bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scalable Quantum Photonic Devices Operating in the Telecom C-Band
Authors: Semenova Elizaveta
Published: October 2024

We present the deterministic fabrication of quantum-dot photonic devices emitting high-purity single-photons in the telecom C-band. This will open scalable integration with photonic platforms to enable novel functionalities for on-chip quantum information processing.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Towards Room Temperature Quantum Repeating
Authors: Namazi Mehdi , Wang Yang , Craddock Alexandder , Mendoza Jaeda , flament Mael
Published: October 2024

Here we will discuss our experimental results from entangling telecom photons generated using a four-wave mixing entanglement source with a room-temperature quantum memory. This work paves the way towards building field-deployable quantum repeaters.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Quantum Parameter Estimation Without Parameters
Authors: Barbieri Marco
Published: October 2024

Quantum parameter estimation relies on ‘statistical models’ assuming perfect knowledge of the channel. We discuss techniques relaxing this assumption and their optical implementation. This opens perspectives for secure quantum estimation.

Full-text article not available; see video presentation
Protocol for a qualiquantitative study of accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services among women with motor disabilities in Morocco
Authors: Zekaoui Firdaous , Boufettal Houssine , Aboutaieb Rachid
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide live with a disability, underlining the need for equitable health care for this group is important. Inclusive health systems are consistent with global health priorities, respond to United Nations sustainable development goals and economically viable. Despite advancements in Morocco’s health system and legal framework, significant disparities remains inaccessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for women with disabilities. This study explores barriers and facilitators affecting access to SRH services for these women, aiming to provide recommendations for more inclusive services and improved health outcomes.

Methods

Using a mixed approach, this study assessSRH access for women with motor disabilities in two cities in Morocco, selected for their socio-demographic, cultural and and healthcare diversity. Quantitative data will be generated through questionnaires administrered to 400 participants, while qualitative information will come from 20 to 30 interviews. Recruitment involves working with health professionals, NGOs and social media campaigns to ensure a diverse sample. Data analysis includes NVivo for qualitative data and descriptive/inferential statistics for quantitative data.

Conclusion

The study aims to explore the perspectives of women with disabilities and health professionals regarding SRH services. It will provide recommendations for making SRH services more equitable and inclusive, ultimately improving health out comes and uphold health rights for women with disabilities.
Prevalence of symptomatic dry eye and influencing factors among Chinese adolescents: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Xiaojuan , Zhou Yue , Gao Xian , Zhu Yan , Cai Qi , Yin Bianyu , Sun ZhiMin , Xiong Yaojia , Wang Yong , Huang Xiaobo
Published: October 2024

Background

Comprehensive research on the impact of various types of refractive errors (RE) and anisometropia on dry eye disease is still lacking. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence rates and potential lifestyle factors related to symptomatic dry eye (SDE) among adolescents in eastern China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in 2023, and a stratified cluster sampling technique was used among adolescents in Nantong, China. Demographic information, including sex, age and BMI, were collected. All participants underwent optometric tests, while Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and self-designed questionnaires were administered. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between SDE and related parameters, and various types of RE and anisometropia were also included in the study.

Results

A total of 1,518 participants were enrolled in the study, and the overall prevalence of SDE was 20.3% among adolescents in Nantong, China. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that high myopia (aOR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.60–3.36, p = 0.025), frequent use of eye drops (aOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.60–3.36, p<0.001), a history of allergic conjunctivitis (aOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.09–3.34, p = 0.025), and frequent blinking (aOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 2.31–4.53, p<0.001) were identified as risk factors for SDE. Conversely, male gender (aOR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58–0.99, p = 0.043), increased sleep time (6–7 h: aOR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.46–0.89, p = 0.009; 7–8 h: aOR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.43–0.95, p = 0.026; >8 h: aOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.23–0.82, p = 0.010), and timely intervention when vision decline occurred were protective factors against SDE (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.43–0.85, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

High myopia was found to be independently associated with an increased risk of SDE., while hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were not independent risk factors for SDE. The identified risk and protective factors may help provide valuable insights for future research and interventions aimed at improving ocular health in adolescents.
Hikikomori in the Middle East: The role of problematic gaming, social media use, and loneliness
Authors: Shah Harshil , Helmy Mai , Vally Zahir
Published: October 2024

Hikikomori, a form of severe social withdrawal has been found to be associated with behavioral addictions such as gaming addiction and problematic social media use (PSMU). Since literature related to hikikomori is lacking in the Middle East, this study aimed to determine whether there are significant differences in hikikomori-like traits between two different types of social media users and gamers and investigate loneliness as a potential mediator between hikikomori and the two types of problematic behaviors. A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed, collecting a final sample of 220 participants residing in Middle Eastern countries using a mixture of convenience and snowball sampling. Results showed that passive social media users demonstrated significantly greater hikikomori-like traits compared to active users. Furthermore, hikikomori-like traits exhibited significant positive associations with problematic gaming, PSMU, and loneliness. Two separate mediation analyses, the first with PSMU and a second with problematic gaming as predictors, revealed that loneliness acted as a significant mediator between both these problematic behaviors and hikikomori-like traits.
The cruel optimism of contact improvisation: Dancing between neoliberal subjectivation and practices of commoning
Authors: Papaioannou Chrys
Published: October 2024

Within the social world of Contact Improvisation, the question of class relations remains conspicuous by its absence. Whilst ongoing debates in the global Contact Improvisation (CI) community and recent scholarship have foregrounded the problem of Whiteness, there have been few attempts to provide intersectional analyses of the racialised, classed subjectivation of contact dancers. To make such future enquiry possible, this paper dismantles originary CI myths about ‘natural’ movement, also attended to by Bojana Cvejić, and explores the question of social antagonism through analysing the dance form’s discursive norms and movement vocabulary. As this essay argues, the contact dancer occupies a paradoxical subject position: between a neoliberal embrace of risk-taking and precarity, and a cruelly optimistic prefiguration of the commons.
Influence of marital status on persuasion strategies in advertising regarding intention to purchase
Authors: Spasova Lyubomira
Published: October 2024

This study has three chief objectives. Firstly, it aims to identify individual susceptibility to Cialdini’s persuasion strategies among consumers with different marital status. Secondly, it focuses on determining the susceptibility of each family member to persuasive strategies. Finally, the study examines the purchasing funnel among consumers with different marital status and different family roles. Two measurement scales are applied: the STPS questionnaire to establish susceptibility to persuasion strategies and the purchase funnel hierarchy model. The results of the first analysis of variance (ANOVA) show that divorced/separated users are susceptible to the principle of liking and authority, and married users – to commitment/consistency and social proof. The second variance analysis found the susceptibility of the children in the family: the first child was affected by liking, the second child – by scarcity, and the third – by commitment/consistency. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of a family member with age differences as the covariate shows that consumers of advertising exhibit a strong sensitivity to the principle of unity, which affects widowed husbands or wives. In the second covariance analysis, a strong sensitivity to product preferences was observed for single husbands over 25 and for young adults under 25 for divorced/separated people. These scientific findings may be valuable to various specialists in social psychology, consumer behavior, and those interested in the dynamics of family purchases.
Implementation of the work-based learning model in SMEs: Ranking the indicators of feasibility based on transitivity
Authors: Hogeforster Max , Ginevičius Romualdas
Published: October 2024

Work-based learning models have been applied to varying extent across countries. This raises questions about the factors that determine the feasibility of their implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The multifaceted impact of these factors and the indicators reflecting them varies significantly, which makes it necessary to rank them appropriately. This study uses a pairwise comparison of the indicators’ importance based on their transitivity to determine such ranking. This new methodology is superior to existing approaches in that it allows the researcher to determine the importance rankings of a virtually unlimited number of indicators without compromising the adequacy of the assessment. It also significantly reduces the scope of expert judgement. The methodology also accounts for interactions between indicators, further improving the relevance of the rankings. Finally, the proposed methodology is versatile as it can be applied to rank the importance of any type of indicators reflecting the state of socio-economic systems.
Pork barrel spending: The missing link between electoral clientelism and political budget cycles
Authors: Mačkić Velibor , Rusmir Filip
Published: October 2024

Pork barrel spending used in the political budget cycles literature via a preference approach is identified as the link tying clientelism to political budget cycles. This paper looks at the supply and demand sides of electoral clientelism using the case study of shipyards in Croatia. The strategic, symbolic and everyday importance of the shipbuilding industry in Croatia is evident to the general public, but even more so to politicians. This paper examines the supply side – whether incumbents increase central budget funds (state guarantees) in election years (pork barrel spending) toward shipyards in Pula, Rijeka, Kraljevica, Trogir and Split – and the demand side – whether voters reward incumbents who engage in these pork barrelling practices. The theoretical foundations of the paper are based on the literature on clientelism, political budget cycles and the political economy of fiscal policy. Panel data analysis conducted on a sample of 5 shipyards over the 2001-2022 period confirms the existence of pork barrelling but does not confirm voters’ reactions to them. The empirical exercise identified the share of shipyard workers in the manufacturing industry at the county level as the main mechanism of electoral clientelism in Croatia.
Family or career? Intergenerational differences in values
Authors: Reissová Alice , Šimsová Jana , Nacházelová Eliška
Published: October 2024

Structurally disadvantaged regions are looking for ways to attract and retain educated people who are the pillars in community for economic, social, and cultural prosperity. This research is aimed at gaining insight into the values and preferences of such people in order to better understand their decision-making. The study sample (n = 1350) was formed using quota-wide sampling (university-educated people). The data was collected by a specialized research agency using an electronic survey. The values and preferences were first determined using a semantic differential scale, and then the significance was verified by a Kruskal Wallis test followed by a post hoc test. Based on the statistical analysis, it was found for all generations that the ideal place to live is a quiet village or smaller town with good civic amenities, transport accessibility, and proximity to nature. This offers an opportunity for several villages that saw a large loss of population in the past when inhabitants left for big cities at the end of the last century. Another common value across generations is the preference for family over single life. However, Generation Z differs from Generation X and Y in their preference for career over family and even their preference for career over leisure time, which is not entirely consistent with Inglehart's theory on the preference for post-materialist values.
Welfare regimes of European countries and their development in the context of membership in the European Union
Authors: Tkacova Andrea , Gavurova Beata , Toth Peter
Published: October 2024

Welfare regimes represent potential approaches to the implementation of redistributive policies worldwide. In European countries, several significant regimes have been identified, including the Conservative, Southern, Social Democratic, Liberal model, the Post-Communist European model, and the Model of the Former USSR. The present study focused on identifying the welfare regimes of EU members and candidate countries and examining whether shifts between these regimes occur over time. The k-means method was employed, generating a different number of clusters for two observed periods: 2013 and 2022 on the sample of 27 member and 4 candidate countries and 2023 on the sample of 27 member countries of EU. The input variables consisted of redistributive indicators focusing on income inequality and the risk of poverty. The analysis results confirmed that countries transitioned between regimes in all observed periods. In the mixed group of member and candidate countries, the number of clusters decreased from five to two. For member countries in 2023, the number of clusters was three, mainly due to the worsening risk of poverty in some countries. Notably, none of the clusters represented a pure form of the originally defined welfare regimes. A significant finding of the study was that all observed EU candidate countries have shifted towards the redistributive policies of EU member states. This shift was noted towards regimes of geographically proximate countries. Within the member countries, however, the adopted measures have also lead to the negative phenomenon of mutual distancing of social regimes.
Application of text mining in analysing notes to financial statements: A Hungarian case
Authors: Fenyves Veronika , Tarnóczi Tibor , Orbán Ildikó
Published: October 2024

Company stakeholders must have reliable and accurate information about the companies falling into their sphere of interest. In Hungary, one of the key sources of information for company stakeholders is the financial statements and related explanations, which are included in the notes of the financial statements (notes). This study used text mining to analyse the Hungarian annual financial statements notes for 2017, 2019 and 2021. The selection of the notes was based on the proportions of each sector in the national economy. The research analysed 28,700 company notes annually, totalling 86,100 documents for the three years. The text mining and generation of the Term Frequency Matrix have performed 'quanteda' packages of the R statistical system, which incorporate the results of artificial intelligence research to enhance the efficiency of text mining. Based on the results, the contents of the notes to the financial statements appear to be a rather mixed picture in Hungary. Analysing the term frequency matrix for the 67 most common terms has revealed no significant difference between the years. However, considerable differences have been caused by size categories and sectors. The notes are statistically significant using Jaccard similarity analysis, considering the year, corporate size, and sector.
Expected inheritance and pension attitudes among young people in EU post-communist vs. Anglosphere countries
Authors: Brycz Marcin , Biernat Mark , Timiras Laura Catalina , Nichifor Bogdan , Zait Luminita
Published: October 2024

The goal of the study is to evaluate the influence of participants' expected inheritance (assets) on their attitudes toward etatism and pension benefits. The primary question is whether young people with an expected family inheritance exhibit different attitudes in these areas. Additionally, the study examines attitudes across gender, age, and country. One of the most significant challenges of pensions is preserving value over an individual's lifetime, as there is no definitive answer regarding which assets perform best in this regard. Public skepticism toward the pension system and the state is common, complicating matters further. This problem is particularly pronounced among younger individuals who have yet to assume full economic and financial responsibilities. They are often less economically literate and have limited access to financial advice. However, they do receive some foundational prior knowledge from their homes. The rationale for incorporating attitudes towards pensions as a valid variable is that prior knowledge plays a crucial role in judgments on specific issues, such as preserving value in the future or evaluating long-term investments. Even without personal experience, individuals have attitudes that shape their judgments. Overall, more than 700 people participated in the study. After removing outliers, N= 531 valid cases from seven countries: Poland, Romania, the USA, the UK, Canada, and Ireland. A power analysis preceded the testing of the MANOVA model. We found a significant difference in attitudes among participants who grew up in families investing in real estate and tangible assets. Those from families that invested in tangible assets exhibited a stronger concern regarding pension benefits, implying that people with such investments feel less secure about their pensions. Additionally, we found a significant interaction effect between the type of country and expected inheritance. In the Anglosphere countries, people have more positive attitudes toward etatism and pension benefits compared to those in Poland and Romania. This outcome confirms stronger kinship ties in the latter countries and a higher cultural attachment to real estate.
The impact of minimum wage increases on unemployment in the V4 countries: Assessing the recommendations of the European Commission
Authors: Tkacova Andrea , Gavurova Beata , Gontkovicova Barbora
Published: October 2024

The European Commission has recently implemented legislative measures to improve worker protection through an adequate minimum wage set by national laws or collective agreements. A recommended benchmark for minimum wage calculation is 60% of the gross median wage or 50% of the mean wage. However, the Kaitz index, a ratio indicator, shows lower values in most EU countries, raising concerns about potential negative impact on the labour market. This study aims to identify the impact of the Kaitz index and several other selected variables on unemployment in the V4 countries. Using multiple linear regression, we concluded that the Kaitz index’s growth does not uniformly impact unemployment in the V4 countries. Specifically, in Slovakia and the Czechia, the Kaitz index growth appeared to increase unemployment, in line with neoclassical economic theory. In contrast, Hungary and Poland did not register significant effects. Gender differences were also noted, with the Kaitz index affecting female unemployment in the Czechia and Hungary, and male unemployment in Slovakia. The research results suggest that increasing the minimum wage in the V4 countries is feasible if its growth rate is higher than that of unemployment benefits and the living minimum, but lower than the average wage growth, and if it is supported by economic growth.
Participative management style in SMEs: Influence of CSR factors. Empirical evidence from the Visegrad Group
Authors: Belás Jaroslav , Petráková Zora , Streimikis Justas , Kozová Kristína
Published: October 2024

The aim of this study was to define significant corporate social responsibility (CSR) factors that determine the use of participative management style in SMEs and quantify this influence. In order to achieve this objective, a questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 1,398 SMEs across V4 countries. The data was collected through computer-assisted web interviewing by MNFORCE, a well-known market research firm. The empirical research was conducted in June 2022. The fundamental relationships and interconnections between CSR and the use of a participatory management approach were substantiated through the application of regression analysis. The research results demonstrated that a portion of these CSR factors significantly affects the application of participative leadership in SMEs. The strongest impact is observed for entrepreneurs' belief that CSR makes it possible to acquire satisfied, loyal, and motivated employees. The second most significant factor determining the application of participative leadership style was factor X3 (the average value of the correlation coefficient was 0.208). The potential opportunity to gain competitive advantage through the implementation of CSR also motivates entrepreneurs to apply participative leadership in SMEs; as the third most significant factor, it had an average correlation coefficient of 0.199. Finally, entrepreneurs' belief that implementing CSR has an impact on improving firm performance also proved motivating for SMEs. This study has significant practical implications. The results should motivate managers to implement essential attributes of the CSR concept, especially concerning their own employees. Managers should also recognize the importance of assessing and implementing appropriate HRM policies regarding skills, motivation, and opportunities for their employees in order to enhance business performance.
پەیوەندی نائومێدی بە شێوەكانی توندوتیژی لای گەنج- لەژێر ڕۆشنایی تیۆرەكانی نائومێدی "ئەلبەرت كۆهەن" و "جۆن دولارد"
Authors: Mahmood Dastan O. , Anwar Basida H.
Published: October 2024

ئامانجی سەرەكی ئەو توێژینەوەیە، بریتییە لە دۆزینەوەی پەیوەندی نێوان نائومێدی و شێوەكانی ڕەفتاری توندووتیژی،  پێوانە كردندی گۆڕاوەكانی توێژینەوەكە و دەرخستنی رۆڵی گۆراوە دیمۆگڕافییەكان لەسەر ئەنجامەكانی توێژینەوەكە. بۆ شیكردنەوەی ئامانجەكان توێژەران سوودیان لە میتۆدی وەسفی بە ڕێگەی رووپێوی كۆمەڵایەتی بەنموونە وەرگرتووە، بۆ ئەو مەبەستەش فۆڕمێكی ڕاپرسیان ئامادەكردووە، كە لە پێوەری نائومێدی كە لە (28) بڕگە و پێوەری ڕەفتاری شێوەكانی توندووتیژیش لە (30) بڕگە پێكهاتبوو، كە تەواوی تایبەتمەندییە سایكۆسۆسیۆمەترییەكان بۆ پێوەرەكان ئەنجامدارەوە.  هاوكات بە شێوەی هەڕەمەكی چینایەتی ناڕێژەیی نموونەیەكی ( 360) كەسی خوێندكارانی زانكۆی ڕاپەڕینیان وەرگرتوووە ، كە  بە ڕێژەی یەکسان (180) کەس لە ڕەگەزی مێ و (180) کەس ڕەگەزی نێر وەرگیراون. بۆ شیكردنەوەی داتا بە دەستهاتووەكانیش توێژەران سوودیان لە پرۆگرامی (spss) وەرگرتووە.
  گرنگترین ئەو ئەنجامانەی ئەم توێژینەوەیە پێی گەیشتووە، برتییە لەوەی : بەشێوەیەكی گشتی نائومێدی و شێوەكانی ڕەفتاری توندووتیژی لای نموونەی توێژینەوەكە لە ئاستێكی زۆر نزمدایە. هەروەها دەركەوتووە جیاوازیەكی بەڵگەداری ئاماری لە نێوان ڕەگەزی نێر و مێدا سەبارەت بە نائومێدی هەیە، بەجۆرێك ڕەگەزی نێر بەبەراورد بە ڕەگەزی مێی زیاتر نائومیدی لایان بوونی هەیە. هاوكات ڕەگەزی نێر بەبەراورد بە ڕەگەزی مێی زیاتر ڕەفتاری توندووتیژی( جەستەیی و هێمای) ئەنجام دەدەن، بەڵام سەبارەت بە توندووتیژی (زارەكی) زیاتر ڕەگەزی مێی ئەنجامی دەدات بەبەراورد بە ڕەگەز نێر. هەروەها دەركەوتووە ئەو خوێندکارانەی ئاستی ئابووری خێزانیان خراپە زیاتر نائومێدیان لا دەركەوتووە. لەكۆتایشدا دەركەوتووە پەیوەندیەكی بەڵگەداری ئاماری ڕاستەوانەی مامناوەند لە نێوان نائومێدی و  توندووتیژی بە گشتی و توندووتیژی (جەستەیی و زارەكی و هێمای)دا هەیە. واتە هەرچەندی ئاستی نائومێدی بەرزبێتەوە ئەوا شێوەكانی ڕەفتاری توندووتیژیش بەرزدەبێتەوە. بە پێچەوانەشەوە ڕاستە.
Equidad, diversidad y evaluación de la docencia: Cuestiones críticas emergentes en una universidad norteamericana
Authors: Cisneros-Cohernour Edith J. , González González Roger J. , Villagómez Valdés Gina
Published: October 2024

Este estudio tuvo como propósito identificar cuestiones críticas vinculadas a la equidad y la diversidad en los procesos de evaluación de la docencia en la educación superior, emergiendo temas vinculados a la raza, la etnia y el género de los profesores y estudiantes en el contexto. El trabajo es parte de una investigación cualitativa, que utiliza un enfoque holístico para examinar los significados, compromisos y consecuencias sociales de la evaluación en el contexto de una universidad norteamericana. Para ello se planteó un diseño de investigación por estudio de casos cualitativo. La recolección de datos incluyó múltiples técnicas y fuentes de información, permitiendo configurar cinco categorías que agrupan las principales cuestiones críticas que emergen en la investigación. Los resultados indican que varían las formas en que los estudiantes asignan puntajes a la calidad de la docencia de sus profesores, y que existen casos en que sus percepciones son influenciadas por cuestiones relacionadas con el acento, el lugar de origen, el género y la etnia del profesor. Por lo que se plantea la necesidad de explorar otras formas de evaluación de la docencia que no se apoyen únicamente en herramientas estandarizadas, sino que permitan considerar otras cuestiones sociales y culturales de los actores educativos.
Hestia to Demeter: Reducing Agrochemical Pollution to Empower Women Farmers
Authors: Elhusseini Rami I , Jawdah Yossef Abou
Published: October 2024

The 2020 Farm to Fork strategy by the European Commission aimed to reduce agrochemical pollutants and protect biodiversity but stirred controversy due to conflicts between intensive agriculture demands and environmental priorities. Strict limits on agrochemical residues required farmers to produce less. The de-intensification and agroecology prone policy impacted livelihoods, sparking political upheaval. Due to lack of pesticide alternatives and extension services, Lebanese exports have faced challenges complying with residue restrictions. Agricultural laborers and consumers are exposed to high levels of pesticide residue. Undocumented refugee women form a significant part of the agricultural workforce, and women led agricultural cooperatives have minimal access to funding, exacerbating gender inequity. The American University of Beirut (AUB) has played a pivotal role in agroecology research, rural development, and gender equity. Knowledge transfer promotes civic awareness and private sector partnerships. Local Natural enemies and parasites emerged as a residue-free alternative to agrochemicals. Biocontrol-based integrated pest management holds great potential for mitigating pesticides hazards to human and environmental health. Launching the “natural predators” initiative from women-run farms holds a great promise in dually resolving the problems of agrochemical pollution and gender equity in the agricultural sector. Empowering women in agriculture aims to transform their role from care work to farm management. This paper focuses on the technical aspects of developing “natural enemies” as pesticides alternative for Lebanese agriculture, aiming to overcome export challenges and revitalize the economy. "Farm to Fork meets Hestia to Demeter" underscores AUB's commitment to sustainability aligns climate action with gender equity. By supporting women entrepreneurs and addressing climate change's impact on public health, the initiative contributes to AUB's broader mission of advancing Lebanon and the region through Education for Sustainable Development.
Managing Green Space to Achieve Sustainability of Infrastructure at IPB University
Authors: Putra Heriansyah , Hidayat Febrian R , Sutoyo Sutoyo , Qayim Ibnul , Utami Anisa D , Slamet Alim S
Published: October 2024

IPB University, Indonesia, has 18 campuses and is designed as a sustainable university. With a total area of 1669 Ha, IPB University has been beneficial in managing the massive area of campus site infrastructure. Managing the infrastructure development that considers the open space, including the forests, planted vegetation, and the ground surface for water absorption, is essential to achieve the sustainability of the infrastructure at IPB University. This paper presents the lessons learned from IPB University's campus setting in managing infrastructure development, focusing on developing open space, forests, and planted vegetation. Managing infrastructure development on campus to support the increasing number of students and the development of education, research, and campus activities faces various challenges. For this, IPB University provides a master plan as a policy and control system to ensure that all developed infrastructure has the goal of supporting campus activities and is highly considered for the sustainability of open spaces on campus.
Context‐specific anti‐inflammatory roles of type III interferon signaling in the lung in nonviral injuries
Authors: Feng Jingjing , Kim Jooyoung , Wang Victoria D. , Chang De , Liu Hongbo , Bain William G. , Robinson Keven M. , Jie Zhijun , Kotenko Sergei V. , Dela Cruz Charles S. , Sharma Lokesh
Published: October 2024

Type III interferons (λ1, λ2, and λ3) are potent antiviral cytokines in the lung. However, their roles in nonviral lung injuries are less well understood. This study investigates the activation of type III interferon signaling in three distinct models of lung injuries caused by diverse stimuli: the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, bacterial endotoxin LPS, and the chemotherapeutic agent bleomycin. Our data show that, despite inducing a potent inflammatory response, Pseudomonas and LPS did not increase IFNλ secretion. In contrast, bleomycin instillation increased secretion of IFNλ in the airways at both early and late time points. Consistent with limited secretion, type III interferon signaling had a minimal role in the host response to both Pseudomonas and LPS, as measured by pathogen burden, inflammatory response, and lung injury. Conversely, a deficiency in type III interferon signaling led to increased inflammatory signaling and elevated acute lung injury in the bleomycin model on day 3. This elevated early injury resulted in impaired recovery in IFNLR1 knockout mice, as evidenced by their recovery from bleomycin‐induced weight loss. Taken together, these data suggest a context‐specific activation of type III interferon signaling, where it plays an anti‐inflammatory role in the lung.
A novel ultra-wideband end-fire antenna based on spoof surface plasma polaritons
Authors: Yan Bao , You-bao Wang , Tian-hao Zhang , Liu-yisi Zhao
Published: October 2024

A novel ultra-wideband end-shot antenna based on artificial surface-isolated excitations (SSPP) is designed. The antenna adopts a coplanar waveguide structure and introduces an SSPP transmission line consisting of a symmetric exponential Gaussian curve reference ground and an elliptical aperture-type cell, which effectively improves the bandwidth of the SSPP antenna and realizes the high-frequency operating characteristics of this antenna. In addition, the design combines the asymmetric structure of the SSPP transmission line and the guided branch structure to enhance the directivity of the antenna. The measured results of the antenna show that the antenna operates in the bandwidth range of 21.5–34.0 GHz, and the average gain of the antenna in the whole operating bandwidth range reaches 9.4 dBi, and the average radiation efficiency is 92.6 %, which can be better applied in the field of high-frequency communication.
Product Oversight and Governance’s Actual Trends and Value for Money Provisions Within the IDD Framework
Authors: Petrosino Francesco
Published: October 2024

The article focuses on the renewed discipline of product oversight and governance in insurance law. Specifically, the contribution examines the significance of the value for money principle, which, through acts by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), has had a considerable impact on the organization of insurance companies as well as on the policies ultimately distributed. Regarding the structure of the article, the first part addresses the contractual characterization provided by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) of so-called IBIPs (investment-based insurance products), for which the value for money principle is particularly impactful. The second part of the article focuses on the operation of product oversight and governance and the influence of the value for money principle on it. Finally, the last part of the analysis centers on the relationship between the CJEU’s precedents and their integration into the harmonizing policy conducted by European institutions, which inevitably also affects the field of financial and insurance law.
An updated review on carbon nanomaterials: Types, synthesis, functionalization and applications, degradation and toxicity
Authors: Roy Arpita , Gupta Aaryan , Haque Benazeer , Qureshi Absar Ahmed , Verma Devvret , Sharma Kuldeep , Lee Siaw Foon , Hee Cheng Wan , Roy Amit , Verma Rajan
Published: October 2024

As carbon-based nanomaterials have such remarkable physical, chemical, and electrical capabilities, they have become a major focus of materials science study. A thorough examination of several carbon nanomaterial varieties, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerenes, and carbon nanodiamonds, is given in this review work. These materials all have distinctive qualities that qualify them for particular uses. This work starts by examining the synthesis processes of these nanomaterials, outlining the ways by which they are made and the variables affecting their ultimate characteristics. The specific features of each kind of carbon nanomaterial will then be briefly discussed in this study, along with their size, structure, and special physical and chemical properties. These materials have a wide range of possible uses in several fields. They are employed in the electronics industry to fabricate sensors, high-speed transistors, and other devices. Their high surface area and electrical conductivity make them useful in energy storage devices like supercapacitors and batteries. They are applied to environmental remediation and water purification in environmental science. They are employed in biomedicine for biosensing, bioimaging, and medication delivery. Notwithstanding the encouraging uses, the large-scale synthesis and functionalization of carbon nanomaterials present several difficulties. This review discusses the importance of carbon nanomaterials by studying their multifaceted properties and potential applications in industries. The novelty of this work lies in its detailed examination of the degradation and toxicity of these materials, which is essential for their safe integration into various technological and biomedical applications. By thoroughly analysing recent experimental results, this review aims to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications.
Structural, rheological and thermal properties of crude palm oil obtained in pressed, sifted and clarification stages using ultrasound-assisted
Authors: Campo-Vera Yesenia , Gelvez Victor M. , Murillo Edwin A.
Published: October 2024

Crude palm oil (CPO) is commonly used in the oil industry. This study presents a comparison of the structural, rheological, and thermal properties of clarified CPO (CCPO) sample obtained using the conventional method and ultrasound-assisted (UA)-treated samples. These samples were obtained in the pressed (press liquor, PL), sifted (sifted liquor, SL), and clarification (outlet sludge, OS) stages. The frequencies used for the UA-treated samples were 40 and 80 kHz for 30 min. The PL and SL samples exhibited higher resistance to oxidative deterioration and nutritional quality than the CCPO sample did. The maximum oil extractability percentage (OEP) of the UA-treated samples relative to that of CCPO was 7.4 %. The bleachability index (DOBI) values of the UA-treated samples were higher (between 2.06 and 2.58) than that of the CCPO sample (1.43). However, the viscosity (η) displayed opposite trend. The thermal stability did not exhibit consistent patterns with increasing frequency.
Comparison of cord blood alarin levels of full-term infants according to birth weight
Authors: Buyukeren Melek , Ozcan Beyza , Can Ummugulsum , Kenar Aytac , Kececi Ramazan , Bayman Melike Geyik , Gunenc Oguzhan
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To compare the cord blood alarin levels of infants in different birth weight groups with those of infants born to mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who were not subgrouped according to birth weight.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted between September 2023 and January 2024. Healthy term babies whose families agreed to participate in the study were divided into four groups according to their birth weight (small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA)) and whether their mothers had GDM.

Results

There was a significant difference between the cord blood alarin levels of the AGA and SGA groups (p=0.014). There was also a significant difference between the cord blood alarin levels of the AGA and GDM groups (p=0.012). However, the cord blood alarin levels of the LGA group (whose mothers did not have GDM) were similar to those of the AGA group (p=0.394).

Conclusions

We found evidence that alarin levels in umbilical cord blood are associated with low birth weight and GDM.
Thermally tunable add-drop filter based on valley photonic crystals for optical communications
Authors: Sun Lu , Li Xingfeng , Hu Pan , Wang Hongwei , Zhang Yong , Tang Guojing , He Xintao , Dong Jianwen , Su Yikai
Published: October 2024

Valley photonic crystals (VPCs) provide an intriguing approach to suppress backscattering losses and enable robust transport of light against sharp bends, which could be utilized to realize low-loss and small-footprint devices for on-chip optical communications. However, there are few studies on how to achieve power-efficient tunable devices based on VPCs, which are essential for implementing basic functions such as optical switching and routing. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a thermally tunable add-drop filter (ADF) based on VPCs operating at telecommunication wavelengths. By leveraging the topological protection of the edge state and the distinct property of negligible scattering at sharp bends, a small footprint of 17.4 × 28.2 μm2 and a low insertion loss of 2.7 dB can be achieved for the proposed device. A diamond-shaped microloop resonator is designed to confine the light and enhance its interaction with the thermal field generated by the microheater, leading to a relatively low power of 23.97 mW needed for switching the output signal from one port to the other. Based on the thermally tunable ADF under the protection of band topology, robust data transmission is implemented with an ultrahigh data rate of 132 Gb/s. Our work shows great potential for developing high-performance topological photonic devices with the thermally tunable silicon-based VPCs, which offers unprecedented opportunities for realizing topologically protected and reconfigurable high-speed datalinks on a chip.
Comparative Analysis of Human Rights Provisions in the EU Migration Agreement
Authors: Chemelil Pamela
Published: October 2024

The loss of thousands of migrants’ lives at the European borders has raised questions about the European Union’s (EU) commitment to its role as a promoter of human rights. The EU’s management of migration through bilateral agreements has demonstrated challenges in adequately protecting the rights and dignity of migrants and asylum seekers. Human rights principles should be universal to all individuals regardless of their migration status ensuring their freedom and dignity. This paper argues for the adoption of a human rights-oriented approach in such agreements comparing the implications and dimensions of human rights in these agreements on Türkiye and Northern African countries, notably Morocco and Libya offering insights across different regions. This paper will examine the human rights implications of these agreements considering the continued increase in migration flows to the EU and the efforts to manage them. Furthermore, it evaluates the mechanisms to address human rights within the migration agreements as well as their interaction with international laws and EU policies. By looking at the human rights challenges in these agreements, the paper contributes to the ongoing debates on migration policies prioritizing human rights in EU decision-making in future migration agreements.
Étude comparée du sentiment d’efficacité personnelle, du stress et de la satisfaction au travail entre les personnes enseignantes détenant ou non le brevet en enseignement
Authors: Beaudoin Manon , Granger Nancy , Lessard Anne
Published: October 2024

Le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle et le stress déterminent la satisfaction au travail. Ces constats ont été bien documentés pour les personnes ayant le brevet d’enseignement, mais ils le sont moins pour celles qui ne le détiennent pas encore, de plus en plus nombreuses dans les écoles. Cette étude par questionnaire a comparé le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle, le stress et la satisfaction au travail de personnes détenant un brevet (n=144) ou non (n=369). Les analyses par test t montrent des différences significatives entre ces groupes : les personnes ayant leur brevet ont un plus grand sentiment d’efficacité, mais rapportent vivre plus de stress et moins de satisfaction au travail. Seules certaines sous-échelles du sentiment d’efficacité et de stress prédisent la satisfaction au travail.
La protesta social y la educación en derechos humanos: estudiantes en movimiento
Authors: Franco Bautista Karen Maricel
Published: October 2024

This article is part of a research process focused on teaching social protest in high schools, addressing the protests that took place in Colombia between 2019 and 2021, from the perspective of human rights education (HRE). The paper underscores the importance of this education to enable diverse relationships within academia, demonstrating the challenges of positioning this education in school and university spaces, as well as the ongoing tensions between theory, practice, and political training in schools. With this understanding, the research seeks to answer, among other questions, what happened to schools during the protests and how social mobilization impacted educational communities. To provide an answer, we employed a qualitative research approach, which facilitated the gathering of empirical data describing common and problematic moments through a multiple case study conducted in schools in Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín. The analysis of outcomes highlights the need to recognize how the social protests in Colombia between 2019 and 2021, also known as social outbursts, were, or were not, integrated into school and university contexts. This need is linked to the importance of HRE, citizen training, and the commitment to social transformation, understanding the fundamental role played by the young people, and how they either brought the classrooms to the streets or vice versa, as students mobilized for the defense and promotion of human rights. This demonstrates the necessity of incorporating human rights into primary, secondary, and higher education.
Plan de Formación Ciudadana: experiencias en educación a ocho años de su implementación en Chile
Authors: Gatica Mardones Víctor Eugenio
Published: October 2024

This work aims to present various educational experiences implemented within the Citizen Training Plan in schools in Los Angeles, Chile. The plan aims to promote citizen participation in Chile’s political, social, and cultural life, as well as to promote values such as tolerance, solidarity, equality, and respect for human rights. To achieve this goal, each school and high school must integrate into their educational practices activities and situations that allow for comprehensive learning and are oriented to the formation of
citizens. The methodology for this paper involves a documentary analysis of the implementation of initiatives in the educational institutions of Los Angeles, Chile, from 2016 to 2023. The study seeks to define what the Citizen Training Plan is, analyze significant documented actions, and reflect on the outcomes and limitations of implementing these initiatives.
Pedro Juan Laviesca de la Torre, un arquitecto itinerante en la España del siglo XVIII
Authors: Gil Saura Yolanda
Published: October 2024

El presente artículo pretende recorrer la biografía del hasta ahora casi desconocido arquitecto Pedro Juan Laviesca de la Torre, activo entre 1716 y 1749. Partiendo de su trabajo en Castellón, intentamos reconstruir los años de su formación en Valencia en el seno de una familia de canteros y su traslado a Sevilla de la mano del intendente Rodrigo Caballero, ciudad en la que iba a asumir los cargos de Maestro Mayor de Obras de la Ciudad, Maestro de las Antiguas Fábricas de Tabaco y Arquitecto Diocesano. Este recorrido nos permitirá conocer varias trazas inéditas del maestro y su nutrida biblioteca.
El convento de la Trinidad de Cuéllar y su ciclo pictórico
Authors: Collar de Cáceres Fernando
Published: October 2024

El convento de la Trinidad de Cuéllar (Segovia) fue trasladado en 1554 junto a las puertas de la villa, pasando a ocupar la vieja ermita de San Blas, que no tardó en ser renovada con una capilla mayor gótica, patronato de las hermanas Ana y Francisca de Bazán. Hacia 1595 la capilla fue dotada de un nuevo retablo, debido a Pedro de Bolduque en el que intervino el pintor Gabriel de Cárdenas, probable autor del complejo ciclo iconográfico trinitario pintado en la plementería de la bóveda, cuyo significado, contenido y unidad es objeto de este artículo.
Retrato de Estado y propaganda política: Carlos II (en el tercer de su muerte)
Authors: Rodríguez G. de Ceballos Alfonso
Published: October 2024

Aunque su reinado no resultase precisamente modélico, paradójicamente Carlos II fue uno de los monarcas más frecuentemente retratados de la Casa de Austria. Los retratos de su madre, Mariana de Austria, durante la regencia, y los del propio rey en su infancia y primera juventud hasta la mayoría de edad, adquirieron un marcado tono de propaganda política que, en parte, explica su multiplicación. Otros más tardíos, también numerosos, se estudian en este trabajo en relación rigurosa con acontecimientos religiosos, personales, históricos y militares que señalaron otras etapas de su gobierno personal.
1960: Arte español en Nueva York: Un modelo de promoción institucional de la vanguardia
Authors: Díaz Sánchez Julián
Published: October 2024

La exposición New Spanish Painting and Sculpture, celebrada en 1960 en Nueva York, e itinerante por Estados Unidos, fue un importante hito en la promoción internacional del arte español durante el franquismo. Promovida por el MOMA de Nueva York, contó con la colaboración activa de las autoridades españolas, que mostraron un gran interés en ella y la leyeron como un éxito diplomático de un régimen que, un año antes, había recibido la visita del Presidente de los Estados Unidos. El trabajo analiza algunos avatares de la organización de dicha muestra y aporta, como apéndices, el texto del catálogo de la exposición y un escrito de Vicente Aguilera Cemi, con el mismo destino, que no llegó a publicarse.