bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brand loyalty
Authors: Páramo Morales Dagoberto
Published: July 2021

La literatura existente sugiere que la lealtad del consumidor es un conceptocomplejo que puede ser definido, básicamente, de dos maneras (Andreasseny Lindestad, 1998; Richards, 1998; Oliver, 1999; Ganesh, Arnold yReynolds, 2000):• Como una actitud, donde se dan cabida sentimientos y afectos positivoshacia un producto o una organización• Como un comportamiento afectivo, materializado en la repeticiónde las compras del mismo producto o al mismo proveedor.
The long-term effect of competition on public school achievement: Evidence from the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program
Authors: Canbolat Yusuf
Published: July 2021

Despite a vast literature on school vouchers, less is known about their long-term competitive effects on public schools. The current paper examines the competitive effect of the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, the largest single voucher program in the US, on math and ELA proficiency rates in public schools in the last eight years. Exploiting school vouchers' market share as the primary measure of competition, I use two-way fixed effects regression and event study framework to examine the competitive effect. Results indicate that, although competition has a positive effect in the earlier years, it is detrimental in the long term, suggesting that the program created a “voucher shock” that led to an improvement in the short term. However, in the long term, the proficiency rates in public schools that faced higher competition fell and never increased again. The trend of voucher recipients who have prior public-school attendance revealed that the worsening proficiency rates in the public schools that face higher competition were driven by the departure of relatively high achieving students, suggesting that school vouchers inspire sorting. The results are robust to alternative specifications that use the variation in the interaction between the market share of vouchers and geospatial measures of private school density.
An Experimental Investigation and Aspen HYSYS Simulation of Waste Polystyrene Catalytic Cracking Process for the Gasoline Fuel Production
Authors: Thambiyapillai Selvaganapathy , Ramanujam Muthuvelayudham
Published: July 2021

Plastic wastes are necessary to recycle due to their disposal issues around the world. They can be recycled through various techniques i.e., mechanical reprocessing, mechanical recycling, chemical recycling and incineration. Most recycling techniques are expensive and end up in producing low-grade products excluding chemical recycling; it is an eco-friendly way to deal with plastic waste. Catalytic cracking is one of the chemical recycling methods, for converting waste plastics into liquid fuel same as commercial fuels. An experimental investigation of polystyrene catalytic cracking process was conducted with impregnated fly ash catalyst and 88.4% of liquid product yield was found as a maximum at optimum operating conditions 425 ̊C and 60 min. The liquid fuel quality was analyzed using FTIR spectra analysis, GC/MS analysis and Physico-chemical property analysis. The GC/MS analysis shows that the fly ash cracking of polystyrene leads to the production of gasoline fuels within the hydrocarbon range of C3-C24, and the aliphatic and aromatic functional compounds were detected using FTIR analysis. Moreover, the Aspen Hysys simulation of polystyrene catalytic cracking was conducted in a pyrolytic reactor at 425 ̊C and at the end of the simulation, 93.6% of liquid fuel yield was predicted. It was inferred that the simulation model for the catalytic cracking is substantial to fit the experimental data in terms of liquid fuel conversion
Od retoryki ekfrazy do antropologii kina. Współczesna poezja filmowa a „opowiadanie filmów”
Authors: Koschany Rafał
Published: July 2021

W artykule podjęta została próba zgromadzenia oraz interpretacji kilkunastu wierszy filmowych, m.in. S. Grochowiaka, K. Rodowskiej, A. Kuśniewicza, B. Zadury, K. Hoffmana, J. Oszeldy, G. Olszańskiego. Spośród rozmaitych przykładów relacji transmedialnych (film – literatura) wyróżniono te przykłady, które można by – zgodnie z tradycją retoryczną – nazwać ekfrazami. Fenomen poetyckich ekfraz dzieł filmowych uzupełniony został o kontekst kulturowy związany z odmiennymi tradycjami opowiadania filmów, traktowanych jako powszechna praktyka (amatorska, profesjonalna, artystyczna) i ujmowanych w ramach antropologii kina.
Między historią i (zniekształconą) pamięcią. Ukryte monogramy przeszłości w Królu Obojga Sycylii Andrzeja Kuśniewicza
Authors: Zając Antoni
Published: July 2021

Artykuł poświęcony jest powieści Andrzeja Kuśniewicza z 1970 roku zatytułowanej Król Obojga Sycylii. Jest ona analizowana jako intertekstualna metapowieść historiograficzna mówiąca o relacji między pojedynczym podmiotem, jego zniekształconą i naznaczoną przez transgeneracyjne przekazy pamięcią oraz zdarzeniami historycznymi, w które jest uwikłany. Szczególną uwagę poświęcono tym aspektom utworu, które zbliżają jego narracyjną strukturę do narracji filmowej, zgodnie z sugestią Paula Coatesa. W interpretacji wykorzystano również koncepcje Siegfrieda Kracauera oraz Nicolasa Abrahama i Marii Török. Od tych autorów pochodzą ponadto kluczowe dla wywodu pojęcia monogramu i kryptonimu.
Przeszłość a historia. O poetyce powieści historycznej
Authors: Hendrykowski Marek
Published: July 2021

Studium zawiera próbę ponownego rozpoznania splotu relacji pomiędzy przeszłością, historią i mitem historycznym, ujmowanych interdyscyplinarnie: w perspektywie narratologicznej, kognitywistycznej i antropokulturowej. Autor dokonuje redefinicji problematyki zależności łączących i dzielących terminy „przeszłość”, „historia” i „mit”, wskazując na odmienność poetyki różniących się między sobą sposobów i form narracji historycznej oraz poznawczą użyteczność kategorii znaku, struktury semantycznej i funkcji znaczeniowej w refleksji badawczej nad wszelkiego rodzaju artystycznymi i nieartystycznymi przekazami dotyczącymi przeszłości.
Structural insights into the modulation of PDGF/PDGFR-β complexation by hyaluronan derivatives
Authors: Balamurugan Kanagasabai , Koehler Linda , Dürig Jan-Niklas , Hempel Ute , Rademann Jörg , Hintze Vera , Pisabarro M. Teresa
Published: July 2021

Angiogenesis is an important physiological process playing a crucial role in wound healing and cancer progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) are key players in angiogenesis. Based on previous findings regarding the modulation of VEGF activity by glycosaminoglycans (GAG), here we explore the interaction of hyaluronan (HA)-based GAG with PDGF and its receptor PDGFR-β by applying molecular modeling and dynamics simulations in combination with surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Computational analysis on the interaction of oligo-hyaluronan derivatives with different sulfation pattern and functionalization shows that these GAG interact with PDGF in relevant regions for receptor recognition, and that high sulfation as well as modification with the TAMRA group convey stronger binding. On the other hand, the studied oligo-hyaluronan derivatives are predicted to scarcely recognize PDGFR-β. SPR results are in line with the computational predictions regarding the binding pattern of HA tetrasaccharide (HA4) derivatives to PDGF and PDGFR-β. Furthermore, our experimental results also show that the complexation of PDGF to PDGFR-β can be modulated by HA4 derivatives. The results found open the path for considering HA4 derivatives as potential candidates to be exploited for modulation of the PDGF/PDGFR-β signaling system in angiogenesis and related disease conditions.
Public versus Private: New Insights into the Private Company Discount
Authors: Goetz Sabrina
Published: July 2021

We examine whether private companies are valued with a discount compared to publicly traded companies. The analysis is based on a comparison of private company transactions with those of public companies. Whereas prior studies build pairs based on industry membership, we match private companies with public counterparts that are comparable in value relevant firm characteristics, i.e. profitability, risk, and growth, to calculate the percentage difference in valuation multiples. We find that private companies are valued on average with a discount on the EBITDA-multiple of 13% compared to their public counterparts. Private companies sell at lower discounts, if the acquirer firm is publicly listed. As size is associated with lower risk, we show that larger private companies sell at lower discounts.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in new-onset type 1 diabetes in children during pandemic in Belgium
Authors: Messaaoui Anissa , Hajselova Lucia , Tenoutasse Sylvie
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Questions are emerging concerning the long-term consequences of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, as a possible increase in type 1 diabetes. This study aims to describe the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children developing type 1 diabetes during this pandemic in Belgium.

Methods

This observational study included children and adolescents (under 16 years) admitted with new-onset type 1 diabetes. SARS-CoV-2 serology was taken within the first month of diabetes.

Results

Of the 75 participants, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were positive in 20% of patients. They had an increased bicarbonate and base excess at diagnosis. Overall 29% of patients presented diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis and 9% of them were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Insulinoma-associated protein 2 antibodies positivity had significantly higher frequencies in children without anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (49 (81%) vs. 5 (33%), p=0.038). Nine (15%) patients, initially seronegative, have developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies between the two samples (mean time 8 ± 4 weeks).

Conclusions

The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (20%) is similar to that found in children without diabetes in Belgium, a country severely affected by this pandemic.
Spatial variation of small mammal communities in northwestern Argentina
Authors: d’ Hiriart Sofía , Cueto Gerardo , Ortiz Pablo E. , Teta Pablo , Jayat J. Pablo
Published: July 2021

Northwestern Argentina (NWA) is a region characterized by a complex geomorphology, and encompasses six ecoregions in a relatively small area. The environmental heterogeneity of NWA and the sensitivity of small mammals towards environmental and landscape changes constitute a good scenario to assess the factors that influence small mammal diversity patterns in the region. We studied small mammal communities obtained from pellet samples in 24 localities of NWA. We identified 50 non-volant small mammal species and obtained topographic, climate and land cover variables. Our results show that small mammal communities respond to environmental factors at a regional scale. Such variations were explained in different proportions by the geographic position of the collecting sites, landscape and climate. Furthermore, the combined effect of these factors was the main determinant of species abundance patterns. Our results support the need of large-scale approaches to study communities, since the explanations of the observed patterns are simpler and more general. We emphasize the importance of considering the combined effect of different environmental predictors, which allows determining the amount of species variation that is spatially structured, and within that, the amount of variation related to the influence of the measured environmental variables.
Crystal structure of 3,5-bis((E)-4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)-1-methylpiperidin-4-one, C24H21F6NO3
Authors: Zhou Xia , Sun Zhong-Hao , Shan Guang-Zhi , Meng Qing-Guo
Published: July 2021

C24H21F6NO3, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 16.0076(10) Å, b = 7.7424(4) Å, c = 17.3259(11) Å, β = 96.161(5)°, V = 2134.9(2) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0563, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1517, T = 100.0(1) K.
Sexual Behavior and Substance Use in Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Non-specific Associations Between a Range of Sexual Behaviors and Alcohol, Nicotine, and Marijuana Use
Authors: Roberts Hannah , Clark D. Angus , Kalina Claire , Sherman Carter , Heitzeg Mary M. , Hicks Brian M.
Published: July 2021

Sexual behaviors and substance use exhibit high rates of co-occurrence and similar patterns of age-related change, with typical initiation in middle adolescence followed by large increases in late adolescence and emerging adulthood. Because adolescent sexual behaviors are associated with negative health consequences including sexually-transmitted infections and substance use, adolescent sexual behaviors are often conceptualized within a health-risk framework. Sexual development, however, is a normative process important for healthy psychosocial adjustment, with the timing (early vs later initiation) and context (casual vs romantic partner) of sexual behaviors influencing their association with health risks. We tested whether seven common sexual behaviors could be conceptualized as markers along a continuum of sexual development (e.g., from kissing and making out to oral, vaginal, and anal sex) and then examined their associations with various measures of substance use in a sample of adolescents and young adults (N = 626; ages 13-22 years old). We found a 2-parameter logistic item response theory model provided a good fit to the prevalence and covariance among the sexual behaviors, with each behavior holding a different location on a trait representing the progression of sexual development. Each sexual behavior was associated with greater substance use even after adjusting for an early initiation of sexual behavior, current age, biological sex, and socioeconomic status. The results indicate that even normative sexual behaviors have strong and non-specific associations with substance use in adolescence and emerging adulthood.
Comparative assessment of circulatory autonomic regulation in the patients with coronary artery bypass graft or valvular heart disease correction
Authors: Kiselev Anton , Wulf Kristina , Shvartz Vladimir , Karavaev Anatoly , Borovkova Ekaterina , Bokeria Olga
Published: July 2021

The objective of our study was to investigate the features of circulatory autonomic regulation in the patients with a coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or correction of a valvular heart disease (CVHD). Material and Methods. Our study enrolled 42 patients (including 12 women) aged 63 (57; 67), who underwent CABG; and 36 patients (including 16 women) aged 58 (47; 65), who underwent CVHD. Simultaneous 15-minute recordings of electrocardiograms and photoplethysmograms (PPG) were performed on all patients before and after the surgery. We assessed and analyzed statistical and frequency-related measures of heart rate variability (HRV) and index of synchronization (S) among low-frequency (LF) oscillations in HRV and PPG. Results. The values of most autonomic regulation indices in our study did not have statistically significant differences among the patients with CABG and CVHD at all stages of research. The exception was represented by the heart rate, which was higher before CVHD (p=0.013). Conclusion. In all patients with CABG, the values of HRV and S did not depend on the differences in their clinical statuses or performed cardiac surgical interventions.
Cerebroprotective effect of xantohumol sensu experimental stroke model: study design and preliminary results
Authors: Saitgareyeva Aigul , Akhmadeyeva Leyla
Published: July 2021

The objective of our study was to evaluate the cerebroprotective effect of xanthohumol (ХN) on experimental models of acute ischemic stroke in vivo and in vitro.
Materials and methods. We used middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) as in vivo and in vitro models. Our study subjects were Sprague-Dawley rats, which were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group and two MCAO groups with and without XN. The primary culture of cortical neurons was obtained from newborn rats. We employed the Bederson test and the corner test to evaluate neurological disorders.
Results. The preliminary results indicated a possible cerebroprotective effect of XN in an ischemic stroke model.
Conclusion. Preventive administration of XN before cerebral ischemia in an experiment can effectively reduce the volume of cerebral infarction and improve neurologic deficit 24 hours after MCAO.
A positive COX-2/IL-1β loop promotes decidualization by upregulating CD82
Authors: Qu Qiu-Chan , Shen Hui-Hui , Wang Cheng-Jie , Zhang Xin-Yan , Wu Jiang-Nan , Lu Hang-Cheng , Qiu Xue-Min , Ding Jia-Yi , Tan Xiao-Fang , Liu Li-Bing , Li Ming-Qing
Published: July 2021

A successful pregnancy requires sufficient decidualization of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). CD82, a metastasis suppressor, is a critical regulator for trophoblast invasion but the effect in decidualization was largely unknown. Here we reported that there was a high level of CD82 in DSC by the immunohistochemistry staining and flow cytometer analysis. Stimulation with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) elevated the expression of CD82 in ESCs. In contrast, celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, significantly downregulated the expression of CD82 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs). Bioinformatics analysis and further research showed that recombinant human interleukin (IL)-1β protein (rhIL-1β) upregulated CD82 in ESCs. Of note, blocking IL-1β signaling with anti-human IL-1β neutralizing antibody could reverse the stimulatory effect of PGE2 on CD82 in ESCs. Silencing CD82 resulted in the decease of the decidualization markers PRL and IGFBP1 mRNA levels in DSCs. More importantly, we observed rhIL-1β also upregulated the expression of COX-2, and the upregulation of PRL and IGFBP1 induced by rhIL-1β could be abolished by celecoxib in ESCs or CD82 deficiency in DSCs. This study suggests that CD82 should be a novel promotor for decidualization under a positive regulation of the COX-2/PGE2/IL-1β positive feedback loop.
The effects of activation conditions on physical properties of activated carbon
Authors: Luo Yan , Wang Kang , Fei Ling
Published: July 2021

Porous carbons with a high porosity were successfully produced from fast pyrolysis pine wood char via a thermochemical method in which KOH was used as chemical activator. The effects of various weight ratios of KOH to pyrolysis char (0.65:1, 0.7:1, 1.0:1, 1.35:1, and 1.7:1) on the physical properties of activated carbons were investigated. When the weight ratio of KOH to pyrolysis char was 1.35:1, the prepared activated carbon had the highest surface area of 1140 m2/g with a total pore volume of 0.71 cm3/g, a microporous surface area of 957 m2/g, and a microporous specific volume of 0.51 cm3/g. As the weight ratio of KOH to pyrolysis char increased from 0.65 to 1.35, the prepared activated carbon had increases in total surface area, total pore volume, microporous surface area, and specific volume of micropores. However, there was a reverse trend when the weight ratio of KOH to pyrolysis char was higher than 1.35. The use of nitrogen as a flow gas resulted in much more developed activated carbon than without nitrogen. The experiment results suggested that activated carbon with high surface area could be prepared from pyrolysis char by adjusting the activation conditions.
Hybrid effects of carbon fiber and nanoclay as fillers on the performances of recycled wood-plastic composites
Authors: Seo Young-Rok , Bae Sang-U , Kim Birm-June , Lee Min , Wu Qinglin
Published: July 2021

Waste wood-plastic composite (WPC) was used in this work as a raw material to produce recycled WPCs reinforced with carbon fiber and nanoclay. To evaluate the synergistic effects of carbon fiber and nanoclay, various performances (i.e., microstrucural, mechanical, thermal, water absorption, and electrical properties) were investigated. Scanning electron micrographs and X-ray diffraction analysis of the fillers (carbon fiber and nanoclay) present in the recycled WPCs showed that the nanoclays were properly intercalated when filled with carbon fibers. According to mechanical property analysis, hybrid incorporation of carbon fibers and nanoclays improved impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength. However, further incorporation of nanoclays reduced the impact strength and did not improve the tensile modulus or the flexural modulus. The carbon fibers present in the recycled WPCs improved the electrical conductivity of the composites, despite the various fillers that interfered with their electrical conduction. In addition, carbon fibers and nanoclays were mixed into the recycled WPCs to improve the thermal stability of the composites. Finally, the presence of nanoclays in recycled WPCs led to increased water uptake of the composites.
Homogenous particleboard made from whole cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) stalk agricultural waste: Optimisation of particle size and influence of cotton residue on performance
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Tung , Bailleres Henri , Redman Adam , Leggate William , Vandi Luigi-j , Heiztmann Michael
Published: July 2021

The objective of this research was to characterize the cotton stalk resource. This paper also focused on the manufacturing of formaldehyde-free particleboards using whole cotton stalk. The effects of opening particle sizes and cotton ball residue ratios on performance properties of manufactured particleboard was assessed. Modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond (IB), and thickness swelling (TS) were characterized. Particleboards manufactured from four different opening particle sizes (6, 8, 10, and 20 mm) using an emulsifiable polymeric isocyanate adhesive (eMDI) were investigated. Similarly, the same performance properties were evaluated using four different cotton ball residue ratios (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt%). Results showed that the stem length and diameter of cotton stalks cultivated in Queensland (Australia) vary greatly and range from 160 to 890 mm and 5.03 to 10.88 mm, respectively. The highest weight proportion of the resource is the cotton stem making up 46 wt% of the available resource. The highest average values of MOR, MOE, IB, and the lowest TS were observed for boards with an opening particle size of 8 mm. The cotton ball residues had detrimental effects on the mechanical properties with a decrease in properties observed with increasing cotton ball residue load.
Selected sociodemographic and clinic alpredictors of the clock drawing test performance in Polish community dwelling seniors
Authors:   Faculty of Health Sciences with the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland, Chibowska Paula , Nowicka-Sauer Katarzyna ,   Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland,   Department of Cardiac Surgery, Florian Ceynowa Specialist Hospital, Wejherowo, Poland, J. Sitek Emilia ,   Division of Neurological and Psychiatric Nursing, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland,   Department of Neurology, St. Adalbert Hospital, Copernicus PL, Gdańsk, Poland
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The clock drawing test (CDT) is a commonly used cognitive screening test. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of selected sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle factors on the CDT performance in the Polish elderly population. Methods: CDT performance was assessed in 399 elderly subjects randomly selected out of all participants of a nationwide study on aging, PolSenior2, who met the inclusion criteria. CDT was scored using the Manos–Wu method. The short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (15-item GDS) was used as a mood measuring tool. Results: Our study revealed a significant relationship between CDT performance and age. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated also that interactions between reading newspapers and gender and between playing games and GDS score were independent predictors of an incorrect CDT. Of note, even though years of education were related to the CDT score (0–10) in the correlation analysis, education did not predict the global CDT score in the regression analysis. Conclusions: Advanced age was related to incorrect CDT performance. Engagement in some leisure activities may predict the CDT score, while global CDT performance, as assessed by the Manos–Wu method, is relatively unaffected by education.
Executive dysfunction profile in children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder – systematic review
Authors:   Zakład Pielęgniarstwa Neurologiczno-Psychiatrycznego, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu z IMMiT, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Gdańsk, Polska, Urbańska-Grosz Justyna ,   Oddział Dzienny Psychiatryczny dla Dzieci i Młodzieży „Młodzieżowy Port”, Gdańskie Centrum Zdrowia, Gdańsk, Polska, Konieczna Seweryna ,   Zakład Historii i Filozofii Nauk Medycznych, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu z IMMiT, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Gdańsk, Polska,   Klinika Neurologii Rozwojowej, Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne, Gdańsk, Polska, Walkiewicz Maciej ,   Oddział Dzienny Psychiatryczny dla Dzieci i Młodzieży „Młodzieżowy Port”, Gdańskie Centrum Zdrowia, Gdańsk, Polska,   Zakład Badań nad Jakością Życia, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu z IMMiT, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Gdańsk, Polska, Sitek Emilia ,   Zakład Pielęgniarstwa Neurologiczno-Psychiatrycznego, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu z IMMiT, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Gdańsk, Polska,   Oddział Dzienny Psychiatryczny dla Dzieci i Młodzieży „Młodzieżowy Port”, Gdańskie Centrum Zdrowia, Gdańsk, Polska,   Oddział Neurologii, Szpital św. Wojciecha, Copernicus Podmiot Leczniczy Sp. z o.o., Gdańsk, Polska
Published: July 2021

The paper aims at reviewing data on the executive functioning in children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in the context of Suchy’s model of executive functioning. Suchy hypothesized that individuals with FASD would present with features of dysexecutive, disinhibited, apathetic and inappropriate, but not disorganized, syndromes. Eight papers satisfied the inclusion criteria for the review. In most respects, the performance of children with FASD was found to be lower than in the control group. According to Suchy’s model of executive functioning, children with FASD demonstrate features of dysexecutive syndrome (with deficits of executive cognitive functions) and of apathetic (deficit in initiation and maintenance) and disinhibited syndromes (deficit in response selection) as well as impaired social cognition that could correspond to socially inappropriate syndromes. None of the reviewed studies included measures of multi-tasking that would address features of disorganized syndrome. The results suggest a mixed pattern of executive deficits in FASD. Difficulties in delineating the executive functioning profile in children and adolescents with FASD may be related to heterogeneous patient populations (different clinical criteria, variable overall intellectual functioning and different living conditions) and also the complex nature of most of the executive measures that rarely tap one aspect of the executive functioning and typically engage a variety of cognitive processes.
Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) – a case report and a review of the latest scientific reports
Authors:   Oddział Neurologii z Oddziałem Udarowym, Szpital Specjalistyczny im. św. Rodziny w Rudnej Małej, Rudna Mała, Polska, Dziubek Dariusz , Rajchel Mateusz , Stańko-Kałamarz Barbara , Dziki Mirosław
Published: July 2021

The paper presents a case of a 61-year-old patient with chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS), along with a detailed description of the diagnostic and therapeutic process, as well as radiological records reflecting the evolution of lesions depending on the steroid therapy used. We also refer to the latest literature reports on the aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this clinical entity, including its potential relationship with lymphoproliferative and lymphohistiocytic processes. Furthermore, we present a spectrum of diseases that can clinically and radiologically mimic CLIPPERS (CLIPPERS-mimics), along with the proposed differential diagnosis. Finally, the paper presents the recommended treatment strategy for both acute disease and a maintenance therapy, with particular emphasis on the role of steroid therapy.
Kleine–Levin syndrome – a diagnostic challenge? Case report
Authors:   Wydział Lekarski Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, VI rok studiów, Warszawa, Polska, Sankowska Małgorzata , Janicka Justyna ,   Wydział Lekarski Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, VI rok studiów, Warszawa, Polska, Stanosz-Sankowska Maria Jolanta ,   Poradnia Neurologiczna, Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej MSWiA, Koszalin, Polska
Published: July 2021

Kleine–Levin syndrome is a rare disease (1–2 cases per million inhabitants) characterised by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia with accompanying hyperphagia, hypersexuality and behavioural abnormalities such as aggression, irritability and disorientation. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria, after ruling out other causes of hypersomnia. There are no lesions in brain imaging studies while EEG demonstrates slowing of bioelectrical activity in some cases. Kleine–Levin syndrome has a self-limiting course with symptoms becoming milder over time until they disappear completely. The pathogenesis includes hypothalamic pathology or autoimmune background (association with certain human leukocyte antigens). This article presents a young patient with a typical clinical picture of Kleine–Levin syndrome. Due to its rare occurrence, the knowledge about this disease entity is not common – the correct diagnosis was made a year after the onset of first symptoms.
The Beginning and the Narration of Ivan Slamnig’s Novel Bolja polovica hrabrosti
Authors: Ladányi István
Published: July 2021

The study discusses Ivan Slamnig’s novel entitled Bolja polovica hrabrosti with focusing on the narrative features of the beginning of the novel. Using the results of the Croatian literary studies, the paper places the novel in the context of Croatian prose as the ﬁrst postmodern Croatian novel and an outstanding example of Beat literature in Croatia and Yugoslavia, which Aleksandar Flaker called jeans prose.

The paper compares the narrative features and metapoetic meanings of the beginning of the novel with the narration of the whole novel and its closure. It establishes that the beginning of the novel gives a dominant role to eventuality, coincidence, and meaninglessness instead of causally motivated storytelling. The beginning of the novel does not make sense at the level of the story told in the whole novel, however, it is important at the metalevel of narration and in its possible readings.

The main character of the novel called Flaks lands without a known aim aft er escaping from somewhere. At the end of the novel, he escapes again from the story prescribed for him. The “story within a story” structure has an important role in the novel. The novel thus has two narrators and two narrated stories. According to Genette’s classiﬁcation, the narrator of the whole novel (Flaks) is an extradiegetic-homodiegetic narrator of his own story. The other narrator (Aunt Matilda) is a character in Flaks’s story and ﬁctive author of the embedded story with its own heterodiegetic narrator. Flaks is an implied reader of Matilda’s short story. The two narratives are in a metadialogue wiTheach other. Flaks has no organized life and no organized story. Matilda’s life is well organized, and her written short story is well organized, too. Matilda tries to make sense to the random happenings of Flaks’s life in her own story. With the story she tells, she tries to bring both her own and Flaks’s life story to a meaningful end.

The beginning of the novel is associated with the characteristics of the Yugoslavian version of Beat literature, the jeans prose: generational confrontation and the denial of conformism to the post-war Yugoslavian establishment. The protagonist’s drift ing without any plan, which is typical for the genre, is taken by Slamnig as a basis so that he can direct our attention to the activity of the implied author and to the fact that the events portrayed in the novel and also the implied author are constructed. This is reinforced by the “story within a story” structure. The novel shows that the beginning and the ending of the events in the narration is arbitrary, and the meaning of the story depends on the selection of the starting point and the end point.
Efficacy, safety and tolerability of bosentan as an adjuvant to sildenafil and sildenafil alone in persistant pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN)
Authors: Vijay Kumar J.R. , Natraj Setty H.S. , Jayaranganath M. , Manjunath C.N.
Published: July 2021

Background

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) carries a poor prognosis in both adult and pediatric patients. It is a life-threatening condition in newborns. Current recommendations advocate the use of targeted monotherapy as a first-line approach for the treatment of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). In case of an inadequate clinical response to treatment, an addition of a second or third agent is considered. PAH is usually managed with a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor or an endothelin receptor blocker. There are limited pediatric studies that address questions like which class of therapy should be initiated first or if a combination should be initiated together. With this background, the present study was initiated to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of bosentan as an adjuvant to sildenafil and sildenafil alone in PPHN.

Results

A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study. Out of them, 26 were males (65%) and 14 were females (35%). PPHN was most commonly seen in the 29 (72.5%) of participants with a history of first order birth. Mean duration of symptoms was 14.05 ± 2.06 days. The participants were randomized to two groups. Group A consisted of total 25 participants that received both bosentan and sildenafil and group B had 15 participants that received sildenafil alone. Both groups were comparable in terms of birth weight and present weight, consanguinity, and mode of delivery. Efficacy was determined by the reduction in mean baseline Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure (PASP). PASP in group A was 75.56 ± 10.62 mm Hg and in group B was 64.86 ± 12.25 mm Hg which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). PASP on the third and seventh day in group A were 43.72 ± 8.63 and 24.47 ± 3.52 mm Hg compared to 42.28 ± 9.43 and 27.276 ± 8.38 respectively in group B which was statistically significant (P < 0.05).There were two deaths each in both groups. Two participants in Group A developed liver function abnormalities. None of the participants in Group B had adverse effects.

Conclusion

Most common clinical manifestations were nonspecific. Cardiovocal syndrome was common in PPHN. We conclude that oral sildenafil treatment is a safe, simple and effective treatment for persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborn. Combination of bosentan with sildenafil is more effective and safe in reducing pulmonary artery (PA) pressures in high-risk patients with PPHN.
Pulsation of catheter during coronary angiography: Is it a sign of severe aortic regurgitation?
Authors: Kahyaoglu Muzaffer , Gecmen Cetin , Candan Ozkan
Published: July 2021

A 48-year-old male patient was admitted to our outpatient clinic with complaints of shortness of breath. He also had a holo-diastolic murmur at the right sternal border and an apical impulse being displaced laterally and inferiorly. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a severe aortic regurgitation without aortic valve stenosis and a mildly dilated left ventricle accompanied by an ejection fraction of 55%. The aortic regurgitation jet was eccentric and there were significant holodiastolic flow reversals in the descending thoracic aorta. Surgical management was advised for this patient because of symptomatic severe aortic regurgitation. Then, the patient underwent preoperative coronary angiography through the right femoral artery route. The left coronary ostium could be engaged with a 6 Fr Judkins left diagnostic catheter; however, the catheter jumped through the ascending aorta. Afterwards, the catheter was engaged and again jumped through the ascending aorta. Engagement and jumping cycles observed between successive systole to diastole. In our opinion, this catheter movement is explained by wide pulse pressure, like the severe characteristic physical findings of severe aortic regurgitation. Further studies are needed to understand whether this catheter movement is angiographically evidence of severe aortic regurgitation.
Player-avatar interactions in habitual and problematic gaming: A qualitative investigation
Authors: Green Raquel , Delfabbro Paul H. , King Daniel L.
Published: July 2021

Background and aims

Previous studies have reported that stronger avatar identification and negative self-concept are associated with gaming disorder (GD). This study aimed to examine the value and significance of avatars based on firsthand accounts from regular and problematic gamers, and to identify any potential links between avatar-related experiences and excessive gaming.

Methods

An online survey of 993 adult gamers yielded 3,972 text responses. Qualitative analysis of 59,059 words extracted 10 categories of avatar-related perspectives.

Results

Some problem and non-problem gamers employed sentimental language (e.g., ‘dear friend’, ‘like a child’, ‘part of my soul’) to refer to their avatar. However, most participants perceived avatars as a means of achieving in-game goals and enabling greater interactivity (e.g., socializing). When asked to reflect on hypothetically losing their avatar, participants generally anticipated feeling temporary frustration or annoyance due to lost time and effort invested into the avatar. Although some participants reported that their avatar ‘mattered’, avatars were often considered as superficial (‘just pixels’) and peripheral to the primary reinforcement of achieving in-game rewards and objectives. Some broader psychological and identity issues such as gender dysphoria, rather than ‘addiction’, were cited as motivating persistent avatar-related interactions and attachment.

Discussion and conclusions

Participants reported diverse views on the psychological value and function of avatars, but the relationship between avatars and problematic gaming or GD was largely unclear or inconsistent, and refuted by some participants. Future research with clinical samples may lead to a better understanding of player-avatar processes, including whether avatar-stimuli facilitate the development of maladaptive gaming habits, particularly among psychologically vulnerable players. Future investigations should be mindful of ‘overpathologizing’ avatar-related phenomena and recognize their important role in socializing, storytelling, and creative expression among gamers.
Ophthalmic signs and complications of the COVID-19 infection
Authors: Nagy Z. Z.
Published: July 2021

Coronavirus-19 infection caused a mysterious pandemic worldwide. Some people experienced flu-like symptoms, while others have died due to pulmonary complications. Besides droplet spread, other routes of infection started to be suspected, such as through eye contact. During the first phase of the pandemic, pulmonary symptoms were in focus, later other signs and symptoms were also published. Eyelid, anterior and posterior segment symptoms, neuro-ophthalmic complications, and orbital problems related to COVID-19 infections are discussed in this article. It is important to detect the serious signs and symptoms to prevent late, sight threatening complications of COVID-19 infection.
Analyzing genetic diversity and correlation of statice (Limonium sinuatum L.) varieties in Lam Dong using RAPD-PCR technique
Authors: Thuc Le Van , Hung Le Duc , Linh Le Thi Thuy , Dien Han Huynh , Thy Le Thi Bich , Que Tran , Lan Anh Hoang Le , Tung Hoang Thanh , Nhut Duong Tan
Published: July 2021

In this study, 12 varieties of statice (Limonium sinuatum L.) were collected from famous flower growing areas (Van Thanh, Thai Phien, Da Thien, Ha Dong and Trai Mat) in Lam Dong. Young foliage of flowering cultivars after 45 days of planting at the experimental site was collected for DNA extraction and genetic correlation analysis using RAPD with 13 random primers. Results showed that out of 145 RAPD bands, there were 133 polymorphic bands (91.72%) and 12 monomorphic bands (8.28%). Of which, the OPB-03 primer has the highest number of amplifiers, which is 17 bands (with 16 polymorphic bands); the genetic difference coefficients ranged from 0.30 to 0.90, mean 0.55. The results of the genetic sequence analysis using NTSYSpc 2.1 showed that 12 varieties of statice were divided into 4 groups: group I consisting of 3 varieties (rose pink, dark pink and pure magenta); Group II including 2 varieties (blue violet and new violet); Group III including 6 varieties (light pink, old violet, new white, old white, light yellow and light violet); Group IV consisting only 1 variety (cadimi yellow). This result is an important database in the conservation of statice genetic resources, as well as provides the necessary information to select mutant breeding of this species in the coming time.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for differentiating between benign and malignant thoracic lymph nodes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Santos Francisco de Souza , Verma Nupur , Watte Guilherme , Marchiori Edson , Mohammed Tan-Lucien H. , Medeiros Tássia Machado , Hochhegger Bruno
Published: July 2021

Abstract Objective: To establish the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in discriminating malignant from non-malignant thoracic lymph nodes. Materials and Methods: This was a meta-analysis involving systematic searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up through April 2020. Studies reporting thoracic DWI and lymph node evaluation were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. Results: We evaluated six studies, involving a collective total of 356 mediastinal lymph nodes in 214 patients. Thoracic DWI had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 92% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 71-98%) and 93% (95% CI: 79-98%), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 13.2 (95% CI: 4.0-43.8) and 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02-0.36), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 149 (95% CI: 18-1,243), and the AUC was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98). Conclusion: DWI is a reproducible technique and has demonstrated high accuracy for differentiating between malignant and benign states in thoracic lymph nodes.
Misconceptions in the health technology industry that are delaying the translation of artificial intelligence technology into relevant clinical applications
Authors: Macruz Fabíola
Published: July 2021

Abstract There is great optimism that artificial intelligence (AI), as it disrupts the medical world, will provide considerable improvements in all areas of health care, from diagnosis to treatment. In addition, there is considerable evidence that AI algorithms have surpassed human performance in various tasks, such as analyzing medical images, as well as correlating symptoms and biomarkers with the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. However, the mismatch between the performance of AI-based software and its clinical usefulness is still a major obstacle to its widespread acceptance and use by the medical community. In this article, three fundamental concepts observed in the health technology industry are highlighted as possible causative factors for this gap and might serve as a starting point for further evaluation of the structure of AI companies and of the status quo.
The electronic media and the study profile of the surgical resident
Authors: REIMBERG JULIA , LOPES LUIZ ROBERTO , PASSERI SILVIA MARIA RICETO RONCHIM , MENEZES FÁBIO HUSEMANN
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT Objective: this study analyzed the surgical resident’s study profile by assessing the use of electronic media. 44.76% of the physicians agreed on participating. Methods: observational, cross-sectional non-controlled study. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the significance level for the statistical tests was p <0.001. Results: 87.2% of the residents believed that it is interesting to use e-learning together with the classical theoretic classes. 45% of the interviewed claimed to spend more than 3 hours on the Internet daily. Conclusion: residents recognize the importance of technology for education, but not as a way of replacing the traditional teaching methods.
O corpo enquanto produto da escrita na fantasia
Authors: Mattos Janaina Bianchi de , Costa Ana Maria Medeiros da
Published: July 2021

A presente pesquisa se propõe a articular a relação entre corpo, escrita e fantasia, buscando verificar até que ponto o corpo pode ser efeito de uma escrita da fantasia ou produto daquilo que da fantasia não se escreve. A escrita deixa vestígios que apontam para o percurso da pulsão e podem revelar indícios dos suportes e construções corporais, evidenciando a fantasia que está em sua base.
Psicanálise e homofobia: o infamiliar na sexuação
Authors: lima Vinícius Moreira
Published: July 2021

De que forma o infamiliar (das Unheimliche) formulado por Freud pode nos ajudar a localizar uma parte do que está em jogo nas homofobias e transfobias? Partindo de seis relatos de ataques homofóbicos recolhidos em notícias de jornal, teceremos algumas considerações visando articular o infamiliar à tábua da sexuação de Jacques Lacan, por meio da orientação que o objeto a nos fornece. Debruçando-nos sobre os casos recolhidos, sintetizamos da seguinte forma o que se passa nessas situações: o “viado” é tomado como “mulher”, por parte de alguém que parece se situar numa posição de “macho”. Diante disso, proporemos uma dupla via de leitura: por um lado, pela irrupção de algo do feminino que angustia o “macho”; e, por outro, pela exposição do fato de que, no fundo, o falo não passa de um pedaço de carne que não garante ao sujeito uma posição viril.
Implementation of the e-SUS Primary Care system: Impact on the routine of Primary Health Care professionals
Authors: Schönholzer Tatiele Estefâni , Pinto Ione Carvalho , Zacharias Fabiana Costa Machado , Gaete Rodrigo André Cuevas , Serrano-Gallardo Maria Del Pilar
Published: July 2021

Objective: to understand how the implementation of the e-SUS Primary Care system has been processed and its impact on the daily life of the health teams. Method: a qualitative research study, conducted in a municipality in the inland of the state of São Paulo with professionals who work in Primary Health Care and use the e-SUS Primary Care system as a work tool. Semi-structured interviews and thematic data analysis were used with Kotter’s three-phase approach. Results: a total of 17 professionals, nurses, physicians, dentists and community agents were interviewed. The implementation of e-SUS Primary Care and its impact on the daily life of health teams were understood in terms of mandatory implementation; weaknesses for implementation, such as absence of material resources and implicit imposition for the use of the system; fragile training for deployment and learning from experience. Conclusion: a harmful incentive process was observed, conducted from the perspective of institutional pressure, use of the system to justify the work performed and, on the other hand, there was the creation of collaborative learning mechanisms between the teams.