bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiences of postpartum anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study and demographic analysis
Authors: Mamrath Simran , Greenfield Mari , Fernandez Turienzo Cristina , Fallon Victoria , Silverio Sergio A.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the reconfiguration of perinatal and maternity services, national lockdowns, and social distancing measures which affected the perinatal experiences of new and expectant parents. This study aimed to explore the occurrence of postpartum anxieties in people who gave birth during the pandemic.

Methods

An exploratory concurrent mixed-methods design was chosen to collect and analyse the quantitative and qualitative data of an online survey during the first UK lockdown. The survey included the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale–Research Short Form–for use in global Crises [PSAS-RSF-C] psychometric tool, and open-ended questions in relation to changes in birth plans and feelings about those changes and giving birth in a pandemic. Differences in measured scores were analysed for the participant’s ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability using independent Student’s t-tests, and for age, the analysis was completed using Pearson’s correlation. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were analysed using a template analysis.

Results

A total of 1,754 new and expectant parents completed the survey between 10th and 24th April 2020, and 381 eligible postnatal women completed the psychometric test. We found 52.5% of participants reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of postnatal anxiety–significantly higher than the rates usually reported. Younger women and sexual minority women were more likely to score highly on the PSAS-RSF-C than their older or heterosexual counterparts (p<0.001). Younger participants reported anxieties in the ‘infant safety and welfare’ category, whilst lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual participants scored highly in the ‘psychosocial adjustment to motherhood’ category.

Discussion

Postpartum anxiety is under-reported, and demographic differences in the rates of postpartum anxiety are under-researched. This research demonstrates for the first time a difference in postpartum anxiety rates amongst sexual minority women.
Graphene promotes the growth of Vigna angularis by regulating the nitrogen metabolism and photosynthesis
Authors: Qiao Jun , Chen Zhiwen , Zhao Jianguo , Ren Jing , Wang Hao , Zhi Caiyan , Li Jingwei , Xing Baoyan , Nie Hui
Published: March 2024

Graphene has promising applications in agriculture and forestry. In the current study, six different concentrations of graphene (0mg/L, 0.01mg/L, 0.10mg/L, 1.00mg/L, 10.00mg/L, and 100.00mg/L) were used to investigate its effect on the growth and development of V. angularis plants in soil culture. The results showed that the group treated with 1.00mg/L graphene (G-1) had significantly increased plant height (19.86%), stem diameter (24.33%), and leaf area (13.69%), compared to the control group (CK). Moreover, all concentrations of graphene had positive effects on the total root length, total root surface area, and the number of root tips of V. angularis. Compared to the CK group, the G-1 group had significantly increased leaf water potential (37.89%), leaf conductivity (2.25%), and SOD, POD, and CAT activities (47.67%, 35.22%, and 199.3%, respectively). The G-1 group also showed improved leaf net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and soluble sugar content (51.28%, 24.25%, and 38.35%, respectively), compared to the CK group. Additionally, 1.00mg/L graphene led to a 23.88% increase in the podding rate and a 17.04% increase in the yield of V. angularis plants. The rhizosphere soil of V. angularis treated with 1.00mg/L graphene had a 25.14% increase in hydrolyzable nitrogen content and a 66.67% increase in available phosphorus content. RNA-seq data indicated that 1.00mg/L graphene induced the expression of photosynthesis and nitrogen transmembrane transport genes, including ATP synthase subunit b, photosystem I reaction center subunit XI, photosystem I reaction center subunit IV A, ferredoxin, and psbP-like protein 1, as well as genes for photosynthesis antenna proteins, glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase 1, cyanate hydratase, protein fluG-like, and NRT1/PTR family, suggesting that graphene promoted the growth and development of V. angularis by enhancing the photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism processes in V. angularis plants. Our results indicated that a suitable concentration of graphene could significantly promote the growth of V. angularis plants in soil.
Control strategies for inverted pendulum: A comparative analysis of linear, nonlinear, and artificial intelligence approaches
Authors: Irfan Saqib , Zhao Liangyu , Ullah Safeer , Mehmood Adeel , Fasih Uddin Butt Muhammad
Published: March 2024

An inverted pendulum is a challenging underactuated system characterized by nonlinear behavior. Defining an effective control strategy for such a system is challenging. This paper presents an overview of the IP control system augmented by a comparative analysis of multiple control strategies. Linear techniques such as linear quadratic regulators (LQR) and progressing to nonlinear methods such as Sliding Mode Control (SMC) and back-stepping (BS), as well as artificial intelligence (AI) methods such as Fuzzy Logic Controllers (FLC) and SMC based Neural Networks (SMCNN). These strategies are studied and analyzed based on multiple parameters. Nonlinear techniques and AI-based approaches play key roles in mitigating IP nonlinearity and stabilizing its unbalanced form. The aforementioned algorithms are simulated and compared by conducting a comprehensive literature study. The results demonstrate that the SMCNN controller outperforms the LQR, SMC, FLC, and BS in terms of settling time, overshoot, and steady-state error. Furthermore, SMCNN exhibit superior performance for IP systems, albeit with a complexity trade-off compared to other techniques. This comparative analysis sheds light on the complexity involved in controlling the IP while also providing insights into the optimal performance achieved by the SMCNN controller and the potential of neural network for inverted pendulum stabilization.
Awareness regarding breast cancer amongst women in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Abdul Rehman Muhammad , Tahir Erfa , Ghulam Hussain Huzaifa , Khalid Ayesha , Taqi Syed Mohammad , Meenai Eilaf Ahmed
Published: March 2024

Background

Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common cause of cancer death in Pakistan. In 2019, Pakistan saw the highest global BCa-associated death rate. But do Pakistani women know about the various aspects of BCa? And how prevalent are BCa screening methods amongst Pakistani females? These questions formed the basis for our study.

Methods

We conducted this review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. On September 1, 2023, we searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and performed a citation search to search for eligible studies published in 2010 or after, using the following terms: “breast cancer” and “Pakistan”. Observational studies that evaluated BCa awareness and/or practice amongst Pakistani females who were not associated with medicine were eligible. We used the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool to assess the risk of bias. We conducted a proportion meta-analysis to calculate pooled prevalences for variables.

Results

Responses from 9766 Pakistani women across 18 included studies showed alarmingly low levels of BCa knowledge: risk factors, 42.7% (95% CI: 34.1%-51.4%); symptoms, 41.8% (95% CI: 26.2%-57.5%); diagnostic modalities, 36.3% (95% CI: 23.1%-49.4%); treatments, 46.6% (95% CI: 13.5%-79.8%). Prevalence of breast self-examination (BSE) and ever having undergone a clinical breast exam (CBE) was 28.7% (95% CI: 17.9%-39.6%) and 15.3% (95 CI: 11.2%-19.4%), respectively. BCa knowledge was significantly associated with better educational status, age, and socioeconomic status.

Conclusion

On average, only two in five Pakistani women are aware of one or more risk factors, symptoms, or diagnostic modalities. Approximately one in two women know about possible BCa treatment. Less than one in three women practice regular BSE, and less than one in five women have ever undergone a CBE.
Provenance and family variations in early growth of Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.) and selection of superior families
Authors: Zhang Qinhui , Chen Su , Qu Guanzheng , Yang Yuchun , Lu Zhiming , Wang Jun , Tigabu Mulualem , Liu Jifeng , Xu Lianfeng , Wang Fang
Published: March 2024

This study, conducted in China in November 2020, was aimed at exploring the variations in growth traits among different provenances and families as well as to select elite materials of Juglans mandshurica. Thus, seeds of 44 families from six J. mandshurica provenances in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces were sown in the nursery and then transplanted out in the field. At the age of 5 years, seven growth traits were assessed, and a comprehensive analysis was conducted as well as selection of provenance and families. Analysis of variance revealed statistically significant (P < 0.01) differences in seven growth traits among different provenances and families, thereby justifying the pursuit of further breeding endeavors. The genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits ranged from 5.44% (branch angle) to 21.95% (tree height) whereas the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from 13.74% (tapering) to 38.50% (branch number per node), indicating considerable variability across the traits. Further, all the studied traits except stem straightness degree, branch angle and branch number per node, showed high heritability (Tree height, ground diameter, mean crown width and tapering, over 0.7±0.073), indicating that the variation in these traits is primarily driven by genetic factors. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r > 0.8) between tree height and ground diameter (r = 0.86), tree height and mean crown width (r = 0.82), and ground diameter and mean crown width (r = 0.83). This suggests that these relationships can be employed for more precise predictions of the growth and morphological characteristics of trees, as well as the selection of superior materials. There was a strong correlation between temperature factors and growth traits. Based on the comprehensive scores in this study, Sanchazi was selected as elite provenance. Using the top-percentile selection criteria, SC1, SC8, DJC15, and DQ18 were selected as elite families. These selected families exhibit genetic gains of over 10% in tree height, ground diameter and mean crown width, signifying their significant potential in forestry for enhancing timber production and reducing production cycles, thereby contributing to sustainable forest management. In this study, the growth traits of J. mandshurica were found to exhibit stable variation, and there were correlations between these traits. The selected elite provenance and families of J. mandshurica showed faster growth, which is advantageous for the subsequent breeding and promotion of improved J. mandshurica varieties.
A decentralized approach for the aerial manipulator robust trajectory tracking
Authors: Tlatelpa-Osorio Yarai Elizabeth , Rodríguez-Cortés Hugo , Acosta J. Á.
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces a new decentralized control strategy for an unmanned aerial manipulator (UAM) constrained to the vertical plane. The control strategy comprises two loops: the first compensates for the aerial vehicle’s impact on the manipulator; and the second one implements independent controllers for the aerial vehicle and the manipulator. The controller for the aerial vehicle includes an estimator to compensate for the dynamic influence of the manipulator, even if it is affected by external wind-gust disturbances. The manipulator has two revolute joints; however, it is modeled as an dynamically equivalent manipulator, with one revolute and one prismatic joint. The proposed control strategy’s performance is evaluated using a simulator that includes the vehicle’s aerodynamics and the manipulator’s contact force and moment.
Development of a multi-wear-site, deep learning-based physical activity intensity classification algorithm using raw acceleration data
Authors: Ng Johan Y. Y. , Zhang Joni H. , Hui Stanley S. , Jiang Guanxian , Yau Fung , Cheng James , Ha Amy S.
Published: March 2024

Background

Accelerometers are widely adopted in research and consumer devices as a tool to measure physical activity. However, existing algorithms used to estimate activity intensity are wear-site-specific. Non-compliance to wear instructions may lead to misspecifications. In this study, we developed deep neural network models to classify device placement and activity intensity based on raw acceleration data. Performances of these models were evaluated by making comparisons to the ground truth and results derived from existing count-based algorithms.

Methods

54 participants (26 adults 26.9±8.7 years; 28 children, 12.1±2.3 years) completed a series of activity tasks in a laboratory with accelerometers attached to each of their hip, wrist, and chest. Their metabolic rates at rest and during activity periods were measured using the portable COSMED K5; data were then converted to metabolic equivalents, and used as the ground truth for activity intensity. Deep neutral networks using the Long Short-Term Memory approach were trained and evaluated based on raw acceleration data collected from accelerometers. Models to classify wear-site and activity intensity, respectively, were evaluated.

Results

The trained models correctly classified wear-sites and activity intensities over 90% of the time, which outperformed count-based algorithms (wear-site correctly specified: 83% to 85%; wear-site misspecified: 64% to 75%). When additional parameters of age, height and weight of participants were specified, the accuracy of some prediction models surpassed 95%.

Conclusions

Results of the study suggest that accelerometer placement could be determined prospectively, and non-wear-site-specific algorithms had satisfactory accuracies. The performances, in terms of intensity classification, of these models also exceeded typical count-based algorithms. Without being restricted to one specific wear-site, research protocols for accelerometers wear could allow more autonomy to participants, which may in turn improve their acceptance and compliance to wear protocols, and in turn more accurate results.
A first survey for herbicide resistant weeds across major maize growing areas in the North Island of New Zealand
Authors: Ngow Zachary , James Trevor K. , Harvey Ben , Buddenhagen Christopher E.
Published: March 2024

Weeds are increasingly documented with evolved resistance to herbicides globally. Three species have been reported as resistant in maize crops in New Zealand: Chenopodium album to atrazine and dicamba, Persicaria maculosa to atrazine and Digitaria sanguinalis to nicosulfuron. Despite knowledge of these cases, the distribution of these resistant biotypes is unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of known resistant weeds in major maize growing areas in New Zealand, and to pro-actively screen other species for resistance. Weed seeds of broadleaf and grass species were collected from 70 randomly selected maize growing farms in the North Island in 2021–2022. Seeds were grown and treated with herbicides at recommended field rates. Atrazine-resistant C. album were recorded in a third of surveyed farms and nicosulfuron-resistant D. sanguinalis in a sixth. Half of Waikato farms and a quarter of Bay of Plenty farms (no Hawkes Bay or Wellington farms) had atrazine-resistant C. album. Dicamba-resistant C. album were not detected, nor were atrazine-resistant P. maculosa. Nicosulfuron resistant D. sanguinalis was recorded in 19% of Waikato farms, 6% of Bay of Plenty farms and 9% of Hawkes Bay farms (no Wellington farms). Amaranthus spp., Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria spp., Solanum spp., Echinochloa crus-galli, Panicum spp. and Setaria spp. were not resistant to any of the herbicides tested. Twenty-nine to 52% of maize farms in the North Island are estimated to have herbicide resistant weeds. Resistance is common in maize farms in Waikato and western Bay of Plenty. Resistance is rare in southern regions, with only one instance of nicosulfuron-resistant D. sanguinalis and no resistant C. album. Most annual weeds in maize are not resistant to herbicides; although atrazine resistant C. album is widespread, it is currently controlled with alternative herbicides. Resistant D. sanguinalis appears to be an emerging problem.
Transcriptome analysis reveals organ-specific effects of 2-deoxyglucose treatment in healthy mice
Authors: Wells Ann E. , Wilson John J. , Heuer Sarah E. , Sears John D. , Wei Jian , Pandey Raghav , Costa Mauro W. , Kaczorowski Catherine C. , Roopenian Derry C. , Chang Chih-Hao , Carter Gregory W.
Published: March 2024

Objective

Glycolytic inhibition via 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) has potential therapeutic benefits for a range of diseases, including cancer, epilepsy, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and COVID-19, but the systemic effects of 2DG on gene function across different tissues are unclear.

Methods

This study analyzed the transcriptional profiles of nine tissues from C57BL/6J mice treated with 2DG to understand how it modulates pathways systemically. Principal component analysis (PCA), weighted gene co-network analysis (WGCNA), analysis of variance, and pathway analysis were all performed to identify modules altered by 2DG treatment.

Results

PCA revealed that samples clustered predominantly by tissue, suggesting that 2DG affects each tissue uniquely. Unsupervised clustering and WGCNA revealed six distinct tissue-specific modules significantly affected by 2DG, each with unique key pathways and genes. 2DG predominantly affected mitochondrial metabolism in the heart, while in the small intestine, it affected immunological pathways.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that 2DG has a systemic impact that varies across organs, potentially affecting multiple pathways and functions. The study provides insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of 2DG across different diseases and highlights the importance of understanding its systemic effects for future research and clinical applications.
Perceived delivery of essential yoga properties within in-person and remote weight loss maintenance interventions
Authors: Sherman Sally A. , Quinn Tyler D. , Bock Beth C. , Braun Tosca D. , Unick Jessica L.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

While previous research has utilized remote delivery of yoga interventions, no research has specifically interrogated the effectiveness of remote yoga intervention delivery. In this secondary analysis of weight-maintenance trial data, we examined participant perceptions of essential yoga properties across in-person and remote formats, hypothesizing that perceptions would not differ following remote delivery.

Methods

24 women with overweight or obesity (34.6±4.1 kg/m2, 48.2±9.9 years) received a 12-week Iyengar yoga intervention (2x/week) following a 3-month behavioral weight loss program. Of 23 participants who completed follow-up questionnaires, 12 received the planned in-person intervention and 11 received a remote intervention (delivered live) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Essential Properties of Yoga Questionnaire (EPYQ) was completed online by participants and by the instructors to measure the perceptions of the relative emphasis placed on the essential components of the yoga intervention via 14 subscales. Linear regression models were used to compare perceptions of each EPYQ dimension across in-person and remote delivery methods, as well as between participants and instructors, independent of delivery method.

Results

13 of the 14 subscales did not differ between delivery modalities (p>0.05). Participants perceived more individual attention within in-person yoga (p = 0.003). For both delivery methods, instructors perceived breathwork, restorative postures, and body locks to be incorporated to a lesser degree compared to participants (β = -1.28, p = 0.003; β = -1.57, p = 0.019; β = -1.39, p = 0.036; respectively). No other significant differences across the participant and instructor scores were observed.

Conclusions

Findings provide preliminary support for the use of live remote delivery of yoga, effectively communicating most essential yoga properties when compared to in-person classes. However, participants perceived more individual attention with in-person versus remote delivery; thus, future remote-based yoga interventions may benefit from providing additional individualized feedback.
Waning effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines against inpatient and emergency department encounters
Authors: Giannouchos Theodoros V. , Hair Nicole L. , Olatosi Bankole , Li Xiaoming
Published: March 2024

In the United States, most real-world estimates of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness are based on data drawn from large health systems or sentinel populations. More data is needed to understand how the benefits of vaccination may vary across US populations with disparate risk profiles and policy contexts. We aimed to provide estimates of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against moderate and severe outcomes of COVID-19 based on state population-level data sources. Using statewide integrated administrative and clinical data and a test-negative case-control study design, we assessed mRNA COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits among adults in South Carolina. We presented estimates of vaccine effectiveness at discrete time intervals for adults who received one, two or three doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine compared to adults who were unvaccinated. We also evaluated changes in vaccine effectiveness over time (waning) for the overall sample and in subgroups defined by age. We showed that while two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were initially highly effective, vaccine effectiveness waned as time elapsed since the second dose. Compared to protection against hospitalizations, protection against emergency department visits was found to wane more sharply. In all cases, a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine conferred significant gains in protection relative to waning protection after two doses. Further, over more than 120 days of follow-up, the data revealed relatively limited waning of vaccine effectiveness after a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Streptolysin S is required for Streptococcus pyogenes nasopharyngeal and skin infection in HLA-transgenic mice
Authors: Shannon Blake A. , Hurst Jacklyn R. , Flannagan Ronald S. , Craig Heather C. , Rishi Aanchal , Kasper Katherine J. , Tuffs Stephen W. , Heinrichs David E. , McCormick John K.
Published: March 2024

Streptococcus pyogenes is a human-specific pathogen that commonly colonizes the upper respiratory tract and skin, causing a wide variety of diseases ranging from pharyngitis to necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome. S. pyogenes has a repertoire of secreted virulence factors that promote infection and evasion of the host immune system including the cytolysins streptolysin O (SLO) and streptolysin S (SLS). S. pyogenes does not naturally infect the upper respiratory tract of mice although mice transgenic for MHC class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) become highly susceptible. Here we used HLA-transgenic mice to assess the role of both SLO and SLS during both nasopharyngeal and skin infection. Using S. pyogenes MGAS8232 as a model strain, we found that an SLS-deficient strain exhibited a 100-fold reduction in bacterial recovery from the nasopharynx and a 10-fold reduction in bacterial burden in the skin, whereas an SLO-deficient strain did not exhibit any infection defects in these models. Furthermore, depletion of neutrophils significantly restored the bacterial burden of the SLS-deficient bacteria in skin, but not in the nasopharynx. In mice nasally infected with the wildtype S. pyogenes, there was a marked change in localization of the tight junction protein ZO-1 at the site of infection, demonstrating damage to the nasal epithelia that was absent in mice infected with the SLS-deficient strain. Overall, we conclude that SLS is required for the establishment of nasopharyngeal infection and skin infection in HLA-transgenic mice by S. pyogenes MGAS8232 and provide evidence that SLS contributes to nasopharyngeal infection through the localized destruction of nasal epithelia.
Even serfs can bake quiche
Authors: Simoneti Jaka Smerkolj
Published: March 2024

Jaka Smerkolj Simoneti visited the second season of participatory reading performances of the text Work and the Girl I-V Drama of the Serfs by Nika Švab. In his essay, he reflects on the development of a specific dramatic text, while placing this reflection in a broader context. Thus, among other things, it deals with the ills of Slovenian drama production and questions the common expectations that dramatic texts should be written in isolation, rather than in a processual and collective development.
Models of knowledge
Authors: Sporton Gregory
Published: March 2024

Art practice has an unusual history inside the university sector. Often originating from specialized academies, as disciplines they usually began life through a focus on practical work. This gave rise to small institutions that have been subsumed into larger ones, becoming colleges or schools within universities rather than continuing their independent lives. The advantages of this are clear: structural, financial and cultural opportunities that come with the status of university subjects. What this article argues is that there has been a considerable price to pay in being so accommodated. Creative practice subjects in a qualifications framework, and to some extent in exercises like the Research Excellence Framework, have been required to adopt intellectual enquiry processes in order to burnish their claims to knowledge. Mostly, these come from the humanities. This article examines the impact of this on creative practice, on acceptance of the research elements of it and on distinguishing the difference between arts-based enquiry and humanities models of interpretation and analysis. That these are increasingly incompatible requires rethinking of the relationship between arts and humanities that is so taken for granted.
Medea, Dominic Cooke (dir.) (2023), Robinson Jeffers After Euripides, Soho Place Theatre, London, 16 March 2023
Authors: Sporton Gregory
Published: March 2024

Review of: Medea, Dominic Cooke (dir.) (2023), Robinson Jeffers After Euripides, Soho Place Theatre, London, 16 March 2023
Systematics literature review of non-consumption
Authors: Maksimovic Ágnes
Published: March 2024

The study uses a systematic literature review methodology to analyze the research on non-consumption, systematize it, and define the consumption behaviors associated with this phenomenon. The advantage of this method over the traditional narrative literature review is that it is designed to follow a predefined set of criteria in such a way that it can be reproduced at any time. As it precisely includes the protocol to identify the literature used, it avoids possible researcher errors. The study finds that the drivers of non-consumption include sustainability, food consumption, and voluntary simplicity but are not reduced to these groups. The findings of the review allows to situate non-consumption within the dimensions of sustainable consumption and voluntary simplification.
Investigation of sense of community among cyclists
Authors: Bundság Éva Szabina , Huszár Sándor
Published: March 2024

Cycling has become determinate in many areas of life. It is a cheap, environmentally friendly and flexible mode of transport, and due to the emergence and development of cycle sport and the growing willingness to follow a healthy lifestyle, cycling provides sports opportunities and the daily exercise for many. The aim of this study[1] is to investigate the sense of community among cyclists by conducting an online survey using validated questions from the Sense of Community Index 2 (SCI-2) model, with 362 responses gathered. According to the results, the interpreted scales were applicable and most of the respondents agreed with the 4 dimensions of the SCI-2 (Membership, Influence, Integration and fulfilment of needs, Shared emotional connection) which assumes that cyclist do feel a kind of community with each other. From a marketing point of view, cycling can be perceived not only as an activity but also as a group of consumers linked to this activity.
Analyses of the European Union and its member states’ proposals on reforming the ISDS system under the UNCITRAL working group III
Authors: Khalique Muhammad Abdul
Published: March 2024

The European Union and its member states back the formation of a permanent investment tribunal and a Committee of the Parties that would handle different tasks, including the selection of adjudicators. According to the European Union and its member states, the members of the investment tribunal should work on a full-time basis, and the selection criteria should prioritize the most qualified and unbiased individuals, regardless of their nationality. To expand the pool of potential adjudicators and promote diversity, they suggest adopting the entire language of Article 2 of the ICJ Statute for the qualifications requirements. The European Union and its member states do not support the idea of tribunal members being appointed by States that do not recognize the tribunal's authority.

This paper delves into the European Union and its member States' positions on certain fundamental issues related to ISDS reform, along with a comprehensive analysis of varying positions held by other stakeholders, including some members of UNCITRAL working group III who share similar viewpoints with the European Union and its member states on some matters and have differing opinions on others.
Aprendiendo, sirviendo y creciendo juntos: transformando vidas a través del conocimiento
Authors: Benito Colio Berta
Published: March 2024

El presente proyecto se basa en la aplicación de la metodología de Aprendizaje Servicio (ApS) en el contexto universitario, más concretamente en el grado de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte. Dicho proyecto tiene como objetivo prestar un servicio social por parte del alumnado universitario a través de la metodología Aprendizaje-Servicio (ApS), favoreciendo una conciencia crítica y de labor de justicia social en los estudiantes, así como contribuyendo a una educación de calidad y a la salud integral de los ciudadanos. En el marco de la asignatura de Deportes Individuales y su Didáctica I – Natación, el alumnado de 2º de CAFYD ha puesto en práctica sus conocimientos enseñando a nadar a usuarios de Cáritas Mallorca. Se han llevado a cabo un total de ocho sesiones prácticas en la piscina municipal de Son Moix, en las que ha resultado clave el diseño previo de las sesiones y la adaptación continua de las mismas a la realidad del contexto. Con el fin de poder valorar la repercusión del proyecto, se han utilizado los cuestionarios de Escala de percepción de Aprendizaje-Servicio (IMAPS-AFD-FI), Escala de competencia pro sociales y cívicas (CPC), y los diarios reflexivos. A modo de conclusión, se observan grandes beneficios tanto en los resultados por parte del alumnado, así como en la mejora de los servicios a la sociedad, ya que se movilizan mecanismos de justicia social, a la vez que se favorece una concienciación crítica y de servicio por parte del alumnado.
Reducir el plagio en ensayos con el auto-aprendizaje
Authors: Claeys Peter , Elisa Aracil Elisa
Published: March 2024

Reducir el plagio en ensayos es un proceso importantísimo pero costoso en recursos, con un impacto reducido sobre el comportamiento del estudiante. Una combinación de un test de auto-aprendizaje sobre plagio, junto a la repetición del ensayo, logra reducir la infracción del plagio a mínimos, y fomenta el aprendizaje del uso de fuentes científicas, incluso a largo plazo.
Un nuevo híbrido en Parablechnum (Blechnaceae)
Authors: Murillo-A. José , Triana Moreno Luz Amparo
Published: March 2024

Se describe un nuevo híbrido en el género Parablechnum distribuido al sur de los Andes de Colombia. Se discute su relación morfológica con los parentales y con otras especies parecidas. Este es el primer híbrido de Parablechnum registrado en la región neotropical.
Kamila Budrowska, Cenzura i okolice. Studia o cenzurze instytucjonalnej w Polsce w latach 1944–1990, Warszawa: Instytut Badań Literackich 2022 (Badania Filologiczne nad Cenzurą PRL, t. 10, red. nauk. serii Kamila Budrowska), ss. 251. ISBN 978-83-6689-848-6
Authors: Nowak Piotr
Published: March 2024

Kamila Budrowska, Cenzura i okolice. Studia o cenzurze instytucjonalnej w Polsce w latach 1944–1990, Warszawa: Instytut Badań Literackich 2022 (Badania Filologiczne nad Cenzurą PRL, t. 10, red. nauk. serii Kamila Budrowska), ss. 251. ISBN 978-83-6689-848-6
Prywatna biblioteka braci Grimm i odnaleziony fragment księgozbioru w Bibliotece Uniwersyteckiej w Poznaniu
Authors: Pieciul-Karmińska Eliza , Wilgosiewicz-Skutecka Renata
Published: March 2024

Prywatny księgozbiór Jakuba i Wilhelma Grimmów, który jest świadectwem sześćdziesięciu lat pracy twórczej słynnych niemieckich badaczy i założycieli filologii germańskiej, sam w sobie jest ważnym przedmiotem badań. Księgozbiór ten, który zawiera rzadkie druki i unikatowe edycje, ma bowiem nie tylko wartość materialną i bibliofilską. Jest on niezwykle cenny przede wszystkim jako źródło wiedzy o metodzie pracy dwojga badaczy. Jakub i Wilhelm w przypisach i indeksach do swoich publikacji baśni czy podań skrupulatnie odnotowywali ich pisemne źródła, które posiadali w swoim księgozbiorze, gromadzonym właśnie w celu zachowania i edycji zabytków europejskiego i niemieckiego piśmiennictwa. Równie istotna dla badań nad dziełem i działalnością braci Grimm jest analiza odręcznych podkreśleń i notatek nanoszonych w trakcie lektury. Odnalezione w Bibliotece Uniwersyteckiej w Poznaniu woluminy pochodzące z prywatnego księgozbioru braci Grimm, które od zakończenia II wojny światowej uchodziły za zaginione, mogą znacznie przyczynić się do rozwoju współczesnych badań grimmowskich, a ponadto dają nadzieję, że w zbiorach BUP znajdują się także inne – uważane za zaginione – pozycje z prywatnej biblioteki Jakuba i Wilhelma.
The development of the research on the history of libraries: a handful of reflections from the French perspective
Authors: Mellot Jean-Dominique
Published: March 2024

Studies on the history of libraries as a research field within a domain of the French historiographic tradition first appeared towards the end of the 1980s. Its theoretical underpinnings were in fact provided by the existing studies on the history of books and the founding works by Henri-Jean Martin (1924–2007). Despite a sizeable number of publications following the publication of the Histoire des bibliothèques françaises (Paris, 1988–1992, 4 vols.), this particular research area somehow failed to take advantage of the dynamics generally attributed to works on the history of books. Largely focusing on institutional and present-day issues, a substantial portion of the study on the history of libraries continued for a long time to be isolated and dominated by library-based authors only. A change in this situation came as late as the first decade of the 21st century and was greatly influenced by the works of the recently deceased historian Frédéric Barbier (1952–2023). Since that time, we have been witnessing a significant widening of perspectives, very much in line with the wish expressed by F. Barbier himself in his Histoire des bibliothèques en Occident (ed. I, Paris, 2013). This area of research (history of libraries) attracts interests of more and more researchers and has become a transnational domain at the pan-European level. The present research study documents these cultural and timeless transitions (challenging the perceived divisions between the Middle Ages and the Ancien Régime, and the Ancien Régime and modern times), and thus becoming multidisciplinary as well as interdisciplinary studies that integrate a number of disciplines (political history, social history, history of culture, architecture, etc.). At the same time, research on the history of libraries retains a strong relationship with studies on the history of books and media. The position and standing of libraries, that went through profound transformations due to both cuts in their budgets and the implications of the digital revolution in the first years of the 21st century, seems to be endangered, both as an institution and a place. However, their purpose in modern democracy is not outdated and they still perform a significant mission by making it possible for all to have equal access to cultural resources and media. Libraries provide non-vertical mediation (i.e. cataloguing and metadata creation, classification and storage …), that is still essential to make data and documents available. They continue to accommodate in one cultural space – that becomes more and more comfortable and friendly – both readers and visitors that learn to “live together” within this space, conforming at the same time to applicable rules and regulations. Despite their seemingly disadvantageous situation, one may though assume that modern libraries will continue to provide fresh and stimulating material for historical research for long years to come
„Nie wierzę w bajki!”: Henrietta Regina Davidson Avram (1919–2006)
Authors: Gajowiecka-Misztal Joanna
Published: March 2024

W artykule przybliżono postać Henrietty Davidson Avram, która stworzyła architekturę MARC, pierwszego formatu danych bibliograficznych odczytywanego przez maszyny i powszechnie używanego do dziś. Nie tylko przedstawiono koleje życia i przebieg kariery zawodowej Henrietty, ale też wpisano je w przemiany polityczne (zimna wojna), społeczne (nowe miejsca pracy dla kobiet – programistka), gospodarcze (czas prosperity) i technologiczne (rozwój technologii komunikacyjno-informatycznych) zachodzące w powojennej Ameryce. Droga zawodowa Avram wpisuje się w triadę stworzoną przez Vannevara Busha: wojsko (National Security Agency) – świat akademicki (Biblioteka Kongresu) – firmy prywatne (Datatrol). Avram stworzyła w Bibliotece Kongresu format MARC i aktywnie działała, by stał się on standardem najpierw w Stanach Zjednoczonych, a następnie na całym świecie. Przyspieszyło to automatyzację bibliotek i sprawiło, że bibliotekarze przestali być postrzegani tylko jako „missionaries of books” i przeszli do świata informacji naukowej.
Using imagery for acceptance and wellbeing in sport
Authors: Vealey Robin S. , Pacewicz Christine E.
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this article is to offer background and strategies to utilize mental imagery to enhance acceptance as a significant foundation for mental health and wellbeing in athletes. Sport possesses many threats to participants’ mental health and ability to flourish, including unrealistic expectations, pressure from others, and training demands. Although acceptance has been shown to be an important precursor to wellbeing, the prescribed culture of mental toughness in sport teaches athletes to be nonaccepting of mistakes and negative outcomes which often threaten their mental health. Athletes need to be educated and trained to practice acceptance as a strong, mature, mentally healthy response in terms of their self-perceptions, perceptions of others, and responses to external events. Mental imagery has a strong association with emotion and has been successfully used as an intervention technique to enhance physical and mental health. However, acceptance has not been an outcome of interest in most imagery interventions related to mental health, and future research on interventions to enhance acceptance is warranted. Some strategies and examples of using mental imagery to build acceptance and wellbeing are suggested.
Thermalization rate of polaritons in strongly-coupled molecular systems
Authors: Tereshchenkov Evgeny A. , Panyukov Ivan V. , Misko Mikhail , Shishkov Vladislav Y. , Andrianov Evgeny S. , Zasedatelev Anton V.
Published: March 2024

Polariton thermalization is a key process in achieving light–matter Bose–Einstein condensation, spanning from solid-state semiconductor microcavities at cryogenic temperatures to surface plasmon nanocavities with molecules at room temperature. Originated from the matter component of polariton states, the microscopic mechanisms of thermalization are closely tied to specific material properties. In this work, we investigate polariton thermalization in strongly-coupled molecular systems. We develop a microscopic theory addressing polariton thermalization through electron-phonon interactions (known as exciton-vibration coupling) with low-energy molecular vibrations. This theory presents a simple analytical method to calculate the temperature-dependent polariton thermalization rate, utilizing experimentally accessible spectral properties of bare molecules, such as the Stokes shift and temperature-dependent linewidth of photoluminescence, in conjunction with well-known parameters of optical cavities. Our findings demonstrate qualitative agreement with recent experimental reports of nonequilibrium polariton condensation in both ground and excited states, and explain the thermalization bottleneck effect observed at low temperatures. This study showcases the significance of vibrational degrees of freedom in polariton condensation and offers practical guidance for future experiments, including the selection of suitable material systems and cavity designs.
Pain coping and catastrophizing in youth with and without cerebral palsy
Authors: Vinkel Michael N. , Rackauskaite Gija , Østergaard John R. , Finnerup Nanna B. , Jensen Mark P.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study is to compare the use of pain coping strategies and pain catastrophizing in youth with and without cerebral palsy (CP), and to examine how these two groups differ with respect to the associations between pain coping, catastrophizing, and measures of psychological function and sleep disturbance.

Methods

Twenty-seven individuals with CP and 49 healthy controls aged 15–22 were included in this cross-sectional observational study. Pain was assessed using a semi-structured interviews and participants completed measures of pain coping, pain catastrophizing, psychological function, and sleep.

Results

Youth with CP used information seeking and problem solving (p = 0.003, Cohen’s d (d) = −0.80) and sought social support (p = 0.044, d = −0.51) less often, and used internalizing as a coping strategy more often (p = 0.045, d = 0.59) than healthy controls. The use of information seeking and problem solving correlated more strongly with measures of depression (p = 0.023, Cohen’s f (f) = 0.08) and sleep disturbance (p = 0.022, f = 0.08), while behavioral distraction correlated more strongly with measures of anxiety (p = 0.006, f = 0.11) and sleep disturbance (p = 0.017, f = 0.09) in youth with CP, compared to healthy controls.

Conclusions

The study findings raise the possibility that youth with CP may benefit more in terms of psychological function and sleep quality from coping training interventions that focus on behavioral distraction, information seeking, and problem solving. Research to test these ideas in additional samples of youth with CP is warranted.
Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Betas: A New Multivariate Score-Driven Filter
Authors: Blazsek Szabolcs , Jörding August , Rai Simran
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we extend the recent Gaussian autoregressive conditional beta (Gaussian-ACB) model from the literature on score-driven models. In the new asset pricing model, named the t generalized ACB (t-GACB) model, a multivariate score-driven filter for the t-distribution drives dynamic interaction effects among the beta coefficients. We present the econometric formulation and statistical inference for the t-GACB model, which we apply to 15 stocks from the United States (US) from 1999 to 2022. In our empirical application, we use the three Fama–French factors as asset pricing factors, and we also use the Volatility Index, TED Spread, and ICE BofA US High Yield Index Option-Adjusted Spread as exogenous explanatory variables that influence the beta coefficients. We compare the statistical and realized tracking error performances of the Gaussian-ACB, t-ACB, and t-GACB models, and we find that the t-GACB model improves the Gaussian-ACB model.
APRESENTAÇÃO
Authors: Lacerda Marcos , Vinicius Spolle Marcus
Published: March 2024

A nova edição da revista Norus segue o que tem sido o padrão da revista,desde a sua fundação. Temos nos pautado pela atenção à diversidade temática,seja conceitual, histórica ou empírica, como forma de valorar o trabalhosociológico. Existem muitas formas de se fazer sociologia e é muito importantelevar isso em consideração, especialmente em tempos como o nosso, queexigem uma atenção maior para a complexidade da sociedade contemporânea,em suas mais variadas dimensões: econômica, tecnológica, cultural, políticae institucional.
Saussure, Benveniste e a referência
Authors: Fernandes Oliveira Giovane
Published: March 2024

Este artigo investiga como Émile Benveniste opera a passagem da referência enquanto tema de problematização à referência enquanto objeto de teorização. Para tanto, procede a uma breve abordagem da referência como tema na filosofia e na linguística. Em seguida, aborda a referência como tema em um primeiro momento do pensamento de Benveniste. Na sequência, aborda a referência como objeto em um segundo momento desse pensamento. Os resultados encaminham a uma conclusão e a uma hipótese. A conclusão é que, nos dois momentos, Benveniste estabelece com Saussure um diálogo crítico, mas, enquanto no primeiro momento o diálogo não é senão retrospectivo, no segundo momento, o diálogo é tanto retrospectivo quanto prospectivo. A hipótese é que a teorização benvenistiana sobre a referência inaugura uma terceira tradição de estudo desse problema, uma tradição semiológico-enunciativa, que se assemelha à tradição lógico-gramatical e à tradição retórico-hermenêutica em alguns aspectos, mas delas se diferencia em outros.
A presença de Ferdinand de Saussure nas reflexões bakhtinianas
Authors: Machado da Rosa Kelli
Published: March 2024

Neste artigo, proponho uma leitura das obras de Mikhail Bakhtin e do Círculo, buscando identificar diálogos, mais ou menos explícitos, com Ferdinand de Saussure. A exposição percorre dois pontos: o princípio dialógico da linguagem nas elaborações teóricas do Círculo e os fundamentos da relação eu-outro; a menção a Ferdinand de Saussure nas discussões do Círculo e os desdobramentos desse diálogo em termos conceituais. O objetivo geral é aproximar o pensamento de dois grandes expoentes na área dos estudos da linguagem, Ferdinand de Saussure e Mikhail Bakhtin e o Círculo, estabelecendo um diálogo, a partir das entrelinhas teóricas, em duas dimensões. A primeira se refere à crítica do Círculo endereçada ao pensamento saussuriano, considerando os aspectos históricos envolvidos na leitura da obra de Saussure pelos teóricos russos. Já a segunda diz respeito à contrapalavra atual, que encontra terreno fértil nos dois pensamentos, aprofundando as reflexões sobre língua e discurso.
A literatura-terreiro e os saberes afro-diaspóricos
Authors: Cabral Paulino Renan , Pivetta de Oliveira Rejane
Published: March 2024

Este trabalho propõe uma análise de Torto Arado, de Itamar Vieira Junior, a partir das lentes da literatura-terreiro (Freitas, 2011), propondo uma expansão e uma nova leitura do termo. Compreendemos a corporeidade, a religiosidade, a circularidade e a ancestralidade como sendo elementos fundamentais para uma compreensão dessa narrativa, que tem como arma anticolonial a potência do jarê e a essência dos Orixás e dos Encantados. Concluímos que o jarê é literatura-terreiro e Torto Arado é metaliteratura-terreiro, por ser um texto metaliterário. Dessa forma, a presença do candomblé e suas versões na composição do romance se constitui em agência política que ilumina as contribuições de um passado africano e de um presente amefricano.