bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Chinese patent medicine Tongfengding capsule for gout in adults: a systematic review of safety and effectiveness
Authors: Hua Qiaoli , Liu Xusheng , Luo Yang , Lin Yujie , Zheng Kairong , Xia Ai , Yang Qianchun
Published: July 2023

Background

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis caused by increased serum uric acid levels. Untreated or insufficiently treated gout can lead to deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints, cartilage, and kidneys. Although Tongfengding capsules, a Chinese patent medicine, have long been used to treat gout, their effects and safety have not been reviewed systematically. This study evaluated its efficacy and safety for gout in adults.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials involving Tongfengding capsule for gout in adults were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CBM, CNKI, and VIP databases, and analyzed using the Cochrane Handbook criteria. The primary outcome measures were the total effective rate. The secondary outcome measures including the blood uric acid (BUA), 24-h urinary total protein (24-h UTP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and adverse effects. The risk of bias was evaluated in all included studies. RevMan ver. 5.3.5 and GRADE profiler was used for data analysis and assessing the quality of evidence, respectively.

Results

Six studies (n = 607 Chinese participants) were included. Tongfengding capsules plus conventional treatment significantly increased the total effective rate (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.33), while reducing the BUA (MD − 66.05 µmol/L, 95% CI − 81.26 to − 50.84), 24-h UTP (MD − 0.83 g/24 h, 95% CI − 0.96 to − 0.70), BUN (MD − 0.90 mmol/L, 95% CI − 1.60 to − 0.20), IL-6 (MD − 6.99 ng/L, 95% CI − 13.22 to − 0.75), IL-8 (MD − 12.17 ng/L, 95% CI − 18.07 to − 6.27), TNF-α (MD − 8.50 ng/L, 95% CI − 15.50 to − 1.51), and adverse effects (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.04–0.95).

Conclusion

Tongfengding capsules plus conventional treatment is safe and beneficial for adults with gout compared with conventional treatment.
A glycoside hydrolase 12 protein from Cytospora chrysosperma triggers plant immunity but is not essential to virulence
Authors: Xu Zhiye , Luo Zheng , Xiong Dianguang , Gao Meng , Tian Chengming
Published: July 2023

Phytopathogens secrete numerous effectors that facilitate their infection and colonization processes. However, the pathogenic mechanism of effectors in Cytospora chrysosperma, the causal agent of canker disease in many woody plants, remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified five glycoside hydrolase family 12 (GH12) effector genes in C. chrysosperma genome, all of which were significantly upregulated during the infection stages. Among them, CcEG1, which contains an additional carbohydrate-binding module family 1 domain (CBM1) at the C-terminal, was selected for further analysis. Transient expression studies showed that CcEG1 was localized to the apoplastic region of Nicotiana benthamiana and acted as an elicitor to induce cell death, and activate the expression of genes involved in salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET) signaling pathways. Furthermore, the GH12 domain (position 43–249) was sufficient for cell death-inducing activity, rather than the CBM1 domain. Additionally, the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor-like kinases NbBAK1 and NbSOBIR1 were required for defense responses triggered by CcEG1. Intriguingly, deletion of CcEG1 did not affect fungal pathogenicity, growth, response to hydrogen peroxide and cell wall integrity agents, but affected cellulase utilization. In conclusion, our results suggest that CcEG1 induces coreceptors NbBAK1- and NbSOBIR1- dependent plant immunity, increasing our understanding about fungal pathogenesis during the interaction between C. chrysosperma and its host.
The project-partnership cycle: managing city-university partnerships for urban sustainability and resilience transformations
Authors: Caughman Liliana , Beaudoin Fletcher , Withycombe Keeler Lauren
Published: July 2023

Cities across the globe are striving to produce viable solutions to pressing urban sustainability and resilience problems. Despite aspirations, municipal governments often need additional support in terms of knowledge, capacity, or resources to achieve transformations. Partnerships between cities and universities are one mechanism for co-producing knowledge and achieving sustained progress on complex challenges. When properly structured and effectively managed, city-university partnerships (CUPs) are purported to increase transformative capacity in city administrations and support actions which accelerate urban transformations; but these outcomes are not always achieved. As CUPs grow in numbers, there is a pressing need to identify which principles and practices facilitate transformation. Therefore, we used iterative reflective focus group sessions to develop in-depth case studies of five sustainability and resilience CUPs across three countries. The CUPs were cross-compared to explore the partnership dynamics and management practices that aid progress towards transformative goals. Observations were then related to transformative capacity typologies, and mapped to the newly described project-partnership cycle – which is useful for the management of transformative partnerships.
Impact of methods of estimating baseline Serum Creatinine (bSCr) on the incidence and outcomes of acute kidney injury in childhood severe malaria
Authors: Ibrahim Olayinka Rasheed , Afolayan Folake Moriliat , Alao Michael Abel , Mohammed Bashir , Suleiman Bello Mohammed , Adedoyin Olanrewaju Timothy
Published: July 2023

Background

Estimated baseline serum creatinine (bSCr) affects the incidence and outcomes of childhood severe malaria. Herein, we estimated baseline serum creatinine (bSCr) levels of 541 children with severe malaria using Pottel and Scwartz formulas for AKI incidence, hospitalization outcomes, and evaluated risk factors for death.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of malaria cases from January 2019 to December 2020 at a tertiary health facility in northern Nigeria. We extracted relevant data from the electronic health record. AKI definition and staging was based on the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO).

Results

The estimated bSCr using Pottel’s method was lower with a mean (standard deviation) bias of -0.039 (0.013) mg/dl, an upper limit of agreement (-0.014 mg/dl), and the lower limit of agreement (-0.063 mg/dl). All (100%) of the estimated bSCr using Pottel’s method fell within 30% of the Schwartz method's estimated bSCr. The incidence of AKI from Pottel’s method was higher than the Schwartz’s method (43.3% vs. 38.4%, p < 0.001). The incidence of AKI derived from Pottel’s method was highest among those under 5 years old (p < 0.001). The mortality rate was 6.1% (33 deaths out of 541 admissions). Pottel’s method detected more deaths (57.6%; 19 out of 33) vs. Schwartz’s method (48.5%; 16 out of 33), p < 0.001. Factors that were associated with malaria AKI death included acidosis with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 9.2 (95% CI 1.671 to 50.097), the first 72 h [AOR 7.0 (95% CI 1.358, 35.840)], and KDIGO stage 3 of AKI [AOR 14.4 (95% CI 3.073, 66.969)].

Conclusion

Among Nigerian children with severe malaria, bSCr back-calculated from Pottel’s equation showed a minimal bias, narrow limit of agreement, and high degree of accuracy. Also, Pottel’s method detected more AKI and deaths.
Case series of identity: renal lymphangiectasia mistaken for non-functional hydronephrotic kidney
Authors: Kosinepalli Sai Siddartha , Das Sudha Kiran , Gurumurthy Balasubramanian , Sachin T. , Dharmaraju Swathi Hassan
Published: July 2023

Background

Renal lymphangiectasia also referred to as renal lymphangiomatosis is a rare, but benign condition is characterized by the ectatic of lymphatic channels and is characterized by ectasia of peripelvic, perirenal and/or intrarenal lymphatic vessels. It can mimic the appearance of hydronephrosis or cystic renal lesions on imaging. As radiologists, to avoid therapeutic misadventure, it becomes critical to make an accurate diagnosis.

Case presentation

The clinical presentation of renal lymphangiectasia is typically asymptomatic, but it can be complicated by infection or bleeding. We report two cases, who presented with loin pain, diagnosed as hydronephrosis on ultrasound, one of whom had a nephrectomy done for a hydronephrotic and non-functioning right kidney.

Conclusions

Hence, this case series brings to light a short review of the literature on renal lymphangiectasia, including its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, complications and differential diagnosis.
Innovation in healthcare: leadership perceptions about the innovation characteristics of artificial intelligence—a qualitative interview study with healthcare leaders in Sweden
Authors: Neher Margit , Petersson Lena , Nygren Jens M , Svedberg Petra , Larsson Ingrid , Nilsen Per
Published: July 2023

Background

Despite the extensive hopes and expectations for value creation resulting from the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare, research has predominantly been technology-centric rather than focused on the many changes that are required in clinical practice for the technology to be successfully implemented. The importance of leaders in the successful implementation of innovations in healthcare is well recognised, yet their perspectives on the specific innovation characteristics of AI are still unknown. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the perceptions of leaders in healthcare concerning the innovation characteristics of AI intended to be implemented into their organisation.

Methods

The study had a deductive qualitative design, using constructs from the innovation domain in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Interviews were conducted with 26 leaders in healthcare.

Results

Participants perceived that AI could provide relative advantages when it came to care management, supporting clinical decisions, and the early detection of disease and risk of disease. The development of AI in the organisation itself was perceived as the main current innovation source. The evidence base behind AI technology was questioned, in relation to its transparency, potential quality improvement, and safety risks. Although the participants acknowledged AI to be superior to human action in terms of effectiveness and precision in some situations, they also expressed uncertainty about the adaptability and trialability of AI. Complexities such as the characteristics of the technology, the lack of conceptual consensus about AI, and the need for a variety of implementation strategies to accomplish transformative change in practice were identified, as were uncertainties about the costs involved in AI implementation.

Conclusion

Healthcare leaders not only saw potential in the technology and its use in practice, but also felt that AI’s opacity limits its evidence strength and that complexities in relation to AI itself and its implementation influence its current use in healthcare practice. More research is needed based on actual experiences using AI applications in real-world situations and their impact on clinical practice. New theories, models, and frameworks may need to be developed to meet challenges related to the implementation of AI in healthcare.
Prognostic factors determining the surgical interference of biliary atresia in Egyptian infants: single-center experience
Authors: Abdel-Aziz Samira A. , Taha Mohamed , Balabel Mohamed , Hegazy Osama , Salah Esam , Soltan Mervat , Tahoon Marowa A. , Sobhy Gihan A.
Published: July 2023

Background

Biliary atresia is associated with considerable morbidity, and it is the most frequent indication for pediatric liver transplantation. Hepatic portoentostomy (HPE), Kasai procedure, is used commonly as the first line of treatment but its long-term efficacy still remains controversial. In this study we decided to illustrate most of the perioperative clinical, biomarkers, histopathological, and surgical parameters that may determine the outcome in operated infants with biliary atresia within 5 years at our center at national liver institute (NLI). We analyzed the perioperative risks for surgical failure in 100 infants with BA, diagnosed and treated from June 2012 to June 2017. Infant included in the study categorized into two groups according to the surgical outcome, failed and successful group. The successful surgical outcome of biliary atresia was determined by the clearance of jaundice within 6 months where total serum bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL. Both groups were compared according to perioperative clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic, endoscopic detection of bile, histopathological characteristics, excised biliary remnant duct size, and type of surgical interference.

Results

After surgical interference, infants with successful outcome were 33% and those with failed outcome were 67%. Younger age, lower preoperative serum GGT, delayed onset of jaundice after the first 2 weeks of life, and lower levels of post-operative 1-month serum total and direct bilirubin, were significantly associated with successful outcome (P = 0.001, 0.041, 0.025, and 0.001 respectively). Also gall bladder contractility, endoscopic duodenal bile test, degree of hepatic fibrosis, bile duct size, surgical type of BA, and type of surgical interference were significant risk factors affecting the surgical outcome of BA (P = 0.003, 0.037, 0.005, 0.024, 0.001, and 0.002 respectively).

Conclusions

Younger age and lower preoperative GGT and post-operative 1-month serum total and direct bilirubin level are good predictors for the surgical outcome of BA infants with better performance of age and post-operative 1-month serum total and direct bilirubin level. This may determine infants with the high-priority for transplant referral postoperatively.
Diabetes and hypertension MobileHealth systems: a review of general challenges and advancements
Authors: Stephen Bliss Utibe-Abasi , Uzoewulu Benedicta C. , Asuquo Phillip Michael , Ozuomba Simeon
Published: July 2023

Mobile health (mHealth) systems are sipping into more and more healthcare functions with self-management being the foremost modus operandi. However, there has been challenges. This study explores challenges with mHealth self-management of diabetes and hypertension, two of the most comorbid chronic diseases. Existing literature present the challenges in fragments, certain subsets of the challenges at a time. Nevertheless, feedback from patient/users in extant literature depict very variegated concerns that are also interdependent. This work pursues provision of an encyclopedic, but not redundant, view of the challenges with mHealth systems for self-management of diabetes and hypertension.

Furthermore, the work identifies machine learning (ML) and self-management approaches as potential drivers of potency of diabetes and hypertension mobile health systems. The nexus between ML and diabetes and hypertension mHealth systems was found to be under-explored. For ML contributions to management of diabetes, we found that machine learning has been applied most to diabetes prediction followed by diagnosis, with therapy in distant third. For diabetes therapy research, only physical and dietary therapy were emphasized in reviewed literature. The four most considered performance metrics were accuracy, ROC-AUC, sensitivity, and specificity. Random forest was the best performing algorithm across all metrics, for all purposes covered in the literature. For hypertension, in descending order, hypertension prediction, prediction of risk factors, and prediction of prehypertension were most considered areas of hypertension management witnessing application of machine learning. SVM averaged best ML algorithm in accuracy and sensitivity, while random forest averaged best performing in specificity and ROC-AUC.
Κλινική και παρακλινική διερεύνηση της δυσλειτουργίας του ώμου στη νόσο του Πάρκινσον
Authors: Πάγγου Δήμητρα
Published: July 2023

Εισαγωγή: Η μελέτη της επίδρασης της νόσου Πάρκινσον (PD) στην κίνηση και τη λειτουργικότητα του ώμου είναι σχετικά περιορισμένη. Η παρούσα διατριβή στοχεύει: α) στην αξιολόγηση της συσχέτισης της δυσλειτουργίας του ώμου με παραμέτρους και στάδια της PD, β) στην ανάδειξη κλινικών και προγνωστικών παραγόντων της παθολογίας του δυσλειτουργικού ώμου. Υλικό και Μέθοδοι: Επιλέχθηκαν με συστηματική τυχαία δειγματοληψία 300 ασθενείς προσερχόμενοι στα εξωτερικά ιατρεία του «Αιγινητείου» Πανεπιστημιακού Νοσοκομείου, και κατηγοριοποιήθηκαν βάσει της τροποποιημένης κλίμακας Hoehn και Yahr (H&Y). Ακολούθως αποκλείστηκαν άτομα με συνοδές παθήσεις που μπορεί να εμπλέκονται στην παθολογία του ώμου. Οποιαδήποτε αλλαγή στην ποιότητα και το μετρούμενο με γωνιόμετρο, εύρος κίνησης ορίστηκε ως δυσλειτουργία του ώμου. Οι συσταλτές και οι μη συσταλτές δομές αξιολογήθηκαν κλινικά με ειδικές μυοσκελετικές δοκιμές. Με δυναμική και στατική υπερηχοτομογραφία (US) απεικονίστηκαν αμφότεροι ώμοι ασθενών αρχικού σταδίου. Εφαρμόστηκαν αναλύσεις συσχέτισης και πολλαπλή λογαριθμική εξάρτηση για την αξιολόγηση των δεδομένων. Αποτελέσματα: H δυσλειτουργία χαρακτηριζόταν από πόνο και υποκινητικότητα και αφορούσε τένοντες (60,3%) και αρθρώσεις (45,3%). Περίπου 7 στους 10 ασθενείς αρχικού σταδίου διαγνώστηκαν με δυσλειτουργία ώμου (65,8%, n=275). Η δυσλειτουργία είχε θετική συσχέτιση με τον τρόμο (r=0,80), τη δυσκαμψία (r=0,78) και το διάστημα από την έναρξη πόνου έως τη διάγνωση της PD (r=0,52) (p<0,001). Aρθρικές και τενόντιες αλλοιώσεις απεικονίστηκαν υπερηχοτομογραφικά σε 81/100 και σε 62/100 ασθενείς αρχικού σταδίου αντίστοιχα. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψιν πως το μικρό μέγεθος δείγματος περιορίζει σημαντικά την ακρίβεια των ευρημάτων, στην παρούσα μελέτη παρατηρήθηκε πως μεταξύ παρκισονικών ασθενών αρχικού σταδίου, η δυσλειτουργία των τενόντων του ώμου βρέθηκε να σχετίζεται θετικά με τον κίνδυνο υποκινητικότητας (OR=30,33, 95%CI=5,45-168,8, p<0,001), τον τρόμο (OR=16,82, 95%CI=0,91-310,32, p<0,058) και τη δυσκαμψία (OR=14,70, 95%CI=1,12-192,20, p<0,040), μετά από έλεγχο πιθανών συγχυτικών παραγόντων. Μεταξύ όλων των ασθενών του δείγματος (n=300), περίπου οι μισοί (46,6%) ανέφεραν επεισόδια πόνου κατά μέσο όρο 1,07 έτη πριν την εμφάνιση των τυπικών σημείων της νόσου.Συμπεράσματα: Η δυσλειτουργία του ώμου φαίνεται να απαντάται στα αρχικά στάδια της PD και μπορεί να αυξήσει τον κίνδυνο παθολογικής απεικόνισης τενόντων. Ο τρόμος και η δυσκαμψία βρέθηκαν να σχετίζονται με τη δυσλειτουργία τενόντων. Συστήνεται να εξετάζεται η εμπλοκή της PD σε περιπτώσεις πόνου και δυσλειτουργίας ώμου.
Gender-Based Pricing in Consumer Packaged Goods: A Pink Tax?
Authors: Moshary Sarah , Tuchman Anna , Vajravelu Natasha
Published: July 2023

This paper studies the extent to which firms segment, differentiate, and price discriminate on the basis of gender in the personal care category.
Discursos morales y prácticas penitenciarias. Las teorías del desistimiento del delito y el valor del arrepentimiento en el “Plan de Sentencia” del Servicio Penitenciario Federal argentino
Authors: Lombraña Andrea Natalia
Published: July 2023

En el desarrollo de este trabajo se propone dar cuenta de la noción de “arrepentimiento” a partir de la mirada que puede ofrecer una socio-antropología de las moralidades orientada por un enfoque situacional, en el marco de la implementación de un programa de política penitenciaria: el Plan de Sentencia del Servicio Penitenciario Federal argentino, sustentado en los principios de las teorías del desistimiento del delito. El “arrepentimiento”es tomado aquí en términos de valor y permite dar cuenta no sólo de su posición dentro de diferentes cadenas significantes, sino fundamentalmente de sus movilizaciones efectivas, concretas y espacio-temporales en el caso bajo estudio; mostrando su carácter dinámico, develando sus inconsistencias y dando cuenta de sus vínculos con el derecho, la responsabilidad y el castigo en particular.
Association of perceived male sexual dysfunction and sexually transmitted disease to female sexual function among Indonesian women
Authors: Manurung Mega Anara , Rahardjo Harrina Erlianti
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND Male sexual dysfunction (MSD)’s impact on female partners is challenging to understand. Male erectile dysfunction (ED) and ejaculation disorder likely affect female sexual function. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction and disorder as well as the relationship between perceived MSD and female sexual function using the validated Indonesian short version of the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6).

METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, from February 2018 to February 2019. About 702 Indonesian married women, including patients, visitors, and medical and nonmedical staff, provided the sociodemographic, FSFI-6, quality of life, and sexual function (ED, ejaculation disorder, and desire problems), and sexually transmitted disease (STD) data. The association between categorical variables was evaluated using Fisher’s test. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS Among 702 women, about 242 had sexual dysfunction (34.5%), 20 had sexual disorder (2.8%), 172 had low desire (24.5%), 72 had low arousal (10.3%), 253 had orgasmic function (36.0%), and 575 had sexual pain (81.9%). The respondents reported their partners’ STD, desire problems, ED, and ejaculation disorder. Female sexual disorder and low desire were associated with perceived ED. Female sexual disorder was associated with STD (Wald = 10.3, p = 0.001) and desire problems (Wald = 6.89, p = 0.008). No other MSD was associated with female sexual function.

CONCLUSIONS Perceived STD and male desire problems affected female sexual disorder.
In-line refractive index measurement: a simple method based on image detection
Authors: Bodo Elisabetta , Gowda Hitesh G. B. , Wallrabe Ulrike , Wapler Matthias C.
Published: July 2023

We present a simple method to determine the refractive index of fluids
that is suitable for real-time integrated measurements by imaging a
collimated beam through a fluid volume and determining its diameter on
a CMOS sensor. Our experimental results agree with the prediction of
our analytical model, and the resulting refractive index agrees with
the measurements obtained with a commercial refractometer with an RMS
deviation of just ±0.003. This method requires only
inexpensive components: a light source, two lenses, and a camera
sensor; it is suitable for real-time monitoring, and it is essentially
unlimited in the range of refractive indices.
Gain dynamics of inner-shell vacancy states pumped by high-intensity XFEL in Mg, Al and Si
Authors: Heo Jaeuk , Kim Yeonguk , Yun Gunsu , Kim Dong Eon
Published: July 2023

High-intensity X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) beams create transient and non-equilibrium dense states of matter in solid-density targets. These states can be used to develop atomic X-ray lasers with narrow bandwidth and excellent longitudinal coherence, which is not possible with current XFEL pulses. An atomic kinetics model is used to simulate the population dynamics of atomic inner-shell vacancy states in Mg, Al, and Si, revealing the feasibility of population inversion between K-shell and L-shell vacancy states. We also discuss the gain characteristics of these states implying the possibility of atomic X-ray lasers based on inner-shell vacancy states in the 1.5 keV region. The development of atomic X-ray lasers could have applications in high-resolution spectroscopy and nonlinear optics in the X-ray region.
Polarization- and angle-insensitive broadband long wavelength infrared absorber based on coplanar four-sized resonators
Authors: Sun Guotao , Chen Youxin , Wang Qingkang , Wang Danyan
Published: July 2023

In many potential applications, there is a high demand for long wavelength infrared (LWIR) absorbers characterized by a compact configuration, broad operational bandwidth, high absorption efficiency, and polarization- and angle-insensitive characteristics. In this study, we design and demonstrate a high-performance broadband LWIR absorber based on coplanar four-sized resonators, consisting of arrays of titanium (Ti) disks with different diameters supported by a continuous zinc selenide (ZnSe) layer and by a Ti film acting as a back-reflector. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is employed to optimize the complicated geometry parameters, and the final optimized device exhibits near-unity absorption (∼96.7%) across the entire operational bandwidth (8 µm∼14 µm) under unpolarized normal incidence, benefiting from the impedance-matching condition and the multiple surface plasmon resonances of this configuration. Furthermore, the proposed absorber is insensitive to the angle of incidence due to the localized surface plasmon resonances supported by these four-sized resonators, and is insensitive to the state of polarization thanks to the highly symmetric feature of the circular pattern. The measured absorption of the fabricated sample exhibits a relatively high coincidence with the simulation, with an average absorption of 88.9% ranging from 8 µm to 14 µm. The proposed absorber, which can be easily integrated into a standardized micro/nano manufacture process for cost-effective large-scale production, provides a feasible solution for improving optical performance in thermal emitter, infrared detection, and imaging applications. Furthermore, the generalized design principle employing the optimized method opens up new avenues for realizing target absorption, reflection, and transmission based on more complicated structure configurations.
I Can´t Breathe e outros textos
Authors: Sancho Elmano
Published: July 2023

O primeiro texto, I Can´t Breathe (2015), foi escrito em processo. Através de entrevistas e improvisações com a atriz Ana Monte Real e o próprio autor-ator Elmano Sancho, constrói-se um guião que apresenta algumas características dos filmes pornográficos. Aliás, I Can´t Breathe poderia ser o título de um filme para adultos. O texto revela a incapacidade em respirar numa sociedade contemporânea que tende à uniformização e que insiste em revelar os mistérios da vida e da alma humanas. O trabalho em Damas da Noite, Uma Farsa de Elmano Sancho (2019) foi semelhante; a escrita surge da necessidade em dar vida a “Cléopâtre”, sob o olhar atento das drag queens-performers do espetáculo. Juntos, os intérpretes dão nome, corpo e voz a uma pessoa‑personagem que nunca existiu e que vem anunciar ao mundo uma (boa?) nova. Em A Última Estação (2018), o autor parte do tema da Paixão de Cristo e das Estações da Via Sacra para a construção do texto. A abordagem, agora, é a simbologia cristã que serve de inspiração para a estrutura dramatúrgica e cénica. A sua XV e última estação, “A Ressurreição”, poderá ser entendida, em certa medida, como um dos principais motes da escrita teatral de Elmano Sancho: a urgência em reinventar-se a cada novo instante.
Mysticism beyond time
Authors: Szugyiczki Zsuzsanna
Published: July 2023

A modern misztikát a kortárs kutatások gyakran "zavarosnak" és "felszínesnek" nevezik. Ezek a negatív jelzők különösen akkor szembetűnőek, amikor a modern misztikát a misztika ‘klasszikus’ vagy ‘tradicionális’ változatával hasonlítják össze. Ezek alapján úgy tűnik, hogy a modern jelenségek nem felelnek meg azoknak a magas követelményeknek, amelyeket a tudósok a misztika tradicionális változatainak tulajdonítanak, és amelyeken a legtöbb misztika-definíció is alapul. Bár ez az összehasonlítás segíthet a modern misztika megértésében, árnyaltabb elemzésre van szükség. Ezért ebben a disszertációban amellett érvelek, hogy (1) a misztikát a kortárs elméleti művek alapján tradicionális és modern misztikaként jellemezhetjük és hasonlíthatjuk össze. (2) Azok a különbségek, amelyeken ezek a kategóriák alapulnak, csak a misztika kontextuális elemeire vonatkoznak, a misztikus tapasztalatokra nem. (3) Mivel ez a megkülönböztetés nem vonatkozik a misztikus tapasztalatokra, a modern misztika lényegében azonos a tradicionális misztikával. (4) A modern misztika értelmezésére nincsen elegendő és adekvát elméleti kutatás. (5) A modern misztikához kapcsolódó kontextuális változások miatt a misztika definícióinak és kategóriáinak aktualizálása szükséges.
Exploration, Screening, and Application of Silica Solubilizing Bacteria and Silica Fertilizer to Suppress Fusarium Wilt Disease in Abaca
Authors: Werdiningtyas Cyrilla Kinanti , Wibowo Arif , Subandiyah Siti , Widiastuti Ani
Published: July 2023

Pisang abaka (Musa textilis) merupakan penghasil serat alam berkualitas tinggi dengan permasalahan utama penyakit layu fusarium oleh Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4. Penelitian ini bertujuan memperoleh bakteri pelarut silika (BPS), menentukan pengaruh aplikasi BPS dan pupuk silika untuk menghambat serangan fusarium serta memacu pertumbuhan tanaman pisang. Sebanyak enam isolat BPS diperoleh dari tanah rizosfer pisang abaka sehat, tiga di antaranya memiliki aktivitas antagonis terhadap F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4. Empat perlakuan yang dicobakan menunjukkan keparahan penyakit layu fusarium yang tidak berbeda. Demikian juga keempat perlakuan tidak menunjukkan perbedaan pada peubah pertumbuhan yang diamati. Bakteri pelarut silika dan pupuk silika belum mampu mengendalikan F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4. Oleh karena itu, pisang abaka terbukti rentan terhadap F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4.
Concentric triangular mapping with iterative substitution method for PAPR reduction in OCDM system without SI
Authors: Singh Mohit Kumar , Goel Ashish
Published: July 2023

OCDM, a new MCM scheme, has been proposed in the literature. Like widely used OFDM, OCDM also has a drawback of high PAPR. PAPR reduction schemes like SLM and PTS require information about phase factors i.e. SI used at the transmitting end for PAPR reduction for recovery of original data signal at the receiver. Transmission and recovery of SI is always a concern. In this paper a new CTM-IS method has been proposed for PAPR reduction of OCDM signal without SI. Main objective of the proposed scheme is to improve the error performance of SI free SLM and PTS based schemes without any degradation in PAPR reduction. PAPR performance and SER performance, over AWGN as well as multipath Rayleigh fading channels, of OCDM signal with proposed CTM-IS scheme is evaluated. Analytical expression for SER of the proposed CTM-IS scheme over AWGN channel is also derived. The computational complexity of the proposed CTM-IS scheme is also presented. Performance of the proposed CTM-IS scheme is compared with the existing MSM combined with SLM (MSM-SLM), CCM combined with SLM (CCM-SLM) and OM combined with SLM (OM-SLM) schemes. The proposed CTM-IS scheme has demonstrated to offer a theoretical power gain of about 3.01 dB, 2.55 dB, and 14.23 dB over MSM-SLM, CCM-SLM and OM-SLM schemes, respectively. Proposed CTM-IS scheme provides better SER performance with respect to MSM-SLM, CCM-SLM and OM-SLM without any loss in the PAPR performance. Moreover, computational complexity of CTM-IS scheme is less than that of MSM-SLM and CCM-SLM schemes.
THE COADJUVANCY OF THE MALAYSIAN REGULATORY POLICIES IN ADDRESSING THE CARTEL ACTIVITIES IN MALAYSIAN CORPORATIONS
Authors: Mohd Rozaimy bin Ridzuan  , Noor Amira Syazwani Abd Rahman  , Norhidayah Md Yusof
Published: July 2023

Cartels pose significant turbulence in many aspects, ranging from the increase in prices of goods and services to affect long-run economic growth and productivity. In 2010, the Competition Act was formulated to promote economic development by promoting and protecting the process of competition, thereby protecting the interests of consumers and to provide for matters connected therewith. However, in terms of the enforcement of the Act, Malaysia is still at the infancy stage. Hence, this paper attempts to examine the effectiveness of the Act in mitigating the cartel activities in Malaysia. Besides that, this paper also attempts to examine the collaborative feasibility between the Competition Act 2010 and Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Regulatory Policies) in addressing the cartel activities in Malaysian firms. This paper also offers suggestions to the policy makers to strengthen the feasibility of the Competition Act. Methodologically, an extensive literature review was carried out by the researchers based on the policies formulated in Malaysia and developed countries. A content analysis was also performed to identify major themes and delineate a crucial means to address cartel activities in Malaysia. The finding of the study revealed that there is a room for improvement in the Malaysian Competition Act 2010. Besides, the collaborative action between two regulatory policies are significant and it would  be able to curb the cartel activities in Malaysia.
Mae el Aînin y el poder central marroquí
Authors: Mhaddarha Ahmed
Published: July 2023

Chej Mae el Aînin ha sido un personaje importante en la historia del Magreb. Su influencia en las cabilas saharianas le permitió mantener unas relaciones privilegiadas con los sultanes marroquíes que pronto comprendieron el papel que Chej Maelainin podría desempeñar en su nombre en estas regiones alejadas del poder central.Fue el hombre de confianza y su vigía en el Sáhara en un sistema político en que el poder se mantiene fundamentalmente gracias a las relaciones personales del Chej Maelainin.Pero el beneficio no fue unidireccional ya que el chej pudo extender su influencia religiosa por todo el imperio gracias a la generosidad de los sultanes. AbstractChej Mae el Aînin has been an important figure in the history of the Maghreb. Its influence on the Saharan kabyles allowed him to maintain privileged relations with the Moroccan sultans. They understood soon the role that could play Chej Maelainin in these remote regions on their behalf. He was the man in the Sahara in a political system in which power is maintained due to the trust relationships of Chej Maelainin. But the benefits were not unidirectional as the chej was able to extend their religious influence to all the empire through the generosity of the sultans.
Estudios de caso de la política exterior española hacia el Mundo Árabe y Musulmán: Libia
Authors: Jurado Anaya Jesús
Published: July 2023

En este artículo se abordan las relaciones entre España y Libia desde la independencia del país en 1951. La inicial cooperación cultural de la España franquista con el Reino de Libia pasará a convertirse en una importante relación económica basada en el suministro de hidrocarburos desde mediados de la década de 1970. El enfriamiento de las relaciones desde la década de 1980 dará paso a una cooperación reforzada a partir de 1999, por el fin de las sanciones internacionales contra Trípoli. Se examina por último la posición española frente a la revolución libia de 2011 y las perspectivas de futuro de esta relación bilateral.AbstractThis article reviews the relations between Spain and Libya starting from its independence in 1951. The initial cultural cooperation during the Franco regime with the Kingdom of Libya evolved into an important economic relation based on hydrocarbon supply from the mid-seventies on. The cooling of relations around the eighties would yield reinforced cooperation starting in 1999, due to the end of international sanctions against Tripoli. Finally, Spanish position regarding the Libyan Revolution of 2011 and further future perspectives of this bilateral relation will be examined.
Potential use of graft copolymers of mercerized flax as filler in polystyrene composite materials
Authors: Kalia Susheel , Sharma Sanjeev , Bhardwaj Bandna , Kaith B.S. , Singha A.S.
Published: July 2023

Graft copolymerization of binary vinyl monomers onto mercerized flax fiber was carried out for the enhancement of mechanical properties of polystyrene composites. Binary vinyl monomer mixture of AA+AN has been found to show maximum grafting (33.55%) onto mercerized flax. Graft copolymers thus synthesized were characterized with FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, and TGA techniques. Mercerized flax (MF) showed maximum thermal stability in comparison to graft copolymers. It has been found that polystyrene composites reinforced with graft copolymers showed improvement in mechanical properties such as wear resistance, compressive strength, and tensile strength.
Digital Humanities 2012 - Conference Abstracts
Authors: Schjönert Katrin
Published: July 2023

"Digital Diversity: Cultures, Languages and Methods" is the motto for this year’s Digital Humanities conference; it relates methodical and technical innovation to the traditional research agenda of the Humanities. The conference schedule includes contributions on a wide range of topics, reflecting the increasing breadth in the field on all levels. A recurring theme at Digital Humanities conferences in recent years has been the high number of submissions, and this year has continued the upward trend, with close to 400 submissions across the different categories: pre-conference workshops/tutorials, long papers, short papers, posters and multipaper sessions (including panels). This Book of Abstracts shows the diversity of this year's conference.
Der Mann und die Stadt
Authors: Richter Myriam Isabell
Published: July 2023

Wie wird man zum Hanseaten und was ist ein (Hamburger) Patriot? Warum konnte ein Abiturient bis 1918 nicht in Hamburg studieren und wieso führten Katastrophen im 19. Jahrhundert zu Modernisierungsschüben in der Freien und Hansestadt? Fragen dieser Art durchziehen das Buch – die meisten werden beantwortet. Um 1850 neigt sich ein gediegenes Großkapitel Hamburger Stadtgeschichte dem Ende zu. Am Beginn des neuen steht die Geburt eines Knaben. Werner von Melles Durchsetzungswillen verdankt Hamburg nicht zuletzt die Universität. Die Biographie über den ersten Präsidenten der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Stiftung erzählt die Geschichte seines langen Lebensweges im Koordinatennetz politischer Systeme und hanseatischer Stadtkultur. Ihr erster Teil ist Zeugnis einer komplexen Liebe und Partnerschaft zwischen dem Mann und der Stadt.
Barreras percibidas y nivel de actividad física en universitarios colombianos durante la pandemia por covid-19
Authors: Rubio Silva María Nancy , Córdoba Rentería Libardo , Orejuela Aristizabal Diego Fernando
Published: July 2023

La pandemia de COVID-19 condujo a adoptar nuevos estilos de vida que implican riesgos en la salud física y mental; además, alteran la rutina familiar, social, laboral y académica.  Los estudiantes que iniciaron estudios universitarios se encontraron ante un nuevo sistema de educación, por lo que se desconoce el comportamiento de la práctica de actividad física durante este periodo. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar las barreras percibidas y el nivel de actividad física en universitarios de primer semestre de la Institución Universitaria Escuela Nacional del Deporte, Colombia. Para ello, se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal en el que participaron 381 estudiantes: 258 de fisioterapia y 123 de profesional en deporte, matriculados en el 2020-2 y 2021-1. Los instrumentos para recoger la información fueron el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ) y el Barriers to Being Active Quiz (BBAQ). Los resultados mostraron que el 55,64% de los participantes reportó bajos niveles de actividad física, con porcentajes mayores en el grupo de fisioterapia; el 85,79% presentaron al menos una barrera para realizar actividad física, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo de fisioterapia comparado con el grupo de deporte para las barreras falta de tiempo, voluntad e influencia social. En conclusión, fue posible evidenciar bajos niveles de actividad física en el grupo de fisioterapia comparado con el grupo de deporte que reportó niveles de actividad física moderada y vigorosa más altos, en ambos grupos la falta de tiempo y falta de voluntad fueron las barreras percibidas más relevantes, pero en porcentajes diferentes.
Heterotopia of the gastric mucosa in the rectum: a clinical case report
Authors:   Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine, Kosmynina N.S. , Luchak M.V. ,   Lviv Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital «OHMATDYT», Ukraine
Published: July 2023

Heterotopic gastric mucosa is rare in the paediatric population, but it can pose a diagnostic challenge. This pathology can occur in any part of the digestive tract, from the oropharynx to the anorectal area. Most cases are observed in the esophagus, duodenum and hepatobiliary system, but the presence of this tissue in the rectum is extremely rare. Purpose - conduct a clinical description of a rare pathology in children in order to pay the doctors` attention to the need for comprehensive diagnosis of patients with hematochezia. Clinical case. We present a clinical case of a child with heterotopia of the gastric mucosa into the rectum. Symptoms included hematochezia and anal pain during the act of defecation, general weakness, and decreased appetite. These manifestations were observed for two years with periods of exacerbations and remissions on the background of conservative treatment. The final diagnosis was made on the basis of a biopsy of nodular formations of the rectum, detected by colonoscopy. Conclusions. Given the negative impact of the disease manifestations on the patient's quality of life and the potential risk of malignant transformation, the possibility of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the rectum with indeterminate bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract should be considered and a complete examination, including biopsy, should be performed. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, radical surgical removal is recommended. Initial conservative treatment with proton pump inhibitors provides only short-term relief and is accompanied by periods of exacerbation and remission. The final treatment is always surgical or endoscopic excision of the heterotopic mucosa. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
Microsocial risk and protective factors for development of irritable bowel syndrome in children
Authors:   Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine, Semen M.O. , Lychkovska O.L. ,   Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
Published: July 2023

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a stress-sensitive gastrointestinal disorder, which occurs as a result of the complex interaction of individual physiological, psychological and psychosocial factors. A tendency of IBS to cluster in families is caused not only by genetic predisposition but also by epigenetic mechanisms of psychosocial transmission of somatic symptoms from parents to children. Purpose - to determine the role of certain microsocial risk factors in the development of IBS in children. Materials and methods. The study involved 54 patients aged 6 to 12 years old with a diagnosis of IBS established in accordance with the Rome IV criteria, as well as 50 practically healthy children from the control group. For a detailed study of perinatal and microsocial risk factors and prevention of IBS, the developmental histories of children were analyzed and the «family history» method was used (descriptive and phenomenological collection of life history from the patient’s parents). Data were processed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and analyzed with GraphPad (Prism 5.0). Results. Perinatal risk factors that can lead to the development of IBS in children are birth from the first in order of delivery, caesarean section, breastfeeding for less than 3 months. There is also a correlation between an increased risk of IBS in children and the presence of psychosomatic disorders in infants and young children, a tendency to somatization in the mother; the frequency of visits to doctors by the child and mother more than 6 times a year; authoritarian parenting style by the mother and hyperprotective parenting style by the father; frequent overeating and food intolerances. On the contrary, birth from a multigravid woman, absence of psychosomatic disorders of infants and toddlers, parental emotional warmth and democratic parenting may be protective of the development of IBS in children. Conclusions. A number of microsocial factors have been identified that are associated with an increased risk of IBS. Awareness of those factors and consequently their correction may be important for the prevention of IBS in children. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
“Sun Yat-sen Culture” – Socio-Cultural Brand for the Greater Bay Area of China and the World Consolidation
Authors:   Guangzhou Nanfang College (广州南方学院), Strukova Polina
Published: July 2023

Introduction. This article is devoted to the description of the phenomenon named after the Chinese revolutionary and thinker Sun Yat-sen, who lived at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The image of this outstanding representative of the South Chinese Lingnan (Cantonese) culture has been actively used by the Chinese government for more than 15 years to unite the population of the urban cluster of the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau) of South China. The paper discusses the cultural and historical context, the personality of the politician himself, the prerequisites for his personal “culture” formation, as well as the methods and goals of popularizing the “Sun Yat-sen culture.” Methods and Materials. A wide range of recently published works by Chinese and foreign researchers and publicists on related topics were reviewed, analyzed, and theoretically compiled. Analysis. The author fills in the gaps in understanding the connection between the features of Sun Yat-sen’s image and the current tasks of the Chinese state. The characteristic features of the personality and the “Sun Yat-sen figure” have been determined, and its functions have been identified. Results. As a result of the application of general scientific methods, the author comes to the conclusion that the “Sun Yat-sen culture” is introduced as a regional brand, a role model, a showcase, and a personal cultural brand of South China. This brand is being transformed from local to regional and wider by means of state popularization. This happens with the aim of strengthening socio-cultural ties in the Greater Bay Area, with the prospect of further uniting representatives of the “Chinese world” and more. The article also shows examples of the means of socio-cultural brand popularization and touches upon its correlation with the idea of “discursive power” in modern China.