bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accurate decoding of data pages in an amplitude- and phase-modulated signal beam detected by the single-shot transport of intensity equation method with convolutional neural network-based classifiers
Authors: Bunsen Masatoshi , Miwa Taishi
Published: July 2023

We propose an accurate method for the classification and decoding of data pages in complex-amplitude-modulated signal beams detected via the transport of the intensity equation (TIE) method using simple classifiers with a convolutional neural network (CNN) for holographic data storage (HDS). The classifiers allow a single-shot TIE method using two cameras to detect the complex-amplitude-modulated signal beam in HDS. Although the phase distribution detected using the single-shot TIE method tends to be superimposed with strong phase noise, we demonstrate experimentally that the CNN-based classifiers can classify/decode data pages in the complex-amplitude-modulated signal beam accurately without phase noise removal.
Neutrophil extracellular traps involved in the pathogenesis of IgA vasculitis: Confirmed in two IgAV rat models
Authors: Chen Xiu-Qi , Zou Jia-Sen , Tu Li , Yun Xiang , Qin Yuan-Han
Published: July 2023

Background

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been found to play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases. In the past two years, studies have demonstrated a significantly increase of NETs in skin tissues during the early stages of IgAV, indicating their involvement in disease activity among children with IgAV. However, the presence of NETs in IgAV animal models has not yet been reported. The objective of this study is to investigate whether NETs are involved in the pathogenesis of IgA vasculitis (IgAV) rats.

Methods

Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: the ovalbumin group, the gliadin group, and the control group. The IgAV rat models were established administering Indian ink with ovalbumin (ovalbumin group) or gliadin (gliadin group) with Freund’s complete adjuvant. The cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) was quantified by using dsDNA quantification kit, while the levels of Immunoglobulins, complement C3 and myeloperoxidase-DNA (MPO-DNA) in serum were tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The IgA, complement C3 and NETs in tissues were detected through multiple immunofluorescences.

Results

Both the ovalbumin group and gliadin group showed IgA and C3 deposition in various tissues, including the glomerular mesangial region, skin, and digestive tract, while the control group showed no such deposition. The levels of circulatory cf-DNA and MPO-DNA, which are components of NETs, were significantly elevated in both ovalbumin and gliadin groups compared with the control group. Furthermore, the presence of NETs were found in gastrointestinal and renal tissues of the ovalbumin and gliadin groups, but not in the control group.

Conclusions

IgAV model rat can be established through the combination of ovalbumin and gliadin with Indian ink and Freund’s complete adjuvant. This study provides the first confirmation that NETs are involved in the pathogenesis of IgAV rat.
Timeliness of routine childhood vaccination among 12–35 months old children in The Gambia: Analysis of national immunisation survey data, 2019–2020
Authors: Wariri Oghenebrume , Utazi Chigozie Edson , Okomo Uduak , Sogur Malick , Murray Kris A. , Grundy Chris , Fofanna Sidat , Kampmann Beate
Published: July 2023

The Gambia’s routine childhood vaccination programme is highly successful, however, many vaccinations are delayed, with potential implications for disease outbreaks. We adopted a multi-dimensional approach to determine the timeliness of vaccination (i.e., timely, early, delayed, and untimely interval vaccination). We utilised data for 3,248 children from The Gambia 2019–2020 Demographic and Health Survey. Nine tracer vaccines administered at birth and at two, three, four, and nine months of life were included. Timeliness was defined according to the recommended national vaccination windows and reported as both categorical and continuous variables. Routine coverage was high (above 90%), but also a high rate of untimely vaccination. First-dose pentavalent vaccine (PENTA1) and oral polio vaccine (OPV1) had the highest timely coverage that ranged from 71.8% (95% CI = 68.7–74.8%) to 74.4% (95% CI = 71.7–77.1%). Delayed vaccination was the commonest dimension of untimely vaccination and ranged from 17.5% (95% CI = 14.5–20.4%) to 91.1% (95% CI = 88.9–93.4%), with median delays ranging from 11 days (IQR = 5, 19.5 days) to 28 days (IQR = 11, 57 days) across all vaccines. The birth-dose of Hepatitis B vaccine had the highest delay and this was more common in the 24–35 months age group (91.1% [95% CI = 88.9–93.4%], median delays = 17 days [IQR = 10, 28 days]) compared to the 12–23 months age-group (84.9% [95% CI = 81.9–87.9%], median delays = 16 days [IQR = 9, 26 days]). Early vaccination was the least common and ranged from 4.9% (95% CI = 3.2–6.7%) to 10.7% (95% CI = 8.3–13.1%) for all vaccines. The Gambia’s childhood immunization system requires urgent implementation of effective strategies to reduce untimely vaccination in order to optimize its quality, even though it already has impressive coverage rates.
Economic policy uncertainty and stock market in G7 Countries: A panel threshold effect perspective
Authors: Khojah Maysoon , Ahmed Masood , Khan Muhammad Asif , Haddad Hossam , Al-Ramahi Nidal Mahmoud , Khan Mohammed Arshad
Published: July 2023

Based on the literature, it is commonly understood that stock prices (SP) are influenced by economic policy uncertainty (PU), with a rise in PU typically having a negative impact on SP. However, the relationship between PU and SP may not always be linear due to the varying risk preferences of individuals. Risk preference theory posits that individuals respond differently to different levels of risk. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether PU determines SP asymmetrically (i.e., in a non-linear manner) by considering risk preferences and addressing a gap in the literature. To answer this question, the study employs a panel threshold approach to examine the effect of PU on SP in the Group of Seven (G7) countries, namely Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and the US. In contrast to previous research, this study finds evidence of an asymmetric effect of PU on SP in the G7 countries. Specifically, the panel threshold results reveal that the impact of increased PU on SP is positive up to a certain level (Threshold1), beyond which it becomes negative (Threshold2). These findings are in line with information asymmetry hypothesis, prospect theory, behavioural finance hypothesis, and market liquidity hypothesis and shed light on the asymmetric behaviour of SP in response to varying levels of PU. The implications of these findings are significant for understanding how to manage risks effectively in the financial markets.
Edge valency-based entropies of tetrahedral sheets of clay minerals
Authors: Tang Yong , Labba Muhammad , Jamil Muhammad Kamran , Azeem Muhammad , Zhang Xiujun
Published: July 2023

Humanity has always benefited from an intercapillary study in the quantification of natural occurrences in mathematics and other pure scientific fields. Graph theory was extremely helpful to other studies, particularly in the applied sciences. Specifically, in chemistry, graph theory made a significant contribution. For this, a transformation is required to create a graph representing a chemical network or structure, where the vertices of the graph represent the atoms in the chemical compound and the edges represent the bonds between the atoms. The quantity of edges that are incident to a vertex determines its valency (or degree) in a graph. The degree of uncertainty in a system is measured by the entropy of a probability. This idea is heavily grounded in statistical reasoning. It is primarily utilized for graphs that correspond to chemical structures. The development of some novel edge-weighted based entropies that correspond to valency-based topological indices is made possible by this research. Then these compositions are applied to clay mineral tetrahedral sheets. Since they have been in use for so long, corresponding indices are thought to be the most effective methods for quantifying chemical graphs. This article develops multiple edge degree-based entropies that correlate to the indices and determines how to modify them in order to assess the significance of each type.
The impact of IDH and NAT2 gene polymorphisms in acute myeloid leukemia risk and overall survival in an Arab population: A case-control study
Authors: Al-Khatib Sohaib M. , Ababneh Obada , Abushukair Hassann , Abdo Nour , Al-Eitan Laith N.
Published: July 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignancy of the myeloid cells due to the clonal and malignant proliferation of blast cells. The etiology of AML is complex and involves environmental and genetic factors. Such genetic aberrations include FLT3, DNMT3, IDH1, IDH2, NAT2, and WT. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between five, not previously studied in any Arab population, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk and overall survival of AML in Jordanian patients. The SNPs are NAT2 (rs1799930 and rs1799931), IDH1 (rs121913500), and IDH2 (rs121913502 and rs1057519736). A total number of 30 AML patients and 225 healthy controls were included in this study. Females comprised 50% (n = 15) and 65.3% (n = 147) of patients and controls, respectively. For AML patients (case group) Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues and from peripheral blood samples for the control subjects group. Genotyping of the genetic polymorphisms was conducted using a sequencing protocol. Our study indicates that NAT2 rs1799930 SNP had a statistically significant difference in genotype frequency between cases and controls (p = 0.023) while IDH mutations did not correlate with the risk and survival of AML in the Jordanian population. These results were also similar in the TCGA-LAML cohorts with the notable exception of the rare NAT2 mutation. A larger cohort study is needed to further investigate our results.
Thailand Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2023, Bangkok, 29–30 November 2022
Authors: Khan Ali
Published: July 2023

Review of: Thailand Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2023, Bangkok, 29–30 November 2022
Use of a mobile-assisted telehealth regimen to increase exercise (MATRIX) in transplant candidates – A home-based prehabilitation pilot and feasibility trial
Authors: Duarte-Rojo Andres , Bloomer Pamela M. , Grubbs Rachel K. , Stine Jonathan G. , Ladner Daniela , Hughes Christopher B. , Dunn Michael A. , Jakicic John M.
Published: July 2023

Introduction.

Physical fitness assessed by the liver frailty index (LFI) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) informs the prognosis of liver transplant (LT) candidates although there is limited data on its reversibility following a prehabilitation. On a home-based exercise trial, we aimed to improve LFI and 6MWT and to investigate trial feasibility and intervention adherence.

Methods.

LT candidates with cirrhosis wore a personal activity tracker (PAT) and used EL-FIT (Exercise & Liver FITness app) for 14 weeks, including a 2-week technology acclimation run-in. The 12-week intervention consisted of EL-FIT plus PAT and 15-/30-min weekly calls with a physical activity coach aiming to complete ≥2 video-training sessions/week, or ≥500 step/day baseline increase for ≥8 weeks. We defined feasibility as ≥66% of subjects engaging in the intervention phase and adherence as ≥50% subjects meeting training endpoint.

Results.

31 patients (61±7 years, 71% female, MELD 17±5, ∼33% frail) consented and 21 (68%) started the intervention. In the 15 subjects who completed the study, LFI improved from 3.84±0.71 to 3.47±0.90 (p=0.03) and 6MWT from 318±73 to 358±64 m (p=0.005). Attrition reasons included death (n=4) and surgery (n=2). There was 57% adherence, better for videos than for walking, although daily steps significantly increased (3508 vs. baseline:1260) during best performance week. One adverse event was attributed to the intervention.

Discussion.

Our clinical trial meaningfully improved LFI by 0.4 and 6MWT by 41 m and met feasibility/adherence goals. In-training daily step increase supported physical self-efficacy and intervention uptake, but maintenance remained a challenge despite counseling.
Una nueva perspectiva en el cribado del cáncer de próstata
Authors: Filella Xavier , González Álvaro , Augé Josep Maria , Barco Antonio , Carbonell Rosa , Gaspar María Jesús , Martínez-Peinado Antonio , Pérez Barrios Clara , Sánchez-Carbayo Marta , Santotoribio José Diego , Trapé Jaume
Published: July 2023

El cribado del cáncer de próstata mediante la medida del antígeno específico de la próstata (PSA) ha sido objeto de una intensa polémica. Los beneficios derivados en cuanto a reducción en mortalidad del cribado organizado del cáncer de próstata se han acompañado de un importante sobrediagnóstico, que se ha traducido en tratamientos innecesarios y numerosos efectos adversos. Por ello, las recomendaciones de las sociedades científicas han sido cada vez más restrictivas. En los últimos años se han hecho diversas propuestas para reconsiderar el enfoque sobre el cribado del cáncer de próstata, con objeto de superar la oposición entre cribar a todo el mundo o no cribar a nadie y a reconsiderar el PSA como una herramienta que permita un balance favorable entre beneficios y riesgos. En este contexto, hay que destacar la propuesta que la European Association of Urology dirigía a la Comisión Europea replanteando el cribado del cáncer de próstata en función de la medida de un PSA basal. Recientemente, la Comisión Europea ha recomendado la implementación de programas organizados para el cribado del cáncer de próstata para hombres de hasta 70 años basado en medidas de PSA en combinación con la resonancia magnética como prueba de seguimiento.
A Transitional Institution: Schleiermacher on the Possibility and Limits of the Modern Christian State
Authors: Vander Schel Kevin M.
Published: July 2023

The early nineteenth century was a time between empires in German-speaking lands, following the collapse of the holy Roman empire in 1806. This was also the time at which modern concepts of nations, nationalism, and the state entered theological discourse, bound together with emerging notions of world historical progress. From this time until the First World War, the task of conceptualizing national identity and the nature of the ‘Christian state’ became a pressing theological problem. This essay seeks to locate Schleiermacher’s reflections on the Christian state within this developing problematic. Schleiermacher’s philosophical and theological works closely engaged emerging ideas of the nation, state, and historical progress. However, he departed from the more totalizing affirmations of national spirit and the Christian state of many of his contemporaries, arguing for a more limited conception of the state as a point of transition in the ongoing historical development of the reign of God.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOLVENTS ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, AND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF TURKISH CISTUS CRETICUS EXTRACTS
Authors: GEDİKOĞLU Ayça , ÖZTÜRK Hale İnci , AYTAÇ Ezgi
Published: July 2023

The aims of this study were (1) to assess the extract yield, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity of Cistus creticus extracts obtained from different locations in Türkiye (2) to evaluate the effect of water and methanol solvents on chemical composition, total polyphenol and flavonoid content, IC50, and FRAP values of C. creticus. The extracts had a weak inhibitory effect against tested microorganisms. However, the results of antioxidant assays were very promising. The IC50 values of methanol and water extracts were 13.94 µg/mL and 34.41 µg/mL, respectively. Similarly, the FRAP value of methanolic extract (1.27 M/g) was higher than the water extract (0.72 M/g). The results of HPLC analysis demonstrated that rutin was found only in the methanol extract (13.252%). In addition, the methanol extract had a higher content of quercetin (7.909%), benzoic acid (4.226%), and chlorogenic acid (2.168%), whereas the water extract possessed a higher amount of gallic acid (13.705%).
The overview of SWOT analysis on MBKM implementation in chinese language education study program FBS UNNES with partner universities and institutions
Authors: Anggraeni Anggraeni , Irawati Retno Purnama , Supriatnaningsih Rina , Safitri Anes Desti
Published: July 2023

The MBKM policy, based on regulations from the Directorate General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia in 2020, is a form of giving autonomous freedom for educational institutions, independence from complicated bureaucracy and also freedom for students to choose their desired program they have wanted to choose. Regarding implementing the MBKM program, the Chinese Language Education Study Program FBS UNNES still encounters many obstacles. (1) Curriculum similarity between study programs or universities. In addition, (2) educational information systems between universities are different and sometimes do not support students and lecturers outside the university. (3) Regarding the partnership, the Chinese Language Education Study Program FBS UNNES has partnered with several universities but has not partnered with more parties. This study aims to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges. This qualitative research utilizes a phenomenological research design. Phenomenology in this study refers to the SWOT analysis. The results of the study resulted in 4 SWOT strategies, namely (1) Strengths and Opportunities, (2) Weaknesses and Challenges, (3) Strengths and Challenges, (4) Weaknesses and Opportunities. The most critical strategy that must be carried out is to create a communicative, effective and transparent network system, open a more comprehensive network of relations, provide more opportunities for students and lecturers, and disseminate information about the implementation of MBKM informative and compelling.
Anaerobic co-digestion scheme of biogas engineering based on feedstock and temperature
Authors: Chen Dongdong , Yin Dongxue , Liu Wei , Lan Weijuan , Wang Yingxian
Published: July 2023

This article investigates the current status and distribution of the feedstock of biogas engineering in China, evaluates the temperature conditions for anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD), and assesses the biogas production potential of feedstock in AcoD, including six feedstocks, namely, maize straw (M), wheat straw (W), rice straw (R), pig manure (P), cow manure (C), and sheep manure (S). The total amount of M, W, and R was 3.89 × 108, 2.10 × 108, and 1.50 × 108 tons, respectively, and that of P, C, and S was 8.46 × 108, 1.31 × 109, and 4.95 × 108 tons, respectively. However, the spatial distributions and amount of those resources were found to be uneven in China. Heilongjiang has abundant maize straw, and Henan has abundant wheat resources. Sichuan is rich in cow manure, while Inner Mongolia is rich in sheep manure. The analysis of total biogas production (TBP) by mono-digestion and co-digestion (using two feedstocks at ratio of 1:9, 3:7, 5:5, 7:3 and 9:1) showed that co-digestion outperforms mono-digestion under 15 and 25 °C. Thus, it is necessary to study anaerobic co-digestion scheme (AcoDS), which will provide a reference for biogas engineering in different regions to promote the biogas yield based on their actual situation.
Pautas da juventude estudantil no Brasil e na Argentina durante a pandemia
Authors: Perez Olivia Cristina , Vommaro Pablo
Published: July 2023

Para captar como as juventudes estudantis compreenderam os principais problemas e soluções na pandemia, a pesquisa qualitativa verificou todas as 282 notícias divulgadas entre março de 2020 e setembro de 2021 nas páginas virtuais de duas grandes organizações de estudantes no Brasil e na Argentina: a União Nacional dos Estudantes (UNE) e a Federação Universitária Argentina (Federación Universitaria Argentina, FUA). Os resultados mostraram semelhanças e diferenças na forma como as duas organizações perceberam os temas mais importantes em seus países durante o período. Enquanto na Argentina, mesmo durante a pandemia, as notícias, em sua maioria, versavam sobre o resgate da memória da ditadura, no Brasil a preocupação maior foi com a renda e as vidas ameaçadas pela má condução da pandemia por parte do governo Bolsonaro. No que diz respeito às semelhanças, as duas organizações expressaram preocupação com as desigualdades de gênero, reafirmando a importância dessa agenda nos últimos anos.
Rate of saphenous vein occlusion and side effects at 1 year follow up after 1470 nm endolaser
Authors: Movio Leonardo Zelotti , Mansano Marco Antônio Forastieri , Zanoni Marcelo Eckert , Silva Nancy Christiane Ferreira , Rangel Marcel Pereira
Published: July 2023

Abstract Background Use of endolaser for chronic venous disease involves choosing the laser wavelength and optical fiber to use and the quantity of energy to be administered. Efficacy is assessed by the venous occlusion rate and safety is evaluated in terms of side effects. Objectives To determine the incidence of total post-endolaser saphenous vein occlusion at 1-year follow-up. To describe side effects and their incidence and rates of reintervention or supplementary treatment during the postoperative period. Methods A retrospective, observational cohort study with a quantitative approach, enrolling patients with saphenous vein incompetence treated with intravenous 1,470 nm laser ablation. Data were input to an MS Excel 2019 spreadsheet, calculating means and standard deviations with the software’s Power Query supplement. Results 38 patients and 104 venous segments were eligible for the study. 100% were occluded at 30 days and 99.04% were still occluded at 1 year after the procedure. Mean Linear Endovenous Energy Density administered to the internal saphenous vein was 2,040.52 W/cm/s with standard deviation of ± 1,510.06 W/cm/s and 1,168.4 W/cm/s with standard deviation of ± 665.011 W/cm/s was administered to the external saphenous vein. Pain along the saphenous path was the most common side effect, with eight cases (21.05%), followed by one case of paresthesia (2.63%). Conclusions The total occlusion rate at 1-year follow-up suggests the technique is promising and is currently applicable in this sample. The incidence of pain and paresthesia may be caused by the high mean energy delivered in some cases. It is recommended that multicenter studies be conducted with larger and more uniform samples in terms of their Clinical-Etiological-Anatomical-Pathological classifications.
A novel technological performance measurement indicator: a smart manufacturing approach
Authors: Tumbajoy Cardona Luisa Maria , Muñoz-Añasco Mariela
Published: July 2023

Abstract The implementation of digital manufacturing technologies (DMTs) represents the beginning of transforming a manufacturing system towards a smart manufacturing system (SMS). Assessing the performance of the DMTs implemented is essential to meet the objectives in a SMS and allows identifying their usefulness. However, estimating this performance is a challenging task due to the heterogeneous characteristics of the DMTs, such as the origin of information, capacity, connectivity, etc. Although some SMS performance measurement metrics are known, none are intended to identify the performance of DMTs. This article follows a methodology for the construction of technological performance indicators and proposes a novel indicator based on the individual characteristics of the DMTs and the smart factory concept of interoperability. The proposed indicator allows approaching the behavior of one or multiple DMTs implemented simultaneously and introduces a quantifiable measurement that can be applied to any industrial process. It is noteworthy, that such an indicator is not present in the literature and may be of great interest to enterprises currently implementing DMTs related to SMS. The applicability of the indicator considering multiple DMTs is validated through an illustrative test case.
Redes neurais artificiais para o gerenciamento da indústria avícola: uma simulação baseada na cadeia de produção de frangos de corte
Authors: Camilotti Elisar , Furian Thales Quedi , Borges Karen Apellanis , Rocha Daniela Tonini da , Nascimento Vladimir Pinheiro do , Moraes Hamilton Luiz de Souza , Salle Carlos Tadeu Pippi
Published: July 2023

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi predizer os indicadores de produção e determinar o seu potencial impacto econômico em um sistema de integração utilizando as redes neurais artificiais (RNA). Quarenta parâmetros zootécnicos e de produção de granjas de matrizes e de frango de corte, um incubatório e um abatedouro foram selecionados como variáveis. Os modelos de RNA foram estabelecidos para quatro variáveis de saída (“eclosão vendável”, “peso ao final da quinta semana”, “condenações parciais” e “condenações totais”) e foram analisados em relação ao coeficiente de determinação múltipla (R2), coeficiente de correlação (R), erro médio (E), erro quadrático médio (EQM) e raiz do erro quadrático médio (REQM). Os cenários produtivos foram simulados e os impactos foram estimados. Os modelos de RNA gerados foram adequados para simular diferentes cenários produtivos após o treinamento. Para “eclosão vendável”, o modelo de incubadora e o período de incubação aumentaram os ganhos financeiros. Para “peso ao final da quinta semana”, a linhagem também demonstrou influencia no retorno financeiro, o que não aconteceu com o peso ao final da primeira semana. O sexo do lote possui influência nas taxas de “condenação parcial”, ao contrário do peso do frango no primeiro dia. As taxas de mortalidade e o peso do frango apresentaram influência na “condenação total”, mas o sexo do lote e o tipo de pinto não tiverem influência.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and mortality risk in patients receiving hemodialysis: a prospective cohort
Authors: Andrade Francini Porcher , Borba Carolina Ferraro , Ribeiro Heitor Siqueira , Rovedder Paula Maria Eidt
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT Background: Kidney failure reduces life expectancy by one-third compared with the general population, and cardiovascular complications and poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are the main causes. We aimed to evaluate the association between severely low CRF and all-cause mortality risk in HD patients. Methods: This observational prospective cohort study followed-up patients receiving HD from August 2015 until March 2022. Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated through the cardiopulmonary exercise test, and the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) value was used to determine severely low CRF (< 15 mL∙kg−1∙min−1). Cox regression and univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate the association of severely low CRF with mortality risk and survival rate. Results: Forty-eight patients were followed-up for a median of 33.0 [14.3 – 49.3] months. A total of 26 patients had severely low CRF. During the follow-up period, 11 patients (22.92%) died from all causes. From these, eight (30.8%) had severely low CRF. Even so, severely low CRF was not associated with crude death rates for patients stratified by CRF levels (p = 0.189), neither in unadjusted (HR 2.18; CI 95% 0.58−8.23) nor in adjusted (HR 1.32; CI 95% 0.31−5.59) Cox proportional hazard models. As a continuous variable, VO2peak was not associated with mortality risk (HR 1.01; CI 95% 0.84−1.21). Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with severely low CRF did not have significantly worse survival rates than those with mild-moderate CRF (p = 0.186). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that severely low CRF was not associated with all-cause mortality in patients on HD. Despite severely low CRF being prevalent, larger cohort studies are needed to establish strong conclusions on its association with all-cause mortality.
O FEMININO EM JOGO: A CONCEPÇÃO DE MUNDO DE MULHERES GAMERS
Authors: Vidal Gabriela Pereira , Dias Alcione Ribeiro
Published: July 2023

RESUMO Nesta investigação, buscou-se compreender a concepção de mundo das mulheres gamers, no sentido das relações e dos papéis sociais. Trata-se de uma pesquisa sociodramática, que transita entre pesquisa-intervenção e pesquisa-ação crítica, realizada com um grupo composto de quatro mulheres que se autodeclaram gamers e que foram acessadas de forma sociométrica (método snowball). A análise dos dados ocorreu com base nos preceitos epistemológicos e teóricos da socionomia e da pedagogia psicodramática. Como resultados, destacam-se as conservas culturais trazidas pelas mulheres em relação ao ser mulher nos games e como adversidades de que maneira a sexualização dos corpos, o assédio, a diminuição do feminino e outras violências são repetidos nos jogos eletrônicos.
Conspiracy Theory and the Foreign Policy of the Far Right: The Case of Jair Bolsonaro’s Brazil (2019-2021)
Authors: Loureiro Felipe Pereira
Published: July 2023

Abstract This paper analyses the conspiratorial worldview that surrounded the foreign policy of Jair Bolsonaro’s government in Brazil during the tenure of Ernesto Araújo as Brazilian Foreign Minister (2019-2021), discussing the potential roles that conspiracy theory played for Bolsonaro’s political movement and administration. We focus on Ernesto Araújo’s so-called globalist conspiracy theory, employing his speeches, publications, and interviews as main sources. We conclude that Araújo’s globalist conspiracy theory constitutes what Michael Barkun calls a ‘systemic conspiracy theory’, presenting significant potential functions for the energization and cohesion of Bolsonaro’s political movement. The paper also concludes that, given its focus on the intrinsic unit of the ‘nation’ and the ‘people’, Araújo’s globalist conspiracy theory has opened potential avenues for the use of symbolic and material violence against Brazilians who do not fit into this unit, consolidating ideological foundations for the fasciticization of Bolsonaro’s followers, with significant and grave potential consequences for Brazilian democracy.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PATTERNS OF ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS IN A SPINAL CENTER IN CURITIBA
Authors: Vialle Emiliano Neves , Arruda André de Oliveira , Guasque Joana Bretas Cabral Rondon , Pinto Bárbara Miroski de Oliveira , Beraldo Gabriel Trentini
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluation of the profile of the population with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated at a center specializing in spine surgery in Curitiba-PR. Methods: Prospective multicenter study, being analyzed, at the moment, only data from the center in question. All patients referred from the basic health service for evaluation of deformity underwent panoramic radiography of the total spine to evaluate the curvature using the Cobb method, evaluation of skeletal maturity using the Risser classification, and the classification of scoliosis using the Lenke classification. Clinical photographs of all patients and an assessment of the quality of life using the SRS-30 questionnaire were also taken. Results: Thirty patients with scoliosis and a mean age of 14.63 ± 3 years were evaluated. Prevalence of female:male 1.5:1. Patients had a mean Cobb of 45.96°, and most were close to Risser 4 skeletal maturity (48.3%). 60% had a thoracic curve (Lenke 1), and 13.3% had a double curve (Lenke 3 or 6). 63.3% of cases had a delay in medical care, taking an average of 18 months between referral and consultation with a specialist. 60% of patients were referred for surgical treatment after the first appointment. Conclusion: The population sample of this center follows the literature. A Cobb >40° in the first consultation with a specialist and a high referral rate to surgery suggest the failure of early diagnosis and the need for public policies for better knowledge and assistance for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Level of Evidence IV; Descriptive Epidemiological Study.
Systematic and parasite-host relationship by Baruscapillaria appendiculata in Phalacrocorax brasilianus collected from Marajó Island, State of Pará, Brazil
Authors: Carvalho Elaine Lopes de , Santana Ricardo Luis Sousa , Gonçalves Evonnildo Costa , Sindeaux Neto José Ledamir , Silva Michele Velasco Oliveira da , Giese Elane Guerreiro
Published: July 2023

Abstract The genus Baruscapillaria Moravec, 1982 has six valid species recorded in birds Phalacrocoracidae, namely Baruscapillaria appendiculata Freitas, 1933, B. spiculata Freitas, 1933, B. carbonis (Dubinin & Dubinina, 1940), B. jaenschi (Johnston & Mawson, 1945), B. phalacrocoraxi (Borgarenko, 1975) and B. rudolphii Moravec, Scholz and Našincová, 1994. Helminthological tests carried out on cormorants of the species Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gmelin), a migratory bird that occurs in the northeast of the State of Pará, Brazil, demonstrate B. appendiculata parasitizing the cloaca of these birds, through light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and molecular biology. These studies allowed a redescription of males and females of this nematode in these hosts and in this geographical area through integrative taxonomy. The occurrence of lesions in the cloaca caused by this nematode parasite was registered using histological analysis. This is a new geographic report for this nematode.
Complicated course of solitary kidney cysts in patients with a new coronavirus infection
Authors: Suleymanov Suleyman I. , Kadyrov Zieratsho A. , Musohranov Vladislav V. , Babkin Alexandr S. , Aguzarov Alan M. , Bagaturiya Konstantin K. , Ashurov Zaur I. , Tyagun Alexander A. , Fedorov Dmitrii A.
Published: July 2023

The article describes the clinical manifestations of a solitary kidney cyst, methods for diagnosing this disease, as well as possible complications and videoendoscopic methods of surgical treatment.
The presented nosology is a fairly common lesion of the kidneys with clinically significant symptoms that manifest at any age. In most cases, simple kidney cysts are an accidental finding on ultrasound examination and, with small sizes, do not require active observation and treatment. In a small percentage of cases, cysts can be complicated by bleeding, infection or rupture, after which there is a need for active surgical treatment. As a clinical example illustrating the options for endoscopic treatment of a complicated course of solitary kidney cyst, the data of 2 patients with a new coronavirus infection, in whom a hemorrhage into the cavity of a large cyst was diagnosed in the postcovid period against the background of continued anticoagulant therapy, are presented. The article describes in detail the clinical manifestations of the disease, options and stages of surgical treatment from laparoscopic and retroperitoneal approaches in a multidisciplinary hospital.
Challenges for higher education in the era of widespread access to generative AI
Authors: Walczak Krzysztof , Cellary Wojciech
Published: July 2023

The aim of this paper is to discuss the role and impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems in higher education. The proliferation of AI models such as GPT-4, Open Assistant and DALL-E presents a paradigm shift in information acquisition and learning. This transformation poses substantial challenges for traditional teaching approaches and the role of educators. The paper explores the advantages and potential threats of using generative AI in education and necessary changes in curricula. It further discusses the need to foster digital literacy and the ethical use of AI. The paper’s findings are based on a survey conducted among university students exploring their usage and perception of these AI systems. Finally, recommendations for the use of AI in higher education are offered, which emphasize the need to harness AI's potential while mitigating its risks. This discourse aims at stimulating policy and strategy development to ensure relevant and effective education in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Challenges in ESG Ratings: Understanding ESG Rating Disagreement and its Effects on Financial Decision Making
Authors: Naffa Helena , Dudás Fanni
Published: July 2023

The most widely applied indicators for sustainability are the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators, commonly used in academia and practice. However, these metrics lack standardization, resulting in potential discrepancies in performance assessments from different ESG rating agencies, referred to as ESG rating disagreement in the literature. Using ESG ratings from three different data providers for a sample of firms in the MSCI All Country Index for 2020, we calculated the ESG rating disagreement between Sustainalytics, Refinitv, and MSCI ESG scores. We applied quantile regression and provided evidence of a positive relationship between ESG rating disagreement and firm financial performance. Our findings contribute to a better understanding companies’ ESG performance and the relationship between ESG performance and financial performance.
Identification and Sustainability Study of LMS for Teaching and Learning of Foreign Languages
Authors: Cacio Vukmir Vesna , Sternad Zabukovšek Simona
Published: July 2023

Educational learning management systems (LMS) are essential in foreign language learning. With the help of information technology, companies and educational institutions have substantially transformed their learning process. This was caused by global competition, Covid -19 virus pandemic and environmental concerns. The paper aims to investigate LMS used for teaching and learning languages and their impact on the natural environment. In general, an eco-friendly approach will be an important reason teachers and learners choose this or another LMS. The first part of our paper addresses identifying and categorising the LMS used for teaching and learning foreign languages. Secondly, we give an overview of existing studies related to their environmental impact. We discuss the mainly positive environmental results. As the number of existing studies appears to be limited, an in-depth study regarding the use, the environmental impact, and the acceptance of LMS for teaching and learning foreign languages would be for the users and the developers an important step further.
Chemical synthesis of reduced graphene oxide: a review
Authors: Hu Yang , Gao Hanyu
Published: July 2023

Due to its exceptional and distinct features, graphene has become a prominent two-dimensional material. According to the raw materials and synthetic procedures, there are two categories of graphene synthesis techniques: “bottom-up” and “top-down” methods. Reduction of graphene oxide (GO) is one of the “top-down” techniques that use graphite as the starting material. This approach is now regarded as the most potential way to produce graphene on a large scale and is particularly well-suited for chemical modification and subsequent processing. This review summarizes the synthesis procedure of reduced GO (RGO) and presents the preparation methods of it and its precursors, such as graphite oxide and GO. In addition, the possible approaches for reducing the defects in RGO have been discussed.
Diffusion Behavior of Iodine in the Micro/Nano-Porous Graphite for Nuclear Reactor at High Temperature
Authors: Qi Mingbo , Lian Pengfei , Li Pengda , Zhang Heyao , Cheng Jinxing , Wang Qingbo , Tang Zhongfeng , Pan T. J. , Song Jinliang , Liu Zhanjun
Published: July 2023

Using analysis methods such as Rutherford backscattering Spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, the diffusion behavior of iodine in micro/nano-porous graphite under high-temperature conditions was studied. The results indicate that iodine diffusion leads to the contraction of graphite microcrystals, a decrease in interlayer spacing, and an increase in defect density, resulting in a reduction in microcrystal size. Upon diffusion of iodine out of iodine-loaded graphite, the microcrystal size of the graphite increases, the interlayer spacing appears to return to the initial state, and the defect density decreases. By comparing the iodine diffusion performance of nanoporous graphite G400 and G450 with microporous graphite G500, it was determined that nanoporous graphite exhibits better inhibition of iodine diffusion compared to microporous graphite. Studying the diffusion behavior of iodine in micro/nano-porous graphite has significant academic significance and engineering value for the screening, design, and performance optimization of nuclear graphite.
Utilizing Real-Time Heart Rate Variability during Psychological Intervention Program for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Study
Authors: Im Bohye , Keum Jooyoung , Kim Taeeun , Lee Kyo-il , Koo Kyo-in
Published: July 2023

For a subject suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder, a psychological intervention program was designed, monitored in real-time during psychotherapy, and evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively after psychotherapy. One male subject participated in this program under consent. The proposed intervention program was designed using cognitive behavioral therapy and stabilization treatments for body-based sensory processes in four sessions of 90 min each. During psychotherapy, a wearable heart sensor and a communication application were utilized to determine the subject’s current psychological state. After the intervention, the effect of the proposed program was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R-K), Athens insomnia scale (AIS), and heart rate variability (HRV). After the intervention program was conducted, the subject reconstructed his traumatic events and trained himself with certain psychological techniques to decrease his negative thoughts and emotions induced by his previous traumatic events. The IES-R-K and AIS ten months after the last session were changed positively by approximately 25% compared with the subject’s state before the first session. During psychotherapy, the HRV exhibited a significant correlation with the subject’s emotional state. The proposed intervention program induced a positive change in the subject. Although the HRV was well utilized in this investigation, more sophisticated statistical analysis will be required for clinical trials.
Performance of Harvesting Residue Treatment Methods in South African Pine Plantation
Authors: Zitha Henny Mbukuteni , Ramantswana Mufhumudzi Muedanyi , Spinelli Raffaele
Published: July 2023

Forest harvesting generates variable amounts of residue that represent a fire hazard and a hindrance to regeneration and must be managed accordingly. In South Africa, burning is the most common residue management method, but there is an interest in introducing safer and more effective techniques, such as mulching. For that reason, a productivity study was conducted in the Eastern Cape province to gather information on the productivity, cost, and work quality of the three main alternatives: manual broadcasting, manual broadcasting followed by mulching with an adapted farm tractor and mulching with a purpose-built mulcher. Manual broadcasting required 16 h/ha, mulching with a farm tractor 3.6 h/ha, and mulching with a purpose-built mulcher 0.9 h/ha (one pass). Manual broadcasting was the cheapest option, at a cost of 400 ZAR/ha. Mulching with a farm tractor and a purpose-built mulcher incurred a cost of 3 267 ZAR/ha and 4 083 ZAR/ha, respectively. Manual broadcasting achieved a minimal reduction of residue size, with 50% of the slash (branches and stem wood) having a mean length above 40 cm. When mulching with a farm tractor was applied, 49% of the slash (branches and stem wood) length reduced to about 30 cm. When a purpose-built mulcher was used, only 10% of the slash elements exceeded 40 cm length.
Preclinical Studies of Antimicrobial and Wound-Healing Effects of the High-Intensity Optical Irradiation Apparatus "Zarnitsa-A"
Authors: Bagrov Valery Vladimirovich , Bukhtiyarov Igor Valentinovich , Volodin Lev Yuryevich , Zibarev Evgeny Vladimirovich , Kamrukov Alexander Semenovich , Kondratiev Andrey Valeryevich , Krylov Vladimir Ivanovich , Nikonova Sofya Maksimovna , Novikov Dmitry Olegovich , Semenov Kirill Andreevich
Published: July 2023

A new approach to the treatment of wound lesions, which are complicated by the presence of polyresistant microflora and a possible immunodeficiency background has been proposed. It involves treating the wound surface with high-intensity pulsed optical radiation of a continuous spectrum, continuously covering the entire UV range (from 200 to 400 nm), visible and near infrared region of the spectrum. A pulsed xenon lamp is used as a radiation source. A description of the design and technical characteristics of the developed device for high-intensity optical irradiation "Zarnitsa-A", which implements the proposed medical technology for wound therapy, is represented. The results of preclinical studies of the apparatus in vitro and in vivo are represented hereinafter. The article shows that the apparatus exposure has pronounced bactericidal and wound-healing properties. The apparatus action reliably provides higher rates of wound healing compared to the use of only a typical antibacterial and wound healing agent – “Levomekol” ointment.
The Charophytes (Charophyceae, Characeae) from Dagestan Aquatic Habitats, North Caucasus: Biogeographical and Barcoding Perspectives
Authors: Romanov Roman E. , Mallaliev Maxim M. , Barinova Sophia , Nikulin Vyacheslav Yu. , Gontcharov Andrey A.
Published: July 2023

To fill in the blanks for charophytes in the Caucasus to improve our knowledge of species distribution areas in Eurasia, a field survey and study of available specimens from Dagestan (North Caucasus, Russia) was conducted based on morphological observation and molecular genetic analysis. Seventeen new localities for six Chara species and one Tolypella species, with six new species and one new genus for the region studied, and one new species for the Caspian Sea region were found. Some species records changed the outline or filled in the gaps in the species distribution area. The presence of species with a distribution area mainly in the centre of Eurasia (C. globata, C. neglecta) with mainly Mediterranean – Middle East species (C. gymnophylla) is notable for this region, as well as for other studied regions of the Caucasus having a combination of species with different distribution areas. The frequent occurrence of C. gymnophylla points is similar to that in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Small brackish waterbodies at the coast of the Caspian Sea, freshwater mountain rivers, small waterbodies associated with them, and water reservoirs are the main habitats of charophytes in the regions. The habitat preference and distribution in the Caucasus allowed suggestion some species for protection. The absence of endemic species among charophytes from Dagestan and Caucasus contrasts with the flora of terrestrial magnoliophytes, which have a large number of endemic species.
Multimessenger Studies of One Subclass of Active Galactic Nucleus: Blazar
Authors: Yuan Yu-Hai
Published: July 2023

In this article, we introduce some multi-messenger studies of blazars.
Main contents contain the following parts, 1. the subclasses of blazars and the observational characteristics, 2. emission variabilities from the multi-messenger observations, 3. the physical origin for the multi-messenger studies.

Based on mid-IR observations collected from the $WISE$ database, we collect two sources (BZQ J1700+6830 and BZQ J1842+6809) to analyze the mid-IR variabilities. \\
(1) For BZQ J1700+6830, the period is $P\approx$ 42 hr at the four bands ($W1$, $W2$, $W3$, $W4$); for BZQ J1842+6809, the period is $P\approx$ 123 hr at the two bands ($W1$, $W2$). \\
(2) Using the periodicities, we calculate that the central black hole mass ($BH$) should be $M = (5.44\sim33.0)\times10^8M_{\odot}$ for BZQ J1700+6830 and $M = (1.13\sim6.88)\times10^9M_{\odot}$ for BZQ J1842+6809.\\
(3) For the two sources, during the flaring stage, we find anti-clockwise variation trends based on the time-based relations built by the spectral indices ($\alpha$) and flux densities ($F$).\\
(4) We calculate the Doppler factor ($\delta$) when the sources are in the dimming or brightening stages, and find that with the frequency increasing, the Doppler factor become stronger.