bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of methods for cleaning arch wire: an in vitro study
Authors: Portes Canongia Ana Carolina , Alviano Moreno Daniela Sales , Abraçado Leida Gomes , Pithon Matheus Melo , Araújo Mônica Tirre
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate various methods of removing bacterial and fungus biofilm, to simulate orthodontic arch wires cleaning before reinsertion in the patients appliance. Rectangular Nickel Titanium (NiTi), Stainless Steel (SS) and Titanium Molybdenum (TMA) wires were divided into five groups, then contaminated with strains of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicas.  Four segments of each group served as control and were not contaminated. Six cleanings methods were used to remove the biofilm: cotton roll and a chemical agent (chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, 70% alcohol), cotton roll and  water, steel woll and immersion on enzymatic detergent. There was a control group not decontaminated Then wires were placed in broth separately, and after an incubation period the optical density (OD) was measured, observing whether there was microbial growth. A wire segment of each subgroup of SS 3M® was taken to the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for visualization of the treatment response. The results were submitted to one-way ANOVA test and Tukey post-test. With the exception of 70% alcohol, the disinfection means behaved similarly regardless the type of wire. Two percent Chlorhexidine and 1% Sodium Hypochlorite totally removed the microorganisms while other agents left a high microbial concentration. Chemical cleaning is necessary to remove biofilm in orthodontic wires; 1% Sodium Hypochlorite and 2% Chlorhexidine are good disinfectants for this purpose.
Tangut as a West Gyalrongic language
Authors: Lai Yunfan , Gong Xun , Gates Jesse P. , Jacques Guillaume
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes that Tangut should be classified as a West Gyalrongic language in the Sino-Tibetan/Trans-Himalayan family. We examine lexical commonalities, case marking, partial reduplication, and verbal morphology in Tangut and in modern West Gyalrongic languages, and point out nontrivial shared innovations between Tangut and modern West Gyalrongic languages. The analysis suggests a closer genetic relationship between Tangut and Modern West Gyalrongic than between Tangut and Modern East Gyalrongic. This paper is the first study that tackles the exact linguistic affiliation of the Tangut language based on the comparative method.
Induction of labor at 39 weeks and risk of cesarean delivery among obese women: a retrospective propensity score matched study
Authors: Eberle Alexa , Czuzoj-Shulman Nicholas , Azoulay Laurent , Abenhaim Haim Arie
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To evaluate if induction of labor (IOL) in obese women at 39 weeks of gestation decreases the risk of cesarean delivery (CD).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective propensity score matched study using the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) Period Linked Birth-Infant Death data. The study population consisted of cephalic singleton births to women with BMI greater or equal to 30.0 kg/m2 who delivered at or beyond 39 weeks between 2013 and 2017. Women with prior CD were excluded. Women who underwent IOL at 39 weeks were propensity score matched 1:5 on the basis of CD risk factors to women who did not undergo IOL at 39 weeks but may have had an IOL at a later gestational age. Conditional logistic regression compared CD rates and maternal outcomes between obese women induced at 39 weeks with those not induced at 39 weeks.

Results

Our cohort consisted of 197,343 obese women induced at 39 weeks and 986,715 obese women not induced at 39 weeks. Overall, the risk of CD among women who had an IOL at 39 weeks was lower than those without an IOL at 39 weeks, 0.59 (0.58–0.60). The decrease in CD risk was more pronounced in multiparas, 0.47 (0.46–0.49) than nulliparas, 0.81 (0.79–0.83). When stratified by BMI, the effect of IOL on lowering CD risk was similar across all obesity classes. Aside from an increased risk of instrumental deliveries, morbidities were comparable in both groups.

Conclusions

IOL at 39 weeks among obese women appears to lower the risk of CD, without compromising maternal outcomes.
Extreme thermal anisotropy in high-aspect-ratio titanium nitride nanostructures for efficient photothermal heating
Authors: Ishii Satoshi , Higashino Makoto , Goya Shinya , Shkondin Evgeniy , Tanaka Katsuhisa , Nagao Tadaaki , Takayama Osamu , Murai Shunsuke
Published: March 2021

High optical absorptivity or a large absorption cross-section is necessary to fully utilize the irradiation of light for photothermal heating. Recently, titanium nitride (TiN) nanostructures have been demonstrated to be robust optical absorbers in the optical range owing to their nonradiative decay processes enhanced by broad plasmon resonances. Because the photothermally generated heat dissipates to the surroundings, suppressing heat transfer from TiN nanostructures is crucial for maximizing the photothermal temperature increase. In the current work, compared to the planar TiN film, high-aspect-ratio TiN nanostructures with subwavelength periodicities have been demonstrated to enhance the photothermal temperature increase by a 100-fold using nanotube samples. The reason is attributed to the extremely anisotropic effective thermal conductivities. Our work has revealed that high-aspect-ratio TiN nanostructures are effective in improving photothermal heating, and they can be used in various applications, such as solar heating, chemical reactions, and microfluidics.
Influence of calcitonin gene-related peptide on model mice with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Hu Jianxiong , Lin Yanya , Chen Shijun , Cai Yangfang , Chen Zhiwei , Lin Wei
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To establish model mice with acute pancreatitis (AP) and study influence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on AP.

Methods

The model mice with AP were firstly established by intraperitoneal injection of successive six doses of caerulein (100 μg/kg) and one dose of lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg). The intraperitoneal injection of CGRP (100 μg/kg) was performed to investigate influence of CGRP on AP, mainly involving the determination of amylase activity and the expression of CGRP and CD20+ B lymphocytes.

Results

CGRP on mice with AP could significantly reduce the severity of pancreatic pathological injury, the activity of amylase and the expression of CD20+ B lymphocytes. CGRP was significantly expressed in pancreatic tissue with AP, but CGRP receptor antagonist down-regulated the expression of CGRP and increased the number of CD20+ B lymphocytes, confirming the protective effect of CGRP on pancreatic tissue.

Conclusions

We preliminarily conclude that CGRP could significantly improve the pancreatic lesions and inflammatory infiltration of pancreas in mice with AP, and reduce the damage of pancreatic acinar cells, by mainly increasing blood flow and blood flow velocity of pancreas to improve the pancreatic microcirculation and effectively reducing the permeability of the microvessels to decrease the pathological damage degree of AP.
The Role of Private Insurance in Governing Work-Related Risks: A Law and Economics Perspective
Authors: Philipsen Niels J. , Faure Michael G.
Published: March 2021

This contribution focuses on the governance of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. Prevention of work-related accidents and diseases and compensation of employee-victims can be the subject of public regulation, such as OHS regulation and social security. However, also private actors may be involved in the regulation of work-related accidents, especially when compensation of damage caused by work-related risks is not (sufficiently) covered by public regulation. These private actors include representatives of employers and employees, but may also include private insurers. In some jurisdictions liability insurers provide supplementary cover for OHS risks and policy-makers often expect that the monitoring by liability insurers will increase safety at work. The main research question addressed in this paper is whether insurers (and more particularly insurers of employers’ liability) are indeed able to contribute to safety at work. Taking a law and economics perspective, we expect that this depends crucially on the possibilities insurers have to control moral hazard and adverse selection. However, the extent to which liability insurers have a financial interest in combatting these phenomena plays an important role. That may crucially depend upon the generosity of the public compensation scheme. First, we recapitulate the economic theory of insurance to the extent that it relates to work-related risks. Second, we address the question whether in some jurisdictions insurers have actually made use of these instruments, based on a literature survey. Third, we examine information on insurance policies offered by insurers in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom, to analyse to what extent theory matches practice.
Troubleshooting algorithms: A book review of Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil
Authors: Berry Pauline
Published: March 2021

Fact: we no longer control our lives, algorithms do. Mortgage-backed securities, college rankings, online advertising, law enforcement, human resources, credit lending, insurance, social media, politics, and consumer marketing; algorithms live within each one of these – collecting, segmenting, defining, and planting each one of us into arbitrary, unassailable buckets. The algorithms and the data that feed this process is what data scientist and international bestselling author, Cathy O’Neil, calls Weapons of Math Destruction (WMDs). In her captivating and frankly, bone-chilling account of the power amassed by algorithms, O’Neil sheds much needed light into the seemingly omnipotent world of destructive algorithms.
 
Keywords: algorithms, algorithmic transparency, algorithmic bias, communications, public relations, ethics, data, predictive models
Blood Flow Restriction Does Not Promote Additional Effects on Muscle Adaptations When Combined With High-Load Resistance Training Regardless of Blood Flow Restriction Protocol
Authors: Teixeira Emerson Luiz , Ugrinowitsch Carlos , de Salles Painelli Vitor , Silva-Batista Carla , Aihara André Yui , Cardoso Fabiano Nassar , Roschel Hamilton , Tricoli Valmor
Published: March 2021

Teixeira, EL, Ugrinowitsch, C, de Salles Painelli, V, Silva-Batista, C, Aihara, AY, Cardoso, FN, Roschel, H, and Tricoli, V. Blood flow restriction does not promote additional effects on muscle adaptations when combined with high-load resistance training regardless of blood flow restriction protocol. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1194–1200, 2021—The aim of this study was to investigate, during high-load resistance training (HL-RT), the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) applied during rest intervals (BFR-I) and muscle contractions (BFR-C) compared with HL-RT alone (no BFR), on maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), maximum dynamic strength (one repetition maximum [1RM]), quadriceps cross-sectional area (QCSA), blood lactate concentration ([La]), and root mean square of the surface electromyography (RMS-EMG) responses. Forty-nine healthy and untrained men (25 ± 6.2 years, 178.1 ± 5.3 cm and 78.8 ± 11.6 kg) trained twice per week, for 8 weeks. One leg of each subject performed HL-RT without BFR (HL-RT), whereas the contralateral leg was randomly allocated to 1 of 2 unilateral knee extension protocols: BFR-I or BFR-C (for all protocols, 3 × 8 repetitions, 70% 1RM). Maximum voluntary isometric contraction, 1RM, QCSA, and acute changes in [La] and RMS-EMG were assessed before and after training. The measurement of [La] and RMS-EMG was performed during the control sessions with the same relative load obtained after the 1RM test, before and after training. Similar increases in MVIC, 1RM, and QCSA were demonstrated among all conditions, with no significant difference between them. [La] increased for all protocols in pre-training and post-training, but it was higher for BFR-I compared with the remaining protocols. Increases in RMS-EMG occurred for all protocols in pre-training and post-training, with no significant difference between them. In conclusion, despite of a greater metabolic stress, BFR inclusion to HL-RT during rest intervals or muscle contraction did not promote any additive effect on muscle strength and hypertrophy.
O Batismo: suas origens na Idade Média e seus usos e significados para os escravos na Freguesia de Nossa Senhora da Vitória, em São Luís, Maranhão (1804-1806)
Authors: Cuba Tayná Silva
Published: March 2021

O presente estudo trata do sacramento do Batismo, a importância que ele adquiriu desde a Idade Média e seus significados, quanto modo de inserção dos sujeitos escravizados em uma sociedade escravocrata-cristã. Nesse sentido, procurou-se observar as reminiscências do rito do período medieval que perpassaram diferentes recortes temporais, relacionando-o com os assentos de batismos do Livro de Registros de Batismos da Freguesia Nossa Senhora da Vitória – Igreja Catedral (ano 1804 – 1806), em São Luís, na época capital da província do Maranhão.Palavras-chave: Batismo, Idade Média, Escravidão. AbstractThe present study is about the sacrament of Baptism, the importance it has acquired since the Middle Ages and its meanings as a way of inserting the enslaved subjects in a Christian-slave society. In this sense, we tried to observe the reminiscences of the rite of the medieval period that permeated different temporal clippings, relating it to the baptism seats of the Livro de Registros de Batismos da Freguesia Nossa Senhora da Vitória – Igreja Catedral (year 1804 - 1806), in São Luís, at the time capital of the province of Maranhão.Keywords: Baptism; Middle Ages; Slavery.
A Ara Pacis Augustae na Itália fascista: breve análise sobre a reagrupação dos fragmentos a partir do Cinegiornale Luce
Authors: Assis Augusto Antônio de
Published: March 2021

O artigo pretende discutir a relação de apropriação do passado romano pelo regime fascista através da mobilização da Ara Pacis Augustae nos cinejornais do Istituto Luce. Para tanto, inicialmente objetivamos traçar um percurso analítico sobre o culto della romanità, mesclando bibliografia especializada e discursos de Benito Mussolini. A posteriori, analisaremos o cinejornal de 01 de dezembro de 1937, do Istituto Luce, em que os fragmentos de Florença da Ara Pacis são condicionados para o transporte a Roma. O esforço final consistirá na problematização das relações estabelecidas entre o conceito de Pax e a Ara Pacis, na Roma Antiga e na Itália Fascista, e os Usos do passado empreendidos por Augusto e Mussolini por meio do monumento.Palavras chave: Usos do passado; Ara Pacis Augustae; Culto della romanità; cinejornal. AbstractThe article intends to discuss the relation of appropriation of the Roman past by the fascist regime through the mobilization of Ara Pacis Augustae in the newsreels of the Istituto Luce. Therefore, we initially aimed to trace an analytical path about the culto della romanità, mixing specialized bibliography and speeches by Benito Mussolini. A posteriori, we will analyze the newsreel of December 1, 1937, of the Istituto Luce, in which the fragments of the Ara Pacis in Florence are conditioned for transport to Rome. The final effort will be to problematize the relations established between the concept of Pax and Ara Pacis, in Ancient Rome and in Fascist Italy, and the Uses of the past undertaken by Augusto and Mussolini through the monument.Keywords: Uses of the past; Ara Pacis Augustae; Culto della romanità; newsreel.
Avaliação no ensino de História: uma experiência no Colégio de Aplicação/UFSC
Authors: Lunardelli Diego , Pinheiro Machado Marco Antônio
Published: March 2021

O artigo apresenta uma análise sobre as possibilidades de entender a avaliação como parte central do processo de ensino/aprendizagem em História. Essa reflexão surge como produto da atividade de regência de classe pertinente à disciplina de Estágio Supervisionado em História II, na Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Portanto, há nesta discussão elementos empíricos (resultados das avaliações formativas, avaliação somativa e autoavaliação da turma), que, em diálogo com referenciais teóricos, permitiram-nos tecer considerações que apontam para resultados propositivos quanto ao uso sistemático de avaliações, por meio de atividades com fontes históricas. Dessa maneira, esse trabalho estabelece uma comparação entre avaliações objetivas e formativas, demonstrando que a utilização de avaliações formativas com fontes históricas pode contribuir para um melhor processo de ensino/aprendizagem.Palavras-Chave: Estágio Supervisionado de História; Colégio de Aplicação; Avaliação; Ensino de História. AbstractThe article presents an analysis of the possibilities of understanding evaluation as a central part of the teaching/learning process in History. This reflection arises as a product of the class activity pertinent to the subject of Supervised Internship in History II, at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Therefore, there are empirical elements in this discussion (results of formative assessments, summative assessment and self-assessment of the class), which, in dialogue with theoretical references, allowed us to make considerations that point to propositional results regarding the systematic use of assessments, through activities with historical sources. Thus, this paper establishes a comparison between objective and formative assessments, demonstrating that the use of formative assessments with historical sources can contribute to a better teaching/learning process.Keywords: Supervised History Internship; Laboratory School; Evaluation; History teaching.
The Legality of the Evidence as a Condition of its Admissibility in Lithuanian Civil Procedure
Authors: Nekrošius Vytautas
Published: March 2021

In the article the author, using comparative as well as other methods of scientific research, analyses the issues related to the admissibility of illegally obtained evidence in civil proceedings. The author intends to answer the question of whether the doctrine of the “fruits of the poisonous tree” is applied in Lithuania and, if so, to what extent.
Problems of Legal Qualification of the Financial Collateral in Cash
Authors: Juzikienė Renata
Published: March 2021

The article analyzes the distinctive features of the financial collateral in cash as a special form of commercial charge. The analysis is relevant for its legal qualification and distinguishment from another form of charge established in the Civil Code – the pledge of monetary funds in the bank account of a pledgor. A proper legal classification of the collateral in cash is important not only for determining the extent of the rights and obligations between the collateral taker and the collateral provider, but also affects the possibility of other financial collateral provider’s creditors to have their claims satisfied in insolvency proceedings. The classification of collateral in cash through the lens of legal consequences, which is used in the legal practice, does not reveal the peculiarities of this type of collateral, therefore the article will examine its other legally significant features. The article also analyses the causes of legal qualification errors and ways to eliminate them.
Belief in Conspiracy Theories About covid-19 Amongst Venezuelan Students: A Pilot Study
Authors: Andrade Gabriel
Published: March 2021

Although researchers have not satisfactorily tracked the origins of COVID-19, there are no indications that this virus has been engineered by human beings. Yet, conspiracy theories blaming either the United States or China, are increasingly popular. For a greater research project to be developed in the future, a pilot study was done, where 165 Venezuelan students were asked in a survey to rate their agreement with conspiracy theories about COVID-19. Although the majority of subjects were skeptical of these claims, the percentage of acceptance of COVID-19 conspiracy theories was still fairly high, if compared to other medical conspiracy theories. Educational level was not a significant predictive factor in acceptance of these conspiracy theories. Acceptance of other conspiracy theories has a significant relation, but only if they cohere with ideological positioning in the Venezuelan context. Likewise, ethnicity also correlated with belief in covid-19 conspiracy theories, but again, mediated by political alignments in the Venezuelan context.
 
How to cite this article: Andrade, G. (2021). Belief in conspiracy theories about covid-19 amongst Venezuelan students: A pilot study. Revista Colombiana de Psicología, 30(1), 79-88. https://doi.org/10.15446/rcp.v30n1.87357
Kannimar Shrines and Iconography
Authors: Beck Brenda E. F.
Published: March 2021

The Kannimar are seven look-alike goddesses affiliated with the Pleiades. In local Tamil folk temples of Tamilnadu’s Kongu area they are worshipped in one cluster, as sisters. They are mediators who occupy a middle ground, both spatially and ritually. The seven are served together, soon after the most prominent gods and goddesses, but ahead of other deities, mainly devotees and service-providers whose shrines are found in the same broad compound. The seven Kannimar provide a key bridge linking local to pan-Indian belief traditions. Their role resembles that of certain women in the human sphere, where it is common for a mother to mediate between father and son, or for a sister to bridge the awkward gap between her family of birth and that of her in-laws. The Kannimar also operate as handmaidens dedicated to the service of the great goddess K?l?. They are her loyal communicators and errand runners. These seven females are youthful charmers, but they are also fierce womb-guardians who have nurturing powers and awesome resurrection abilities. The relative placement of the Kannimar within the local folk universe, can offer us multiple insights into a wide range of human and divine relationships expressed through the Hindu pantheon.
Component resolved diagnosis of egg yolk is an indispensable part of egg allergy
Authors: Lunhui Huang , Yanhong Shao , Shaoshen Li , Huijing Bao , Yunde Liu , Huiqiang Li
Published: March 2021

Introduction and objectives: It was urgent to explain the role of egg yolk allergen sensitization to the egg allergic population and we would evaluate the diagnostic value of allergen components in whole eggs, including egg white and egg yolk.Materials and methods: Firstly, we collected 99 positive and 21 negative sera against egg allergy. Then we used modified enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to survey specific IgE (sIgE) to all-proven and single component in eggs, Ovomucoid (Gal d 1), Ovalbumin (Gal d 2), Ovotransferrin (Gal d 3), Lysozyme C (Gal d 4), Serum Albumin (Gal d 5), and YGP42(Gal d 6) in allergic and non-allergic populations. Last but not least, we studied the sIgE reactivities to egg allergen components by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.Results: Among egg-allergic individuals, nearly 10% were sensitized to five of six egg allergen components, and the cross-reaction frequency between two egg yolk allergens with Gal d 1 was about 30% in the groups diagnosed with egg allergy or non-allergy. The best component-combination diagnosis in egg allergy of Gal d 1+ Gal d 6 demonstrated the largest area under curve (AUC) of 0.994.Conclusions: Our results suggested that there were individual differences in allergenicity of different egg allergen components, especially in the samples negative to egg allergy diagnosed but sensitive to egg yolk components. It was indicated that component resolved diagnosis of egg yolk improved the value for egg allergy management indispensably.
Characterization of severe asthma in the pediatric population
Authors: Vasquez Perez Amalui , Pol Anna Bobé , Rua Hernandez Elizabeth , García Lorenzo Marc , Gomez Serra Alba , Bosque-García Montserrat
Published: March 2021

Introduction and objectives: Relationship between the causal mechanisms of pediatric severe asthma and severity of symptoms would be helpful for developing personalized strategies for treatment and prevention.Materials and methods: For this study, 698 medical histories of asthmatics between 6 and 18 years of age were reviewed in a period of 2 years. Variables analyzed were: age, sex, ethnicity, perinatological history, allergy history, asthma predictive index (API), exposure to tobacco, heavy traffic or epithelium, lung function, age of onset of symptoms, hospitalization admissions/PICU, systemic corticosteroids, daily symptoms control, device prescribe for daily control, and adherence.Results: A total of 86 children with severe asthma were included (12.3%). Mean age 13.3 +/− 1.86 years, sex ratio1:1, mean age of symptom onset 2.765 +/− 3.06 years, mean IgE 1076.18KU / L +/− 1136, mean eosinophils 604c / mcl +/− 511.9, mean of FEV1 93.15% +/− 16.3. Evidently, 70 children (81.4%) had positive API, 68 (79.1%) rhinitis, 34 (39.5%) atopic dermatitis. 73 (83.9%) sensitized to inhalants and 56 (65.1%) to dermatophagoides, 39 (45.3%) passive smokers, 19 (22.1%) exposure to heavy traffic; 55 (64%) showed symptoms with exercise, 35 (40.7%) had audible wheezing. The mean systemic corticosteroid cycles/year was 3.63 +/− 3.23, mean PICU admissions 0.36 +/− 0.83, mean hospital admissions 4.31 +/− 5.3, average emergency room visits/year 19.44 +/− 16.28. 38 (56.7%) had good adherence, 44 (51%) used an MDI device and 39 (45.3%) used dry powder.Conclusions: Children with severe asthma meet the following criteria: premature, positive API, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, high IgE, eosinophilia, passive smokers, exposure to heavy traffic, decreased lung function, and low adherence to controller medication.
The OFD1 protein is a novel player in selective autophagy: another tile to the cilia/autophagy puzzle
Authors: Morleo Manuela , Franco Brunella
Published: March 2021

The autophagy-lysosomal pathway is one of the main degradative routes which cells use to balance sources of energy. A number of proteins orchestrate the formation of autophagosomes, membranous organelles instrumental in autophagy. Selective autophagy, involving the recognition and removal of specific targets, is mediated by autophagy receptors, which recognize cargos and the autophagosomal membrane protein LC3 for lysosomal degradation. Recently, bidirectional crosstalk has emerged between autophagy and primary cilia, microtubule-based sensory organelles extending from cells and anchored by the basal body, derived from the mother centriole of the centrosome. The molecular mechanisms underlying the direct role of autophagic proteins in cilia biology and, conversely, the impact of this organelle in autophagy remains elusive. Recently, we uncovered the molecular mechanism by which the centrosomal/basal body protein OFD1 controls the LC3-mediated autophagic cascade. In particular, we demonstrated that OFD1 acts as a selective autophagy receptor by regulating the turnover of unc-51-like kinase (ULK1) complex, which plays a crucial role in the initiation steps of autophagosome biogenesis. Moreover, we showed that patients with a genetic condition caused by mutations in OFD1 and associated with cilia dysfunction, display excessive autophagy and we demonstrated that autophagy inhibition significantly ameliorates the renal cystic phenotype in a conditional mouse model recapitulating the features of the disease (Morleo et al. 2020, EMBO J, doi: 10.15252/embj.2020105120). We speculate that abnormal autophagy may underlie some of the clinical manifestations observed in the disorders ascribed to cilia dysfunction.
Mobility and Sustainable Religious Tourism – Accessibility of Holy Sites
Authors: Gołębieska Karolina , Ostrowska-Tryzno Anna , Pawlikowska-Piechotka Anna
Published: March 2021

Getting to know the social and spatial conditions of the sustainable development of cultural and religious tourism seems to be an important and timeless problem, because the interest in this form of travel in Poland is not waning. Among tourists – pilgrims there are many people with different disabilities, the elderly and families with young children. However important, the issue of the accessibility of sanctuaries for these groups of tourists has not been the material of a broader and in-depth scientific study in Poland so far, which encourages us to consider these issues in our scientific research. A detailed analysis of the problem, focused on the possibility of removing technical, architectural and spatial barriers in the sanctuaries and in the surroundings of holy sites, seemed to the authors of particular importance in the context of the expected pilgrimage movement in Poland in 2016, in which year the international World Youth Day was organized. One of the assumed and achieved application effects of the research study was the development of the ‘Accessible Sanctuary Card’ (ASC), helpful for the practical assessment of the accessibility of places of religious worship for people with various types of disabilities. The presented paper contains the research final conclusions of the project No. 245 AWF Warsaw (grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education undertaken in 2014–2018.
TOPLAM KALİTE YÖNETİMİNİN GÖRSEL HARİTALAMA TEKNİKLERİ AÇISINDAN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: Bütüner Okan
Published: March 2021

Amaç: Çalışmanın amacı bilimsel haritalama tekniklerine dayalı sistematik bir yaklaşım ile Toplam Kalite Yönetim konusunun literatürde nasıl ele alındığı en çok hangi noktaların araştırıldığını ve alanın gelecekte nasıl bir konuma oturacağını değerlendirmektir.
Yöntem: Bibliyometrik ve doküman analizi yönteminden faydalanılmıştır. Bu iki tekniğin kullanımı sırasında CiteSpace, Wosviewer ve Search Carrot, Google araçları (Google Ngram, Google fusion) gibi çeşitli yazılımlardan faydalanılmıştır. Ortak atıf ağları ve kelimelere dayalı haritalama, atıf patlamaları, dual map çizimi analiz için kullanılan araçlardır.
Bulgular: Toplam Kalite Yönetimi konusu disiplinler arasında en çok yönetim alanında kullanılmaktadır. Ayrıca, konunun en çok kalite yönetim sistemleri, ürün kalitesi gibi anahtar kelimelerle aratıldığı bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır. TKY’ye olan ilginin 1985 yılından sonra arttığı 1995 yılında ise bu ilginin en yükseğe ulaştığı bu yükselişin devamında 2008 yılına kadar sürekli bir iniş yaşadığı görülmüştür. Toplam Kalite Yönetimi konusunu dünyada en çok ABD ve İngiltere ülkelerinde çalışıldığı bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır.
Sonuçlar: İncelenen temel yayınlarda genellikle TKY’nin ürün kalitesine, işletme performansına (verimlilik dahil) etkisinin araştırılması önerilmektedir. Bu noktada sonuç itibariyle TKY’nin yönetim alanında bir yönetim felsefesi olarak kaldığı sürece kavramın popülerliğini yitireceği sonucu çıkarılmıştır. Bunun yerine, bu çalışmaya göre; yalın üretim gibi operasyonel odaklı çalışmalara odaklanılması önerilmektedir.
Design and Implement of Cable Tunnel Monitoring System based on Environmental Engineering
Authors: Liễu Thương
Published: March 2021

At present, the quick advancement of intensity flexibly has carried incredible difficulties to the protected activity of the link and the counteraction of mishaps in power transmission. In any case, utilizing customary manual strategies to keep up the link doesn't satisfy the current need. Accordingly, dealing with the activity of the links by means of cutting edge PC innovation is critical for the force transmission. In this paper, we build up a natural designing based observing framework for link passage to give the ongoing checking just as the mishap taking care of for link activity. It is another answer for the administration of links activity. The paper breaks down the structure of the framework, expounds on the execute, shows the use of the framework lastly makes the end.
Stress-Drop Estimates for Induced Seismic Events in the Fort Worth Basin, Texas
Authors: Jeong Seong Ju , Stump Brian W. , DeShon Heather R. , Quinones Louis
Published: March 2021

Earthquakes in the Fort Worth basin (FWB) have been induced by the disposal of recovered wastewater associated with extraction of unconventional gas since 2008. Four of the larger felt earthquakes, each on different faults, prompted deployment of local distance seismic stations and recordings from these four sequences are used to estimate the kinematic source characteristics. Source spectra and the associated source parameters, including corner frequency, seismic moment, and stress drop, are estimated using a modified generalized inversion technique (GIT). As an assessment of the validity of the modified GIT approach, corner frequencies and stress drops from the GIT are compared to estimates using the traditional empirical Green’s function (EGF) method for 14 target events. For these events, corner-frequency residuals (GIT−EGF) have a mean of −0.31 Hz, with a standard deviation of 1.30 Hz. We find consistent mean stress drops using the GIT and EGF methods, 9.56 and 11.50 MPa, respectively, for the common set of target events. The GIT mean stress drop for all 79 earthquakes is 5.33 MPa, similar to estimates for global intraplate earthquakes (1–10 MPa) as well as other estimates for induced earthquakes near the study area (1.7–9.5 MPa). Stress drops exhibit no spatial or temporal correlations or depth dependency. In addition, there are no time or space correlations between estimated FWB stress drops and modeled pore-pressure perturbations. We conclude that induced earthquakes in the FWB occurring on normal faults in the crystalline basement release pre-existing tectonic stresses and that stress drops on the four sequences targeted in this study do not directly reflect perturbations in pore-fluid pressure on the fault.
Clinico-Epidemiological Characteristics and Impact on Quality of Life in Psoriatic Patients with and without Nail Changes - A Nepalese Experience
Authors: Khare Shikha , Agrawal Sudha
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND Nail involvement in psoriasis is likely to influence the quality of life (QOL) because of its highly visible site; however, the impact of this disease on QOL is an underexplored area. Similarly, the relationship between severity of skin involvement and nail involvement has been overlooked. The study was conducted to evaluate the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of psoriasis patients with and without nail changes and assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Furthermore, the correlation of severity of nail involvement with the severity of skin involvement and its impact on quality of life was assessed. METHODS A total of 370 adult psoriasis patients with or without nail changes was studied. Skin severity was assessed by body surface area (BSA) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) while nail severity was assessed using Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI). Patients’ quality of life was measured using the Nepali Version of Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). RESULTS Nail psoriasis was more prevalent in males in both the groups; females were having more nail involvement (0.041). There were no significant diff erences in other clinico-epidemiologic characteristics between these two groups except the late onset of psoriasis in the age group > 30 years, scalp involvement and absence of family history of psoriasis (P ≤ 0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between the age of onset of skin changes with age of onset of nail involvement (r = 0.799) and the joint involvement (r = 0.742) as well as the age of onset of joint involvement with nail changes (r = 0.838). The mean PASI was 7.265 ± 7.153 vs. 6.189 ± 7.153 in patients with > 10 vs. ≤ 10 total NAPSI score and it was statistically significant (P = 0.011), however, there was a moderate positive correlation between PASI and NAPSI (r = 0.32). Almost half of psoriasis patients had very large to extremely large effects on quality of life but leisure and treatment domain were affected more amongst patients with nail changes. Early onset of joint involvement, body surface area of > 3 % involvement and PASI score > 5 had significant effect on quality of life. CONCLUSIONS The nail involvement is an important finding in determining the severity of skin involvement and had very large to extremely large effect on quality of life particular on leisure and treatment domain. Therefore, nail examination must be done in all psoriatic patients. KEYWORDS Nail Psoriasis, Quality of Life, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, Nail Psoriasis Severity Index
Euro-Atlantic Relations in the XXI Century: Problems and Scenarios
Authors: Arbatova N.
Published: March 2021

The Euro-Atlantic relations after the end of the Cold war have been strongly influenced by the impact of three interrelated crises: the existential crisis of NATO, the world economic and financial crisis, and the crisis in the Russia-West relations. The end of bipolarity has changed the threat environment and revealed how different alliance members formulate their threat perception and foreign policy interests. Europe stopped to be the US foreign policy priority. The US pivot to Asia has raised European concerns about American commitments to collective defense. The removal of the threat of a global conflict resulted in the EU initiatives aimed at promoting integration in the field of common security and defense policy (CSDP). Even though the US has officially welcomed a stronger European pillar in NATO, it has become concerned about new approaches that could divide transatlantic partnership and take resources away from military cooperation. At the same time the unilateralist preferences of the Bush administration generated deep political divisions between the United States and the European Union. The world economic and financial crisis contributed to a dangerous gulf between American and European defense spending. The US has complained about the tendency of the alliance’s European members to skimp on defense spending and take advantage of America’s security shield to free ride. In the absence of a clear external threat NATO tried to draft new missions, which were found in NATO’s expansion to the post-Communist space and Alliance’s out of area operations. But these new missions could not answer the main question about NATO’s post-bipolar identity. Moreover, the Kosovo operation of NATO in 1999 fueled Russia’s concerns about NATO’s intentions in the post-Soviet space. The creeping crisis in the Russia-West relations resulted in the Caucasus and Ukrainian conflicts that provided kind of glue to transatlantic relations but did not return them to the old pattern. There can be several representing possible futures lying ahead. But under any scenario EU will be faced with a necessity to shoulder more of the burden of their own security.
Multivariance: Xi Jinping’ Big Strategic Answer
Authors: Mikheev V. , Lukonin S. , Jeh S.
Published: March 2021

The main trends of the current development of China are the following. First, the growth of domestic political tensions in light of the fight against corruption, and the growing, albeit covert, counter of it by party and military elite. Secondly, the external expansion – as an attempt to compensate for internal political and economic problems. China enters a new path of development, which implies multivariant decisions taken by the government and, therefore, multivariant effects of these decisions both for China itself and for its partners, including Russia. China may intensify or, conversely, slow down the anti-corruption struggle. And, in fact, in both cases domestic political position of Xi Jinping becomes more complicated: either he will make even more enemies, or lose credibility as "the Leader number Three" (after Mao and Deng Xiaoping) in the eyes of society. China could rapidly increase its external economic and military-political expansion, risking to face the growing suspicion of the international community and, above all, of its neighbors. But it may hamper the implementation of the "Silk Road Economic Belt" ("One belt, one road"), with negative consequences for China. In these circumstances, Xi Jinping is to intensify the anti-corruption campaign and offer a strategic response to the increased political tension – the initiative "One belt, one road", a global process with no space or time restrictions. Its main goal is to build a new transport infrastructure as a basis for the economic expansion of the Chinese capital. Acknowledgements. The article is prepared with financial support of the Russian Science Foundation (project №. 14-28-00097 “Optimization of Russian foreign investment relations in conditions of worsening relations with the EU”) at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations.
Trajectories of Nation-Building in Eastern Europe
Authors: Barinov I.
Published: March 2021

The article investigates nation-building trajectories and civic identity formation in Eastern Europe. The indicated processes in Eastern European states are notably different from those in the Western part of Europe. They are hindered by the specific historical development of these countries and by a set of local characteristics in particular. Quite often, there are such obstacles as unresolved ethnic conflicts and non-involvement of minorities in the building of common political and public practices within the state. The paper aims at assessing the current situation, evaluating international and interethnic regulation practices in the region and their efficiency, working out criteria of a civic nation formation in Eastern European countries. This is, first of all, a question of sociocultural and political consolidation. Social activism and civic participation are also significant factors. Finally, the very nature of nationalism and the use of the “alien image” in relation to other ethnic groups within the state are important. On this basis, the article proposes a typology of the countries according to the stage of a civic identity formation, and assesses possible future developments. Acknowledgements. This article was prepared with financial support of the Russian Science Foundation [grant № 15-18-00021 “Regulating interethnic relations and managing ethnic and social conflicts in the contemporary world: the resource potential of civic identity (a comparative political analysis)”]. The research was conducted at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO).
Developing International Migration Policy: Russia’s Contribution
Authors: Pituhina M.
Published: March 2021

The article deals both with the international migration policy and the migration global governance. In the 21st century, the role of migration in the international political process is growing increasingly, the migration discourse is being seriously transformed, the migration situation in Northern and Western Europe changes completely. It is obvious that preventive measures are highly necessary to take. The experience of Northern Europe seems to be highly important for both successful practices determination and migration policy regulation in Russia. By September 2015, the Member States of the United Nations will have negotiated a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs). These goals will frame a new international development agenda to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which expire at the end of 2015. Nowadays the International Organization for Migration is trying to integrate the migration subject into the international agenda, and there are three aspects highlighted: fostering partnerships on mobility and development; promotion and protection of migrants’ rights and wellbeing; reduction of human mobility costs. Today, Russia is active at migration global governance as well. It is visible that both the migration subject integration into the global agenda and the Millennium Development Goals revision are highly important for Russia’s authority strengthening on the international stage, in terms of present-day sanctions. This is the right way which reveals new possibilities for Russia as a global actor as well as new perspective for its influence on the international political process. The author also tries to interlink the migration process and the international political process, the international migration policy and the migration global governance. A new term of the international migration policy is introduced.
Delirium in children – new research directions
Authors: Góźdź Aleksandra , Bienert Agnieszka , Bartkowska-Śniatkowska Alicja , Ber Justyna Alicja , Ista Erwin
Published: March 2021

One of the problems associated with a patient's stay in the hospital and the procedures they undergo is delirium, the occurrence of which is associated with numerous complications, longer stay in the ward, higher risk of death and increased healthcare costs. Scientists are continuing to search for effective methods to minimise the risk of its occurrence, as well as to develop effective therapeutic procedures. One such area of the research is the identification of delirium biomarkers, which would allow further PK/PD (pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic) modelling. This article focuses on the emergence delirium, which occurs in patients recovering from general anaesthesia.
Effect of Repeated Predator Scent Exposure on Excitability of Serotonin Neurons and Stress Markers in Rats
Authors: Dremencov Eliyahu , Grinchii Daniil , Buzgoova Katarína , Lapshin Maxim , Komelkova Maria , Graban Jan , Tseilikman Olga , Tseilikman Vadim , Jezova Daniela
Published: March 2021

Exposure to predator scent (PS) has been used aa a model of stress associated with danger to life and body integrity. We tested the hypothesis that repeated PS exposure alters the excitability of 5-HT neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus. To study the mechanisms involved, we approached serum and adrenal corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations, as well as cortical brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Adult male Sprague-Dawleys rats were exposed to PS for ten minutes daily for ten consecutive days. Two weeks after the last exposure, the selected electrophysiological and biochemical assessments were performed. Measurements by in vivo electrophysiology showed increased spontaneous firing activity of 5-HT neurons in rats exposed to repeated PS. Repeated PS exposure resulted in reduced serum corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations. Concentrations of both corticosteroids in the adrenal glands, as well as the relative weight of the adrenals, were unaffected. The gene expression of hippocampal BDNF of rats exposed to PS remained unaltered. In conclusion, repeated exposure of rats to PS leads to enhanced firing activity of 5HT neurons accompanied by reduced serum, but not adrenal aldosterone and corticosterone concentrations. Reduced corticosteroid concentrations in the blood appear to be the result of increased metabolism and/or tissue uptake. The decrease in circulating corticosterone in rats experienced repeated PS may represent part of the mechanisms leading to increased excitability of 5-HT neurons. The increase in 5-HT neuronal firing activity might be an important compensatory mechanism designated to diminish the harmful effects of the repeated PS exposure on the brain.
Science Informed Water Management Policies
Authors: Loucks Daniel P.
Published: March 2021

Clearly policy makers should consider the impacts of any decisions they might make before making them. Science can provide estimates of various economic, ecologic, environmental, and even social impacts of alternative policies, impacts that determine how effective any particular policy will be. These impact estimates can be used to compare and evaluate alternative policies in the search for identifying the best one to implement. Among all scientists providing inputs to policy making processes are analysts who develop and apply models that provide these estimated impacts and, possibly, their probabilities of occurrence. But just producing them is not a guarantee that they will be considered by policy makers. This paper discusses ways scientists, including systems analysts, can effectively contribute to and inform those involved in making water management decisions. Brief descriptions of a variety of past and on-going water management policy making processes illustrate both some successes and failures of science informing policy.