bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficiency, market concentration and bank performance during the COVID-19 outbreak: Evidence from the MENA region
Authors: Mateev Miroslav , Usman Tariq Muhammad , Sahyouni Ahmad
Published: May 2023

This study aims to contribute to the existing literature that explores the impact of market concentration on bank efficiency in emerging economies. Using a sample of 225 banks in 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region over the period 2006–2020, we empirically investigate the significance of this relationship. Since the evidence of concentration effect on efficiency during the COVID-19 outbreak is ambiguous, we test the hypothesis that the efficiency is positively affected by the level of banking market concentration in the MENA region. We adopt fixed effect model specifications and test the robustness of our results with the two-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique. Our analysis finds a strong positive association between market concentration and bank efficiency. The analysis of different types of banking systems that co-existing in the MENA region (Islamic and conventional) indicates the market concentration effect is more pronounced when the banking institution is Islamic and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, the better economic performance of Islamic banks during the initial stage of pandemic further increases their efficiency. Our analysis indicated that the impact of market competitive conditions on bank efficiency varies significantly across banks with different ownership structures and is more pronounced for government-owned banks. The results are robust using different model specifications and alternative estimation techniques.
Extracellular vesicles from human plasma for biomarkers discovery: Impact of anticoagulants and isolation techniques
Authors: Bettio Valentina , Mazzucco Eleonora , Antona Annamaria , Cracas Silvia , Varalda Marco , Venetucci Jacopo , Bruno Stefania , Chiabotto Giulia , Venegoni Chiara , Vasile Alessandra , Chiocchetti Annalisa , Quaglia Marco , Camussi Giovanni , Cantaluppi Vincenzo , Panella Massimiliano , Rolla Roberta , Manfredi Marcello , Capello Daniela
Published: May 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from plasma are increasingly recognized as promising circulating biomarkers for disease discovery and progression, as well as for therapeutic drug delivery. The scientific community underlined the necessity of standard operative procedures for the isolation and storage of the EVs to ensure robust results. The understanding of the impact of the pre-analytical variables is still limited and some considerations about plasma anticoagulants and isolation methods are necessary. Therefore, we performed a comparison study between EVs isolated by ultracentrifugation and by affinity substrate separation from plasma EDTA and sodium citrate. The EVs were characterized by Nano Tracking Analysis, Western Blot, cytofluorimetric analysis of surface markers, and lipidomic analysis. While anticoagulants did not significantly alter any of the analyzed parameters, the isolation methods influenced EVs size, purity, surface markers expression and lipidomic profile. Compared to ultracentrifugation, affinity substrate separation yielded bigger particles highly enriched in tetraspanins (CD9, CD63, CD81), fatty acids and glycerolipids, with a predominant LDL- and vLDL-like contamination. Herein, we highlighted that the isolation method should be carefully evaluated prior to study design and the need of standardized operative procedures for EVs isolation and application to biomarkers discovery.
Protocol of a scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses about COVID-19 vaccines and associated adverse events from vaccination
Authors: Pranić Shelly Melissa , Vasanthan Lenny T. , Thompson Jacqueline Y. , Mishra Vinayak , Kumar Pratyush , Ananda Roshan Arjun , Malih Narges , Chan Ka-King
Published: May 2023

The continuous dissemination of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) literature can inform decision-makers and the public. Since the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines, more systematic reviews have summarized the effectiveness and reported adverse events associated with vaccination. Previous systematic and scoping reviews on COVID-19 summarized various aspects surrounding COVID-19, however, a scoping review is needed to summarize the characteristics of COVID-19 vaccines and associated adverse events reported in systematic reviews and meta-analyses to provide comprehensive evidence for informed medical decision-making. We will conduct a scoping review concerning COVID-19 vaccines and adverse events from vaccines. We will search from December 2019 to present in Epistemonikos, Campbell Library, CINAHL (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), Scopus, CENTRAL (Ovid), Web of Science, WHO COVID-19 database, Joanna Briggs Institute of Excellence, and COVID-19 Evidence Reviews resource. We will include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or both of randomized controlled trials and observational studies and exclude individual randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Abstracts and full-texts will be screened prior to selection. Investigators will independently use a calibrated quantitative and qualitative data extraction sheet and rate the quality of articles with AMSTAR, resolving disagreements to aim for good agreement (≥80%). An updated scoping review of the characteristics and safety of COVID-19 vaccines would highlight the accuracy of the evidence to inform decision-making concerning COVID-19 vaccination.
Models of service delivery in adult cochlear implantation and evaluation of outcomes: A scoping review of delivery arrangements
Authors: Ebrahimi-Madiseh Azadeh , Nickbakht Mansoureh , Eikelboom Robert H. , Bennett Rebecca J. , Friedland Peter L. , Atlas Marcus D. , Jessup Rebecca L.
Published: May 2023

Background

This study aimed to describe available evidence of cochlear implantation delivery arrangements in adults and the outcomes by which these service models are measured.

Methods

Scoping review of English language, primary studies conducted on adults (≥18 years) with ten or more subjects, published between January 2000 and June 2022, which assessed the effects of delivery arrangements of cochlear implantation were included. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, AMED, PsycINFO, LILACS, KoreaMed, IndMed, Cochrane CRCT, ISRCTN registry, WHO ICTRP and Web of Science were systematically searched. Included studies had to have a method section explicitly measure at least one of the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) outcome category. Criteria for systematic reviews and delivery arrangement category based on EPOC taxonomy was included in data extraction. Data was narratively synthesized based on EPOC categories.

Results

A total of 8135 abstracts were screened after exclusion of duplicates, of these 357 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Around 40% of the studies investigated how care is delivered, focusing on quality and safety systems. New care pathways to coordinate care and the use of information and communication technology were emerging areas. There was little evidence on continuity, coordination and integration of care, how the workforce is managed, where care is provided and changes in the healthcare environment. The main outcome measure for various delivery arrangements were the health status and performance in a test.

Conclusion

A substantial body of evidence exists about safety and efficacy of cochlear implantation in adults, predominantly focused on surgical aspects and this area is rapidly growing. There is a lack of evidence on aspects of care delivery that may have more impact on patients’ experience such as continuity, coordination and integration of care and should be a focus of future research. This would lead to a better understanding of how patient’s view CI experience, associated costs and the value of different care models.
Genome‑wide identification and characterization of miR396 family members and their target genes GRF in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench)
Authors: Wang Huiyan , Zhang Yizhong , Liang Du , Zhang Xiaojuan , Fan Xinqi , Guo Qi , Wang Linfang , Wang Jingxue , Liu Qingshan
Published: May 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) widely participate in plant growth and development. The miR396 family, one of the most conserved miRNA families, remains poorly understood in sorghum. To reveal the evolution and expression pattern of Sbi-miR396 gene family in sorghum, bioinformatics analysis and target gene prediction were performed on the sequences of the Sbi-miR396 gene family members. The results showed that five Sbi-miR396 members, located on chromosomes 4, 6, and 10, were identified at the whole-genome level. The secondary structure analysis showed that the precursor sequences of all five Sbi-miR396 potentially form a stable secondary stem–loop structure, and the mature miRNA sequences were generated on the 5′ arm of the precursors. Sequence analysis identified the mature sequences of the five sbi-miR396 genes were high identity, with differences only at the 1st, 9th and 21st bases at the 5’ end. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Sbi-miR396a, Sbi-miR396b, and Sbi-miR396c were clustered into Group I, and Sbi-miR396d and Sbi-miR396e were clustered into Group II, and all five sbi-miR396 genes were closely related to those of maize and foxtail millet. Expression analysis of different tissue found that Sbi-miR396d/e and Sbi-miR396a/b/c were preferentially and barely expressed, respectively, in leaves, flowers, and panicles. Target gene prediction indicates that the growth-regulating factor family members (SbiGRF1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/10) were target genes of Sbi-miR396d/e. Thus, Sbi-miR396d/e may affect the growth and development of sorghum by targeting SbiGRFs. In addition, expression analysis of different tissues and developmental stages found that all Sbi-miR396 target genes, SbiGRFs, were barely expressed in leaves, root and shoot, but were predominantly expressed in inflorescence and seed development stage, especially SbiGRF1/5/8. Therefore, inhibition the expression of sbi-miR396d/e may increase the expression of SbiGRF1/5/8, thereby affecting floral organ and seed development in sorghum. These findings provide the basis for studying the expression of the Sbi-mir396 family members and the function of their target genes.
Endurance-trained subjects and sedentary controls increase ventricular contractility and efficiency during exercise: Feasibility of hemodynamics assessed by non-invasive pressure-volume loops
Authors: Östenson Björn , Ostenfeld Ellen , Edlund Jonathan , Heiberg Einar , Arheden Håkan , Steding-Ehrenborg Katarina
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Pressure-volume (PV) loops can be used to assess both load-dependent and load-independent measures of cardiac hemodynamics. However, analysis of PV loops during exercise is challenging as it requires invasive measures. Using a novel method, it has been shown that left ventricular (LV) PV loops at rest can be obtained non-invasively from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and brachial pressures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess if LV PV loops can be obtained non-invasively from CMR during exercise to assess cardiac hemodynamics.

Methods

Thirteen endurance trained (ET; median 48 years [IQR 34–60]) and ten age and sex matched sedentary controls (SC; 43 years [27–57]) were included. CMR images were acquired at rest and during moderate intensity supine exercise defined as 60% of expected maximal heart rate. Brachial pressures were obtained in conjunction with image acquisition.

Results

Contractility measured as maximal ventricular elastance (Emax) increased in both groups during exercise (ET: 1.0 mmHg/ml [0.9–1.1] to 1.1 mmHg/ml [0.9–1.2], p<0.01; SC: 1.1 mmHg/ml [0.9–1.2] to 1.2 mmHg/ml [1.0–1.3], p<0.01). Ventricular efficiency (VE) increased in ET from 70% [66–73] at rest to 78% [75–80] (p<0.01) during exercise and in SC from 68% [63–72] to 75% [73–78] (p<0.01). Arterial elastance (EA) decreased in both groups (ET: 0.8 mmHg/ml [0.7–0.9] to 0.7 mmHg/ml [0.7–0.9], p<0.05; SC: 1.0 mmHg/ml [0.9–1.2] to 0.9 mmHg/ml [0.8–1.0], p<0.05). Ventricular-arterial coupling (EA/Emax) also decreased in both groups (ET: 0.9 [0.8–1.0] to 0.7 [0.6–0.8], p<0.01; SC: 1.0 [0.9–1.1] to 0.7 [0.7–0.8], p<0.01).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates for the first time that LV PV loops can be generated non-invasively during exercise using CMR. ET and SC increase ventricular efficiency and contractility and decrease afterload and ventricular-arterial coupling during moderate supine exercise. These results confirm known physiology. Therefore, this novel method is applicable to be used during exercise in different cardiac disease states, which has not been possible non-invasively before.
Valoración de conocimientos, actitudes y comportamientos sobre las vacunas en la población
Authors: Pérez Sancho Ángela , Mateos Campos Ramona
Published: May 2023

El conocimiento científico es el principal condicionante de las actitudes y comportamientos adquiridos por la población ante las vacunas. Se ha realizado un estudio observacional que evalúa cuáles han sido los conocimientos científicos sobre las vacunas que la población ha adquirido durante la pandemia del COVID-19. En base a esto se ha podido observar cómo condicionan los comportamientos que tiene la población. La “infodemia” generada durante la COVID-19 ha derivado en una población que posee demasiados términos científicos sobre vacunas, pero que no alcanza a comprenderlos. La Salud Pública está en manos de quien tiene el poder divulgativo, elijamos bien quién posee dicho poder.
Caracterización funcional del daño renal asociado a la inmunoterapia oncológica
Authors: Abril Alicia , Tascón Javier , Vicente-Vicente Laura , Casanova Alfredo G. , Prieto Marta , Morales Ana I.
Published: May 2023

os inhibidores del punto de control inmunitario (IPCI) son un grupo farmacológico destacable dentro de la inmunoterapia oncológica. Los IPCI se administran en monoterapia o en terapia combinada junto a quimioterápicos como el cisplatino, mostrando excelentes resultados clínicos. Sin embargo, no están exentos de reacciones adversas como la lesión renal inducida por IPCI, mínimamente estudiada y que empeora el pronóstico del paciente.

El objetivo del estudio fue la caracterización funcional del daño renal asociado a los IPCI (anti-CTLA-4 y anti-PD-1) y a la combinación de estos con cisplatino, mediante una batería de biomarcadores de lesión renal. En el estudio, se emplearon ratones macho C57BL/6 divididos en grupos experimentales. Cada grupo recibió, correspondientemente: anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4, cisplatino o la terapia combinada de cisplatino+anti-CTLA-4+anti-PD-1. El análisis de biomarcadores se realizó mediante técnicas colorimétricas y de inmunoensayo. Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis estadístico empleando el programa IBM SPSS® Statistics.

Los biomarcadores plasmáticos (creatinina y urea) no mostraron lesión renal en ningún grupo de tratamiento, mientras que los biomarcadores urinarios (NGAL, KIM-1 y albúmina) aumentaron en los grupos de terapia combinada mostrando daño renal subclínico. Por ello, los biomarcadores urinarios podrían resultar ventajosos en el diagnóstico precoz del daño renal asociado a IPCI en pacientes oncológicos.
Use of Endoscopic Suturing for the Treatment of Malignant Gastric Ulcer-Related Hemorrhage
Authors: Andreone Michael , Megna Bryant , McDonald Nicholas , Sunjaya Dharma , Hanson Brian , Bilal Mohammad
Published: May 2023

Gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to malignancy can be difficult to manage with traditional endoscopic therapies. Endoscopic suturing is a relatively new technology with limited data available regarding its use for bleeding related to peptic ulcer disease. We describe a case where endoscopic suturing was successfully used to control gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a previously known malignant ulceration that was refractory to traditional interventions.
Palynology and meiotic behavior of Genipa americana L., a species native to the Amazon
Authors: Ruzza Danieli Aline Cigolini , Bispo Rosimeire Barboza , Pedri Eliane Cristina Moreno de , Martins Kellen Coutinho , Zortéa Kelli Évelin Müller , Souza Sérgio Alessandro Machado , Pereira Telma Nair Santana , Rossi Ana Aparecida Bandini
Published: May 2023

Genipa americana L., commonly known as genipap, belongs to the Rubiaceae family. This study aimed to describe the pollen morphology of the species, evaluate its meiotic behavior and pollen viability, and provide information to help the maintenance and conservation of the species in its natural habitat. Flower buds were collected from 20 individuals in Alta Floresta and Matupá municipalities, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Pollen morphology was characterized using acetolysis and compared to existing literature. Meiotic and post-meiotic phases were analyzed using 2% acetocarmine stain, and pollen viability was estimated using Sudan IV, Alexander's stain, Lugol's solution (1%), and 2% acetocarmine stain. G. americana has medium-sized, 3-colporate pollen with reticulated exine and few meiotic irregularities. Acetocarmine stain showed the highest mean percentage of pollen viability (97.96%). Stain tests revealed significant differences, indicating high pollen viability and meiotic regularity. However, conservation and recovery of degraded areas are still necessary as there is no guarantee of successful reproduction due to factors associated with fragmentation, genetic drift, reduced gene flow, and inbreeding.
Prevention and Interventional Strategies of Adolescent Obesity / Overweight - Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 10 Years Research
Authors: Munusamy Gomathi , Shanmugam Ramesh
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this review was to reach a consensus on the evidence of the literature investigating multiple school-based interventions (physical activity, diet, and sedentary behavior) to prevent or reduce high body mass index z-score and waist circumference among adolescents. A systematic search of five electronic databases: Pubmed, MEDLINE, Science Direct Index, HINARI, and Google Scholar were conducted to identify published studies between January 2010 and December 2020. Only studies that used randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of physical activity and/or physical education, nutritional education and/or dietary behavior, and sedentary behavior on adolescents’ body mass index z-score and waist circumference were included. The risk of bias in credible studies was evaluated using the Standard Cochrane tool. A random effects model was used to assess the impact of the interventions included on the waist circumference and body mass index z-score. Of the 2,090 citations reviewed, n = 1,954 (789 interventions, 1,165 controls) from five studies were included. Overall, a minimally significant reduction was found in BMI z-score MD -0.05 [95% CI: -0.20, 0.11, p-value < 0.0001, I2 = 87%] and waist circumference MD -0.97 [95% CI: -1.53, -0.42, p-value = 0.26, I2 = 25%] between 3 to 12 months than 12 to 24 months. Multiple school-based interventions for adolescents that last between three and twelve months are more successful. Further study should focus on the effect of coupled components on the efficacy of multicomponent therapies integrated with theoretical/conceptual aspects.
Polyphasic characterization of rhizobial isolates obtained from different common bean-producing regions
Authors: Santos Thályta Duarte dos , Asobia Princewill Chukwuma , Ferreira Enderson Petrônio de Brito
Published: May 2023

In Brazil, the common bean is a crop with significant social and economic importance. The prospecting of N2 fixing bacteria is crucial since biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is an eco-friendly technique.  This work aimed to obtain and characterize rhizobium isolates based on morpho-physiological, molecular, and symbiotic efficiency parameters, using the strains SEMIA 4077, SEMIA 4080, and SEMIA 4088 as references. The characteristics of the isolates and colonies, their tolerance to salinity and temperature, as well as their utilization of carbon sources, served as the basis for the morpho-physiological characterization. BOX-PCR, REP-PCR, and ERIC-PCR markers were used for genotypic characterization. Assessment of the symbiotic efficiency was carried out in a greenhouse, determining the number of nodules (NN), nodule dry weight (NDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), and total-N (Total-N) accumulation in the shoot. Among the isolates, those exhibiting: neutral culture medium pH, fast growth, colony diameter <2 mm, opaque transparency, homogeneous appearance, and cream color were predominant. Compared to temperature, salinity was the most restrictive factor to the growth of the isolates. Most of the isolates grew on sucrose (88.43%) and mannitol (87.28%). Genotypic analysis revealed that 90% of the isolates clustered in the same group as the reference strain SEMIA 4080. The TaMsG2R1 and BaDeG4R2 isolates showed higher Total-N in the shoot than the reference strains and should be evaluated in future studies under field conditions.
Is Kiai a Transformational Leadership Model?
Authors: Putro Setyanto , Risdiana Aris , Jihan Fitri Fatimatus Zahro’ , Harminingsih Harminingsih
Published: May 2023

This study examines the social conflicts faced by mosque and prayers room managers in the Cangkringan area of Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Province. The social conflicts encompass a wide range of issues, from waqf land disputes to inheritance distribution and domestic household problems such as divorce to theological differences related to superstition, bid’a, and superstition. In Kapanewon (districts) Cangkringan, fewer than one hundred mosques and prayer rooms deal with such issues. To accomplish the study, this research was conducted using a qualitative design. A sociological approach was utilized to examine the roles and functions of Kiai and Islamic Boarding Schools in Kapanewon Cangkringan in general and mosque and prayer room managers in particular. The theory used is Max Weber's leadership theory. Three essential aspects of internal processes were identified in this study. First and foremost, the leadership of Kiai, the leader of the al-Qodir Islamic boarding school, exemplified a participatory transformative leadership who is not afraid of taking different perspectives to achieve common goals. Secondly, the transformative leadership at Islamic boarding school Kiai take a primary role as facilitator and problem solver for a wide range of social conflicts. As a third aspect, conflict resolution was distributed by establishing a new system with mutually agreed regulations, and it took place with the Selapanan system every Kliwon Sunday. In addition to enriching interdisciplinary intellectual treasures, this research contributes to interdisciplinary treasures both in sociology, particularly transformative leadership, and management science, specifically in organizational leadership.
La levadura del mal y la masa absurda: las muchedumbres en la obra de Gabriel Tarde.
Authors: Davila Luis Felipe
Published: May 2023

El presente artículo de investigación recoge los resultados parciales de una pesquisa sobre Gabriel Tarde (jurista, juez de Sarlat en Francia, criminólogo, sociólogo; 1843-1904), la imitación y los crímenes de muchedumbres. El objetivo es explorar las categorías principales que utiliza el autor francés del siglo XIX y comprender las líneas generales de su pensamiento, y del porqué, después de más de cien años de su muerte, su obra vuelve a tener interés en el ámbito de la criminología global y en particular en la disciplina en territorio latinoamericano. En donde se ha vuelto a traducir y estudiar con renovado interés, en especial en Argentina, donde se encuentran sus mayores estudiosos. Los principales hallazgos de este trabajo tienen que ver con la actualidad de algunas de sus ideas como: la imitatividad del delito, el carácter rizomático de la sociedad y la naturaleza de las muchedumbres. La conclusión más relevante del texto es la siguiente: más allá del tipo de lenguaje o metáforas usadas por el autor (que en ocasión se tornan anacrónicas y reproducen cierta violencia simbólica), su obra contiene claves para entender muchos fenómenos sociales actuales, en particular los delitos que cometen las muchedumbres y las invenciones criminales.
Implicaciones jurídicas en el entorno del big data: el caso del APP Navega Seguro
Authors: Becerra Ortiz Jairo , Luz Clara Bibiana Beatriz , Dorado John Grover , Velandia John , Fleming Jose Araoz , Sánchez Acevedo Marco Emilio
Published: May 2023

El artículo presenta el desarrollo de la aplicación móvil denominada Navega Seguro, la cual ha involucrado herramientas de big data y un marco de referencia del uso de aplicativos que usan datos abiertos públicos frente a temáticas del derecho TIC, como la protección de datos, los términos y condiciones de la aplicación, el acceso a la información y la ciberseguridad, por medio de este estudio de caso. Navega Seguro ha sido desarrollada en el marco de la investigación internacional “Derecho, cambio climático y big data. Fase II”, con un enfoque interdisciplinario, que permite observar las fortalezas del trabajo investigativo de áreas como el derecho, la ingeniería, las comunicaciones y el diseño, con el apoyo de organizaciones gubernamentales.
Comentario de Colonia al derecho del espacio. Tratado del espacio
Authors: Cardozo Trujillo Ana Sophia , Cruz Diaz Carlos Eduardo
Published: May 2023

Para iniciar es necesario brindar el contexto del libro y descubrir su importancia dentro del derecho internacional público. Pues bien, el derecho espacial surge al tiempo que la denominada Era Espacial se abría paso, con la intervención de la Unión Soviética y Estados Unidos durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX, en particular con el lanzamiento de los dos primeros satélites al espacio al finalizar la década de 1950.
Las acciones al portador en la sociedad por acciones simplificada SAS en Colombia: legalidad, conveniencia y efectos en el proceso arbitral
Authors: López Guzmán Fabián , Medina Noriega Emilio José
Published: May 2023

El presente artículo tiene como propósito fundamental analizar la conveniencia y los efectos jurídico económicos de permitir las acciones al portador en las sociedades por acciones simplificadas SAS y sus implicaciones en el proceso arbitral. Para cumplirlo, se esbozan las características de las sociedades por acciones simplificadas SAS; luego se adentra en el estudio de la conformación del capital de las sociedadesSAS y, por consiguiente, en los tipos de acciones que regula la Ley 1258 de 2008 en los artículos 10 y 11. Se examinan las ventajas y desventajas de las clases de acciones y, en particular, se aborda, desde una perspectiva ius económica, el análisis sobre las acciones con voto singular y múltiple, que constituyen una novedad en el derecho societario colombiano. Por último, se introduce en las acciones al portador, su regulación en el derecho societario colombiano, en la suspensión o supresión que hace el artículo 9 de laDecisión 291 de 1991, en las bondades o ventajas comparativas de su implementación en el ordenamientojurídico nacional y, como es lógico, en las implicaciones en el ámbito del proceso arbitral. Para finalizar, se efectúan las sugerencias o recomendaciones jurídicas y legislativas.
De las políticas y los lineamientos para la implementación del lenguaje jurídico claro y fácil
Authors: Ortega Ruiz Luis Germán
Published: May 2023

El lenguaje jurídico se ha desarrollado como parte de diferentes modelos de interpretación, los cuales le han permitido al operador jurídico determinar el significado de los mandatos normativos o el empleo de instituciones jurídicas a los casos judiciales, en abstracto y en concreto. Por lo anterior, la presente investigación pretende establecer cuáles han sido las principales reglas jurídicas para la implementación del lenguaje claro y fácil en materia jurídica, a partir de la siguiente pregunta de investigación: ¿cuáles han sido las políticas y los lineamientos para la implementación del lenguaje jurídico claro y fácil en los textos normativos y judiciales y en las decisiones administrativas?
Criminology And Ontological Trends Of The RussianUkrainian War In The Context Of Globalization Processes: Human Rights Protection And Law Enforcement Concepts
Authors: Sokurenko Vitalii
Published: May 2023

War is inevitable and its consequences devastating. When war is persistent, becomes criminal, and affects society in many ways, like in the loss of human lives, violating the fundamental human right to life. This article examines related issues in the Russian Ukrainian war from a criminological point of view in the context of the modern threats from the globalization processes and a total change (reconstruction) of the situation in the world. The objective of the law is to ensure that laws related to war should be enforced and respected by everyone engaged in it, be the military or other persons. Special attention is paid to law enforcement and human rights protection, as well as to the implementation of power-management relations based on professionalism and high moral foundations, based on the best traditions of the spirituality of the Ukrainian people. An interdisciplinary method of scientific research was applied to examine the relationship between military criminology and criminotheology and the need to involve clergymen, chaplains in raising morale and daily prayers for the personnel and the people in general. Hence, the character of the criminal (psychological portrait) can be significantly transformed by combining science and religion. It is extremely important to confront internal and external threats in the defense of national interests.
Efectos Geopolíticos De La Guerra De Ucrania
Authors: Montero Moncada Luis Alexander , Jiménez Reina Jonnathan , Ardila Castro Carlos Alberto
Published: May 2023

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar los efectos geopolíticos y geoestratégicos derivados de la guerra entre Rusia y Ucrania. Se toma como período de revisión el primer semestre de 2022 y se seleccionan como áreas de estudio el mar Báltico, el mar Negro y el océano Ártico. En las tres regiones se observa un cambio a fondo de las dinámicas geopolíticas y un intento de reposicionamiento de los jugadores hegemónicos más importantes, como Rusia y la OTAN. Además, se encuentra un impacto relevante en la modificación de la naturaleza de la guerra, en la que lo híbrido tiene un rol mayor. Esta condición también es incorporada en el examen del comportamiento de los actores y su esfuerzo por reorganizar su estrategia frente al otro.
‘I Am the King Himself’: Lear, Seneca and the New Augustus
Authors: Ward Ian
Published: May 2023

This article revisits the kingship of James VI of Scotland and I of England. It argues that there were two defining features of this kingship, its style and its reach. The first is the nature of its absolutism, which drew heavily upon the writings of the Roman public philosopher Seneca. The second is the aspiring imperialism. James cherished the idea of a formal ‘union’ of his crowns, again deriving inspiration from classical Rome. The first part of this article analyses the constitutional theory of James Stuart, as articulated in his writings and those of contemporaries. The second part then conjectures that Shakespeare’s King Lear, first performed in 1606, can be read as a critical, but ultimately approving, commentary on both aspirations, the absolutist and the imperialist.1
Gertrude Atherton’s WWI Propaganda to the Home Front: Mrs. Balfame, The Living Present and The White Morning
Authors: İlimen Ezgi
Published: May 2023

Gertrude Atherton’s Mrs. Balfame (1916), The Living Present (1917) and The White Morning (1918) address the home front audience about the war front of World War I. Atherton chronicles American political transition from isolationism to new internationalism with her pro-Ally and pro-American agenda. In her novel Mrs. Balfame, Atherton reflects political polarization in American society during the U. S. neutrality and anti-German stance, referring to the impacts of war reports on public opinion. The Living Present underlines French women’s wartime services on the home front and transatlantic collaboration through Atherton’s recollections. In her novel The White Morning, German women’s suffering and sense of duty gradually carry them to the war front with women’s revolution that brings their war to an end with Prussian militarism and patriarchal oppression. Thus, Atherton’s propaganda literature encourages women’s political awareness and wartime mobilization for their postwar progress and demands as citizens.
Times Out of Joint: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Authors: Benskin Michael
Published: May 2023

John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963), the literary breakthrough of one of the most successful novelists of our time, is a Cold War classic that changed the direction of spy fiction, and has gone far to redefining it. The story is compelling, bleak and without heroes: that causes are betrayed is no surprise, but here institutions betray their own men. Reviewers took the novel to be credible and realistic, qualities assumed even by some recent political and cultural studies of the Cold War; the author had, after all, served the British Foreign Office in Germany, and though he denied it for decades, he was from the first suspected to have been a spy. The novel’s authenticity grew with le Carré’s denials, reinforced by his published story of how he wrote it: it was an immediate and intensely personal reaction to seeing the Berlin Wall being built, written in a great rush within five or six weeks. The novel itself, however, tells a different story, which no competent intelligence officer could ever have believed. Its chronologies are variously impossible, both internally and in their historical anchorage. It assumes the existence of the Wall from the outset, but parts must have been composed before the Wall was built: as will appear, the story is composite, and it marches to contradictory calendars. The textual archaeology thus indicated is confirmed by some of le Carré’s own correspondence.
“The Famous Republic of Shepherds” (Hall 2015: 382–383): Sarah Hall’s Alternative Pastoral Trajectory in Haweswater (2002) and The Wolf Border (2015)
Authors: Pompié Constance
Published: May 2023

In most of her writings, Sarah Hall uses the pastoral mode, tapping its complexity in order not only to revisit and subvert its conventions but also to represent and question the interactions between the human and the non-human. The pastoral is thus used as an aesthetic and ethical medium through which the crises of the Anthropocene are made visible. I argue that Sarah Hall’s Haweswater and The Wolf Border, drawing on the origins of pastoral, showcase an alternative pastoral trajectory that allows her to represent the challenges of the current environmental crisis. Through a thematic and formal study of Hall’s novels in the light of new materialist theories, I intend to show that the reinvention of the pastoral mode is a way for Hall to shed light on the realistic content of the pastoral that tends to go unnoticed: the actual working and living conditions of land workers, the political orientations behind rewilding programs, the representation of the environment and the ontological hierarchy that enables human subjects to reify nature and its non-human inhabitants. This alternative pastoral trajectory allows literature to investigate, question and reflect on the current environmental crisis and on our position as human beings embedded in a natural environment.
Late-time dark energy and Hubble tension
Authors: Pilipović Dragana
Published: May 2023

We extend Einstein’s theory of general relativity by introducing stochastic elements in addition to the usual fields and apply it to explore late-time redshift. The stochastic perturbation of spacetime enforces an effective minimum length (ML) to give us a cosmological constant naturally derived from the diffusive nature of spacetime and a redshift driven by both the geometry of spacetime as well as its diffusive nature. In this new theory, “dark energy” is the manifestation of fundamental uncertainty caused by ML of spacetime. The new theory converges to the minimalΛ\LambdaCDM model in the era after the Big Bang, when the geometry dominates over the diffusive character of spacetime. However, as the Hubble parameter decreases in value over time, there is a period during which the diffusive effects play an increasingly important role. For later times, as the universe approaches its minimum total energy density, the resulting redshift obtains significant contributions from both the geometry, captured by the Hubble parameter “HH,” and spacetime diffusion, captured by a new parameter “DD,” the diffusive equivalent toHH. Hence, the new theory presented here is particularly important during the later times in whichHHdiminishes and becomes comparable toDD. The theory suggests that the Hubble tension might be relieved by the diffusive character of spacetime. In order to compare the early time Hubble parameter estimates to the late-time estimates, we must recognize the contribution diffusion makes to the redshift observations and further reformulate luminosity distance and its kinematic expression to account for the effects of diffusion in addition to geometry. We perform a simple analysis of Type Ia supernovae observations with distances calibrated using Cepheids to obtain estimates for the new diffusion parameter. Based on these results, the new theory places the universe well inside a vacuum-dominated regime with a small and diminishing diffusion parameter.
Unpacking the Financial Incentives in Health by Revisiting India’s “Safe Motherhood Program”
Authors: Baulia Susmita
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates India’s nationwide health reform to understand its various channels of effect. The reform entitled socio-economically backward mothers with cash transfer if they chose to give birth at public health institutions, and simultaneously employed ASHAs as a direct link between pregnant women and the public healthcare delivery system. Using variations in mothers’ eligibility and differential implementation of ASHAs across states, birth-related outcomes are evaluated in a difference-in-difference framework. Results show that eligible mothers with both cash transfer and ASHA’s guidance outperformed those receiving only cash transfer, in institutional birth rate and timely initiation of breastfeeding. An improved outcome in the ASHA’s presence alongside the conditional cash transfer argues for the vitality of the former’s role in spreading information on the importance of health and the uptake of public healthcare.
Experimental study on photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance of ZnS/CdS-TiO2 nanotube array thin films
Authors: Xu Hanbing , Fan Zhenzhong , Liu Qingwang , Li Linjing
Published: May 2023

The effect of CdS/ZnS composite-sensitized TiO2 nanotube array (TNTA) on the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 was studied. CdS/ZnS quantum dots sensitized TNTA by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) cycle method, and CdS/ZnS-TNTA composite semiconductor materials were prepared. The loading amount of CdS/ZnS depends on the number of SILAR cycles. The effects of SILAR cycle times, the CO2 volume flow, and light intensity on the photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance were studied. The main product of the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 was methanol; the performance was 2.73 times higher than that of bare TNTA, the optimal SILAR cycle was 10, the light absorption sideband was red shifted to 524 nm, and the optimal CO2 volume flow rate was 20.5 mL/min. The final yield was as high as 255.49 nmol/(cm2-cat h). CdS/ZnS quantum dot sensitization mainly broadened the wavelength range of the catalyst’s response to visible light, inhibited the recombination of electron–hole pairs to a certain extent, and greatly improved the photocatalytic performance under visible light.
Depression and anxiety in adolescents and young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nasiri-Amiri Fatemeh , Faramarzi Mahbobeh , Omidvar Shabnam , Alizadeh-Navaei Reza
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the depression and anxiety symptoms, or both in adolescents and young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to those without PCOS.

Contents

A comprehensive electronic search was conducted to identify observational studies on PCOS patients (January 1991–December 2020). The population study included adolescents and young women (14–29 years of age) in two groups of cases (with PCOS) and controls (without PCOS) who were diagnosed with PCOS using the Rotterdam or National Institutes of Health criteria (NIH). Symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both, reported separately, were of interest. Mean (SD) of depression or anxiety symptoms, or both, as measured by a quantitatively validated scale for both the case and control groups. All eligible studies were quality assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) tool. The initial database search resulted in the discovery of 1,582 papers, of which 806 were selected after screening the titles and abstracts and removing duplicates. A total of 49 papers were found to be suitable for full-text reading. This meta-analysis included ten studies comprising 941 adolescent/young women (391 with PCOS and 550 without PCOS). The standard mean difference (SMD) and its corresponding confidence interval (CI) at 95 % were used to compare depression or anxiety symptoms, or both, between two groups.

Summary and outlook

The results, which included 192 cases, demonstrated that adolescents/young women with PCOS had significantly more depressive symptoms than those without PCOS (n=360) (SMD 0.72; 95 % CI, 0.09–1.34; Z=2.25, p=0.025; Heterogeneity: I2=89.7 %; p=0.000). Also, the results which included 299 cases demonstrated that adolescents/young women with PCOS had significantly more anxiety symptoms than those without PCOS (n=421) (SMD 0.59; 95 % CI, 0.13–1.05; Z=2.51, p=0.012; Heterogeneity: I2=86.1 %; p=0.000). This meta-analysis demonstrates that adolescent/young women with PCOS have significantly more depression or anxiety symptoms than those without PCOS.
The influence of the configurations of multiple-impeller on canrenone bioconversion using resting cells of Aspergillus ochraceus
Authors: Huang Juan , Zhu Huixuan , Guan Shimin , Tian Huaixiang , Chen Chen , Zhang Botao , Rong Shaofeng
Published: May 2023

11 α-Hydroxycanrenone is a key intermediate in the synthesis of eplernone which is a drug that protects the cardiovascular system. It can be obtained by microbial transformation of canrenone using Aspergillus ochraceus. The impeller configuration has a great impact on the microbial transformation efficiency. In this study, three kinds of multiple-impeller including six-blade Rushton turbine (lower) and six-blade Rushton turbine (upper) (RT + RT), six-blade Rushton turbine (lower) and six-arrow blade turbine (upper) (RT + ABT), six-blade Rushton turbine impeller (lower) and six-blade Chemineer CD6 impeller (upper) (RT + CD6) were employed to carry out the microbial conversion process, which was investigated by experiments and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. The CFD simulation was performed only for the hydrodynamic part of the bioreactor in this article. The results showed that RT + CD6 gave better conversion ratio compared to the other two multiple impellers. It had higher axial flow and better air volume fraction distribution which was benefit for the biotransformation process. A certain amount of cell content should be guaranteed in order to obtain a good substrate conversion (45 % approximately). The final conversion ratio of canrenone was proportional to the content of mycelium at the late stage of conversion, while the content of mycelium at the early stage had a subtle effect. Besides, A. ochraceus resting cells could tolerate the maximum and average shear strain rate in the order of 2598 s−1 and 52 s−1, respectively. The research results provided a guide for the selection of impeller for the biotransformation of canrenone in biopharmaceutical industry.
Reconfigurable anomalous reflectors with stretchable elastic substrates at 140 GHz band
Authors: Kato Yuto , Yonemura Kazuma , Seki Kento , Kambara Retsuku , Sanada Atsushi
Published: May 2023

We propose reconfigurable anomalous reflectors with stretchable elastic substrates. The proposed reflector dynamically controls the reflection direction by mechanically stretching the substrate to induce a physical change of the unit cell period. Owing to the simple and scalable tuning mechanism, the proposed approach is applicable in the millimeter-wave and terahertz bands for a wide reflection steering. To demonstrate the proposed approach, stretchable anomalous reflectors are designed at 140 GHz for normal incident waves. From full-wave simulations, we numerically confirm that highly efficient anomalous reflections with suppressed parasitic reflections in the undesired directions are achieved toward shallower angles as the substrate is stretched. We experimentally demonstrate that the proposed reflectors allow a dynamic control of the reflection direction with wide steering ranges of more than 20°. Moreover, we confirm that the measured efficiencies of the anomalous reflections hardly deteriorate when stretching and maintain practically acceptable performances of over 50 %. The proposed stretchable reflectors have a potential to be used for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) that realizes dynamic optimizations of the wireless environment in the 6G communication.
An evaluation of cancer aging research group (CARG) score to predict chemotherapy toxicity in older Iranian patients with cancer
Authors: Ameri Ahmad , Rahnama Nazanin , Talebi Fereshteh , Sourati Ainaz , Taghizadeh-Hesary Farzad
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the Cancer Aging Research Group (CARG) in Iranian patients as a representative of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region population.

Methods

This prospective longitudinal study involved patients 65 years and older starting a new cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen. We did general (including Karnofsky performance status, KPS) and CARG-based assessments before chemotherapy. Chemotherapy toxicities were recorded during chemotherapy courses. The predictive values of CARG and KPS were evaluated using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). Chemotherapy toxicities were sub-analyzed per hematologic and nonhematologic types.

Results

Chemotherapy-related toxicity was reported in 23.6 % of patients. The corresponding area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) was 0.56 (95 %CI, 0.40–0.69) for total toxicity, 0.67 (95 % CI, 0.48–0.78) for hematologic toxicity, and 0.39 (95 %CI, 0.21–0.66) for nonhematologic toxicity.

Conclusions

CARG model had an acceptable ability to predict hematologic toxicities; however, its efficacy for total and nonhematologic toxicities was limited.