bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les signes musicaux et leur étude par l’informatique. Le statut épistémologique du numérique dans l’appréhension du sens et de la signification en musique
Authors: Guillotel-Nothmann Christophe
Published: January 2022

Cet article examine les possibilités apportées par l’informatique pour l’étude d’unités sémiotiques musicales. Il dresse une cartographie des logiciels et projets d’analyse musicale assistée par ordinateur qui ont été réalisés au cours des dernières décennies, étudie différents aspects sémiotiques qui ont trait à la représentation des unités et mène sur ces bases une réflexion sur les enjeux épistémologiques, heuristiques et méthodologiques du numérique dans l’appréhension du sens et de la signification en musique.
Du devenir-parasite. Le corps manga entre posthumanité et horreur corporelle
Authors: Dominguez Leiva Antonio
Published: January 2022

Oeuvre essentielle peu étudiée par la critique, Parasite (Kiseiju), écrit et dessiné par Hitoshi Iwaaki et publié en magazine entre 1988 et 1994, condense de façon particulièrement frappante les enjeux du corps mangaesque tiraillé entre l’horreur corporelle et les heurs et malheurs du devenir-posthumain.
Érotismes du corps augmenté dans la bande dessinée. Le Déclic, Ghost In The Shell, Druuna
Authors: Chateau-Canguilhem Johann
Published: January 2022

Cet article entreprend d’aborder l’aspect érotique du corps augmenté par l’étude de trois bandes dessinées : Le Déclic de Milo Manara, le manga Ghost In The Shell de Masamune Shirow et la série Druuna de Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri, mettant en avant les notions de burlesque, de transformation et d’ero guro.
“Deep” Time in Times of Precarity. Comics and Anthropocene Poetics
Authors: Rommens Aarnoud
Published: January 2022

This essay focuses on comics that show a sensitivity to “deep time” and the conception of our current epoch as the so-called “Anthropocene”. Through comics by Diniz Conefrey, Alberto Breccia and the WREK collective, this text explores how the bodily temporality of reading and drawing stands in productive counterpoint to some of the themes of these comics. These thematic layers are informed by the interpretive horizon of geological time and pose a politics of form to negotiate this contradiction.
Pour une véritable histoire de la vie musicale du parc Sohmer de Montréal (1889-1919)
Authors: Barrière Mireille
Published: January 2022

Fondé en 1889, le parc Sohmer a habité le paysage culturel de Montréal pendant trente ans, mais n’a suscité jusqu’à présent que deux études d’envergure et quelques articles qui ne donnent qu’une idée vague de son activité musicale. On ignore à peu près tout de la nature et de la dimension véritables de son répertoire, de la part occupée par la « bonne musique » et la « musique à danser », les répertoires ancien et contemporain, national et international. S’appuyant sur un corpus encore mince, cet article décrit la méthodologie et les objectifs d’une étude qui permettra à l’auteure de déterminer, une fois la collecte et l’analyse des programmes complétées, le rôle du parc Sohmer dans l’éducation musicale d’une clientèle de classe moyenne qui ne possédait que peu d’instruments pour s’initier sérieusement à la musique. Les résultats fragmentaires exposés ici semblent indiquer que la fréquentation du parc a pu contribuer à « apprivoiser le public » à une musique d’un style plus « relevé » et à l’acheminer vers les concerts ou les spectacles lyriques offerts dans les théâtres conventionnels du centre-ville. Une fois terminée, la recherche devrait donner une image plus achevée de ce qu’un témoin a qualifié de « premier conservatoire du temps ».
Le Montreal Orchestra et la création de la Société des Concerts symphoniques de Montréal (1930 - 1941)
Authors: Flamand Guylaine
Published: January 2022

La petite histoire de la création de l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal dans les années 1930 (appelé alors Société des Concerts symphoniques de Montréal) est des plus fascinantes pour quiconque s’y intéresse. Sa relation avec l’orchestre déjà existant, le Montréal Orchestra et son chef Douglas Clarke nous offre un portrait tant musical que sociologique de deux communautés vivant côte à côte et ayant du mal à se comprendre. L’article se veut un résumé de la thèse de doctorat de l’auteure dans laquelle la formation des deux orchestres est vue en détail ainsi que le conflit qui motiva la mise sur pied des Concerts symphoniques. La dualité linguistique de Montréal est une fois de plus prise à partie.
Mouvance et évolution du champ de la recherche en éducation musicale au Québec
Authors: Dauphin Claude
Published: January 2022

La place de la musique dans l’éducation au Québec est un sujet lancinant. Les sentiments du public oscillent entre la peur de la voir disparaître de la grille matière et l’assurance qu’elle y restera d’une manière ou d’une autre. Où donc s’alimente cette ambivalence ? Peut-être dans le concept même de l’éducation musicale. Dans son article, Claude Dauphin s’efforce de cerner l’objet premier de l’éducation musicale, le distinguant de celui de la formation musicale. L’un s’allie à l’éducation, l’autre connote la préparation des musiciens professionnels. S’attachant à la première acception, l’auteur examine les formes du matériel pédagogique destiné à la musique scolaire. Plus avant, il s’arrête surtout à décrire l’activité des chercheurs dans le domaine de l’éducation musicale : les sujets des mémoires et des thèses dans les universités québécoises, les disciplines associées et le rayonnement des professeurs d’universités qui ont élu comme champ de recherche la musique et l’éducation.
PREMIÈRES EXPÉRIENCES DE LECTURE D’APPLICATIONS LITTÉRAIRES POUR LA JEUNESSE SUR IPAD : LE CHOIX DE DEUX ENSEIGNANTES
Authors: Boutevin Christine
Published: January 2022

Cet article propose une réflexion sur le choix de deux oeuvres littéraires numériques par deux enseignantes dans deux contextes d’enseignement différents. Dans un premier temps, il analyse l’application Imagica et l’ebook L’ours et la lune, retenus par les professeures des écoles, comme appartenant au genre de la littérature numérique. Puis, en s’appuyant sur des entretiens semi-directifs, il étudie la lecture numérique des enseignantes et les raisons qui président à l’introduction des deux oeuvres dans des classes de l’école élémentaire. Ce faisant, il éclaire des lectures numériques empiriques réalisées par des professionnels et des usages didactiques de l’iPad pour l’apprentissage de la lecture et le développement de la culture littéraire.
COURS DE LITTÉRATURE OU COURS DE LITTÉRATURE NUMÉRIQUE ? ÉLÉMENTS DE CADRAGE DISCIPLINAIRE À PARTIR DE PRATIQUES UNIVERSITAIRES
Authors: Petitjean Anne-Marie
Published: January 2022

Pour éclairer le choix qui se pose au professeur de littérature entre un cours dédié au numérique et un cours intégrant le numérique comme un des paramètres de son enseignement, l’étude propose trois approches successives : par les objets d’enseignement, par les usages en formation, par le recueil de représentations.

Si l’intégration d’oeuvres numériques au cours de littérature s’envisage aisément dans une perspective d’histoire littéraire aussi bien que dans celle d’une lecture analytique (Bootz, 2019; Dall’Armellina, 2015; Petitjean et Brunel, 2018), le regard porté sur des expériences menées en formation amène à percevoir beaucoup plus radicalement les perturbations engendrées par le numérique sur les repères distinctifs de l’oeuvre, de la littérarité ou de l’auteur singulier (Bouchardon, 2014; Gefen, 2012; Saemmer, 2018). Le déplacement de l’attention vers l’intérieur des processus de création, favorisé par les usages de la production numérique et renvoyant à un principe d’apprentissage littéraire par l’expérimentation (Dewey, 1934), sollicite le déploiement d’une armature didactique qui n’ignore pas les spécificités de l’écriture sur écran (Lacelle et al., 2017; Petitjean et al., 2017). Pour documenter ce troisième plan, deux enquêtes ont été menées en parallèle auprès d’enseignants (75 répondants) et auprès d’écrivains et apprentis écrivains (90 répondants). Leur analyse comparée met en évidence un certain nombre de clivages entre les représentations et les pratiques effectives, mais également une appétence des enseignants pour une meilleure connaissance des mutations des pratiques rédactionnelles des écrivains.

L’étude est menée avec le concours du groupe de recherche « Écriture créative en formations : enjeux épistémologiques et méthodologies de recherche » de l’Initiative d’excellence Paris Seine.
Constructing and Negotiating Chinese Cultural Identity in Diaspora Through Music and Martial Arts
Authors: McGuire Colin
Published: January 2022

The Hong Luck Kung Fu Club has been a fixture of Toronto’s Chinatown for over fifty years. Its curriculum includes not only self-defence skills, but also percussion music for accompanying martial arts demonstrations and lion dancing. Hong Luck’s blurred genre is a tool for preserving, transmitting, and promoting culture. At the same time, practitioners negotiate their identities in diverse ways. I thus interpret kung fu as a flexible, embodied practice whose purview extends beyond physical combat. Based on fieldwork at Hong Luck, this article uses cognitive semantics and phenomenology to demonstrate that kung fu, lion dance, and percussion help (re)construct Chinese identities emergently and strategically.
Des orgues et des hommes à Québec sous le Régime français : sur la piste du premier facteur d’orgue du Canada
Authors: Dubois Paul-André
Published: January 2022

Écrit sous forme d’enquête policière, cet article se penche sur une affirmation émise par le premier biographe de Mgr de Laval (1623–1708) voulant qu’un ecclésiastique, dont il tait le nom, ait fabriqué des orgues de bois pour les églises de la ville de Québec et de ses environs. L’auteur de cet article formule ici une hypothèse de recherche sur l’identité et la vie de ce premier facteur d’orgue canadien en s’appuyant sur un faisceau d’indices trouvés dans les archives relatives à l’époque de la Nouvelle-France. In fine, cet article se veut une réflexion sur le contexte culturel qui prévaut à Québec au tournant du XVIIIe siècle et une invitation faite aux chercheurs à poursuivre cette investigation qui relance le débat sur la genèse de la facture d’orgue au Canada.
Spectacle(s) du monde
Authors: Paquet Suzanne
Published: January 2022

Les cartes comptent parmi ces représentations qui ont contribué à faire connaître le monde et, surtout, à en façonner une image. Jamais neutres, elles véhiculent des idéologies, des visions commandées du monde. Par les cartes, par le choix de leur contenu ou de ce qui en occupe le centre, de même que par leurs styles graphiques et leurs ornements, se sont établis de curieux rapports entre politique, science, éducation, art et spectacle.
Au-delà du signifiant imaginaire : repenser l’inscription du fantasme au cinéma
Authors: Willis Louis-Paul
Published: January 2022

Le rapport entre la théorie du cinéma et la psychanalyse demeure trouble, tant sur le plan conceptuel qu’épistémologique, et ce, depuis les toutes premières études psychanalytiques du cinéma. Ce rapport se trouve complexifié par des avancées distinctes dans les cercles savants francophones et anglophones. Voulant faire le pont entre les réflexions françaises et anglo-saxonnes, cet article se propose de relire les fondements de l’ouvrage Le signifiant imaginaire en articulant les enjeux soulevés par Christian Metz aux relectures lacaniennes offertes par des penseurs contemporains tels que Joan Copjec, Todd McGowan, Elizabeth Cowie et Slavoj Žižek – des penseurs qui prennent acte de certaines lacunes largement présentes dans la théorie des années 1970. Il en ressort une réflexion voulant repenser le régime de signification opérant au cinéma, puisqu’à l’époque de Metz, certains concepts lacaniens (le fantasme, le désir, l’objet a, le Réel) demeuraient absents des discours théoriques en études cinématographiques. Il s’agira donc de redéfinir le désir spectatoriel en l’articulant à une « réelle » pensée lacanienne, le tout afin de resituer la place du signifiant cinématographique en le liant au rôle du fantasme. De nature avant tout programmatique, cet article ne consolidera pas son propos par le biais d’analyses filmiques, mais s’attardera plutôt à des enjeux théoriques afin de plaider pour l’approche mise de l’avant par l’américain Todd McGowan dans l’ouvrage The Real Gaze. Si le fantasme joue un rôle central dans l’articulation du désir spectatoriel, il nous appartiendra de voir comment ce rôle se rapporte au regard, au Réel et au fameux signifiant cinématographique.
Fictions du numérique. Représentations d’Internet et des réseaux sociaux dans le roman contemporain
Authors: David Sylvain , Marcotte Sophie , Trahan Michaël
Published: January 2022

Les articles réunis dans ce dossier étudient les manières dont le roman contemporain intègre à sa trame des éléments de culture numérique tels les courriels, les messages textes, les entrées de réseaux sociaux ou les données (textuelles, iconographiques, statistiques) de moteurs de recherche. Le phénomène est abordé à la fois d’un point de vue thématique, comme représentation critique de mutations sociales en cours, et d’un point de vue formel, comme facteur contribuant à une reconfiguration des codes narratifs.
La jurisprudence de droit linguistique à la Cour suprême du Canada sous le règne Harper : comment expliquer le changement de paradigme?
Authors: Chouinard Stéphanie
Published: January 2022

Cet article teste l’hypothèse à savoir si les décisions en matière de droit linguistique à la Cour suprême du Canada, moins généreuses envers les minorités linguistiques depuis le début des années 2000, sont liées à l’arrivée au pouvoir du gouvernement conservateur de Stephen Harper, gouvernement généralement plus réfractaire à une application libérale de laCharte canadienne des droits et libertés. Par l’entremise de l’analyse de trois variables, soit le soutien du gouvernement Harper envers les langues officielles, le pouvoir prédictif du parti politique sur l’idéologie des juges au Canada, et les nombreux revers du gouvernement Harper à la Cour suprême dans d’autres litiges touchant laCharte, l’article argumentera qu’on ne peut pas inférer une telle influence du gouvernement Harper sur les décisions de la CSC dans le domaine du droit linguistique.
Les dynamiques linguistiques de l’espace francophone de la capitale à l’aune de l’immigration
Authors: Gilbert Anne , Ray Brian
Published: January 2022

L’arrivée de milliers d’immigrants qui n’ont ni le français ni l’anglais comme langue maternelle depuis les années 1990 n’est pas restée sans effet sur la géographie des langues dans la région de la capitale nationale. Comment le français a-t-il évolué dans la région d’Ottawa-Gatineau en leur présence? Jusqu’à quel point l’équilibre fragile qui s’y était construit entre le français et l’anglais au fil du temps a-t-il été affecté par leur poids grandissant? C’est à ces questions que cet article cherche à répondre, en s’appuyant sur l’analyse des transformations de l’espace du français, langue maternelle, au cours des 25 dernières années dans la région. Nous nous intéressons aussi aux possibilités nouvelles offertes par le territoire à la rencontre entre francophones et allophones, et à la capacité de la communauté francophone d’intégrer ultimement une partie de ces derniers. Les résultats présentés augurent d’un avenir plutôt sombre du français, surtout du côté ontarien de la frontière.
Le débat sur la gestion scolaire et sa dimension religieuse en Ontario français : une communauté divisée (1980-1998)
Authors: Gourgon Danika
Published: January 2022

Cet article fait l’étude du débat sur les enjeux religieux de la gestion scolaire au sein du milieu associatif franco-ontarien. Ce débat montre la persistance, du moins dans certains milieux, du rôle structurant du référent religieux dans l’institutionnalisation de la francophonie ontarienne après le désengagement public de l’Église et les bouleversements idéologiques de la Révolution tranquille. Ce phénomène a été largement négligé par l’historiographie. Dans les années 1980, l’espace public de la collectivité franco-ontarienne est de plus en plus caractérisé par un pluralisme idéologique, culturel et religieux qui ne conduit pas, néanmoins, à évacuer le catholicisme de la conscience identitaire d’une partie substantielle de la population francophone de la province. Dans ses revendications pour obtenir le contrôle de ses institutions scolaires, le réseau associatif réclame ainsi un double réseau de conseils scolaires de langue française, catholiques et publics, à la grandeur de la province, qu’il obtient finalement en 1998.
Understanding Union Commitment Among Young Workers: A Cross-Theoretical Perspective
Authors: Hennebert Marc-Antonin , Fortin-Bergeron Chloe , Doucet Olivier
Published: January 2022

This study aims to shed light on the main determinants of and barriers to union commitment among young workers and, more generally, the relationship young workers have with union life. So far, the relationship between young workers and unionism has been examined mainly in terms of the challenges of access to unionization that confront young workers, a group generally underrepresented in union membership. The more specific issue of union commitment among young workers, once they become unionized, has remained largely underexplored in the literature. Using quantitative and qualitative data from an empirical survey of young unionized workers in the Quebec public service, our study identifies and compares the main factors that explain union commitment among young unionized workers and the theoretical underpinnings. It also seeks to shed light on the barriers to this commitment and identifies the organizational measures that could facilitate union commitment among young workers, based on the perceptions expressed by young union members. Our findings indicate that unions should adopt multidimensional organizational measures to foster union commitment among young workers, with a first step being to increase personalized contact between local union representatives and young members. Such investments at the local level are critical, as shown by our quantitative and qualitative findings. Thus, any reform or measure aimed at encouraging union involvement of young workers should not be limited merely to structural aspects but should also take into account the attitudinal and relational underpinnings of young workers’ commitment to their union. By shifting the focus from youth unionization to young members’ involvement in union bodies, our study will contribute to debate about union representation and the generational renewal of the labour movement’s activist base.
Workload, workplace violence and harassment, and well-being of personal support workers in home and community care
Authors: Sayin Firat K. , Denton Margaret , Brookman Catherine , Davies Sharon , Zeytinoglu Isik U.
Published: January 2022

Demand for home and community care services has continuously increased in Canada and elsewhere in the last few decades due to aging of the population and healthcare policy changes shaped by budgetary limitations. As a result, home and community care organizations are having trouble hiring adequate numbers of healthcare workers to meet the escalating demand, the result being increased workload on these workers. Another stream of literature has shown that care recipients and their family members, frustrated with the limited ability of healthcare workers to provide adequate care because of increased workload, might resort to violence and harassment. Bringing these two streams of literature together, we examined the relationships among three variables : workload ; workplace violence and harassment ; and well-being of personal support workers (PSWs).

Using structural equation modeling, we analyzed a 2015 Ontario-wide survey of 1,347 PSWs employed in the home and community care sector. The results indicate that workload is negatively associated with extrinsic and intrinsic job satisfaction, and this relationship is mediated by violence and harassment and by stress. Specifically, workload is positively associated with violence and harassment at work, which in turn is positively associated with stress, which in turn is negatively associated with extrinsic and intrinsic job satisfaction.

Our study contributes to the literature by examining the impact of a work environment factor, workload, on the well-being of PSWs. This approach makes it possible to expand the current literature’s focus on psychological processes at the individual level to a more contextual approach. Furthermore, the results have important implications for home and community care organizations as well as for the healthcare sector in general. The well-being of PSWs is critical to retaining them and to ensuring the quality of care they provide their clients. Thus, their workload should be lowered to a more manageable level to help minimize the violence and harassment they experience.
Lichen aureus induced by an insect bite
Authors: Bahashwan Emad
Published: January 2022

Lichen aureus is an uncommon variant of pigmented purpura and presents itself with a chronic and benign course. Clinically, lichen aureus cases are asymptomatic and are found in the lower limbs, presenting themselves as erythematous, brownish or golden macules and/or papules. Its diagnosis is based on clinical and histopathological findings. The prognosis of lichen aureus is generally good. A 34-year-old Filipino male presented himself with a single itchy skin lesion on the right leg present for three months. The lesion started as a small, round, reddish to brownish area and then increased in size over time. A history of an insect bite on the same site was reported. An examination revealed a single annular, golden to brownish macule on the right leg. Based on this clinical and histopathological feature, the skin lesion was diagnosed as lichen aureus. The comprehension of the pathogenesis of lichen aureus is essential for knowing its risk factors.
A new case of scalp angiosarcoma revealed by eyelid edema
Authors: Mouradi Maha , Elfatoiki Fatima Zahra , Hali Fouzia , Mernissi Farida , Moukhlis Sara , Chiheb Soumiya
Published: January 2022

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive neoplasm with poor prognosis. Owing to its variable presentation, it may be a challenging clinical and histological diagnosis. Herein, we describe a particular case of cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head and neck in a 71-year-old male with skin type V who presented with solid, progressive eyelid edema. A histological examination of skin biopsies first concluded cutaneous metastasis of an undifferentiated carcinomatous tumor. Immunostaining was essential to reach the correct diagnosis. The treatment of cutaneous angiosarcoma remains unsatisfactory. We sincerely hope that the prognosis of cutaneous angiosarcoma will be improved with the use of targeted therapies based on current genetic studies as it has been for melanoma.
Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in adult moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: An update narrative literature review
Authors: Kreouzi Magdalini , Theodorakis Nikolaos , Prokopiou Ekatherine , Thomaidou Elena
Published: January 2022

Background: Adult atopic dermatitis (AD) is defined as a continuum of childhood AD or the development of the disease in adulthood, accounting for 7.7–59.7% of adult AD cases varying in severity and manifestations. The symptomatology of moderate-to-severe adult AD may significantly impact the overall health and quality of life of the patient. The “classic” topical treatments used in mild-to-moderate cases, such as emollients and topical corticosteroids, are usually not adequate to control the symptoms of most of the patients with moderate-to-severe disease. For many years these patients were managed with systemic corticosteroids and immunomodulators, leading to substantial side effects with questionable efficacy. The introduction of dupilumab, the first biologic agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in adult moderate-to-severe AD, has commenced a new era in the management of AD. This narrative literature review addresses the question of how patients with moderate-to-severe AD may achieve a recession or improvement in the overall progression of the disease with the use of dupilumab in both an efficient and safe way. Material and Methods: A search in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was conducted using the following combination of MeSH terms: “dupilumab” AND “atopic” (“dermatitis” OR “eczema”). The searches were limited to RCTs written in the English language published before January 25, 2021. The literature used included phase II and III RCTs examining the efficacy and/or safety of dupilumab compared to placebo or other treatments in adults with moderate-to-severe AD. Moderate-to-severe AD was defined by an IGA score of 3 (moderate) or 4 (severe) and EASI 16 or higher at screening and baseline. Additionally, we searched the website clinicaltrials.gov for any unpublished or ongoing RCTs. The search was done independently by two authors in all databases and followed by the exclusion of duplicates. Results: Upon reviewing all randomized controlled trials, dupilumab was found to be an effective and safe option for managing adult moderate-to-severe AD with long-term therapeutic effects. Conclusion: The best results for maintaining long-term disease recession were achieved with the combination of dupilumab and topical corticosteroids.
Task shifting in dermatology: Are nurses prepared and willing?
Authors: Kavita Kavita , Mehta Hitaishi , Ghai Sandhya , Garg Aarti , Narang Tarun
Published: January 2022

Background: The high burden of skin diseases and the shortage of dermatologists are significant challenges in providing care to millions of people with skin diseases. Task shifting to nurses is a viable option for the delivery of dermatologic care in resource-poor settings. Satisfactory knowledge and a positive attitude are crucial for nurses to undertake the task of managing common skin diseases. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of registered nurses and their attitude toward common skin conditions. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, a total of 187 nurses were included from a nurses training institute by total enumeration sampling. A knowledge questionnaire and five-point Likert type-attitude scale were developed, validated, and employed to collect data. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants after approval from the institute ethics committee. Results: The mean of the knowledge scores were 10.7 ± 2.2. Nearly two thirds (62%) of the subjects demonstrated a low level of knowledge, while the remaining 38% showed a moderate level. There was no participant in the high-knowledge category. A majority of the nurses demonstrated a favorable attitude toward learning and undertaking the task of managing common skin conditions. Conclusion: We observed a low level of knowledge on diagnosing and managing common skin conditions. We recommend incorporating the relevant concepts of common skin conditions in the nursing curriculum with an emphasis on continuing education.
Strengthening Experiential Learning: Innovative Virtual Engagement Strategies of Community Education Organizations
Authors: Ayers Rachael E. , Laursen Erik K.
Published: January 2022

This study focused on the impact of COVID-19 on K-12 access to community education organizations such as museums, theaters, and art studios. Participants from five community education organizations were interviewed to explore and understand their experiences of developing and promoting virtual resources. While each organization responded differently, three approaches for adaptation and innovation were critical: existing virtual presence, collaboration, and responding to e-learning fatigue. Organizations found that the leveraging of technology in the short term may enhance K-12 access to their resources in the future.
Golden Syrian hamster as a model to study cardiovascular complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Rizvi Zaigham Abbas , Dalal Rajdeep , Sadhu Srikanth , Binayke Akshay , Dandotiya Jyotsna , Kumar Yashwant , Shrivastava Tripti , Gupta Sonu Kumar , Aggarwal Suruchi , Tripathy Manas Ranjan , Rathore Deepak Kumar , Yadav Amit Kumar , Medigeshi Guruprasad R , Pandey Amit Kumar , Samal Sweety , Asthana Shailendra , Awasthi Amit
Published: January 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the Golden Syrian hamster causes lung pathology that resembles human coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, extrapulmonary pathologies associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-COVID sequelae remain to be understood. Here, we show, using a hamster model, that the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to an acute inflammatory response and lung pathologies, while the late phase of infection causes cardiovascular complications (CVCs) characterized by ventricular wall thickening associated with increased ventricular mass/body mass ratio and interstitial coronary fibrosis. Molecular profiling further substantiated our findings of CVC as SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters showed elevated levels of serum cardiac troponin I, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and long-chain fatty acid triglycerides. Serum metabolomics profiling of SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters identified N-acetylneuraminate, a functional metabolite found to be associated with CVC, as a metabolic marker was found to be common between SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters and COVID-19 patients. Together, we propose hamsters as a suitable animal model to study post-COVID sequelae associated with CVC, which could be extended to therapeutic interventions.
Armenian Amulets from the Collection of Armenian Orthodox Diocese in Baghdad
Authors:   Matenadaran Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, Sargsyan Lusine , Ghazaryan Davit ,   Matenadaran Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts,   Yerevan State University
Published: January 2022

This study is dedicated to the Armenian manuscript and printed Amulet1 of the Armenian Diocese of Baghdad (DAOB). In this collection of early printings, there are two printed Amulets in scroll (Pr. n. 14, second half of the 19th century and Pr. n. 15, A.D. 1716). The third Amulet is a manuscript written in 1736 in the city of Erzrum (Karin) for a certain Ohan (Ms. n. 13). The scanned copies of these amulets are currently available through the website of Hill Museum and Manuscript Library (HMML).2 Since this paper is the first study of these amulets, it presents them in terms of codicology and bibliographical study and discusses their decoration. The study of some iconographic details will help to reveal the practice of using amulets and their meaning, considering them as a representation of Armenian “folklore-art”, since scribes and miniaturists were partly free to choose texts and decorate them, even they were mostly works of the priesthood.3 It should be noted that as artifacts of the same genre, having a purpose of protection of their owners using incantations and prayers, very often the content and decoration of these three Amulets have similarities. From this point of view, Ms. n. 13 (A.D. 1736) and Pr. n. 15 (A.D. 1716) are more relevant to each other both in content and, accordingly, in decoration. A selection of prayers and illustrations to them show almost the same structure, and for the printed Amulet, we can certainly argue that such structure was typical (but not limited) for the printed Amulets in the Armenian tradition from the 18th to 19th centuries. Despite some similarities with two previous Amulets, the Pr. n. 14 (19th century) represent another structure of content and its decoration. It is enriched with prayers and illustrations which does not exist in mentioned above two examples of the 18th century. E.g. engravings depicting the life of Christ (Annunciation, Birth of Jesus Christ, Baptism, Resurrection, etc.), or portraits of the evangelists, accompanied by the passages from their Gospels. Our research shows that the publishers of this Amulet had an eighteenth-century prototype and took an innovative approach using Western art engravings.
The Historiolae in Belarusian Incantations
Authors:   Research Centre of Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Valodzina Tatsiana
Published: January 2022

The article deals with one of the most popular techniques in Belarusian magical medicine — the so-called historiolae, the essence of which is to recall precedent situations. This implies that the “disequilibrium of being, which has arisen in human life at the present moment (e.g. a disease), is restored according to a sacred pattern that took place in the past”. The texts declare connections between different levels of the worlds, past and present, but to the same extent between the microcosm and the macrocosm, erasing all distinctions between the real and the supernatural worlds. The present time of these charms prevents the transfer of the patient and the healer to ancient times of the myths. Instead, it is the sacred world that spreads around the requester. The most common form of such charms includes a narrative that relates certain events in Christian history, primarily describing the life of Christ or of one of the saints. A particular place among the narrative manifestations of historiolae is occupied by references to the Passion of Christ. These narratives, in turn, possess powerful life-affirming and healing potential. It is not the logical correspondence of a specific comparison in an incantation that is central, but the very desire to place the situation of treatment in an appropriate context. A number of texts from the author’s field records and archival materials are introduced here into scholarly circulation.
Biochemical profile in mixed martial arts athletes
Authors: Tota Łukasz Marcin , Wiecha Szczepan Stanisław
Published: January 2022

The study aimed to evaluate changes in selected biochemical indicators among mixed martial arts competitors in subsequent periods of the training cycle. The research involved 12 mixed martial arts athletes aged 25.8 ± 4.2 years competing in the intermediate category. Selected somatic indicators were measured twice. Biochemical indicators were assessed five times during the 14-week study period. Serum concentrations of testosterone, cortisol, uric acid, myoglobin, total protein, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor, as well as creatine kinase activity were determined. One hour after sparring completion, there were significant increases in cortisol (by 54.9%), uric acid (22.0%), myoglobin (565.0%), and interleukin 6 (280.3%) as compared with the values before the simulated fight. The highest creatine kinase activity (893.83 ± 139.31 U/l), as well as tumor necrosis factor (3.93 ± 0.71 pg/ml) and testosterone (5.83 ± 0.81 ng/ml) concentrations (p = 0.00) were recorded 24 hours after the simulation. Systematic observation of selected blood biochemical indicators in the training process periodization in mixed martial arts helps understand adaptive, compensatory, and regenerative mechanisms occurring in training athletes.
Medical cannabis use in Thailand after its legalization: a respondent-driven sample survey
Authors: Assanangkornchai Sawitri , Thaikla Kanittha , Talek Muhammadfahmee , Saingam Darika
Published: January 2022

Background

Many countries now allow the consumption of cannabis or cannabinoids for medical purposes with varying approaches concerning products allowed and the regulatory frameworks prevailing their endowment. On 18 February 2019 Thailand passed legislation allowing the use of cannabis for medical purposes. This study aimed to examine patterns and purposes for consumption of medical cannabis, and consumers’ perceptions and opinions towards benefits and harms of cannabis and related policies in 2019–2020.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method was conducted in four sites across Thailand. Participants were 485 adults aged 18 years and over, living in the study region, who had used cannabis for medical purposes within the past 12 months. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were used to collect data on (1) demographic characteristics, (2) pattern of consumption, (3) source of information and perception of benefits and harms of medical cannabis, and (4) opinion towards cannabis policies. Data were analyzed using RDS Analyst and presented as percentage and mean with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Most participants (84.7%, 95% CI [78.9–90.5]) used an oral form of crude oil extract while 9.2% (95% CI [4.1–14.2]) used the raw form. The most common uses were for treatment of cancers (23.3%, 95% CI [16.1–30.4]), neuropsychiatric symptoms (22.8%, 95% CI [17.5–28.0]), and musculoskeletal pains (21.6%, 95% CI [16.7–26.6]). Illegal sources such as underground traders (54.5%, 95% CI [40.8–68.3]), friends and relatives (12.2%, 95% CI [6.2–18.3]), not-for-profit provider groups (5.2%, 95% CI [0.5–10.9]), and clandestine growers or producers (2.9%, 95% CI [0.6–5.3]) were the main suppliers. Most (>80%) perceived cannabis could treat cancers, chronic pains, insomnia, Parkinson’s disease and generalized anxiety disorder. Less than half perceived that cannabis could cause adverse conditions e.g., palpitation, panic, memory impairment and schizophrenic-like psychosis. Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the policies regarding permission to use cannabis for medical purposes (95.1%, 95% CI [92.0–98.2]), for the legal sale of medical cannabis products (95.9%, 95% CI [93.7–98.2]), and for people to grow cannabis for medical use (94.2%, 95% CI [91.8–96.5]). However, only two-thirds agreed with policies concerning the sales of cannabis (65.3%, 95% CI [56.9–73.7]) and home-grown cannabis for recreational purposes (61.3%, 95% CI [52.7–69.9]).

Conclusion

Our study reports the experiences of consumers of medical cannabis in the first year after its legalization in Thailand. Consumers reported various patterns and indications of consumption that were not supported by scientific evidence, but had positive perception of the results of consumption. These findings highlight ongoing policy challenges for Thailand and can be a lesson to be learned for other countries in the region.
Protective Effect of Ipomoea biloba on Myocardial Antioxidant Status in Isoproterenol Induced Myocardial Infarction Male Albino Rats
Authors: Vallipriya R. , Begum M. Shabana
Published: January 2022

The protective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Ipomoea biloba in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiotoxicity and the antioxidant activity involved in this protection were investigated in rats. Myocardial infraction was produced in rats with 20 mg/kg b.wt of ISO administered subcutaneously twice at an interval of 24 h. Effect of EEIB oral treatment for 28 days at two doses (100 mg and 200 mg/kg body weight) was evaluated against ISO – induced cardiac necrosis. Level of enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GPx and GST), non-enzymatic (GSH, Vitamin C and E) and of membrane bound ATPases (Na+K+ATPase, Mg2+ATPase and Ca2+ATPase) were assayed in heart homogenate. Significant myocardial infarction, depletion of endogenous antioxidants enzymatic and non-enzymatic were observed in ISO-treated animals when compared with the normal animals. Rats induced with ISO, showed a significant (P<0.05), decrease in the activities of GSH, Vitamin C and Eon comparison with normal rats.   EEIB elicited a significant cardioprotective activity by elevated the levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx and GR. A significant decrease in the activity of Na+/K+ ATPase and a corresponding increase in the activities of Ca2+ ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase were observed in isoproterenol induced rats when compared to normal control rats. Pretreatment with EEIB was able to efficiently prevent the increase in activity of Mg2+ ATPase and maintain the activities of Na+ /K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase at near normality. There is no significant difference between the control and plant alone treated rats. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the antioxidant effects on the main cardioprotective activity of ethanolic leaf extract Ipomoea biloba.
Statistical Analysis of Flow Parameters for the Graphical Simulation Outputs
Authors: Silva J. W. E. W. De , Abeysundara S. P.
Published: January 2022

System dynamics simulation software, in general, depicts graphical interpretations. The values of the parameters, on the other hand, are required for prediction. The goal of this research is to develop a novel multivariate model that can predict flow parameters while simulating flow under various scenarios. The project involves looking for variations in the streamline and constructing a new multivariate model for each elliptic cylinder system's velocity magnitude. Furthermore, the flow zones were split into three groups based on streamline behavior. As a result, utilizing simulation outputs, new models for flow zones are developed using linear and semiparametric regression. The best fitted model for each flow region was determined using mean square error (MSE), root of mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Based on the fitted smoothing curve of the velocity magnitude, a summary statistic and variability may be assessed. The presented models can be used to predict magnitude in any point of fluid flow using these models.
Geoscience Assessment of Declined Production Rate and Recovery from a Reservoir in “ANDA” Field, Onshore Southwestern Niger Delta
Authors: I. E. Udoinyang, , Akpan Ekere, Udo , N. J. George,
Published: January 2022

Declined production rates in wells producing from common reservoirs are enigmatic and generally viewed as phenomenal in some fields worldwide. The challenge posed by such discordant production trends forecloses the preponderance of totally and partially abandoned production, especially in aging fields. This study assesses possible factors associated with varying well production trends from a common reservoir in a field in the onshore western Niger Delta, by integrating multi-geoscience parameters including formation evaluation, 3D quantitative seismic analyses, paleoenvironmental diagnoses, paleobathymetric studies, and reservoir petrophysics to unravel the complexity of the reservoir. Composite well logs were collected from five wells selected for the study. Gamma-ray and SP logs were combined to delineate the depositional environment of "Heri sand" based on Schlumberger's (1985) log motif classification. The results were applied and found useful to develop an optimum recovery production plan for the study field.  It has been revealed from this study that declined production performances of the Heri sand reservoir are attributed to the deposition of the reservoir in three distinct paleoenvironments under different bathymetric settings within a coeval period. These factors constitute strong influences on the petrophysics of the reservoir which invariably influences’ the production performance of the reservoir.   Having realized the cause of the declined rate of the reservoir in the Anda field, the reservoir can be revitalized by well injection and fracturing.
Erectogenic Effect of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Extract in Normal and 5-Fluorouracil induced Oxidative Stressed Adult Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Akintemi O. Abimbola , Babalola R. O. , Babatunde S. O.
Published: January 2022

This study determined the effect of oral administration of aqueous extract from Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) extract (TVE) on the antioxidant status and activity of some penile function enzymes (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), adenosine diaminase (ADA), and arginase) activity in normal and 5- Fluorouracil- induced oxidative stressed rats. Sixty adult Wister rats (210-225)g were divided into ten (10) groups (n=6): Group 1: received oral administration  of normal saline (NC), Group 2: received 100 mg/kg of thyme extract orally (TE 100 mg/kg), Group 3: received 200 mg/kg of thyme extract orally (TE 200 mg/kg), rats in group four were treated with 400 mg/kg of thyme extract orally (TE 400 mg/kg), Those in group 5: received 25 mg/kg of Vitamin C orally, while group 6 to 10 were induced with 150 mg/kg of 5-Fluorouracil solution (5-FLU, i.p), but group 7-10 were treated 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and Vitamin C (25mg/kg), respectively. After fourteen (14) days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed and the penile tissue was carefully isolated and prepared into homogenate, which was used for antioxidant and enzymes biochemical analysis. The result revealed that i.p induction of 5-FLU caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde level, as well as AChE, ADA, PDE-5 and arginase activities wth concomitant decrease in thiol level when compared to control rats. However, the administration of TVE was found to reverse the effect of 5-FLU. The TVE was also found the reduced MDA level and all the enzyme activities, but boosted the thiol level in the normal rats when compared to control rats. Interestingly the effect of the TVE was found dose-dependently, and 400 mg/kg TVE was found to be more potent among all the doses used in both normal and 5-FLU-induced oxidative stress rats.
Evaluation of Nephroprotective Activity of Laportea interrupta Leaf Extract in Experimental Animals
Authors: Shetty Puneeth Kumar , Khandige Prasanna Shama
Published: January 2022

Laportea interrupta also called as Hen’s Nettle is a primitive plant that is known for its property of causing itch after its touch. This plant has been found useful in treating pre maternal health, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory action. Previously conducted scientific studies revealed that it is having potential of anti- microbial activity. It has also been proved to have anti-oxidant property as it contains flavonoid contents especially rutin and gallic acid. Extraction of the plant phyto constituent was by maceration process. Healthy Albino rats of wistar strain of 150 to 250 gm were used as experimental animal. Gentamicin induced renal injury and Paracetamol induced nephrotoxicity are the two methodologies followed in this experiment to induce toxicity in rats and then it is followed by ethanolic extract of the plant of low, mid and high dose. Biochemical analysis, Histopathological studies and statistical studies are also performed. There was significant decrease in the gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Observation of change in body weight serum creatinine, serum albumin and serum protein were assessed for kidney function test. Histological and pathological study of kidney tissue was observed to identify the changes in the degree of cellular damage and healing effects in this research work.