bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I Am Thou, Thou Art I: Persona 5: The Royal’s: Representation of Post-Traumatic Growth Through Social Penetration Theory
Authors: Daniel Jr. Emory S. , Hays Sarah , Bean Anthony
Published: April 2024

In the Shin Megami Tensei series – Persona, one of the most prevalent themes that exists within the gameplay is the social link system. The protagonist creates friendships over the course of the narrative and deepens the bond with friends with increased interactions. As the number of interactions increase, so does the depth of the conversation.

This study investigates the following objectives: 1) analyze how social interactions are presented in an in-game medium by means of social penetration, 2) determine how trauma is presented in Persona 5: The Royal and show how it is communicated as the relationship deepens, and 3) investigate frequencies of interactions between the protagonist and NPC’s as they demonstrate a coping mechanism through the means of post-traumatic growth.

This case study will content analyze through the lens of coding categories such as Social Penetration Theory and the Post Traumatic Growth Index. Using these coding categories, authors will quantitatively analyze all confidant interactions through 10 levels of individual conversations increasing in depth. A content analysis was used to investigate these in-game themes.

Using frequencies and Chi Square analysis, Affective stage and Stable stage from social penetration was the most frequent amongst the interactions, and while various trauma was present, Relating to Others was most prominent as the relationships deepened.

The depths of interaction and coping through trauma was found to be quite similar to real world interactions and growing past trauma as a person relies on friends and family, and focuses on the future. These themes can be used to explain post traumatic growth, and could be utilized to empathize with clients who might be struggling with their own trauma.
SETE DIMENSÕES PARA LEITURA CRÍTICA E CRIATIVA DAS NOTÍCIAS EM ÁUDIO E VÍDEO: repensando a qualidade do jornalismo audiovisual no ensino
Authors: Becker Beatriz , Waltz Igor
Published: April 2024

Diante da abundância de informações acessíveis em diferentes dispositivos e telas, a confiabilidade das notícias é fundamental para fomentar as práticas democráticas e o exercício da cidadania. Este trabalho apresenta um método formado por sete dimensões para avaliar a credibilidade e a qualidade de matérias e reportagens em áudio e vídeo, buscando contribuir para o ensino do jornalismo audiovisual. Tais dimensões, amparadas em pesquisas em jornalismo e estudos de televisão e de News Literacy, são aplicadas na análise da série “Pra Onde, Brasil” do Profissão Repórter da Rede Globo.
A INFLUÊNCIA DA COMUNICAÇÃO ORGANIZACIONAL PARA A VIABILIZAÇÃO DA LOGÍSTICA REVERSA: um recorte do setor de pilhas e baterias
Authors: Novi Leandro , Da Silva Pereira Raquel , Augusto Minciotti Silvio
Published: April 2024

A Logística Reversa (LR) traz contribuição inovadora ao propiciar o retorno de resíduos ao processo produtivo, mas é incipiente no Brasil. Este estudo avaliou se variáveis demográficas e variáveis associadas à comunicação organizacional influenciam na adesão dos consumidores à prática da LR de pilhas e baterias. Foram empreendidas duas etapas de pesquisa: uma análise documental e um levantamento. Os resultados apontaram que o “Estímulo por meio da comunicação” foi um previsor significativo de adesão à LR, aumentando em 21,4% a chance de ocorrência de LR de pilhas e baterias.
The role of digital status in adult child–parent relationships in European comparative perspective
Authors: Völgyi Bence , Füzér Katalin , Albert Fruzsina , Erát Dávid
Published: April 2024

The increasing significance of technology-mediated social interactions gives rise to optimistic expectations that digitalisation leads to various overwhelmingly positive outcomes in all walks of life. Our study relies on the European Social Survey 10th wave data (2020–22) to investigate the role of digital status in the relationship between adult children and parents in 30 countries. We found media multiplexity in adult child–parent relationships to be coupled in interesting and partly counterintuitive ways with our novel measure of digital status that captures digital skills and the outcomes of ICT use. The country-specific binary logistic regression models revealed that digital skills and the emotional benefits of ICT use have a central role in using new and old technologies, whereas a positive practical outcome of ICT use decreased the frequency of adult child–parent contact. By shaping the opportunities of doing family digitally, the skills and outcomes aspects of digital status have independent roles in a key segment of intergenerational relationships of adult family members.
Dwell time for optical fabrication using the modified discrete convolution matrix method
Authors: Liu Ximing , Li Longxiang , Li Xingchang , Zhang Feng , Zhang Xuejun
Published: April 2024

More accurate dwell time calculation methods are necessary to achieve superior error convergence in producing optically critical components. Although the discrete convolution matrix method finds widespread application, it still has approximate errors in the non-uniform discrete form of tool paths. To address this issue, this paper introduced a modified matrix elements method and presented the general Voronoi polygon area weight calculation forms under different tool path discretization forms. The mechanism is explained through analysis and the validity is verified by numerical simulation. The modified method significantly improved uniformity distribution and accuracy in computation of surface residuals. This improvement holds promise as a guiding principle for the fabrication of ultra-precision optical components.
3DOF displacement sensor based on the self-imaging effect of optical micro-gratings
Authors: Yang Hao , Zhang Mengdi , Guo Lijun , Yang Zhiyong , Li Mengwei , Xin Chenguang
Published: April 2024

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for a multiple degrees of freedom
(DOF) measurement system with high performance and high integration.
Here, we report a 3DOF displacement sensor
based on the self-imaging
effect of optical micro-gratings. The optical field distribution
behind a micro-grating with a period of 3 µm is analyzed
theoretically. The transmission properties of a double-grating
structure are investigated in theory. In the experiment, 3DOF
displacement measurement within a range of 1 mm is
demonstrated. Using an interpolation circuit with a subdividing factor
of 1000, displacement measurement with a theoretical resolution of
3 nm is realized. The experimental resolution is ∼8nm. An error within 2 µm is
obtained experimentally within a range of 1 mm for 3DOF
measurement. With a few optical components such as a beam splitter
prism and beam expanders, the sensor shows potential in developing
ultra-compact multi-DOF displacement measuring systems. Together with
a nanometric resolution, the 3DOF displacement sensor has shown great
potential in applications such as high-precision mechanical
engineering and semiconductor processing.
Canonical and Poynting currents in propagation and diffraction of structured light: tutorial
Authors: Ghosh Bohnishikha , Daniel Anat , Gorzkowski Bernard , Bekshaev Aleksandr Y. , Lapkiewicz Radek , Bliokh Konstantin Y.
Published: April 2024

The local propagation and the energy flux in structured optical fields are often associated with the Poynting vector. However, the local phase gradient (i.e., local wavevector) in monochromatic fields in free space is described by another fundamental quantity: the canonical momentum density. Distributions of the Poynting and canonical momentum densities can differ significantly from each other in structured fields. We examine the role of these quantities in the propagation and diffraction of structured optical fields, exemplified by various circularly polarized vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum. We describe the canonical and Poynting momentum distributions in such beams, experimentally measure the local transverse momentum density by a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor, and investigate fine features of the diffraction of various vortex beams on a knife-edge aperture. In all cases, the measured local momentum density and local beam evolution are consistent with the canonical momentum distribution rather than the Poynting vector. Furthermore, we introduce the local angular velocity in vortex beams and determine the universal integral π angle of azimuthal rotation in an arbitrary (yet circularly symmetric) propagating and diffracting vortex beam. Finally, we discuss the “supermomentum” and “backflow” effects; both of these phenomena are examples of superoscillations and are related to the properties of the canonical momentum. Our results reveal the profound role of the canonical momentum in the evolution of light and demonstrate the importance of distinguishing between it and the Poynting vector in structured light.
Optical characteristics of thin film-based InGaN micro-LED arrays: a study on size effect and far field behavior
Authors: Vögl Florian , Avramescu Adrian , Gelfert Sven , Lex Andreas , Waag Andreas , Hetzl Martin , von Malm Norwin
Published: April 2024

Micro-light emitting diodes (µ-LEDs) are considered the key enabler for various high-resolution micro-display applications such as augmented reality, smartphones or head-up displays. Within this study we fabricated nitride-based µ-LED arrays in a thin film chip architecture with lateral pixel sizes down to 1 µm. A metal mirror on the p-side enhances the light outcoupling via the n-side after removal of the epitaxial growth substrate. Mounted devices with pixel sizes ranging from 1×1 to 8×8 µm2 were electro-optically characterized within an integrating sphere and in a goniometer system. We measure increased external quantum efficiencies on smaller devices due to a higher light extraction efficiency (LEE) as predicted by wave optical simulations. Besides this size dependence of the LEE, also the far field properties show a substantial change with pixel size. In addition, we compared µ-LEDs with 40 nm and 80 nm thick aluminium oxide around the pixel mesa. Considerably different far field patterns were observed which indicate the sensitivity of optical properties to any design changes for tiny µ-LEDs. The experimentally obtained radiation behavior could be reasonably predicted by finite-difference time-domain simulations. This clearly reveals the importance of understanding and modeling wave optical effects inside µ-LED devices and the resulting impact on their optical performance.
Compact supermode switch for photonic matrix processing
Authors: Luan Jiapeng , Qin Yue , Wang Zelu , Xiao Shuqi , Tsang Hon Ki
Published: April 2024

A 2 × 2 switch based on differential effective thermo-optic (TO) coefficients of waveguide supermodes is proposed and experimentally demonstrated as a more compact alternative to Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI)-based switches used in coherent photonic matrix processing networks. The total waveguide width of the device is 1.335 μm. Using a novel, to the best of our knowledge, supermode coupler with a wideband 3-dB coupling ratio, the switch was engineered to have on–off extinction ratios (ERs) ranging from 24.1 to 38.9 dB for the two output ports over a 135 nm bandwidth. Insertion losses (ILs) of less than 0.3 and 0.4 dB over the 100 nm bandwidth were measured for bar and cross transmission, respectively. The waveguide width error tolerance is +/−30 nm. The proposed device has the potential to improve the scalability of a programmable coherent mesh for matrix processing by increasing the integration density without sacrificing the overall accuracy or limiting the operational wavelength range of the mesh.
Photonic random walks with traps
Authors: Longhi Stefano
Published: April 2024

Random walks behave very differently for classical and quantum particles. Here we unveil a ubiquitous distinctive behavior of random walks of a photon in a one-dimensional lattice in the presence of a finite number of traps, at which the photon can be destroyed and the walk terminates. While for a classical random walk the photon is unavoidably destroyed by the traps, for a quantum walk the photon can remain alive and the walk continues for ever. Such an intriguing behavior is illustrated by considering photonic random walks in synthetic mesh lattices with controllable decoherence, which enables to switch from quantum to classical random walks.
Generation of Dissipative Triangular Solitons and Soliton Crystals in Normal-Dispersion Photonic-Crystal Microresonators
Authors: Lobanov Valery , Borovkova Olga , Vorobyev Alexander , Sokol Daria , Shitikov Artem , Dmitriev Nikita , Chermoshentsev Dmitry , Bilenko Igor
Published: April 2024

We numerically demonstrate a novel regime for generation of soliton structures in a normal-dispersion photonic-crystal microresonator. The results show that if one pumps not a split mode but neighboring one, it is possible to excite either triangular-shaped soliton or soliton crystal, depending on the spectral interval between pumped and split modes. Properties of the generated solitonic structures are studied and excitation conditions
are revealed.
Theory of all-silicon two-photon receivers for monolithic on-chip interconnects
Authors: Kamel Ayman , Kristensen Philip , Mørk Jesper , Hansen Ole , Yvind Kresten
Published: April 2024

We theoretically analyze the use of an all-silicon PIN two-photon absorption detector integrated in a deep-submicron CMOS technology as a receiver for on-chip interconnects. Exploiting a new type of nanocavity with deep sub-wavelength light confinement, a low capacitance detector integrated with a CMOS amplifier front-end can provide a logic-level voltage output at 5 Gbps even when operating at low quantum efficiency and at BER levels suitable for on-chip signaling for a transmitter energy of just 1 fJ/bit.
Detector-integrated vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with a movable high-contrast grating mirror
Authors: Wang Minglu , Peng Hongling , Hao Chenxi , Zhou Xuyan , Zheng Wanhua , Liu Anjin
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we present a detector-integrated vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with a movable high-contrast grating (HCG) mirror in an n-i-p-i-n manner. The detector-integrated VCSEL with a movable HCG can achieve three functions, including wavelength tuning, power monitoring, and resonant-cavity-enhanced (RCE) photon detection. Currently, the device can achieve a wavelength tuning range of 27 nm at room temperature when the suspended HCG is driven by the reverse-bias voltage. The n-i-p structure located at the upper part of the device can serve as an intra-cavity photodiode to monitor the output power due to the defect absorption. The RCE photon detection function of the detector-integrated VCSEL with a movable HCG is measured, and it has a peak responsivity at about 926 nm. This detector-integrated VCSEL with a movable HCG will be useful for sensing and imaging.
Gbps key rate passive-state-preparation continuous-variable quantum key distribution within an access-network area
Authors: Ji Feiyu , Huang Peng , Wang Tao , Jiang Xueqin , Zeng Guihua
Published: April 2024

The conventional Gaussian-modulated coherent-state quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol requires the sender to perform active modulations based on a true random number generator. Compared with it, the passive-state-preparation (PSP) continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) equivalently performs modulations passively by exploring the intrinsic field fluctuations of a thermal source, which offers the prospect of chip integration QKD with low cost. In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a high-rate PSP-CVQKD scheme within an access-network area using high-bandwidth detectors in a continuous wave encoding and decoding way. By proposing effective methods for suppressing the noises during the PSP process and polarization multiplexing to decrease the photon leakage noises, we realize the high-intensity local oscillator transmission, thereby achieving coherent detection with high efficiency, low noise, and high bandwidth. The secure key rates over transmission distance of 5.005 km with and without consideration of the finite-size effect are 273.25 Mbps and 1.09 Gbps. The use of the PSP method boosts the asymptotic secret key rate of CVQKD to Gbps level for the first time, to our knowledge, within the range of the access network, which provides an effective and secure key distribution strategy for high-speed quantum cryptography access communication.
Automated reporting of cervical biopsies using artificial intelligence
Authors: Mohammadi Mahnaz , Fell Christina , Morrison David , Syed Sheeba , Konanahalli Prakash , Bell Sarah , Bryson Gareth , Arandjelović Ognjen , Harrison David J. , Harris-Birtill David
Published: April 2024

When detected at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate for people with invasive cervical cancer is 92%. Being aware of signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and early detection greatly improve the chances of successful treatment. We have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm, trained and evaluated on cervical biopsies for automated reporting of digital diagnostics. The aim is to increase overall efficiency of pathological diagnosis and to have the performance tuned to high sensitivity for malignant cases. Having a tool for triage/identifying cancer and high grade lesions may potentially reduce reporting time by identifying areas of interest in a slide for the pathologist and therefore improving efficiency. We trained and validated our algorithm on 1738 cervical WSIs with one WSI per patient. On the independent test set of 811 WSIs, we achieved 93.4% malignant sensitivity for classifying slides. Recognising a WSI, with our algorithm, takes approximately 1.5 minutes on the NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPU. Whole slide images of different formats (TIFF, iSyntax, and CZI) can be processed using this code, and it is easily extendable to other formats.
The student-teacher framework guided by self-training and consistency regularization for semi-supervised medical image segmentation
Authors: Li Boliang , Xu Yaming , Wang Yan , Li Luxiu , Zhang Bo
Published: April 2024

Due to the high suitability of semi-supervised learning for medical image segmentation, a plethora of valuable research has been conducted and has achieved noteworthy success in this field. However, many approaches tend to confine their focus to a singular semi-supervised framework, thereby overlooking the potential enhancements in segmentation performance offered by integrating several frameworks. In this paper, we propose a novel semi-supervised framework named Pesudo-Label Mean Teacher (PLMT), which synergizes the self-training pipeline with pseudo-labeling and consistency regularization techniques. In particular, we integrate the student-teacher structure with consistency loss into the self-training pipeline to facilitate a mutually beneficial enhancement between the two methods. This structure not only generates remarkably accurate pseudo-labels for the self-training pipeline but also furnishes additional pseudo-label supervision for the student-teacher framework. Moreover, to explore the impact of different semi-supervised losses on the segmentation performance of the PLMT framework, we introduce adaptive loss weights. The PLMT could dynamically adjust the weights of different semi-supervised losses during the training process. Extension experiments on three public datasets demonstrate that our framework achieves the best performance and outperforms the other five semi-supervised methods. The PLMT is an initial exploration of the framework that melds the self-training pipeline with consistency regularization and offers a comparatively innovative perspective in semi-supervised image segmentation.
The association between Dioscorea sansibarensis and Orrella dioscoreae as a model for hereditary leaf symbiosis
Authors: Acar Tessa , Moreau Sandra , Jardinaud Marie-Françoise , Houdinet Gabriella , Maviane-Macia Felicia , De Meyer Frédéric , Hoste Bart , Leroux Olivier , Coen Olivier , Le Ru Aurélie , Peeters Nemo , Carlier Aurelien
Published: April 2024

Hereditary, or vertically-transmitted, symbioses affect a large number of animal species and some plants. The precise mechanisms underlying transmission of functions of these associations are often difficult to describe, due to the difficulty in separating the symbiotic partners. This is especially the case for plant-bacteria hereditary symbioses, which lack experimentally tractable model systems. Here, we demonstrate the potential of the leaf symbiosis between the wild yamDioscorea sansibarensisand the bacteriumOrrella dioscoreae(O.dioscoreae) as a model system for hereditary symbiosis.O.dioscoreaeis easy to grow and genetically manipulate, which is unusual for hereditary symbionts. These properties allowed us to design an effective antimicrobial treatment to rid plants of bacteria and generate whole aposymbiotic plants, which can later be re-inoculated with bacterial cultures. Aposymbiotic plants did not differ morphologically from symbiotic plants and the leaf forerunner tip containing the symbiotic glands formed normally even in the absence of bacteria, but microscopic differences between symbiotic and aposymbiotic glands highlight the influence of bacteria on the development of trichomes and secretion of mucilage. This is to our knowledge the first leaf symbiosis where both host and symbiont can be grown separately and where the symbiont can be genetically altered and reintroduced to the host.
Beyond the VSG layer: Exploring the role of intrinsic disorder in the invariant surface glycoproteins of African trypanosomes
Authors: Sülzen Hagen , Volkov Alexander N. , Geens Rob , Zahedifard Farnaz , Stijlemans Benoit , Zoltner Martin , Magez Stefan , Sterckx Yann G.-J. , Zoll Sebastian
Published: April 2024

In the bloodstream of mammalian hosts, African trypanosomes face the challenge of protecting their invariant surface receptors from immune detection. This crucial role is fulfilled by a dense, glycosylated protein layer composed of variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs), which undergo antigenic variation and provide a physical barrier that shields the underlying invariant surface glycoproteins (ISGs). The protective shield’s limited permeability comes at the cost of restricted access to the extracellular host environment, raising questions regarding the specific function of the ISG repertoire. In this study, we employ an integrative structural biology approach to show that intrinsically disordered membrane-proximal regions are a common feature of members of the ISG super-family, conferring the ability to switch between compact and elongated conformers. While the folded, membrane-distal ectodomain is buried within the VSG layer for compact conformers, their elongated counterparts would enable the extension beyond it. This dynamic behavior enables ISGs to maintain a low immunogenic footprint while still allowing them to engage with the host environment when necessary. Our findings add further evidence to a dynamic molecular organization of trypanosome surface antigens wherein intrinsic disorder underpins the characteristics of a highly flexible ISG proteome to circumvent the constraints imposed by the VSG coat.
Virtual facades: Exploring the relationship between self-presentation on Facebook and social anxiety among Egyptian Generation Z users
Authors: Abdelraouf Eslam , Amin Hussein
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the correlation between the ‘false-self’ – the persona presented to the public that may not accurately reflect one’s true identity – and social anxiety among Generation Z Facebook users in Egypt. An integrated methodology approach was used to explore the connection between Facebook usage, false self-presentation and social anxiety levels. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire targeting 420 Facebook users belonging to Egypt’s Generation Z demographic. The study findings demonstrate a strong positive correlation between higher Facebook usage intensity and false self-presentation. Furthermore, false self-presentation was found to be positively correlated with social anxiety. Significant gender differences in self-congruence on Facebook were revealed, supported by theories related to social norms and gender roles. These findings illustrate the potential influence of social media on gender identity and self-presentation, underscoring the need to take gender differences into account when studying the effects of social media on mental health. Additionally, significant differences in Facebook intensity and attachment between genders were revealed. This study adds to our understanding of the intricate relationship between social media use, self-presentation and mental health outcomes among Generation Z by providing insight into the risks associated with false self-presentation and high Facebook usage intensity.
Az omnibusztörvény mint üzleti terv
Authors: Saralegui Clara Fernandez
Published: April 2024

A Javier Milei-kormány elküldte a képviselőháznak “Az argentinok szabadságának alapjairól és kiindulópontjairól szóló törvényt”, közismert nevén az “Omnibusztörvényt”, egy több mint 600 cikkelyt tartalmazó, erősen privatizációs és deregulációs irányultságú csomagot. A globális média az elnök által elért eredményeket úgy írta le, mint amelyek Argentínát “Latin-Amerika legliberálisabb országává” tették.
Az EU-Mercosur kereskedelmi megállapodás nehézségekbe ütközik az európai mezőgazdasági termelők részéről
Authors: Saralegui Clara Fernandez
Published: April 2024

Az év elejétől kezdve a gazdák Európa-szerte kifejezték ellenérzésüket az Európai Unió (EU) és a dél-amerikai Mercosur kereskedelmi tömb között tervezett kereskedelmi megállapodással szemben. A megállapodás, amelynek célja az exportvámok csökkentése és a kereskedelem ösztönzése, vitát váltott ki a mezőgazdasági szabványokra és az európai piacra gyakorolt hatásáról.
OBSERVING IMPACTS OF HEATWAVES ON URBAN TREES OF MILTON-KEYNES USING GOOGLE-EARTH-ENGINE
Authors: Khan Ramla
Published: April 2024

Urban trees keeps the area cool through shading and evapotranspiration and reduces the impacts of heatwaves. Heatwave is an extreme meteorological event in which high temperature and humid weather persist for a prolonged duration that negatively impacts the environment. According to the met office of UK, heatwave is a persistent three or more days of hot weather with varying threshold ranging from 25˚C to 28˚C (equal or above 27˚C for Milton-Keynes). In this study, I have looked at the past five years heat impact on the health of urban trees using sentinel-2 data and NDVI parameter.
The Burden of Overweight and Obesity-Associated Gastrointestinal Cancers in Low and Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Global Burden of Disease 2019 Analysis
Authors: Danpanichkul Pojsakorn , Auttapracha Thanida , Sukphutanan Banthoon , Ng Cheng Han , Wattanachayakul Phuuwadith , Kongarin Siwanart , Dutta Priyata , Duangsonk Kwanjit , Thongpiya Jerapas , Muthiah Mark D. , Huang Daniel Q. , Lui Rashid N. , Seko Yuya , Takahashi Hirokazu , Noureddin Mazen , Yang Ju Dong , Wallace Michael B. , Wijarnpreecha Karn
Published: April 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Obesity is associated with cancer, including gastrointestinal (GI). Data from low (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (MICs) are limited.

METHODS:

We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to determine the mortality from GI cancer risk of high body mass index (BMI) in these countries.

RESULTS:

Mortality rates of GI cancers from high BMI increased in LICs and lower MICs, while burdens decreased or remained stable in high and middle-income countries.

DISCUSSION:

The GI cancer-related burden from high BMI increased in LICs and lower MICs, necessitating a concerted effort to tackle the obesity pandemic.
Clinical case of gonadotropinoma, which occurs for a long time under the guise of hyperprolactinemia
Authors: Nikitina T. V. , Vorotnikova S. Yu. , Dzeranova L. K. , Lapshina A. M. , Azizyan V. N. , Kuzmin A. G.
Published: April 2024

The prevalence of pituitary adenomas in the population among tumors of the central nervous system is about 17%. Pituitary adenomas are divided into non-functional (about 36–54%), characterized by the absence of secretory activity, and functional (about 46–64%), secreting hormones or their subunits. The most common are prolactinomas (32–51%), somatotropinomas (9– 11%), corticotropinomas (3–6%), the frequency of gonadotropins and thyrotropins is low and amounts to less than 1% of cases. This article presents a clinical observation of a patient with gonadotropinoma, which has been occurring for a long time under the guise of hyperprolactinemia.
History of establishment and formation of Endocrine gynecology Department of the Endocrinology Research Centre
Authors: Andreeva E. N. , Grigoryan O. R. , Sheremetyeva E. V. , Absatarova Yu. S. , Mikheev R. K.
Published: April 2024

This article presents the historical review of establishment and formation of Endocrine Gynecology Department (Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation) since 1960 until 2024s. The basic aim of establishment of the Endocrine Gynecology Department are organization and providing of conservative and surgery medical aid for female patients with reproductive pathologies and endocrinopathies. The members of the Department also provide scientifical and educational work in the area of personalized diagnostic and treatment approaches of reproductive pathologies. The review is supplied with evolutionary, historical and biographical datas about all leaders of Department throughout its history. Authors group dedicates the present article to scientific supervisors and mentors.
Evaluation of the efficacy of complex analgesic therapy, including a combination of B vitamins, in patients with combination of osteoarthritis and chronic non-specific low back pain (results of an open-label pilot clinical trial)
Authors: Filatova E. S. , Karateev A. E. , Shakhramanova E. L. , Ghukasyan D. A. , Shkireeva S. Yu. , Lila A.  M.
Published: April 2024

The vitamin B1, B6 and B12 complex (VBC) is frequently used to treat acute and chronic low back pain.

Objective: to investigate the effect of a combination of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a VBC on the main manifestations of nociceptive system dysfunction in patients with combination of osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic non-specific low back pain (NSLBP).

Material and methods. The study group consisted of 99 patients (82% women, mean age 63.6±17.2 years) with OA of various localization and

NSLBP who had moderate to severe pain (≥4 on a numerical rating scale, NRS 0–10). All patients received etoricoxib 60 mg/day (up to 14 days) and a course of intramuscular (IM) injections of VBC (a drug for parenteral administration containing solutions of thiamine 100 mg, pyridoxine 100 mg, cyanocobalamin 1.0 mg and lidocaine 20 mg) 2.0 ml №10. Treatment outcome was assessed after 14 days.

Results and discussion. During treatment, the vast majority of patients showed a significant improvement: the median severity of pain on movement (NRS) decreased from 6.3 [5.0; 8.0] to 3.7 [3.0; 5.0], p=0.0001; functional impairment  –  from 3.8 [2.0; 6.0] to 2.2 [1.0; 3.0], p=0.001; fatigue – from 5.6 [4.0; 8.0] to 3.5 [0.0; 2.0], p=0.0001. 71.6% of patients rated the treatment results as good or excellent. Six patients had adverse reactions: 2 – local pain at the site of the intramuscular injections, 1 – arterial hypertension, 3 – epigastric pain. No serious adverse events were recorded.

Conclusion. The combined use of NSAIDs and VBC can provide significant improvement in patients with a combination of OA and NSLBP.
Alfacalcidol in clinical practice: focus on the efficacy and safety of the Russian generic drug
Authors: Toroptsova N. V. , Kozyreva M. V. , Dobrovolskaya O. V.
Published: April 2024

The most important factors that determine the risk of fractures are not only the presence of osteoporosis (OP), but also the risk of falls. In addition to sufficient physical activity, medications are needed that have a positive effect on the strength and functional performance of the skeletal muscles. Vitamin D supplements play a key role in this therapeutic approach.

Objective: to investigate the tolerability, safety and efficacy of the generic drug Alfacalcidol Canon on the functional status of patients with reduced bone mineral density in clinical practice.

Material and methods. The study involved 30 women with OP or osteopenia who were at high risk of falls (mean age 68.0±7.2 years) and who were administered Alfacalcidol Canon at a dose of 1 mcg/day for 3 months. The follow-up period included 4 visits to the clinic, during which laboratory tests were performed and falls and fractures, adverse reactions and patients' adherence to treatment were registered. At the first and last visits, quality of life was assessed using the EQ-5D and the functional status of the skeletal muscles was examined. At the 4th visit, the tolerability of the medication was assessed.

Results and discussion. After 3 months of therapy, an increase in muscle strength of the dominant arm was observed by an average of 15.4% (p=0.00002). The time for the "Chair Stand Test" and the "Time up and go" test decreased by 17.4% (p=0.000012) and 13.6% (p=0.00004) respectively. The gait speed test increased on average by 13.9% (p=0.000013), it increased in 26 (86.7%) women. The SPPB test score increased on average by 12.5% (p=0.000001), and achievement of the best indicators was found in 23 (76.7%) women. There were no cases of hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypermagnesemia, but 1 case of hypercalciuria was detected. Falls occurred in 2 women (6.7%) who had fallen in the previous year, one of whom suffered a fracture of humeral neck. Adverse reactions were observed in 3 (10 %) women, one of whom stopped taking the drug. 90% of the patients tolerated the treatment excellently. The average compliance rate was 94.3%.

Conclusion. Alfacalcidol Canon is a safe and effective drug that can be used to improve the physical performance of skeletal muscles in patients with a high risk of falls.
On the problem of differential diagnosis in the detection of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
Authors: Egorova O. N. , Tarasova G. M. , Issaeva B. G. , Datsina A. V. , Dilmanova D. S. , Issaeva S. M. , Nogaeva M. G. , Issaeva A. G. , Amanzholova A. S. , Saparbayeva M. M. , Atasheva A. A. , Kanapina A. B.
Published: April 2024

Vasculitides associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are a group of systemic autoimmune diseases characterized by necrotizing lesions of the walls of predominantly small vessels and the presence of ANCA against proteinase 3 or myeloperoxidase. However, an increase in ANCA levels can also be observed in other diseases, including autoimmune, malignant and infectious diseases, which complicates the interpretation of clinical and laboratory data and requires a differential diagnosis.
The first clinical experience with selective DNA plasmasorption using the NucleoCapture Device in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Aseeva E. A. , Pokrovsky N. S. , Soloviev S. K. , Nikolaeva E. V. , Nikishina N. Yu. , Abdullin E. T. , Reshetnyak T.  M. , Zotkin E. G. , Lila A. M.
Published: April 2024

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology characterized by the overproduction of autoantibodies against various components of the nucleus of the patient's own cells with the development of immunoinflammatory tissue damage. In recent years, more and more data have accumulated on the involvement of neutrophils in the development of the clinical symptoms of SLE, and DNA-containing structures and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) playing an important role in this process. Effective neutralization of NETs in SLE can be achieved by removing circulating proteins and molecules associated with NETs from the bloodstream by selective plasma sorption of DNA using the NucleoCapture Device.

This article describes the case of a patient who underwent three plasma sorption sessions aiming to suppress the activity of SLE. During the therapy, significant positive dynamics were achieved: the SLEDAI-2K index decreased from 32 to 12 points, the number of leukocytes in the blood normalized, renal function improved, and the immunological activity of the disease decreased.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) caused by sulfasalazine: a case report and literature review
Authors: Fedorov A. S. , Savelyeva Yu. O. , Grabovetskay Yu. Yu. , Rudyuk L. A. , Kuchinskaya E. M. , Kostik M. M.
Published: April 2024

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a rare, potentially fatal systemic reaction characterized by multiorgan damage involving the liver, hematopoietic system and skin, and heterogeneous manifestations of fever, rash, lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia with unpredictable course.

We describe a 41-year-old female patient who developed DRESS syndrome after taking sulfasalazine prescribed for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. Treatment with intravenous and then oral glucocorticoids was effective. A review of the literature on this topic is presented.
New molecular aspects of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis – perspectives for early diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Tyurin A. V. , Akhiyarova K. E. , Yalaev B. I. , Zagidullin T. S. , Khusainova R. I.
Published: April 2024

Osteoporosis (OP) is a common disease leading to low-trauma fractures and is a serious medical and social problem. Often a fracture is the first clinical manifestation of OP that has been asymptomatic for a long time, necessitating the development of methods for early detection and risk assessment of this disease. OP is a multifactorial disease with a strong hereditary component. However, as the data from the study of genetic factors show, only 15% of the heritability of this trait can be explained. In this context, the focus of research is shifting to the area of epigenetic regulation, which controls gene activity without altering the primary structure of the DNA. One of the most promising mechanisms of epigenetic control is methylation, which affects DNA as well as RNA and histones. The characteristics of these mechanisms and the possibilities of their use for the diagnosis and treatment of OP are presented in this review.
Las Misiones con guaranís: relación respetuosa entre pueblos
Authors: Soto Artuñedo Wenceslao
Published: April 2024

Las misiones (reducciones) jesuitas con los guaranís resultaron ser un tipo de relación alternativa entre el colectivo español y el nativo, una relación respetuosa con las personas y su cultura. Este artículo estudia el concepto de reducción y el contexto en el que surgieron, cómo la Compañía tuvo que hacer cambios en su legislación para asumirlas, lo que se hizo como una excepción temporal que se perpetuó. Así llego a desarrollar una red de 30 pueblos, cuyo final fue el Tratado de Límites (1750) entre España y Portugal. Finaliza con algunas reflexiones sobre la valoración de esta experiencia misionera y sus ruinas. Se ha utilizado una selección bibliográfica de la mucha existente.
Jesuits as Diplomats in the Service of Chinese Emperors in Early Modern Times
Authors: Collani Claudia von
Published: April 2024

In East Asia, China played a special role spreading its superior culture to other nations. The relations between Europe and China, however, were besides trade destined by the attempts to spread Catholicism and later also Protestantism in China. Especially during the 17th and 18th centuries some of the Western missionaries bringing Western religion to China also tried to interpret traditional Chinese rituals like the veneration of Confucius and the ancestors in a pejorative way declaring these rites to be superstitious and to forbid them for Chinese Christians. The legation of the papal delegate Charles-Thomas Maillard de Tournon (1668- 1710) to China brought the latent quarrel between the adherents and the adversaries of the Rites to an outbreak. The Kangxi Emperor (1662-1722) tried to explain his attitude to the Holy See in Rome. Therefore, after several more general delegations of Jesuits to Europe Kangxi sent special embassies to Rome concerning the Chinese Rites. His efforts, however, to solve the problems and to protect Christianity and missionaries respecting the Chinese culture failed and the Rites were condemned.
The Politics of Religious Brotherhood
Authors: Byrnes Timothy A.
Published: April 2024

When six members of the transnational brotherhood of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) were murdered in cold blood in El Salvador in November 1989, the Jesuit community in the United States responded with a powerful combination of outrage and embarrassment bordering on guilt. The Jesuits assassinated at the Universidad Centroamericana were killed because their devotion to the Jesuit mission of “the service of faith and pursuit of justice” was seen by the leadership of the Salvadoran military as a direct threat. And they were killed by a Salvadoran military that was receiving in support of its war against an insurgent guerilla force over $1 million per day from the United States government. Using all of the substantial institutional resources at their disposal, Jesuits in the U.S. worked to pressure the Salvadoran government to hold accountable “the authors of the crime” within the military’s high command, while at the same time they worked to pressure the U.S. government to shut off the military aid that had been used to murder their fellow Jesuits. “Their” government was killing “their” brothers, and the Jesuits in the U.S. mobilized a complex, transnational political response out of both communal solidarity and national responsibility.
Como ter precisão na confecção de um pilar customizado em zircônia sobre implante no fluxo digital
Authors: Fadanelli Marcos Alexandre
Published: April 2024

NA EDIÇÃO PASSADA, MOSTREI O PROTOCOLO de cimentação adesiva que deve ser aplicado no momento de fixar pilares personalizados de zircônia sobre bases de titânio, nos casos de restaurações implantossuportadas. Como reflexo, recebi algumas mensagens de colegas questionando acerca de problemas enfrentados no posicionamento da linha de término do pilar em relação ao contorno gengival, assim como no assentamento da porção subgengival ou transmucosa, o qual causava certa compressão no tecido mole peri-implantar. Juntamente com essas dúvidas, vieram incertezas relacionadas à confecção de tais pilares customizados dentro de um fluxo digital. Pois bem, na presente edição conversaremos sobre uma técnica que desenvolvi com o intuito de não haver qualquer tipo de ajuste na hora da instalação dos pilares, em relação ao tecido peri-implantar, seja na zona transmucosa, seja no posicionamento da linha de término. Dei a essa técnica o nome de Prep-Scan (Fig. 1), a qual consiste em realizar um preparo na coroa provisória, que foi confeccionada no dia da instalação do implante, como se fosse um dente natural, transformando-a em um munhão para receber uma coroa total e, posteriormente, realizar o escaneamento dessa peça temporária.
Entre extranjeras y nativas: potencias de imágenes cinematográficas en Epicentro y algunas películas colombianas
Authors: Tamayo Uribe Daniel
Published: April 2024

En el presente texto, parto de mi visualización de la película Epicentro (2020) de Hubert Sauper, un austriaco que decidió realizar un documental en La Habana, Cuba. A través de un recorrido por diferentes momentos del filme, reflexiono sobre la relación que tienen las imágenes audiovisuales con esta nación y lo que representa, al igual que acerca de las particularidades que tiene el hecho de que sea un europeo quien filma en un país latinoamericano. Intercaladamente planteo unos paralelos entre el caso de esta película y algunas de la filmografía colombiana que, a mi parecer, permiten aproximarse a ese cruce entre lo nativo, lo extranjero y las imágenes. A lo largo del texto se ejemplifica y reflexiona sobre posibles tensiones y potencias que emergen de dicho cruce.
Drivers of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) mortality in Central and Western Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Tariq , Li Bo
Published: April 2024

The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is the only member of the order Pholidota found in Pakistan. The current study was designed to compare the mortality rate and causes of mortality of Indian pangolin from eight districts, i.e., four from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and four from Punjab, Pakistan during 2019–2022. Data were collected by using self-designed questionnaires (n = 340) and social media reports. Most of the data were collected from Facebook 53 %, followed by Instagram (22 %), WhatsApp (17 %), and OLX (10 %). Mean and standard deviation were computed for district-wise killing (mean ± SD 15.25 ± 10.21), season-wise killing (mean ± SD 30.50 ± 9.8), month wise killing (mean ± SD 10.38 ± 4.19) and area wise killing (mean ± SD 40.7 ± 17.6). The killing of 179 Indian pangolins was recorded in four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while in Punjab 59 Indian pangolins were killed. According to interviewees, 33 % of the mortality of Indian pangolin was caused by illegal killing followed by human settlement (17 %), agricultural practices (13 %), mites and ticks (11 %), natural mortality (8 %), accidents (7 %), myth (6 %), and floods (5 %). District wildlife departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab arrested many people (KPK n = 83, Punjab n = 57) during 2019–2022. The highest fines were imposed by the Chakwal Wildlife Department, i.e., 20,000–60,000 PKR along with 1–4 months of imprisonment sentences. Eight dead pangolins were recovered among those six were male (75 %) and two were female (25 %). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that PC appears to be influenced the most by mites and ticks (MT), myth, natural mortality (NM) and “flood” given their strong loadings. PC2 was heavily influenced by killed for illegal trade (KFIT), accident, and agriculture practices (AP) due to their significant negative loadings. PC3 has NM and AP as the dominant variables, KFIT, also playing a role but in the opposite direction. PC4 showed strong influences from NM (negative) and flood (positive). We concluded that the illegal killing of Indian pangolin is very high. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these unique and endangered creatures.
Production, purification, and determination of the biochemical properties of β-glucosidase in Trichoderma koningii via solid substrate fermentation
Authors: Çelen Yücetürk Selma , Azaz Ayşe Dilek
Published: April 2024

The β-glucosidase enzyme was obtained from Trichoderma koningii Oudem. NRRL 54330 under optimal conditions by solid substrate fermentation (SSF) using corn cobs as substrate. The enzyme was purified by two-step procedures, ammonium sulphate precipitation and cefarose-4B-l-tyrosine-1-naphthylamine hydrophobic interaction chromatography, followed by biochemical and kinetic characterisation. The β-glucosidase was obtained from T. koningii using ground corn cob as substrate and Na2HPO4, pH 9, as humidification medium. The optimum conditions for enzyme production by SSF were 30 °C and 6 days. The purification efficiency of the obtained β-glucosidase was calculated to be 22.56-fold with a yield of 73.51 %. In the determination of β-glucosidase activity, p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (pNPG) substrate was used, and the optimum pH and temperature values at which β-glucosidase showed high activity were determined to be pH 3.0 and 75 °C. The purity of the enzyme and the presence/number of subunits were checked using two different electrophoretic methods, SDS-PAGE and NATIVE-PAGE electrophoretic methods. The K
m and V
max values of the purified enzyme were determined to be 0.16 mM and 2000 EU respectively. It was also found that d-(+)-glucose and δ-gluconolactone inhibitors exhibited competitive inhibition of β-glucosidase in the presence of pNPG.