bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical and methodological reflections on research exploring refugee family reunification in Brazil
Authors: Nabuco Martuscelli Patricia
Published: March 2023

Ethical discussions have become key to Refugee Studies. However, most of this literature focuses on research with refugees in developed countries or refugee camps in the Majority World countries. Recommendations and experiences of researchers in the Global North do not completely grasp the challenges and opportunities for researchers from the Majority World conducting research with refugees in the Majority World. This paper discusses my experience of “doing-no-harm” research with 20 refugees in the city of São Paulo, Brazil in 2018. These interviews allowed me to understand the lived experience of refugees applying for family reunification in a first asylum country in Latin America. They also demanded new ethical and methodological decisions and dialogues. My reflection contributes to this literature on ethics and refugee studies and “ethics in practice” by bringing new ethical and methodological reflections considering trust-building, sampling, reflexivity, amplifying refugees’ voices and confidentiality from a South-South perspective.
‘How much do we need to know?’ On the Ethical implications of Operational Research in Humanitarian Settings
Authors: Jorgensen Nuni
Published: March 2023

International Non-governmental Organisations (INGOs) have long been conducting operational research (OR), which is a mode of research that follows very specific principles. In the present work, I reflect upon my experience of conducting operational research with migrants and asylum seekers in Mexico, while working for an INGO. By centring my analysis on a question that was often posed by colleagues– “how much do we need to know?” - I explore three interrelated topics. First, I look at the advantages and the ethical dilemmas that emerge from the organisation’s ambivalent role as practitioner and researcher. I then discuss how research is not only being used to evaluate programs, but also as form of témoignage, and how hierarchical research designs may incur process of othering. I follow with an appreciation of how surveys implemented in such contexts contribute to framing migrants’ experiences according to pre-determined categories of trauma and suffering.
Librarian’s workplace in the context of the library’s facilities and equipment: Theoretical approach and practical realization
Authors: Maslova Y. V. , Matveeva G. V. , Babieva N. A.
Published: March 2023

The facilities and resources of the libraries determine their performance, therefore the development and improvements of physical facilities and librarians’ workplace must always be in the focus, along with the library’s functions, structure, and vectors of activities. The efficiently designed, comfortable, organized and technological workplace increases productivity. The latest achievements of science, technology and ergonomics contribute to efficient infrastructure, premises and collection utilization, and employees’ performance. Innovative workplace arrangement stimulates employees to develop interactive and other communications and to meet modern users’ demands to the fullest extent possible. The authors prove the necessity of developing library facilities and resources taking into account the state of modern society, science and technology. For this purpose, the librarians, architects, engineers, furniture manufacturers, designers and local authorities must join their efforts. The authors present the findings of the research based on the librarians’ survey and identify their preferences and ideal workplace image.
Ecological developments in Donbass: Bibliographic control and promotion of research
Authors: Avraimova T. V. , Safonov A. I.
Published: March 2023

The authors analyze the bibliographic information on ecological developments in Donbass for 2000–2022. With the subject headings of the bibliographic index, they follow the trends in ecotechnologies, scientific research and implementation of environmental protection methods and optimization of industrial region’s environments. They emphasize the value of targeted scientific research as the key source of science popularization and public ecological monitoring. They review research, technological and socially important undertakings that in aggregate contribute to achieve all possible harmonization of human existence in the transformed natural ecosystems. The botanical ecological monitoring of natural environments in Donbass has been the only and unique large-scale continuing experiment of independent expertise of region’s natural ecosystems during the social and political conflict (2014–2022). The research project in Donbass is not only the intellectual property object but also the source of ecological education, in particular, owing to the bibliographic analysis and direct community outreach.
Prognostic Value of Serum Procalcitonin in Patients with Sepsis in a Tertiary Level Hospital
Authors: Jahan Aflatun Akter , Rahman Md Raziur , Ahmed Jamal Uddin , Khan Sameena
Published: March 2023

Background: Sepsis is a complex, life-threatening, heterogeneous infectious disease associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality. Early assessment of the prognosis of sepsis is key to achieving a favorable outcome for the disease. This study aimed to identify the prognostic value of PCT for sepsis patients.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective analytical study involving 100 adult patients with sepsis who were admitted to the Medicine dept and intensive care unit from 2019 to 2020. At least one blood test for PCT level was performed for all patients within the first 24 hours of suspecting an infection.
Results: Our study found that a maximum number of patients (43.0%) were between 51-60 years age group, mean age of the patient was 49.35 ± 11.7 years. Out of 100 cases, 65% were male and 35% were female. The male and female ratio was 1.85:1. In this study serum, procalcitonin levels 0.5-2.0 ng/were detected in 15.0% of patients with mean±SD 1.3±0.8. Serum procalcitonin levels 2.1-10.0 ng/mL were detected in 29.0% of patients with mean±SD 5.9±2.5 and >10.0 ng/mL was detected in 56 patients. Based on the receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves, procalcitonin had the area under curve 0.923, with 89.4% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity. In our study, procalcitonin showed the best predictive value for the short-term outcome of sepsis with a cut-off value of 14.8 ng/mL (AUC 0.923). Study shows that 76.0% of the patients recovered completely, but 24.0% of patients expired during the hospital stay.
Conclusion: There was a statistically significant correlation in serum procalcitonin with the outcome of sepsis (p < 0.001). So the effectiveness of serum procalcitonin has proven significant in the prediction of mortality in sepsis patients.
J MEDICINE 2023; 24: 18-22
Disseminated Histoplasmosis in Immunocompetent Patients Presented with Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)
Authors: Islam Md Sohidul , Habib Md Rehan , Asha Elmay Taswafe , Sharmin Mahbuba , Ashraf Mehnaj , Mahmud Abdullah Al , Kabir Amin Lutful , Alam Md Rafiqul , Chowdhury Fazle Rabbi
Published: March 2023

Histoplasmosis is underreported although in Southeast Asia including Bangladesh is thought to be endemic considering the favorable geo-climatic conditions for the organism. Non-recognition of histoplasmosis is particularly attributed to possible misdiagnosis as tuberculosis (which is endemic here and common in Bangladesh) because histoplasmosis mimics tuberculosis in clinical presentation, imaging and histopathology. Disseminated histoplasmosis mainly occur in immunocompromised patients and rare in immunocompetent subjects. Here we are reporting two cases of disseminated histoplasmosis where both were immunocompetent and presented with FUO. Both patients visited several health centers before coming to us with no definite diagnosis and we got them in a progressive stage. Both were confirmed through bone marrow study. Unfortunately, one of them died from disease progression, sepsis and other complications and another patient gradually improved with treatment (amphotericin B and itraconazole). We are reporting these cases to highlight the fact that disseminated histoplasmosis does occur in immunocompetent patient and may occur with or without pulmonary symptoms. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis and delay can often be fatal.
J MEDICINE 2023; 24: 59-64
FluTracking: Weekly online community-based surveillance of influenza-like illness in Australia, 2019 Annual Report
Authors: Carlson Sandra J , Innes Reilly J , Howard Zachary L , Baldwin Zoe , Butler Michelle , Dalton Craig B
Published: March 2023

FluTracking provided evidence for an early, long, but moderate influenza season in the Australian community compared to prior years. Influenza-like illness (ILI) activity in 2019 peaked earlier (week ending 16 June) than any season on record in FluTracking data. ILI attack rates were above average early in the 2019 season (peak of 2.2%), and the duration of peak activity was longer than most prior years. However, ILI attack rates were lower than the five-year average in the latter half of the season. FluTracking participants reported higher vaccination coverage in 2019 (73.3%) compared with 2018 (65.7%), with the most notable increase in children aged less than five years (69.3% in 2019, compared to 55.6% in 2018). The total 2019 count of laboratory notifications (312,945) was higher than prior years (2007 onwards), and the peak weekly count of 18,429 notifications in 2019 was also higher than all prior years, except 2017. FluTracking makes a comparison to another surveillance system each year. The peak weekly percentage of calls to HealthDirect that were influenza-related was higher in 2019 (12.8%) than for 2014–2018 (range of 8.2–11.4% for peak week of activity each year). FluTracking participants reported a 2.5 times increase in influenza testing from 2018 to 2019 and a 1.5 times increase from 2017. Although 2019 was of higher activity and severity than 2018, Flutracking data indicates that 2019 was a lower activity and severity season than 2017, and notifications and influenza-related calls were heightened by increased community concern and testing.
Katsomusreflektiivisyys opettajan professionaalisuuden ulottuvuutena
Authors: Poulter Saila , Kavonius Marjaana
Published: March 2023

Katsomuksellisesti muuttuva yhteiskunta ja kasvatusympäristö tuovat uusia haasteita opettajan moninaisuuteen liittyvään osaamiseen. Katsomuksia koskevaa reflektiivisyyttä pidetään merkityksellisenä opettajan ammatillisen lähestymistavan kehittämisessä, mutta katsomusreflektiota käsitteenä on tutkittu vähän. Kasvatustieteellisessä tutkimuksessa opettajan katsomuksia koskevaa osaamista on tutkittu lähinnä katsomustietoisuuden, katsomussensitiivisyyden ja uskontolukutaidon käsitteiden kautta. Tässä artikkelissa katsomusreflektiivisyyttä tutkitaan käsiteanalyyttisesti eksistentiaalisen reflektion näkökulmasta, jossa korostuvat opettajan oma oleminen kasvatussuhteessa ja omaan henkilöhistoriaan liittyvien elementtien arvioiminen. On tärkeää, että opettaja ymmärtää katsomusten olevan läsnä kaikessa kasvatuksellisessa vuorovaikutuksessa eikä katsomuksia koskeva reflektiivisyyden vaatimus siten rajaudu vain katsomusopetuksen eli uskonnon ja elämänkatsomustiedon tunneille tai ennalta tunnistettujen katsomuksellisten kysymysten tarkasteluun. Katsomusopetukseen rajautumisen sijaan reflektiivisyyden vaatimus kohdistuu opettajan professioon kaikilla kouluasteilla ja eri oppiaineissa. Artikkeli tuo lisäksi esiin sen, että reflektiivisessä opettajuudessa ei ole kyse pelkästään yksittäisen opettajan taitavasta toiminnasta, sillä on tärkeää huomioida laajempi yhteiskunnallinen ja aatteellinen viitekehys, jonka puitteissa opettajuuteen kasvetaan ja sitä koskevia odotuksia tuotetaan.
Reflektiivisyys varhaiskasvatuksessa
Authors: Köngäs Mirja , Ruohola Vivianne , Sintonen Sara
Published: March 2023

Varhaiskasvatuksen opettajan asiantuntijuuteen on nähty kuuluvan kiinteänä osana reflektiivinen työote. Reflektiodiskurssissa painottuu aikuislähtöisyys, jolloin reflektio voi näyttäytyä yksisuuntaisena aikuisesta lapseen suuntautuvana toiminnan tulkintana. Tässä kolmen varhaiskasvatuksen tutkijan pohtivassa puheenvuorossa kysymme, miten reflektiodiskurssia olisi syytä kehittää ja onko lapsen äänellä sijaa reflektioprosessissa. Erityisen tarkastelun kohteena ovat reflektio ilmiönä varhaiskasvatuksessa sekä reflektion suhde mentalisaatioon ja lapsikäsitykseen. Artikkelissa pohdimme reflektiota mahdollisuutena rakentaa laajempaa ymmärrystä. Jos reflektiota käytettäisiin lapsen ja aikuisen välisen yhteyden luomiseen ja vahvistamiseen, muuttuisi reflektio enemmän lapsen oman äänen tavoittamisen suuntaan. Laajempi ymmärrys reflektiivisyydestä muuttaisi täten reflektion vain binäärisestä lapsi–aikuinen-kahtiajaosta dialogiseksi vuorovaikutussuhteeksi kohti sosiaalisempia käytäntöjä, joissa lapset ymmärretään aikuisiin verrattavina sosiaalisen todellisuuden tulkitsijoina.
EFEKTIVITAS PENGELOLAAN BADAN USAHA MILIK DESA DALAM PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DI DESA SIGERONGAN
Authors: Darusman Erwin , Suharyani Suharyani
Published: March 2023

The problem raised in this study is how the effectiveness of the management of Village-Owned Enterprises in community empowerment in Sigerongan Village. This study aims to determine the level of effectiveness of the management of Village-Owned Enterprises in community empowerment in Sigerongan Village. This study uses an evaluative method with the CIPP model (context, input, process, product). This study does not use a sample because the population is less than one hundred, while the number of subjects is 20 people and the data collection techniques used are questionnaires, observation, documentation. The analytical method used is a Likert scale percentage technique analysis with the respondent's answer score formula for the ideal score times 100%. The results of the analysis of the Likert scale percentage technique show that the context component is in the very effective category, namely 88.5%, the input component is in the very effective category, namely 81.5%, the process component is in the very effective category, which is 80.4% and the last component is the the product is in the effective category, which is 79.25%. While the overall results are in the very effective category, namely 82.8%, which means that it has been running very effectively. So it can be concluded that the effectiveness of the management of Village Owned Enterprises in community empowerment in Sigerongan Village has been running effectively with the objectives to be achievedKey Words: Effectiveness, Management, Village Owned EnterprisesMasalah yang diangkat dalam penelitian ini adalah bagaimana efektivitas pengelolaan Badan Usaha Milik Desa dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat di Desa Sigerongan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat efektivitas pengelolaan Badan Usaha Milik Desa dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat di Desa Sigerongan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode evaluative dengan model CIPP  (context, input, process, product). Penelitian ini tidak menggunakan sampel karena jumlah populasinya kurang dari seratus, adapun jumlah subjek berjumlah 20 orang dan teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan yaitu angket, observasi, dokumentasi. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis teknik persentase skala likert dengan rumus skor jawaban responden bagi skor ideal kali 100%. Hasil dari analisis teknik persentase skala likert ini menunjukan bahwa komponen context masuk kategori sangat efektif yakni 88,5%, komponen input masuk kategori sangat efektif yakni 81,5%, komponen process masuk kategori sangat efektif yakni 80,4% dan yang trakhir adalah komponen product masuk kategori efektif yakni 79,25%. Sedangkan hasil keseluruhan berada pada kategori sangat efektif yakni 82,8%, yang brarti sudah berjalan secara sangat efektif. Jadi dapat disimpulkan bahwa efektivitas pengelolaan Badan Usaha Milik Desa dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat di Desa Sigerongan sudah berjalan secara efektif sehingga yang direncanakan bias tercapaKata Kunci: Efktivitas, Pengelolaan, Badan Usaha Milik Desa
IMPLEMENTASI ADMINISTRASI SEKOLAH DASAR NEGERI 30 AMPENAN
Authors: Anam M. Chairul , Muzanni Ahmad , Hadi Samsul
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this research is to describe the management of  the  primary  school  30 Ampenan. This research is a qualitative descriptive study, the results of which show that, first, the implementation of student management has been effective: all student management requirements are complete and well organized, can run effectively even though there is no administrative staff. Fourth, the application of financial administration is related to financial standards , which includes: Investment costs, management costs and personnel costs Fifth, there are problems in the implementation of management, which have an impact on administrative inefficiencies.Keywords: implementastion,  elementary school, administration.Abstrak: Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan pengelolaan SDN 30 Ampenan. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif, yang hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa, pertama, pelaksanaan manajemen kemahasiswaan sudah efektif: semua persyaratan manajemen kesiswaan lengkap dan tertata dengan baik, dapat berjalan dengan efektif meskipun tidak ada staf Tata Usaha.Keempat, penerapan administrasi  keuangan terkait dengan standar keuangan, yang meliputi: Biaya investasi, biaya manajemen dan biaya personel Kelima, terdapat masalah dalam pelaksanaan manajemen, yang berdampak pada inefisiensi adminstrasi.Kata Kunci: implementasi, sekolah dasar, administrasi
Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar IPA dalam Memahami Rangkaian Listrik Seri Melalui Penerapan Metode Eksperimen Pada Siswa Kelas VI SDN 1 Mantang
Authors: Irfan Ahmad Zainul , Najamuddin M.
Published: March 2023

Abstract : This study aims to improve science learning outcomes in understanding series electrical circuits through the application of experimental methods in grade VI students of SDN 1 Mantang in the odd semester of the 2022/2023 academic year. The method used in this research is the experimental method in class VI students of SDN 1 Mantang. The experimental method is one of the teaching methods that in its presentation is appropriate / suitable to be applied in learning Natural Sciences, because with this method students can develop optimal thinking skills. This class action research was conducted in two cycles on 32 students consisting of 11 male students and 21 female students. After the research was conducted, students' understanding and learning outcomes of science lessons on series electrical circuits material increased by using experimental methods with an average score of 66 in cycle I to 86.5 in cycle II. In the efforts made by researchers in improving science learning outcomes, it can be concluded that the experimental method is very helpful for teachers in carrying out the learning process, especially when demonstrating with media or materials as a medium for student learning.Keywords: Improvement, Science Learning Outcomes, Experimental MethodAbstrak : Penelitian  ini  bertujuan  untuk  meningkatkan  hasil  belajar  IPA  dalam  memahami  rangkaian listrik  seri  melalui  penerapan  metode  eksperimen  pada  siswa  kelas  VI  SDN  1 Mantang semester  ganjil  tahun  pelajaran  2022/2023.  Metode  yang  digunakan  dalam  penelitian  ini adalah metode eksperimen pada siswa kelas VI SDN 1 Mantang. Metode eksperimen adalah merupakan  salah  satu  metode  mengajar  yang  dalam  penyajiannya  sesuai/cocok  untuk diterapkan    dalam  pembelajaran  Ilmu  Pengetahuan  Alam,  karena  dengan  metode  ini  siswa dapat    mengembangkan  kemampuan  berfikir  secara  optimal.  Penelitian  tindakan  kelas  ini dilakukan  sebanyak  dua  siklus  terhadap  32  orang  siswa  yang  terdiri  dari  11  siswa  laki-laki dan  21 siswa  perempuan. Setelah penelitian dilakukan, pemahaman dan hasil belajar siswa terhadap pelajaran IPA materi rangkaian listrik seri menjadi meningkat dengan menggunakan metode  eksperimen  dengan  nilai  rata-rata  dari  66  pada  siklus  I  menjadi  86,5  pada  siklus  II. Dalam  usaha  yang  dilakukan  peneliti  dalam  meningkatkan  hasil  belajar  IPA  dapat disimpulkan  bahwa  dengan  metode  eksperimen  sangat  membantu  guru  dalam  melakukan proses  pembelajaran  terutama  saat  melakukan  peragaan  dengan  media  atau  bahan  sebagai media belajar siswa. Kata konci: Peningkatan, Hasil Belajar IPA, Metode Eksperimen
Immunotherapy with T cells: New strategies and improved designs
Authors:   , van Diest Eline
Published: March 2023

Despite all the steps that have been made during the last decades towards the improvement of cancer treatment, for many patients the disease remains incurable. Moreover, the standard treatments such as irradiation, chemotherapy and surgery can cause a lot discomfort and unwanted side effects for patients. Currently, there are already several potential game-changing cancer immunotherapies implemented in clinical practice, and there are many more in different stages of preclinical and clinical development. While these will undoubtedly change treatment outcome for many cancer patients, unfortunately probably only a minor fraction of all cancer patients will benefit from these treatments. Therefore, further improvement of at-present used therapies, development of novel concepts as well as efforts to combine different treatments to increase overall efficacy is needed. In this thesis we aimed to advance immunotherapeutic strategies using αβ- or γδTCRs for tumor cell recognition. We developed a novel concept to purify and deplete αβTCR engineered T cells, a strategy that could contribute to improving the quality and safety of ex vivo manufactured αβTCR cell therapies. Furthermore, we improved in vitro and in vivo potency of T cells engineered with a γδTCR (TEG), by the introduction of an additional chimeric co-stimulation receptor. This will hopefully add to clinical efficacy of this cell product in the future, a strategy that might also be applicable to other cell therapies. Lastly, we introduced a novel concept to the fast-growing field of γδTCR mediated immunotherapy, with the development of a bispecific T cell engager by linking the extracellular domains of tumor-reactive γ9δ2TCRs to a CD3-binding moiety, creating gamma delta TCR anti-CD3 bispecific molecules (GABs). With the GABs we provide an alternative strategy to translate the promise of γδTCRs into anti-cancer therapy, with the potential to be a broadly applicable and off-the shelve therapy.
Chasing the chains by testing them twice
Authors:   , de Greef Peter
Published: March 2023

The adaptive immune system employs a large number of T cells, that each have a specificity defined by their T-cell receptor (TCR). Characterizing the TCR repertoire in humans and mice thus provides a way to address outstanding immunological questions. The repertoires can be assessed quantitatively using high-throughput sequencing. Interpretation of the resulting data is challenging due to the vast diversity of the TCR repertoire and the relatively small number of cells that can be analyzed in an experiment. In this thesis we analyze TCR repertoires from humans and mice, by integrating information obtained from multiple samples.
In Chapter 2 we devise various models for the distribution of TCR clone sizes in the human naive T cell pool. We characterise the repertoire of TCR α and β chains by repertoire sequencing of various cell subsets. Comparing the model predictions with the experimental outcomes, we find solid evidence for the presence of very large TCRαβ clones in the naive T cell repertoire. These large naive T-cell clones are only partly explained by their generation probability. Chapter 3 aims to identify sequence characteristics of such abundant naive T cell clones. We find that the D segment is missing in a substantial fraction of the abundant TCR β sequences in the naive T cell repertoire of young individuals. Such sequences appear to be mostly generated before birth, to persist over a human lifetime, and, as a result, to be excessively shared between individuals. Chapter 4 is a short unpublished report on quantifying the effects of age on the TCR repertoire. We present example analyses and discuss potential pitfalls of assessing ageing effects on the TCR repertoire. Chapter 5 describes a pilot study on using TCR sequencing to follow the T-cell response upon pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. We define quantitative requirements to classify T-cell expansions but detect these in only a minority of the donors. Our analysis suggests that the vaccine-induced T-cell response is small and/or very broad, and highlights experimental requirements to characterise such responses in future studies.
A key limitation of the studies in humans introduced above is the limited number of cells that can be analysed compared to the total size of the T-cell pool. As a result, many of the TCR chains that make up the diversity of the TCR repertoire will be missed in any analysis. Bulk sequencing methods also do not uncover the full TCR diversity present in an individual as the information on the pairing of α and β chains is not obtained. In Chapter 6 we overcome both limitations by studying the TCR repertoire of one-TCRa mice that have a strongly reduced receptor diversity. This allows us to study the nearly complete TCR diversity, and compare the repertoire among individual lymph nodes and mice, revealing a spatial organisation of the TCR repertoire. In summary, this thesis describes how we studied T-cell biology quantitatively by combining simplified models with careful bioinformatics analyses.
Pregnancy Lipid Profile and Different Lipid Patterns of Gestational Diabetes Treated by Diet Itself
Authors: CIBICKOVA L , LANGOVA K , SCHOVANEK J , MACAKOVA D , KRYSTYNIK O , KARASEK D
Published: March 2023

List of changes

Authors and affiliation:

Lubica CIBICKOVA1,3, Katerina LANGOVA2, Jan SCHOVANEK1,3, Dominika MACAKOVA1,3, Ondrej KRYSTYNIK1,3, David KARASEK1,3

1Department of Internal Medicine III – Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic, 2Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic, 3Department of Internal Medicine III – Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Acknowledgement:
Supported by the grants: MH CZ – DRO (FNOl, 00098892); AZV NV18-01-00139.
Supplementation-Induced Change in Muscle Carnosine is Paralleled by Changes in Muscle Metabolism, Protein Glycation and Reactive Carbonyl Species Sequestering
Authors: SCHÖN M , JUST I , KRUMPOLEC P , BLAŽÍČEK P , VALKOVIČ L , ALDINI G , TSAI C-L , DE COURTEN B , KRŠŠÁK M , UKROPCOVÁ B , UKROPEC J
Published: March 2023

Carnosine is a performance-enhancing food supplement with a potential to modulate muscle energy metabolism and toxic metabolites disposal. In this study we explored interrelations between carnosine supplementation (2 g/day, 12 weeks) induced effects on carnosine muscle loading and parallel changes in (i) muscle energy metabolism, (ii) serum albumin glycation and (iii) reactive carbonyl species sequestering in twelve (M/F=10/2) sedentary, overweight-to-obese (BMI: 30.0±2.7 kg/m2) adults (40.1±6.2 years). Muscle carnosine concentration (Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; 1H-MRS), dynamics of muscle energy metabolism (Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; 31P-MRS), body composition (Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MRI), resting energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry), glucose tolerance (oGTT), habitual physical activity (accelerometers), serum carnosine and carnosinase-1 content/activity (ELISA), albumin glycation, urinary carnosine and carnosine-propanal concentration (mass spectrometry) were measured. Supplementation-induced increase in muscle carnosine was paralleled by improved dynamics of muscle post-exercise phosphocreatine recovery, decreased serum albumin glycation and enhanced urinary carnosine-propanal excretion (all p<0.05). Magnitude of supplementation-induced muscle carnosine accumulation was higher in individuals with lower baseline muscle carnosine, who had lower BMI, higher physical activity level, lower resting intramuscular pH, but similar muscle mass and dietary protein preference. Level of supplementation-induced increase in muscle carnosine correlated with reduction of protein glycation, increase in reactive carbonyl species sequestering, and acceleration of muscle post-exercise phosphocreatine recovery.
Breast Imaging Through Different Phases of Life
Authors: Stannard Robin
Published: March 2023

A Special Focus Session at the European Congress of Radiology 2023 saw global experts in breast cancer imaging come together to explore the challenges, opportunities, guidelines, and dangers of breast cancer screening across multiple stages of life. Miri Sklair-Levy, Meirav Center for Women’s Health and High-Risk Clinic, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Nuala Healy, Cambridge University Hospitals, UK; and Anne Tardivon, Department of Radiology, Institut Curie, Paris, France, shared their expansive experience, unique case reports, and novel literature to provide the audience with an examination of the nuance surrounding the screening and treating of breast cancer at different ages.
Artificial Intelligence Solutions in Radiology Clinical Practice
Authors: Richards Darcy
Published: March 2023

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) was a hot topic at the 33rd annual European Congress of Radiology 2023, held in Vienna, Austria, between the 1st–5th of March. A fascinating open forum session, chaired by Martin Reim, Tartu University Hospital, Estonia, and Chairperson of the European Society for Radiology Education Committee Radiology Trainees Forum, was held on the first day. The session, entitled ‘Artificial intelligence: questions you wanted to ask us but didn’t’, included presentations from three experts, and focused on key questions trainees might have about AI in the field of radiology. The session covered AI performance metrics, how AI can be implemented into clinical practice, and how to start-up an AI solution business.
A Confounding Case: Pneumococcal Pneumonia Unmasking Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Arbat Ashok , Tirpude Sneha , Dave Mitesh K. , Bagdia Sukhant , Arbat Sameer
Published: March 2023

We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a 27-year-old female complicated with pneumonia and severe respiratory failure, requiring treatment in an intensive care unit and non-invasive ventilation. Symptoms developed in an otherwise healthy female with no comorbidities except recurrent oral ulcers. Despite evidence of pulmonary infection, response was noted only after early introduction of intensive immunosuppressive treatment. Differential diagnosis and treatment of this condition represent a real challenge but close co-operation between the intensive care unit, pulmonology, and rheumatology departments reduce the risk of a fatal outcome.
Inmunomodulación En Caso De Infecciones Recurrentes De Las vías Respiratorias: Nuevos Conocimientos Y Perspectivas
Authors: Legg Ewen
Published: March 2023

El primer congreso de WAidid celebrado en Milán reunió a investigadores y médicos del amplio campo de las enfermedades infecciosas y la inmunología Este congreso se organizó para crear una red de conexiones en este campo diverso y permitir la presentación de datos y técnicas terapéuticas entre especialistas concentrados en distintos grupos de edad y órganos. El segundo día del congreso el profesor Roth y la profesora Esposito (coordinadora del congreso) presentaron un simposio sobre el uso de la inmunomodulación para la prevención de las infecciones recurrentes de las vías respiratorias.

Durante el simposio se analizaron los factores de riesgo en la población pediátrica y las distintas opciones de tratamiento para las infecciones respiratorias recurrentes antes de analizar a fondo la profilaxis inmunomoduladora de OM-85 (Broncho-Vaxom®, Broncho-Munal®, Ommunal®, Paxoral®, Vaxoral®). OM-85 es un inmunomodulador que se administra por vía oral, que ha demostrado ofrecer protección frente a infecciones respiratorias de origen vírico y bacteriano en pacientes con un alto riesgo de infección recurrente. En el simposio se describieron el mecanismo inmunológico de los efectos protectores de OM-85 y los datos de seguridad y eficacia en varias poblaciones de pacientes.
Respiratory Symptoms, Lung Function Impairment, and Chronic Respiratory Diseases Among Crop Farmers: Assessment by Job Exposure Matrices
Authors: Stoleski Sasho , Minov Jordan , Karadzinska-Bislimovska Jovanka , Mijakoski Dragan
Published: March 2023

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms, lung function impairment, and chronic obstructive respiratory diseases in crop farmers. Our objective is to then examine their relation to exposure duration, and to explore the usefulness of job exposure matrices as tools for exposure assessment, and predictors for respiratory health impairment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, including 50 males (mean age: 45.4±10.7 years) employed as crop farmers (duration of exposure: 21.6±9.7 years) and 50 male office workers as a control group (mean age: 44.1±9.8 years) matched for age, smoking habits, and socioeconomic status. Methods of evaluating examined subjects included the completion of a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months (cough, phlegm, dyspnoea, wheezing, chest tightness, and nasal symptoms), spirometry and histamine challenge (provocative concentration producing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]: ≤8 mg/mL), as well as use of job exposure matrices.

Results: Crop farmers had a significantly higher prevalence of cough (29.4%), phlegm (16.7%), and wheezing (11.9%), than the control group (p<0.05). All spirometric parameters (forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, maximal expiratory flow (MEF) at 75%, 50%, and 25%) were lower in crop farmers compared to the control patients, but statistical significance was confirmed only for MEF at 25%, 50%, and 25–75% (p=0.021, p=0.011, and p=0.003, respectively). The prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was higher in crop farmers but without statistical significance. JEM were useful tools for exposure assessment and predictors of factors for asthma and COPD development.

Conclusion: The results suggest that occupational exposure among crop farmers is associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, lung function impairment, and a higher prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases.
DEVELOPMENT OF SORPTION MATERIALS OF WIDE FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE IN THE V.I. VERNADSKII INSTITUTE OF GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY OF THE NAS OF UKRAINE
Authors: Maltseva Tetiana , Dzyazko Yulliya
Published: March 2023

The review is devoted to the work, which were performed at the V.I. Vernadskii Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the NAS of Ukraine according to the direction of the development of sorption naterials of wide functional purpose. All sorbents can be used in separation processes: due to their coarse dispersion and mechanical strength, they can be used as fillers for sorption columns.The direction of early works is the development of amorphous hydrophosphates and double hyd­rated oxides of multivalent metals, intended for the removal of toxic inorganic ions from water (arsenate-, chromate- and borate-anions, Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+cations etc.). Currently, attention is focused on the development of composite materials.The base of inorganic composites is hydrophosphate and oxide sorbents, and the modifiers are the advanced carbon materials, lithium-titanium and lithium-titanium-manganese spinels etc.Sorbents based on ion-exchange resins modified with inorganic ionites have also been developed.The combination of various components in composites makes it possible to obtain sorbents with improved properties (faster sorption, increased capacity and selectivity, sorption capacity in a wider pH range, easier regeneration) or multifunctional materials that sorb both inorganic and orga­nic compounds, for example, pesticides. Prospective field of research is the development of technologies that include not only the extraction of toxic and valuable components from liquids of natural, technological and biogenic origin, but also the regeneration of the sor­bent and processing of the concentrate to obtain commercial products.Thus, the integration of lithium sorption concentration into the process of reverse osmosis water desalination has been proposed. The processing of the solution formed during the regeneration of the sorbent includes the production of lithium carbonate and a complex fertilizer for acidic soils. Composites, the components of which are natural materials, are also in the focus of attention.Magnetic sorbents based on biopolymers, proposed for extraction of oil and oil products from water surfaces. Composites based on zeolites are used as containers for liquid fertilizers Another direction of research is the creation of composites - potential membrane modifiers for separation processes.
ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LiFePO4, RECOVERED AFTER BATTERY DEGRADATION
Authors: Shcherbatiuk Ivan , Bazievskiy Andrii , Panchenko Danylo , Gorobets Margaryta , Potapenko Оleksandr , Vavilon Кlym , Potapenko Hanna , Kirillov Sviatoslav , Zinin Viacheslav , Dubinevych Serhii , Golub Оleksandr
Published: March 2023

Due to the ability of LiFePO4 (LFP) to be charged with large currents, LFP batteries are widely used in household appliances and elect­ric vehicles, so the recycling of spent LFP batteries becomes an urgent need. First, they contain toxic components of electrolyte that cannot be buried in landfills; secondly, the cost of lithium which contains in the electrode material continuously increases, and therefore its return to circulation is profitable and expe­dient. To achieve this goal, much attention is paid to hydrometallurgical processing based on the chemical extraction of Li2CO3 and FePO4 during the regeneration of the electrode material. Here we report on the wet chemistry recycling of used LFP batteries. The main task of the work was to simplify the LiFePO4 regene­ration process by leaching with a solution of citric acid due to the elimination of the stage of isolation of Li2CO3 and FePO4, i.e. without selective separation of the filtrate components. The source of spent LiFePO4 was an industrial lithium iron phosphate battery failed due to an internal short circuit. It was found that using citric acid in the ratio H3Cit:LiFePO4=0.5:1, it is possible to efficiently and quickly separate the electrode material from the aluminum current collector. Further pyrolysis and heat treatment of the citrate solution makes it possible to obtain a high-purity LiFePO4/C composite material without extraneous impurities, except for amorphous carbon, which is formed during the pyrolysis of iron (II) and lithium citrates and the thermal decomposition of the binding material in an inert atmosphere. The specific capacity of the LiFePO4/C composite material recovered by the proposed method (145 mA∙h/g) insignificantly differs from that of commercial analogues. This, in our opinion, indicates good prospects of the lithium-iron phosphate regeneration method proposed in this paper.
Exploring the Parental Experiences in the Media: A Qualitative Analysis of Articles Written by Parents of Children with Autism in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Celebic Elvira , Memisevic Haris
Published: March 2023

Aim: This paper presents a qualitative study of the experiences of parents raising children with autism, as reflected in the media. The study aimed to explore the lived experiences of parents of children with autism and the challenges they face in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods: A content analysis of 20 media articles featuring parents of autistic children was conducted. The articles were selected from a range of sources, including newspapers, magazines, and online news portals.

Results: We identified four major themes: supports, education, spousal relationships, and future. It should be noted that these themes are often intertwined.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of providing support and resources to parents of children with autism, as well as the need for greater awareness and understanding of the challenges they face. The implications of these findings for policy and practice are discussed, and suggestions for future research are presented.
A new solver for turbomachinery simulations in OpenFOAM: development and application to a 1.5 axial turbine stage
Authors:   University of Ferrara, Oliani Stefano , Casari Nicola ,   University of Ferrara, Pinelli Michele ,   University of Ferrara, De Cosmo Giove ,   University of Bath, Carnevale Mauro ,   University of Bath
Published: March 2023

In the last decade, a tendency in the usage of open-source softwares for CFD simulations has appeared. Among these, the C++ library OpenFOAM is widely employed in many applications and has proven a suitable framework for developing and delivering numerical tools. Unfortunately, it lacks an implicit density-based solver and its usage is therefore limited when it comes to compressible turbomachinery simulations. The implementation and application of such a new solver in the OpenFOAM environment is presented in this work. This type of solver is suitable to obtain steady and transient solutions of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations when accurate simulation of transonic/supersonic turbomachinery flows is required. The main features of the code are detailed, and a relevant test case is provided to show the solver capabilities. Specifically, a 1.5 axial turbine stage with a stator-rotor cavity is studied through an unsteady simulation in order to capture the interaction between different blade rows and the coherent structures behaviour in the rim seal region.
Aerodynamic study of flow phenomena in a turbine center frame
Authors:   Institute of Aerospace Thermodynamics University of Stuttgart, Köhler Simon , Stotz Stephan ,   MTU Aero Engines AG, Schweikert Julia ,   Institute of Aerospace Thermodynamics University of Stuttgart, Wolf Hannes ,   MTU Aero Engines AG, Storm Paul ,   MTU Aero Engines AG, von Wolfersdorf Jens ,   Institute of Aerospace Thermodynamics University of Stuttgart
Published: March 2023

A main objective in aviation technology is the development of efficient cooling techniques for the thermal highly loaded engine components. For an optimal design of the cooling mechanisms, the heat transfer characteristics have to be known and need to be predictable. In order to cope with an efficiency-driven increase of the turbine entry temperatures, sophisticated designs of the turbine blade and duct geometries are indispensable. Relating to the turbine center frame (TCF), which refers to the structure connecting the low-pressure and the high-pressure turbine, efficient internal cooling concepts facilitate the reduction of coolant consumption at maintained structural integrity. Therefore, reliable models to accurately predict the internal flow physics and heat transfer characteristics are prerequisite. Thus, the present work focuses on the experimental and numerical investigation of the internal flow field of a scaled and abstracted TCF geometry. The experimental setup allows to monitor the thermal boundary conditions as well as the internal flow field by means of 2D2C-PIV. The flow physics are studied at two distinct Reynolds numbers. For both Reynolds numbers, experimental and numerical data is analyzed in terms of mass flow distribution, velocity and vorticity structures in the most characteristic cross-section of the TCF. The experimental results are intended to serve as a reference data set for the validation of the numerical setup. An accurate simulation of the intricate flow field is challenging due to a wide range of the flow and vortex structures. On this account, an unsteady RANS simulation was performed with ANSYS CFX. Generally, a good agreement between CFD and experimental data can be found. Nevertheless, the numerical data shows a dependence on the Reynolds number, whereas the experimental data is unrelated for the examined mass flow regimes. This conclusion is then confirmed by the PIV measurements. A complex internal flow field is revealed, which is mainly dominated by large-scale vortices and high velocity gradients.
Optimization of a Diffuser-Augmented Wind Turbine Utilizing a Differential Evolution Software and an Axisymmetric RANS-BEM Solver
Authors:   School of Production Eng. & Management, Technical University of Crete, Leloudas Stavros N. , Lygidakis Georgios N. ,   School of Production Eng. & Management, Technical University of Crete, Delis Anargiros I. ,   School of Production Eng. & Management, Technical University of Crete, Nikolos Ioannis K. ,   School of Production Eng. & Management, Technical University of Crete
Published: March 2023

A parallel and asynchronous version of a meta-model assisted Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm (ASPIDES – Asynchronous/Synchronous Parallel Intelligent Differential Evolution Software) is used in this work for the design optimization of a Diffuser-Augmented Wind Turbine (DAWT); both the diffuser’s and blades’ geometries are concurrently optimized. An axisymmetric RANS-BEM methodology, which relies on the combination of an in-house Blade Element Momentum (BEM) code and the in-house incompressible axisymmetric Reynold-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) flow solver IGal2D, is used for the aerodynamic evaluation of each candidate solution within the optimization procedure. The Free-Form Deformation (FFD) technique is utilized for the parameterization and morphing of diffuser’s geometry and the concurrent deformation of the surrounding 2D computational mesh. The geometric characteristics of the turbine blades (chord and twist radial distributions) are parameterized using B-Spline curves. The proposed optimization methodology is applied for improving the design of a small DAWT, aiming to maximize the rotor power output under specific constraints. The power output of the optimized design has been increased by more than 30%, although this is accompanied by higher drag levels on the shroud.
Turbulence Anisotropy Analysis at the Middle Section of a Highly Loaded 3D Linear Turbine Cascade Using Large Eddy Simulation
Authors:   Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery RWTH Aachen University, Fard Afshar N. , Deutsch J. ,   Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery RWTH Aachen University, Henninger S. ,   Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery RWTH Aachen University, Kožulović D. ,   Institute of Jet Propulsion Bundeswehr University Munich, Bechlars P. ,   MTU Aero Engines AG
Published: March 2023

This study analyzes the flow over a three-dimensional linear low-pressure turbine cascade blade using large eddy simulation at Re=90 k. The computational model consists of one blade passage with periodic boundaries and synthetic turbulence is generated at the inlet of the domain. Various flow metrics, including isentropic Mach number distribution at mid-span and wake total pressure losses are compared with available experimental data and found to be in good agreement. A more detailed analysis of the turbulence with particular attention to the separation bubble region is subsequently presented. The analysis revealed that the turbulence is in a nearly two-component state very close to the wall region and gradually follows a certain anisotropy trajectory, as the distance from the wall increases. Even in the free-stream region no fully isotropic state is reached, due to large acceleration and flow turning. The results give a new insight into the state of turbulence within the separation region on the blade suction side and emphasize the deficiencies of the Reynoldsaveraged Navier Stokes (RANS) turbulence models in reproducing the turbulence anisotropy. This insight is of relevance for the aerodynamic design of turbines, since large parts of the total pressure loss are generated in the separation region.