bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initial response to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak in Sri Lanka; views of public health specialists through an International Health Regulations lens
Authors: Caldera Amandhi , Wickremasinghe Rajitha , Newby Gretchen , Perera Ruwanthi , Mendis Kamini , Fernando Deepika
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic affected Sri Lanka despite having developed an International Health Regulations (IHR) steering committee in 2016 and a national action plan for health security following the Joint External Evaluation in 2018. Many steps were taken to improve the disaster management skills of healthcare workers even before the COVID-19 outbreak. We interviewed seven public health specialists to obtain their views on the country’s response to the pandemic. A thematic analysis was conducted, leading to the emergence of three major themes and seven subthemes. The major themes included health security preparedness; COVID-19 management; and effects of COVID-19. The subthemes were; preparedness prior to pandemic and gaps in the preparedness (under health security preparedness); dual burden for the curative sector, strategies to reduce transmission and barriers to managing COVID-19 (under COVID-19 management) and negative and positive effects of COVID-19 (under effects of COVID-19). When COVID-19 reached Sri Lanka, healthcare workers, border control authorities and those involved with infectious disease control were overwhelmed by the magnitude of the pandemic. Healthcare workers’ hesitation to work amidst the pandemic due to fear of infection and possible transmission of infection to their families was a major issue; the demand for personal protective equipment by health workers when stocks were low was also a contributory factor. Lockdowns with curfew and quarantine at government regulated centers were implemented as necessary. Perceptions of the public including permitting healthcare workers to perform field public health services, logistical barriers and lack of human resources were a few of the barriers that were expressed. Some persons did not declare their symptoms, fearing that they would have to be quarantined. The pandemic severely affected the economy and Sri Lanka relied on donations and loans to overcome the situation. Pandemic also brought about innovative methods to maintain and upgrade health service provision. Individuals with non-communicable diseases received their regular medications through the post which reduced their risk of being infected by visiting hospitals. Improvement of laboratory services and quarantine services, a reduction of acute respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases, improved intersectoral coordination and public philanthropic response were other positive effects.
Collaborative agglomeration level and spatial correlation of intercity manufacturing industry: An empirical study based on the cities of the Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Zhu Kai , Sun Wanxiang
Published: November 2023

Taking 27 cities in the Yangtze River Delta as an example, the time section data from 2009 to 2019 are selected, and the location entropy index and the modified E-G index are introduced to measure the collaborative agglomeration level of intercity manufacturing industry in the Yangtze River Delta. The spatial weight matrix is constructed based on the highway mileage between cities. Using Moran’s index and Local Moran’s index, this article analyzes the spatial correlation of the collaborative agglomeration level of intercity manufacturing industry in the Yangtze River Delta. The results show that: Firstly, the overall agglomeration degree of manufacturing industry of cities in the Yangtze River Delta shows a fluctuating downward trend. The agglomeration degree of manufacturing industry in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces has decreased, that of most cities in Anhui Province has increased steadily. Secondly, the collaborative agglomeration level of manufacturing industry between Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou and other cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces showed a downward trend, while the collaborative agglomeration level with Anhui cities increased steadily. The collaborative agglomeration level of manufacturing industry between Wuxi, Suzhou, Nanjing and cities with obvious advantages in manufacturing industry agglomeration degree shows an upward trend, while the collaborative agglomeration level with other cities has declined. The collaborative agglomeration level of intercity manufacturing industry in Hefei has generally improved, especially the collaborative agglomeration quality and depth of manufacturing industry between Hefei and other cities in Anhui Province have significantly improved. Thirdly, the regions with high collaborative agglomeration level of intercity manufacturing industry in the Yangtze River Delta are still mainly concentrated in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces. Although there has been a trend of westward transfer in the past decade, the overall change range is small, and the spatial correlation of the collaborative agglomeration level of intercity manufacturing industry shows a weakening trend as a whole.
Job demands, job resources and postdoctoral job satisfaction: An empirical study based on the data from 2020 Nature global postdoctoral survey
Authors: Zhang Yue , Duan Xinxing
Published: November 2023

Postdocs encounter numerous hurdles in terms of their professional survival and academic development, as a result of institutional reform and the prevailing academic environment. These challenges significantly impact their job satisfaction, which in turn plays a crucial role in shaping their scientific research career trajectory. To facilitate the advancement of relevant systems and augment the job satisfaction of postdocs, this study employs the 2020 Nature Global Postdoctoral Survey data to conduct a comprehensive analysis. Utilizing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, the impact of job characteristic elements on postdoctoral job satisfaction was examined within the theoretical framework of the Job Requirements-Resources (JD-R) model, as well as the mechanisms by which job characteristic elements impact postdoctoral job satisfaction. It was found that job demands and job resources negatively and positively predicted postdoctoral job satisfaction, respectively, with job burnout and job engagement playing a partial mediating role. Job demands can drive postdocs to develop negative coping psychology and limit the motivating effect of job resources on job engagement; job resources can act as a buffer to reduce the probability of postdocs experiencing job burnout as a result of job demands. The aforementioned findings generally support the applicability of the JD-R model to postdocs, theoretically revealing the intrinsic psychological mechanisms by which job characteristics influence postdoctoral job satisfaction and providing theoretical supplements and practical references for postdoctoral training and management.
Investigation of nasal epithelial cells as a surrogate for bronchial epithelial cells in the research of equine asthma
Authors: Lee Diane Frances , Everest David James , Cooley William , Chambers Mark Andrew
Published: November 2023

Equine asthma, previously known as Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) or Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD), is an often-debilitating condition that may severely affect both performance and quality of life. Research is hindered by the low sample numbers of subjects recruited to studies, a consequence in part of the invasive nature of the sampling methods of bronchial brushing and biopsy. We present an alternative method of sampling equine airway epithelial cells, the ‘nasal brush method’ (NBM). Obtained by light brushing of the ventral meatus whilst the horse is under standing sedation, these cells express the same markers of differentiation as their deeper counterparts. Grown as 3-D spheroids or as air-liquid interface cultures, nasal epithelial cells are responsive to the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-13. This may be attenuated by modulation of the Notch signalling pathway using the gamma-secretase inhibitor Semagecestat; a previously unreported finding that cements the link between equine and human asthma research and strengthens the case for a One Health approach in researching asthma pathophysiology and therapeutic intervention.
Predicting incident cardiovascular disease among African-American adults: A deep learning approach to evaluate social determinants of health in the Jackson heart study
Authors: Morris Matthew C. , Moradi Hamidreza , Aslani Maryam , Sims Mario , Schlundt David , Kouros Chrystyna D. , Goodin Burel , Lim Crystal , Kinney Kerry
Published: November 2023

The present study sought to leverage machine learning approaches to determine whether social determinants of health improve prediction of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). Participants in the Jackson Heart study with no history of CVD at baseline were followed over a 10-year period to determine first CVD events (i.e., coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure). Three modeling algorithms (i.e., Deep Neural Network, Random Survival Forest, Penalized Cox Proportional Hazards) were used to evaluate three feature sets (i.e., demographics and standard/biobehavioral CVD risk factors [FS1], FS1 combined with psychosocial and socioeconomic CVD risk factors [FS2], and FS2 combined with environmental features [FS3]) as predictors of 10-year CVD risk. Contrary to hypothesis, overall predictive accuracy did not improve when adding social determinants of health. However, social determinants of health comprised eight of the top 15 predictors of first CVD events. The social determinates of health indicators included four socioeconomic factors (insurance status and types), one psychosocial factor (discrimination burden), and three environmental factors (density of outdoor physical activity resources, including instructional and water activities; modified retail food environment index excluding alcohol; and favorable food stores). Findings suggest that whereas understanding biological determinants may identify who is currently at risk for developing CVD and in need of secondary prevention, understanding upstream social determinants of CVD risk could guide primary prevention efforts by identifying where and how policy and community-level interventions could be targeted to facilitate changes in individual health behaviors.
Stemness genes and miR-1247-3p expression associate with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Limbu Shiwani , McCloskey Kara E.
Published: November 2023

Lung cancer makes up one-fourth of all cancer-related mortality with the highest mortality rate among all cancers. Despite recent scientific advancements in cancer therapeutics, the 5-year survival rate of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cancer patients remains below 15 percent. It has been suggested that the high mortality rate of LUAD is linked to the acquisition of progenitor-like cells with stem-like characteristics that assist the whole tumor in regulating immune cell infiltration. To examine this hypothesis further, this study mined several databases to explore the presence of stemness-related genes and miRNAs in LUAD cancers. We examine their association with immune and accessory cell infiltration rates and patient survival. We found 3 stem cell-related genes, ORC1L, KIF20A, and DLGAP5, present in LUAD that also correlate with changes in immune infiltration rates and reduced patient survival rates. Additionally, the modulation in myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration and miRNA hsa-mir-1247-3p mediated targeting of tumor suppressor SLC24A4 and oncogenes RAB3B and HJURP appears to primarily regulate LUAD patient survival. Given these findings, hsa-mir-1247-3p and/or its associated gene targets may offer a promising avenue to enhance patient survivability.
RESEARCH ON UNBALANCED WEIGHING EXPERIMENT OF MULTI-POINT BRACED SWIVEL CABLE-STAYED BRIDGE
Authors: Tang Zhipeng , Sun Quansheng , Gu Zifeng , Zhao Yafeng , Zhang Haoyang
Published: November 2023

To guarantee the safety of the swivel process, the weighing experiment before the swivel is especially important. Based on this, this paper takes a twin-tower, double-cable prestressed concrete swivel cable-stayed bridge as the background and suggests a multi-point braced swivel weighing experiment involving the joint force of the arm-brace and the spherical hinge to solve problems such as a particular obstacle in the relying project's swivelling process. Firstly, the relevant weighing experiment formulas for various circumstances were theoretically derived. The field test results were then used to calculate the jacking force at the limit state during the jacking process, which was then substituted into the relevant formulae, and the relevant parameters of the weighing experiment were calculated. Finally, the counterweight is adjusted based on the weighing results to carry out the structural rotation. The angular velocity was stable during the swivelling process, and the structure was successfully swivelled. The successful practice of a multi-point braced swivel weighing experiment involving the joint force of the arm-brace, and the spherical hinge can provide a reference for the design and construction of similar bridges.
Characteristics of patients with cystic fibrosis-dependent diabetes mellitus in childhood according to the register of patients with cystic fibrosis of the Russian Federation in 2021
Authors: Kondratyeva E. I. , Tlif A. I. , Voronkova A. Yu. , Amelina E. L. , Kashirskaya N. Yu. , Krasovsky S. A. , Starinova M. A. , Kuraeva T. L.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, the life expectancy of patients with CF has increased, which leads to an increase in the frequency of conditions associated with impaired carbohydrate metabolism.

AIM: to analyze the impact of cystic fibrosis-associated diabetes mellitus (CFDM) in children and adolescents on the course of cystic fibrosis according to the 2021 register of patients with cystic fibrosis of the Russian Federation (RF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: the data of the register of patients with cystic fibrosis of the Russian Federation for 2021 were analyzed. The study included 122 patients with diabetes mellitus requiring the use of insulin — 33 children (27%) and 89 adults (73%), the average age of children was 13.5±4.1, the average age of adult.

patients aged 18 years and older was 27.4±6.6. To compare the course of cystic fibrosis in patients with and without diabetes mellitus, groups were formed that were comparable in age, gender, genotype — the group of patients without diabetes included 827 patients, 33 patients made up the group of patients with CFRD using insulin. Diagnostic criteria, indicators of respiratory function, microbiological status, nature of complications, volume of therapy were compared.

RESULTS: Patients with CFRD have a lower FEV1 compared to children without diabetes mellitus — M±SD FEV1 (%) 85.2±27.5 in the group of patients without diabetes mellitus and M±SD FEV1 (%) 72.4±26.0 in patients with diabetes mellitus (p < 0.016), compared in the microbiological seeding groups — a trend towards more frequent chronic growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 54.50% versus 39.4% in the group without CFRD. An increase in MRSA was also more often detected — 9.1% compared with the group of children without diabetes — 3.1%. Antibacterial therapy is more commonly used — inhaled in 54.6% of patients without diabetes mellitus while children with CFRD received inhaled antibiotic therapy in 75.8% (p=0.017). There was a significant difference in the used antibacterial tablet therapy (p=0.013). A significant difference in the number of patients on oxygen therapy in the group with CFRD — 12.1%, versus 3.4% without CFRD (p=0.01) confirms a more severe course of cystic fibrosis in patients with CFRD.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CFDM with the need for insulin therapy among children in the Russian Federation is 1.3%. Cystic fibrosis-associated diabetes mellitus significantly worsens the course of cystic fibrosis in terms of lung function, the growth of gram-negative and resistant flora, the presence of severe complications and the frequent use of antibiotic therapy, which is obviously associated with frequent exacerbations of the bronchopulmonary process in cystic fibrosis in patients with developed cystic fibrosis-associated diabetes mellitus.
Endothelial dysfunction in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus or normoglycemia: assessment of specific markers
Authors: Pokrovskaya E. V. , Shestakova E. A. , Shestakova M. V.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: One of the function of the endothelium is the maintenance of body's homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction is known to be profoundly implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The presence of diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risks of CVD. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often observed in obesity, however, there is a population of people with obesity, who do not develop T2DM for a long time.

AIM: To compare the level of markers of endothelial dysfunction in two groups of individuals (without T2DM and with T2DM), as well as to evaluate the impact of cardioprotective medication (GPP-1 and SGLT-2) on these markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 2 groups of patients with obesity into this study: the 1st group with no carbohydrate metabolism disorders, the 2nd with T2DM. Several markers of endothelial dysfunction were evaluated: human von Willebrand factor (VWF), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), soluble form E-selectin (sE-selectin), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM1).

RESULTS: A significant increase in sE-Selectin was seen in the group of patients with obesity and T2DM compared with those without carbohydrate metabolism disorders (46.65 [36.23; 66.66] vs 33.05 [22.1;53.31] ng/ml). There were no differences in the level of markers of endothelial dysfunction in the subgroups of patients with T2DM with HbA1c < 8% and >8%. There was also no effect of cardioprotective drugs (SGLT-2 and / or GPP-1) on any of endothelial dysfunction markers in individuals with T2DM.

CONCLUSION: We suggest that an increase in sE-selectin may be an early marker of endothelial dysfunction in obese individuals and T2DM.
lucha por el desinterés
Authors: Arroyo Álvaro
Published: November 2023

El hecho de que la filosofía del arte de Adorno incorpore categorías propias de la estética burguesa ha sido señalado no solo como una de las causas del supuesto carácter conservador de esta teoría, sino también como una limitación ideológica: el compromiso asumido con la estética idealista le impediría a Adorno desvelar los intereses materiales que se ocultan en la relación entre el arte autónomo y la sociedad burguesa. Contra estas acusaciones, el presente trabajo busca dar cuenta de la relación problemática que Adorno sostiene con la estética tradicional y mostrar que la apropiación de conceptos de origen idealista solo se produce mediante una profunda crítica inmanente de los mismos, cuyo propósito es sentar las bases para la elaboración de una estética dialéctico-materialista original. Para ello, en primer lugar, se reconstruyen los procedimientos a través de los cuales Adorno lee las estéticas de Kant y de Hegel; luego, se analiza la elaboración materialista que Adorno realiza de la exigencia kantiana de desinterés; por último, estableciendo una conexión con la antropología estética de Christoph Menke, se recupera la crítica adorniana a la función ideológica que el juicio estético kantiano desempeña en relación con la fundamentación del sujeto moderno.
‘Más allá’ del placer y el displacer
Authors: Zengotita Alonso
Published: November 2023

Al abordar las relaciones entre los pensamientos de Freud y Nietzsche, la reflexión sobre el lugar que ocupan el placer y el displacer ha sido desarrollada de modo escaso o tangencial. El objetivo central de este artículo será dar cuenta de cómo, a partir de una lectura de la dinámica vital en ambos autores en función de las relaciones placer-displacer, es posible ubicar un espacio ‘más allá’ de las mismas que definirá dicha dinámica en términos de dominio (Bewältigung). A partir de ello, se buscará mostrar cómo el Bewältigung presenta tendencias divergentes para cada pensador en función de cómo se concibe la relación entre ser vivo y las fuerzas que le son internas y externas.
contrato social en Rousseau
Authors: Valenzuela Corales Maria de Los Andes
Published: November 2023

A lo largo de los siglos XVII y XVIII se desarrollaron sucesivas reformulaciones del contrato social a partir de la propuesta hobbesiana, categorizadas hoy en día bajo el rótulo de contractualismo clásico. Dentro de tales propuestas se sostiene que fue con Rousseau con quien el contrato social alcanzó su momento de plena madurez, racionalizándose y profundizándose sus consecuencias democráticas. Así pues, el contrato social es —dentro de la filosofía política— el elemento más significativo para sustentar la teoría del Estado moderno. Sin embargo, una importante consecuencia de dicha teorización es el hecho de que el naciente Estado moderno detente para sí el monopolio de la violencia. Así pues, es posible que un obscuro trasfondo de violencia se oculte tras la formulación contractualista. El artículo que sigue pretende desarrollar un análisis de la teoría del contrato social, particularmente en la formulación de Rousseau, a partir de la teoría mimética de René Girard, con el objetivo de encontrar en su obra más representativa El contrato social, rastros de la violencia mimética y el mecanismo de chivo expiatorio planteados en la teoría girardiana.
Tribunal de première instance de Liège, 14 janvier 2022
Authors: Bodson Aline
Published: November 2023

Le tribunal de première instance de Liège se positionne quant à une action en recherche de paternité supposée frauduleuse à laquelle le père s’oppose fermement. Le tribunal rappelle qu’il doit prendre en compte l’intérêt supérieur de l’enfant même dans le cas où la filiation est utilisée pour établir un avantage en termes de séjour pour la mère.
GPS Receiver Simplification for Low cost Applications and Multipath Mitigation Analysis on SDR based Re configurable Software Receiver
Authors: Nayak B. Sathish , Naik K.Krishna , Ojjela Odelu , Pal Surendra
Published: November 2023

Many modern position-based applications rely heavily on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Most applications require precise position data obtained through sophisticated hardware with a high computational capacity in the receiver. Some cost-effective applications may not require precise position data and require less complex signal processing. The use of efficient hardware and signal processing techniques to reduce the overall cost of a GNSS receiver is an active research topic. This paper considers Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation and proposes two factors to reduce the receiver complexity: sampling frequency and the number of tracking channels. A Keysight GNSS signal generator to record GPS signals, a Software Defined Radio board and a software-based GPS receiver are used in the experimentation. The sampling frequencies are 40, 20, 10 and 5 MHz considered, and tracking channels are reduced from 12 to 6 and then 4. The increase of error in the receiver position with 6 and 4 satellites is considerably small, but the number of tracking channels and signal processing requirements are reduced considerably. The GPS signals are affected by many errors; one of the significant sources of error is multipath propagation. Three distinct GPS multipath scenarios are generated for four satellite signal combinations with the GNSS simulator for the receiver performance analysis. Three multipath mitigation techniques, namely Early Minus Late (EML), Narrow correlator (NC) and strobe correlator (SC) methods, are considered because of their simple structure and fewer signal processing requirements. The error reductions of three multipath scenarios are compared, and the SC method performs better in all three multipath scenarios.
A Predictive Model with Data Scaling Methodologies for Forecasting Spare Parts Demand in Military Logistics
Authors: Kim Jae-Dong , Hwang Ji-Hwan , Doh Hyoung-Ho
Published: November 2023

This study addresses the challenge of accurately forecasting demand for maintenance-related spare parts of the K-X tank, influenced by high uncertainty and external factors. Deep learning models with RobustScaler demonstrate significant improvements, achieving an accuracy of 86.90% compared to previous methods. RobustScaler outperforms other scaling models, enhancing machine learning performance across time series and data mining. By collecting eight years’ worth of demand data and utilising various consumption data items, this study develops accurate forecasting models that contribute to the advancement of spare parts demand forecasting. The results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approach, showcasing its superiority in accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-Score. RobustScaler particularly excels in time series analysis, further emphasizing its potential for enhancing machine learning performance on diverse datasets. This study provides innovative techniques and insights, demonstrating the effectiveness of deep learning and data scaling methodologies in improving forecasting accuracy for maintenance spare parts demand.
Assessment of Changes in Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions of the Concept of the Environment
Authors: DÖNMEZ İsmail , GÜLEN Salih
Published: November 2023

Higher education institutions are responsible for producing individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values to contribute to the improvement of society’s quality of life. Environmental education is also one of the leading permanent solutions for environmental problems. The aim of this research is to understand teacher candidates’ perceptions of the concept of “environment.” In this context, a case study, as one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The participants consisted of 36 students enrolled in the primary school teaching department at a state university. The data collection tools included a word association test, metaphor, and drawing techniques. These data collection tools were applied before and after an environmental education course that participants attended for 14 weeks. From the research findings, it is understood that the participants’ mental structures for the concept of “environment” shifted from being living creature-oriented to being pollution-oriented by the end of the environmental education course.
Evaluation of Teacher's Classroom Practices in the Context of Vygotsky's Cultural-Historical Theory
Authors: KARAMAN Naşide Nur , SEVER Mustafa , DİNÇER F. Çağlayan
Published: November 2023

The effective continuation of the learning process depends on the teacher's interaction with children. Teachers must be facilitative in this interaction process while guiding children's learning. This study focuses on determining how teachers' classroom practices are reflected in the learning environment in the context of Vygotsky's cultural-historical theory. The study was designed as a case study from qualitative research models. All six teachers who constituted the study's data set worked in the same preschool education institution. Each teacher was observed for five days during the half-day period at the school using the non-participant observer technique. The observations were followed according to the "Teacher Observation Form" prepared by the researchers. This form included five headings: "Use of Language", "Use of Mediators," "Shared Activity," "Zone of the Proximal Development," and "Play." Content analysis was used to analyze the observations. As a result, it was concluded that teachers need to be informed about Vygotsky's cultural-historical theory in terms of theory and practice and that they need to share practices in the theory infrastructure.
INDUSTRI HALAL DARI PERSPEKTIF POTENSI DAN PERKEMBANGANNYA DI INDONESIA
Authors: Herianti Herianti , Siradjuddin Siradjuddin , Efendi Ahmad
Published: November 2023

With more than 200 million people who are Muslim, Indonesia is one of the main markets for producers of halal products. The halal product business is very promising in our country, so this article will examine the position of the Indonesian halal industry in its development. In particular, this research focuses on the government's role in exploring the potential and development of the halal industry in Indonesia. This article uses a literature review or literature study before conducting a descriptive analysis of the solutions and results. Then from the search results from various related journals, books and several reports related to the topic of discussion, the result is that there is a lot of room for growth in the halal industry, which has experienced very rapid development in recent years, especially in the field of halal food and beverages. , halal clothing, halal tourism, and halal finance. The government has also supported other potential sectors, such as halal medicines, media and the environment. Overall, the current development and halal industry has enormous potential to improve the country's economy. However, even though there is great potential, there are many challenges to be faced, such as a lack of public awareness about halal and a low level of halal literacy. So, this article can be part of increasing public knowledge about halal and then being part of the development of the halal industry in Indonesia.
Ethnobotanical study of the plant of medicinal interest Saccocalyx satureioides Coss. & Durieu (Lamiaceae) in the region of Naâma (Algeria))
Authors: Benaradj Abdelkrim , Boucherit Hafidha
Published: November 2023

An ethnobotanical study was carried out in the Naâma region to gather information on the traditional therapeutic uses of a plant of medicinal interest, Saccocalyx satureioides, practiced by the local population. Using 40 questionnaires, ethnobotanical surveys were carried out in the province of Naâma between January and April 2015. The analysis of the data collected in the field made it possible to identify 17 diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, kidney problems, certain disea-ses of the digestive tract, in particular those of the colon and the stomach, treated with S. satureioides. The results show that different parts of the plant (leaves, flowers, fruits and roots) are used in the form of decoction, maceration; they are cooked and powdered in therapeutic preparations.
Znaczenie Metody Krakowskiej w procesie wspomagania rozwoju dzieci z uszkodzonym słuchem
Authors: Jakoniuk-Diallo Anna , Wojciechowska Adrianna
Published: November 2023

The variety of therapeutic tools available in the rehab process of children with disabilities is being extended. Many procedures created in the second half of the 20th century is still used nowadays. The range of their users is permanently increasing, which results in adding new methodological modifications. The Krakow Method is not an exception, as it was originally created for children with hearing difficulties. Currently, it is also used to treat people affected by genetic disorders which requires de-veloping new strategies adapted to such patients. The text aims at evaluating selected strategies of the Krakow Method in the context of early development of children with hearing difficulties.
Globalizacja a zagrożenie bezpieczeństwa zdrowotnego wyzwaniem dla edukacji zdrowotnej XXI wieku
Authors: Dworak Alina
Published: November 2023

The modern generation lives in a new changing reality, dominated by globalization, consumption, fast pace of life and threats in all spheres of functioning, including health. The ongoing changes result in difficulties in adapting to the dynamically changing and unstable reality. Hence, not only health, but also health threats, have become the subject of interest of modern researchers. The present century has initiated a “new” educational thinking, aiming at changing individual behavior and social activity. The desired and expected state are conscious actions aimed at increasing the health potential and its perception as a priority value, in the declarative and practical dimension.
Metody terapeutyczne, wykorzystywane we wspomaganiu funkcjonowania poznawczego osób z udarem niedokrwiennym
Authors: Bączyk Martyna , Jakoniuk-Diallo Anna
Published: November 2023

An ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of human death and disability, especially among the elderly. However, the condition affects people of all ages. The article outlines the possible consequences of an ischemic stroke depending on the affected brain area. It describes examples of therapeutic activities carried out by special educators, psychologists and speech therapists aimed at restoring at least some of the cognitive and communication skills of people affected by the disease. Of particular interest was the role of ergotherapy.
O błędach i ich znaczeniu w rozumowaniach matematycznych
Authors: Kolczyńska-Przybycień Kinga
Published: November 2023

In this article we discuss selected types of errors in mathematical thinking. We present their causes, some consequences and the possibilities of using this erroneous reasoning for didactic purposes.
Wpływ czasowego zaangażowania w media społecznościowe młodych dorosłych na zachowania związane z wyglądem ciała
Authors: Leksy Karina
Published: November 2023

Social media have become a part of people’s lives, being not only a place of entertainment and mutual communication but also promotion of pop culture models connected with the human body appearance. For many, these models become guidelines for behaviors regarding body looks and a source for its assessment by comparing their appearance to that of models. The purpose of this article is to present the correlation between the amount of time spent by young adult respondents in the social media space and modelling themselves on other people as regards the appearance, comparing their own bodies to other users’ bodies and patterns of behavior to improve the body look. A diagnostic survey method was applied in the study and the author’s questionnaire in an online form was used. 493 young adults, social networks users, participated in the study. The results show that the more time the respondents spend on social media, the more they model themselves on others as regards their physical appearance, the more often they compare the look of their bodies with those of other people and undertake more behaviors targeted at improving their appearance. The specified correlations refer to a greater extent to the male subjects of the study. These results constitute an important guideline for prevention and educational activities concerning the significance of body looks in modern culture, including consequences of increasing social pressure on the image of the male body.
Formy wsparcia pacjenta i rodziny w sytuacji choroby o zróżnicowanym przebiegu
Authors: Kołecka Barbara , Kołecka Aleksandra
Published: November 2023

The essence of the crisis situation is the breakdown of the current hierarchy of values, the reorganization of everyday life, the intensification of cognitive and emotional efforts to ensure relative intrapsychic homeostasis, and the psychosocial balance in various areas of life (including family and professional life). One of the crisis events is a disease that changes the daily life of individuals and their relatives. The aim of this study is to provide psychological characteristics of the patient in the situation of the disease with its various course, to present the consequences of the appearance of the disease on the level of intrapsychic and social life, and to indicate possible forms of intervention and support for people experiencing their own disease or the disease of a person in the family. An issue worth emphasizing is the provision of specialized, multi-level support for patients and families in the ongoing disease process. Appropriate and responsible therapeutic interactions in the cognitive and emotional dimensions can effectively reduce anxiety and stress reactions and thus contribute to better coping in a crisis situation.
Produção de mudas de aceroleira com miniestacas tratadas com ácido indolbutírico e extrato de tiririca
Authors: Ricardo de Oliveira João , Maciel de Araújo James , Oliveira de Almeida Ueliton , Aquino da Costa David , Carvalho Andrade Neto Romeu
Published: November 2023

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da aplicação de ácido indolbutírico (AIB) e extrato de tiririca em miniestacas apicais, medianas e basais de aceroleira para fins de produção de mudas. As miniestacas, padronizadas em 3 cm de altura, foram coletadas da parte mediana das plantas-matrizes em ramos de 15 cm. O extrato foi obtido dos tubérculos de tiririca (Cyperus rotundus). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 x 3, sendo três tipos de miniestacas, dois indutores de enraizamento e a testemunha. Conduziu-se o experimento em duas etapas: na primeira avaliou-se, aos 62 dias, a porcentagem de miniestacas enraizadas e brotadas, e de miniestacas vivas com calos que não emitiram raízes, e na segunda, aos 156 dias após o estaqueamento, analisou-se a porcentagem de sobrevivência, altura da muda, diâmetro do coleto, comprimento da maior raiz primária, massa seca da raiz, da parte aérea e total, relação entre a altura com o diâmetro do coleto e o índice de qualidade de Dickson (IQD). Houve interação significativa entre os fatores para a maiorias das variáveis, a exceção da massa seca da raiz e da parte aérea, relação altura com o diâmetro e IQD. A propagação de aceroleira por miniestaquia mostra-se viável e tem potencial para utilização, dependendo da posição do ramo e da imersão ou não de AIB e extrato de tiririca. As miniestacas basais proporcionam mudas de melhor qualidade.
Distribuição geográfica das briófitas no Maranhão, Brasil: uma análise do conhecido para entender o desconhecido
Authors: Ferreira Oliveira Ronison , Da Silva Guilherme Sousa , Dos Santos-Silva Domingos Lucas , Rodrigues de Oliveira Regiglaucia , Fernandes Peralta Denilson , Mendes da Conceição Gonçalo
Published: November 2023

Analisamos a riqueza de espécies e densidade de coletas da brioflora maranhense e os principais vetores de pressão antrópica e indicamos as áreas prioritárias para novas amostragens visando a conservação das espécies. Elaboramos um banco de dados a partir da coleção de briófitas registrada no herbário Prof. Aluízio Bittencourt (HABIT), da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão/UEMA campus Caxias, além de coletas com registros de espécimes obtidos no Herbário Virtual, GBIF e SpeciesLink. A identificação das espécies e as informações sobre a distribuição geográfica foram confirmadas para os registros considerados nesse estudo, subsidiando as análises de riqueza (espécies) e densidade (ocorrência de coletas). Para a densidade de coletas utilizou-se o estimador de densidade kernel e para a identificação de áreas de endemismo foi utilizado o método de Interpolação Geográfica de Endemismo (IGE). Foram analisados 3.727 registros de coleta, observando que a maior parte das áreas do estado não possui registros de coleta de briófitas (65%). Em 35% das áreas coletadas observamos que o padrão de distribuição foi heterogêneo, com muitas áreas apresentando poucas espécies e poucas áreas apresentando muitas espécies. Apenas quatro áreas obtiveram densidade de coletas considerada boa, proporcionando áreas de endemismo de espécies. As atividades agrícolas são os principais vetores de ameaças para as briófitas no Maranhão. Recomenda-se que esforços de coleta sejam realizados para as regiões Norte, Oeste, Centro e Sul do Maranhão que apresentam áreas com baixo ou nenhum registro de briófitas.
Electrodeposition of crack-free and amorphous Ni-Mo alloys with high Mo content from gluconate baths
Authors: Filgueira de Almeida Arthur , Dantas Costa Josiane , Baía de Sousa Mikarla , Venceslau de Souto Joyce Ingrid , Alexandre Costa de Santana Renato , Xavier dos Santos Aureliano , Machado Oliveira José Anderson , Nicácio Alves José Jailson , Nascimento Campos Ana Regina
Published: November 2023

In this article, electroplated Ni-Mo alloys with high Mo content from gluconate baths are presented. Specifically, the influence of current density on the electrodeposition process, which produced crack-free Ni-Mo alloys with high Mo content, was evaluated. Commonly, Ni-Mo electrodeposition is performed in citrate solutions, as citrate ions promote coordination compounds with greater stability compared to mono and bivalent ligands. However, due to the high internal stress caused by Mo in the coating when its content is very high, microcracks are formed along the surface, causing defects in the deposit. Gluconate baths have been proven to produce crack-free alloys, even when current density is high. The deposits were evaluated for chemical composition by Energy-Dispersive X-ray Specrometry (EDS) and surface morphology by electron microscopy using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Furthermore, the deposition process was evaluated for current efficiency, and a reaction mechanism was proposed based on observations acquired by other authors. The highest Mo content obtained was 43% by weight. The highest current efficiency was 26%, obtained at 30 mA/cm².
Management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic. Single center data from a tertiary care hospital in Germany
Authors: Andric Mihailo , Stockheim Jessica , Rahimli Mirhasan , Klös Michael , Esser Torben , Soldatovic Ivan , Dölling Maximilian , Al-Madhi Sara , Acciuffi Sara , Croner Roland , Perrakis Aristotelis
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The unexpected global overload of the health system during COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in management of acute appendicitis worldwide. Whereas conservative treatment was widely recommended, the appendicectomy remained standard therapy in Germany. We aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment routine for acute appendicitis at University Hospital of Magdeburg.

Methods

Adult patients with clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in the single center retrospective study. Data was collected to patient demographics, treatment modality and outcomes including morbidity and length of stay. The patient data related to COVID-19 period from March 22, 2020 to December 31, 2021 (649 days) were compared to the Non-COVID-19 period from June 12, 2018 to March 21, 2020 (649 days). Subgroup analysis related to conservative or surgical treatment has been performed.

Results

A total of 385 patients was included in the study, 203 (52.73 %) during Non-COVID-19 period and 182 (47.27 %) during COVID-19 period. Mean age of entire collective was 43.28 years, containing 43.9 % female patients (p=0.095). Conservative treatment was accomplished in 49 patients (12.7 % of entire collective), increasing from 9.9 % to 15.9 % during COVID-19 period (p=0.074). Laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed in 99.3 % (n=152) of operated patients during COVID-19 period (p=0.013), followed by less postoperative complications compared to reference period (23.5 % vs. 13.1 %, p=0.015). The initiation of antibiotic therapy after the diagnosis increased from 37.9 % to 53.3 % (p=0.002) during COVID-19 period regardless the following treatment modality. Antibiotic treatment showed shorter duration during pandemic period (5.57 days vs. 3.16 days, p<0.001) and it was given longer in the conservative treatment group (5.63 days vs. 4.26 days, p=0.02). The overall length of stay was shorter during COVID-19 period (4.67 days vs. 4.12 days, p=0.052) and in the conservative treatment group (3.08 days vs. 4.47 days, p<0.001). However, the overall morbidity was lower during the COVID-19 period than before (17.2 % vs. 7.7 %, p=0.005) and for conservative therapy compared to appendicectomy (2 % vs. 14.3 %, p=0.016). There was no mortality documented.

Conclusions

According to our findings the COVID-19 pandemic had a relevant impact on treatment of acute appendicitis, but it was possible to maintain the traditional diagnostic and treatment pathway. Although laparoscopic appendicectomy remains a recommended procedure, the conservative treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis with excellent short-term outcome can be a safe alternative to surgery during potential new wave of COVID-19 pandemic and in the daily routine.
Proof of concept: stabilized whole blood material suitable for external quality assessment of near-patient testing devices
Authors: Wütherich Jana , Zylla Stephanie , Bissé Emmanuel , Nauck Matthias , Petersmann Astrid
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Even though reliable glucose concentration measurements are essential in diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus, external quality assurance based on mandatory reference method values can only be conducted to a limited extent for measurements in whole blood. The reason is the lack of stabilized whole blood materials suitable for the application in glucose measurement devices used in near-patient testing.

Methods

Two patented whole blood stabilizers were tested using four commercially available near-patient testing devices and one patient self-testing device for plasma-referenced glucose measurements. Furthermore, a laboratory method for plasma-glucose measurements was included. Venous whole blood samples from 30 apparently healthy volunteers were used. Two whole blood samples (stabilizer A and B) per subject were kept at room temperature over the study period of seven days and aliquots were taken each day from the original sample for measurement on all devices. After venous puncture, left over whole blood from the collection system was used for immediate glucose measurements without stabilizer on the near-patient testing devices.

Results

Each investigated device gave stable results at least for one of the two stabilizers for a period of four days. Imprecision based on quality controls ranged between 1.7 and 4.8 % coefficient of variation for near-patient testing devices, but did not reflect observed variability in measurement results from stabilized and unstabilized whole blood in one device. In addition, a considerable deviation of 0.8 mmol/L was observed among the near-patient testing devices underlining the need for reference method values in external quality control.

Conclusions

Our study provides proof of concept that for each investigated device at least one stabilizer of glucose in whole blood shows a good performance for at least four days. Therefore, these stabilizers appear to be suitable candidate materials for external quality assessment of near-patient testing devices.
The North (ṣāpôn) in the Book of Jeremiah
Authors: Crouch C. L.
Published: November 2023

The »foe from the north« is a well-known trope in the book of Jeremiah. In 1989 David Reimer argued that this enemy should be understood as a nonspecific earthly enemy, with mythical overtones deriving from the location of Yhwh’s divine abode on Mount Zaphon. Contemporary historiographical debates, together with Otto Eißfeldt’s arguments for an Israelite tradition of a »mythischen Nordberg«, exerted significant influence on Reimer’s discussion. This article examines these presuppositions, reconsiders the evidence, and argues that Jeremiah’s enemy »from the north« is a simple geographical reference to the Babylonian Empire.
Is Azekah Really the Hometown of Micah the Morasthite?
Authors: Gass Erasmus , Zissu Boaz
Published: November 2023

In a recent article, Oded Lipschits and Jakob Wöhrle argue for Tel Azekah as the hometown of the biblical prophet Micah of Moresheth Gath. However, the main arguments are not convincing and can easily be refuted. Above all, the overall rejection of the patristic sources is methodologically questionable and cannot stand up to scrutiny since the alleged contradictoriness does not exist within the Christian topographical tradition. Moreover, it can be shown that geographical, epigraphical, etymological and archaeological data were used in a one-sided and erroneous way.