Career Development & Learning at Jesuit Colleges & Universities During the COVID-19 Pandemic & Beyond

Today’s youth are often interested in how they can work toward social justice, not just in their spare time, but also as part of their educations and careers. This includes students who are drawn to the social justice missions of Jesuit colleges and universities. In 2020, the COVID-19 public health crisis disrupted education and career plans, placing major obstacles along young adults’ pathways. Guided by the Engagement of Hope theoretical model, the current study examines student supports and how they may facilitate hope and learning. Mixed methods data were collected from five undergraduate students from a Jesuit university in a Midwestern city, using in-depth interviews and an online survey conducted in 2021. The findings reveal that students depicted their hopes for later careers, described learning numerous skills, used a wide array of college supports, and discussed the role of families in their education and career pathways. The authors reflect on adaptations made to student supports during the pandemic and on how student service programs at Jesuit institutions might continue to evolve in the post-pandemic era

Correlation between Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidants in Several Edible Mushrooms Species

Characterization of several wild growing and cultivated mushrooms from geographical area of Dambovita County, Romania, in terms of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, through a chemometrics approach, was the aim of this study. Related to the authors’ previous studies, the novelty of this paper consists in deepening research toward the complete characterization of the regional mushroom species through emphasizing their potential as food resources. In the context in which species showed their content in biological active compounds, future practical applications in the area of functional food will be developed by integrating the data concerning their lack of the toxicity and nutritional value too. Lack of data focused on the characterization of mushroom species investigated in the paper supports the significance of this research. The statistical analysis of data highlights the relationship between compounds showing antioxidant activity of autochthonous mushrooms (both cap and stipe)

Prevalence of 35delG mutation in GJB2 gene in the Moldovan population

Laboratory of Genetics, Center for Drug Research, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania. The 75th anniversary of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova (1945-2020)Background: Guanine deletion 35delG in GJB2 exon 2 is the pathogenic mutation responsible for up to 70% of cases of congenital non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL) among Europeans. The early molecular diagnostic of hearing loss nature has become important while considering the cochlear implants. The purpose of this study was to establish the frequency of 35delG deletion in GJB2 gene among patients with severe NSHL and its prevalence among Moldovan residents with normal hearing. Material and methods: 40 patients with congenital bilateral profound NSHL and 300 individuals with normal hearing were examined for deletion 35delG, by using Custom TaqMan SNP genotyping Assay. Results: 12 (30%) patients with homozygous genotype for 35delG mutation were identified, whereas 8 patients (20%) were heterozygous. The study reported 4 (1.33%) carriers of 35delG mutation among 300 Moldovan individuals with normal hearing. Conclusions: The present study results suggest a need for including the 35delG molecular testing into the national program of neonatal screening of hearing loss. Considerations on the genetic carrier testing should be made in genetic counseling and family planning

Civil Society Monitoring Report on the Implementation of the National Roma Integration Strategyon the Implementation of the National Roma Integration Strategy and Decade Action Plan in 2012 in: Romania

After a decade of attempts to deal with the problems faced by Roma, the Romanian government prepared a new policy document in the broader context of the European Commission (EC) Communication in April 2011, regarding the elaboration/adoption of National Roma Inclusion Strategies by member states. The new policy "The Strategy of the Government of Romania for the Inclusion of Romanian Citizens Belonging to the Roma Minority for the Period 2012-2020" (the National Roma Inclusion Strategy -- NRIS) replaces previous Roma policy documents adopted in 2001 and revised in 2006 (and which expired in 2011). Romania was among the first to sign the Decade of Roma Inclusion documents and also held its first Presidency, but in spite of these commitments, the Romanian government has never adopted a Decade Action Plan. In 2006, the Romanian government issued government decision no. 870/2006, which established the standard quality requirements for government strategies. In our analysis, the NRIS does not meet these requirements, generating significant difficulties for its implementation and monitoring.An action plan also needs to comply with certain standards of a policy document. A simple review of the NRIS action plan proves that it does not live up to these basic standards. Moreover, the NRIS falls short of the European Union's requirements, as outlined in the EC Communication (April 2011). The NRIS's elaboration was a rather superficial process. Very few suggestions and comments formulated by a large group of NGOs were considered and can be found in the final version of the NRIS adopted by the Government in December 2011. In 2009, the Presidential Commission for the Analysis of Social and Demographic Risks proposed a new approach to tackling Roma issues, reflected in "a genuine and constant political approach to the challenges of ensuring equal opportunity policies for the Roma minority". This recommendation is marginally reflected in the text of the current NRIS, and it remains a goal to be achieved considering the limited political capacity of the Roma community to act as a strong and reliable partner of public bodies

Microbiological efficiency tests of the cosmetic tools disinfection procedures

In the last decade, the cosmetic industry has experienced a massive development, but there have also been issues related to their influence on the health of the population. The application methods of the cosmetic products could trigger the appearance of the skin infectious, which raise the need for efficient disinfection processes of the cosmetic products. At the present, the economic operators in the field of cosmetics are guided by medical regulations, but, unfortunately there are not standardized procedure for the application and control of disinfection. The aim of this study was to determine an efficient procedure of disinfection for instruments used in the application of cosmetics such as the beauty blender. There were performed two different disinfection procedures, a chemical disinfection using 70% ethanol and a physical disinfection with UV radiation. The influence of foundation on disinfection procedures was also tested. A standardized S. aureus and a S. haemolyticus bacterium from a human abscess were tested and an antibiotic resistance pattern was also analyzed. The disinfection efficiency tests showed that the ethanol solution was effective after 5 minutes, decreasing the S. haemolyticus bacterial density by 50% in the absence of foundation. In the presence of the foundation, this process was no longer efficient, foundation having a possible protection and nutritional role for bacteria. The radiation with UV at 265 nm showed a complete eradication of both bacterial strains after 1 minute, regardless of foundation presence or not. The antibiotic susceptibility tested showed that both strains had the natural penicillin resistance

Grape by-Products: Potential Sources of Phenolic Compounds for Novel Functional Foods

Grapes occupy an important position in the human diet, providing both macronutrients and micronutrients indispensable for growth and development. Grapes contain enzymatic and non-enzymatic (nutritional) antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and bioflavones. High amounts of these valuable compounds are removed through processing, when the skin and the seeds are separated from the pulp. During the vinification process, a large amount of grape pomace is generated that constitutes an important source of value-added products such as phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes. Valorization of wine industry by-products like grape pomace is a suitable strategy for recovering bioactive compounds (mainly polyphenols) and reducing the environmental impact of this industrial waste. The circular bioeconomy refers to maintaining the value of the biological resources in economy for as long as possible, minimizing the waste production. Recovery and utilization of pomace from grape process favors closing the loop to ensure the abovementioned circularity. The experimental screening performed was designed to assess several indices of the polyphenolic composition of several grape byproducts (pomace, steams, and skin and seed mixture), such as total polyphenolic content, total flavonoid content, and their antioxidant activity, for two white grape Romanian varieties (i.e., Fetească Albă and Tămâioasă Românească)

Artistas sobre outras Obras

Na edição 29 da revista Estúdio são publicadas catorze escritas por artistas sobre outros artistas. É oportunidade para uma reflexão sobre o “rasgar retórico” do artista, a proposta feita entre as possibilidades discursivas, dentro de condicionantes. São as constantes do dispositivo que conforma as formulações. Ao mesmo tempo a relação com as matérias, com a utensilagem, é pensada, enquanto mediação com a natureza, sujeita a uma “formalidade molecular” que as máquinas amplificam. O seu autor usa o corpo que lhe cabe na geração dos vivos, herdeiro de sucessos e modelado por insucessos: é um corpo que sobra. Corpo que consegue proceder a uma economia, seja objetual, seja simbólica, iniciando-se um equilíbrio discursivo que nos atravessa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estudos Artísticos

Nesta procura continuada de reunir escritos de artistas sobre outros criadores se reuniram neste número da Revista Croma dezasseis artigos que têm em comum a determinação interventiva e emancipada. Provoca-se o inconformismo, ensaia-se o pensamento. A intervenção advém do estatuto, do capital simbólico associado à autoria. O estatuto político da arte centra o artista e tona-o vocal. A sua perspetiva, a sua síntese, a sua fantasia, são agora meios para uma mediação junto de todos, em direção a uma transformação fundamental e construtora de um dos pontos essenciais da cultura: a arte emancipada. Com a emancipação da arte, criou-se uma nova referencialidade, um novo descentramento, um olhar exterior, um olhar do homem sobre o homem, um olhar político mediado pelas formas pensadas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)