bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Big Data Analytics to Assess Personality Based on Voice Analysis
Authors: Rubio Víctor J. , Aguado David , Toledano Doroteo T. , Fernández-Gallego María Pilar
Published: November 2024

(1) Background: As far back as the 1930s, it was already thought that gestures, clothing, speech, posture, and gait could express an individual’s personality. Different research programs, some focused on linguistic cues, were launched, though results were inconsistent. The development of new speech analysis technology and the generalization of big data analysis have created an opportunity to test the predictive power of voice features on personality dimensions. This study aims to explore the feasibility of an automatic personality assessment system in the context of personnel selection. (2) Methods: One hundred participants were recorded during an individual interview for voice analysis. They also completed the NEO-FFI and were required to ask and collect the assessment of their personality by a close significant other. Furthermore, an expert estimated participants’ personality dimensions based on the viewing of the recorded interviews. (3) Results: Results showed there are specific voice features related to the externalization of individuals’ personalities (predictions ranging from 0.3 to 0.4). Voice features also predicted significant others’ estimations and expert ratings of the target individual’s personality, though the features were not exactly the same. (4) Conclusions: It is noteworthy that predictions were made based on voice recordings obtained using ordinary devices in controlled but not restricted speech situations, which may make such an approach a promising tool for personality assessment in contexts such as personnel selection.
Sensory Navigation System for Indoor Localization and Orientation of Users with Cognitive Disabilities in Daily Tasks and Emergency Situations
Authors: García-Catalá María Teresa , Martín-Barroso Estefanía , Rodríguez-Sánchez María Cristina , Delgado-Álvaro Marcos , Novak Robert
Published: November 2024

This article presents SmartRoutes, (version 1) a sensory navigation system designed for the localization and guidance of individuals with cognitive disabilities in both indoor and outdoor environments. The platform facilitates route generation in both contexts and provides detailed instructions, enabling effective task execution and seamless integration into daily activities or high-stress situations, such as emergency evacuations. SmartRoutes aims to enhance users’ independence and quality of life by offering comprehensive support for navigation across various settings. The platform is specifically designed to manage routes in both indoor and outdoor environments, targeting individuals with cognitive disabilities that affect orientation and the ability to follow instructions. This solution seeks to improve route learning and navigation, facilitating the completion of routine tasks in work and social contexts. Additionally, in exceptional situations such as emergencies, SmartRoutes ensures that users do not become disoriented or blocked. The application effectively guides users to the most appropriate exit or evacuation point. This combination of route generation and detailed instructions underscores the platform’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility, ultimately contributing to the well-being and autonomy of individuals with cognitive disabilities.
Investigating Nanoscale Interactions of Host–Guest Complexes Formed Between CB[7] and Atenolol by Quantum Chemistry and Ultrasensitive Vibrational Spectroscopy
Authors: Onaciu Anca , Toma Valentin , Borșa Rareș-Mario , Chiș Vasile , Știufiuc Gabriela-Fabiola , Culic Carina , Lucaciu Constantin-Mihai , Știufiuc Rareș-Ionuț
Published: November 2024

In addition to the course of over 20 years of cucurbit-7-uril (CB[7]) in the pharmaceutical industry, the present study brings together the most recent observations from the perspective of ultrasensitive Raman spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory (DFT) related to the interaction of this molecule with atenolol (Ate) enantiomers during the formation of these host–guest complexes. Quantum chemistry calculations based on DFT were first used to understand the interaction geometry between CB[7] and Ate. These results were further confirmed by ultrasensitive vibrational spectroscopy. The spectral features associated with each enantiomer in the presence of CB[7] were analyzed by means of SERS, highlighting distinct interaction profiles. These experimental findings validated quantum chemical calculations, offering a comprehensive understanding of the host–guest interactions at the nanoscale level.
Advanced Low-Cost Technology for Assessing Metal Accumulation in the Body of a Metropolitan Resident Based on a Neural Network Model
Authors: Tunakova Yulia , Novikova Svetlana , Valiev Vsevolod , Danilaev Maxim , Faizullin Rashat
Published: November 2024

This study is devoted to creating a neural network technology for assessing metal accumulation in the body of a metropolis resident with short-term and long-term intake from anthropogenic sources. Direct assessment of metal retention in the human body is virtually impossible due to the many internal mechanisms that ensure the kinetics of metals and the wide variety of organs, tissues, cellular structures, and secretions that ensure their functional redistribution, transport, and cumulation. We have developed an intelligent multi-neural network model capable of calculating the content of metals in the human body based on data on their environmental content. The model is two interconnected neural networks trained on actual measurement data. Since metals enter the body from the environment, the predictors of the model are metal content in drinking water and soil. In this case, water characterizes the short-term impact on the organism, and drinking water, combined with metal contents in soil, is a depository medium that accumulates metals from anthropogenic sources—the long-term impact. In addition, human physiological characteristics are taken into account in the calculations. Each period of exposure is taken into account by its neural network. Two variants of the model are proposed: open loop, where the calculation is performed by each neural network separately, and closed loop, where neural networks work together. The model built in this way was trained and tested on the data of real laboratory studies of 242 people living in different districts of Kazan. As a result, the accuracy of the neural network block for calculating long-term impact was 90% and higher, and the accuracy of the block for calculating short-term impact was 92% and higher. The closed double-loop model showed an accuracy of at least 96%. Conclusions: Our proposed method of assessing and quantifying metal accumulation in the body has high accuracy and reliability. It does not require expensive laboratory tests and allows quantifying the body’s metal accumulation content based on readily available information. The calculation results can be used as a tool for clinical diagnostics and operational and planned management to reduce the levels of polymetallic contamination in urban areas.
A Novel Snow Leopard Optimization for High-Dimensional Feature Selection Problems
Authors: Guo Jia , Ye Wenhao , Wang Dong , He Zhou , Yan Zhou , Sato Mikiko , Sato Yuji
Published: November 2024

To address the limitations of traditional optimization methods in achieving high accuracy in high-dimensional problems, this paper introduces the snow leopard optimization (SLO) algorithm. SLO is a novel meta-heuristic approach inspired by the territorial behaviors of snow leopards. By emulating strategies such as territory delineation, neighborhood relocation, and dispute mechanisms, SLO achieves a balance between exploration and exploitation, to navigate vast and complex search spaces. The algorithm’s performance was evaluated using the CEC2017 benchmark and high-dimensional genetic data feature selection tasks, demonstrating SLO’s competitive advantage in solving high-dimensional optimization problems. In the CEC2017 experiments, SLO ranked first in the Friedman test, outperforming several well-known algorithms, including ETBBPSO, ARBBPSO, HCOA, AVOA, WOA, SSA, and HHO. The effective application of SLO in high-dimensional genetic data feature selection further highlights its adaptability and practical utility, marking significant progress in the field of high-dimensional optimization and feature selection.
Comparative Analysis of Statistical, Time–Frequency, and SVM Techniques for Change Detection in Nonlinear Biomedical Signals
Authors: Azizi Tahmineh
Published: November 2024

Change detection in biomedical signals is crucial for understanding physiological processes and diagnosing medical conditions. This study evaluates various change detection methods, focusing on synthetic signals that mimic real-world scenarios. We examine the following three methods: classical statistical techniques (thresholding based on mean and standard deviation), Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification, and time–frequency analysis using Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT). Each method’s performance is assessed using synthetic signals, including nonlinear signals and those with simulated anomalies. We calculated the F1-score to quantify performance, providing a balanced measure of precision and recall. Results showed that SVM classification outperformed both classical techniques and CWT analysis, achieving a higher F1-score in detecting changes. While all methods struggled with synthetic nonlinear signals, classical techniques and SVM successfully detected changes in signals with simulated anomalies, whereas CWT had difficulty with both types of signals. These findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate change detection methods based on signal characteristics. Future research should explore advanced machine learning and signal processing techniques to improve detection accuracy in biomedical applications.
Recruitment, Affiliation, and Disengagement Among Men in Terrorist Organizations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zitha Licínio Zacarias , Pinheiro Marina Leonor , Gonçalves Rui Abrunhosa , Caridade Sónia
Published: November 2024

Recruitment, affiliation, and disengagement in the context of terrorist groups remain underexplored in a comprehensive, integrated manner. This systematic review is a pioneering effort to address this gap by synthesizing existing knowledge, aiming to analyze the entire trajectory of individuals within terrorist organizations—from recruitment to disengagement—thereby providing a foundation for guiding future research. Conducted through meticulous searches across three major databases—Academic Search Complete, SCOPUS, and the Web of Science Collection—our review followed a pre-registered protocol, ultimately identifying seven studies that met the inclusion criteria. These studies encompass qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research published in peer-reviewed journals, and are accessible in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Our analysis reveals the critical influence of push and pull factors across these phases, emphasizing that retention is predominantly shaped by individual roles within terrorist organizations and the impact of governmental amnesty policies. Diverging from existing segmented approaches, our findings highlight the importance of examining recruitment, retention, and disengagement as a continuous process to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of terrorist involvement. The insights derived from this study offer valuable guidance for counterterrorism strategies, suggesting interventions targeting recruitment, retention, and recidivism by addressing these crucial factors throughout the entire lifecycle of involvement in terrorist organizations.
Chemical and Physical Aspects of Soil Health Resulting from Long-Term No-Till Management
Authors: Hewelke Edyta , Mielnik Lilla , Weber Jerzy , Perzanowska Aneta , Jamroz Elżbieta , Gozdowski Dariusz , Szacki Paweł
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to compare the long-term effects of conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) systems on the main soil properties that determine soil health. The research was conducted in a field experiment established in 1975 in Chylice, central Poland, at the WULS-SGGW Experimental Station Skierniewice. Soil samples collected from 0–10 and 10–20 cm of the mollic horizon of the Phaeozem were analysed for total organic carbon (TOC) content, fractional composition of SOM and spectroscopic properties of humin, soil structural stability, soil water retention characteristics and soil water repellency (SWR). The results showed that NT practice almost doubled the TOC in the 0–10 cm layer. However, optical parameters of humin indicated that NT management promoted the formation of humin with a lower molecular weight and lower degree of condensation of aromatic structures. In the NT 0–10 cm layer, a significant increase in the number of water-resistant macroaggregates was found. In the 0–10 cm layer, the water capacity increased by 9%, 18%, 22% and 26% compared to CT at (certain soil suction) pF values of 0.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.2, respectively. SWR occurs regardless of the cultivation method at a soil moisture equivalent to pF 4.2, and the greatest range of SWR was found in the NT 0–10 cm layer.
Social Sustainability in Urban Parks: Insights from Alaeddin Hill Park, Konya
Authors: Büyükağaçcı Saliha Beste , Arısoy Nurgül
Published: November 2024

This study highlights the importance of social sustainability in the context of urban parks and evaluates its performance using a specific case study. It proposes a comprehensive measurement scale focused on eight dimensions: identity, sense of place, social cohesion, security and safety, equity, facilities, comfort, and accessibility, applied to Alaeddin Hill Park in Konya, Türkiye. Using a quantitative research approach and data collected from 120 participants, this study investigates these dimensions to understand their impact on the park’s social sustainability. The findings of this study reveal that, while Alaeddin Hill Park is highly valued for its identity, facilities, and social cohesion, it requires significant improvements in areas such as security and safety, sense of place, and comfort. Another finding indicates that lower-income respondents report higher levels of comfort and a stronger sense of identification with the park. This study offers practical recommendations for urban park design to improve user satisfaction and social sustainability.
Multivariate Regression-Based Dynamic Simulation Modeling of Cumulative Carbon Emissions from Fields
Authors: Ma Jianqin , Xu Xiaolong , Cui Bifeng , Hao Xiuping , Yang Jiangshan , Yang Shuoguo , Liu Lansong
Published: November 2024

Determining the influencing factors of winter wheat field carbon emissions and their dynamic trends is of great significance to study the carbon emission mechanism of winter wheat, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural fields, and promote the sustainable development of agriculture. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between different influencing factors and CO2 emission fluxes in winter wheat fields and to construct a dynamic simulation model of field carbon emission so as to provide a basis for accurate and convenient calculation of CO2 emission from wheat fields in the Henan region. This study comprehensively considered the effects of the dynamic changes in meteorological, soil, hydrological, and other factors over time on the field carbon emission during the growth process of the crop and carried out a dynamic simulation study of the field carbon emission in the experimental field with six sets of experiments, using the multiple regression method. Six groups of experiments were set up, and a multi-parameter field carbon emission dynamic model was constructed by the multiple regression method to simulate the optimal calculation model. The results showed that the simulated values of field CO2 emissions were consistent with the trend of the measured values, and the total cumulative CO2 emissions in fields A1, A2, and A3 were 8624.2 kg/hm2, 7924.3 kg/hm2, and 7531.4 kg/hm2, respectively, while the model-simulated values were 9399.2 kg/hm2, 8935.2 kg/hm2, and 8371.1 kg/hm2. The errors between the simulated and actual emissions were 7.9%, 12.8%, and 11.1%, respectively, indicating a high accuracy in the simulation results. The model developed in this study comprehensively accounts for the dynamic impacts of meteorological, soil, and hydraulic factors on CO2 emissions, effectively reflecting the dynamic changes in field carbon emissions and achieving high calculation accuracy.
A New Framework for Condition and Risk Assessment for Sustainable Management of PT Bridges
Authors: Feghhi Masood , Khedmatgozar Dolati Seyed Saman , Mehrabi Armin , Malla Pranit , Tabiatnejad Dariya
Published: November 2024

The state-of-the-art literature in engineering provides information on the current state of technical subjects, shapes the understanding of relevant research, and communicates potential next directions for future exploration in relation with condition and risk assessment and sustainable maintenance of post-tensioned (PT) concrete bridges. However, the formulation of a quantitative methodological framework in selecting suitable safety assessment and management techniques for in-service PT concrete bridges is insufficient in the current literature. The absence of such a framework could render ineffective the sustainability of bridge maintenance strategies. In addition, the failure of structural assets due to deterioration and lack of proper maintenance is regarded as an important risk aspect. This is because structural failure often results in adverse economic, environmental, and safety outcomes. To underscore this, formulating mitigation strategies through sustainable asset maintenance programs is consequential. In recognition of the current limitation, this paper proposes a new framework with a structured methodology for the risk assessment and management of PT concrete bridges. This framework helps the bridge practitioners to navigate through design, inspection results, environmental factors, estimation of probability of failure, and corresponding consequences to calculate the risk and decide on the maintenance. It encompasses the decision on the type and interval of the inspection regime, repair and strengthening, and potentially replacing existing work. The presentation of this framework is original in that it carries the stochastic approach through all steps of risk assessment and maintenance decision making while allowing room for the inclusion of evolving methods. The proposed framework can be used for the development of a complete guide capable of stochastic, reliability-based, data-driven, and quantitative risk assessment and maintenance management for PT concrete bridges.
Living with Risks: Changes in Risk Perception in the Campi Flegrei Volcanic Area (South Italy)
Authors: Galderisi Adriana , Limongi Giada
Published: November 2024

Campi Flegrei (Southern Italy) is the largest volcanic caldera in Europe and one of the most densely inhabited all over the world. The Campi Flegrei region has been populated for millennia and has been well known for the episodic periods of uplift, subsidence and seismicity since Roman times. Nevertheless, also due to the long time that has passed since the last eruption, the population’s awareness of living in a high-risk area is quite limited. Furthermore, spatial and emergency planning in this area has been long neglected and often ineffective. Hence, following a brief description of the most recent volcanic events occurred in Campi Flegrei, this paper provides an overview of the emergency and spatial plans and of the risk communication activities so far implemented. Then, the results of a survey carried out in the last year highlight the main gaps in hazard and risk awareness as well as in the knowledge of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) system. A comparison of the survey’s outcomes with those of a previous one, published in 2013, allows for the understanding if residents’ risk perception and awareness have changed due to the still on-going unrest phase. The outcomes of the survey may be useful to drive local authorities towards more integrated policies to improve resilience to disasters and implement holistic DRM at all levels, in line with goal 11, target 11.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Navigating the Digital Divide for Sustainability: Emotional and Cognitive Pathways to Food Waste Reduction Through Social Media Advertising
Authors: Liu Congying , Chen Lupin , Arshad Muhammad Hassan
Published: November 2024

Applying behavioral reasoning theory, this study examines the effect of social media food waste advertising on consumers’ intention not to waste food, with customer–brand communal engagement and awareness of food waste consequences acting as mediators, and fast-food customers’ altruism as a moderator. Structural equation modeling was applied to data from 422 customers of Malaysian retail fast-food chains. The findings reveal that social media food waste advertising positively affects customers’ intentions not to waste food directly and indirectly through two mediators: awareness of food waste consequences and customer–brand communal engagement. The stronger mediator was awareness, and it indicated that cognitive factors play a greater role in pro-environmental behaviors than emotional ones. Additionally, this study demonstrates that customer altruism moderates the cognitive pathway but not the emotional pathway. The results of these findings suggest that social media campaigns should focus on both cognitive and emotional dimensions as well as personal value to maximize effectiveness. The findings have implications for fast-food chains to design more effective social media campaigns that promote food waste reduction as part of broader sustainability goals in the food industry.
‘Measuring What Matters’: Resident Well-Being and the Tourism Policy Cycle
Authors: Dwyer Larry
Published: November 2024

As the study of well-being has matured as a statistical and measurement agenda, it has gained relevance as a guide to public policy, generating more comprehensive metrics of human progress and embedding them in public policy initiatives and assessments. Internationally, a growing number of governments are attempting to ‘measure what matters’ through the use of well-being frameworks for policy decision-making at different stages of the policy cycle. The overarching vision is to enhance sustainable well-being, reflecting fulfilled lives of persons living now and in the future. Embedded within a conception of the ‘Well-being Economy’, this effort is argued to have substantial implications for tourism destination planning, management, policy assessment, and research. Following an overview of international progress in ‘measuring what matters’, important sources and indicators of well-being are identified, and their relevance to sustainable tourism development is emphasised. The paper thence highlights the potential advantages of using a well-being framework to guide the tourism policy cycle, addressing challenges that arise. The paper concludes with a proposed well-being action and research agenda for destination managers and other tourism stakeholders.
Motor Asymmetry in Football: Implications for Muscular Power, Balance, and Injury Prevention
Authors: Haddad Monoem
Published: November 2024

This review explores the prevalence and impacts of muscular power and dynamic balance motor asymmetry among football players, emphasizing its impact on performance and injury risk. Motor asymmetry frequently occurs in football, largely due to the sport’s specific demands, including the frequent use of one leg for kicking and passing. While some motor asymmetry may lead to functional specialization and does not always hinder performance, significant imbalances are often linked to an increased risk of injuries, particularly to the lower extremities. Dynamic balance motor asymmetry is also associated with a higher risk of non-contact injuries, underscoring the importance of joint stability in preventing such injuries. However, the direct impact of balance motor asymmetry on performance metrics like sprint speed and agility is less definitive, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms or training adaptations could mitigate potential negative effects. Technological advances in assessment, such as motion capture systems and wearable devices, have enhanced the precision of asymmetry evaluations, enabling more targeted interventions. In addition, personalized training interventions, informed by real-time data from these technologies, allow for tailored rehabilitation and performance optimization, addressing asymmetry-related risks early. Despite these technological advancements, there is a significant gap in understanding how motor asymmetry affects underrepresented groups, such as female football players and youth athletes. Further research is needed to investigate motor asymmetry in these populations, particularly to assess the long-term impact on injury risk and performance. Addressing these gaps will provide valuable insights into the development of gender- and age-specific training interventions. This review recommends a multidisciplinary approach, integrating biomechanics, sports medicine, and coaching insights, to develop comprehensive strategies for managing motor asymmetry in football. Such strategies, supported by real-time monitoring and tailored interventions, will be crucial for optimizing player performance, minimizing injury risk, and improving training and rehabilitation programs tailored to the diverse needs of football players.
Exploring Symmetry in Industrial Decision-Making: A New Framework Based on Cubic Type-2 Fuzzy Soft Sets
Authors: Alsager Kholood Mohammad , Alharbi Hajar Abdullah
Published: November 2024

Industry 4.0 supply chains, characterized by dynamic environments, uncertainty, and intricate interdependencies, necessitate robust decision-making tools. While existing models have made strides in addressing these complexities, they often struggle to effectively handle the high degree of uncertainty inherent in such systems. To bridge this gap, this research introduces a novel framework grounded in the axioms of Cubic Type-2 Fuzzy Soft Sets (CT2FSSs). By leveraging the enhanced flexibility and uncertainty-handling capabilities of CT2FSSs, our proposed framework empowers decision-makers to navigate complexities, optimize supply chain processes, and mitigate risks while maintaining symmetry in decision-making. Through rigorous theoretical analysis and practical applications, this study not only advances fuzzy set theory but also demonstrates its efficacy in the context of Industry 4.0. The unique contribution of this research lies in the development of a CT2FSS-based framework that offers superior adaptability to uncertain and complex environments, thereby enhancing the resilience and performance of supply chains in symmetrical scenarios.
Evaluation of a Natural Superabsorbent Polymer on Water Retention Capacity in Coarse-Textured Soils
Authors: Palma Diego , Lagos Octavio , Souto Camilo , Pérez Andrés , Quezada Luciano , Hirzel Juan , Vera Myleidi , Ulloa José , Urbano Bruno
Published: November 2024

Water availability, a vital factor in agriculture, is being threatened by shortages caused by droughts, desertification, and climate change. In this context, hydrogels, polymers with high water absorption and retention capacity, emerge as key solutions to improve water use efficiency in irrigation. This study investigated the effect of a natural superabsorbent hydrogel (TG) at different concentrations (0.3%, 0.5%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) on the water retention capacity in three coarse-textured soils and one medium-textured soil. Results are compared to an existing commercial polymer (COM). The evaluation shows that both polymers increase the values of the water retention curve; however, higher values were observed with TG. The addition of both hydrogels was compared in the increase of the available water capacity (AWC). For sand soil, the TG obtained a statistically significant difference of a 26% greater AWC when compared to the COM superabsorbent. Soils with a higher percentage of sand tend to obtain a greater improvement in the AWC. There is a proportional relationship of the increase in the AWC when increasing hydrogel concentration (R2 = 0.74). Sand soil with a concentration of 0.5% of the TG showed 17.8% of the AWC, while for a concentration of 1.0% of this hydrogel, a value of 35.8% of the AWC was obtained. However, in soils with higher clay content, such as silt loam, the effect was smaller. Finally, the time required to reach a permanent wilting point (PWP) was compared. The loam sand soil increased the time to reach the PWP by more than three times using the TG or COM when compared to the same soil without any hydrogel concentration. In conclusion, the TG significantly improves water retention in coarse and medium-textured soils, making it a promising solution for improving water efficiency in agriculture, especially in drought-affected regions. However, additional field studies are needed to evaluate its long-term durability and environmental compatibility, ensuring its applicability under real agricultural conditions.
Perched Hydrologic Systems of the Monahans and the Kermit Dune Fields, Northern Chihuahuan Desert, West Texas, USA
Authors: Fournier Alix , Forman Steven L. , Mayhack Connor
Published: November 2024

This study highlights the importance of quantifying groundwater resources for the Monahans and Kermit dune fields in the northern Chihuahua Desert, West Texas, USA, as potential contributors to the regional Pecos Valley Aquifer (PVA). Dunal aquifers in arid environments are often unquantified, may augment regional groundwater resources, and can be compromised by anthropogenic activity. Sedimentary architecture models of these dune fields show perched aquifers with water tables 1–10 m below the surface and southwestern groundwater flow sub-parallel to a Pleistocene/Pliocene aquitard. The deuterium and oxygen isotopic ratios for groundwater from the Kermit and Monahans dune fields show pronounced evaporative isotopic depletion and less isotopic variability than corresponding rainfall, particularly for deuterium values. The radiocarbon and δ13C analyses of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) indicate that recharge occurs through enhanced capture of recent precipitation on mostly bare active dunes where infiltration rates are >250 mm/h. In contrast, more evolved 14C values at the western margin (FM = 0.84) and at 30 m below the surface (FM = 0.76) of the dunes, similar to proximal Fm values from the PVA (0.89–0.82), may indicate dissolution of older (>100 ka) DIC from buried playa-lake sediments and less direct atmospheric influence. Mixing models for DIC source partitioning highlighted possible groundwater contamination with hydrocarbon up to 24% in the PVA and in the dunal aquifers. The perched aquifers of the Monahans and Kermit dune fields each contain water volumes >0.1 km3 and may contribute up to 18% of the total annual recharge to the PVA.
Are Water Filters Effective Against Microplastics?
Authors: da Costa Igor David , Nunes Natalia Neto dos Santos , Costa Leonardo Lopes , Zalmon Ilana Rosental
Published: November 2024

Microplastics (MPs) are reported as ubiquitous in the environment. In recent years, these microplastic particles have been found in table salt, seafood, and honey, as well as in drinking water. However, the process by which water reaches households for consumption has not yet been investigated. Thus, we compared the concentration, shape, color, size, and polymer types of MPs in water sources that have passed through different filtration techniques for human consumption such as water purifiers, ceramic filters, and tap water. A total of 9262 items of microplastics were identified in the analyzed water samples. Higher MP concentration (ANOVA, F = 68.16; D.F. = 2; p < 0.01) was observed in water from purifiers (1.41 MPs/L) and taps (1.13 MPs/L) compared to ceramic filter water (0.49 MPs/L). Transparent fibers ranging in size from <500 µ to >5 mm, composed of polyester, polypropylene, and polyamide, were predominant in all water samples. We emphasize that regulations and restrictions related to the production and use of plastics, promotion of environmental education (scientific dissemination) for the population, and the development and popularization of filters that promote the retention of MPs at the source and also in sinks are useful measures for reducing contamination of water bodies and water for human consumption.
Sex and Women in the Archive and New Imaginaries of Female Same-Sex Relations in the Late Nineteenth Century
Authors: Andreassen Rikke
Published: November 2024

The article aims to contribute to queer histories of marginalised people and those who have left behind limited traces. It analyses medical sources informing about female same-sex relations among poor and marginalised women in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the late nineteenth century. The medical sources repeatedly mention how women in prostitution engaged in sexual and romantic relations with one other. The article provides examples of how female same-sex relations were described as passionate and dramatic, as well as violent, and proposes an expanded notion of female same-sex relations to accommodate “grim” stories of intimate partner violence and death. Furthermore, the medical reports associated women’s relations with carnal sex, . Finally, the article suggests that it might not have been the gender of a woman’s same-sex partner but rather the woman’s sexual activity, that caused condemnation. As the medical sources are confined to inform about women’s encounters with power authorities, such as doctors and police, I employ “imaginary scenarios” (Hartman 2021) to be able to represent the same-sex relations in a more profound way.
‘I love my country even if it does not love me back’
Authors: Levitanus Mariya , Kislitsyna Polina
Published: November 2024

This article aims to understand how the (im)possibility of emigration impacts queer post-Soviet identities, narratives, and everyday life. It is based on two studies: one biographical interview study conducted in Russia, and one conducted in Kazakhstan using in-depth narrative interviews. As a result of the high rate of homophobia, queer people from both countries contemplate emigrating to the West. According to our findings, the West is imagined as an “ideal place.” For some queer people, it is the only place where they can imagine a future, while for others emigration is hypothetical. The findings reveal the effects of this potentiality of emigration on the life and relationships of queer participants. For those who want to leave but are unable to do so due to practical obstacles or a lack of resources, inner emigration appears to serve as a survival strategy for managing a reality that is difficult to tolerate. The article applies postcolonial optics to explore the complex relationship between Kazakhstan, Russia, and the West, and the intersections of national, gender, and sexual identities.
Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration among Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals
Authors: Ummak Esra , Toplu-Demirtas Ezgi , Schei Jessen Reidar
Published: November 2024

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health concern that profoundly affects not only heterosexual but also lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations. Although studies conducted outside Norway have reported similar prevalence rates of IPV in heterosexual and LGB relationships, no published studies from Norway, whether academic or from nongovernmental organizations, have focused specifically on IPV prevalence rates in the LGB population. One reason might be the absence of a standardized tool to measure IPV. In this study, as researchers with backgrounds in social psychology, violence and minority studies, we firstly aim to evaluate the validity of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-R) in understanding the intimate partner violence experiences of LGB individuals. Secondly, we investigate how common various forms of perpetration and victimization are within the LGB community, specifically looking at psychological aggression, physical assault, and sexual coercion. We are also interested in whether there are any differences in the experiences of these forms of violence based on sexual orientation. To conduct this research, we studied 285 LGB individuals in Norway, aged between 18 and 64 (mean age = 31.80 years). The results of a correlation analysis revealed that all types of victimization from and perpetration of violence are positively and strongly associated. Chi-square tests indicated that there was no significant difference among LGB individuals in psychological and physical victimization or perpetration. However, gay individuals reported significantly higher sexual IPV victimization and perpetration than lesbian and bisexual individuals. Overall, we suggest that the CTS-R has satisfactory construct validity and effectively helps gauge psychological, physical, and sexual IPV in the LGB population. Moreover, we conclude that psychological, physical, and sexual IPV perpetration and victimization are prevalent in LGB relationships in Norway, and thus, that LGB IPV warrants further investigation into its antecedents and consequences.
‘Be a man!’
Authors: Fong David
Published: November 2024

This autoethnographic article adopts Rosemarie Anderson’s (2001) notion of embodied writing to ruminate on the bodily violence done to the effeminate body by hegemonic masculinity, heteronormativity and femophobia. Specifically, this text seeks to underscore how the socio-culture discourse to “be a man” bears negative consequences for the effeminate body from childhood to adulthood and from the schoolyard to the opera stage. Masculinity and queer theories, alongside the theories of Gilles Deleuze, Felix Guattari, and Audre Lorde, are interwoven with the auto-narratives and serve as theoretical lenses through which the author widens his narratives beyond the self, situating his experiences within historical and theoretical contexts to contribute to the scholarship around masculinity and opera. At the end of this text, the author suggests that by creating Lordeian connections, new expressions of masculinity might be sought, which could pave the way for new futures within opera.
Psykoanalys för ofärdiga kön
Authors: Landgren Siri
Published: November 2024

Saketopoulou, Avgi & Ann Pellegrini. 2023. Gender Without Identity. New York: The Unconscious in Translation. (180 s)
Managing Unpredictability
Authors: Jaaksi Vilja
Published: November 2024

While research has delved into the political and protest potential of memes, the analyses have largely left out political memes of marginalized communities. This article provides an analysis of Finnish trans memes on Instagram, focusing simultaneously on their political arguments and on the intimate public formed around them. Based on 18 media diaries and interviews with Finnish gender minorities, this article explores how Finnish trans memes on Instagram articulate how unjust social infrastructures create vulnerability and unpredictability in trans lives, while at the same time creating feelings of connection between and across identities, and alleviating feelings of vulnerability through laughter and care. The article challenges the traditional notion of politics as being outside of intimate publics, arguing that Finnish trans memes’ articulation of the vulnerability and unpredictability resulting from unjust infrastructure is, in fact, the connecting glue of the intimate public.
Immunolocalisation and mRNA expression of selected sirtuins in the avian liver
Authors: Jaszcza Klaudia , Kucharski Mirosław , Grzegorzewska Agnieszka K.
Published: November 2024

J aszcza K., K ucharski M., G rzegorzewska A. K. 2024. Immunolocalisation and mRNA expression of selected sirtuins in the avian liver. Folia Biologica (Kraków) 72: 97-108. Sirtuins are evolutionary conserved enzymes that function as NAD+ -dependent deacetylases and ribosyl-transferases.
Seven sirtuins (SIRT1-7) with specific distributions and functions in the cell have been detected in mammals. They have also been detected in birds. Sirtuins regulate the DNA repair function, the cell cycle and metabolism. Many studies concerning anti-aging factors are currently focused on
the potential of sirtuins. The aim of the study was to determine the expression of four sirtuin genes (SIRT1, SIRT3, SIRT6 and SIRT7) and to immunolocalise SIRT1 and SIRT7 protein in chicken and quail liver tissue at the ages of embryonic development to 32 weeks old. The SIRT1
mRNA expression was found to be significantly higher in the embryonic livers than in the posthatch and older bird livers, whereas the SIRT3 and SIRT7 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the embryonic than in the older bird livers. The SIRT3, SIRT6 and
SIRT7 mRNA expression was highest in the livers isolated from chicken at the age of 32 weeks. The immunopositive expression of SIRT1 and SIRT7 in the liver has been demonstrated in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, both in embryonic and in adult birds. It may indicate these enzymes play an
important role in the liver's development and functions. They may be key regulators of glucose and lipid metabolism. Thus, the avian model may be very helpful in gaining knowledge about the mechanism of action of sirtuins, which can be used in anti-aging medicine and in the treatment of metabolic
diseases.
Análise da mortalidade infantil em Sergipe: fatores determinantes nas últimas duas décadas
Authors: Rodrigues Amandha Victória de Pinho Gonzaga , Abril Victória Silveira , Bispo Ana Jovina Barreto
Published: November 2024

O trabalho tem como problema central a alta mortalidade infantil no estado de Sergipe, que segue em contramão à tendência de queda nacional. O estudo objetiva identificar os fatores maternos relacionados a essa mortalidade e as principais patologias envolvidas entre 2002 e 2022. A pesquisa é quantitativa e utiliza dados do Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade (SIM) e do Sistema de Informações de Nascidos Vivos (SINASC), analisando variáveis como escolaridade, idade materna, tipo de gravidez, entre outras. Os resultados indicam que, apesar de uma queda até 2010, houve um aumento preocupante na taxa de mortalidade infantil em Sergipe a partir de 2015, excetuando-se os anos de pandemia. O perfil predominante das mães incluía jovens de 15 a 24 anos, com escolaridade de 8 a 11 anos e gravidez única. As principais causas de morte foram afecções perinatais, malformações congênitas e doenças infecciosas.Conclui-se que, apesar de avanços, a mortalidade infantil em Sergipe permanece elevada devido à inadequada assistência pré-natal e ao recém-nascido, especialmente em áreas mais vulneráveis. O estudo reforça a importância de políticas públicas focadas em melhorar a assistência à gestante e ao recém-nascido, como forma de reduzir as mortes evitáveis
Relação entre desequilíbrio da microbiota intestinal e doenças intestinais: uma revisão bibliográfica
Authors: Bortolotto Geovana Dagostim Savi , Souza Gabriela Cavalcanti de , Pires Yasmin Petter , Machado Guilherme da Silva
Published: November 2024

A microbiota intestinal é formada por microrganismos que se encontram em equilíbrio juntamente com um bom funcionamento do sistema imunológico do indivíduo. Mudanças da microbiota intestinal que ocasionam alterações nessas funções metabólicas contribuem para disbiose e consequentemente para várias doenças intestinais. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica, focando em trabalhos dos últimos dez anos que relacionam o desequilíbrio da microbiota intestinal com doenças intestinais. A estratégia metodológica foi a revisão bibliográfica com abordagem qualitativa. Os bancos de dados foram: Pubmed e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, usando os termos de busca: “microbiota” and “gut” and “imbalance” and “disease” and “human” ou “microbiota” e “intestino” e “desequilíbrio” e “doença” e “humana”. Os critérios de inclusão foram: “title” ou “abstract”, “free full text”, “full text”, “open access”, “English”, “Portuguese”, “2014 to 2024”. Artigos duplicados, artigos de revisão, artigos que envolviam experimentação exclusivamente laboratorial ou animal ou que não abrangiam os objetivos do trabalho foram removidos seguindo os critérios de exclusão. Um total de 5 artigos foram analisados nesta revisão bibliográfica. Essa revisão traz os estudos mais recentes envolvendo o tema da microbiota humana intestinal com as possíveis doenças intestinais relacionadas ao seu desequilíbrio. A microbiota em doenças intestinais como síndrome do intestino irritável, colite ulcerativa e doença de Crohn são discutidas nesta revisão. Os avanços na tecnologia de sequenciamento de DNA têm permitido uma compreensão mais profunda da composição da microbiota intestinal, facilitando a identificação de populações bacterianas e suas relações com doenças inflamatórias intestinais. A identificação de microrganismos que atuam como biomarcadores para essas doenças intestinais pode possibilitar o desenvolvimento de novas intervenções clínicas, centradas na modulação da microbiota.
Efeito dos bloqueios regionais na analgesia multimodal em cirurgia cardíaca: uma revisão narrativa de literatura
Authors: Barroso Daiana Clara Bueno de Sousa Brandão , Silva Christiane Rodrigues da , Gonzalez Leopoldo Palheta
Published: November 2024

Em virtude das técnicas de anestesia regional na forma de vários bloqueios ter ganhado atenção como um componente valioso da analgesia multimodal que melhora a qualidade da recuperação do paciente e, ao mesmo tempo, minimizar os danos da administração de opioides, o objetivo dessa revisão narrativa é sintetizar as evidências científicas recentes sobre os bloqueios regionais em cirurgia cardíaca como parte da analgesia multimodal no contexto do protocolo ERAS. Foi realizada uma busca no banco de dados PubMed, através dos seguintes termos de pesquisa em inglês “Regional blocking”; “Multimodal anestesia”; Cardiac surgery”, por meio da combinação dos operadores booleanos “AND” e “OR”. A pesquisa resultou na identificação de quatro bloqueios mais eficazes para controle de dor em pacientes submetidos a cirurgias cardíacas: Bloqueio do Plano Eretor da Espinha, Bloqueio do Peitoral I e II, Bloqueio do Plano Serrátil Anterior e Bloqueio Paraesternal. Dos quatro tipos de bloqueios levantados nesta revisão, observou-se que todos apresentam benefícios que vão desde menor pontuação na escala de dor, diminuição do consumo de opioides, redução do tempo em ventilação mecânica e, por conseguinte, da permanência na UTI, o que permite concluir que os bloqueios regionais em cirurgia cardíaca como parte da analgesia multimodal no contexto do protocolo ERAS são, em sua maioria, seguros, com pouco risco de complicações e grande eficácia.