bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le Brol d’Angèle : L’humour absurde comme illustration du malaise des Milléniales
Authors: Faivre Cyrielle
Published: December 2024

Abstract: Dans son album Brol , la chanteuse belge Angèle s’arme d’humour pour exprimer le malaise des Milléniales face à une société résolument sexiste et régie par les apparences. Cet humour, principalement absurde et empreint de surréalisme comme le veut la tradition belge, s’incarne dans ses clips par le biais d’objets ajoutés ou remplacés de manière purement aléatoire, ces fameux brols synonymes de « désordre » et de « bazar ». Il s’agira, dans la présente analyse, de mettre au jour ce phénomène dans quatre chansons qui ont marqué l’ascension fulgurante de la chanteuse, à savoir « Balance ton quoi », « Je veux tes yeux », « La thune » et « Tout oublier ».
Design concepts for advanced-technology intraocular lenses [Invited]
Authors: Simpson Michael J. , Gatinel Damien , Faria-Ribeiro Miguel , Wei Xin , Yoon Geunyoung , Liang Junzhong , Artal Pablo , Marcos Susana
Published: December 2024

An intraocular lens (IOL) replaces the natural crystalline lens during cataract surgery, and although the vast majority of implants have simple optics, “advanced technology” IOLs have multifocal and extended depth of focus (EDOF) properties. Optical concepts are evaluated here, with image contrast, focal range, and unwanted visual phenomena being the primary concerns. Visual phenomena with earlier bifocal diffractive lenses led to alternative diffractive designs (trifocals, etc.) and also to exploring increasing the depth of focus for monofocal IOLs using refractive methods, where although the defocus range might be more modest, visual phenomena are much less obvious. The designs cover a range of possibilities that might provide the best overall vision for patients with differing motivations, needs, and sensitivity to visual side effects.
On-chip resonance peak extraction in evanescent field silicon photonic biosensors
Authors: Panda Sarthak , Al-Qadasi Mohammed A. , Mukherjee Avilash , Grist Samantha M. , Lis Mieszko , Cheung Karen C. , Chrostowski Lukas , Shekhar Sudip
Published: December 2024

Micro ring resonators (MRR) based evanescent field biosensors have shown excellent potential in medical diagnostics due to their performance, scalability, and ability to integrate multiple sensors in a small area to detect various biomarkers simultaneously. The quest to improve the performance and feature size of such sensors has led to the development of cutting-edge photonic integrated circuits (PIC). However, chip-scale implementation of readout and data analysis still needs to be addressed adequately. State-of-the-art evanescent field biosensors rely on off-chip data processing for better results, making the system bulky and ill-suited for point-of-care (PoC) and point-of-use (PoU) applications. In this work, we implement an MRR biosensor in a silicon photonic (SiP) SOI process and demonstrate resonance peak extraction with its measurement data using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) simulated in a 16nm FinFET process with performance similar to external processors.
Spatio-Spectral Quantum State Estimation of Photon Pairs from Optical Fiber Using Stimulated Emission
Authors: Kim Dong Beom , Hu Xiye , U'Ren Alfred , Garay-Palmett Karina , Lorenz Virginia
Published: December 2024

Developing a quantum light source that carries more than one bit per photon is pivotal for expanding quantum information applications. Characterizing a high-dimensional multiple-degree-of-freedom source at the single-photon level is challenging due to the large parameter space as well as limited emission rates and detection efficiencies. Here, we characterize photon pairs generated in optical fiber in the transverse-mode and frequency degrees of freedom by applying stimulated emission in both degrees of freedom while detecting in one of them at a time. This method may be useful in the quantum state estimation and optimization of various photon-pair source platforms in which complicated correlations across multiple degrees of freedom may be present.
A regression based approach to phylogenetic reconstruction from multi-sample bulk DNA sequencing of tumors
Authors: Schmidt Henri , Raphael Benjamin J.
Published: December 2024

Motivation

DNA sequencing of multiple bulk samples from a tumor provides the opportunity to investigate tumor heterogeneity and reconstruct a phylogeny of a patient’s cancer. However, since bulk DNA sequencing of tumor tissue measures thousands of cells from a heterogeneous mixture of distinct sub-populations, accurate reconstruction of the tumor phylogeny requires simultaneous deconvolution of cancer clones and inference of ancestral relationships, leading to a challenging computational problem. Many existing methods for phylogenetic reconstruction from bulk sequencing data do not scale to large datasets, such as recent datasets containing upwards of ninety samples with dozens of distinct sub-populations.

Results

We develop an approach to reconstruct phylogenetic trees from multi-sample bulk DNA sequencing data by separating the reconstruction problem into two parts: a structured regression problem for a fixed tree T, and an optimization over tree space. We derive an algorithm for the regression sub-problem by exploiting the unique, combinatorial structure of the matrices appearing within the problem. This algorithm has both asymptotic and empirical improvements over linear programming (LP) approaches to the problem. Using our algorithm for this regression sub-problem, we develop fastBE, a simple method for phylogenetic inference from multi-sample bulk DNA sequencing data. We demonstrate on simulated data with hundreds of samples and upwards of a thousand distinct sub-populations that fastBE outperforms existing approaches in terms of reconstruction accuracy, sample efficiency, and runtime. Owing to its scalability, fastBE enables both phylogenetic reconstruction directly from indvidual mutations without requiring the clustering of mutations into clones, as well as a new phylogeny constrained mutation clustering algorithm. On real data from fourteen B-progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, fastBE infers mutation phylogenies with fewer violations of a widely used evolutionary constraint and better agreement to the observed mutational frequencies. Using our phylogeny constrained mutation clustering algorithm, we also find mutation clusters with lower distortion compared to state-of-the-art approaches. Finally, we show that on two patient-derived colorectal cancer models, fastBE infers mutation phylogenies with less violation of a widely used evolutionary constraint compared to existing methods.
Cost-effectiveness of vector control for supplementing mass drug administration for eliminating lymphatic filariasis in India
Authors: Shepard Donald S. , Lwin Aung K. , Pulikkottil Sunish I. , Kalimuthu Mariapillai , Arunachalam Natarajan , Tyagi Brij K. , White Graham B.
Published: December 2024

Background/Methodology

Despite progress using mass drug administration (MDA), lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a major public health issue in India. Vector control could potentially augment MDA towards LF elimination. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of MDA alone and MDA together with vector control single (VCS) modality or vector control integrated (VCI) modalities. Data came from historical controls and a three-arm cluster randomized trial of 36 villages at risk of LF transmission in Tamil Nadu, India. The arms were: MDA alone (the standard of care); MDA plus VCS (expanded polystyrene beads covering the water surface in wells and cesspits to suppress the filariasis vector mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus); and MDA plus VCI (VCS plus insecticidal pyrethroid-impregnated curtains [over windows, doors, and eaves). Economic costs in 2010 US$ combined government and community inputs from household to state levels. Outcomes were controlled microfilaria prevalence (MfP) and antigen prevalence (AgP) to conventional elimination targets (MfP<1% or AgP<2%) from 2010 to 2013, and modeled disability adjusted life years (DALYs) averted.

Principal findings

The estimated annual economic cost per resident was US$0.53 for MDA alone, US$1.02 for VCS, and US$1.83 for VCI. With MDA offered in all arms, all arms reduced LF prevalence substantially from 2010 to 2013. MDA proved highly cost effective at $112 per DALY averted, a very small (8%) share of India’s then per capita Gross Domestic Product. Progress towards elimination was comparable across all three study arms.

Conclusions

The well-functioning MDA program proved effective and very cost-effective for eliminating LF, leaving little scope for further improvement. Supplementary vector control demonstrated no statistically significant additional benefit on MfP or AgP in this trial.
Spontaneous mutation in 2310061I04Rik results in reduced expression of mitochondrial genes and impaired brain myelination
Authors: Tsitsikov Erdyni N. , Phan Khanh P. , Liu Yufeng , Tsytsykova Alla V. , Paterno Rosalia , Sherry David M. , Johnson Anthony C. , Dunn Ian F.
Published: December 2024

Here, we describe a spontaneous mouse mutant with a deletion in a predicted gene 2310061I04Rik (Rik) of unknown function located on chromosome 17. A 59 base pair long deletion occurred in the first intron of the Rik gene and disrupted its expression. Riknull mice were born healthy and appeared anatomically normal up to two weeks of age. After that, these mice showed inhibited growth, ataxic gait, and died shortly after postnatal day 24 (P24). Transcriptome analysis at P14 and P23 revealed significantly reduced expression of mitochondrial genes in Riknull brains compared to wild type controls including mt-Nd4, mt-Cytb, mt-Nd2, mt-Co1, mt-Atp6, and others. Similarly, genes specific for myelinating oligodendrocytes also showed reduced expression in P23 Riknull brains compared to controls. Histological examination of anterior thalamic nuclei demonstrated decreased myelination of anteroventral nuclei but not of anterodorsal nuclei in P23 Riknull mice. Myelination of the anterior commissure was also impaired and displayed extensive vacuolation. Consistently with these findings, immunohistochemistry showed reduced expression of Opalin, a glycoprotein expressed in differentiated oligodendrocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that RIK is important for oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination in the developing brain.
In Silico design of a multi-epitope vaccine for Human Parechovirus: Integrating immunoinformatics and computational techniques
Authors: Sarker Arnob , Rahman Md. Mahmudur , Khatun Chadni , Barai Chandan , Roy Narayan , Aziz Md. Abdul , Faruqe Md. Omar , Hossain Md. Tofazzal
Published: December 2024

Human parechovirus (HPeV) is widely recognized as a severe viral infection affecting infants and neonates. Belonging to the Picornaviridae family, HPeV is categorized into 19 distinct genotypes. Among them, HPeV-1 is the most prevalent genotype, primarily associated with respiratory and digestive symptoms. Considering HPeV’s role as a leading cause of life-threatening viral infections in infants and the lack of effective antiviral therapies, our focus centered on developing two multi-epitope vaccines, namely HPeV-Vax-1 and HPeV-Vax-2, using advanced immunoinformatic techniques. Multi-epitope vaccines have the advantage of protecting against various virus strains and may be preferable to live attenuated vaccines. Using the NCBI database, three viral protein sequences (VP0, VP1, and VP3) from six HPeV strains were collected to construct consensus protein sequences. Then the antigenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, and stability were analyzed after discovering T-cell and linear B-cell epitopes from the protein sequences. The fundamental structures of the vaccines were produced by fusing the selected epitopes with appropriate linkers and adjuvants. Comprehensive physicochemical, antigenic, allergic assays, and disulfide engineering demonstrated the effectiveness of the vaccines. Further refinement of secondary and tertiary models for both vaccines revealed promising interactions with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in molecular docking, further confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation. In silico immunological modeling was employed to assess the vaccine’s capacity to stimulate an immune reaction. In silico immunological simulations were employed to evaluate the vaccines’ ability to trigger an immune response. Codon optimization and in silico cloning analyses showed that Escherichia coli (E. coli) was most likely the host for the candidate vaccines. Our findings suggest that these multi-epitope vaccines could be the potential HPeV vaccines and are recommended for further wet-lab investigation.
Decomposing working memory subprocesses with the reference-back paradigm: Event-related potentials and age-related differences
Authors: Gaál Zsófia Anna , Nagy Boglárka , Czigler István , Csizmadia Petra , Petró Béla , Kojouharova Petia
Published: December 2024

We used a data-driven approach to study the electrophysiological correlates of the working memory subprocesses revealed by the reference-back paradigm. In the absence of prior research, we focused on how aging affects the four subprocesses: updating, substitution, gate opening, and gate closing. We conducted our experiment with 24 younger adults (M = 20.17±1.47) and 23 older adults (M = 67.35±4.01). Significant reaction time costs were observed for all four subprocesses, but age-related differences were found only in substitution, which was larger in older than younger adults, indicating it as being the most vulnerable subprocess in aging. Using difference waves, we identified event-related potential components that characterize the subprocesses we studied. Regarding updating: three occipital negativities between 80–180 ms, 300–400 ms, and 400–1,000 ms were observed, with only the latter range showing age group differences. Source analysis showed larger activity differences in the right frontal and temporal areas for younger adults. Regarding substitution: a frontal positivity between 250–600 ms emerged in younger adults, while a posterior positivity between 550–750 ms was found in older adults indicating different underlying processes supported by sLORETA results. Regarding gate opening: three parieto-occipital components were identified: a negativity between 150–250 ms, a positivity between 300–500 ms, and a positivity between 500–700 ms, all showing age-related differences. Regarding gate closing: we found an occipital negativity between 150–300 ms and a frontal positivity between 300–600 ms, neither of which changed between the age groups. From our findings, we conclude that the process of protecting information (gate closing) remains stable with age, despite older adults’ sensitivity to interference. Conversely, we observed age-related differences in gate opening, which may have led to different strategies being used by the two age groups during substitution (the process by which new information is incorporated into working memory), as reflected in the distinct brain activity patterns observed.
Genetic structure of the commercial stingless bee Heterotrigona itama (Apidae: Meliponini) in Thailand
Authors: Wongsa Kanyanat , Jeratthitikul Ekgachai , Poolprasert Pisit , Duangphakdee Orawan , Rattanawannee Atsalek
Published: December 2024

Stingless beekeeping, also known as meliponiculture, has gained increasing popularity in many tropical and subtropical countries for its use in commercial pollination and high-value honey and propolis production. However, this rising interest in stingless beekeeping has led to significant geographical displacements of bee colonies by beekeepers, occasionally surpassing their native ranges. Consequently, this affects local bee populations by disrupting gene flow across unnaturally large geographic scales. For Heterotrigona itama, one of the most common stingless bee species in Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, there is concern that large-scale artificial propagation by beekeepers utilizing a limited number of bee colonies will lead to inbreeding. This practice leads to increased inbreeding within managed populations and introgression into wild populations. These concerns highlight the need for careful management practices in stingless beekeeping to mitigate potential adverse effects. To assess the genetic structure of H. itama in Thailand, 70 colonies were sampled, and partially sequenced cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, large ribosomal subunit rRNA gene (16S rRNA), and 28S large ribosomal subunit rDNA gene (28S rRNA) were analyzed. Our results showed slightly lower nuclear genetic variability, but higher mitochondrial genetic variability, which can be attributed to gene flow, colony transport, and nest division. We suggest that increasing the number of colonies maintained through nest division does not negatively affect genetic variability, as it is maintained by small-scale male dispersal and human-mediated nest transport. However, caution should be exercised when transporting nests from distant localities, considering the high genetic differentiation observed between samples from Narathiwat and those from Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces, which might indicate local adaptation.
Predictive models for health-related quality of life built on two telemonitoring datasets
Authors: Tashkovska Matea , Krsteski Stefan , Kizhevska Emilija , Valič Jakob , Gjoreski Hristijan , Luštrek Mitja
Published: December 2024

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an incurable disease where a key objective of the treatment is to maintain the patient’s quality of life (QoL) as much as possible. A model that predicts health-related QoL (HRQoL) based on physiological and ambient parameters can be used to monitor these parameters for the patient’s benefit. Since it is difficult to predict how CHF progresses, in this study we tried to predict HRQoL for a particular patient as an individual, using two different datasets, collected while telemonitoring CHF patients. We used different types of imputation, classification models, number of classes and evaluation techniques for both datasets, but the main focus is on unifying the datasets, which allowed us to build cross-dataset models. The results showed that using general predictive models intended for previously unseen patients do not work well. Personalization significantly improves the prediction, both personalized models and personalized imputation, which is important due to many missing data in the datasets. However, this implies that applications using such predictive models would also need to collect some self-reported labels of HRQoL to be able to help patients effectively.
A Modified Green Star Area (MoGSA) and software to assess greenness of reactions in the chemistry laboratories
Authors: Mansour Fotouh R. , El Hassab Mahmoud A. , Majrashi Taghreed A. , Eldehna Wagdy M.
Published: December 2024

The environmental and health impacts of chemical processes have been a growing concern, leading to the establishment of Green Chemistry principles. Introducing new metrics for the assessment of methods’ greenness is crucial to evaluate the exerted efforts to conserve the environment. In this work, we introduce a Modified Green Star Area (MoGSA) and software to assess the greenness of chemical reactions in laboratory settings. MoGSA refines the traditional Green Star Area Index (GSAI) by allowing users to selectively apply specific principles of Green Chemistry based on their relevance to the chemical process being evaluated. This approach addresses the limitations of GSAI, which often lacks clear boundaries between green and non-green practices and does not account for the varying applicability of the 12 Green Chemistry principles across different contexts. Through comparative case studies on catalytic stereoselective reduction of acetophenone, MoGSA demonstrates its utility in providing a more refined and flexible assessment, enhancing both educational and industrial applications of sustainable chemical practices. The software is available as an open source at https://bit.ly/MOGSA.
Speech-in-noise, psychosocial, and heart rate variability outcomes of group singing or audiobook club interventions for older adults with unaddressed hearing loss: A SingWell Project multisite, randomized controlled trial, registered report protocol
Authors: Lo Chi Yhun , Zendel Benjamin Rich , Baskent Deniz , Boyle Christian , Coffey Emily , Gagne Nathan , Habibi Assal , Harding Ellie , Keijzer Merel , Kreutz Gunter , Maat Bert , Schurig Eva , Sharma Mridula , Dang Carmen , Gilmore Sean , Henshaw Helen , McKay Colette M. , Good Arla , Russo Frank A.
Published: December 2024

Background

Unaddressed age-related hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults, typified by negative consequences for speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing. There is promising evidence that group singing may enhance speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing. However, there is a lack of robust evidence, primarily due to the literature being based on small sample sizes, single site studies, and a lack of randomized controlled trials. Hence, to address these concerns, this SingWell Project study utilizes an appropriately powered sample size, multisite, randomized controlled trial approach, with a robust preplanned statistical analysis.

Objective

To explore if group singing may improve speech-in-noise perception and psychosocial wellbeing for older adults with unaddressed hearing loss.

Methods

We designed an international, multisite, randomized controlled trial to explore the benefits of group singing for adults aged 60 years and older with unaddressed hearing loss (registered at clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT06580847). After undergoing an eligibility screening process and completing an information and consent form, we intend to recruit 210 participants that will be randomly assigned to either group singing or an audiobook club (control group) intervention for a training period of 12-weeks. The study has multiple timepoints for testing, that are broadly categorized as macro (i.e., pre- and post-measures across the 12-weeks), or micro timepoints (i.e., pre- and post-measures across a weekly training session). Macro measures include behavioural measures of speech and music perception, and psychosocial questionnaires. Micro measures include psychosocial questionnaires and heart-rate variability.

Hypotheses

We hypothesize that group singing may be effective at improving speech perception and psychosocial outcomes for adults aged 60 years and older with unaddressed hearing loss—more so than participants in the control group.
TRIO RVEMVS: A Bayesian framework for rare variant association analysis with expectation-maximization variable selection using family trio data
Authors: Yu Duo , Koslovsky Matthew , Steiner Margaret C. , Mohammadi Kusha , Zhang Chenguang , Swartz Michael D.
Published: December 2024

It is commonly reported that rare variants may be more functionally related to complex diseases than common variants. However, individual rare variant association tests remain challenging due to low minor allele frequency in the available samples. This paper proposes an expectation maximization variable selection (EMVS) method to simultaneously detect common and rare variants at the individual variant level using family trio data. TRIO_RVEMVS was assessed in both large (1500 families) and small (350 families) datasets based on simulation. The performance of TRIO_RVEMVS was compared with gene-level kernel and burden association tests that use pedigree data (PedGene) and rare-variant extensions of the transmission disequilibrium test (RV-TDT). At the region level, TRIO_RVEMVS outperformed PedGene and RV-TDT when common variants were included. TRIO_RVEMVS performed competitively with PedGene and outperformed RV-TDT when the analysis was only restricted to rare variants. At the individual variants level, with 1,500 trios, the average true positive rate of individual rare variants that were polymorphic across 500 datasets was 12.20%, and the average false positive rate was 0.74%. In the datasets with 350 trios, the average true and false positive rates of individual rare variants were 13.10% and 1.30%, respectively. When applying TRIO_RVEMVS to real data from the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program, it identified 3 rare variants in q24.21 and q24.22 associated with the risk of orofacial clefts in the Kids First European population.
Fraudulent mediums and miracle-mongers: Illusion, concealment and revelation in the works of Crivelli, Greenberg and Houdini1
Authors: David Karen
Published: December 2024

This article places in conversation Clement Greenberg (1909–94) and Harry Houdini (1874–1926) in their engagement with a search for a truth and draws subtle parallels in their biographies. Greenberg searched for an essence in the material realm of paint and Houdini searched the paranormal through mediumistic séances, both looking to reduce or debunk ideas of illusion in their fields, or more specifically, deception. This ‘conversation’ emerges from a close reading of the illusionary properties of the works of Carlo Crivelli (1430–95) and sets out to weave connections between approaches to illusion in painting, writing and magic via the notion of Carrie Lambert-Beatty’s parafiction (2009) where artworks that are presented as fact interact with the world. This article aims to raise questions and comparisons between illusions found in pictorial language, magical apparatus and parafictions, illustrating the fine line between illusion and material, and concealment and revelation.
Modern Painting: A Concise History, Simon Morley (2023)
Authors: Woollett Lucy
Published: December 2024

Review of: Modern Painting: A Concise History, Simon Morley (2023)

London: Thames and Hudson Ltd, 319 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-50020-489-4, p/bk, £18.99
A Systematic Analysis of Various Word Sense Disambiguation Approaches
Authors: Ganesh Chandra , Dwivedi Sanjay K. , Verma Satya Bhushan , Dixit Manish
Published: December 2024

The process of finding the correct sense of a word in context is known as word sense disambiguation (WSD). In the field of natural language processing, WSD has become a growing research area. Over the decades, so many researchers have proposed the many approaches to WSD. A development of this field has created the significant impact on several Web-based applications such as information retrieval and information extraction. This paper contains the description of various approaches such as knowledge-based, supervised, unsupervised and semi-supervised. This paper also describes the various applications of WSD, such as information retrieval, machine translation, speech recognition, computational advertising, text processing, classification of documents and biometrics.
Advances and Opportunities in Immersive Storytelling Technologies
Authors: Luttrell Regina
Published: December 2024

As societies stand at the forefront of unprecedented modern technological shifts, the convergence of immersive technologies is fundamentally reshaping the ancient art of storytelling. This next edition of the Newhouse Impact Journal explores the transformative impact of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR) technologies on contemporary storytelling paradigms. As these immersive technologies reach a critical intersection of technical capability, accessibility, and creative possibility, they present both extraordinary opportunities and complex challenges for content creators, educators, and consumers. Through a collection of essays, this work investigates the multifaceted landscape of immersive storytelling, addressing crucial aspects such as environmental awareness, audience perspective, user identity, and the psychological nature of immersion itself. Researchers offer new perspectives into some of the most prevalent and pervasive dimensions of immersive technologies, challenging traditional assumptions about user engagement and narrative design while spotlighting outstanding gaps between their adopted uses and future possibilities. Considering research and real-world examples, readers will examine their own roles at the technological crossroad of timeless storytelling and immersive technologies in an uncharted chapter of human experience.
Chronicling Harriett: Speculative Museology through Immersive Technology
Authors: Smith Synatra
Published: December 2024

This reimagining of Harriett's Bookshop, a Black woman-owned bookstore in Philadelphia, renders the space as an interactive virtual reality environment entitled "Harriett's Microverse" to highlight works by Black artists in Philadelphia. Here, I share my speculative cultural heritage preservation praxis through a discussion of three key questions to consider when developing digital projects. I also share recommendations and resources for cultural heritage professionals interested in replicating this type of project.
The Role of Transnasal Endoscopy in Diet Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Eid Sabine , Bauer Maureen , Nguyen Nathalie
Published: December 2024

The diagnosis and monitoring of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) relies on clinical symptoms and histological examination of the esophageal mucosa. Currently, esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy is the standard of care in the diagnosis and monitoring of EoE. Unsedated transnasal endoscopy (TNE) is a less invasive and less costly procedure that can be performed without general anesthesia. Here, we describe the first case of a 15-year-old adolescent girl who underwent TNE exclusively to identify all food triggers for EoE. She underwent 12 TNEs over a period of 4 years to identify food triggers for EoE to ultimately achieve the remission of her disease.
Dashboards como ferramenta de apoio à gestão para uma clínica prestadora de serviço de reabilitação física
Authors: Costa Carlos Alberto , Pratti Thais
Published: December 2024

Este artigo apresenta a aplicação das ferramentas de dashboards em uma clínica prestadora de serviço de reabilitação física. O trabalho objetivou mostrar que informações contextualizadas, precisas e objetivas podem auxiliar no planejamento e tomada de decisão estratégica na gestão da clínica. Assim, um estudo do ambiente da organização foi realizado, identificando a necessidade dos indicadores estratégicos pela gestão da clínica, definindo quatro visões: geral dos atendimentos, detalhada da evolução dos atendimentos, capacidade operacional da clínica e nível de ocupação dos colaboradores. Essas visões foram transformadas em quatro dashboards com gráficos e indicadores. Os dados para a geração dos dashboards foram extraídos da base de dados do sistema de agendamento de consultas da clínica e foram complementados por planilhas eletrônicas locais. A ferramenta Microsoft Power BI Desktop foi utilizada para a construção dos dashboards. Para validação do trabalho foi realizada uma apresentação dos resultados para duas gestoras de clínicas de reabilitação com as mesmas características organizacionais. Destaca-se como resultados a proposta, validadas por meio de triangulação por gestoras da área, de um grupo de dashboards para apoio tático e estratégico estratégicos para as clínicas de reabilitação. Outro resultado está associado ao método de trabalho utilizado em termos da integração com setores externos ao negócio, como a área de TI. Futuros trabalhos são necessários no sentido de estender os dados utilizados para prontuários, aspecto financeiros e produtos de fornecedores.
Pertumbuhan Vegetatif Tanaman Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) var. Suri 4 Dengan Perlakuan Nanosilika
Authors: Adhi Jonathan Wishnu Suryo , Darmanti Sri , Saptiningsih Endang
Published: December 2024

Sorgum adalah tanaman famili gramineae yang pada umumnya memerlukan unsur hara Si sebagai unsur beneficial. Kandungan Si di tanah terus berkurang akibat tidak ditambahkan Si dari luar dan tidak ada pengembalian Si dari organ tanaman pada saat panen. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui dampak nanosilika terhadap pertumbuhan vegetatif tanaman sorgum dengan perlakuan nanosilika pada dosis yang berbeda. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) satu faktor, yaitu konsentrasi pupuk nanosilika dengan dosis perlakuan : 0 ml/L; 2,5 ml/L; 5 ml/L; 7,5 ml/L; 10 ml/L masing-masing perlakuan dengan 5 ulangan. Data dianalisis menggunakan Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) dan dilanjutkan dengan uji Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) pada taraf kepercayaan 95%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberian pupuk nanosilika dengan konsentrasi 2,5 ml/L dapat meningkatkan bobot segar tajuk, bobot kering tajuk, dan luas daun. Dosis 2,5 sampai 7,5 ml/L meningkatkan tinggi tanaman dan dosis 7,5 ml/L sampai 10 ml/L meningkatkan kandungan klorofil a dan klorofil  total,  namun pemberian pupuk nanosilika tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap kandungan klorofil b, jumlah daun, bobot basah dan kering akar, bobot malai, bobot segar dan kering biji, dan bobot kering 100 biji.Sorghum is a gramineae family plant which generally requires the nutrient Si as a beneficial element. The Si content in the soil continues to decrease due to no addition of Si from outside and no return of Si from plant organs at harvest. The aim of this research is to determine the impact of nanosilica on the vegetative growth of sorghum plants with nanosilica treatment at different doses. The research used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with one factor, namely the concentration of nanosilica fertilizer with a treatment dose of: 0 ml/L; 2.5 ml/L; 5ml/L; 7.5 ml/L; 10 ml/L for each treatment with 5 repetitions. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and continued with Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a confidence level of 95%. The research results showed that applying nanosilica fertilizer with a concentration of 2.5 ml/L could increase fresh shoot weight, shoot dry weight and leaf area. A dose of 2.5 to 7.5 ml/L increases plant height and a dose of 7.5 ml/L to 10 ml/L increases chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll content, but the application of nanosilica fertilizer has no significant effect on chlorophyll b content, number of leaves, wet and dry weight of roots, panicle weight, fresh and dry weight of seeds, and dry weight of 100 seeds
Informal Settlement Characterization and Socio-Economic Vulnerability Assessment in Kolkata Metropolitan City, India
Authors: Banerjee Shravani , Diksha Diksha , Prasad Alisha , Kumar Amit
Published: December 2024

The study investigates the physical, social, and economic environment of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) to elucidate the living conditions of informal settlements and its influence on the local environment using geoinformatics and multi-criteria decision making-analytical hierarchical process (MCDM-AHP). The informal settlements were delineated using high-resolution Google Earth imagery and generic ontology informal settlements. knowledge considering building characteristics, building density, locations of the dwelling units, and their characteristics. The study exhibits that most informal settlements were concentrated in the wards located in the eastern and central parts of the city. The neighborhood land-use functions of the major informal settlements indicated that the informal settlements were highly influenced by green space (R2=0.97), followed by water bodies (R2=0.74), unplanned settlement (R2=0.68) and planned settlement (R2=0.67) in KMA. In addition, the informal settlements were closely associated with very low relief zones (3m to 13m) followed by moderate relief zones (13-23m). The municipal ward-level analysis of the physical-socio-economic health conditions exhibited that most of the areas located in the low vulnerable zones (53.71 km2; primarily in southern, and eastern periphery), followed by very highly vulnerable zones (43.09 km2; primarily in central and northern parts). The study provides an insight into urban areas with special reference to informal settlements and necessitates the implication of effective policy for poverty alleviation. This study encourages the availability of real-time data that can improve mitigation activities in the event of a health disaster, such as SARS COVID-19 through methods for qualitative investigation of disadvantaged locations in Kolkata.
Agroforestry-Silvopastoral Systems Suitability for the Plateau Landforms: Devrekani Plateau (Northern Turkiye)
Authors: Duran Celalettin
Published: December 2024

The Devrekani Plateau, located in the Kure Mountains massif (Kastamonu-Türkiye), is a geomorphological unit with flat areas ranging between 1000 and 1300 meters in altitude. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry activities are standard on the plateau. Due to environmental constraints, versatile, holistic, and sustainable land use plans are needed in such high areas. This study examines land use patterns compatible with natural environmental conditions for the Plateau Landforms. Agroforestry-silvopastoral systems where agriculture, pasture, forest lands, and recreational functions are applied together have been evaluated in the study area. Criteria that have a high relationship with land use have been identified. Using Geographic Information Systems, weighted overlay analysis was carried out with factor maps regarding Lithology, Slope, Elevation, and Actual Land Use. The model output reveals that the regions between agriculture and forest are the most suitable for the agroforestry-silvopastoral systems (outside urban areas) and recreation. The most suitable areas for mixed land use plans on the plateau are generally karst areas with sparse vegetation, located above 1200 meters, and having a 6-12% slope. The lower border of these areas is agricultural areas with flat or nearly flat slopes, commonly formed by alluviums. The upper limit consists of forest areas with steep slopes surrounded by high hills. Implementing agroforestry-silvopastoral land use models on plateau landforms can be an effective strategy for sustainable environmental management and land use.
Statistical Analysis of Short-Term Shoreline Change Behavior Along The Southern Cilacap Coasts of Indonesia
Authors: Mutaqin Bachtiar W. , Munandar Ariko V. , Jatmiko Jatmiko , Harini Rika , Purnama Ig.L. Setyawan
Published: December 2024

There is a threat of extreme waves and a moderate risk level of coastal erosion in Bunton Village. Based on the preliminary assessment, there is huge erosion of the shoreline and visible changes in the shoreline temporally. However, there is no statistical data on short-term shoreline change behavior in this area. Hence, this research aims to analyze statistically the short-term shoreline change behavior to understand the conditions and phenomena that occur on the coast of Bunton Village. Landsat images spanning the years 2002 to 2022, with recording intervals of 5 years each, were used to identify the shoreline data, which was later analyzed using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). Statistical analyses of short-term shoreline change behavior were obtained using the End Point Rate (EPR) and Net Shoreline Movement (NSM) approaches. Over a 20-year period, the Bunton coastal area experiences dynamic changes that are primarily due to erosion, with an average distance change of -255.5 meters and an average speed of -14.6 meters per year (very high erosion). The existence of the electric steam power plant (ESPP) in Adipala, which built a breakwater in 2012, has been proven to increase the erosion process. Shoreline change in this area can affect various landuses and tourism activities as well as trigger environmental problems in the Bunton coastal area.
Groundwater Nitrate Modeling in Tehran Metropolis Using Artificial Neural Network and Kriging Methods
Authors: Nickbeen Fatemeh , Salmanmahiny Abdolrassoul
Published: December 2024

This study examined the relationship between groundwater quality and land use in Tehran. For this purpose, the possible relationship between the types of land uses and the concentration of nitrate in groundwater parameters was modelled using a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) artificial neural network in geographic information system (GIS). The optimal network model was selected based on the mean root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient. Interpolation through Kriging was also performed to compare its results with those of the predicted model derived from an artificial neural network. The results showed that the neural network has a high capability for predicting and modelling groundwater nitrate concentration compared to the Kriging method. The high accuracy (RMSE: 0.003) of the neural network makes it a useful tool in relevant management issues. Our results of network sensitivity analysis were similar to scientific findings regarding the factors influencing the formation of nitrate in groundwater. Model outputs in the form of maps, tables, and graphs allowed the study of the role of each variable and the extent of its impact on groundwater quality. Performing various simulations and modelling of groundwater pollution provides an effective benchmark towards optimizing the management, control, planning, and decision-making in urban areas and can lead to economic and environmental savings.
Study on the prevalence of traditional smoking and the use of modern electronic nicotine delivery systems in different age groups of patients with ischemic heart disease
Authors: Zhurba O. O. , Lazoryshynets V. V. , Rudenko A. V. , Rudenko K. V.
Published: December 2024

The aim to define the frequency of traditional smoking and electronic cigarette use among coronary heart disease (CHD) patients of different age groups.
Materials and methods. The study included patients with CHD who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 3674). The mean age of the study participants was 60.6 ± 0.8 years. The material for analysis was anamnestic data regarding traditional smoking or the use of electronic nicotine delivery devices and a smoking history. The study design was based on the patient’s age group according to the WHO age classification.
Results. The article raises an actual problem of defining the impact of electronic cigarettes and traditional smoking on health risk for CHD patients and the frequency of smoking types taking into account the patients’ age. Nicotine addiction has been revealed in 67.3 % of patients among the study participants that was significantly higher than the proportion of never-smokers, p = 0.0001, χ2 = 56.29. It has been found that 93.0 % of patients preferred traditional cigarette smoking to electronic cigarettes, p = 0.0001, χ2 = 2101.45, and the frequency of traditional smoking was significantly lower among young patients (21.3 %) as compared to older age groups of patients: middle-aged – 38.5 % (р = 0.0001, χ2 = 62.40), elderly – 44.0 % (р = 0.0001, χ2 = 116.53) and old-aged – 42.1 % (р = 0.0001, χ2 = 95.67). Smoking cessation frequency has been shown to be significantly higher in the older groups: middle-aged (p = 0.0001, χ2 = 17.42), elderly (p = 0.0001, χ2 = 15.59) and old-aged (p = 0.003, χ2 = 9.05) compared to that among CHD patients of a younger age. The determined frequency of using only electronic cigarettes as a smoking experience or transition from tradition smoking has been demonstrated to be significantly higher exclusively among young people compared to other age groups: middle-aged patients (p = 0.0001, χ2 = 170.24), elderly (p = 0.0001, χ2 = 288.63) and old-aged (p = 0.0001, χ2 = 290.01).
Conclusions. Tobacco smoking as one of the leading risk factors has been established to be an extremely common phenomenon in the sample of CHD patients with the frequency of 67.3 %, that was significantly higher than the number of never-smokers, p = 0.0001, χ2 = 56.29. The rates demonstrating the prevalence of traditional and electronic cigarette smoking based on the age of patients with coronary heart disease have been determined. The incidence of smoking status types (quit smoking, switch to electronic cigarettes, dual users) according to the age aspect has been revealed.
Pojednać się z naturą – ochrona przyrody według Adama Wodziczki
Authors: Salwa Mateusz
Published: December 2024

Tekst przybliża Adama Wodziczkę i jego koncepcje teoretyczne odnoszące się do teorii ochrony przyrody.
Study on adsorption characteristics of biochars and their modified biochars for removal of organic dyes from aqueous solution
Authors: Zhang Xiaojuan , Cheng Wenwen , Wang Jialu , Lei Yanhui , Yang Xueqin , Duan Quan , Duan Wenfeng , Zhang Yutao
Published: December 2024

To address organic dye pollution and agricultural waste comprehensive utilization, the biochar (ZB) was prepared using Rosa roxburghii residue as the material for preparation. Three modified biochars (ZBO, ZBS, and ZBH) were created using NaOH, Na2S, and H3PO4 as modifying agents. The morphology, structure, pore size, and elemental composition of biochars were characterized and analyzed by a combination of FTIR, SEM-EDS, and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. Furthermore, the adsorption performance of the as-prepared biochars was investigated in the adsorption of RhB and MB dye process. The experimental findings showed that adsorption equilibrium for these dyes was achieved in 180 min. Moreover, the dye adsorption on biochars followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. For the biochar (ZB), the Langmuir equation proved to be more appropriate than the Freundlich equation. In contrast, the Freundlich equation was more apt for the modified biochars. More importantly, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the adsorption rate and capacity of RhB positively correlated with the specific pore volume, t-plot micropore area, and BET surface area, but a negative one with the pore size. The MB adsorption showed the opposite correlations. This study reveals a novel biochar for adsorbing organic dyes, which provides a strategy for the treatment of Rosa roxburghii residue.
Carnosic acid prevents heat stress-induced oxidative damage by regulating heat-shock proteins and apoptotic proteins in mouse testis
Authors: Liu Sirui , Jiaxin Wu  , Liang Wanqing , Liu Yinkun , Wan Shuangshuang , Tang Shu
Published: December 2024

Heat stress impacts male reproduction in animal husbandry. Carnosic acid (CA), a potent antioxidant, mitigates oxidative stress and apoptosis. αB-crystallin, a small heat shock protein, regulates apoptosis and oxidative stress. This study examines the protective effects of CA on the testis in wild-type and αB-crystallin knockout mice under heat stress. CA pretreatment increased testosterone levels and preserved testicular structure in wild-type mice, but no changes in knockout mice. CA reduced Hsp27, Hsp70, and cleaved caspase-3 levels, while knockout mice showed increased cleaved caspase-3. These results suggest that CA protects the testis by modulating heat shock and apoptosis-related proteins.
Discursive news values analysis: the case of Liz Truss’ representation in the British press
Authors: Di Silvestro Ester , Venuti Marco
Published: December 2024

This paper focuses on the news representation of Liz Truss by the British press, starting from the identification of news values. In addition, our analysis investigates the portrayal of Truss as a gendered social actor. The data were retrieved online through the resource LexisNexis – using the keyword “Truss” in headlines and lead paragraphs in both British broadsheets and tabloids – during three crucial days: 10 July 2022, the day Truss announced her candidacy for the leadership of the Conservative Party and as Prime Minister, 5 September 2022, when she became leader of the Conservative Party and consequently the new Prime Minister, and 20 October 2022, the day she announced her resignation as leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister. These data were analysed combining Bednarek’s and Caple’s Discursive News Values Analysis (DNVA) and Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA). Our findings identify the most frequent news values employed by British national newspapers in Truss’ portrayal during the selected timespans and highlight the connection between those values and her gendered representation.