bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Modelling of Nanda Devi National Park, a Natural World Heritage Site, from GIS Data
Authors: Agrawal Sanat , Jain Akshay
Published: July 2022

Une méthode a été mise au point afin de produire, par fabrication additive (FA), un modèle physique du Parc national de Nanda Devi (PNND), site qui figure sur la Liste du patrimoine naturel mondial de l’UNESCO, afin de faciliter la communication entre les parties qui interviennent dans la gestion de la conservation de ce parc. Les données obtenues par SIG fournissent des valeurs d’élévation pour la surface du terrain uniquement et ne sont pas définies en 3D. Le fichier de format DEM ASCII XYZ est converti au format STL, en 3D, avec une base et des côtés. Les lacunes et les singularités dans les données sont prises en compte. La méthode par fabrication additive ouvre de vastes possibilités pour la conservation et la réhabilitation des sites de l’UNESCO. À partir de cette méthode, un modèle physique du PNAD a été créé. Le modèle a énormément de potentiel pour le suivi à long terme des sites du patrimoine mondial et de la chaine himalayenne. Il peut servir de moyen de communication efficace pour les gestionnaires de la conservation. Des modèles physiques des bassins des vallées glaciaires ou du pic de la Nanda Devi enrichiraient encore nos connaissances. Le travail de recherche pourrait s’étendre à la fabrication de modèles de plus grandes dimensions du PNND, ou à la modélisation de zones plus petites du PNND, en consultation avec les parties concernées.
Le rayonnement de la nuit – la symbolique du bleu dans l’album pour enfants
Authors: Mehrbrey Sophia
Published: July 2022

Dans la littérature pour enfants, le thème de la nuit a longtemps été associé à la menace et à la peur. L’histoire du coucher, devenue un sous-genre de la littérature enfantine, représente un tournant à cet égard. Dans l’album pour enfants, le texte et l’image coopèrent à l’élaboration d’un univers nocturne qui cherche à faciliter l’endormissement des jeunes lecteurs et lectrices. L’utilisation de différentes nuances de bleu y joue un rôle décisif. L’intérêt de cet article est de mettre en évidence la signification de la couleur bleue dans un corpus de livres d’images français et européens (1989–2020). En effet, l’utilisation du bleu dans un contexte nocturne soulève d’abord un paradoxe : alors que dans la symbolique occidentale, le bleu a traditionnellement été associé au ciel et à l’air et donc établi comme couleur contrastant avec la lune et les étoiles, dans la nature, la couleur déploie sa véritable intensité comme résultat de la réfraction de la lumière et est donc particulièrement dépendante de la lumière du jour. La couleur bleue se révèle ainsi doublement tournée vers l’imaginaire : d’un point de vue physique, la nuit bleue est une illusion; d’un point de vue métaphysique, le bleu renvoie au divin. Dans le livre d’images, ces deux composantes se fondent en une nouvelle esthétique. Dans le contexte de l’histoire du coucher, le bleu invite à un voyage imaginaire, à une expérience qui brouille les frontières entre la fiction et la réalité. La transformation du bleu du symbole de la spiritualité céleste à une métaphore du besoin de fiction de l’enfant sera le fil conducteur de cette étude.
Axillary and Brachial Artery Thrombosis after Left Radial Access for Coronary Angiography
Authors: Blankenship James
Published: July 2022

One case of brachial artery occlusion and no cases of axillary artery occlusions have been reported in the literature. Here we describe a case of a 50 years old female who presented for diagnostic coronary angiogram after having a positive stress test who developed a brachial, axillary and radial artery thrombosis after left transradial access.
Analisa Kekuatan Tarik Komposit Serat Pelepah Pisang Sebagai Alternatif Untuk Laminasi Kapal Ikan
Authors: Habibie Ahmad mu'aazar habibie , Akhmad basuki widodo Akhmad Basuki widodo
Published: July 2022

Fishing boats are vessels that almost 90% of the building materials are made of wood. The nature of wood that is easily weathered and attacked by wood destroying organisms causes fishing vessels with wood materials to be easily damaged. Banana trees are plants that thrive in Indonesia. In addition to the fruit, banana tree leaves are the part that is often used for reprocessing. However, the midrib of the tree cannot be utilized optimally and will become unused waste. Therefore, the author has an innovation using banana midrib fiber as a composite material as a wood ship lamination material. Therefore, researchers need to do a test, namely by tensile test of variations in fiber thickness of 1 layer, 2 layers, 3 layers on a banana midrib fiber composite and polyester resin to measure the tensile strength value of the composite which refers to the ASTM 638-02a standard.

Keywords : Wooden ship, banana fiber, Composite
Nucleus accumbens: a systematic review of neural circuitry and clinical studies in healthy and pathological states
Authors: Yan Han , Shlobin Nathan A. , Jung Youngkyung , Zhang Kristina K. , Warsi Nebras , Kulkarni Abhaya V. , Ibrahim George M.
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of the ventral striatum is critically involved in goal- and reward-based behavior. Structural and functional abnormalities of the NAcc or its associated neural systems are involved in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Studies of neural circuitry have shed light on the subtleties of the structural and functional derangements of the NAcc across various diseases. In this systematic review, the authors sought to identify human studies involving the NAcc and provide a synthesis of the literature on the known circuity of the NAcc in healthy and diseased states, as well as the clinical outcomes following neuromodulation.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Neuroimaging studies that reported on neural circuitry related to the human NAcc with sample sizes greater than 5 patients were included. Demographic data, aim, design and duration, participants, and clinical and neurocircuitry details and outcomes of the studies were extracted.

RESULTS

Of 3591 resultant articles, 123 were included. The NAcc and its corticolimbic connections to other brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex, are largely involved in reward and pain processes, with distinct functional circuitry between the shell and core in healthy patients. There is heterogeneity between clinical studies with regard to the NAcc indirect targeting coordinates, methods for postoperative confirmation, and blinded trial design. Neuromodulation studies provided promising clinical results in the context of addiction and substance misuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and mood disorders. The most common complications were impaired memory or concentration, and a notable serious complication was hypomania.

CONCLUSIONS

The functional diversity of the NAcc highlights the importance of studying the NAcc in healthy and pathological states. The results of this review suggest that NAcc neuromodulation has been attempted in the management of diverse psychiatric indications. There is promising, emerging evidence that the NAcc may be an effective target for specific reward- or pain-based pathologies with a reasonable risk profile.
Contralateral subfrontal approach for tuberculum sellae meningioma: techniques and clinical outcomes
Authors: Kim Yeong Jin , Moon Kyung-Sub , Jang Woo-Youl , Jung Tae-Young , Kim In-Young , Jung Shin
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

Tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) present a burdensome surgical challenge because of their adjacency to vital neurovascular structures. The contralateral subfrontal approach provides an outstanding corridor for removing a TSM with an excellent visual outcome and limited complications. The authors present their long-term surgical experience in treating TSMs via the contralateral subfrontal approach and discuss patient selection, surgical techniques, and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2021, the authors used the contralateral subfrontal approach in 74 consecutive patients presenting with TSMs. The surgical decision-making process and surgical techniques are described, and the clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 54.4 years, with a female predominance (n = 61, 82%). Preoperatively, 61 patients (82%) had vision symptoms and 73 (99%) had optic canal invasion by tumor. Gross-total resection was achieved in almost all patients (n = 70, 95%). The visual function improvement and stabilization rate was 91% (67/74). Eight patients (11%) showed a worsening of visual function on the less-compromised (approach-side) optic nerve. There was no occurrence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Four patients (5%) experienced recurrences after the initial operation (mean follow-up duration 63 months). There were no deaths in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The contralateral subfrontal approach provides a high chance of complete tumor removal and visual improvement with limited complications and recurrences, especially when the tumor is in a unilateral or midline location causing unilateral visual symptoms or bilateral asymmetrical visual symptoms, regardless of tumor size or encasement of major vessels. With the appropriate patient selection, surgical technique, and familiarity with surrounding neurovascular structures, this approach is reliable for TSM surgery.
Identifying the therapeutic zone in globus pallidus deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Holland Marshall T. , Jiao Jocelyn , Mantovani Alessandra , Anderson Shannon , Mitchell Katherine A. , Safarpour Delaram , Burchiel Kim J.
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

The globus pallidus internus (GPI) has been demonstrated to be an effective surgical target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment in patients with medication-refractory Parkinson’s disease (PD). The ability of neurosurgeons to define the area of greatest therapeutic benefit within the globus pallidus (GP) may improve clinical outcomes in these patients. The objective of this study was to determine the best DBS therapeutic implantation site within the GP for effective treatment in PD patients.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of 56 patients who underwent bilateral GP DBS implantation at their institution during the period from January 2015 to January 2020. Each implanted contact was anatomically localized. Patients were followed for stimulation programming for at least 6 months. The authors reviewed preoperative and 6-month postsurgery clinical outcomes based on data from the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS III), dyskinesia scores, and levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD).

RESULTS

Of the 112 leads implanted, the therapeutic cathode was most frequently located in the lamina between the GPI external segment (GPIe) and the GP externus (GPE) (n = 40). Other common locations included the GPE (n = 24), the GPIe (n = 15), and the lamina between the GPI internal segment (GPIi) and the GPIe (n = 14). In the majority of patients (73%) a monopolar programming configuration was used. At 6 months postsurgery, UPDRS III off medications (OFF) and on stimulation (ON) scores significantly improved (z = −4.02, p < 0.001), as did postsurgery dyskinesia ON scores (z = −4.08, p < 0.001) and postsurgery LEDD (z = −4.7, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Though the ventral GP (pallidotomy target) has been a commonly used target for GP DBS, a more dorsolateral target may be more effective for neuromodulation strategies. The assessment of therapeutic contact locations performed in this study showed that the lamina between GPI and GPE used in most patients is the optimal central stimulation target. This information should improve preoperative GP targeting.
Differences in intrinsic functional networks in patients with essential tremor who had good and poor long-term responses after thalamotomy performed using MR-guided ultrasound
Authors: Pae Chongwon , Kim Myung Ji , Chang Won Seok , Jung Hyun Ho , Chang Kyung Won , Eo Jinseok , Park Hae-Jeong , Chang Jin Woo
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

Thalamotomy at the nucleus ventralis intermedius using MR-guided focused ultrasound has been an effective treatment method for essential tremor (ET). However, this is not true for all cases, even for successful ablation. How the brain differs in patients with ET between those with long-term good and poor outcomes is not clear. To analyze the functional connectivity difference between patients in whom thalamotomy was effective and those in whom thalamotomy was ineffective and its prognostic role in ET treatment, the authors evaluated preoperative resting-state functional MRI in thalamotomy-treated patients.

METHODS

Preoperative resting-state functional MRI data in 85 patients with ET, who were experiencing tremor relief at the time of treatment and were followed up for a minimum of 6 months after the procedure, were collected for the study. The authors conducted a graph independent component analysis of the functional connectivity matrices of tremor-related networks. The patients were divided into thalamotomy-effective and thalamotomy-ineffective groups (thalamotomy-effective group, ≥ 50% motor symptom reduction; thalamotomy-ineffective group, < 50% motor symptom reduction at 6 months after treatment) and the authors compared network components between groups.

RESULTS

Seventy-two (84.7%) of the 85 patients showed ≥ 50% tremor reduction from baseline at 6 months after thalamotomy. The network analysis shows significant suppression of functional network components with connections between the areas of the cerebellum and the basal ganglia and thalamus, but enhancement of those between the premotor cortex and supplementary motor area in the noneffective group compared to the effective group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that patients in the noneffective group have suppressed functional subnetworks in the cerebellum and subcortex regions and have enhanced functional subnetworks among motor-sensory cortical networks compared to the thalamotomy-effective group. Therefore, the authors suggest that the functional connectivity pattern might be a possible predictive factor for outcomes of MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy.
Space-expanding flap in decompressive hemicraniectomy for stroke
Authors: Schucht Philippe , Nowacki Andreas , Osmanagic Armin , Murek Michael , Z’Graggen Werner J. , Montalbetti Matteo , Beck Jürgen , Stieglitz Lennart , Raabe Andreas
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DCE) is the standard of care for space-occupying malignant infarction of the medial cerebral artery in suitable patients. After DCE, the brain is susceptible to trauma and at risk for the syndrome of the trephined. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using temporary space-expanding flaps, implanted during DCE, to shield the brain from these risks while permitting the injured brain to expand.

METHODS

The authors performed a prospective feasibility study to analyze the safety of space-expanding flaps in 10 patients undergoing DCE and evaluated clinical and radiological outcomes.

RESULTS

The relatives of 1 patient withdrew consent, leaving 9 patients in the final analysis. No patients required removal of the space-expanding flap because of uncontrolled increase of intracranial pressure or infection. One patient required additional external ventricular drainage and 1 received mannitol. The mean (range) midline shift decreased from 6.67 (3–12) mm to 1.26 (0–2.6) mm after DCE with the space-expanding flap. The authors observed no cases of sinking skin flap syndrome, other complications, or deaths. One patient underwent further treatment due to infection of the reimplanted autologous bone flap. Two patients later refused cranioplasty, preferring to keep the space-expanding flap and thus avoid the potential risks of cranioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

This feasibility study showed that the concurrent use of space-expanding flaps appeared to be safe in patients who underwent DCE for malignant infarction of the medial cerebral artery. Moreover, space-expanding flaps may permit patients to avoid a second surgery for reimplantation of the autologous bone flap and the risks inherent to this procedure.
A systematic review of the clinicopathological features and prognostic outcomes of DICER1-mutant malignant brain neoplasms
Authors: Vuong Huy Gia , Le Minh-Khang , Dunn Ian F.
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

DICER1-mutant malignant brain neoplasms are very rare tumors, and published data have relied on case reports or small case series. In this review, the authors aimed to systematically summarize the types and distribution patterns of DICER1 mutations, clinicopathological characteristics, and prognostic outcomes of these tumors.

METHODS

The authors searched PubMed and Web of Science for relevant studies. They included studies if they provided individual patient data of primary malignant brain tumors carrying DICER1 mutations.

RESULTS

The authors found 16 studies consisting of 9 embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes (ETMRs), 30 pineoblastomas, 52 primary intracranial sarcomas, and 27 pituitary blastomas. Pineoblastoma, ETMR, and pituitary blastoma were more likely to carry DICER1 germline mutations, while only a small subset of primary intracranial sarcomas harbored these mutations (p < 0.001). Nearly 80% of tumors with germline mutations also had another somatic mutation in DICER1. ETMR and primary intracranial sarcoma were associated with an increased risk for tumor progression and relapse compared with pituitary blastoma and pineoblastoma (p = 0.0025), but overall survival (OS) was not significantly different. Gross-total resection (GTR) and radiotherapy administration were associated with prolonged OS.

CONCLUSIONS

ETMR, pineoblastoma, primary intracranial sarcoma, and pituitary blastoma should be considered rare phenotypes of the DICER1 syndrome, and families should be counseled and screened for associated tumors. ETMR and primary intracranial sarcoma had a higher risk of relapse. GTR and radiotherapy appeared to improve the OS of patients with DICER1-mutant malignant intracranial tumors.
Changes in venous drainage after posterior cranial vault distraction and foramen magnum decompression in syndromic craniosynostosis
Authors: Cinalli Giuseppe , Russo Carmela , Vitulli Francesca , Parlato Raffaele Stefano , Spennato Pietro , Imperato Alessia , Quarantelli Mario , Covelli Eugenio , Aliberti Ferdinando
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

The authors’ objective was to measure the effect of posterior cranial vault distraction (PCVD) plus foramen magnum decompression (FMD) on dural sinus volume and venous flow in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis.

METHODS

The volumes of the sagittal, straight, transverse, and sigmoid sinuses of 5 consecutive patients with syndromic craniosynostosis who underwent PCVD+FMD were calculated in cubic centimeters with T2-weighted volumetric MRI sequences before surgery, immediately after surgery, and after the end of the distraction process. Tridimensional reconstructions of phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PC-MRA) images were obtained with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR).

RESULTS

The average total volume of all dural sinuses increased immediately after surgery (from 10.06 cm3 to 12.64 cm3) and continued to increase throughout the 30-day distraction period (from 12.64 cm3 to 14.71 cm3) (p = 0.04), except that the right sigmoid sinus remained stable after the initial increase. The most important increases were observed for the left transverse sinus (+113.2%), right transverse sinus (+104.3%), left sigmoid sinus (+91.3%), and sagittal sinus (+41.8%). Less important modifications were evident for the right sigmoid sinus (+33.7%) and straight sinus (+23.4%). Significant improvements in venous flow were noted on the tridimensional reconstructions of the PC-MRA images. Venous obstruction grading score improved in 4 patients (average [range] 2.4 [ 2–5]) (p = 0.023) and remained stable in 1 patient. All patients had chronic tonsillar herniation (CTH) (mean [range] 16.6 [8–26] mm), and 3 had syringomyelia. CTH showed improvement on the last follow-up MRI evaluation in 4 patients (mean [range] 10.5 [0–25] mm) and worsened from 15 mm to 19 mm in 1 patient. Syringomyelia improved in 2 patients and remained unchanged in 1.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has provided the first radiological evidence of the impact of craniofacial surgery on dural sinus anatomy and venous drainage. The venous anomalies described in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis are not static, and PCVD+FMD triggers a dynamic process that can lead to significant modifications of intracranial venous drainage. The traction exerted by the distracted bone flap onto the occipitoparietal dura mater adherent to the inner calvaria may account for the enlargement of the dural sinus throughout the distraction period. The impact of these modifications on venous pressure, intracranial pressure, CTH, and hydrocephalus remains to be determined.
High prevalence of gram-negative and multiorganism surgical site infections after pediatric complex tethered spinal cord surgery: a multicenter study
Authors: Alexiades Nikita G. , Shao Belinda , Ahn Edward S. , Blount Jeffrey P. , Brockmeyer Douglas L. , Hankinson Todd C. , Nesvick Cody L. , Sandberg David I. , Heuer Gregory G. , Saiman Lisa , Feldstein Neil A. , Anderson Richard C. E.
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

Complex tethered spinal cord (cTSC) release in children is often complicated by surgical site infection (SSI). Children undergoing this surgery share many similarities with patients undergoing correction for neuromuscular scoliosis, where high rates of gram-negative and polymicrobial infections have been reported. Similar organisms isolated from SSIs after cTSC release were recently demonstrated in a single-center pilot study. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if these findings are reproducible across a larger, multicenter study.

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective chart review including 7 centers was conducted to identify all cases of SSI following cTSC release during a 10-year study period from 2007 to 2017. Demographic information along with specific microbial culture data and antibiotic sensitivities for each cultured organism were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 44 SSIs were identified from a total of 655 cases, with 78 individual organisms isolated. There was an overall SSI rate of 6.7%, with 43% polymicrobial and 66% containing at least one gram-negative organism. Half of SSIs included an organism that was resistant to cefazolin, whereas only 32% of SSIs were completely susceptible to cefazolin.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, gram-negative and polymicrobial infections were responsible for the majority of SSIs following cTSC surgery, with approximately half resistant to cefazolin. Broader gram-negative antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered for this patient population.
Characterizing syringomyelia and its clinical significance in 140 patients with lipomyelomeningocele
Authors: Abraham Ananth P. , Vora Tarang K. , Selvi Bernice T. , Rajshekhar Vedantam
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to characterize syringomyelia in patients with lipomyelomeningocele (LMMC) and investigate the association between the presence of a syrinx and patient neurological deficits.

METHODS

Patients with LMMC who had been admitted between 2007 and 2020 were included in the study. Syringomyelia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was classified into three groups: true syrinx, early syrinx, and presyrinx. The correlation of clinical deficits (at birth, new onset, and progressive) and type of lipoma with the presence and type of syrinx was studied.

RESULTS

Among a total of 140 patients, the median age was 2.5 (IQR 1.3–9) years. Neurological deficits were present at birth in 75 (53.6%) patients, but 67 (47.9%) had new-onset deficits or progression of their birth deficits. The most common type of spinal lipoma was the transitional type (75.7%). Thirty-nine (27.9%) patients had a syrinx (37 with a true syrinx, 2 with an early syrinx), and 25 (17.9%) patients had a presyrinx. There was no significant correlation between the presence of a syrinx and patient neurological deficits. However, patients with a syrinx that was not adjacent to the lipoma (≥ 1 vertebral level away) had a higher incidence of deficits at birth (p = 0.045), whereas those with a syrinx spanning ≥ 5 vertebral levels had a higher incidence of progressive neurological deficits (p = 0.04). Six (75%) of 8 patients in whom serial MRI had shown syrinx progression had clinical worsening.

CONCLUSIONS

Syrinx location with respect to the spinal lipoma, syrinx length, and progressive syringomyelia may have clinical significance in patients with LMMC.
Operative treatment outcomes for adult cervical deformity: a prospective multicenter assessment with mean 3-year follow-up
Authors: Elias Elias , Bess Shay , Line Breton G. , Lafage Virginie , Lafage Renaud , Klineberg Eric , Kim Han Jo , Passias Peter , Nasser Zeina , Gum Jeffrey L. , Kebaish Khaled , Eastlack Robert , Daniels Alan H. , Mundis Gregory , Hostin Richard , Protopsaltis Themistocles S. , Soroceanu Alex , Hamilton D. Kojo , Kelly Michael P. , Gupta Munish , Hart Robert , Schwab Frank J. , Burton Douglas , Ames Christopher P. , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Smith Justin S. , _ _
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE

Adult cervical deformity (ACD) has high complication rates due to surgical complexity and patient frailty. Very few studies have focused on longer-term outcomes of operative ACD treatment. The objective of this study was to assess minimum 2-year outcomes and complications of ACD surgery.

METHODS

A multicenter, prospective observational study was performed at 13 centers across the United States to evaluate surgical outcomes for ACD. Demographics, complications, radiographic parameters, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs; Neck Disability Index, modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association, EuroQol-5D [EQ-5D], and numeric rating scale [NRS] for neck and back pain) were evaluated, and analyses focused on patients with ≥ 2-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 169 patients with ACD who were eligible for the study, 102 (60.4%) had a minimum 2-year follow-up (mean 3.4 years, range 2–8.1 years). The mean age at surgery was 62 years (SD 11 years). Surgical approaches included anterior-only (22.8%), posterior-only (39.6%), and combined (37.6%). PROMs significantly improved from baseline to last follow-up, including Neck Disability Index (from 47.3 to 33.0) and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (from 12.0 to 12.8; for patients with baseline score ≤ 14), neck pain NRS (from 6.8 to 3.8), back pain NRS (from 5.5 to 4.8), EQ-5D score (from 0.74 to 0.78), and EQ-5D visual analog scale score (from 59.5 to 66.6) (all p ≤ 0.04). More than half of the patients (n = 58, 56.9%) had at least one complication, with the most common complications including dysphagia, distal junctional kyphosis, instrumentation failure, and cardiopulmonary events. The patients who did not achieve 2-year follow-up (n = 67) were similar to study patients based on baseline demographics, comorbidities, and PROMs. Over the course of follow-up, 23 of the total 169 enrolled patients were reported to have died. Notably, these represent all-cause mortalities during the course of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter, prospective analysis demonstrates that operative treatment for ACD provides significant improvement of health-related quality of life at a mean 3.4-year follow-up, despite high complication rates and a high rate of all-cause mortality that is reflective of the overall frailty of this patient population. To the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the largest and most comprehensive prospective effort to date designed to assess the intermediate-term outcomes and complications of operative treatment for ACD.
Disease in 17th-century Novo-Hispanic religious discourses
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Pérez-Martínez Ramón
Published: July 2022

This article is the result of a brief study of the place that the concept of disease occupies in the Novo-Hispanic religious 17th-century discourse, based on three documents proposed to represent the survival of the three genera causarum of Antiquity: deliberative, panegyric and judicial, a collection of Jesuit talks, a Carmelite chronicle, and a treatise on the extirpation of idolatries. I argue that disease can function in these discourses as either punishment or as purification, facing two notions of healing that are somewhat opposite: one that trusted the arts of pre-scientific medicine, and the other that defended the quasi-magical power of healing religious – i.e., use of cédulas, prayers or sacraments. I also claim that the rhetorical use of disease was not only accessory in these discourses, but it was also a concept that made up one of the essential oratorical causes of Christianity: that which associated – sometimes conflictingly – bodily health with the salvation of the soul. Finally, I contend that the place of disease in these discourses is still limited to the moral conception of health, cultivated from medieval medical traditions, and embodying notions of malicious corporality and virtue as a quality not limited to the soul.
THE CULTURAL WORK OF OLGA BENCH: CONDUCTOR, MUSICOLOGIST, PROFESSOR, PUBLIC FIGURE
Authors: Bermes Iryna
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the article is to reveal the main stages of the life and work of the famous Ukrainian cultural figure, musicologist, conductor, teacher, diplomat Olga Bench. The research methodology includes biographical, systematic, interviewing methods, which made it possible to highlight the versatile activities of a person who is concerned about national culture, education, and the image of Ukraine in the world. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the fact that for the first time the life and work of Olga Bench is revealed in today’s realities. The materials of the study of professional, scientific, pedagogical, creative, administrative activities of O. Bench, which form a cultural aura of positive ideals important for the current situation in the Ukrainian society, have been introduced into scientific circulation. Conclusions. The determining factor in the formation of O. Bench’s personality was family upbringing and traditions based on deep national principles, musical environment, a number of talented teachers. A spiritually rich world and high national consciousness, active citizenship have become the foundation of personal development and creative realisation in the musical, educational, diplomatic, and administrative spheres. The life and work of Olga Bench is an example of serving the national culture, which is inextricably linked with educational and cultural processes in the modern Ukrainian area, the formation of a positive image of Ukraine in the world.
EDUCATION AS AN OBJECT OF CULTURAL ANALYSIS: THE FORMATION OF THE “BOLSHEVIK WORLD” IN THE KHERSON REGION
Authors: Dramaretsky Borys
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the article is to analyse the peculiarities of the formation of the “Bolshevik world” in the education and culture of the Kherson region. The current situation in Ukraine is somewhat similar to the beginning of the 1920s when the “Bolshevik world” was formed, and the population was instilled with a Soviet worldview. The scientific novelty consists of studying artificially created cultural and educational paradigms in Ukraine as a phenomenon of humanistic genocide by the Bolsheviks. The research methodology consists of applying the approaches of cultural studies, pedagogy and history, and analytical, structural and problem-chronological methods to find out the purpose of the Bolshevik educational policy in the formation of a new cultural space. Conclusions. It is proved that after the seizure of power in Ukraine, the Russian Bolshevik elite began to impose the “Bolshevik world”, spreading ideologically directed Russianlanguage literature as a means of fighting for the masses. The author noted that the Russian language was automatically transferred to the Ukrainian educational process, the main element of which was the propaganda of communist ideals. The school basis was labour and social education, collectivism, commune and herd thinking. The most critical in the political world was assigned to institutions of higher education, admission to which was carried out on a social basis. Culture should also serve to popularise and instil communist ideology. Art was defined as a form of social Marxist-Leninist ideology in the interests of the proletariat’s class struggle for communism. Almost all representatives of Soviet culture were tested entirely. Only works of art that corresponded to Bolshevik dogmas were allowed, and political and ideological attitudes measured their artistic value. The population had to read “ideologically correct” literature only, not have their own opinion and work. Consequently, a certain “genetic” selection was made when people of proletarian origin loyal to the Party were needed to govern the country. In the mass consciousness, socialist culture promoted absolute faith in leaders and Communist dogmas.
POSTFEMINIST FEMININITY IN POP CULTURE DISCOURSES OF THE 1990s AND 2000s
Authors: Kotliuk Galyna
Published: July 2022

The concept of postfeminism has become one of the central and most important concepts in feminist cultural studies continually raising a lot of debates and discussions. As an important social and cultural phenomenon, postfeminism has extensively invaded popcultural and media spaces at the turn of the last century, and by doing so has drastically (re)shaped the very concept of femininity in mass culture of the 1990s and early 2000s. The controversial nature of postfeminism has created a new concept of femininity, which was located outside of both patriarchal and feminist discourses. The purpose of this article is to analyse postfeminist femininity in various popular TV series and films of the time, locate their representations of femininity within the existing contemporary postfeminist discourse and trace its impacts on the modern understanding of womanhood. The research methodology consists of comparative analysis and synthesis methods, which have made it possible to identify the main features and key concepts of postfeminism as socio-cultural phenomenon. The historical and cultural approaches as well as the systemic method have allowed us to understand the influence of postfeminism on pop-culture as well as to trace its multifaceted relations to public media discourses. The elements of critical and content analyses, as well as the complex processes decomposition method, were used for the assessment of postfeminist theory as a concept-methodological basis for the further analysis of media products in their relation to postfeminist discourses. The scientific novelty lies in analysing the unique sensibilities typical for postfeminism and applying this theoretical knowledge to reinvent female images in pop culture discourses, thus offering a new approach to understanding femininity outside the patriarchal narratives as well as second- and third-wave feminism. Conclusions. The findings of the article provide a new perspective on popular and well-known products of the media industry of the 1990s and 2000s, re-read them within the scope of the postfeminist framework, and offer a new angle of interpretation of femininity at the turn of the last century.
THE ISSUE OF TECHNOLOGICAL DETERMINISM IN ARTISTIC PRACTICES: CULTURAL REFLECTIONS
Authors: Sovhyra Tetiana
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the article is to explore the importance of digital technology in the organisation of the creative process. The article analyses the methods of using digital technologies in cultural practices, highlights theoretical reflections on the meaning of technology in artistic creativity through the prism of the provisions of technological determinism. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach and a combination of several methods: analytical — to consider philosophical, sociological, cultural and art studies literature on the subject of research; theoretical and conceptual method — to analyse the conceptual and terminological system of research and identify the features of the introduction of digital technologies in cultural practices, as well as a comparative typological method — to compare the specifics of human activity and the functioning of mechanised equipment in the process of creating a work of art. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that for the first time the features of using digital technologies, in particular artificial intelligence, in the process of creating artwork are considered, the provisions of the concepts of “technological determinism” and “singularity” are analysed (using examples of creating works of art through the use of digital technologies). Conclusions. As a result of the automation of the creative process, a decrease in human activity is revealed, which actualises the issue of the uniqueness of artistic work. Potential threats related to the misuse of digital technologies, in particular artificial intelligence, and people’s excessive trust in automated mechanisms are identified.
Mapuche Az-Mapu and Nature's Contribution to People: Eudemonic Values for Living Well
Authors: Anbleyth-Evans Jeremy , ÑAnculef-Huaiquinao Juan , Coñuecar-Llancapani Yohana , Leiva Francisco Araos , Maulén Wladimir Riquelme , Raymond Christopher
Published: July 2022

In the context of understanding Nature's Contribution to People, this article explores the Mapuche value system and its contributions to living well by conserving nature. Through the context-specific approach, the findings shows that the Mapuche Az-Mapu is important for bio-cultural conservation in Chile. Deepening understanding of the distinct Mapuche value system shows the importance of rights and sovereignty for other coastal stateless nations who are enhancing bio-cultural conservation around the world. The article explores the importance of maintaining Mapuche values in the context of Indigenous Marine Areas in Chile and linking to land-based rights. This research makes use of semi structured interviews and intercultural dialogue among the authors, to understand how traditional Mapuche concepts under the framework of Az-Mapu, are continued today in local marine conservation and other ecosystems. In this context, we ask how well these eudemonic relational values resonate with Mapuche values of nature. This article shows that rights for the marine environment can be expanded to additionally allow indigenous communities safeguard wetlands, lakes and forests which are indivisible under Az-Mapu. Greater recognition of this different form of valuation can better account for the dynamic relations between individuals, cultures, and ecosystems, as well as showing the importance in allowing indigenous communities to take back control of conservation under their own terms.
COVID-19 Public Transportation Air Circulation and Virus Mitigation Study
Authors:   California State University, Fresno, Tawfik Aly , Law Deify ,   California State University, Fresno, Grasis Juris ,   University of California, Merced, Oldham Joseph ,   Mineta Transportation Institute, Salem Moe ,   Mineta Transportation Institute
Published: July 2022

COVID-19 may have forever changed our world. Given the limited space and air circulation, potential infections on public transportation could be concerningly high. Accordingly, this study has two objectives: (1) to understand air circulation patterns inside the cabins of buses; and (2) to test the impact of different technologies in mitigating viruses from the air and on surfaces inside bus cabins. For the first objective, different devices, metrics and experiments (including colored smoke; videotaping; anemometers; pressure differentials; particle counts; and 3D numerical simulation models) were utilized and implemented to understand and quantify air circulation inside different buses, with different characteristics, and under different operating conditions (e.g. with windows open and shut). For the second objective, three different live prokaryotic viruses were utilized: Phi6, MS2 and T7. Various technologies (including positive pressure environment inside the cabin, HEPA filters with different MERV ratings, concentrated UV exposure with charged carbon filters in the HVAC systems, center point photocatalytic oxidation technology, ionization, and surface antiviral agents) were tested to evaluate the potential of mitigating COVID-19 infections via air and surfaces in public transportation. The effectiveness of these technologies on the three live viruses was tested in both the lab and in buses in the field. The results of the first objective experiments indicated the efficiency of HVAC system designs, where the speed of air spread was consistently much faster than the speed of air clearing. Hence, indicating the need for additional virus mitigation from the cabin. Results of the second objective experiments indicated that photocatalytic oxidation inserts and UVC lights were the most efficient in mitigating viruses from the air. On the other hand, positive pressure mitigated all viruses from surfaces; however, copper foil tape and fabrics with a high percentage of copper mitigated only the Phi6 virus from surfaces. High-temperature heating was also found to be highly effective in mitigating the different viruses from the vehicle cabin. Finally, limited exploratory experiments to test possible toxic by-products of photocatalytic oxidation and UVC lights inside the bus cabin did not detect any increase in levels of formaldehyde, ozone, or volatile organic compounds. Implementation of these findings in transit buses, in addition to the use of personal protective equipment, could be significantly valuable for protection of passengers and drivers on public transportation modes, possibly against all forms of air-borne viruses.
Faculty Salary Structure for Publicly Funded Higher Education Institutions of the Russian Federation
Authors: Dolzhenkova Y. V. , Safonov A. L. , Chub A. A.
Published: July 2022

There are some serious issues with the recruitment and motivation of the faculty in the publicly-funded higher education of the Russian Federation. They are a significant reduction in the number of teaching staff, a substantial part of the old-age staff, an increase in the total workload and extracurricular work. The most important reason of the described problems is the issue of remuneration. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to suggest some directions for the development of the material remuneration systems for the employees in the publicly funded higher education. The methodological basis of the research are such methods as analysis and synthesis, as well as abstraction and a structurally systematic approach. As a result, it was determined that: 1) unreasonably low official salaries established by professional qualification groups do not provide the reproduction function of wages in full; 2) the differentiation of official salaries for the lecturers of the same qualification level and the position held, due to the size of the financing of budgetary institutions and the remuneration policy of the university, leads to a violation of the principle of “an equal pay for an equal work”; 3) the presence of a large number of incentive payments in the salary structure leads to the “opacity” of wages. The following recommendations are formulated: the salary structure considering the specifics of the publicly funded higher education is justified, methodological approaches to the structure of the official salaries, as well as the incentive and compensation payments are developed.
The World's Most Fuel Efficient Vehicle
Authors: Santin Jean-Jacques , Onder Christopher H. , Bernard Jérôme , Isler Dominik , Kobler Pius , Kolb Florian , Weidmann Nicolas , Guzzella Lino
Published: July 2022

The goal of the PAC-Car project, a joint undertaking of ETH Zurich and its partners, was to build a vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system that uses as little fuel as possible. PAC-Car II set a new world record in fuel efficient driving (the equivalent of 5,385 km per liter of gasoline) during the Shell Eco-marathon in Ladoux (France) on June 26, 2005. This book, addressed to graduate students, engineering professors and others interested in fuel economy contests, is the first to summarize the issues involved when designing and constructing a vehicle for fuel economy competitions. It describes the adventure of developing the PAC-Car II and others some specific technical advice for anyone who wants to design an ultra-lightweight land vehicle, whatever its energy source.
Diversität in der öffentlichen Verwaltung in Deutschland. Erklärungsfaktoren der Repräsentation von Frauen und Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund in Bundesbehörden / Diversity in Germany’s public administration. Determinants of the representation of women and people with migration background in federal agencies
Authors: Ette Andreas , Weinmann Martin
Published: July 2022

Die Repräsentation aller Bevölkerungsgruppen in politischen Entscheidungen ist ein Grundelement demokratisch verfasster Staaten. Konzentrierten sich Untersuchungen zur Repräsentation früher auf die legislativen Organe eines Gemeinwesens, hat zwischenzeitlich die soziodemografische Zusammensetzung des Personals öffentlicher Verwaltungen mit ihren Konsequenzen für Legitimation und Effektivität staatlichen Handelns an Relevanz gewonnen. Im Unterschied zum internationalen Forschungsstand existieren zur Repräsentation benachteiligter Bevölkerungsgruppen in der öffentlichen Verwaltung in Deutschland kaum empirische Befunde. Der Beitrag nutzt institutionelle und organisationale Theorien für erste Erklärungen der horizontalen und vertikalen Repräsentation von Frauen und Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund in Bundesbehörden. Während aus organisationaler Sicht eine erhöhte Personalfluktuation in einem positiven Zusammenhang mit der Repräsentation von Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund steht, profitiert die Gleichstellung der Geschlechter insbesondere von den institutionellen Rahmenbedingungen und darauf basierenden gleichstellungspolitischen Maßnahmen sowie dem persönlichen Engagement der Behördenleitungen. In den kommenden Jahren führt die Altersstruktur der öffentlichen Verwaltung zu einem weitreichenden Personalumbau, der auf Grundlage dieser Befunde hinsichtlich seiner Konsequenzen für die Diversität des Personals untersucht werden sollte.