bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of early estradiol valerate administration on bone turnover markers in surgically induced menopausal women
Authors: Vatrasresth Jarika , Suwan Ammarin , Panyakhamlerd Krasean
Published: October 2021

Background

Compared with a natural process, surgically induced menopausal women have a higher bone loss rate. This study aims to evaluate early treatment with estradiol valerate on bone turnover markers after surgically induced menopause.

Methods

This prospective study included 41 pre and perimenopausal women who underwent hysterectomy with oophorectomy for benign gynecologic conditions. Two weeks after the operation, all participants were assessed for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) indications. Estrogen therapy was prescribed for those who had indications and accepted treatment (hormone treatment group). The others who had no MHT indication were allocated to the no-treatment group. Serum CTX and P1NP levels at preoperative and 12 weeks postoperative were measured and set as the primary outcome. Within the same group, serum CTX and P1NP before and after surgical menopause were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. ANCOVA was used to compare serum CTX and P1NP at 12 weeks after surgical menopause between the two groups. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis analyzed the correlation between age and baseline bone turnover markers. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

At 12 weeks after surgery, there were no significant differences in serum CTX and P1NP levels in the hormone treatment group compared to baseline. In contrast, serum CTX and P1NP levels were significantly elevated among women who did not receive hormone treatment (p-value < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Serum CTX and P1NP at 12 weeks were significantly different between the two groups (p-value < 0.001 and 0.004, respectively).

Conclusion

Early estrogen administration with oral estradiol valerate could significantly suppress the high bone remodeling in surgically induced menopausal women.

Trial registration Thai Clinical Trial Registry identification number TCTR20190808004, retrospective registered since 2019-08-08. http://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20190808004.
An observation of the peer-assisted learning (PAL) method in the clinical teaching of vertigo/dizziness-related diseases for standardized residency training (SRT) students in China: a randomized, controlled, multicenter study
Authors: Xu Rui , Duan Chunmei , He Qian , Meng Zhaoyou , Wang Gong , Liu Shu , Guo Meng , Chen Xiaoyan , Wang Yue , Duan Wei , Zhang Qin , Yang Qingwu , Liang Xiaojun , Bai Yang
Published: October 2021

Background

Vertigo and dizziness (VD) are among the most frequently seen symptoms in clinics and are important for medical students, especially for those in Chinese standardized residency training (SRT). The aim of our study was to examine the PAL method’s feasibility in the clinical teaching of VD-related diseases for SRT students in China.

Methods

This is a randomized, controlled, multicenter study. A total of 228 residents were invited to participate in this study, of which 198 completed the program. The students were randomized into two groups, and VD-related diseases were taught using lecture-based learning (control group) or peer-assisted learning (PAL). An examination paper and a rating scale were used to evaluate students’ performance in the mastery of VD-related theoretical knowledge and clinical skills, meanwhile students’ perceptions, satisfaction, and risk of burnout were also analyzed using a questionnaire. Independent-samples t-test and chi-square analysis were performed to evaluate statistical significance for continuous variables and categorical variables, respectively, using SPSS 18.0 software.

Results

The PAL group performed better in mastering theoretical knowledge and clinical skills than the control group. And more students believed that PAL could help improve their personal qualities such as teamwork skills. However, more students reported that PAL increased the risk of burnout.

Conclusions

PAL was a suitable and effective method in the clinical teaching of some specialized diseases, especially it was recommended for students who had gained initial knowledge and skills, such as Chinese SRT students. However, we should draw attention to the increased risk of burnout if PAL is intended to be widely used in clinical teaching.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN53773239, 05/07/2021, retrospectively registered.
Assessment of the appropriateness of the i-CONSENT guidelines recommendations for improving understanding of the informed consent process in clinical studies
Authors: Fons-Martinez Jaime , Ferrer-Albero Cristina , Diez-Domingo Javier
Published: October 2021

Background

The H2020 i-CONSENT project has developed a set of guidelines that offer ethical recommendations and practical tools aimed at making the informed consent process in clinical studies more comprehensive, tailored, and inclusive. An analysis of the appropriateness of some of its novel recommendations was carried out by a group of experts representing different stakeholders.

Methods

An adaptation of the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to assess the level of agreement on the recommendations among 14 representatives of different stakeholders, including patients, regulators, investigators, ethics experts, and the pharmaceutical industry. The process included two rounds of rating and a virtual meeting.

Results

Fifty-three recommendations were evaluated. After the first round, 34 recommendations were judged “appropriate”; 19 were judged “uncertain”; and none was judged “inappropriate”. After the second round, 9 “uncertains” changed to “appropriate”. All recommendations rated medians of 6.5–9 on a 1–9 scale (1 = “extremely inappropriate”, 5 = “uncertain”, 9 = “extremely appropriate”). The sections “General recommendations” and “Gender perspective during the consent process for clinical studies” showed the highest “uncertainty” rating. The four keys to improving the understanding of the ICP in clinical studies are to: (1) consider consent a two-way continuous interaction that begins at the first contact with the potential participant and continues until the end of the study; (2) improve investigators’ communication skills; (3) co-create the information; and (4) use a layered approach, including information to compensate for the potential participant’s possible lack of health literacy and a glossary of terms.

Conclusions

The RAND/UCLA method has demonstrated validity for assessing the appropriateness of recommendations in ethical guidelines. The recommendations of the i-CONSENT guidelines were mostly judged “appropriate” by all stakeholders involved in the informed consent process.
Factors influencing procurement behaviour and decision-making: an exploratory qualitative study in a UK healthcare provider
Authors: Boulding Harriet , Hinrichs-Krapels Saba
Published: October 2021

Background

In 2016 the UK Department of Health and Social Care published the results of a comprehensive review of efficiency in hospitals, identifying “unwarranted variation” in procurement (or purchasing) practices for materials, supplies and devices. Addressing this variation in materials and supplies procurement practice has been identified as particularly important for creating efficiencies in health service delivery. However, little is known about the behaviour and experiences of front-line individuals who make these procurement decisions, which has implications for the development of strategies to improve efficiency. The objective of this study is to improve understanding of the factors influencing procurement behaviour and decisions among requisitioners who use an internal electronic procurement portal for medical supplies and equipment, and identify areas where efficiency could be improved.

Methods

Qualitative semi-structured individual interview study, following approximately 70 h of exploratory observations on site. The study context was a large London National Health Service (NHS) healthcare provider (the Trust), where we focussed primarily on purchases managed by a large hospital. Participants were drawn from requisitioners from multiple directorates across the Trust (n = 15; of these n = 2 clinical staff members, n = 13 non-clinical).

Results

Four factors stood out in our analysis as directly affecting procurement decisions: (1) a high level of variation in electronic purchasing and inventory management procedures throughout the Trust, (ii) an inaccurate and cumbersome search facility on the internal electronic procurement platform, exacerbated by poor IT skills training and support (iii) an inefficient purchase approvals system and (iv) multiple working sites and cluttered environments. We observed that these factors led requisitioners to employ a variety of strategies or so-called ‘workarounds’ to overcome the challenges they encountered, including stockpiling, relying on internal and supplier relationships, by-passing procedures to save time, purchasing outside existing agreements to save cost, and (re) delegating purchasing responsibilities among requisitioner staff - which both addressed and created difficulties.

Conclusions

Working with the assumption that staff ‘workarounds’ indicate where main issues lie, we offer four possible explanations to why they occur: (a) to maintain services and prepare for future care requirements, (b) to save on costs for the organisation, (c) to develop skills and development in purchasing and (d) to break silos and work collaboratively. These four explanations help provide initial starting points for improving efficiencies in health supplies’ procurement processes.
Saliency area detection algorithm of electronic information and image processing based on multi-sensor data fusion
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Ye Kai
Published: October 2021

Researched in the 1980s, multi-sensor data convergence has become a hot issue. Not only does it differ from general signal processing, or single to multiple sensor surveillance and measurement, on the other hand, it is a higher level of integrated decision-making processes based on multiple sensor measurement outcomes, this paper is based on the study of the saliency area detection algorithm of electronic information and image processing based on multi-sensor data fusion, based on the improved FT algorithm and LC algorithm using multi-sensor data fusion technology, a new LVA algorithm is proposed, and these three algorithms are evaluated in an all-round way through various algorithm evaluation indicators such as PR curve, PRF histogram, MAE index, and recognition image rate. The research results show that the LVA algorithm proposed in this paper improves the detection rate of saliency maps by 5–10%.
‘Adults with Parkinson's disease and hallucinations or delusions can have treatment with clozapine if they need to’
Authors: Joyce Eileen
Published: October 2021

Clozapine is the only antipsychotic licensed for treatment of Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) but is infrequently used in the National Health Service because of obstacles to the integration of hospital-based neurological/geriatric services with clozapine clinics run by community mental health teams. This commentary points out the mismatch between NICE quality standards on antipsychotic treatment for PDP and current clinical practice. It suggests that forthcoming integrated care systems should be able to overcome these obstacles, enabling innovative models for providing clozapine treatment for PDP such as those described by Taylor et al, so that clozapine treatment becomes a right for patients and their families.
Budget Impact Analysis of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling in Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Harvey Michael J. , Cunningham Rachel , Sawchyn Bethany , Montesion Meagan , Reddy Prasanth , McBride Ali , Chawla Anita J.
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

This study assessed the economic impact of increased use of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) versus conventional testing strategies among patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) from a US commercial health plan perspective.

METHODS

A decision analytic model was developed to estimate the incremental benefits and costs across testing methodologies (CGP v non-CGP), as well as across sample types (tissue-based and liquid-based), for patients with newly diagnosed aNSCLC. Model outcomes included total direct costs, testing costs, and per member per month budget impact. Secondary model outcomes included the number of patients needed to test with CGP to add 1 life-year, and the number of patients needed to test with CGP to treat one individual with a biomarker-matched therapy.

RESULTS

In a hypothetical 2,000,000-member health plan, 790 members were estimated to have incident aNSCLC; 609 underwent molecular diagnostic testing with 122 (20%) tested with CGP (109 tissue-based and 13 liquid) in the base-case. An increase in CGP from 20% to 30% (an additional 61 patients tested with CGP) was associated with 3.11 additional life-years gained and a $0.01 in US dollars per member per month budget impact. Approximately 19.6 patients would need to be tested with CGP versus non-CGP to add one life-year and 5.9 patients would need to be tested with CGP to treat at least one patient with a biomarker-matched therapy.

CONCLUSION

An increase in CGP from 20% to 30% among patients with aNSCLC undergoing molecular diagnostic testing was associated with modest budget impact, most of which was attributable to prolonged survival associated with increased use of more effective treatments.
Tumor Growth Rate After Nadir Is Associated With Survival in Patients With EGFR-Mutant Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor
Authors: Nishino Mizuki , Lu Junwei , Hino Takuya , Vokes Natalie I. , Jänne Pasi A. , Hatabu Hiroto , Johnson Bruce E.
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between tumor volume growth rate after the nadir and survival in patients with EGFR-mutant advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with erlotinib.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-one patients with EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC treated with erlotinib were studied for computed tomography tumor volume kinetics during therapy. The tumor growth rate after nadir was obtained using a previously published analytic module for longitudinal volume tracking to study its relationship with overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The median tumor volume for the cohort was 19,842 mm3 at baseline and 4,083 mm3 at nadir. The median time to nadir was 6.2 months. The tumor growth rate after nadir for logeV (the natural logarithm of tumor volume measured in mm3) was 0.11/mo on average for the cohort (SE: 0.014), which was very similar to the previously validated reference value of 0.12/mo to define slow and fast tumor growth. The OS of 48 patients with slow tumor growth (≤ 0.12/mo) was significantly longer compared with 23 patients with fast tumor growth (> 0.12/mo; median OS: 37.8 v 25.0 months; P = .0012). In Cox models, tumor growth rate was also associated with survival (regression coefficient: 3.9903; P = .0024; faster rate leads to increased hazards), after adjusting for time to nadir (regression coefficient: –0.0863; P = .0008; longer time to nadir leads to decreased hazards) and smoking history.

CONCLUSION

In patients with EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC treated with erlotinib, slower tumor growth rates after nadir were associated with longer OS, providing a rationale for using tumor growth rates to guide precision therapy for lung cancer.
Η Εκπαίδευση Χαρισματικών Ατόμων στην Ιαπωνία
Authors: ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΙΔΗΣ ΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ , Παρούση Αικατερίνη Σοφία , ΦΡΑΓΚΟΥΛΗ ΜΑΡΙΑ-ΕΙΡΗΝΗ , Παπαδάτος Γιάννης
Published: October 2021

Ένα άτομο χαρακτηρίζεται ως χαρισματικό εάν  επιδεικνύει εξαιρετικές ικανότητες σε έναν ή περισσότερους τομείς της βιοψυχοκοινωνικής του συγκρότησης. Κάποιες από αυτές τις ικανότητες είναι πολύ γενικές και μπορεί να καλύπτουν ένα μεγάλο φάσμα της ζωής του ατόμου, όπως η ικανότητα της δημιουργικής σκέψης, η ικανότητα της κριτικής αλλά και της αφαιρετικής σκέψης, η φαντασία, οι αρχηγικές ικανότητες και η συνεχής στοχοθεσία. Κάποιες φορές υπάρχουν συγκεκριμένα προτερήματα και ταλέντα τα οποία εμφανίζονται σε συγκεκριμένες περιπτώσεις, όπως είναι η ιδιαίτερη ικανότητα στα μαθηματικά, στην επιστήμη ή στις τέχνες.             Η Ιαπωνία δεν διέθετε ιδιαίτερα σχολεία για τα χαρισματικά παιδιά. Ωστόσο, το 2005, το υπουργικό συμβούλιο της Ιαπωνίας ενέκρινε και καθιέρωσε το τρίτο βασικό σχέδιο επιστήμης και τεχνολογίας (2006-10), το οποίο περιλαμβάνει «την καλλιέργεια της ατομικότητας και της ικανότητας των χαρισματικών παιδιών (sainou)». Εισήγαγαν τέσσερα Προγράμματα για την Εκπαίδευση των χαρισματικών μαθητών, εκτός σχολικού πλαισίου καθώς πιστεύουν πως η χαρισματικότητα μπορεί να διδαχθεί. Η παρούσα μελέτη περιγράφει τις τάσεις στην εκπαιδευτική πολιτική της Ιαπωνίας αναφορικά με την Εκπαίδευση των χαρισματικών μαθητών.
Leda Papastefanaki, Η φλέβα της γης: Τα μεταλλεία της Ελλάδας, 19ος–20ός αιώνας [The vein of the earth: The mines of Greece, 19th–20th centuries]
Authors: Karampatsos Christos
Published: October 2021

Review of Leda Papastefanaki. Η φλέβα της γης: Τα μεταλλεία της Ελλάδας, 19ος–20ός αιώνας [The vein of the earth: The mines of Greece, 19th–20th centuries]. Athens: Vivliorama, 2017. 392 pp.
A look into the future: System-dynamic modeling of the political transformation of regional elites (Russia, 2021–2035)
Authors: Zhukov D. , Sel'cer Dmitriy
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine the ways in which the Russian regional administrative and political elites can change in 2021–2035. The authors attempted not only to find the most positive variants, but also to assess their probability and to describe the conditions for their implementation. There are seven predictive scenarios for the development of regional elites, which were constructed as a result of computer experiments with a system-dynamic model. The developed model is implemented in Powersim Studio 10. The model encompasses the main mechanisms and channels for recruiting elites as well as actors that have influenced the elite substitution system. The study is a follow-up to the work that was published in the Journal of Political Research and devoted to realistic and counterfeit scenarios of elite transformation in 1985–2019. The geographic framework within which the model can be applied spans — with some caveats — the European part of Russia. Modeling showed that some predictive scenarios are negative and even catastrophic for the progress of regional elites and for relations «federal center — regions». Moreover, such scenarios can be initiated not only by some unlikely events like the «Russian Maidan» (Ukrainization scenario), but also by erroneous actions of the federal government (Regency scenario). It has been revealed that the introduction of unified principles of monitoring and analysis, as well as centralized personnel management (Technocracy scenario) in the regions can solve all three key problems of elite evolution — namely, maintaining elite loyalty, achieving their acceptable quality, and gaining legitimacy.
Creating Workflow for Mediated Archiving in CoRSAL
Authors: Dale Merrion
Published: October 2021

Language archiving involves the collection and curation of a variety of language materials. As an emerging language archive, CoRSAL caters to a range of different language depositors with different research needs. As such, we have developed a workflow process that can accommodate this diversity.
Linguistic Repositories as Asset: Challenge for Sociolinguistic Approach in Brazil
Authors: Freitag Raquel
Published: October 2021

This paper provides remarks for a management plan for Brazilian linguistic documentation repositories in order to contribute to their conservation. The depreciation, authorship, sharing, and financing problems are discussed, pointing solutions.
Linguistic Analysis, Ethical Practice, and Quality Assurance in Anonymizing Recordings of Spoken Language for Deposit in Digital Archives
Authors: Ovalle Lopez Diana Sofia , Vann Robert
Published: October 2021

This report considers linguistic analyses as matters of ethical practice and quality assurance in the anonymization of recordings of spoken language for deposit in a digital language archive. Ethically, researchers must be committed to protecting the identities of primary data providers. Accordingly, conducting pragmatic analyses before initiating technical anonymization procedures can aid in determining exactly what discourse, in what contexts, might constitute identifying information in need of anonymization. Qualitatively, one of the main goals of language documentation is to preserve as much primary data as possible for future research. Accordingly, conducting phonotactic analyses with the help of computer software can aid in determining precise chronometer readings for each tonal insertion to excise as little primary data as possible during anonymizations. These findings warrant further research on anonymization protocols in digital language archive projects.
Track to the Past: Tracking Workflows, Versions, and Citations of Legacy Language Data
Authors: Weber Tobias
Published: October 2021

This paper discusses three issues encountered with legacy language data in archives: First, the provenance of an artefact containing the data may be unclear, as well as all procedures that shaped its form(at) or contents. Second, legacy language data are often orphan data with opaque links to other versions, or texts providing more information on them and their contents. Third, these data predate methods of data citation, thus requiring retroactive ways of citation tracking. With a few adjustments to their infrastructures, digital archives can be used as a platform to track workflows, versioning, and citations of legacy language data.
Características y capacidad de respuesta lingüística del habla afectiva de los educadores de párvulos al interior de la sala de clases.
Authors: Leria Dulcic Francisco José , Sasso Orellana Patricia Ester , Acosta Peña Roxana Nora
Published: October 2021

Increasing attention is being given to early childhood educators’ verbal abilities due to its well-recognized role in teaching and learning by means of a plurality of meanings that are transmitted through them to children. Nevertheless, moderate interest has been devoted to the study of these abilities when addressing the affective domain in early childhood educators’ interactions with children. Therefore, this study identifies qualitative nodes of characteristic uses, meanings, and phrasings produced by these professionals and associated to the affective domain, to then access the degree of expertise in such communicational interactions with preschool children. Through a mixed cross-sectional design, twenty early childhood educators provided a large number of continuous audio-recordings while working in regular educational environments, to identify sentences that, by their phrasings, recall an affective connotation. The findings suggest 8 differential nodes of affective connotations: Positive emotions v/s Negative emotions; Teaching v/s Learning processes; Expression, distinguish, sharing and/or inhibition of emotions; Emotions before, during, and after behavior; Calls for attention, warnings, reprehension and praise; Touching and the body; Increasing, decreasing and normalizing language; and, educators’ own emotions. The degree of linguistic expertise was identified by experts and a blind sequential procedure, showing early childhood educators’ affective-speech is mostly limited to noticing children’s emotional experiences. The scope of these findings is briefly discussed taking into consideration future studies as well as its contributions to early childhood educators’ formative processes
A EXALTAÇÃO FEMININA NA OBRA DE ALBERTINA BERTHA
Authors: Lima Bruno
Published: October 2021

O presente artigo resgata Exaltação, romance de estreia de Albertina Bertha, publicado em 1916 com boa recepção da crítica e que, posteriormente, caiu no ostracismo. Ao analisar o romance, pretendemos lançar luz sobre a obra de modo a repercutir positivamente a literatura de autoria feminina, normalmente à margem do cânone, e levantar algumas questões pertinentes não apenas ao romance, mas à sociedade patriarcal na virada do século XIX para o XX. A protagonista Ladice é exemplar da luta feminista pela igualdade de gênero e icônica da introspecção feminina. Para um maior aprofundamento analítico, trabalhamos com o pensamento de Nietzsche, filósofo muito apreciado pela autora e bastante citado no romance. Os conceitos de apolíneo e dionisíaco servem como alicerce para o entendimento da personagem, cuja introspecção é flagrante. Também utilizamos textos críticos sobre o feminino de modo a dar mais subsídios para a compreensão do tema central no romance de Albertina Bertha.
O PAPEL SOCIAL FEMININO NO CONTO “PRAÇA MAUÁ”, DE CLARICE LISPECTOR: AFINAL, O QUE É SER “MULHER DE VERDADE”?
Authors: Brandileone Ana Paula Franco NObile , Alves Lorena Salviano
Published: October 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar o papel social feminino figurado pela protagonista Luísa/Carla no conto “Praça Mauá”, de Clarice Lispector. Busca-se, ainda, situar a escritora no contexto da literatura de autoria feminina. A narrativa, produzida na década de 1970, insere-se na subestimada coletânea de contos da autora, A via crucis do corpo, que traz à tona, durante o período ditatorial brasileiro, temas relacionados à sensualidade e à sexualidade femininas, ao estupro, à prostituição, entre outros; este último, presente no referido conto. Dada a problemática que atravessa a narrativa e que está relacionada à concepção de mulher versus gênero feminino, foi possível constatar com a presente análise, que se deu sob à luz de estudos de Branco (1991), Schmidt (1995), Xavier (1996; 1999), Duarte (2003), Dalcastagnè (2005), Piscitelli (2009), Bourdieu (2012), entre outros, que o fato de Luísa/Carla não ser considerada ‘mulher de verdade’, não está alicerçado o aspecto biológico, mas ao gênero feminino, que inclui papéis e comportamentos que são construídos socialmente e esperados pela sociedade patriarcal.
A ESCRITA DA AUSÊNCIA EM A CHAVE DE CASA: PERFORMATIVIDADE DA VOZ NARRATIVA
Authors: Sales Paulo Alberto da Silva
Published: October 2021

Desenvolve-se uma leitura do romance A chave de casa (2007), de Tatiana Salem Levy, no intuito de evidenciar como a voz autodiegética – ao adotar tanto a focalização interna fixa quanto a variável e a múltipla – articula ausências de escrita, seja no nível estrutural (por meio da fragmentação, digressão, metaficção) e/ou no entrelaçamento dos eixos narrativos que compõem o enredo. Por se tratar de uma autoficção, a diegese de Levy difere-se de uma autobiografia e de um romance autobiográfico por apresentar uma escrita performática e ambígua que coloca em xeque os limites de representação do eu ao forjar elementos autobiográficos. Além disso, a narradora-protagonista se apresenta de forma desterritorializada, multi-identitária e fortemente vinculada aos aspectos “estritamente reais” de Tatiana Salem Levy. Tais biografemas são arquitetados por uma linguagem especular que pulsa no desejo de revelar a verdade textual. Para tanto, nos valemos dos estudos de Barthes (1999; 2004; 2010), Blanchot (1987; 1997; 2013), Deleuze (2010a; 2010b; 2011), Doubrovsky (1977), Faedrich (2014; 2016), Figueiredo (2013), Foucault (2006; 2010), Gasparini (2008; 2016), Hall (2006), Hutcheon (1984), Klinger (2008; 2012), Lejeune (2014), dentre outros. Dando cabo à leitura, constatamos que as diferentes formas fragmentárias presentes nos eixos do romance convergem entre si no propósito de construir, como quer a instância narrativa, a (ir)realidade fictícia.
MEMÓRIAS ESGARÇADAS, ESPAÇOS VAZIOS, SUJEITOS DIASPÓRICOS: REFLEXÕES SOBRE PONCIÁ VICÊNCIO, DE CONCEIÇÃO EVARISTO
Authors: Batista Angélica Maria Santana
Published: October 2021

RESUMO: Conceição Evaristo é uma escritora negro-brasileira que se destaca por ter uma escrita perpassada pela confrontação de categorias como cor, etnia, gênero e identidade. Na e pela articulação dessas categorias, representações ficcionais de um mundo possível diaspórico adquirem contornos e geram um campo interdiscursivo em que personagens negras subalternas inserem-se em espaços e vivências diferenciados. Ponciá Vicêncio (2003) é uma narrativa que retoma o passado da personagem-título em confrontação com um presente desesperançoso. Esse processo de ressignificação está em paralelo com os diferentes espaços em que ela vive. A partir da análise dos processos compositivos da personagem, é possível refletir a invisibilidade desta está ligada à formação simbólica, social e psicológica da comunidade negra no Brasil.
O gótico de Mme chrysanthème: crimes e mentes perturbadas em A mulher dos olhos de gelo (1935)
Authors: Dos Santos Ana Paula Araujo , Alves Lais
Published: October 2021

Este artigo pretende contribuir para os estudos voltados à escritora carioca Cecília Bandeira de Melo Rebelo de Vasconcelos (1870-1948), que escrevia sob o pseudônimo Mme Chrysanthème ou apenas Chrysanthème. Propomos uma leitura de sua novela A mulher dos olhos de gelo (1935) sob a perspectiva do Gótico literário. Nosso objetivo é analisar como Chrysanthème utiliza o Gótico para 1) narrar uma trama centrada em um crime; e 2) criar perfis de personagens mentalmente perturbados, afetados pela religião e por transgressões cometidas no passado. Ao adotarmos essa perspectiva, buscamos, também, ressaltar a importância da obra dessa escritora para a literatura feminina brasileira novecentista.
The changing face of healthcare: a patient’s experience
Authors: Greenaway Beth
Published: October 2021

As technology becomes an increasingly central aspect of modern-day life, Beth Greenaway reflects on its role throughout her patient journey, what it contributes and what it threatens to take away
Examining the impact of video-based outpatient education on patient demand for a rheumatology CNS service
Authors: Murphy Louise , Moore Stephen , Swan Joan , Hehir Davida , Ryan John
Published: October 2021

Background:

Patient demand for education and access to the clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) during the rheumatology clinic at one hospital in Ireland was increasing. Alternative methods of providing patient education had to be examined.

Aims:

To explore the efficacy of video-based outpatient education, and its impact on demand for the CNSs.

Methods:

A video was produced to play in a rheumatology outpatient department. A representative sample of 240 patients (120 non-exposed and 120 exposed to the video) attending the clinic was selected to complete a questionnaire exploring the effect of the video. Data were analysed using chi-square tests with Yates' continuity correction.

Findings:

Demand for the CNSs was six times higher in the non-exposed group compared with the exposed group (non-exposed: 25%, exposed: 4.8%) (χ2=15.7, P=0.00007), representing a significant decrease in resource demand.

Conclusion:

High-quality educational videos on view in the rheumatology outpatient department provide patients with information sufficient to meet their educational needs, thus releasing CNS resources.
Diversity and abundance of terrestrial Gastropods on the slopes of Mount Arjuna-Welirang, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Nurhayati Putri Afin , AFFANDI MOCH , NURINSIYAH AYU SAVITRI
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Nurhayati PA, Affandi M, Nurinsiyah AS. 2021. Diversity and abundance of terrestrial Gastropods on the slopes of Mount Arjuna-Welirang, East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4193-4202. Before this study, the latest list of land snail species from Mt. Arjuna-Welirang was published in 1952. The current study aims to update the list of terrestrial Gastropods in the area, focusing on Sumber Brantas Arboretum and Raden Soerjo Forest Park Conservation Area (Tahura), East Java, Indonesia. Live snails and dead shells were collected from 24 10 × 10 m2 sampling plots to determine species richness, composition, and abundance. Sampling was carried out by combining visual observation (direct collection) and sorting-sieving soil-leaf litter samples. Total 646 specimens belonging to eight families and 13 species were collected, all new records to the area. Thus, the number of species known from Mt. Arjuna-Welirang was increased to 16 species from nine families. The diversity index of the Mt. Arjuna-Welirang slope was 1.1, and the dominance index was 0.54. The Tahura had a higher diversity index than the Arboretum, at 2.0 and 0.38, respectively, but the dominance index for Tahura was lower (0.18 and 0.85, respectively). This was due to the dominance of Bradybaena similaris, an invasive species in the latter area. Less canopy cover and more human activity in the Arboretum are factors that might cause this discrepancy. Many land snail species are sensitive to desiccation and habitat disturbance. Therefore, minimizing habitat changes and human activities is necessary to maintain or increase native land snail species diversity.
Reef fish community structure in the islands of Paraja Bay, Pandeglang District, Banten, Indonesia
Authors: MUJIYANTO MUJIYANTO , SUGIANTI YAYUK , AFANDY YUSUF ARIEF , RAHAYU RISNAWATI , BUDIKUSUMA R. ARIEF , NASTITI ADRIANI SRI , SYAM AMRAN RONNY , PURNANINGTYAS SRI ENDAH
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Mujiyanto, Sugianti Y, Afandy YA, Rahayu R, Bidikusuma RA, Nasriri AS, Syam AR, Purnaningtyas SE. 2021. Reef fish community structure in the islands of Paraja Bay, Pandeglang District, Banten, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4402-4413. Paraja Bay waters have five small islands that coexist with Ujung Kulon National Marine Park and act as a buffer zone for the diversity of fishery resources. This study aimed to assess the reef fishes community structure at small islands in Paraja Bay. Observations were made in 20 locations during August and September 2019 in the five small islands. Reef fishes community structure showed 106 species as included major group (54 species), indicator group (24 species) and target group (28 species), among five small islands, i.e. Badul, Mangir, Oar, Sumur and Umang Islands. The highest reef fishes abundance was founded in Umang Island waters. Several target fish species recorded during the study were mature fish (such as those targeted by fishermen). Only a small proportion were juveniles. Reef fish community structure was categorized as stress community to stable community with its indication was low diversity value, high evenness index, and low dominance. The low diversity index value illustrates that the level of uniformity of reef fish species in Paraja Bay waters is high. This condition is evidenced by each coral fish group's evenness index included in the main species group around 0.93 to 0.98. The target species is 0.88 to 0.99.
Flora and fauna diversity in Selangkau forest: A basis for developing management plan of cement industrial complex in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Aminatun Tien , SUWASONO RAHARJO ARI , PUTRI RIZKA APRIANI
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Aminatun T, Suwasono RA, Putri RA. 2021. Flora and fauna diversity in Selangkau forest: A basis for developing management plan of cement industrial complex in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4555-4565. The management of natural resources for economic development often clashes with environmental protection. That is the case in East Kutai District, East Kalimantan, Indonesia which is faced with competing interests between the development of the cement industry and biodiversity conservation. This study is aimed to identify the diversity of flora and fauna in a forest ecosystem to be developed as a cement industrial complex in the Selangkau Village, Kaliorang Sub-district, East Kutai District, and to provide recommendations for environmental management plans as part of the conservation efforts. A vegetation survey using purposive sampling was performed at four vegetation stages: seedlings, saplings, poles and trees. Analysis was done to examine the diversity, dominance, evenness, richness and importance value indices.  The fauna study was conducted by the exploration method to collect data on mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. The vegetation study recorded 29 species including Buchanania arborescens Blume which had the highest importance value in all growth stages.  One species of tree (Shorea glauca) found in this area is also classified as endangered species with high conservation importance. The fauna study found 42 species of birds, 7 of which are protected, 14 species of mammals, 5 of which are protected and 11 species of amphibians and reptiles. Efforts to save the protected species are necessary in response to the new cement factory construction plan in the study area, for example by reclamation and revegetation using the native plants recorded in this study and by transferring animal species into a new habitat that resembles the initial one.
Enhances production of coffee (Coffea robusta): The role of pollinator, forages potency, and honey production from Tetragonula sp. (Meliponinae) in Central Lombok, Indonesia
Authors: Supeno Bambang , Erwan Erwan , Agussalim Agussalim
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Supeno B, Erwan, Agussalim. 2021. Enhances production of coffee (Coffea robusta): The role of pollinator, forages potency, and honey production from Tetragonula sp. (Meliponinae) in Central Lombok, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4687-4693. The bees role as an agent of pollinators to improve the productivity of plants. This study was purposed to enhance coffee production (Coffea robusta) by roles of stingless bee Tetragonula sp. as pollinator agent, forages potency, and honey production. This study has been conducted in a coffee plantation in Lantan, Central Lombok, Indonesia. Several parameters were measured such as the number of bunches and flowers, production of nectar and pollen, sucrose nectar content, production of coffee, production of honey, honey stomach volume, and pollen weight. The results showed that the different observation time influenced the number of bunches, flowers, production of nectar and pollen, sucrose nectar content (P<0.01). The number of bunches ranged from 58.2 to 144.9 bunches/tree, the number of flowers 36.3 to 58.7 flowers/bunches, and 2,362.5 to 8.250.6 flowers/tree. Furthermore, the nectar production 9.16 to 33.85 g/tree, pollen production 1.72 to 5.95 g/tree, sucrose nectar content 20.6 to 35.0%. Estimation of coffee production before pollinated by Tetragonula sp. was 1,230.8 kg/ha, but after pollination by Tetragonula was increased it became 3,605.7 kg/ha (49.1%). Fruit production before pollinated by Tetragonula sp. was 2,127.2 fruit/tree, but after pollination by Tetragonula sp. increased to 8,309.2 fruit/tree (59.2%). Production of honey from Tetragonula sp. was 3.74 g/hive/5 months and in Apis cerana was 301.35 g/hive/5 months. It can be concluded that the Tetragonula sp. as an agent of pollinators can enhance the production of coffee and increase the biodiversity of coffee.
Fast online rubidium DPAL atomic concentration measurement by 420  nm probe laser
Authors: Zhao Hui-Zi , Wang Hong-Yan , Tang Hao , Li Liang , Yang Zi-Ning , Yang Wei-Qiang , Han Kai , Xu Xiao-Jun
Published: October 2021

The alkali atom concentration plays an important role in the
performance of a diode pumped alkali vapor laser (DPAL). At the
rubidium DPAL operational region, the alkali concentration is as high
as

1

0

13

−

1

0

14

c

m

−
3

, which is “optically thick,” or
opaque, for the 780 nm or 795 nm doublet D lines when the traditional
scanning absorption spectrum method is used for concentration
measurement. To solve this problem, we propose the use of a probe
laser of 420 nm, which corresponds to the

5

2

S

1

/

2

to

6

2

P

3

/

2

transition and has a lower absorption
cross section compared to the D-line doublet. Due to the moderate
absorption strength at a fixed 420 nm probe wavelength, we realized
fast, online measurement of the Rb concentration in a real-world DPAL.
By combining it with the quasi-two-level model, we further provided
the population distribution in the lower three energy levels. This
fast, online diagnostic method could be well applied in DPAL
concentration measurement, and could show the dynamics of a laser’s
performance.
Theory of light propagation in arbitrary two-dimensional curved space
Authors: Xu Chenni , Wang Li-Gang
Published: October 2021

As an analog model of general relativity, optics on some two-dimensional (2D) curved surfaces has received increasing attention in the past decade. Here, in light of the Huygens–Fresnel principle, we propose a theoretical frame to study light propagation along arbitrary geodesics on any 2D curved surfaces. This theory not only enables us to solve the enigma of “infinite intensity” that existed previously at artificial singularities on surfaces of revolution but also makes it possible to study light propagation on arbitrary 2D curved surfaces. Based on this theory, we investigate the effects of light propagation on a typical surface of revolution, Flamm’s paraboloid, as an example, from which one can understand the behavior of light in the curved geometry of Schwarzschild black holes. Our theory provides a convenient and powerful tool for investigations of radiation in curved space.
Die Strafbarkeit des Betreibens krimineller Handelsplattformen im Internet – Der neue § 127 StGB
Authors: Zöller Mark A.
Published: October 2021

Am 1. Oktober 2021 ist der neue § 127 StGB in Kraft getreten, mit dem eine eigenständige Strafbarkeit für das Betreiben von kriminellen Handelsplattformen im Internet eingeführt wird. Allerdings bestand für diese Neuregelung schon keine Regelungslücke und damit auch keine Legitimation für eine erneute Erweiterung des Strafgesetzbuchs. Zudem weist die gesetzliche Ausgestaltung – allen Warnungen aus der Wissenschaft zum Trotz – massive gesetzestechnische Mängel auf. Außerdem wurden ihre praktischen Auswirkungen erkennbar nicht konsequent durchdacht. Der nachfolgende Beitrag benennt die neuralgischen Punkte dieser neuen Strafnorm und bemüht sich um erste Überlegungen zu Auslegungs- und Anwendungsfragen.
The efficiency of provincial government health care expenditure after China’s new health care reform
Authors: Guo Xuesong , Zhang Jun , Xu Zhiwei , Cong Xin , Zhu Zhenli
Published: October 2021

Objective

We aim to estimate the total factor productivity and analyze factors related to the Chinese government’s health care expenditure in each of its provinces after its implementation of new health care reform in the period after 2009.

Materials and methods

We use the Malmquist DEA model to measure efficiency and apply the Tobit regression to explore factors that influence the efficiency of government health care expenditure. Data are taken from the China statistics yearbook (2004–2020).

Results

We find that the average TFP of China’s 31 provincial health care expenditure was lower than 1 in the period 2009–2019. We note that the average TFP was much higher after new health care reform was implemented, and note this in the eastern, central and western regions. But per capita GDP, population density and new health care reform implementation are found to have a statistically significant impact on the technical efficiency of the provincial government’s health care expenditure (P<0.05); meanwhile, region, education, urbanization and per capita provincial government health care expenditure are not found to have a statistically significant impact.

Conclusion

Although the implementation of the new medical reform has improved the efficiency of the government’s health expenditure, it is remains low in 31 provinces in China. In addition, the government should consider per capita GDP, population density and other factors when coordinating the allocation of health care input.

Significance

This study systematically analyzes the efficiency and influencing factors of the Chinese government’s health expenditure after it introduced new health care reforms. The results show that China’s new medical reform will help to improve the government’s health expenditure. The Chinese government can continue to adhere to the new medical reform policy, and should pay attention to demographic and economic factors when implementing the policy.
Differences in the gray-to-white matter ratio according to different computed tomography scanners for outcome prediction in post-cardiac arrest patients receiving target temperature management
Authors: Oh Jae Hun , Choi Seung Pill , Zhu Jong Ho , Kim Soo Hyun , Park Kyu Nam , Youn Chun Song , Oh Sang Hoon , Kim Han Joon , Park Sang Hyun
Published: October 2021

The gray-to-white matter ratio (GWR) has been used to identify brain damage in comatose patients after cardiac arrest. However, Hounsfield units (HUs), the measurement of brain density on computed tomography (CT) images, may vary depending on the machine type or parameter. Therefore, differences in CT scanners may affect the GWR in post-cardiac arrest patients. We performed a retrospective study on comatose post-cardiac arrest patients who visited the hospital from 2007 to 2017. Two CT, Lightspeed and SOMATOM, scanners were used. Two observers independently measured the HUs of the caudate nucleus, putamen, posterior internal capsule, and corpus callosum using regions of interest. We compared the GWR calculated from the HUs measured at different CT scanners. The analysis of different scanners showed statistically significant differences in the measured HUs and GWR. The HUs and GWR of Lightspeed were measured lower than SOMATOM. The difference between the two CT scanners was also evident in groups divided by neurological prognosis. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve to predict poor outcomes of Lightspeed was 0.798, and the cut-off value for 100% specificity was 1.172. The SOMATOM was 0.855, and the cut-off value was 1.269. The difference in scanners affects measurements and performance characteristics of the GWR in post-cardiac arrest patients. Therefore, when applying the results of the GWR study to clinical practice, reference values for each device should be presented, and an integrated plan should be prepared.