bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I’ll be grotesque before your eyes: The expanding monstrousness between Is This Scary? (1993) and Michael Jackson’s Ghosts (1996)
Authors: Geden Sam R. M.
Published: July 2023

This article examines the role of the monster in the film Michael Jackson’s Ghosts (Stan ) by comparing it to its original unreleased version Is This Scary? (Mick ). Despite on the surface telling very similar stories about an angry mob storming the mansion of the reclusive and eccentric Maestro, its use of monsters and monstrousness changes drastically due to the contexts in which both films were made, namely before and after allegations of child molestation were made against Jackson. Comparing these two films offers a uniquely comprehensive insight into how Jackson perceived himself within society, as well as how and why cultural backlash against him manifested. The article includes a comparative analysis of both films’ characters, themes and shared sequences, supplanted by analysis of Jackson’s life and fluctuating critical reality within these two eras. Ultimately, the article will demonstrate an expansion of Jackson’s understanding of his own media freakishness: acknowledging the societal perceptions that made the allegations against him so believable and using it to advocate for his humanity.
Adapting visual references in concept art for films and video games in design uncanny monsters
Authors: Balla Gianluca
Published: July 2023

After demonstrating the efficacy of adapting visual references (3D renders and photos) to concept art for high-budget game development and film production, this contribution suggests a specific approach for the digital artist to produce the uncanny valley when designing monsters. This article illustrates the importance of embedding visual references into the artwork for time efficiency, correct use of perspective and establishment of believable textures. In particular, the search for realism shows to be advantageous in design uncanny monsters. Visual references can be manipulated in software such as Photoshop to prepare not only the blueprints for the 3D modelling/sculpting stage but also to design the special effects makeup for live-action monsters. This contribution fills a gap between our current understanding of the uncanny valley and the process of designing characters; it suggests an efficient approach to monster-making for entertainment and sheds a light on contemporary concept art practices. This is important for a dual reason: (a) it moves knowledge forward in the field of the uncanny valley’s applications to concept art since this has not been investigated in depth in other works; (b) it helps professional concept artists in shaping and controlling the uncanniness of antagonistic characters.
Muscle fiber characteristics and expression level of Troponin T3, Toll-like receptor 2, and Toll-like receptor 4 genes in chicken meat with white striping
Authors: Boonlaos Antika , Uddin Muhammad Jasim , Temyord Katchaporn , Jattawa Danai , Kayan Autchara
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim: The poultry industry faces an emerging muscular defect in chicken meat called white striping (WS). The biological processes associated with WS myopathy are immune system activation, angiogenesis, hypoxia, cell death, and striated muscle contraction. We examined the Troponin T3 (TNNT3), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) genes based on their functions related to muscle contraction and the innate immune system. This study aimed to determine the muscle fiber characteristics (MFCs) and expression level of TNNT3, TLR2, and TLR4 genes in white striping chicken meat (WSCM).

Materials and Methods: A total of 428 breast samples were randomly collected from a commercial poultry processing plant. The samples were classified into four levels: 0 (normal), 1 (moderate WS), 2 (severe WS), and 3 (extreme WS). Five samples per group were selected to evaluate MFCs, including total number of muscle fibers, muscle fiber diameter, cross-sectional area, endomysium thickness, and perimysium thickness. Five samples per group were selected for ribonucleic acid (RNA) isolation to evaluate the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of TNNT3, TLR2, and TLR4 genes related to WS.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the total number of fibers, endomysium thickness, and perimysium thickness significantly differed between groups (p < 0.05). Muscle fiber diameter and cross-sectional area did not significantly differ (p > 0.05). The expression of the TNNT3 gene did not significantly differ among groups (p > 0.05). Toll-like receptor 2 and TLR4 mRNA expression significantly differed among groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These detailed MFCs will provide baseline information to observe WS in chicken meat. Toll-like receptor 2 and TLR4 genes may play a role in the occurrence of WS in chicken meat through non-specific immune reactions.

Keywords: chicken, gene expression, myopathy, poultry, white striping.
Anthelmintic activity of Carica pubescens aqueous seed extract and its effects on rumen fermentation and methane reduction in Indonesian thin-tailed sheep: An in vitro study
Authors: Baihaqi Zein Ahmad , Widiyono Irkham , Angeles Amado A. , Suwignyo Bambang , Nurcahyo Wisnu
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim: Seeds from Carica pubescens were observed to be abundant as waste. This waste contains active plant compounds whose utilization has not been studied in the livestock sector. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of an aqueous seed extract of Carica pubescens (ASE) as an anthelmintic agent during rumen fermentation and methane reduction.

Materials and Methods: Aqueous seed extract of Carica pubescens was prepared from C. pubescens cultivated in Wonosobo, Indonesia. Phytochemical analyses were performed to quantify the secondary metabolite content of ASE. In vitro adult worm mortality tests, scanning electron microscopy, and gas production tests were conducted to evaluate rumen characteristics, methane reduction, and the potential of ASE as an anthelmintic against Haemonchus contortus. Adult worms and ruminal fluid were collected from Indonesian thin-tailed sheep. Two-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s test was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® 21.0 software to detect significant differences.

Results: In vitro study results showed that 1–5% ASE inhibited H. contortus after the 1st h of incubation, and 5% ASE suppressed 100% of adult H. contortus worms in the 5th h. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of ASE-treated worms ASE revealed damaged cuticle structures. ASE had no significant effect on pH, NH3, volatile fatty acid, acetate, propionate, butyrate, acetate: propionate, or microbial protein in rumen fluid (p > 0.05). The in vitro feed fermentation results showed that ASE significantly affected methane reduction.

Conclusion: The inclusion of up to 5% ASE in sheep diets may serve as a potential alternative anthelmintic against H. contortus as well as a methane reduction agent, without deleterious effects on rumen fermentation.

Keywords: Carica pubescens, fermentation, greenhouse, Haemonchus contortus, metabolite, ruminant.
Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography for noninvasive imaging diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: special emphasis on the 2022 KLCA-NCC guideline
Authors: Kang Hyo-Jin , Lee Jeong Min , Kim Se Woo
Published: July 2023

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a noninvasive imaging modality used to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on specific imaging features, without the need for pathologic confirmation. Two types of ultrasound contrast agents are commercially available: pure intravascular agents (such as SonoVue) and Kupffer agents (such as Sonazoid). Major guidelines recognize CEUS as a reliable imaging method for HCC diagnosis, although they differ depending on the contrast agents used. The Korean Liver Cancer Association–National Cancer Center guideline includes CEUS with either SonoVue or Sonazoid as a second-line diagnostic technique. However, Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasound is associated with several unresolved issues. This review provides a comparative overview of these contrast agents regarding pharmacokinetic features, examination protocols, diagnostic criteria for HCC, and potential applications in the HCC diagnostic algorithm.
Aristolochia brachylimba (Aristolochiaceae; Piperales), a new species from the Peruvian Amazonia with an unusually short perianth limb
Authors: González Favio , Valenzuela Luis , Pabón Mora Natalia
Published: July 2023

Aristolochia brachylimba, a new species from Amazonian forests of Peru, is described, illustrated, and discussed with respect to its most similar species, A. stomachoidis Hoehne, from northern, central and eastern Brazil (Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará and Tocantins), and northeastern Argentina (Misiones). The new species differs from its relatives mainly by the size of the utricle, which is considerably larger than the short perianth limb, the conical shape of the tube (i.e. gradually narrowing down towards its distal end), and the winged, flattened seeds. So far, the new species has been found in Amazonian forests of two disjunct localities in Ataz (Oxapampa, Pasco) and the Cordillera Azul National Park (Ucayali, Loreto), at elevations between 340 and 479 m a.s.l.
Synthesis of Al-Y doped-lithium lanthanum zirconate and the effect of cold isostatic pressure to its electrical properties
Authors: Rahmawati Fitria , Arifah Septia K , Hidayat Yuniawan
Published: July 2023

This research aims to study the Al-Y dopant to Lithium Lanthanum Zirconate (LLZO) to the characteristics and electrical properties of the LLZO as solid electrolyte. The synthesis was conducted through solid state reaction with Al2O3 and Y2O3 as dopant precursors. X-ray diffraction analysis along with Le Bail refinement was done to understand their structure, and phase content inside. The result found that Al and Y doping increased the cubic phase from 49.58% to 84.91%. The Al-Y doped-LLZO (LLZAYO) powder was then treated by a various cold isostatic pressing, CIP of 0, 20, 30, and 40 MPa to understand the effect of cold isostatic pressure to the ionic conductivity and solid electrolyte performance of the material even without heat sintering treatment. The result found that the green pellet of LLZAYO) which was isostatically pressed by 40 MPa at room temperature provides (9.06 ±0.26) x10-6 Scm-1, about 8 times higher than the LLZO without doping, i.e., (1.25 ±0.01) x 10-6 Scm-1. All solid-state battery with the prepare LLZAYO CIP 40 as solid electrolyte shows reversible reaction of Li/Li+ redox accompanied with Al/Al3+ redox. The Al/Al3+ reaction seems to decrease the electronic resistance between LCO-LLZAYO CIP40-Li which causes the full cell performance to decrease. The initial specific charging capacity is 82 mAh/g, and the initial discharge was 83 mAh/g, confirming 101 % of Coulombic efficiency. The discharge capacity drops to 46 mAh/g at second cycle, leading to a decrease in Coulombic efficiency to 56 %.
The Effects of Adoptive Knowledge Management Strategy in the Performance of Botswana Water Utilities Corporation
Authors: Mzwinila K. C , Okharedia A. A.
Published: July 2023

This research attempts to explore the effects of adaptive Knowledge management strategy in the performance of Botswana Water Utilities Corporation. In this research paper, organizational performance is measured under the following: - (a) Customer satisfaction (b) Quality of service (c) Employee attraction and retention. The researcher used mixed methods in investigating the research problem which mainly revolves around the effect of adaptive knowledge management strategy. The findings in the research confirm that the recognition of adaptive knowledge management strategy if well utilized and managed will increase the organization performance in respect of quality of service, customer satisfaction, employee attraction and retention. In addition to the above, the research buttressed the various strategic measures that could be considered by the organization to improve its performance.
Dividend Policy and Market Performance of Nigerian Listed Insurance Firms
Authors: Adegbie Festus Folajim , Odunlade Olajire Aremu , Nwarunma Ibeabughich
Published: July 2023

The issue of dividend policy has been a source of disagreement and discussion among experts for many years, particularly its impact on market performance. Some argue that dividend policy has an effect on market performance based on signaling theory, while others dispute this claim. Consequently, this study examined the impact of dividend policy on the market performance of listed insurance firms in Nigeria with and without control over return on assets. This study used an ex-post facto research design approach and employed pooled ordinary least squares to analyze data gathered for 10 selected firms from 2008 to 2020. The study's preliminary analysis revealed that all the employed are positively related. The pooled regression result showed that dividend payout (DVP) had a negative but insignificant impact on market price per share (MSP), while dividend yield (DVY) and dividend per share (DPS) had a positive and significant impact on MSP. Furthermore, the results showed that return on assets had a negative but insignificant impact on the market price per share (MSP), and the adjusted R-squared results revealed that dividend policy explains about 82% of the changes in market performance of the selected insurance firms. The study concluded that dividend policy has a significant impact on market performance, with or without taking return on assets into account. Based on the results, the study recommended that management and shareholders focus on the operational needs of the company and understand the connection between profit maximization and dividend policies.
Women’s Representation in Peace Processes: A Discursive Analysis of the UNSCR 1325
Authors: Mforchi Mboumien Sally , Fomukong Seino Evangeline Agwa , Tafopi Djimeli Alexandre
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to address the critical issue of the representation of women in peace processes, particularly in conflict-affected areas of Cameroon, from the perspective of language use and the translation of the provisions of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in daily actions. The study employs a discursive analysis of the WPS agenda, guided by the Discourse Historical Approach by Wodak and Reseigl and Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis. Data was a document review of the UNSCR1325 of October 2000. The investigation revealed that language use in the policy document shapes the representation of women of peace processes. The finding of the study contributes to the understanding of the representation of women in peace processes and reveals that language use in texts and talks around women, peace, and security policy practice is contributing to the low representation of women in peace processes. The study highlights the importance of identifying discourses in texts and provides a framework for future studies to examine language use in different contexts and expand the discourse analysis techniques employed.
An Analysis of Reasons Behind Difficulties in Understanding Life Science Concepts of Undergraduate Students in Universities of Chhattisgarh
Authors: Kumar Sujeet , Dhapola Janki
Published: July 2023

The purpose of the study was to find out the differences between the reasons behind difficulties of life science concepts of under graduate zoology students of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee University Bilaspur, (C.G.) Chhattisgarh state. For the present study two hundred (200) B.Sc. 3rd year Zoology students of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee University Bilaspur, (C.G.), India was selected. For the present study researcher has selected students those who are studying in B.Sc. 3rd year at the time of data collection. For the collection of data researcher has constructed “Reasons Behind Difficulties Inventory” (RBDI)” with reliability 0.75measured through test, re-test method and to find out the difference chi square test was used and implemented purposive sampling technique. In this present study only twenty (20) life science concepts of B.Sc. 3rd year Zoology subject were taken and remaining zoology concepts of B.Sc. 3rd year has not been considered. After collection of data through this tool researcher has analysed the quantitative data by using descriptive statistics. The study concluded that there was a significant difference between graduate zoology students of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee University Bilaspur, (C.G.) in all the selected ten reasons at 0.025level of significance.
Female Physicians And Professional Careers
Authors: Tafo Ghislaine Neuilly Ngniee , Diarra Yaye , Traoré Seydou Tidiane
Published: July 2023

Since Peseshet, the first known female physician in the world, the number of female physicians has not stopped growing. In USA, they represent 36,3% of practicing physicians, while in Mali, they represent only 16%. Unfortunately, female physicians are still under-represented in the highest positions of the medical hierarchy. It is often found that family responsibilities, can have an impact on their careers. Our objective was to determine the conditions of practice of women physicians as well as their perception on the evolution of their career. To achieve this goal, we conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study on a sample of 123 Malian women physicians obtained by a survey form. We were able to observe that only 34.18% of female physicians were specialists, only 14% of teaching and research positions are held by women, and this percentage decreases as one moves up the ranks. The majority 97.6% have professional ambitions. 12.2% do not feel encouraged to do so, mainly by their families. 78.9% are not satisfied with their working conditions and almost half, 45.5%, have felt discriminated against in favor of their male colleagues. 25.2% have already been harassed morally/physically, mainly (67.7%) by their male colleague. The difficulties are such that 26.5% are considering changing their professional path. The results show that although the number of women doctors is increasing over time, they still have various difficulties in reaching the top of the hierarchy, although they overwhelmingly express the desire for professional progression.
Effect of Promotion on The Satisfaction Levels of Teachers in Public Secondary Schools in Kilifi County, Kenya
Authors: Kisaka Joseph
Published: July 2023

The study set out to investigate the effects of promotion on  influencing job satisfaction levels among public secondary school teachers in Kilifi County in the Republic of Kenya. The study was guided by the objectives of determining the effect of gender and promotion on Job satisfaction levels of teachers in public secondary schools in Kilifi County. The study adopted the Descriptive Survey Design to address the statement of the problem and research questions. Information was generated through questionnaires given to teachers within Kilifi County. Using Stratified Sampling technique, 38 schools were selected from public secondary schools in Kilifi County and a semi-structured 5-likert rating scale questionnaire schedule issued to 418 teachers where systematic sampling technique was used. From the sample identified for the study, only 379 were completed and returned. The Questionnaire return rate was 90.6%. During the pilot study, three academic staff members from Pwani University validated the data collection instrument. The instrument had reliability co-efficient of 0.75 found using Pearson’s Product Moment correlation Co-efficient method. The data collected was analysed using Descriptive Statistics such as means, frequencies and percentages provided by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and presented in form of tables, pie charts and Bar graphs. The study found out that gender, as well as promotion of teachers had an effect on their level of job satisfaction. The main recommendations of the study was fair Promotion opportunities if increased may enhance high retention in the profession and improve their job satisfaction of teachers.
Using an Extension of The Theory of Planned Behavior to Explore University Students' Intention to Pursue Career in The Hospitality Industry
Authors: Hsieh Tsai-Chih
Published: July 2023

The hospitality industry has always been noticed as a labor demanding field, and therefore manpower training is very critical to the hospitality industry. However, even when hospitality-related universities and technology schools are growing, there is still the dilemma of lack of manpower needs in the industry. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to use the extended version of the planning behavior to add emotional intelligence and confront mechanisms to analyze the intention of university or science and technology students to invest in the hospitality industry in the future. This study conducted a survey of current and completed internship students in a science and technology university. A total of 302 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed by structural equation modeling. The results found that the original planning behavior theory is not good at predicting behavioral intentions. In other words, whether students are involved in the hospitality industry is mostly based on emotional elements.
Reading Among Students: A Study Using a Modified Version of the Snowball Method
Authors: Dragan Irina-Maria , Isaic-Maniu Alexandru , Grigore Ana-Maria
Published: July 2023

The reading crisis is a real phenomenon of the last few years, the fondness for reading is free falling, and the lack of interest is reflected in the increasingly poor results in the national evaluations of schoolchildren. In the long term, the effects of the lack of reading reflect on the quality of human resources, including the area of cultural intelligence. The Romanian authorities have initiated measures to stimulate reading, but the results are still modest. The research undertaken by us aimed at evaluating the duration of time allocated to reading by students of the 5th-8th grades from a college in Bucharest, for which purpose the snowball method was used after having applied our original development that allows the completion of the research under conditions of quantitative criteria and the evaluation of decision errors. The snowball procedure in its classic version not only has advantages but also numerous inconveniences, of which the most important is the ambiguity regarding the volume of the investigated sample, because the number of interviewees cannot be predetermined, since it is dependent on the researcher's decision to stop the investigation at a given moment or not. The solution proposed by the authors was to develop the sequential Wald test for the case of measurable characteristics, and the results obtained have a deeply original nature and can contribute to a great extent to the improvement of sociological research methods.
Identity, Power and Otherness: A Postcolonial-Oriental Reading of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe
Authors: Nforbin Gerald Niba
Published: July 2023

This paper offers a postcolonial-oriental reading of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. The study employs the postcolonial theory, principally, Edward Said’s orientalism and his concept of contrapuntal reading, which investigates the contextual circumstances of a text’s production. Such a reading demonstrates that, in plot, setting, thematic content and characterization, Robinson Crusoe is a prototypical colonial narrative, shaped by colonial discourse and reflects the dominant imperialist ideologies of its time concerning race, identity and otherness. British colonialism informs nearly every feature of Robinson Crusoe, and, in its orientalist rhetoric, the novel clearly reproduces the imperialistic ideology of its time. Friday’s existence in the text generates oriental ‘othering’ (which establishes his identity as the colonized) and serves both as a reminder of the colonial expansion of the British Empire and of the era’s dominant, imperialistic discourse and perceived superiority of Englishness. Imperialism started to influence English national identity as colonizer as early as the eighteenth centuries with the English thinking more highly of themselves on account of their contact with colonized peoples, as epitomized in the character and personality of Defoe’s protagonist, Robinson Crusoe. As narrator, Crusoe’s attitude towards non-Europeans and his use of racial slurs are clearly in line with the era’s orientalist rhetoric, which traditionally attributed traits outside British ideal values and accepted norms to the colonized or Eastern other.
The Emergence of Female Identity in Sefi Atta’s Everything Good Will Come
Authors: Anato Sylvain , Aïnamon Augustin , Gbaguidi Célestin
Published: July 2023

Everything Good Will Come (2006) is the debut novel by the Yoruba author Sefi Atta. She investigates the different transformation that occur in the life of Enitan, the female protagonist of the novel, while she makes her tedious journey from the beginning of adolescence to adulthood. For a long time, women have almost played secondary roles in the Nigerian novel in the struggle to address socio-political and economic challenges. However, since the beginning of the 2000s, Nigerian fiction has presented women in leadership roles in their societies. In fact, a new generation of authors has emerged. Atta has become a famous and internationally acclaimed writer of this series in her quest to demonstrate how the identity of a woman can originate from various hostile factors that affect her environment. She suggests that this can only happen if and only women are self-affirming, become fully aware of unlocking their tremendous inner potential which is essential to reverse the trend of a fiction plot dominated by men. Indeed, Everything Good Will Come is a counter-speech to the almost pitiful image of the woman in works mainly masculine.
The Characteristics of Demand Rates in Inventory Routing Problem
Authors: Harahap Afif Zuhri Muhammad Khodri , Nursal Ahmad Taufik , Sahlan Khairulnizam , Sobry Suheil Che
Published: July 2023

In today's business landscape, demand variability plays a crucial role in determining the success of companies across various industries. This article explores the concept of demand variability, encompassing both deterministic and stochastic demand patterns. We delve into the differences between these demand types and their implications for businesses. The article emphasizes the significance of accurate demand forecasting and its role in strategic decision-making. Deterministic demand, characterized by predictable patterns, allows businesses to forecast with certainty. On the other hand, stochastic demand introduces uncertainty, requiring statistical methods and probability theory for estimation and management. Furthermore, we explore the distinction between stochastic stationary demand and stochastic nonstationary demand. While the former maintains consistent statistical properties over time, the latter experiences fluctuations in its characteristics due to external factors. We highlight the challenges faced by businesses in forecasting and managing nonstationary demand and the need for adaptive forecasting methods. To successfully navigate today's dynamic market, companies must embrace advanced analytics and data-driven approaches. By leveraging historical data, statistical models, and forecasting techniques, businesses can gain valuable insights into demand patterns, optimize inventory management, and make informed strategic decisions. Ultimately, understanding and managing demand variability is paramount for businesses seeking to improve customer satisfaction, optimize operations, and enhance their competitive advantage. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of demand variability and equip readers with insights and strategies to tackle the challenges posed by an ever-changing market landscape.
Sztuka Tajemnicy. „Metafantastyka” albo teoria literatury fantastycznej Stefana Grabińskiego
Authors: Knap Jakub
Published: July 2023

The subject of the article is a pioneering in Poland critical conception of the fantastic developed by highly esteemed prewar author of the fantastic literature, Stefan Grabiński. The crucial, remarkable comments referring to fantastic literature were comprised by Grabiński in his extensive essay entitled On fantastic literature. The dissertation in question was never published in whole, however, to find its issue while his life in merely two short parts of it in press edition. In the first part of the article the archival documents were used (mainly the letters) which enabled the reconstruction of puzzling history of the manuscript of said essay now probably lost forever. In the second part, basing on the published parts of the essay, as well as other critical statements of the Polish writer, the main aspects of Grabiński’s theory were discussed. Upon the profound analyses made therefrom it appeares that Grabiński perceived and gave the fantastic genre a unique meaning and value, notably owing to its specific privileged language exposing metaphysical expression of the Mystery. The writer managed to depict in accurate, innovative and convincing way the character of fantastic literature, both in terms of historical and anthropological origin of this kind of literary creativity, and its aesthetics, social and philosophical attributes what makes these researchers innovative and even anticipativewith reference to the corresponding studies of postwar literature theoreticians of fantastic genre (e.g. L. Vax, R. Caillois, T. Todorov). Discursive statements on the issue of fantastic literature of Grabiński are further related to much wider phenomenon which was focused on developing critical analysis of fantastic literature in Poland in the first decades of the twentieth century.
Non-degeneracy of multi-peak solutions for the Schrödinger-Poisson problem
Authors: Chen Lin , Ding Hui-Sheng , Li Benniao , Ye Jianghua
Published: July 2023

In this article, we consider the following Schrödinger-Poisson problem:

−

ε

2

Δ
u
+
V

(

y

)

u
+
Φ

(

y

)

u
=

∣
u
∣

p
−
1

u
,

y
∈

R

3

,

−
Δ
Φ

(

y

)

=

u

2

,

y
∈

R

3

,

\left\{\begin{array}{ll}-{\varepsilon }^{2}\Delta u+V(y)u+\Phi (y)u={| u| }^{p-1}u,& y\in {{\mathbb{R}}}^{3},\\ -\Delta \Phi (y)={u}^{2},& y\in {{\mathbb{R}}}^{3},\end{array}\right.

where

ε
>
0

\varepsilon \gt 0

is a small parameter,

1
<
p
<
5

1\lt p\lt 5

, and

V

(

y

)

V(y)

is a potential function. We construct multi-peak solution concentrating at the critical points of

V

(

y

)

V(y)

through the Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction method. Moreover, by using blow-up analysis and local Pohozaev identities, we prove that the multi-peak solution we construct is non-degenerate. To our knowledge, it seems be the first non-degeneracy result on the Schödinger-Poisson system.
Utility of methylene blue mixed with autologous blood in preoperative localization of pulmonary nodules and masses
Authors: Feng Zhi , Liao Qiu-Xia , Xie Jin-Bao , Chen Jian-Feng , Qiu Ming-Lian , Li Xu
Published: July 2023

The value of CT-guided puncture with methylene blue mixed with autologous blood in preoperative localization of pulmonary nodules and masses was explored. A total of 113 patients with 146 nodules and masses were treated with methylene blue mixed with autologous blood for preoperative localization and thoracoscopic surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between October 2021 and October 2022. The localization effect, complications, and pathological conditions were observed. The localization success rate was 98.63% (144/146). The localization failed nodules and masses could still be located by looking for needle eyes and reading films. The whole group successfully completed thoracoscopic surgery. The average interval of operation after puncture was 22.16 ± 6.22 h. There was a small amount of suspicious hemothorax after puncture. There was no pneumothorax after puncture in the whole group. There were no hemoptysis, irritating dry cough, and other reactions. The overall complication rate was 2.65%, and no special treatment was given. It is safe and effective to use methylene blue mixed with autologous blood for CT-guided preoperative puncture and localization of small pulmonary nodules and masses.
A Multilevel Extension of the GDSW Overlapping Schwarz Preconditioner in Two Dimensions
Authors: Heinlein Alexander , Rheinbach Oliver , Röver Friederike
Published: July 2023

Multilevel extensions of overlapping Schwarz domain decomposition preconditioners of Generalized Dryja–Smith–Widlund (GDSW) type are considered in this paper.
The original GDSW preconditioner is a two-level overlapping Schwarz domain decomposition preconditioner, which can be constructed algebraically from the fully assembled stiffness matrix.
The FROSch software, which belongs to the ShyLU package of the Trilinos software library, provides parallel implementations of different variants of GDSW preconditioners.
The coarse problem can limit the parallel scalability of two-level GDSW preconditioners.
As a remedy, in the past, three-level GDSW approaches have been proposed, which can significantly extend the range of scalability.
Here, a multilevel extension of the GDSW preconditioner is introduced and analyzed.
Finally, parallel results for the implementation in FROSch for up to 40 000 cores of the SuperMUC-NG supercomputer at Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) and to 48 000 cores of the JUWELS supercomputer at Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) are presented.
Strategies of Localizing Video Games into Arabic: A Case Study of PUBG and Free Fire
Authors: Jarrah Shatha , Haider Ahmad S. , Al-Salman Saleh
Published: July 2023

Video game localization is the process of adjusting a current video game to make it available, usable, and culturally appropriate to the target audience. This study aims to investigate the strategies that translators use in localizing PUBG and Free Fire video games into Arabic. The data were extracted from interfaces and in-game captions of the two video games. Due to space constraints, a representative subset of the collected data was then selected and analysed according to the translation strategies proposed by Díaz-Cintas, and Remael (2014). The analysis showed that the localizers have more often used transposition and literal translation strategies. They also tried to adapt the text to suit the target-language culture as much as possible. The findings of this study will be helpful to translators, localizers, and trainers. By adopting the most relevant translation strategies outlined in this article, game localizers will hopefully be better equipped with the mechanisms of video game localization. The current piece of work calls for investing more research efforts towards exploring and targeting a broader array of video game genres in Arabic.
Powerful antibacterial nanocomposites from Corallina officinalis-mediated nanometals and chitosan nanoparticles against fish-borne pathogens
Authors: Tayel Ahmed A. , Elsayes Nancy A. , Zayed Mohamed M. , Alsieni Mohammed A. , Alatawi Fuad A. , Alalawy Adel I. , Diab Amany M.
Published: July 2023

The fish-borne zoonotic bacteria may pose a risk to humans; nanobiotechnological techniques could serve as effective solutions for fighting them. The direct phycosynthesis of metals’ nanoparticles (NPs), silver (AgNPs), and selenium (SeNPs) using Corallina officinalis extract (CoE) was achieved. The construction of nanocomposites (NCs) from phycosynthesized NPs and nano-chitosan (NCht) was also accomplished to evaluate these entire compounds/NCs as antibacterial amalgams against fish-borne bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus. The entire agents/NCs were characterized and assessed. The structure and interactions of chemicals and NCs were determined using infrared analysis. CoE/AgNPs, CoE/SeNPs, NCht, NCht/CoE/AgNPs, and NCht/CoE/SeNPs had mean particles’ diameter of 5.52, 12.46, 59.81, 64.59, and 77.16 nm, respectively, which were confirmed by size studies and electron microscopy. The challenged bacteria were entirely susceptible to the inspected agents, using both qualitative and quantitative assays; S. aureus was more resistant, while A. hydrophila was the most sensitive strain. The NCs (NCht/CoE/AgNPs and NCht/CoE/SeNPs) have the utmost bactericidal potentialities, respectively; they exceeded the action of ampicillin. The total distortion, disintegration, and lysis of the treated A. hydrophila cells were highlighted by scanning imaging within 10 h of exposure. The conjugation of CoE-mediated NPs with NCht produced effective and harmless NCs, valid for applications to remove fish-borne pathogens with biosafe characteristics.
Antifungal properties of lauric arginate (LAE) treated wood
Authors: Alorbu Courage , Carey Joshua , McDonald Armando G. , Cai Lili
Published: July 2023

This study investigated the efficacy of lauric arginate (LAE) as a potential preservative against wood deteriorating fungi. First, the antifungal properties of LAE against two brown rot fungi, Gloeophyllum trabeum (G.t.) and Rhodonia placenta (R.p.), and two white rot fungi, Trametes versicolor (T.v.) and Irpex lacteus (I.l.) were examined using malt-agar media as substrate. Then the biological resistance of LAE-treated wood specimens (10, 20, and 25 % LAE solutions) was tested following American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) E10 soil-block test procedures. The in vitro study showed LAE actively inhibited the growth of all the fungi tested compared to growth in control plates but there were no considerable changes observed in the morphology of fungi hyphae. Wood impregnated with LAE showed increased weight percent gain as a function of treatment concentration. Characterization of LAE-treated wood on a thermogravimetric analyzer showed LAE shifted the thermal degradation temperatures to lower stages but did not significantly improve the thermal stability of the treated specimen. LAE in wood significantly suppressed fungus growth, leading to decreased mass loss but it also leached out from wood specimens during fungi exposure.
Natural durability and fungal diversity of five wood species in a field-test site in Jeongseon, Korea
Authors: Yoon Sae-Min , Kim Min-Ji , Hwang Won-Joung , Lee Hyun-Mi , Park Yonggun , Son Dong-Won , Kim Yeong-Suk , Choi Yong-Seok
Published: July 2023

Climate change from global warming raises the risk of wood decay. Knowing the inherent durability period of wood is crucial for long-term use. Hence, the natural durability of five important Korean wood species (Larix kaempferi, Pinus densiflora, Quercus rubra, Quercus variabilis, and Quercus serrata) was evaluated. In addition, the fungal diversity isolated from each wood stake was investigated to compare and analyze the differences in natural durability. The natural durability of the five wood species was determined to be highest in Larix kaempferi and Quercus serrata, followed by Quercus variabilis, Quercus rubra, and Pinus densiflora. Overall, 306 fungal isolates were collected, including 16 species of Ascomycota, 22 species of Basidiomycota, 15 species of Zygomycota, and eight unidentified species, which dominate different positions of the wood stake. Less Basidiomycota diversity was observed in the two wood species with high durability. In addition, the isolation of not only Basidiomycota but also Ascomycota and Zygomycota could affect wood deterioration and explain the association with wood durability. These findings are expected to be useful in improving the durability of useful wood in Korea in an era of climate change, where the risk of wood decay is increasing.
Hydrocracking of hydrotreated light cycle oil for optimizing BTEX production: a simple kinetic model
Authors: Laredo Georgina C. , Olmos-Cerda Eli H. , Pérez-Romo Patricia , Águeda-Rangel Ricardo , García-López Alfonso
Published: July 2023

The effect of the experimental conditions on the hydrocracking (HCK) of a hydrotreated light cycle oil (HDT LCO) was studied in this work. The catalyst tested was a 50/50 weight mixture of nickel-molybdenum-phosphorous on alumina (NiMo/Al2O3) and a commercial ZSM5 zeolite (HCK 50/50). The experimental conditions tested were 340, 350, 360, and 370 °C; 7.5 MPa; 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8 h−1 LHSV, and H2/HC of 752 m3/m3. Two phases: gas and liquid, were obtained as HDK products. The gas phase consisted mostly of C1–C5 paraffins, iso-paraffins, and olefins. The liquid phase was characterized by GC-PIONA and was distributed in lumps as follows: NAPA by C11 to C13-naphthalenes; TET by C11 to C13-tetralins; IND by C9 to C13-indanes and indenes; AKB by C9 to C13-alkylbenzenes; BTEX by benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; NAPE by C9 to C13-naphthenes; and PIP by C3 to C14 paraffin, iso-paraffin, and olefin type hydrocarbons. Using this classification, the results showed that increments in temperature and decrements in LHSV produced increments in the formation of gases, PIP, BTEX, and NAPE. At the same conditions, AKB, TET, NAPA, and IND decreased sharply. TET and NAPA derivatives were no longer present at high temperatures (360–370 °C). It seemed to be a limit of the BTEX formation directly related to the TET and IND presence, and it did not seem to depend on the transalkylation process of AKB hydrocarbons. Instead, AKB hydrocarbons were directly correlated to NAPE hydrocarbon formation by hydrogenation. A kinetic model was prepared. The model presented correlation coefficients higher than 98 %. The kinetic model that was made predicted that neither increasing the temperature nor lowering the LHSV would improve the BTEX formation when departing from this feedstock.
Metabolic risk factors in prepubertal and pubertal patients with overweight and obesity
Authors: Alvares Matheus Alves , Wanderley Guilherme Sanchez , Mitre Isabela Mesquita , Ribeiro Alessandra Caivano Rodrigues , Kochi Cristiane
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions linked to obesity that increases cardiovascular risk. We evaluated the frequency of clinical abnormalities associated with overweight and obesity in childhood, to determine whether a diagnosis of MetS is appropriate in this population.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with 116 pubertal and prepubertal children with a mean age (SD) of 10.9 (2.5) years, with overweight and obesity. We defined MetS using the International Diabetes Federation criteria, regardless of the age.

Results

45 patients met the criteria, 20 had at least one metabolic abnormality in addition to a high waist circumference (WC), and seven with WC below percentile 90th, had at least one metabolic abnormality. The prepubertal had higher zBMI [3.1 (2.6–3.8) vs. 2.8 (2.4–3.3); p=0.037], less lean body mass (kg) [27.13 (7.3) vs. 34.13 (9.8); p=0.005] and a similar frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared to the pubertal [44.7 vs. 35.9; p=0.323]. Prepubertal with NAFLD had higher zBMI, lower HDL levels, higher TG/HDL ratios and higher fat percentages; while pubertal with NAFLD had higher WC/height, aspartate aminotransferase and oxaloacetic transaminase.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of MetS in childhood is not fundamental. Individualized management, focusing on the earliest age groups, in which we identified a more severe degree of obesity, should be done. We also recommend screening for NAFLD in all ages, due to the high prevalence observed.
Single chip simultaneous chiral and achiral imaging based on high efficiency 3D plasmonic metalens
Authors: Sun Ti , Yang Xing , Xu Feng , Wang Chinhua
Published: July 2023

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a single chip metasurface for simultaneous chiral and achiral imaging and polarimetric detecting using a high efficiency three dimensional plasmonic metalens (3D-PM) with capability of designed separation of different circular polarizations. The proposed 3D-PM combines both propagating and geometric phases so that two orthogonal circular polarization components of the incidence can be precisely separated and imaged into two channels and the incident polarization state can be detected with differentiation of the two channels. One single set of an array of Au layer covered anisotropic polymethyl methacrylate elliptical nanopillars is employed, in which height of each nanopillar is added as a new design degree of freedom to realize both full phase manipulation (0–2π) and high efficiency (>0.85) with coupled equivalent Fabry–Pérot cavity and localized surface plasmons. At design wavelength of 1550 nm, experimental results show that optical resolution of both chiral and achiral images approaches the diffraction limit, extinction ratio of circular polarizations in two channels is ∼33:1, and the energy efficiency reaches ∼63 %. The proposed 3D-PM provides a new and simple way for chiral/achiral imaging and polarimetric measurement, and can be applied in integrated optics, optical communication, and biomolecule detection.
Sodium glucose co-transport 2 inhibitors for gout treatment
Authors:   Department of Family Medicine, Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, Somagutta Manoj Kumar Reddy ,   Avalon University School of Medicine, Willemstad, Curacao, Luvsannyam Enkhmaa ,   Avalon University School of Medicine, Willemstad, Curacao, Jain Molly ,   Saint James School of Medicine, Park Ridge, Illinois, USA, Cuddapah Gaurav Venkat ,   Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Hyderabad, India, Mustafa Nafisa ,   The National Ribat University Khartoum, Sudan, Nasereldin Duaa S. ,   Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan, Pendyala Siva K. ,   Avalon University School of Medicine, Willemstad, Curacao, Jarapala Nagendrababu ,   Atlantic University School of Medicine, Gross Islet, St. Lucia, Padamati Bhavani ,   Atlantic University School of Medicine, Gross Islet, St. Lucia
Published: July 2023

Hyperuricemia remains the most prevalent cause of gout. Gout patients present with joint inflammation and uric acid crystals deposition manifesting as tophi. The association of gout with increased risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, metabolic disorders, increased cardiometabolic risk, and kidney disease is well established. These factors influence the treatment plan, and current treatment options have limited cardiovascular risk reduction. So the need for novel treatments with a broad range of coverage for the complications is warranted. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are novel drugs approved for treating type-2 diabetes. They prevent glucose reabsorption and lower serum uric acid levels. Recently few studies have studied their association with reducing the risk of gout. They may help address the gout related complications through their recorded benefit with weight loss, improved insulin resistance, and cardiovascular benefits in recent studies. SGLT2-Is may be useful to reduce the risk of gout in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Limited literature is available on the safety and efficacy of these novel antidiabetic drugs in patients with gout. This review is aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the role and effectiveness of novel antidiabetic medication as an early therapeutic option in gout patients.
Phrenic Nerve Injury During Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanisms, Clinical Features, Prognosis, and Prevention Methods
Authors: Liu Xinmeng , Lin Rong , Peng Xiaodong , Wang Xuesi , Li Yukun , Meng Fanchao , Ruan Yanfei , Liu Nian
Published: July 2023

Atrial fibrillation ablation procedures have become a focus of research among electrophysiologists, with the aim of increasing success rates while minimizing complications. One major concern is phrenic nerve injury (PNI). Despite advancements in ablation strategies, equipment, and monitoring methods, the incidence of PNI during these procedures remains substantial, particularly during cryoballoon ablation, which has a reported PNI incidence of 3.5%. This review examines recent studies, to provide a comprehensive overview of PNI mechanisms, clinical features, prognosis, and methods for prevention during ablation.