bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empagliflozin reduced long-term HbA1c variability and cardiovascular death: insights from the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial
Authors: Ceriello Antonio , Ofstad Anne Pernille , Zwiener Isabella , Kaspers Stefan , George Jyothis , Nicolucci Antonio
Published: October 2020

Background

Glucose variability has been associated with cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes, however, the interplay between glucose variability, empagliflozin and cardiovascular death has not been explored. In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 38%. We explore post-hoc the association between HbA1c variability and cardiovascular death, and the potential mediating effects of HbA1c variability on empagliflozin’s cardiovascular death reductions.

Methods

In total, 7,020 patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease received placebo, empagliflozin 10 mg or 25 mg. We defined within-patient HbA1c variability as standard deviation, coefficient of variation and range of HbA1c measurements (%) post-baseline. First, we compared HbA1c variability until week 28 and 52 by Wilcoxon tests. We explored the association between cardiovascular death and HbA1c variability in placebo and pooled empagliflozin arms separately with landmark analyses at week 28 and 52, and additionally with HbA1c variability as a time-dependent co-variate. We used Cox regression models adjusted for baseline risk factors including changes in HbA1c from baseline to week 12, and the interaction term HbA1c variability* treatment.

Results

HbA1c variability was lower with empagliflozin compared to placebo. In all Cox analyses, high HbA1c variability increased the risk for cardiovascular death in both treatment arms with no interaction with treatment: e.g. an increase in HbA1c variability of one unit for the standard deviation at week 28 was associated with a subsequent increased risk of CV death with HRs of 1.97 (95% CI 1.36, 2.84) and 1.53 (1.01, 2.31) in the placebo and empagliflozin groups, separately, interaction p-value 0.3615.

Conclusions

HbA1c variability was reduced by empagliflozin and high values of HbA1c variability were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Empagliflozin’s reduction in cardiovascular death did not appear to be mediated by reductions in HbA1c variability.

ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01131676
High NEMO score values in nailfold videocapillaroscopy are associated with the subsequent development of ischaemic digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Del Papa Nicoletta , Pignataro Francesca , Maglione Wanda , Minniti Antonina , Sambataro Domenico , Sambataro Gianluca , Valentini Gabriele , Caporali Roberto , Vitali Claudio
Published: October 2020

Background

Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a feasible method that allows the observation of the microvascular changes that mark the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc). In previous studies, we demonstrated that the NEMO score, i.e. the cumulative number of microhaemorrhages and microthromboses, is a good indicator of the steady-state level and overtime changes of disease activity (DA) in SSc.

Objectives

To verify whether high NEMO scores, which mirror a very active microvascular derangement in the fingers, may be associated with the subsequent development of ischaemic digital ulcers (IDUs).

Methods

The NEMO score was assessed at baseline (T0) in 98 patients with SSc, all classified according to the ACR-EULAR criteria. Of them, 90 were females, 48 had the limited and 50 had the diffuse cutaneous variant of SSc. Afterwards, the patients were closely followed up for 2 years, and the appearance of new IDUs recorded at any time of the follow-up. The T0-NEMO score values of patients who developed IDUs were compared to those of patients who did not. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated by plotting the sensitivity and 1-specificity of the different NEMO score values in predicting the subsequent development of IDUs.

Results

During the follow-up, 38 out of 98 patients developed one or more IDUs. The NEMO score at T0 was significantly higher in those who developed IDUs with respect to those who did not [median 14.5 (95% CI 11.0–21.5) and 4.5 (95% CI 4.0–6.0), respectively, p < 0.0001]. The ROC curve derived from different T0-NEMO score values had an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.69–0.86, p < 0.0001). A NEMO score of ≥ 12 had a sensitivity of 83.3% (95% CI 71.5–91.7) and a specificity of 63.2% (95% CI 46.0–78.2), with positive (P) and negative (N) predictive (PV) values of 58.9% (95% CI 44.7–72.2) and 85.6% (71.8–94.4), respectively. A NEMO score of ≥ 16 had a sensitivity of 95.0% (95% CI 86.1–99.0) and a NPV of 93.4% (77.5–99.2).

Conclusions

Being a valid tool to measure DA levels in SSc, the NEMO score also appears to be closely related to the subsequent development of IDUs in this disease.
A case of recurrent herpes simplex 2 encephalitis, VZV reactivations, and dominant partial interferon-gamma-receptor-1 deficiency supports relevance of IFNgamma for antiviral defense in humans
Authors: Körholz Julia , Richter Nicole , Schäfer Jochen , Schuetz Catharina , Roesler Joachim
Published: October 2020

Background

Unlike infections with mycobacteria, reports of unusual viral infections in interferon-gamma-receptor (IFNγR) deficient patients are scarce. Therefore, discussion about increased susceptibility to viral infections in these patients is ongoing.

Case presentation

We describe a 51-year-old male with dominant partial interferon-gamma-receptor-1 (IFNγR1)-deficiency and recurrent Herpes simplex 2 meningoencephalitis as well as other viral reactivations since childhood.

Conclusions

This case further confirms an enhanced risk for viral disease in IFNγR-deficient patients and a role of interferon gamma for human antiviral defense.
Distance variable improvement of time-series big data stream evaluation
Authors: Wibisono Ari , Mursanto Petrus , Adibah Jihan , Bayu Wendy D. W. T. , Rizki May Iffah , Hasani Lintang Matahari , Ahli Valian Fil
Published: October 2020

Real-time information mining of a big dataset consisting of time series data is a very challenging task. For this purpose, we propose using the mean distance and the standard deviation to enhance the accuracy of the existing fast incremental model tree with the drift detection (FIMT-DD) algorithm. The standard FIMT-DD algorithm uses the Hoeffding bound as its splitting criterion. We propose the further use of the mean distance and standard deviation, which are used to split a tree more accurately than the standard method. We verify our proposed method using the large Traffic Demand Dataset, which consists of 4,000,000 instances; Tennet’s big wind power plant dataset, which consists of 435,268 instances; and a road weather dataset, which consists of 30,000,000 instances. The results show that our proposed FIMT-DD algorithm improves the accuracy compared to the standard method and Chernoff bound approach. The measured errors demonstrate that our approach results in a lower Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) in every stage of learning by approximately 2.49% compared with the Chernoff Bound method and 19.65% compared with the standard method.
Early- and late anthracycline-induced cardiac dysfunction: echocardiographic characterization and response to heart failure therapy
Authors: Kamphuis Janine A. M. , Linschoten Marijke , Cramer Maarten J. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Teske Arco J.
Published: October 2020

Background

Anthracycline-induced cardiac dysfunction (ACD) is a notorious side effect of anticancer treatment. It has been described as a phenomenon of a continuous progressive decline of cardiac function, eventually leading to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This progressive nature suggests that patients with a delayed ACD diagnosis have greater compromise of cardiac function and more adverse remodeling, with a poor response to heart failure (HF) treatment. This study aimed to delineate the impact of a delayed ACD diagnosis on echocardiographic characteristics and response to HF treatment.

Methods and results

From the population of our cardio-oncology outpatient clinic, 92 ACD patients were included in this study (age 51.6 ± 16.2 years, median cumulative anthracycline dose 329 [200–329] mg/m2), and a median follow-up of 25.0 [9.6–37.2] months after ACD diagnosis. Median time to ACD diagnosis for patients diagnosed early (< 1 year) and late (> 1 year) was 4.0 vs. 47.7 months respectively. There were no echocardiographic differences between patients diagnosed early vs. late (LVEF 43.6 ± 4.9% vs. 43.0 ± 6.2% and iEDV 63.6 vs. 62.9 mL/m2). Eighty-three percent of patients presented with mild LV dysfunction and in 79% the LV was not dilated. Patients diagnosed early were more likely to have (partial) recovery of cardiac function upon HF treatment initiation (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

In the setting of a cardio-oncology outpatient clinic, patients with ACD presented with a hypokinetic non-dilated cardiomyopathy, rather than typical DCM. Timing of ACD diagnosis did not impact HF disease severity. However, in patients receiving an early diagnosis, cardiac function was more likely to recover upon HF treatment.
Endovascular treatment of an obstructive membrane between inferior vena cava and right atrium in an unrecognized Budd-Chiari syndrome
Authors: Strozzi Maja , Besic Kristina Maric , Ivana Knezevic Stromar , Darko Anić
Published: October 2020

Background

Budd-Chiari syndrome is defined as a hepatic venous outflow track obstruction of various etiology, which appears at different levels. The inferior vena cava outflow membrane is an unusual, but a potentially treatable cause. The percutaneous treatment has emerged as a very promising management mode for such patients. Follow-up results are favorable for balloon angioplasty and/or stenting, with minimal re-stenosis rates.

Case presentation

We report a case of a young woman, earlier operated on congenital heart defect and with previous pulmonary embolic incident after childbirth, with no evidence of thrombophilia. She was admitted to our institution for a suspected right atrial tumor. After the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by membranous inferior vena cava obstruction, a percutaneous treatment of a thick membrane was successfully performed, using an unusual technique.

Conclusion

Balloon angioplasty should be considered in cases of membranous obstruction of vena cava, where a focal obstruction is causing the symptoms. In our patient, the anatomy was not suitable for stenting, and balloon dilatation was successful just after the membrane was pulled apart with a big balloon in a “Rashkind-like” procedure.
Change in decision-making skills and risk for eating disorders in adolescence: A population-based study
Authors: Francesconi M. , Flouri E. , Harrison A.
Published: October 2020

Background

Despite the growing interest in the involvement of decision-making under conditions of risk in the onset of eating disorders in adolescence, no studies have investigated how the development of decision-making across that period may influence such a risk. Using data from the Millennium Cohort Study this study explored whether changes in performance on the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) between age 11 and age 14 were associated with presence of eating disorder (ED) symptoms at age 14.

Methods

Latent class analysis was used to identify groups with distinct profiles based on their responses to questions investigating eating and dieting at age 14. CGT change scores were used as predictors of latent class membership in a logistic regression while accounting for confounders.

Results

In our sample of 11,303 participants, the best class solution was a two-class one reflecting high and low risk for ED symptoms. Higher risk-taking scores and lower quality of decision-making scores at age 11 were associated with increased odds of belonging to the high-risk group at age 14. Risk-taking was reduced from age 11 to age 14, but a smaller reduction was associated with a higher probability of being in the higher risk group at age 14. The change over time in the other CGT measures was not associated with risk for ED symptoms.

Conclusions

Atypical change in risk-taking from early to middle adolescence may be implicated in the risk of ED symptoms in middle adolescence. These results should be replicated in clinical samples.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism as an Independent Determinant of Left Atrial Dysfunction in the General Population
Authors: Nakanishi Koki , Daimon Masao , Yoshida Yuriko , Sawada Naoko , Hirose Kazutoshi , Iwama Kentaro , Yamamoto Yuko , Ishiwata Jumpei , Hirokawa Megumi , Kaneko Hidehiro , Nakao Tomoko , Mizuno Yoshiko , Morita Hiroyuki , Di Tullio Marco R , Homma Shunichi , Komuro Issei
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Although subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common clinical entity and carries independent risk for incident heart failure (HF), its possible association with subclinical cardiac dysfunction is unclear. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and left atrial (LA) phasic strain can unmask subclinical left heart abnormalities and are excellent predictors for HF. This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of SCH and subclinical left heart dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease.

Methods

We examined 1078 participants who voluntarily underwent extensive cardiovascular health check-ups, including laboratory tests and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess LVGLS and LA reservoir, conduit, and pump strain. SCH was defined as an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level with normal concentration of free thyroxine.

Results

Mean age was 62 ± 12 years, and 56% were men. Seventy-eight (7.2%) participants exhibited SCH. Individuals with SCH had significantly reduced LA reservoir (37.1 ± 6.6% vs 39.1 ± 6.6%; P = 0.011) and conduit strain (17.3 ± 6.3% vs 19.3 ± 6.6%; P = 0.012) compared with those with euthyroidism, whereas there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction, LA volume index, LVGLS, and LA pump strain between the 2 groups. In multivariable analyses, SCH remained associated with impaired LA reservoir strain, independent of age, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and pertinent laboratory and echocardiographic parameters. including LVGLS (standardized β −0.054; P = 0.032).

Conclusions

In an unselected community-based cohort, individuals with SCH had significantly impaired LA phasic function. This association may be involved in the higher incidence of HF in subjects with SCH.
Anesthesia for Maternal–Fetal Interventions: A Consensus Statement From the American Society of Anesthesiologists Committees on Obstetric and Pediatric Anesthesiology and the North American Fetal Therapy Network
Authors: Chatterjee Debnath , Arendt Katherine W. , Moldenhauer Julie S. , Olutoye Olutoyin A. , Parikh Jagroop Mavi , Tran Kha M. , Zaretsky Michael V. , Zhou Jie , Rollins Mark D.
Published: October 2020

Maternal–fetal surgery is a rapidly evolving specialty, and significant progress has been made over the last 3 decades. A wide range of maternal–fetal interventions are being performed at different stages of pregnancy across multiple fetal therapy centers worldwide, and the anesthetic technique has evolved over the years. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recognizes the important role of the anesthesiologist in the multidisciplinary approach to these maternal–fetal interventions and convened a collaborative workgroup with representatives from the ASA Committees of Obstetric and Pediatric Anesthesia and the Board of Directors of the North American Fetal Therapy Network. This consensus statement describes the comprehensive preoperative evaluation, intraoperative anesthetic management, and postoperative care for the different types of maternal–fetal interventions.
The Queer Thresholds of Heresy
Authors: Han Ju Hui Judy
Published: October 2020

Disputes over heresy are not new or uncommon, as mainline Protestant denominations in South Korea have historically deemed numerous minor sects and radical theologies to be heretical to the Christian faith. However, when the largest evangelical denomination in the country, the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), began investigating Reverend Lim Borah (Im Pora) of the Sumdol Hyanglin Church in 2017 and subsequently ruled her ministry to be heretical, they charted new grounds by denouncing LGBTI-affirming theology and ministry as heresy. This article traces the semantic ambiguity and politics of the term for heresy, idan, and highlights the intersection of heretical Christianity, gender and sexual nonconformity, and ideological dissidence. The argument is that growing interests in queer theology and calls for LGBTI-affirming ministry stoked the flames of efforts by beleaguered Protestant denominations to use heresy to discredit and stigmatize dissident practices, and that rather than simply stifle dissent, the subsequent controversy also exposed the limits of dominant power and the contours of vital resistance.
Four lichen species new for Russia
Authors: Urbanavichus Gennadii , Urbanavichene Irina
Published: October 2020

Four lichen species, Biatora chrysanthoides collected from Kostroma Region, Gyalidea minuta from Nizhnii Novgorod Region and Polyblastia borealis and Thelocarpon saxicola from Murmansk Region, are reported for the first time for Russia. Comments on their habitats, substrates, key anatomical features and world distribution are provided for each species.
Species of lichenized Ascomycota new to Polish Western Carpathians and rare in whole Carpathians
Authors: Czarnota Paweł , Tanona Magdalena
Published: October 2020

Five species of lichen-forming fungi not reported yet or rare in the Carpathians have been found during lichenological researches by authors in the Tatra Mts and the Gorce Mts. Of these, Tetramelas chloroleucus has not been recorded in Poland since 19th century and, similarly to Gyalecta russula, has been found for the first time in the Polish part of the Carpathians. Absconditella celata has been discovered in the Polish Western Carpathians. Fellhanera gyrophorica has never been listed before in the Western Carpathians and Epigloea bactrospora in whole Carpathians. Notes on the taxonomy, habitat and worldwide distribution of these species (including maps of their ranges in Europe) are accompanied by photo plates illustrating their morphology and anatomy.
The liverworts of the Khulga River Basin (Subpolar Urals, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra)
Authors: Konstantinova Nadezhda , Lapshina Elena , Filippov Ilya
Published: October 2020

The annotated list of liverworts of Khulga River Basin (Subpolar Urals, north-east part of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra) is compiled based on identification of 300 specimens gathered by E. D. Lapshina and I. V. Filippov in 2018. It counts 84 species, among them two species new for the Urals and five species (Arnellia fennica, Frullania austinii, Mesoptychia rutheana, Metzgeria furcata, Scapania sphaerifera) new for Subpolar Urals. Annotations to the species include distribution, description of habitats and data on reproduction structures. Comparison with two previously studied local floras as well as the full list of liverworts of Asian part of the Urals is provided. A total of 144 species have now been recorded in three studies of the Urals territories within the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area.
A Note on some of Hölderlin’s Epigrams in English Translation
Authors: Behrmann Alfred
Published: October 2020

The paper examines the epigrams included in Michael Hamburger’s translations of Hölderlin’s work, focusing on the observance of metrical rules and offering alternatives where they have not been complied with, taking care to change as little as possible.
Quantitative Approaches to Versification: Conference report (June 24–26, 2019, Prague, Czech Republic)
Authors: Pilshchikov Igor , Polilova Vera
Published: October 2020

Quantitative Approaches to Versification: Conference report (June 24–26, 2019, Prague, Czech Republic)
Possibilities of Using the Scratch Programming Environment at the First Stage of School Education (to the Problem Statement)
Authors: Davoyan Irina
Published: October 2020

The article discusses approaches to the use of the Scrath programming environment in the educational process of primary school. The methodological manuals of S.N. Tur, T.P. Bokuchava, O. N. Burtaeva, describing the methodology for teaching programming, and various educational programming environments: LightBot, Little Wizzard, RoboMind. The possibilities that open up when using the Scrath programming environment in solving the problems of forming information literacy of younger students, organizing their educational research activities, as well as positive socialization are evaluated.
An Empirical Investigation of the Antecedents and Consequences of Privacy Uncertainty in the Context of Mobile Apps
Authors: Al-Natour Sameh , Cavusoglu Hasan , Benbasat Izak , Aleem Usman
Published: October 2020

When using mobile apps that extensively collect user information, privacy uncertainty, which is consumers’ difficulty in assessing the privacy of the data they entrust to others, is a major concern. Using a simulated app-buying experiment, we find that privacy uncertainty, which is mainly driven by uncertainty about what data are collected and how they are used and protected, is indeed a significant influencer of one’s intentions to use a mobile app and the perceived risk associated with that use, as well as the price a potential consumer is willing to pay for an app. Our results further show that the uncertainty concerning the data collected while using a mobile app drives consumers’ decisions more than the uncertainty regarding data that are collected at the time an app is downloaded. To investigate whether privacy uncertainty continues to be a factor after a consumer has already started using an app, we conducted a survey of users of wellness and personal finance apps. The results indicate that privacy uncertainty is a lingering concern because it continues to influence a user’s intention to continue using an app and the perceived risk associated with that continued use.
On the Structure of Bottlenecks in Processes
Authors: Dawande Milind , Feng Zhichao , Janakiraman Ganesh
Published: October 2020

Process capacity and the associated notions of bottleneck activities and bottleneck resources—which are responsible for limiting process capacity to its present value—are fundamental concepts in the operations management literature. However, for processes that involve collaboration and multitasking, there is little clarity in the literature on what bottlenecks are, what they look like, and how they can be identified. In this paper, we formulate and analyze graph-theoretic optimization problems that determine bottleneck structures of activities and the associated bottleneck sets of resources in deterministic, single-product processes with possibly multiple copies of one or more resources and possibly multiple sets of resources that can perform each activity. In the presence of both collaboration and multitasking, sets of activities that are interconnected in a specific manner via shared resources form bottleneck structures that are responsible for limiting capacity. We use the collaboration graph of the process to either characterize bottleneck structures completely or identify graphical structures that must necessarily be part of any bottleneck structure. Our analysis reveals a natural hierarchy in the algorithmic approach for identifying bottleneck structures as processes become increasingly sophisticated, ranging from the “easy” case where the simple bottleneck formula correctly identifies bottlenecks to more complex cases where one needs to solve progressively complicated mathematical programs. In turn, this understanding helps us obtain prescriptive answers to several questions of interest to managers, for example, the budget-constrained procurement of resources to maximize capacity improvement and the design of processes to increase capacity without procuring additional resources.

This paper was accepted by Jayashankar Swaminathan, operations management.
The Strategic Benefit of Request for Proposal/Quotation
Authors: Chu Leon Yang , Rong Ying , Zheng Huan
Published: October 2020

The Design of the Procurement Process
Obstetric complications and medical complexities in pregnancy. Part 2
Authors: Lindsay Pat
Published: October 2020

Childbearing is a normal physiological process and one that most women experience at least once in their lives—81% in 2018 ( Office for National Statistics, 2019 ). The majority will have a safe and trouble-free pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. However, a few will experience complications. Some of these arise in previously healthy women when the progress of the pregnancy deviates from normal. Other women enter pregnancy with a pre-existing medical condition that may complicate progress and require additional attention and monitoring. Maternity support workers (MSWs) are an essential part of safe care. The service they give will be enhanced by knowledge of some of the conditions that may arise. This paper provides a brief overview of some of the issues.
The Distribution of Service Time of Patients
Authors: Oladimeji Ayotunde Samson , Ibidoja Olayemi Joshua
Published: October 2020

The aim of this research was to study the distribution of service time of patients at the University of Ilorin Health Services Clinic. The distributions of patients’ arrival and their service time were studied. The system was treated as single, time-independent arrivals with multiple service points. Based on the histograms obtained on the arrival process and the service process, appropriate distributions were fitted and tested using Chi-squared goodness of fit test. It revealed that the arrival process follows a Poisson distribution with an arrival rate of 0.8 patient per 2 minutes while the service process follows a gamma distribution with shape and scale parameters equal to 6 and 0.1 respectively. The mean service time was also found to be around 63 minutes. The results of this study may be useful to understand the magnitude of the problem of queue, relationship between resources and waiting times and to find a solution for alleviating the problem.
Association of Pregnancy Contexts with Depression and Low Social Support in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Lundsberg Lisbet S. , Cutler Abigail S. , Stanwood Nancy L. , Yonkers Kimberly A. , Gariepy Aileen M.
Published: October 2020

CONTEXT

Research into the relationship between pregnancy intention and perinatal depression or low social support is limited. Women's perspectives on pregnancy and their associations with perinatal depression could help in developing targeted efforts for screening and intervention.

METHODS

In 2014–2015, 161 women seeking pregnancy testing or abortion care at clinics in New Haven, Connecticut, were surveyed. They were asked about pregnancy context (intentions, planning, wantedness, desirability, timing and happiness), and the Edinburgh Depression Screen (EDS) and the Modified Kendler Social Support Index (MKSSI) were used to identify possible antenatal depression and low social support, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to examine associations between pregnancy context and these outcomes.

RESULTS

On average, participants were 27 years old and at nine weeks’ gestation. One‐fifth reported a previous diagnosis of depression or anxiety, and 22% and 33% screened positive for depression (EDS scores of 13 or higher and 10 or higher, respectively); 52% received low social support (MKSSI score of 3.2 or less). Regression analysis found that pregnancies described as unintended, poorly timed or undesired were associated with depression at the higher cutoff (odds ratios, 3.2–4.5); all unfavorable pregnancy measures were associated with depression at the lower cutoff. Ambivalence regarding pregnancy timing, intention, wantedness and desirability was associated with increased odds of depression by either EDS score. Unplanned pregnancies and those about which the woman was ambivalent were associated with low social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support the need to screen women for depression early in pregnancy and to integrate assessments of pregnancy context into the evaluation of potential risk factors.
Habladurías sobre tiranos felices. Platón y Jenofonte a propósito de filosofía, tiranía y buen gobierno
Authors: Marsico Claudia
Published: October 2020

Plato and Xenophon had different perspectives on the better governance. In this paper, I study the notion of tyranny in Plato's Republic and Xenophon's Hiero to trace their views on the aptitude of philosophy to redeem the tyrant and indicate some intertextual points. On this basis, I analyse the meaning and extent of Simonides’ proposal in the Hiero rejecting the idea of a mere pragmatic approach. Finally, I examine the platonic Hipparchusto find a key to figure out the election of Simonides as Xenophon’s spokesperson. Paying attention to the context of the discussions among the Socratics, this approach enhances our understanding of these authors, regarding tyranny, the possibility of its abandonment, and the role of the intellectuals in this process.
Elenchtike techne, erotike techne: in margine al Carmide platonico
Authors: Pentassuglio Francesca
Published: October 2020

The paper aims to investigate the relationship between ἐρωτικὴ τέχνη and ἐλεγκτικὴ τέχνη in Plato’s early dialogues, and especially in the Charmides, through a close exam of the role of ἀντέρως in the dialogical practice and exchanges. In the light of Socrates’ reshaping of the roles of ἐραστής and ἐρώμενος in his view of παιδεία – exemplarily shown in the Symposium – I will analyse some passages of Socrates’ conversations in the Charmides by focusing on the interaction between the one who examines and the one who answers within the elenctic procedure.
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and Refractory Ascites
Authors: Thandassery Ragesh B. , Patel Rahul S. , Grewal Priya
Published: October 2020

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a rare autosomal dominant disease that can involve the liver. The presence of arteriohepatic venous shunts can lead to high output cardiac failure and biliary ischemia, whereas arterioportal venous shunts can result in portal hypertension. Cirrhosis and nodular regenerative hyperplasia are also reported in these patients. Management of these patients in the setting of symptomatic liver disease is challenging. Transarterial embolization and hepatic artery ligation are usually considered palliative options. In selected cases, orthotopic liver transplantation can cure both liver disease and heart failure.
Asociación Vecinal Villa del Parque de Santa Fe: el desafío hacia la autogestión en clave de Economía Social y Solidaria
Authors: Azerrad María Rut , Rossler Germán
Published: October 2020

A partir del año 2011 un equipo interdisciplinario de la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral trabajó con la Asociación Vecinal Villa del Parque de la ciudad de Santa Fe a través de dos Proyectos de Extensión de Interés Social con el objetivo de fortalecer la capacidad de autogestión de su Comisión Directiva. Estos proyectos se articularon sobre dos líneas de acción: la primera relacionada con cuestiones contables, administrativas, legales, y con el proceso de toma de decisiones; la segunda vinculada al desarrollo de una estrategia de “obra–escuela” con una cooperativa de trabajo. Este artículo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre las etapas que atravesaron estos proyectos focalizándose en las relaciones entre los actores sociales participantes, los obstáculos que surgieron y las modificaciones realizadas en las estrategias para lograr un diálogo de saberes.
Narrar la experiencia: procesos de registro en las prácticas de extensión universitaria
Authors: Bácerez María del Valle , Díaz Nanci
Published: October 2020

En el presente artículo queremos compartir algunas reflexiones en torno a la importancia del registro como herramienta que consideramos valiosa para recuperar por escrito las diferentes experiencias de las prácticas de extensión. Dicho análisis surge a partir de una serie de talleres de formación, convocadas por la Secretaría de Extensión Social y Cultural de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral, donde nos centramos precisamente en abordar los registros en el marco de los procesos de prácticas de extensión universitaria.A lo largo del escrito nos proponemos invitarles a reflexionar sobre el protagonismo que adquieren los estudiantes a partir de narrar sus propias experiencias de prácticas de extensión; los registros como materia prima para la construcción de conocimiento situado; y por último, el valor pedagógico del registro en el proceso de formación.
Organizational improvisation capability of schools: A study of scale adaptation and level determination
Authors: Limon İbrahim , Dilekçi Ümit
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study was to adapt the Scale of Organization Improvisational Capability (SOIC) into Turkish culture and determine schools’ organizational improvisation capability. The study first presented the theoretical framework of the concept of organizational improvisation, which has been understudied in Turkey so far. In the experimental stage, SOIC was adapted into Turkish culture and used for the first time in Turkey. SOIC-TR has linguistic equivalence, construct validity, and reliability. However, it has a uni-dimensional structure whereas the original version (SOIC-EN) consists of eight items, loading on two separate factors. In the second stage, a single screening model was employed to determine schools’ organizational improvisation capacity and to compare it by various variables. In this stage the study sample consisted of 366 school administrators and teachers in Batman. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Participants had an “Agree” level perception of their schools’ organizational improvisation capacity. Their views significantly differed by their position and school size but not by school grade level.
Postradzieckie wersje pamięci w najnowszej literaturze ukraińskiej
Authors: Pukhonska Oksana
Published: October 2020

For the modern society it is very important to find some explanations of the historical events of the 20th century. The matter is that those events, which were so destructive with theirs totalitarian occupation, mass killing of the whole nations that they had a great influence on the behavior of people nowadays. It is extremely important that different cultural groups try to retrieve memory, which was lost in the result of different historical conditions. Literature has large contribution to this process by creating the artistic environment where the forgotten world can be remained with the help of memory. In the process of reflecting history modern literature very often creates the space of the retained and recovered memory. Arts also becomes the so-called therapy for societies, which have been injured as a result of genocide against the whole nations.
Sytuacja języka białoruskiego w Internecie
Authors: Siwirska Anna Berenika
Published: October 2020

The article is devoted to the functioning of the Belarusian language in Internet communication. The author presents the results of her own research, in which she is interested in what language the Internet users write public and private messages, read news from the world or look for information. The author presents the linguistic situation on the Belarusian Internet and the functioning of the Belarusian language in various spheres of communication: in the mass media, social media, commentaries under press articles, websites of state institutions and private enterprises. Consequently, the real position and role of the Belarusian language in virtual communication is presented in the paper.
Motocykl–widmo, czyli meandry współczesnej fantastyki (Oleg Diwow, Рыжий пес иж)
Authors: Zywert Aleksandra
Published: October 2020

The present paper aims at analyzing one of the most recent Divov’s stories entitled Рыжий пес Иж (2016). The text is interesting both due to its literary genre hybridity (it embraces elements of a melodrama, a horror story, a detective story, urban fantasy and a fairy tale) and the topics it touches upon (especially animalistic issues). Divov deploys the well-known literary and cinematic motif of a soul penetrating an object and creates a story of motorcycle haunted by a dog’s soul. Due to its original solutions (inter alia referring to films) Divov’s story is an interesting work illustrating the permanent interrelations between literatures and movies as well as the author’s exploration within this scope. Moreover, the manner of creating the animal character and placing it within the structure allow for including Divov’s story into the group of contemporary literary works reflecting the proanimal trends in Russian culture.
Język i struktura Грамоты кн. Дмитрия Юрьевича в. кн. Василию Васильевичу. Problem tekstowości
Authors: Waraczewski Maciej
Published: October 2020

The paper analyses an Old East Slavic document – Грамота кн. Дмитрия Юрьевича в. кн. Василию Васильевичу in the context of its textuality. The language and structure of the text are described in order to prove that it can be analysed as a text in the meaning applied in modern text linguistics. Moreover, the paper shows that a wider investigation is necessary in order to prove its stylistic and genre features.
Centrum i peryferia. Obraz Moskwy w powieści Dmitrija Głuchowskiego Tekst
Authors: Zywert Aleksandra
Published: October 2020

Text is a novel of manners with elements of a thriller, a noir, and a detective novel (but the above-mentioned complementary elements fulfill only a supportive role, because the criminal intrigue exposed at the very beginning is treated marginally amounts to a starting point for deeper considerations of the psychological and sociological nature). Due to the peculiar presentation of the image of the Center (here: Moscow), Text fits into the vision of Moscow as the core of Russian predatory capitalism, exuberant consumerism, glitz, semblance and ruthless struggle for recognition in the ranking of successful people, which is presented in contemporary Russian literature. Its fundamental value is the fact that the realization of the author's idea is mainly due to the confrontation of megalopolis with images of the periphery, which can be regarded as satellite cities of the capital. In his perception of Russia, Glukhovsky is close to Roman Senchin and, similarly to the latter, he believes that the traditionally understood center-periphery, city-village conflict is disappearing, because eventually it turns out that (despite the spatial and social diversity) none of these places (mainly because of conspicuous regressive tendencies) does not give a person a chance for free development and self-realization.
NS-Raubgut an der Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg
Authors: Zschommler Philipp
Published: October 2020

Auf den ersten Blick mag es ungewöhnlich erscheinen, dass auch eine jüdische Institution untersuchen muss, ob sie im Besitz von NS-Raubgut ist. Doch die Bibliothek der 1979 gegründeten Hochschule für Jüdische Studien (HfJS) Heidelberg erwarb 1988 den Nachlass des zwei Jahre zuvor verstorbenen westfälischen Landesrabbiners Emil Davidovic, der als Auschwitzüberlebender für seine Bibliothek zunächst Bücher in Prag und dann in Westfalen erworben hatte. Das Provenienzprojekt an der Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg (HfJS) untersucht seinen Nachlass auf raubgutverdächtige Bücher. Als ehemalige Eigentümer konnten bisher vor allem Jüdinnen und Juden aus dem von den Nationalsozialisten eingerichteten „Protektorat Böhmen und Mähren“ wie auch westfälische Provenienzen ermittelt werden. Im Folgenden werden die ersten Forschungsergebnisse erläutert, die Art der Dokumentation beschrieben und die angestrebte Restitution der als NS-Raubgut identifizierten Bücher erörtert.
Spuren einer frühen Verfolgungsgeschichte: Die Bücher von Otto Elias
Authors: de Rudder Anneke
Published: October 2020

Die Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg betreibt seit vielen Jahren Provenienzforschung. Zurzeit werden die Sondersammlungen auf NS-Raubgut überprüft, vor allem Erwerbungen aus dem Handel. Eine aktuelle Recherche betrifft die 1938 erworbenen Bücher des Dortmunder Rechtsanwalts Otto Elias, der sich schon kurz nach der NS-Machtübernahme das Leben nahm. Sein Exlibris ist der Anlass, sich mit einer frühen Verfolgungsgeschichte zu beschäftigen und den Weg seiner Bücher in die Bibliothek zu rekonstruieren.
Motivating in the Production-Oriented Approach: From Theory to Practice
Authors: Zhang Lingli
Published: October 2020

Motivating is the most creative phase of the Production-Oriented Approach (POA), making it different from other teaching approaches from the outset. This study aims to introduce the theory of motivating and its application to College English teaching practice by adopting dialectal research (DR). First, it gives an overall introduction to motivating, including its function, steps, and categories. Then it demonstrates two rounds of motivating practice in teaching College English by using the POA-based textbook iEnglish. The first round of motivating practice mainly focuses on how to follow the three steps of motivating in a specific case, namely, the teacher providing scenarios, the students trying out the productive activity, and the teacher explaining the productive objectives. The second round attempts to apply the criteria of motivating effectiveness to practice, namely, authentic communication, cognitive challenges and appropriate productive objectives. Furthermore, the teaching effectiveness of the motivating practice is appraised by both the teacher’s and students’ retrospective evaluations. Finally, some suggestions for motivating design and future research are proposed.
Optimizing Teacher-Student Collaborative Assessment in the Production-Oriented Approach: A Dialectical Research
Authors: Sun Shuguang
Published: October 2020

Teacher-student collaborative assessment (TSCA) aims to address the challenges of responding to students’ work in the Production-Oriented Approach: low efficiency and poor effectiveness. As part of a bigger project carried out in a Chinese university over a period of three years, the present study explored how the teacher prepared and implemented TSCA in class, especially with a focus on how she determined the assessing objective and worked collaboratively with her students in class to achieve it, using the students’ written and translated texts as examples. By adopting the dialectical research (DR) method, this paper collected qualitative data such as teaching plans, classroom recordings, and reflective journals of the teacher-researcher (the author), along with students’ written drafts and translated texts. TSCA theory and classroom practice have been refined simultaneously by means of putting theory into practice and reflecting upon it. The optimized pre-class and in-class procedures may shed some light on applying TSCA to L2 classrooms.
Instruction of Nominalization by Applying Enabling of POA
Authors: Chen Hao
Published: October 2020

It is noticeable that the academic papers written by Chinese English learners are lacking in academic features largely due to their poor ability to use nominalization. Therefore, the instruction of nominalization in an academic English writing course is badly needed. The author conducted one-semester-long instruction of nominalization to 90 non-English majors under the guidance of the production-oriented approach (POA). This research demonstrated how to apply POA, specifically, the enabling procedure to the teaching of nominalization. By triangulating the data of students’ interviews, learning journals and written output, and the data of 4 teachers’ class observations and interviews, this study found that the accurate application of the three criteria of effective enabling contributed to the improvement of the quantity and quality of nominalization in academic writing.
An Integrated Model of Teaching Theory and Action Research in POA-based Textbook Writing
Authors: Chang Xiaoling
Published: October 2020

Teaching theories provide important guidance for language teaching materials development, but there is little research on how textbook writers apply teaching theories in the actual writing process. This study analyzes the process of compiling iEnglish, a series of textbooks based on the Production-Oriented Approach (POA) and proposes an Integrated Model of Teaching Theory and Action Research for textbook writing. By elaborating the roles of teaching theory and action research at different stages of textbook writing and the interaction between theory and practice during the process, the study concludes that the Integrated Model can promote both textbook improvement and theory refinement.
On the Threshold Condition for Dörfler Marking
Authors: Diening Lars , Kreuzer Christian
Published: October 2020

It is an open question if the threshold condition

θ
<

θ
⋆

\theta<\theta_{\star}

for the Dörfler marking parameter is necessary to obtain optimal algebraic rates of adaptive finite element methods.
We present a (non-PDE) example fitting into the common abstract convergence framework (axioms of adaptivity) which allows for convergence with exponential rates.
However, for Dörfler marking

θ
>

θ
⋆

\theta>\theta_{\star}

, the algebraic convergence rate can be made arbitrarily small.
Circumvallate placenta and abnormal cord insertion as risk factors for intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth: a case report
Authors: Dukatz Ricarda , Henrich Wolfgang , Entezami Michael , Nasser Sara , Siedentopf Jan-Peter
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Circumvallate placenta is a rare abnormality of placental shape. Current data indicates that a circumvallate placenta can be a risk factor for severe adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes such as antepartum bleeding, premature delivery, oligohydramnios, intrauterine growth restriction and placental abruption. An unusual insertion of the umbilical cord can cause a reduction of perfusion and can also lead to pregnancy complications. However, the clinical significance of these pathoanatomical findings often remains unclear.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 22-year-old third gravida nullipara in 28+2 pregnancy weeks with a pathological cardiotocography (CTG) and a growth restricted fetus with oligohydramnios and pathological umbilical blood flow. Due to recurrent decelerations of fetal heart rate the baby was delivered via cesarean section. The examination of the placenta showed a circumvallate placenta and fixated umbilical cord mimicking a battledore insertion.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that circumvallate placenta may predispose to severe obstetric complications. Women with circumvallate placenta and abnormal cord insertion probably benefit from stringent follow ups in a specialized perinatal center. Histopathological examination of the placenta can be a diagnostic tool in women with recurrent obstetric complications.
Russland – Neue Nischen im unterdrückten Raum
Authors: von Ow-Freytag Barbara
Published: October 2020

Mit einer anhaltenden Flut repressiver Gesetze steht Russland bis heute an der Spitze der Staaten, die weltweit den Raum für zivilgesellschaftliches Engagement verengen. Das harte Vorgehen gegen zivilgesellschaftliche Gruppen spiegelt die staatliche Unterdrückung der gesamten russischen Gesellschaft. Doch die wachsende Kluft zwischen Staat und Bürger*innen eröffnet neue Chancen für zivilgesellschaftliche Initiativen. Mit neuen digitalen Formaten gelingt vielen Gruppen das, woran staatliche Behörden zunehmend scheitern: Vertrauen und Legitimität in Teilen der russischen Gesellschaft aufzubauen. Eine neue Welle staatlichen Drucks droht den (zivil)gesellschaftlichen Raum weiter einzuengen. Doch angesichts der Wirtschaftskrise, die der COVID-19-Pandemie zu folgen droht, sollte sich das Potential ziviler Gruppen, schnell und kreativ zu agieren, zum Wohl des Landes entfalten können.