bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modern Mexico
Authors: Huck   Jr. James D.
Published: November 2023

This single volume reference resource offers students, scholars, and general readers alike an in-depth background on Mexico, from the complexity of its pre-Columbian civilizations to its social and political development in the context of Western civilization.

How did modern Mexico become a nation of multicultural diversity and rich indigenous traditions? What key roles do Mexico’s non-Western, pre-Columbian indigenous heritage and subsequent development as a major center in the Spanish colonial empire play the country’s identity today? How is Mexico today both Western and non-Western, part Native American and part European, simultaneously traditional and modern?

Modern Mexico is a thematic encyclopedia that broadly covers the nation’s history, both ancient and modern; its government, politics, and economics; as well as its culture, religion traditions, philosophy, arts, and social structures. Additional topics include industry, labor, social classes and ethnicity, women, education, language, food, leisure and sport, and popular culture. Sidebars, images, and a Day in the Life feature round out the coverage in this accessible, engaging volume. Readers will come to understand how Mexico and the Mexican people today are the result of the processes of transculturation, globalization, and civilizational contact.
Modern Philippines
Authors: Abinales Patricio N.
Published: November 2023

Ideal for students, this comprehensive thematic encyclopedia focuses on the Philippines, an important archipelago nation in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines is a nation that has experience being ruled by two separate colonial powers, home to a people who have had strong attachments to democratic politics, with a culture that is a rich mix of Chinese, Spanish, and American influences. What are important characteristics of contemporary daily life and culture in the Philippines today?

This volume explores the geography, history, and society of this important island nation. Thematic chapters examine topics such as government and politics, history, food, etiquette, education, gender, marriage and sexuality, media and popular culture, music, art, and more. Each chapter opens with a general overview of the topic and is followed by alphabetically arranged entries that home in even closer on the topic. Sidebars and illustrations appear throughout the text, and appendixes cover a glossary, facts and figures, holidays chart, and vignettes that paint a picture of a typical “Day in the Life” of students and adults in the country. A bibliography rounds out the work. Modern Philippines is a comprehensive volume on this leading Southeast Asia island nation.
Modern Spain
Authors: López Enrique Ávila
Published: November 2023

Fulfilling the need for English-source material on contemporary Spain, this book supplies readers with an in-depth, interdisciplinary guide to the country of Spain and its intricate, diverse culture.

Far from a usual reference book, Modern Spain takes the reader through the country's history, economy, and politics as well as topics that address Spain's popular culture, such as food, sports, and sexuality. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of its content, this book differs from the average typical English manuals that very rarely cover in depth the whole array of interesting issues that define Spain in the 21st century. The vast amount of information makes this book the perfect companion for any reader wishing to learn more about Spain.

Packed with current facts and statistics, this book offers an unbiased view of a modern country, making it an ideal source for undergraduate students and scholars.
A New Biology of Religion
Authors: Steinberg Michael
Published: November 2023

This study provides a fresh look at the debate between science and religion that documents how the experiences produced by spiritual practice are surprisingly consistent with the findings of modern biology, despite the difficulty in reconciling scientific theories and religious dogma.

This book is unique in its focus on bodily experience as an independent source of knowledge and insight, an important aspect of recent discoveries in neurology and psychology. By rethinking what it is to be human and what role self-consciousness plays, it finds striking points of intersection between science and religion and challenges readers to rediscover their spiritual connections to the physical world.

Combining scientific rigor with the spiritual quest, A New Biology of Religion: Spiritual Practice and the Life of the Body reframes the science-religion debate. This profound work examines how all things are connected—both scientifically and spiritually—and shows how religious practices mirror the biological processes of life.
The Nobel Peace Prize
Authors: Heffermehl Fredrik S.
Published: November 2023

In this groundbreaking and controversial critique of the selections of Nobel Peace Prize winners, an eminent Norwegian lawyer and peace activist calls for its return to legal and moral compliance with the will of Alfred Nobel who wished to support disarmament to prevent war.

The Nobel Peace Prize is the world's most coveted award, galvanizing the world's attention for 110 years. In recent decades, it has also become the world's most reviled award, as heads of militarized states and out-and-out warmongers and terrorists have been showered with peace prizes. Delving into previously unpublished primary sources, Fredrik Heffermehl reveals the history of the inner workings of the Norwegian Nobel Committee as it has come under increasing political, geopolitical, and commercial pressures to make inappropriate awards.

As a Norwegian lawyer, Heffermehl makes the case that the Norwegian politicians entrusted with the Nobel peace awards have brushed aside the legal requirements in Scandinavian estate law using the prize to promote their own political and personal interests instead of the peace ideas Alfred Nobel had in mind. Evaluating each of the 119 Nobel Peace Prizes awarded between 1901 and 2009, the author tracks the ever-widening divergence of the committee's selections from Nobel's intentions and concludes that all but one of the last ten prizes are illegitimate under the law.
Now That He’s Out
Authors: Kantor Martin
Published: November 2023

Written by a longtime psychiatrist who is himself gay, this unique guide will help parents deal with discovering they have a gay son, allowing them to more comfortably “come out of their closet as their son comes out of his.”

This is the first book to focus on the parents of gay sons and the mixed feelings they may have following a son’s revelation that he is gay. On the one hand, parents want to be honest and open both about and with their son. On the other, they sometimes wish to cover up or ignore their son’s sexuality—then are ashamed of themselves for feeling that way. The goal of this book is to enable parents to come to terms with such complex emotions so they can enjoy a genuine, positive relationship with a gay son.

Using examples from the author's psychiatric practice and from his interactions with friends and relatives with gay sons, the first section of the book discusses the issues parents face, or think they will face, raising a gay son. The second part analyzes the causes of problems, while the third provides “therapy” devoted to helping parents manage and resolve negative or contradictory feelings and uncertainty. A bonus chapter suggests ways gay sons can help their parents parent them in a supportive, mutually beneficial way.
Personality, Political Leadership, and Decision Making
Authors: Krasno Jean , LaPides Sean
Published: November 2023

This psychological study dissects the characteristics of 20 world leaders—both men and women—profiling the factors that formed their personalities and revealing how certain traits have shaped their political decisions.

Many wonder what it takes to be a leader. Is it a natural or learned set of skills? This book examines the personalities of a selected group of political leaders, analyzes the forces that formed their nature—most notably their leadership tendencies—and then demonstrates how character has shaped important political decisions made during their regime. The authors profile 20 different leaders from across five continents, deriving shared personality traits and defining specific leadership styles based on characteristics and circumstances.

The work begins by introducing the field of political psychology and explaining the theoretical framework used in studying the leadership personalities covered in the book. An analysis of leadership across the world considers several types of regimes: authoritarian leaders in non-democratic and democratic societies, authoritarian mixed types, flexible and pragmatic types, and those who combine flexibility with delegation. The text concludes by comparing leaders across time and location, discussing interaction between specific heads of state. Leaders profiled include Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Saddam Hussein, Václav Havel, Angela Merkel, and Emperor Hirohito, among others.
Political Economy
Authors: Clark Barry
Published: November 2023

This nontechnical book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary survey of political economy that can easily be understood by any reader with an introductory-level background in economics.

As 21st-century political debate becomes polarized across ideological lines, students and citizens need to understand the underlying values on which contending arguments are based. The current political gridlock calls for a deeper appreciation of the competing perspectives in political economy. Now revamped for a third edition, Political Economy: A Comparative Approach supplies a truly interdisciplinary examination of the development and evolution of political economy from the Enlightenment onward, drawing material from the realms of political theory, sociology, philosophy, and history as well as from economics to present detailed comparisons of competing perspectives on a variety of current issues.

The book begins with an introduction to political economy that provides readers with an overview of the historical development of the discipline, followed by in-depth analyses of four ideological perspectives in political economy—Classical Liberalism, Radicalism, Conservatism, and Modern Liberalism. The author then applies each of the four ideological perspectives to a range of contemporary issues, such as the role of government, economic instability, poverty, labor relations, discrimination, education, culture, the environment, and international trade. Readers will gain insight into the methods and practice of political economics as well as better understand the history of political/economic thought and the effects of historical processes—European industrialization, for example—on modern debates.
The Paradoxes of Japan's Cultural Identity
Authors: Starrs Roy
Published: November 2023

Japan is widely regarded as having a unique culture and a strong national identity. Paradoxically, however, many basic elements of Japanese culture are not originally Japanese. Since the beginning of its history, Japan has been one of the world’s major importers of foreign cultures. Its culture was thoroughly "hybrid" long before that word became fashionable in contemporary global studies. But this does not mean that Japan’s culture lacks originality. The Japanese have always made strikingly original contributions, even improvements, to whatever they imported. Even more significantly, the "hybridity" of their culture produced ongoing tensions that served as a kind of creative dynamo for Japanese writers, artists, and intellectuals. This book explores the fundamental creative tension between the native and the foreign in many areas of Japanese culture, from politics and religion to art and literature – a tension also often interpreted as between tradition and modernity.
How Film Histories Were Made
Authors: Hagener Malte , Zimmermann Yvonne
Published: November 2023

How Film Histories Were Made is dedicated to film history’s own history: It provides insights into the fabrication of film histories and the discourses on their materials and methods in the past in order to better understand and reconsider film history today. The interventions unpack unspoken assumptions and hidden agendas that determine film historiography until today, also with the aim to act as a critical reflection on the potential future orientation of the field.

This book proposes a transnational, entangled and culturally diverse approach towards an archaeology of film history, while paying specific attention to persons, objects, infrastructures, regions, institutional fields and events hitherto overlooked. It explores past and ongoing processes of doing, undoing and redoing film history. Thereby, in a self-reflective gesture, it also draws attention to our own work as film historians.
Interpreting Urban Spaces in Italian Cultures
Authors: Scapolo Andrea , Porcarelli Angela , Weintritt April , Knox Averett Matthew , Gemmani Lucia , Cecchini Isabella , Hafer Abbey , VanWagenen Julianne , Garvin Diana , Tholl Brian , Cannamela Danila , Castaldo Achille , Patat Ellen , Gillen Samantha
Published: November 2023

Made up of both material and symbolic elements, the urban space is always dynamic and transitional; it brings together or separates the past and the present, the public and the private, the center and the periphery. The present volume focuses on the interaction between the social processes and spatial forms that shape the identity of Italian cities. Using both canonical and less well-known texts along with cultural artifacts, the essays in the volume deprovincialize the Italian city, interpreting the material and symbolic practices that have made it into a unique entity whose enduring influence extends far outside Italy.
Rome and Byzantium in the Visigothic Kingdom
Authors: Fernández Damián , Lester Molly , Wood Jamie
Published: November 2023

This volume interrogates the assumption that Visigothic practices and institutions were mere imitations of the Byzantine empire. Contributors rethink these practices not as uncritical and derivative adoptions of Byzantine customs, but as dynamic processes in dialogue with not only the Byzantine empire but also with the contemporary Iberian context, as well as the Roman past. The goal of the volume is to approach Visigothic customs not as an uncritical adoption and imitatio of contemporary Roman models (an "acculturation" model), but as unique interpretations of a common pool of symbols, practices, and institutions that formed the legacy of Rome. The contributors argue that it is necessary to reconsider the idea of imitatio imperii as a process that involved specific actors taking strategic decisions in historically contingent circumstances.
Atmospheric N2O and CH4 total columns retrieved from low-resolution Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra (Bruker VERTEX 70) in the mid-infrared region
Authors: Zhou Minqiang , Langerock Bavo , Sha Mahesh Kumar , Hermans Christian , Kumps Nicolas , Kivi Rigel , Heikkinen Pauli , Petri Christof , Notholt Justus , Chen Huilin , De Mazière Martine
Published: November 2023

Abstract. Nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) are two important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In 2019, mid-infrared (MIR) solar absorption spectra were recorded by a Bruker VERTEX 70 spectrometer and a Bruker IFS 125HR spectrometer at Sodankylä, Finland, at spectral resolutions of 0.2 and 0.005 cm−1, respectively. The N2O and the CH4 retrievals from high-resolution MIR spectra have been well investigated within the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) but not for MIR spectra gathered with instruments operating at low spectral resolution. In this study, N2O and CH4 retrieval strategies and retrieval uncertainties from the VERTEX 70 MIR low-resolution spectra are discussed and presented. The accuracy and precision of the VERTEX 70 N2O and CH4 retrievals are assessed by comparing them with the coincident 125HR retrievals and AirCore measurements. The relative differences between the N2O total columns retrieved from 125HR and VERTEX 70 spectra are −0.3 ± 0.7 (1σ) % with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.93. Regarding the CH4 total column, we first used the same retrieval microwindows for 125HR and VERTEX 70 spectra, but there is an underestimation in the VERTEX 70 retrievals, especially in summer. The relative differences between the CH4 total columns retrieved from the 125HR and VERTEX 70 spectra are -1.3±1.1 (1σ) % with a R value of 0.77. To improve the VERTEX 70 CH4 retrievals, we propose alternative retrieval microwindows. The relative differences between the CH4 total columns retrieved from the 125HR and VERTEX 70 spectra in these new windows become 0.0±0.8 (1σ) %, along with an increase in the R value to 0.87. The coincident AirCore measurements confirm that the VERTEX 70 CH4 retrievals using the latter window choice are better, with relative mean differences between the VERTEX 70 CH4 retrievals and AirCore measurements of −1.9 % for the standard NDACC microwindows and of 0.13 % for the alternative microwindows. This study provides insight into the N2O and CH4 retrievals from the low-resolution (0.2 cm−1) MIR spectra observed with a VERTEX 70 spectrometer, and it demonstrates the suitability of this kind of instrument for contributing to satellite validation, model verification, and other scientific campaigns with the advantage of its transportability and lower cost compared to standard NDACC-type Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) instruments.
A series of climate oscillations around 8.2 ka BP revealed through multi-proxy speleothem records from North China
Authors: Duan Pengzhen , Li Hanying , Ma Zhibang , Zhao Jingyao , Dong Xiyu , Sinha Ashish , Hu Peng , Zhang Haiwei , Ning Youfeng , Zhu Guangyou , Cheng Hai
Published: November 2023

Abstract. The 8.2 ka event has been extensively investigated as a remarkable single event, but rarely considered as a part of multi-centennial climatic evolution. Here, we present absolutely dated speleothem multi-proxy records spanning 9.0–7.9 ka BP from Beijing in North China, near the northern limit of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and thus sensitive to climate change, to provide evidence for the intensified multi-decadal climatic oscillations since 8.5 ka BP. Three extreme excursions characterized by inter-decadal consecutive δ18O excursions exceeding ±1σ are identified from 8.5 ka BP in our speleothem record. The former two are characterized by enriched 18O at ~8.40 and 8.20 ka BP, respectively, suggesting a prolonged arid event which is supported by the positive trend in δ13C values, increased trace element ratios, and lower growth rate. Following the 8.2 ka event, an excessive rebound immediately emerges in our δ18O and trace element records but moderate in the δ13C, probably suggesting pluvial conditions and nonlinear response of the local ecosystem. Following two similar severe droughts at 8.40 and 8.20 ka BP, the different behavior of δ13C suggests the recovering degree of resilient ecosystem responding to different rebounded rainfall intensity. A comparison with other high-resolution records suggests that the two droughts-one pluvial patterns between 8.5 and 8.0 ka BP are of global significance instead of a regional phenomenon, which is causally linked to the slowdown and acceleration of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation that was further dominated by the freshwater injections in the North Atlantic.
Full characterization and calibration of a transfer standard monitor for atmospheric radon and thoron measurements
Authors: Curcoll Roger , Grossi Claudia , Röttger Stefan , Vargas Arturo
Published: November 2023

Abstract. In this work a full characterization of the new user-friendly version of the Atmospheric Radon MONitor (ARMON), used to measure very low activity concentrations of the radioactive radon gas in the outdoor atmosphere, is carried out. The ARMON is based on the electrostatic collection of 218Po+ particles on a semiconductor detector surface. A main advantage of this instrument is offering high resolution alpha energy spectra which will allow to separate radon progeny (210Po, 218Po and 214Po). The monitor feature may also allow measurements of thoron (220Rn) by collection of 216Po+. In this work the physical principle, the hardware configuration and the software development of the automatic and remotely controlled ARMON, conceived and constructed within the MAR2EA and the traceRadon projects, are described. The monitor efficiency and its linearity over a wide spam of radon concentration activities has been here evaluated and tested using theoretical as well as experimental approaches. Finally, a complete budget analysis of the total uncertainty of the monitor was also achieved. Results from the application of a simplified theoretical approach shows a detection efficiency for 218Po+ of about 0.0075 (Bq m‑3)-1 s-1. The experimental approach, consisting of exposing the ARMON at controlled radon concentrations between few hundreds to few thousands of Bq m-3, gives a detection efficiency for 218Po+ of 0.0057 ± 0.0002 (Bq m-3) s-1. This last value and its independence from the radon levels was also confirmed thanks to a new calibration method which allows, using low emanation sources, to obtain controlled radon levels of few tens of Bq m‑3. The total uncertainty of the ARMON detection efficiency obtained for hourly radon concentration above 5 Bq m-3 was lower than 10 % (k=1). The characteristics limits of the ARMON were also calculated, being those dependent on the presence of thoron in the sampled air, and a value of 0.132 Bq m-3 was estimated in thoron absence. Current results may allow to confirm that the ARMON is suitable to measure low-level radon activity concentration (1 Bq m‑3 – 100 Bq m‑3) and to be used as transfer standard to calibrate secondary atmospheric radon monitors.
The seasonal origins and ages of water provisioning streams and trees in a tropical montane cloud forest
Authors: Burt Emily I. , Goldsmith Gregory R. , Cruz-de Hoyos Roxanne M. , Ccahuana Quispe Adan Julian , West A. Joshua
Published: November 2023

Abstract. Determining the sources of water provisioning streams, soils, and vegetation can provide important insights into the water that sustains critical ecosystem functions now and how those functions may be expected to respond given projected changes in the global hydrologic cycle. We developed multi-year time series of water isotope ratios (δ18O and δ2H) based on twice-monthly collections of precipitation, lysimeter, and tree branch xylem waters from a seasonally dry tropical montane cloud forest in the southeastern Andes mountains of Peru. We then used this information to determine indices of the seasonal origins, the young water fractions (Fyw), and the new water fractions (Fnew) of soil, stream, and tree water. There was no evidence for intra-annual variation in the seasonal origins of stream water and lysimeter water from 1 m depth, both of which were predominantly comprised of wet-season precipitation even during the dry seasons. However, branch xylem waters demonstrated an intra-annual shift in seasonal origin: xylem waters were comprised of wet-season precipitation during the wet season and dry-season precipitation during the dry season. The young water fractions of lysimeter (< 15 %) and stream (5 %) waters were lower than the young water fraction (37 %) in branch xylem waters. The new water fraction (an indicator of water ≤ 2 weeks old in this study) was estimated to be 12 % for branch xylem waters, while there was no significant evidence for new water in stream or lysimeter waters from 1 m depth. Our results indicate that the source of water for trees in this system varied seasonally, such that recent precipitation may be more immediately taken up by shallow tree roots. In comparison, the source of water for soils and streams did not vary seasonally, such that precipitation may mix and reside in soils and take longer to transit into the stream. Our insights into the seasonal origins and ages of water in soils, streams, and vegetation in this humid tropical montane cloud forest add to understanding of the mechanisms that govern the partitioning of water moving through different ecosystems.
Superstatistical analysis of sea surface currents in the Gulf of Trieste, measured by high-frequency radar, and its relation to wind regimes using the maximum-entropy principle
Authors: Flora Sofia , Ursella Laura , Wirth Achim
Published: November 2023

Abstract. Two years (2021–2022) of high-frequency-radar (HFR) sea surface current data in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) are analysed. Two different timescales are extracted using a superstatistical formalism: a relaxation time and a larger timescale over which the system is Gaussian. We propose obtaining an ocean current probability density function (PDF) combining (i) a Gaussian PDF for the fast fluctuations and (ii) a convolution of exponential PDFs for the slowly evolving variance of the Gaussian function rather than for the thermodynamic β=1/σ2 in a system with a few degrees of freedom, as the latter has divergent moments. The Gaussian PDF reflects the entropy maximization for real-valued variables with a given variance. On the other hand, if a positive variable, as a variance, has a specified mean, the maximum-entropy solution is an exponential PDF. In our case the system has 2 degrees of freedom, and therefore the PDF of the variance is the convolution of two exponentials. In the Gulf of Trieste there are three distinct main wind forcing regimes: bora, sirocco, and low wind, leading to a succession of different sea current dynamics on different timescales. The universality class PDF successfully fits the observed data over the 2 observation years and also for each wind regime separately with a different variance of the variance PDF, which is the only free parameter in all the fits.
Claves del etiquetaje pragmático en el corpus CHILDHUM
Authors: Ortega-Gilabert Jose Antonio , Timofeeva Timofeev Larissa
Published: November 2023

En el marco de la investigación desarrollada por el grupo GRIALE, una de las líneas más recientes se refiere al análisis del humor verbal infantil. Los diversos proyectos del grupo se han centrado en el estudio del tema en tres franjas etarias –de 8, 10 y 12 años– que abarcan la etapa de educación primaria. La investigación se fundamenta en el análisis de las narraciones humorísticas escritas que conforman el corpus CHILDHUM, actualmente en construcción. El etiquetaje pragmático de las muestras del CHILDHUM –más de 1000 en total para las tres franjas de edad– además de las variables sociolingüísticas habituales (edad, sexo, tipo de centro), incluye la aplicación del sistema de marcas e indicadores de humor (Ruiz Gurillo, 2012; Timofeeva Timofeev y Ruiz Gurillo, 2021) que actúan como soportes lingüísticos en la creación de la comicidad. El análisis de tales marcas e indicadores permite ver la correlación entre su uso y el nivel de maduración metalingüística de nuestros informantes. Asimismo, el etiquetaje pragmático de nuestro corpus ofrece la posibilidad de observar diversos aspectos psicosociales, relativos, por ejemplo, a los estilos de humor (Martin et al., 2003) o la autoestima (Pope et al., 1988; Hosogi et al., 2012), con lo cual podemos proporcionar datos desde la lingüística sobre los procesos madurativos de las diversas competencias humanas imbricadas de alguna manera en el complejo fenómeno del humor verbal.
Histochemical Analysis of Medicinal Raw Material Nitraria schoberi L., growing in the Territory of Central Kazakhstan
Authors: Gulmira M. Abdrakhmanova , Margarita Yu. Ishmuratova , Svetlana A Ivasenko , Irina V. Losseva , Wirginia Kukuła-Koch
Published: November 2023

The histochemical analysis of medicinal plants and raw materials makes it possible to establish the presence of certain groups of active as well as to study their localization in tissues. The article presents the results of histochemical analysis of leaves, stems and fruits of Nitraria schoberi L. These types of plant are used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral and bactericidal agent. Our research objective -to determine of the localization features of individual groups of biologically active substances in the above-ground and underground parts of Nitraria schoberi L., growing in the territory of Central Kazakhstan at the microscopic level. Materials and methods. Cross sections of the stem; transverse and superficial sections of leaves; Root transverse sections and a superficial preparation of Nitraria schoberi L. fruits were fixed in Strauss-Fleming solution, after which histochemical reactions were performed to locate and identify phenolic acids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, sesquiterpene lactones, and alkaloids. The study of microscopic signs, as well as histochemical tests, was carried out according to the methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan using a Biomed-4 light microscope. Results. Histochemical methods using light microscopy determined the localization of biologically active substances in the studied plant material. The presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides and sesquiterpene lactones in the studied raw materials was established. Conclusion. The localization of secondary metabolites was studied for the first time by histochemical tests in the tissues of Nitraria schoberi L. The results of histochemical studies can be used to confirm the authenticity, identification and standardization of the aerial and underground parts of Nitraria schoberi L.
The dangerous safety pin: Melioidosis
Authors:   Department of Infectious Diseases, Jupiter Hospital, Pune, India, Gandhi Aashna
Published: November 2023

Melioidosis, although endemic, is often misdiagnosed and underreported in India. This is a case report of a 36 year old male patient, who was thought to have a head injury and aspiration pneumonia, and was ultimately diagnosed to have melioidosis, based on peculiar clinical, radiological and microbiological characteristics.
The distribution of curative care expenditure on gender, age and disease system among patients with noncommunicable diseases based on SHA 2011: A cross-sectional study in 2016-2018, Beijing
Authors:   Department of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine No.11 North 3rd Ring Road East, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China, Man Xiaowei
Published: November 2023

To analyze the distribution of curative care expenditure on gender, age and disease system of patients with Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in different level of medical institutions, thus providing reference for the Hierarchical Medical System (HMS).
The serpent or snake sign in liver hydatid cyst
Authors:   Monastir University Hospital, Monastir University, Tunisia, Chaouch Mohamed Ali
Published: November 2023

The liver hydatid cyst is becoming a worldwide parasitic disease due to the immigrants from pandemic countries [1]. In some cases, the diagnosis is challenging and debatable and the imaging features are helpful
An uncommon encounter: A case report on developmental anomaly of the left lobe of the liver
Authors:   All India Institute of Medical Sciences- Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, India, Yadav Shubhangi
Published: November 2023

Developmental anomaly of liver are rare as compared to other abdominal viscera. With the advent of newer modalities of screening and the advancements in diagnosis and treatment
Role of superior mesenteric artery doppler and maternal pancreatic size for prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors:   Radiodiagnosis, Eras Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, India, Pathak Vaibhav
Published: November 2023

Gestational Diabetes (GDM) is a glucose tolerance disorder that occurs or is diagnosed during pregnancy with no prior history of the disorder [1,2].
WHAT ABOUT THIS?: Mouth Breathing and Tongue Position: A Risk Factor for Health
Authors: Peper Erik , Swatzyna Ron , Ong Karindy
Published: November 2023

Breathing usually occurs without awareness unless there are problems such as asthma, emphysema, allergies, or viral infections. Infant and child development may affect how we breathe as adults. This article includes discussion of the benefits of nasal breathing, factors that contribute to mouth breathing, how babies’ breastfeeding and chewing decreases the risk of mouth breathing, and recommendations that parents may implement to support healthy development of a wider palate. A link to a video presentation also is included: How the Tongue Informs Healthy (or Unhealthy) Neurocognitive Development, by Karindy Ong, MA, CCC-SLP, CFT.
Open Reduction And Internal Fixation of Tarsometatarsal (Lisfranc) Fracture Dislocations—Is Arthrodesis Necessary?
Authors: Joseph Noah M. , Patel Raahil , Freedman Clara , Cox Kaitlyn , Mir Hassan R.
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

Controversy remains regarding the optimal management of tarsometatarsal (Lisfranc) fracture dislocations. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and ORIF with primary arthrodesis (PA) have been described in the treatment of these injuries, although adverse sequelae remain problematic. Previous work has yielded small cohorts with heterogenous results. We aimed to describe the outcomes of Lisfranc fracture dislocations managed with ORIF and/or PA to identify risk factors for complications, such as nonunion and revision surgery.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 206 consecutive tarsometatarsal fracture dislocations that underwent surgical repair between 2015 and 2021 was performed. Time to radiographic union was noted. Complications were recorded, including revision surgery, infection, symptomatic implant removal, posttraumatic arthritis, secondary arthrodesis, and nonunion. A comparative subgroup analysis of outcomes by treatment modality (ie, PA versus ORIF) and by injury severity (isolated injury versus concomitant lower extremity fracture) were performed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with revision surgery.

Results:

104 patients met the inclusion criteria with a mean 13-month follow-up. Ninety-three (n = 93) patients underwent ORIF, and 11 patients underwent PA. Radiographic union was achieved in 94.2% of cases (98/104) at an average 106 days. Complications included superficial infection (3.8%), deep infection (7.7%), symptomatic implant removal (19.2%), posttraumatic arthritis (12.5%), secondary arthrodesis (4.8%), and nonunion (2.9%). No difference existed in the complication rates between those who underwent ORIF and those who underwent PA (P = 0.50). Revision surgery rates were similar between patients who sustained isolated injuries and those with concomitant lower extremity fractures (P = 0.31). Risk factors for revision surgery included open fractures (OR 4.01, P = 0.042) and previous psychiatric illness (OR 5.77, P = 0.016).

Discussion:

The vast spectrum of injury in Lisfranc fracture dislocations makes uniform treatment challenging. In this large consecutive series, few failed to achieve union or required secondary arthrodesis. Open fractures and previous psychiatric illness portended worse clinical outcomes. ORIF without PA remains a viable treatment in these injuries.

Level of evidence:

Level III, retrospective cohort study.
A NOVEL APPROACH TO INTRUSION-DETECTION SYSTEM: COMBINING LSTM AND THE SNAKE ALGORITHM
Authors: Jebbar sanaa , hashem Soukaena , Jafer Shatha
Published: November 2023

In the epoch of digital transformation, cloud computing remains paramount, acting as the linchpin for a plethora of services from enterprise solutions to day-to-day consumer applications. Yet, its expansive nature has invariably rendered it susceptible to a myriad of cyber threats, necessitating advanced, adaptive defense mechanisms. This paper introduces a novel intrusion detection method tailored for cloud environments, ingeniously amalgamating the temporal pattern recognition capabilities of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks with the heuristic finesse of the Snake algorithm. Our research meticulously delineates the LSTM-Snake model’s design, implementation, and exhaustive benchmarking against prevailing approaches. Experimental results underscore the model’s prowess, registering a commendable 99% accuracy rate in intrusion detection—a marked improvement over current state-of-the-art methodologies. The ensuing discussions offer insights into the model’s practical implications, potential limitations, and avenues for future research, paving the way for a fortified cloud computing landscape
Automated Diabetes Disease Prediction System based on Risk Factors Assessment: Taking Charge of Your Health
Authors: HOUARI Nawal , REGUIEG Hicham , BACHIRI Chaimaa , ALIOUA Marwa
Published: November 2023

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide, and its prevalence rate continues to rise. This increase is due to factors related to nutrition and lifestyle on the one hand, and to genetic factors on the other hand, thus creating a real public health problem. Therefore, it is crucial to identify diabetes early in order to allow rapid treatment, capable of slowing down the progression of the disease.

The objective of this work is to propose an automatic diabetes prediction system based on the following machine learning techniques: SVM, KNN, Decision Tree and Logistic Regression. Using risk factors specific to the Algerian environment, we constructed a new dataset that includes 823 patients, with 418 being diabetic and 405 being non-diabetic. In order to choose the relevant features and identify the most informative risk factors, we combined several feature extraction methods such as ANalysis Of Variance (ANOVA), Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) and we used also the features proposed by the Pima Indian Diabetes Dataset (PIDD).

The results of this study provided valuable information on the comparative performance of different machine learning models in the prediction of diabetes, as well as on the importance of the selected characteristics.
Association of fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels: Insights into the mechanisms of pre-diabetes
Authors: Kulkarni Avinash , Jain Manila , Bhalerao Sanjay
Published: November 2023

Background: Pre-diabetes is a critical stage with a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus and it is there is solid evidence of impaired glucose metabolism among the patients. Insulin resistance is the frequent finding and is a key factor in pre-diabetes but its specific relationship with fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels requires further exploration.

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlation of fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels in subjects with pre-diabetes.

Materials and Methods: A total of 86 individuals with pre-diabetes (subjects having a level of fasting blood sugar of 100–125 mg/dL) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels were measured with an 8-h fasting for all the participants of the study who had been diagnosed as pre-diabetes. The Pearson correlation was carried out to evaluate the relationships between fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels.

Results: This study included 86 people (56 male and 30 female) with an average age of 42.57 ± 7.58 years. Males had a greater age, height, weight, and BMI. Similarly, no gender differences in blood sugar or insulin levels were seen. FBS and serum insulin levels had a positive connection (r = 0.19, P = 0.038).

Conclusion: Our study revealed a robust positive correlation between fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin levels in individuals with pre-diabetes. These findings emphasize the need for early intervention and tailored strategies to address insulin resistance in pre-diabetic individuals to mitigate the risk of progressing to Type 2 diabetes.
Survival probabilities and prognostic factors of pregnancy-associated breast cancer in Malaysian women
Authors: Abrar S S , Norsa’adah Bachok , Yahya Maya Mazuwin , Isa Junaidi A , Zon Erinna M
Published: November 2023

Objective Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is a rare cancer. This study aimed to determine the survival probabilities and prognostic factors in patients with PABC.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals in Kota Bharu. We included all patients with breast cancer who were diagnosed by histopathology while pregnant or within 2 years post-partum from 2001 through 2020. We matched patients with PABC to non-pregnant patients with breast cancer by age and year of diagnosis. The data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression.Results A total of 35 cases of PABC and 70 non-PABC controls were recruited. The 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival probabilities for patients with PABC were 58.6%, 47.54%, and 38.03%, respectively. The patients with PABC had a non-significant difference in survival probabilities compared with non-PABC patients. The significant prognostic factors of PABC were age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86-0.96; P=0.001), advanced stage of cancer (aHR, 9.97; 95% CI, 3.96-25.2; P<0.001), and no surgery (aHR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.01-9.85; P=0.047). Pregnancy was not found to be an independent factor in the prognosis of PABC (aHR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.39-1.28; P=0.266).Conclusion Women diagnosed with PABC had similar survival probabilities compared with non-PABC patients. Pregnancy was not an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer. This information can be useful when women with breast cancer are counseled and supported with the option of beginning treatment with pregnancy continuation.
Antecedents of Revisiting Intention for Natural Tourism Destinations in the Context of Muslim Societies
Authors: Fauzi Daffa Redika , Hadi Prisilia , Roselawati Fiona , Yustisia Sofie Dhinar , Mutmainah
Published: November 2023

The collaboration of nature tourism with religiosity is currently one thing that needs to be considered in sufficient detail. This can be seen by the development of halal tourism, but so far research that discusses halal tourism from the point of view of natural tourism destinations still has inconsistent results, so further research is needed with the aim of answering the inconsistency of these results. This study focuses on discussing natural tourism destinations from the point of view of halal tourism by placing the variables destination image, destination trust, service quality, destination attractiveness, towards revisit intention. This research is a survey research with respondents as many as 115 people who have visited natural tourist destinations in Banyumas, Central Java, Indonesia in the last 6 months. The results showed that destination image and destination trust proved to have a positive effect on revisit intention. However, destination trust and service quality have no effect on revisit intention.
Comprehensive Physical Work Capacity Evaluations for Korean Farmers Assessed in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Jeong Seungsu , Kim Gowun , Park Hee-won , Baek Sora
Published: November 2023

Objective: To establish the lower limits of normative values of the physical work capacity for Korean farmers in healthy working individual. Methods: We developed a comprehensive set of physical work capacity evaluation items that encompass common farming tasks. These items include measurements of trunk flexion/extension angles, strength (hand grip, trunk flexion/extension, leg/back lifting, and pushing/pulling), and positional tolerances. We calculated the normative values for the items and defined the normal range in 124 healthy volunteers aged 20–79 years. We calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to validate the test-retest reliability of the measurements protocol.Results: The normal values for each measurement item were as follows: trunk flexion and extension angle (65.3°±11.6° and 29.6°±6.6°), dominant hand grip strength (32.2±10.5 kgf), trunk flexion and extension strength (288.4±119.0 N and 297.3±129.9 N), leg and back lifting strength (452.9±233.5 N and 349.2±166.7 N), pushing and pulling strength (214.7±75.1 N and 221.7±63.3 N), and positional tolerance time (squat: 76.8±9.0 seconds, front: 73.8±7.7 seconds, twist: 82.2±8.8 seconds, upward: 71.9±11.3 seconds). Regarding test-retest reliability, all strength measurements demonstrated excellent absolute agreement (ICC, 0.91–0.96). However, positional tolerance showed poor-to-moderate absolute agreement (ICC, 0.37–0.58).Conclusion: We conducted measurements of muscle strength and positional tolerance in healthy participants of various ages, focusing on tasks commonly performed by Korean farmers. The outcomes hold significant value as they offer a pertinent instrument for assessing the appropriateness of workers, thereby carrying implications for rehabilitation objectives, legal evaluations, and work capacity assessments within the agricultural domain.
Implementasi Yudas 1:17-25 Bagi Pertumbuhan Remaja Kristen
Authors: Ayu Niken Waoma  , Abad Jaya Zega
Published: November 2023

The main concepts in this chapter, namely, keeping oneself in God's love, praying in the Holy Spirit, and waiting for God's grace, are analyzed to understand their impact on Christian teenagers' character, identity, and faith development. The results show that the implementation of these concepts positively affects the way Christian teenagers view themselves, their relationship with God, and their attitude toward the future. A strong hope in God's grace becomes an important pillar in their spiritual growth. Research on the implementation of Jude 1:17-25 for the growth of Christian teenagers can be carried out using qualitative research methods. This method allows the researcher to go deep into the understanding and experience of Christian teenagers related to the verse. The concept of "keeping oneself in the love of God" changes the way they understand their identity, while "praying in the Holy Spirit" helps them get closer to God personally. Furthermore, "waiting for God's mercy" creates an attitude of hope that brings them through difficult times with courage. The findings provide valuable insights into how we can support the spiritual growth of Christian teenagers through the implementation of the concepts of Jude 1:17-25.
Pentingnya “Kasih” dalam Surat 1 Yohanes: Tafsiran terhadap Kasih Agape
Authors: Reni Marlince Adang  , Abad Jaya Zega
Published: November 2023

This article examines the central role and importance of “love” in 1 John, with a particular focus on the concept of agape love. This letter is one of the writings in the New Testament which raises the theme of love in the context of Christians' relationship with God and each other. In this commentary, we explain the meaning, characteristics, and implications of agape love found in 1 John. This research aims to reveal that agape love is not only the foundation of Christian faith, but also plays an important role in shaping the character and ethics of Christian life. We will present key quotes from 1 John that illustrate the message of agape love and discuss how these principles can be applied in contemporary Christian life. The results of this research can provide a deeper understanding of the meaning and value of agape love in the context of this letter and inspire thinking about how to live it in everyday life as a Christian.