bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual-real combination Ritchey-Common interferometry
Authors: Liu Yiming , Hu Yao , Zhang Shaohui , Huang Shen , Li Jinpeng , Yan Limin , Lv Jiahang , Wang Zhen , Chang Xu , Hao Qun
Published: April 2022

Large optical flats play a remarkable role in advanced large-aperture optical systems and the testing of the surface shape error is indispensable for the fabrication. The widely adopted Ritchey-Common test for large optical flats will fail without the rigorous test configurations including a large F/# prerequisition and a flat-to-interferometer distance invariance. A virtual-real combination Ritchey-Common interferometry is proposed to avoid the large F/# prerequisition by accurately modelling the optical path in a virtual interferometer. Furthermore, a virtual-real combination iterative algorithm is proposed in this method to break the flat-to-interferometer distance invariance. Measurement experiments for 100 mm and 422 mm aperture flats were performed to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. Compared with a direct testing in a standard Zygo interferometer, the peak to valley (PV) and root mean square (RMS) errors were less than 0.1 λ and 0.01 λ (λ=632.8 nm), respectively, in different Ritchey angles and flat-to-interferometer distances. Further numerical simulations demonstrate that RMS errors for various Zernike aberrations in arbitrary F/# are less than 0.01 λ. This method can break the distance invariance restriction and achieve high accuracy with an arbitrary F/#, thus providing substantial freedom in the design of test configurations to accommodate various test scenarios.
Mitigation of scintillation in FSO communication using a temporally and spatially incoherent spectrum-sliced light source
Authors: Lee Daeseong , Mai Vuong , Kim Hoon
Published: April 2022

We propose and demonstrate a temporally and spatially incoherent spectrum-sliced light source for scintillation mitigation in free-space optical (FSO) communications. For the temporal incoherence, we utilize the spectrum-sliced incoherent light (SSIL) modulated by gain-saturated reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers for data modulation and the suppression of excess intensity noise inherent in a narrowband incoherent light source. We then employ offset launching from a single-mode fiber to a multi-mode fiber to add the spatial incoherence to the SSIL source. The experimental demonstration shows that this temporally and spatially incoherent light is effective in mitigating scintillation. For example, this light source reduces the transmitter power required to achieve a bit-error ratio of 10−3 by ∼6 dB in comparison with the laser source. This is an ∼3 dB larger reduction in the transmitter power than the reduction achieved by a temporally incoherent light source.
Variation of the sign of nonlinear refraction of carbon disulfide in the short-wavelength region
Authors: Kim V. V. , Bundulis A. , Grube J. , Ganeev R. A.
Published: April 2022

We report the spectral dependence of the nonlinear refractive index (γ) of carbon disulfide (CS2) in the range of 400–1100 nm in the case of the femtosecond laser pulses. The positive sign of γ dominated in the region between 600 and 1100 nm. At a shorter wavelength (500 nm), we observed the intensity-dependent competition between the fifth-order related self-defocusing and third-order related self-focusing. Further decrease of the wavelength of the probe pulses (400 nm) resulted in domination of the negative nonlinear refraction. The fifth-order nonlinear refractive index of CS2 at λ = 400 nm (η = −4×10−22 cm4 W−2) is determined.
Analyzing human knockouts to validate GPR151 as a therapeutic target for reduction of body mass index
Authors: Gurtan Allan , Dominy John , Khalid Shareef , Vong Linh , Caplan Shari , Currie Treeve , Richards Sean , Lamarche Lindsey , Denning Daniel , Shpektor Diana , Gurinovich Anastasia , Rasheed Asif , Hameed Shahid , Saeed Subhan , Saleem Imran , Jalal Anjum , Abbas Shahid , Sultana Raffat , Rasheed Syed Zahed , Memon Fazal-ur-Rehman , Shah Nabi , Ishaq Mohammad , Khera Amit V. , Danesh John , Frossard Philippe , Saleheen Danish
Published: April 2022

Novel drug targets for sustained reduction in body mass index (BMI) are needed to curb the epidemic of obesity, which affects 650 million individuals worldwide and is a causal driver of cardiovascular and metabolic disease and mortality. Previous studies reported that the Arg95Ter nonsense variant of GPR151, an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, is associated with reduced BMI and reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Here, we further investigate GPR151 with the Pakistan Genome Resource (PGR), which is one of the largest exome biobanks of human homozygous loss-of-function carriers (knockouts) in the world. Among PGR participants, we identify eleven GPR151 putative loss-of-function (plof) variants, three of which are present at homozygosity (Arg95Ter, Tyr99Ter, and Phe175LeufsTer7), with a cumulative allele frequency of 2.2%. We confirm these alleles in vitro as loss-of-function. We test if GPR151 plof is associated with BMI, T2D, or other metabolic traits and find that GPR151 deficiency in complete human knockouts is not associated with clinically significant differences in these traits. Relative to Gpr151+/+ mice, Gpr151-/- animals exhibit no difference in body weight on normal chow and higher body weight on a high-fat diet. Together, our findings indicate that GPR151 antagonism is not a compelling therapeutic approach to treatment of obesity.
Treatment outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis among diabetes patients in Ethiopia. Hospital-based study
Authors: Mekonnen Gizework Alemnew , Gelaye Kassahun Alemu , Gebreyohannes Eyob Alemayehu , Abegaz Tadesse Melaku
Published: April 2022

Background

There was limited data on treatment outcomes among patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Ethiopia.

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine the treatment outcomes of DKA patients attending Debre Tabor General Hospital.

Method

A retrospective study was conducted at Debre Tabor General Hospital and data were collected from June 1 to June 30 of 2018. Participants included in the study were all diabetic patients with DKA admitted from August 2010 to May 31, 2018. The primary outcomes were the treatment outcomes of DKA including (in-hospital glycemic control, the length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality). The statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Descriptive statistics was presented in the form of means with standard deviation and binary regression was conducted to determine factors that affect length of hospital stay among DKA patients.

Result

387 patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 33.30± 14.96 years. The most common precipitating factor of DKA was new onset diabetes mellitus 150(38.8%). The mean length of hospital stay was 4.64(±2.802) days. The mean plasma glucose at admission and discharge was 443.63(±103.33) and 172.94 (±80.60) mg/dL, respectively. The majority 370 (95.60%) of patients improved and discharged whereas 17 (4.40%) patients died in the hospital. Patients with mild and moderate DKA showed short hospital stay; AOR: 0.16 [0.03–0.78] and AOR:0.17[0.03–0.96] compared with severe DKA. Diabetic ketoacidosis precipitated by infection were nearly five times more likely to have long hospital stay than DKA precipitated by other causes; AOR: 4.59 [1.08–19.42]. In addition, serum glucose fluctuation during hospitalization increased the likelihood of long hospital stay, AOR: 2.15[1.76–2.63].

Conclusions

New onset type 1 diabetes was the major precipitating factor for DKA. Admitted DKA patients remained in hospital for a duration of approximately five days. About five out of hundred DKA patients ended up with death in the hospital. Infection, serum glucose fluctuations and severity of DKA were determinants of long hospital stay. Early prevention of precipitating factors and adequate management of DAK are warranted to reduce length of hospital stay and mortality.
External load of the tasks planned by teachers for learning handball
Authors: Feu Sebastián , García-Rubio Javier , Ibáñez Sergio J. , Antúnez Antonio
Published: April 2022

The load in tasks planned for sports teaching in physical education classes has received little attention. The purpose of this study was therefore to analyze the external load, eTL, in the tasks designed by physical education teachers from the in-service and pre-service stages, for teaching handball in primary education, and to compare them with the tasks included in the lesson plans designed for handball using the tactical games teaching model. An associative, comparative and cross-sectional methodology was used. Twenty-three teachers, five in the in-service phase and eighteen in the pre-service phase, designed lesson plans for teaching handball, which were compared with lesson plans validated by a panel of experts. The analysis was performed on 1,232 tasks or analysis units. eTL was categorized using the Integrated analysis system of training tasks (SIATE) instrument. A descriptive and associative analysis was made of the variables that make up the eTL and an inferential analysis of the eTL using non-parametric tests. The total eTL of the tasks planned by the in-service and pre-service teachers was low, and significantly lower than the tasks planned using the tactical games model, which showed a high level.
Pre-processing methods in chest X-ray image classification
Authors: Giełczyk Agata , Marciniak Anna , Tarczewska Martyna , Lutowski Zbigniew
Published: April 2022

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began in early 2020, paralyzing human life all over the world and threatening our security. Thus, the need for an effective, novel approach to diagnosing, preventing, and treating COVID-19 infections became paramount.

Methods

This article proposes a machine learning-based method for the classification of chest X-ray images. We also examined some of the pre-processing methods such as thresholding, blurring, and histogram equalization.

Results

We found the F1-score results rose to 97%, 96%, and 99% for the three analyzed classes: healthy, COVID-19, and pneumonia, respectively.

Conclusion

Our research provides proof that machine learning can be used to support medics in chest X-ray classification and improving pre-processing leads to improvements in accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-scores.
Establishing the psychometric properties of constructs from the conceptual ‘Settlement Services Literacy’ framework and their relationship with migrants’ acculturative stress in Australia
Authors: Renzaho Andre M. N. , Polonsky Michael J. , Ferdous Ahmed , Yusuf Adnan , Abood Julianne , Salami Bukola Oladunni , Woodward Kerry , Green Julie
Published: April 2022

Background

Effective migration often requires supports for new arrivals, referred to as settlement services. Settlement services literacy (SSL) is key to ensuring new migrants have the capability to access and utilise the information and services designed to support the resettlement process and achieve positive settlement outcomes. To date, however, no research has sought to empirically validate measures of SSL or to assess individual migrants’ levels of SSL. The aim of this study was to establish the psychometric properties of constructs from the conceptual SSL framework.

Design

Using a snowball sampling approach, trained multilingual research assistants collected data on 653 participants. The total sample was randomly divided into two split-half samples: one for the exploratory factor analysis (EFA; N = 324) and the other for the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; N = 329) and scale validation. The final SSL scale included 30 questions. The full data set was used to test the nomological validity of the scale regarding whether the components of SSL impact on migrants’ level of acculturative stress.

Results

The EFA yielded five factors: knowledge (eight items, α = 0.88), empowerment (five items, α = 0.89), competence (four items, α = 0.86), community influence (four items, α = 0.82), and political (two items, α = 0.81). In the CFA, the initial model demonstrated a poor to marginal fit model. Its re-specification by examining modification indices resulted in a good model fit: CMIN/DF = 3.07, comparative fit index = 0.92, root mean square error of approximation = 0.08 and standardised root mean square residual = 0.07, which are consistent with recommendations. All the path coefficients between the second-order construct (SSL) and its five dimensions (knowledge, empowerment, competence, community influence and political) were significant at an α = .05 level, giving evidence for the validity of different SSL dimensions. We found that SSL is significantly related to migrants’ acculturative stress (β = - 0.39, p < 0.05) in the nomological model.

Conclusions

The study provides evidence of the construct validity and reliability of the SSL tool. It provides the basis for integrating the measures of SSL into evaluation of settlement services. This will allow for more effective decision-making in designing and implementing settlement services as well as funding and service agreements to address any deficiencies.
Safety and efficacy of colchicine in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Yasmin Farah , Najeeb Hala , Moeed Abdul , Hassan Wardah , Khatri Mahima , Asghar Muhammad Sohaib , Naveed Ahmed Kunwer , Ullah Waqas , Surani Salim
Published: April 2022

Background

Colchicine has been used an effective anti-inflammatory drug to treat gout diseases. Owing to its pharmacodynamic of inhibiting interleukins, it has been repurposed to target the cytokine storm post-SARS-CoV-2 invasion. The goal of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the safety profile of colchicine in COVID-19 patients using the gold-standard randomised-control trials.

Methods

Electronic databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane) were systematically searched until June 2021 and RCTs were extracted. Outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality, COVID-19 severity, mechanical ventilation, C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels. Using a random-effects model, dichotomous outcomes were pooled using odds ratios (OR) through the generic inverse variance formula while weighted mean differences were calculated using the Wan’s method. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant for all outcomes.

Results

A total population of 16,048 from five RCTs were included in the analysis. Of this, 7957 were randomized to colchicine, and 8091 received standard care, with an average age of 60.67 years. Colchicine was observed to significantly reduce COVID-19 severity (OR: 0.41, 95% CI [0.22, 0.76]; p = 0.005), and CRP levels (WMD: -19.99, 95% CI [-32.09, -7.89]; p = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in D-dimer levels (WMD: 0.31, 95% CI [-0.61, 1.23]; p = 0.51), mechanical ventilation (OR: 0.42, 95% CI [0.17, 1.03]; p = 0.06; I2= 74%) and all-cause mortality (OR: 0.98, 95% CI [0.83, 1.16]; p = 0.84) among patients receiving colchicine or standard care.

Conclusion

Colchicine treatment decreased CRP levels and COVID-19 severity, with dimer levels, all-cause mortality and mechanical ventilation remaining seemingly unaffected. Thus, clinical trials need to be carried out that allow effective evaluation of colchicine in COVID-19 patients.
Population estimation beyond counts—Inferring demographic characteristics
Authors: Szarka Noée , Biljecki Filip
Published: April 2022

Mapping population distribution at a fine spatial scale is essential for urban studies and planning. Numerous studies, mainly supported by geospatial and statistical methods, have focused primarily on predicting population counts. However, estimating their socio-economic characteristics beyond population counts, such as average age, income, and gender ratio, remains unattended. We enhance traditional population estimation by predicting not only the number of residents in an area, but also their demographic characteristics: average age and the proportion of seniors. By implementing and comparing different machine learning techniques (Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, and Linear Regression) in administrative areas in Singapore, we investigate the use of point of interest (POI) and real estate data for this purpose. The developed regression model predicts the average age of residents in a neighbourhood with a mean error of about 1.5 years (the range of average resident age across Singaporean districts spans approx. 14 years). The results reveal that age patterns of residents can be predicted using real estate information rather than with amenities, which is in contrast to estimating population counts. Another contribution of our work in population estimation is the use of previously unexploited POI and real estate datasets for it, such as property transactions, year of construction, and flat types (number of rooms). Advancing the domain of population estimation, this study reveals the prospects of a small set of detailed and strong predictors that might have the potential of estimating other demographic characteristics such as income.
Writing from the gut: Embodied spectatorship and violence in contemporary Mexican cinema
Authors: Cosentino Olivia
Published: April 2022

A number of contemporary Mexican films have moved away from the direct portrayal of graphic violence on-screen, instead engaging with invisible, hard-to-represent aspects of systemic violence. This article brings together Deleuzian affect theory with cinematographic formalism to offer a new methodological approach to violence in cinema that draws from the critic’s own body and gut feelings. Through a case study of Tatiana non-fiction film Tempestad/Tempest, it suggests that the affective work of the film occurs not in the first moment of viewership, but rather after-the-fact by laying the groundwork for future resonances.
Current Applications of Telemedicine in Gastroenterology
Authors: Fung Brian M. , Markarian Eric , Serper Marina , Tabibian James H.
Published: April 2022

Telemedicine generally refers to the use of technology to communicate with patients and provide health care from a distance. Advances in technology, specifically computers, cellphones, and other mobile devices, have facilitated healthcare providers' growing ability to virtually monitor and mentor patients. There has been a progressive expansion in the use of telemedicine in the field of gastroenterology (GI), which has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we discuss telemedicine—its history, various forms, and limitations—and its current applications in GI. Specifically, we focus on telemedicine in GI practice in general and specific applications, including the management of inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and colorectal cancer surveillance and its use as an aid in endoscopic procedures.
Herbicide efficacy in the fall management of Richardia brasiliensis, Commelina benghalensis, Conyza sumatrensis AND Digitaria insularis
Authors: Bottcher Aderlan Ademir , Albrecht Alfredo Junior Paiola , Albrecht Leandro Paiola , Kashivaqui Eduardo Seity Furlan , Cassol Marcelo , Souza Cristian Natalino Zanfrilli de , Wagner Felipe Gustavo , Silva André Felipe Moreira
Published: April 2022

Other herbicides, alone or in combination with glyphosate, may be effective in controlling Richardia brasiliensis, Commelina benghalensis, Conyza sumatrensis e Digitaria insularis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of herbicides, alone or in combination, in the control of these weeds in the off-season. Three composite experiments were conducted by applying herbicides, alone or in combinations. Experiments 1 and 2 were conducted in Palotina, State of Paraná (PR), Brazil. Experiment 3 in Iporã, PR, Brazil. The three during fall 2017 in fallow areas after soybean harvest. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with 4 replications and weed control at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after application (DAA). The control of R. brasiliensis and C. benghalensis was evaluated in the three experiments, the control of C. sumatrensis, in experiments 1 and 2, while the control of D. insularis was evaluated only in experiment 3. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and F-test (p < 0.05). The treatment means values of experiments 1 and 2 were compared by Tukey’s test (p < 0.05), and the treatment mean values of experiment 3 were grouped by the Scott and Knott test (p < 0.05). Some herbicide combinations were effective in controlling R. brasiliensis, C. benghalensis, in a single or sequential application. Herbicide combinations were effective in controlling C. sumatrensis with sequential application. Herbicide combinations in a single application did not provide satisfactory final control (≥ 80%) for D. insularis.
The use of light-transparent acetate sheet to measure canopy height of marandu palisadegrass: the influence of development stage and sward height
Authors: Santos Manoel Eduardo Rozalino , Guilherme Portes Silva  , Gabriel de Oliveira Rocha  , Bruno Humberto Rezende Carvalho  , Kimberly Barcelos Gois  , Lorena Carla Adorno
Published: April 2022

The use of light-transparent acetate sheet (LAS) may generate variations in the height measured in the sward. However, we compared the use or non-use of LAS to measure the average sward height of marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha syn. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) pastures. In the first experiment, the methods were applied in pastures with different average heights (15, 25, 35, and 45 cm), managed under continuous stocking with sheep, and with predominance of vegetative tillers. The shorter pastures (15 and 25 cm) had similar heights with or without the use of the LAS. However, in the taller pastures (35 and 45 cm), the use of LAS resulted in lower height values, compared with its absence. In the second experiment, we compared both methods for measuring the height of deferred marandu palisadegrass and fertilized with two nitrogen levels (50 and 200 kg ha-1) and with high presence of reproductive tillers. A completely randomized design with four replicates was adopted. With 200 kg ha-1 of N, the canopy height was greater than when it was fertilized with 50 kg ha-1 of N. With the use of LAS, the height of deferred and reproductive canopy was greater than without it. In a taller marandu palisadegrass pasture with predominance of vegetative tillers, the use of LAS results in smaller height, contrary to what occurs in deferred swards with reproductive tillers.
How does the condition of the pasture in late winter influence the plant and animal responses in the subsequent seasons?
Authors: Santos Manoel Eduardo Rozalino , Fernanda Rosalinski Moraes  , Gabriel de Oliveira Rocha  , Davi Moraes de Oliveira  , Flávia de Oliveira Scarpino van Cleef  , Bruno Humberto Rezende Carvalho
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to test the hypotheses: (i) the deferred pasture with lower height in late winter has greater herbage accumulation rate (HAR) and better structure, which facilitates the animal selective grazing during the subsequent spring and summer; (ii) the mowed of high pasture in late winter improves the sward structure but decreases its HAR from the spring. Four pasture condition in late winter of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu were evaluated: low (24.1 cm and 2,420 kg.ha-1 of DM); low/mowed (25.2 cm and 2,198 kg.ha-1 of DM, mowed at 8.0 cm); high (49.0 cm and 3,837 kg.ha-1 of DM); and high/mowed (50.0 cm and 4,211 kg.ha-1 DM, mowed at 8.0 cm). The highest live leaf blade percentage (LLBP) and the lowest dead stem percentage (DSP) occurred in the mowed pastures. The live stem (LSP) and dead leaf blade percentages of the grazing simulation sample were higher in the high pasture. This same pattern of response occurred for apparent selectivity indices (ASI) of the live leaf blade and live stem. The ASI of the dead leaf blade was greater in the high pasture, intermediate in the mowed pastures, and lower in the low pasture. The ASI of the dead stem was lower in the low pasture. The HAR was higher in low pasture. Our results support the first hypothesis. The mowing of high pasture in late winter improves the sward structure and the animal selective grazing but does not decrease the HAR during spring and summer.
Circuitos curtos de comercialização e mecanismos de controle na agricultura orgânica
Authors: José Rover Oscar , Da Silva Pugas Adevan , Carrieri de Souza Marina
Published: April 2022

A agroecologia e a produção orgânica crescem em diversos países, em um contexto de risco alimentar e agravamento de problemas socioambientais. No Brasil, uma das formas de regularização da agricultura orgânica é através das Organismos de Controle Social (OCS), as quais permitem a venda direta por agricultores familiares aos consumidores finais. Pouco se tem estudado sobre o potencial dos OCS na formação de cadeias curtas de proximidade espacial. Tendo um olhar sobre essas cadeias, analisou-se as formas de regularização orgânica institucionalizadas no Brasil, com foco no potencial dos OCS para formação de cinturões verdes agroecológicos. A partir de análise de dados do Cadastro Nacional de Produtores Orgânicos, percebeu-se que têm aumentado o número de produtores e estabelecimentos regularizados por OCS e verificou-se uma concentração de produtores espacialmente próximos de centros urbanos populosos. Conclui-se que os OCS contribuem para a formação de cinturões verdes agroecológicos e seu estímulo pode aumentar o acesso aos alimentos orgânicos, além de agregar aos entornos urbanos benefícios socioambientais.
Avaliação da equidade redistributiva da Complementação da União no Novo FUNDEB
Authors: Santos Alexsandro do Nascimento , Callegari Caio de Oliveira , Callegari Antonio Cesar Russi
Published: April 2022

Este artigo sistematiza resultados de investigação sobre o potencial de produção da equidade educacional no arranjo federativo brasileiro como resultante da ação supletiva e redistributiva da União no âmbito do regime normativo do novo Fundo de Manutenção e Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica e de Valorização dos Profissionais da Educação – FUNDEB. Baseando-se em subconjuntos de indicadores que mensuram a equidade no financiamento como dispersão de valores aluno/ano, elevação do limite mínimo de pobreza e progressividade da transferência de recursos (por meio do Indicador de Equidade na Redistribuição de Recursos Educacionais - IERRE), estima-se que o novo modelo de Complementação da União ao FUNDEB resultará em maior equidade do financiamento da educação básica no ano de 2022, nas três vertentes de análise. Em relação ao formato do FUNDEB em 2020, a nova Complementação produz dispersão no valor aluno/ano total (VAAT) 14% menor, crescimento de 31% no VAAT mínimo e progressividade mensurada pelo IERRE levemente superior (ainda que tenha se ampliado o número de entes federativos beneficiados).
Development and acceptability of mead wine with banana fruit flavor
Authors: Mamauag Jose Carlos T
Published: April 2022

The study discusses the development and acceptability of mead wine with banana fruit flavor. Banana, a brilliantly sweet natural product with firm and rich tissue is available for harvest all year round. It is comprised mainly of sugar and fiber, which makes it a source of fiber. In this study, the researcher used banana fruit as its flavor since cultivation and plantation of the said fruit in the locale of the study is plentiful. An experimental approach was utilized in this investigation, with fifty individuals assessing the mead wine with banana fruit flavor in terms of appearance, aroma, flavor and texture. The research used various statistical treatments, such as mean and T-test, in evaluating the obtained data. It was found that the mead wine with banana fruit flavor had an alcohol content of 12%. Furthermore, the respondents extremely liked the mead wine with banana fruit flavor because of its appearance and aroma, which obtained the highest appraisal from the respondents based on their sensory evaluation. The study uncovered that mead wine with banana fruit flavor has the potential to be utilized as an ingredient for wine production. Moreover, amid the appraisal of the respondents, the aroma, flavor, appearance and texture of the produced mead wine with banana fruit flavor were essentially influenced. Generally, the taster respondents extremely liked the mead wine with banana fruit flavor. Therefore, it is a highly appropriate product in the community in generating enterprise which could be a potential source of income.
Advisory Opinion or Judgment? The Case of the Chagos Archipelago
Authors: Kuźniak Brygida , Kabat-Rudnicka Danuta
Published: April 2022

The aim of this article is to provide an analysis of the ICJ’s advisory opinion of 25 February 2019 on the Chagos Archipelago. It will endeavour to answer the following questions: (i) is it consistent with the letter and the spirit of international law for the ICJ to issue advisory opinions in cases involving a dispute between states, which, due to the lack of consent from one of the states, cannot be brought before the ICJ and be settled by a judgment of that judicial body?; (ii) is such a ruling the right way to settle the issue of decolonization?; and (iii) did Brexit play any role in the case under discussion? The article begins by describing the background to the dispute between the UK and Mauritius. The focus of the analysis then shifts to the nature of advisory opinions and the 2019 ICJ advisory opinion on the Chagos Archipelago. Next, the authors discuss the possible impact of Brexit on the dispute between the UK and Mauritius itself, as well as on the UK’s international standing in general. The article concludes with reflections on voluntarism in international law. The authors conclude that de lege lata an authorized body or organization may ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion in situations where it believes that such an opinion would be useful for its work. However, such advisory opinions should not have the character of authoritative court statements made in pending disputes between sovereign states. As a consequence, such opinions should refer only to abstract legal problems, which means that in some cases the ICJ should refrain from issuing them.
The Institution of Full Powers in the Process of Concluding International Agreements
Authors: Bąkowski Marcin
Published: April 2022

This paper addresses issues related to the institution of full powers in the process of concluding international agreements. The author makes an analysis of the historical evolution of the institution of full powers and discusses the essential elements of the full powers instrument with regard to the representation of the state and international organizations, taking into account current international law regulations. In this regard, the author also refers to international practice and, based on a review of the scholarly literature, attempts to classify full powers.
Artificial Intelligence and Discretionary Decisions. The Triumph or Loss of Commander Pirx?
Authors: Dubiński Łukasz
Published: April 2022

The aim of the considerations is to determine whether artificial intelligence units can take the place of humans in administrative proceedings ending with the issuance of discretionary decisions. The author starts from presenting the essence of discretionary decisions and guide the scope of judicial control over them. The presented considerations relate primarily to the potential placement of such devices in the “administrative justice system” that can be defined as artificial intelligence units in the strict sense. Therefore, this concerns devices for which human intervention is usually limited to switching on and technical supervision. However, the considerations can also be applied to such devices where human interference in their operation is slightly greater. It should be emphasized, however, that it this does not concern devices that are fully or almost fully controlled by humans.
Ku świadomemu i kompetentnemu ojcostwu – analiza serwisów parentingowych
Authors: Dankowska-Kosman Małgorzata
Published: April 2022

As part of this study, an analysis of dynamically developing parenting websites was undertaken. Particular attention was paid to their popularity amongst men. This is both about the receipt of information and the possible participation in discussions or comments on ventures. Research topić has taken the form of a question: What information and where do modern fathers look for? The empirical material was juxtaposed with the findings included in the subject literature.
Akcja edukacyjna Rok Relacji jako przykład działań oddolnych zmieniających kulturę szkoły
Authors: Rosińska Marta
Published: April 2022

School culture has recently emerged as a frequent topic of discussion in both academic and quasi-academic circles. It commands attention since educators have realized that the problems that Polish schools face come from a toxic culture in which schools may operate and from the ensuing negative effects of that toxicity. The article has a two-fold aim. First of all, it intends to show the most prominent aspects of school culture in reference to a number of theories. It presents school culture as a critical factor, facilitating school emancipatory processes, particularly in the case of grassroots activities undertaken by the school community. The article states that the awareness of school culture and its processes is a basic condition for any school reforms in Polish education. Secondly, the article describes the nationwide Rok Relacji initiative as an example of a bottom-up project whose goals include promoting the significance of the knowledge of school culture, educating teachers, school heads and parents in this area, and above all encouraging a healthy debate about school culture with a view to sharing experiences regarding grassroots movements in education.
Dyskretny urok władzy – czyli kilka słów o tym dlaczego ulegamy wpływowi populistów? Perspektywa krytyczna
Authors: Karkowska Magda
Published: April 2022

The book Critical Theory and Authoritarian Populism edited by Jeremiah Morelock was published by University of Westminster Press in 2018. It is not only a recent, but also an extremely up-to-date pu[1]blication due to the subject matter. The 299-page volume is divided into three chapters: “Theories of Authoritarianism”, “Foundations of Authoritarianism”, and “Digital Authoritarianism.” Within each of these, three, or in the case of the first chapter, four sections can be distinguished. Below, I will present the main themes of the book with reference to the political situation in Poland and Europe. From the pedagogical point of view, the developmental and educational implications of the issues discussed seem particularly important.
Technologiczne wspomaganie uczenia się matematyki
Authors: Przybyła Tomasz
Published: April 2022

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education during a pandemic has become a fact and a must. Before COVID-19 (for decades), the need to use ICT in education was po[1]stulated and suggested. Research carried out in this area resulted from the need to understand what technologies are potentially available for use in education, including the teaching and learning of mathematics. One important issue still to be resolved is whether and how to support children in their mathematical education using technology. This publication, referring to selected recent studies con[1]ducted worldwide, gives examples and arguments for technological support of mathematics learning.
Nabywanie kompetencji komunikacyjnych jako niezbędny element rozwoju człowieka w okresie dzieciństwa i adolescencji
Authors: Borda Michał , Knapik Michał
Published: April 2022

Gaining communication competencies is a very important part of the development of young people. Such skills like emotional intelligence, empathy and assertiveness are in the scope of interest of catechists and catechetics. First, the authors of the article try to define communication competence. Then they point at emotional intelligence, empathy and assertiveness as essential elements in the process of education and upbringing of children and youth. Defining and elaborating on these skills showed their importance in the process of education. Numerous practical hints contained in the article may become an inspiration for parents and teachers to search new ways of educational activity.
Pregoreksja – jadłowstręt psychiczny kobiet w ciąży
Authors: Cichecka-Wilk Małgorzata
Published: April 2022

Pregorexia is the term used to describe anorexia nervosa in pregnant women. It is not a medical term, yet increasingly used by specialists nowadays. Probably this is because the cases of pregorexia they encounter in practice are increasing in number, affecting 1.5–5% of women. In addition, they emphasize the specificity of this eating disorder, which carries a double risk when the mother is expecting. However, the latest classification of mental disorders of the American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5, does not include a separate name and criteria for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa occurring in pregnant women. The clinical picture of pregorexia, apart from some significant symptoms, is consistent with the picture of this disorder in other people. Women with this disorder show a strong fear of the natural consequence of pregnancy, which is weight gain. To this end, they reduce the amount of food consumed, reduce the caloric content of meals, and use fasts. They also often do intense exercise. Sometimes they have binge eating and purging episodes, provoke vomiting, and abuse laxatives. As a result, they lose weight, develop qualitative malnutrition and body exhaustion. This entails numerous negative effects on the health and sometimes life of both mother and child. Such a danger, however, is not a factor preventing the actions causing it. They are caused by the pathological mechanism of the disorder, related to the action of various factors. In this article, some selected ones seem to be peculiarly significant in relation to pregorexia.
Kompetencje do/dla przywództwa edukacyjnego
Authors: Ptak Małgorzata M. , Śmiałek Mirosław J.
Published: April 2022

Professional qualifications are classified legally and are the same cross the professional spectrum. What factor determines teachers’ didactic, educational and professional aspirations and self-evaluation? Who/what determines that the teacher becomes an (anti)authority for his/her students, can instill their passion for learning or discourage them? When are a teacher’s education and qualifications of less importance than his/her competences? There are teachers for whom work is only an obligation, a duty towards the school, and education is the obligation of a student. They are teachers working with children only because it is their legal duty. But there are also teachers who teach students how to learn, instilling in them educational freedom. These are guide-teachers who reveal their students’ horizons, teaching them to choose a new knowledge that is supposed to give them satisfaction, emotional joy and practical benefits.
Stres i emocje studentów ostatniego roku Wydziału Lekarskiego. Znaczenie w zarządzaniu ochroną zdrowia
Authors: Turowska Anna
Published: April 2022

The subjects were 134 final-year students of Warsaw Medical University, 1st Faculty of Medicine. The purpose of the study was to measure the dominant coping strategy, moderated by positive and negative emotions, which can be important in management. The variance analysis showed that activation of negative emotions resulted in a significant rise in emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping. At the same time, the level of a task-oriented strategy decreased significantly, which seems to be very important in healthcare management.
Selected Aspects of Couple Functioning in Poland and Japan During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hirayama Maki , Pacher Alice , Klon Weronika , Waszyńska Katarzyna
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global one, but the effect is different for each country and society and has different dimensions. The study investigated couple relationships during the first lockdown (also called emergency state) in Poland (N = 235) and Japan (N = 420). Based on a quantitative survey, it focuses on socio-economic issues and related concerns. The survey inquired opinions about changes in the depth of the relationships, attitude to the partner, and frequency of arguments during the lockdown. From among Polish and Japanese respondents, more than 60% declared that their current partner is the best one for the isolation. Both Japanese and Polish males seem to be more satisfied with their spouses than the female partners. The results indicate that there is a need to make more detailed cross-country comparisons in terms of the functioning of relationships during lockdown and isolation. The observations made imply that there are areas to investigate more in-depth. A follow-up survey is needed to understand whether the issues in intimate relationships will be long-term ones or whether we see them only during the pandemic. The questionnaire domains: changes in the depth of relationships, attitude to the partner and frequencyof arguments during the lockdown. Method: quantitative research, survey, online questionnaire, voluntary participants collected by social media.
Nauczanie zdalne w dobie pandemii koronawirusa SARSCoV- 19 a doznania stresowe w grupie nauczycieli
Authors: Pudełko Karolina , Płonka Joanna
Published: April 2022

Remote education in the era of the coronavirus pandemic was a challenge many teachers were not prepared for. The challenge and a number of changes that the transition to remote education has triggered may have resulted in additional stressful experiences for the teaching profession. This article is a theoretical and research paper and its purpose is to draw a picture of these experiences, to identify the stressors in the remote teaching situation and to examine the general level of stress currently experienced by teachers. The study involved 66 teachers working at different levels of education. A diagnostic survey (online questionnaire) and Plopa and Makarowski’s PSQ (Perceived Stress Questionnaire) examining emotional tension, external stress, intrapsychic stress and general level of perceived stress were used as the research method. The study outcomes show that some teachers may experience emotional tension, an increased feeling of fatigue, irritability or an accompanying lack of energy. However, it seems that the situation of transitioning to remote teaching did not outweigh the ability, resources or capacity of the teachers surveyed to meet the demands placed on them under the circumstances.
Humor w walce z pandemią koronawirusa
Authors: Mielcarek Mirosław
Published: April 2022

The aim of the article was to analyze humorous content that relates to the COVID-19 pandemic of SARS-CoV-2. The main part of the text was preceded by an analysis of the literature on the subject of the meaning of humor in human life, including coping with it in difficult situations. When proceeding to the implementation of the presented article, the slogan “# stay at home” was followed. Therefore, to achieve this goal, online resources were used. The literature on the subject was searched using the popular scientific search engine Google Scholar, while humorous content related to the coronavirus was obtained through social and information portals. The subject matter is close to its author because he himself struggled with coronavirus infection and humor no doubt helped survive the hard moments.
Social media jako płaszczyzna dyskusji nad samobójstwem. Analiza przypadku
Authors: Juszczak Magdalena
Published: April 2022

Social media is an area of social expression. Internet users like to publish their views online, often remaining anonymous. Virtual discussions often concern controversial topics, suicide included. The anonymity enables people to present their views bluntly. The aim of this study was to analyze Internet users’ comments on a teenager’s suicide. The content was examined in terms of categories of comments, ways of expression of Internet users and division into types of comments. The study was conducted using the content analysis method. The author analyzed 144 comments and 507 reactions following a post on one social network. The study helped identify two sections of comments. One included opinions on suicide (divided into categories: empathic, informative, condolence, interpretative, other). Users posting comments in this section expressed empathy and sympathy for the victim’s family. The other group of Internet users published negative and hurtful content in relation to this particular case and to suicides in general. The second section of comments concerned the responses of Internet users to one controversial entry that provoked a heated discussion. One user’s opinion indicated a negative attitude, lacking in empathy for the teenager’s suicide. The response focused on the dispute referring to the above attitude of the Internet user, ignoring the substance of the entry. The study justifies a conclusion that Internet users express their opinions on topics that are considered socially taboo. They are not afraid to air their feelings and take part in difficult conversations.
Obesity influences composition of salivary and fecal microbiota and impacts the interactions between bacterial taxa
Authors: Bombin Andrei , Yan Shun , Bombin Sergei , Mosley Jonathan D. , Ferguson Jane F.
Published: April 2022

Obesity is an increasing global health concern and is associated with a broad range of morbidities. The gut microbiota are increasingly recognized as important contributors to obesity and cardiometabolic health. This study aimed to characterize oral and gut microbial communities, and evaluate host: microbiota interactions between clinical obesity classifications. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing on fecal and salivary samples, global metabolomics profiling on plasma and stool samples, and dietary profiling in 135 healthy individuals. We grouped individuals by obesity status, based on body mass index (BMI), including lean (BMI 18–124.9), overweight (BMI 25–29.9), or obese (BMI ≥30). We analyzed differences in microbiome composition, community inter‐relationships, and predicted microbial function by obesity status. We found that salivary bacterial communities of lean and obese individuals were compositionally and phylogenetically distinct. An increase in obesity status was positively associated with strong correlations between bacterial taxa, particularly with bacterial groups implicated in metabolic disorders including Fretibacterium, and Tannerella. Consumption of sweeteners, especially xylitol, significantly influenced compositional and phylogenetic diversities of salivary and fecal bacterial communities. In addition, obesity groups exhibited differences in predicted bacterial metabolic activity, which was correlated with host’s metabolite concentrations. Overall, obesity was associated with distinct changes in bacterial community dynamics, particularly in saliva. Consideration of microbiome community structure and inclusion of salivary samples may improve our ability to understand pathways linking microbiota to obesity and cardiometabolic disease.