bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
METHOD OF CONTROLLING PRESENCE OF FOREIGN SUBSTANCES AND OBJECTS IN THE BORE OF THE BARREL USING MONOCHROME LIGHT
Authors: Kozachuk V. , Sliusarenko M.
Published: December 2021

In the article, the authors propose a method for controlling the presence of foreign substances and objects inside the barrel. The problem of surface cleanliness control remains relevant in many areas, ranging from sanitary cleaning to nanoelectronics. In the military sphere, this becomes particularly important during the cleaning of cannon barrels. Both powder combustion products and cartridge cap and bullet shell particles are deposited in the barrel during firing from guns. Under the impact of high temperatures, the bullet particles are partially oxidized and cover the barrel channel with a thin layer of deposit of oxides, which are difficult to dissolve. As a result, the density of the bullet abuting the walls changes. This affects the characteristics of its motion inside the barrel. The accuracy of the shot is reduced, and subsequently the precision and accuracy of shooting in general decreases. The essence of the proposed method consists in the fact that a light source is placed in the bore of the barrel on one side, and an optical device is placed on the other side, with the help of which the presence of foreign substances and objects is monitored. Unlike the known methods, this method is characterized in that several monochrome light sources in addition are placed in turn in the bore of the barrel from the breech part, and in the bore of the barrel from the muzzle part there is equipment for receiving (detecting) monochrome light. Then, obtained monochrome light is analyzed, current value of its defined parameters is determined. At the next stage, parameter values of monochrome light fixed during control are compared with parameter values of reference signatures, which had been obtained before the barrel was put in service. These values are stored in equipment memory. If the values of at least one of the parameters from at least one of the monochrome light sources are found to be inconsistent with the parameters of the reference signatures, the equipment for receiving and analyzing monochrome light gives a signal about the presence of foreign substances and objects in the bore of the barrel.
SUBSTANTIATION OF DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF THE INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR SUPPORT OF TESTS OF ARMAMAENT AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE
Authors: Korniienko S. , Korniienko I. , Shevaha V. , Kaznachey S. , Kravchenko V.
Published: December 2021

One of the important areas of support and development of the state's defense capabilities is to equip the armed forces with modern armament and military equipment (AME). In recent years, due to the situation in eastern Ukraine, there has been a significant increase in the pace of development and adoption of the newest models of AME. The process of harmonizing national standards with NATO standards also contributes to this. Naturally, it causes an increase in the need for timely and high-quality testing of AME samples. Accordingly, the task of improving the efficiency of all processes that accompany the testing of defense products is urgent.
The article considers the problem of practical development of information system for support of tests of AME, the purpose of which is to automate information processes in the preparation and conduct of tests, which should reduce time and labor costs at all stages of testing. Based on the previously substantiated spiral model of software product development and the concept of building an information system for test support, a step-by-step plan for the implementation of the information system is proposed.
The system of requirements to the prototype of the information system with limited functionality is formulated, according to which the rating estimation of need and possibility of prioritized realization of the basic functional modules of the information system is carried out. Based on the requirement of functional connectivity of the modules, the information system composition on the next turn of the life cycle spiral model is substantiated. The step-by-step approach during creation and provisioning of databases and data registers with information are considered. As the information system develops, the transition to an incremental model of software product development is not excluded.
It is expected that the automation of information processes related to the planning and conducting of tests, as well as the processing of test results and preparation of reporting documentation can positively impact the overall efficiency of the organization and conducting of tests, as well as ensure the proper quality of results.
'The Excursion' and Wordsworth's Iconography
Authors: Yen Brandon C.
Published: December 2021

This book considers William Wordsworth’s use of iconography in his long poem The Excursion (1814). Through this iconographical approach, it steers a middle course between The Excursion’s two very different interpretative traditions, the one focusing upon the poem’s abstraction, the other upon its touristic realism. The author explores Wordsworth’s iconography in The Excursion by tracing cultural and political allusions and correspondences in an abundance of post-1789 and earlier verbal and pictorial sources, as well as in Wordsworth’s own prose and poetry, especially The Prelude. Particular attention is paid to the complex ways in which The Excursion’s iconographical images contribute to – and also impose limitations upon – the overarching preoccupations of Wordsworth’s writings: the themes of paradise lost and paradise regained in the post-revolutionary context. This study thus revises New Historicist accounts of Wordsworth’s evasion of history by investigating the capacity of apparently ‘collateral’ images to respond to weighty arguments. In elucidating this vital aspect of Wordsworth’s poetic method, it reveals the visual etymologies – together with the nuances and rhetorical capacities – of five categories of images: envisioning, rooting, dwelling, flowing, and reflecting.
Analysis of Complications Development Predictors after Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Vorobev Vladimir , Beloborodov Vladimir , Luchkevich Vladimir , Shmakov Dmitriy , Baklanova Olga , Sidorov Stepan , Sharakshinov Bator
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The standard treatment for prostate cancer is radical prostatectomy (RP). This surgical technique results in typical complications such as intraoperative blood loss, urethral strictures (vesicourethral anastomosis), urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, lymphocele, and the ureter or rectum injury. The study aims to analyze the development of complications after radical prostatectomy.
Materials and methods: The article presents a retrospective analysis of clinical cases with an established diagnosis of prostate cancer from 2012 to 2018 in Irkutsk, Russian Federation. During this period, 52 patients met the study criteria. A multivariate analysis established Non-Nerve-sparing RRP (OR-0.9; 95% CI-1.9; -0.07; p=0.035) as a significant incontinence predictor after 2 years.
Results: Multivariate analysis also established previous transurethral operations as a significant predictor of the vesicourethral anastomosis stricture (OR 6.09; 95% CI 0.71; 11.4; p=0.026), which indicates a six times risk of developing a vesicourethral anastomosis stricture if the patient already had one or more transurethral surgery. Obesity (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.03; 0.21; p = 0.008), diabetes (OR 2.3; 95% CI 0.45; 4.2; p = 0.015) and coagulopathy (OR 3.1; 95% CI 0.5; 5.7; p = 0.019) became independent predictors of lymphocele development.
Conclusions: The study revealed some new information on the possible predictors of such complications as urinary incontinence in the late period, the lymphocele, and stricture of the vesicourethral anastomosis. Some of the results require further study and confirmation.
Hidden tribe: A new species of Stream Toad of the genus Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from the poorly explored mountainous borderlands of western Thailand
Authors: Suwannapoom Chatmongkon , Grismer L. Lee , Pawangkhanant Parinya , Naiduangchan Mali , Yushchenko Platon V. , Arkhipov Dmitriy V. , Wilkinson Jeffery A. , Poyarkov Nikolay A.
Published: December 2021

Abstract

The integrated results of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses confirmed the new species status of a recently discovered population of Ansonia from Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. Ansonia karensp. nov. is separated from all other species of Ansonia by a unique combination of mensural, discrete morphological, and color pattern characteristics and is the sister species of A. thinthinae from Tanintharyi Division, Myanmar. This discovery fills a geographic hiatus of 350 km between it and A. kraensis from Ranong Province, Thailand. Ansonia karensp. nov. is the newest member of a long list of range-restricted endemics having been recently discovered in the northern Tenasserim Mountain region of western Thailand and continues to underscore the unexplored nature of this region and its need for conservation.
Le « rituel » du baptême réformé en France, 1595-1685
Authors: Dieleman Margreet
Published: December 2021

Peut-on parler de « rituel » quand il s’agit du baptême réformé ? Aux xvie et xviie siècles, ce mot s’applique au « rituel diocésain » ou au « rituel romain », où l’on voit décrit en détail (déplacements, paroles, objets et éléments) la cérémonie du baptême catholique. Or, à propos du baptême, ce sont justement ces cérémonies (avec le souffle, la salive, du sel, de l’huile, du chrême, un cierge, des signes de croix…) que rejettent les réformés comme étant non conformes à la parole de Dieu. La Forme d’administrer le baptême des Églises réformées en est l’opposé : aucun geste, aucun objet n’est mentionné, en dehors des paroles de l’enseignement, des prières, de la confession de foi et des promesses de ceux qui présentent l’enfant au baptême. Il en sort une certaine liberté de faire, dans la limite des règles de la Discipline ecclésiastique, que l’on constate là où le baptême est administré. Pour connaître le rituel, on a recours aux rares descriptions d’un baptême réformé en France. Le récit de deux baptêmes au temple de Charenton en 1644 sert de point de départ à cette analyse.
1668, le mirage de l’édit de Nantes en Béarn
Authors: Chareyre Philippe
Published: December 2021

En 1668, Louis XIV édicte un règlement général pour pacifier les divisions qui étaient intervenues entre le parlement de Navarre, défenseur du catholicisme, et les protestants béarnais. Ces derniers devenus minoritaires réclamaient le bénéfice de l’édit de Nantes qui n’avait pas été reçu dans cette ancienne principauté calviniste rattachée à la France en 1620, édit qui leur paraissait pouvoir constituer alors une bonne protection face aux mesures coercitives prises par le parlement, notamment en leur permettant la création d’une chambre mi-partie. Le règlement royal de 1668, bien moins défavorable aux protestants que les visées parlementaires, rejette toutefois cette application, limite à vingt le nombre de lieux de culte, soit le quart de l’existant, et refuse la mise en place d’une chambre mi-partie. En revanche, au nom d’une égalité de traitement des protestants dans le royaume, il légitime l’application des mesures limitatives qui ont été appliquées à l’édit de Nantes en introduisant même une part de rétroactivité. Il annonce et précède le règlement restrictif de 1669 pris pour la France qui par conséquent est immédiatement applicable pour le Béarn. Le règlement de 1668, sous le prétexte affiché de vouloir pacifier les liens entre catholiques et protestants, montre que l’esprit de l’édit de Nantes a profondément changé et que loin de permettre une évolution vers un système de coexistence religieuse au sein du royaume, cet édit est devenu désormais un instrument d’étouffement de la minorité protestante.
Les réponses de Bayle à la Révocation de l’édit de Nantes
Authors: Gros Jean-Michel
Published: December 2021

On considère traditionnellement que la réponse de Bayle à la Révocation de l’édit de Nantes est son traité de la tolérance : le Commentaire philosophique sur ces paroles de Jésus Christ : contrains-les d’entrer (1686). Pourtant, en cette même année 1686, il a aussi publié un autre texte : Ce que c’est que la France toute catholique sous le règne de Louis le Grand. Un certain nombre de questions sont donc posées. Pourquoi Bayle propose-t-il, simultanément, deux textes qui semblent se contredire ? Comment se situe-t-il, au bout du compte, par rapport à la notion même de tolérance ? Y a-t-il eu une évolution de sa position en ce domaine dans la suite de son œuvre ? Plus largement, que pense Bayle de la nocivité de la religion en général ?
Santé : évaluer la prévention
Authors: Hartmann Laurence , de Kervasdoué Jean
Published: December 2021

Depuis une vingtaine d'années et le constat d'un « paradoxe français », la prévention est affichée comme une priorité absolue des réformes du système de santé. Pourtant la dynamique de réforme est lente et les inégalités sociales de santé toujours aussi criantes. La prévention relevant du secteur de la santé ne se décrète pas. Elle nécessite une articulation entre l'échelon local et national, et des incitations fortes auprès des usagers comme des professionnels de santé. En outre, elle s'appuie peu, voire pas, sur des évaluations économiques qui démontreraient l'intérêt potentiel des programmes. En outre, la normalisation des procédures institutionnelles et scientifiques d'évaluation a eu tendance à prôner les démarches ex post et à verrouiller l'option ex ante , ignorant les outils de l'analyse coûts-bénéfices. Cet article propose de réhabiliter cette méthode pour choisir les méthodes les plus efficaces et contribuer à leur diffusion. Classification JEL : I11, I12.
Quelques suggestions pour améliorer la pratique de la comptabilité hospitalière des établissements publics de santé
Authors: Sommer Alain , de Kervasdoué Jean
Published: December 2021

Les outils de gestion doivent accompagner les modifications de l'environnement des établissements de santé. Les auteurs proposent quelques pistes d'amélioration : éviter les inconvénients des conglomérats en individualisant les comptes de résultat, les comptes de bilan et les comptes de financement ; adapter la séparation ordonnateur et comptable aux nouveaux processus issus de la révolution informatique (intelligence artificielle, robot process automation , plateformes, e-admission, etc.) ; refondre les unités d'œuvre des services médicotechniques, notamment les indices de coût relatifs (ICR) ; rendre les groupes homogènes de malades plus homogènes en termes de traitement ; adapter le mode de financement à l'activité pour prendre en compte le financement des investissements ; mieux comprendre la réalité des centres de coûts médicotechniques ; établir des comptes intermédiaires de gestion réguliers. Classification JEL : I10, I11, I18.
Environnement de taux d'intérêt bas et FinTech : quels impacts sur l'intermédiation financière dans la zone euro ?
Authors: Jeffers Esther , Goldman Sarah
Published: December 2021

Cet article s'attache à évaluer l'impact des politiques monétaires et des nouvelles technologies sur l'intermédiation financière dans la zone euro. La dissociation des effets des taux faibles ou négatifs de ceux des activités FinTech demeure délicate. En effet, ces situations sont apparues à peu près simultanément. Pour mener la réflexion, nous décrivons en premier lieu, de manière statistique, les évolutions des principales variables macroéconomiques supposées représenter les tendances des secteurs économiques en lien avec l'intermédiation financière. Trois secteurs sont mis à l'honneur : les banques, les assurances et les money market funds (MMF). Une simple analyse statistique permet de montrer que la FinTech associée à un environnement de faiblesse, voire de négativité, des taux a contribué, en apparence, à renforcer la rentabilité des actifs issus des marchés financiers au détriment de ceux des banques. Par ailleurs, les intermédiaires financiers traditionnels ont subi une érosion continue de leurs profits axés sur les taux d'intérêt. Ainsi, les banques et les assurances se sont davantage orientées vers des activités de marchés certainement plus rentables, mais plus volatiles. Quelques-unes n'ont pas hésité à solliciter des entités financières non bancaires moins régulées. Ce passage de la finance régulée à celle moins régulée a été facilité et accéléré par la technologie utilisée dans les secteurs financiers. Classification JEL : G21, G23, G28.
Alteración hidromorfológica y estado ecológico del tramo bajo del río Bembézar. Cuenca del Guadalquivir, España.
Authors: García-Martínez Belén
Published: December 2021

El río Bembézar, con una cuenca próxima a 2000 km2 de superficie y una capacidad de agua embalsada de 355.5 hm3, presenta evidencias de alteración hidromorfológica en su tramo bajo. A partir del estudio de series de caudales (2000-2019) aportadas por el Sistema Automático de Información Hidrológica del Guadalquivir y del análisis de las fotografías aéreas de distintos años (1956 y 2010), las principales alteraciones detectadas son las siguientes: disminución en un 58% del caudal circulante por el cauce, incremento de la irregularidad estacional con siete meses de aguas bajas, ausencia de caudal ecológico el 66% de los días, funcionalidad de la llanura de inundación sólo en crecidas extraordinarias, cambio en el patrón morfológico del río, reducción de la anchura media del cauce en un 53%, incisión generalizada en todo el tramo e invasión de especies exóticas.
Por su parte, la valoración del estado ecológico que realiza de esta masa de agua el Organismo de cuenca competente evoluciona de malo en 2015 a peor que bueno en 2018, como consecuencia de los malos resultados que aportan los indicadores biológicos; pese a que el objetivo medio ambiental para esta masa de agua era el de buen potencial ecológico en 2015. Se pone de manifiesto, asimismo, la poca idoneidad tanto de los criterios hidromorfológicos utilizados en la definición del estado ecológico como de las actuaciones que se ejecutan para garantizar la conservación de cauces y riberas.
Reconstrucción en superficie del patrimonio geológico inaccesible de la Carolina: los filones de plomo argentífero
Authors: Fernández-Leyva Concepción , Alaminos Martín Camilo Federico
Published: December 2021

En el distrito minero de La Carolina se ha documentado una intensa actividad extractiva que se remonta a 4000 años de antigüedad. Pese a este extenso periodo de tiempo, la mayor parte del patrimonio que se conserva actualmente corresponde a los siglos XIX y XX, periodo en el que la minería del plomo argentífero experimentó un gran desarrollo. Chimeneas, tolvas, lavaderos, casas de máquinas y edificaciones auxiliares forman parte de este singular paisaje como testigos de la floreciente actividad económica que supuso la minería en esta zona. Sin embargo, los recursos naturales que propiciaron este desarrollo económico y social en La Carolina, y que determinan la configuración del paisaje tal y como hoy lo conocemos, pasa totalmente inadvertido por encontrarse oculto bajo la superficie. El presente artículo analiza, precisamente, aquellos elementos del patrimonio minero visible, directamente ligados a los filones, que nos permiten aflorar, en el marco del resto de bienes patrimoniales, ese patrimonio geológico oculto, contribuyendo a dimensionar el espacio minero de forma más fidedigna, al tomar en consideración todos los elementos patrimoniales geológicos y mineros, tanto visibles como ocultos.
Propuesta metodológica de análisis de áreas sociales y multivariante en franjas periurbanas de Andalucía (España) a comienzos del milenio
Authors: Montosa-Muñoz Jesús C. , Reyes-Corredera Sergio
Published: December 2021

El objetivo básico es comprobar el grado de ajuste de una metodología tradicionalmente aplicada al análisis intraurbano en las ciudades, a entornos periurbanos que han padecido procesos de suburbanización, concretamente en el caso de Andalucía (España). Nuestro propósito ha sido aplicar un modelo que permita conocer los grados de suburbanización en Andalucía (España) durante la llamada década prodigiosa (1997-2007), de ahí que se justifique el empleo como fuente básica del Censo de 2001 a un nivel de detalle de sección censal como unidad de referencia pues permite aplicar de manera óptima nuestra propuesta metodológica. Demostramos empíricamente que el análisis de áreas sociales y multivariante (análisis factorial exploratorio y análisis clúster) pueden emplearse a las franjas periurbanas andaluzas con un elevado grado de ajuste durante dicho momento histórico. A partir de la puntuación factorial de uno de los conglomerados, nos ha sido posible conocer y reflejar cartográficamente los grados de intensidad de la suburbanización a principios del milenio, uno de los momentos álgidos de la suburbanización en Andalucía (España).
Transforming departmental culture: Empowering a department through appreciative inquiry
Authors: Oxendine Symphony D. , Robinson Kerry K. , Parker Michele A.
Published: December 2021

This article outlines an appreciative inquiry (AI) into a departmental professional development process and describes the resulting implementation of an appreciative peer evaluation meeting as one part of the new professional development process. Using AI, a departmental faculty development committee sought to re-envision the professional development process. Also, the authors discuss how using AI can result in positive impacts for culture change and how the model for peer evaluation can promote both individual and collective development of faculty.
Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Survivability, Growth Performances and Floral Characters of Jasminum officinale (Samanpichcha)
Authors: Nelka S.A.P. , Vidanapathirana N.P. , Dahanayake N. , Subasinghe S. , Silva T.D. , Weerasinghe S. , Rifnas L.M. , Rohanadeera H. , Madushanka W.C.M.S. , Dushane S. , Dhanushka T.G.B. , Anuruddhi H.I.G.K.
Published: December 2021

Physical mutagenesis is an effective mutational breeding method for improving various growth and floral characteristics of ornamental plants. The experiment was undertaken with an objective to investigate the effect of various dosages of gamma irradiation on survivability, growth and floral characteristics of Jasminum officinale plants raised by rooted cuttings. The 60CO Gamma irradiation source at Horticultural Crop Research and Developmental Institute, Gannoruwa was used to expose rooted plants to different dosages such as 0Gy, 17Gy, 21Gy, 25Gy, 29Gy and 33Gy. A Complete Randomized Design with four replicates having 10 plants for each replicate was practiced. The results revealed that gamma irradiation dosage from 25Gy to 33Gy significantly decreased the survivability of J. officinale plants (P<0.05). LD50 of gamma radiation on J. officinale was occurred around 33Gy at maturity stage. Plant height and shoot length were significantly reduced by gamma irradiation dosages of 17Gy to 33Gy compared to the control and significant reduction of shoot number was observed at 33Gy. Gamma irradiation with 17Gy dosage, it showed a significant reduction in petal width (0.82 cm) of flowers. None of the other dosages were able to develop a change in the floral characteristics of J. officinale. The study showed that 33Gy gamma irradiated plant, it is having significant reduction of plant height, number of shoots and shoot length hence it could be domesticated as a dwarf and potted plant.
HuR-Targeted Inhibition Impairs Th2 Proinflammatory Responses in Asthmatic CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Fattahi Fatemeh , Ellis Jason S , Sylvester Michael , Bahleda Kristin , Hietanen Samuel , Correa Luis , Lugogo Njira L , Atasoy Ulus
Published: December 2021

RNA-binding protein HuR (ELAVL1) is a master regulator of gene expression in human pathophysiology. Its dysregulation plays an important role in many diseases. We hypothesized that HuR plays an important role in Th2 inflammation in asthma in both mouse and human. To address this, we used a model of airway inflammation in a T cell–specific knockout mouse model, distal lck-Cre HuRfl/fl, as well as small molecule inhibitors in human peripheral blood-derived CD4+ T cells. Peripheral CD4+ T cells were isolated from 26 healthy control subjects and 45 asthmatics (36 type 2 high and 9 non–type 2 high, determined by blood eosinophil levels and fraction of exhaled NO). Our mouse data showed conditional ablation of HuR in T cell–abrogated Th2 differentiation, cytokine production, and lung inflammation. Studies using human T cells showed that HuR protein levels in CD4+ T cells were significantly higher in asthmatics compared with healthy control subjects. The expression and secretion of Th2 cytokines were significantly higher in asthmatics compared with control subjects. AMP-activated protein kinase activator treatment reduced the expression of several cytokines in both type 2 high and non–type 2 high asthma groups. However, the effects of CMLD-2 (a HuR-specific inhibitor) were more specific to endotype-defining cytokines in type 2 high asthmatics. Taken together, these data suggest that HuR plays a permissive role in both allergen and non–allergen-driven airway inflammation by regulating key genes, and that interfering with its function may be a novel method of asthma treatment.
Clinical and Serological Features of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghanim Khawla K. , Gasmelseed Batol G. , Abdulhameed Reemaz S. , Alrayes Hezab A. , Jebakumar Arulanantham Z. , Abozaid Hanan S.
Published: December 2021

Context:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that manifests differently across races.

Aims:

The aim of the study is to summarize the clinical and serological features of patients with SLE in Saudi Arabia and to determine the predictors of morbidity and mortality.

Settings and Design:

This was single-center prospective cohort study.

Patients and Methods:

We included SLE patients who met our selection criteria and followed prospectively and regularly between December 2016 and January 2020. We analyzed their symptoms, laboratory results, frequencies of clinical manifestations, causes of admission, and causes of death. We also assessed variables that predicted mortality.

Statistical Analysis:

Chi-square test was used to find the association between quantitative variables; survival analysis was done using Mantel–Cox method.

Results:

The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 33.42 ± 12.9 years. The most common symptoms were arthritis (74.1%), malar rash (66.4%), and photosensitivity (64.7%). Renal involvement was seen in 17.2% of patients, with Class IV lupus nephritis (35%) being the most common. Patients aged ≤45 years had higher antinuclear antibody titers. Patients of African descents displayed higher rates of Class VI lupus nephritis and renal failure (25%). SLE caused deaths in 4.3% of patients, the main cause being infection (46.03%). There were obstetric complications in 27 (23.3%) patients; 28 (24.1%) vascular thrombosis events were noted, the most common being venous thrombosis (n = 21).

Conclusions:

Most patients were diagnosed at a young age. African patients displayed more severe disease in the form of renal symptoms, especially Class VI lupus nephritis. Infectious complications were the main cause of death.
A Child with Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis and Hemorrhagic Shock
Authors: Alansari Shahad , Alsaleem Alhanouf
Published: December 2021

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis, formerly known as Henoch–Schonlein purpura, is the most common vasculitis in children affecting small-sized vessels. Although IgA vasculitis is a self-limiting disease, a small number of patients can present with severe life-threatening complications. Here, we described a pediatric patient with final diagnosis of IgA vasculitis complicated with massive gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic shock, who recovered with supportive treatment and combined immunosuppressive drugs.
Laparoscopic Resection of an Adrenaline Secreting Para-aortic Paraganglioma
Authors: Badruddin Basil , Gupta Samir
Published: December 2021

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors arising from extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue. About half of paragangliomas occur in the para-aortic region, and only a few are functional. Although surgical resection remains the definitive treatment, only a few cases of laparoscopic resection of para-aortic paragangliomas have been reported. Here, we report a case of catecholamine-secreting left para-aortic paraganglioma resected laparoscopically. Laparoscopic resection of these tumors is associated with lesser blood loss, lesser postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays. The close cooperation between the surgeon and anesthesiologist is highlighted.
Pleural Effusion as the Initial Presentation of Synchronous Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wei Chao-Hung , Chang Yih-Leong , Hou Hsin-An
Published: December 2021

We report a case of a 64-year-old woman who presented with chronic cough for 2 months. A chest X-ray showed new-onset left pleural effusion, and chest computed tomography confirmed left pleural effusion in addition to small ground-glass nodules in both lungs. Analysis of the pleural effusion including culture and cytology did not show specific findings at a local hospital. Due to suspected lung cancer with malignant pleural effusion, thoracoscopic surgery was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations revealed Stage I lung adenocarcinoma and concurrent primary pulmonary small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). This is a very rare case of primary pulmonary SLL and a concurrent lung adenocarcinoma.
Significance of platelet parameters in cases of iron deficiency anemia with reference to thromboembolic complications - A study in central India
Authors: Deshmukh Abhay Vilas , Konsam Vaskarjeet , Gupta Anupama , Gangane Nitin M.
Published: December 2021

Background:

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common and potentially treatable health problems. The platelet behavior is often unpredictable and complicated in IDA. The present study was aimed to evaluate significance of platelet parameters in IDA, effect of iron therapy on them, and complications related to platelet parameters in such cases.

Patients and Methods:

It was a prospective observational study. A total of 85 outdoor and indoor consecutive patients of pure IDA with low ferritin levels were enrolled as cases. Platelet parameters – mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit (Pct) obtained by automated blood cell counter were studied at the time of presentation and after 1 month of oral iron therapy.

Results:

IDA was diagnosed more in females (65, 76.5%). All the basic hematological parameters were significantly altered in cases (P < 0.005) except WBC and Pct. Red blood cell parameters have a linear relationship with MPV and inverse with platelet count and PDW. 35 out of 85 IDA cases (41%) showed reactive thrombocytosis (RT). Mild RT was significantly associated with mild anemia (8.1–10 gm%; n = 11) as compared to moderate RT. Six thromboembolic complications were encountered which presented mostly with mild RT, less MPV, high PDW and Pct linearly increasing with platelet count. On follow-up, cases with RT after 1 month of oral iron therapy, platelets showed significant reduction (P = 0.00015) and rise in Hb levels (P = 0.025).

Conclusions:

RT is common finding in IDA. Thromboembolic central nervous system complications should always be kept in mind because they may deteriorate the clinical picture in otherwise benign course of IDA.
Retroperitoneal nonfunctional extraadrenal paraganglioma
Authors: Patil Purwa , Khan Wasif Ali Zafar Ali , Sengupta Abhishek , Patil Ketaki
Published: December 2021

Retroperitoneal nonfunctional extraadrenal paragangliomas are uncommon neoplasms arising from the aorticosympathetic chain of paraganglia. Biopsy of these tumors shows diverse cytomorphological features which can pose a significant diagnostic challenge to the histopathologist. We report a case of a 36-year-old male presenting with abdominal pain and a retroperitoneal mass anterior to the left kidney observed on ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan. CT-guided needle core biopsy was carried out which revealed varied cytological features suggesting a wide spectrum of differential diagnosis. Knowledge of the histological features along with immunohistochemistry helped us to diagnose this case. Since surgical excision is the preferred treatment of choice, early and accurate diagnosis is of utmost importance.
Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Saeed Omar Mohammed , Albogami Maha Fayez , Hatem Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Recent reports found that the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Saudi Arabia shows an increasing pattern but still less than that recorded in the West. The article will discuss the prevalence, pathology, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, and treatment of MS in Saudi Arabia. In this review, we searched PubMed/Medline database, and all studies that reported the prevalence, pathological and clinical types, diagnostic criteria, diagnostic modalities, and methods of treatment of MS in Saudi Arabia were included. the risk factors included consanguinity, Vitamin D deficiency, viral infection, and change in lifestyle. The presentation is similar to that recorded in western reports, but the course is different. KSA neurologists use the McDonald 2010 criteria for diagnosing MS. In the Kingdom, treatment of MS involves several disease-modifying drugs and these drugs are given according to the clinical course and form of the disease.
Prevalence and predictors of medication adherence among adult cardiovascular diseases patients in al-Madinah
Authors: Al-Asmari Abdulrahman Samman , Aljohani Khalid Abdullah , Aloufi Mohammad Ayed
Published: December 2021

Background:

Nonadherence to the medication schedule is common in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and may have serious consequences including increased costs, hospital admissions, and death.

Aim:

In this study, we investigated the prevalence and associated factors of nonadherence in cardiovascular patients in Al-Madinah/Saudi Arabia.

Settings and Design:

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at tertiary cardiac center in Al-Madinah.

Subjects and Methods:

Study variables including sociodemographic characteristics and disease factors were collected from a random sample of patients attending the CVDs the clinic using a structured questionnaire. Adherence was assessed using the Culig's medication adherence scale.

Statistical Analysis:

Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate factors associated with nonadherence.

Results:

A total of 200 adult cardiovascular patients completed the study; 100 (50.0%) were males and 186 (93.0%) resided in the city. The result showed that 26.0% (52/200) of the patients were nonadherent to medications, missing between 1 and 4 days of medication per week. Overall, 177 (88.5%) of the patients indicated that a healthcare worker explained the medications to them before dispensing. The most common reasons for nonadherence were: not being at home at the drug-taking time (84.6%), forgetfulness (82.7%), and fear of side effects (46.2%). Independent predictors of nonadherence were being retired (odds ratio [OR] 3.4; 95% confidence interval [C. I.] 1.3–9.4) and being uneducated or having general education (OR 4.7; 95% C. I. 2.0–11.2).

Conclusion:

Nonadherence rate was high and was found to be dependent upon patient-level factors. The study recommends improved patient education interventions to boost medication adherence in cardiovascular patients. Further studies are recommended.
Chronic disease patients' satisfaction with primary health-care services provided by the second health cluster in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almezaal Emad Abdulaziz M. , Elsayed Ebtesam Abbas Hassan , Javed Nargis Begum , Chandramohan Sriram , AL-Mohaithef Mohammed
Published: December 2021

Background:

Having a high quality primary health-care (PHC) system leads to a more efficient health-care system, which lower rates of hospitalization and leads to better health outcomes. One of the main criteria for assessing the quality of PHC services is the assessment of patient satisfaction, so the study aims to assess the chronic disease patients' satisfaction with PHC services provided by centers.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on patients with chronic diseases who follow-up in PHC centers within the Second Health Cluster in Riyadh using a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction level. A total 210 patients with different chronic diseases from the seven PHC centers (30 patients from each PHC center) who agreed to participate were included in the study.

Results:

In the study, 126 (60%) participants were females and 96 (45.7%) participants were in the age group more than 50 years. The survey showed that patients were satisfied with services offered by physicians, nurses, laboratory, and pharmacy with weighted means (3.81, 3.54, 3.59, and 3.88, respectively), while they were not satisfied with waiting time and services offered by receptionists with weighted means (3.22 and 3.27, respectively). The patient satisfaction showed a significant association with gender and level of education (P = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively).

Conclusions:

The survey showed that patients with chronic diseases were satisfied with services provided by PHC centers of the Second Health Cluster in Riyadh except receptionists' services, appointments, and waiting time. This survey will guide the policymakers for improving the services provided at the PHC centers.
A Phase I/IIa Randomized Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of SNK01 Plus Pembrolizumab in Patients with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kim Eo Jin , Cho Yong-Hee , Kim Dong Ha , Ko Dae-Hyun , Do Eun-Ju , Kim Sang-Yeob , Kim Yong Man , Jung Jae Seob , Kang Yoonmi , Ji Wonjun , Choi Myeong Geun , Lee Jae Cheol , Rho Jin Kyung , Choi Chang-Min
Published: December 2021

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ex vivo activated and expanded natural killer (NK) cell therapy (SNK01) plus pembrolizumab in a randomized phase I/IIa clinical trial.Materials and Methods Overall, 18 patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a programmed death ligand 1 tumor proportion score of 1% or greater who had a history of failed frontline platinum-based therapy were randomized (2:1) to receive pembrolizumab every 3 weeks +/– 6 weekly infusions of SNK01 at either 2×109 or 4×109 cells per infusion (pembrolizumab monotherapy vs. SNK01 combination). The primary endpoint was safety, whereas the secondary endpoints were the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and quality of life.Results Since no dose-limiting toxicity was observed, the maximum tolerated dose was determined as SNK01 4×109 cells/dose. The safety data did not show any new safety signals when SNK01 was combined with pembrolizumab. The ORR and the 1-year survival rate in the NK combination group were higher than those in patients who underwent pembrolizumab monotherapy (ORR, 41.7% vs. 0%; 1-year survival rate, 66.7% vs. 50.0%). Furthermore, the median PFS was higher in the SNK01 combination group (6.2 months vs. 1.6 months, p=0.001).Conclusion Based on the findings of this study, the NK cell combination therapy may consider as a safe treatment method for stage IV NSCLC patients who had a history of failed platinum-based therapy without an increase in adverse events.
Manejo de overlays para la volumetría cerebral
Authors: Mesa Pujals Adrian Alberto , Hernández Cortés Katherine Susana , Montoya Pedrón Arquímedes
Published: December 2021

El análisis cuantitativo de los datos de imágenes clínicas es un área activa de investigación prometedora para la medicina de precisión, la evaluación temprana de la respuesta al tratamiento y la caracterización objetiva de la enfermedad. La interoperabilidad, el intercambio de datos y la capacidad de extraer los mismos son de importancia creciente, dado el crecimiento explosivo en el número de métodos de análisis cuantitativos que se proponen. La forma estandarizada de almacenar esta información en la imagen es mediante la utilización del módulo DICOM “Overlays”. Muchos fabricantes de sistemas imagenológicos de visualización producen implementaciones no estándar de los overlays (e.g. xml) para almacenar las anotaciones o no consideran la utilización (lectura, escritura) de múltiples capas, según se especifica en DICOM. Esta problemática también está presente en los PACS desplegados en el Sistema de Salud Cubano. Imagis 3.0 es una herramienta que soluciona las limitaciones actuales, permitiendo la conversión de los datos almacenados en formatos de investigación de uso común en la representación DICOM estándar. Al igual que sus versiones precedentes, ofrece al usuario un conjunto de herramientas que facilitan e incrementan la eficiencia del sistema de salud. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo presentar un módulo de gestión de overlays. Se revisaron las publicaciones, tanto en PubMed como el estado del arte de los resultados. Se utilizaron las imágenes de tomografía axial computarizada de cráneo en pacientes cuya cifra ascendió a 120. Se presentaron varios componentes de software especializados en: 1) codificar segmentaciones de imágenes cerebrales como overlays de forma estandarizada; 2) almacenar hasta 16 capas independientes según el estándar DICOM. Se definieron múltiples regiones de interés independientes sobre una misma imagen y se conservó el orden de realización con fines docentes. Se concluye que este módulo puede ser considerado una herramienta para realizar evaluaciones cuantitativas de las neuroimágenes.
Neuroderecho: adaptabilidad de la normativa de derechos humanos con relación a las nuevas neurotecnologías y propuestas para su ampliación
Authors: Llamas Nicolas Ezequiel , Marinaro José Ángel
Published: December 2021

A raíz de los avances realizados en neurociencia y sus implicancias en el derecho en general, y el derecho penal en particular, nos proponemos a evaluar si la normativa de los tratados internacionales sobre derechos humanos es suficiente para cubrir los principios que surgen de sus postulados, o si es necesaria una ampliación (ya sea interpretativa o normativa) en Latinoamérica. Realizaremos un breve repaso de los avances en el campo del neuroderecho y consideraremos algunas de las propuestas más destacadas. Trataremos el derecho a la libertad cognitiva, la privacidad y la integridad mentales y la continuidad psicológica. Finalmente, proponemos una ampliación del bloque convencional interamericano de derechos humanos para dar respuesta a los nuevos posibles conflictos de derechos y garantías.
Neurolaw and the Neuroscience of Free Will: an Overview
Authors: Cardoso Renato César
Published: December 2021

Due to the advent of modern neuroscience, several scientific disciplines have developed entirely new theories, perspectives, and methodologies. The substantial advances and discoveries made in this field over the last decades, especially those concerned with human cognition and behavior, have steered the course of many traditional research areas and given rise to others, like neuroethics and neurolaw. Here we take a look at some of the general characteristics of the growing field of neurolaw, an interdisciplinary field that dwells on the intersection of law and neuroscience. We then discuss the neuroscience of free will, one of the most impacting and pressing topics in the neurolaw debate, with special attention to Libet’s paradigm, recent scientific developments, and novel interpretations that question customary assumptions about it.
Automatic Search of Cubes for Attacking Stream Ciphers
Authors: Sun Yao
Published: December 2021

Cube attack was proposed by Dinur and Shamir, and it has become an important tool for analyzing stream ciphers. As the problem that how to recover the superpolys accurately was resolved by Hao et al. in EUROCRYPT 2020, another important problem is how to find “good” superpolys, which is equivalent to finding “good” cubes. However, there are two difficulties in finding “good” cubes. Firstly, the number of candidate cubes is enormous and most of the cubes are not “good”. Secondly, it is costly to evaluate whether a cube is “good”.In this paper, we present a new algorithm to search for a kind of “good” cubes, called valuable cubes. A cube is called valuable, if its superpoly has (at least) a balanced secret variable. A valuable cube is “good”, because its superpoly brings in 1 bit of information about the key. More importantly, the superpolys of valuable cubes could be used in both theoretical and practical analyses. To search for valuable cubes, instead of testing a set of cubes one by one, the new algorithm deals with the set of cubes together, such that the common computations can be done only once for all candidate cubes and duplicated computations are avoided. Besides, the new algorithm uses a heuristic method to reject useless cubes efficiently. This heuristic method is based on the divide-and-conquer strategy as well as an observation.For verifications of this new algorithm, we applied it to Trivium and Kreyvium, and obtained three improvements. Firstly, we found two valuable cubes for 843-round Trivium, such that we proposed, as far as we know, the first theoretical key-recovery attack against 843-round Trivium, while the previous highest round of Trivium that can be attacked was 842, given by Hao et al. in EUROCRYPT 2020. Secondly, by finding many small valuable cubes, we presented practical attacks against 806- and 808-round Trivium for the first time, while the previous highest round of Trivium that can be attacked practically was 805. Thirdly, based on the cube used to attack 892-round Kreyvium in EUROCRYPT 2020, we found more valuable cubes and mounted the key-recovery attacks against Kreyvium to 893-round.
Importancia de la Educación Física basada en valores inclusivos
Authors: Sepulveda Sandoval Sandra Yarisbel
Published: December 2021

Este artículo tiene como objetivo identificar las aproximaciones teóricas sobre valores inclusivos, educación inclusiva en educación física, y prácticas inclusivas, en relación con el campo educativo, basándose en una revisión documental para hacer un rastreo detallado del tema. Se tomaron algunos postulados teóricos para su conceptualización. El método utilizado fue la búsqueda bibliográfica en bases de datos y fuentes documentales primarios como artículo y tesis de postgrado y doctorado en sitios como Efdeportes, Scielo, Dialnet, Retos, entre otros. Los criterios de selección fueron: los contenidos que tenían más acercamiento teórico al tema de investigación, la evaluación de la calidad de los artículos y tesis seleccionadas, con publicaciones entre el 2015 al 2020 actualizadas, finalizando con un análisis de la variabilidad, fiabilidad y validez de los artículos y tesis. La estructura de este artículo tendrá tres momentos, en la primera parte se hace referencia a la comprensión de los significados de valores y valores inclusivos. En la segunda parte se presenta una breve conceptualización de la educación inclusiva y en tercera parte se hace un acercamiento teórico de educación inclusiva en educación física y práctica inclusivas en el campo educativo y para finalizar se realizan algunas conclusiones.