bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Féminités scandaleuses : Delphine de Germaine de Staël et Le Deuxième sexe de Simone de Beauvoir
Authors: Genand Stéphanie
Published: July 2023

Quel est le lien entre l’hystérisation et l’utérus ? Pourquoi la question féminine déchaîne-t-elle toujours des résistances et des passions qui paralysent le débat ? Deux ouvrages en témoignent : Delphine de Germaine de Staël (1802) et Le Deuxième sexe de Simone de Beauvoir (1949). Leur réception hostile, ajoutée au fait que les autrices soient des femmes et que leurs textes mettent en lumière le problème moral et social de la liberté féminine (divorce, sexualité) déclenche le ressentiment. Staël et Beauvoir sont-elles même encore des femmes pour se détacher ainsi de leur condition ?
Cormenin et l’hystérisation de la joute parlementaire sous la monarchie de Juillet
Authors: Saintes Laetitia
Published: July 2023

Sous la monarchie de Juillet, le débat parlementaire se démarque par la violence verbale parfois inouïe des échanges que Louis de Cormenin, député et pamphlétaire, décrit dans son Livre des orateurs (1836). Face à cette hystérisation du débat parlementaire, Cormenin prône-t-il la modération ? Revendique-t-il plutôt un débat laissant latitude à la violence verbale contre l’immobilisme de la politique ministérielle ? Ou prône-t-il une voie médiane ? C’est ce que cette contribution s’emploie à déterminer à la lumière du Livre des orateurs et des Lettres sur la liste civile.
L’affaire Dreyfus, laboratoire de l’infox
Authors: Pagès Alain
Published: July 2023

Cet article analyse le mécanisme des fake news (ou de l’infox) en prenant l’exemple des polémiques de l’affaire Dreyfus. Après avoir rappelé certaines des légendes qui ont occupé les médias, il montre le rôle joué par les porte-parole du camp nationaliste dans l’élaboration de fausses informations visant à soutenir la thèse de la culpabilité d’Alfred Dreyfus. Les lecteurs des journaux ont accepté ces constructions imaginaires, tandis que l’intervention de Zola a plaidé en faveur d’une distance critique en dénonçant le « virus de l’information à outrance ».
ESG-focused hedge fund activism
Authors: Dilek Derwis
Published: July 2023

Investment funds are increasingly focusing on ESG issues, seeking to contribute to improving environmental, social, and governance concerns. ESG-focused investing involves promoting good ESG performance and may result in a decrease in expected financial returns. This may lead to a conflict between solely profit-focused shareholders and ESG-focused investors, who may respond accordingly. As such, a firm's ESG commitment may trigger several events that can affect the stock price. A firm's ESG commitment may increase its stock price; however, the end of such commitment may also positively affect the stock price. Hedge funds may consider this in their activism which may reshape the way hedge funds target firms and influence their actions accordingly.
Strategi Wakil Kepala Sekolah Bidang Kesiswaan dalam Menanamkan Nilai-nilai Kedisiplinan Siswa MTs DDI Ujung Lero
Authors: Hardiani Hardiani
Published: July 2023

A discipline is an act of obeying every rule that exists in the school. With discipline makes students more orderly and organized in carrying out their lives. Students also understand that discipline is very important for their future because it can build a strong student personality and be expected to be helpful for all parties. This study aims to find out how the strategy of the vice principal in the field of student affairs is in instilling student discipline values and to find out the supporting and inhibiting factors and their solutions in instilling student discipline values. This research was conducted from April-June 2021 at MTs DDI Ujung Lero, Suppa District, Pinrang Regency. The type of research used was qualitative research using observation, interview, documentation, and technical data analysis techniques. In this study, the informants taken were the Principal, Deputy Principal for Student Affairs, one homeroom teacher, two subject teachers, two parents, and two students. The findings of this study show that the vice principal's strategy for student affairs in instilling disciplinary values for students of MTs DDI Ujung Lero, Suppa District, Pinrang Regency is maximal enough than the supporting factors for the vice principal of student affairs to cooperate with each other in disciplining existing students. The inhibiting factor is that some students often come late to school and don't wear uniforms according to the schedule or days determined by the school. The solution to the inhibiting factor is that the vice-principal for student affairs is more assertive in giving warnings of sanctions/punishments by the existing rules to make students more disciplined.
Analisis Penerapan Deret Ukur dalam Perhitungan Laju Pertumbuhan Penduduk Terhadap Tingkat Kemiskinan
Authors: Salsabila Syahnaz , Sri Agustin Ade , Kirana Wijayanti Shinta , Kustiawati Dedek
Published: July 2023

This study aims to analyze the application of a series of measures in calculating the rate of population growth to the poverty rate. The measuring series in the economy is a model of population growth. Population growth is a change in the number of inhabitants in a population that occurs over a certain period.  Judging from data from BPS (Central Statistics Agency) regarding the population growth rate in 2015-2022, there are similar differences. BPS also stated that Indonesia's population growth rate in 2020-2025 was 0.9%. In research conducted using the literature study method which is one type of qualitative research which uses references derived from books, scientific articles such as journals, proceedings that are in accordance with the topic to be discussed. The purpose of applying the measuring series in the calculation of the population growth rate to the poverty rate is to predict the number of inhabitants in 2023-2025 and its effect on the poverty rate. An increasing population will result in a large gap between the population, low quality and ability of the population, causing an increase in the level of poverty.
Tingkat Kreativitas Siswa dalam Memecahkan Masalah Matematika Divergen Ditinjau dari Gaya Belajar Siswa
Authors: Hardiani Hardiani
Published: July 2023

The aims of this research is to describe the level of Junior High School students’ creativity in solving divergent mathematical problem viewed from the students’ learning style. This study was qualitative descriptive reasearch. The subject of this research was 9 students from the ninth grade of MTs DDI Ujung Lero consisting of 4 students had visual learning style, 3 students had auditorial learning style, and 2 students had kinesthetic learning style. The researcher used purposive sampling and snowball method to select the subject. In collecting data, the researcher used grouping test in learning style, problem solving test of divergent mathematics, and interview. To techniques of data analysis in this research were as follows: (1) reducing data, (2) present of data in narrative text, (3) to conclude the level of students’ creativity at each learning style. The validity of data used time triangulation. Based on the research result, there are two findings as follows: main findings and other findings. The main findings shows that (1) the students with visual and auditorial learning styles can eligible to indicators of creativity, fluently and flexibility, so that those students have the third level of creativity (creative) in solving divergent mathematical problem, (2) while, the students with kinesthetic learning style can eligible to indicators of creativity, namely fluently. So that those students have the first level of creativity (less creative) in solving divergent mathematical problem. Then, the other findings data shows that (1) there are two students with visual learning style are identified having the second level (quite creative) and the forth level (very creative) of creativity in solving divergent mathematical problem, (2) while there is one student with auditorial learning style is identified not creative (level 0). Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the students’ learning styles affect to students’ creativity, so that the teacher should know and understand students’ learning style in order to determine the best method of learning process. It is because each learning style affects to students’ different responses in getting the information.
Media Framing of Refugees
Authors: Iberi Daniel , Saddam Raudhat
Published: July 2023

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The resulting conflict has led to approximately 14,059 civilian casualties of which roughly 5,767 people have died and a further 8,292 got injured as of October 2022. Seven million people are internally displaced. Europe, as of October 2022, was faced with the largest and fastest refugee movement since the end of the Second World War. Five million Ukrainians have been forced to seek asylum in the neighboring states, the majority of whom have fled to Poland. In this context, this study focuses on media framing of Ukraine and African refugees destined for Europe in international media: Al Jazeera English, ABC News, CBS News, France 24, TRT World, BBC News, Sky News, CNN, and DW. The media were selected because of their wide coverage, reach, as well as time dedicated to reporting on the issues of immigrants and refugees. The authors took a constructivist approach in which Framing and Agenda Setting theories provided a framework for identifying and explicating frames. Two dominant frames emerged in the analysis of 23 video clips that covered Ukrainian and African refugees: the human interest and the security frames. The human-interest frame is commonly used in news and it essentially serves the purpose of portraying the emotional angle to the presentation of an issue. The Ukrainian refugee crisis contrasted with the African refugee crisis through the human-interest frame, the former was portrayed as victims of the barbaric acts by Russia led by a merciless tyrant with imperialist and expansionist objectives. The second frame – the Security Frame – applied mostly to African refugees fleeing to Europe. The selected media outlets covered African refugees fleeing to Europe especially through Spain, Turkey, Greece, Hungary, and Italy through the security lens compared to the Ukrainian refugees.
A review of: „Conflict and Peace in Western Sahara: The Role of the UN's Peacekeeping Mission (MINURSO) edited by János Besenyő, R. Joseph Huddleston, and Yahia H. Zoubir
Authors: Schneider Richárd
Published: July 2023

No abstract is given as this text is a book review.
Políticas publicas en educación y el acceso al internet de los estudiantes de derecho de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos 2021
Authors:   , Espinoza Chinchay De Sánchez Jennifer Fiorella , Zuñiga Alvarado Rosanna Ysabel
Published: July 2023

El presente estudio hace referencia a Los nuevos derechos de acceso a la información por medio del internet en favor de los postulantes a la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos y en consecuencia de cualquier estudiante; por lo cual se han planteado políticas públicas en educación con la finalidad de mejorar los conocimientos promedios y en consecuencia tener universitarios más preparados y competentes. Para lograr tener profesionales es importante que la educación desde el comienzo de su preparación sea óptima y que las instituciones del estado muestren interés en que los estudiantes tengan una mejor educación; tienen que demostrarlo de forma programática con nuevas legislaciones, y que forma parte de la agenda gubernamental y sea considerado una política nacional de implementar el acceso al internet a la población para garantizar su calidad como futuros profesionales. A su vez, para efectos de esta investigación se procedió a elegir la variable: Políticas Públicas en Educación Superior; y establecer en función a ella la influencia sobre el acceso a Internet en los estudiantes de Derecho de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos – 2021; generando objetivos a alcanzarse en función a dichas variables, además de las consecuentes hipótesis surgidas como respuesta ante la pregunta planteada en forma de problema: ¿De qué manera, las Políticas Públicas en Educación Universitaria prevén el acceso al internet en los estudiantes de Derecho de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos matriculados en el Primer Semestre 2021?
Régimen Mype Triburario y la formalización de la pequeña empresa en Ica-período 2019-2020
Authors:   , Diaz Zapata Sara Cristina
Published: July 2023

La investigación titulada: “REGIMEN MYPE TRIBUTARIO Y LA FORMALIZACION DE LA PEQUEÑA EMPRESA ICA-PERU, PERIODO 2019-2020”. nace por la observación de la investigadora y la revisión teórica de la formalización de la pequeña empresa, así mismo al régimen mype del departamento de Ica 2019-hayar en ello los mecanismos suficientes para la formalización de la pequeña empresa, y para ello se genera la siguiente pregunta ¿El régimen Mype Tributario ha promovido la formalización tributaria en Ica-Perú durante el período 2019- 2020? Existe una realidad problemática en la que cerca del 70% de la economía nacional es informal que permanece a pesar de haberse implementado regímenes tributarios simplificados y de promoción de la formalización, como es el caso de la micro y pequeña empresa. Es por ello que la presente investigación se justifica para poder hallar una posible solución. Ello evidencia la importancia de promover a las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas. Y el régimen Mype Tributario constituye una importante herramienta para dicho propósito Sobre los resultados y conclusiones se ha determinado que si existe una relación significativa entre el régimen mype tributario y la formalización de la pequeña empresa.
Los Mecanismos de Aprendizaje que se Activan por los Videojuegos
Authors: Martínez Terán Javier Antonio
Published: July 2023

Cuando los jugadores se enfrentan a retos y problemas en los videojuegos, se activan diversos mecanismos de aprendizaje que les permiten desarrollar habilidades importantes, como la toma de decisiones, el pensamiento crítico y la resolución de problemas. En primer lugar, la toma de decisiones es un proceso fundamental en muchos videojuegos, ya que los jugadores deben evaluar constantemente diferentes opciones y elegir la que consideren más adecuada para lograr sus objetivos. Al hacerlo, aprenden a analizar información, considerar diferentes perspectivas y sopesar los pros y contras de cada opción. En segundo lugar, el pensamiento crítico también se activa en los jugadores cuando se enfrentan a retos y problemas en los videojuegos. Esto implica evaluar la información disponible, identificar patrones y relaciones, y desarrollar hipótesis sobre la solución del problema. El pensamiento crítico también se relaciona con la capacidad de los jugadores para analizar los errores cometidos y ajustar su enfoque en consecuencia. Por último, la resolución de problemas es una habilidad clave que se desarrolla al enfrentar retos y problemas en los videojuegos. Es por ello que los videojuegos pueden proporcionar un entorno de aprendizaje en el que los jugadores pueden practicar y desarrollar habilidades importantes, como la toma de decisiones, el pensamiento crítico y la resolución de problemas, a través de la exploración y enfrentamiento de retos y problemas en el juego. Estas habilidades pueden transferirse al mundo real y pueden ser valiosas para el éxito en la educación, la carrera profesional y la vida cotidiana.
Development of 2% w/w sodium fluoride oral gels for prevention of dental caries in patients with xerostomia
Authors: Chidchonnee Kosolpatanadurong  , Chirasak Kusonwiriyawong
Published: July 2023

For prevention of dental caries in xerostomic patients, 2% w/w sodium fluoride oral gel is frequently prescribed; however, the product has not been officially approved for clinical use in Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to develop 2% w/w sodium fluoride oral gels dispensed specifically to patients in Rajavithi Hospital. Both single and combined gel bases were prepared from different gelling agents, including gelatin, xanthan gum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and Carbopol 940P. They were subsequently characterized according to their physicochemical properties, i.e., clarity, spreadability, pH values, and apparent viscosity. All the gel bases were clear viscous liquids of good spreadability, except the xanthan gum gel bases, which were slightly cloudy. The pH values indicate that the gelatin, xanthan gum, and Carbopol 940P gel bases were acidic, while the cellulose gel bases were neutral. The apparent viscosity ranged from 3 to 11.5 x 105 cPs, depending mainly on type and concentration of the gelling agents. After preparation, the gel bases were then incorporated with 1 M pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution to the final concentration of 5% w/w. Macroscopic characteristics of the buffered gel bases were generally unchanged, except for the apparent viscosity, which decreased slightly. Sodium fluoride was subsequently added to the selected buffered gel bases. The resulting sodium fluoride gels were neutral and transparent viscous liquids of good spreadability and exhibited good stability against the heating-cooling cycle and accelerated testing. Thus, it is conceivable that 2% w/w sodium fluoride oral gels with acceptable physicochemical characteristics and excellent stability were successfully developed.
Opuntia plants nutritive and medicinal value: a review
Authors: Domenico Prisa
Published: July 2023

The scientific name Opuntia identifies a succulent plant native to Mexico. It is now widespread in the United States, South America and the Mediterranean basin, where it has found a suitable terrain for naturalization. It is a species of cactus popularly known as Nopal in Mexico and “Fico d’India” in Italy. Cladodes, the branched leaves of the plant, are paddle shaped and covered in short spines that enable it to absorb even the tiniest drop of water. A specific and well known type of Opuntia, called Opuntia ficus-indica, can be recognized by its typical yellow flowers and is appreciated for its fleshy fruit with a pleasant taste, rich in nutrients but low in calories. It is used as a foodstuff and in particular to produce juices, jellies and other edible products. The O. ficus-indica is also well known as a source of vitamins, especially vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus and in smaller quantities of other minerals and various essential nutrients, including antioxidants. The cladodes are the part of the plant from which the extract is used to aid weight control and as a cosmetic ingredient with an emollient and soothing action. The spongy tissues of the cladodes contain high concentrations of high molecular weight polysaccharides, which are relevant for the specific properties commonly attributed to this common succulent plant. This review presents several medicinal benefits, which can be obtained using cladodes, fruits and flowers of the different Opuntia species.
Assessing Mothers’ Perception of Maternal Health Services in Rural Areas of Yatta, Hebron: A Pilot Study from Palestine
Authors: Jazzar Dr. Mohannad
Published: July 2023

Access to high-quality care during pregnancy and childbirth is a challenge for women living in Al-Masafer of Yatta and Bedouin areas, considered C areas under Israeli administrative & security supremacy. Realizing clients' perception and satisfaction with the quality of maternal healthcare services will enable maternal health decision-makers & providers to assess the impact of their services on the clients' demands and perceptions. This study aims to measure women's perception of maternal health services provided in Al- Masafer of Yatta and Bedouin areas. A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study of 59 women, selected purposefully from Al-Masafer of Yatta and the Bedouin areas, was conducted in September 2021. The mean age of the respondents was 28 years, with a range of 23-34 years old. After investigating their Perception of Maternal Health Services in Al-Masafer of Yatta, the mean of their answers was as the following: provided services: 2.87 was moderate, the professional treatment: 2.80 was moderate, degree of obstacles facing women in access to reproductive health services: 3.50 was moderate, and health promotion provided to women: 1.92 was low, while the total overall mean 3.01 was moderate. Despite the obstacles faced by women to reach maternal health centers, the overall level of health care provided at maternal health centers was modest in both Al-Masafer of Yatta and the Bedouin areas.
When motherhood is not enough. Challenges of children with disabilities’ personal assistants
Authors: Onițiu Atalia , Stere Diana
Published: July 2023

The present research aims to investigate the perception of the parent - personal assistant on his/her profession, but also on his/her personal life, with the aim of identifying the challenges, but also the opportunities that this status brings in the lives of the parents. Starting from the purpose of our research, two objectives were pursued, namely to identify the challenges and opportunities of the personal assistant position and to analyze the parents’ perception regarding the decision to become a personal assistant. The study was designed as a qualitative research approach, the interview method was considered the most appropriate to serve the research objectives. The research took place in a day center that offers recovery services to children with disabilities in Timișoara (Romania), the subjects of our research being exclusively mothers. The research revealed that the decision to become a personal assistant for the child with disabilities is dictated by the affection for the child and the sense of duty towards him as a parent, despite the financial well-being previously ensured by a well-paid job. What impacts the respondents’ lives is not the new job, but the confrontation with the child’s disability. If in some cases the disability was accepted relatively easily, the parents offering each other support, the level of cohesion increasing and benefiting of help from the extended family, we also identified a situation where the family fell apart. The only need claimed by the parents is that of counselling, the respondents complainings were on the difficulties they have to manage with regard to stress, fatigue and lack of free time.
Hypoxia-inducible factor promotes cysteine homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Warnhoff Kurt , Snoozy Jennifer , Breen Peter C. , Ruvkun Gary
Published: July 2023

The amino acid cysteine is critical for many aspects of life, yet excess cysteine is toxic. Therefore, animals require pathways to maintain cysteine homeostasis. In mammals, high cysteine activates cysteine dioxygenase, a key enzyme in cysteine catabolism. The mechanism by which cysteine dioxygenase is regulated remains largely unknown. We discovered that
C. elegans
cysteine dioxygenase (
cdo-1
) is transcriptionally activated by high cysteine and the hypoxia inducible transcription factor (
hif-1
).
hif-1-
dependent activation of
cdo-1
occurs downstream of an H
2
S-sensing pathway that includes
rhy-1, cysl-1
, and
egl-9. cdo-1
transcription is primarily activated in the hypodermis where it is sufficient to drive sulfur amino acid metabolism. EGL-9 and HIF-1 are core members of the cellular hypoxia response. However, we demonstrate that the mechanism of HIF-1-mediated induction of
cdo-1
functions largely independent of EGL-9 prolyl hydroxylation and the von Hippel-Lindau E3 ubiquitin ligase; classical hypoxia signaling pathway components. We propose that the intersection of
hif-1
and
cdo-1
reveals a negative feedback loop for maintaining cysteine homeostasis. High cysteine stimulates the production of an H
2
S signal. H
2
S then activates the
rhy-1/cysl-1/egl-9
signaling pathway, increasing HIF-1-mediated transcription of
cdo-1
, promoting degradation of cysteine via CDO-1.
An agent-based secure privacy-preserving decentralized protocol for sharing and managing digital health passport information during crises
Authors: Sarhan Akram Y.
Published: July 2023

The aim of this article is to identify a range of changes and challenges that present-day technologies often present to contemporary societies, particularly in the context of smart city logistics, especially during crises. For example, the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as life losses, economic damages, and privacy and security violations, demonstrate the extent to which the existing designs and deployments of technological means are inadequate. The article proposes a privacy-preserving, decentralized, secure protocol to safeguard individual boundaries and supply governments and public health organizations with cost-effective information, particularly regarding vaccination. The contribution of this article is threefold: (i) conducting a systematic review of most of the privacy-preserving apps and their protocols created during pandemics, and we found that most apps pose security and privacy violations. (ii) Proposing an agent-based, decentralized private set intersection (PSI) protocol for securely sharing individual digital personal and health passport information. The proposed scheme is called secure mobile digital passport agent (SMDPA). (iii) Providing a simulation measurement of the proposed protocol to assess performance. The performance result proves that SMDPA is a practical solution and better than the proposed active data bundles using secure multi-party computation (ADB-SMC), as the average CPU load for SMDPA is approximately 775 milliseconds (ms) compared to about 900 ms for ADB-SMC.
Effect of Trichocapsules and Different Organic Manures on Yield and Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Winter Dawn
Authors: Reddy V. Visweswar , Joseph Annjoe V. , Mishra Saket , Bahadur Vijay , Prasad V. M.
Published: July 2023

Aim and Study: The garden strawberry is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus Fragaria, collectively known as the strawberries, which are cultivated worldwide for their fruit. The fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red colour, juicy texture, and sweetness. It is consumed in large quantities, either fresh or in such prepared foods as jam, juice, pies, ice cream, milkshakes, and chocolates. The present investigation was done to understand the plant growth, fruit yield and quality of strawberry using different combinations of treatment using organic, inorganics and bio-fertilizers.

Methodology: The experiment was carried out at Horticultural Research Farm (HRF), Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj during the Winter season of 2022 with a view to identify the effects of different combinations of organics, inorganics and biofertilizers nutrition and its role in growth, yield and quality of fruit of strawberry Cultivar Winter drawn. The experiment was laid in Randomized block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications with different combination in Trichocapsules (Trichodex) and application of organic nutrition.

Results and Conclusion: The study showed positive responses of strawberry Cv. Winter Dawn to application of Trichocapsules in enhancing the vegetative growth, yield, quality of fruits and showed a better resistance to disease incidence. Based on growth, yield, quality parameters Treatment T6 (Vermicompost + Trichocapsules @ 400ppm) was found best in this research experiment.
Xylazine-Involved Fatal and Nonfatal Drug Overdoses in Tennessee From 2019 to 2022
Authors: Korona-Bailey Jessica , Onyango Edward , Hall Kristi Frances , Jayasundara Joshua , Mukhopadhyay Sutapa
Published: July 2023

This cross-sectional study examines the characteristics of overdoses and the potential association between drug seizures and fatal overdoses.
Patterns in Food Insecurity During Pregnancy, 2004 to 2020
Authors: Hinkle Stefanie N. , Dolin Cara D. , Keddem Shimrit , Kinsey Eliza W.
Published: July 2023

This survey study assesses patterns in food insecurity during pregnancy among individuals in 14 US states participating in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System from 2004 to 2020.
Comparison of Suicide Rates Among US Veteran and Nonveteran Populations
Authors: Morral Andrew R. , Schell Terry L. , Smart Rosanna
Published: July 2023

This quality improvement study uses data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to compare the relative risk of suicide among US veteran and nonveteran populations.
Policy implementation in crisis: Lessons from the Philippines
Authors: Zech Steven T. , Eastin Joshua , Bonotti Matteo
Published: July 2023

Like many countries, the Philippines faced severe economic, social, and political challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In March 2020 President Duterte issued an executive order announcing a national state of emergency that introduced a highly restrictive system for community quarantine and lockdown. While these measures led international observers to rank the Philippinesʼ pandemic response among the worldʼs most stringent, it is unclear whether subsequent health outcomes were sufficient to justify the severity. In this article, we evaluate discrepancies between COVID‐19 policy goals and outcomes in the Philippines via a compelling but under‐utilized method of democratic deliberation, the ‘mini‐public’. The mini‐public that we held brought together a random sample of citizens who heard testimony from local public health experts and political leaders, and then used this information in conjunction with their own experiences to identify policy shortcomings and develop recommendations for policymakers. The most substantial challenges to the governmentʼs pandemic response were reported to be inadequate enforcement and under‐resourcing of government officials tasked with policy implementation. These challenges created a disconnect between policy objectives and their performance in practice. We conclude by summarizing the mini‐public participantsʼ recommendations.
Application of econometrics in energy research—Empowerment from big data and machine learning
Authors: Chen Yiyan , Lean Hooi Hooi
Published: July 2023

This article expounds on the challenges of sustainable global energy development to conventional econometrics in energy research. It introduces energy big data's “4V” characteristics, that is, volume, variety, velocity, and veracity. Further, the article presents a series of challenges the “4V” feature brings to conventional econometrics research on energy issues. Then, by reviewing the existing literature, the article proposes the improvement and promotion of conventional econometrics in the three directions of data exploration and variable generation, prediction, and causal inference of machine learning in big data. Finally, the article concludes that the discipline of econometrics will never go out of fashion. Although big data and machine learning will increasingly challenge the conventional econometrics research paradigm, econometrics will be reborn in the way of “phoenix nirvana”.

This article is categorized under:

Emerging Technologies > Digitalization
Computed Tomography Perfusion for the Diagnosis of Brain Death: A Technical Review
Authors: Aziz Rizk Abanoub , Farhani Nahal , Shankar Jai
Published: July 2023

Timely diagnosis of brain death (BD) is critical as it prevents unethical and futile continuation of support of vital organ functions when the patient has passed. Furthermore, it helps with avoiding the unnecessary use of resources and provides early opportunity for precious organ donation. The diagnosis of BD is mainly based on careful neurological assessment of patients with an established underlying diagnosis of neurological catastrophe capable of causing BD.

Ancillary testing, however, is tremendously helpful in situations when the presence of confounders prevents or delays comprehensive neurological assessment. Traditionally, four-vessel digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography have been used for blood flow (BF) examinations of the brain. The lack of BF in the intracranial arteries constitutes conclusive evidence that the brain is dead. However, there is an apparent discrepancy between the BF and sufficient cerebral perfusion; several studies have shown that in 15% of patients with confirmed clinical diagnosis of BD, BF is still preserved. In these patients, cerebral perfusion is significantly impaired. Hence, measurement of cerebral perfusion rather than BF will provide a more precise assessment of the brain function.

In this review article, we discuss a brief history of BD, our understanding of its complex pathophysiology, current Canadian guidelines for the clinical diagnosis of BD, and the ancillary tests-specifically CT perfusion of the brain that help us with the prompt and timely diagnosis of BD.
Correction, uncertainty, and anchoring effects
Authors: Lee Chang-Yuan , Morewedge Carey K.
Published: July 2023

We compare the predictions of two important proposals made by De Neys to findings in the anchoring effect literature. Evidence for an anchoring-and-adjustment heuristic supports his proposal that system 1 and system 2 are non-exclusive. The relationship between psychophysical noise and anchoring effects, however, challenges his proposal that epistemic uncertainty determines the involvement of system 2 corrective processes in judgment.
Murnaghan–Nakayama Rule and Spin Bitrace for the Hecke–Clifford Algebra
Authors: Jing Naihuan , Liu Ning
Published: July 2023

A Pfaffian-type Murnaghan–Nakayama rule is derived for the Hecke–Clifford algebra $\mathcal{H}^{c}_{n}$ based on the Frobenius formula and vertex operators, and this leads to a combinatorial version via the tableaux realization of Schur’s $Q$-functions. As a consequence, a general formula for the irreducible characters $\zeta ^{\lambda }_{\mu }(q)$ using partition-valued functions is derived. Meanwhile, an iterative formula on the indexing partition $\lambda $ via the Pieri rule is also deduced. As applications, some compact formulae of the irreducible characters are given for special partitions and a symmetric property of the irreducible character is found. We also introduce the spin bitrace as the analogue of the bitrace for the Hecke algebra and derive its general combinatorial formula. Tables of irreducible characters are listed for $n\leq 7.$
Gβγ subunit signalling underlies neuropeptide Y‐stimulated vasoconstriction in rat mesenteric and coronary arteries
Authors: Lin JinHeng , Scullion Lauren , Garland Christopher J. , Dora Kim
Published: July 2023

Background and Purpose

Raised serum concentrations of the sympathetic co‐transmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY) are linked to cardiovascular diseases. However, the signalling mechanism for vascular smooth muscle (VSM) constriction to NPY is poorly understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the mechanisms of NPY‐induced vasoconstriction in rat small mesenteric (RMA) and coronary (RCA) arteries.

Experimental Approach

Third‐order mesenteric or intra‐septal arteries from male Wistar rats were assessed in wire myographs for isometric tension, VSM membrane potential and VSM intracellular Ca2+ events.

Key Results

NPY stimulated concentration‐dependent vasoconstriction in both RMA and RCA, which was augmented by blocking NO synthase or endothelial denudation in RMA. NPY‐mediated vasoconstriction was blocked by the selective Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO 3304 and Y1 receptor protein expression was detected in both the VSM and endothelial cells in RMA and RCA. The selective Gβγ subunit inhibitor gallein and the PLC inhibitor U‐73122 attenuated NPY‐induced vasoconstriction. Signalling via the Gβγ–PLC pathway stimulated VSM Ca2+ waves and whole‐field synchronised Ca2+ flashes in RMA and increased the frequency of Ca2+ flashes in myogenically active RCA. Furthermore, in RMA, the Gβγ pathway linked NPY to VSM depolarization and generation of action potential‐like spikes associated with intense vasoconstriction. This depolarization activated L‐type voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels, as nifedipine abolished NPY‐mediated vasoconstriction.

Conclusions and Implications

These data suggest that the Gβγ subunit, which dissociates upon Y1 receptor activation, initiates VSM membrane depolarization and Ca2+ mobilisation to cause vasoconstriction. This model may help explain the development of microvascular vasospasm during raised sympathetic nerve activity.
Synthetic Data as a Strategy to Resolve Data Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns in the Sport Sciences: Practical Examples and an R Shiny Application
Authors: Naughton Mitchell , Weaving Dan , Scott Tannath , Compton Heidi
Published: July 2023

Purpose: There has been a proliferation in technologies in the sport performance environment that collect increasingly larger quantities of athlete data. These data have the potential to be personal, sensitive, and revealing and raise privacy and confidentiality concerns. A solution may be the use of synthetic data, which mimic the properties of the original data. The aim of this study was to provide examples of synthetic data generation to demonstrate its practical use and to deploy a freely available web-based R Shiny application to generate synthetic data. Methods: Openly available data from 2 previously published studies were obtained, representing typical data sets of (1) field- and gym-based team-sport external and internal load during a preseason period (n = 28) and (2) performance and subjective changes from before to after the posttraining intervention (n = 22). Synthetic data were generated using the synthpop package in R Studio software, and comparisons between the original and synthetic data sets were made through Welch t tests and the distributional similarity standardized propensity mean squared error statistic. Results: There were no significant differences between the original and more synthetic data sets across all variables examined in both data sets (P > .05). Further, there was distributional similarity (ie, low standardized propensity mean squared error) between the original observed and synthetic data sets. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential use of synthetic data as a practical solution to privacy and confidentiality issues. Synthetic data can unlock previously inaccessible data sets for exploratory analysis and facilitate multiteam or multicenter collaborations. Interested sport scientists, practitioners, and researchers should consider utilizing the shiny web application (SYNTHETIC DATA—available at https://assetlab.shinyapps.io/SyntheticData/).
Effectiveness of Carbon Localization for Invasive Breast Cancer: An Institutional Experience
Authors: El-Helou Etienne , Eddy Christine , Picchia Simona , Van de Merckt Carine , Radermeker Magali , Moreau Michel , De Neubourg Filip , Larsimont Denis , Veys Isabelle , Pop C. Florin
Published: July 2023

Introduction. The final oncological and aesthetic results of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) are influenced by the precise localization of breast cancer (BC) tumors and by the quality of the intraoperative margin assessment technique. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the carbon localization (CL) technique by determining the success rate of BC identification and the proportion of adequate complete resection of BC lesions. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study of patients treated with primary BCS for invasive BC who underwent CL of their BC lesion at the Jules Bordet Institute between January 2015 and December 2017. Descriptive statistics with categorical and continuous variables were used. The success rate of tumor identification and the rate of adequate excision were calculated using the test of percentages for independent dichotomous data. Results. This study included 542 patients with 564 nonpalpable BC lesions. The median pathological tumor size was 12 mm. Of these, 460 were invasive ductal carcinomas. Most of the tumors were of the luminal subtype. CL was performed using ultrasound guidance in 98.5% of cases. The median delay between CL and surgery was 5 days, with 46% of the patients having CL one day before surgery. The lumpectomy weighed 38 g on average, with a median diameter of the surgical sample at 6 cm and a median volume of 44 cm3 (6–369). One-stage complete resection was successfully performed in 93.4% of cases. In 36% of cases, an intraoperative re-excision was performed, based on intraoperative macroscopic pathological margin evaluation. The tumor was identified in 98.9% of cases in the breast surgical specimen. Conclusion. This study demonstrated high success rates for BC tumor identification (99%) and one-stage complete resection (93.4%) after BCS and CL. These results show that CL is an effective, simple, and inexpensive localization technique for successful excision of BC lesions during BCS.
Does the Field of Nature-Inspired Computing Contribute to Achieving Lifelike Features?
Authors: Tzanetos Alexandros
Published: July 2023

The main idea behind artificial intelligence was simple: what if we study living systems to develop new, practical computing systems that possess “lifelike” properties? And that’s exactly how evolutionary computing emerged. Researchers came up with ideas inspired by the principles of evolution to develop intelligent methods to tackle hard problems. The efficacy of these methods made researchers seek inspiration in living organisms and systems and extend the evolutionary concept to other nature-inspired ideas. In recent years, nature-inspired computing has exhibited an exponential increase in the number of algorithms that are presented each year. Authors claim that they are inspired by a behavior found in nature to come up with a lifelike algorithm. However, the mathematical background does not match the behavior in the majority of these cases. Thus the question is, do all nature-inspired algorithms remain lifelike? Also, are there any ideas included that contribute to computing? This study aims to (a) present some nature-inspired methods that contribute to achieving lifelike features of computing systems and (b) discuss if there is any need for new lifelike features.
Comparing high and low energy outcomes on day one for SmartSight myopic-astigmatism treatments with the SCHWIND ATOS: a retrospective case series
Authors: Pradhan Kishore Raj , Arba Mosquera Samuel
Published: July 2023

Background

Impact of low energy asymmetric spacings vs. high energy symmetric spacings on the immediate/early (postoperative day 1 (POD1)) outcomes of SmartSight lenticule extraction for myopic astigmatism with a new femtosecond laser system.

Methods

The first 112 eyes of 56 patients consecutively treated using low energy asymmetric spacings (Group A; Study group) were compared at POD1 to the last 112 eyes of 56 patients consecutively treated using high energy symmetric spacings (Group S; Controls). Mean age of the patients was 28 ± 5 years with a mean spherical equivalent of -4.41 ± 1.76 diopters (D) and a mean magnitude of refractive astigmatism of 0.89 ± 0.82 D.

Results

Laser Energy was -25 ± 1nJ lower for asymmetric treatments (p < .0001); Spot and Track distances were + 0.7 ± 0.1 µm larger and -0.8 ± 0.1 µm tighter for asymmetric treatments, respectively (p < .0001 for both). At POD1, astigmatism was -0.08 ± 0.02D lower for asymmetric treatments (p < .0003); uncorrected and corrected visual acuities (UDVA and CDVA, respectively) were -0.03 ± 0.01logMAR better for asymmetric treatments (p < .0007); differences between postop UDVA and preop CDVA along with change in CDVA were + 0.3 ± 0.1lines better for asymmetric treatments (p < .0003).

Conclusions

Lenticule extraction treatment using SmartSight is safe and efficacious already at POD1. Findings suggest that low energy asymmetric spacings may further improve the immediate and short-term outcomes of SmartSight lenticule extraction in the treatment of myopic astigmatism compared to conventional settings (high energy symmetric spacings).
Charting the way ahead for the early years
Authors: Osgood Helen
Published: July 2023

Overlooked, underpaid, overworked. The early years have been underfunded for years, but with its Early Years Charter, Community Union wants to change that. Helen Osgood, national officer for Education & Early Years for Community union, explains.
THE ADEQUACY OF THE MALAYSIAN NATIONAL COMMUNITY POLICY: AN ENDEAVOUR TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Authors: Bin Ridzuan Mohd Rozaimy , Noor Amira Syazwani Abd Rahman  , Norhidayah Md Yusof
Published: July 2023

The National Community Policy was formulated by the Pakatan Harapan government to mold the people to take care of their shared properties, spaces and facilities. This policy is related to the community development activities where all the community members are urged to participate in improving their standard of living. This study employs the Model of Community Development, Diffusion Theory and Theory of Social Exclusion in order to provide a general framework for this study. Although this policy offers positive impacts to the community, the issues such as the inclusiveness in the definition of  “community“, awareness of the people towards the policy and the existence of foreigners in the housing areas may curb the effectiveness of the policy. Therefore, the present study seeks to determine the room for improvements and offer several recommendations in order to strengthen the feasibility of the Malaysian National Community Policy.
Book review: 'Materials, chemicals & energy from forest biomass
Authors: Lucia Lucian A. , Hubbe Martin A.
Published: July 2023

Recently an excellent book on lignocellulosic-based biomass has been published. The book can be expected to profoundly impact research and development for sustainable science and engineering. For this reason we have decided to provide our readers with a review of this new ACS Press book entitled “Materials, Chemicals & Energy from Forest Biomass” edited by Dimitris S. Argyropoulos from NC State University. The book features unique, peer-reviewed chapters that were submitted to the American Chemical Society’s Pacifi-Chem 2005 Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. It presents a timely and focused review of research efforts encompassing work from the most pertinent derivatives of wood and related resources that include new polymers, composites, niche chemicals, and biofuels. This book will ultimately serve a number of disciplines and promises to focus the discussion of biomass for new avenues of chemicals, fuels, and materials.
Effect of biotic and abiotic pretreatments of hornbeam wood on its properties interesting from the viewpoint of pulping in alkaline media. Part 1: Physical Properties
Authors: Solár Rastislav , Mamoň Miroslav , Dibdiaková Janka , Reinprecht Ladislav , Pánek Miloš , Hudec Jozef
Published: July 2023

A series of comparable specimens of hornbeam wood were submitted to pretreatments by white-rot fungi, by alkali alone, or by alkali and oxidizing agents. The pretreatments caused weight loss of wood and modified its physical properties and chemical composition. All pretreat-ments reduced markedly axial permeability of the test specimens in the wet state (w > FSP). The chemical pretreatments of the test specimens, however, increased the rate of diffusion in the direction parallel to the grain. All pretreatments made the kinetics of wood/water interactions in the initial phase much higher, especially when white-rot fungi were used. The chemical pretreatments caused extreme swelling of wood, and on the other hand, drying of the pretreated specimens to their initial moisture content resulted in extremely deep reduction of their dimen-sions. An increased rate of wood/water interactions, high uptake of water, and higher diffusion coefficients of wood pretreated by alkali may positively influence the pulping processes.