bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applications of maximum matching by using bipolar fuzzy incidence graphs
Authors: Rehman Fahad Ur , Rashid Tabasam , Hussain Muhammad Tanveer
Published: August 2023

The extension of bipolar fuzzy graph is bipolar fuzzy incidence graph (BFIG) which gives the information regarding the effect of vertices on the edges. In this paper, the concept of matching in bipartiteBFIGand also forBFIGis introduced. Some results and theorems of fuzzy graphs are also extended inBFIGs. The number of operations inBFIGssuch as augmenting paths, matching principal numbers, relation between these principal numbers and maximum matching principal numbers are being investigated which are helpful in the selection of maximum most allied applicants for the job and also to get the maximum outcome with minimum loss (due to any controversial issues among the employees of a company). Some characteristics of maximum matching principal numbers inBFIGare explained which are helpful for solving the vertex and incidence pair fuzzy maximization problems. Lastly, obtained maximum matching principal numbers by using the matching concept to prove its applicability and effectiveness for the applications in bipartiteBFIGand also for theBFIG.
Cognitive effort investment: Does disposition become action?
Authors: Kührt Corinna , Graupner Sven-Thomas , Paulus Philipp C. , Strobel Alexander
Published: August 2023

Contrary to the law of less work, individuals with high levels of need for cognition and self-control tend to choose harder tasks more often. While both traits can be integrated into a core construct of dispositionalcognitive effort investment, its relation to actual cognitive effort investment remains unclear. As individuals with high levels of cognitive effort investment are characterized by a high intrinsic motivation towards effortful cognition, they would be less likely to increase their effort based on expected payoff, but rather based on increasing demand. In the present study, we measured actual effort investment on multiple dimensions, i.e., subjective load, reaction time, accuracy, early and late frontal midline theta power, N2 and P3 amplitude, and pupil dilation. In a sample ofN= 148 participants, we examined the relationship of dispositional cognitive effort investment and effort indices during a flanker and ann-back task with varying demand and payoff. Exploratorily, we examined this relationship for the two subdimensionscognitive motivationandeffortful-self-controlas well. In both tasks, effort indices were sensitive to demand and partly to payoff. The analyses revealed a main effect of cognitive effort investment for accuracy (n-back task), interaction effects with payoff for reaction time (n-back and flanker task) and P3 amplitude (n-back task) and demand for early frontal midline theta power (flanker task). Taken together, our results partly support the notion that individuals with high levels of cognitive effort investment exert effort more efficiently. Moreover, the notion that these individuals exert effort regardless of payoff is partly supported, too. This may further our understanding of the conditions under which person-situation interactions occur, i.e. the conditions under which situations determine effort investment in goal-directed behavior more than personality, and vice versa.
A randomised controlled trial of email versus mailed invitation letter in a national longitudinal survey of physicians
Authors: Harrap Benjamin , Taylor Tamara , Russell Grant , Scott Anthony
Published: August 2023

Despite their low cost, the use of email invitations to distribute surveys to medical practitioners have been associated with lower response rates. This research compares the difference in response rates from using email approach plus online completion rather than a mailed invitation letter plus a choice of online or paper completion. A parallel randomised controlled trial was conducted during the 11th annual wave of the nationally representative Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) longitudinal survey of doctors. The control group was invited using a mailed paper letter (including a paper survey plus instructions to complete online) and three mailed paper reminders. The intervention group was approached in the same way apart from the second reminder when they were approached by email only. The primary outcome is the response rate and the statistical analysis was blinded. 18,247 doctors were randomly allocated to the control (9,125) or intervention group (9,127), with 9,108 and 9,107 included in the analysis. Using intention to treat analysis, the response rate in the intervention group was 35.92% compared to 37.59% in the control group, a difference of -1.66 percentage points (95% CI: -3.06 to -0.26). The difference was larger for General Practitioners (-2.76 percentage points, 95% CI: -4.65 to -0.87) compared to other specialists (-0.47 percentage points, 95% CI: -2.53 to 1.60). For those who supplied an email address, the average treatment effect on the treated was higher at -2.63 percentage points (95% CI: -4.50 to -0.75) for all physicians, -3.17 percentage points (95% CI: -5.83 to -0.53) for General Practitioners, and -2.1 percentage points (95% CI: -4.75 to 0.56) for other specialists. For qualified physicians, using email to invite participants to complete a survey leads to lower response rates compared to a mailed letter. Lower response rates need to be traded off with the lower costs of using email rather than mailed letters.
Management goals of type 1 Gaucher disease in South Africa: An expert Delphi consensus document on good clinical practice
Authors: Louw Vernon Johan , Fraser Ilanca , Giraldo Pilar
Published: August 2023

Background

Gaucher disease is a rare autosomal recessive glycosphingolipid storage disease that ultimately leads to reduced life expectancy. Management of Gaucher disease is challenging due to its wide genotypic and phenotypic variability and changing clinical manifestations due to effective treatment. Deliberation between experts is essential to discuss daily clinical practice and identify controversies regarding the management of Gaucher disease. The usefulness of methods like Delphi surveys is suitable for setting up consensus recommendations for different clinical scenarios.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to develop an expert consensus document for the management of type 1 Gaucher disease by local experts.

Methods

A modified e-Delphi was carried out to develop an expert consensus document on the management goals of type 1 Gaucher disease in South Africa. Following a literature review and input from the steering committee, 205 management goals and best practice statements were e-mailed to an independent panel for consensus development using three rounds of voting. The panel consisted of five local healthcare practitioners with expertise in Gaucher disease. Each panelist provided independent evaluations of statements sent to them via a dedicated survey platform. Panelists indicated their level of agreement on a 9-point Likert scale (1 = absolute disagreement to 9 = absolute agreement) during each round of voting. The criteria to retain a statement in the final round were ≥80% high agreement (7–9).

Results

193 statements met the consensus threshold after three rounds of voting and were included in the final guidance document. In general, the management goals presented in this paper are in line with existing literature on the subject. Additional management goals and general recommendations on sound clinical practice, obtained from more recent research and the panelists’ own clinical experience, have been included to develop a comprehensive consensus document on the management goals of type 1 Gaucher disease.

Conclusion

This paper provides high-level guidance with respect to management goals, and the use of current therapies and adjunctive interventions in type 1 Gaucher disease to assist clinicians in their decisions about the appropriate management of patients in everyday clinical practice. These management goals and best practice statements might be used to inform an update to future South African guidelines on the disease.
Body mass index trends and its impact of under and overweight on outcome among PLHIV on antiretroviral treatment in rural Tanzania: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Kalinjuma Aneth Vedastus , Hussey Hannah , Mollel Getrud Joseph , Letang Emilio , Battegay Manuel , Glass Tracy R. , Paris Daniel , Vanobberghen Fiona , Weisser Maja ,   on behalf of the KIULARCO study group
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Increased body weight is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is increasingly reported as a health problem in people living with HIV (PLHIV). There is limited data from rural sub-Saharan Africa, where malnutrition usually presents with both over- and undernutrition. We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of underweight and overweight/obesity in PLHIV enrolled in a cohort in rural Tanzania before the introduction of integrase inhibitors.

Methods

This nested study of the prospective Kilombero and Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort included adults aged ≥19 years initiated on antiretroviral therapy between 01/2013 and 12/2018 with follow-up through 06/2019. Body Mass Index (BMI) was classified as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), or overweight/obese (≥25.0 kg/m2). Stratified piecewise linear mixed models were used to assess the association between baseline characteristics and follow-up BMI. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between time-updated BMI and death/loss to follow-up (LTFU).

Results

Among 2,129 patients, 22,027 BMI measurements (median 9 measurements: interquartile range 5–15) were analysed. At baseline, 398 (19%) patients were underweight and 356 (17%) were overweight/obese. The majority of patients were female (n = 1249; 59%), and aged 35–44 years (779; 37%). During the first 9 months, for every three additional months on antiretroviral therapy, BMI increased by 2% (95% confidence interval 1–2%, p<0.0001) among patients underweight at baseline and by 0.7% (0.5–0.6%, p<0.0001) among participants with normal BMI. Over a median of 20 months of follow-up, 107 (5%) patients died and 592 (28%) were LTFU. Being underweight was associated with >2 times the hazard of death/LTFU compared to participants with normal BMI.

Conclusion

We found a double burden of malnutrition, with underweight being an independent predictor of mortality. Monitoring and measures to address both states of malnutrition among PLHIV should be integrated into routine HIV care.
A perfekcionizmus személyiségjellemzőkkel való összefüggéseinek vizsgálata fiatal felnőttek körében
Authors: Dobos Bianka
Published: August 2023

A fokozott stressz reaktivitás miatt a maladaptív perfekcionizmus fontos szerepet tölt be számos betegség és szorongásos zavar hátterében. A szakirodalomból azonban az is ismertté vált, hogy a perfekcionizmus pozitív, adaptív aspektusa kevesebb szorongással, több pozitív érzelemmel és jobb egészségi állapottal van összefüggésben. Elsődleges célunk volt, hogy hazai mintákon is feltárjuk a perfekcionizmus kialakulásában közrejátszó háttértényezőket; kimutassuk azokat a szorongásos tüneteket és érzelmi állapotokat, amelyek összefügghetnek a magasabb fokú perfekcionizmusra való hajlammal; valamint azonosítsuk azokat a védőfaktorokat, amelyek mérsékelni tudják a perfekcionizmus egészségkárosító hatásait. Eredményeink alátámasztják azt a nézetet, miszerint a perfekcionizmusnak van adaptív és maladaptív formája. Vizsgálatainkban a magasabb mértékű maladaptív perfekcionizmus erősebb szorongással, több negatív érzelemmel és érzelemszabályozási nehézséggel, a védőfaktorok alacsonyabb szintjével és gyakoribb gyógyszerszedéssel járt együtt. A magasabb szintű adaptív perfekcionizmus alacsonyabb mértékű szorongással, a védőfaktorok magasabb szintjével és kevesebb gyógyszerszedéssel társult. Nem találtunk szignifikáns összefüggést az adaptív perfekcionizmus és a negatív érzelmek között, azonban pozitív kapcsolat volt kimutatható a boldogság averzióval. Habár az adaptív dimenzió legtöbbször a pozitív érzelmek magasabb mértékével hozható kapcsolatba, úgy tűnik, hogy egyes esetekben egy pozitív érzelem félelmet ébreszthet.
Shadism and Female Resistance in Toni Morrison's Novels
Authors: Nefnouf Ahmed Seif Eddine
Published: August 2023

A jelen disszertáció az afroamerikaiak mint rassz irodalmi reprezentációjához nyújt új adalékot. A világhírű afroamerikai regényíró, Toni Morrison négy regényében –Paradise, Beloved, A Mercy, The Bluest Eye– vizsgálja a rasszon belüli és kívüli interakciók irodalmi reprezentációját, azokokait, illetve pozitív és negatív következményeit. Disszertációmban feltérképezem a shadizmus, azaz a rasszon belüli, bőrszínhez kapcsolható, identitás-alapú megkülönböztetés, valamint a nők ez ellen irányuló ellenállásának művekben kimutatható reprezentációját. Az elemzésben rámutatok arra, hogy a rabszolgaság traumája, valamint a fehérbőrű amerikaiak által élvezett kiváltságos helyzet gyűlöletet keltett az afroamerikaiakkörében, ami erősítette a shadizmus jelenségét. Morrison Paradisec. művében felvetődik az az elképzelés, hogy a fekete közösség többsége megtagadjaa világosabb bőrű feketéktől azt a lehetőséget, hogy megőrizzék integritásukat és saját hazát teremtsenek. A Beloved c. műben olyan eseteket találunk, amikor a szereplők megölik gyermekeiket, hogy megmentsék őket a rabszolgaságtól. Az ez által okozott traumák feldolgozása kapcsán ugyanakkor Morrison arra mutat rá, hogy a shadizmus tettei hozzájárulnak a gyógyuláshoz, mivel a szereplőknek egyénileg és kollektíven kell szembenézniük múltjukkal a traumatikus és narratív emlékezet, megtestesült emlékezet és kulturális emlékezet során. Továbbá, a szolidaritás és a testvéri kapcsolat az elnyomás leküzdésének és megelőzésének eszközeként fogható fel, ahogyan ezek A Mercy című regénybenműködnek: segítségükkel a nők eredményesen tudnak fellépni a származáshoz, a társadalmi helyzethez és a hithez kötődő különbségek ellen. A The Bluest Eye c. regénnyel összefüggésben pedig bemutatom, hogy a shadizmus nemcsak a rasszhoz kapcsolódik, hanem azzal a móddal is, ahogyan azt egy vagy több konstruált identitás befolyásolja az interszekcionalitás lencséjén keresztül; ez többnyire akkor fordult elő, amikor egy szereplő utánozni próbál, vagy megpróbál fajilag fehérnek mutatkozni.
„Lehet dolgokat kitalálni is...”: Tar Sándor prózapoétikájának olvasási lehetőségei
Authors: Sinkovicz László
Published: August 2023

A dolgozat Tar Sándor próza műveinek különböző olvasásmódjainak lehetőségeit kívánja feltárni. A közkeletű értelmezésekben és kanonizációs besorolásokban a szerző életműve rendre az 1986-os prózafordulattal szembehelyezkedő kivételként, ennek Másikjaként jelenik meg, amelyben az értelmezők a realizmus visszatérést, a szociografikusságot, illetve egy addig rejtett társadalmi réteg bemutatását ünnepelték. S bár ezek az olvasatok természetesen nem hibásak, egy idő után úgy tűntek, mint amelyek megmerevítik, redukálják az életmű további olvasási lehetőségeit. Dolgozatom ezért arra kereste a választ, hogy mennyire gyümölcsöző, ha a Tar szövegeket alapvetően nem szociográfiaként, azaz valamely referencialitással bíró világ lenyomataként, hanem irodalomként, (a fogalom barthes-i értelmében) Szövegként olvasom. Ennek célja többek között az volt, hogy megkísérelje elbizonytalanítani a fenti, az elmúlt évtizedekben dogmatikussá merevedett elhatárolásokat és szembeállításokat, amelyek olyan bináris oppozíciópárok létrejöttéhez vezettek, amelyek lebontására épp a prózafordulat is törekedett. Éppen ezért a különböző, akár a referenciális valóságra mutatóként is értelmezhető markereket (például zárt tereket, illetve a szociokulturális létezés minőségének különböző jelölőit) megpróbáltam erről leválasztani és irodalmi jelölőként olvasni. Az értekezés három fő fejezetből áll, amelyeket egy-egy bevezető és összefoglaló szakasz vesz körül. A fő passzusok három témát járnak körül, az Irodalom, a Metafizika és a Nyelv kérdéseit, ám ezeket nem egymástól elválasztva, zárványként kezeli, inkább hálózatként, amelyek között gyakran jönnek létre kapcsolatok és átjárók, ezért egyes szövegek – bár különböző aspektusból vizsgálva – több helyen is feltűnnek.
Történelemre vonatkozó episztemológiai nézetek kontextussal összefüggő jellemzőinek vizsgálata 11. és 12. évfolyamon
Authors: Majkić Maja
Published: August 2023

A doktori értekezés a történelemmel kapcsolatos episztemológiai nézetek egyes, kontextushoz kötődő jellemzőit és empirikus mérési lehetőségeit vizsgálja. A történelemmel kapcsolatos episztemológiai nézetek kutatása nemzetközi szinten egyre fontosabbá válik, viszont a rendelkezésre álló szakirodalmi ismeretek alapján Magyarországon még nem végeztek nagymintás, kvantitatív jellegű vizsgálatokat ebben a témában. Az értekezés három empirikus vizsgálaton alapul: (1) gyakorló történelemtanárokkal készített félig strukturált interjúk (N=9), (2) Stoel és munkatársai (2017) kérdőívének magyar nyelvre adaptálása (N=510) és (3) a kontextus hatásának vizsgálata magyarországi, szerbiai és romániai magyar 11. és 12. osztályos (N=943) diákok körében. A visszajelzések alapján a történelemtanárok és a diákok egyaránt érdekesnek és újszerűnek találták a témát. Az első vizsgálat rámutatott, hogy a fogalmak következetes és világos használata, a nézőpontok egyértelmű azonosítása elengedhetetlen a kutatás során. A parciális kredit modell, a feltáró és megerősítő faktorelemzések eredményei alapján a kérdőív három skálája magyar vonatkozásban is azonosítható, két állítást azonban felül kell vizsgálni. A harmadik empirikus vizsgálat összehasonlító elemzései kimutatták, hogy az episztemológiai nézetek fejlettségének értelmezését a szociokulturális kontextus befolyásolja. A határon túli magyar közösségekből származó diákok hajlamosabbak voltak elfogadni az egymásnak ellentmondó kijelentéseket, mint magyarországi társaik. A szakirodalom alapján ennek a jelenségnek az egyik lehetséges magyarázata az episztemológiai nézetek adaptív jellegéből adódik. Az értekezés pedagógiai relevanciája a nemzetközi kutatások szempontjából egyrészt abban rejlik, hogy hasznos információkat és visszajelzéseket ad az episztemológiai nézetek kontextussal összefüggő, valamint adaptív természetének megértéséhez. Másrészt rendelkezünk egy kvantitatív, nagymintás méréseket lehetővé tevő, magyar nyelvű kérdőívvel, amely a mindennapi osztálytermi gyakorlatban is alkalmazható.
Does the distance between the nest and the food source affect the foraging behavior of Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae)?
Authors: Souza Thiago Sampaio de , Gazal Vinícius Siqueira , Aguiar-Menezes Elen de Lima , Fernandes Vinicius José
Published: August 2023

Research on food finding by pest termites can be used to inform the development of techniques to control their population; however, there is a paucity of information available on the foraging behavior of Nasutitermes corniger, an urban pest in South America. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of the distance between the nest and food on the exploration and recruitment of N. corniger during foraging behavior under laboratory conditions. Nests containing mature colonies were collected in the field and placed in a glass cube connected to a test arena (50.0 × 40.0 cm) in which Eucalyptus grandis blocks were supplied at three different distances: 10, 20 and 30 cm. In each test, the occurrence of the following events were recorded: initial exploitation, initial recruitment, and mass worker recruitment. Individuals in the blocks were counted at the end of each test and divided into the total number of recruited termites, recruited workers, consuming workers and recruited soldiers. Each test lasted 60 minutes and was repeated with 20 colonies. Nasutitermes corniger foragers showed the three behavioral events of interest at all three distances. The occurrences of initial exploitation and initial recruitment, the latency of the three events and the number of foragers were not affected by the distance between the nest and food. The occurrence of mass worker recruitment was the only event affected by this distance, with higher recruitment at shorter distances.
A meta-analysis of biochar application to manage plant diseases caused by bacterial pathogens
Authors: Medeiros Erika Valente de , Souza Carlos Alberto Fragoso de , Costa Diogo Paes da , Melo Raví Emanoel de , Lima Edcleyton José de , Araújo Inara da Silva , Junior José Henrique de Souza , Lima José Romualdo de Sousa , Pinto Kedma Maria Silva , Hammecker Claude
Published: August 2023

The current agricultural scenario faces diverse challenges, among which phytosanitary issues are crucial. Plant diseases are mostly treated with chemicals, which cause environmental pollution and pathogen resistance. In light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the biochar alternative use to chemical inputs fits into at least six of the proposed goals (2, 3, 7, 13, 15, and 17), highlighting the 12th, which explains responsible consumption and production. Biochar is valuable for inducing systemic resistance in plants because it is a practical and frequently used resource for improving physical, chemical, and biological soil attributes. This review assessed the beneficial and potential effects of applying biochar to agricultural soils on bacterial pathogen management. Such application is a recent strategy; therefore, this research evaluated 20 studies that used biochar to manage plant diseases caused by pathogens inhabiting the soil in different systems. The effectiveness of biochar application in controlling plant diseases has been attributed to its alkaline pH, which contributes to the growth of beneficial microorganisms and increases nutrient availability, and its porous structure, which provides habitat and protection for soil microbiome development. Therefore, the combined effect of improvements on soil attributes through biochar application aids pathogen control. Biochar application helps manage plant diseases through different mechanisms, inducing plant resistance, increasing activities and abundance of beneficial microorganisms, and changing soil quality for nutrient availability and abiotic conditions.
Diversity of weeds species in grapes farms of Tayma (Tabuk, Saudi Arabia): implication for invasive species ecology
Authors: Al-Qahtani Salem Mesfir , El-Hashash Essam F. , El-Absy Karima M. , Al-Taymanl Ahd Mohammed , Al-Zwain Gharam Zaal , Al-Faqeer Maram Nasser , Al-Fahiqi Mashael Awad , Alatawi Zuhur Dakhilallah , Alfuhigi Amjad Zayed M. , Al-Fahiqi Rehab Khalaf Mater Hudayri
Published: August 2023

The biodiversity of the agroecosystem leads to changes in the Floristic composition, diversity, and abundance of weed species in crop and orchard farms. The present study is considered the first attempt to categorize, evaluate, and document the diversity of weed populations among different grape farms in Tayma, Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia. The results of ANOVA showed that the number of weed species varied significantly across the six grape farms. During six grape farms under study, 30 weed species belonging to thirteen families and 28 genera were recorded. In total, twelve weed species belong to the Poaceae family with a rate of 40%. While the other families are represented either by one or two species with rates of 3.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Biogeographic origins analysis showed that the Tropical area represented 23.3% of total weed flora, followed by Saharo Arabian (16.7%), Mediterannean-Euro Siberian-Irano-Turanian (13.3%) and American (10.0%). Therophytes were the dominant life forms with a rate of 66.7%, followed by Hemicryptophyte (20.0%), Geophyte (6.7%), and Chamaephyte (6.7%). A total of 16 and 14 weed species belong to the annual and perennial life span, respectively. Also, the grass and herb habits represented 40% and 60% of 30 weed species, respectively. According to the abundance score, the most common weed species of those grape farms in the region study are Cynodon dactylon, Desmostachya bipinnata, and Setaria verticillata, they belong to the Poaceae family. Based on the presence and absence of weed species in grape farms, the Principal Component Analyses (PCA) show that the grape farms and weed species (into two groups) are distinguished mainly along the first two components. Also, positive correlations were observed among most grape farms, according to PCA. Generally, more studies on the ecological aspects and floristic composition of weed species in grape farms are also needed.
Poultry litter and cover crops influence the agronomic performance and grain yield of wheat
Authors: Soares Eveline Ferreira , Basso Claudir José , Sangiovo Mateus Júnior Rodrigues , Leandro Eduarda Vargas de Souza , Silveira Diógenes Cecchin , Moreira Thainá Fogliatto
Published: August 2023

The use of poultry litter as a source of nitrogen (N) and the decomposition of ground cover plants can be an alternative and N management strategy in the wheat crop, in succession. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of isolated and/or intercropped cultivation of ground cover plants in autumn/winter and the use of poultry litter on some plant parameters and on the final yield of wheat grains. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in split plots, with three replications. The treatments in the plots were composed of isolated coverings Avena strigosa Schreb., Raphanus sativus L. and intercropping of A. strigosa + R. sativus and fallow as a control. In the subplots, the N managements in the wheat crop with 100% of the N recommendation via poultry litter, 100% of the N via mineral (urea), 50% via poultry litter + 50% mineral and the control, without N application. The management of nitrogen fertilization and the cover crops altered the yield components of the wheat crop. The use of poultry litter increased the final grain yield, being an alternative as a partial replacement, when associated with urea, or total N. Isolated crops R. sativus and A. strigosa + R. sativus intercropping significantly influenced agronomic performance and final grain yield.
Identification and authentication of Agnimantha plant species used in Ayurveda on the basis of anatomical and molecular phylogenetic analysis
Authors: Kumar Anurag , Jangid Prem Prakash , Marimuthu Srinivasan , Gurav Arun Manohar , Srikanth N , Mangal Anupam K , Venkateshwarlu B , Shiddamallayya N
Published: August 2023

Agnimantha plant species have been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for many years and is widely used as an ingredient in many ayurvedic formulations. However, the source for Agnimantha remained controversial as it is difficult to authenticate from various reports. Hence, the present study aims to identify and authenticate its original and substitute sources. As per the literature sources Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f., C. inerme (L.) Gaertn. and Premna serratifolia L. are considered Agnimantha species. The anatomy of the above mentioned species confirmed the presence of patches of up to 20 cells in the sclerenchyma of the root cortex, while in the absence of sclerenchyma of the stem cortex, abundant chambered crystals were also present in the bark of the stem and root in C. phlomidis as compared to C. inerme and P. serratifolia. Phylogenetic analysis using chloroplast (matK, trnH-psbA) and nuclear markers (ITS, rbcl) also indicates the close relation between C. inerme and P. serratifolia and hence places them both in the same clade, though C. phlomidis is closely related to the other species but placed in the adjacent clade. Hence, the study concludes that anatomical as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis reflect close relation between C. inerme and P. serratifolia. while a distant relation with C. phlomidis.
Cycle exercise training and muscle mass: A preliminary investigation of 17 lower limb muscles in older men
Authors: Naruse Masatoshi , Vincenty Caroline S. , Konopka Adam R. , Trappe Scott W. , Harber Matthew P. , Trappe Todd A.
Published: August 2023

Cycling exercise in older individuals is beneficial for the cardiovascular system and quadriceps muscles, including partially reversing the age‐related loss of quadriceps muscle mass. However, the effect of cycling exercise on the numerous other lower limb muscles is unknown. Six older men (74 ± 8 years) underwent MRI before and after 12‐weeks of progressive aerobic cycle exercise training (3–4 days/week, 60–180 min/week, 60%–80% heart rate reserve,VO2max: +13%) for upper (rectus femoris, vastii, adductor longus, adductor magnus, gracilis, sartorius, biceps femoris long head, biceps femoris short head, semimembranosus, semitendinosus) and lower (anterior tibial, posterior tibialis, peroneals, flexor digitorum longus, lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, soleus) leg muscle volumes. In the upper leg, cycle exercise training induced hypertrophy (p ≤ 0.05) in the vastii (+7%) and sartorius (+6%), with a trend to increase biceps femoris short head (+5%,p = 0.1). Additionally, there was a trend to decrease muscle volume in the adductor longus (−6%,p = 0.1) and biceps femoris long head (−5%,p = 0.09). In the lower leg, all 7 muscle volumes assessed were unaltered pre‐ to post‐training (−2% to −3%,p > 0.05). This new evidence related to cycle exercise training in older individuals clarifies the specific upper leg muscles that are highly impacted, while revealing all the lower leg muscles do not appear responsive, in the context of muscle mass and sarcopenia. This study provides information for exercise program development in older individuals, suggesting other specific exercises are needed for the rectus femoris and adductors, certain hamstrings, and the anterior and posterior lower leg muscles to augment the beneficial effects of cycling exercise for older adults.
Statistical versus Economic Significance in Accounting: A Reality Check
Authors: Bertomeu Jeremy
Published: August 2023

Empirical research is ripe for a reality check, as elegantly put by the “elephants in the room” (Ohlson, 2025. Empirical accounting seminars: Elephants in the room. Accounting, Economics, and Law: Convivium
15, 1–8) referring to practices to disguise false positives with the aid of statistical engineering. However, the diagnosis points to a deeper problem. The dominant empirical paradigm combines extraordinarily vague hypotheses with ridiculously high desired levels of statistical confidence beatable solely with econometric hacks. Instead, I argue that economic magnitudes measure meaningful theoretical constructs and require far less than conventional significance levels for measurements of sufficient importance. Precisely estimating that an effect is close to zero can be more meaningful than a noisy but significant coefficient. I make several actionable proposals: (1) report standard errors rather than conventional statistical significance (stars) or t-stats, (2) discuss target significance levels likely to change priors and could much higher than weak significance for unsettled questions, (3) report precisely estimated zeros and power analyses, and (4) anchor empirical design on formal theory justified with precise references or structural models.
DUSP1 promotes pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and invasion by upregulating nephronectin expression
Authors: Chen Yanlin , Ma Yunfei , Tang Yuting , Jin Yucui , Zhu Yi , Ma Changyan
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To explore the role of dual-specific phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) in the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods

TCGA and GTEx databases were used to investigate the relationship between DUSP1 expression and prognosis of PC patients. Expression efficiency of DUSP1 was validated by qPCR and western blotting. The proliferation of SW1990 and PANC-1 cells with DUSP1 overexpression or knockout was detected by EdU assays. The migratory and invasive abilities of cells were detected by wound healing and transwell assays.

Results

DUSP1 was highly expressed in PC and associated with poor prognosis of patients. Overexpression of DUSP1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of PC cells by regulating nephronectin (NPNT), whereas knockout of DUSP1 exhibited the opposite effects. NPNT expression was positively correlated with DUSP1, and the overall survival of PC patients with high levels of NPNT was shorter.

Conclusions

DUSP1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of PC cells by upregulating NPNT, suggesting DUSP1 may be a potential target for PC treatment.
A vezetői szerepek és a vezetés szükségszerűségének vizsgálati lehetősége
Authors: Márta Erik
Published: August 2023

A TANULMÁNY CÉLJA

A vezetés és a vezetői tevékenység kiemelt fontosságú a csoportok és szervezetek működésében. A tanulmány az alapul szolgáló elvárásokból kialakult vezetés szükségszerűségét elemzi, majd az abból eredő szerepeket fejti ki, amelyek szükségesek az eredményes és hatékony vezetői tevékenységhez. Továbbá ezen elvárások összekapcsolása történik a vezetői szerepek kialakulásával, annak érdekében, hogy a vezetés, mint a közös tevékenységek természetéből adódó szükségszerűségét igazolja.

ALKALMAZOTT MÓDSZERTAN

A vezetés szükségszerűségét bemutató, átfogó szakirodalmi források feldolgozásával vizsgálom a vezetőkkel szemben támasztott legfontosabb és legáltalánosabb elvárásokat, valamint ismertetem a vezetői szerepek jellegét és okait is.

Azokat a forrásokat mutatom be, amelyek tartalma elvárásokként fogalmazhatók meg a vezetők magatartására és viselkedésére vonatkozóan. Ezt követően a mintzbergi (1975) szereptipológiából kiindulva vizsgálom annak aktualitását napjaink gazdasági szervezeteiben. Az elvégzett kutatás során feltárom, hogy a XXI. századi gazdasági szervezetekben mely vezetői szerepek figyelhetők meg leginkább, és melyek teljesülésére irányulnak a legnagyobb elvárások.

LEGFONTOSABB EREDMÉNYEK

A vezetés a társadalmi és gazdasági folyamatok realizálásának a feltétele. Ennek során különböző elvárások fogalmazódnak meg a vezetők felé, melyek teljesülése esetén válhat valaki alkalmassá a pozíció betöltésére. A különböző vezetői szerepek az elvárásokon keresztül vizsgálhatók, ugyanis a vezetők alkalmassága a vezetői szerepeknek való megfelelésként is értelmezhető.

A mintzbergi (1975) szereptipológiából kiindulva, szakirodalmi források feldolgozásával megállapítottam, hogy a gazdasági szervezetek olyan jelentős átalakulásokon mennek keresztül, melyek hatnak a különböző elvárásokra, illetve az abból kialakuló vezetői szerepekre is.

GYAKORLATI JAVASLATOK

A kutatás eredményei hozzájárulhatnak a vezetői tevékenységek mélyebb megismeréséhez, és akár messzemenő következtetések levonását is megalapozhatja. A vezetéssel/vezetőkkel szemben támasztott elvárások alaposabb ismerete pedig a csoportok fenntarthatóságát és fejlődését eredményezheti.
Changes in tourist decisions in the shadow of the global crisis – how travel preferences and consumer priorities evolved during COVID-19 and beyond
Authors: Behringer Zsuzsanna , Kulcsár Noémi , Hinek Mátyás , Tevely Titanilla
Published: August 2023

THE AIM OF THE PAPER
The aim of the research is to gain a comprehensive picture of the changes in the travel habits of Hungarians in the post-pandemic period. The study sought to answer how the supply side should respond to the economic crisis and what new trends and patterns can be detected in consumer behavior, especially in terms of destination choice, motivations, and sustainability.
METHODOLOGY
A questionnaire-based survey was conducted online. The sampling method was a convenience sample, aiming to select respondents from the widest possible range of the Hungarian population. Among the 672 respondents, all age groups were represented, while the proportion of respondents who live in Budapest and have secondary or higher education was relatively high. In addition to statistical indicators, the analysis revealed multivariate correlations, showing characteristic features of consumer behavior in each age group segment.
MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS
Hungarians drastically reduced their leisure travel in 2020 due to forced closures, travel restrictions, and fears (Behringer et al. 2022). This cautious behavior and new trends (e.g. preference for domestic travel, traveling less frequently) remained even in 2021. The new motivations, such as “escape from quarantine”, mental recharging, and interest in outdoor activities also persisted, but health security lost its importance. As economic difficulties increased, the focus shifted to considerations of savings and individual financial circumstances.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The pandemic has created a new era in the travel market, for both consumers and service providers. The new trends require strong adaptability, flexibility, and responsiveness on the supply side from individual service providers. Supply side operators will have to adapt to new consumer needs if they want to meet tourists’ expectations and retain customers.
Développer la littératie des jeunes ayant une déficience intellectuelle par la participation à un programme d’apprentissage informel de la musique à distance
Authors: Després Jean-Philippe , Julien-Gauthier Francine , Mathieu Marie-Claude , Bédard-Bruyère Flavie
Published: August 2023

Le présent article relate l’expérience d’une participante au Camp musical extra-ordinaire, un projet de recherche musical inclusif à l’intention des jeunes ayant une déficience intellectuelle ou physique. Une approche multiméthode a été mise en œuvre afin de documenter l’évolution des littératies langagière, musicale et technologique de la participante. Les résultats suggèrent que Léa a amélioré ses habiletés de communication, de socialisation, ses performances musicales et ses habiletés numériques. Ces résultats laissent entrevoir une synergie entre les différentes formes de littératie qui lui a permis d’acquérir différentes formes d’expression, de mettre en valeur son potentiel et de renforcer son estime personnelle et sa confiance.
NMDA Receptors in the Basolateral Amygdala Complex Are Engaged for Pavlovian Fear Conditioning When an Animal’s Predictions about Danger Are in Error
Authors: Keidar Tuval , Williams-Spooner Matthew J. , Wong Francesca S. , Westbrook R. Frederick , Holmes Nathan M.
Published: August 2023

It is widely accepted that Pavlovian fear conditioning requires activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the basolateral amygdala complex (BLA). However, it was recently shown that activation of NMDAR in the BLA is only required for fear conditioning when danger occurs unexpectedly; it is not required for fear conditioning when danger occurs as expected. This study tested the hypothesis that NMDARs in the BLA are engaged for Pavlovian fear conditioning when an animal’s predictions regarding danger are in error. In each experiment, rats (females in Experiment 1 and males in Experiments 2–5) were conditioned to fear one stimulus, S1, when it was paired with foot-shock (S1→shock), and 48 h later, a second stimulus, S2, when it was presented in sequence with the already-conditioned S1 and foot-shock (S2→S1→shock). Conditioning to S2 occurred under a BLA infusion of the NMDAR antagonist, D-AP5 or vehicle. The subsequent tests of freezing to S2 alone and S1 alone revealed that the antagonist had no effect on conditioning to S2 when the shock occurred exactly as predicted by the S1, but disrupted this conditioning when the shock occurred earlier/later than predicted by S1, or at a stronger/weaker intensity. These results imply that errors in the timing or intensity of a predicted foot-shock engage NMDARs in the BLA for Pavlovian fear conditioning. They are discussed in relation to theories which propose a role for prediction error in determining how experiences are organized in memory and how activation of NMDAR in the BLA might contribute to this organization.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis study is significant in showing that prediction error determines how a new experience is encoded with respect to a past experience and, thereby, whether NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the basolateral amygdala complex (BLA) encode the new experience. When prediction error is small (e.g., danger occurs as and when expected), the new experience is encoded together with a past experience as part of the same “mental model,” and NMDAR activation in the BLA is not needed for this encoding. By contrast, when prediction error is large (e.g., danger occurs at an unexpected intensity or time), the new experience is encoded separately from the past experience as part of a new mental model, and NMDAR activation in the BLA is needed for this encoding.
Speech Reception in Young Children with Autism Is Selectively Indexed by a Neural Oscillation Coupling Anomaly
Authors: Wang Xiaoyue , Delgado Jaime , Marchesotti Silvia , Kojovic Nada , Sperdin Holger Franz , Rihs Tonia A. , Schaer Marie , Giraud Anne-Lise
Published: August 2023

Communication difficulties are one of the core criteria in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and are often characterized by speech reception difficulties, whose biological underpinnings are not yet identified. This deficit could denote atypical neuronal ensemble activity, as reflected by neural oscillations. Atypical cross-frequency oscillation coupling, in particular, could disrupt the joint tracking and prediction of dynamic acoustic stimuli, a dual process that is essential for speech comprehension. Whether such oscillatory anomalies already exist in very young children with ASD, and with what specificity they relate to individual language reception capacity is unknown. We collected neural activity data using electroencephalography (EEG) in 64 very young children with and without ASD (mean age 3; 17 females, 47 males) while they were exposed to naturalistic-continuous speech. EEG power of frequency bands typically associated with phrase-level chunking (δ, 1–3 Hz), phonemic encoding (low-γ, 25–35 Hz), and top-down control (β, 12–20 Hz) were markedly reduced in ASD relative to typically developing (TD) children. Speech neural tracking by δ and θ (4–8 Hz) oscillations was also weaker in ASD compared with TD children. After controlling gaze-pattern differences, we found that the classical θ/γ coupling was replaced by an atypical β/γ coupling in children with ASD. This anomaly was the single most specific predictor of individual speech reception difficulties in ASD children. These findings suggest that early interventions (e.g., neurostimulation) targeting the disruption of β/γ coupling and the upregulation of θ/γ coupling could improve speech processing coordination in young children with ASD and help them engage in oral interactions.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTVery young children already present marked alterations of neural oscillatory activity in response to natural speech at the time of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Hierarchical processing of phonemic-range and syllabic-range information (θ/γ coupling) is disrupted in ASD children. Abnormal bottom-up (low-γ) and top-down (low-β) coordination specifically predicts speech reception deficits in very young ASD children, and no other cognitive deficit.
Malaysia’s Anwar, Anwar’s Malaysia
Authors: Weiss Meredith L.
Published: August 2023

Paralleling dramatic shifts in Malaysian politics since the 1980s have been the twists and turns in the life of Anwar Ibrahim, who became prime minister after decades of striving in November 2022. From student firebrand to wily political strategist, Anwar has been both insider and outsider, balancing principles and ambition, from the streets to prison to parliament, and back around again. Throughout, he has done surely more than anyone else to coax Malaysia along new sociopolitical paths, helping to elevate both conservative Islamism and progressive political liberalism, in novel combinations. His critics are fierce; his fans at least as much so—but his legacy is undeniable.
Integrating Technology into Social Work Practice and Study: Needs, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Petružytė Donata , Gevorgianienė Violeta , Charenkova Jūratė , Seniutis Miroslavas , Šumskienė Eglė , Žalimienė Laimutė , Yamaguchi Mai
Published: August 2023

This article reveals the views of Japanese and Lithuanian lecturers on the need for technological development in social work and the impact such development can have on the competencies of future social work professionals. 10 qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with lecturers from Lithuania and 8 with lecturers from Japan. The data analysis is based on Moor’s (2008) model of technological revolution, which consists of three stages: 1) introduction stage, 2) permeation stage and 3) power stage. The paper discusses the main categories that emerged from the data analysis: types of technology and their use in social work; personal characteristics, knowledge and skills needed by future social workers to integrate technologies into their practice; and value challenges for future social workers. The study revealed that technology integration in Lithuania is still at the introduction stage. At the theoretical level, there are discussions on the possible paradigmatic changes that the introduction of technology would bring to the social work field, at the practical level there is fragmented research on the impact of technical assistance tools on the quality of services, and in the area of values and ethics, questions about the benefits, risks and challenges of using technology are being addressed. In Japan, there is a deeper integration of technology into social work practice and studies, with more technology-oriented research, the development of the practice of technology use, and consideration of ethical aspects of technology use in practice. Lecturers in both countries fear that the rapid introduction of technology will cause the social work profession to lose its image as a “relational profession”. Furthermore, there are doubts about whether technology will help social work to fulfil its mission of social justice, as the issue of affordability of expensive technology is also raised. The views of the participants reflect concerns about changes in the identity of the social work profession, as seen through the changes in the knowledge, skills and values inherent in the profession, which are generated by the integration of technology and which lead to the idea of an emerging new identity for the profession.
A Diagnostic Analysis of Observational Sketching: Examples from the University of Latvia
Authors: Urdziņa-Deruma Māra , Celmiņa-Ķeirāne Austra , Avotiņa Austra , Karlsone Inguna
Published: August 2023

The importance of freehand sketching is being updated and revised at a time when sketching by hand is, in many cases, being replaced by sketching with digital technologies. In addition, in Latvia, since the reform of the general education curriculum, sketching has been included in the new primary education curriculum, which requires primary school teachers to have experience and understanding of sketching. Freehand sketching is also part of the curriculum for future designers’ education. Researchers at the University of Latvia developed a task, criteria, and a description of the assessment levels (rubric) for sketching from an image to assess the initial preparedness and observational sketching skills of students on design and primary school education teachers’ programmes. The conclusion was that students’ sketching skills could be developed and extended by encouraging the use of different technical approaches and means of expression, as well as by practising the accuracy of observation.