bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining accelerometry with allometry for estimating daily energy expenditure in joules when in-lab calibration is unavailable
Authors: Chakravarty Pritish , Cozzi Gabriele , Scantlebury David Michael , Ozgul Arpat , Aminian Kamiar
Published: May 2023

Background

All behaviour requires energy, and measuring energy expenditure in standard units (joules) is key to linking behaviour to ecological processes. Animal-borne accelerometers are commonly used to infer proxies of energy expenditure, termed ‘dynamic body acceleration’ (DBA). However, converting acceleration proxies (m/s2) to standard units (watts) involves costly in-lab respirometry measurements, and there is a lack of viable substitutes for empirical calibration relationships when these are unavailable.

Methods

We used past allometric work quantifying energy expenditure during resting and locomotion as a function of body mass to calibrate DBA. We used the resulting ‘power calibration equation’ to estimate daily energy expenditure (DEE) using two models: (1) locomotion data-based linear calibration applied to the waking period, and Kleiber’s law applied to the sleeping period (ACTIWAKE), and (2) locomotion and resting data-based linear calibration applied to the 24-h period (ACTIREST24). Since both models require locomotion speed information, we developed an algorithm to estimate speed from accelerometer, gyroscope, and behavioural annotation data. We applied these methods to estimate DEE in free-ranging meerkats (Suricata suricatta), and compared model estimates with published DEE measurements made using doubly labelled water (DLW) on the same meerkat population.

Results

ACTIWAKE’s DEE estimates did not differ significantly from DLW (t(19) = − 1.25; P = 0.22), while ACTIREST24’s estimates did (t(19) = − 2.38; P = 0.028). Both models underestimated DEE compared to DLW: ACTIWAKE by 14% and ACTIREST by 26%. The inter-individual spread in model estimates of DEE (s.d. 1–2% of mean) was lower than that in DLW (s.d. 33% of mean).

Conclusions

We found that linear locomotion-based calibration applied to the waking period, and a ‘flat’ resting metabolic rate applied to the sleeping period can provide realistic joule estimates of DEE in terrestrial mammals. The underestimation and lower spread in model estimates compared to DLW likely arise because the accelerometer only captures movement-related energy expenditure, whereas DLW is an integrated measure. Our study offers new tools to incorporate body mass (through allometry), and changes in behavioural time budgets and intra-behaviour changes in intensity (through DBA) in acceleration-based field assessments of daily energy expenditure.
Non-destructive methods applied for in situ mechanical diagnosis: Florentine historical buildings in Pietra Serena
Authors: Salvatici Teresa , Centauro Irene , Calandra Sara , Segabinazzi Eugenio , Intrieri Emanuele , Garzonio Carlo Alberto
Published: May 2023

Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) is a key indicator of the mechanical properties of a rock, particularly in the diagnostic and restoration phases when stones are employed as construction material. In historical buildings, it is important to determine UCS values without utilizing tests that involve destructive rock sampling. To estimate UCS, non-destructive techniques, such as ultrasonic pulse velocity (Vp) and Schmidt hammer tests (R), can be combined to provide a useful tool. However, for architectural elements with complex morphology, it is sometimes impossible to perform both ultrasonic and sclerometric test. Three different UCS predictive models, one using R only, one using Vp and one using both, have been developed through regression techniques on a dataset comprising 45 Pietra Serena sandstone samples with varying levels of decay. The models were tested for their performance through Cross-Validation techniques and were then applied to a dataset of Vp and R values measured in situ on Pietra Serena corbels of balconies belonging to historical buildings in Florence (Italy). The specific predictive models were applied to real case studies, and the UCS of the rocks used in historical buildings was calculated, enabling the definition of the mechanical characteristics of building elements belonging to an important cultural context, Florentine historical architecture, without using destructive testing.
Risk factors of colorectal cancer: the comparison of selected nutritional behaviors of medical and non-medical students
Authors: Malinowska Dominika , Milewski Robert , Żendzian-Piotrowska Małgorzata
Published: May 2023

Background

The aim of the study was to compare the diet of medical and non-medical students in relation to colorectal cancer risk factors.

Material and methods

The study included 239 students of various universities in Bialystok, Poland. Respondents were divided into four groups: students of dietetics at the Medical University (SD), students of other fields of study at the Medical University (SMUB), students of the University of Technology (SBUT) and students of the University of Bialystok (SUB). The research tool was an anonymous questionnaire in an electronic form, designed by the authors of this paper.

Results

Overweight was the least common among students of dietetics. Products that may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer were most frequently consumed by students of non-medical universities. Everyday consumption of processed meat products was declared by 2.08% of SD, 24.00% of SMUB, 16.13% of SBUT and 25.93% of SUB. Red meat was consumed several times a week or every day by 25% of SD, 25.33% of SMUB, 48.39% of SBUT and 35.19% of SUB. Fast-food meals consumption once or several times a week was confirmed by 4.17% of SD, 18.67% of SMUB, 27.42% of SBUT and 38.89% of SUB.

Conclusion

The study conducted shows that students expose themselves to colorectal cancer risk factors through their diet.
No predialysis treatment of blood primes in pediatric continuous kidney replacement therapy
Authors: Nagafuchi Hiroyuki , Shono Kenta , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Yamada Kaori , Kajihama Aya , Minami Sakura , Sasaki Kyosuke
Published: May 2023

Background

Pediatric continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) uses blood as the priming fluid in the CKRT circuit to prevent hemodilution and hypotension and is dialyzed using a dialysate before the start of CKRT. This study aimed to investigate the safety of CKRT using a protocol of no predialysis after blood priming in underweight infants, based on hemodynamic and laboratory data changes.

Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort study included children weighing < 5 kg after cardiac surgery treated with CKRT from March 2019 to February 2022. Our protocol is as follows. We used 6-Fr vascular access, 20 mL priming volume of 0.3 m2 cellulose triacetate membrane, 37 mL priming volume of the pediatric extracorporeal circuit, and 57 mL of total extracorporeal volume. Heparin saline was prefilled with the extracorporeal circuit, and then, 30 mL of packed red blood cells was used to prime. Subsequently, the therapy was started without predialysis treatment of blood primes and vasopressin was used as a vasopressor for hypotension. Hemodynamic and laboratory data changes were studied.

Results

CKRT was performed in 8 patients, and 19 circuit connections were analyzed. Hypotension was observed in 10/19 (52.6%) connections, but all patients recovered within approximately 10 min. Ionized calcium, bicarbonate, and pH values were significantly decreased (p = 0.001, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively) before dialysis. However, 60 min after dialysis, pH recovered to predialysis levels and ionized calcium and bicarbonate recovered to > 95% of the levels before extracorporeal circulation. Moreover, potassium levels, which were not significantly different between extracorporeal circulation and dialysis initiation (p = 1.000), were significantly decreased after dialysis (p = 0.046). Lactate and hematocrit did not significantly change either before dialysis (p = 0.131 and 0.071, respectively) or after dialysis compared to the time of extracorporeal circulation (p = 1.000 and 0.591, respectively).

Conclusions

CKRT, using our protocol, could be safely performed without predialysis treatment of blood primes in children weighing < 5 kg.
Medical image classification for Alzheimer’s using a deep learning approach
Authors: Bamber Sukhvinder Singh , Vishvakarma Tanmya
Published: May 2023

Medical image categorization is essential for a variety of medical assessments and education functions. The purpose of medical image classification is to organize medical images into useful categories for the purpose of illness diagnosis or study, making it one of the most pressing issues in the field of image recognition. On the other hand, traditional methods have plateaued in their effectiveness. Additionally, a substantial amount of time and energy is required when employing them to extract and choose categorization features. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most frequent sources of dementia in elderly patients. Metabolic diseases affect a huge population worldwide, and henceforth, there is a vast scope of applying machine learning to find treatments to these diseases. As a relatively new machine learning technique, deep neural networks have shown great promise for a variety of categorization problems. In this research, a model for diagnosing and tracking the development of Alzheimer’s disease that is both accurate and easy to understand has been developed. By following the developed procedure, medical professionals may make deliberations with solid justification. Early diagnosis utilizing these machine learning algorithms has the potential to minimize mortality rates associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This research work has developed a convolutional neural network using a shallow convolution layer to identify Alzheimer’s disease in medical image patches. The total accuracy of proposed classifications is around 98%, which is greater than the accuracy of the most popular existing approaches.
Limited Bariatric Surgery-induced Weight Loss in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes: Predictor Variables in Adipose Tissue
Authors: Osorio-Conles Óscar , Jiménez Amanda , Ibarzabal Ainitze , Balibrea José María , de Hollanda Ana , Vidal Josep
Published: May 2023

Context

The impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) at baseline on limited weight loss (WL) after bariatric surgery (BS) remains controversial, and the potential underlying mechanisms incompletely understood.

Objective

We aimed at gaining further insight on this relationship and identifying novel associations between adipose tissue (AT) parameters and short-term WL outcomes in subjects with or without T2D undergoing BS.

Methods

Mid-term WL trajectories after BS have been evaluated in a cohort of 1659 subjects (cohort 1) with (n = 543) and without T2D (n = 1116). Paired subcutaneous and visceral AT samples were obtained from a cohort of 48 pairs of subjects with and without T2D matched for age, sex, BMI, and type of BS (cohort 2). Differences in AT parameters between groups were evaluated and potential associations with WL response explored.

Results

T2D was independently associated with a 5% lesser mid-term WL in cohort 1, while HbA1c, insulin treatment, and number of T2D medications prior to BS were only related to short-term WL outcomes. In cohort 2, a number of differentially expressed genes in AT were identified between groups, while fat cell size and fibrosis were comparable. Subcutaneous ATG7 expression was found as an independent predictor of limited WL 1 year after surgery (β: −12.21 ± 4.41, P = .008) and its addition to a clinical model significantly improved the amount of WL variability explained (R2 = 0.131 vs R2 = 0.248, F change P = .009).

Conclusion

Our results highlight the importance of T2D as determinant of limited WL following BS and suggest that dysregulated macroautophagy in subcutaneous AT may contribute to this association.
Four Solitudes
Authors: Howie Cary
Published: May 2023

These four lyrics give voice to different intersections of solitude and community, this world and whatever lies beyond or within it. They are propelled and animated, they are done and undone, by desire. Solitude, here, is above all an erotic question.
The Loneliness of the Untimely Man
Authors: Sullivan Karen
Published: May 2023

If solitude can be conceived as having a history, Francesco Petrarca can be said to have experienced this state in a way no thinker had done before him. In classical and late antiquity, it was a commonplace that the wise man (and he was always a man) was never less alone than when alone. Because the wise man reads books and perhaps corresponds with other writers of his day, he feels himself to be in the company of those whose works he is studying. In the Renaissance, however, the humanist feels alienated from the time period in which he is living, and he reads to place himself mentally in a time period where he will not feel so alienated. It is in this spirit that Petrarch writes his letters to Cicero and other classical authors, expressing his longing to live in the time of these kindred spirits. For Friedrich Nietzsche, it is precisely because someone like Petrarch felt himself to be so ill at ease in his own era that he was able to transform that era, reviving a culture with which he felt greater affinity. With Nietzsche, the philosopher has become the untimely man, defined by his solitude.
Designer pigs for xenogeneic heart transplantation and beyond
Authors: Wolf Eckhard , Reichart Bruno , Moretti Alessandra , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig
Published: May 2023

The 2-month-survival of a terminally ill patient who received a genetically modified pig heart has demonstrated that cardiac xenotransplantation could provide a therapeutic option for patients who cannot receive a human organ. Genetic engineering to overcome transplant rejection mechanisms, coagulation dysregulation and overgrowth of xeno-hearts has been the key to this success. The concept of exogenesis – the replacement of specific cellular populations and tissue structures of a pig heart with human cells – is a promising extension of xenotransplantation because it could further reduce immunological and physiological obstacles. Additionally, in the aim of preventing the need for heart transplant, tailored pig models mimicking monogenic cardiac disorders have been developed to test new cellular and molecular therapies. Thus, genetically engineered pigs provide a powerful platform for xenogeneic, exogenic and endogenic restoration of cardiac function.
Physiological responses of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis to temperature: ecological and captivity implications
Authors: HERNANDIS SEBASTIAN , IBARROLA IRRINTZI , TENA-MEDIALDEA JOSE , ALBENTOSA MARINA , PRADO PATRICIA , VÁZQUEZ-LUIS MAITE , GARCÍA-MARCH JOSE RAFAEL
Published: May 2023

The fan mussel Pinna nobilis is experiencing a mass mortality event throughout the Mediterranean Sea. The survival of the remaining isolated populations and the maintenance and reproduction of individuals in captivity could determine the future of the species. This paper examines the clearance rate (CR) and oxygen consumption (VO2) of fan mussel individuals measured under 5 different temperatures (8.5, 14, 18, 23 and 28ºC). The measurements of both physiological variables revealed a threshold limit of thermal tolerance at both extreme temperatures, indicating the critical situation of the remaining populations, which are located in coastal lagoons and shallow bays where these extreme temperatures usually occur. Besides, the high clearance rates observed highlight the significant ecosystem service provided by the species in terms of water filtration, especially in confined waters with low renewal rates. Routine control of the clearance rate as an early warning system is proposed for detecting ailing individuals. Such a system could also be used to improve captivity conditions.
Indoor environmental quality in schools: NOTECH solution vs. standard solution
Authors: Volf Carlo , Martiny Klaus , Andersen Mathias , Engberg Pallesen Bodil
Published: May 2023

Background: In many Danish schools, the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is challenging and studies document a poor IEQ in a majority of existing schools. Municipalities cannot afford comprehensive renovations and expensive mechanical ventilation solutions, hence public schools often suffer from poor indoor environment conditions. This study tests a new façade based, demand-controlled ventilation solution called NOTECH in the renovation of school. The study tests NOTECH vs. existing mechanical ventilation solution, comparing performance of both solutions at Skovbrynet Skole in Denmark.

Methods: The project implements and investigates the effect of the NOTECH solution in a primary school classroom, comparing it to a similar classroom with conventional, mechanical ventilation. Methodically, indoor environmental quality and energy performance is monitored in the two identical classrooms during one school year 2018 - 2019.

Results: The results show that both systems keep the conditions within acceptable limits and CO2 levels below 1000 ppm, which is the requirement according to the Danish Building Regulations. In terms of costs, the NOTECH system has a lower overall cost than the mechanical ventilation system, with total estimated costs for installation, heating, electricity and maintenance amounting to approximately 35% of the mechanical system’s costs. Finally, the results show that the NOTECH solution has a smaller embedded CO2 footprint for building materials, reducing the estimated carbon load by 95% compared to the mechanical ventilation solution.

Conclusions: The performance of the two systems roughly is the same in relation to the indoor environmental quality, temperature, CO2 levels, humidity and noise level. Costs for implementation, energy consumption for heating and CO2 footprint for building materials however, are significantly lower for the NOTECH solution, compared to the mechanical solution.
Whole body vibration and rider comfort determination of an electric two-wheeler test rig
Authors: Krishna Keerthan , Hegde Sriharsha , G T Mahesha , Shenoy B Satish
Published: May 2023

Background: Two-wheeled vehicles are the major mode of transportation in India. Such vehicles are exposed to excessive vibration on the road when compared to four-wheeled vehicles. However, the research on the reduction of whole body vibration in the case of two-wheelers is not explored in detail. The present study predicts rider comfort in the case of an electric two-wheeler as per ISO 2631-1.

Methods: An electric two-wheeler test rig is used in the study. The values of acceleration from the test rig in running conditions are obtained by using NI LabVIEW 2016. The drive cycle of the electric vehicle (EV) test rig is controlled by Sync sols’ EV lab software.  Obtaining the root mean square  (RMS) acceleration from running the test setup, it is compared with the ISO 2631 standard to obtain the rider comfort.

Results: Loading area, traction motor, base mount, and suspension were found to be the strategic points of vibration. RMS acceleration of 0.2 g to 3.29 g obtained at these points are prone to cause discomfort for the rider. Vehicle speed, road profile, and duration of exposure were found to be important parameters affecting the rider’s comfort. About 19 % increase in the vibration amplitude is observed at the loading area when loads are removed. The loading area as corresponds to a rider’s seat in actual vehicle, it is important to reduce these vibrations to make the ride comfortable for the rider.

Conclusions:  A suitable damping technique design is very much essential in reducing these vibrations and improve the rider comfort, as many more non-deterministic vibrations are prone to cause dis-comfort in case of actual on road riding conditions.
Case Report: Case report: An unusual presentation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Bannour Ichrak , Ben Brahim Maroi , Arfa Sondes , Amor Soumaya ben , Ben Mabrouk Asma , Berrich Olfa , Hammemi Sonia
Published: May 2023

Aim: We are reporting a case of an unusual presentation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) with liver involvement.

Case presentation: A 45-year-old male patient presented with erythematous plaques on the face and bilateral nasal obstruction. On physical examination, the patient had a ring-shaped squamous plaque on the face. The laboratory findings revealed an accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate at 100 mm/h, an elevated C-reactive protein at 66 mg/L, hyper gamma globulinemia 16 g/L and an elevated alkaline phosphatase (twice the upper normal limit). The craniofacial and thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) -scans showed ethmoid and maxillary sinusitis, low facial bone density, multiple mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy, diffuse small pulmonary nodules, and hepatomegaly. A cutaneous lesion biopsy, the nasal mucosa, and the liver showed a chronic inflammatory granulomatosis process with necrosis. Serum anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) against PR3 was positive. The clinical, biological, radiological, and histological findings substantiated the diagnosis of GPA. The patient received systemic steroids combined with cyclophosphamide pulses on days 1, 14 and 28 and then he was lost to follow-up.  Two-years later, he presented with a cardiac failure and skin ulcer in the right lower limb. A nasal endoscopic exam showed nasal septum cartilage perforation with resorption of the middle and inferior nasal concha. Two weeks later, he developed a diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and was therefore transferred to the intensive care unit but died of respiratory failure 3 days later.

Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of GPA atypical clinical manifestations.
On dominions of certain ample monoids
Authors: Sohail Nasir , Umar Abdullahi
Published: May 2023

A semigroup S is called left ample if it can be embedded in the symmetric inverse semigroup IX of partial bijections of a non-empty set X such that the image of S is closed under the unary operation α → αα⁻¹, where α⁻¹ is the inverse of α in IX. Right ample semigroups are defined dually. A semigroup is called ample if it is both left and right ample. A monoid is (left, right) ample if it is (left, right) ample as a semigroup. We observe that the dominion of an ample subsemigroup of IX coincides with the inverse subsemigroup of IX generated by it. We then determine the dominions of certain submonoids of In, the symmetric inverse semigroup over a finite chain 1<2<⋯<n.
Implicit-implicit and parametric-implicit surface intersections in Euclidean n-space
Authors: Özçetin Bedia Merih , Düldül Mustafa
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we study the intersection problem of two surfaces in which at least one surface is given by its implicit equation in Euclidean n-space. We first obtain the curvatures of the transversal intersection curve of two implicit surfaces. Later, the intersection problem is studied for a parametric surface and an implicit surface in n-dimensional Euclidean space. Finally, we present examples as applications of the given methods.
Further remarks on permissible covariance structures for simultaneous retention of BLUEs in linear models
Authors: Puntanen Simo , Haslett Stephen , Isotalo Jarkko , Markiewicz Augustyn
Published: May 2023

We consider the partitioned linear model  M12(V0) = { y, X1β1 + X2 β2, V0 } and the corresponding small model  M1(V0) = { y, X1β1 , V0 } . We define the set V1/12 of nonnegative definite matrices V such that every representation of the best linear unbiased estimator, BLUE, of μ1 = X1β1 under M12(V0) remains BLUE under M12(V) . Correspondingly, we can characterize the set V1 of matrices V such that every BLUE of μ1 = X1β1 under M1(V0) remains BLUE under M1(V). In this paper we focus on the mutual relations between the sets V1 and V1/12 .
Psychological burden and disease-related quality of life in dialysis patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic — a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Pawłowski Marcin , Fila-Witecka Karolina , Rymaszewska Marta , Zielińska Dorota , Kłak Renata , Krajewska Magdalena , Rymaszewska Joanna
Published: May 2023

Cel pracy

W niniejszym badaniu staraliśmy się odpowiedzieć na pytanie, czy poziom odczuwanego stresu związanego z pandemią wpływa na jakość życia związaną z chorobą i funkcjonowanie pacjentów dializowanych otrzewnowo i hemodializowanych.

Metoda

Spośród 106 chorych leczonych w stacji dializ Uniwersyteckiego Szpitala Klinicznego podczas pierwszej fali pandemii, zrekrutowano finalnie 73 pacjentów, w tym 61 hemodializowanych (HD) i 12 diali-zowanych otrzewnowo (PD). Do badania zastosowano Skalę Postrzeganego Stresu (The Perceived Stress Scale-PSS), Ogólny Kwestionariusz Zdrowia (The General Health Questionnaire-GHQ-28), Zrewidowaną Skalę Wpływu Zdarzeń (The Impact of Events Scale Revised-IES-R), oraz The Kidney Disease and Quality of Life (KDQOL-SF™).

Wyniki

Blisko połowa respondentów (48%) doświadczała dystresu psychologicznego a 5,6% badanych wykazywało klinicznie istotne objawy psychopatologiczne (GHQ). Połowa grupy badanej deklarowała znaczące wystę-powanie objawów stresu pourazowego (IES-R). Obserwowano wysoki wynik subiektywnie postrzeganego stresu związanego z pandemią w obu grupach badanych. Stwierdzono liczne istotne ujemne korelacje po-między wynikami podskal KDQoL a objawami psychopatologicznymi (IES-R i GHQ) bez istotnych różnic pomiędzy obiema grupami (HD vs PD). Niemal wszystkie podskale KDQoL były istotnie umiarkowanie lub silnie skorelowane z poziomem odczuwanego stresu związanego z pandemią.

Wnioski

Poziom subiektywnie ocenianego stresu związanego z pandemią, nasilenie objawów psychopatologicznych, w tym stresu pourazowego były znaczące w całej grupie pacjentów poddanych terapii nerkozastępczej, nieza-leżnie od rodzaju dializ. Potwierdzone liczne związki pomiędzy domenami jakości życia związanej z chorobą a poziomem odczuwanego stresu i objawami psychopatologicznymi wskazują na pilną potrzebę dostarczania skutecznego wsparcia psychologicznego tej grupie chorych oraz opracowania programów prewencyjnych w zakresie zdrowia psychicznego osób poddanych terapii nerkozastępczej.
Supplementation of evening primrose oil (EPO) - benefits and limitations. Results of the latest studies
Authors: Grosman Sylwia , Winiarz Aleksandra , Wąsala Katarzyna , Wokurka Wojciech , Turek Michał , Szlendak Paula , Toś Katarzyna , Wojtala Kacper , Węgrzyniak Agata , Drobek Dominik
Published: May 2023

Introduction

One of the most frequently used herbal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry is Oenothera biennis, traditionally called evening primrose. Oil extracted from seeds of a plant is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids- omega 6 essential fatty acids (EFAs). Healing properties of evening primrose oil (EPO) have been used for ages in order to alleviate symptoms of various medical conditions. Nowadays, studies and clinical trials are conducted with the aim of verifying its effectiveness.

The aim of the study

Summarize current knowledge on the effectiveness of evening primrose oil in treatments of various diseases.

Material and methods

The search of the Pubmed database was carried out using keywords, in order to find the latest publications. 

Summary 

Despite limitations, research shows that supplements containing evening primrose oil (EPO) demonstrate promising results in treatments of various medical conditions, including menopause, premenstrual syndrome, skin problems or multiple sclerosis. However,  more well-designed clinical trials are needed to evaluate long-term effectiveness.
Major HIV vaccine candidates
Authors: Zdziennicki Wojciech , Zimnicki Patryk , Lato Marta , Iberszer Konrad , Litwiniuk Maria , Zaniuk Marcin , Hurkała Kamil , Antonik Dominika , Denys Barbara , Góra Karolina
Published: May 2023

Introduction and objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus, which is responsible for an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This pathogen is widespread worldwide causing a pandemic that has been going on for decades. Researches around the world are trying to end this situation and it seems that the greatest hope lies in finding an effective vaccine. It is important due to the fact that AIDS and its consequences are responsible even nowadays for death of many people infected around the world. The aim of this study was to provide the most important information about major HIV vaccine trials and efficacy of vaccine candidates.

Materials and methods: For the purposes of writing this article, the available literature was reviewed. The database of medical publications – Pubmed datebase and other publicaly available books, database and online sites was searched, with the use of keywords such as HIV, HIV vaccine, HIV epidemiology.

State of knowledge: According to review studies HIV vaccine trials has been going for 4 decades. Over 250 trials has been conducted since then, but unfortunately, none of them resulted in effective vaccine. The difficulties of this task are mainly connected with the nature of HIV virus. To date, one study has shown some effectiveness, but not enough to claim success. Other studies are ongoing around the world and more are planned.

Conclusions: Developing an effective HIV vaccine is the clue to solving the problem, which is new HIV infections. Further researches, further research funding and international cooperation are needed to end this pandemic.
Erythema nodosum as a manifestation of many systemic diseases
Authors: Kojder Dominika , Pawlak Weronika , Szymańska Julia , Musiał Lena , Możdżyńska Agnieszka , Kapłon Kamil , Kamińska Izabela , Rymarz Anna , Frączek Paulina , Sołtys Mirosław
Published: May 2023

Introduction and purpose: Erythema nodosum is a most frequent form of panniculitis and it appears as erythematous, painful rounded, nodules typically localized on the pretibial area. The purpose of our review is to present diseases that can be underlying causes of erythema nodosum and to draw attention to accompanying symptoms that can guide us to the appropriate diagnosis.
Brief description of the state of knowledge: Currently, erythema nodosum is thought to be a symptom associated with hypersensitivity reactions to various antigens. Although the majority of the causes are considered idiopathic, erythema nodosum may be caused by many etiological factors.
Summary: Erythema nodosum is usually an acute condition that resolves without treatment. However, it can sometimes be the first sign of a serious condition - autoimmune diseases, infections or malignancy. In such cases it is essential to observe it carefully and implement appropriate diagnostics that allow us to make a correct diagnosis.
El enigma de Iñigo Lopes.
Authors: Orce Villar Alfonso
Published: May 2023

El presente artículo ahonda en la fascinación por el personaje “retratado” como alguien significativo en su época y por el hecho de ser enterrado en la iglesia de Santa Ana. No hay una base sólida sobre la teoría de que se trate de un esclavo y se sigue sin saber quién era el misterioso personaje que representaba la Lauda de Iñigo Lopes, pintada por Niculoso Pisano en 1503 en azulejos, y que se conserva en la iglesia de Santa Ana de Triana (Sevilla).
El arte de llevar cuenta y razón.
Authors: Hernández Borreguero José Julián
Published: May 2023

En la Era Moderna española los eruditos mantienen una distinción entre ciencia y arte para las disciplinas que se estudiaban. La ciencia es propia de los campos más definidos y concretos, mientras que el arte se plantea como un conjunto de reglas para hacer las cosas bien. Bajo esta concepción se conciben como artes disciplinas tales como la Economía. Este artículo presenta la visión artística de la Economía, en general, y de la Contabilidad, en particular, y su evolución hasta el presente.
An Examination of the Dynamics of Crowdsourcing Contests: Role of Feedback Type
Authors: Sanyal Pallab , Ye Shun
Published: May 2023

As more businesses are turning to crowdsourcing platforms for solutions to business problems, determining how to manage the sourcing contests based on their objectives has become critically important. Aside from static design parameters, such as the reward, a lever organizations can use to dynamically steer contests toward desirable goals is the feedback offered to contestants during the contest. In this study, first, using the psychology literature on the theory of feedback intervention, we classify feedback into two types: outcome and process. Second, using data from almost 12,000 design contests, we empirically examine the effects of the two types of feedback on the convergence and diversity of submissions following feedback interventions. We find that process feedback, providing goal-oriented information to contestants, fosters convergent thinking, leading to submissions that are similar. Outcome feedback, on the other hand, encourages divergent thinking, producing a greater variety of solutions to a problem. Furthermore, the effects are strengthened when the feedback is provided earlier in the contest rather than later. Based on our findings, we offer insights on how practitioners can strategically use an appropriate form of feedback to either generate greater diversity of solutions or efficient convergence to an acceptable solution.
Efficacy of Butorphanol and Tramadol as an Adjuvant to Levobupivacaine for Postoperative Analgesia in Brachial Plexus Block – A Randomized Double-Blind Study
Authors: Lalwani Jaya , Sashank A. , Chaudhari Ravi
Published: May 2023

Background: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block has evolved as a safe alternative to general anaesthesia with good postoperative analgesia. In an attempt to hasten the onset of block and increase the duration of postoperative analgesia, various adjuvant drugs are used along with local anesthetic agents. Aim: The present study was undertaken to assess the analgesic efficacy of butorphanol (2mg) and tramadol (100 mg) as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block during perioperative period. Study Design: This was a prospective, randomized, double blind study done on 100 adult patients of ASA I-III aged between 18-65 years and scheduled for various upper limb surgeries below the level of elbow. Materials and Methodology: Patients were allocated by computer generated random draw into two groups of 50 each and were administered the study drugs under ultrasonographic guidance. Both groups received 22ml of the study drug (Group B 20 ml 0.5% levobupivacaine + Butorphanol 2mg and Group T 0.5% levobupivacaine + Tramadol 100 mg). Patients were assessed for duration of postoperative analgesia, onset & duration of sensory as well as motor blockade and occurrence of any side effects. Results: Duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly elevated in group B (683±88.58 min), as compared to group T (483.2±45.24 min.) with p<0.001. Onset of sensory and motor blockade was comparable among both groups (p>0.05). Duration of sensory and motor block in group B was significantly longer compared to group T (p<0.001). Hemodynamics were stable and side effects were minimal in both the groups. Conclusion: Butorphanol 2mg when added to 20ml 0.5% levobupivacaine in brachial plexus block, significantly prolongs the duration of postoperative analgesia, sensory and motor block as compared to addition of 100 mg tramadol, with minimal side effects and hemodynamic changes. However, these adjuvants shorten the onset times of sensory and motor block to a similar extent. Keywords: Brachial plexus block, Levobupivacaine, Butorphanol, Tramadol, Analgesia.
Prospective Comparative Double-Blind Study on Ultrasound-Guided Pericapsular Nerve Group Block Versus Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Block for Perioperative Analgesia in Traumatic Hip Surgeries
Authors: Bhalerao Chetana , Dudhedia Ujjwalraj
Published: May 2023

Background: Severe pain in hip fractures limits ideal positioning for spinal anaesthesia. We evaluated the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group block (PENG) and suprainguinal fascia iliaca block (SIFI) for positioning and postoperative pain relief in hip surgeries. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study including 30 patients aged 30-90 years of either sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists’-physical status score I to II undergoing traumatic hip surgeries were divided into two groups. Each group was administered 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% + 10 ml lignocaine 1%. Vitals and visual analogue scale (VAS) score pre-block, 10 mins post-block, after shifting to operation theatre and after positioning; at rest, and after straight leg raise (SLR) and quadriceps muscle strength were noted. The remaining aspects of perioperative care, including subarachnoid block and rescue analgesic techniques were standardized. Time to request first rescue analgesia, duration of block, and incidence of nausea was noted. Statistical analysis done using the Student t test, Chi-Square test. Results: VAS scores in both groups 10 mins post block at rest, after SLR, and after positioning were comparable. The drop in VAS score although statistically insignificant was more in the PENG group. The motor blockade in SIFI was significantly higher compared to the PENG group (p-0.002). Duration of analgesia with SIFI 551.9 (±56.2) min was longer than PENG block 400.4 (±62.8) min (p=0.0005%). No significant difference between the groups to demographics, hemodynamic parameters, rescue analgesia and incidence of nausea. Conclusion: PENG block provides superior and faster analgesia with potentially motor sparing effect compared to SIFI block whereas SIFI provides longer duration of analgesia. Keywords: Analgesia, Pain, Regional Anaesthesia, Ultrasonography
To Remove or Not to Remove a Broken Perineural Catheter Fragment?
Authors: Pethkar Trupti , Wagh Harshal
Published: May 2023

Fracture of femoral perineural catheter during insertion is the extremely rare complication of an otherwise low risk procedure. In such a scenario, whether to leave the catheter in situ or extract it by surgical exploration is the dilemma. We present two cases of broken femoral perineural catheter incurred during insertion. Since patients do not complain of any kind of immediate pain or discomfort, after shearing of the catheter, the decision making regarding the further management is difficult. But, there are incidences of long term complication like femoral neuritis leading to constant dragging pain. This makes us uncomfortable and force to think whether these broken fragments should left in situ. Keywords: Femoral perineural catheter, Femoral nerve block, Fractured catheter fragment
Development and Marxism: a brief genealogy
Authors: Munck Ronaldo
Published: May 2023

Development and Marxism are both discourses with a complex and not-always-consistent genealogy. This article seeks to (re)set the dialogue between them through a process of deconstruction. It shows the substantial shift in the position of Karl Marx from a somewhat evolutionist conception of development to one that aligns more with our understanding of combined and uneven development. It outlines Lenin’s epistemological break from an orthodox or evolutionist view of development to a view of the global economy via the hinge of ‘imperialism’. This ushers in a new view of capitalism as non-homogeneous rather than one where part of the world develops and another ‘underdevelops’. Finally, we offer some thoughts on development in the era of globalisation that, to some extent, confirms Marx’s original intuition that capitalism would come to spread across the world.
Political violence and mobilisation in Brazil’s Amazonian region during Bolsonaro’s government (2019–2022)
Authors: Cavalcanti Roxana Pessoa , Benzaquen Guilherme Figueredo , da Silva Ribeiro Gomes Simone , Porto Almeida Victor
Published: May 2023

In recent years, Brazil has experienced rising violence against activists and increasing deforestation levels in the Amazon. The processes leading to those events are not new. However, various discourses and events have intensified and underpinned extractive interests during Bolsonaro’s government. Hence, this article analyses the relationship between the State and activists in the Brazilian Amazon region between 2019 and 2022. It focuses on three regional paradigmatic case studies: (1) the ongoing gold miners’ (garimpeiros) invasion of the Yanomami territory; (2) the arrest of four environmentalists accused of setting fire to the forest in 2019; and (3) the murder of the journalist Dominic Phillips and the Indigenist Bruno Pereira in 2022. The case studies utilise publicly available data from reports, interviews, press releases and newspaper articles. Our main objective is to provide an overview of the characteristics of an increasingly antagonistic relationship between activists and the State. Drawing on those cases, the article builds on mobilisation theories, particularly Political Process Theories. Our central argument is that there are evident differences in the forms of repression activists face during far-right governments. This context shapes activism distinctively in the Amazonian region because violence routinely challenges social and environmental justice activism. Moreover, the current violence points to broader social questions and struggles between activists and agents of repression.
PDM-SHD NFDM transmission with envelope-detection feedback polarization tracking and optical injection locking
Authors: Chen Junda , Hu Zihe , Yang Zheng , Chen Yizhao , Zhang Mingming , Zeng Yifan , Li Weihao , Cheng Chen , Zhou Ziwen , Wang Xuefemg , Liu Deming , Tang Ming
Published: May 2023

Nonlinear frequency division multiplexing (NFDM) systems, especially the eigenvalue communications have the potential to overcome the nonlinear Shannon capacity limit. However, the baud rate of eigenvalue communications is typically restricted to a few GBaud, making it challenging to mitigate laser frequency impairments such as the phase noise and frequency offset (FO) using digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms in intradyne detections (IDs). Therefore, we introduce the polarization division multiplexing-self-homodyne detection (PDM-SHD) into the NFDM link, which could overcome the impact of phase noise and FO by transmitting a pilot carrier originating from the transmitter laser to the receiver through the orthogonal polarization state of signal. To separate the signal from the carrier at the receiver, a carrier to signal power ratio (CSPR) unrestricted adaptive polarization controlling strategy is proposed and implemented by exploiting the optical intensity fluctuation of the light in a particular polarization rather than its direct optical power as the feedback. Optical injection locking (OIL) is used subsequently to amplify optical power of pilot carrier and mitigate the impact of signal-signal beat interference (SSBI). Additionally, the effects of cross-polarization modulation (XPolM) and modulation instability (MI) in long haul transmission are explored and inhibited. The results show that the tolerable FO range is about 3.5 GHz, which is 17 times larger than the ID one. When 16-amplitude phase shift keying (APSK) or 64-APSK constellations are used, identical Q-factor performance can be obtained by using distributed feedback (DFB, ∼10 MHz) laser, external cavity laser (ECL, ∼100kHz), or fiber laser (FL, ∼100 Hz), respectively, which demonstrates that our proposed PDM-SHD eigenvalue communication structure is insensitive to the laser linewidth. Under the impact of cycle slip, the Q-factor difference of 16-APSK signal between the ECL-ID system and ECL-SHD system can be up to 8.73 dB after 1500 km transmission.
O-band TE- and TM-mode densely packed adiabatically bent waveguide arrays on the silicon-on-insulator platform
Authors: Zafar Humaira , Paredes Bruna , Villegas Juan , Rasras Mahmoud , Fernandes Pereira Mauro
Published: May 2023

An efficient, dual-polarization silicon waveguide array with low insertion losses and negligible crosstalks for both TE and TM polarizations has been reported using S-shaped adiabatically bent waveguides. Simulation results for a single S-shaped bend show an insertion loss (IL) of ≤ 0.03 dB and ≤ 0.1 dB for the TE and TM polarizations, respectively, and TE and TM crosstalk values in the first neighboring waveguides at either side of the input waveguide are lower than −39 dB and −24 dB, respectively, over the wavelength range of 1.24 µm to 1.38 µm. The bent waveguide arrays exhibit a measured average TE IL of ≈ 0.1 dB, measured TE crosstalks in the first neighboring waveguides are ≤ −35 dB, at the 1310 nm communication wavelength. The proposed bent array can be made by using multiple cascaded S-shaped bends to transmit signals to all optical components in integrated chips.
Cervical cancer screening utilization and associated factors among female health workers in public health facilities of Hossana town, southern Ethiopia: A mixed method approach
Authors: Jemal Zemzem , Chea Nana , Hasen Habtamu , Tesfaye Tsegaab , Abera Netsanet
Published: May 2023

Backgrounds

Worldwide, a substantial proportion of women have low cervical cancer screening services utilization. There is a paucity of evidence in utilization of cervical cancer screening services among female health workers and inconsistent findings in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the utilization of cervical cancer screening services and associated factors among female health workers in public health facilities of Hossana town, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods

Facility-based cross-sectional study design complemented with the qualitative inquiry was conducted among randomly selected 241 study participants in Hossana town from June 1 to July 1, 2021. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables with the assumption of a variable with a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim then translated to English and analyzed using open code version 4.03.

Results

Out of the total study participants, 19.6% was screened for cervical cancer. Having a diploma level of education (AOR = 0.48;95%CI:0.24,0.98), having three or more children (AOR = 3.65;95%CI:1.44,9.21), having multiple sexual partners(AOR = 3.89;95%CI: 1.38,11.01), and knowledge of cervical cancer screening (AOR = 2.66;95% CI:1.19,5.95) were statistically significantly associated with cervical cancer screening utilization. In-depth interviews suggested additional barriers for low screening utilization including lack of health educational materials, limitation of service to a specific area, service interruption, provider incompetency, and miss-trust and lack of attention by a trained provider.

Conclusion

Utilization of cervical cancer screening service among female health workers is low. Having a diploma level of education, having three or more children, a history of multiple sexual partners, and knowledge about cervical cancer were predictors of cervical cancer screening utilization. Contextualized health talks and promotion through training with a special focus on low level of knowledge, had lower educational level, and the availability of cervical cancer screening services are critical.