bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global structure of positive and sign-changing periodic solutions for the equations with Minkowski-curvature operator
Authors: Ma Ruyun , Zhao Zhongzi , Su Xiaoxiao
Published: March 2024

We show the existence of unbounded connected components of 2π-periodic positive solutions for the equations with one-dimensional Minkowski-curvature operator

−

u

′

1
−

u

′
2

′

=
λ
a

(

x

)

f

(

u
,

u

′

)

,

x
∈
R
,

$-{\left(\frac{{u}^{\prime }}{\sqrt{1-{u}^{\prime 2}}}\right)}^{\prime }=\lambda a\left(x\right)f\left(u,{u}^{\prime }\right), x\in \mathbb{R},$

where λ > 0 is a parameter,

a
∈
C

(

R
,
R

)

$a\in C\left(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R}\right)$

is a 2π-periodic sign-changing function with

∫

0

2
π

a

(

x

)

d
x
<
0

${\int }_{0}^{2\pi }a\left(x\right)\mathrm{d}x{< }0$

,

f
∈
C

(

R
×
R
,
R

)

$f\in C\left(\mathbb{R}{\times}\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R}\right)$

satisfies a generalized regular-oscillation condition. Moreover, for the special case that f does not contain derivative term, we also investigate the global structure of 2π-periodic odd/even sign-changing solutions set under some parity conditions. The proof of our main results are based upon bifurcation techniques.
Curriculum design in teaching Chinese characters to American students: when and what?
Authors: Zhang Shenglan
Published: March 2024

Chinese characters have been the most challenging aspect of the language to American learners. Whether or not and how to teach Chinese characters to beginner learners have been debated since the 1930s. Nowadays, the ubiquitous presence of computers and tablets has complicated how Chinese characters should be integrated in the curriculum. It is important to systematically review what scholars have proposed regarding curriculum design for teaching characters in the United States. In this systematic review study, an exhaustive search through the past nine decades of scholarship on teaching Chinese characters identified 16 peer-reviewed journal articles published since 1937 that focused on teaching Chinese characters at the level of course design and overall curriculum design for a Chinese program. Two themes regarding character teaching – when and what to teach – were identified. Each theme was analyzed in detail, and a tentative model was proposed based on that analysis.
探究影響漢語雙及物構式語句產出之要素
Authors: 蕭惠貞  , 詹士微  , 魏吟玲
Published: March 2024

提 要

本研究旨在探討「動詞」、「義項」、「信息原則」對雙及物構式產出之影響, 並以四個漢語動詞 (「送、發、丟、分」) 為例, 透過「義項接受度評分」與「成對描述圖片」兩項實驗, 考察「漢語母語者」與「日籍學習者」產出語句的差異。研究結果顯示: 其一, 受習得順序、構式搭配與動詞類別的影響, 母語者傾向將動詞「發、丟」用於與格構式, 而動詞「送、分」則同時可用於與格、雙賓構式, 日籍學習者多產出動詞前給雙賓構式; 其二, 當動詞義項分別表示現場給予或遠程給予意義時, 母語者傾向選用不同的構式以區分兩者, 日籍學習者僅在動詞「丟」的兩個義項呈現差異; 其三, 母語者產出句式時存在一定程度的信息結構意識, 而學習者尚無; 其四, 學習者與母語者偏好使用的構式有所不同, 且多有偏誤, 顯示日籍學習者產出雙及物構式時仍受母語或習得順序的制約。
The impact of health education intervention on perceptions of menstrual cup among college going female students in peri-urban Bangalore
Authors: James Ciril , Binu Diya Mary , Regy Minitta Maria , Fathima Farah Naaz , Johnson Avita Rose , Varghese Jilshy
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To assess the impact of health educational intervention on perceptions of menstrual cup usage among female students enrolled in a degree college in Bangalore district.

Methods

An interventional study was conducted among female students studying in a degree college in peri-urban Bangalore. Universal sampling was followed and a prior face validated questionnaire was administered to the students after to assess their perceptions, followed by a health education intervention. The subjects were followed up after a period of one month, to assess the impact of health education in changing their perception towards menstrual cups.

Results

Among 83 study participants with mean age 19.5±0.95 years, post intervention we found a 42 % increase in the total awareness score and a 35 % increase in total attitude score towards menstrual cup use. There was an increase by 36.1 % (p<0.001) among participants who considered menstrual cup better than sanitary napkins. A reduction by 27.7 % (p=0.024) of reported fear of pain and discomfort while using menstrual cup was noted.

Conclusions

There was a significant improvement in the overall awareness about how to use a menstrual cup, advantages, and attitude towards the usage of menstrual cups following the health educational intervention. Health education was found to have a positive impact on perceptions of menstrual cup.
Emission and performance investigation of mango seed oil biodiesel supplied with n-pentanol and n-hexanol additives and optimization of fuel blends using modified deep neural network
Authors: Rami Reddy S. , Sarangi Saroj Kumar
Published: March 2024

In this study, the emission and performance characteristics of single-cylinder diesel engines were tested using various biodiesel blends prepared by mixing diesel with mango seed oil biodiesel (MSOB). Furthermore, the effect of n-amyl and n-hexanol alcohol additions on the performance and emission results of manufactured biodiesel blends is investigated and compared with diesel fuel. On the other hand, a hybrid deep neural network (DNN) based on the manta ray foraging optimization (MRFO) method is developed to forecast ideal biodiesel blends in order to reduce emissions from diesel engines while improving performance. The optimal brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) for this study were 32.3916 % for 75 % diesel + 20 % MSOB + 5 % n-hexanol fuel and 0.0453 kg/kWh for 75 % diesel + 20 % MSOB + 5 % n-amyl fuel, respectively. The optimal emissions from the test engine were 0.1034 % CO from 60 % diesel + 20 % MSOB + 20 % n-hexanol and 28.886 ppm HC from 75 % diesel + 20 % MSOB + 5 % n-hexanol fuel. The optimal smoke and NO
x
levels are achieved with a blend of 60 % diesel, 20 % MSOB, 5 % n-amyl, and 5 % n-hexane. Moreover, the developed DNN-MRFO achieved 0.9979, 0.9992 and 0.9975 overall regression coefficients during training, validation and testing. The root mean square error (RMSE) of DNN-MRFO also ranges from 0.019 to 0.032.
A Comparative Study of Automated Quantification in Digital Insurance
Authors: Infantino Marta
Published: March 2024

Insurance companies have always been at the forefront of developments in the processing of large volumes of data. This paper investigates in a comparative perspective the implications of the increasing reliance by insurers on automated quantification, examining developments of insurance law and technology in continental Europe, the common law (particularly the United States), and mainland China. The paper sheds light on the challenges brought by automated quantification in digital insurance, reviews the regulatory options that may address such challenges and inquires into the regulatory approaches pursued in different regions of the world. The comparative analysis of the strategies pursued will show that, when thinking about regulatory options for digital insurance, it is important to keep in mind that the shift to automated quantification, although global, raises different risks and opportunities depending on the contexts and the legal frameworks in which it takes place. The variance of contexts and legal frameworks explains why the impact of automated quantification in insurance is for the time being strong in the common law world, present but less intrusive in China, and proceeding at an even slower pace in continental Europe.
The crystal structure of N′-{5-[2-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy) acetamido]-4-hydroxy-1,6-diphenylhexan-2-yl}-3-methyl-2-(2-oxo-1,3-diazinan-1-yl)butanamide hydrate
Authors: Mokoto Tebogo M. L. , Lemmerer Andreas , Sayed Yasien , Smith Mark G.
Published: March 2024

2(C37H47N4O5·3(H2O), triclinic, P1 (no. 1), a = 11.6319(7) Å, b = 13.9452(7) Å, c = 24.1727(14) Å, α = 106.203°, β = 103.296°, γ = 90.777°, V = 3651.7(4) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0682, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1899, T = 123 K.
Health benefit of lipid composition of orange (Citrus sinensis) fruit pulp at different maturation stages
Authors: Ortutu Stella Chintua , Aremu Matthew Olaleke , Otobo Grace , Onyeije Ugomma Chibuzo
Published: March 2024

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which was adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, is ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’. To contribute in the actualization of this goal, the lipid composition of unripe (UR), about to ripe (AR), and ripe (RP) Citrus sinensis fruit pulps were evaluated using standard analytical techniques. The result showed that the same fatty acids and phospholipids were found in all the fruit pulps examined. The most abundant fatty acid in the fruit pulps was palmitoleic acid with concentration (%) of 26.48, 27.82 and 27.14 for UR, AR, and RP samples respectively. This was followed by oleic acid (25.36 %, 29.13 %, 28.66 %), palmitic acid (25.98 %, 20.14 %, 21.66 %), linoleic acid (12.30 %, 11.18 %, 11.33 %), linolenic acid (7.52 %, 8.71 %, 8.19 %), and stearic acid (1.95 %, 2.73 %, 2.72 %) for UR, AR, and RP fruit pulps respectively. The samples contain healthy saturated and unsaturated fatty acid with the concentration of unsaturated fatty acid (71.75 %, 76.92 %, 75.40 %) being prominent in UR, AR, and RP samples respectively. The most prominent phospholipids (mg/100 g) in the fruit pulps was phosphatidylethanolamine with concentrations of 5.86, 6.47, and 6.03 for AR, UR, and RP samples respectively. This was followed by phosphatidylcholine (4.02 mg/100 g, 4.52 mg/100 g, 4.22 mg/100 g), phosphatic acid (3.59 mg/100 g, 4.02 mg/100 g, 3.89 mg/100 g), diphosphatidylglycerol (3.38 mg/100 g, 3.79 mg/100 g, 3.59 mg/100 g), phosphatidylinositol (1.92 mg/100 g, 2.24 mg/100 g, 2.21 mg/100 g), phosphatidylserine (1.86 mg/100 g, 2.08 mg/100 g, 1.91 mg/100 g) and phosphatidylglycerol (1.07 mg/100 g, 1.21 mg/100 g, 1.18 mg/100 g) for UR, AR and RP fruit pulps respectively. The result revealed that Citrus sinensis is a healthy low fat food at every maturation stage and that the fatty acid and phospholipid composition increased as the fruit pulp ripened.
In silico studies on the anti-acne potential of Garcinia mangostana xanthones and benzophenones
Authors: Blicharska Natalia , Ben Ahmed Ziyad , Jackson Simon , Rotondo Dino , Seidel Veronique
Published: March 2024

Garcinia mangostana fruits are used traditionally for inflammatory skin conditions, including acne. In this study, an in silico approach was employed to predict the interactions of G. mangostana xanthones and benzophenones with three proteins involved in the pathogenicity of acne, namely the human JNK1, Cutibacterium acnes KAS III and exo-β-1,4-mannosidase. Molecular docking analysis was performed using Autodock Vina. The highest docking scores and size-independent ligand efficiency values towards JNK1, C. acnes KAS III and exo-β-1,4-mannosidase were obtained for garcinoxanthone T, gentisein/2,4,6,3′,5′-pentahydroxybenzophenone and mangostanaxanthone VI, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the potential of xanthones and benzophenones to interact with C. acnes KAS III. Molecular dynamics simulations using GROMACS indicated that the JNK1-garcinoxanthone T complex had the highest stability of all ligand–protein complexes, with a high number of hydrogen bonds predicted to form between this ligand and its target. Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM) analysis was also conducted to determine pharmacophore sites and predict the molecular properties of ligands influencing ADMET. All ligands, except for mangostanaxanthone VI, showed good membrane permeability. Garcinoxanthone T, gentisein and 2,4,6,3′,5′-pentahydroxybenzophenone were identified as the most promising compounds to explore further, including in experimental studies, for their anti-acne potential.
In vitro and in silico antiproliferative potential of isolated flavonoids constitutes from Pistacia integerrima
Authors: Rauf Abdur , Rashid Umer , Akram Zuneera , Ghafoor Momina , Muhammad Naveed , Al Masoud Najla , Alomar Taghrid S. , Naz Saima , Iriti Marcello
Published: March 2024

Cancer is one of the most demanding domains for innovative, effective, safe, and affordable therapeutically active chemicals. The main aim of this study is to research new phytochemicals with anticancer activity. The current experiment identified and analyzed six compounds for anti-cancer potential supported by molecular simulation studies. The defatted methanolic extract underwent column chromatography, resulting in the isolation of six flavonoids. These include 3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-flavanone (1), naringenin (2), 3,5,4′-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavanone (3), sakuranetin (4), spinacetin (5), and patuletin (6). The isolated compounds (1–6) were assessed for in vitro anti-cancer activity against various cell lines such as HepG2 (hepatoma G2), A498 (kidney), NCI-H226 (lungs), and MDR2780AD (human ovarian). The maximum antiproliferative effect was against HepG2 and MDR2780AD. When compounds 6, 5, and 1 were compared to a standard anti-cancer medicine (paclitaxel) with an IC50 of 7.32, it was shown that compounds 6, 5, and 1 exhibited significant activity against HepG2 with IC50 values of 14.65, 20.87, and 27.09 µM, respectively. All tested compounds showed an IC50 of less than 1 µM and had notable effects against MDR2780 AD cell lines. Compound 6 exhibited notable potency against the HepG2, A498, and MDR2780AD cell lines, among the six compounds that were evaluated. In contrast, compound 3 demonstrated the most pronounced impact on the NCI-H226 cell line. Docking investigations were performed using tubulin as the specific target concerning PDB ID 4O2B. The six compounds under investigation interact hydrophobically and hydrophilically with tubulin-binding site amino acid residues.
Integrating Machine Learning for Improved Prediction of Temperature and Moisture in Pavement Granular Layers
Authors: Huang Yunyan , Molavi Nojumi Mohamad , Hashemian Leila , Bayat Alireza
Published: March 2024

Pavement temperature and moisture content within the base and subgrade layers affect the load-bearing capacity of the pavement and dominate the pavement performance in cold regions. Accurately predicting pavement temperature and moisture content can improve pavement design and management. Conventional approaches, including numerical and statistical models, have been implemented to predict pavement temperature and soil moisture content. However, they have weaknesses, such as being only suitable for warm regions or only for predicting pavement temperature within the asphalt layer. Furthermore, none of them can simultaneously predict the pavement temperature and moisture content. To address this issue, data collected from an instrumented test road in Alberta, Canada, were used to train a model to predict the daily average pavement temperature and moisture content at various depths through three parameters, namely depth, day of the year, and air temperature. The MATLAB toolbox, Neural Net Fitting, was used, and the performance of three built-in algorithms, Levenberg–Marquardt, Bayesian regularization, and Scaled conjugate gradient backpropagation, was compared. The model with Bayesian regularization showed the highest accuracy, with an R2 value of 0.99 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.49°C for pavement temperature prediction, and an R2 value of 0.95 and an RMSE of 0.025 m3/m3 for moisture content prediction. The model developed in this research is the first to simultaneously estimate pavement temperature and moisture content, so its performance was separately compared with two existing models in the literature. The artificial neural network (ANN) model shows higher accuracy than the two existing models, so it was found that the ANN could be a robust method for pavement temperature and moisture content prediction at various depths.
Was It Just a Dream? Aging and Dreaming the Psychoanalytic Process
Authors: Larmo Anneli
Published: March 2024

By revisiting the last years of a long psychoanalytic treatment of a female patient, a psychoanalyst reflects on her own development as a clinician and on the changes in her experience of psychoanalytic generativity. An increasing ability to understand patient's shifts between creativity and destructiveness brings about a different understanding of the process of mourning, while the shared aging of the analytic dyad highlights the difficulty of ending an analysis that has become a way of life.
Prevalence of Plaque Induced Gingivitis Among Dental Students in College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University.
Authors:   Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University., Mahmood Zainab Salim , Ahmed Qehraman Ismayil , Saifullah Ahmed Luqman
Published: March 2024

Background and objective: Gingival inflammation in response to bacterial plaque accumulation is considered the key risk factor for the onset of periodontitis. Dental students should present to patients as good role models in their oral health behavior. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of plaque-induced gingivitis among dental students in Hawler Medical University, College of Dentistry. Method: The study enrolled 120 (65 male, 55 female) dental students from different years of study including both clinical and preclinical years. Intra-oral clinical parameters including (plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding on probing) were recorded to evaluate the students’ periodontal health status. Result: The participants showed that the majority of students had fair plaque scores, and significant differences in clinical periodontal parameters between different years of study (P ˂ 0.05). Significant differences were found in regard to bleeding on probing between males and females. All cases of severe gingivitis recorded were males which counted 5.8%, of total cases. Conclusion: Preclinical dental students exhibited slightly higher (plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing) mean scores than clinical students, and more than half of the participants presented with gingivitis, regardless of its severity. Keywords: Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, oral health.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Infection Control Among Dental Students at College of Dentistry - Hawler Medical University.
Authors:   Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University., Samad Abduljaleel Azad , Ahmed Jodal M. , Izzat Karin Zaki , Abdulqadir Saya Saman , Muhammed Marwa Qadir , Bakir Muzhda Ayub
Published: March 2024

Background: Infections acquired in healthcare facilities have become an increasingly challenging issue worldwide. The prevention of infectious diseases is a critical issue since healthcare workers develop acquired infections while providing services to patients. However, infection prevention and control are challenging, especially in healthcare facilities. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of cross-infection control among dental students at the College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University. Material and Method: A survey was conducted to obtain information regarding knowledge, attitude, and practice with recommended infection control guidelines. The questionnaire contained three parts (knowledge, attitude, and practice) and was distributed to the participants. Result: Total number of participants was 135, (73) were 5th-year dental students, and (62) 4th year, the mean age of participants was (20-23) years, 96 % had correct knowledge about infection control, 93 % had a correct practice, but unfortunately 48 % had low attitude. Conclusions: The majority of dental students had good knowledge and correct practice, but less about their attitude in infection control. Therefore, regular training that contains educational programs should be supported to maintain the highest level of attitude. Keywords: Infection control, Cross infection, Dental students, Practice, Knowledge, Attitude.
Diode Laser Frenectomy (Clinical documentation): Case Report.
Authors:   Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University., Alhaidary Darya , Othman Noor , Hadi Rayan , Ayad Elaf
Published: March 2024

Introduction: As an alternative to conventional dental procedures, laser surgery has grown in favor recently. Among other laser types, diode lasers have attracted significant interest in the field of oral soft tissue surgery. Case Reports: The oral surgery department received referrals for three patients. Following a thorough review of each patient's medical history and oral examination, the following oral diagnosis and treatment plans were developed: (1) A 75-year-old female with a poor denture fit needing vestibuloplasty and frenectomy; (2) A 43-year-old female with anterior midline diastema; (3) A female in her twenties with ankyloglossia. Diode laser surgery at a wavelength of 940 nm, in continuous mode, was the recommended course of treatment for all patients. Conclusion: In light of the versatility of the 940 nm diode laser in oral soft tissue procedures and the benefits of laser surgery, this study recommends using the 940 nm diode laser in this context. Keywords: diode laser; oral soft tissue; surgery; frenectomy; vestibuloplasty; ankyloglossia.
A Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate the Prevalence and Severity of Gingivitis among High School Students in Erbil City-Iraq.
Authors:   Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq., Othman Dildar Abdullah , Muhi Rawand Mohammed , Nafie Nadeen Nazar , Farman Manar Nadhum
Published: March 2024

Background and objective: There is an increase in the gingival inflammation without an associated increase in plaque level during puberty. This study aimed to find out the extensiveness and severity of gingivitis among high school students and its relation with the socioeconomic status in different areas of Erbil city. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 300 students from both genders aged between (12-17) years old were selected from different areas of Erbil city consisting of 7 high schools. The data were collected with the aid of a questionnaire by direct interview. The gingival health condition was assessed using gingival index by Löe and Silness. Results: The number of participants in public schools was (66%) of the total and private schools (34%). Regarding tooth brushing, most of the students in public schools brushed once daily (44%), while in private schools they mostly brushed twice daily (41.7%). The moderate severity of gingivitis was the highest among students in general (85.3%). The percentage of dental visits in private schools was higher than that of students in public schools (28.78%). Gingival index for public schools was (1.62) and in private schools (1.43). In general, males show a higher Gingival Index compared to females. Conclusion: The high prevalence of gingivitis shows us there’s a need for educational programs to improve the awareness and attitude towards better oral hygiene practices and the students belonging to lower socioeconomic were more affected by gingivitis. In conclusion, gingival disease was slightly more prevalent in public schools than in private schools. Keywords: Gingival index, pubertal gingivitis, tooth brushing frequency, oral hygiene practice.
Violencia filio-parental y estilos de crianza en estudiantes y progenitores de Guayaquil-Ecuador.
Authors: Mieles Zambrano Sophia , Aveiga Macay Vicenta Inmaculada Ramona
Published: March 2024

Por medio de la utilización de un diseño correlacional con un enfoque transversal y metodología cuantitativa, se evidencio una prevalencia significativa en la violencia psicológica, que es perpetrada en mayor medida hacia el padre por ambos géneros, que figuran bajo un estilo de crianza autoritario, en cuanto a la violencia económica, el nivel de violencia es accionada hacia ambos progenitores, por ello, se denota la existencia de una correlación significativa entre las variables determinadas: la violencia filio-parental y los estilos de crianza que se promueven en los hogares de la población encuestada. Por lo cual, el objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la relación entre la violencia filio-parental y estilos de crianza que presentan las y los estudiantes hacia sus progenitores de la unidad educativa Sergio Núñez Santamaría de la ciudad de Guayaquil, periodo junio-julio de 2023.
Profesionales del Trabajo Social y resiliencia comunitaria: ejemplos en el ámbito rural con baja densidad poblacional
Authors: López Carlassare Ana Laura , Palma García María de las Olas
Published: March 2024

El objetivo del trabajo es conocer la percepción de los y las profesionales del Trabajo Social sobre su labor en zonas rurales despobladas o en riesgo, relacionándola con la resiliencia comunitaria. Tras la realización de grupos de discusión, se efectuó un análisis de contenido-descriptivo de las respuestas de 28 profesionales del Trabajo Social que realizan sus funciones en estas zonas o con interés particular por ellas. Les preocupa la despoblación rural y ocupar adecuadamente su rol de incidencia política al respecto. Manifiestan realizar intervenciones que favorecen la resiliencia comunitaria en estas zonas, pero no identificarlas como tales en el ejercicio cotidiano. Expresan necesitar formación e información específica sobre el contexto y el enfoque resiliente. Valoran los pilares de la resiliencia comunitaria como apropiados para el desarrollo de capacidades en estas zonas. Plantean abrir canales de comunicación de calidad en los municipios, crear espacios seguros para la participación de las personas residentes y las de localidades vecinas, apostando por reunirles en torno a intereses comunes. Consideran importante contar con los recursos endógenos y el capital social, con la intención de potenciarlos. Confían en la participación, la cohesión y la construcción de lazos sociales. El impulso de actividades intergeneracionales se contempla como interesante.
Producing protein
Authors: MacDonald Katie
Published: March 2024

This article claims that the pursuit of protein specifically, not meat in general, is woven into the very fabric of industrial hog farming and the devalued animals at its centre. Further, this piece forces a critical lens and reclassification of the value of protein sourced from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), using Goodman, Sorj and Wilkinson’s (1987) concepts of substitutionism and appropriationism as a framework to unpack how hog production in Canada is structured on producing protein for mass consumption. Lastly, this article categorically extends the work of Goodman et al., (1987) to argue that hogs are not only industrialized within a capitalist food system, but now hog flesh is able to supplant or be used interchangeably with other forms of protein – a sort of proteinaceous substitutionism: the creation of generic, atomized, protein inputs. Commodity hogs are so valueless, the animal now exists to be a source of cheap protein.
Beef, Beans, or Byproducts?
Authors: Speakman Kelsey
Published: March 2024

Flexitarianism was one of the top food trends of the summer in 2020. Characterizing reductions in meat eating as representative of the reflections on personal and societal health that were taking place at the time, Canada’s largest food retailer, Loblaw situated the company’s expanded plant-based offerings as a response to a “new us” that was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores the protein pathways that Loblaw opens and closes by promoting “flexitarian choices for our changing lifestyles”. Focussing on reduced beef consumption as a target of flexitarian intervention, I situate flexitarianism in relation to calls for a “protein transition”, which would address the risks the dominant beef industry poses to animal, human, and planetary wellbeing. Drawing from a larger case study on beef shopping at Loblaw supermarkets, I consider the extent to which the version of flexitarianism on display at Loblaw supermarkets might support the status quo in the dominant beef industry. As a flexible framework, flexitarianism holds potential to respond contextually to the needs of varying food networks in Canada. As a defined consumer demographic, however, flexitarianism is poised to reroute this flexibility away from diverse food systems toward adaptable investments, which would insulate financial portfolios from the risks of intensive animal agriculture without requiring meaningful changes within those industries.
with ChatGPT
Authors: Szanto David
Published: March 2024

For this Choux Questionnaire, we turned to ChatGPT, the generative AI chatbot. Given the challenges and opportunities that AI presents to academic practice, teaching, and writing, we thought it might be intriguing to use these responses as a means to interpret ChatGPT’s ‘perspectives’ on food through our own. Both the process and outcomes of conducting the questionnaire provided occasions to reflect on the underlying technology, its sources of ‘knowledge’, and its apparent biases. In reading the bot’s words below, a fairly distinct character profile might emerge, as well as a kind of positionality that seems connected to both no place and every place at once. Beyond social and physical geographies, a set of privileges also tends to emerge, one that points to a lack of actual, lived experience. Where are the preferences, quirks, and affect that non-artificial intelligence comprises? Where are the outlier and emotional responses that would make one want to share food or ideas with this being? From your perspective as food scholar, practitioner, eater, or activist, what else do you extrapolate from ChatGPT’s ‘voice’?
Introducing meat studies
Authors: Phillips Ryan J. , Abergel Elisabeth
Published: March 2024

A growing, though still loosely connected, body of academic work has started placing meat at the centre of critical discourses regarding climate change and environmental sustainability, human health, economic wellbeing, food futures, and animal and ecological ethics. This special themed issue seeks to bring these multi-disciplinary scholars into direct conversation with one another under the umbrella of ‘Meat Studies’ as an emerging sub-field of study. Indeed, the recent establishment of Vegan Studies (see: Wright, 2015 and 2017) necessitates a parallel effort to better understand meat’s persistent social, economic, political, and cultural status in human societies. By situating meat at the centre of critical analysis, we identify, articulate, and address the challenges that meat poses in the twenty-first century. More generally, Meat Studies allows us to critically re-examine our cultural conventions regarding the ways in which we classify different foods, diets, identities, and culinary practices.
Association between Allergic Rhinitis and Osteoarthritis in the Korean Adult Population-Based on the 3rd to 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: KIM Sunmi
Published: March 2024

Background: Recent studies reported a significant association between asthma and osteoarthritis, but the relationship between allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis has not been studied sufficiently. This study aimed to determine the association between allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis in adults.Methods: Using data from the 3rd to 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis with adjustment for potential confounding factors in participants aged 50 years or older.Results: When adjusted for potential confounders, doctor-diagnosed osteoarthritis (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.32, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=1.12–1.57, P=0.001), knee pain (adjusted OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.32–4.41, P=0.004), and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (adjusted OR=2.69, 95% CI=1.10–6.57, P=0.030) were all significantly more frequent in participants with allergic rhinitis than in those without it.Conclusions: These findings show an evident association between allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis in Korean adults.
Determination of the dynamics and development trends of geosystems
Authors: Ismayilov Mirnuh J. , Zamanov Fuad Z.
Published: March 2024

In the research, the optimization of natural and anthropogenic landscapes on the northeastern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus is investigated in order to achieve sustainable development. The research is oriented towards three main directions of landscape planning: ecological balance, continuous management of natural processes, and preservation of natural components through protected areas. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) was used to study the dynamics of changes in natural landscape characteristics. The comparative analysis of Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 images demonstrates a strong correlation between landscape changes and the structural and functional characteristics of the region’s agrolandscapes. Although the terrain and favorable climate of the area create suitable conditions for the development of agriculture, significant transformations in NDVI occur due to seasonal changes. Human activities, especially agriculture, have an impact on the increase in the area of non-vegetated lands. Seasonal comparisons highlight the necessity of considering ecological aspects in planning land use on the northeastern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus to ensure sustainable landscape management and environmental conservation. In the researched area, there are existing problems such as desertification, soil degradation, and deforestation. Natural and ecological conditions are assessed by considering the differentiation of the relief, anthropogenic activities, and compliance with ecological principles. Based on this evaluation, modern landscapes are classified into groups according to their ecological stress levels. Protected areas, including Goygol National Park, play a crucial role in preserving the ecological integrity and biodiversity. Research in the direction of landscape optimization and planning aims to enhance natural biodiversity and the ecological potential of the region. The research emphasizes the necessity of eliminating intensive anthropogenic impacts in various areas that negatively affect natural landscapes. Landscape optimization and planning are highly important to ensure ecological balance and sustainable development. During the research, the analysis of theoretical issues related to geographic forecasting, proposed with the purpose of effective implementation of landscape planning, has shown that the principles and methods of forecasting in the research area should be based on the structural-dynamic characteristics of natural and anthropogenic landscapes. Implementing landscape planning measures emphasizes the understanding of landscape changes and contributes to environmental conservation and the importance of sustainable development.
The geoecological analysis of Lake Tuchne (Volyn Polissia) and assessment of sapropel reserves in it
Authors: Martyniuk Vitalii O. , Kovalchuk Ivan P. , Zubkovych Ivan V. , Pavlovska Tetiana С. , Sukhodolska Iryna L.
Published: March 2024

The administrative-territorial reform in Ukraine, which began in 2015, opened up prospects for newly created territorial communities to determine the resource potential of local territories under control and develop strategies for balanced nature use and their progressive development. The lakes, which have a significant potential for sapropel resources, take an important place in the Polissia region of Ukraine. Given the above, there is a need for a comprehensive study of specific lakes and justification of recommendations for the rational use and protection of their water and sapropel resources. The object of our research is Lake Tuchne, Volyn Polissia. The catchment area of Lake Tuchne is 10.05 km2, and the reservoir itself is 0.39 km2. A bathymetric model of the lake was built with a depth interval of 0.5 m. The vegetation index (NDVI) for the reservoir over the past five years has been varying from -0.53 (12/02/2021) to +0.48 (07/15/2021). The research presents a stratigraphic section of the reservoir sediments. The area of accumulated sapropel is 20.5 hectares, the average thickness is 4.46 m, and the maximum is 10.0 m. The ash content of sapropel varies within 17.5-37.5% (on dry substance). The content of Fe2O3 in the core ranges from 2.53% to 7.26%. The distribution of CaO compounds in the samples ranges from 2.09 to 8.12%. The CO2 content varies from 1.97 to 9.72%. The concentration of Р2О5 in sapropel samples is 0.19-0.53%. The distribution of S in sapropel deposits ranges from 0.23 to 1.09%. The pH (salt extract) distribution in the core samples varies from moderately alkaline (7.63) to close to neutral – 5.97. A digital landscape map of the lake was constructed with the selection of the littoral and sublittoral-profundal aqua sub-areas and five types of aquafacies. A landscape-metric analysis of the natural and aquatic complex of the lake was carried out. The potential of water resources of Tuchne lake is 827.0 thousand m3. Sapropel reserves of category A are 914,000 m3, and based on a conditional 60.0% humidity, they are 155,000 tons. The species composition of sapropel is represented by zoogenic, organo-ferrous, and organo-limestone species. The total stock of sapropel in the lake basin is 52.5% of its volume. The reservoir is promising for extracting sapropel due to its quality characteristics and hydro-technical prerequisites for operation. Mined sapropel can be used in agriculture, medicine, recreation, etc. Implementing this task will improve the geoecological state of the lake and the quality of its water resources.
The Concept of Processing, Analysis and Visualization of Geophysical Data Based on Elements of Tensor Calculus
Authors: Vorobeva Gulnara , Vorobev Andrei , Orlov Gleb
Published: March 2024

One of the main approaches to processing, analysis and visualization of geophysical data is the use of geographic information systems and technologies, which is due to their geospatial reference. At the same time, the complexity of presenting geophysical data is associated with their complex structure, which involves many components that have the same geospatial reference. Vivid examples of data of such a structure and format are gravitational and geomagnetic fields, which in the general case are specified by three and four-component vectors with multidirectional coordinate axes. At the same time, today there are no solutions that allow visualizing these data in a complex without decomposing them into individual scalar values, which, in turn, can be presented in the form of one or many spatial layers. In this regard, the work proposes a concept that uses elements of tensor calculus for processing, storing and visualizing information of this format. In particular, a mechanism for tensor representation of field components has been formalized with the possibility of combining it with other data of the same format, on the one hand, and convolution when combined with data of a lower rank. Using the example of a hybrid relational-hierarchical data model, a mechanism for storing information on tensor fields is proposed, which provides for the possibility of describing and subsequently applying transformation instructions when transitioning between different coordinate systems. The paper discusses the use of this approach in the transition from the Cartesian to the spherical coordinate system when representing the parameters of the geomagnetic field. For complex visualization of tensor field parameters, an approach based on the use of tensor glyphs is proposed. The latter are superellipses with axes corresponding to the rank of the tensor. In this case, the attribute values themselves are proposed to be visualized relative to the corresponding axes of the graphic primitive in such a way that the data distribution can be specified by varying the gradient of the corresponding monochrome representation of the parameter along the corresponding axis. The performance of the proposed concept was investigated during a comparative analysis of the tensor approach with known solutions based on the scalar decomposition of the corresponding complex values with their subsequent representation in the form of one or many spatial layers. The analysis showed that the use of the proposed approach will significantly increase the visibility of the generated geospatial image without the need for complex overlapping of spatial layers.
“We are the Turkestan Rothschilds”: Jewish Firms and Trading Houses in the Turkestan General-Government
Authors: Alimdzhanov Bakhtiyor
Published: March 2024

The entrepreneurial activity of the Jews flourished in the Turkestan region after the conquest of the territory of Kokand and part of the Bukhara khanates by the Russian Empire. Starting from the 1870s, Jews who had long lived on the territory of the Bukhara Emirate began to move to the Samarkand and Fergana valleys. The main actors in the economy of Turkestan were the “national” groups of merchants who controlled the entire economic life of the region. On the eve of the conquest of the Turkestan region by Russian troops, Bukharan Jews and the so-called “Sartian” merchants played a significant role in international and domestic trade in the Khanates. In fact, the entire international trade of the khanates was in the hands of intermediaries – Bukharan Jews. With the arrival of the Russians in the region, they stepped up their activities in the newly created Turkestan and tried to take all the threads of the economy into their own hands. The main emphasis is on the activities of Jewish firms and trading houses and their role in the Central Asian economy. For the first time, archival documents are introduced into academic circulation, covering the trading operations of Jewish firms and trading houses in Russian Turkestan. The article also attempts to prove that the adoption of restrictive laws did not affect the successful development of the substantial Bukharan-Jewish capital in the Turkestan region. Based on archival documents, the author demonstrates that the imperial authorities, institutions, and structures actively interacted with substantial Jewish capital in the imperial periphery.
Shear wave elastography for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Akramova E. G. , Kapustina E. P.
Published: March 2024

Aim. To evaluate the potential of shear wave elastography to determine the duration of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, the effectiveness of direct anticoagulation and patient management strategy.

Material and methods. Duplex lower extremity vein scanning, supplemented by shear wave elastography with determination of the average, minimum and maximum Young's modulus, was performed in 98 patients with acute, subacute and chronic thrombosis of the iliac and femoral veins on days 1, 3 and 6 of hospitalization. Based on the coefficient of determination (R2) of the median Young's modulus of a venous thrombus at different stages of thrombosis, the significance of its changes was assessed. Diagnostic information content of Young's modulus was calculated by comparing with the histological data of 17 blood clots removed during surgery.

Results. As the age of both iliac and femoral vein thrombus increased, the median of the maximum, average and minimum Young's modulus at all stages of thrombosis steadily increased (R2=0,99). The median of the average Young's modulus at the acute stage was determined to be <17 kPa; at the subacute stage — in the range of 17-32 kPa and chronic — >32 kPa. According to shear wave elastography, in patients with acute and subacute stages of thrombosis, by the 6th day of anticoagulant therapy, the thrombus stiffness increased (R2=0,91-0,96), while in the chronic thrombosis group only a tendency to decrease was observed. The diagnostic information value of studying a thrombus using shear wave elastography relative to its histological examination turned out to be sufficient for use in clinical practice. In acute femoral vein thrombosis, the indication for radical treatment was the average Young's modulus ≤8,1 kPa, the minimum Young's modulus ≤1,7 kPa (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values varied in the range of 64,3-88,9%); in subacute — ≤23,0 kPa and ≤11,3 kPa, respectively (55,6-100%).

Conclusion. The results indicate that the diagnostic information value of shear wave elastography indicators is sufficient to determine the stage of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in clinical practice.
Parameters of complete blood count and coronary lesions in predicting inhospital mortality in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Geltser B. I. , Shahgeldyan K. I. , Domzhalov I. G. , Kuksin N. S. , Kotelnikov V. N.
Published: March 2024

Aim. To evaluate the predictive potential of complete blood count (CBC) and coronary involvement parameters for predicting inhospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Material and methods. This single-center cohort retrospective study was conducted using data from 4677 electronic medical records of patients with STEMI (3203 men and 1474 women). Two groups of people were identified: group 1 — 318 (6,8%) patients who died in hospital; group 2 — 4359 (93,2%) patients with a favorable outcome. The degree of influence of predictors on the end point was determined by the Shapley method.

Results. The best quality metrics had a model with structure included, in addition to 7 CBC factors, indicators of three-vessel coronary involvement, left coronary artery remodeling and coronary perfusion after PCI with the TIMI score <2 (AUC — 0,845, sensitivity — 0,78, specificity — 0,786) . The greatest contribution to the implementation of the end point was associated with the level of hemoglobin, white blood cells, immune-inflammatory index and neutrophils >75,4%. Coronary artery parameters had a less noticeable effect on inhospital mortality, and the minimal effect was plateletcrit >0,22%, lymphocytes <13,3% and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Conclusion. This multivariate logistic regression model based on a combination of CBC indicators and indicators characterizing the coronary system has high predictive accuracy, which determines the prospects for its further use as one of the available risk assessment tools in clinical practice.