bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Full Quantity or Full Credit? Choosing the Right Buyback Policy for a Behavioral Retailer
Authors: Zhang Yinghao , Yu Peiwen , Feng Tianjun
Published: September 2024

Problem definition: Despite extensive research on buyback contracts in supply chain management, little attention has been given to a direct comparison between a traditional full-quantity, partial-credit (FQ) buyback contract and an alternative full-credit, partial-quantity (FC) contract, especially when considering the behavioral biases of the retailer. This study aims to fill this research gap by exploring how these biases influence contract performance and offer practical guidelines for suppliers. Methodology/results: Through controlled laboratory experiments and structural model estimation, we show that the ordering decisions made by human retailers are jointly affected by three behavioral biases—loss aversion, prospective accounting, and psychological cost of inventory error—and these biases differ in magnitude between the two contracts. Incorporating these biases into a behavioral retailer’s utility function, we then analytically examine which buyback policy the supplier should choose. When the wholesale price is exogenously given, the supplier should adopt the FC contract for high-margin (low-cost) products. Conversely, when the supplier has the power to set both the wholesale and buyback prices, the FC contract is generally more beneficial for low-margin products. Finally, when the product cost is sufficiently high, a wholesale price contract may be advantageous over buyback policies. Managerial implications: The managerial implication of this paper is significant for suppliers who have to choose between different buyback policies. The paper suggests that the supplier should carefully consider not just the economic, but also the behavioral dimensions when making contract decisions, particularly when dealing with a retailer influenced by behavioral biases. Specifically, the choice between FQ and FC contracts is influenced by two key environmental factors: the production cost of the product and the nature of wholesale pricing. Understanding these elements allows suppliers to be flexible in contract choices and design appropriate return policies for their downstream supply chain partners.

Funding: P. Yu was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72371038 and 72033003] and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [Grant 2024CDJSKPT16]. T. Feng was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72131004].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2023.0574 .
OS ELEMENTOS DE HUMOR E DA IRONIA COMO POTENCIALIZADORES DE UMA LEITURA DISTÓPICA CRÍTICA NAS TIRINHAS DA SÉRIE MAFALDA QUE TRAZEM O MEIO AMBIENTE COMO TEMA
Authors: Duarte Ana Karoline , Matias Marcus Vinicius
Published: September 2024

É possível realizar uma leitura partindo do princípio distópico crítico em um gênero que não faz parte da tradição literária própria da distopia crítica? Essa é uma das perguntas que motivaram a construção do presente artigo, cujo objetivo é o de identificar se a série Mafalda estabelece diálogos com a distopia crítica e como o desenvolvimento desses diálogos é construído dentro da narrativa, por meio dos elementos do humor e da ironia. Para isso, utilizo como objeto de estudos a série Mafalda, publicada pelo humorista e quadrinista argentino Quino, entre os anos de 1964 e 1973, e que está diluída nas coletâneas Toda a Mafalda, que reúne em um único volume todas as tirinhas publicadas oficialmente no período mencionado, e Mafalda Inédita, que põe em circulação as tirinhas que foram censuradas e não publicadas oficialmente. Este estudo conta como procedimento metodológico a pesquisa de caráter bibliográfico, que possibilita a investigação de um tema a partir do material já publicado. As análises foram realizadas em tirinhas que dispunham como temática central discussões sobre o meio ambiente. A perspectiva de análise encontra-se centrada nos postulados teóricos críticos de Tom Moylan (2016), Raffaella Baccolini (2000) e Moylan e Baccolini (2003). Após identificar os elementos de humor e de ironia presentes em cada fragmento mapeado verifiquei se as características distópicas críticas consideradas por Moylan e Baccolini como sendo partes dessa vertente textual se manifestavam. Analisar a possibilidade de uma leitura da série Mafalda, a partir de uma perspectiva distópica crítica, primeiramente alinha-se com uma quebra de um padrão seguido até o momento, visto que as análises sob essa perspectiva são realizadas comumente no gênero romance; segundamente possibilita a verificação da atuação de elementos próprios da distopia crítica sob uma análise distinta do habitual que sai dos padrões adotados atualmente. A construção desta análise ocasionou compreender que os efeitos reflexivos e de possível ação promovidos pela distopia crítica são potencializados através do uso dos elementos de humor e ironia presentes na estrutura narrativa da série em questão e do gênero quadrinhos, suporte no qual a obra se desenvolve. Isso oportuniza que o público leitor tenha um contato quase que instantâneo com a intensidade de informações desse material, por meio do uso simultâneo dos textos verbal e não-verbal que é característico das tirinhas.
Palavras-chave: Distopia crítica. Humor. Ironia. Quadrinhos. Mafalda
NECROPOLITICS IN THROUGH THE ARC OF THE RAINFOREST BY KAREN TEI YAMASHITA
Authors: Da Silva Santos Mariana
Published: September 2024

Towards the close of 2019, humanity grappled with the swift dissemination of the novel COVID-19, instigating a global quarantine. Unfortunately, several nations, citing economic considerations, deferred decisive action, prioritizing capital over lives—a phenomenon labeled as 'necropolitics.' This very concept, eerily anticipated in artistic expressions such as Karen Tei Yamashita's 1990 novel, The Arc of the Rainforest, serves as the focal point of this article. Employing Ecocritical theory, this analysis aims to unravel the nuances of necropolitics embedded in Yamashita's narrative, presenting a unique perspective on its resonance amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A NATUREZA, O HOMEM E O MEDO: TENSÕES DO ANTROPOCENO EM ROMANCES ECOGÓTICOS DE JOCA REINERS TERRON E SANTIAGO NAZARIAN
Authors: Costa Resende Pinto Bastos dos Santos Gabriel , Davino de Oliveira Leonardo
Published: September 2024

Nosso trabalho propõe o aproveitamento do conceito de “ficção ecogótica” (DEL PRINCIPE, 2014; GINSBERG, 2013) na leitura de dois romances contemporâneos brasileiros: A morte e o meteoro (2019), de Joca Reiners Terron, e Biofobia (2014), de Santiago Nazarian. No estágio atual do Antropoceno (DANOWSKI; VIVEIROS DE CASTRO, 2014), um ramo teórico consideravelmente profícuo é o dos estudos ecocríticos, o campo que investiga a relação entre humanidade e natureza na literatura. Em sua versão negativa, a ecocrítica (GLOTFELTY, 1996) assume uma feição fóbica e pessimista que a torna parente de poéticas negativas como o Horror e o Gótico, atualizando as últimas com temas de imenso relevo para o contemporâneo. A conexão entre natureza e literatura de medo não é novidade, mas o ecogótico tensiona na tessitura textual em novo nível, e em novo contexto, as relações crescentemente mais disfóricas entre o humano e o não-humano. Os romances nacionais analisados, publicados na última década, fornecem exemplos de prosa ecogótica que, apesar de em superfície bastante distinta, compartilham como tema fulcral o conflito entre uma civilização humana destrutiva, mas acuada, e uma natureza vitimada, mas vingativa. Nosso objetivo final é explicitar a produtividade de leituras sob novos prismas teóricos de modo a contribuir com pesquisas em literatura de medo, gótico e ecocrítica no Brasil.
(NÃO)ALTERIDADE E O INFARTO DA ALMA EM BLADE RUNNER 2049
Authors: Wurmli Robert Thomas Georg
Published: September 2024

A presente proposta tem o objetivo de avaliar a forma como o Cyberpunk concebe a pós-modernidade, especialmente em suas obras mais recentes. Para isso, a pesquisa propõe averiguar a forma como o gênero tem abarcado a sociedade de século XXI, com vistas, especificamente, à análise das configurações das personagens e ao processo de rechaço ao Outro. O corpo, desde a gênese do Cyberpunk, tem sido objeto de estudo e tem sido, exaustivamente, avaliado a partir do contato com o Outro, com o Eu e com os entornos das cidades pós-modernas. No entanto, na pós-modernidade, para manter-se relevante, o gênero teve de sofrer alterações, com o intuito de abarcar as diferentes subjetividades/almas e a perda dessas dentro de uma lógica inescapável do capital. Assim, objetiva-se fundamentar uma interpretação a respeito do filme Blade Runner 2049 como exemplo desse formato mais recente para o gênero, a partir de uma premissa simples: se a alma existir, ela tem poucas chances de sobrevivência para os corpos do século XXI. As contribuições de Haraway (2016), Han (2017), Shanahan (2020) e Zizek (2021) serão utilizadas como fomento a essa indagação.
NEW WEIRD
Authors: Amaral George Augusto do
Published: September 2024

A partir da percepção de que as consequências da crise ecológica do Antropoceno, especialmente aquelas relacionadas com o aquecimento global, produzem eventos extremos que desafiam os padrões climáticos e causam grande incerteza e estranheza para as populações afetadas, o jornalista Thomas Friedman (2010) propôs a utilização do termo global weirding para designar a conjuntura atual e futura. Canavan e Hageman (2016), por sua vez, partem da noção de global weirding para relacionar os estranhamentos e tensões derivados da crise climática com o horror cósmico proporcionado pelos mundos terríveis e incompreensíveis da ficção weird. Em sintonia com esses autores, este artigo pretende discutir quais aspectos da forma e do conteúdo literários fazem do weird, especialmente em sua manifestação mais recente, o new weird, um tipo de ficção capaz de ressoar as angústias da crise ambiental do Antropoceno e tecer representações para as tensões e afetos que a envolvem.
LITERATURA COMO DISPOSITIVO ANTROPOCÊNICO
Authors: Borges Polesso Natalia
Published: September 2024

O presente ensaio tenta delinear e fazer considerações a cerca do processo criativo e das questões estéticas, sociais e políticas que motivaram a escrita de três obras de ficção de minha autoria, cujos temas são ecologia e o Antropoceno, bem como seus debates adjacentes. As narrativas apresentadas são, dois romances, Corpos Secos (2020) e A extinção das abelhas (2021) e o conto Perfeita tecnologia (2021). Para tanto, proponho um diálogo, no campo da ecologia, com o pensamento teórico-crítico de Donna Haraway (2023), Timothy Morton (2023), Ailton Krenak (2019; 2022), Carola Saavedra (2021), Amitav Gosh (2022), Malcon Ferdinand (2022) e Antonio Bispo dos Santos (2023), bem como o debate sobre a noção de dispositivo em Foucault (2006) e Agamben (2009; 2018).
ANTI-HERÓI FRACASSADO: O PROFETA PÓS-APOCALÍPTICO EM ORYX E CRAKE (2003), DE MARGARET ATWOOD
Authors: Voss Espinelly Luiz Felipe
Published: September 2024

O presente artigo explora a representação do anti-herói no romance Oryx e Crake (2003), de Margaret Atwood, considerando-o como o protagonista das narrativas distópicas que refletem a complexidade do mundo pós-moderno. O foco recai sobre a obra analisando os elementos que a caracterizam como distopia e examinando o papel crucial desempenhado pelo anti-herói. A pesquisa indica uma trajetória do anti-herói desde sua representação inicial positiva até a figura humana ordinária, conectando-a ao mito de Prometeu. Ancorado em teorias marxistas e sociológicas, o estudo explora a distopia como crítica às condições sociais atuais, situando a pós-modernidade como um período de busca por humanidade em meio à ausência de referenciais. A análise da narrativa distópica de Atwood revela a relação do anti-herói com o Antropoceno, marcado pela degradação ambiental. Nesse sentido, o anti-herói emerge como um profeta, revelando um novo mundo após a devastação provocada pela ação humana. A conexão entre seu papel e as distopias pós-apocalípticas sugere que sua trajetória de fracasso representa uma sequência natural na sociedade do Antropoceno, delineando a condição humana contemporânea diante de desafios globais e uma realidade fragmentada.
O LÍRIO MURMURANTE
Authors: Leibold Felipe
Published: September 2024

O LÍRIO MURMURANTE é uma tradução do texto “The moaning lily”, de Emma Vanne, originalmente publicado na revista de ficção científica Wonder Stories, em maio de 1935. Uma breve apresentação contextualiza o pouco que se sabe da autora e introduz as temáticas do conto. Nesta pequena narrativa de eco-horror, o narrador reencontra Carl Brense, um brilhante colega dos tempos de faculdade. Carl é um botânico renomado que, após uma viagem ao Brasil, retorna com um espécime excepcional.
Entrevista com Lucia Helena Sasseron
Authors: Batista Vilar Artur
Published: September 2024

Nesta entrevista, a professora doutora Lucia Helena Sasseron, nos conta toda a sua trajetória, desde a infância no interior de Minas Gerais com seus pais e avós até sua chegada ao pós doutoramento, passando pela formação no ensino médio, universitário e pós universitário. Sua preocupação com a alfabetização científica já tem algum tempo, iniciou-se em seu mestrado vindo a se consolidar em seu doutoramento, permanecendo ainda hoje como assunto relevante em seu grupo de pesquisa, acrescentando-se que agora que o assunto passou a ter uma nova abordagem, alfabetização científica para a prática social. A sua atuação como secretária adjunta para assuntos de ensino da Sociedade Brasileira de Física conseguiu fazer com que ela tivesse uma maior dimensão da luta que os pesquisadores em Ensino de Física têm frente aos demais. É de se ressaltar também que a professora teve um papel importante na implantação do Mestrado Nacional Profissional em Ensino de Física. A despeito de sua juventude a professora conta com três mestrados concluídos, dezoito teses defendidas e uma supervisão de estágio pós doutoral. A grande vantagem de entrevistarmos uma pesquisadora jovem é o fato de, apesar de uma história já bastante rica para seus poucos anos de magistério, ela ainda tem uma pasta no computador repleta de ideias que poderão ser transformados em novos artigos ou capítulos de livro ou mesmo em um novo livro.
Supporting bystanders who perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the community
Authors: Vann Mark , McCunnell Lyndsey , Lotto Robyn
Published: September 2024

Mark Vann, Lyndsey McCunnell and Dr Robyn Lotto highlight the need to support bystanders who witness out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the community.
Impact of anaemia in pregnancy on maternal and fetal wellbeing in Oman: a retrospective study
Authors: Gimono Phiona , Aljezawi Ma'en , Alkhawaldeh Abdullah , ALBashtawy Mohammed , Salameh Basma , Batran Ahmad , Ayed Ahmad , Khalifeh Anas , Ali Oweidat Islam , Rababa Mohammad , Suliman Mohammad , Abdalrahim Asem , Hani Salam Bani , ALBashtawy Zaid
Published: September 2024

Background/Aims

Anaemia is associated with negative outcomes for both mothers and infants. Better understanding of its consequences could lead to improved guidelines for screening and treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate anaemia in pregnancy and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes among pregnant women in Oman.

Methods

This retrospective study examined the medical records of women who gave birth at a university hospital in Oman over a 3-year period. Chi-squared tests were used for data analysis.

Results

A total of 723 pregnant women were included, with 62.8% diagnosed with anaemia. Anaemia was significantly associated with preterm birth (P=0.037), low birth weight (P=0.009), intrauterine growth restriction (P=0.002) and postpartum heamorrhage (P=0.019).

Conclusions

Anaemia is a significant health concern for pregnant women in Oman. Further research will provide more data on its effects, informing targeted interventions and policy enhancements.

Implications for practice

Early antenatal screening, targeted iron supplementation, nutritional education, appropriate treatment and active management during birth would help address this issue.
The cardiovascular system and associated disorders
Authors: Cameron-Radford Mel , Bhatt Komal , Gurney Leo , McEwan Tom , Leader Claire , Peate Ian
Published: September 2024

This series of three articles will explore the fundamentals related to anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology in relation to three important topics: the cardiac system, the respiratory system and the endocrine system. The series is intended to provide an informative and evidence-based summary of each topic for both students and clinicians. This first article explores the maternal cardiovascular system, outlining its anatomy and the key physiological adaptations of pregnancy, and summarising pathophysiological conditions that may occur.
The pay and conditions debate: the reality of the working environment in midwifery higher education
Authors: Chenery-Morris Sam , Divers Jo
Published: September 2024

This series of six articles is inspired by themes arising from the Royal College of Midwives' state of midwifery education report. The series explores the current landscape and challenges in educating the future midwifery workforce, particularly those that relate to the higher education workforce. This fourth article looks at what it is like to work in midwifery education compared to in practice as a midwife. The challenges associated with transition, remuneration, workload, casual working and the breadth of the midwifery education role are examined, particularly in comparison to other disciplines in higher education. The article explores how educators can be better supported in their training of the future midwifery workforce, while assuring their own progression and equal treatment in an increasingly competitive and tightly regulated sector.
Lower leg cellulitis: A guide to diagnosis and management
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: September 2024

Linda Nazarko looks at what nurses need to know about this commonly misdiagnosed condition
Infections and diabetes: what nurses need to know
Authors: Morris David
Published: September 2024

David Morris looks at how diabetes may put patients at greater risk of infection
Tropical arboviruses: A guide for nurses in primary care part 2
Authors: Umeed Margaret
Published: September 2024

Margaret Umeed looks at how nurses can advise patients during travel health consultations
Inside the Dash review of the CQC
Authors: Halliwell Amanda
Published: September 2024

Amanda Halliwell looks at the findings of a report into the inner workings of England's healthcare regulator
Who will regulate the regulator?
Authors: Halliwell Amanda
Published: September 2024

Amanda Halliwell looks at the findings of a recent report into the workplace culture at the NMC
Impact of primary dressings on healing of venous leg ulcers: a French cohort study from the healthcare insurance database
Authors: Meaume Sylvie , Senet Patricia , Thomé Benoît , Aragno Victor-Alexandre , Serge Bohbot , Fortin Sophie , Boucley Isabelle , Michon-Pasturel Ulrique , Colboc Hester
Published: September 2024

Objective:

Multicomponent bandages (MCBs) are recommended by the French Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé) as first-line treatment for venous leg ulcers (VLUs). A first analysis of the data collected from the French administrative healthcare database (Système National des Données de Santé (SNDS)) on 25,255 patients with a VLU supported superiority of MCBs versus short stretch bandages when considering the healing outcomes and costs associated with closure of these wounds. The aim of this study was to assess how beneficial the primary dressing (technology lipido-colloid nano-oligosaccharide factor (TLC NOSF) or control dressing group (CDG)) could be, when used in combination with MCBs in the treatment of VLUs.

Method:

Data from the SNDS were collected for patients meeting the following inclusion criteria: treatment for a VLU with MCBs and with the same dressing type (TLC-NOSF or CDG) during the whole treatment period. Healing outcomes were documented on the global cohorts and propensity score-matched cohorts. The mean healthcare cost and the ecological impact were calculated for those patients healed within the study period.

Results:

In total, 12,507 patients met the criteria for treatment with both MCBs and TLC-NOSF dressings (n=1134) versus MCBs and CDG (n=11,373); with 1134 and 2268 patients per group following propensity score matching. Healing outcomes were favourable for the TLC-NOSF group in the global cohort and were enhanced in the propensity score-matched cohorts. At every point of the analysis, the adjusted healing rates were significantly higher in the TLC-NOSF group than in the CDG group (p<0.001). In the propensity score-matched cohorts (n=3402), the healing rate at three months was 52% in the TLC-NOSF group versus 37% in the CDG group (p<0.001). The median healing time was 87 days versus 125.5 days in the TLC-NOSF and CDG groups, respectively (p<0.0001). TLC-NOSF dressings significantly reduced the average treatment cost per healed ulcer (€2099) by 23.7% compared with dressings without TLC-NOSF (€2751) (p<0.001), as well as the resources used.

Conclusion:

This SNDS analysis confirms, in the largest real-life study performed in VLU management, the superiority of the TLC-NOSF dressings versus those not impregnated with the NOSF compound. Better clinical outcomes associated with cost savings and a positive ecological impact support the combination of MCBs and TLC-NOSF dressings and should be considered as an optimal standard of care for the global management of VLUs. These outcomes reinforce the current positions of the international guidelines on the use of NOSF impregnated dressings (UrgoStart range; Laboratoires Urgo, France) in this pathology.
Yöresel Dokumacılığın Araştırılmasının Önemi ve Bibliyometrik Bir Analiz
Authors: Balkanal Zeynep
Published: September 2024

Bu çalışmada 1996-2023 yılları arasında yapılmış olan yöresel dokumaları konu alan lisansüstü tezlerin bibliyometrik özellikleri araştırılarak yöresel dokumacılığın önemine dikkat çekmek amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda yöresel dokuma konulu tezlerin, tez türleri, tezlerin yıllara göre dağılımı, tezlerin üniversiteler göre dağılımı, tezlerin enstitülere göre dağılımı, tezlerin ana bilim/ana sanat dallarına göre dağılımı, tezlerde kullanılan anahtar kelimeler tablolaştırılarak yorumlanmıştır. Yöresel dokuma üzerine yapılan literatür taramasında konu ile ilgili çeşitli araştırmalara rastlanmıştır. Ancak yöresel dokumaları konu alan lisansüstü tezlerin bibliyometrik analizine rastlanmamıştır. Araştırmada veri toplamak amaçlı 1996-2023 yılları arasında yapılmış yöresel dokumaları konu alan 96 yüksek lisans, 12 sanatta yeterlik ve 12 doktora tezi olmak üzere toplam 120 adet tez incelenmiştir. Elde edilen veriler incelenerek bulgular elde edilmiştir. Bulgulara göre yöresel dokuma ile ilgili tezlerin büyük çoğunluğunun yüksek lisans tezi olduğu ve bunu doktora ve sanatta yeterlik tezlerinin eşit oranda takip ettiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. İncelenen yöresel dokuma konulu lisansüstü tezlerin en fazla Geleneksel Türk El Sanatları Ana Sanat Dalı’nda yapıldığı göze çarpmaktadır. Çalışma yöresel dokuma ile ilgilenen araştırmacılara örnek olması açısından önemlidir. Literatürde yöresel dokuma konulu lisansüstü çalışmaların ele alındığı bibliyometrik bir çalışmaya rastlanılmaması çalışmanın özgünlüğünü arttıran bir etkendir. Aynı zamanda bu yönüyle de çalışmanın literatüre katkı sağlayacağı ön görülmektedir.
Ney ve dilsiz kavalın geleneksel icrasında görülen tavır farklılıklarının incelenmesi
Authors: Atlan Cengiz
Published: September 2024

Ney ve dilsiz kaval Türk musikisinde çok eski dönemlerden beri bilinen iki nefesli çalgıdır. Bu çalışma fiziksel yapısı, perde sistemi üfleme tekniği bakımından birbirine benzerlikleri olan bu iki sazı birbirinden ayıran icradaki yorum farklılıklarının ortaya konulmasını amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaçla geleneksel icra üslubunda icra edilmiş bir ney taksimi ile bir kaval açışı analiz edilerek icradaki vibrâto, vurgu (Accent), glissando gibi yorum unsurlarını içeren müzik cümleleri dikte edilerek notaya alınmış ve iki saz arasındaki bu unsurların uygulanış yönünden farklılıkları ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır. Yapılan incelemede kavalın vibrâtoyu daha süratli, keskin ve daha köşeli yaptığı hemen hemen her seste vibrâto yaptığı, neyin ise vibrâtoyu daha uzun değerlerde, daha yayvan bir ifadeyle yaptığı ve her seste vibrâto yapmadığı gözlenmiştir. Çalışmada Steinberg Cubase 5 DAW (Digital Audıo Workstation) yazılımı variaudıo özelliği sayesinde perdeler üzerindeki vibrasyon (titreşim) hareketlerindeki farklılıklar görsel olarak da görülebilmiştir. Kavalın vurguyu dil ile (tu) hecesi kullanarak yaptığı, neye göre vurguyu daha çok kullandığı, neyin ise vurguları gırtlak ile (gu) hecesi yardımıyla yaptığı ve kavala göre vurguyu daha az kullandığı sesleri daha bağlı ve uzun biçimde icra ettiği görülmüştür. Çalışmada ayrıca neyin ve kavalın yapısı ve tarihi hakkında bilgiler de verilmiştir. Bu çalışma betimsel bir çalışmadır. Gözlem, görüşme ve literatür tarama yöntemiyle mevcut durum betimlenmeye çalışılmıştır.
High-Q transparency band and high optical sensitivity of an all-dielectric THz metasurface based on the bound state in the continuum
Authors: Xie Suxia , Guan Xin , Shen Weiwei , Sun Siyi
Published: September 2024

The bound state in the continuum (BIC), as a novel eigenmode with an infinitely high-quality factor (Q-factor), has received great attention in modern optical science. We design a metasurface composed of a two-rod and a square ring in one lattice in the terahertz band. Three symmetry-protected BICs are observed of the composed metasurface, with two BICs originating from the rod resonator and one from the square ring resonator. It demonstrates that the number of BICs in the considered waveband can be regulated by these resonators in one lattice of the metasurface. We can transfer the ideal BICs into quasi-BICs by adjusting the incident angle and structural parameters. One quasi-BIC is considered as electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), associated with the destructive interference between the dark and bright modes derived from the rod resonator. Further, the metasurface can convert the Fano effect to EIT mutually, and the EIT only appears in the overcoupling state if the frequency detuning of the two modes becomes zero. Notably, the dual-EITs are established by modulating the distance between two resonators within a single lattice. Concurrently, the interference-based BIC is generated by the anticrossing phenomenon between two energy bands. Additionally, the sensitivity and group index of the metasurface reach a high level. These results are valuable for the development of terahertz optical devices.
Multi-mode hybridization in the MXene tetramer metasurface for ultra-broadband solar energy utilization
Authors: Han Haichao , Zhou Rujun , Luo Si , Ding Yunlian , Liao Zijun , Zhang Yusheng , Chen Daru
Published: September 2024

MXene is promising in photothermal or photovoltaic conversion, while high-performance MXene metasurface solar absorbers based on simple and feasible structures are still lacking. This study aims to design a solar absorber with ultra-broadband absorption capability in the visible and near-infrared wavelength ranges based on the MXene nanoblock tetramer/silica film/MXene substrate structure. The average absorptivity of this proposed metasurface absorber is 96.9% in the wavelength range of 300–2500 nm covering the whole solar spectrum. The physics behind the high absorption results from multiple-mode hybridization in different resonant bands, including the coupling between the surface plasmons, cavity resonances, and guided-mode resonances. The broadband and high-absorption performance remains stable under large-angle incidence and structural parameter variations with the average absorption above 90% in the whole wavelength region of interest. The calculated energy absorption ratio of the AM1.5 solar radiation spectrum can reach up to 96.3%, indicating low solar energy loss and efficient solar energy capture. In summary, these results provide great application prospects in the fields of photothermal and photovoltaic conversion.
Single-shot 3x3 Mueller matrix microscopy with color polarization encoding
Authors: Fernández Ariel , demczylo Roman
Published: September 2024

Snapshot retrieval of linear Stokes parameters in polarized light microscopy has benefited from recent advances in nanotechnology which have made polarization
image sensors commercially available. Real-time retrieval of 3x3 Mueller matrix is however limited by the need of time sequential change of polarization states in the input.
In the present letter we propose a cost-effective technique for real-time retrieval of 3x3 Mueller matrix by encoding linear polarization states in each of the three color channels of the source and analyzing light passing through the sample by means of a color polarization sensor placed in the imaging plane of a transmission microscope. Validation experiments for samples under real-time imaging conditions are presented. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on snapshot 3x3 Mueller matrix elements retrieval in polarized light microscopy by combining Division of Focal Plane color polarimetric sensing and polarization color encoding of the source.
Refracting surfaces between gradient-index media
Authors: Barion Antonio , Anthonissen Martijn , Boonkkamp Jan ten Thije , IJzerman Wilbert
Published: September 2024

This paper demonstrates how to derive analytical expressions for aberration coefficients for refraction at curved interfaces between rotationally symmetric gradient-index (GRIN) media. The expansion formulas are encoded using the Lie algebraic method. Previous results about aberrations during propagation in GRIN media can be readily combined with the formulas in this paper and allow us to completely describe ray paths through rotationally symmetric inhomogeneous media with curved end-surfaces. The presented aberration coefficients are used to optimize the front surface of a focusing GRIN rod together with its refractive index parameters with promising results.
Organelle landscape analysis using a multiparametric particle-based method
Authors: Kurikawa Yoshitaka , Koyama-Honda Ikuko , Tamura Norito , Koike Seiichi , Mizushima Noboru
Published: September 2024

Organelles have unique structures and molecular compositions for their functions and have been classified accordingly. However, many organelles are heterogeneous and in the process of maturation and differentiation. Because traditional methods have a limited number of parameters and spatial resolution, they struggle to capture the heterogeneous landscapes of organelles. Here, we present a method for multiparametric particle-based analysis of organelles. After disrupting cells, fluorescence microscopy images of organelle particles labeled with 6 to 8 different organelle markers were obtained, and their multidimensional data were represented in two-dimensional uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) spaces. This method enabled visualization of landscapes of 7 major organelles as well as the transitional states of endocytic organelles directed to the recycling and degradation pathways. Furthermore, endoplasmic reticulum–mitochondria contact sites were detected in these maps. Our proposed method successfully detects a wide array of organelles simultaneously, enabling the analysis of heterogeneous organelle landscapes.
Measuring and understanding information storage and transfer in a simulated human gut microbiome
Authors: Zoller Hannah , Garcia Perez Carlos , Betel Geijo Fernández Javier , zu Castell Wolfgang
Published: September 2024

Considering biological systems as information processing entities and analyzing their organizational structure via information-theoretic measures has become an established approach in life sciences. We transfer this framework to a field of broad general interest, the human gut microbiome. We use BacArena, a software combining agent-based modelling and flux-balance analysis, to simulate a simplified human intestinal microbiome (SIHUMI). In a first step, we derive information theoretic measures from the simulated abundance data, and, in a second step, relate them to the metabolic processes underlying the abundance data. Our study provides further evidence on the role of active information storage as an indicator of unexpected structural change in the observed system. Besides, we show that information transfer reflects coherent behavior in the microbial community, both as a reaction to environmental changes and as a result of direct effective interaction. In this sense, purely abundance-based information theoretic measures can provide meaningful insight on metabolic interactions within bacterial communities. Furthermore, we shed light on the important however little noticed technical aspect of distinguishing immediate and delayed effects in the interpretation of local information theoretical measures.
Linking belief in a just world and psychological capital to psychological basic needs satisfaction and mental health of young adults living with HIV: A comparative analysis
Authors: Baluku Martin Mabunda , Ouma Samuel , Iredale Brian , Nsereko Gerald Mukisa , Nangendo Joanita , Kwikiriza Stuart , Kiweewa John
Published: September 2024

People living with HIV (PWH) have higher risks for negative experiences and emotions such as discrimination, self-blame, and denial, which make them vulnerable to mental health problems. Those living with HIV and are in the developmental stage of young adulthood (18–39 years) have added psychological challenges arising from the pressure to perform the developmental tasks of this stage, which may gratify or thwart basic psychological needs (BPNs) and impact their mental health. The study examined whether positive psychological attributes, including a belief in a just world (BJW) and psychological capital, could be resources for satisfying basic psychological needs, hence boosting the mental health of Young Adults Living with HIV (YALWH). A comparison sample of university students was also included in the study. The results show that BJW was positively directly associated with BPN satisfaction, BPN frustration, and mental health (flourishing aspect) in the student sample but not in the YALWH sample. Psychological capital was appositively associated with BPN satisfaction and flourishing in the student sample. On the other hand, psychological capital is only positively associated with BPN satisfaction and negatively with BPN frustration and distress in the YALWH sample. The serial medial analysis revealed that the effects of BJW on mental health (flourishing) are mediated by psychological capital and BPN satisfaction in both samples. On the other hand, the effects of BJW on distress are mediated by psychological capital and BPN frustration, again in both samples. Incorporating interventions for strengthening positive psychological attributes could be helpful for YALWH and other young adults to attain desirable developmental outcomes for this stage and their mental health.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults: A systematic review
Authors: Storey David Paul , Marriott Emily Claire Shaw , Rash Joshua A.
Published: September 2024

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), developed in 2008, uses techniques such as rapid eye movement, in vivo exposure, and image rescripting to recondition stressful memories, and reduce physical and emotional reactions to traumatic memories. There is considerable interest in evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is the first systematic review examining the efficacy of ART for the treatment of PTSD among adults. We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, trial registries, and government and private websites for citations published before October 2023. Studies that reported on the effect of ART for PTSD among adults were included. Meta-analyses could not be undertaken due to heterogeneity in study designs and an insufficient number of studies with a low risk of bias. Risk of bias was assessed, and findings synthesized following the synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines. Of the 112 records screened, five studies (Nenrolled = 337; Ncompleted = 250) and six reports of studies met criteria for inclusion. Included studies reported a significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD from pre- to post-intervention, d = 1.12 to 3.28. Significant reductions were also reported in symptoms of depression, mental distress, anxiety, and sleep dysfunction. ART shows some promise as a time-efficient clinical treatment for symptoms of PTSD in adults; however, more high-quality studies are needed.
How does the Chinese digital transformation of enterprises affect the auditor switch?
Authors: Liang Ruohao
Published: September 2024

The digital transformation of enterprises has brought great changes to the audit service demand of enterprises and the audit service supply of auditors. Therefore, there is a pressing need to study the digital transformation of enterprises and its impact on auditor switch. This paper aims to explore the influence of enterprise digital transformation on auditor switch and its potential implications for improving auditor efficiency. Using Python’s machine learning tools and text analysis methods, This paper measure the digital transformation of Chinese listed companies and study the impact of digital transformation on the frequency of auditors witches. Our findings suggest that companies that have undergone digital transformation have reduced the frequency of changing auditors by alleviating information asymmetry, enhancing the effectiveness of companies’ internal controls and increasing audit fees. This unique measurement mode of digital transformation provides new evidence for the relationship between the audit service demand of enterprises and the audit service supply of auditors under the digital transformation environment. The research can assist businesses in understanding how digital transformation affects auditing professionally and in improving their audit processes accordingly.
Assessing disintegration effectiveness: A thorough evaluation using the SeDeM-ODT expert system for doxylamine succinate orodispersible formulation
Authors: Ahmad Salman Ashfaq , Hasan Syed Muhammad Farid , Bafail Duaa , Shah Saira Faraz , Imran Muhammad , Sahar Tuba , Ishaqui Azfar Athar
Published: September 2024

Background

The SeDeM-ODT expert system is designed to assess the suitability of the pharmaceutical ingredients for their conversion into an orodispersible formulation by direct compression. The tool can be utilized to select the most appropriate excipients that improve the compressibility and buccodispersibility of the formulation.

Objective

This study aimed to utilize the SeDeM-ODT expert system to evaluate the performance of superdisintegrants and select an appropriate superdisntegrant for Doxylamine Succinate orodispersible formulation.

Method

The SeDeM-ODT expert system scrutinized the excipients to develop an orodispersible Doxylamine Succinate formulation. Among the 15 parameters of the tool, some of them were determined through experimental work, while the remaining were calculated through the experimental values of other parameters. The central composite design approach was used for formulation development. The prepared powder blends were compressed using the direct compression method and evaluated for different parameters (hardness, thickness, diameter, friability, weight variation, water absorption ratio, wetting time, and disintegration time).

Results

The results of the SeDeM-ODT expert system were correlated with the values obtained by the post-compression tests. The Crospovidone formulation (F7) was found to be an optimized formulation as it disintegrated quickly compared with the other formulations containing other superdisintegtrants. The results perfectly endorsed the SeDeM-ODT expert system evaluation, as Crospovidone showed the highest IGCB value of 6.396.

Conclusion

The study observed the effectiveness of the expert system in accurately examining the performance of disintegrating agents. The study observed the effectiveness of the expert system in accurately examining the performance of disintegrating agents. The assessment proved Crospovidone to produce quicker disintegration in Doxylamine Succinate orodispersible formulation.
Leadership competencies for dentists: What do undergraduate students think?
Authors: Atif Saira , Fahim Ayesha , Chaudhry Asma Rafi , Dar Daniyal Naeem , Syed Sofia Ali , Rana Sadia
Published: September 2024

Dentists face difficult situations and challenges every day, but undergraduate dental students in Pakistan are not formally taught leadership skills or assessed for these skills. This study aims to explore the perception of undergraduate dental students on various leadership competencies. A multi-institutional cross-sectional observational study was conducted on undergraduate students in five institutions by using universal sampling technique. Students were asked to self-assess various leadership competencies for dentists based on 15 competencies using a validated questionnaire utilizing Likert scale response format. Responses to these items were presented as frequency and percentage. The overall scores were presented in mean and standard deviation and median and interquartile range. The differences in median scores of all items of the questionnaire between male and female students were determined with Mann Whitney U tests. The year-wise differences in the median of all response items of the questionnaire were determined using Kruskal Wallis H test. A total of 750 students, of which 570 (76%) were females and 180 (24%) were males, participated in the study. Most of the students (n = 708, 94.4%) did not attended any leadership course or workshop in the last five years. Majority of the students perceived that their leadership competencies were fair to excellent. Empathy was perceived as ‘excellent’ by the majority of the students (n = 294, 39.2%). Majority of the students (n = 319, 42.5%) perceived that their ‘authenticity’ skills were ‘good’. Statistically significant differences were reported between male and female students in most of the leadership skills including ‘compassion’, ‘advocacy skills’, ‘inquiry skills’, ‘empathy’, ‘integrity’, ‘ability to build trust with others’, ‘managing conflict’, ‘leading groups/teams’, ‘dealing with difficult personalities’, and ‘likelihood to exercise leadership during a crisis’ (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences in the median item scores in 13 out of 15 leadership domains and the year of study (p < 0.05). The study identified the perceptions of students regarding different leadership competencies. It gives indications that which leadership competencies need to be incorporated, promoted, and enhanced in leadership curriculum to make them effective dental practitioners and leaders in future. Incorporating these targeted leadership courses into the curriculum can provide participants with the opportunity to refine their existing leadership strengths and develop a well-rounded set of competencies essential for making a significant contribution in their chosen fields.
Periodically correlated time series and the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap
Authors: Valachovic Edward L.
Published: September 2024

This research introduces a novel approach to resampling periodically correlated time series using bandpass filters for frequency separation called the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap and then examines the significant advantages of this new method. While bootstrapping allows estimation of a statistic’s sampling distribution by resampling the original data with replacement, and block bootstrapping is a model-free resampling strategy for correlated time series data, both fail to preserve correlations in periodically correlated time series. Existing extensions of the block bootstrap help preserve the correlation structures of periodically correlated processes but suffer from flaws and inefficiencies. Analyses of time series data containing cyclic, seasonal, or periodically correlated principal components often seen in annual, daily, or other cyclostationary processes benefit from separating these components. The Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap uses bandpass filters to separate a periodically correlated component from interference such as noise at other uncorrelated frequencies. A simulation study is presented, demonstrating near universal improvements obtained from the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap when compared with prior block bootstrapping methods for periodically correlated time series.
Biochemical reconstitution of heat-induced mutational processes
Authors: Sugiyama Tomohiko
Published: September 2024

Non-enzymatic spontaneous deamination of 5-methylcytosine, producing thymine, is the proposed etiology of cancer mutational signature 1, which is the most predominant signature in all cancers. Here, the proposed mutational process was reconstituted using synthetic DNA and purified proteins. First, single-stranded DNA containing 5-methylcytosine at CpG context was incubated at an elevated temperature to accelerate spontaneous DNA damage. Then, the DNA was treated with uracil DNA glycosylase to remove uracil residues that were formed by deamination of cytosine. The resulting DNA was then used as a template for DNA synthesis by yeast DNA polymerase δ. The DNA products were analyzed by next-generation DNA sequencing, and mutation frequencies were quantified. The observed mutations after this process were exclusively C>T mutations at CpG context, which was very similar to signature 1. When 5-methylcytosine modification and uracil DNA glycosylase were both omitted, C>T mutations were produced on C residues in all sequence contexts, but these mutations were diminished by uracil DNA glycosylase-treatment. These results indicate that the CpG>TpG mutations were produced by the deamination of 5-methylcytosine. Additional mutations, mainly C>G, were introduced by yeast DNA polymerase ζ on the heat-damaged DNA, indicating that G residues of the templates were also damaged. However, the damage on G residues was not converted to mutations with DNA polymerase δ or ε.