bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Universal Transcendental Logic-Based Ontology
Authors: Moroz Oleg V.
Published: February 2021

In this paper, Kant's philosophical doctrine of the categories of the reason is used to substantiate the conceptual model of knowledge representation, based on the collective interaction of a lot of intellectual atomic elements of knowledge (knowledge quanta), which are combined into clusters like neurons in the brain; and also a phenomenological description of the corresponding universal ontology, proceeding from the philosophical premise of Husserl-Heidegger that the meaning of intelligence is not so much in knowing the absolute truth as in survival, is presented. In the process of cognizing the surrounding world, a person uses both a priori knowledge and a posteriori knowledge, but the transcendental content of a priori forms of thinking does not allow them to be used directly in logical judgments. Nevertheless, one can try to use them as "ontological predicates" following the advice of I. Kant, what was done in this article. Heuristic ontological relations that directly follow from the categories of Kant are easy to use and sufficient to describe any ontology. Offered knowledge representation model, the key idea of which is the primacy of knowledge to logical inference and their emergent ability to self-organize, in conjunction with the transcendental logic-based ontology of empirical knowledge can be used to create a universal inference engine.
Investigating IT Governance Practice and Its Application, Benefits, and Administrative Implications in the Banking Sector, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alaqla Mohammed Frag
Published: February 2021

Governance is one of the most effective tools to stimulate investments because it encourages the growth of financial markets. IT governance is a fundamental part of corporate governance. It helps achieve many advantages and benefits for companies. This study aims to examine the level of IT governance practice and its application, benefits, and administrative implications in the private banking sector in Saudi Arabia. To achieve the research objective, the inductive and deductive research approaches are employed to address the questions and collect the data. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was administered to three categories of employees in the selected Saudi banks. The findings revealed that IT governance contributed to creating a competitive advantage and adding real value to the banks through improving their reputation, increasing the market share, and enhancing customer satisfaction, which resulted in an improvement in the value of the banks. However, it is recommended that the rules of control and the principles of IT governance are considered in the future policies of Saudi banks, their mission, structures, and decision-making.
Financial Distress Prediction Using GA-BP Neural Network Model
Authors: Ruan Lei , Liu Heng
Published: February 2021

Financial distress prediction, the crucial link of enterprise risk management, is also the core of enterprise financial distress theory. With currently global economic recession and the gradual perfection of artificial intelligence technology, the study in this paper begins by optimizing the back-propagation (BP) neural network model using the genetic algorithm (GA). In doing so, it can overcome the deficiency that the BP neural network model is slow in convergence and easily trapped into local optimal solution. The study then conducts training and tests on the optimized GA-BP neural network model, using financial distress data from Chinese listed enterprises. As can be seen from the experimental results, the optimized GA-BP neural network model is significantly improved in terms of the accuracy and stability in financial distress prediction. The study in this paper not only provides an effective test model for the automatic recognition and early warning of enterprise financial distress, but also contributes to new thoughts and approaches for the application of artificial intelligence in the field of financial accounting.
Major Fungi Diseases of Cashew Trees (Anacardium occidental L.) in Cameroon
Authors: Dooh Jules Patrice Ngoh , Asta Christine Baba Djoumba , Djile Bouba , Tchoupou Dany Brice Tsouala , Heu Alain , Mboussi Serge Bertrand , Kuate William Norbert Tueguem , Ambang Zachee
Published: February 2021

The culture of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is increasing in the Far North Cameroon. But, the productivity is threatened by the development of diseases in orchads. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify diseases and pathogens involved in cashew cultivation. The diseases were identified under the basis of the identification keys. The fungal structures were characterized using an optical microscope and the pathogenicity test were carried out. Incidence, severity and prevalence of diseases were assessed in the dry season and the rainy season. Seven diseases and seven pathogens have been identified: anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz), pestalotia leaf spot (Pestalotia heterocornis), alternaria (Alternaria solani), drying of buds (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Phomopsus anacardii and Curvularia lunata), dieback (Colletotrichum sp. and Lasiodiplodia sp.), blight of leaves (Pestalotia heterocornis and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and powdery mildew (Oidium anacardii Noack). Whatever the season; anthracnose, pestalotia leaf spot an drying of buds are diseases with higher incidence (more than 85, 60 and 75% respectively) and higher prevalence. The severity of the diseases varied according to the location and season. Pathogenicity test revealed that all the test fungi were pathogenic to their respective host parts except cashew powder mildew and alternaria. The results of this study represent database for implementation of integrated disease management approaches in Cameroon.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 13, No. 3
Authors: Brown Anne
Published: February 2021

Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 13, No. 3, 2021.
Morpho-agronomic Characters Under Drought Stress and Genetic Diversity on the Local Landraces of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] From East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia
Authors: Rini Dwi Setyo , Nuraisyah Anni
Published: February 2021

This study was performed to reveal the morpho-agronomic characters under drought and genetic diversity using SRAP (Sequence-related amplified polymorphism) marker on local landraces of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L). Walp) collected from East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Data on drought response indexes according to the dry matter production of cowpea plants classified Carolina and Pinu Pahar as drought-sensitive and drought-tolerant cowpea genotypes, respectively. The assessment of the genetic diversity of cowpea genotypes was performed by using 25 SRAP combination primers. A total of 250 bands were produced by which 245 bands (98%) were polymorphic. The value of PIC (Polymorphic Information Content) of SRAP primers in this study varied from the highest value (0.97) to the lowest value (0.71) generated by primer pairs Me4-Em1 and Me3-Em4, respectively, with an average of PIC 0.87. An unweighted pair group method based on arithmetic averages (UPGMA) in this study was performed according to Nei and Li’s similarity index. The analysis of UPGMA and PCoA successfully separated Carolina and Pinu Pahar genotypes into different clusters. The result of the Mantel test showed that there was no significant correlation between the independent morpho-agronomic analysis and SRAP molecular matrix data.
The Export Competitiveness of Ghana’s Cocoa Industry in West Africa
Authors: Abukari Alhassan , Cunfeng Tan
Published: February 2021

Ghana in the year 1911 became the world’s largest exporter of cocoa. However, cocoa export in Ghana nearly came to standstill in the 1970s as a result of the outbreak of swollen shoot disease of cocoa. Ghana since then has not been able to rejuvenate its cocoa export as expected. The years 1999 to 2018 have witnessed a downward trend in the export of cocoa in Ghana. This raises questions of whether the phrase “Ghana is cocoa, and cocoa is Ghana” is still valid. The study attempts to analyze the competitiveness of Ghana’s cocoa sector vis-à-vis its neighbors. In doing so, the authors calculate the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) for Ghana to compare with other West African exporters of cocoa and assess the determinants of Ghana’s cocoa exports. The authors adopt a regression framework to explore the determinants of cocoa exports. The results revealed that Ghana is highly competitive in the export of cocoa beans. The study attributed this advantage to the quality of the cocoa beans Ghana exports. The results further showed that Ghana’s cocoa production volumes and the World consumer price of cocoa beans were the major determinants of the volume of cocoa beans exported in Ghana. The study concluded that although Ghana enjoys a comparative advantage in the export of cocoa beans, Ghana’s cocoa production volumes fluctuate thus affecting the volume of cocoa exported. Ghana, therefore, needs to invest in new hybrid climate-smart cocoa cultivation to boost production and export.
Human Rights and Minority Languages: Immigrants’ Perspectives in Greece
Authors: Skourmalla Argyro-Maria , Sounoglou Marina
Published: February 2021

Human rights and their fortification through conventions and treaties are thought to be one of the greatest achievements of the previous century. A very important category of human rights is the Linguistic Human Rights (LHR). Linguistic Human Rights are connected to basic human rights and are of great importance in policy and planning. There have been numerous researches on language policies and in educational systems around the world. However, minority populations’ opinion, for example refugees’ opinion, is rarely represented in these researches. The present research aims at exploring the existing language policies in Greece in reference to minority languages. For the needs of this research six adult refugees participated in short semi-structured interviews. Even though participants seemed to be unaware of the term “Linguistic Human Rights”, most of them referred to the difficulty they have in exercising major human rights due to the monolingual policies that are followed in Greece. Taking into consideration the importance of Linguistic Human Rights and people’s need to use their mother language(s) in Greece, the last part of this research includes suggestions and ideas towards multilingual practices that come from different countries around the world.
An impact of surface spray and pressing temperature on the properties of high density fibreboards
Authors: Sala Conrad M. , Kowaluk Grzegorz
Published: February 2021

An impact of surface spray and pressing temperature on the properties of high density fibreboards. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of chosen process parameters: water spray amount and 3rd press heating section temperature on the mechanical, physical properties of ultrathin (2.5 mm) industrial high-density fibreboards (HDF) produced with 5% of recovered HDF (rHDF) addition. Boards were produced with 0 ml/m2 – V0, 8 ml/m2 – V8, 16 ml/m2 – V16 and 32 ml/m2 – V32 of surface water spray addition on top and bottom side in industrial hot continuous press with 3rd heating section temperature setups: 145oC (V45), 160oC (V60) and 175oC (V75). After variants examination with different surface water spray amount it was found, that there is roughly linear positive correlation for MOR increase for up to 10% comparing V0 to V32 and for surface roughness decrease for up to 31%. Surface water spray improved IB for up to 21% while WA decreased for up to 9% for V8 comparing to HDF produced without surface water spray addition. According to 3rd press heating section temperature influence – MOR and MOE has increased while other mechanical properties worsen with pressing temperature increase – drop in IB and SS.
Actual as well as Future Technologies and Noninvasive Devices for Optimal Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Andrès Emmanuel , Jeandidier Nathalie , Talha Samy , Zulfiqar Abrar-Ahmad , Meyer Laurent , Lorenzo Villalba Noel , Bahougne Thibault , Hajjam Mohamed , Hajjam El Hassani Amir
Published: February 2021

In recent years, several technological innovations have become part of the daily lives of patients suffered from chronic diseases. It is the case for diabetes mellitus and chronic heart failure with noninvasive glucose sensors, intelligent insulin pumps, artificial pancreas, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence for an optimal management. A review of the literature dedicated to these technologies and devices supports the efficacy of the latter. Mainly, these technologies have shown a beneficial effect on diabetes or chronic heart failure management with mainly improvement for these two diseases of patient ownership of the disease; patient adherence to therapeutic and hygiene-dietary measures; the management of comorbidities (hypertension, weight, dyslipidemia); and at least, good patient receptivity and accountability. Especially, the emergence of these technologies in the daily lives of these patients suffered from chronic disease has led to an improvement of the quality of life for patients. Nevertheless, the magnitude of its effects remains to date debatable or to be consolidated, especially with the variation in patients’ characteristics and methods of experimentation and in terms of medical and economic objectives.
Interaction between Pyridostigmine Bromide and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Farina Azzolin Verônica , Barbisan Fernanda , Emilio da Cruz Jung Ivo , Ferreira Teixeira Cibele , Esteves Ribeiro Euler , de Souza Praia Raquel , Beatrice Mânica da Cruz Ivana
Published: February 2021

In this chapter the following topics will be addressed: (1) actions of the cholinergic system in the nervous system, commenting on acetylcholine metabolism and acetylcholinesterase metabolism; (2) acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as subtitle in this topic: pharmacological characterization of pyridostigmine bromide, mechanism of action, and therapeutic effect of the drug; (3) use of pyridostigmine bromide in Persian Gulf War; and (4) potential effect of pyridostigmine bromide in oxidative stress, addressing as subtitle the influence of pyridostigmine bromide on the superoxide-hydrogen peroxide imbalance model. Studies indicate that the interaction between pyridostigmine bromide and stressors could trigger genotoxicity, the mechanism associated with the induction of oxidative stress that leads to this side effect of this drug; however, this discussion needs to be better elucidated and may be more discussed as there is interaction between the pyridostigmine bromide and an endogenous oxidative imbalance caused by it or even by the possible interaction of this with genetic variations present in the antioxidant metabolism.
Fillers in Wood Adhesives
Authors: Hasan Faris Abbas
Published: February 2021

The introduction of a second component to polymers has been presented; this component is often used to modify the characteristics of the products and to acquire new polymer materials with improved properties. Composite materials have a pivotal role in industries that are now considered the most progressive worldwide. At present, synthetic adhesives based on formaldehyde such as phenol-formaldehyde (PF), urea formaldehyde (UF), and melamine formaldehyde (MF) are predominantly used for wood composite production, and these adhesives are commonly used in the wood panel industry. These adhesives have some advantages and disadvantages. The use of PF adhesives is as important as UF adhesives in the wood panel industry. However, their application is still limited because of its brittleness, brown color, high curing temperature, long curing time, and toxicity due to liberation of phenol and formaldehyde. A variety of methods have been used to improve the performance of UF and PF adhesives as well as to expand their use. These methods are widely used in the industry; they include the simple addition of fillers. Moreover, the addition of fillers could reduce shrinkage and alleviate the stress on the glue line, which improves the hardness and durability.
Tribological Study of the Friction between the Same Two Materials (RAD Steel)
Authors: Kaid Ameur D.
Published: February 2021

These demands more and more severe of the organs of friction lead to operating temperatures of more and more high which result in particular a degradation of materials. This is reflected by decreases of performance that could jeopardize the safety (fall of the coefficient of friction) and penalize the economic balance (increase the wear). Our study highlights the interactions between the thermal, tribology, and physicochemistry and has been designed to respond to the following three objectives: (1) characterize at the macrolevel the phenomena of thermal localization and identify their influence on the coefficient of friction, (2) correlate to the local scale these phenomena to the physical mechanisms of friction, and (3) to identify the consequences of the degradation of the material with the temperature, based on the coefficient of friction and the physical mechanisms of friction.
Sustainable Business Practices by Nigerian Organizations
Authors: Iheanachor Nkemdilim
Published: February 2021

Sustainability is the lifeline of any organization and it begins with its people. This paper investigates the sustainable business practices of Nigerian organizations. The pillars of sustainability, economic, social and environmental, have been linked to improve business performance when entrenched into long term strategies of a business. To address the challenges of power supply, multiple taxation, pollution and waste management faced in the business environment, it is imperative to develop solutions that will not compromise future needs yet meeting the needs of the present. Recycling, recovery and reuse, safe work initiatives, continuous learning are strategies businesses can adopt to reduce environmental waste, social and economic issues. For this purpose, this chapter examines sustainability practices of businesses from selected industries; construction, manufacturing, banking and hospitality industries were selected based on availability of sustainability reports of industry leaders. This research is expected to help business managers and policy makers understand sustainable business practices and its implications on business performance.
Evolving a Sustainable Paradigm for Harnessing Intellectual Resources in the Nigerian Space Industry
Authors: Monica Ikpaya Ngunan , Ikpaya Ikpaya , Ovie Eseoghene , G. Nwokike Chisom , Nongo Sesugh , Ogor-Igbosuah Godwin
Published: February 2021

Over the years, one of the ways that have been identified as pivotal in building sustainable organisations is the manpower development component of any organisation. Such manpower development through capacity building can be gained by training and retraining to retool the workforce into having the relevant and up to date skill set that spurs competitiveness and growth. For the Nigerian space industry, this human capacity development component has been embraced, encouraged and adopted into a working model for sustainability. The Nigerian Space Industry has leveraged on its potential to harness its intellectual capital through a collaborative culture with national and international partners to provide sustainable growth in attaining technological competence in Space Science and Technology (SST). In this chapter, we present a capacity building context as a model by which Nigeria’s Space Industry mobilises its intellectual resources and collaborative efforts towards achieving sustainable development.
Institutional Structures and Women Sustainability in the Labour Market for Developing Economies
Authors: O. Adejumo Oluwabunmi
Published: February 2021

The peculiarity of women in developing economies, through changing status (marriage, widowhood, divorce, separation) and in some cases occasioned by locational vicissitudes, have continually challenged the sustainability of women in the labour market. Again, some of these challenges women face via social structures such as patriarchy, customs and traditions and unpaid household chores have particularly resulted in labour somersault, underemployment and forced unemployment which in certain cases could be temporary or of a permanent nature. Owing to this growing vulnerability of women, this chapter examine models and structures that have shaped (promoted or otherwise) women’s’ participation in the labour market. In turn, this chapter advances alternative institutional and organizational structures that can check some bewilderment of women in participating in the labour market, as well as foster the sustainability of women in the labour market.
Green Tribology
Authors: Van Minh Nguyen , Kuzharov Alexander , Hai Ninh Le , Huynh Nguyen , Kuzharov Andrey
Published: February 2021

This chapter provides an overview of Green tribology, which is a new direction in the development of tribology, a new interesting area for scientific researches and a new way to turn tribology into a friend of ecological environment and saving energy. Green tribology is considered as well as close area with other “green” disciplines like green engineering and green chemistry. In the chapter, the various aspects of green tribology such as the concept, perspectives, role and goal, main principles, primary areas, challenges and directions of the future development have been discussed. It was clarified that green tribology can be defined as an interdisciplinary field attributed to the broad induction of various concepts such as energy, materials science, green lubrication, and environmental science. The most important role and goal of green tribology is improvement of efficiency by minimizing wear and friction in tribological processes to save energy, resources and protect environment, and consequently, improve the quality of human life. The twelve principles and three areas of green tribology were analyzed. Observation of these principles can greatly reduce the environmental impact of tribological processes, assist economic development and, as a result, improve the quality of life. The integration of these areas remains the major challenge of green tribology and defines the future directions of research in this field. This work also presents a rather detailed analysis of the most important effect in green tribology—the “zero-wear” effect (selective transfer effect). It was established that the “zero-wear” effect is due to self-organization in frictional interaction in tribological systems, which is the consequence of the complex tribo-chemical reactions and physico-chemical processes occurred in the area of frictional contact, that lead to the manifestation of unique tribological characteristics: super-antifrictional (friction coefficient ~ 10−3) and without wear (intensity wear ~10−15). This condition of tribo-system was provided by a protective nanocrystalline servovite film made of soft metal with unusual combination of mechanical properties.
The Use of Allelochemicals of Aquatic Macrophytes to Suppress the Development of Cyanobacterial “Blooms”
Authors: Kurashov Evgeny , Krylova Julia , Protopopova Elena
Published: February 2021

Harmful algal “blooms”, or HABs, is a hazardous natural phenomenon that often occurs under the influence of anthropogenic factors, for example, during the anthropogenic eutrophication of water bodies. An increase in the frequency and duration of cyanobacterial “blooms” carries a number of serious threats, including local and global degradation of water resources and the impact of cyanotoxins. There are various methods of fighting cyanobacterial “blooms” - physical, chemical, the use of bacterial preparations, etc. However, these methods are not effective enough and, most importantly, do not allow effectively solving the problem of suppressing HABs in water bodies without damage to other components of the aquatic ecosystem. Allelopathy is a natural phenomenon for both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of one plant upon another including microorganisms that resolves this problem. Allelochemicals of macrophytes can be considered as natural algaecides and become the basis of a nature-like convergent technology to suppress the development of plankton cyanobacteria and prevent HABs in water bodies. In our work, we used some allelochemicals of aquatic macrophytes to create a combined algicide of the new generation for suppressing the development of cyanobacteria. The effectiveness of suppressing cyanobacterial “blooms” is demonstrated by the example of field experiments with mesocosms and natural phytoplankton.
Subclinical Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Multicenter Observation Study
Authors: Bai Cuihua , Tian Huandong
Published: February 2021

Background: Patients with hepatitis virus C (HCV) infection have declined levels of forced expiratory volume (FEV), which is a prognostic marker for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objectives: The current study primarily aimed to investigate the incidence of subclinical HCV infection (clinical signs are absent but positive HCV RNA test performed by polymerase chain reaction) in patients with COPD of Zhejiang province, China, and its secondary aim was to investigate the clinical influence of HCV infection on COPD severity by body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) scoring index and pulmonary function tests (PFT). Methods: A total of 252 patients with COPD (confirmed by routine lab tests, BODE index, and PFT) were included in a cross-sectional multicenter study. An anti-HCV antibody test was used to diagnose HCV infection. Hepatitis virus C RNA was tested for patients with a HCV antibody-positive test. Results: Twelve patients had a positive anti-HCV antibody test. Of 12 anti-HCV antibody positive test patients, 10 were positive for the HCV RNA. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody positivity and HCV RNA positivity was 12/ 252 and 10/ 252, respectively. The partial arterial pressure of oxygen was the same for patients with HCV RNA positive test compared to those with a negative anti-HCV antibody test (59.70 ± 5.50 mmHg vs. 63.84 ± 15.63 mmHg, P = 0.791). Patients with a positive HCV RNA test had a higher partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide compared to those with a negative anti-HCV antibody test (43.70 ± 1.89 mmHg vs. 49.42 ± 7.33 mmHg, P = 0. 007). BODE index was higher for patients with HCV RNA positive test than those with anti-HCV antibody test negative (6 (3 - 7) vs. 4 (2 - 6), P < 0.0001). Among the variables of BODE index scoring, the values of distance walked in 6 min (P < 0.0001) and % predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (P < 0.0001) were fewer for patients with HCV RNA positive test than those with a negative anti-HCV antibody test. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that subclinical HCV infection may be observed in COPD patients.
The Effect of Hope Therapy-based Training on the Happiness of Women with Breast Cancer: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Kondori Fard Niloofar , Keikhaei Asadollah , Rahdar Maliheh , Rezaee Nasrin
Published: February 2021

Background: The prevalence of cancer and its psychological consequences has increased steadily in recent decades. Hence, parallel to providing medical interventions, psychological therapies should be provided to cancer patients. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of hope therapy-based training on the happiness of women with breast cancer. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 100 female patients with breast cancer admitted to the chemotherapy wards of two hospitals affiliated to the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (Iran) in 2020 are studied. Participants were selected using the convenience sampling technique and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control (each with 50 subjects). The intervention group received eight sessions of group-based hope therapy training. Data were collected using a demographic information form and the Oxford Happiness questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 by chi-square, independent samples t-test, and paired samples t-test, at a significant level of P < 0.05. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning demographic characteristics. The independent samples t-test showed no significant difference in the mean scores of happiness between the two groups before the intervention (P = 0.55). However, the mean score of happiness for the participants in the intervention group showed a significant increase after providing the intervention compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Besides, the paired samples t-test indicated a significant increase in the mean score of happiness after providing the intervention compared to before intervention (P = 0.001), while the mean score of happiness for the participants in the control group showed a statistically significant decrease (P = 0.004). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that hope therapy-based training is effective for the happiness of women with breast cancer. Since physical and psychological problems caused by cancer lead to sadness and reduced happiness, hope therapy can be added to the care programs for women with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
To Undiscipline Knowledge
Authors: Dayan-Herzbrun Sonia , Gordon Lewis R. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: February 2021

The social sciences were founded at the height of the Euromodern era when the belief in infinite expansion coexisted with the willingness to enclose, categorize, and lock up a large part of humanity. The invention of the social sciences was closely linked to this enterprise of disciplinarization of spaces and of populations which accompanied the expansion of capitalism and colonial conquest. Stigmatized, dominated, and colonized groups were constituted as objects by social scientists who considered themselves as pure subjects, and concealed the conditions under which they undertook their research and prohibited the colonized from expressing their own subjectivity. Colonization also imposed a binary cartography of the world and a geography of reason with obligatory references and strict disciplinary divisions. There are many ways to decolonize knowledge, but they remain marginal in a world where white male supremacy is also epistemological. The rejection of disciplinary decadence implies not only a critical but a metacritical gesture, and the refusal of the imperative of objectivation and non-engagement.
Current Challenges in Cystic Fibrosis Screening
Authors: Lyon Elaine , Miller Christine
Published: February 2021

Content.—This article gives an overview of the symptoms and mutations associated with classic and atypical cystic fibrosis (CF). Current testing methods for mutation detection in CF are discussed.

Objectives.—Review testing for CF, including American College of Medical Genetics and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines and recommendations regarding population screening for CF. Describe symptomatic and mutational differences between patients with classic CF and atypical CF, including monosymptomatic conditions such as congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens, idiopathic pancreatitis, and chronic sinusitis. Explain the concern about predicting the phenotypic expression of the condition from the genotype. Discuss the challenges of CF testing, including the preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases. List the current methods for detecting CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene mutations, specifying the advantages and disadvantages of each. Describe the basic patient information necessary for laboratories to provide accurate risk assessments, such as ethnicity and family history, and reasons for the test being conducted (carrier or affected status).

Results.—The technical challenges of detecting the 25 recommended mutations are being met by commercially available reagents. Challenges remain for the preanalytic and postanalytic phases. Only with accurate patient information can laboratories provide specific risk reductions on the basis of a negative genetic test result.

Conclusion.—As health care providers become better informed about the recommendations for CF testing and laboratories continue to increase the sensitivities of their assays, patients will benefit from increased screening efficiency and accuracy. This will allow affected individuals to receive prompt and effective treatment and carriers to enjoy an expanded number of reproductive options.
Giant Cell Glioblastoma and Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma Show Different Immunohistochemical Profiles for Neuronal Antigens and p53 but Share Reactivity for Class III β-Tubulin
Authors: Martinez-Diaz Hilda , Kleinschmidt-DeMasters B. K. , Powell Suzanne Z. , Yachnis Anthony T.
Published: February 2021

Context.—Giant cell glioblastoma multiforme (GCGBM) and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) are clinically, radiographically, and histologically distinct tumors of the central nervous system. However, they share features of gross circumscription, reticulin deposition, lymphocytic infiltrates, and prominent populations of tumor giant cells. Neuronal antigens have been detected in the neoplastic cells of PXAs, but to our knowledge have not been studied previously in GCGBMs. While TP53 is mutated in most GCGBMs, a feature usually paralleled by strong immunostaining of the protein, the expression pattern of PXAs has not been extensively studied.

Objectives.—To compare the immunoprofiles of GCGBM and PXA with regard to neuronal antigens and p53 and to evaluate the potential diagnostic utility of such a panel.

Design.—Archival paraffin sections of 9 GCGBMs and 9 PXAs were immunostained for class III β-tubulin, neuronal nuclear antigen, neurofilament protein, synaptophysin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and p53.

Results.—Giant cell glioblastomas were strongly immunoreactive for class III β-tubulin and glial fibrillary acidic protein, but showed only rare staining for the other neuronal polypeptides. In contrast, PXAs usually showed at least focal staining of individual tumor cells for most of the neuronal antigens tested. Tubulin was strongly positive in tumor giant cells and in smaller neoplastic cells of both tumor types. Double-immunolabeling revealed distinct populations of tumor cells that expressed either glial fibrillary acidic protein or tubulin and dual-labeling of individual cells in GCGBM and PXA. Strong p53 staining was observed in many tumor cells in 5 of 8 GCGBMs tested, while staining for this antigen was negative or focally positive in 6 of 8 PXAs examined.

Conclusions.—Giant cell glioblastoma multiforme and PXA show distinct patterns of immunoreactivity for neuronal antigens and p53 that may be useful diagnostically in difficult cases or in limited samples. These results provide further evidence of neuronal antigen expression by PXA.
Neuroendocrine Tumors (Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma) Presenting at Extra-appendiceal Sites in Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Broaddus Russell R. , Herzog Cynthia E. , Hicks M. John
Published: February 2021

Objective.—Epithelial neuroendocrine neoplasms arising outside the appendix are extremely rare in the pediatric population. We reviewed the clinicopathologic characteristics of 13 carcinoid tumors and neuroendocrine carcinomas presenting at extra-appendiceal sites to better characterize this rare set of neoplasms in childhood.

Design.—The pathology archives of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children's Hospital were searched for cases of carcinoid tumor and neuroendocrine carcinoma arising at extra-appendiceal sites in children. Hematoxylin-eosin–stained sections and, when available, immunohistochemistry, electron photomicrographs and gross photographs were reviewed. The tumors were classified as either carcinoid tumor or neuroendocrine carcinoma based upon histopathologic features. Demographic information was obtained from review of the surgical pathology reports, autopsy reports, and clinical charts.

Patients.—The study population included 8 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 8 to 18 years.

Results.—The majority of the cases were classified as carcinoid tumors (8/13), with the remainder being neuroendocrine carcinomas (5/13). The lung was the initial site of presentation in most children (6/13). The liver was the next most common site (5/13) of tumor presentation with no other primary site identified. Neuroendocrine carcinoma within an inguinal lymph node, with no primary tumor site identified, was present in a single case. The final case was a neuroendocrine carcinoma with widespread involvement of multiple organs with no definitive primary site identified.

Conclusion.—Carcinoid tumors and neuroendocrine carcinomas presenting at extra-appendiceal sites in children primarily involve the lungs or liver. These neuroendocrine neoplasms have the ability to metastasize, regardless of histology at initial diagnosis.
Human Papillomavirus Infection of the Epididymis and Ductus Deferens: An Evaluation by Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Švec Alexandr , Mikyšková Iva , Hes Ondřej , Tachezy Ruth
Published: February 2021

Context.—Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) play an important role in the etiology of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The possible role of the male urogenital tract as a reservoir of HPV infection is not fully understood. We inferred from our previous observation of HPV-31 in epididymal tissue in a case of chronic epididymitis that HPV might be commonly present in cases of epididymitis caused by sexually transmitted pathogens.

Objective.—To assess the presence of HPV in the epididymis and ductus deferens in nontuberculous epididymitis.

Design.—Epididymal samples obtained from 17 patients and epididymal and ductus deferens samples from 5 patients surgically treated for nontuberculous epididymitis were analyzed by nested polymerase chain reaction for the presence of HPV DNA. In positive samples, the HPV type was determined by DNA sequencing.

Setting.—Tertiary-care academic hospital and national reference laboratory for papillomaviruses.

Results.—Low-risk HPV type 6 and high-risk HPV types 16, 33, 35, 55, and 73 were detected in 7 patients (31%). Neither koilocytes nor dysplastic changes were found in the epididymis and ductus deferens.

Conclusion.—Low-risk and high-risk HPV types were detected in the epididymis and ductus deferens of patients with nontuberculous epididymitis. The infection was not accompanied by koilocytic atypia or dysplasia. Our findings support the hypothesis that the male urogenital tract serves as a reservoir of HPV infection.
Lipochoristomas (Lipomatous Tumors) of the Acoustic Nerve
Authors: Wu Sandy S. , Lo William W. M. , Tschirhart Donald L. , Slattery William H. , Carberry Joseph N. , Brackmann Derald E.
Published: February 2021

Context.—Lipochoristomas (lipomatous choristomas) are rare tumors of the acoustic nerve (cranial nerve VIII/vestibulocochlear nerve) within the internal acoustic canal and sometimes the cerebellopontine angle, and are histogenetically believed to be congenital malformations. Their clinically indolent behavior has recently prompted a more conservative management protocol in a quest for maximal nerve/hearing preservation. This approach contrasts sharply with that for the common internal acoustic canal/cerebellopontine angle tumors, the neuroepithelial neoplasms (acoustic schwannomas and meningiomas), which behave more aggressively and have more prominent clinical manifestations. Owing to their rarity, the clinicopathologic features of cranial nerve VIII lipochoristomas have been obtained mainly through case reports.

Objective.—We present the clinicopathologic features of 11 cases of lipochoristomas of cranial nerve VIII.

Design.—The 11 cases were documented between 1992 and 2003. We performed complete clinical reviews with histologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples.

Results.—The patients were 8 men and 3 women with hearing loss of the right ear (5 patients) or the left ear (6 patients). No patient had bilateral tumors. All lipochoristomas histologically possessed mature adipose tissue admixed with varied amounts of mature fibrous tissue, tortuous thick-walled vessels, smooth muscle bundles, and skeletal muscle fibers, the latter verified with immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions.—The histomorphologic and immunophenotypic evidence showed that these tumors are better characterized as choristomas than as simple “lipomas,” as they have been labeled in the past. Their overall nonaggressive clinical nature in addition to the characteristic radiologic and histomorphologic findings are important clinicopathologic features for the pathologist to recognize and differentiate, especially during frozen section evaluations, in order to direct the neurosurgeon to a more appropriate conservative therapeutic intervention.
Utility of Gram Stain for the Microbiological Analysis of Burn Wound Surfaces
Authors: Elsayed Sameer , Gregson Daniel B. , Lloyd Tracie , Crichton Marilyn , Church Deirdre L.
Published: February 2021

Context.—Surface swab cultures have attracted attention as a potential alternative to biopsy histology or quantitative culture methods for microbiological burn wound monitoring. To our knowledge, the utility of adding a Gram-stained slide in this context has not been evaluated previously.

Objective.—To determine the degree of correlation of Gram stain with culture for the microbiological analysis of burn wound surfaces.

Design.—Prospective laboratory analysis.

Setting.—Urban health region/centralized diagnostic microbiology laboratory.

Patients.—Burn patients hospitalized in any Calgary Health Region burn center from November 2000 to September 2001.

Intervention.—Gram stain plus culture of burn wound surface swab specimens obtained during routine dressing changes or based on clinical signs of infection.

Main Outcome Measures.—Degree of correlation (complete, high, partial, none), including weighted κ statistic (κw), of Gram stain with culture based on quantitative microscopy and degree of culture growth.

Results.—A total of 375 specimens from 50 burn patients were evaluated. Of these, 239 were negative by culture and Gram stain, 7 were positive by Gram stain only, 89 were positive by culture only, and 40 were positive by both methods. The degree of complete, high, partial, and no correlation of Gram stain with culture was 70.9% (266/375), 1.1% (4/375), 2.4% (9/375), and 25.6% (96/375), respectively. The degree of correlation for all 375 specimens, as expressed by the weighted κ statistic, was found to be fair (κw = 0.32).

Conclusion.—The Gram stain is not suitable for the microbiological analysis of burn wound surfaces.
Simultaneous Presentation of Multiple Myeloma and Acute Monocytic Leukemia
Authors: Luca Dragos C. , Almanaseer Imad Y.
Published: February 2021

Acute leukemia frequently has been described as a late complication of chemotherapy with alkylating agents in patients treated for multiple myeloma. However, the simultaneous occurrence of multiple myeloma and acute leukemia in the same patient, without previous exposure to chemotherapy, is a rare association. We describe a case of concomitant involvement by multiple myeloma and acute monocytic leukemia. To our knowledge, only 9 such cases have been reported in the literature to date. We discuss the criteria used in diagnosing the 2 separate diseases and the possible mechanisms responsible for this occurrence.
Findings to Date From the ASCUS-LSIL Triage Study (ALTS)
Authors: Schiffman Mark , Solomon Diane
Published: February 2021

Controversy exists in the United States regarding the proper evaluation and management of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and equivocal (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASCUS, now ASC-US]) cervical cytologic interpretations. To address this issue, the National Cancer Institute initiated the ASCUS-LSIL Triage Study (ALTS). ALTS is a multicenter, randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate 3 alternative methods of management, namely, immediate colposcopy, cytologic follow-up, and triage by human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing. This article summarizes the major findings of ALTS that have been published to date. Patients with ASCUS (n = 3488) or LSIL (n = 1572) were randomly assigned to research arms between November 1996 and December 1998, and were monitored for 2 years. The disease outcome was histologic cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3/cancer. The prevalence of oncogenic HPV was too high to permit effective triage of LSIL using HPV DNA testing by Hybrid Capture 2. However, for the women referred with a cytologic interpretation of ASCUS, HPV triage proved useful, with sensitivity equivalent to immediate colposcopy and a halving of colposcopic referrals. Among older women with ASCUS, HPV testing remained sensitive for detecting CIN 3 and cancer, but the referral percentage was dramatically lower compared to younger women. ALTS yielded insight into the performance of cytology and histopathology; experienced pathologists differed significantly in their interpretations of cervical abnormalities, especially histologic CIN 1 and cytologic ASCUS. Nonetheless, it was possible to distinguish a relatively uncommon type of ASCUS, equivocal for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, that has a high positive predictive value for identifying women with underlying high-grade CIN. Many additional analyses are underway.
Human Papillomavirus Reporting: Minimizing Patient and Laboratory Risk
Authors: Austin R. Marshall
Published: February 2021

Risk management efforts in the cytology laboratory must address the gap between what can be achieved with medical history's most effective cancer screening test, the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, and even higher entrenched public expectations. Data from the Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS)/Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion Triage Study (ALTS) now provide level I clinical evidence from a large, randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial that reflex human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing of ASCUS cases is generally the preferred method for initial assessment of the most prevalent category of abnormal Pap interpretation. The proposed combination of HPV DNA testing with cytologic Pap testing, the DNA Pap test, further shows the potential to nearly eliminate false-negative screening results, based on sensitivity and negative predictive values reported in available studies. Human papillomavirus DNA testing also appears to represent a significant enhancement for detection of endocervical adenocarcinomas, which are difficult to detect and prevent. Human papillomavirus DNA testing, when used in conjunction with cervical cytology, can significantly reduce risk to both the patient and the laboratory.