bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manejo integrado de enfermedades: prevención de FOC R4T y bioseguridad
Authors: Betancourt Vásquez Mónica , Bautista Montealegre Luis Gabriel , Rodríguez Yzquierdo Gustavo Adolfo , Miranda Salas Tatiana Camila , Rodríguez Blandón Jefersson Andrés , Cardona William Andrés , Cardona Cardona Jorge Enrique , Alzate Henao Sandra Viviana , Machuca Henao Yuly Marcela
Published: May 2023

El Marchitamiento de las musáceas producido por Fusarium, es la enfermedad más agresiva y limitante de las musáceas. En plátano, la Raza 1 de este hongo afecta principalmente a clones de Cachaco (Musa ABB) y en banano a Gros Michel. La epidemia por raza 1 obligó a la industria de exportación a cambiar el tipo de banano por el material tipo Cavendish. En el año 2019 el ICA reportó la presencia de la raza 4 tropical de Fusarium (Foc R4T) en Colombia, en banano de exportación, en la Guajira.
Baculovirus Corpoica® para proteger la papa de la polilla guatemalteca en almacenamiento
Authors: Espinal Correal Carlos , Gómez Valderrama Juliana Andrea , Cuartas Otalora Paola Emilia , Avendaño Avendaño Diego Fernando
Published: May 2023

Bioproducto desarrollado por AGROSAVIA para el control de la polilla guatemalteca de la papa (Tecia solanivora), en almacenamiento de papa para semilla y papa de consumo; es inocuo para la salud humana y el medio ambiente. Además, reemplaza el uso de insecticidas y no afecta la brotación del tubérculo.
HERNIA OF SEMILUNAR LINE (SPIGELIAN HERNIA) – A SURGICAL RARITY, NOT MERELY A PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDER
Authors: BASRA SHARANJIT SINGH , VERMA VISHAL , HIREMATH RN , MITTAL MOHIT
Published: May 2023

A Spigelian hernia occurs through a slit-like defect in the anterior abdominal wall lateral to the rectus abdominis muscle at the semilunar line in the lower quadrant of the abdomen where the posterior sheath is deficient. Due to atypical, vague, and widespread signs and symptomology, the diagnosis is always a challenging issue misleading for surgeons. Thus, a logical and high sense of suspicion is the need of the hour for diagnosing it at the early possible time, with the most common location of the lump being in the semilunar line. Once diagnosed, management is operative or else complications such as incarceration and strangulation are not uncommon. Surgical management may be conventional open or minimally invasive laparoscopic depending on the availability of expertise. We present a case of a Spigelian hernia in a lady who presented with intermittent pain in the left side of the lower abdomen for the past 8 years and was being treated symptomatically at various hospitals after being diagnosed with psychosomatic pain. She was diagnosed at our center and managed by laparoscopic mesh repair.
UROPATHOGENS AND THEIR RESISTANCE PATTERN IN URINARY TRACT INFECTION CASES OF TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, BHOPAL
Authors: Kaur Surender , Awari Abhijit
Published: May 2023

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an increasing public health problem caused by various uropathogens. To assess the adequacy of empirical therapy, an antibiogram of the bacteria responsible for UTI in patients coming to the tertiary hospital, Bhopal was evaluated for 13 months.
Methods: In this prospective and observational study, all urine samples from patients of a tertiary care hospital collected at the Department of Microbiology, Peoples College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, from January 2014 to January 2015 were processed. A sample with more than 105 CFU/mL of bacteria was considered positive, the bacteria were identified, and antibiotic susceptibility profile was characterized.
Results: A total of 283 urine samples from suspected UTIs were analyzed, for which identification of bacteria and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done. Overall, 56.53% were culture positive with a predominance of female patients (70.62%). Females 26–35 years old and males ≥46 years old showed maximum culture positivity. Escherichia coli (55.7%) was the most commonly isolated microorganism, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.8%). Isolated uropathogens were predominantly resistant to Ampicillin, Amoxycillin clavulanic acid, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Cotrimoxazole, and Nalidixic acid.
Conclusion: Our study confirms a global trend toward increased resistance to most antibiotics. We emphasize the formulation of antibiotic policy for a particular geographical area. E. coli was the most common uropathogen. Nitrofurantoin, Fluoroquinolones, Amikacin, and Piperacillin/tazobactam were the most effective antibiotics against uropathogens.
NANOSPONGE HEALING APPROACH FOR TREATMENT OF STREPTOCOCCAL GANGRENE
Authors: C Tanushree , VERMA RAJESH , SHARMA JAYA , SHARMA PANKAJ
Published: May 2023

Objective: The envisaged research work aims to develop a nanosponge loaded gel for the treatment of Streptococcal gangrene.
Methods: In the present study, permeability is enhanced by targeted drug release formulation of topical clindamycin phosphate nanosponges were prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion method using ethyl cellulose as release retardant polymer and PVA as surfactant or emulsifier. Nanosponges were prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion method by changing drug polymer ratio (1:0.05, 1:0.1, and 1:0.15) and process parameters were optimized using 32 full factorial central design. CP nanosponges were then incorporated into a hydrogel prepared using Carbopol 934.
Results and Discussion: The drug loaded nanosponges were evaluated for physical appearance, drug content, entrapment efficiency, and particle size. Characterization of CP nanosponges was done by SEM for the formulation. In vitro release study indicated that the release of CP varied according to the concentration of matrix forming polymer. The best standardized formulation G5 and G6 were further evaluated for microbiological studies. Microbial studies were done using Staphylococcus aureus as the strain organism and the activity of the gel against the organism was evaluated by measuring the zone of inhibition. It was also found to be stable for 2 months during its stability studies.
Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that CP can be formulated as nanosponge hydrogel that can release the drug up to 24 h with increased permeability and targeted release. Therefore, clindamycin phosphate nanosponges prepared are promising drug delivery for topical application as being more useful than conventional formulation therapy.
IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN THE PHARMACOVIGILANCE CENTER OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors: Survase Vaishnavi , Shimpi Jasmin , Sasawade Tanvi , Tripathi Shubham , KULKARNI MADHUR , JANARDAN POOJA S , METHRE TANAJI
Published: May 2023

Objective: In spite of being the most vital part of the health-care system, medicines can become the reason for hospitalization or prolonged hospital stay if not used with vigilance. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have become a major reason for the rise in morbidity and mortality rate. Hence, monitoring of the ADRs and understanding their route cause is utmost important in a clinical setup. This project aims to monitor the ADRs and improve ADR reporting in the hospital.
Methods: The work was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Pune. Daily visit to different departments was done and patients were screened from admission to discharge during the study period. ADRs occurring due to chemotherapy, overdose, intoxication, drug abuse, accidental/intentional poisoning, and blood/blood products were excluded. The data of ADRs reported in the hospital in the past 3 years were collected and compared with the prospective data to analyze the improvement in ADR reporting in the hospital.
Results: ADRs occurring in males were more than those in females. Adults between the age group of 20 and 59 years were more prone to ADRs. Maximum number of ADRs reported were occurring due to antimicrobial agents. The organ that was commonly affected due to ADRs was skin.
Conclusion: High incidence of ADRs insists on vigilant monitoring to prevent its further recurrence. More studies need to be conducted to know the exact occurrence and prevalence of ADRs in the Indian population. Creating awareness among the HCPs for reporting suspected ADRs will help to improve patient safety. ADR reporting can be enhanced if the involvement of clinical pharmacists is strengthened in health-care centers.
ETIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS FOR NEONATAL ADMISSION WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS: A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL-BASED STUDY
Authors: Nazir Tariq , Khan Rifat , Lone Rais Ahmad , Nazir Shaista
Published: May 2023

Objective: Respiratory disorders are the most common cause of admission for neonatal intensive care unit whose incidence ranges from 4% in term babies and 20% in post-terms to 30% in pre-terms. The incidence increases with decreasing gestational age and birth weight. Severity of distress is assessed by scoring systems. There is no study conducted in this tertiary center; for this reason, we took this study to identify the etiology and risk factors for neonates admitted. Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective study done at a tertiary care center in NICU of GB Pant hospital, Srinagar, for a period of 6 months between January 2020 and June 2020. A total of 320 babies were taken up for the study with 187 (58.4%) male and 133 (41.6%) female babies. Respiratory distress was defined as having any two signs of respiratory rate of >60 breaths/min, subcostal or intercostal retractions, nasal flaring, grunting, with or without cyanosis. Results: A total of 320 babies were included in the study with 58.4% male babies and 41.6% female babies. 65% were born by cesarean section and 35% by vaginal delivery. 71.8% babies were born at term and 28.2% babies pre-term. 32.5% had birth weight of <2.5 kg and 67.5% had more than 2.5 kg. 95.62% had a respiratory cause of distress with 60.9% TTN, 27.8% RDS, 6.25% MAS, and 0.62% congenital pneumonia. Only 4.37% cases had a non-respiratory cause with 2.5% sepsis, 1.25% congenital heart disease, and 0.62% congenital diaphragmatic hernia as cause of respiratory distress. Conclusion: 95.62% cases of distress had a respiratory cause with TTN and RDS accounting for a majority of the cases both of which can be easily averted by taking necessary preventive measures by assessing the antenatal risk factors or managed effectively by identifying the cases early on post-partum.
EFFECTIVENESS OF EPLEY’S MANEUVER IN POSTERIOR CANAL BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors: Sharma Nitin , Bali Apurva , Anamika Anamika , Sharma Pritosh
Published: May 2023

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of Epley’s maneuver in curing posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Methods: This was a single-center, hospital-based, prospective observational study involving a total of 51 patients diagnosed with BPPV. The diagnosis of BPPV was confirmed by Dix–Hallpike’s maneuver (DHM). The patients of BPPV were treated using Epley’s maneuver. The patients were followed on the 4th, 10th, 30th, and 180th days after the initial consultation. The response to DHM was recorded on each follow-up visit.
Results: Among the enrolled 51 participants, 47 did not have any complaints related to giddiness post treatment. Thus, the effectiveness of Epley’s maneuver in treating posterior semicircular canal BPPV at 6 months was 92.16%. Overall, 5 participants (10.6%) who were cured on the first follow-up visit had a recurrence of BPPV at the 1-month follow-up visit. As the duration of follow-up increased, the quality-of-life score decreased, indicating that patients felt better or relieved from symptoms with time. On the follow-up visits on day 4, day 10, 1 month, and 6 months after Epley’s maneuver, it was 43.1%, 72.5%, 88.2%, and 92.2%, respectively, for those who had a negative response to DHM.
Conclusion: Epley’s maneuver is an effective treatment modality for patients diagnosed with posterior semicircular canal BPPV and shows a significant improvement in quality of life for such patients with low recurrence rates.
Lanosterol biosynthesis pathway in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Benson Helen E.
Published: May 2023

Lanosterol is a precursor for cholesterol, which is synthesized primarily in the liver in a pathway often described as the mevalonate or HMG-CoA reductase pathway. The first two steps (formation of acetoacetyl CoA and the mitochondrial generation of (S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA) are also associated with oxidation of fatty acids.
SLC14 family of facilitative urea transporters in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Stewart Gavin
Published: May 2023

As a product of protein catabolism, urea is moved around the body and through the kidneys for excretion. Although there is experimental evidence for concentrative urea transporters, these have not been defined at the molecular level. The SLC14 family are facilitative transporters, allowing urea movement down its concentration gradient. Multiple splice variants of these transporters have been identified; for UT-A transporters, in particular, there is evidence for cell-specific expression of these variants with functional impact [6, 1]. Topographical modelling suggests that the majority of the variants of SLC14 transporters have 10 TM domains, with a glycosylated extracellular loop at TM5/6, and intracellular C- and N-termini. The UT-A1 splice variant, exceptionally, has 20 TM domains, equivalent to a combination of the UT-A2 and UT-A3 splice variants.
SLC36 family of proton-coupled amino acid transporters in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Anderson Catriona M.H. , Thwaites David T.
Published: May 2023

Members of the SLC36 family of proton-coupled amino acid transporters are involved in membrane transport of amino acids and derivatives [29, 30]. The four transporters show variable tissue expression patterns and are expressed in various cell types at the plasma-membrane and in intracellular organelles. PAT1 is expressed at the luminal surface of the small intestine and absorbs amino acids and derivatives [4]. In lysosomes, PAT1 functions as an efflux mechanism for amino acids produced during intralysosomal proteolysis [2, 26]. PAT2 is expressed at the apical membrane of the renal proximal tubule [7] and at the plasma-membrane in brown/beige adipocytes [31]. PAT1 and PAT4 are involved in regulation of the mTORC1 pathway [12, 28]. More comprehensive lists of substrates can be found within the reviews under Further Reading and in the references [3].
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: MacEwan David
Published: May 2023

Dysregulated TNFR signalling is associated with many inflammatory disorders, including some forms of arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and targeting TNF has been an effective therapeutic strategy in these diseases and for cancer immunotherapy [5, 6, 49].
Chemerin receptors in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Davenport Anthony P. , Monaghan Amy E.
Published: May 2023

Nomenclature for the chemerin receptors is presented as recommended by NC-IUPHAR [15, 44]). The chemoattractant protein and adipokine, chemerin, has been shown to be the endogenous ligand for both chemerin family receptors. Chemerin1 was the founding family member, and when GPR1 was de-orphanised it was re-named Chermerin2 [44]. Chemerin1 is also activated by the lipid-derived, anti-inflammatory ligand resolvin E1 (RvE1), which is formed via the sequential metabolism of EPA by aspirin-modified cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase [2, 3]. In addition, two GPCRs for resolvin D1 (RvD1) have been identified: FPR2/ALX, the lipoxin A4 receptor, and GPR32, an orphan receptor [46].
Prostanoid receptors in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Clapp Lucie , Giembycz Mark , Heinemann Akos , Jones Robert L. , Narumiya Shuh , Norel Xavier , Sugimoto Yukihiko , Woodward David F. , Yao Chengcan
Published: May 2023

Prostanoid receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Prostanoid Receptors [701]) are activated by the endogenous ligands prostaglandins PGD2, PGE1, PGE2 , PGF2α, PGH2, prostacyclin [PGI2] and thromboxane A2. Differences and similarities between human and rodent prostanoid receptor orthologues, and their specific roles in pathophysiologic conditions are reviewed in [452]. Measurement of the potency of PGI2 and thromboxane A2 is hampered by their instability in physiological salt solution; they are often replaced by cicaprost and U46619, respectively, in receptor characterization studies.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate turnover in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Pyne Nigel J , Pyne Susan
Published: May 2023

S1P (sphingosine 1-phosphate) is a bioactive lipid which, after release from cells via certain transporters, acts as a ligand for a family of five S1P-specific G protein-coupled receptors (S1P1-5). However, it also has a number of intracellular targets. S1P is formed by the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of sphingosine, catalysed by two isoforms of sphingosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.91). It can be dephosphorylated back to sphingosine by sphingosine 1-phosphate phosphatase (EC 3.1.3) or cleaved into phosphoethanolamine and hexadecenal by sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase (EC 4.1.2.27). Recessive mutations in the S1P lyase (SPL) gene underlie a recently identified sphingolipidosis: SPL Insufficiency Syndrome (SPLIS). In general, S1P promotes cell survival, proliferation, migration, adhesion and inhibition of apoptosis. Intracellular S1P affects epigenetic regulation, endosomal processing, mitochondrial function and cell proliferation/senescence. S1P has myriad physiological functions, including vascular development, lymphocyte trafficking and neurogenesis. However, S1P is also involved in a number of diseases such as cancer, inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, its GPCRs and enzymes of synthesis and degradation are a major focus for drug discovery.
Two-pore domain potassium channels (K2P) in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Baggetta Austin M. , Bayliss Douglas A. , Czirják Gábor , Enyedi Péter , Goldstein Steve A.N. , Lesage Florian , Minor, Jr. Daniel L. , Plant Leigh D. , Sepúlveda Francisco
Published: May 2023

The 4TM family of K channels mediate many of the background potassium currents observed in native cells. They are open across the physiological voltage-range and are regulated by a wide array of neurotransmitters and biochemical mediators. The pore-forming α-subunit contains two pore loop (P) domains and two subunits assemble to form one ion conduction pathway lined by four P domains. It is important to note that single channels do not have two pores but that each subunit has two P domains in its primary sequence; hence the name two-pore domain, or K2P channels (and not two-pore channels). Some of the K2P subunits can form heterodimers across subfamilies (e.g. K2P3.1 with K2P9.1). The nomenclature of 4TM K channels in the literature is still a mixture of IUPHAR and common names. The suggested division into subfamilies, described in the More detailed introduction, is based on similarities in both structural and functional properties within subfamilies and this explains the "common abbreviation" nomenclature in the tables below.
2A. Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 receptors in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Sladek Frances M.
Published: May 2023

The nomenclature of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 receptors is agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Nuclear Hormone Receptors [9, 3]. While linoleic acid has been identified as the endogenous ligand for HNF4α its function remains ambiguous [75]. HNF4γ has yet to be paired with an endogenous ligand.
3A. Estrogen receptors in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Coons Laurel , Korach Kenneth S.
Published: May 2023

Estrogen receptor (ER) activity regulates diverse physiological processes via transcriptional modulation of target genes [2]. The selection of target genes and the magnitude of the response, be it induction or repression, are determined by many factors, including the effect of the hormone ligand and DNA binding on ER structural conformation, and the local cellular regulatory environment. The cellular environment defines the specific complement of DNA enhancer and promoter elements present and the availability of coregulators to form functional transcription complexes. Together, these determinants control the resulting biological response.
3C. 3-Ketosteroid receptors in GtoPdb v.2023.1
Authors: Cain Derek , Cidlowski John , Edwards Dean P. , Fuller Peter , Grimm Sandra L. , Hartig Sean , Lange Carol A. , Oakley Robert H. , Richer Jennifer K. , Sartorius Carol A. , Tetel Marc , Weigel Nancy , Young Morag J.
Published: May 2023

Steroid hormone receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Nuclear Hormone Receptors [75, 218, 3]) are nuclear hormone receptors of the NR3 class, with endogenous agonists that may be divided into 3-hydroxysteroids (estrone and 17β-estradiol) and 3-ketosteroids (dihydrotestosterone [DHT], aldosterone, cortisol, corticosterone, progesterone and testosterone). For rodent GR and MR, the physiological ligand is corticosterone rather than cortisol.
Exponential stability and instability in nonlinear differential equations with multiple delays
Authors: Afful Adusei-Poku , Yankson Ernest
Published: May 2023

Inequalities regarding the solutions of the nonlinear differential equation with multiple delays xl(t) = a(t)f(x(t)) +Σni=1bi(t)f(x(t − hi)), are obtained by means of Lyapunov functionals. These inequalities are then used to obtain sufficient conditions that guarantee exponential decay of solutions to zero of the multi delay nonlinear differential equation. In addition, we obtain a criterion for the instability of the zero solution. The results generalizes some results in the literature.
Periodic orbits of linear flows on connected Lie groups
Authors: Stelmastchuk S. N.
Published: May 2023

Our main goal is to study the periodic orbits of linear flows on a real, connected Lie group. Since each linear flow φt has a derivation associated 𝒟, we show that the existence of periodic orbits of φt is based on the eigenvalues of the derivation 𝒟. From this, we study periodic orbits of a linear flow on noncompact, semisimple Lie groups, and we work with periodic orbits of a linear flow on a connected, simply connected, solvable Lie groups of dimension 2 or 3.
Mycological Profile of Candida tropicalis and its Virulence Factors from Candidemia Patients at A Tertiary Care Facility
Authors: Mohanraj Hemamalini , Vinodhini V.M. , Vajravelu Leela Kakithakara
Published: May 2023

Candida tropicalis is the fourth main infective agent of Candida species in several developing nations and leads to the greatest fatality rate among the non-albicans Candida (NAC) species that cause candidemia. Seventy clinically known Candida isolates are isolated in positively flagged blood samples from BacT/ALERT 3D from various wards. Virulence factors like hemolysin production, coagulase activity, phospholipase activity, and biofilm formation were studied and antifungal susceptibility testing was and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values were interpreted. Of the total 70 clinical Candida isolates, the most predominant organism isolated was found to be C. tropicalis 27 (38.57%) which is succeeded by 19 (27.14%) C. albicans, 13 (18.57%) C. parapsilosis, 6 (8.57%) C. glabrata, and 5 (7.14%) C. krusei respectively. Among the70 Candida isolates, 49 (70%) showed hemolysin production, 43 (61.42%) isolates demonstrated phospholipase activity, 34 (48.57%) showed coagulase activity and 55 (78.57%) isolates showed biofilm production by crystal violet assay. A high level of Fluconazole resistance has been observed in 23 (32.85%) Candida isolates in comparison with other antimicrobials utilized in this study. The higher MIC value of: ≥ 64 µg/mL Fluconazole was shown by 4 (57.14%) isolates of C. tropicalis by broth microdilution method. The interpretation of various virulence factors and antifungal drug resistance were seen mostly among NAC species, thus hence signifying its pivotal role in immunocompromised individual treatment.
Disaster Management of Flood and Retaintion Techniques
Authors: Kadam Tulshiram , Jadhav Anjali , Maske Ankit , Ture Rohit , Ture Dr. Vaishali
Published: May 2023

Abstract: The most frequent and destructive type of natural disaster, floods annually have an impact on the lives of tens of millions of people all over the world. Climate change and increased climate variability were predicted to result in more frequent and intense floods in the past. Growing demands for channels are being made in order to reduce severe rural flooding by effecting a significant amount of additional storm runoff. This investigation intends to assess how well a deep channel device proposed for Kolhapur’s historic centre will reduce flooding. In order to lessen the devastating effects of floods and regularly make the area more flood-proof, we will lower the flood force at the downstream aspect by providing a suitable channel of a specified sort of size.
A Review of Minority Carrier Recombination Lifetime Measurements
Authors: Smaili Idris H. , Hmida Ghazi Ben
Published: May 2023

Abstract: The recombination lifetime of minority carriers is a critical parameter in semiconductor devices such as photovoltaic cells since it controls the efficiency of such devices. Many techniques have been developed to accomplish recombination measurements and thereby test semiconductor devices' efficiencies. Recombination lifetime average values differ according to semiconductor device type; thus, choosing an appropriate technique is important. This paper studies the concept of excess minority carrier lifetime and its calculations. It also investigates the advantages, limitations, and capabilities of the most common recombination lifetime measurement techniques. A chart was drawn with all known measurement methods to make it easier to understand the relation between these techniques.
Do Employee Experience Has an Impact to Turnover?
Authors: Mohyi Achmad , Sukmawati Dewi
Published: May 2023

The growing development of the F&B industry, especially coffee shop SMEs, is of course proportional to the large number of absorbed Indonesian workers. This is inseparable from the problem of high employee turnover. A high turnover rate in a company is closely related to a bad employee experience. Employee experience is basically an employee's perception of their work experience in a company. This study aims to see how employee experience can affect the turnover rate in a business. This research technique uses a qualitative study with purposive sampling technique. In this research interviews were conducted with employees and ex-employees in 3 different coffee shops. The results of this study indicate that high turnover rates are caused by poor employee experience. Where in this case employees do not have a sense of belonging to the compan
Silent Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Kurdistan, Iraq: A cross-sectional study
Authors: M Mohammad Ameen , Mohammed Malavan , T Rasul Mohammed , Salih Sgery Azri
Published: May 2023

Objectives: This study attempts to determine the silent coronary artery disease (CAD) in a sample of Iraqi Kurdish patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A total of 50 such patients from Duhok, Kurdistan region of Iraq, underwent multi slices computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography 64 slices to determine coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores and coronary stenoses.

Results: 62% of cases had a (CAC) score > zero on non-contrast MSCT scans. Coronary angiograms showed that 26 (52%) of the cases had variable coronary artery stenosis; 17(34%) of them were obstructive (>50% luminal narrowing). The study demonstrated that Inflammatory markers (rheumatoid factor, Anti- cyclic citrullinated peptides, and some cardiovascular risk factors, namely (hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus) were significantly related to the presence of CAD in these patients.

Conclusions: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of CAD. This risk is higher in the presence of inflammatory and cardiovascular risk factors.
Leo Marx's Legacy
Authors: Nye David E.
Published: May 2023

An assessment of Leo Marx’s career, from his youth in New York and Paris, Harvard education, and military service in World War II, to the major themes in his scholarship during 65 years of teaching at Minnesota, Amherst College, and MIT. Best known for his The Machine in the Garden, Marx was one of the founding scholars of American Studies, but he also made seminal contributions to the History of Technology and the environmental humanities. His work is a useful legacy for scholars assessing technological solutions proposed to deal with ecological crises.
Análisis de la interculturalidad en la educación superior en Bolivia desde la perspectiva del Buen Vivir
Authors: Barrera Hernández Zaira Andrea
Published: May 2023

Evo Morales, was chosen in 2005 and started his goverment in 2006, as a first indigenous president of Bolivia, started the process of the National Constituent Assembly, which was presented as the opportunity to re-found Bolivia on the basis of unity, equality and dignity, recognizing 36 original nations or indigenous peoples —who have represented more than 60% of the population in the country— with it he sought to end the political, economic, social and cultural conflicts that generated gaps of inequality and invisibility amongst indigenous communities for years, which culminated in the issuance of the Political Constitution in 2009. The new constitution implemented as state policy called “Vivir Bien” and a universal, productive, comprehensive and intercultural educationpolicy, among others, to generate higher education in rural areas, seeking social participation in response to needs. This article makes a documentary analysis of the notion of Vivir Bien and the intercultural higher education policy, and its application in the case of Bolivian Indegenous University “UNIBOL - Guaraní and indigenous peoples in lowland (Apiaguaiki Tüpa)” between 2008 and 2019.
Governmental information hoarding and its effects on journalism practice
Authors: Bakata Ndoh Bertha , Ngange Kingsley Lyonga , Assala Laurent-Charles Boyomo , Ndod Stephen N.
Published: May 2023

It has been observed that government hoards certain information that journalists should access and publish for the development of Cameroon. This study examines the extent to which government news sources in Cameroon hoard information, and how this affects journalism practice. Agenda setting (McCombs & Shaw, 1972) and gatekeeping (Lewin, 1947) are used. A total of 170 journalists were surveyed in Buea, Limbe, Douala, Yaounde, Bamenda, and Garoua. The journalists were selected based on their experiences in working with news sources. Findings suggest that 16.5 percent often get information from the Presidency, while 50.6 percent rarely do. Also, 27.1 percent often access information from the Prime Ministry, while 41.7 percent rarely do. Not even 50 percent of journalists have regular access to government ministers and ministries. Meanwhile, 44.1 percent often access communication units of government structures. Access to governors and regional delegates is relatively higher. Of the 17 sources examined in government regarding journalists’ accessibility to information, mayors are the most accessible (57.6 percent). Generally, a significant relationship (p = 0.000) exists between access to government news sources and journalism practice. Lack of information access promotes unprofessionalism in practice (biased reporting, sensationalism, armchair journalism, fake news). To enhance professionalism, it is recommended that government news sources be more accessible to journalists.
Analysis of the relationship between social factors and water services delivery in the public sector: A case of an emerging economy
Authors: Mukwarami Silas , van der Poll Huibrecht M.
Published: May 2023

This article evaluates the linkage between social factors and water services delivery in the biggest municipalities in South Africa for improved service delivery. The study is conducted against the failure of several studies to focus on social practices’ impacts on service delivery. Social practices have huge impacts on service delivery and tend to have financial implications on municipalities (Morudu, 2017). Therefore, this article sought to introduce another dimension of addressing water service delivery challenges (WSDCs) by examining the relationship between social practices and service delivery. A multivariate regression analysis using the panel data (2013–2021) collected from the 20 largest municipalities in South Africa. While ordinary least squares (OLS) and feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) results show that job opportunities created have had a positive impact on service delivery performance (SDP), service delivery protests adversely influenced SDP. On the same note, expenditure on housing, population, and educational level produced a neutral effect on SDP. The results provide deep insights to policymakers and city managers to consider aligning social practices with a regulatory framework that governs the provisioning of water services. Although the paper provides vital information, further studies focus on reviewing and reconfiguring laws and regulations that govern social practices to further reduce the negative impacts of social practices on water provision efforts.
Advances in the study of macrophage polarization in inflammatory immune skin diseases
Authors: Xia Tingting , Fu Shengping , Yang Ruilin , Yang Kang , Lei Wei , Yang Ying , Zhang Qian , Zhao Yujie , Yu Jiang , Yu Limei , Zhang Tao
Published: May 2023

In response to various microenvironmental stimuli, macrophages are
highly plastic and primarily polarized into the pro-inflammatory M1-type
and the anti-inflammatory M2-type, both of which perform almost entirely
opposing functions. This characteristic determines that macrophages
carry out various tasks during various stages of immunity and
inflammation. An imbalance in the M1/M2 macrophage ratio is often
observed in inflammatory immune skin diseases, and modulation of the
macrophage polarization phenotype exacerbates or alleviates the
associated symptoms. Therefore, this review presents the mechanisms of
macrophage polarization, inflammation-related signaling pathways
(JAK/STAT, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt) and the role of both in inflammatory immune
skin diseases (psoriasis, AD, SLE, BD, etc.) with the aim of providing
new directions for basic and clinical research of related diseases.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Bamako, Mali, and factors associated with infection: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Traoré Bourama , Guindo Merepen , Konaté Drissa , Kané Fousseyni , Incandela Nathan , Traore Abdouramane , Kanté Salimata , Sidibé Mariam , Keita Bourama , Kassé Fatoumata , Tangara Karamoko , Diallo Dramane , Maiga Issoufi , Thiam Salif , Cisse Abdourhamane , Mohamedou Khatry , Dicko Abdoul , Goita Mariam , Kone Diakaridia , Diallo Mamadou , Traore Modibo , Coulibaly Yaya , Diakité Mahamadou , Doumbia Seydou , Dolo Housseini , BALAM Saidou
Published: May 2023

Background: The seroepidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2
infection in Mali are not yet well understood. This study assessed
SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and factors associated with infection
in the general population of Bamako, the capital city and epicenter of
COVID-19, to determine the magnitude of the pandemic and contribute to
control strategies improvement in Mali. Methods: A cross-sectional
survey was conducted in September 2022 to collect data on
sociodemographic information, clinical characteristics, comorbid
factors, and blood samples. ELISA was performed to determine anti-Spike
(S) and anti-RBD antibody levels, and RT-PCR to confirm SARS-CoV-2
infection in oropharyngeal swabs. A total of 3601 participants were
enrolled in RedCap. Result: the mean age of participants was 33.5±15.9
years old; the sex ratio female: male was 3.6:1. The most representative
were the 20–29 (28.9%, n=1043) and the 30–39 (26.9%, n=967)
years-old. The COVID-19 vaccine coverage among the participants was
35.8%, with vaccines from Covidshield AstraZeneca (AZ, 13.4%), Johnson
and Johnson (J&J, 16.7%), Sinovac (3.9%), and BioNTech Pfizer
(1.8%). Overall, S protein and RBD antibodies seroprevalence was
remarkably high in the general population (98% and 97%, respectively).
Factors such as youth (1–9 years old) and male sex were associated with
lower antibody responses against S and RBD, whereas previous exposure to
patients with COVID-19 and receiving the COVID-19 vaccine were
associated with increased odds of antibody responses. Conclusion: This
serosurvey demonstrated the high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
and highlighted the factors that may influence antibody responses,
clearly underlining an underestimation of the pandemic in Mali.
Data-driven adaptive trajectory tracking control of unmanned marine vehicles under disturbances and DoS attacks
Authors: Hao Li-Ying , Liu Huiying , Liu Yanli , Weng Yongpeng
Published: May 2023

This article researches the trajectory tracking problem for unmanned
marine vehicles (UMVs) with disturbances and under denial-of-services
(DoS) attacks in the wireless channel. By applying the partial form
dynamic linearization algorithm, an equivalent data-driven model of the
UMVs with ocean disturbances is firstly established. And the
disturbances are estimated by using extended state observer, which
improves the immunity of the UMVs to disturbances in the environment,
and the robustness of the UMVs systems is better. It is the first time
that the DoS attacks are considered under the data model for UMVs, and a
novel data-driven adaptive trajectory tracking control framework is
constructed. When the proposed equivalent data model suffers from DoS
attacks which follows the Bernoulli distribution, an attack predictive
compensation mechanism is devised to relieve the influence of DoS
attacks. Based on it, the data-driven adaptive trajectory tracking
controller is designed such that the error of trajectory tracking is
convergent under DoS attacks and external disturbances. Finally, the
effectiveness of the proposed data-driven control scheme and the
predictive compensation mechanism is validated through the simulations.
A Comparative Analysis of Agronomic Water-Use Efficiency and its Proxy Measures as derived from Key Morpho-Physiological and Supportive Quantitative Genetics Attributes of Perennial Ryegrass under Imposed Drought
Authors: Weerarathne L.V.Y. , Jahufer Z. , Schaeufele Rudi , Lopez * , Matthew C.
Published: May 2023

Water-use efficiency (WUE) is an under-researched but very important
drought tolerance trait for forage breeding purposes. This research
evaluated morpho-physiological traits linked to agronomic water-use
efficiency (WUE ) and its proxy measures based on δ
C (WUE ) or gas exchange
(evapotranspiration, WUE , or stomatal conductance
WUE ) and their quantitative genetic parameters
(QGPs) of 400 half-sib family genotypes of Lolium perenne L.
(PRG) in a 5-month soil drought cycle spanning field capacity (FC),
85–90% FC, 55–65% FC, 45–55% FC, and <55% FC
(post-cutting regrowth). Principal component analysis (PCA) of trait
data distinguished a group of PRG genotypes where high WUE
and pasture yield were associated with a distinctive
deep rooting pattern and improved leaf hydration at more negative leaf
osmotic and water potentials. Plants with this trait association
sustained net assimilation and soil moisture reserves throughout the
drought cycle. Estimated QGPs including high narrow-sense heritability (
h n 2 > 0 . 7 ; p < 0 . 05 ) of key traits
emphasized the genetic potential of the identified trait combination for
selecting PRG for improved drought tolerance. PCA and estimates of QGPs
revealed a weak association between WUE , WUEi, WUE
, or WUE under the conditions
tested. The results highlight the preferability of WUE
over its proxy measures in defining PRG drought tolerance.
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND LANDSCAPE IMPACT ANALYSIS OF QUARRIES IN A HIGHLY FRAGMENTED ECOSYSTEM
Authors: Carabia-Sanz Irati , Simoy María V. , Cortelezzi Agustina , Trofino-Falasco Clara , Berkunsky Igor
Published: May 2023

Mining activity generates significant changes in the ecosystems in which
it takes place, affecting the atmosphere and the surrounding aquatic and
terrestrial systems, causing the destruction of landscapes, the loss of
vegetation, and altering native environments. As it is an impact
associated with increasing urbanization and population growth, the area
occupied by quarries has increased worldwide. In the province of Buenos
Aires, quarries are often abandoned without any remediation, leading to
further deterioration of the ecosystem. This work aims to analyze
quarrying activity’s spatiotemporal effect on the Pampean grassland in
the Tandilia mountains (Buenos Aires province, Argentina). Based on
Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite imagery, from 1996 to the present, and
using QGIS software, we identified the location and extension of
quarries, and we analyzed their evolution through time. Quarries
currently occupy an area of 6428 ha, which was originally part of the
Pampean grassland. The number of open quarries increased by 129%, from
69 in 1996 to 158 in 2022, and the area used for this activity increased
by 172%, with a greater expansion being detected in the last ten years.
These results conclude that this extractive activity represents a major
threat to the Pampean grassland with the consequent loss of biodiversity
and invasion of exotic plants capable of colonizing areas altered by
human activity.
Transient Characteristics and Sites of Pre-Breakdown in Spark Conditioning for High-voltage Vacuum Interrupter under Power Frequency Voltage
Authors: Ma Hui , Du Yu , Shen Jingyu , Li Yuanzhao , Gao Yulong , Liu Zhiyuan , Wang Jianhua , Geng Yingsan
Published: May 2023

The objective of this paper is to determine the transient
characteristics and sites of the pre-breakdown (pre-BD) in the spark
conditioning under power frequency voltage (PFV) in vacuum. A
multi-angle optical path system was built to record the arc of pre-BD at
two viewing angles by one camera, realizing the determination of the
pre-BD sites in spark conditioning. The recording rate of high-speed
camera was 580,000 frames/s. The experimental results indicate that, in
the spark conditioning under PFV, the pre-BDs continuously occurred at a
random moment. Within several half-waves, the number of the pre-BDs
could reach dozens of times, which was the key for the treatment of the
electrode surface in conditioning. Under the application of PFV, the
single pre-BD occurred at a random moment, in which would last for
several microseconds and the peak value of the current would reach
several amperes. Moreover, the pre-BD sites randomly distributed in the
surface of the electrode and almost covered the whole surface of the
electrode. The number of the pre-BDs in edge region of the electrode
tent to be more. The pre-BDs took place independently in both time and
space.
Az orgazmus nem kívánt hatása: "Orgazmust követő betegség" tünetcsoport (POIS) - új adatok
Authors: Ács Júlia , Sonkodi Balázs , Soós Zita , Nyirády Péter , Kopa Zsolt
Published: May 2023

Bevezetés: Az „Orgazmust követő betegség” tünetcsoport ritka, jelentős életminőség-romlással járó, krónikus betegség. Súlyos hatásai miatt kiemelt jelentőségű az etiológia tisztázása, illetve a kezelési lehetőségek feltárása. Pontos kóroka még ismeretlen, de a legújabb kutatások heveny stresszreakció okozta idegkárosodást és izomfájdalmat feltételeznek a hátterében. Anyag és módszer: A Pubmed, Embase és a Cochrain database adatbázisokban végeztünk keresést a post-orgasmic illness, post-orgasmic, orgasm and flu-like symptoms kulcsszavakkal. Eredmények: A kórkép változatos klinikai manifesztációja miatt a diagnózis felállításához elengedhetetlen a tünetcsoportok szerinti specifikus anamnézisfelvétel. Jelenleg kérdőív nem áll rendelkezésünkre, a jövőben további összefoglaló tanulmányok segítségével célunk ennek kidolgozása. Következtetések: Az új etiológiai teória alapján a POIS hátterében rendellenes izomkontrakció következtében, az izomorsóban kialakuló proprioceptív axonopathia és következményes fájdalom állhat. Ennek ismeretében a jövőben újabb terápiás targetek (opioid, endokannabinoid rendszeren ható molekulák, NMDAR-on ható vegyületek stb.) fejlesztése történhet, amely további tanulmányok végzését teszi szükségessé.
Pyelonephritis aposematosa miatt operált, transzfúziót elutasító betegünk esete
Authors: Fazekas Fruzsina , Márványkövi Fanni Magdolna , Lajos Márton , Buzogány István , Beöthe Tamás
Published: May 2023

Bevezetés: Osztályunkon rendszeresen végezzük vértranszfúziót elutasító betegek ellátását, az ezzel kapcsolatos tapasztalatinkat egy esettanumányon keresztül szeretnénk bemutatni. Esetismertetés: Pyelonephritis apostematosa miatt felvett Jehova Tanúja közösségbe tartozó betegünk műtétjét kényszerítő körülmények miatt két hónapos halasztás után tudtuk elvégezni. Ez idő alatt szorosan megfigyeltük, laborértékeit és általános állapotát konzervatív terápiával rendeztük. A nephrectomiát követően teljesen felgyógyult. A hatályos jogszabály (1997. évi CLIV. trv. az egészségügyről) meghatározza az ellátás visszautasításának lehetőségét és formai követelményeit. A vértakarékos betegellátás minden betegnél alkalmazható az optimális túlélés érdekében.
Simulation of laminar flow passing through a T-splitter plate and bridge pier
Authors: Qasim Rafi Mohammed , Jabbar Tahseen Ali , Faisal Safaa Hameed
Published: May 2023

The present analysis focuses on the investigation of the two-dimensional flow passing a bridge pier nearby a splitter plate in different regimes of a laminar flow. The splitter plate is T-shaped and two different cases have been studied based on the form of the splitter plate relative to the bridge pier. The analysis is implemented for steady and incompressible water flow in an open channel. The current study deals with velocity vectors, drag coefficients, lift coefficients, and skin friction. The analysis of the velocity vector gave a good indicator about the separation process and dissipation, which occurs at the splitter plate before the occurrence of these processes at the front face of the pier, especially the flow separation process. Moreover, the velocity vector gave a good image about the flow direction at two regions, the first region is located between the rear portion of the splitter plate and the frontal face of the pier, while the second region is the wake region, which is located at the downstream of the pier. Negative drag coefficient, lift coefficient, and skin friction coefficient values are obtained from the analysis. This happens due to the existence of the splitter plate that leads to the reduction of these values.
Corrigendum to “The dark-red spider mite, Tetranychus ludeni Zacher (Acari: Tetranychidae) - a new pest in Serbian acarofauna” Ivana Maric, Irena Medjo and Dejan Marcic (volume 37, issue 3, pp. 85-93; doi: https://doi.org/10.2298/PIF2203085M)
Authors: Editorial E
Published: May 2023

The original published version of the article contained two errors:
(1) In Table 1B: tomato was not indicated as a host plant for T. evansi
(2) In Figure 1: After carefully looking at the previous drawings of T. ludeni body parts, we concluded that it is
necessary to provide new and more precise drawings of the male aedeagus and female tibia/tarsus I
The corrigendum presents the corrected version of Table 1B and Figure 1.

 Link to the corrected article 10.2298/PIF2203085M
A política externa russa um ano depois: narrativas múltiplas e as suas implicações
Authors: Freire Maria Raquel
Published: May 2023

This article aims to analyse the multiple narratives that have been informing Moscow’s policies, since Russia’s unwarranted invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. This analysis addresses lines of continuity and change in Russian foreign policy, including several of Putin’s speeches over this past year of war, in dialogue with the dominant narratives that accompany them, in order to clarify actions and options. The article concludes that Putin’s Russian foreign policy in 2022 reveals a clear search for discursive continuities, but ultimately highlights not only discontinuities but also inconsistencies that limit its credibility.