bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating ethical tradeoffs in crisis standards of care through simulation of ventilator allocation protocols
Authors: Herington Jonathan , Shand Jessica , Holden-Wiltse Jeanne , Corbett Anthony , Dees Richard , Ching Chin-Lin , Shaw Margie , Cai Xueya , Zand Martin
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Arguments over the appropriate Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) for public health emergencies often assume that there is a tradeoff between saving the most lives, saving the most life-years, and preventing racial disparities. However, these assumptions have rarely been explored empirically. To quantitatively characterize possible ethical tradeoffs, we aimed to simulate the implementation of five proposed CSC protocols for rationing ventilators in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the number of lives saved and life-years saved by implementing clinical acuity-, comorbidity- and age-based CSC protocols under different shortage conditions. This model was populated with patient data from 3707 adult admissions requiring ventilator support in a New York hospital system between April 2020 and May 2021. To estimate lives and life-years saved by each protocol, we determined survival to discharge and estimated remaining life expectancy for each admission.

Results

The simulation demonstrated stronger performance for age-sensitive protocols. For a capacity of 1 bed per 2 patients, ranking by age bands saves approximately 29 lives and 3400 life-years per thousand patients. Proposed protocols from New York and Maryland which allocated without considering age saved the fewest lives (~13.2 and 8.5 lives) and life-years (~416 and 420 years). Unlike other protocols, the New York and Maryland algorithms did not generate significant disparities in lives saved and life-years saved between White non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, and Hispanic sub-populations. For all protocols, we observed a positive correlation between lives saved and life-years saved, but also between lives saved overall and inequality in the number of lives saved in different race and ethnicity sub-populations.

Conclusion

While there is significant variance in the number of lives saved and life-years saved, we did not find a tradeoff between saving the most lives and saving the most life-years. Moreover, concerns about racial discrimination in triage protocols require thinking carefully about the tradeoff between enforcing equality of survival rates and maximizing the lives saved in each sub-population.
Study protocol for the Functional Communication Checklist for people living with primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Gallée Jeanne , Cartwright Jade , Henry Maya L. , Mooney Aimee , Stark Brielle C. , Volkmer Anna , Nakano Connie , Fredericksen Rob J. , Domoto-Reilly Kimiko , Crane Paul K.
Published: September 2024

This study protocol describes the development of the first instrument of functional communication for people living with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), with future applications to other progressive conditions, with expert validation, item-level reliability analyses, input from partners in research, and outcomes. Progressive conditions like PPA require monitoring, and as such, re-assessment. Re-assessment poses the high risk of being burdensome, destructive, and of little use to the patient. As such, there is a significant need to establish a validated and reliable measure that (1) poses minimal patient burden and (2) captures communication ability in a strengths-based manner for both clinical and research purposes. A strengths-based approach to assessment is widely recognized as the optimal way to promote patient autonomy, minimize harm, and implement functional treatment protocols and strategies. To date, there are no strengths-based assessment tools that were developed for people living with PPA nor ways to efficiently document functional communication performance. This study protocol outlines our work to address this gap in clinical practice and research.
MULT: An allometric body mass index (ABMI) reference to assess nutritional status of multiethnic children and adolescents
Authors: de Oliveira Mariane Helen , Mazzeti Camila Medeiros da Silva , Araújo Joana , Severo Milton , Ramos Elisabete , Rodrigues Kévin Allan Sales , Pereira Débora Borges dos Santos , Conde Wolney Lisboa
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To develop an allometric body mass index (ABMI) reference that adjusts the weight in relation to height, taking into account the changes during development (MULT ABMI reference), and to compare it with international BMI references.

Methods

The MULT ABMI reference was constructed through the LMS method, calculated with 65 644 ABMI observations of 17 447 subjects aged 5–22 years, from the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, India, Peru, Vietnam, Portugal, and Brazil. The M, S, and L curves of the MULT ABMI reference were compared with the curves of the MULT, World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), and Dutch Growth Study (DUTCH).

Results

The greater differences in the M curve between MULT ABMI and WHO, CDC, IOTF, DUTCH, and MULT BMI references were around puberty (138 to 150 months for boys; 114 to 132 for girls). MULT ABMI presented S values similar to IOTF and DUTCH BMI references for boys 60 to 114 months and then became higher, approaching the MULT BMI S values from 198 to 240 months. For girls the MULT ABMI S values were close to the IOTF, CDC, and DUTCH from 60 to 110 months, and then became higher, approaching the MULT BMI S values until 240 months.

Conclusion

MULT ABMI presented an advantage in comparison to the existing BMI references because it takes into account the growth changes during puberty and is a new option to assess the nutritional status of multiethnic populations.
Leaf antioxidant activity in Colombian elite Hevea brasiliensis genotypes as a breeding strategy for water deficit tolerance under Amazonia conditions
Authors: Guaca-Cruz Lised , Sterling Armando , Clavijo Andrés , Suárez-Salazar Juan Carlos
Published: September 2024

This study evaluated the foliar antioxidant activity in nine Hevea brasiliensis genotypes from the ECC-1 (Élite Caquetá Colombia) selection and IAN 873 cultivar (control) in trees in the growth stage in two large-scale clonal trials in response to different climatic (semi-humid warm and humid warm sites) and seasonal (dry and rainy periods) conditions in the Colombian Amazon. The results indicated that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production increased under conditions of lower water availability (dry period), leading to lipid peroxidation, high defense of photosynthetic pigments, and development of better osmotic adjustment capacity in the ECC 64, IAN 873, ECC 90, and ECC 35 genotypes due to high concentrations of carotenoids (0.40 mg g-1), reducing sugars (65.83 μg mg-1), and malondialdehyde (MDA) (2.44 nmol ml-1). In contrast, during the rainy period, a post-stress action was observed due to high contents of proline and total sugars (39.43 μg g-1 and 173.03 μg g-1, respectively). At the site level, with high Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) values (1143 moles photons m-2 s-1), temperature (32.11°C), and lower precipitation (135 mm), higher antioxidant activity (chlorophylls a, b and total, carotenoids, and proline) was recorded at the humid warm site, demonstrating that the ECC 90, ECC 64, and ECC 66 genotypes are tolerant to water deficit compared to IAN 873. The ECC 64 genotype, independent of seasonal changes and site conditions, presented the highest contents in Chl a, total Chl, reducing sugars, total sugars, and MDA, showing a tendency to adapt to fluctuating conditions. This study showed that water fluctuations do not cause the same metabolic responses, these vary within the same species, depending on their developmental stage and the climatic and seasonal variations characteristic of the Colombian Amazon.
A SURF and SVD-based robust zero-watermarking for medical image integrity
Authors: Taj Rizwan , Tao Feng , Kanwal Saima , Almogren Ahmad , Rehman Ateeq Ur
Published: September 2024

Medical image security is paramount in the digital era but remains a significant challenge. This paper introduces an innovative zero-watermarking methodology tailored for medical imaging, ensuring robust protection without compromising image quality. We utilize Sped-up Robust features for high-precision feature extraction and singular value decomposition (SVD) to embed watermarks into the frequency domain, preserving the original image’s integrity. Our methodology uniquely encodes watermarks in a non-intrusive manner, leveraging the robustness of the extracted features and the resilience of the SVD approach. The embedded watermark is imperceptible, maintaining the diagnostic value of medical images. Extensive experiments under various attacks, including Gaussian noise, JPEG compression, and geometric distortions, demonstrate the methodology’s superior performance. The results reveal exceptional robustness, with high Normalized Correlation (NC) and Peak Signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) values, outperforming existing techniques. Specifically, under Gaussian noise and rotation attacks, the watermark retrieved from the encrypted domain maintained an NC value close to 1.00, signifying near-perfect resilience. Even under severe attacks such as 30% cropping, the methodology exhibited a significantly higher NC compared to current state-of-the-art methods.
The effect of digital government on corporate total factor productivity
Authors: Chen Shihao , Wang Xiaojun , Gan Tian , Gui Guanqi
Published: September 2024

This study examines the influence of digital government initiatives on corporate total factor productivity (TFP). Employing a difference-in-differences (DID) methodology and analyzing data from publicly listed companies spanning the period 2010 to 2020, we investigate the impact of digital governance on corporate TFP. Our findings reveal a noteworthy positive effect, with an average TFP increase of 5%. Further exploration through heterogeneity analysis indicates that this impact is particularly pronounced in regions with robust network infrastructure, increased marketization, and decreased economic uncertainty, particularly among privately-owned enterprises. Moreover, we identify key mechanisms through which digital governance fosters this enhancement in TFP, including the facilitation of technological innovation, efficient allocation of high-skilled labor, and improved investment efficiency. Our research underscores the significant role of digital government initiatives in bolstering corporate TFP and contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship.
Identifying and prioritising barriers to injury care in Northern Malawi, results of a multifacility multidisciplinary health facility staff survey
Authors: Whitaker John , Njawala Taniel , Nyirenda Vitumbeku , Amoah Abena S. , Dube Albert , Chirwa Lindani , Munthali Boston , Rickard Rory , Leather Andrew J. M. , Davies Justine
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The burden of injuries globally and in Malawi is substantial. Optimising both access to, and quality of, care in health systems requires attention. We aimed to establish how health facility staff in Karonga, Malawi, perceive barriers to seeking (delay 1), reaching (delay 2) and receiving (delay 3) injury care.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of health facility staff who treat patients with injuries in all health facilities serving the Karonga Demographic Surveillance Site population. The primary outcome was participant perceptions of the importance of delays 1 to 3 following injury. Secondary outcomes were the barriers within each of these delays considered most important and which were considered the most important across all delays stages.

Results

228 staff completed the survey: 36.8% (84/228) were female and 61.4% (140/228) reported being involved in caring for an injured person at least weekly. Delay 3 was most frequently considered the most important delay 35.1% (80/228), with 19.3% (44/228) and 16.6% (38/228) reporting delays 1 and 2 as the most important respectively; 28.9% (66/228) of respondents either did not know or answer. For delay 1 the barrier, “the perceived financial costs associated with seeking care are too great”, was considered most important. For delay 2, the barrier “lack of timely affordable emergency transport (formal or informal)” was considered most important. For delay 3, the barrier, “lack of reliably available necessary physical resources (infrastructure, equipment and consumable material)” was considered most important. When considering the most important overall barrier across all delays, the delay 3 barrier, “lack of reliably available necessary physical resources” received the most nominations (41.7% [95/228]).

Conclusions

Given the awareness of health facility staff of the issues facing their patients, these findings should assist in informing health system planning.
Evaluation method of ore grade estimation effectiveness
Authors: Liu Zhan-Ning , Lu Chuan-Lei , Tian Rui , Deng Yang-Yang , Liu Zhan-Hui , Zhang Peng-Wei
Published: September 2024

This study proposes a new method to evaluate the effectiveness of orebody grade estimations, drawing upon the analysis of existing evaluation methods for grade estimation. This new approach addresses factors such as uneven sampling and asymmetric estimation range, which are challenging to overcome with existing evaluation techniques. The core principle of this method involves documenting how frequently individual samples are used during grade estimation and calculating the total distance weights for each sample. Subsequently, the usage frequency and total weight of the samples are standardized, and these standardized values are weighted based on the sample grades. A comparison is made between the weighted sample grades and the estimated grades, with the closeness between the two serving as a metric for assessing the effectiveness of the estimation. This study compares the new evaluation method to the direct comparison and cross-validation methods, examining the effectiveness of grade estimation using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method. The findings revealed that: (1) The new evaluation method theoretically accounts for the systematic deviation between the statistical measures of estimated and sample grades resulting from uneven sample distribution, offering a fresh approach for enhancing the effectiveness of orebody grade estimation. (2) In the grade estimation of experimental Fe samples, the frequency of usage and the sum of distance weights were unequal. This inequality significantly contributes to the systematic deviation between the estimated and sample grades. (3) Comparing the new evaluation method to others confirms the stability and reliability of the new approach for evaluating the effectiveness of orebody grade estimation. This novel method demonstrates theoretical advantages and practical utility. (4) The deviation between the estimated grades and the statistical results of sample grades is influenced by the distribution pattern of sample grades, the spatial relationship between samples and estimation blocks, and the inherent systematic error associated with the IDW method. This systematic error cannot be overlooked.
An efficient blockchain-based authentication scheme with transferability
Authors: Jin Xiushu , Omote Kazumasa
Published: September 2024

In the development of web applications, the rapid advancement of Internet technologies has brought unprecedented opportunities and increased the demand for user authentication schemes. Before the emergence of blockchain technology, establishing trust between two unfamiliar entities relied on a trusted third party for identity verification. However, the failure or malicious behavior of such a trusted third party could undermine such authentication schemes (e.g., single points of failure, credential leaks). A secure authorization system is another requirement of user authentication schemes, as users must authorize other entities to act on their behalf in some situations. If the transfer of authentication permissions is not adequately restricted, security risks such as unauthorized transfer of permissions to entities may occur. Some research has proposed blockchain-based decentralized user authentication solutions to address these risks and enhance availability and auditability. However, as we know, most proposed schemes that allow users to transfer authentication permissions to other entities require significant gas consumption when deployed and triggered in smart contracts. To address this issue, we proposed an authentication scheme with transferability solely based on hash functions. By combining one-time passwords with Hashcash, the scheme can limit the number of times permissions can be transferred while ensuring security. Furthermore, due to its reliance solely on hash functions, our proposed authentication scheme has an absolute advantage regarding computational complexity and gas consumption in smart contracts. Additionally, we have deployed smart contracts on the Goerli test network and demonstrated the practicality and efficiency of this authentication scheme.
Generating novel tennis racket shape concepts using a theoretical morphospace
Authors: Grant Robyn A. , Bonhomme Vincent , Allen Tom
Published: September 2024

Statistical shape analysis, or morphometrics, is a technique commonly used in evolutionary biology to summarise a population of samples. Theoretical morphometrics extends the current population of samples into a theoretical space. Using the lawn tennis racket as an example, this paper showcases the potential of morphometrics as a tool for inspiring design concepts for novel sporting goods. It showcases how morphometrics can be applied to summarise the shape of a sample of rackets and applies theoretical morphometrics to systematically present new candidate designs that fall outside of the inputted existing, racket population. The input population was 514 tennis rackets dating back to the origins of the game. The shape analysis was performed on “front-on” silhouette images of the rackets using the R Package Momocs. The outline shape of each racket was reconstructed using the elliptical Fourier transform curve fitting technique. A principal component analysis performed on the reconstructed outlines showed that >90% of the variance in the shape of the rackets was captured by the first two principal components. An evenly spaced grid of theoretical racket shape outlines was then created in a principal component 2 vs. principal component 1 “morphospace”. The limits of this space were then expanded to give a theoretical morphospace that extended beyond the range of the first two principal components for the 514 samples. We propose that the shapes located within such a theoretical morphospace could inspire designers and help them to systematically identify candidates for novel products. Specifically, we suggest that experimenting with wide-angled throats and heads with angled sides might be an interesting starting point for exploring future tennis racket design concepts. The novel technique presented here could be used by a sporting goods brand during the ideation phase of product development to schematically summarise current designs and identify candidates for new ones.
The influence of enjoyment, boredom, and burnout on EFL achievement: Based on latent moderated structural equation modeling
Authors: Zhou Maojie , Wang Xuemei
Published: September 2024

In recent years, the boom in the field of positive psychology in second language acquisition research has seen an increasing number of scholars focusing on the individual well-being of second language learners alongside their learning effectiveness. Despite this growing interest, there is a need to further investigate the specific emotional factors influencing academic achievement in foreign language learning. This study investigates the impact of three emotions—enjoyment, boredom, and burnout—on academic achievement, and the moderating role of academic buoyancy. Data were collected from 563 college English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) students from China’s mainland using latent moderated structural equation modeling with Mplus. The results of the latent bivariate correlation analysis showed significant correlations between EFL learning emotions, academic buoyancy, and test performance. In the latent moderated structural equations model, enjoyment and burnout predicted test performance. Moreover, academic buoyancy moderated the relationships between enjoyment and test performance, and between burnout and test performance. EFL test performance was highest when enjoyment and buoyancy were both high, or when burnout and buoyancy were both low. These findings highlight the importance of fostering positive emotions and resilience in language learners to enhance their academic performance, offering valuable insights for educators and policymakers aiming to improve foreign language education.
Uptake and associated factors of six multi-month scripting/appointment spacing differentiated service delivery model of care among stable clients on antiretroviral therapy in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Merid Fasika , Guyo Tamirat Gezahegn , Wagaye Simegn , Mekuria Mesele , Anbesie Abraham , Toma Temesgen Mohammed
Published: September 2024

Background

Differentiated service delivery models have been developed to accommodate the rising number of stable antiretroviral therapy clients and to maintain improvements in health outcomes and care retention. Ethiopia adopted the appointment spacing model and has had notable successes in implementing it. However, with the implementation of the six multi-month scripting/appointment spacing model in Ethiopia, little is known about the uptake and its associated factors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the uptake and associated factors of the six multi-month scripting/appointment spacing differentiated service delivery model of care among stable clients on antiretroviral therapy in Southern Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 419 stable clients on antiretroviral therapy in southern Ethiopia from June 22 to September 29, 2023. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Using a structured questionnaire, socio-demographic, health service delivery, behavioral, and clinical-related data were collected. The collected data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using Stata version 14. Variables with a P-value <0.05 in the multivariable logistic analysis were considered statistically significant. Multicollinearity and model fitness were checked using the variance inflation factor and the Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit tests, respectively.

Results

The uptake of the six multi-month scripting/appointment spacing differentiated service delivery model of care was 63.25% (95% confidence interval (CI): 58.61%, 67.88%). Missed appointment (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 1.91 (95% CI: 1.13, 3.25)), distance to antiretroviral therapy facility (AOR: 2.90 (95% CI: 1.67, 5.04)), duration on antiretroviral therapy (AOR: 2.21 (95% CI: 1.34, 3.64)), and intermediate social support (AOR: 2.02 (95% CI: 1.29, 3.17)) and strong social support (AOR: 2.71 (95% CI: 1.23, 5.97)) were factors significantly associated with the uptake.

Conclusion

The uptake of six multi-month scripting/appointment spacing differentiated service delivery models of care was six out of ten clients on antiretroviral therapy. To further improve the uptake, a precise intervention on the identified associated factor is required.
Glaesserella parasuis serotype 4 exploits fibronectin via RlpA for tracheal colonization following porcine circovirus type 2 infection
Authors: Guo Mengru , Li Yuhui , Tang Jinsheng , Wang Qing , Wang Qiancheng , Zhou Hong , Lin Huixing , Ma Zhe , Fan Hongjie
Published: September 2024

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) often causes disease through coinfection with other bacterial pathogens, including Glaesserella parasuis (G. parasuis), which causes high morbidity and mortality, but the role played by PCV2 and bacterial and host factors contributing to this process have not been defined. Bacterial attachment is assumed to occur via specific receptor-ligand interactions between adhesins on the bacterial cell and host proteins adsorbed to the implant surface. Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of PCV2-infected swine tracheal epithelial cells (STEC) revealed that the expression of Extracellular matrix protein (ECM) Fibronectin (Fn) increased significantly on the infected cells surface. Importantly, efficient G. parasuis serotype 4 (GPS4) adherence to STECs was imparted by interactions with Fn. Furthermore, abrogation of adherence was gained by genetic knockout of Fn, Fn and Integrin β1 antibody blocking. Fn is frequently exploited as a receptor for bacterial pathogens. To explore the GPS4 adhesin that interacts with Fn, recombinant Fn N-terminal type I and type II domains were incubated with GPS4, and the interacting proteins were pulled down for MS analysis. Here, we show that rare lipoprotein A (RlpA) directly interacts with host Fibronectin mediating GPS4 adhesion. Finally, we found that PCV2-induced Fibronectin expression and adherence of GPS4 were prevented significantly by TGF-β signaling pathway inhibitor SB431542. Our data suggest the RlpA-Fn interaction to be a potentially promising novel therapeutic target to combat PCV2 and GPS4 coinfection.
α-Synuclein strain propagation is independent of cellular prion protein expression in a transgenic synucleinopathy mouse model
Authors: So Raphaella W. L. , Amano Genki , Stuart Erica , Ebrahim Amini Aeen , Aguzzi Adriano , Collingridge Graham L. , Watts Joel C.
Published: September 2024

The cellular prion protein, PrPC, has been postulated to function as a receptor for α-synuclein, potentially facilitating cell-to-cell spreading and/or toxicity of α-synuclein aggregates in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Previously, we generated the “Salt (S)” and “No Salt (NS)” strains of α-synuclein aggregates that cause distinct pathological phenotypes in M83 transgenic mice overexpressing A53T-mutant human α-synuclein. To test the hypothesis that PrPC facilitates the propagation of α-synuclein aggregates, we produced M83 mice that either express or do not express PrPC. Following intracerebral inoculation with the S or NS strain, the absence of PrPC in M83 mice did not prevent disease development and had minimal influence on α-synuclein strain-specified attributes such as the extent of cerebral α-synuclein deposition, selective targeting of specific brain regions and cell types, the morphology of induced α-synuclein deposits, and the structural fingerprints of protease-resistant α-synuclein aggregates. Likewise, there were no appreciable differences in disease manifestation between PrPC-expressing and PrPC-lacking M83 mice following intraperitoneal inoculation of the S strain. Interestingly, intraperitoneal inoculation with the NS strain resulted in two distinct disease phenotypes, indicative of α-synuclein strain evolution, but this was also independent of PrPC expression. Overall, these results suggest that PrPC plays at most a minor role in the propagation, neuroinvasion, and evolution of α-synuclein strains in mice that express A53T-mutant human α-synuclein. Thus, other putative receptors or cell-to-cell propagation mechanisms may have a larger effect on the spread of α-synuclein aggregates during disease.
Style Matters in Presocratic Philosophy, an introduction
Authors: Vieira Celso , Cornelli Gabriele
Published: September 2024

What we envisaged as a dossier to explore the connection between style and philosophy in this unique transitional period of Presocratic philosophy has turned out to be a volume that breaks with several conventional views of the Presocratics and has the potential to take the interpretation of style and Presocratic philosophy in a whole new and more fruitful direction.
Xenophanes’ Metres
Authors: Mackenzie Tom
Published: September 2024

Perhaps the most obvious and, for us, the most surprising stylistic feature of Xenophanes’ surviving fragments is the fact that they were written in verse. Whilst this general feature has received much comment and explanation, a more fine-grained analysis of his use of metre has been somewhat lacking. There are at least two factors which have contributed to this lack: first, the primarily philosophical focus of most modern scholarship on Xenophanes, which has been more interested in content than form; and second, the dominance of New Historicism in archaic Greek literary scholarship of recent decades, which, with its emphasis on the ideological force and social role of early Greek hexameter and elegy, has also tended to eschew an analysis of precise formal features. When we do find detailed discussion of metre, it tends to be in the service of uncovering the composition-processes of poets, rather than elucidating the effects they aimed to generate. Consequently, the present contribution aims to fill a gap in Xenophanean scholarship by enriching our appreciation of his sometimes-maligned metrical artistry (M.L. West described him and Euenus as ‘the clumsiest versifiers’ out of the elegists and iambicists). It thus joins two trends in recent Greek literary scholarship: the renewed attempt to appreciate archaic texts as literature – rather than merely as documents for social history or historical anthropology; and the exploration of the significance of non-semantic formal features, which can convey as much ideological content as the claims, narratives and imagery of the text.
Equivocal and Deceitful Didactic Poetry. What Style matters can say about Empedocles' audience
Authors: Andolfi Ilaria
Published: September 2024

Since antiquity, Empedocles has been considered as an example of both successful and unsuccessful communication. Aristotle credits him with vividness of images, but blames him for failure of clarity, and eventually compares his obscureness to that of oracles. Therefore, scholars in the past came to the conclusion that Empedocles deliberately employs an opaque style, like Heraclitus and his "studied ambiguity", as means for initiation. This paper challenges this assumption and asks whether and how ambiguity can work within a didactic poem. By showing how Empedocles' and Heraclitus' communicative strategies differ from one another, I shall point to the poet's role as a charismatic and spiritual guide, displaying at times a Sibyl-like attitude. Being a mediator between two separate dimensions puts Empedocles in an ambiguous position, because he delivers what the Muse and the gods made available for him to share, and so his opaqueness does not come directly from him. Ultimately, this style analysis also says something about who the ideal audience must have been.
Az elidegenítő hatás megjelenése a toldalékolásban magyar anyanyelvű nyelvhasználók körében
Authors: Lantay Gyula
Published: September 2024

A magyar anyanyelvű nyelvhasználók amikor idegen, vagy idegen eredetű szavakkal találkoznak, a szövegkörnyezettől függően sok esetben kénytelenek magyar toldalékkal ellátni e töveket. Ez gyakran azt eredményezi, hogy jelöltebb alakok jönnek létre. Dolgozatomban két ilyen jelenséggel foglalkozom: az általános birtoklásjelölő morféma viselkedésével (elsősorban a magyar anyanyelvű számítógépes játékosok nyelvhasználatában), amikor az szibilánsra végződő idegen eredetű tövekhez járul, és a magyar tárgyrag viselkedésével, pontosabban a kötőhangzó megjelenése és meg nem jelenése közötti ingadozással, amikor a tárgyrag erősen jelölt, kettős vagy hármas mássalhangzó-kapcsolatra végződő idegen eredetű tövekhez járul. Dolgozatom elsődleges célja az említett két jelenség klasszikus optimalitáselméleti keretben történő megközelítése, szemléltetése a vonatkozó tételek részletes ismertetése után. A kutatott jelenségek klasszikus OT-ben történő szemléltetése mellett indokoltnak tartottam egy modernebb elméleti keret, az ún. maximum entrópia modell (maxent) rövid ismertetését, és alkalmazását az elméleti keret használatának megkönnyítésére írt Java programmal, a MaxEnt Grammar Toollal. E program segítségével kiszámítottam a versengő alakok maxent értékét.
INFLUÊNCIA DOS EXERCÍCIOS FÍSICOS SUPERVISIONADOS NA DOR, DISFUNÇÕES MUSCULOESQUELÉTICAS E CAPACIDADE FUNCIONAL DE INDIVÍDUOS COM SÍNDROME PÓS-COVID-19
Authors: Frese Cristiele Batista , Jorge Matheus Santos Gomes , Schneider Rodolfo Herberto , Wibelinger Lia Mara
Published: September 2024

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência dos exercícios físicos supervisionados na dor, nas disfunções musculoesqueléticas e na capacidade funcional de indivíduos com síndrome pós- COVID-19. Método: Ensaio clínico que randomizou 39 indivíduos em dois grupos: o G1 (n = 20), que realizou exercícios físicos supervisionados, duas vezes por semana, durante oito semanas, e o G2 (n = 19) que recebeu orientações domiciliares. Os indivíduos foram avaliados nas fases pré e pós intervenção fisioterapêutica quanto aos aspectos sociodemográficos e condições de saúde por meio da anamnese fisioterapêutica, bem como quanto a dor (por meio da escala visual analógica), a flexibilidade da coluna vertebral (por meio dos testes de Stibor, Schöber e de flexibilidade lateral), a força muscular (por meio da dinamometria manual) e a capacidade funcional (por meio do teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos). Resultados: Após a intervenção, o G1 apresentou redução da dor e melhora da capacidade funcional (p<0,05). Na comparação entre os grupos, após a intervenção, o G1 apresentou maiores valores de flexibilidade da coluna lombar em comparação ao G2 (p<0,05). Conclusão: O protocolo de exercícios físicos supervisionados foi eficaz para aliviar a dor e melhorar a capacidade funcional de indivíduos com síndrome pós-COVID-19. Ainda, a intervenção mostrou-se superior ao controle para a melhoria da flexibilidade da coluna lombar.
Coproducción de conocimiento entre equipos de investigación universitarios y profesores de escuela secundaria
Authors: Freytes Frey Ada Cora
Published: September 2024

Este artículo discute el caso de una  investigación colaborativa internacional llevada adelante por dos equipos de investigadores universitarios y docentes de escuela secundaria, uno en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Argentina y otro en Medellín, Colombia. El objetivo de la investigación fue: reconstruir y analizar, a través de sus narrativas, las experiencias que profesores y estudiantes desarrollan en torno a la inclusión, la construcción de paz y la ciudadanía en escuelas medias que atienden a jóvenes en situación de vulnerabilidad social, en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires y en Medellín.
La investigación articuló una perspectiva hermenéutico-comprensiva, sobre la base de las narrativas, con una perspectiva crítica, a partir de la inclusión de elementos de investigación acción, de larga tradición en el campo educativo. En efecto, se trabajó colaborativamente con 4 escuelas, 2 de Argentina y 2 de Colombia. En cada una de ellas, de 2 a 3 profesores se incorporaron al equipo de investigación, participando desde las primeras fases de formulación del proyecto hasta el análisis de resultados. El texto reflexiona acerca de los problemas y logros experimentados en el proceso de investigación colaborativa. También presenta algunos de los principales resultados obtenidos, en términos de producción de conocimiento.
revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre gamificación en el nivel superior
Authors: Salguero Sergio , Novaira Nicolás
Published: September 2024

Este trabajo busca explorar las tendencias y enfoques teóricos actuales en la investigación sobre gamificación en el nivel superior. Para ello se realizó un análisis sistemático de los resultados asociados a investigaciones de los últimos cinco años a partir de la información brindada por Scopus y otras bases de datos, para tener una idea general del alcance y relevancia de la gamificación en el nivel superior. El análisis de clustering permitió identificar cuatro clústeres o tendencias principales de investigación: algunos enfocados en la motivación y el compromiso, otros en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje, la innovación educativa y la tecnología educativa. Se concluye que se necesitan más investigaciones que exploren cómo se puede diseñar y evaluar la efectividad de las estrategias de gamificación en el nivel superior. La gamificación puede ser una herramienta efectiva para mejorar la motivación y el compromiso de los estudiantes pero podrían realizarse más abordajes críticos y cruces disciplinares para comprender mejor su desarrollo, aplicación y vinculación a procesos de innovación en las organizaciones.
Las expectativas a futuro de jóvenes del último año de la escuela secundaria
Authors: Kummer Virginia Marta
Published: September 2024

Este trabajo se inscribe en una investigación que indaga las expectativas a futuro, los sentidos sobre la educación y el trabajo de  jóvenes del último año de escuela secundaria de la ciudad de Paraná, capital de la provincia de Entre Ríos, en el período comprendido entre los años 2023-2024.
Tiene como objetivo dar cuenta de las decisiones teórico-metodológicas adoptadas sobre la construcción de los datos –la elección de un cuestionario como instrumento de obtención de información- y el procedimiento para la selección, la estructura y el tamaño de la muestra. El estudio fue realizado en 22 escuelas secundarias  –orientadas y técnico-profesionales- de gestión estatal y privada de la ciudad de Paraná, a un total de 559 estudiantes. A nivel metodológico, la investigación contempla un diseño multidimensional que, además de la opinión de los estudiantes, analiza la política educativa y las estrategias institucionales para la preparación para el egreso.
Sistematización de una experiencia de enseñanza universitaria de una cátedra de Sociología en una carrera de Licenciatura en Educación
Authors: Vicentini Antonela , Abdala Leila
Published: September 2024

En este artículo nos proponemos sistematizar y reflexionar sobre una experiencia de enseñanza universitaria de una cátedra de Sociología dictada en el marco de una carrera de Licenciatura en Educación. El texto se estructura de la siguiente forma: en primer lugar, presentamos la fundamentación de la cátedra en el marco más general de las transformaciones de la propia carrera, signada por un cursado intensivo y el pasaje de una modalidad presencial a una a distancia; en segundo lugar, introducimos las líneas y discusiones teóricas que constituyen el programa; en tercer lugar, exponemos las contribuciones que consideramos que tiene una sociología de los problemas públicos para reflexionar sobre distintas problemáticas en el campo educativo, específicamente, las problemáticas territoriales, ambientales y sexo-genéricas.
The Importance of Senescence in Ionizing Radiation-Induced Tumour Suppression
Authors: Vávrová Jiřina , Řezáčová M.
Published: September 2024

Cellular senescence is a condition of longlasting proliferation arrest, induced in cells in response to various stressors. These stressors include telomere shortening and/or dysfunction, DNA damage, and oncogene signalling. Epithelial and mesenchymal cells and also tumour cells derived from these tissues are more resistant to radiation-induced apoptosis and respond to irradiation mainly by senescence. Senescence-associated molecular mechanisms related to the activation of canonical DNA damage pathway ATM-p53 as well as mechanisms related to the extracellular signals, cytokine increase and upregulation of their receptors are discussed in this review.
In vitro Models for Adipose Tissue Engineering with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Using Different Scaffolds of Natural Origin
Authors: Girandon L. , Kregar-Velikonja N. , Božikov K. , Barlič Ariana
Published: September 2024

Soft tissue regeneration with cell and tissue engineering-based approaches has numerous potential applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) have been proved as a feasible source for adipose tissue engineering as they possess high proliferative and differentiation capacity. The purpose of our study was to evaluate adipogenic differentiation of human ASC in four different 3D scaffolds of natural origin, namely human platelet-poor plasma, alginate, fibrin gel and collagen sponge, to define their suitability for adipose tissue engineering and potential clinical applications. ASC were isolated from lipoaspirates of three adult female patients, seeded in the scaffolds, and adipogenic differentiation was induced. After two weeks of cultivation, the constructs were assessed for their mechanical and handling properties, cell viability and adipogenic differentiation. Additionally, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was analysed in different culture systems. The results indicate that the levels of specific adipogenic markers and VEGF expression were increased in 3D cultures, as compared to 2D culture. Among 3D scaffolds, fibrin gel showed optimal combination of mechanical characteristics and support of adipogenic differentiation; it was easy to handle, allowed high cell viability, and at the same time supported adipogenic differentiation and VEGF expression.
Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A Polymorphisms in Patients with Risk Pregnancies
Authors: Germanová A. , Jáchymová M. , Germanová A. , Koucký M. , Hájek Z. , Zima T. , Kalousová Marta
Published: September 2024

Pregnant women are often threatened by hypertension, symptoms of preterm labour, hepatopathy, and other. These complications might be the consequence of genetic factors together with involvement of environmental factors. We were searching for three polymorphisms Arg654Lys, Ala678Pro and Thr686Ala in exon 5, and two polymorphisms Phe802Leu, Ser827Ser/Leu in exon 7, and for the new mutations in exons 5 and 7 of the pregnancy-associated plasma protein A gene in the studied group consisting of 203 women – 79 pregnant women in time of preterm labour, 24 pregnant women suffering from preeclampsia, and 100 healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women serving as controls. We did not find any divergence from wild-type form of these polymorphisms in any of the studied groups, which led us to the hypothesis that these polymorphisms are not associated with our studied group of Caucasian origin. However, further studies with a larger group of subjects are needed to confirm our results.
Future Potential of Bio Polymeric Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Promising Applications
Authors: Anjum M. Reshma , Sowmika Sagi , Sravya Bojjala , Golla Narasimha
Published: September 2024

The bio polymeric nanoparticles are a group of nanoparticles that are constructed from natural polymers found in biological species. Examples include proteins (e.g.; collagen, gelatine, zein & albumin), cationic polypeptides (e.g.; polyimide), protein mimicking polypeptides (e.g.; polypeptide like molecules) and polysaccharides (e.g. hyaluronic acid, chitosan & starch). These nanoparticles are being developed right now to address issues with toxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Many industries employ both metallic nanoparticles (NPs) and bio polymeric nanoparticles (BPNPs), however BPNPs are safer and better for the environment. Currently, BPNPs are being used extensively in the chemical, biological, food, and diagnostic equipment industries as well as the household. They have attracted great attention because of their multiple applications in biomedicine. The nanoparticles synthesis methods such as emulsification, desolvation, coacervation, and electrospray drying are discussed. Characterization techniques includes dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, the fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Applications in the areas of packaging, water purification, food industry and medicine are described, along with a positive future outlook.
Dividend Payments and Share Price Behaviour of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria
Authors: Oyedele Adesoji Iyiola , Afolabi Taofeek Sola
Published: September 2024

Share price behaviour is affected by information relating to corporate earnings of a firm which is vital to investors and analysts. The behaviour becomes more unpredictable when information on dividends payment is made available to the stock market. Studies have been carried out on the performance of the stock market but there remains no consensus on the effects of dividend payments on share price behaviour of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. This study adopted ex-post facto research design involving annual data covering 2013 to 2022 time frame and across the 14 listed selected manufacturing firms. The data were obtained from Nigeria Exchange Limited and audited published financial reports of the selected firms. The study deployed System Generalised Method of Moments (SGMM). Estimates of the coefficients of the model were evaluated at 5% level of significance. The results showed that dividend per share had significant positive effect on. In addition, earnings per share exerted positive and significant effect on share price behaviour. Furthermore, firm size had positive, but insignificant effect on share price behaviour. The study concluded that corporate dividend payment is key determinant of share price behaviour of manufacturing firms listed in Nigeria and that earnings per share and share price behaviour reinforced each other. Thus, the study recommended that the management of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria should intensify the use of dividends as strategies to attract investors into the sector in order to reposition themselves as preferred investment destinations.
Assessing Factors Affecting Local Government Service Delivery: A Case of Chingola, Kitwe and Ndola City Councils in Zambia
Authors: Hang’andu Claudia Monde , Banda Matthew K
Published: September 2024

The UN HABITAT, (2022) estimated the 1.5 million housing deficit in Zambia is expected to reach 3.3 million by 2030. The projected housing deficit led to the examination of factors influencing home ownership among public servants. While there is substantial research on homeownership in advanced economies, little is documented on the Zambian scene. The study focuses on home ownership among public sector employees drawn from a population of teachers in public schools. Using a mixed approach, the study collected data from a sample of 390. The results revealed that individual attitude, housing need and financial factors have significant influence on homeownership whereas family influence did not. Financial factors have the greatest influence on homeownership among the public workers. The study suggests offering affordable financing options for home ownership, making home construction land affordable and available, facilitating the purchase of building supplies through building societies, and finally educating the general public about land and home ownership.
“Bu Soyadı Alınmamış İse…” Ulus İnşası ve Soyadları
Authors: Büyükkaradoğan İsmail
Published: September 2024

Meltem Türköz tarafından kaleme alınan ve İletişim Yayınları tarafından 2023 yılında “Bu soyadı alınmamış ise” Ulus İnşası ve Soyadları başlığı ile basılan eser, 1934 tarihli soyadı kanununu; arşiv belgeleri, dönemin yazılı görsel matbuatları ve sözlü tarih anlatıları etrafında incelemektedir. Dilbilim, Folklor, gösterge bilim ve sözlü tarih gibi çeşitli alanlarla ilgilenen Türköz, bahsi geçen eserinde soyadı kanunu ve ulus inşa sürecini birlikte okuyarak cumhuriyet döneminde homojenleştirme ve milli kimlik oluşturma politikalarına odaklanmaktadır. Bu yazıda, Türköz’ün, Türk modernleşmesine farklı bir bağlamda ışık tutan eserini kısa bir şekilde incelemektedir.