bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive role of the peripheral blood inflammation indices neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII) for age-related cataract risk
Authors: Li Baohua , Hou Xinyue , Ning Bobiao , Li Xiao , Zhang MingMing , Wang Jianquan , Liu Mengyu , Shi Yipeng , Kang Zefeng
Published: November 2024

The novel inflammatory markers neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII) have not yet been used in the study of age-related cataracts. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationships between the NLR, PLR, and SII and age-related cataracts. In the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cross-sectional surveys, we collected complete information on blood counts, whether cataract surgery had been performed, and baseline information for adults. We investigated the independent interactions between the inflammatory markers NLR, PLR, and SII and age-related cataracts via weighted multivariate regression analyses and subgroup analyses. Smoothed curve fitting was performed to identify nonlinear associations and saturation effects between inflammation indices and cataract risk. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for factors significantly associated with the development of cataracts to identify the optimal diagnostic inflammation index. This study included 8887 participants without cataracts and 935 participants with cataracts. Multivariate logistic regression analyses after adjusting for covariates revealed that a high SII (OR = 1.000, 95% CI = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.017) and high NLR (OR = 1.065, 95% CI = 1.000–1.134; P = 0.048) were independent risk factors for cataracts. Subgroup analyses did not reveal interactions between the SII, NLR, or cataract and covariates. Smoothed curve fits of the relationships between the SII or NLR and cataracts did not show positive significant saturating effect values for any of the variables. The ROC curve revealed some diagnostic value for cataracts for both the SII (AUC = 0.549, P < 0.001) and the NLR (AUC = 0.603, P < 0.001), but both had weak diagnostic value. Our study suggests that the SII and NLR are independent risk factors for cataracts in U.S. adults, but no such associations was identified between the PLR and cataracts.
Structural and social determinants of health: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis
Authors: Besser Lilah M. , Forrester Sarah N. , Arabadjian Milla , Bancks Michael P. , Culkin Margaret , Hayden Kathleen M. , Le Elaine T. , Pierre-Louis Isabelle , Hirsch Jana A.
Published: November 2024

Background

Researchers have increasingly recognized the importance of structural and social determinants of health (SSDOH) as key drivers of a multitude of diseases and health outcomes. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is an ongoing, longitudinal cohort study of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) that has followed geographically and racially/ethnically diverse participants starting in 2000. Since its inception, MESA has incorporated numerous SSDOH assessments and instruments to study in relation to CVD and aging outcomes. In this paper, we describe the SSDOH data available in MESA, systematically review published papers using MESA that were focused on SSDOH and provide a roadmap for future SSDOH-related studies.

Methods and findings

The study team reviewed all published papers using MESA data (n = 2,125) through January 23, 2023. Two individuals systematically reviewed titles, abstracts, and full text to determine the final number of papers (n = 431) that focused on at least one SSDOH variable as an exposure, outcome, or stratifying/effect modifier variable of main interest (discrepancies resolved by a third individual). Fifty-seven percent of the papers focused on racialized/ethnic groups or other macrosocial/structural factors (e.g., segregation), 16% focused on individual-level inequalities (e.g. income), 14% focused on the built environment (e.g., walking destinations), 10% focused on social context (e.g., neighborhood socioeconomic status), 34% focused on stressors (e.g., discrimination, air pollution), and 4% focused on social support/integration (e.g., social participation). Forty-seven (11%) of the papers combined MESA with other cohorts for cross-cohort comparisons and replication/validation (e.g., validating algorithms).

Conclusions

Overall, MESA has made significant contributions to the field and the published literature, with 20% of its published papers focused on SSDOH. Future SSDOH studies using MESA would benefit by using recently added instruments/data (e.g., early life educational quality), linking SSDOH to biomarkers to determine underlying causal mechanisms linking SSDOH to CVD and aging outcomes, and by focusing on intersectionality, understudied SSDOH (i.e., social support, social context), and understudied outcomes in relation to SSDOH (i.e., sleep, respiratory health, cognition/dementia).
The impact of tinnitus on Dutch general practices: A retrospective study using routine healthcare data
Authors: Bes Julia M. , Verheij Robert A. , Knottnerus Bart J. , Hek Karin
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Global prevalence of tinnitus (15%) is rising, indicating an increase in patients seeking help for this common symptom and potentially affecting the accessibility of care. The aim of this retrospective study is twofold; describing the morbidity trends and healthcare utilization among patients with recorded tinnitus at Dutch general practices (GP), and comparing overall healthcare utilization before and after tinnitus to similar patients without recorded tinnitus.

Patients and methods

Routine electronic health records data from general practices participating in Nivel Primary Care Database were used to describe trends in age- and sex-specific incidence, contact prevalence and healthcare utilization (contacts, prescriptions, and referrals to secondary care) for tinnitus from 2012 to 2021. Patients with tinnitus were matched (on sex, age, general practice) to patients without tinnitus (1:2). Healthcare use one year before and after a first GP contact for tinnitus (period) was analyzed with negative binominal (number of contacts) and logistic regression (prescriptions or referrals).

Results

Between 2012 and 2021, tinnitus incidence increased by 33% (3.3 to 4.4 per 1000 person-years). The largest increase was observed among 20-44-years (2.6 to 3.8 per 1000 person-years). One year after the first GP contact for tinnitus, patients with tinnitus utilized healthcare more frequently than patients without tinnitus. The referral rate increased the most (OR 1.99, 95%CI 1.83–2.16). The year before tinnitus at the GP, patients with tinnitus had more often GP consultations (IRR 1.16, 95%CI 1.12–1.19) and referrals (OR 1.09, 95%CI 1.01–1.18) than patients without tinnitus.

Conclusion

Although GPs saw an increased number of patients with tinnitus, absolute numbers of patients remained low. Patients’ healthcare use increased after the first tinnitus complaint at the GP, mainly for secondary care. Yet, they already used healthcare services more frequently than similar patients without tinnitus. Insight into possible explanations for these health disparities could contribute to targeted prevention.
Love your wet grass! Dry season grazing reserves show highest grass regrowth in communal semi-arid rangelands of Tanzania
Authors: Baumgartner Sabine A. , Smith Stuart W. , Bartzke Gundula S. , Laizar Oloshiro , Ploechl Jane F. , Michler Lena M. , Naro Elizabeth M. , Treydte Anna C.
Published: November 2024

Land management by seasonal migratory herding, traditionally implemented by pastoralists, has allowed semi-arid rangeland ecosystems to remain productive and resilient to highly erratic, seasonal rainfall patterns. Changing pastoralist practices and rainfall patterns due to climate change have the potential to negatively influence the resilience of rangelands. To test the impact of different communal rangeland practices and increasing frequency of disturbance on the rangelands’ vegetation, we established a clipping experiment in three rangeland management types: rainy season rangeland, dry season rangeland and seasonal exclosures, in the Maasai Steppe, northern Tanzania. Across these rangeland management types, we tested two clipping frequencies monthly vs. once per growing period and either fenced or open to grazing (herbivory) over two consecutive growing periods. We found that rainy season rangeland exhibited lowest regrowth rates and highest proportion of bare ground across herbivory, clipping frequency and growing period. When rainfall was low, seasonal exclosures showed lowest proportion of bare ground across herbivory and clipping frequency and plots that were seasonally clipped and excluded herbivores generated significantly more grass biomass, higher grass regrowth rates and lowest proportion of bare ground compared to all other treatments. Excluding herbivores had little impact on the vegetation biomass and cover but had a positive impact on grass regrowth rates when rainfall was high. Seasonal clipping allowed for lower proportion of bare ground, and in most cases higher regrowth rates and higher biomass compared to monthly clipping. We conclude that traditional seasonal migratory herding is a relevant concept to sustain rangeland productivity and resilience under increasing intensity of disturbance if grazing pressure on rainy season rangelands is adapted to rainfall conditions and sufficient resting time after heavy defoliation is granted. Dry season grazing (including rainy season resting) proved to be the most sustainable concept to maintain regrowth and control erosion.
MAGT-toll: A multi-agent reinforcement learning approach to dynamic traffic congestion pricing
Authors: Lu Jiaming , Hong Chuanyang , Wang Rui
Published: November 2024

Modern urban centers have one of the most critical challenges of congestion. Traditional electronic toll collection systems attempt to mitigate this issue through pre-defined static congestion pricing methods; however, they are inadequate in addressing the dynamic fluctuations in traffic demand. Dynamic congestion pricing has been identified as a promising approach, yet its implementation is hindered by the computational complexity involved in optimizing long-term objectives and the necessity for coordination across the traffic network. To address these challenges, we propose a novel dynamic traffic congestion pricing model utilizing multi-agent reinforcement learning with a transformer architecture. This architecture capitalizes on its encoder-decoder structure to transform the multi-agent reinforcement learning problem into a sequence modeling task. Drawing on insights from research on graph transformers, our model incorporates agent structures and positional encoding to enhance adaptability to traffic flow dynamics and network coordination. We have developed a microsimulation-based environment to implement a discrete toll-rate congestion pricing scheme on actual urban roads. Our extensive experimental results across diverse traffic demand scenarios demonstrate substantial improvements in congestion metrics and reductions in travel time, thereby effectively alleviating traffic congestion.
El mundo globalizado de las publicaciones científicas en inglés: Un enfoque analítico para comprender a los científicos multilingües
Authors: Englander Karen
Published: November 2024

La publicación de trabajos científicos en inglés, especialmente por parte de las personas cuya lengua materna es otra y/o quienes se encuentran en países no anglosajones, debe verse como una manifestación de la globalización que ocurre en el mundo actual. Los estudios más recientes han investigado aspectos importantes sobre este fenómeno; sin embargo, todavía hace falta un marco teórico que considere las políticas internacionales y nacionales, el estatus de las editoriales y la persona específica autora del texto. Por lo tanto, mediante la integración de varios enfoques teóricos, el propósito de este estudio es comprender mejor la construcción social del proceso de publicación en inglés por parte de los científicos que viven fuera de los países donde predomina esa lengua, con la intención de que el resultado de este trabajo conduzca a la adopción de escalas como herramientas teóricas que permiten entender la relación entre el hecho de publicar, el discurso y la identidad, y la manera en que esta relación afecta a los científicos multilingües en un mundo globalizado.
Poder y palabra: mentira implícita y accidentes en discursos presidenciales
Authors: Montero Maritza
Published: November 2024

El objeto de estudio en este artículo son ciertos fenómenos discursivos ligados a la figura presidencial, que se caracterizan por mostrar las formas de poder ejercidas por el emisor o emisora en relación con la mentira y el ocultamiento, así como a través de figuras discursivas calificadas como accidentes, que pueden y suelen ocurrir en el discurso presidencial. Para ello se hizo un análisis de los textos teniendo en cuenta el tema y su contexto; su talante, la intertextualidad explícita e implícita y los recursos retóricos utilizados. Asimismo, se hizo un análisis hermenéutico crítico para la búsqueda de prácticas políticas, ideológicas y sociales y relaciones de poder; ejemplificadas mediante casos seleccionados ad hoc, según los accidentes estudiados. Estos accidentes son definidos como imprevistos que introducen cortes, irregularidades o el desorden dentro de una línea de pensamiento o acción, y que pueden acompañarse de efectos contrarios a los que se deseaba provocar con el discurso. Se trata de la relación entre mentira y ocultamiento de información; el efecto bumerang y las revelaciones ideológicas; las amenazas, los temores ocultos y sus efectos sobre el discurso. La interpretación de los textos analizados señala que el poder está presente tanto en el uso exitoso como en los dislates y las críticas derivadas de los errores y que la estructura textual revela su relación con aspectos psicológicos de la persona hablante.
Etnofaulismos, coprolalia, representaciones y estrategias discriminatorias: el caso del discurso chileno antiperuano
Authors: Aedo Sergio , Farías Miguel
Published: November 2024

En este artículo se da cuenta de las dimensiones explícitas e implícitas del discurso racista chileno antiperuano. Por una parte, abordamos el estudio de las expresiones peyorativas (etnofaulismos) y coprolálicas para referirse a grupos de inmigrantes encontradas en periódicos chilenos de 1879 y en sitos de Internet. Por otra parte, el discurso racista antiperuano implícito lo analizamos críticamente por medio de las representaciones y estrategias discursivas utilizadas por una muestra de mujeres del estrato socioeconómico alto de Santiago de Chile. Nos proponemos constatar la continuidad histórica de estas manifestaciones del discurso racista que resurge con la masiva llegada de inmigrantes peruanos y bolivianos a Chile. Verificamos que el anonimato de la comunicación en Internet y la exaltación nacionalista permiten el uso explícito de expresiones racistas y que las hablantes encuestadas recurren a representaciones y estrategias que vehiculan implícitamente una ideología racista.
Alfabetización Racial en una Clase de Segundo Grado: Teoría Crítica de la Raza, Estudios de la Blancura, e Investigación de la Alfabetización
Authors: Rogers Rebecca , Mosley Melissa , Dumont José Luis
Published: November 2024

Existe un silencio persistente en la investigación en alfabetización en cuanto a las cuestiones de raza, especialmente con jóvenes y con blancos. En este artículo mostramos que los niños blancos hablan de raza, racismo y anti-racismo en el contexto del currículo de alfabetización. Mediante un marco reconstruido para analizar el “habla de los blancos” basado en la literatura sobre los estudios de la “blancura”, la teoría crítica de la raza y el análisis crítico del discurso, ilustramos cómo se percibe el hablar sobre la raza entre estudiantes blancos de segundo grado y sus docentes. Esta investigación hace varias contribuciones a la literatura. Proporcionamos un método detallado para codificar los datos de la interacción usando el análisis crítico del discurso y una perspectiva de la teoría crítica de la raza y los estudios de la “blancura”. También ilustramos la inestabilidad de la formación de la identidad racial y las implicaciones para docentes y estudiantes cuando se toca el tema de la raza en la escuela primaria. Por último argumentamos que el desarrollo racial de la alfabetización, como otros procesos educativos en el aula, debe ser guiado.
Az egri püspökök és a tizedek a 13–14. században
Authors: Farkas Csaba
Published: November 2024

A középkor folyamán a püspökök fő bevételi forrása a tized volt. Ennek nagysága ugyanakkor nem kis részben függött az egyházmegye kiterjedéséről, lakosságától, földjének termékenységétől és a sort hosszan folytathatnánk. A Magyar Királyság egyik legnagyobb kiterjedésű egyházmegyéje az egri volt (az 1332–1337 között készült pápai tizedjegyzék 800 plébániát sorolt ide, ami a korabeli ország egyházainak negyedét teszi ki), püspökét így joggal sorolhatjuk a leggazdagabb főpapok közé, hiszen a 14. század végére dézsmával tartoztak neki az Alföld szívétől a Keleti-Kárpátokig. A tekintélyes jövedelemforrás már önmagában is magyarázattal szolgál a történeti kutatás érdeklődésére, ugyanakkor teljes körű feldolgozása továbbra is a hazai medievisztika adóssága. Munkám sem vállalkozhat többre, mint szigorúan Eger főpásztorainak dézsmaügyeire, még akkor is, ha ez már alapvetően magában hordozza további kérdések, kutatások szükségességét. Célom azonban, hogy a lehető legtöbb oldalról körül járva a kérdést, általános, akár további egyházmegyék kutatása során hasznosítható részproblémákra, észrevételekre hívjam fel a figyelmet. Alapvetően az egri püspökség alapításának pillanatától vettem fel a kutatás fonalát, viszont a felhasználható források jószerivel a 13. századtól tesznek lehetővé behatóbb elemzést. Vizsgálatom felső időhatárát a 14. század legvége jelzi. Ennek szellemében a tizedek adományozása, cseréi, bérlései külön is helyet kaptak, miként a dézsmaszedők és az adminisztráció kérdése is. Érintőlegesen kitérek a püspökökhöz köthető kápolnatizedekre avagy tizednegyedekre, majd a különféle joghatósági kérdések, perek mentén mutatom be a dézsma Egerbe vezető rögös útját.
Thomas Ebendorfer V. László-kori (1440–1457) adatai
Authors: Kis Iván
Published: November 2024

Thomas Ebendorfer, who lived between 1388 and 1464, is considered an important figure in medieval Austrian historiography. In my study, I attempt to critically examine the Hungarian aspects of the Austrian author’s two most significant historical writings, Chronica Austriae and Chronica Regum Romanorum. More precisely: I examine the sections of the two chronicles that discuss the period (1440–1457) of the life of the Hungarian King Ladislaus Postumus. In my article, I first briefly described the content of the relevant parts of the two works, and on the other hand, by presenting the most important philological features of the chronicles, I tried to illustrate how Ebendorfer’s data can be used to reconstruct an exciting period of medieval Hungarian history. I covered the narratives involving Ebendorfer, as well as the reliability and authenticity of the chronicle’s data. The records of the Chronica Austriae and the Chronica regum Romanorum - taking into account the author’s historiographical methods - can undoubtedly provide valuable additions to the history of the time of Ladislaus.
Klasifikasi Penyakit Kanker Payudara Menggunakan Metode K-Nearet Neighbors (KNN)
Authors: Micha Annata Shinami  , Bahri Saiful
Published: November 2024

Kanker payudara adalah jenis tumor ganas yang tumbuh di sel-sel payudara. Kanker payudara dibagi menjadi dua tingkatan yaitu Tingkat jinak dan ganas, pada tingkatan jinak benjolan yang ada di payudara masih bisa mengecil dan hilang, tetai pada tingkatan ganas sudah susah untuk diobati bahkan bisa menyebabkan kematian. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Klasifikasi K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) dengan menghasilkan nilai k = 8 dengan akurasi sebesar 77% dan terdapat 62 sampel data yang termasuk dalam kelas positif dan prediksinya benar. Berdasarkan Confusion Matrix, pengklasifikasian kanker payudara ini mendapatkan nilai akurasi sebesar 77%, nilai presisi sebesar 76% dan nilai recall sebesar 71%.
I-Spring Suite as an Alternative Media for Algebraic Expression
Authors: Safira Fatimah Gita , Priwantoro Soffi Widyanesti , Nur Hidayah  , Syariful Fahmi
Published: November 2024

A The limitation of technology-based learning media available at SMP Muhammdiyah 1 Godean motivate researcher  to develop learning media that can supplement alternative media and also assist the difficulty faced by the students, especially in algebraic expression material. This research uses the Analysis, Design, development, Implemnetation and Evaluation (ADDIE) model. The subjects of this research is students of VII grade of SMP Muhammdiyah 1 Godean. Before being trialled into small and large classes, learning media will be validated by material and media experts. The result of the research obtained that the assessment of the material expert obtained 84% and from media expert get 95% with the predicate very feasible. Meanwhile the result of smaal and large trials obtained 83% and 82% who said the mdia was very feasible. So from these result it can be concluded that th learning media developed by researchers are feasible for use.
Follow-Up Report of Patients With Moderate Aortic Valve Regurgitation After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Zoroufian Arezou , Afrooghe Arya , Ziafat Manouchehr , Jalali Arash , Babaei Mohammadreza , Ahmadi Pooria , Sadeghian Hakimeh
Published: November 2024

Background:

The appropriateness of aortic valve surgery for patients with moderate aortic valve regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), mitral valve replacement (MVR), or both is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of moderate aortic valve regurgitation following these procedures.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included 113 eligible participants with moderate aortic valve regurgitation who underwent CABG, MVR, or both procedures between January 2014 and January 2015 at Tehran Heart Center. Echocardiographic index data were extracted from the Tehran Heart Center data center after a 2-year follow-up to examine changes in the patients’ conditions.

Results:

A total of 113 patients (mean [SD] age, 64.7 [9.9] years; 78 [69.0%] female patients) were included in the study and followed up for a mean (SD) of 24 (6) months. Among those patients, 38 (33.6%) experienced improvement, with their aortic valve regurgitation downgraded to mild, while the remaining 75 (66.4%) patients maintained a moderate aortic valve regurgitation level. Notably, combined CABG and MVR procedures were associated with statistically significant improvement, with all cases downgraded to mild aortic valve regurgitation. Baseline characteristics, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, family history of aortic valve regurgitation, and a history of drug use, did not differ statistically significantly between patients with improved aortic valve regurgitation and patients with no changes. Echocardiographic indices related to the aorta, such as aortic valve pressure gradient, showed improvement (P < .001), and ejection fractions before and after surgery remained comparable. Changes in aortic valve regurgitation severity were found to differ statistically significantly between the various procedures (P = .001).

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that it is not likely that moderate aortic valve regurgitation will progress after CABG or MVR. Hence, no support was found for concurrent aortic valve replacement during these procedures.
Perbandingan Produktivitas Alat Tangkap Sodo (Push Net) dan Wangkong (Trap Net) Terhadap Hasil Tangkapan Udang Putih (Penaeus merguiensis) di Perairan Wedung, Kabupaten Demak
Authors: Griselda Adinda Putri Khairunnisa , Saputra Suradi Wijaya , Purnomo Pujiono Wahyu
Published: November 2024

Perairan Wedung merupakan wilayah potensial sumber daya udang di Kabupaten Demak. Sodo dan wangkong merupakan alat tangkap yang memanfaatkan udang putih (P. merguiensis) sebagai hasil tangkapan utamanya. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu mengetahui produktivitas dari kedua alat tangkap tersebut terhadap hasil tangkapan udang putih.  Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ukuran panjang karapas dominan udang putih yaitu 30,66-35,66 mm pada sodo dan 22,56-27,56 mm pada wangkong dengan nilai Lc50% pada sodo yaitu 34,5 mm lebih besar dibandingkan wangkong yaitu 25,8 mm. Perbandingan rasio kelamin udang putih jantan dan betina pada sodo dan wangkong masing-masing 1:0,80 dan 1:0,89. Pola pertumbuhan udang putih oleh sodo yaitu b=3,1116 pada jantan dan b=2,952 pada betina. Sedangkan, pola pertumbuhan udang putih oleh wangkong yaitu b=2,9974 pada jantan dan b=2,8754 pada betina. Uji-t pada nilai b tersebut menunjukkan t hitung<t tabel sehingga pola pertumbuhan dari kedua alat tangkap bersifat isometrik. Nilai CPUE udang putih kedua alat tangkap menunjukkan pada bulan Februari-April 2024 cenderung meningkat, namun menurun pada bulan Mei 2024. Nilai CPUE tertinggi yaitu 9 kg/trip pada sodo dan 4,87 kg/trip pada wangkong. Sedangkan nilai CPUE terendah yaitu 2,69 kg/trip pada sodo dan 2,8 kg/trip pada wangkong.
Constructing and Negotiating Identity: The Evolution of Identity as a Power Structure and its Ethnic, Cultural, and Situational Dimensions
Authors: Sabaliauskiene Dalia
Published: November 2024

This article explores the multi-faceted nature of identity through a theoretical lens, examining its evolution, power dynamics, and situational contexts. The concept of identity has undergone significant development, shifting from a static notion of self to a fluid and context-dependent construct. The discussion begins by tracing the historical development of the identity concept, highlighting its transformation into a critical socio-political tool. The role of identity as a power construct is then analyzed, emphasising how dominant groups shape and maintain social structures through identity narratives. The article further explores the situational and contextual dimensions of identity, asserting that identity is not only shaped by external categories but is also actively negotiated in situational contexts. A detailed examination of categorisations of identity follows, focusing on how labels such as ethnicity and cultural dimension of identity intersect to form collective identities within ethnic groups. By synthesising these perspectives, the article aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding identity as both a personal and social construct influenced by historical, cultural, and political forces. This theoretical exploration contributes to ongoing discussions on the dynamic and layered nature of identity in contemporary society.
Between the cracks: Blind spots in regulating media concentration and platform dependence in the EU
Authors: Seipp Theresa Josephine , Helberger Natali , de Vreese Claes , Ausloos Jef
Published: November 2024

Alongside the recent regulations addressing platforms and digital markets – the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) – the European Union’s (EU) European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) aims to safeguard media freedom and pluralism, two essential pillars of democracy. The EMFA introduces several provisions, including rules specifically focused on assessing media concentration in "the online environment". While these initiatives are commendable, there are noticeable blind spots in how EU regulations tackle the issues of dependence on, and the power of, platforms amidst the rising trend of media concentration. An essential aspect that needs attention is the technological power of these platforms, underpinned by their economic and political power. We find that neither the infrastructural power of platforms – transforming them from “gatekeepers” to “digital infrastructure and AI providers” – nor their relational power – creating imbalances and dependencies while posing sustainability challenges for (local) journalism – are effectively addressed in the current EU regulatory frameworks, despite both forms of power driving digital media concentration. The article then concludes with recommendations for a way forward capable of preserving values such as media pluralism and editorial independence.
Enhanced performance and robustness in anti-lock brake systems using barrier function-based integral sliding mode control
Authors: Hamzah Mohsin N. , Flayyih Mujtaba A. , Al-Gadery Taha A. , Al-Nadawi Yasir K. , Al-Samarraie Shibly A.
Published: November 2024

In anti-lock brake systems (ABS), the primary goal of the controller is to maximize vehicle deceleration by maintaining the slip ratio at an optimal level. This work presents a fresh approach that enhances ABS performance by integrating a sliding mode controller with a barrier function. This method combines integral sliding mode control with adaptive laws informed by barrier functions, effectively managing external disturbances and uncertainties in inertia. A significant benefit of this approach is that it does not require prior knowledge of the upper limits of these uncertainties and disturbances, thanks to the barrier function-based sliding mode control. The system state is initially aligned with the switching manifold, ensuring robust compensation for any uncertainties and disturbances right from the start of braking. During the sliding mode phase, dynamic properties are finely tuned to ensure that the system’s performance remains consistent. The effectiveness and reliability of the proposed controller have been demonstrated through numerical simulations conducted in MATLAB/Simulink, proving its capability across a range of road conditions.
Russian Business and the Authoritarian Welfare State
Authors: Pape Ulla
Published: November 2024

Authoritarian regimes widely involve non-state actors in social welfare to increase output legitimacy and regime stability. Despite the volume of corporate social investments, the role of private companies in authoritarian welfare is still poorly understood. This study analyzes the functioning of corporate social programs in the Russian authoritarian welfare state by focusing on corporate grant competitions and corporate volunteering as means of engaging both the local population and the companies’ employees in the regions. Drawing on stakeholder theory, it investigates how companies position themselves as welfare providers and how they legitimize their role with regard to key stakeholders, including state officials, employees, and the local population. The analysis is based on in-depth interviews with company representatives and key stakeholders in four Russian regions: Kemerovo, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, Tiumen′, and Volgograd. In addition, corporate social reports from 2018 and information for beneficiaries were evaluated to identify program guidelines, motivations, and stakeholder assessments. The study argues that companies play an important role as welfare providers through the financial support of social organizations and employee initiatives at the regional and the local level. By providing social investments in geographically defined “territories of presence,” Russian companies pursue a double legitimation strategy, both demonstrating their social responsibility and loyalty toward the regime and strengthening authoritarian welfare provision through private social investments. With a detailed analysis of corporate social programs, this study contributes to our understanding of the specific conditions and mechanisms of social policy in authoritarian regimes and the place that companies occupy within it.
Move Your Body! Low-frequency Amplitude and Syncopation Increase Groove Perception in House Music
Authors: Duncan Sean-Lee , Orgs Guido
Published: November 2024

Studies demonstrate that low frequencies and syncopation can enhance groove—the pleasurable urge to move to music. This study examined the simultaneous effect of low-frequency amplitude and syncopation on groove by manipulating basslines in house music, a subgenre of electronic dance music (EDM). One hundred and seventy-nine participants listened to 20 novel house music clips in which basslines were manipulated across two levels of low-frequency amplitude and syncopation. Music and dance-related experience, as well as genre preferences, were also assessed. Groove perception was most pronounced for house tracks combining high low-frequency amplitude (LFA) and high syncopation, and least pronounced for tracks with low LFA, irrespective of syncopation. Exploratory correlation analysis revealed that groove perception is influenced by listeners’ preferences for energetic and rhythmic music styles, their urge to dance, and their propensity to experience an emotional connection to music. Our findings reveal that the urge to move when listening to music is shaped by the interplay of rhythmic complexity and sonic texture, and is influenced by dance and music experiences and preferences.
Surgical treatment of paralytic mydriasis caused by belladonna preparation intake (a clinical case)
Authors: Sobolev Nikolay P. , Teplovodskaia Victoriia V. , Petukhova Alyona A. , Sudakova Ekaterina P.
Published: November 2024

This rare clinical case demonstrates the treatment of paralytic mydriasis caused by taking a herbal drug, Atropa belladonna, which is extremely rare in the treatment of diseases today, using sequential implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) and an artificial iris with simultaneous correction of refractive errors. The patient took Atropa belladonna extract for 5 years to prevent exacerbation of gastric ulcer according to the scheme 2 times a year (spring, autumn) for 2 weeks, 5-7 drops 3 times a day with meals. The uniqueness is explained by the fact that paralytic mydriasis arose as a result of long-term drug exposure. Analysis of the state of the iris stroma showed the impossibility of performing suture plasty of the pupil. In addition, patients with this pathology have been denied treatment in other medical institutions for decades.
The effect of membrane peeling on the dynamics of anatomical changes in the inner layers of retina after surgical treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with macular hole
Authors: Fayzrakhmanov Rinat R. , Vaganova Elena E. , Larina Evgenia A.
Published: November 2024

Objective: to determine the effect of membrane peeling on the dynamics of retinal inner layers anatomy changes after surgery for retinal detachment with macular hole. Material and methods. Patients of group 1 (20 patients, 20 eyes) underwent surgical treatment with repair of the rupture using an inverted flap of the internal limiting membrane. Patients of group 2 (20 patients, 20 eyes) did not undergo hole blocking during the first stage of surgery. All patients underwent optical coherence tomography to assess the condition of the inner layers of the retina. Results. One day after surgery, in patients of group 1, the thickness of retinal tissue in the parafoveal zone was 128.2±11.6 nm. In patients of group 2 it was 102.7±6.4 nm (p=0.041). These values remained until the silicone oil was removed. When comparing the indicator of the volume of retinal tissue in the parafoveal zone, there is a decrease in the indicator in patients who underwent membrane peeling, the indicator was 0.645±0.041 mm3, compared with the data of patients of the 1st group, where it was at the level of 0.787±0.52 mm3 (p=0.047). In the temporal quadrant, the difference in indicators persisted until one year after surgery. Conclusion. Membrane peeling leads to damage to the retinal tissue, local defects which can persist up to a year. The outer layers of the retina are damaged throughout the entire area of the macula due to the impact on the supporting plates of the Muller cells and the nerve fiber layer.
Cost-effective option for improving the smile area (a clinical case)
Authors: Ermakova Olga V. , Ostrovskaya Larisa Y. , Osipova Yulia L. , Morgunova Victoria M. , Pronina Nadezhda S.
Published: November 2024

We have presented a clinical case of successful restoration of the frontal group of teeth by the method of aesthetic restoration using the universal nanogibrid composite. The experience of applying direct restoration allows us to ensure high quality restoration of carious teeth, aesthetics of the dentition with minimal time costs — 1 day. Compared to the manufacture of ceramic structures, the time spent on the manufacture of structures is 7 days. The applied method is economically more favorable by an average of 50% compared to the last specified method.
New possibilities for surgical treatment of borderline burns using biological wound coverings
Authors: Bogdanov Sergei B. , Karakulev Anton V. , Afanasov Ivan M. , Mukhanov Mikhail L. , Zaitseva Sophia L. , Dutov Viktor S.
Published: November 2024

Objective: selection of optimal biological wound coverings for the treatment of patients with borderline burns. Material and methods. The results of treatment of 30 patients aged 28-58 years were analyzed. All patients were diagnosed with second degree burn wounds of varying localization and area from 5 to 20% (according to International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision). Of these, 13 (43%) patients in group I (age 48 [39; 54] years) underwent surgical removal of necrosis, and ChitoPran® biological wound dressings were applied to the wounds. The remaining 17 (56%) patients in group II (age 42 [28; 58] years) also underwent early surgical treatment, but the grafts were covered with synthetic Voskopran™ wound coverings. Results. In group I, where the biological wound coating ChitoPran® was used, the epithelialization period was 10 (9.0; 10.0) days. In group II, where the synthetic wound coating Voskopran™ was used, the epithelialization period was 12 (11.0; 13.0) days (p=0.031). The data obtained show that biological wound coatings ChitoPran® demonstrate an advantage in accelerating the timing of wound epithelization compared with synthetic wound coatings Voskopran™. In group I, the duration of hospitalization was 10.5 (10.0; 11.0) days, for group II — 11.5 (10.0; 12.0) days (p=0.048). Conclusion. A comparative assessment of the effectiveness of biological wound coverings in the treatment of patients with borderline burns showed that, in contrast to the synthetic wound covering Voskopran™, the use of the biological wound covering ChitoPran® provides favorable conditions for regeneration, due to which the period of epithelization of wounds was reduced by an average of 1-2 days, and hospitalization time is on average up to 2 days.
The significance of preventive treatment for tuberculosis infection in children
Authors: Glushakov Igor A. , Lozovskaya Marina E. , Gutkin Mikhail G. , Vasilyeva Elena B. , Yarovaya Yulia A.
Published: November 2024

Objective: to evaluate the value of tuberculosis preventive treatment (PTT) in children with tuberculosis infection. Material and methods. As part of a continuous study, a cohort of 200 children from 1 to 17 years old taken for clinical observation in group VI A (positive test result with the recombinant tuberculosis allergen [ATR]) was analyzed. All children underwent additional examination methods to exclude the local form of tuberculosis: physical examination, laboratory clinical and biochemical tests of blood and urine, multislice computed tomography of the chest organs and, according to clinical recommendations, PTT was proposed, which the parents of 65 children refused. Study groups: 1 — those with no family contact with a patient with tuberculosis (ТВ) (n=70): 2 — those with contact with a patient with ТВ (n=65), in group 3 included children whose parents refused PTT, despite the presence of indications (n=65), incl. 14 children were from Tl lesions. Children group 1 and 2 received PTT. Control over the PTT was carried out on the "Yandex.Teleconference". Results. As a result of comparison of the three groups, reliable data were obtained on the effectiveness of PTT according to the criteria of preventing the disease and reducing the results of the ATR test. A significantly high percentage of sick children in group 3 was established, compared with children from group 1 (p=0.008; x2=18.6). When assessing the dynamics of the results of immunodiagnostic tests in children of the group 1 who received PTT, a decrease in the test with ATR was significantly more often observed compared to children without PTT(p=0.001; x2=17.2). It is worth noting that children had satisfactory tolerability of the drugs; no adverse events were observed in patients with daily video recording. Conclusion. A conclusion was made about the need for preventive work with parents of children who refused preventive treatment to increase their level of adherence, the need to evaluate the effectiveness of PTT courses using primary and additional criteria, including the importance of controlled PTT.
Formation of a health culture among adolescents as a key factor in development of society
Authors: Biryukova Natalya V. , Khalfin Ruslan A. , Madyanova Victoria V.
Published: November 2024

Objective: to assess the dynamics of the formation of a culture of health and the perception of their own health by schoolchildren on the example of students at the stage of pre-professional medical education. Material and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the Pre-University of Sechenov University. A questionnaire was used to assess the physical, mental, social and spiritual components of health culture. A questionnaire was used to assess the key components of the culture of health: physical, mental, social and spiritual. In 2018, 260 teenagers (171 girls and 89 boys, average age — 16.6±0.74 years) were interviewed, in 2024-702 (519 girls and 183 boys, average age 16.3±0.91 years). The data were analyzed using the Pearson x2 test with Yeats correction, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated to study the relationship between qualitative features. Results. During the period understudy, the share of students with high values of the level of health culture increased by an average of 12.9±5.5% (p<0.01); attaching importance to lifestyle, ecology, rejection of bad habits, receiving information about health from reliable sources by more than 10%(p<0.01), a relationship was found between adolescents' perception of their own health and the professional status of their mothers (2024 —p=0.733; 2018 — p=0.730, t=0.11). Conclusions. An increase in the proportion of adolescents with a high level of health culture has been shown, there is no significant difference in health self-esteem and there is a strong and direct link between the perception of adolescents of their own health and the professional status of their mothers.
Variability of morphometric characteristics of cerebral arteries in children aged 3-7 years
Authors: Gladilin Yuriy A. , Fomkina Olga A. , Nikolenko Vladimir N. , Muzurova Ludmila V.
Published: November 2024

Objective: to identify bilateral and sexual variability, as well as the average morphometric characteristics of the cerebral arteries in children during the first childhood are normal. Material and methods. The material for the study was samples of brain arteries obtained during autopsy of 35 children 3-7 years old. Transverse millimeter sections of the anterior (АСА), wedge-shaped parts of the middle (MCA), pre-communication segments of the posterior cerebral (PCA), intracranial parts of the vertebral arteries (VA) and cerebral internal carotid arteries (ICA) under a microscope determined the external diameter, wall thickness, internal diameter. Results. The above parameters of the arteries in the right and left hemispheres of the brain ranged from 0.2 to 7.9% (p>0.05); in boys and girls — from 0.5 to 15.4% (p>0.05). The average values of the outer diameter, wall thickness and inner diameter were: ICA—2.65±0.04, 0.16±0.005 and 2.33±0.04 mm; АСА— 1.90±0.02, 0.14±0.004 and 1.61±0.03 mm; MCA—2.25±0.03, 0.15±0.005 and 1.95±0.03 mm; PCA— 1.81±0.03, 0.14±0.004 and 1.54±0.03 mm; VA —2.23±0.03, 0.16±0.005 and 1.91±0.04 mm. Conclusion. In the first period of childhood, bilateral and sexual differences in the value of the studied parameters of ICA and main cerebral arteries were not found. In this regard, arterial mean values are presented excluding sex and arterial circle side. In the first period of childhood, the lumen of АСА is 86.0%, MCA—80.4%, PCA—79.0%, VA—79.9% of the size of similar arteries in an adult.
To the anniversary of professor Tatyana N. Popova
Authors: Kurochkina Elena N. , Osintsev Evgeny Yu.
Published: November 2024

The article tells about the professional path of an oncologist surgeon, Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor of Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky, who raised several generations of Saratov oncologists — Tatyana Nikolaevna Popova, who celebrated her 70th anniversary in 2024.
Geç Tanı Konulmuş Oral Sküamoz Hücreli Karsinom Üzerine Etiyolojik Bir Bakış: Bir Olgu Sunumu
Authors: Üzel Aytaç , Kuran Alican , Aksakallı Fatma , Tokuç Berkay , Seki Umut , Sinanoğlu Enver Alper
Published: November 2024

Malign neoplazmlar arasında oral sküamoz hücreli karsinom (OSHK) mortalite ve morbiditeye sebep olan en önemli nedenler arasında yer almaktadır. Bu sebeple OSHK olgularında erken tanı büyük bir önem kazanmaktadır. OSHK olgularının ilk belirtilerinin asemptomatik ülser ya da ağrısız şişlik olması nedeniyle, tanı sürecinde hem hasta hem de hekim kaynaklı faktörler sebebiyle gecikme yaşanabileceği bilinmektedir. Bu olgu sunumunda 6 aydır iyileşmeyen intraoral ülserasyon şikayetiyle kliniğimize başvuran 71 yaşındaki kadın hastadan alınan anamnezde, altı ay önce mandibular sol bölgede ağrı ve hassasiyet şikayeti sebebiyle diş çekim işlemi yapıldığı ancak şikayetlerinin devam ettiği öğrenilmiştir. Yapılan intraoral muayenede sol mandibular krette kanamaya meyilli, sınırları düzensiz ağrılı ülsere lezyon saptanmıştır. Alveolar kret mukozası ve altındaki nekrotik kemikten alınan insizyonel biyopsi sonrasında yapılan histopatolojik değerlendirme sonucunda iyi diferansiye OSHK tanısı konmuştur.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Etiyoloji; Gecikmeli Tanı; Oral Ülser; Yassı Hücreli Kanser
Homesickness in First-Year Students at a Costa Rican Public University
Authors: Espinoza Murillo Ligia , Rodríguez Chaves José David
Published: November 2024

During the first year of university, students from rural areas in Costa Rica might have to leave home and settle down in a different city to attain a higher-education degree. These students go through diverse challenges due to the changes they have to face during the adaptation to this new life. One of the major aspects that students cope with is the phenomenon of homesickness since it can affect their emotions, motivation, and, subsequently, their academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to explore this phenomenon among first-year students enrolled in the majors of English as a Foreign Language, Computer Sciences, and Business Administration, study plans offered by Universidad Nacional (UNA) at Sede Interuniversitaria de Alajuela, in Costa Rica. During the first term in 2019, the researchers diagnosed the level of homesickness in this population. Through a mixed method approach, the likeliness, level, and traits of homesickness were determined. First, a demographic questionnaire informed on what regions these students came from and place of residence back then. On a second research stage, the students who had to move far from home completed a self-report scale to measure their level of homesickness; also, these students were interviewed to gather data on the strategies implemented at a personal level and social support given by university agents. Main findings revealed that all students changing their place of residence to start university studies were more likely to display some degree of homesickness. Results suggest that more emphasis on the phenomenon and follow-up of students’ cases is suggested to prevent and approach academic failure and eventual dropping out.