bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Eggshell Powder and GGBS Geopolymer Designed by the Taguchi Method
Authors: Putra Handana M Agung
Published: April 2024

This research endeavors to develop a geopolymer mortar synthesized from eggshell powder and ground granulated blast-furnace slag, utilizing the Taguchi L25 optimization technique to refine the synthesis process across molarity (A), precursor ratio (B) and curing duration (C). Analyzed at five distinct levels across 25 experimental setups, denoted as A1B1C1 through A5B5C5, these variables were rigorously tested. Compressive-strength measurement was employed as a criterion to assess the performance of three samples from each setup, alongside setting-time evaluation to ascertain the geopolymer concrete's workability. Optimal results were observed with a 60% eggshell to 40% slag ratio (A5B1C5), yielding the highest average compressive strength of 49.5 MPa after a curing period of 56 days. Conversely, a mix comprising 100% eggshell (A2B5C1) manifested the lowest compressive strength of 5 MPa at a 3-day curing period. Taguchi's signal-to-noise ratio analysis pinpointed the precursor ratio as a crucial determinant of compressive strength. Additionally, setting-time investigations revealed A5B1C5 as exhibiting the most advantageous initial and final setting times of 15 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively, compared to the protracted durations of 240 minutes and 540 minutes for A2B5C1. Through comprehensive chemical, micro-structural and mineralogical characterizations via X-ray fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction, it was found that an increased proportion of ground granulated blastfurnace slag relative to eggshell enhances surface smoothness and density, indicative of successful polymerization. This was further corroborated by X-ray diffraction, which confirmed the formation of sodium alumina-silicate hydrate, calcium aluminum silicate hydrate and calcium silicate hydrate gels. Consequently, the study substantiates the potential of employing eggshell powder and ground granulated blast-furnace slag in the sustainable fabrication of geopolymers from waste materials. Keywords: Geopolymers, GGBFS, Eggshell, Taguchi Method, Compressive strength
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Property Damage-only Accident Hotspots Using GIS in Sharjah, UAE
Authors:   College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, Obaid Lubna
Published: April 2024

Recent research on road-traffic accidents (RTAs) has become a focal point for safety and transportation experts, focusing on understanding their rates, characteristics, causes and effects. A significant development in this field is using Geographic Information Systems (GISs) to analyze RTAs. The primary objective of this study is to introduce a GIS-based approach for the comprehensive analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of RTAs, specifically Property Damage-only (PDO) accidents. This research also endeavors to pinpoint accident-prone areas, commonly called ‘hotspots,’ and high-density accident clusters. This was achieved through spatialautocorrelation analysis, incorporating techniques, including inverse distance weighting, Moran’s index and the Getis Ord Gi* statistic. By focusing on eight years of accident data (2015-2022) in the Sharjah Emirate of the United Arab Emirates, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the distribution of traffic accidents. The analysis of temporal patterns revealed that the monthly distribution of PDO accidents showed the lowest frequencies of incidents in July, August and September throughout the study period. Furthermore, PDO accident frequencies peaked in 2015, followed by a decline until 2018, after which there was a slight increase until the conclusion of the analysis in 2022. Spatial analysis highlighted significant clustering of PDO-related RTAs. Hotspot analysis specifically identified downtown areas of Sharjah city as more prone to PDO accidents than other regions. The findings underscore the effectiveness of the analytical methods employed, which can be utilized for identifying and prioritizing accident hotspots. Keywords: Road-traffic accidents, Property Damage Only (PDO), Spatial analysis, Hotspot analysis, GIS.
Statistical Analysis of Operational Carbon for Different Building Types in the UAE
Authors:   University of Sharjah, Hosny Fatma
Published: April 2024

The building sector contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect, generating significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions throughout the life cycle of buildings. Traditional methods for assessing emissions, such as software evaluation and site inspection, are time-consuming and do not adequately account for variability and uncertainty in emission data. This research aims to investigate and analyze the statistical characteristics of the operational carbon produced from different types of buildings in the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The investigation focused on residential, commercial and educational buildings and their heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, walls and window systems. All scenarios were statistically evaluated through linear-regression analysis, correlation analysis, Probability Mass Functions (PMFs) and Cumulative Distribution Functions (CDFs). The results of linear-regression analysis revealed an average accuracy (R2 ) of 0.958. The results of correlation analysis indicated that upgrading the HVAC system in residential and commercial buildings reduced the operational carbon, while in educational buildings, upgrading the window systems reduced the operational carbon. Finally, the PMF and CDF analyses indicated that upgrading the HVAC system in residential and commercial buildings was the optimal option, which reduced the carbon percentage by 28.56% and 28.48%, respectively. However, upgrading the window system was the optimal option for educational buildings, reducing the carbon percentage by 75.80%. Keywords: Operational carbon, Linear regression, Correlation analysis, Probability mass functions, Cumulative distribution functions.
INFLUENCE OF PAINT COATING THICKNESS ON THE PROBABILITY OF CRACKING
Authors: Loganina V.I.
Published: April 2024

The paper investigates the probability of cracking for polyvinyl acetate-cement coatings depending on their thickness and strength of adhesion to the cement substrate. Data on changes in the cohesive strength of paint coatings depending on their thickness is provided. A model is proposed for changing the cohesive strength of the coating depending on the thickness. A statistical assessment of the probability of destruction is conducted to examine cracking. A graphical model of the probability of cohesive failure depending on the thickness and adhesion strength of coatings is proposed.
MIXED POLYMER COMPOSITIONS AS THE BASIS OF THE ADHESIVE LAYER FOR BITUMEN TAPES
Authors: Bokova M.E. , Puzikova A.E. , Nebratenko D.Y.
Published: April 2024

The stability of the surface layers of asphalt concrete (especially at longitudinal and transverse joints of strips laid at different times) can be increased by using bitumen-polymer joining tapes. However, in a number of cases, reliable fastening of the docking tape in an upright position cannot be achieved due to unsatisfactory natural and climatic conditions, creating foci of subsequent destruction. One widely discussed solution is to create an adhesive layer on the side of the connecting bitumen-polymer tape capable of providing the necessary level of adhesion from the moment it is distributed until the end of laying and compaction of a fresh layer of hot asphalt concrete. This study is devoted to the study of two-component compositions based on high-pressure polyethylene and styrene-butadiene thermoplastic. The dispersion medium for this study was residual bitumen from petroleum fractions of Yareg oil, which differs in composition from traditional viscous petroleum bitumen mass produced through oxidation.
Wdrażanie różnojęzycznych studentów filologii regionów do czytania literatury francuskojęzycznej. Refleksja glottodydaktyczna nad wstępną koncepcją kursu
Authors: Orchowska Izabela
Published: April 2024

The current paper is a reflection on introducing plurilingual students of Regional Language Studies to the reading of francophone literature. The paper first discusses the didactic background for the reflection and emphasizes the plurilingualism of students. Next, the author presents how the autonomization approach to learning and teaching could be applied in an optional course of French focused on developing plurilingual learners’ reading comprehension of francophone literary texts, even before they reach the advanced proficiency level in French. The initial course concept will be illustrated with didactic analysis of the francophone novel – “L’ignorance” by Milan Kundera.
Intramuscular injection of mesenchymal stem cells augments basal muscle protein synthesis after bouts of resistance exercise in male mice
Authors: Takegaki Junya , Sase Kohei , Kono Yusuke , Fujita Takuya , Konishi Satoshi , Fujita Satoshi
Published: April 2024

Skeletal muscle mass is critical for activities of daily living. Resistance training maintains or increases muscle mass, and various strategies maximize the training adaptation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with differential potency in skeletal muscle cells and the capacity to secrete growth factors. However, little is known regarding the effect of intramuscular injection of MSCs on basal muscle protein synthesis and catabolic systems after resistance training. Here, we measured changes in basal muscle protein synthesis, the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, and autophagy‐lysosome system‐related factors after bouts of resistance exercise by intramuscular injection of MSCs. Mice performed three bouts of resistance exercise (each consisting of 50 maximal isometric contractions elicited by electrical stimulation) on the right gastrocnemius muscle every 48 h, and immediately after the first bout, mice were intramuscularly injected with either MSCs (2.0 × 106 cells) labeled with green fluorescence protein (GFP) or vehicle only placebo. Seventy‐two hours after the third exercise bout, GFP was detected only in the muscle injected with MSCs with concomitant elevation of muscle protein synthesis. The injection of MSCs also increased protein ubiquitination. These results suggest that the intramuscular injection of MSCs augmented muscle protein turnover at the basal state after consecutive resistance exercise.
Physiological impacts of atmospheric pollution: Effects of environmental air pollution on exercise
Authors: Koehle Michael Stephen
Published: April 2024

In this review, we discuss some of the recent advances in our understanding of the physiology of the air pollution and exercise. The key areas covered include the effect of exercise intensity, the effects of pre‐exposure to air pollution, acclimation to air pollution, and the utility of masks during exercise. Although higher intensity exercise leads to an increase in the inhaled dose of pollutants for a given distance traveled, the acute effects of (diesel exhaust) air pollution do not appear to be more pronounced. Second, exposure to air pollution outside of exercise bouts seems to have an effect on exercise response, although little research has examined this relationship. Third, humans appear to have an ability to acclimate to ground level ozone, but not other pollutants. And finally, masks may have beneficial effects on certain outcomes at low intensity exercise in pollution with significant levels of particles, but more study is required in realistic conditions.
Concentration of blow-up solutions for the Gross-Pitaveskii equation
Authors: Zhu Shihui
Published: April 2024

We consider the blow-up solutions for the Gross-Pitaveskii equation modeling the attractive Boes-Einstein condensate. First, a new variational characteristic is established by computing the best constant of a generalized Gagliardo-Nirenberg inequality. Then, a lower bound on blow-up rate and a new concentration phenomenon of blow-up solutions are obtained in the

L

2

{L}^{2}

supercritical case. Finally, in the

L

2

{L}^{2}

critical case, a delicate limit of blow-up solutions is analyzed.
Computing N-dimensional polytrope via power series
Authors: Nouh Mohamed I. , Taha Mahmoud , Ibrahim Ahmed Ahmed , Abdel-Sabour Mohamed
Published: April 2024

Polytropic equations (Lane–Emden [LE] equations) are valuable because they offer a simple explanation for a star’s interior structure, interstellar matter, molecular clouds, and even spiral arms that can be calculated and used to estimate various physical parameters. Many analytical and numerical methods are used to solve the polytropic LE equation. The series expansion method played an essential role in many areas of science and has found application in many branches of physical science. This work uses the series expansion method to examine N-dimensional polytropes (i.e., slab, cylinder, and sphere). To solve LE-type equations, a computational method based on accelerated series expansion (ASE) is applied. We calculate several models for the N-dimensional polytropes. The numerical results show good agreement between the ASE and numerical and analytical models of the N-dimensional polytropes.
Thermoplastic-polymer matrix composite of banana/betel nut husk fiber reinforcement: Physico-mechanical properties evaluation
Authors: Mollah Mohammad Zahirul Islam , Miah Md. Sumon , Akram Md. Washim , Mahmud Sayed Hasan , Faruque Mohammad Rashed Iqbal , Al-mugren Kholoud Saad
Published: April 2024

Reinforced composite made of polypropylene combining banana and betel nut husk fiber (BBF) was treated with 10% NaOH (w/w). The fiber percentages of 40%, 50%, and 60% were used using the compression molding process. Properties such as tensile, bending, impact, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and water absorption were assessed as composite reinforcements. The composites with 50% BBF reinforcement performed better than composites with different fiber compositions. While 40% BBF-reinforced showed superior results in tensile, bending, and water absorption tests, the impact and TGA analyses provided comparatively lower results. The tensile strength (36 MPa), bending strength (78 MPa), energy absorption (2.4 Nm), thermal resistance (300–583°), and the maximum level of characteristics were attained. This work demonstrated the feasibility of repurposing waste banana stems and betel nut husks for interior decoration, furniture, and automobile bodies in fiber-reinforced hybrid composites, replacing expensive and environmentally hazardous artificial materials due to their mechanical capabilities.
The scientific discovery and subsequent history of the douc monkey Pygathrix nemaeus (Linnaeus, 1771) near Da Nang, Vietnam
Authors: Brandon-Jones Douglas
Published: April 2024

In 1750 Pierre Poivre donated the holotype of the douc monkey Pygathrix nemaeus to R.-A. F. de Réaumur. Its type locality is here restricted from “Cochinchine” to near Da Nang, Vietnam. In 1757, Buffon appropriated the holotype for the King’s collection, wrongly inferring that the species lacks ischial callosities, and conflating it with the sifaka of Madagascar. “D’ouc” is evidently a corruption of Voọc, the Vietnamese word for colobine monkey. In 1819, a French crew shot 100 doucs before breakfast on a mountain near Da Nang. In 2016, the whole mountain population was estimated at 70. By 1831 doucs had learnt to fear gunfire, but locals accepted their proximity, and provided some protection from meat-seeking foreigners. Several doucs were collected for museums in the 19th and 20th century; in 1897 two even lived for a fortnight at the Jardin des Plantes, Paris. The douc was observed and collected near Da Nang during its miraculous survival of the Vietnam War; its evergreen forest habitat surprisingly resilient. This situation is rapidly deteriorating, as forests are reduced to isolated pockets, and hunting prohibitions unenforced. The closely-monitored Mount Son Tra douc population was expanding, but tourist development is illegally eroding the Nature Reserve.
Observations of a greater sac-winged bat pup (Saccopteryx bilineata) with a chromatic disorder
Authors: Fernandez Ahana A. , Tietge Marisa , Ripperger Simon
Published: April 2024

Chromatic disorders in bats are typically documented by brief, incidental observations of individuals at day roosts or by accidental captures during mist-netting. Such descriptions usually lack observations on social behaviour including interactions between bats with aberrant pigmentation and other individuals. Here, we report the first observation of leucism in the greater sac-winged bat Saccopteryx bilineata. Over the course of six weeks, we were able to follow the development of a wild pup with a conspicuous aberrant pigmentation, by observing it in its day roost. Our observations indicate that the vocal and behavioural development of the pup was entirely normal, as well as the integration into its social group. After six weeks, when the pup was already foraging individually, it did not return to its colony in the morning, indicating that it may have been preyed on.
How morphological decomposition manifests itself in the duration of the inter-morpheme period of silence in Russian prefixed verbs
Authors: Monakhov Sergei
Published: April 2024

This study tests the morphological gradience theory on Russian prefixed verbs. With the help of a specially designed experiment, I offer evidence that verbs with prefixes that have prepositional counterparts and verbs with prefixes that exist only as bound morphemes reveal significant differences in terms of their morphological decomposition. In the pronunciation of native speakers, there tends to be a significantly longer silent period between prepositional prefixes and bases than between unprepositional prefixes and bases due to the compositional nature of the former and the non-compositional nature of the latter. Drawing on these findings, I contend that Russian prefixed verbs can be analysed as constructional schemas and that the degree of their morphological decomposition depends upon the different levels of activation of their sequential and lexical links.
The description of mourning in Anna Stanisławska’s autobiography: The context of early modern theory of emotion
Authors: Jekutsch Ulrike
Published: April 2024

Anna Zbąska née Stanisławska, a lady of the Polish high aristocracy, wrote the story of her life in 1685 after the loss of her father, a divorce from her first and the deaths of her second and third husband, all of which she experienced in the course of approximately 16 years. She told her life as a narrative in lamentations, in a series of 77 dirges (treny) in which she mourned her beloved ones as well as her own – childless, fruitless – life. Though it has been frequently noted in recent research that the text is dominated by the expression of mourning, this central aspect has not been made a subject of a study in its own right. This article aims to examine the description of mourning by Stanisławska and her way of handling her afflictions by discussing them in the context of conceptualizations of emotions in the seventeenth century.
Aptamer-based Theranostics in Oncology: Design Strategies and Limitations
Authors: Trivedi Jyoti , Yasir Mohammad , Maurya Rahul K. , Tripathi Alok Shiomurti
Published: April 2024

Cancer remains a major global health burden, necessitating innovative approaches for improved diagnosis and treatment. Aptamer-based theranostics have gained attention in the field of cancer research and treatment. Aptamers can be used as targeting ligands for the delivery of therapeutic agents to cancer cells, as well as for the detection and imaging of cancer, due to high binding affinity and selectivity. Aptamers are also being investigated as anticancer drugs. Specifically, aptamers serve as a tool for controlling protein activity via protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. The aptamer-exosome technology improves aptamer targeting. To gather relevant data, we searched scientific databases, including PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Wiley, Web of Science, and Springer. Despite challenges, theranostics, environmental monitoring, biosensing, and other fields could benefit from the use of aptamer technology. This review discusses the standard methods for producing aptamers, including green aptamers, and potential applications in diagnostics. Aptamers are useful in biotherapy and as anticancer drugs, and this article gives a thorough overview of both with examples. We also covered aptamer-exosome technologies, aptasensors, and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications. We investigated recent systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) methodologies with a focus on carrier materials and technical advances, and discuss the difficulties in creating aptamers that are more practical, highly efficient, and stable.
South Korea in 2023
Authors: Jung Kwangho
Published: April 2024

In 2023, South Korea faced turbulence under the Yoon Suk-Yeol administration, which was marked by democratic challenges, foreign policy shifts, and high political tensions. This report examines South Korea’s transformative year, with a focus on ongoing leadership transitions, emerging diplomatic horizons for freedom and human rights, economic challenges stemming from “Peak Korea,” and key social issues, including a high suicide rate, low birth rate, and the controversy over the dog meat ban. It also discusses President Yoon’s challenges as the leader of a global pivot state.
Vietnam in 2023
Authors: Trinh Minh D.
Published: April 2024

Vietnam experienced drastic political and economic disruptions in 2023. The anti-corruption campaign reached the very top level of government. Ongoing prosecutions and new arrests targeted the business sector. Vietnam successfully navigated an unprecedented leadership change and restored stability to the political system, emboldening the public security forces in the process. International relations were marked by successful upgrades of ties to both the US and China. However, a shaky domestic capital market, shrinking global demand, and the side effects of anti-corruption drives resulted in a significant economic slowdown.
Bangladesh in 2022 and 2023
Authors: Chowdhury Nusrat Sabina
Published: April 2024

Following the semicentennial celebrations and a global pandemic, Bangladesh seemed well on track to achieve the promises of furthering both democracy and development. But while development was visible in the completion of spectacular infrastructural projects, democracy continued to suffer, as the government plans to host the 12th parliamentary elections without the participation of the main opposition party. The war in Ukraine and a depleting foreign exchange reserve severely affected the country’s economic profile, while a dengue outbreak once more revealed the inadequacies of its public health system.
Nepal in 2022 and 2023
Authors: Bhattarai Prakash
Published: April 2024

The major events that were pivotal in Nepal in both 2022 and 2023 can be put into five categories: politics and society; geopolitics and foreign policy; the economy; climate change, disaster, and health; and human rights, justice, and peace. The country’s economy performed poorly, and results were mixed in the other four categories. In particular, these two years were instrumental for institutionalizing democratic practices due to timely local, provincial, and federal elections. However, as in preceding years, this review indicates a need for significant efforts to improve the country’s economy, address climate change and disastrous events, ensure justice for conflict-era victims, and promote peace.
Two rare cases of benign struma ovarii with malignant recurrence
Authors: Kantreva Kanella , Paschou Stavroula A , Stefanaki Katerina , Pappa Kanella , Kazakou Paraskevi , Vrachnis Dionysios , Kavoura Evangelia , Pavlakis Kitty , Giovannopoulou Eirini , Lathouras Konstantinos , Alevizaki Maria , Saltiki Katerina
Published: April 2024

Struma ovarii is an ovarian teratoma that comprises 2–5% of all ovarian teratomas. Malignant transformation of struma ovarii occurs in less than 5% of all cases, and metastatic disease is even rarer. We report two cases initially diagnosed with benign struma ovarii that presented malignant transformation, specifically highly differentiated follicular carcinoma of the ovary (HDFCO), some years after the first diagnosis. Case 1 concerns a 37-year-old female featuring HDFCO of the right ovary with multiple metastatic foci, who was diagnosed with benign struma ovarii 14 years ago. Case 2 concerns a 26-year-old female diagnosed with HDFCO of the left ovary. This patient was initially diagnosed with benign struma ovarii 6 years ago that recurred 4 years after the diagnosis. Both patients were treated with surgery, adjunctive total thyroidectomy, and radioactive iodine (131I) therapy.

Learning points

Malignant transformation of struma ovarii is very rare (<5%).

Diagnosis of HDFCO without extra ovarian dissemination is difficult due to the resemblance of its histological appearance with normal thyroid tissue.

There is no consensus on the postoperative treatment of malignant struma ovarii (MSO). Clinical and histological features of MSO should be assessed for the postoperative treatment decisions.

TSH suppression and thyroglobulin level measurements are necessary for patient follow-up.
MUJERES FRANCESAS Y MATRIMONIO EN LA CATALUÑA MODERNA (SIGLOS XVI-XVII)
Authors: Amengual Bibiloni Miquel , Pujadas-Mora Joana Maria
Published: April 2024

El presente artículo persigue profundizar en el comportamiento matrimonial de las mujeres francesas que emigraron a Cataluña en los siglos XVI y XVII en el marco de la gran oleada migratoria que recibió la monarquía hispánica. Así, se han cruzado nominativamente, y por primera vez, los libros de esponsales de la catedral de Barcelona, recogidos en la Barcelona Historical Marriage Database; los expedientes matrimoniales de la diócesis de Barcelona y la Matrícula de franceses de 1637. Los resultados muestran un alto nivel de homogamia geográfica y social en sus matrimonios como consecuencia de un marcado desequilibrio del mercado matrimonial. En este sentido, por cada nueve franceses encontramos una sola francesa. Asimismo, estas migrantes estaban concentradas en las capas más bajas de la sociedad del momento, declarando ser hijas, básicamente, de campesinos y jornaleros.
Flexural vibration test method for determining the dynamic elastic modulus of full-size strawboards for use in transportation framed cases
Authors: Gu Xiaoyu , Xu Qiyun , Mwamba Benjamin , Wang Zheng , Qi Liang , Wang Jun , Song Liming , Wu Jinliang
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes an improvement in the test method for determining the flexural dynamic modulus of elasticity of strawboard with two triangular prisms as supports, for quality control and classification. Free-plate modal and free-plate transient excitation methods were used to test the elastic modulus of 1/4-plate and whole-plate strawboards. The dynamic test results were verified with the four-point bending method and tensile method. The results show that the elastic moduli of strawboards is approximately 2 GPa. The dynamic test method proposed is efficient, simple, repeatable, and accurate. This method is more suitable for factory applications than existing dynamic testing methods. The framed cases produced by the strawboard all meet the performance requirements in GB/T 7284 (2016).
Research on the influence mechanism of short video communication effect of furniture brand: Based on ELM model and regression analysis
Authors: Yu Shulan , Wu Zehui
Published: April 2024

The elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and regression analysis were used to investigate the impact of furniture brands’ communication strategies on consumer behavior through short video platforms. The work examined a set of representative short videos, analyzing how key features—such as content theme, duration (16-60 seconds), graphics, subtitles, background music, and title style—affected communication effectiveness. The ELM model uncovered the correlation between these video characteristics and the Communication Effect Index (DCI), with statistical significance confirmed by regression. Findings indicated that live broadcasts, graphical presentations, subtitles/topics, upbeat music, and exclamatory titles significantly enhanced communication efficiency. Limitations, including time-period sampling bias, sample size, and item duplication in the ELM application, were also considered. Based on these findings, the research offers optimization suggestions and future directions for furniture enterprises in leveraging short video marketing.
Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with HIV treated in a hospital in the Colombian Orinoco region 2018-2023
Authors: Sánchez Ochoa Alex Deilin , Coronel Natalia Sánchez , García Agudelo Lorena , Avellaneda Luis Carlos
Published: April 2024

Introduction: The human immunodeficiency virus is a worldwide public health problem, with an average number of infected people between 33.1 and 45.7 million and the death of an average of 630 000 people per year. According to the WHO, only 54% of people infected with HIV know they are infected. Methods: Observational, descriptive, retrospective, retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients who consulted a hospital in the Colombian Orinoquía and who underwent confirmation of HIV diagnosis in the period from 2018 to 2023. Results: 337 patients were obtained, 72.70% male and 23.30% female; the mean age was 34.89 years (SD ± 12.63); 94.07% came from urban areas and 5.93% from rural areas; 56.08% were in the HIV stage and 43.92% in the AIDS stage; according to the mechanisms of transmission, heterosexual 70.92%, homosexual 13.06%, bisexual 9.50%, and maternal infant 6. 53%; the most frequent opportunistic diseases and/or coinfections were cerebral toxoplasmosis (24.32%), esophageal candidiasis (20.27%), pneumonitis pneumonia (17.57%), pulmonary tuberculosis 13.51%, 89.06% of patients started antiretroviral therapy during hospital stay, mortality reported in this cohort of patients diagnosed in the period from 2018 to 2023 was 8.01%. Conclusions: It is important to strengthen actions to improve access to health services for patients living with HIV, avoid prolonged stays in hospital care centers, and prevent severe opportunistic infections that require prolonged treatments leading to drug interactions and affecting adherence to treatments.
No good choices, only hard decisions: the delicate nature of team family communication in pompe disease
Authors: Neis Miriam , da Silva Camila Neves , Corso da Motta Maria da Graça , Issi Helena Becker , Famer Rocha Cristianne Maria , Ferreira Anali Martegani , Antonacci Carvalho Paulo Roberto
Published: April 2024

Objective: To describe the experience of a family going through the palliative care decision-making for a child with Pompe disease. Method: Qualitative research, case study design, approved by Ethics Committee (CAAE: 58643816400005327), conducted between 2017/2018. The setting was the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a university hospital in Brazil. Participants were family members of children admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and referred for palliative care. Results: The case study relates the decision-making on palliative care for a child with Pompe disease. The parents, surrounded by the palliative care available for the situation, experience the existential reality of the decision-making process to adopt palliative care for their child, together with the multi-professional team. Conclusions: Understanding the concept of quality of life that each family develops when faced with the seriousness of their child's illness, when the possibilities of cure have been exhausted, is fundamental to the decision making process for adopting palliative care. It is essential to include the participation of the child's or adolescent's parents and other family members in the palliative care decision-making process, in order to give the family a voice, minimising their doubts and suffering, as well as offering shelter in a situation of extreme existential vulnerability.
Fostering the green brain capital of future generations
Authors: Falcão Veronica Podence , R Farina Francesca , J Gilbert Barnabas , Boi Laura , Occhipinti Jo-An , Salama Mohamed , Hynes William , Ayadi Rym , Quoidbach Vinciane , Hawrot Tadeusz , Berk Michael , Eyre Harris A
Published: April 2024

The uncertainty that marks adolescence and early adulthood is heightened by the simultaneous crises of mental health, education and youth unemployment. This puts the brain capital of young people under threat. We must invest in youth brain health and skills that are orientated towards environmental sustainability. This can train future creatives to develop impactful solutions to the current climate crisis as well as develop citizens who are ecologically intelligent and willing to enact environmentally sustainable and resilient behaviors. In effect, we propose a youth green brain capital model. This approach aims to refine and advance this agenda, including specific policy innovations, new investment approaches, and the development of a dashboard of instruments to track green brain capital. Our vision is to empower the next generation with ecologically intelligent leadership skills to address the pressing challenges of the climate crisis.
Migratory grief, as partial, recurrent and multiple grief
Authors: Achotegui Joseba
Published: April 2024

It is proposed that migratory grief has specific characteristics compared to other grief, especially grief for the death of a loved one, a classic reference for grief. When someone dies, they disappear, but in migration the mourning is due to a temporal-spatial separation. This means that grief is in turn recurrent, it remains active throughout the subject's life due to contact with the country of origin and its culture. It is also maintained that migratory grief is a multiple grief, pointing out that there are seven griefs in migration: family, language, culture, land, social status, group belonging and the physical risks linked to migration.
Mediofacial malignant granuloma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Aliou Diallo Mamadou , Ibrahima Diallo , Sayon Kourouma , Alseny Camara , Ramata Diallo Mamadou Mouctar , Alseny Cissé , Oumar Barry Alpha , Karfalla Kaba Mohamed , Abdoulaye Bayo , Alpha Doumbouya Fodé , Casimir Kaman Mohamed , Abdoulaye Keïta
Published: April 2024

We report a case of malignant midfacial granuloma or idiopathic midfacial granulomatosis in a 50-year-old male farmer with no previous history. He was admitted to the department in an emergency context. The history was reportedly 18 months old. He presented a symptomatology made of nasal obstruction, fever, headache and rhinorrhea with an altered general state. He consulted several health facilities. The evolution was marked by the aggravation of the symptomatology. The examination at admission noted an alteration of the general state. Examination of the ENT sphere revealed ulcerative-necrotic lesions with a destructive nasal origin, with bone sequestration, midface edema, and extension to the sinuses and hard palate. The CT scan revealed bony and cartilaginous lysis, irregular thickening of the nasal pyramid, continuity of the nasal septum, and isodensity of the maxillary, ethmoidal, and left sphenoidal sinus walls without total filling. Deep biopsies were performed under general anesthesia. Histology was consistent with a granulomatous reaction with progressive tissue destruction. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was absent. Medical treatment was initiated. The evolution was marked by the extension of the lesions, malnutrition and the appearance of generalized oedema. The patient died on the 45th day of his hospitalization in a septic shock situation. Conclusion: Mediofacial granulomatosis is a difficult lesion to diagnose and manage. It requires careful histological exploration in order to differentiate it from other mediofacial destructive lesions. The evolution is most often towards extension and lethal complications.
The school is also samba: art teaching as an experience and construction of a decolonial learning process
Authors: Santos Dantas Rosane Dos , Souza Vieira Marcilio de
Published: April 2024

This article discusses a teaching experience, in the teaching of Art, with students in the 9th year of Elementary School II, at the Escola Municipal Professor Waldson José Bastos Pinheiro, in the community of Vale Dourado, in the neighborhood of Nossa Senhora da Presentação, a school from the public network in Natal (RN). It analyzes Samba as an object of study from the perspective of decolonial learning, identifying how African dances influenced Brazilian culture and, in particular, the theme in question. It problematizes the political-social ills inherited from colonialist exploitation in Brazil and points to the legitimization of cultural manifestations of African origin as actions of resistance and construction of knowledge and learning. The theoretical basis with which we work is based on Freirean pedagogy (FREIRE, 1998); as well as, from the perspective of resuming the “triangular approach” (BARBOSA, 2010) as an epistemological basis. For reflections regarding the teaching of dance practice, Vieira (2007) and Marques (2003) are used. In the historical-social contextualization of the theme in an anthropological and sociological perspective of the Brazilian body, the African rhythm and diversity, the materiality of this rhythm and its relationships, the basis is sought in Sodré (1998).
Improving Employee Safety Through a Comprehensive Patient Behavioral Program
Authors: Laprime Amanda , Kanaley Rebecca , Keller Amy , Stephen Steve J. , Schriefer Jan , Fallon Anne , Sosa Tina
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Health care workers in the United States are facing increasing rates of exposure to aggressive behavior, resulting in an increase in employee injuries related specifically to patient behavioral events. By leveraging interprofessional collaboration and system-level innovation, we aimed to reduce the rate of employee injuries related to patient behavioral events at a children’s hospital by 50% over a 3-year period.

METHODS

An interdisciplinary quality improvement team comprising physicians, behavior analysts, nursing, and other key stakeholders developed a comprehensive behavior program in our children’s hospital. The team developed 5 key pillars: aggression mitigation tools, clinical resources, advanced training, screening and management, and behavior emergency response. The outcome measure was rate of reported employee safety events related to patient behavioral events. This was tracked via prospective time series analysis statistical process control chart using established rules to detect special cause variation.

RESULTS

The average rate of employee injuries resulting from patient behavioral events decreased from 0.96 to 0.39 per 1000 adjusted patient-days, with special cause variation observed on a statistical process control U-chart. This improvement has been sustained for 16 months. Staff members who experienced injuries included nurses and patient technicians, with common antecedents to injuries including medical interventions or patient requests that could not be safely met.

CONCLUSIONS

A unified and multimodal system aimed to address pediatric patient behavioral events can reduce employee injuries and foster a culture of employee safety in the pediatric inpatient setting.
Broomcorn Millet
Authors: Motuzaitė Matuzevičiūtė Giedrė
Published: April 2024

Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) was one of the most important and enigmatic crops of the ancient world. The integration of millet into existing crop systems drove significant transformations in past societies. Thanks to the environmental adaptability and short growing period of millet, many societies across Eurasia were dependent on millet cultivation for food security. For modern researchers, broomcorn millet also possesses unique botanical and biochemical characteristics that make it an ideal candidate for tracing its ancient dispersal and integration, which in turn provides a unique avenue for understanding the broader mechanisms of dietary transformations. This paper offers a review of the multiproxy evidence for the initial broomcorn millet dispersal across Eurasia. In light of millet’s unique biomolecular properties, multiple archaeological examples are drawn on to describe how millet consumers can be traced down to demographic categories of sex, age, social status, and individual mobility history. In combination with other research methods, this paper reviews evidence for past millet preparation for human consumption, using various archaeological sites as case studies, along with offering a theoretical reasoning for the discontinuities in millet exploitation over time, which is likely to be the result of past climate change.
Gods and people in literature and philosophy. God by the picture of human or human by the picture of god? Homeric vision of reality versus Heraclitus’ vision of reality
Authors: Skrzypek-Faluszczak Jadwiga
Published: April 2024

The article deals with the theological issues of Homer and Heraclitus. The analysis of the works of Homer and the philosophical thought of Heraclitus serves to compare and contrast them extracting significant differences regarding the image of god and man. The author develops both literary and philosophical understanding of gods. She compares the man-god relationship in early Greek literature and philosophy. There is an interesting intrinsic tension in the literary tropes that can only be understood if the religious function of this literature is taken into account. The author tries to describe the vision of the world and the place of human beings in it in both sources: literature and philosophy. In philosophical writings, there can be seen a movement in the vision of the world structure: the gods become more inaccessible to humans, but humans gain the opportunity to become godlier if they follow a proper set of thoughts and actions proposed by philosophy. Religious poets were speaking of the past when the gods were approachable to people. Their fantasies were often mixed with old beliefs so that the divine-human world has as much wonder and eccentricity as dread. Philosophy conquers not only minds but also hearts, to convey them towards the ideal, bearing in mind the unattainable model of a virtuous man. While religion describes gods similar to humans, philosophy forges a new god-resemblant human figure.
Effect of cutting, burning and herbicide application on the structure and species diversity of an Amelichloa clandestina (Hack.) Arriaga & Barkworth grassland in the Chihuahuan Desert
Authors: Juanes-Márquez Sait , Encina-Domínguez Juan Antonio , Torres-Mora Martin , Mellado-Bosque Miguel , Álvarez-Vázquez Perpetuo , Lara-Reimers Eduardo Alberto
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to evaluate various elimination strategies on the richness and diversity of species in a grassland dominated by Amelichloa clandestina in northeast Mexico. This species establishes after the abandonment of agricultural areas. In two grasslands of 40 and 60 ha, four treatments were evaluated: Cutting of the grass cover, application of herbicide, application of burning, and control. Six repetitions per treatment were applied in 100 m2 plots. To evaluate the treatments in each plot, the vegetation cover of plant species was measured, in each corner of the 2 x 2 m plots quadrants, where the species present were identified and their height and aerial cover were registered. The herbicide treatment resulted in the greatest reduction of A. clandestina since it registered the lowest height (17.5 cm), aerial cover (7.4 cm2), and density (6,750 plants ha­–1) of the dominant species. Also, it presented the highest richness and the highest diversity index with 2.46 nats. It is considered that the application of herbicide is the best alternative to maintain the richness and diversity of species in this A. clandestina grassland.
Conservación in vitro de Notylia barkeri Lindl.
Authors: García-Merino Gael F. , Ramírez Mosqueda Marco Antonio , Mata-Alejandro M. A. , López-Larios Areli V. , López-Aguilar Raúl
Published: April 2024

La relevancia ornamental de las especies de orquídeas radica en sus características morfológicas. Notylia barkeri Lindl. está catalogada en el Apéndice II de la Convención sobre el Comercio Internacional de Especies Amenazadas de Fauna y Flora Silvestres. Por tanto, resulta imperativo instituir métodos de preservación para salvaguardar su viabilidad a largo plazo. El objetivo fue establecer un protocolo de conservación in vitro de N. barkeri. Se evaluaron diferentes concentraciones de ácido abscísico (0,1 y 2 mg L-1) y ancimidol (0,1 y 2 mg L-1) en medio Murashige y Skoog. Después de 180 días se evaluó el porcentaje de supervivencia, número y longitud de brotes, número de hojas, número y longitud de raíces. El mayor porcentaje de supervivencia (85.71 %) se observó en tratamiento testigo. Mientras que en 1 mg L-1 de ácido abscísico se observó 57.14 %. Los menores porcentajes se observaron en ancimidol. Se observó que en 1 mg L-1 de ácido abscísico se reduce la longitud de brotes sin afectar su supervivencia a diferencia de cuando se utilizó ancimidol. Además, en 1 mg L-1 de ácido abscísico se redujo el número y longitud de raíces. Nuestros resultados pueden contribuir a la conservación de esta especie con interés ornamental.
A New Measure of Climate Transition Risk Based on Distance to a Global Emission Factor Frontier
Authors: Dennis Benjamin N. , İşcan Talan B.
Published: April 2024

Targeted financing of transition to a "net zero" global economy entails climate transition risk. We propose a measure of transition risk at the country-sector dyad level composed of five tiers of transition risk based on two factors: i) the gap between a dyad's existing emission factor (EF) – a measure of the greenhouse gas intensity of output – and the global 'frontier' sectoral EF, and ii) a dyad's recent convergence towards the frontier EF. Dyads that are either close to the frontier or converging towards the frontier carry lower transition risk. Our measure, using 45 sectors across 66 countries, accounts for both direct greenhouse gas emissions as well as those that enter into production through complex supply chains as captured by intercountry, input-output tables, and can be applied at different levels of stringency to high-, middle-, and low-income economies. Our measure thus accounts for, and sheds light on, EF reductions through investment in lower emissions production techniques in own facilities as well as sourcing intermediate inputs with lower embodied emissions.