bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Domesticating the Global Discourse of Nationalism in Early Twentieth-Century Iran: A Sociological Institutionalist Account
Authors: Barjasteh Amir
Published: August 2023

This article explores how nationhood was discursively constructed in early twentieth-century Iran. While most studies concentrate on micro-national causes, this study complements this literature by drawing on domestication theory to show how globally diffused nationalist discourse was localized and tailored to the Iranian context at the turn of the twentieth century. It employs the methods of critical discourse analysis and critical metaphor analysis to investigate politics in the construction of nationhood in Iran. The data include all editorials and articles in three highly influential Iranian periodicals: Qanun, Tarbiyat, and Kaveh. By analyzing the shared premises in this data, the study highlights the transnational nature of the discourse to indicate how Iranian nationhood was embedded in world society yet adapted locally. The analysis then identifies three variations of Iranian nationhood, each woven into a particular national narrative at the time. These findings attest to the meso-level approach that addresses the discursive side of diffusion mechanisms and calls attention to the discursive politics in localization processes of nationhood. They point to new directions to understand contemporary Iran, not as an outlier or exception, but rather as discursively connected to world society. Given the discursive opportunities arising from these contentious notions of nationhood, the study calls for further critical investigations of identity-based appeals, often by authoritarian actors, in Iran’s modern politics.
Memorizing Vocabulary in Multilingual Classrooms: Strategies Adopted by Teachers in Distance Education
Authors: Rousoulioti Thomais , Seferiadou Eleftheria
Published: August 2023

The aim of this research is to investigate the usage and assessment of vocabulary memorization strategies adopted by teachers of Greek as a second/foreign language (L2) in multilingual classrooms. In particular, it investigates which vocabulary memorization strategies are adopted in distance education and whether or not there are differences in the frequency of their usage within face-to-face education, as well as how effective teachers consider them to be. Research results show that the most popular strategies in distance education are the strategies of reading aloud (92%), linking the new word to students’ previous personal experiences (89%), and using synonyms–antonyms (87%), although there is no significant difference among the strategies that teachers adopt in face-to-face and distance education with some minor variations in statistics. Furthermore, it was shown that the frequency of a strategy’s usage is related to how important teachers consider it to be. Regarding the assessment of memorization strategies, it is of particular interest that in most cases the frequency of usage of a strategy is proportionate to the effectiveness attributed to it by teachers. After the teachers’ assessment, the strategies of reading aloud (89%), picture making (87%) and using synonyms–antonyms (86%) are in the top three.
Exploring the Relationship between Social Media and Tourist Experiences: A Bibliometric Overview
Authors: Idbenssi Samia , Safaa Larbi , Perkumienė Dalia , Škėma Mindaugas
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the relationship between the tourism experience and social media has become an increasingly popular research topic. Previous research has focused only on certain aspects of the tourism experience and social media, but none have covered the subject in depth. To fill this gap, this study takes a holistic approach and combines both concepts simultaneously. This article presents a new overview of scientific production through an in-depth bibliometric analysis on the “Scopus” platform, using the two software packages “VOSviewer” and “R Studio”. This article presents a synthesis of 62 papers published between 2013 and 2023, using citation and co-occurrence analysis to identify key trends and connections in research on this topic. We highlight the most researched concepts and the most important connections between various publications. Our analysis presents the most prolific research community, the evolution of research and the most active journals regarding this topic.
Revealing the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)’s Cave Preference in Gökova Bay on the Southwest Coast of Türkiye
Authors: Saydam Ezgi , Güçlüsoy Harun
Published: August 2023

The first cave-monitoring studies to be carried out on the southwest (SW) coast of Türkiye on endangered Mediterranean monk seals using camera traps occurred between 2017 and 2021 in five marine caves within Gökova Bay. The visual data obtained from the monitoring studies were evaluated to reveal the Mediterranean monk seals’ seasonal and diel cave use and identify the individual seals who were using the caves. Moreover, the necessary features and measurements of the identified caves were recorded to determine whether there were any correlations between the determined variables and monthly cave use by the monk seals. The results showed that cave use occurred mainly nocturnally, with the seals showing a diurnal activity pattern in the area. We evaluated 108,280 images/videos in total and identified 18 individuals using five caves in Gökova Bay. Three of these caves provided suitable characteristics for pupping, and two of them were used for pupping. A beta regression model revealed that the monthly cave use ratios varied seasonally, with more use in the fall season. Furthermore, the trends in annual cave use ratios, seasonality, wind speed, size of the wet area, luminance, number of cave-entry paths, and human activity were the best variables with which we could forecast the cave preferences of the seals.
Prioritization of Hazardous Zones Using an Advanced Risk Management Model Combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Set Theory
Authors: Kwon Kibeom , Kang Minkyu , Kim Dongku , Choi Hangseok
Published: August 2023

Risk management plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of tunnel construction by considering various factors, including uncertainties associated with concurrent adverse sources. One key aspect of risk management is prioritizing hazardous zones to devise an optimal countermeasure plan within time and cost constraints. This study developed an advanced tunnel risk management model, combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy set theory (FST). The model derived the impact using AHP and the probability using FST. By selectively combining causal factors that met the selection criterion, the risk of each hazardous zone was determined, enabling the prioritization of identified hazardous zones. The model application results indicated that causal combinations associated with significant tunnel convergence posed a relatively high risk. Moreover, the hazardous zones where unstable ground formations were excavated by a gripper tunnel boring machine (TBM) were revealed as the most vulnerable locations. Consequently, adopting a shield TBM or implementing ground reinforcement is recommended. Overall, the developed model effectively prioritizes identified hazardous zones and provides an optimal countermeasure plan, contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of the operations.
Research on Public Air Route Network Planning of Urban Low-Altitude Logistics Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Honghai , Tian Tian , Feng Ouge , Wu Shixin , Zhong Gang
Published: August 2023

As urban populations continue to grow and road traffic congestion worsens, traditional ground logistics has become less efficient. This has led to longer logistics times and increased costs. Therefore, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) logistics has become increasingly popular. However, free-planned routes cannot meet the safety and efficiency requirements of urban airspace mobility. To address this issue, a public air route network for low-altitude logistics UAVs needs to be established in urban areas. This paper proposes a public route network planning method based on the obstacle-based Voronoi diagram and A* algorithm, as follows: Firstly, construct a city airspace grid model in which the characteristics of the airspace are mapped onto the grid map. Introduce an obstacle clustering algorithm based on DBSCAN to generate representative obstacle points as the Voronoi seed nodes. Utilize the Voronoi diagram to establish the initial route network. Then, conduct an improved path planning by employing the A* algorithm for obstacle avoidance in route edges that pass through obstacles. To ensure the safe operation of drones, set constraints on the route safety interval. This process will generate a low-altitude public air route network for urban areas. After considering the flight costs of logistics UAVs at different altitudes, the height for the route network layout is determined. Finally, the route network evaluation indicators are established. The simulation results demonstrate that compared with the city road network planning method and the central radial network planning method, the total route length is shortened by 7.1% and 9%, respectively, the airspace coverage is increased by 9.8% and 35%, respectively, the average network degree is reduced by 52.6% and 212%, respectively, and the average flight time is reduced by 19.4s and 3.7s, respectively. In addition, by solving the network model using the Dijkstra algorithm, when the energy cost and risk cost weights are 0.6 and 0.4, respectively, and the safety interval is taken as 15 m, the total path cost value of the planned trajectory is minimized.
The EntreComp Framework in Practice: A Case Study Linking Employability, Entrepreneurship, and Regional Development
Authors: Sánchez-Hernández M. Isabel , Maldonado-Briegas Juan José
Published: August 2023

The objective of this study is to explore the interconnections among three pertinent topics in contemporary public policy, particularly within the European context: employability, entrepreneurship, and regional development. Initially, we conduct a bibliometric analysis to identify the primary trends in this field. Subsequently, we present and analyze a case study, namely the Innovation and Talent Retour Program (PIRT 2022), which is a public initiative aimed at attracting university graduates with prior international experience. This program is part of the Entrepreneurial Culture Programs offered by the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, located in Spain. By employing a questionnaire based on the EntreComp framework and involving a sample of university graduates’ beneficiaries of the program, we validate the measurement scale and investigate whether this project contributes to the development of entrepreneurial competencies among the participants. The insights gained from the obtained results inform future programs within the region, as well as other regions undergoing similar processes. This study delves into the theoretical and practical aspects of the role played by universities as key agents in fostering the sustainability of their respective territories. It is concluded that higher education must even assume a more proactive role in the future concerning the employability of its graduates and the overall development of the surrounding region in which it is located.
Justice Fosters the Effect of Team-Building Interventions on Viability and Performance
Authors: Demir Ahmet , Ergün Ercan
Published: August 2023

Building viable teams provides a sustainable organizational culture and supports efforts to overcome challenges and maintain a long-lasting and growing business. This study analyzed the role of organizational distributive justice on the relationship between team-building interventions and team viability, alongside team performance. As we understand the underlying concepts of viability and performance better, we can build more resilient teams. An empirical study was conducted on a sample of 402 employees in different teams in organizations. A research model was built with viability and performance as the dependent variables and team-building as the independent variable. The perception of distributive justice was the mediator. Team-building was measured by four variables, where the results of the factor analysis suggested that problem-solving and interpersonal relationships converged into one variable, whereas goal-setting and role clarification represented the second factor of team-building. Regression and mediation analysis showed that problem-solving and interpersonal relationships had a stronger influence on teams’ viability and performance. More remarkably, distributive justice mediated this strong relationship. Throughout the challenging business environment, improving the problem-solving abilities of our teams and encouraging them to build strong interpersonal relationships integrated with a perception of justice would improve the teams’ sustainability significantly. Independent of the strength of the relationship between the team-building factors of viability and performance, organizational distributive justice fosters performance and sustainability. The observed influence of distributive justice was stronger on the goal-setting and role clarification components, whereas direct effects were relatively weaker. The high correlation between team viability and performance should encourage leaders to give equal importance to these concepts when building and motivating their teams, measuring the outcomes, and taking necessary actions.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Internet Use of Older People from the Perspective of Peer Effects
Authors: Shi Shuo , Zhang Lu , Wang Guohua
Published: August 2023

The use of the Internet by older adults will contribute to the sustainable development of society. Existing studies have extensively investigated the influencing factors that affect older people’s use of the Internet, but ignored the behaviors of the people around them. Using data from China Family Panel Studies, we investigated the influence of peer effects on the Internet use of older people. It was found that, the stronger that peer effects are, the higher the level of Internet use among older adults. This conclusion still holds after a robustness test. The peer effects are more obvious in rural areas, due to closer community interaction. In addition, this study proves that peer effects promote Internet use by increasing the perceived importance of the Internet through mediation tests. The findings highlight the positive effects of social interaction on the Internet among older people, which is conducive to the improvement of policy practice.
Optimal Design and Sizing of Hybrid Photovoltaic/Fuel Cell Electrical Power System
Authors: Ghoniem Rania M. , Alahmer Ali , Rezk Hegazy , As’ad Samer
Published: August 2023

Renewable energy solutions play a crucial role in addressing the growing energy demands while mitigating environmental concerns. This study examines the techno-economic viability and sensitivity of utilizing solar photovoltaic/polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells (FCs) to meet specific power demands in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. The novelty of this study lies in its innovative approach to analyzing and optimizing PV/PEMFC systems, aiming to highlight their economic feasibility and promote sustainable development in the region. The analysis focuses on determining the optimal size of the PV/PEMFC system based on two critical criteria: minimum cost of energy (COE) and minimum net present cost (NPC). The study considers PEMFCs with power ratings of 30 kW, 40 kW, and 50 kW, along with four PV panel options: Jinko Solar, Powerwave, Tindo Karra, and Trina Solar. The outcomes show that the 30 kW PEMFC and the 201 kW Trina Solar TSM-430NEG9R.28 are the most favorable choices for the case study. Under these optimal conditions, the study reveals the lowest values for NPC at USD 703,194 and COE at USD 0.498 per kilowatt-hour. The levelized cost of hydrogen falls within the range of USD 15.9 to 23.4 per kilogram. Furthermore, replacing the 30 kW Trina solar panel with a 50 kW Tindo PV module results in a cost reduction of 32%. The findings emphasize the criticality of choosing optimal system configurations to attain favorable economic outcomes, thereby facilitating the adoption and utilization of renewable energy sources in the region. In conclusion, this study stands out for its pioneering and thorough analysis and optimization of PV/PEMFC systems, providing valuable insights for sustainable energy planning in NEOM, Saudi Arabia.
Homotopy Double Copy of Noncommutative Gauge Theories
Authors: Szabo Richard J. , Trojani Guillaume
Published: August 2023

We discuss the double-copy formulation of Moyal–Weyl-type noncommutative gauge theories from the homotopy algebraic perspective of factorisations of L∞-algebras. We define new noncommutative scalar field theories with rigid colour symmetries taking the role of the zeroth copy, where the deformed colour algebra plays the role of a kinematic algebra; some of these theories have a trivial classical limit but exhibit colour–kinematics duality, from which we construct the double copy theory explicitly. We show that noncommutative gauge theories exhibit a twisted form of colour–kinematics duality, which we use to show that their double copies match with the commutative case. We illustrate this explicitly for Chern–Simons theory, and for Yang–Mills theory where we obtain a modified Kawai–Lewellen–Tye relationship whose momentum kernel is linked to a binoncommutative biadjoint scalar theory. We reinterpret rank-one noncommutative gauge theories as double copy theories and discuss how our findings tie in with recent discussions of Moyal–Weyl deformations of self–dual Yang–Mills theory and gravity.
An Extended Vector Polar Histogram Method Using Omni-Directional LiDAR Information
Authors: Lee Byunguk , Kim Wonho , Lee Seunghwan
Published: August 2023

This study presents an extended vector polar histogram (EVPH) method for efficient robot navigation using omni-directional LiDAR data. Although the conventional vector polar histogram (VPH) method is a powerful technique suitable for LiDAR sensors, it is limited in its sensing range by the single LiDAR sensor to a semicircle. To address this limitation, the EVPH method incorporates multiple LiDAR sensor’s data for omni-directional sensing. First off, in the EVPH method, the LiDAR sensor coordinate systems are directly transformed into the robot coordinate system to obtain an omni-directional polar histogram. Several techniques are also employed in this process, such as minimum value selection and linear interpolation, to generate a uniform omni-directional polar histogram. The resulting histogram is modified to represent the robot as a single point. Subsequently, consecutive points in the histogram are grouped to construct a symbol function for excluding concave blocks and a threshold function for safety. These functions are combined to determine the maximum cost value that generates the robot’s next heading angle. Robot backward motion is made feasible based on the determined heading angle, enabling the calculation of the velocity vector for time-efficient and collision-free navigation. To assess the efficacy of the proposed EVPH method, experiments were carried out in two environments where humans and obstacles coexist. The results showed that, compared to the conventional method, the robot traveled safely and efficiently in terms of the accumulated amount of rotations, total traveling distance, and time using the EVPH method. In the future, our plan includes enhancing the robustness of the proposed method in congested environments by integrating parameter adaptation and dynamic object estimation methods.
The U-Net Family for Epicardial Adipose Tissue Segmentation and Quantification in Low-Dose CT
Authors: Liu Lu , Ma Runlei , van Ooijen Peter M. A. , Oudkerk Matthijs , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , Veldhuis Raymond N. J. , Brune Christoph
Published: August 2023

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is located between the visceral pericardium and myocardium, and EAT volume is correlated with cardiovascular risk. Nowadays, many deep learning-based automated EAT segmentation and quantification methods in the U-net family have been developed to reduce the workload for radiologists. The automatic assessment of EAT on non-contrast low-dose CT calcium score images poses a greater challenge compared to the automatic assessment on coronary CT angiography, which requires a higher radiation dose to capture the intricate details of the coronary arteries. This study comprehensively examined and evaluated state-of-the-art segmentation methods while outlining future research directions. Our dataset consisted of 154 non-contrast low-dose CT scans from the ROBINSCA study, with two types of labels: (a) region inside the pericardium and (b) pixel-wise EAT labels. We selected four advanced methods from the U-net family: 3D U-net, 3D attention U-net, an extended 3D attention U-net, and U-net++. For evaluation, we performed both four-fold cross-validation and hold-out tests. Agreement between the automatic segmentation/quantification and the manual quantification was evaluated with the Pearson correlation and the Bland–Altman analysis. Generally, the models trained with label type (a) showed better performance compared to models trained with label type (b). The U-net++ model trained with label type (a) showed the best performance for segmentation and quantification. The U-net++ model trained with label type (a) efficiently provided better EAT segmentation results (hold-out test: DCS = 80.18±0.20%, mIoU = 67.13±0.39%, sensitivity = 81.47±0.43%, specificity = 99.64±0.00%, Pearson correlation = 0.9405) and EAT volume compared to the other U-net-based networks and the recent EAT segmentation method. Interestingly, our findings indicate that 3D convolutional neural networks do not consistently outperform 2D networks in EAT segmentation and quantification. Moreover, utilizing labels representing the region inside the pericardium proved advantageous in training more accurate EAT segmentation models. These insights highlight the potential of deep learning-based methods for achieving robust EAT segmentation and quantification outcomes.
Fatal Overdose with the Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists MDMB-4en-PINACA and 4F-ABUTINACA: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Simon Gábor , Kuzma Mónika , Mayer Mátyás , Petrus Karola , Tóth Dénes
Published: August 2023

A case of a 26-year-old male who died from consuming synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists MDMB-4en-PINACA and 4F-ABUTINACA is reported. MDMB-4en-PINACA and 4F-ABUTINACA are potent synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs). This is the first detailed reporting of MDMB-4-en-PINACA and 4F-ABUTINACA associated fatality, which can help the routine forensic work. The scientific literature on the symptoms associated with these substances are evaluated, along with the pharmacological properties and possible mechanism of death. A forensic autopsy was performed according to Recommendation No. R (99)3 of the Council of Europe on medico-legal autopsies. Histological samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Complement component C9 immunohistochemistry was applied to all heart samples. Toxicological analyses were carried out by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (SFC-MS/MS) and headspace gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (HS-GC-FID). The literature was reviewed to identify reported cases of MDMB-4en-PINACA and 4F-ABUTINACA use. Autopsy findings included brain edema, internal congestion, petechial bleeding, pleural ecchymoses, and blood fluidity. Toxicological analyses determined 7.2 ng/mL of MDMB-4en-PINACA and 9.1 ng/mL of 4F-ABUTINACA in the peripheral blood. MDMB-4en-PINACA and 4F-ABUTINACA are strong, potentially lethal SCRA, and their exact effects and outcome are unpredictable.
Coronaviral Main Protease Induces LPCAT3 Cleavage and Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress
Authors: Wang Jia , Zhang Meifang , Ding Yanli , Lin Yuxi , Xue Yan , Wang Xiaohong , Wang Xin
Published: August 2023

Zoonotic coronaviruses infect mammals and birds, causing pulmonary and gastrointestinal infections. Some animal coronaviruses, such as the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), lead to severe diarrhea and animal deaths. Gastrointestinal symptoms were also found in COVID-19 and SARS patients. However, the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal symptoms in coronavirus diseases remains elusive. In this study, the main protease-induced LPCAT3 cleavage was monitored by exogenous gene expression and protease inhibitors, and the related regulation of gene expression was confirmed by qRT-PCR and gene knockdown. Interestingly, LPCAT3 plays an important role in lipid absorption in the intestines. The Mpro of coronaviruses causing diarrhea, such as PEDV and MERS-CoV, but not the Mpro of HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1, which could induce LPCAT3 cleavage. Mutagenesis analysis and inhibitor experiments indicated that LPCAT3 cleavage was independent of the catalytic activity of Mpro. Moreover, LPCAT3 cleavage in cells boosted CHOP and GRP78 expression, which were biomarkers of ER stress. Since LPCAT3 is critical for lipid absorption in the intestines and malabsorption may lead to diarrhea in coronavirus diseases, Mpro-induced LPCAT3 cleavage might trigger gastrointestinal symptoms during coronavirus infection.
Interchangeability of the Assays Used to Assess the Activity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Hickerson Brady T. , Khalenkov Alexey M. , Xie Tao , Frucht David M. , Scott Dorothy E. , Ilyushina Natalia A.
Published: August 2023

The recent global COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 lasted for over three years. A key measure in combatting this pandemic involved the measurement of the monoclonal antibody (mAb)-mediated inhibition of binding between the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and hACE2 receptor. Potency assessments of therapeutic anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs typically include binding or cell-based neutralization assays. We assessed the inhibitory activity of five anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs using ELISA, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and four cell-based neutralization assays using different pseudovirus particles and 293T or A549 cells expressing hACE2 with or without TMPRSS2. We assessed the interchangeability between cell-based and binding assays by applying the Bland–Altman method under certain assumptions. Our data demonstrated that the IC50 [nM] values determined by eight neutralization assays are independent of the cell line, presence of TMPRSS2 enzyme on the cell surface, and pseudovirus backbone used. Moreover, the Bland–Altman analysis showed that the IC50 [nM] and KD [nM] values determined by neutralization/ELISA or by SPR are equivalent and that the anti-spike mAb activity can be attributed to one variable directly related to its tertiary conformational structure conformation, rate dissociation constant Koff. This parameter is independent from the concentrations of the components of the mAb:RBD:hACE2 complexes and can be used for a comparison between the activities of the different mAbs.
Comparative Analysis of Clinical Outcomes for COVID-19 and Influenza among Cardiac Transplant Recipients in the United States
Authors: Chavarin Daniel J. , Bobba Aniesh , Davis Monique G. , Roth Margaret A. , Kasdorf Michelle , Nasrullah Adeel , Chourasia Prabal , Gangu Karthik , Avula Sindhu Reddy , Sheikh Abu Baker
Published: August 2023

COVID-19 infections can lead to worse outcomes in an immunocompromised population with multiple comorbidities, e.g., heart transplant patients. We used the National Inpatient Sample database to compare heart transplant outcomes in patients with COVID-19 vs. influenza. A total of 2460 patients were included in this study: heart transplant with COVID-19 (n = 1155, 47.0%) and heart transplant with influenza (n = 1305, 53.0%) with the primary outcome of in-hospital mortality. In-hospital mortality (n = 120) was significantly higher for heart transplant patients infected with COVID-19 compared to those infected with influenza (9.5% vs. 0.8%, adjusted OR: 51.6 [95% CI 4.3–615.9], p = 0.002) along with significantly higher rates of mechanical ventilation, acute heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, and higher mean total hospitalization cost compared to the influenza group. More studies are needed on the role of vaccination and treatment to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Protective Anti-HBs Antibodies and Response to a Booster Dose in Medical Students Vaccinated at Childhood
Authors: Coppeta Luca , Ferrari Cristiana , Verno Greta , Somma Giuseppina , Trabucco Aurilio Marco , Di Giampaolo Luca , Treglia Michele , Magrini Andrea , Pietroiusti Antonio , Rizza Stefano
Published: August 2023

The immune system in humans is regulated by the circadian rhythm. Published studies have reported that the time of vaccination is associated with the immune response to vaccine for some pathogens. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between time of dose administration of challenge HBV vaccine and seroconversion for anti-HBs in medical students vaccinated at birth who were found to be unprotected at pre-training screening. Humoral protection for HBV was assessed in 885 medical students vaccinated during childhood. In total, 359 (41.0%) of them showed anti-HBs titer < 10 UI/mL and received a challenge dose of HBV vaccine followed by post-vaccination screening 30–60 days later. The challenge dose elicited a protective immune response (anti-HBs IgG titer > 10 UI/mL) in 295 (83.8%) individuals. Seroconversion was significantly associated with female gender and time of vaccination after controlling for age group and nationality at logistic regression analysis. Students who received the booster dose in the morning had a higher response rate than those who received the vaccine in the afternoon (OR 1.93; 95% C.I. 1.047–3.56: p < 0.05). This finding suggests that morning administration of the HBV booster may result in a better immune response in susceptible individuals.
Comparison of Impressions of COVID-19 Vaccination and Influenza Vaccination in Japan by Analyzing Social Media Using Text Mining
Authors: Mori Yoshiro , Miyatake Nobuyuki , Suzuki Hiromi , Mori Yuka , Okada Setsuo , Tanimoto Kiyotaka
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to compare impressions of COVID-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination in Japan by analyzing social media (Twitter®) using a text-mining method. We obtained 10,000 tweets using the keywords “corona vaccine” and “influenza vaccine” on 15 December 2022 and 19 February 2023. We then counted the number of times the words were used and listed frequency of these words by a text-mining method called KH Coder. We also investigated concepts in the data using groups of words that often appeared together or groups of documents that contained the same words using multi-dimensional scaling (MDS). “Death” in relation to corona vaccine and “severe disease” for influenza vaccine were frequently used on 15 December 2022. The number of times the word “death” was used decreased, “after effect” was newly recognized for corona vaccine, and “severe disease” was not used in relation to influenza vaccine. Through this comprehensive analysis of social media data, we observed distinct variations in public perceptions of corona vaccination and influenza vaccination in Japan. These findings provide valuable insights for public health authorities and policymakers to better understand public sentiment and tailor their communication strategies accordingly.
Immunogenicity of Mix-and-Match CoronaVac/BNT162b2 Regimen versus Homologous CoronaVac/CoronaVac Vaccination: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Parallel Group Superiority Trial
Authors: Samoud Samar , Bettaieb Jihene , Gdoura Mariem , Kharroubi Ghassen , Ben Ghachem Feriel , Zamali Imen , Ben Hmid Ahlem , Salem Sadok , Gereisha Ahmed Adel , Dellagi Mongi , Hogga Nahed , Gharbi Adel , Baccouche Amor , Gharbi Manel , Khemissi Chadha , Akili Ghada , Slama Wissem , Chaieb Nabila , Galai Yousr , Louzir Hechmi , Triki Henda , Ben Ahmed Melika
Published: August 2023

(1) Background: This study aimed to compare the immunogenicity of the mix-and-match CoronaVac/BNT162b2 vaccination to the homologous CoronaVac/CoronaVac regimen. (2) Methods: We conducted a simple-blinded randomized superiority trial to measure SARS-CoV-2 neutralization antibodies and anti-spike receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG concentrations in blood samples of participants who had received the first dose of CoronaVac vaccine followed by a dose of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac vaccine. The primary endpoint for immunogenicity was the serum-neutralizing antibody level with a percentage of inhibition at 90% at 21–35 days after the boost. A difference of 25% between groups was considered clinically relevant. (3) Results: Among the 240 eligible participants, the primary endpoint data were available for 100 participants randomly allocated to the mix-and-match group versus 99 participants randomly allocated to the homologous dose group. The mix-and-match regimen elicited significantly higher levels of neutralizing antibodies (median level of 96%, interquartile range (IQR) (95–97) versus median level of 94%, IQR (81–96) and anti-spike IgG antibodies (median level of 13,460, IQR (2557–29,930) versus median level of 1190, IQR (347–4964) compared to the homologous group. Accordingly, the percentage of subjects with a percentage of neutralizing antibodies > 90% was significantly higher in the mix-and-match group (90.0%) versus the homologous (60.6%). Interestingly, no severe events were reported within 30 days after the second dose of vaccination in both groups. (4) Conclusions: Our data showed the superiority of the mix-and-match CoronaVac/BNT162b2 vaccination compared to the CoronaVac/CoronaVac regimen in terms of immunogenicity, thus constituting a proof-of-concept study supporting the use of inactivated vaccines in a mix-and-match strategy while ensuring good immunogenicity and safety.
Analysis of Retrospective Laboratory Data on the Burden of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated at the National Veterinary Research Institute Nigeria, 2018–2021
Authors: Kabantiyok Dennis , Gyang Moses D. , Agada Godwin O. , Ogundeji Alice , Nyam Daniel , Uhiara Uchechi G. , Abiayi Elmina , Dashe Yakubu , Ngulukun Sati , Muhammad Maryam , Adegboye Oyelola A. , Emeto Theophilus I.
Published: August 2023

Farm animals harbour bacterial pathogens, which are often viewed as important indicators of animal health and determinants of food safety. To better understand the prevalence and inform treatment, we audited laboratory data at the Bacteriology Laboratory of the NVRI from 2018–2021. Antibiotics were classified into seven basic classes: quinolones, tetracyclines, beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, macrolides, nitrofuran, and cephalosporins. Trends were analysed using a generalised linear model with a log link function for the Poisson distribution, comparing proportions between years with an offset to account for the variability in the total number of organisms per year. Avian (73.18%) samples were higher than any other sample. The major isolates identified were Escherichia. coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. We found that antimicrobial resistance to baseline antibiotics increased over the years. Of particular concern was the increasing resistance of Klebsiella spp. to cephalosporins, an important second-generation antibiotic. This finding underscores the importance of farm animals as reservoirs of pathogens harbouring antimicrobial resistance. Effective biosecurity, surveillance, and frugal use of antibiotics in farms are needed because the health of humans and animals is intricately connected.
Immunogenicity Characterization of the Recombinant gI Protein Fragment from Pseudorabies Virus and an Evaluation of Its Diagnostic Use in Pigs
Authors: He Haijuan , Qi Baojie , Yang Yongbo , Cui Xiaowen , Chen Tianfeng , Cai Xuehui , An Tongqing , Wang Shujie
Published: August 2023

Serological testing is an important method for the diagnosis of pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection. We aimed to investigate the envelope glycoprotein I (gI) of PRV, a strong immunogen, and its potential as an efficient and low-cost diagnostic reagent. In this study, the DNA of the PRV SC strain was used as the template, and the recombinant fragment of gI (633 bp) was amplified via PCR using synthetic primers, and was then ligated into the pET-30a expression vector. The constructs were transferred into Escherichia coli (E. coli) for prokaryotic expression, and the antigenicity of the expression products was identified by Western blot analysis with pig positive serum against PRV. The recombinant protein was purified by a Ni column, and BALB/c mice were immunized with purified gI protein to obtain anti-gI-positive serum. After PK-15 cells had been infected by PRV for 48 h, the immunogenicity of purified gI protein was identified with a fluorescence immunoassay using anti-gI mouse serum. The recombinant plasmid (pET-30a-gI) was expressed, and the native gI protein was obtained after denaturation by urea and renaturation by dialysis. A small-scale ELISA test containing 1.0 µg/mL of purified gI protein was designed to evaluate pig serum (80 samples), and the results of the ELISA test were compared to those of competitive ELISA (cELISA) tests using IDEXX Kits, which resulted in 97.5% consistency. The results suggested that the truncated gI protein may be a potential diagnostic reagent.
Assessment of Meteorological Drought Trends in a Selected Coastal Basin Area in Poland—A Case Study
Authors: Kubiak-Wójcicka Katarzyna , Owczarek Małgorzata , Chlost Izabela , Olszewska Alicja , Nagy Patrik
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study is to investigate the patterns and trends of drought occurrence in the northern part of Poland on the example of the Łeba river basin in the years 1956–2015. The study of meteorological drought was conducted on the basis of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) on the scale of 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Annual precipitation totals did not show significant changes in the analyzed period, except for the station in Wejherowo, which is characterized by a significant increasing trend. The analysis of the long term of the variability average annual air temperature showed its statistically significant increase in the analyzed area at the rate of about 0.2 °C per decade. During the analyzed period, 14 to 84 meteorological droughts were identified, with durations ranging from 200 to 300 months. As the period of accumulating values of SPI, the number of droughts decreased, while their total duration increased. Most droughts were mild in nature, while extreme droughts accounted for between 5.2% and 10.7% of the duration. Drought intensification was shown only for SPI-1 in February and March in Wierzchucino station. On the other hand, a decreasing trend in SPI values was noted during longer periods of accumulation (SPI-6, 9, and 12).
EXISTENTIAL PROBLEMS AS A PHILOSOPHICAL CONFLICT (READING OF THE PLAY WAITING FOR GODOT)
Authors: KOLOSHUK Nadiia
Published: August 2023

The article deals with the study of the poetics of S. Beckett's play “Waiting for Godot”. This original and extremely capacious play is minimalistic in form. The secret of the capacity is that, through four characters, Beckett showed the human race in miniature, modeling the main types of human social and private relationships: the type of equality (i.e., self-neighbor relationship) isrepresented by friends Vladimir and Estragon, and the type of inequality/dependence is represented by Pozzo and Lucky. The type of relationship does not change in the second act either, with a change
in circumstances, but the author's allegory is enriched with new content: not only is the immutability of social inequalityshown, but also the interdependence of the subjects of these relations. It can be read as an allegory: power is blind and slavery is dumb, and this is one of many examples of how Beckett makes an episode or dialogue an expressive “stage metaphor”, and builds the whole play as a chain of metaphorical scenes, where each link is in its place. The main conflict lies in how the two pairs of characters behave in the “act of waiting”: the author showed the differences in human nature as the antithesis of passivity – active action, contemplative and active type of life practice. And the extent to which the meaning of the search is achievable for the first or second looks equally doubtful.
Absurd only to a superficial view, Beckett's form and style are loaded with philosophical meaning. Its simplicity bordering on the primitive exposes the essence of existential tragedy in human existence with unprecedented force.
THE THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES OF LITERARY ANALYSIS
Authors: KEBA Oleksandr
Published: August 2023

Widespread reflections about the prospects of modern literary criticism almost certainly include complaints about, firstly, its total crisis and, secondly, on the lack of interpretation-oriented literary studies. Nevertheless, it is difficult to find in the history of literary science the period of formation of such a broad-spectrum paradigm of literary research and discoveries, as it took a place in the XX and to some extent continues in the XXI century.
The Predictive Value of mREMS and NTS Scores in the Hospital Outcomes of Elderly Patients With a Traffic Accident
Authors: Mostafaei Hadi , Balafar Moloud , Paknezhad Seyed Pouya , Saadati Mohammad , Milanchian Nooshin , Namdar Aysan M. , Fouladi Yamchi Tooba , Shahsavarinia Kavous
Published: August 2023

Objectives: To investigate the predictive value of two novel scores, including the modified rapid emergency medicine score (mREMS) and new trauma score (NTS), in the outcome of hospitalized elderly patients with traffic injuries. Design: Descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study. Setting(s): Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan province, northwestern Iran. Participants: Over 65 years old patients being injured in traffic accidents were included in the current study and divided into three groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictive value of mREMS and NTS scores in elderly patients with traffic accidents. Outcome measures: NTS is based on a revision of the revised trauma score (RTS) parameters, which includes replacing the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score with the GCS code and the number of breaths per minute with blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 ). The mREMS includes age, systolic blood pressure (SBS), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), SpO2 , and GCS. Results: Totally, 243 elderlies with road traffic injuries were enrolled in this study. The mREMS score in male patients showed a significant difference, and the odds ratio (OR) in these patients was 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.15-1.95, P<0.05). Based on the results, the NTS significantly differed in male patients, and the OR in these patients was 0.97 (95% CI=0.95- 0.99, P<0.05). The NTS had similar discrimination to mREMS in the prediction of elderly patients’ severity of trauma (hospitalization or discharge). In cut-off point 7.5, the sensitivity of mREMS and specificity were 71% and 53%, respectively. In cut-off point 216, the sensitivity and specificity of NTS were 84% and 47%, respectively. Conclusions: mREMS and NTS have a moderate degree of predictive usefulness for older patients who have sustained many traumas. It is advised that this problem should be further assessed accurately by a thorough investigation.
Studying the Affecting Factors in Patient Workflow and Outcome of Patients with Stroke Diagnosis in the Emergency Department
Authors: Poureskandari Masoumeh , Sadeghi-Hokmabadi Elyar , Ala Alireza , Tayyari Kobra , Shams Vahdati Samad
Published: August 2023

Objectives: To investigate the factors involved in the assignment and outcomes of patients with stroke referred to the Emergency Department of Imam Reza hospital in Tabriz in 2018. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting (s): Imam Reza hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Participants: Patients over 60 years of age. Outcome measures: All patients were recorded for admission to discharge, admission to the first visit by the Emergency and Neurosurgery Department, admission to the patient assignment, and patient outcome. The intervals were then calculated from the baseline triage, and the intervals for which the patient was most likely to stay were reviewed and rooted. Results: There was a significant relationship between age, sex, type of stroke, outcome, and hyperlipidemia, but the correlation coefficient was weak. Further, there was a significant difference between triage to assignment and triage to emergency leave with a strong correlation, but there was a significant relationship with the type of stroke, and the correlation coefficient was weak. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between triage to emergency leave and the type of stroke, but the correlation coefficient was weak. Moreover, the relationship between the type of stroke and the outcome was significant with a weak correlation coefficient. Conclusions: One of the causes of delay in the workload of patients with stroke is the high time interval between requesting a neurologic visit to a neurological service visit. The duration of the assignment for stroke patients is less than 6 hours, but it takes more than 6 hours for the patient to leave the emergency room. There is a weak inverse relationship between the type of stroke, the duration of the assignment, and exit from the emergency, meaning that patients with hemorrhagic stroke are assigned with a delay and are discharged from the emergency room later.
Loneliness as a Predictor of Hypertension in Older Adults: The TOPS Study
Authors: Yousefi Zahra , Sameie-Sis Sirous , Taheri-Targhi Somaiyeh , Araj-khodaei Mostafa , Sanaie Sarvin , Adams Cobi , Azizi-Zeinalhajlou Akbar
Published: August 2023

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between loneliness and hypertension in older people. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting(s): Tabriz, the capital city of the East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran. Participants: A representative sample of≥60-year-old community dwellers. A total of 1362 participants (768 females and 594 males) were selected using the probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling method. Outcome Measures: Blood pressure, loneliness, and social support were assessed using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer, the 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and the Duke Social Support Index (DSSI), respectively. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 81.0% among older adults (86.8% in women vs. 73.4% in men, P<0.001). In addition, 54% of respondents felt lonely. Loneliness was more prevalent in females than in males (58.7% vs. 47.9%, P<0.001). Hypertension was found to be associated with social loneliness score (OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.02 to 1.32), marital status (OR=0.49, 95% CI=0.31 to 0.78), body mass index (OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.07 to 1.15), diabetes mellitus (OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.03 to 2.31), and sleep quality score (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.06 to 1.19). Conclusions: Social loneliness is associated with an increased risk of hypertension in older people. This highlights the importance of addressing psychosocial factors, especially social loneliness, when managing hypertension in older adults.