents systèmes de valeurs et éprouver la condition du designer dans ces contextes parallèles.
Le design, une cosmologie sans monde face à l’Anthropocène
Authors: Bonnet Emmanuel , Landivar Diégo , Monnin Alexandre , Allard Laurence
Published: December 2019

Nous proposons dans ce texte d’interroger les présupposés cosmologiques du design contemporain. Dans un premier temps, il s’agit pour nous de partir de certaines définitions du design qui mettent en avant la volonté d’améliorer l’habitabilité du monde et de souligner les accointances contemporaines du design avec certaines approches managériales de l’innovation. Ceci, avant tout pour interroger les notions de projet, de construction / innovation, de production de possibles, d’inscription temporelle et spatiale du design, de désirabilité, d’amélioration de l’habitabilité ou encore de reprise du monde. Nous contrastons ensuite deux manières d’envisager le design, en amont et en aval des mondes, qu’il soit projecteur ou correcteur. Une fois abandonné le paradigme de la crise, réencastrer le design au cœur du nouveau régime climatique qui prévaut désormais conduit à radicalement interroger cette double prétention. Cela nous amène à redéfinir les enjeux du design en termes cosmologiques pour mieux le « dé-projeter » et ainsi de substituer au monde humain (qui n’est précisément pas un monde mais une acosmie) d’autres relations de consistances entre les êtres.
Cognitive Rehearsal, HeartMath, and Simulation: An Intervention to Build Resilience and Address Incivility
Authors: Clark Cynthia M. , Gorton Karen L.
Published: December 2019

Background:

The detrimental impact of incivility in health care is well documented. Nursing students and new graduate nurses are particularly vulnerable to its effects. Evidence-based civility education strategies are urgently needed to address incivility, which can protect patient safety.

Method:

Using a mixed methodology, 188 incoming, upper division, prelicensure nursing students participated in an intervention study that combined cognitive rehearsal, HeartMath, and simulation using TeamSTEPPS™ Concerned, Uncomfortable, and Safety model to address acts of incivility that threaten patient safety.

Results:

Student evaluations immediately following the intervention and 6 months postintervention rendered positive results. Eight themes emerged describing uncivil experiences occurring in the patient care environment.

Conclusion:

This intervention provided nursing students with evidence-based tools to build resilience to effectively address incivility in the patient care environment. Nurse educators are urged to provide civility education in conjunction with tested techniques to build resilience and address uncivil encounters in health care.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2019;58(12):690–697.]
Applying Credit Hours to International Clinical Placements for Baccalaureate Nursing Programs
Authors: Watson Sherylyn M. , Ferrillo Heather , Cole Michelle A. , Yost Eileen T.
Published: December 2019

Background:

As global learning programs gain momentum in nursing education, a variety of models have emerged. A typical experience consists of 1-week international immersion in which faculty, nursing students, and an interprofessional team deliver direct health care to impoverished communities. Our international clinical placements have been successful in providing rich learning experiences while applying clinical credit hours toward required courses in our baccalaureate nursing program.

Method:

The unique attributes of these international clinical placements include full integration into the curriculum, use of formative and summative clinical evaluations, participation across specialties and life span in one experience, an interprofessional practice setting, and consistent design and standards across programs.

Results:

By integrating the experiences into the curriculum and maximizing credit hours applied, the international experiences fulfill clinical placements and develop the students' personal and professional goals.

Conclusion:

These innovative strategies of international clinical placements have been successful in meeting student, program, and community needs.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2019;58(12):733–735.]
Análise Longitudinal dos Fatores Associados a Epidemia/Endemia de Homicídios nas Capitais Brasileiras
Authors: Melo Silas Nogueira de , Rocha Janderson , Masullo Yata Anderson Gonzaga
Published: December 2019

Existe a necessidade de se ampliar as discussões sobre a dinâmica da violência, bem como da importância de pesquisas que se voltem para o seu reflexo na saúde pública. O presente estudo busca ampliar a compreensão sobre a dinâmica espacial e temporal dos homicídios nas capitais brasileiras, a partir da base de dados públicos de diferentes instituições federais e estaduais, para construção de modelos de regressão longitudinais. Desse modo, tornou-se possível analisar fatores sociais, demográficos e econômicos que influenciam as epidêmicas/endêmicas taxas de homicídios nas principais cidades brasileiras no período entre 2012 a 2016. Como resultado, os fatores disponibilidade de drogas psicoativas e percentual de jovens do sexo masculino foram estatisticamente significativos e positivamente associados com as taxas de homicídio, enquanto que os fatores desempenho escolar e profissionais da saúde (apenas modelo de efeitos fixos) foram negativamente associados com as taxas de homicídio. Os resultados implicam no subsídio de políticas públicas na área de saúde e prevenção a violência letal nas capitais brasileiras.
Saúde urbana no ensino de geografia: um relato de experiência no município de Olinda, Brasil
Authors: Soares José Roberto Henrique Souza , Bezerra Anselmo César Vasconcelos
Published: December 2019

As áreas da Geografia e da Saúde vêm se aproximando historicamente dando espaço a um campo de natureza interdisciplinar denominado Geografia da Saúde. No entanto, ainda é incipiente a incorporação de temas da saúde no ensino de Geografia, especialmente no nível básico. Partindo dessa premissa, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma sequência didática que discutisse temas da saúde urbana nas aulas de geografia em uma escola do ensino básico no Município de Olinda, Brasil. Por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa foi desenvolvido um estudo de caso, através da técnica de pesquisa participante. Assim, elaborou-se uma sequência didática que relacionou os conhecimentos geográficos com a problemática da saúde no município. Foram realizadas aulas teóricas, atividades de campo, oficinas de construção de mapas mentais e discussões de avaliação das estratégias de ensino utilizadas. Os resultados evidenciaram que os estudantes foram sensibilizados e estimulados a compreenderem melhor as condições de vida do lugar que habitam e as possibilidades de mudança desse lugar com vistas as ações de promoção à saúde.
Expansão da rede viária na Amazônia Oriental, Rodovia Perimetral Norte, Amapá
Authors: Facundes Francinete da Silva , Lima Ricardo Ângelo Pereira , Santos Valdenira Ferreira dos
Published: December 2019

O presente estudo trata da análise multitemporal em um trecho da Rodovia Perimetral Norte, estado do Amapá (Brasil) com a finalidade de compreender o processo de expansão da rede viária e ocupação na área. O desenvolvimento da rede viária é analisado a partir de duas categorias de estradas: oficial (resultante de estratégias políticas) e endógena (resultante da ação de agentes privados e eventuais ocupações espontâneas). Para a análise foram utilizadas 12 cenas de imagens da série do satélite Landsat entre o período de 1988 a 2014, dados da base cartográfica de estradas do programa de Zoneamento Ecológico Econômico (ZEE) e entrevistas de campo. A taxa de incremento da rede viária foi associada com eventos socioespaciais que influenciaram na expansão da rede viária. Os resultados permitiram identificar os principais atores responsáveis pelo processo de ampliação da rede viária oficial, os projetos dos assentamentos do INCRA, vinculados às estratégias políticas de ocupação regional. A evolução das estradas endógenas resultou da ação do capital de exploração mineral e madeireiro, atividades que vem se ampliando na região independente de diretrizes de ordenamento territorial. As influências dessas atividades são importantes nos processos de mudanças de uso e ocupação do território e consequentemente nos processos de desmatamento e desenvolvimento da região.
A construção do saber geográfico no helenismo: II - As physiografias e a desmitificação de Gaia.
Authors: Vitte Antonio Carlos , Pereira Márcio Henrique de Mello
Published: December 2019

O artigo discute a desmistificação de Gaia na cultura grega que levou ao surgimento da ciência grega com Aristóteles que fundamentou a ciência helênica com Teofrasto e Estrabão. Dos jônicos, passando por Heráclito, e os atomistas até Hipócrates, a razão grega procurou em entender e explicar a origem do homem e da Terra não mais por meio dos mitos, mas sim buscando evidências na própria dinâmica da natureza, elegendo em cada momento histórico, elementos da natureza que melhor sintetizassem a origem natural, assim como a unidade metafísica e ontológica do mundo.
Humeral Retroversion and Participation Age in Professional Baseball Pitchers by Geographic Region
Authors: Thomas Stephen J. , Sheridan Scott , Reuther Katherine E.
Published: December 2019

Context

Baseball is played around the world, including in North America and Latin America. The repetitive and stressful act of throwing can lead to adaptations such as increased humeral retroversion (HR) in the throwing arm. This adaptation is often considered beneficial as it allows more glenohumeral external rotation during the cocking phase of pitching without soft tissue stretching. Therefore, it is speculated that throwing should be started at a young age to capitalize on this adaptation. Interestingly, athletes in different geographic regions of the world often begin organized baseball at different ages. However, range of motion (ROM), HR, and the starting age of baseball have never been examined based on geographic region.

Objective

To determine if ROM, HR, and the starting age of baseball players differed between professional baseball pitchers from North America and Latin America.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Clinical setting.

Patients or Other Participants

Thirty professional pitchers (North American = 19, Latin American = 11) with no current injury or surgery in the previous 6 months.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Both ROM and HR were measured in the dominant and nondominant shoulder of each participant. The starting age for baseball was self-reported.

Results

The Latin American group had more dominant-arm HR (8.7°; P = .034), more nondominant-arm external rotation (5.3°; P = .049), and a trend toward more nondominant-arm HR (6.5°; P = .058), yet they started playing baseball at a later age (by 3.7 years; P = .021) compared with the North American group.

Conclusions

Latin American players had greater HR but started playing baseball at an older age. These findings contradict current thinking that HR would be more pronounced if baseball was started at a younger age. Additional research is required to better understand HR and the genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors that contribute to its development.
A comparative analysis of the antecedents and consequences of employee satisfaction for urban and rural healthcare workers in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
Authors: Tawana Brian , Barkhuizen Nicolene E. , Du Plessis Yvonne
Published: December 2019

Orientation: The South African healthcare industry is facing significant challenges to retain quality healthcare professionals to deliver services in rural areas.Research purpose: The main purpose of this study was to compare the antecedents and consequences of employee satisfaction for healthcare professionals in urban and rural areas to establish if there are distinguishing factors that can better inform human resource (HR) management to improve job satisfaction and service delivery. KwaZulu-Natal province was chosen because of its number and proximity of rural and urban healthcare facilities.Motivation for the study: A holistic perspective, focusing on both urban and rural South African settings, on how the healthcare sector can retain healthcare workers through employee satisfaction and service delivery is lacking.Research approach/design and method: The research design for the study is a mixed-method sequential design. A quantitative survey using a structured questionnaire inclusive of the constructs such as work environment, work satisfaction, job satisfaction, employee retention and service quality was administered to a sample of urban and rural healthcare professionals in KwaZulu-Natal (N = 405). In addition, the researchers conducted three focus group discussions (N = 28).Main findings: The quantitative results showed that urban and rural sample groups differed significantly in terms of their satisfaction with work duties, compensation, career development, service delivery and turnover intentions. Communalism was found to play a major role in retention and quality of service delivery of healthcare professionals in rural settings.Practical/managerial implications: The findings of this study require from management to understand the differential factors between urban and rural settings in service quality and staff retention. Human resource practitioners are encouraged to understand the differentiators of job satisfaction and service delivery in an urban and rural context and develop conducive work environments that allow healthcare workers to execute their tasks effectively.Contribution/value-add: This study provides a unique perspective of the antecedents and outcomes of employee satisfaction for both urban and rural healthcare sector workers and indicates that context is important.
Development of a Chitosan–Vaseline Gauze Dressing with Wound-Healing Properties in Murine Models
Authors: Fang Qing-Qing , Wang Xiao-Feng , Zhao Wan-Yi , Shi Bang-Hui , Lou Dong , Chen Chun-Ye , Zhang Min-Xia , Wang Xiaozhi , Ma Lie , Tan Wei-Qiang
Published: December 2019

Wound dressings are always needed after skin injury; however, most of the dressings still leave room for improvement. Here, we would like to develop an effective dressing with the ability to improve wound healing. A chitosan–Vaseline gauze (CVG) dressing was developed by coating the chitosan mixture and Vaseline on sterile gauze with subsequent drying. Infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy were used to investigate the miscibility and structure of the dressing. The cytotoxicity and antibacterial nature were evaluated in vitro. The studies of water retention rate, wound healing, and tissue compatibility were carried out over a period of 14 days on full-thickness skin wounds of male Sprague–Dawley rats. It was observed that the CVG dressing demonstrated functional structure by miscibility, non-cytotoxicity, and good antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The water retention rate incresased up to 25% after applying CVG for 3 hours. Besides, CVG treatment increased angiogenesis and improved microvascular density in wounds. The wounds treated with CVG showed size deduction with new collagen aggregations similar to those in the normal dermis. All the aforementioned results suggest that CVG dressing could be a promising candidate for wound treatment.
Evaluation of the intensity of environmental pressures from agriculture on groundwater in Slovenia
Authors: Lampič Barbara , Rutar Andrejka
Published: December 2019

Using a composite environmental index, we assessed how environmentally sustainable agriculture is by examining water bodies of groundwater (WBG) in Slovenia. Apart from studying identifiable differences among 21 WBG, we also analysed and detailed the pressures of agricultural activities including by different types of aquifer porosity. We found that the most heavily burdened WBG have an intergranular type of porosity. From the standpoint of environmental sustainability agriculture is ill-suited on all five of the alluvial plains with intergranular aquifers in Slovenia. The lowest index was calculated in the area of the WBG in the Drava basin (-0.54), followed by the Mura (-0.34) and Sava basin together with the Ljubljana Marshes (-0.24). In order to better illustrate responsiveness, through analysis of spatial patterns of ecologically cultivated areas, we evaluated the distribution of the most sustainable agricultural practices and found that organic farming is more prevalent on water bodies with predominantly karst type of porosity (17.1% of organically cultivated agricultural land) and it occurs least on alluvial plains with intergranular aquifers (barely 3.7% of organically cultivated agricultural land). Calculations of the sustainability index of agriculture at the level of WBG proved to be very suitable approach for determining environmental sustainability.
From socialist command to a capitalist market economy: the case for an active state
Authors: Gabrisch Hubert
Published: December 2019

Kazimierz Łaski belonged to the group of economists who particularly clearly and convincingly criticized the application of neoliberal doctrines to the transition of socialist countries into market economies. His analysis of the transition agendas was deeply rooted in the Kaleckian tradition of reasoning and brought him much respect but also fierce opposition in the international arena. In answering the why and how of his work, this article will summarize his contributions to the economics and politics of transition.
Nicholas Kaldor and Kazimierz Łaski on the pitfalls of the European integration process
Authors: Landesmann Michael A.
Published: December 2019

Nicholas Kaldor and Kazimierz Łaski have been two very prominent exponents of Keynesian thinking. They both contributed to the debate on European economic integration, one (Nicholas Kaldor) in the early 1970s, when there were fierce debates about the United Kingdom's entry to the European Communities, and the other (Kazimierz Łaski) in the wake of the financial and economic crisis of 2008–2012, when the European Union and its Economic and Monetary Union were seriously challenged by potential disintegration. Both exponents provided deep and complementary inputs into an understanding of the centrifugal forces at work when a region with a rudimentary federal structure (but an extremely weak ‘central state’) embarks on tight economic integration with an inadequate macroeconomic policy framework in place.
The Effect of Trivalent Chromium Process on Al-Zn-In Pigments in Epoxy Primer on the Corrosion Protection of AA2024-T3
Authors: Wang Xi , Frankel G.S.
Published: December 2019

Active metal pigments in metal-rich coatings are oxidized preferentially and provide sacrificial protection to more-noble metallic substrates. Al-rich primer (AlRP), which contains pigment particles made from an active aluminum alloy (Al-5Zn-0.02In), uses this mechanism to provide a chromate-free epoxy primer system. To address the high self-corrosion rate of active aluminum pigments, the active aluminum pigment particles are pretreated using trivalent chromium process (TCP). In this study, the effects of different TCP treatment times were evaluated, and coating protection properties were studied. Potentiodynamic polarization tests were performed in aerated 0.1 M NaCl solution for a TCP-treated bulk active aluminum alloy and for AA2024-T3. The potentiodynamic polarization curves show that the corrosion potential of the bulk active aluminum alloy is about 500 mV lower than that of AA2024-T3. Therefore, bulk active aluminum alloy is a candidate alloy for cathodic protection of AA2024-T3. In addition, the TCP treatment reduces the corrosion rate of the bulk active aluminum alloy by one order of magnitude. AlRP-coated AA2024-T3 panel samples were scribed and exposed in corrosion chambers, and the cross section of each coating was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy mapping. The accelerated corrosion exposure results show that AlRP coatings containing TCP-treated particles provided better protection to the scribe than the one with bare pigment particles. The adhesion of the AlRPs based on pull-off adhesion tests was similar regardless of the TCP treatment time of the pigments, but the adhesion of AlRP was reduced in comparison to a neat epoxy coating.
The Effect of Ruthenium on the Corrosion of Stainless Steel in Nitric Acid Liquors
Authors: Whillock Guy O.H. , Summers Kim A. , Jackson Angela
Published: December 2019

Nuclear reprocessing plant liquors resulting from the PUREX process contain ruthenium present as a mixture of nitrosyl complexes in nitric acid. Ruthenium is not corrosive toward stainless steels unless the conditions are sufficiently oxidizing to promote the decomposition of one or more of the nitrosyl complexes present, in which case the production of finely-divided RuO2occurs. In this work, the corrosive effect of RuO2coatings that were produced by the thermal decomposition of RuCl3is reported. The corrosion potential and corrosion rate of stainless steel were found to be significantly increased by the presence of RuO2coatings, and depended on the temperature, but did not depend on the amount of RuO2present provided above a threshold which was found to lie in the range 43 μg/cm2to 86 μg/cm2of RuO2. Corrosion potential measurements indicated that in hot 10 M nitric acid, the RuO2coatings formed by the thermal decomposition of RuCl3reproduced the effect of RuO2formed from the in situ oxidation of a tri-nitrato ruthenium compound. However, a stronger, but only short-term, effect was also found, which is attributed to an intermediate precursor of RuO2, considered likely to be RuO4. Two separate corrosion accelerating effects can therefore arise in ruthenium-bearing liquors.
Factors associated with poor self-reported function and quality of life in patients with end-stage knee or hip osteoarthritis immediately prior to total joint arthroplasty
Authors: Kocic Mirjana , Milenkovic Marina , Nikolic Dejan , Lazovic Milica , Grbic Rade , Colovic Hristina , Stojanovic Zorica
Published: December 2019

Introduction

The aim was to evaluate patients’ perception of function and physical and mental dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with end-stage knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) immediately prior to surgery and to identify the factors associated with the outcomes.

Material and methods

The study included 200 patients with end-stage OA (100 knee OA and 100 hip OA patients). Self-reported physical function was assessed using the Oxford Knee Score or Oxford Hip Score. Physical and mental dimensions of HRQoL were assessed using the physical and mental component summary scores of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify the sociodemographic, clinical and psychological factors associated with self-reported function and physical and mental dimensions of HRQoL.

Results

End-stage knee or hip OA patients had poor function and physical dimension of HRQoL, while the mental dimension of HRQoL was not impaired. In knee OA, pain, flexion range of motion (ROM), catastrophizing, and anxiety were significantly associated with self-reported function (explained 56% of the variance), whereas catastrophizing explained 10% of the variance of the physical dimension of HRQoL. In hip OA, flexion ROM, catastrophizing and being employed were significantly associated with self-reported function (explained 44% of the variance), whereas catastrophizing and flexion ROM explained 34% of the variance of the physical dimension of HRQoL.

Conclusions

Many investigated factors were associated with poor self-reported function and HRQoL in knee and hip OA. However, the most important factors for both knee and hip OA were catastrophizing and flexion ROM.
The efficacy of new oral contrast mixture for computed tomography enterography
Authors: Evrimler Şehnaz , Ocakoğlu Gökhan , Algin Oktay
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To show the reliabilities of the new mixture (composed of water, methylcellulose, lactulose, locust bean gum, and sorbitol) and to compare the luminal distension and radiological confidence scores of this solution with water-lactulose mixture.

Material and methods

Computed tomography enterography (CTE) images in a three-year period were included randomly in our institutional review board-approved and retrospective study. Ninety-one patients drank a lactulose and water mixture (Group 1), and 54 patients drank the new mixture (Group 2). Patients who drank the oral contrast agent were taken to a 64-detector row multiple detector computed tomography machine. Coronal and sagittal reformatted images were also formed. The gastrointestinal tract was divided into 11 segments for scoring. Each segment was graded for distensional and radiological confidence. CTE images were evaluated by two radiologists.

Results

Inter- and intra-reader reliabilities were good or excellent for all gastrointestinal segments in both groups (p < 0.001). The best κ values were obtained in sigmoid colon assessments. Lower agreement values were detected in duodenum and jejunum scores. The new mixture group (Group 2) showed better results than Group 1 for ileum and colonic segments according to distension and confidence scorings.

Conclusions

Inter- and intra-reader reliabilities of the new mixture were good or excellent for CTE. The new mixture seems to be more efficient and reliable for ileum and colon. The new mixture can increase bowel distention, radiological confidence, and quality in CTE evaluations.
Perianal fistula imaging: a comparison between two-channel superficial Flex coil and eight-channel body coil
Authors: Akyel Nazlı Gülsüm , Akın Kayıhan , Kösehan Dilek , Köktener Aslı
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Perianal fistula is an important health problem with devastating morbidity. For diagnosis and prevention
of recurrence, perianal fistula imaging (PFI) is crucial. The aim of this study was to investigate if a Flex-M superficial coil images would provide more information than images obtained with a phased-array body coil in PFI.

Material and methods

Thirty-one fistulas of 29 patients were prospectively evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. A phased-array body coil was used in all patients as in routine practice, and sequences with Flex-M coil were also obtained. Afterwards, images were evaluated by two experienced radiologists who were blinded to the patients, coil and also to each other. The site of internal and external openings, and presence or absence of abscess and secondary tracts were recorded.

Results

The conspicuity of images was better with the Flex-M coil. Both radiologists saw more internal openings with the Flex-M coil. Cohen’s κ value was 0.100 (p = 0.201) for Reader 1 and 0.110 (p = 0.361) for Reader 2 between these two coils. Additionally, numerically more internal/external openings and secondary tracts were seen by both readers. Interobserver variability was not statistically significant, and Cohen’s κ values signifyied good concordance between readers.

Conclusions

In our study we showed that multichannel superficial phased-array coils improved imaging quality in PFI. We think that Flex-M coil can easily be used in routine clinical practice to gather better images of perianal fistulas.
How high is the inter-observer reproducibility in the LIRADS reporting system?
Authors: Sevim Sezgin , Dicle Oğuz , Gezer Naciye S. , Barış Mustafa M. , Altay Canan , Akın Işıl Başara
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To investigate the reproducibility of LIRADS v2014 and contribute to its widespread use in clinical practice.

Material and methods

This retrospective, single-centre study was conducted between January 2010 and October 2015. A total of 132 patients who had dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography (CT) images in the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) with liver nodule were included in the study, 37 of whom had histopathology results. Five radiologists who participated in the study, interpreted liver nodules independently on different PACS stations according to the LIRADS reporting system and its main parameters.

Results

We determined that level of inter-observer agreement in the LR-1, LR-5, and LR-5V categories was higher than in the LR-2, LR-3, and LR-4 categories (κ = 0.522, 0.442, and 0.600 in the LR-1, LR-5, and LR-5V categories, respectively; κ = 0.082, 0.298, and 0.143 in the LR-2, LR-3, and LR-4 categories, respectively). The parameter that we observed to have the highest level of inter-observer agreement was venous thrombus (κ = 0.600).

Conclusions

Our study showed that LIRADS achieves an acceptable inter-observer reproducibility in terms of clinical practice although it is insufficient at intermediate risk levels. We think that the prevalence of its use will be further increased with training related to the subject and the assignment of numerical values that express the probability of malignancy for each category and including the ancillary features in the algorithm according to clearer rules.
Evaluation of spinal-paraspinal parameters to determine segmentation of the vertebrae
Authors: Peker Elif , Hürsoy Nur , Akkaya Habip E. , Ünal Sena , Gülpınar Başak , Arıkan Bilgesu , Anamurluoğlu Ezgi , Erden İlhan M.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate whether lumbar vertebrae can be correctly numbered using auxiliary parameters.

Material and methods

Vertebra corpus shape, O’Driscoll classification, lumbosacral axis angle, last two square vertebra dimensions, orifice of right renal artery (RRA), orifice of celiac truncus (CT), orifice of superior mesenteric artery (SMA), vena cava inferior confluence (CVC), abdominal aorta bifurcation (AB), and iliolumbar ligament were evaluated in this study.

Results

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) were observed in 13 (9%) patients. The most common locations of the paraspinal parameters were: RRA: L1 vertebrae (45%), SMA: L1 vertebrae (66%), CT: T12 vertebrae (46%), AB: L4 vertebrae (63%), and CVC: L4 vertebrae (52%).

Conclusions

According to the results of our study, no single parameter in the magnetic resonance imaging can accurately indicate the number of vertebrae without counting the levels. As a result, we believe that these parameters may be suspicious in terms of the presence of LSTV rather than the correct level.
Effects of water-soluble organic carbon on aerosol pH
Authors: Battaglia Jr. Michael A. , Weber Rodney J. , Nenes Athanasios , Hennigan Christopher J.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) is a ubiquitous and significant fraction
of fine particulate matter. Despite advances in aerosol thermodynamic
equilibrium models, there is limited understanding on the comprehensive
impacts of WSOC on aerosol acidity (pH). We address this limitation by
studying submicron aerosols that represent the two extremes in acidity levels
found in the atmosphere: strongly acidic aerosol from Baltimore, MD, and
weakly acidic conditions characteristic of Beijing, China. These cases are
then used to construct mixed inorganic–organic single-phase aqueous
particles and thermodynamically analyzed by the Extended Aerosol Inorganics Model (E-AIM) and ISORROPIA models
in combination with activity coefficient model AIOMFAC (Aerosol Inorganic–Organic
Mixtures Functional groups Activity Coefficient) to evaluate the
effects of WSOC on the H+ ion activity coefficients (γH+)
and activity (pH). We find that addition of organic acids and nonacid
organic species concurrently increases γH+ and aerosol liquid
water. Under the highly acidic conditions typical of the eastern US
(inorganic-only pH ∼1), these effects mostly offset each
other, giving pH changes of < 0.5 pH units even at organic aerosol
dry mass fractions in excess of 60 %. Under conditions with weaker acidity
typical of Beijing (inorganic-only pH ∼4.5), the nonacidic
WSOC compounds had similarly minor effects on aerosol pH, but organic acids
imparted the largest changes in pH compared to the inorganic-only
simulations. Organic acids affect pH in the order of their pKa values
(oxalic acid > malonic acid > glutaric acid). Although
the inorganic-only pH was above the pKa value of all three organic
acids investigated, pH changes in excess of 1 pH unit were only observed at
unrealistic organic acid levels (aerosol organic acid concentrations
> 35 µg m−3) in Beijing. The model simulations were
run at 70 %, 80 %, and 90 % relative humidity (RH) levels and the
effect of WSOC was inversely related to RH. At 90 % RH, WSOC altered
aerosol pH by up to ∼0.2 pH units, though the effect was up
to ∼0.6 pH units at 70 % RH. The somewhat offsetting nature
of these effects suggests that aerosol pH is sufficiently constrained by the
inorganic constituents alone under conditions where liquid–liquid phase
separation is not anticipated to occur.
Net ozone production and its relationship to NOx and VOCs in the marine boundary layer around the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Tadic Ivan , Crowley John N. , Dienhart Dirk , Eger Philipp , Harder Hartwig , Hottmann Bettina , Martinez Monica , Parchatka Uwe , Paris Jean-Daniel , Pozzer Andrea , Rohloff Roland , Schuladen Jan , Shenolikar Justin , Tauer Sebastian , Lelieveld Jos , Fischer Horst
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Strongly enhanced tropospheric ozone mixing ratios have been reported in the Arabian Basin, a region with intense solar radiation and high concentrations of ozone precursors such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. To analyze photochemical ozone production in the marine boundary layer (MBL) around the Arabian Peninsula, we use ship-borne observations of NO, NO2, O3, OH, HO2, HCHO, actinic flux, water vapor, pressure and temperature obtained during the summer 2017 Air Quality and Climate in the Arabian Basin (AQABA) campaign, compare them to simulation results of the ECHAM-MESSy atmospheric chemistry (EMAC) general circulation model. Net ozone production rates (NOPR) were greatest over the Gulf of Oman, the Northern Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf with median values of 14 ppbv day−1, 16 ppbv day−1 and 28 ppbv day−1, respectively. NOPR over the Mediterranean, the Southern Red Sea and the Arabian Sea did not significantly deviate from zero; however, results for the Arabian Sea indicate weak net ozone production of 5 ppbv day−1, and net ozone destruction over the Mediterranean and the Southern Red Sea with −2 ppbv day−1 and −4 ppbv day−1, respectively. Constrained by measured HCHO/NO2-ratios, our photochemistry calculations show that net ozone production in the MBL around the Arabian Peninsula occurs mostly in a transition regime between NOx and VOC-limitation with a tendency towards NOx-limitation except over the Northern Red Sea and the Oman Gulf.