bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comportamiento productivo y estabilidad fenotípica de Hordeum vulgare L. en Colombia
Authors: Campuzano-Duque Luis Fernando , Avendaño-Avendaño Diego Fernando , Luque-Sanabria Nadia Yurani
Published: November 2021

Introducción. La incorporación de 40 mil hectáreas de cebada (Hordeum vulgare L.) para la industria de cerveza en Colombia, con una producción proyectada de 80 mil t año-1 en el periodo 2016 a 2026, permitirá reducir la importación en un 60 %; no obstante, el cumplimiento de esta meta requiere de variedades de cebada de alto rendimiento y calidad. Objetivo. Identificar una variedad de cebada con rendimiento de grano estable y superior a 2,6 t ha-1 asociada con tolerancia al volcamiento, menor severidad a la roya amarilla en la hoja y espiga y calidad física del grano para la industria cervecera. Materiales y métodos. Entre 2016 y 2017, se realizó una prueba de evaluación agronómica en la región Andina colombiana, en un diseño de bloques completos al azar, con ocho variedades de cebada de dos hileras introducidas a Colombia. Se determinaron: maduración fisiológica, volcamiento, severidad a Puccinia striiformis f. sp hordei en la hoja y espiga, rendimiento de grano y peso hectolítrico. Resultados. Las variedades Madi y S5 con rendimientos de grano de 2,89 y 2,61 t ha-1, respectivamente, fueron superiores en 24 y 16 % en relación con Metcalfe y 19 y 11 % en comparación con Maltera 5. Ambas variedades presentaron estabilidad fenotípica amplia, tolerancia al volcamiento, menor severidad de la roya en la hoja y espiga y con un peso hectolítrico apropiado para la industria cervecera. Conclusión. Las características de producción, estabilidad fenotípica y calidad física del grano, de las variedades Madi y S5, las vuelve candidatas comerciales para la industria cervecera y con dominio de recomendación en el altiplano Cundiboyacense en Colombia, previa validación con una prueba semi comercial.
Gypsum and potassium application to acid soils for maize (Zea mays L.) production in La Frailesca, Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Tasistro Armando , Camas-Gómez Robertony , Ortiz-Monasterio Ivan
Published: November 2021

Introduction. Maize (Zea mays L.) production in La Frailesca region, Mexico, is limited by sandy soils, low in potassium (K), and with acidic arable layers and subsoils. There is information on the management of lime but not on amendments that could be used for subsoil acidity — such as gypsum — nor on the interactions between amendments for soil acidity and K fertilization. Objective. To evaluate the effects of K and gypsum on maize and on previously limed soils. Materials and methods. The evaluations were conducted in farmers’ fields in La Frailesca region, Chiapas (Mexico) in 2016 and 2017. Four gypsum rates (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 t ha-1) and four K rates (0, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha-1 as K2O) were factorially combined in a randomized block design, with three replicates. In both years, before the beginning of the experiments, dolomitic lime was applied to the experimental area following standard practices. Responses of crop yield, soil exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, and Al, and soil pH were obtained. Results. Maize yields increased with gypsum (stabilizing at 1.25-3.0 t ha-1), and K (stabilizing at 70-120 kg ha-1 of K2O) applications. In soils, K application increased exchangeable K content, while gypsum increased exchangeable Ca content and pH, and decreased exchangeable Al content. Liming increased pHCa and exchangeable Ca and Mg contents, and lowered the exchangeable Al content in the top 7.5 cm of soil. Conclusion. Soils with exchangeable K (≤0.3 cmolc kg-1) were responsive to K fertilization. The positive effects on yields from gypsum were probably linked to a greater Ca supply in the top 7.5 cm. These results are encouraging about the benefits of the combined application of dolomitic lime, gypsum, and K, but longer evaluations are needed to properly determine the effects of gypsum on subsoil acidity.
2020: Renewing the Paradigms for Orofacial Pain
Authors: Chavarría-Bolanos Daniel , Pozos-Guillén Amaury , Montero-Aguilar Mauricio
Published: November 2021

In 2020, two important changes were adapted by the international health community: a new definition of pain and a new classification for orofacial pain conditions. With these changes new tasks and challenges also emerged, and clinicians from several disciplines begun to adopt and reconsidered classic paradigms, and the policies derived from them. This new perspective article, examine the new definition of pain proposed by the International Association for the Study of Pain, and the new International Classification of Orofacial Pain; analyzing the positive impact and further perspectives of these.
Breeding assessment of new promising cotton lines
Authors: Dimitrova V. , Dragov R.
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Cotton breeding in Bulgaria is mainly aimed at improving the earliness, productivity and fiber quality of modern varieties. The creation of new genetic diversity is one of the basic prerequisites for the success of breeding programs. The aim of the study was to evaluate cotton lines obtained by intraspecific and remote hybridization combined with backcross technology, with a view to their most effective usage in selection. Twenty-three lines were included in competitive variety trials conducted during the 2014-2017 period. The averaged results showed that lines 550, 639, 641, obtained by remote hybridization, appeared to be very promising. These three lines were distinguished by the best combination of productivity, fiber length and fiber lint percentage, and by these three indicators they exceeded the standard variety Chirpan-539. A new cotton variety Aida (No. 457) was approved, which in seed cotton yield and fiber yield, and technological fiber properties surpassed the standard varieties Chirpan-539 for earliness and productivity and Avangard-264 for fiber quality. The candidate variety 535 continued the state variety testing. Two new candidate cotton varieties No. 550 and No. 553 were released. In the state variety testing the three candidate varieties confirmed their qualities. The obtained lines, distinguished by one trait or by a complex of qualities, enriched the gene pool of Bulgarian cotton.
Influence of soybean meal replacement with high-protein sunflower meal on “Clarcs of energy distribution/protein transformation” in broiler chickens
Authors: Chobanova S. , Penkov D.
Published: November 2021

Abstract. The aim of the study is to compare the net utilization of energy and protein in the eco-technical chain „feed-meat“ when replacing part of the soybean meal with high-protein sunflower meal in broiler fattening. One control and 3 experimental groups, 4-phases fattening with isoenergetic and isoprotein combined fodders. Main protein source in the fodders for the control group is soybean meal. Replacement with sunflower meal: First experimental group: Starter – 5%, Grower – 8%, Finisher 1 – 10% and Finisher 2 – 10%; Second experimental group: 15, 18, 25 and 25%, respectively; Third experimental group: 34.25, 27.27, 27.27 and 26%, respectively. Clarcs of energy distribution/protein transformation (CED/CPT) are the ratio between accumulated gross energy/crude protein in breast and thigh muscles and consumed metabolic energy/crude protein throughout life. The following results were established: CED “fodder – breast+thigh muscles”: Control – 0.2430, first experimental group – 0.2394, second experimental group – 0.2505, third experimental group – 0.2334; CPT – 0.6080, 0.5050, 0.5280 and 0.5490, respectively.
Food consumption and winter mortality in bee colonies wintering in hives made from different materials with lattice and solid bottom
Authors: Zhelyazkova I. , Lazarov S.
Published: November 2021

Abstract. The objective of the present study is to examine the changes in some indicators characterizing the winter hardiness of bee colonies settled in hives made of different material (polystyrene, wood, ceramics) and with different type of bottom (lattice or solid). Some parameters which characterize the wintering of bee colonies (amount of dead bees and quantity of food consumption in winter) have been investigated. The bee colonies were housed in 10-frame Dadant Blatt hives with a lattice and solid bottom situated at the Training Apiary of the Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Two inspections of the bee colonies were carried out (during wintering in November 2020 and at the beginning of the active season in March 2021). Amount of bees in the bee hive (strength) and amount of capped honey in the honeycombs were reported. In bee colonies wintering in hives with a lattice bottom, the consumption of food per 1 kg of bees was 1.639 kg (50%) higher than in hives with a solid bottom. Winter mortality of bees in hives with a lattice bottom was higher compared to this indicator in the hives with a solid bottom, 16.19±10.72% and 12.59±3.57%, respectively, which can be considered excellent wintering below 15% and good wintering in the range of 15.0-19.99%.
RESEARCH OF PHYSIOMETRIC INDICATORS OF FEMALE STUDENTS FROM TRAKIA UNIVERSITY
Authors: Angelova P. , Petkov P.
Published: November 2021

Reliable data on physical fitness and determination of the functional state of the body reflect the level of physical capabilities and the level of development of motor skills. Objective: Determination of individual physiometric indicators in students. Contingent: 130 female students of Trakia University. The average value of the vital capacity in the studied students is 3, 60, and vital indicator 61,61. With the left and right hand dynamometer, mean right hand values ​​of 15,46 kg were found, and left - 12,76 kg. Force strength is set at 63,42kg. Conclusion: The relative share of students with low values ​​of the vital capacity is high, the values ​​for dynamometry force are also low; there is a disproportion between good physical development due to acceleration factors and recorded retention or deterioration of physical capacity.
STATUS OF THE SUBJECT PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
Authors: Hristova P.
Published: November 2021

The immobilization of humanity is а global problem for which warn scientists from around the world. A number of reports of organizations of the world, national and regional levels, state poor health condition of people, and especially of children and youth are due to low physical activity. In response, the relevant Ministries (including the Bulgarian) have drawn up laws and regulations for their implementation. They aim to spread the physical activity among the nations by providing all necessary conditions for sport activities as well as educating people on the importance of regular exercise for the health. Thus, the PURPOSE of this study was to establish the status of the subject Physical Education and Sport in Bulgarian universities’ curricula and how the Physical Education and Sport Act is interpreted and applied. The RESULTS show that Bulgarian universities interpret and apply the Low loosely and selectively. CONCLUSIONS are that the State and universities generally do not conduct policy for encouraging students to exercise.
INFLUENCE OF CIRCULAR EXERCISES ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF FEMALE STUDENTS
Authors: Petkov P.
Published: November 2021

The purpose of the present study is to determine the influence of circular exercises on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of Trakia's University female students. To achieve this goal the following methods are used: testing, pedagogical experiment, variation analysis, comparative analysis, graphic analysis. 69 female students are the contingent of the study with an average age of 20.04 years old from the first and second school year, studying in three different faculties of the Trakia University - Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. They were divided into two groups. The experimental group of 36 female students - with this group was hold circuit trainings twice a week in the duration of 30 weeks. On the basis of the conducted research, in order to increase the efficiency of the fitness training by applying a specialized training fitness model intended for the students, and the analyzes made it can be concluded: The effectiveness of the author's fitness model, based on circular training, as part of the overall fitness training of the students for strengthening the cardiovascular and the respiratory systems of the students, are experimentally substantiated.
Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria From Tape and Jember Tempeh as a Probiotic Candidate
Authors: Azizah Siti Nur , Eryani Mikhania Christiningtyas , Azizah Azizah
Published: November 2021

Probiotics are microbes in fermented foods that have beneficial effects on health. Microbes that act as probiotics are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that can produce metabolites such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins. This study aimed to obtain lactic acid bacterial isolates from tape and tempeh, and to test the potential of LAB as a probiotic candidate by activity test as an antidiarrhea and its resistance to gastric pH and bile salts. The fermentation products used as a source of LAB isolates are tempeh sumber mas merk, and yellow cassava tape, sari madu merk from Jember. The results of the first stage regarding the isolation of LAB using GYP media showed that there were 2 LAB isolates (TaJ.14 and TaJ.15) from the tape and 4 LAB isolates (TeJ.18, TeJ.22, TeJ.24, and TeJ.25) from tempeh. The results of the antidiarrheal test using the disc diffusion method (oxoid) showed that TaJ.14 and TaJ.15 isolates were able to inhibit Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Shigella dysentriae, while TeJ.18, TeJ.22, TeJ.24, TeJ.25, and Lactobacillus casei (control) was only able to inhibit B. subtilis and E. coli. The results of LAB resistance to gastric pH showed that the TeJ.25 isolate had the highest percentage of pH 3 and 2.5 resistance (51.13 and 33.03%) compared to other isolates and controls. LAB resistance test results against bile salts (oxgal) showed that the TeJ.22 isolate had the highest percentage of resistance (75.10%) compared to other isolates although was still higher in control (75.99%).
Diversity of Land and Freshwater Snail (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park, Sumba Island, Indonesia
Authors: Mujiono Nova , Isnaningsih Nur Rohmatin
Published: November 2021

A study on the malacofauna of Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park (LWNP) in Sumba Island has been conducted. This study aims were to reveal the diversity of malacofauna in Sumba and compare it with those in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Observations were made on 20 stations using plots (10 x 10 m) in Wanggameti and Laiwangi. Specimens were collected for two hours in each plot. Twenty families and 44 species have been identified. The overall number of species from Sumba increased from 126 to 143 species. The LWNP represents 31% diversity of malacofauna in Sumba Island. Seventeen species are considered as new records for the island. Five endemic land snail species are still observed inside the park. The diversity and population density tend to be higher in Laiwangi area with lower altitudes than in Wanggameti area with higher altitudes. Two dominant species are Asperitas bimaensis cochlostyloides and Tarebia granifera. Species composition in Sumba is more similar to Bali compared with the other six neighboring islands.
Nocturnal Coleoptera and Hemiptera Diversity at Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve Indonesia
Authors: Ruslan Hasni , Tobing Imran S. L.
Published: November 2021

Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu is a biosphere reserve which one of its functions is as a habitat for wildlife. However, biodiversity data in the Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve (GSKBB-BR) is still very minimal, including insects (Coleoptera and Hemiptera). This research was conducted to determine the diversity of Coleoptera and Hemiptera in the GSKBB Biosphere Reserve, Riau, Indonesia. The research was carried out using an exploratory method using "lights trap". The results of the study found 30 species, from 11 families of the order Coleoptera (23 species) and Hemiptera (7 species) in the GSKBB-BR. The diversity index of Coleoptera and Hemiptera at the observation site was moderate (H = 2.73), with a high evenness index (0.80). Scarabaeidae (order Coleoptera) is the family with the highest number of species found (8 species), while the most abundant species were Tibicen linnei and Pomponia fusca (Cicadidae/Hemiptera). Based on their functional roles, Coleoptera and Hemiptera with the highest number are herbivores (17 species), followed by predators (7 species) and decomposers (3 species). The range of values for temperature and humidity at the research site are in normal conditions. The GSKBB-BR area is an important remaining habitat for wildlife in Riau, including various types of insects (Coleoptera and Hemiptera); whose potential still needs to be revealed, and must be managed properly.
Primary Chondrosarcoma in L-shaped Crossed Fused Renal Ectopia Coexisting with Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma in Urinary Bladder
Authors: Kumar Mayank , Nalwa Aasma , Yadav Taruna , Elhence Poonam , Pandey Himanshu , Rao Meenakshi
Published: November 2021

Primary renal chondrosarcomas are rare tumors that are high-grade in nature and, unfortunately, have poorly understood pathogenesis and extremely low prognosis. The coexistence of a discrete malignancy in the urinary bladder is even rarer, with the occurrence of distinct papillary urothelial carcinoma in the urinary bladder in this case. The clinical presentation is nonspecific, and the primary radiological investigations have a limited scope in providing specific diagnosis of this entity. The final diagnosis is possible on thorough histopathological examination of the resected specimen, which requires extensive sampling and meticulous reporting. As of now, the only way to achieve a better prognosis is by early diagnosis. It is necessary to keep the possibility of occurrence of sarcomas at rare sites in the differential diagnoses. The cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities associated with this entity need to be elucidated to achieve a more satisfactory outcome concerning the overall management of the patient.
The Benign Renal Masses that Were Exposed after Nephron-Sparing Surgery
Authors: Balasar Mehmet , Ozkent Serkan , Aydın Arif , Taşkapu Hakan Hakkı , Atıcı Ahmet , Ecer Gökhan , Sönmez Mehmet Giray
Published: November 2021

After nephron-sparing surgery (NSS), postsurgical fatty tumor could be mistakenly reported as angiomyolipoma during radiologic imaging of some patients. In the present paper, we studied the postsurgical fatty tumor detected after NSS but not covered before in the literature. In addi-tion, we also evaluated whether the postsurgical fatty tumor was related to the surgical technique employed. Patients admitted to the urology department of our university hospital from 2014 to 2019 and operated with open NSS were evaluated retrospectively. We detected those 156 patients were operated with NSS. Nine patients with angiomyolipoma as primary pathology and four patients with surgical border positivity were excluded from the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the repair of tumor extraction region. In Group 1, fatty tissue was used for repair, and Group 2 is the primary repair group. In all, 143 patients (Group 1 = 79, and Group 2 = 64) were included in the study. No demographic and radiologic differences, such as number of patients, age, gender, positioning of tumor, mass localization, tumor diameter, and RENAL nephrometry scoring system, were detected between the two groups. Postsurgical fatty tumors were detected in 28 patients in Group 1 and in two patients in Group 2 (P < 0.001). In patients with negative surgical margins after partial nephrectomy, lesions that were radiologically detected mimicking as angiomyolipoma were defined as “postsurgical fatty tumor.” This mass containing adipose tissue only nei-ther depicted vascularization and enhancement nor increase in size for at least 1 year. We assumed that these lesions must be followed as benign lesions not requiring additional treatment.
National Hospital Care Survey Demonstration Projects: Examination of Inpatient Hospitalization and Risk of Mortality Among Patients Diagnosed With Pneumonia
Authors: Peters Zachary , Ashman Jill , Schwartzman Alexander , DeFrances Carol
Published: November 2021

NHSR 167
Parathyroid Hormone in the Regulation of Bone Growth and Resorption in Health and Disease
Authors: Vorontsova Maria V. , Kulebyakin Konstantin Y. , Makazan Nadezhda V. , Sozaeva Leila S. , Tyurin-Kuzmin Pyotr A.
Published: November 2021

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a key hormone responsible for regulation of calcium homeostasis in the body. Since the main body calcium depot is bone tissue, PTH has a decisive effect on its homeostasis. In this case, the hormone can activate both bone formation and resorption. Thus, PTH can ensure the conjugation of anabolic and catabolic processes, which is necessary for the renewal of bone tissue, which is had to function under constant mechanical stress. At the same time, the use of PTH in medical practice is rather small, despite its high potential as a basis for the treatment of various pathologies associated with impaired bone homeostasis. Presented review, describes the intracellular signaling cascades and molecular mechanisms that underlie the action of PTH on bone tissue cells, and intracellular signaling cascades are described. A separate section examines the cellular mechanisms of the action of PTH on bone homeostasis, discusses how the effect of the hormone on different types of cells provides an interface between the processes of synthesis and resorption. In addition, the review examines diseases associated with impaired bone homeostasis, as well as the role of PTH and impaired signaling in their etiology.
Menopause and Hyperuricemia in Women in the Russian Population (Results of the ESSE-RF Study)
Authors: Maksimov Sergey A. , Shalnova Svetlana A. , Muromceva Galina A. , Kapustina Anna V. , Imaeva Asiya E. , Evstifeeva Svetlana E. , Balanova Yulia A. , Karamnova Natalia S. , Konradi Aleksandra O. , Bojcov Sergey A. , Drapkina Oksana M.
Published: November 2021

Aims. To evaluate the relationship of menopause and its features with hyperuricemia in Russian women. Methods. In this study, we used data from the cross-sectional phase of the epidemiological study Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Regions of the Russian Federation (ESSE-RF) conducted in 20132014, in 13 regions of Russia. The final random sample size was 12 781 women. According to the interviews, the fact of menopause and the features of climacteric were identified. Hyperuricemia was defined as a serum uric acid concentration greater than 360 mol/L. Age, behavioral risk factors and indicators of health status were assessed as covariates. Logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate assessment of associations. Apart from the assessment of the general sample, the analysis of the groups stratified by obesity, diabetes mellitus and the characteristics of climacteric was carried out. The results of logistic regression analysis are presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. In the general sample, after adjusting for covariates, menopause was directly associated with hyperuricemia (OR = 1.17; 95% CI 1.061.28), the association of hyperuricemia with age was not statistically significant. Menopause was more consistently associated with hyperuricemia in obese compared to non-obese women. In diabetic women, menopause is directly and significantly associated with hyperuricemia, whereas in non-diabetic women there was not the association between menopause and hyperuricemia. Taking into account the features of climacteric, menopause was directly associated with hyperuricemia only in the 410 years after the onset of menopause (OR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.021.26), in natural menopausal women (OR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.071.30) and who were taking hormone replacement therapy (OR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.061.43). Conclusions. The results of the study indicate the direct association of hyperuricemia with menopause, but not with the age of women. The stratified analysis has made it possible to identify some features of the association between hyperuricemia and menopause in women with metabolic disorders, as well as to assess the influence of the features of climacteric.
Risk Factors in Cancer Patients
Authors: Slukhanchuk Ekaterina V. , Bitsadze Victoria O. , Tyan Anatoly G. , Khizroeva Jamilya Kh. , Tretyakova Maria V. , Solopova Antonina G. , Muyang Meng , Elalamy Ismail , Gris Jean-Christophe , Ay Cihan , Makatsaria Aleksander D.
Published: November 2021

Numerous studies in recent years have proven that the oncological process is an independent risk factor for thrombosis. For a long period of time and at the moment, research is continuing on the pathogenesis of a prothrombotic state in cancer patients. It was shown that the degree of risk is influenced by such indicators as the histological type of tumor, the stage of development of the disease, surgery, duration and type of anesthesia, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, age, the presence of central venous catheters, immobilization, thrombophilia, history of thrombosis, infections. Thrombosis in cancer patients is triggered by thrombogenic factors associated with the tumor, patient-associated factors and environmental factors. The tumor cell affects the balance of hemostasis by releasing procoagulant substances, profibrinolytic, proproteolytic and proaggregant activity, expression of adhesion molecules, secretion of proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokines; new participants in the process have also been identified. Studies have confirmed the fact that inflammation and thrombosis are inextricably linked with each other and play an important role in the progression of the disease and metastasis. All this opens up new horizons for the development of modern innovative strategies for treating cancer patients and increasing survival.
On the Occasion of the 70th Anniversary of Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladislav R. Kuchma
Authors: Briko Nikolay I. , Laponova Evgeniya D.
Published: November 2021

August 3, 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences Vladislav Remirovich Kuchma, a recognized leader in the field of hygiene of children and adolescents.
Steady-State Planning in Expected Reward Multichain MDPs
Authors: Atia George K. , Beckus Andre , Alkhouri Ismail , Velasquez Alvaro
Published: November 2021

The planning domain has experienced increased interest in the formal synthesis of decision-making policies. This formal synthesis typically entails finding a policy which satisfies formal specifications in the form of some well-defined logic. While many such logics have been proposed with varying degrees of expressiveness and complexity in their capacity to capture desirable agent behavior, their value is limited when deriving decision-making policies which satisfy certain types of asymptotic behavior in general system models. In particular, we are interested in specifying constraints on the steady-state behavior of an agent, which captures the proportion of time an agent spends in each state as it interacts for an indefinite period of time with its environment. This is sometimes called the average or expected behavior of the agent and the associated planning problem is faced with significant challenges unless strong restrictions are imposed on the underlying model in terms of the connectivity of its graph structure. In this paper, we explore this steady-state planning problem that consists of deriving a decision-making policy for an agent such that constraints on its steady-state behavior are satisfied. A linear programming solution for the general case of multichain Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) is proposed and we prove that optimal solutions to the proposed programs yield stationary policies with rigorous guarantees of behavior.
Teaching People by Justifying Tree Search Decisions: An Empirical Study in Curling
Authors: Silva Cleyton R. , Bowling Michael , Lelis Levi H.S.
Published: November 2021

In this research note we show that a simple justification system can be used to teach humans non-trivial strategies of the Olympic sport of curling. This is achieved by justifying the decisions of Kernel Regression UCT (KR-UCT), a tree search algorithm that derives curling strategies by playing the game with itself. Given an action returned by KR-UCT and the expected outcome of that action, we use a decision tree to produce a counterfactual justification of KR-UCT’s decision. The system samples other possible outcomes and selects for presentation the outcomes that are most similar to the expected outcome in terms of visual features and most different in terms of expected end-game value. A user study with 122 people shows that the participants who had access to the justifications produced by our system achieved much higher scores in a curling test than those who only observed the decision made by KR-UCT and those with access to the justifications of a baseline system. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first work showing that a justification system is able to teach humans non-trivial strategies learned by an algorithm operating in self play.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as a Novel Method of Multidrug-Resistant Infections Treatment in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients
Authors: M Kucher , O Goloshchapov , M Suvorova , R Klementeva , A Shcherbakov , A Shvetcov , I Kazantsev , I Moiseev , L Zubarovskaya , B Afanasyev
Published: November 2021

This short communication accompanies our presentation at the 43rd Annual meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation held in Marseille, France, 26-29 March 2017. Also it briefly summaries some recent advances in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treatment of infections in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients. AlloHSCT is an effective method of treatment for some hematological, malignant and hereditary conditions in adults and children. However, allo-HSCT is also associated with several potentially life-threatening complications. Among the most common causes for transplantassociated mortality are antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections and immune complications, such as acute and chronic graft-versushost disease (GvHD). In most cases, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is primarily damaged post-HSCT due to enhanced inflammation, GvHD, and intestinal infections causing serious diarrhea, in particular pseudomembranous colitis associated with Clostridium difficile, which often develops in patients receiving massive antibiotic therapy. Normal intestinal microbiota elimination is itself an important risk factor for sepsis, GIT GvHD, pseudo-membranous colitis and antibiotic-associated diarrhea post-HSCT. FMT from healthy donors allows restoring the physiological variability and functional activity of intestinal microbiota leading to pathogens eradication in patients with GIT infections.
Income Inequality and Crisis Theories
Authors: SAVAŞ Yunus , ÇAKMAK ŞAHİN Senem
Published: November 2021

This paper aims to review the relationship between crisis theories in Mainstream economics, Post-Keynesian economics, Marxian economics and income inequality, especially within the context of great recession. Emergence of the great recession and its devastating effects, not only on financial sectors likewise on real economy brought discussions of origin of crises back in fashion. Inequality was accepted as an important factor contributing to great recession and it is brought to the fore in crisis theories due to sharply increased income inequality before the great recession even though there is disagreement amongst different schools of thought on causes of crisis.
What’s new for the clinician? - Excerpts from and summaries of recently published papers
Authors: Yengopal Veerasamy
Published: November 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers breast milk as the best source of nourishment for infants. Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, globally only 40% of children under this age are exclusively breastfed and this is mainly due to negative breastfeeding experiences. There are many different causes for negative breastfeeding experiences such as poor weight gain, necessitating supplementation, poor latch, maternal nipple pain, and oral restrictions like a tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) and/or lip-tie. Ankyloglossia (either the decrease in mobility for the tongue by classic anterior tongue-tie or a submucosal restriction, a posterior tongue-tie) and a superior tethered labial frenulum can cause altered latch and sucking mechanics. Studies have shown that a frenotomy, if adequately performed, can improve breastfeeding scores and relieve nipple pain with little or no serious complications.
Resolution of a large periapical lesion in an immature maxillary lateral incisor with the aid of triple antibiotic paste
Authors: Potgieter Nicoline , Buchanan Glynn
Published: November 2021

Apexification procedures are frequently performed on immature permanent teeth with incomplete root formation, open apices and necrotic pulp status with or without  periapical lesions in order to induce a calcific barrier prior to root canal therapy. The elimination and control of infection in the root canal space is critical to the success of these procedures. A healthy 21-year old male presented with pulpal necrosis, a large periapical lesion, incomplete root formation and an open apex on a maxillary right lateral incisor. Triple antibiotic paste was used to achieve antimicrobial control after traditional calcium hydroxide paste medicament failed to resolve the symptoms. Obturation was achieved using MTA and the conventional apexification technique. Excellent healing of the large periapical lesion was achieved without surgical intervention and the 4-year follow-up CBCT demonstrated complete bone fill of the lesion. Clinicians should be aware that alternative antimicrobial medicaments, such as triple antibiotic paste, may be beneficial in situations where conventional medicaments prove unsuccessful. The use of triple antibiotic paste may result in sufficient healing of the periapical lesion to justify placement of an MTA apical barrier without the need for surgical intervention
Education lecturers' perceptions of organising systematic online teaching and learning during COVID-19 pandemic conditions in 2020 at two selected universities in South Africa
Authors: Bekker Tanya , Carrim Nazir
Published: November 2021

In this article, we view epistemological access as organising systematic teaching and learning, and we focus on teaching and learning online during COVID-19 pandemic conditions in 2020. We used a Survey Monkey questionnaire with two universities in South Africa that moved their teaching and learning online to survey whether lecturers thought that the extent of epistemological access was affected when this happened. Our findings indicate that lecturers feel that the emergency teaching and learning did compromise their teaching, and, while most used existing face-to-face materials online, and some changed the content when they went online, they changed the assessment formats. We argue that these changes, although understandable given pandemic conditions, did not necessarily constitute the kind of carefully designed, paced, sequenced, and assessed online teaching and learning that also enhances epistemological access. We indicate that if one is to accept that the so-called new normal in education will largely be online, then the quality assurance of online teaching and learning will become unavoidable.
THE CRIMINALIZATION AND PROSECUTION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE OFFENCES AT NATIONAL LEVEL: THE NEED FOR LEGISLATIVE REFORM IN SOUTH SUDAN
Authors: David Abrahams
Published: November 2021

Sexual violence against women in South Sudan is rife amidst the ongoing internal armed conflict that erupted on 15 December 2013. As a new country emerging from civil wars spanning more than two decades, South Sudan has an enormous, yet unenviable task of reconstruction and development in all spheres. The justice system is no exception, and to this end it needs serious reform of its customary and statutory laws in order to ensure that it can effectively criminalize these crimes and prosecute offenders of sexual violence. This article reflects on whether South Sudan currently has the capacity to achieve this.
HOLDING UP A MIRROR TO APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA: PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON THE ISSUE OF OVERCROWDING IN SOUTH AFRICAN PRISONS 1980 TO 1984 – PART 1
Authors: Stephen Allister Peté
Published: November 2021

During the first half of the 1980s, the issue of chronic overcrowding within the South African penal system formed part of an intense ideological struggle between those who supported and those who opposed the apartheid regime. Public debate around this issue acted as a mirror, reflecting early cracks which were beginning to appear in the edifice of apartheid. Since the prisons were the ultimate instrument of social control within the apartheid system, the ongoing crises caused by chronic overcrowding within these institutions served as a kind of “canary in the mine” for the apartheid system as a whole. The debates which took place during the early 1980s around overcrowding are also important because they form part of a common theme running through South African penal discourse as a whole. This article seeks to show how the debates on prison overcrowding which took place in the first half of the 1980s fit into a long term pattern of recurring ideological crises surrounding this issue.
THE EFFECT OF LABOUR LEGISLATION IN THE PROMOTION AND INTEGRATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE LABOUR MARKET
Authors: Elsabé Cynthia-Leigh Cole  , Adriaan van der Walt
Published: November 2021

An absence of adequate legislation in South Africa resulted in inequality in the workplace and in society in general. The new constitutional democracy with a Bill of Rights intended to address this by promulgated legislation, and today the South African Constitutional and legislative provisions promoting equality are viewed as amongst the most progressive in the world. In regard to persons with disabilities, this progressive legislation, aimed to protect against discrimination, still seems to fail the very people it intended to promote and protect.The legislation created awareness of the need for equality and the right of workers to employment and to decent working conditions. The right to equality is accorded to everybody through the Constitution of South Africa. The Bill of Rights is based on the notion of equality before the law, and the prohibition of discrimination on various grounds.Despite this, the perception exists that persons with disabilities as a minority group are still being marginalized and are restricted in their right to exercise the right to participate and make a meaningful contribution to the labour market. This not only seems to be in contradiction with the constitutional right to choose an occupation, but has wider social and economic consequences. The ethos of equality legislation is to ensure that the workplace is representative of the society we live in. It is understandable that labour as a social phenomenon is not only concerned with workplace-related issues but with aspects encompassing the whole of the socio-political and economic scene.South African labour legislation promulgated over the last two decades strives to align with the conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisations and in terms of the obligations of South Africa as a member state.

However, the question prevails: is the legislation adequate to address the discrimination and inequality experienced by persons with disability? If so, why do statistics indicate such high unemployment amongst this group? Yet, there is a growing awareness that persons with disabilities represent enormous untapped economic potential.According to the ILO report on The Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities (1997), much has been accomplished in the international arena in recent years to improve the lives of disabled persons in the workplace.This article will attempt to evaluate the efficacy of South African legislation in the promotion and integration of persons with disabilities in the labour market.
TWO SIDES OF A COIN: PIERCING THE VEIL AND UNCONSCIONABILITY IN TRUST LAW
Authors: Eben Nel
Published: November 2021

While the concept of unconscionability serves as a protection against unjust terms in a contract, a piercing of the corporate veil acts as protective measure against the misuse of the juristic personality. Both doctrines, therefore, empower the courts to police particular unjust behaviour in the corporate environment. The question is whether there is any real interworking between the two concepts, and if so, how such relationship should be applied by the courts in general, and more particularly in matters dealing with trusts. The article explores the interface between these two common-law doctrines as well as recent attempts by the legislature to codify some elements thereof. It is submitted that while both concepts rely on objective standards of fairness, justice and reasonableness, it is necessary for the judiciary to develop the interworking between the two concepts, with particular emphasis on a balance between the interests of individual participants in the business environment with that of commercial and contractual certainty. Particular emphasis is placed on public policy as a deserving evaluative benchmark for contractual relationships, which will include the principles of fairness, equity, justice, good faith and reasonableness.
EXEMPTION PROVISIONS AND THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2008: SOME PRELIMINARY COMMENTS
Authors: Mark Tait  , Stephen Newman
Published: November 2021

Suppliers have found it most convenient to reduce their risk of liability by inserting a provision in their contracts with consumers – be it in a written and signed contract or in the form of a displayed notice – in terms of which suppliers are exempted from liabilities they would otherwise be obliged to accept. Exemption of liability provisions are often contained in standard-form contracts but also in notices displayed at public venues such as hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, parking garages, entertainment complexes, tourist attractions and even petrol-service stations. The same may probably be said of a host of other suppliers, including suppliers of tourism services. It is not surprising, therefore, that a significant factor in the development of consumer law in general can be “ascribed to legislative responses to business disclaimers of accountability for negative consequences attendant upon their dealings with consumers”.The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) introduced a number of provisions which impact on the use by suppliers of provisions that aim to exclude the liability of suppliers for harm to consumers caused through the negligence of the supplier. The CPA defines a supplier in section 1 as: “a person who markets any goods or services”. To market is defined as: “to promote or supply any goods or services”.This note seeks to provide a conceptual framework for the understanding and application of relevant provisions of the CPA to exemption provisions. The impact is considered within the context of the tourism industry in order to illustrate some of the practical consequences of the CPA on the use of exemption provisions. The note does not seek to question whether exemption provisions are contrary to public policy per se.
IN SEARCH OF PERFECTA: THE CONUNDRUM OF INCORRECTLY PRICED GOODS UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 68 OF 2008
Authors: Neville Melville  , Tanya Woker
Published: November 2021

In spite of the sea change over the past sixty-odd years in the way we shop, from a personal interaction with the local shopkeeper to a cashierless self-checkout, and the billions of transactions that take place daily in stores and supermarkets around the world, there is a dearth of legal precedent regarding the legal mechanics of these transactions. This is particularly so as far as determining the very important practical issue of at what point the sale is perfecta (irrevocably concluded) is concerned. For example, a consumer receives a catalogue from a well-known store in which a flat screen television is advertized on special for R599. Well knowing that such television sets are normally sold for over R6000 the consumer rushes off to purchase a set only to be faced with a large sign which reads as follows: “Unfortunately the advertised price was incorrect, the correct price is R5 999. We apologise for the inconvenience.”A slightly different scenario is where the consumer is only informed of this mistake after she has removed the television set from the shelf and taken it to the cashier who proceeds to ring up the price of R5 999. When the consumer points out that this is not the advertised price the cashier informs her that a mistake was made and that in fact R5 999 is the correct price. Is there a point in time when the supplier, despite a mistake, may be bound by the advertised price? (The purpose of this article is to consider the point in time when the contract is regarded as perfecta. The scenario set out above may also constitute bait-advertising. This is an issue which we intend to consider in our next article.) It is against this backdrop that we attempt to provide some guidance to those who are obliged to comply with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, relating to displayed prices.In doing so, we shall consider the extent to which the Roman-Dutch-based common law has been influenced by English Law in this area of consumer protection. Reference will be made to the principles of the common law regarding the formation of a contract (particularly the point at which the contract comes into effect), quasi consent and mistake as well as relevant foreign precedent. We shall then deal with the changes brought about by the CPA.
LEGAL AID: SHAPING THE SHORELINE WAVE BY WAVE
Authors: Hennie van As
Published: November 2021

A study of the global development of legal aid reveals that it developed in five waves and that legal aid schemes are combinations of three variables, namely scope (what is covered), eligibility (matters that qualify for legal aid and financial conditions) and delivery (who provide the services and at what cost). The article argues that there is a sixth wave, namely quality assurance and that the third variable has been extended to include reference to quality. Quality assurance normally has its origin in self-regulation or in requirements set by implementing bodies of the state. It is difficult to determine what constitutes “quality” and it is even more difficult to reach consensus on its meaning. An investigation into quality assurance in two jurisdictions shows that there is not a “one size fits all” template available. The nature and extent of the services rendered and the manner in which quality assurance is applied, depends on the delivery variable (whether it is salaried, judicare or mixed). The philosophy behind it is also important. If it is mere “window dressing” or designed to give effect to a Constitutional or some other legislative requirement, the system will not achieve credibility in the eyes of the beneficiaries thereof. Quality control that is directed towards providing customer satisfaction, and where the user of the service is seen as the ultimate recipient and arbiter of a benefit that is paid for by the state, has a much better prospect of being judged effective and credible. External quality assessment goes a long way towards promoting quality improvement and credibility.