bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality and Renal Outcomes Are Impacted by Obesity in Cardiorenal Metabolic Disease but Not in People with Concomitant Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Al-Chalabi Saif , Chinnadurai Rajkumar , Kalra Philip A. , Sinha Smeeta
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Mounting evidence in the literature describes a reverse association, whereby obesity may have a protective effect on mortality – the “obesity paradox.” Due to the significant overlap between elements of cardiorenal metabolic disease, we examined the effects of obesity on outcomes in a cohort of patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) by grouping patients according to their level of cardiometabolic co-morbidity to reduce the risk of bias. Methods: This study was undertaken on all patients with a documented body mass index (BMI) in the Salford Kidney Study database from October 2002 until December 2016. Patients were grouped according to their BMI into normal weight, overweight, and obese, and also according to their level of co-morbidity into 4 groups: group 1 had CKD only; group 2 had CKD and heart failure (HF); group 3 had CKD and diabetes mellitus (DM); and group 4 had CKD, DM, and HF. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 2,416 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 67.3 years, 61.8% were male, and 96.4% were Caucasian. Obesity was associated with a lower incidence of combined outcomes in patients with ND-CKD who did not have DM (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74; p = <0.001 and HR 0.48; p = 0.008 for CKD alone and CKD + HF groups, respectively). This protective effect remained significant after correcting for major factors. In patients with ND-CKD and DM, there was no difference in all-cause mortality between the normal weight group and the obesity groups. Conclusion: Obesity may be protective against adverse outcomes only in groups 1 (CKD alone) and 2 (CKD + HF). This “protective” effect was not seen in patients who had concomitant diabetes. These data suggest that diabetes is a potent predictor of adverse outcomes, irrespective of BMI; however, in patients without diabetes, obesity may play a protective role.
La prononciation du français au Burundi: influence du français de Belgique et du kirundi
Authors: Nimbona Gélase , Simon Anne Catherine
Published: December 2023

French in Burundi offers an interesting case of language contact: speakers have Kirundi as their first language and French imported during the colonial era was the variety spoken in Belgium, which does not share all the features of reference French. In this study, we analyze a corpus of 12 speakers (including 4 women; mean age 38.5) producing different speaking styles collected according to the methodology of the Phonologie du Français Contemporain project: word reading, text reading, and free narration. The results of the pronunciation analysis concern vowels, consonants and schwa. We identify eight pronunciation features that differ from reference French. In addition, we analyze for each one the possible interferences with Kirundi or with Belgian French. In conclusion, we discuss which of these features can be considered pan-African.
Politics versus Preparedness? How Electoral Incentives Affect the Provision of Local Disaster Public Goods in the Philippines
Authors: Manlangit Adrian Carlo C.
Published: December 2023

There is an expectation that elections create responsive policymakers that provide optimal public services. However, does this hold true when it comes to non- particularistic and non-immediate goods like disaster preparedness projects? In this exploratory study, I argue that electoral incentives can discourage the provision of local disaster public goods due to their non-particularistic and non-immediate nature. Using datasets containing electoral data and government ratings of local disaster public goods in Philippine cities and municipalities from 2017 to 2021, I find evidence that local disaster public goods provision is affected by (1) the intensity of local electoral competition and (2) the timing of the elections. Estimates suggest that local disaster public goods decline in quality one year before elections. Furthermore, in municipalities, more intense electoral competition is linked to lower quality provision of these collective goods. The findings illustrate how electoral incentives distort leaders’ policymaking against their constituencies’ long-term, common needs.
First record of fossil psocodeans in copula from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber
Authors: HAKIM MARINA , AZAR DANY , HUANG DI-YING
Published: December 2023

We report the first discovery of barklice preserved in copula from amber dating back to the mid-Cretaceous, thus documenting the oldest preserved reproductive behaviour of Psocodea. The new finding provides new insight into the evolution of copulatory behaviour in Trogiomorpha. Moreover, we describe and illustrate the new fossil material of Burmempheria densuschaetae (= Latempheria kachinensis) in the extinct family Empheriidae and Longiantennum fashengi in the extinct family Archaeatropidae, two diverse and widely distributed groups during the Cretaceous. No significant sexual dimorphism is recorded, apart from variation in size where males are larger. The taxonomy of Cretaceous empheriids from Burmese amber is revised and discussed.
Graphene Oxide Synthesized Using Mild Reduction Method Improved the Anti-Tumor Efficacy on Human Cervical Cancer
Authors: Li Naiwei , Kumar Sain Dinesh , Jabbari Hadi , Vafaei Somayeh , Ozbolat Guluzar , Andres Alexis Ramirez-Coronel , Reza Akhavan-Sigari
Published: December 2023

In the current study, graphene oxide (GO) as raw material synthesized using different reduction degrees prepared by a mild method. We used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy (Raman), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy
(UV-Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and EDS spectroscopy to characterize its structure and morphology. The results of cell experiments showed the significant cytotoxicity activity of reduced GO under laser irradiation. In addition, reduced GO kills tumor cells through the dual
effects of photothermal and phototoxicity under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation and can be used as photothermal therapy
‘Mind the board!’: Board efficacy, managerial role dilemmas and performance in municipally owned corporations
Authors: Krause Tobias , Polzer Tobias , Sidki Marcus
Published: December 2023

Globally, the corporatisation of local public services has gained substantive momentum over the past decades. However, there is a research gap concerning the functioning of governance bodies, particularly boards, in municipally owned corporations as hybrid organisations. In this study, analysing German municipally owned corporations, we investigate the relationship between supervisory board efficacy, as attributed by chief executive officers, and perceived organisational performance. We do not find a direct relationship; instead, we find evidence for a ‘catalyser’ relationship: board efficacy alleviates managerial role dilemmas, thus removing obstacles to organisational performance. The results imply that particular attention needs to be paid to the enhancement of competencies of board members and their collaboration. Limitations are outlined.

Points for practitioners

• ‘Good governance’ of hybrid organisations requires effective boards, which – albeit indirectly – ultimately result in better corporate performance. • Board efficacy alleviates managerial role dilemmas, thus removing obstacles to performance. • The results imply that particular attention needs to be paid to the enhancement of competencies of board members and their collaboration.
Phonetic Effects of Tonal Crowding in Persian Polar Questions
Authors: Sadeghi Vahid
Published: December 2023

Persian polar questions are characterized by a rise-fall followed by a low F0 plateau and a final rise. A production experiment was designed which systematically manipulated question length and the position of stress in the nuclear accented word in the question. Results revealed that distances between tones can strongly affect their scaling and alignment in predictable manner. With respect to scaling, our data show that the postnuclear low F0 target is realized considerably higher in short questions in which tonal crowding is more acute. This scaling adjustment of the L affects the following H tone, such that the final H is realized higher in tonal space, relative to the other crowding contexts. The results for duration show that in short questions, syllable duration is significantly lengthened so that there is room for tonal targets to be realized. In addition, the alignment data in this study suggest that crowding contexts incrementally affect the temporal adjustment of tonal targets. In some circumstances, tonal crowding results in anticipatory retraction of tones, while in others it results in carry-over tonal displacement depending on the direction of the prosodic pressure. These results can best be explained in an auto-segmental approach to intonational phonology in which intonation contours are treated as strings of distinct high and low tones associated with specific elements in the segmental string.
Behind the technocratic challenge: Old and new alternatives to party government in Italy
Authors: Castaldo Antonino , Verzichelli Luca
Published: December 2023

The growing presence of technocrats in contemporary governments has emerged as a relevant phenomenon worldwide. Italy, once known as a paradigmatic case of party government and now identified as the promised land of technocracy, constitutes a crucial case to test the major short-term (critical junctures) and long-term (complexity of policy-making; party decline) factors identified to explain this phenomenon. Our analysis is based on two innovative tools: a new dataset updated to the current back-to-politics Meloni Italian government, including all the cases of the ‘technocratic decade’ (2010s); and a new typology combining partisanship and expertise, which allows us to overcome dichotomous categorizations equating technocrats and non-partisans. This more accurate and updated picture of minister profiles in Italy unveils unexpected dynamics and allows us to reassess both previous findings on the Italian case and the explanatory power of the tested theories on the growing diffusion of technocrats in contemporary governments.
Reimagining “Integration” in the Light of the New Forms of Mobility
Authors: Mieriņa Inta , Laudere Marika
Published: December 2023

There is a growing awareness in migration research that traditional interpretations and approaches to measuring and evaluating integration do not adequately fit the increasingly fluid and unpredictable patterns of migration observed today. Focusing on the transnational and liquid migration characteristic of Eastern European migrants, we propose a new conceptual framework that explains contemporary processes of migrant incorporation from the perspective of migrants themselves. Our model accounts for the “breadth and depth” of integration and contrasts deep integration and assimilation with functional adaptation, and integration into a certain group or network with integration into society as a whole. The analysis is based on comprehensive mixed-design research of Latvian migrants which includes a survey of 6,242 Latvian emigrants, as well as 15 in-depth interviews with internationally-mobile global talents. The bottom-up perspective that we employ sheds new light on how migrants themselves think about, and experience integration in their everyday lives.
Cultural heritage on the Semantic Web: The Europeana Data Model
Authors: Silva Ana Luísa , Terra Ana Lúcia
Published: December 2023

The Semantic Web allows data to be linked on the Web and structures information for use by humans and machines. Furthermore, it makes relationships between data explicit, enabling the creation of Linked Data. Based on a literature review, the principles and technologies underlying Linked Data are presented – namely, the Resource Description Framework and models developed for libraries, archives and museums. Europeana aggregates European institutions’ digital cultural heritage, having developed a model that follows linked-data principles. For a deeper understanding of this model, the Europeana Data Model is presented with examples of two representation approaches and the advantages of metadata enrichment in information discovery. The experience of the University of Coimbra with Europeana is briefly explained. Finally, the authors discuss the challenges that cultural heritage institutions face in adopting these models and freeing their information from the silos it is in, taking advantage of the potential that Linked Data provides.
Book review: Sandhya R. Mahapatro, Towards Newborn Survival: Challenges and Priorities
Authors: Mishra Rudra Narayan
Published: December 2023

Sandhya R. Mahapatro, Towards Newborn Survival: Challenges and Priorities. Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan, 2022, xi+153 pp. €39.99, ISBN: 9789811934162 (Hardback).
Book review: Chang Kyung-Sup, 2022. The Logic of Compressed Modernity
Authors: Kumar Deepak
Published: December 2023

Chang Kyung-Sup, 2022. The Logic of Compressed Modernity. Polity Press, Cambridge, xiii + 240 pp., $24.95. ISBN-13: 978-1-5095-5288-7 (hardback) $69.95, ISBN-13: 978-1-5095-5289-4 (paperback).
Immediate Unprotected Weightbearing vs 2 Weeks Nonweightbearing After Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures
Authors: Le Vu , Viskontas Darius , Lohre Ryan , Yan James , Stone Trevor , Perey Bertrand , Moola Farhad , Boyer Dory , Lemke H. Michael , Apostle Kelly
Published: December 2023

Background:

Postoperative care protocols for ankle fracture surgery remain controversial with variability among care providers. This prospective controlled trial compared 12-week postoperative outcomes for immediate unprotected weightbearing (IMWB) vs nonweightbearing (NWB) for 2 weeks in a splint followed by weightbearing as tolerated (WBAT) in a boot after surgical fixation of selected low-energy ankle fractures without superior articular involvement.

Methods:

Eighty-seven patients undergoing surgical fixation of ankle fractures at a single level 1 trauma center were recruited according to specific criteria and enrolled by presentation date. The first 43 eligible patients were allocated to the control group, with NWB in a splint for 2 weeks followed by WBAT in a walker boot. The next 44 patients recruited were allocated to the IMWB group. The primary outcome was the Olerud-Molander score (OMAS). Secondary outcome measures included the Euroquol-5D (EQ5D) score and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Specific Health Problem (WPAI:SHP) scores, ankle range of motion (ROM), wound complications, time to return to work, radiograph measurements, and fracture reduction loss. In this perioperative-focused study, we collected data on patients until 12 weeks postoperation.

Results:

The IMWB group had 5 superficial wound complications vs 1 in the control group. At 12 weeks, we found no difference in OMAS, EQ5D, WPAI:SHP scores, ROM, time to return to work, or radiographic measurements.

Conclusion:

In this short-term and relatively small prospective trial, we found more wound complications among patients treated with immediate unprotected weightbearing compared with patients treated with 2 weeks of NWB followed by protected weightbearing. Given the low incidence and small sample size, we do not know if these observed findings are generalizable. However, we also found no difference in functional outcomes at 12 weeks postoperation between these 2 groups. In light of that, we do not recommend IMWB after open reduction internal fixation of low-energy ankle fractures with plate and/or screw fixation.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, prospective controlled trial.
It Didn’t Work as I Expected: Intensifying Writing Instruction to Meet the Needs of Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Sanders Sara , McFall Aundrea , Jolivette Kristine
Published: December 2023

Sometimes, despite the most perfectly delivered writing lesson implemented with fidelity, students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) do not make the progress expected by teachers or themselves. In these instances, teachers may individualize and differentiate for students with EBD not making adequate progress by purposefully intensifying elements of the writing instruction and supports provided to students. This article describes and explains how to intensify writing instruction to meet student needs.
Preoperative Factors Associated With Worse PROMIS Pain Interference 2 Years After Hand and Wrist Surgery
Authors: Kevas Yanni , Kaveeshwar Samir , Pitsenbarger Luke , Hughes Meghan , Schneider Matheus B. , Hahn Alexander , Honig Evan L. , Pensy Raymond A. , Langhammer Christopher G. , Henn R. Frank
Published: December 2023

Background:

The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative factors associated with worse postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain interference (PI) scores 2 years after hand and wrist surgery. We hypothesized that older age, more comorbidities, increased substance use, and lower socioeconomic status would correlate with worse 2-year PROMIS PI scores.

Methods:

This study was a retrospective review of prospectively acquired data on 253 patients. Surveys were administered within 1 week of surgery and 2 years postoperatively. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of worse 2-year PROMIS PI scores and change in PROMIS PI scores.

Results:

Older age, higher body mass index, more comorbidities, lower preoperative expectations, more prior surgeries, unemployment, smoking, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and multiple other socio-demographic factors were correlated with worse 2-year PROMIS PI scores ( P ≤ .018). Similar factors were also correlated with less improvement in 2-year PROMIS PI scores ( P ≤ .048). Worse scores on all preoperative patient-reported outcome measures correlated with worse 2-year PROMIS PI scores ( P ≤ .007). Multivariable analysis identified smoking history, less frequent alcohol consumption, worse preoperative PROMIS social satisfaction and Numeric Pain Scale whole body scores, and higher ASA scores as independent predictors of worse 2-year PROMIS PI. The same factors in addition to better baseline PROMIS PI were predictive of less improvement in 2-year PROMIS PI.

Conclusion:

Numerous preoperative factors were predictive of worse postoperative 2-year PROMIS PI and less improvement in 2-year PROMIS PI for patients undergoing hand and wrist surgery.
A Pilot Program for Teaching Sexuality and Relationships to Adults with Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Wheeler Katherine , Favela Alexis , Hamrick Jennifer , Dillard Mary Kathryn , Marzban Fatemeh , Banda Devender
Published: December 2023

Background: People often have an innate interest in both platonic and romantic relationships. In fact, feelings toward sexuality and sexuality education do not differ between various individuals. Yet, autistic individuals have been shown to score significantly lower on measures of sexual awareness than their typically developing counterparts. Aims: The current project sought to investigate the benefits of a specially tailored socio-sexuality curriculum on the interpersonal relationship knowledge of 12 autistic young adults. Methods and Procedures: The eight-session sexuality education intervention was carefully tailored from an existing, online guide from the Organization for Autism Research. Pre- and post-test data were collected via the Assessment of Functional Living Skills Interpersonal Relationships domain. T-tests were conducted to determine significance. Outcomes and Results: Results from paired-sample t-tests indicated significant gains in interpersonal relationship knowledge from pre- to post-intervention. Conclusions and Implications: When provided with specifically tailored sexuality education, young autistic adults can experience socially valid, significant gains on interpersonal relationship knowledge.
Black Music Aesthetics in General Music Part 1: Exploring Black Musics
Authors: Battiste Loneka Wilkinson
Published: December 2023

Black Music Aesthetics (BMA), guided by conceptual approaches grounded in African belief systems, are found in the structure and performance practices of Black musics. Music education in American society leans strongly toward Western European aesthetics, which includes: the centrality of rhythm, pitch, and harmony to musical understanding; a reliance on written notation for preserving and sharing musical ideas; and a primary focus on sounds. While Black music and musicality can be explored using Western European aesthetics, they cannot be thoroughly explored in this way. In this series of articles, I draw on the work of ethnomusicologists to define BMA and provide concrete examples for incorporating them in general music. The first article in this series provides a historical foundation and definition for BMA and offers examples of how it can be centered in the study of Black musics.
Cannabis Use Differences Among Sexual Minority Versus Heterosexual Females and Males in Oklahoma: The Roles of Mental Health, Cannabis Perceptions, and Cannabis Marketing Exposure
Authors: Romm Katelyn F. , Ehlke Sarah J. , Smith Michael A. , Vogel Erin A. , McQuoid Julia , Kendzor Darla E. , Cohn Amy M.
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

Despite the high cannabis use rates among sexual minority (SM) individuals, less research has examined factors related to cannabis use among SM (vs. heterosexual) individuals, especially in places with legal medical cannabis retail markets and high structural stigma, like Oklahoma.

Methods:

Data were from a survey of Oklahoma adults, including 3020 females (18.6% SM) and 2279 males (10.1% SM). Bivariate analyses examined associations of sexual identity with cannabis-related factors (i.e., perceived harm, positive attitudes, marketing exposure, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms) and cannabis use and use severity (i.e., past 30-day use, daily/near-daily use, cannabis use disorder [CUD] symptoms). Logistic regression examined associations of sexual identity and cannabis-related factors with cannabis use and use severity among females and males, separately.

Results:

SM (vs. heterosexual) females reported greater odds of past 30-day cannabis use and daily/near-daily use, lower harm perceptions, greater marketing exposure, and higher rates of depressive/anxiety symptoms. Lower harm perceptions and greater marketing exposure were associated with greater odds of past 30-day use, whereas marketing exposure was associated with greater odds of daily/near-daily use. SM (vs. heterosexual) males reported greater odds of daily/near-daily use and higher rates of depressive/anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions:

SM (vs. heterosexual) females reported higher rates of cannabis use, whereas SM (vs. heterosexual) females and males reported higher rates of daily/near-daily cannabis use. Potential targets for cannabis-related health campaigns aimed at reducing use differences include correcting misinterpretations of harm that may emanate from cannabis marketing efforts among females and addressing depressive symptoms among males.
An Assessment of the One-Month Effectiveness of Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Using the Brief Addiction Monitor
Authors: Burke Barbara , Clear Brian , Rollston Rebekah L. , Miller Emily N. , Weiner Scott G.
Published: December 2023

Objectives:

Telehealth treatment with medication for opioid use disorder (teleMOUD) was made possible with regulations following the COVID-19 pandemic that permitted prescribing buprenorphine without an in-person visit. This study evaluates the self-reported outcomes of patients treated by teleMOUD using the Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM), a 17-question tool that assesses drug use, cravings, physical and psychological health, and psychosocial factors to produce 3 subset scores: substance use, risk factors, and protective factors.

Methods:

Patients treated by a teleMOUD provider group operating in >30 states were asked to complete an app-based version of BAM at enrollment and at 1 month. Patients who completed both assessments between June 2022 and March 2023 were included.

Results:

A total of 2556 patients completed an enrollment BAM and 1447 completed both assessments. Mean number of days from baseline BAM to follow-up was 26.7 days. Changes were significantly different across most questions. The substance use subscale decreased from mean 2.6 to 0.8 ( P < .001), the risk factors subscale decreased from mean 10.3 to 7.5 ( P < .001), and the protective factors subscale increased from mean 14.3 to 15.0. ( P < .001). Substance use and risk factor subscale changes were significant across all sex and age groups, while protective factors subscale did not improve for those <25 and >54 years. Patient reports of at least 1 day of illegal use or misuse decreased, including marijuana (28.1% vs 9.0%), cocaine/crack (3.9% vs 2.6%), and opioids (49.8% vs 10.5%).

Conclusions:

Among patients treated by teleMOUD who completed assessments at enrollment and 1 month, there was improvement in drug use, risk factor, and protective factor scores.
Leveraging Organizational Social Capital in Construction Projects to Enhance Project Success: The Enabling Role of Transformational Leadership
Authors: Nauman Shazia , Musawir Ata Ul , Riaz Madiha Bint E
Published: December 2023

Building on the theories of social capital and self-determination as complementary perspectives, this study investigates how an individual’s idea of organizational social capital affects project success by testing a dual-stage moderated mediation model with self-efficacy as a mediator and transformational leadership as a moderator at both the first and second stages. Time-lagged data from 213 project management practitioners were collected from construction project–based firms. It was revealed that self-efficacy partially mediates the effect of an employee’s perception of organizational social capital on project success. Additionally, moderation results support the proposed hypotheses. We discussed theoretical and practical implications.
Government Borrowing and Crowding Out
Authors: Önder Yasin Kürşsat , Restrepo-Tamayo Sara , Ruiz-Sanchez Maria Alejandra , Villamizar-Villegas Mauricio
Published: December 2023

We investigate the impact of fiscal expansions on firm investment by exploiting firms with multiple banking relationships. Further, we conduct a localized approach and compare the lending behavior of banks that barely met and missed the criteria of being a primary dealer, as well as barely winners and losers at government auctions. Our results indicate that a 1 percentage point increase in primary dealer banks’ bonds-to-assets ratio decreases loans by 0.2 percent, which leads to declines in firm investment, profits, and wages. Our findings are grounded in a quantitative model with which we compute the cost of borrowing on the economy. (JEL D22, E12, E23, G21, G32, H63, O11)
PREVENTIVE COST OF MILK IS A THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL GUIDELINE FOR IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Gazetdinov Mirsharip , Ibragimova Railya
Published: December 2023

In the current state programs “Development of agriculture and regulation of agricultural products, raw materials and food markets”, both in the Russian Federation and in the Republic of Tatarstan, increasing the financial stability of agricultural producers is identified as one of the priority goals. The achievement of this goal is ensured by the economic efficiency of production, in particular, the proper level of profitability of products sold. In turn, this indicator functionally depends on the design and implementation of its preventive cost. The concept of “preventive cost” is exclusively the invention of the author of this work, arising from the internationally recognized theory of production cost management “Target costing”, according to which a commodity producer designs the quantitative value of the cost of production based on the prevailing market prices for it in order to obtain the expected profit. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that there is a linear correlation between the productivity of cows and the cost of milk, as well as between the latter and the current liquidity ratio of agricultural organizations. For agricultural organizations of the Republic of Tatarstan, which in 2022 produced 1372 thousand tons of milk and spent about 34 billion rubles on it, with an average cost of 1 kg of milk sold of 2566 rubles, the issue of working with the preventive cost of these products is very relevant. Since the average selling price was 3372 rubles, and the profitability was 31.4%. At the same time, in the surveyed twenty districts selected for various agricultural zones of the Republic of Tatarstan, 30% of agricultural organizations have an average milk profitability of 45.8%. In order to achieve the specified profitability at least at the first stage, the preventive cost of milk should be within 2313.2 rubles.
GRAIN HARVESTING TECHNOLOGIES WITH ENERGY AND RESOURCE SAVING MULTIFUNCTIONAL UNITS
Authors: Yudina Elena , Rinas Nikolay , Papusha Sergey , Palapin Aleksey
Published: December 2023

The research was carried out with the aim of improving the technology of harvesting cereal crops for the production of competitive products. The work was carried out in 2018-2022 in Krasnodar region. We optimized the parameters of multifunctional units and tested them in relation to harvesting conditions in Kuban. Comparison of machines, complexes, technologies and systems was carried out using a comprehensive assessment method using the Harrington function. The proposed technology with multifunctional units, compared to the basic one, allows reducing labor costs by 1.25 times, operating costs and metal consumption by 1.2 times, and increasing labor productivity by almost 2 times. When analyzing the dependence of the cost of grain yield losses on the duration of harvesting, direct biological yield losses and indirect losses associated with injury to grain by the working parts of harvesting machines were taken into account. A multifunctional unit is proposed, designed for harvesting grain crops with simultaneous pressing of straw. It is based on the use of the serial power unit “Polesie” UES-2-280A, the mounted grain harvester KZR-10 and the straw baler PRP-1.6. A production test has proven the advantage of a rotary threshing apparatus compared to a classic one. The use of combine harvesters with rotary threshing and separating devices reduces grain crushing, compared to threshing machines, by 10 times, microdamage to grain - by 6...8%. Using the three-factor experiment planning method, the optimal duration for harvesting grain crops using the proposed technology with a multifunctional unit was established, which, with a grain yield of 6.8 t/ha, is 5 working days, the working width of the combine header is 5.4 m. Using the proposed unit with one of the trailed machines (straw baler, direct seed seeder, discor or other tillage machine) is quite effective.
Educational competencies of primary school teachers
Authors: Kol'tinova V.
Published: December 2023

The article deals with the problem of studying the basic competencies of primary school teachers, as well as conditions that actualize the capabilities and activity of teachers aimed at maintaining and developing competencies that ensure the success of educational activities.
The influence of parents non-self-realization on the children addiction to gadgets
Authors: Levickaya N. , Konoshenko K. , Belikova T. , Kotova M. , Gul'tyaeva A. , Fahrieva O.
Published: December 2023

The article is devoted to the research of the reasons for the formation of teenagers aged from 11 to 14 years old addiction to gadgets and describes the mechanism of this formation.

Approximately 9% of children and young people all over the world who play computer games or go online are officially diagnosed with addiction.

The research methods and sampling were held as part of the educational activities of the Family, Women, and Children Affairs Committee and he Committee on Education and Science of the public organization “The sovereign course” with participation of teachers and psychologists: Levitskaya N.V., Frolova O.S., Fakhrieva O.N., Konoshenko K.N., speech therapist Belikova T. N., teacher off technology and entrepreneurship Kotova M.S., Gultyaeva A. V.

As part of the research surveys and interviews were conducted with 30 groups:

students of a general education school aged from 12 to 14 and their families (parents, siblings and immediate family members). In a secondary school, an observation was made among 5th and 8th grades for 3 months in order to identify adolescents' dependence on the phones. Based on the results of all types of research, the problem of addiction to gadgets and its reasons were identified, and steps to overcome this addiction were developed.

It was revealed that the lack of quality relationships between parents and children has led children escaping into the virtual world of the gadgets, compensating the lack of love and attention

The surveys and observations data of the teenagers aged 11-14 years old and their parents are analyzed in detail in the article.

The recommendations on how to overcome teenagers' addiction to gadgets are given based on the observation, analysis and practical experience of teachers and psychologists.
Patriotic education of youth as an element of the ight against falsi ications of the history of the Great Patriotic War
Authors: Perevoznova A.
Published: December 2023

The proposed article deals with controversial problems such as the falsification of the Great Patriotic War, the preservation of modern youth historical memory and resistance with attempts to falsify the history of the war.

The article presents the results of a study among modern young people about the knowledge of the history of the Great Patriotic War and the main directions of history falsification of the war. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of the historical memory of modern youth about the Great Patriotic War. The study was carried out among students in grades 5-11 and students of the Faculty of History. As a consequence, we came to the conclusion that young people know the history of the Great Patriotic War at a low level, and the most susceptible to the influence of falsifiers of the history of the war.

The main result of the study is methodological recommendations developed for lessons, ex-tracurricular activities, and optional courses for history teachers in order to increase the level of knowledge of the history of the Great Patriotic War and directions of falsification. The work also contains recommendations for the patriotic education of youth.
Genre Features of Pierre Boulle's Dystopian Science Fiction Novel "Planet of the Apes": A Communicative Aspect
Authors: Beley M.
Published: December 2023

The enduring popularity of 20th century science fiction authors among readers of all age categories has been noted in numerous works of literary scholars. An extremely important aspect is the fact that the author and the reader must have a common language in order for communication to be effective. The relevance of the study is due to the growing interest in the problem of interpreting the genre of science fiction works. The aim of this study is to try to trace the synthesis of genre forms from the point of view of communicativism and the theories of C. Darwin and T. de Chardin in the novel "Planet of the Apes" by the famous French fiction writer Pierre Boulle. Darwin and T. de Chardin in the novel "Planet of the Apes" by the famous French fiction writer Pierre BoulleIn the course of the study, the methods of contextual literary analysis, cognitive-discourse analysis, as well as stylistic and genre analysis were applied. As a result of the study, the conclusions were obtained that the novel "Planet of the Apes" by P. Boulle combines elements of the genre of science fiction novel, philosophical parable, utopia and dystopia. The novel is a satirical work, touching upon the themes of scientific progress, communication, evolution and human society, which are topical at present. The author, when creating a work, follows literary conventions or deliberately goes against them, creating something innovative. The genre of science fiction has been and remains a synthetic genre, incorporating elements of various genres, which intricately intertwined, enter into communication with the reader, helping him to create fictional worlds. Scientific novelty of the research consists in the fact that for the first time in Russia the study of genre originality of P. Boulle's work in the aspect of communication with the reader is undertaken. The article may be useful for literary scholars, postgraduates, students and all those interested in the problems of genre synthesis in modern science fiction.
The spatial structure of domestic tourist trips of Polish residents in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Szymańska Daniela , Matczak Andrzej
Published: December 2023

In Poland in 2020, the number of domestic tourist trips decreased by over one fi ft h (more for short-term than long-term trips), which was probably related to the Covid-19 pandemic. This large decline in the number of domestic tourist trips was not associated with significant changes in their spatial structure. The recovery in domestic tourist trips in 2022 also did not affect their spatial structure, which continues to be mainly determined by the distribution of tourist attractions in the country. The analysis at the voivodeship level showed no preference were observed during the Covid-19 pandemic for domestic trips to voivodeships with a lower level of urbanization (i.e. voivodeships with a greater share of rural areas, less frequently visited so far - generally with lower tourist values). The spatial structure of the recovery in domestic tourism turned out to be sensitive to the level of Covid-19 deaths, which slowed it down. In 2022, the recovery in domestic tourist traffi c was somewhat influenced by the war in neighboring Ukraine, which had a significant slowing effect in the eastern voivodeships of Poland.
Simple Monotonic Readjustment Policies with Applications to Markdown Pricing and Pricing in the Presence of Strategic Customers
Authors: Chen Yiwei , Jasin Stefanus
Published: December 2023

A Simple Monotonic Dynamic Pricing Policy

We consider a canonical revenue management setting in which a monopolist seeks to maximize expected total revenues by selling a fixed inventory of product to customers who arrive sequentially over time. It is known in the literature that a simple dynamic pricing policy can perform reasonably well in such setting. However, the literature typically assumes that price can move freely over time (i.e., it can either go up or down). In practice, firms often impose certain restrictions on price movement. In this paper, we consider the setting in which price can only move monotonically over time (either only decreasing or only increasing). We devise a simple provably near-optimal dynamic pricing policy. Aside from markdown applications, our policy can also be applied to the setting with strategic customers.
The Information Capacity of the Fiber-Optic Channel: Bounds and prospects
Authors: Shtaif Mark , Antonelli Cristian , Mecozzi Antonio , Chen Vivian Xi
Published: December 2023

We present a survey of the throughout values reported in current state-of-the-art transmission experiments as a function of distance. This is an updated version of the original figure presented in Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 110, no. 11, pp. 1655-1678, Nov. 2022 and is also presented at OFC 2024.
Comparison of open anterior component and open transversus abdominus release in repair of large subcostal hernias
Authors: Espinosa-de-los-Monteros Antonio , Fernandez-Alva Daniela , Solis-Reyna Rodrigo Alejandro , de-la-Garza-Elizondo Cesar Alberto , Vazquez-Guadalupe Joseph , Posadas-Trujillo Oscar Emmanuel , Diaz-Trueba Flavio Enrique
Published: December 2023

Background

Large subcostal incisional hernias are considered as complex defects, and a few different approaches have been described for repair. The purpose of this comparative cross-sectional study is to evaluate the outcomes of patients with large subcostal incisional hernias treated with either the open anterior components separation technique (ACS) or with the open transversus abdominis release technique (TAR).

Methods

From the database of patients with large complex incisional hernias who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction with open techniques between April 2007 and October 2022 at our institution, on May 25th, 2023 we identified those whose hernias were located in the subcostal areas and who underwent reconstruction with a components separation technique and mesh. Perioperative variables and outcomes were compared between the patients with large subcostal hernias who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction with either the ACS or the TAR techniques.

Results

Thirty-one patients with large subcostal hernias were included in the study. ACS and intra-abdominal mesh was used in 11 patients; TAR and retro-muscular mesh was performed in 20 patients. More postoperative local abdominal wall complications were seen in patients who had ACS as opposed to TAR (55% vs 15%, p = 0.02). Hernia recurrence was more common in patients who had ACS as opposed to TAR (55% vs 5%, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

More post-operative complications and recurrences were seen in patients who had ACS as opposed to TAR.
Evaluating teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge in implementing classroom-based assessment: A case study among esl secondary school teachers in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Razak Rafiza , Mat Yusoff Shahazwan , Hai Leng Chin , Mohamadd Marzaini Anwar Farhan
Published: December 2023

The Malaysian Education Blueprint (PPPM) 2013–2025 has spurred significant reforms in the Primary School Standard Curriculum (KSSR) and Secondary School Standard Curriculum (KSSM), particularly concerning classroom-based assessment (CBA). CBA evaluates students’ understanding and progress, informs instruction, and enhances the learning outcomes. Teachers with robust pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) are better equipped to design and implement effective CBA strategies that accurately assess students’ comprehension and growth, provide personalised feedback, and guide instruction. This study aims to investigate the relationship between PCK and CBA among English as a Second Language (ESL) secondary school teachers in Selangor, Malaysia. A 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire was administered to 338 teachers across 27 regional secondary schools in Selangor. The Covariance-based structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that the secondary school teachers demonstrated a high level of PCK, with content knowledge (CK) obtaining the highest mean, followed by pedagogical knowledge (PK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). The CBA practices among these teachers were also found to be high. SEM analysis showed a positive association between PK and CBA practices and between PCK and CBA. However, no positive association was observed between CK and CBA practices. In order to enhance teachers’ PCK and ensure the effective implementation of CBA, which is crucial for student learning outcomes in Malaysian ESL secondary schools, it is recommended that continuous professional development opportunities be provided, specifically focusing on PCK and CBA.
Indigenous Language Endangerment as the Hearse of Democratic Culture among the Yoruba People of Nigeria
Authors: Olatunji Samson Olusola
Published: December 2023

There is a proven intricate interconnectedness between language and culture. Most Yoruba political office holders demonstrate degrees of English language proficiency as evidence of English-medium Western education. It is thus logical to expect them to have become democratic in behavior. However, many that have held political posts in Nigeria have proved undemocratic. One then wonders how they successfully avoided being “infected” by the democratic values of Western cultures. One could logically conclude that a typical Yoruba politician is unable to learn democratic values from Western education because of the long history of the monarchical system of government. This paper, however, probed the existence of democratic values in Yoruba precolonial government. Data were obtained from 200 respondents through a mix of accidental and stratified sampling techniques. A four-item interview guide was administered to the respondents by the researcher. Among the findings is that the Yoruba language is replete with proverbs, aphorisms, and idioms capable of promoting democratic values. Comprehensive implementation of mother-tongue-based multilingual education up to the end of secondary school level is thus recommended for the preservation of the democratic values of their traditional cultures to facilitate adequate understanding of Western democratic literacy.
Case Report of Desmoid Fibromatosis as a Rare Disease Entity of the Breast
Authors: Lee Eun-Gyeong , Lee Minjung , Choi Bo Hwa , Park Seog Yun , Lee Seeyoun
Published: December 2023

Desmoid fibromatosis (DF) of the breast is a rare condition. Owing to its rarity and mimicry of carcinoma, the diagnosis and optimal treatment of DF are challenging tasks. A 41-year-old woman with no history of augmentation or other breast procedures for breast cancer was examined. The patient had a palpable mass in the left breast identified as a spiculated hypoechoic mass using ultrasonography. Core needle biopsy revealed spindle cells without mitotic figures. The mass was excised and a histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of DF. The patient had no history of any related factors. Imaging studies did not reveal specific features that could distinguish this tumor from other commonly presenting carcinomas. Therefore, pathological confirmation is of paramount importance for the diagnosis of DF. Further experience with more cases will help to understand DF better and develop a multidisciplinary approach to its clinical management.
Censuras heredadas: cuestiones de género en “La sunamita” de Inés Arredondo
Authors: Hamui Sutton Silvia
Published: December 2023

El objetivo de este trabajo es proponer, a partir de una metodología de análisis literario, la interpretación del cuento “La sunamita” de Inés Arredondo, de tal manera que se perciba la construcción del sujeto vulnerable en una sociedad patriarcal. A partir de algunos conceptos teóricos de Judith Butler, se analiza cómo existen condiciones a priori que limitan a las mujeres en sus decisiones, sus valores y sus relaciones. El estudio está conformado a partir de tres ejes interrelacionados: por un lado, la perspectiva metodológica y didáctica en la que se abordan los diferentes elementos del cuento; por otro, la formación del mí mismo desde las teorías butlerianas; y, finalmente, mediante un ensayo crítico, la aplicación del estudio de género en la interpretación de la obra literaria referida. El resultado es la paradoja del personaje principal (Luisa), en la que se evidencia una escisión entre el yo y el otro que deviene en contradicción y condena.