bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benthonic foraminiferal response to the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary event in the Ganuza section, northern Spain.
Authors: La Molda Marcos , Peryt Danuta
Published: September 2022

The studied interval comprises a 26.5 m thick section of the uppermost Cenomanian strata representing the uppermost Rotalipora cushmani and lowermost Whiteinella archaeocretacea Zones. Changes in the foraminiferal assemblages recorded in this interval may be summarized as follows:
l. P/B ratio fluctuates throughout the section; the highest values (78 %) are recorded in the lowermost part of the Whiteinella archaeocretacea Zone.
2. Benthonic diversity in the Ganuza section varíes from 9 to 27 with decreasing tendency up the section. Highest number of species (16-27) in the studied interval is observed in the Rotalipora cushmani Zone while 9 to 14 species are found in the Whiteinella archaeocretacea Zone.
3. Stepped extinctions of foraminiferal species were recorded - two planktonic Rotalipora greenhomensis and R. cushmani and several benthonic, e.g. Gavelinella baltica, Conorbina sp., rosalinids, Gubkonella graysonensis and Textularia chapmani went extinct during latest Rotalipora cushmani and earliest Whiteinella archaeocretacea chrons; several species disappeared temporarily, e.g. Praebulimina elata; they reappeared in the Lower Turonian; sorne others e.g. Lingulogavelinella globosa, Gavelinella plummerae appeared after the extinction of Rotalipora greenhomensis and become very abundant in the upper part of the studied interval; there is also a group of species present in the entire section which dominated assemblages in the middle and upper part of the studied section, e.g. Gaudryinella pusilla, Lenticulina rotulata or Gavelinella berlhelini.
Los juegos digitales más allá de las lógicas disciplinarias y de vigilancia
Authors: Otxoteko Mikel
Published: September 2022

Actualmente, los juegos digitales se sitúan como la máxima expresión de la interactividad y como la primera opción de entretenimiento en algunos países, como es el caso de España. Así, esta joven industria parece estar afectando a los modos de sociabilidad y aprendizaje. Ante su influencia irrevocable, la de los nuevos tipos de imágenes que surgen con la digitalización de los medios, algunos estudiosos como el artista y teórico Trevor Paglen se han preguntado «¿qué es ver y qué significa ver en este determinado momento histórico?», cuestión a la que, teniendo en consideración las argumentaciones de una buena parte de los expertos en el ámbito, cabría responder: algo que repercute directamente sobre el terreno social, ético y político. Movido por estas preocupaciones, el artículo analiza la creación de conductas y hábitos rutinarios a través de los juegos digitales y el vínculo de esta industria con las necesidades formativas y de vigilancia del capitalismo y, particularmente, del ámbito de la disciplina militar. En una discusión final, se deja abierta la puerta a otros desarrollos a partir de esta investigación. En esta se plantea una serie de retos que entroncan con una aproximación ecológica de la percepción y el aprendizaje, pautas que afectarían necesariamente a las estructuras y lógicas de los juegos digitales. El fin de estas aspiraciones sería promover una imaginación sensible y el surgimiento de valores como la empatía y el compromiso con el mundo que habitamos.
POPULATION PERCEPTION OF CREATING THE BRAND OF THE CITY OF OSIJEK WITH AN EMPHASIS IN THE FIELD OF CULTURE
Authors: Karl Gigić Blanka
Published: September 2022

A city brand should add value to the city and in the process of building one, it is necessary to consider the values and perceptions of internal and external stakeholders, especially the local population. The purpose of the study is to observe the population’s perception about the construction of the brand of the City of Osijek with an emphasis on culture. For the purposes of the research, a survey questionnaire was created, and it was conducted among the local population of the City of Osijek. The survey questionnaire consisted of questions related to socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, questions that related to the respondents’ assessment of the cultural identity of the city on its heritage and public preferences, and their assessment of the need for branding Osijek. In order to process the research results, a qualitative and quantitative analysis was conducted. The results of the research show that the majority of respondents agree that the cultural identity of the City of Osijek is based on its heritage, while a smaller share of those agree that such an identity is based on public preferences. Therefore, for the successful branding of the City of Osijek, it is extremely important, first, to talk to the local community. Given that the branding of the city is a long-term process, the proposal for further research is to constantly consider the possibility of implementing an appropriate branding strategy of the City of Osijek in the field of culture.
EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS IN ONLINE TEACHING DURING PANDEMICS
Authors: Agić Zorana , Đurović Vesna , Išaretović Slavica
Published: September 2022

The time of the pandemic forced educational institutions to take full advantage of IT technologies, using all their advantages in order to ensure the educational process. A completely different approach to the educational process, online instead of the current traditional one, posed significant challenges to both students and professors. The aim of this research is to show that with the many advantages that “online education” has brought, it has given students and professors more obligations, and thus greater stress during the teaching process. The subject of the research is qualitative proof that online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic enabled the unhindered maintenance of the educational process, but that neither students nor professors consider this way of teaching the best solution. From the data collection method, it was used the survey method with the survey technique. Of the general scientific methods, it was used the method of statistical data processing, that is processing of collected numerical data using the statistical package SPSS and their tabular and graphical presentation. Data gathering was conducted in combination: one part online, due to the rules of physical distances and other restrictions imposed during COVID- 19. In the other part of data collecting students were given opportunity to fill out the questionary during their time spent on the faculty. Self-created questionnaires were posted on platforms generally used for teaching, MS Teams and Moodle, during spring semester 2021, when combined teaching was conducted. Research has shown that students and professors have adapted well to online teaching, which they claim is of better quality than traditional, but they do not consider it the best way of teaching. It also showed that online teaching increased the level of engagement and stress among professors, in contrast to students who stated that they spent less time on online teaching and obligations than during work in the traditional way. This relevant research focuses on the advantages and disadvantages that the online way of working has brought in the educational process. The results and recommendations can be used to eliminate all shortcomings in time, so that in the following periods, if another lock down happens due to unfavorable epidemiological situation, the educational process can be performed better.
THE IMPACT OF FREE ZONES ON ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Authors: Marjanac Dražen
Published: September 2022

The subject of research in this paper refers to the analysis of the impact of free zones on the economic growth of developing countries. The objective of the research is to explain to the scientific and professional public the way of functioning and the transmission mechanism of free zones in generating economic growth ceteris paribus. The analysis covers free zones in three countries in the development of compatible characteristics: Serbia, Croatia and Belarus. The research problem is sublimated in the question of whether and in what way free zones have an impact on the economic growth of developing countries? The research was conducted by analyzing the relevant literature and by using the panel analysis. The results of the research showed the existence of statistically significant determination of GDP per capita, as an indicator of economic growth, by variations of macroeconomic parameters of the functioning of free zones. That is, the operation of free zones has a statistically significant impact on the economic growth of targeted developing countries ceteris paribus. Whether growth will be inclusive and sustainable in the long run depends on political and economic decision makers and defined economic policy. In this way, the hypothesis was confirmed that the establishment of free zones in developing countries, with the condition of integration of the national economy into the work of zones, creates preconditions for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
EXAMINING THE ROLE OF FIRM SIZE IN COMMITMENT - SMALL FIRM PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP AMONG SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN SMES
Authors: Morić Milovanović Bojan , Bašić Maja , Bubaš Zoran
Published: September 2022

Studies on the effect of the firm size and commitment on small firm performance indicators are inconclusive, especially in the geographic area of Southeast Europe. This study examines the role of firm size in the relationship between commitment and firm sales growth, operating profit and market share. Alterations in firm size and commitment are attributed to differences in market structures, namely, non-European union and European union member states. Results of the empirical research state that firm size and commitment have a positive and significant effect on performance indicators (sales growth rate, operating profit, and market share). Separating firms that originate from the European union member states from those that do not, suggested that firms that are not part of the European union rely on commitment more firmly than those that from the European union member states. Moreover, firm size moderates the relationship between commitment and firm performance indicators only in the non-European union countries. Larger firm size indicates a smaller effect of the commitment on firm performance for firms from the non-European union countries. The study concludes with limitations and practical implications of the empirical research.
EXPLORING THE EXTENSION OF CONSUMER ETHNOCENTRISM ON ETHNOCENTRIC BUSINESS ORIENTATION OF YOUNG ADULTS FROM TWO COUNTRIES
Authors: Čutura Marija , Bošnjak Mile , Lončarić Dina
Published: September 2022

Many consumer studies have confirmed that in different international settings ethnocentric consumers mostly prefer domestic products. Consequently, consumer ethnocentrism has been considered as a prominent informal barrier for international trade. Even though an ethnocentrism as a personal trait has been a subject of international management studies, ethnocentrism was rarely observed within a context of managers’ or owners’ decisions that affect business orientations. The purpose of this study was to explore a link among consumer ethnocentrism and ethnocentric business orientations of graduate students as future managers and business owners. The main goal was to and derive implications relevant for consumer and organizational marketing in international environment. The main motivation behind the study was to explore potential extension of consumer ethnocentrism on managerial ethnocentric decision making, and consequently, on ethnocentric business orientation. Research was conducted on a convenience sample of 219 business economics graduates from the University of Rijeka, Croatia and from the University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Multi-Group Structural Equation Modeling has been employed to explore a linkage among observed concepts. Empirical results indicated a differences among sub-samples from two countries in level of consumer ethnocentrism and its impacts on preferences towards domestic products. However, significant positive relation has been found between consumer ethnocentrism and ethnocentric business orientation in case of both observed groups. Consumer ethnocentrism has been confirmed as predictor of ethnocentric tendencies towards domestic products as well as predictor of ethnocentric business orientations of youth as a future managers and business owners. Research results confirmed that consumer ethnocentrism can be extended from consumer preferences and orientation towards domestic products to managers’ ethnocentric decision making, providing ethnocentric business orientation.
Duration of Internal Displacement at the Intersection of Law and Politics
Authors: Matijević Milica V. , Madžarević Jelena , Giantin Stefano
Published: September 2022

Even though the question of when internal displacement ends was the subject of the UN-led standards-setting efforts and addressed in the resulting international soft-law norms, in practice, the determination of when an internally displaced person (IDP) is no longer in need of assistance and protection is still performed arbitrarily and on ad hoc basis. There are different explanations of why the rights-based criteria on the duration of displacement have not served their aim. In this paper, the authors identify another one by arguing that their ineffectiveness is caused in the first place by the essentially political nature of the matter they are supposed to regulate. The paper’s aim is to serve as a preliminary investigation and set the ground for a more systematic and in-depth analysis of the relationship between the law and the politics in the process of deciding when the internal displacement is over. To this aim, the paper provides an overview of the two main international soft-law instruments regulating the status of IDPs and a short analysis of the principal humanitarian, human rights and refugee law norms from which these soft-law instruments were derived or which have otherwise directed the identification of therein contained standards. The investigation shows not only that the two main international soft-law instruments tend to be inadequate as means to regulate the process of determining when a person should no longer be considered in need of assistance and protection as an IDP, but that the international law norms restated in these instruments as such cannot offer clear guidance on the matter. The inquiry also shows, in the context of protracted displacement, that where the impasse in the negotiation and/or implementation of a peace agreement reduces the traditional triad of durable solutions to only two of them – integration in the place of displacement and resettlement to the third place - the entire edifice of the rights-based criteria collapses. Such situations, the authors argue, demonstrate that the rights-based criteria on the duration of displacement can only serve as a framework for the essentially political deliberations on the matter.
Criminal Offense Persecution in Physical and Cyber Space
Authors: Ikanović Veljko , Dunjić Pero
Published: September 2022

The criminal offense of persecution was introduced into our criminal legislation by the Criminal Code of the Republika Srpska from 2017. This is a new criminal offense whose legal regulation, due to its nature, is very difficult to solve in an appropriate way. Therefore, in practical application, there are a number of doubts related to the act of execution, its intensity and duration, consequence and causal relationship. In addition, case law, as well as theory, are still in the sphere of physical and real space when they observe this act and its distinction from other crimes of a similar nature. However, there is a new, so far less known, and freely speaking dominant space in which the work is performed, and that is cyberspace or environment. The legal regulation of activities in this area in Bosnia and Herzegovina is very late, which creates great difficulties in the application of the incrimination of persecution committed in the virtual world. This is exactly what the author is talking about, but not limited to that segment. The goal is to dissect the essential elements of this crime, place the crime in physical and cyberspace and point out the existing and necessary legislative regulations in criminal law and in a broader sense of the word that are related to that legislation.
Qualifying Characteristics of Common Law Marriage
Authors: Raković Đorđe
Published: September 2022

This article focuses on the qualifying characteristics of a common law marriage, as an informal community of a man and a woman, which has to fulfill certain prescribed conditions in order to produce certain legal actions. Therefore, we start from the hypothesis that the qualifying characteristics of common law marriage can be determined on the basis of the legal definition of common law marriage, which is conditioned by social, historical and legal perceptions of common law marriage. The aim of this article is to determine the qualifying characteristics of common law marriage in a comparative legal context, their critical analysis and determination of qualifying characteristics and definition of common law marriage in positive law and the future Family Law in Republika Srpska. This gives importance and relevance to this paper. The comparative legal context includes both the countries of the former SFRY and some European countries.
The Role of Prisons in the Re-Education and Resocialization of Prisoners
Authors: Марић Тамара
Published: September 2022

During the serving of a prison sentence, the way of life and organization of daily activities of prisoners are strictly defined by laws and bylaws, all with the aim of achieving the purpose of executing criminal sanctions.This primarily implies the implementation of final, executive court decisions and the separation of perpetrators of crimes and misdemeanors from the social environment in order to re-educate, treat and train them to live in freedom in accordance with socially acceptable norms. Institutions for the execution of criminal sanctions are those that, through various forms of work and procedures, conduct institutional re-education and the process of re-socialization of prisoners. But in addition to the formal legal system that the state prescribes in order to regulate the position of prisoners, re-education is also influenced by the informal system. Prisoners build an informal system through their behavior in mutual relations conditioned by deprivation of freedom of movement and stay in a limited space. The paper will deal with normative elements of organization and functioning of penitentiary institutions, factors influencing the success of resocialization, specifics of re-education, position of prisoners in prisons, as well as the impact of classification of prisoners on the success of re-socialization and re-education despite the lack of post-penal treatment.
prepRNA: an integrative tool for Illumina RNAseq data filtering
Authors: Dudić Dragana , Banović Đeri Bojana , Stanković Željko , Avramović Zoran Ž.
Published: September 2022

The vast amount of currently available transcriptome sequences is comprised of Illumina RNAseq data. Usually, publicly available datasets are provided as raw data and preparing them for the downstream NGS analysis is the first step required. Such preprocessing step, besides the evaluation of the quality of the raw data, includes data filtering, in order to provide high quality results of the downstream analysis. Existing tools for NGS data filtering are either too general or incomplete for the Illumina RNAseq filtering task, which is why a new tool for this endeavor was needed. We present prepRNA, a novel tool intended for Illumina RNAseq data filtering, which was designed as a comprehensive and user-friendly wrapper tool with possibility of further upgrading with a quality control option.
Encapsulation and Functionality of Sensor Systems in the Welding Process
Authors: Bagarić Barbara
Published: September 2022

This paper shows some aspects of interaction between human and robots and role of the sensors in welding process. Today, use of the robots is very important in modern industry. Sensors are very important in welding process and they increase the productivity and precision of the robot. It is very important to optimize use of the sensor, from choosing the right programming metod, creating good environment such as acceptable amounts of humidity in the air, temperature to educating the operators to be able to work with robot machine and understand and run pre-programmed codes. When all the mentioned steps are correctly defined, sensor will work perfectly and production can be as good as possible.
Dynamics of gladiolus leaves growth
Authors: Botova Anastasiya Vladimirovna , Mukhametova Svetlana Valer'evna
Published: September 2022

Gladiolus L. are beautifully flowering perennials that do not overwinter in the open ground in the conditions of central Russia. Its varieties are characterized by a huge variety in the height of the peduncle, the color scheme and the corrugation degree of the flowers. The disadvantage of this crop is the complexity of the annual digging and planting of corms. The purpose of the article is to study the growth dynamics of real gladiolus leaves in the open ground. Leaf height measurements were carried out after 15 days in the process of growing plants on ridges. The objects of the study were 9 varieties: 'Aurora', 'Granatovyj braslet', 'Grad Kitezh', 'Devichi tajny', 'Dolgozhdannyj debyut', 'Majya Plisetskaya', 'Tanyusha', 'Shapka Monomaha', 'Noon Moon'. The study showed that the most intensive growth of gladiolus leaves occurred after the emergence of sprouts. On the 20th day after planting, the plants reached about 1/3 of their final height, and on the 35th day – 50%, after 2 months – the height was almost 90%. Most varieties were characterized by the greatest increase in the first accounting period, in the future its value decreased, reaching a minimum in the last accounting period. In the process of growth, the taller varieties remained tall, the shorter ones remained stunted. At each date of the study, 'Devichi tajny' had the highest height, 'Grad Kitezh' had the lowest height. The obtained data can be used in the cultivation of gladioli in nurseries and landscaping location.
The Influence of the Forest Factors on the Variability of the Tree-ring Chronologies of the common Pine in the conditions of the Muromtsevo District Forestry of the Vladimir Region
Authors: Rumyantsev Denis Evgenievich , Epishkov Anton Alekseevich
Published: September 2022

Comparative analysis of tree-ring chronologies on the variability of the short-term component is based on the calculation of synchronicity coefficients. The study of the regularities of the variability of tree-ring chronologies on this basis in natural cenopopulations is important for establishing the reaction rate of this indicator. This is significant for the further progress of dendrochronological and dendroclimatic studies, improving the methods of forensic botanical examination using dendrochronology methods. In the study, this issue was studied on the basis of chronologies from different phytocenoses with the predominance of scots pine in the stand. The trial areas were located on the territory of the Muromtsevo forestry of the Vladimir region. The study was carried out as part of the implementation of R&D Rosleskhoz (2008-2011). The main parameters of the frequency of occurrence of different variants of the values of the synchronicity coefficient were established. The regularities of the frequency of occurrence of different values of the synchronicity coefficient depending on the type of forest are also established: The range of variation of values between groups from different types of forest is small and amounts to several percent. The data obtained are important for solving the following practical tasks: monitoring the accuracy of measurements of annual rings on individual wood samples; establishing the date of termination of cambial activity in the trunk of a tree; establishing the date of construction of wooden buildings; dating of archaeological wood; dating the time of creation of art objects; diagnostics of the condition of the tree at the time of cutting; establishing the time of cutting the tree; establishing the drying time a tree.
Legal regulation of reindeer husbandry
Authors: Kudelkin Nikolai
Published: September 2022

The subject of the work is the legal norms regulating social relations arising in the process of reindeer husbandry. The purpose of the work is to formulate conclusions and proposals for improving legal regulation in this area based on the analysis of federal and regional legislation, strategic planning documents, as well as information and data related to reindeer husbandry carried out in Russia. In the process of work, general scientific, private and special methods were used. Including: analysis, synthesis, analogy, deduction, induction, formal legal and other methods. The relevance of the research topic is indicated by the fact that in Russia reindeer husbandry belongs to one of the most common types of traditional economic activity. Its importance is high not only for the northern regions, but also for the whole of Russia, reindeer husbandry is rightfully attributed to one of the reserves for strengthening the country's food security. In addition, the support of traditional economic activities, which includes reindeer husbandry, contributes to the preservation of the material and spiritual culture of indigenous peoples. These facts indicate the relevance of issues related to the legal regulation of reindeer husbandry. The paper draws a number of conclusions concerning the development of legislation in this area, so, as one of the measures aimed at supporting reindeer husbandry, it is proposed at the legislative level to prioritize the implementation of traditional nature management over other types of economic activity.
The Problem of Legitimacy of the Political Elite.
Authors: Zaseeva Anastasiya Sergeevna , Ivanova Mariya Igorevna
Published: September 2022

The object of this study is the problem of the legitimacy of the political elite. The subject of the study is the views of a number of Western and domestic researchers of the political elite. The aim of the study is to generalize the views of theorists from different countries, different periods of time regarding the qualities of the political elite as a legitimizing foundation. The dialectical method, which was used in the analysis of the categories of "political elite" and "legitimacy", their essence and interrelation, played a decisive role in achieving the goal of this study. This method has become a key one in understanding the texts of the works under study. The method of system-structural analysis allowed us to explore the views of the philosophers in question holistically - when the positions of the authors complement each other and create a general picture of the understanding of the legitimacy of the political elite. The conclusion of the study is as follows: in the modern world, the main method of legitimizing the political elite is a democratic election procedure, but the choice of citizens should be based on a clear idea of the qualities of a political leader, confidence that the candidate has serious professional competencies, as well as deep moral convictions and moral principles. This will help to avoid falling into the power of amateurs who put their incompetence and lack of values, stability and security in society at risk. The result of the study of the ideas of domestic and Western philosophers is the confirmation of the judgment that the legitimate political elite should be considered persons with high moral and spiritual values acquired or consolidated as a result of traditional upbringing, classical education, military service, long-term work experience in the social and political sphere.
Catatan Managing Editor JPS: Milan kundera, ayah, karyawan senior pada masa pandemi
Authors: Akhyar Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Sebagai dosen dan juga penguji skripsi di program studi sarjana psikologi, setahun terakhir ini saya sering mendengar kritik dari kolega sesama dosen tentang topik skripsi mahasiswa selama pandemi cum Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh. Teman-teman dosen melihat, banyak mahasiswa psikologi menganggap topik penelitiannya menjadi terasa urgen, bahkan lebih jauh menawar-kan suatu novelty hanya karena meletakkan frase “pada masa pandemi COVID-19” di akhir judul skripsinya. Kritik ini saya kira sebagian besar benar belaka, tetapi saya juga punya semacam pledoi bukan kawan-kawan maha-siswa tingkat akhir ini. Dengan sedikit ketekunan dalam melakukan studi literatur dan menemukan state of the art dari fenomena atau variabel yang diteliti tersebut sebelum pandemi terjadi dan menemukan research gap sesuai fakta atau fenomena yang ditangkap selama pandemi, studi-studi dengan embel-embel “pada masa pandemi” ini akan terasa relevan dan layak dibaca. Lebih jauh mengutip Milan Kundera dari bukunya The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, “The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting”. Marilah kita merayakan riset bercap “Era Pandemi” ini sebagai ikhtiar melawan lupa, bahwa catatan akademik ini bisa digunakan kelak jika manusia harus menghadapi mala yang mirip.
Semangat ini pulalah yang mendorong redaksi memuat tiga riset bertema “COVID-19” dalam terbitan volume 20 nomor 2 ini. Di luar topik pandemi, tiga dari tujuh artikel juga merupakan riset terkait pengembangan alat ukur. Satu pertanda bahwa di masa depan redaksi sangat berharap semakin banyak riset-riset pengembangan alat ukur yang kredibel dan kreatif di sains perilaku terutama dalam ranah Psikologi Sosial. Dua naskah lain yang terbit di edisi kali ini mengupas topik yang cukup menarik: pada ayah yang memiliki anak dengan spektrum autism dan pembelajaran informal pada karyawan senior.
A learning-based synthesis approach of reward asynchronous probabilistic games against the linear temporal logic winning condition
Authors: Zhao Wei , Liu Zhiming
Published: September 2022

The traditional synthesis problem is usually solved by constructing a system that fulfills given specifications. The system is constantly interacting with the environment and is opposed to the environment. The problem can be further regarded as solving a two-player game (the system and its environment). Meanwhile, stochastic games are often used to model reactive processes. With the development of the intelligent industry, these theories are extensively used in robot patrolling, intelligent logistics, and intelligent transportation. However, it is still challenging to find a practically feasible synthesis algorithm and generate the optimal system according to the existing research. Thus, it is desirable to design an incentive mechanism to motivate the system to fulfill given specifications. This work studies the learning-based approach for strategy synthesis of reward asynchronous probabilistic games against linear temporal logic (LTL) specifications in a probabilistic environment. An asynchronous reward mechanism is proposed to motivate players to gain maximized rewards by their positions and choose actions. Based on this mechanism, the techniques of the learning theory can be applied to transform the synthesis problem into the problem of computing the expected rewards. Then, it is proven that the reinforcement learning algorithm provides the optimal strategies that maximize the expected cumulative reward of the satisfaction of an LTL specification asymptotically. Finally, our techniques are implemented, and their effectiveness is illustrated by two case studies of robot patrolling and autonomous driving.
A Retrospective Study of Oesophageal Foreign Bodies using Rigid Oesophagoscopy from Mandya, Karnataka, India
Authors: Dudda Ravi , Rangaiah Sowmya Tumkur , Peruvaje Vijay , Kalegowda Balaji Nagavara , Vyshnavi Desu
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Foreign bodies in the oesophagus is one of the commonly seen conditions in the Department of OItorhinolaryngology. Aim: To describe the clinical features and time delay of patients presenting with oesophageal foreign bodies. Materials and Methods: Present study was a retrospective study of case records of 60 patients who underwent rigid oesophagoscopy for foreign body removal at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences Mandya, Karnataka, India, from January 2017 to December 2019. Details like age and sex of the patient, presenting symptoms, time delay in presentation to the hospital, the type of foreign body ingested, location of the foreign body in oesophagus, any complications were noted in a detailed case proforma. Preoperative X-ray of neck and chest was done in all patients. Descriptive statistical tests like percentage and mean were used to analyse the data. Results: Out of 60 patients, 36 (60%) were children and 24 (40%) patients were adults. Coin was the most common foreign body seen in children (n=32/60, i.e., 53.3%) whereas meat bone was the most common foreign body in adults (n=16/60, i.e., 26.6%). Forty two patients out of 60 presented within 24 hours of foreign body ingestion. Two patients presented after 72 hours of foreign body ingestion. Thirty one patients presented with foreign body sensation in throat, dysphagia was present in 21 patients and two patients presented with fever. Two patients who presented more than 72 hours after foreign body ingestion had mucosal oedema on rigid oesophagoscopy. There was mucosal injury in four patients intraoperatively, two were with dentures, one was with button battery and the other was with a sharp metal locket. Conclusion: Coin was the most commonly seen foreign body in children whereas meat bolus with or without bone was most commonly seen in adults. Timely diagnosis and early removal of the foreign body should be done to prevent complications.
Mucormycosis, Acute Necrotising Pancreatitis and Haemorrhagic Stroke Occuring Simultaneously in an Immunocompetent Male: The Unwarned Apocalypse
Authors: Phate Neha
Published: September 2022

Mucormycosis or zygomycosis is a life threatening invasive fungal infection, usually seen in patients with alteration of their immune system. It is a lethal and an aggressive fungal infection caused by the fungi of the order Mucorales. The angioinvasive property of mucormycosis can lead to fatal complications such as intracranial bleed. Acute pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas which presents mainly as acute pain in the abdomen and is a potentially fatal condition. The association of mucormycosis with acute pancreatitis is rare but dangerous. This case report highlights a case of 32-year-old male patient, with no co-morbidities, who was admitted to an rural central Indian hospital with four days of abdominal pain and two days of headache. Patient appeared to be in good health prior to this event. He was ultimately diagnosed with mucormycosis of paranasal sinus with acute pancreatitis. The patient was treated with intravenous antifungals, antibiotics and fluid therapy along with other supportive measures. Patient later developed intracranial bleed five days after admission, and ultimately succumbed on day seven of admission. After an extensive review of literature it was found that this is the first article to report mucormycosis, acute pancreatitis and intracranial bleed all occurring at once in an immunocompetent male.
Effects of Pregabalin versus Gabapentin on their Opioid Sparing Effects among Patients Undergoing Laproscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomised Controlled Study
Authors: Arora Kishore Kumar , Handattu Sushma , Valecha Deepali , Sharma Nidhi
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Gabapentin and pregabalin were earlier used as antiepileptics. These have been also found to have analgesic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects. Aim: To compare the pre-emptive use of pregabalin and gabapentin on their opioid sparing effects among patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled, singleblind study was conducted in Department of Anaesthesiology at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and M.Y Hospital Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, from August 2020 to August 2021. The study included 90 patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class I/II, undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were allocated randomly into three groups, 30 patients each. Group P receiving tablet oral pregabalin 150 mg, group G receiving oral gabapentin 600 mg and group C receiving tablet multivitamin (control group), before induction of anaethesia. Intraoperative requirement of opioids, sedation score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, and postoperatively analgesia requirement in the form of opioid were noted. Association between two non parametric variables was done using Pearson Chi-square test. Comparison of means between three groups was done using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Posthoc Turkey test. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software was used. Results: The mean age in group P, C and G was 39.73±13.55 year, 38.67±13.33 year and 41.03±5.62 years (p-value=0.726). The mean intraoperative requirement of opioid in pregabalin group was 100 μg, in gabapentin group was 100 μg when compared to control group 150 μg. Postoperative requirement of analgesic was later in pregabalin group (7.23±0.64 hours) compared to gabapentin group (5.78±0.49 hours) and control group (4.37±0.47 hours). Conclusion: Pregabalin and gabapentin have opioid-sparing effect intraoperatively and postoperatively and can be used preemptively as an attractive choice.
Outcome of Pterygium Excision with Conjunctival Autograft in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria
Authors: Okonkwo Sunday Nnamdi , Adebayo Dominica Ibhaduwede , Ogbonna Ikenna Kizito
Published: September 2022

Aim: To report the outcome of pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft at a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Methods: This is a retrospective non comparative study of post operative outcomes in which the medical records of all patients who had pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft from July 2016 to June 2021 at Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital Calabar, Nigeria were reviewed. All the patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Data collected were sex, age, grade of pterygium, indication for pterygium surgery, post operative complications and recurrent pterygium growth.

Results: Forty – three eyes of 38 patients were operated on. There were 23 males and 15 females (M:F = 1.5:1). Age range was 28 to 61 years (mean 40.9 ± 8.4). Age range with the highest surgery was 31 to 40 years. Grade two pterygium accounted for most of the cases (88.4%) followed by grade three (9.3%) and grade one (2.3%). The most common indication for pterygium surgery was cosmetic (55.8%) followed by recurrent inflammation (34.9%) and the least indication was blurring of vision (9.3%).

Of the 43 eyes operated, one had recurrence giving a recurrence rate of 2.3%. One patient each developed granuloma and conjunctival cyst while three patients had subgraft hemorrhage.

Conclusion: Primary pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft has a low recurrence rate consistent with previously published reports.
Effect of Chemical and Mechanical Weed Management on Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Production and Relative Composition of Weed under Varanasi Region, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Chandel Shiv Kant Singh , Singh B. K. , Singh Anand Kumar , Singh Bhagat , Kumar Ajay , Aakash .
Published: September 2022

A two-year field experiment was conducted on potato crop to evaluate the bio-efficacy of herbicides, suitable doses and their feasibility with mechanical weed control method in terms of plant height, number of tubers and relative composition of weeds. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the vegetable research farm Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, during the winter season of 2017-18 and 2018-19. Randomly selected five plants were used as a sample for recording plant height and average number of tubers per plant in each plot. Plant height was measured at 30, 45, 60 DAS and at harvest then averaged and expressed in centimetres. However, the average number of tubers per plant was obtained by counting the tubers from the selected plant at harvest. For calculation of relative composition of weeds, by counting the number of weed species at 1.0 m2 randomly at one place in each plot at 15, 30, 45 and 60 DAS then expressed in per cent. Amongst the herbicidal weed management treatments, Paraquat dichloride 24% SL @ 2.0 L/ha had a significantly taller plants at 45 and 60 DAS and also produces the highest average number of tubers per plant. With respect to the relative composition of weeds, sedges (Cyperus rotundus L.) contributed the most to total weeds, followed by grasses (Cynodon dactylon L.) and broad-leaves weeds (Chenopodium album L., Parthenium hysterophorus L., Sonchus oleraceus L., Anagalis arvensis L., Oxalis spp., Spergula arvensis L.) at 15, 30, 45 and 60 DAS during both years. It is concluded that the application of Paraquat dichloride 24% SL @ 2.0 L/ha control weeds more efficiently thereby it helps in vigorous plant growth thus ultimately increases the number of tubers per plant.
Effect of Stand Densities and NPK Fertilizer on Growth and Calyx Yield of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria: An Approach towards Growth Characters
Authors: Inuwa N. M. , Fagge A. A. , Mohamed A. M. L. , Lado A. , Aliyu A. M.
Published: September 2022

The field experiment was conducted during the 2019 rainy season at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria (Latitude 11058’N and Longitude 8026’) and the Training and Research Farm of Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil located at Gaya to evaluate the response of Roselle to NPK fertilizer and stand densities on calyx yield. The treatments consisted of five levels of NPK fertilizer (0, 80, 100, 120, and 140 kg/ha) and four stand densities (2, 3, 4, and 5 plants/hill), which were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data was collected on plant height, the number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant, and the number of branches per plant. These were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GenStat 17th Edition and the means were separated using the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result showed that the stand density of 5 plants/stand significantly produced the tallest plants. The result also showed that the application of different NPK levels had a significant (P<0.05) effect on plant height, the number of leaves, and the leaf area of Roselle across the two experimental sites. The highest values of plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and number of branches were influenced by the application of 140 kg/ha of NPK at both locations. The control plots recorded the lowest values for all the characters studied. Based on these findings, 5 plants/stand and application of 140 kg/ha NPK fertilizers are recommended.
The Use of Slow Motion and Digital Concept Maps in Primary School: An Evaluation in Terms of Science Attitudes and Metacognitive Awareness
Authors: ÇİTE Hakan , GÜRBÜZER Sümeyra , ALKIŞ KÜÇÜKAYDIN Menşure
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of slow motion and digital concept maps used in science lessons on primary school 3rd-grade students’ science attitudes and metacognitive awareness levels. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group was used. Within the scope of the study, two of the three groups determined by unbiased assignment were experimental groups and one was the control group. In one of the experimental groups (EG-1), science lessons were carried out using the slow motion technique, while digital concept mapping was applied for the other experimental group (EG-2). In the control group (CG), textbooks were followed in accordance with the science course curriculum. A total of 67 students participated in the study, with 21 students in EG-1, 25 students in EG-2, and 21 students in CG. Data were collected with the help of the Science Attitude Scale and Metacognitive Awareness Scale. ANOVA and ANCOVA were used in the analysis of data. According to the findings, both the attitude and metacognitive awareness scores of students in the EG-1 and EG-2 groups increased in the posttests. In addition, comparisons between the groups showed that digital concept maps were more effective than slow motion. Based on the results obtained, it can be suggested that further studies be carried out in different science units to evaluate the limitations of slow motion.
Evaluation of two new highly multiplexed PCR assays as an alternative to next‐generation sequencing for IDH1/2 mutation detection
Authors: Favre Loetitia , Sako Nouhoum , Tarfi Sihem , Quang Violaine Tran , Joy Corine , Dupuy Aurélie , Guillerm Erell , Gaulard Philippe , Wagner‐Ballon Orianne , Pujals Anaïs , Sloma Ivan
Published: September 2022

IDH1 and IDH2 somatic mutations have been identified in solid tumors and blood malignancies. The development of inhibitors of mutant IDH1 and IDH2 in the past few years has prompted the development of a fast and sensitive assay to detect IDH1R132, IDH2R140 and IDH2R172 mutations to identify patients eligible for these targeted therapies. This study aimed to compare two new multiplexed PCR assays – an automated quantitative PCR (qPCR) on the PGX platform and a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) with next‐generation sequencing (NGS) for IDH1/2 mutation detection. These assays were evaluated on 102 DNA extracted from patient peripheral blood, bone marrow and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue samples with mutation allelic frequency ranging from 0.6% to 45.6%. The ddPCR assay had better analytical performances than the PGX assay with 100% specificity, 100% sensitivity and a detection limit down to 0.5% on IDH1R132, IDH2R140 and IDH2R172 codons, and a high correlation with NGS results. Therefore, the new highly multiplexed ddPCR is a fast and cost‐effective assay that meets most clinical needs to identify and follow cancer patients in the era of anti‐IDH1/2‐targeted therapies.
New regulators of the tetracycline‐inducible gene expression system identified by chemical and genetic screens
Authors: Colicchia Valeria , Häggblad Maria , Sirozh Oleksandra , Porebski Bartlomiej , Balan Mirela , Li Xuexin , Lidemalm Louise , Carreras‐Puigvert Jordi , Hühn Daniela , Fernandez‐Capetillo Oscar
Published: September 2022

The tetracycline repressor (tetR)‐regulated system is a widely used tool to specifically control gene expression in mammalian cells. Based on this system, we generated a human osteosarcoma cell line, which allows for the inducible expression of an EGFP fusion of the TAR DNA‐binding protein 43 (TDP‐43), which has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Consistent with previous findings, TDP‐43 overexpression led to the accumulation of aggregates and limited the viability of U2OS. Using this inducible system, we conducted a chemical screen with a library that included FDA‐approved drugs. While the primary screen identified several compounds that prevented TDP‐43 toxicity, further experiments revealed that these chemicals abrogated the doxycycline‐dependent TDP‐43 expression. This antagonistic effect was observed with both doxycycline and tetracycline, and in several Tet‐On cell lines expressing different genes, confirming the general effect of these compounds as inhibitors of the tetR system. Using the same cell line, a genome‐wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen identified epigenetic regulators such as the G9a methyltransferase and TRIM28 as potential modifiers of TDP‐43 toxicity. Yet again, further experiments revealed that G9a inhibition or TRIM28 loss prevented doxycycline‐dependent expression of TDP‐43. In summary, we have identified new chemical and genetic regulators of the tetR system, thereby raising awareness of the limitations of this approach to conduct chemical or genetic screening in mammalian cells.