bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raising impact of particle physics outreach through gamification
Authors: Di Luca A. , Follega F. M. , Mascione D. , Ricci E. , Iuppa R.
Published: December 2023

The International Masterclass - Hands on Particle Physics is an outreach event proposed by the International Particle Physics Outreach Group since 2004. Its traditional format had a worldwide success during the last years, reaching thousands of high school students and introducing them to the world of particle physics. During the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemics forced all the groups proposing the activity to find an online alternative to preserve the spirit of the initiative. The local committee of University of Trento proposed an online event, divided into several short events carried out over two weeks. The introduction of an analysis challenge among the students has made it possible to obtain a very good response and to achieve, with less than 20 students, enough statistics to discuss physical results of the analysis. The contribution describes the details of the organization, results, and feedback from the students, with some proposals to improve the experience for the next years.
Study of the central exclusive production of π+π−, K+K−, and pp̄ pairs in proton-proton collisions at s = 510 GeV with the STAR detector at RHIC
Authors: Truhlář Tomáš
Published: December 2023

We report on the measurement of the central exclusive production process [Formula: see text] in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] GeV with the STAR detector at RHIC. At this energy, the process is dominated by a double Pomeron exchange mechanism. The tracks of the centrally produced system [Formula: see text] were reconstructed in the central detector of STAR, the time projection chamber and the time of flight systems. Particles were identified using the ionization energy loss and the time of flight method. The diffractively scattered protons, moving intact inside the RHIC beam pipe after the collision, were measured in the Roman Pots system allowing full control of the interaction’s kinematics and verification of its exclusivity. Preliminary results on the invariant mass distributions of centrally produced [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] pairs measured within the STAR acceptance are presented.
Analysis of Internet Movie Database with Global Vectors for Word Representation
Authors: Dewi Christine , Dai Gouwei , Christanto Henoch Juli
Published: December 2023

Sentiment analysis (SA) involves utilizing natural language processing (NLP) methods to identify the sentiment conveyed by a given text. This study is grounded on the dataset sourced from the internet movie database (IMDB), encompassing evaluations of films and their corresponding positive or negative classifications. Our research experiment aims to ascertain the model with the highest accuracy and generality. Our research utilizes diverse classifiers, comprising unsupervised learning approaches such as Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner (VADER) and Text Blob, alongside Supervised Learning methods like Naïve Bayes, which encompasses both the Bernoulli NB and Multinomial NB. Several methodologies have been utilized, including the Count Vectorizer, and the Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency model (TFIDF) Vectorizer. Subsequently, word embedding and bidirectional LSTM are executed, utilizing various embeddings such as the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) base model. Finally, GloVe embeddings achieve the best performance with an accuracy of 90.64% and a sensitivity of 91.07%.
Exploring the Optical and Photovoltaic Changeover for Carbazole-Bridge Push-Pull Switches Against Their Local Excitations and Charge Transfers
Authors: Hassan Abrar U. , Sumrra Sajjad H. , Mohyuddin Ayesha , Imran Muhammad , Ali Asad
Published: December 2023

This research investigates characterization of low lying excitations of newly designed organic dyes for their local excited and charge transfer-related molecular switching attributes such as donor-acceptor relations against the carbazole bridge. The eight new dyes, having 4 symmetrical (Syn-A-D) and 4 antisymmetric (Anti-A-D) arrangements showed how the push-pull effect can operate to create the charge transfer phenomenon. Their absorption energies (E) for Syn dyes ranged from 2.98 eV to 4.07 eV, with corresponding wavelengths (λmax) ranging from 304 nm to 415 nm. While for their Anti arrangements, it ranged from 1.62 eV to 3.99 eV, with corresponding λmax values as 310-617 nm. Syn-C1 with an ionization potential (IP) of 6.59 eV and an electron affinity (EA) of 2.04 eV can be predicted to be more chemically stable compared to Anti-C2 with an IP of 5.16 eV and an EA of 3.86 eV. Syn-C also has the highest Voc (3.24 eV) and Pmax (22.35 W), indicating that it has the potential to be more chemically stable as compared to the other dyes. The findings of this research contributed to a better understanding of the molecular switching attributes of carbazole-based organic dyes, which could have implications for various applications, including optoelectronics and energy conversion devices.
Household Income Diversification Strategies, Welfare and Child Nutrition in Uganda: A Dynamic Panel Analysis 2005–2020
Authors: Mukoki James , Mukisa Ibrahim , Ssebulime Kurayish , Musoke Edward
Published: December 2023

Many of the studies on households and people’s welfare dynamics in Uganda have been preoccupied with poverty lines and welfare indices estimation, particularly at the macro level. Little attention has been paid to the impact of livelihood diversification strategies on household welfare and health outcomes (i.e. child nutrition) for both rural and urban dwellers. Thus, this study examines the impact of livelihood (i.e. income) diversification strategies on household welfare and child nutrition. Eight waves of the Uganda National Panel Survey (2005/06–2019/20) dataset collected by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) with the support of the World Bank are utilised for this purpose. An instrumental variable approach implemented through a two-stage residual inclusion (2SRI) technique is applied in which alternative correlated random effects (CRE) and fixed effects models are estimated, these two techniques enabled us to address the endogeneity problem associated with livelihood diversification by including a generalised residual among the regressors and also including appropriate list of instruments in the latter. The findings from the study show that indeed diversified households enjoy higher levels of consumption and thus livelihood diversification strategies are welfare-improving. Second, livelihood diversification is also found to improve child nutrition status. By and large, the results point to the fact that households should at least run a diversified means of livelihood since this offers a feasible way of shielding households against risks and also coping and adapting to shocks among rural and urban poor households.
Popular Matchings with One-Sided Bias
Authors: Kavitha Telikepalli
Published: December 2023

Let
G
=
(A ∪ B, E)
be a bipartite graph where the set
A
consists of agents or main players and the set
B
consists of jobs or secondary players. Every vertex in
A
∪
B
has a strict ranking of its neighbors. A matching
M
is
popular
if for any matching
N
, the number of vertices that prefer
M
to
N
is at least the number that prefer
N
to
M
. Popular matchings always exist in
G
since every stable matching is popular. A matching
M
is

A
-popular

if for any matching
N
, the number of
agents
(i.e., vertices in
A
) that prefer
M
to
N
is at least the number of agents that prefer
N
to
M
. Unlike popular matchings,
A
-popular matchings need not exist in a given instance
G
and there is a simple linear time algorithm to decide if
G
admits an
A
-popular matching and compute one, if so.

We consider the problem of deciding if
G
admits a matching that is both popular and
A
-popular and finding one, if so. We call such matchings
fully popular
. A fully popular matching is useful when
A
is the more important side—so along with overall popularity, we would like to maintain “popularity within the set 
A
”. A fully popular matching is not necessarily a min-size/max-size popular matching and all known polynomial-time algorithms for popular matching problems compute either min-size or max-size popular matchings. Here we show a linear time algorithm for the fully popular matching problem, thus our result shows a new tractable subclass of popular matchings.
Effect of Roasting on the Proximate Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Functional Properties of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus (Country Onion) Seeds
Authors: Claudette Bakisu Muala Wiyeh , Fabrice Tonfack Djikeng , Thierry Noumo Ngangmou , Eric Serge Ngangoum
Published: December 2023

Afrostyrax lepidophyllus seed is a nontimber forest product which has a strongly ferocious smell of garlic or onion. It is widely used in central and west Africa in traditional medicine and as spices. The seeds used as spices are generally roasted in order to improve their flavor or aroma. However, roasting conditions vary and also affect the quality of the final product. In order to define the best roasting conditions, A. lepidophyllus seeds were roasted using microwave (200, 300, and 450 W for 10 min), oven (10 and 20 min at 180°C), and pot (5, 10 and 15 min) and blended into flour. The proximate composition, physical, functional, and antioxidant activities of (control) and roasted flours were analyzed. Irrespective of the roasting method, there was a significant increase in fiber content (oven (0.5–1.20%), pot (0.47–1.27%), and microwave (0.50–0.93%)) with increase in time and temperature. The carbohydrate content increased (77.74–81.50%), while protein content dropped with roasting. A significant increase in ash, total phenolic contents (TPC), antioxidant activity (AOA), and functional properties compared to the control was recorded. Roasting A. lepidophyllus seeds in the pot at 250 ± 5°C, 15 min was found to be a good method which maintained or increased its functional and physicochemical properties. With the good TPC and AOA, A. lepidophyllus roasted flour can be a potential ingredient for nutraceutical food development.
Duration of Bridge-to-Transplant Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Heart Transplant Survival
Authors: McGoldrick Matthew T. , Barbur Iulia , Etchill Eric W. , Giuliano Katherine , Hsu Steven , Sharma Kavita , Kilic Ahmet , Choi Chun Woo
Published: December 2023

Background. The 2018 Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) heart allocation policy change prioritizes patients bridged to transplant with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). As a result, the use of ECMO has significantly increased. Methods. We reviewed the OPTN database for adult patients undergoing heart transplant after bridge with ECMO between January 1st 2000 and October 18th 2018. We excluded patients with ≥180 days of ECMO duration, prior transplants, and those using additional MCS devices. Survival and morbidity outcomes of patients with ≥7 days of pre-transplant ECMO were compared to those of patients with <7 days. Results. Of 362 eligible transplant recipients, 163 (45%) utilized <7 days of pre-transplant ECMO and 199 (55%) utilized ≥7 days. Those with ≥7 days were younger (median age: 43 [28–54] vs. 50 [36–57] years, p=0.006) and more likely to have temporary waitlist inactivity (18% vs. 7%, p=0.003) with significantly longer duration of ECMO use (median: 14 [9–24] vs. 4 [2–5] days, p < 0.001). Patients with ≥7 days of ECMO had comparable survival to those with <7 days at one year (81.1% vs. 79.4%, p=0.64) and five years (61.1% vs. 49.3%, p=0.27). After adjustment for clinically relevant variables, duration of ECMO ≥7 days did not increase mortality at five years (HR = 0.90, p=0.59). Conclusions. Longer duration of ECMO (≥7 days vs. <7 days) among patients successfully bridged to transplant is not associated with increased mortality or selected adverse outcome, including graft failure or rejection, at up to five years.
Effects of a Novel Glucokinase Activator, Dorzagliatin, on Glycemic Control and Glucose Fluctuation in Drug-Naïve Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Wang Yuming , Su Xiaofei , Zhang Wenli , Zhou Yunting , Zhou Xiao , Yang Wei , Li Huiqin , Ma Jianhua
Published: December 2023

Aim. The prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been increasing and a large proportion of patients still do not achieve adequate or sustainable glycemic control on the basis of previous hypoglycemic treatment. In this present study, we explored whether dorzagliatin, a novel glucokinase activator (GKA), could improve glycemic control and lessen glucose fluctuation in drug-naïve patients with T2DM. Methods. A self-comparative observational study of 25 drug-naïve patients with T2DM (aged 18–75 years and HbA1c of 7.5%–11.0%) treated with dorzagliatin 75 mg twice daily for 52 weeks. Before and after dorzagliatin intervention, the serum levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, and C-peptide were measured repeatedly during fasting and after a mixed meal. The continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device was also used to obtain 24-hour glucose profiles and assess the changes in glycemic variability parameters. Results. After 52 weeks of treatment with dorzagliatin, a numerally greater reduction in HbA1c of 1.03% from the baseline was observed in patients with T2DM, accompanied by significant improvement in insulin resistance and insulin secretion. Moreover, the standard deviation of blood glucose (SDBG) and the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) derived from CGM data were significantly decreased after dorzagliatin therapy. The 24-h glucose variation profile showed that study patients had obviously lower mean glucose levels during the postprandial period from the baseline to week 52, an effect also demonstrated by the significant decrease in the incremental area under glucose concentration versus time curve for 2 h (iAUC0–2 h) after meals. Conclusions. This study suggests that dorzagliatin therapy could effectively improve glycemic control and glucose fluctuation in drug-naïve patients with T2DM.
Ursolic Acid Inhibited Cholesterol Esterase and Pancreatic Lipase Activities and Decreased Micellar Cholesterol Solubility In Vitro
Authors: Jiang Wenjing , Huang Qun , Meng Xiangxing , Rehman Rizwan-ur , Qian Kun , Yang Xu , Liu Xiaozhi , Chen Jingnan , Zhang Ye , Li Jing , Wang Jilite , Guo Qingbin , Liu Suwen , Wang Hao
Published: December 2023

Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural triterpene carboxylic acid with an underlying anti-hyperlipidemia effect. This study examined the mechanism of interactions of UA with cholesterol esterase (CEase), pancreatic lipase (PL), and micellar cholesterol solubility in vitro. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CEase, PL, and micellar cholesterol solubility was determined to be 0.07 ± 0.01 mg/mL, 1.81 ± 0.13 mg/mL, and 1.73 ± 0.08 mg/mL, respectively. Multispectral combination revealed that UA changed the secondary structure and quenched the intrinsic fluorescence by static quenching of the two enzymes. The interactions were exothermic reaction as determined by enthalpy. Furthermore, molecular docking confirmed that UA was bound to amino acids of two enzymes at active site through hydrophobic interaction and van der Waals forces. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation found that CEase and PL rearranged with UA to form stable complexes. The strong inhibition effect of CEase and PL mediated by UA might provide additional insight into understanding the role of UA in the hypolipidemic effect.
Local Spatial Analysis of the Crash Frequency of Food Delivery Motorcyclists vs. Nondelivery Motorcyclists in relation to Points of Interest
Authors: Putra I Gede Brawiswa , Kuo Pei-Fen , Lord Dominique
Published: December 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for online food delivery services (OFDS), leading to an increase in related crashes over the last few years. While recent studies have focused on nonmotorised vehicles (such as bicycles or e-bikes), few researchers have examined the role of motorcycles and the possible spatial relationships with various points of interest (POIs). In addition, most crash and POIs studies have utilized typical restaurant datasets instead of specific restaurants partnered with OFDS, which might bias the impact of traffic safety estimation. To address these gaps, a geographically weighted negative binomial model (GWNBR) was used to determine the factors contributing to OFDS-related motorcycle accidents and account for spatial heterogeneity. The results indicated that areas with more restaurants, intersections, and shopping malls (only significant on weekends) tended to have more OFDS motorcycle crashes. The results should inspire more effective policies for delivery drivers, given the increasing popularity of OFDS.
Triple-Band MIMO Antenna with Integrated Decoupling Technology
Authors: Ma Ruihua , Huang He , Li Xiaoping , Wang Xuelei
Published: December 2023

This paper proposes an integrated decoupling method that improves the flexibility of multiport, multiband antenna design and simplifies the antenna structure. First, a dual-band L-type MIMO antenna with center frequencies of 2.6 GHz and 5.6 GHz is created using the neutralization-line decoupling method and then a dual-band L-type MIMO antenna covering the WiFi spectrum (2.3–2.5 GHz and 4.6–5.6 GHz) is created using the type-T branch decoupling technique. After demonstrating the efficacy of neutralization-line and T-branch decoupling technology for L-type antennas, a four-port L-type MIMO antenna covering 4.4–4.9 GHz, 5.4–6.1 GHz, and 7.0–7.4 GHz is proposed by combining the methods of neutralization-line decoupling, T-branch decoupling, and defected ground structure decoupling. This antenna’s isolation is higher than 20 dB with ECC less than 0.04.
Efficacy of Autogenous Dentin Biomaterial on Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Hussain Afnan Abdulkareem , Al-Quisi Ahmed Fadhel , Abdulkareem Ali A.
Published: December 2023

Background. After tooth extraction, alveolar bone resorption is inevitable. This clinical phenomenon challenges dental surgeons aiming to restore esthetic and function. Alveolar ridge preservation can be applied to minimize dimensional changes with a new socket grafting material, an autogenous dentin graft, produced by mechanically and chemically processing natural teeth. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of using autogenous dentin biomaterial in alveolar ridge preservation. Materials and Methods. Patients with nonrestorable maxillary anterior teeth bounded by natural sound teeth were included in this study. After a detailed clinical and tomographic examination, eligible participants were randomly allocated into two groups. The control group had spontaneous healing of extraction sockets. The study group had their extraction sockets filled with autogenous dentin biomaterial after processing their extracted retained roots with the KometaBio device. Standardized cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were repeated four months later. A full‐thickness mucoperiosteal flap reflection was achieved under local anesthesia to get core biopsies for histomorphometric analysis, and dental implants were placed at the same session. Results. A total of 32 eligible patients were included in this study (n = 16 in each group). Both groups had significantly higher facial soft tissue thickness after four months than baseline (p < 0.05). However, the study group showed statistically significant lesser dimensional changes than the control group according to the standardized CBCT scans. Furthermore, core biopsies confirmed an excellent remodeling of the autogenous dentin biomaterial in the study group. In comparison, only new thin bone trabeculae‐filled sockets were in the control group. Conclusion. Autogenous dentin graft can be safely and successfully used for alveolar ridge preservation. Optimal graft remodeling histologically, better ridge dimensional stability, and uneventful wound healing support its clinical application. This trial is registered with TCTR20220615002.
Table S1 from SHP2 Inhibition with TNO155 Increases Efficacy and Overcomes Resistance of ALK Inhibitors in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Valencia-Sama Ivette , Kee Lynn , Christopher Gabriella , Ohh Michael , Layeghifard Mehdi , Shlien Adam , Hayes Madeline N. , Irwin Meredith S.
Published: December 2023

Table S1. Drug doses for ALK-TKI combinations with TNO155 or SHP099 for synergy assessment.
TABLE 1 from SHP2 Inhibition with TNO155 Increases Efficacy and Overcomes Resistance of ALK Inhibitors in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Valencia-Sama Ivette , Kee Lynn , Christopher Gabriella , Ohh Michael , Layeghifard Mehdi , Shlien Adam , Hayes Madeline N. , Irwin Meredith S.
Published: December 2023

Mutational status and IC50 values of neuroblastoma cell lines
Figure S7 from SHP2 Inhibition with TNO155 Increases Efficacy and Overcomes Resistance of ALK Inhibitors in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Valencia-Sama Ivette , Kee Lynn , Christopher Gabriella , Ohh Michael , Layeghifard Mehdi , Shlien Adam , Hayes Madeline N. , Irwin Meredith S.
Published: December 2023

Figure S7. Dual SHP2 and ALK inhibition reduces neuroblastoma cell migration.
FIGURE 4 from SHP2 Inhibition with TNO155 Increases Efficacy and Overcomes Resistance of ALK Inhibitors in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Valencia-Sama Ivette , Kee Lynn , Christopher Gabriella , Ohh Michael , Layeghifard Mehdi , Shlien Adam , Hayes Madeline N. , Irwin Meredith S.
Published: December 2023

TNO155 and lorlatinib treatment delays tumor growth in ALK-mutant mouse xenografts. A, Tumor volumes of Kelly xenografts treated orally with high- or low-dose regimens of TNO155, lorlatinib, combination treatment (Combo), or vehicle control for 4 weeks. Tumor growth (B) and Kaplan–Meier survival curves (C) of Kelly xenografts treated with high-dose vehicle (n = 5), TNO155 (n = 4), lorlatinib (n = 5), or combination (Combo, n = 4) treatments. Tumor growth (D) and Kaplan–Meier survival curves (E) of Kelly xenografts treated with low-dose vehicle (n = 3), TNO155 (n = 3), lorlatinib (n = 3), or combination (Combo, n = 4) treatments F, Protein expression analyses of tumor lysates treated with vehicle control (n = 3), TNO155 (7.5 mg/kg twice per day, n = 3), lorlatinib (1 mg/kg twice per day, n = 3), or combination (Combo, n = 3) for 20 days. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; n.s., not significant.
FIGURE 1 from SHP2 Inhibition with TNO155 Increases Efficacy and Overcomes Resistance of ALK Inhibitors in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Valencia-Sama Ivette , Kee Lynn , Christopher Gabriella , Ohh Michael , Layeghifard Mehdi , Shlien Adam , Hayes Madeline N. , Irwin Meredith S.
Published: December 2023

ALK-mutant neuroblastoma cell lines are sensitive to SHP2 inhibition. A, Protein expression in a panel of neuroblastoma cell lines with ALK-mutant (ALKmut) or wild-type (ALKwt) status. Calculation of IC50 in neuroblastoma cells following treatment with TNO155 (B), ceritinib (C), or lorlatinib (D) for 72 hours. **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Chemsex: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Authors: Bellomi Fabio , Manenti Lidia , Gheda Luca , Bergamini Annalisa , Guarneri Laura , Rosa Jennifer , Savoldi Melissa , Vita Antonio
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Chemsex has been defined until now as the use of specific psychoactive substances during sexual activities in men who have sex with men (MSM) contexts to facilitate, enhance, and prolong the experience. Many studies have investigated this phenomenon in specific communities, such as MSM, or have explored the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of chemsex in an Italian group and describe its main characteristics. Additionally, the study aimed to suggest prevention strategies addressing the risks associated with drug use. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study. The survey was conducted among 1,828 individuals residing in Italy. Data were collected through a self-completed online survey consisting of 44 questions. Results: 248 people (13.6%) disclosed that they had practiced chemsex, 89 of which (35.9%) were female. Moreover, 13 people (5%) defined themselves as addicted to chemsex; 173 people (69.8%) would like to have more information about the risks related to chemsex, and 79 people (31.8%) would like to talk about this to a professional working in the addiction field. Discussion: The prevalence found in our Italian survey is consistent with findings from other studies. Notably, our survey reveals the presence of chemsex among women. Our results emphasize the necessity for a more comprehensive understanding of chemsex, highlighting the significance of engaging specialized services such as addiction units, STD outpatient clinics, and mental health services. These healthcare facilities can effectively share information and implement risk prevention campaigns focused on chemsex.
Association between Periodontitis and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Jieling , Pathak Janak L. , Shen Yuqin , Mashrah Mubarak Ahmed , Zhong Xiaomei , Chen Jianwei , Li Zirui , Xia Junyi , Liang Yanling , Zeng Yangbin
Published: December 2023

Introduction: The connection between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) continues to receive attention. However, whether periodontitis is a risk factor for MCI remains still uncertain. This study aims to systematically analyze the available literature regarding the relationship between periodontitis and the risk of developing MCI and whether the periodontal health of MCI patients is poorer. Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases was conducted to include all studies on the relationship between periodontitis and MCI from inception to April 2023. The studies were independently screened by 2 researchers, and those meeting the inclusion criteria were extracted and cross-checked. Pooled odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated using either a fixed-effects or random-effects model. Results: Seven studies with a total of 3,973 participants were included. Meta-analysis results showed a statistically significant higher incidence of MCI in patients with periodontitis (OR, 1.70 (95% CI: 1.24–2.32, p < 0.001) compared to healthy participants. A subgroup meta-analysis showed that the pooled OR for the risk of MCI in patients with severe periodontitis was 2.09 (95% CI: 1.49–2.92, p < 0.001). In addition, attachment loss (MD = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.12–0.75, p < 0.001) and plaque index (MD = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.50–0.93, p < 0.001) were higher in MCI patients compared with the control group, but the pocket probing depth (MD = 0.21, 95% CI: −0.08 to 0.49, p = 0.15) was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients with periodontitis are at a higher risk of developing MCI, and the periodontal health of MCI patients is generally compromised. However, further well-designed studies should be conducted to confirm this relationship between MCI and periodontitis.
Understanding Prescribing Practices and Patient Experiences with Renin Angiotensin System Inhibitors Use in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Arney Jennifer , Gregg L. Parker , Wydermyer Sheena , Herrera Michael A. , Richardson Peter A. , Matheny Michael E. , Akeroyd Julia M. , Gobbel Glenn T. , Hung Adriana , Virani Salim S. , Navaneethan Sankar D.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) improve outcomes but are underutilized in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Little is known about reasons for discontinuation and lack of reinitiating these medications. We aimed to explore clinicians’ and patients’ experiences and perceptions of ACEI/ARB use in CKD. Methods: A multi-profession sample of health care clinicians and patients with documented ACEI/ARB-associated side effects in the past 6 months. Participants were recruited from 2 Veterans Affairs healthcare systems in Texas and Tennessee. A total of 15 clinicians and 10 patients completed interviews. We used inductive and deductive qualitative data analysis approaches to identify themes related to clinician and patient experiences with ACEI/ARB. Thematic analysis focused on prescribing decisions and practices, clinical guidelines, and perception of side effects. Data were analyzed as they amassed, and recruitment was stopped at the point of thematic saturation. Results: Clinicians prescribe ACEI/ARB for blood pressure control and kidney protection and underscored the importance of these medications in patients with diabetes. While clinicians described providing comprehensive patient education about ACEI/ARB in CKD, patient interviews revealed significant knowledge gaps about CKD and ACEI/ARB use. Many patients were unaware of their CKD status, and some did not know why they were prescribed ACEI/ARB. Clinicians’ drug management strategies varied widely, as did their understanding of prescribing guidelines. They identified structural and patient-level barriers to prescribing and many endorsed the development of a decision support tool to facilitate ACEI/ARB prescribing and management. Discussion/Conclusion: Our qualitative study of clinicians and providers identified key target areas for improvement to increase ACEI/ARB utilization in patients with CKD with the goal to improve long-term outcomes in high-risk patients. These findings will also inform the development of a decision support tool to assist with prescribing ACEI/ARBs for patients with CKD.
Descriptions of new species and new records of water bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha & Nepomorpha) from southeastern Brazil
Authors: RODRIGUES JULIANA MOURÃO DOS SANTOS , CORDEIRO ISABELLE DA ROCHA SILVA , FLORIANO CARLA FERNANDA BURGUEZ , PAIVA NATHÁLIA DE OLIVEIRA , MAGALHÃES OSÉIAS MARTINS , JÚNIOR EVALDO ALVES JOAQUIM , MARTINS THAYNARA DE SOUZA , SILVA RAFAELLA CARDOSO DA , SIQUEIRA GABRIEL VIEIRA , SALLES FREDERICO FALCÃO , VIALA SÉVERINE , KHILA ABDERRAHMAN , MOREIRA FELIPE FERRAZ FIGUEIREDO
Published: December 2023

Although most of the diversity of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) is terrestrial, over 550 species of water bugs (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha, Leptopodomorpha & Nepomorpha) have been recorded from Brazil alone. Southeastern Brazil, composed of the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, is the best studied region of the country, but there are still knowledge gaps in the area. Here, two new species are described from Espírito Santo: Hydrometra ruschii Cordeiro, Rodrigues & Moreira, sp. nov. and H. tuberculata Cordeiro, Rodrigues & Moreira, sp. nov. (Gerromorpha: Hydrometridae). Furthermore, new records from southeastern Brazil are provided for 78 species of water bugs, of which 19 are firstly recorded from Espírito Santo, four from Minas Gerais, eight from Rio de Janeiro, and seven from São Paulo.
How Moral Beliefs Influence Collective Violence. Evidence From Lynching in Mexico
Authors: Nussio Enzo
Published: December 2023

How do moral beliefs influence favorability to collective violence? In this article, I argue that, first, moral beliefs are influential depending on their salience, as harm avoidance is a common moral concern. The more accessible moral beliefs in decision-making, the more they restrain harmful behavior. Second, moral beliefs are influential depending on their content. Group-oriented moral beliefs can overturn the harm avoidance principle and motivate individuals to favor collective violence. Analysis is based on a representative survey in Mexico City and focuses on a proximate form of collective violence, locally called lynching. Findings support both logics of moral influence. Experimentally induced moral salience reduces favorability to lynching, and group-oriented moral beliefs are related to more favorability. Against existing theories that downplay the relevance of morality and present it as cheap talk, these findings demonstrate how moral beliefs can both restrain and motivate collective violence.
A horizon scan for novel and impactful areas of physical geography research in 2023 and beyond
Authors: Anderson Karen , Tooth Stephen , Kim Daehyun , Resler Lynn M , Schillereff Daniel , Williams John W , Rocchini Duccio , Ponette-González Alexandra G , Kuhn Nikolaus J , Brian Jayne V
Published: December 2023

This editorial reports on a horizon scan exercise that was undertaken to identify new frontier topics, new or emerging themes/concepts, or new philosophical questions of relevance to physical geography. Researchers with broad geographical and disciplinary scope, all of whom were members of the journal's editorial board or editorial advisory board, were invited to join a horizon scan panel. The horizon scan Chair canvassed panel members for ideas, resulting in an initial 32 independently proposed topics. Similar topics were merged by the Chair, and panel members were then invited to vote on and score anonymously the remaining 28 topics, bearing in mind the perceived importance/relevance and novelty for the discipline. The final ranking and sifting phase produced a list of 12 topics, which were categorised as being either new study areas or new epistemological frameworks for physical geography. In this editorial, we outline these 12 topics, some of which have been inspired by developments outside of the discipline, but we identify how potentially fertile contributions could be added by physical geographers. We discuss how new studies of extreme event geographies, the impacts of compound stressors, cross-system pollution and toxicity, the geomorphological basis of zoonoses, ancient environmental DNA, the projection and visualisation of landscape futures, and planetary sciences can all benefit from additional physical geography perspectives. We then consider the ways in which physical geographers may engage further with new approaches in personalised and internet-of-things monitoring, artificial intelligence, innovative technologies for teaching physical geography, the study of human-climate impacts, and the raising of the profile of physical geography thinking alongside other knowledge forms. We encourage more physical geographers to apply their unique skillsets and ways of thinking to these topics. The journal will welcome new submissions, or proposals for special issues, that address these topics from physical geographers and their colleagues.
Experienced Love: An Empirical Account
Authors: Bhargava Saurabh
Published: December 2023

This article presents new evidence on the prevalence, dynamics, and hedonic correlates of experienced love from data describing the emotion, well-being, and time use of a diverse sample of 3,867 U.S. adults every half hour for 10 days ( N = 1.12 million) supplemented by a hedonic snapshot of an additional 7,255 adults. The findings allude to the seemingly functional and adaptive nature of love and to similarities across binary gender—men and women reported comparable degrees of (passionate) partner love overall, elevated partner love after prolonged same-day separations, substantially elevated well-being in love’s presence, and reduced (but not extinguished) partner love in mature marital cohorts. The gender differences that were found—women reported more child love than men, and men exhibited a less pronounced reduction in partner love across cohorts—are also consistent with functional accounts of love that recognize the varying role of men and women in the formation and sustenance of relationships.
Violent Partners or a Specific Class of Offenders? A Criminal Career Approach to Understanding Men Involved in Intimate Partner Sexual Violence
Authors: Chopin Julien , Fortin Francis , Paquette Sarah , Guay Jean-Pierre , Péloquin Olivier , Chartrand Eric
Published: December 2023

The current study investigates the criminal career of individuals involved in intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). Specifically, the goal is to determine whether men who engage in IPSV can be distinguished from those who engage in intimate partner non sexual violence (IPNSV) only and whether criminal trajectories in the resulting subgroup are heterogeneous. The sample comes from a Canadian database including a total of 12,458 individuals involved in IPSV and 32,474 individuals involved in IPNSV). Bivariate and multivariate analyses are performed to examine the differences in the two groups while latent profile analysis allows examining the heterogeneity of characteristics of men who engaged in IPSV. Findings indicate that the criminal career of men who engage in IPSV follows a pattern that is clearly distinct from that of men who engage in IPNSV only and is more specialized in terms of sexual offenses. Results also show that the criminal trajectories followed by the men who engage in IPSV are heterogeneous. Four profiles of different trajectories were identified. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Suspicious Gifts and Speculative Translations: Colonial and Semicolonial Encounters between English and Persian
Authors: Sarlati Niloofar
Published: December 2023

This essay studies an emerging discourse on forms of exchange in mid- to late nineteenth-century Iran, both in national economic practices and international concessions. As the system of economic exchange is transforming in conversation with “foreign” forms and terms of exchange, the signifiers used to arrange those forms of exchange are also reshuffled in this context. Evoking different imperial powers and different languages—rather than one particular power or one particular language—this comparative discourse on economic modernity is marked by a palpable sense of ambiguity caused by the semicolonial condition of nineteenth-century Iran, which in turn complicates notions of “translatability” and “untranslatability,” introducing what the author calls a speculative category of “would-be translations.” Speculative translations in this semicolonial context uniquely reveal how miscategorization and misnaming are part of the structure of modern codification of exchange with universal ambitions. The essay thus argues that the two main avenues of colonial encounter—namely, economic exchange and translation—are necessarily ambiguous. Always suspicious and speculative, economic exchange and translation circularly feed into each other’s ambiguities in this semicolonial context.
Salīm Barakāt’s Weird Ecology
Authors: Olszok Charis
Published: December 2023

This article suggests a marked ecological consciousness within the Arabic novel and its experimental poetics, reading the Kurdish-Syrian author Salīm Barakāt’s debut novel Fuqahāʾ al-ẓalām (1985; Sages of Darkness) through the lens of dark, uncanny ecology. Through its strange, disquieting occurrences, described as “warps” and “mutations,” to the human and nonhuman, the novel both critiques the ethnic displacement of the Kurdish population and expresses unease over changing relationships to material land. This is rooted in its critique of the structuring frameworks of human thought, dismantled through unexpected syntactic shifts, uncomfortable imagery, and ever-strange plot, anchored in the weird interpenetration of human and nonhuman.
Comparative study of spectral sensitivity, irradiance sensitivity, spatial resolution and temporal resolution in the visual systems of Ocypode quadrata and Aratus pisonii
Authors: Qian Ruchao , Frank Tamara M.
Published: December 2023

Early pioneering studies by Autrum on terrestrial arthropods first revealed that the visual systems of arthropods reflected their lifestyles and habitats. Subsequent studies have examined and confirmed Autrum's hypothesis that visual adaptions are driven by predator–prey interactions and activity cycles, with rapidly moving predatory diurnal species generally possessing better temporal resolution than slower moving nocturnal species. However, few studies have compared the vision between diurnal herbivores and nocturnal predators. In this study, the visual physiology of a nocturnal fast-moving predatory crab, the Atlantic ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) and a diurnal herbivorous crab, the mangrove tree crab (Aratus pisonii), was examined. Spectral sensitivity, irradiance sensitivity and temporal resolution of the crabs were quantified using the electroretinogram (ERG), while the spatial resolution was calculated utilizing morphological methods. Both O. quadrata and A. pisonii had a single dark-adapted spectral sensitivity peak (494 and 499 nm, respectively) and chromatic adaptation had no effect on their spectral sensitivity, indicating that both species have monochromatic visual systems. The temporal resolution of O. quadrata was not significantly different from that of A. pisonii, but O. quadrata did possess a significantly greater spatial resolution and irradiance sensitivity. Both species possess an acute zone in the anterior region of their eyes. The data presented in this study will aid in the current understanding of the correlation between visual physiology and the life history of the animal.
Increasing the Cost of Informal Employment: Evidence from Mexico
Authors: Samaniego de la Parra Brenda , Fernández Bujanda León
Published: December 2023

We estimate the effect of increasing the cost of informal jobs on formal firms’ and workers’ outcomes. We combine administrative records and household surveys and exploit exogenous variation in the cost of informality generated by over 480,000 random worksite inspections in Mexico. For informal workers, inspections temporarily increase the probability of being formalized at the inspected firm, but separations also rise. For formal workers, we find temporary increases in the probability of remaining formally employed at the inspected firm and in monthly wages. At the firm level, increasing the cost of informal jobs leads to persistently lower formal employment. (JEL D22, E26, J22, J31, J46, O15)
Does Exposure to Other Ethnic Regions Promote National Integration? Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Okunogbe Oyebola
Published: December 2023

This paper examines how temporary exposure to a different ethnic region affects national integration, using original survey data from participants in Africa’s largest national youth service program. Seven years later, participants randomly assigned to serve in a state with a different ethnic majority are five times more likely to live all across the country compared to those who served in their ethnic region. They have more interethnic romantic relationships and express greater national pride. Nevertheless, immersion in a different region strengthens participants’ ethnic pride and favorable attitudes toward co-ethnics. The results suggest that national and ethnic identity can thrive together. (JEL D12, D91, J13, J15, O15)
Η χρήση των συλλογισμών Modus Ponens και Modus Tollens από φοιτητές Φυσικών Επιστημών και η συσχέτισή τους με λογικές πλάνες
Authors: Γκέβρου Μαρία , Σταυροπούλου Γεωργία , Βαϊοπούλου Γιούλη , Σταμοβλάσης Δημήτριος
Published: December 2023

Στην εργασία αυτή παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα μια πιλοτικής έρευνας που εξετάζει την χρήση των συλλογισμών Modus Ponens και Modus Tollens από  φοιτητές φυσικών επιστημών. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν στο πλαίσιο του μαθήματος μεθοδολογίας της έρευνας μέσω ερωτηματολογίου (Rijmen & Boeck, 2003). Εφαρμόστηκε ανάλυση κατά συστάδες για την ανάδειξη διακριτών προφίλ με βάση τις απαντήσεις, από την οποία προέκυψαν τρεις ομάδες (Clusters/Προφίλ). Τα τρία προφίλ αντιστοιχούν σε μία ιεραρχική διαβάθμιση σε σχέση με την ορθότητα των απαντήσεων και ακολούθως συσχετίσθηκαν με τις απαντήσεις σε ερωτήσεις που ανίχνευαν λογικές πλάνες. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι η σωστή χρήση των συλλογισμών Modus Ponens και Modus Tollens συσχετίζεται αρνητικά με την εμφάνιση λογικής πλάνης. Τα ευρήματα της έρευνας αφορούν και συζητούνται στο πλαίσιο της διδακτικής των μαθημάτων μεθοδολογίας επιστημονικής έρευνας.
Διεπιστημονική προσέγγιση διδασκαλίας του φυσικού εκκρεμούς με τη βοήθεια του BBC micro:bit
Authors: Τσιχουρίδης Χαρίλαος , Μήτρακας Νικόλαος , Καραβασίλης Αντώνιος , Βαβουγυιός Διονύσιος
Published: December 2023

Στη παρούσα εργασία διερευνάται ο βαθμός ευχρηστίας και αποτελεσματικότητας του μικρο-ελεγκτή Micro:bit κατά την διεπιστημονική προσέγγιση διδασκαλίας και εισαγωγής των μαθητών στην έννοια της ροπής αδράνειας με χρήση του φυσικού εκκρεμούς. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν σε 25 μαθητές Γυμνασίου οι οποίοι ομαδοσυνεργατικά κατασκεύασαν φυσικά εκκρεμή και μέσω φύλλων εργασίας συνέλεξαν και επεξεργάστηκαν τα δεδομένα των μετρήσεών τους. Η μέθοδος που ακολουθήθηκε περιελάμβανε τη χρήση pre και post τεστ ερωτηματολογίου καθώς και συζήτηση με focus group. Τα αποτελέσματα αναδεικνύουν την εφικτότητα της χρήσης του μικρο-ελεγκτή, ενισχύοντας τα μαθησιακά αποτελέσματα της διεπιστημονικής προσέγγισης διδασκαλίας αλλά και το κίνητρο για την συμμετοχή στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία.
Εναλλακτικές ιδέες προπτυχιακών φοιτητών/τριών δημοτικής εκπαίδευσης για το υδατικό αποτύπωμα
Authors: Γκίτσας Στέργιος , Μαλανδράκης Γεώργιος , Θεοδοσίου Νικόλαος , Λαμπρινός Νικόλαος
Published: December 2023

Oι ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες χρησιμοποιούν και ρυπαίνουν μεγάλες ποσότητες νερού. H χρήση της μεθοδολογίας του Υδατικού Αποτυπώματος (ΥΑ) μπορεί να βοηθήσει στην καλύτερη διαχείριση του νερού από τα άτομα και τις κυβερνήσεις. Η παρούσα έρευνα είχε ως σκοπό τη συλλογή πληροφοριών σχετικά με τις εναλλακτικές αντιλήψεις προπτυχιακών εκπαιδευτικών από Παιδαγωγικά Τμήματα Δημοτικής Εκπαίδευσης για το ΥΑ. Τα δεδομένα της έρευνας συλλέχθηκαν μέσω ηλεκτρονικού ερωτηματολογίου 9 Ερωτήσεων, το οποίο συμπληρώθηκε από 64 φοιτητές/τριες. Πραγματοποιήθηκε ανάλυση περιεχομένου στις απαντήσεις των φοιτητών/τριών με μονάδα ανάλυσης τη μονάδα νοήματος. Η ανάλυση περιεχομένου φανέρωσε πολλές εναλλακτικές αντιλήψεις και παρανοήσεις των συμμετεχόντων σχετικά με τον εννοιολογικό προσδιορισμό του ΥΑ.
The SciArt project: Προωθώντας δεξιότητες του 21ου αιώνα μέσω μιας συμπεριληπτικής προσέγγισης STEAM για την πολιτιστική κληρονομιά
Authors: Σοφιανίδης Άγγελος , Τσαλίκη Χριστίνα , Μαλλετζίδου Λαμπρινή , Πετρίδου Ελένη , Σπύρτου Άννα , Μολοχίδης Αναστάσιος
Published: December 2023

Το έργο SciArt θα αναπτύξει το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο της προσέγγισης SciArt σε ένα ηλεκτρονικό βιβλίο - επεκτείνοντας την υπάρχουσα βιβλιογραφία και τις τρέχουσες πρακτικές STEAM, με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στην Πολιτιστική Κληρονομιά, την εθνική και ευρωπαϊκή ταυτότητα, τη σύνδεση μεταξύ των αρχαιομετρικών μεθόδων και της σχολικής επιστήμης, τη χρήση των τέχνεργων για την κατασκευή αφηγήσεων ταυτότητας και την ένταξη. Στο πλαίσιο του έργου θα αναπτυχθεί ένα ηλεκτρονικό βιβλίο που θα απευθύνεται σε εκπαιδευτικούς και θα περιλαμβάνει εκπαιδευτικούς πόρους με τη μορφή προτεινόμενων δραστηριοτήτων καθώς και μια διαδικτυακή πλατφόρμα με στόχο τη διευκόλυνση της εφαρμογής των δραστηριοτήτων. Στη συνέχεια, θα πραγματοποιηθεί κατάρτιση εκπαιδευτικών Πρωτοβάθμιας και Δευτεροβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης στην Κύπρο, στην Ελλάδα και στην Πορτογαλία, οι οποίοι θα κληθούν να  εφαρμόσουν την πρόταση στα σχολεία τους. Τέλος, μεγάλος αριθμός εκπαιδευτικών θα ενημερωθεί για την προσέγγιση SciArt, σε συνεργασία με τα Μουσεία που συμμετέχουν στο έργο ως εταίροι.
Το μοντέλο Ιδέες – Κόσμος – Τεκμήρια στη διδασκαλία της εξελικτικής θεωρίας
Authors: Ντινολάζου Χριστίνα , Παπαδοπούλου Πηνελόπη
Published: December 2023

Η αποτελεσματική διδασκαλία της εξελικτικής θεωρίας αποτελεί ζητούμενο πολλών ερευνών, καθεμία από τις οποίες εστιάζει σε διαφορετική πτυχή της διαδικασίας και προτείνει ανάλογες σχεδιαστικές αρχές. Η παρούσα εργασία διερευνά αν η χρήση του μοντέλου Ιδέες - Κοσμος - Τεκμήρια (ΙΚΤ) ως εργαλείου σχεδιασμού Διδακτικών Mαθησιακών Ακολουθιών (ΔΜΑ) θα μπορούσε να συνεισφέρει σε αυτό το στόχο. Προκειμένου να απαντηθεί το κύριο ερευνητικό ερώτημα, σχεδιάστηκε μια ΔΜΑ για την εξελικτική θεωρία, χωρίς να ληφθεί υπόψη το μοντέλο ΙΚΤ και στη συνέχεια τροποποιήθηκε με βάση αυτό, καταλήγοντας σε μια δεύτερη, αναθεωρημένη ΔΜΑ. Οι δυο ΔΜΑ εφαρμόστηκαν σε διαφορετικά τμήματα και η πρώτη φάση της αξιολόγησης τους έδωσε ενδείξεις ότι η χρήση του μοντέλου ΙΚΤ για το σχεδιασμό μιας ΔΜΑ για την εξελικτική θεωρία θα μπορούσε ενδεχομένως να ενισχύσει τα μαθησιακά αποτελέσματα που αναμένονται από την εφαρμογή της. Η συνέχιση της έρευνας, μέρος της οποίας παρουσιάζεται εδώ, θα δώσει απάντηση στο κύριο ερευνητικό ερώτημα.