bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing disparities in obesity and severe obesity prevalence among public elementary and middle school students in New York City, school years 2011–12 through 2019–20
Authors: Argenio Kira L. , Day Sophia E. , D’Agostino Emily M. , Neshteruk Cody , Wagner Brooke E. , Konty Kevin J.
Published: May 2024

Recent national trends in the United States indicate a significant increase in childhood obesity, a major public health concern with documented physical and mental comorbidities and sociodemographic disparities. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity among youth in New York City (NYC) before the COVID-19 pandemic and examine time trends overall and by key characteristics. We included all valid height and weight measurements of kindergarten through 8th grade public school students aged 5 to 15 from school years 2011–12 through 2019–20 (N = 1,370,890 unique students; 5,254,058 observations). Obesity and severe obesity were determined using age- and sex-specific body mass index percentiles based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. Analyses were performed using multivariate logistic regression models with repeated cross-sectional observations weighted to represent the student population for each year and clustered by student and school. Among youth attending public elementary and middle schools in NYC, we estimate that 20.9% and 6.4% had obesity and severe obesity, respectively, in 2019–20. While consistent declines in prevalence were observed overall from 2011–12 to 2019–20 (2.8% relative decrease in obesity and 0.2% in severe obesity, p<0.001), increasing trends were observed among Black, Hispanic, and foreign-born students, suggesting widening disparities. Extending previous work reporting prevalence estimates in this population, nearly all groups experienced significant increases in obesity and severe obesity from 2016–17 to 2019–20 (relative change = 3.5% and 6.7%, respectively, overall; p<0.001). Yet, some of the largest increases in obesity were observed among those already bearing the greatest burden, such as Black and Hispanic students and youth living in poverty. These findings highlight the need for greater implementation of equity-centered obesity prevention efforts. Future research should consider the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in clinical guidance on childhood obesity and severe obesity in NYC.
Carbon monoxide as a cellular protective agent in a swine model of cardiac arrest protocol
Authors: Greenwood John C. , Morgan Ryan W. , Abella Benjamin S. , Shofer Frances S. , Baker Wesley B. , Lewis Alistair , Ko Tiffany S. , Forti Rodrigo M. , Yodh Arjun G. , Kao Shih-Han , Shin Samuel S. , Kilbaugh Todd J. , Jang David H.
Published: May 2024

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects over 360,000 adults in the United States each year with a 50–80% mortality prior to reaching medical care. Despite aggressive supportive care and targeted temperature management (TTM), half of adults do not live to hospital discharge and nearly one-third of survivors have significant neurologic injury. The current treatment approach following cardiac arrest resuscitation consists primarily of supportive care and possible TTM. While these current treatments are commonly used, mortality remains high, and survivors often develop lasting neurologic and cardiac sequela well after resuscitation. Hence, there is a critical need for further therapeutic development of adjunctive therapies. While select therapeutics have been experimentally investigated, one promising agent that has shown benefit is CO. While CO has traditionally been thought of as a cellular poison, there is both experimental and clinical evidence that demonstrate benefit and safety in ischemia with lower doses related to improved cardiac/neurologic outcomes. While CO is well known for its poisonous effects, CO is a generated physiologically in cells through the breakdown of heme oxygenase (HO) enzymes and has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. While CO has been studied in myocardial infarction itself, the role of CO in cardiac arrest and post-arrest care as a therapeutic is less defined. Currently, the standard of care for post-arrest patients consists primarily of supportive care and TTM. Despite current standard of care, the neurological prognosis following cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) remains poor with patients often left with severe disability due to brain injury primarily affecting the cortex and hippocampus. Thus, investigations of novel therapies to mitigate post-arrest injury are clearly warranted. The primary objective of this proposed study is to combine our expertise in swine models of CO and cardiac arrest for future investigations on the cellular protective effects of low dose CO. We will combine our innovative multi-modal diagnostic platform to assess cerebral metabolism and changes in mitochondrial function in swine that undergo cardiac arrest with therapeutic application of CO.
Enhancing chronic wound healing with Thai indigenous rice variety, Kaab Dum: Exploring ER stress and senescence inhibition in HaCaT keratinocyte cell line
Authors: Payuhakrit Witchuda , Panpinyaporn Pimchanok , Khumsri Wilunplus , Yusakul Gorrawit , Praphasawat Ratsada , Nuengchamnong Nitra , Palipoch Sarawoot
Published: May 2024

Kaab Dum, a prominent indigenous rice variety cultivated in the Pak Phanang Basin of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, is the focus of our study. We investigate the therapeutic potential of indigenous Kaab Dum rice extract in the context of chronic wounds. Our research encompasses an examination of the nutritional compositions and chemical profiles of Kaab Dum rice extract. Additionally, we assess how the extract affects chronic wounds in TGF-β-induced HaCaT cells. Our evaluation methods include the detection of cellular oxidative stress, the examination of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, wound healing assays, analysis of cell cycle arrest and the study of cellular senescence through senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. Our research findings demonstrate that TGF-β induces oxidative stress in HaCaT cells, which subsequently triggers ER stress, confirmed by the expression of the PERK protein. This ER stress results in cell cycle arrest in HaCaT cells, characterized by an increase in p21 protein, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI). Ultimately, this leads to cellular senescence, as confirmed by SA-β-gal staining. Importantly, our study reveals the effectiveness of Kaab Dum rice extract in promoting wound healing in the chronic wound model. The extract reduces ER stress and senescent cells. These beneficial effects are potentially linked to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the rice extract. The findings of our study have the potential to make significant contributions to the development of enhanced products for both the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds.
Parenting experiences and outcomes among former adolescent mothers: A mixed methods study
Authors: Flaherty Serena Cherry , Knobf M. Tish , Holland Margaret L. , Slade Arietta , Nelson LaRon , Sadler Lois S.
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to examine parenting outcomes and experiences over time among marginalized adolescent mothers enrolled in randomized clinical trials (RCT) between 2002 and 2016 testing Minding the Baby® (MTB), an early home visiting program. The quantitative phase examined associations between measures of maternal experiences and parenting outcomes from 71 participants 2–8 years since RCT completion. MTB mothers reported less hostile parenting and fewer child behavior problems. The sequential qualitative phase involved interviews with a subsample (n = 31) and revealed six themes about their personal and parenting maturation. Through integration of quantitative and qualitative data, we generated metainferences, revealing a nuanced understanding of participants’ experiences. Integrated findings revealed the complex personal and parenting experiences among former adolescent mothers during their developmental phases of emerging and early adulthood. Findings inform clinical and research approaches to promote personal growth and positive parenting outcomes over time among women who began childbearing in adolescence.
Enhancing ESG learning outcomes through gamification: An experimental study
Authors: Zhang Fang
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the effectiveness of gamification in enhancing learning outcomes in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) education. Employing a cluster randomized experiment, the research involved 22 classes from four universities, divided into gamified and traditional teaching groups. The gamified group engaged with ESG concepts through interactive, game-like elements, while the control group followed standard educational practices. The study aimed to determine whether gamification could improve ESG course effectiveness and enhance Psychological Ownership and Perceived Importance, thereby influencing learning outcomes. Data collected through post-experiment surveys were analyzed using multiple linear regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results indicated that students in the gamified group performed significantly better in ESG exams compared to the control group, demonstrating the effectiveness of gamification in enhancing academic achievement. The SEM analysis further revealed that gamification positively impacted Psychological Ownership and Perceived Importance, which in turn significantly improved academic performance. These findings suggest that incorporating gamification in ESG education can effectively engage students and deepen their understanding of complex sustainability issues. This study contributes to the field by highlighting the potential of gamification as a transformative tool in higher education, particularly in teaching abstract and multifaceted subjects like ESG.
Patient-reported pain and physical health for acupuncture and chiropractic care delivered by Veterans Affairs versus community providers
Authors: O’Hanlon Claire E. , Zeliadt Steven B. , DeFaccio Rian , Gaj Lauren , Bokhour Barbara G. , Taylor Stephanie L.
Published: May 2024

Background

Acupuncture and chiropractic care are evidence-based pain management alternatives to opioids. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) provides this care in some VA facilities, but also refers patients to community providers. We aimed to determine if patient-reported outcomes differ for acupuncture and chiropractic care from VA versus community providers.

Materials and methods

We conducted an observational study using survey outcome data and electronic medical record utilization data for acupuncture and chiropractic care provided in 18 VA facilities or in community facilities reimbursed by VA. Study participants were users of VA primary care, mental health, pain clinic, complementary and integrative therapies, coaching or education services in 2018–2019. Patients received 1) 4+ acupuncture visits (N = 201) or 4+ chiropractic care visits (N = 178) from a VA or community provider from 60 days prior to baseline to six-months survey and 2) no acupuncture or chiropractic visits from 1 year to 60 days prior to baseline. Outcomes measured included patient-reported pain (PEG) and physical health (PROMIS) at baseline and six-month surveys. Multivariate analyses examined outcomes at six months, adjusting for baseline outcomes and demographics.

Results

In unadjusted analyses, pain and physical health improved for patients receiving community-based acupuncture, while VA-based acupuncture patients experienced no change. Unadjusted analyses also showed improvements in physical health, but not pain, for patients receiving VA-based chiropractic care, with no changes for community-based chiropractic care patients. Using multivariate models, VA-based acupuncture was no different from community-based acupuncture for pain (-0.258, p = 0.172) or physical health (0.539, p = 0.399). Similarly, there were no differences between VA- and community-based chiropractic care in pain (-0.273, p = 0.154) or physical health (0.793, p = 0.191).

Conclusions

Acupuncture and chiropractic care were associated with modest improvements at six months, with no meaningful differences between VA and community providers. The choice to receive care from VA or community providers could be based on factors other than quality, like cost or convenience.
The geographer of transience
Authors: Ramiro Pimenta José
Published: May 2024

Doctoral theses on the History of Portuguese Geography are not common; neither are those who use a geographical approach to the History of Science: José Braga Costa did both, and so he presents the academic community with a ‘Geography of Portuguese Geography’: that in itself, is noteworthy. But also the author elaborates on a portrait of the first years of Orlando Ribeiro scientific life that is both accurate and revealing, contextualising the geographer's scientific practices in the various spatial and social contexts — the Polytechnic School neighbourhood, the old Faculty of Arts in Lisbon, the Infante de Sagres high school, the Geography Institute of the Sorbonne, in Paris... — that progressively define his position in society and especially in the University. At the end of reading this study, the reader better understands Orlando Ribeiro's scientific temperament, and the main attributes of his 'geographical commentary' on lands and people. Personally, I was impressed by the clarity with which it is shown how Ribeiro's temperament is not inconsistent with the Goethean genius ('accompanied loneliness') and how this translates, on multiple scales, into the themes of his future research.
Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy May Pose Specific Challenges in Gender-Diverse Patients: A Review of 3 Patients
Authors: Tawde Prianca , Walters Oakland C. , Salwen-Deremer Jessica K.
Published: May 2024

Disorders of gut-brain interaction are common and often characterized by chronic symptom courses. While gut-directed hypnotherapy is effective for refractory disorders of gut-brain interaction, the required internal awareness and vulnerability may be challenging. Driven by our own clinical experiences, we conducted qualitative interviews with patients who identified as transgender or gender diverse and who had discontinued gut-directed hypnotherapy. Four main themes were generated from these interviews related to distress resulting from body awareness, difficulty with vulnerability, the importance of gender-affirming supports, and external barriers. Providers are encouraged to consider gender diversity, and more broadly body image, in discussion of hypnosis treatment.
Leis modais em sistemas multivalorados
Authors: Feitosa Hércules de Araujo , De Freitas Romulo Albano , Soares Marcelo Reicher
Published: May 2024

Desde Dugundji, é conhecido que não há semântica matricial finita para lógicas modais entre S1 e S5. No entanto, ainda é interessante saber o que pode ser válido entre as leis modais em relação à matrizes multivaloradas. A lógica PM4N foi introduzida por Jean-Yves Beziau como um sistema modal de 4 valores, planejado para aceitar várias leis modais. A partir dessa semântica matricial, o artigo apresenta alguns resultados válidos. Neste artigo, comparamos o sistema PM4N com duas lógicas bem conhecidas: o sistema modal usual S5 e a lógica paraconsistente J3. Mostramos que o conjunto de teoremas de S5 está propriamente incluso no conjunto de teoremas de PM4N; e todo teorema de PM4N é teorema de J3.
Honey consumer's perception: are brazilian consumers familiar with stingless bee honey?
Authors: Fluck Ana Carolina , Skonieski Fernando Reimann , Costa Olmar Antônio Denardin , Ávila Bianca Pio , Cardinal Kátia Maria , Rosa Patricia Pinto da , Borba Leonardo Piffer de , Macagnan Rodrigo , Gularte Márcia Arocha
Published: May 2024

Stingless bees have a fundamental important role in the economies and traditions of South America indigenous cultures. Are mainly responsible for the pollination of several plant species. This way, the aim was to identify if Brazilian consumers know stingless bee honey and its sensorial characteristics, what is the consumption of this, as well as to generate information to assist in the development of the productive chain of the specie. A closed structured questionnaire with 20 questions was used and the participants were invited via social media. Data were collected in November 2020. The statistical analyses were performed related to the description, characterization of the participants and frequencies. In addition to these,, multivariate analyzes, for word association and questionnaire responses were performed. It is clear that most participants have some confusion between the sensory and physical characteristics of honey from native stingless bees and Apis mellifera. This lack of knowledge of the product can cause problems both in the handling of honey for sale and for consumption. Another interference would be linked to the taste, when we highlight the acidity and less sweetness of this pot-honey, and the consumer can often deduce that the product is damaged or not from a good origin. There is little consumer awareness of the benefits and qualities of stingless honey. Many consumers are still unaware of the differences between breeding sites and characteristics of native stingless bees. Still, a large part of these associates the quality of this honey with the honey of Apis Mellifera.
Effects of dental tissue substructure and size on fracture strengths of lithium disilicate and zirconia ceramics
Authors: Luo Xin , Zhang Ting , Shen Xing , Wang Haifeng , Qi Jianfu , Zhou Peifeng
Published: May 2024

We aimed to assess the effects of standard resin preparation models with five different thicknesses of occlusal surface on the fracture strengths of zirconia (ZrO2) and lithium disilicate glass ceramics. The specimens of 10 first maxillary molars collected between January 2019 and January 2020 were selected. Standard mathematical models were formed after scanning the resin matrices using software. The full crowns with five different thicknesses of occlusal surface were established, among which the molar specimens prepared by ZrO2 glass ceramic composites alone were assigned into ZrO2 group (n=5, 40 specimens) while those prepared using ZrO2-lithium disilicate glass ceramic composites were allocated into ZTCLDC group (n=5, 40 specimens). When the thickness of glass-ceramic full crowns was 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.5 mm, the fracture load of the specimens in ZTCLDC group was not significantly different from that in ZrO2 group, and there was no significant difference in the three-point flexural strength between ZTCLDC group and ZrO2 group (P>0.05). The fracture toughness was not significantly different between the two groups in the case of the thickness of glass-ceramic full crown at 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.5 mm (P>0.05). The thickness was positively correlated with fracture load, three-point flexural strength and fracture toughness (P<0.05). The fracture strength of lithium disilicate and ZrO2 ceramics is directly proportional to the thickness of ZrO2 and ZTCLDC crowns.
Fungal profile of eggshells from commercial and free-range hens of a supermarket chain in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
Authors: Mello Maria Verônyca Coelho , Santos Fagner Cavalcante Patrocínio dos , Silva Isaac Neto Goes da , Rodrigues Janaína Luanda Coelho , Freire José Ednésio da Cruz
Published: May 2024

Eggs are perishable and fragile foods because of their easy contamination by different microorganisms, such as fungi. Hence, research on egg safety and quality has been recently developed worldwide to minimize illness transmitted by this food, although most present mainly pathogenic bacteria. Thus, this study identified potentially pathogenic fungal species in eggshells from free-range and commercial hens offered in supermarkets in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. The research was performed at the Vettings laboratory at the State University of Ceará (UECE) with 40 eggs: 20 from commercial and 20 from free-range hens. The eggshells were assessed using the dextrose evaluation method for pathogenic cultivation, commensal, and yeast fungi. Subsequently, readings were taken to identify and count the fungi on a binocular light microscope in 100x increments. Both egg categories showed a significant number of colony-forming units (CFU). The study identified eight different fungal species in both egg production types. The most prevalent fungal colonies in the free-range hen lineage (brown shell) were yeast spp. and Penicillium citrinum, and the laying hen lineage (white shell) had mostly Penicillium spp. and yeast spp. Therefore, both egg production systems showed similar fungal contamination, which suggests that the manipulation and/or storage are adequate despite the lack of strict food safety regulations or supervision for eggs in Brazil.
Efficiency of three indigenous species of coccinellid predators for controlling aphids and whiteflies on cucumbers in greenhouses
Authors: Al-Shuraym Laila A.
Published: May 2024

Cucumber plants can be infested with many insect pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and thrips, especially in greenhouses, resulting in significant damage to the crops. This study investigated the efficacy of three species of coccinellids (Coccinella undecimpunctata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Hippodamia variegata), indigenous to the Taif region of Saudi Arabia, to control Bemisia tabaci whiteflies and Aphis gossypii aphids on cucumbers in greenhouses. The study was conducted with a release rate of five second-instar larvae of each coccinellid species per plant. One week after the first release of coccinellids, there were no significant differences among the treatment groups in terms of infestation rate, but all three groups differed significantly from the control group. After the first week, the B. tabaci and A. gossypii infestation rates decreased significantly in the H. variegata group compared with the other two coccinellid species, a trend that continued until the end of the experiment. These results suggested that H. variegata was the most effective of the three species at decreasing the B. tabaci population. After the second release of each coccinellid species, the reduction rates were >90% in all three groups, being significantly higher in the H. variegata group. Thus, these results suggest that second-instar larvae of all three coccinellid species would be effective predators of B. tabaci and A. gossypii on cucumbers in greenhouses, with those of H. variegata showing the greatest efficacy. Future research should focus on the effects of these predators on outdoor cucumber fields and on other crops grown in the Taif region.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) growth and biochemical alterations in response to meloidogyne incognita infection, minerals, and nano-fertilizers
Authors: Kesba Hosny , El-Ganainy Sherif , Elmenofy Wael , Sayed Samy , Abdel- Rahman Abdullah , Diab Shaimaa
Published: May 2024

The effects of four inoculum levels (500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 second-stage juveniles (J2) per plant) of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, on two pomegranate cultivars (‘Manfalouty’ and ‘Wonderful’) were investigated under greenhouse conditions in response to plant inorganic and organic chemical concentrations. Furthermore, the effects of six commercial chemical fertilizers (inorganic fertilizers and nano-fertilizers) on plant growth and nematode reproduction were also studied. Both cultivars recorded the highest gall formation, embedded stages, and final nematode population at the inoculum dosage of 2,000 J2/plant. The highest reproductive rate was achieved with 500 J2/plant, while the lowest rate was observed with 4,000 J2/plant on both cultivars. ‘Wonderful’, at all M. incognita inoculum levels, was more sensitive to nematode infestation than ‘Manfalouty’. ‘Wonderful’ showed a greater reduction in fresh and dry plant weights than ‘Manfalouty’ at 2,000 and 4,000 J2/plant. In both cultivars, the concentrations of N, P, and    K decreased with increasing nematode inoculum levels. This decline was more pronounced in ‘Manfalouty’ than in ‘Wonderful’. The nano-fertilizers, Hyper Feed®, and Hyper Feed Solo® reduced all nematode parameters but only in ‘Wonderful’. Treatment with Hyper Feed® resulted in the highest percentage increases in all plant growth parameters in ‘Wonderful’. Total carbohydrate concentration was increased in ‘Manfalouty’ treated with the nano-fertilizers, especially with Hyper Feed®. Also, concentrations of total phenols and tannins increased in ‘Wonderful’ when treated with either nano-fertilizer. Generally, both nano-fertilizers showed an increase in plant N levels. We recommend using nano-fertilizers in integrated pest management (IPM) programs on pomegranate where they improved plant growth parameters and reduced nematode multiplication parameters more markedly than inorganic fertilizers.
Diversity in pollen grain characteristics and its importance in distinguishing Loranthaceae Juss. species grown in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Juhani Widad Saleem , Thagafi Noha Turki Al
Published: May 2024

Members of the Loranthaceae family are considered parasitic, and mistletoe negatively affects the growth and productivity of host trees. Loranthaceae has several complicated taxonomic issues. Six species of Loranthaceae grow naturally in Saudi Arabia, but these species have not been well studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the importance of morpho-palynological characters as a taxonomic tool in the identification of Loranthaceae species growing in Saudi Arabia. The discriminatory power of these characteristics was evaluated using different statistical analysis methods. The descriptive characteristics of pollen polar and equatorial views and colpus type are useful for describing the species, and the presence of three colpus patterns was detected among the study samples: syn-(3)-, demisyn-(3)-, and zono-(3)-colpate. The quantitative characteristics, specifically, the equatorial diameter and P/E ratio, are the most useful and can be used to classify species within clusters based on their affiliation with genera, species, and subtribes Emelianthinae and Tapinanthinae. This study confirmed that pollen grain characteristics can be used as a taxonomical tool to identify Loranthaceae species. This information will aid in determining parasitic species that infect trees and could be useful for strengthening efforts in weed management.
Editorial
Authors: Freire Denilson Aparecida Leite
Published: May 2024

Editorial da Revista MiP Vol.3 Nº1
Retorno de Mulheres ao Mercado de Trabalho após a Maternidade: Um estudo com mulheres da cidade de Londrina – Paraná.
Authors: Luciando de Oliveira Jhenifer Stefany , Piga Talita Ravagnã
Published: May 2024

A força feminina no mercado de trabalho, ao longo da história, é acompanhada de avanços, conquistas e retrocessos. É memorável os progressos para igualdade de gênero e maior espaço para desenvolvimento das mulheres, no entanto, ainda existe muito a se conquistar e evoluir, visto que muitas mulheres encontram severas dificuldades ao assumirem papel de mães, enfrentando preconceitos e empecilhos. Neste contexto, o presente estudo objetiva compreender o fenômeno da recolocação de mulheres ao mercado de trabalho após o período de maternidade. Os dados da pesquisa foram coletados na cidade de Londrina – PR, por método qualitativo, a partir da realização de entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado. Foram entrevistadas cinco mulheres que estavam trabalhando ou afastadas do mercado de trabalho, com filhos de até cinco anos de idade. Os resultados evidenciaram muitas dificuldades, impasses e barreiras no processo de retorno ao mercado de trabalho. Os dados apontam que ainda existe muito preconceito e machismo com mulheres ao (re)ingressarem no mercado de trabalho, principalmente com mulheres que são mães, indicando que a sociedade, assim como as organizações, carecem de mais recursos para acolhimento dessas trabalhadoras.
Palavras-chave: mulher; maternidade; mercado de trabalho; igualdade de gênero; gestão de pessoas.
Novas relações de trabalho: A uberização em Alagoas
Authors: Nunes da Paz Maria Larissa , Olival Feitosa Cid
Published: May 2024

O presente artigo visa analisar os efeitos socioeconômicos do processo da uberização do trabalho no Estado de Alagoas, especificamente o caso dos motoristas e entregadores por aplicativos, entre os anos de 2014 a 2022. No caso do Estado de Alagoas, tendo em vista seus elevados graus de desemprego e informalidade, torna-se crucial compreender os desdobramentos desta nova morfologia do trabalho. Para tanto, a pesquisa adotará o método dialético, apresentando uma abordagem qualitativa com uso de dados secundários. Serão utilizados os microdados da Pnad contínua, levantados com o auxílio do software Stata 15, para caracterização do perfil das respectivas classes. Espera-se, dessa forma aferir um panorama mais completo do âmbito alagoano, ao englobar as novas formas de ocupação, como a uberização.
Mosaico do Jalapão: perspectivas e desafios para a implementação dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS)
Authors: Iwamoto Helga Midori , Leal Viviane de Araújo , Cançado Airton Cardoso
Published: May 2024

O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar o estágio de implementação dos ODS nos municípios que pertencem ao Mosaico do Jalapão (MJ), explorando as oportunidades e obstáculos à concretização dos ODS neste território. A base metodológica ocupa-se de uma abordagem quantitativa de clusters hierárquicos e matriz de correlação  com base em dados secundários, identificando os ODS mais relevantes para a região e os desafios para sua efetivação. O estudo revela 15 ODS com alta relevância para o MJ, com destaque para os ODS 1 (Fim da Pobreza), 2 (Fome Zero), 3 (Saúde de Qualidade), 4 (Educação de Qualidade), 8 (Trabalho Decente e Crescimento Econômico), 10 (Redução das Desigualdades), 13 (Ação Climática), 15 (Vida Terrestre) e 16 (Paz, Justiça e Instituições Sólidas). No entanto, diversos desafios impedem a plena implementação desses objetivos, como a escassez de recursos financeiros e humanos, as acentuadas desigualdades sociais, a degradação ambiental, as fragilidades na governança e a baixa participação social. Os resultados mostraram que os municípios da região estão distantes de cumprir as metas da Agenda 2030, apesar de terem desempenho alto em ODSs do Eixo Econômico. Apesar dos obstáculos, o estudo também apresenta perspectivas positivas para o futuro do TCJ. A região possui um rico potencial para o desenvolvimento sustentável, impulsionado por sua rica biodiversidade e recursos naturais. Além disso, o crescente interesse pelo turismo ecológico na região pode gerar oportunidades para o desenvolvimento local. Para superar os desafios e alcançar os ODS no TCJ, o estudo apresenta algumas recomendações, como o aumento de investimentos em políticas públicas sociais e ambientais, o fortalecimento da governança local e da participação social, a promoção da educação ambiental e da valorização da cultura local, e o apoio ao desenvolvimento de atividades econômicas sustentáveis. Como considerações finais, propõe-se que os gestores e stakeholders locais sejam capacitados para a compreensão destas metas, de forma a nortear políticas públicas, de maneira que os municípios observem as melhores práticas dentro e fora do Tocantins para o Desenvolvimento Socioeconômico. Além disso, as conclusões e recomendações do estudo podem ser úteis para a formulação de políticas públicas mais eficazes e para a promoção do bem-estar das populações locais, contribuindo para a construção de um futuro mais próspero e sustentável para a região.
Die altehrwürdige Universitätsbibliothek Rostock erwacht zu neuem Leben
Authors: Hoffmann Peter
Published: May 2024

Der Verfasser beginnt seine bibliothekarische Laufbahn als Seiteneinsteiger an der Hochschule für Seefahrt Warnemünde/Wustrow. Nach dem Mauerfall erfolgt der Wechsel zur Universitätsbibliothek Rostock als Direktor. Er beschreibt die schwierigen Startbedingungen für die Erneuerung der Bibliothek und die erfolgreichen Aktivitäten in der Verbundkatalogisierung, der Einführung der Informationstechnik und der Raumentwicklung bis hin zum Bibliotheksneubau. Eine Erfolgsgeschichte der Zusammenarbeit Ost und West.
Encoding indefinite human reference without indefinite pronouns: the case of Chinese presentationals
Authors: Lena Ludovica
Published: May 2024

The Chinese sequence yǒu rén [exist person] is both the minimal existential-presentational construction and the functional equivalent of indefinite pronouns in encoding indefinite human reference. This dual characteristic prompts the question of whether yǒu rén functions as a presentational construction comparable to similar forms in other languages. Building on a literary corpus of Chinese contemporary novels, this study aims to determine if yǒu rén displays the behavioral properties of presentational constructions. First, presentational yǒu rén constructions are distinguished from both locative-existential and generic-existential ones based on a set of features including predicate selection in the coda, presence and function of the locative expression, and the co-dependent interpretation of the nominal rén. Next, the discourse function of yǒu rén is examined by assessing its contrast with regular nonpresentational sentences and the anaphoric potential of the entity it introduces. While establishing the boundaries between the three construction types, the study also analyzes the co-expression pattern observed within a gradient and compositional approach.
Addressing incomplete tile phenomena in image tiling: Introducing the grid six-intersection model
Authors: Zhang Ling , Yu Jinsongdi , Tong Ruiju , Wei Dandan , Fan Yu
Published: May 2024

With the continuous development of Earth Observation technology, resolution of imagery and gridded data has significantly increased, leading to a rapid increase in data volume. To efficiently acquire and analyze these vast amounts of imagery and gridded data, image tiling technology has been developed to effectively access data of interested areas. Tiling technology divides large-scale image data into smaller tiles, providing fast, accurate, and efficient access support for imagery and gridded data. The spatial grid model, as the foundational framework of the new generation of geographic spatial information, plays a critical role in the retrieval, integration, services, and applications of imagery and gridded data resources. When tiling image data based on the spatial grid model, it always generates both complete and incomplete tiles. Particularly, when conducting image tile retrieval using the same rule-based grid in the retrieval area, incomplete tile phenomena along the boundary regions of the retrieved images often occur, resulting in gaps within the retrieval area. To tackle this issue, in this study, we present a new topological model called the Grid Six-Intersection Model (G-6IM), specifically designed for regular rectangular grids, to accurately represent boundary issues in image tiling. Through a practical case study, we demonstrate the effectiveness and practical application potential of the proposed G-6IM model, providing new insights and guidance for the improvement and optimization of imagery and gridded data tiling technology.
Fiction meets fact: exploring human-machine convergence in today’s cinematographic culture
Authors: Endres Christoph , Frieß Frederic , Hermann Isabella
Published: May 2024

This article explores the theme of human-machine convergence as portrayed in modern science fiction movies and TV/streaming series and compares them to real-world advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual reality (VR). It examines how science fiction often depicts humanoid robots and AI with human-like emotions and intentions, contrasting with the actual technological challenges and ethical considerations in developing intelligent machines. The text discusses the evolution of humanoid robots from fictional portrayals to real-life examples like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas and Tesla’s Optimus. The paper also explores the reverse interaction, where humans become avatars in virtual worlds, and briefly discusses the ethical implications of simulating deceased individuals in digital form. Through this examination, the paper emphasizes the complexity of human-machine convergence and the importance of considering social, ethical, and emotional aspects in technological progress. It concludes by suggesting that while science fiction provides insights into societal fears and hopes regarding technology and thus into ethical and regulative necessities, the real trajectory of human-machine convergence cannot be predicted through film but will be determined by ongoing and after all incidental developments in the real world.
Actuality, indexicality, and knowledge
Authors: Davis Wayne A.
Published: May 2024

After summarizing linguistic evidence against the thesis that actuality terms are indexical, I examine conceptual and epistemological arguments offered in favor of an indexical analysis. I argue that an indexical semantics provides no explanation of how we know what is actually the case, and no grounds for postulating a contingent a priori. Truth in every context, or in every model, does not imply knowledge of the fact a sentence expresses nor how we know it if we do. Moreover, descriptive analyses also predict that ‘I exist in the actual world’ and instances of ‘p ≡ Actually p’ are true in every context.
Towards a dynamic functional proposition for dynamic discourse meaning
Authors: Elder Chi-Hé , Jaszczolt Kasia M.
Published: May 2024

Theories of utterance meaning in the post-Gricean tradition have typically focused on the main proposition expressed by the speaker that is recovered by the addressee. In this tradition, successful communication rests on the assumption that speakers and addressees come to a shared understanding of these propositions as they are produced in conversation. We now have a wealth of empirical evidence that speakers and addressees need not always converge on the main proposition expressed in order for communication to proceed unhindered: they may share partial understandings of individual utterances, allowing the overarching discourse meaning to unravel as the interaction progresses. In this paper, we propose a novel unit of meaning that accounts for such a dynamic concept that can emerge and develop over several turns at talk. We call it a ‘dynamic functional proposition’. This unit includes not only the linguistic meaning that has been communicated, but also meaning conveyed through non-linguistic sources, as well as aspects of situation captured through what we call ‘filters’, such as interlocutors’ levels of attention, emotions, and other non-representational aspects. These various aspects will have greater or lesser salience for different speakers, hence offering an explanatory tool for how utterance meanings are negotiated, as well as when and why misunderstandings occur. We finish by proposing ways in which such a unit can be formally represented. We do this by motivating different cognitive, social and linguistic parameters that influence it.
The underlying causes, treatment options of gut microbiota and food habits in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a narrative review
Authors: Adhikary Krishnendu , Sarkar Riya , Maity Sriparna , Banerjee Ipsita , Chatterjee Prity , Bhattacharya Koushik , Ahuja Deepika , Sinha Nirmalya Kumar , Maiti Rajkumar
Published: May 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a long-lasting endocrine disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia, which is often triggered by an entire or relative inadequacy of insulin production or insulin resistance. As a result of resistance to insulin (IR) and an overall lack of insulin in the body, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic illness that is characterized by hyperglycaemia. Notably, the occurrence of vascular complications of diabetes and the advancement of IR in T2DM are accompanied by dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Due to the difficulties in managing the disease and the dangers of multiple accompanying complications, diabetes is a chronic, progressive immune-mediated condition that plays a significant clinical and health burden on patients. The frequency and incidence of diabetes among young people have been rising worldwide. The relationship between the gut microbiota composition and the physio-pathological characteristics of T2DM proposes a novel way to monitor the condition and enhance the effectiveness of therapies. Our knowledge of the microbiota of the gut and how it affects health and illness has changed over the last 20 years. Species of the genus Eubacterium, which make up a significant portion of the core animal gut microbiome, are some of the recently discovered ‘generation’ of possibly helpful bacteria. In this article, we have focused on pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches towards T2DM, with a special reference to gut bacteria from ancient times to the present day.
Sensing a Twenty-First-Century Commons in the Theater: Relationality in a Climate of Distrust and Destruction
Authors: Balestrini Nassim Winnie
Published: May 2024

Conceptualizations of a “commons” have recently been gaining traction in theorizations of specific locations, gatherings, and activism in and beyond the arts. A theater-based commons that adopts a planetary and relational approach to selfhood, interaction, and future survival on Planet Earth tends to focus on breaking with social, political, economic, and aesthetic hierarchies. I will first introduce how notions of relationality have been integrated in theorizations of solidarity, humanitarian action, and a commons. Then, I will discuss these theorizations within the contexts of theater as communication and action that involves both theater-makers and audience members as actants. Finally, I intend to show how these conceptualizations can be meaningfully applied to unraveling the artistic strategies of a broad array of plays associated with the biannual theater festival Climate Change Theatre Action, which has been taking place before and after the United Nations Conference of the Parties climate conferences since 2015. The examples from the corpus of 250 five-minute plays are to illustrate the intervention of climate-change theater in potentially insurgent commons-based engagement and thinking which tries to avoid virtue signaling and other self-promoting forms of supposed solidarity.
“You Are Alone”: Singularity, Community, and the Possibility of Solidarity in Slavoj Žižek’s The Three Lives of Antigone
Authors: Becker Mona
Published: May 2024

Sophocles’s tragedy Antigone is a singular play with a singular heroine, yet both the play and the titular heroine have been part of an ever-growing body of reinventions and adaptations. Slavoj Žižek’s play The Three Lives of Antigone (2016) continues this tradition. Žižek offers three consecutive, different endings to Sophocles’s tragedy: 1. The “original” ending in which neither Creon nor Antigone compromise on their principles, Antigone dies, and the chorus praises her conviction; 2. Antigone convinces Creon, but the city burns in a civil conflict as the chorus laments; 3. The chorus takes action, executes both Creon and Antigone and proclaims Thebes a people’s republic. It is easy to assume that Žižek proposes the third option as the most desirable ending; the text, however, puts the onus to choose firmly on the audience. This article investigates the correlation between individual and community, original and adaptation, ensemble and spectator in Žižek’s play, arguing that through the means of the stage, the 2020 German-language production of Žižek’s adaptation successfully bridged the divide between the singular individual and the community suggested by Sophocles’s and questioned by Žižek’s versions of the myth.
Community and Manipulation in the “Parallel Worlds” of Tim Crouch
Authors: Pilný Ondřej
Published: May 2024

This article closely examines two recent works for the stage by British conceptualist theatre-maker Tim Crouch, Total Immediate Collective Imminent Terrestrial Salvation (2019) and Truth’s a Dog Must to Kennel (2022), discussing in particular the manipulative aspects of community formation accentuated in the former and the slight shift in emphasis towards the collective experience of live theatre apparent in the latter, his first play to be staged after the COVID-19 pandemic. The essay argues that by presenting “parallel worlds” to be measured against the present world of crisis, Crouch’s complex metatheatrical work may be seen to explore in practice the ideas of emancipated spectatorship theorised by Jacques Rancière on the one hand and to engage with the influential ideas on community elaborated by Jean-Luc Nancy on the other. Crouch’s recent work thus highlights the essential link of community to finitude while maintaining a strong emphasis on imagination being exercised by the individual.
Dissensual Performances of Race and Community in Claudia Rankine’s The White Card and Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Fairview
Authors: Obenland Frank
Published: May 2024

The White Card (2018) and Fairview (2018), two recent plays by contemporary Black female playwrights Claudia Rankine and Jackie Sibblies Drury, raise questions about how overcoming socially constructed racial categories presupposes the idea of a (theatrical) community as the conceptual framework that informs theater’s political efficacy. As such, The White Card and Fairview register the inherent fissures and cleavages that result from various processes of racialization structuring the theatrical performance itself. This article suggests that the plays by Rankine and Drury create a form of theatrical dissensus that fundamentally disrupts how issues of race and racism are rendered tangible in theatrical performances.
The Politics of Queer Be-longing and Acts of Hope in Peter McMaster’s Solo Performance A Sea of Troubles and Split Britches’ “Zoomie” Last Gasp (WFH)
Authors: Liedke Heidi Lucja
Published: May 2024

This article investigates two case studies of queer performers who counteract discomfort and terror with their acts of hope: Peter McMaster’s A Sea of Troubles (2019) and Split Britches’ Covidian performance Last Gasp (WFH) (2020). In the performers’ work, the politics of queer be-longing is tied to the performance of acts of hope which can function as a means to defy a society/a space that is limiting, hostile, or causing anxiety. This article conceptualizes the performance of acts of hope as ways to create forms of be-longing that position the queer individual firmly in – and, sometimes, “slightly above” (Dolan 5) – the (uncomfortable) present. Be-longing in this context is hyphenated to put an emphasis on the gap between the queer body and the surrounding space and to argue that that body can never merely be. Hope, therefore, is both a bodily and mental positioning that either looks to what is to come and draws its shape from that or, in looking back, reparatively constructs its space via retrospection to an elsewhere. In the two performances analysed, this positioning to be-long in the present constitutes itself via an engagement with one’s (male) theatrical ancestors (McMaster) and a retrotopian looking back on their career (Split Britches) to find words for the present.
Enabling ultra-high bit rate transmission with CFBG as dispersion compensator in an OptiSpan 240 km DWDM network
Authors: Gul Baseerat , Nabi Sajad
Published: May 2024

In this paper, a dispersion compensation technique for an ultra-long haul optical network utilizing a chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG) is presented. A high bit-rate signal of 40 Gbps is inputted into each channel. The CFBG, employed for dispersion compensation, is positioned after demultiplexing, enabling effortless network upgrades. The grating parameters of the implemented CFBG are mathematically analyzed and optimized to counteract net dispersion of over 3153 ps/nm across the channel. The design is verified using the OptiSystem software, resulting in a successful transmission up to 240 km with an average Q-factor of 8.09, utilizing an amplification gain of 49.5 dB. Additionally, the achieved optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) level using the symmetrical amplification technique surpasses the acceptable value, with an average bit error rate of 10−16.