Local Form Research Articles

More on formation of the Yakutsk urban agglomeration

The 20th century urbanization development processes led to the transition from local urban forms to area formations or agglomerations. They became the prime engine of social and economic development. This is also true for Russia: throughout its history, cities have been the centres of its spatial organization. The transition to market economy has actualized the problems of agglomerations research in Russia: they are the basis for the formation of regional and national competitiveness. At this time, a number of agglomerations has been studied in bits and pieces or scarcely researched. One of such agglomerations is the city of Yakutsk, forming the largest agglomeration in the north-east of the country. The study of agglomeration development of Yakutsk is relevant for a number of reasons: as the center of the largest region, it is inextricably linked with it in its development, forming both opportunities and problems, and at the same time it is located in difficult natural and climatic conditions on the territory of perennially frozen rocks. This article is dedicated to history of the agglomeration formation, its specific and essential features. The theoretical and methodological background of the urban agglomeration formation and functioning as a specific spatial structure including the main factors of growth and development of agglomeration firstly were considered. The article noted that a range of issues about the Yakutsk agglomeration have not yet been studied despite their expressed relevance: the agglomeration structuring, allocation of different functional zones; processes of formation and development of the city structure; positive and negative sides of the urban agglomeration development; the issue of boundary delineation and selection of methods for this operation.

Sheshbazzar and Nehemiah

Abstract This article explores the roles of Sheshbazzar and Nehemiah in the Jerusalem Temple against the fabric of the Persian imperial rule and points to links between biblical and Mesopotamian temple portrayals. Within this context Sheshbazzar, the peḥā, characterizes a first phase, in which the empire accommodated and embraced local forms of leadership. In the second phase, Nehemiah, the royal cupbearer who initiated and coordinated the building of the Jerusalem wall, represents a form of leadership that was subject to more intensive imperial authority.

Ewing sarcoma from molecular biology to the clinic.

In Europe, with an incidence of 7.5 cases per million, Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common primary malignant bone tumor in children, adolescents and young adults, after osteosarcoma. Since the 1980s, conventional treatment has been based on the use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapeutic agents combined with surgical resection of the tumor when possible. These treatments have increased the patient survival rate to 70% for localized forms, which drops drastically to less than 30% when patients are resistant to chemotherapy or when pulmonary metastases are present at diagnosis. However, the lack of improvement in these survival rates over the last decades points to the urgent need for new therapies. Genetically, ES is characterized by a chromosomal translocation between a member of the FET family and a member of the ETS family. In 85% of cases, the chromosomal translocation found is (11; 22) (q24; q12), between the EWS RNA-binding protein and the FLI1 transcription factor, leading to the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein. This chimeric protein acts as an oncogenic factor playing a crucial role in the development of ES. This review provides a non-exhaustive overview of ES from a clinical and biological point of view, describing its main clinical, cellular and molecular aspects.

Inverse correlation between vitamin D and CRP levels in alopecia areata: A pilot study.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune non-scarring hair loss. The role of micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamins, especially vitamin D, on the natural hair cycle is well defined in literature. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between vitamin D and CRP levels in patients with alopecia areata. This cross-sectional study was performed from beginning of October 2020 until end of December 2021. Alopecia areata patients over 18 years of age gave their written consent to participate in the study. The severity of the patients' disease was assessed using the Severity of Alopecia Tool. Serum vitamin D and CRP levels were measured and CBC and LFT were also performed. There were significant differences between the patients with the localized form of AA and its universal form in the following variables: Vitamin D levels, SALT score, WBC, ALKP, and CRP. There was also a significant inverse correlation between CRP and vitamin D levels (p < 0.0001). Vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher CRP levels, and patients with low serum vitamin D and high CRP levels are at a higher risk of developing the universalis form of AA; therefore, these patients should undergo more aggressive treatments.

TWO LIFE STRATEGIES IN COPEPOD CRYPTIC SPECIES: COEXISTENCE AND DISPLACEMENT

Among invasive species there is a special group so named cryptic species for which morphological identification is very difficult. This review is devoted to analysis of the dispersal routes of two copepod cryptic species complexes into aquatic ecosystems. Eurytemora carolleeae introduction was revealed in 2007 with bar-code. The species was described as a new taxon; its distribution was also studied using morphology. Biological invasions of two other Copepod species Acanthocyclops americanus and Eurytemora caspica were mainly studied using morphological methods since the species have already been described. At the same time, to confirm their distinctions from local forms, molecular genetic tools were also used. Two scenarios resulting from cryptic species’ invasions and their competitions with native species were the partly ( E. carrolleeae ) or full displacement ( A. americanus ). Example: the invasion of Eurytemora carolleeae into the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic coast of Europe. When assessing the possible negative impact of invasive species on competitors, the most attention should be paid to predator species. Identification of cryptic species significantly complicates the situation with the assessment of bioinvasion and needs the use of molecular methods.

The anaerobic corrosion of the carbon steel overpack under anoxic alkaline conditions representing the Belgian supercontainer concept

Abstract. The Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials (ONDRAF/NIRAS) is responsible for the management of all radioactive materials (currently existing and future waste) generated in Belgium. Disposal in deep stable geological formations is, at present, accepted at an international level to be the most promising option for the long-term management of high-level and/or long-lived radioactive waste. ONDRAF/NIRAS currently recommends underground disposal in a geological stable and poorly indurated clay formation as the reference management option to steer their RD&amp;amp;D research programmes. The supercontainer concept is currently being considered as the reference design for the final disposal of vitrified high-level radioactive waste (VHLW) and spent fuel (SF) in Belgium. It comprises a prefabricated Portland cement-based buffer that completely surrounds a carbon steel overpack. In this highly alkaline environment (pH ∼ 13.6), and under normal conditions (i.e. without the ingress of aggressive species), the carbon steel overpack will be protected by a passive oxide film, which is expected to result in very low uniform corrosion rates. The main goal of the ongoing R&amp;amp;D corrosion studies performed at ONDRAF/NIRAS is to provide confidence that the integrity of the carbon steel overpack will not be jeopardized at least for the duration of the thermal phase. Considering the long timescales applicable to waste disposal, determining accurate and reliable estimates of the uniform corrosion rate under anoxic conditions forms a very important part of the R&amp;amp;D methodology of ONDRAF/NIRAS' corrosion programme. On the other hand, the occurrence of localized forms of corrosion cannot be neglected, and therefore it is also crucial to demonstrate that no other form of corrosion apart from uniform corrosion can take place. This paper gives an overview of the status of the research performed at ONDRAF/NIRAS with respect to the uniform corrosion, pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking behaviour of the carbon steel overpack of the supercontainer.

Composition of bacterial microbiome in sputum of patients with localized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis

Recent studies have shown that the respiratory bacterial microbiome has an impact on the development of pulmonary tuberculosis. Changes in the composition of the microbiome have been associated with the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, response to therapy, and clinical outcomes of the disease. To date, the composition of the respiratory microbiome has not been studied in patients with localized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods. In the present study, the taxonomic composition of the sputum microbiome of 14 patients with localized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis (tuberculomas) and 14 healthy donors in the comparison group was analyzed by sequencing (NGS) of the V3 – V4 region of the bacterial gene encoding 16S rRNA. Results. The sputum microbiomes of the patients and the control group did not have significant differences in the species richness index (Shannon). However, the patients showed a decrease in the uniformity index, another parameter of alpha diversity. Bacterial community structures (beta diversity) did not differ significantly between patients with localized forms of tuberculosis and healthy subjects. In patients with limited forms of tuberculosis, contrary to the decrease in the content of representatives of the phyla Fusobacteria, TM7, Tenericutes, Spirochaetes, and SR1, and of the genera Dialister, Mycoplasma, and Filifactor in the sputum, no clear dominance of any bacterial taxon was observed. Conclusion. Certain alpha and beta diversity parameters that characterize the sputum microbiome of patients with localized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis need to be confirmed in independent large-scale studies to further understand the role of the sputum microbiota in the development of localized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Determination of Prevotella titers in the sputum of these patients holds promise for the diagnosis of localized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis and the search for their genomic markers.

Management of Fournier's gangrene: a practical guide for clinicians.

Fournier's gangrene is a localised form of necrotising fasciitis affecting the external genitalia, perineal and perianal regions. Although rare, it is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, so clinician awareness is essential for prompt treatment. Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic alcoholism and immunosuppression. Perineal pain in patients with sepsis should be treated with a high level of suspicion and early surgical referral is required as prompt debridement can improve outcomes. Repeated surgical intervention and antimicrobial therapy are often needed and recovery can take a long time, with a long-term impact on quality of life. This article discusses the natural history of Fournier's gangrene, aetiology, risk factors, investigations and treatments with an algorithm to support clinical practice.

Amyloidosis of the oral cavity: a case report

Although oral manifestations of amyloidosis are rare, it is important to exclude systemic involvement in patients who present with amyloidosis involving the oral cavity. Improved understanding of the oral manifestations of amyloidosis and the additional investigations required can lead to timely diagnosis and subsequent management. Treatment of localized forms of amyloidosis include resection, biologics, laser therapy and corticosteroids. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Understanding the oral manifestations of amyloidosis can lead to timely diagnosis and management.

Primary paratesticular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma - An unusual presentation.

Paratesticular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a very rare and aggressive mesenchymal tumor. It is usually seen in children and adolescents presenting as a painless intrascrotal mass, localized in the paratesticular region. Hereby, we report two cases of paratesticular embryonal RMS in adults. One case was clinically suspected to be a testicular abscess, whereas the other presented with testicular swelling and lung metastasis. Localized forms have a good prognosis, whereas tumors presenting with metastases show a poor outcome. A treatment based on surgery and chemotherapy yields good results. Sperm cryopreservation and endocrine follow-up improve the overall survival and quality of life of these patients.

Rituximab resistance at 3 months of induction therapy in newly diagnosed or relapsing ANCA associated vasculitis: a French multicentre study.

To evaluate rituximab (RTX) resistance at 3 months (M3) of induction therapy in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV). Multicentre French retrospective study conducted between 2010 and 2020 including patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing AAV (granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis) having received induction therapy with RTX. Primary endpoint was the presence of RTX resistance at 3 months (M3) defined as uncontrolled disease (worsening feature on the BVAS/WG 1 month after RTX induction) or disease flare (increase in BVAS/WG of ≥1 point before M3). Out of 121 patients included, we analysed 116 patients. Fourteen patients (12%) had RTX resistance at M3 with no difference in baseline demographics, vasculitis type, ANCA type, disease status or organ involvement. Patients with RTX resistance at M3 had a greater proportion of localized disease (43% vs 18%, P<0.05) and were less often treated by initial methylprednisolone (MP) pulse (21% vs 58%, P<0.01). Out of the 14 patients with RTX resistance, seven received additional immunosuppressive therapy. All patients were in remission at 6 months. Compared to responders, patients with RTX resistance at M3 were less often treated with prophylactic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (57% vs 85%, P<0.05). Twenty-four patients died during follow-up, one-third of them from infections and half of them from SARS-CoV-2. 12% of patients had RTX resistance at M3. These patients more often had localized form of the disease and were less treated by initial MP pulse and by prophylactic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Quantum effects of the conformal anomaly in a 2D model of gravitational collapse

The macroscopic effects of the quantum conformal anomaly are evaluated in a simplified two-dimensional model of gravitational collapse. The effective action and stress tensor of the anomaly can be expressed in a local quadratic form by the introduction of a scalar conformalon field φ, which satisfies a linear wave equation. A wide class of non-vacuum initial state conditions is generated by different solutions of this equation. An interesting subclass of solutions corresponds to initial states that give rise to an arbitrarily large semi-classical stress tensor leftlangle {T}_{mu}^{nu}rightrangle on the future horizon of the black hole formed in classical collapse. These lead to modification and suppression of Hawking radiation at late times after the collapse, and potentially large backreaction effects on the horizon scale due to the conformal anomaly. The probability of non-vacuum initial conditions large enough to produce these effects is estimated from the Gaussian vacuum wave functional of φ in the Schrödinger representation and shown to be mathcal{O} (1). These results indicate that quantum effects of the conformal anomaly in non-vacuum states are relevant for gravitational collapse in the effective theory of gravity in four dimensions as well.

О ВЫЧИСЛЕНИИ ПРЕДЕЛЬНЫХ ТОЧЕК НА КРИВЫХ РАВНОВЕСИЙ В ЗАДАЧАХ УСТОЙЧИВОСТИ ПОДКРЕПЛЕННЫХ ПЛАСТИН

This paper presents a methodology for calculating limit points on equilibrium curves for stability problems of stiffened plates with initial imperfections. The values of critical loads are obtained and their corresponding general and local forms of stability loss from linear and nonlinear solutions are shown. To determine the coordinates of limit points on spatial curves, the method of non-specific continuations proposed by G.A. Manujlov is used. The diagrams of equilibrium states of connected solutions with limit points are constructed. The numerical solution of the above problems showed a good enough agreement with the semianalytical solution for the case of wave formation in an edge.

About A Case: Primary Breast Lymphoma (Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma)

Primary breast lymphoma is a rare neoplasia, with little clinical and imaging specificity. These are essentially type B lymphomas, of which the most common is diffuse lymphoma with large B cells. It is an entity that presents a prognostic impact from the outset by their localization but also by the risk of neurological relapse. The treatment of primary breast lymphoma depends on lymphomatous localizations and of course the histological type. There remain some questions to be raised regarding the place of radiotherapy in the treatment of certain localized histological forms, as well as the interest of systematic neuromeningeal prophylaxis in this breast localization. We report a case of primary breast lymphoma in a 50-year-old patient with no particular history.

Embodying the inquiry: Disaster, affectivity, and the localized politics of security

The responsibilizing of civil society for security has been well analysed in recent years, but the place of the public inquiry as an important site of negotiations over issues of affect in security has been largely under-acknowledged. This article investigates the scope, recommendations, and forensic investigation of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, an inquiry established in the wake of the 2017 bombing and which prefigures the gaze of the UK’s forthcoming ‘Protect Duty’. Once formalized, this Duty will situate venue workers as crucial embodiments of national counter-terrorism priorities. The paper shows how contestations over affective embodiments of security are navigated across the Inquiry, with national security articulated as being produced exclusively in local spaces, and through a body divorced from its experience via sophisticated management techniques. We find how security is imagined through local workers becoming ‘watchfully-anxious’, with routinized tasks and training deployed to generate this necessary destabilization. Bodies of venue staff must be displaced and moved around, opening space for racialized encounters – where these encounters are rendered necessarily productive of security, regardless of their result. Workers are required to confess, defending their role in security failure and situating them within national priorities. Through close analysis of the Inquiry’s reports, and drawing from interviews with UK disaster management experts, the discussion reveals how the Manchester Arena Inquiry positions national security as produced through low-paid workers defending the minutiae of their jobs in the context of the local venue. Through its forensic investigation and detail-oriented scope, the public inquiry is revealed as an important technology in the (re)production of localized forms of security knowledge, which in turn delegitimizes knowledge of disaster as structural or political.

HR’s hands are tied! Perceptions of the role of HR departments in Jordanian organisations

PurposeThe aim of this study is to explore employees’ perceptions of the role of human resources (HR) departments in Jordanian organisations and the reasons behind these perceptions.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 employees who work at different organisations in various industrial sectors in Jordan.FindingsEmployees perceive HR roles as: providing transactional services (traditional); working as business partners to facilitate other departments’ roles (limited). Perceptions of HR professionals and the role of HR departments were generally negative, due to: societal-cultural norms and stereotypes of HR departments and HR professionals; the role of Wasta (a localised form of favouritism) in affecting HR practices; employees’ personal experiences with HR departments and HR professionals at their workplace; and the non-availability of human resources management (HRM) degrees in Jordan.Originality/valueLimited research has explored varying perceptions about HR departments and their impacts on business contexts in emerging markets, including Jordan. This research is unique as it identifies the reasons behind common misconceptions of HR roles in Jordanian organisations. It extends beyond existing literature by integrating employees’ perceptions of the role of the HR departments to understand the consequences for HR practices’ operational effectiveness. It also pioneers consideration of societal culture in shaping these perceptions, which helps us build theories for future testing and generalisation purposes in other contexts with cultural commonalities. This study also highlights the current state of HRM development in Jordan, which helps in setting the agenda for future research in the country and the Middle East and North Africa region.

(Keynote) Recent Insights on Carrier Generation, Transport, and Extraction in Metal Oxide Photoelectrodes

After the absorption of light, the next steps in any artificial photosynthetic system are the generation, transport, and extraction of photoexcited charge carriers. These steps are well understood in solid state systems based on traditional semiconductors, such as Si and III-V absorbers, resulting in quantum efficiencies close to one for optimized devices. For metal oxide-based absorbers, which have attracted much interest in the past decades because of their relatively good (photo)chemical stability and low cost, the reported efficiencies tend to be much lower. This is often attributed to recombination at defects. While these may indeed adversely affect the efficiency, there are several other fundamental loss mechanisms in metal oxides that are not always fully appreciated. For example, certain metal ions exhibit localized d-d transitions that do not result in mobile charge carriers, resulting in a photogeneration yield < 1. Recent work showed that it is possible to quantify the fraction of mobile photoexcited carriers, from which an upper limit of the achievable photocurrent can be derived [1]. Losses can also occur in the form of recombination or carrier localization during transport. The chance of reaching the interface is often expressed as the carrier diffusion length, which in turn depends on the carrier lifetime and its mobility. Convenient contact-free methods to determine these parameters are time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) and time-resolved THz spectroscopy (TRTS) [2]. Here, one of the challenges is to determine whether the decay in photoconductivity is due to a decay in carrier concentration (i.e., recombination), carrier mobility (trapping, polaron formation), or both. We recently developed a general analysis method for determining the diffusion length which is valid for time-dependent mobilities as well as time-dependent lifetimes [3]. Intringuingly, this method revealed a carrier diffusion length of only 15 nm for BiVO4, which is significantly shorter than previously reported values by us and others. The only way this short diffusion length can be reconciled with the high photocurrent densities reported for this material is by assuming field-assisted charge separation. The role of the electric field is, however, poorly understood in the photoelectrochemistry and photocatalysis communities [4]. In a system without externally applied bias, the electric field does not separate the charges; instead, charge separation is driven by the presence of selective contacts. During my presentation I will review these concepts and discuss how a better understanding of loss mechanisms, the role of the electric field, and selective contacts may help us design more efficient metal oxide-based photoelectrodes.

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria.

Reticulate pigmentary dyschromatoses primarily include dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria (DUH), dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH) (Reticulate acropigmentation of Dohi), and unilateral dermatomal pigmentary dermatosis, which differ in their patterns of distribution. The disease was initially described by Ichikawa and Hiraga in Germany in 1933. The prevalence of DUH is 0.3 per 100,000 with a female preponderance. The skin lesions usually appear in infancy or early childhood and cease to progress beyond adolescence. The subtypes DUH 1 and DUH 3 are found to have autosomal dominant inheritance, which is the most common inheritance pattern, while DUH 2 has an autosomal recessive pattern. The most common gene involved in DUH is ABCB6, while the other genes include SASH 1, PER 3, and KITLG (DUH type 2). DUH is characterized by multiple irregular hyperpigmented macules interspersed with hypopigmented macules in a mottled pattern over the trunk and extremities. The face is involved in 50% of individuals. Rarely, it can also involve hairs, nails, mucous membranes, palms, and soles. Other varied presentations include localized forms, localization of lesions to sun-exposed areas, large macules, uniform palmar hypopigmentation, diffuse hyperpigmentation with spotty depigmented macules, and unilateral involvement. DUH has been reported to be associated with various cutaneous and systemic diseases. The authors have observed cases of DUH associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, solitary keratoacanthoma, and dermoid cyst. The various diagnostic modalities include dermoscopy, histopathology, electron microscopy, and targeted gene sequencing. Though various treatment modalities like NBUVB and lasers have been tried, no treatment is promising.

Penicillium and Talaromyces spp. emerging pathogens in dogs since 1990s.

Penicillium and Talaromyces spp. are environmental saprophytic molds rarely encountered as infectious agents in humans and animals. This article summarizes the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of proven infections caused by Penicillium or Talaromyces in four dogs in France. Two dogs had disseminated infections, while the other two had a localized form. All dogs had positive histopathological results showing the presence of hyaline septate hyphae and a positive fungal culture with typical Penicillium conidiophores. Talaromyces georgiensis (n=1), Penicillium labradorum (n=2), and Penicillium from section Ramosa series Raistrickiorum (n=1), were identified based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Sanger sequencing. The dogs were initially treated with ketoconazole or itraconazole. Second-line treatment was initiated in three dogs, but after several relapses, the prognosis remained poor. Since the 1990s, 18 cases of Penicillium or Talaromyces infections in dogs have been described worldwide. This series of four reports brings new cases to those already reported in the literature, which are probably underestimated in the world.

Standard and Non-Standard English in Bangladesh: A Sociolinguistic Exploration of Linguistic Identity, Post-Colonial Legacy, and the Quest for Global Englishes

The article delves into the ongoing discourse concerning Standard English (SE) and Non-Standard English in Bangladesh. Historically, the trend of learning Standard English in the country traces back to its colonial roots. The British colonization introduced and popularized English learning, imprinting its influence on both the language and its speakers. Such historical ties lead to pertinent questions about the relevance and position of Standard English, especially in the sphere of English Language Teaching. The discussion critiques the idea of Standard English from a post-colonial perspective, particularly drawing connections between Standard English and linguistic dominance. Additionally, the concept of My English (ME) is brought forward as a counter to the hegemony of Standard English. A central theme of the article is the legitimacy of acknowledging local English forms within the umbrella of Global Englishes. It also touches upon socio-political factors that validate the acceptance of these regional English iterations. The research aims to illuminate English's role in Bangladesh’s local linguistic scene, probing its influence across various societal layers. It identifies particular linguistic and extra-linguistic elements affecting the categorization of English versions in the nation. Emphasizing the crucial role of education, wherein English serves as more than just a subject but a medium for functional proficiency, the article stresses the necessity for Bangladesh to define and embrace its distinct English variant in the larger framework of Global Englishes.