bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generation of attosecond electron bunches of tunable duration and density by relativistic vortex lasers in near-critical density plasma
Authors: Zhang W. Y. , Hu L. X. , Cao Y. , Shao F. Q. , Yu T. P.
Published: April 2024

Attosecond electron bunches have wide application prospects in free-electron laser injection, attosecond X/γ-ray generation, ultrafast physics, etc. Nowadays, there is one notable challenge in the generation of high-quality attosecond electron bunch, i.e., how to enhance the electron bunch density. Using theoretical analysis and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we discovered that a relativistic vortex laser pulse interacting with near-critical density plasma can not only effectively concentrate the attosecond electron bunches to over critical density, but also control the duration and density of the electron bunches by tuning the intensity and carrier-envelope phase of the drive laser. It is demonstrated that this method can efficiently produce attosecond electron bunches with a density up to 300 times of the original plasma density, peak divergence angle of less than 0.5∘, and duration of less than 67 attoseconds. Furthermore, by using near-critical density plasma instead of solid targets, our scheme is potential for the generation of high-repetition-frequency attosecond electron bunches, thus reducing the requirements for experiments, such as the beam alignment or target supporter.
High-power Raman lasing and efficient anti-Stokes generation in mm-sized crystalline disk resonators
Authors: Bhadkamkar A. S. , Carpenter S. , Gold D. C. , Beede M. , Goldsmith R. H. , van der Weide D. , Yavuz D. D.
Published: April 2024

We have previously experimentally observed high-power Stokes and second-order Stokes output from a mm-sized CaF2 disk using stimulated Raman scattering. A pump laser at a wavelength of 1.06 µm was coupled via a tapered fiber to the whispering gallery modes (WGM) of the disk. In this Letter, we extend this work and demonstrate the production of the first anti-Stokes sideband at power levels as high as 60 µW in near continuous-wave (CW) operation. The result is a four-component Raman comb at the output, with a wavelength range covering from 1.023 to 1.14 µm. We discuss the threshold dependence of the observed Raman lines on the crystal orientation and provide experimental validation. These advances enable the use of such mm-sized resonators as compact, efficient sources for terahertz-level frequency modulation.
All-optical Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen steering swapping
Authors: Hu Qiwu , Wang Jiabin , Liu Shengshuai , Jing Jietai
Published: April 2024

Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) steering, an important resource in quantum information, describes the ability of one party to influence the state of another party through local measurements. It differs from Bell nonlocality and entanglement due to its asymmetric property. EPR steering swapping allows two spatially independent parties to present EPR steering without direct interaction. Here, we theoretically propose an all-optical EPR steering swapping (AOSS) scheme based on low-noise high-broadband optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs). A low-noise high-broadband OPA is utilized to implement the function of Bell-state measurement without detection, avoiding the optic-electro and electro-optic conversions. After AOSS, one-way and two-way EPR steering between two independent optical modes can be obtained. Our scheme provides a guidance for the construction of a measurement-free, all-optical broadband quantum network utilizing EPR steering swapping.
Deep-learning enhanced high-quality imaging in metalens-integrated camera
Authors: Zhang Yanxiang , Wu Yue , Huang Chunyu , Zhou Zi-Wen , Li Muyang , Zhang Zaichen , Chen Ji
Published: April 2024

Because of their ultra-light, ultra-thin, and flexible design, metalenses exhibit significant potential in the development of highly integrated cameras. However, the performances of metalens-integrated camera are constrained by their fixed architectures. Here we proposed a high-quality imaging method based on deep learning to overcome this constraint. We employed a multi-scale convolutional neural network (MSCNN) to train an extensive pair of high-quality and low-quality images obtained from a convolutional imaging model. Through our method, the imaging resolution, contrast, and distortion have all been improved, resulting in a noticeable overall image quality with SSIM over 0.9 and an improvement in PSNR over 3 dB. Our approach enables cameras to combine the advantages of high integration with enhanced imaging performances, revealing tremendous potential for a future groundbreaking imaging technology.
Broadband frequency comb generation through cascaded quadratic nonlinearity in thin-film lithium niobate microresonators
Authors: Tang Chao , Nie Mingming , Chen Jia-yang , Ma Zhaohui , Li Zhan , Xie Yijun , Sua Yong Meng , Huang Shu-Wei , Huang Yu-Ping
Published: April 2024

Broadband frequency comb generation through cascaded quadratic nonlinearity remains experimentally untapped in free-space cavities with bulk χ(2) materials mainly due to the high threshold power and restricted ability of dispersion engineering. Thin-film lithium niobate (LN) is a good platform for nonlinear optics due to the tight mode confinement in a nano-dimensional waveguide, the ease of dispersion engineering, large quadratic nonlinearities, and flexible phase matching via periodic poling. Here we demonstrate broadband frequency comb generation through dispersion engineering in a thin-film LN microresonator. Bandwidths of 150 nm (80 nm) and 25 nm (12 nm) for center wavelengths at 1560 and 780 nm are achieved, respectively, in a cavity-enhanced second-harmonic generation (doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator). Our demonstration paves the way for pure quadratic soliton generation, which is a great complement to dissipative Kerr soliton frequency combs for extended interesting nonlinear applications.
Use of antimicrobials and other medical products in an ethnic minority context of South-Central Vietnam: A qualitative study of vulnerability
Authors: Ronse Maya , Nguyen Thuan Thi , Nguyen Xa Xuan , Ingelbeen Brecht , Schneiders Mira Leonie , Tran Duong Thanh , Muela Ribera Joan , Gryseels Charlotte , Peeters Grietens Koen
Published: April 2024

Despite the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), evidence on the use and quality of medicines at community level is limited, particularly in impoverished, rural areas where prevalence of (bacterial) infections is high. To better understand the processes that drive vulnerability to AMR’ effects, this study aimed to assess social factors underpinning access to–and use of–medical products and healthcare, among people from the Raglai ethnic minority in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. We conducted ethnographic research in eight villages in 2018–2019, using interviewing and participant observation methods for data collection. Different types of informants (including community members and healthcare providers) were selected using purposive sampling strategies and analysis was retroductive. Our findings show that, despite the existence of a government-funded health insurance scheme, Raglai people’s flexible therapeutic itineraries did not systematically start with formal healthcare. Different types of care (private/informal, public, shamanic) were combined in parallel or in alternation, determined by distance to the provider, cost, workload, perceived diagnostic capacity, perceived severity and aetiology of the illness, and trust in the provider. Available medicines were often tablets dispensed in plastic bags containing labelled tablets, unlabelled tablets (in bulk) or tablets ground to powder. Treatment was often considered effective when it relieved symptoms, which led to abandonment of the treatment course. When symptoms did not speedily abate, the illness aetiology would be reinterpreted, and “stronger” medicines would be sought. The precarious socio-economic status of some Raglai drove them in cycles of severe poverty when additional unforeseen factors such as illness, animal disease or loss of crops arose, hampering access to (in)formal healthcare providers and/or appropriate diagnosis and treatment. We conclude that Raglai communities are structurally unable to buffer themselves against the threat and consequences of AMR. Despite this vulnerability, they are among the least targeted by efforts to optimize antibiotic use, which are concentrated in secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities targeted at urban populations.
The relations between growth mindset, motivational beliefs, and career interest in math intensive fields in informal STEM youth programs
Authors: Ozturk Emine , Zhao Mengya , Joy Angelina , Marlow Christina S. , Law Fidelia , Deutsch Ashley R. , Mathews Channing J. , Hoffman Adam J. , McGuire Luke , Winterbottom Mark , Balkwill Frances , Burns Karen , Butler Laurence , Drews Marc , Fields Grace , Smith Hannah , Rutland Adam , Hartstone-Rose Adam , Mulvey Kelly Lynn
Published: April 2024

Past research has shown that growth mindset and motivational beliefs have an important role in math and science career interest in adolescence. Drawing on situated expectancy-value theory (SEVT), this study extends these findings by investigating the role of parental motivational beliefs (e.g., expectancy beliefs, utility values) and parent growth mindset in math on adolescent career interest in math-intensive fields (e.g., mathematics, computer science, statistics, and engineering; MCSE) through adolescent motivational beliefs in math. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model using data from 290 adolescents (201 girls, 69.3%; Mage = 15.20), who participate in informal STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) youth programs, and their parents (162 parents, 87.7% female) in the United Kingdom and the United States. As hypothesized, adolescent expectancy beliefs, utility values, and growth mindset in math had a significant direct effect on MCSE career interest. Further, there was a significant indirect effect of parental expectancy beliefs in math on MCSE career interest through adolescents’ expectancy beliefs. Similarly, there was a significant indirect effect from parental utility values in math to MCSE career interest through adolescents’ utility values. The findings suggest that parents’ math motivational beliefs play a critical role in adolescent math motivational beliefs and their career interest in math-intensive fields.
Heterogeneous risk attitudes and waves of infection
Authors: Fujii Daisuke , Nakata Taisuke , Ojima Takeshi
Published: April 2024

Many countries have experienced multiple waves of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. We propose a novel but parsimonious extension of the SIR model, a CSIR model, that can endogenously generate waves. In the model, cautious individuals take appropriate prevention measures against the virus and are not exposed to infection risk. Incautious individuals do not take any measures and are susceptible to the risk of infection. Depending on the size of incautious and susceptible population, some cautious people lower their guard and become incautious—thus susceptible to the virus. When the virus spreads sufficiently, the population reaches “temporary” herd immunity and infection subsides thereafter. Yet, the inflow from the cautious to the susceptible eventually expands the susceptible population and leads to the next wave. We also show that the CSIR model is isomorphic to the SIR model with time-varying parameters.
Exploring soccer transfers in Spanish League–The hidden role of strategic differences among teams
Authors: Reis Mourao Paulo , Salgado-Barandela Jesyca
Published: April 2024

Transfers in the football world have become a hot topic in academic studies in recent years. Spanish league (La Liga) is one of the men’s professional football leagues that have driven some of the most notorious transfers. In this way, we test determinants for the transfer relationships of football players in the Spanish League in the most expensive seasons with records (2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons). Furthermore, we identify determinants for the values of the observed transfers. The empirical analysis shows relevant findings. We recognize two implications. First, Spanish soccer transfers are not random and this evidence reflects the environment of imperfect competition characterizing La Liga. Second, the nonrandomness of the transfer process can be associated with an increasing inequality among teams and with a threat to the competitive balance in professional sports.
The mediating role of emotional intelligence on nursing students’ coping strategies and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Masha’al Dina , Rababa Mohammad , Hayajneh Audai , Shahrour Ghada
Published: April 2024

Anxiety among nursing students documented during the COVID-19 pandemic reflected their fear of contracting infections, adhering to the mandatory use of masks in public, engaging in the new experience of distance learning, having financial problems, and so on. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of emotional intelligence (EI) on nursing students’ coping strategies and anxiety during the pandemic. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in a university in Jordan. An online survey was used to obtain data from a sample of 282 nursing students who had returned to on-campus learning during the summer semester of 2019/2020. The survey held four parts: (a) questions about sociodemographics, (b) the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, (c) the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), and (d) the Brief-Coping Behavior Questionnaire (Brief-COPE). The results showed that EI had a fully mediating role in the relationship between problem-focused coping strategies and anxiety, and it partially mediated the emotion-focused and avoidant/dysfunctional coping strategies and anxiety relationships. Nursing students who used the problem-focused coping strategies had high levels of EI, and with increasing levels of EI, anxiety levels decreased. Promoting the development of EI among nursing students would enable them to manage their emotions effectively and control their anxiety, particularly in new circumstances such as those that occurred during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Elevated interleukin-8 expression by skin fibroblasts as a potential contributor to pain in women with Fabry disease
Authors: Hofmann Lukas , Grüner Julia , Klug Katharina , Breyer Maximilian , Klein Thomas , Hochheimer Vanessa , Wagenhäuser Laura , Wischmeyer Erhard , Üçeyler Nurcan
Published: April 2024

Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder of X-linked inheritance. Mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene lead to cellular globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) depositions and triggerable acral burning pain in both sexes as an early FD symptom of unknown pathophysiology. We aimed at elucidating the link between skin cells and nociceptor sensitization contributing to FD pain in a sex-associated manner. We used cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts of 27 adult FD patients and 20 healthy controls. Epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts were cultured and immunoreacted to evaluate Gb3 load. Gene expression analysis of pain-related ion channels and pro-inflammatory cytokines was performed in dermal fibroblasts. We further investigated electrophysiological properties of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived sensory-like neurons of a man with FD and a healthy man and incubated the cells with interleukin 8 (IL-8) or fibroblast supernatant as an in vitro model system. Keratinocytes displayed no intracellular, but membrane-bound Gb3 deposits. In contrast, fibroblasts showed intracellular Gb3 and revealed higher gene expression of potassium intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel 3.1 (KCa 3.1, KCNN4) in both, men and women with FD compared to controls. Additionally, cytokine expression analysis showed increased IL-8 RNA levels only in female FD fibroblasts. Patch-clamp studies revealed reduced rheobase currents for both iPSC neuron cell lines incubated with IL-8 or fibroblast supernatant of women with FD. We conclude that Gb3 deposition in female FD patient skin fibroblasts may lead to increased KCa3.1 activity and IL-8 secretion. This may result in cutaneous nociceptor sensitization as a potential mechanism contributing to a sex-associated FD pain phenotype.
Association between burnout and empathy in medical residents
Authors: Zakerkish Mehrnoosh , Shakurnia Abdolhussein , Hafezi Ali , Maniati Mahmood
Published: April 2024

Background

Burnout is a work-related syndrome that can affect physicians’ performance. Empathy is one of the clinical competencies in whose formation many factors play a role. Empathy and burnout are important topics of research in medical sciences, and both are related to the communication between the patient and the physician. This study investigated the relationship between occupational burnout and empathy among medical residents.

Method

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 297 medical residents in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences from January to March 2021. The data collection tools were the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The reliability of the instruments was measured by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analyzed by SPSS-18, using the Pearson correlation test and linear regression models.

Results

The average age of the study population was 33.06 ±4.7 years, with more than half being females (57.6%) and married (51.9%). The residents’ mean scores of empathy and overall burnout were 102.87 out of 140 and 55.90 out of 132, respectively. The burnout scores showed an inverse correlation with the overall empathy scores (r = −0.123, P = 0.035), and the score of standing in the patient’s shoes (r = −0.165, P = 0.004). Linear regression test was used to detect which dimension of empathy was a better predictor for the reduction of burnout scores. Results showed that the best predictor was standing in the patient’s shoes (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

The findings showed a negative association between empathy and burnout among medical residents, which suggests the need for adjustment of the existing burnout management at the institutional level. Therefore, residents should be supported by managers to reduce burnout and improve their empathic behavior.
Determinants of global migration: The impact of ESG investments and foreign direct investment
Authors: Zatonatskiy Dmytro , Leonov Serhiy , Cieśliński Wojciech , Vasa László
Published: April 2024

In response to global economic, social, and environmental problems, ESG investment principles have changed the approach to directing and structuring foreign direct investment. Additionally, they are becoming an essential factor in attracting migrants. This article aims to determine the impact of foreign direct investment on global migration trends and their peculiarities with the introduction of ESG investment principles. For this purpose, global foreign direct investment flows, global ESG investment flows, and global migration trends have been analyzed from 1995 to 2022. Pairwise correlation calculation was used as the primary analysis method through R-Studio software with integrated R programming language. The results indicated a 35% correlation between the volume of global ESG investment flows and the number of international migrants (as a percentage of the total population, which varies between 3.2% and 3.6%) for 2010-2022. Subsequently, regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between critical variables: investment flows and the level of migration in four European countries (France, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany). It was determined that investment inflows led to new jobs, accelerated economic growth, and improved business climate, thus encouraging reduced outflow and increased inflow of migrants. Investments based on ESG principles also reduce emigration as they enhance the quality of life in the host country, provide better environmental protection, and promote more transparent corporate management. However, it should be noted that investments have no apparent impact on migration caused by external factors such as wars or political conflicts, so such analysis should not include periods of global economic and political unrest.
Ultrasonography of acute retroperitoneum
Authors: Liu Hung-Hsien , Lin Yenpo , Lin Gigin , Wang Li-Jen , Wan Yung-Liang
Published: April 2024

The retroperitoneum is an important space in the human body that is often implicated in a range Epub ahead of print of acute medical conditions, some of which can be life-threatening. Ultrasonography may serve as a pivotal first-line imaging technique when assessing patients with suspected retroperitoneal abnormalities. Effective ultrasonography of the retroperitoneum requires a comprehensive grasp of its anatomy, adjacent structures, and potential pathologies. Being well-acquainted with the imaging characteristics of acute conditions can meaningfully assist in an accurate diagnosis and guide subsequent management. This review article summarizes and illustrates the acute conditions involving the retroperitoneum through the lens of ultrasound imaging.
Cardiovascular Disease Management With Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cardiology Primer
Authors: Zhang Allan , Kalil Ramsey , Marzec Alexander , Coulter Stephanie A. , Virani Salim , Patel Kershaw V. , Segar Matthew W.
Published: April 2024

Patients with type 2 diabetes face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. This review centers on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, a class of drugs that, according to a growing body of evidence, may have major potential for managing cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. This review presents findings from multiple clinical trials suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors can not only serve as preventive therapeutic agents but also play a role in the active management of heart failure. The discussion includes the mechanism of action of SGLT2 inhibitors, emphasizing that they enhance urinary glucose excretion, which could lead to improved glycemic control and contribute to metabolic shifts beneficial to cardiac function. Alongside these cardiometabolic effects, safety concerns and practical considerations for prescribing these agents are addressed, taking into account potential adverse effects such as genitourinary infections and diabetic ketoacidosis as well as the financial implications for patients. Despite these drawbacks, therapeutic indications for SGLT2 inhibitors continue to expand, including for kidney protection, although further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms driving the cardioprotective and kidney-protective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors. By synthesizing current knowledge, this review intends to inform and guide clinical decision-making, thereby enhancing cardiovascular disease outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Cognitive approaches to uniformity and variability in morphology
Authors: Milin Petar , Bermel Neil , Blevins James P.
Published: April 2024

This special issue of Cognitive Linguistics reexamines the notions of uniformity and variability within morphological systems from a cognitive linguistic standpoint. It challenges traditional perspectives that regard morphological variability as mere deviations from the norm, suggesting instead that such variability is systematic and shaped by external influences including language acquisition and processing constraints. The contributions in this issue promote a shift from isolated analysis to a holistic view of paradigms, classes, and systems, advocating for a framework where morphological structures are seen as integral to communicative and functional aspects of language. By accounting for the broad adaptive dynamics of language systems, the complex interplay between uniformity and variability is revealed as an inherent aspect of language usage.
Green quantitative methods for linagliptin and empagliflozin in dosage forms
Authors: Fraihat Safwan M.
Published: April 2024

The frequent drugs prescribed for type 2 diabetes patients are linagliptin (LNG) and empagliflozin (EMG) in different drug formulations. The objective of this research is to create and validate selective and simple methods to evaluate both medications in their dosage forms. Method A for the assay of LNG is based on the drug oxidation using an iodate/iodide mixture, while Method B involves the determination of EMG using permanganate oxidation. The regression graphs had good linearity in the ranges of 0.25–20 and 0.20–1.5 µg·ml−1 for the two drugs, respectively. The limits of detection were 0.082 and 0.065 µg·ml−1 for LNG and EMG, respectively. The two methods were validated and applied for the assay of the drugs in dosage forms successfully.
Enhancement efficacy of omeprazole by conjugation with silver nanoparticles as a urease inhibitor
Authors: Zia Aneesa , Shahzad Ayesha , Riaz Nadia , Khan Sara , Farooq Umar , Bukhari Syed Majid , Sarwar Rizwana , Khalid Asaad , Kashtoh Hamdy , Khan Ajmal , Al-Harrasi Ahmed
Published: April 2024

Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, is used for gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, etc. Current research is based on the loading of omeprazole on surface silver nanoparticles by chemical method. The appearance of an absorption peak at 421 nm confirmed the synthesis of nanoparticles. The FT-IR further confirmed the conjugation of functional groups present in omeprazole moiety with silver. The size and morphology were elucidated by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction which revealed a spherical shape with an average particle size of 16–20 nm. To know enhancement in their efficacy, the omeprazole-loaded nanoparticles were evaluated against antibacterial, urease inhibition, and antioxidant activities. Nanoparticles showed significant antibacterial potential against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with 12 ± 0.41 and 13.6 ± 1.02 mm zones of inhibition, respectively. Almost 2.43 times enhanced urease inhibitory activity was found for nanoparticles (IC50 = 2.17 ± 0.10 µg·mL−1) as compared to omeprazole (IC50 = 5.28 ± 0.14 µg·mL−1). The radical scavenging activity of nanoparticles also increased significantly. The synthesized nanoparticles were docked in the active site of urease to investigate their binding mode. Due to excellent urease and bacterial inhibition, these nanoparticles can be used for ulcers.
Ensemble learning methods of inference for spatially stratified infectious disease systems
Authors: Peitsch Jeffrey , Pokharel Gyanendra , Hossain Shakhawat
Published: April 2024

Individual level models are a class of mechanistic models that are widely used to infer infectious disease transmission dynamics. These models incorporate individual level covariate information accounting for population heterogeneity and are generally fitted in a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) framework. However, Bayesian MCMC methods of inference are computationally expensive for large data sets. This issue becomes more severe when applied to infectious disease data collected from spatially heterogeneous populations, as the number of covariates increases. In addition, summary statistics over the global population may not capture the true spatio-temporal dynamics of disease transmission. In this study we propose to use ensemble learning methods to predict epidemic generating models instead of time consuming Bayesian MCMC method. We apply these methods to infer disease transmission dynamics over spatially clustered populations, considering the clusters as natural strata instead of a global population. We compare the performance of two tree-based ensemble learning techniques: random forest and gradient boosting. These methods are applied to the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in the U.K. and evaluated using simulated data from a clustered population. It is shown that the spatially clustered data can help to predict epidemic generating models more accurately than the global data.
Repair in Ghanaian judicial discourse
Authors: Obeng Samuel Gyasi , Campbell Akua Asantewaa
Published: April 2024

Repair is an integral part of every natural human discursive practice due to cognitive anxiety, stress, emotional valence, inability to recover words from one’s mental lexicon, slip of the tongue, among others. This study examined repair in Ghanaian judicial interactions using authentic judicial discourse data and working within the theoretical frameworks of conversational analysis and language and power. Results indicate that repairables include word search, correction proper and misstatements. Repair types included self-initiated self-repair, other-initiated other-repair, other-initiated self-repair, and other-initiated other-repair and self-repair. Linguistic and discourse-pragmatic strategies employed in initiating and carrying out repair include, pauses, sound prolongation, word/expression repetition, and morpho-syntactic and discourse-pragmatic features like yes-no questions, wh-questions, quantifiers, adjectives denoting exactness, pronouns, laughter, supportives, scolding via pejorative utterances, politeness/address forms, and calling on actors to abide by the courts’ moral code. In sum, repair is important on issues relating to understandability and interpretability of what judicial participants say, acceptable modes communication and their impact on facts needed to make cases judicable. Stakeholders in Ghanaian judicial practice and Ghanaian jurisprudence must take note of repair’s un-expendable nature in Ghanaian judicial discourse.
Discourse patterning and recursion in the EU case law
Authors: Trklja Aleksandar
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes a novel approach to analysing the text organization of legal texts, specifically focusing on discourse patterning and recursion in the context of EU case law. The study investigates the discourse organization of the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) by exploring, in a data-driven analysis, the use of multiword expressions that occur with specific colligation properties. One peculiarity of CJEU judgments is that their structure is not readily visible since headings are unsystematically used. The application of the present approach demonstrated that discourse organization can be revealed in terms of discourse patterns, signalling devices, and by exploring the position of linguistic expressions in the text. The findings not only reveal concealed text organization units in CJEU judgments but also offer a methodological model for similar analyses in other legal and non-legal texts. The proposed model suggests an investigation of the interaction between metadiscourse (IMD), discourse patterns (DPD), and textual colligation, positing that when IMD and DPD exhibit textual colligation, they signal discourse patterning. This proposal connects two levels of text organization through textual correlation. The study further explores relations between discourse patterns in terms of the notion of recursion.
Emotional labor of a Brazilian public school teacher: domination and resistance in a neoliberal context
Authors: de Oliveira Ana Claudia Turcato , Barcelos Ana Maria Ferreira
Published: April 2024

There have been many studies on teachers’ emotional labor and on how the ethics of caring affect teachers’ emotional labor. Yet, little research has examined teacher emotional labor under current neoliberal discourses in the education systems in Brazil. Using interviews and diaries, this study investigated the emotional labor of a Brazilian school teacher of English when teaching according to critical literacy studies. The findings indicated that her emotional labor was related to the political situation in Brazil, neoliberalism discourses and emotional rules, as well as clashes between teacher roles and her desire to teach critically. She felt torn between acting according to what she believed was good for her students and her critical literacy practice versus obeying the emotional rules for teachers’ and students’ roles at her school. As she did that, she experienced both domination and resistance. The study concludes with implications about neoliberalism as related to teacher emotional labor.
Caffeic acid attenuates memory dysfunction and restores the altered activity of cholinergic, monoaminergic and purinergic in brain of cadmium chloride exposure rats
Authors: Adedayo Bukola C. , Agunloye Odunayo M. , Obawarrah Rasheedat Y. , Oboh Ganiyu
Published: April 2024

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of caffeic acid (CAF) against cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in rats via its effect on memory index as well as on altered enzymatic activity in the brain of CdCl2-induced neurotoxicity. Methods The experimental rats were divided into seven groups (n=6 rats per group) of healthy rats (group 1), CdCl2 -induced (CD) (3 mg/kg BW) rats (group 2), CD rats + Vitamin C (group 3), CD rats + CAF (10 and 20 mg/kg BW respectively) (group 4 & 5), and healthy rat + CAF (10 and 20 mg/kg BW respectively) (group 6 & 7). Thereafter, CdCl2 and CAF were administered orally to the experimental rats in group 2 to group 5 on daily basis for 14 days. Then, the Y-maze test was performed on the experimental rats to ascertain their memory index. Results CdCl2 administration significantly altered cognitive function, the activity of cholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, arginase, purinergic enzymes, nitric oxide (NOx), and antioxidant status of Cd rats (untreated) when compared with healthy rats. Thereafter, CD rats treated with vitamin C and CAF (10 and 20 mg/kg BW) respectively exhibited an improved cognitive function, and the observed altered activity of cholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, arginase, purinergic were restored when compared with untreated CD rats. Also, the level of brain NOx and antioxidant status were significantly (p<0.05) enhanced when compared with untreated CD rats. In the same vein, CAF administration offers neuro-protective effect in healthy rats vis-à-vis improved cognitive function, reduction in the activity of some enzymes linked to the progression of cognitive dysfunction, and improved antioxidant status when compared to healthy rats devoid of CAF. Conclusions This study demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of CAF against CdCl2 exposure and in healthy rats.
State of knowledge and distribution of the Andean white ear opossum (Didelphis pernigra, Allen 1900) in Colombia
Authors: Rubiano-Pérez Juan Camilo , Gomez-Castañeda Francisco Stiven , Lemus-Mejía Leonardo , Vela-Vargas I. Mauricio , González-Maya José F.
Published: April 2024

The Andean white ear opossum (Didelphis pernigra, Allen 1900) is one of the three species of the genus Didelphis reported in Colombia. Here we present a systematic review of D. pernigra in Colombia, with a geographical and altitudinal distribution hypothesis from the country. We reported geographic records and scientific available information of D. pernigra in 40 studies, 55.26 % of the available literature corresponded to local and regional inventories; 23.68 % of other documents were studies about mammal assemblages, while 21.05 % were specific studies about the species and the genus Didelphis in Colombia. We classified literature according to the following subcategories: natural history, diet, inventories, threats, reproduction, uses and perceptions. Most of the literature corresponded to detection in inventories (55.26 %), followed by natural history information (21.05 %) and threats (7.89 %). Research about diet, uses, perception and reproduction, had the lowest proportion with 5.26 %. Regarding distribution, geographic records ranged between 1060 and 3740 m across the three Andean ranges of Colombia. In general, little is known about the ecology or natural history of the species, efforts should be focused on filling the information gaps about natural history, and surveys should fill the distribution gaps along the Western and Central ranges of Colombia.
The crystal structure of n-propylammonium bis(2,3-dimethylbutane-2,3-diolato)borate-boric acid (1/1), [C3H10N][C12H24BO4]·B(OH)3
Authors: Böhme Hanna , Herbig Marcus , Böhme Uwe
Published: April 2024

[C3H10N][C12H24BO4]·B(OH)3, orthorhombic, Fdd2 (no. 43), a = 30.3986(6) Å, b = 40.4094(13) Å, c = 7.0603(2) Å, V = 8672.8(4) Å3, Z = 16, R

gt
(F) = 0.0324, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0828, T = 153 K.
Utilization of Alkali-Activated Rice Husk Ash for Sustainable Peat Stabilization
Authors: Khanday Suhail Ahmad , Hussain Monowar , Das Amit Kumar , Khanday Waheed Ahmad
Published: April 2024

Peat is formed from organic matter (OM) in wetlands under an anaerobic environment. Peat is considered weak and problematic soil because of high-water retaining capability, high compressibility, and low shear strength. The cement is generally used to stabilize peat, but cement production is energy intensive and contributes 7–8 % of total carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Nowadays, there is a need to use a potential “greener” alternative that is sustainable in the long term. Therefore, this research assesses the feasibility of rice husk ash (RHA)–based alkali-activated binder (AAB)–stabilized peat with varying fiber content (6–73 %) and OM (21–79 %). The RHA-based AAB was prepared by adding bauxite powder (as alumina source) to RHA in proportion to keep constant silica to alumina ratio (silica/alumina = 3). The samples were prepared using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) of molarities 3, 6, and 9 to activate the binder with percentages 10, 20, and 30 % by weight of dry peat and alkali (A) to binder (B) ratio chosen as 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9. The results illustrate that the factors like pH of pore solution, the molarity of NaOH, binder content, A/B ratio, OM, and curing affect the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of treated peat. The maximum UCS of 962, 873, and 668 kPa was found at an optimum combination of molarity (6M), binder content (20 %), and A/B ratio (0.7) for sapric, fibric, and hemic peat. It was seen that OM has a negative impact, whereas the curing period positively impacts the UCS of treated peat. Furthermore, the cumulative mass loss of fibric peat (13.6 %) is more than hemic (11.4 %) and sapric (10.6 %) peat. The X-ray diffraction patterns and field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs confirm the cementitious minerals that fill pore spaces or cavities to form a smooth and dense gel responsible for strength gain.
Cholinergic Neurotransmission Controls Orexigenic Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Gut in Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Wood Courtney P. , Alvarez Camila , DiPatrizio Nicholas V.
Published: April 2024

The brain bidirectionally communicates with the gut to control food intake and energy balance, which becomes dysregulated in obesity. For example, endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling in the small-intestinal (SI) epithelium is upregulated in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and promotes overeating by a mechanism that includes inhibiting gut–brain satiation signaling. Upstream neural and molecular mechanism(s) involved in overproduction of orexigenic gut eCBs in DIO, however, are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that overactive parasympathetic signaling at the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the SI increases biosynthesis of the eCB, 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG), which drives hyperphagia via local CB1Rs in DIO. Male mice were maintained on a high-fat/high-sucrose Western-style diet for 60 d, then administered several mAChR antagonists 30 min prior to tissue harvest or a food intake test. Levels of 2-AG and the activity of its metabolic enzymes in the SI were quantitated. DIO mice, when compared to those fed a low-fat/no-sucrose diet, displayed increased expression of cFos protein in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, which suggests an increased activity of efferent cholinergic neurotransmission. These mice exhibited elevated levels of 2-AG biosynthesis in the SI, that was reduced to control levels by mAChR antagonists. Moreover, the peripherally restricted mAChR antagonist, methylhomatropine bromide, and the peripherally restricted CB1R antagonist, AM6545, reduced food intake in DIO mice for up to 24 h but had no effect in mice conditionally deficient in SI CB1Rs. These results suggest that hyperactivity at mAChRs in the periphery increases formation of 2-AG in the SI and activates local CB1Rs, which drives hyperphagia in DIO.
A maternal ketogenic diet alters oviduct fluid nutrients and embryo histone acetylation in mice
Authors: Whatley Emma G , Harvey Alexandra J , Gardner David K
Published: April 2024

In brief

A ketogenic diet (KD) elevates blood β-hydroxybutyrate to concentrations that are known to perturb the development, metabolism, histone acetylation and viability of preimplantation mouse embryos in culture. This study shows that a maternal KD changes available nutrient levels in the oviduct, leading to altered embryo development and epigenetic state in vivo.

A ketogenic diet elevates blood β-hydroxybutyrate to concentrations that perturb the development, metabolism, histone acetylation (H3K27ac) and viability of preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro. However, whether a ketogenic diet alters β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations within female reproductive fluid is unknown. This study aimed to quantify glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate within mouse blood and oviduct fluid following standard diet and ketogenic diet consumption and to assess whether a maternal periconceptional ketogenic diet impacts in vivo embryo development and blastocyst H3K27ac. Female C57BL/6 × CBA mice were fed a standard or ketogenic diet (n = 24 each) for 24–27 days. Glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate were quantified in blood via an electronic monitoring system and in oviduct fluid via ultramicrofluorescence. The developmental grade of flushed blastocysts was recorded, and blastocyst cell number and H3K27ac were assessed via immunofluorescence. A maternal ketogenic diet elevated β-hydroxybutyrate in day 24 blood (P < 0.001) and oviduct fluid (P < 0.05) compared with a standard diet, whereas glucose was unchanged. A periconceptional ketogenic diet did not impact blastocyst cell number; however, it significantly delayed blastocyst development (P < 0.05) and reduced trophectoderm-specific H3K27ac (P < 0.05) compared with standard diet-derived embryos. Maternal ketogenic diet consumption is, therefore, associated with reproductive tract nutrient changes and altered embryonic development and epigenetics in vivo. Future studies to assess whether periconceptional/gestational ketogenic diet consumption impacts human preimplantation, fetal, and long-term offspring development and health are warranted.
Vibraharp: perkusinio-klavišinio instrumento klaviatūros dėklas ir jo naudojimo būdas
Authors: Šinkūnas Marius
Published: April 2024

The present invention (Vibraharp bag, LT6937B) is a keyboard bag for a percussion keyboard instrument (vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, or the like) for the safe operation and transportation of the keyboard, which is the most essential and expensive component of this class instruments. Unlike known bags for a similar purpose, this bag uses special internal key tabs which, when placed on the keyboard, inserts into the gaps between adjacent keys, thus separating them and preventing them from coming into mutual contact, under various operating and transport conditions. This bag helps to protect the keyboard of the instrument from unwanted physical impact and damage, and allows for more convenient and efficient mounting and unmounting of the keyboard during assembly and disassembly of the instrument.
Combinatorial approach to the calculation of projection coefficients for the simplest Gaussian-Volterra process
Authors: Bodnarchuk Iryna , Mishura Yuliya
Published: April 2024

The Gaussian-Volterra process with a linear kernel is considered, its properties are established and projection coefficients are explicitly calculated, i.e. one of possible prediction problems related to Gaussian processes is solved.
Drama in STEAM education: Possible approaches and connections to drama-based activities in STEAM education
Authors: Kasbary Nicole , Novák Géza Máté
Published: April 2024

Drama in Education (DiE) has been a well-known teaching technique for an active learning approach for students. It utilizes different forms of conventions to enhance a student's learning experience in the classroom, offering alternatives instead of the traditional teaching approaches. Drama can encourage students to learn and think critically and improve public speaking, communication, and confidence. The article portrays the use of drama activities in STEAM education by depicting the benefits and challenges. This study uses a qualitative approach to collect data, including relevant literature, descriptions of drama activities, and observation. The findings display that drama in STEAM education can improve and stimulate students' learning and knowledge in a particular subject. This study aimed to view 19 higher education students' perspectives of drama activities in STEAM. Two activities were completed during this pilot study and observations were made throughout the process. Furthermore, drama in STEAM stimulated the students, were more enthusiastic about exploring, examining and learning, socializing with their groupmates, and the confidence to perform.
Variation in the 1sg.indef: More than you wanted to know
Authors: Rácz Péter , Lukács Ágnes
Published: April 2024

The first person singular indefinite or non-definite of Hungarian verbs that end in -ik shows variation between the regular -k suffix and the -m suffix, used otherwise in the definite. This variation is systematic and subject to metalinguistic awareness. Our study relies on previous quantitative work, a frequency dictionary compiled from the new Hungarian Webcorpus, as well as a forced-choice elicitation experiment to assess the role of word frequency, word length, derivational endings, and across-form similarity in shaping this variation. We find that first person singular indefinite variation is largely defined by natural categories: verbs that look similar will also show a similar preference to -k/-m. This pattern is attested in the webcorpus as well as in participant responses in the elicitation task.
Трагедія українських дітей війни – глобалізація та цивілізаційні перехрестя сучасної доби
Authors:   Прикарпатський національний університет імені Василя Стефаника, Будник Олена
Published: April 2024

The article focuses on a relevant contemporary issue – the tragic events taking place in modern Ukraine, struggling for independence in a bloody war against the Russian occupier. In the era of globalisation, the civilisation crossroads where Ukraine is located, determine the accessibility of common cultural values, the necessity of historical consolidation and integration in overcoming global world differences, which sometimes lead to conflicts and wars.The author analyses historical, pedagogical and axiological research on children who have experienced various kinds of trauma as a result of the Russian- -Ukrainian war; typical difficulties faced by Ukrainian teachers in working with students affected by the Russian military aggression have been identified; the author has proposed the most effective methods and techniques for working with children of war, in particular those temporarily displaced due to the war in Ukraine; and outlines the areas of teacher training in the organisation of the educational process in the conditions of (post) martial law. The article focuses on the qualitative interpretation of the research results based on theoretical compilation of the author’s experience and intuition.