bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the safety and healing potential of a fibroin-aloe gel film for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Worasakwutiphong Saran , Termwattanaphakdee Tanapron , Kamolhan Thanpawee , Phimnuan Preeyawass , Sittichokechaiwut Anuphan , Viyoch Jarupa 
Published: December 2021

Objective: This study aimed to develop a wound dressing prepared from the blending of silkworm fibroin and aloe gel extract for use in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Methods: Fibroin extracted from silkworm cocoons and aloe gel extract were dissolved in deionised water. pH levels were then adjusted with lactic acid solution. A simple casting technique was used to obtain the fibroin–aloe gel film. The surface morphology, hardness, flexibility and infrared spectrum of the sterilised film were tested. Swelling ratio was measured from changes in weight. The cytocompatibility of the film to human dermal fibroblast was determined using XTT assay. Hard-to-heal DFUs (grade I Wagner score) were treated with the film for four weeks. The application site was assessed for allergic reactions and/or sensitisation. Wound size was measured using standardised digital photography. Results: A total of five hard-to-heal DFUs were treated. The obtained film sterilised with ozonation showed a non-porous structure. The elongation at break and tensile strength of the wet film were 9.00±0.95% and 6.89±1.21N, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy data indicated the presence of amides I, II and III, of peptide linkage, which are the chemical characteristics of the fibroin. Functional groups relating to healing activity of the aloe gel extract were also found. The swelling ratio of the film immersed in water for 24 hours was 0.8±0.01. In three DFUs (40–50mm2 in size), a wound area reduction of 0.4–0.8mm2/day was observed and were healed in 2–3 weeks. The remaining two SFUs (500mm2 in size) showed a wound area reduction of 4mm2/day and were almost closed at four weeks. No allergic reaction or infection was observed in any of the wounds. Conclusion: The obtained film showed a non-porous structure, and its strength and flexibility were adequate for storage and handling. The film tended to increase the proliferation of fibroblasts. The wound dressing showed potential for accelerating the healing rate of DFUs.
Tight glycaemic control and surgical site infections post cardiac surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Hweidi Issa M , Zytoo Ala M , Hayajneh Audai A 
Published: December 2021

Objective: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most serious potential complications post cardiac surgery among patients with diabetes and has a number of adverse health outcomes. The literature shows discrepancies regarding the effect of different glycaemic control protocols on reducing adverse health outcomes including SSIs. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review that investigated the effect of the optimal range of tight glycaemic control protocols using a continuous insulin infusion on reducing the incidence of SSIs in adult patients with diabetes undergoing cardiac surgery. Method: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA statement and guidelines. Search terms were used to identify research studies published between 2000 and 2019 across five key databases, including CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Database and Google Scholar. Results: A total of 12 studies met the review inclusion criteria. The reviewed literature tended to support the implementation of a tight glycaemic control protocol, particularly in the postoperative phase, that demonstrated fewer potential complications associated with cardiac surgery. On the other hand, the literature also supported the application of a moderate glycaemic control protocol in the intraoperative phase to obtain better glycaemic stability with fewer potential complications among those patients with diabetes undergoing cardiac surgery. Conclusion: This analysis concludes that tight glycaemic control is more effective than moderate glycaemic control intraoperatively in terms of glycaemic stability among patients with diabetes undergoing cardiac surgery. Results also emphasised the importance of time-based protocol implementation to ensure better health outcomes and better quality of care for patients.
The Relationship between Conditioning Regimen with Viral and Fungal Infections in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Merve Pamukcuoglu 
Published: December 2021

Background: Infections are one of the most important factors that adversely affect the transplantation process at hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Quality of life and even the loss of patients due to infection may result in the failure of the HSCT. While the studies in the literature were mostly related to bacterial infections in HSCT, the viral and fungal infections were evaluated. The relationship between viral and fungal infections and the types of conditioning regimens used in HSCT was investigated.
Methods: Three hundred fifthy one (351) patients who had allogeneic HSCT were performed. The viral and / or fungal infections and conditioning regimens were determined from the medical records. The conditioning regimens were evaluated in two groups as myeloablative and non-myeloablative. We aimed to determine the statistical relationship between viral and fungal infections and type of conditioning regimen.
Results: Of the 351 patients, 104 had CMV infection, 4 had parvovirus infection, and 87 had fungal infection. Myeloablative regimen was used in 226 of 351 patients and non-myeloablative regimen was used in 125 patients. There was no significant relationship between the type of conditioning regimen and CMV, parvovirus and fungal infections.
Conclusion: The lack of a significant relationship between the type of conditioning regimen and the viral and fungal infections during HSCT provides the clinician with the choice of the conditioning regimen. However; we need to do more studies with larger case series and also relationship between the type of conditioning regimen and viral and fungal infections should be more clearly demonstrated.
Generation of frequency 32-tupling millimeter-wave based on a dual-parallel polarization modulator
Authors: Chen Xinqiao , Liu Xiaorui , Dai Siyuan , Li Zhihan , Ba Wenyao , Wang Dongfei 
Published: December 2021

A scheme to generate a frequency 32-tupling millimeter wave (mm-wave) is proposed, enabled by two dual-parallel polarization modulators (DP-PolMs) in cascade. By properly controlling the amplitude and the phase shift of the radio-frequency (RF) driving signal applied to two DP-PolMs, the main optical components at the output of the DP-PolM are

±
16

th order optical sidebands and the central carrier. After the central carrier is canceled by the polarization multiplexing structure, the

±
16

th order optical sidebands are beaten in the photodetector; then the frequency 32-tupling mm-wave can be achieved. The optical sideband suppression ratio (OSSR) and the radio-frequency spurious suppression ratio (RFSSR) of the generated signal are 52 and 47 dB in simulation, which are consistent with the theoretical analysis values 53.7 and 47.7 dB. The influence on the OSSR and RFSSR of the generated signal by the key parameters of devices deviating from the theoretical analysis value

i

are investigated.
How to assure the quality of clinical records? A 7-year experience in a large academic hospital
Authors: Scarpis Enrico , Brunelli Laura , Tricarico Pierfrancesco , Poletto Marco , Panzera Angela , Londero Carla , Castriotta Luigi , Brusaferro Silvio 
Published: December 2021

IntroductionClinical record (CR) is the primary tool used by healthcare workers (HCWs) to record clinical information and its completeness can help achieve safer practices. CR is the most appropriate source in order to measure and evaluate the quality of care. In order to achieve a safety climate is fundamental to involve a responsive healthcare workforce thorough peer-review and feedbacks. This study aims to develop a peer-review tool for clinical records quality assurance, presenting the seven-year experience in the evolution of it; secondary aims are to describe the CR completeness and HCWs’ diligence toward recording information in it.MethodsTo assess the completeness of CRs a peer-review tool was developed in a large Academic Hospital of Northern Italy. This tool included measurable items that examined different themes, moments and levels of the clinical process. Data were collected every three months between 2010 and 2016 by appointed and trained HCWs from 42 Units; the hospital Quality Unit was responsible for of processing and validating them. Variations in the proportion of CR completeness were assessed using Cochran-Armitage test for trends.ResultsA total of 9,408 CRs were evaluated. Overall CR completeness improved significantly from 79.6% in 2010 to 86.5% in 2016 (p<0.001). Doctors’ attitude showed a trend similar to the overall completeness, while nurses improved more consistently (p<0.001). Most items exploring themes, moments and levels registered a significant improvement in the early years, then flattened in last years. Results of the validation process were always above the cut-off of 75%.ConclusionsThis peer-review tool enabled the Quality Unit and hospital leadership to obtain a reliable picture of CRs completeness, while involving the HCWs in the quality evaluation. The completeness of CR showed an overall positive and significant trend during these seven years.
Eventos en la industria de los videojuegos. Estudio del caso Fortnite
Authors: Fernández Rincón Antonio Raúl , Hellín Ortuño Pedro Antonio , Castillo Esparcia Antonio 
Published: December 2021

Los videojuegos constituyen hoy una de las industrias creativas y culturales más relevantes. Los desarrolladores producen estrategias de comunicación transmediaatendiendo al perfil joven de sus públicos. En Fortnitese genera un programa continuo de eventos digitales y presenciales que incorporan referentes culturales y de actualidad. Los públicos interaccionan socialmente desde la perspectiva informativa, opinativa y narrativa. El objetivo es mantener el interés y la expectación hacia el videojuego, estableciendo relaciones de adaptación e integración entre la organización y sus públicos. La estrategia transmedia es uno de los ejes principales para establecer vínculos recíprocos entre comunidades virtuales y empresas.
Call for papers for the Special Edition, JOVACET 5(2), 2022
Authors: Dr Catherine Robertson  
Published: December 2021

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), referred to, inter alia, as APL in other contexts, has been recognised by South African and international policies as a critical means of access to, and certification of further and higher learning, especially for mature learners. While there is general acknowledgement of the importance of RPL for lifelong learning and social inclusion, learning institutions have not embraced RPL equally across the board, and implementation practices vary greatly, often leading to learner frustration. While there have been some local studies and a growing international literature, RPL is by and large under-researched in South Africa.
In light of the above and its long tradition of RPL provision, the University of the Western Cape’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) unit will be hosting a conference on 30 and 31 March 2022, with the theme ‘Implementation, Assessment and Articulation of Recognition of Prior Learning’. As one of the intentions of the conference is to ‘build the scholarship of RPL’ (also known as APL in other contexts), JOVACET will be partnering with the UWC RPL Unit to produce a Special Issue of the journal in 2022 for publication of relevant papers that fall within the scope of our journal.
Topics broadly covered by the conference include (but are not limited to) the following:• RPL policy research• Sharing RPL practices• Capacity building for RPL• Innovative RPL models• RPL assessment for undergraduate and postgraduate access in higher education• Articulation models for RPL in post-schooling
Submissions for paper presentations at the conference should be made directly to the conference organiser, Dr Rekha Rambharose, email rrambharose@uwc.ac.za, but additional, relevant topical papers seeking publication in this JOVACET Special Issue may be directed to Dr Catherine Robertson, email cathy@trobertson.co.za.
Please note that all submissions considered for publication, whether presented at the conference or not, will undergo the JOVACET double blind review process towards publication in November 2022 or earlier if possible.
Due date for full paper submissions (Special Issue): 30 April 2022
Przygodność i konieczność w komunistycznej kosmologii Ewalda Iljenkowa. Tłum. Karolina Grzegorczyk
Authors: Penzin Alexei 
Published: December 2021

Artykuł ukazuje aktualność Kosmologii ducha, autorstwa niezwykłego radzieckiego filozofa Ewalda Iljenkowa, a także bada jej historyczny i intelektualny kontekst. Ten niewielki traktat został napisany w pierwszej połowie lat pięćdziesiątych ale opublikowany dopiero po śmierci autora w latach osiemdziesiątych, ponieważ był zbyt heretycki aby wydać go za jego życia. Heretycki z powodu swojego zadziwiającego spekulatywnego popędu. Odwołując się do fizycznej idei „śmierci cieplnej wszechświata” oraz do dialektyki materialistycznej i spinozjańskiego pojęcia atrybutu Iljenkow twierdzi, że myśl jest koniecznym atrybutem materii, ponieważ może powstrzymać entropię cieplną wszechświata. Tekst wykorzystuje idee kosmologii Iljenkowa w celu krytyki współczesnych nurtów filozofii „spekulatywnej”.
Uniwersytety wobec przemian pracy i globalnej kultury edukacyjnej. Od University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) do Lifelong Learning Universities (LLLU)
Authors: Solarczyk - Ambroziak Ewa 
Published: December 2021

Artykuł ukazuje zmiany zachodzące na uniwersytetach, ujmowane na tle przeobrażeń współczesnego świata, takich jak: zmiany w obszarze pracy, kształtowanie się gospodarki cyfrowej i dynamicznie następujące zmiany technologiczne, które uzasadniają konieczność uczenia się przez całe życie. Nowe technologie zrewolucjonizowały sposób, w jaki ludzie pracują i uczą się, dostosowując swoje kompetencje do nowych wyzwań, co oznacza zmianę rzeczywistości edukacyjnej. Nurt tych przeobrażeń określany bywa rewolucją edukacyjną, wpisaną w fenomen globalnej kultury edukacyjnej. W kontekście sygnalizowanych przemian ukazana jest znacząca rola uniwersytetów, transferujących dogmat kreatywności ze swej misji badawczej do edukacyjnej i omówione są jawiące się w tym obszarze trendy, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem roli uniwersytetów jako ośrodków edukacji ustawicznej. Zmiany te ujęte zostały jako proces – od University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) do Lifelong Learning Universities (LLLU).
Seasonal patterns of growth, alginate content and block structure of the alien invader Sargassum muticum (Fucales, Ochrophyta) from the Atlantic coast of Morocco
Authors: Belattmania Zahira , El Atouani Samir , Bentiss Fouad , Jama Charafeddine , Falace Annalisa , Chaouti Abdellatif , Reani Abdeltif , Sabour Brahim 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In the present study, alginate yield and composition were investigated during the seasonal life cycle of the alien brown alga Sargassum muticum harvested from the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Alginate yield ranged from 11.14% in winter to 25.62% in spring/early summer, coinciding with maximum vegetative growth. Monthly monitoring of the alginate block structure showed that the highest mannuronate (M)/guluronate (G) ratio was recorded during the maximum development of S. muticum, before sexual maturity and during resumption of vegetative growth, giving maximum flexibility to the alga. The unusually high molar monad fractions (FG) and dyad fractions (FGG) of guluronic acid in late summer/early autumn appeared to be related to stiffness of senescent thalli. Rheological characterisation showed that the alginate of S. muticum exhibited pseudoplastic behaviour, with the highest apparent viscosities measured in late summer/early autumn when the G blocks dominated the alginate structure. This study suggests that S. muticum could be exploited as an alginophyte for commercial applications. The best harvest time is May-June, which corresponds to the highest alginate yield, maximum thallus growth, and largely completed sexual reproduction, ensuring sustainable exploitation of the species.
The role of vitamin D deficiency and elevated inflammatory biomarkers as risk factors for the progression of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: El Askary Ahmad , Gharib Amal F. , Almehmadi Mazen , Bakhuraysah Maha Mahfouz , Al Hajjiahmed Abdulaziz Ali , Al-Hejji Layla Ibrahim , Alharthi Mohammed S. , Shafie Alaa 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Albuminuria is the most sensitive marker for the early recognition of DN. Therefore, we aimed to study the risk factors of albuminuria as a marker of DN among diabetic patients. The study included 41 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 50 type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) patients with macroalbuminuria, 43 T2DN patients with microalbuminuria and 38 healthy controls. Logistic regression was used to detect the most significant risk factors for albuminuria. A high statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding age, sex, body mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus (DM) duration, glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), lipid profile, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), the albumin–creatinine ratio (ACR), vitamin D, total parathyroid hormone (PTH), urea, total calcium and chemerin (p< 0.001). It was found that the duration of DM, BMI, glucose, GFR, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, ACR, vitamin D, PTH and chemerin are significant albuminuria risk factors in DN. Vitamin D deficiency and associated inflammatory mediators such as chemerin, TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP are the most essential risk factors for albuminuria in T2DM patients.
The theme-recipient alternation in Chinese: tracking syntactic variation across seven centuries
Authors: Li Yi , Szmrecsanyi Benedikt , Zhang Weiwei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPrevious research has tracked the history of the theme-recipient alternation (or: “dative” alternation) in Chinese, but few studies have embedded their analysis in a probabilistic variationist framework. Against this backdrop, we explore the language-internal and language-external factors that probabilistically influence the alternation between theme-first and recipient-first ordering in a large diachronic corpus of Chinese writing (1300s–1900s). Our analysis reveals that the recipient-first variant is consistently more frequent than its competitor and even more common in more recent texts than in older texts. Regression analysis also suggests that there are stable linguistic constraints (i.e., animacy and definiteness of theme) and fluid constraints (i.e., end-weight, recipient animacy). Notably, the diachronic instability of end-weight and animacy points to cross-linguistic parallels for ditransitive constructions, including the English dative alternation. We thus contribute to theory building in variationist linguistics by advancing the field’s knowledge about the comparative fluidity versus stability of probabilistic constraints.
Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis
Authors: Ribeiro Kelly , Mahboobani Samir , Van Ree Katherine , Clifford Katy , Teoh TG 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis (POVT) is a rare pathology that can lead to severe complications such as sepsis, extension of the thrombus leading to organ failure, and pulmonary embolism. It therefore requires early recognition and prompt treatment.

Case presentation
A patient with right POVT presented four days after delivery with acute right-sided abdominal pain and fever. Appendicitis was initially considered, before an abdominal-pelvic computed tomography raised the suspicion of POVT, subsequently confirmed through transabdominal ultrasound. Antibiotics and anticoagulation were initiated, with rapid clinical improvement and complete resolution of the thrombus three months later.

Conclusions
Diagnosing POVT is challenging as it clinically mimics other more frequent conditions. It is rare but life-threatening and should be considered in all females presenting with abdominal pain and fever in the postpartum period.
Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) downregulates expression of immediate early genes in kainic acid-induced temporal lobe epilepsy in mice
Authors: Ojo Emmanuel S. , Ishola Ismail O. , Afolayan Olasunmbo , James Ayorinde B. , Ben-Azu Benneth , Adeyemi Olufunmilayo O. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Objectives
This study investigates the influence of Cnestis ferruginea (CF) on kainic acid (KA)-induced immediate early genes (IEGs) associated with hippocampal sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in mice.

Methods
Animals were randomly divided into preventive treatment; vehicle (10 mL/kg, p.o.) or CF (400 mg/kg, p.o.) for three consecutive days before KA (5 mg/kg, i.p.) on days 4 and 5. In the reversal model, KA (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered on days 1 and 2 before CF (400 mg/kg) administration on days 3–5. Animals were euthanized on day 5, 6 h after KA exposure in preventive model and 1 h after CF administration in reversal model to estimate markers of IEGs.

Results
KA upregulated the expression of c-Fos protein by 3.32-, 9.45-, 8.13-, and 8.66-fold in the hippocampal CA1, CA2, CA3, and DG regions, respectively. Also, KA elevated inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression by 10.9-, 10.6-, 9.78-, and 9.51-fold. Besides, mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors and heat shock protein was increased by 2.38- and 1.39-fold, respectively, after exposure to KA which were attenuated by CF.

Conclusions
CF attenuated KA-induced IEGs and could be used as an adjunct in TLE.
The estimation of reaction functions under tax competition
Authors: Miniaci Raffaele , Panteghini Paolo M. , Rivolta Giulia 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Most of the empirical literature on tax competition has been using panel models in which each country’s tax rate responds to a weighted average of other countries’ tax rates, where weights are given. This approach imposes the reaction functions to be such that all tax rates are either strategic complements or strategic substitutes for all the countries. Moreover, it also requires that the intensity of the reactions of the countries to be proportional to the same set of given weights. Since no theoretical model relies on such restrictive assumptions, we regain flexibility in the empirical analysis by using Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models, where the sign and intensity of countries’ reactions may be heterogeneous. Using a Monte Carlo exercise, we show that if the objects of interest are the reactions to shocks in the tax rates of the other countries and there is no a priori knowledge of the structure of the economy, it can be convenient to opt for a VAR rather than a panel setup. A Bayesian VAR model on real data shows that strategic complementarity between some countries may co-exist with strategic substitutability between other countries, a finding with potential policy implications on the debate on tax competition.