bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DI/cle, a Measure Consisting of Insulin Sensitivity, Secretion, and Clearance, Captures Diabetic States
Authors: Sugimoto Hikaru , Hironaka Ken-ichi , Yamada Tomoko , Sakaguchi Kazuhiko , Ogawa Wataru , Kuroda Shinya
Published: July 2023

Context

Insulin clearance is implicated in regulation of glucose homeostasis independently of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion.

Objective

To understand the relation between blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, secretion, and clearance.

Methods

We performed a hyperglycemic clamp, a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 47, 16, and 49 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), respectively. Mathematical analyses were retrospectively performed on this dataset.

Results

The disposition index (DI), defined as the product of insulin sensitivity and secretion, showed a weak correlation with blood glucose levels, especially in IGT (r = 0.04; 95% CI, −0.63 to 0.44). However, an equation relating DI, insulin clearance, and blood glucose levels was well conserved regardless of the extent of glucose intolerance. As a measure of the effect of insulin, we developed an index, designated disposition index/clearance, (DI/cle) that is based on this equation and corresponds to DI divided by the square of insulin clearance. DI/cle was not impaired in IGT compared with NGT, possibly as a result of a decrease in insulin clearance in response to a reduction in DI, whereas it was impaired in T2DM relative to IGT. Moreover, DI/cle estimated from a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, OGTT, or a fasting blood test were significantly correlated with that estimated from 2 clamp tests (r = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.64, r = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.58, r = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.68, respectively).

Conclusion

DI/cle can serve as a new indicator for the trajectory of changes in glucose tolerance.
Ochrona muraw kserotermicznych realizowana w polsko-niemieckim obszarze przygranicznym (Polska – województwo zachodniopomorskie, Niemcy – Kraj Związkowy Brandenburgia i Meklemburgia-Pomorze Przednie) w latach 2020-2022 – metodyka działań i ich efekty
Authors: Wilhelm Marcin , Racławska Agnieszka , Hoffmann Christian , Fröhlich Johannes
Published: July 2023

The paper presents the results of the project (INT162) related to the active protection of xerothermic grasslands located in Poland (Western Pomerania) and Germany (Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpomeranian). It presents the research methodology established to assess the conservation status of xerothermic grasslands (habitat code 6210). In the years 2020–2022, removal of tree and shrub growth, sheep grazing and mowing of grasslands were carried out at 14 sites. Prior to the project, the condition of the xerothermic grasslands was assessed using the methodology of monitoring natural habitats. It was indicated that appropriate rating (FV) was given only the nature reserves “Brodogóry” and “Stary Przylep”, where conservation works have been carried out for years. After the project was completed, the condition of the xerothermic grasslands did not improve due to their advanced transformations related to successive changes. Some indicators characterizing habitat 6210 have improved, e.g. the degree of shrub cover, coverage of typical herbaceous plants, types of structures. Protection measures should be continued, considering extending their scope to include controlled burning or the introduction of rare plant species.
Διερεύνηση μεθοδολογίας σχεδιασμού για δίκαιες μετακινήσεις στην πόλη του αύριο
Authors: Χρονόπουλος Γεώργιος
Published: July 2023

Στόχος της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η δημιουργία μιας νέας μεθοδολογίας επανασχεδιασμού του αστικού περιβάλλοντος, έτσι ώστε ο σχεδιασμός του μεταφορικού συστήματος στη μελλοντική πόλη και η λειτουργία του να διαμορφώνουν συνθήκες δικαιοσύνης και σεβασμού μεταξύ των χρηστών του δρόμου και ιδιαίτερα με προσοχή προς τους ευάλωτους. Μελετήθηκε η διαχρονική σχέση του ανθρώπου με τον αστικό χώρο κίνησης και στάσης, από την αρχαιότητα μέχρι σήμερα, προκειμένου να αναζητηθούν τα αίτια της σημερινής κατάστασης, που οι επιθετικές συμπεριφορές αποτελούν καθημερινό φαινόμενο. Με τη βοήθεια κοινωνιολογικών θεωριών και λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις αγχωτικές συνθήκες που χαρακτηρίζουν την καθημερινότητα στον δημόσιο χώρο, συμβάλλοντας στην επιθετικότητα, αναλύθηκε ο τρόπος που ο μετακινούμενος αντιμετωπίζει τους συνανθρώπους του στο σύστημα μεταφορών. Εξήχθησαν χρήσιμα συμπεράσματα, που σε συνδυασμό με τα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης διαμορφώσεων και παρεμβάσεων, για τους ευάλωτους μετακινούμενους, στις υποδομές των αστικών μετακινήσεων και στη λειτουργία τους, αποτέλεσαν τη βάση για τη διατύπωση του οράματος για τις μετακινήσεις και για τον ορισμό της έννοιας της Δίκαιης Αστικής Κινητικότητας (Δ.Α.Κ.). Βάσει των αρχών της Δ.Α.Κ. δομήθηκε η πρόταση σχεδιασμού για την πόλη του αύριο. Αξιοποιήθηκαν πολεοδομικές πρακτικές και λογικές ιεράρχησης του οδικού δικτύου, σε συνδυασμό με τις τελευταίες εξελίξεις στην τεχνολογία των μεταφορών και διατυπώθηκε η πρόταση για την «πόλη των 10 λεπτών». Στο πλαίσιο αυτό υπολογίστηκαν, σε μια ιδανική πόλη, τα επιθυμητά γεωμετρικά χαρακτηριστικά τριών (3) διαφορετικών μεγεθών πολεοδομικών ενοτήτων (Κ1, Κ2 και Κ3) οι οποίες περικλείονται από τα αντίστοιχα οδικά δίκτυα διαφορετικών προδιαγραφών (Δ1, Δ2 και Δ3). Καθοριστικό ρόλο στη σχέση μεταξύ των ενοτήτων «Κ» και των δικτύων «Δ» έχει ο χρόνος των 10 λεπτών που είναι αυτός που απαιτείται για κίνηση με περπάτημα, ποδήλατο και μηχανοκίνητο όχημα στις Κ1, Κ2 και Κ3 αντίστοιχα, ώστε ο μετακινούμενος να προσεγγίζει δίκτυο με υψηλότερα όρια ταχύτητας (Δ1, Δ2 και Δ3). Με βάση τα χαρακτηριστικά της ιδανικής πόλης δοκιμάστηκε η προσαρμογή της μεθοδολογίας σε υφιστάμενη πόλη σύμφωνα με τις αρχές της Δ.Α.Κ. Ως περίπτωση εφαρμογής επιλέχθηκε το Παρίσι, το οποίο αποτελεί μια σύγχρονη ευρωπαϊκή μεγαλούπολη με μεγάλη ιστορία, η οποία αντανακλάται και στις μεσαιωνικές της γειτονιές. Ορίστηκαν πολεοδομικές ενότητες σύμφωνα με την μεθοδολογία και εξετάστηκε η οργάνωση μετακινήσεων στο «Παρίσι των 10 λεπτών» μέσω παραδειγμάτων, επιβεβαιώνοντας ότι η εφαρμογή της πρότασης είναι εφικτή στη ρυμοτομία των σημερινών πόλεων.
Υποκλινική στεφανιαία νόσος σε ασθενείς με αγγειακό εγκεφαλικό επεισόδιο
Authors: Ζουρούδη Σοφία
Published: July 2023

Μελετήθηκε η κατάσταση του μυοκαρδίου σε ασθενείς με πρόσφατο αγγειακό εγκεφαλικό επεισόδιο χωρίς ιστορικό καρδιακής νόσου. Ο έλεγχος διενεργήθηκε με σπινθηρογράφημα αιμάτωσης του μυοκαρδίου με τετραφωσμίνη (99mTc-TFSPECT).Στη μελέτη συμπεριελήφθησαν 52 ασθενείς με μέση ηλικία 55,6 έτη. Από τους 52 ασθενείς, οι 32 είχαν MIS, με SSS ≥4 (62%), ενώ 20 ασθενείς είχαν SSS <4 ( 38%).Όλα τα μη φυσιολογικά 99mTc-TFSPECT ήταν χωρίς κλινικά ευρήματα.Οπότε προέκυψε μη φυσιολογική αιμάτωση του μυοκαρδίου σε ποσοστό 62% σε ασθενείς με πρόσφατο εγκεφαλικό επεισόδιο.
Η αξιοποίηση των νέων τεχνολογιών από τις ελληνικές ακαδημαϊκές βιβλιοθήκες κατά το σχεδιασμό ηλεκτρονικών εργαλείων και υπηρεσιών παροχής πληροφοριών
Authors: Μπαλτά Κυριακή
Published: July 2023

Είναι ζωτικής σημασίας οι διευθυντές των ακαδημαϊκών βιβλιοθηκών να είναι σε θέση να αποδείξουν την αξία των βιβλιοθηκών τους γενικά, ως λειτουργικές μονάδες, καθώς και των υπηρεσιών και των συλλογών τους ειδικότερα, εντός του γενικού πλαισίου του οργανισμού στον οποίο εδράζουν. Η αξιολόγηση των υπηρεσιών και συλλογών της βιβλιοθήκης, μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί αφενός ως εργαλείο λήψης αποφάσεων στο επίπεδο διεύθυνσης της και αφετέρου, ως εργαλείο τεκμηρίωσης της γενικότερης αξίας της στο επίπεδο της διοίκησης του οργανισμού που εδράζει. Με τη χρήση νέων προσεγγίσεων για την αξιολόγηση των υπηρεσιών και των προϊόντων τους, οι βιβλιοθήκες, μπορούν να παράσχουν αποδείξεις για τη συμβολή τους στο επιχειρησιακό μοντέλο και στο στρατηγικό σχεδιασμό του οργανισμού στον οποίο λειτουργούν. Στην παρούσα μελέτη, διερευνώνται αιτιώδεις σχέσεις που διέπουν την αξιολόγηση μιας ψηφιακής βιβλιοθήκης. Σε εννοιολογικό πλαίσιο η διερεύνηση βασίζεται σε ένα Υπόδειγμα Αποδοχής Τεχνολογίας, ενώ σε εμπειρικό πλαίσιο η διερεύνηση βασίζεται σε αξιολόγηση της ψηφιακής βιβλιοθήκης του Πανεπιστημίου Μακεδονίας. Σύμφωνα με τις αιτιώδεις σχέσεις περιγράφηκαν στο λειτουργικό υπόδειγμα που προτάθηκε, διαμορφώθηκε σειρά ερευνητικών υποθέσεων, οι οποίες εξετάστηκαν με τη βοήθεια δεδομένων που συγκεντρώθηκαν από 387 χρήστες της ψηφιακής βιβλιοθήκης του Πανεπιστημίου Μακεδονίας μέσω σχετικού ερωτηματολογίου. Η κύρια εκτιμητική μέθοδος που εφαρμόστηκε είναι αυτή των Υποδειγμάτων Δομικών Εξισώσεων. Από τις αιτιώδεις σχέσεις που διερευνήθηκαν προέκυψε ότι η ψηφιακή βιβλιοθήκη του Πανεπιστημίου Μακεδονίας αξιολογείται θετικά από τους χρήστες
A cross-sectional study on assessment of spiritual health and its associated factors among undergraduate students in a medical college in Mangalore, Karnataka
Authors: Raghuveer Pracheth , Bhatia Ravjot , Motappa Rohith , Sachith Malavika
Published: July 2023

Background: Spirituality and spiritual health are an integral component of an individual’s health and wellbeing. Among medical undergraduates and professionals, spiritual health has positive effects on the individual by decreasing burnout, psychological distress, and rates of substance abuse. Spiritual health is also correlated with increased satisfaction and meaning in life. Spiritual health also influences future patient care, builds patient- provider communication channels, and improves patient outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the spiritual health levels of medical undergraduates in a medical college, in Karnataka, India, and to identify the factors associated with it. Using a pre-designed, validated semi-structed questionnaire, 600 medical undergraduates were approached and provided the forms. Spiritual health was assessed across the three domains of self-development, self-actualization, and self-realization using the Spiritual Health Assessment Scale (SHAS).

Results: A total of 436 medical undergraduates participated. Majority (67.7%) of participants were girls. Most (62%) were found to have fair spiritual health with a large portion of the rest (36%) having good spiritual health and 2% had poor spiritual health. A significant association was found  between spiritual health and the father’s (p=0.005) and mother’s (p=0.012) education levels. Spiritual health was also found to be associated with living in a nuclear family (p=0.04).

Conclusions: Majority of the medical undergraduates had fair spiritual health. Parents' education levels and nuclear family were significantly associated with spiritual health.
Perceptions and experiences of intravenous iron treatment for anaemia in pregnancy in Malawi: a formative qualitative study
Authors: Manda-Taylor Lucinda , Kufankomwe Macdonald , Chatha Gertrude , Chipeta Effie , Mamani-Mategula Elisabeth , Mwangi Martin N. , Kelaher Magaret , Prang Khic-Houy , Ataíde Ricardo , Pasricha Sant-Rayn , Phiri Kamija Samuel
Published: July 2023

Background: The study objective was to explore opinions, identify experiences, and describe perspectives on the acceptability of intravenous (IV) iron to treat anaemia in pregnancy and identify potential barriers and facilitators of introducing IV iron in the Malawian healthcare system.

Methods: We conducted 15 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with pregnant women, and seven in-depth interviews with health workers at a community-based health centre in Blantyre and a tertiary hospital in Zomba.

Results: Most women who used IV iron treatment during the second trimester of pregnancy reported feeling better and stronger after receiving the intervention. Women perceived that IV iron treatment worked faster and increased their haemoglobin count. However, cultural beliefs that IV iron treatment will cause miscarriage and the perception that study procedures involved Satanism and vampirism practices were barriers to acceptability. Health workers found IV iron treatment easy to administer because it is a single-dose treatment, simultaneously reducing the burden for pregnant women taking daily oral iron tablets. However, health workers expressed concerns about the costs and the need to train health workers before the large-scale implementation and integration of IV iron treatment into Malawi’s routine care.

Conclusions: Despite the perceived concerns and challenges experienced in participating in the first IV iron infusion trial in Malawi, participants’ reflections suggest that IV iron infusion is acceptable for treating iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Participant advocate groups can offer a peer-to-peer education approach to sensitize and engage community members on the benefits of treatment and dispel concerns when the country contemplates integrating IV iron infusion for treating anaemia in pregnancy in Malawi.
Patterns and determinants of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices over the first year of life in a rural Gambian population
Authors: Washabaugh Jennifer R. , Moore Sophie E. , Doel Andrew M. , Drammeh Saikou , Ong Ken K. , Dunger David B. , Prentice Andrew M. , Bernstein Robin M.
Published: July 2023

Background: Although breastfeeding is common in The Gambia, high rates of undernutrition in children under five highlight the importance of understanding drivers of particular feeding patterns in this environment, especially early introduction of non-breast milk foods (NBMFs). The country’s marked seasonality, which is associated with annual food insecurity and heavy maternal workload, may influence breastfeeding patterns; however, longitudinal assessments of infant diet in relationship to such factors are limited. We aimed to characterize infant breastfeeding patterns and timing of introduction of local complementary foods in a rural Gambian population across the first twelve months of life. Potential environmental and sociodemographic predictors of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) duration were explored in order to identify factors that may influence infant feeding decisions in this population.

Methods: Data from dietary questionnaires (administered every ten days until 12 months of age) collected as a part of the Hormonal and Epigenetic Regulators of Growth study (2013-2018) were used to calculate EBF duration in a subsample of 194 mother-infant pairs. Socioeconomic questionnaires and Principal Component Analysis were used to calculate household sociodemographic position (SEP). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate potential predictors of EBF duration, including seasonality, SEP, and maternal and infant factors.

Results: Mean age at introduction of food or liquid other than maternal milk was five months (±1.5). At twelve months, 98.7% of infants continue to receive some maternal milk. Being born in  May significantly predicted shorter EBF duration by -1.68 months (95% CIs: -2.52, -0.84mo; P<.0001). SEP, maternal parity, and infant sex were non-significant predictors of EBF duration.

Conclusions: Maternal milk is a vital component of infant diet across the first twelve months of life in this population. Earlier introduction of NBMFs coincides with the annual period where maternal agricultural workload intensifies in this region, though additional investigation is warranted.
Is mpox an STI? The societal aspects and healthcare implications of a key question
Authors: Garcia Iglesias Jaime , Nagington Maurice , Pickersgill Martyn , Brady Michael , Dewsnap Claire , Highleyman Liz , Membrillo de Novales Francisco Javier , Nutland Will , Thrasher Steven , Umar Eric , Muchamore Ian , Webb Jamie
Published: July 2023

This letter explores the societal aspects and healthcare implications that underlie thinking about mpox (formerly known was monkeypox), in the 2022 outbreak, as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The authors examine what underlies this question, exploring what is an STI, what is sex, and what is the role of stigma in sexual health promotion. The authors argue that, in this specific outbreak, mpox is an STI among men who have sex with men (MSM). The authors highlight the need of critically thinking about how to communicate effectively, the role of homophobia and other inequalities, and the importance of the social sciences.
QUALITY CRITERION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEMS AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE SYSTEM
Authors: Smetanina T.
Published: July 2023

Quality is a property of goods and services that determines the sustainability of systems. Synergy and the bifurcation point are stages in the evolutionary development of society. Satisfaction with quality is a variant of system stability. There is a dependence of the system quality criterion on its size. The quality of the socio-economic system is manifested through the result of its activities — the goods and services it produces. The current stage of development requires socio-economic systems to have an organic structure. Informatization of society leads to the emergence of new mechanisms for promoting goods and services in the modern world. One of these tools is streaming. Due to it, the formation of an opinion on the quality criteria by most of the society is formed online. Stakeholders allow you to assess the stability of the system. The collective unconscious makes it possible to bring the socio-economic system to a new level through bifurcation points. Sustainability and quality are concepts that underlie the modern development of the collective unconscious. Experts are the key stakeholder in assessing the quality criterion.
The Price of Safety: The Evolution of Municipal Bond Insurance Value
Authors: Cornaggia Kimberly , Hund John , Nguyen Giang
Published: July 2023

Economic theory predicts that bond insurance lowers issuers’ financing costs by resolving asymmetric information and mitigating credit risk. With comprehensive data over the last 36 years, we find increasingly diminished empirical support for these models. The value of insurance in resolving asymmetric information beyond that resolved by credit ratings and other observable bond characteristics is economically minimal. The average gross value of insurance ranges from 4 to 14 bps when bond insurers offer Aaa-rated coverage. However, this gross value becomes insignificant after 2008 when Aaa-rated insurance no longer exists. Evidence suggests that the lack of insurance benefit in the postcrisis period is attributable to the deteriorated creditworthiness of insurance companies. Examining noninterest saving explanations for the continued use of insurance in the no-Aaa insurance market, we find evidence that issuers purchase insurance out of habit (with insurance value most diminished for habitual purchasers with low governance quality) and for the convenience it affords in default, but no evidence that insurance improves secondary market liquidity.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4813 .
Equilibrium Traffic Dynamics with Mixed Autonomous and Human-Driven Vehicles and Novel Traffic Management Policies: The Effects of Value-of-Time Compensation and Random Road Capacity
Authors: Wang Hua , Wang Jing , Chen Shukai , Meng Qiang
Published: July 2023

Emerging autonomous vehicles (AVs) are expected to bring about a revolution in both the automotive industry and transportation systems. Introducing AVs into the existing mobility system with human-driven vehicles (HVs) yields mixed traffic with the following new features: in-vehicle compensation on value of time for AV users, distinct road capacities for pure AV and HV flows, and stochastic road capacity for the inseparable AV-HV traffic pattern. In this paper, we aim to investigate equilibrium traffic dynamics for the morning commuting problem where AVs and HVs coexist in a transportation corridor by considering these new features, and also explore several novel mixed AV-HV traffic management strategies. The AV-HV traffic pattern could be either separable (i.e., pure AV flow and pure HV flow depart from home in different periods) or inseparable, depending on the user profile condition. In addition to deriving departure time equilibriums for scenarios with separable traffic flows, significant effort is put into the scenario with an inseparable AV-HV traffic pattern, where stochastic road capacity is taken into account. Based on these equilibrium traffic analyses, we propose and explore some new traffic management strategies, including AV certificate of entitlement management scheme for scenarios with separable traffic flows and departure-period management (DPM) scheme and lane management policies for the scenario with an inseparable AV-HV traffic pattern. Eligibilities for applying these strategies are analytically derived and extensively discussed, and numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate our theoretical findings and reveal the underlying impacts of road capacity randomness. Some lessons learned from the numerical experiments are (i) overlooking the impact of road capacity uncertainty will lead to an overestimation of system performance and even yield biased policymaking, (ii) the full dedicated-lane policy is the preferred option for the medium-level AV situation and partial dedicated-lane policies are more attractive choices for the early AV era or a market with a high AV share, and (iii) the DPM scheme could be a better substitute for partially dedicated-lane policies.

Funding: This study was supported by the Ministry of Education of Singapore [Project T2EP40222-0002 under the MOE Tier 2 Grant] and the National Natural Science Foundation Council of China [Grant 72001133] and the Excellent Young Scientists Fund Program (Overseas).

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2021.0469 .
An analysis of Research Published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from 2013 to 2022 using Text Network Analysis and Topic Modeling
Authors: Kim Eun Jo , Han Kuem-Sun
Published: July 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to examine research published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (JKPMHN) from 2013 to 2022.Methods: Descriptive statistics, text network analysis, and topic modeling were used to analyze 368 articles.Results: The most prevalent research designs in the articles published during the past decade were cross-sectional studies (44.6%) and qualitative research (19.2%). The subjects of the included studies were people with mental illnesses (18.7%), nursing students (11.7%), and psychiatric nurses (8.7%). A text network comprised of the keywords from the research abstracts was constructed and presented. The text network analysis identified the main keywords as: “depression”, “family”, “stress”, “intervention”, “life”, “suicide”, “communication”, “alcoholics”, and “experience”. Seven topics were derived through the topic modeling: nursing intervention for mental health problems, nursing research for patients with mental illnesses, the competency of mental health nurses, the meaning derived from life experience, family in mental health, the mental health of nurses, and the mental health of students.Conclusion: This study determined the recent research trends in the JKPMHN. In psychiatric nursing research, efforts should continue to serve as the basis for practice and produce relevant evidence, and research priorities need to be established.
The Effects of Parental Phubbing on Adolescent Children: Scoping Review
Authors: Kang Mi-Jung , Ryu Seang , Kim Myoungsuk , Kang Kyung Ja
Published: July 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends in domestic and foreign studies on the various effects of parental phubbing behavior on adolescent children.Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) protocol. Literature published in five foreign databases and four domestic databases was searched. Two researchers independently reviewed and selected the literature, and the extracted data included the author, publication year, country of study, research methodology, study participants, independent variables and tools used, dependent variables, and influencing factors.Results: A total of 575 articles were identified, and 43 articles were finally included in the analysis. The publication years ranged from 2018 to 2022, and most studies were cross-sectional studies. The dependent variables were broadly classified into cognitive-behavioral, psychological, and social variables, with smartphone addiction and depression being the most commonly reported.Conclusion: This study represents a significant attempt to investigate the trends in domestic and foreign research on the effects of parental phubbing on adolescent children, and is expected to be utilized as a foundation for developing programs to promote mental health, including interpersonal relationships for adolescents.
Neurological assessment with FAST to better detect posterior circulation stroke
Authors: Godley Nicola Danielle
Published: July 2023

Posterior circulation stroke (PCS) represents up to 25% of ischaemic strokes and affects more than 20 000 people annually within the UK. Prehospital clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of a validated stroke screening tool, such as the ‘Face, Arms, Speech, Time’ [FAST] tool for the assessment of all patients presenting with stroke symptoms. However, with PCS, patients may present with vestibular symptoms, which cannot be detected with ‘FAST’. Furthermore, over one-third of patients with PCS are delayed or misdiagnosed due to a lack of apparent ‘typical’ acute stroke symptoms. The ‘FAST’ tool is deemed to have high sensitivity and moderate specificity in the recognition of ischaemic stroke; yet there is evidence within the literature determining that the ‘FAST’ tool is not adequate for prehospital screening of PCS, leading to misdiagnosis, treatment delay, and severe life-limiting deficits or death. The aim of this literature search is to evaluate how the use of additional neurological assessment, alongside the validated ‘FAST’ tool, could be used within the prehospital setting for the improved paramedic detection of PCS.
Warwick Team Pressing for More Solar Energy
Authors: Knight Helen
Published: July 2023

Squeezing crystals in photovoltaic cells generates increased energy
A Hydrogen Journey
Authors: Smith David
Published: July 2023

JCB'S GRAVITATION TOWARDS HYDROGEN HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS OF DELIBERATION, TRIAL AND ERROR AND ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS, BUT IN THE END THE OEM HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE H2 COMBUSTION ENGINE IS THE ANSWER TO MOST FUEL EMISSIONS CHALLENGES IN LARGER VEHICLES
Stepping Up
Authors: Roper Jack
Published: July 2023

Motor technology is evolving to meet the requirements of the next generation of electric aircraft
Digital & Durable
Authors: Evans Benedict
Published: July 2023

Industry leading environmental and synthetic testing combine to prove the performance and reliability of the latest equipment for fighter pilots
Machine Vision
Authors: Hughes David
Published: July 2023

AI co-pilots could soon be improving safety in aircraft by providing collision avoidance and navigation prompts
Laughing all the Way to the Closed Factory: The Deindustrialization Comedy
Authors: Mikkel Jensen
Published: July 2023

This article explores the comedic treatment of deindustrialization in three films: Gung Ho (US, 1986), De frigjorte (Denmark, 1993), and The Full Monty (UK, 1997). Examining the films’ different ways of portraying deindustrialization, the article discusses how symptomatic it is that these films offered their audiences a form of comedic silver lining in an era when deindustrialization was still felt acutely as a crisis. Gung Ho’s comedic take on the 1980s deindustrialization crisis invokes hopeful discourses of reindustrialization, De frigjorte explores a crisis of masculinity after its protagonist is laid off after two decades’ employment at a local factory, and The Full Monty offers a story of men overcoming deindustrialization in a communal way. Reading these films in relation to each other, the article argues that these films offered viewers faced with the realities of deindustrialization a moment of comedic distance to economic hardship.
Recent Advances in Analytical Method Development and Validation Techniques for Anti-HIV Pharmaceuticals of Tenofovir
Authors: Avhad Shweta , Morkar Vidya , Shinde Sagar , patki Chaitanya , Chikhale Hemant , Borse Laxmikant
Published: July 2023

Many questions have been raised regarding the management of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which is caused by a retrovirus called as HIV, (human immunodeficiency virus) is what causes AIDS. Infection caused by HIV is particularly the world's most serious health and development challenges. Although there is no known complete cure for HIV, several drugs can help you stay healthy by lowering the amount of HIV in your body. When treating HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy is used, and a variety of medications are available from this category. Tenofovir and its salt versions, both by themselves and in combination with emtricitabine, are the most often utilized medications. HIV levels should be lowered so that your immune system can function more effectively. This article offers a summary and evaluation of several analytical techniques used on the antiretroviral medication tenofovir over the previous five years. It covers forced degradation, HPLC and RP-HPLC, HPTLC, UPLC and RP-UPLC, LC-MS.
Microbe-Based Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and its Catalytic Applications
Authors: Dinesh Rakshi Anuja , Raja Srishti , Kishanlal Nisha , Nachiyar C Valli , Sunkar Swetha
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT: The application of microbes to synthesize metallic NPs is due to their increased capability to survive at maximum concentrations of metallic ions. The gold nanoparticles are used as the catalytic agent in the degradation of organic dyes, bioremediation, and antibacterial and antimicrobial effects. Despite the fact that the production of metal gold nanoparticles is relatively new, the relationships amongst microorganisms and metals have been thoroughly documented. In the subject of bioremediation, the capacity of bacteria to accumulate metals has also been acknowledged. Recently, the diversity of microorganisms has been used as factories for fabricating AuNPs both intracellularly and extracellularly. Microbial cells, upon treatment with gold salts, synthesize gold nanostructures, which are further isolated and purified using varied methodologies to acquire AuNPs. Control over the size and shape of AuNPs can be achieved by manoeuvring the main growth parameters.
In-Vivo Efficacy of Buckwheat Flour Incorporated Food Products on the Blood Glucose and Lipid Profiles
Authors: G. K Gomathi. , S Parameshwari , M. G Uvaraj.
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT: Buckwheat, a pseudo-cereal, was processed into flour and incorporated in food products like chapatti, nutri balls, and soup mix. The supplementation of three developed food products to three groups with 15 subjects (with diabetes and dyslipidemia) in each group was carried out for 90 days, while one group (15 subjects) was treated as a control where no intervention was given. The blood sugar profile and blood lipid profile including the levels of fasting blood sugar, post-prandial blood sugar, HbA1c, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, Low-Density Lipoprotein, High-Density Lipoprotein, and Very Low-Density Lipoprotein were assessed before and after the supplementation period and subjected to statistical analysis. The results depict that in the experimental group supplemented with buckwheat flour incorporated chapatti, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in all the biochemical parameters assessed, while in the group supplemented with buckwheat flour incorporated nutri ball, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the HbA1C levels, serum triglyceride levels, and LDL levels. The group supplemented with buckwheat flour incorporated soup mix showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the fasting blood sugar levels, postprandial blood sugar levels, serum triglyceride levels, and LDL levels. Hence, it can be concluded that the consumption of buckwheat flour has a significant impact on blood sugar and lipid profile.
Evaluation of Chiral Selectivity of Quinine Immobilized Chitin and Chitosan
Authors: Mathur Garima , Mathur Rajendra
Published: July 2023

Quinine is a well-known chiral reagent that has been used for enantio-separation by conventional methods. With the development of chromatographic techniques various polysaccharides too have been explored for application as chiral adsorbents. However, polysaccharides shows only limited ability for real application. Quinine immobilized cellulose and starch have been reported for improved enantio-selectivity. Guaran, a seed polysaccharide with abundance of cis-1, 2-hydroxyl groups when anchored with quinine significantly improved chiral selectivity. This study reports about evaluation of chiral-selectivity of quinine derivatized chitin and chitosan. Racemic borate complexed mandelic acid and bio-active ofloxacin are efficiently resolved by chromatography using Quinine modified chitin and chitosan. All the materials used for the current study are natural, non-toxic, readily available and in-expensive. Methods employed are simple and results clearly establish a correlation between structural component and enantio-separation.
Effective Bio-mediated Nanoparticles for Bioremediation of Toxic Metal Ions from Wastewater – A Review
Authors: V. Yamini  , V. Devi Rajeswari
Published: July 2023

Water tainted with colours, heavy metal ions and biological toxins, contributes to eutrophication, which in turn contributes to a variety of fatal diseases in humans and other animals, owing to the fact that water purification equipment and methods are not cheap. Due to this, there is a pressing need for economically viable wastewater treatment components. Eco-friendly nanomaterials, highly efficient and selective, renewable, earth-abundant and stable, have emerged as a major priority, overcoming a number of challenges and restrictions. Currently, the combination of nanomaterials and biomolecules from plants, including polyphenols, amines and other components, as well as intracellular and extracellular enzymes found in microbes, has become more significant in bioremediation. Biogenic nanoparticles are favoured because they are easy to expand for large-scale biosynthesis, maintain stability for an extended period, consume less time, are eco-friendly, and do not produce any detrimental by-products. The processes of nano-bioremediation and wastewater treatment are discussed in detail in this review. It primarily focuses on synthesizing, characterizing and applying bio-mediated nanoparticles, which actively remove heavy metal ions from wastewater, without adversely affecting individuals or other living things, especially in aquatic environments.
Community Structure of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Riparian Forest in Batayporã, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Pereira-Bomfim Maria da Graça Cardoso
Published: July 2023

Reduction and destruction of riparian forests are harmful to the biota, especially the social wasps. This study analyzed the species constancy and the structure of the polistine wasp community associated with fragments of riparian forest in the municipality of Batayporã, state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Eighteen species of social wasps were collected, by the methods of active searching and traps baited with honey and sardine. Eight species were classified as infrequent, five as very frequent, and five as of intermediate frequency. The community structure, as represented by species richness, showed a significant negative correlation with the Berger-Parker dominance index, and no significant correlation with the width of the fragments and with the structural complexity of the vegetation, suggesting that the community, in this case, must be structured by the tolerance of the species and not by the vegetation characteristics, which did not limit the dispersal of the social wasps.
Tetrapedia diversipes in Restricted Areas in Bahia, Brazil (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Neves Cynthia Maria de Lyra
Published: July 2023

Tetrapedia species are solitary bees which collect floral oils, being restricted to tropical regions of the Americas. Information on forms of nesting has been little researched in the literature, requiring studies on the diversity and variability of species to obtain better management and conservation strategies for their populations. Morphometry is a efficient technique and has been used to detect variation and for identification of species of bees in order to detect changes in quantitative traits within and among populations of bees. This study aimed to compare the variability of the population of Tetrapedia diversipes in artificial nests located in orchards and their surroundings (other fruit) of acerola in a restricted area of the Reconcavo region of Bahia, Brazil. Right wings were extracted from 155 individuals of the T. diversipes species, to perform the morphometric analysis. In conventional morphometry, 9 variables contributed significantly to the sexual dimorphism in the study areas (α = 0.05). The geometric morphometric analysis revealed low gene flow in populations of T. diversipes demonstrating loss of genetic diversity, requiring proper management of this bee for its conservation and maintenance of the associated flora.
Management of Social Wasp Colonies in Eucalyptus Plantations (Hymenoptera:Vespidae)
Authors: Prezoto Fábio
Published: July 2023

Polistes paper wasps have shown potential for the biological control of agricultural plagues. Twenty post-emergent colonies of P. versicolor were transferred from human constructions to artificial shelters installed on a eucalyptus plantation. We obtained 85% success in colony transference, as determined by the permanence of individuals in the colony after the colony transference. Transferred colonies stayed active at the plantation for 64.05 ± 38.43 (8-123) days. We demonstrated that post-emergent colonies of P. versicolor can be easily transferred to areas where they can act as biological control agents.
Survival Rate, Food Consumption, and Tunneling of the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Feeding on Bt and non-Bt Maize
Authors: Gautam Bal Krishna
Published: July 2023

Although several termite species were reported to be susceptible to some Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subspecies, no research has been conduced to evaluate the possible non-target effect of genetically modified (GM) Bt crops on termites. In this study, plant tissues of three commercial planted Bt maize (YieldGard* Corn Borer, Genuity* VT Triple PROTM and Genuity* SmartStaxTM) and two non-Bt maize hybrids were provided to Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, as food. Five food sources including wood blocks and filter paper treated with maize leaf extract as well as leaves, stalks, and roots of maize were tested in the laboratory. The experiment was maintained for two weeks and the survival rate of termites, food consumption, and tunneling behavior were recorded. The results revealed no significant differences in survival rate, food consumption and length of tunnels between termites feeding on Bt and non-Bt maize planting materials, indicating that Bt proteins expressed in the three Bt maize products did not negatively affect C. formosanus. However, compared to wood block and filter paper treatments, termites feeding on maize tissues showed different consumption pattern and tunneling behavior. Our study also suggests that maize stalk is a good candidate for termite bait matrices.
High-repetition-rate and high-beam-quality all-solid-state nanosecond pulsed deep-red Raman laser
Authors: Zhao Hui , Cai Yu-Xin , Lin Chen-Hui , Dai Shi-Bo , Wei Xin , Zhu Si-Qi , Yin Hao , Li Zhen , Chen Zhen-Qiang
Published: July 2023

We report on a high-repetition-rate and high-beam-quality all-solid-state nanosecond pulsed deep-red laser source by intracavity second harmonic generation of the actively Q-switched Nd:YVO4/KGW Raman laser. The polarization of the 1342 nm fundamental laser was aligned with the Ng and Nm axes of KGW crystal for accessing the eye-safe Raman lasers at 1496 and 1526 nm, respectively. With the aid of the elaborately designed V-shaped resonator and the composite Nd:YVO4 crystal, excellent mode matching and good thermal diffusion have been confirmed. Under an optimal pulse repetition frequency of 25 kHz, the average output powers of the Raman lasers at 1496 and 1526 nm were measured to be 3.7 and 4.9 W with the superior beam quality factor of M2 = 1.2, respectively. Subsequently, by incorporating a bismuth borate (BIBO) crystal, the deep-red laser source was able to lase separately two different spectral lines at 748 and 763 nm, yielding the maximum average output powers of 2.5 and 3.2 W with the pulse durations of 15.6 and 11.3 ns, respectively. The resulting beam quality was determined to be near-diffraction-limited with M2 = 1.28.
High-quality factor Ta2O5-on-insulator resonators with ultimate thermal stability
Authors: Bankwitz Rasmus , Wolff Martin , Abazi Adrian , Piel Pierre-Maurice , Jin Lin , Pernice Wolfram , Wurstbauer Ursula , Schuck Carsten
Published: July 2023

Experiments in photonics, laser optics and quantum technology require low loss, thermal and mechanical stability. While photonic integrated circuits on monolithic chips achieve interferometric stability, important nanophotonic material systems suffer from propagation loss, thermal drift and noise that prevent, for example, precise frequency stabilization of resonators. Here
we show that tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) on insulator micro-ring resonators combine quality factors beyond 1.8 Mio. with vanishing temperature-dependent wavelength shift in the relevant 70K to 90K temperature
range. Our Ta2O5-on-SiO2 devices will thus enable athermal operation at liquid nitrogen temperatures, paving the way for ultra-stable low-cost resonators, as desired for wavelength division multiplexing, on chip
frequency stabilization and low noise optical frequency comb generation.
Four-polarisation camera for anisotropy mapping at three orientations: micro-grain of olivine
Authors: Juodkazis Saulius , Kamegaki Shuji , Smith Daniel , Ryu Meguya , Ng Soon , Maasoumi Pegah , Vongsvivut Jitraporn , Moraru Daniel , KATKUS Tomas , Morikawa Junko , Huang Hsin Hui
Published: July 2023

Four-polarisation camera was used to map absorbance of olivine micro-grains before and after high temperature annealing (HTA). It is shown that HTA of olivine xenolith at above 1200◦C in O2 flow makes it magnetised. Different mode of operation of polariscope with polarisation control before and after the sample in transmission and reflection modes was used. The reflection type was assembled for non-transparent samples of olivine after HTA. Sample for optical observation in transmission was placed on an achromatic plastic quarter-wavelength wave-plate as a sample holder. Inspection for sample’s birefringence (retardance) as well as absorbance can be made. A best fit of transmitted intensity or transmittance T (hence absorbance A = − log10 T ) becomes accessible by simple best-fit
using only three orientations (from measured four orientations by the camera). When intensity of transmitted light at one of the orientations was very low due to cross-polarised condition (polariser-analyser arrangement), the three-points fit can be used. Three-point fit in transmission and reflection modes was validated for T (θ) = Amp × cos(2θ − 2θshif t) + of f set, where amplitude Amp, offset of f set and
orientation azimuth θshif t are extracted for each pixel via the best fit.
La independencia de Argelia y el proceso de arabización
Authors: Martos Quesada Juan
Published: July 2023

Uno de los grandes objetivos del gobierno salido de la independencia de Argelia fue iniciar un proceso de arabización de la sociedad, administración, educación y cultura, con el fin de sustituir la absoluta hegemonía de la lengua francesa. En este artículo analizaremos la situación lingüística del país antes de la independencia, los textos que apoyaban esta arabización como una seña de identidad de Argelia, los problemas con los que se encontró el proceso de arabización y la decisiva actuación política del presidente H. Boumedián en la consecución de este objetivo.
Idegennyelv-tanítással foglalkozó szervezetek a felsőoktatásban
Authors: Einhorn Ágnes
Published: July 2023

This study explores the situation of foreign language teaching in higher education based on managerial interviews. Organizational units offering foreign language courses in different higher education institutions operate in different organizational frameworks with different degree of independence and acceptance. The goals and content of language teaching is substantially defined by the language skills of the students entering the higher education institution. Most of the institutions primarily focus on supporting students in acquiring the language exams necessary for obtaining a diploma. All institutions offer language teaching for specific purposes, however their interpretation of it widely differs. Several organizational units teach subclasses which develop professional communication in foreign languages. The opportunities of students to access foreign language learning are good and the institutions aim to achieve multilingualism.

In addition to language teaching, organisations carry out several activities: many of them operate language schools, provide language certification, professional translator trainings, and all organisations conduct translation and proofreading within the university. These activities increase both the prestige and the economic independence of the organisations, but at the same time they usually absorb many resources. In terms of scientific work there are large differences. Almost half of the organisations don’t have or have very few lecturers/researchers and the organisations have different approaches to this. The organisations which identify themselves more as language schools tend to be more accepting with this, but for the improvement of the up-to-date professional communication, the research-based developments are necessary.

Organisations dealing with foreign language teaching try to serve the needs of universities, as a result, development and professional cooperation within the universities are important.
Vibration analyses of railway systems using proposed neural predictors
Authors: Yildirim Sahin , Sevim Caglar , Kalkat Menderes
Published: July 2023

Due to travelling on railway systems; there are many gaps and problems in cross areas. Therefore; it is necessary and very important to establish intelligent crossing systems in such areas. On the other hand, it is not possible for trains to stop or brake immediately against an obstacle due to their high speed and inertia. For this reason, it is necessary to work on the safety/warning of the other main factors and necessities (pedestrians and vehicles) in level crossings. This experimental investigation is carried out by using an experimental real-time train and crossing systems. The main vibration parameters are analysed by using neural networks. First, the dynamics of the train-rail system related to level crossings are examined, and the vibrations created by the train on rails are measured at different speeds. Then three types of proposed neural networks predictors, Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation (LMBP), scaled conjugate gradient backpropagation (SCGB) and BFGS quasi-Newton backpropagation (BFGS) are used to predict the vibration of the train-rail system. From the results, it is seen that the proposed LMBP is more suitable for analysing and predicting the vibration of the train-rail system. It is clear that the speeds of the trains approaching the level crossing can be estimated from the vibration of the trains on the rails.