bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of the chiral optical properties
Authors: Uzorka Afam
Published: September 2022

In all areas of display technology, the key to improved performance is to achieve control over the optical properties. For the ubiquitous liquid crystal display, which currently dominates the vast flat-panel display market for portable devices (especially notebook computers), control over the optical properties is achieved by controlling the orientation and positional ordering of the liquid crystals (LC). What this paper presents is the possibility of enhanced optical properties in LC devices through improved control over the LC order. This paper presents the work on the combination of porous glancing angle deposition (GLAD) films and liquid crystals (LC). The discussion opens with the rationale for studying the combination of the two technologies. Previous experiments were described briefly. The experimental setup, including film deposition, cell fabrication and filling, and optical measurements was described. The results of optical measurements on GLAD and GLAD/LC films are presented. Embedding LCs into the void regions in porous GLAD films with chiral (handed) microstructure was found to enhance the optical properties significantly. Furthermore, the structure of the film was found to influence the orientation of the LCs embedded into the films, and thus there is a mechanism for control of the LC order. This hybrid GLAD/LC material not only exhibits the promise of enhanced optical performance but also allows for the potential of a switchable device because of the presence of the LC. Because of the electro-optic properties of LCs, the switching behavior in GLAD/LC composites is also studied, leading to future developments in tunable or switchable LC devices.
Controllable Hartman effect by vortex beam in a one dimensional photonic crystal doped by graphene quantum dots
Authors: Kevin Saeideh , Sahrai Mostafa , Asadpour Seyyed Hossein
Published: September 2022

The Hartman effect is studied in a one dimensional photonic crystal doped with graphene quantum dots. It is shown that the Hartman effect can be switched from negative to positive by increasing the Rabi-frequency of the controlling field and also by manipulating the relative phase of the applied fields. The effect of the vortex beam on the Hartman effect is also presented. We show that the orbital angular momentum (OAM) and the azimuthal phase of the vortex beam will not effect on probe filed transmission while it changing the Hartman effect from positive to negative.
Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum carriage and clinical disease: a five-year community-based longitudinal study in The Gambia.
Authors: Ahmad Abdullahi , Mohammed Nuredin Ibrahim , Joof Fatou , Affara Muna , Jawara Musa , Abubakar Ismaela , Okebe Joseph , Ceesay Serign , Hamid-Adiamoh Majidah , Bradley John , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred , Nwakanma Davis , D’Alessandro Umberto
Published: September 2022

Background
Carriers of persistent asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections constitute an infectious reservoir that maintains malaria transmission. Understanding the extent of carriage and characteristics of carriers specific to endemic areas could guide use of interventions to reduce infectious reservoir.
Methods
In eastern Gambia, an all-age cohort from four villages was followed up from 2012 to 2016. Each year, cross-sectional surveys were conducted at the start and end of the malaria transmission season to determine asymptomatic P. falciparum carriage by microscopy while passive case detection was conducted during the transmission to determine incidence of clinical malaria. Association between carriage at the end of a season and at the start of the next and risk factors for this were assessed. Effect of carriage at the start of the season on risk of clinical malaria during the season was also examined.
Results
A total of 1403 individuals − 1154 from a semi-urban village and 249 from three rural villages were enrolled; median age was 12 years (IQR 6, 30) and 12 years (IQR 7, 27) respectively. In adjusted analysis, asymptomatic P. falciparum carriage at the end of a transmission season and at the start of the next were strongly associated (OR = 19.99; 95% CI 12.57–31.77, P < 0.001). The odds of carriage across seasons (i.e carriage at the end of a season and at the start of the next) were higher in rural villages (OR = 13.0; 95% CI 6.33–26.88, P < 0.001) and amongst children aged 5–15 years (OR = 5.03; 95% CI 2.47–10.23, P = < 0.001). In the rural villages, carriage at the start of the transmission season was associated with a lower risk of clinical malaria (IRR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27–0.81, P = 0.007).
Conclusions
Asymptomatic P. falciparum carriage at the end of a transmission season strongly predicts carriage at the start the next season. Odds of carriage across seasons was higher in villages with relatively higher transmission and in older children. Interventions that reduce persistent asymptomatic infections can be applied in a targeted manner and may supress the initiation of yearly seasonal malaria transmission.
Social Disadvantage During Pregnancy: Effects on Gestational Age and Birthweight
Authors: Luby Joan , England Sarah , Barch Deanna , Warner Barbara , Rogers Cynthia , Smyser Christopher , Triplett Regina , Arora Jyoti , Smyser Tara , Slavich George , Zhao Peinan , Stout Molly , Herzog Erik D. , Miller J
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveWhether psychosocial adversity during pregnancy impacts fetal health outcomes at birth remains underexplored. This is a critical issue given significant social disadvantage and psychosocial stress faced by pregnant women worldwide. Study DesignMeasures of social disadvantage and psychological factors, and medical/reproductive and nutritional health status in pregnant women were obtained at each trimester. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we investigated the relationship of forms of adversity to each other and as latent constructs to infant gestational age and birthweight. ResultsAmong 399 singletons, Social Disadvantage significantly predicted gestational age (p=.003), and residual birthweight (p=.006). There was a 0.4 week decrease in gestational age and a 3% decrease in birthweight for each standard deviation increase in Social Disadvantage. ConclusionSignificant negative effects of social adversity on the developing fetus were found. Notably, these effects emerged despite good prenatal care and after accounting for maternal age and medical reproductive risk factors.
“Sometimes I just forget them”: Capturing Experiences of Women about Free Menstrual Products in a U.S. Based Public University Campus
Authors: Rawat Meghana , Novorita Allison , Frank Jaclyn , Burgett Stevie , Cromer Risa , Ruple Audrey , DeMaria Andrea L.
Published: September 2022

Background
Studies have proven that lack of access to menstruation products negatively affects school attendance, academic performance, and individual health. Implementation of “period policies,” or programs offering free menstruation products, are becoming popular in schools, businesses, and communities in high income countries. U.S. based [Blinded University] announced in February 2020 that free pads and tampons would be stocked in all women’s and gender-neutral restrooms in campus buildings. The purpose of this study was to capture the experiences of menstruators about free menstrual products and the impact of a university-wide free menstruation management product policy and program. A second purpose was to understand how access to menstrual management products is intertwined with broader socio-cultural experiences of a menstruator.
Methods
As part of a larger study, virtual focus group discussions (n = 32 across 5 focus groups) were conducted in February 2021. Eligible participants were student-menstruators attending the [Blinded University]. We used thematic analysis techniques for data analysis, allowing for a constant comparative approach to data contextualization and theme identification.
Results
Focus group discussions revealed vivid menarche and menstruation experiences, shifting period culture, recollections of shame and stigma, and use of various technologies to manage menstruation. Recommendations for community-based programs offering free products included maintaining stock, making informed choices about products, and broadly distributing program information to increase awareness of free product placements.
Conclusions
Findings offer practical recommendations that will contribute to menstruation management and period poverty solutions for university communities.
Phytophysiognomy and temperature in an environmental preservation area in southern Minas Gerais influence the diversity and abundance of Syrphidae (Diptera) species
Authors: Maciel Anna Mara Ferreira , Morales Mírian Nunes , Faria Lucas Del Bianco , Hermes Marcel Gustavo
Published: September 2022

Syrphidae (Diptera) are a group of organisms that are considered important for the maintenance of the environment because they perform various ecological services, such as pollination, biological control, and decomposition. However, Syrphidae is still among the least studied Diptera families in the Neotropical Region due to the lack of specialists, along with the great diversity of behaviors among species and a large number of species. This study aimed to investigate the composition of adult syrphids in an environmental preservation area over two years and to verify the influence of meteorological conditions on the abundance, richness, and composition of the species collected. The sampling of adults was performed with passive traps and active searches in the Cerrado sensu stricto and Mata de Galeria phytophysiognomies between October 2018 and August 2020. In total, 442 specimens from 66 species of Syrphidae were collected. The genus Toxomerus had the highest number of specimens, and the most abundant species were T. lacrymosus (Bigot, 1884) and T. laenas (Walker, 1852). The Cerrado showed the highest abundance of syrphids, while richness was not significantly affected by any variable. In addition to the collection site, abundance was negatively affected by temperature and positively affected by the collection technique. For diversity, only the collection site had a significant effect. It was concluded that the phytophysiognomy as well as the environmental conditions influenced the diversity of this group. Implications for insect conservation: The results showed that very high temperatures negatively affected the number of specimens collected, suggesting a low ability to survive in warmer environments. Additionally, different phytophysiognomies showed differences in the diversity of insects from the family Syrphidae, and therefore, the preservation of both phytophysiognomies has the potential to assist in the maintenance of syrphid species and ensure the continuity of ecological services provided by these insects.
DTUMOS, Digital Twin for Large-scale Urban Mobility Operating System
Authors: Yeon Hyeokju , Eom Taebum , Jang Kitae , Yeo Jiho
Published: September 2022

The rapid development of digital twin technology has significantly changed the way virtual cities are used in smart cities and the transportation. In particular, digital twins provide a playground where various mobility systems, algorithms, and policies can be developed and tested. In this study, DTUMOS, a digital twin framework for urban mobility operating systems, is proposed. We construct open-source framework that can easily and flexibly apply to any city and mobility system worldwide. A novel architecture that combines an AI-based estimated time of arrival model and vehicle router algorithm enables DTUMOS to achieve high-speed performance while maintaining accuracy when implementing large-scale mobility systems. The proposed DTUMOS has distinct strengths in scalability, speed, and visualization compared to the existing state-of-the-art mobility digital twins. The performance and scalability are verified by using actual data in large metropolitan cities, such as Seoul, New York City, and Chicago. A lightweight and open-source environment of DTUMOS opens a new era for developing various simulation-based algorithms and quantitatively evaluating the effectiveness of policies for future mobility systems.
Predictive Modelling of Parkinson’s Disease Progression Based on RNA-Sequence with Densely Connected Deep Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Ahmed Siraj , Komeili Majid , Park Jeongwon
Published: September 2022

The advent of recent high throughput sequencing technologies resulted in an unexplored big data of genomics and transcriptomics that might help to answer various research questions in Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression. While the literature has revealed various predictive models that use longitudinal clinical data for disease progression, there is no predictive model based on RNA-Sequence data of PD patients. This study investigates how to predict the PD Progression for a patient’s next medical visit by capturing longitudinal temporal patterns in the RNA-Seq data. Data provided by Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI) includes 423 PD patients with a variable number of visits and 34,682 predictor variables for 4 years. We propose a predictive model based on deep Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) with the addition of dense connections and batch normalization into RNN layers. The results show that the proposed architecture can predict PD progression from high dimensional RNA-seq data with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 6.0 and rank-order correlation of (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001) between the predicted and actual disease status of PD.
Hindcasting injection-induced aseismic slip and microseismicity at the Cooper Basin Enhanced Geothermal Systems Project
Authors: Wang Taiyi A. , Dunham Eric M.
Published: September 2022

There is a growing recognition that subsurface fluid injection can produce not only earthquakes, but also aseismic slip on faults. A major challenge in understanding interactions between injection-related aseismic and seismic slip on faults is identifying aseismic slip on the field scale, given that most monitored fields are only equipped with seismic arrays. We present a modeling workflow for evaluating the possibility of aseismic slip, given observational constraints on the spatial-temporal distributionof microseismicity, injection rate, and wellhead pressure. Our numerical model simultaneously simulates discrete off-fault microseismic events and aseismic slip on a main fault during fluid injection. We apply the workflow to the 2012 Enhanced Geothermal System injection episode at Cooper Basin, Australia, which aimed to stimulate a water-saturated granitic reservoir containing a highly permeable fault zone. We find that aseismic slip likely contributed to half of the total moment release. In addition, fault weakening from pore pressure changes, not elastic stress transfer from aseismic slip, induces the majority ofobserved microseismic events, given the inferred stress state. To our knowledge, this is the first time injection-induced aseismic slip in a granitic reservoir has been inferred, suggesting that aseismic slip could be widespread across a range of lithologies.
RBM3 is associated with acute lung injury in septic mice and patients via NF- κB/NLRP3 pathway
Authors: Long Feiyu , Hu Liren , Wang Yao , Duan Xiaoxia , Zhou Jun , Chen Guangxiang , Xie Keliang , Feng Jianguo , Wang Maohua
Published: September 2022

Sepsis refers to host response disorders caused by infection, which can lead to life-threatening organ dysfunction. And the lungs bear the brunt of the disease. RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) is an important cold-shock protein that is upregulated in response to mild hypothermia or hypoxia. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether RBM3 is involved in sepsis-associated acute lung injury (ALI). Intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg) was performed in wild-type (WT) and RBM3 knockout (KO, RBM3-/-) mice to establish an in vivo sepsis model. An NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, MCC950 (50 mg/kg), was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before LPS treatment, and serum, lung tissues, and BALF were collected 24 h later for further analysis. In addition, we also collected serum from sepsis patients and healthy volunteers to detect RBM3 expression. The results showed that the expression of RBM3 in the lung tissues of LPS-induced sepsis mice and the serum of patients with sepsis was significantly increased and positively correlated with disease severity. In addition, RBM3 knockout (KO) mice had a low survival rate, and RBM3 KO mice had more severe lung damage, inflammation, lung cell apoptosis, and oxidative stress than WT mice. After the LPS treatment, the levels of nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor family 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and mononuclear cell nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lung tissues of RBM3 KO mice were significantly higher. However, they were only slightly elevated in WT mice. Interestingly, MCC950 improved LPS-induced acute lung injury in WT mice and RBM3 KO mice, and inhibited the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β. In conclusion, RBM3 was overexpressed in sepsis patients and LPS-induced mice. The RBM3 gene deficiency aggravated sepsis-associated ALI through the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.
Real-time Quantification of Small Intestine Perfusion and Responses to Arterial Versus Venous Occlusion Using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging in Porcine Intestinal Model
Authors: Liu Yao , Mehrotra Saloni , Nwaiwu Chibueze A , Buharin Vasiliy E , Oberlin John , Stolyarov Roman , Schwaitzberg Steven D , Kim Peter C.W.
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Real time intraoperative perfusion assessment may reduce anastomotic leaks. Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) provides dye-free visualization of perfusion by capturing coherent laser light scatter from red blood cells, and displays perfusion as a colormap. Herein, we report a novel method to precisely quantify intestinal perfusion using LSCI.Methods: ActivSightTM is a FDA-cleared multi-modal visualization system that can detect and display perfusion via both Indocyanine Green imaging (ICG) and LSCI in minimally invasive surgery. An experimental prototype LSCI perfusion quantification algorithm was evaluated in porcine models . Porcine small bowel was selectively devascularized to create regions of perfused/watershed/ischemic bowel and progressive aortic inflow/portal vein outflow clamping was performed to study arterial vs. venous ischemia. Continuous arterial pressure was monitored via femoral line.Results: LSCI perfusion colormaps and quantification distinguished between perfused, watershed, and ischemic bowel in all vascular control settings: no vascular occlusion (p = 1.52 x 10-15), aortic occlusion (p = 9.58 x 10-13), and portal venous occlusion (p = .00193). LSCI quantified similar levels of ischemia induced by states of arterial inflow and venous outflow occlusion. LSCI-quantified perfusion values correlated positively with higher mean arterial pressure and with increasing distance from ischemic bowel.Conclusion: LSCI relative perfusion quantification may provide more objective real-time assessment of intestinal perfusion, by quantifying currently subjective gradients of bowel ischemia and recognizing both arterial/venous etiologies of ischemia.
Different impacts of blood and sputum eosinophil counts on lung function and clinical outcomes in asthma: findings from the COREA cohort
Authors: Pham Duong Duc , Lee Ji-Hyang , Kim Ju-Young , An Jin , Song Woo-Jung , Kwon Hyouk-Soo , Cho You Sook , Kim Tae-Bum
Published: September 2022

Purpose Blood (EOS-B) and sputum (EOS-S) eosinophil counts may contribute differently to asthma pathogenesis. We compared the impact of the baseline EOS-B and EOS-S levels on lung function, asthma control, and exacerbation in Korean asthma patients.MethodsAsthma patients with baseline EOS-B (n=4257) and EOS-S (n=1049) levels from a multicenter cohort (COREA) were included. Pulmonary function test (%FEV1 predicted), asthma control test (ACT), and asthma exacerbation incidence were followed-up every 3 months for one year. Linear mixed effect models and survival analyses were used to examine the association between eosinophilic groups defined by EOS-B or EOS-S and outcomes. ResultsHigh eosinophilic groups were associated with a low baseline value and a high improvement in the %FEV1 predicted and ACT scores over time. The magnitude of group difference in %FEV1 predicted was 2-fold higher in the EOS-S versus EOS-B classification (mean and 95% CI: 4.7 (0.6-8.8) versus 2.0 (0.2-3.7) for the baseline value and -1.5 (-2.3 to -0.8) versus -0.8(-1.1 to -0.4) for the slope of change), whereas it was identical in ACT score. The magnitude of the impact increased linearly with the elevation of the cut-off level for the EOS-B but remained stable for the EOS-S classification. Patients with an elevation of both their EOS-B and EOS-S showed a higher increment in the %FEV1 predicted and ACT over time. Neither the EOS-B nor EOS-S was associated with asthma exacerbation. ConclusionEOS-S and EOS-B contribute differently to the clinical outcomes and should be taken into account independently to improve asthma care.
School-Based Harm Reduction with Adolescents: A Pilot Study
Authors: Fischer Nina Rose
Published: September 2022

A pilot study of the Safety First: Real Drug Education for Teens curriculum showed significant results pre to post with high school freshmen. Negative outcomes of drug education are linked to a failure to engage students because of developmentally inappropriate materials that include activities that have no relevance to the real experiences of young people. A few harm reduction studies showed significant increase in student's drug related knowledge. Students were less likely to consume substances, and less likely to consume to harmful levels. More studies are necessary to evidence harm reduction efficacy in the classroom. The goal of this study was to measure harm reduction knowledge and behaviors, including drug policy advocacy, before and after Safety First. Data were analyzed using AVOVA, linear regression, t-tests and thematic coding. Survey results, corroborated by the qualitative findings, showed a significant increase (p < .05) in high school freshmen harm reduction knowledge and behaviors in relationship to substance use pre to post Safety First. This increase related to a decrease in overall substance use. Harm reduction is often perceived as a controversial approach to substance use. These findings have implications for further study of what could be a promising harm reduction-based substance use intervention with teens.
Experimental Research on the Performance of a Novel Geo- filament Anchor for an Earthen Architectural Site
Authors: Yulan Wang , Jian Guo , weixi Zhang , Fan Lei
Published: September 2022

An efficient anchoring method, explicitly developed for small sliders, has hitherto been missing in the practice of earthen architecture conservation. Furthermore, anchorage performance studies conducted so far, have failed to fully take into account the soil characteristics of certain targets. To address these concerns, the conservation project conceived for the Gaochang Ruins, Turpan, in China, was selected as the experiment ground to design a novel Geotechnical Filament Anchor (GFA) for reinforcing small sliders in the earthen historical ramparts. In-situ experiments were conducted for evaluating six parameters—anchorage length (L), GF thickness (H), bore diameter (D), slurry strength (S), GFA surface status (R), and inclination angle (A). These parameters were varied in order to determine the effect they produce on anchorage performance, as demonstrated by the indicators, including tensile strength, destruction mode, load displacement (P-S) relation, and strain (ζ-L) distribution characteristics of the novel GFA. Data acquired from the experiments, in combination with the conservation specifics of earthen architectural sites, anchorage performance, and safety reserve, were further employed to introduce a calculation formula for computing the designed force value (N) through L. A simplified model depicting the shear stress distribution of the anchorage system under N was devised by extracting the strain distribution data with respect to the GF-slurry interface. Taking into account the soil properties of the above-mentioned site, the shear stress diffusion coefficient (α) was conceptualized, the formula for the shear strength of the grouting material was devised, and the tolerable ranges of L, D, H, R, and S were determined. A new design idea is proposed for the application of anchorage technology in earthen ruins in combination with the characteristics of cultural relics protection, which certainly promotes the formation of its design concept and calculation method.
Simulation of Wave Propagation with Obstacles: Time Invariance Operator Applied to Interference and Diffraction
Authors: Oliveira Marceliano , Oliveira Francisco , Freire Márcio , Valadares George
Published: September 2022

Computational Physics has been consolidated as an important field of study together with Basic Physics. In many cases the simulation is carried out considering an ideal case of a wave in infinite edge domain and in open space, not taking into account obstacles, barriers and other aspects of the real world. Our motivation is to perform wave simulation interacting with obstacles, barriers, single slit and double slit and investigate by examining the results obtained in images if the methodology
used by us to introduce realistic physical characteristics was successful presenting the expected phenomenology. We present a computational numerical operator that we call the Temporal Invariance Operator (TIO) this operator can add obstacles to the domain of the differential equation that describes a physical phenomenon, and after that, the wave equation can recognize these points as non-interacting zones without affecting the rest of the domain. The results in this paper allow us to infer that the operator TIO is an ideal way to apply the physical domain over wave propagation simulation and to successfully recreate wave interaction experiments with computer simulation.
EVALUATION OF INTERCEPTOR DESIGN TO REDUCE DRAG ON PLANING HULL
Authors:   Department of Naval Architecture, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia, Samuel S , Mursid Ocid , Yulianti Serliana , Kiryanto  , Iqbal Muhammad ,   Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean, and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK, United Kingdom
Published: September 2022

A planing hull is a high-speed craft with relatively complex hydrodynamic characteristics. An increase in speed can induce a significant change in trim angle with an increment in ship drag. One solution to reduce ship resistance is to use an interceptor. This research aimed to analyze the hydrodynamics of a planing hull vessel by applying an interceptor. The fundamental aspects reviewed included the analysis of drag, trim, heave, and lift force. The interceptor would be investigated on the basis of its integrated position at its height. This research also used the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method in calm water conditions. All simulations were conducted with the same mesh structure, which allowed the performance evaluation of the interceptor in calculating turbulent air–water flow around the ship. Numerical calculations used the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equation with the k–ε turbulence model to predict the turbulent flow. The vertical motion of the ship was modeled using dynamic fluid–body interaction (DFBI) in the fluid domain through an overset mesh technique. The numerical approach was compared with the experimental test results of Park et al. to ensure the accuracy of the test results. The interceptor was designed at the transition phase, which showed the highest trim angle followed by high drag. The interceptor would experience negative trim at high speeds; thus, it was not recommended. The research results indicated that the most effective use of the interceptor was at Froude number 0.87 close to the chine position with a height of 100%. This interceptor could reduce a maximum of 57% drag, 17% heave, 8.48% trim, and 0.12% lift force. The interceptor could increase excessive drag and trim at Froude numbers over 1.16. The interceptor proved to be remarkably useful in trim control and ship drag reduction, but selecting the wrong dimensions and positions of the interceptor could endanger the ship. This simulation was performed on Aragon-2; thus, the interceptor performance may possibly change if a different hull geometry is used.
Pamukkale critical thinking skill scale: a validity and reliability study
Authors: DURU Erdinc , OZGUNGOR Sevgi , YILDIRIM Ozen , DUATEPE PAKSU Asuman , DURU Sibel
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study is to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool that measures critical thinking skills of university students. Pamukkale Critical Thinking Skills Scale was developed as two separate forms; multiple choice and open-ended. The validity and reliability studies of the multiple-choice form were constructed on two different theoretical frameworks as classical test theory and item-response theory. According to classical test theory, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed, to item-response theory, the Generalized Partial Credit Model (GPCM) for one-dimensional and multi-category scales was tested for the construct validity of the multiple-choice form of the scale. Analysis results supported the unidimensional structure of the scale. The reliability analyzes showed that the internal consistency coefficient of the scale and the item-total correlation values were high enough. The test-retest analysis results supported that the scale shows stability over time regarding the field it measures. The results of the item-response theory-based analysis also showed that the scale met the item-model fit assumptions. In the evaluation of the open-ended form of the scale, a rubric was used. Several studies were conducted on the validity and reliability of the open-ended form, and the results of the analysis provided psychometric support for the validity and reliability. As a result, Pamukkale Critical Thinking Skills Scale, which was developed in two forms, is a valid and reliable measurement tool to measure critical thinking skills of university students. The findings were discussed in the light of the literature and some suggestions were given.
Tsarskoye Selo Military Necropolis in the Cultural and Historical Context of the Development of Sofia
Authors: Vasileva Elena N. , Monastyrskaia Marina E. ,   St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Published: September 2022

The article explores the actual for St Petersburg agglomeration problem of preserving and using specialized objects of landscape architecture-historically equipped cemeteries, some of which have the status of a historical and cultural monument. The solution of this problem involves conducting interdisciplinary studies of these architectural and planning forms in order to establish their real value. There are objects the oldest cemeteries of the Pushkin district — Alexandrovskoye, Kuzminskoye, Moskovskaya Slavyanka, Pavlovskoye, Pokrovskoye, Shusharskoye and the most studied and therefore well-known to the Kazanskoye urban community in Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo). The emergence and functioning of the latter is related to the cultural, historical and urban development of Tsarskoye Selo Sofia. The article presents the results of historical, architectural, urban planning and cultural researches carried out by the authors using a significant number of primary sources: textual, iconographic, statistical, cartographic and planographic archival documents, a large volume of which was first introduced into scientific circulation. The result of the work was the identification of the military memorial object of national significance — the Tsarskoye Selo military necropolis as an independent architectural and planning form of special purpose. The features of its formation are determined as part of cemeteries of the Tsarskoye Selo Military Hospital (mid-19th century), the Tsarskoye Selo military Cemetery (1887), the new cemetery of the Tsarskoye Selo garrison (1914) and the Tsarskoye Selo Fraternal Cemetery (1914). The specifics of its institutionalization and design and construction implementation, the patterns of spatial organization and architectural and landscape design, the trends of modern use are established. The study is carried out taking into account the phenomenology of the gradotypological transformation of Tsarskoye Selo Sofia: the district city of the St Petersburg province, the paramilitary suburb of Tsarskoye Selo, the prestigious residential district of Pushkin.
Intentionalism and Deontology in the Early Stoic Ethics
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Seregin Andrei V.
Published: September 2022

In this paper, I demonstrate that the early Stoics adhered to a normative theory that may be called intentionalist: the moral significance of any action is not determined by its material content, but by the virtuous or vicious disposition of the agent’s soul and the intentions arising from this disposition. Since according to Stoics all people are divided into virtuous sages and vicious non-sages, all the actions of the former are morally right (κατορθώματα), whereas those of the latter are morally wrong (ἁμαρτήματα), even if they are materially identical. On the other hand, some statements in the Stoic fragments can rather be characterized as deontological: in this case, certain materially defined types of action (stealing, lying, adultery, etc.) seem to be presented as morally wrong in themselves. The paper’s central thesis is that such statements do not contradict the basic Stoic intentionalism but can be interpreted as consistent with it. Such an interpretation becomes possible under two conditions: firstly, if one takes into account how exactly the notions of κατόρθωμα and ἁμάρτημα relate to the Stoic notions of appropriate and inappropriate action (καθῆκον and παρὰ τὸκαθῆκον), and, secondly, if one examines the Stoic position on the moral status of lying, which is very revealing in this respect.
Faxo in Plautus Revisited: Causativity vs. Speaker’s Stance
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Zheltova Elena V.
Published: September 2022

The article concerns the semantic nuances of the verb faxo in the Plautus’ language. The vast majority of the occurrences demonstrate causative semantics, but there are a few cases where such a meaning can hardly be seen. De Melo singled out the two occurrences in which faxo can be treated as either an adverb similar to forsitan or a parenthetical expression with the meaning “I assume.” The author of the article has found some more examples of the non-causative use of faxo and tried to find out which of De Melo’s suggestions is preferable. On the grounds of the grammaticalization principles suggested by Hopper and Heine, there has been traced the stages of grammaticalization of faxo in the language of Roman comedy, with particular attention to the broader context. It is demonstrated that the causative meaning which transpires in many examples tends to emerge in the “bridging contexts” of grammaticalization, while the transition to the semantics under consideration occurs at the following stage, i.e. in the “switch context”. Having analyzed all the occurrences of faxo against the broader contexts and comparative data from other languages, the author concludes that the rare sigmatic future faxo had over time become a semi-grammaticalized marker of the speaker’s stance, which allowed both evidential (inferential) and modal-epistemic interpretation.
The Students of Panaetius in Philodemus’ Stoicorum Historia 74, 1–6
Authors:   Universität Trier, Zaitsev Aleksei ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: September 2022

This article compares Cicero’s testimonies concerning Roman students of Panaetius with Philodemus’ tradition, which is accessible to us through his Stoicorum Historia. While Cicero associates prominent Roman politicians of the second century BC — among them P. Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus — with Panaetius in multiple testimonies, Philodemus only attests the study of the two Samnites Marcius and Nysius and the Roman Piso — all three of whom were probably politically insignificant — with Panaetius. This can be explained by the different intended audiences of the two authors: Cicero’s readers were primarily the Roman nobiles who were (occasionally) engaged in philosophy; Philodemus, on the other hand, was addressing the members of a Greek-speaking community of practicing philosophers. The fact that the testimonies do not coincide is thus no reason to deny their historicity. It seems more appropriate to accept the existence of Italic and Roman (professional) philosophers in addition to the politicians mentioned by Cicero who were students or friends of Panaitios.
Three notes on Asconius
Authors:   Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Chrustaljow Wjatscheslaw K. ,   Russian Federation Pskov State University
Published: September 2022

This article deals with three passages from Asconius’ commentary on Cicero’s speeches. In the first of these fragments, Asconius reports that Cicero’s daughter Tullia died after childbirth in the house of her husband P. Lentulus. This version stands in contrast to the communis opinio in the scholarship (albeit rested on indirect evidence), according to which Tullia passed away at the Tusculan villa of Cicero after she had given birth to her son in Cicero’s house in Rome. Asconius’ testimony is compared with the account of Plutarch (Cic. 41. 7–8) who tells the same story as the commentator of Cicero. The author concludes that the reports of two ancient writers are based on a common source, namely Cicero’s biography composed by Tiro, in which only the place of birth of Tullia’s son, but not the place of her death was given. Based on this information, Asconius and Plutarch independently of each other came to the logical but wrong conclusion that Tullia died in the house belonged to her ex-husband. In the second passage Asconius mentions that M. Licinius Crassus sat on the jury upon the trial of C. Cornelius de maiestate in 65. In the same year Crassus held the censorship. However, office-holding magistrates were excluded from juries. Since the trial of Cornelius can be dated to the late spring or the first half of summer, we are to assume that Crassus gave up the office by this time. In the third part of the paper Asconius’ account on the murder of Lucretius Afella is examined. According to Asconius, Afella was killed by a L. Bellienus, whereas Plutarch reports that Afella was murdered by one of Sulla’s centurions. The identicalness of L. Bellienus and the anonymous centurion mentioned by Plutarch is usually called into doubt in the scholarship, but the author comes to conclusion that the ancient authors write about the same man.
The Teaching of Latin at Tobolsk Principal People’s School (1789–1810): Historical, Pedagogical and Methodical Aspects
Authors:   D. I. Mendeleev Tobolsk Pegagogical Institute (branch) of Tyumen State University, Lapteva Marina Yu. , Reznichenko Egor A. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: September 2022

In this article, the authors investigate the teaching Classical Languages during the first years from the foundation of Principal People’s Schools in the Russian Empire in the reign of Ekaterina II. The activity of Tobolsk Principal People’s School (1789–1810) is taken as an example. The main sources for the article are archival materials and historical investigations not only of modern time but those of XIX century. First, the beginning of the School’s existence enjoyed sincere enthusiasm of officials, teaching staff, and sponsors. Latin and German languages were among obligatory subjects. However, literally a few years later the School encountered serious problems due to economic instability and imperfectness of organization of admission and educational processes that led to a drastic decrease in the number of students registered. Living and teaching conditions of teachers gradually became harder. As a result, the first printed Siberian journal Irtysh transforming into Hippocrene was closed in two years. In addition, authors analyze main Latin coursebook Orbis sensualium pictus by J. Comenius and the Regulations for People’s Schools with special emphasis on practical and methodical recommendations for language teachers. Despite of reputation of coursebook with progressive approach, its usage in Schools was one of the reasons why classical education was introduced with great methodical mistakes. The accent on permanent learning by heart of a huge amount of words, which are mostly irrelevant to students’ life, made lessons boring routine. The authors claim that it was far from the blameless way of the realization of educational reforms in 1780s in Siberia. At the same time, it is noteworthy that those reforms created the necessary basis of the formation of systematic secondary education in Russia and that of transition to the system of Classical gymnasia.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE E-PARTICIPATION ECOSYSTEM IN RUSSIA IN THE EARLY 2020S: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND REGIONAL GOVERNANCE CENTERS
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Filatova Olga , Chugunov Andrey ,   ITMO University
Published: September 2022

This article explores the process of creating a centralized system that ensures processing opinions and claims against regional and municipal officials expressed by citizens in social networks, which began in 2020. Previous research by the authors, devoted to a comprehensive study of Russian systems that ensure interaction of authorities with citizens, revealed six channels of electronic participation at the regional and municipal levels. However, the development of social networks and the emergence of new technologies for involving citizens in public policy have created preconditions for the transformation of e-participation systems. This is reflected both in scientific research and in practice — for example, in the Russian Federation in 2020, a new channel of electronic participation began. A network of Regional Governance Centers (RGC) has been created and is developing, one of the components of which is the “Incident Management” system, which allows real-time monitoring of the reaction of users in social networks and ensures the processing of messages or claims of citizens to the authorities. In this regard, it became necessary to further assess the contribution of social networks to the development of the e-participation ecosystem and the place in it of the centralized channels served by the SDG system. The article presents two pilot SDG analyzes conducted by the authors, which made it possible to identify heterogeneity among new structures in terms of institutional affiliation and regional specifics of activities in the social network VKontakte. The important criteria in the issue of measuring efficiency, in the opinion of the authors, are efficiency, the degree of citizen involvement, the fact of solving an incoming problem, organizational and regulatory support of work processes.
POLITICAL SCIENCE (“POLITOLOGY”) AS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE AND APPLIED SPECIALTY AT THE BELARUSIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Authors:   Belarusian State University, Antanovich Nina , Slutskaya Liudmila ,   Belarusian State University
Published: September 2022

The article explores the formation and development of political science as an academic discipline and applied specialty at Belarusian State University. The development of the specialty “Political Science” (“Politology”) at BSU, and specificities of training specialists as “Political Scientist–Lawyer,” are key themes. We show that this qualification ensured the professionalization of the teaching of political science in Belarus and aimed at solving domestic and foreign policy issues of the Belarusian state and the political system as a whole. The training of specialists in political and legal activities facilitated the formation of skills of analytical support for government bodies to solvepressing issues. The development of the Political Science Department of the Faculty of Law at BSU focused on problems of public policy and administration. The main directions of the political research included comprehension of a number traditional and modern issues, which the Belarusian political science faces, injcluding: the problem of the correlation between the universal and the unique in the development of political science; dialectical comprehension of the political and administrative components in public administration, of domestic and foreign policy processes, "erosion of state sovereignty," "softening of border regimes," versus strengthening the sovereign state, protecting its security, and ideological substantiation of the values of national-state development; internal political processes consideration through the prism of globalization and the digital transformation; identification of mechanisms for the formation of political problems, their setting on the “policy agenda,” of mechanisms for the transformation of the social issues into political, the struggle for the production and control of information; research of the normative value systems formation; rethinking democracy, democratic activity and mechanisms for legitimizing power; identification of “points of inclusion” of ethical and regional issues in politics. The current trend in the Political Science development in Belarus is the transition from disciplinary isolation to interdisciplinary synthesis.
Cross-Border Child Abduction: An Analysis of the Jurisprudence of Best Interests of Children in India
Authors:   South Asian University, Jolly Stellina ,   University of Johannesburg, Pathak Apoorva ,   South Asian University
Published: September 2022

Intercountry child abduction cases present a colossal challenge for the courts in determining courses of action. The Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of Child Abduction, 1980, provides for the mechanism of prompt “return of the child” to the “habitual residence”. The assumption is that the courts of habitual residence of the child are the best forum to promote the child’s best interests. “Welfare of the child” or “best interest of the child” are the guiding principles recognized by international law as the basis for child jurisprudence. However, India is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, which poses a significant challenge to applying orders of foreign courts relating to the custody and return of a child abducted to India. Considering the large diaspora and increasing cross border marriages, the issue of child abduction and the legal response in India assumes significance. Indian courts have devised their own term, “intimate contact”, as the connecting factor in lieu of “habitual residence” to address legal battles in intercountry child abduction cases. This article explores the Indian stance on intercountry child abduction. The article provides a critical analysis of the application of the principle of welfare of the child by the Indian judiciary in child abduction cases. Jurisprudence reveals that Indian courts have assessed the contours of the best interest of the child not just from the point of the habitual residence of the child, but considering the overall interest of the child. However, in the absence of a legislative framework, uncertainty prevails. The paper argues that there is a need for comprehensive legislation to address issues and challenges of intercountry child abduction cases, taking into account factors like “domestic violence”, child psychology, and other social factors pertinent for the determination of the best interest of the child.