bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Dentofacial Anomalies
Authors: kaggere Puttaraju Mahesh , Srinivasa Despandae Prasanna , S Viveka
Published: November 2022

It is very challenging to understand and analyse anomalies of dentofacial region. Diagnosis plays a very important role in the further treatment of any condition related to orofacial anomalies. Diagnosis includes taking complete history and required investigations and conclusion. History gives more information towards clinical path, and investigation will lay more emphasis on conclusion. Anomalies involving dentofacial region may be related to tooth, maxilla, mandible, soft tissue anomalies and syndromic conditions. Dentofacial anomalies not only involve the dentofascial region but can spread to various other vital organs, so sometimes correlating the systemic problem will be of prime importance. When the other body is involved, the varied presentation will be a challenge in diagnosis. Multiple organs should be investigated for an diagnostic conclusion. Brining diagnostic information of anomalies is the aim of the chapter. Here, we cover various clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and investigation protocols of dentofacial anomalies.
Activated Charcoal: A Novel Utility Product for Enhanced Animal Health and Production from Agricultural Wastes (Pig Dung and Palm Oil Wastes)
Authors: Nnaemeka Okey Stephen , Chikezie Ogbu Cosmas
Published: November 2022

Feed remains the most important component of the cost of production in any poultry operations. Hence, the need to harness the potentials of numerous alternative ingredients such as activated charcoal (AC) produced from agricultural wastes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physic-chemical properties of AC produced from a blend of agro-wastes for use as feed additives. 120 day old broilers were distributed into four treatment groups (T1-T4) of thirty birds each and were maintained on a starter and finisher diet for 3 weeks each respectively with T1 (control) fed diet containing no AC. T2-T4 was fed diet which contained 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of AC respectively. Physical and chemical properties of the produced AC were determined while the blood and performance parameters were determined and all data subjected to statistical analysis. The AC significantly (P > 0.05) reduced feed intake, jejunum pH, FCR, serum cholesterol levels and increased (P < 0.05) live weight gain, intestinal lengths, carcass weight and some hematological indices especially in T3 when compared with broilers fed control diet. It was concluded that AC enhanced production and health by improving on the performance, hematology of young chicks and reduction in serum cholesterol level.
Sedimentary Rock Fabric Characterization
Authors: Yusuf Ishaq , Padmanabhan Eswaran
Published: November 2022

The goal of rock fabric characterization is to describe the spatial and geometric distribution of pore attributes as they impact petrophysical parameter variations such as porosity, permeability, and water saturation. Pore attributes such as pore size and pore volumes are critical petrophysical properties as they change and vary over a short distance or side-by-side, and determine the exploitable capacity of sedimentary reservoir rocks. A proposed new insight is in the systematic characterization of fabrics by the combination of both digital petrographic scanning and conservative petrographic description, as we show that multiple fabrics occur in a single lithofacie in the form of a fabric domain. Characterization shows that these domain types determine the spatial and geometric distribution of the variable pore sizes and volume (porosity) within a certain lithofacie fabric. Based on this, we also infer that these fabric domain types are responsible for the multiple occurrences of hydraulic fluid units (HFU’s) and anomalous porosity-permeability relationships in siliciclastic sandstone sedimentary rocks since no long-range process aligns the microscopic internal fabric or microfabric architecture among grain aggregates in sedimentary rock.
Medication Adherence in Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Thanh Pham Suol , Anh Nguyen Thi , Minh Tran Nghia , Thi Kim Cao Hoang , Kim Le Khanh , Xuan Duong Chu , Huong Nguyen Thao , Taxis Katja , Duy Dang Khanh , Nguyen Thang
Published: November 2022

Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of death globally. While effective long-term medications that reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular disease are readily available, nonadherence to prescribed medications remains a significant reason for suboptimal management. Consequently, this might lead to increased morbidity and mortality and healthcare costs. Medication nonadherence causes are myriad and complicated, with factors at the patient, healthcare provider, and health system levels. Many clinical trials have investigated interventions to target these factors for improving medication adherence, including improving patient education, testing behavioral interventions, implementing medication reminder tools, reducing medication costs, utilizing social support, utilizing healthcare team members, and simplifying medication dosing regimens. This book chapter describes factors influencing medication adherence and highlights the impact of varying levels of adherence on patients’ clinical and economic outcomes. We also summarize interventions for improving medication adherence in cardiovascular disease.
Transformation of Waste Coal Fly Ash into Zeolites for Environmental Applications
Authors: M. Lankapati Henilkumar , C. Maheria Kalpana , K. Dalai Ajay
Published: November 2022

The generation of a large quantity of waste coal fly ash (CFA) via coal combustion process during power generation is of major concern as disposal of such huge quantity of fly ash causes serious threats to the environment. There is an exigent need to find out the proper solution for its disposal/utilization to reduce its harmful effects. The composition of waste coal fly ash mostly consists of silica and alumina. Hence, the researchers are tempted to utilize waste coal fly ash as a starting ingredient to make value-added materials like zeolites. It is anticipated that such research efforts will act as a valuable aid to reduce the disposal cost of fly ash and ultimately reduce harmful effects of fly ash to the environment. In this review, various synthesis methods to synthesize different types of zeolites from CFA, such as Zeolite-A, Zeolite-X and Zeolite-P, have been summarized and their potential for various applications such as sorption and catalysis has been explored.
Diagnostics of Central and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy
Authors: Alexandrovna Savvina Irina , V. Ryzhkova Daria , M. Bykova Kristina , E. Lebedev Konstantin , Olegovna Petrova Anna , V. Dryagina Natalya , G. Potemkina Elena , T. Nazaralieva Eleonora
Published: November 2022

This chapter is devoted to monitoring of central and autonomic nervous system (ANS) in patients with verified sepsis to recognize the specific functional and anatomic changes in the brain and its important autonomic centers which is named sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Fluctuation of conscience level from agitation to delirium and coma, muscle tone, and severity of pain syndrome is evaluated with different scales (SOFA, SAPS II, RASS, CAM-ICU, FOUR, PBSS, BPS, MRC, MAS, CNS). Multimodal neuromonitoring includes EEG, EPs, ENMG, cerebral oxymetry, saturation in the bulb of the jugular vein, TCD, and neuroimaging (MRI, PET). Dysfunction of autonomic brainstem structures is detected with variational cardiointervalometry, pupillometry, thermometry (peripheral and central), photoplethysmography assessment of perfusion index, quantitative assessment of muscle strength on the MRC scale and MAS, and diagnostics of the severity of the PSH syndrome. Monitoring data help clinicians to make decisions on SAE patient management tactics.
The Role of Social Sustainability in the Designation of a Sustainable Community: Based on Cumulative Development Patterns in Residential Complexes
Authors: Bojago Elias
Published: November 2022

One of the most important and contentious issues in recent years has been the role of social sustainability in the design of a sustainable community. This concept can be interpreted on the basis of the cumulative development pattern in residential complexes, according to the hypothesis and theory of the intended research. The neighborhood, as the basic social unit, is critical to the survival of the city. The objective of this article is to illustrate the cumulative development pattern in residential complexes by introducing the characteristics of a sustainable community and demonstrating the fundamental role of social aspects in the design of a consistent neighborhood. It also attempts to analyze the status of this approach in the development of the sustainability of the local community. The study’s findings indicate that incorporating social sustainability principles into the design of neighborhoods and the cumulative aspects of residential complexes could yield very positive results.
Microplastics Derived from Commercial Fishing Activities
Authors: Syversen Tore , Lilleng Grethe
Published: November 2022

Ordinary fishing activity is a source of microplastics to the sea that is often overlooked and scarcely reported in the literature. In this paper, we estimate the number of microplastics in the ocean that originates from the wear and tear of different fishing gear used during ordinary, commercial fishing. The wear comes mainly from rope abrasion caused by the haulers and gear dragged along the sea bottom. The types of fishing gear considered are pots, gillnets, longlines, Danish seine, and trawls. Our calculations show that about 208 tons of microplastics are produced annually from the Norwegian fishery. Globally, it sums to 4 622 tons annually. However, the calculations have several questionable parameters, and these numbers must be considered a first rough estimate of the generated microplastics. More research is needed to get better estimates, particularly regarding trawl dolly ropes.
Nanostructures in Biosensors: Development and Applications
Authors: Karabulut Gizem , Beköz Üllen Nuray , Karakuş Selcan
Published: November 2022

In recent years, there has been significant interest in advanced nanobiosensor technologies with their exceptional properties for real-time monitoring, ultra-sensing, and rapid detection. With relevant experimental data, highly selective and hypersensitive detection of various analytes is possible using biosensors based on nanostructures. In particular, biosensors focus on vital issues such as disease early diagnosis and treatment, risk assessment of quality biomarkers, food-water quality control, and food safety. In the literature, there has been great attention to the preparation and sensing behavior of several nanomaterials-based sensors, such as polymer frameworks, metal-organic frameworks, one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, and MXenes-based sensors. This chapter gives points to all aspects of fabrication, characterization, mechanisms, and applications of nanostructures-based biosensors. Finally, some smart advanced sensing systems for ultra-sensing nanoplatforms, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the sensor performances, current limitations, and future outlook of next-generation sensing materials, are highlighted.
Ethics of International Stem Cell Treatments and the Risk-Benefit of Helping Patients
Authors: H. Riordan Neil , Gerardo Jiménez Arias Luis , Coronado Ramón
Published: November 2022

Numerous and diverse participants are involved in the development of novel therapies: patients, physicians, scientists, sponsors, governing bodies, lawmakers, institutional review boards, and bioethics proponents. While the welfare of the patient must always and unquestionably be at the forefront of any intervention along with informed consent, their wishes, their requests, and their expectations should also be considered at every step. The availability of stem cell research in various countries with dissimilar regulatory agencies has opened the door for thought-provoking questions about their validity from an ethical, legal, and moral perspective, which will be addressed in this chapter, framed within the doctor-patient relationship.
Ferroptosis in Leukemia: Lessons and Challenges
Authors: Song Baoquan , Zhang Leisheng
Published: November 2022

Ferroptosis is a newly defined programmed cell death (PCD) process with the hallmark of the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, which is more immunogenic over apoptosis. Ferroptosis shows great potential as a therapeutic target against acute kidney injury (AKI), cancers, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and hepatic diseases. Accumulating evidence has highlighted that ferroptosis plays an unneglectable role in regulating the development and progression of multiple pathologies of leukemia including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Herein, we focus on the state-of-the-art renewal in the relationship of ferroptosis with leukemia. Meanwhile, this chapter further highlights the iron, lipid and amino acid metabolism, as well as ferroptosis-based molecular mechanisms. Collectively, we summarize the contribution of ferroptosis to the pathogenesis of leukemia and discuss ferroptosis as a novel therapeutic target for different types of leukemia.
PERSPEKTIF TEKNOLOGI TERHADAP PENINGKATAN PENDAPATAN PETANI DI DESA TERASA KABUPATEN SINJAI
Authors: Abdullah Abdullah , Iskandar Sabirin , Ikrayani Ikrayani
Published: November 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat pendapatan petani dengan adanya perspektif Teknologi (media sosial) di Desa Terasa Kabupaten Sinjai. Jenis penelitian ini menggunakan jenis kuantitatif, sedangkan sampel yang di ambil berjumlah 30 orang petani. Teknik analisis regresi linear sederhana yang di gunakan pada penelitian ini dengan uji validitas, uji reliabilitas, dan uji hipotesis. Hasil penelitian tersebut telah di uji validitas dengan skor terkecil dari indikator minat beli yaitu 0,384 dan skor tertinggi dari indikator brand image (citra merek) variabel (X) perspektif teknologi  adalah 0,767 dinyatakan valid dan dengan skor terkecil dari indikator kembalinya modal 0,362 dan skor tertinggi dari indikator keahlian dan kegigihan variabel pendapatan (Y) yaitu 0,720 di nyatakan valid. Hasil uji reliabilitas (X) perspektif teknologi yaitu 0,661 dan reliabilitas variabel (Y) pendapatan yaitu 0,629 bahwa dengan kedua variabel yaitu melebihi Cronbach Alpha > 0,6 sehingga penelitian tersebut di katakan reliabel atau layak untuk di lanjutkan.

Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa variabel perspektif teknologi (X) dengan indikator brand image (citra merek) dan variabel pendapatan (Y) dengan indikator kegigihan dan keahlian berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap peningkatan pendapatan petani, artinya orang-orang yang berjualan online dengan berbagai brand image dan yang memiliki keahlian dan kegigihan inilah yang meningkat pendapatannya.
Dos ejemplos de metalepsis narrativas: Niebla de Miguel de Unamuno y Biblique des derniers gestes de Patrick Chamoiseau
Authors: Lutas Liviu
Published: November 2022

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From Invisibility to Unmarking: Reflections on African-American Literature
Authors: Löfgren Hans
Published: November 2022

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Epéntesis vocálica en grupos consonánticos iniciales /sC/: un análisis de interfonología español-inglés
Authors: Canale Germán
Published: November 2022

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Wendeerinnerungen
Authors: Farhan Christine
Published: November 2022

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La fusión de música y literatura en Bachata del ángel caído de Pedro Antonio Valdez. Reflexiones acerca de la pregunta del arte por la pobreza
Authors: García Laura Rafaela
Published: November 2022

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Tucumán 1972: Teatralidad de la memoria y construcción de sentido político en Marat-Sade de Peter Weiss
Authors: Fernández Claudio Sebastián
Published: November 2022

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The Impact of Anadolu Agency News as a News Source on Arab Media and Arab Public Opinion
Authors: Özçağlayan Mehmet , Boudchar Omo Aiman
Published: November 2022

Global news agencies continue to play a fundamental role as news providers not only for media outlets but also for individuals by making the instant dissemination and consumption of news possible and promoting an experience of global connectedness. The globalization of the media has led to a few global news agencies dominating the world's media; thus, the influence of these agencies can spread across countries without regard to political boundaries. As part of the international race to win the Arab public opinion and consolidate their dominance in the Arab world, the big global news agencies are seeking to present their programs and news in Arabic language. In recent years, Turkey as an important regional power in the Arab world has taken some initiatives to communicate with the Arab public through the press, the most important of which is the Arabic Department of the Anadolu (News) Agency. On this basis, the study aims to examine the level and nature of the media presence of Anadolu Agency's Arabic Department in the Arab world and how Anadolu Agency can become a reliable news source for the largest Arab media outlets. In this study, on the one hand, a quantitative approach was adopted in which the researchers collected data on the daily and the monthly number of news quoted by Arabic newspapers from the Arabic Department of Anadolu Agency. On the other hand, in the qualitative analysis, the study relies on the analysis of some surveys and previous Arabic studies to identify the factors that contribute to the success and development of the Arabic Department of the Anadolu Agency in the Arab world. The study showed that the common cultural, religious, and historical ties between Turkey and the Arab world have greatly facilitated the active presence of Anadolu Agency in the Arab geographies and the regions.
Field Notes of a Philosophical Counselor
Authors: Mills John ,   National Philosophical Counseling Association
Published: November 2022

In this essay I discuss my early career as a failed philosophical practitioner when the field of philosophical counseling was still in its infancy. I describe setting up a private practice and discuss various details from my field notes with regards to some of the earliest clients I received. I further depict experimenting with philosophical group therapy in an inpatient psychiatric unit of a general hospital, which by all objective standards turned out to be a disaster. Musings on how philosophy may be successfully applied in the consulting room is considered through a phenomenological-existential approach to therapy.
A Psychotherapist Seeks Philosophical Counseling: A Dialogue
Authors: Reed Ross Channing ,   National Philosophical Counseling Association
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a dialogue between a psychotherapist (MSW, LCSW) whom we will call Lilly (the name of the client has been redacted for publication), and Ross Channing Reed, Ph.D., a philosopher and philosophical counselor. Lilly begins by asking Ross a series of questions regarding philosophical counseling and his approach to working with her. Ross discusses his philosophy and approach to philosophical counseling, what it is like to provide counseling for a therapist, and the educational nature of philosophical counseling. Topics addressed include the nature of unarticulated trauma, the repetition compulsion, moral evil, the narrative construction of a human life, the potentially debilitating effects of moralizing about feelings, the importance of humor, spirituality and philosophy, embodiment, the arts, and Alice Miller’s concept of the “Enlightened Witness.” Next, Ross asks Lilly a series of questions relating to her personal and professional journey prior to and during philosophical counseling. Lilly reveals that she spent significant time in therapy with a psychologist prior to philosophical counseling. She discusses why she sought counseling from a philosopher, how philosophical counseling has been beneficial in her personal and professional lives, and how philosophical counseling has been different from other forms of counseling.
The Utility of Jan Smuts’ Theory of Holism for Philosophical Counseling
Authors: du Plessis Guy , Weathers Robert ,   National Philosophical Counseling Association
Published: November 2022

This article explores the potential utility of the theory of Holism as developed by South African philosopher, British Commonwealth statesman and military leader, Jan Smuts, for philosophical counselling or practice. Central to the philosophical counseling process is philosophical counsellors or practitioners applying the work of philosophers to inspire, educate and guide their counselees in dealing with life problems. For example, Logic-Based Therapy (LBT), a method of philosophical counselling developed by Elliot Cohen, provides a rational framework for confronting problems of living, where the counselor helps the counselee find an uplifting philosophy that promotes a guiding virtue that acts as an antidote to unrealistic and often self-defeating conclusions derived from irrational premises. We present the argument that Holism is one such uplifting philosophy which can be of utility to philosophical counselors or practitioners to help their counselees with confronting problems of living. Furthermore, we argue that Smuts’ articulation of freedom can act as a guiding virtue within this uplifting philosophy of Holism in accordance with the methodology of LBT. Smuts’ contribution to philosophy and psychology is arguably inadequately credited, and for this reason, and to the best of our knowledge, Smuts’ theory of Holism has yet to be discussed in the context of philosophical counseling or practice. Given these omissions, we begin this article with a discussion of his influence on 20th Century Anglo-American psychology. We then provide a brief historical context, and an introduction to the central argument of Smuts’ Holism, as well as a brief overview of the origins of Smut’s Holism and an introduction to his book Holism and Evolution. In the remainder of the article, we discuss several foundational concepts that underlie Smuts’ theory of Holism, as articulated and developed in his book Holism and Evolution, to substantiate our arguments. We conclude by highlighting the limitations of our article, limitations to Smuts’ model, and the challenges inherent in the use of a now largely antiquated theory, even by Smuts’ own admission nineteen years after its publication, for the purposes of contextualizing and substantiating the arguments and recommendations presented herein.
Dynamics, scope and structure of external trade of the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Kisin Jovana , Ignjatović Jelena , Mašović Azemina
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed global economic perspectives and led to a turning point in economic trends around the world, as well as in the Republic of Serbia. With a detailed analysis of key figures of external trade of goods, the main aim of this paper is to appraise the position and results of the Republic of Serbia in the field of foreign trade exchange, as one of the most important indicators of economic activity. The methodology covered in the paper includes qualitative research techniques, such as analysis, comparative analysis, and synthesis. The first part of the paper deals with the trend of external trade in the past three decades, with special reference to the effect of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The second thematic unit analyzes the structure of the Republic of Serbia's foreign trade, according to the economic purpose of goods and the classification of activities. The focus of the third part is the territorial distribution of foreign trade of the Republic of Serbia by main economic and geographical zones, ie countries of purpose and origin. Finally, concluding remarks are given. We found that the Republic of Serbia has many possibilities to improve external trade, which should primarily focus on increasing exports, in quantitative terms, but at the same time not to fail to raise the quality and value of our export products.
Corruption in folk customs in Serbia: Socio-ethnological approach
Authors: Joković-Pantelić Milica
Published: November 2022

The paper analyzes corruption in the framework of folk customs in Serbia from the socio-ethnological aspect. The analysis includes manners and forms of corruption generated and practised in the last period of the Ottoman Empire rule in Serbia. Through the records of the most eminent students of Jovan Cvijić, first Serbian great scientist, it is shown how corruption emerged and developed in Serbia and how it affected Serbian people's folk customs. The analysis covers research ventures showing the manners, forms and types of corruption practised in Serbia at the time of formation the new-century Serbian statehood in the 19th century, as well as at the beginning of the 20th century and between two world wars. Typologically speaking, corruption in Serbia belongs to parochial, institutional and political corruption. The paper particularly analyzes disapproval and justification of corruption in the Serbian national tradition. In the conclusion of the paper, it is emphasized that socio-ethnological records show that corruption and/or bribe emerged as a consequence of people's greediness, but also of unfavourable historical and social circumstances leading to the negative experience and negative patterns of corruptive behaviour. This was crystallized in the form of messages passed from one generation to another.
Haslev – fra stationsby til pendlerby
Authors: Bro Henning , Gade Gyldenkærne Else
Published: November 2022

Artiklen kaster lys over en midtsjællandsk stationsbys transformation til en pendlersatellitby i periferien af efterkrigstidens hovedstadsmetropol
Dermatologic Emergencies CME Part III: Drug reactions
Authors: Shanshal Mohammed
Published: November 2022

This section reviews the triad of life-threatening drug reactions including Stevens-Johnson/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).
Perspectives and Ways of Developing Alternative Methods for Calculating Administrative Fines
Authors: Gluzdak Gleb Nikolaevich , Likhomanova Yana Yur'evna , Bulgakova Luiza Siradzheddinovna
Published: November 2022

The research focuses on methods of calculating administrative fines, which could be considered as an alternative to the existing ones. The aim of the work is to propose such methods, as well as to identify prospects and ways of their development. The study examines the problem of the appropriateness of calculating administrative fines in hard money, which is particularly relevant in the context of insufficient effectiveness of this type of administrative punishment. The authors analyze changes in the domestic legislation on administrative offences, and also refer to the comparative legal method, comparing the methods of calculating fines in the Russian Federation and in other states: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Finland. The authors conclude that significant money fines are not sufficiently effective. The novelty of the study lies in the proposal of alternative methods for calculating the administrative fine: the determination of the amount of the monetary penalty in relation to the minimum wage, the base value or the calculation indicator, the income of the offender. Special attention is paid to the consideration of alternative ways of calculating administrative fines for traffic offences: The establishment of a relationship between administrative penalties and the cost of the vehicle or the capacity of its engine and the introduction of a penalty point system are proposed. The results of the study can be used to improve the legislation of the Russian Federation on administrative offences.
STUDENT PORTFOLIO AS A TOOL FOR POSITIONING EXPERTISE
Authors:   International Institute of Design and Service, Tolkunova I.I. Tolkunova , Payko D.S.
Published: November 2022

The article discusses the main approaches to the definition of expertise and the formation of a student portfolio as a tool for its positioning. An author’s approach to creating a portfolio is proposed based on the analysis of domestic and foreign practices and taking into account the experience of implementing this approach in educational activities and project work.
Objects generated by an arbitrary natural number. Part 2: Modal aspect
Authors:   Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Atanassov Krassimir T. ,   Intelligent Systems Laboratory, “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” University
Published: November 2022

The set Set(n), generated by an arbitrary natural number n, was defined in [2] and some arithmetic functions, defined over its elements are introduced in an algebraic aspect. Here, over the elements of Set(n), two arithmetic functions similar to the modal type of operators are defined and some of their basic properties are studied.
Weather and nest cavity characteristics influence fecundity in mountain chickadees
Authors: Norris Andrea R. , Martin Kathy , Cockle Kristina L.
Published: November 2022

Background

Examining direct and indirect effects on reproduction at multiple scales allows for a broad understanding of species’ resilience to environmental change. We examine how the fecundity of the mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli), a secondary cavity-nesting, insectivorous bird, varied in relation to factors at three scales: regional weather conditions, regional- and site-level food availability, site-level community dynamics, and nest-level cavity characteristics. We hypothesized that earlier laying dates and higher fecundity (clutch size, nest survival, brood size) would be associated with milder climatic conditions, increased food from insect outbreaks, lower densities of conspecifics and nest predators (red squirrel;Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and safer (smaller, higher) cavities.

Methods

We collected data on laying date, clutch size, brood size, nest fate (success/failure), and cavity characteristics from 513 mountain chickadee nests in tree cavities in temperate mixed coniferous-broadleaf forest in interior British Columbia, Canada, from 2000 to 2011. We surveyed annual abundances of mountain chickadees and squirrels using repeated point counts, and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) and lepidopteran defoliators by monitoring host trees and by using regional-scale aerial overview forest insect survey data. We used weather data (temperature, rain, snow) from a local Environment and Climate Change Canada weather station. We modeled laying date, clutch size, daily nest survival, and brood size as a function of predictors at regional-, site-, and nest-scales.

Results and Conclusions

Measures of fecundity varied dramatically across years and spatial scales. At the regional (study-wide) scale, chickadees laid earlier and larger first clutches in warmer springs with minimal storms, and daily nest survival (DSR) increased with a 2-year lag in growing season temperature. Despite a doubling of mountain chickadee density that roughly accompanied the outbreaks of mountain pine beetle and lepidopteran defoliators, we found little evidence at the site scale that fecundity was influenced by insect availability, conspecific density, or predator density. At the nest scale, DSR and brood size increased with clutch size but DSR declined with nest cavity size indicating a positive reproductive effect of small-bodied cavity excavators. Double-brooding, rare in chickadees, occurred frequently in 2005 and 2007, coinciding with early breeding, high food availability from insect outbreaks, and warm spring temperatures with 0-1 spring storms. Our results support the idea that fecundity in secondary cavity-nesting species is impacted directly and indirectly by weather, and indirectly through changes in community dynamics (viacavity resource supply). We stress the importance of adopting holistic, community-level study frameworks to refine our understanding of fecundity in opportunistic and climate-sensitive species in future.
Efficacy of Intratympanic Dexamethasone Injection in Subjective Idiopathic Tinnitus- An Interventional Study
Authors: Radhakrishnan KR , Kumar D Ranjit , Balasubramani J , Selvapriya E
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Tinnitus is a common and annoying symptom characterised by the perception of sound without any corresponding external stimulus. Subjective idiopathic tinnitus is a subjective form of tinnitus where the perceived sound originates from the auditory nervous system, without both aberrant aetiology and external stimuli. Intratympanic injection of steroid (Dexamethasone) is used for the treatment of subjective idiopathic tinnitus by introducing the drug through the tympanic membrane, resulting in reduced systemic toxicity and a higher perilymph steroid level. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of intratympanic dexamethasone injection in the treatment of subjective idiopathic tinnitus. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was carried out at Madurai Medical College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, from March 2021 to March 2022. A total of 30 patients with subjective idiopathic tinnitus were subjected to intratympanic dexamethasone injection, once per week for three weeks. Improvement in the symptom of tinnitus was assessed by means of subjective evaluation with the help of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) before and after one week, one month and three months of last injection. Data were statistically analysed using Student’s paired t-test. Results: The results of this study shows that, 53.33% of the population belonged to the age group of 31-40 years. There was 16 females and 14 males. There was a significant reduction in the mean grade of THI at one month and three months after the treatment. The mean THI score was significantly reduced from 50.067 before treatment to 35.733 in one month and 26.933 in three months after the treatment. Conclusion: The intratympanic injection of dexamethasone was found to be effective in the treatment of subjective idiopathic tinnitus. Intratympanic treatment was demonstrated to improve tinnitus scores in the study population.
Assessment of Current Trends in Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Male Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Singh Bharat Kumar , Singh Seema
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Role of gender in development of an autoimmune dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is very complex and therefore novel concept of gender medicine has come into limelight. Aim: To assess current trends in demographic and clinical characteristics of male patients with RA. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted among patients with RA attending Outpatient Department of Rheumatology at Santokba Durlabhji Memorial Hospital cum medical Research Institute, Jaipur and Centre for Arthritis and Autoimmune Rheumatic Disorders, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, during April 2015 to April 2021. Men who qualified the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA were included in this study. The medical records of patients were reviewed for collecting demographic and clinical characteristics, disease activity, disease duration, deformities, extra articular manifestations, and co-morbid illness. Results: A total of 179 men were enrolled, and the mean age was 45.3±11.1 years. The majority of patients had severe disease with more than two years of disease duration. Subcutaneous nodule (27.8%) was most frequently observed extra-articular manifestations. Rheumatoid factor positivity and cyclic citrullinated peptide were prevalent in 107 and 110 patients, respectively. Osteoporosis (21.1%) and hypertension (19.2%) were the most common comorbidities and majority of patients reported wrist deformities. Conclusion: Overall observations indicate the presence of subcutaneous nodule as the common extra-articular manifestation with more than 2 years of disease duration, osteoporosis and hypertension as the most common co-morbidities; and high prevalence of wrist deformities in male patients with RA.
Sighting records of “Migaloo” the white humpback whale provide evidence of Australian site fidelity and use of New Zealand waters as a migratory route
Authors: Pirotta Vanessa , Franklin Wally , Mansfield Leigh , Lowe Jodie , Peterson Oskar
Published: November 2022

Observations of an all-white humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) along the Australian east coast were first made in 1991 off Byron Bay, Australia. Genetic analysis of tissue samples collected from this individual confirmed this whale to be male and lacking pigmentation as a result of albinism. While there are observations of other predominately white humpback whales, this individual is the only known true white (albino) humpback whale in the Australian east coast population. Due to his unique appearance, this individual has since become known as “Migaloo”, which is a First Nations meaning for “white fella”. In this short note we present the first extensive sighting history of Migaloo collected via scientific and citizen science efforts. This provides evidence of Migaloo’s presence in both Australian and New Zealand waters confirmed through photographic evidence and genetic testing. We also detail gaps in sighting history and highlight variability in the east Australian humpback whale population migration. The collective annual effort to document Migaloo’s presence along the Australian east coast is a unique opportunity to connect a wide community of scientists and non-scientists through whale research. It also highlights variability in whale movement geographically and the potential impact changing oceans might have on this in the future.
Evaluation of Heart Rate Variability in Children with Congenital Heart Diseases before and after Surgical Repair
Authors: Ebied Nashwa Ibrahim , El-Atafy El-Atafy El-Metwally , El-Shehaby Walid Ahmed , Zoair Amr Mohamed
Published: November 2022

Background: Surgical repair of congenital heart diseases (CHD) affects heart rate variability (HRV) in different ways. It leads to varying degrees of cardiac autonomic derangement, clinically detectable as depression of HRV parameters. The aim of this work was to evaluate HRV in children with CHDs before and after surgical repair to detect the effect of CHDs (acyanotic or cyanotic) and cardiac surgery on cardiac autonomic function.

Methods: This observational case-control study enrolled thirty cases with CHD. Cases were divided in two equal groups: group1 included children with CHDs (not repaired) before surgical intervention and group 2 included children after surgical repair of CHDs. Another fifteen healthy children, matched for age and sex, were enrolled as a control group. All children in this study were subjected to full history taking, clinical evaluation, Holter monitor, twenty-four-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings and the seven time-domain indices of HRV.

Results: There was significant increase of HR in patients before surgical repair as compared to patients after surgical repair as compared to control group. There was significant decrease of PNN50, r MMSD, SDNN index and SDANN of children before surgical repair as compared to children after surgical repair as compared to controls. There was a negative significant correlation between HR and age before surgery, after surgery there was a negative significant correlation between HR and age, pNN50, rMMSD, SDNN index and SDANN, in control there was negative significant correlation with age, SDNN index, SDANN and SDNN.

Conclusion: HRV parameters increased significantly in children with CHDs after surgical repair as compared to these before surgical repair denoting effect of cardiac surgery on cardiac autonomic function.
Multi-Drug Resistant Campylobacter jejuni of Poultry Origin in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Authors: Jegede O. O. , Ajayi A. O. , Daramola G. O. , Ojo A. , Egbebi A. , Ogunfolakan O. O. , Ojerinde A. O. , Aluko E. M.
Published: November 2022

The occurrence of Campylobacter jejeni in the large intestine of domestic fowls in Ado-Ekiti was assessed using standard microbiological procedures. One hundred faecal swabs were inoculated into modified cefoperazone charcoal deoxycholate agar (mCCDA). Twenty-seven isolates of Campylobacter jejeni were recovered from the birds. Biochemical identification of the isolates was carried out using oxidase and catalase tests. Antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using standard disc diffusion method as specified by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI), to the following antibiotics; amoxicillin, cefoperazone, ceftazidime, aztreonam, ceftriaxone, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, enrofloxacin and norfloxacin. The pattern of resistance was as follows; Amoxicillin (66.7%), cefoperazone (48.1%), ceftazidime (66.7%), aztreonam (40.7%), ceftriaxone (74.15), pefloxacin (51.9%), ciprofloxacin (33.3%), levofloxacin (40.7%), enrofloxacin (22.25) and norfloxacin (59.3%). Twenty-three different multiple resistance pattern were observed among the isolates. The high level resistance observed in this study poses significant health risk to the general public, a synergistic collaboration is therefore suggested between public health policy-makers and researchers to curb this ugly trend.
Comparison of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture or Waiting List Control in the Treatment of Aromatase Inhibitor–Related Joint Pain
Authors: Hershman Dawn L. , Unger Joseph M. , Greenlee Heather , Capodice Jillian , Lew Danika L. , Darke Amy , Minasian Lori M. , Fisch Michael J. , Henry N. Lynn , Crew Katherine D.
Published: November 2022

Importance

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have proven efficacy for the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer; however, arthralgias (pain and stiffness) contribute to nonadherence with therapy for more than 50% of patients.

Objective

To examine the effect of acupuncture in reducing AI-related joint pain through 52 weeks.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A randomized clinical trial was conducted at 11 sites in the US from May 1, 2012, to February 29, 2016, with a scheduled final date of follow-up of September 5, 2017, to compare true acupuncture (TA) with sham acupuncture (SA) or waiting list control (WC). Women with early-stage breast cancer were eligible if they were taking an AI and scored 3 or higher on the Brief Pain Inventory Worst Pain (BPI-WP) item (score range, 0-10; higher scores indicate greater pain). Analysis was conducted for data received through May 3, 2021.

Interventions

Participants were randomized 2:1:1 to the TA (n = 110), SA (n = 59), or WC (n = 57) group. The TA and SA protocols were composed of 6 weeks of intervention at 2 sessions per week (12 sessions overall), followed by 6 additional weeks of intervention with 1 session per week. Participants randomized to WC received no intervention. All participants were offered 10 acupuncture sessions to be used between weeks 24 and 52.

Main Outcomes and Measures

In this long-term evaluation, the primary end point was the 52-week BPI-WP score, compared by study group using linear regression, adjusted for baseline pain and stratification factors.

Results

Among 226 randomized women (mean [SD] age, 60.7 [8.6] years; 87.7% White; mean [SD] baseline BPI-WP score, 6.7 [1.5]), 191 (84.5%) completed the trial. In a linear regression, 52-week mean BPI-WP scores were 1.08 (95% CI, 0.24-1.91) points lower in the TA compared with the SA group (P = .01) and were 0.99 (95% CI, 0.12-1.86) points lower in the TA compared with the WC group (P = .03). In addition, 52-week BPI pain interference scores were statistically significantly lower in the TA compared with the SA group (difference, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.00-1.16; P = .05). Between 24 and 52 weeks, 12 (13.2%) of TA, 6 (11.3%) of SA, and 5 (10.6%) of WC patients reported receipt of acupuncture.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, women with AI-related joint pain receiving 12 weeks of TA had reduced pain at 52 weeks compared with controls, suggesting long-term benefits of this therapy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01535066
Comparison of injection and immersion challenges of Renibacterium salmoninarum strains in Rainbow Trout
Authors: Watson Tifani R. , Bruce Timothy J. , Ma Jie , Cain Kenneth D.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Renibacterium salmoninarum is a pathogenic gram-positive bacterium and is the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD), a malady that mainly impacts salmonid species. Experimental challenges were conducted to assess the virulence and challenge route for select R. salmoninarum strains (CK-90 and ATCC 33739) in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

Methods

The CK-90 strain was intracoelomically injected (100 μL) at a high dose containing 4.80 × 106 CFU/g of fish (optical density at 525 nm [OD525] = 1.779) and a low dose containing 6.86 × 105 CFU/g of fish (OD525 = 1.077); alternatively, fish were immersed in a solution containing 4.5 × 107 CFU/mL of fish (OD525 = 0.886). The ATCC 33739 strain (originating from Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis) was also included and intracoelomically injected at 3.58 × 105 CFU/g of fish (OD525 = 1.431) to discern differences in virulence between the strains.

Result

Clinical signs of BKD manifested at approximately 10 d postchallenge, and mortalities began at 19 days postchallenge. To confirm infection and quantify R. salmoninarum antigen load, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted using kidney tissue collected after the challenge. Rainbow Trout that were challenged with CK-90 by injection (both high- and low-dose groups) exhibited significantly higher mortality than fish that were injected with ATCC 33739 or those that were exposed to CK-90 via immersion challenge. The R. salmoninarum p57 (57-kDa protein) antigen was confirmed via ELISA. Antigen load for fish injected with CK-90 (high dose: OD405 = 0.71; low dose: OD405 = 0.66) was significantly higher than that for fish injected with ATCC 33739 (OD405 = 0.34). The CK-90 strain (both high and low doses) was more virulent than ATCC 33739, which caused no mortalities over the 28-days trial. Although there were no mortalities among ATCC 33739 fish, the ELISA confirmed that the R. salmoninarum antigen infiltrated kidney tissue in those fish.

Conclusion

The immersion challenge methodology for R. salmoninarum CK-90 was ineffective for inducing mortalities at the examined dose.