bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Byzantine icon as an expression of the composition of the “Beautiful” with the “Sublime”
Authors: Terezis Christos
Published: May 2024

In this article I attempt to discuss the encounter between Christian Theology and the philosophical branch of Aesthetics. As a basis I have the icons of the Byzantine tradition, which also express the ecclesiastical way of its culture. First of all, I refer to what is defined as the aesthetic interpretation of a work of art and then to how its process receives theological characteristics in the style and approach of Byzantine icons. Next, I present the main characteristics of the artistic-aesthetic categories of the “Beautiful” and the “Sublime” and I undertake the responsibility to show how they function in Byzantine icons, with the former mainly expressing beauty and the latter mainly the intensive direction towards the divine. I also attempt to present some of the conditions by which a Byzantine icon is created, so that it captures, in an artistically and aesthetically remarkable way, holiness and is interwoven with the devotional life of the Christian church. In this perspective, I emphasize that the Byzantine icon reveals: a) how Jesus Christ, as an expression of manhood, fully realizes the immanence of the Holy Trinity and b) how his example is realized as a feat and as an expression of “image of God” from the saints. As an example of the above, I bring the icon “The Vaiophoros” of the Stavronikita Monastery of Mount Athos, which is the work of Theophanes from Crete. I choose it to show how the main directions of the Byzantine style regarding the composition of the “Beautiful” with the “Sublime” also meet during the post-Byzantine period.
The logical status of history and the paradoxes of historicism
Authors: Demetriou Kyriakos
Published: May 2024

Much of the philosophical project of Leo Strauss involved an attempt to restore pre-modern philosophy, yet the impetus for the reconsideration of the interpretative textual methodologies was undeniably of a modern complexion. Strauss not only took historicism as a threat to philosophy, as it replaced philosophic questions with historical questions, but also as a source for the intellectual crisis of the West. Over and above 20th-century political crisis there was an intellectual crisis, not unrelated to the belief in the mutability of values, in moral relativism resulting in a kind of nihilism.  In a nutshell, historicism, in assuming that all human thought is historical, rejected the idea of philosophy as the attempt to grasp fundamental problems coeval with human thought – a rejection that ultimately amounts to a full critique of human thought as such. In his massive work, in both his historical and his strictly philosophical writings, Strauss pursued the restoration of political philosophy as a meaningful and urgent enterprise.
Η επίδραση της άσκησης, της κρυολιπόλυσης και του συνδυασμού των παρεμβάσεων αυτών στη σωματική σύσταση και απόδοση υπέρβαρων ατόμων
Authors: Μούτσιου Λυδία
Published: May 2024

Λυδία Μούτσιου: Αντιμετώπιση του τοπικού λίπους: Συγκριτική μελέτη της επίδρασης της άσκησης, της κρυολιπόλυσης και του συνδυασμού τους, σε υπέρβαρα και παχύσαρκα άτομα μέσης ηλικίας (Με την επίβλεψη του Καθηγητή Παναγιώτη Στεφανίδη) Ιστορικό: Η κεντρική παχυσαρκία αυξάνει τη νοσηρότητα και τη θνησιμότητα. Η απώλεια λίπους συνήθως οδηγεί στην απομάκρυνση ενός μικρού μόνο ποσοστού τοπικού πλεονάζοντος λίπους. Μεγαλύτερη απώλεια τοπικού λίπους μπορεί να αντιμετωπιστεί με μεθόδους όπως η σωματική άσκηση και η κρυολιπόλυση. Σκοπός: Η διερεύνηση της αποτελεσματικότητας της σωματικής άσκησης, της κρυολιπόλυσης και της συνδυασμένης εφαρμογής τους, στη μείωση του τοπικού κοιλιακού λίπους και του λιπιδαιμικού προφίλ σε πληθυσμό ενήλικων γυναικών με υπερβαρία ή παχυσαρκία. Μεθοδολογία: Υπέρβαρες γυναίκες, αναπαραγωγικής ηλικίας (ν=24), χωρίς άλλα προβλήματα υγείας, χωρίστηκαν σε τρεις ίσου μεγέθους ομάδες και υποβλήθηκαν, είτε σε ειδικό πρόγραμμα σωματικής άσκησης, επικεντρωμένο στην κοιλιά, είτε σε κρυολιπόλυση, είτε σε συνδυασμό άσκησης και κρυολιπόλυσης, με στόχευση στην κοιλιά. Τους ζητήθηκε να διατηρήσουν τις συνήθεις διατροφικές τους συνήθειες, καθ' όλη τη διάρκεια της μελέτης. Οι σωματομετρικοί δείκτες (βάρος, δείκτης μάζας σώματος, περίμετρος μέσης, κοιλιάς και ισχίων) και το λιπιδαιμικό προφίλ (τριγλυκερίδια, ολική και HDL-χοληστερόλη),μετρήθηκαν κατά την έναρξη και τρεις μήνες μετά την παρέμβαση. Αποτελέσματα: Παρατηρήθηκαν στατιστικά σημαντικές μεταβολές(p<0,05), πριν και μετά την εφαρμογή των μεθόδων, στην περιφέρεια μέσης, κοιλιάς και ισχίων, χωρίς μεταβολέςστο λιπιδαιμικό προφίλ. Συμπεράσματα: Ένα τρίμηνο πρόγραμμα άσκησης, επικεντρωμένο στην περιοχή της κοιλιάς ή η εφάπαξ εφαρμογή κοιλιακής κρυολιπόλυσης ή ο συνδυασμός των παραπάνω, οδηγούν σε μείωση της περιφέρειας μέσης, κοιλιάς και ισχίων. Η ανωτέρω μείωση δεν συνοδεύεται από επιδείνωση στις συγκεντρώσεις λιπιδίων του ορού.
Co-rotating twin screw process for continuous manufacturing of solid crystal suspension: A promising strategy to enhance the solubility, permeation and oral bioavailability of Carvedilol
Authors: Navti Prerana D. , Fernandes Gasper , Soman Soji , Nikam Ajinkya N. , Kulkarni Sanjay , Birangal Sumit R , Dhas Namdev , Shenoy Gautham G. , Rao Vinay , Koteshwara Kunnatur Balasundara , Mutalik Srinivas
Published: May 2024

Background In the current work, co-rotating twin-screw processor (TSP) was utilized to formulate solid crystal suspension (SCS) of carvedilol (CAR) for enhancing its solubility, dissolution rate, permeation and bioavailability using mannitol as a hydrophilic carrier. Methods In-silico molecular dynamics (MD) studies were done to simulate the interaction of CAR with mannitol at different kneading zone temperatures (KZT). Based on these studies, the optimal CAR: mannitol ratios and the kneading zone temperatures for CAR solubility enhancement were assessed. The CAR-SCS was optimized utilizing Design-of-Experiments (DoE) methodology using the Box-Behnken design. Saturation solubility studies and in vitro dissolution studies were performed for all the formulations. Physicochemical characterization was performed using differential scanning calorimetry , Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, and Raman spectroscopy analysis. Ex vivo permeation studies and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies for the CAR-SCS were performed. Stability studies were performed for the DoE-optimized CAR-SCS at accelerated stability conditions at 40 ºC/ 75% RH for three months. Results Experimentally, the formulation with CAR: mannitol ratio of 20:80, prepared using a KZT of 120 ºC at 100 rpm screw speed showed the highest solubility enhancement accounting for 50-fold compared to the plain CAR. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the crystalline state of DoE-optimized CAR-SCS. In-vitro dissolution studies indicated a 6.03-fold and 3.40-fold enhancement in the dissolution rate of optimized CAR-SCS in pH 1.2 HCl solution and phosphate buffer pH 6.8, respectively, as compared to the pure CAR. The enhanced efficacy of the optimized CAR-SCS was indicated in the ex vivo and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies wherein the apparent permeability was enhanced 1.84-fold and bioavailability enhanced 1.50-folds compared to the plain CAR. The stability studies showed good stability concerning the drug content. Conclusions TSP technology could be utilized to enhance the solubility, bioavailability and permeation of poor soluble CAR by preparing the SCS.
The genome sequence of the silver stretch spider, Tetragnatha montana (Simon, 1874) (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)
Authors: McGregor Alistair P. , Sumner-Rooney Lauren , Burkmar Richard , Schoenauer Anna ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Tetragnatha montana (the silver stretch spider; Arthropoda; Arachnida; Araneae; Tetragnathidae). The genome sequence is 784.7 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 13 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.49 kilobases in length.
Emulation in Painted Pottery Styles in Egypt in the Prehistoric Period
Authors: Sanada Sakura
Published: May 2024

This study examines how the painting technique was introduced into the pottery assemblages of Egypt and Nubia in the prehistoric period. For this purpose, I compare the introduction process of the painting technique in Egypt from the fifth to the first half of the fourth millennium BCE and that in Upper Mesopotamia between ca. 6200-5900 cal BC to establish if they had a similar introduction process or not. If they were different, I tried to clarify how exactly the case of Egypt was different from that of Upper Mesopotamia. This study suggests the possibility that white cross-lined ware (C-ware), and probably also black incised ware (N-ware), were the kinds of ware vessels invented locally in Upper Egypt in the process of introducing the inlay decoration technique using white pigment from the Nubian pottery traits (e.g., caliciform beakers) and introducing the painting decoration technique from the southern Levant, though the painting was made mostly with a reddish pigment in the southern Levant instead of white. The pigment color used for the painting decoration on pottery surfaces in Upper Egypt might have been changed from white (i.e., C-ware) to reddish (i.e., D-ware) even for the purpose of finding more efficient (i.e., less labou -intensive) decoration techniques.
Repensando la valoración del trabajo académico de excelencia: usos y posibilidades del portafolio del profesorado en la Universidad de los Andes
Authors: Cifuentes Gary
Published: May 2024

En este capítulo se describe una investigación relacionada con el uso del portafolio como estrategia de valoración del trabajo del profesor universitario1. Asumiendo que el concepto de portafolio es amplio y existen diversas formas de concebirlo, en este capítulo se diferencian el portafolio de docencia y el portafolio académico para entender el devenir que ha tenido esta estrategia en la Universidad de los Andes. Luego de describir la estrategia metodológica que sustentó el estudio, se describen los hallazgos en términos de los mecanismos, los criterios y las tensiones con relación a la valoración del trabajo académico. Lo anterior permite reconocer las potencialidades que tendría un portafolio para apoyar esta labor. El capítulo finaliza reflexionando acerca del papel que tiene el portafolio como parte de un sistema integrado de apoyo al profesorado en la Universidad de los Andes, así como las condiciones organizacionales que se requieren para promover su uso y su apropiación.
Las personas mayores: sujetos de especial protección en el marco legal colombiano
Authors: Padilla-Muñoz Andrea , Jiménez Rojas Paula Andrea
Published: May 2024

Este capítulo compila y explica las principales normas nacionales e internacionales, así como la jurisprudencia con mayor relevancia en torno a las personas mayores en Colombia a partir de la garantía de sus derechos, así como de la política pública.
La Iglesia y el mundo material durante el periodo colonial
Authors: Pinto Bernal José Joaquín
Published: May 2024

En el presente capítulo, se exponen los mecanismos a través de los cuales funcionaban la Real Hacienda y el mercado de crédito eclesiástico para satisfacer las urgencias de la Iglesia. En la primera parte, se dará cuenta de los derechos administrados por el Estado, así como de los gastos que eran atendidos por las cajas reales para el sostenimiento de las instituciones religiosas. En segunda instancia, se atenderá a lo relacionado con el mercado de crédito, en el cual participaba la Iglesia, sus fuentes de financiamiento y el destino de sus fondos.
Entre anhelos y dificultades. Protestantismo en Colombia en el siglo XIX
Authors: Carballo Fabio Hernán
Published: May 2024

Este escrito da cuenta, de manera sucinta, de los comienzos del protestantismo y de las iglesias protestantes, o cristianismo no católico, en Colombia, de sus dificultades y desafíos. Se presentan sus orígenes siguiendo una línea de tiempo desde los inicios de la República hasta finales del siglo XIX. El texto referencia a personajes destacados para el protestantismo decimonónico, como James Thomson, Ramón Monsalvatge, Philip Beekman Livingston y Henry Barrington Pratt. También introduce lo que podría llamarse una geografía protestante en Colombia, tratando de evidenciar los lugares de asentamiento de misiones, misioneros y seguidores. Finalmente indica que, a pesar de las coyunturas políticas de finales del siglo, las misiones no católicas continuaron con su trabajo evangelizador.
Educación “laica” y religiosa en la Colombia del siglo XIX: entre discurso y práctica
Authors: Muñoz Fernanda
Published: May 2024

Una vez independiente de la monarquía hispana, la Colombia actual, al igual que los demás territorios recién emancipados, emprendieron la construcción de nuevos Estados nacionales bajo un sistema de gobierno republicano en el cual se hacía imprescindible modelar al nuevo ciudadano para que legitimara dicho régimen. En ese camino, la educación fue el medio privilegiado para alcanzar tal propósito y la dirigencia política de la nueva república, bien fuese conservadora o liberal, coincidió en la necesidad de expandir la educación. A pesar de dicha convergencia, emergió un aspecto de discordia: el lugar que ocuparía la Iglesia católica en el nuevo orden, cuestión que estaba ligada con el papel que la institución eclesiástica desempeñaría en el ámbito educativo y la preeminencia o no de la religión católica en los establecimientos de educación pública. La historiografía colombiana ha destacado los enfrentamientos discursivos y armados generados al respecto. Sin embargo, en la vida cotidiana, donde se llevaban a efecto las medidas, además de conflictos hubo arreglos, convergencias y negociaciones, aspectos que, como menciona Adriana Santos, han sido poco abordados por la historiografía1. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, este texto se propone mostrar los matices, acuerdos y divergencias producidos en torno a la educación y el papel de la Iglesia durante el siglo XIX.
La jerarquía de la Iglesia católica y La Violencia, 1945-1964
Authors: Manosalva Correa Andrés Felipe
Published: May 2024

La Iglesia católica en Colombia estuvo inmersa en distintos debates políticos y sociales a lo largo del siglo XX. La jerarquía de esta institución difundió ideas acerca de personalidades o partidos políticos, sugirió candidatos presidenciales y opinó frente a los conflictos bélicos, el mundo laboral, los asuntos de género o las ideologías; todo ello por medio de la prensa, de las pastorales diocesanas, de circulares y comunicados. El periodo denominado como La Violencia no fue la excepción, pues los obispos y arzobispos tuvieron una alta actividad discursiva: expresaron diagnósticos, señalaron culpables o propusieron soluciones. El objeto de este capítulo es presentar los discursos de miembros de la jerarquía eclesiástica en relación con el fenómeno de La Violencia en tres fases: 1945-1948, 1949-1953 y 1953-1965, y así responder cómo se expresaron frente a dicho fenómeno, a quiénes culparon, a quiénes respaldaron y qué soluciones plantearon.
Implantar un dios extraño. Breve lectura de las misiones católicas y protestantes en la segunda mitad del siglo XX en Colombia
Authors: Cabrera Becerra Gabriel
Published: May 2024

El conjunto de creencias de los pueblos indígenas no se estructura como religiones pues adolecen de “una doctrina unitaria, de metafísica y de jerarquía sacerdotal”1, en tanto que las creencias cristianas sí las tienen. Por ello, el propósito evangelizador de católicos y protestantes genera contradicciones y conflictos entre los indígenas cuando la difusión de sus sentidos confronta el chamanismo y las cosmovisiones propias, y se revelan también contrastes entre los agentes evangelizadores. Este texto se propone dar cuenta sucinta del avance de católicos y protestantes que, en la segunda mitad del siglo XX,perseveraron en su objetivo de conversión religiosa de los indígenas, como de las tensiones derivadas de su actuación.
Criptoactivos, criminalidad cibernética y LA/FT: aproximación a entornos regulatorios y situacionales de prevención de riesgos
Authors: Vera López Omar Alejandro
Published: May 2024

El lavado de activos como fenómeno criminal se encuentra en constante evolución. Conforme la sociedad realiza innovaciones en el uso de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones, las organizaciones criminales ajustan estos desarrollos tecnológicos a las necesidades administrativas y operativas que requiere su estructura organizacional. La tecnología blockchain, y muy particularmente el uso de los criptoactivos, se ha visto como una alternativa altamente atractiva para las organizaciones criminales a efectos de poder administrar sus finanzas ilícitas y evadir el control de las autoridades. Ante esta situación, en varios escenarios se han empezado profundos debates sobre el papel que debe ocupar la regulación y la supervisión de las actividades asociadas al uso de los activos virtuales para prevenir actividades de LA/FT. En este trabajo se abordarán las problemáticas inherentes a los riesgos LA/FT provocados por el uso de criptoactivos en el comercio; se revisarán las posibles aproximaciones regulatorias al mercado de los activos virtuales y los agentes que allí intervienen; y, finalmente, se revisarán las aproximaciones a entornos situacionales de prevención de riesgos que pueden acompañar los enfoques regulatorios del mercado de activos virtuales, a efectos de generar una mayor eficacia en la cultura de legalidad y prevención de delito en el uso de criptoactivos.
Aplicación del Principio del Pentatlón a la traducción mélica entre polaco y español
Authors: Agaciak Aleksandra
Published: May 2024

This article presents an analysis of the issue of melic translation and shows its practical application. Initially we present and explain its theoretical and methodological foundations, and we describe the most modern strategy linked to this type of translations: The Pentathlon Principle by Peter Low (2003). Subsequently, we apply this strategy to two examples of original translation for two different song styles: from Polish to Spanish (pop) and from Spanish to Polish (folklore).
Estudo do efeito de concentração de inóculo no processo fermentativo para a produção de vinho de Vitis vinifera 'Isabel' da região do Vale do São Francisco
Authors: Dos Santos Mota Hellen Carolina , Jose Ailton Conceição Bispo
Published: May 2024

A viticultura é uma atividade econômica recente no Brasil sendo 95% dos vinhos brasileiros produzidos no Rio Grande do Sul. As exportações brasileiras de vinho ainda são pequenas. Assim sendo, o presente trabalho visa o isolamento e seleção de leveduras nativas da uva da região do Nordeste do Brasil, adaptadas às condições de clima e solo, e possuidoras de características desejáveis para obtenção de um bom vinho, com a finalidade de melhorar os parâmetros de qualidade e garantir melhor padronização das características do vinho da região.
Understanding the Core Policy Drivers of Canada–Cuba Relations: Plus ça Change …
Authors: McKenna Peter
Published: May 2024

This article chronicles and examines the decades-long Canadian–Cuban relationship – albeit with a greater focus on the federal Liberal governments of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, 1968–1984, and his son, Justin Trudeau, 2015–present. For analytical purposes, it poses a number of interesting and insightful questions about the “what” and “why” of Canada–Cuba relations. The overarching aim of this narrative, then, is twofold: (1) to outline the nature and extent of Canada’s Cuba policy since the beginning of the Cuban revolution in 1959 and (2) to identify what the central policy drivers are, from both the Canadian and Cuban perspectives, and how they still mould the bilateral relationship today. Lastly, it concludes with some general thoughts on the overall contours of Canadian–Cuban relations since the early 1960s.
American Tourists in Cuba: Implications of Cross-Cultural Encounters
Authors: Wylie Lana
Published: May 2024

American tourism to Cuba has waxed and waned in response to changes in the political relationship. During the 1940s many Americans saw Havana as an exotic locale for their holidays. In contrast, during the Cold War, American tourism to the island was almost non-existent. Following the Cold War, some Americans returned, especially after Raul Castro and Barack Obama began to normalise relations. Although the numbers declined during the Trump presidency and the pandemic, interest in travelling to Cuba remains and a significant number of Americans continue to visit the island. Using an “other diplomacies” framework, this article discusses the impact of tourism encounters on the evolution of the US–Cuba relationship, paying attention to the degree to which encounters between American citizens and Cubans have the potential to inform public opinion and influence the relationship between the two societies and their polities.
The Implementation of CRPD Article 13 Access to Justice in Hong Kong
Authors: Wu Lake Yan (Kimberly)
Published: May 2024

China ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008. Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region of China is thus also obligated to implement this treaty. CRPD Article 13 protects the right to access to justice for people with disabilities, including Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) individuals. In Hong Kong, research exploring the implementation of CRPD Article 13 in practice is lacking. This study utilizes in-depth interviews and case studies of deaf individuals, a case worker, and a barrister as its methodological approach. It aims to investigate the implementation of CRPD Article 13 within the criminal justice system in Hong Kong through the lived experiences of DHH individuals. The findings of the research suggest that there are significant gaps in the implementation of CRPD Article 13 for DHH individuals in Hong Kong. Institutional, communicative, and attitudinal barriers highlighted in the CRPD are identified in the experiences of DHH individuals with the legal system, indicating an insufficiently comprehensive system to ensure equal rights for DHH individuals.
Libro: Educación Ambiental de maestros para maestros
Authors: Fernández-Huetos Nuria
Published: May 2024

Reseña de Guevara Herrero, I., Esquivel Martín, T. y Pérez Martín, J. M. (2022). Educación ambiental de maestros para maestros. Dykinson.  https://doi.org/10.14679/1999
Patrones de segregación residencial por procesos de exclusión en movilidad en la ruralidad del cantón Cuenca, Ecuador
Authors: Jiménez-Pacheco Pedro , Reinoso Palacios Beatriz
Published: May 2024

La urbanización produce fenómenos socioespaciales multidimensionales como la segregación residencial que se manifiesta a través de patrones diferenciados en áreas urbanas y rurales. Estos patrones son influenciados por las condiciones socioeconómicas de la población y su movilidad, lo que condiciona la localización de las viviendas. Mediante la aplicación de un marco metodológico adaptado a una muestra demostrativa de las áreas rurales del cantón Cuenca, se determinan los patrones de segregación residencial en respuesta a procesos de exclusión en movilidad. Se obtuvieron niveles considerables de interacción y proximidad espacial de las agrupaciones sociales en comunidades, así como, de segregación y aislamiento en áreas caracterizadas por conjuntos residenciales cerrados. Al someter estos parámetros al incremento de la cobertura de transporte público, los escenarios varían con una fuerte dependencia de la densidad poblacional del grupo segregado y la ocupación del suelo, lo que pone de manifiesto que las decisiones de integración en movilidad no pueden estar disociadas de los patrones de segregación.
Dinámicas toponímicas de los barrios de Bogotá (1900-1975)
Authors: Carrillo Loaiza Katerinne
Published: May 2024

Este artículo aborda las dinámicas toponímicas de los barrios de Bogotá desde 1900 hasta 1975. Los topónimos se han posicionado, durante los últimos años, en una fuente de información geográfica para la recuperación de datos espaciales en sus diferentes dimensiones: político, social y cultural. A partir del enfoque cualitativo se identificó, de una parte, las principales tendencias de denominación junto con sus posibles motivadores y agentes involucrados; y, de otra, se analizó el contexto social y político dentro del cual se asignaron los nombres de los barrios. Los resultados revelan la consolidación de tres tendencias tipológicas de denominación capaces de adaptar su valor semántico al contexto en el que se generó el topónimo y los actores que lo asignaron.
Revisioning the Shawnee Prophet: Revitalization Movements, Religious Studies, and the Ontological Turn
Authors: Winiarski Douglas
Published: May 2024

abstract: Historians invariably frame the early life of Laloeshiga, more commonly known as Tenskwatawa, the Shawnee Prophet, as one of unmitigated chaos and disorder. He emerges in scholarly literature as a ne'er-do-well: failed hunter and warrior, adulterer and wife beater, penurious healer, and dissolute alcoholic. A near-death experience during the winter of 1805 triggered visions that led to his rapid rise to religious authority in the revitalization movement he led with his brother, the famed Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Newly discovered sources and systematic review of older ones reveal a vastly different origin story. None of the supposed facts of the Prophet's early life, character, or visions can be substantiated by the documentary record. Scholars have worked for decades in the shadow of dubious nineteenth-century biographies and twentieth-century social theories that translate charismatic religion into narratives of medical pathology or social stress. Cutting through the tangle of myth and misinformation obscuring the Shawnee Prophet's origins, the following argument attempts to clear a path toward a new understanding of Tenskwatawa's prophetic career grounded in recent theories of religion as presence. Abstract: Historians invariably frame the early life of Laloeshiga, more commonly known as Tenskwatawa, the Shawnee Prophet, as one of unmitigated chaos and disorder. He emerges in scholarly literature as a ne'er-do-well: failed hunter and warrior, adulterer and wife beater, penurious healer, and dissolute alcoholic. A near-death experience during the winter of 1805 triggered visions that led to his rapid rise to religious authority in the revitalization movement he led with his brother, the famed Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Newly discovered sources and systematic review of older ones reveal a vastly different origin story. None of the supposed facts of the Prophet's early life, character, or visions can be substantiated by the documentary record. Scholars have worked for decades in the shadow of dubious nineteenth-century biographies and twentieth-century social theories that translate charismatic religion into narratives of medical pathology or social stress. Cutting through the tangle of myth and misinformation obscuring the Shawnee Prophet's origins, the following argument attempts to clear a path toward a new understanding of Tenskwatawa's prophetic career grounded in recent theories of religion as presence.
Milton’s Tenderness: Post-Critique and Its Limits in Comus
Authors: Peters Jason
Published: May 2024

Abstract: The emerging critical consensus is that Milton only gradually becomes a critic of royal power and that A Mask (Comus) shows signs of his early desire to elevate rather than reform the Caroline masque. Post-critical readers would see that shift as part of a broader movement in literary studies away from the “hermeneutics of suspicion.” By foregrounding the link between Milton’s iconoclasm and what Hazlitt calls his “beauty and tenderness,” this essay argues that Milton pushes us to reflect on what Rita Felski calls the “limits of critique,” while still placing far greater emphasis than she does on judgment.
Compact unidirectional waveguide grating emitter with enhanced wavelength sensitivity based on the hybrid plasmonic mode
Authors: Liu Ning , Qu Shi-Wei
Published: May 2024

Waveguide grating antennas are widely adopted in beam-steering devices, typically enabling the beam steering in longitudinal direction within a two-dimensional scanning optical array by changing the input wavelength. However, traditional waveguide grating antennas suffer from limited tuning range due to low dispersion of the gratings. In this paper, a compact silicon grating waveguide antenna array is proposed with enhanced wavelength sensitivity by introducing a periodically modulated hybrid plasmonic mode. The hybrid plasmonic mode is supported by the hybrid plasmonic waveguides (HPWs) composed of silicon waveguides and periodic subwavelength silver strips. In order to convert the guided waves to the radiated waves, a series of silicon emitting segments are deposited above the HPWs. Additionally, the horizontally arranged array of HPWs also acts as a reflector of the downward radiation, resulting in an effective unidirectional emission. Through the optimization of physical parameters, the proposed antenna array achieves a wavelength-length tuning efficiency up to 0.3°/nm within the wavelength range of 1500∼1600 nm, exhibiting a significant improvement compared with traditional ones. Moreover, an average upward emissivity exceeding 80% with a maximum value of 89% within the 100 nm bandwidth is demonstrated through the numerical simulations. The proposed compact antenna array provides an alternative solution in realizing large-scale integrated high-tuning-efficiency optical beam-steering devices.
Changes in substance use, recovery, and quality of life during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lewandowski Megayn E. , Delawalla Colette N. , Butcher Tarah J. , Oberlin Brandon G.
Published: May 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives on a massive scale. While the pandemic appeared to worsen mental health outcomes broadly, its effects on alcohol/substance use and recovery are unclear. Many studies convolved the sociopolitical unrest beginning in May 2020 with the pandemic. We assessed pandemic-related changes in substance use, recovery involvement, and quality of life among US adults at two specified time periods that isolated pandemic effects from potentially confounding sociopolitical factors.

Objectives

We tested the following hypotheses: the pandemic and consequent policies (1) increased use of alcohol and illicit substances in active users; (2) increased use of alcohol/substances among people in early recovery; (3) reduced participation in recovery activities among those in early recovery, and that (4) use amount and use events correlated with impulsivity in both groups and that (5) substance use and abstinence correlated with resilience.

Methods

We recruited 1,685 participants through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). We assessed demographics, quality of life, alcohol/substance use, recovery activities, and measures of impulsivity and resilience at two time points, pre-pandemic and (early) during-pandemic. Only n = 45 (Active Users; males n = 32) and n = 34 (Recovery; males n = 20) passed data quality checks and were included in the primary analyses.

Results

Among Active Users, weekly alcohol consumption and days spent using alcohol and illicit substances decreased during the pandemic. Resilience negatively correlated with pandemic-related substance use in early recovering participants. Significant reduction in the quality of life was coincident with a trend of lower recovery activity participation (31% decline) during the pandemic.

Conclusions

The reduced alcohol/substance use and participation in recovery activities might be expected from conditions that promote social isolation. The high prevalence of low-quality data from MTurk cautions for careful use of online data sourcing.
An efficient high-gain bidirectional interleaved boost converter for PV integration to DC microgrid
Authors: Sreelatha Edara , Pandian A. , Reddy Ch. Rami , Kumar M. Kiran , Kotb Hossam , M. AboRas Kareem , Alkuhayli Abdulaziz , Yasin Ghadi Yazeed , Harrison Ambe
Published: May 2024

The design of a power electronic interface for high voltage difference DC buses is a key aspect in DC microgrid applications. A multi-port non isolated interleaved high-voltage gain bidirectional converter, which facilitates bidirectional power transfer and islanded operation in a DC microgrid, is presented in this paper. The forward high-voltage transfer ratio is achieved using a voltage multiplier circuit, and the high-gain step-down power conversion is performed using a resonant power module. A novel power transfer selection algorithm is proposed to control power flow among the interfaces of the RES, ESS, and DC grid converters, which utilizes the net power difference as the basis for switching the converter. The proposed converter is simulated for a 24 V PV source, 12 V battery, and 400 V DC grid interface using MATLAB/SIMULINK. A 200 W hardware prototype is implemented. The simulation results for voltages, currents, and power flow among RES, ESS, and microgrid DC bus proved an excellent voltage regulation, efficient power conversion, and a feasible duty cycle range with high voltage gain. These observations are validated through equivalent experimental results. A comparison is made regarding achieved gain, component sizing, achievable power transfer modes, efficiency, and control complexity with existing converters for DC microgrid applications. The presented topology proved to be a better interface with multiple-mode support with high efficiency.
Taguatagua 3: A new late Pleistocene settlement in a highly suitable lacustrine habitat in central Chile (34°S)
Authors: Labarca Rafael , Frugone-Álvarez Matías , Vilches Liz , Blanco José Francisco , Peñaloza Ángela , Godoy-Aguirre Carolina , Lizama-Catalán Álvaro , Oyarzo Cristóbal , Tornero Carlos , González-Guarda Erwin , Delgado Ayelen , Sepúlveda Marcela , Soto-Huenchuman Paula
Published: May 2024

We present the results of the excavations and analyses of the diverse and exceptional archaeological assemblage of Taguatagua 3, a new late Pleistocene site located in the ancient Tagua Tagua lake in Central Chile (34°S). The anthropogenic context is constrained in a coherently dated stratigraphic deposit which adds new information about the mobility, subsistence strategies, and settlement of the early hunter-gatherers of southern South America. The age model constructed, as well as radiocarbon dates obtained directly from a combustion structure, indicate that the human occupation occurred over a brief time span around 12,440–12,550 cal yr BP. Considering taphonomic, geoarchaeological, lithic, archaeobotanical, and zooarchaeological evidence, as well as the spatial distribution combined with ethnographic data, we interpret Taguatagua 3 as a logistic and temporary camp associated mainly with gomphothere hunting and butchering. Nevertheless, several other activities were carried out here as well, such as hide and/or bone preparation, small vertebrate and plant processing and consumption, and red ochre grinding. Botanical and eggshell remains suggest that the anthropic occupation occurred during the dry season. Considering the contemporaneous sites recorded in the basin, we conclude that the ancient Tagua Tagua lake was a key location along the region’s early hunter-gatherer mobility circuits. In this context, it acted as a recurrent hunting/scavenging place during the Late Pleistocene due to its abundant, diverse, and predictable resources.
Long-term water demand forecasting using artificial intelligence models in the Tuojiang River basin, China
Authors: Shu Jun , Xia Xinyu , Han Suyue , He Zuli , Pan Ke , Liu Bin
Published: May 2024

Accurate forecasts of water demand are a crucial factor in the strategic planning and judicious use of finite water resources within a region, underpinning sustainable socio-economic development. This study aims to compare the applicability of various artificial intelligence models for long-term water demand forecasting across different water use sectors. We utilized the Tuojiang River basin in Sichuan Province as our case study, comparing the performance of five artificial intelligence models: Genetic Algorithm optimized Back Propagation Neural Network (GA-BP), Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Random Forest (RF). These models were employed to predict water demand in the agricultural, industrial, domestic, and ecological sectors using actual water demand data and relevant influential factors from 2005 to 2020. Model performance was evaluated based on the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), with the most effective model used for 2025 water demand projections for each sector within the study area. Our findings reveal that the GPR model demonstrated superior results in predicting water demand for the agricultural, domestic, and ecological sectors, attaining R2 values of 0.9811, 0.9338, and 0.9142 for the respective test sets. Also, the GA-BP model performed optimally in predicting industrial water demand, with an R2 of 0.8580. The identified optimal prediction model provides a useful tool for future long-term water demand forecasting, promoting sustainable water resource management.
Accumulation patterns of anthocyanin and γ-oryzanol during black rice grain development
Authors: Thapa Manisha , Liu Lei , Barkla Bronwyn J. , Kretzschmar Tobias , Rogiers Suzy Y. , Rose Terry J.
Published: May 2024

Pigmented rice, especially black rice, is gaining popularity as it is rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins and γ-oryzanol. At present, knowledge about temporal control of biosynthesis and accumulation of antioxidants during grain development is limited. To address this, the accumulation patterns of anthocyanins and γ-oryzanol were assessed in two distinct black rice genotypes over the course of grain development, and the expression of known regulatory genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis was examined. The results indicated that total γ-oryzanol content increased continuously throughout grain development, while total anthocyanins peaked at dough stage (15 to 21 days after flowering) followed by a decline until grain maturity in both genotypes. However, the rate of decrease in anthocyanin content differed between genotypes, and a more prominent decline in cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (C3G) relative to peonidin 3-O-glucoside (P3G) was observed for both. Anthocyanin content was closely linked with the expression of key regulatory genes in the MBW (MYB-bHLH-WD40) complex. This improved knowledge of the genotype-specific biosynthesis (anthocyanins only) and accumulation patterns of anthocyanins and γ-oryzanol can inform subsequent research efforts to increase concentrations of these key antioxidants in black rice grains.
Intravenous iron and iron deficiency anemia in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Nandakumar Shankavi , Singh Navreet , Tharani Alliya Remtulla , Pankiw Maya , Brezden-Masley Christine
Published: May 2024

Background

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent hematological complication associated with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers due to an increased loss of iron and decreased iron absorption. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the use of parenteral iron to treat IDA in patients with GI cancer.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINHAL and Scopus were searched from January 1, 2010 to September 29, 2023 with no language restrictions. We excluded editorials, case reports, abstracts, conference papers, and poster presentations. Studies were included if they discussed IDA, GI neoplasms, use of iron supplementation (with or without erythropoietin-stimulating agents [ESAs]), defined anemia and had an adult patient population. We assessed the efficacy of parenteral iron in comparison to other iron supplementation methods when treating IDA in patients with GI cancer. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2 (RoB 2) and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) assessment tools were used to assess the quality of the included studies. Moreover, the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization data collection form was used to collect pertinent study information.

Results

Our search yielded 3,969 studies across all databases. Twenty-one studies were included (6 randomized control trials; 15 non-randomized studies). Of the 15 studies evaluating hemoglobin (Hb) response, seven studies found an increase in Hb levels when patients were treated with IV iron. The 14 studies evaluating red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rates found conflicting differences in RBC transfusion needs when treated with IV iron. Studies analyzing health related outcomes typically found an increase in quality of life and decreased post-operative complications.

Discussion

This review demonstrates improved outcomes of IDA in patients with GI cancer treated with IV iron instead of other iron supplementation methods. Timely diagnosis and appropriate IDA management can greatly improve quality of life in this patient population, especially if myelosuppressive chemotherapy is required.
Targeting skeletal muscle health with exercise in people with type 1 diabetes: A protocol for HOMET1D, a prospective observational trial with matched controls
Authors: Rebalka Irena A. , Noguchi Kenneth S. , Bulyovsky Kayla R. , Badour Matthew I. , Juracic Emma S. , Barrett Khandra , Brahmbhatt Aditya , Al-Khazraji Baraa , Punthakee Zubin , Perry Christopher G. R. , Kumbhare Dinesh A. , MacDonald Maureen J. , Hawke Thomas J.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience a complex set of alterations to skeletal muscle metabolic, neuromuscular, and vascular health; collectively referred to as diabetic myopathy. While the full scope of diabetic myopathy is still being elucidated, evidence suggests that even when individuals with T1D are physically active, indices of myopathy still exist. As such, there is a question if adherence to current physical activity guidelines elicits improvements in skeletal muscle health indices similarly between individuals with and without T1D. The objectives of this trial are to: 1) compare baseline differences in skeletal muscle health between adults with and without T1D, 2) examine the association between participation in a home-based exercise program, detraining, and retraining, with changes in skeletal muscle health, and 3) examine the roles of age and sex on these associations.

Methods and analysis

This will be a prospective interventional trial. Younger (18–30 years) and older (45–65 years) males and females with T1D and matched individuals without T1D will engage in a four-phase, 18-week study sequentially consisting of a one-week lead-in period, 12-week exercise training program, one-week detraining period, and four-week retraining period. The exercise program will consist of aerobic and resistance exercise based on current guidelines set by Diabetes Canada. Metabolic, neuromuscular, and vascular outcome measures will be assessed four times: at baseline, post-exercise program, post-detraining, and post-retraining. Differences in baseline metrics between those with and without T1D will be examined with independent sample t-tests, and with two-way analyses of variance for age- and sex-stratified analyses. Changes across the duration of the study will be examined using mixed-model analyses.

Dissemination

Findings from this research will be shared locally and internationally with research participants, clinicians, diabetes educators, and patient advocacy organizations via in-person presentations, social media, and scientific fora.

Trial registration number

NCT05740514.
Cigarette smoke sustains immunosuppressive microenvironment inducing M2 macrophage polarization and viability in lung cancer settings
Authors: Bianchi Francesca , Le Noci Valentino , Bernardo Giancarla , Gagliano Nicoletta , Colombo Graziano , Sommariva Michele , Palazzo Michele , Dalle-Donne Isabella , Milzani Aldo , Pupa Serenella , Tagliabue Elda , Sfondrini Lucia
Published: May 2024

Background

It is amply demonstrated that cigarette smoke (CS) has a high impact on lung tumor progression worsening lung cancer patient prognosis and response to therapies. Alteration of immune cell types and functions in smokers’ lungs have been strictly related with smoke detrimental effects. However, the role of CS in dictating an inflammatory or immunosuppressive lung microenvironment still needs to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the effect of in vitro exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) focusing on macrophages.

Methods

Immortalized murine macrophages RAW 264.7 cells were cultured in the presence of CS extract and their polarization has been assessed by Real-time PCR and cytofluorimetric analysis, viability has been assessed by SRB assay and 3D-cultures and activation by exposure to Poly(I:C). Moreover, interaction with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC1) murine cell models in the presence of CS extract were analyzed by confocal microscopy.

Results

Obtained results indicate that CS induces macrophages polarization towards the M2 phenotype and M2-phenotype macrophages are resistant to the CS toxic activity. Moreover, CS impairs TLR3-mediated M2-M1 phenotype shift thus contributing to the M2 enrichment in lung smokers.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that, in lung cancer microenvironment of smokers, CS can contribute to the M2-phenotype macrophages prevalence by different mechanisms, ultimately, driving an anti-inflammatory, likely immunosuppressive, microenvironment in lung cancer smokers.
A situational assessment of treatments received for childhood diarrhea in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Authors: Gayawan Ezra , Cameron Ewan , Okitika Tolu , Egbon Osafu Augustine , Gething Peter
Published: May 2024

We assess progress towards improved case management of childhood diarrhea in Nigeria over a period of targeted health systems reform from 2013 to 2018. Individual and community data from three Demographic and Health Survey rounds are leveraged in a geospatial model designed for stratified estimation by venue of treatment seeking and State. Our analysis reveals a highly regionalised health system undergoing rapid change. Nationally, there have been substantial increases in the proportion of children under 5 years old with diarrhea receiving the recommended oral rehydration therapy after seeking treatment at either a health clinic (0.57 [0.44–0.69; 95% CI] in 2008; 0.70 [0.54–0.83] in 2018) or chemist/pharmacy (0.28 [0.17–0.42] in 2008; 0.48 [0.31–0.64] in 2018). Yet State-level variations in venue attendance and performance by venue have conspired to hold the overall proportion receiving this potentially life-saving therapy (0.45 [0.35–0.55] in 2018) to well-below ideal coverage levels. High performing states that have demonstrated significant improvements include Kano, Jigawa and Borno, while under-performing states that have suffered declines in coverage include Kaduna and Taraba. The use of antibiotics is not recommended for mild cases of childhood diarrhea yet remains concerningly high nationally (0.27 [0.19–0.36] in 2018) with negligible variation between venues. Antibiotic use rates are particularly high in Enugu, Kaduna, Taraba, Kano, Niger and Kebbi, yet welcome reductions were identified in Jigawa, Adamawa and Osun. These results support the conclusions of previous studies and build the strength of evidence that urgent action is needed throughout the multi-tiered health system to improve the quality and equity of care for common childhood illnesses in Nigeria.