bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodal deep learning-based drought monitoring research for winter wheat during critical growth stages
Authors: Yao Jianbin , Wu Yushu , Liu Jianhua , Wang Hansheng
Published: May 2024

Wheat is a major grain crop in China, accounting for one-fifth of the national grain production. Drought stress severely affects the normal growth and development of wheat, leading to total crop failure, reduced yields, and quality. To address the lag and limitations inherent in traditional drought monitoring methods, this paper proposes a multimodal deep learning-based drought stress monitoring S-DNet model for winter wheat during its critical growth periods. Drought stress images of winter wheat during the Rise-Jointing, Heading-Flowering and Flowering-Maturity stages were acquired to establish a dataset corresponding to soil moisture monitoring data. The DenseNet-121 model was selected as the base network to extract drought features. Combining the drought phenotypic characteristics of wheat in the field with meteorological factors and IoT technology, the study integrated the meteorological drought index SPEI, based on WSN sensors, and deep image learning data to build a multimodal deep learning-based S-DNet model for monitoring drought stress in winter wheat. The results show that, compared to the single-modal DenseNet-121 model, the multimodal S-DNet model has higher robustness and generalization capability, with an average drought recognition accuracy reaching 96.4%. This effectively achieves non-destructive, accurate, and rapid monitoring of drought stress in winter wheat.
Characteristics of consecutive versus non-consecutive frequent emergency medical services transport to a single emergency department
Authors: Kim Sun Hyu , Lee Hyeji
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study was to examine characteristics concerning frequent users of emergency medical services (EMS) transport by comparing patients who used EMS transport frequently for one year and those who used EMS transport for more than two years consecutively.

Methods

A retrospective review for frequent use of EMS transport was conducted. The patients from the fire stations that transported more than 70% of all EMS transport to the study hospital emergency department (ED) were included. The study subjects were divided into consecutive group (frequent EMS transport for ≥ two years consecutively) and non-consecutive group (frequent EMS transport for only one year). Characteristics of patients who were frequent users of EMS transport and those of all cases with EMS transport were examined.

Results

Of the total 205 patients and 1204 cases of frequent EMS transport, 85 (42%) patients and 755 (63%) cases were in the consecutive group. Patients in the consecutive group were more likely to have risky alcohol use, unemployed state, and medical aid type of payment for ED treatment than those in the non-consecutive group. More patients had previous experience of EMS transport to the study hospital ED in the consecutive group and the number of cases with alcohol ingestion was higher in the consecutive group. Elapsed time from EMS call to ED arrival was longer for the consecutive group.

Conclusion

Risky alcohol use, unemployed state, and previous experience of EMS transport were associated with consecutive and frequent use of EMS transport in frequent users of EMS transport.
Dynamic multilayer growth: Parallel vs. sequential approaches
Authors: Ross Matt , Berberian Nareg , Nikolla Albino , Chartier Sylvain
Published: May 2024

The decision of when to add a new hidden unit or layer is a fundamental challenge for constructive algorithms. It becomes even more complex in the context of multiple hidden layers. Growing both network width and depth offers a robust framework for leveraging the ability to capture more information from the data and model more complex representations. In the context of multiple hidden layers, should growing units occur sequentially with hidden units only being grown in one layer at a time or in parallel with hidden units growing across multiple layers simultaneously? The effects of growing sequentially or in parallel are investigated using a population dynamics-inspired growing algorithm in a multilayer context. A modified version of the constructive growing algorithm capable of growing in parallel is presented. Sequential and parallel growth methodologies are compared in a three-hidden layer multilayer perceptron on several benchmark classification tasks. Several variants of these approaches are developed for a more in-depth comparison based on the type of hidden layer initialization and the weight update methods employed. Comparisons are then made to another sequential growing approach, Dynamic Node Creation. Growing hidden layers in parallel resulted in comparable or higher performances than sequential approaches. Growing hidden layers in parallel promotes growing narrower deep architectures tailored to the task. Dynamic growth inspired by population dynamics offers the potential to grow the width and depth of deeper neural networks in either a sequential or parallel fashion.
An adaptive fusion algorithm for coastal sea altimetry based on dual-frequency Beidou-R carrier phase
Authors: Xing Jin , Yang Dongkai , Zhang Zhibo , Yang Pengyu , Wang Feng
Published: May 2024

This article proposes an integer ambiguity determination method based on Beidou system-reflectometry (Beidou-R) observations of the carrier phase at the B1I and B3I frequencies. To enhance the accuracy of sea surface height (SSH) estimation, this study introduces a parallel filtering algorithm and an adaptive iterative fusion algorithm, enabling data fusion based on the variance at B1I and B3I frequencies. To validate and evaluate the proposed method, a coastal experiment was conducted at the Shenxian River. In this experiment, reflected signals from GEO and IGSO satellites were collected. Data analysis reveals that the method is effective, demonstrating that the root mean square error (RMSE) of SSH achieves 2.85 cm and 2.89 cm for PRN 04 and PRN 33, respectively. Furthermore, the impact of the elevation angle on measurement accuracy is analyzed. This study aims to propose a method to enhance coastal sea surface height estimation, offering potential advancements in sea surface altimetry.
Smoking is associated with higher risk of contracting bacterial infection and pneumonia, intensive care unit admission and death
Authors: Stattin Karl , Eriksson Mikael , Frithiof Robert , Kawati Rafael , Crockett Douglas , Hultström Michael , Lipcsey Miklos
Published: May 2024

Background

Smoking has been associated with a higher risk of contracting pneumonia, but contradictory results have shown that smoking may or may not decrease the risk of dying in pneumonia. The aim of this study is to investigate how smoking is associated with contracting any infection and pneumonia and death.

Method and findings

Participants were drawn from the population-based Cohort of Swedish Men and the Swedish Mammography Cohort, which are representative of the Swedish population. Participants have answered detailed lifestyle questionnaires and have been followed in national registers, such as the Patient Register, Cause of Death register and Swedish Intensive Care Registry. The risks of contracting infection and pneumonia or dying in infection and pneumonia were assessed using Cox regression. Of 62,902 cohort participants, 25,297 contracted an infection of which 4,505 died; and 10,471 contracted pneumonia of which 2,851 died. Compared to never smokers, former smokers at baseline had hazard ratio (HR) 1.08 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.12) of contracting and HR 1.19 (95% CI 1.11–1.28) of dying in infection and HR 1.17 (95% CI 1.12–1.23) of contracting and HR 1.16 (95% CI 1.06–1.27) of dying in pneumonia during follow-up. Compared to never smokers, current smokers at baseline had HR 1.17 (95% CI 1.13–1.21) of contracting infection and HR 1.64 (95% CI 1.52–1.77) dying in infection; HR 1.42 (95% CI 1.35–1.49) of contracting pneumonia and HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.55–1.87) of dying in pneumonia during follow-up. The risk of contracting and dying in infection and pneumonia increased in a dose-response manner with number of pack years smoked and decreased with years since smoking cessation.

Conclusion

Smoking is associated with contracting and dying in any infection and pneumonia and the risk increases with pack years smoked, highlighting the importance of both primary prevention and smoking cessation.
Measuring the perceived wellbeing of hemodialysis patients: A Mind Genomics cartography
Authors: Jahja Ermira , Papajorgji Petraq , Moskowitz Howard , Margioukla Ioanna , Nasto Fjona , Dedej Arjeta , Pina Paola , Shella Mikel , Collaku Manjola , Kaziu Erjona , Gjoni Kristela
Published: May 2024

Chronic Kidney Disease patients under hemodialysis have high morbidity rate, which tends to considerably affect their health-related quality of life. Multiple studies that have made use of different questionnaries report the poor life quality of this patient group. The research in hand implemented the Mind Genomics Approach as a method to asses the health-related quality of life of hemodialysis patients, while relying on conjoint measurements to group individuals with similar patterns of responses to a certain mindset. The study is conducted in 3 clinics with 219 patients. It uncovers three clusters or mindsets: Mindset 1- Feels guardedly optimistic but worried about money, Mindset 2—Feels strongly positive because the state guarantees and the family supports, Mindset 3—Feels positive only about money. Based on the analysis of the collected data, the findings of this study suggest that the quality of life in hemodialysis patients is highly correlated to their financial status. The current study is one of the few first attempts to apply Mind Genomics in medical settings and the first, to our knowledge, in hemodialysis centers. This technology might enable healthcare proffesionals to provide personalized psychological treatment and additional social support to patients, which in turn could improve their clinical outcomes. The study is an example of using technology as a service.
Patterns of eating behaviors, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications among Bangladeshi adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ferdous Most. Zannatul , Islam Md. Saiful , Kundu Lakshmi Rani , Islam Ummay Soumayia , Banik Rajon , Pardhan Shahina
Published: May 2024

Background

Several safety measures like movement restrictions, closure of educational institutions, and social distancing measures continue over the world including Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine the patterns of eating behaviors, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic residing in Bangladesh.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed among 490 adolescents in Bangladesh from December 2020 to May 2021. The survey was carried out through a semi-structured web-based questionnaire that asked questions about socio-demographics (i.e., age, sex, marital status, education, residence), perceived health status and quality of life, anthropometrics (i.e., height, weight), dietary habits (i.e., frequency of eating, daily intake of certain foods, number of meals eaten daily), and physical activity (i.e., modified version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form [IPAQ-SF]), as well as, pre- and during COVID-19 information on stress, and sleep.

Results

During the pandemic, 43.7% participants reported weight gain; and 23.5% reported an increased number of meals per day during COVID-19. Additionally, the participants’ eating habits diverged from the local balanced diet principles and were more akin to ‘unhealthy’ eating patterns. Though, during the COVID-19 pandemic, physical exercise slightly increased (>3 times/ week: 8.2% vs. 13.5%; p<0.001) compared to pre-COVID-19 period, the screen time for entertainment increased drastically (>5 hours/ week: 12.2% vs. 27.3%; p<0.001). Compared to the pre-pandemic, a sizeable proportion of individuals experienced more physical tiredness, emotional exhaustion, irritation, and stress (p<0.001) during the pandemic. During the pandemic, 47.5% of participants experienced different sleep difficulties.

Conclusions

Although lockdowns and social distancing are important safety measures to protect people from COVID-19, findings reveal that they might cause a variety of lifestyle changes, physical inactivity, and psychological issues in Bangladeshi adolescents.
Frailty and transplant-free survival of patients with liver cirrhosis: A meta-analysis
Authors: Yuan Chunhui , Li Weihua , Liu Jie , Li Jianguo
Published: May 2024

Background

Frailty is a common condition among patients with liver cirrhosis. Nonetheless, its role in predicting liver transplant-free survival (TFS) remains unclear.

Aim

This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to elucidate the relationship between frailty and TFS in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

Cohort studies addressing the objective of this meta-analysis were extracted from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochrane Q test, and the I^2 statistic was estimated. Random-effect models, considering potential heterogeneity, were employed to combine the results.

Results

The meta-analysis encompassed 17 cohort studies involving 6273 patients with cirrhosis, of whom 1983 (31.6%) were classified as frail at baseline. The follow-up periods in the included studies ranged from 3 to 29 months, with an average duration of 11.5 months. The analysis revealed that frailty was significantly associated with a poor TFS (risk ratio [RR]: 2.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.72 to 2.50, p<0.001; I2 = 51%). Sensitivity analyses that sequentially omitted one dataset consistently supported these findings (RR: 1.95 to 2.17, p<0.05 in all cases). Subgroup analyses based on variables such as study design, mean age of patients, baseline Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, tool used for frailty evaluation, follow-up duration, and study quality score also yielded congruent results.

Conclusions

The evidence suggests that frailty may be an independent risk factor for poor TFS in patients with liver cirrhosis, thus emphasizing the importance of early identification and management of frailty in this population.
Investigation on the strategy of business administration level of enterprises in the new economic environment
Authors: Xiao Zhuolin
Published: May 2024

In the face of the new economic environment, enterprises must continuously enhance their capabilities to achieve long-term development. In the current market scenario, business management relies on economic principles and legal accounting. Considering the current market situation, the article analyzed enterprises system reform and production planning, proposing corresponding countermeasures. Therefore, in order to achieve rapid development, it was necessary to strengthen the management of enterprises. In this paper, the current problems faced by enterprises, solutions and the significance of enterprises needed to improve their management level were explained, and the situation of enterprises was analyzed through the enterprise strategic management model. Comparing with the traditional management model in terms of the complexity of enterprise management processes, efficiency, management level score, and quarterly profit,findings reveal that the management model in the new economic environment has reduced the complexity of the enterprise process by 0.17 points. The management efficiency has increased by 0.15 points, the management score has increased by 14 points, and the quarterly profit of the company has increased by 30,000 yuan. Furthermore, it is elucidated that, in the new economy, enhancing the management level is essential for enabling enterprises to attain long-term development.
Predictors of positive tuberculin skin test in neonates exposed to pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Choi Yun , Kim In Kyoung , Kim So Jung , Kim Hye Sung , Kang Young Ae , Song Jin Su
Published: May 2024

Background

Neonates are at risk of nosocomial tuberculosis (TB) infection from health care workers (HCWs) in neonatal care facilities, which can progress to severe TB diseases. Tuberculin skin test (TST) is commonly used for TB diagnosis, but its accuracy in neonates is influenced by various factors, including bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination. This study aimed to identify predictors of positive TSTs in neonates exposed to HCWs with pulmonary TB.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted to compare the frequency of predictors between TST-positive and TST-negative neonates. Demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data of neonates exposed to TB, along with that of HCW and household contacts, were collected retrospectively through contact investigations with the Korean National TB Surveillance System (KNTSS) database. TSTs using 2 tuberculin units of purified protein derivative RT23 were performed on exposed neonates at the end of preventive TB treatment. Firth logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of TST positivity.

Results

Contact investigations revealed that 152 neonates and 54 HCWs were exposed to infectious TB index cases in 3 neonatal care facilities. Of 152 exposed neonates, 8 (5.3%) had positive TST results. Age of 6 days or more at the initial exposure is a statistically significant predictor of positive TST (Firth coefficient 2.1, 95% confidence interval 0.3–3.9, P = 0.024); BCG vaccination showed no statistical significance in both univariable and multivariable analysis. Sex, prematurity, exposure duration, duration from initial exposure to contact investigation, and isoniazid preventive treatment duration were not significant predictors.

Conclusion

Age at the initial exposure is a significant predictor of positive TST in neonates exposed to active pulmonary TB. Given the complexities of TST interpretation, including false positives due to BCG vaccination, careful risk assessment is necessary for appropriate decision-making and resource allocation in the management of neonatal TB exposure.
Modulatory effects of rutin and vitamin A on hyperglycemia induced glycation, oxidative stress and inflammation in high-fat-fructose diet animal model
Authors: Iqbal Aqsa , Hafeez Kamran Sairah , Siddique Farhan , Ishtiaq Saiqa , Hameed Misbah , Manzoor Mobina
Published: May 2024

In the current study we investigated the impact of combination of rutin and vitamin A on glycated products, the glyoxalase system, oxidative markers, and inflammation in animals fed a high-fat high-fructose (HFFD) diet. Thirty rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 5). The treatments, metformin (120 mg/kg), rutin (100 mg/kg), vitamin A (43 IU/kg), and a combination of rutin (100 mg/kg) and vitamin A (43 IU/kg) were given to relevant groups of rats along with high-fructose high-fat diet for 42 days. HbA1c, D-lactate, Glyoxylase-1, Hexokinase 2, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), nuclear transcription factor-B (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and histological examinations were performed after 42 days. The docking simulations were conducted using Auto Dock package. The combined effects of rutin and vitamin A in treated rats significantly (p < 0.001) reduced HbA1c, hexokinase 2, and D-lactate levels while preventing cellular damage. The combination dramatically (p < 0.001) decreased MDA, CAT, and GPx in treated rats and decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 andIL-8, as well as the transcription factor NF-κB. The molecular docking investigations revealed that rutin had a strong affinity for several important biomolecules, including as NF-κB, Catalase, MDA, IL-6, hexokinase 2, and GPx. The results propose beneficial impact of rutin and vitamin A as a convincing treatment strategy to treat AGE-related disorders, such as diabetes, autism, alzheimer’s, atherosclerosis.
Tending to the machine: The impact of intrapartum fetal surveillance on women in Australia
Authors: Fox Deborah , Coddington Rebecca , Levett Kate M. , Scarf Vanessa , Sutcliffe Kerry L. , Newnham Elizabeth
Published: May 2024

Qualitative research about women and birthing people’s experiences of fetal monitoring during labour and birth is scant. Labour and birth is often impacted by wearable or invasive monitoring devices, however, most published research about fetal monitoring is focused on the wellbeing of the fetus. This manuscript is derived from a larger mixed methods study, ‘WOmen’s Experiences of Monitoring Baby (The WOMB Study)’, aiming to increase understanding of the experiences of women and birthing people in Australia, of being monitored; and about the information they received about fetal monitoring devices during pregnancy. We constructed a national cross-sectional survey that was distributed via social media in May and June, 2022. Responses were received from 861 participants. As far as we are aware, this is the first survey of the experiences of women and birthing people of intrapartum fetal monitoring conducted in Australia. This paper comprises the analysis of the free text survey responses, using qualitative and inductive content analysis. Two categories were constructed, Tending to the machine, which explores participants’ perceptions of the way in which clinicians interacted with fetal monitoring technologies; and Impressions of the machine, which explores the direct impact of fetal monitoring devices upon the labour and birth experience of women and birthing people. The findings suggest that some clinicians need to reflect upon the information they provide to women and birthing people about monitoring. For example, freedom of movement is an important aspect of supporting the physiology of labour and managing pain. If freedom of movement is important, the physical restriction created by a wired cardiotocograph is inappropriate. Many participants noticed that clinicians focused their attention primarily on the technology. Prioritising the individual needs of the woman or birthing person is key to providing high quality woman-centred intrapartum care. Women should be provided with adequate information regarding the risks and benefits of different forms of fetal monitoring including how the form of monitoring might impact her labour experience.
Effect of Cricket Frass Fertilizer on growth and pod production of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Andrianorosoa Ony Clarcky , Solofondranohatra Cédrique L. , Ramiadantsoa Tanjona , Ravelomanana Andrianjaka , Ramanampamonjy R. Nivohanintsoa , Hugel Sylvain , Fisher Brian L.
Published: May 2024

Cricket Frass Fertilizer (CFF) was tested for its efficiency and potential as a fertilizer on the growth of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in central Madagascar from April 2020 to October 2020. We grew green beans experimentally for 93 days with seven different fertilizer treatments: NPK 200 kg/ha (0.47 g of N/plant), GUANOMAD (guano from bat) 300 kg/ha (0.26 g of N/ plant), CFF 100 kg/ha (0.12 g of N/plant), CFF 200 kg/ha (0.24 g of N/plant), CFF 300 kg/ha (0.38 g of N/plant), CFF 400 kg/ha (0.52 g of N/plant), and no fertilizer (0 g of N/plant). Three plant traits were measured: survival proportion, vegetative biomass, and pod biomass. The survival proportion of plants treated with the highest dose of CFF (400 kg/ha, 88.1%), NPK (79.8%), and GUANOMAD (81.2%) were similar, but plants treated with the former yielded significantly higher vegetative (35.5 g/plant) and pod biomass (11 g/plant). These results suggest that fertilizing green beans with CFF at a 400 kg/ha dose is sufficient for plant survival and growth, and improves pod production. In Madagascar where soil quality is poor, dependence on imported chemical fertilizers (NPK) and other organic fertilizer (GUANOMAD) can be reduced. Cricket Frass Fertilizer can be used as an alternative sustainable fertilizer for beans.
Feature selection algorithm based on optimized genetic algorithm and the application in high-dimensional data processing
Authors: Feng Guilian
Published: May 2024

High-dimensional data is widely used in many fields, but selecting key features from it is challenging. Feature selection can reduce data dimensionality and weaken noise interference, thereby improving model efficiency and enhancing model interpretability. In order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of high-dimensional data processing, a feature selection method based on optimized genetic algorithm is proposed in this study. The algorithm simulates the process of natural selection, searches for possible subsets of feature, and finds the subsets of feature that optimizes the performance of the model. The results show that when the value of K is less than 4 or more than 8, the recognition rate is very low. After adaptive bias filtering, 724 features are filtered to 372, and the accuracy is improved from 0.9352 to 0.9815. From 714 features to 406 Gaussian codes, the accuracy is improved from 0.9625 to 0.9754. Among all tests, the colon has the highest average accuracy, followed by small round blue cell tumor(SRBCT), lymphoma, central nervous system(CNS) and ovaries. The green curve is the best, with stable performance and a time range of 0–300. While maintaining the efficiency, it can reach 4.48 as soon as possible. The feature selection method has practical significance for high-dimensional data processing, improves the efficiency and accuracy of data processing, and provides an effective new method for high-dimensional data processing.
Predictors of renal function deterioration at one year after off-clamp non-renorrhaphy partial nephrectomy
Authors: Nakamura Masaki , Kameyama Shuji , Tsuru Ibuki , Izumi Taro , Ono Akihiro , Teshima Taro , Inoue Yasushi , Amakawa Ryo , Inatsu Hiroki , Yoshimatsu Tadashi , Kusakabe Masashi , Morikawa Teppei , Shiga Yoshiyuki
Published: May 2024

Background

Preservation of renal function is an important goal in renal cell carcinoma-related surgery. Although several case-dependent techniques for renal pedicle clamping and hemostasis have been used, their effects on long-term renal function are controversial.

Methods

The clinical records of 114 patients who underwent off-clamp non-renorrhaphy open partial nephrectomy at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preservation was calculated, and predictors of eGFR decline 12 months post-surgery and overtime deterioration of renal function were identified using a multivariate regression analysis.

Results

The median patient age was 65 years, and the median tumor size was 27 mm. The mean eGFR preservation at 1, 3, and 12 months post-surgery were 90.1%, 89.0%, and 86.9%, respectively. eGFR decline at 1 and 3 months were associated with poor eGFR preservation at 12 months with the odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 1.97 and 3.157, respectively. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that tumor size was an independent predictor of eGFR decline at 12 months. Among 65 patients with eGFR preservation over 90% at 1 month post-surgery, eGFR value of 28 patients deteriorated below 90% at 12 months post-surgery compared with preoperative eGFR. Tumor size and eGFR preservation at 1 month were independent predictors of long-term renal function deterioration.

Conclusion

Tumor size predicted eGFR decline 12 months post-surgery. Only a mild decline in eGFR was observed between 3 and 12 months after open partial nephrectomy. Tumor size and eGFR preservation at 1 month predicted the deterioration of renal function over time.
Can carbon reduction policies promote sustainable construction development? Evidence from China’s green building market
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Chen Yuqing , Zhu Peng , Tong Jinjie
Published: May 2024

Carbon emissions have become a global challenge, and China, as the world’s largest developing country, has a serious emissions problem. Developing green buildings is an important way of reducing carbon emissions. China’s low-carbon city pilot policy may be an effective way of promoting green building development and reducing these emissions. This study uses the low carbon city pilot policy as a quasi-natural experiment and employs the staggered difference-in-differences method to investigate its impact on green building development. The results show that the low-carbon city pilot policy promotes green building development, and this policy promotes it by enhancing regional green innovation capacity, improving green total factor productivity at the firm and regional levels, and reducing the financing constraints of firms in the construction and real estate sectors. In addition, the promotion effect of the policy on green building development is stronger in western and non-resource-based regions and large-scale cities in China. This study contributes to the literature related to environmental policy, green building, and carbon emissions and supports the promotion of green building development and the reduction of carbon emissions.
Investigating consumers’ experiences with community supported agriculture: Convergent parallel design methods
Authors: Huang Yuanyuan , Wang Yuhan , Pan Younghwan
Published: May 2024

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) represents a collaborative model where local farms and community members form partnerships to facilitate the direct delivery of fresh produce from farms to consumers. This study primarily investigates the experiences of current CSA members, focusing on the key factors influencing their retention intentions. Employing a convergent parallel mixed methods approach, this study gathers and analyzes both quantitative data (such as factors affecting members’ retention intentions) and qualitative data (derived from interviews reflecting members’ perceptions of their CSA experiences). The integration of these datasets provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors that shape CSA membership dynamics. The research findings underscore that Convenience, Product Quality, and Positive Interactions are pivotal factors that contribute to members’ Intentions to continue their CSA memberships. These insights are crucial for enhancing the services provided to CSA members and hold significant implications for the broader scope of CSA membership research. This study not only fills a critical gap in understanding the Chinese CSA context but also contributes to the global discourse on sustainable agriculture practices and community engagement.
Prevalence and correlates of imposter syndrome and self-esteem among medical students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: El-Setouhy Maged , Makeen Anwar M. , Alqassim Ahmad Y. , Jahlan Riyadh A. , Hakami Malik I. , Hakami Hussam T. , Mahzari Ibrahim M. , Thubab Hussam Aldeen A. , Haroobi Khalid Y. , Alaraj Hassan A. , El-Hariri Hazem M.
Published: May 2024

Imposter syndrome (IS) and low self-esteem (SE) are common issues affecting medical students that can impact their well-being and development. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with IS and SE among medical students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. In this cross-sectional study, 523 medical students in years 2–6 at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia, completed validated questionnaires on IS (Young Imposter Scale) and SE (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale). Sociodemographic factors were also collected. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze IS and SE prevalence and correlates. Five hundred twenty-three students with a mean age of 22.09 ± 1.933 participated. The prevalence of low SE and positive IS was 17.6% and 24.3%, respectively. IS and SE had a significant negative correlation (p<0.001). Several sociodemographic factors were associated with increased IS, including 2nd and 4th-year students, forced study choice, and a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0–3.49 (P<0.05). Paternal education beyond high school was associated with lower IS (P<0.05). Logistic regression analyses confirmed that 2nd-year students had a 3.88 times higher odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI); 2.19–6.88), and 4th-year students had a 2.37 times higher OR (95% CI; 1.40–4.02) of IS than other years. For SE, advanced academic years, forced study choice, 7+ hours of sleep, and a GPA above 3.5 were associated with higher levels (P<0.05). Negative self-appraisals were associated with lower SE, while positive attitudes were associated with higher SE (P<0.05). Our study reveals that IS and low SE are prevalent among Jazan University, Saudi Arabia, medical students. Therefore, intervention courses that address these issues in medical education at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia, may be necessary to support medical students’ well-being and academic success.
‘Peace and quiet and open air’: Performing weathering in New York screen musicals of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: O’Malley Evelyn
Published: May 2024

This article sets out a methodology for performance meteorology by analysing the weather in the urban pastoral imagery of diegetic and non-diegetic ‘open-air performances’ in three screen musicals set in New York City: Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of In the Heights and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s adaptation of Tick, Tick… BOOM!. Together, these films depict the aerial environment of New York as the context for open-air performances, generating distinct representations of how the weather conditions life in the cultural home of musical theatre. The New York performers and performances represented in these pieces cultivate their identities with the weather, as do the creatives who represent them. They indicate the growing climate anxieties that came to substrate the COVID-19 pandemic, when the premium on access to the open air was brought into renewed focus. Crucially, these iterations of West Side Story, In the Heights and Tick, Tick… BOOM! do more than use the medium of film to record how bodies respond to the weather. They capture the cultural zeitgeist of the New York climate at a crucial juncture between environmental and social history. Beyond the record that they will long provide of the prevailing sense of the city’s climate as culture, they attest to adaptive practices of weathering the city in their expressions of performance in the open air.
Guys and Dolls, directed by Nicholas Hytner
Authors: Camp Gregory
Published: May 2024

Review of: Guys and Dolls, directed by Nicholas Hytner

Bridge Theatre, London, UK, 30 November 2023

 

Sunset Boulevard, directed by Jamie Lloyd

Savoy Theatre, London, UK, 30 November 2023
De Catí a Génova: pintura y grafito de una ruta comercial de lana valenciana entre los siglos XV y XVI
Authors: Hernández Ruano Javier , Sánchez López María Carmen
Published: May 2024

El propósito de este trabajo es mostrar, a través de la información ofrecida por un grafito y una pintura mural localizadas en la sala del consejo de Catí (Castellón), la vinculación de esta localidad con el comercio lanero que se estableció entre el término general de Morella y el Maestrazgo con el norte de la península italiana y, específicamente, con Génova entre los siglos XV y XVI. Se ha utilizado diferente metodología según se destinase a la investigación de las expresiones plásticas o a su contextualización histórica. En el primer caso se ha procedido al análisis pormenorizado de los elementos más significativos, a fin de identificarlos, datarlos y localizarlos, para finalmente plantear una interpretación de las escenas. La contextualización histórica se basa en los trabajos más relevantes que hasta el momento se han llevado a cabo respecto a la historia socioeconómica del norte del reino de Valencia. Los resultados obtenidos relacionan las escenas del grafito y de la pintura mural con el comercio internacional que se desarrolló en el marco espacio temporal definido, ofreciendo como conclusión una novedosa interpretación de la pintura mural que testimonia la relevancia que para los vecinos de Catí tuvo el comercio lanero con Génova a inicios del siglo XVI.
Población excedente, migración y violencia estructural: migrantes centroamericanos trabajadores ilegalizados en tránsito por México
Authors: Hernández Guevara Erika
Published: May 2024

Los flujos de migrantes centroamericanos en su tránsito por México hacia Estados Unidos se han incrementado en los últimos años. En consecuencia, constituyen una de las poblaciones más grandes de origen hispano en Estados Unidos desde 2017. La narrativa dominante en los titulares de prensa, declaraciones de Asociaciones Civiles (A.C.), Organizaciones No Gubernamentales (ong), de políticos e, incluso, en la academia, señalan que estos desplazamientos se deben principalmente a la pobreza, falta de oportunidades locales, inestabilidad política, haciendo énfasis en la violencia como la causa principal de este incremento. No obstante, tales narrativas omiten el trasfondo histórico de estos flujos migratorios. En este trabajo argumento que la violencia, la pobreza, las guerrillas, etc., analizadas de manera aislada, no explican cabalmente la exacerbación de la migración, antes bien, son el trasfondo de factores estructurales y procesos de acumulación por despojo en la región. Desde una perspectiva de la economía política de las migraciones, concibo a la migración originada en Centroamérica como una de las expresiones de la producción de poblaciones relativamente sobrantes en esta región. Refiero algunas coyunturas históricas clave que anteceden a estos flujos recientes, resultantes de intervenciones políticas, económicas y militares. A partir de entrevistas realizadas en un albergue considerado de «paso» en Apizaco, Tlaxcala, (México) se analiza la forma en la que estos trabajadores han sido expulsados de sus países de origen y absorbidos como mano de obra barata en la economía estadounidense. Estos trabajadores migrantes ilegalizados se han convertido también en una fuerza laboral altamente explotable en su tránsito por México.
ANALYSIS OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HETEROGENEOUS RADIOMIC FEATURES OF THROMBUS IN ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE
Authors: Nemčeková Petra , Škrváň Adam , Marquering Henk , Chmelík Jiří , Jakubíček Roman
Published: May 2024

Ischemic stroke is one of the most widely recognised cerebral pathologies. Its diagnosis starts with computed tomography (CT). However, a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of the thrombus is necessary to establish an appropriate and less hazardous treatment. This study focusses on the analysis of thrombus heterogeneity in CT images of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The radiomic features of the thrombus were used to obtain the voxel distribution in the new feature space. It was then reduced using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and subjected to visualisation techniques such as t-distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (tSNE) and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection for Dimension Reduction (UMAP). By evaluating the morphological structure of the clusters created within patients, it was possible to determine the number of thrombus components. This information could help the physician predict the burden on the patient during thrombectomy, such as the number of attempts required for recanalization.
Argumentos históricos para distender la relación entre el constitucionalismo y la democracia: Variaciones sobre un tema de Cortés Rodas
Authors: Garcia Jaramillo Leonardo
Published: May 2024

Entre los filósofos del derecho de antaño parecía no haber tarea más importante que adoptar una posición en el debate entre el derecho y la moral. Entre los constitucionalistas de la actualidad resulta forzoso, a su turno, posicionarse frente a la tensión entre el constitucionalismo y la democracia, en particular, respecto del control judicial a nivel de la teoría normativa que mejor se corresponda con los arreglos institucionales adoptados que, a su vez, permitan justificar mejor instrumentalmente dicha práctica. Constitucionalistas latinoamericanos han acudido, no solo a nivel pedagógico y doctrinario sino también jurisprudencial, a fuentes primarias bien conocidas para defender la tesis favorable sobre el control judicial. Han descuidado quizá aportes que podrían realizar autores históricos del pensamiento político liberal, como Benjamin Constant, para contribuir a defender dicha tesis.
Financial bubbles and their risks for the effectiveness of law
Authors: Maldonado Narváez Marlon Iván
Published: May 2024

Este artículo realiza un breve análisis sobre la conceptualización de las burbujas financieras y sus efectos jurídicos en términos de afectación de derechos; posteriormente el mismo se centra en las innovaciones tecnológicas que en la actualidad son vistas como poderosas soluciones a cualquier situación, especialmente en el sector financiero, como sería el caso de las Fintechs, llevando a temas netamente especulativos en su promoción y desarrollo con lo cual se podrían repetir escenarios de burbuja como en el caso de las dot.com, y se analiza un caso donde una Fintech que mostraba altos índices de crecimiento y desarrollo terminó por declararse en insolvencia. Sin embargo, lo que se evidencia es que este modelo de negocio no da señales de constituirse en la siguiente burbuja financiera, pero que no obstante deben ser objeto de una regulación efectiva.
Fuerza normativa, teoría especular e imperativo constitucional
Authors: Gaspar Rodrigues João
Published: May 2024

Este ensayo teje un análisis revisionista de la relación conceptual y estructural entre tres propiedades fundamentales del constitucionalismo moderno: fuerza normativa, postulado de actualización (traducido a teoría especular) y creencia colectiva en el imperativo constitucional. A lo largo de las páginas, en la medida de lo posible, se intenta explicar el carácter relacional de las representaciones conceptuales presentadas, de manera que el conocimiento bajo análisis sea capaz de interferir en la realidad o, al menos, de comprenderla mejor, depurando algunas ideas clásicas.
Trayectoria normativa y jurisprudencial del derecho cultural en el ordenamiento jurídico colombiano 1966-2017
Authors: Duarte Molina Tirson Mauricio
Published: May 2024

Con la Constitución Política de 1991 se dio giro teórico a la concepción del Estado y su rol frente a sus asociados. Como consecuencia, el texto constitucional incluyo amplio catálogo de derechos e instrumentos para su protección y garantía. Así, surgió el derecho cultural como una categoría a la que -como a muchas otras- le correspondió al sistema normativo dotar de contenido. Este contenido no ha sido fácil de desarrollar dado que el derecho cultural tuvo su origen con el PIDESC (1966) -principalmente- y otras normas internacionales que determinaron su alcance y fueron ratificadas bajo la perspectiva de la Constitución de 1886 y -ahora- su contenido debía ser aplicado e interpretado desde la postura teórica e ideológica de la actual Constitución. Con todo, este derecho se caracteriza como uno bastante particular en tanto a que su concepto y contenido emergen desde la teoría cultural que conlleva la apropiación de diferentes nociones. Este artículo, entonces, propone un diálogo teórico-normativo entre el contenido del derecho cultural propuesto por el ordenamiento jurídico colombiano y la teoría de Kymlicka usando la construcción de trayectorias. Así, por medio de la teoría, se permite interpretar y consolidar el alcance del contenido del derecho de cara a las garantías y protección brindada por el ordenamiento colombiano teniendo los derechos de autorepresentación, autogobierno y poliétnico kymlickianos como referente conceptual.
The Supreme Court as Guarantor of the Rule of Environmental Law in the Government of President Jair Bolsonaro
Authors: Ricardo Staffen Marcio
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to analyze the performance of the Supreme Federal Court (Brazil) on environmental rulings, originating from international obligations assumed by Brazil and the posture of the government of Jair Messias Bolsonaro, which oscillates between populism and denialism. The rhetorical strategy of the heads of the federal Executive is not a recent novelty in Brazil, and the latest President of the Republic, following the modus operandi of other counterparts, intensified the use of populism in an attack on the international legal order and its institutions. In its functions, the Brazilian Federal Legislative was held in a mere supporting role, without a clear defense of the internationally binding legal ties to Brazil, or a posture of interpellation to the Executive for the maintenance and enhancement of domestic law in the face of law arising from outside its territory. Thus, the Supreme Federal Court assumed the condition of guarantor of transnational legal claims and international law, as a brake on this negationist populism against International Law, contemplating the prevalence of the protection of Human Rights, Democracy, Environment Law, and the Rule of Law. For the development of this research, the inductive method was used, operationalized by the operational concept techniques, bibliographic research, and jurisprudential analysis.
Particularidades del análisis del llamamiento en garantía por parte del tribunal arbitral
Authors: Brito Nieto Luisa
Published: May 2024

Las distintas posibilidades de ocurrencia del llamamiento en garantía, sumadas a que el proceso arbitral prevé etapas acordes a su naturaleza, pero distintas a las del proceso verbal consagrado en el Código General del Proceso, y a que el arbitraje se rige por el principio de habilitación, ha generado en la práctica cuestionamientos frente al alcance y a los límites del análisis del llamamiento que debe efectuar el panel arbitral en las diferentes etapas del arbitraje. En consecuencia, en este artículo de investigación se estudian de manera crítica la naturaleza y vicisitudes que reviste este examen. Así las cosas, se concluyó que el análisis del llamamiento en garantía por parte del tribunal arbitral en cada etapa procesal es distinto, siendo la primera audiencia de trámite, y no la admisión del llamamiento, la etapa en la cual corresponde al tribunal decidir sobre su competencia ratione personae y ratione materiae en relación con el llamamiento.
FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN PRAKTIK PELAYANAN ANTENATAL CARE TERPADU PADA BIDAN DI PUSKESMAS COLOMADU
Authors: Cahyanti Anisa Nur , Mawarni Atik , Winarni Sri , Purnami Cahya Tri
Published: May 2024

Visits of pregnant women during the Covid 19 pandemic at the Colomadu Health Center has decreased by 20%, visits before the pandemic could reach 100% and decreased to 80% during the pandemic. The decrease in visits was caused by the anxiety of pregnant women about the transmission of the virus and the unstandardized Integrated ANC (Antenatal care) services by the midwives. Midwives did not provide counseling, hand and foot examinations, and breast examinations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between age, knowledge, attitudes, and motivation with the practice of the Integrated ANC services for midwives at the Colomadu  Health Center. This study was an observational study with a cross-sectional design. The research sample used a purposive sampling technique, namely 14 midwives. Data analysis uses Pearson correlation test. The result showed that age (p-value=0.006), knowledge (p-value=0.0001), attitude (p-value=0.004), and motivation (p-value=0.009) were related to the practice of the Integrated ANC services. The factor that has the highest correlation coefficient was knowledge (r=0.853). This study concludes that there is a significant relationship between age, knowledge, attitude, and motivation with the practice of the Integrated ANC services.