bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Response Analysis and Modeling of a Mousetrap Car: From Experimental Curves to Transfer Function Derivation
Authors: Rodríguez-Álava Luis , Quistial-Balseca Jonathan , Roblero-Wong Jorge , Albán-Chacon Francisco , Lamilla-Rubio Erick
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a detailed study of overdamped oscillations using a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) project based on a Mousetrap Car. Several mathematical models were developed to fit the experimental data, revealing that the Mousetrap Car system can be represented by a control mechanism with poles and zeros, which provides a deeper understanding of the system’s dynamics. A key result is the derivation of a third-order transfer function with two zeros and three poles, which achieved a 92.85 % fit to the experimental data, accurately capturing the system’s dynamic response. Furthermore, an algorithm consisting of three routines was implemented to refine the models, resulting in precise fitting curves for the system’s position, velocity, and net force. Comparisons between the models revealed that the Damped Coupled Oscillator model with a damping factor of β = 0.74s−1 provided the closest match to the experimental data, with three distinct vibration modes. These findings contribute to understanding dynamic mechanical systems and offer a robust framework for engineering and educational applications.
Co-activation patterns reveal the abnormality of dynamic state transitions between different psychiatric disorders
Authors: Niu Lianjie , Li Wenshi , Fang Keke , Han Shaoqiang , Liu Peng , Qu Jinrong , Sun Xianfu
Published: November 2024

There is a growing interest among researchers in utilizing dynamic methods to investigate psychiatric disorders, especially the transient dynamic approaches. However, current research predominantly focuses on dynamic abnormalities within a single psychiatric disorder compared to healthy controls, without considering the shared and specific features across different psychiatric conditions. The dynamic abnormality across psychiatric disorders remains unclear. In this study, we employed Co-activation Pattern method to investigate the dynamic transient configurations of brain activity across different psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia (SZ, n = 37); bipolar I disorder (BD, n = 40); attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, n = 37), and healthy controls (HC, n = 110). By conducting k-means clustering analysis, we identified 10 transient activation patterns. Our findings reveal that the specificity of psychiatric disorders is reflected in the transition probabilities between different states, with different psychiatric disorders exhibiting distinct state transition patterns. Notably, the abnormal state transitions are concentrated in the core states (State 1 and State 2), highlighting the commonality of dynamic abnormalities across psychiatric disorders. These core states involve the activation of the attention network and the sensorimotor network and are significantly associated with the functional gradient. Furthermore, we discovered that abnormalities in state transitions are associated with cognitive behavior. Overall, this work provides a dynamic network perspective for understanding the shared and specific characteristic across psychiatric disorders
Isolated cystic duct cyst in a child ：A case report
Authors: Guo Jindie , Bian Hongqiang , Jun Yang
Published: November 2024

Background:
Dilatation of the common bile duct is a common biliary malformation in children. However, isolated cysts of the cystic duct are extremely rare and not included in the Todani classification; this case report presents an exceptional case of an 8-year-old male child with an isolated cystic duct cyst.
Case presentation
An 8-year-old male presented to the local hospital with intermittent abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography (USG) conducted at the local hospital revealed dilatation
of the upper segment of the common bile duct, while Abdominal CT indicated dilatation of the upper segment of the common hepatic duct. The patient was admitted to our hospital, and all laboratory results were within normal limits. CT reveals slightly dilated intrahepatic bile ducts, tortuous dilatation of the cystic ducts, and a common bile duct diameter of approximately 2.0 mm.MRCP indicates dilatation of the cystic ducts associated with multiple stones, Todani type II choledochal cysts, , and the possibility of PBM cannot be
excluded.Endoscopic retrograde ERCP was conducted: acyst was observed in the superior segment of the cystic duct, several calculi were
identified within the cyst, and a duct was noted leading to the gallbladder at the cyst's tail, with a common duct of around 10 mm, classified as a cystic duct cyst. The
youngster underwent Da Vinci robot-assisted biliary tract exploration, which verified the dilation of the cystic duct, resection of the gallbladder and cystic duct, and the
insertion of a T-tube for external drainage in the remains of the cystic duct. Thepathology results indicated the presence of gallbladder tissue. The patient's
postoperative recuperation was uneventful. T-tube imaging was conducted in two
mouths post-operation, revealing no dilation of the common bile duct.The T-tube was removed, and USG of the intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts was conducted in three mouths post-operation, revealing no abnormalities or dilation of the common bile
duct.
Conclusion:
Choledochal cyst is an uncommon biliary tract anomaly characterized by vague clinical presentations and laboratory findings.MRCP imaging possesses diagnostic
significance; ERCP can elucidate the diagnosis through sequential imaging, while
surgical dilation of the choledochal duct serves as the conclusive basis for diagnosis.Aconsensus has been established regarding the concurrent resection of the gallbladder
and choledochal duct cysts. For pediatric patients presenting with a combination of
choledocholithiasis, common bile duct dilation, and PBM, atailored surgical plan
may be devised according to the child's specific circumstances. For pediatric patients with biliary tract anomalies, including bile duct calculi, dilated common bile duct, andPBM, the surgical strategy can be tailored to the child's specific circumstances.
Closing the Gap in Health Monitoring of Polish Athletes: Adapting the OSTRC-H2 Questionnaire and Developing the Health Problem Symptoms Classification (HPSCPL ) Questionnaire
Authors: Zając Bartosz , Siekańska Małgorzata , Wyrobiec Grzegorz , Gaj Paulina
Published: November 2024

Background
The aim of the study is cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems for Polish-speaking athletes (OSTRC-H2PL). Additionally, the study is aimed at developing and validating the original HPSCPL questionnaire, designed as a supplement to the OSTRC-H2PL, for classifying symptoms of health problems experienced by athletes, based on the consensus of the International Olympic Committee.
Methods
The cross-cultural adaptation of the OSTRC-H2 questionnaire was conducted using the forward-backward method. The HPSCPL questionnaire was developed by researchers who are experts in sports physiotherapy, sports medicine and sports psychology through a series of meetings and email correspondence. The reliability of the developed tools was assessed by comparing data obtained from 102 athletes who applied them at intervals of 24 to 48 hours. Content validity was evaluated through focus group interviews, while convergent validity was assessed by comparing data obtained from the developed tools to data collected using the SF-36 questionnaire.
Results
The OSTRC-H2PL demonstrated high reliability (ICC: 0.92; SEM: 6 pt; SDC: 16 pt) as well as internal consistency (Cronbach's α: 0.92), and established content and convergent validity. The questions included in the HPSCPL questionnaire also showed satisfactory reliability, as indicated by positive, negative and overall agreement rates (≥ 71.6%), Cohen's kappa coefficient (≥ 0.62), and content validity was also confirmed.
Conclusion
In this study, two questionnaires (OSTRC-H2PL and HPSCPL) are provided with verified validity and reliability, which enable continuous monitoring of the health of Polish athletes and classifying symptoms of the health problems they experience.
Unveiling the Environmental Impact of Earthquakes in Europe
Authors: Caruso Martina , Silva Vitor , Aljawhari Karim , Nafeh Al Mouayed Bellah , Galasso Carmine
Published: November 2024

Environmental impact assessments in the construction sector often overlook the significant effects of natural hazards, in particular earthquakes. These destructive events pose severe sustainability challenges as they frequently require large-scale repairs and replacement for damaged buildings, demanding the production and use of substantial quantities of building materials. Here, we unveil the environmental toll of earthquakes in Europe, presenting essential environmental data on the continent’s building stock. We further generate novel seismic risk maps that quantify the embodied carbon resulting from seismic-damage repair and reconstruction of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, considering all plausible earthquake scenarios across the region. To this end, we first develop a comprehensive database of material quantities and embodied carbon factors for a broad range of construction materials and building components. This database serves as a crucial input for a continent-wide probabilistic seismic risk model, which estimates the potential environmental impacts of future earthquakes by analysing over 3 million realistic damage scenarios, each with its own probability of occurrence. Our findings reveal that Europe’s earthquake-exposed building stock embodies nearly 13.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), with seismic damage alone generating more than 6.4 million tons of CO2e annually; comparable to the emissions of 32,000 one-way flights from Paris to New York carrying 200 passengers. Our models not only establish critical benchmarks for the carbon footprint of the European construction sector, but also offer a versatile tool for assessing the impacts of other natural hazards, driving sustainable disaster risk mitigation and fostering more resilient, eco-friendly built environments.
Serum cardiac and inflammatory biomarker levels following chemotherapy among female breast cancer patients attending at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: A Hospital-based retrospective study
Authors: Getie Muluabay , Seifu Daniel , Mulugeta Yonas , Tebeje Solomon , Amuamuta Asmare , Tafere Chernet , Asrade Biset
Published: November 2024

Background
Chemotherapy is a well-established therapeutic approach for several malignancies including breast cancer (BCa). However, the clinical efficacy of this drug is often limited by its related cardiotoxicity. The assessment of multiple cardiac biomarkers can help identify patients at increased risk and adverse outcomes from chemotherapy. The present study aimed to evaluate changes in cardiac and inflammatory biomarker levels following chemotherapy among female BCa patients attending at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH).
Methods
Hospital-based retrospective study included 40 female patients with BCa treated at TASH. Elecsys 2010 Troponin-T immunoassay analyzer to measure serum levels of cardiac troponin T(cTnT), creatinine kinase-myocardial band (CKMB), and C-reactive protein( CRP) were measured immunoturbidometrically and R and D systemic luminex performance assay used to measure serum Interleukin-6( IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF- α) were used in 40 paired BCa patient samples. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23 package and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
In female patients with BCa receiving chemotherapy treatment, 20%, 20%, and 35% of the BCa patients had elevated cTnT, CK-MB, and CRP levels after the three cycles of chemotherapy treatment respectively, 15% of patients had a baseline elevated levels of CRP compared with their respective cutoff value. The mean serum cTnT, CKMB, CRP, and TNF-α levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with their respective baseline values. No significant difference was observed in the level of IL-6 between the baseline and during chemotherapy treatment.
Conclusion
The study showed significant increases in cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers with chemotherapy treatment for female BCa patients in the study area.
Some like it cold!: Heterogeneity in the temperature-economy relationships of Europe
Authors: Groom Ben , Roth Sefi , Linsenmeier Manuel
Published: November 2024

Econometric analysis of the global impact of temperature fluctuations on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) suggests that higher temperatures harm warm countries, benefit cooler ones and the existence of a global "optimal" temperature1–3. However, aggregate temperature-GDP relationships are averages across space and sectors of the economy that mask heterogeneity, misrepresent the costs or benefits of temperature change and provide misleading guidance for mitigation and adaptation policies. Focusing on Europe, we use administrative district level data on the growth rate of Gross-Value Added (GVA) and GDP to estimate the impact of temperature on economic growth at the national, district, and industry levels. Unlike previous global studies, in Europe we find negative effects of warmer-than-average years on GVA and GDP in relatively cold districts (annual mean temperature 0 to 14°C) and positive effects in warmer regions (above 14 °C) warmer-than-average years, yet the opposite in the extremes (< 0 °C and > 20°C). Across Europe this U-shaped temperature-GDP growth relationship implies a -0.14 (95% CI: ± 0.16) percentage point change in economic growth, rather than a benefit of +0.16 (± 0.14) in1. Using RCP4.5 (median CMIP6), average annual growth rates change by between -0.07 (± 0.18) and -1.23 (±0.38) percentage points by 2100, depending on empirical specifications. Disaggregating by sector and district, the marginal temperature effects are highly heterogeneous, even within countries. The results invert the narrative that positive temperature shocks benefit colder regions, point to regional vulnerabilities stemming from specialisation and suggest local temperature optima, not a global one.
JEL Classification: D31, D61, H43.
TREM2 Risk Variants with Alzheimer’s Disease Differ in Rate of Cognitive Decline
Authors: Dijkstra Janna , Vermunt Lisa , Venkatraghavan Vikram , Ozgehov Georgii , Coomans Emma M. , Ossenkoppele Rik , de Giessen Elsmarieke van , Hulsman Marc , de Geus Christa M. , Flier Wiesje M. van der , Sikkes Sietske A.M. , Barkhof Frederik , Tijms Betty , Gouw Alida A. , de Haan Willem , Vijverberg Everard G.B. , Pijnenburg Yolande A.L. , Holstege Henne , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Lee Sven J. van der
Published: November 2024

Rare variants of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 2 (TREM2) gene are major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and drugs targeting the TREM2 protein are being developed. However, it is unknown whether carriers of a TREM2 risk variant have a clinically distinct AD phenotype. Here we studied a full range of clinical measures in a large cohort of TREM2 variant carriers (n = 123, 7.8%, i.e., R62H n = 66, R47H n = 26, T96K n = 16, other TREM2 variants n = 17) compared to confirmed non-carriers (n = 1,459) with biomarker confirmed symptomatic AD from Amsterdam Dementia Cohort. TREM2 variant carriers (mean age at diagnosis 64.4 years (SD ± 7.1), 54% female) did not show distinct clinical measures of AD at presentation compared to AD patients not carrying a TREM2 variant (mean age at diagnosis 64.4 ± 7.0, 52% female). Specifically, we observed no differences in MMSE, most neuropsychological domains (except visuospatial functioning), MRI scores, CSF biomarkers, and EEG. Also, in an exploratory analysis of neuroimaging measures, including structural MRI (41 ROIs) and Tau-PET scans of four carriers (R62H, R47H, G58A, D87N), TREM2 variant carriers showed similar atrophy patterns and similar abnormal tracer binding compared to non-carriers. Despite not being different at baseline, carriers did show faster cognitive decline in follow-up. Carriers declined 0.63 ± 0.25 points on the MMSE more per year compared to non-carriers, but there was no difference in the hazard rate of death after diagnosis. Finally, we explored whether specific TREM2 variants are associated with distinct clinical measures compared to the reference group, i.e. non-carriers, within the same cohort. Notably, both R47H and T96K carriers exhibited faster cognitive decline, and R47H carriers even showed an increased rate of death after diagnosis. In contrast to the shared cognitive decline, these variants showed different results for other measures at baseline. This study presents a detailed overview of the clinical measures in AD patients carrying a TREM2 risk variant, and it shows that carriers of TREM2 risk variants cannot be distinguished based on clinical presentation at baseline. However, carriers exhibit a faster global cognitive decline compared to non-carriers. Variant-specific analyses suggest that especially R47H and T96K carriers drive the association of TREM2 variants with faster cognitive decline.
Efficient production of salicylic acid through CmeR-PcmeO biosensor-assisted multiplexing pathway optimization in Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Kai , Pan Xuewei , Yang Taowei , Rao Zhiming
Published: November 2024

Recent studies have demonstrated that the tolerance of strains to high-concentration products is a feasible strategy for enhancing breakthroughs in the biomanufacturing of various industrial chemicals. In this study, an engineered Escherichia coli strain W3110 with limited ability to produce salicylic acid (SA) was adaptively evolved to acquire high-tolerance of SA. To rapidly isolate SA high-tolerance variation cells, a high-throughput screening method of SA higher producer was established assisted by a a CmeR-PcmeO biosensor. Ultimately, we identified an adaptive evolved strain with salicylic acid (SA) tolerance increasing from 0.9 g/L to 2.1 g/L, and the SA yield was enhanced from 283 mg/L to 588.1 mg/L. Subsequently, the designed sensor in conjunction with a multi-pathway sgRNA array were employed to dynamically regulate the other three derivatives of branched-chain acids, thereby achieving a balance between biomass growth and the rapid production of salicylic acid (SA) in the adaptive evolved strain,, resulting in a maximum SA yield of 1477.8 mg/L, whereas the yield of SA was only 1138.2 mg/L in the control strain W3110K-2 modified with the same metabolic engineering strategy. Through comprehensive whole-genome analysis, we preliminarily validated that the adaptive mutation gene ducA* and Group C2 genes (ymdA*, ymdB*, clsC*, csgB*, csgA*, and csgC*) significantly enhanced the strain's tolerance to elevated salicylic acid concentrations, as well as its efficiency in salicylic acid production and rapid substrate utilization. Notably, the adaptively evolved strain W3110K-4 exhibited a remarkable resistance to phages, which shown an excellent candidate for the microbial fermentation of SA on an industrial scale.
Learning English without an Obvious Purpose? A Task-Based Needs Analysis of Korean Undergraduates in English for General Purposes (EGP) Courses
Authors: Ku Yunjung (Yunie)
Published: November 2024

Despite the attention Task-Based Language Teaching has received in Asia, research on the communicative needs of students in English for general purposes courses remains scarce compared to English for specific purposes. In Korea, where English courses are obligatory for graduation, courses often lack clear relevance. The study tackles this gap by investigating the needs of Korean undergraduates in English for general purposes courses related to their career aspirations. Employing a mixed-method approach, data were collected from 145 survey responses and interviews with four professors. The findings underscore a strong demand for effective communication with foreigners from diverse cultural backgrounds, particularly in English as a foreign language context. Furthermore, the study introduces the concept “Insurance Motivation,” where learners invest in English proficiency as a safeguard for their futures. This research contributes to an understudied area and offers valuable insights to bridge the gap between Task-Based Language Teaching theory and practical implementation.
Risk Factors and Perinatal Outcomes for Placenta Praevia at Delivery in nulliparas: a Retrospective Case-control Study
Authors: Wei Xuemin , Xiang Mi , Cheng Weiwei
Published: November 2024

Background
Placenta previa leads to dangerous obstetrical outcomes, including obstetrical hemorrhage and preterm birth, and its rate is still increasing.The objective is to analyze the risk factors for placenta previa in nulliparas population, and to observe the perinatal outcomes of these patients.
Methods
This retrospective analysis was conducted at the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, China, from January 2018 to December 2022. The placenta previa group consisted of 464 nulliparas with placenta previa at delivery. For each placenta previa patients, 4 nulliparas without placenta previa who gave birth on the same day were randomly selected as the control group (n = 1856). Multivariable logistic regression were employed for adjusted analyses to identify risk factors for placenta previa. Stratified analysis by assisted reproductive techniques(ART) was used to exclude confounders. Furthermore, maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups.
Results
Among 68,310 deliveries included in the analysis, 464 (0.68%) nulliparas with singleton pregnancy of these women had placenta previa at delivery. Histories of endometriosis [Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 5.50], ART [aOR 2.70], and advanced maternal age [aOR 1.81] emerged as significant risk factors for placenta previa. Stratified analysis showed endometriosis linked to placenta previa both in ART [aOR 2.25] and natural conceptions [aOR 7.69], significantly raising spontaneous pregnancy risk. Notably, the placenta previa group exhibited a significantly higher proportion of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
In nulliparas, endometriosis, ART, and advanced maternal age emerge as independent risk factors for placenta previa at delivery, leading to adverse perinatal outcomes. In addition, endometriosis history was significantly associated with placenta previa in ART and natural conceptions, increasing risk for spontaneous pregnancies.
MambaLF: An Efficient Local Feature Extraction and Matching with State Space Model
Authors: Bian Houqin , Chen Qifei , Zhang Haolin , Qin Lunming , Xue Liang , Cui Haoyang , Wang Xi
Published: November 2024

Local feature extraction and matching has lately attracted increasing attention due to its wide application, especially in real-time automated systems. However, existing image matching methods struggle to balance the global receptive field and the efficient computation, which limits the practical applications. Recently, the State Space Model (SSM) has shown great potential in linear complexity and long-range dependency modeling. Therefore, in this paper, a local feature extraction and matching method using the SSM is proposed, which aims to achieve the tradeoff between global information extraction and model complexity. Firstly, a Local and Global Information Fusion (LGIF) block is developed to integrate local and global information and reduce model parameters through parallel SSM. Secondly, a backbone based on Euclidean group E(2) equivariant steerable Convolution (E2Conv) is designed to improve the model's robustness against geometric transformations. Finally, a self-supervised learning framework is constructed, which optimizes the ability of the network in local feature detection and description by combining four loss functions: keypoint localization loss, keypoint confidence score loss, descriptor triplet loss, and keypoint correspondence loss. Experimental results on public benchmark datasets Hpatches and RDNIM demonstrate that the proposed method has a significant advantage over existing methods in homography estimation tasks. Notably, our method outperforms the end-to-end dense matching method LoFTR by 6.11% under the 1-pixel error threshold on the Hpatches dataset, simultaneously with a smaller number of parameters and less average matching time.
AI/ML-based model to investigate the variability of the Fully Depleted SOI MOSFET
Authors: Chanda Manash , Roy Swarnil , Ghosh Sudipta , Debnath Papiya
Published: November 2024

A machine learning-based approach to predict the variability of Fully Depleted Silicon on Insulator (FDSOI) MOSFETs is demonstrated in this paper. Here, mainly On and OFF current (ION and IOFF), Threshold Voltage (VTH), and sub-threshold slope (SS) variability due to device geometries like channel length, body thickness, oxide thickness etc have been investigated in depth using AI/ML framework. The Random Forest Regression (RFR) model has demonstrated substantial effectiveness in evaluating the device characteristics. SILVACO ATLAS-based device simulation produces a dataset of 14627 different readings. Out of different regression and classification methods, the RFR-ML model attains maximum accuracy. The efficacy of the ML frameworks has been measured using mean square error (RMSE) (~ 0.0001), R2 score (~ 0.9986), and accuracy (~ 99.60%) as figures of merit, demonstrating its superiority over state-of-the-art literature. In addition to offering higher accuracy, the model can predict data within seconds, in contrast to the traditional ways. This rapid and precise design approach is highly beneficial for the current VLSI industries in terms of accuracy and precision and achieving scalability and cost-effectiveness.
Efficient FPGA Implementation of the Twofish Encryption Algorithm for High-Security Applications
Authors: Amara Wided , Ghodhbani Refka , Ghayoula Ridha , Smida Amor , Saidani Taoufik , Fattahi Jaouhar , Said Yahia
Published: November 2024

This paper presents an efficient implementation of the Twofish encryption algorithm on FPGA chips, with a specific focus on its utilization in applications requiring a high level of security. The Twofish algorithm is renowned for its robust security and efficiency, making it suitable for a wide range of security-sensitive applications. The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate how Twofish 1 can be successfully deployed on FPGAs, capitalizing on their parallelism and cus-tomization capabilities to achieve high encryption performance while preserving data security. We provide detailed insights into the hardware design and specific optimizations required to fully harness FPGA technology. Additionally, this study compares the implementation of the Twofish encryption algorithm across four FPGA families: Artix-7, Kintex, Stratix, and Vitex. The efficiency of this FPGA implementation is assessed through performance tests, highlighting its ability to deliver fast and secure encryption and decryption processes. Furthermore, we explore the practical applications of this solution, including securing communications , safeguarding sensitive data, and other scenarios where data security is paramount. This study serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners working in fields where data security is a top priority, offering a detailed insight into the successful implementation of Twofish on FPGAs and its potential applications.
“When You Pop, You Know Everybody That Rolls”: Social and Contextual Pragmatism in Substance Initiation and Transition
Authors: Sibley Adams L. , Colston David C. , Joniak-Grant Elizabeth , Mortensen Hillary L. , Swilley-Martinez Monica E. , Pence Brian W. , Ranapurwala Shabbar I.
Published: November 2024

Background
The overdose epidemic is presently driven by polydrug use, sparking renewed interest in why people initiate use of certain drugs or drug combinations. Current research privileges the physiological ends of consumption, often ignoring the social and environmental context of use. Framed by social cognitive theory, the purpose of this study was to characterize factors precipitating substance initiation, transition, and combination beyond the immediate effects of the substance(s).
Methods
We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with people who use drugs across North Carolina, exploring substance use history and risk and protective factors of polydrug use. Participants also completed a visual timeline activity. We used a staged analytic approach, beginning with deductive Structural Coding and ending with inductive Reflexive Thematic Analysis at both the transcript and excerpt levels.
Results
We conceptualized substance transitions as pragmatic processes within environments of constraints and opportunities. Socially, drug choices were often driven by a desire for interpersonal bonding, pressure to assimilate to practices in one’s social circles, and the ubiquity of use within one’s milieu. Transitions were also shaped by environmental context – which substances are locally available, the logistical convenience of competing substances, and the material costs of use.
Conclusions
Beyond the desire for new or enhanced physiological effects, substance transitions serve social and practical functions, like facilitating emotional closeness and ensuring stable supply. Interventions to reduce the risks of use should account for these contextual factors – for instance, by educating on strategies to avoid normative pressures and by promoting safe, affordable, and accessible supply.
Avaliação da Sintomatologia após Liberação Cirúrgica do Túnel do Carpo em Pacientes Operados nos Últimos 10 Anos em um Hospital Acadêmico Terciário
Authors: Nanci Guilherme Martins , Kempf Otávio Rosa , Martins Venâncio Veneroni , Ismael Lucas Klarosk , Gonçalves Vitor Araújo , Souto Cícero José Silva , Rezende Luis Guilherme Rosifini Alves
Published: November 2024

Objetivo: Avaliar retrospectivamente as comorbidades e sintomatologia dos pacientes submetidos à liberação cirúrgica da síndrome do túnel do carpo em um hospital acadêmico terciário na última década, descrevendo dados clínicos, demográficos e a ocorrência de complicações pós-operatórias. Métodos: O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa em Seres Humanos, sob número de protocolo CAAE 79061724.4.0000.5440. Todos os prontuários utilizados na pesquisa foram disponibilizados pela nossa instituição. Solicitamos a dispensa do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido (TCLE) devido à impossibilidade de contactar o elevado número de participantes. Resultados: Dos 325 pacientes submetidos à liberação cirúrgica para a STC, 71 apresentaram sintomatologia no período pós-operatório, com alguns dos sintomas persistindo desde o período prévio à cirurgia. Dor do pilar foi a complicação mais comum, enquanto as infecções e deiscência tiveram baixa ocorrência. As complicações foram mais prevalentes em pacientes com mais de 1 comorbidade. HAS, diabetes e obesidade seguem com alta prevalência. Conclusão: A prevalência de pacientes com sintomatologia após a liberação cirúrgica do nervo mediano no túnel do carpo foi de 21%. As mulheres foram mais afetadas, e a média de idade foi de 50 anos. A dor do pilar foi o sintoma mais prevalente.
Kynurenine’s Effect on the Different Stages of Osteoblastic Differentiation
Authors: Allen Tate
Published: November 2024

This study focuses on the dynamics of age-related changes in osteoblasts’ matrix production, with a specific focus on the involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The AhR is activated by kynurenine, a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan that tends to increase with age. Kynurenine has been known to impair osteoblasts’ bone formation ability, however, the point at which this occurs is unknown. The study utilizes a 21-day differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells. “Window experiments” that vary the intervals of kynurenine treatment to explore its impact at different stages of osteoblast development were utilized. The experimental setup involves four distinct conditions: a control group with a vehicle, a group treated with kynurenine, a group with an AhR antagonist (BAY), and a group treated with both kynurenine and BAY. The AhR antagonist, specifically BAY2416964, serves to investigate whether any observed effects of kynurenine are mediated through AhR signaling. Results, analyzed through alizarin red staining, demonstrate a notable negative impact of kynurenine on matrix production, particularly in the middle stages of osteoblast differentiation. The study further employs crystal violet staining to confirm the presence of cells in the experimental wells, provid-ing assurance of the reliability of the alizarin staining procedure. Importantly, this staining procedure also suggests that the effects of kynurenine on mineralized matrix production are largely independent of any potential impacts on cell viability.
Direct method for solving systems of second order ordinary differential equations
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Olemskoy Igor V. , Eremin Alexey S. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Matrosov Alexander V. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: November 2024

In the paper a direct solver for systems of structurally partitioned second order differential equations is proposed. a general scheme of the method algorithmically oriented towards the particular structure of the system is presented. With the last stage reuse (also known as FSAL approach) an embedded pair of sixth and fourth order methods with just six stages is constructed, which provides an easy step-size control. Numerical comparison is made with the well-known Dormand — Prince method 5(4)7F having the same computation cost, showing the advantage of the proposed method.
Imagawa Ryoshun’s Nantaiheiki: Edited with Translation and Commentary. Part 3
Authors:   Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography of the Peoples of the Far East, Far Eastern Branch Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prasol Alexander F.
Published: November 2024

Written in 1402, Nantaiheiki (Criticisms of the “Tale of the Great Peace”) belongs to the 14thcentury politician and warlord Imagawa Ryoshun. Manuscript belongs to the genre of family instructions of the military class (kakun or kaho), although it has some uncharacteristic features of this genre. Until now, it has not become an object of study in domestic oriental studies and has no Russian translation. The Nantaiheiki consists of three semantic parts. The first one contains information about the history of the Imagawa and Ashikaga families. In the second part the author criticizes the shortcomings of the Taiheiki (Tale of Great Peace) that at the time was considered as an official chronicle of the Ashikaga dynasty. In the third part he describes the circumstances of his dismissal from the post of the viceroy of Kyushu island and subsequent disgrace because of his participation in the rebellion of 1399–1400 (Oei no ran). The present article is the completion of the work on the first and second parts of the manuscript published in the previous issue of the Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. It analyzes the content and purposes of the writing of the final part of Nantaiheiki, as well as the consistency of the author’s statements with the conclusions of contemporary Japanese historians. On the basis of the analysis it is concluded that the main purpose of Imagawa is to prove his innocence and to spare his descendants the consequences of his disgrace. In general, the manuscript does not contain a systematic account of events and cannot be considered a reliable source. It’s just a subjective analysis of some episodes from the author’s life with a predetermined purpose, but it is of some interest in terms of argumentation and moral evaluations of the deeds committed by the author and his counterparts. It also contains some curious details illustrating human relations in the system of military power in the fourteenth century. Thanks to the Japanese historians who have studied and translated the manuscript into the modern language, some important aspects of the socio-political life of the fourteenth century’s Japan have been clarified.
Indonesia, Islam, and Literature: Phenomenal Popularity of Sastra Islami
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Frolova Marina V.
Published: November 2024

The goals of this paper are determined by the relevance of Islam in the light of modern Indonesian culture. For the first time in Russian oriental studies, an attempt has been made to determine the specifics of some literary texts that Indonesians call Muslim (literally “Islamic”) literature or sastra islami, which has been in demand for the local book market for two decades. The demand for this literature comes from the “observing” Muslim public of Indonesia, and is quite easily explained by the long period of neglecting the role of Islam in the sociopolitical life of the country. After the fall of the Suharto regime (since 1998), Islam gradually transformed from a marginalized subculture to its mainstream status, slowly displacing the liberal pro-feminist cluster of sastra wangi literature which was on top of its popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Along with the strengthening of religious discourse, “new classic” works of certain engaged authors help the self-identification of some Indonesian youth (this is especially noticeable among the female audience) through the Muslim metanarrative. The phenomenon of sastra islami is widespread, and its commercial success is confirmed not only by the circulation of numerous re-releases, but also by box-office film adaptations. The main sources for this paper are two novels by the popular Indonesian writer Habiburrahman El Shirazy, also known as Kang Abik (“Verses of Love”, 2004 and “Land of Love”, 2005), the novel used as an additional source is “The Sinking of the ‘Van der Wijk’” (1938) by Haji Abdullah Malik Karim Amrullah, also known as Hamka (an abbreviation of his full name). Significant novels of these authors became “new classic” examples of Muslim modification of mass literature. In its core these books unfold fascinating stories about young Indonesians in outstanding circumstances, according to main plot structure all the good heroes who follow the path of Islam are rewarded, and the unrighteous ones are punished. Constant retelling of the al-Quran and the Hadiths by the characters of the novels helps to popularize the sacred texts for the common reader. Film adaptations provide proselytizing activity — attracting new audiences and involving them in the world of Islam. The main conclusion of this paper is that sastra islami is both a phenomenon of Indonesian pop-culture and strong element of the cultural identity of Muslim Indonesians, since the principle of adab literature “entertaining means teaching” dates back to the times of the entry of Islam into the world of Nusantara and since the very same times of adaptions of the traditional Arabic and Persian texts.
Modality of Volition in the Supertext of the Russian Coronavirus Social Poster
Authors:   Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Yang Zhibing
Published: November 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the subfield of volition of the tonality category realized in the supertext of the Russian social poster about the coronavirus. The study is based on the analysis of 1500 advertising posters created in Russia during the coronavirus pandemic (2020–2023). The material was selected based on the official websites of the Internet resources: Stopcoronavirus. rf, Myvmestе 2020. rf, as well as other Internet sources such as VKontakte, Google and Yandex. The aim of the study is to identify the specificity of the willed tone in the discourse of the supertext of the coronavirus social poster, to characterize the linguistic means for its realization. The tasks of the article include the allocation of various microsubfields of the volition of tonality in the advertising material. Procedures of functional-semantic, contextological and lexico-grammatical analysis allowed the author to characterize the volitional tonality of social advertising presented as a supertext, i. e. as a set of statements limited in time and space, united by a common content and having a common tonality. The understanding of tonality as an expression of emotional and volitional orientation of the addressee, his attitude to the topic of speech, the addressee and the context of communication is formulated. The textual category of tonality is interpreted as a field in its structure, including three subfields: volition, intensity and emotionality. The dominant component of advertising tonality is the subfield of volition. The invariant modal attitude of the supertext of the social advertisement about the coronavirus is the informative-directive tone, realized through a combination of directive and informative microsubfields (call-order, prohibition, appeal, warning, recommendation/ advice, reminder, request, wish, inform), which are of an educational nature and are aimed at educating and directing the addressee’s actions. The highlighted microsubfields are arranged according to the scale of categorical volition.
Peculiarities of Sergei Yesenin’s Worldview, Reflected in His Poetic Language
Authors:   Ryazan State University named for S. A. Yesenin, Yuzhakova Yulia A.
Published: November 2024

The article examines the features of creating epithets based on mixing semantic fields in the Sergei Yesenin’s poetic language. The author makes an attempt to look at poetic creativity from the inside: to systematize the words chosen by the poet, analyze the patterns of their use, identify the basis of compatibility, and trace the ways of the origin of the author’s tropes. The research is in line with the description of the idiostyle of artists of the Russian word, and the study of the language of the poetic works of Yesenin seems relevant and promising. The work is aimed at studying the functioning and compatibility of lexemes in the language of a particular writer. The article outlines the prospects for lexicalsemantic research, which involves selection, classification, and analysis of the compatibility of lexemes in order to determine their place in the poet’s linguistic picture of the world. In the article, depending on the tasks being solved, the following methods are used: continuous sampling, description, comparison, contextual, semantic and stylistic analysis of the linguistic structure of a literary text using specific techniques of linguostylistic analysis. A feature of Yesenin’s lyrics is the unexpectedness of the images created in violation of the laws of lexical compatibility. The author have identified and described three groups of epithets that give rise to a unique idiostyle: synesthetic (all senses are actively involved in perception), oxymoronic (incompatible extremes of human feelings are combined) and paradoxical (similarity is only in the eyes of the poet). A poetic picture of the Yesenin’s world is almost always distinguished by a multifaceted characteristic, expressed in a combination of several levels of perception. The poet sees the surrounding reality differently than his contemporaries, and wants the reader to penetrate into his figurative representation, achieve a combination of various sensory sensations, combine extremely incompatible human feelings, and be able to find similarities in completely different objects. The results of the study are in line with the identification, description and analysis of lexical and thematic groups of Yesenin’s lyrics and lay down the prospects for compiling materials for a thematic dictionary.
Symbolic-Semantic Originality Components of the Artistic World Model of the Story “Pilgrim” by Ivan S. Shmelev
Authors:   Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M. V. Lomonosov, Shestakova Elena Yu.
Published: November 2024

The purpose of the article is to reveal the originality of the figurative and motivic structure of the story by Russian emigre writer of the first wave, Ivan S. Shmelev. Images and motifs are considered as significant components of the artistic model of the text, allowing to identify the author’s value systems and the specifics of the linguistic organization of the work. The novelty of the study lies in the consideration of the text from the point of view of its world-modeling specificity. To achieve the stated goal, comparative historical, biographical methods, and the method of descriptive poetics were used. The results obtained during the study showed that the figurative-motive system of the story is included in the Christian context. Significant worldmodeling components of the work are the Easter motif, motifs of “childhood”, joy, holiness, righteousness, crying, miracle, fabulousness, abundance, spiritual purity, simplicity, spiritual kinship, silence, death, trinity, the image of light. Special attention is paid to the image of the child, who is the leading world-modeling category in the text. The artistic model of the world of “Bogomolye” (“Pilgrimage”) is structured from the point of view of the characteristics of child’s worldview. The chronotope of the garden-paradise and the “holy road” become important world-modeling universals in the story. In “Bogomolye” (“Pilgrimage”) the reader is presented with an image of a “golden” happy childhood, an idyllic world filled with love and a feeling of spiritual kinship of everyone with everyone. Particular attention is paid to identifying the specific color scheme of the figurative system of the story, full of deep symbolism. Along with the image of the hero, the narrative structure of the work contains the image of the author, which brings a nostalgic tone to the text. At the end, the author’s understanding of the motive of death, which reflected the intensity of the writer’s spiritual quest, is substantiated. Keywords: Ivan S. Shmelev, story “Bogomolye” (“Pilgrimage”), artistic world model, image, motive, symbol, semantics.
Exploring Novel Benzopyran Derivatives as Antitubercular Agents
Authors: Suvaiv  , Singh Kuldeep , Hasan Syed Misbahul , Arif Muhammad , Ahmad Firoz , Sharma Rolee , Hasan Zaidi Syed Mehdi , Shahanawaz Mo.
Published: November 2024

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, necessitating
the exploration of novel therapeutic agents. Reported antitubercular activities of previously synthesized
benzopyran and other oxygen-containing heterocycles motivate us to synthesize and evaluate
the antitubercular potential of benzopyran derivatives.

Objective: The aim of this study was to combine two scaffolds; one is coumarin (benzopyran-2-one),
and another one is piperazine, as both are found in anti-tubercular derivatives.

Methods: Through a four-step synthetic approach, compounds SM1-SM10 were synthesized. These
derivatives were subsequently evaluated for their in vitro anti-tubercular potential using the resazurin
microtiter assay (REMA), with isoniazid as the standard (MIC 0.25 to 0.5μg/mL).

Results: Among the synthesized compounds, SM2 and SM8 demonstrated remarkable antitubercular
activity, with MICs of 4 and 6μg/mL, respectively. Notably, these MIC values are considerable
for the further development of benzopyran derivatives as potent antitubercular agents.

Conclusion: Outcomes underscore the potential of benzopyran derivatives as valuable assets in TB
drug discovery, warranting further exploration and development.