bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lactic acid fermented Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. fruit: suppressive effect of its extracts on angiogenesis
Authors: Lizardo Rona Camille M. , Cho Hyun Dong , Seo Kwon Il
Published: February 2024

Background

Angiogenesis has been considered as one of the hallmarks of tumor progression and cancer malignancy. Meanwhile, the fruit of Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. or cherry silverberry (CS), was found to have strong biological activities including anti-cancer and anti-angiogenesis. In this study, the influence of the extracts of E. multiflora Thunb. fruits fermented by mono- and co-culture of L. plantarum and L. casei on the new blood vessel formation in human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as the underlying mechanism was elucidated.

Results

Sulforhodamine B, scratch wound-healing, Transwell migration, capillary-like tube formation, rat aortic ring assays, and morphological analysis were performed to determine the effect of the fermented fruit extracts on the VEGF-induced angiogenic events (motility, migration, invasion, formation of capillary-like tube, blood vessel sprouting ex vivo). The findings showed that at concentration of 25–50 µg/ml, the extracts of CS fermented by mixed cultures is the most effective in inhibiting angiogenesis in HUVECs. Moreover, analysis of the biomarker proteins related to angiogenesis through Western blot technique showed that the fermented extracts exert their anti-angiogenic activity by regulating the VEGFR2 signaling pathway and its possible downstream targets namely Erk ½ and FAK.

Conclusion

Taken together, the results suggest that the extracts of CS fruits fermented by co-culture of L. plantarum and L. casei has the potential to be utilized in the development of functional food and ingredient with anti-angiogenic properties.

Graphical Abstract
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography [18F-FDG PET CT] in assessment of patients with vocal cord paralysis [VCP] secondary to extra laryngeal neoplastic causes: How is it reliable?
Authors: Mosaad Basant Mohamed Raief , Abdelkader Haytham , Rabie Tahany , Abdelkawi Moustafa
Published: February 2024

Background

The main cause of voice hoarseness is vocal cord palsy (VCP) that may be induced by many diseases that could be due to local laryngeal or extra laryngeal causes, including neoplastic and non-neoplastic entities. Normal vocal cords18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) activity should be symmetric and of low grade higher than the mediastinal background uptake. Vocal cords asymmetrical FDG uptake was a well-known finding in patients with VCP. When recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is suspected, FDG PET and computed tomography (CT) findings can give strong evidence of diagnosis, with ability to diagnose the underlying extra laryngeal neoplastic etiology. Our aim was to assess the sensitivity and accuracy of hybrid FDG PET CT scan in diagnosis of VCP secondary to an extra laryngeal neoplastic cause.

Methods

A retrospective study for 50 patients, presented with hoarseness of voice, referred from Otorhinolaryngology department to outpatient clinical oncology units, with clinically suspected extra laryngeal neoplastic causes of VCP. Left lung cancer was detected in 52% of patients which was the most frequent cause, 10% had right lung cancer, 8% had thyroid cancer, 6% had mediastinal lymphoma, 6% had metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes from breast cancer, and 6% had esophageal carcinoma.

Results

PET CT scan versus CT scan showed true positive results in (44 vs. 29 patient), true negative results in 5 patients in both scans, and false negative in (1 vs. 16 patient), with no false positive in either. Thus, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for PET CT scan versus CT scan were 98% vs. 68%, 100% for both scans, 100% for both scans, 83.3% vs. 23.8%, and 86% vs. 56%, respectively.

Conclusions

FDG PET CT scan plays an important role in diagnosis of oncology-related extra laryngeal causes of VCP, with higher sensitivity, negative predictive value, and accuracy than CT scan. FDG PET CT scan should be included in the workup of VCP if extra laryngeal oncological cause is suspected.
Recommendation systems-based software requirements elicitation process—a systematic literature review
Authors: Akram Faiz , Ahmad Tanvir , Sadiq Mohd.
Published: February 2024

Requirements elicitation is one of the fundamental sub-processes of requirements engineering which is used to find the needs of stakeholders. There are several activities in this sub-process, i.e., identification of stakeholders and their requirements, software requirements prioritization, and analysis. Recommendation systems have been intertwined with the requirements elicitation process to predict the stakeholders’ requirements based on their preferences for functional and non-functional requirements. A number of systematic literature reviews (SLRs) have been carried out in the area of requirements elicitation. These SLRs do not support the applications of the recommendation systems during the requirements elicitation process. To deal with this issue, we present an SLR on recommendation systems-based software requirements elicitation processes, from 2009 to 2022, undertaking four research questions: (a) What are the different activities of the software requirements elicitation methods? (b) What are the applications of recommendation systems in the identification of the software requirements? (c) How the recommendation systems can facilitate the identification of stakeholders in the requirements elicitation process? (d) What are the ways to automate the selection of requirements elicitation techniques? The aim of this study is to identify the research gaps in the area of recommendation systems-based requirements elicitation processes and suggest future research directions.
A Case Report of Elective Bilateral Proximal Intercostal Blocks Used to Prevent Arrhythmia in Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Dubchak Nazar Y. , Lojek Andrei S. B. , Bell Austin G. , Cohen Mitchell I. , Steen Talora L. , Vlassakov Kamen V.
Published: February 2024

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an arrhythmogenic disorder characterized by episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Clinically, patients who have CPVT present with juvenile sudden death or stress-induced syncope. We present a case of an 18-year-old girl with CPVT resistant to traditional pharmacotherapies. Instead of a typical stellate ganglion block (SGB), the patient underwent bilateral continuous proximal intercostal blocks that successfully inhibited arrhythmogenic events. This therapeutic method may provide an alternative to SGBs and demonstrates proof of concept for an early elective intervention to be included in the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for patients with CPVT.
Line Making as Life Writing: Graphic Literacy and Design in Eighteenth-Century Commonplace Books
Authors: Park Julie
Published: January 2024

In this essay, I seek to redefine life writing to encompass the very forms used for recordkeeping in eighteenth-century commonplace books, in the flow of life as it happened, primarily through lines in grids used in indexes for separating pieces of information and designating subject headings. These lines, which functioned as inscriptional marks that required graphic literacy to use, help broaden the conception of manuscript (“written by hand”) to include media other than words formed on a page. John Locke's index-based system for designing commonplace books, devised in A New Method of Making Common-Place Books, as well as various examples of eighteenth-century manuscript commonplace books will be the main objects of focus.
Escaping Nature
Authors: Pilkey Orrin H. , Pilkey Charles O. , Pilkey-Jarvis Linda P. , Longo Norma J. , Pilkey Keith C. , Dodson Fred B. , Hayes Hannah L.
Published: February 2024

Industrial and agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly warming Earth's climate, unleashing rising seas, ocean acidification, melting permafrost, powerful storms, wildfires, floods, deadly heat waves, droughts, tsunamis, food shortages, and armed conflict over shrinking water supplies while reducing nutritional levels in crops. Billions of people will become climate refugees. Hotter temperatures will allow tropical diseases to spread into temperate regions. Higher levels of CO2, allergens, dust, and other particulate matter will impair our physical and mental health and even reduce our cognitive abilities. Climate change disproportionately affects the world's poor. It also harms Nature, and could ultimately trigger a sixth mass extinction. In Escaping Nature, Orrin H. Pilkey and his coauthors offer concrete suggestions for how to respond to the threats posed by global climate change. They argue that while we wait for the world's governments to get serious about mitigating climate change we can adapt to a hotter world through technological innovations, behavioral changes, nature-based solutions, political changes, and education.
Prevalence and incidence of cancer amongst adults with intellectual disability — a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: McMahon Martin , Lynch Louise , Wormald Andrew , Eustace-Cook Jessica , McCarron Mary , McCallion Philip , Smith Valerie
Published: February 2024

Background People with intellectual disabilities have poorer health and die earlier than their peers without identified disabilities. This difference represents a significant inequality. Until recently, it was considered that cancer was less common in this population, mainly because they did not live long enough to develop age-related cancers. However, recent evidence has identified that people with intellectual disabilities may be at an increased risk of developing cancer but more likely to present for medical treatment at a later stage when cancer has spread. Nonetheless, the evidence is lacking and there is a need to understand the prevalence and incidence of cancer and subtypes of cancer in adults with intellectual disabilities. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis will be undertaken to investigate the prevalence and incidence of cancer and subtypes of cancer in adults with an intellectual disability. The JBI Systematic reviews of prevalence and incidence and the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed to develop this protocol. Electronic databases will be searched using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies using the Condition Context Population (CoCoPop) framework. Eligible studies should be observational and have published baseline data that have estimated or presented data on the prevalence or incidence of cancer in adults with intellectual disabilities. To assess the methodological quality of studies included in this review a modified version of the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data will be used. Prevalence and incidence proportions will be analysed separately with individual study data being pooled using the DerSimonian-Laird proportion method and a random effects meta-analysis will be undertaken. Discussion This review will advance the epidemiological evidence to identify where targeted cancer care interventions are needed to help reduce the inequalities that this population experiences. Systematic review registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023423584
The Riddle of the Thread: On Arabic ghazal
Authors: Larsen David
Published: February 2024

Ghazal is the Arabic word for “amatory verse”, and in other languages of the Islamic world it designates a sonnet-like poetic form. The notion that the word stems from Arabic ghazl “spinning thread” is widely held, despite the absence of support for this in classical lexicography and poetry criticism. Comparison to Semitic cognates points to an alternative derivation of ghazal from a verb of speaking – specifically, speech that is ambiguous and suggestive – by way of attraction to the gazelle (Arabic ghazāl), an ancient Near Eastern idiom for the beloved. While ghazal poetry emerged in Western Arabia during the first century of Islam, the genesis of ghazal as a term of art predates the literary record, as may be appreciated in a poem by ʿAmr ibn Qamīʾa (6th century CE) that has been called the earliest complete qaṣīda in Arabic manuscript tradition.
Trzy niepokoje (nie tylko historyka myśli politycznej)
Authors: Szlachta Bogdan
Published: February 2024

The twenty-first century will face many issues which occupy the historian of political thought. Three of these issues are presented in the proposed text as concerning. The first concerns the incorrect understanding of liberal democracy in ‘colloquialism’ as still reaching for the universal value of negatively understood individual rights or human rights, and for a similar value of their ‘normative safeguards’. The second is related to the successive phases of ‘disputes about multiculturalism’, in which ‘ethnicity’ is treated similarly to ‘religion’ and closed in the ‘sphere of privacy’. Finally, the third introduces attempts to defend that which is old, defining the majority group by conservatives for whom culture still matters.
Monitoring thyroid function during amiodarone use
Authors: Sharma Priya , Sheikh Riyad , Siribaddana Nipuna , Sathyanarayanan Abilash , Fernando Devaka , Muraleedharan Vakkat
Published: January 2024

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug used to treat cardiac tachyarrhythmias. It has many adverse effects, with thyroid dysfunction one of the most notable. Through various mechanisms, both thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism can occur secondary to amiodarone therapy. There are two types of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis: type 1 occurs in those with pre-existing thyroid disease and is treated with thionamide, whereas type 2 occurs in those without and is treated with glucocorticoids. Patients with amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism may be given levothyroxine to replace thyroid hormone, but in some cases, the appropriate management may be cessation of amiodarone.
Prevalence of Ixodidae Ticks and its Associated Risk Factors in Local Breed (Zebu) Cattle at Mao Komo Special District Benishangul Gumuz Regional States, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Abriham , Mitiku Abdisa , Tilahun Ayansa , Oli Yemane , Gutata Melaku
Published: January 2024

Ixodidae ticks are an ectoparasites of cattle that can cause huge economic loss in cattle. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to November 2020 in Mao Komo special district of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of hard tick infestation and to identify the tick species prevalent in the study areas. A total of 384 Local breed cattle were randomly selected from the district and examined for the presence of tick’s infestation. Out of the total examined animals, 286(74.74%) were found to be infested by one or more tick species. Four genera of ticks: Amblyomma, Boophilus (recently Rhipicephalus), Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma were identified. Amblyomma was the most dominant tick genera 38.05% followed by Rhipicephalus 33.58%, Boophilus 24.93% and Hyalomma 3.48 % was the least recorded genera in the study of areas. According to present study, the tick had strong preference for dewlap (19.09%), udder, (18.35%) perineum (16.61%) scrotum, (13.02%) flank (12.71%) Genital 10.15%) and Ear part (10.05%) respectively. The prevalence of tick infestation was studied along with the risk factors like age, sex, body conditions of the animals. However, there was no significant association between these risk factors and tick infestation. Also, the association between tick infestation and body parts of animals were studied and significant association was found. Generally, the study indicated that high tick infestation of different genera on Local breed cattle was found in each Kebeles of the district and it necessitates control measures against those economically important genera of ticks.
Impacts of edge effects on the invasion of alien plant species in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, Indonesia
Authors: MAS'UD WARDIMAN , MAULANY RISMA ILLA , PUTRA PUTU SUPADMA , NGAKAN PUTU OKA
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Mas’ud W, Maulany RI, Putra PS, Ngakan PO. 2023. Impacts of edge effects on the invasion of alien plant species in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 6160-6168. Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) are a threat to biodiversity and natural ecosystems. Factors influencing the IAPS distribution are well-known, but the impact of edge effects on the distribution is rarely discussed. This study aims to reveal the effect of differences in physical environmental factors along the edge effect gradient on the distribution of IAPS in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Twenty-five line transects were established where 125 plots (20m x 20m) were systematically located to analyze the density, dominance, and distribution of IAPS on the edge bordering natural forest ecosystems and anthropogenically disturbed areas. Of the 21 IAPS found, 95.2% were distributed in clumps and 4.8% at random. As the light intensity decreases significantly (r = 0.042; p = 0.029) with the increasing distance from the edge to the forest interior, the IAPS density decreases significantly (r = -0.512; p = 0.0001). Species of IAPS that experienced a decrease in individuals were those with a habitus of herbs and shrubs. Considering that the seedlings were found to spread outside their mother tree stands, Swietenia macrophylla King. and Maesopsis eminii Engl. are suspected to be long-lived IAPS that have the potential to spread to natural karst forest ecosystems, so they need to be monitored continuously.
Morphological study and DNA fingerprint pattern of Goniothalamus tapis and G. umbrosus (Annonaceae) using M13 marker and its taxonomic implication
Authors: MAHADI IMAM , FATHURRAHMAN FATHURRAHMAN , SOFIYANTI NERY , SUSATYA AGUS
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Mahadi I, Fathurrahman F, Sofiyanti N, Susatya A. 2023. Morphological study and DNA fingerprint pattern of Goniothalamus tapis and G. umbrosus (Annonaceae) using M13 marker and its taxonomic implication. Biodiversitas 24: 6299-6306. The species of Goniothalamus (Blume) JD Hooker & Thomson (Annonaceae) is widely considered a source of traditional medicine and containsoniothalamin, which is used for anti-cancer and anti-bacterial drugs. Goniothalamus tapis and G. umbrosus are traditional medicines in Sumatra, Indonesia, and Malaysia Peninsula, respectively. The community uses this plant as a source of traditional medicinal ingredients. Clinically, Goniothalamus contains the compound goniothalamin, an anti-cancer and anti-bacterial drug. The existence of this plant is gradually maintained. G. tapis is often used as a traditional medicine for the Malay community in Sumatra, and G. umbrosus is widely used by the Malay community in the Peninsular Malaysia. These two plants are morphologically similar, but the two species are different. Some researchers consider these plants to be the same. For this reason, it needs to be studied by combining two methods, both molecular and morphological. G. tapis and G. umbrosus are species of the Goniothalamus distributed in Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Their taxonomic status needs to be clarified due to the morphological character similarity. This study aimed to study the morphological characters of G. tapis and G. umbrosus as well as their DNA fingerprint pattern using M13 Marker. The morphological examination showed that G. tapis and G. umbrosus characters are distinguished by leaf, flower, and fruit. This result is supported by a DNA fingerprint pattern using an M13 marker. The results show that these two species are different both in terms of morphology and fingerprints. So, it can be concluded that these two species are different.
Genetic diversity and proximate analysis of Indonesian local mung bean (Vigna radiata)
Authors: AFZA HIGA , PALUPI ENDAH RETNO , HERLINA LINA , ILYAS SATRIYAS
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Afza H, Palupi ER, Herlina L, Ilyas S. 2023. Genetic diversity and proximate analysis of Indonesian local mung bean (Vigna radiata). Biodiversitas 24: 6377-6388. Mung bean is an important food crop because it has a high protein content. However, not much information is available about Indonesian local mung beans. This study aimed to obtain information about flowering and seed formation in local mung beans (Vigna radiata L.) to determine the genetic diversity of mung beans using simple sequence repeats and the protein, starch, fat, and ash content. Mung bean seeds of 15 genotypes were obtained from the Indonesian Agricultural Gene Bank collection. The experiment was arranged using a one-factor randomized complete block design. Genotypes with a low degree of non-synchrony of pod maturity (DDd) were Local Bima and Arta Koneng 01070. The highest fruit set was observed in the Madura Local accession (73.09%). The accumulated value of heat units was calculated as growing degree days; the heat units from planting to the first flowering ranged from 544.6-670°C and from planting to the first ripe pod (heatd2) and 90% ripe pod (heatd3) phases ranged from 819.7-933.7°C and 1,111.9-1,419.1°C. Phylogenetic tree construction was made based on scoring of the presence of alleles that appeared on the electrophoresis results of 12 microsatellite markers on 15 mung bean genotypes. The superior varieties, Vima1 and Walet, were separated from the other 13 local genotypes at a genetic similarity coefficient of 0.583. The protein contents of the tested mung bean genotypes were 19.19%-23.06%.
Introduction: Ihara Saikaku and Eighteenth-Century Studies
Authors: Bartoszyńska Katarzyna
Published: February 2024

Abstract: This introduction offers Ihara Saikaku's work as a prime example of the need to globalize eighteenth-century studies and briefly sketches some of the challenges of such a task, focusing particularly on how emerging frameworks of world literature engage existing literary categories, particularly realism. Though reading Saikaku's work as realist makes sense in many ways and facilitates his inclusion into existing paradigms of the field, it also risks flattening his work or only engaging aspects of it that would accord with those categories.
Pretty Young Gentleman: Margery Pinchwife's Queer Embodiment in The Country Wife
Authors: Kocher Ziona
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Margery Pinchwife's cross-dressed appearance at the New Exchange in the third act of The Country Wife serves as a crucial turning point for the play's titular character, exposing her to queer pleasures and possibilities. By considering her within the context of the career and reputation of Elizabeth Boutell, who originated the role in 1675, and the ways in which breeches roles were constructed on the Restoration stage, Wycherley's naïve heroine proves to be a model of genderqueer embodiment, even as she is used as a pawn in the games of male homosociality that drive many queer readings of the play. A careful examination of the gender collages that Margery produces over the course of the play highlights her genderqueer potential, running counter to the commonly held view of her as little more than the silly, sheltered wife of a jealous and abusive husband. Rather, Margery stretches the boundaries of gender-sexuality despite the patriarchal hierarchies that try to contain her, illustrating the potential agency granted by gender non-conformity.
Introduction: Venice, Real and Imagined
Authors: Zanini-Cordi Irene
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Despite its steady political decline, Venice was still a bustling center of commerce in the long eighteenth century and boasted a vivacious social and cultural life that attracted tourists and artists. The uniqueness of the city elicited a productive interplay between reality and imagination in the visual arts and in the memories of visitors. François-René de Chateaubriand, however, was unimpressed by Venice during his first visit in 1806. His letter to a friend laconically chronicling his negative view of the city was published in the Mercure de France and spurred a lively debate. The Venetian noblewoman, writer, and salonnière Giustina Renier Michiel countered the French writer's disdain for her city with a scathing, public response that solidified her fame and reputation for patriotism. Indeed, as Susan Dalton argues, Renier Michiel incorporated "strategic accommodations" in her response in order to safeguard her literary fame. One of the most fascinating aspects of Venice's uniqueness was this type of female agency and visibility, which was embodied by famous poets of the Renaissance like Gaspara Stampa and Veronica Franco and by celebrated eighteenth-century artists like Rosalba Carriera. Nevertheless, as John Hunt's essay demonstrates, female visibility and agency in Venice transcended social class. Even women of the lower classes partook in the city's political life thanks to their freedom of movement and access to valuable information. Records of witchcraft trials testify that some of them, in fact, exploited Venetians' passion for gambling and claimed to have the power to magically predict the names of the noblemen who would win elections.
Curating Zilia: The Temple du soleil in Graffigny's Lettres d'une Péruvienne
Authors: Kelley Diane
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Françoise de Graffigny's Lettres d'une Péruvienne repeatedly highlights a collection of Peruvian treasures. Graffigny's description of these objects, both when they are on display in Zilia's private room in a French convent and in the Temple du soleil in her country house at the end of the novel, invokes a vocabulary drawn from eighteenth-century French standards of stylish interior design and private collecting. Social status in eighteenth-century France was performative; demonstrating one's own good taste with the displays in a well-decorated room or a private collection communicated that one belonged to the elite. Graffigny's contemporaries would have recognized that the descriptions of the arrangement of the Peruvian objects affirms Zilia's social value—and also that of her would-be lover, the chevalier de Déterville. Déterville, disinherited so that his older brother could keep the family wealth intact, is not able to easily demonstrate his belonging. However, his curation of the Temple de soleil helps rehabilitate his social status, and, at the same time, further contributes to his control over Zilia. Paying attention to the ways in which the Peruvian objects are displayed in the context of contemporary interior decoration and private collections ultimately destabilizes the dominant feminist interpretation of Zilia's final independence.
Study of the free carrier characteristics and surface morphology of AlGaAs/GaAs thin films deposited using MOCVD
Authors: Liu Wei , Ji Xiaochuan , Dai Jianglin , Zhang Jinlong , Jiao Hongfei , Cheng Xinbin , Wang Zhanshan
Published: February 2024

Ultra-low loss optical thin films find broad applications in fields such as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and optical atomic clocks. The main optical losses in AlGaAs/GaAs distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) prepared using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) arise from absorption loss caused by free carriers within the layers and scattering loss caused by surface roughness. In this study, we fabricated AlGaAs and GaAs single-layer thin films with varying Al compositions on substrates of three crystal orientations and under different V/III ratios. The dependence of carrier concentration and surface morphology on different substrates and growth conditions was investigated. Thin films grown on substrates with three different crystal orientations exhibited three distinct growth modes (step-flow mode, SK mode, and FM mode). The impact of the V/III ratio on the growth mode was found to be complex. Higher V/III ratios resulted in poorer morphology for films grown on (100) substrates, while better morphology was observed on (211) B substrates. Furthermore, the surface morphology of films grown on (100) 15° off substrates showed less sensitivity to changes in the V/III ratio. With increasing Al composition, the carrier concentration of the films significantly increased. Elevating the V/III ratio proved effective in suppressing the incorporation of carbon, thereby reducing the carrier concentration of AlGaAs films. GaAs films exhibited a low carrier concentration at an appropriate V/III ratio. Additionally, the distinct abilities of different substrates to adsorb impurities exerted a significant impact on the carrier concentration of the films. This study demonstrates that, under optimal conditions, it is feasible to fabricate AlGaAs/GaAs Bragg mirrors with low carrier concentration and relatively small roughness on (100) 15° off substrates.
Quartz as an accurate high-field low-cost THz helicity detector
Authors: Frenzel Maximilian , Urban Joanna M. , Nest Leona , Kampfrath Tobias , Spencer Michael S. , Maehrlein Sebastian F.
Published: February 2024

Emerging concepts employing angular momentum of THz light for ultrafast
material control rely on the measurement of undistorted intense THz
fields and on the precise knowledge about sophisticated THz helicity
states. Here, we establish z-cut α-quartz as a precise electro-optic THz
detector for full amplitude, phase, and polarization measurement of
highly intense THz fields, all at a fraction of costs of conventional
THz detectors. We experimentally determine its detector response
function, in excellent agreement with our modeling. Thereupon, we
develop a swift and reliable protocol to precisely measure arbitrary
THz polarization and helicity states. This two-dimensional
electro-optic sampling in α-quartz fosters rapid and
cost-efficient THz time-domain ellipsometry and enables the
characterization of polarization-tailored fields for driving chiral or
other helicity-sensitive quasi-particles and topologies.
Association of hypoglycemic events with cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Protocol for a dose-response meta-analysis
Authors: Ye Min , Yuan Ai Hong , Yang Qi Qi , Li Qun Wei , Li Fei Yue , Wei Yan
Published: February 2024

Introduction

With an incidence rate as high as 46%-58%, hypoglycemia is a common complication of glycemic management among those suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). According to preclinical research, hypoglycemia episodes may impair cognition by harming neurons. However, there is still controversy regarding the clinical evidence for the relationship between hypoglycemic events and the likelihood of cognitive impairment. Furthermore, little research has been done on the dose-response association between hypoglycemia incidents and the possibility of cognitive impairment. To address these knowledge gaps, the present research intends to update the comprehension of the association among hypoglycemic events and the risk of cognitive impairment and to clarify the correlation between dose and response by incorporating the most recent investigations.

Method and analysis

This work has developed a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis that will examine, via a well-organized assessment of several databases, the relationship between the incidence of hypoglycemia and the probability of cognitive impairment. Observational studies investigating the connection between hypoglycemia episodes and cognitive impairment will be included. The databases that will be searched are PubMed, Web of Science, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Cochrane Library, Embase, the China National Knowledge (CNKI), Wan Fang, the Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and Du Xiu. Literature from the establishment of each database to December 2023 will be included in the search. Two researchers will independently screen the studies that satisfy the requirements for both inclusion and exclusion. A third researcher will be asked to mediate any disputes. The methodological caliber of the studies included will be assessed utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) or the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal method. With regard to GRADE, which stands for Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation, the quality of the evidence will be evaluated. ROBIS Tool will be used to evaluate the risk of bias in the development of the systematic review. If the data is accessible, meta-analysis and dose-response curve analysis will be employed by Stata software. However, if the data does not allow for such analysis, a descriptive review will be performed.

Discussion and conclusion

Hypoglycemic episodes may raise the likelihood of cognitive impairment, according to earlier investigations. This study will update the relevant evidence and explore the dose-response connection between hypoglycemic episodes and cognitive impairment. The results of this review will have significant effects on decision-making by individuals with diabetes, healthcare providers, and government policy institutions.

Trial registration

Prospero registration number: CRD42023432352.
Prevalence of body mass index categories among adults living alone in China: Observational study
Authors: Li Zhixuan , Yan Mengmeng , Liu Yingying
Published: February 2024

Background

Adults living alone represent a growing population group in China. Understanding the prevalence of body mass index (BMI) categories and their associations with demographic and lifestyle factors among this group is essential for informing targeted interventions and public health policies.

Methods

In this population-based cross-sectional study, we used individual-level data from the 2011–2021 China General Social Survey. Main outcomes were prevalence of BMI categories adjusted for gender and age, using logistic regression and model-predicted marginal prevalence to estimate BMI categories prevalence.

Results

We analyzed 9,077 single-living Chinese adult participants. The primary-adjusted prevalence of BMI categories varied across different genders and age groups. Underweight was more prevalent in females (12.73%; 95% CI: 12.31% - 13.14%) than in males (7.54%; 95% CI: 7.19% - 7.88%), while overweight and obesity were higher in males. Primary-adjusted underweight prevalence was highest among the 18–24 years age group (22.09%; 95% CI: 20.17% - 24.01%) and decreased with age. Primary-adjusted overweight prevalence increased with age, peaking in the 45–54 years age group (41.94%; 95% CI: 40.96% - 42.93%). Primary-adjusted obesity prevalence exhibited a fluctuating pattern across age groups, with the highest prevalence observed in the 45–54 years age group (9.81%; 95% CI: 9.19% - 10.44%).

Conclusion

Our findings reveal significant associations between BMI categories and demographic and lifestyle factors among adults living alone in China. These results can inform targeted interventions and public health policies aimed at promoting healthy weight management and addressing the unique health challenges faced by single-living individuals in China.
Álvarez, N. (2023). Radiografías de la monstruosidad insólita hispánica (1980-2022). Iberomaericana/ Vervuet
Authors: Álvarez Iglesias Juan
Published: February 2024

Reseña del libro: Álvarez, N. (2023). Radiografías de la monstruosidad insólita hispánica (1980-2022). Iberoamericana/Vervuert, 393 pp., ISBN: 978-84-9192-356-5.
Photocatalytic and Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) of Novel Supercritical Fluid Synthesized Nanobiocomposite MoS2/Silk G
Authors: Chetana S. , Guddappa Halligudra , Upadhyay Sanjay , Joshi Naveen Chandra , Niraj Kumar  , Choudhary Priyvart , Thakur Vikas N.
Published: January 2024

The photocatalytic activity and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of MoS2 and silk graphene (silk G) composite synthesized using supercritical fluids and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods were investigated for their potential application in photocatalysis.  This material was subjected to characterize by XRD, TEM, SEM and FTIR techniques to demonstrate that MoS2/silk G composite still  existed in the supercritical fluids methods obtained MoS2 & MoS2/silk G. The optical features of MoS2 was improved by introduction of  silk G, which inturn caused shift in band gap from 1.65 to 1.85 eV. Within visible region, creation of high electron-hole pairs is possible  by adequate band gap modifications. The fast movement of photo-induced charge carrier can be enhanced by silk G as they decrease  the recombination activity. Additionally, the MoS2/silk G shows high oxygen evolution reaction with low Tafel slope of 157.2 mV dec-1  and low overpotential of 603 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. The present study signifies that with addition of silk G in the MoS2  host improved the photocatalytic activity by 13% and electrocatalytic activity by nearly 5% compared to bare MoS2 nanoparticles.
Apresentação do Dossiê Devires Decoloniais
Authors: Vieira Marco Antônio , Sá Alexandre
Published: January 2024

Este texto apresenta o dossiê Devires Decoloniais: Resistências, Impasses, Estratégia, concebido para o periódico Ouvirouver, ao mesmo tempo em que explora a genealogia epistêmica da decolonialidade, propondo uma análise crítica da emergência da mobilização decolonial no campo expandido das artes e da cultura, suas especificidades, resistências, impasses e estratégias como projeto em curso.
Violencia Filio-Parental. Aspectos penales, procesales y criminológicos
Authors: Jiménez Arroyo Sandra
Published: February 2024

En los últimos años están proliferado los casos de violencia filio-parental (VFP) de forma alarmante. Se trata de situaciones donde los progenitores, especialmente las madres, son maltratados por sus hijos e hijas menores de edad. Atendiendo a los datos de la Fiscalía General del Estado en sus memorias anuales, el número de expedientes abiertos a menores bajo la rúbrica “violencia doméstica hacia ascendientes y hermanos” ha llegado a suponer casi un 21% del total de expedientes incoados a nivel nacional por cualquier tipología delictiva (2020), posicionándose durante los últimos seis años registrados como el tercer delito más cometido por personas menores de edad (2017-2022). Sin embargo, es el tipo de violencia doméstica menos analizado en nuestro país, y la mayor parte de los estudios e investigaciones existentes adolecen de una falta de visión jurídica y de una perspectiva de género. Este trabajo nace con la vocación de suplir las carencias mencionadas, aportando un examen criminológico, penal y procesal de dicho fenómeno, al que se suma, de forma transversal, un análisis de género, mostrando los resultados de un estudio cuantitativo elaborado a partir de una muestra judicial de más de 700 casos. Así, en la primera sección de la obra se realiza una aproximación a la VFP como fenómeno criminológico, donde se lleva a cabo un recorrido histórico a nivel internacional y nacional sobre los distintos términos y significados utilizados para designar este tipo de agresiones, se examinan las cifras publicadas por distintas instituciones en los últimos años, y se destacan las variables sociales, individuales y familiares más relevantes en la explicación de este problema. La segunda sección se centra en la respuesta jurisdiccional que el derecho penal otorga a la VFP, destacando, entre otras cuestiones, los distintos tipos penales bajo los cuales se califican las conductas perpetradas por el menor infractor. Y, finalmente, en la tercera sección se analizan todas las fases del proceso penal de menores, detallando las distintas especialidades que aparecen en los casos de VFP, y se examinan las medidas susceptibles de ser aplicadas, las impuestas con mayor frecuencia y sus particularidades en estos supuestos, así como, las tasas de reincidencia.
Institutionalization in Turkish sports club: The case of Galatasaray
Authors: Avşar Uğur , Kurtipek Serkan
Published: February 2024

This study aims to evaluate institutionalization in Turkish sports clubs from a financial perspective and analyze it in terms of management practices through the case of Galatasaray Sports Club. In the study, the mixed method in which quantitative and qualitative methods are used, respectively, financial analysis and document analysis, was preferred. According to the analysis, it can be said that low-cost and high value-added sporting achievements may be needed to ensure a financially sustainable management approach. Accordingly, it is among the findings of the study that it is important to create a system for institutionalization rather than highlighting individuals for success. Based on all the analyses, it has been concluded that institutionalization has not been achieved in the Club management in terms of financial and managerial aspects. It is considered essential for the institutionalization of Galatasaray that management is elected with the increase in the number of members, professional managers whose responsibilities are determined by the statute and whose salaries are announced in the general assembly, and sports achievements with high added value to be achieved with the athletes coming out of the club's equity.
(Extended English summary is at the end of this document)
Özet
Bu çalışma, Türk spor kulüplerindeki kurumsallaşmayı finansal açıdan değerlendirmeyi ve yönetim uygulamaları açısından analiz etmeyi Galatasaray Spor Kulübü örneği üzerinden yapmayı amaçlamaktadır.  Çalışmada finansal analiz ve doküman analizi olmak üzere, sırasıyla nicel ve nitel yöntemin kullanıldığı karma yöntem tercih edilmiştir. Yapılan analizlere göre finansal açıdan sürdürülebilir yönetim anlayışının sağlanabilmesi için düşük maliyetli ve yüksek katma değerli sportif başarılara ihtiyaç duyulabileceği söylenebilmektedir. Bu kapsamda ülkemizin spor yatırımlarının uluslararası düzeyde karşılığını sağlayabilecek, sürdürülebilir finansal kaynakları içsel değerleriyle oluşturan ve Kulübün kültürüyle uyumlu kurumsallaşma ilkelerini özümseyen bir yönetim anlayışı benimsenebilecektir. Bu doğrultuda başarı için kişilerin öne çıkarılmasından ziyade kurumsallaşmaya yönelik sistemin oluşması çalışmanın bulguları arasındadır. Tüm analizlere bağlı olarak Kulüp yönetiminde finansal ve yönetsel açıdan kurumsallaşmanın sağlanamadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Üye sayısının artmasıyla seçilecek bir yönetimin, sorumlulukları tüzükle belirlenmiş ve maaşları genel kurulda açıklanan profesyonel yöneticilerin ve Kulüp öz kaynaklarından çıkacak sporcularla elde edilecek katma değeri yüksek sportif başarıların Galatasaray’ın kurumsallaşması için önemli görülmektedir.
A cross-culture analysis of risk perception and purchase intention in Vietnamese and Hungarian e-commerce
Authors:   Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pécs, Hungary, Thi Van Anh Pham , Nagy Ákos ,   Marketing and Tourism Department, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pécs, Hungary, Ngo Trung Minh ,   Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pécs, Hungary, Ngo Duc Minh ,   Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam
Published: February 2024

This paper examines the role of uncertainty avoidance (a cultural feature at the individual level) in the effect of risk perception and consumers’ behavioural intention in e-commerce. Further, we attempt to distinguish between conventional (cognitive) perceived risks and risk-related feelings of consumers when shopping online. To this end, we utilise a sample of 603 online shoppers from Hungary and Vietnam. Data is analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results reveal two different aspects of risk (i.e., perceived risk and risk-related feelings) and highlight that the online decision journey is twofold and influenced by the presence of emotions. Moreover, the result also indicates that the level of uncertainty avoidance works as a moderator in the effect of perceived risk on consumer purchase intention. The more consumers are risk-averse, the stronger the negative impact of perceived risk is on their purchase intention. Our results have considerable theoretical implications. We enrich the existing literature on risk perception in consumer behaviour by incorporating the view of cross-culture and risk-related feelings. Further, we provide meaningful, practical implications for Asian e-businesses as well as worldwide.
Endomarketing y comunicación en las organizaciones
Authors: Rodríguez Illera Katherine
Published: February 2024

En este capítulo se presenta una propuesta de endomarketing que pone de relieve el reconocimiento y la reconstrucción de la oferta de valor como estrategia de diferenciación en la industria y ventaja competitiva, toda vez que la organización comunique un concepto atractivo, innovador y sostenible. Para ello, en un primer momento se aborda el desarrollo del concepto de endomarketing haciendo énfasis en la comunicación como mecanismo de influencia social y herramienta para gestionar las acciones tendientes al logro de los objetivos corporativos alineados con el bienestar individual, grupal, organizacional y social; se propone el análisis de las interacciones que se presentan en la comunicación que se desarrolla entre la organización, las personas que la conforman, los clientes externos y el mercado; posteriormente, se describe el proceso de evaluación, diagnóstico e intervención, presentando como guía unas preguntas orientadoras que faciliten el diseño del plan de acción y de mejora continua
Detection of Geographic Information System Security Hazards in the IoT Based on Network Security Situation Awareness
Authors: Wang Ben , Zhao Qing , Wei Guichen
Published: February 2024

The geographic information system (GIS) is the important system these days for navigation and directing the routes. In order to detect the security risks of the GIS efficiently and accurately and to protect the security of the GIS, a GIS security risk detection method in the Internet of Things based on network security situational awareness has been proposed. The data preprocessing method based on the operation data of the GIS is adopted. The normalized and standardized processing of the operation data of the GIS is devised to reduce the dimensional difference between the data and the geographical areas. This will facilitate the subsequent applications of the GIS to make better decisions by preserving the security. The redundant data in the GIS operation data are removed by using feature reduction algorithms through the acquisition method. The security elements based on enhanced probabilistic neural network are inferred, and the useful data samples are obtained as the security elements detection set. A rough set theory is also used to realize geographic security hidden danger identification. The experimental results show that the proposed method is efficient to maintain security and to detect the geographic security risk detection within a short span of time. The detection result accuracy is high, which meets the GIS application requirements.