bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Efficient Off-Step Exponential Spline Technique to Solve Kuramoto–Sivashinsky and Extended Fisher–Kolmogorov Equations
Authors: Sharma Naina , Sharma Sachin
Published: December 2024

In this study, we introduce a novel numerical approach for solving 1D unsteady biharmonic problems, specifically addressing the generalized Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equations. Our proposed method involves a two-level exponential spline technique with quasi-variable mesh discretization, ensuring high accuracy with a precision of orders 3 and 2 in spatial and lateral directions, respectively. The scheme utilizes three points at each time level, including two off-step and a central point. Notably, our method exhibits unconditional stability when applied to a partial differential equation of order 4. Comparative analysis with results from prior research highlights the superiority of our numerical algorithm. Furthermore, we present 2D and 3D graphs illustrating the numerical solutions of various benchmark problems, such as the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation and the extended Fisher–Kolmogorov equation, emphasizing the versatility and efficacy of our approach.
Western diet exacerbates a murine model of Balkan nephropathy
Authors: Oe Yuji , Kim Young Chul , Kanoo Sadhana , Goodluck Helen A. , Lopez Natalia , Diedrich Jolene , Pinto Antonio Michel , Evensen K. Garrett , Currais Antonio Jose Martins , Maher Pamela , Vallon Volker
Published: December 2024

This study shows that a Western diet (WD) aggravates a murine model of Balkan nephropathy induced by the application of the organic anion and nephrotoxin aristolochic acid (AA). Mechanistically, this may involve WD-induced kidney organic anion secretion, which can facilitate the AA uptake into proximal tubular cells and thereby contribute to the injury. Kidney proteomics identified further changes induced by feeding a WD that could have increased the sensitivity of the kidney to stress and injury.
Solving Periodic Boundary Value Problem via Product Type Rational Contractions
Authors: Rehman Saif Ur , Ahmad Abeeda , Jaradat Mohammed M. M. , Akbar Sidra , Hafeez Aneeza , Ullah Faiz
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we define some new product types of rational contractions for single‐valued mappings in generalized metric spaces. We prove the uniqueness of fixed point (FP) and common fixed point (CFP) theorems under the new product types of rational contractions in generalized metric spaces with the application of boundary value problem. In support of our results, we present nontrivial illustrative examples for the uniqueness of FP and CFP in generalized metric spaces. Furthermore, we present an application of the first‐order periodic boundary value problem for the existence of unique solutions to unify our work. Using this approach, one can prove some more attractive unique FP and CFP results for different types of modified rational contractions in generalized metric spaces with the application of integral equations and boundary value problems.
Wave Dynamics in Design: The Role of Nonlinear Potential Burgers’ Equation With Variable Coefficients
Authors: He Xiuchuan , Xiong Hui , Qi Jianming , Sun Yiqun
Published: December 2024

This paper investigates exact solutions of the potential Burgers equation with variable coefficients (PBEVCs), contributing to communication engineering, nonlinear acoustics, and fluid mechanics. It explores novel solutions using the improved modified extended tanh–function method (IMETFM), revealing diverse characteristics and providing deeper insights into nonlinear wave dynamics. The study also analyzes the long‐term behavior of PBEVC under noise influence, highlighting insights into noise‐perturbed systems’ robustness. Moreover, it establishes connections to practical applications like 5G optical fiber transmission and ocean wave oscillations, showcasing the wide applicability of the IMETFM approach. This work’s novelty lies in uncovering diverse solution characteristics and bridging theoretical understanding with real‐world applications.
Artificial Intelligence and Its Revolutionary Role in Physical and Mental Rehabilitation: A Review of Recent Advancements
Authors: Rasa Amir Rahmani
Published: December 2024

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into physical and mental rehabilitation has the potential to significantly transform these fields. AI innovations, including machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and computer vision, offer occupational therapists advanced tools to improve care quality. These technologies facilitate more precise assessments, the development of tailored intervention plans, more efficient treatment delivery, and enhanced outcome evaluation. This review explores the integration of AI across various aspects of rehabilitation, providing a thorough examination of recent advancements and current applications. It highlights how AI applications, such as natural language processing, computer vision, virtual reality, machine learning, and robotics, are shaping the future of physical and mental recovery in occupational therapy.
Unraveling Spatial Dynamics of Urban Complexity Between Land Use Patterns and Travel Behavior Using Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Kafy Abdulla Al , Fattah Md. Abdul , Shahrier Mahir , Altuwaijri Hamad Ahmed
Published: December 2024

Rapid urbanization and inadequate transportation infrastructure in developing countries have led to complex, unsustainable travel patterns and adverse environmental impacts. This study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the interplay between land use patterns and travel behavior in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Analyzing data from 1298 respondents, we uncovered intricate relationships between sociodemographic, economic, and spatial factors. The SEM revealed that economic characteristics had the highest total effect (0.674) on travel behavior, followed by land use (0.521). Notably, accessibility negatively correlated with economic (−0.70) and sociodemographic factors (−0.91). The residential environment emerged as the most significant land use indicator, with a weight of 1.820. Our analysis found that 31% of trips used easy bikes, while 23% were on foot. The employment rate positively impacted economic characteristics (1.270), despite the considerable weight of total household income (0.874). Key findings indicate that economic characteristics and land use patterns are the primary drivers of travel behavior, highlighting the need for integrated urban planning. This study provides a nuanced understanding of urban complexity, offering valuable insights for sustainable transportation planning in developing cities. By elucidating the nonlinear interactions between various urban elements, our research contributes to the growing field of complex systems analysis in urban transportation contexts.
A Novel Method to Predict S‐Wave Velocity of Carbonate Based on Variable Matrix and Equivalent Porous Medium Model
Authors: Chen Xiangzhong , Dong Jinsheng , Wang Bin , Li Wei , Ma Junhao
Published: December 2024

Taking the carbonate of the Majiagou Formation in the Ordos Basin as an example, this paper introduces a method for predicting the S‐wave velocity of carbonate based on rock physics modeling. By analyzing the samples in the study area, we can find that the carbonate reservoirs in the study area have the following characteristics: (1) The lithology of the Majiagou Formation in the Ordos Basin is relatively complex, mainly composed of dolomite, lime dolomite, dolomitic limestone, gypsum, and gypsum‐bearing dolomite. The pore types include intergranular pores formed by dolomitization, intergranular dissolution pores formed by dissolution, and fractures. (2) Due to the diverse types and complex distribution of rock‐forming minerals, there are always some rock samples whose matrix modulus is beyond the upper or lower limits. Those were calculated using the Voigt–Reuss–Hill (VRH) average method. (3) The pore structure of carbonate is very complex due to diagenesis. Based on the influence of pore shape characteristics on rock elastic parameters, pore shapes are divided into three types using the pore aspect ratio. Among them, the aspect ratio of intergranular pores is the largest, while that of the fracture pores is the smallest, and the aspect ratio of intergranular dissolved pores falls between the two. Therefore, the accuracy of predicting S‐wave velocity in this area based on traditional rock physics modeling methods is low. In this paper, we will introduce a new model that is aimed at improving the traditional rock physics model. The first improvement is based on a variable matrix modulus, which can be used for matrix modeling to mitigate the influence of uneven mineral distribution. The second enhancement involves quantitatively characterizing the impact of different pore aspect ratios on the S‐wave velocity of carbonate rocks, using a porous differential equivalent medium (DEM) model.
Slow Pyrolysis of Waste Cow Bone for Biochar Production and Its Application in Copper Removal From Acidic Solutions
Authors: Tansomros Pornmongkol , Aungthitipan Poramed , Janthakot Athicha , Chanthakhot Aitsara , Maskhunthod Pattaranun , Wongcharee Surachai , Hongthong Sukanya , Sangsida Worachate , Suwannahong Kowit , Kreetachat Torpong , Suriyachai Nopparat
Published: December 2024

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of bone char derived from cow bones, focusing on its characterization and potential applications in wastewater treatment. Cow bones, which are normally regarded as biowaste, were heated slowly to 300°C, 400°C, and 500°C, with a one‐hour residence period and a heating rate of 10°C per minute, to produce biochar. The resultant cow bone char underwent extensive analyses to determine its physical and chemical properties. Elemental analysis revealed that the biochar is primarily composed of carbon. Nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms were employed to measure the specific surface area, pore size, and pore volume, with the highest specific surface area observed at 500°C, measuring approximately 77.31 m2·g−1, and an average pore diameter of 13.53 nm, indicating a predominantly mesoporous structure and exhibiting Type III isotherms. Functional group analysis identified the presence of various functional groups, including carboxylic acids, alkanes, and amines, which are effective for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity of the bone char for synthetic heavy metal copper in aqueous solutions was evaluated, revealing that the experimental data indicated the best fitting of the FL‐PFO kinetic model and the Toth isotherm model, both demonstrating high correlation coefficients and minimal error values. These findings indicate that cow bone char has significant potential as an effective adsorbent for removing heavy metals from wastewater, offering a sustainable solution for managing biowaste and treating water pollutants.
Cryogel Addition Effect on Ultrasound‐Assisted Thawing of Pork Meat
Authors: Coria-Hernández Jonathan , Meléndez-Pérez Rosalía
Published: December 2024

The use of new technologies that allow for improving conventional food preservation processes is what the industry has been adopting in recent decades, with high‐intensity ultrasound (US) and the application of cryoprotectant agents (cryogels) being those that have become more relevant today. For this reason, in this study, cuts of Longissimus thoracis pork frozen in liquid nitrogen with and without waxy starch cryogel and thawed under controlled conditions in water immersion and with US were used, evaluating thermal parameters such as the initial zone and the melting rate of ice crystals and quality parameters such as pH, water holding capacity (WHC), microstructure, color profile, shear force, and surface changes. It was shown that the addition of cryogel modifies the initial fusion zone, that US‐assisted thawing increases the fusion rate, and that both factors influence the quality parameters. However, the main effect on pH is the use of cryogel, unlike WHC, color parameters, and shear force, where the main impact is the thawing method. These results conclude that waxy starch cryogel and the US at 50% thawing have the potential to apply assistance technology in food processing.
Use of Right Ventricular Free-Wall Strain in a Multivariable Estimate of Right Ventricular-Arterial Coupling in Pediatric Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Simpkin Charles T. , Ivy D. Dunbar , Friedberg Mark K. , Burkett Dale A.
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Right ventricular-arterial coupling (RVAC) describes the relationship between right ventricular contractility and pulmonary vascular afterload. Noninvasive surrogates for RVAC using echocardiographic estimates of right ventricular function, such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), have been shown to correlate with invasively measured RVAC and predict clinical outcomes in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, given the limitations of TAPSE at accurately estimating right ventricular function in children, we hypothesized that a multivariable estimate of RVAC using right ventricular free-wall longitudinal strain (RVFW-LS) may perform better than those utilizing TAPSE at predicting clinical outcomes.

METHODS:

In all, 108 children from 2 institutions with pulmonary arterial hypertension underwent hemodynamic catheterization with simultaneous echocardiography. In a retrospective analysis, hybrid (echo and invasive) RVAC metrics included TAPSE/pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRi) and RVFW-LS/PVRi. Noninvasive echocardiographic metrics were TAPSE/echo-derived pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and RVFW-LS/PASP.

RESULTS:

RVFW-LS correlated with PVRi (r=0.315,
P
=0.01), though TAPSE did not (r=0.058,
P
=0.64). PVRi, PASP, and RVAC metrics declined in patients with worse World Health Organization Functional Class (n=108), while TAPSE and RVFW-LS did not. PVRi, PASP, RVFW-LS/PVRi, TAPSE/PVRi, and RVFW-LS/PASP predicted the outcome variable of transplant or death (area under the curve, 0.771 [
P
<0.001], 0.729 [
P
=0.004], 0.748 [
P
=0.002], 0.732 [
P
=0.009], and 0.714 [
P
=0.01], respectively), while TAPSE/PASP, RVFW-LS, and TAPSE did not (area under the curve, 0.671, 0.603, and 0.525, respectively). In patients without a history of repaired congenital heart disease (n=88), only RVFW-LS/PASP, PVRi, PASP, and RVFW-LS/PVRi predicted outcomes (area under the curve, 0.738 [
P
=0.002], 0.729 [
P
=0.01], 0.729 [
P
=0.01], and 0.729 [
P
=0.015], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the pediatric population, baseline PVRi and echo-estimated PASP were strongly associated with adverse clinical outcomes, but TAPSE and RVFW-LS were not. Estimates of RVAC utilizing RVFW-LS were superior to those utilizing TAPSE—however, only marginally additive to PASP and PVRi at predicting the adverse clinical outcome in patients without a history of repaired congenital heart disease.
Serum Soluble Fibrinogen-Like Protein 2 Estimates Increased T-Helper 2 Cytokine, Elevated Disease Severity, and Unfavorable Outcomes in Allergic Rhinitis Patients
Authors: Qian Xiaoqiong , Li Danping , Zhang Yu , Su Tiantian , Shi Song
Published: December 2024

Objective:

Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFGL2) may be involved in the pathology and progression of allergic rhinitis (AR) through regulating T-helper (Th)2 cell response. This study aimed to explore the ability of sFGL2 to estimate outcomes in AR patients.

Methods:

sFGL2 was detected in the serum sample of 119 AR patients at baseline and 20 healthy controls (HCs) after enrollment by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In AR patients, disease severity was assessed at baseline as well as 4 weeks (W4) and 8 weeks (W8) after enrollment by the total nasal symptom score (TNSS).

Results:

sFGL2 was higher in AR patients than HCs [median (interquartile range): 100.0 (70.0-154.0) vs 47.0 (31.5-78.5) ng/mL] ( P < .001). In AR patients, sFGL2 was positively correlated with TNSS score ( P = .002), itching score ( P = .037), sneezing score ( P = .012), and interleukin (IL)-4 ( P = .006) at baseline. TNSS score declined from baseline to W8 in AR patients ( P < .001). To further explore the association between sFGL2 levels and treatment outcomes, we compared the sFGL2 levels between patients with TNSS scores at W4 or W8 >4 and those with TNSS scores at W4 or W8 ≤4. It was found that sFGL2 was only increased in AR patients with a TNSS score at W4 >4 versus those with a TNSS score at W4 ≤4 ( P = .012).

Conclusion:

Serum sFGL2 is increased in AR patients, and its high level estimates an increased Th2 cytokine and disease severity as well as poor outcomes.
Phytochemical analysis and biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Phlomis bracteosa Royle ex Benth. and screening of their antimicrobial and antioxidant potential
Authors: Rana Jagriti , Sharma Ankush , Rana Jyoti , Sagar Anand
Published: December 2024

The Phlomis bracteosa Royle ex Benth. is one of the medicinal plants used by the people of the north-western Himalayan region, India. Initially, phytochemical components of this plants have been evaluated by estimating total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents, and also by GCMS analysis in acetone and methanol solvents, which listed twenty-four compounds in acetone and twenty-two in methanol extract with different percentage peak areas. Later, silver nanoparticles (SNPs) were biogenically synthesized from the acetone extract of the same plant. The formation of SNPs was observed with UV-vis spectroscopy with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 438 nm. Further, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested the presence of carbonyls, nitrogenous compounds and different types of hydrocarbons in SNPs. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy suggested the spherical shape of SNPs with average size of 43.53 ± 0.71 nm. On the other hand, the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy depicted Ag as major element, the selected area electron diffraction and the X-ray diffraction supported crystalline nature of synthesized SNPs. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of both extracts (acetone and methanol) and SNPs were also studied. For the antimicrobial activity analysis, disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods were selected which displayed that plant extracts (PEs) exhibited better activity against Gram-positive bacteria and were inactive against Escherichia coli, while synthesized SNPs displayed better antimicrobial activity against all selected microorganisms. In case of antioxidant activity, by following two methods i.e., DPPH radicle scavenging and reducing power methods again SNPs expressed better antioxidant property with lower IC50 value (40.55 µg/mL) than PEs i.e., 93.48 µg/mL (acetone) and 92.57 µg/mL (methanol). Therefore, biosynthetic SNPs can be a useful strategy in the biomedical sector.
Gas accumulation in the pre-salt reservoirs of Ordovician Majiagou Formation from the northern Ordos Basin, NW China: Insights from integrated fluid inclusion analysis and petrography characteristics
Authors: Wu Xiaoli , Wang Ping , Jiang Haijian , Huang Hexin , Huang Jun , Li Peijun , Zhou Peng , Chen Lei , Chen Junnian , Zhao Di , Liu Qi , Wang Yang
Published: December 2024

Exploration of gas in the pre-salt reservoirs of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Ordos Basin shows considerable potential, however the gas accumulation history remains a significant debate. This paper focuses on well cores from the northern Ordos Basin to address these uncertainties. By employing reservoir petrographic research and a comprehensive analysis of fluid inclusions, the periods and times of petroleum accumulation were determined and the gas accumulation history of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the region was analyzed. The results suggest that gas from marine hydrocarbon source rocks and the cracking of oil contributed significantly to the gas accumulation in the Ordovician Majiagou Formation. Two stages of oil and gas accumulation in the pre-salt reservoirs of the study area were identified. In the initial stage, a minor liquid oil charging event occurred between 215 Ma and 170 Ma. In the later stage, gas was generated by the Carboniferous-Permian coal-measure and marine hydrocarbon source rocks, supplemented by the thermal cracking of the earlier liquid oil accumulations in the Ordovician Majiagou Formation. This gas then migrated into the pre-salt reservoirs during the period from 125 Ma to 80 Ma, resulting in substantial gas accumulation in the pre-salt reservoirs of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the study area.
Efficacy of Subsequent Treatments After Disease Progression on CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Patients With Hormone Receptor–Positive Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Ravani Lis Victoria , Calomeni Pedro , Vilbert Maysa , Madeira Thiago , Wang Ming , Deng Daxuan , Testa Laura , Colombo Bonadio Renata , Clifton Katherine , Wander Seth A. , Lustberg Maryam
Published: December 2024

PURPOSE

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) combined with endocrine therapy (ET) are the standard of care in hormone receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HR+/HER2–) advanced breast cancer (aBC). Yet, disease progression remains common. In the absence of established postprogression sequencing guidelines, we conducted a pooled analysis of Kaplan-Meier (KM)–derived patient data to assess the efficacy of subsequent treatment options after disease progression on CDK4/6i therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and conference proceedings for randomized trials and cohort studies published from 2016 to December, 2023. Studies assessing subsequent treatment postprogression on CDK4/6i in patients with HR+ HER2– aBC were included. We performed a pooled analysis of KM-derived individual patient data. Outcomes of interest were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). This study is registered in PROSPERO, CRD42023491090.

RESULTS

Of 12,895 identified records, 18 studies comprising 4,899 patients were included. Maintaining treatment with a CDK4/6i plus ET post–CDK4/6i progression was associated with longer PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61 [95% CI, 0.53 to 0.70];
P
< .01) and prolonged OS (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.60 to 0.77];
P
< .01) compared with ET monotherapy. The PFS benefit was seen in both continuing the previous CDK4/6i (HR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.56 to 0.79];
P
< .01) and switching to a different CDK4/6i (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.54 to 0.85];
P
< .01). Subsequent therapy with everolimus plus ET achieved similar PFS (HR, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.90 to 1.35];
P
= .35) and significantly shorter OS (HR, 1.52; [95% CI, 1.21 to 1.90],
P
< .01) as compared with ET monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This extensive data pool suggests significant benefit of CDK4/6i regimens after disease progression as compared with ET monotherapy. Our data also support current guideline recommendations of ET-based therapies over chemotherapy for treatment sequencing.
Fomos acusados de greenwashing, e agora... O que fazer?
Authors: Da Silva Neto Paulo César , Siqueira Pereira da Silva Karina
Published: December 2024

O caso narra a situação vivida por um personagem fictício que atua como gerente nacional de sustentabilidade na Coca-Cola. A companhia assumiu compromissos relacionados a sustentabilidade com o objetivo de reduzir seus impactos ambientais, entretanto foi eleita pelo quinto ano consecutivo como a empresa que mais polui com plástico no mundo e recebeu diversas críticas por, supostamente, praticar greenwashing. O dilema permeia a dualidade vivida pela Coca-Cola, que embora tenha assumido compromissos ambientais e reforçado seus valores sustentáveis, enfrenta críticas significativas devido aos recentes resultados de impacto negativo gerados ao meio ambiente.
O jogo dos tronos
Authors: Braga Bruno Goulart , Castilho Carlos Alexandre Belo , Numao Fabio Hideo , Oliveira Monique Muniz de , Gomes Pedro Henrique de Paula
Published: December 2024

Este caso de ensino apresenta a dicotomia administração/política com o desafio enfrentado por líderes políticos ao equilibrar objetivos administrativos – como segurança nacional, políticas públicas e crescimento econômico – com considerações políticas, como alianças internacionais. Ele examina o cenário fictício de um líder de uma nação chamada Terras de Vera Cruz, que é confrontado com uma decisão durante uma crise geopolítica que ameaça tanto a segurança quanto a economia de seu reino. O papel de Terras de Vera Cruz no conflito territorial entre o Reino de Caracas e o Reino de Guyroa pela Região da Terra das Águas Douradas envolve questões migratórias e de desenvolvimento de políticas públicas, além da soberania e da exploração de recursos naturais. Vera Cruz, como um reino influente e líder na região, desempenha um papel crucial na gestão desse conflito, buscando uma solução pacífica e baseada nas leis do Condado do Sul e da Liga dos Reinos.
Βιοηθική και εκπαίδευση- μια σχέση συμβίωσης
Authors: Κριάρη Iσμήνη
Published: December 2024

No abstract available.
Γράφοντας τον αλγόριθμο του Καλού: Η Τεχνητή Νοημοσύνη ως μηχανή απόδοσης Δικαιοσύνης
Authors: Γούναρης Άλκης , Κωστελέτος Γιώργος
Published: December 2024

Ένα από τα πιο ενδιαφέροντα και προκλητικά ζητήματα της Ηθικής της Τ.Ν. που θα κληθούμε να αντιμετωπίσουμε στο άμεσο μέλλον έχει να κάνει με την κατασκευή και χρήση υπολογιστικών συστημάτων για ρυθμιστικούς σκοπούς και, συγκεκριμένα, συστημάτων Τ.Ν. που θα προβαίνουν στη λήψη αποφάσεων ηθικής ή νομικής φύσης, συμμετέχοντας καθοριστικά στη λειτουργία απόδοσης Δικαιοσύνης. Η λήψη αποφάσεων per se, δεν συνιστά εν πρώτοις οξύ πρόβλημα, καθώς ήδη εφαρμογές Τ.Ν., που χρησιμοποιούμε στην καθημερινότητά μας, λαμβάνουν αποφάσεις οι οποίες ενδεχομένως να έχουν εμμέσως κάποιον ηθικό αντίκτυπο, όμως τα κριτήρια λήψης των αποφάσεών τους δεν είναι ηθικά ή νομικά και o ρόλος τους παραμένει κατά βάση εισηγητικός. Σε αντίθεση με τέτοιου τύπου «Εισηγητικά Συστήματα Τ.Ν.», στο μέλλον είναι πολύ πιθανό να δημιουργηθούν «Ρυθμιστικά Συστήματα Τ.Ν», δηλαδή συστήματα που δεν θα εισηγούνται απλώς, αλλά θα λαμβάνουν τα ίδια αποφάσεις, με βάση ηθικά κριτήρια ή κριτήρια δικαίου εν γένει, και θα μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν στο άμεσο μέλλον για νομοθετικό έργο, απόδοση δικαιοσύνης, καθορισμό κυβερνητικών ή εταιρικών πολιτικών ή ακόμα και για αξιολόγηση της καθημερινής μας συμπεριφοράς. Πρέπει να διευκρινιστεί, δε, ότι, σε αντιδιαστολή προς τα Ρυθμιστικά Συστήματα Τ.Ν., τα Εισηγητικά Συστήματα Τ.Ν, όπως οι νομικές εφαρμογές που χρησιμοποιούνται επί του παρόντος, προβαίνουν σε εισηγήσεις τις οποίες ο αλληλεπιδρών με τα συστήματα αυτά άνθρωπος δεν είναι υποχρεωμένος να ακολουθήσει, παρ’ ότι σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις αισθάνεται «ότι πρέπει» να ακολουθήσει λόγω της επάρκειας και του βαθμού πληρότητας των συστημάτων αυτών. Στην περίπτωση, ωστόσο, των Ρυθμιστικών Συστημάτων Τ.Ν., οι «έξοδοί» (output) τους δύναται να είναι αποφάσεις με τις οποίες οι άνθρωποι θα είναι υποχρεωμένοι να συμμορφώνονται απαρέγκλιτα, ακόμα και επί τη βάσει ενός θεσμικού πλαισίου που θα επιβάλλει στους ανθρώπους την ευθυγράμμιση με τις αποφάσεις των Ρυθμιστικών Συστημάτων Τ.Ν. Όπως δείχνουμε στο παρόν δοκίμιο, η επιλογή, ως προς το αν οι «έξοδοι» αυτές θα έχουν τον χαρακτήρα απλών εισηγήσεων ή αναπόδραστων αποφάσεων, ισοδυναμεί ουσιαστικά με μια επιλογή ως προς τον βαθμό αυτονομίας που θα διακρίνει τα εν λόγω συστήματα. Αν οι «έξοδοι» συνιστούν απλές εισηγήσεις, τότε έχουμε μια περιορισμένη αυτονομία από μέρους του Ρυθμιστικού Συστήματος Τ.Ν., καθώς καθότι θα εξακολουθεί η όποια εισήγηση, ως τέτοια, να επιζητά την τελική αξιολόγηση και τελικά έγκριση ή απόρριψη από τον άνθρωπο χρήστη —π.χ. από έναν νομοθέτη ή δικαστή. Απεναντίας, αν οι «έξοδοι» αποτελούν αποφάσεις προς αναπόδραστη εκτέλεση, τότε ο ρόλος ανθρώπινου παράγοντα, νομοθέτη ή δικαστή, καθίσταται κενός περιεχομένου και ως εκ τούτου έχουμε απόλυτη αυτονομία του συστήματος Τ.Ν.
Θρησκευτική Ρητορική στην Ελλάδα του 19ου αιώνα. Το παράδειγμα του Διονυσίου Λάτα και η σχέση του με την Ιουδαϊκή Κοινότητα
Authors: Μανδραπήλιας Αναστάσιος Ερ.
Published: December 2024

Το άρθρο εξετάζει τις σχέσεις της Ισραηλιτικής κοινότητας της Ζακύνθου με τον τοπικό πληθυσμό και αναδεικνύει την προσφορά του επισκόπου Διονύσιου Λάτα υπέρ της εξομάλυνσης των σχέσεων αυτών και την παρακαταθήκη που άφησε στην τοπική κοινωνία. Η ρητορική του δεινότητα, η αρθρογραφία του και η στιβαρότητα των επιχειρημάτων του, που βασίζονται στη χριστιανική ηθική και την ελληνική παράδοση, δημιούργησαν ένα νέο πλαίσιο για τη θρησκευτική ετερότητα και την πρόσληψή της από την κοινωνία της Ζακύνθου αλλά και της Ελλάδας.
Corrosion and Tensile Behavior of 304L Rebars under the Influence of a Concrete Additive and Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors
Authors: TSOULI SOFIA , Kleftakis Spiridon , Lekatou Angeliki G.
Published: December 2024

This study examines the effect of a Ca-rich fly ash additive, a liquid migrating corrosion inhibitor (Inhibitor B), and a vapor phase inhibitor (Inhibitor C), individually and in combination, on the corrosion performance of 304L stainless steel rebars embedded in concrete cubes. This was assessed through open circuit potential (OCP) measurements over 1 m in an acid rain (AR) simulating electrolyte, salt spray testing for 4 m and tensile testing of 304L rebars following the corrosion tests. For 304L rebars embedded in concrete cubes containing fly ash (FA), Inhibitor B, Inhibitor C, and combinations of FA with Inhibitor B, immersed in AR for 1 m during OCP testing, there was more than a 90% probability that corrosion did not occur. Both Inhibitors B and C improved the corrosion resistance of the rebars in AR in the absence of FA, but when combined with FA, their inhibiting effects were neutralized. The 20 wt.% FA content improved the corrosion behavior of 304L rebars compared to 0 wt.% FA. After 1 m of OCP testing in AR, % elongation increased in all cases except without inhibitors. After 4 m of salt spraying, a slight decrease in strength was observed for the 304L reinforcement, both in the absence and presence of any inhibitors, though within standard deviation.
Fałszywe obietnice bezpieczeństwa?
Authors: Michalski Krzysztof
Published: December 2024

W artykule dokonano poglądu zagrożeń strukturalnych (organicznych, kombinacyjnych i kumulacyjnych) wynikających z ekspansji i gwałtownego wzrostu złożoności systemów technicznych oraz współczesnych uwarunkowań eksploatacji takich systemów i wprowadzenia technologicznych innowacji. Wobec społecznej rosnącej awersji do sąsiedztwa instalacji technicznych i produktów przemysłowych oraz rosnącej nieufności do naukowych poświadczeń bezpieczeństwa autor artykułu poszukuje odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy społeczne obawy przed niebezpieczeństwami czynników technicznych są zasadne. Na podstawie teoretycznej analizy strategii poznawczych w wybranych domenach działalności technicznych autor  wykazuje, że część zagrożeń jest poznawczo nieuchwytna dla normalnej nauki. Jako przyczyny wymienia ograniczenia poznawcze, błędy, ułomności i nadużycia, które podważają wiarygodność naukowych poświadczeń bezpieczeństwa i skłaniają do gruntownej rewizji dotychczasowych strategii poznawczych. Autor postuluje zastąpienie procedur ekspercko-laboratoryjnych normalnej nauki modelami postnormalnymi, opartymi na uzgodnieniach z osobami narażonymi.
The Impact of Mobile Data Cost on Consumer Price Sensitivity: A Study of a Hotel Booking App
Authors: Luo Xiaopeng , He Cheng , Hu Yu Jeffrey , Li Xitong , Cheng Yuan
Published: December 2024

The Impact of Mobile Data Cost on Consumer Price Sensitivity: A Study of a Hotel Booking App

Mobile data cost arises from the perception that mobile data are more expensive than Wi-Fi because of additional charges incurred when exceeding fixed data quotas. Understanding mobile data cost is a global and industry-wide concern as the perception of this cost is common in both developed and developing countries, and even subtle behavioral shifts because of this cost can have significant impacts given the prevalence of mobile shopping. Using hotel search data, we find that consumers are approximately twice as price sensitive when using mobile data compared with Wi-Fi, leading to an average revenue reduction of $17 per hotel booking. Additionally, consumer search effort decreases across decision stages when using mobile data rather than Wi-Fi, showing that mobile data users pursue satisfactory options without extensive search effort, obtain less product information, and therefore rely more on price information, becoming more price sensitive. This study provides implications for mobile shopping environments in which limited mobile data plans are common, suggesting that firms should consider consumers’ connectivity types in marketing strategies, offer data subsidies to encourage more thorough searches, and develop customized recommendations and app versions for mobile data users and that policymakers should monitor potential price discrimination to protect consumer interests.
The Adult Orthodontic–Restorative Interface. Part 3: Dental Trauma and Acquired Disease
Authors: Smith Robert , Stagles Christopher , Bryce Graeme
Published: December 2024

Part 3 of this three-part series outlines the specific challenges associated with providing orthodontic–restorative treatment in adult patients experiencing dentitions injured by dental trauma or acquired disease.

CPD/Clinical Relevance:

Optimal management of patients with injured dentitions may necessitate a joint orthodontic–restorative approach.
Swelling Misattributed to an Infected Tooth Socket
Authors: Mazurkeviciute Migle , Toon Grace , Carter Emily
Published: December 2024

This is a case report of a patient seen on the dental emergency clinic that describes ophthalmic shingles reactivation soon after a tooth extraction with the potential to have led to a misdiagnosis of the condition. This can potentially have serious consequences, including effects on vision. This case report emphasizes the importance of a thorough history and careful examination when a patient presents in an urgent setting.

CPD/Clinical Relevance:

The importance of a thorough history and careful examination is highlighted.
Socio-economic and Environmental Dimensions of the Aral Sea Disaster from the Sustainable Development Perspective
Authors: Uysal Oğuz Ceren , Özkan Arda , Özer Sanem
Published: December 2024

The Aral Sea Basin environmental disaster has deteriorated the socio-economic and environmental circumstances of the local communities in Central Asia. The main challenges in the basin are water scarcity, food insecurity, health problems and economic contraction. Due to irresponsible use of water resources during the Soviet period and current climate change, the water body of the Aral Sea has decreased to the lowest level. This article aims to analyze the socio-economic and ecological impacts of environmental degradation in the Aral Basin from a sustainable development perspective which encompasses social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Moreover, several regional and international recuperation efforts were examined as examples of possible sustainable solutions. The contribution of this article to the literature is the assessment of the selected Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) performances of the basin countries located in Central Asia.
The Icelandic presidential election of 2024: strategic voting in a second order election?
Authors: Valgarðsson Viktor Orri , Indriðason Indriði H. , Kristinsson Gunnar Helgi , Helgason Agnar Freyr , Einarsson Hafsteinn
Published: December 2024

Icelandic presidential elections are under-studied in the field of political science. We examine the determinants of vote choice in the 2024 Icelandic presidential election and, in particular, whether the election can be characterised as a second- order election, where voters’ views about parliamentary politics are more important than their views on the presidency. We rely on data from four surveys focusing on various aspects of the 2024 election to investigate which factors were the most important drivers of vote choice, whether voters voted strategically against the candidate most associated with the incumbent government, and whether the election results might have been different under alternative voting systems. Our findings suggest that attitudes towards the national government were the strongest determinants of vote choice in the election and that strategic voting appears to have played an important role in shaping the outcome. However, views about the role of the president also played a role and the eventual winner, Halla Tómasdóttir, would likely have won under any of the voting systems considered. We conclude with a discussion of how our results affect interpretations of the Icelandic presidency and the presidential mandate.
Introduction: Origin Deprivation, Adoptee Rights, and the Need for Truth Recovery and Redressive Law Reform
Authors: Diver Alice
Published: December 2024

abstract: These six essays represent papers delivered at an international symposium on the theme of origin deprivation held in May 2023 at Queen's University, Belfast. They cover such diverse yet interconnected issues as the wide-ranging, sometimes overlooked, human rights of adoptees (McCloskey), Sweden's need to "decolonize" its stance on transnational adoptions as part of its belated move towards redress (Hübinette), the challenges facing Greece's overseas adoptees in respect of achieving meaningful law reform and having their needs addressed (Van Steen), the notion of "experiential incommensurability" and its adverse effects upon the international adoptee's sense of belonging, which often excludes them from their origins and from their adoptive "lived reality" (Gustafsson's qualitative study in Australia and Korea), the social and legal complexities of protecting, preserving, and potentially [re]gaining the child's original identity via international law frameworks (Baglietto and Bordier), and the "villainous," folkloric tropes within Northern Ireland's proposals for redress (Diver).
The State of the "Historic" Greek Adoptions: A Broken Story That Keeps on Breaking
Authors: Van Steen Gonda
Published: December 2024

abstract: The purpose of this article is threefold. First, the article presents a "factsheet" on the postwar and Cold War adoptions of children from Greece, who were placed abroad in the 1950s through 1960s, mainly in the United States and in the Netherlands. It delves into the Greek-born adoptees' demands, concentrated in a campaign that Mary Cardaras and I have dubbed "Nostos for Greek Adoptees." Second, this article presents two activist adoptee voices: Cardaras and Penny Zagarelou-Mackieson, born Greek only to be adopted out abroad. Third, a bibliographical section lists writings by the Greekborn adoptees themselves and the most important studies, opinion pieces, and other media related to the topic. This article also points to methods to be derived from practice-led and reform-driven research: how to articulate one's demands, how to keep them in the public eye, how to select ethical and professional partners, how to collaborate on policy change to ensure that the identity needs and rights of adopted persons born in Greece—as elsewhere—are properly respected.
The Irrational Math of the Heart: Korean Adoptees and Experiential Incommensurability
Authors: Gustafsson Ryan
Published: December 2024

abstract: This paper develops an account of experiential incommensurability as a prism through which to understand the embodied and existential dimensions of Korean adoptees' subjectivities and lived realities. Drawing on themes that emerged in interviews with adult Korean adoptees living in Korea and Australia, this paper focuses on how adoptees grapple with the incommensurability of gains and losses—including the complexities of not knowing that accompany it—and navigate racial, cultural, and national (non)belonging in their post-adopted worlds.
Punch-Cutting in Colonial Peru: Printers’ Type, Liberal Reform, and the Freedom of the Press
Authors: Gehbald Agnes
Published: December 2024

Abstract: The study of printing equipment is at the heart of book history, revealing much about the daily challenges faced by printers in the past. While comparatively little is known about printers’ supplies in colonial contexts, the scandal surrounding Tadeo López’ claim in 1813 to have invented type casting offers a unique insight into the craft in late colonial Lima—a major printing hub on the South American continent—during a historic moment of upheaval in the final decade of Spanish rule. Against the backdrop of the freedom of the press, proclaimed in Lima in 1811, print production increased significantly in the following years, even though it would still take a decade to achieve independence for Peru. By reconstructing the alleged invention of punch-cutting and type casting in Lima, the article argues that colonial printers and editors, once legally permitted, acted as reformists. First, the article characterizes the situation of printers in late colonial Lima, focusing on the legal and material restrictions on workshop supplies. The discussion then shifts to the collaboration between the printer Tadeo López and the engraver Marcelo Cabello, who worked as punch-cutter on López’ behalf. To assess the novelty of their experiment, this article examines the history of punch-cutting and the casting of type in Spanish America. For global book history, the Lima incident of 1813 serves as a revealing example of material restrictions, individual inventiveness, and political rivalries that shaped the operation of printing workshops in different parts of the world under imperial conditions.
What We Can(’t) Know Before We Read: Towards a Theory of the Pre-Reading Environment
Authors: Terlunen Milan
Published: December 2024

Abstract: This article proposes a new object of study for understanding how texts relate to communal knowledge: the Pre-Reading Environment. A Pre-Reading Environment is an epistemic object consisting of the advance information people have access to about a given text. A Pre-Reading Environment provides historically variable foreknowledge that, complementary to Jauss’s “horizon of expectation,” is not generic but text-specific. While easily overlooked by scholars, equipped with fuller knowledge derived from their own reading, Pre-Reading Environments are among the most widespread epistemic objects in book history. Turning to two literary texts, Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) and Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life (2015), the article examines how their respective Pre-Reading Environments, in newspapers and on Twitter, strategically concealed key plot points that might pre-emptively spoil the experience of potential readers.
Imagined Readers: Contrasting Professional and Reader Reviews of Chinese Book Design
Authors: Zhang Sun , Cordell Ryan
Published: December 2024

Abstract: The “Beauty of Books in China” is an annual book design competition that represents the highest standard of book design in China. Despite being regarded as successful within the professional sphere, the award-winning books receive varying evaluations from general readers. In the online community “Douban Reading” which boasts a large gathering of Chinese readers, individuals express their opinions through book reviews, often diverging from the intentions of judges and designers. This article centralizes the concept of the “imagined reader” to delineate the aesthetic divergence between professional and general readers in evaluating the material features of award-winning Chinese books. Using the TF-IDF algorithm, this article conducts text analysis on the original judge comments and reader comments, identifies characteristic terms within each group, and shows different reading preference. This research finds that there are gaps between imagined readers and real readers in terms of aesthetic foundation, attitudes towards supplementary design elements, practical skills, and reading contexts. Readers’ comments reflect a distinct contrast to the design-centric view of judges.
Curative Comics: Arigon Starr’s History Lessons
Authors: Bernardin Susan
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT: In 2021, Arigon Starr (enrolled member, Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma) illustrated a COVID comic for The Nib that memorialized the life of a Diné health-care worker. This curative comic directs us to Starr’s broader comics project of reparative mnemonics and generative world-making. A musician, playwright, and comics artist best known for her multivolume Super Indian series, Starr activates history lessons that hinge on the restorative, pedagogical, and animating power of memory. Her comics, and comics-inspired visual storytelling, direct those lessons to an expansive audience with the aim of nourishing abundant Indigenous futures.
Enhanced high brightness DBR tapered diode laser based on polarization match
Authors: Lv Mengyao , Zhou Zhiyu , He Yuwen , Xie Pengfei , Li Yi , Wang Haomiao , Du Weichuan , Gao Songxin , Tang Chun , Wu Deyong
Published: December 2024

Tapered diode lasers, composed of an index-guided ridge waveguide and a gain-guided tapered amplifier, are affected by polarization mismatch between the ridge and tapered sections. Beam quality deterioration is caused by TM high-order modes generated in the ridge section. Under high current injection, these TM modes are further amplified in the tapered section due to polarization mismatch, leading to a decrease in the laser output brightness. In this paper, a combination of deep etching in the ridge section and compressive stress in the tapered section is employed to obtain a fundamental mode seed source with a high TE degree of polarization (DOP), simultaneously improving the polarization match between the ridge and tapered sections. The fabricated tapered diode laser achieves a beam quality factor of M2(1/e2) = 1.2 at an output power of 11.57 W. The peak electro-optical efficiency is 59.8%, and the maximum output brightness reaches 936 MW·cm−2·sr−1.
In-band pumped, high peak-power gain-switched mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser at 1925 nm
Authors: Varsha  , Das Gautam
Published: December 2024

We reported an all-fiber gain-switched mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser operating at 1925 nm. A 1570 nm mode-locked laser with pulse width and repetition rate of 340 ps and 6.54 MHz, respectively, was used as a pump source. We generated gain-switched pulses with a maximum frequency of 25.8 kHz at 126 mW pump power. Mode-locked pulses were simultaneously generated and were visible inside the gain-switched envelope. The pulse width, repetition rate, average power, and peak power of the mode-locked pulses at 1925 nm were 105 ps, 20 MHz, 4.9 mW and 2 W, respectively, at a pump power of 160 mW.
Preliminary evidence of an affirmative mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion-based, non-randomized group intervention with follow-up for sexual minority individuals (Free2Be)
Authors: Seabra Daniel , Gato Jorge , Petrocchi Nicola , Do Céu Salvador Maria
Published: December 2024

Sexual minority (SM) individuals present lower levels of mental health compared to their heterosexual peers. This study aimed to explore the preliminary evidence of a manualized 13-week, face-to-face affirmative group intervention for SM individuals based on mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion-focused techniques (Free2Be). In a single-armed trial design, nine participants received the intervention and were assessed in three moments (baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up). Sexual minority-related stress processes, psychopathological symptoms, and general adaptive and maladaptive psychological processes were assessed. Group comparisons and individual reliable change index analyses were performed. Overall, the results were significant/reliable in the expected direction: an increase in general adaptive psychological processes and a decrease in sexual-minority-related stress processes, psychopathological symptoms, and general maladaptive psychological processes. These changes remained stable over time. Stigma consciousness, shame related to sexual orientation, and fears of self-compassion did not present any relevant change. Self-compassion increased in the post-intervention and decreased in the follow-up, presenting an unstable trajectory. Results suggested that the Free2Be is an intervention with benefits for sexual minority people.