bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abuse of the Rights of the Taxpayer
Authors:   Russian State University of Justice (Moscow), S. V. Miroshnik
Published: October 2021

Statement of a problem. The design of abuse of law, first developed for the sphere of private law, was further transferred to the sphere of public law. But this does not make it possible to equate abuse of law in private and public relations. There is a fundamental difference between them due to the nature of the regulated relations, the specificity of the methods of legal regulation. The process of shaping and developing perceptions of the possibility of abuse of rights in the field of taxation has gone through a complex, contradictory path of development. Initially, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation effectively recognized that the category «abuse of the right» did not apply to taxpayers. However, the need to find a balance between public and private interests required the development of fundamentally new approaches, naturally derived from the content of general and special principles of tax law. The aim and objectives of the study is to carry out a systematic analysis of the peculiarities of taxpayers» abuse of their subjective rights. Methods. Methods of knowledge of legal reality are used general (dialectic), general scientific (the analysis, synthesis, classification, generalization, the description) and private and scientific (legallistic, interpretation methods) when carrying out a research. Conclusions. Abuse of tax law is a particular form of tax offences. Unlike the offences of the classical kind, its wrongfulness, the public danger is veiled as the subject tries to take his behavior into legal form. Abuse of the law in the field of taxation is an illegal socially dangerous act of the taxpayer, in the sense that the person, based solely on his own interests, deliberately goes beyond the limits of a legally defined measure of possible behavior, while unduly reducing the measure of his proper behavior and the measure of possible behavior of other participants in tax legal relations. The courts, given the nature of the abuse committed, may deny a person the protection of his subjective right in whole or in part; Oblige a person to comply with his or her tax obligation; To decide on compensation for the damage caused to the public interest in the form of an accrual and recovery of penalties for late payment of fiscal payments and tax sanctions – fines for improper performance of public legal obligations in the field of taxation.
CULTURE MEDIA FOR COUNTING OF SOURDOUGH LACTOBACILLI. STATE OF THE ISSUE
Authors:   St. Petersburg branch Scientific Research Institute for the Baking Industry, Lokachuk M.N. , Savkina O.A. ,   St. Petersburg branch Scientific Research Institute for the Baking Industry, Pavlovskaja E.N. ,   St. Petersburg branch Scientific Research Institute for the Baking Industry, Kuznetsova L.I. ,   St. Petersburg branch Scientific Research Institute for the Baking Industry
Published: October 2021

В статье представлен анализ научно-технической литературы, посвященной подбору питательных сред для учета заквасочных лактобацилл, проведенный в рамках темы госзадания № 0593–2019–0006 «Разработка биотехнологий хлебобулочных изделий на заквасках с направленным культивированием микроорганизмов, обеспечивающих повышение микробиологической безопасности и качества хлебобулочных изделий». Исследования, проводимые Санкт-Петербургским филиалом ФГАНУ НИИХП, показали трудность учета, выделения и поддержания в музейной коллекции некоторых видов молочнокислых бактерий из заквасок, в частности, вида L. sanfranciscensis, на традиционных питательных средах, указанных в ГОСТ 10444.11–2013. Показано, что традиционно для культивирования бактерий рода Lactobacillus в классической микробиологии используют среды, богатые питательными веществами (дрожжевой экстракт, гидролизат обрата молока, пептон, твин 80), различными солями, в том числе ацетатом натрия и др. и имеющими низкий уровень рН. Однако для культивирования отдельных видов заквасочных лактобацилл необходимо использование питательных сред более сложного состава, содержащих несколько источников углерода, свежеприготовленный дрожжевой экстракт или хлебопекарные дрожжи и отруби, витамины. В частности, для контроля содержания в хлебных заквасках молочнокислых бактерий вида L. sanfranciscensis целесообразно применение питательных сред SFM (SanFrancisco medium), SDB (SourDough Bacteria medium) или модификации mMRS вместо традиционной MRS, которая широко используется при контроле качества пищевых продуктов.
THE INFLUENCE OF WHOLE GRAIN FLOUR ON THE BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF STARTER CULTURES IN THE TECHNOLOGY OF BAKERY PRODUCTS
Authors:   Federal State Autonomous Scientific Institution «Scientific Research Institute of the Bakery Industry», Moiseenko A.G. , Martirosyan V.V. ,   Federal State Autonomous Scientific Institution «Scientific Research Institute of the Bakery Industry», Nevskaya E.V. ,   Federal State Autonomous Scientific Institution «Scientific Research Institute of the Bakery Industry», Dorofeeva I.A. ,   Federal State Autonomous Scientific Institution «Scientific Research Institute of the Bakery Industry»
Published: October 2021

В настоящее время в России производится широкий ассортимент хлебобулочных изделий с добавлением зерновых, зернобобовых, масличных культур и продуктов их переработки. Такие изделия отличаются повышенной пищевой ценностью и являются продуктами для здорового питания, которые в последнее время пользуются большим спросом у населения. В статье приведены исследования влияния цельнозерновой муки на биотехнологические свойства заквасок в технологии хлебобулочных изделий. С этой целью проанализирована пшеничная и ржаная цельнозерновая мука четырех производителей. Проведен анализ физико-химических и микробиологических показателей качества заквасок, приготовленных с использованием различных видов цельнозерновой муки. В результате проведенных исследований установлено, что для муки пшеничной цельнозерновой с зольностью ниже 1,0% и для муки ржаной цельнозерновой с зольностью ниже 1,4% в пересчете на сухое вещество — необходимо увеличение продолжительности созревания закваски, приблизительно на 60 мин, для достижения заданной кислотности и увеличения количества молочнокислых бактерий в ней. Исследованы показатели качества хлебобулочных изделий приготовленных с внесением заквасок на цельнозерновой муке. Более высокая устойчивость к картофельной болезни и плесневению выявлена в хлебе с использованием заквасок с большим значением показателя кислотности, обусловливающего более высокую кислотность мякиша хлебобулочного изделия.
Relatos con-fin-a-dos de una ‘cuarentena’ En casa
Authors: Macarro Jordi
Published: October 2021

La reciente pandemia de la COVID-19 sacudió con fuerza a nivel mundial. Durante los meses en los que las libertades individuales y colectivas se modificaron por las restricciones preventivas frente al avance del nuevo agente microscópico, la producción audiovisual española se adaptó a las nuevas condiciones de cuarentena y confinamiento. El smartphone se convirtió entonces en la herramienta democratizada que permitió al ciudadano contar la realidad cotidiana que pronto se convertiría en el contenido que estructuraría los relatos de una «nueva normalidad». Este artículo realiza un primer acercamiento al método de representación y al tratamiento de este vector sanitario a través de tres series españolas.
Pathogenetic Role and Possibilities for Correction of Gut Microbiota Disorders in Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Sturov N. V. , Popov S. V. , Zhukov V. A.
Published: October 2021

The article presents current data on the role of gut microbiota in the development of urinary tract infections. The main pathogenetic mechanisms contributing to the chronic recurrent course of the disease, the spread of antimicrobial resistance, as well as their connection to the disorders of gut microbiota are shown. It is known that most pathogens of urinary infections originate from the gut microbiota, where they exist for a long time, forming reservoirs. The normal composition and functions of the microbiota prevent colonization of the intestine by pathogenic bacteria and reduce the risk of developing this disease. Ways of correction through diet, probiotics, as well as fecal microbiota transplantation are considered. Modulation of gut microbiota may be a promising approach in the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections. Meanwhile, a qualitative evidence base on the eﬀectiveness of this strategy has not been formed. Further research in this direction is required.
Eﬀect of Diﬀerences in the CLSI and EUCAST Criteria on the Interpretation of Enterobacteriaceae Sensitivity to Carbapenems
Authors: Kornoukhova L. A. , Emanuel V. L. , Gurieva Yu. V. , Chernykh I. G.
Published: October 2021

Relevance: The two systems for determining the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs, CLSI and EUCAST, are recommended for use in the global system of epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance of the World Health Organization. However, they diﬀer in the methodology of setting an antimicrobial susceptibility testing, threshold values of cut-oﬀ points, as well as interpretation of results. The true signiﬁcance of methodological diﬀerences between these systems for global microbiological monitoring is unclear.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the inﬂuence of diﬀerences in the cut-oﬀ points of CLSI and EUCAST on the interpretation of antimicrobial sensitivity of microorganisms to carbapenems in Saint Petersburg.

Design: screening and comparative study.

Materials and methods. Sensitivity to Meropenem was studied in Escherichia coli (n=2956), as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=1189) for the period of 2011–2013 and 2016–2019, and interpreted according to the threshold values of the two guidelines (2020). Results. The weighted Kappa showed good agreement between the EUCAST vs CLSI standards for both E.coli (0.58; 95% CI 0.55–0.61) and K.pneumoniae (0.77; 0.73–0.81). Mcnemar's Chi-square test revealed diﬀerences between the two standards in assessing sensitivity to Meropenem of E.coli which were 5.31% (95% CI 5.06–5.31%, P<0.0001), and of K.pneumoniae — 3.95% (95% CI 3.36–3.95%, P<0.0001).

Conclusion. The reliability of determining sensitivity bacteria to anti-microbial drugs has a signiﬁcant impact on their rational use and the results of microbiological monitoring. The ﬁrst priority is to develop national standards that take regional characteristics into account.
Species Diversity And Resistance Markers of Candida Yeasts In COVID Positive and COVID Negative Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Aronova N. V. , Pavlovich N. V. , Tsymbalistova M. V. , Poleeva M. V. , Anisimova A. S. , Vodopyanov S. O. , Noskov A. K.
Published: October 2021

Background. At the height of the novel coronavirus infection, the risk of fungal coinfection increases due to a decrease in the immune status of patients and massive antibacterial therapy, which leads to a complication in the course of the underlying disease and increases the risk of an unfavorable outcome. Therefore, it is necessary not only to identify all associates that cause the infectious process, but also to determine their sensitivity to antibacterial and antifungal drugs in order to select an adequate treatment regimen for a patient.

The aim of the study was to investigate the species composition of fungal associates in corona positive and corona negative patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), as well as to determine the spectrum of sensitivity/resistance of yeasts and yeast-like fungi to antimycotic drugs.

Material and methods. The species composition of the fungal microﬂora in sputum samples from 723 patients with CAP, sent from a health care facility in Rostov-on-Don, was investigated. The isolated cultures were identiﬁed using bacteriological and mass spectrometric methods. The sensitivity of yeasts to antimycotic drugs was determined by disk-diﬀusion method.

Results. It has been established that yeast and yeast-like fungi were present in sputum samples in 31–32% of patients with CAP in etiologically signiﬁcant quantities. 10 diﬀerent types of yeast and yeast-like fungi were identiﬁed. Candida albicans was the predominant species in terms of the number of isolated cultures (83%). A re-examination of corona positive patients after their hospital stay revealed a tendency towards an increase in the number and intensity of manifestation of candidal lesions. Moreover, a change in Candida species has been registered, which entails a change in their sensitivity to antifungal drugs. A high percentage of strains resistant to ﬂuconazole was identiﬁed after determining the sensitivity of fungi to antimycotics.

Conclusion. The data obtained demonstrate that yeast and yeast-like fungi are the dominant associates in complicated forms of CAP. In this regard, it seems appropriate to provide individual microbiological support to patients during their treatment with the identiﬁcation of all pathogens.
Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids Simplifies Soluble Organic Matter Mixtures
Authors: Isa Junko , Orthous-Daunay François-régis , Beck Pierre , Herd Christopher D. K. , Vuitton Veronique , Flandinet Laurène
Published: October 2021

Biologically relevant abiotic extraterrestrial soluble organic matter (SOM) has been widely investigated to study the origin of life and the chemical evolution of protoplanetary disks. Synthesis of biologically relevant organics, in particular, seems to require aqueous environments in the early solar system. However, SOM in primitive meteorites includes numerous chemical species besides the biologically relevant ones, and the reaction mechanisms that comprehensively explain the complex nature of SOM are unknown. Besides, the initial reactants, which formed before asteroid accretion, were uncharacterized. We examined the mass distribution of SOM extracted from three distinct Tagish Lake meteorite fragments, which exhibit different degrees of aqueous alteration though they originated from a single asteroid. We report that mass distributions of SOM in the primordial fragments are well fit by the Schulz–Zimm (SZ) model for the molecular weight distribution patterns found in chain-growth polymerization experiments. Also, the distribution patterns diverge further from SZ with increasing degrees of aqueous alteration. These observations imply that the complex nature of the primordial SOM (1) was established before severe alteration on the asteroid, (2) possibly existed before parent-body accretion, and (3) later became simplified on the asteroid. Therefore, aqueous reactions on asteroids are not required conditions for cultivating complex SOM. Furthermore, we found that overall H/C ratios of SOM decrease with increasing aqueous alteration, and the estimate of H loss from the SOM is 10%–30%. Organics seem to be a significant H2 source that may have caused subsequent chemical reactions in the Tagish Lake meteorite parent body.
Existence of axisymmetric and homogeneous solutions of Navier-Stokes equations in cone regions
Authors: Jiang Zaihong , Li Li , Lu Wenbo
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we study axisymmetric homogeneous solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations in cone regions. In [James Serrin. The swirling vortex. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 271(1214):325-360, 1972.], Serrin studied the boundary value problem in half-space minus \begin{document}$ x_3 $\end{document}-axis, and used it to model the dynamics of tornado. We extend Serrin's work to general cone regions minus \begin{document}$ x_3 $\end{document}-axis. All axisymmetric homogeneous solutions of the boundary value problem have three possible patterns, which can be classified by two parameters. Some existence results are obtained as well.
Single valued neutrosophic $ (m, n) $-ideals of ordered semirings
Authors: Al-Kaseasbeh Saba ,   Department of Mathematics, Tafila Technical University, Tafila, Jordan, Tahan Madeline Al , Davvaz Bijan , Hariri Mariam ,   Department of Mathematics, Lebanese International University, Lebanon,   Department of Mathematics, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran,   Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates
Published: October 2021

The aim of this paper is to combine the innovative concept of single valued neutrosophic sets and ordered semirings. It studies ordered semirings by the properties of their single valued neutrosphic subsets. In this regard, we define single valued neutrosophic $ (m, n) $-ideals (SVN-$ (m, n) $-ideals) of ordered semirings. First, we illustrate our new definition by non-trivial examples. Second, we study these SVN-$ (m, n) $-ideals under different operations of SVNS. Finally, we find a relationship between the $ (m, n) $-ideals of ordered semirings and level sets by finding a necessary and sufficient condition for an SVNS of an ordered semiring $ R $ to be an SVN-$ (m, n) $-ideal of $ R $.
Remarks on topological spaces on $ {\mathbb Z}^n $ which are related to the Khalimsky $ n $-dimensional space
Authors: Han Sang-Eon ,   Department of Mathematics Education, Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-City Jeonbuk 54896, Republic of Korea, Jafari Saeid , Kang Jeong Min , Lee Sik ,   College of Vestsjaelland South, Herrestraede 11 and Mathematical and Physical Science Foundation, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark,   Mathematics, School of Liberal, Arts Education, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea,   Department of Mathematics Education, Chonnam National University, Gwangju-City 61186, Republic of Korea
Published: October 2021

The present paper intensively studies various properties of certain topologies on the set of integers $ {\mathbb Z} $ (resp. $ {\mathbb Z}^n $) which are either homeomorphic or not homeomorphic to the typical Khalimsky line topology (resp. $ n $-dimensional Khalimsky topology). This finding plays a crucial role in addressing some problems which remain open in the field of digital topology.
A variant of the Levenberg-Marquardt method with adaptive parameters for systems of nonlinear equations
Authors: Zheng Lin ,   School of Statistics and Applied Mathematics, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, China, Chen Liang , Ma Yanfang ,   School of Sciences, Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213032, China,   School of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213032, China,   Institute of Quantitative Economics, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, China,   School of Computer Science and Technology, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui 235000, China
Published: October 2021

The Levenberg-Marquardt method is one of the most important methods for solving systems of nonlinear equations and nonlinear least-squares problems. It enjoys a quadratic convergence rate under the local error bound condition. Recently, to solve nonzero-residue nonlinear least-squares problem, Behling et al. propose a modified Levenberg-Marquardt method with at least superlinearly convergence under a new error bound condtion [3]. To extend their results for systems of nonlinear equations, by choosing the LM parameters adaptively, we propose an efficient variant of the Levenberg-Marquardt method and prove its quadratic convergence under the new error bound condition. We also investigate its global convergence by using the Wolfe line search. The effectiveness of the new method is validated by some numerical experiments.
eXtreme Programming, Agile Methodologies, Software Project Management, Customer Role, Rigorous Testing
Authors: Pal Kamalendu
Published: October 2021

Agile software development methodologies are attracting attention from academics and practitioners for planning and managing software projects. The eXtreme Programming (XP) challenges conformist wisdom regarding software system development processes and practices as agile methodologies. To work efficiently in the current software development practice, characterized by requirements fuzziness, XP moves away from document-centric operations into people-centric management. In the XP-based software project, the customers play an essential role, having multiple responsibilities such as driving the project, gathering requirements (‘user stories'), and exercising quality control (or acceptance testing). Besides, the customers must liaise with external project stakeholders (e.g., funding authorities, end-users) while maintaining the development team's trust and the wider business. The success of such software project management practices relies on the quality result of each stage of development obtained through rigorous testing. This chapter describes three characteristics of XP project management: customer role, software testing feedback, and learning.
Ability of Urban Planning Policy in Addressing Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Authors: Raparthi Kiranmayi
Published: October 2021

Climate change is a multidimensional observable fact and is regarded as one of the greatest challenges human society is facing in the 21st century. Urban researchers advocate that well formulated urban spatial planning policy has the ability to mitigate climate change and adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. However, there has been limited research on analysing the extent to which spatial planning policies address climate change mitigation and adaptation. This chapter presents a qualitative evaluation of urban spatial planning polices in India by assessing planning policies against an evaluation framework. The analysis highlights that there are limited climate change mitigation and adaptation indicators in planning documents, and these indicators have been very limitedly integrated in the planning documents. This research supports the use of spatial planning policy as an effective tool in addressing climate change mitigation and has an implication for mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban planning.
Level of Urban Infrastructure Services and Coping Mechanisms of Households
Authors: Mishra Ankush
Published: October 2021

Basic infrastructure services like clean water, proper sewage and sanitation, etc. are important attributes in urbanization of a city to make it healthy, livable, and sustainable. Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all. Access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation facilities are crucial requirements for good health. Issues like intermittent supply, poor water quality, and low-pressure cause unreliable situations due to which community members resort to various coping strategies. Coping strategies are influenced by the household's level of education, income, and the level of unreliability of the service. The coping mechanisms used by the households are costly, and the poor people end up paying more because of the hidden cost. The poor water supply services result in induced costs by the residents in terms of the time costs for water collection and illness due to disease and water treatment costs. Because of these induced costs, the urban poor end up spending more for a clean and reliable water supply.
Solving the Cubic Cell Formation Problem Using Simulated Annealing
Authors: Bouaziz Hamida , Lemouari Ali
Published: October 2021

The Cubic Cell Formation Problem (CCFP) in cellular manufacturing systems consists in decomposing a production system into a set of manufacturing cells, and assigning workers to cells besides parts and machines. The major objective is to obtain manageable cells. Manageable cells mean cells with a minimum value of inter-cell moves of parts and workers and a minimum value of heterogeneity within cells. In this paper, a solution methodology based on a modified simulated annealing heuristic with a proposed neighbourhood search procedure is proposed. The methodology allows building multiple configurations by giving to the decision-maker the ability to control some parameters. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm gives a promising performance for all problem instances found in the literature.
Noninvasive cardiac output measurements are inaccurate in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Yahagi Musashi , Omi Kyuma , Maeda Takuma
Published: October 2021

Background: Noninvasive cardiac output (CO) measured using ClearSight™ eliminates the need for intra-arterial catheter insertion. The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of non-invasive CO measurement in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS). Methods: Twenty-eight patients undergoing elective transcatheter aortic valve implantation were prospectively enrolled in this study. The CO was simultaneously measured twice before and twice after valve deployment (total of four times) per patient, and the CO was compared between the ClearSight (COClearSight) system and the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) thermodilution (COTD) method as a reference. The Bland-Altman analysis was used to compare the percentage errors between the methods. Results: A total of 112 paired data points were obtained. The percentage error between the COClearSight and COTD was 43.1%. The paired datasets were divided into the following groups according to the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI): low (< 1,200 dyne s/cm5/m2) and normal (1,200–2,500 dyne s/cm5/m2). The percentage errors were 44.9% and 49.4%, respectively. The discrepancy of CO between COClearSight and COTD was not significantly correlated with SVRI (r = −0.06, P < 0.001). The polar plot analysis showed the trending ability of the COClearSight after artificial valve deployment was 51.1% which below the acceptable cut-off (92%). Conclusions: The accuracy and the trending ability of the ClearSight CO measurements were not acceptable in patients with severe AS. Therefore, the ClearSight system is not interchangeable with the PAC thermodilution for determining CO in this population.
Neck Circumference as a Predictor of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Bangladeshi Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Kamrul-Hasan A. B. M. , Aalpona Fatema Tuz Zahura
Published: October 2021

Background and Objective:

Researchers have identified neck circumference (NC) as a valuable tool to detect obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS). We conducted this study to define cutoffs of NC to identify obesity, abdominal obesity, and MS in adult women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods:

Adult women newly diagnosed with PCOS using the revised Rotterdam criteria having NC measure data in a cross-sectional study titled “Biochemical and Hormonal Profile of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome” were analyzed.

Results:

Finally, 200 women were analyzed; their mean age was 23.3 (±4.9) years, body mass index (BMI) 26.47 (±5.09) kg/m2, NC 34.6 (±3.04) cm, waist circumference (WC) 88.18 (±11.98) cm, and visceral adiposity index (VAI) was 3.31 (±1.37). NC had positive correlations with age, BMI, WC, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, VAI, and testosterone levels. NC cutoff 32.75 cm showed 87.3% sensitivity and 74.4% specificity in detecting abdominal obesity (AUC 0.889,P< 0.001) and 88.0% sensitivity and 68.0% specificity for diagnosis of overweight/obesity (AUC 0.877,P< 0.001). NC 34.25 cm showed 63.0% sensitivity and 64.0% specificity for diagnosis of MS (AUC 0.681,P< 0.001).

Conclusion:

Neck circumference may be a simple and convenient tool in assessing obesity, central obesity, and MS in women with PCOS.
Etiological Profile of Short Stature in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Rajput Rajesh , Rani Monu , Rajput Meena , Garg Rakesh
Published: October 2021

Context:

The delayed growth of a child is a major cause of concern for the parents. There is a multitude of etiological factors which must be considered in relation to this common aspect of healthcare.

Aim:

The study was done to evaluate the etiological profile of short stature in children and adolescents.

Settings and Design:

The cross-sectional study was conducted for 12 months including 111 cases of short stature (out of the 1,058 cases screened), at the endocrinology outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care institute in Haryana.

Subjects and Methods:

As per the inclusion criteria, cases with age <18 years were enrolled. The examination and anthropometric measurements were performed in the presence of parents/guardians.

Results:

Out of the 1,058 cases screened; 111 cases of short stature were recruited as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The prevalence was about 10.49% of the total population. The mean age of the sample was 12.34 ± 3.19 years. The endocrine causes were the most common followed by normal variants of growth and delay, chronic systemic illness, and nutritional and skeletal causes. Among the endocrine causes, hypothyroidism was the most common followed by growth hormone deficiency and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Conclusions:

The mean chronological age of 12.34 ± 3.19 years suggests the delayed detection of short stature in the population. This highlights the importance of educating parents so that timely therapeutic intervention can be done to achieve the potential height.
Rapid Differential Diagnosis of Thyrotoxicosis Using T3/T4 Ratio, FT3/FT4 Ratio and Color Doppler of Thyroid Gland
Authors: Narkar Rukma Rajendra , Mishra Ipsita , Baliarsinha Anoj Kumar , Choudhury Arun Kumar
Published: October 2021

Context:

Establishing the etiology of thyrotoxicosis is of utmost importance to plan the appropriate line of therapy. However, certain scenarios such as absence of pathognomonic clinical features of Graves’ disease in some patients, or non-availability of radionuclide scanning and newer generation TRAb assays especially in resource-poor settings, necessitates utilization of other, simple and effective measures to differentiate between the two common causes of thyrotoxicosis, Graves’ disease (GD) and Destructive thyroiditis (DT).

Aims:

The aim of this work was to study the role of FT3/FT4 ratio, T3/T4 ratio and color flow Doppler ultrasound in treatment-naïve patients with thyrotoxicosis, in comparison to Tc-99m pertechnetate thyroid scanning in the differentiation of thyrotoxicosis due to GD and DT.

Materials and Methods:

Clinical data was collected from all study subjects. Thyroid function tests including FT3, FT4, T3, T4 and TSH, TSH Receptor Antibody (TRAb), Technetium Tc 99m pertechnetate scan and the mean peak systolic velocity in inferior thyroid artery (mean PSV-ITA) by color Doppler ultrasonography of thyroid gland was done in all patients.

Results:

A total of 83 treatment-naïve patients with thyrotoxicosis (61 with GD and 22 with DT) were studied. Mean PSV-ITA, T3/T4 ratio and FT3/FT4 ratio showed a sensitivity of 85.2%, 73.8%, and 77.04%, and a specificity of 90.9%, 72.7%, and 59.09%, respectively. The three parameters in combination yielded a positive predictive value of 100% in the diagnosis of Graves’ disease.

Conclusion:

Results of this study show that inferior thyroid artery blood flow, T3/T4 ratio and FT3/FT4 ratio are useful parameters in the differentiation between GD and DT.
Necrotizing Fasciitis as a Complication of Depilatory Cream
Authors: Tufan Aydin Eray , Tartar Rumeysa Ilbar , Yiğit Banu , Baran Elif , Eren Hikmet Ihsan , Citgez Bulent
Published: October 2021

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an infectious disease, which is characterized by rapidly progressive necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fascia. The skin is involved in the late stage of the disease. It is a very rare but a life-threatening condition if it is not diagnosed early and treated promptly. Comorbidities and concomitant medications should be carefully considered when managing patients with NF. We present the case of a 92-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus diagnosed with NF that spreads to lower abdomen, bilateral inguinal region, and pubic area after applying a depilatory cream to the mons pubis and the area just below the pubic bone. Rapidly and aggressive surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue was applied and negative pressure wound therapy was immediately applied with a vacuum-assisted closure device (VAC). Broad-spectrum antibiotics were used to treat infection. After several VAC therapy applications during the treatment period, the final stage of the treatment was the reconstruction of the resulting defect with split-thickness skin graft. Early and aggressive debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotherapies constitute the mainstay of treatment. Concurrently, serial debridement and rapidly intervention also shorten healing time and hospital stay.
Mechanism Research of Chonglou as a Pain Killer by Network Pharmacology
Authors: Liu Yu-Tong , Situ Yong-Li , Zhao Ting-Ting , Long Li-Na , Zeng He-Kun , Liang Shang-Dong , Schmalzing Günther , Gao Hong-Wei , Wei Jin-Bin , He Chuan-Hua , Nie Hong
Published: October 2021

Objective:

The objective of this study is to screen the therapeutic targets of pain of traditional Chinese medicine Chonglou and explore the relevant mechanism by network pharmacology techniques and methods.

Materials and Methods:

The chemical components of Chonglou were collected according to chemistry database and related literature. SwissADME was used to collect the potential active ingredients from all the chemical components of Chonglou and SwissTarget Prediction was utilized to predict their targets. The genes related to pain were collected from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man databases. Joint genes were uploaded to the online string database for the analysis and the PPI network was constructed. The “Chonglou-active component-target-pain” network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1 software, Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for key target proteins. The top three active components with most targets in the network were docked with the target proteins by the molecular docking technique.

Results:

A total of nine potential active compounds of Chonglou, 264 potential target genes, 2385 targets of pain disorder, and 128 common targets for drug and disease were screened. One hundred and thirty-one GO items were identified by the GO enrichment analysis, and 23 related signaling pathways were identified by the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular-docking results show that pennogenin is the optimal butt ligand of PIK3CA, STAT3, mitogen-activated protein kinase 14, and ADORA1.

Conclusion:

It is preliminarily revealed that Chonglou might treat pain through multiple targets, multiple biology processes and multiple pain-related signaling pathways, providing reference for the subsequent experimental research.
Soil-Transmitted Helminths: Parasite load and viability amidst mass drug administration in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Oyebamiji D.A. , Hassan A.A.
Published: October 2021

Presently, the operational strategies for the control of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) has been via Mass Drug Administration (MDA) which primarily targets school and pre-school age children, child-bearing age women, including adults with high-risk occupations. Therefore, this study was done to relate the frequency of drug usage by the host to the intensity and viability of STH ova in the faecal samples collected in 11 study areas (Alakia, Akanran, Molete, Aleshinloye, Iwo Road, Eleyele, Bodija, Moniya, Olodo, Omi Adio and Podo) within Ibadan methropolis. A total of 1100 faecal samples were collected from voluntary participants between January and December 2018 and a standard Kato-Katz techniques was used for diagnosis. Well-structured questionnaire to acquire data on the demographics and usage of drug against STH infections was administered to each of the consenting participants. SPSS version 21 was used to analyze the data; ANOVA at p< 0.05. Faecal samples (35.9%) had one species of parasite minimally. Ascaris had the highest prevalence of 41.6%, followed by 24.5%, 23.5% and 10.4% for Trichuris, hookworm and Strongyloides species respectively. The parasite specific prevalence varied significantly (p≤0.05). Bodija had the highest frequency of drug usage with the least viability (6.1%) and intensity (5.4%). There is a negative correlation between frequency of drug usage and intensity (r= -0.39) and viability (r= -0.35) across the sampling locations. The STH infection prevalence observed could be attributed to poor environmental sanitation, poor personal hygiene arising from several factors such as lack of adequate sanitary facilities and other associated risk in the study locations. The decrease in viability and intensity of STH with respect to level of MDA drug usage might be significant to anticipated effectiveness and eventual success of MDA programmes in Ibadan environs.
Risk Factors that contributes to Hookworm Infection among Primary School Pupils in Some Communities of Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Hosea T.Z. , Ameh J.B. , Aminu M. , Ado S.A , Garba D.D.
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate and possible risk factors associated with transmission of hookworm infection among primary school children in parts of Kaduna state, Nigeria. Nine hundred (900) faecal samples were collected and analyzed for hookworm infection using the direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. The data were subjected to chi-square analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and the significant level (0.05) determined at 95%confidence interval. The overall prevalence of the infection was 5.8%. The prevalence was higher among males 7.0% (32/457) and rainy season 7.1%. Also, the prevalence was highest among children aged 12-13 years 7.2%, whose parents were artisans 7.3%, children who used to defaecate in the bush and those who used well as source of water 5.6%. Statistical analysis showed significant association in the prevalence of hookworm infection with respect to gender (P = 0.03) and age group (P = 0.0013). However, there was no significant association between the prevalence of the infection and parent’s occupation (p=0.21), type of toilet used (p=0.20), children’s source of drinking water (P=0.16) and season (P=0.16). The present study has established that the transmission  hookworm is on-going among the school children in the study area. There is need for sustained mass de-worming programme, health education, provision of portable drinking water and toilet facilities in public schools within the study area.
Status of Lymphatic Filariasis in Security Challenged Areas of Borno State, Nigeria
Authors: Davies E. , Anyaike C. , Akpan N. , Saka Y. A. , Suleiman A. , Ogunsaya O.S. , George I.L. , Abubakar H. , Gowok C.B. , Tijani H. , Abduljeleel M. , Bello H. , Adekunle O.N. , Sam-Wobo S.O.
Published: October 2021

National lymphatic filariasis elimination programme (NLFEP) of Federal Ministry of Health sets to provide status of LF in the country before 2020. Borno State, situated in the North East political zone of Nigeria with an estimated population of 4.1million had been enmeshed in insurgency for over a decade. Following an initial mapping between 2008 and 2016 in 16 LGAs out of 27 LGAs, it became imperative that the status of LF in the remaining 11 LGAs of Borno State be ascertained in order to have complete data for planning and policy. Using stratified sampling method, eleven communities were selected from the 11 LGAs namely: Abadam, Ngala, Guzamala, Ngazai, Gubio, Mafa, Jere, Biu, Bayo, Askirin/Uba, and Kwayar Kusar. Blood samples were obtained from consented 990 participants and filarial test strip (FTS) were employed to determine their LF status between November 2017 and February 2018. Of the 990 consented participants only 15 (1.5%) were positive for lymphatic filariasis. Ten cases of hydrocele in men were observed in 4 communities namely Bunari (3), Peta (3), Zaramiramga (2) and Uba (2). Considering the number of positive cases by FTS and hydrocele, result showed that hydrocele accounted for 66.7% of the total positive cases within the positive communities. It is advised that the State health workers should continue to properly educate communities on health programmes including LF preventive measures. Also both Federal Ministry of Health and State Ministry of Health sensitize health partners to start LF treatment and morbidity management in all positive communities to fast track elimination of LF.
Antiplasmodial Activity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Daniella oliveri in Albino Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei Nk 65
Authors: Dikwa K.B. , Dibal D.M.. , Muazu M. , Obaje G.
Published: October 2021

Human malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by 5 species of plasmodia. Qualitative, quantitative and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used to determine some bioactive components used in accessing the antiplasmodial potentials of methanolic leaf extract of Daniella oliveri in mice. Twenty-five (25) albino mice of body weight between 18-25 g were randomized into 5 groups of five mice per group for acute toxicity test, while for antiplasmodial studies. Thirty (30) mice were randomized to 6 groups of 5 mice per group (groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). The mice were Infected intravenously with 0.2 ml of 1x107 standard inoculum of chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei infected erythrocytes on the first day (day 0).72 hours later (day 3), 0.2 ml of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract were administered orally to mice in groups 4, 5 and 6 respectively as treatment dose once daily for 5 consecutive days. Group 1 (positive control) were treated with 0.2 ml of 5 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine, group 2 (negative control) were given 0.2 ml of normal saline and group 3 (normal control) received 0.2 ml of normal saline but were not infected with P. berghei. Blood samples were collected from all mice in all groups for the determination of percentage Parasitemia and chemo-suppression through vene-section of the tail. The qualitative Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Cardiac glycosides, Reducing sugar, Saponins, Terpernoids, Phenols. The GC-MS analysis revealed 57 chemicals. The highest dose 800mg/kg body weight showed a very good antiplasmodial activities with a significant decrease (P<0.05). Daniella oliveri have displayed to be a potentially “very good’’ human antimalarial medicinal plant.
Survey of Tick Infestations on Pet Dogs in Jalingo Local Government Area, Taraba State
Authors: Wama B.E. , Jonathan J. , Garba L.C. , Njilmah J.A. , Aguzie I.O.
Published: October 2021

The study investigated the prevalence of tick infestation among pet dogs in Jalingo Metropolis, Taraba State. The study area was fragmented into five study sites namely Kona, Magami Mayo-gwoi, Mile Six and Nukkai areas. Thirty samples were collected from each study sites using random sampling method. The prevalence of ticks infestation on dogs recorded was 80%. Prevalence was significantly different between the sites (χ2 = 13.333, p =0.0098). Amongst the tick genera observed, Ammblyomma had the highest prevalence, 44 (29.3%) followed closely by Ixodes spp., 41 (27.3%), and the least was Dermacentor, 33 (22.0%). Dogs of 108 (72.0%) of the respondent were vaccinated. Dogs of 82 (54.7%) of the respondents received treatment for diseases. Only 71 (47.3%)  respondents used medicated soap, acaricide or chemicals to control dog ectoparasites. Attitudes of dog owners contributes directly or indirectly to tick infestation of dogs in Jalingo metropolis.
German Foreign Policy in the Face of Current Challenges
Authors: Belov V. B.
Published: October 2021

The article analyzes the features of German foreign policy on the eve of the September (2021) elections to the Bundestag and the gradual overcoming of the crisis consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The priorities of the foreign policy based on the value approach remain the European and transatlantic vectors, as well as relations with the main system-forming international organizations. The postulates of value are prompting Berlin to increasingly intensify criticism of Russia and China, incl. due to the signifi cantly increased, from his point of view, threats in relation to Germany and other states of the collective West. Germany still relies on France in European politics. Their tandem continues to determine the political and economic processes in the European Union, as well as to infl uence the formation of the EU mechanisms for overcoming the coronavirus crisis. Despite the rapid restoration of constructive relations with the new American administration, a number of controversial issues remain in bilateral relations, including defense spending and the economy. In recent years, Germany has been able to strengthen its positions in Europe and the world and expects to strengthen its role as a global actor, especially in international organizations. Nevertheless, the German expert community critically refers to its current foreign policy status quo. The author explores the latest trends in German foreign policy, gives an assessment of its development after elections to the Bundestag, pays special attention to the prospects for relations with the Russian Federation.
Protestantismo e Educação Social: uma análise histórica de iniciativas promovidas pela mais antiga instituição educacional presbiteriana do Brasil
Authors: Pereira Rezende Lucas , Mendes Marcel
Published: October 2021

O presente artigo toma iniciativas educacionais do presbiterianismo no Brasil como objeto de uma investigação histórica com foco no terreno social, promovendo um debate sobre o alcance social que os valores educacionais calvinistas podem ter na sociedade na qual se inserem, especialmente discutidos a luz de conceitos contemporâneos ligados à área da Educação Social. É apresentada uma contextualização das iniciativas que são objeto de estudo, e que são ligadas à mais antiga instituição educacional de origem protestante do país, o Colégio Internacional, que devido a uma mudança geográfica de localização passou a se chamar Instituto Evangélico de Lavras, atualmente Instituto Presbiteriano Gammon, sendo que com o desmembramento da Escola Superior de Agricultura em 1963, gerou posteriormente a Universidade Federal de Lavras. O recorte temporal da pesquisa se liga às décadas iniciais de inserção do presbiterianismo com suas iniciativas educacionais no interior de Minas Gerais;
Perception, Perceived Impacts and Constraints about Adoption of Climate Resilient Technologies in the Eastern Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh
Authors: S.R Devegowda,
Published: October 2021

Climate change affects crop production adversely. The study focused on the perception, perceived impacts and constraints on the climate change and adoption of climate resilient technologies in the eastern plain zone of Uttar Pradesh. 240 rice-wheat cropping pattern following farm households were interviewed using the structured schedule. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Garrett’s ranking technique. Results showed that farmers were aware of climate change and there were know the impact due to climate change. Lack of knowledge and training, lack of inputs availability and lack of credit availability were major constraints to adopt the climate resilient technologies