bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Host Specialisation in the Common Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius): Genetic Characterization of the Bat and Human Lineages
Authors: Castex Clara , Clément Laura , Perréaz Pierre , Goudet Jérôme , Christe Philippe
Published: November 2023

Background
After its nearly eradication in the 1940’s, the bed bug (Cimex lectularius) experienced a global resurgence with some populations displaying insecticide resistance. Two distinct lineages of bed bugs have been identified, one of which is associated with humans and the other with bats. Given that bat roosts can be shared within human shelters, investigating host specialisation in bed bugs is essential to gain a better understanding of the potential risks of cross-species transmission.
Methods
We analysed and compared the genetic composition of human and bat-associated bed bugs. We first conducted a median-joining analysis based on COI and 16S rRNA mitochondrial genes to detect any host-specific separation of haplotypes. Then, using 10 microsatellites, we estimated the genetic diversity and structure between and within the two hosts-associated bed bugs. Finally, we carried out an analysis of knock-down insecticide resistance gene variants to assess the difference in resistance of the host-associated common bed bugs to pyrethroid insecticides.
Results
The median-joining analysis shows a clear separation of all haplotypes that are host-specific. Consistently, the analysis of genetic structure reveals two genetic clusters associated with bats and humans with some structure among human-associated sites. Human-associated bed bugs might have settled from multiple colonisation events or undergone bottlenecks. This separation is also supported by the analysis of knock-down insecticide resistance gene variants which shows that bed bugs infecting humans have evolved insecticide resistance in contrast to the ones infecting bats.
Conclusion
Taken together, our results show that bed bugs seem to have evolved into genetically differentiated lineages specialised on different hosts, thus supporting the hypothesis of host specialisation in the common bed bugs.
A genetic perspective on the relationship between circulating proteins and bladder cancer: a study from drug-targeted Mendelian randomization
Authors: Zhang Chen , Dong Huke , Zhang Dongwei
Published: November 2023

Background: Bladder cancer is one of the most common tumor in men worldwide, and advanced bladder cancer has a high incidence and mortality rate. The treatment of bladder cancer is currently developing slowly, and there is an urgent need for effective therapies to improve the survival of patients with bladder cancer.
Method:We firstly analyzed the bladder cancer database from biobank and circulating proteins by mendelian(MR).The results were co-localized after FDR correction, and we selected PPH4>0.8 as the protein with strong evidence.We used a bladder cancer database from Finland as a validation set, which was similarly subjected to MR analysis of its results.
Result:In the first step we performed a two-sample MR analysis of circulating proteins and the bladder cancer database from UKB, screened 46 proteins with P<0.05 by FDR test, and co-localized proteins in the results were analyzed. In the second step we again performed MR analysis on circulating proteins and the bladder cancer data from the Finnish database, which were also subjected to FDR test and screened for proteins with P<0.05, and combined the FDR test results with the bladder cancer data.We compared the co-localized proteins from UKB with the results obtained from the Finnish database, and a total of 7 proteins were found to be validated.
Conclusion: GSTM1, GSTM3, GSTM4, ASIP, CSF2RB, CNDP1, and DLK1 deserve to be explored for their druggability, and we look forward to more antitumor drugs to treat bladder cancer in the future.
Development and validation of predicting prognostic survival in hepatocellular carcinoma with metastases and chemotherapy effectiveness studies
Authors: Yin Xiaobo , Zheng Jin , Tian Yuanhui , Zhang Ping , Li Ke
Published: November 2023

Background & Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a kind of tumor with high invasiveness, and HCC patients with metastases have a higher risk of early death. One aim of the present study was to identify the prognostic factors of early death in HCC patients with metastases and to establish predictive nomograms. The other aim was to investigate the prognostic survival effect of chemotherapy.
Methods: 3,428 HCC patients with metastases between 2010 and 2019 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were applied to measure potential risk factors, and the nomogram of overall survival (OS) at different times was formulated. Propensity score matching (PSM) and Kaplan-Meier Survival Curve were further performed to evaluate the influence of chemotherapy on prognosis.
Results: Lung metastasis, Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), tumor size, T stage, N stage, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy were independent prognostic risk factors for OS that were utilized to conduct the nomogram. In the training cohort and internal validation cohort, the C-indexes of the prediction model were 0.728 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.722-0.734), and 0.742 (0.733-0.751). Specifically, the survival risk for HCC metastasis patients without chemotherapy was 1.935 times higher than with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy prolonged the median survival period by 3 months.
Conclusions: We constructed a new nomogram to predict OS in HCC patients with metastases, which can help patients and doctors to judge prognosis and make clinical decisions. It has been shown that in metastatic HCC patients, chemotherapy is an effective treatment option to improve prognostic survival.
Cerebellar volumetry in ataxias: Relation to ataxia severity and duration
Authors: Ferreira Mónica , Schaprian Tamara , Kügler David , Reuter Martin , Deike-Hoffmann Katerina , Timmann Dagmar , Ernst Thomas , Giunti Paola , Garcia-Moreno Hector , de Warrenburg Bart van , Gaalen Judith van , de Vries Jeroen , Jacobi Heike , Steiner Katharina Marie , Öz Gülin , Joers James M. , Onyike Chiadi , Povazan Michal , Reetz Kathrin , Romanzetti Sandro , Klockgether Thomas , Faber Jennifer
Published: November 2023

Background: Cerebellar atrophy is the neuropathological hallmark of most ataxias. Hence, quantifying the volume of the cerebellar grey and white matter is of great interest. In this study, we aim to identify volume differences in the cerebellum between spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), SCA3 and SCA6 as well as multiple system atrophy of cerebellar type (MSA-C).
Methods: Our cross-sectional data set comprised mutation carriers of SCA1 (N=12), SCA3 (N=62), SCA6 (N=14), as well as MSA-C patients (N=16). Cerebellar volumes were obtained from T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. To compare the different atrophy patterns, we performed a z-transformation and plotted the intercept of each patient group's model at the mean of 7 years of ataxia duration as well as at the mean ataxia severity of 14 points in the SARA sum score. In addition, we plotted the extrapolation at ataxia duration of 0 years as well as 0 points in the SARA sum score.
Results: Patients with MSA-C demonstrated the most pronounced volume loss, particularly in the cerebellar white matter, at the late time intercept. Patients with SCA6 showed a pronounced volume loss in cerebellar grey matter with increasing ataxia severity compared to all other patient groups. MSA-C, SCA1 and SCA3 showed a prominent atrophy of the cerebellar white matter.
Conclusion: Our results (i) confirmed SCA6 being considered as a pure cerebellar gray matter disease, (ii) emphasise the involvement of cerebellar white matter in the neurophatology of SCA1, SCA3 and MSA-C, and (iii) reflect the rapid clinical progression in MSA-C.
Multi-tissue metabolic and transcriptomic responses to a short-term heat stress in swine
Authors: Huau Guilhem , Liaubet Laurence , Gourdine Jean-Luc , Riquet Juliette , Renaudeau David
Published: November 2023

BackgroundHeat stress (HS) is an increasing threat for pig production with a wide range of impacts. When submitted to high temperatures, pigs will use a variety of strategies to alleviate the effect of HS. While systemic adaptations are well known, tissue-specific changes remain poorly understood. In this study, thirty-two pigs were submitted to a 5-day HS at 32° C.ResultsTranscriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed on several tissues. The results revealed differentially expressed genes and metabolites in different tissues. Specifically, 481, 1774, 71, 1572, 17, 164, and 169 genes were differentially expressed in muscle, adipose tissue, liver, blood, thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands, respectively. Regulatory glands (pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal) had a lower number of regulated genes, perhaps indicating an earlier sensitivity to HS. In addition, 7, 8, 2, and 8 metabolites were differentially produced in muscle, liver, plasma, and urine, respectively. The study also focused on the oxidative stress pathway in muscle and liver by performing a correlation analysis between genes and metabolites.ConclusionsThis study has identified various adaptation mechanisms in swine that enable them to cope with heat stress (HS). These mechanisms include a global decrease in energetic metabolism, as well as changes in metabolic precursors that are linked with protein and lipid catabolism and anabolism. Notably, the adaptation mechanisms differ significantly between regulatory (pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands) and effector tissues (muscle, adipose tissue, liver and blood). Our findings provide new insights into the comprehension of HS adaptation mechanisms in swine.
Experimental research on characteristics of the ultrasonic p-wave velocity of coal-based paste filling materials
Authors: An Baifu , Song Jie , Li Junmeng , Cui Chenghao , Wang Jiale , Ren Jinfang , Bai Wenting
Published: November 2023

The research aims to explore changes in the ultrasonic p-wave velocity of coal-based paste filling materials, which is used for recovering standing pillars in the closed/closing coal mines, under influences of multiple material factors. To this end, orthogonal tests were designed and coal grains were taken as main materials to evaluate the influences of four factors (particle size of coal grains (A), high-water material content (B), cement content (C), and water content (D)) on ultrasonic p-wave velocities of samples. Test results show that (1) Ultrasonic p-wave velocity of coal-based paste filling materials is in the range of 1.596 to 2.357 km/s and these are listed (in descending order) as D, B, C, then A according to their influences on the ultrasonic p-wave velocity. (2) Ultrasonic p-wave velocity is positively correlated with the compressive strength and shear strength, with correlation coefficients separately of 0.82 and 0.69. (3) Formulae for changes in the ultrasonic p-wave velocity under influences of different factors were fitted. The ultrasonic p-wave velocity of coal-based paste filling[1] materials has a quadratic polynomial relationship with factor B while having exponential relationships with factors A, C, and D. Based on fitting equations for changes in single factors and the ultrasonic p-wave velocity, a predictive model for comprehensive parameters of characteristics of ultrasonic p-wave velocity of coal-based paste filling materials under joint action of the four factors was established, and the predictive model was verified.
Rethinking AI Code Generation: A One-shot Correction Approach Based on User Feedback
Authors: Le Kim Tuyen , Andrzejak Artur
Published: November 2023

Code generation has become an integral feature of modern IDEs, gathering significant attention. Notable approaches like GitHub Copilot and TabNine have been proposed to tackle this task. However, these tools may shift code writing tasks towards code reviewing, which involves modification from users. Despite the advantages of user feedback, their responses remain transient and lack persistence across interaction sessions. This is attributed to the inherent characteristics of generative AI models, which require explicit re-training for new data integration. Additionally, the non-deterministic and unpredictable nature of AI-powered models limits thorough examination of their unforeseen behaviors.
We propose a methodology named One-shot Correction to mitigate these issues in natural language to code translation models with no additional training. We utilize decomposition techniques to break down code translation into sub-problems. The final code is constructed using code snippets of each query chunk, extracted from user feedback or selectively generated from a generative model. Our evaluation indicates comparable or improved performance compared to other models. Moreover, the methodology offers straightforward and interpretable approaches, which enable in-depth examination of unexpected results and facilitate insights for potential enhancements. We also illustrate that user feedback can substantially improve code translation models without re-training. Ultimately, we develop a preliminary GUI application to demonstrate the utility of our methodology in simplifying customization and assessment of suggested code for users.
The role of miR-34a-5p, PRR11 and SURf4 as potential biomarkers in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells
Authors: Ruiz-Ciancio Dario , Cotignola Javier , González-Conejero Rocío , Martínez Constantino
Published: November 2023

Despite advancements in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) therapy, a significant number of patients still experience treatment resistance, leading to relapse and poor prognosis. Recent studies have revealed the importance of non-genetic mechanisms in mediating resistance to cancer therapies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged among non-genetic mechanisms as crucial regulators of tumor development, progression, and resistance to anticancer therapies. In particular, miR-34a has been implicated in cell invasion, migration, apoptosis, and abnormal response to chemotherapy in various tissues. However, the role of miR-34a-5p in B-ALL cells remains unexplored. Our results discovered that miR-34a-5p was downregulated in B-ALL cells, while its target SIRT1 was upregulated. Although the restoration of miR-34a-5p levels did not affect SIRT1 levels in B-ALL cells, restoring miR-34a-5p sensitized the cells to doxorubicin treatment. Additionally, to explain these results, we performed an extensive bioinformatic analysis in human B-ALL samples downloaded from online repositories to study miR-34a-5p as a potential biomarker for predicting response to B-ALL treatment. Notably, miR-34a-5p was observed to be downregulated in B-ALL cells from relapsed patients. We also identified four genes targeted by miR-34a-5p in these patient cells, which had not been previously associated with B-ALL. Finally, miR-34a-5p, PRR11, and SURF4 were identified as independent predictive markers for increased risk of death in B-ALL patients. Overall, these findings shed light on the significance of miR-34a-5p in B-ALL cells, and suggest that the combination of miR-34a-5p, PRR11, and SURF4 hold promise as potential markers for estimating the survival outcomes of B-ALL patients.
ALGAN: Time Series Anomaly Detection with Adjusted-LSTM GAN
Authors: Bashar Md Abul , Nayak Richi
Published: November 2023

Anomaly detection in time series data, to identify points that deviate from normal behaviour, is a common problem in various domains such as manufacturing, medical imaging, and cybersecurity. Recently, Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) are shown to be effective in detecting anomalies in time series data. The neural network architecture of GANs (i.e. Generator and Discriminator) can significantly improve anomaly detection accuracy. In this paper, we propose a new GAN model, named Adjusted-LSTM GAN (ALGAN), which adjusts the output of an LSTM network for improved anomaly detection in both univariate and multivariate time series data in an unsupervised setting. We evaluate the performance of ALGAN on 46 real-world univariate time series datasets and a large multivariate dataset that spans multiple domains. Our experiments demonstrate that ALGAN outperforms traditional, neural network-based, and other GAN-based methods for anomaly detection in time series data.
Designing Multifunctional MXene Nanosheets Hair Dye
Authors: Kim Hwan , Park Hyeongtaek , Park Young Ho , Kim Soojin , Murali G. , Hwang Nathaniel , In Insik
Published: November 2023

The increasing demand for natural and safer alternatives to traditional hair dyes has led to the investigation of nanomaterials as potential candidates for hair coloring applications. MXene nanosheets have emerged as a promising alternative in this context due to their unique optical and electronic properties. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of MXene nanosheets as a hair dye. We comprehensively reviewed the current research on MXene nanosheets for hair coloring applications, including their synthesis, characterization, and performance. We found that MXene nanosheets have the potential to offer safe and effective alternatives to traditional hair dyes, but further research and development are needed to determine the optimal formulation and evaluate the safety of these nanosheets for use in hair coloring products. Overall, our study highlights the potential of MXene nanosheets as a promising alternative for hair dye applications.
Liquidity spillover from carbon emission trading markets to stock markets in China
Authors: Yang Xinyuan , Zhu Jingyao , Xie Hantao , Zhang Jianing
Published: November 2023

This study delves into China’s carbon emissions trading markets, investigating the interplay between carbon price liquidity and stock liquidity. Focusing on 338 companies listed in the national and eight pilot markets of the carbon emissions trading system from August 2013 to October 2023, the empirical finding reveals a positive impact of carbon price liquidity on stock liquidity. Notably, this positive association manifests more robustly in industries characterized by low carbon intensity compared to those with high carbon intensity, is more prominent during the COVID-19 period than in preceding times, and is particularly accentuated in the Hubei Province and Chongqing, as opposed to the remaining seven regions. Intriguingly, both carbon price liquidity and stock liquidity display positive autocorrelations in vector autoregression analysis. The endogeneity concern is alleviated by the two-stage least squares regressions, using lagged carbon price liquidity as instrumental variables. This study contributes to an enhanced comprehension of the dynamic interaction between carbon price liquidity and stock liquidity contextualized within China’s evolving carbon market landscape. The insights garnered herein hold substantial value for investors and government stakeholders seeking to navigate this evolving financial terrain.
AcknowledgmentThis research was supported by the Summer Student Partnering with Faculty Research Program of Wenzhou-Kean University (WKUSSPF202304), the Wenzhou Association for Science and Technology – Service and Technology Innovation Program (jczc0254), and the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province – General Program (Y202353438).
Amit tudni lehet az egészségműveltségről
Authors: Porzsolt Péter
Published: November 2023

Okan, O., Bauer, U., Levin-Zamir, D., Pinheiro, P., & Sørensen, K. (Eds.) (2019). International Handbook Of Health Literacy. Research, practice and policy across the lifespan. E-book. Policy Press, University of Bristol. ISBN 978-1-4473-4453-7. (Nemzetközi Health Literacy Kézikönyv. Kutatás, gyakorlat és politika az élettartamon át. Angol nyelven.)
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE WAYS OF INDICATING SPATIAL RELATIONS IN SWEDISH PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS
Authors:   ITMO University, Bocharova Yana V.
Published: November 2023

Based on the concepts of Yury Apresyan and Elena Kubryakova, the author of the article suggests that the Swedish language contains a body of phraseological units which derive their meanings from the interpretation of spatial relations through the prism of natural language. On the basis of two sources, the author makes a selection of phraseological units, and then they are classified according to the way of indicating spatial relationships from which the meaning of phraseological units is derived. The paper presents conclusions about the prospects of further research of the phraseological units with elements of spatial relations and the possibility of applying the results of the research in practice, in teaching the Swedish language in particular.
AN ENCHANTED ARCHIPELAGO: SWEDISH-LANGUAGE FINNISH LITERATURE IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Authors:   Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Vostrov Alexey V.
Published: November 2023

The article reviews the situation in Swedish-language Finnish literature, its trends and prospects of development. Starting from the Bakhtin’s complex of ideas, and from us vs. them and center vs. periphery concepts the article analyses the connections of the national minority literature with Finnish literature, and with neighboring Swedish literature that is kindred by language. Further, considering trends of Swedish-language Finnish literature development in the 20th century it infers that the Swedish-language cultural legacy reduced its influence on the Finnish society and literature, in particular, and diminished roles of contemporary writers in the all-Finnish literature process, thereby predetermining their peripheral position. In the conclusion the article discusses the prospects of Swedish-language Finnish literature development that directly depend on preservation of the official status of Swedish language in Finland.
PERCEPTION OF TIME IN HUNGRVAKA
Authors:   Russian State University for the Humanities, Gvozdetskaya Natalia Yu. ,   Sretensky Theological Academy
Published: November 2023

The paper examines the perception of time in the Old Icelandic ‘chronicle’ Hungrvaka ‘Awakening hunger’ (13th century) in the aspect of the correlation of local and foreign traditions of time counting and time markers. The paper discusses the specifics of usage of natural temporal names (winter and summer, day and night, etc.), indications of the time of power and death of foreign and Icelandic leaders, the role of genealogies and chronology ‘from the Birth of Christ’, as well as that of church holidays. The author comes to the conclusion about the combination in this work of the old local tradition, dating back to oral literary activity, and a new foreign tradition that came from Latin sources along with the introduction of Christianity. It is argued that the temporal characteristic of Hungrvaka is not reducible to a chronical list of years. A significant place is occupied in it by the ‘natural’ (often specific) and ‘genealogical’ perception of time (characteristic of the tribal community, which did not know the state and royal power), which brings this work closer to the family sagas. At the same time, the correlation of the time of power and death of the Icelandic bishops (and also that of the secular leaders of Iceland) with the time of the power and death of foreign leaders, as well as with the chronology ‘from the Birth of Christ’ serves to elevate Icelanders and Iceland in a world-historical perspective.
THE GENDER-NEUTRAL THIRD-PERSON PERSONAL PRONOUN HEN IN CONTINENTAL SCANDINAVIAN LANGUAGES
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Grigoryeva Yuliana M. , Gurova Elena A. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Livanova Aleksandra N. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: November 2023

The article examines the peculiarities of the use of the new pronoun hen in the three continental Scandinavian languages. Discussions about gender-neutral pronouns originated in the 1960s, when the debates about gender equality and women’s rights were under way in Scandinavia. Different variants of the new gender-neutral pronoun were proposed. Owing to its phonetic resemblance to the original Scandinavian pronouns, the form hen was in favour over other options, but in those years it did not gain wide currency. In the 21st century, owing to the development of gender concepts and a different view on gender identity, the attitude to hen has changed. In 2015, the pronoun hen was incorporated in the 14th edition of the Swedish Academy Dictionary (SAOL), in 2021 it was recorded in the explanatory dictionary of the Swedish language released by the Swedish Academy (Svensk Ordbok), but though already codified, it is far from being accepted by everybody in the Swedish society. In Norway, the pronoun hen was entered into the Norwegian language dictionaries in June 2022, but ever since theologians have been engaged in a heated debate about its eventual use in the Bible. In Denmark, the pronoun hen, still uncodified, is mainly used in relation to non-binary persons, yielding in frequency to the pronoun de in the same function.
FOUR CENTURIES OF ISLANDIC STUDIES IN ST. PETERSBURG
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Zharov Boris S.
Published: November 2023

Iceland, its history and culture were known in St. Petersburg already in the 18th century. In 1755, the first material was published in one journal, then the number of articles, books, and translations began to grow sharply. The article tells about numerous translations of monuments of ancient literature written in Old Icelandic, about the study of contacts between Icelanders and the inhabitants of Rus’/Russia over the centuries, about works devoted to the Old Icelandic language, as well as modern Icelandic. The period in the second half of the 20th century was very fruitful, when a large group of philologists and translators worked in the city, who made a great contribution to familiarizing Russians with the culture of Iceland for the benefit of the development of Russian-Icelandic relations.
IS WALTHARIUS A BACKSTORY TO LEGEND ABOUT THE NIBELUNGS?
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Zhiliuk Sergei A.
Published: November 2023

The article discusses a Latin poem Waltharius (8th–10th centuries) based on a legend about Walther of Aquitaine. The action of the Waltharius take place before that of the legend about the Nibelungs, but having been compared to each other, the plots do not have much in common. Waltharius is not a backstory, it is rather another German epic poem in terms of its plot. There are differences in the ending (wounds of Guntharius and Hagano are not mentioned in the Lay), the character of Hagano is much more elaborated, Guntharius and Hagano belong to the Francs. Nevertheless both texts have similar motives, e. g. there are those of treasure and acquisition of a bride, Guntharius’ character reflects peculiarities of his historical prototype Gundahar, king of the Burgundians.
SIRI PETTERSEN’S THE RAVEN RINGS. TRANSLATION OF THE REALITIES OF THE FANTASY WORLD
Authors: Lavrinaitis Ekaterina A.
Published: November 2023

The article describes some practical issues of translating the realities and concepts of a fantasy world based on the translation of the trilogy The Raven Rings by the Norwegian writer Siri Pettersen into Russian. The first book in the trilogy came out in 2013, the final one — in 2015. The novel Odin’s Child opens the trilogy and introduces the fantasy world of Ymland and its inhabitants. The second novel, The Rot, brings the readers to the human world. The third book, The Might, describes a new fantasy world, inhabited by the Blinds, who are considered to be the main threat to the existence of Ymland. Even though there are no direct references to Scandinavian mythology in the novels, according to the author, they represent a kind of the Scandinavian cultural code. The author compiled detailed instructions for translators on how to translate and not translate the realities of the world she invented, and actively assisted in the translation work. The article describes several specific examples of translation with a description of the approach to understanding realities and concepts of a fantasy world.
PROBLEMS OF THE TRANSLATION OF NICKNAMES IN THE LANDNÁMABÓK
Authors:   Institute of World History of Russian Academy of Sciences, Litovskikh Elena V.
Published: November 2023

Old Norse nicknames (both ordinary and in the form of prepositive name extensions) found in written sources should not be transliterated, but translated for a better understanding of plot twists and turns and ease of perception of the text by a Russianspeaking reader. In view of the relative small size of the Old Icelandic society, the same Icelanders are not only mentioned in the Landnámabók (‘The Book of Settlements’), but also act as characters in various Icelandic family sagas, which, in turn, have several independent translations into Russian. A comparative analysis of the material of the family sagas and the Landnámabók helps to choose the most appropriate version of the translation of nicknames (especially in the case of polysemy of roots), and the presence of a commentary in problem situations will allow the Russian-speaking reader to identify the carriers of these nicknames.
THE FORMATION OF LITERARY DUTCH ON THE TERRITORY OF MODERN BELGIUM
Authors:   Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Repina Ksenia S.
Published: November 2023

The Kingdom of Belgium is a small European country with three official languages, among them Dutch. It was not until the 20th century that Dutch became firmly established as the official state language in this country. In addition, the language which is spoken by the Flemish people has some peculiarities which make it different from the Dutch language which is used in the Netherlands. In order to understand the reasons for these differences, it is necessary to look at the history of the country. This article traces the history of the formation of literary Dutch in the territory of modern Belgium and shows the different stages from the 13th century to the present, which led to the formation of a complex continuum of languages in this region. The author also answers the question of the place of the southern version of the Dutch language in the Dutch-speaking region.
NORM AND VARIATION IN SWEDISH
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Chekalina Elena M.
Published: November 2023

The paper examines the functional peculiarities of syntactic constructions with supine and participle 1 that came into existence by grammatical analogy but have not been included in the literary norm of the Swedish language. They are found in 16th–17th century Swedish texts and are persistently used in everyday colloquial speech. “Double” supine in predicates with preterit perfect forms derived from verbs with modal semantics expressing irreality, appear in the perfective-resultative meaning by analogy with the perfect infinitive ha + supine, in which the first component can be omitted in the preterite after modal verbs. The variation form of participle 1 with the final morpheme -s came into being by analogy with adverbs derived from nominal phrases with genitive forms and having the same final consonant. It forms part of predicates with the verbs komma (with participle 1 of verbs of movement to express the way the moving subject appears) and bli (with participle 1 of verbs of spatial position to express delimitative semantics). Furthermore, a participle with a final -s is used in adverbial functions of the subjective and objective predicative, as well as in syntactic constructions with secondary parts of sentence of the verbal type that express secondary predication. Thus, the variation form of the participle 1 with a final -s expresses the additional grammatical feature of “non-attribution”, which is not found in the standard Swedish language.
On the operational optimization of pump storage systems in water supply systems using PATs and time-differentiated energy prices
Authors: Lourenço Flávio , Reis Ana Luísa , Andrade-Campos António
Published: November 2023

Power generation from fossil fuels has long had a negative impact on the environment. Nowadays, a paradigm shift in power generation is being witnessed, with increasing investment in renewable energy sources. Despite this progress, efficient energy storage is still limited. Given this challenge, pumped storage technology can be one of the viable solutions. This involves storing gravitational energy by pumping water into a reservoir at a higher altitude, which is later converted into electrical energy using a turbine. This paper studies a pump hydro storage system (PHS) operation in water supply systems (WSSs), with the aim of minimizing operating costs and evaluating its effectiveness. Replacing conventional pumps with pump-as-turbines (PATs) provides a flexible and cost-effective approach. The proposed methodology aims to optimize the operation of these PATs considering dynamic energy prices. The developed computational model was applied to different operational scenarios and analyzed in terms of cost-effectiveness. The results show that the lower the average ratio between time-differentiated purchase and fixed sell energy tariffs, the greater the optimization potential of using PAT. In the WSS case study analyzed, energy cost reductions of 43.4–68.1% were achieved, demonstrating the effectiveness of PHS in WSS particularly for energy tariffs with large variations.
Effects of reaction conditions on the wet oxidation of excess sludge from the caprolactam wastewater treatment process
Authors: Shulin Qin , Zhongquan Wang , Weicheng Zheng , Yingxi Zhang , Xu Zeng
Published: November 2023

In this study, wet oxidation of excess sludge from the caprolactam wastewater treatment process was investigated. The effects of reaction conditions, including sludge concentration, the amount of sludge, reaction temperature and time and the oxygen supply amount, were discussed. The highest removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile suspended solid (VSS) that can be attained at 78.6 and 89.3% were acquired separately under 260 °C for 60 min with an initial oxygen gas pressure of 1.3 MPa. The sludge was hydrolyzed and oxidized under hydrothermal conditions, producing small molecule organic acids, such as acetic, formic and oxalic acids, as the main products, which could be used as carbon sources for wastewater treatment. These results indicated that wet oxidation provides a favourable and feasible alternative method for the treatment of excess sludge from the coal chemical industry.
O Projeto de Vida no Novo Ensino Médio Baiano
Authors: Brito Eliana Povoas Pereira Estrela
Published: November 2023

Este artigo analisa o Projeto de Vida como um dispositivo de sujeição/subjetivação que faz parte do currículo do Novo Ensino Médio na Bahia. O objetivo é acompanhar seus efeitos na formação dos estudantes. Trabalha com um campo discursivo constituído por um conjunto de materiais produzidos pela Secretaria de Educação do Estado da Bahia, documentos normativos, além de materiais de campanhas publicitárias, discursos governamentais, entre outros. Identifica que os currículos, ao produzirem a juventude como um estilo de vida, provocam atualizações no dispositivo Projeto de Vida no qual o sujeito de direito dá lugar ao sujeito empreendedor de si mesmo.
Enhancing clinical laboratory reporting: The impact of implementing a critical laboratory value protocol
Authors: Lozano-Fernández Vasthy
Published: November 2023

This study examines the influence of a newly implemented protocol for critical laboratory values on the quality and accuracy of laboratory reports in a clinical setting. The necessity of strict adherence to protocols in clinical laboratories is underscored by the potential for a deviation of up to 45% in results, leading to diagnostic errors. The research focused on emergency service critical values, adhering to a designated protocol list. Conducted in two phases, the study initially involved training sessions and a knowledge questionnaire regarding the protocol, followed by a repeated questionnaire and analysis of laboratory test reports. Among 181,507 emergency examinations, critical values constituted 2.75% (4,998 cases). While protocol knowledge did not show significant improvement, reporting accuracy for creatinine, glucose, sodium, leukocytes, platelets, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) markedly increased. Timely and effective notification rates improved significantly, as did staff reporting consistency across shifts. The study concludes that implementing a critical value protocol significantly enhances the quality of clinical laboratory reporting, although timely critical value quality remains below the requisite standard.
Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App by Czech Youth: Cross-Cultural Replication Study
Authors: Dolezel Michal , Smutny Zdenek
Published: November 2023

Background

During the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the role of digital contact tracing (DCT) intensified. However, the uptake of this technology expectedly differed among age cohorts and national cultures. Various conceptual tools were introduced to strengthen DCT research from a theoretical perspective. However, little has been done to compare theory-supported findings across different cultural contexts and age cohorts.

Objective

Building on the original study conducted in Belgium in April 2020 and theoretically underpinned by the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study attempted to confirm the predictors of DCT adoption in a cultural environment different from the original setting, that is, the Czech Republic. In addition, by using brief qualitative evidence, it aimed to shed light on the possible limitations of the HBM in the examined context and to propose certain extensions of the HBM.

Methods

A Czech version of the original instrument was administered to a convenience sample of young (aged 18-29 y) Czech adults in November 2020. After filtering, 519 valid responses were obtained and included in the quantitative data analysis, which used structural equation modeling and followed the proposed structure of the relationships among the HBM constructs. Furthermore, a qualitative thematic analysis of the free-text answers was conducted to provide additional insights about the model’s validity in the given context.

Results

The proposed measurement model exhibited less optimal fit (root mean square error of approximation=0.065, 90% CI 0.060-0.070) than in the original study (root mean square error of approximation=0.036, 90% CI 0.033-0.039). Nevertheless, perceived benefits and perceived barriers were confirmed as the main, statistically significant predictors of DCT uptake, consistent with the original study (β=.60, P<.001 and β=−.39; P<.001, respectively). Differently from the original study, self-efficacy was not a significant predictor in the strict statistical sense (β=.12; P=.003). In addition, qualitative analysis demonstrated that in the given cohort, perceived barriers was the most frequent theme (166/354, 46.9% of total codes). Under this category, psychological fears and concerns was a subtheme, notably diverging from the original operationalization of the perceived barriers construct. In a similar sense, a role for social influence in DCT uptake processes was suggested by some respondents (12/354, 1.7% of total codes). In summary, the quantitative and qualitative results indicated that the proposed quantitative model seemed to be of limited value in the examined context.

Conclusions

Future studies should focus on reconceptualizing the 2 underperforming constructs (ie, perceived severity and cues to action) by considering the qualitative findings. This study also provided actionable insights for policy makers and app developers to mitigate DCT adoption issues in the event of a future pandemic caused by unknown viral agents.
Fostering Patient-Clinician Communication to Promote Rapid HIV, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus Diagnostic Testing: Conceptual Development of a Multilingual App
Authors: Brown Carter , Roucoux Guillaume , Rousset-Torrente Olivia , Ali Saleh , Yombo-Kokule Lisa , Chaplin John , Chassany Olivier , Duracinsky Martin
Published: November 2023

Background

Migrants are disproportionately affected by HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Clinicians, at times, fail to offer rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) for these viruses when a language barrier exists in the patient-clinician relationship, therefore creating missed testing opportunities. Although their effectiveness has been demonstrated elsewhere, conventional, in-person interpreters are costly and underused in practice. Furthermore, clinicians often call upon ad hoc interpreters, which introduces complexities in the clinical relationship. Digital solutions exist to diminish the burden of language barriers; however, the challenges of developing a multilingual and multicultural app have yet to be documented with respect to RDT in the nonfrancophone migrant population in France.

Objective

Our goal was to design a multilingual app to overcome language barriers, health literacy barriers, and fears related to being tested to promote RDT of HIV, HBV, and HCV in the nonfrancophone migrant population in France.

Methods

A combination of qualitative methods, agile development, and user-centered design was used. We conducted 2 focus groups (FGs) with 12 participants, including physicians, nurses, and social workers conducting RDT, as well as 1 modified Delphi survey with 68 participants including physicians and nurses. FGs explored the content (risk factors and medical history), functions (cultural adaptation and instant translation), and interface ergonomics (graphics and font) needed in the app. The Delphi presented 95 content items that the researchers sought to include in the app.

Results

Using FGs to inform the Delphi survey, we scientifically determined the app’s content consisting of 95 items using expert consensus, developed a mock-up, and conducted initial user testing. We created an app that contains both migrant and clinician interfaces and includes a sociodemographic, risk assessment, health literacy, and testing barrier questionnaires available in 11 languages. Educational content is related to HIV, HBV, and HCV, along with the ability to understand whether the migrant agrees to be tested.

Conclusions

This study allowed us to conceptualize a multilingual app that aims to increase the acceptance of RDT for HIV, HBV, and HCV. The specific features of the Assistant intelligent au dépistage des allophones app were designed to overcome the testing barriers in the nonfrancophone migrant population. The next phase will be an implementation study, as we intend to validate our app.
Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App by Czech Youth: Cross-Cultural Replication Study (Preprint)
Authors: Dolezel Michal , Smutny Zdenek
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

During the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the role of digital contact tracing (DCT) intensified. However, the uptake of this technology expectedly differed among age cohorts and national cultures. Various conceptual tools were introduced to strengthen DCT research from a theoretical perspective. However, little has been done to compare theory-supported findings across different cultural contexts and age cohorts.

OBJECTIVE

Building on the original study conducted in Belgium in April 2020 and theoretically underpinned by the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study attempted to confirm the predictors of DCT adoption in a cultural environment different from the original setting, that is, the Czech Republic. In addition, by using brief qualitative evidence, it aimed to shed light on the possible limitations of the HBM in the examined context and to propose certain extensions of the HBM.

METHODS

A Czech version of the original instrument was administered to a convenience sample of young (aged 18-29 y) Czech adults in November 2020. After filtering, 519 valid responses were obtained and included in the quantitative data analysis, which used structural equation modeling and followed the proposed structure of the relationships among the HBM constructs. Furthermore, a qualitative thematic analysis of the free-text answers was conducted to provide additional insights about the model’s validity in the given context.

RESULTS

The proposed measurement model exhibited less optimal fit (root mean square error of approximation=0.065, 90% CI 0.060-0.070) than in the original study (root mean square error of approximation=0.036, 90% CI 0.033-0.039). Nevertheless, perceived benefits and perceived barriers were confirmed as the main, statistically significant predictors of DCT uptake, consistent with the original study (β=.60, P<.001 and β=−.39; P<.001, respectively). Differently from the original study, self-efficacy was not a significant predictor in the strict statistical sense (β=.12; P=.003). In addition, qualitative analysis demonstrated that in the given cohort, perceived barriers was the most frequent theme (166/354, 46.9% of total codes). Under this category, psychological fears and concerns was a subtheme, notably diverging from the original operationalization of the perceived barriers construct. In a similar sense, a role for social influence in DCT uptake processes was suggested by some respondents (12/354, 1.7% of total codes). In summary, the quantitative and qualitative results indicated that the proposed quantitative model seemed to be of limited value in the examined context.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should focus on reconceptualizing the 2 underperforming constructs (ie, perceived severity and cues to action) by considering the qualitative findings. This study also provided actionable insights for policy makers and app developers to mitigate DCT adoption issues in the event of a future pandemic caused by unknown viral agents.