bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing surface water uses by water quality index: application of Qalyubia Governorate, Southeast Nile Delta, Egypt
Authors: Gabr Mohamed Elsayed , Soussa Hoda
Published: August 2023

In this study, water quality index (WQI) was applied at one of the most crowded Nile reaches surroundings in Egypt to investigate its impacts on different water uses. Twelve sites are selected for monitoring (S1–S12) within the irrigation system network of the Qalyubia Governorate, and water samples from these locations in 2021 were collected, analyzed, assessed, and compared to analyze water quality data collected in 2014 in light of the Egyptian permissible water quality limits regarding the drinking and irrigation uses. These two main sets of data were chosen to emphasize the change in WQI within this period, denoting the time before the epidemic COVID19 and after the lockdown of the epidemic in 2021 in the study area. Fifteen physicochemical water parameters were measured. The results show that the WQI for the surface water monitoring sites is classified as good quality except for S8, which showed a poor water quality type. In addition, S2 has recorded a BOD concentration of 6.4 mg/L, which is slightly above the Egyptian limit (6 mg/L). Also, S8 recorded a slight increase in Fe, Mn, and F compared to permissible concentrations. TDS varies between 258.08, 318, and (249 ± 18.2) mg/L for minimum, maximum, and average ± standard deviation, respectively, indicating suitable irrigation water. The study suggests that surface water can be used to irrigate crops, but it should be purified before being used for drinking purposes. A comparison of the water quality parameters for the years 2014 and 2021 for the sites S1, S4, S5, S7, S9, and S10 reveals an increase in water quality from poor (2014) to good (2021). Therefore, the poor water quality in 2014 can be referred the effect of inadequate sewage treatment, industrial wastewater flows, and urban runoff discharge, which had been decreased with the decrease in different activities during the epidemic period and lockdown.
Nonlinear fourth-order elastic characterization of the cornea using torsional wave elastography
Authors: Callejas Antonio , Faris Inas , Torres Jorge , Rus Guillermo
Published: August 2023

Measuring the mechanical nonlinear properties of the cornea remains challenging due to the lack of consensus in the methodology and in the models that effectively predict its behaviour. This study proposed developing a procedure to reconstruct nonlinear fourth-order elastic properties of the cornea based on a mathematical model derived from the theory of Hamilton et al. and using the torsional wave elastography (TWE) technique. In order to validate its diagnostic capability of simulated pathological conditions, two different groups were studied, non-treated cornea samples (n=7), and ammonium hydroxide ($$NH_4OH$$

N

H
4

O
H

) treated samples (n=7). All the samples were measured in-plane by a torsional wave device by increasing IOP from 5 to 25 mmHg with 5 mmHg steps. The results show a nonlinear variation of the shear wave speed with the IOP, with higher values for higher IOPs. Moreover, the shear wave speed values of the control group were higher than those of the treated group. The study also revealed significant differences between the control and treated groups for the Lamé parameter $$\mu$$
μ
(25.9–6.52 kPa), third-order elastic constant A (215.09–44.85 kPa), and fourth-order elastic constant D (523.5–129.63 kPa), with p-values of 0.010, 0.024, and 0.032, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the proposed procedure can distinguish between healthy and damaged corneas, making it a promising technique for detecting diseases associated with IOP alteration, such as corneal burns, glaucoma, or ocular hypertension.
Increasing furfural production from xylose and directly obtaining it from corn residues using Preyssler heteropolyacid
Authors: Pardo Cuervo Oscar H. , Gonzalez Cristian F. , Rojas Hugo A. , Martínez José J. , Romanelli Gustavo P. , Peixoto Andreia F.
Published: August 2023

Lignocellulosic biomass is considered a sustainable source for the production of biofuels and platform molecules such as furfural (FAL). In this study, a series of solids with different acidity were tested for the production of FAL from xylose and corn residues. Functionalized Cloisite Na+ (CLOI-SO3H) and Preyssler heteropolyacid (HPA-Preyssler) showed the best catalytic performance in the production of FAL form xylose. Under optimal reaction conditions, the HPA-Preyssler catalyst achieved a maximum yield of 75% in just 15 min and maintained its activity for 5 consecutive reaction cycles, while the CLOI-SO3H catalyst obtained a 97% yield in 15 min, but its activity decreased considerably during reuse. Using techniques such as FTIR, SEM, EDS, and TGA, the possible causes of the decrease in the activity of the catalysts were established. The cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents of different corn residues were determined to determine the most appropriate for the production of FAL. Using the HPA-Preyssler, the temperature and amount of catalyst selected for the dehydration of xylose to FAL, the appropriate time, amount of substrate, and type of solvent were established to obtain FAL directly from yellow corn stalks, reaching a maximum yield of 14% concerning hemicellulose content in 3 h at 180 °C in DMSO without performing any pretreatment to the corn residues, and the catalyst was recovered for subsequent reactions. Therefore, using the HPA-Preyssler catalyst is a new alternative for efficiently converting xylose or residual lignocellulosic biomass into FAL.
Physics analysis with Leibniz’s differential operators dn
Authors: Kim U.-Rae , Cho Sungwoong , Lee Jungil
Published: August 2023

We introduce a systematic approach to represent Leibniz’s nth-order differential operator $$d^n$$

d
n

as the ratio of an infinite product of infinitesimal difference operators to an infinitesimal parameter. Because every difference operator can be expressed as a difference of two shift operators that translate the argument of a function by finite amounts, Leibniz’s differential operator $$d^n$$

d
n

is eventually expressed as the infinite product of infinitesimal binomial operators consisting of the shift operators. We apply this strategy to demonstrate the derivation of the translation or time-evolution operators in quantum mechanics. This fills the logical gap in most textbooks on quantum mechanics that usually omit explicit derivations. Our approach could be employed in general physics or classical mechanics classes with which one can solve the equation of motion without prior knowledge of differential equations.
On the first integrals of the Painlevé classes of equations
Authors: Ahmed Mogahid M. A. , Alqurashi Bader , Kara Abdul Hamid
Published: August 2023

The role of symmetries and first integrals are well known mechanisms for the reduction of ordinary differential equations (odes) and, used in conjunction, lead to double reductions of the odes. In this article, we attempt to construct the first integrals of a large class of the well known second-order Painlevé equations. In some cases, variational and/or gauge symmetries have additional applications following a known Lagrangian in which case the first integral is obtained by Noether’s theorem. Sometimes, it is more convenient to adopt the ‘multiplier’ approach to find the first integrals. In a number of cases, we can conclude that the class is linearizable.
Optimising Anxiety Treatment for Autistic Children: a Narrative Review
Authors: Pearce Rachel T. , Kelly Adrian B. , Campbell Marilyn A.
Published: August 2023

Anxiety disorders occurs at a high rate amongst autistic children. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a reasonably well-established multi-component intervention used to reduce anxiety in this population. Whilst there are known effective intervention components in CBT for treating anxiety among autistic children, there are few guidelines for how to weight these intervention components to maximise positive outcomes. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether CBT is an effective intervention for autistic children, and if so, what the key components of effective CBT programs are for autistic children. A review of studies using manualised group-based CBT programs with family involvement was completed. The key finding was that the exposure-focused CBT (EF-CBT) studies reviewed showed a greater improvement in anxiety symptoms compared with CBT studies with fewer or no exposure-focused sessions. Compared to CBT without an exposure focus, EF-CBT may better fit the profiles of autistic children, potentially resulting in greater client and family engagement, and possibly greater intervention efficacy.
Volkshochschulen zwischen Auftrag, Inszenierung und Routinen. Eine Studie zu Volkshochschulen in Sachsen-Anhalt während der Corona-Pandemie
Authors: Dörner Olaf , Rundel Stefan
Published: August 2023

Im folgenden Artikel gehen wir auf die disparate Situation von Volkshochschulen und den Diskurs um Volkshochschule und Corona-Pandemie ein. Anhand empirischer Befunde veranschaulichen wir, welche Themen im Umgang mit der Corona-Pandemie für Volkshochschulen relevant sind und stellen zwei organisationale Handlungstypen vor, denen primär eine handlungsleitende Verwaltungslogik inhärent ist. Im Rahmen dieser Logik wird die Verhandlung des Selbstbildes von Volkshochschulen zum relevanten und gleichsam prekären Handlungshorizont. Dies nehmen wir zum Anlass, den Umgang mit der Diskrepanz zwischen Anspruch und Wirklichkeit als eine Praxis zu interpretieren, die sich im Spannungsfeld von Auftrag, Inszenierung und organisationalen Routinen entfaltet und konturiert. Volkshochschulen reagieren weniger mithilfe von Bildungsangeboten auf die Krise, wie Auftrag und Inszenierung vermuten ließen, sondern bewältigen vielmehr die Krise innerhalb der organisationalen Routinen.
Aktive Lernzeit beim geführten versus selbstorganisierten Mathematiklernen – Mikroanalytische Fallstudie mit Sekundarschüler*innen aus dem unteren Leistungsniveau
Authors: Stebler Rita , Gmür-Ackermann Patricia , Reusser Kurt , Pauli Christine
Published: August 2023

Selbstorganisiertes Lernen soll allen Schüler*innen in heterogenen Lerngruppen ein hohes Ausmaß aktiver Lernzeit und damit eine bessere Nutzung des Lernangebots ermöglichen. Fraglich ist, ob auch Jugendliche mit ungünstigen Lernausgangslagen in solchen Settings intensiv und zielgerichtet lernen. Im Beitrag wird mittels einer videogestützten Fallstudie in zwei Sekundarschulen untersucht, wie sechs Neuntklässler*innen mit niedrigen Mathematikleistungen die Unterrichtszeit beim geführten versus selbstorganisierten Lernen nutzen und wie sie im Lernprozess individuell unterstützt werden. Die Ergebnisse der Videoanalyse, bei der unterschiedliche Kameraperspektiven synchronisiert und eine hochauflösende Codierung des Lern- und Unterstützungsverhaltens durchgeführt wurde, zeigen, dass die untersuchten Neuntklässler*innen die Unterrichtszeit nicht nur beim geführten, sondern auch beim selbstorganisierten Lernen größtenteils für die intendierten mathematischen Lernaktivitäten nutzen. Bei zwei Schüler*innen ist die aktive Lernzeit beim selbstorganisierten Lernen höher und bei vier tiefer als beim geführten Lernen. Die Profile der Lernzeitnutzung, in denen längere Phasen fachbezogener mit kurzen Phasen vorbereitender und sachfremder Tätigkeiten abwechseln, spiegeln die schulspezifische Lehr-Lern- und Unterstützungskultur. Die Interaktionen zwischen Lehrperson und Schüler*innen dienen sowohl beim geführten als auch beim selbstorganisierten Lernen mehrheitlich der individuellen Lernunterstützung. Inhaltlich bezieht sich die Lernunterstützung primär auf die Mathematik. Die kritische Diskussion der Ergebnisse mündet in Vorschläge für weiterführende Fallstudien zur differenziellen Nutzung des unterrichtlichen Lernangebots durch Schüler*innen in heterogenen Lerngruppen.
Assessment of Drag Prediction Techniques for a Flying Vehicle Based on Radar-Tracked Data
Authors: Doso M. , Zakaria M. Y. , Ahmed Mahmoud Y. M. , Khalil Mostafa
Published: August 2023

As far as the aerodynamic characterization of a flying vehicle is concerned, flight testing is probably the most accurate approach as it perfectly resembles the real flight environment. Flight data are obtained by tracking the vehicle via radars if modifying the vehicle design is not recommended/attainable. In the open literature, different techniques are used to analyze radar data; the key issue is the computational demands of each technique and the quality of the resulting aerodynamic characteristics. In this paper, three techniques are considered namely, Least-Square (LS), Maximum-Likelihood Estimation (MLE), and Stepwise Regression (SR), with focus on the prediction of the drag coefficient of a case study vehicle. Features for each technique are addressed based on brief previous published data. A new variant of the MLE method is proposed based on the physical segmentation of the available dataset. Predicted point-mass trajectories are compared with own comprehensive flight test to assess the techniques in concern. It is concluded that Stepwise-regression outperforms with a large dataset, while Maximum-Likelihood Estimation is more feasible considering the lack of data. The proposed variant of the MLE method yields more accurate drag prediction compared to the basic one.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on the Prediction of the Inauguration Development Direction of College Students’ Entrepreneurship Education Based on Educational Data Mining
Authors: Tan Bin
Published: August 2023

In many related studies, educational data mining technology has been proven to play an important role in predicting the development direction of entrepreneurship education for college students. To further improve the accuracy of the prediction, we chose the grey prediction model as the basic prediction model and automatically optimized the weighting method to improve the model. To solve the problem of predicting the development direction of students’ employment in the guidance of entrepreneurship and employment in colleges and universities, the study selects the grey prediction model as the basic prediction model and chooses the automatic optimization and weighting method to improve the model. Meanwhile, the study establishes a variable system containing six dimensions: academic achievement; physical and mental development; cultural, physical, and artistic quantified status; ideological and political quantified status; scientific and technological innovation quantified status; social work quantified status. The final study used the actual prediction test to analyze the prediction effect. We have selected a variable system consisting of six dimensions, which are the results of extensive research. These dimensions include academic achievement, physical and mental development, cultural/sports/art quantitative status, ideological and political quantitative status, technological innovation quantitative status, and social work quantitative status. Each dimension provides us with important predictions about student entrepreneurship and employment. The results show that the model designed by the survey has only two cases of error in the prediction of 20 actual samples. At the same time, there is no prediction error in the two prediction directions of entrepreneurship and social employment. This shows that the model designed by the study is stable and accurate, and the prediction results are more reliable in the prediction directions of entrepreneurship and social employment. Compared with other relevant research results, our model performs well in predicting accuracy, especially in predicting entrepreneurial and social employment directions, without any prediction errors, indicating that our model has superior performance in predicting stability and accuracy compared to other studies.
Comparison of Seven Healthy Lifestyle Scores Cardiometabolic Health: Age, Sex, and Lifestyle Interactions in the NutrIMDEA Web-Based Study
Authors: Ribot-Rodríguez R. , Higuera-Gómez A. , San-Cristobal R. , Micó V. , Martínez J. A.
Published: August 2023

Background

Global health status concerns both the assessment of wellbeing as well as the associated individualized determinants including quality of life and lifestyle factors. This study aimed to evaluate seven cardiometabolic health related scores and the influence, as well as interactions of lifestyle, heart-related and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) factors in order to inform the future implementation of precision public health (PPH).

Methods

Data collected from 17,333 participants who were enrolled of the NutrIMDEA study. The data collection period was between May 2020 and November 2020 through an online survey. The baseline questionnaire collected information on socio-demographic data, cardiometabolic history, anthropometric variables and lifestyle aspects. Also, physical and mental component scores of SF12 Health Survey (PCS12/MCS12) were assessed as HRQoL features, which were applied to estimated seven scores (LS7, HLS, 20-years DRS %, FBS, CLI, WAI derived, LWB-I).

Results

Most indices (except FBS, CLI, 20-years DRS % and WAI derived) showed that cardiometabolic outcomes and HRQoL measures were dependent on interactions by age and sex. The largest ponderal effect was found in PA total and Mediterranean Diet Score (MEDAS-14) interaction using LS7 as reference. However, using LWB-I as standard, the greatest effect was found in the quality-of-life feature MCS12. Noteworthy, LS7 showed good discrimination against PCS12, while LWB-I demonstrated excellent discrimination to MCS12.

Conclusions

A major finding was the interplay between MEDAS-14 and PA on the LS7 scale as well as major effects of lifestyle factors and MCS12/PCS12 among scores, which need to be accounted with precision when implementing cardiometabolic screenings with PPH purposes.
Adapting to changes in the COVID-19 pandemic: research and recommendations on spatial layout and resident experience in MURBs
Authors: Bao Xin , Zhang Tao , Zeng Qian , Dewancker Bart Julien
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing people's lives, so it is necessary to continuously update the design of the residence to adapt to the changing life. This study aims to investigate the impact of unit space layout factors in MURBs on residents' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also discusses the corresponding need for residential space renovations. Furthermore, this paper presents design adjustment recommendations for residents living in these constrained buildings and provides suggestions for future housing design to better meet the residents' housing needs. On the one hand, the layout of residential space should fully consider the use efficiency of space, with multi-functional and variable characteristics, so as to be suitable for different life cycles of the family. On the other hand, the spatial distance inside the house and the comfort of the environment should also be considered to help intergenerational communication, restore and improve the mental state of the residents, and promote the improvement of the quality of life of the residents.
Use of bi-caval cannulae for veno-venous ECMO in neonates and children
Authors: Awad John , Numa Andrew , Ravindranathan Hari , Grant Peter , Lahanas Andrew , Singh Puneet , Swil Kevin , Ward Victoria , Williams Gary
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Veno-arterial ECMO remains the most common mode of extracorporeal support in infants and children, and despite increases in overall ECMO numbers the utilisation of veno-venous ECMO in neonates appears to be decreasing. We report here outcomes of neonatal and paediatric patients managed with veno-venous ECMO via bi-caval cannulae over a 10-year period in a tertiary referral ICU.

Methods

Retrospective single-centre case series of veno-venous ECMO cases using dual lumen cannulae over a 10-year period at a tertiary referral paediatric hospital with a low volume ECMO program.

Results

In the 10-year period 2013–2022, 33 patients required ECMO with 23 receiving veno-arterial ECMO and 10 managed with veno-venous cannulation - 8 with bi-caval cannulae and 2 with multi-site cannulation. Overall survival was 23/33 (69.6%) and in the veno-venous group survival was 7/10 (70%). Median oxygenation index prior to veno-venous cannulation in the 8 patients undergoing bi-caval cannulation was 48 (range 34–54) and median PaO2 was 42 mmHg (range 34–59 mmHg). Duration of ECMO ranged from 7 to 14 days (median 9 days). Complications included migration of the cannula into the hepatic vein, minor and major bleeding, and compromised blood flow secondary to pneumomediastinum.

Conclusions

Veno-venous ECMO can be reliably established via a single bi-caval cannula in the majority of patients. Outcomes in this small series from a low volume centre are broadly comparable to those reported from the ELSO database.
A stacked generalisation methodology for estimating the uniaxial compressive strength of rocks
Authors: Asare Edmund Nana , Affam Michael , Ziggah Yao Yevenyo
Published: August 2023

Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) has become a highly essential strength parameter in the mining, civil and geomechanical industries. Estimating the exact value of the strength of rock has become a matter of great concern in real life. Despite this, there have been many works to indirectly/directly estimate the UCS of rocks. This study introduces a novel stacked generalisation methodology for estimating the UCS of rocks in geomechanics. In this study, generalised regression neural network (GRNN), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), and random forest regression (RF) were used as the base learners and the multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) functioned as the meta-learner for the proposed stacking method. The proposed 3-Base learner stack model exhibited dominance over single applied AI methods of GRNN, RBFNN, and RF when confirmed with similar datasets by employing performance metrics like the Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency Index (NSEI), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Performance Index (PI), Scatter Index (SI) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The proposed 3-Base learner stack model scored the least RMSE, PI, and SI scores of 1.02775, 0.50691, and 0.00788 respectively for the testing datasets. In addition, it also produced the utmost NSEI value of 0.99969 and the least BIC value of 16.456 as likened to other competing models (GRNN, RBFNN and RF), reaffirming its power in forecasting the UCS of rocks in geomechanical engineering.
Children’s Diet and Nutrition in the Aftermath of the Torrential Rain Disaster in Western Japan: An Evaluation of Support Activities by Dietitians to Alleviate Mothers’ Anxieties
Authors: Ito Yukako , Tsuboyama-Kasaoka Nobuyo , Nakatani Hisae
Published: August 2023

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the support activities of dietitians during disasters were able to address the problems faced by mothers about their children’s diet and nutrition.

Methods:

Dietitians (7 in total) and mothers (8) were selected by the snowball sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were used to conduct focus group interviews about children’s diet and nutrition. Verbatim data were generated, and an inductively qualitative descriptive analysis was conducted.

Results:

Six categories were generated for each group. Dietitians responded to problems that mothers had regarding their children’s diet and nutrition via 2 activities: [dealing with allergy food shortages] and [school lunch support].

Conclusion:

It is important for dietitians to recommend stockpiling allergy-friendly foods to accommodate children with allergies and achieve early resumption of school lunches to meet children’s nutritional needs.
All-optical nonlinear chiral ultrafast magnetization dynamics driven by circularly polarized magnetic fields
Authors: Sánchez-Tejerina Luis , Martín-Hernández Rodrigo , Yanes Rocío , Plaja Luis , López-Díaz Luis , Hernández-García Carlos
Published: August 2023

Ultrafast laser pulses provide unique tools to manipulate magnetization dynamics at femtosecond timescales, where the interaction of the electric field usually dominates over the magnetic field. Recent proposals using structured laser beams have demonstrated the possibility to produce regions where intense oscillating magnetic fields are isolated from the electric field. In these conditions, we show that technologically feasible tesla-scale circularly polarized high-frequency magnetic fields induce purely precessional nonlinear magnetization dynamics. This fundamental result not only opens an avenue in the study of laser-induced ultrafast magnetization dynamics, but also sustains technological implications as a route to promote all-optical non-thermal magnetization dynamics both at shorter timescales – towards the sub-femtosecond regime – and at THz frequencies.
Gas-dynamic and mixing analysis of under-expanded hydrogen jets: effect of the cross section shape
Authors: Anaclerio Giuseppe , Capurso Tommaso , Torresi Marco
Published: August 2023

Green hydrogen is expected to have a key role in the transition towards a carbon-neutral society, particularly in the transportation sector. Exploration of novel solutions for the direct injection of hydrogen in internal combustion engines (ICEs) is a main topic for both academia and industry. Here, the authors explore the gas-dynamic and mixing features of hydrogen under-expanded jets exiting from non-axisymmetric cross-sections, with the aim to provide guidelines for designing novel generations of ICE hydrogen injectors. Triangular and star shapes have been compared with elliptical and rectangular sections with different aspect ratios. Differences in the shock wave systems are reported, and explanations of the gas-dynamic mechanisms developed by each section are proposed. Non-uniformity in the radial expansion of the jet boundary has been noticed in all of the non-axisymmetric sections, leading to an axis switching of the jet in some cases. Differences in the radial mixing and axial jet penetration have been reported too, and a robust correlation with the vorticity distribution along the jet boundary has been observed.
Caregivers of Children With Disabilities in the Northern Territory, Australia: Experiences of Educational Non-Inclusion
Authors: Rheinberger Sarah , Staley Bea , Nutton Georgie
Published: August 2023

Inclusive education is enshrined in law and supported by the literature as best practice in education. Inclusive education has been shown to provide better academic, social and behavioural outcomes for children with disabilities than segregated learning environments. In the Northern Territory, Australia, however, the dual system of mainstream and special education persists and so too does segregation and exclusion. The Northern Territory education strategy commits to strengthening inclusion and empowering families in educational decision-making by listening to their voices. In this paper, we highlight some of these voices, examining the experiences and perspectives of caregivers of children with disabilities as they participate in education in the Northern Territory. Caregivers’ experiences were coded into categories of inclusion and exclusion. Those that were not clearly inclusion nor exclusion were identified and the theme of non-inclusion was created. Non-inclusion was analysed thematically and is discussed as a nebulous space that exists for caregivers, presenting significant challenges that threaten their child’s inclusion at school as they navigate this dual system. If Australian education systems are to provide genuine inclusive education, we need to understand the experiences of caregivers better so we can remediate the issues creating non-inclusion for children with disabilities and caregivers.
Adaptive Market Hypothesis and Predictability: Evidence in Latin American Stock Indices
Authors: Cruz-Hernández Andrés R. , Mora-Valencia Andrés
Published: August 2023

This article examines the adaptive market hypothesis in the five most important Latin American stock indices. To that end, we apply three versions of the variance ratio test, as well as the Brock-Dechert-Scheinkman test for nonlinear predictability. Additionally, we perform the Dominguez-Lobato and generalized spectral tests to evaluate the Martingale difference hypothesis. Moreover, we consider salient news related to the plausible market inefficiencies detected by these four tests. Finally, we apply a GARCH-M model to assess the risk-return relationship through time. Our results suggest that the predictability of stock returns varies over time. Furthermore, the efficiency in each market behaves differently over time. All in all, the analyzed emerging market indices satisfy the adaptive market hypothesis, given the switching behavior between periods of efficiencies and inefficiencies, since the adaptive market hypothesis suggests that market efficiency and market anomalies might coexist in capital markets.
Serum levels of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are associated with cognitive impairments in depression patients
Authors: Zhao Lei , Guan Lili , Sun Jinyan , Li Xiaoming
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Depression is a common mental disorder that endangers physical and mental health. In our study, we aimed to explore whether B vitamins are associated with depression and cognitive dysfunction.

Methods:

We enrolled a total of 220 patients with depression and selected 100 controls at the same time. We determined depression and cognitive impairment by assessments. We recorded the basic parameters of the participants and collected blood samples. In addition, we measured serum levels of B vitamins and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Results:

We found significant differences in the duration of depression, education, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores between the D-NCI and D-CI groups. We also identified the independent risk factors for patients with depression and cognitive dysfunction. Compared with the healthy controls, serum folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 positively correlated with cognitive dysfunction. The patients with depression and cognitive dysfunction had the lowest levels of B vitamins compared with the other two groups. Our results also showed that the levels of serum folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in the patients with depression had a positive correlation with each other.

Conclusion:

Our results indicate that vitamin B is associated with depression and cognitive dysfunction and is positively associated with cognitive dysfunction.
Gathering Ground: Unearthing 3000 Years of Prehistory at Faughan Hill, Eastern Ireland
Authors: DOWLING GER , SCHOT ROSEANNE
Published: August 2023

The discovery of a major archaeological complex at Faughan Hill, County Meath, was first reported on in the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society in 2015. Comprising a series of large hilltop enclosures, probable burial sites, and associated features, the character and scale of the complex marked this out as an important focal centre in a region populated with some of Ireland’s largest and most spectacular monument ensembles, not least at the Hill of Tara, 15 km to the south-east. A more complete picture of the site has since been revealed through further geophysical survey followed by test excavations by the Discovery Programme’s Tara Research Project. Two trenches excavated across the hilltop enclosures in 2017 yielded evidence of four discrete phases of activity spanning some 3000 years, from the mid-4th to mid-1st millennia bc. During the Middle Neolithic the hilltop was encircled by a fenced enclosure (3635–3380 cal bc) possibly associated with the production of stone tools. At 250 m in projected diameter it is one of the largest enclosures of the 4th millennium known in Ireland. This was superseded in the Late Bronze Age by a far more substantial, 400 m diameter multivallate enclosure (1280–920 cal bc) representing the only excavated hillfort of its type in Meath. The hill was the focus of renewed activity during the Early Iron Age (800–520 cal bc) and later became central to the political ambitions of aspiring, early Uí Néill kings of Tara, achieving particular reknown as the burial place of their eponymous ancestor, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Developments at Faughan are illuminated further by a wealth of prehistoric settlement and ritual sites in the surrounding area, as well as early documentary sources, and, collectively, speak to a regional centre and gathering place with long-lived social, symbolic, and political significance.
The use of breast milk iodine concentration in the first week of lactation as a biomarker of iodine status in breast-feeding women
Authors: Liu Shuchang , Sharp Andrew , Luo Xiaoqin , Lane Steven , Villanueva Elmer V , Lu Zhiliang , Ma Zheng Feei
Published: August 2023

Breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) is a promising indicator of iodine status in lactating women. However, there are limited data on its usefulness to reflect maternal iodine deficiency. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess iodine concentration in breast milk and urine samples in exclusively breast-feeding women. Eligible pregnant women undergoing routine antenatal care in a large hospital in Shaanxi Province, China, were followed up from the third trimester of pregnancy until the first week of lactation. Urine samples (20 ml) were collected during pregnancy and lactation. Iodine concentration in samples was measured based on Sandell–Kolthoff reaction. Breast milk samples (5 ml) were provided during lactation. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed to determine the diagnostic performance of BMIC. An iodine-specific FFQ was completed twice during pregnancy and lactation. A total of 200 women completed the study. The overall median BMIC was 89 μg/l, indicating iodine sufficiency (i.e. BMIC reference range between 60 and 465 μg/l). Women reported similar median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) during pregnancy and lactation (112 and 113 μg/l, respectively), but their iodine status differed – mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy and iodine sufficiency during lactation. The ROC for BMIC using UIC as a reference standard was 0·755 (95 % CI: 0·644, 0·866). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that women were iodine sufficient in the first week of lactation as assessed by UIC, which was consistent with BMIC. These findings suggested that BMIC is a useful biomarker to assess iodine status in lactating women.
The impact of fish oil and/or probiotics on serum fatty acids and the interaction with low-grade inflammation in pregnant women with overweight and obesity: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Houttu Noora , Vahlberg Tero , Miles Elizabeth A. , Calder Philip C. , Laitinen Kirsi
Published: August 2023

N-3 long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) and probiotics are generally considered to induce health benefits. The objective was to investigate (1) the impact of fish oil and/or probiotics on serum fatty acids (sFA), (2) the interaction of sFA with low-grade inflammation and (3) the relation of sFA to the onset of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Pregnant women with overweight/obesity were allocated into intervention groups with fish oil + placebo, probiotics + placebo, fish oil + probiotics or placebo + placebo in early pregnancy (fish oil: 1·9 g DHA and 0·22 g EPA, probiotics: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420, 1010 CFU, each daily). Blood samples were collected in early (n 431) and late pregnancy (n 361) for analysis of fatty acids in serum phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesteryl esters (CE), TAG and NEFA with GC and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and GlycA by immunoassay and NMR spectroscopy, respectively. GDM was diagnosed according to 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. EPA in PC, CE and TAG and DHA in PC, CE, TAG and NEFA were higher in fish oil and fish oil + probiotics groups compared with placebo. EPA in serum NEFA was lower in women receiving probiotics compared with women not receiving. Low-grade inflammation was inversely associated with n-3 LC-PUFA, which were related to an increased risk of GDM. Fish oil and fish oil + probiotics consumption increase serum n-3 LC-PUFA in pregnant women with overweight/obesity. Although these fatty acids were inversely related to inflammatory markers, n-3 LC-PUFA were linked with an increased risk for GDM.
Aberrant reward learning, but not negative reinforcement learning, is related to depressive symptoms: an attentional perspective
Authors: Hertz-Palmor Nimrod , Rozenblit Danielle , Lavi Shani , Zeltser Jonathan , Kviatek Yonatan , Lazarov Amit
Published: August 2023

Background

Aberrant reward functioning is implicated in depression. While attention precedes behavior and guides higher-order cognitive processes, reward learning from an attentional perspective – the effects of prior reward-learning on subsequent attention allocation – has been mainly overlooked.

Methods

The present study explored the effects of reward-based attentional learning in depression using two separate, yet complimentary, studies. In study 1, participants with high (HD) and low (LD) levels of depression symptoms were trained to divert their gaze toward one type of stimuli over another using a novel gaze-contingent music reward paradigm – music played when fixating the desired stimulus type and stopped when gazing the alternate one. Attention allocation was assessed before, during, and following training. In study 2, using negative reinforcement, the same attention allocation pattern was trained while substituting the appetitive music reward for gazing the desired stimulus type with the removal of an aversive sound (i.e. white noise).

Results

In study 1 both groups showed the intended shift in attention allocation during training (online reward learning), while generalization of learning at post-training was only evident among LD participants. Conversely, in study 2 both groups showed post-training generalization. Results were maintained when introducing anxiety as a covariate, and when using a more powerful sensitivity analysis. Finally, HD participants showed higher learning speed than LD participants during initial online learning, but only when using negative, not positive, reinforcement.

Conclusions

Deficient generalization of learning characterizes the attentional system of HD individuals, but only when using reward-based positive reinforcement, not negative reinforcement.
Sisyphus in robes: International law, legal interpretation and the absurd
Authors: Werner Wouter G.
Published: August 2023

Legal systems across the world contain the obligation to prevent ‘absurd interpretations’ of law. In international law, an instruction to avoid ‘manifestly absurd’ interpretations can be found in Article 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. This gives rise to at least two questions that I will take up in this article. First, what is meant by the ‘absurd’ that is to be avoided in legal interpretation. The short answer to this question is: no one knows exactly. The absurd, by its very nature, resists definition in pre-given categories, as I will argue on the basis of four core thinkers on the absurd: Søren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Thomas Nagel. The second question is more technical and easier to answer: how should lawyers try to avoid absurd interpretations? Here, I turn to absurdist writing and the theatre of the absurd for assistance. Absurdist writing and theatre have developed a number of techniques to make the absurd appear, to let the audience experience that something is fundamentally out of tune. Lawyers use similar techniques, but in reverse and with an opposite purpose: they add exposition, narrative, reasonable language, and stable, rational legal personae. In this way, they boost the rationality and reasonableness of the legal order. However, to come full circle, it is exactly the pretension of rationality and reasonableness that makes the law vulnerable to manifestations of the absurd. The rationality of law is the springboard for the very same absurdity it tries to suppress.
Recalibration of the stress response system over adult development: Is there a perinatal recalibration period?
Authors: Howland Mariann A.
Published: August 2023

During early life-sensitive periods (i.e., fetal, infancy), the developing stress response system adaptively calibrates to match environmental conditions, whether harsh or supportive. Recent evidence suggests that puberty is another window when the stress system is open to recalibration if environmental conditions have shifted significantly. Whether additional periods of recalibration exist in adulthood remains to be established. The present paper draws parallels between childhood (re)calibration periods and the perinatal period to hypothesize that this phase may be an additional window of stress recalibration in adult life. Specifically, the perinatal period (defined here to include pregnancy, lactation, and early parenthood) is also a developmental switch point characterized by heightened neural plasticity and marked changes in stress system function. After discussing these similarities, lines of empirical evidence needed to substantiate the perinatal stress recalibration hypothesis are proposed, and existing research support is reviewed. Complexities and challenges related to delineating the boundaries of perinatal stress recalibration and empirically testing this hypothesis are discussed, as well as possibilities for future multidisciplinary research. In the theme of this special issue, perinatal stress recalibration may be a mechanism of multilevel, multisystem risk, and resilience, both intra-individually and intergenerationally, with implications for optimizing interventions.
Étude exploratoire du déficit phonologique dans l’aphasie vasculaire : Complexité des structures syllabiques
Authors: Prince Typhanie , Abuoudeh Mohammad
Published: August 2023

Cet article questionne la nature des troubles phonologiques à travers le prisme de la notion de complexité phonologique chez des locuteurs francophones atteints d’aphasie. Si de nombreux travaux ont été consacrés aux erreurs phonétiques portant sur la réalisation des phonèmes, plus rares sont les études qui prennent en compte la dimension phonologique, i.e. l’environnement contextuel. Toutefois certains auteurs montrent que la structure syllabique du mot, ou encore la position des segments au sein des syllabes influencent les réalisations des locuteurs atteints d’une aphasie (Wilshire & Nespoulous, 2003; Buchwald et Miozzo, 2012; Buchwald, 2017). Ces facteurs renvoient à la notion de complexité phonologique.

Cette étude présente une analyse des erreurs phonologiques dans l’aphasie à partir d’un corpus de données empiriques récoltées auprès de huit locuteurs. Plusieurs facteurs de la complexité phonologique sont ici analysés afin de comprendre s’ils jouent un rôle dans la réalisation des erreurs. L’hypothèse est que la présence de séquences consonantiques, la position de ces séquences dans les items (initiale vs médiane), la nature de ces séquences (hétérosyllabique, tautosyllabique) ainsi que la longueur des items (bi vs trisyllabique) influencent la production des erreurs. À travers cette recherche, nous espérons accroître les connaissances sur la nature des déficits phonologiques.
Clinical utility of self- and informant-reported memory, attention, and spatial navigation in detecting biomarkers associated with Alzheimer disease in clinically normal adults
Authors: Levine Taylor F. , Allison Samantha L. , Dessenberger Steven J. , Head Denise ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2023

Objective:

Preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD) has been associated with subtle changes in memory, attention, and spatial navigation abilities. The current study examined whether self- and informant-reported domain-specific cognitive changes are sensitive to AD-associated biomarkers.

Method:

Clinically normal adults aged 56–93 and their informants completed the memory, divided attention, and visuospatial abilities (which assesses spatial navigation) subsections of the Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog). Reliability and validity of these subsections were examined using Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis. Logistic regression was used to examine the ability of ECog subsections to predict AD-related biomarkers (cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ptau181/Aβ42 ratio (N = 371) or hippocampal volume (N = 313)). Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine whether the self-reported subsections continued to predict biomarkers when controlling for depressive symptomatology if available (N = 197). Additionally, logistic regression was used to examine the ability of neuropsychological composites assessing the same or similar cognitive domains as the subsections (memory, executive function, and visuospatial abilities) to predict biomarkers to allow for comparison of the predictive ability of subjective and objective measures.

Results:

All subsections demonstrated appropriate reliability and validity. Self-reported memory (with outliers removed) was the only significant predictor of AD biomarker positivity (i.e., CSF ptau181/Aβ42 ratio; p = .018) but was not significant when examined in the subsample with depressive symptomatology available (p = .517). Self-reported memory (with outliers removed) was a significant predictor of CSF ptau181/Aβ42 ratio biomarker positivity when the objective memory composite was included in the model.

Conclusions:

ECog subsections were not robust predictors of AD biomarker positivity.
Latin and Greek in English Primary Schools – seedlings of a classical education
Authors: Hunt Steven
Published: August 2023

This article describes some of the main features of classical languages and history learning at the primary school level in England at the current time. It briefly examines the context and education policy background and government and teachers' beliefs in the value and status of classical subjects, especially the Latin language as an aid to learning other languages and as a support for developing and improving students' English literacy. There is some overlap with the literature review co-authored by Holmes-Henderson and Kelly for the British government (Holmes-Henderson and Kelly, 2022) and a recent piece by myself about provision of teaching and resources in the Bulletin of the Council of University Classics Departments (Hunt, 2022a). I hope to develop further some of these ideas and draw out some discussions about resources, pedagogy and learning aims for possible future directions of classical languages learning at the primary level.
Should we turn sewerage modelling on its head?
Authors: Osborne Martin
Published: August 2023

The move towards unlimited financial penalties in the UK for sewerage systems that do not operate in line with their discharge permits (and the even more extreme suggestion that there should be a financial penalty every time an overflow spills) sets a challenge to whether our existing sewerage models are accurate enough to provide certainty of avoiding those penalties. This article sets out proposed improved practice in the preparation of urban drainage models to improve their accuracy and usefulness and identifies areas where research, particularly into machine learning techniques, could deliver further improvements.