bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CURRENT STATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS OF TRANSPORT SERVICE STAKEHOLDERS AND END-CUSTOMERS IN THE INTERMODAL TRANSPORT CHAIN
Authors: Golnar Marko , Beškovnik Bojan
Published: February 2024

Despite all the measures already taken and those still underway, pollution remains a major global problem, as the transport sector is the one where emissions are expected to increase in the coming years. Companies and policy makers are under increasing pressure to reduce the impact of their logistics activities in order to make transportation more environmentally friendly. One of the solutions to reduce emissions from intermodal transport is to choose the “right” mode of transport for each step in the transport chain. Such a measure increases the complexity of the transport chain and places an additional burden on transport companies in planning and organising transport for the entire transport chain. Additional difficulties arise from the fragmentation of information on emissions emitted for a single transport link and the lack of a unified approach to measuring and estimating transport chain emissions. As a result, this work finds that there is a lack of knowledge among users about the environmental impacts of transportation, despite the desire to contribute to greener transportation by paying more for a product or transportation service. The current research fills the gap in stakeholders’ understanding of the negative environmental impacts for individual transportation and for the entire transport chain. In addition, the study reveals a need for a systematically regulated and adapted way of informing users of intermodal transport chains due to the lack of transparency and comparison between different intermodal transport chains. To successfully address the challenges, the study proposes a 2-pillar approach. The 1st pillar approach focuses on designing a set of necessary measures (combination of top-down and bottom-up approach) for the transition to a low-carbon transport chain, while the 2nd pillar mainly focuses on mapping the level of green transport for easy comparison of similar products or services. The results of the research study show that the combination of numerical data with symbolic data is best suited to provide information on the level of green transport.
A new species of the genus Ropalidia Guérin-Méneville from central Africa (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Vespidae)
Authors: Polašek Ozren
Published: February 2024

Ropalidia chromissp. nov. is described from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is characterized by a mixture of morphological features present in two large species groups of that genus, suggesting a separate phylogenetic lineage.
Complications after limb salvage surgeries for musculoskeletal malignancies: 10-year experience of the main sarcoma center in Bulgaria
Authors: Ivanov Yordan St. , Patrikov Kircho
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Limb salvage surgery is currently the most frequently used treatment option in Bulgaria for individuals with musculoskeletal malignancies. Clinical data about complications from these procedures is limited in the country, with only a few studies currently available.

Aim: The aim of our study is to analyze complication rates and patterns in Bulgarian patients treated with limb salvage surgery for musculoskeletal malignancies.

Materials and methods: Our series consist of a retrospective review of 43 patients with musculoskeletal malignancies, who underwent limb salvage surgeries at Boycho Boychev University Orthopedic Hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria, over a period of 10 years. For staging, we used the AJCC and Enneking’s staging systems for malignant musculoskeletal tumors. Functionality was assessed with the MSTS system. Assessment of complications was done with a modified Clavien-Dindo classification for surgical complications and Henderson’s classification of failure of limb salvage after reconstructive surgery.

Results: The mean follow-up time for the series is 40 months (range 12 to 120 months). At the current follow-up, the overall survival rate for the series is 72%. The overall complication rate for the series is 72% and the surgical revision rate is 46.5%. Of the encountered complications, 84% were classified as grade Ⅲb using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Conclusion: Bulgarian patients treated with limb salvage for musculoskeletal malignancies have high complication rates, with no clear prevalence between mechanical and non-mechanical complication patterns. Many of the encountered complications are severe and require additional surgical management.
Chrysin’s dose-dependent effects on steroidogenesis in female BALB/c mice: In vivo study of adrenal, ovarian, and uterine hormone regulation
Authors: Alqaisi Khalid M. , Abbas Manal A. , Alshawawreh Rand
Published: February 2024

Background: Chrysin is known for its pharmacological effects and structural resemblance to estrogen. The study explores the impact of chrysin on steroidogenesis focusing on adrenal and ovarian steroidogenic enzymes.

Materials and methods: Thirty female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: a control group and two chrysin-treated groups (50 mg and 100 mg). Gene expression of key steroidogenic enzymes was assessed in adrenal glands and ovaries using RT-qPCR. Uterine expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was also examined. Histological analysis of adrenal glands and ovaries was performed.

Results: High-dose chrysin downregulated CYP17A1 expression in adrenal glands compared to control and low-dose groups. In contrast, 3β-HSD was significantly downregulated in the high-dose group. In ovaries, high dose chrysin reduced aromatase expression.

Conclusion: Our findings revealed that chrysin’s impact on steroidogenesis is dose-dependent. By downregulating CYP17A1 in adrenal glands, potentially affecting androgen and estrogen synthesis, and enhancing aromatase expression in ovaries at lower doses.
An account of the genus Cistanche (Orobanchaceae) in Iraq and taxonomic considerations in the Middle East
Authors: Aldughayman Majed , Thorogood Chris J. , A. Al-Mayah Abdulridha A. , Hawkins Julie A.
Published: February 2024

Species limits in the genus Cistanche are poorly understood, despite the plants’ long history of use in traditional herbal medicine and food across their range. Here we present a taxonomic account for the genus Cistanche in Iraq, where several taxa have been reported, most of them doubtfully. Using herbarium specimens, images of living material, and taxonomic literature, we found evidence of only one species occurring with certainty in Iraq: Cistanche tubulosa. We found no evidence for the occurrence of other Cistanche species in Iraq, including a putative new entity reported for the region. Our work highlights inconsistencies in the literature, and underscores the importance of examining multiple stable characters for delimiting species in the genus Cistanche.
Proposal (36) to conserve the name Philonotidion seriatae Hinterlang 1992 for the species-poor, bryophyte-dominated, non-calcareous arctic-alpine spring vegetation of Europe
Authors: Hájek Michal , Peterka Tomáš , Hájková Petra , Hinterlang Dirk , Zechmeister Harald , Chytrý Milan
Published: February 2024

According to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature, a younger name of a syntaxon may be conserved against its older name to improve the stability of the nomenclature and avoid misunderstandings in scientific communication. Here, we propose conserving the name Philonotidion seriataeHinterlang 1992 for arctic-alpine, bryophyte-dominated, non-calcareous spring vegetation against the names Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925, Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1926, and MontionMaas 1959. In current vegetation classification systems, the two name-giving taxa of Cardamino-Montion no longer indicate the character of the vegetation corresponding to the nomenclatural type of this alliance and are instead characteristic of other currently distinguished alliances. Maintaining the oldest name Cardamino-Montion in strict adherence to the Code would be a source of errors. In the current vegetation classification systems, two similar but counter-intuitive names would then have to be used: Cardamino-Montion for arctic-alpine springs (although the name-giving taxa are more indicative of montane springs) and Epilobio nutantis-Montion for montane springs (although the name-giving taxon Epilobium nutans is indicative of arctic-alpine vegetation). Hence, there is a risk that the name Cardamino-Montion may gradually become ambiguous. We also propose conserving the name Philonotidion seriatae against Mniobryo-Epilobion hornemanniiNordhagen 1943 to prevent confusion in case of a merger of these alliances.

(36) Philonotidion seriataeHinterlang 1992

Typus: Cratoneuro-PhilonotidetumGeissler 1976 (holotypus)

(=) Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925

Typus: Bryetum schleicheriBraun-Blanquet 1925 [≡ Montio fontanae-Bryetum schleicheriBraun-Blanquet 1925 nom. corr. et invers. (alternative name)] (holotypus)

(=) Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1926 nom. superfl. [≡ Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925]

(=) Mniobryo-Epilobion hornemanniiNordhagen 1943

Typus: Mniobryo-Epilobietum hornemanniiNordhagen 1943 (lectotypus selected by Zechmeister & Mucina 1994)

(=) MontionMaas 1959 nom. superfl. [≡ Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925]

Taxonomic reference: Euro+Med PlantBase (http://europlusmed.org; accessed 4 January 2024)
Penser la stratification sociale des espaces de la délinquance avec Michel Foucault et Stéphanie Saint-Clair
Authors: Mohammed Marwan
Published: February 2024

Dans la lignée de la réflexion de Michel Foucault sur la pénalité, l’idée de « gestion différentielle des illégalismes » a principalement donné lieu à des travaux sur le système judiciaire et carcéral avant de s’étendre à d’autres dispositifs de contrôle social. Sans être réellement suivi sur ce point, Michel Foucault a également suggéré de prendre en compte la relation dialectique entre pénalité et espaces de la délinquance. Une démarche initiée dans cet article à travers l’examen de l’histoire, de l’expérience et des combats de Stéphanie Saint-Clair, une femme noire, française, devenue une figure centrale du monde des loteries illégales d’Harlem à New York au début du XX e siècle. De cette étude de cas, un certain nombre d’enjeux théoriques et méthodologiques sont soulignés afin d’esquisser un cadre d’analyse réarticulant différemment la place de la pénalité et de la délinquance dans l’étude de la domination sociale.
Fausser l’information journalistique pour mobiliser les algorithmes et les publics : comment les plateformes permettent-elles de faire du vrai avec du faux ?
Authors: Alloing Camille
Published: February 2024

Afin d’étudier la circulation des fake news en ligne, cet article propose une analyse info-communicationnelle du traitement endogène et automatisé des contenus journalistiques sur les médias socio-numériques dans un contexte de controverse environnementale. Regarder ce qui est fait avec ces contenus pour mobiliser des publics à soutenir une cause permet de définir une typologie de pratiques visant tant à les mettre en contexte qu’en circulation. Les contenus journalistiques étant eux-mêmes standardisés pour maximiser l’audience sur les plateformes, ils deviennent le meilleur moyen d’informer, de mobiliser comme de désinformer, sans avoir nécessairement à les reproduire de manière factice. La désinformation en ligne apparait ainsi comme une conséquence de la plateformisation de l’information et de la communication qui l’autorise voire la renforce.
Des « localiers » responsables de la diffusion de fausses informations ? Une défiance forte du politique Le cas de la campagne municipale d’Angers en 2020
Authors: Theviot Anaïs
Published: February 2024

Comment est vu le rôle du journaliste par les candidats et les militants dans la lutte contre la circulation rapide et massive de fausses informations en campagne électorale ? Cette interrogation sur la perception du rôle des localiers dans la diffusion de « fake-news » s’est fait jour lors de la conduite de notre enquête empirique sur le cas de l’élection municipale à Angers en 2020. Il est rapidement ressorti des entretiens avec les militants un climat de crainte autour de l’usage des réseaux sociaux justifié par la peur des fausses informations et de leur diffusion généralisée, même par ceux qui sont censés lutter contre. Nous verrons que la défiance est forte entre candidats et journalistes : les premiers accusant les seconds de participer à des campagnes de désinformation, en privilégiant le sensationnel et les polémiques à l’analyse. Ces accusations par le politique participent au dénigrement du métier de journaliste et interrogent sur les spécificités de la lutte contre les fausses informations dans l’espace local.
La réception et le partage de (fausses) informations par les adolescents : des pratiques situées
Authors: Berriche Manon
Published: February 2024

À partir d’une approche pragmatique et interactionniste, cette étude examine comment la réception et le partage de (fausses) informations peuvent être favorisés ou au contraire entravés par certaines situations selon les contraintes énonciatives qui les sous-tendent. En reposant sur des entretiens collectifs, des observations et un dispositif expérimental, conduits au sein d’une classe de 4ème, cet article montre que les réactions des adolescents face aux (fausses) informations sont loin d’être une constante dépendant uniquement de variables cognitives et individuelles, mais varient selon le degré de publicité des situations.
Véridicité de l’information : un concept opérationnel pour l’éducation critique aux médias
Authors: Béasse Muriel
Published: February 2024

Le phénomène des fake news est une opportunité d’interroger les liens entre journalisme et vérité en considérant, en miroir, la relation que les journalistes tissent avec leurs publics, et ce, au sein même de leurs récits d’information. Cette contribution s’intéresse à la notion de véridicité, au centre de l’énonciation journalistique, afin d’offrir des repères au cœur de la triade journalisme-vérité-publics. Elle s’avère pertinente pour comprendre la pluralité des pratiques d’écriture de l’information et servir d’outil dans le cadre de formations critiques aux médias. L’analyse d’indicateurs de véridicité dans des reportages multimédias et des enquêtes graphiques permet d’interroger les stratégies discursives du journalisme et leurs dimensions pédagogiques auprès des publics.
La perspective symbiotique. Une nouvelle forme de perspective en art
Authors: Logé Guillaume
Published: February 2024

Pourquoi peut-on parler de l’émergence d’une nouvelle forme de perspective en art, quelque six cents ans après les théorisations de la perspective linéaire de la Renaissance des xv e  et xvi e  siècles qui ont ouvert la voie de la modernité ? Quelles sont les caractéristiques de cette nouvelle perspective ? De quelles façons est-elle intimement liée au contexte écologique que nous connaissons ? Que dit-elle de notre époque et qu’ouvre-t-elle comme horizons ? Le contexte est celui d’une « Renaissance sauvage » dont nous observons aujourd’hui les premières manifestations (cf.  Renaissance sauvage. L’art de l’Anthropocène , Puf, 2019). La « perspective symbiotique » est la forme de perspective associée à ce basculement possible de civilisation. Comme toute perspective, elle témoigne d’une certaine manière de voir et se traduit en méthode de construction d’une œuvre. Elle accouche d’un nouvel espace et de nouveaux rapports. Loin de se limiter à un terme technique, la perspective, peut-être comme aucun autre instrument, parle du monde, de sa dynamique de fond et de son avenir. Elle touche aux questions écologiques les plus sensibles.
« Attention, passage de clowns à l’hôpital ! »
Authors: Bodelet Claire
Published: February 2024

Cet article s’intéresse au travail d’un groupe d’artistes spécialisés dans la régulation des fêtes, les « clowns à l’hôpital ». À partir d’une enquête ethnographique menée dans des services pédiatriques de deux hôpitaux (pédiatrie générale, urgences, oncologie et neurologie pédiatriques), il montre que ces clowns sont pris dans une tension permanente entre la nécessité de s’insérer dans les services et celle de déranger leur organisation. En effet, les prestations de clowns à l’hôpital ne sont pas préparées à l’avance et les clowns doivent chaque jour négocier les formes et les moments de la fête en tenant compte des lieux, des publics et des contextes. À travers l’analyse de différentes situations de travail, on découvre comment les clowns pilotent leur action à l’hôpital et comment ils et elles parviennent à y conserver leur identité de clowns, y compris quand la fête n’est pas au rendez-vous.
Les fêtes de la jeunesse communiste : mobilisation militante et ouverture culturelle (1954-1981)
Authors: Sklower Jedediah
Published: February 2024

Le mouvement communiste a tôt érigé un puissant dispositif festif syncrétique, qui a trouvé sa forme la plus accomplie dans le modèle de la Fête de L’Humanité . Dans l’après-guerre, le dense réseau des fêtes communistes met en branle l’ensemble du conglomérat rouge, manifestant sa puissance politique ainsi que son autorité dans le champ culturel. Alors que les formes de la mobilisation militante à l’occasion des fêtes de la Jeunesse communiste (JC) sont relativement stables, leurs contenus culturels évoluent tout au long du second xx e siècle, des dernières « fêtes champêtres » au tournant des années 1950 aux grandes fêtes nationales des années 1970, censées illustrer l’ aggiornamento de la JC et la marche confiante des forces de gauche vers la conquête du pouvoir. Par étapes, la JC s’ouvre aux nouvelles formes culturelles, se convertissant partiellement au principe de démocratie culturelle, concurrent des options « démocratisatrices » du mouvement communiste depuis les années 1930, au risque d’une festivalisation et d’une dilution de son identité sociale et politique.
The 3D-aware image synthesis of prohibited items in the X-ray security inspection by stylized generative radiance fields
Authors: Liu Jian , Yu Zhen , Guo Wenyu
Published: February 2024

The merging of neural radiance fields with generative adversarial networks (GANs) can synthesize novel views of objects from latent code (noise). However, the challenge for generative neural radiance fields (NERFs) is that a single multiple layer perceptron (MLP) network represents a scene or object, and the shape and appearance of the generated object are unpredictable, owing to the randomness of latent code. In this paper, we propose a stylized generative radiance field (SGRF) to produce 3D-aware images with explicit control. To achieve this goal, we manipulated the input and output of the MLP in the model to entangle and disentangle label codes into/from the latent code, and incorporated an extra discriminator to differentiate between the class and color mode of the generated object. Based on the labels provided, the model could generate images of prohibited items varying in class, pose, scale, and color mode, thereby significantly increasing the quantity and diversity of images in the dataset. Through a systematic analysis of the results, the method was demonstrated to be effective in improving the detection performance of deep learning algorithms during security screening.
Neutrality, Cultural Literacy, and Arts Funding
Authors: Hume Jack Alexander
Published: February 2024

Despite the widespread presence of public arts funding in liberal societies, some liberals find it unjustified. According to the Neutrality Objection, arts funding preferences some ways of life. One way to motivate this challenge is to say that a public goods-styled justification, although it could relieve arts funding of these worries of partiality, cannot be argued for coherently or is, in the end, too susceptible to impressions of partiality. I argue that diversity-based arts funding can overcome this challenge, because it invests in non-excludable infrastructure that fosters cultural literacy. We all have some interest as citizens in living in a society which fosters cultural literacy, seeing as this helps others to understand us, supports us to understand ourselves, and helps alleviate confusion and alienation we feel toward social difference. While some of these benefits can be enjoyed by those who make and consume art, they are also gained by those who don’t, because arts funding affects the makeup of public spaces and the communicative practices we all use to make sense of the world.
Senescence-associated ß-galactosidase staining over the lifespan differs in a short- and a long-lived fish species
Authors: Schöfer Simon , Laffer Sylvia , Kirchberger Stefanie , Kothmayer Michael , Löhnert Renate , Ebner Elmar E. , Weipoltshammer Klara , Distel Martin , Pusch Oliver , Schöfer Christian
Published: February 2024

During the aging process, cells can enter cellular senescence, a state in which cells leave the cell cycle but remain viable. This mechanism is thought to protect tissues from propagation of damaged cells and the number of senescent cells has been shown to increase with age. The speed of aging determines the lifespan of a species and it varies significantly in different species. To assess the progress of cellular senescence during lifetime, we performed a comparative longitudinal study using histochemical detection of the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase as senescence marker to map the staining patterns in organs of the long-lived zebrafish and the short-lived turquoise killifish using light- and electron microscopy. We compared age stages corresponding to human stages of newborn, childhood, adolescence, adult and old age. We found tissue-specific but conserved signal patterns with respect to organ distribution. However, we found dramatic differences in the onset of tissue staining. The stained zebrafish organs show little to no signal at newborn age followed by a gradual increase in signal intensity, whereas the organs of the short-lived killifish show an early onset of staining already at newborn stage, which remains conspicuous at all age stages. The most prominent signal was found in liver, intestine, kidney and heart, with the latter showing the most prominent interspecies divergence in onset of staining and in staining intensity. In addition, we found staining predominantly in epithelial cells, some of which are post-mitotic, such as the intestinal epithelial lining. We hypothesize that the association of the strong and early-onset signal pattern in the short-lived killifish is consistent with a protective mechanism in a fast growing species. Furthermore, we believe that staining in post-mitotic cells may play a role in maintaining tissue integrity, suggesting different roles for cellular senescence during life.
NG2 molecule expression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia B cells: a flow-cytometric marker for the rapid identification of KMT2A gene rearrangements
Authors: Bisegna Maria Laura , Peragine Nadia , Elia Loredana , Matarazzo Mabel , Milani Maria Laura , Intoppa Stefania , Di Trani Mariangela , Malfona Francesco , Martelli Maurizio , De Propris Maria Stefania
Published: February 2024

Background: B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALL) harboring rearrangements of the histone lysine [K]-Methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) gene on chromosome 11q23 (KMT2A-r), represent a category with dismal prognosis. The prompt identification of these cases represents an urgent clinical need. Considering the correlation between rat neuron glial-antigen 2 (NG2) chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan molecule expression and KMT2A-r, we aimed identifying an optimized cytofluorimetric diagnostic panel to predict the presence of KMT2A-r.                                                                                                                                           Materials and Methods: We evaluated 88 NG2+ B-ALL cases identified with a NG2 positivity threshold >10%, from a cohort of 1382 newly diagnosed B-ALLs referred to the Division of Hematology of ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome.                                                       Results: Eighty-five of 88 (96.6%) NG2+ B-ALLs harbored KMT2A-r and were mainly pro-B ALL (77/85; 91%). Only 2 B-ALLs with KMT2A-r showed NG2 expression below 10%, probably due to the steroid therapy administered prior to cytofluorimetric analysis. When compared to KMT2A-r‒ cases, KMT2A r+ B-ALLs presented a higher blast percentage, a significantly higher mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD45, CD38 and CD58, and a significantly lower CD34, CD22, TdT and CD123 MFI. The differences in CD45, CD34, CD22 and TdT MFI were confirmed within the same immunologic EGIL (European Group for the immunological classification of leukemias) group, suggesting no influence of the B-ALLs EGIL subtype on the peculiar KMT2A-r+ B-ALLs immunophenotype. Conclusions: Our data show how the association between NG2 and KMT2A-r in B-ALLs identify a peculiar immunophenotypic pattern, useful for rapid identification in diagnostic routines of these subtypes of B-ALLs with a poor prognosis, that benefit from a specific therapeutic approach.
Could the 3′UTR+101G>C Mutation Detected in Two Sibling Cases Be a Mutation Affecting the Clinical Presentation in Thalassemia Patients?
Authors: Atas Unal , Karakus Volkan , Kurtoglu Erdal
Published: February 2024

Due to letter to aditor, there is no abstract.
The sero-conversion of the people of the Nelson Mandela metropole, 1985-2021
Authors: Shell R.C.H. , Rama P.
Published: February 2024

The authors draw attention to the little researched pandemic of HIV/AIDS in the Western area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. They use population projection programs and new historical case level data which has a broader base than the national ante natal clinic (anc) data. They demonstrate the utility of the component method for projecting urban population trends as opposed to commonly used mathematical (exponential or logistic) projections. While there is much more work involved in an urban component projection because of problems of recovering reliable in-migration data, the final product of the component projection are of such value to planners that it is suggested that all South African city planners could benefit from such projections. This study also attempts to establish that if the HIV pandemic is allowed to run unchecked, the total population of the Nelson Mandela Metropole will be just under two million people by the year 2021. Without Aids it would be between 2.5 and 4 million. The authors analyze the new data with a view to understand the probable historical vectors of the pandemic and to enable policy formulation, interventions and planning. Any attempt to forecast the course of an urban HIV pandemic is fraught with difficulties and uncertainties. These relate primarily to the number of assumptions which must be made in building forecasting models, often with historical data that is not reliable. The results of any model should therefore be treated with caution and must be used responsibly. That uncertainty, however, should not deter attempts at developing realistic forecasts for the future course of the HIV/AIDS pandemic at the urban level, since these local projections are essential in attracting and recruiting the attention of the stakeholder urban planners and managers who need to understand the possible impact of this disease on their communities, and to plan appropriately.
The first ‘white’ town north of the Vaal: inequality and apartheid in Potchefstroom
Authors: Jansen van Rensburg Fanie
Published: February 2024

Alhoewel die ‘gekleurde’ en ‘naturelle’-inwoners van Potchefstroom van die vroegste bewoners van hierdie dorp was, was hulle posisie as gevolg van segregasie en marginalisering altyd onseker. Verskillende opeenvolgende administrasies het hulle lewens drasties ingeperk en hulle slegs verdra as die diensknegte van wit belange. Die klem word geplaas op hulle besondere ervarings met betrekking tot hierdie beperkings, hulle gedwonge verwydering na ander gebiede, hulle sosiale en historiese onsigbaarheid en die ekstreme beheermaatreëls deur die plaaslike owerheid om hulle deel te maak van die grandiose stelsel van sosiale manipulasie (apartheid). Die stelsel van beheer was so totalitêr van aard dat selfs die plaaslike wit liberale uitings van andersdenkendheid uiters paternalisties was.
Historical relevance?: Ten sketches of women illegally enslaved at the Cape, 1823 to 1830
Authors: Rugarli Anna Maria , Shell Robert C-H.
Published: February 2024

Die artikel handel oor die verhale van slawevroue wat deel was van die slawehandelsproses teen die einde van die 18e eeu. Hulle is na die Kaap de Goede Hoop gebring as vry slawe of - soos hul eienaars gemeen het - as “geskenke”. Hierdie mini biografieë vertel die verhale van vroue wie se lot was dié van vervreemding van hul geboorteland, en slawerny in ‘n nuwe vreemde land. Slawevroue het protesteer en hul situasie by die owerhede aangemeld om sodoende hul vryheid terug te win toe dit moontlik was in die 1820s. Persoonlike getuienisse is beskikbaar van sulke vroue soos opgeteken in die Boek van Klagtes deur die Guardian of Slaves gedurende die opskudding van die 1820s. In die artikel word hierdie getuienisse kortliks bespreek, waarop elk se historiese relevansie vervolgens bepaal word.
‘n Evolusie van die kern sakebuurt van Potchefstroom in 1880
Authors: Van den Bergh G. N.
Published: February 2024

Due to the British employing an extensive administrative policy concerning commerce and property tax, coupled with the attention focussed on Potchefstroom by the Transvaal War, a large and varied number of sources are available from which a detailed picture of the central commercial area of the town in 1880 can be reconstructed to indicate the evolution of this part of Potchefstroom. As no provision was made for a business area in the original planning of Potchefstroom one developed organically after the settlement of foreign traders after the Sand River Convention of 1852. From the original trading focal point around the Old Market it spread southwards towards the New Market Square when that was established in 1855. This resulted in a commercial quarter comprising the Old and New Market Squares and the stretch of Kerk Street connecting them. By 1880 the demand for stands for the building of shops and offices had resulted in the sub-division of the large original erven and the proliferation of purpose built structures. By then some 67 different commercial undertakings fronting on the indicated streets and squares can be identified. Their value varying between £250 and £5000. A detailed directory of the buildings comprising the central commercial area is given in this article as indicators of the evolution of the core commercial area of Potchefstroom in 1880 due to British activity
Die enigma van Hendrik Verwoerd: `n Akademikus in die politiek
Authors: Giliomee Hermann
Published: February 2024

Hendrik Verwoerd, one of the main architects of “Bantu education “and the idea of independent Bantu homelands, is one of the most controversial politcians in South Africa. Hailed and almost venerated by his supporters, he was seen by Albert Luthuli and other African nationalists as the architect of their “calamity”. In popular journalism he has been likened to Adolf Hitler and Robert Mugabe. Yet Verwoerd was no conventional racist. Recent reseach has shown that as a Stellenbosch lecturer he rejected the theory that some races were genetically and biologically superior to others. When he went abroad he was not attracted to Nazi thinking but by the ideas of American social scientists who advocated “social engineering” to avoid future conflicts. His main aim in introducing Bantu education in 1954 was to expand mass education on a primary level and to deflect black job aspirations from the cities to the homelands. His plan to impose a rigid form of apartheid was ultimately thwarted by high economic growth and much more rapid black population growth than had been anticipated.
When Rustling became an Art: Pilane’s Kgatla and the Transvaal Frontier 1820–1902
Authors: Thotse Mahunele
Published: February 2024

No abstract available.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag en Transgrensoperasie Moduler, fase 1: Die FAPLA-offensief teen UNITA, Augustus - Oktober 1987 [Deel 1]
Authors: Oosthuizen Gerhard J.J.
Published: February 2024

The objective of the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) was to liberate South West Africa (Namibia) from South African rule. In 1962, SWAPO decided to combine the political struggle for the freedom of South West Africa with military actions against the South African forces. International events contributed to the struggle for South West Africa not being confined to SWAPO and the South African forces only. After a coup d’etat and the economic and moral burden which colonies entailed, Portugal withdrew from Angola and Mozambique in a rush in 1974. SWAPO, assisted by the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA), established military bases in the south of Angola to invade South West Africa more effectively. It was therefore only a matter of time before the South African forces encountered not only SWAPO, but also the MPLA and Cuban forces. South Africa, however, did not take an attitude of wait and see, but tried to retain the initiative through pre-emptive operations. This article focuses on the first phase of Operation Moduler (August-October 1987). It explores how the combined South African Forces came to the aid of a beleaguered UNITA, after a FAPLA offensive on the UNITA stronghold of Mavinga. Although the Battle of the Lomba River on 3 October 1987 ended in the crushing of 47 Brigade of FAPLA, the South African forces failed to take advantage of this situation. The reasons for this will also be analysed in the article.
Using a Public Value Management theory to identify features of citizen-centric e-governance in Namibia
Authors: Fröhlich Karin A. , Jain Karishm , Pinomaa Antti , Nieminen Marko
Published: February 2024

Background: The utilisation of e-government by citizens in Africa remains limited due to resource constraints and various socioeconomic challenges. Nevertheless, Namibia, for example, has shown a strong interest in adopting and implementing e-government, as evidenced by the periodic release of policy frameworks encouraging this use.Objectives: The aim of this research was to comprehend the expectations of Namibian citizens regarding e-government. Specifically, the study focused on identifying the key components of a citizen-centric e-government framework. A citizen-centered e-government can generate value for citizens according to Public Value Management.Method: A mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative) was used to gather data. Namibian government officials were engaged through interviews while a questionnaire survey was used to collect data from citizens. Exactly 196 respondents took part in the study.Results: The findings show that citizen-centric e-government could be attained by using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in meeting socially desirable outcomes, enhancing the efficiency of public organisations and the delivery of public services.Conclusion: Governments need to embrace citizen-centric e-government and avail a supportive infrastructure to improve adoption. Citizens need to see the opportunity of deriving value from e-government use for early adoption.Contribution: This study extends the public value theory to e-government. The study found minor differences or additions in terms of what participants value in this context. For instance, participants in this study value a complete e-service for e-government, efficiency that saves time and money, openness that promotes data government, and a need for funding for such projects.
A Rare Case of Dentigerous Cyst in a 1-day-old Neonate
Authors: Bansal Gaurav , Bansal Priyanka
Published: February 2024

Dentigerous cysts are the second-most common odontogenic cysts which are of developmental pathology. These cysts have a very rare occurrence during the first decade of life with a predilection for males compared to females. We report the earliest occurrence to date of a large dentigerous cyst of maxillary origin in a 1-day-old male baby. We were able to successfully manage the baby with a conservative surgical approach.
Cardiovascular health awareness, risk perception, behavioural intention and INTERHEART risk stratification among middle-aged adults in Malaysia
Authors: Lee Siew-Keah , Chua Ang-Lim , Fong Clement Heng Yew , Cong Ban Hao Brian , Ng Wen Ling , Kong Jing Feng , Chew Yik-Ling , Liew Kai Bin , Shao Yang
Published: February 2024

Objective:

To investigate the interrelationship between cardiovascular health awareness, risk perception, behavioural intention, and INTERHEART risk stratification in a middle-aged adult population in Malaysia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted during November 2022 and January 2023. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing cardiovascular health awareness, risk perception of cardiovascular diseases, behavioural intention towards adopting healthy habits, and INTERHEART risk stratification score (IHRS) based on established risk factors. A total of 602 respondents were included in the final analysis. Data were analysed with independent t-test/one-way ANOVA or Mann- Whitney/Kruskai-Wailis to test the differences, Pearson correlation or linear regression test to analyze the association of independent and dependent variables.

Results:

There was a significant positive correlation between medical knowledge related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and knowledge related to CVD risk prevention, risk perception, behavioural intention and IHRS (P<0.05, Pearson correlation). Notably, individuals with higher IHRS tended to have lower knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention, risk perception, and behavioural intention. Males, laborers, active/former smokers, individuals with lower household income and educational levels, those involved in occupations not related to the healthcare sector, and those who did not receive the CVD health brochure or are unaware of health self-assessment tools are likely to have lower levels of knowledge, risk perception, and poorer behavioural intention regarding cardiovascular health (P<0.05, one-way ANOVA). While educational level, smoking status, awareness about CVD poster, self-assessment tools were repeatedly significantly associated with knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention, risk perception, behavioral intention and/or IHRS (P<0.05, linear regression).

Conclusions:

These findings underscore the importance of promoting cardiovascular health awareness and risk perception among middle-aged adults to foster positive BI and reduce CVD risk. Tailored interventions targeting specific risk factors identified by INTERHEART may enhance risk stratification accuracy and facilitate targeted preventive strategies.
Fatty Acid Binding Protein-4 Silencing Inhibits Ferroptosis to Alleviate Lipopolysaccharide-induced Injury of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells by Blocking Janus Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling
Authors: Xu Suo , Luo Jiye , Wang Yanli , Chen Xiaobing
Published: February 2024

Sepsis-induced kidney injury (SAKI) has been frequently established as a prevailing complication of sepsis which is linked to unfavorable outcomes. Fatty acid-binding protein-4 (FABP4) has been proposed as a possible target for the treatment of SAKI. In the current work, we aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanism of FABP4 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human renal tubular epithelial cell damage. In LPS-induced human kidney 2 (HK2) cells, FABP4 expression was tested by the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Cell counting kit-8 method assayed cell viability. Inflammatory levels were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence staining measured the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B p65. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances assay and C11 BODIPY 581/591 probe were used to estimate the level of cellular lipid peroxidation. Fe2+ content was examined by the kit. In addition, the expression of proteins related to inflammation-, ferroptosis- and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer, and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling was detected by the Western blot analysis. The results revealed that FABP4 was significantly upregulated in LPS-treated HK2 cells, the knockdown of which elevated the viability, whereas alleviated the inflammation and ferroptosis in HK2 cells challenged with LPS. In addition, down-regulation of FABP4 inactivated JAK2/STAT3 signaling. JAK2/STAT3 stimulator (colivelin) and ferroptosis activator (Erastin) partially restored the effects of FABP4 interference on LPS-triggered inflammation and ferroptosis in HK2 cells. Together, FABP4 knockdown inhibited ferroptosis to alleviate LPS-induced injury of renal tubular epithelial cells through suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signaling.
The Efficacy of Paxman Scalp Cooling System in Preventing Hair Loss in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in Western India – Multi-centre Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Mekha Mangesh , Joshi Ashish , Maniar Vashishth , Maheshwari Udip , Joshi Kshitij , Kalaskar Pritam , Sheth Smit , Kendre Pradip , Morzaria Disha , Korgavkar Reshma , Pethe Chandrashekhar , Dhande Sonal
Published: February 2024

Aim:

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is the most common side effect of systemic treatment in breast cancer patients. Scalp cooling gained worldwide acceptance in preventing or mitigating CIA in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Paxman scalp cooling system (PSCS) in Indian breast cancer patients.

Materials and Methods:

This is a multi-centre, retrospective-observational study including patients registered from 1st March, 2019 to 30th April, 2021 undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer by using PSCS. The primary end-point was the incidence of CIA after completing cycles of chemotherapy.

Results:

A total of 91 female patients were enrolled in the study, with a median age of 53 years (IQR: 44–62 years). The prevention of alopecia (grade 0 and grade I) was seen in 81%, while more than 50% hair loss (grade 2) was seen in 16.48% after completion of treatment. The univariate analysis results showed that CIA was significantly higher in patients who received anthracyclines (OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.04–6.958; P = 0.041) and in patients with a post-infusion cooling time of >150 minutes (OR: 8.409; 95% CI: 2.295–30.787; P = 0.001). The incidence of grade 2 (>50% hair loss) alopecia was 81.3% in patients <6 weeks and was 18.8% at >6 weeks of start of chemotherapy (P < 0.0001). No adverse events were reported in 71.4% of patients, and the most common adverse event was headache (18.7%).

Conclusion:

PSCS is an effective and well-tolerated treatment modality for preventing CIA among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Accuracy of a Non-Invasive Home Glucose Monitor for Measurement of Blood Glucose
Authors: Mondal Himel , Biri Sairavi Kiran , Pipil Neha , Mondal Shaikat
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

Patients with diabetes mellitus monitor their blood glucose at home with monitors that require a drop of blood or use a continuous glucose monitoring device that implants a small needle in the body. However, both cause discomfort to the patients which may inhibit them for regular blood glucose checks. Photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensing technology is an approach for non-invasive blood glucose measurement and PPG sensors can be used to predict hypoglycaemic episodes. InChcek is a PPG-based non-invasive glucose monitor. However, its accuracy has not been checked yet. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of InCheck, a non-invasive glucose monitor for the estimation of blood glucose.

Methods:

In a tertiary care hospital, patients who came for blood glucose estimation were tested for blood glucose non-invasively on the InCheck device and then by the laboratory method (glucose oxidase-peroxidase). These two readings were compared. We used International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15197:2013 (95% of values should be within ± 15 mg/dL of reference reading if reference glucose <100 mg/dL or within ± 15% of reference reading if reference glucose ≥100 mg/dL and 99% of the values should be within zones A and B in consensus error grid), and Surveillance Error Grid for analyzing the accuracy.

Results:

A total of 1223 samples were analyzed. There was a significant difference between the reference method glucose level (135 [Q1-Q3: 97 – 179] mg/dL) and monitor-measured glucose level (188.33 [Q1-Q3: 167.33-209.33] mg/dL) (P < 0.0001). A total of 18.5% of readings were following ISO 15197:2013 criteria and 67.25% of coordinates were within zone A and zone B of the consensus error grid. In the surveillance error grid analysis, about 29.4% of values were in the no-risk zone, 51.8% in slight risk, 18.6% in moderate risk, and 0.2% were in the severe risk zone.

Conclusion:

The accuracy of the InCheck device for the estimation of blood glucose by PPG signal is not following the recommended guidelines. Hence, further research is necessary for programming or redesigning the hardware and software for a better result from this optical sensor-based non-invasive home glucose monitor.
Screening of Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes on Anti-Diabetic Agents for Probable Hypoglycaemia Using the Stanford Hypoglycemia Questionnaire (SHQ) in Outpatient Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study from Outpatient Diabetes Care Centres in North India
Authors: Awasthi Rajiv , Pande Arun K. , Chandra Kumar P. , Agarwal Vivek , Gupta Mukulesh , Tewari Ajoy , Gupta Nitin , Chaubey Santosh , Chaudhary Sandeep , Ansari Sajid , Kumar Dinesh
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

The study was aimed at identifying the incidence of unreported probable hypoglycaemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on anti-diabetic medications, using the screening Stanford Hypoglycemia Questionnaire (SHQ) in real-world situations.

Methods:

It was a multicentre cross-sectional study on consecutive individuals attending 10 diabetes care centres in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The inclusion criteria were as follows: known individuals with T2DM, literate, age greater than or equal to 18 years, on at least one anti-diabetic agent for more than a month and not engaged in regular self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

Results:

This study was conducted from August 2017 to April 2018, involving 1198 participants. The mean age of the individuals enrolled was 53.45 years (±10.83), with males comprising 55.3% of the population. It was found that 63.6% of patients were on sulphonylurea (SU), 14.5% were on pioglitazone, 92.2% on metformin, 62.3% on Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP4i) and 12.8% on Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT2i). The mean SHQ score was 1.81 (±1.59). Probable hypoglycaemia was mild in 57.59%, moderate in 14.69% and severe in 1.41%. Those with diabetic neuropathy (P = <0.001), retinopathy (P = <0.001) and nephropathy (P = <0.001) had significantly higher SHQ scores. Insulin or SU use was associated with a significantly higher SHQ score. Concomitant statin use was associated with a lower incidence of mild, moderate and severe hypoglycaemia (P = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, we found that age, sex, systolic blood pressure (SBP), insulin use and fasting blood sugar were the most important factors associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia with an R2 cut-off of 0.7.

Conclusion:

SHQ was discovered to be a simple and cost-effective screening tool for outpatient detection of hypoglycaemia in an Indian setting, and it can add value to management.