bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caracterización de la agresividad en adolescentes con trastorno de la conducta grave: un estudio exploratorio
Authors: Restrepo Jorge Emiro , Acosta Tobón Sergio Andrés
Published: October 2023

El trastorno de conducta grave es un notable problema social y de salud mental en población infantil y adolescente. Aquí se presentan los resultados de una investigación cuantitativa de nivel descriptivo, que tuvo como objetivo general realizar una caracterización de la agresividad en un grupo de adolescentes con este tipo de trastorno. El estudio se desarrolló con jóvenes de un centro de internamiento preventivo que se encontraban en proceso de judicialización, aún no sancionados, pero privados de la libertad. Se seleccionaron por conveniencia 115 hombres, a los que se les aplicaron cinco instrumentos de medición: el Inventario de Motivos para la Agresión, el Inventario de Situaciones y Comportamientos Agresivos, el Cuestionario de Agresión de Buss-Perry, el Cuestionario de Agresividad Proactiva y Reactiva, y la Escala de Agresividad Apetitiva. El principal motivo para la agresión era conseguir algo que querían, eran agresivos sin que hubiese algún motivo, expresaban frecuentemente su ira, amenazaban a personas conocidas, se enojaban cuando tenían desacuerdos, creían que los demás se burlaban de ellos a sus espaldas, se sentían bien después de agredir física o verbalmente a alguien, portaban armas para usarlas en peleas y consideraban que pelear era lo único que querían hacer en la vida.
Hair cortisol levels in cats before and during their first month at a homeless animal shelter.
Authors: WOJTAŚ JUSTYNA , KARPIŃSKI MIROSŁAW , CZYŻOWSKI PIOTR , GARBIEC ALEKSANDRA , KALISZYK KLAUDIA , KLIMAS ANNA , PUSTUŁA KAROLINA , KURPAS KATARZYNA , PARSZEWSKA SYLWIA , STOKŁOSIŃSKA KAMILA , BABULA MACIEJ , SKOWRONEK PATRYCJA , STRACHECKA ANETA
Published: October 2023

Hair cortisol analysis is a helpful tool for non-invasive measurement of the long-term activity of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis. Long-term exposure to stressors affects, among others, animals staying in shelters for homeless animals. The study aimed to assess the hair cortisol level in cats from 8 different shelters. Hair grows on average about 1 cm per month. Therefore, it was concluded that the cortisol level in the hair closer than 1 cm to the skin reflected the cortisol level in cats during their stay in the shelter (A period). In contrast, the cortisol level in the rest of the hair corresponded to the cortisol level preceding the cat’s admission to the shelter (B period). Hair cortisol levels in the cats were higher before they arrived at the shelter than during their stay. Hair cortisol levels in the period before the shelter were higher in females than they were in males. On the other hand, during the stay at the shelter, the opposite was true: the cortisol level in females was lower than in males.
BAER hearing test: Principles of operation and interpretation for dogs and cats
Authors: WOJTAS NATALIA , ABRAMOWICZ BEATA , KUREK ŁUKASZ
Published: October 2023

The nervous system of animals is a focus of interest of multiple research centres. The evolution of medical engineering, the development of new research techniques and the improvement of existing ones increase our understanding of the nervous system. One of the diagnostic methods which can be used to help detect hearing disorders of varying severity in animals and humans is the study of brainstem evoked potentials known as BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response), BAEP (brainstem auditory evoked potentials) or ABR (auditory brainstem response). Although this method has existed for decades and is used in many countries around the world, the knowledge gathered by doctors over the years lacks proper systematization, and neither standard parameters nor a coherent implementation strategy have yet been established. Various modifications of this method are also available, which suggests directions for further research and facilitates an increase in the pool of knowledge concerning the physiology of hearing. Unfortunately, the lack of established recommendations for the practical implementation of hearing tests using the BAER method makes it difficult to compare test results and to broaden the scope of application of this method in dogs and cats. For the most part, this problem results from a random selection of test parameters by researchers who do not have sufficient knowledge about the physics of hearing. This work aims to summarize the results obtained in this field by various authors around the world and to determine the best-performing variants of the BAER method. The optimization and systematization of the parameters not only increases the reproducibility of the results and makes them more transparent and uniform for both doctors and animal keepers, but also renders them more reliable. This could aid in the creation of a worldwide database resulting in beneficial outcomes over time and may also allow veterinarians to determine the most effective approach for conducting a study depending on many variables that need to be taken into account.
The Anesthetic Effect of Oral Administration of α-Chloroaldose and Dexmedetomidine on Silver Fox
Authors: YU SHI-MING , LI JI-PENG , LI LIU-YANG , LU DE-ZHANG , FAN HONG-GANG , WANG HONG-BIN
Published: October 2023

In the past, anesthesia was delivered to foxes mostly through intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, which caused substantial stress to the animals, making it necessary to restrain them physically before the procedure. Moreover, research on anesthesia technology for domestic animals has been insufficient. Therefore, in this study, the α-chloroaldose and dexmedetomidine combination was used via oral administration to anesthetize foxes. Ten healthy silver foxes were administered the combination of oral anesthesia, and routine physiological indicators, anesthesia time and effects, and biological reflexes were continuously monitored. The temperature of anesthetized foxes after the administration of oral anesthesia continued to decrease, and by the end of the monitoring, it decreased by 1.3°C.The average SpO2 was 95.3 ± 2.2% during the whole anesthesia period. Changes in the heart rate were significant, initially showing a decreasing trend and then an increasing trend. The anesthesia period showed characteristics of smooth induction, proper maintenance, and rapid recovery. The sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant effects were more balanced and provided a good anesthesia effect time of 30 min: corneal, eyelid, and anal biological reflexes persisted and were inhibited at 20~50 min after oral medication, which shows a suitable depth of anesthesia.
Use of rapid immunochromatographic tests and PCR for the detection of vaccine viruses (CPV, CDV CAV) in faeces and conjunctival sac swabs of vaccinated dogs
Authors: ADASZEK ŁUKASZ , PISAREK MARIA , STANIEC MARTA , MAZUREK ŁUKASZ , KUCHARCZYK ANNA , RUTKOWSKA-SZULCZYK MAŁGORZATA , DENEKA ŁUKASZ
Published: October 2023

The aim of the study was to determine whether the rapid diagnostic CPV Ag (VetExpert), CDV Ag (VetExpert) and CDV/CAV Ag (VetExpert) tests are able to detect the presence of vaccine viruses in faeces and conjunctival swabs (CDV) collected from dogs vaccinated against distemper, parvovirus and Rubarth’s disease. The tested dogs were administered vaccines once, and then faeces and conjunctival sac swabs were collected from all animals on days: 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, 20, 25 after the vaccination for molecular testing and to perform rapid immunochromatographic tests for the detection of CPV, CDV and CAV antigens. The immunochromatographic tests were not able to detect the presence of any of the tested pathogens during the 25-day observation period in the vaccinated dogs, although CPV was detected in faeces by PCR up to 20 days after vaccination, and CDV and CAV up to 14 days after vaccination. Summing up the results of our own research, it should be stated that rapid immunochromatographic tests are not able to detect CPV, CDV and CAV vaccine viruses in the faeces of animals subjected to vaccination, and in the case of CDV also in the conjunctival swabs, but they are an excellent tool for detecting these pathogens in animals infected with field strains of these viruses and showing clinical symptoms of the diseases.
Use of rapid immunochromatographic tests and PCR for the detection of vaccine viruses (CPV, CDV CAV) in faeces and conjunctival sac swabs of vaccinated dogs
Authors: SZYSIAK NATALIA , KOSIOR-KORZECKA URSZULA , LONGO VINCENZO , CAVALLERO ANDREA , SZYMCZAK BARTŁOMIEJ , FURMAŃCZYK-GNYP AGNIESZKA , NGOC DOMINIKA NGUYEN , NOWAKIEWICZ ANETA , PUZIO IWONA , SURÓWKA BARBARA , MINAKOW NATALIA
Published: October 2023

The pathologically changed pattern of gonadotropin secretion, responsible for ovulation disorders in fatty ewes, may result from the prolonged increase in leptin concentration as well as from diminution of leptin receptors expression in anterior pituitary cells. Leptin acting peripherally reduces the secretion of insulin – the potent inhibitor of lipolysis. Consequently, an increment in plasma fatty acids level is observed. It was also found that in ewe lambs born to obese sheep carrying twins or triplets, a high plasma level of saturated fatty acids (SFA) is in positive correlation with the delay in puberty. However, the relationship between SFA and gonadotropin secretion from the ovine pituitary cells in pubescent ewe lambs is not clear. Therefore, the aim of the study was to establish the effect of SFA on GnRH-induced secretion of FSH and LH. Pituitary glands were isolated from 7 month old ewe lambs. Pituitary cells were cultured in McCoy 5A medium without GnRH and SFA (negative control), with GnRH only (positive control), with GnRH and 10–9-10–3 M/l of the butyric (C4:0), caprylic (C8:0), lauric (C12:0), palmitic (C16:0) or stearic acid (C18:0). After 2 or 6 h of exposure to SFA followed by 2, 6, 12, 18, 24 or 30 h incubation, the media for LH and FSH analysis were collected. It was found that all used SFA reduce GnRH-induced LH and FSH secretion from pituitary cells in vitro. The most significant (P ≤ 0.05) suppressive effect was observed after 6 h exposure of cells to 10–3 M/l of caprylic acid, 10–4 M/l of palmitic acid and 10–4 M/l of stearic acid compared to the positive control.
Fundamentals of Legal Regulation of the Status of Honorary Consuls
Authors: Korelova Nika
Published: October 2023

The relevance of this topic is determined by the trends of globalization and the development of bilateral cooperation between states, which leads to more and more frequent appeals to the institution of the honorary consul, as well as the need for a normative definition of legal status and bringing it to a uniform standard of national legislation. The purpose of the article is to reveal the peculiarities of the normative regulation features of the honorary consuls' legal status in Ukraine, highlight and analyze the legislation's shortcomings in this area, and provide proposals for resolving the existing legal uncertainty. Achieving the outlined purpose became possible thanks to the use complex of methods of scientific knowledge at various levels, in particular, the dialectical method (to identify and analyze the peculiarities of the normative regulation of the status of an honorary consul, differences in practical application, as well as the justification of introducing changes to the existing system), the comparative legal method (to establish the content of legal norms and analyze the practice of application), the method of analysis and synthesis (to highlight aspects and criteria that collectively determine the legal status of an honorary consul), the observation method (to highlight the experience of other countries), as well as a number of traditional for jurisprudence methods such as: historical, systematic and logical. The article analyzes the current legislation defining the status of honorary consuls, and highlights the problematic aspects of such "evaluative concepts" as "prominent position", "important social status" and "active participation in political life", which are widely used by the lawmaker, and also analyzes how in practice, the presence of evaluative concepts can lead to real misapplication. As a result of the conducted research, conclusions were formulated regarding the need to delineate the limits of the use of evaluative concepts in determining the legal status of an honorary consul, as well as the need to supplement existing regulatory acts with standards that would clearly distinguish the area within which honorary consuls should use their powers without violating the legislative requirements.
Contribution of Hersch Lauterpacht to the Development of International Protection of Human Rights
Authors: Gutnyk Vitalii
Published: October 2023

The article is devoted to Hersch Lauterpacht's contribution to the development of the concept of international protection of human rights and international human rights law in general. The study analyzes relevant norms of international law and scientific works of Hersch Lauterpacht; considerable attention is paid to the reviews of leading scientists on Hersch Lauterpacht's books "An International Bill of the Rights of Man" published in 1945 and "International Law and Human Rights" in 1950. The purpose of the article is to, based on the analysis of Hersch Lauterpacht's scientific works, investigate his contribution to the development of the concept of international protection of human rights. Both general (dialectical and systemic-structural) and special (historical-legal, comparative-legal and formal-dogmatic) scientific methods were used in the research. The article defines the prerequisites for Hersch Lauterpacht's choice of international human rights protection as his scientific interest, explores the peculiarities of the scientific environment within which Hersch Lauterpacht developed the concept of international human rights protection, outlines the main doctrinal approaches to the control mechanism of human rights protection. Particular attention is paid to the progressiveness of Hersch Lauterpacht's concept of international control over the observance of human rights and obstacles to its establishment at the universal level. On the basis of the conducted research, the conclusion was formulated that Hersch Lauterpacht, among a number of scientists of the middle of the 20th century who developed the concepts of international legal regulations of human rights, most thoroughly, after investigating the genesis of the formation of human rights and using natural law approaches, proposed a model of effective international protection of human rights. Hersch Lauterpacht's views on the need for real guarantees of human rights at the universal level, rather than a simple declaration, were quite advanced and far ahead of their time. To a certain extent, they can be perceived as idealistic since even today, the achievement of the same universal international standard of guaranteeing human rights (especially economic, social and cultural) is improbable.
CO2 geological storage prospects of Lithuania – update
Authors: Liugas Jonas , Šliaupienė Rasa , Grendaitė Milda , Michelevičius Dainius , Šliaupa Saulius
Published: October 2023

The CO2 geological storage assessment in the Cambrian saline aquifers in west Lithuania is considerably improved by 3D seismic survey of the Gargždai Elevation and Syderiai Uplift. The CO2 storage capacity of the Syderiai site is assessed as large as 56.7 Mt (area 62 km2) owing to the high reservoir properties (average porosity 17 % and permeability 400 mD) of the Middle Cambrian saline aquifer of 50 m thick and 1458-1508 m deep. The tectonic uplift is controlled by the large-scale Telšiai strike-slip fault. The Syderiai site was initially considered as the potential UGS site. The acreage of the Gargždai Elevation, comprising six depleting oil fields, is assessed 133 km2 and the storage volume is evaluated 31.3 Mt. The main challenging parameter is a poor average porosity (7 %) and fractured type of reservoir (permeability about 10 mD) about 70 m thick and 2200 m deep. A residual oil zone (ROZ) assessment suggests are very high protentional for CO2 combination in west Lithuania which is the only prospective site known in the Baltic region of this kind.
Sustainability assessment of CO2 valorisation routes for Latvia: LCA, S-LCA and LCCA
Authors: Pubule Jelena , Terjanika Viktorija
Published: October 2023

To initiate and maintain the European Green Deal transformative policies, an evident-based multi-sectoral forecasting model needs to be timely and effectively deployed. The overall decarbonisation solutions proposed in this research can be defined as regional CO2 “value spots”– areas in regions where CO2 can be directly (CO2-based new products) or virtually (change in planning and implementation) utilised for the development of high-added value products, ensuring decarbonisation of rural areas, as well as promoting economic growth of the regions.

Within the framework of this work, three scenarios for using carbon dioxide are analysed – its use in methanol production, cement production and open-air algae ponds. The analysis aims to assess the potential environmental impacts of CO2 utilisation and consider the impact on the environment, human health, labour rights, working conditions, social equity, and other social factors, as well as costs and economic sustainability.

LCA provides a decision-making platform to understand the mid-term and long-term environmental effects of CO2 valorisation scenarios according to the ISO Standard 14044 standard requirements. Sensitivity analysis is performed to exclude high input data uncertainties (if any) and identify model behaviour factors. Effects of CO2 valorisation scenarios on social endpoints (well-being of stakeholders) are identified via S-LCA based on multi-regional input/output methods of qualitative and quantitative generic data. The S-LCA include health and safety, cultural heritage, and governance impact categories covering the interests of such stakeholder groups as workers, the local community, society, and consumers.

Cost-effectiveness of CO2 valorisation scenarios is performed. Regional valorisation scenarios are assessed and benchmarked via regional development sustainability indicators. A comparative assessment of core indicators is performed.
Assessment of CO2 leakage using mechanistic modelling approach for CO2 injection in deep saline aquifer of Lithuanian basin in presence of fault and fractures
Authors: Dangi Shankar Lal , Malik Shruti , Makauskas Pijus , Karliute Vilte , Sharma Ravi , Pal Mayur
Published: October 2023

Injecting CO2 into deep saline aquifers is a prominent strategy for carbon capture and storage (CCS) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, ensuring the long-term integrity of CO2 storage is crucial to prevent leakage and potential environmental hazards. This paper investigates the impact of fracture permeability on CO2 leakage volumes in the context of CO2 injection into Syderiai deep saline aquifer for carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications. It explores the relationship between fracture permeability and the potential for CO2 leakage, as well as the volume of CO2 dissolved in water above and below the cap rock. Furthermore, the study examines how the leakage volume may evolve over time in Syderiai deep saline aquifer. A mechanistic model of Syderiai deep saline aquifer, of Lithuanian basin, was developed based on average permeability, porosity, NTG and thickness (Fig. 1) and is used in this analysis.
The Helsinki Convention – a legal obstacle for carbon storage in the Baltic Sea?
Authors: von Zweigbergk Henrik
Published: October 2023

The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area – also known as the Helsinki Convention – was originally signed in 1974 by all Baltic Sea coastal countries, seeking to address the increasing environmental challenges from industrialisation and other human activities and that were having a severe impact on the marine environment. It entered into force on 3 May 1980. The Convention includes the protection of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution from land, air and sea. The Helsinki Convention was updated in 1992 to take into account the geopolitical changes and emerging environmental challenges in the region and was extended to ten Contracting Parties, including the European Union. The updated Helsinki Convention of 1992 entered into force on 17 January 2000.

According to the articles in the Helsinki Convention [1] dumping in the Baltic Sea is generally forbidden. Carbon storage can be seen as dumping when regarding it as “deliberate disposal at sea or into the seabed of wastes or other matter” (article 2.4 a (i)). If there is not an applicable exemption (article 2.4 b – not seen as dumping, or 11.4 – exception from prohibition due to that safety of human life is threatened, or 29 – prohibition not applicable due to the relation to other Conventions) carbon storage then is forbidden (article 11.1), and that prohibition shall be implemented in national law through its national authorities (article 4.2).

There is though a common interest among several countries around the Baltic Sea to be able to store carbon in the Baltic Sea in the future, in order to reduce CO2 emissions and reach the common climate goals. For example, Sweden is right now, through its authority Geological Survey of Sweden, investigating the possibility of storing carbon within Swedish territory in the Baltic Sea.

Therefore, there is also a discussion among the countries who have signed the Helsinki Convention about how to go forward making sure carbon storage is in agreement with the Convention. One way could be to look at how this problem was dealt with in the London Protocol – 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (see article 4.1, and Annex I 1.8 and 4) [2], where carbon dioxide was added to the list of matter that may be considered for dumping if certain conditions are being met (disposal into a sub-seabed geological formation, consisting overwhelmingly of carbon dioxide, no wastes or other matter are added for the purpose of disposing of those wastes or other matter).
Equitable supply in intermittently operated rural water networks in emerging economies
Authors: Kurian Varghese , Mohandoss Prasanna , Chandrakesa Srinesh , Chinnusamy Saravanan , Narasimhan Shankar , Narasimhan Sridharakumar
Published: October 2023

Many operators of water distribution networks (WDNs) are unable to meet the increasing demand for water. Utility operators in such situations resort to rationing the supply as a partial solution to this problem; this, in turn, may lead to disproportionate allocation of water or inequity in supply. In this study, we propose a mixed integer non-linear program formulation and an efficient solution approach to minimize the inequity in supply, subject to hydraulic constraints and additional constraints on hours of supply and valve operation. Further, we show that the schedule can be obtained using a data-driven approach based on flow and level measurements, which eliminates the modelling effort and uncertainty associated with the use of hydraulic models. We demonstrate the proposed approaches through simulations of a real WDN, and experiments conducted on a topologically similar laboratory-scale network.
Vertical flow wetlands as the core for the sustainable treatment of coffee wastewater in small communities in Colombia: preliminary results
Authors: Montes Christian Albeiro , Ortiz Nestor Vicencio , Arias Carlos Alberto , Chaparro Tatiana Rodriguez
Published: October 2023

Coffee is one of the most important agricultural products in Colombia. To date, small-scale Colombian coffee growers have developed this activity with a simple infrastructure and random use of water that generates harmful by-products to the water resource mainly in the stage of separation of the mucilage. The coffee mucilage wastewater (CMW) is composed of high organic loads and its impact on water sources is due to its high load of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values of over 25,000 mg/L. However, there is no consensus on what treatment can be used, especially whether it is accessible to coffee producers. Thus , the aim of this study consisted of assessing the performance of the combination of a carbon filter (CF) as pretreatment and vertical flow wetland (VFW) as a Natural-based Solution (NbS). The results show a reduction of more than 85% of COD, 96% of total solids, and UV254 close to 94%. It was remarkable that both treatments are appropriate for waters with a high concentration of solids. Finally, it can be concluded that CF + VFW is a feasible technology to treat the coffee wastewater from small communities of coffee producers.
Nanomedicine: Innovative Strategies and Recent Advances in
Targeted Cancer Therapy
Authors: Gautam Rupesh K. , Mittal Pooja , Goyal Rajat , Dua Kamal , Mishra Dinesh Kumar , Sharma Sanjay , Singla Rajeev Kumar
Published: October 2023

Nanomedicine's application of nanotechnology in medicine holds tremendous potential
for diagnosing and treating life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Unlike conventional therapies, nanomedicine offers a promising strategy to enhance clinical outcomes while minimizing severe side effects. The principle of drug targeting enables specific delivery of therapeutic agents to
their intended sites, making it a more precise and effective therapy. Combination strategies, such
as the co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs with nucleic acids or receptor-specific molecules,
are being employed to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Nanocarriers and drug delivery systems designed using these approaches offer resourceful co-delivery of therapeutic agents for anticancer
therapy. Targeted drug delivery via nanotechnology-based techniques has become an urgent need
and has shown significant improvements in therapeutic implications, pharmacokinetics, specificity, reduced toxicity, and biocompatibility. This review discusses the extrapolation of nanomaterials for developing innovative and novel drug delivery systems for effective anticancer therapy.
Additionally, we explore the role of nanotechnology-based concepts in drug delivery research.
Preparation of Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and Imidazole
(Ims)-Modified Activated Carbon using Response Surface Methodology
for Carbon Capture Applications
Authors: Abdul Rani Noor Hidayu , Mohamad Nor Fadilah , Sabri Nurul Hazwani , Abdol Jani Wan Nur Fazlina
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the most mature technology to
capture CO2 from flue gas stream through the adsorption process. The commercial adsorbent,
though efficient, is cost-inhibitive. An alternative adsorption approach is by utilizing a palm
kernel shell (PKS) as adsorbent. To enhance the adsorption capacity of CO2, impregnation
with Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and imidazoles (Ims) were introduced to increase the
selectivity and capacity of CO2. The response surface methodology (RSM) technique was utilized
to optimize the operating conditions for the preparation of modified AC-PKS for carbon
capture applications.

Method:

The main process variables for this study were impregnation ratio (TEPA: Ims) and
impregnation temperature. The 2 Factorial 1 model was developed for iodine number which
was selected as the investigated response. The optimum conditions for modified AC-PKS had
been identified to be an impregnation ratio 0.17 and a temperature of 90°C which gave a maximum
of iodine number 1062.95 mg/g. Based on this optimum condition, the experimental
value of iodine number is 1027.58 mg/g and is found to agree adequately with that (1062.95
mg/g) predicted from the model. The higher the iodine number, the greater the surface area
available for adsorption. With the high surface area of activated carbon allows it to have more
adsorption sites, increasing its capacity to remove contaminants from liquids or gases. According
to Scanning electron microscope (SEM), TEPA and Ims molecules were attached to
the surface of ACs and stimulated the chemisorption process for excellent adsorption process.

Result:

Two prominent adsorption peaks were also observed at 3100 cm-1 and 2800 cm-1, corresponding
to the stretching of the N-H functional group and confirmed the successfulness of impregnation
between TEPA and Ims. Based on elemental analysis (EA), the addition of TEPA and
imidazole resulted in an increase in the number of amine groups on the surface of the adsorbent.

Conclusion:

Hence, this modified AC-PKS with optimum impregnation ratio and temperature
increased the adsorption capacity and selectivity of CO2 adsorption from the simulated
flue gas with 4.239 mol/kg AC compared to the previous study reported for unmodified ACPKS
only 1.005 mol/kg AC.
Multimodal Pain Management of Liver Transplantation: What Is New?
Authors: Castellani Nicolini Niccolò , Belfiore Jacopo , Biancofiore Giandomenico
Published: October 2023

Liver transplantation (LT) is a life-saving treatment representing the only viable option for patients suffering from end-stage liver disease (ESLD) or acute liver failure. Patients who undergo LT require a multidisciplinary approach to postoperative pain management. However, pain management in this context is often inadequately explored. Limited options exist for proper pain control in patients with hepatic failure, mainly due to the increased risk of kidney and multi-organ failure. In LT candidates, specific analgesics may elevate the risk of side effects, such as hepatic encephalopathy, acute renal failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding, consequently increasing overall morbidity and mortality. In the case of LT, the post-operative pain might be underestimated since the demand for analgesics is typically lower than other major abdominal surgeries. Consequently, there is a lack of studies addressing post-operative pain management. This review aims to outline current strategies for pain management in LT, with a particular focus on opioid-free approaches, and to introduce forthcoming developments in this field.
Co-design of a Mobile App for Engaging Breast Cancer Patients in Reporting Health Experiences: Qualitative Case Study
Authors: Taramasco Carla , Rimassa Carla , Noël René , Bravo Storm María Loreto , Sánchez César
Published: October 2023

Background

The World Health Organization recommends incorporating patient-reported experience measures and patient-reported outcome measures to ensure care processes. New technologies, such as mobile apps, could help report and monitor patients’ adverse effects and doubts during treatment. However, engaging patients in the daily use of mobile apps is a challenge that must be addressed in accordance with the needs of people.

Objective

We present a qualitative case study documenting the process of identifying the information needs of breast cancer patients and health care professionals during the treatment process in a Chilean cancer institution. The study aims to identify patients’ information requirements for integration into a mobile app that accompanies patients throughout their treatment while also providing features for reporting adverse symptoms.

Methods

We conducted focus groups with breast cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy (n=3) or who completed chemotherapy between 3 months and 1 year (n=1). We also surveyed health care professionals (n=9) who were involved in patient care and who belonged to the oncology committee of the cancer center where the study took place. Content analysis was applied to the responses to categorize the information needs and the means to satisfy them. A user interface was designed according to the findings of the focus groups and was assessed by 3 trained information system and user interaction design experts from 2 countries, using heuristic evaluation guidelines for mobile apps.

Results

Patients’ information needs were classified into 4 areas: an overview of the disease, information on treatment and day-to-day affairs, assistance on the normality and abnormality of symptoms during treatment, and symptoms relevant to report. Health care professionals required patients to be provided with information on the administrative and financial process. We noted that the active involvement of the following 4 main actors is required to satisfy the information needs: patients, caregivers, social network moderators, and health professionals. Seven usability guidelines were extracted from the heuristic evaluation recommendations.

Conclusions

A mobile app that seeks to accompany breast cancer patients to report symptoms requires the involvement of multiple participants to handle the reports and day-to-day information needs. User interfaces must be designed with consideration of the patient’s social conventions and the emotional load of the disease information.
Oral health, periodontal phenotype in patients with different mineral density (morphotypes) of bone tissue
Authors: Mazur I.P. , Mazur P.V.
Published: October 2023

Background. Studying the systemic influence of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover on oral health and periodontal phenotype is relevant for predicting the course of periodontitis and making clinical decisions to achieve good treatment results. The purpose of the research is to study the oral health, periodontal phenotype, and bone metabolism depending on the BMD of the skeleton. Material and methods. One hundred and thirty-eight patients were examined and divided into three study groups depending on the BMD (Z-score): group І — increased BMD ­(Z-score > +1 SD), group ІІ (Z-score from +1 to –1 SD), group ІІІ (Z-score < –1 SD). The state of oral health, the severity and course of periodontal diseases, the peculiarities of bone metabolism according to biochemical markers of bone remodeling, and the BMD according to the results of dual-photon densitometry were determined. Results. Reduced bone turnover, resulting in decreased serum osteocalcin (18.96 ± 1.87 ng/ml in men and 19.11 ± 1.54 ng/ml in women), high level of parathyroid hormone was registered in patients with high BMD (group I). The oral health characteristics were identified, namely, the pathological tooth wear — abfraction (84.21 %) and attrition (76.31 %), the periodontal phenotype was characterized by a thick gingival biotype, mandibular exostoses, periodontitis and periodontitis were diagnosed. Increased bone turnover, active course of generalized periodontitis, thin gingival biotype, cervical caries and hyperesthesia of the dental hard tissues were registered in patients with low BMD (group III). Conclusion. The state of oral health, namely, the dental hard tissues, the periodontal phenotype has its own characteristics and are related to the morphotype of bone tissue — its BMD and bone metabolism. Such features must be taken into account when planning treatment measures for dental patients.
¿Qué hemos aprendido sobre el razonamiento de los estudiantes de química?
Authors: Talanquer Artigas Vicente
Published: October 2023

En este trabajo se resumen los resultados de investigaciones en ciencias cognitivas, educación de las ciencias y didácticas disciplinarias específicas sobre el razonamiento humano que proporcionan información relevante para el aprendizaje de la química, y se resaltan sus implicaciones para el currículum, la enseñanza y la evaluación en la disciplina. En el ensayo se describen y analizan diversas perspectivas cognitivas sobre la naturaleza del conocimiento de los estudiantes y su impacto sobre el razonamiento y el aprendizaje.
Efficacy of Colistin with Carbapenems Combination by Checkerboard Assay against Carbapenem Resistant Non Lactose Fermenting Gram Negative Bacteria
Authors: Vamsi K. Sreeja , Ramavath Usha Rani , Reddy B. Rama Chandra , Gandhari Mukesh , Reddy Y. Raja Ratna
Published: October 2023

Recent emergence of carbapenem resistant non-fermenting Gram negative bacteria (CRNFGNB) predominantly Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species are responsible for significant proportion of nosocomial infections with increased mortality. Of the various mechanisms known, carbapenemases especially metallo beta lactamase (MBL) mediated resistance is the most concerning because of its easy transmissibility via mobile genetic elements and lack of MBL inhibitors for clinical use. In the present study we determined to estimate the prevalence of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species, their resistance mechanisms by phenotypic tests and synergistic studies with Colistin and carbapenems combination by checkerboard assay. Carbapenem resistance among these two bacteria is 53.2% being isolated predominantly from pus and endotracheal secretions and from patients within the age group of less than 9 years (44%) and more than 60 years (23%). The incidence of carbapenemase and MBL production in NFGNB is 89.8% and 87.9%, respectively. Only Colistin and Tigecycline show significant antibacterial activity while most of the tested antibiotics were found to be least effective against carbapenem resistant NFGNB. Colistin and Imipenem combination demonstrated synergistic activity in majority of the NFGNB species; however, translation of such in vitro efficacy models into highly variable in vivo conditions could be possible only with strong clinical support.
Design and Simulation of Robot Gripper and Conveyor System for Workstations
Authors: Madarapu Anjaiah , Rajaputra Jai Sai Ganesh Singh , Hitesh Tirupati Sai , Bhaskar Yadavalli Phani
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Intelligent manufacturing is going to boom in the upcoming years. The characteristic features of Industry 4.0 are fully automated production facilities where all processes are controlled in real-time and take into account the changing external conditions. The core of the Industry 4.0 is made up of digitalization and robotics, in particular, the use of collaborative robots and MES. MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is a specialized system designed to solve the problems of synchronization, coordination, analysis, and optimization of production. It involves the use of conveyor belts for rapid transportation of products. Industries where conveyor belt systems are excelling include automotive, computer, good, packaging, print finishing, bottling and canning, chemical, pharmaceutical, aerospace and food processing The safety conditions in fundamental industrial jobs are dangerous and harmful combined with ineffective manual work as a result of rising need for mass manufacturing. In industries, automation is the use of technology to jobs that were previously handled by humans. It is a potent instrument that can aid companies in enhancing quality, production, and efficiency. A typical type of mechanical handling equipment that transports things from one place to another is a conveyor system. These systems consist of conveyor belts that are designed to work seamlessly with robotic arms and other automated equipment. Increased automation and mass production rate reduces the lead time and increases the profit of a firm. The deployed robotic arms are immensely capable of handling various tasks with increased flexibility. Using a robotic arm with an end effector as a gripper to hold/pick and place the material from the conveyor belt improves the product flow process. The project comes with the NodeMCU firmware and an integrated Wi-Fi chip, the ESP8266 12E. To connect with the controller via a mobile phone, a web page would be constructed using HTML and coded using the Arduino IDE's C language. At either end of the conveyor belt, 2 robotic arms with 2 degrees of freedom (D.O.F.) would be placed. Using one arm to place the product on the belt and a second to pick it up at the other end. Also calculating the analytical data of the system that is involved in reallife industrial processes along with the simulation of entire system for the UR10 industrial robot, using the RoboDK simulation software. Through the usage of this system, productivity is boosted with improved safety of the working environment, become more effective, be more flexible, and have higher levels of job satisfaction
Solar Based Smart Water Irrigation
Authors: Kandhare Santosh
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Solar based Smart Irrigation System utilizes Solar Energy and advance technologies to optimize irrigation practices in an efficient and sustainable manner. The motor drivers drive the pumps to deliver the required amount of water to the irrigation system, precisely controlling the flow rate and duration. It ensures that water is distributed only when and where it is needed, reducing water wastage and promoting efficient irrigation practices.
Characterization of White Soil in the Batwahi Area of Chhattisgarh: An Analysis of Physico-Chemical Properties
Authors: Dewangan Shailesh Kumar
Published: October 2023

This abstract presents a summary of the study titled "Characterization of White Soil in the Batwahi Area of Chhattisgarh: An Analysis of Physico-Chemical Properties." The study aims to investigate the physico-chemical properties of white soil in the Batwahi area of Chhattisgarh, India, in order to better understand its composition and potential agricultural suitability.The research methodology involved collecting soil samples from various locations within the Batwahi area and conducting laboratory analyses to determine key physico-chemical properties.
Untimely thoughts on the culture of diversity
Authors: Kuropjatnik M. S.
Published: October 2023

The study of cultural diversity and relevant models of diversity management, including historical patterns of cultural dominance, helps to form immunity to the latest manifestations of Eurocentrism. As a new approach to diversity, interculturalism implies a shift in the focus from the diversity of cultures and multicultural coexistence to the culture of diversity. The main dimensions of the culture of diversity are awareness of diversity, recognition of diversity, engagement in contexts of diversity, and the creation of more common public spaces. Another important trend is rethinking the diversity: a) its destigmatization as a phenomenon associated with Others, with exotic and peripheral loci, and representation of diversity as an advantage in terms of creativity and innovation; b) conceptualization of contemporary social and cultural contexts in terms of superdiversity. Unlike the classical concepts of multiculturalism, interculturalism focuses on both positive contacts as the most promising way of social integration and social dynamics in local contexts of superdiversity. However, the understanding of these processes differs in the political (G. Bouchard), social (T. Cantle) and cultural (R. Zapata-Barrero) directions of interculturalism. Under the destruction of social structures and institutions, interculturalism focusing on the development of interpersonal contacts and relations across borders can become a basis for the search for compromises and mutual understanding. However, the ideas of interculturalism and the processes launched by it turned out to be ‘locked’ in Western contexts, outside of which polarization is obvious in both political and cultural spheres. These tendencies imply an epistemological and ontological distinction between the West and Russia, producing gaps in the social-cultural space, patterns of escalation of schismogenesis and cultural encapsulation, and the rejection on intercultural contacts.
E. Durkheim’s critique of the eudemonistic and hedonistic causality of the division of labor in the perspective of contemporary consumerism
Authors: Goncharov N. V.
Published: October 2023

The article aims at revising Durkheim’s pejorative assessment of utilitarianhedonistic impulses as the reasons for the differentiation of labor in the consumerism perspective. The author considers Durkheim’s criticism of economism and utilitarianism through his theory of social solidarity as having moral rather than utilitarian foundations and shows the transformation of Durkheim’s concept of solidarism and the idea of division of labor based on it in social practices of the contemporary consumer society. Thus, the concentration of morality in the rules (according to Durkheim) that regulate social behavior proves that the rules and morality of the consumer society are determined by consumerist values and make every individual play the consumer role. The inconsistency of solidarism under consumerism is expressed in the fact that, despite the high degree of social integration which demands that as an organic part of the social we have to ‘sacrifice’ ourselves to this whole, in the consumer society, there is a reverse trend - the dominance of consumer values, attitudes and stereotypes which determine models of social behavior based on selfishness. In the second part of the article, the author considers utilitarian-hedonistic needs multiplied by consumerism as one of the key reasons for the progress and differentiation of labor. Hedonistic intentions manifested in consumer practices should be considered not as mental or psychological (according to Durkheim) but as social facts. The author argues that Durkheim’s concept of social solidarity, which seeks to overcome economism and utilitarianism in the interpretation of the progress of labor, may be of scientific interest as an alternative (moral) approach. However, it ignores the potential of the permanent desire for pleasure in the social-cultural environment of consumerism; therefore, in the consumer society with appropriate morality, this approach loses to the utilitarianeconomic interpretation of the progress of labor. One of Durkheim’s main arguments in the critique of the hedonistic and eudemonistic causality of the progress of labor is that if the differentiation of labor aimed at increasing happiness and pleasure, then this progress would have reached its limits long ago, but the contemporary consumer society proves the opposite.