bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Petersson/Kuznetsov trace formula with prescribed local ramifications
Authors: Hu Yueke
Published: September 2024

abstract: In this paper we derive refined Petersson/Kuznetsov trace formulae with prescribed local ramifications. The spectral side of these formulae \yh{picks out newforms whose associated local components come from specific sub-families of representations of given level, and are much shorter compared with the classical versions.} We use them to study the first moment and the subconvexity bound of certain Rankin-Selberg $L$-function in a hybrid setting, \yh{obtaining Weyl bound in a wider range compared to previous works}.
Gehring link problem, focal radius and over-torical width
Authors: Ge Jian
Published: September 2024

abstract: In this note, we study the Gehring link problem in the round sphere, which motivates our study of the width of a band in positively curved manifolds. Using the same idea, we are able to prove a sphere theorem for hypersurface in the round $\SS^n$ provided that its normal injectivity radius is large. A rigidity theorem for Clifford hypersurfaces in $\SS^n$ is also proved. The $3$-dimensional case of our theorems confirm two conjectures raised by Gromov (2018).
Reducing Prejudices through Architectural Design: Young People’s Experiences at a Child Psychiatric Center
Authors: Coomans Koen , Vermeersch Peter-Willem , Heylighen Ann
Published: September 2024

Abstract: While the importance of appropriate mental health care for young people is increasingly acknowledged, the role of the built environment in this context receives little attention. We investigate this role in how children and teenagers experience care at a child psychiatric center. We interviewed them, their parents and caregivers using methods that addressed the young people’s lifeworld and that introduced a spatial dimension. The participants perceive the organically shaped building as a secure base that helps reduce their prejudices against mental health care and that affects their willingness to stay. They especially appreciate places where security is well-balanced with autonomy. A privacy gradient allows retreating and exploring, although the preferred balance and gradient differ among children.
Elements of Therapeutic Nature-Based Programs Essential for Skill Development of Children Ages 6–12: A Qualitative Study of Practitioners in the Field
Authors: O’Connor Jessica , Pavkov Thomas
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Evidence supports the natural environment as an ideal context for developing critical childhood skills, including sensory integration, sensorimotor, and social-emotional skills. This knowledge has influenced the development of therapeutic nature-based programs across disciplines; however, limited literature explores these practices, especially for elementary-aged children. This study conducted focus group interviews with practitioners to gather rich data on the essential components of therapeutic nature-based programs. Results from the data support using therapeutic nature-based programs to help children develop their orientation to others and the environment, sense of self, self-regulation, and sensory integration skills. The study provides specific examples of a facilitation style and materials. Future assessments looking at the effectiveness of therapeutic nature-based programming on the development of particular skills will further validate these findings.
The Influence of a Universally Designed Playground on the Play Interactions between Grandparents and Their Grandchildren
Authors: Stanton-Chapman Tina L. , Nabors Laura
Published: September 2024

Abstract: The current study analyzes how a universally designed playground impacts grandparents and their grandchildren. Specifically, this paper reports the analysis of survey and online short answer questions from 28 grandparents who visited the universally designed playground with their infant, toddler, and preschool-age grandchildren. The majority of the grandparents participated in swinging, running, hiding and seeking activities, and playground equipment activities with their grandchildren. Despite the universal design of the playground, grandparents reported that some of the pieces of playground equipment were inaccessible to them due to their age and/or use of assistive devices. However, benefits of having a universal design playground that is mostly ground-level, as explained by study participants, includes the ability to play with their grandchildren and manage their grandchildren’s behavior while they were visiting the playground. By designing and building playgrounds that respond to their community’s evolving needs and preferences, parks and recreation administrators may improve the economic well-being of their community, create safer neighborhoods, revitalize the community, and promote positive physical and emotional health in consumers of all ages.
Resisting Attention Economies: Wallace, Voskuil, and the Ethics of Noise
Authors: Van de Ven Inge , Van Gemert Ties
Published: September 2024

Abstract: In this essay, we will argue that acts of resistance within "attention economies" take the form of a wager isomorphic to the one delineated by Blaise Pascal in his Pensées . First, we examine the role of relevance in communication, interpretation, and understanding. Second, we turn to Cécile Malaspina's conception of noise, which allows us to grasp the intricate relation between judgment and uncertainty. Next, we exemplify our claim by analyzing David Foster Wallace's The Pale King and J.J. Voskuil's seven-volume series Het Bureau . In both texts, noise as an epistemic and aesthetic technique operates on a diegetic and metatextual level. Rather than warranting efficiency and optimization through the filter model of attention, we will develop an ethics of noise that opens up the possibility to re-individuate the subject of "attention economies."
How Funding Shapes the Growth of Charter Management Organizations: Is the Tail Wagging the Dog?
Authors: Wohlstetter Priscilla , Smith Joanna , Farrell Caitlin , Hentschke Guilbert C. , Hirman Jennifer
Published: September 2024

The Obama administration’s education reform agenda has included an increased emphasis on the role of charter schools generally and a specific emphasis on charter management organizations (CMOs) in replicating best practices and helping “turn around” the lowest performing 5% of the nation’s public schools. Through interviews with more than 50 leaders from 25 CMOs across the nation, this qualitative study delves into questions related to CMO growth and funding. Findings suggest that the ability of CMOs to grow their networks typically depends on the infusion of significant financial support. Although CMOs have accessed capital from a variety of public and private sources, interviews reveal that current funding mechanisms are both enabling and constraining the growth potential of the CMO model. CMOs generally rely on external funding to grow, and their growth is then shaped by the funders’ financial capacities, requirements, and expectations. This study concludes with recommendations for policymakers about how CMO growth might be improved—specifically in national efforts to turn around failing schools.
Resource and Output Equity as a Mechanism for Assessing Educational Opportunity in Korean Middle School Education
Authors: Houck Eric A. , Eom Moonyoung
Published: September 2024

Korea is recognized as a high-performing country in international achievement studies; however, many researchers in and outside Korea have been worried about the existing gaps between high-socioeconomic and low-socioeconomic (SES) students in both student achievement and educational resources. We analyzed the resource and output equity of Korean middle school education to verify if educational opportunities are inequitably provided in terms of educational resources and outputs as international comparison surveys have reported. Contrary to previous studies, we find that there is a horizontally and vertically equitable distribution of educational resources corresponding to SES status and region in Korean middle school education. However, we find inequity in the distribution of educational resources for special needs students. The output equity analysis of student achievement shows evidence of equity—a possible indication that equitable educational resources, particularly throughput resources, are having desired effects on equitable, not equivalent, distribution of educational outputs. The vertical equity analysis of educational outputs implies that SES, region, percentage of non-tenured teachers, percentage of special education students, and the number of professional development programs should be considered criteria for ensuring adequate provisions of educational resources.
Accounting for Risk of Non-Completion in Private and Social Rates of Return to Higher Education
Authors: Toutkoushian Robert K. , Shafiq M. Najeeb , Trivette Michael J.
Published: September 2024

Conventional studies of the private and social rates of return to a Bachelor’s degree focus on the earnings difference between Bachelor degree holders and high school graduates, and find that there are large rates of return for degree recipients. The estimates in these studies, however, do not take into account the risk of not completing a degree. In this study, we begin by reviewing the methodology used in conventional studies of the private and social financial benefits from college, and show how it can be modified to take into account the risk of not completing college and the timing at which students may depart college. We test the sensitivity of our findings to whether students attend a public or private institution, the growth rate of real earnings, and the price paid by students. Our approach also takes into account the impact of differences in unemployment rates by education level on future benefits. Overall, we find that the financial return for all college attendees is still large, but is lower than for only those who earn a Bachelor’s degree.
Budgeting for the Future: The Long-Term Impacts of Short-Term Thinking in Alabama K-12 Education Funding
Authors: Neher Chris , Patterson David , Duffield John W. , Harvey Amy
Published: September 2024

abstract:
A significant body of work on the economics of education establishes links between specific interventions, such as class size reduction or increased teacher pay, and educational attainment (often measured by graduation rates). Many of these interventions rely on increased funding, so the current study builds upon previous work by analyzing the connection between school funding and graduation rates using a case study of Alabama schools from 2011 to 2013. The study places that connection, as well as those established by other authors between educational attainment and future costs and benefits to society, within a framework of public policy decision-making. Beginning with school district-level funding and graduation data, we employ an OLS mixed effects model to estimate the elasticity associated with per-pupil K-12 spending and graduation rates. That estimated elasticity is used to predict changes in the number of high school graduates resulting from hypothetical K-12 funding changes, and further estimate the net present value of state fiscal impacts over the life of the students. For the Alabama finance and graduation data examined, we find that short term investments in increased K-12 funding at the state and local level return roughly twice the original cost to the state in terms of the net present value of increased tax receipts and reduced social service costs over the life of the students.
Are High-Poverty School Districts Disproportionately Impacted by State Funding Cuts?: School Finance Equity Following the Great Recession
Authors: Knight David S.
Published: September 2024

abstract: The Great Recession caused states around the country to make substantial budget cuts to public education. As a result, districts that rely more heavily on state funding – those with greater concentrations of students in poverty – may be disproportionately impacted by the Great Recession funding cuts; however, little prior research examines this issue. This study examines how state school finance systems responded to recessionary funding cuts on average nationally. The study then draws on state specific data to examine local district taxation patterns in response to state spending cuts. The study finds that (a) on average across states, high-poverty districts experienced an inequitable share of funding and staffing cuts following the Great Recession; (b) changes in the income-based funding gap varied across states; (c) higher-poverty districts increased local tax rates at a faster rate than low-poverty districts in Texas; and (d) the funding gap increased in Texas by more than in 43 other states; (e) lack of subsidies for facilities funding and other idiosyncrasies within the Texas school finance system prevented high-poverty districts from maintaining equitable funding levels, despite increasing tax rates at a faster rate than otherwise similar wealthier districts; and (f) leveling up funding for high-poverty districts in Texas would cost the state $9.1 billion, a 17% increase in education spending. The study provides evidence on how school districts were impacted by recessionary spending cuts and how they responded, and offers alternative strategies for restoring state education budgets.
Introduction
Authors: Broy Nikolas , Schumann Matthias
Published: September 2024

Abstract: This essay introduces a special issue of Twentieth-Century China that explores the evolution of religiously motivated vegetarianism in Chinese societies from the late imperial period until today, with a focus on the twentieth century. Drawing on ancient practices of fasting and Mahāyāna Buddhist dietary rules, this vegetarianism quickly evolved into a widely accepted form of moral self-cultivation in many religious contexts, one that was intrinsically related to morality, self-actualization, notions of karma and retribution, and ritual purity. Since the late nineteenth century, the impacts of increasing transnational entanglements, new ideas, and changing food practices have subtly transformed this tradition: these transformations include an engagement with global animal protection movements in the wake of the First World War and contemporary attempts to integrate concerns about global warming, food safety, and environmentalism into the discourse. By looking at three specific cases, the special issue traces the persistence and evolution of vegetarian concepts and practices in Chinese societies from the late imperial period until today.
Surface profile measurement of metal objects by use of a fringe projection system with polarized dual projectors
Authors: Zhu Huijie , Guo Hongwei
Published: September 2024

When measuring surface profiles of metal objects by use of the fringe projection technique, a “high dynamic range” issue usually occurs and affects measurement accuracy and efficiency. To alleviate this problem, this paper suggests a fringe projection measurement system that consists of dual projectors having orthogonal polarization directions and a polarization camera with four polarized channels. The projectors simultaneously cast fringe patterns with opposite phases onto the measured metal objects, and the camera grabs four composite patterns at a single shot. By analyzing these composite patterns, two separate fringe patterns that correspond to the projected fringe patterns can be reconstructed. In this procedure, because redundant fringe patterns have been collected, the oversaturated areas that are caused by the “high dynamic range” issue and appear in some of the four composite patterns can be excluded and will not affect the reconstructed fringes. As a result, the reconstructed fringe patterns can have a larger dynamic range over the camera capacity, thus helping to alleviate the effects of the “high dynamic range” issue. By using the phase-shifting technique, the fringe phases and, further, the depth map of the measured object, are calculated. Additionally, this method has an improved measurement efficiency in comparison with others using a single projector because we reconstruct two phase-shifted fringe patterns from a single shot. The validity of this method is demonstrated by using experimental results.
Turbulence compensation based on pix2pixGAN for the free-space optical communication of orbital angular momentum multiplexing
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Jia Shuaiwei , Shao Wen , Gao Duorui , Wang Wei , Si Jinhai , Xie Xiaoping
Published: September 2024

Free space-optical communication utilizing
orbital angular momentum (OAM)
multiplexing offers an extremely high transmission capacity and speed.
However, atmospheric turbulence causes mode crosstalk and power loss
during the OAM decoding. Although conventional adaptive optics (AO)
compensates the distortions, it introduces significant complexity and
cost due to the need for a wavefront sensor. This paper proposes what
we believe to be a novel sensor-less AO framework based on the
image-to-image translation capability of pix-to-pix generative
adversarial networks (pix2pixGAN). This approach directly recovers the
compensation information by recognizing the distorted image.
Laboratory experiments revealed that the proposed AO method
effectively compensates the distortions of vortex beams in the 80
Gbit/s communication system combining four wavelengths and two OAMs.
Even in severe turbulence (D/r0=8), the power sensitivity was minimally
enhanced 3.7 dBm under the bit error rate of 1∗10−3.
Multi-spectral radiation thermometry of space point targets based on spectral image pixel binning
Authors: Dong Pengkai , Zhou Liang , Liu Zhaohui , Cui Kai
Published: September 2024

The temperature characteristics of space point targets are essential indicators of their operational status and performance. To address the issue of significant temperature measurement errors in space point targets caused by low temperatures and a low imaging signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we propose a mathematical model for multi-spectral radiation thermometry, derived from the principles of dual-band radiation thermometry. Furthermore, a multi-spectral image pixel binning method is introduced to enhance the SNR and minimize measurement errors. The experimental results indicate that the proposed multi-spectral radiation thermometry outperforms dual-band radiation thermometry. After merging 2 to 20 pixels, multi-spectral radiation thermometry in the 3.75–4.1 and 4.3–4.62 µm bands demonstrates an enhanced SNR and reduced temperature measurement errors. For a 378.15 K blackbody, the relative errors decrease from 1.52% and 2.19% to 0.26% and 0.74%, respectively, after merging six and eight pixels in the two different bands, compared to unmerged images. This method provides a valuable reference for developing techniques to enhance the SNR and improve temperature measurement accuracy for space point targets.
“My father insisted that I have the baby but not in his house”: Adolescent pregnancy, social exclusion and (dis)empowerment of girls in an urban informal settlement in Kenya
Authors: Machoka Beryl Nyatuga , Kabiru Caroline W. , Ajayi Anthony Idowu
Published: September 2024

While the drivers of adolescent pregnancy are widely studied, few studies have examined the social exclusions associated with early and unintended pregnancy. Drawing data from a larger mixed methods study on the lived experiences of pregnant and parenting adolescents and guided by Amatya Sen’s social exclusion framework, this qualitative explanatory study examines how poverty and the contestation around girls’ access to comprehensive sexuality education hinder them from preventing unintended pregnancy. It also examines why adolescent pregnancy further results in girls’ social exclusion with implications for their health and socioeconomic (dis)empowerment. We drew on data from in-depth interviews with purposively selected pregnant and parenting adolescents aged 15 to 19 (n = 22) and parents (n = 10), and key informant interviews with teachers (n = 4), policymakers (n = 3), community leaders (n = 6) non-governmental organization representatives (n = 2), and health workers (n = 4). Through inductive and deductive thematic analysis, we found that poverty and lack of access to contraceptive information and services contributed to girls’ vulnerability to early unintended pregnancies. Becoming pregnant exacerbated girls’ social exclusion, which is characterized by self-isolation, being disowned by their families, or forced to drop out of school. Shame, stigma, and discrimination of girls made girls seek antenatal care late. They also failed to complete the recommended number of antenatal care visits. Marginalization of pregnant and parenting girls results in them being out of school, vocational training, and employment, as well as experiencing mental distress. The analysis shows the social exclusion of girls is cyclical, beginning before their pregnancy and continuing into pregnancy and post-pregnancy. Their social exclusion has negative implications for their health and socio-economic empowerment. Interventions to address adolescent childbearing should holistically address the social exclusion that predisposes girls to unintended pregnancy and that follows during and post-pregnancy, as tackling this exclusion is key to improving their health and socioeconomic well-being.
Continuous quality improvement with a two-step strategy effective for mass SARS-CoV-2 screening at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Authors: Miyachi Hayato , Asai Satomi , Kuroki Rika , Omi Kazuya , Ikenoue Chiaki , Shimada Satoshi
Published: September 2024

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Games) were held during the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To detect people infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) early enough to contain the spread and to facilitate the timely arrival of athletes at their game venues, all participating athletes staying in the Olympic Village (up to 14,000) were screened daily for the infection. Toward this aim, a two-step strategy was adopted comprising screening of self-collected saliva samples using a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, followed by confirmatory testing using polymerase chain reaction. The testing system was integrated with an information management system covering all steps. To ensure the accuracy of the test results, rigorous quality assurance measures and monitoring of performance/specimen quality were implemented. A chronological chart analysis was implemented to monitor the holistic process and to give feedback to improve the sampling. Nearly all test results for 418,506 saliva samples were reported within 12 hours of sample collection, achieving the target mean turnaround time of 150 minutes for confirmatory testing. As a result, athlete activity and performance for the Games were ensured. The chronological chart confirmed that no athletes were withdrawn due to a false-positive result, and no infection clusters were identified among the athletes in the Olympic Village. In conclusion, continuous quality improvement as part of the two-step strategy for mass screening for COVID-19 contributed to the success of the Games during the pandemic. The quality practice, systems, and workflows described here may offer a model for future mass-gathering sporting events during similar major infectious disease epidemics.
Challenges experienced by health care providers working in both hospital and home-based palliative care units in Dhaka city: A multi-center based cross-sectional study
Authors: Kashmeeri Mastura , Islam A. N. M. Shamsul , Banik Palash Chandra
Published: September 2024

Background

Palliative care is paramount in the modern clinical field worldwide. However, in Bangladesh, its acceptance is limited compared to other related sectors, despite the country suffering from a huge burden of life-limiting diseases. Besides, PC teams and their approach to care are entirely different from the conventional clinical approach. This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by healthcare providers working in the palliative care unit in Bangladesh, including all groups.

Design

This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey involving palliative care providers.

Methods

A self-administered pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square at p <0.05.

Result

The mean age of the respondents was 33.59 ± 8.05 years, and barely most (82.5%) had served for 7–9 years. More than half (51%) of doctors and 31% of nurses claimed patient agitation as a challenge. Almost all groups of respondents exhibit ethical dilemma as a barrier, although a significant relationship was found between professional level and ethical dilemma. More than half of doctors (51%), 41.5% of nurses, and 29.5% of PCA-ward staff mentioned the lack of telemedicine facilities as a challenge. Nearly half (47.1%) of doctors and nurses claimed that patients’ families had made patient care difficult, on the other hand, PCA-ward staff (70%) group ignorance of family did the same thing. Opioid phobia of other health professionals restricted the growth mentioned by the majority of all four groups of respondents. A significant relationship was found between limited dose formulation and experience of HPs (p<0.07). At the institutional level, 93.3% of nursing staff agreed that the lack of supporting staff was a drawback. A significant relationship was also found between the type of institution and the lack of a support system to conduct home-based care (p<0.002). Moreover, the majority (83.3%) of PCA-WS exhibit a lack of career development opportunities (p<0.001) as a barrier, besides, more than 7 out of 10 doctors (7.2%) felt social discrimination as a challenge(p<0.001).

Conclusion

Introducing new concepts comes with obstacles, but proper planning and awareness can make it necessary. Incorporating it into primary healthcare can create new job opportunities and increase familiarity among the general population. Training healthcare professionals on opioid handling can also increase its acceptance.
Synergistic celecoxib and dimethyl-celecoxib combinations block cervix cancer growth through multiple mechanisms
Authors: Robledo-Cadena Diana Xochiquetzal , Pacheco-Velázquez Silvia Cecilia , Vargas-Navarro Jorge Luis , Padilla-Flores Joaquín Alberto , López-Marure Rebeca , Pérez-Torres Israel , Kaambre Tuuli , Moreno-Sánchez Rafael , Rodríguez-Enríquez Sara
Published: September 2024

Objective

The synergistic inhibitory effect of celecoxib (CXB) and dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC) plus paclitaxel (PA) or cisplatin (CP) on human cervix HeLa and SiHa cells was assessed at multiple cellular levels in order to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms triggered by the synergistic drug combinations.

Methods

The effect of CXB (5 μM)/CP (2 μM) or CXB (5 μM)/PA (15 μM) and DMC (15 μM)/CP (5 μM) or DMC (15 μM)/PA (20 μM) for 24 h was assayed on cancer cell proliferation, energy metabolism, mitophagy, ROS production, glycoprotein-P activity, DNA stability and apoptosis/necrosis.

Results

Drug combinations synergistically decreased HeLa and SiHa cell proliferation (>75%) and arrested cellular cycle by decreasing S and G2/M phases as well as the Ki67 content (HeLa) by 7.5–30 times. Cell viability was preserved (>90%) and no apparent effects on non-cancer cell growth were observed. Mitochondrial and glycolytic protein contents (44–95%) and ΔΨm (45–50%) in HeLa cells and oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis fluxes (70–90%) in HeLa and SiHa cells were severely decreased, which in turn promoted a drastic fall in the ATP supply (85–88%). High levels of mitophagy proteins in HeLa cells and active mitochondrial digestion in HeLa and SiHa cells was observed. Mitochondrial fission and microtubule proteins were also affected. Intracellular ROS content (2–2.3-fold) and ROS production was stimulated (2.3–4 times), whereas content and activity of glycoprotein-P (45–85%) were diminished. DNA fragmentation was not observed and apoptosis/necrosis was not detected suggesting that cell death could be mainly associated to mitophagy induction.

Conclusions

CXB or DMC combination with canonical chemotherapy may be a promising chemotherapy strategy against cervical cancer growth, because it can selectively block multiple cell processes including inhibition of energy pathways and in consequence ATP-dependent processes such as cell proliferation, glycoprotein-P activity, ROS production and mitophagy, with no apparent effects on non-cancer cells.
Self-management education for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia as major risk factors for cardiovascular disease: Insights from stakeholders’ experiences and expectations
Authors: Soleimani Nazanin , Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Mirzaei Masoud
Published: September 2024

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of premature death, with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia as major risk factors. Effective self-management (SM) is crucial for controlling these conditions and improving quality of life. This study examines stakeholders’ experiences and expectations of SM education to enhance program development.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative grounded theory approach to explore the perspectives of three stakeholder groups: 19 patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia, 11 primary healthcare providers, and five provincial health policymakers and managers. Data were collected via semi-structured patient interviews and focus group discussions(FGDs) with health professionals. Coding and analysis were conducted separately using Corbin and Strauss principles with ATLAS. ti version 9.0 software.

Results

Most patients were women (68%) aged 50–60 years (37%), with education levels from illiterate to master’s degree; 32% had completed primary school. Most were housewives (52%), and 12 had multiple chronic diseases. Healthcare providers included six community health workers and five primary care physicians, with average experience of 12 and 19 years, respectively. Health policymakers and managers averaged 25 years of experience. Patient interviews and FGDs resulted in 12 and 13 subthemes, respectively, with five subthemes common to both sources. These subthemes were grouped into broader main themes, including "effective content design," "effective presentation and delivery," "characteristics and conditions of involved parties," and "educational needs," collectively reflect the central concept of "effective self-management education".

Conclusion

Although the core concept and its main themes were evident and consistent across stakeholder groups, significant variations in subthemes from each stakeholder emerged. This underscores the importance of considering diverse viewpoints and highlights that, while overarching concepts may seem uniform, exploring the details of stakeholder perspectives is crucial for understanding their nuanced opinions. Effective education should integrate these insights, focusing on tailored communication, interactivity, and active monitoring.
exact sequence for generalized string links over surfaces
Authors: Theodoro de Lima Juliana Roberta
Published: September 2024

In this work we extend Goldberg result [4] for generalized string links over closed, connected and orientable surfaces of genus $g \geq 1$, i.e., different from the sphere (up to link-homotopy).
A remark on the fundamental group of a compact negatively curved manifold
Authors: De Carvalho Junior Alcides
Published: September 2024

In this expository article we review some results about the fundamental group of a compact negatively curved manifold. In particular, a theorem of Gusevskij, see [7], it states that the fundamental group of a compact negatively curved manifold does not belong to C, where C is the smallest class of groups that contains all amenable groups and is closed under free products and finite extensions. The class C is quite natural and was introduced for the first time in [8].
Intestinal Ultrasound: Envisioning a New Future for Crohn's Disease Management
Authors: Randhawa Amrik , Guzowski Tom
Published: September 2024

The use of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) in the clinical assessment of intestinal disorders remains in its infancy in North America. We present a case in which IUS was used as a complement to Crohn's disease treatment in a 19-year-old man. After endoscopy and diagnosis, IUS was employed alongside other investigations to elucidate the extent of disease activity. It allowed identification and monitoring of complications such as free fluid and mucosal inflammation. IUS provided a marker of disease activity, even during apparent clinical remission. This case demonstrates that IUS can enhance disease monitoring and inform direction of therapy.
Effect of health-promoting behaviors and menopausal symptoms of urban women of Hyderabad: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bala Sudha , Lakshmi Komarraju Satya , Dasarathan Sathyanath , Muralidharan Shrikanth
Published: September 2024

Background: Menopause, characterized by cessation of menstruation, is accompanied by various physiological and psychological changes. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the efficacy of a multi-domain lifestyle modification program in alleviating menopausal symptoms and promoting health behaviors among postmenopausal women residing in urban slums of Hyderabad, India. Methods: Eighty-two women aged 45–60 years experiencing menopausal symptoms were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to either a 45-day lifestyle intervention group or a control group receiving standard care. The intervention program addressed six domains: health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. The menopause rating scale (MRS) and a modified health-promoting lifestyle II (HPBII) questionnaire assessed menopausal symptoms and health behaviors at baseline and during follow-up. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements (P < 0.05) in terms of overall HPBII scores compared to baseline, with the most notable changes observed in health responsibility, nutrition, and stress management domains. In addition, MRS scores indicating menopausal symptoms were significantly lowered (P < 0.05) in the intervention group. No significant changes were found in the control group in either health behaviors or menopausal symptoms. After the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in HPBII scores compared to the control group, particularly in health responsibility, nutrition, interpersonal relationships, and stress management sub-domains. Conclusion: This RCT suggested that a comprehensive lifestyle modification program could effectively improve health behaviors and alleviate menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women residing in under-resourced settings. Further research is warranted to explore the program’s long-term sustainability and generalizability.
Potrebe staršev otrok z motnjo avtističnega spektra
Authors: Hodaj Tina , Ramšak Pajk Jožica
Published: September 2024

Uvod: Avtistične motnje so skupina razvojnih motenj z največjim primanjkljajem na področju socialne komunikacije in interakcije. Namen pregleda literature je  raziskati in predstaviti težave, s katerimi se soočajo starši otrok z avtistično motnjo.Metode: Uporabljen je bil pristop pregleda tuje in domače literature s pomočjo bibliografskih baz CINAHL, COBISS, PubMed, SpringerLink in brskalnika Google učenjak. Iskalni pojmi so bili: zgodnja obravnava, avtistična motnja, starši, stres, diagnoza oziroma early intervention, autism disorder, parents, stress in diagnosis. Iskalna strategija je temeljila na vključevalnih kriterijih: objava literature med letoma 2012 in 2022, dostopnost celotnega besedila in slovenski ali angleški jezik besedila.Rezultati: Glede na vključitvene kriterije smo pridobili 31.217 zadetkov, v končno analizo pa vključili 13 virov. Rezultati so pokazali štiri kategorije: negativna čustva in občutki, ki jih doživljajo starši otrok z avtistično motnjo; prepreke staršev otrok z avtistično motnjo; podpora staršem otrok z avtistično motnjo ter želje in potrebe staršev otrok z avtistično motnjo.Diskusija in zaključek: Starši otrok z avtistično motnjo se soočajo s številnimi negativnimi čustvi in občutki, kot so preobremenjenost, strah, tesnoba, izčrpanost,  nerazumevanje, doživljanje preprek pri iskanju informacij in podpore. Zgodnje diagnosticiranje avtistične motnje pri otroku in s tem zgodnji pristop do potrebnih storitev lahko izboljšata rezultate pri otroku, zmanjšata finančne stroške in izboljšata obvladanje stresa pri starših.
New Luminescence-Based Approach to Measurement of Luciferase Gene Expression Reporter Activity and Adenosine Triphosphate-Based Determination of Cell Viability
Authors: Konopka R. , Hýžďalová M. , Kubala Lukáš , Pacherník J.
Published: September 2024

The assay employing firefly luciferase as the end-point reporter is one of the most popular gene reporter systems. However, the physiological conditions of cells may affect the reporter gene expression, which makes an assessment of cell viability desirable. Estimates of cell viability may be based on different principles. We tested for correlations between various cell viability assessments, including luminescent determination of adenosine triphosphate in whole-cell lysate, and the reporter luciferase activity in pluripotent embryonic and colon adenocarcinoma cells. Luciferase activity in cell lysate from both cell lines cultured under different conditions correlated with the amount of viable cells assessed by all of the methods employed. Importantly, it was also possible to carry out adenosine triphosphate determination in cell lysates prepared in the buffer originally designed for determining luciferase activity; it correlated significantly with adenosine triphosphate determination in cells lysed in the buffer originally designed for adenosine triphosphate determination. The results suggest that the assessment of live cells by determining adenosine triphosphate can be multiplexed with a luciferase reporter gene assay, which allows independent monitoring of both reporter expression and cell viability.
İstanbul'da Yerel Siyasetin Değişimi: Göç Olgusu ve Kentleşmenin Elit Dönüşümüne Etkileri
Authors: Alçiçek Adem Bağış
Published: September 2024

Göç olgusu çeşitli şekillerde gerçekleşmektedir. Köyden kente göç özellikle son yüzyılda oldukça irdelenmiş bir konudur. Kente temas eden bu serüven, doğal olarak kenti ve kentliyi etkilemektedir. Cumhuriyet Dönemi'nde İstanbul, özellikle 1950'li yıllardan itibaren çok yoğun biçimde kırsal göç almıştır. Söz konusu süreç, hızlı bir kentlileşmeyi beraberinde getirmiştir. Bu durumun Türkiye'nin toplumsal yapısına büyük etkileri olmuştur. Toplumsal yapının heterojen bir parçası olan İstanbul, sosyal dönüşümden en çok etkilenen kent olmuştur. Kente gelen büyük kitleler, kentsel üretime hızlı bir biçimde katılmıştır. Kentsel ürünün dağıtımı yerleşik elitler tarafından yapılmaktayken gelenler bir süre sonra dağıtım mekanizmasına katılmak istemiştir. Yeni kentliler, yerleşikler gibi hem üretim hem dağıtım süreçlerine dahil olmak istemiştir. Bu göçmen kitle eskilerden farklı olarak, kırsal yapı ve değerleri koruyarak kentlileşme özelliği taşımaktadır. Anılan kitle, zaman içerisinde siyasal, iktisadi, sosyal ve kültürel tüm sahalarda kentin paydaşı olarak yer almaya başlamıştır. Bu çerçevede, elit zümreye dahil yerleşiklerle birlikte iki farklı elit grup ortaya çıkmıştır. Elit kökenli olmayan birey ve kitleler elitleşerek dönüşmüştür. Onlar dönüşürken onlarla iletişim ve etkileşim halinde bulunan eski elitler ise konumlarını kaybetmemek için dönüşme mecburiyetinde kalmıştır. Bu bağlamda, 1950'lerden itibaren yoğunlaşıp 1980'lerde zirve yapan göç ve kentleşme sürecinin İstanbul'da elit dönüşümüne büyük bir etkisi olmuştur. Bu dönüşüm yerel siyaseti, yerel siyasal talepler ve yerel siyasetçi profili yönünden köklü biçimde değiştirmiştir.
Policy Entrepreneur or Policy Implementer? The Role of İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil in Türkiye’s Distancing from the United States in the 1960s and 1970s
Authors: Altun Serdar
Published: September 2024

In this study, it is attempted to understand the influence of İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil, as the minister of foreign affairs, on Türkiye’s relations with the United States (US). In the years he served as the minister, from mid-1960s to mid-1970s, Türkiye witnessed a fundamental change in Türkiye’s huge commitments to and trust in Washington. To question his role as an individual in these developments is expected to contribute to studying and analyzing Turkish-American relations in historical perspective.
The study makes use of primary sources like official archives, parliamentary records, memoirs and interviews provided by both Turkish and American circles as well as some scholarly works on Çağlayangil himself and Turkish foreign policy in general. The findings derived from Turkish and American sources are compared with each other and it is concluded that the alteration in Türkiye’s close ties with the US at those times was mostly driven by the changing perception of Turkish state and public about the US following its unacceptable disregard for Türkiye’s national interests. In addition to having the detente process in international relations as a facilitator to hold a more balanced stance towards the US, this process was not initiated by Çağlayangil’s innovation or efforts, and instead was a state-policy that emerged as a result of some structural and principle changes.
(α, F)-Geraghty-type generalized F-contractions on non-Archimedean fuzzy metric-unlike spaces
Authors: Alam Khairul Habib , Rohen Yumnam , Tomar Anita
Published: September 2024

In this study, we generalize fuzzy metric-like, non-Archimedean fuzzy metric-like, and all the variants of fuzzy metric spaces. We propose the idea of fuzzy metric-unlike and non-Archimedean fuzzy metric-unlike, respectively. We also propose the idea of

(

α
,
F

)

\left(\alpha ,F)

-Geraghty-type generalized

F

F

-contraction mappings utilizing fuzzy metric-unlike and non-Archimedean fuzzy metric-unlike spaces. We investigate the presence of unique fixed points using the recently introduced contraction mappings. In order to complement our study, we consider an application to dynamic market equilibrium.
Three-dimensional composite substrate based on pyramidal pitted silicon array adhered Au@Ag nanospheres for high-performance surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liu Siqi , Jiang Sijia , Zhang Jiahang , Ma Hongtao , Xu Liang , Yang Mingyu , Ma Ding , Jiao Qingbin , Tan Xin
Published: September 2024

As a noninvasive and label-free optical technique, Raman spectroscopy offers significant advantages in studying the structure and properties of biomacromolecules, as well as real-time changes in cellular molecular structure. However, its practical applications are hindered by weak scattering responses, low signal intensity, and poor spectral uniformity, which affect the subsequent accuracy of spectral analysis. To address these issues, we report a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on a pyramidal pitted silicon (PPSi) array structure adhered with Au-shell Ag-core nanospheres (Au@Ag NSs). By preparing a highly uniform PPSi array substrate with controllable size and arrangement, and constructing SERS-active Au@Ag NSs on this substrate, a three-dimensional (3D) composite SERS substrate is realized. The enhancement performance and spectral uniformity of 3D composite SERS substrate were examined using crystal violet (CV) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules, achieving a minimum detectable concentration of R6G at 10−9 M and the analytical enhancement factor (AEF) of 4.2 × 108. Moreover, SERS detection of biological samples with varying concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated excellent biocompatibility of the SERS substrate and enabled quantitative analysis of bacterial concentration (R
2 = 99.7 %). Theoretical simulations using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis were conducted to examine the electromagnetic field distribution of the three-dimensional SERS composite substrate, confirming its local electric field enhancement effect. These experimental and theoretical results indicate that the Au@Ag NSs/PPSi substrate with a regulable pyramidal pitted array is a promising candidate for sensitive, label-free SERS detection in medical and biotechnological applications.
Quantum efficiency of the B-center in hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Yamamura Karin , Coste Nathan , Zeng Helen Zhi Jie , Toth Milos , Kianinia Mehran , Aharonovich Igor
Published: September 2024

B-centers in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are gaining significant research interest for quantum photonics applications due to precise emitter positioning and highly reproducible emission wavelengths at 436 nm. Here, we leverage the layered nature of hBN to directly measure the quantum efficiency (QE) of single B-centers. The defects were engineered in a 35 nm flake of hBN using electron beam irradiation, and the local dielectric environment was altered by transferring a 250 nm hBN flake on top of the one containing the emitters. By analyzing the resulting change in measured lifetimes, we determined the QE of B-centers in the thin flake of hBN. Additionally, we propose two approaches to quantify the QE of B-centers in thick flakes of hBN. Our results indicate that B-centers located in thin flakes can exhibit QEs higher than 40 %. Near-unity QEs are achievable under reasonable Purcell enhancement for emitters embedded in thick flakes of hBN, highlighting their promise for quantum photonics applications.
BEZELYE PROTEİNİ VE SPİRULİNA İLAVESİNİN İKİLİ HİDROJEL FORMLARININ REOLOJİK ÖZELLİKLERİ ÜZERİNE ETKİSİ
Authors: Kaynarca Gülce Bedis
Published: September 2024

Bu çalışma, bezelye proteini ve spirulina bazlı pektin-jelatin ikili hidrojellerinin yüksek su içeriği, düşük kalori ve tokluk hissi sağlama avantajları nedeniyle geliştirilmesi ve reolojik özelliklerinin incelenmesi üzerine odaklanmaktadır. Rotasyonel ve salınım testlerine göre kıvam katsayıları, 6P1B örneğinde (%6 pektin-%0.5 jelatin-%1 bezelye proteini) 6P1S örneğine (%6 pektin-%0.5 jelatin-%1 spirulina) göre sırasıyla %25 ve %20 daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Örneklerin akış davranış indeksleri 0.22±0.01 ile 0.29±0.02 aralığında tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, bezelye proteini formülasyonlarının termal stabilitesi, spirulina içerenlerden daha iyi performans göstermiştir. Moleküler kenetleme analizi, pektin-jelatin, pektin-spirulina ve pektin-bezelye proteini arasındaki bağlanma enerjilerinin sırasıyla -6.53; -7.85 ve -8.30 kcal/mol ile nispeten kararlı ve etkili olduğunu işaret etmektedir. Bezelye proteini ve spirulina bazlı hidrojeller, 3D baskı teknolojisi ve yağ ikamesi olarak potansiyele sahip olup, besleyici ve işlevsel özellikleriyle yenilikçi gıda ürünlerinin geliştirilmesini destekleyebilirler.
The European Committee of Social Rights and cooperation between the Council of Europe and the European Union in social issues. Selected issues
Authors:   Faculty of Law, University of Białystok, Poland, Dubowski Tomasz
Published: September 2024

The aim of the article is to demonstrate that the ECSR remains one of the important organizational factors of the formally regulated cooperation of the Council of Europe and the European Union in the sphere of social fundamental rights. The analysis is dominated by the dogmatic-legal method. The paper includes an analysis of the formal basis of cooperation between the CoE and the EU, the specificity of their cooperation in the field of social rights, the analysis of the ECSR as a body of the ESC and its activity in cooperation with EU structures. The analyses carried out show that the framework of cooperation between the two organizations is formalised and the ECSR finds its place within it. At the same time, it has been shown that the Committee's role in cooperation with the EU and in promoting ESC standards - in view of the autonomy of the two organizations' legal systems - remains important, particularly at the level of organizational cooperation with EU institutions and bodies.