bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sector hopes updated sufficiency rules will boost access to services
Authors: Simpson Fiona
Published: September 2024

Revised government guidance on assessment and delivery of council youth work aims to make it clearer what level of provision is needed, but experts warn little will change if it is not backed with extra funding
Family hubs: early adopter sites share knowledge of what works
Authors: Fothergill David
Published: September 2024

With half of English local authorities developing a network of family hubs, a report collates the lessons from six areas about how they have implemented provision that meets the needs of their communities
The value of measuring SEND impact
Authors: Copeland Gareth
Published: September 2024

Changes in the way data is collated provides a more holistic view of provision, but still fails to capture a child's outcomes, expert says
Amani Simpson
Authors: Harle Emily
Published: September 2024

Emily Harle speaks to the award-winning filmmaker and youth crime campaigner
SUPPORTING FAMILIES DAMAGED BY ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENDING
Authors: Sabin Natasha
Published: September 2024

When a parent is found to have viewed child sexual abuse images online, the impact on families is devastating. New guidance aims to help professionals give a considered and supportive response
Access to Youth Work
Authors: Hayes Derren
Published: September 2024

After decade of decline, there are signs that increased investment in youth services and attention by policymakers will boost provision and the workforce to meet a growing demand from young people
Homes for disabled children
Authors: Stephenson Jo
Published: September 2024

Recommendations from a review of residential provision for children with disabilities include changes to regulation to prevent safeguarding concerns being missed, reports Jo Stephenson
Lambeth Council
Authors: Hayes Derren
Published: September 2024

Corporate commitment to boosting children and young people's outcomes helps south London borough get back on track
The case for social prescribing
Authors: Virdi Amrit
Published: September 2024

Barnardo's and experts call for a national social prescribing strategy to improve mental wellbeing
Arts projects bring young people wellbeing boost
Authors: Józwiak Gabriella
Published: September 2024

Post-pandemic initiative aims to improve community health and wellbeing through artist-led activities that develop children and young people's creativity
Probe reveals how funding rate cut will hit council childcare role
Authors: Simpson Fiona
Published: September 2024

FOI findings show 43 per cent of councils retain the maximum amount of cash from government for funded childcare scheme and highlight fears that proposed cut will have far-reaching consequences for provision
Asylum plans concern councils
Authors: Hayes Derren
Published: September 2024

Proposals risk undermining local authority responsibilities to asylum-seeking children, leaders warn
Practice examples: BOSS reduces exclusions for children with SEND
Authors: Harle Emily
Published: September 2024

IN SUMMARY

Family Action's Behavioural Outreach Support Service in Lincolnshire employs a holistic and child-centred approach to support students displaying distressed behaviour, including those with SEND, to reduce the risk of exclusion from school
Practice examples: Integrated service reshapes SEND support for Rochdale
Authors: Jacobs Nina
Published: September 2024

IN SUMMARY

Award-winning project brought together local authority and health agencies to co-design an integrated SEND service and strategy that is delivering improved outcomes for children and young people
International safeguarding practice
Authors: Christian Ann Marie
Published: September 2024

Ann Marie Christian has specialised in training education professionals in other countries about the risks of child abuse and what systems need to be put in place to safeguard children's welfare
Youth Investment Fund to boost vital support for young people
Authors: Hayes Derren
Published: September 2024

Construction of an OnSide youth zone, refurbishment of a youth centre and involvement of young people in a regeneration project are just some of the recipients of the government's flagship funding programme
Trust-type Development Projects and Review of the Right of Occupancy of Landowners
Authors: Jeong Seunghyun
Published: September 2024

In the case of development projects by association, the Supreme Court's decision 2020du36724 (so-called '1-person multiple rights decision') dated 2023.02.23. and the Supreme Court's decision 2022du56586 (so-called '1-generation multiple rights decision') dated 2023.06.29. were analyzed in relation to the interpretation of the qualifications of association members and the status of landowners to receive distribution under the Urban Development Act. In addition, a systematic interpretation was attempted on the necessity of distinguishing between the status of association members and the status of distribution recipients of landowners, etc. under the Urban Development Act, whether the status of association members and distribution rights of those who have acquired land, etc. from 1-person or 1-generation multiple rights holders are recognized, and whether the overlapping application of Article 39, Paragraph 1, Subparagraphs 2 and 3 of the Urban Development Act can be recognized under the principle of legal interpretation. In addition, based on the above unified and systematic interpretation of the combined-type development project, an analysis was conducted on how to review the occupancy rights of landowners in the trust-type development project introduced after 2015. In particular, the Supreme Court decisions 2020du36724 (1-person multiple rights decision) and 2022du56586 (1st generation multiple rights decision) examined above have presented controversial views and implications in the academic world regarding the status of landowners as members of the association, whether the representative association member and the remaining landowners are each recognized as having independent subscription application rights. Meanwhile, the 1st generation multiple rights decision suggests that the representative association member should be selected by overlapping the 2nd and 3rd clauses of Article 39, Paragraph 1 of the Urban Development Act among multiple landowners and transferors. In relation to the content of this ruling, we have reviewed the relationship between legal stability and specific validity, the principle of literal interpretation, and the limitations of systematic and logical interpretation presented in the Supreme Court’s 2011du19239 ruling regarding the interpretation of the law. In addition, in the case where a trustee is designated as a project executor in accordance with the revision of the Urban Development Act on February 9, 2018, the “designation of a project executor” can be considered as “approval of establishment of an association,” and the qualifications of the association member (consignor) can be judged, etc., so the principle of one household per generation can be applied in the same way as in the association-type development project.
Capturing Staff Perspectives on Quality Interaction With Clients With Intellectual Disability: A Diary Study
Authors: Droogmans Gilles , Nijs Sara , Maes Bea
Published: September 2024

For people with severe or profound intellectual disability (ID), support staff are important interaction partners. The quality of their interactions, a multidimensional construct, is well documented, but the staff perspective remains underexposed. This study aims to capture the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of staff when interacting with their clients, and their views on what constitutes quality. Thirty-four support staff completed a 5-day diary about a daily interaction with a specific client. A thematic analysis was carried out. The diary entries depicted behaviors and thoughts with different foci, and emotions with positive and negative valences. The pursuit of Harmonization and the experience of Return emerged as overarching dimensions central to staff’s views on quality interaction. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Self-Advocate and Family Member Experiences With Supported Decision Making
Authors: Dean Evan E. , Hagiwara Mayumi , Brunson Lashanna , Linnenkamp Brad , Swindler Sean , Shogren Karrie A.
Published: September 2024

Supported decision making (SDM) is a needed focus of policy and practice to enhance opportunities for people with disabilities to exercise self-determination as they are supported to make decisions about their life. This study used content analysis to analyze five focus groups comprised of 27 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and 16 family members to understand how people with IDD use supports for decision making and how families support decision making. People with IDD and family members described a range of strategies and supports they used for decision making, including engaging trusted supporters, accessing technology, and using early experiences to build decision-making skills. Findings from this research can inform development of practices and policy to enhance use of SDM in research, policy, and practice.
“I Know How to Get Around Your ‘No’”: A Follow-Up of the FACES Psychoeducational Intervention
Authors: Pearson Jamie N. , Outlaw Janet K. , Stewart-Ginsburg Jared H. , Martin DeVoshia L. Mason
Published: September 2024

Black children and their families encounter systemic disadvantages in their journey to and through an autism diagnosis. Black families often experience social and systemic barriers to service use. Providing family-centered, psychoeducational interventions can reduce barriers to service access and utilization for Black families raising autistic children. Fostering Advocacy, Communication, Empowerment, and Support (FACES) has demonstrated preliminary efficacy in strengthening outcomes among Black families, yet little is known about the long-term impact of the intervention. The purpose of this qualitative interview study was to understand the experiences of FACES graduates 16 months after the intervention. Four major themes emerged: (a) strengthened advocacy, (b) strengthened empowerment, (c) systemic barriers, and (d) home and community barriers. We provide implications for research and practice.
Huysuz Virjin vs. the Law? Drag Bans in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey
Authors: Altınay Rüstem Ertuğ
Published: September 2024

Abstract: The renaissance of drag in the last fifteen years has coincided with the rise of right-wing populist governments and their efforts to regulate queer performances across the world. The career of Turkey’s most famous drag queen Huysuz Virjin [Cranky Virjin] demonstrates the complex histories of drag bans, and how conservative regimes employ not only the law and explicit censorship policies but also extralegal strategies to regulate drag performances. This case study shows that while drag bans may aggravate the precarity that characterizes trans lives and transphobia may harm drag performers, the careers of cis drag queens may remain unaffected by or even indirectly benefit from anti-trans legislation.
Evidence and Mechanisms of Embodiment in the Developing Dentition
Authors: Sgheiza Valerie
Published: September 2024

abstract: Existing research supports both embodiment of stress through epigenetics and epigenetic impacts on dental development. This article proposes two models for embodiment of stress in dental development: the stress-delay model, with increased stress during development producing delays in dental development, and the inflammation-acceleration model, with increased stress producing faster dental development through inflammatory pathways. These models were tested on dental development scores from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database, using (a) nonaccidental death (homicide, suicide, and natural) as proxy for elevated stress exposure during life and (b) cadaver body mass index (BMI) percentile as proxy for living BMI. Sex was treated as a positive control because typically dental development is faster in females than in males. Nonaccidental death and male sex were both associated with slower dental development; however, manner of death was significant only for 7 of 32 (22%) of teeth. Mean BMI percentile was highest for natural death and lowest for homicide. These findings support the stress-delay model and accord with existing studies that found limited evidence that embodied effects on dental development are sufficiently large to affect estimates of age.
Old Fires
Authors: O'callaghan Billy
Published: September 2024

Abstract: The story follows Jackie Dwyer, who returns to his hometown after many years. At a local bar, memories of his past resurface, reuniting him with Bríd Donovan from his childhood. They reflect on their shared history and the passage of time. Jackie reminisces about their youth and the complexities of their lives since. Bríd reveals her own struggles, leaving Jackie to grapple with the nostalgia and unresolved feelings from their past. The encounter highlights the impact of their childhoods and how their hometown has not changed despite the passing of time.
Weber, Fuller, and Belief in the Legitimacy of Law
Authors: Schneiderman David
Published: September 2024

Abstract: By what means are legitimate legal orders maintained? Weber described legitimacy as resting, in part, upon a ‘belief’ in legal authority. Two principal ways of understanding Weber’s description of legitimate law have been offered to date. The first ascribes to Weber an empty formality that is satisfied merely by the fact that law is duly enacted in accordance with rules previously laid down. The second reads Weber’s legitimate law as founded upon a normativity that is appealing to law’s subjects. There are, according to this second reading, reasons that sustain the legitimacy of legality rather than merely the fact of procedural correctness. This essay offers up a reading of Weber that leans in the direction of a modestly normative account and which navigates between these two poles. So as to elucidate this aspect of Weber’s legal sociology, Weberian legitimacy is contrasted with a selection of Lon Fuller’s criteria of legality. To be regarded a system of law, a number of formal characteristics specified by Fuller must be satisfied, among them, generality and predictability. It is upon these procedural grounds that Fuller claims to have infused law with an internal morality. If Weber’s and Fuller’s ideal characteristics of law overlap, then Weber, too, can be treated as having subscribed to a distinctive moral view of law.
Quantitative method for measuring fragment velocity using terahertz wave Doppler interferometric velocimetry
Authors: Zhong Sen-Cheng , Zhai Zhao-Hui , Du Liang-Hui , Li Jiang , Zhu Li-Guo
Published: September 2024

A method of quantitatively measuring fragment velocity based on a terahertz wave Doppler interference velocimetry (TDV) system is proposed in this paper. The theoretical model of fragment group velocity measurement is established, and the quantitative extraction method of fragment group initial velocity, velocity attenuation coefficient, and fragment velocity or distance change with time are given. Using this model, the extracted maximum and minimum values of the fragment group's initial velocity and attenuation coefficient are in good agreement with the preset simulated values. An experimental demonstration test shot of a cylindrical explosive device was carried out by using a TDV system, and the extracted initial velocity, velocity attenuation coefficient, and other important parameters of this explosive device fragment group are given in this paper.
Simultaneous optimization of conductive layer, dielectric layer, and fabrication process for optically transparent low-loss frequency selective surfaces
Authors: Cai Longzhu , Jiang Yongjian , Hu Haobin , Fu Yaoru , Jiang Zhi Hao , Hong Wei
Published: September 2024

This work presents a design approach for optically transparent low-loss frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) based on the simultaneous optimization of a conductive layer, dielectric layer, and fabrication process. Three bandpass FSSs working in millimeter-wave bands with low insertion losses are investigated and fabricated based on low-loss Rogers RT5870 and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) substrates. The measured results of the RT5870 based FSS (case 1) and COC based FSS (case 2) indicate that the COC substrate possesses lower dielectric loss tangent at the K band. Optically transparent FSS (case 3) is then investigated and optimized simultaneously on the selection of dielectric substrate (dielectric loss and optical transparency), conductive circuit structure (conductor loss and optical transparency), as well as the fabrication process in terms of insertion loss, optical transparency, frequency selectivity, cost, and ease of fabrication. The proposed case 3 optically transparent FSS based on COC substrate and metallic mesh owns lower insertion loss (0.62 dB) than that of the state-of-the-art FSSs in literature as well as the fabricated non-transparent case 1 and case 2 FSSs. The COC based optically transparent FSS has the merits of high optical transparency, low insertion loss, good frequency selectivity, low profile, ease of fabrication process, and low cost, showing great potential in millimeter-wave applications.
Motion-free high-resolution on-chip microscopy using LED matrix
Authors: You Jongin , Lee Doeon , Song Gookho , Lee Chanseok , Jang Mooseok
Published: September 2024

Lensless microscopy is an imaging technique that allows high-resolution imaging over a large field of view with a cost-effective design. Conventional lensless microscopy often utilizes multi-height phase retrieval and pixel-super-resolution algorithms to reconstruct high-resolution images, requiring mechanical stages for three-dimensional relative movements between a light source, camera, and sample. However, the excessive use of stages inevitably increases the bulkiness of the system and extends the image acquisition time. Here, we propose a motion-free lensless microscope that incorporates an RGB LED matrix array. A high-resolution holographic image is reconstructed from subpixel-shifted color images obtained with LED illuminations without any mechanical movement. Using a prototype system, we have demonstrated a spatial-bandwidth product of 30 megapixels with a resolution of 0.87 µm and a field of view of 24 mm2. The usability of the proposed method has been further tested for histopathologic examination. Our system features a compact and high-performance design with inexpensive optoelectronic elements, a conventional CMOS sensor and an LED matrix, which are well-aligned with the original design motivation of lensless imaging methods.
Experimental analysis of Airy beam self-localization in nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Kwaśny Michał , Hertzsch Daniel Felix , Laudyn Urszula Anna
Published: September 2024

This study employs experimental demonstration of finite energy Airy beam (AB) propagation in nematic liquid crystals (NLCs), highlighting the reorientational optical nonlinearity that induces the generation of off-shoot solitons (OSS). The outcomes of our investigation indicate that the direction of the OSS is greatly influenced by optical power and the beam’s walk-off, providing novel perspectives on light manipulation in NLCs. These findings significantly advance understanding Airy beam behavior in nonlinear materials and propose potential applications in photonic tools.
Red diode-pumped SESAM and Kerr-lens modelocked alexandrite lasers
Authors: Resan Bojan , Grätzer Tobias , Zeyen Manuel , Hug Daniel
Published: September 2024

We report quantum-well SESAM and Kerr-lens modelocked alexandrite lasers pumped by red laser diodes emitting at 638 nm. The SESAM modelocked laser emits 95 fs pulses with an average output power of 315 mW at a pulse repetition rate of 84 MHz with a peak power of 35 kW and a pulse energy of 3.8 nJ. The Kerr-lens modelocked laser emits 44 fs pulses with an average output power of 110 mW at 100 MHz pulse repetition rate, corresponding to 22 kW of peak power and a pulse energy of 1.1 nJ. The combination of direct diode pumping with robust SESAM modelocking or sub-50 fs pulses generated by Kerr-lens modelocking enables various ultrafast laser applications.
Issue linkage and climate votes in the U.S. House of Representatives, 2007–2020
Authors: Morton Kayla , Dolsak Nives , Prakash Aseem
Published: September 2024

What motivates members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support legislative action (LA) on climate issues? Although the U.S. Congress has passed very few climate bills in the last 20 years, there has been a substantial number of LAs in the form of votes on bills, resolutions, and amendments. Because climate issues might not get legislative traction on their own, we examine whether linking them with other salient environmental issues changes how legislators vote on climate-focused LAs (C-LAs). Substantively, we examine whether linking climate with clean air, water pollution, environmental justice, and transportation might change House members’ votes. We analyze House votes on climate change LAs as reported by the League of Conservation Voters (LCV). For the 2007–2021 period, LCV scored 406 votes and identified 77 of them as C-LAs. Our regression analysis of the votes of 435 House members on 77 LAs suggests that all else equal, while climate issues without issue linkages diminish legislative support, C-LAs attract votes when they are linked with clean air and environmental justice. However, issue linkages could also backfire: C-LAs linked with water and transportation diminish legislative support.
Effects of older age on contraction-induced intramyocellular acidosis and inorganic phosphate accumulation in vivo: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Arieta Luke R. , Smith Zoe H. , Paluch Amanda E. , Kent Jane A.
Published: September 2024

Although it is clear that the bioenergetic basis of skeletal muscle fatigue (transient decrease in peak torque or power in response to contraction) involves intramyocellular acidosis (decreased pH) and accumulation of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in response to the increased energy demand of contractions, the effects of old age on the build-up of these metabolites has not been evaluated systematically. The purpose of this study was to compare pH and [Pi] in young (18–45 yr) and older (55+ yr) human skeletal muscle in vivo at the end of standardized contraction protocols. Full study details were prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022348972). PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus databases were systematically searched and returned 12 articles that fit the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Participant characteristics, contraction mode (isometric, dynamic), and final pH and [Pi] were extracted. A random-effects model was used to calculate the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for pH and [Pi] across age groups. A subgroup analysis for contraction mode was also performed. Young muscle acidified more than older muscle (MD = -0.12 pH; 95%CI = -0.18,-0.06; p<0.01). There was no overall difference by age in final [Pi] (MD = 2.14 mM; 95%CI = -0.29,4.57; p = 0.08), although sensitivity analysis revealed that removing one study resulted in greater [Pi] in young than older muscle (MD = 3.24 mM; 95%CI = 1.72,4.76; p<0.01). Contraction mode moderated these effects (p = 0.02) such that young muscle acidified (MD = -0.19 pH; 95%CI = -0.27,-0.11; p<0.01) and accumulated Pi (MD = 4.69 mM; 95%CI = 2.79,6.59; p<0.01) more than older muscle during isometric, but not dynamic, contractions. The smaller energetic perturbation in older muscle indicated by these analyses is consistent with its relatively greater use of oxidative energy production. During dynamic contractions, elimination of this greater reliance on oxidative energy production and consequently lower metabolite accumulations in older muscle may be important for understanding task-specific, age-related differences in fatigue.
From unimodal to multimodal dynamics of verbal and nonverbal cues during unstructured conversation
Authors: Fauviaux Tifenn , Marin Ludovic , Parisi Mathilde , Schmidt Richard , Mostafaoui Ghilès
Published: September 2024

Conversations encompass continuous exchanges of verbal and nonverbal information. Previous research has demonstrated that gestures dynamically entrain each other and that speakers tend to align their vocal properties. While gesture and speech are known to synchronize at the intrapersonal level, few studies have investigated the multimodal dynamics of gesture/speech between individuals. The present study aims to extend our comprehension of unimodal dynamics of speech and gesture to multimodal speech/gesture dynamics. We used an online dataset of 14 dyads engaged in unstructured conversation. Speech and gesture synchronization was measured with cross-wavelets at different timescales. Results supported previous research on intrapersonal speech/gesture coordination, finding synchronization at all timescales of the conversation. Extending the literature, we also found interpersonal synchronization between speech and gesture. Given that the unimodal and multimodal synchronization occurred at similar timescales, we suggest that synchronization likely depends on the vocal channel, particularly on the turn-taking dynamics of the conversation.
Perceiving depth beyond sight: Evaluating intrinsic and learned cues via a proof of concept sensory substitution method in the visually impaired and sighted
Authors: Maimon Amber , Wald Iddo Yehoshua , Snir Adi , Ben Oz Meshi , Amedi Amir
Published: September 2024

This study explores spatial perception of depth by employing a novel proof of concept sensory substitution algorithm. The algorithm taps into existing cognitive scaffolds such as language and cross modal correspondences by naming objects in the scene while representing their elevation and depth by manipulation of the auditory properties for each axis. While the representation of verticality utilized a previously tested correspondence with pitch, the representation of depth employed an ecologically inspired manipulation, based on the loss of gain and filtration of higher frequency sounds over distance. The study, involving 40 participants, seven of which were blind (5) or visually impaired (2), investigates the intrinsicness of an ecologically inspired mapping of auditory cues for depth by comparing it to an interchanged condition where the mappings of the two axes are swapped. All participants successfully learned to use the algorithm following a very brief period of training, with the blind and visually impaired participants showing similar levels of success for learning to use the algorithm as did their sighted counterparts. A significant difference was found at baseline between the two conditions, indicating the intuitiveness of the original ecologically inspired mapping. Despite this, participants were able to achieve similar success rates following the training in both conditions. The findings indicate that both intrinsic and learned cues come into play with respect to depth perception. Moreover, they suggest that by employing perceptual learning, novel sensory mappings can be trained in adulthood. Regarding the blind and visually impaired, the results also support the convergence view, which claims that with training, their spatial abilities can converge with those of the sighted. Finally, we discuss how the algorithm can open new avenues for accessibility technologies, virtual reality, and other practical applications.
Coccolithophore assemblage composition during the Greenland Interstadial–Stadial 20 transition and their response to the Youngest Toba Tuff (YTT) supereruption ∼74,000 years ago in the northeastern Arabian Sea
Authors: Guballa Jose Dominick , Bollmann Jörg , Schmidt Katherine , Lückge Andreas
Published: September 2024

Here we present a new 850-year long coccolithophore record from core SO130-289KL in the northeastern Arabian Sea that spans the Greenland Interstadial 20–Greenland Stadial 20 transition including the timing of the ∼74 ka Youngest Toba Tuff (YTT) supereruption. During the warm interstadial, the coccolithophore assemblage is characterized by Gephyrocapsa oceanica (41%) and Florisphaera profunda (30%) while the succeeding cold stadial is distinguished by the abundance of small placolith species (Emiliania huxleyi + G. ericsonii) (52%). However, the oldest samples of the study interval seem to show a stadial-like coccolithophore assemblage. Spectral analysis revealed an interdecadal cycle imprinted in the coccolithophore record during the interstadial that was also independently reported in other terrestrial and marine proxies. Immediately after the YTT eruption, small placoliths increased by 42% from 5% right below the YTT layer to 47% ∼1 mm above the YTT layer, while G. oceanica and Helicosphaera carteri increased and F. profunda decreased within the ∼1.15 cm layer representing about 8–19 years. Subsequently, the coccolithophore assemblage returned to a composition similar to the warm interstadial period before abruptly changing to a stadial composition characterized by the abundance of small placoliths about 100–130 years after the YTT eruption. Therefore, the YTT eruption had a significant impact on the overall coccolithophore assemblage but appears to have not caused the climate transition from interstadial to stadial conditions, supporting proxy and modeling data. However, the overall mechanism driving the observed changes and cyclicities remains unknown but might be related to rapid atmospheric teleconnections of North Atlantic climate variability to the low latitudes.
Deep learning for blood glucose level prediction: How well do models generalize across different data sets?
Authors: Ghimire Sarala , Celik Turgay , Gerdes Martin , Omlin Christian W.
Published: September 2024

Deep learning-based models for predicting blood glucose levels in diabetic patients can facilitate proactive measures to prevent critical events and are essential for closed-loop control therapy systems. However, selecting appropriate models from the literature may not always yield conclusive results, as the choice could be influenced by biases or misleading evaluations stemming from different methodologies, datasets, and preprocessing techniques. This study aims to compare and comprehensively analyze the performance of various deep learning models across diverse datasets to assess their applicability and generalizability across a broader spectrum of scenarios. Commonly used deep learning models for blood glucose level forecasting, such as feed-forward neural network, convolutional neural network, long short-term memory network (LSTM), temporal convolutional neural network, and self-attention network (SAN), are considered in this study. To evaluate the generalization capabilities of each model, four datasets of varying sizes, encompassing samples from different age groups and conditions, are utilized. Performance metrics include Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Difference (MAD), and Coefficient of Determination (CoD) for analytical asssessment, Clarke Error Grid (CEG) for clinical assessments, Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test for statistical analysis, and generalization ability evaluations to obtain both coarse and granular insights. The experimental findings indicate that the LSTM model demonstrates superior performance with the lowest root mean square error and highest generalization capability among all other models, closely followed by SAN. The ability of LSTM and SAN to capture long-term dependencies in blood glucose data and their correlations with various influencing factors and events contribute to their enhanced performance. Despite the lower predictive performance, the FFN was able to capture patterns and trends in the data, suggesting its applicability in forecasting future direction. Moreover, this study helps in identifying the optimal model based on specific objectives, whether prioritizing generalization or accuracy.
Experimental genital tract infection demonstrates Neisseria gonorrhoeae MtrCDE efflux pump is not required for in vivo human infection and identifies gonococcal colonization bottleneck
Authors: Waltmann Andreea , Balthazar Jacqueline T. , Begum Afrin A. , Hua Nancy , Jerse Ann E. , Shafer William M. , Hobbs Marcia M. , Duncan Joseph A.
Published: September 2024

The MtrCDE efflux pump of Neisseria gonorrhoeae exports a wide range of antimicrobial compounds that the gonococcus encounters at mucosal surfaces during colonization and infection and is a known gonococcal virulence factor. Here, we evaluate the role of this efflux pump system in strain FA1090 during in vivo human male urethral infection with N. gonorrhoeae using a controlled human infection model. With the strategy of competitive infections initiated with mixtures of wild-type FA1090 and an isogenic mutant FA1090 strain that does not contain a functional MtrCDE pump, we found that the presence of the efflux pump is not required for an infection to be established in the human male urethra. This finding contrasts with previous studies of in vivo infection in the lower genital tract of female mice, which demonstrated that mutant gonococci of a different strain (FA19) lacking a functional MtrCDE pump had a significantly reduced fitness compared to their wild-type parental FA19 strain. To determine if these conflicting results are due to strain or human vs. mouse differences, we conducted a series of systematic competitive infections in female mice with the same FA1090 strains as in humans, and with FA19 strains, including mutants that do not assemble a functional MtrCDE efflux pump. Our results indicate the fitness advantage provided by the MtrCDE efflux pump during infection of mice is strain dependent. Owing to the equal fitness of the two FA1090 strains in men, our experiments also demonstrated the presence of a colonization bottleneck of N. gonorrhoeae in the human male urethra, which may open a new area of inquiry into N. gonorrhoeae infection dynamics and control.

TRIAL REGISTRATION. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03840811.
Las enfermedades raras y su representación discursiva. Propuestas para un análisis crítico
Authors: Bañón Hernández Antonio Miguel
Published: September 2024

Tomando como punto de partida las características del hipergénero que podríamos denominar debate social, así como la legitimación y la deslegitimación como funciones ideológicas fundamentales para el estudio de las relaciones entre sociedad y comunicación, este artículo pretende ofrecer algunas propuestas para el análisis crítico de los discursos referidos preferentemente a las enfermedades poco frecuentes en España. Basándonos en datos obtenidos tanto de folletos y revistas de asociaciones de pacientes, como de algunos textos legislativos y periodísticos, intentaremos explorar no sólo la manipulación discursiva de tres características de los grupos de pacientes (representatividad, responsabilidad y objetividad), sino también la de algunas características básicas de las enfermedades mismas (identidad, intensidad, magnitud, prevalencia y dimensión). Este artículo forma parte de un proyecto de investigación más ambicioso sobre aspectos comunicativos relacionados con las enfermedades raras.
La contra-argumentación como estrategia discursiva. La representación mediática de los inmigrantes en los sucesos de El Ejido
Authors: Fuente García Mario de la
Published: September 2024

Este trabajo parte de la suposición de que los medios de comunicación no informan objetivamente sino que elaboran representaciones simbólicas de los actores sociales que aparecen en las noticias. Desde esta perspectiva, trata de analizar la representación que los medios españoles realizaron de los inmigrantes que se vieron inmersos en los sucesos de El Ejido, ocurridos en esta localidad del sur de España en febrero de 2000. Para ello se analiza la función discursiva de la relación de contra-argumentación y el papel que el marcador argumentativo pero desempeñó en ese proceso. Este análisis se hace empleando las herramientas proporcionadas por la Teoría de la Argumentación en la Lengua de Jean-Claude Anscombre y Oswald Ducrot.
Discursos en guerra. Crónicas y humor político en torno a la ocupación de Irak
Authors: Martín Rojo Luisa
Published: September 2024

En este artículo se estudian los ejes y los procedimientos discursivos y semióticos que vertebraron las luchas por el control de la producción, circulación y recepción de discursos en un momento en el que las autoridades partidarias de la invasión de Irak se esforzaban en transmitir de forma persuasiva y en legitimar la acción bélica, mientras que la mayoría de la opinión pública rechazaba la intervención. Los datos que configuran la muestra analizada incluyen tanto noticias de prensa, publicadas en los meses que precedieron a la invasión, discursos políticos, y muestras de los cambios humor gráfico. En ellos encontramos discursos que presentan visiones enfrentadas del conflicto y que muestran distintas reacciones y posiciones ante la política adoptada por los gobiernos de Aznar y de otros países. Comparada esta situación con la que se produjo en torno a la guerra del Golfo, el artículo analiza cómo la nueva situación sociopolítica, los cambios culturales y la resistencia ante el conflicto, tienen su correlato en el orden discursivo. El artículo se centra en: los cambios operados en el orden del discurso (1), los cambios en la representación del conflicto (2) y los cambios en los procesos discursivos de legitimación y deslegitimación (3). Estos últimos están vinculados a la manera en que se presenta en las noticias, en los artículos de fondo y en el humor gráfico la “agentividad”, es decir, el papel que se atribuye a los protagonistas de los acontecimientos en el desarrollo de los mismos (4).
Retrofitting urban areas with wood: the origin of new projects in an emerging business ecosystem
Authors:   University of Helsinki, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Latokartanonkaari 7, 00014 Helsingin yliopisto, Finland, Viljanen Anne , Kurttila Mikko , Toppinen Anne
Published: September 2024

Nurturing a low-carbon residential building stock requires businesses to create new solutions for markets. Wood material-based retrofits would be one solution but have remained rare in the urban context. Our study explores the structure and dynamics of an emerging business ecosystem (BE) of wooden retrofits in Finland. We study wooden retrofit projects, from the perspective of the initial steps of local-level development. By applying the concepts of BE and dynamic capabilities, we aim to shed light on the role of actors and their early-stage decision-making and use actor mapping and qualitative analysis of 27 thematic interviews with retrofit businesses and municipal actors. Results show that project initiation has relied on individual champions seizing opportunities as a main base in building dynamic capabilities. Builders and customers are key actors of wooden retrofit projects in local BEs in Finland. The identified actors are further involved with future plans for wooden retrofits, some with ambitious deep renovation with wood. Motivations for projects are driven from urban densification strategies, improvement of suburban neighborhood attractiveness and from the efficiency of space utilization. Results further elaborate a certain degree of difficulty in the early-stage decision-making. This study contributes to the scientific knowledge of both the BE and the dynamic capability perspective by exploring a path to material-driven sustainable construction in the Finnish context. We provide new information on this emerging retrofit construction business with potentially significant international implications if scaled up more widely.
Evaluation of Stock Market Development

in an Emerging Economy
Authors: Gbadebo Adedeji Daniel
Published: September 2024

The efficient mobilization of capital, through the stock markets, is required to accelerate the nation's growth and development process. Stock market development remains of prominent attraction to academics, policy actors, firms and investors. This study examines the stock market development in Nigeria. The study relies on simple percentage changes to show the performance of the market indicators. The paper discusses the stock market indicators using broad criteria namely: market capitalization, total value of shares traded, market liquidity and all share index. The finding shows that the stock market indicators have experienced continuous and inconsistent swings, thus having important policy implications. The study identified that weak institutions, ineffective market regulation, lack of regulatory cohesion, uncompetitive cost structures, inefficient, unregulated margin financing and cumbersome market processes are amongst factors that causes the inconsistent in growth and swings inherent by these indicators. To resolve these issues and position the capital market for global attractions, the paper suggests that the government should seek policies that include induced infrastructural investments as well as promote a more conducive business environment.
Die Psychologie der Neurovisuellen Neurorehabilitation
Authors: Leitner M. C. , Hawelka S.
Published: September 2024

Sehstörungen nach Schlaganfall oder Schädel-Hirn-Trauma sind komplexe Wahrnehmungsdefizite, die erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die Lebensqualität der Patient*innen haben und weitreichende Konsequenzen für die Rehabilitation bringen. Neben der neurologischen und neuropsychologischen Dimension spielen beim Genesungsprozess vor allem psychologische Faktoren eine entscheidende Rolle. Besonders der Placebo-Effekt illustriert die komplexe Beziehung zwischen Geist und Körper. Unsere klinischen Studien untersuchten die Wirksamkeit der restitutiven Therapie auf die trainingsinduzierte Neuroplastizität bei Patient*innen mit Gesichtsfeldausfällen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass nach dem Training bei strenger, eye-tracking-gestützter Gesichtsfeldmessung keine signifikante perimetrisch messbare Verbesserung des Gesichtsfelds gefunden werden kann. Subjektive Bewertungen der Patient*innen deuten jedoch auf Verbesserungen und damit auf einen Placebo-Effekt hin. Zusätzlich zeigen die Ergebnisse unserer Studien, dass restitutives Training möglicherweise bei visuellem Neglect einen positiven Einfluss auf die perimetrisch-messbare Wahrnehmung von Patient*innen haben könnte. Diese Diskrepanzen illustrieren die Notwendigkeit einer strikten Unterscheidung zwischen neurophysiologischen Veränderungen und psychologischen Effekten. Zukünftige Forschung sollte methodisch rigorose Ansätze nutzen, um sowohl bei Patient*innen, als auch bei Behandler*innen realistische Erwartungen zu setzen, bestehende Methoden kritisch zu evaluieren und effektive Behandlungsstrategien weiterzuentwickeln. Besonders die Rolle des Placebo-Effekts sollte weiter beleuchtet und in die Bewertung neuropsychologischer Interventionen im Rehabilitationsprozess bedacht werden. Schlüsselwörter: Gesichtsfeldausfall, Hemianopsie, Neglect, Restitution, Eye-Tracking, Perimetrie, Placebo, Virtual Reality
Between Soul and Spirit: Rohr’s Transformational Spirituality in Pastoral Work
Authors: Červenková Denisa
Published: September 2024

In this paper some typical features of the spirituality of Richard Rohr, one of popular authors who represents one of the dis-tinctive currents of contemporary Catholic spirituality, are described. I focus on several distinctive characteristics that we find captured in his spiritual texts. These include an emphasis on orthopraxy, on the trans-formative nature of spirituality, on contemplation, and on the embod-ied nature of spirituality. Understanding these basic characteristics, also helps to understand the more general tendency of contemporary spirituality, especially that which consciously straddles the boundary between traditional religious offerings and non-traditional forms of spirituality in non-religious settings.
Feature Film as a Literary Work
Authors: Kozłowski Krzysztof
Published: September 2024

The relationships between feature film and literature are typically conceptualized from the perspective of film adaptations. Although numerous shared points between them are noticeable, typically feature films are not treated as literary works tout court.The paper focuses on the difference between the medium and literature, which allows us to look at any feature film as literature in the film medium. “Empirical media studies” (U. Saxer, W. Faulstich) provides the methodological foundation for the paper, and three representative examples are discussed. The first two are extremely different from each other: a feature film preceding a novel (Alien by R. Scott and Alien by A.D. Foster), and the opposite variant, i.e. a feature film based on a novel in the book medium (Barry Lyndon by S. Kubrick and The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon by W.M. Thackeray). The third example (Love Story by A. Hiller and Love Story by E. Segal) is intermediate: the feature film and the novel were released at the same time (Segal wrote the novel based on his ownscenario during the production of the film). The examples analyzed, together with theoretical considerations, show that it is not the so-called “language of film” that makes a film a work of art, but its “literary-logical continuum” (Faulstich), which supports the thesis that all literature is mediated, and that traditional considerations regarding film adaptation should include the issue of literary media to a greater extent.
Scaling Imagination: The Language Machine and Poetry
Authors: Winiecka Elżbieta
Published: September 2024

The article focuses on the specificity and functions of metaphors in the poetry of Radosław Jurczak, and more broadly in the work of the youngest poets, for whom life in the world of digital media and the prospect of the development of artificial intelligence is an important part of their formative experience. The paper uses the terms introduced by Mark Fisher for this purpose: the weird and the eerie. The analysis compares poetic devices in Jurczak’s poems with the concept of poetic language of the first avant-garde, pointing out the changes occurring in the poetics and aesthetics of the works, also focusing on figures relating to the technological sphere of modernity. The paper polemizes with the view expressed by Jerzy Jarzębski, who considers the phrase “artificial intelligence” to be a fashionable and harmful oxymoron that defines the pragmatic, reductionist worldview of its users. The article argues that the incorporation of terms that have the status of catachreses and over-lexicalized metaphors in everyday language into the language of poetry allows their creative potential and ambiguity to be recovered. Finally, the paper considers scaling as a characteristic feature of the new poetic imagination, which also requires readers to take a new approach to the language of the new poetry.
Peaked solitary waves and shock waves of the Degasperis-Procesi-Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation
Authors: Moon Byungsoo , Yang Chao
Published: September 2024

In this study, we establish the existence and nonexistence of smooth and peaked solitary wave solutions (or periodic) to the Degasperis-Procesi-Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (DP-KP) equation with a weak transverse effect. We have also shown that DP-KP equation possesses periodic shock waves similar to that of the Degasperis-Procesi equation.