bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standardized local assortativity in networks and systemic risk in financial markets
Authors: So Mike K. P. , Mak Anson S. W. , Chan Jacky N. L. , Chu Amanda M. Y.
Published: October 2023

The study of assortativity allows us to understand the heterogeneity of networks and the implication of network resilience. While a global measure has been predominantly used to characterize this network feature, there has been little research to suggest a local coefficient to account for the presence of local (dis)assortative patterns in diversely mixed networks. We build on existing literature and extend the concept of assortativity with the proposal of a standardized scale-independent local coefficient to observe the assortative characteristics of each entity in networks that would otherwise be smoothed out with a global measure. This coefficient provides a lens through which the granular level of details can be observed, as well as capturing possible pattern (dis)formation in dynamic networks. We demonstrate how the standardized local assortative coefficient discovers the presence of (dis)assortative hubs in static networks on a granular level, and how it tracks systemic risk in dynamic financial networks.
Comparing reintroduction strategies for the endangered San Francisco gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) using demographic models
Authors: Rose Jonathan P. , Kim Richard , Schoenig Elliot J. , Lien Patrick C. , Halstead Brian J.
Published: October 2023

For endangered species persisting in a few populations, reintroductions to unoccupied habitat are a popular conservation action to increase viability in the long term. Identifying the reintroduction strategy that is most likely to result in viable founder and donor populations is essential to optimally use resources available for conservation. The San Francisco gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) is an endangered sub-species that persists in a small number of populations in a highly urbanized region of California. Most of the extant populations of San Francisco gartersnakes have low adult abundance and effective population size, heightening the need for establishment of more populations for insurance against the risk of extinction. We used simulations from demographic models to project the probability of quasi-extinction for reintroduced populations of San Francisco gartersnakes based on the release of neonate, juvenile, adult, or mixed-age propagules. Our simulation results indicated that the release of head-started juveniles resulted in the greatest viability of reintroduced populations, and that releases would need to continue for at least 15 years to ensure a low probability of quasi-extinction. Releasing captive-bred juvenile snakes would also have less effect on the viability of the donor population, compared to strategies that require more adult snakes to be removed from the donor population for translocation. Our models focus on snake demography, but the genetic makeup of donor, captive, and reintroduced populations will also be a major concern for any proposed reintroduction plan. This study demonstrates how modeling can be used to inform reintroduction strategies for highly imperiled species.
The influence of learning strategies and the environment on Chinese L3 English learners’ motivation to learn phonetic symbols: The mediating role of self-efficacy
Authors: Zeng Jie , Qin Yi , Zong Yu , Zhao Tengfei
Published: October 2023

Previous studies have established a relationship between Chinese L3 English learners’ learning strategies, environment, self-efficacy, and motivation. However, limited research has examined these interconnections concerning Chinese L3 learners’ phonetic symbol learning (PSL), and it is hard to determine the extent or manner in which the aforementioned factors have an impact on the motivation toward PSL and their interactions among Chinese L3 English learners according to existing related studies. Structural equation modeling (SEM) can be utilized to tackle this question given its advantages in analyzing various factors in language learning motivation based on specific theories. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the direct and indirect effects of learning strategies and learning environment on the motivation towards PSL among Chinese L3 English learners and offer some pedagogical advice to teachers in Chinese L3 English instruction. To achieve this, a PSL Motivation Scale was developed, using data collected from 45 minority college students and analyzed via SEM. The results revealed that learning strategies and learning environment have direct impacts on the motivation towards PSL among Chinese L3 English learners, as well as indirect impacts on motivation through the mediation of self-efficacy. This study may provide a methodological and pedagogical reference for English pronunciation teaching in China and other contexts that we can stimulate students’ motivation toward PSL either directly or through the mediating effect of self-efficacy.
Trends in dental expenditures in Japan with a universal health insurance system
Authors: Sato Yukihiro , Fukai Kakuhiro , Kunori Yuki , Yoshioka Eiji , Saijo Yasuaki
Published: October 2023

Background

The government of Japan has spent a significant amount on dental healthcare, but it remains unknown how the spending varies across age, type of service, and time. This study describes trends in dental expenditures in Japan.

Methods

This descriptive study used two national data sources: Estimates of National Medical Care Expenditure and Survey on Economic Conditions in Health Care. We obtained annual total and average per capita dental expenditures by age in Japan from 1984 to 2020 and estimated the proportions of types of service from 1996 to 2021. All costs were adjusted for the 2020 Consumer Price Index (1 US dollar ≈ 100 yen in 2020).

Results

Total dental expenditures increased from 1.96 trillion yen in 1984 to 3.00 trillion yen in 2020. In particular, total and average per capita dental spending for older persons showed a rapid increase (total: from 185 billion yen in 1984 to 1.18 trillion yen in 2020; average per capita: from 15,500 yen in 1984 to 32,800 yen in 2020), contributing to the total amount increase. The crown restoration and prosthesis category amounted to 50.3% of the total expenditure in 1996, and this proportion declined to 32.4% by 2021. In 0–14 years persons, expenses on the crown restoration and prosthesis category decreased while the medical management category (mainly including fees for a management plan for oral diseases or oral functions) increased. In persons aged 65 years or older, expenses on the crown restoration and prosthesis category decreased, with increasing expenses in the medical management and at-home treatment categories.

Conclusion

The amount of dental spending in Japan substantially increased from 1.96 trillion yen in 1984 to 3.00 trillion yen in 2020), a 1.53-fold increase. The observed changes in annual dental spending varied across age groups and types of service.
Predicting use of a gait-stabilizing device using a Wii Balance Board
Authors: Mullan Sean M. , Evans Nicholas J. , Sewell Daniel K. , Francis Shelby L. , Polgreen Linnea A. , Segre Alberto M. , Polgreen Philip M.
Published: October 2023

Gait-stabilizing devices (GSDs) are effective at preventing falls, but people are often reluctant to use them until after experiencing a fall. Inexpensive, convenient, and effective methods for predicting which patients need GSDs could help improve adoption. The purpose of this study was to determine if a Wii Balance Board (WBB) can be used to determine whether or not patients use a GSD. We prospectively recruited participants ages 70–100, some who used GSDs and some who did not. Participants first answered questions from the Modified Vulnerable Elders Survey, and then completed a grip-strength test using a handgrip dynamometer. Finally, they were asked to complete a series of four 30-second balance tests on a WBB in random order: (1) eyes open, feet apart; (2) eyes open, feet together; (3) eyes closed, feet apart; and (4) eyes closed, feet together. The four-test series was repeated a second time in the same random order. The resulting data, represented as 25 features extracted from the questionnaires and the grip test, and data from the eight balance tests, were used to predict a subject’s GSD use using generalized functional linear models based on the Bernoulli distribution. 268 participants were consented; 62 were missing data elements and were removed from analysis; 109 were not GSD users and 97 were GSD users. The use of velocity and acceleration information from the WBB improved upon predictions based solely on grip strength, demographic, and survey variables. The WBB is a convenient, inexpensive, and easy-to-use device that can be used to recommend whether or not patients should be using a GSD.
How do US corporations communicate interculturally with their Chinese stakeholders: Analysis of GM Company’s social media posts from the cultural value perspective
Authors: Xu Jin , Duan Ruijun
Published: October 2023

Social Media is an important means of communication with audiences around the world. The purpose of this study was to explore whether GM—a famous US auto company adapts its US Cultural values to suit the prevalent cultural values of its Chinese stakeholders on Chinese social media. Content analysis was used to evaluate the cultural content of GM Company’s posts on Weibo and Twitter. Although influenced by the special features of the car industry, there is still enough evidence that the communication style of the US auto Company makes cultural adaption on Chinese social media, reflecting more Chinese prevalent cultural values.
Exploratory study of risk factors related to SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in nursing homes in Flanders (Belgium) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Janssens Heidi , Heytens Stefan , Meyers Eline , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Cools Piet , Geens Tom
Published: October 2023

In a previous study in Belgian nursing homes (NH) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we found a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 17% with a large variability (0–45%) between NH. The current exploratory study aimed to identify nursing home-specific risk factors for high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. Between October 19th, 2020 and November 13th, 2020, during the second COVID-19 wave in Belgium, capillary blood was collected on dried blood spots from 60 residents and staff in each of the 20 participating NH in Flanders and Brussels. The presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies was assessed by ELISA. Risk factors were evaluated using a questionnaire, filled in by the director or manager of the NH. Assessed risk factors comprised community-related factors, resident-related factors, management and performance features as well as building-related aspects. The relation between risk factors and seroprevalence was assessed by applying random forest modelling, generalized linear models and Bayesian linear regression. The present analyses showed that the prevalence of residents with dementia, the scarcity of personal protective equipment (surgical masks, FFP2 masks, glasses and face shields), and inadequate PCR test capacity were related to a higher seroprevalence. Generally, our study put forward that the various aspects of infection prevention in NH require more attention and investment. This exploratory study suggests that the ratio of residents with dementia, the availability of test capacity and personal protective equipment may have played a role in the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of NH, after the first wave. It underscores the importance of the availability of PPE and education in infection prevention. Moreover, investments may also yield benefits in the prevention of other respiratory infections (such as influenza).
“We lost a lot, but something good came out of it too:” Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental wellbeing of British Muslim Pakistani women with family responsibilities
Authors: Iqbal Halima , Lockyer Bridget , Iqbal Syka , Dickerson Josie
Published: October 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions caused major disruption globally, shedding light on the unprecedented strain upon the mental health and wellbeing of individuals around the world. Poor mental health in the pandemic is reported to be greater in women, with mothers being at increased risk. It is unclear whether there are differences in the impact of mental wellbeing on some ethnic groups over others. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of British Muslim Pakistani women with family responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, two years on from the first lockdown.

Methods

Qualitative interviews with women were conducted via telephone using a semi-structured topic guide. The sample included 25 British Muslim Pakistani women with family responsibilities, both English and non-English speaking. Women lived in households that ranged in number and included extended family. Key themes were determined using thematic analysis.

Results

Results were grouped under three themes. These were (1) Community, cultural and religious contributors to poor mental wellbeing, (2) religious and cultural mediators of mental distress, and (3) perceived positive impact on lifestyle. British Muslim Pakistani women were psychologically distressed by the high rates of virus transmission and deaths in their communities and at the prospect of older members of their extended family developing the virus. The impact of restrictions on fundamental religious and cultural interactions further exacerbated poor mental wellbeing in this population. Religion, community social capital and larger household structures were all effective coping strategies for British Muslim Pakistani women. Positive impacts of the pandemic included becoming closer to family and faith, and increased work/life harmony.

Conclusions

An exploration of religious and cultural coping mechanisms should be used to inform future national pandemic preparedness plans, as well as effective strategies for building and maintaining social capital. This may increase adherence to physical distancing and other protective behaviours in populations.
Untangling the hedge: Genetic diversity in clonally and sexually transmitted genomes of European wild roses, Rosa L.
Authors: Reichel Katja , Herklotz Veit , Smolka Alisia , Nybom Hilde , Kellner Alexandra , De Riek Jan , Smulders Marinus J. M. , Wissemann Volker , Ritz Christiane M.
Published: October 2023

While European wild roses are abundant and widely distributed, their morphological taxonomy is complicated and ambiguous. In particular, the polyploid Rosa section Caninae (dogroses) is characterised by its unusual meiosis, causing simultaneous clonal and sexual transmission of sub-genomes. This hemisexual reproduction, which often co-occurs with vegetative reproduction, defies the standard definition of species boundaries. We analysed seven highly polymorphic microsatellite loci, scored for over 2 600 Rosa samples of differing ploidy, collected across Europe within three independent research projects. Based on their morphology, these samples had been identified as belonging to 21 dogrose and five other native rose species. We quantified the degree of clonality within species and at individual sampling sites. We then compared the genetic structure within our data to current rose morpho-systematics and searched for hemisexually co-inherited sets of alleles at individual loci. We found considerably fewer copies of identical multi-locus genotypes in dogroses than in roses with regular meiosis, with some variation recorded among species. While clonality showed no detectable geographic pattern, some genotypes appeared to be more widespread. Microsatellite data confirmed the current classification of subsections, but they did not support most of the generally accepted dogrose microspecies. Under canina meiosis, we found co-inherited sets of alleles as expected, but could not distinguish between sexually and clonally inherited sub-genomes, with only some of the detected allele combinations being lineage-specific.
Protective mechanisms of nonneutralizing antiviral antibodies
Authors: Chandler Tawny L. , Yang Agnes , Otero Claire E. , Permar Sallie R. , Caddy Sarah L.
Published: October 2023

Antibodies that can bind to viruses but are unable to block infection in cell culture are known as “nonneutralizing antibodies.” Such antibodies are nearly universally elicited following viral infection and have been characterized in viral infections such as influenza, rotavirus, cytomegalovirus, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2. It has been widely assumed that these nonneutralizing antibodies do not function in a protective way in vivo and therefore are not desirable targets of antiviral interventions; however, increasing evidence now shows this not to be true. Several virus-specific nonneutralizing antibody responses have been correlated with protection in human studies and also shown to significantly reduce virus replication in animal models. The mechanisms by which many of these antibodies function is only now coming to light. While nonneutralizing antibodies cannot prevent viruses entering their host cell, nonneutralizing antibodies work in the extracellular space to recruit effector proteins or cells that can destroy the antibody-virus complex. Other nonneutralizing antibodies exert their effects inside cells, either by blocking the virus life cycle directly or by recruiting the intracellular Fc receptor TRIM21. In this review, we will discuss the multitude of ways in which nonneutralizing antibodies function against a range of viral infections.
Fisioterapia tratamenduen eragina endometriosiak sortzen duen minean: berrikuspen sistematikoa
Authors: Rodriguez Ismene , Esain Izaro , Bidaurrazaga-Letona Iraia , Urquiza Miriam , Duñabeitia Iratxe
Published: October 2023

Endometriosia emakumeetan agertzen den gaixotasun ginekologiko kroniko, ohiko, onbera, hanturazkoa eta estrogeno menpekoa da. Gaixotasun horretan funtzionalki aktiboa den ehun endometriala uterotik kanpo eratzen da, eta horrek hantura kronikoa eragiten du. Sintoma nagusiak min pelbikoa eta antzutasuna dira, bizi kalitatean eragin handia izaten dutenak. Ikusita askotan gaixotasun honen tratamendurako fisioterapiaren erabilera enpirikoa dela, berrikuspen sistematiko hau egin nahi izan da. Alde batetik, endometriosia diagnostikatuta duten emakumeen minaren tratamendurako zer fisioterapia-tratamendu dauden ikusteko eta, bestetik, horiek lortutako emaitzak aztertzeko ebidentzia zientifikoaren arabera. Bilaketa bibliografikoa egin zen «Endometriosis», «Physical Therapy Modalities» eta «Physical Therapy Specialty» terminoekin osasunarekin lotutako 6 datu-basetan. Bertan, endometriosia diagnostikatuta duten mina tratatzeko fisioterapia metodo edo teknikak erabili zituzten ausazko entsegu klinikoak bilatu ziren, ingelesez edo gaztelaniaz idatziak. Kalitate metodologikoaren balorazioa PEDro eskalaren bidez egin zen. Azkenean, 7 azterlan aukeratu ziren, horien kalitate metodologikoa egokia edo ona izanik; batek bakarrik kalitate metodologiko eskasa zuen. Guztira 320 parte-hartzaile aztertu zituzten, eta aztertutako fisioterapia metodoak, Thiele masajea, TENSa (kutaneoa eta akupuntura modukoa), nerbio bagoaren elektro-estimulazioa eta akupuntura izan ziren. Azterlan guztiek minaren edo minarekin erlazionatutako sintometan hobekuntza estatistikoki esanguratsuak aurkitu zituzten. Endometriosiak sortutako min sintomen tratamendurako dauden fisioterapia-tratamenduak ebidentzia zientifikoan oinarrituta Thiele masajea, TENSa (kutaneoa eta akupuntura modukoa), nerbio bagoaren elektroestimulazioa eta akupuntura dira, eta guztiek minaren gutxipena eragin zuten ebidentzia zientifikoaren arabera.
Cyberbullying Victimization, Perpetration and Psychosomatic Health Symptoms among Students in a Ghanaian University
Authors: Nyarko Joy Ato , Kwabena-Adade Joana , Kofi Amey Frederick
Published: October 2023

Cyberbullying as deviant behavior is a growing public health concern and affects cyber victims in many ways. This study sought to examine cyberbullying victimization, perpetration, and psychosomatic health symptoms (PHS) among students in a Ghanaian university. The aim was to explore the extent of cyberbullying among students and the association between demographic factors and cyberbullying victimization, perpetration, and PHS of cyberbully victims. The study was a cross-sectional survey of 420 students in a public university in Ghana. The survey results show that female students were less likely than male students to suffer from cybervictimization. There was no gender difference in cyberbullying perpetration and experiencing PHS. Also, students from intact families were less likely to be victimized than students from single-parent families. Bystanders who tried to intervene in cybervictimization were less inclined to perpetrate cyberbullying but were more likely to experience PHS when cyberbullied. Students who lived alone or with friends were four times more likely to experience PHS after being cyberbullied. These findings point to the far-reaching effects of cyberbullying and the need for educators and other stakeholders to devise policies to mitigate the phenomenon and put in place structures to help cyberbully victims.
Use of Peroral Pancreatoscopy in the Diagnosis of Elusive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm With High-Grade Dysplasia
Authors: Sarita Mabel Angela T. , Sakai Arata , Tsujimae Masahiro , Kobayashi Takashi , Masuda Atsuhiro , Kanzawa Maki , Toyama Hirochika , Kodama Yuzo
Published: October 2023

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a premalignant lesion of the pancreas that can occasionally manifest as recurrent acute pancreatitis. In this report, we discuss a unique case of a 49-year-old woman who presented with recurrent acute pancreatitis of an unknown cause for several years. Workup using peroral pancreatoscopy eventually showed main-duct IPMN with high-grade dysplasia as the obscure cause of recurrent acute pancreatitis. This case report highlights the clinical course of main-duct IPMN and the evolving role of peroral pancreatoscopy in patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis.
KEDUDUKAN ANAK ANGKAT MENURUT HUKUM WARIS ADAT DAN HUKUM WARIS ISLAM DI DESA PESALAKAN KECAMATAN BANDAR KABUPATEN BATANG
Authors: Listiawati Listiawati , Sukirno Sukirno , Muhyidin Muhyidin
Published: October 2023

Penelitian hukum ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kedudukan anak angkat menurut hukum waris adat dan hukum waris Islam dan pelaksanaan pembagian waris anak angkat di Desa Pesalakan Kecamatan Bandar Kabupaten Batang. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang dilakukan dapat disimpulkan sebagai berikut: pertama, kedudukan anak angkat di Desa Pesalakan Kecamatan Bandar dianggap sebagai anak kandung oleh orang tua angkat. Mengenai kedudukan anak angkat terhadap hak waris, sebagian besar masyarakat menyatakan bahwa anak angkat merupakan ahli waris. Kedua, proses pembagian harta kepada anak angkat secara otomatis terbagi ketika pewaris meninggal dengan kedudukan yang disejajarkan dengan anak kandung. Harta peninggalan dari orang tua angkat diberikan secara keseluruhan baik harta gono gini maupun harta bawaan dengan porsi sesuai kehendak orang tua angkat. Adapun hukum pewarisan yang dikehendaki adalah hukum Islam, dan sebagian besar tidak menggunakan bantuan ulama. Secara normatif, hal tersebut sangat bertentangan antara fakta dari pernyataan masyarakat dengan aturan hukum yang dikehendaki, yaitu hukum Islam. Hal ini, karena ketidaktahuan terhadap hukum Islam yang berkaitan dengan anak angkat.
Sustainability and Community: An Alliance to Reach Complete Neutrality with Nature
Authors: Cossiga Giovanni Antonio
Published: October 2023

After the Covid epidemic, the conditions were created for a change in the geopolitical framework. But as Gramsci said “The new one is slow to arrive,” Maybe. But some important innovations on which the changes will be based are there for all to see. The widespread and rapid sentiment regarding global warming among communities globally, even before the serious evolution of the world under stress was announced and disseminated by the press and science. Because communities are forerunners of the sentiment spread by the universal laws that affect matter but also the laws of the human economy and therefore of life itself on the planet. There is nothing new in the fact that the communities were the first to incorporate concern for the planet's anomalies and that they give prevalence to the theme of the disease of the planet for anthropometric reasons compared to the social issues that usually absorb the debate between the parties. There is therefore a discontinuity between the communities attracted by the danger for future generations and the management of the political parties agitated by the conflict of positions due to the hunger for consensus. Now this hunger for consensus not only does not have a meeting point with the communities but is creating a discontinuity between the unitary tendency of the communities and the contentiousness index of the parties. It could be deduced that we have reached a turning point that puts the problem of the disease of the planet back at the highest point of interests and therefore the unitary tendency of the communities must prevail over the scattering of consensus among the politic parties. As if to say that we must move from the representative democracy of the parties to the direct democracy of the communities. In other words, moving from political governments to technical governments composed of experts and scientists given the growing and decisive importance on the lives of future generations of intervening to correct global warming of the planet.
Da insularidade ao crioulo – algumas reflexões sobre a construção da identidade social dos cabo-verdianos
Authors: Hlibowicka-Węglarz Barbara
Published: October 2023

This article proposes to present the issue of insularity in the archipelago of Cape Verde, an African country marked by several centuries of Portuguese colonization, with particular emphasis on the analysis of the interrelation between socio-historical factors and linguistic phenomena that occurred in this insular country. Taking into consideration this context, we will draw attention to the importance of insularity in the process of miscegenation of the populations in the colonial era, to the process of the formation of Creole as a result of multilingual contacts, as well as to the long process of the construction of the social identity of Cape Verdeans in the history of this society.
Ana Casas & David Roas (ed.), Zona de penumbra: antología del cuento fantástico en el fin de siglo y el modernismo. León: Eolas, 2021. 163 pp.
Authors: Gregori Alfons
Published: October 2023

Ana Casas & David Roas (ed.), Zona de penumbra: antología del cuento fantástico en el fin de siglo y el modernismo. León: Eolas, 2021. 163 pp.
Crop leaf disease detection for beans using ensembled-convolutional neural networks
Authors: Sahu Priyanka , Chug Anuradha , Singh Amit Prakash
Published: October 2023

Crops’ health is affected by a varied range of diseases. Convenient and precise diagnosis plays a substantial role in preventing the loss of crop quality. In the past decade, deep learning (DL), particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), has presented extraordinary performance for diverse applications involving crop disease (CD) detection. In this study, a comparison is drawn for the three pre-trained state-of-art architectures, namely, EfficientNet B0, ResNet50, and VGG19. An ensembled CNN has also been generated from the mentioned CNNs, and its performance has been evaluated over the original coloured, grey-scale, and segmented dataset. K-means clustering has been applied with six clusters to generate the segmented dataset. The dataset is categorized into three classes (two diseased and one healthy class) of bean crop leaves images. The model performance has been assessed by employing statistical analysis relying on the accuracy, recall, F1-score, precision, and confusion matrix. The results have shown that the performance of ensembled CNNs’ has been better than the individual pre-trained DL models. The ensembling of CNNs gave an F1-score of 0.95, 0.93, and 0.97 for coloured, grey-scale, and segmented datasets, respectively. The predicted classification accuracy is measured as: 0.946, 0.938, and 0.971 for coloured, grey-scale, and segmented datasets, respectively. It is observed that the ensembling of CNNs performed better than the individual pre-trained CNNs.
Extremely and very preterm children who were born appropriate for gestational age show no differences in cortisol concentrations or diurnal rhythms compared to full-term children
Authors: Dominguez-Menendez Gonzalo , Poggi Helena , Ochoa-Molina Fernanda , D’Apremont Ivonne , Moore Rosario , Allende Fidel , Solari Sandra , Martinez-Aguayo Alejandro
Published: October 2023

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare the diurnal variations in cortisol and cortisone concentrations in serum and saliva among extremely preterm (EPT), very preterm (VPT), and full-term (FT) children, all born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

Methods

EPT, VPT, and FT children, all born AGA, were recruited from two healthcare centers. Cortisol and cortisone concentrations in serum and saliva were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC‒MS). Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests.

Results

A total of 101 children (5.0–8.9 years old) were included in this study: EPT=18, VPT=43 and FT=40. All groups had similar distributions in terms of age, birth weight standard deviation score (SDS) and BMI (SDS), showing no differences in serum ACTH, cortisol, or cortisone levels. Additionally, salivary cortisol and cortisone concentrations decreased significantly throughout the day (p-values<0.0001). Salivary cortisol concentrations were below the limit of detection (0.55 nmol/L) before dinner and before bedtime in approximately one-third and two-thirds of all children, respectively. Salivary cortisone was detectable in all but one sample.

Conclusions

The diurnal cortisol rhythm was preserved in all preterm children, regardless of their gestational age, and no differences in cortisol concentrations among the groups were found. This may have significant implications for the clinical management and follow-up of preterm individuals.
A non-dominated discrete differential evolution for fuel loading pattern optimization of a nuclear research reactor
Authors: Do Quang Binh
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a detailed description of a new variant of differential evolution for nuclear reactor refueling optimization problem. This variant combines the elitism strategy with a discrete differential evolution. The elitism strategy allows non-dominated solutions found during the search and stored in the archive to participate in the differential evolution operation. The population size is the same as the archive size, and the number of non-dominated solutions participating in the search at a particular generation is controlled by a specific probability. The proposed method is successfully applied to a nuclear research reactor for its first refueling time to search for optimal loading patterns that both maximize the effective multiplication k
eff and minimize the power peaking factor PPF of the reactor. The optimal loading patterns can significantly improve the operational time and safety of the reactor compared to the loading pattern used in practice.
Green synthesis of strontium oxide nanoparticles and strontium based nanocomposites prepared by plant extract: a critical review
Authors: Din Muhammad Imran , Rehman Sania , Hussain Zaib , Khalid Rida
Published: October 2023

Recently, strontium oxide nanoparticles (SrO NPs) have become the center of attention due to potential features and promising applications. The physicochemical approaches possess many limitations including extreme experimental conditions, highly complex instruments and use of hazardous chemicals. An eco-friendly and sustainable approach from biogenic sources for formation of SrO NPs is an emerging trend nowadays to effectively replace conventional approaches. This review study all those aspects that facilitate the reader for understanding all biogenic approaches of SrO NPs for their use in different applications with less toxicity issues. In this study, firstly we discuss in detail about plant and other biogenic assemblies based on the synthesis of SrO NPs after which parameters affecting the synthesis of SrO NPs are discussed and finally excellent biomedical applications of SrO NPs along with mechanism are summarized. The literature also showed that green synthesized SrO NPs are highly biocompatible in nature and showed excellent anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-fungal potential. Hence, this study will provide an understanding to researchers about recent trends for the formation of SrO NPs through different biogenic assemblies and their potential biomedical applications.
Digitalization and Labor Restructuring
Authors: Fuchs Martina , Cumbers Andrew
Published: October 2023

This editorial shows how the digital economy continuously reshapes work and employment. Based on a literature review, it illustrates that digitalization frequently implies job loss, de-skilling and measures to restrict co-determination and participation of labor. However, digitalization also offers opportunities for managers, employees and unions to create new work tasks and conditions for skilled work. After showing major trends of digitalization in the last decades, the editorial illustrates recent research fields in economic geography.
Para uma estilística das execuções penais
Authors: BATISTA Nilo
Published: October 2023

By harnessing theories from the history of art, this article seeks to distinguish between classical forms of capital punishment originating from Ancient Rome and baroque forms. What follows is an attempt to locate explanations for the following questions: is it possible to propose a stylistic approach to capital punishment? Was there a degree of classicism in the way criminal justice systems executed the condemned? Would such classicism have been followed by a kind of capital punishment baroque? The notes that follow will undoubtedly fail to provide definitive answers to these questions, instead merely sparking debate.
A Lei 14.164/21 e políticas públicas de prevenção à violência de gênero no Brasil
Authors: SOARES E. G. , COSTA M. M. M.
Published: October 2023

The main aim of the following article is to analyze the current paths taken by gender education in Brazil in the face of offensives mounted by conservative movements, which position themselves against such a debate in school institutions, as well as in light of the urgent need for government coordination to establish new guidelines for preventing such a problem, based on the new Law 14.164/21 which, by determining the inclusion in school curricula of subjects related to the prevention of violence against women, children, and teenagers, broke new ground by creating a systematized network of protection for vulnerable groups, refuting any kind of socio-political ideological argument that prevents the implementation of educational policies designed to overcome gender inequalities in the country. To this end, the article has been divided into two sections, in which the first seeks to identify the history of gender politics in Brazil’s education system, among disputes, resistance, and setbacks, while the second evaluates the need for school design with a gender-based perspective and under feminist educational practices. The research poses the question: Notwithstanding the rise in gender studies in Brazil, what are the key aspects of an educational structure featuring a gender-based perspective? The research here is qualitative, using the hypothetical-deductive method as well as bibliographic and exploratory research techniques.
Influencia de la cultura organizacional y las habilidades gerenciales en la calidad del servicio: un análisis crítico de los conflictos en asociaciones de profesores cesantes y jubilados
Authors: Chenet Zuta Manuel Enrique , Lalaleo-Analuisa Freddy Rodolfo , Hurtado Tiza David Raúl
Published: October 2023

Introducción: La percepción inicial sobre las asociaciones de profesores cesantes y jubilados en la región Junín, Perú, sugiere una expectativa de comunicación eficaz y colaboración, dados los altos niveles de educación y experiencia de sus miembros. Sin embargo, la realidad muestra una situación contraria caracterizada por conflictos internos y politiquería, afectando la calidad del servicio a los afiliados. Objetivos: La investigación busca determinar cómo la cultura organizacional y las habilidades gerenciales de los directivos influyen en la calidad del servicio proporcionado por estas asociaciones, desde la perspectiva de sus afiliados. Metodología: Se empleó una metodología cuantitativa, aplicada, con un alcance explicativo y un diseño no experimental correlacional causal múltiple. La muestra consistió en 354 afiliados estratificadamente seleccionados de las tres asociaciones en la región, y se utilizó cuestionarios de encuesta para la recolección de datos, validados con un coeficiente de confiabilidad Alfa de Cronbach superior a .80. Resultados: Los hallazgos indican que el 51.6% de la calidad del servicio es explicada por la cultura organizacional y las habilidades gerenciales, con un nivel de significancia menor a .05, R2 = .516 y tc (19.326) > tt (1.96). Se obtuvieron valores altos en una escala de 1 a 4, siendo 2.51 para cultura organizacional, 2.58 para habilidades gerenciales y 2.58 para calidad del servicio. Conclusiones: Para mitigar los conflictos identificados, se recomienda la ejecución de un proceso de cambio organizacional basado en la investigación-acción, un programa de sensibilización e integración de equipos, y una auditoría a las funciones de las oficinas de recursos humanos, con el fin de mejorar la cultura organizativa y, por ende, la calidad del servicio ofrecido a los afiliados.
Development of a Creep Mechanical Frame Setting Based on Arcan Test
Authors: Loiseau Marthe , Chataigner Sylvain , Créac’hcadec Romain , Lepretre Emilie , Court Jean-Philippe , Quéméré Marie-Odette
Published: October 2023

Structural adhesive bonding has several advantages compared to other assembly techniques such as welding and riveting. Yet, creep is an important long-term phenomenon that needs to be considered for the design of such joints. To investigate this aspect, experimental investigations are needed at the scale of the adhesive layer. At such a scale, Arcan setting presents several advantages compared to other existing tests (analysis of different loads, limited edge effects) and was thus chosen for the development of an experimental approach aiming at providing creep characterization of adhesive layers. A mechanically operated testing machine was thus developed and is presented herein. To measure local strains of the adhesive layer, two linear variable differential transformer sensors are fixed on a support placed on the beaks of the Arcan sample according to two directions: normal and tangential to the bonded surface. The developed system (mechanical system and strain measurement) proved to be successful in investigating the creep behavior of adhesive layers while varying several parameters (load levels, type of load, temperature, adhesive thickness).
Experimental Approach for Clarifying Initiation and Growth Behaviors of Internal Fatigue Cracks Using Synchrotron Radiation Multiscale X-ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Nakamura Takashi , Xue Gaoge , Kon Yuma , Fujimura Nao , Yamazaki Takuya , Tonozaki Nobuyuki , Takeuchi Akihisa , Uesugi Masayuki , Uesugi Kentaro
Published: October 2023

The very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) phenomenon has been recognized and extensively studied in the past quarter century. One of the most peculiar and noticeable characteristics of VHCF is the transition of the origin site from the surface to the interior of the material in long-life regimes over 107 cycles. In particular, in high-strength metals, a tiny site can become an origin of internal fatigue cracks, such as nonmetallic inclusions of several micrometers to several tens of micrometers in high-strength steels and crystal grains of several tens of micrometers in titanium alloys. However, such small cracks are difficult to detect using conventional nondestructive approaches, such as industrial X-ray computed tomography (CT) or ultrasonic CT. Given this background, we have attempted to use a synchrotron radiation multiscale X-ray CT provided by SPring-8 in Japan. This system comprises a projection CT (micro-CT) with a spatial resolution of approximately 1 μm and a phase-contrast imaging CT (nano-CT) with a spatial resolution of approximately 200 nm or higher. The present study introduces our experimental approach to clarify internal fatigue crack behaviors using the multiscale X-ray CT with in situ fatigue testing. First, the principle of material selection focusing on the VHCF study is explained with the details of the materials used: (α+β) type Ti-6Al-4V, β type Ti-22V-4Al, and 17-4 precipitation-hardened martensite stainless steel. Afterward, the outline and primary performance of the multiscale X-ray CT are described. Subsequently, important points in conducting accurate in situ fatigue tests are discussed from the viewpoints of the development policies of the testing system and preparation of the special thin specimen for CT imaging. Finally, the multiscale X-ray CT is conducted for the above materials, and the initiation and growth behaviors of the internal fatigue cracks are compared and discussed for an in-depth understanding of the VHCF phenomenon.
Finite element analysis of compressive stress-strain relations in elastic materials for seat foundation
Authors: Li Weikang , Yu Xiaohong , Hu Xiaoyi , Tor Onder , Zhang Jilei , Zhang Ting , Qi Wei , Hu Lingling
Published: October 2023

Elastic materials for seat foundations come in a variety of materials, shapes, and dimensions. However, it is difficult to measure the stress-strain relationships of many elastic material combinations by conventional uniaxial compression tests. This study investigated the stress-strain relations of elastic material combinations for foam foundations using finite element analysis (FEA). First, the stress-strain relations of single-layer polymer foams and a combination of double-layer polymer foams with covering were quantified by uniaxial compression tests, and axial tensile tests quantified the properties of the covering material of the fabric. Then, based on the Ogden foam and Ogden constitutive equation of Ansys Workbench 19.2, the test data of single-layer polymer foams and covering were fitted by a non-linear least square method, and a combination of double-layer polymer foams with the covering is predicted by FEA. When the strain was 10% to 65%, the stress error between FEA and test results dropped from 95.68% to -5.08%.
Chebyshev inequalities for unimodal distributions
Authors: Juškevičius Tomas
Published: October 2023

We provide precise upper bounds for the survival function of bounded unimodal random variables.
The Original of Cyrillic Early Printed Tetraevangelia Issued in Pochaiv. Study of Saints and Feasts Present in the Menologia
Authors: Ostapczuk Jerzy
Published: October 2023

Out of 110 early printed Cyrillic liturgical Tetraevangelia, five were issued by the printing house of the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra. All of them appeared in the 2nd half of the 18th century and were intended for the use in the Uniate, i.e., Greek-Catholic, Church. A text critical study of different texts from various parts of Tetraevangelia has suggested that the Gospel edition issued in Kyiv in 1746 was used by printers in Pochaiv to prepare their first liturgical Tetraevangelion.

This publication is focused on the textual analysis of menologia present in early printed Cyrillic Tetraevangelia, with particular attention given to the saints and feasts, as well as verbatim correspondence of commemorations and liturgical rubrics. Its results allow to conclude that the first Tetraevangelion issued at the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra in 1759, was prepared on the basis of the Gospel edition issued at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in 1746. Liturgical rubrics in the first Pochaiv Tetraevangelion were adjusted to the liturgical tradition of the Greek-Catholic Church. Four further Pochaiv liturgical Gospel editions copied, with some minor corrections, the menologion of the first one.
RESEARCH OF PROCRASTINATION AND ITS CONNECTION WITH THE PERSONALITY TRAITS
Authors: KUTEPOVA-BREDUN V. , SHEVCHENKO N. , ALSHAYEVA K.
Published: October 2023

Abstract. The article is devoted to the phenomenon of procrastination. The first works on the problem of procrastination  appeared in the late 90's of XX century. There is no a single view on the definition and properties of the phenomenon of procrastination. In the psychological literature, this term is usually understood as the conscious postponement of the subject's planned actions, despite the fact that it will cause certain problems.  Based on the theoretical and empirical data, it was  hypothesized that there is a link between personality traits (hypochondria, depression, hysteria, psychopathy, paranoia, psychasthenia, schizophrenia, hypomania) and propensity to procrastinate.The sample consisted of students aged 18 to 23 years. (61 respondents.) General Procrastination Scale (Lay), Procrastination Scale (Tuckman), "Mini-Mult" (adapted by V.P. Zaitsev and V.N. Kozyul) were used in the study. It is proved that procrastination is influenced by such personality traits as hypochondria, depression, hysteria, psychopathy, paranoia, hypomania etc. The further prospects for studying the phenomenon can include  studing the methods of overcoming procrastinating tendencies, as well as investigating the positive side of this aspect.
THE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VALUES-BASED AND SEMANTIC ORIENTATIONS WITH PROFESSIONAL SELF-IMPLEMENTATION OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES
Authors: TKACHENKO N.
Published: October 2023

Abstract. The urgency of the research problem on the nature of the connection of values-based and semantic orientations with the professional self-realization of engineering and technical employees has been considered. The scientific works of domestic and foreign authors concerning the research of values-based and semantic orientations and professional self-realization have been analyzed. The expediency of using psychodiagnostic tools to study the nature of the relationship of values-based and semantic orientations with the professional self-realization of engineers and technicians has been substantiated, and mathematical and statistical processing of the results of empirical research has been carried out. Empirical data which testify to the existence of connections of values-based and semantic orientations with professional self-realization of engineering and technical employees have been given, namely: positive correlation between the indicators of professional self-fulfillment and job satisfaction, positive correlation between the indicators of professional self-fulfillment and instrumental values, positive correlation between the indicators of professional self-fulfillment and meaningful life values, positive correlation between the indicators of professional self-fulfillment and the following scales: "Pleasant leisure time, rest", "Material well-being", "Beauty search and enjoyment", "Help and charity to other people", "Love", "Cognition of the new in the world, in nature, in a person", "High social status and management of people", "Recognition and respect for people", "Social activity to achieve positive changes in society", "Communication" and "Health" in engineering and technical employees; negative correlation between the indicators of internal professional self-fulfillment and terminal values of engineering and technical employees. Given the results of the study, it can be asserted about the importance of taking into account the values-based and semantic orientations and professional self-realization in the psychological support of engineering and technical employees.