bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Mechanisms Modulated by Glucocorticoids With a Focus on Cushing Syndrome
Authors: Paes Ticiana , Feelders Richard A , Hofland Leo J
Published: March 2024

In Cushing syndrome (CS), prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels results in a wide range of devastating effects causing multisystem morbidity. Despite the efficacy of treatment leading to disease remission and clinical improvement, hypercortisolism-induced complications may persist. Since glucocorticoids use the epigenetic machinery as a mechanism of action to modulate gene expression, the persistence of some comorbidities may be mediated by hypercortisolism-induced long-lasting epigenetic changes. Additionally, glucocorticoids influence microRNA expression, which is an important epigenetic regulator as it modulates gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Evidence suggests that chronically elevated glucocorticoid levels may induce aberrant microRNA expression which may impact several cellular processes resulting in cardiometabolic disorders.

The present article reviews the evidence on epigenetic changes induced by (long-term) glucocorticoid exposure. Key aspects of some glucocorticoid-target genes and their implications in the context of CS are described. Lastly, the effects of epigenetic drugs influencing glucocorticoid effects are discussed for their ability to be potentially used as adjunctive therapy in CS.
Perfil epidemiológico e fatores associados à covid-19 em um município do Espírito Santo
Authors: Fornazier Gabriela Vieira , Faria Ronaldo José , Bazoni Patrícia Silva , Horsth Ana Luisa , Da Silva Alciellen Mendes , Meira Eduardo Frizzera , Dos Santos Jéssica Barreto Ribeiro , Da Silva Michael Ruberson Ribeiro
Published: March 2024

Objetivo: avaliar o perfil e os fatores associados à covid-19 em residentes no município de Alegre, Espírito Santo. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico com delineamento transversal no município de Alegre, por meio de inquérito domiciliar, entre os meses de novembro e dezembro de 2021. A análise descritiva foi realizada por meio de distribuição de frequências para as variáveis categóricas e por mediana e intervalo interquartil para as variáveis contínuas. Os fatores associados foram analisados por regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Resultados: foram entrevistadas 687 pessoas, das quais 18,8% reportaram ter contraído a covid-19. A infecção foi mais frequente entre mulheres e pessoas mais jovens, especialmente antes da vacinação. A vacina inicial mais usada foi a Coronavac (42,6%), enquanto a dose de reforço foi predominantemente da Pfizer (86,30%). Cerca de um terço das aplicações de vacina resultou em reações adversas, destacando-se febre (56%), dor no corpo (31%) e dor de cabeça (41%). A automedicação foi comum, com 76,9% dos entrevistados utilizando medicamentos para tratar a covid-19, sendo a Azitromicina (26,4%), Ivermectina (24,0%) e Dipirona (10,8%) as mais citadas. Fatores como consultas médicas recentes e automedicação foram associados à ocorrência de covid-19. Conclusão: os resultados deste estudo podem ajudar a conscientizar a população sobre fatores que podem agravar a doença, destacando a importância do reforço nas medidas de prevenção.
Ανάπτυξη και μελέτη με τεχνικές οπτικής φασματοσκοπίας διδιάστατων διχαλκογενιδίων
Authors: Σόρογκα Νίκη
Published: March 2024

Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή μελετήθηκαν με τεχνικές οπτικής φασματοσκοπίας Raman και φωτοφωταύγειας (PL), τόσο σε συνθήκες περιβάλλοντος όσο και σε συνθήκες υψηλής πίεσης, κρύσταλλοι όγκου και διδιάστατοι (2D) του διχαλκογενιδίου μεταβατικού μετάλλου MoS2 και των διχαλκογενιδίων του κασσιτέρου SnS2, SnSe2 και SnSxSe2-x (0<x<2). Αρχικά, μελετήθηκαν με τεχνικής οπτικής φασματοσκοπίας PL και Raman υπό κανονική και υψηλή πίεση, κρύσταλλοι όγκου και 2D MoS2, οι οποίοι μεταφέρθηκαν απευθείας στον άκμονα διαμαντιού της κυψελίδας άκμονος διαμαντιού (ΚΑΔ, ‘substrate-free’ 2D κρύσταλλοι). Για την εφαρμογή υψηλών πιέσεων στα δείγματα στο εσωτερικό της ΚΑΔ χρησιμοποιήθηκαν δύο διαφορετικά ρευστά (το υψηλού ιξώδους μη πολικό έλαιο Daphne 7474TM και το χαμηλού ιξώδους πολικό μίγμα μεθανόλης-αιθανόλης 4:1) ως μέσα μετάδοσης της πίεσης (PTM). Η εν λόγω μελέτη κατέδειξε σημαντικές διαφορές στην απόκριση στην εφαρμοζόμενη πίεση των κρυστάλλων όγκου και των 2D κρυστάλλων MoS2 που αποδίδονται στις διαφορετικές συνθήκες της εφαρμοζόμενης πίεσης σε κάθε περίπτωση (υδροστατική στην πρώτη περίπτωση και μονοαξονική στην δεύτερη, κάθετα στα στρώματα MoS2), στον βαθμό προσκόλλησης του ‘substrate-free’ 2D MoS2 στον άκμονα διαμαντιού της ΚΑΔ και στη φύση του χρησιμοποιούμενου PTM. Στη συνέχεια, πραγματοποιήθηκε μηχανική αποφλοίωση κρυστάλλων SnS2 και η μελέτη των παραγόμενων 2D κρύσταλλων σε υποστρώματα SiO2/Si με συνδυαστικές χαρτογραφήσεις Raman και AFM. Από τη μελέτη αυτή συνάγεται ότι ο λόγος των ολοκληρωμένων εντάσεων I(SnS2)/I(Si) μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί για την ταχεία φασματοσκοπική εκτίμηση του πλήθους των στρωμάτων που συνιστούν 2D κρυστάλλους SnS2. Επιπλέον, πραγματοποιήθηκε η μελέτη με φασματοσκοπία Raman της απόκρισης στην εφαρμογή υψηλών πιέσεων κρυστάλλων 2Η-SnSe2, η οποία αποκάλυψε την πιθανή ύπαρξη ενός πρόσθετου πολυτύπου στο σύστημα. Τέλος, μελετήθηκε με φασματοσκοπία Raman η απόκριση στην εφαρμογή υψηλής υδροστατικής πίεσης επιλεγμένων τριαδικών κραμάτων SnSxSe2-x. Οι παράμετροι Grüneisen των τρόπων δόνησής τους που εξήχθησαν από τα πειραματικά δεδομένα κατέδειξαν την ισχυρότερη αλληλεπίδραση Sn–S κατά μήκος του άξονα c της εξαγωνικής δομής σε σχέση με την αλληλεπίδραση Sn–Se.
Colectivos de atención prioritaria: ¿realmente son una prioridad de nuestra política de empleo?.
Authors: Morales Ortega Jose M.
Published: March 2024

Nada se descubre al afirmar que gran parte de las personas desempleadas tienen, de cara a su inserción y mantenimiento en el empleo, dificultades ímprobas y enormes óbices que, desgraciadamente, en demasiadas ocasiones, responden, casi en exclusiva, a factores discriminatorios. Partiendo de esta realidad, la actual Ley de Empleo, como hicieron sus antecesoras, ha configurado los llamados colectivos de atención prioritaria, cuyo tratamiento en esta norma, así como en otros relevantes documentos de política de empleo, son analizados en estas páginas con la finalidad de comprobar si se da respuesta a las necesidades y requerimientos de tales colectivos y, al mismo tiempo, si ésta es homogénea y suficiente para todos ellos. Dicho análisis, lamentablemente, no es especialmente alentador; de ahí el interrogante que se incorpora al título de este trabajo: ¿realmente son una prioridad de nuestra política de empleo?
Canine septic arthritis
Authors: Wells Philippa , Aldridge Paul
Published: March 2024

Septic arthritis is an important cause of lameness in a broad age range of patients. Diagnosis is based on a combination of the clinical presentation, arthrocentesis sampling and exclusion of alternative causes of lameness. In-house cytology can likely provide a presumptive diagnosis and enable treatment initiation while awaiting a culture result. Although there is poor evidence for treatment recommendations, the prognosis is likely good with prompt treatment. However, clinicians should make owners aware that there is a risk of recurrence and there may be a limited recovery in patients with pre-existing osteoarthritis.
The effect of a mobile application for patients living with gynaecological cancer on their physical and psychosocial adaptation study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vardar Okan , Serçekuş Pınar
Published: March 2024

Background:

Education of patients with cancer and patient self-management allow better clinical outcomes using e-health or mobile health applications.

Aims:

To develop a mobile application to increase the physical and psychosocial adaptation for patients with gynecological cancer who are receiving chemotherapy and to investigate the effectiveness of the mobile application.

Methods:

This study was planned as a parallel, single-blind, pre-post test randomised controlled experimental study in which two groups (intervention-control) will be compared. A total of 52 gynecological cancer patients were planned to be included in the study.

Findings:

This study is in the protocol stage. Therefore, the results of the study have not yet been reported.

Conclusions:

Evidence-based information within JineOnkolojik Destek provides rich data on coping with chemotherapy. In addition, the visual and auditory elements, real patient stories and videos, and the ability to ask questions and receive counselling from the research team can positively affect the physical and psychosocial health of the cancer survivors.
DISTANCIAMENTO ESPACIAL E RESILIÊNCIA ECONÔMICA REGIONAL EM TEMPOS DE COVID-19: Primeiras Impressões de uma Discussão em Aberto
Authors: Câmara Viana Luiz Fernando , Miranda Júnior Newton da Silva , Brom Pedro Carvalho , Hoffmann Valmir Emil
Published: March 2024

Devido à COVID-19, medidas objetivando distanciamento espacial—prática de evitar proximidade física entre pessoas para conter a propagação de doenças—provavelmente afetaram negativamente o nível de emprego e a geração de riqueza regional, porque empresas em diversos setores foram fechadas. Nesse contexto, analisamos dados de distanciamento espacial sob uma ótica de resiliência econômica regional. Nossa única variável foi um índice de distanciamento espacial coletado para os estados brasileiros de fevereiro a julho de 2020. Transformamos as séries temporais para garantir a estacionariedade, possibilitando calcular a correlação linear de Pearson. O menor coeficiente encontrado foi 0,85, indicando correlação positiva forte entre as séries. Devido às disparidades regionais, choques afetam distintas regiões de formas diferentes. Todavia, nossos resultados mostraram que os estados brasileiros se comportam de modo semelhante em relação ao índice adotado, sugerindo que este não seja um preditor aconselhável de resiliência econômica regional de curto prazo considerando o choque estudado.
Distal Junctional Failure due to Spondylodiscitis in a Patient with Long Posterior Fixation for Ossified Longitudinal Ligament and Ossified Ligamentum Flavum
Authors:   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia,, Subramaniam Kavinan A L , Liang Tey Shen ,   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia,, Hao Phang Zi ,   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia,, Senan Nur Aida Faruk ,   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia,, Amin Mohamad Zaki Bin Haji Mohd ,   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia,, Jain Mantu ,   Department of Orthopedics, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Distal junctional failure (DJF) is underreported when compared to proximal junctional failure. DJF arising due to spondylodiscitis has never been reported in the literature. Case Report: A 45-year-old lady with a body mass index of 33 presented with a long-standing inability to walk due to myelopathy secondary to continuous ossified posterior longitudinal ligament and ossified ligamentum flavum. Posterior fusion and laminectomy were done from D2 to L2. She had an initial wound breakdown with a surgical site infection, but after 6 weeks, she developed spondylodiscitis at the distal instrumented vertebra, leading to DJF. She was started on appropriate antibiotics and an extension of fusion. Conclusion: This report demonstrates and discusses the management of a rare case of DJF arising due to spondylodiscitis of the last instrumented vertebra. Keywords: Junctional failure, distal, spondylodiscitis, surgical site infection.
The Liberalism of Refuge
Authors: Garsten Bryan
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Frustrated by persisting inequality, oppression, and corruption in liberal societies, and disillusioned with liberalism's failures, many are stepping away. Yet liberal societies are still admirable because they offer refuge from the very people they empower . They require rulers to accept limitations on their power and provide escape hatches from the worst parts of political life. Offers of refuge may be found in opposition political parties, independent institutions, reasonably autonomous local communities, powerful civil society organizations, and the market economy. There is a nobility in offering refuge, in the safety and opportunity it presents for building something new.
A Reply To My Critics
Authors: Garsten Bryan
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Frustrated by persisting inequality, oppression, and corruption in liberal societies, and disillusioned with liberalism's failures, many are stepping away. Yet liberal societies are still admirable because they offer refuge from the very people they empower . They require rulers to accept limitations on their power and provide escape hatches from the worst parts of political life. Offers of refuge may be found in opposition political parties, independent institutions, reasonably autonomous local communities, powerful civil society organizations, and the market economy. There is a nobility in offering refuge, in the safety and opportunity it presents for building something new.
Pennsylvania's Past from a Unique Perspective: Oral History
Authors: Johansen Mary Carroll
Published: March 2024

Abstract: An oral history project as part of a course on the history of Pennsylvania offers students an opportunity to connect to the history of their communities, make tangible the topics
that we study in class, and provide documentation of a person, place, event, or community that might otherwise be lost. To be successful, students need to learn how to research
their topic, work with recording equipment, conduct a pre-interview, structure an interview, ask open and closed questions, and transcribe an interview. While a challenging and
time-consuming assignment, the oral history project is often the aspect of the course that students find most rewarding, as it offers them an opportunity to record a family
member's story, to learn about an aspect of local history, or to make a contribution to the history of a neighborhood or organization. Reviewing my students' work is also
one of my favorite aspects of the course; it gives me added insight into the lives of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the recent history of the state.
Supplemental resources are posted on the journals' web pages.
The Blood Demonstration: Teaching the History of the Philadelphia Welfare Rights Organization
Authors: Gallon Kim
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Despite a growing body of scholarship that documents civil rights activism in the North during the 1950s and 1960s, college educators continue to rely on traditional understandings
of African Americans' struggle for civil rights as being rooted in the South. Moreover, history professors continue to privilege a male-centered narrative that tends to define
the civil rights movement through mass marches and protests. In an effort to challenge this pedagogy, this article describes a method for teaching the history of women's role
in the struggle for social justice in the 1960s through their participation in the Philadelphia Welfare Rights Organization (PWRO). Through the use of primary sources such as the
Philadelphia Tribune and the PWRO's newsletter along with secondary sources such as Lisa Levenstein's A Movement Without Marches ,
this article offers a way to expand and complicate students' understanding of the civil rights and women's movements of the late twentieth century. Just as importantly,
it assists teachers in stressing the significance of African American women's fight for equality in Pennsylvania history. Supplemental resources are posted on the
journals' web pages.
Active strong coupling of exciton and nanocavity based on GSST-WSe2 hybrid nanostructures
Authors: Wu Lijuan , Huang Jing , You Shaojun , Gao Chenggui , Zhou Chaobiao
Published: March 2024

The strong coupling between optical resonance microcavity and matter excitations provides a practical path for controlling light-matter interactions. However, conventional microcavity, whose functions are fixed at the fabrication stage, dramatically limits the modulation of light-matter interactions. Here, we investigate the active strong coupling of resonance mode and exciton in GSST-WSe2 hybrid nanostructures. It is demonstrated that significant spectral splitting is observed in single nanostructures, tetramers, and metasurfaces. We further confirm the strong coupling by calculating the enhanced fluorescence spectra. The coupling effect between the excited resonance and exciton is dramatically modulated during the change of GSST from amorphous to crystalline, thus realizing the strong coupling switching. This switching property has been fully demonstrated in several systems mentioned earlier. Our work is significant in guiding the study of actively tunable strong light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.
Tailorable ITO thin films for tunable microwave photonic applications
Authors: Chew Suen Xin , Wang Jianfu , Song Shijie , Nguyen Linh , Yi Xiaoke
Published: March 2024

Tunability is a fundamental prerequisite for functional devices and forms the backbone of reconfigurable microwave photonic (MWP) signal processors. In this paper, we explore the use of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films, notable for their combination of optical transparency and electrical conductivity, to provide tunability for integrated MWP devices. We study the impacts of post-thermal annealing on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of ITO films. The annealed ITO microheater maintains a low total insertion loss of just 0.1 dB while facilitating the tunability of the microring across the entire free spectral range (FSR) using less than half the voltage required by its non-annealed counterpart. Furthermore, the post-annealed ITO film exhibits a 30% improvement in response time, enhancing its performance as an active voltage-controlled microheater. Leveraging this advantage, we employed the post-annealed device to demonstrate continuous tunable radio frequency (RF) phase shifts from 0–330° across a frequency range spanning 15 GHz to 40 GHz with only 5.58 mW of power. The flexibility in modifying the ITO thin film properties effectively bridges the gap between achieving low-loss and high-speed thermo-optic based microheaters.
Ultrafast 10 mJ, 100 W laser system featuring a directly laser written depolarization compensation element
Authors: Kazakevičius Aivaras , Burokas Raimundas , Danilevičius Rokas , Michailovas Andrejus
Published: March 2024

In this study we demonstrated a compact and cost-effective high energy and average power picosecond laser developed for OPCPA system pumping applications. The system delivered record high pulse energy at 100 W average power level in a hybrid laser architecture based on a fiber seed laser and free-space end-pumped Yb:YAG amplifiers. The output pulses were compressed to 1 ps pulse duration and the output beam featured M2 = 1.3, which was further improved to 1.07 by spatial filtering. A silica glass spatially variable wave plate manufactured by direct laser writing was used to reduce depolarization losses from 12% to 5%.
Assessing vulnerability for future Zika virus outbreaks using seroprevalence data and environmental suitability maps
Authors: Roell Yannik , Pezzi Laura , Lozano-Parra Anyela , Olson Daniel , Messina Jane , Quandelacy Talia , Drexler Jan Felix , Brady Oliver , Karimzadeh Morteza , Jaenisch Thomas
Published: March 2024

The 2015–17 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in the Americas subsided faster than expected and evolving population immunity was postulated to be the main reason. Herd immunization is suggested to occur around 60–70% seroprevalence, depending on demographic density and climate suitability. However, herd immunity was only documented for a few cities in South America, meaning a substantial portion of the population might still be vulnerable to a future Zika virus outbreak. The aim of our study was to determine the vulnerability of populations to ZIKV by comparing the environmental suitability of ZIKV transmission to the observed seroprevalence, based on published studies. Using a systematic search, we collected seroprevalence and geospatial data for 119 unique locations from 37 studies. Extracting the environmental suitability at each location and converting to a hypothetical expected seroprevalence, we were able to determine the discrepancy between observed and expected. This discrepancy is an indicator of vulnerability and divided into three categories: high risk, low risk, and very low risk. The vulnerability was used to evaluate the level of risk that each location still has for a ZIKV outbreak to occur. Of the 119 unique locations, 69 locations (58%) fell within the high risk category, 47 locations (39%) fell within the low risk category, and 3 locations (3%) fell within the very low risk category. The considerable heterogeneity between environmental suitability and seroprevalence potentially leaves a large population vulnerable to future infection. Vulnerability seems to be especially pronounced at the fringes of the environmental suitability for ZIKV (e.g. Sao Paulo, Brazil). The discrepancies between observed and expected seroprevalence raise the question: “why did the ZIKV epidemic stop with large populations unaffected?”. This lack of understanding also highlights that future ZIKV outbreaks currently cannot be predicted with confidence.
Transcriptome analyses describe the consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Feng Dingxia , Qu Long , Powell-Coffman Jo Anne
Published: March 2024

Metazoan animals rely on oxygen for survival, but during normal development and homeostasis, animals are often challenged by hypoxia (low oxygen). In metazoans, many of the critical hypoxia responses are mediated by the evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). The stability and activity of HIF complexes are strictly regulated. In the model organism C. elegans, HIF-1 stability and activity are negatively regulated by VHL-1, EGL-9, RHY-1 and SWAN-1. Importantly, C. elegans mutants carrying strong loss-of-function mutations in these genes are viable, and this provides opportunities to interrogate the molecular consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation. We find that the genome-wide gene expression patterns are compellingly similar in these mutants, supporting models in which RHY-1, VHL-1 and EGL-9 function in common pathway(s) to regulate HIF-1 activity. These studies illuminate the diversified biological roles played by HIF-1, including metabolism and stress response. Genes regulated by persistent HIF-1 over-activation overlap with genes responsive to pathogens, and they overlap with genes regulated by DAF-16. As crucial stress regulators, HIF-1 and DAF-16 converge on key stress-responsive genes and function synergistically to enable hypoxia survival.
Towards a conceptual framework for the prevention of gambling-related harms: Findings from a scoping review
Authors: Wheaton Jamie , Ford Ben , Nairn Agnes , Collard Sharon
Published: March 2024

The global gambling sector has grown significantly over recent years due to liberal deregulation and digital transformation. Likewise, concerns around gambling-related harms—experienced by individuals, their families, their local communities or societies—have also developed, with growing calls that they should be addressed by a public health approach. A public health approach towards gambling-related harms requires a multifaceted strategy, comprising initiatives promoting health protection, harm minimization and health surveillance across different strata of society. However, there is little research exploring how a public health approach to gambling-related harms can learn from similar approaches to other potentially harmful but legal sectors such as the alcohol sector, the tobacco sector, and the high in fat, salt and sugar product sector. Therefore, this paper presents a conceptual framework that was developed following a scoping review of public health approaches towards the above sectors. Specifically, we synthesize strategies from each sector to develop an overarching set of public health goals and strategies which—when interlinked and incorporated with a socio-ecological model—can be deployed by a range of stakeholders, including academics and treatment providers, to minimise gambling-related harms. We demonstrate the significance of the conceptual framework by highlighting its use in mapping initiatives as well as unifying stakeholders towards the minimization of gambling-related harms, and the protection of communities and societies alike.
The effects of inspiratory muscle training on physical function in critically ill adults: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Farley Christopher , Brooks Dina , Newman Anastasia N. L.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is one possible strategy to ameliorate respiratory muscle weakness due to invasive mechanical ventilation. Recent systematic reviews have focused on respiratory outcomes with minimal attention to physical function. The newest systematic review searched the literature until September 2017 and a recent preliminary search identified 5 new randomized controlled trials focusing on IMT in critical care. As such, a new systematic review is warranted to summarize the current body of evidence and to investigate the effect of IMT on physical function in critical care.

Materials and methods

We will search for three main concepts (“critical illness”, “inspiratory muscle training”, “RCT”) across six databases from their inception (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Emcare, AMED, CINAHL, CENTRAL) and ClinicalTrials.gov. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility using the Covidence web-based software. Eligible studies must include: (1) adult (≥18 years) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) who required invasive mechanical ventilation for ≥24 hours, (2) an IMT intervention using a threshold device with the goal of improving inspiratory muscle strength, with or without usual care, and (3) randomized controlled trial design. The primary outcome of interest will be physical function. We will use the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools (ROB2) and will assess the quality of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) tool. This protocol has been reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA- P) guidelines and is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).

Conclusion

Results will summarize the body of evidence of the effect of IMT on physical function in critically ill patients. We will submit our findings to a peer-reviewed journal and share our results at conferences.
‘Forgetting’ or ‘Precipitation’: Literary inquisition in Qing Dynasty and modern enterprise risk preference
Authors: Wang Weizhou , Yu Weihua , Niu Jinfei
Published: March 2024

This paper takes the risk preference of modern listed companies as the research object, uses the financial data of Chinese listed companies combined with the literary inquisition file in Qing Dynasty to conduct an empirical study, and examines the influence of literary inquisition on the risk preference of modern corporate CEOs in Qing Dynasty. The study found that the literary inquisition incident in Qing Dynasty significantly affected and reduced the risk preference of modern enterprises. The competitive hypothesis of the influence of Confucian culture and China City Commercial Credit Environment Index (CEI) on CEOs’ risk preference is excluded. In addition, through the study of heterogeneity, this paper also verifies that the influence of literary inquisition is more significant in areas with a higher degree of marketization, indicating that the influence of informal institutions depends on the establishment of formal institutions. Finally, in the mechanism study, this paper points out that the rulers’ suppression of ideas will change long-term social capital and lead to the decrease of general trust in society, which will make the enterprise managers born in the region tend to be conservative in their risk preference.
Reading virtual spaces through ‘heterotopias’ and ‘thirdspaces’
Authors: Aras Lerzan
Published: March 2024

Starting from the last decade of the twentieth century, the architectural circles started to show more interest in the concept called the ‘virtual realm’. From their perspective it was an untouched and strange territory. On the other hand, from users’ perspective it was a perfect tool to eliminate the difficult conditions of daily life flow, allowing them to socialize while visiting fantastic spaces and experiencing adventures. These places may be far beyond our understanding of the real world, and they may also seem like a utopia; but despite all these they have their own realities. This new world with its inspiring spaces deserves a better understanding. It can be stated that the virtual realm actually has certain convergences with the well-known space theories from Foucault’s ‘heterotopias’ and Soja’s ‘thirdspaces’. Based on this point, the study first introduces four different examples from the virtual world and discusses how the feeling of heterotopia or thirdspace in these spaces emerges. Discussing the fact of how to read a space in this new world, when time and sense of place seem to be lost but a unique and mythical order is created, will be the main emphasis of this article.
Percutaneous Transhepatic Sphincterotome–Guided Management of Post–Living Donor Liver Transplant Biliary Anastomotic Stricture: An Innovative Approach
Authors: Aujla Usman Iqbal , Syed Imran Ali , Malik Ahmad Karim , Ramzan Muhammad , Saeed Abdullah
Published: March 2024

Post–liver transplantation biliary complications remain a serious concern and are associated with reduced patient and graft survival. Among various biliary complications, anastomotic stricture (AS) is the most frequent and challenging one. The frequency of AS after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is higher as compared to deceased donor liver transplantation. The management involves endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, but refractory cases necessitate surgical revision. We present a case of complex biliary AS in a 63-year-old man after LDLT. The conventional approaches including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, and cholangioscope-guided interventions remained unsuccessful. An innovative approach using a wire-guided sphincterotome through percutaneous transhepatic route successfully managed the complex post-LDLT AS. This is perhaps the first reported case of novel utilization of sphincterotome through transhepatic route for the management of AS in LDLT, averting major surgical interventions with related morbidity and mortality.
Pancreatic Adenosquamous Carcinoma Presenting as a Gastric Lesion
Authors: Kim Dain (Raina) , Ogilvie Travis , Woo Matthew
Published: March 2024

Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma, an uncommon subtype of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, is characterized by an aggressive course and poor prognosis, with the only method of cure being surgical resection at the time of diagnosis. It is a complex condition, as it presents nonspecifically and remains indistinguishable from pancreatic adenocarcinoma without imaging techniques despite its aggressive nature. We report an atypical case of pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma, presenting with marked anemia, found on endoscopy to have a gastric mass. This is of interest to readers as a reminder that pancreatic cancers may present with gastric invasion and should remain on the differential diagnosis for gastric lesions.
The Love Argument for the Trinity
Authors: Sijuwade Joshua
Published: March 2024

The central focus of this article is to provide a new “Love Argument” for the necessary truth of the Latin' model' of the doctrine of the Trinity—termed “Latin Trinitarianism”—from an a priori standpoint. This new argument, called the Agápēic Argument, will be formulated in light of the metaphysical notions of a “trope,” introduced by D. C. Williams, and “multiple location,” posited by Antony Eagle, and the ethical concept of agápē, proposed by Alexander Pruss. Doing this will provide a specific argument that provides strong grounds for affirming the necessary truth of the Trinity, without, however, being subject to the primary objections that have been often raised against the existing versions of the argument.
Implementação, por comentário, pela Sociedade Brasileira de Periodontia e Implantodontia (SOBRAPI), do Guia de Prática Clínica (GPC) de nível S3 da Federação Europeia de Periodontia (EFP), adotado/adaptado por comentário pela Federação Ibero-Panamericana de Periodontia (FIPP), para o Tratamento da Periodontite Estágios I-III.
Authors: Steffens João Paulo , Cortelli Sheila Cavalca , Dias Alexandre , Fischer Ricardo Guimarães , Kahn Sérgio
Published: March 2024

A Periodontia, como todo o conhecimento científico e tecnológico, vive um período de mudanças desempenhando, cada vez mais, um papel importante no cenário odontológico, seja através da Periodontia Médica, da Periodontia Estética, do tratamento das doenças periodontais ou da participação no contexto dos implantes dentários. Pode-se mesmo afirmar que não se faz Odontologia com competência e qualidade sem a Periodontia.
Tratamento cirúrgico de sialolito em ducto da glândula submandibular
Authors: Tavares Paulo Matheus Honda , Nascimento Letícia dos Santos , Martins Valber Barbosa , Oliveira Marcelo Vinicius , Albuquerque Gustavo Cavalcanti de , Nascimento Saulo Lôbo Chateaubriand do , Torres Rafael Saraiva
Published: March 2024

Os sialolitos são estruturas calcificadas que se desenvolvem nas glândulas salivares ou em seus ductos, causando sua obstrução e acarretando a inflamação ou infecção da região envolvida. Os métodos de diagnóstico incluem inspeção, palpação, exames radiográficos, tomografia computadorizada e uma anamnese detalhada. Paciente masculino, 31 anos de idade, sem alterações sistêmicas, apresentou-se com queixa de aumento de volume e incômodo em assoalho bucal durante as refeições. Ao exame clínico, foi observado aumento de volume em assoalho bucal do lado direito. À palpação, observou-se um nódulo de consistência endurecida e móvel. Foi solicitado exame de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico, no qual foi evidenciada a presença de uma massa hiperdensa e cilíndrica, sugestiva de cálculo salivar na região correspondente ao ducto da glândula submandibular do lado direito. O tratamento proposto foi remoção cirúrgica, por meio de acesso intrabucal sob anestesia local e instalação de dispositivo plástico para evitar o colabamento do ducto. No pós-operatório, o paciente não apresentava queixas álgicas ou desconforto na região de assoalho bucal, e as funções fisiológicas foram preservadas. Um exame de imagem de qualidade e a avaliação criteriosa do cirurgião-dentista são fundamentais para a definição do diagnóstico e planejamento do procedimento cirúrgico a ser realizado.
Gestão de custos na agroindústria de erva-mate
Authors: Silva Francisco Tardelli da , Badejo Marcelo Silveira , Baierle Ismael Cristofer , Corrêa Ricardo Gonçalves de Faria
Published: March 2024

Um dos pilares para o desenvolvimento e a continuidade dos empreendimentos é o conhecimento consistente dos custos dos processos produtivos, só assim as agroindústrias conseguem estabelecer métricas de eficiência econômica que sustentem um desempenho superior. Neste sentido, o presente artigo pretende analisar o custo de cada atividade produtiva ervateira, sob a visão do método ABC, demonstrando como essa ferramenta poderá ser aplicada nas agroindústrias de erva-mate. Buscou-se realizar uma avaliação dos custos aproximados da produção de erva-mate em uma ervateira em Parobé - Rio Grande do Sul, considerando a aplicação do método ABC. Inicialmente faz-se uma narrativa a respeito de como o produto é industrializado, para isto foram desenvolvidos fluxogramas contendo os principais processos relativos às atividades desenvolvidas. Para a análise dos custos foram elaboradas tabelas de conversão de valores e dos cálculos realizados. Esta pesquisa foi caracterizada como estudo de caso, um estudo exploratório. O método ABC se mostrou eficiente para avaliação dos custos da agroindústria estudada. Após a determinação do custo de atividades tornou-se mais claro a distribuição dos recursos, a quantidade e especificidade das atividades desenvolvidas e, por conseguinte, o custo de cada processo foi apurado, o que permitiu a visualização das atividades que consomem mais recursos e dos direcionadores de custo. Deste modo, torna-se possível a avaliação dos custos e a comparação com os valores provenientes de uma possível terceirização. O presente estudo poderá servir como embasamento para atividades de extensão universitária ou para estudos teóricos setoriais e para outras agroindústrias.
De la transición hacia sociedades sostenibles. Una propuesta político-jurídica
Authors: Enríquez Sánchez José María , Álvarez Antelo David
Published: March 2024

El objetivo que los autores pretenden con esta publicación es el de establecer las bases teóricas de una política para la transición hacia sociedades sostenibles sobre la Idea de Justicia en un contexto de decrecimiento sobrevenido. La originalidad de dicho propósito está en el reconocimiento explícito de que nuestra actual coyuntura climática es tecnológica y económicamente incorregible. Por tanto, a partir de esos primeros resultados recogidos en esta obra, si los análisis son ciertos, parece que lo más sensato es tratar de anteponer todo tipo de cautelas que nos preparen para un forzoso y problemático cambio sociocultural caracterizado por una creciente escasez en el que aún pueden perderse las conquistas políticas que, gracias a las diferentes luchas sociales habidas a lo largo de la historia, lograron sustanciarse en garantías de libertades básicas y derechos fundamentales ampliamente reconocidos. Para que este extravío acontezca basta con persistir en los mismos procederes que nos han conducido a la dramática situación que este libro explicita. Quienes, por el contrario, mantengan si quiera un ápice de rebeldía contra esas dejaciones y conformismos, quizá en estas páginas encuentren otros motivos de reflexión ética, política y jurídica que ayuden a evitar los peores desenlaces.
Pemanfaatan Limbah Kertas (Pulp) dan Serat Batang Pisang Menjadi Campuran Bahan Pembuatan Asbes Plafon Ramah Lingkungan
Authors: Arsal Reyhan Fajrul , Rivaldy Muchammad David , Hartono Hartono , Fauziyah Shifa
Published: March 2024

Garbage waste in Indonesia is classified as many, including organic and inorganic. Therefore, research was carried out with the aim of utilizing waste paper and banana tree trunks as a mixture for making environmentally friendly asbestos ceilings. The method used is an experimental method, with a mixture of cement and sand composition of 1:2 namely AP0 (38%, 60%, 2%) ; as well as variations in the composition of the mixture of cement, paper pulp, and banana stem fiber used, among others: AP1 (39%, 60%, 2%) ; AP2 (44%, 55%, 2%) ; AP3 (48%, 50%, 2%) ; AP4 (53%, 45%, 2%) and the various compositions used for mixing cement, paper pulp, banana stem fiber, and sand include: AP5 (39%, 20%, 1%, 40%) ; AP6 (44%, 20%, 1%, 35%) ; AP7 (48%, 20%, 2%, 30%) ; AP8 (53%, 20%, 2%, 25%). The highest average flexural strength results for the variation without sand in the AP4 sample = 68.121 kgf/cm2, while the variation using sand in the AP8 sample = 70.358 kgf/cm2. For the water absorption test results, the lowest average variation without sand was in the AP4 sample = 18.36%, while the variation using sand in the AP8 sample = 12.20%. This test includes flexural strength and water absorption. The use of paper pulp can reduce flexural strength and increase water absorption while banana stem fiber increases flexural strength and decreases water absorption. Therefore, it can be concluded that asbestos ceilings with a mixture of pulp and banana stem fiber are better, economical, and lighter than conventional asbestos ceilings and still meet SNI.
The Relationship of Kynurenine and Neopterin Levels and Their Association with a Selection of Other Immune Markers in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Patients
Authors: Vonka Vladimír , Petráčkova M. , Humlová Z. , Klamová H. , Kujovská-Krčmová L. , Dušková M. , Procházka B.
Published: March 2024

Among malignant diseases, chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is one of the best suited candidates for immunotherapy. For this purpose it is necessary to broaden the present knowledge on the immunology of this disease. As a part of such a project, the levels of kynurenine (KYN) and neopterin (NPT) were studied in 28 CML patients and in the same number of healthy subjects. At diagnosis, both KYN and NPT levels were found to be elevated in a significant portion of the patients and dependent on their leukocyte count. As in the case of KYN, increased NPT levels dropped after achieving remission. When correlating KYN and NPT levels with a selection of other markers tested, significant association was revealed only in the case of CRP and IL-6. However, there were several patients with increased KYN levels in whom NPT was not detected, and vice versa. The relapse of the disease observed in two patients was accompanied by an increased level of NPT in both cases, but by an increased level of KYN in only one of them. No significant correlation was found between KYN and NPT levels in sera taken at diagnosis. However, when the whole set of sera was taken into consideration, the association became statistically significant. Although the data obtained revealed a number of similarities between KYN and NPT production in CML patients, it also suggested a difference in the kinetics of these two biomarkers’ production.
Attributivity and Subjectivity in Czech Journalism and Scientific Literature
Authors: Kubát Miroslav , Čech Radek
Published: March 2024

This study examines two recently proposed stylometric indices, attributivity and subjectivity, in the context of Czech journalism and scientific literature. Index of attributivity is defined as the ratio of the frequency of attributes to the sum of frequencies of nouns, pronouns, and attributes. Index of subjectivity is defined as the ratio of the frequency of subjects to the sum of frequencies of predicates and subjects. The research is based on the corpus of contemporary written Czech language SYN2020. It appears that both indices of attributivity and subjectivity are sensitive to different genres, and could be used in stylometric analyses, especially those that focus on the interpretability of quantitative measures. In general, more formal texts tend to have higher values of both indices across different genres.
Jména synagog v Česku
Authors: Dvořáková Žaneta
Published: March 2024

Příspěvek se zabývá jmény synagog na území dnešní České republiky. Motivace těchto sakrálních jmen srovnáváme se jmény synagog v Polsku, která popsal A. Gałkowski (2022). Dospíváme přitom ke stejným závěrům. Nachází-li se v obci jediná synagoga, bývá většinou označována pouze apelativně a blíže ji určuje lokalita (např. synagoga v Polné). Mezi 78 vlastními jmény, která jsme analyzovali, byla nejčastější Stará synagoga a Nová synagoga. Dalšími motivacemi byly např. velikost, poloha, lokalita, označení náboženského směru, název spolku, který synagogu provozoval apod. Osobní jména plnila v názvech synagog honorifikační funkci a nejčastější patřila mecenášům, kteří financovali jejich stavbu.
Čtyři děleno dvěma jsou dvě
Authors: Hrdlička Milan
Published: March 2024

V příspěvku se přibližuje problematika hojné tvarové variantnosti při elementárním počítání v češtině. Výsledky byly získány na základě anonymní průzkumné sondy mezi českými rodilými mluvčími, resp. mezi oborovými posluchači bohemistiky. V některých případech (kupř. v početní úloze 4 : 2 = 2) účastníci ankety uvedli deset různých možností. Přílišná rozkolísanost konkurenčních vyjádření je hodnocena spíše negativně.
Gesture combinations during collaborative decision-making at wall displays
Authors: Anastasiou Dimitra , Coppens Adrien , Maquil Valérie
Published: March 2024

This paper describes an empirical user study with 24 participants during collaborative decision-making at large wall displays. The main objective of the user study is to analyze combinations of mid-air pointing gestures with other gestures or gaze. Particularly, we investigate gesture sequences (having pointing gestures as an initiator gesture) and gaze-pointing gesture misalignments. Our results show that most pointing gestures are part of gesture sequences and more precise gestures lead to touch gestures on the wall display, likely because they are associated with precise concepts. Regarding combinations of pointing gestures and gaze, misalignments often happen when users touch the display to make a change and want to observe the effect of that change on another display. The analyses conducted as part of this study clarify which natural awareness cues are more frequent in face-to-face collaboration, so that appropriate choices can be made regarding the transmission of equivalent cues to a remote location.
Large-scale PANDA facility – radiation experiments and CFD calculations
Authors: Kapulla Ralf , Kelm Stephan , Doll Ulrich , Liu Xiongguo , Paranjape Sidhart , Paladino Domenico
Published: March 2024

CFD modelling of the thermo-hydraulic phenomena in the containment during the various phases of a severe accident necessarily requires consideration of radiative heat transfer – in the presence of steam. These radiative phenomena include (i) energy transfer within the gas mixture and (ii) between the gas and surrounding structures. Preliminary calculations carried out for these types of experiments within the OECD/NEA HYMERES-2 project with the CFD code containmentFOAM using a Monte Carlo solver for thermal radiation, demonstrated that the radiative heat transfer is significant even for very small amounts of vapour in the range of ≈0.1 % to ≈2 %. For this reason, the test matrix was tailored to the two opposite extremes: either gas compositions with a low vapour/steam content, where radiative heat transfer can be neglected, or gas mixtures with higher vapour contents, so that radiative heat transfer plays a dominant role. For the selected experiments of the H2P2 series and the corresponding CFD calculations, a vessel with a diameter of 4 m and a height of 8 m was preconditioned with different air-vapour mixtures (a) at room temperature and (b) elevated temperatures. A stable helium layer was then built-up in the upper part of the vessel. The gas was then compressed by injecting helium from above which resembles with best efforts a compression with a piston in a cylinder. This results in a height-dependent and transient increase of the gas temperature. These experiments and the associated CFD calculations were developed to isolate the phenomena of thermal radiation as good as possible from convective and diffusive effects – within the always present experimental limitations. For the reference experiment with ‘dry conditions’ corresponding to the lowest experimentally possible humidity of ≈0.1 %, we show that the use of a model without radiation provides the best agreement between the experimental and numerical results. For the much higher steam content of ≈60 %, the statistical narrow band correlated-k model (SNBCK), non-gray gas model, is the best candidate for future calculations – with computationally forgivable additional effort. We also provide with the Filtered Rayleigh Scattering technique (FRS) an outlook for a possible future instrumentation approach to better meet the requirements of the CFD community.