bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L’édifice Filmique Russe: Laboratoire d’Un Autre Futur en Afrique
Authors: Affagnon Qemal
Published: April 2023

Au tournant de la décennie 80, l’Afrique subsaharienne francophone a connu une période pendant laquelle, la production cinématographique locale inondait les petits écrans. Depuis deux décennies, ce constat n’est cependant plus actuel . Si la montée en puissance des productions de l’audiovisuel d’Afrique francophone est réelle, le secteur  se caractérise tout autant par un environnement artistique concurrentiel. C’est dans ce cadre que des groupes étrangers, développent  des programmes pour une diffusion principalement locale.  Tous les genres et formats sont proposés, à  l’instar  du documentaire russe , la libération du Mali ,  diffusé  sur la chaîne malienne M7 TV . Dans un marché audiovisuel croissant, les actions du groupe paramilitaire Wagner sont également mises en scène dans des films et des dessins animés. A partir d’une analyse des contenus médiatiques proposés par cette  nouvelle industrie audiovisuelle , cet essai présente une réflexion épistémologique face à la percée de ces productions et  la façon dont elles négocient leur place face aux goûts des téléspectateurs africains.

 

In the 1980s, French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa has known a period during which local film production flooded the television screens. For the past two decades,  this observation is however no longer valid. If the rise of audiovisual productions in French-speaking Africa is real, the sector is also characterized by a competitive artistic environment. Within this framework, a couple of foreign groups have started to develop some programs mainly available for local distribution.  All genres and formats are offered, such as the Russian documentary, the liberation of Mali, which has been broadcasted on the Malian channel M7 TV. In a growing audiovisual market, the actions of the paramilitary group Wagner are also featured in films and cartoons. From an analysis of the media contents offered by this new audiovisual industry, this essay presents an epistemological reflection on the success of these productions and the way they negotiate their place in relation to the tastes of African viewers.
Hacia un Modelo de Medición del Desempeño Organizacional en las Micro y Pequeñas Empresas del Sector Manufacturero en México
Authors: Murillo Ricardo Gallegos , Alma Lilia Sapién Aguilar , Laura Cristina Piñón Howlet
Published: April 2023

El objetivo fue proponer un modelo de medición de desempeño para las micro y pequeñas empresas del sector manufacturero de la ciudad de Chihuahua, México. El método de la investigación fue de naturaleza mixta, el diseño fue no experimental y transeccional, el muestreo fue no probabilístico. Se analizó la situación actual de las micro y pequeñas empresas del sector manufacturero en áreas de planeación estratégica, tecnologías de la información y comunicación, capacitación, productividad y rentabilidad. Los resultados arrojaron que las empresas no cuentan con los conocimientos necesarios para implementar mediciones del desempeño. La originalidad del trabajo es la propuesta de un modelo de medición del desempeño que represente cómo al medir el desempeño organizacional se propicia un mejor nivel de competitividad. Los hallazgos mostraron que las micro y pequeñas empresas consideran como indicador principal para evaluar el desempeño organizacional a la productividad, sin embargo, una variable importante fue medir el rendimiento concepto que la mayoría de las empresas desconocía y no lo lleva a cabo. Además  . La principal limitación fue la localización de varias empresas.

 

The objective was to propose a performance measurement model for micro and small businesses in the manufacturing sector of Chihuahua City, Mexico. The research method was mixed in nature, the design was non-experimental and transactional, sampling was non-probabilistic. The current situation of micro and small enterprises in the manufacturing sector was analyzed in areas of strategic planning, information and communication technologies, training, productivity, and profitability. The findings showed that micro and small companies consider productivity as the main indicator to evaluate organizational performance, however, an important variable was measuring performance, a concept that most companies were unaware of and do not carry out. In addition to the benefits generated by investing in training, they are not measurable in companies. The main limitation was the location of several companies.
Aux Sources de la Pollution Urbaine : Le Contexte des Villes Européennes au Second Moyen Âge
Authors: Paché Gilles
Published: April 2023

La question environnementale occupe une place de plus en plus importante dans les débats sociétaux, tout particulièrement en Europe. La place d’une ville durable y est désormais significative, en soulignant combien la pollution des espaces urbains dégrade la qualité de vie des citadins depuis plusieurs décennies. Tout se passe comme si la ville souillée par la pollution était une invention récente du capitalisme financier triomphant, dont les excès antiécologiques sont notamment soulignés par des activistes et des ONG. Or, la pollution urbaine a des origines très anciennes, comme l’indique l’article en se référant au second Moyen Âge en Europe. Les villes connaissent alors des conditions environnementales dramatiques, en lien avec le développement d’activités commerciales et industrielles, ainsi qu’une gestion catastrophique des déchets humains et animaux et des excréments, jetés dans des cours d’eau ou des fossés. Toutefois, les autorités politiques de l’époque prennent conscience des conséquences néfastes de la pollution de l’espace urbain et commencent à agir pour apporter des réponses au problème, en constituant ainsi les lointaines traces de l’interventionnisme public contemporain. L’article est de nature réflexive, avec pour objectif d’identifier dans un premier temps les sources de la pollution urbaine au Second Moyen Âge, puis dans un second temps, les actions conduites par les autorités politiques afin de les réduire sous la pression d’attitudes « environnementales » de la part des citadins.

 

The environmental issue is becoming increasingly important in societal debates, especially in Europe. The place of a sustainable city is now significant, underlining the extent to which the pollution of urban spaces has been degrading the quality of life of inhabitants for several decades. It is as if the city soiled by pollution were a recent invention of triumphant financial capitalism, whose anti-environmental excesses are highlighted by activists and NGOs. However, urban pollution has very ancient origins, as the article indicates by referring to the late Middle Ages in Europe. The cities then experienced dramatic environmental conditions, linked to the development of commercial and industrial activities, as well as catastrophic management of human and animal waste and excrement, thrown into waterways or ditches. However, the political authorities of the time became aware of the harmful consequences of the pollution of urban space. They began to act to provide answers to the problem, thus forming the distant traces of contemporary public interventionism. The article is reflexive in nature, with the objective of identifying, first, the sources of urban pollution in the late Middle Ages and, second, the actions taken by political authorities to reduce them under the pressure of “environmental” attitudes on the part of city inhabitants.
Foreign Capital in the Women's Press in Poland in 1989-2019 – Attempted Summary
Authors: Dąbrowska-Cendrowska Olga , Walkowiak Natalia
Published: April 2023

Press companies with foreign capital have been functioning on the Polish media market since 1990. In the nineties, women’s press was dominated by four media giants with German capital: Bauer Media, Burda Poland, G+J Poland, and Axel Springer Poland (‘The Big German Four’), which were later joined by Edipresse Poland and Marquard Media. In the years between 2001 and 2016, mergers and acquisitions took place which led to a concentration of the press market. As a result, in 2019 Bauer Media became the definitive leader, systematically expanding its press range in the group of multi-thematic magazines. Despite taking action, neither Edipresse Polska nor Burda International was able to compete with the media giant. The aim of this article is to analyze changes in the segment of women's multi-thematic magazines which took place between 1989 and 2019. The research used the method of system analysis, a research approach used in social sciences, which considers the notion of a system and its analysis as crucial for the understanding of social phenomena. It was assumed that the women's press published in Poland is a part of the Polish media system.  It is a closed sub-segment. Considering this multi-thematic magazine group as a whole without dividing it into subsegments, it is obvious that Bauer Media was the ultimate leader – owning 13 titles i.e. 56.5% of the available magazine range. The remaining 10 magazines (43.5%) were owned by Burda International (5), Marquard Media (2), Edipresse Polska (1), Agora S.A (1), and Wydawnictwo Zwierciadło (1). In the years 2018-2019, the media giant Bauer Media extended its magazine range and gained a monopoly in the advice and gossip magazine subsegment.
Dynamic properties of one impulse Cauchy problem
Authors: Ivanovsky Leonid I.
Published: March 2023

A model of a fully connected association of neurons with a synaptic electrical connection which is a system of m differential equations with delay is considered. By a special substitution, this system is reduced to a system of impulsive ordinary differential equations. For the corresponding dynamical system in the case m=3, we study the existence, stability, and asymptotic representation of periodic solutions on the basis of a bifurcation analysis of a two-dimensional mapping, a shift operator along trajectories of a solution to a special system of two differential equations. Particular attention is paid to the number of coexisting stable regimes. We study the problem of finding parameters for which the number of such modes is maximum. In order to search the fixed points of the resulting two-dimensional mapping, a numerical study is used based on the following iterative procedure. Selected the starting point, the Runge-Kutta method with a given step calculates the solution values on the segment [0,T]. At the end point T of this segment, the solution value is compared with the initial one and if the deviation exceeds the specified value, then the value at the end point is taken as the initial one and the calculation cycle by the Runge-Kutta method is repeated. The calculations terminate when the required small deviation is reached, i.e., a fixed point of the shift operator is found, and so is the corresponding stable periodic mode, or when the number of iterations reaches a given large number, and this indicates the absence of a fixed point. The paper presents the results of a numerical study that made it possible to demonstrate the main rearrangements occurring in the phase space of a two-dimensional mapping. The obtained fixed points allow us to find asymptotic stable solutions of the original problem.
La garantía constitucional de los derechos sociales. Un estudio a partir de la jurisprudencia de la Corte Constitucional colombiana y el Tribunal Constitucional español
Authors: Monterroza Baleta Vanessa
Published: March 2023

En este trabajo se busca estudiar la protección de los derechos sociales en los ordenamientos de Colombia y España a partir de la regulación constitucional de estos derechos y las técnicas de garantía usadas por la Corte Constitucional colombiana y el Tribunal Constitucional español.
Negacionismo (concepto)
Authors: Abellán López María Ángeles
Published: March 2023

El negacionismo es un fenómeno social que ha ganado relevancia en el debate público favorecido por el contexto digital. La expresión designa un rechazo sistemático de hechos respaldados por la evidencia científica o histórica, que busca influir en la opinión pública para favorecer determinados intereses. El propósito de este trabajo es, por un lado, caracterizar el fenómeno negacionista y, por otro, ofrecer una panorámica de la heterogeneidad de repertorios sustantivos, narrativas, propósitos e intereses que subyacen en las diferentes modalidades negacionistas. Para ello, se analizará el negacionismo del Holocausto y el negacionismo climático, como modelos de discursos negacionistas más sofisticados.
Étienne Balibar, Passions du Concept. Épistémologie, théologie, politique
Authors: Vitale Ermanno , Greppi Andrea , Delgado Rojas Jesús Ignacio
Published: March 2023

Este artículo reseña: Étienne Balibar, Passions du Concept. Épistémologie, théologie, politique1. (2020) La Découverte, París, 271 pp.
Geomorfologia do Campo de Inselbergs de Chaval, Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Cordeiro Abner Monteiro Nunes , Bastos Frederico de Holanda , Siame Lionel , Lima Danielle Lopes de Sousa , Paula Davis Pereira de , Ximenes Neto Antônio Rodrigues
Published: April 2023

A exumação de granitos brasilianos na Província Borborema, apresentando dimensão, forma e natureza variadas, tem revelado um diversificado mostruário geomorfológico. Dentre esses batólitos destaca-se o Granito Chaval, localizado no Subdomínio Médio Coreaú (Setor NW do Estado do Ceará), constituindo um campo de inselbergs em ambiente estuarino, parcialmente recoberto por sedimentos cenozoicos no seu entorno. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma descrição morfológica das macro e micro formas relacionadas ao Granito Chaval, assim como contribuir com uma interpretação morfogenética a partir dos eventos tectônicos cretáceos e pós-cretáceos, as variações eustáticas e o papel litoestrutural do batólito na formação de feições como inselbergs dômicos, gnammas, flared slopes, karrens e boulders.
The neurobiology of targeted muscle reinnervation for post-amputation pain
Authors: Tanner Natalie , Ayalon Omri
Published: March 2023

Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a peripheral nerve procedure that can prevent and treat postamputation pain. The nerve transfer allows for organized nerve regeneration and repair after amputation surgery. The procedure can successfully prevent neuromas despite large size mismatches between the donor and recipient nerves. Here, we discuss the fundamentals of peripheral nerve injury and regeneration as it pertains to TMR. We propose axonal pruning to explain axon behavior when there are large size mismatches between transferred nerves. Given the increasing use of TMR for amputees, future studies should investigate the basic science of peripheral nerves in TMR. Advances in this field have the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes for these patients.
Formal verification of Fuzzy-based XAI for Strategic Combat Game
Authors: Ernest Nicholas , Arnett Timothy , Phillips Zachariah
Published: March 2023

Explainable AI is a topic at the forefront of the field currently for reasons involving human trust in AI, correctness, auditing, knowledge transfer, and regulation. AI that is developed with reinforcement learning (RL) is especially of interest due to the non-transparency of what was learned from the environment. RL AI systems have been shown to be "brittle" with respect to the conditions it can safely operate in, and therefore ways to show correctness regardless of input values are of key interest. One way to show correctness is to verify the system using Formal Methods, known as Formal Verification. These methods are valuable, but costly and difficult to implement, leading most to instead favor other methodologies for verification that may be less rigorous, but more easily implemented. In this work, we show methods for development of an RL AI system for aspects of the strategic combat game Starcraft 2 that is performant, explainable, and formally verifiable. The resulting system performs very well on example scenarios while retaining explainability of its actions to a human operator or designer. In addition, it is shown to adhere to formal safety specifications about its behavior.
Visiting ICU: Information for Children and Young People Visiting Intensive Care
Authors:   University of Dundee, Austin Pauline , McKay Dawn , Brewster Anna J , Duncan Fiona , Balson Elliot , Herd Damon , Emslie Becca , Robertson laire
Published: March 2023

Admission to intensive care is a life changing event, not only for the individual undergoing treatment but also for their family and friends. Critical illness is often a frightening and uncertain time for all those affected. It can be particularly challenging for children and young people to understand not only what is happening but also the emotions they are feeling. It can also be very hard for parents and carers to explain what intensive or critical care actually is. This comic has been produced by a team of specialist healthcare professionals, comic creators, and academics to help children and young people understand this complex environment. The story follows Eva as she visits her mum in intensive care. Eva meets Alex, who has been a regular visitor to intensive care, where his dad is being treated. The two become friends as Alex shares his intensive care journey and we learn about the experiences that may be encountered. We hope you find this story helpful at what may be a difficult time and encourage you to ask your healthcare team if you have any questions, big or small.
Land Use /Land Cover Change and Its Driving Forces in Mago National Park, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Wola Aklilu Wodebo
Published: March 2023

Land use land cover change analysis is one of the most particular techniques to understand how land was used in the past, what types of changes are to be expected in the future, as well as the forces and processes behind the changes. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the land use land cover changes and its driving forces in Mago National Park, southern Ethiopia. Satellite image of Landsat5 TM (1988, 1998 and 2008) and Landsat8 OLI/TIRS (2018) with a time span of 30 years were employed. In addition, field observation, and social survey were conducted to study the drivers of land use land cover changes. QGIS 3.2 and SPSS (for social data analysis) software’s’ were used for satellite image processing, accuracy assessment, map preparation and descriptively analyze the driving forces of LULCC respectively. Supervised classification with maximum likelihood algorithm was conducted for satellite image analysis and generation of information using Quantum GIS 3.2 Post classification change detection method was applied to quantify the land use/land cover change. The result of the study indicated riverine forest, woodland, grassland, water body, degraded land and bare land as a major land use land cover class in the park. The result of land use land cover classification showed that in 1988 most of the study area was covered by woodland and grass land. In the first period (1988-1998), woodland, riverine forest, water body and bare land decreased by 6.76%, 37.98%, 22.37% and 70.14% respectively, while grass land, and degraded land increased by 16.11% and 85.67% respectively. In the second period, (1998 -2008), woodland, riverine forest and degraded land were decreased by 5.44%, 4.61%, and 80.74% respectively, while grass land, water body and bare land is increased by 14.74%, 3.76% and 52.58% respectively. From 2008-2018 riverine forest, grassland, water body and bare land decreased by 1.33%, 15.16% and 4.82% and 25.02% respectively, while woodland increased by 11.84%, and degraded land increased by 85.49% respectively. Riverine forest, water body, grass land and bare land showed decrement and that of woodland, degraded land indicated increment during study period. From 1988-2018, woodland, riverine forest, water body and bare land indicated decrement and the remaining grass land and bare land cover types indicated increment during study period. The result of social survey indicated that expansion of agriculture, human induced fire, overgrazing and hunting are proximate driving forces of the change in Mago National Park. Population pressure from a different area, poverty, decreased farmlands productivity; education, weak law enforcement and cultural factors are the major underlying causes of the observed changes. Therefore, proper land use planning, legal support, and strong law enforcement are the key recommendations to sustain natural resources of the study area.
Pengaruh Penerapan Tarif Tunggal Pajak Penghasilan Badan terhadap Indikasi Penggelapan Pajak
Authors:   Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Indonesia, Putra Bramastia Candra , Qibthiyyah Riatu M. ,   Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Indonesia
Published: April 2023

Paper ini menginvestigasi perbedaan pengaruh penerapan tarif pajak progresif dan tarif pajak tunggal pada Pajak Penghasilan (PPh) Badan terhadap indikasi penggelapan pajak. Paper ini menggunakan data hasil pemeriksaan pajak pada level perusahaan sebagai ukuran indikasi penggelapan pajak selama enam tahun observasi. Hasil studi empiris pada sampel data menunjukkan bahwa penerapan tarif pajak tunggal pada PPh Badan mengurangi tingkat indikasi penggelapan pajak. Selain itu, semakin tinggi tarif pajak penghasilan cenderung menstimulasi peningkatan indikasi penggelapan pajak.
Dampak Desentralisasi Fiskal terhadap Volatilitas Belanja Pemerintah Kabupaten/Kota di Indonesia
Authors:   Pascasarjana Ilmu Ekonomi Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Universitas Indonesia, Mahi B. Raksaka
Published: April 2023

Volatilitas belanja pemerintah kabupaten/kota yang berasal dari ketidakpastian transfer pemerintah pusat kepada pemerintah daerah dapat memperburuk perekonomian kabupaten/kota. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh desentralisasi fiskal terhadap tingkat volatilitas belanja riil pemerintah pada 230 kabupaten/kota di Indonesia serta membandingkan data sebelum dan sesudah implementasi UU No. 28 Tahun 2009. Hasil menunjukkan semakin tinggi derajat desentralisasi fiskal, cenderung menurunkan volatilitas belanja riil pemerintah kabupaten/kota karena kemampuan fiskal kabupaten/kota cenderung meningkat setelah implementasi UU tersebut. Pajak properti merupakan sumber penerimaan daerah yang dapat diprediksi sehingga pemerintah kabupaten/kota dapat mengelola belanja daerahnya dengan lebih pasti dan terukur.
The Medieval Latin Reception of the Pseudo-Aristotelian 'On Indivisible Lines': Reassessing the State of the Art
Authors: Crialesi Clelia
Published: April 2023

This article deals with the first Latin reception of Pseudo-Aristotle’s On Indivisible Lines and its impact on the medieval debate about the continuum. Robert Grosseteste’s and Albert the Great’s references to this pseudo-Aristotelian text show that it could be regarded as a source for where to find information about the indivisibilist tenet, as well as an expansion of Aristotle’s anti-atomistic critiques scattered throughout his authentic works. The use of On Indivisible Lines made by Henry of Harclay and Adam of Wodeham confirms this trend: the reading of this text could be twofold according to the tenet defended. While Henry argues against Pseudo-Aristotle to defend indivisibilism, Adam expands on pseudo-Aristotelian arguments to show the incongruities implied by indivisibilism.
Do fiscal and monetary policies contribute to income distribution? Empirical evidence from Central Asian Countries
Authors: Khan Zulfiqar , Khan Muhammad Azam
Published: March 2023

This study examines the impacts of macroeconomic policies (i.e., fiscal policy by government consumption spending, and total tax revenue, and monetary policy by broad money and real interest rate) along with some other regressors namely inflation, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, remittances, exchange rate, and financial development on income distribution in four Central Asian countries over 1995–2020. After employing the unit root tests, we implemented the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL)/Pooled Mean Group (PMG) approach for empirical analysis. Empirical result reveals that both fiscal and monetary policies have positive and negative impacts on income inequality. Empirical results also exhibit that inflation increases income inequality, while financial development, per capita income, and more inflow of foreign remittances decrease inequality in the panel and individual countries analysis. These empirical findings suggest that coordinated policies need to be adopted along with the increase in remittances, financial sector development to attenuate income inequality.
JEL Codes: E62; E63; D63
Concordance of Manufacturing Industries Using NIC-2008 and NIC-2004: A Disaggregate Level Study
Authors: Rijesh R
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the study is to build a systematic correspondence of industries at the 4-digit and 5-digit levels using the National Industrial Classification (NIC) of 2008 and 2004, published by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Government of India. Since the introduction of NIC-2008, data compilation of industries at the disaggregated level with an earlier version of NIC has become an extremely difficult and complex task as there is a lack of one-to-one correspondence between several 4-digit industrial codes. To mitigate this, the current study uses the product-wise distribution of industries reported in the NIC catalogue and matches similar industry codes at the 5-digit level. This enabled us to develop the correspondence of 116 industries at the 4-digit level, which is the product of matching 517 sub-class categories at the 5-digit level. Thus, the matching by us is a major refinement of the official correspondence table published by the CSO. Although several issues remain, we hope our concordance table will serve as a valuable reference guide for researchers and policymakers who wish to study and explore the empirical aspects of Indian manufacturing using disaggregated industry-level data.
JEL Classification: L60, Y10, Z0
Trophic niche partitioning among non-native fish species coexisting in a high Andean reservoir
Authors: Nieto Juan David , Toro Lina María Martínez , Ospina Juan Sebastián , Valencia-Rodríguez Daniel , Restrepo-Santamaria Daniel , Jiménez Luz Fernanda
Published: March 2023

The arrival of a non-native species to a new environment threatens local biological diversity, causing instability in the functioning of the ecosystem. The adverse ecological effects caused by these species have been scarcely documented for the Magdalena basin. By studying predator-prey interactions, we characterized the trophic niche of three non-native species (Micropterus salmoides, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Cyprinus carpio) that dominate a high Andean reservoir in the Magdalena basin. To understand whether non-native species are preying on native fish, or if they present specific feeding behaviors that facilitate their establishment in lentic environments, we evaluated the diversity of the prey they consume, their feeding strategy, and possible differences in the feeding scheme. Forty individuals were analyzed, and twenty categories of prey were identified for these species. The consumed prey corresponds to the native biota; however, no native fish were found in the stomach contents evaluated. The diversity of prey consumed is similar amongst species, however, M. salmoides behaves like an important predator, as it consumes a larger amount of prey. We observed that the variation in diet composition amongst the non-native species is different, which favors their coexistence as it reduces the competition amongst them. Analyzing the type of diet of this non-native fish is a useful tool that provides a description of some trophic interactions in this aquatic environment. Our results contribute information on the existing interactions amongst non-native species to the Magdalena basin, which is important for the development of strategies to manage and promote impact mitigation.
The effect of propolis and honey on oxidant and antioxidant parameters and D-glucose induced hyperglycemia, acute kidney injury and proteinuria in rats
Authors: Touzani Soumaya , Al-Waili Noori , Laaroussi Hassan , Aboulghazi Abderrazak , Hamas Nawal , Imtara Hamada , ElGouizi Asmae , ElArabi Ilham , Al-Waili Ahmed , Lyoussi Badiaa
Published: March 2023

Propolis and honey possess antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antiproteinuric effects. The study aimed to explore the effect of propolis, honey, and their combination against D-glucose-induced hyperglycemia, acute kidney injury, liver injury, dyslipidemia, and changes in the oxidants and antioxidants in renal, hepatic, and pancreatic tissues. The chemical analysis and antioxidant content of propolis and honey were studied. The inhibitory effect of propolis and honey on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activity was studied. The study included five groups of rats, four groups treated with D-glucose and one group untreated. The D-glucose treated group (diabetic group) was divided into 1-4 groups. In addition to D-glucose, groups 2,3, and 4 were treated with propolis, honey, and a combination of propolis and honey respectively. Blood glucose levels, liver and renal function tests, urine protein and electrolytes, oxidant and antioxidant parameters, and histopathological changes in hepatic, renal, and pancreatic tissues were studied. Treatment with D-glucose continued for seven weeks, and with other interventions for the following 3 weeks. Propolis has a higher level of total protein and antioxidant activity than honey while honey contains higher carbohydrate levels. Honey has a higher alpha-amylase and glucosidase inhibitory activity than propolis. D-glucose caused a significant elevation of blood glucose, insulin, HOMA, blood urea, creatinine, lipid parameters, liver enzymes, and urine protein level. It significantly increases MDA and decreases antioxidant parameters in pancreatic, hepatic, and renal tissues. D-glucose caused histopathological changes in hepatic, renal, and pancreatic tissues. Propolis, honey, and their combination significantly ameliorated these changes. Propolis, honey, or their combination treated hyperglycemia, acute kidney injury, proteinuria, liver injury, and dyslipidemia, induced by D-glucose, most likely, by antioxidant activity and alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity.
Noise induced hearing loss among sawmill workers in a Sub-Saharan African country
Authors: Mensa-Yawson Sally , Baidoo Kenneth K.K. , Jangu Alhassan Adam , Kitcher Emmanuel D. , Abaidoo Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Background:
Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a permanent sensorineural hearing loss (HL) which affects the quality of life of exposed individuals. This study was done to determine the prevalence of NIHL among sawmill workers at the Timber market and petty traders in Accra, Ghana, and to assess the difference in actual and self-reported HL among the sawmill workers.
Methods:
This was a comparative study of NIHL among sawmill workers at the Agbogbloshie Timber Market of Accra and petty traders whose work environment was situated remotely from the sawmill. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Demographic characteristics and pure tone audiometric testing of study participants were analysed and presented as mean ± standard deviation, counts and percentages. Independent T-test was used in comparing pure tone hearing thresholds of sawmill workers and petty traders at various frequencies.
Results:
A total of 120 sawmill workers and 120 petty traders were studied. Sixty-four (53.3%) of the petty traders were females and all the sawmill workers were males. The mean ages for the sawmill workers and petty traders were 41.5 ± 11.8 and 32.5 ± 10.4 years. The prevalence of NIHL among the sawmill workers was 37.5% in the right ear and 43.3% in the left ear. Among the petty traders, the prevalence of NIHL was 12.5% in the right ear and 8.3% in the left ear. There was a statistically significant difference in NIHL between the sawmill workers and the petty traders (p-value = 0.0001). The prevalence of HL in the better ear for the sawmill workers and petty traders was 16.7% and 1.7% respectively. Sixty-nine (57.5%) sawmill workers self-reported HL compared to actual HL of 39 (32.5%) which showed a statistically significant difference (p-value = 0.011).
Conclusions:
The prevalence of NIHL among the sawmill workers and the petty traders for right and left ears was 37.5% and 43.3% and 12.5% and 8.3% respectively. There was a significant difference between actual and self-reported HL among the sawmill workers.
Cutaneous allergen sensitization is critical for allergic humoral responses controlled by IL-13 receptor-expressing conventional dendritic cells
Authors: Kubo Masato , Harada Yasuyo , Sasaki Takanor , Matsuyama Takahiro , Ueha Satoshi , Shichino Shigeyuki , Bin Wu , Watanabe Takashi , Ogawa Shuhei , Ki Sewon , Suzuki Yoshie , Murphy Kenneth , Ueno Hideki , Burrows Peter , Inoue Hiromasa , Kim Brian
Published: March 2023

Skin barrier dysfunction in the setting of atopic dermatitis (AD) leads to cutaneous allergen sensitization (CAS).1 The atopic march hypothesis proposes that CAS leads to the subsequent development of other allergic disorders such as asthma and food allergy.2-5 The latter is associated with IgE-mediated anaphylaxis6. However, the precise mechanisms by which CAS promotes IgE-mediated allergic responses remain unclear. We thus established a CAS model of anaphylaxis and identified a unique role of the Interleukin (IL)-13 signal in DCs to generate anaphylactic IgE responses. Single-cell RNA-seq revealed the emergence of IL-13 receptor alpha 1 chain (IL-13Rα1)-expressing type 2 conventional dendritic cells (cDC2s) in CAS. Similar DC populations were identified in allergic rhinitis humans with cedar pollan-specific IgE antibodies. Lineage-specific disruption of IL-13 signaling resulted in a marked reduction in cDC2s that highly expressed MHC class II: these cells controlled the germinal center entry of TFH cells required for IgE responses. These data reveal a unique role for IL-13 in controlling the expansion of MHCIIhi cDC2s and associated TFH cell responses in the setting of allergy.
Reliability of offline inter-recti distance measurement on ultrasound images captured by novice examiners
Authors: Chmielewska Daria , Cebula Maciej , Gnat Rafał , Rudek-Zeprzałka Magdalena , Gruszczyńska Katarzyna , Baron Jan , Opala-Berdzik Agnieszka
Published: March 2023

Background: With the increased interest in inter-recti distance measurement using ultrasound imaging, there is a question of measurement reliability, and the importance of the examiner’s experience.
Methods: The study aimed to investigate the reliability of the inter-recti distance measurement performed offline by an experienced radiologist on linea alba images captured by two novice examiners. Additionally, it was aimed to determinethe number of image repetitions that provide an acceptable measurement reliability level.
Ultrasound images were acquired by two novice examiners on repeated occasions (sessions A and B) in twenty-eight nulliparous women of reproductive age. Five images were captured at supraumbilical, umbilical, and infraumbilical points during each session.
Results: The excellent intra-examiner reliability of inter-recti distance measurements was shown at the supraumbilical and umbilical levels (ICC=0.894-0.983). Infraumbilical measurements had good to excellent reliability (ICC=0.894-0.972). Session A inter-examiner reliability was excellent for the mean measurements of two, three, four, and five images taken at each location (ICC=0.913-0.954). Session B inter-examiner reliability was excellent for the mean measurements of two, three, four, and five images taken at the supraumbilical and umbilical (ICC=0.94-0.98) and good (ICC≥0.81) at the infraumbilical locations. Some images were unusable (1.6% of images of Examiner 1 and 2.2% of Examiner 2).
Conclusions:Novice examiners were able to capture good-quality ultrasound images of the linea alba that allowed for excellent intra- and inter-examiner reliability of supraumbilical and umbilical measurements, and good to excellent reliability of inframbilical measurements in nulliparas.
Temperature and brine type of formation Mississippi Valley Type Pb-Zn ore deposits: constrained by simulation experiments
Authors: Guan Guiyuan , Li Siwen , Li Rongxi , Wang Wei
Published: March 2023

The transformation of kerogen to hydrocarbons in the early stages of oil generation is critical for understanding the resource potential of liquid-rich. Additionally, numerous previous experimental and theoretical studies on Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) Pb-Zn deposits have shown a close genetic relationship with the hydrocarbon accumulation for their common coexistence with the oil/gas reservoirs in the world. However, the actual mineralization process of Pb-Zn deposits associated with hydrocarbon fluids lacks sufficient theoretical studies. Here, we focus on the MVT Pb-Zn mineralization, primarily on the influence of mineralization temperature and the type of brines, using geochemical simulation experiments to verify the relationship between the hydrocarbon fluids and Pb-Zn ore deposits. To restore the actual metallogenic environment to the maximum extent possible, we found that with increased temperature (80-180oC), the number of mineralization showed an increasing trend, and no ore deposits have been found under 80oC. Furthermore, the expected mineralization process could occur under the brine mixture solution, NaCl+CaCl2, and hardly under the single solution. Therefore, under the geochemical simulation experiments, temperature, brine type, and so on play an essential role in the mineralization process under the participation of hydrocarbon fluid, which could provide the theoretical explanations of their coupling relationship.
Phosphorus makes silicon fertilization mandatory: Effect of nano-silicon on the one-sided antagonisms of phosphorus fertilization in wheat-maize and maize-maize cropping system
Authors: Gunes Aydin , Akca Hanife , Taskin Mehmet Burak
Published: March 2023

Background and aims:
Silicon (Si) improves P utilization in plants. With this effect of Si, less P fertilizer can be used and reducing the negative impact of P fertilizers on other nutrients such as Si and Zn.
Methods
To determine nano-Si and P interactions, two independent experiments were conducted. Wheat and then maize were grown in the first experiment, and maize and then maize again in the second. The functional and structural properties of nano-Si were determined using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and BET after it was synthesized from rice husk.
Results
Plant dry weights significantly increased as P dose increased in the both experiments; this increase is more with nano-Si, particularly in the low P treatment. The P concentration of the wheat plants increased, which was the first plant in the wheat-maize experiment due to the P fertilization. However, the P concentration of the plants dependent on P fertilization was reduced in the second plant of this experiment, maize, and in both maize plants in the maize-maize experiment. The nano-Si treatment is very effective in increasing the P concentration of the plants. Plant Si concentrations decreased with the increased whereas, P supply while Si treatments increased plant Si concentrations. Both Si sources increased the plant-available Si concentrations of the soils. The antagonistic effect of P on zinc was reduced by nano-Si.
Conclusion
This study shows that nano-Si has significant potential as an alternative and environmentally friendly Si fertilizer source and it is very effective on reducing P fertilizer input.
Relationship between serum endothelin-1 and in-stent restenosis following vertebral artery stenting
Authors: he fang , zhong changyang , wu chunli , liu yuan
Published: March 2023

Objective To investigate the correlation of serum endothelin-1(ET-1)and instent restenosis in vertebral artery stenting.
Methods A total of 68 patient undergoing re-examination of vertebral artery stenting in the Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital from from April 2019 to October 2022 were recruited in this study.According to the existent of vertebral artery stenting or not,the patients were divided into restenosis group (n=19) and non-restensis group (n=49).The general clinical data and ET-1 level were compared between the 2 groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between ET-1 level and risk for in-stent restenosis.ROC curve was drawn to test the diagnostic value of serum ET-1 level for instent restenosis.
Results Compared with the non-restenosis group, the levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), TG, and ET-1 in the restenosis group were significantly increased (p<0.05) The Pearson correlation analysis showed that when comparing the relevant indices between the two groups, ET-1, LDL, TG, stent diameter, and stent length were positively correlated with ISR (p<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ET-1, stent length, and LDL were independently associated with ISR(OR=1.502，95%CI: 0.042~0.212,p=0.000; OR=1.899,95%CI: 1.116~2.237,p=0.000;OR=1.899,95%CI: 1.228~3.337,p=0.001;）the area under the curve of serum ET-1 in the diagnosis of vertebral artery ISR was 0.938, the best diagnostic cut-off value was 11.94 ng/L, the sensitivity was 89.5%, and the specificity was 85.7%.
Conclusion ET-1 level is independently associated with in-instent restenosis.
ARTIST: an automatic residue type assignment program for multidimensional NMR spectra
Authors: Chen Bo
Published: March 2023

We describe a general algorithm for accurate residue type assignments of multidimensional NMR spectra of biomolecules. It exploits identical chemical shifts of the same nuclear site across spectra, to match resonances to known residue type assignments. Thus, congested spectra can be automatically assigned, so long as resonances positions can be resolved. The algorithm is coded into program ARTIST in Python and tested by 3D ncacx and ncocx spectra of the tubular assembly formed by 237-residue Rous sarcoma virus capsid protein. The script can easily be modified to assist residue type assignments of other multidimensional NMR spectra to alleviate the challenge from spectral congestion, and to accelerate the workflow.
Medicinal Plant Species: Pistacia integerrima galls – A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Singla Shivali , Thakur Anjali , Goyal Sachin , Kumari Chinu
Published: April 2023

Karkatasringi, whose botanical name is Pistacia integerrima and belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, is a well-known medicinal plant. This plant is native to India and is distributed along the Northwest Himalayan region at about 500–2500 m above the sea level. Various parts of the plant including roots, bark galls, and leaves contain a number of secondary metabolites. Galls are most commonly used in unconventional medicines. There are various Ayurvedic formulations which include Chyavanaprasha, Shringyadi cuma, and Dasamularista and these formulations are used in the treatment of various diseases including ajeema (indigestion), jwara (fever), and yakrit roga (liver disorders) and also in the treatment of swasa (asthma), yakshma (tuberculosis), and hridyaroga (heart diseases). Furthermore, the galls contain secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. The bark of this plant contains flavonoids and terpenoids. The roots and leaves contain terpenoids and tannins. The presence of tannins as major constituents is responsible for the astringent action. The plant species P. integerrima which belongs to the family Anacardiaceae is known for its many uses globally and thus represents the whole family for its high therapeutic value. It is used in the treatment of various diseases including some common conditions such as vomiting, fever, asthma, diarrhea, and cough and also used in modern medicine. Commonly known as crab’s claw, P. integerrima is a tree anciently found in Asia and is a botanically important tree. The galls of this plant have been used in treating dysentery, asthma, liver disorders, and cough and also used to cure snakebites. Using the extracts of P. integerrima, various secondary metabolites including sterols, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids have been isolated. In this review, we highlight the description of plant in classical literature of Ayurveda, and also in this review, we try to discuss about the therapeutic properties and chemical constituents of this plant. An attempt is made to assess the therapeutic potential of this plant in both conventional and modern systems of medicine. This review includes the traditional medicinal uses along with the phytochemical and biological evaluation of this plant species. Furthermore, after considering this review, one can build a foundation for further exploration on this topic and utilization of these resources for further research as well.
Docking Studies of Histone Deacetylases Inhibitors
Authors: Verma Mohit , Jyoti Preeti , Sharma Devkant , Bhargava Anurag
Published: April 2023

To augment hits from a high through put screening, a docking study on N-hydroxy phenyl acrylamides and N-hydroxy pyridine-derivatives was performed as histone deacetylases inhibitors. Twenty-nine ligands were docked inside the ligand-binding domain of protein data bank PDB ID: 1C3S utilizing Molegro version 4.02. All 29 compounds, compounds were found to embed in the hydrophobic pocket by forming hydrogen bonds. Almost all compounds were found to have highest MolDock score in comparison to reference or coexisting ligand in protein. The compounds that had highest MolDock score are generally considered better and can be used for further drug designing. The most potent compound was XXVIII having highest MolDock score. Compound XVI was found to have higher number of hydrogen bond interactions comparable to coexisting reference ligand.
Differences in Mental and Physical Health-related Quality of Life of Older Adults in Goa
Authors: Lobo Charmaine Savia Siqueira , Falleiro Savio P.
Published: April 2023

Research Background: With a rise in population aging, there is a need for our older adults to be physically fit and mentally alert, as this affects their life’s quality. Objective: The goal of this study is to analyze significant differences in the mental and physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the aged in Goa, due to various factors. Methods: A total of 500 senior citizens (aged 60 and above) residing in their private houses as well as in homes for the aged were selected using multistage sampling. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) helped in measuring the HRQOL of the senior adults. Calculations of means, frequencies, standard deviations, analysis of variance, and t-tests were done. Results and Conclusion: The mental health summary (Mean = 60.94) was slightly higher than the physical one (Mean = 57.12). Female older adults, who were married, had higher education, and lived in urban areas and with family members, demonstrated better mental and physical HRQOL.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Formulation, Preparation, and Characterization: A Review
Authors: Satapathy Sukanta , Patro Chandra Sekhar Patro
Published: April 2023

The nano drug delivery system has emerged as a novel therapeutic approach for improved efficacy of the existing drug molecules. Polymeric nanoparticles, lipid based nanoparticles such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers, lipid drug conjugates, ethosomes, liposomes, and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems are a few of the nano carriers used for drug delivery. Among the lipid based nanoparticles, SLNs are promising in terms of a biocompatible carrier for enhancing the bioavailability, controlled release, and targeted drug action. This review explains the formulation components of SLN, various methods of preparation of SLNs, and the characterization parameters of SLNs. The current successful research on SLN formulation also enlightens. The capability of various drugs for increasing therapeutic efficacy can be achieved through SLN and in the future, new directions in further improvement are expected.