bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zralé generace a hmotné produkty. Spotřebitelské preference v oblasti produktů a komunikace
Authors: Bačuvčík Radiim
Published: December 2023

This monograph focuses on one of the nineteen areas mentioned above, which are material product preferences, which are specifically examined here in the group of people aged over 50 (inclusive). Of course, the following are presented the results of all the headings under consideration (Chapter 3), the area of tangible products is however, is analysed in greater detail (Chapter 4, where the differences in preferences among different demographic and geographical groups, and 5, where a behaviourally oriented consumer typology is presented), but it is the relationship with other groups is also examined (which is done mainly in Appendix I). Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Study on transport process of 16 keV C– ions in tapered glass capillary: Role of capillary tilt angles
Authors: Niu Shu-Tong , Zhan Xin , Hua Qiang , Li Wen-Teng , Zhou Li-Hua , Yang Ting-Gui ,   The 404 Company Limited, China National Nuclear Corporation, Lanzhou 732850, China
Published: December 2023

The tapered glass capillaries have been widely used in physics, biology, materials. The features of ions transmitted through the insulating tapered glass capillary manifest themselves mainly in the interaction between positive ions and tapered glass capillary, However, the transmission process of negative ions in tapered glass capillary has been studied scarcely so far.

In the present study, we measure the properties of 16 keV C– ions transmitted through the tapered glass capillary, such as the two-dimensional spectral distribution, the relative transmission rate, the centroid angle, the charge state purity and the full width at half maximum of the transmitted particles. As the tapered glass capillary tilt angle is equal to 0°, the transmitted particles are composed of three components, i.e. the core, the C– of halo and the C0 of halo. As the tilt angle is 1°, the transmitted particles are composed of two components, i.e. C– and C0. As the tilt angle is >1°, there is no core region, the transmitted particles are composed of two components, i.e. C– and C0. No matter how the tilt angle changes, the centroid angles of core are always along the direction of the incident ions, independent of the tilt angels. And the centroid angles of transmitted C– and C0 are always along the direction of the capillary axis. The transmission processes of 16 keV C– ions in tapered glass capillary with different tilting angles are analyzed qualitatively. When the tilting angle is small (0°–1°), the C– ions are directly traveling straight through the back cone hole of tapered glass capillary, which are mainly composed of C– ions. When the tilt angle is large (>1°), the C– ions cannot directly travel straight through the back cone hole of the tapered glass capillary, and the core region does not appear. Due to the guiding effect of the negative charges deposited on inner wall of tapered glass capillary, the transmitted C– ions are located around the direction of the capillary axis. The tapered glass capillary has a focusing effect on the incident ions. This experiment covers the lack of the studies of low-energy negative ions transmitted through tapered capillary and helps to strengthen the understanding of the transmission process of low-energy ions transmitted through tapered capillary.
Moulting behaviour in the trilobite Oryctocephalus indicus (Reed, 1910) from the Cambrian Miaolingian Series (Wuliuan Stage) of Jianhe, South China
Authors: Chen Shengguang , Yang Xinglian , Liu Xiong , Chen Zhengpeng , Sun Zhixin , Zhao Fangchen
Published: December 2023

The accurate interpretation of trilobite moulting behaviour relies on a comprehensive understanding of their moult configurations, yet the focus has commonly been limited to a brief description of the exuviae, and how differences in moulting behaviour further impact the preservation of exuviae is often ignored. This study investigates the configuration, style, and process of moulting in Oryctocephalus indicus through analysis of 88 exuviae collected from the Kaili Formation (Cambrian, Wuliuan) in Guizhou Province, South China. The moult configurations of O. indicus are typically characterised by the lower cephalic unit (LCU), which comprises the librigenae and rostral-hypostomal plate connected as a whole, detached from the cephalon and positioned anterior to the thoracopygon, while the cranidium is mostly absent. From detailed observation and description of the available material, we believe that O. indicus completes its moult through an exuvial gape formed by disarticulation of the facial sutures, rostral sutures and/or sutures of the cephalothoracic joints. Although many exuviae exhibited an opening at the cephalothoracic joint—disjunction of which is usually accompanied by disarticulation of both the facial and rostral sutures—the Salter’s configuration produced by the ‘Salterian’ mode of moulting was not observed. Additionally, the structural characteristics of Henningsmoen’s configuration, Harrington’s configuration, and Somersault’s configuration are discussed based on the exuviae of O. indicus, and Henningsmoen’s configuration has been categorised into three types according to the different states of fossil preservation. In this article, apart from promoting further research on moulting behaviour in O. indicus, we also provide a supplement for moult configuration based on the exuviae, which offers new materials for studying moulting behaviour in oryctocephalid trilobites.
‘Song-Song Stare’: Maggie O’Sullivan’s Ritual Listening in Poetry and Performance
Authors: Davies Nia
Published: December 2023

Drawing from research in the field of creative writing, this poetics essay explores performance and ritual in the work of Maggie O’Sullivan. I focus on sound poetry and listening to explore some of O’Sullivan’s ritual techniques of transformation. Following O’Sullivan’s ‘mattering of material,’ I elucidate some of the processes of ritual, embodiment and ecological relation which she makes use of in her poems and performances. I bring concepts from ritual theory and performance studies into play with O’Sullivan’s poems and sound texts. Ritual techniques are used by O’Sullivan to transform the material of language and open up a liminal potential of poesis, a making anew in language or a sensual re-enchantment. These ritual techniques include fragmentation and re-composition of language into new material, the use of rhythm and repetition in a poem to create a resonant ‘pulsing’ and approaches which emphasise the embodied connections between those present in the space of the poem and their ecological interrelation. O’Sullivan makes poetry a medium for transformation where language becomes ‘an active physical presence in the world’, creating the possibility in performance of a liminal ‘space of undiminishment’, a poesis which opens our ears to ‘other-than-(as well as human)-sentience’ (in Olsen 204). The essay asks what new openings might be possible in the field between embodied arts and poetry.
Symphony, Rhythm, and Identity in The Kingdom of this World
Authors: King Nathan
Published: December 2023

Among other things, the Cuban author Alejo Carpentier is well known for his book, Music in Cuba, and for his symphonically structured work, The Chase. With that in mind, this essay takes the position that his earlier novel The Kingdom of This World is structured as a symphony. This study elaborates on why this novel is a symphony, both structurally and thematically, and how Carpentier chose the Vodou drums and chants to create rhythm. By doing this, the author creates a musical duality that mirrors his belief about Latin American identity. Identity for Carpentier means that we are forever between two worlds, such as those alluded to by the symphony (Europe) and first age rhythms (First Age cultures). The only “real” escape from this continuum is if we have the power to transform ourselves like Ti Noël at the end of the novel.
Cambio climático y ficción: Solar, A Novel de Ian McEwan
Authors: Mora Marianela
Published: December 2023

Anglophone literary production of the last two decades shows a clear tendency to imagine and narrate the impact of anthropogenic climate change. These fictions ―recently called Cli-Fi― present humanity’s agency as a geological force in the current epoch of the Anthropocene (Crutzen-Stoermer 2000). From an ecocritical reading, the article explores how the Anthropocene paradigm is presented in Solar, A Novel by the British author Ian McEwan, particularly in the representation of three axes: time, space and risk (Trexler 2015; Mehnert 2016), parameters that need resignifying in the Anthropocene.
Silence, silence, silence: An Exploration of Music and Sound in Virginia Woolf’s Between the Acts
Authors: Curtis Kathleen
Published: December 2023

Studies revolving around Woolf’s use of music have gained a large amount of traction in the last couple of decades, but still leave much ground to be worked on. Given the general novelty of the deep interdisciplinary study between literature and music, and particularly as it relates to Woolf’s Between the Acts, the present article will offer a fresh perspective on how circumstances of the time (particularly industrialization, and the two World Wars) affected not only the musical material present in her novel, but how it is represented and woven into the narrative. Through said analysis, new and interdisciplinary approaches are provided to understand how these two culturally informed phenomena work together towards the creation of a single coherent piece. Particularly, the text will include both the way sounds, silences, and music are incorporated in the structure of the text, as well as how some musical structures, belonging to both Modernism and Postmodernism techniques, are employed.
The In-Between and the Postcolonial Aesthetic of Reggae
Authors: Palacios Matías
Published: December 2023

This article focuses on reggae music’s postcolonial Caribbean aesthetic, following the ideas of Ghanaian-born Jamaican author Kwame Dawes. It is proposed that this aesthetic is closely related to two of Homi Bhabha’s concepts in the framework of postcolonial criticism: the in-between and hybridity. With the aim of proving this point, we analyze the lyrics and music of three reggae songs in chronological order. The works analyzed are Desmond Dekker & The Aces’ “Israelites”, Gregory Isaacs’ “Word of the Farmer”, and Burning Spear’s “Columbus”; musical productions spanning from 1968 to 1980. Constant references to Bhabha’s The Location of Culture and Dawes’ Natural Mysticism are used in order to support their arguments. The conclusion seeks to acknowledge how reggae artists have incorporated ideas from both Africa and Europe in order to create new thoughts while maintaining certain unifying characteristics. This is especially evident through specific themes in the compositions, such as establishing Africa as a homeland and re-evaluating history, as well as in the musicalization. Finally, Bhabha’s ideas allow for the discursive complexity of this Caribbean musical genre to be shown more clearly, as explored through the selected works
Making the Most of Non-Gendered Language
Authors: Katz Montiel Marco
Published: December 2023

Making the Most of Non-Gendered Language
Wieder. Modalidades del fascismo a 50 años del golpe
Authors: Rodríguez freire Raul
Published: December 2023

Un mundo gobernado por los nazis que se parece muchísimo al mundo que emergió tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial es lo que encontramos en El hombre en el castillo (1962). Bajo el totalitarismo, las prácticas de consumo son las mismas que operan bajo la lógica cultural del capitalismo avanzado que conocemos. En la parte gobernada por Japón, los “cultos” adinerados coleccionan “objetos históricos de la civilización popular norteamericana” (34), como si se tratara de verdaderas antigüedades. La noción de historia forma parte del negocio, toda vez que los objetos de colección son acompañados con un certificado que acredita su “valor histórico” (70). “Tenían una pasión maniática por lo trivial”, se lee poco más adelante, y consideraban una muestra “realmente auténtica de la moribunda cultura norteamericana”, por ejemplo, un reloj pulsera de juguete con la cara de Micky Mouse estampada en el centro (51). Producidos en 1938, ya no quedaban más de 10 en todo el mundo, lo que hacía de tal artefacto plástico una verdadera joya anticuaria. Solo los comerciantes más astutos comprendieron que “el valor histórico no estaba en el certificado, sino en el objeto”, volviendo así inútiles términos como “genuino” y “falsificado”. El nazismo, nos muestra Philip Dick, es más que Hitler, que en su novela muere tempranamente gracias a una sífilis cerebral adquirida durante sus años de Viena, siendo reemplazado en el liderazgo por Martin Bormann. La violencia totalitaria convive así con la trivialidad de la cultura estadounidense, hasta fundirse con ella. La novela de Philip Dick se acerca, y no poco, a la tesis esgrimida por Max Horkheimer y Theodor W. Adorno en su famoso capítulo de la Dialéctica de la ilustración dedicado a la industria cultural, más allá, por cierto, de la dominante barbarie estética. Allí muestran que las diferencias entre los productos de consumo no sirven sino para “clasificar, organizar y manipular” (168) a los propios consumidores, y ello, bajo la totalitarización técnica y cultural a nivel industrial de la vida, asemeja más que diferencia el nazismo con la “civilización popular norteamericana”. El suelo para la posibilidad de un Trump ya estaba completamente instalado en los años de postguerra.
Casa de campo: la novela de José Donoso sobre la dictadura y sobre el escritor escribiendo una novela sobre la dictadura
Authors: Rojo Grinor
Published: December 2023

Con decisión a veces y titubeando en otras, Casa de campo (1978), la novela de José Donoso, ha sido estudiada por varios críticos a partir de una premisa irrebatible: que esta es una novela alegórica, que lo que se cuenta en el primer plano remite a (habla de) otra cosa (del griego “allos”, “otro”, y “agoreuein”, “hablar”). Esa otra cosa es, por supuesto, la dictadura cívico-militar que gobernó nuestro país con la metralleta en la mano a partir del Golpe de Estado del 11 de septiembre de 1973.

Es curioso, casi cómico a decir verdad, la multitud de subterfugios que utiliza una porción de los críticos de Casa de campo para lidiar con la dimensión político-ideológica de la novela, en concreto con el Golpe de Estado y la dictadura subsiguiente. No pueden desconocer esos críticos que el asunto está ahí y lo mencionan, pero también lo minimizan, engolosinándose con la riqueza del tropo y arrojando sus significados, disimuladamente, en el cesto de los papeles. Por respeto a ellos, me excuso de nombrar personas y dar títulos. Donoso mismo, sin embargo, nos confirma en sus cuadernos íntimos que este es el gran tema de su escritura. Por ejemplo, en una anotación del 19 de noviembre de 1973, donde explica que “el ‘terror al golpe’, con que justifican los burgueses chilenos su propio Golpe, está, en mi novela, simbolizado por el hecho de no llevar a los niños al paseo”. O en esta otra del 19 de febrero de 1974, más contundente: “El pecado mayor de los militares, al fin y al cabo, es su asesinato de una posibilidad de cambio radical en beneficio de una mayoría, de una modernización, de una humanización: asesinó un intento, no una realidad; no son venales, sino idiotas, deformados por su profesión, enamorados del mantenimiento de las jerarquías”. Y una más, del 22 de febrero de 1974, para que no quede ni la sombra de una duda: “El caserío, con las casas colocadas en círculo alrededor de una explanada –aquí los nativos danzaban, corrían, había deportes (redacción)–, es una metáfora para el Estadio Nacional, como centro de detenimiento y de tormento”.
Dossier Chile: A la sombra de la catástrofe. Nuevas miradas sobre el testimonio chileno, José Santos Herceg (ed.) (2019)
Authors: Toro Alessia
Published: December 2023

A cincuenta años del Golpe de Estado que instaló la dictadura cívico-militar en Chile es relevante retomar el dossier “A la sombra de la catástrofe” –publicado en el número 21 (2019) de la revista Altre Modernità– en que José Santos coordinó los ensayos de cuatro autores chilenos que se interrogan sobre distintos aspectos del testimonio. En primer lugar, junto con Carolina Pizarro, abordan el tema del testimonio proponiendo una teoría sobre el campo testimonial chileno bajo la perspectiva de las líneas de fuerza de Bourdieu. Secundariamente, Sandra Navarrete Barría ofrece una relevante mirada de género, desvelando aspectos sociales que permanecen mayoritariamente silenciados hasta el día de hoy. El tercer ensayo, de Jorge Montealegre Iturra, se sitúa más allá de Pizarro y Santos, abriendo el análisis a otras formas culturales de testimonio. Finalmente, María José López Merino ofrece una visión original de los Informes De Verdad en Chile, considerando el impacto que estos tienen en la sociedad chilena contemporánea.
¿Qué puede la poesía de mujeres en Chile tras 50 años del golpe a la democracia? Una conversación
Authors: Moraga Fernanda
Published: December 2023

"Porque la herida la hereda el hijo, es su filiación con el quiebre del proyecto, es la solidaridad de los despojos, es la débil luz recordando a los desaparecidos, es ese secreto en el origen que indica un destino, esa carroña donada y esa esperanza de que de la flaqueza surjan patíbulos, surjan tapices, surjan ciudades. Y esta trama de boca en boca transformada, como transforma la poesía al mundo de la poesía, como proyecta el verso una visión rebelada contra el ojo, como muta la referencia desde el olfato, como moviliza los encuentros la ceguera y no olvida nada, ya que todo eso está en la trama" (Del Río, “Explicación de esta ceguera” s/p).

Comienzo con este fragmento de Alejandra del Río porque creo que pensar lo dado, pensar lo impuesto, tocar la violencia, la muerte, lo desaparecido, lo inacabado, es tener una “visión rebelada contra el ojo”; es abrir la mirada, escuchar “la trama de boca en boca”, las huellas en los siglos para volver a ver lo que puede y debe ser visto y recordado. Es pararse contra la ceguera del olvido y señalar la resistencia de los dolores, recorrer el rastro de lo que resiste a través de una cualidad táctil que actúa contra la pereza de los acuerdos, de los mandatos. Aquí, pienso, se teje la potencia (incómoda) de la interpelación de la poesía. Donde fecundan las espigas de Nadia Prado, en “el verde de las lápidas” (Jaramagos 14), ahí donde los tallos crecen entre tanta muerte para dar vida a la memoria no solo del horror de la matanza, de la tortura, de la desaparición, del exilio (y que esto ya es demasiado decir), también de la carroña de un libre mercado que hasta hoy introduce su veneno en la misma medida que enriquece a diez o doce, empobrece a miles. El golpe de estado cívico-militar que derroca al gobierno democrático de Salvador Allende y que instala su dictadura que con espanto duró diecisiete años, no fue hace cincuenta años, es hace 50 años. Es una estocada que sigue dando “en el blanco de la historia. Traspasando la superficie de los objetos, traspasando los cuerpos, las caras frente a las caras” (Prado, Carnal 43).
Memorias alienígenas: reflexiones sobre la dictadura y su después a partir de Space Invaders de Nona Fernández
Authors: Noemi Daniel
Published: December 2023

Escribir desde los cincuenta años del Golpe de 1973 puede devenir una tarea imposible o banal. Imposible porque ¿cómo hablar desde la muerte o desde la desaparición? Banal, pues como lo expresa Diamela Eltit: “cualquier relato lineal puede banalizar lo que ocurrió, porque la violencia estaba alojada con distintas intensidades en cada uno de los espacios del país, y que nombrar trivializa o atenúa […] referirse a ese tiempo, a la vida concreta de ese tiempo, podría transformarse en una forma insensata de ‘privilegio’” (El ojo en la mira 61). Así, para evitar (o intentarlo al menos) caer en una frivolidad neoliberal es que recurrimos a ciertas ficciones y realidades literarias para volver a ese tiempo que, desde hace medio siglo, no ha dejado de recomenzar cada vez, pues como sabemos y repetimos, incansables y cada vez recordando a Benjamin, el pasado no pasa. Sí: la “verdadera historia”, a la que alude Leonardo Pollo Véliz en sus memorias sobre lo sucedido en el Estadio Nacional las primeras semanas después del Golpe, no se ha terminado de escribir; es una historia que se continúa construyendo, armando. Todo el gran corpus que existe sobre la dictadura y su post –y del que los ensayos que cruzan estas páginas son una minúscula parte– buscan, precisamente, contribuir a esa verdad que está por venir. No debemos olvidar, no obstante, que esta es una trayectoria que carece de una finalidad final, no hay telos al cual llegar: así como el mismo pasado aún necesita escribirse (una y otra vez), el futuro es solo posible desde los intersticios del presente que construimos (y soñamos) entre todas y todos.
Relationship between Disease Severity, Immune Response, and Viral Clearance in Unvaccinated Patients with COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sahasrabudhe Tushar Ramesh , Gujral Harshmeet Singh , Muthukaruppan Nirmala Ananthi , Bagrecha Mahavir Satishchand , Barthwal Madhu Sudan , Mirza Shahzad
Published: December 2023

Introduction: The clinical manifestations of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) range from asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory failure. It is unclear whether disease severity is determined by an excess viral load or a dysregulated immune response. It is also unclear whether the severe immune response is successful in rapid viral clearance. Aim: To understand the relationship between immune response, viral clearance, and the severity of illness in unvaccinated patients suffering from COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study of 65 unvaccinated patients suffering from Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19, conducted at a dedicated COVID-19 centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India. from September 2020 to April 2021. The subjects were enrolled between day 10 and day 14 of the onset of symptoms and from two distinct clinical groups. Group A consisted of 34 mild cases, and Group B consisted of 31 severe cases, classified according to the national guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The clinical progress of the illness and laboratory test records were carefully reviewed. A repeat throat swab for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RTPCR, blood levels of COVID-19 specific antibodies Immunoglobin G (IgG) and IgM, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer levels were measured on day 14 of the illness. The data were analysed using MedCalc and Epi Info software. Chi-square and Fisher’sExact tests were used to assess variables such as viral detection, antibody response, and inflammatory markers. Results: In Group A, 2/34 (5.88%) patients tested RT-PCR negative {Cycle threshold (Ct) value cut-off above 35} compared to 5/31 (16.13%) in Group B (p=0.0829). In Groups A and B, respectively, the mean antibody titers were 35390.47 and 36426.11 (p=0.7469), the mean CRP values were 4.91 (p<0.001) and 31.01 mg/dL, and the mean D-dimer levels were 895 and 2896 ng/mL (p<0.001). Conclusion: Both mild and severe COVID-19 cases had a significant antibody response which, however, did not help in viral clearance. Most patients remained RT-PCR positive on day 14 regardless of the disease severity.
Comparison of Functional Communication Training, Sensory Integration Therapy, and Behaviour Intervention for Challenging Behaviours in Children with Autism: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sandeep Redkar Simran , Sankar Ganapathy U , Ravikumar Monisha
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Challenging behaviours are frequently observed in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), potentially hindering their daily functioning. As the prevalence of autism continues to rise, the array of challenging behaviours, including repetitive patterns, stereotypes, and self-harm, emphasizes the importance of developing effective interventions in occupational therapy. These interventions aim to manage these challenging behaviours and enhance the overall wellbeing and functionality of these children. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of Functional Communication Training (FCT), Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT), and Behavioural Interventions (BI) on challenging behaviours in children with ASD. Materials and Methods: An experimental study with prepost test design was conducted in the Paediatric Unit of the Department of Occupational Therapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The duration of the study was nine months, from September 2020 to May 2021. A total of six (N=6) children selected through convenience sampling. The SIT took place at the paediatric unit of the occupational therapy department at SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Due to Coronavirus Disaese-2019 (COVID-19) restrictions, FCT and BI were conducted simultaneously at the participants’ homes. Outcomes were measured using Functional Behavioural Assessment (FBA) and the Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised (RBS-R). Within-group analysis involved utilising the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while between-group analysis entailed the application of the Kruskal-Wallis and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 7.83±1.83 years. A significant reduction in challenging behaviours was seen in all six children in the three intervention groups when outcomes were measured using FBA (p<0.05). Among these interventions, BI proved to be the most effective in reducing the frequency of challenging behaviours in children with ASD, as evidenced by a mean post-test score of RBS-R (19.50±12.02 for BI, compared to 20±1.41 for SI and 23±11.31 for FCT, p=0.047). Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that all three interventions - SIT, FCT, and BI successfully decreased the occurrence of challenging behaviours in children with ASD.
Iron Overload Combined with Islet Autoimmunity Causes ‘Ferro-immune’ Hybrid Diabetes: A Case Series
Authors: Gong Joanna Y , Wentworth John M , Yates Christopher J , Qi Qi Yang Damien , Fourlanos Spiros
Published: December 2023

Iron’s role in diabetes pathophysiology is underrecognised. Authors describe three cases (two females and one male) with evidence of ‘ferro-immune’ hybrid diabetes, HFE C282Y homozygosity with islet autoimmunity. Case one describes iron overload followed by classical autoimmune diabetes. A 20-year-old female presented with non transfusion-dependent hereditary spherocytosis, contributing to hepatic iron overload. At the age of 26 years, the patient presented with diabetic ketoacidosis and elevated Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) (50.5 U/mL) and IA-2 (>4,000 U/mL) autoantibodies, and commenced insulin therapy. Two months after her diabetes diagnosis, she began iron chelation therapy. Case two describes haemochromatosis followed by adult-onset diabetes. A fit 78-year-old woman was diagnosed with haemochromatosis at the age of 58 years (transferrin saturation 64%) and presumed to have Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) at the age of 66 years. However, subsequent testing revealed GAD autoantibody positivity (24 U/mL) with normal C-peptide levels (0.55 nmol/L). Her diabetes was diet-controlled, and her transferrin saturation normalised while GAD seropositivity resolved spontaneously. Reducing iron levels through venesection or iron chelation may help decrease islet inflammation and potentially, autoimmunity. Case three describes slowly-progressive autoimmune diabetes preceding haemochromatosis. A lean man was diagnosed with latent autoimmune diabetes in adulthood with elevated GAD autoantibodies (11 U/mL). At the age of 81 years, he was diagnosed with haemochromatosis (transferrin saturation 61%), which was followed by a decline in glycaemic control (HbA1c 8.3% to 9.0%). A paired fasting glucose (10.8 mmol/L) and C-peptide (0.15 nmol/L) indicated insulin deficiency, and he remains dependent on insulin therapy. A family history of haemochromatosis or an atypical diabetes presentation should prompt an investigation into iron status. Additionally, a low C-peptide level in the presence of haemochromatosis should prompt an investigation into islet autoantibody status.
Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Fiscal Stance in EU: Real Deal or Econometric Illusion?
Authors:   Technical University of Košice, Mali Siniša , MaliČká Lenka ,   Technical University of Košice
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to examine how cyclically-adjusted primary balance (CAPB) in EU countries responded to the expenditure and tax decentralization. We contribute to the literature by three important conclusions. First, estimation results indicate that CAPB positively responded to expenditure decentralization, and negatively responded to tax decentralization. Second, fiscal decentralization seems to be driven by the determinants exogenous to primary balance. Third, variables deemed as the “good” instruments in the existing literature fail to explain within variations of the fiscal decentralization indicators. We hypothesized that negative impact of tax decentralization on the primary balance is transmitted through the government revenues, but further research is needed to resolve this puzzle.
The Tasmanian Thylacine Sighting Record Database (TTSRD): 1,223 quality-rated and geo-located Thylacine observations from 1910 to 2019
Authors: Brook Barry W. , Sleightholme Stephen R. , Campbell Cameron R. , Jarić Ivan , Buettel Jessie C.
Published: December 2023

The Thylacine or ‘Tasmanian tiger’ (Thylacinus cynocephalus), an iconic canid-like marsupial predator and last member of its taxonomic family (Thylacinidae) to have survived to modern times, was declared officially extinct in the early 1980s, half a century after the death of the last captive animal. However, the regularity and frequency of sightings of the species over more than eight decades since has not only created a zoological mystery, but also made it challenging to reconstruct the timeline of the fate of the species. To help resolve this intriguing historical-ecological problem, we compiled and curated a comprehensive inventory of documented sighting records from Tasmania from 1910 to 2019. By examining sources spanning official archives, published reports, museum collections, newspaper articles, microfilm, contemporary correspondence, private collections and other miscellaneous citations and testimony, we have amassed 1,223 unique Thylacine records from this period and resolved previous anomalies and duplications. Each observation in the database is dated, geo-tagged, categorised, quality-rated, referenced and linked to an image of its source material. Although purported observations have occurred every year, reporting rates vary across the decades in terms of frequency, type, location, and quality rating. Here we describe the database in detail, highlight its value for research, interpret the major patterns revealed by this archival compilation, and discuss the broader implications of the result of this work on the likely time and place of the Thylacine's extinction in the wild.
Constraints in Implementation of Land Reforms Policies as Perceived by Agricultural Labourers of Erstwhile Cannanore District of Kerala, India
Authors: Reghunath Namitha , Sreedaya G. S.
Published: December 2023

Kerala state was formed in 1956 by the amalgamation of three political units Travancore, Cochin and Malabar and agrarian relations were developed independently in these three units. The term land reforms refers to the redistribution of agricultural land from existing public or private landowners to tenant farmers and agricultural labourers who work on such land without owning it. The land reforms implemented in Kerala is considered and propagated as a model one. Land reform resulted in the end of feudalistic production relations and reduction in caste inequality. But the fact is that actual tillers of the soil failed to get benefits from the land reform policies. The present study was conducted in Erstwhile Cannanore district of Kerala state (Present Kannur, Kasargod and North Wayanad). Thirty agricultural labourers each from five selected blocks of three districts (Kalliasseri & Taliparamba from Kannur, Kanhangad &Nileswaram from Kasargod and Panamaram from North Wayanad.) were identified randomly and the total number of respondents was 150. A well-structured interview schedule was used for collecting data from the respondents. Delphi technique was used to identify the constraints. The data were tabulated and inferences were drawn after appropriate statistical analysis. The results shows that constraints like ‘Most beneficiaries of land reforms were from upper part of the society’ is having highest total score (297) among the others and it is considered as the most severe constraint perceived by the agri. labourers followed by ‘Agricultural labourers are not much benefitted by the law’ (283) and ‘During tenancy reforms, bigger share of benefits went to richer sections than the actual tillers of soil’ (273).
Variation in Hemoglobin A1c Linked to Hemoglobin S: Comparison of Analysis Results from ion Exchange Chromatography and an Immunoturbidimetric Method
Authors: Diouf Niokhor Ndane , Boye O. , Coly M. N. , Touré M. B. , Djité M. , Coly N. F. , Soumah I. Y. , Diédhiou F. , Samba A. , Faye I. , Guèye M. M. , Agossou H. H. M. , Ba R. , Thiam S. , Ndiaye A. , Cissé F. , Diallo F. , Sylla-Niang M. , Diatta A.
Published: December 2023

Hemoglobin S can interfere with the measurement of glycated hemoglobin, an essential tool for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the analytical performance of  2 glycated haemoglobin assay methods.

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted where 186 patients (61 homozygous sickle cell disease, 61 AA type subjects and 64 AS type subjects) were recruited. Glycated hemoglobin was measured by immunoturbidimetry method and ion exchange chromatography.

The coefficient of variation (CV) of the repeatability is 2.34% and 1.13% (normal rate) ; 2.32% and 1.65% (high rate) respectively for the immunoturbidimetric method and ion exchange chromatography. In reproducibility, the CV obtained are 3.23% and 2.64% (normal rate) and 3.27% and 2.22% (high rate), respectively for the immunoturbidimetric method and the ion exchange chromatography. Linearity is satisfactory for both methods. Mean glycated hemoglobin values ​​show no significant difference (the P-value is equal to 0.09, 0.17 and 0.70 respectively in subjects AA, AS and SS) in the 2 methods for patients with the same hemoglobin electrophoretic profile.

The analytical performances of the 2 methods are good but their use is not recommended in the biological diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes due to interference from hemoglobin S, especially in the case of homozygous sickle cell disease or in the case of composite heterozygosity.
Carbon Footprint Analysis and Environmental Initiatives: A Case Study of Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, H.P., INDIA
Authors: Bhardwaj Ritika , Attri Pawan Kumar
Published: December 2023

Carbon footprints (CFs) serve as a metric for quantifying the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) attributable to a specific organization or activity. Taking a step towards fostering sustainable practices in education institution involves reporting CF levels within college campuses. This research centers on computing the carbon footprint of Himachal Pradesh University's Shimla campus (2020-2023), with a focus on understanding emissions trends, particularly the transition from lockdown (2020–2021) to post-lockdown (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) periods amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to address the challenge posed by educational institutions' substantial energy demands, contributing significantly to GHG emissions. Achieving net-zero emissions remains a formidable task for educational institutions, even with options like remote work and learning. The study underscores the persisting challenge of insufficiently addressing these concerns, despite the potential for students to play a role in mitigating greenhouse gas emission issues with the right information and resources. The research employs the Greenhouse Gas Protocol method to compute the Scope 1 carbon footprint of energy sources, encompassing kerosene, petrol, diesel, and LPG. This approach empowers educational institutions and businesses to construct dependable inventories of their GHG emissions, facilitating progress monitoring and the cultivation of sustainable practices aligned with climate objectives. By utilizing the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the study evaluates Scope 1 emissions from energy sources like kerosene, petrol, diesel, and LPG, offering a systematic approach for institutions to create reliable inventories aligned with climate goals. The findings highlight kerosene as the predominant contributor, prompting the study to recommend curbing the use of conventional energy sources and transitioning to alternatives. Additionally, the research conducts Scope 2 emission calculations to compare the carbon footprint resulting from electricity consumption, contrasting coal-based electricity generation with hydropower generation. Valuable insights are provided for universities to leverage calculated carbon footprints in identifying effective emission reduction strategies. The study identifies information gaps and inefficient data collection as significant challenges, proposing energy-saving measures and enhanced procurement strategies as beneficial mitigation measures.
Gender-Specific Education Status after COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study between Two Adjacent Subdivisions of West Bengal, India
Authors: Dutta Sayantika , Pal Biswajit , Mondal Susmita , Ghosh Juni
Published: December 2023

Education plays a crucial role in the empowerment of women. Nearly half of the world's population is female, and women often face barriers to achieve equal opportunities due to the dominance of masculine ideologies. The objective of this study is to compare the gender-specific education status between two neighbouring subdivisions: Barasat-I and Barrackpore-II, in the North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. Researchers conducted structured interviews randomly within 60 adults to collect data for the study. The study revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the education system, particularly affected women's education. Furthermore, it had been observed that Hindu women were more empowered as compared to Muslim women. Another noteworthy finding was that the individuals lived in Kacha houses had exhibited greater empowerment than those lived in Pucca houses. This study underscores the pressing need to address gender inequalities and provide equal opportunities for female education. The lack of awareness regarding women's rights and government schemes for their welfare highlights the necessity for awareness campaigns and educational programs. Furthermore, recognizing the prevalence of child marriage, the government should proactively implement measures to tackle this issue. To empower women and promote education, governments should expand awareness campaigns, implement policies that ensure equal educational opportunities for girls, and work towards eliminating gender disparities for holistic development.
Study on Physiological Performances and Germination Accompanying Enzymes of Seed Considering Some Lentil Genotypes
Authors: Debbarma Mampi , Chakraborti Prabir
Published: December 2023

Considering ten (10) Lentil genotypes, some vibrant physiological activities of seed traits and germination linked enzymes was observed for assessing the status on heritability. The study on two successive years showed significant hierarchy for some seed traits in 1st year related to seedling performances and biomolecular activities though others characters showed non-significant association. Considering two years, the genotypes showed significant demarcation among them where the maximum value was in ASHA for all seed traits with enzyme activity. The interacted values of genotypes x year showed significant variation for most of the seed traits excepting seedling length and seedling dry weight. The study on genetic analysis indicated minimum deviation in between genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) that recognized the genetic influence of all considerable seed traits. High heritability (H2%) along with genetic advance indicated the impact of additive gene for all characters except soluble protein and percent of germination. In correlation matrix, the non-significant or negative relationship was followed in between germination linked biomolecules and physiological performances of seed though positive significant relation was followed within each group.  Therefore, the selected parameters may be considered in breeding schedule for quality seed production of Lentil.
Effects of α-Humulene and its Nanoparticles in Experimental Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Behavioral Analysis and Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Cordeiro Maria Elvira Ribeiro , Vasconcelos Luana Rodrigues , Bittencourt Heron , Kerppers Flávio Klinpovous , Hosni Andressa Panegalli , Kerppers Ivo Ilvan , Mainardes Rubiana Mara , Kolc Christiane Schineider Machado , Bini Ana Carolina Dorigoni , Suckow Patricia Pacheco Tyski , Fonseca Eliane Gonçalves de Jesus , Julik Angela Dubiela
Published: December 2023

The aim was to analyze the effects of α-humulene in experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A sample composed of 33 rats, divided into the NC group: 3 animals, for analysis of normal tissue and behavior, PC: 10 animals submitted to induction of AD by application of β-amyloid, without treatment, HUM: 10 animals submitted to induction of AD and treated with α-humulene, and NHUM: 10 animals submitted to induction of AD and treated with α-humulene nanoparticles. Treatment was performed once daily for 14 days at a dose of 6.5µg, orally. The animals were submitted to behavioral tests of spatial memory and aversive memory, the cytokines TNF, IL-10, IL-2 and IL-4 were analyzed by flow cytometry. The treated animals obtained superior cognitive performance and expressed lower levels of inflammatory markers, with better results in the group with better results in the NHUM.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Oral and Maxillofacial Region: A 12-Year Analysis at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility from North-Western Nigeria
Authors: Bala Mujtaba , Braimah Ramat Oyebunmi , Taiwo Abdurrazaq Olanrewaju , Alyami Bandar , Aliyu Bashar Muhammed , Kanmodi Kehinde Kazeem , Abubakar Sadeeq Fawa , Kaura Abubakar Muhammad , Yekini Lateef Alani , Yabo Sufiyanu Umar
Published: December 2023

Background: Orofacial cancers remain a serious burden in developing countries largely due to scarcity of resources in both diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to present the pattern of clinical presentation and management of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral and maxillofacial region at a tertiary health care facility, Northwestern Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral and maxillofacial regionseen in the past 12 years (January 2012 to January 2023). After obtaining ethical approval from the research and ethics committee of the institution, patients’ demographic characteristics, risk factors, sites, stage, histologic diagnosis, and treatment status were extracted from the patient's record. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25 software.

Results: A total of 233 cases (114 (76.8%) males and 54 (23.2%) females) were analyzedin the age range of 20-80 years with a mean±SD of 52.98±16.08years. Most of the patients 174(74.7%) were farmers. The onset ranged from 6 weeks to 2 years. The main complaint of the patients were pain and swelling (132 (56.7%)). Extensive or multiplesites (72 (30.9%)) constitute the majority of the SCC. Well-differentiated SCC (133 (57.1%)) was the predominant diagnosis and, the majority (86 (36.9%)) were Stage IV lesions. The male patients were found to have more advanced disease compared to females with a statistically significant difference (p= 0.000). Surgery+ referral for chemotherapy/radiotherapy (125(57.1)) was the main treatment modality.

Conclusion: The well-differentiated SCC was thecommonest histologic subtype. Surgery and chemoradiation therapy were treatment modalities offered the patients especially with the early lesions and prompt initiation of treatment.
Hydrophobic Hyamine‐Mediated Water‐Lean Electric Double Layer Boosting Reversible Dendrite‐Free Zinc Metal Anodes
Authors: Cai Shan , Hu Jiugang , Luo Yuqing , Zhu Pengfei , He Ting , Zou Guoqiang , Hou Hongshuai , Ji Xiaobo
Published: December 2023

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising candidates for grid‐energy storage due to their safety and cost‐effectiveness. However, the detrimental hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and dendrite growth on Zn‐metal anodes severely limit their applications. Herein, trace hydrophobic hyamine (HQA, 0.78 mmol L−1) is introduced as an electrolyte additive to improve the electrochemical performance of the Zn anode. Experiments and theoretical calculations revealed that cationic HQA can preferentially adsorb onto the anode surface to inhibit the HER and promote the uniform distribution of Zn ions by forming a water‐lean electric double layer (EDL). Moreover, the oriented adsorption of HQA induced exposure of the Zn (002) plane and prevented dendrite growth. Therefore, the symmetric cells using the HQA‐containing electrolyte exhibited stable cycle performance for more than 1600 h. Even at a high‐density current of 5 mA cm−2, it has a high cumulative capacity of 3250 mAh cm−2. It exhibited an excellent deep‐discharge performance (80%) with a stable cycle for 175 h. The Zn||NH4V4O10 full cell exhibited a high specific capacity and cycle stability at 4.0 A g−1 due to the excellent reversibility of Zn anode. These results provide a new and low‐cost approach for electrolyte design and EDL optimization of high‐performance zinc‐ion batteries.
Room‐Temperature Cubic Ag2S1−2xSexTex with Promising Ductility and Thermoelectric Properties Enabled by Entropy Engineering
Authors: Chang Yi , Li Zhili , Luo Pengfei , Qian Weixiong , Zhang Jiye , Luo Jun
Published: December 2023

Since the discovery of superior ductility in semiconducting Ag2S at room temperature, Ag2S‐based inorganics attract ever‐increasing attention as ductile thermoelectrics (TEs) for flexible electronics, while the monoclinic to cubic structure transition near room temperature (≈455 K for Ag2S) of these materials leads to instability of their structures and properties. In this work, single‐phase cubic Ag2S1−2xSexTex (x = 0.13–0.33) samples are stabilized at room temperature via entropy engineering. In comparison with pure Ag2S, the random mixing of S, Se, and Te at the anion site results in increased configuration entropy, improved electrical conductivity, decreased lattice thermal conductivity, and thus significantly enhanced TE properties of cubic Ag2S1−2xSexTex samples. By further optimizing the carrier concentration through introducing Ag vacancies, the slightly Ag‐deficient Ag1.98S0.34Se0.33Te0.33 sample achieves a power factor of 6.1 µW cm−1 K−2 and a dimensionless figure of merit zT of 0.4 at room temperature. In the measured temperature range of 300–500 K, this cubic sample with excellent ductility shows not only a record average zT value of 0.62 in ductile inorganics but also very stable TE properties, demonstrating the great potential of entropy engineering in the design of high‐performance ductile TE inorganics.