bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between ankle varus moment during gait and radiographic measurements in patients with medial ankle osteoarthritis
Authors: Choi Ji Hye , Han Hee Soo , Park Young Jin , Koo Seungbum , Lee Taeyong , Lee Kyoung Min
Published: June 2021

Background

Kinetic data obtained during gait can be used to clarify the biomechanical pathogenesis of osteoarthritis of the lower extremity. This study aimed to investigate the difference in ankle varus moment between the varus angulation and medial translation types of medial ankle osteoarthritis, and to identify the radiographic measurements associated with ankle varus moment.

Methods

Twenty-four consecutive patients [mean age 65.8 (SD) 8.0 years; 9 men and 15 women] with medial ankle osteoarthritis were included. Fourteen and 10 patients had the varus angulation (tibiotalar tilt angle≥3 degrees) and medial translation (tibiotalar tilt angle<3 degrees) types, respectively. All patients underwent three-dimensional gait analysis, and the maximum varus moment of the ankle was recorded. Radiographic measurement included tibial plafond inclination, tibiotalar tilt angle, talar dome inclination, and lateral talo-first metatarsal angle. Comparison between the two types of medial ankle osteoarthritis and the relationship between the maximum ankle varus moment and radiographic measurements were analyzed.

Results

The mean tibial plafond inclination, tibiotalar tilt angle, talar dome inclination, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, and maximum ankle varus moment were 6.4 degrees (SD 3.3 degrees), 5.0 degrees (SD 4.6 degrees), 11.4 degrees (SD 5.2 degrees), -6.5 degrees (SD 11.7 degrees), and 0.185 (SD 0.082) Nm/kg, respectively. The varus angulation type showed a greater maximum ankle varus moment than the medial translation type (p = .005). The lateral talo-first metatarsal angle was significantly associated with the maximum ankle varus moment (p = .041) in the multiple regression analysis.

Conclusion

The varus angulation type of medial ankle osteoarthritis is considered to be more imbalanced biomechanically than the medial displacement type. The lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, being significantly associated with the ankle varus moment, should be considered for correction during motion-preserving surgeries for medial ankle osteoarthritis to restore the biomechanical balance of the ankle.
The protective association between statins use and adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chow Ronald , Im James , Chiu Nicholas , Chiu Leonard , Aggarwal Rahul , Lee Jihui , Choi Young-Geun , Prsic Elizabeth Horn , Shin Hyun Joon
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Statins may reduce a cytokine storm, which has been hypothesized as a possible mechanism of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to report on adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients by statin usage.

Methods

Literatures were searched from January 2019 to December 2020 to identify studies that reported the association between statin usage and adverse outcomes, including mortality, ICU admissions, and mechanical ventilation. Studies were meta-analyzed for mortality by the subgroups of ICU status and statin usage before and after COVID-19 hospitalization. Studies reporting an odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) were analyzed separately.

Results

Thirteen cohorts, reporting on 110,078 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. Individuals who used statins before their COVID-19 hospitalization showed a similar risk of mortality, compared to those who did not use statins (HR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.50, 1.28; OR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.38, 1.03). Patients who were administered statins after their COVID-19 diagnosis were at a lower risk of mortality (HR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.61; OR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.75). The use of statins did not reduce the mortality of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU (OR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.26, 1.64). Among non-ICU patients, statin users were at a lower risk of mortality relative to non-statin users (HR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.62; OR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.88).

Conclusion

Patients administered statins after COVID-19 diagnosis or non-ICU admitted patients were at lower risk of mortality relative to non-statin users.
A novel nonlinear creep model based on damage characteristics of mudstone strength parameters
Authors: Hu Bin , Cui Aneng , Cui Kai , Liu Yang , Li Jing
Published: June 2021

Mudstone interlayer is a weak layer in rock engineering. When it is subjected to continuous stress higher than its damage threshold, due to the dislocation of particles in mudstone crystals and the expansion of cracks, mudstone strength is gradually damaged and deteriorated and the strain gradually increases, thus accelerating the phenomenon of creep damage. In order to describe the characteristics of the whole process of mudstone aging deformation, based on the damage evolution of strength parameters (cohesion and internal friction coefficient) with stress and time in mudstone creep tests, a novel damage nonlinear viscoelastoplastic body (D-NVPB) is proposed through improving traditional plastic element. D-NVPB describes the nonlinear characteristics of the accelerated creep stage of mudstone. With the element combination method, D-NVPB is connected with the Burgers model in series to form a new nonlinear damage creep model (D-NVEP model). The analysis results of creep characteristics theoretically verified the rationality of the model in describing the instantaneous elasticity, viscoelasticity, and nonlinear viscoplastic characteristics of the complete creep curve of mudstone. With the data obtained in the uniaxial compression creep test of mudstone under the action of a stress level of 14 MPa, based on the Levenberg-Marquardt nonlinear least squares method, the fitting calculation was performed through piecewise fitting and overall fitting. The correlation coefficient was 0.9909, which verified the applicability of the model. The obtained model parameters by the identification were used to predict the mudstone creep curve under the stress levels of 13 MPa and 15 MPa. The good prediction results further verified the feasibility of the model. Compared with the traditional creep model, the D-NVEP model can better describe the nonlinear characteristics of the accelerated creep stage and quantitatively display the strength damage evolution process of rock in the creep failure process.
High-throughput sequencing reveals genetic determinants associated with antibiotic resistance in Campylobacter spp. from farm-to-fork
Authors: Mouftah Shaimaa F. , Cobo-Díaz José F. , Álvarez-Ordóñez Avelino , Elserafy Menattallah , Saif Nehal A. , Sadat Asmaa , El-Shibiny Ayman , Elhadidy Mohamed
Published: June 2021

Campylobacter species are one of the most common causative agents of gastroenteritis worldwide. Resistance against quinolone and macrolide antimicrobials, the most commonly used therapeutic options, poses a serious risk for campylobacteriosis treatment. Owing to whole genome sequencing advancements for rapid detection of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, phenotypic and genotypic resistance trends along the “farm-to-fork” continuum can be determined. Here, we examined the resistance trends in 111 Campylobacter isolates (90 C. jejuni and 21 C. coli) recovered from clinical samples, commercial broiler carcasses and dairy products in Cairo, Egypt. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 10% of the isolates, mostly from C. coli. The prevalence of MDR was the highest in isolates collected from broiler carcasses (13.3%), followed by clinical isolates (10.5%), and finally isolates from dairy products (4%). The highest proportion of antimicrobial resistance in both species was against quinolones (ciprofloxacin and/or nalidixic acid) (68.4%), followed by tetracycline (51.3%), then erythromycin (12.6%) and aminoglycosides (streptomycin and/or gentamicin) (5.4%). Similar resistance rates were observed for quinolones, tetracycline, and erythromycin among isolates recovered from broiler carcasses and clinical samples highlighting the contribution of food of animal sources to human illness. Significant associations between phenotypic resistance and putative gene mutations was observed, with a high prevalence of the gyrA T86I substitution among quinolone resistant isolates, tet(O), tet(W), and tet(32) among tetracycline resistant isolates, and 23S rRNA A2075G and A2074T mutations among erythromycin resistant isolates. Emergence of resistance was attributed to the dissemination of resistance genes among various lineages, with the dominance of distinctive clones. For example, sub-lineages of CC828 in C. coli and CC21 in C. jejuni and the genetically related clonal complexes ‘CC206 and CC48’ and ‘CC464, CC353, CC354, CC574’, respectively, propagated across different niches sharing semi-homogenous resistance patterns.
Agility testing in amateur soccer: A pilot study of selected physical and perceptual-cognitive contributions
Authors: Altmann Stefan , Neumann Rainer , Härtel Sascha , Kurz Gunther , Stein Thorsten , Woll Alexander
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of physical and perceptual-cognitive factors with agility performance in amateur soccer players. Fifteen male amateur soccer players (age, 24.5 ± 1.9 years) completed a linear-sprint test with splits at 5 m, 10 m, and 30 m, a change-of-direction test of 12 m with 2 pre-planned directional changes of 45° at 2 m and 7 m, and a soccer-specific agility test with same movement pattern as the change-of-direction test but with the inclusion of a human stimulus performing passing movements. Additionally, the perceptual-cognitive deficit (agility performance minus change-of-direction performance) was calculated. In relation to agility performance, linear-sprint performance showed large relationships, which were higher with increasing sprint distance (5 m, r = 0.57; 10 m, r = 0.59; 30 m, r = 0.69), change-of-direction performance a very large relationship (r = 0.77), and the perceptual-cognitive deficit a large relationship (r = 0.55). The findings of this study highlight the relatively high contribution of both physical (i.e., linear-sprint and change-of-direction performance) and perceptual-cognitive factors (i.e., perceptual-cognitive deficit) in relation to soccer-specific agility performance at an amateur level. Consequently, such elements might be recommended to be included in training programs aimed at improving agility performance at this playing level. Moreover, the here introduced perceptual-cognitive deficit allows for a convenient and likewise thorough analysis of agility performance. Future studies should investigate the effects of both physically and perceptual-cognitive oriented training interventions on agility performance, which is considered a key element for success in soccer.
Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus species among respiratory patients and meat products, and antibacterial effects of oregano oil nanoemulsion
Authors: Hassanien Alshimaa A. , Abdel-Aziz Nahed Mahmoud
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus species causes several diseases in humans with infection recurrence in some cases. Handling of food under unhygienic conditions resulted in transmission of pathogens to food leading to risks for consumers' health. This work studies the possible role of humans in transmission of human pathogens to food products. In this study, we focused on the presence of antimicrobial resistance Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae found in respiratory patients and in some meat products. We detected the risk factors for patient's infection and examined the antibacterial effect of oregano oil nanoemulsion (ONE) at different concentrations against the multi-drug resistance strains of streptococci.

Materials and Methods: Microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction were used to identify S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae in 120 throat swab samples and 200 meat products. The disk diffusion method was used for investigating the prevalence of resistance against 10 antimicrobials that are commonly used in the treatment of humans and animals. ONE at four concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0%) with an average particle size of 45.4 nm was identified using transmission electron microscopy. The effect of ONE on Streptococcus species isolates was examined using the well diffusion method. Risk factors for human infection were detected using statistical analysis.

Results: S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae were detected in 14 (11.7%), 9 (7.5%), and 7 (5.8%), respectively, of 120 throat swabs of patients. These bacteria were also detected in 11 (5.5%), 8 (4%), and 6 (3%), respectively, of 200 meat products samples. Beef luncheon had the highest infection rate for the three species of streptococci. The majority of these isolates showed resistance to antimicrobials such as tetracycline and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. ONE had an inhibitory effect on the growth of S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae, and its effect was significantly increased at a high concentration (3%), with a mean inhibition zone of 36.45±0.302 mm. Very young and old patients, those with chronic diseases, and those exposed to the infection several times were most susceptible to infection.

Conclusion: ONE may be used as a therapeutic agent at safe and specific doses, and also in the food industry, to prevent the spoilage of food and protect human health.
Autoimmune liver damage in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome associated with anticentromeric antibodies
Authors: Chalcev B. D. , Vasiliev V. I. , Palshina S. G. , Torgashina A. V. , Sokol E. V. , Khvan J. I. , Rodionova E. B. , Safonova T. N. , Nekrasova T. P.
Published: June 2021

Objective:to determine the frequency, spectrum and severity of liver affection in anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) positive patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS).

Patients and methods.119 ACA-positive patients with pSS were included in the study, 37 (31%) of them had signs of liver damage, 3 of these patients were excluded from the study (2 had cholelithiasis, 1 had viral hepatitis B). Signs of autoimmune liver damage were found in 34 (28.6%) patients, most of them were seropositive for antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA). The diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) was established according to the recommendations of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the Russian Gastroenterological Association and the Russian Society for the Study of the Liver. In 5 (14.7%) patients the cause of cholestasis remained unspecified.

Results and discussion.AMA were found in 73.5% of patients, elevated serum IgM levels – in 57.6%. Clinically liver damage in most cases was characterized by an asymptomatic, slowly progressive course without a dramatic increase of symptoms over time. Liver cirrhosis was found in 14.7% of patients. According to clinical, laboratory and morphological manifestations, PBC was diagnosed in 21 patients, 4 of them also had a cross syndrome with AIH. AMA-negative PBC was found in 3 patients and isolated AIH – in 1. In most cases, histological stage I of PBC was detected. During follow-up, median of 7 years (range from 2 to 15 years), in 7 patients with stage I PBC and in 7 AMA-positive patients without functional liver disorders no clinical, laboratory or instrumental progression of liver damage was noted. In this regard, it was suggested that these patients have epitheliitis of the biliary ducts as manifestation of glandular affection in pSS, and not true PBC.

Conclusion.Autoimmune liver lesions are detected in 28.6% of ACA-positive patients with pSS, most (41.2%) of them develop epitheliitis of the biliary ducts as pSS manifestation or a combination of pSS with PBC (with the same frequency), less often PBC / AIH cross syndrome is diagnosed. PBC / pSS-related epitheliitis of the biliary ducts in ACA-positive patients is characterized by a slowly progressive asymptomatic course in most cases and rarely leads to the development of liver cirrhosis.
Personalized rehabilitation program for older patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: Panikar V. I. , Korshun E. I. , Anikin S. G. , Bochko O. V. , Voronina E. A. , Silyutina M. V. , Kravchenko E. S.
Published: June 2021

Objective: to develop a personalized rehabilitation program for improving age-related resilience (AR), antioxidant status (AOS), the quality of life and reducing pain in elderly patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

Patients and methods. The program consisted of two parts. In the first part, we conducted a comparative study to assess the AR (Mahnach test), geriatric status, and AOS (amperometric flow-injection analysis) in 181 subjects in total, with coxarthrosis (n=92) and without it (n=89). The average age of patients in two groups was comparable: 72.1±1.1 and 71.9±1.1 years. Using factor analysis, we developed the personalized rehabilitation program based on the obtained data. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated in the second part of our work. We conducted an additional comparative study of changes in AR, AOS, severity of joint pain (by visual analogue scale, VAS) and quality of life (according to SF-36 questionnaire) in patients with coxarthrosis (n=114).

Results and discussion. Patients with coxarthrosis had significantly lower level of AR, total antioxidant, and antiradical activity, and a higher content of Schiff bases as compared to subjects without coxarthrosis (p<0.05). The program of rehabilitation, which included a course of treatment with Chondroquard, significantly improved AR, AOS, quality of life and reduced hip pain compared to the standard OA therapy (p<0.05).

Conclusion. The personalized rehabilitation program has a complex positive effect on pain, quality of life, AR and AOS in elderly patients with OA.
The efficacy of the interleukin 17 inhibitor ixekizumab in psoriatic arthritis: data from real clinical practice
Authors: Marusenko I. M. , Sakovich O. N.
Published: June 2021

The article describes the peculiarities of drug provision for patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the Republic of Karelia. We present a clinical case of effective treatment with interleukin 17 inhibitor ixekizumab (IXE) in a randomized clinical trial and real clinical practice in a patient with PsA. The distinctive feature of this case is the severity of PsA course that was not controlled by standard methods of therapy. IXE treatment was characterized by a rapid clinical improvement of both articular and skin symptoms and subsequent achievement of remission, which lasted for 3 years (on the therapy). The forced interruption of the treatment led to the relapse of the disease in a short amount of time. In 2 years IXE therapy was resumed; after 6 months of continuing treatment a stable remission of PsA was achieved. The patient is still in clinical remission (on therapy).
Chondroitin sulfate in osteoarthritis treatment in patients with comorbid cardiovascular diseases: hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease
Authors: Shavlovskaya O. A. , Bokova I. A. , Sarvilina I. V. , Shavlovskiy N. I. , Yukhnovskaya Yu. D.
Published: June 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease globally, and its incidence increases with age – up to 80–90% in people over 60 years. There is a high comorbidity between OA and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as arterial hypertension (AH), atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease (CHD). The main objectives of OA therapy include pain reduction, cartilage matrix preservation, safe profile in patients with comorbid diseases, minimal adverse effects. In addition, the drug should be comparable in analgesic effects with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Such drugs include structural-modifying agents – symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SYSADOA), one of which is chondroitin sulfate (CS). According to the 2019–2020 International and Russian guidelines, only pharmaceutical-grade CS is recommended for use. The high efficacy of intramuscular administration of CS in patients with OA, lower back pain, and comorbid diseases (AH, CHD, atherosclerosis) has been proven. CS is prescribed for a long treatment course – up to two months.
Management tactics in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kulesh A. A.
Published: June 2021

The article describes the current state of evidence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus roles in the pathophysiology of chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI). CCI is mediated by cerebral microangiopathy, which develops due to vascular remodeling, increased arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, impaired cerebrovascular reactivity, and neuroinflammation. All those mechanisms lead to white matter lesions and cognitive impairment. Arteriolosclerosis is the primary morphological process that damages perforating arteries and arterioles. COVID-19 pandemic can modify CCI progression due to similar pathophysiology. In particular, COVID-19-associated coagulopathy can lead to silent lacunar infarctions and lacunar stroke development. Treatment features of patients with CCI during the COVID-19 pandemic are reviewed. It is concluded that special attention in this group of patients should be paid to primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention issues, an essential element of which is the use of dipyridamole since it has a pleiotropic effect.
PIP5K2A (rs10828317) polymorphism in patients with alcohol dependence and affective disorders
Authors: Mikhalitskaya E. V. , Vyalova N. M. , Fedorenko O. Yu. , Roshchina O. V. , Simutkin G. G. , Bokhan N. A. , Ivanova S. A.
Published: June 2021

Alcohol dependence (AD) and affective disorders (ADs) are serious medical and socio-economic problems of modern society. It is hypothesized that both disorders share a common neurobiological basis. Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate-5-kinase type 2 alpha (PIP5K2A) plays an essential role in neuronal phosphoinositide signaling pathways. Nonsynonymous rs10828317 mutation of the PIP5K2A gene leads to conformational changes of the PIP5K2A protein and a decrease in the functional activity of this enzyme. In this study, we assessed the possibility of using the rs10828317 polymorphic variant of the PIP5K2A gene as a marker of AD and ADs.

Objective: to study the associations of the PIP5K2A (rs10828317) polymorphism with AD and ADs clinical course.

Patients and methods. We enrolled 255 patients with AD and 325 patients with ADs. 126 patients with AD and 71 patients with ADs underwent a comprehensive clinical, clinical-dynamic, psychodiagnostic assessment using a set of clinical scales and tests, including Structured Interview Guide For The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Seasonal Affective Disorders Version (SIGH-SAD), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), The Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale for craving in alcohol (OCDS).

Results and discussion. PIP5K2A (rs10828317) polymorphism in patients with AD was associated with the OCDS mean score after the inpatient treatment; in patients with ADs - with the severity of atypical depression symptoms assessed by SIGH-SAD at the time of admission.

Conclusion. The results of our pilot study indicate the involvement of PIP5K2A (rs10828317) polymorphism in the AD and ADs pathophysiology.
COVID-19 and epilepsy: Russian and international experience
Authors: Odintsova G. V.
Published: June 2021

This article reviews the issues of epilepsy course in patients with COVID-19 and predictors of the worsening of the course of the disease in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk of seizures associated with COVID-19 is relatively low both in patients with epilepsy and in general population, with the exception of critically and terminally ill patients. Studies that evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the condition of patients with epilepsy are characterized by complex medical, social and pathophysiological approaches to the problem. Predictors of negative epilepsy dynamics in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic include drug interactions between antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and drugs used to treat COVID-19; disruption of AEDs supply; stress in patients; comorbid somatic pathology.
Post-covid syndrome: a review of pathophysiology, neuropsychiatric manifestations and treatment perspectives
Authors: Khasanova D. R. , Zhitkova Yu. V. , Vaskaeva G. R.
Published: June 2021

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare is faced with several new problems, one of which is a post-covid syndrome. Symptoms in many COVID-19 survivors can persist for a long time, significantly affecting the quality of life and work performance. All of the above makes post-covid syndrome a socially significant disease, requires dynamic follow-up of such patients, and rehabilitation programs development. We are currently at the stage of accumulating knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology and morphogenesis and its long-term consequences. This article discusses neuropsychiatric aspects of the post-covid syndrome: pathogenetic hypotheses, clinical features, and potentially promising treatment strategies.
Mary Shelley, entrelazamiento de Ilustración y Romanticismo
Authors: Herrera Guevara Asunción
Published: June 2021

Frankenstein, la novela de Mary Shelley, es un trabajo primordial dentro de la Historia de las Ideas para encontrar los vínculos entre dos períodos centrales de la Modernidad: la Ilustración y el Romanticismo. Podemos hacer tanto una interpretación ilustrada de la novela como una interpretación romántica. En este trabajo mostraré cómo es posible entrelazar ideas ilustradas y románticas. Lograré mi objetivo interpretando el significado de dos ideas centrales que conforman el trabajo de Mary Shelley. Me refiero a la idea de ciencia y a la idea de «lo mujer».
Dopuszczalność wprowadzania do obrotu produktów przetworzonych przez grupy producentów rolnych
Authors: Baum Mikołaj
Published: June 2021

Celem artykułu jest próba odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy w świetle obowiązujących przepisów prawa wspólnotowego i krajowego dopuszczalne jest wprowadzanie do obrotu przez uznane grupy producentów rolnych produktów dostarczonych przez członków lub podmioty spoza tego grona po ich przetworzeniu. Problem nie był dotąd podejmowany w literaturze, a ma istotny walor praktyczny. Kwestia przetwarzania produktów rolnych przez grupy uznane na podstawie ustawy o grupach producentów rolnych i ich związkach ma bezpośredni wpływ na ocenę spełniania przez grupy warunków uznania, a także utrzymania lub utraty tego statusu i co za tym idzie – przywilejów z nim związanych w postaci pomocy finansowej ze środków UE, zwolnień podatkowych czy dopłat do kredytów preferencyjnych. W artykule dokonano analizy prawa wspólnotowego pierwotnego i wtórnego oraz przepisów dotyczących pomocy finansowej ze środków Unii Europejskiej, a także wyroku Trybunału Sprawiedliwości. Wnioski prowadzą do twierdzącej odpowiedzi na postawione pytanie.
Uprawy i hodowle bezglebowe a potrzeba ochrony gruntów rolnych z perspektywy zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa żywnościowego
Authors: Sokołowski Łukasz Mikołaj
Published: June 2021

Celem rozważań jest odpowiedź na pytanie, czy mimo coraz powszechniejszego stosowania bezglebowych metod upraw i hodowli, nadal uzasadniona jest ochrona prawna gruntów rolnych, mając na uwadze konieczność zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa żywnościowego. Chociaż coraz częściej wykorzystuje się metody upraw i hodowli, które nie wymagają udziału gleby, stwierdzić trzeba, że grunty rolne nadal są podstawowym i niezbędnym czynnikiem produkcji rolnej. W obecnej sytuacji społeczno-gospodarczej, technologie te nie zastąpią tradycyjnego rolnictwa. Mogą je natomiast wspomagać, stanowiąc uzupełnienie dla tradycyjnej produkcji rolnej, w szczególności na obszarach gęsto zaludnionych lub takich na których występuje duży stres środowiskowy. Z tego powodu konieczna i w pełni uzasadniona jest prawna ochrona gruntów rolnych, celem zapewnienia możliwości prowadzenia produkcji rolnej, a w konsekwencji zagwarantowania bezpieczeństwa żywnościowego, również w aspekcie własnościowym, określonym w ustawie o kształtowaniu ustroju rolnego.
How do differences in exposure affect English language learning? A comparison of teenagers in two learning environments
Authors: Muñoz Carmen , Cadierno Teresa
Published: June 2021

This study investigates whether potential differences in the weight of out-of-school and in-school learning environments affect the acquisition of L2 English by teenagers in two geographical contexts, more and less English-rich, and with less and more linguistic distance to English, respectively. Participants were two groups of 14-15-year-olds, from Denmark and Spain. Language measures included a listening comprehension test, a metalinguistic knowledge test, and a grammaticality judgment test. Data about out-of-classroom exposure was elicited via a questionnaire. The study showed that (a) the Danish group attained a significantly higher level in all language tests except for the metalinguistic knowledge test; (b) the Danish group engaged longer in out-of-school activities although the preference for some activities over others was similar in the two groups; and (c) the types of associations between out-of-school activities and language measures were different between the two groups. These results suggest that the potential influence of out-of-school activities on different language aspects is related to the particular context in which the L2 is learned and to the language proficiency of the learner.
Do We Need Basic Income Experiments?
Authors: Torry Malcolm
Published: June 2021

In this article ‘Basic Income’, ‘Basic Income scheme’, ‘experiment’ and ‘pilot project’ will be defined, and Basic Income pilot projects in Namibia and India will be distinguished from Minimum Income Guarantee experiments in the USA and Canada and the ambiguous pilot project in Finland. The conditions for running a genuine Basic Income pilot project in a country with a more developed economy will then be outlined, and microsimulation will be found to be the only reliable method for testing a Basic Income scheme for financial feasibility. The conclusion will be drawn that microsimulation can provide many of the results that a pilot project would deliver, but that pilot projects of financially feasible Basic Income schemes might still be useful to test dynamic macroeconomic and labour market effects.
The effect of hyperparameter search on artificial neural network in human activity recognition
Authors: Suto Jozsef
Published: June 2021

In the last decade, many researchers applied shallow and deep networks for human activity recognition (HAR). Currently, the trending research line in HAR is applying deep learning to extract features and classify activities from raw data. However, we observed that, authors of previous studies have not performed an efficient hyperparameter search on their artificial neural network (shallow or deep)-based classifier. Therefore, in this article, we demonstrate the effect of the random and Bayesian parameter search on a shallow neural network using five HAR databases. The result of this work shows that a shallow neural network with correct parameter optimization can achieve similar or even better recognition accuracy than the previous best deep classifier(s) on all databases. In addition, we draw conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of the two hyperparameter search techniques according to the results.
Influence of Turn-Rolling on the Residual Stresses and Microstructure of C45E and the Effects on Fatigue Life under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Denkena B. , Kuhlemann P. , Breidenstein B. , Keitel M. , Vogel N.
Published: June 2021

The microstructure and the residual stress state have a significant influence on the service life of the component. The deep rolling process already enables a significant increase in the strength and service life of highly stressed components. By using the hybrid manufacturing process of turn rolling, the edge zone properties can be influenced to such an extent that the service life is further increased compared to conventional deep rolling. In addition to a change in the residual stress state, the use of the turning process temperature also leads to a significant grain refinement in the edge zone area, which has a positive effect on the component service life. This modification of the edge zone can be significantly influenced by the machining speed.
Investigation of Compound Layer Structures after Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing of Quenched and Tempered Steels
Authors: Sommer M. , Hoja S. , Steinbacher M. , Fechte-Heinen R.
Published: June 2021

A compound layer is formed by ingress of nitrogen from an external nitrogen source into the surface layer and the formation of nitrides when the solubility of nitrogen in the bulk material is exceeded. In the surface layer, where the nitrogen concentration is at its maximum level, the nitrides form a closed layer. The compound layer continues to contain alloy nitrides which have formed from the carbides and other precipitates from the bulk material. The properties of the compound layer have a decisive influence on the wear and fatigue behavior of the loaded surfaces. The current investigations deal with the extensive characterization of compound layers that have been produced in heat treatment processes with the aim of producing stress-resistant nitriding layers. The commonly used nitriding and quench and temper (Q&T) steels 31CrMoV9 and 42CrMo4 served as examination material. The structure of the compound layers was varied within the nitriding trials regarding the phase composition, porosity and layer thicknesses. The phase composition of the compound layers was determined by special etching, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and GDOES.
Characterization of Graded Subsurface Zones in Industrial Case-Hardening Using a Non-Destructive Testing System
Authors: Gansel R. , Zimmermann C. , Fricke L. V. , Lüdtke M. , Klümper-Westkamp H. , Fechte-Heinen R. , Maier H. J. , Zaremba D.
Published: June 2021

For process monitoring and quality assurance of case-hardened components, the determination of the case-hardening depth in the manufacturing process after hardening of the subsurface layer is a quality verification that is often required in industry. Currently, these quality assurance tests can only be realized with destructive measures. During case-hardening, the essential microstructural formation, and thus the key component properties are developed during the heat treatment in the cooling section. The testing technique used in the present study is based on the analysis of harmonic signals of eddy current testing. The aim of this project was to achieve an early identification of incorrect cooling processes in the case of a known transformation behaviour of the components during cooling. The data collected in the industrial hardening process show that an evaluation of the carburizing process on the basis of the case-hardening depth can be carried out non-destructively during component cooling and in the cooled state with the use of eddy current technology.
The impact of European legal acts on national legal terminology and on German as a minority language in South Tyrol, Italy
Authors: Kranebitter Klara
Published: June 2021

Legal concepts are generally deeply rooted in a specific legal system. Even when two legal systems use the same official language, such as Germany and Austria, the system-boundness of their legal concepts may lead to communication problems. German is also an officially recognised minority language in South Tyrol, Italy. In South Tyrol, the local public authorities must use the minority language in their relations with German-speaking citizens. This brought about the need to elaborate a local German legal terminology to express Italian legal concepts. Terminology development efforts intended to promote terminology consistency and avoid an excessive regionalisation of South Tyrolean German, so as to foster communication with the neighbouring German-speaking legal systems. In the last decades, European Union law has led to a growing harmonisation in the legal terminologies of its Member States, facilitating communication between the different legal systems, also with benefits for terminology work in South Tyrol. This paper focuses on how European legal acts impact on national legal terminology and affect German legal terminology in South Tyrol. The considerations set out are based on comparative legal terminology work regarding the Italian and the German-speaking legal systems done at Eurac Research.
Optimal removal of iron impurities from kaolin by combination of Aspergillus niger & Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Fakharpour Mahsa , Hajihoseini Jalal
Published: June 2021

This study was carried out to remove iron from kaolin using a biological method by two different species of Bacillus sp. and the combination of A. niger isolated from pistachio skin & Bacillus subtilis and comparing them with the control sample. The experiments were carried out for Bacillus sp. at 30 °C and 25 °C and for the combination of A. niger & Bacillus subtilis at 27 °C. The concentration of dissolved iron increased with increasing temperature in the samples treated with Bacillus sp. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy results of the samples at 25 °C showed a reduction of 31.1% in Fe2O3 and Fe content and a reduction of 37% at 30 °C after 28 days. Therefore, iron removal by Bacillus subtilis at 30 °C achieves better performance than at 25 °C. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy results of the samples treated with the combination of A. niger & Bacillus subtilis show a decrease of 49% in Fe2O3 and Fe content at 27 °C after 14 days. The results of colour measurement showed that kaolin powder treated with the combination of A. niger & Bacillus subtilis at 27 °C had the highest degree of whiteness compared to other samples.
Rational belief and Dialetheism
Authors: Bonardi Paolo
Published: June 2021

It is usually maintained that a subject with manifestly contradictory beliefs is irrational. How can we account, then, for the intuitive rationality ofdialetheists, who believe that some manifest contradictions are true? My paper aims to answer this question. Its ultimate goal is to determine a characterization of (or rather a constraint for) rational belief approvable by both the theorists of Dialetheism and its opponents. In order to achieve this goal, a two-step strategy will be adopted. First, a characterization of rational belief applicable to non-dialetheist believers will be determined; this characterization will involve the semantic apparatus of Nathan Salmon’s Millian Russellianism but will get rid of the problematic and obscure notion of mode of presentation (guisein his own terminology), replacing it with a couple of novel devices,belief subsystemsandcognitive coordination. Second, using ideas from Graham Priest, the leading proponent of Dialetheism, such a characterization will be modified, so as to devise a new one able to account for the intuitive rationality of both dialetheist and non-dialetheist believers.
Hear, Here: Oral History, Gentrification, and Memory Politics
Authors: Beaujot Ariel , Hamilton Michelle A.
Published: June 2021

Hear, Here is a critical oral history project developed in two gentrifying urban neighborhoods in Canada and the United States. Recorded by our university students, residents and visitors can listen to short first-person stories on their cell phones, the location of which is marked by orange street signs with a toll-free phone number. The process of gentrification results in community groups staking claims to their version of history embodied in the built heritage and cultural landscapes under threat by neglect and demolition. Hear, Here seeks to amplify the voices of those who typically go unheard, and advocates that oral history can be used to challenge policy, preserve diversity, and reveal that gentrification is not inherent in urban change.
Acromesomelic dysplasia-Maroteaux type, nine patients with two novel NPR2 variants
Authors: Kılıç Esra , Çavdarlı Büşranur , Büyükyılmaz Gönül , Kılıç Mustafa
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Acromesomelic dysplasia, type Maroteaux, is an autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia caused by biallelic loss of function variations of NPR2, which encodes a cartilage regulator C-type natriuretic peptide receptor B. NPR2 variations impair skeletal growth. It is a rare type of dwarfism characterized by shortening of the middle and distal segments of the limbs with spondylar dysplasia.

Methods

We performed detailed clinical and radiological evaluation and sequence analysis for NPR2.

Results

Herein, we report nine patients from eight families with two novel NPR2 pathogenic variants.

Conclusions

This study describes typical clinical phenotypes of Maroteaux type acromesomelic dysplasia, and enriches the variant spectrum of NPR2 by reporting one nonsense and one missense novel variant. We emphasize the importance of detailed clinical evaluation before genetic testing in diagnosing rare skeletal disorders.
The presentation of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in an unscreened population
Authors: Conlon Tracey A. , Hawkes Colin P. , Brady Jennifer J. , Murphy Nuala P.
Published: June 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and spectrum of early clinical presentations of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in an unscreened population.

Methods

A national retrospective observational study was undertaken to identify all children diagnosed with CAH in the Republic of Ireland, between January 2005 and December 2019. Reporting clinicians completed anonymized clinical questionnaires.

Results

There were 103 cases of CAH reported and 69 cases met the study inclusion criteria. The estimated annualized incidence of CAH in the Republic of Ireland was 1:14,754 or 0.07 cases per 1,000 live births. Forty-seven children presented clinically in the first six months of life, but only 17 of these had a confirmed diagnosis by day 10. Of these early presentations, there were 28 infants with salt-wasting, 15 females presented with virilized genitalia and four infants were detected due to a family history of CAH. Female infants presented at a median age of 0 days [IQR 0–1] and males at 14 days [IQR 9–21]. Seventy-eight percent of salt-wasting presentations occurred after day 10. Delays in clinical presentation, biochemical diagnosis and treatment initiation were identified.

Conclusions

The incidence of CAH is higher in Ireland than in other unscreened populations. In the absence of screening, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of CAH and appropriate investigations should be urgently requested. Life-threatening salt-wasting is the most frequent clinical presentation and many cases could be detected prior to decompensation if newborn screening were introduced.
Evaluation of metabolic parameters and aortic elasticity in normotensive children with premature adrenarche
Authors: Topaktaş Eylem , Erolu Elif , Dursun Fatma , Kırmızıbekmez Heves
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Premature adrenarche may be associated with an intrauterine programmed metabolic syndrome which should be considered as a warning sign for coronary heart disease due to accelerated atherosclerosis, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods

Seventy-three patients with premature adrenarche were evaluated for metabolic parameters and aortic elasticity to evaluate the susceptibility to atherosclerosis and compared with a control group. The patients were examined in two groups as overweight and nonoverweight, and metabolic and cardiac parameters were also compared among these groups. Strain, distensibility, and stiffness index parameters were used to evaluate aortic elasticity.

Results

Biochemical parameters and cardiac measurements were not statistically different between patients and controls. They also did not differ between patients with normal weight and overweight groups. Atherogenic index and insulin resistance were closely related and a positive correlation between cholesterol and triglyceride, and ascending aortic stiffness was found.

Conclusions

The results may suggest that cholesterol and triglyceride-related arterial involvement is more involved in the pathogenesis of arterial stiffness. It can be considered that ‘being overweight’ or ‘having metabolic profile characterized by insulin resistance and dyslipidemia’ are the major coexisting factors influencing the vascular structure, rather than increased androgens and premature adrenarche itself.
Molecular and clinical findings of Turkish patients with hereditary fructose intolerance
Authors: Gunduz Mehmet , Ünal-Uzun Özlem , Koç Nevra , Ceylaner Serdar , Özaydın Eda , Kasapkara Çiğdem Seher
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in aldolase B that can result in hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, liver and kidney dysfunction, coma, and even death. This study aims to represent the clinical features and molecular genetic analysis data of the patients diagnosed with HFI in our study population.

Methods

The medical records of the 26 patients with HFI were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, clinical findings, metabolic crises, and the results of molecular analyses were recorded.

Results

The patients with HFI had a good prognosis and the aversion to sugar-containing foods was the main complaint. Seven different variants were identified in the Aldolase B (ALDOB) gene in HFI patients. The most frequent mutations were p.Ala150Pro, p.Ala175Asp had a prevalence of 61 and 30%, respectively, in agreement with the literature and other known variants were found with minor frequencies c.360-363del4(3.8%), p.Asn335Lys(3.8%), and three novel mutations c.113-1_15del4 (3.8%), p.Ala338Val(7.6%), and p.Asp156His(3.8%) were identified at a heterozygous, homozygous, or compound heterozygous level.

Conclusions

This study results revealed three novel mutations in patients with HFI. On the basis of age of presentation, clinical symptoms, and metabolic crisis, there was no clear-cut genotype-phenotype correlation. This article also demonstrates the importance of screening suspected infants in cases of acute liver failure for prompt diagnosis and treatment of HFI.
Evaluation of raw, treated and effluent water quality from selected water treatment plants: a case study of Lagos Water Corporation
Authors: Yusuf Kafeelah , Majolagbe Abdulrafiu , Balogun Sherifat
Published: June 2021

Water plays a significant role in maintaining human health and welfare. In this paper, eight selected water treatment plants (lshasi, Iju, Adiyan, Mosan Okunola, Ikorodu, Otta-ikosi, Alausa and Akilo) controlled by Lagos Water Corporation were studied to evaluate raw, treated and effluent water quality. Sixteen parameters (pH, Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Alkalinity (TA), Total Hardness (TH), Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Chloride (Cl−), Sulphate (SO4
2−), Nitrate (NO3
−), Phosphate (PO4
3−), Total Coliform (TC), Copper (Cu2+), Cadmium (Cd2+) and Lead (Pb2+) were determined for a period of three months (July–September 2018) using standard methods. The results showed that Cd was not detected; the TC exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) limit while all other parameters were within the (WHO) guideline for drinking purposes with the exception of turbidity. The values of water quality index (WQI) designated 70.83% as excellent water, 20.83% as good water and 8.33% as poor water in respect to drinking uses. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) extracts five components with eigenvalue >1.0 and accounts for 78.22% of the total variance. The associated health risks were estimated for adults and children. The hazard quotients (HQ) were greater than one indicating an overall health risk for adults and children.
Model reduction for Smoluchowski equations with particle transfer
Authors: Timokhin Ivan , Matveev Sergey , Tyrtyshnikov Eugene , Smirnov Alexander
Published: June 2021

In this paper we consider the problem of modelling a system of aggregating particles, that are being transported with stationary velocities dependent on masses of the particles in one-dimensional case. A numerical method based on the ideas of POD (Proper Orthogonal Decomposition) is constructed, and its capacity to speed up the solution up to 40 times is demonstrated.