bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectacles of the Sinograph in Chinese Literary and Art Productions
Authors: Lee Tong King
Published: June 2022

This article ponders writing and art that leverage the written script in Sinitic contexts, specifically where Sinographs are fetishized for creative and/or critical purposes—that is to say, they are turned into a spectacle as well as a method. The article analyzes various “technologies of orthography” pivoting on the Sinograph across three modalities of Sinophone expression: Taiwanese concrete poetry, transnational Chinese text-based art, and ludic mediatizations of the written script. It then speculates on the social psychological meaning of the spectacularized Sinograph as a creative-critical nexus by thinking it through the Bakhtinian carnivalesque, arguing that the Sinograph as a grotesque figure embodies contradictory impulses immanent in the regeneration of Chinese culture by fracturing it from within.
Postornamentality
Authors: Kim Suk-Young
Published: June 2022

Lotus blossoms, dragon ladies, K-pop beauty queens, and crazy rich Asians . . . these are the jaded stereotypes distilled by the prevalent popular imaginary surrounding Asian/Asian American women. Despite their varying temperaments, they tend to focus on the particular decorative sensibilities and ornateness of Asian/Asian American female bodies. Among multiple scholarly efforts to wrestle with these enduring perceptions of yellow women, Ann Anlin Cheng's concept of ornamentalism is arguably the most significant theoretical perspective to have emerged in recent years. And yet, in the wake of the 2021 shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, which primarily targeted women of Asian descent, the notion of ornamentalism is rendered nearly irrelevant in the face of ghastly violence against hard-working, nonornamental bodies of Asian/Asian American women. Navigating through the debris of colonial intimacies, ornamentalism, and techno-orientalism, this article relies on the figure of the visor-wearing ajumma, a Korean word referencing a middle-aged woman. As a transnational and transhistorical framework emerging from the messy interstitial spaces between theory and reality, the concept of the ajumma stands at a crossroads marked by the suffocating weight of the American empire and the precarity of Asian/Asian American lives facing the persistent forces of racism, sexism, classism, and ageism.
Physical Literacy and Physical Activity Across the Life Span: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dlugonski Deirdre , Gadd Noah , McKay Chloe , Kleis Rachel R. , Hoch Johanna M.
Published: June 2022

Context

Physical activity levels are low across the life span. Physical literacy has been proposed as a holistic construct to explain, predict, and increase physical activity. The purpose of this systematic review was to qualitatively describe and critically evaluate the current evidence that examines the relationship between physical literacy and physical activity across the life span.

Design

A systematic search of six databases was conducted with the search terms “physical activity” and “physical literacy.”

Eligibility Criteria

Peer-reviewed, English-language articles that included measures of physical literacy and physical activity and examined the relationship between these variables were selected for review.

Study Selection

Cross-sectional, prospective, and experimental studies were included.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome variables were physical literacy and physical activity.

Results

A total of 17 studies were included in this review. Most studies were cross-sectional and focused on youth populations. Studies in this review used several different measurement tools to assess physical literacy and varied in the domains included within physical literacy.

Conclusions

There is a need for valid and reliable measurement tools to assess physical literacy as a holistic construct, as well as studies with prospective designs, to understand the strength of the relationship between physical literacy and physical activity across the life span.
Effects of Vinegar/Acetic Acid Intake on Appetite Measures and Energy Consumption: Systematic Review
Authors: Hasan Faten O. , Hamilton Kristen P. , Angadi Siddhartha S. , Kranz Sibylle
Published: June 2022

Context

Research suggests that the active ingredient in vinegar, acetic acid, may reduce appetite, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Objective

This article aims to assess the effect of vinegar or acetic acid on appetite measures and subsequent food intake in humans.

Design

This was conducted as a systematic literature review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria

All participants were considered, regardless of age or health status.

Study Selection

A search using MedLine (Ovid), PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library between January and April 2021 resulted in 12 studies.

Main Outcome Measures

Outcomes included appetite, measured using an appetite rating scale or visual analog scale; satiation, measured as food intake of intervention meal; and satiety, measured as the amount of food intake after vinegar or acetic acid consumption.

Results

Some short-term interventions indicate that vinegar containing at least 24.6 mmol acetic acid, when consumed alongside a meal containing solid foods, acutely suppresses appetite up to 120 min postprandially as well as ad libitum food intake 3 and 24 h after vinegar consumption. However, longer exposure vinegar interventions suggest that vinegar does not affect overall energy intake.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to determine whether oral vinegar consumption may lead to long-term appetite reduction, decrease energy intake, and aid in weight loss.
Η ψηφιοποίηση της γνώσης και η επίδρασή της στην πανεπιστημιακή έρευνα
Authors: Καταβολάδα Ευαγγελία
Published: June 2022

Στην παρούσα διατριβή διερευνήθηκε η διαμόρφωση του οικοσυστήματος της έρευνας στην Ελλάδα, μέρος του οποίου αποτελούν οι ακαδημαϊκές βιβλιοθήκες. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό καταγράφηκε η γνώση ως έννοια και περιεχόμενο σε σχέση με την επιστήμη της Βιβλιοθηκονομίας, καθώς και η επιρροή, αλλά και ο καθοριστικός ρόλος σε αυτή μέσω της εξέλιξης των επιστημών. Σκοπός της μελέτης είναι η εξέταση του ερευνητικού τοπίου μετά την ψηφιοποίηση συλλογών από τις ακαδημαϊκές βιβλιοθήκες και η σχέση τους με τα Ανώτατα Εκπαιδευτικά Ιδρύματα (ΑΕΙ), τους ερευνητικούς φορείς και τα ινστιτούτα. Οι ψηφιακές συλλογές που δημιουργήθηκαν από τις βιβλιοθήκες, αλλά και από τις βάσεις δεδομένων, τα αποθετήρια κλπ. συνέβαλαν στη δημιουργία υποδομής για τους ανοικτούς εκπαιδευτικούς πόρους και τα ψηφιακά μαθησιακά αντικείμενα. Ως αποτέλεσμα, οι βιβλιοθήκες υιοθέτησαν ένα νέο μοντέλο ανάπτυξης των συλλογών και της οργάνωσης του εκπαιδευτικού υλικού και των πληροφοριακών πηγών.Με επίκεντρο την ανοικτή πρόσβαση και την εφαρμογή της στις βιβλιοθήκες καταγράφηκε η επιρροή της στην επιστημονική κοινότητα, στα εκπαιδευτικά ιδρύματα και στον τρόπο άμεσης απόκτησης αναγνωρισιμότητας των δημιουργών/συγγραφέων μέσω του δημοσιευμένου ακαδημαϊκού τους έργου.Διερευνήθηκε, επίσης, το προσδοκώμενο όφελος που προκύπτει από την ανταλλαγή δεδομένων στην παγκόσμια έρευνα, στην επιτάχυνση της διάδοσης και της συνεργασίας ανάμεσα στους ερευνητές και στη συσσώρευση νέων γνώσεων. Ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα δόθηκε στην υπηρεσία υποστήριξης του εκπαιδευτικού έργου μέσω των ανοικτών μαθημάτων.Καθώς, πλέον, το πληροφοριακό αντικείμενο αποκτά θέση τεκμηρίου η διάδοσή του στοχεύει στην εδραίωση της ανοικτής επιστήμης. Αυτό με τη σειρά του προκαλεί σημειακές αλλαγές στην επιστήμη της Βιβλιοθηκονομίας, η οποία καθίσταται διαμεσολαβητής στην παγκόσμια κοινότητα.Έτσι, με την εκτενή μελέτη της διεθνούς εμπειρίας παρουσιάσθηκαν οι δυνατότητες των βιβλιοθηκών να στηρίξουν ένα αξιόπιστο περιβάλλον πληροφόρησης μέσα από στρατηγικές και μηχανισμούς, που διευκολύνουν τη διάδοση της παγκόσμιας επιστημονικής γνώσης, τη μάθηση και την έρευνα στην ευρύτερη κοινωνία.
Οι ταφικές πρακτικές στην Αττική κατά την περίοδο 600-480 π.Χ.
Authors: Μιλιδάκης Μιχαήλ
Published: June 2022

Η έρευνα επικεντρώνεται στις πρακτικές που εφαρμόζονται στην επικήδεια διαδικασία και στην οργάνωση των χώρων ταφής στην Αττική κατά την περίοδο 600 - 480 π.Χ. Δημιουργήθηκε έτσι, ένα corpus ταφών ομαδοποιημένο με βάση τη γεωγραφία και την πολιτική τοπογραφία της Αττικής σε τρεις υποδιαιρέσεις: Άστυ, Μεσογαία, Παράλια. Εξαιρείται το νεκροταφείο του Κεραμεικού. Παράλληλα, παρουσιάζεται η διασπορά των ταφών σε χάρτη της Αττικής χερσονήσου. Η έρευνα εμπλουτίζεται με τα νέα στοιχεία, μελετώνται οι ταφικές πρακτικές και τα έθιμα της συγκεκριμένης περιόδου,διερευνάται ο αντίκτυπος των ιστορικών και κοινωνικών συνθηκών και η σχέση των θέσεων ταφής με τους οικισμούς - κλεισθενικούς δήμους, προσεγγίζονται οι μεταθανάτιες πεποιθήσεις και τέλος, σχηματίζεται μια αντίληψη για τους ανθρώπους της εποχής αυτής.
Inverse modelling of emissions using satellite and in situ observations and chemical transport modelling
Authors: Σκουλίδου Ιωάννα
Published: June 2022

Ο κύριος στόχος της παρούσας διατριβής είναι ο εντοπισμός των μεταβολών των εκπομπών των αερίων ρύπων μέσω της χρήσης παρατηρήσεων και προσομοιώσεων μοντέλων και την επακόλουθη βελτίωση των προσομοιώσεων. Η παρούσα διατριβή αποτελείται από τέσσερα μέρη. Το πρώτο μέρος αφορά την εκτενή επικαιροποίηση του ατμοσφαιρικού μοντέλου LOTOS-EUROS, το οποίο είναι και το μοντέλο που χρησιμοποιείται για το σκοπό αυτής της διατριβής. Ο κύριος στόχος αυτού του μέρους είναι η επικαιροποίηση των επιφανειακών προσομοιώσεων καθώς και των προσομοιώσεων στήλης ΝΟ2 με τη χρήση διαφορετικών ειδών παρατηρήσεων ώστε να εντοπιστούν οι αδυναμίες αλλά και οι δυνατότητες του μοντέλου. Στο δεύτερο μέρος της διατριβής μελετάται εάν η συνέργεια προσομοιώσεων του LOTOS-EUROS και δορυφορικών παρατηρήσεων ΝΟ2 μπορούν να εντοπίσουν τις ξαφνικές μεταβολές στις συγκεντρώσεις των NO2 και να εκτιμήσουν τις σχετικές μεταβολές στις εκπομπές των NOx. Μελετάται η περίπτωση των αιφνίδιων μεταβολών των εκπομπών NOx στην Αθήνα, Ελλάδα, κατά τη διάρκεια της απαγόρευσης κυκλοφορίας των πολιτών λόγω της νόσου COVID-19 λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη μεταβλητότητα της μετεωρολογίας. Στο τρίτο μέρος της παρούσας διατριβής ερευνάται η εκτίμηση εκπομπών NOx από πηγές οι οποίες εκπέμπουν μεγάλες ποσότητες αέριων ρύπων. Σε αυτό το μέρος εξετάζεται αν το μοντέλο LOTOS-EUROS, το οποίο είναι εξοπλισμένο με μία τεχνική αφομοίωσης δεδομένων, σε συνδυασμό με παρατηρήσεις ΝΟ2 από το δορυφορικό όργανο TROPOMI μπορεί να επιτύχει την εκτίμηση επικαιροποιημένων εκπομπών NOx. Το τελευταίο μέρος της παρούσας διατριβής επικεντρώνεται επίσης στην εκτίμηση επικαιροποιημένων εκπομπών. Σε αυτή την περίπτωση στόχος είναι η εκτίμηση νέων εκπομπών πολύ υψηλής χωρικής ανάλυσης πάνω από αστική περιοχή. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, πραγματοποιείται η αφομοίωση παρατηρήσεων αιωρούμενων σωματιδίων στο μοντέλο από δύο διαφορετικά δίκτυα αισθητήρων χαμηλού κόστους στην πόλη του Αϊντχόβεν, στην Ολλανδία, και εκτιμάται η δυνατότητα μελέτης των αιωρούμενων σωματιδίων και η αντιμετώπιση των αβεβαιοτήτων του μοντέλου.
Μελέτη της επίδρασης της εμβρυϊκής υπολειπόμενης αύξησης στην πρωτεϊνική έκφραση στον εγκέφαλο νεογνών επίμυων
Authors: Ποτήρης Αναστάσιος
Published: June 2022

Εισαγωγή: Η εμβρυϊκή υπολειπόμενη αύξηση έχει συσχετιστεί με υψηλότερο κίνδυνο εμφάνισης δυσμενών περιγεννητικών αποτελεσμάτων και συγκεκριμένες νευροαναπτυξιακές και νευροσυμπεριφορικές διαταραχές. Ο σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να διερευνήσει την επίδραση της προγεννητικής στέρησης τροφής στο πρωτέομα του εγκεφάλου τόσο σε απογόνους με εμβρυϊκή υπολειπόμενη αύξηση όσο και σε απογόνους με φυσιολογικό βάρος γέννησης. Επίσης, στους σκοπούς της μελέτης είναι να αναγνωρίσει πιθανά μονοπάτια και μηχανισμούς που συνδέουν τη μητρική διαταραχή σίτισης με μεταβολές στην ανάπτυξη του εγκεφάλου.Υλικό και Μέθοδος: Δέκα θηλυκοί Wistar επίμυες που ευρίσκονταν στην 12η ημέρα της κύησης μετά από προγραμματισμένη γονιμοποίηση φιλοξενήθηκαν ξεχωριστά ο καθένας. Την 15η ημέρα της κύησης, οι επίμυες χωρίστηκαν τυχαία σε δύο ομάδες, την ομάδα στέρησης τροφής (n = 6) και την ομάδα ελέγχου (n = 4). Από την 15η έως και την 21η ημέρα της κύησης, οι επίμυες της ομάδας ελέγχου είχαν απεριόριστη πρόσβαση σε φαγητό, ενώ οι επίμυες της ομάδας στέρησης τροφής είχαν πρόσβαση στο ήμισυ της μέσης ημερήσιας πρόσληψης τροφής της ομάδας ελέγχου, όπως αυτή είχε υπολογιστεί τις προηγούμενες ημέρες. Την 21η ημέρα της κύησης όλοι οι επίμυες είχαν αυτόματη έναρξη τοκετού και τα νεογνά της ομάδας στέρησης τροφής ζυγίστηκαν και χαρακτηρίστηκαν ως φυσιολογικού βάρους γέννησης (non-FGR) ή νεογνά με υπολειπόμενη αύξηση (FGR). Αμέσως μετά έγινε συλλογή του εγκεφάλου του συνόλου του δείγματος. Πραγματοποιήθηκε μία πολυπαραγοντική πειραματική μελέτη αναλύοντας τον εγκεφαλικό ιστό 4 αρρένων νεογνών με υπολειπόμενη αύξηση, 4 με φυσιολογικό βάρος γέννησης και 3 από την ομάδα ελέγχου. Οι διαφορικά εκφραζόμενες πρωτεΐνες (DEPs) υποβλήθηκαν σε βιοπληροφορική ανάλυση για να εντοπιστούν διεργασίες που υπερ-αντιπροσωπεύονται.Αποτελέσματα: Η πρωτεομική ανάλυση κατέληξε στην ταυτοποίηση 3.964 πρωτεϊνών. Η ανάλυση οντολογίας γονιδίων των κοινά διαφορικά εκφραζόμενων πρωτεϊνών χρησιμοποιώντας το DAVID (https://david.ncifcrf.gov/) έδειξε σημαντική ενίσχυση για όρους που συνδέονται με την κυτταρική μορφολογία, τη μάθηση, τη μνήμη και τη θετική ρύθμιση της σηματοδότησης του πυρηνικού παράγοντα-κάπα Β. H Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) έδειξε στατιστικά σημαντική επαγωγή της φλεγμονής στους απογόνους με υπολειπόμενη αύξηση, καθώς και στατιστικά σημαντική επαγωγή της κυτταρικής μετανάστευσης και διασποράς στους non-FGR απογόνους.Συμπεράσματα: Η παρούσα διατριβή διαπιστώνει ότι στον εγκέφαλο τόσο των FGR όσο και των non-FGR απογόνων λαμβάνει χώρα πλήθος προσαρμοστικών νευροαναπτυξιακών μηχανισμών που μπορούν να οδηγήσουν σε διαταραγμένη κυτταρική μορφολογία, χρόνιο στρες, φτωχή μνήμη και μαθησιακά αποτελέσματα. Επιπρόσθετα, η παρούσα μελέτη τονίζει το γεγονός ότι όχι μόνο οι απόγονοι με υπολειπόμενη αύξηση αλλά και οι φυσιολογικού βάρους γέννησης απόγονοι που έχουν εκτεθεί στην προγεννητική στέρηση τροφής εμφανίζουν αυξημένο κίνδυνο για δυσμενή γνωσιακά και αναπτυξιακά αποτελέσματα.
Πολυπολιτισμικότητα και ιστορική εκπαίδευση
Authors: Νικολαΐδου Χάρις
Published: June 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή αναφέρεται στη διερεύνηση επίμαχων εκπαιδευτικών ζητημάτων που σχετίζονται με την πολυπολιτισμικότητα και την ιστορική εκπαίδευση. Η έρευνα περιλαμβάνει συγκεκριμένα την διερεύνηση των αντιλήψεων και των απόψεων των εκπαιδευτικών της δημόσιας Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης στη πόλη της Θεσσαλονίκης σχετικά με τα παραπάνω ζητήματα. Ειδικότερα, ερευνήθηκε η εμπλοκή των εκπαιδευτικών στην υλοποίηση διαπολιτισμικών πρακτικών στο μάθημα της Ιστορίας. Παράλληλα, ερευνήθηκαν οι στάσεις και οι αντιλήψεις φοιτητών/ριών του Παιδαγωγικού Τμήματος Δημοτικής Εκπαίδευσης του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης σχετικά με την πολυπολιτισμικότητα και τις προϋποθέσεις για την διδασκαλία του μαθήματος της Ιστορίας με διαπολιτισμική οπτική. Και στις δύο περιπτώσεις αξιοποιήθηκε η πολυπολιτισμική ιστορία της Θεσσαλονίκης ως βάση για την καταγραφή των στάσεων και απόψεων των δύο παραπάνω πληθυσμών. Η μέθοδος η οποία αξιοποιήθηκε είναι η ποσοτική, εφόσον κρίθηκε πως με τον τρόπο αυτό είναι εφικτό να γίνει συστηματική συλλογή και ανάλυση στοιχείων και πληροφοριών από μεγάλο αριθμό ατόμων. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας υπήρξαν σημαντικά, καθώς περιλαμβάνουν μεγάλο αριθμό συμμετοχής και από τους δύο πληθυσμούς καλύπτοντας, παράλληλα, ένα ευρύ φάσμα ως προς το φύλο, την διδακτική εμπειρία, την ηλικία ή τις σπουδές τους. Η ανάλυση των πληροφοριακών δεδομένων αναδεικνύει ενδιαφέροντα ζητήματα αντιλήψεις και πρακτικές που απασχολούν το ανθρώπινο δυναμικό της εκπαίδευσης και σχετίζονται κυρίως με τις στάσεις επιπολιτισμού των δασκάλων και των μελλοντικών δασκάλων, την εκπαίδευσή τους, αλλά και την θεσμοθετημένη εκπαιδευτική πολιτική που ακολουθείται σήμερα στην Ελλάδα.
Association of Leptin and Leptin receptor Gene polymorphisms with Insulin resistance in pregnant women: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Adiga Usha , Banawalikar Nandit , Rai Tirthal
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Leptin, along with its receptor, are linked with mechanisms affecting a diverse array of pregnancy-specific pathologies that include gestational diabetes and intrauterine growth restriction. The goal of the study was to examine if there was a link between the leptin (LEP)/leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphism and insulin resistance in pregnant women, and to determine the extent to which the leptin gene polymorphism could cause insulin resistance..

Methods: 208 pregnant women participated in this cross-sectional study of which 74 were insulin resistant cases and 134 were insulin sensitive controls. The study was carried out from December 2018 to December 2020 at a charitable hospital in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Genotyping of leptin and its receptor gene were carried out using the Polymerase Chain Reaction- Restriction fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Serum levels of leptin, insulin, and C peptide were assayed using Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 23.

Results: Insignificant association was observed between leptin receptor gene polymorphisms and insulin resistance, and leptin gene and insulin resistant women. There was no significant difference in the serum leptin levels among the cases and control (61.62±29.23 and 59.88±22.25). However, fasting blood sugar, insulin, C peptide, Triglycerides (TG), and very low-density Lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were significantly higher in cases as compared to controls (p=0.0068, p<0.0001, p<0.0001 and 0.01 respectively). Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR) was greater in subjects with homozygous dominant, 'GG' of LEPR (p=0.0409) and hyperinsulinemia (p=0.023) as compared to other genotypes. However, hyperglycaemia was observed in subjects with homozygous dominant, ‘AA’ of leptin gene (p=0.0173).

Conclusion: No significant association was found between leptin and leptin receptor gene polymorphisms with insulin resistance in pregnancy. However, genotyping of these genes may be useful in predicting insulin resistance and gestational diabetes in pregnancy.
Sustainable business model for local council’s smart city initiatives: a systematic literature review
Authors: Mustaffa Kamal Effendee Ezatul Faizura , Dorasamy Magiswary , Bin Ahmad Abdul Aziz , Aris Azrin , Harguem Saida , Kaliannan Maniam
Published: June 2022

Background: Malaysia is embarking on sustainable, resilient, and prosperous living conditions initiatives. Malaysian cities are embracing the smart city aspiration through their respective local authorities. However, they face challenges regarding  funding allocation for smart city implementation. Local authorities primarily operate on a conventional business model. Based on their current business model, they are unlikely to sustain their smart city initiatives. A more financially sustainable business model is required by these local authorities to embark on smart city initiatives. This study presents a systematic review concerning the business models adopted by local authorities to implement smart cities. This paper also explores the applicability of frugal innovation towards developing a smart city business model.

Methods: This article undertakes a systematic review based on combination sets of eight main keywords: smart city, business model, frugal innovation, local authorities, performance, inclusivity, technology and success factor. The search strategy includes journal articles and conference proceedings from five major online databases: Emerald, ProQuest, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, and Springer Link between 2001-2021. The data is tabulated for clear expression of knowledge gaps.

Results: A total of 17 articles from 300 articles on smart city business models matched the search on smart city business models for local authorities . The study revealed that hardly any in-depth research providing the crucial elements for a successful smart city business model for local authorities has been conducted. No research has linked frugal innovation to smart city business models.

Conclusions: The study calls upon the research community to explore further, the possible linkage between frugal innovation and smart cities for local authorities.
Exposure to parasitic infections determines features and phenotypes of active convulsive epilepsy in Africa
Authors: Langat Nelson K. , Kariuki Symon M. , Kamuyu Gathoni , Kakooza-Mwesige Angelina , Owusu-Agyei Seth , Ae-Ngibise Kenneth , Wang'ombe Anne , Ngugi Anthony K. , Masaja Honorati , Wagner Ryan G. , Newton Charles R.J.C. ,   on behalf of the Study of Epidemiology of Epilepsy in Demographic Sites (SEEDS) group
Published: June 2022

Background: Epilepsy affects 70 million people worldwide, 80% of whom are in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). Parasitic infections contribute considerably to the burden of epilepsy in LMICs, but the nature and presentation of epilepsy following these infections is not fully understood. We examined if epilepsy outcomes are associated with the exposure to parasitic infections.

Methods: This was a case-comparison study nested in a cross-sectional survey of people with active convulsive epilepsy, with cases as those exposed to parasitic infections, and comparison as those unexposed. Associations of exposure to parasites with clinical and electroencephalographic features of epilepsy were done using a modified mixed effects Poisson regression model across five sites in Africa. Multiplicative and additive scale (RERI) interactions were explored to determine the effect of co-infections on epilepsy features. Population attributable fractions (PAF) were calculated to determine the proportion of severe clinical and electroencephalographic features of epilepsy attributable to parasitic infections.

Results: A total of 997 participants with active convulsive epilepsy from the five African sites were analyzed, 51% of whom were males. Exposure to parasitic infections was associated with more frequent seizures in adult epilepsy (relative risk (RR)=2.58, 95% confidence interval (95%CI):1.71-3.89). In children, exposure to any parasite was associated with convulsive status epilepticus (RR=4.68, (95%CI: 3.79-5.78), intellectual disabilities (RR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.35-3.34) and neurological deficits (RR=1.92, 95%CI: 1.42-2.61). Toxoplasma gondii and Onchocerca volvulus interacted synergistically to increase the risk of status epilepticus (RERI=0.91, 95%CI=0.48-1.35) in the data pooled across the sites. Exposure to parasitic infections contributed to 30% of severe features of epilepsy as shown by PAF.

Conclusions: Parasitic infections may determine features and phenotypes of epilepsy through synergistic or antagonistic interactions, which can be different in children and adults.  Interventions to control or manage infections may reduce complications and improve prognosis in people with epilepsy.
Wartości w polityce finansowej w obliczu epidemii COVID-19 we współczesnych rządach w ujęciu Arystotelesa i Karola Marksa
Authors: Zawadzka-Pąk Urszula K.
Published: June 2022

The study aims to an axiological analysis of the legal order from the point of view of the financial policy conducted during the COVID-19 epidemic in Poland, belonging to the cultural circle of Latin civilization, whose pillars are: Greek philosophy, Christian ethics and Roman law. According to the research hypothesis, there are violations of the truth value in the financial policy during the epidemic period. The axiological and legal reflection was made through the interpretation of the provisions on the Multiannual State Financial Plan of the State. The axiological system of Latin civilization requires the protection of the common good, conditioned on the responsibility of public authorities for the condition of public finances. Its sine qua non condition is to provide the citizens with access to real information in this regard. Meanwhile, in the face of the epidemic, the legislature released the Council of Ministers from this obligation.
Normatywne uwarunkowania działalności informacyjno-sprawozdawczej Ministra Finansów w warunkach pandemii COVID-19 w roku 2020
Authors: Grzybowski Marcin
Published: June 2022

The Minister of Finance, as the supreme authority of the governmental administration who is responsible for three departments of the government (budget, public finances, financial institutions), had a significant role in the state’s actions aimed at mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Poland. In the year of 2020 governmental anti-pandemic actions were formulated in the so-called “anti-crisis shields” regulations. Among six of them the Minister of Finance played a key role in shaping the shields no. 4 and 5. Shield no. 4 focused on the assistance with the repayment of interest on loans taken by entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic. Shield no. 5 was aimed at financial support offered to tourism industry and to related branches. The Minister of Finance also played a significant role in regard to the functioning of the NHF. Although the NHF’s financial plan for 2020 was developed in pre-pandemic period, the Minister of Finance guaranteed the availability of medical services and provided an inflow of additional funds for such, as well as for the vaccinations, while conducting an intensified control over the expenditure of funds for such.
Formy elastycznego wykonywania budżetu państwa w dobie pandemii COVID-19
Authors: Kuca Grzegorz
Published: June 2022

The aim of the article is to analyze the changes in the provisions regulating the forms of state budget implementation introduced to the Polish legal system in connection with counteracting the COVID-19 pandemic. The article will focus on the characteristics covered the transfer of planned expenses, expenditure blocking, and the creation of new specific provisions and non- -expiring expenses. Preliminary findings allow to conclude that the introduced forms of flexible state budget execution have significantly strengthened the position of the executive authority, which gained far-reaching freedom in the scope of state budget execution, which may raise justified doubts in the context of the principle of exclusivity of the legislature in shaping state revenues and expenses, which is an element of the principle of distribution of the state budget, which is an element of the division of powers and principles of a democratic state ruled by law. There was also a significant strengthening of the political position of the Prime Minister against that of the Minister of Finance and the Council of Ministers.
Liberalizacja dyscypliny finansów publicznych w sytuacjach kryzysowych na przykładzie specustawy COVID-19
Authors: Skowron Radosław T.
Published: June 2022

An emergency situation brought about by the necessity for preventing, counteracting and eliminating of COVID-19 in Poland required the adoption of non-standard legal instruments in many domains of commercial and social life. A special act, passed in March 2020, in the wake of sudden and complete reshuffle of economic conditions and being a response to COVID-19, introduced a number of unusual mechanisms in the field of public law. One of them is changing the liability for the violation of public finances discipline. It encompasses, on the one side, contracts concluded and executed according to public procurement law, and on the other, agreements concluded and carried out in accordance with laws on public benefit activity. The scope of altered and liberalized liability covers wide range of irregularities form failure to determine or claim the dues, through failure to determine the amount of subsidy to be returned to amendment of contract in breach of public procurement requirements. In the article the author analyzes the new regulation and evaluates its meaning and role in social life exposed to constant and dynamic COVID-19-related demands.
The Rattles from Tell El-Farcha
Authors: Tatoń Katarzyna , Czajka Ireneusz
Published: June 2022

Vessel rattles were one of the first sound-producing tools made from clay. Throughout history, they were developed in many ancient cultures, convergently in many places around the world. To obtain a complete picture of the sounds produced by clay rattles, the short-time Fourier transform analysis is used. On top of that, to determine the full spectrum of their acoustical possibilities, numerical reconstruction of sound is done. The results provide us an opportunity to explore the soundscape of the past.
Two Fragments of Early Dynastic Flint Bangles from Tell El-Murra in the Context of Finds from Ancient Egypt
Authors: Lajs Katarzyna
Published: June 2022

The aim of this study is to present two fragments of flint bangles discovered in the remains of the settlement excavated at the site of Tell el-Murra (north-eastern Nile Delta). This group of artefacts, related to the Proto- and Early Dynastic periods, is known from several sites of Ancient Egypt, but their total number is still modest. The items from Tell el-Murra may contribute to the discussion on the method of production and distribution of this type of items.
¿Qué factores de gestión interna favorecen la competitividad de las pymes? Evidencia en Colombia
Authors: Tobón Perilla Luz Natalia , Cano Montero Elisa Isabel , Urquía Grande María Elena , Rodríguez López Ángel
Published: June 2022

La competitividad empresarial se ha establecido como fin fundamental hacia el desarrollo económico de países y regiones. Se ha estudiado desde la cuota de mercado, la innovación, la estrategia exportadora, entre otros factores exógenos. Sin embargo, la perspectiva desde los recursos y factores internos, incluidas las variables económico-financieras de control de la administración, continuaba pendiente, siendo de gran utilidad y fácil implementación. El objetivo de esta investigación ha sido analizar las variables económico-financieras que favorecen en mayor medida la competitividad de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (pymes) en Colombia. A partir de la base de datos Orbis, se analizan 27 701 pymes durante el periodo 2017 a 2019. Para ello, se emplea un modelo de regresión multivariante. Los resultados permiten explicar la competitividad empresarial, a través de la cifra de negocios, productividad y la rentabilidad económica y financiera.
An Optimal Control Framework for Online Job Scheduling with General Cost Functions
Authors: Etesami S. Rasoul
Published: June 2022

The paper “An Optimal Control Framework for Online Job Scheduling with General Cost Functions,” by Etesami devises online speed-augmented competitive algorithms for minimizing the generalized completion time on a single and multiple unrelated machines for a very general class of cost functions. To that end, a novel optimal control formulation for the offline version of the problem is developed. Such a formulation allows using tools from optimal control theory, such as the minimum principle and Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, to set the dual variables as close as possible to the optimal dual variables and leverage them to design primal-dual online algorithms as an iterative application of the offline problem. The analysis can achieve state-of-the-art competitive ratios for several special cases and provide new competitive ratios which are the first in their settings. In particular, the analysis offers a principled method of estimating dual variables in a general setting of online job scheduling.
From Exception to Extra-Legal Normality: Pushbacks and Racist State Violence against People Crossing the Greek–Turkish Land Border
Authors: Karamanidou Lena , Kasparek Bernd
Published: June 2022

The Greek–Turkish land border became the site of a border spectacle in March 2020, following the “opening” of the border by the Turkish government and its simultaneous closure by the Greek government. The ensuing violence was legitimated by narratives of exception and racist discourses hinging on the notions of “invasion” and “asymmetrical threats.” Yet, the spectacular and highly mediatized nature of the events of March 2020 hid the embeddedness and longevity of border violence in Evros, the area named after the river that constitutes the land border between Greece and Turkey.

Drawing on qualitative research including fieldwork, interviews and document analysis, we focus on the practice of pushbacks as an enduring feature of the local border regime. We argue that pushbacks and other forms of violence should not be conceived merely as human rights violations and therefore aberrations to the laws and values of Europe and its states, but as normalized technologies of border management embedded in the racialized, violent border regimes of liberal states, exemplifying the inherent and unavoidable violence of borders.
On the Death of Mame Mbaye: Racialism as the Ultimate Goal in the “Battle against Irregular Immigration”
Authors: Kalir Barak
Published: June 2022

On 15 March 2018, Mame Mbaye, a 35-year-old migrant from Senegal who lived in Spain for 11 years, died on a street in the centre of Madrid. A police raid on unauthorized street vendors caused panic among illegalized migrants, who ran away trying to avoid an arrest that could have led to their detention and deportation. Mbaye ran towards his home, located a few hundred meters down the road, but he never made it. The official version, endorsed by the Spanish court, is that Mbaye suffered a fatal cardiac failure. Some eyewitnesses claim the police suffocated him to death. The article explores how the pervasive and perverse exercise of racism on different levels against illegalized migrants results in their social and in some cases literal death. To fully grasp the tenacity with which racism and racial cruelty are applied in the immigration field, we must recognize that most other arenas that have historically served as breeding grounds for advancing racialism in western societies have been legally proscribed. In contrast, the anti-immigration arena allows for acting practically, discursively and politically in racializing and racist manners against some of the most vulnerable members in society: so-called ‘irregular’ migrants, ‘failed’ asylum seekers and ‘non-real’ refugees. The immigration field thus serves as a crucial, and perhaps the last, frontier for advancing racialism more holistically in western societies. Animating racialism as an operative ideology informs—consciously or not—those who staff the state apparatus, and society more broadly, to believe in and act upon racialized categories of othered people. In so doing, racialism legitimizes the social production and justifies the social death of illegalized migrants. The ultimate goal of this vicious dynamic, of inhumane treatment and judicial impunity, is to keep operational the racist notion that the lives of some people matter less than others.
Projection background-oriented schlieren
Authors: Weisberger Joshua M. , Bathel Brett F.
Published: June 2022

A background-oriented schlieren (BOS) system is developed with two benefits over traditional BOS systems. First, the dot pattern required for BOS is projected onto a retroreflective background instead of being painted/printed onto the material itself, allowing for on-the-fly updates to the size and distribution of the dot pattern. Second, a reference image is acquired for every flow image so that real-time BOS images can be displayed, and a flow-off reference image need not be acquired if the projected dot pattern is changed during a run for BOS signal optimization. The system can be made very compact, can be converted quickly to operate as a shadowgraph system, and can be integrated with polarization optics that reduce glare/reflections from wind tunnel windows.
Fast testing of partial camera lenses based on a liquid crystal spatial light modulator
Authors: Zhang Yufan , Ren Yuanyuan , Chen Jiaan , Hu Zijian , Bai Jian , Zhao Lei , Wang Kaiwei
Published: June 2022

Today, there are strict requirements for the quality inspection of mobile phone cameras, as the design tolerance is getting critically tighter. In order to avoid unnecessary disposal of lens components when testing and assembling the complete cameras, testing the quality of each single lens group in advance before the final assembly is effective. However, as part of a whole camera, a single lens group cannot generate a sharp image independently; it needs to be combined with other elements in the testing system and assembled precisely. In order to address this challenge, we propose a fast testing method based on spatial light modulators (SLMs). By taking advantage of the programmable feature of the SLM, the assembly misalignments caused by fixing the lens group to be tested into the testing system are dynamically scanned and compensated at a fast speed. A design criterion of the phase map pattern to be loaded on the SLM is also verified by simulation and is applied on the testing system. In this way, the proposed method significantly reduces the positioning requirement of the lens under test, and thus improves efficiency. The passed yield of tested lens groups reaches 92.6%.
Compression, interpolation, and importance sampling for polarized BRDF models
Authors: Omer Khalid , Kupinski Meredith
Published: June 2022

In this work, the KAIST Mueller measurement database is compressed by assuming a triply degeneracy (TD) in the Cloude coherency eigenspectrum. This assumption compresses the database by a factor of two by reparameterizes the database into eight parameters, maintains physicality when interpolated for non-measured geometries, and is shown to retain the dominant polarimetric properties for both diffuse and specular light-matter interactions. For each 4 × 4 Mueller matrix, the 8 TD parameters are: the radiometric average throughput, a depolarization parameter, and 6 parameters to describe the dominant coherent process. Polarimetric importance sampling is made possible by interpreting the eigenspectrum as probabilities. To evaluate the proposed methods, a sphere is rendered using the pink silicone material from the KAIST pBRDF database and compared to a TD compressed and polarimetric importance sampled pBRDF rendering. The average deviation in the polarizance angle and degree of linear polarization (AoLP and DoLP) deviation was 16.9° and 1.1% for both the TD compressed and polarimetric importance sampled pBRDF model as compared to the KAIST pBRDF model, respectively. The pBRDF models are also compared by rendering two scenes containing multiple surface interactions and several material types. Polarimetric importance sampling convergence and its dependence on the materials’ depolarization and ray depth are reported for these scenes.
Utilizing multiplexing of structured THz beams carrying orbital-angular-momentum for high-capacity communications
Authors: Zhou Huibin , Su Xinzhou , Minoofar Amir , Zhang Runzhou , Zou Kaiheng , Song Hao , Pang Kai , Song Haoqian , Hu Nanzhe , Zhao Zhe , Almaiman Ahmed , Zach Shlomo , Tur Moshe , Molisch Andreas F. , Sasaki Hirofumi , Lee Doohwan , Willner Alan E.
Published: June 2022

Structured electromagnetic (EM) waves have been explored in various frequency regimes to enhance the capacity of communication systems by multiplexing multiple co-propagating beams with mutually orthogonal spatial modal structures (i.e., mode-division multiplexing). Such structured EM waves include beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM). An area of increased recent interest is the use of terahertz (THz) beams for free-space communications, which tends to have: (a) larger bandwidth and lower beam divergence than millimeter-waves, and (b) lower interaction with matter conditions than optical waves. Here, we explore the multiplexing of THz OAM beams for high-capacity communications. Specifically, we experimentally demonstrate communication systems with two multiplexed THz OAM beams at a carrier frequency of 0.3 THz. We achieve a 60-Gbit/s quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) and a 24-Gbit/s 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) data transmission with bit-error rates below 3.8 × 10−3. In addition, to show the compatibility of different multiplexing approaches (e.g., polarization-, frequency-, and mode-division multiplexing), we demonstrate an 80-Gbit/s QPSK THz communication link by multiplexing 8 data channels at 2 polarizations, 2 frequencies, and 2 OAM modes.
Learning-based complex field recovery from digital hologram with various depth objects
Authors: Ju Yeon-Gyeong , Choo Hyon-Gon , Park Jae-Hyeung
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we investigate a learning-based complex field recovery technique of an object from its digital hologram. Most of the previous learning-based approaches first propagate the captured hologram to the object plane and then suppress the DC and conjugate noise in the reconstruction. To the contrary, the proposed technique utilizes a deep learning network to extract the object complex field in the hologram plane directly, making it robust to the object depth variations and well suited for three-dimensional objects. Unlike the previous approaches which concentrate on transparent biological samples having near-uniform amplitude, the proposed technique is applied to more general objects which have large amplitude variations. The proposed technique is verified by numerical simulations and optical experiments, demonstrating its feasibility.
Tapered catheter-based transurethral photoacoustic and ultrasonic endoscopy of the urinary system
Authors: Kim KiSik , Youm Jin Young , Lee Eun Hye , Gulenko Oleksandra , Kim Minjae , Yoon Bo Hyun , Jeon Minji , Kim Tae Hyo , Ha Yun-Sok , Yang Joon-Mo
Published: June 2022

Early diagnosis is critical for treating bladder cancer, as this cancer is very aggressive and lethal if detected too late. To address this important clinical issue, a photoacoustic tomography (PAT)-based transabdominal imaging approach was suggested in previous reports, in which its in vivo feasibility was also demonstrated based on a small animal model. However, successful translation of this approach to real clinical settings would be challenging because the human bladder is located at a depth that far exceeds the typical penetration depth of PAT (∼3 cm for in vivo cases). In this study, we developed a tapered catheter-based, transurethral photoacoustic and ultrasonic endoscopic probe with a 2.8 mm outer diameter to investigate whether the well-known benefits of PAT can be harnessed to resolve unmet urological issues, including early diagnosis of bladder cancer. To demonstrate the in vivo imaging capability of the proposed imaging probe, we performed a rabbit model-based urinary system imaging experiment and acquired a 3D microvasculature map distributed in the wall of the urinary system, which is a first in PAT, to the best of our knowledge. We believe that the results strongly support the use of this transurethral imaging approach as a feasible strategy for addressing urological diagnosis issues.
Enhanced lasing properties of BUBD-1 film with multifunctional buffer layers doped with silver nanoparticles
Authors: Shi Chaojun , Li Shuhong , Zhu Zhongchang , Liu Yunlong , Wang Shuai , Zhao Ling , Shi Qiang , Wang Qinglin , Dong Xiaochen , Wang Wenjun
Published: June 2022

The organic semiconductor lasers (OSLs) have been seen as a promising light source for future applications. Achieving organic semiconductors with low amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) threshold is a key progress toward the electrically pumped OSLs. In this paper, the ASE properties of CBP: 2wt% BUBD-1 blend films were optimized using buffer layers containing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with different ratios. Both photoluminescence intensity and ASE properties of blend films were optimized when the buffer layer with 25 vol% Ag NPs was introduced. The lowest ASE threshold is 0.47 µJ/Pulse (6.71 µJ/cm2), which reduces 67.6%, and the highest gain factor is 20.14 cm−1, which enhances 47.8% compared with that without buffer layers. The enhancement of ASE properties of blend films was ascribed to the four functions of the Ag NPs doped buffer layers, including the low refractive index of PMMA and the triple localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects of Ag NPs in buffer layers. The results show that the buffer layer modified by metal nanoparticles has great application potential in improving the lasing performance of organic small molecules.
Cross-polarized common-path temporal interferometry for high-sensitivity strong-field ionization measurements
Authors: Nie Zan , Nambu Noa , Marsh Kenneth A. , Welch Eric , Matteo Daniel , Zhang Chaojie , Wu Yipeng , Patchkovskii Serguei , Morales Felipe , Smirnova Olga , Joshi Chan
Published: June 2022

Absolute density measurements of low-ionization-degree or low-density plasmas ionized by lasers are very important for understanding strong-field physics, atmospheric propagation of intense laser pulses, Lidar etc. A cross-polarized common-path temporal interferometer using balanced detection was developed for measuring plasma density with a sensitivity of ∼0.6 mrad, equivalent to a plasma density-length product of ∼2.6 × 1013 cm−2 if using an 800 nm probe laser. By using this interferometer, we have investigated strong-field ionization yield versus intensity for various noble gases (Ar, Kr, and Xe) using 800 nm, 55 fs laser pulses with both linear (LP) and circular (CP) polarization. The experimental results were compared to the theoretical models of Ammosov-Delone-Krainov (ADK) and Perelomov-Popov-Terent’ev (PPT). We find that the measured phase change induced by plasma formation can be explained by the ADK theory in the adiabatic tunneling ionization regime, while PPT model can be applied to all different regimes. We have also measured the photoionization and fractional photodissociation of molecular (MO) hydrogen. By comparing our experimental results with PPT and MO-PPT models, we have determined the likely ionization pathways when using three different pump laser wavelengths of 800 nm, 400 nm, and 267 nm.
Iterative wavefront optimization of ultrafast laser beams carrying orbital angular momentum
Authors: Burger M. , Murphy J. M. , Finney L. A. , Peskosky N. , Nees J. A. , Krushelnick K. , Jovanovic I.
Published: June 2022

Structured intense laser beams offer degrees of freedom that are highly attractive for high-field science applications. However, the performance of high-power laser beams in these applications is often hindered by deviations from the desired spatiotemporal profile. This study reports the wavefront optimization of ultrafast Laguerre-Gaussian beams through the synergy of adaptive optics and genetic algorithm-guided feedback. The results indicate that the intensity fluctuations along the perimeter of the target ring-shaped profile can be reduced up to ∼15%. Furthermore, the radius of the ring beam profile can be tailored to a certain extent by establishing threshold fitting criteria. The versatility of this approach is experimentally demonstrated in conjunction with different focusing geometries.
Two-photon direct laser writing of micro Fabry-Perot cavity on single-mode fiber for refractive index sensing
Authors: Cao Simin , Shang Xinggang , Yu Hongyan , Shi Liping , Zhang Lei , Wang Ning , Qiu Min
Published: June 2022

Using the two-photon polymerization (TPP) lithography, here we propose and experimentally demonstrate a fiber-tipped Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) for liquid refractive index (RI) measurement. To fit the aqueous environment, the FPI is designed as an open-cell microstructure consisting of well-crafted surfaces together with supporting rods, where the major spectral interference occurs between the waveguide’s facet and the printed surface. Subsequently, the sensing performances of the fiber FPI are comprehensively studied under various RI as well as temperature configurations. The RI sensitivity is obtained to be ∼1058 nm/RIU with a low detection limit of 4.5× 10−6 RIU, which is comparable to that of previous reported FPIs. And the temperature cross-sensitivity reaches a value of 8.2 × 10−5 RIU/°C, indicating the good reliability for RI monitoring. Compared to other fiber FPIs, our sensor exhibits substantial advantages such as ease of fabrication, highly smooth cavity surfaces, and sufficient mechanical strength, providing a practical and competitive solution for chemical and biological sensing.