bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linguistic and Cognitive Features of English-Language Political Discourse
Authors: Konopelkina Olena , Yashkina Victoriia , Bezrodnykh Iryna , Polishko Nataliia , Haidar Veronika
Published: December 2022

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that pluralism, dialogism, and a new model of political communication have forced a change in the way power communicates with society. Nudity, formulaic newspeak has been replaced by expressive texts subordinated to the function of persuasion. Nevertheless, there are many publications in the scientific literature describing the shortcomings of contemporary English-language political messages. Political discourse has been accused of vulgarity, banality, and arbitrary presentation of reality, bias, use of templates and stereotypes, excessive aggressiveness and incorrectness. There are various forms of public discourse characteristic of democracy, which are characterised by certain constant features. Political discourse has its characteristics. Each political environment develops certain kinds of communication under the influence of relevant experiences. Discourse is one of those concepts in the social sciences characterised by exceptional terminological confusion. This is because it is an area of interest of different methodological sciences. Based on English-language studies of the phenomenon, the term is also the result of a clash of linguistic traditions with a more recent English-language understanding. Discourse analysis becomes an attempt to remedy the shortcomings of the linguistic and cognitive aspects, consisting in studying language in isolation from practical human experience and trying to find internal structures and dependencies in a language only in a theoretical dimension, on imagined examples. Its axioms include language as a holistic system integrated with the speaker's knowledge of the world and society. This system has to be described in linguistic, cognitive, and social terms, together with the conditions in which the speaker uses it during the discourse. The practical significance lies in identifying the linguistic and cognitive features of English-language political discourse.
The Word in the Lens of Multy-Paradigmal Research (on the Material of Far Related Languages)
Authors: Korbozerova Nina M.
Published: December 2022

Language performs the most complex communicative function of exchanging thoughts between people. At the same time, it is a self-sufficient, flexible, highly structured, internally self-organising, synergisic system consisting of sounds, words, and sentences. The purpose of the study is to compare words in two languages – Spanish and Ukrainian – at morphological and lexical levels. Using the method of empirical research, comparison, typological and taxonomic comparison, multy-paradigmal analysis, the Ukrainian and Spanish languages, which are far related, were compared. Non-related languages are also involved in the analysis, which allows identifying linguistic universals and establishing common features either for all languages or for individual groups of languages. When using multy-paradigmal analysis, it is necessary to consider the fact that the verbalisation of the concept by linguistic means and its symbolisation of national identity in the compared languages occurs in different ways due to the specific historical, cultural, and linguistic influence inherent in it, which each ethnic group receives. To eliminate linguistic and cultural barriers between speakers of different linguistic cultures, a multi-level analysis is necessary, in which the leading role belongs to the multy-paradigmal and comparative-typological study of linguistic units. There are a lot of languages in the world, the number of which varies according to the principles by which they are classified. Nevertheless, regardless of the accepted principles of classification, a number of languages exhibit some structural similarities, regardless of their genetic relationship, and vice versa, being closely related, languages can detect differences at any level.
Product Development and Application of Chinese Traditional Art Derivatives in the Context of New Media
Authors: Li Zhenzhen
Published: December 2022

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that relying on the development of the modern media environment, the traditional culture of China can re-enter the vision and life of people against the background of a new era, and the excellent intangible cultural legacy will be continuously transmitted from generation to generation. Therefore, it is important to delve into the traditional techniques and artistic characteristics of products to properly use the unique elements and symbols of art derivatives, boldly combining them with the cultural background and features of the current era that are being introduced into people's daily lives. The purpose of the study is to analyse the role and importance of combinations of art derivatives in cultural and creative products and to consider their subsequent development in the environment of new media. The following techniques were used to achieve the purpose of the study: deduction, descriptive, and comparative methods. The results determined that by involving Chinese traditional art derivatives, it is possible to develop more diverse, innovative products in the context of modern mass media that consider the aesthetics and functionality of the product and allow satisfying aesthetic emotions and vital needs of modern people. Derivative arts follow from the concept of financial derivatives and refer to many extended services and products designed and manufactured in accordance with culture. Taking cultural elements as a creative basis, a profit-making model that uses its potential resources develops peripheral creations and then brings them to market for sale. The high added characteristics of cultural derivatives play a role in improving the cultural taste and cultural image of the country, acting as a true embodiment of the external appearance and inner spirit, historical and realistic culture. The practical importance lies in the use of the results and conclusions of the study in the development of products that include the traditions and legacy of the Chinese people.
Innovative Reflections on the Visual Language of Batik in the Bouyei Ethnic Group of Guizhou, China
Authors: Liu Yang-Yi , Shaari Nazlina , Ali Noor Azizi Mohd , Perumal Velu
Published: December 2022

Intangible cultural heritage should not only be inherited and protected but also developed and innovated. Only in this way can traditional cultural heritage keep pace with the times and fully demonstrate its value and significance, and the Guizhou Bouyei batik is no exception.  Batik is one of China's ancient folk traditional printing and dyeing processes. It is a common dyeing process and an intangible cultural heritage of ancient China. The art of batik is a time-tested craft. The technique of batik has more than one hundred years, during which it has become more and more complicated and improved. Guizhou is known as the birthplace of batik. Batik is an important symbol of Guizhou that can be traced back to the Qin and Han Dynasties. Guizhou Province is the main population center of the Bouyei ethnic group in China. The visual language is the overall display of the artistic design effect, and the Guizhou Bouyei batik has artistic attributes. Through the innovation of batik materials, technical methods, forms of expression and inheritance, the innovation of visual language will eventually lead to the formation of a new look of batik of Bouyei Nationality in Guizhou.
Music as a Communication Factor in Foreign Policy
Authors: Panasiuk Valerii , Borko Ihor , Khvostova Taisiia , Maslov-Lysychkin Andrii , Yermukanova Anastasiia
Published: December 2022

The relevance of this study is conditioned by the increasing importance of cultural channels of communication in the context of the globalisation of international socio-cultural space. The realities of the 21st century require a comprehensive analysis, considering the new foreign policy environment where multidirectional flows of international communication, including of media character, such as cinematography, theatre, TV, streaming, and music, are playing a qualitatively new role. This paper will therefore focus on the growing role of “cultural diplomacy” (hereafter without the quotes), expressed through the media interaction of sovereign and supranational actors at the international level. The purpose of the study is to establish or deny the impact of cultural diplomacy, including through musical performance, on foreign policy and political discourse at the international level. In the course of the study, primary data from original research by European and American authors was analysed and the heterogeneous structure of cultural diplomacy theory, expressed through the dialectical nature of positivism and theory criticism, was represented. The methodological basis used during the study is expressed in general scientific methods, which include the method of analysis, synthesis, generalisation, deduction and induction, and special – sociocultural, cultural-anthropological, and cultural-historical. The theoretical approach to the study of the multidimensional phenomenon of cultural diplomacy was based on constructivism, which best meets the objectives. Conclusions regarding the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy were drawn from the research. The field of music and diplomacy is far from being exhausted by the recent surge in scholarly attention and has the potential to grow exponentially. Coordinating a better understanding of past practices with an innovative and flexible approach to contemporary policy-making will create new opportunities to reconsider and redefine the role of music in the pursuit of sustainable diplomatic ties in the international arena.
Character Speech Individualization in Charles Dickens’s Novels
Authors: Panchenko Olena , Zirka Vira , Klymenko Tetiana , Plakhtii Anastasiia , Suima Iryna
Published: December 2022

The relevance of this investigation is explained by several reasons: first, the individual character of speech is one of the evidences of Charles Dickens’s geniality and it is of importance for any person writing to analyze some techniques of the genius doing it; second, the analysis of these “speeches” can help understand peculiarities of various styles and genres separately and in interaction; third, everything related to Ch. Dickens is still popular among the readers, so these examples can be of use for teaching and learning English. There are three primary aims of the present paper: to extend coverage of linguistic studies to areas of literary peculiarities; to highlight gaps in the existing literature and promising directions for future research of Charles Dickens’s language; to establish a theory-driven approach to investigating literature language by introducing a new model as a framework for this paper. Authors applied such general research methods as data collection, study of the works in allied fields on the problem of the research, analysis and synthesis of the ideas studied. The theoretical basis of the investigation integrated the main principles of linguistics, stylistics and literature studies. Ch. Dickens is incomparable in linguistic individualization, in creating a personage idiolect, a private language. According to calculations all these characters are minor, about 3 quarters of the are female and about 60% are negatively marked. The main linguistic levels involved in this process are in descending order phonological (graphemic in written form), lexical, syntactic and stylistic.
Problem of National Identity in Ukrainian Military Terminology
Authors: Yaremko Yaroslav , Kharkavtsiv Iryna , Duchyminska Halyna , Aizenbart Mariana , Aizenbart Liubomyra
Published: December 2022

The study analyses the peculiarities of the national and language picture of the world based on “Russian and Ukrainian Dictionary for the Military” by A. Buriachok, M. Demskyi, B. Yakymovych. The article deals with the features of establishment of the national identity in terms of the development of the terminological system as the aspect to define notional and conceptual area in Ukrainian people’s perception. The study provides a wide range of lexicographic comparison between Russian and Ukrainian to represent the characteristic features of word formation processes taking place in Ukrainian military terminological system. It proves that the transformation of the Ukrainian military terminology into modern model as well as its prospects can serve a foundation for the national identity. Terminology plays a major role in the development of the lexicon of modern languages. Its significance is especially noticeable nowadays in the tendency of returning to anthropocentrism or if to be more precise ethnocentrism while each society perceives the reality as well as renders its phenomena by language means according to its peculiarities in perception.
Ukrainian Political Internet Discourse: Signs of Language Aggression
Authors: Yermolenko Svitlana , Kravets Larysa , Siuta Halyna , Kozlovska Larysa
Published: December 2022

The problem of language aggression, hostility, and contempt is one of the most acute in the modern world. The rapid spread of this phenomenon is associated with the development of the Internet and social networks, which led to revolutionary changes in people's communication and the emergence of new types of socio-political interaction. The accessibility of internet resources, the absence of communication barriers that are present in real life, and the speed of information transmission have greatly expanded social contacts. The growth of language aggression, hostility, and contempt in society and the resulting need to invent and implement models of nonviolent language interaction have created new areas for research for Ukrainian linguists. The purpose of the study is to define such concepts as language aggression, hostility, and contempt; to identify the dominant areas of language aggression, hostility, and contempt in the Ukrainian political internet discourse. Language aggression, hostility, and contempt are aimed at humiliating other people or a group of people. The most frequent stereotypes of aggression are associated with discrediting based on political views, ethnicity, language views, less often – gender, age, religion, social status, etc.
Communicative Media Competence of Acting and Opera Teachers During Online Training of Future Opera Singers in Ukraine and the USA
Authors: Zelenina Nadiia , Zelenin Vsevolod , Senko Eduard
Published: December 2022

The relevance of research on the given topic is that the competence of a teacher largely depends on their communication skills, as well as on the ability to adapt to working in the media space, which is required by modern education. This is especially relevant for the teachers of the art subjects, in particular the skills of an actor and opera singing, because remote training of specialists in these disciplines requires a high level of teachers' competence. The purpose of the submitted article is to study the media competence of teachers of acting skills and opera class during online training of future opera singers, to develop reliable diagnostic methods of communicative media competence and to compare the obtained indicators of teachers of educational institutions in Ukraine and the USA. The basis of the methodology is a combination of theoretical approaches with empirical observations and thematic survey, which allows to reliably investigate the level of communicative media competence of teachers of art disciplines. A comparative analysis of indicators of communicative media competence of acting and opera teachers of higher educational institutions of Ukraine and the USA demonstrated a certain advantage of teachers of American universities in the ability to work in social networks and organize online events, in psychological readiness to work in front of the camera, in tolerance for users of networks; at the same time, the indicators of situational adaptability, organizational skills and mastering of the means of social behaviour of effective communication are practically not different between teachers of Ukraine and the USA. The results of the research allow drawing conclusions about the expediency and necessity of improving the communicative media competence of teachers in Ukrainian universities, because remote teaching of stage disciplines, although it requires additional skills and abilities, can be not only effective, but also has certain advantages.
Erratum to: Structure of Zoobenthos at Different Stages of Ecosystem Succession in Thermokarst Water Bodies of the Central Yamal Peninsula
Authors: Koveshnikov M. I. , Krylova E. N.
Published: December 2022

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1995082922090024
11 The epidemiology of infections as a risk factor for psychiatric illness
Authors: Eriksen Benros Michael
Published: December 2022

Michael Eriksen Benros, M.D., Ph.D. is professor and Head of Research at Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. He received a two year grant from GLA for his study: Nationwide Cohort Studies Examining Psychiatric Disorders and Suicidal Behavior after Lyme disease.

The immune system is linked to an increasing number of medical diseases, including lately also severe mental disorders. Utilizing the nationwide registers and biobanks in Denmark we have consistently displayed that infections and autoimmune diseases increases the risk of developing severe mental disorders in a dose-response relationship, where the risk of severe mental disorders particularly increases with the amount of infections exposed to. It is a broad range of infections and autoimmune diseases that are associated with an increased risk of severe mental disorders, with the more severe infections increasing the risk the most and the risk of severe mental disorders is particularly increased with the temporal proximity to the infection. Furthermore, we have shown a small immunogenetic contribution with moderate correlation between the genetic signals for the susceptibility for infections and mental disorders. Moreover, at diagnosis there are elevated levels of inflammatory markers in the blood and studies on the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain have shown some evidence for elevated immune markers in the brain and signs of disrupted blood-brain barrier in some of the patients, making them more vulnerable to potential detrimental effects of immune components. Interestingly, our meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials have shown that anti-inflammatory treatment seems to be effective for depression and depressive symptoms and to some extent also for psychotic disorders. However, studies identifying subgroups that would be most likely to respond to immune modulating add-on treatment are still warranted to pave the field forward.
16 Aberrant emotional memory encoding in a transdiagnostic sample of patients with intrusive memories
Authors: Smith Alicia J , Bisby James A , Dercon Quentin , Bevan Anna , Dalgleish Tim , Hitchcock Caitlin , Nord Camilla
Published: December 2022

Emotion can affect the way in which experiences are stored in our memory. The dual representation account proposes that traumatic events may be encoded as fragmented sensory-perceptual details without a broader conceptual organisation. This can result in involuntary retrieval of perceptual information triggered by environmental cues without the associated context – a phenomenon referred to as intrusive memories.

Currently, it is unknown whether individuals who experience intrusive memories have an underlying vulnerability to aberrant memory encoding, which may lead to the onset or maintenance of symptoms.

In Experiment 1, we examined memory recall for neutral and negative images in a transdiagnostic sample of patients with intrusive memories (N= 36), compared to healthy controls (N= 44). Clinical diagnoses in the patient sample included Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders. We excluded participants currently taking psychotropic medication. At encoding, participants viewed neutral, negative and mixed valence image pairs. In the test phase, participants were presented with cues and, if recognised, were asked to recall the associated image. We found a significant group effect, with patients demonstrating impaired item memory for negative images [F(1,280) = 4.435, p = 0.036], relative to healthy controls. This group difference might suggest that individuals with intrusive memories experienced greater sensitivity to negative stimuli, leading to disruptions in memory encoding. Recent work highlights attention maintenance on threat and high levels of threat-related emotional arousal in anxiety- and fear-related disorders which may be one factor driving the disruption to item memory observed in our clinical population.

For Experiment 2, in a separate sample of healthy participants (N= 18) we measured eye-tracking behaviour during the encoding phase of the same task. Healthy participants showed greater item memory [F(3, 136 = 2.893, p = 0.0377] and avoidance of fixation [F(1, 110) = 4.898, p = 0.029] on highly arousing, negative stimuli relative to neutral. This might suggest that a shift in attention away from negative stimuli prevents item memory impairments for emotional information.

Our future work will identify biological factors driving attentional biases and higher emotional arousal in clinical populations.
20 A survey exploring patients’ and healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards placebo treatments
Authors: Huys Anne-Catherine ML , Franklin Hannah D , Bhatia Kailash P , Stone Jon , Edwards Mark J
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Evaluate patients’ and healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards deceptive and open-label placebo treatments, its perceived effectiveness and current use.

Methods

A sixteen-item anonymous survey explored attitudes towards deceptive and open-label placebo treatments in clinical practice, its perceived effectiveness and current use. The following groups completed the survey: 288 people with a neurological condition, 138 people with a functional neurological disorder, 61 people with a medical condition, 59 healthy controls and 112 healthcare professionals, of which 45 neurologists and 20 psychiatrists/psychologists.

Results

The overall attitude to deceptive placebo treatments was favourable amongst non-professionals (69% in favour). The healthcare professionals were more conservative, with only 48% being in favour. However, a considerable number strongly opposed deceptive placebo: 15% of medical patients, 11% of neurological patients and 22% of patients with a functional neurological disorder. Forty-one percent of functional neurological disorder patients, 46% of patients with presumed organic conditions and 70% of healthy controls believed that a deceptive placebo would improve their own symptoms. Healthcare professionals estimated that deceptive placebo treatments would be effective in 31% of purely organic symptoms and in 55% of purely functional symptoms. Major concerns surrounding deceptive placebo involved undermining trust in the medical profession. There was marked scepticism with regards to open-label placebo in all groups, with the general underlying belief that open-label placebo is fairly ineffective.

Two-thirds of healthcare professionals had never used deceptive nor open-label placebo. Those who had used it, had done so rarely and mostly for non-specific or functional symptoms or for diagnostic purposes.

Conclusions

Despite a generally perceived high effectiveness of deceptive placebo treatments, its prohibition in the UK seems to be in line with general concerns and some strong opposition. Future studies will show if the negative attitude to open-label placebo is justified or if this ethically viable option deserves more consideration.
26 The end of life: an overview of issues and a project to optimise care in Huntington’s disease patients
Authors: Roberts Kris , Nielsen Fiona , Dale Maria , Kiani Reza
Published: December 2022

Objectives

This project aims to optimise End of Life (EOL) care at Mill Lodge, a specialist 14-bed neuropsychiatric ward in Leicestershire, UK. The service functions primarily for patients with Huntington’s Disease (HD), a disorder that significantly reduces life expectancy and necessitates inpatient EoL care.

After an initial stakeholder meeting, specific aims were identified: to establish the level of staff confidence in dealing with issues around EoL; identify specific areas of EoL care that staff felt could be improved; and to introduce a series of initiatives to optimise EoL care for our patients using a QI framework.

Methods

The first stage of intervention included the planning and delivery of an educational event on EoL care specific to HD, achieved with our regional palliative care colleagues. As well as our inpatient nursing and medical staff and the palliative care teams, local GPs, district nursing colleagues, speech and language therapists and psychologists attended.

The meeting allowed an open forum where we were able to identify barriers and facilitators to optimal care from all aspects of the assembled MDT.

We also commenced involvement with the local QI team to develop the project.

Results

Initial interactions revealed that staff confidence in dealing with EoL care was low. Issues with care-planning; medications; communication barriers; and when to refer for specialist help were key reasons for this.

A range of interventions were commenced to enhance collaborative working between the teams overlapping in EoL care; the streamlining of medication prescription and administration; and to enhance communication between staff, patients and their carers.

Conclusions

Staff without specialist knowledge require support. The efforts made to improve collaboration with external colleagues broke down barriers that were preventing optimal care and allowed all parties to express their opinions. This allowed us to transparently appraise our current processes and optimise guidance within this complex area.

The journey of optimisation continues, with practical educational interventions planned, such as syringe-driver training, and efforts to improve shared documentation. Collaborative working between different disciplines continues, with, for example, psychology-led reflective debriefing. Liaison with external specialist HD teams is beginning.

Optimal, collaborative EoL care from a confident team is possible and a crucial part of care for this unique patient group.
39 Frequency dependent emotion differentiation and directional coupling in amygdala, orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortex network with intracranial recordings
Authors: Sonkusare Saurabh , Qiong Ding , Zhao Yijie , Liu Wei , Yang Rocky , Mandali Alekhya , Manssuer Luis , Zhang Chencheng , Cao Chunyan , Sun Bomin , Zhan Shikun , Voon Valerie
Published: December 2022

Objectives/Aims

The amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) form a crucial part of the emotion circuit and their dysfunction is implicated in affective disorders attested by numerous functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) studies. However, the precise nature of emotion induced spectral responses and interactions amongst this circuitry have not been investigated with direct human intracranial recordings which may enable new knowledge for neuromodulation and translational benefits.

Methods

We acquired intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) data from a cohort of 35 patients with intractable epilepsy, who underwent an emotional picture viewing task localising 71 contacts in the amygdala, 31 in OFC and 43 in mPFC. We first quantified high frequency activity (30–140 Hz) responses and subsequently assessed the lower frequency spectral dynamics. Finally, we investigated connectivity between these regions, with a hierarchical approach using functional undirected connectivity (coherence), functional direct connectivity (spectral granger causality) and model based-effective connectivity (dynamic causal modelling – DCM).

Results

Emotional stimuli induced high frequency responses in the amygdala, but which were remarkably absent in the OFC and mPFC. All three regions showed valence dependent differences in lower frequencies in theta (amygdala), alpha (OFC) and beta. In particular, beta activity was increased to negative relative to positive stimuli in both the amygdala and OFC with the opposite direction of effect was observed in the mPFC. Functional connectivity analyses showed predominant bi-directional coupling in low frequency (<12 Hz) range. Ultimately, effective connectivity analyses revealed unidirectional connectivity from mPFC to the amygdala and bidirectional communication between OFC-amygdala and OFC-mPFC.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate a complex orchestration of emotion induced spectral responses, in the amygdala, OFC and mPFC differentiating valence conditions. We demonstrate for the first time using direct intracranial recordings evidence for a top-down influence of mPFC over the amygdala and bidirectional connectivity between the OFC and the amygdala coupling during emotional processing, thus extending the current account of prefrontal-amygdala interaction. Future work could build on this and explore dynamic modulations and the effects of stimulation between these nodes and circuit with implications for neuromodulation targets for affective pathologies.
40 Temporal discounting and male depression
Authors: Sedlinská Terezie , Brückner Lena , Hübner Magdalena , Rentsch Colin , Falke Dorothea , Mühle Christiane , Suc Jasmina , Weinland Christian , Kornhuber Johannes , Lenz Bernd , Dayan Peter
Published: December 2022

Male depression is an attempt to extend the definition of depression to address an atypical cluster of symptoms that have been associated with suicide completion in community-dwelling populations. These include externalizing behaviour, avoidance, emotional suppression, irritability, substance misuse, and risk-seeking behaviour. Temporal discounting is a measure of economic impulsivity and a possible transdiagnostic neurocognitive domain that plays an essential role in everyday decision-making. Previous studies have found mixed results relating economic impulsivity to depression. We hypothesized that this divergence could be attributed to the heterogeneity of depression and contrasted temporal discounting between general ICD-10 depression and the specific, and possibly more impulsive male depression.

We administered a temporal discounting task to 170 in-ward psychiatric patients and 176 healthy controls (HC). All patients fulfilled the ICD-10 criteria for moderate to severe depression. The patients were separated into a male-depressed group (MD) and a general major depression group (MDD) using median split of the Male Depression Risk Score (MDRS-22). HC had subthreshold scores for depression and had no neuropsychiatric history.

We used the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) to compare 3 models of delay discounting. All models were based on the hyperbolic discounting model Q(R,D,k)=R/(1+k*D) where R =reward, k=discounting rate, and D=delay, comparing the subjective value of the immediate option Qi=Q(Ri,0,k) against the delayed option Qd=Q(Rd,D,k). Models differed in their treatment of noise in generating the probability piof making the impulsive choice of the immediate option (with

σ(z) = 1/(1 + exp(−z))):

(1) preference-temperature model (k, β): pi=σ(β(Qi– Qd))

(2) preference-uncertainty model (μ, σ): draw log ks~N(μ, σ):

if Qi> Q(Rd,D, ks), pi=1; otherwise pi=0

(3) trembling-hand model (k, β, lapse):

λ = (3/56)* σ(lapse)+1e-4 pi=(1–2λ(σ(β(Qi– Qd))+λ

The preference-temperature model yielded the best fit (BIC(1)=3.817, BIC(2)=3.893, BIC(3)=7.001). There was no significant group difference in the model-specific parameters: discount ratekand inverse temperatureβ. There was a correlation between choosing the immediate reward and MDRS-22 (r=0.234, p<0.001), as well as with Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (r=0.191, p<0.001), but no significant group differences (ANOVA: F=0.454, p=0.501).

We could not find any model-based differences between the three groups. However, model- agnostic results suggested that male depressiveness, but also ICD-10 depressiveness, were associated with more impulsive choices. A noteworthy limitation was a strong correlation between BDI-II and MDRS-22 in our sample.
Simulation of deflection uncertainties on directional reconstructions of muons using PROPOSAL
Authors: Gutjahr Pascal , Alameddine Jean-Marco , Sandrock Alexander , Soedingrekso Jan , Hünnefeld Mirco , Rhode Wolfgang
Published: December 2022

Large scale neutrino detectors and muography rely on the muon direction in the detector to infer the muon’s or parent neutrino’s origin. However, muons accumulate deflections along their propagation path prior to entering the detector, which may need to be accounted for as an additional source of uncertainty. In this paper, the deflection of muons is studied with the simulation tool PROPOSAL, which accounts for multiple scattering and deflection on stochastic interactions. Deflections along individual interactions depend on the muon energy and the interaction type, and can reach up to the order of degrees – even at TeV to PeV energies. The accumulated deflection angle can be parametrized in dependence of the final muon energy, independent of the initial muon energy. The median accumulated deflection of a propagated muon with a final energy of $${500}~{\textrm{GeV}}$$

500

GeV

is $$\theta _{\text {acc}} = {0.10}^\circ $$

θ
acc

=

0.10

∘

with a $${99}\%$$

99
%

central interval of $$[{0.01}^\circ , \,{0.39}^\circ ]$$

[

0.01

∘

,

0.39

∘

]

. This is on the order of magnitude of the directional resolution of present neutrino detectors. Furthermore, comparisons with the simulation tools MUSIC and Geant4 as well as two different muon deflection measurements are performed.
Molecular interpretation of X(3960) as $$D_s^+ D_s^-$$ state
Authors: Mutuk Halil
Published: December 2022

We study$$D_s^+ D_s^-$$Ds+Ds-and$$D \bar{D}$$DD¯states assuming that they are hadronic molecules with$$J^{PC}=0^{++}$$JPC=0++quantum number. We use two-point QCD sum rule formalism and extract the mass and decay constant values of these states. We take into account contributions of various quark, gluon, and mixed vacuum condensates up to dimension eight. The extracted mass and decay constant values of$$D \bar{D}$$DD¯and$$D_s^+ D_s^-$$Ds+Ds-states read as$$M_{D \bar{D}} = 3795^{+85}_{-82}~{\textrm{MeV}} $$MDD¯=3795-82+85MeV,$$f_{D \bar{D}} = 1.70^{+0.33}_{-0.29} \times 10^{-2} ~{\textrm{GeV}}^5$$fDD¯=1.70-0.29+0.33×10-2GeV5, and$$M_{D_s^+ D_s^-} = 3983^{+93}_{-88} ~{\textrm{MeV}}$$MDs+Ds-=3983-88+93MeV,$$f_{D_s^+ D_s^-} = 2.52^{+0.64}_{-0.54} \times 10^{-2} ~{\textrm{GeV}}^5$$fDs+Ds-=2.52-0.54+0.64×10-2GeV5, respectively. The predicted mass of$$D_s^+ D_s^-$$Ds+Ds-state is in good agreement with the recent LHCb observation and supports quantum number and molecular picture assignments. A possible observation of$$D \bar{D}$$DD¯state would help for establishing the lowest four-quark state in charmonium sector.
DOES FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT MATTER IN POVERTY REDUCTION? EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SOUTH ASIAN ECONOMIES
Authors: MA WENQIN
Published: December 2022

This study looked at the possibility that South Asian countries’ financial prosperity may lessen poverty. The data presented in this research show that between 1990 and 2019, economic development directly led to a decline in poverty in South Asian nations. Remittances reduce poverty, but financial growth has a huge influence. The model result suggests that financial development strongly affects poverty reduction, regardless of the econometric methodology. The results demonstrated that whereas remittances increase poverty levels for men and women, economic development significantly reduces them. Poverty was decreased considerably by variables such as economic development, foreign direct investment and commercial openness. As a result of these expenditures, the South Asian population was shown to be more vulnerable to poverty. The South Asian population was more susceptible to poverty due to these outlays. The results also refute earlier research suggesting that rising poverty may result from financial instability.
Organizational Culture and Business-IT Alignment in COVID-19: A Swiss Higher Education Case Study
Authors: Sieber Marcel R. , Russ Christian , Kurz Katja
Published: December 2022

This paper assumes that cultural characteristics of IT are critical for business-IT alignment (BITA), especially in crises such as COVID-19. A case study of a Swiss higher education institution examines this relationship and its contributions in terms of performance. The study develops a strategic alignment and organizational culture research model based on semi-structured interview guidelines by interviewing employees with different job roles and characteristics. It reveals the dominance of corporate infrastructure and process-strategic orientation and the combined influence of clan, hierarchy, and market culture. Results mapping leads to novel propositions for BITA at different management levels.
Analyzing 3D Helmholtz equations by using the hybrid complex variable element-free Galerkin method
Authors: Cheng Heng , Liu Yan , Liang Dongqiong
Published: December 2022

In this study, we present the hybrid complex variable element-free Galerkin (HCVEFG) method for solving 3D Helmholtz equations. The dimension splitting method (DSM) will be introduced into the corresponding governing equation, thus a series of 2D forms can be obtained by splitting the problem domain of 3D Helmholtz equation. For every 2D problem, the shape function can be obtained by using the improved complex variable moving least-squares (ICVMLS) approximation, and the essential boundary condition can be imposed by using the penalty method, thus the discretized equations of 2D problems can be derived by using the corresponding Galerkin weak form. These equations can be coupled by using the finite difference method (FDM) in the dimension splitting direction, thus final formulae of the numerical solution for 3D Helmholtz equation can be obtained. In Sec. 4, the relative errors are given, and the convergence is analyzed numerically. The numerical result of these examples illustrates that the calculation speed can be improved greatly when the HCVEFG method is used rather than the improved element-free Galerkin (IEFG) method.
A Nomogram Model for Mortality Risk Prediction in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Subjected to Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS)
Authors: Xie Yi , Han Jing , Yu Weili , Hou Zhili , Wan Zhen
Published: December 2022

We analyzed the risk factors of mortality for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis under the Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS) and established a predictive nomogram for the risk of mortality. The retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on the treatment outcomes of 11207 tuberculosis patients in the tuberculosis management information system in Tianjin from 2014 to 2019. Based on the multivariable unconditional logistic regression, we analyzed the risk factors of mortality in patients with pulmonary TB and established the death risk prediction nomogram. We further applied cross-validation and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to explore the efficiency of the nomogram. There were 10,697 patients in the survival group and 510 in the mortality group who had successfully initiated DOTS, and the mortality rate was 4.55%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, male, relapse cases, first sputum positivity, patient delay, and HIV-positive were independent risk factors for pulmonary TB death. The calibration curve shows that the average absolute error between the predicted mortality risk and the actual death risk is 0.003. The ROC curve shows that the area under the curve where the line-up model predicts the risk of death is 0.816 (95% CI: 0.799∼0.832). The nomogram model based on independent risk factors of mortality in TB patients shows good discrimination and accuracy, with potentially high clinical value in screening patients with a high risk of death, which could be useful for setting the interventional strategies in patients with tuberculosis who had successfully initiated DOTS.
Vericiguat: A New Hope for Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Chiles Raquel , Al-Horani Rami A.
Published: December 2022

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is the inability of the heart to adequately contract or eject blood. This heart is unable to produce adequate cardiac output to perfuse vital tissues. At a fundamental level, it is known that the cardioprotective pathway of nitric oxide-soluble guanylate cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate is impaired in heart failure patients. Vericiguat is a novel, orally used, small molecule, and direct stimulator of the soluble guanylate cyclase, and thus, it enhances the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Vericiguat was approved by the FDA in January of 2021 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization following a hospitalization for heart failure or need for outpatient IV diuretics, in adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure and ejection fraction less than 45%. In this review, we describe the chemical and mechanistic aspects, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and contraindications of vericiguat so as to facilitate its optimal therapeutic use.
Evaluation of Superior Semicircular Canal Morphology and Its Relationship with Glenoid Fossa Roof Thickness Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Davvaz Bahare , Hasani Mahvash , Haghnegahdar Abdolaziz
Published: December 2022

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the bone thickness of the superior semicircular canal (SSC) roof and its relationship with the roof thickness of the glenoid fossa (RGF). Methods. The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 280 patients (560 temporal regions) were surveyed. The lowest thickness of the SSC roof was measured and categorized based on the radiological patterns of the Cisneros et al. classification. The thickness of GF and the presence of dehiscence in this part were determined, as well. The relationship between the thickness of the GF roof and the bone thickness covering the SSC was also assessed. Results. The mean thickness of the SSC roof was 0.93 ± 0.48 mm, with no significant difference among different age groups and genders (

p
>
0.05

). However, superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) was more prevalent among females over 45 years old. Similarly, the individuals with the dehiscence of the GF roof had a 12.93-fold higher chance of SSCD development. Conclusions. The results indicated that the thickness of the bone overlying the SSC was significantly related to the roof thickness of the GF. However, an increase in age resulted in no significant change in the bone thickness of the SSC roof. Gender also had no role in changing the thickness of the bone overlying the SSC. Considering the decrease in the thickness of the SSC roof among females over 45 years of age, menopause may be responsible for this occurrence as well as for the increase in the prevalence of SSCD.
An Effective Method for Electromagnetic Parameter Measurement of Flexible Materials Based on Air Coaxial Line
Authors: Ren Jinjing , Sheng Mingjie , Zhou Zhongyuan
Published: December 2022

When measuring the electromagnetic parameters of flexible material with an air coaxial line, the specimen is prone to bend and deform in the fixture, which results in erroneous results. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a new measurement method. Firstly, a rigid material is selected and loaded into the air coaxial line for two-port S parameters measurement. Then, the flexible material is attached to one end of the rigid material and loaded into the air coaxial line together for repeated two-port S parameter measurement. According to the S parameters measured and the two-port network cascading theory, the S parameters of the flexible material separately loaded in the fixture can be deduced. Finally, the electromagnetic parameters of the flexible material can be calculated by the Nicolson−Ross−Weir (NRW) method. Experimental results show that the method proposed is effective and reliable.
Psoriasiform Dermatitis in a COVID-19 Patient
Authors: Wu Marlyn , Teymour Shereen , Ashinoff Robin , Ghani Hira
Published: December 2022

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory papulosquamous disorder which affects around 2% of the world’s population. A peak exacerbation in psoriatic symptoms was noted during COVID-19 due to lack of access to dermatological care mixed with heightened emotional stress during the pandemic. This case report describes a 52-year-old admitted male patient who sustained a diffuse rash on multiple areas of his body a week prior to testing positive for COVID-19. We explore plausible causes for the occurrence of the rash, discuss our treatment plan, include relevant clinical pictures, and review published literature to examine conditions that present similarly to the rash seen in our patient. It is crucial for dermatologists to be able to discern various systemic manifestations associated with cutaneous lesions, such as the one seen in this patient, in order to make an accurate and prompt diagnosis. A better understanding of the association between COVID-19 infection and psoriasiform lesions is needed for improving the prognostic and therapeutic outcomes in patients.
Acute and Subacute Toxicity Study of Essential Oil of Cymbopogon Martini in Mice
Authors: Ayenew Kassahun Dires , Sewale Yihenew , Amare Yosef Eshetie , Ayalew Amare
Published: December 2022

Background. Local Ethiopians regularly use Cymbopogon martini for cosmetic purposes. The plant’s safety, however, is not supported by any solid facts. This investigation aimed to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicities of C. martini essential oil in mice. Methods. The essential oil was analyzed using GC-MS. The approach outlined by Chinedu et al., 2013 has been used to calculate the median lethal dose. According to organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) 407 standard, a 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity study was carried out on female mice. Three groups of ten experimental mice each were distributed at random. Group I received the same saline volume and was considered the control. Groups II and III were treated with doses of C. martini of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, of body weight. Hematological and biochemical markers were assessed. The liver and kidney were taken out after the sacrifice using sodium pentobarbital for pathological analysis. Results. Geraniol (40.89%) was the predominant component in the essential oil composition of C. martini with cyclofenchene (13.91%), myrcene (9.34%), 2, 4, 6, octatriene, 2, 6, dimethyl (8.20%), and ocimene (5.93%) being present in small amounts. The LD50 of C. martini essential oil was discovered to be greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. During a 4-week follow-up period, mice treated with C. martini, the essential oil, at doses of 500 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg body weight showed no evidence of toxicity or mortality. Biochemical and hematological parameters were not significantly altered in mice treated with the essential oil of C. martini compared with the control group. Histopathological evaluation of the liver and kidney did not exhibit any adverse results. Conclusions. The essential oil of C. martini from Ethiopia is considered relatively safe and nontoxic.