bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lichenicolous fungi of southern Scandinavia with particular reference to those associated with Xanthoria calcicola s. lat.
Authors: Kondratyuk Serhii Y. , Suija Ave , Kärnefelt Ingvar , Thell Arne
Published: November 2023

Lichenicolous fungi associated with Xanthoria calcicola s. lat. are studied in southernmost Scandinavia, i.e., Skåne, the southernmost province in Sweden and southern Denmark. Two species, Didymocyrtis slaptoensis and Pyrenochaeta xantho­ riae, are reported as new for the Nordic countries, whereas three species, Didymocyrtis cf. consimilis, Erythricium aurantiacum, and Illosporiopsis christiansenii are recorded for the first time from Skåne. New localities for rare lichenicolous fungi from southern Scandinavia and southernmost Denmark are also listed. Notes on the taxonomy and ecology of Telogalla olivieri and Pyrenochaeta xanthoriae are provided.
The Effect of Probabilistic Selling on Channel Dynamics in Supply Chains
Authors: Fay Scott , Gheibi Shahryar
Published: November 2023

Problem definition: Probabilistic selling (PS) is a business model whereby, in addition to selling transparent products, a firm sells an opaque good, which is unknown to buyers until after purchase. We examine how PS affects retailer-manufacturer interactions in markets for physical goods and how upstream competition impacts channel members’ incentives to facilitate PS. Methodology/results: Using a Hotelling-based model of a multiproduct retailer, we find that a retailer maximizes its profit by assigning equal probability to each product even when the products have different wholesale prices. We also find that PS mitigates the inefficiencies caused by the double-marginalization problem. Although the potential benefit from PS is greater for a decentralized channel than for a centralized one, the market conditions for which PS arises are narrower for a decentralized channel. Furthermore, PS shifts channel power toward the manufacturer. However, it is possible for a win-win-win outcome to arise in which the manufacturer, retailer, and consumers benefit from PS. As expected, upstream competition shifts channel profit toward the retailer. However, competition also has surprising effects: It shrinks, rather than expands, the viability of PS and makes it possible for each manufacturer to benefit from its rival’s cost reduction. Managerial implications: A manufacturer should induce the retailer to offer an opaque good if its production costs are sufficiently low and the products are sufficiently close substitutes. It is optimal for the manufacturer to increase (decrease) its wholesale prices in response to the retailer’s ability to offer opaque goods if product differentiation is low (modest). Setting a wholesale price below cost sometimes maximizes a manufacturer’s profit. Furthermore, a retailer can achieve a strategic advantage by using products from multiple manufacturers to construct opaque goods. However, the retailer’s ability to leverage this advantage is curtailed because its use of equal-probability assignments relaxes competition between manufacturers.

Funding: S. Fay acknowledges the financial support from the Earl V. Snyder Innovation Management Center and the Robert H. Brethen Operations Management Institute, Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0158 .
November 2023 Medical Image of the Month: Obstructive Uropathy Extremis
Authors:   Department of Medicine, University of Arizona - Tucson, Tucson, AZ USA, Walton Nathan , Mata Elizabeth , Hart Max , Borchart Matthew , Abbasi Adnan
Published: November 2023

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after 150 words. A 71-year-old veteran presented to the emergency department with two-weeks of progressive back pain radiating to the abdomen associated low-grade fever, nausea, and new lower extremity edema. The family reported confusion. His medical history was significant for chronic prostatitis and low-grade prostate cancer on biopsy that was lost to follow-up eleven years ago. His only reported medications were aspirin 81 mg daily and naproxen 500mg up to four times a day for his pain. Vitals were significant for a temperature of 36.1 C, initial blood pressure of 201/74, heart rate of 128/min, respirations at 18/min with a saturation of 97% on 2L NC. Physical exam demonstrated no difference in blood pressures between arms. No abnormal heart sounds. Clear breath sounds to auscultation bilaterally. Flank tenderness to percussion and significant abdominal tenderness over the epigastric and suprapubic region with 3+ pitting edema of the bilateral lower extremities. Screening labs were notable …
Intimacy, relationality and interdependencies: relationships in families dealing with gambling harms during COVID-19
Authors: Marionneau Virve , Järvinen-Tassopoulos Johanna , Pirskanen Henna
Published: November 2023

Gambling is an addictive behaviour that causes significant harms to individuals, families and societies. Problematic gambling can have profound impacts on family life, including financial destitution and relationship breakdown. In addictive relationships, addictive behaviour dominates over other social commitments.

The COVID-19 pandemic had important implications on family life and gambling behaviours. This is likely to have affected family relationships in families experiencing gambling harms. The current study uses evidence from a qualitative survey (N=39) and interviews (N=5) collected with family members of gamblers to explore how family members of gamblers experienced addictive relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland.

The results show that gambling negatively affects intimate relationships, relationality and interdependencies in families. For many, gambling-related harms were accentuated by the intensification of addictive relationships during the pandemic. For others, availability restrictions of gambling brought relief. The results also show a need for more family-oriented help services and highlight the importance of prevention.
mirada misericordiosa del cinema realista. L’últim de la història
Authors: Del Bello Sara
Published: November 2023

Comprendre la relació entre María Zambrano i el cinema neorealista italià significa creuar la seva visió històrica, arrelada en el concepte d’intrahistòria: a partir de la idea de somni fins al paper de l’art popular, encarnada per personatges misericordiosos, per arribar a donar veu als marginats de la història.
Study of the rupture processes of the 1989 (Mw 6.9) and 2021 (Mw 7.0) Guerrero earthquakes using teleseismic records: Sismotectonic implications
Authors: Martínez Rosario
Published: November 2023

Slip models of the April 25, 1989 (Mw 6.9) earthquake and the Acapulco earthquake of September 8, 2021 (Mw 7.0) were determined to analyze its rupture zone and understand the relationship of interplate earthquakes in the Acapulco–San Marcos subduction zone. For both events, velocity P and SH waves recorded at teleseismic distances were modeled. For the 1989 San Marcos event, two slip zones were determined with a maximum slip of 121cm, a stress drop of 8bars and a rupture duration of approximately 13s. This event showed a complex rupture. For the 2021 Acapulco event, a zone of maximum slip of 267cm, a stress drop of 5bars, and a rupture duration of approximately 24s were determined. Analysis of rupture zones suggests that complex events occur in the Acapulco–San Marcos subduction zone. Therefore, these results have important implications in seismic potential studies since the source parameters are critical.
Review of the Book: Deterritorializing Language, Teaching, Learning, and Research. Deleuzo-Guattarian Perspectives on Second Language Education (Bangou, Francis, Waterhouse, Monica and Fleming, Douglas [Eds.], 2020)
Authors: Berjano Daniel
Published: November 2023

.
Unmaidenly Labor: Literary Labor in the Modernist Market, Helen Wright's Collection of Autographed Books, and Edith Wharton
Authors: Reichel A. Elisabeth
Published: November 2023

Abstract: The Helen Wright Collection of Autographed Books at Vassar College testifies to a modernist market that was sustained in its capitalization of individual author signatures by a system of secondary literary labors. Straddling differently gendered spheres of this market, Wright competed with established book collectors while retaining a sense of "sentimental ownership" (Lori Merish) that set her apart from the bibliophile businessmen of her era. This endeavor involved commodifying celebrities such as Edith Wharton, whose conspicuous absence from the collection speaks to a conception of meaningful literary work that negates Wright's labor. Ultimately, the essay seeks to advance a broader discussion of how scholars can do justice to an understanding of literary production as integrally involving forms of labor that have historically been undervalued.
Experimental demonstration of a reconfigurable free-space receiver implementing polarization routing and filtering for daytime quantum key distribution
Authors: Castillo Alfonso Tello , Zanforlin Ugo , Buller Gerald S. , Donaldson Ross J.
Published: November 2023

Free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) systems are often designed to implement polarization-encoding protocols. Alternatively, time-bin/phase-encoding protocols are considerably more challenging to perform over a channel experiencing atmospheric turbulence. However, over the last decade, new and improved optical platforms have revived the interest in them. In this paper, we present a free-space multi-protocol receiver designed to work with three different time-bin/phase-encoding protocols highlighting its interoperability with different systems and architectures for potential satellite-based communications. We also present a detailed analysis of different experimental configurations when implementing the coherent one-way (COW) protocol in a free-space channel, as well as a polarization filtering technique showing how time-bin/phase-encoding protocols could be used for QKD applications in daylight conditions. We demonstrate secret key rates of several kbps for channels with a total 30 dB attenuation even with moderately high QBERs of ≈3.5%. Moreover, a 2.6 dB improvement in the signal to noise ratio is achieved by filtering background light in the polarization degree of freedom, a technique that could be used in daylight QKD.
Retrieving land surface temperatures from IASI hyperspectral thermal infrared data using an AFNO-transformer model
Authors: Lan Xinyu , Yang Xiuchun
Published: November 2023

An adaptive Fourier neural operator (AFNO)-transformer model was developed to retrieve land surface temperature (LST) data from infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer (IASI) observations. A weight selection scheme based on linearization of the radiative transfer equation was proposed to solve the hyperspectral data channel redundancy problem. The IASI brightness temperatures and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer onboard MetOp (AVHRR/MetOp) LST product were selected to construct the training and test datasets. The AFNO-transformer performed effective token mixing through self-attention and effectively solved the global convolution problem in the Fourier domain, which can better learn complex nonlinear equations and achieve time-series forecasting. The root mean square error indicated that the LST in Eastern Spain and North Africa could be retrieved with an error of less than 2.5 K compared with the AVHRR/MetOp LST product. Moreover, the validation results from other time period data showed that the retrieval accuracy of this model can be less than 3 K. The proposed model provides a novel approach for hyperspectral LST retrieval.
Global rigorous coupled wave analysis for design of multilayer metasurface absorbers
Authors: Wang Lin , Fang Debao , Jin Haibo , Li Jingbo
Published: November 2023

In this work, a novel Global NV-ETM RCWA method is proposed to accelerate the optimization of the periodic stepped radar absorbing structure. This method is based on the rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) utilizing the normal vector field (NV) and enhanced transmittance matrix (ETM) approach. The NV field dramatically improves the convergence rate for both dielectric and magnetic metasurfaces. The Global NV-ETM RCWA algorithm is developed to further accelerate the complete search calculations. Using the proposed method, the periodic stepped radar absorbing structures are efficiently optimized to realize the entire band absorption in 2-18 GHz. The optimization results demonstrate the Global NV-ETM RCWA method significantly increase the computational efficiency, with a 38-fold improvement over direct NV-ETM RCWA calculations when the truncation order N=3. This method provides a powerful tool for designing metasurface absorbers with various desired functionalities.
Low-loss Ge-As-Se-Te fiber for high-intensity CO2 laser delivery
Authors: Xiao Feng , Sun Weilu , Liang Xiaolin , Jia Jinsheng , Zhang Min , Wang Xiange , Jiao Kai , Bai Shengchuang , Wang Lin , Dai Shixun , Nie Qiuhua , Shen Xiang , Wang Rongping , Wang Xunsi
Published: November 2023

High-purity Ge-As-Se-Te glasses have been well prepared via an effective double-distillation method. These glasses exhibit robust characteristics, withstanding input power levels as high as 12 W (68 kW/cm2). Utilizing extrusion-based fabrication, a large-core chalcogenide step-index fiber has been produced with a core diameter of 200 µm and a low optical loss of 0.78 dB/m at 7.25 µm. The fiber mode field area exceeded 26522 µm2. The fiber exhibits excellent transmittance in the whole mid and far infrared region of 2-12 µm, and its loss has been also certificated to be 1.85 dB/m at 10.6 µm by a CO2 laser. Further, the fiber is capable of high-intensity laser delivery of 16.13 kW/cm2, even under a high temperature of 150°C. At last, a high transmission efficiency of 44.9% has been recorded in this fiber, and the output power density is as high as 4.01 kW/cm2. All these results show that the fiber has the potential to be used in far-infrared laser machining and medical operation.
Chimpanzees make tactical use of high elevation in territorial contexts
Authors: Lemoine Sylvain R. T. , Samuni Liran , Crockford Catherine , Wittig Roman M.
Published: November 2023

Tactical warfare is considered a driver of the evolution of human cognition. One such tactic, considered unique to humans, is collective use of high elevation in territorial conflicts. This enables early detection of rivals and low-risk maneuvers, based on information gathered. Whether other animals use such tactics is unknown. With a unique dataset of 3 years of simultaneous behavioral and ranging data on 2 neighboring groups of western chimpanzees, from the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, we tested whether chimpanzees make decisions consistent with tactical use of topography to gain an advantage over rivals. We show that chimpanzees are more likely to use high hills when traveling to, rather than away from, the border where conflict typically takes place. Once on border hills, chimpanzees favor activities that facilitate information gathering about rivals. Upon leaving hills, movement decisions conformed with lowest risk engagement, indicating that higher elevation facilitates the detection of rivals presence or absence. Our results support the idea that elevation use facilitated rival information gathering and appropriate tactical maneuvers. Landscape use during territorial maneuvers in natural contexts suggests chimpanzees seek otherwise inaccessible information to adjust their behavior and points to the use of sophisticated cognitive abilities, commensurate with selection for cognition in species where individuals gain benefits from coordinated territorial defense. We advocate territorial contexts as a key paradigm for unpicking complex animal cognition.
De novo assembly of Iron-Heart Cunninghamia lanceolata transcriptome and EST-SSR marker development for genetic diversity analysis
Authors: Liu Sen , He Gongxiu , Xie Gongliang , Gong Yamei , Zhu Ninghua , Xiao Can
Published: November 2023

Iron-Heart Cunninghamia lanceolata, a wild relative of Chinese fir with valuable genetic and breeding traits, has been limited in genetic studies due to a lack of genomic resources and markers. In this study, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of Iron-Heart C. lanceolata leaves using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 and performed assembly and analysis. We obtained 45,326,576 clean reads and 115,501 unigenes. Comparative analysis in five functional databases resulted in successful annotation of 26,278 unigenes, with 6,693 unigenes annotated in all databases (5.79% of the total). UniProt and Pfam databases provided annotations for 22,673 and 18,315 unigenes, respectively. Gene Ontology analysis categorized 23,962 unigenes into three categories. KEGG database alignment annotated 10,195 unigenes, classifying them into five categories: metabolism, genetic information, biological systems, cellular processes, and environmental information processing. From the unigenes, we identified 5,645 SSRs, with dinucleotides repeats being the most common (41.47%). We observed variations in repeat numbers and base compositions, with the majority of markers ranging from 12 to 29 bp in length. We randomly selected 200 primer pairs and successfully amplified 15 pairs of polymorphic SSR primers, which effectively distinguished Chinese fir plants of different origins. This study provides insights into the genetic characteristics of Iron-Heart C. lanceolata and offers a foundation for future molecular marker development, breeding programs, genetic diversity analysis, and conservation strategies.
The impact of digital inclusive finance on SMEs’ technological innovation activities—Empirical analysis based on the data of new third board enterprises
Authors: Gu Fuzhen , Gao Junguang , Zhu Xiaoya , Ye Jiamin
Published: November 2023

The landscape of financial technology is undergoing a continuous evolution, driven by the relentless advancement of information technology. In this transformative milieu, digital finance has emerged as a novel financial paradigm, offering a blueprint for fostering inclusive finance. With a particular emphasis on its implications for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), this article harnesses a comprehensive dataset spanning the years 2011 to 2021, encompassing digital inclusive finance and SMEs listed on the SME board. Employing fixed effects models, this study performs a regression analysis to verify the driving effect of digital inclusive finance on SMEs’ innovation activities. The findings unequivocally affirm the potency of inclusive finance in ameliorating the longstanding financing constraints that have historically constrained the growth trajectory of SMEs. Furthermore, the study elucidated the nuanced nature of the promotional impact of digital inclusive finance on SMEs, contingent upon their distinct property rights and technological attributes. Specifically, the empirical findings unveil a discernible pattern wherein digital inclusive finance exerts a conspicuously stronger promotional effect on non-state-owned enterprises and high-tech SMEs’ endeavors in technological innovation. The conclusions derived from this research furnish a salient point of reference for governmental authorities engaged in the formulation and advancement of digital inclusive finance strategies, thereby imparting strategic guidance for the cultivation of innovation and holistic development within the SME sector.
Treatment outcomes of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania aethiopica: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alemu Abebaw Yeshambel , Derseh Lemma , Kaba Mirgissa , Gadisa Endalamaw , Alemu Kassahun
Published: November 2023

Background

Leishmania aethiopica is a unique species that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), and studies evaluating treatment outcomes for this condition reported inconsistent findings. This study aimed to summarize the evidence on treatment outcomes of CL caused by L. aethiopica to support decisions or propose further study.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. In addition, we searched grey literature on Google Scholar and performed manual searching on the reference list of articles. Two authors did the screening, selection, critical appraisal, and data extraction. With the narrative synthesis of evidence, we performed a random effects model meta-analysis using the metaprop package in Stata 17. We did sensitivity and subgroup analyses after assessing heterogeneity using the I-squared test and forest plots. The funnel plot and Egger’s test were used to assess publication bias.

Results

The review included 22 studies with 808 participants, and the meta-analysis included seven studies with 677 participants. Most studies documented treatment outcomes with antimonial monotherapy, and only one study reported outcomes with combination therapy. The overall pooled proportion of cure was 63% (95% CI: 38–86%). In the subgroup analysis, systemic antimonial monotherapy showed a cure rate of 61%, and the proportion of cure was 87% with topical therapy. Topical therapy showed a better cure for the localized clinical phenotype. A cohort study documented a cure rate of 94.8% with combination therapy for the localized, mucocutaneous, and diffuse clinical phenotypes. The pooled proportion of unfavourable outcomes was partial response (19%), relapse (17%), discontinuation (19%), and unresponsiveness (6%).

Conclusions

The pooled proportion of cure is low with antimonial monotherapy. Despite limited evidence, combination therapies are a promising treatment option for all clinical phenotypes of CL caused by L. aethiopica. Future high-quality randomized control trials are needed to identify effective monotherapies and evaluate the effectiveness of combination therapies.
Association between serum copper-zinc ratio and respiratory tract infection in children and adolescents
Authors: Yang Mei , Li Yanshan , Yao Chunlan , Wang Yanzu , Yan Caijin
Published: November 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the association between serum copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) ratio and the risk of respiratory tract infection in children and adolescents.

Methods

This cross-sectional study collected the data of 1695 participants who aged 6–17 years with follow-up data on respiratory tract infection in 2011–2012, 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 cycles from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Univariate logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the covariates. Each covariate was adjusted in multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore the correlation between serum Cu-Zn ratio and respiratory tract infection. Subgroup analysis was performed to stratify the data according to age, gender and BMI. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve was plotted to identify the association between serum Cu-Zn ratio and respiratory tract infection.

Results

The results of RCS curve depicted that the risk of respiratory tract infection was increased as the elevation of the serum Cu-Zn ratio. After adjusting for confounders, risk of respiratory tract infection in children and adolescents was elevated with the increase of serum copper-zinc ratio (OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.19–1.60). Compared with people with serum copper-zinc ratio <1.25, subjects who had serum copper-zinc ratio >1.52 was associated with increased risk of respiratory tract infection in children and adolescents (OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.19–2.98). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the risk of respiratory tract infection was elevated as the increase of serum copper-zinc ratio in participants <12 years (OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.28–2.12), ≥12 years (OR = 1.27, 95%CI: 1.03–1.57), males (OR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.29–2.06), females (OR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.01–1.57), underweight and normal (OR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.11–1.65), and overweight and obese participants (OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.15–1.80).

Conclusion

Higher serum Cu-Zn ratio was associated with increased risk of respiratory tract infection in children and adolescents, which suggests the importance of Zn supplement and the balance of serum Cu-Zn ratio in children and adolescents.
Severe Lupus Enteritis Complicated by Intractable Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Authors: Thomas Austin , Smithhart Clay , Chopra Maneera , Jayan Athira , Ali Faisal , Doughem Karim , Bhatt Asmeen , Scoon Joanna , Larson Scott
Published: November 2023

Lupus enteritis (LE) is a rare presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus manifesting with nonspecific symptoms, laboratory derangements, and imaging findings. Rarely, LE may progress to bowel perforation, hemorrhage, and even death. Treatment with systemic glucocorticoids often results in rapid clinical improvement, but patients may require further immunosuppression. We present a case of severe LE complicated by life-threatening intractable gastrointestinal hemorrhage and warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia refractory to glucocorticoids and ultimately requiring massive transfusions, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis. This case illustrates the importance of early specialist involvement and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis for severe, life-threatening LE.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Complicated by Fistula Formation
Authors: Sunkara Naveena , Selig Tyler , Elfanagely Yousef , Sepe Thomas E.
Published: November 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumors are mesenchymal tumors that may arise in any portion of the GI tract. Their clinical presentation and complications may vary but do not often present with fistulization. This case is of clinical interest because of the rarity of GI stromal tumor intestinal fistulas.
Commons-Forschung dekolonisieren
Authors: Obeng-Odoom Franklin
Published: November 2023

Franklin Obeng-Odoom spricht im Interview mit Sybille Bauriedl und Inken Carstensen-Egwuom über sein Buch »The Commons in an Age of Uncertainty. Decolonizing Nature, Economy, and Society« (2020, University of Toronto Press). Er kritisiert herrschende Ansätze zu den Commons und zu sozial-ökologischer Transformation und entwickelt eine dekoloniale Perspektive. Dabei macht er Land zu einem zentralen Aspekt seiner Argumentation und stützt sich auf die Konzepte georgistischer politischer Ökonomie.
Momente kritischer Forschungspraxis in de/kolonialen Verhältnissen
Authors: Singer Katrin , Neuburger Martina , Schmitt Tobias
Published: November 2023

Katrin Singer, Martina Neuburger und Tobias Schmitt widmen sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage ob und wie eine Dekolonialisierung der akademischen Wissensproduktion möglich ist, und welche Herausforderungen sich dabei für die eigene Forschungspraxis stellen. Anhand der Darstellung von Erfahrungen von Momenten des Zweifelns, Fühlens, Zum-Schweigen-Bringens, des Verweigerns, des Schweigens, des Begegnens und des Weißseins werden ganz konkrete Beispiele vorgestellt und mit Hilfe verschiedener Überlegungen von post- und dekolonialen Ansätzen reflektiert. Nicht zuletzt wird dabei die Frage aufgeworfen, wie ein Verlernen internalisierter, kolonialer Wahrnehmungs- und Handlungsmuster erreicht werden kann und wie transformative Veränderungsprozesse angestoßen werden können.
On the non-triviality of anisotropic Roumieu Gelfand–Shilov spaces and inclusion between them
Authors: Bensaid M’Hamed , Chaïli Rachid
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this work is to prove the non-triviality of anisotropic Roumieu Gelfand–Shilov spaces

S

{
N
}

{
M
}

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

{S^{\{M\}}_{\{N\}}(\mathbb{R}^{n})}

, and to establish the inclusion between them.
From Leibniz via Hegel to Jaspers: Paradigm Shift of German Thinkers’ Conception of China
Authors: Li Xuetao
Published: November 2023

Paradigm shift in the understanding of China is an inevitable result of intellectual and social changes. A history of the Western conception of China is a history of paradigm shift. As the driving force behind the European mainstream thought, Leibniz, Hegel and Jaspers, representatives of German philosophy, approached China with the spirit of the times, which one can still feel today. None of the three philosophers is a sinologist, but all of them brought China into their philosophical framework. The study of the paradigm shift in their understanding of China is valuable for our comprehension of the transformation of China image in the West. Obviously, these German thinkers studied China not out of the purely sinological interest, but the questions they raised when comparing Chinese thought and Western thought and their problem awareness in the face of Chinese thought still worth our attention today.
The Moral Status of Self-Love in Early Reformed Ethics
Authors: McGinnis Andrew M.
Published: November 2023

Reformed moral philosophers in the period of early orthodoxy (ca. 1550–ca. 1650) continue a medieval tradition of engaging moral questions in conversation with Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, and they often address the moral status of self-love in connection with the virtue of friendship. There is broad agreement among these authors that self-love is not only not necessarily sinful, but that some kinds of self-love are morally good and that self-love is the source and rule for love of one’s neighbor. Lambert Daneau’s Ethices Christianae, however, stands in a more complex relationship to this consensus.
The Messianic Secret and the Significance of Preaching in Gabriele Biondo, Otto Brunfels, and Celio Secondo Curione
Authors: Guida Vito
Published: November 2023

The “messianic secret” in the New Testament refers to instances where Christ instructed his followers to keep silent about his identity. While contemporary studies on the messianic secret have predominantly employed the historico-critical method, the Early Modern Period witnessed diverse interpretations that focused on edification and moralization. These interpretations emphasized the concealed Messiah’s identity, the act of revelation, and the duty to transmit the divine message as inseparable aspects of the Christian faith. The primary objective of this study is to explore the development of messianic secret interpretations in the first half of the sixteenth century. The study aims to address key questions such as: How were Jesus’s injunctions to silence interpreted? How did these interpretations shape biblical readings, preaching practices, and the evangelical mission? Did they impact the definition of the Church? Through a comparative analysis, this study examines the interpretations of three relatively contemporary authors – Gabriele Biondo, Otto Brunfels, and Celio Secondo Curione. It argues for the interconnectedness between biblical exegesis, preaching, the audience, theological concepts like predestination, holy remnant, and salvation, as well as the organization of the Church. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that diverse interpretations of Jesus’s actions and the messianic secret were rooted in changes in exegetical methods, the definition of the Church, and the understanding of the salvific message conveyed by Christ.
The crystal structure of 1,2-bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) hydrazine, C12H8N6O8
Authors: Li Yunlu , Xue Mei , Wang Xinzhong
Published: November 2023

C12H8N6O8, orthorhombic, Pbcn (no. 60), a = 11.9333(5) Å, b = 9.2524(4) Å, c = 12.8675(7) Å, V = 1420.72(12) Å3, Z = 8, R

gt
(F) = 0.0468, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1159, T = 170 K.
Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of ethoxylated lauryl myristyl alcohol as non-ionic surfactants (surfethoxymers)
Authors: Khattab Asaad Faisal , Ismael Younis Ahmed , El-Habab Ahmed Taher
Published: November 2023

In this work, fatty alcohol ethoxylation surfactant PALMEROL 1214 (lauryl myristyl alcohol C12–C14) designated as LMA-EO-30 and novel surface-active monomer (surfethoxymers) such as Hemi Ester Lauryl Myristyl Alcohol Malate designated as HELMEM, HELMEI (itaconate) and HELMES (succinate) have been synthesized. These types of non-ionic surfactant have been characterized for their structures using spectroscopic measurements. In addition, their surface-active properties like surface tension, critical micelle concentration (CMC), HLB, the cloud point and foaming properties were investigated. The results indicated that the novel surfethoxymers HELMEM, HELMEI and HELMES exhibit an excellent surface activity and a high performance in the mentioned industrial applications.
PROPERTIES OF PARACHUTE FABRICS FROM POLYAMIDE AND POLYESTER MATERIALS
Authors: MILITKÝ JIŘÍ , WIENER JAKUB , KŘEMENÁKOVÁ DANA , MISHRA RAJESH
Published: November 2023

Traditional parachute fabrics are composed from PA 66 (nylon type) multifilament yarns. They are resistant against high frequency repeat deformation but they are able to absorb water which is not optimal for use in different climatic conditions. Challenge is to create parachute fabrics made of PES multifilament yarns which are more versatile. Main aim of this work is to investigate influence of parachute fabric composition and construction characteristics on real end use properties. The relationships based on the prediction of bulk densities were used to calculate the volume porosity. The morphology of the parachute fabrics was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of parachute fabric Ortex made from multifilament PA 66 and PES yarns by Sky Paragliders company are compared.
Monomeric α‐synuclein activates the plasma membrane calcium pump
Authors: Kowalski Antoni , Betzer Cristine , Larsen Sigrid Thirup , Gregersen Emil , Newcombe Estella A , Bermejo Montaña Caballero , Bendtsen Viktor Wisniewski , Diemer Jorin , Ernstsen Christina V , Jain Shweta , Bou Alicia Espiña , Langkilde Annette Eva , Nejsum Lene N , Klipp Edda , Edwards Robert , Kragelund Birthe B , Jensen Poul Henning , Nissen Poul
Published: November 2023

Alpha‐synuclein (aSN) is a membrane‐associated and intrinsically disordered protein, well known for pathological aggregation in neurodegeneration. However, the physiological function of aSN is disputed. Pull‐down experiments have pointed to plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase (PMCA) as a potential interaction partner. From proximity ligation assays, we find that aSN and PMCA colocalize at neuronal synapses, and we show that calcium expulsion is activated by aSN and PMCA. We further show that soluble, monomeric aSN activates PMCA at par with calmodulin, but independent of the autoinhibitory domain of PMCA, and highly dependent on acidic phospholipids and membrane‐anchoring properties of aSN. On PMCA, the key site is mapped to the acidic lipid‐binding site, located within a disordered PMCA‐specific loop connecting the cytosolic A domain and transmembrane segment 3. Our studies point toward a novel physiological role of monomeric aSN as a stimulator of calcium clearance in neurons through activation of PMCA.
A region‐resolved proteomic map of the human brain enabled by high‐throughput proteomics
Authors: Tüshaus Johanna , Sakhteman Amirhossein , Lechner Severin , The Matthew , Mucha Eike , Krisp Christoph , Schlegel Jürgen , Delbridge Claire , Kuster Bernhard
Published: November 2023

Substantial efforts are underway to deepen our understanding of human brain morphology, structure, and function using high‐resolution imaging as well as high‐content molecular profiling technologies. The current work adds to these approaches by providing a comprehensive and quantitative protein expression map of 13 anatomically distinct brain regions covering more than 11,000 proteins. This was enabled by the optimization, characterization, and implementation of a high‐sensitivity and high‐throughput microflow liquid chromatography timsTOF tandem mass spectrometry system (LC–MS/MS) capable of analyzing more than 2,000 consecutive samples prepared from formalin‐fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) material. Analysis of this proteomic resource highlighted brain region‐enriched protein expression patterns and functional protein classes, protein localization differences between brain regions and individual markers for specific areas. To facilitate access to and ease further mining of the data by the scientific community, all data can be explored online in a purpose‐built R Shiny app (https://brain‐region‐atlas.proteomics.ls.tum.de).
La cooperación descentralizada privada desde la acción de las ONG en Costa Rica: El caso de la Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre
Authors: Burgos-Rodríguez Floricel , García-Rivera Rebeca
Published: November 2023

The following paper seeks to address the management of decentralized public and private cooperation of the Costa Rica Por Siempre Association to support Costa Rica’s environmental agenda. With the theory of governance and the sustainable development approach, it is interpreted how other actors carry out decision-making, are assigned resources, take control and coordinate projects, giving greater interaction between the central government and the new actors, generating more networks of public and private cooperation. This study is based on qualitative research that uses interviews with key actors as the main source of research and the review of bibliographic material regarding to decentralized cooperation and NGO issues. The Costa Rica por Siempre Association is analyzed as case study, which is a non-governmental organization established in Costa Rica in 2010 and and is recognized for being one of the few organizations managing a Debt-for-Nature Exchange trust with the USA. The case study allows us to identify that the execution of the Costa Rican state is sometimes limited in environmental actions and transfers the responsibility of functions to private associations that respond in an effective way to the excecution of plans.
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Preadolescents
Authors: Burke Taylor A. , Bettis Alexandra H. , Walsh Rachel F. L. , Levin Rachel Y. , Lawrence Hannah R. , Sheehan Ana E. , Turnamian Margarid R. , Liu Richard T.
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVES

There is a dearth of literature on the prevalence and predictors of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) history and onset among preadolescent youth. This gap in the literature is significant given evidence suggesting that NSSI is a robust predictor of negative mental health outcomes, and that early onset NSSI may be associated with a more severe course of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric disorders, and suicidal ideation (SI) in relation to NSSI onset and history in preadolescents.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which recruited a diverse sample of 11 875 youth aged 9 to 10 years. The primary outcome measures were lifetime history and recent onset of NSSI. Measures included sociodemographics and the K-SADS diagnostic interview assessing psychopathology and SI.

RESULTS

Female sex and identifying as Black were associated with lower odds of lifetime NSSI. Identifying as a sexual minority, having unmarried parents, and a low family income were associated with higher odds of lifetime NSSI. Although depression was most predictive of NSSI history and onset, a range of internalizing and externalizing disorders, greater comorbidity, and SI also were predictive.

CONCLUSIONS

Given that NSSI was associated with a range of mental health disorders and comorbidity, it may be best conceptualized as a transdiagnostic phenomenon. Findings highlight key sociodemographic and diagnostic factors that may help to direct screening efforts in preadolescents, particularly sexual minority status and depression.
HPLC-DAD method validation for quantification of dehydroabietic acid and abietic acid in oral spray containing Pinus merkusii heartwood extract and its antibacterial effects on clinically isolated Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Sakunpak Apirak , Saingam Worawan
Published: November 2023

Pinus merkusii Jungh & De Vries. has become increasingly gathered more attention from researchers because the plant has a range of folk medicinal uses. Heartwood plant is the major source of dehydroabietic acid (DHAA) and abietic acid (AA), which possesses several medicinal properties, such as antiviral, antimicrobial, antiobesity and anti-inflammatory. The research proposed herein a low-cost, fast, specific, uncomplicated, sensitive, precise reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). This method was conducted and validated for evaluating an amount of DHAA and AA in ethanol extract and oral spray containing P. merkusii heartwood extract. Additionally, stability and antimicrobial activities against clinically isolated Streptococcus mutans of the oral spray were determined. The separation was achieved on Pursuit 200Å PFP column, 150 × 4.6 mm, particles of 3 µm with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. Methanol and water (70:30 v/v) were used as eluent with an isocratic mode and sample analysis volume was set at 10 µL, at a detection wavelength of 210 and 245 nm. The developed HPLC method for analysis of DHAA and AA showed good linearity with correlation coefficients equal to 1. Moreover, other validation parameters, comprised of accuracy, precision, specificity and detection and quantitation limits of this method displayed excellent reliability, validity and sensitivity. This method could be an interesting alternative for quantitative measurement of P. merkusii heartwood extract, oral spray formulation and other P. merkusii heartwood extract preparations. The result from antibacterial tests suggested that the oral spray containing P. merkusii heartwood extract is able to inhibit the oral pathogens causing dental caries. The oral spray decreased S. mutans population size by about 0.5–2 Log CFU mL−1 at 1–4 h and complete elimination of all bacteria strains within 24 h. This study provides validity for using P. merkusii heartwood extract as an alternative for preventing and treating oral infectious diseases.
Examining Visual Metadiscourse in EFL Students’ Infographics
Authors: Li Mimi , Gibbons John , Pham Quang Nam
Published: November 2023

As multimodal texts become ubiquitous in the digital age, analyzing how writers interact with readers via visuals is becoming increasingly important. Enlightened by Kress and van Leeuwen’s (1996, 2001) semiotic work, D’Angelo (2010) extended Hyland’s (2000) text-based metadiscourse model and proposed a new framework for analyzing the visual metadiscourse of multimodal texts. We used D’Angelo’s (2016) visual metadiscourse framework to evaluate the comprehensibility and organization of the EFL students’ infographics in this study. Two research questions guided our inquiry: (1) How do EFL students use diverse visual metadiscourse resources in their infographic posters? (2) In what ways, if any, does the use of visual interactive resources relate to the assessed quality of the infographics? We collected a total of 122 infographic posters and coded 5 categories of interactive resources for each poster (i.e., information value, framing, connective elements, graphic elements, and fonts), and then carried out frequency counts for each category and subcategories, taking all the posters into account. Moreover, we graded the EFL students’ infographics according to a multi-traits grading rubric, and then conducted multiple regression analyses of their use of visual interactive resources and the scores for their infographics in the aspect of visual effects. The results show that the students used diverse visual interactive resources to guide their audience through the text. The assessed quality of the infographics was found to be significantly correlated with the use of graphic elements and fonts. This study sheds new light on digital multimodal pedagogy, particularly on the role of visual metadiscourse in teaching and assessing multimodal texts in language/writing classrooms.
’Research Methods for Digital Discourse Analysis’ Edited by Camilla Vásquez
Authors: Rock Kristin , Ortega-Luque Ángeles
Published: November 2023

Research Methods for Digital Discourse AnalysisEdited by Camilla VásquezLondon: Bloomsbury, US $ 27.96, ISBN 9781350166820 (Paperback), 330 pages, 2022
Who are the Music Therapists in Mexico and How Do They Practice?
Authors: Hernandez-Ruiz Eugenia , Sullivan Jill
Published: November 2023

Music therapy in Mexico has a limited history, with isolated efforts to establish the discipline, lack of university programs, and limited public awareness of the profession. Given the lack of research about music therapy in Mexico, we implemented a quantitative online survey to understand the status of music therapy practice, inviting any selfidentifying music therapists that had practiced between 1997 and 2022. A small sample of self-identified music therapists (N = 33, including practicing music therapists and students) responded to the survey. This sample seems representative of practitioners in the country. Educational level varied widely, from no university degree (in any discipline) to master’s degrees in music therapy, obtained in other countries. Most practitioners (n = 20) reported having no university degree in music therapy. According to our results, music therapists working in Mexico address similar needs and are in similar settings to other music therapists around the world. The most common music therapy approaches are a humanistic approach developed in Mexico and the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, with receptive methods most often employed. Young adults with mental health needs, with self or family funding, are the most common clientele. Costs, treatment duration, and session duration are comparable to other therapies in the country, but the income from this practice is very limited. About two thirds of practitioners engage in supervision, and most use several documentation methods. We consider that Mexico displays an emerging discipline, with practitioners showing optimism, commitment, and enthusiasm to the professionalization of music therapy in Mexico. Suggestions for organizational efforts and support from other countries are included.
Estimation of smoothing of consumer expenditures of Kazakhstan citizens and their chances to increase the demand for credit resources
Authors: Ishuova Zhanna , Daribayeva Meruyert , Boluspayev Shalkar
Published: November 2023

The decline in the level of well-being of the population has been observed in recent years in some countries of the near and far abroad, as well as the growth of debt obligations of individuals to second-tier banks. Various indicators are taken as the level of well-being of the population in foreign researches in order to verify these statements. The ability of individuals and households to smooth out consumer spending in response to temporary rather than permanent income shocks is one of the key determinants of well-being according to the permanent income hypothesis and life cycle theory. In this regard, the ability of Kazakhstan citizens to smooth out consumer spending in response to shocks in employment, wages, debt burden and changes in temporary income are studied, as well as the chances of an increase in applications of Kazakhstan citizens for credit resources to second-tier banks are assessed in the presented article. Data for 16 regions of Kazakhstan for
2003–2020 are used to calculate coefficient estimates for the variables of interest. The results obtained indicate the ability of Kazakhstan citizens to smooth out approximately 7 % of temporary income. Meanwhile, negative employment shocks contribute to a 0,22 % reduction in consumer spending, ceteris paribus. The level of education and the average age of Kazakhstan citizens have a positive effect on the growth of consumer spending. It should be noted that the average age in Kazakhstan is lower than in European countries. The economically active population of Kazakhstan are not inclined to increase the demand for credit resources in second-tier banks in response to negative wage shocks. The results of the research indicate the financial stability of second-tier banks in Kazakhstan. At the same time, the financial stability of banks are achieved by gradually reducing the volume of loans to individuals.