bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical outcomes in acute dacryocystitis patients undergoing endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with or without silicone tube intubation
Authors:   Department of Orbital and Oculoplastic Surgery, Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China, Yu Bo , Sun Jia-Ying ,   Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China, Ye Qian ,   Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China, Tu Yun-Hai ,   Department of Orbital and Oculoplastic Surgery, Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China, Zhou Guang-Ming ,   Department of Orbital and Oculoplastic Surgery, Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China, Wu Wen-Can ,   Department of Orbital and Oculoplastic Surgery, Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China
Published: May 2021

AIM: To establish the necessity of silicone tube intubation in acute dacryocystitis (AD) patients undergoing endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR).
METHODS: Patients presenting with unilateral AD were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. En-DCR procedures were performed following lacrimal abscess formation, with the operation being performed with silicone intubation for patients in group B but not group A. Functional success was defined by an absence of additional AD episodes, no epiphora, and ostium patency as established via endoscopic evaluation or fluorescein irrigation. Operative success rates and demographic variables were compared between treatment groups.
RESULTS: In total, 66 patients were analyzed in the present study (33 per group), with complete postoperative data having been successfully collected from 27 and 22 patients in group A and group B, respectively. All patients exhibited complete resolution of acute inflammation. Upon follow-up, granulation tissue was detected around the ostium at higher rates in group B (9/22, 40.9%) relative to group A (4/27, 14.8%). At the 12-month follow-up time point, patients in group A exhibited higher success rates (25/27, 92.6%) relative to patients in group B (20/22, 90.9%), but this difference was not significant. Cases of lacrimal passage reconstruction failure in both groups were attributed to excessive fibrous and/or granulation tissue formation proximal to the intranasal ostium.
CONCLUSION: Given that these two operative approaches are associated with similar rates of operative success and in light of differences in granulation tissue formation, cost, and operative duration, these data do not support the routine silicone intubation of AD patients following En-DCR surgery.
Rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty versus punch punctoplasty with silicone intubation for acquired external punctal stenosis: a prospective randomized comparative study
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226000, Jiangsu Province, China, Cao Xin , Wu Ying ,   Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226000, Jiangsu Province, China, Song Yu ,   Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226000, Jiangsu Province, China, Liu Qing-Huai ,   Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Published: May 2021

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty versus punch punctoplasty via Kelly punch with silicone intubation for the management of acquired external punctal stenosis (AEPS).
METHODS: A prospective, randomized, comparative study was performed on 123 eyes of 94 patients with AEPS. Patients were recruited into either group of rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty (group A) or group of punch punctoplasty with silicone intubation (group B). Outcomes measured were Munk score, grade of punctal stenosis, fluorescein dye disappearance time test (FDDT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) 6 and 12mo after surgery.
RESULTS: Twelve months after surgery, Munk score, FDDT and TMH significantly decreased in both groups compared with the baseline (all P<0.05), and grade of punctal stenosis increased significantly (P<0.05). The grade of punctal stenosis, Munk score, FDDT and TMH were better in group B compared with group A at 6 or 12mo (all P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between TMH and Munk score (R=0.655, P<0.001). At the last followed-up, anatomical success was noted in 96.7% eyes in group A and 98.4% eyes in group B (P=0.613).
CONCLUSION: Punch punctoplasty via Kelly punch with silicone intubation achieves better outcomes than rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty. The new technique is a simple, minimally invasive, with high anatomical and functional success in patients with AEPS.
Commentary review: challenges of intraocular lens implantation for congenital cataract infants
Authors:   Eye Hospital and School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China, Zhao Qi-Hui
Published: May 2021

As an indispensable part of congenital cataract surgery, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in infantile patients has long-term positive impacts on visual rehabilitation, as well as postoperative complications inevitably. Timing of IOL implantation in infantile congenital cataract patients is not simply a point-in-time but a personalized decision that comprehensively takes age at surgery, risks of postoperative complications, and economic condition of family in consideration, and combines with choosing suitable IOL type and power. For infants with well-developed eyeballs and good systemic conditions, IOL implantation at six months of age or older is safe and effective. Otherwise, secondary IOL implantation may be a safer choice.
Primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: evaluation of a minimally restricted face-down positioning after pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Tazako, Nagakute-city, Aichi 480-1195, Japan, Kusaba Kiichiro , Handa Tsuneaki ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Tazako, Nagakute-city, Aichi 480-1195, Japan, Shiraki Yukihiko ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Tazako, Nagakute-city, Aichi 480-1195, Japan, Kataoka Takuya ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Tazako, Nagakute-city, Aichi 480-1195, Japan, Kmaei Motohiro ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Tazako, Nagakute-city, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
Published: May 2021

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a minimally restricted face-down postoperative positioning following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with gas tamponade for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).
METHODS: Patients with primary RRD treated with PPV and gas tamponade and followed up for at least 6mo were selected for the study. All phakic eyes underwent simultaneous cataract surgery. The patients were required to be in a postoperative position that prevented downward flow of retinal tears. Patients with macular detachment were positioned face-down for only a couple of hours. The patients were assessed for preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anatomical retinal reattachment rate, and postoperative complications.
RESULTS: In total, 40 eyes of 39 patients with primary RRD were included in the study. A single tear was present in 30 eyes (75.0%), multiple retinal tears were present in nine eyes (22.5%), and oral dialysis was present in one eye (2.5%). The anatomical success rate was 90.0% (36 cases) after the primary surgery, and the final anatomical success rate was 100%. The BCVA improved significantly (P<0.001) from 0.75 logarithm angle of resolution (logMAR) preoperatively to 0.12 logMAR at the final visit. Postoperative complications included intraocular pressure elevation (≥25 mm Hg) in 11 patients (27.5%), fibrin formation in two patients (5.0%), pupillary capture of the intraocular lens in two patients (5.0%), and posterior synechia in one patient (2.5%).
CONCLUSION: A minimally restricted face-down and flexible postoperative positioning after PPV and gas tamponade for primary RRD is effective and safe.
THE CAUSES OF INTESTINAL ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE IN EXPERIMENTAL PERITONITIS
Authors:   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Morozov K.D. , Morozova O.L. ,   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Severgina L.O. ,   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Marchuk T.D. ,   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Morozov D.A. ,   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Published: May 2021

Objective. To determine the leading factor in the pathogenesis of intestinal anastomotic failure in peritonitis. Methods. The experiment was carried out on non-linear white rats (n=40), divided into 4 equal groups: with peritonitis (group 1), with hypovolemia (group 2), with peritonitis in combination with hypovolemia (group 3) and comparison (group 4). Colonic “end-to-end” anastomosis was performed in all rats. Peritonitis caused by injection of 10% unfiltered feces into the abdominal cavity. Hypovolemia was modeled during the operation by creating bleeding from the branch of the iliocolic artery.The rats were taken out of the experiment on the 3rd day after the operation, the state of the anastomosis and the abdominal cavity was assessed. The histological examination of the anastomotic sites was performed. The content of hypoxia biomarkers (HIF-1a, VEGF-C, VEGF-R1) in the intestinal tissue was also evaluated by ELISA. The experiment was approved by the local ethics committee. Results. In group 1, anastomotic failure was detected in rats characterized by a severe general condition due to peritonitis. In groups 2 and 3 statistically significant relationship was found between a decrease of rectal temperature (>2 °C) due to bleeding and colonic anastomotic failure (p<0.05). Morphological analysis showed the most pronounced inflammatory and microcirculatory changes in the group 3. Statistically significant differences in the level of the VEGF-C (p=0.0034) and VEGF-R1 (p=0.04795) were found between groups. Maximal ischemia of the anastomotic zone was found in rats of group 3. Conclusion. The leading factor in the pathogenesis of intestinal anastomotic failure is considered to be as a result of impairedblood supply of the anastomotic zone due to hypovolemia and depletion of mesenteric blood flow. Monitoring and successful correction of hemodynamic disturbances in the perioperative period may become a prospect for the treatment of patients with peritonitis requiring intestinal anastomosis under these conditions. What this paper adds For the first time determination of the leading factor in the pathogenesis of intestinal anastomotic failure in peritonitis has been studied. The leading factor in the pathogenesis of intestinal anastomotic failure has been found out to be the impairedblood supply of the anastomotic zone due to hypovolemia and depletion of mesenteric blood flow.
IRON CORRECTION DURING BLOODLESS SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH MITRAL HEART DISEASES
Authors:   Amosov National Institute of Cardio-Vascular Surgery NAMS Ukraine, Gumenyuk B.N. , Popov V.V. ,   Amosov National Institute of Cardio-Vascular Surgery NAMS Ukraine, Lazorishinetz V.V. ,   Amosov National Institute of Cardio-Vascular Surgery NAMS Ukraine, Marchuk T.D. ,   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Morozov D.A. ,   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Published: May 2021

Objective. To study the effectiveness of the preoperative combined correction, using hydroxide of iron (III) and stimulation of hematopoiesis with erythropoietin on the postoperative anemia in patients, undergoning bloodless surgery (mitral valvere placement) in conditions of artificialblood circulation. Methods. A single-center prospective non-randomized and retrospective study involving patients (n=80) undergoning the operation for mitral valve disease was carried out. There were 54 men (67.5%) and 26 women (32.5%) with an average age of 52.8±4.9 years (M±σ). The patients were divided into three groups. Group A consisted of patients with normal serum iron levels undergoning of the application of blood component preparations. Group B included patients with normal serum iron levels who were undergoning bloodless surgery. In group C the patients with initially low levels of iron in the blood serum, preoperative correction of the saturating dose iron hydroxide and stimulation with erythropoietin were carried out, and bloodless procedure was applied while the operation. Results. The results of this study show that patients in group A require a sufficiently large volume of donor blood components during surgery. In group B, mitral valve replacement can be performed using bloodless technology without transfusion of donor blood components. Correction of a low preoperative serum iron level in group C increases its preoperative serum iron level by 7.4 times and Hb by 4.4% of the initial haemoglobin values. The level of postoperative anemia in group C (p>0.05) compared with group B (p>0.05) is 8.5% less (p>0.05). Conclusion. Correction of low preoperative iron levels and stimulation of erythropoiesis in patients with mitral heart disease after mitral valve replacement using a bloodless surgery reduces the postoperative anemia level. What this paper adds For the first time the impact of preoperative correction of anemia, using iron (III) hydroxide and stimulation of hematopoiesis, applying erythropoietin in patients undergoning the surgery for mitral valve defect using bloodless technology in conditions of artificial blood circulation (ABC) has been determined.
Improving outpatient medication counselling in hospital pharmacy settings: a behavioral analysis using the theoretical domains framework and behavior change wheel
Authors: Abdu-Aguye Samirah N. , Mohammed Shafiu , Danjuma Nuhu M. , Labaran Kamilu S.
Published: May 2021

Background: Despite the importance of medication counselling for patients, it is common knowledge that it is often sub-optimally carried out by pharmacy staff. While some interventions have been designed to help improve counselling, no study till date has used the Capability Opportunity and Motivation behavior model (COM-B) or Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) as a basis for identifying evidence-based intervention strategies to improve medication counselling.

Objective: To understand barriers/facilitators to optimal medication counselling by conducting a behavioral analysis using the COM-B model and TDF, and use the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) as a basis for identifying evidence-based intervention strategies and policy categories that could be used to improve outpatient medication counselling by pharmacy staff in hospital settings located within Northwest Nigeria.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 25 purposively sampled pharmacy staff working at eight major public hospitals, from January till March 2020. Data from the interviews were then transcribed and deductively coded using the COM-B model and TDF. These findings were then used to identify areas requiring change, as well as the intervention type and policy functions required to support these changes.

Results: Findings from the behavioral analysis revealed shortfalls in pharmacy staff capability, opportunity and motivation with respect to outpatient medication counselling. To improve their counselling behaviors, change was identified as necessary in eight TDF domains namely ‘knowledge’, ‘interpersonal skills’, ‘memory’ ‘environmental context’, ‘social influences’, ‘intentions’, ‘reinforcement’ and ‘beliefs about capabilities’. Seven intervention functions including ‘education’, ‘training’, ‘modelling’, ‘enablement’ and ‘environmental restructuring’, in addition to three policy categories (‘guidelines’, ‘regulations’ and ‘environmental/social planning’) were also identified as relevant to future intervention design.

Conclusions: Various factors were identified as affecting medication counselling by the pharmacy staff, with several of them requiring changes if counselling was to be improved upon. Multi-component interventions combining several of these intervention functions are recommended for hospital authorities and other relevant stakeholders to improve outpatient medication counselling.
Gestión digital en la UGEL Puno
Authors: Cornejo Mamani David Gregorio , Choque Copari Rene
Published: May 2021

La UGEL Puno, para mejorar el servicio educativo orientado a 52,553 estudiantes de 512 instituciones educativas y 341 programas no escolarizados de educación inicial, ha implementado el uso de la plataforma virtual: Sistema Integrado para Instituciones Educativas (SIIE) para coordinar la gestión con 853 Directores y 3,490 docentes de educación básica y técnico productiva, mediante la Resolución Directoral N° 2469 del 26 de abril 2019. Teniendo como base normas de convivencia andina. Se fortalece el uso del SIIE en el marco de la emergencia sanitaria por el covid 19, desarrollando capacidades digitales en los directores y docentes de las instituciones educativas con asistencias técnicas como actividades virtuales denominado TECNO PUNO I – II, mejorando la utilización de herramientas y entornos virtuales para la optimizar la estrategia aprendo en casa, dispuesta por el MINEDU.
Liderazgo de una directora en una escuela alternativa de Educación Inicial del distrito de Jesús María
Authors: Tejero Chávez Carolina Cecilia
Published: May 2021

La presente investigación se centra en el liderazgo de la directora, el cual es estudiado a través de las percepciones de las docentes y la coordinadora. El objetivo general es analizar el liderazgo de una directora en una escuela alternativa de Educación Inicial del distrito de Jesús María. Los objetivos específicos que se toman en cuenta son: (i) Describir el estilo de liderazgo de la directora en una escuela alternativa de Educación Inicial del distrito de Jesús María desde las percepciones de los docentes y la coordinadora, y (ii) Comprender la importancia del estilo de liderazgo de la directora en una escuela alternativa de Educación Inicial del distrito de Jesús María. Esta investigación pertenece a un estudio cualitativo. Se considera el empleo del método de estudio de caso, con la finalidad de abordar este liderazgo ya mencionado en una escuela alternativa. El instrumento utilizado es la guía de entrevista semiestructurada, la cual permite recoger de forma detallada las percepciones de las informantes. De esta manera, la información recogida se organizó a partir del Open Coding y el Axial Coding para realizar el análisis. Finalmente, entre los resultados más resaltantes de las percepciones de las docentes y la coordinadora se valora que la directora posee un liderazgo caracterizado por su asertividad, en relación a la llegada que tiene hacia las maestras, así como la forma en que proporciona retroalimentación, considerando aspectos positivos que tiene cada uno de los actores de la escuela.
Las comunidades profesionales de aprendizaje, como estrategia de gestión de las escuelas que aprenden: El caso de una Institución Educativa estatal del Distrito de Ate
Authors: Guerra Cabrera Gladys Liliana
Published: May 2021

Las Comunidades Profesionales de Aprendizaje son una estrategia que favorece el desarrollo profesional docente y la mejora de los aprendizajes. La presente investigación, de enfoque cualitativo, tuvo como objetivo responder al problema ¿Cuáles son las percepciones del director y los coordinadores de grado sobre la gestión escolar desde la mirada de las comunidades profesionales de aprendizaje en una institución educativa del distrito de Ate?, y describir las dimensiones de las comunidades profesionales de aprendizaje que se presentan en la gestión escolar. El método es estudio de casos. Se aplicó la entrevista semiestructurada y el Focus Group a los informantes. Las dimensiones presentes en la Gestión escolar son: el Aprendizaje colectivo y su aplicación, el cual se percibe por la disposición de los docentes para trabajar en forma colegiada, estableciendo metas y compartiendo sus experiencias con sus pares para mejorar los aprendizajes, y la visión compartida que genera compromiso e identidad. Considerando los valores como: el respeto, la tolerancia y responsabilidad, el liderazgo del Director como factores importantes para el trabajo colaborativo.
El rol del director, ¿cómo lograr el aprendizaje de los estudiantes?
Authors: Gamarra Ramos Ana Celia
Published: May 2021

La experiencia en gestión escolar se desarrolla en el contexto de pandemia mundial a causa del COVID-19, en el cual las escuelas se cierran por la emergencia sanitaria y el aislamiento social obligatorio para evitar la propagación del virus. En este contexto atípico para la educación peruana era necesario e imperante reinventar el rol del director para repensar y reformular acciones que permitieran asegurar que todos los estudiantes accedan a las clases a distancia a través de la estrategia “Aprendo en Casa” formulada y ejecutada por el Ministerio de Educación del Perú. En este espacio de educación a distancia, era necesario reimaginar la gestión escolar para asegurar que los estudiantes logren aprendizajes; utilizando para ello, diversas estrategias para atender y asegurar una atención de calidad haciendo uso de todos los recursos humanos, materiales y tecnológicos disponibles en la institución y asegurar, por un lado, la participación activa de los estudiantes en las clases a distancia y que se desarrolle todas las competencias del Currículo Nacional de la Educación Básica para asegurar el logro de los aprendizajes de los estudiantes.
Effect of Azolla (pinnata) Supplementation on the Haematological and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Deccani Ram Lambs Reared under Grazing Based Production System
Authors: Singh T. Varun , Prasad R.M.V. , Madhuri S. Bindu , Jayalaxmi P. , Kumar M. Shashi
Published: May 2021

Background: Most of the shepherds in Telangana follow extensive rearing system, thereby intake of nutrients by the animal is minimal while grazing. In this context, Azolla, an unconventional feed with high protein and nutritive value may meet the nutritional demand of sheep and help in gaining optimum body weight at an early age in grazing system of management. Therefore, the present study was aimed to study the changes in haematological and blood biochemical parameters of lambs with azolla meal supplementation under grazing based production system. Methods: Eighteen weaner ram lambs were divided in to three experimental groups i.e., T1, T2 and T3 with six lambs in each group, such that average group weights were uniform. T1 group was control with no azolla supplementation while in T2 and T3, azolla was supplemented at the rate of 10 and 20% of dry matter intake, respectively. Duration of experimental feeding was 120 days. The mean haematological and blood biochemical studies were done by collecting the blood samples before the start, in the middle and at the end of the experiment. Result: The haematological parameters like PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC showed no significant difference between the groups. The mean total protein at the end of the experiment was significantly (p less than 0.01) higher in T3 group as compared to T2 and T1 groups. The mean albumin value in the middle and at the end of the experiment was non significantly higher in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 group. The mean BUN value at the end of the experiment was non significantly lower in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 group.
Heterosis for Resistance against Sorghum Downy Mildew [Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston and Uppal) C.G. Shaw] Infection in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Arulselvi S. , Selvi B.
Published: May 2021

Background: Sorghum downy mildew (SDM) of maize caused by the fungus Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston and Uppal) C.G. Shaw is one of the most important diseases of maize and it remains vital constraint in maize production. Since maize is the highly cross pollinated crop, exploitation of heterosis is one of the breeding methods to increase the production. Negative values in the expression of heterosis indicate a contribution towards resistance which is highly needed in order to have reduced incid ence of sorghum downy mildew in maize hybrids. Methods: The materials selected as parents for the present study consisted of nine maize inbred lines which comprised of three resistant (UMI102, UMI936(w) and UMI285), three moderately resistant (UMI176, UMI13 and UMI57) and three susceptible (UMI79, UMI432 and UMI467) inbreds to SDM incidence. Nine inbred lines were crossed in all possible combinations including reciprocals in diallel fashion and the resultant seventy two hybrids along with their parents and the check (COH(M)5) were raised and evaluated for resistance against SDM under glass house condition. The extent of heterosis was estimated over mid parent, better parent and popular check hybrid. Result: Analysis of variance for sorghum downy mildew incidence revealed highly significant differences among parents and hybrids indicating greater diversity among the genotypes for sorghum downy mildew incidence under study. Out of seventy two hybrids, only three hybrids namely UMI 13 x UMI 936 (W), UMI 467 x UMI 936 (W) and UMI 432 x UMI 936 (W) exhibited three types heterosis significantly in negative direction.
Variation in Postharvest Quality Attributes of Fresh Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Beans Harvested from Different Crop Mulching Regime
Authors: Kannaujia Pankaj Kumar , Kale Sakharam , Dukare Ajinath , Meena Vijay Singh , Nath Prerna , Jalgaonkar Kirti , Mahawar Manoj , Indore Navnath , Singh R.K.
Published: May 2021

Background: Present study, aimed to assess effect of organic and inorganic crop mulching on physical, physiological and biochemical quality of fresh cowpea beans. Methods: Cowpea (cv. Kashi Kanchan bush-type) was grown during two consecutive seasons from April 2018 to July 2019 under four different mulching treatments. Mulching treatments included no mulch; wheat straw mulch (organic mulch); black mulch and silver mulch. Black and silver mulches were made of 25 microns LDPE sheet. Cowpea was grown as per standard agronomic practices and physical, biochemical and postharvest quality parameters of beans were evaluated. Result: Results indicated that bean length (28.7cm) was highest under silver mulch whereas bean thickness (9.10mm), width (9.29mm) and 100 bean weight (1094.5g) were highest under organic mulch. Likewise, protein content (28.63%), total phenolic content (17.0µg GAE/100g) and total antioxidant activity (46.84µmol trolox equiv./100g) were found highest in beans produced under organic mulch. Overall results demonstrated that crop mulching could be used for enhancing the antioxidants, phenolic content of cowpea beans.
Scalability of Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Interventions: Moving Toward Wider Socio-political Change
Authors: Haider Huma
Published: May 2021

Literature focusing on the aftermath of conflict in the Western Balkans, notes that many people remain focused on stereotypes and prejudices between different ethnic groups stoking fear of a return to conflict. This rapid review examines evidence focussing on various interventions that seek to promote inter-group relations that are greatly elusive in the political realm in the Western Balkan. Socio-political change requires a growing critical mass that sees the merit in progressive and conciliatory ethnic politics and is capable of side-lining divisive ethno-nationalist forces. This review provides an evidence synthesis of pathways through which micro-level, civil-society-based interventions can produce ‘ripple effects’ in society and scale up to affect larger geographic areas and macro-level socio-political outcomes. These interventions help in the provision of alternative platforms for dealing with divisive nationalism in post-conflict societies. There is need to ensure that the different players participating in reconciliation activities are able to scale up and attain broader reach to ensure efficacy and hence enabling them to become ‘multiplier of peace.’ One such way is by providing tools for activism. The involvement of key people and institutions, who are respected and play an important role in the everyday life of communities and participants is an important factor in the design and success of reconciliation initiatives. These include the youth, objective media, and journalists. The transformation of conflict identities through reconciliation-related activities is theorised as leading to the creation of peace constituencies that support non-violent approaches to conflict resolution and sustainable peace The success of reconciliation interventions largely depends on whether it contributes to redefining otherwise antagonistic identities and hostile relationships within a community or society.
Aging of engine oils and their influence on the wear of an internal combustion engine
Authors: Idzior Marek
Published: May 2021

New designs of internal combustion engines require the use of engine oils that can cope with more demanding conditions, primarily with greater loads and higher temperatures. The requirements of recent years have led to a wider use of modern base oils and specially designed additive packages. This avoids the formation of impurities and changes in viscosity as a result of shearing of the viscosity additives under high loads. The article discusses the important problem of oil aging during operation and the impact of this phenomenon on the operation of internal combustion engines. The influence of oil service life and its replacement on the emission of toxic exhaust gas components was discussed, and the results of research on the effect of oil service life on changes in their viscosity were presented.
Digital Technologies within and beyond the Workplace: Impacts, Ambiguities, and Transformative Trends
Authors: Faldetta Guglielmo , Frigotto Maria Laura , Lazazzara Alessandra , Marchiori Michela , Pezzillo Iacono Mario , Scapolan Anna Chiara
Published: May 2021

Digital transformation (DT) is increasingly establishing itself as a constant theme in contemporary academic and practitioner conversations (Hanelt et al., 2020). Organisation scholars are attentive to the role and impact of digitalisation (Hinings, Gegenhuber and Greenwood, 2018), investigating how digital technologies affect individuals (Zuboff, 2015; 2019), organisations and professions (Foer, 2017), entire industries (Taplin, 2017), and societies (Morozov, 2011). There is no doubt that digitally-enabled arrangements permeate and reshape industries and fields, challenging organisational models, HRM practices, power structures and meaning systems (Alvesson and Kärreman, 2011). Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation of economy and organisations, anticipated many issues and transformations that would have taken longer to be addressed and posed unique demands in terms of conditions and scale of technology adoption at work (Wang et al., 2021). Thus, promoting theory and research development on this important substantive and methodological topic is therefore of foremost importance.
Book review. Aesthetics, Organization, and Humanistic Management, edited by Monika Kostera and Cezary Woźniak, New York, NY: Routledge, 2021, 254 pp., ISBN: 9780367550073
Authors: Faldetta Guglielmo
Published: May 2021

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Globalization of Gas Markets: New Challenges
Authors: Telegina E.
Published: May 2021

Currently, gas markets are going through a phase of transformation into global ones. They are largely following the American model of the spot trade market development with the building of LNG terminals for the internationalization and globalization of supply chains. All this greatly changes the structure of the relationship between the producers and consumers of long-term gas contracts, primarily in Europe. The availability of a ramified network of gas transmission pipelines in the territory of the European Union and the diversification of supplies through greater application of liquefied natural gas allows Europe to more effectively build its energy strategy. In particular, the stress is made on the creation of large hubs (junctions of inter-country flows) to turn the spot trade into a dominant mechanism of natural gas supplies.
Encouraging and Dynamization of Employment: Prescription of Flexicurity
Authors: Grishin I.
Published: May 2021

The article proposes an analysis of the phenomenon of flexicurity (flexible security) in a broad problem-country context. Flexicurity is an interesting attempt to initiate a change of employment of the employee in accordance with the new social and technological conditions. Against the background of cross-country comparisons the author reveals the specific features of the Danish labor market and, partly, of the Netherlands’s one. There the considered phenomenon has received the greatest development.
Anti-Missile Debates: Two Trends in Expert Community
Authors: Kalyadin A.
Published: May 2021

The goal of the present research is to demonstrate the main, significant componentry of the North Korean political and economic system, as well as to educe the most important factors which currently maintain its relative stability and may undergo serious tests in any version of transformation of the present totalitarian, command-and-control regime closed from the outer world.
Héroes de Piedra
Authors: Murcia Diana
Published: May 2021

Antoni Gaudí
Study of Effectiveness of Pattern Based Teaching Method on Students’ Long-Term Retention of Contents in Organic Chemistry
Authors: Pokharna Chandra Prakash , Bharatiyaa Neetu
Published: May 2021

Organic chemistry is a subject which students find difficult because of complex reactions and mechanisms involved. The main aim of this study was to study the students' understanding of the concepts of organic chemistry by pattern based teaching method (PBT). Pattern Based Teaching is a systematic approach in teaching chemistry where the reactions and mechanisms are systematized into a particular pattern for different functional groups. The students are made to understand the basic concepts how to introduce a particular functional group and how functional groups give reactions with different type of reagents. The present paper reports the effect of this innovative teaching method on students' long term retention of organic chemistry course material. Long term retention of contents was examined by conducting two tests-pretest (based on traditional lecture teaching) and a post-test (conducted after PBT). Students' of first year undergraduate class of two different colleges of Kishangarh city of Ajmer district of Rajasthan were used for the study. These students were divided into six groups and two of them were taught by the author by PBT method. The rest four groups were control groups taught by the traditional lecture based teaching method. Students performance after PBT method was compared to that in a traditional lecture based teaching method. Our analysis showed that the out of the six sample groups of students used in our study, the highest mean scores (10.46 and 13.36) were of the two experimental groups. The four control groups had mean scores in the range 7-10. This investigation thus suggests that pattern-based teaching in organic chemistry is a powerful and systematic approach which facilitates students’ long-term retention of contents of the subject. It promotes active learning and creates students’ interest in the subject.
Time Series Analysis of Computer Network Traffic in a Dedicated Link Aggregation
Authors: Millán Ginno , Lefranc Gastón , Osorio-Comparán Román , Lomas-Barrie Víctor
Published: May 2021

Fractal behavior and long-range dependence are widely observed in measurements and characterization of traffic flow in high-speed computer networks of different technologies and coverage levels. This paper presents the results obtained when applying fractal analysis techniques on a time series obtained from traffic captures coming from an application server connected to the Internet through a high-speed link. The results obtained show that traffic flow in the dedicated high-speed network link have fractal behavior when the Hurst exponent is in the range of 0.5, 1, the fractal dimension between 1, 1.5, and the correlation coefficient between –0.5, 0. Based on these results, it is ideal to characterize both the singularities of the traffic and its impulsiveness during a fractal analysis of temporal scales. Finally, based on the results of the time series analyses, the fact that the traffic flows of current computer networks exhibit fractal behavior with a long-range dependency is reaffirmed.
Intersections between Copper, β-Arrestin-1, Calcium, FBXW7, CD17, Insulin Resistance and Atherogenicity Mediate Depression and Anxiety Due to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nomothetic Network Approach
Authors: Al-Hakeim Hussein , Hadi Hadi , Jawad Ghoufran , Maes Michael
Published: May 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is frequently accompanied by affective disorders with a prevalence of comorbid depression of around 25%. Nevertheless, the biomarkers of affective symptoms including depression and anxiety due to T2DM are not well established.Aims: This study was conducted to delineate the serum biomarkers predicting affective symptoms due to T2DM above and beyond the effects of insulin resistance and atherogenicity. Methods: The present study delineated the effects of serum levels of copper, zinc, β-arrestin-1, FBXW7, lactosylceramide (LacCer), serotonin, albumin, calcium, magnesium, IR and atherogenicity on severity of depression and anxiety in 58 men with T2DM and 30 healthy male controls. Severity of affective symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety rating scales.Results: We found that 61.7% of the variance in affective symptoms was explained by the multivariate regression on copper, β-arrestin-1, calcium, and insulin resistance coupled with atherogenicity, while 44.4% of the variance in the latter was explained by copper, β-arrestin-1, LacCer (all positively) and calcium and FBXW7 (both negatively). Copper and LacCer (positive) and calcium and BXW7 (inverse) had significant specific indirect effects on affective symptoms which were mediated by insulin resistance and atherogenicity. Copper, β-arrestin-1, and calcium were associated with affective symptoms above and beyond the effects of insulin resistance and atherogenicity.Discussion: T2DM and affective symptoms share common pathways namely increased atherogenicity, insulin resistance, copper, and β-arrestin-1, and lowered calcium, whereas copper, β-arrestin-1, calcium, LacCer, and FBXW7 may modulate depression and anxiety symptoms by affecting T2DM.
Thermally-Induced Shape-Memory Behavior of Degradable Gelatin-Based Networks
Authors: Neffe Axel T. , Löwenberg Candy , Julich-Gruner Konstanze K. , Behl Marc , Lendlein Andreas
Published: May 2021

Shape-memory hydrogels (SMH) are as multifunctional, actively-moving polymers of interest in biomedicine. In loosely crosslinked polymer networks gelatin chains may form triple helices, which can act as temporary netpoints in SMH, depending on the presence of salts. Here, we show programming and initiation of the shape-memory effect of such networks based on a thermomechanical process compatible with the physiological environment. The SMH were synthesized by reaction of glycidylmethacrylated gelatin with OEG α,ω-dithiols of varying crosslinker length and amount. Triple helicalization of gelatin chains is shown directly by wide-angle X-ray scattering and indirectly via the mechanical behavior at different temperatures. The ability to form triple helices increased with the molar mass of the crosslinker. Hydrogels had storage moduli of 0.27-23 kPa and Young’s moduli of 215-360 kPa at 4 °C. The hydrogels were hydrolytically degradable, with full degradation to water soluble products within one week at 37 °C and pH = 7.4. A thermally-induced shape-memory effect is demonstrated in bending as well as in compression tests, in which shape recovery with excellent shape recovery rates Rr close to 100% were observed. In the future, the material presented here could be applied e.g. as self-anchoring devices mechanically resembling the extracellular matrix.
Applications of Magnesium and its Alloys: A Review
Authors: Tan Jovan , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: May 2021

Magnesium is a promising material. It has a remarkable mix of mechanical and biomedical properties that made it suitable for a vast range of applications. With alloying, many of these inherent properties can be further improved. Today, it is primarily used in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industry. However, magnesium has its own set of drawbacks which the industry and research community are actively addressing. Magnesium’s rapid corrosion is its most significant drawback, and it dramatically impeded magnesium’s growth and expansion into other applications. This article will review both the engineering and biomedical aspects and applications for magnesium and its alloys. It will also elaborate on the challenges the material faces, how they can be overcome, and its outlook.
Effects of Neurofeedback in the Working Memory of Children with Learning Disorders: An EEG Power-Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Martínez-Briones Benito Javier , Bosch-Bayard Jorge , Biscay-Lirio Rolando Jose , Albarrán-Cárdenas Lucero , Silva-Pereyra Juan , Fernández Thalía
Published: May 2021

Learning disorders (LD) are diagnosed in children impaired in the academic skills of reading, writing and/or mathematics. Children with LD usually show a slower resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG), with EEG patterns corresponding to a neurodevelopmental lag. LD-children also show a consistent cognitive impairment in working memory (WM), including an abnormal task-related EEG with an overall slower EEG activity of more delta and theta power, and less gamma activity in posterior sites; task-related EEG patterns considered indices of an inefficient neural resource management. Neurofeedback (NFB) treatments aimed at normalizing the resting-state EEG of LD-children have shown improvements in cognitive-behavioral indices and diminished EEG abnormalities. Given the typical findings of a WM impairment in LD-children; we aimed to explore the effects of a NFB treatment in the WM of children with LD, by analyzing the WM-related EEG power-spectrum. We recruited 18 children with LD (8-10 years old). They performed a Sternberg-type WM-task synchronized with an EEG of 19 leads (10-20 system) twice in pre-post treatment conditions. They went through either 30 sessions of a NFB treatment (NFB-group, n= 10); or through 30 sessions of a placebo-sham treatment (Sham-group, n= 8). We analyzed the before-after treatment group differences for the behavioral performance and the WM-related power-spectrum. The NFB group showed faster response times in the WM-task post-treatment. They also showed an increased gamma power at posterior sites and a decreased beta power. We explain these findings in terms of NFB improving the maintenance of memory representations coupled with a reduction of anxiety.
Effects of Higher Order Retarded Gravity
Authors: Yahalom Asher
Published: May 2021

In a recent paper we have a shown that the flattening of galactic rotation curves can be explained by retardation. However, this will rely on a temporal change of galactic mass. In our previous work we have kept only second order terms of the retardation time in our analysis, while higher terms in the Taylor expansion where not considered. Here we consider analysis to all orders and show that indeed a second order analysis will suffice, and higher order terms can be neglected.
Whole-Exome Analysis Reveals X-linked Recessive Mutations underlying Premature Ovarian Failure Using Galaxy Platform
Authors: Saif Rashid , Mahmood Tania , Ejaz Aniqa , Zia Saeeda , Alotaibi Saqer
Published: May 2021

An in-silico WES approach using the Galaxy platform was adopted in the current study to predict the genetic basis of Premature Ovarian Failure (POF), where three affected patients in a Saudi Arabian family of seven, found associated with X-linked recessive mutations. The current analysis discovered 518,054 variants using FreeBayes variant caller that had 1,461,864 effects on variable sites in the genome revealed by SnpEff software. The causal genetic mutations were filtered and annotated with the ClinVar database using the GEMINI tool. This tool retained 369 pathogenic mutations harboring 130 genes. Among the total, 268 variants positioned on 69 genes are shared with three affected individuals, 61 variants on 23 genes are shared by any two of the affected individuals, and 40 of the variants on 38 genes are present in any one of the affected sample. Two mutations in one of the already POF-associated, POF1B gene were also observed e.g. (i) g.84563135T>A; p.M349L and (ii) g.84563194C>T; p.R329Q in the two affected individuals i.e. IV-I-C & IV-6 in the current data. This gene consists of 17 exons that span the region of >100 kb. The putative function of this gene in regulating the actin cytoskeleton due to homology with myosin tail and maintains a number of oocytes during fetal ovary development. In a nutshell, this Galaxy pipeline facilitates all-in-one to pinpoint not only the known pathogenic gene mutations for this disorder but few other novel genetic variants as well, whose gene-disease association may be validated by further experimental studies.
Allelic Variants in Established Hypopituitarism Genes Expands Our Knowledge of Phenotypic Spectrum
Authors: Nakaguma Marilena , Ferreira Nathalia Garcia Bianchi Pereira , Benedetti Anna Flavia Figueredo , Madi Mariana Cotarelli , Silva Juliana Moreira , Camper Sally Ann , Li Jun Z. , Ma Qianyi , Blige Ozel A. , Fang Qing , Narcizo Amanda de Moraes , Cardoso Lais Cavalca , Montenegro Luciana Ribeiro , Funari Mariana Ferreira de Assis , Nishi Mirian Yumie , Mendonca Berenice Bilharinho , Arnhold Ivo Jorge Prado , Jorge Alexander Augusto Lima , Carvalho Luciani Renata Silveira de
Published: May 2021

We report four allelic variants (3 novel) in three genes previously established as causal for hypopituitarism or related disorders. A novel homozygous variant in the growth hormone gene, GH1 c.171delT (p. Phe 57Leufs * 43), was found in a male patient with severe isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) born to consanguineous parents. A SOX3 allelic variant (p.Met304Ile) was found in a male patient with IGHD and hypoplastic anterior pituitary. YASARA, a tool to evaluate protein stability, suggests that p.Met304Ile destabilizes the SOX3 protein (ΔΔG = 2.49 kcal/mol). A rare, heterozygous missense variant in the TALE homeobox protein gene, TGIF1 (c.268C>T:p.Arg90Cys) was found in a patient with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), diabetes insipidus, and syndromic features of holoprosencephaly (HPE). A novel heterozygous TGIF1 variant (c.82T>C:p.Ser28Pro) was identified in a patient with CPHD, pituitary aplasia and ectopic posterior lobe. Both TGIF1 variants have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance with incomplete penetrance. In conclusion, we have found allelic variants in 3 genes in hypopituitarism patients. We discuss these variants and associated patient phenotypes in relation to previously reported variants in these genes, expanding our knowledge of the phenotypic spectrum in patient populations.