bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dwusystemowy model życia Polaków po niemieckiej stronie oddziaływania Szczecina
Authors: Rudewicz Jacek
Published: March 2024

Publikacji niniejszej przyświecają dwa zasadnicze cele. Pierwszym jest ustalenie dynamiki zmian demograficznych w układzie gmin na podstawie dostępnych danych statystycznych dla Szczecina oraz miast i gmin w zasięgu oddziaływania jego obszaru funkcjonalnego, również po stronie niemieckiej. Drugim jest próba oszacowania skali zjawiska polegającego na dwusystemowości, czyli czerpaniu korzyści m.in. z systemów socjalnych i gospodarczych dwóch państw przez ludność zamieszkałą w strefie transgranicznej, w tym przypadku ludność polską. Artykuł ma zatem charakter dualny, przejawiający się w ilościowym i jakościowym podejściu badawczym. Zastosowano w nim podstawową metodę analizy statystycznej − dynamikę zmian liczby mieszkańców w latach 2011–2021. Wyniki ukazują intensywne procesy suburbanizacyjne w otoczeniu Szczecina i występującą wciąż depopulację po stronie niemieckiej. Rezultaty badań ankietowych przeprowadzonych metodą CAWI wśród społeczności Polaków osiedlających się po niemieckiej stronie granicy ukazały m.in. jej związki ze Szczecinem, ekonomiczne i w dużej mierze pozaekonomiczne motywy osiedlania się.
Μουσειακές πρακτικές και διαχείριση της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς του «Άλλου»
Authors: Καρούνη Σοφία
Published: March 2024

Η διδακτορική διατριβή με τίτλο «Μουσειακές πρακτικές και διαχείριση της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς του «Άλλου». Η περίπτωση των οθωμανικών μνημείων της Ελλάδας» πραγματεύεται το ζήτημα της πολιτισμικής ετερότητας και της διαχείρισης και ερμηνείας των μνημείων στην Ελλάδα, έχοντας ως άξονα τα υλικά κατάλοιπα του «Άλλου», του πολιτισμικά διαφορετικού. Στην προκειμένη περίπτωση, ως «Άλλος» νοείται ο οθωμανικός πολιτισμός και η παρακαταθήκη, τα υλικά κατάλοιπα των οθωμανικών χρόνων στον ελλαδικό χώρο, δηλαδή τα μνημεία, που έχουν μετατραπεί σε μουσεία, σε χώρους περιοδικών εκθέσεων, σε αποθήκες αρχαιολογικού υλικού, κ.λπ. Το βασικό ερώτημα της διατριβής είναι: Πώς μελετάται και σε τι συμπεράσματα μας οδηγεί η μελέτη της μετατροπής των οθωμανικών μνημείων σε μουσεία αναφορικά με τον τρόπο που η Ελλάδα προσλαμβάνει την οθωμανική περίοδο, τους Οθωμανούς και γενικά, την πολιτισμική ετερότητα; Τί διαπιστώσεις μπορούν να μας δώσουν οι μουσειακές πρακτικές, η διαχείριση και η αξιοποίηση των πολιτιστικών καταλοίπων του «Άλλου» για τον τρόπο που αντιμετωπίζουμε και αντιλαμβανόμαστε τον ίδιο καθώς και το διαφιλονικούμενο παρελθόν μιας χώρας; Σε μια περίοδο επαναπροσδιορισμών, η έννοια της ταυτότητας επανέρχεται έντονα στο προσκήνιο και επομένως, η μελέτη της ετερότητας που αποτελεί αναγκαία, συστατική και ταυτόχρονα προβληματική συνιστώσα της ταυτότητας, κρίνεται επιτακτική. Η παρούσα διατριβή ασχολείται με αυτό το δύσκολο πρόβλημα, της σχέσης δηλαδή του «Εαυτού» με τον «Άλλο», σε μια εποχή «κοινωνικής στροφής». Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, η έρευνα επιχειρεί να συμβάλλει στην υπό εξέλιξη συζήτηση για την ταυτότητα των οθωμανικών μνημείων, να καταγράψει και να προβάλλει μια πιο αισιόδοξη (όχι ουτοπική) και παράλληλα ευμετάβλητη αντιμετώπιση του οθωμανικού παρελθόντος στον ελλαδικό χώρο καθώς και την μερική αποδυνάμωση παλαιών θεωρήσεων με έντονη εθνικιστική χροιά. Η μουσειοποίηση των συγκεκριμένων κτισμάτων λειτούργησε ευεργετικά προς αυτή την κατεύθυνση. Πρόθεση και επιθυμία είναι να συνεχιστεί ο διάλογος που έχει ξεκινήσει για το διαφιλονικούμενο παρελθόν και να επιτευχθεί μελλοντικά μια διαφορετική κοινωνική θεώρηση σε σχέση με τα κυρίαρχα πρότυπα καθώς και με τη σημασία της ετερότητας.
Practical Aspects of the Implementation of the Strategic Approach in the Management of the Region
Authors: Chernysheva T.
Published: March 2024

This work is devoted to the study of practical aspects of the implementation of a strategic approach in regional management using the example of the Khabarovsk Territory. The relevance of the chosen topic is since currently a significant problem remains unresolved: in the presence of many multi-level strategic planning documents, the strategic management system shows rather low efficiency. At the same time, bringing the regulatory framework in line with the provisions of Decree No. 474 leads to a strengthening of the role of regions in the process of implementing national goals through regional projects. The paper analyzes the positions of the Far Eastern Federal District against the background of the countries of East and Southeast Asia, and presents the results of a SWOT analysis of the factors of socio-economic development of the Khabarovsk Territory in the long term. Also, through the formal legal method, the analysis of strategic planning documents of the Khabarovsk Territory in the context of the implementation of national goals was carried out. Based on the results obtained, the author has compiled a comprehensive scheme for the implementation of national development goals in the Khabarovsk Territory. The work emphasizes that the mechanisms for monitoring and monitoring the progress of the implementation and execution of regional projects in the Khabarovsk Territory have found their normative expression in the methodological documents of the region. It is concluded that it is necessary to formalize strategic planning documents, which implies the introduction of unified approaches to their development and monitoring of implementation.
Community-Based Human Resource Management in Quality Early Childhood Education
Authors: Juhadira Juhadira , Puspitasari Yulinda , Nasir Nasir
Published: March 2024

This research investigates community-based human resource management (HRM) in the context of Quality Early Childhood Education (ECE). The primary objective is to analyze the effectiveness of an HRM approach involving active community participation in enhancing the quality of Early Childhood Education services. This study examines community-based HRM in early childhood education through a literature review. The findings reveal that a community-based HRM approach can positively contribute to improving ECE quality. Active community involvement in decision-making processes, collaborative training, and ongoing mentorship for ECE teachers and educators create a more effective and inclusive learning environment. The implications of this research underscore the importance of community involvement in the development and strengthening of quality ECE. Additionally, the study guides policymakers and education practitioners to integrate community-based elements into ECE HRM strategies.
Empowerment of Village Owned Enterprises through E-Commerce Information Technology in Increasing the Economy of Sipodeceng Village Communities
Authors: Razak Muhammad Rais Rahmat , Mursalat Aksal , Sellang Kamaruddin , Syarifuddin Rifni Nikmat , Ramadhan Muhammad Rohady , Irwan Muh. , Asra Reza , Bibin Muhammad , Said Sunandar , Andreani Andi Riska , Latif Adam , B Sofyan , Syam Syaiful Bahri , Aksan Muhammad
Published: March 2024

Background: This activity aims to increase the role of Bumdes Padaidi Sipodeceng through e-commerce information technology based on the Bumdes Sipodeceng Store application in improving the economy of the people of Sipodeceng Village.

Contribution: This activity improves the welfare of the people of Sipodeceng Village through e-commerce information technology.

Method: The method of this activity includes Socialization of the implementation of activities, Counseling by explaining the e-commerce information technology marketing model (BUMDES Sipodeceng Store), training and mentoring the use of information technology for BUMDES partner groups, carrying out assistance, as well as monitoring and evaluation.

Results: Training and mentoring activities based on pre-test and post-test data analysis have positive implications for 3 parameters: knowledge from 42.14 to 89.14%, skills from 35.9% to 90.12%, and motivation from 63.2% to 93 .2%. From these data, an analysis of the effectiveness of these 3 parameters is carried out, the values of which are knowledge at 81%, skills at 85%, and motivation at 79%. These three numbers indicate that community service activities are effective because the value is above 50%.

Conclusion: From these activities, it can be concluded that e-commerce information technology at BUMDES Padaidi Sipodeceng is still very much needed to increase the role of BUMDES in community empowerment.
Research on teaching mode driven by smart education concept
Authors: Liu Li , Xu Chonghao
Published: March 2024

Background:  The rapid development of science and technology, the Internet, big data, artificial intelligence and other technologies have had a huge impact on all walks of life in the society.With the continuous deepening of modern information technology such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things in education and teaching.
Contribution: Smart education can promote the transformation of education concepts, reshape the space and structure of education and learning, promote fundamental changes in the level and structure of the education system, and lead the education system to overall innovation.
Method:  Propose a Smart education realizations teaching model that can bring prerequisites for the upgrading of digital education.
Results: Smart education is a high level form of education modeling and an essential requirement for education information to enter a new stage.
Conclusion:  The proposed model can effectively address the shortcomings of traditional teaching methods and has effectiveness.
Improving Community Administration Service and Population Reporting through SINANAS Development Using Participatory Method
Authors: Wirastuti Ni Made Ary Esta Dewi , Hartawan I Gusti Agung Komang Dlafari Djuni , Suyadnya I Made Arsa , Khrisne Duman Care , Mkwawa Is-haka , Arya Mertasana Putu
Published: March 2024

Background: Information technology in community administration service has been developed in helping to raise the efficiency and productivity of the leader of Banjar Dinas works, as well as organizing and utilizing information to support administration and management, policy development and decision-making.
Contribution: SINANAS (Administration Information System for Banjar Dinas) has proposed to support the works of “Kepala Lingkungan” in Sempidi for administration service and population reporting.
Method: Using interview and participatory approaches, the application was used by training and socialization. The application was developed using Visual Studio Code and Python language programming.
Results: The results of this community service are SINANAS reporting page for population data of education and livelihood, religion, ethnicity, race, number of population, family card, Temporary Resident Identity Card (KIPS), Temporary Resident Registration Certificate (STPPTS), Reporting page for religion, ethnicity, race, and population, Reporting page for total population based on single age group and gender
Conclusion: Based on the post-questionnaire, “Kepala Lingkungan found that using the SINANAS application, producing annual and monthly administrative reports is easier and quicker than manually creating them in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
Implementation of Metaverse-Based Virtual Reality Technology in Archieving Subjects in Vocational High Schools
Authors: Basuki Andi , Churiyah Madziatul , Dharma Buyung Adi , Arief Mohammad , Sakdiyyah Dewi Ayu
Published: March 2024

Background: The problem that occurs to the participants is that the learning media used in the learning process is currently not up to date, so that technological updates are needed to improve the quality of learning. However, to facilitate learning through the integration of the latest technology requires various teacher competencies, namely knowledge, attitudes and skills.
Contribution: The contribution of this program is that the community service to conduct training and mentoring activities on how to develop metaversal-based virtual reality learning media to improve the quality of teachers at state vocational high school 1 Ngawi.
Method: This service is carried out through five stages of activity, including analysis of field needs, manufacture of virtual reality products, early socialization, provide assistance and evaluation of the results of using virtual reality.
Results: The result of this service activity is that the trainees understand the steps for developing learning media with virtual reality technology. This is based on the results of evaluating the achievement of training and mentoring programs involving 27 participants showing that based on the aspects of convenience, usefulness, attractiveness, and satisfaction, an average score of 92% is obtained.
Conclusion: The conclusion of this program is that the metaverse-based virtual reality learning media that was introduced to the participants was very easy to apply, useful, interesting, and the participants were satisfied with the training provided
Adapting History Education for the 21st Century: Integrating Technology and Critical Thinking Skills
Authors: Lee Bih Ni
Published: March 2024

Background: In the 21st century, the field of education is undergoing significant transformations due to advancements in technology and the growing emphasis on critical thinking skills. Adapting history education to meet the needs of this digital era requires integrating technology into instructional practices while fostering critical thinking abilities.This approach allows students to engage with primary sources, explore diverse perspectives, and develop the analytical skills necessary for understanding and interpreting complex historical events.

Contribution: The integration of technology and critical thinking skills in history education contributes to a more dynamic and engaging learning experience for students in the 21st century. It empowers students to access primary sources, analyze multiple perspectives, and develop the essential skills needed for critical analysis and interpretation of historical events.

Method: The synthesis method is a comprehensive approach to analyzing and integrating research findings on adapting history education for the 21st century through the integration of technology and critical thinking skills. By systematically reviewing and synthesizing relevant studies, it allows for the identification of common themes, trends, and gaps in the literature, providing a cohesive and nuanced understanding of the topic and informing best practices for educators in this field..

Results: The results of integrating technology and critical thinking skills in history education show improved student engagement, motivation, and understanding of historical concepts. Students also develop enhanced critical thinking abilities, such as analyzing evidence, evaluating sources, and constructing well-reasoned arguments, which prepare them for active participation in the complexities of the 21st century
Social Media Addiction in The Young Community: Elucidation of The Development of Behavioral Responses
Authors: Zainab Yasmeen , Ajmal Noor Fatima , Iqbal Hina
Published: March 2024

Background: University students have been using social media in an uncontrolled manner without knowledge of the negative impacts on their cognitive functionality. Therefore, an assessment of the alterations in the behavior pattern of the university students is required to associate the linkage between social media use and subsequent aggressiveness.
Contribution: Current work has for the first time conducted a socio-behavioral study on the younger university students for gaining an insight into their inclination towards using different social media platforms and changes in their behavioral patterns.
Method: University students (73 total; 35 males and 38 females) were chosen who had history of using social media for the last three to five years. These students were affiliated with higher education institutions in Pakistan and the time of analysis was September 2022 – January 2023. An open-ended questionnaire was filled and statistically analyzed for significance using Origin software and SPSS software
Results: This work has identified significant relationship between the social media utilization and alterations in the behavior of university students. Different determinants worked upon in this research are the impacts of the social media on cognitive occupation, emotive functions, relapse, conflict, anger, and hostility.

Conclusion: The study has associated and evaluated such behavioral factors as determinants of aggression in the younger generation. Also, the study has compared and contrasted the appearance of aggression as a pattern taking in consideration different gender roles to comprehend the role of gender in perceiving and adopting social media trends.
The magic of mentorship
Authors: Da Corte Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

Elizabeth da Corte emphasises the importance of having a good mentor.
A lack of care
Authors: Garlo Nina
Published: March 2024

Nina Garlo outlines how poor oral hygiene can increase the risk of serious head and neck infections.
The hidden problem of proteins
Authors: Nixon Jenny
Published: March 2024

Jenny Nixon looks at the effect of residual proteinaceous material on the reprocessing of dental instruments.

Aim

To educate readers about protein and its place within the decontamination process and to explain why alcohol is not an effective cleaner for dental instruments. The article will also aim to make readers aware of pre-treatment solutions and their effectiveness with dental decontamination.

Objectives

Readers will understand the importance of protein removal from dental instruments. Readers will understand why alcohol is not an effective cleaner for dental instruments. Readers will be aware of how pre-treatment solutions contribute to effective decontamination protocols.
A warm congratulations
Authors: Garner Mark , Ciobanu Amy
Published: March 2024

Mark Garner speaks with Amy Ciobanu about her passion for dental nursing and her recent winning of the ATU Dental Graduate Award.
Setting up activity groups for individuals living in a care setting
Authors: Ashurst Adrian M
Published: March 2024

Adrian Ashurst discusses the benefits of setting up various discussion and activity groups for individuals living in a care setting.
Human being in state security policy - theoretical approaches
Authors: Pieczywok Andrzej
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Opracowanie ma na celu ukazanie człowieka w polityce bezpieczeństwa państwa, a także w nurcie głównych ujęć teorii bezpieczeństwa: teorii realistycznej, liberalnej, konstruktywistycznej i behawioryzmu oraz wskazanie głównych czynników wpływających na jego zachowania antyspołeczne.

Materiał i metody

W publikacji wykorzystano kilka metod badawczych, były to: analiza dokumentów źródłowych i literatury badań, analiza systemowa i formalnoprawna oraz instytucjonalna. Określając człowieka w polityce bezpieczeństwa państwa stwierdzono przy tym jego skłonność do zachowań antyspołecznych, wskazano też na kilka teorii bezpieczeństwa podkreślających podmiotowość człowieka w organizacji bezpieczeństwa narodowego i międzynarodowego.

Wyniki

Prowadzone analizy wskazują, że człowiek jest głównym podmiotem polityki bezpieczeństwa państwa, narażony jest na szereg zagrożeń, które uzależnione są od jego natury i kryzysu egzystencji, a także czynników zewnętrznych (środowiska, innych osób). Warto zauważyć, że idee bezpieczeństwa człowieka osadzone są nie tylko w polityce bezpieczeństwa państwa, ale także w teoriach naukowych (bezpieczeństwa), a elementem ich analizy jest identyfikacja zagrożeń oraz skłonność istoty ludzkiej do zachowań antyspołecznych.

Wnioski

W wyniku zgromadzonego materiału i prowadzonych analiz, Autor wskazał na najważniejsze nurty bezpieczeństwa strukturalnego w teoriach naukowych, rozszerzając niektóre pola poznawcze i dokonując pewnych ujednoliceń w stosunku do bezpieczeństwa personalnego. Wartość tych teorii głównie jest ukierunkowana na bezpieczeństwo państw i jego struktur, społeczeństw, a zdecydowanie mniej na bezpieczeństwo personalne człowieka.
Building partnerships for the development of language and reading skills of children with special developmental needs in the opinion of parents and teachers
Authors: Kuracki Kamil
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Badania ukierunkowane zostały na rozpoznanie doświadczeń rodziców i nauczycieli dzieci ze specjalnymi potrzebami rozwojowym w zakresie budowania partnerstwa na rzecz rozwijania umiejętności językowych i czytelniczych dzieci. Celem badań było również rozpoznanie dostrzeganych przez rodziców i nauczycieli trudności, szans i potrzeb związanych z podejmowaniem współpracy zorientowanej na organizację wczesnych inicjacji czytelniczych.

Materiał i metody

Badania z wykorzystaniem metody zogniskowanych wywiadów grupowych przeprowadzono w niewielkich grupach rodziców (N=25) oraz nauczycieli (N=26) dzieci ze specjalnymi potrzebami rozwojowymi w okresie wczesnego i średniego dzieciństwa. Teren badań obejmował placówki przedszkolne/oddziały przedszkolne na terenie województwa mazowieckiego. Analizę zgromadzonego materiału badawczego przeprowadzono w orientacji jakościowej.

Wyniki

Doświadczenia rodziców i nauczycieli obejmują wiele zróżnicowanych przedsięwzięć, które oceniane są przez obie badane grupy jako udane i satysfakcjonujące, choć niepozbawione trudności ujawniających się na poziomie organizacyjnym, komunikacyjnym czy też kompetencyjnym. Obie badane grupy zarysowały w formie postulatów konkretne kierunki zmian, które mogą zintensyfikować i usprawnić podejmowane we współpracy działania na rzecz wczesnej alfabetyzacji dzieci ze specjalnymi potrzebami rozwojowymi.

Wnioski

Podejmowana na linii dom rodzinny - przedszkole/szkoła- inne placówki współpraca, ukierunkowana na podejmowanie zadań obszaru wczesnej alfabetyzacji dzieci ze specjalnymi potrzebami rozwojowymi stanowi ważne zadanie współczesnej edukacji. Jej efektywność związana jest jednak z koniecznością promowania idei partnerstwa edukacyjnego i tworzenia warunków do wielopodmiotowej dyskusji nad możliwościami wdrażania jej w życie.
Multigenerational human resources’ management
Authors: Krawczyk Aleksandra Ewa
Published: March 2024

W artykule wskazano na znaczenie zarządzania różnorodnością pokoleniową we współczesnych przedsiębiorstwach. Każda generacja posiada swoją specyfikę, różne umiejętności, preferencje, oczekiwania, postawy czy sposoby komunikowania, ponieważ każda z nich została ukształtowana przez inne wydarzenia społeczne i kulturowe, gospodarcze czy polityczne. Łączy ich jednak poszukiwanie pracodawcy, który zrozumie ich indywidualne potrzeby, doceni wkład pracy i zagwarantuje adekwatne warunki pracy, rozwój oraz wynagrodzenie.
Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie odmienności poszczególnych grup pokoleniowych, gdyż zrozumienie ich stanowi warunek konieczny skutecznego zarządzania wielopokoleniowym kapitałem ludzkim. Ścieranie się w miejscu pracy różnorodnych doświadczeń i poglądów, wynikających z wieku, pozwala przeanalizować wiele scenariuszy, zyskać szerszą perspektywę i wybrać najbardziej korzystne i innowacyjne rozwiązanie.
Jako metodę badawczą wykorzystano analizę dostępnej literatury, badań i publikacji naukowych.
The Problem of Constructivism in Psychoanalysis: A Winnicottian Perspective
Authors: Whitebook Joel
Published: March 2024

Abstract: While this article begins by noting the positive role that constructivism has played in the development of psychoanalytic theory over the past 50 years, it also points to the limitations of the approach and argues they must be corrected. For at the same time as constructivism’s criticisms of biologism and essentialism have provided powerful weapons for combating psychoanalytic conservatism, an exclusively constructivist approach has also made it difficult, if not impossible, to address an essential issue for psychoanalysts: namely, the normative basis of the enterprise and the goal(s) of development and treatment. The author claims that Winnicott’s theory provides a way out of this difficulty. For although Winnicott is often construed as a strict constructivist owing to his introduction of the notion of the environment, it is argued that his concept of “inherited potential” retains biological foundation for psychoanalysis while avoiding the dangers of essentialism.
Time After (Postfeminist) Time: Gender, Capital, and Helen Phillips’s The Need
Authors: Forter Greg
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This essay reads Helen Phillips’s extraordinary novel of motherhood, The Need (2019), alongside recent theorists of post-politics. Phillips’s novel is illuminating because it reveals how an adequate understanding of the post-political requires supplementing current accounts with the categories of gender and heterogeneous time. The Need subverts the postfeminist articulation of politics as an arena in which “feminism” is practicable only in preemptively curtailed and diminished form. It does so by cracking open the “reality” enforced by neoliberal motherhood to show how its apparent solidity rests on the excision of alternate times—on a foreclosure of the temporal otherness that is the condition for historical change.
Stūpa Shapes from the Āndhra Country to Śrīkṣetra
Authors: Zin Monika
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Indian influence on the architecture of the Pyus is demonstrable in several instances. The shape of their city gates, for example, repeats the Indian “ lizard ’ s mouth ” ( godhāmukha ), described in the Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra and widespread in India. The objects of art and architecture created by the Pyus do not, however, display any recognizable similarities to those of Āndhra; the style of the preserved representations of the Buddha and ornaments like the makara , even on the objects that are usually taken to be early examples, corresponds with the Gupta or even post-Gupta style (fifth century at the earliest) rather than the Āndhra style. By contrast, the shape of the Bawbawgyi stūpa does resemble depictions of reliquaries in the art of Āndhra. It seems that the Bawbawgyi, which is hollow on the inside, as well as some other stūpa s and reliquaries of the Pyus are modeled on portable reliquaries from Āndhra, which might easily have been brought to their country. If it were possible to prove this hypothesis, it would provide us with solid evidence for early contact between the people of the Pyu and Āndhra countries.
Studies in Pyu Epigraphy II. Pyu Inscriptions on Molded Tablets: A Way Forward?
Authors: Miyake Marc , Wheatley Julian
Published: March 2024

Abstract: The Pyu language is known from some 150 inscriptions, a few of them long and most of them short. Almost none can be reliably dated, but paleographical and archeological evidence suggests that the earliest dates from the first half of the first millennium CE. Decipherment of the Pyu language has, thus far, been based mostly on bilingual or multilingual inscriptions. Such inscriptions are few, so further progress will have to be based on monolingual ones. This paper examines a set of short Pyu monolingual inscriptions found mostly on molded tablets. Molded tablets (also called votive tablets) inscribed in known languages such as Pali, Old Mon, and Old Burmese display a relatively narrow range of content, and we would expect comparable content to be reflected in the Pyu examples.
Funerary Practices at Pyu Sites in Myanmar and the Appearance of Buddhist Artifacts from the Fifth to Sixth Century CE Period
Authors: Hudson Bob
Published: March 2024

Abstract: An ongoing research question in Myanmar (Burma) is to what extent, and in what specific part of the first millennium CE, traces of Buddhism from India can be observed in the early urban “Pyu” culture. Burial urns feature significantly in the archaeological record, but they do not have any specifically Buddhist features. Some funerary shrines feature a brick plinth at one end. If these were bases for stūpas or Buddha images, then Indian influence could be attributed as early as the second–third century CE period. No evidence has yet been found of what these plinths carried. A later burial complex, dated by radiocarbon to the sixth–seventh century period, included Buddhist “votive tablets.” In another architectural form, the reliquary stūpa, we find a Buddhist practice directly comparable to Indian practices of the early-to-mid first millennium CE. On the evidence of paleography and art history, the Pyu Buddhist stūpas may have been operational in the fifth–sixth century CE period. The earliest radiocarbon date range for a building containing Buddhist material is also the fifth–sixth century.
Strongyloidiasis in Auckland: A ten-year retrospective study of diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of a predominantly Polynesian and Fijian migrant cohort
Authors: Cutfield Tim , Motuhifonua Soana Karuna , Blakiston Matthew , Bhally Hasan , Duffy Eamon , Lane Rebekah , Otte Erik , Swager Terri , Taylor Amanda Maree , Playle Veronica
Published: March 2024

Background

Strongyloides stercoralis is not endemic in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ). However, approximately one third of Auckland residents are born in endemic countries. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and management of strongyloidiasis in Auckland, with a focus on migrants from Pacific Island Countries and Territories.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed clinical, laboratory and pharmacy records data for all people diagnosed with strongyloidiasis in the Auckland region between July 2012 and June 2022. People with negative Strongyloides serology were included to estimate seropositivity rate by country of birth.

Findings

Over ten years, 691 people were diagnosed with strongyloidiasis. Most diagnoses were made by serology alone (622, 90%). The median age was 63 years (range 15–92), 500 (72%) were male, and the majority were born in Polynesia (350, 51%), Fiji (130, 19%) or were of Pasifika ethnicity (an additional 7%). Twelve participants (1.7%) had severe strongyloidiasis at diagnosis. The total proportion treated with ivermectin was only 70% (484/691), with no differences between immunocompromised and immunocompetent participants, nor by ethnicity. The outcome of treatment (based on a combination of serology and/or eosinophilia and/or stool microscopy) could only be determined in 50% of the treated cohort. One participant failed treatment with ivermectin, experiencing recurrent strongyloidiasis, and another participant died in association with severe strongyloidiasis. The rate of ‘positive’ Strongyloides serology was highest among participants born in Samoa (48%), Fiji (39%), and Southeast Asian countries (34%).

Interpretation

Strongyloidiasis was common and under-treated in Auckland during the study period. Clinicians should have a low threshold for considering strongyloidiasis in migrants from endemic countries, including Polynesia and Fiji.
Outcome benefits of upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: An analysis of the TriNetX database
Authors: Lai Gu-Shun , Li Jian-Ri , Wang Shian-Shiang , Chen Chuan-Shu , Yang Chun-Kuang , Lin Chia-Yen , Hung Sheng-Chun , Chiu Kun-Yuan , Yang Shun-Fa
Published: March 2024

Background

The role of upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy remains debatable in the present era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here, we aimed to evaluate the outcomes of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with upfront CN and modern systemic therapies.

Methods

Using the TriNetX network database, we identified patients, in the period from 2008 to 2022, who were diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, receiving first-line systemic therapies with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Their overall survivals were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method as well as multivariable regressions.

Results

We identified 11,094 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Of them, 2,914 (43%) patients in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor cohort (n = 6,779), and 1,884 (43.7%) in the immune checkpoint inhibitors cohort (n = 4315) underwent upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy. Those receiving upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy showed survival advantages with either tyrosine kinase inhibitor (Hazard ratio 0.722, 95% Confidence interval 0.67–0.73, p<0.001) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (Hazard ratio 65.1, 95% Confidence interval 0.59–0.71, p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy was a factor for improved OS in both cohorts: tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Hazard ratio 0.623, 95% Confidence interval 0.56–0.694, p<0.001) and immune checkpoint inhibitors cohort (Hazard ratio 0.688, 95% Confidence interval 0.607–0.779, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy was associated with an improved overall survival for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving either first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our results support a clinical role of upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy in the modern era.
Changing COVID-19 cases and deaths detection in Florida
Authors: Toh Kok Ben , Cummings Derek A. T. , Longini Ira M. , Hladish Thomas J.
Published: March 2024

Epidemic data are often difficult to interpret due to inconsistent detection and reporting. As these data are critically relied upon to inform policy and epidemic projections, understanding reporting trends is similarly important. Early reporting of the COVID-19 pandemic in particular is complicated, due to changing diagnostic and testing protocols. An internal audit by the State of Florida, USA found numerous specific examples of irregularities in COVID-19 case and death reports. Using case, hospitalization, and death data from the the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, we present approaches that can be used to identify the timing, direction, and magnitude of some reporting changes. Specifically, by establishing a baseline of detection probabilities from the first (spring) wave, we show that transmission trends among all age groups were similar, with the exception of the second summer wave, when younger people became infected earlier than seniors, by approximately 2 weeks. We also found a substantial drop in case-fatality risk (CFR) among all age groups over the three waves during the first year of the pandemic, with the most drastic changes seen in the 0 to 39 age group. The CFR trends provide useful insights into infection detection that would not be possible by relying on the number of tests alone. During the third wave, for which we have reliable hospitalization data, the CFR was remarkably stable across all age groups. In contrast, the hospitalization-to-case ratio varied inversely with cases while the death-to-hospitalization ratio varied proportionally. Although specific trends are likely to vary between locales, the approaches we present here offer a generic way to understand the substantial changes that occurred in the relationships among the key epidemic indicators.
The Impacts of COVID-19 Restrictions on Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY): Heterogeneous effects and post-pandemic recovery
Authors: Atal Raimundo , Bedregal Paula , Carrasco José A. , González Felipe , Harrison Rodrigo , Vizcaya Cecilia
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Estimate the effects of non-pharmacological interventions used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the quality of life, measured by Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs).

Methods

A survey on 1,506 heads of households from Chile in May of 2022. Respondents were asked basic socioeconomic questions and a version of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire that was used to calculate the evolution of HRQoLs. Comparisons of means in HRQoLs measures before the pandemic, at the peak of restrictions, and at the moment of the survey were performed.

Results

The average HRQoL of the population before the pandemic was similar to other countries in the region (0.96). At the peak of restrictions (June 2020–August 2021), the average HRQoL decreased to 0.87 (-9%). At the time of survey (May 2022), the average HQRoL was 0.91 (4%). Assuming the recovery trend continued, pre-pandemic HRQoLs would be reached by January 2024. Altogether, the pandemic would have reduced QALYs by 0.2 in average. The effect is larger and the recovery slower among women. Our estimates imply that the restrictions to manage the pandemic came at a cost of 2.4 months of life years for the average (surviving) person, 1.8 months for men and 3.4 for women.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that COVID-19 had worse effects on life quality than previously thought. These effects are more significant among women than among men. Efforts to improve life quality and speed up its recovery could have large positive consequences for the population.
Z2F: Heterogeneous graph-based Android malware detection
Authors: Ma Ziwei , Luktarhan Nurbor
Published: March 2024

Android malware is becoming more common, and its invasion of smart devices has brought immeasurable losses to people’s lives. Most existing Android malware detection methods extract Android features from the original application files without considering the high-order hidden information behind them, but these hidden information can reflect malicious behaviors. To solve this problem, this paper proposes Z2F, a detection framework based on multidimensional Android feature extraction and graph neural networks for Android applications. Z2F first extracts seven types of Android features from the original Android application and then embeds them into a heterogeneous graph. On this basis, we design 12 kinds of meta-structures to analyze different semantic spaces of heterogeneous graphs, mine high-order hidden semantic information, and adopt a multi-layer graph attention mechanism to iteratively embed and update information. In this paper, a total of 14429 Android applications were detected and 1039726 Android features were extracted, with a detection accuracy of 99.7%.
Health professionals’ technology readiness on the acceptance of teleradiology in the Amhara regional state public hospitals, northwest Ethiopia: Using technology readiness acceptance model (TRAM)
Authors: Nigatu Araya Mesfin , Yilma Tesfahun Melese , Gezie Lemma Derseh , Gebrewold Yonathan , Gullslett Monika Knudsen , Mengiste Shegaw Anagaw , Tilahun Binyam
Published: March 2024

Background

Considering individual differences caused by personality differences is crucial for end users’ technology acceptance. However, previous studies overlooked the influence of users’ technology readiness on technology acceptance. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the influence of technology readiness on teleradiology acceptance in the Amhara Regional State Public Hospitals using a technology readiness acceptance model.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional mixed study design was conducted in September 2021 among 547 health professionals working at sixteen public hospitals in the Amhara region of northwest Ethiopia. Eight key informants were interviewed to explore organizational-related factors. Face-to-face and Google Meet approaches were used to collect the data. We applied structural equation modeling to investigate the influence of technology readiness on health professionals’ teleradiology acceptance using Analysis of Moment Structures Version 23 software.

Results

Of the total participants, 70.2% and 85.7% were ready and intended to use teleradiology, respectively. According to technology readiness measuring constructs, optimism and innovativeness positively influenced health professionals’ technology acceptance. Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness showed a statistically positive significant effect on health professionals’ intention to use teleradiology. In addition, a statistically significant mediation effect was observed between technology readiness measuring constructs and behavioral intention to use. Furthermore, a shortage of budget, inadequate infrastructure, and users’ lack of adequate skills were reported as critical organizational challenges.

Conclusions

We found a higher proportion of readiness and intention to use teleradiology among health professionals. Personality difference measuring constructs and organizational factors played considerable influence on teleradiology acceptance. Therefore, before the actual implementation of teleradiology, ensuring the system’s user-friendliness, improving infrastructure, allocating an adequate budget, and availing of capacity-building opportunities are recommended.
Exploring odontocete depredation rates in a pelagic longline fishery
Authors: Gilman Eric , Chaloupka Milani , Pacini Aude , Kingma Eric
Published: March 2024

Several odontocete species depredate catch and bait from fishing gear, resulting in their bycatch and causing substantial economic costs. There are no known mitigation methods for odontocete depredation in pelagic longline fisheries that are effective, do not harm odontocetes and are commercially viable. Understanding odontocetes’ depredation strategies can contribute to mitigating this human-wildlife conflict. Using observer data from the Hawaii-based tuna longline fishery, this study summarized teleost and elasmobranch species-specific mean posterior odontocete depredation rates using a simple Bayesian binomial likelihood estimator with a Bayes-Laplace prior. Depredation rates of species with sufficient sample sizes ranged from a high of 1.2% (1.1 to 1.3 95% highest posterior density interval or HDI) for shortbill spearfish to a low of 0.002% (0.001 to 0.003 95% HDI) for blue shark. Depredation of catch is a rare event in this fishery, occurring in about 6% of sets. When depredation did occur, most frequently odontocetes depredated a small proportion of the catch, however, there was large variability in depredation rates between teleost species. For example, bigeye tuna was two times more likely to be depredated than yellowfin tuna (odds ratio = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.8–2.3, P<0.0001). For sets with depredation, 10% and 2% of sets had depredation of over half of the captured bigeye tuna and combined teleosts, respectively. All elasmobranch species had relatively low depredation rates, where only 7 of almost 0.5M captured elasmobranchs were depredated. Odontocetes selectively depredate a subset of the teleost species captured within sets, possibly based on net energy value, chemical, visual, acoustic and textural characteristics and body size, but not median length, which was found to be unrelated to depredation rate (Pearson’s r = 0.14, 95% CI: -0.26 to 0.50, p = 0.49). Study findings provide evidence to support the identification and innovation of effective and commercially viable methods to mitigate odontocete depredation and bycatch.
Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on liver transplant recipients. Experience in a reference center in Mexico
Authors: Azamar-Llamas Daniel , Arenas-Martinez Josealberto Sebastiano , Olivas-Martinez Antonio , Jimenez Jose Victor , Kauffman-Ortega Eric , García-Carrera Cristian J , Papacristofilou-Riebeling Bruno , Rivera-López Fabián E , García-Juárez Ignacio
Published: March 2024

Background and aims

COVID-19 vaccination has proved to be effective to prevent symptomatic infection and severe disease even in immunocompromised patients including liver transplant patients. We aim to assess the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the mortality and development of severe and critical disease in our center.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of LT patients in a reference center between March 2020 and February 2022. Demographic data, cirrhosis etiology, time on liver transplantation, immunosuppressive therapies, and vaccination status were recorded at the time of diagnosis. Primary outcome was death due to COVID-19, and secondary outcomes included the development of severe COVID-19 and intensive care unit (ICU) requirement.

Results

153 of 324 LT recipients developed COVID-19, in whom the main causes of cirrhosis were HCV infection and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. The vaccines used were BNT162b2 (48.6%), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (21.6%), mRNA-1273 vaccine (1.4%), Sputnik V (14.9%), Ad5-nCoV-S (4.1%) and CoronaVac (9.5%). Case fatality and ICU requirement risk were similar among vaccinated and unvaccinated LT patients (adjusted relative case fatality for vaccinated versus unvaccinated of 0.68, 95% CI 0.14–3.24, p = 0.62; adjusted relative risk [aRR] for ICU requirement of 0.45, 95% CI 0.11–1.88, p = 0.27). Nonetheless, vaccination was associated with a lower risk of severe disease (aRR for severe disease of 0.32, 95% CI 0.14–0.71, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Vaccination reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 in LT patients, regardless of the scheme used. Vaccination should be encouraged for all.
Research on local sound field intensity control technique in metasurface based on deep neural networks
Authors: Zhao Huanlong , Lv Qiang , Huang Zhen , Chen Wei , Hao Guoqiang
Published: March 2024

The use of tunable metasurface technology to realize the underwater tracking function of submarines, which is one of the hotspots and difficulties in submarine design. The structure-to-sound-field metasurface design approach is a highly iterative process based on trial and error. The process is cumbersome and inefficient. Therefore, an inverse design method was proposed based on parallel deep neural networks. The method took the global and local target sound field feature information as input and the metasurface physical structure parameters as output. The deep neural network was trained using a kernel loss function based on a radial basis kernel function, which established an inverse mapping relationship between the desired sound field to the metasurface physical structure parameters. Finally, the sound field intensity modulation at a localized target range was achieved. The results indicated that within the regulated target range, this method achieved an average prediction error of less than 5 dB for 92.9% of the sample data.
Matilde de la Torre: Sex, Socialism, and Suffrage in Republican Spain, Deborah Madden (2022)
Authors: Quance Roberta
Published: March 2024

Review of: Matilde de la Torre: Sex, Socialism, and Suffrage in Republican Spain, Deborah Madden (2022)

Oxford: Legenda, 188 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-83954-085-1, h/bk, £85
Resenha. “Viver nas Ruínas”, resenha e comentário sobre a recepção da antropologia de Anna Tsing no Brasil
Authors: Silveira Pedro Castelo Branco , Pereira Lucas Coelho
Published: March 2024

TSING, Anna. 2019. Viver nas Ruínas: paisagens multiespécies no antropoceno. Brasília: IEB Mil Folhas
Caderno de imagens. Pedras, ruínas, entulhos ou apenas o chão que piso?
Authors: Aguena Renan
Published: March 2024

Caderno de imagens
É nós por nós mesmos
Authors: Moreno Gilberto Geribola
Published: March 2024

Este artigo apresenta a percepção de um grupo de jovens residentes na região da tríplice fronteira (Brasil, Argentina e Paraguai) sobre sua experiência social durante o período pandêmico. O trabalho se desenvolveu em continuidade a uma pesquisa anterior à pandemia, mas realizada sob as novas condições de segurança sanitária. Seguindo uma perspectiva qualitativa de pesquisa foram feitas entrevistas online com um grupo de 15 jovens. Tomou-se como referencial teórico as categorias de prova e suporte desenvolvidas por Martuccelli com o intuito de perceber a experiência social dos indivíduos. Observa-se ao longo do trabalho que a pandemia rompeu com a normalidade da vida social da região, porém exacerbando aqueles aspectos já vivenciados pelos participantes da pesquisa. Por um lado, acentuou-se a informalidade, a precariedade, certa fragmentação da vida social e a incerteza quanto ao futuro. Por outro, observou-se a proeminência das relações familiares como suporte a esses jovens reafirmando a centralidade desta instituição social.
Evidência científica e promoção de saúde
Authors: Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro , Alcalde Murilo Priori
Published: March 2024

A promoção da saúde é entendida como o processo que visa capacitar as pessoas para prevenir, diagnosticar e tratar doenças. E é justamente a evidência científica que ilumina o caminho, oferecendo um arcabouço sólido para embasar estratégias eficazes. Vivemos em uma Era em que a informação circula velozmente pelas mídias sociais ou outros meios de internet, mas nem sempre com a precisão e o conteúdo corretos. Diante disso, é crucial destacar o papel insubstituível da ciência na geração de conhecimento confiável. A busca de conhecimento de forma criteriosa e em fontes confiáveis é fundamental, auxiliando a discernir entre informações embasadas e conjecturas infundadas.