bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verisimilitude: A Reintroduction
Authors: Potolsky Matthew
Published: March 2024

Abstract: In this article, I argue for giving renewed attention to the concept of verisimilitude, a term popular in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century criticism but which has since the nineteenth century become a mere synonym for realism in fiction and film. It will be my argument that verisimilitude has long existed in Western critical theory as an alternative form of realism and that we gain theoretical dividends by recognizing it as such. Thus reframed verisimilitude demonstrates the extent to which all versions of mimesis are also implicitly theories about human character and the nature of social life.
Effect of crystal-water on the optical and dielectric characteristics of calcium sulfate in the THz band
Authors: Huang Ren , Zheng Zhiyuan , Gao Chutong , Zhang Tong , Zhang Mingrui , Li Shanshan , Huang Haochong , Qiu Kunfeng
Published: March 2024

The effect of crystal-water contents on the optical properties and dielectric characteristics of calcium sulfate in the THz band is investigated. The complex dielectric constant and conductivity are analyzed using the Drude-Smith model. The refractive index and absorption coefficient are linearly increased with the content of crystal-water, and the corresponding linear fitting lines of R2 over 0.97 are obtained. The dielectric properties of calcium sulfate are significantly affected by the crystal-water content. These results indicate that a new method to quantitative measurement of the crystal-water content in hydrous minerals is provided.
CRISPR-M: Predicting sgRNA off-target effect using a multi-view deep learning network
Authors: Sun Jialiang , Guo Jun , Liu Jian
Published: March 2024

Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system to perform base substitutions at the target site is a typical technique for genome editing with the potential for applications in gene therapy and agricultural productivity. When the CRISPR-Cas9 system uses guide RNA to direct the Cas9 endonuclease to the target site, it may misdirect it to a potential off-target site, resulting in an unintended genome editing. Although several computational methods have been proposed to predict off-target effects, there is still room for improvement in the off-target effect prediction capability. In this paper, we present an effective approach called CRISPR-M with a new encoding scheme and a novel multi-view deep learning model to predict the sgRNA off-target effects for target sites containing indels and mismatches. CRISPR-M takes advantage of convolutional neural networks and bidirectional long short-term memory recurrent neural networks to construct a three-branch network towards multi-views. Compared with existing methods, CRISPR-M demonstrates significant performance advantages running on real-world datasets. Furthermore, experimental analysis of CRISPR-M under multiple metrics reveals its capability to extract features and validates its superiority on sgRNA off-target effect predictions.
Factors associated with Covid-19 vaccine acceptance among persons with disabilities: A cross-sectional study in Ghana
Authors: Atta-Osei Godfred , Acheampong Enoch , Gyaase Daniel , Tawiah Rebecca , Gyaase Theresah Ivy , Adade Richard , Fofie Douglas , Owusu Isaac , Mprah Wisdom Kwadwo
Published: March 2024

Background

While COVID-19 has had a wide-ranging impact on individuals and societies, persons with disabilities are uniquely affected largely due to secondary health conditions and challenges in adhering to protective measures. However, research on COVID-19 and vaccine acceptance has primarily focused on the general population and healthcare workers but has specifically not targeted PwDs, who are more vulnerable within societies. Hence, this study assessed PwDs knowledge of COVID-19 and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among PwDs in the Atwima Mponua District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Respondents were sampled systematically and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with STATA version 16.0. Descriptive analysis was done using means and proportions. The chi-square test and Logistic regression were used to assess Covid-19 vaccine acceptance among the respondents.

Results

250 PwDs were recruited for the study. A higher proportion of the respondents were females, physically impaired, and between 30–50 years. The majority (74%) of the PwDs had average knowledge about Covid-19. Factors such as age, educational level and type of disability were significantly associated with PwDs’ knowledge of COVID-19. The acceptance rate for COVID-19 among PwDs was 71.2%. Age, religion, knowledge of COVID-19, and educational level were significantly associated with Covid-19 vaccine acceptance. Persons with disabilities with low and average knowledge of COVID-19 were 95% and 65%, respectively, less likely to accept the vaccine compared to those with high knowledge of COVID-19 (AOR = 0.05, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.21; AOR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.12, 1.03). Older people and those with higher education were more likely to accept the vaccine compared to younger people and those with no or less education.

Conclusion

Persons with disabilities have average knowledge of COVID-19 and a greater percentage of them were willing to accept the vaccine. The study identified age, religion, knowledge of COVID-19, and educational level as contributing factors to their willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. This suggest that PwDs will lean positive toward COVID-19 vaccine programs and as such, vaccination programs should target them.
Evidence uptake is only part of the process: Stakeholders’ insights on WHO treatment guideline recommendation processes for radical cure of P. vivax malaria
Authors: Ruwanpura Varunika S. H. , Grietens Koen Peeters , Price Ric N. , Thriemer Kamala
Published: March 2024

Health policy processes should be evidence-informed, transparent and timely, but these processes are often unclear to stakeholders outside the immediate policymaking environment. We spoke to 36 international malaria stakeholders to gain insights on the processes involved in the World Health Organization’s Global Malaria Programme’s recommendations for their treatment guidelines of P. vivax malaria. Four key themes which drew on the 3i policy framework and Shiffman’s four factors that influence global and national policymaking were identified to understand these processes. Triggers for policy change and change prioritisation, evidence types that inform policy, effects of funding on decision-making processes, and transparency and communication of these processes to external stakeholders. Results indicate that more clarity is needed on what triggers global malaria policy change processes, a clearer justification of evidence types used to inform policymaking, better understanding of the impact of the WHO’s funding model on policymaking and further transparency and improved communication of these processes to external stakeholders is also needed. We suggest that global malaria policymaking could be improved by using the following strategies: ensuring that identified triggers actually initiate the policy change process, expediting decision-making timelines by developing a priority framework for assessing new evidence, adopting suitable frameworks to assess contextual evidence, and increasing the transparency of the role of non-state funders in policy decision-making processes and when publishing new recommendations.
The impact of visually simulated self-motion on predicting object motion
Authors: Jörges Björn , Harris Laurence R.
Published: March 2024

To interact successfully with moving objects in our environment we need to be able to predict their behavior. Predicting the position of a moving object requires an estimate of its velocity. When flow parsing during self-motion is incomplete–that is, when some of the retinal motion created by self-motion is incorrectly attributed to object motion–object velocity estimates become biased. Further, the process of flow parsing should add noise and lead to object velocity judgements being more variable during self-motion. Biases and lowered precision in velocity estimation should then translate to biases and lowered precision in motion extrapolation. We investigated this relationship between self-motion, velocity estimation and motion extrapolation with two tasks performed in a realistic virtual reality (VR) environment: first, participants were shown a ball moving laterally which disappeared after a certain time. They then indicated by button press when they thought the ball would have hit a target rectangle positioned in the environment. While the ball was visible, participants sometimes experienced simultaneous visual lateral self-motion in either the same or in the opposite direction of the ball. The second task was a two-interval forced choice task in which participants judged which of two motions was faster: in one interval they saw the same ball they observed in the first task while in the other they saw a ball cloud whose speed was controlled by a PEST staircase. While observing the single ball, they were again moved visually either in the same or opposite direction as the ball or they remained static. We found the expected biases in estimated time-to-contact, while for the speed estimation task, this was only the case when the ball and observer were moving in opposite directions. Our hypotheses regarding precision were largely unsupported by the data. Overall, we draw several conclusions from this experiment: first, incomplete flow parsing can affect motion prediction. Further, it suggests that time-to-contact estimation and speed judgements are determined by partially different mechanisms. Finally, and perhaps most strikingly, there appear to be certain compensatory mechanisms at play that allow for much higher-than-expected precision when observers are experiencing self-motion–even when self-motion is simulated only visually.
Role of two modules controlling the interaction between SKAP1 and SRC kinases comparison with SKAP2 architecture and consequences for evolution
Authors: Levillayer Laurine , Brighelli Camille , Demeret Caroline , Sakuntabhai Anavaj , Bureau Jean-François
Published: March 2024

SRC kinase associated phosphoprotein 1 (SKAP1), an adaptor for protein assembly, plays an important role in the immune system such as stabilizing immune synapses. Understanding how these functions are controlled at the level of the protein-protein interactions is necessary to describe these processes and to develop therapeutics. Here, we dissected the SKAP1 modular organization to recognize SRC kinases and compared it to that of its paralog SRC kinase associated phosphoprotein 2 (SKAP2). Different conserved motifs common to either both proteins or specific to SKAP2 were found using this comparison. Two modules harboring different binding properties between SKAP1 and SKAP2 were identified: one composed of two conserved motifs located in the second interdomain interacting at least with the SH2 domain of SRC kinases and a second one composed of the DIM domain modulated by the SH3 domain and the activation of SRC kinases. This work suggests a convergent evolution of the binding properties of some SRC kinases interacting specifically with either SKAP1 or SKAP2.
Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns: Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study
Authors: Lu Chin-Li , Wen Hui-Ju , Chen Mei-Lien , Sun Chien-Wen , Hsieh Chia-Jung , Wu Ming-Tsang , Wang Shu-Li ,   TMICS study group
Published: March 2024

Background

Newborn anogenital distance (AGD) has been associated with prenatal exposure of phthalates. The association between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns is unclear.

Object

This study aimed to examine whether cord-blood sex hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposure and newborn anogenital distance (AGD).

Methods

In the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study, we recruited 1,676 pregnant women in their third trimester in 2012–2015 in Taiwan. We determined 11 urinary phthalate metabolites in pregnant women, three maternal and five cord-blood steroid sex-hormone concentrations. Five hundred and sixty-five mother-infant pairs with sufficient data were included. Trained neonatologists measured 263 newborns’ AGD. We examined the associations of prenatal phthalate metabolite levels with AGD and hormones using linear regression models and evaluated correlations between maternal and cord-blood sex hormone levels and AGD.

Results

Compared with the male newborns exposed to maternal phthalate metabolites at the first tertile, AGD was -3.75, -3.43, and -3.53 mm shorter among those exposed at the median tertile of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and monomethyl phthalate (MMP), respectively. Compared with those who had exposed at the first tertile, cord-blood follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased among male newborns exposed at higher levels of MMP, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), MBzP and DEHP, and among female newborns exposed at higher levels of MMP, MBzP and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate. However, we did not observe significant correlations of maternal or cord-blood sex steroid hormones with newborns’ AGDs.

Conclusions

Alterations in cord-blood sex steroid hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposures, particularly in male newborns. Women aspiring to be pregnant should be alerted of the need of reducing phthalate exposure.
Effects of lifestyle-related risk factors on life expectancy: A comprehensive model for use in early prevention of premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases
Authors: Jackowska Beata , Wiśniewski Piotr , Noiński Tomasz , Bandosz Piotr
Published: March 2024

Morbidity and premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases can be largely prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle at the earliest possible age. However, tools designed for the early identification of those at risk among young adults are lacking. We developed and validated a multivariable model for the prediction of life expectancy, allowing the early identification of apparently healthy adults at risk of lifestyle-related diseases. We used a cross-sectional approach to calculate life expectancy using data from 38,481 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2014), aged ≥20 years. A multivariable logistic model was used to quantify the impact of risk factors on mortality. The model included the following lifestyle-related mortality risk factors as predictors: smoking, diet, physical activity, and body mass index. The presence of the following chronic diseases was considered: diabetes, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and malignant neoplasms. The model showed a good predictive ability; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve measure was 0.846 (95% uncertainty interval 0.838–0.859). Life expectancy was determined using the life table method and the period life tables for the US population as the baseline. The results of this model underscore the importance of lifestyle-related risk factors in life expectancy. The difference between life expectancy for 30-year-old individuals with lifestyle characteristics ranked in 90% and 10% of their gender and age groups was 23 years for males and 18 years for females, whereas in 75% and 25%, it was 14 years for males and 10 years for females. In addition to early risk identification, the model estimates the deferred effect of lifestyle and the impact of lifestyle changes on life expectancy. Thus, it can be used in early prevention to demonstrate the potential risks and benefits of complex lifestyle modifications for educational purposes or to motivate behavioral changes.
Feasibility of replacing fish oil with sunflower oil on the growth, body composition, fatty acid profile, antioxidant activity, stress response, and blood biomarkers of Labeo rohita
Authors: Asghar Muhammad , Khan Noor , Fatima Mahroze , Arslan Murat , Davies Simon John , ul Haque Naveed
Published: March 2024

A 90-day study was conducted to investigate the effects of substituting sunflower oil (SFO) for fish oil (FO) on various parameters in Labeo rohita (initial weight 18.21 ± 0.22 g). Five experimental diets with different levels of SFO (up to 7%) substitution for FO (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) were formulated, ensuring equal levels of nitrogen and lipids. The results indicated that even with 100% substitution of SFO with FO, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in growth performance. The survival rate (SR), hepato-somatic index (HSI), and viscero-somatic index (VSI) as well as whole-body composition were also nonsignificant by SFO substitution. However, the fatty acid profiles in both muscle and liver were influenced (P<0.05) by dietary substitution. Saturated fats (SFA) decreased, while monounsaturated fats (MUFA), and linoleic acid (LA) increased (P<0.05). On the other hand, the contribution of linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) decreased (P<0.05) as the amount of SFO in the diet increased. Hematology parameters, including red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct), were not affected. Globulin (GLO) levels decreased significantly (P<0.05), while alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activity showed nonsignificant increases (P>0.05). Total protein (TP) increased (P<0.05) at 100% SFO inclusion in the diet, and albumin (ALB) levels increased (P<0.05) at 75% and 100% SFO inclusion in the diet. Cholesterol (CHOL), triacylglycerol (TG), and high-density lipids (HDL) were not significantly affected (P>0.05), while low-density lipids (LDL) were significantly increased (P<0.05) compared to the control group. Cortisol (CORT) and glucose (GLU) levels showed nonsignificant (P>0.05) changes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities in the liver and serum were not significantly (P>0.05) affected, while malondialdehyde (MDA) status was significantly (P<0.05) reduced. In conclusion, the fatty acid profile of the muscle and liver of fish was modified by the diets, and FO can be substituted with SFO up to 100% for L. rohita, which is beneficial for growth and immunity while marinating the lipid contents in fish. Our study revealed that fully replacing fish oil with SFO shows promise in fully replacing FO without compromising the growth and overall health status of the fish.
Environmental, social and governance performance and green transformation strategies for enterprises: Improving technical efficiency or expanding technological boundaries
Authors: Niu Dengyun , Wang Zhihua
Published: March 2024

Under the ongoing implementation of the “dual carbon” goal, research has focused on the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives on green innovation. However, few studies have analyzed in depth the mechanisms of ESG impact on green total factor productivity (green TFP). Here, we explored the impact of ESG performance on green TFP, green technical efficiency, and green technological progress using A-share listed companies in China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets from 2011 to 2021. The results show that good ESG performance can significantly improve the green TFP of enterprises, and that this effect is more prominent in industries with lower environmental risks and enterprises in the growth and maturity stages. We identified the importance of the psychological account path and propose that the promotional effect of ESG performance on green TFP mainly derives from improving green technical efficiency, rather than from expanding green technological boundaries. These findings have practical implications for guiding companies to implement ESG concepts, strengthening the synergistic role of government regulation and professional supervision, and promoting micro-level implementation of innovation-driven and sustainable development strategies, thereby promoting high-quality development.
Rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) cuticular hydrocarbons contain information about body size and sex
Authors: Bell Micah A. , Lim Garrett , Caldwell Chelsey , Emlen Douglas J. , Swanson Brook O.
Published: March 2024

Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) males have exaggerated horns that are used to compete for territories. Larger males with larger horns tend to win these competitions, giving them access to females. Agonistic interactions include what appears to be assessment and often end without escalating to physical combat. However, it is unknown what information competitors use to assess each other. In many insect species chemical signals can carry a range of information, including social position, nutritional state, morphology, and sex. Specifically, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), which are waxes excreted on the surface of insect exoskeletons, can communicate a variety of information. Here, we asked whether CHCs in rhinoceros beetles carry information about sex, body size, and condition that could be used by males during assessment behavior. Multivariate analysis of hydrocarbon composition revealed patterns associated with both sex and body size. We suggest that Rhinoceros beetles could be communicating information through CHCs that would explain behavioral decisions.
Exploring antecedents and outcomes of burnout among emergency department staff using the job demands-resources model: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Yang Luhuan , Lei Yunhong , Chu Dongmei , Jiang Jiawei , Li Zifeng , Tang Yanhua , Anita Abd Rahman
Published: March 2024

Introduction

High levels of burnout are prevalent among Emergency Department staff due to chronic exposure to job stress. There is a lack of knowledge about anteceding factors and outcomes of burnout in this population.

Aims

To provide a comprehensive overview of burnout and identify its workplace antecedents and outcomes among Emergency Department staff.

Methods

The scoping study will follow the methodology outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, APA PsycInfo, and CINAHL databases will be searched using predefined strategies. Two reviewers will screen the title, abstract and full text separately based on the eligibility criteria. Data will be charted, coded, and narratively synthesized based on the job demands–resources model.

Conclusion

The results will provide insights into the underlying work-related factors contributing to burnout and its implications for individuals, healthcare organizations, and patient care.
Risk factors for critical COVID-19 illness during Delta- and Omicron-predominant period in Korea; using K-COV-N cohort in the National health insurance service
Authors: Lee Kyung-Shin , Go Min Jin , Choi Youn Young , Kim Min-Kyung , Seong Jaehyun , Sung Ho Kyung , Jeon Jaehyun , Jang Hee-Chang , Kim Myoung-Hee
Published: March 2024

Background

This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 in Korea, and examined the relationship between severe COVID-19 cases and underlying health conditions during the Delta (September 20, 2021 to December 4, 2021) and the Omicron (February 20, 2022 to March 31, 2022) predominant period.

Methods

This study assessed the association between critical COVID-19 illness and various risk factors, including a variety of underlying health conditions, using multiple logistic regression models based on the K-COV-N cohort, a nationwide data of confirmed COVID-19 cases linked with COVID-19 vaccination status and the National Health Insurance claim information.

Results

We analyzed 137,532 and 8,294,249 cases of COVID-19 infection during the Delta and the Omicron variant dominant periods, respectively. During the Delta as well as the Omicron period, old age (≥80 years) showed the largest effect size among risk factors for critical COVID-19 illness (aOR = 18.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 14.71–22.23 for the Delta; aOR = 24.07; 95% CI = 19.03–30.44 for the Omicron period). We found that patients with solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, unvaccinated, and interstitial lung disease had more than a two-fold increased risk of critical COVID-19 outcomes between the Delta and Omicron periods. However, risk factors such as urban residence, underweight, and underlying medical conditions, including chronic cardiac diseases, immunodeficiency, and mental disorders, had different effects on the development of critical COVID-19 illness between the Delta and Omicron periods.

Conclusion

We found that the severity of COVID-19 infection was much higher for the Delta variant than for the Omicron. Although the Delta and the Omicron variant shared many risk factors for critical illness, several risk factors were found to have different effects on the development of critical COVID-19 illness between those two variants. Close monitoring of a wide range of risk factors for critical illness is warranted as new variants continue to emerge during the pandemic.
Chikungunya virus infection disrupts MHC-I antigen presentation via nonstructural protein 2
Authors: Ware Brian C. , Parks M. Guston , da Silva Mariana O. L. , Morrison Thomas E.
Published: March 2024

Infection by chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, causes severe polyarthralgia and polymyalgia, which can last in some people for months to years. Chronic CHIKV disease signs and symptoms are associated with the persistence of viral nucleic acid and antigen in tissues. Like humans and nonhuman primates, CHIKV infection in mice results in the development of robust adaptive antiviral immune responses. Despite this, joint tissue fibroblasts survive CHIKV infection and can support persistent viral replication, suggesting that they escape immune surveillance. Here, using a recombinant CHIKV strain encoding the fluorescent protein VENUS with an embedded CD8+ T cell epitope, SIINFEKL, we observed a marked loss of both MHC class I (MHC-I) surface expression and antigen presentation by CHIKV-infected joint tissue fibroblasts. Both in vivo and ex vivo infected joint tissue fibroblasts displayed reduced cell surface levels of H2-Kb and H2-Db MHC-I proteins while maintaining similar levels of other cell surface proteins. Mutations within the methyl transferase-like domain of the CHIKV nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) increased MHC-I cell surface expression and antigen presentation efficiency by CHIKV-infected cells. Moreover, expression of WT nsP2 alone, but not nsP2 with mutations in the methyltransferase-like domain, resulted in decreased MHC-I antigen presentation efficiency. MHC-I surface expression and antigen presentation was rescued by replacing VENUS-SIINFEKL with SIINFEKL tethered to β2-microglobulin in the CHIKV genome, which bypasses the requirement for peptide processing and TAP-mediated peptide transport into the endoplasmic reticulum. Collectively, this work suggests that CHIKV escapes the surveillance of antiviral CD8+ T cells, in part, by nsP2-mediated disruption of MHC-I antigen presentation.
From our own voices: The meaning making of subculture among extreme metal musicians in Indonesia
Authors: Sutopo Oki Rahadianto , Lukisworo Agustinus Aryo
Published: March 2024

In the mid-1990s, extreme metal music in Indonesia was defined as a threat to the authoritarian regime’s unquestioned values of harmony and social stability. Consequently, the music had to rely on the local communities in Yogyakarta, Jakarta and Bandung. After the downfall of the military-based authoritarian regime in 1998, the alliance between extreme metal subculture and the state changed moderately. Extreme metal is no longer considered as a ‘folk devil’, nonetheless as a marketable commodity relevant to the new agenda of creative economy policy. This article draws from stories of Indonesian extreme metal musicians to illustrate the relevance of subculture concept in extreme metal music in the contemporary neo-liberal era. Using the life biographies approach, we highlight how extreme metal musicians make and remake the actual and symbolic meanings of their involvement in music subcultures based upon the temporal and spatial situatedness of their lifeworld. We focus on the narratives of two informants who have been continuously devoted to their ways of life as metalheads, not only in relation to ‘musicking’ but also in respect to maintaining ‘subcultural values’ throughout their life biographies. Regarding this, we conducted interviews with Indonesian extreme metal musicians from two major ‘metal’ cities in Indonesia: Jakarta and Bandung. In this article, we argue that as rookies, the meaning of extreme metal subculture is as a space to embody the authenticity, autonomy and community as a manifestation of subcultural values. As aficionado, they reinterpreted the meaning of extreme metal subculture as a space to maintain the values of authenticity, autonomy and community. In short, extreme metal musicians incrementally made and remade the meaning of subculture centred on the particular temporal and spatial contexts in their life biographies.
White faces in the dark forest: A discussion surrounding whiteness and hegemonic masculinity in Norwegian black metal
Authors: Draut Easton
Published: March 2024

The heavy metal subgenre of black metal has been a source of controversy and intrigue for the past couple of decades. From the realm of extreme metal, it has been seen as a peak that many subgenres have not reached in real-world violence, dedication and mystery. This article intervenes into this scene by examining how masculinity and whiteness are constructed through its music and subculture. By doing so, it expands the work being done not only in whiteness and gender studies, but also metal music studies. This is also an endeavour to turn to sonic rhetoric as I address the way that topics of race and gender are addressed lyrically and sonically. In this article, I uncover the intersections between how Norwegian black metal has constructed and pushed against the boundaries of race and gender through lyrics and sonic qualities in a search for freedom from hegemonic forces they were facing, and upholding.
Sentiment Analysis Using Machine Learning
Authors: Singh Neha , Jaiswal Umesh Chandra
Published: March 2024

In recent years, sentiment analysis on social media, including Facebook, Twitter and blogs, has grown in popularity. Social media generate large amounts of information, and this has contributed to the growth of sentiment analysis as a field of research. This study demonstrates that sentiment analysis has been thoroughly researched in previous years, and numerous methods have been designed and evaluated. Nevertheless, there is still much room for improvement. This paper reviews the state of art in sentiment analysis. Various machine learning procedures for sentiment analysis are discussed, their potential to increase the level of the analysis accuracy is underscored. This paper introduces sentiment analysis types, methodologies, applications, challenges, and a comparative study of machine learning and sentiment analysis approaches. Performance evaluation parameters, for sentiment analysis, have also been tested and compared using different machine learning classifiers. Performance evaluation points to logistic regression as the model that achieves the best result. In the future, a method that is easy, versatile, and practicable, should be offered as opposed to existing machine learning methods, and more work should be put into improving the algorithms’ performance.
Pilares y toros al borde del estuario. El nuevo monumento ibérico de 'Inquisición Grande' y el conjunto escultórico de Rojales (Alicante)
Authors: Prados Martínez Fernando , Jiménez Vialás Helena , García-López Arturo
Published: March 2024

Se presenta en este trabajo un conjunto inédito de elementos arquitectónicos, en concreto cornisas de gola, procedentes del área denominada 'Inquisición Grande' (Rojales, Alicante), documentadas en unas recientes prospecciones desarrolladas en la comarca natural del Bajo Segura. Estos nuevos datos posibilitan un conocimiento más completo de la arquitectura monumental ibérica, así como de su polisemia y usos en el territorio de implantación, que exceden a los exclusivamente funerarios. El lugar de su aparición, además, permite ponerlos en relación con un conjunto de escultura ibérica aparecido durante la guerra civil y estudiado en 1941 por el arqueólogo Augusto Fernández de Avilés.
Faktor-Faktor Penentu Vaccine Hesitancy pada Orang Tua Anak Usia 6-12 Tahun terhadap Vaksin COVID-19 di Kabupaten Bandung
Authors: Nirwani Bunga , Dhamayanti Meita , Solek Purboyo , Lukmanul Hakim Dzulfikar Djalil , Alam Anggraini , Tarigan Rodman
Published: March 2024

Latar belakang. Hingga 18 Mei 2020, 584 anak terkonfirmasi positif COVID-19 di Indonesia, mendorong upaya pencegahan melalui vaksinasi anak. Kendati Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia mendukung vaksinasi COVID-19 pada anak usia 6–11 tahun, terdapat keraguan (hesitancy) dan penolakan vaksin yang perlu dipahami faktornya.Tujuan. Penelitian bertujuan mengeksplorasi adanya keraguan terkait vaksinasi COVID-19 pada anak dan menganalisis faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi orang tua.Metode. Penelitian analitik kuantitatif dengan desain potong lintang, menggunakan data sekunder yang diperoleh dari penelitian sebelumnya yang merupakan bagian dari riset Academic Leadership Grant meliputi data demografis subjek penelitian, tingkat pengetahuan subjek penelitian mengenai COVID-19, serta status keraguan subjek penelitian terhadap vaksin COVID-19. Hasil. Didapat 613 subjek penelitian yaitu orang tua yang memiliki setidaknya satu orang anak berusia 6-12 tahun yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan tidak memenuhi kriteria eksklusi. Dari 613 subjek, sebagian besar memiliki skor pengetahuan COVID-19 yang baik pada 419 orang (68,4%) dan sebagian besar menunjukkan tanpa keraguan pada 546 (89,1%). Pendidikan terakhir (p=0,002 <0,05) dan riwayat infeksi COVID-19 pada keluarga (p=0,007 <0,05) merupakan faktor yang secara signifikan berpengaruh terhadap skor pengetahuan COVID-19.Kesimpulan. Tingkat pendidikan dan riwayat infeksi COVID-19 pada keluarga merupakan faktor yang signifikan secara statistik terhadap tingkat pengetahuan orangtua anak usia 6-12 tahun mengenai COVID-19. Tidak terdapat faktor yang signifikan secara statistik terhadap vaccine hesitancy pada orangtua anak usia 6-12 tahun.
Peran Pola Asuh Orang Tua terhadap Kesiapan Bersekolah pada Anak Usia Prasekolah
Authors: Prastya Reza Wahyu Dwi , Sekartini Rini
Published: March 2024

Latar belakang. Usia prasekolah merupakan masa yang sangat penting dalam perkembangan anak. Keterlambatan perkembangan umumnya terjadi pada masa prasekolah dan dialami oleh 10-15% anak prasekolah. Gangguan perkembangan pada anak prasekolah membuat anak memiliki performa lebih rendah dari temannya yang dapat memengaruhi kesiapan bersekolah. Penelitian kesiapan bersekolah pada anak usia prasekolah masih terbatas di Indonesia. Pola asuh orang tua dapat memengaruhi kesiapan bersekolah. Tujuan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui sebaran kesiapan bersekolah, gambaran pola asuh orang tua, dan hubungan antara pola asuh orang tua dengan kesiapan bersekolah pada anak usia prasekolah. Metode. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain potong lintang. Data kesiapan bersekolah diperoleh melalui kuesioner BRIGANCE Early Childhood Screens III dan pola asuh orang tua melalui kuesioner Parenting Styles and Dimension Questionnaire. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Taman Kanak- kanak Negeri Menteng 01 dan Negeri Cilacap, Jakarta. Penelitian ini melibatkan 18 anak (23,7%) berusia empat tahun dan 58 anak (76,3%) berusia 5 tahun dengan mayoritas anak perempuan. Hasil. Hasil skrining menunjukkan bahwa 20 anak (26,3%) tidak siap masuk sekolah. Rerata usia ibu adalah 34,92 tahun dan usia ayah 37,48 tahun. Pola asuh orang tua yang umum diterapkan adalah otoritatif (86,8%), diikuti permisif (11,8%), dan otoriter (1,3%). Temuan menunjukkan adanya hubungan signifikan antara pola asuh dan kesiapan bersekolah (p<0,001). Pola asuh permisif lebih umum diterapkan pada anak laki-laki, sedangkan anak perempuan lebih sering dididik dengan pola asuh otoritatif. Pola asuh otoriter ditemukan pada keluarga dengan kondisi sosial ekonomi yang lebih rendah. Kesimpulan. Pola asuh dan kesiapan bersekolah memiliki hubungan signifikan secara statistik. Anak yang dididik dengan pola asuh otoritatif memiliki tingkat kesiapan sekolah yang lebih tinggi.
Perbedaan Kadar Vitamin 25-Oh-D antara Nefritis Lupus dengan Lupus Eritematosus Sistemik pada Anak
Authors: Putri Elita Verina Adikara , Subandijah Krisni , Tjahjono Harjoedi Adji
Published: March 2024

Latar belakang. Lupus eritematosus sistemik adalah penyakit autoimun yang bisa berdampak pada manifestasi klinis di beberapa organ tubuh. Nefritis lupus termasuk salah satu konsekuensi manifestasi klinis LES derajat berat pada ginjal. Kadar vitamin D dalam tubuh dapat turun pada LES dan nefritis lupus karena faktor insufisiensi ginjal dan penggunaan obat-obatan kortikosteroid. Di Indonesia, belum terdapat penelitian yang melihat perbandingan kadar vitamin D antara nefritis lupus dan LES pada anak. Tujuan. Untuk mengetahui perbedaan kadar vitamin 25-OH-D antara nefritis lupus dengan lupus eritematosus sistemik pada anak. Metode. Penelitian analitik observasional ini menggunakan metode cross sectional pada subjek penelitian 17 pasien LES anak dan 17 pasien nefritis lupus anak di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Dr. Saiful Anwar Malang. Data hasil penelitian menunjukkan kadar vitamin 25-OH-D pada pasien LES anak maupun nefritis lupus anak paling banyak tergolong insufisiensi. Analisis data dengan uji komparatif Mann Whitney.Hasil. Perbedaan signifikan didapatkan pada kadar vitamin 25-OH-D antara nefritis lupus dengan LES (p=0,004). Analisis data dengan uji korelatif Spearman menunjukkan terdapat hubungan signifikan antara klasifikasi kadar vitamin 25-OH-D dengan peningkatan keparahan LES pada terjadinya nefritis lupus (p=0,003). Kesimpulan. Kadar vitamin 25-OH-D pasien nefritis lupus anak lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan pasien LES anak, serta klasifikasi kadar vitamin 25-OH-D berkolerasi negatif dengan keparahan penyakit LES pada anak dengan terjadinya nefritis lupus.
Prosedur Menunda Minum saat Transfusi Sel Darah Merah dan Kejadian Enterokolitis Nekrotikans pada Bayi Prematur
Authors: Mardhotillah Afiffa , Marsubrin Putri Maharani Tristanita
Published: March 2024

Bayi prematur memiliki risiko menderita komplikasi akibat prematuritas dan luarannya sangat berhubungan dengan usia gestasi. Di antara berbagai komplikasi, enterekolitis nekrotikans merupakan komplikasi yang perlu diwaspadai pada bayi prematur. Patogenesis terjadinya  masih belum dipahami secara penuh. Prematuritas menjadi satu-satunya faktor risiko yang konsisten ditemukan dalam studi mengenai enterekolitis nekrotikans, tetapi diyakini bahwa etiologinya bersifat multifaktorial. Saat ini, mulai banyak penelitian yang juga mengaitkan enterekolitis nekrotikans dengan transfusi sel darah merah atau dikenal sebagai transfusion associated necrotizing enterocolitis. Berbagai upaya untuk mencegah terjadinya enterekolitis nekrotikans dilakukan, salah satunya dengan melakukan prosedur menunda minum saat transfusi sel darah merah. Tujuan dari telaah ini adalah untuk memaparkan berbagai pandangan dan penelitian terkait penerapan prosedur menunda minum saat transfusi sel darah merah dan kaitannya dengan angka kejadian enterekolitis nekrotikans.
Healthcare Costs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Subtypes in the United States
Authors: Shin Andrea , Xu Huiping
Published: March 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Contemporaneous data on healthcare costs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the United States are lacking. We aimed to estimate all-cause and IBS-specific costs in patients with and without IBS and to compare costs across IBS subtypes.

METHODS:

Using Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart Database, we performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with and without IBS using data spanning 2016–2021. Patients with IBS were identified by ICD-10 codes. Controls were randomly selected from Clinformatics Data Mart Database participants. Primary outcomes were total all-cause and IBS-specific healthcare costs. Secondary outcomes were costs of individual services associated with any claim. Costs were compared between IBS and control groups and across IBS subtypes using propensity score weighting. Comorbidities were measured with the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index.

RESULTS:

Comparison of 102,887 patients with IBS (77.9% female; mean ± SD age 60.3 ± 18.4 years; 75.8% white) and 102,887 controls demonstrated higher median (interquartile range) total costs per year (P < 0.001) for patients with IBS ($13,288 [5,307–37,071]) than controls ($5,999 [1,800–19,426]). IBS was associated with increased healthcare utilization and higher median annual costs per patient for all services. Median (interquartile range) annual IBS-specific spending was $1,127 (370–5,544) per patient. Propensity score–weighted analysis across IBS subtypes revealed differences in total all-cause and IBS-specific costs and in costs of individual services. Highest spending was observed in IBS with constipation (all-cause $16,005 [6,384–43,972]; IBS-specific $2,222 [511–7,887]).

DISCUSSION:

Individuals with IBS exhibit higher healthcare utilization and incur substantially higher all-cause costs than those without. Care costs differ by IBS subtype.
‘Review of Interactions, Trade and Mobility in Archaeology, Proceedings of the Graduate Archaeology Oxford (GAO) Conference 2021’.
Authors: Cecatiello Stefano Augusto
Published: March 2024

Interactions, Trade and Mobility in Archaeology edited by Karampas and Falezza is a summative work of the 2021 Graduate Archaeology Oxford conference. Its purpose is to present the work of young researchers from different institutions on three subjects: social interactions, trade and maritime networks. Its chapters are subdivided into three groups each dedicated to one of these specific topics. The following article provides a summary and review of the research presented within this book.
A Pilot Study of Physician Assistant Student and Alumni Attitudes, Awareness, and Perceptions of Medical and Recreational Marijuana
Authors: Lawler Kathryn , Strauss Abigail , Kaczmarek Allison , Martinasek Mary
Published: March 2024

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to explore current physician assistant (PA) student and alumni attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions towards recreational and medical marijuana. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with PA students and alumni (N = 62) from a mid-sized university in the southeastern United States. We used an online QualtricsTM survey of 40 questions pertaining to both medical and recreational marijuana. Results: When asked about counseling patients on medical marijuana only 50.8% felt comfortable. Even fewer were comfortable with discussing drug interactions (39%). Participants felt that edibles were the safest route of administration (46.8%). The majority felt patient counseling should be incorporated into health sciences courses (79.7%). There was a statistically significant association between their knowledge and their comfort in answering questions about marijuana (p < .001) and between their knowledge and their comfort in addressing drug interactions (p = .005). Conclusion: Our results align with previous research concluding that a greater amount of marijuana education should be incorporated into healthcare professionals’ curricula.
Improving Water Consumption in Underserved Elementary Schools: Implementation and Evaluation of a School-based Hydration Initiative
Authors: Tatum Kristina , LaRose Jessica , Smith Danyel , Stewart Mary , Theriault Elizabeth , Bean Melanie
Published: March 2024

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a school-based hydration initiative in elementary schools. Methods: Hydration initiative included (1) placement of hydration stations, (2) promotional and educational activities during “Water Week,” and (3) provision of reusable water bottles. Surveys were administered at baseline and follow-up to assess student beverage intake and perceptions about the school’s environmental hydration policies and practices. Water bottle fills were assessed objectively at baseline, post-Water Week, and followup via weekly counts from hydration stations. Results: Water use increased post-Water Week (2.97±2.14), declining to 0.71±0.47 2 weeks later. At follow-up, frequency of soda consumption decreased (-.01 times/day; p < .001), self-reported water refill station use increased (p = .011), and a decrease (-.04 cups/day) in overall daily water intake (p = .043). At follow-up, there was an increase in the percentage of school personnel who reported their school promoted water as the best choice (p = .039). Students and teachers reported positive attitudes towards hydration stations, with some concerns about water bottle use in classrooms. Conclusion: The intervention reduced soda consumption and improved school hydration culture. Results can inform hydration policy and programming efforts for elementary school students.
Analysis of Normative Requirements and Technical Specifications of a Structural Design of the Mechanical Device Operating in the Amusement Industry
Authors: Molnár Denis , Blatnický Miroslav , Dižo Ján , Solčanský Sebastián , Čierňava Dávid
Published: March 2024

In current hectic times, people should be able to slow down and diversify their free time. Therefore, the contribution of the amusement industry should not be negligible but, on the contrary, should be seen as something where whole families can seek respite from ordinary worries and problems. For this reason, the presented paper was written, which represents an intermediate step in the design of an amusement facility suitable for amusement parks that respects the normative requirements. Technical standardization represents a set of rules, characterizations, guidelines, and results of activities necessary for mutual understanding when solving technical problems in production. Adherence to standards is essential when launching a product on the market. The main standard indicating the full functioning of an amusement device is STN EN 13814. Its analysis and the resulting technical specifications of the proposed equipment are the chief objectives of the paper.
Tool path planning of ball-end milling of free-form surfaces as a search algorithm
Authors: Mgherony Abdulwahab , Mikó Balázs
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces an innovative approach for generating three-axis CNC tool paths for machining free-form surfaces. The method is designed to minimize variations in the effective tool diameter, addressing a common challenge encountered when using ball-end tools for machining free-form surfaces. These surfaces exhibit varying inclinations, leading to fluctuations in the tool’s working diameter from one point to another, resulting in inconsistent cutting speeds and milling parameters despite a constant spindle speed. Consequently, the machined surface tends to lack uniformity. In contrast to conventional tool path planning techniques, the proposed method calculates the working diameter at each adjacent point and guides the tool’s movement towards the point where the smallest change in working diameter is anticipated. This approach reduces fluctuations in cutting speed and promotes the generation of a more homogeneous surface.