bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel in vitro model to study prolonged Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelium
Authors: Hirsch Meghan J. , Hughes Emily M. , Easter Molly M. , Bollenbecker Seth E. , Howze IV Patrick H. , Birket Susan E. , Barnes Jarrod W. , Kiedrowski Megan R. , Krick Stefanie
Published: July 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is known to chronically infect airways of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) by early adulthood. PA infections can lead to increased airway inflammation and lung tissue damage, ultimately contributing to decreased lung function and quality of life. Existing models of PA infection in vitro commonly utilize 1–6-hour time courses. However, these relatively early time points may not encompass downstream airway cell signaling in response to the chronic PA infections observed in people with cystic fibrosis. To fill this gap in knowledge, the aim of this study was to establish an in vitro model that allows for PA infection of CF bronchial epithelial cells, cultured at the air liquid interface, for 24 hours. Our model shows with an inoculum of 2 x 102 CFUs of PA for 24 hours pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 are upregulated with little decrease in CF bronchial epithelial cell survival or monolayer confluency. Additionally, immunoblotting for phosphorylated phospholipase C gamma, a well-known downstream protein of fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling, showed significantly elevated levels after 24 hours with PA infection that were not seen at earlier timepoints. Finally, inhibition of phospholipase C shows significant downregulation of interleukin 8. Our data suggest that this newly developed in vitro “prolonged PA infection model” recapitulates the elevated inflammatory markers observed in CF, without compromising cell survival. This extended period of PA growth on CF bronchial epithelial cells will have impact on further studies of cell signaling and microbiological studies that were not possible in previous models using shorter PA exposures.
Indonesian healthcare professionals’ experiences in rural and urban settings during the first wave of COVID-19: A qualitative study
Authors: Sutrisni Ida Ayu , Kekalih Aria , Friska Dewi , Timoria Diana , Limato Ralalicia , Dien Ragil , Bogh Claus , Chambers Mary , Lewycka Sonia , Van Nuil Jennifer Ilo , Hamers Raph L ,   on behalf of the OUCRU COVID-19 Research Group
Published: July 2023

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) faced unprecedented challenges, increased workload, and often struggled to provide healthcare services. We explored the experiences faced by HCWs working at primary healthcare centers (PHCs) and hospitals across urban and rural settings in Indonesia.

Methods

As part of a larger multi-country study, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of Indonesian HCWs. We used thematic analysis to identify the main challenges described by the participants.

Results

We interviewed 40 HCWs between December 2020 and March 2021. We identified that challenges varied depending on their role. i) For those in clinical roles, challenges included maintaining trust with communities, and patient referral issues; ii) for those in non-clinical roles, sub-optimal laboratory capacity and logistics, and lack of training were the main challenges; iii) for managerial roles, challenges included access to budget and supplies, and staff shortages due to isolation and overwork. There were also several cross-cutting challenges across all the roles including limited or rapidly changing information (in urban settings), and culture and communication (in rural settings). All of these challenges contributed to mental health issues among all HCW cadres.

Conclusions

HCWs across roles and settings were confronted with unprecedented challenges. Understanding the various challenges across different healthcare cadres and within different settings is crucial for supporting HCWs during pandemic times. In rural areas, in particular, HCWs should be more sensitive to cultural and linguistic differences to enhance the effectiveness and awareness of public health messages.
Income distribution in Thailand is scale-invariant
Authors: Sitthiyot Thitithep
Published: July 2023

This study examines whether income distribution in Thailand has a property of scale invariance or self-similarity across years. By using the data on income shares by quintile and by decile of Thailand from 1988 to 2021, the results from 306-pairwise Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests indicate that income distribution in Thailand is statistically scale-invariant or self-similar across years withp-valuesranging between 0.988 and 1.000. Based on these empirical findings, this study would like to propose that, in order to change income distribution in Thailand whose pattern had been persisted for over three decades, the change itself cannot be gradual but has to be like a phase transition of substance in physics.
Logistics hub location for high-speed rail freight transport with road-rail intermodal transport network
Authors: Li Siyu , Lang Maoxiang , Chen Xinghan , Li Shiqi , Liu Wenqian , Tang Weilin
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we propose a new freight mode to describe how the designed HSR freight train serve for express delivery. We introduce the functions of the hubs and design the hybrid hub-and-spoke network of road-rail intermodal transportation from the perspective of planners, which features as single allocation rule and configures varying levels of hubs. The problem is accurately described by a mixed integer programming model with the objective to minimize total construction cost and total operation cost. We develop a hybrid heuristic algorithm based on a greedy strategy to obtain the levels of hubs, customer allocation and cargo routing. Taking the example of HSR freight network consisting of 50 cities in China, numerical experiments are conducted on the basis of forecasting data from the real-life express market to obtain the hub location schemes. The validity of the model and the performance of the algorithm are verified.
Extra-pancreatic manifestations reported in association with pancreatitis; an international survey report
Authors: Dike Chinenye R. , Sun Qin (Kiki) , Rahib Lola , Golden Megan , Abu-El-Haija Maisam
Published: July 2023

Background/objectives

Local and systemic manifestations have been reported in association with pancreatitis, anecdotally. However, a systematic collection on the prevalence of each of these symptoms in pancreatitis is lacking. We aimed to determine the prevalence of symptoms and diagnoses reported by a cohort of patients with pancreatitis, refer to as “extra pancreatic manifestation of pancreatitis”.

Methods

Cross-sectional study approved by the IRB and administered through a REDCap survey by “Mission: Cure”, a nonprofit organization.

Results

Of the 225 respondents analyzed; 89% were adults, 69% females, 89% Caucasians with 74% residing in the USA. 42% of children and 50% of adults reported exocrine pancreatic insufficiency while 8% of children and 26% of adults reported DM. Type 3c DM was reported in all children and 45% of adult DM cases. Children were diagnosed with genetic or hereditary pancreatitis more frequently compared to adults (33.3% versus 8%; p = <0.001). Significantly more symptoms and diagnoses were reported by adults when compared to children including nighttime sweats, bloating, or cramping, greasy or oily stools, feeling cold and GERD with p values of 0.002, 0.006, 0.046, 0.002 and 0.003 respectively.

Conclusions

Adults with pancreatitis frequently report symptoms not known to be associated with pancreatitis. Studies investigating mechanisms for these associated symptoms should be explored.
Charitable giving: The role of framing and information
Authors: Keser Claudia , Kliemt Hartmut , Späth Maximilian
Published: July 2023

We investigate how different levels of information influence the allocation decisions of donors who are entitled to freely distribute a fixed monetary endowment between themselves and a charitable organization in both giving and taking frames. Participants donate significantly higher amounts, when the decision is described as taking rather than giving. This framing effect becomes smaller if more information about the charity is provided.
Avoidable diet-related deaths and cost-of-illness with culturally optimized modifications in diet: The case of Brazil
Authors: Verly Eliseu , Machado Ísis Eloah , Meireles Adriana Lúcia , Nilson Eduardo A. F.
Published: July 2023

Background

Dietary risk factors have an important impact on premature deaths and disabilities due to non-communicable diseases. In this study, we perform diet optimization to design different dietary scenarios taking into account food prices and preferences and evaluate the number of deaths that would be prevented as well as the economic burden and costs from the health system that would be saved in Brazil.

Methods

We used dietary intake and food prices data from the nationwide Household Budget Survey (HBS) and the National Dietary Survey (NDS) 2017–2018. Linear programming models were performed to design five scenarios which different sets of key diet modifications at the least deviation from the baseline consumption. Comparative risk assessment models were used to estimate the health impacts of optimized dietary changes on mortality and the economic impacts on morbidity (hospitalizations) and premature deaths.

Results

The optimized diets were, on average, more expensive than the baseline diets, varying from Int$ (international dollar) 0.02/day to 0.52/day/adult. The number of deaths prevented or postponed varied from 12,750 (10,178–15,225) to 57,341 (48,573–66,298) according to the different scenarios. The diet modifications would save from 50 to 219 million in hospitalizations and from 239 to 804 million yearly in productivity losses with the reduction of premature deaths.

Conclusion

A substantial number of deaths and costs due to hospitalization and productivity losses would be avoidable even with small changes in diets. However, even the cheapest intervention might be prohibitive for deprived families, yet subsidies and social policies could contribute to improving diets.
The relationship between ambient temperature and match running performance of elite soccer players
Authors: Morgans Ryland , Bezuglov Eduard , Rhodes Dave , Teixeira Jose , Modric Toni , Versic Sime , Di Michele Rocco , Oliveira Rafael
Published: July 2023

The influence of environmental factors on key physical parameters of soccer players during competitive match-play have been widely investigated in the literature, although little is known on the effects of sub-zero ambient temperatures on the performance of adult elite soccer players during competitive matches. The aim of this study was to assess how the teams’ match running performance indicators are related to low ambient temperature during competitive matches in the Russian Premier League. A total of 1142 matches played during the 2016/2017 to 2020/2021 seasons were examined. Linear mixed models were used to assess the relationships between changes in ambient temperature at the start of the match and changes in selected team physical performance variables, including total, running (4.0 to 5.5 m/s), high-speed running (5.5 to 7.0 m/s) and sprint (> 7.0 m/s) distances covered. The total, running and high-speed running distances showed no significant differences across temperatures up to 10°C, while these showed small to large decreases at 11 to 20°C and especially in the >20°C ranges. On the contrary, sprint distance was significantly lower at temperature of -5°C or less compared to higher temperature ranges. At sub-zero temperatures, every 1°C lower reduced team sprint distance by 19.2 m (about 1.6%). The present findings show that a low ambient temperature is negatively related to physical match performance behavior of elite soccer players, notably associated with a reduced total sprint distance.
Letter from the editors
Authors: Kaplan Jonathan C. , McNeil Peter
Published: July 2023

The editorial introduces a Special Issue of Critical Studies in Men’s Fashion, ‘Fashion in the Age of AIDS’. Outlining the devastating impact of the emergence of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) from the 1980s in the West on mainly gay men and minorities, the editors provide their rationale and introduce the contributors. As well as its effects on the fashion and styling industries, creating a ‘lost’ or ‘missing’ generation, AIDS and its rhetoric saw an array of new styles and looks developed by and for LGBTQI peoples in response to the crisis. Authors cover areas as diverse as fashion and music, fashion and intersectional homophobia, the fashion industry’s response to AIDS, ‘passing’ as straight, and fashion and body modification.
A counter-story to the rags-to-riches narrative: A Finnish male model wearing hobo style during the deep depression in the age of AIDS
Authors: Silvola Kari
Published: July 2023

As a former male model whose modelling career lasted 25 years (1988–2013) and as a researcher, I am interested in the production of meanings and knowledge related to representations of masculinity. As a gay former male model who was classified as ‘other’ but represented the normative ideal and passed for straight in fashion shows and photographs, I look back on images of myself differently and against the grain. I analyse three of my fashion photographs – taken for the Finnish tabloid City in 1993, when AIDS was considered the ‘gay plague’, but never published – in terms of critical studies of masculinities, gay and sexuality studies, and queer theory. I speculate and examine gestures, facial expressions and poses in the photographs that were still intolerable and prevented their publication 30 years ago. The publication of my photographs now is concrete proof that masculine gestured performances are becoming more inclusive and diverse.
Editorial: Making Monsters, Building Terror
Authors: Pinsent Benjamin , Hand Richard J.
Published: July 2023

This is the editorial for the Special Issue Making Monsters. The Special Issues comes out of my own academic interest and a two-day symposium. This editorial outlines the need for research around the practice of making monsters, placing the production processes needed to make the creatures in horror media as central to the adaptation of monsters into various media forms. It also will introduce the contributors to the Special Issue and briefly lay out their specific approach to this broad and engaging topic, whether that be looking at the practical effects used to bring monsters to the stage and screen or new ways we conceptualize the monstrous in the digital forms.
Dr Jekyll and/or Mr Hyde: The two versions of David Edgar’s stage adaptation
Authors: Cottis David
Published: July 2023

In 1991, the Royal Shakespeare Company staged David Edgar’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1885 novella, directed by Peter Wood, to a generally negative critical and commercial response. Five years later, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre produced Edgar’s revised version of the play, using the shorter title Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, to much more positive reviews, often from the same people. The striking thing about this radically different response is that, apart from a single element, the two scripts are very similar. They can therefore serve almost as a real-life scientific experiment, demonstrating the difference that a single change will make. This article will consider the various choices that an adaptor may make with this story and look at what the different responses to the two versions can tell us about the nature of this story, and possibly about horror and fantasy in general.
The remaking of tokusatsu monsters
Authors: Longo Angela
Published: July 2023

Since the arrival of Godzilla (1954), the science-fiction genre of tokusatsu started booming its monsters by adapting different DIY techniques. The post-war period defined a collaborative effort between artists who worked within limited creative conditions due to economic restraints. They experimented with unusual materials for making monsters and image techniques to create visual effects on the filmed screen. Sculptors, art students, freelance workers and animators started collaborating to discover ways to produce suitmation and strategies to make the monster seem alive. Specifically, in Toho Studios, the Special Effects Department, directed by Tsuburaya Eiji, helped create a generation of monster-making specialists that spread to other studios. Along with Iizuka Sadao, they produced special effects using the animation stand and animation-related techniques, such as optical composition, to create the monster zigzag gleaming rays that became the staple of tokusatsu monsters. The analogue era of monster-making only starts to change from the Heisei Gamera series (1995–2006), where analogue and digital intertwine and culminate in Shin Godzilla (2016). This article investigates the possibilities of monster creation and adaptation and how this challenge created a space for hybrid images in the contemporary Japanese media landscape.
Turismo de Jardins na Madeira: trajetórias de desenvolvimento e perspetivas futuras
Authors: Silva Susana Maria Pereira , Carvalho Paulo , Adelino Luísa
Published: July 2023

A visita a jardins tem conhecido um elevado crescimento a nível mundial. No caso de Portugal, a ilha da Madeira assume lugar de destaque. Este trabalho pretende analisar a trajetória do turismo de jardins na ilha da Madeira, em particular a importância dos jardins enquanto elementos identificadores e fatores de atração do destino, a dimensão da procura nos três principais jardins pagos na ilha e a sua evolução na última década, para além das estratégias implementadas e dos constrangimentos que permanecem. Enquadrado numa reflexão teórica integradora dos temas, para este estudo foram ainda analisados dados estatísticos provenientes de diversas fontes e realizado trabalho de campo. A procura por jardins na Madeira tem aumentado, embora não com a expressividade que já se verificou outrora; o jardim botânico, o Tropical Monte Palace e o Palheiro Ferreiro continuam a assumir-se como atrações âncora, porém apresentam trajetórias diferenciadas. Não obstante os resultados obtidos na última década, o turismo de jardins da Madeira carece de uma visão estratégica e integradora dos seus múltiplos atores e interesses.
Excel VBA párbeszédablak fejlesztése Shapiro-Wilk próbához Royston algoritmusával
Authors: Fabulya Zoltán
Published: July 2023

A matematikai statisztikában hipotézis kiértékelését végző próbák jelentős része csak normális eloszlású sokaságból származó mintán hajtható végre. A normalitás ellenőrzésére a legmegbízhatóbb Shapiro-Wilk próbát Royston kiterjesztése alapján kis és nagy elemszámú mintán is alkalmazhatjuk. Mivel kiértékelendő adataink táblázatkezelő programmal dolgozhatók fel kényelmesen, így nagy segítség a felhasználók számára, hogy a statisztikai számítások is elvégezhetők a táblázatkezelővel, nincs szükség statisztikai programokra és az adatok exportálására a további feldolgozásukhoz. Ezért volt szükséges a normalitás ellenőrzésével kiegészíteni a Microsoft Excel lehetőségeit. A számítások elvégzésének felhasználóbarát módja párbeszédablakon valósítható meg, melynek kialakítását a Visual Basic for Applications szolgáltatás teszi lehetővé. Eseményvezérelt programozási technika eredményezi a felhasználó tevékenységével harmóniában működő program elkészíthetőségét, a program kezelőfelületének megtervezését. Az elkészült program nem csak begépelésükkel támogatja az adatok megadását, kérhetjük a munkalap adatainak is a kiértékelését. Az eredményeket lehetőségünk van táblázatosan is megjeleníteni munkalapon.
A Gyulakenyér Kft. ellátási lánca
Authors: Gál József , Kurucz Máté
Published: July 2023

A Gyulakenyér Kft ellátási láncáról, történetéről, működéséről írunk. A nagy hagyományokkal rendelkező cég Gyula város és vonzáskörzete pékségellátásának központi funkcióját tölti be. Ismertetjük a cég ellátási láncát a megrendeléstől, a beszerzésen át a gyártáson és a csomagoláson át a szállításig és az értékesítésig. Az esettanulmány végén ismertetjük saját elképzeléseinket a logisztikai fejlesztés területén.
Zöld hidrogén
Authors: Támba Vénusz Rea , Nagy Nóra
Published: July 2023

Jelen kutatásban a zöld hidrogén, mint megújuló energiaforrásokból előállított hidrogén lehetőségeit mutatjuk be. A hidrogén a káros anyagok kibocsátásának csökkentésére jó megoldás lehet, egyre nagyobb iránta az érdeklődés és a kereslet. A hidrogént egyébként univerzális jellegű energiahordozónak is nevezhetjük, hiszen számos célra és széles teljesítménytartományban alkalmazható. A közeljövőben a hidrogén alkalmazható lesz például mobiltelefonok, laptopok energiaforrásaként. Ide sorolható még a hidrogén hajtású autók is. Ilyen sokrétű felhasználási lehetőség a hagyományos energiahordozókra általában nem áll fenn, ezért is lenne nagyon kedvező, ha a hidrogént káros anyag kibocsátása nélkül állítanák elő és használnák fel. Az elsődleges cél a hidrogén környezetkímélő előállítás, napjainkban zöld hidrogénnek nevezzük az így előállított hidrogént. A következő évtizedekben sok fejlesztés vár még erre az ágazatra. A jövőbeli fejlődés mindenképp ebbe az irányba mutat, amire érdemes várni és fejleszteni. A jövő generáció tisztább jövője érdekében mindenképp célszerű ezen fejlesztési szegmensre nagyobb figyelmet fordítani.
Internet y comportamiento suicida en adolescentes
Authors: Molina María José , Restrepo Diana
Published: July 2023

El suicidio es la segunda causa de muerte en la población mundial de 10 a 24 años, lo que representa 100 000 adolescentes muertos al año por este motivo. El suicidio es un comportamiento complejo que se construye en el tiempo y depende de múltiples factores biológicos, familiares y sociales, entre otros. La internet ha transformado de forma rápida y sustancial la forma como los adolescentes se comunican y manejan información relacionada con el suicidio. Se planteó el objetivo de responder a la siguiente pregunta: ¿de qué manera la internet se relaciona con el comportamiento suicida de los adolescentes? Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura científica relevante frente al tema de interés. Se revisaron 46 referencias. Esta revisión narrativa permite observar que existen influencias tanto positivas como negativas de la internet frente al comportamiento suicida de los adolescentes. Los jóvenes vulnerables al comportamiento suicida, que buscan información relacionada con el suicidio en la internet, no solo acceden a sitios que brindan información relacionada con métodos y formas para realizar este comportamiento, sino que también buscan ayuda, apoyo y orientación frente al sufrimiento que experimentan derivado de los pensamientos suicidas, la tristeza, soledad y ansiedad. Por tanto, siendo los adolescentes una población vulnerable al comportamiento suicida y teniendo en cuenta que ellos recurren a la internet en búsqueda de información e interacción social, es la internet un medio útil para educar y prevenir el comportamiento suicida, promover estilos de vida saludable y brindar apoyo tempranamente a jóvenes en riesgo.
Pesca artesanal com emalhe de superfície e encalhes de megafauna
Authors: Jankowsky Mayra , Martins Ivan Machado , Prado Deborah Santos , Mendonça Jocemar Tomasino
Published: July 2023

A captura incidental é um tema de grande relevância mundial, permeado por conflitos entre interesses de conservação e pesca. Este conflito no Brasil relaciona-se especialmente ao regramento da pesca artesanal com emalhe de superfície e a captura incidental da megafauna. Para subsidiar a gestão e transformação desse conflito, analisou-se a relação entre desembarques da pesca artesanal com emalhe de superfície e os encalhes de megafauna com morte. Foram utilizados os bancos de dados do monitoramento pesqueiro e do monitoramento de praias de São Paulo entre 2015 e 2021, correspondentes a Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Lepidochelys olivacea, Pontoporia blainvillei e Sotalia guianensis. As análises incluíram (i) panorama dos desembarques pesqueiros com emalhe de superfície e encalhes com mortes de cada espécie durante os anos (ii) testes de correlação entre as variáveis para regiões Norte, Centro e Sul (iii) análise de regressão para os municípios nas regiões que apresentaram correlação positiva estatisticamente significativa. A distribuição do número de desembarques não apresentou sobreposição com a distribuição dos encalhes. Nos testes de correlação, somente os encalhes de C. mydas, na região Norte e Sul, S. guianensis no Sul e P. blainvillei no Centro apontaram relação com os desembarques. A análise de regressão foi significativa para C. mydas e S. guianensis. Nos municípios, C. mydas apresentou resultado estatisticamente significativo em São Sebastião, Ubatuba, Ilha Comprida e Cananéia e S. guianensis em Cananéia. Entretanto, a regressão explicou uma pequena parte da mortalidade e outros fatores de impacto foram apontados. Recomenda-se medidas de ordenamento não proibitivas, estudos participativos e aplicação de métodos diretos de avaliação da interação da pesca com a megafauna, associado a fatores ambientais, bem como análises de outros impactos sobre a megafauna.
Historia dyplomacji Gwinei. Refleksje wokół monografii Isaaki K. Souaré
Authors: Diallo Boubacar Sidi
Published: July 2023

.
Niejednoznaczny urok tajemnicy. Tajniki lektury hipertekstów
Authors: Winiecka Elżbieta
Published: July 2023

The article discusses the phenomenon of multiple reading of literary hypertexts. The construction of electronic hypertext is conducive to creating uncertainty and generates both: story and structural puzzles. The author on the example of the afternoon. a story by Michael Joyce discusses the characteristics of this type of literary works, which by involving the reader in the process of creating the course of the plot, put him before new challenges. Hypertext multiplies questions and riddles, plays with suspense as a ploy that promises a solution, and delays the fulfillment of the promise indefinitely. At the same time, it refers to solutions known from twentieth-century experimental novels.
Literatura jako wehikuł tajemnicy. O pisarstwie Jerzego Grotowskiego
Authors: Kosiński Dariusz
Published: July 2023

Jerzy Grotowski (1933–1999), considered to be one of the greatest theatre artists of the 20th century, frequently expressed his ambivalent relation to words, repeating that any true knowledge has to be obtained by practice. However, all his life he had been creating and publishing text. The volume collecting them all in print has 1131 pages. Researchers interpreting his art (e.g. Krzysztof Rutkowski, Zbigniew Osiński) and his close collaborators like Ludwik Flaszen many times underlined the importance of Grotowski’s writings, stressing a special function the literature played in the artist’s research. Following their recognitions, partly polemizing with them, one can formulate some basic assumptions concerning the character and functions of Grotowski’s writing and its relation to the main aspects of contemporary literature. This was the man of theatre appears to be also an aware creator of a literature paradoxically close related and working for a mystery beyond the words.
Myrtaceae leaves grown in Agroforestry: a sustainable alternative to producing natural antioxidants extracts
Authors: Silva de Farias Natalia , Mora Rave Jhoan Sebastián , Siddique Ilyas , Hoff Rodrigo , Olivera Müller Carmen Maria
Published: July 2023

Myrtaceae species such as uvaia, grumixama, and feijoa have been used in Brazil’s Agroforestry Systems (AFS). In AFS, frequent pruning occurs, and leaves are discarded. However, the leaves contain specific phenolic compounds (PC) that, when appropriately extracted, produce extracts with antioxidant activity (AA). These extracts meet the demand for natural and sustainable food ingredients. Therefore, the drying study (40, 50, and 60 °C) of uvaia, grumixama, and feijoa leaves obtained from AFS was carried out, and the effect of drying on the PC profile (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and AA were evaluated. In the uvaia extracts, the major compounds were EGCG, gallic acid, and isoquercitin, accounting for 94% of their PC, and leaves dried at 50 °C promoted a better phenolic extraction. The gallic acid, 2.5 DHBA and isoqueticitrin represent 79% of the relative composition of PC in grumixama extracts, and leaves dried at 60 °C were the condition that allowed a greater extraction. While, epicatechin, catechin, gallic acid and isoquercitrin correspond to 66% of the PC composition of feijoa leaves. Grumixama had the highest values for AA by the FCRC and DPPH while feijoa had significant values for FRAP in all treatments. Dried leaves at 50 °C showed higher AA for all methods, except for grumixama which showed this behavior at 60 °C. These results indicate that these matrices proved promising sustainable sources of various phenolic compounds. The drying process of the leaves at 50 and 60 °C had a greater extraction of compounds with antioxidant activity, with potential industrial applications.
Strategic Analysis of Petty Corruption with an Entrepreneur and Multiple Bureaucrats
Authors: Hu Lin , Oak Mandar
Published: July 2023

We consider a game of petty corruption between entrepreneurs and multiple bureaucrats. The potential value of the entrepreneur’s project is stochastic and private, and it can be realized only if the project is approved by all the bureaucrats. The bureaucrats simultaneously make take-it-or-leave-it demands of bribes in exchange for approving the project. The entrepreneur can either pay the required bribes or seek costly legal recourse against non-approval. The paper shows that there are multiple equilibria in the one-shot game as well as in the dynamic version of the game in which a sequence of entrepreneurs applies to the set of bureaucrats to seek project approvals. We then characterize a compelling class of equilibria, namely the bribe-income-maximizing-equilibrium, and show that total bribe exchanged under such equilibria is non-monotonic in the cost of legal recourse. Hence, a small/incremental reduction to the cost of appeal is either ineffective or can backfire, i.e. increase the amount of corruption.
Predictive analytics in smart healthcare for child mortality prediction using a machine learning approach
Authors: Iqbal Farrukh , Satti Muhammad Islam , Irshad Azeem , Shah Mohd Asif
Published: July 2023

In developing countries, child health and restraining under-five child mortality are one of the fundamental concerns. UNICEF adopted sustainable development goal 3 (SDG3) to reduce the under-five child mortality rate globally to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births. The under-five mortality rate is 69 deaths per 1,000 live child-births in Pakistan as reported by the Demographic and Health Survey (2018). Predictive analytics has the power to transform the healthcare industry, personalizing care for every individual. Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (2017–2018), the publicly available dataset, is used in this study and multiple imputation methods are adopted for the treatment of missing values. The information gain, a feature selection method, ranked the information-rich features and examine their impact on child mortality prediction. The synthetic minority over-sampling method (SMOTE) balanced the training dataset, and four supervised machine learning classifiers have been used, namely the decision tree classifier, random forest classifier, naive Bayes classifier, and extreme gradient boosting classifier. For comparative analysis, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score have been used. Eventually, a predictive analytics framework is built that predicts whether the child is alive or dead. The number under-five children in a household, preceding birth interval, family members, mother age, age of mother at first birth, antenatal care visits, breastfeeding, child size at birth, and place of delivery were found to be critical risk factors for child mortality. The random forest classifier performed efficiently and predicted under-five child mortality with accuracy (93.8%), precision (0.964), recall (0.971), and F1-score (0.967). The findings could greatly assist child health intervention programs in decision-making.
Cognitive characteristics of the Qiang religious culture and its influencing factors in Southwest China
Authors: Yan Weipo , Guo Yalin , Wang Qing , Han Yunwei , An Yida
Published: July 2023

Qiang religious culture is the result of its adaptation to the natural environment and socio–economic development. The Upper Reaches of Min River has been the main inhabiting district of the Qiang ethnic group in China. Based on the construction of the resource system for Qiang religious culture, this study quantitatively illustrated the cognitive characteristics of this culture in the basin and the main factors influencing its regional differentiation using statistical methods, Moran’s I method, Getis-Ord Gi* method, and the Geo-detector model. The results suggested that the respondents’ cognitive degree (RCD) in relation to the religious culture in the study area was 0.258 ± 0.031, and the cognitive degrees for religious buildings, supplies, literature, and beliefs were as follows: religious literature (0.332) > religious supplies (0.287 ± 0.076) > religious buildings (0.222 ± 0.037) > religious beliefs (0.193 ± 0.023). This result was mainly related to the dissemination methods of religious cultural elements, the status of their preservation, and changes in the production and lifestyle of the people. Furthermore, the respondents’ cognition presented significant regional differentiation characteristics. Two natural factors, namely, humidity and elevation, were the major ones that influenced cognitive regional differentiation with influences values of 0.293 and 0.280, respectively. Elevation and average night light index exhibited significant correlations with cognition (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the influence was enhanced when various factors interacted with one another. This study contributes to the quantitative research on the sustainable development of the Qiang religious culture and national culture inheritance.
Agent-based modeling in medical research, virtual baseline generator and change in patients’ profile issue
Authors: Saint-Pierre Philippe , Savy Nicolas
Published: July 2023

Simulation studies are promising in medical research in particular to improve drug development. For instance, one can aim to develop In Silico Clinical Trial in order to challenge trial’s design parameters in terms of feasibility and probability of success of the trial. Approaches based on agent-based models draw on a particularly useful framework to simulate patients evolution. In this paper, an approach based on agent-based modeling is described and discussed in the context of medical research. An R-vine copula model is used to represent the multivariate distribution of the data. A baseline data cohort can then be simulated and execution models can be developed to simulate the evolution of patients. R-vine copula models are very flexible tools which allow researchers to consider different marginal distributions than the ones observed in the data. It is then possible to perform data augmentation to explore a new population by simulating baseline data which are slightly different than those of the original population. A simulation study illustrates the efficiency of copula modeling to generate data according to specific marginal distributions but also highlights difficulties inherent to data augmentation.
In-situ growth of cobalt nanoparticles for naked-eye determination of tetracyclines in water, milk, and honey
Authors: Hadi Jume Binta
Published: July 2023

This study describes the in-situ growth of cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs) to a naked-eye determination of tetracycline antibiotics in the water, honey, and milk samples as a colorimetric method. Tetracycline antibiotics bonded cobalt NPs (CoNPs-TCs) are performed light green to yellow color with high UV–vis absorbance at lambda maximum of 400 nm. Cobalt nanoparticles bonded tetracycline were characterized by using UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Effective parameters of the method, such as solution pH (∼8.5), reaction time (3 min), temperature (25 °C), and cobalt concentration (20 μg mL−1) were studied. Analytical validation is performed that the limit of determination 0.21–1.09 μg mL−1 and the limit of quantification was 0.73–3.88 μg mL−1 with a matrix match linear dynamic range from 1 to 100 μg mL−1 for tetracyclines in all water, milk, and honey samples. The accuracy and precision of the method were evaluated with real samples recovery (80–108 %, ±5) and precision (intraday, 0.73–3.75 %, n = 3 and interday, 2.01–4.82 %, n = 9), respectively. This method provides a rapid, simple, and inexpensive detection with acceptable sensitivity.
Free vibration behaviour and some mechanical properties of micro particle reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Ürer Meltem , Demir Aydın
Published: July 2023

The epoxy composite specimens of certain sizes were produced by adding graphite, silicon carbide and boron carbide microparticles separately at the rates of 5, 10 and 15 wt% to the epoxy resin. Free vibrations of these composite samples were investigated experimentally in a simple supported vibration test setup. Frequency spectrums were obtained by modal analysis method in this experimental setup. The damping ratios were calculated using the half power bandwidth method. The mechanical properties of these composite specimens were also determined by applying the tensile test. By controlling the obtained vibration values theoretically, the effects of microparticle contributions to these specimens at certain rates on natural frequency and damping properties were investigated in detail. The maximum reduction in natural frequency was observed at 5 wt% of each reinforcement. Only the first natural frequency of the 15 wt% boron carbide reinforced epoxy composite was slightly increased. The damping ratio was increased at 10 wt% graphite added and 5 wt% boron carbide added epoxy composites compared to pure epoxy, but decreased in other composite specimens.
Integrity monitoring of NavIC by parsing broadcast ephemeris
Authors: Devalapally Sony , Desireddy Krishna Reddy , Perumalla Naveen Kumar
Published: July 2023

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are used to provide position estimation to the users. These navigation systems must meet the required navigation parameters (RNP) parameters. Among them integrity being the important parameter, defined as a navigation system’s honesty of the information provided to the user by satellites. The extremity of error due to clocks, ephemeris etc., broadcasted in navigation message of NavIC will result in inaccurate information provided by the satellites that tamper the Navigation with Indian constellation (NavIC) system integrity. The information provided by the satellites may be faulty due to various error sources and cannot be used for applications which require very high accuracy. Integrity of the information provided by satellites plays a vital role and the system needs to be notified accordingly. The traditional methods receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) algorithms require both navigation and observation data for implementation and involves several computations, hence in this paper an efficient approach considering only navigation message is proposed to monitor the integrity of NavIC. The NavIC Navigation data of 28 days data corresponding to 4 months is collected from IGS website. The integrity check is performed considering the satellite‘s User Range Accuracy Upper Bound (URA UB), fit interval and health parameters from navigation message. It is observed from the results that there are specific instances of integrity failure of NavIC system. However, it is also noticed that 99.5 % of times the integrity provided by NavIC is within specified limits that guarantee the NavIC utility for critical applications.
Crystal structure of N-(4′-chloro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl)formamide, C13H10ClNO
Authors: Du Mo , Xu Xiaona , Tong Hongjuan
Published: July 2023

C13H10ClNO, monoclinic, P21 (no. 4), a = 4.3011(7) Å, b = 11.2236(19) Å, c = 11.776(2) Å, β = 94.281(5)°, V = 566.90(16) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0420, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0827, T = 170 K.
Fabiana Raquel Leite. A língua geral paulista. “Vocabulário elementar da Língua Geral Brasílica”. Saarbrücken: Novas edições acadêmicas, 2015. 222P. ISBN 978-613-0-16849-0
Authors: Noelli Francisco Silva , Sallum Marianne
Published: July 2023

O conhecimento linguístico e histórico da Língua Geral Paulista está em construção. O tema despertou interesse na década de 1950 e a definição mais citada é a de Aryon D. Rodrigues, de 1996, considerando que o termo “língua geral” foi usado no Brasil pelos portugueses desde o século XVII para designar as “línguas faladas por toda a população”, como resultado das relações entre indígenas falantes das línguas da família Tupi-Guarani e europeus. Ele considerou que às línguas gerais “foi-se agregando um contingente de origem africana e contingentes de vários outros povos”.
PENILAIAN SEMULA KAEDAH YANG DIGUNAKAN DALAM PENENTUAN ZON WAKTU SOLAT DI PAHANG
Authors: Razali Afiq Adli , Ahmad Irfan bin Ikmal Hisham
Published: July 2023

The westernmost point method is used to determine the prayer time zone in Pahang. Currently, there are 6 prayer time zones in Pahang and each of these zones is represented by a single reference point which is located at the west side of the zone. The Prayer time for every zone is calculated based on the selected reference point. Therefore, the western area and the eastern area of each zones are considered to share the same prayer time. The difference of the actual prayer time between the eastern side and the western side of any zone should not exceed two minutes as to follow JAKIM guidelines. Nevertheless, the current designated zones do not meet that criteria. The width of each prayer time zone in Pahang also fails to meet the requirement that is suggested by experts to avoid the exceeding two minutes difference. As a result, the coastal areas of Rompin and Kuantan during a certain prayer time, is four minutes earlier than the reference station situated in Felda Chempaka. This paper aims to study the issues regarding to the practice of westernmost point method in Pahang. This study uses a qualitative approach and data collection method is done through content analysis. Databases are also used to find information relevant to the study. The result of the study found that the method used in Pahang to determine the prayer time zone should be re-evaluated to solve the issues.
 
Kaedah titik paling barat digunakan untuk menentukan zon waktu solat di Pahang. Pada masa ini, terdapat 6 zon waktu solat di Pahang dan setiap zon ini diwakili oleh satu titik rujukan yang terletak di sebelah barat zon tersebut. Waktu Solat untuk setiap zon dikira berdasarkan titik rujukan yang dipilih. Oleh itu, kawasan barat dan kawasan timur setiap zon dianggap berkongsi waktu solat yang sama. Perbezaan waktu solat sebenar antara sebelah timur dan sebelah barat mana-mana zon tidak boleh melebihi dua minit sebagai mengikut garis panduan JAKIM. Namun begitu, zon yang ditetapkan semasa tidak memenuhi kriteria tersebut. Kelebaran setiap zon waktu solat di Pahang juga gagal memenuhi syarat yang disarankan pakar bagi mengelak perbezaan melebihi dua minit. Akibatnya, kawasan pantai Rompin dan Kuantan pada waktu solat adalah empat minit lebih awal daripada stesen rujukan yang terletak di Felda Chempaka. Kertas kerja ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji isu-isu berkaitan dengan amalan kaedah titik paling barat di Pahang. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan kaedah pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui analisis kandungan. Pangkalan data juga digunakan untuk mencari maklumat yang berkaitan dengan kajian. Hasil kajian mendapati kaedah yang digunakan di Pahang untuk menentukan zon waktu solat perlu dinilai semula bagi menyelesaikan isu tersebut.
THE IMPACT OF MICROFINANCE ON GROWTH OF MICROENTERPRISES (MEs) IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Nor M. Mohamad , R. Awang@Faudzi  , T.A.H. Yahaya
Published: July 2023

This study examined the impact of microfinance criteria on growth of Microenterprises (MEs) in Malaysia. The critical issues arising in the study is the ability of MFIs and business itself to let their business expand and fully utilize the sources remain uncertain. There are ten variables were used in the study which are growth (MEG) as a dependent variable and 6 independent variables (IV) involved, there are Loan Size (LoanSiz), Loan Duration (LoanDur), Loan Repayment (LoanRep), Loan Utilization (LoanUti), Contact with Lender (ContactLen) and Training (Training). A multiple regression method has been used in the study to identify the impact of the growth among MEs in Malaysia. Based on the findings, this surely stated that microfinance criteria meet the significance level and contributes to MEs growth. Hence, the study recommends that MEs must be linked up to the larger financial sources such as SME bank and non-government agencies in terms of financial support. Besides that, Micro finance Institutions should provide a moral support such as entrepreneurial skills in order to enhance their financial management and operation as well as in handling resources efficiently. The policy makers should seek some strategies in the aim to promote MEs in the market penetration. Finally, for the future study, the study suggests to use longitudinal data for future research because this method can monitor changes before and after the joining microfinance schemes. Apart, also can make a comparison between borrower and non-borrower in the aspect of business growth among MEs in Malaysia. As a conclusion, the findings of the study have answered the research objectives.
A Generic Structure Analysis of Nigerian Presidential Inauguration Speeches from 1999 to 2015
Authors: Awoyemi Oluwadolapo Richard , Ajayi Temitope Michael
Published: July 2023

The article focuses on a generic structure analysis of Nigerian presidential inauguration speeches from 1999 to 2015. The data for the study comprised five (5) Nigerian presidential inauguration speeches that have been delivered from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2015. The selected Nigerian inauguration presidential speeches were subjected to Halliday and Hasan's Generic Structure Potential Theory and ten (10) discourse elements were identified. Out of the ten (10) discourse elements, eight (8) obligatory elements were identified: Title (T), Opening Acts (OA), Protocol (P), Recognition of Predecessors (RoP), Manifesto (M), Call for Support (CfS), Closing Acts (CA), and Customary Declaration (CD). Two (2) optional elements were identified: Theme (TH) and Acknowledgement of God (AoG). The GSP for Nigerian presidential inauguration speeches from 1999 to 2015 yielded: [T.(TH)]^[(AoG)^OA]^{P^RoP^}^{M}^[CfS^CA^CD].