bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foothills Estate was a lovely place
Authors: Sundararaj Aneeta
Published: January 2024

This photo essay chronicles the life of my grandfather, C. Rajah, who travelled from India to British Malaya in or around 1920. He eventually made his home in a rubber estate in the north of the Malay peninsula called Foothills Estate, Kulim. There, he grew his family and built a life that was, by all accounts, a good one. The story I tell is based on tales I heard about him and Foothills Estate, documents in my possession and some items I inherited. It is an attempt to counter the stereotype in modern Malaysia that those who come from the estates are to be regarded as ‘uncultured, illiterate and poor’.
From Perversion to the (Perverse) Edge of Excitement
Authors: Coen Stanley J.
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Once upon a time, in the 1970s and 1980s, perversion was still an untamed area ripe for psychoanalytic exploration. In exploring perversion, we were free to go beyond the constraints of classical theory about oedipal conflict and ponder where and how sexuality arose, developed, and was used by patients. Perversion, then and now, has been tainted by the sense of something bad, wrong, transgressive. Once we stopped defining perversion as behavior requisite for sexual functioning, we could begin to move toward what could be pleasurable in perversion, especially excitement. And then Laplancheans and Queer theorists would help us reclaim the perverse as valuable, and help us try to accept our patients' intense sexuality. Perverse excitement, rather than perversion, becomes our contemporary fascination. It becomes a way to engage another when ordinary calm caring is unimaginable. Infantile sexuality can be hijacked so as to stir up another when one feels uncared for, disregarded. Perverse excitement can be passed from generation to generation and experienced as something foreign, monstrous, unmanageable—a lust that has to be hidden behind barriers.
Natural-Born Deviants: The Existential Escapades of Sex Tech
Authors: Knafo Danielle , Bosco Rocco Lo
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This article underscores the inherent technological drive that exists in human beings, whose wellspring is mortal vulnerability coupled with human intelligence and mobile dexterity. It also stresses the progressive and refined interaction between humans and their machines, drawing connections between the technological enterprise and human sexuality, especially with regard to perversion. It examines the new sexual landscape emerging as a result of advanced technology, offering a brief summary of four clinical cases.
“What do you think of the opera?”: Don Giovanni in Chapter 17 of The American
Authors: Walker Pierre A.
Published: January 2024

Abstract: James scholarship sees chapter 17 of The American , which takes place at a performance of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni , as particularly significant. However, a fundamental error about Don Giovanni has led to erroneous conclusions. The error is that Don Giovanni as performed during the 19th century was different from this opera as performed recently. Nevertheless, even the most historically informed criticism on chapter 17 has fallen prey to incorrect assumptions due to not taking into consideration the opera’s performance history. Considering the chapter in light of this performance history leads to a re-interpretation of the characterization of Christopher Newman and of Urbain de Bellegarde.
Trans Pronouns, Transference, and The Ambassadors
Authors: Ohi Kevin
Published: January 2024

Abstract: While certain discussions of trans pronouns refer to third-person “address,” for Benveniste, “address” is limited to “I” and “you”; the third person is the “non-person.” From Jean-Claude Milner’s theory of names and insults and forms of quasi-address that place one above or below the person, the article turns to three other crossings of pro-nominal “person”—psychoanalytic transference (an address to the third person hidden within an I/you address), free-indirect style (a first-person discourse in the third), and certain reversals of person in James’s ghost stories—in order to understand the ending of The Ambassadors and Strether’s realizations there.
Metaphor as Archive: Blumenberg and the Book of Nature around 1800
Authors: Fraser Jake
Published: January 2024

Abstract:
Literary Agency and Minoritized Knowledges
Authors: Nitis Maya
Published: January 2024

Abstract:
Decolonizing German Studies from the Bottom Up: How We Teach Language Matters
Authors: LaFountain Pascale
Published: January 2024

Abstract:
High-performance reconstruction method combining total variation with a video denoiser for compressed ultrafast imaging
Authors: Pei Chengquan , Li David Day-Uei , Shen Qian , Zhang Shian , Qi Dalong , Jin Chengzhi , Dong Le
Published: January 2024

Compressed ultrafast photography (CUP) is a
novel two-dimensional (2D) imaging technique to capture ultrafast
dynamic scenes. Effective image reconstruction is essential in CUP
systems. However, existing reconstruction algorithms mostly rely on
image priors and complex parameter spaces. Therefore, in general, they
are time-consuming and result in poor imaging quality, which limits
their practical applications. In this paper, we propose a novel
reconstruction algorithm, to the best of our knowledge, named
plug-in-plug-fast deep video denoising net-total variation
(PnP-TV-FastDVDnet), which exploits an image’s spatial features and
correlation features in the temporal dimension. Therefore, it offers
higher-quality images than those in previously reported methods.
First, we built a forward mathematical model of the CUP, and the
closed-form solution of the three suboptimization problems was derived
according to plug-in and plug-out frames. Secondly, we used an
advanced video denoising algorithm based on a neural network named
FastDVDnet to solve the denoising problem. The peak signal-to-noise
ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) are
improved on actual CUP data compared with traditional algorithms. On
benchmark and real CUP datasets, the proposed method shows the
comparable visual results while reducing the running time by 96% over
state-of-the-art algorithms.
Dynamic structured illumination for confocal microscopy
Authors: Nœtinger Guillaume , Lemoult Fabrice , Popoff Sébastien M.
Published: January 2024

Structured illumination enables the tailoring of an imaging device’s optical transfer function to enhance resolution. We propose the incorporation of a temporal periodic modulation, specifically a rotating mask, to encode multiple transfer functions in the temporal domain. This approach is demonstrated using a confocal microscope configuration. At each scanning position, a temporal periodic signal is recorded. By filtering around each harmonic of the rotation frequency, multiple images of the same object can be constructed. The image carried by the nth harmonic is a convolution of the object with a phase vortex of topological charge n, similar to the outcome when using a vortex phase plate as an illumination. This enables the collection of chosen high spatial frequencies from the sample, thereby enhancing the spatial resolution of the confocal microscope.
Investigation of Polymer-based 1×2 All-Optical Switches at C-Band Wavelength
Authors: Alam Md Koushik , Afsary Noor , Islam Md Zahidul , Rasel MD Omar Faruk
Published: January 2024

All-optical switches play a significant role in optical communication and signal processing using purely optical signals and offer efficient high-speed data transmission over conventional switches, which rely on optic–electronic conversions. This paper demonstrates 1×2 all-optical switches realized with the Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) and directional couplers (DCs) for next-generation high-speed computing systems. We numerically design and simulate this optical switch by using the commercially available RSoft CAD BeamPROP solver. The proposed switches leverage the combined influence of DCs to achieve precise control over switching states by demonstrating remarkable phase-shifting properties with phase differences of 4π/3 and π/2 between the MZI and DC. The optical switch exhibits excess losses from 1.27 dB to 1.40 dB and crosstalk ranging from -13.303 dB to -11.034 dB in a wavelength range of 1.53-1.56 µm, and minimal excess loss and crosstalk are 1.27 dB and -13.303 dB at1.55 µm. The proposed polymer-based 1×2 all-optical switches could be novel devices in high-speed data transmission for optical circuitry.
Patterns of facility and patient related factors to the orthopedic and trauma admissions at the Kenyatta National Hospital: A qualitative assessment
Authors: Omondi Maxwell Philip , Mwangi Joseph Chege , Sitati Fred Chuma , Onga’ngo Herbert
Published: January 2024

Inappropriate utilization of higher-level health facilities and ineffective management of the referral processes in resource-limited settings is increasingly becoming a concern in health care management in developing countries. This is characterized by self-referrals and frequent bypassing of nearest health facilities coupled with low formal referral mechanisms. This scenario lends itself to a situation where uncomplicated medical conditions are unnecessarily managed in a high-cost health facility. This situation compromises the ability and capacity of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to function as a tertiary referral health facility as envisioned by Kenya Health Sector Referral Implementation Guidelines of 2014, Kenya 201 constitution and KNH legal statue of 1987. The study objective was to assess the patterns of facility and patient related factors to the orthopaedic and trauma admissions at the KNH. This was a descriptive qualitative study design. The study was conducted amongst the orthopaedic and trauma admission caseload for 2021. Data collection was done through a) data abstraction from 905 patients charts admitted during February to December 2021 and b) 10 (ten) semi-structured interviews with 10 major health facilities that refer to KNH to understand the reasons for referral to KNH. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 21.0 to calculate the frequency distribution. Qualitative data from the data abstraction and transcripts from the KIIs were analysed using NVivo version 12. The major facility and patient related factors to the orthopaedic and trauma admissions at KNH were inadequate human resource capacity and availability (42.7%), financial constraints (23.3%), inadequate Orthopaedic equipment’s and implants availability (20.0%) and inadequate health facility infrastructure (6.3%) while the major patient related factor was patient’s preference (23.4%). In conclusion, to decongest KNH requires that the lower-level health facilities need to be better equipped and resourced to handle essential orthopaedic and trauma care.
10-year level, trends and socio-demographic disparities of obesity among Ghanaian adults—A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Yussif Mustapha Titi , Morrison Araba Egyirba , Annan Reginald Adjetey
Published: January 2024

The double burden of malnutrition has assumed severer forms in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) arising from sharper increases in prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in these countries compared to higher income countries. Considering that LMICs already have fragile health systems, the rising obesity levels may just be a ticking time bomb requiring expeditious implementation of priority actions by all global and national actors to prevent an explosion of cardiovascular disease related deaths. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide a current estimate of obesity and overweight prevalence among Ghanaian adults and assess socio-demographic disparities following the PRISMA guidelines. We searched Pubmed with Medline, Embase, Science direct and African Journals Online (AJOL) for studies on overweight and obesity published between 2013 and January 2023. Applying a quality effects model, pooled mean Body Mass Index (BMI) and prevalence of overweight and obesity were obtained from 42 studies conducted across all three geographical locations of Ghana with a combined sample size of 29137. From the analysis, the mean BMI of adults in Ghana was 24.7 kgm-2 while overweight and obesity prevalence was estimated as 23.1% and 13.3% respectively. Temporal analysis showed sharper increases in overweight and obesity prevalence from 2017/2018. Mean BMI (Females: 25.3kgm-2 vrs Males: 23.1 kgm-2), overweight (Females: 25.9% vrs Males: 16.5%) and obesity (Females: 17.4% vrs Males: 5.5%) prevalence were higher among females than males. Gender differences in mean BMI and obesity prevalence were both significant at p<0.001. Urban dwellers had higher mean BMI than their rural counterparts (24.9kgm-2 vrs 24.4kgm-2). Overweight (27.6% vrs 18.2%) and obesity (17.3% vrs 11.0%) prevalence were also higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Body weight indicators for the various geographical areas of Ghana were; southern sector: 25.4kgm-2, 28.9% and 15.4%, middle sector: 24.8kgm-2, 26.4% and 16.2% and northern sector: 24.2kgm-2, 15.4% and 8.5% for mean BMI, overweight and obesity prevalence respectively. The southern part of Ghana was similar to the middle part in terms of mean BMI, overweight and obesity but higher than the northern part. We conclude that overweight and obesity prevalence in Ghana has risen to high levels in recent years with women and urban dwellers disproportionately more affected. There is a possible implication for increased cardiovascular diseases and a generally poor quality of life for the people. Evidence-based public health interventions are needed to reverse the current situation.
Monitoring of taurine dietary supplementation effect on parameters of Duroc boar ejaculate in summer season
Authors: Pribilova Magdalena , Skalickova Sylvie , Urbankova Lenka , Baholet Daria , Nevrkla Pavel , Kopec Tomas , Slama Petr , Horky Pavel
Published: January 2024

The aim of this experiment was to find out whether the taurine supplementation in daily ration had an effect on quantity or quality of Duroc boar ejaculate. The experiment duration was from June to August, when it could assumed the possible occurrence of heat stress. For the study was chosen 12 Duroc boars of approximately the same age and condition. The control group of 6 Duroc boars was fed only by basic diet and the experimental group of 6 Duroc boars was fed by the same basic diet with supplementation of 15 g taurine/boar/day. Ejaculate was collected once a week by hand glowed technique. From ejaculate parameters were monitored volume of ejaculate, sperm concentration, total amount of sperm, morphologically abnormal sperm, taurine concentration and GSH/GSSH concentration. From microscopic analysis, results were statistically significant in motility in June and July (P<0.05). In biochemical results, a significant difference (P<0.05) has been found between the experimental groups in the concentrations of taurine as well as GSH/GSSG in ejaculate which indicates the effect of heat stress on boars during the experimental period.
A survey on awareness of the disease and pulmonary rehabilitation in bronchial asthma patients in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Abdul Qayyum Neyyar Zainab , Alaparthi Gopala Krishna , Bairapareddy Kalyana Chakravarthy
Published: January 2024

Background

Asthma, a prevalent and severe chronic respiratory condition, can be significantly managed and controlled through informed awareness about the disease and pulmonary rehabilitation strategies, thereby enhancing patients’ health-related quality of life.

Objective

To determine the knowledge and awareness of Bronchial asthma and pulmonary rehabilitation among asthma-diagnosed patients in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods

Utilizing a cross-sectional study design, 237 asthma patients, aged 18 and above, were recruited from the Royal NMC Hospital, Sharjah. A comprehensive questionnaire was administered, focusing on two critical domains: understanding of the disease and knowledge about pulmonary rehabilitation. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 26.

Results

The majority of participants (31.6%) reported the onset of asthma before reaching two years of age. Bronchodilators emerged as the most used medication, utilized by 31.6% of the respondents. Weather conditions (34.6%) were identified as the most prevalent risk factor. Chi-square tests revealed no significant correlations between gender and knowledge about asthma (p = 0.278) or pulmonary rehabilitation awareness (p = 0.929). A negative correlation was found between age and knowledge about asthma (p<0.001), but not with pulmonary rehabilitation awareness (p = 0.731). Education demonstrated no significant association with either knowledge about asthma (p = 0.974) or awareness of pulmonary rehabilitation (p = 0.676).

Conclusion

The study implies that most people have a basic understanding of asthma. However, there are still significant gaps in their knowledge. For instance, many aren’t sure how asthma is influenced by exercise or which parts of the body are affected. Also, understanding about therapies such as lung rehabilitation, and the contributions physical therapists can make in addressing lung problems, is only average. Interestingly, these knowledge gaps are not related to a person’s age or their educational background.
Efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty versus high-pressure balloon angioplasty for the treatment of arteriovenous fistula stenoses in patients undergoing hemodialysis: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pang Shuyue , Chang Tianying , Chang Mingxin , Huang Xu , Wang Xiaodan , Song Meijin , Wang Zhongtian , Zhang Shoulin
Published: January 2024

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess and compare the therapeutic outcomes of cutting balloon angioplasty and high-pressure balloon angioplasty for arteriovenous fistula stenosis in hemodialysis patients. All studies indexed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library Web of Science were retrieved. The retrieval deadline was July 15, 2023. Risk of bias 2.0 was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Revman 5.4 software was used for data analysis. This review included three studies and 180 patients, with 90 patients in the cutting balloon angioplasty group and 90 patients in the high-pressure balloon angioplasty group. The results of the meta-analysis suggested that compared with high-pressure balloon angioplasty, cutting balloon angioplasty can improve primary lesion patency rates of internal arteriovenous fistulas at 6 months (relative risk, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.96; P = 0.01). However, there were no significant differences between the technical success rate (relative risk, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.93–1.05; P = 0.72) and clinical success rate (relative risk, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.95–1.07; P = 0.73). Therefore, cutting balloon angioplasty is likely to increase primary lesion patency rates at 6 months. However, more high-quality, large-sample, multicenter, randomized controlled trials are needed for further validation due to the limited number of included studies.
From service capacity to spatial equity: Accurately and comprehensively evaluating urban park green space distribution under multi-trips mode
Authors: Zhou Yanhai , Xie Huili , Liu Xingzhao , Wang Xinke , Wang Zhenfeng
Published: January 2024

The health of city inhabitants is considerably impacted by the urban park green spaces (UPGS). Existing studies lack an assessment of the UPGS equity from different perspectives and are limited to poor accuracy. This study reviews the definition and determination methods of UPGS, as well as UPGS accessibility and spatial equity related studies. Then, a spatial equity evaluation system is established from the dimensions of equity in providing UPGS services and equity in supply and demand matching. This study extrapolates from micro to macro analysis using network big data and census data to pinpoint the population down to the building level in the main urban area of Fuzhou City, China. The network analysis method, improved Gaussian floating catchment area method, Gini coefficient, and Lorenz curve measurement help to evaluate UPGS service euquity, explore the similarities and differences of UPGS fairness under different travel modes. It also helps to understand the service relationship between UPGS service and population demand under objective space, and to pinpoint the weak supply area using the locational entropy method. The results show that: (1) The overall accessibility and per capita accessibility show similar spatial distribution patterns under different travel modes, which are "high around and low in the middle" and "centered on the Minjiang River and dispersed to the north and south, respectively" in study area. (2) The supply of UPGS services in Fuzhou is relatively adequate and at a relatively equity level, while varies in the allocation of UPGS services among sub-districts. The spatial equity of different traveling modes varies widely. (3) The sub-districts on the periphery of the study area should be subject to increased UPGS and improvements to the road network and public infrastructure. Sub-district with high population density and old neighborhoods should implement micro-renewal and build community parks. Our study presents a new idea for spatial equity research.
Risk and causality Co-movement of Malaysia’s stock market with its emerging and OECD trading partners. Evidence from the wavelet approach
Authors: Wang Xiaoyang , Guo Hui , Waris Muhammad , Din Badariah Haji
Published: January 2024

The growing trend of interdependence between the international stock markets indicated the amalgamation of risk across borders that plays a significant role in portfolio diversification by selecting different assets from the financial markets and is also helpful for making extensive economic policy for the economies. By applying different methodologies, this study undertakes the volatility analysis of the emerging and OECD economies and analyzes the co-movement pattern between them. Moreover, with that motive, using the wavelet approach, we provide strong evidence of the short and long-run risk transfer over different time domains from Malaysia to its trading partners. Our findings show that during the Asian financial crisis (1997–98), Malaysia had short- and long-term relationships with China, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and Indonesia due to both high and low-frequency domains. Meanwhile, after the Global financial crisis (2008–09), it is being observed that Malaysia has long-term and short-term synchronization with emerging (China, India, Indonesia), OECD (Germany, France, USA, UK, Japan, Singapore) stock markets but Pakistan has the low level of co-movement with Malaysian stock market during the global financial crisis (2008–09). Moreover, it is being seen that Malaysia has short-term at both high and low-frequency co-movement with all the emerging and OECD economies except Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia during the COVID-19 period (2020–21). Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia have long-term synchronization relationships with the Malaysian stock market at high and low frequencies during COVID-19. While in a leading-lagging relationship, Malaysia’s stock market risk has both leading and lagging behavior with its trading partners’ stock market risk in the selected period; this behavior changes based on the different trade and investment flow factors. Moreover, DCC-GARCH findings shows that Malaysian market has both short term and long-term synchronization with trading partners except USA. Conspicuously, the integration pattern seems that the cooperation development between stock markets matters rather than the regional proximity in driving the cointegration. The study findings have significant implications for investors, governments, and policymakers around the globe.
Exploring causality between bone mineral density and frailty: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shen Jue-xin , Lu Yi , Meng Wei , Yu Lei , Wang Jun-kai
Published: January 2024

Objective

The bidirectional correlation between low bone mineral density (BMD) and frailty, despite its extensive documentation, still lacks a conclusive understanding. The objective of this Mendelian randomization (MR) study is to investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between BMD and frailty.

Methods

We utilized summary statistics data for BMD at different skeletal sites—including heel BMD (e-BMD, N = 40,613), forearm BMD (FA-BMD, N = 8,143), femoral neck BMD (FN-BMD, N = 32,735), and lumbar spine BMD (LS-BMD, N = 28,489), alongside frailty index (FI, N = 175,226) data in participants of European ancestry. MR analysis in our study was conducted using well-established analytical methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median (WM), and MR-Egger approaches.

Results

We observed negative causal estimates between genetically predicted e-BMD (IVW β = - 0.020, 95% confidence interval (CI) = - 0.038, - 0.002, P = 0.029) and FA-BMD (IVW β = -0.035, 95% CI = -0.066, -0.004, P = 0.028) with FI. However, the results did not reach statistical significance after applying the Bonferroni correction, with a significance threshold set at P < 0.0125 (0.05/4). There was no causal effect of FN-BMD (IVW β = - 0.024, 95% CI = -0.052, 0.004, P = 0.088) and LS-BMD (IVW β = - 0.005, 95% CI = -0.034, 0.024, P = 0.749) on FI. In the reverse Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, we observed no causal effect of FI on BMD at various skeletal sites.

Conclusion

Our study provides support for the hypothesis that low BMD may be a potential causal risk factor for frailty, but further research is needed to confirm this relationship. However, our findings did not confirm reverse causality.
Genetic diversity of HPV35 in Chad and the Central African Republic, two landlocked countries of Central Africa: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mboumba Bouassa Ralph-Sydney , Avala Ntsigouaye Juval , Lemba Tsimba Paola Candyse , Nodjikouambaye Zita Aleyo , Sadjoli Damtheou , Mbeko Simaleko Marcel , Camengo Serge Police , Longo Jean De Dieu , Grésenguet Gérard , Veyer David , Péré Hélène , Mossoro-Kpinde Christian Diamant , Bélec Laurent
Published: January 2024

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-35 accounts for up 10% of cervical cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa. We herein assessed the genetic diversity of HPV35 in HIV-negative women from Chad (identified as #CHAD) and HIV-infected men having sex with men (MSM) in the Central African Republic (CAR), identified as #CAR. Ten HPV35 DNA from self-collected genital secretions (n = 5) and anal margin samples (n = 5) obtained from women and MSM, respectively, were sequenced using the ABI PRISM® BigDye Sequencing technology. All but one HPV35 strains belonged to the A2 sublineage, and only #CAR5 belonged to A1. HPV35 from #CAR had higher L1 variability compared to #CHAD (mean number of mutations: 16 versus 6). L1 of #CAR5 showed a significant variability (2.29%), suggesting a possible intra-type divergence from HPV35H. Three (BC, DE, and EF) out of the 5 capsid loops domains remained totally conserved, while FG- and HI- loops of #CAR exhibited amino acid variations. #CAR5 also showed the highest LCR variability with a 16bp insertion at binding sites of the YY1. HPV35 from #CHAD exhibited the highest variability in E2 gene (P<0.05). E6 and E7 oncoproteins remained well conserved. There is a relative maintenance of a well conserved HPV35 A2 sublineage within heterosexual women in Chad and MSM with HIV in the Central African Republic.
Exploring the psycho-social burden of infertility: Perspectives of infertile couples in Cape Coast, Ghana
Authors: Azize Diallo Abdoul , Anku Prince Justin , Darkoa Oduro Rhodalyn Adwoa
Published: January 2024

Infertility is a complex and often sensitive issue with far-reaching psycho-social ramifications for couples and their families. This study therefore seeks to delve into the psycho-social burden of infertility in Cape Coast, a major city in Ghana. Specifically, we explored the impact of infertility on the psychological and social health of infertile couples receiving fertility treatment. It also delves into the strategies they adopt to cope with their conditions. The study employs a qualitative approach to inquiry using phenomenology as a study design to explore the experiences of the study participants. In-depth interviews were conducted using interview guides, voice recorded and transcribed verbatim. Both inductive and deductive/framework coding techniques were used to code the data leading to the generation of themes and sub-themes. The results show that most of the study participants dealing with infertility faced psychological burdens from different sources including their families, society and themselves. These burdens take a toll on their mental health, pushing them into a state of desperation and depression. It was, however, revealed that infertile couples are able to cope with the help of their family, spouses and the church. Curiously, some of them opt for withdrawal from social events as a coping mechanism. Infertility exerts an enormous negative psycho-social impact on affected couples, especially women. The family and society serve as the main sources of stressors for infertile couples. Therefore, programmes that are aimed at fertility treatment should deliberately consider addressing the psychosocial burden of infertility through education targeting actors, especially interpersonal-level actors.
The blurry lines between popular media and party propaganda: China’s convergence culture through a linguistic lens
Authors: Lang Jun , Jing-Schmidt Zhuo
Published: January 2024

There is a growing body of scholarly evidence that media convergence blurs the boundary between media production and media consumption and obscures the lines between institutions and individuals. Media convergence in the context of China has garnered attention in communication studies and in cultural studies. However, there is a scarcity of research on convergence culture from a linguistic perspective. Recent research has generated initial evidence that state media appropriates a pop-cultural social address for clickbait and information management in China’s digital media space. However, the patterns and perceptual reality of linguistic convergence remain unexplored. This study investigates popular and party uses of xiaojiejie ‘little older sister’, a familiar expression of fictive kinship reborn as a viral personal reference and social address in China’s convergence culture. Analysis of the Target Group Index in the Baidu search engine suggests xiaojiejie is gaining ground over its predecessor among young Chinese. Trends analysis of its usage in WeChat public accounts showed that the term has spread from popular media to state media, which employs the viral address to drive clickbait and disguise propaganda. An online survey of young Chinese WeChat users (N=330) on their perception of xiaojiejie headlines from WeChat public accounts showed that respondents could not tell state media uses from popular uses, providing perceptual evidence of the blurry boundaries between popular and state media uses of the viral address. The findings demonstrate the reality of linguistic convergence driven by participatory performance and its perceptual consequences in China’s convergence culture.
Home is where the home range is: Identifying territoriality and exhibit preferences in an ex-situ group of all-male Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus)
Authors: Stalter Laura , Terry Megan , Riley Alex , Leeds Austin
Published: January 2024

Here, the presence or absence of territoriality was evaluated in an all-male Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) group living in an ex-situ environment. Location data for each crocodile within the exhibit were collected three times per day over a two-year period, including two warm seasons and two cold seasons. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to create seasonal home ranges and core areas for each crocodile, to quantify the overlap of these home ranges and core areas to assess potential territoriality, and to calculate exhibit preferences of the group. Core area overlap was significantly lower than home range overlap, suggesting the crocodiles established territories within their exhibit. This pattern of behavior was similar across seasons, though it moderately intensified during the cold season. The crocodiles appeared to be more territorial in water, as overlap was most concentrated on the central beach, the only feature utilized more than expected based in its availability in the exhibit. These findings highlight the behavioral complexity of Nile crocodiles in human care, specifically the ability of Nile crocodiles to adapt to ex-situ environments similar to their wild counterparts by forming territories despite spatial constraints. Identifying the presence of territorial behavior is important for the care and welfare of ex-situ animals, as territorial animals have specific requirements that may result in increased agonism when unmet. It can also provide valuable context to aid in mitigation strategies, for example, when undesirable levels of agonism do occur. The findings here provide an example of how methodology from the wildlife ecology field can be adapted to ex-situ settings using a GIS and contributes to the current understanding of crocodilian behavior in human care.
Corrientes ideológicas en Vox: presencia del neoliberalismo autoritario y el social-identitarismo en la derecha radical española
Authors: Seijo Boado Ismael , Antón-Mellón Joan
Published: January 2024

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo demostrar la existencia de diferentes corrientes ideológicas dentro del partido de derecha radical español Vox. Para hacerlo, se realiza un análisis de contenido de los tres últimos programas políticos de Vox, atendiendo a la presencia de elementos de diferentes corrientes dentro de la familia política de la derecha radical. Estos elementos se determinan con una revisión previa de la bibliografía sobre el fenómeno de la derecha radical y las dos principales corrientes que coexisten en los partidos políticos occidentales de esta ideología: los neoliberales autoritarios y los social-identitarios. El análisis muestra la existencia de elementos de ambas corrientes en los programas políticos de Vox, pero con una clara primacía de los temas propios del neoliberalismo autoritario. Sin embargo, los temas del social-identitarismo también están presentes y han ido aumentando en los últimos años. La coexistencia de ambas corrientes se debe a que subordinan sus elementos al ultranacionalismo, la característica principal de Vox.
Entrevista a Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser: “Hay segmentos de la clase trabajadora en todo el mundo que siempre han sido conservadores y que siempre han votado a la derecha convencional”
Authors: Gartenlaub Andrea , Osorio Rauld Alejandro
Published: January 2024

En esta entrevista conversamos con el sociólogo y politólogo chileno Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser sobre la erupción de una nueva ola conservadora en el mundo. El académico ha dedicado la mayor de parte de su carrera al estudio del populismo. Su trayectoria se inicia con un doctorado en Ciencia Política de la HumboldtUniversität zu Berlin, para luego trabajar en la Universidad de Sussex, en el Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB) y en el equipo de Desarrollo Humano de la oficina chilena del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD). Sin embargo, ha sido el pequeño compendio Populism: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2017) el que ha logrado traspasar el interés académico, transformándose en un verdadero best-seller traducido a varios idiomas. La popularidad de este escrito responde, sin duda, a la discusión de un debate fundamental; la relación entre populismo y democracia. El libro, en cuestión, ha sido escrito en co-autoría junto uno de los referentes contemporáneos del estudio de las derechas radicales el neerlandés Cas Mudde. En esta ocasión Rovira Kaltwasser aborda y profundiza el desafío planteado en ese texto, al tratar de desentrañar la conexión que existe entre el auge de las nuevas derechas, el populismo moderno y la actual crisis de la democracia. Con acento en la zona latinoamericana, nuestro entrevistado reflexiona sobre fenómenos emergentes como la conexión entre las derechas transatlánticas, particularmente, entre Vox y los partidos de derecha latinoamericanos; la importancia del pentecostalismo en la propagación de las ideas conservadoras; el cambio de valores; la influencia real de las redes sociales; y las crisis económicas como posibles gatillantes de este fenómeno. Actualmente Rovira Kaltwasser es profesor del Instituto de Ciencia Política de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile e investigador asociado del Centro de Estudios de Conflicto y Cohesión Social (COES) y director del Laboratorio para el Estudio de la Ultraderecha en Santiago de Chile. Su última publicación es el libro Riding the Populist Wave: Europe`s Mainstream Right in Crisis publicado en 2021 por Cambridge University Press junto a Tim Bale.
La «diáspora rusa»: ayuda humanitaria internacional, política migratoria y situación de los emigrados rusos en Francia y España durante el periodo de entreguerras
Authors: Garrido Caballero María Magdalena
Published: January 2024

El presente estudio aborda la situación de un colectivo plural y diverso –conformado por «la diáspora rusa», la primera ola de emigrantes que, tras la Revolución de Octubre, huye de Rusia-un país fracturado y en Guerra civil– y el impacto que generó en la sociedad de su tiempo. Se sitúa el foco principalmente en la ayuda internacional, tanto dentro de Rusia –a raíz de los estragos de la hambruna de los años veinte– como fuera del país –dirigida a los emigrados–. Ulteriormente, se indagan la acogida y las políticas migratorias aplicadas por Francia y España, así como la configuración de asociaciones en países de Europa occidental, dispuestas a ayudar al colectivo, incidiendo en aspectos educativos y en la transmisión de valores con el fin de preservar su cultura identitaria en el exilio. Las fuentes procedentes de la Sociedad de Naciones (SDN) del Comité Internacional de la Cruz Roja (CICR) y del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, además de los fondos de la British Library (BL), la Biblioteca Nacional de España (BNE), y bibliografía especializada, permiten trazar el papel de organismos conectados con la ayuda de carácter humanitario, establecer sus limitaciones así como el papel de los estados francés y español, además de seguir el rastro de algunas trayectorias vitales de los emigrados –que se alejan de una imagen aristocrática– y valorar sus aportaciones a las sociedades receptoras.
Reseña del libro: Tragedia en tres actos. Los juicios sumarísimos del franquismo
Authors: Sevillano Calero Francisco
Published: January 2024

VILLALTA LUNA, Alfonso M., Tragedia en tres actos. Los juicios sumarísimos del franquismo. Madrid, CSIC, 2022, 319 pp.
«No hubo desde entonces más ley que el capricho de la reina». En torno a las lecturas patriarcales de las consortes dieciochescas en la historiografía del XIX
Authors: Fernández Montenegro Alicia
Published: January 2024

Durante el siglo XIX, el recién nacido Estado-nación tuvo que emplear numerosas herramientas para legitimar su existencia, entre ellas, la historia. En ese proceso de creación del relato nacional, las reinas del Antiguo Régimen desempeñaron un papel fundamental para el cual tuvieron que adaptarse a un esquema que leía el pasado en términos maniqueos. En este sentido, y a tenor de la escasa atención al respecto, el presente trabajo pretende analizar la construcción de la imagen de las reinas consortes del siglo XVIII español en el relato liberal decimonónico. Condicionado por su carácter teleológico, nuestra hipótesis es que en estas obras las soberanas desempeñaron el papel de heroínas o de «Evas» en función de su utilidad como parte del discurso hilvanado por cada autor. Para ello, se plantea un estudio con perspectiva de género en torno a la Historia General de España de Modesto Lafuente y la colección, del mismo título, dirigida por Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, por cuanto se consideran obras fundamentales para la creación de una memoria histórica colectiva –y que, en gran medida, pervive en la actualidad entre el gran público–. De manera anacrónica, ambos juzgaron a las reinas por la adecuación de sus comportamientos y acciones al arquetipo de la feminidad en el XIX, así como a lo que se esperaba de la monarquía en el periodo liberal. Al ser autores distanciados cronológica e ideológicamente, en todo momento se tendrán en cuenta los contextos políticos diferenciados desde los que escribieron, aunque el análisis será transversal para dar una mayor visión de conjunto. Con todo ello, se pretende demostrar que las consortes dieciochescas fueron instrumentalizadas para proyectar las necesidades del presente en el pasado.
Reseña del libro: La tierra es vuestra. La reforma agraria, un problema no resuelto. España 1900-1950
Authors: Solà Gussinyer Pere
Published: January 2024

ROBLEDO HERNÁNDEZ, Ricardo (2023), La tierra es vuestra. La reforma agraria, un problema no resuelto. España 1900-1950. Barcelona: Pasado y presente, 611 pp.
Reseña del libro: Con pase y de etiqueta. Elites y sociabilidad en la España del siglo XIX
Authors: Chamarro Santamatilde Carmen
Published: January 2024

Reseña del libro: SÁNCHEZ, Raquel y SAN NARCISO, David (eds.), Con pase y de etiqueta. Elites y sociabilidad en la España del siglo XIX. Valencia, Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2023, 336 pp.
Juana la Loca (Vicente Aranda, 2001): elogio de una visionaria
Authors: Sánchez Barba Francesc , Longhi Ludovico
Published: January 2024

En un momento de auge de las narraciones históricas, Vicente Aranda se apasiona con el personaje de Juana I de Castilla (1479-1555), figura tan controvertida que pasó a la historia con el apodo de Juana la Loca. El proyecto pudo contar con las revisiones historiográficas recopiladas a partir de nuevas y exhaustivas consultas de archivos de la época. Aranda y su colaborador en el guion, Antonio Larreta, organizaron materiales de ficción bien cimentados por una extensa documentación en la misma dirección indicada en 1993 por la novela histórica homónima del leridano Guillem Viladot o, de manera más general, en el precioso trabajo de Bartolomé Bennassar La España del Siglo de Oro (1982) donde el hispanista francés repasaba el rol de las princesas, futuras reinas o no, en las alianzas políticas internacionales particularmente relacionadas con la política colonial americana y con los eventuales apoyos de la hija de los Reyes Católicos a las Comunidades de Castilla (1519-1521) que intentaron oponerse al poder imperial de los Habsburgo. La Historia, oral, cultural o de las mentalidades, nos acerca a la perspectiva de género, uno de los temas principales de la filmografía de Aranda. El cineasta barcelonés quiso revisitar la imagen delirante reafirmada por el exitoso filme Locura de amor (1948) de Juan de Orduña cuyos aspectos más novedosos serán analizados en su doble vertiente histórica y psicológica.
Guillermo Céspedes Castillo: América hispánica
Authors: Bencze András
Published: January 2024

Reseña del libro América Hispánica de Guillermo Céspedes del Castillo.
Derribando estatuas, reconstruyendo la memoria
Authors: Mallada Álvarez Iván
Published: January 2024

Desde el siglo 16, la labor de los españoles en el descubrimiento, conquista y colonización de América fue cuestionada por aquellos países que, no pudiendo vencer a los ejércitos españoles, tergiversaron, cuando no mintieron abiertamente, sobre aquella magna empresa. Siglos después fueron los criollos independentistas y en la actualidad los numerosos movimientos populistas americanos los que han asumido dicho discurso azuzando a las masas en el derribo de las estatuas y monumentos conmemorativos y en la reescritura del discurso histórico. Fenómeno este propiciado por las contingencias y avatares de una política nacional española que zahiere la labor de nuestros ancestros allende los mares.
Algunos rasgos de la nupcialidad en el siglo de la conquista en Puebla de los Ángeles, Nueva España
Authors: Grajales Porras Agustín
Published: January 2024

La investigación pretende proporcionar algunos elementos que ensanchen el conocimiento de la dinámica sociodemográfica novohispana a través del estudio de la nupcialidad durante los inicios de una ciudad experimental fundada para españoles que pudiesen subsistir a través del fruto de su propio trabajo, a diferencia de los encomenderos. Los primeros matrimonios que se conocen en Puebla, fundada en 1531, fueron entre los descendientes de los primeros colonos, fundamentalmente los de sus hijas, las cuales contrajeron nupcias con antiguos conquistadores, pobladores e inmigrantes. En una ciudad de españoles, existió obviamente una alta endogamia étnica, no obstante, el mestizaje surgió inmediatamente después de su primer año de existencia. Los fundadores casados tenían únicamente esposas europeas, pero a medida que se sucedieron algunos años, tres de diez vecinos varones tenía a su lado una mujer de la tierra. A fin de efectuar un estudio más amplio sobre el esquema nupcial del siglo de la conquista, se analizaron sus últimos quince años sobre la base de la información que provee el primer libro de matrimonios que existe en Puebla para la parroquia de El Sagrario de la catedral. El resultado es la ratificación de la existencia de una alta endogamia étnica al matrimonio, incluso mayor que en los primeros tiempos.
Optimizing Specimen Quality in Percutaneous

Image-Guided Biopsies
Authors: Stibbs Peter , Keye David , Lei Valerie , Giambaldo Tomas
Published: January 2024

This paper examines the critical role of specimen quality in percutaneous image-guidedbiopsies, particularly focusing on the minimization of crush artifact, fragmentation, andcellular disruption. Traditional side notch biopsy devices and their association with crushartifact are evaluated, addressing how this impacts cancer typing accuracy. Furthermore, thepotential superiority of full core biopsy devices, exemplified by the Argon Medical Biopicedevice, is discussed in the context of providing higher-quality specimens with reduced tissuedistortion. The objective is to delineate the implications of biopsy technique and deviceselection on diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes in oncology.
THE INFLUENCE OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN ONDO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE
Authors: Ogunmodede Peace
Published: January 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic led to nationwide school closures in Nigeria, affecting over 40 million learners. This study examined the influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on students' academic performance in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State. A descriptive survey design was used with a sample of 100 teachers, vice principals, and principals selected via simple random sampling from secondary schools. Data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-tests. The findings revealed implemented measures like online teaching to curb COVID-19 spread in schools. However, the lockdown negatively impacted students’ study habits, external exam performance, and practical subjects. The lockdown also paralyzed activities, increased social media influence, job losses, and technology adoption. The study recommends improved digital school facilities, uniform curriculums, educational reforms, and government investments to address inequality heightened by the pandemic.
Hypercalcemic crisis: clinical picture and perioperative management
Authors: Matveeva Z. S. , Karpatskij I. V. , Gostimskij A. V. , Kuz’michev A. S. , Zajceva I. V.
Published: January 2024

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Experience in the use of continuous neuromonitoring of the laryngeal nerves during thyroid surgery in patients in the Krasnoyarsk region
Authors: Eselevich O. V. , Man’kovskij V. A.
Published: January 2024

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Prototype of the “Universal Tuneller” surgical instrument for extra-projection thyroid and parathyroidectomies
Authors: Saliba M. B. , Lychagin I. A. , Egorov A. V. , Ippolitov L. I. , Vetshev S. P. , Popov K. K.
Published: January 2024

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