bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Let’s Talk: Face-to-Face Interaction Now
Authors: Reades Jonathan , Crookston Martin
Published: September 2021

We look at how Chapter 5’s ‘people ideas’ play out in practice; it is about real people talking about real jobs. Respondents described their interactions, how much was internal or external, the frequency and nature of contacts, and how much their social and work lives interpenetrated. Strongly evident in the responses is the role of different technologies in displacing face-to-face in specific contexts and settings. The trade-offs between on- and off-line encounters emerged, as did what that means for how firms conduct business and choose where to locate. A section titled Was This the Future? reports on a follow-up survey of our original interviewees in the midst of a global pandemic that tested our assumptions and arguments. With lockdowns, ‘social distancing’ and working from home as people’s ‘new normal’, was this the moment to discover that F2F wasn’t quite so important after all? The section reports both on immediate effects in their sectors, and their views on the likely longer-term impacts on how business would be done.
Leveraging vibration of effects analysis for robust discovery in observational biomedical data science
Authors: Tierney Braden T. , Anderson Elizabeth , Tan Yingxuan , Claypool Kajal , Tangirala Sivateja , Kostic Aleksandar D. , Manrai Arjun K. , Patel Chirag J.
Published: September 2021

Hypothesis generation in observational, biomedical data science often starts with computing an association or identifying the statistical relationship between a dependent and an independent variable. However, the outcome of this process depends fundamentally on modeling strategy, with differing strategies generating what can be called “vibration of effects” (VoE). VoE is defined by variation in associations that often lead to contradictory results. Here, we present a computational tool capable of modeling VoE in biomedical data by fitting millions of different models and comparing their output. We execute a VoE analysis on a series of widely reported associations (e.g., carrot intake associated with eyesight) with an extended additional focus on lifestyle exposures (e.g., physical activity) and components of the Framingham Risk Score for cardiovascular health (e.g., blood pressure). We leveraged our tool for potential confounder identification, investigating what adjusting variables are responsible for conflicting models. We propose modeling VoE as a critical step in navigating discovery in observational data, discerning robust associations, and cataloging adjusting variables that impact model output.
Prevalence and incidence of young onset dementia and associations with comorbidities: A study of data from the French national health data system
Authors: Carcaillon-Bentata Laure , Quintin Cécile , Boussac-Zarebska Marjorie , Elbaz Alexis
Published: September 2021

Background

Dementia onset in those aged <65 years (young onset dementia, YOD) has dramatic individual and societal consequences. In the context of population aging, data on YOD are of major importance to anticipate needs for planning and allocation of health and social resources. Few studies have provided precise frequency estimates of YOD. The aim of this study is to provide YOD prevalence and incidence estimates in France and to study the contribution of comorbidities to YOD incidence.

Methods and findings

Using data from the French national health data system (Système National des Données de Santé, SNDS) for 76% of the French population aged 40 to 64 years in 2016 (n = 16,665,795), we identified all persons with dementia based on at least 1 of 3 criteria: anti-Alzheimer drugs claims, hospitalization with the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision (ICD-10) dementia codes (F00 to F03, G30, G31.0, G31.1, or F05.1), or registration for free healthcare for dementia. We estimated prevalence rate (PR) and incidence rate (IR) and estimated the association of comorbidities with incident YOD. Sex differences were investigated. We identified 18,466 (PRstandardized = 109.7/100,000) and 4,074 incident (IRstandardized = 24.4/100,000 person-years) persons with prevalent and incident YOD, respectively. PR and IR sharply increased with age. Age-adjusted PR and IR were 33% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 29 to 37) and 39% (95% CI = 31 to 48) higher in men than women (p < 0.001 both for PR and IR). Cardio- and cerebrovascular, neurological, psychiatric diseases, and traumatic brain injury prevalence were associated with incident YOD (age- and sex-adjusted p-values <0.001 for all comorbidities examined, except p = 0.109 for antihypertensive drug therapy). Adjustment for all comorbidities explained more than 55% of the sex difference in YOD incidence. The lack of information regarding dementia subtypes is the main limitation of this study.

Conclusions

We estimated that there were approximately 24,000 and approximately 5,300 persons with prevalent and incident YOD, respectively, in France in 2016. The higher YOD frequency in men may be partly explained by higher prevalence of cardiovascular and neurovascular diseases, substance abuse disorders, and traumatic brain injury and warrants further investigation.
Dengue and Chikungunya virus co-infection in major metropolitan cities of provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A multi-center study
Authors: Raza Faiz Ahmed , Javed Hasnain , Khan Muhammad Mujeeb , Ullah Obaid , Fatima Areeba , Zaheer Muhammad , Mohsin Saima , Hasnain Shahida , Khalid Ruqyya , Salam Arslan Ahmed
Published: September 2021

Dengue has become endemic in Pakistan with annual recurrence. A sudden increase in the dengue cases was reported from Rawalpindi in 2016, while an outbreak occurred for the first time in Peshawar in 2017. Therefore, a multi-center study was carried out to determine the circulating dengue virus (DENV) serotypes and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) co-infection in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar cities in 2016–18. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Lahore and Rawalpindi in 2016–18, while a community-based study was carried out in Peshawar in 2017. The study participants were tested for dengue NS1 antigen using an immunochromatographic device while anti-dengue IgM/IgG antibodies were detected by indirect ELISA. All NS1 positive samples were used for DENV serotyping using multiplex real-time PCR assay. Additionally, dengue samples were tested for CHIKV co-infection using IgM/IgG ELISA. A total of 6291 samples were collected among which 8.11% were NS1 positive while 2.5% were PCR positive. DENV-2 was the most common serotype (75.5%) detected, followed by DENV-1 in 16.1%, DENV-3 in 3.9% and DENV-4 in 0.7% while DENV-1 and DENV-4 concurrent infections were detected in 3.9% samples. DENV-1 was the predominant serotype (62.5%) detected from Lahore and Rawalpindi, while DENV-2 was the only serotype detected from Peshawar. Comorbidities resulted in a significant increase (p-value<0.001) in the duration of hospital stay of the patients. Type 2 diabetes mellitus substantially (p-value = 0.004) contributed to the severity of the disease. Among a total of 590 dengue positive samples, 11.8% were also positive for CHIKV co-infection. Co-circulation of multiple DENV serotypes and CHIKV infection in Pakistan is a worrisome situation demanding the urgent attention of the public health experts to strengthen vector surveillance.
An examination of gender imbalance in Scottish adolescents’ vocational interests
Authors: Lasselle Laurence , Schelfhout Stijn , Fonteyne Lot , Kirby Graham , Smith Ian , Duyck Wouter
Published: September 2021

This paper documents Scottish adolescents’ vocational interest types. Our research is based on the responses of 1,306 pupils from 18 secondary schools to an empirically verified online interest inventory test. Our results are threefold. First, the structural validity of the test with the Scottish sample is confirmed by evaluating the underlying circumplex structure of Holland’s RIASEC vocational interests. Second, gender distribution along the six primary vocational interest dimensions is consistent with the research literature: young men scoring higher on the Realistic vocational interest and young women scoring higher on the Social dimension. Finally, we observe that across dimensions, vocational interests of young women are less diverse than those of young men. We discuss how these dissimilarities could lead to differences in education choice and career decision-making.
Surveillance for face mask compliance, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, October-December, 2020
Authors: M. Jagadeesan , Rubeshkumar Polani , Raju Mohankumar , Sakthivel Manikandanesan , Murali Sharan , Nagarajan Ramya , Sendhilkumar Muthappan , Sambath Irene , Ilangovan Kumaravel , Harikrishnan Dineshkumar , Venkatasamy Vettrichelvan , Ganeshkumar Parasuraman , Reddy Madhusudhan , Kaur Prabhdeep
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Government of Tamil Nadu, India, mandated the face mask wearing in public places as one of the mitigation measures of COVID-19. We established a surveillance system for monitoring the face mask usage. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of the population who wear face masks appropriately (covering nose, mouth, and chin) in the slums and non-slums of Chennai at different time points.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional surveys among the residents of Chennai at two-time points of October and December 2020. The sample size for outdoor mask compliance for the first and second rounds of the survey was 1800 and 1600, respectively, for each of the two subgroups–slums and non-slums. In the second round, we included 640 individuals each in the slums and non-slums indoor public places and 1650 individuals in eleven shopping malls. We calculated the proportions and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for the mask compliance outdoors and indoors by age, gender, region, and setting (slum and non-slum).

Results

We observed 3600 and 3200 individuals in the first and second surveys, respectively, for outdoor mask compliance. In both rounds, the prevalence of appropriate mask use outdoors was significantly lower in the slums (28%-29%) than non-slum areas (36%-35%) of Chennai (p<0.01). Outdoor mask compliance was similar within slum and non-slum subgroups across the two surveys. Lack of mask use was higher in the non-slums in the second round (50%) than in the first round of the survey (43%) (p<0.05). In the indoor settings in the 2nd survey, 10%-11% among 1280 individuals wore masks appropriately. Of the 1650 observed in the malls, 947 (57%) wore masks appropriately.

Conclusion

Nearly one-third of residents of Chennai, India, correctly wore masks in public places. We recommend periodic surveys, enforcement of mask compliance in public places, and mass media campaigns to promote appropriate mask use.
Transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular mechanism of yield increases in maize under stable soil water supply
Authors: Zhang Jili , Wang Peng , Ji Jinfeng , Long Huaiyu , Wu Xia
Published: September 2021

This study explored the physiological and molecular mechanisms of yield increase in maize under stable soil water content (SW) conditions. Results of the study showed that under SW conditions, corn yield increased by 38.72 and 44.09% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Further, it was found that dry matter accumulation, economic coefficient and photosynthetic rate also increased by 31.24 and 25.67%, 5.45 and 15.38% as well as 29.60 and 31.83% in 2019 and 2020 respectively. However, the results showed that both the activity of antioxidant enzymes and content of osmotic adjustment substances decreased in maize under SW conditions. When compared with soil moisture content of dry and wet alternation (DW) conditions, SW could not only significantly promote growth and yield of maize but also increase the economic coefficient. Transcriptome profiles of maize leaves under the two conditions (SW and DW) were also analyzed and compared. It was found that 11 genes were highly up-regulated in the photosynthesis pathway. These genes included photosystem II protein V (PsbE), photosystem II protein VI (PsbF), photosystem II protein D1 (PsbA), photosystem II protein D2 (PsbD) and ATP synthase CF1 beta subunit (atpB). Further, it was found that four genes were up-regulated in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway., These were ATP synthase CF1 epsilon subunit (atpE), ATP synthase CF1 beta subunit (atpB), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4L (ndhE) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ndhG). In conclusion, the physiological mechanism of stable soil water content (SW) to increase corn yield may be the enhancement of photosynthetic capacity and energy metabolism.
Effects of spray-dried animal plasma on growth performance, survival, feed utilization, immune responses, and resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: Chuchird Niti , Rairat Tirawat , Keetanon Arunothai , Phansawat Putsucha , Chou Chi-Chung , Campbell Joy
Published: September 2021

Spray-dried animal plasma (SDP) in feed for several animal species provides health benefits, but research about use of SDP in shrimp feed is very limited. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of dietary SDP on growth performance, feed utilization, immune responses, and prevention of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). In Experiment 1, the post-larvae were divided into five groups (four tank/group and 80 shrimp/tank) and fed four times daily diets with porcine SDP at 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6% of the diet for 45 days. In Experiment 2, the surviving shrimp from Experiment 1 were redistributed into six groups: four SDP groups as in Experiment 1 plus the positive and negative controls (four tank/group and 30 shrimp/tank). They were then challenged with V. parahaemolyticus by immersion at 105 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL and were fed with the same diets for another 4 days. In Experiment 1, shrimp fed 4.5% or 6% SDP diets had significantly higher body weight, survival rate, and improved feed conversion ratio. The immune parameters (total hemocyte count and phagocytic, phenoloxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities) of the shrimp fed 3–6% SDP diets also showed significant enhancement compared to the control. In Experiment 2, the survival rates of the 3–6% SDP groups were significantly higher than the positive control at day 4 after the immersion challenge. Likewise, the histopathological study revealed milder signs of bacterial infection in the hepatopancreas of the 3–6% SDP groups compared to the challenged positive control and 1.5% SDP groups. In conclusion, shrimp fed diets with SDP, especially at 4.5–6% of the diet, showed significant improvement in overall health conditions and better resistance to V. parahaemolyticus infection.
Social distancing in America: Understanding long-term adherence to COVID-19 mitigation recommendations
Authors: Reinders Folmer Christopher P. , Brownlee Megan A. , Fine Adam D. , Kooistra Emmeke B. , Kuiper Malouke E. , Olthuis Elke H. , de Bruijn Anne Leonore , van Rooij Benjamin
Published: September 2021

A crucial question in the governance of infectious disease outbreaks is how to ensure that people continue to adhere to mitigation measures for the longer duration. The present paper examines this question by means of a set of cross-sectional studies conducted in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, in May, June, and July of 2020. Using stratified samples that mimic the demographic characteristics of the U.S. population, it seeks to understand to what extent Americans continued to adhere to social distancing measures in the period after the first lockdown ended. Moreover, it seeks to uncover which variables sustained (or undermined) adherence across this period. For this purpose, we examined a broad range of factors, relating to people’s (1) knowledge and understanding of the mitigation measures, (2) perceptions of their costs and benefits, (3) perceptions of legitimacy and procedural justice, (4) personal factors, (5) social environment, and (6) practical circumstances. Our findings reveal that adherence was chiefly shaped by three major factors: respondents adhered more when they (a) had greater practical capacity to adhere, (b) morally agreed more with the measures, and (c) perceived the virus as a more severe health threat. Adherence was shaped to a lesser extent by impulsivity, knowledge of social distancing measures, opportunities for violating, personal costs, and descriptive social norms. The results also reveal, however, that adherence declined across this period, which was partly explained by changes in people’s moral alignment, threat perceptions, knowledge, and perceived social norms. These findings show that adherence originates from a broad range of factors that develop dynamically across time. Practically these insights help to improve pandemic governance, as well as contributing theoretically to the study of compliance and the way that rules come to shape behavior.
Des désastres écologiques au rêve panafricain d’une Grande Muraille verte
Authors: Crosta Suzanne
Published: September 2021

Since the late twentieth century, African filmmakers have devoted themselves with tireless dedication and activism to environmental challenges that continue to alarm, even globally. Their lands are endangered, and their communities are severely affected in their living environment. There are major challenges, ever more urgent, about their ecosystems, but also about the neighbouring geographies and finally about the planet in general. Using a body of documentaries concerned with ecosystems on the continent, this study examines African filmmakers’ perspectives on ecosystem degradation in various African contexts while highlighting the ethics and aesthetics of their practices confronting the representation of a seemingly dystopian world. In response to the alarming discourses and desolate visions, this article underscores the filmmakers’ response to urgent ecological needs, and examines their activism in the search for green solutions in Africa.
L’impérialisme écologique ou la recolonisation par l’agriculture industrielle: Une lecture de La Banane de Franck Bieleu
Authors: Lassi Etienne-Marie
Published: September 2021

This article studies The Big Banana, a film by Cameroonian director Franck Bieleu, which shows how the intrusion of a cash crop such as bananas in a local environment brings about several ecological transformations with important sociocultural and ethical ramifications. Using concepts from ecocriticism to analyse the narrative structures of the film, the article explains how the Njombé Penja banana plantation (PHP), construed as a replica of the colonial model of production and spatial organization, leaves the local populations with a strong feeling of dispossession and alienation. It concludes that geographical and ecological forms of imperialism contributed, alongside sociopolitical issues, to the failure of the post-independence African utopia.
Investigation of serum beta-defensin-1 levels in bovine trichophytosis cases
Authors: Simsek Aynur
Published: September 2021

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial peptides are polypeptides that are a component of innate immunity and exhibit antifungal activity. This study aimed to investigate serum beta-defensin-1 levels in cattle diagnosed with trichophytosis, which is a zoonotic skin disease that affects several animal species.

Materials and Methods: A total of 23 young cattle, aged 2-4 months, of different breeds and sexes were selected. Of these, 16 cattle were clinically diagnosed with trichophytosis and seven were healthy.

Results: The mean serum beta-defensin-1 levels of the infected animals were lower than those of control animals, yet the difference between the two groups was not significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: No significant alterations occurred in serum beta-defensin-1 levels of cattle with trichophytosis.
KELIMPAHAN, ASOSIASI DAN ANCAMAN HABITAT Nepenthes bicalcarata Hook.f. DI CAGAR ALAM MANDOR, KALIMANTAN BARAT
Authors: Sunardi Sunardi , Mansur Muhammad
Published: September 2021

Nepenthes bicalcarata Hook.f. merupakan jenis endemik dengan status konservasi rentan (vulnerable) menurut IUCN Red List. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kelimpahan populasi, asosiasi, dan keterancaman habitat N. bicalcarata di Cagar Alam Mandor, Kalimantan Barat. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analisis vegetasi, asosiasi jenis tumbuhan menggunakan indeks Ochiai, dan metode unsupervised classification pada citra Landsat 8 untuk mengetahui perubahan penutupan lahan. Penentuan lokasi pengambilan data dilakukan menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Pengambilan data vegetasi tumbuhan menggunakan sepuluh plot berukuran 10Í10 m. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa N. bicalcarata tersebar di delapan dari 14 kabupaten/kota di Kalimantan Barat. Populasi N. bicalcarata pada hutan kerangas berjumlah 300 individu/ha dan dan berasosiasi dengan jenis pohon Cratoxylum glaucum, Gymnostoma nobile, Antidesma coriaceum, Ficus variegata, dan Tristaniopsis merguensis. N. bicalcarata juga berasosiasi dengan Nepenthes lainnya, seperti N. ampullaria, N. rafflesiana, N. gracilis, N. mirabilis dan N. hookeriana. Perubahan penutupan lahan yang signifikan mengakibatkan peningkatan luasan areal terbuka dan pertambangan, sehingga mengancam habitat dan populasi N. bicalcarata. Kelimpahan N. bicalcarata di CA Mandor diprediksi akan semakin berkurang dengan adanya ancaman perubahan penutupan lahan tersebut. Berdasarkan kondisi tersebut, jenis ini perlu dilindungi dan dijaga kelestariannya di alam.
Covid-19 in Gravid Uterus – The Challenge in Antenatal Care and Its Outcome – A Tertiary Level Cross Sectional Analysis from Chennai, India
Authors: Maran Varsha , Vishwanath Usha , Pillai Sheila K. , Nadar Alka
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND With the emerging pandemic of corona virus disease 19 (Covid-19) infection around the world, the need to identify the course of this disease in pregnant women becomes the need of the hour. Its effect on pregnancy and the neonatal outcome is not well known because of lack of any reliable data. We wanted to evaluate the clinical features, laboratory manifestations and obstetric outcome of Covid-19 in the term of antenatal mothers who were either admitted in labour, induction of labour or elective caesarean section and rule out vertical transmission by doing a routine neonatal screening for Covid-19. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Chennai from March 2020 to September 2020 includes all antenatal women who were tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS- Cov2) reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 43 Covid positive patients were included in the study. RESULTS Incidence of Covid positive antenatal women was found to be 1.7 %. Only 3 % were symptomatic with mild disease. Gestational diabetes mellitus accounted for (27 %), Class II obesity (7 %), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (13 %) of the screen positive mothers. 20 % of the labouring women had meconium-stained liquor. Lymphopenia was seen in 73 % of cases. Elevated d-dimer in 13 %, requiring thromboprophylaxis. Negative RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 in the neonates ruled out vertical transmission. CONCLUSIONS Covid-19 in pregnancy is more common in those with gestational diabetes, obesity, with development of complications like hypertension and meconium-stained liquor. The impact of Covid-19 is not as disabling as it is in the non-pregnant population. KEY WORDS Universal Screening, In/Near Labour, Lymphopenia, Thromboprophylaxis, Meconium- Stained Amniotic Fluid.
Anatomical Variations of Celiac Trunk and Its Branching Pattern with Special Reference to Surgical Implications in Mysore Based Population
Authors: C.S Vidya , C. Shivanakarappa , Das Sudha Kiran , Kumar Santh
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Celiac trunk (CT) is the first major abdominal branch of the aorta. Anatomic variations and accessory vessels have been reported with variable percentages. We report here a particularly rare variant involving absence of the celiac trunk in association with trifurcation of the common hepatic artery (CHA). The purpose of this study was to report the pattern of the celiac trunk and its anatomic variations in a sample of Mysore population. METHODS Celiac trunk dissection was performed in 10 fresh cadavers and 50 cases of contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images of Mysore based subjects at JSS Medical College and Hospital aged 18 years and above were included. Celiac trunk variations, length, diameter, accessory vessels, and vertebral level of origin were described. RESULTS The branching pattern of coeliac trunk was observed in 60 cases (37 males, 23 females) by dissection and CECT scan method. Type I was found in 48 cases (80 %), Type I form 2a was found in 2 cases (3.3 %). Type II form 1 in 6 cases (10 %). Type III was observed in 1 case and in another case left hepatic artery (LHA) arising from coeliac trunk, Type VII was found in 2 cases (3.3 %). The length and diameter of coeliac trunk were analysed using descriptive statistics and mean ± SD for length was 1.8 ± 0.4 and diameter 0.5 ± 0.2 respectively. CONCLUSIONS Awareness of CT variations is important in surgical resection, transplantation, and interventional radiology procedure. KEY WORDS Celiac Trunk, Variations, Morphometry, Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography Scan Method
Comparison of Touch Sensation among Congenital Blind, Early Onset Blind, and Late Onset Blind, Using Moberg’s Test
Authors: Bhirange Swapnil Subhashrao , Pillai Chitra
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND The objectives of the study were to assess and compare touch sensation of dominant and non-dominant hands among blind since birth, early onset blind & late onset blind participants using Moberg’s test and determine if the time of onset of blindness affected the touch sensation. METHODS 50 blind participants from various colleges in Mumbai were assessed. Detailed history about onset of blindness, motor dominance etc. of blind was asked. Participants were instructed to pick up objects (suggested by Moberg) one at a time, as fast as possible, and place them into a box using dominant and non-dominant hands alternatively. Kruskal Wallis Test was used for analysis. RESULTS Average values of Moberg’s test of dominant & non - dominant hands of blind since birth versus late onset blind were statistically significant and those of early onset blind versus late onset blind were statistically significant. Average values of Moberg’s test of blind since birth versus early onset blind were not statistically significant. Thus touch sensation was improved more in blind since birth & early onset blind compared to late onset blind participants. CONCLUSIONS Thus we conclude that in the absence of visual stimuli, touch sensation in blind since birth and early onset blind is improved compared to late onset blind participants. KEY WORDS Blind, Cross - Modal Synaptic Plasticity, Substitution of Sense. Moberg's Pick - up Test, Critical Period
Association of Serum Magnesium, Copper and Zinc with Severity of Coronary Artery Disease – A Cross-Sectional Study from Salem, India
Authors: Abraham Philips , Jemy Katherine Quintus , Philip Sachu , Ramalingam Krishnan
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the principal cause of death and disability in both developed and developing countries. Factors that cause endothelial dysfunction have received increased attention as a potential contributor for atherogenesis. Micronutrients play an important role in maintaining endothelial function as it act as cofactors for number of enzymes. The purpose of this study was to determine plasma level of copper, zinc and magnesium in CAD patients and its correlation with severity of coronary artery disease. METHODS Study group consisted of angiographically positive CAD patients (n = 30) and age and sex matched controls (n = 30). Severity of the CAD was assessed based on the number, location and percentage of stenosis of coronary vessels involved and SYNTAX score was calculated. CAD patients were classified into grade I, II and III based on SYNTAX score. Level of copper, zinc and magnesium in plasma and hemolysate was analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry. Plasma nitric oxide level was also analysed. RESULTS In our study, Plasma copper level was found to be significantly high and zinc copper ratio, hemolysate Mg level were found to be significantly low in CAD patients. The latter parameters were found to have a significant negative correlation with severity of the diseases and with the level of nitric oxide. CONCLUSIONS Even though a number of confounding factors can influence the copper, zinc and magnesium levels in the body, our study shows that levels of these elements have a significant association with severity of coronary artery diseases. KEY WORDS Coronary Artery Disease, Endothelial Dysfunction, Syntax Score
An Unusual Case Report of Dystrophica Epidermolysis Bullosa in a Child
Authors: Kumar Sneh
Published: September 2021

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetically inherited severe skin disease involving dermal-epidermal junction. Based on the appearance and involvement, it is grouped into simplex, junctional & dystrophic forms. These disorders represent heterogeneous phenotypes and are correlated with a variable range of complications, from localized skin fragility to neonatal death. Genetic testing had made a precise diagnosis and it requires only supportive and symptomatic therapy. Here we report an atypical case of dystrophica epidermolysis bullosa in a 6-year-old male child. Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a general term used for heterogeneous group of congenital, genetic blistering disorders. It has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. 1 It is characterized by induction of blisters by trauma, exacerbation of blistering in warm weather and healing with scarring. EB can be categorized under three major groups - epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). EB simplex has an incidence and a prevalence rate of 10.75 and 4.65, 2.04 and 0.44 of junctional EBs and 2.86 and 0.99 of dystrophic EBs and recessive dystrophic EB 2.04 and 0.92 respectively.2 The dystrophic forms are characterized by deformities of the skin including coalescence of the fingers, nail changes and milia formation.3 This case report highlights the rare presentation of recurrent episodes of blisters and limb deformities in 6 - year - old male children.
Hypofractionated Radiotherapy of Early Glottic Cancer - A Single Institution Experience of 52.5 Gray in 15 Fractions among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Vasanthakumary Preeya , Karumathil Anilkumar , David Gargy Anjolian , Ramachandran Siva Rama Krishnan , Nair Anjana Sasikumar
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND The standard conventional radiation schedule for early laryngeal cancer is 64 - 70 Gy in 2 Gy per fraction over 6.5 - 7 weeks. Hypofractionated radiotherapy in early laryngeal cancer allows delivery of larger dose per fraction (fraction size) in decreased overall treatment time with improved local control and similar survival rates. Reduction in treatment time also optimizes the usage of radiotherapy resources. The purpose of this study was to estimate the local control rates, survival rates and toxicity profile of hypofractionated radiotherapy of 52.5 Gy in 15 fractions for early glottic cancer. METHODS Twenty-eight patients with early glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) treated with hypofractionated definitive radiotherapy from June 2015 to December 2019 were analyzed. The median age was 61 years. Total dose of 52.5 Gy in 15 fractions was delivered over three-four weeks with a fraction size of 3.5 Gy. The median follow-up period was 23.8 months. RESULTS The 5-year local control rates were 96.4 % with one recurrence. The 5-year overall survival rate was 100 % and cause specific survival at 5 years was 100 %. There was no association of T1 sub staging, T2 (P - 0.40) and no significant association of anterior commissure involvement (P = 0.408, chi square value = 3.982) and pretreatment haemoglobin (P - 0.480) on local control. Late complications include laryngeal oedema (21.5 %), altered thyroid function (3.6 %), cardiac complication (3.6 %) and altered voice quality (14.3 %).There was no association of local control with field size (FS) (P = 0.812), beam energy (P = 0.098 ) overall treatment time of less than thirty days (P - 0.747). CONCLUSIONS Local control with hypofractionated radiotherapy for early laryngeal glottis squamous cell carcinoma is excellent with no severe complications. The short overall treatment time enables channelling of radiotherapy resources in low budget countries with long wait list for radiation. KEYWORDS Early Laryngeal Cancer, Glottic Cancer, Hypofractionated Radiotherapy, Overall Treatment Time.
Career Types and Career Satisfaction Among Sociology Doctoral Graduates of Corvinus University
Authors: Herke Boglárka , Kutrovátz Kitti , Paksi Veronika , Ivony Éva
Published: September 2021

The academic profession has significantly transformed in the past few decades due to the industrialization of higher education and research. Based on sixteen career path interviews, the study investigates how the career paths of sociology doctoral graduates who obtained their master’s or PhD degree at Corvinus University of Budapest have been formed within this changing environment of the academic profession. The study distinguishes four researcher career path types and describes attached job characteristics and career satisfaction. Hungarian and international academic researchers have spent most of their careers at Hungarian or renowned foreign universities. Hungarian academic researchers performed a high volume of teaching, while international academic researchers primarily focused on research. The career paths of market researchers were formed by their positions at research firms, where they were involved in applied research projects. Researchers of the mixed career type alternated between the different sectors throughout their career paths that led to dissatisfaction with their careers. Interviewees of the other three types were generally satisfied with their careers, however, the reconciliation of teaching, research and organizational tasks in the case of Hungarian academic researchers, the measurement of publication performance against Western scholars regarding international academic researchers, and the choice between academic and market activities among market researchers all emerged as sources of frustration in the narratives.
Caracterizacin mineralgica y espectral de las rocas del cinturn esmeraldfero occidental y su relacin con las rocas del Valle Medio del Magdalena. Implicaciones en la mineralizacin de esmeraldas en Cunas (Marip, Boyac)
Authors: Martin-Ravelo Andres Sebastian , Romero-Ordoñez Fernando Eli
Published: September 2021

Ponencia presentada en el XVIII Congreso Colombiano de Geología, V Simposio de exploradores
Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Common Adult Eye Disorders Among Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Authors: Jayawardana Diluksha
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background: Incidence of age related eye disorders in adult population is rising. Thus in order to carry out health promotion activities, assessing the knowledge, attitudes, practices and factors related to each among the vulnerable population is paramount.

Methods: A simple random sample of patients of age 40 or above attended to the general medical and surgical clinics of the NHSL were interviewed by interviewer administered questionnaire. Questions were asked to ascertain each participant's socio-demographic data, knowledge on common age related eye disorders namely refractory errors, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Questions were also asked to determine their attitudes to eye care practices and treatments. All respondents were asked their frequency of eye check-ups and most commonly attending place to receive eye check-ups.

Results: A total of 106 participants were assessed. From the results 96.2%, heard of cataract, 50.9% heard of glaucoma and 74.5% heard of diabetic retinopathy. In the knowledge assessment 43.6% were found to be having a good knowledge. Age (within 40 to 58 years), higher level of education up to G.C.E O/L or above, higher level of income and who are/were employed ( currently working, resigned or retired) appeared to be having a good knowledge and the associations were statistically significant. People who have accessed information from medical personnel and mass media also had statistically significant higher knowledge score. People with good knowledge of eye diseases had positive attitudes and positive practices in contrast to people with poor knowledge and these associations were statistically significant.

Conclusions: There was a considerable reduction in awareness regarding glaucoma compared to cataract and diabetic retinopathy. Younger age, higher education level, income and employment were found to be associated with good knowledge. Presence of good knowledge has led to have good attitudes and good eye care practices. Information gained from medical personnel and mass media were found to be effective in enhancing public awareness.

Recommendations: Knowledge on common adult eye disorders should be improved from the current level in order to have good eye care practices. Enhancing public awareness can be successfully achieved through mass media and medical personnel.

Key words: Eye disorders, Knowledge, Attitude, Ophthalmology
Security in mobile wallets
Authors: Panem Panem Koushik
Published: September 2021

We will start by analysing a threat model of a mobile payment application to obtain a high level understanding of the various types of threat that may affect mobile payment applications. We will then analyse the security features that various commercial mobile payment applications have implemented. Finally, we will discuss emerging attacks targeting mobile payment applications and countermeasures that application developers.
INNATE IMMUNITY AGAINST HIV AMONG HIGHLY EXPOSED SERO-NEGATIVE (HESN) FEMALE SEX WORKERS
Authors: Akhator Joseph , Jikdang James , Omoike Ofure
Published: September 2021

In 2010, the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS) evaluates that the greater part surprisingly living with HIV/AIDS are women. It is assessed that, in Africa, ladies are twice as liable to contract HIV-1 through sexual intercourse involving vagina contrasted to men and are along these lines thought to be vulnerable persons in the population. The improvement of a female microbicide that gives security against HIV-1 infection is a promising preventive and precaution strategy.
The Sacred Language of the Abakuá
Authors: Cabrera Lydia
Published: September 2021

This chapter is a translation of the introduction and over 6,000 entries of Abakuá ritual jargon created by Lydia Cabrera from 1938–1959 in Havana and Matanzas, Cuba. Many entries have new commentaries by living Abakuá specialists to clarify obscure issues in the original material. The entries refer to the foundation of Abakuá in West Africa centuries ago, with reference to historical figures in the port of Calabar. They also refer to important Abakuá specialists in Cuba and the adaptation of this West African institution to the Caribbean context.
“From Out of the Depths!”
Authors: Kruse Zack
Published: September 2021

This chapter addresses the limited amount of scholarship on Steve Ditko’s work and challenges persistent claims that Ditko’s thinking and art should viewed exclusively through the lens of Ayn Rand’s Objectivism. This chapter also lays out the parameters for discussing and interpreting Ditko’s work visually as well as textually, considering both solo and collaborative efforts in order to introduce key terms like “mystic liberalism,” “cosmic intraspace,” and “dark karma.” In addition, Steve Ditko has composed a number of essays and a few comics regarding his philosophy and politics of artistic creation and those ideas are presented in this chapter, in part, as a means for re-evaluating Ditko’s work and a revised interpretation of it. Finally, this chapter includes a discussion of the necessity of considering Objectivism, the occult mysticism of the twentieth century, and the important links between them to form a clearer understanding of the varieties of contemporary liberalism.
Immaturity: Reflections on the “Great (Queer) YA Debate”
Authors: Mason Derritt
Published: September 2021

This book’s conclusion reiterates the argument that queer YA is an anxious genre that perpetually rehearses a nervous uncertainty about its own constitution. Mason steps back to consider queer YA’s relationship to children’s literature more broadly, entering the discussion through a concept developed in Beverley Lyon Clark’s Kiddie Lit: the “anxiety of immaturity” that circulates around and within children’s literature and its criticism. Mason revisits the “Great YA Debate” of 2014, which followed a Slate piece by Ruth Graham entitled “Adults Should Be Embarrassed to Read Young Adult Books.” This debate included high profile pieces by Christopher Beha and A.O. Scott in The New York Times Magazine and The New Yorker, both of which evince a profound ambivalence about whether or not adults should be reading young adult literature. These conversations, Mason concludes, illustrate how young adult literature continues to be an unceasing source of adult anxiety.
“This Guy Does Not Look Latin”
Authors: Lapidus Benjamin
Published: September 2021

This chapter covers the overlooked legacy of the Panamanian musical community of Brooklyn and the greater New York metropolitan area. It explores how Panamanian musicians positioned themselves and were positioned both musically and socially by their Latino and non-Latino colleagues in New York. As Latinos of Black West Indian descent, the New York Panamanians encountered racism among both Latinos and African Americans, but worked with these groups of musicians and others in a variety of settings. The chapter presents numerous Panamanian musicians who successfully negotiated classical, jazz, Broadway, Caribbean, and Latin music scenes (often simultaneously) and created a considerable body of work that has not been previously analyzed or contextualized. Ultimately, the chapter demonstrates a number of the themes discussed in the introduction, including engagement with jazz, musical biculturalism, inter-ethnic collaboration, emphasis on music education, and family lineages of musicians.
“Where’s Barry?”
Authors: Lapidus Benjamin
Published: September 2021

This chapter analyzes the understudied, multidimensional relationship of New York Jews with Latin music. Jewish engagement with Latin music took place throughout New York beyond the Palladium Ballroom, and the chapter presents the dance announcements in New York newspapers from 1947 to 1961 in order to show the extent of activities. It also details the historical depth of Jewish New Yorkers' involvement in Spanish Caribbean music by examining performance venues and events beyond the Catskills as well as the specific contributions of Eydie Gormé, Abbe Lane, Barry Rogers, and the dancer Ira Goldwasser. Ultimately, the chapter explores Jewish self-representations in Latin music and portrayals of Jews by non-Jews in Latin music. While there have been Jewish performers of Latin music throughout the Americas, Jewish New Yorkers' ongoing and nuanced relationship to Latin music has been unique and distinct.
Yellow Jack
Authors: Ross Charles D.
Published: September 2021

This chapter describes a mosquito-borne illness, referred to as Yellow Jack by the sailors because of the yellow flag flown by quarantined ships, that arrived in Nassau during late summer. The chapter states that the blockade runner Kate also brought yellow fever with her to Wilmington, and by mid-August, the city was going through a devastating epidemic. The disease also found its way to Key West, Florida, and Beaufort, and Port Royal in South Carolina. As the fever raged in late July, the amount of shipping arriving and leaving Nassau dwindled to pre-war levels. The chapter then shifts to discuss a hindrance to the post-epidemic resurgence of the blockading bonanza — the appearance of Charles Wilkes, the US naval officer who had pulled Mason and Slidell off their boat. It elaborates the mission of West Indies Squadron, under the command of Wilkes, to destroy Florida and the new Confederate cruiser that had emerged from England with Raphael Semmes in command, the 290 (soon-to-be known as Alabama).
“It is rather sickly here”
Authors: Ross Charles D.
Published: September 2021

This chapter reviews Thomas Kirkpatrick's arrival from New York to Nassau to fill the new position in state of the consulate. It states that Kirkpatrick entered the consulate and found the office in a chaotic state. In preparation for the move, Kirkpatrick was able to sit down with George Harris and discuss resolution of the back-rent issue and other debts incurred by the office dating back to the repair of the windows Sam Whiting had broken out. The chapter also elaborates John Howell's idea that would help the Union: to establish a coal depot for US merchant ships on Hog Island near the dry dock. US Marshal for New York City Robert Murray introduced Howell as a true friend of the Union cause, who had provided much information on blockade runners. The chapter then narrates the downturn in activity in Nassau two days after Kirkpatrick's arrival: the return of yellow fever in 1864. Ultimately, the chapter discusses Kirkpatrick's recruitment of a couple of spies within the blockade-running companies and the surge of shipping in and out of Nassau. It further analyses Kirkpatrick's call for a new flying squadron to come to the Bahamas and reactivate Charles Wilkes's idea of nipping blockade runners off at the source.
“Blockade-running from this port has ceased”
Authors: Ross Charles D.
Published: September 2021

This chapter highlights the ships that entered Nassau from Wilmington or Charleston in the fall of 1864. It argues that there was still money to be made running the blockade given a fast-enough ship. While blockade running, even to Nassau, continued for a bit longer, the Great Carnival was coming to a close. For the first time in years the shipping news in the local newspapers contained no departures to Wilmington or Charleston. The chapter then examines the number of passengers on Corsica that swelled far beyond that in the same months in other years, as the tourists ending their vacation a bit early were joined by British mariners. The chapter also looks at the appearance of John Maffitt who came back into the blockade-running game in 1864. It discusses how Maffitt managed to take command of the new government-owned steamer Owl. Ultimately, the chapter explicates the symbolic end of the Great Carnival and Nassau as a blockade-running hub.
Introduction
Authors: Hasian Marouf A. , Paliewicz Nicholas S.
Published: September 2021

The chapter explains why readers need to understand the rhetorical dimensions and the instrumentalist nature of some lynching and anti-lynching legacies. Arguing that the recent passage of U.S. federal anti-lynching legislation has been linked to the rhetorical efforts of Bryan Stevenson and the EJI, the authors explain the strategic ambiguity that swirls around the ideographic phrase “racial terrorism.” This portion of the book also explains the heuristic value of critical genealogical studies in restorative justice contexts.
Post–World War II Civil Rights Activism, Photojournalism, and the Domestication of Civil Rights Lynching Memories
Authors: Hasian Marouf A. , Paliewicz Nicholas S.
Published: September 2021

This chapter provides readers with an analysis of the photojournalism and other visualities that were used by private and public organizations interested in civil rights activism who were working on anti-lynching consciousness-raising between World War II and 2000. The authors contend that this was the period that witnessed commentary about the “end” of U.S. lynchings, but this amnesia would be critiqued by those who learned about the evocative power of an anti-lynching travelling exhibit, entitled Without Sanctuary.