bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The application of Rumex abyssinicus based activated carbon for Brilliant Blue Reactive dye adsorption from aqueous solution
Authors: Mengistu Ashagrie , Abewaa Mikiyas , Adino Eba , Gizachew Ebisa , Abdu Jemal
Published: July 2023

The environmental pollution and human health impacts associated with the discharge of massive dye-containing effluents necessitate a search for cost-effective treatment technology. Therefore, this research work is conducted with the objective of investigating the potential of Rumex abyssinicus-derived activated carbon (RAAC) for the adsorption of Brilliant Blue Reactive (BBR) dye from aqueous solutions. Chemical activation with H3PO4 followed by pyrolysis was used to prepare the adsorbent. Characterization of the developed adsorbent was done using proximate analysis, pH point of zero charge (pHpzc), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental design and the effect of independent variables including pH (2, 6, and 10), initial dye concentration (50, 100, and 150 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 g/100 mL), and contact time (20, 50, and 80 min) were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with Box Behnken design (BBD). The analysis results revealed the exitance of high specific surface area of 524 m2/g, morphological cracks, and the presence of multiple functional groups like –OH, C=C, alkene, and amorphous structure. Maximum removal efficiency of 99.98% was attained at optimum working conditions of pH 2, contact time of 50 min, dye concentration of 100 mg/L, and adsorbent dosage of 0.15 mg/100 mL, reducing the pollutant concentration from 100 to 0.02 mg/L. Evaluation of the experimental data was done using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Sips isotherm models, in which the Langmuir model was found to be the best fit with the experimental data at R2 0.986. This shows that the adsorbent surface is homogeneous and mono-layered. Furthermore, the kinetic study confirmed that the pseudo second-order model best describes the experimental data with R2 = 0.999. In general, the research work showed that the low cost, environmental friendliness and high adsorption capabilities of the activated carbon derived from Rumex abyssinicus could be taken as an effective nt for the removal of BBR dye from aqueous solutions.
Evaluation of the innate immune response of caprine neutrophils against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in vitro
Authors: Criado Miguel , Pérez Valentín , Arteche-Villasol Noive , Elguezabal Natalia , Molina Elena , Benavides Julio , Gutiérrez-Expósito Daniel
Published: July 2023

Neutrophils constitute an essential component of the innate immune response, readily killing most bacteria through phagocytosis, degranulation, and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) among other mechanisms. These cells play an unclear role in mycobacterial infections such as Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map), the etiological agent of paratuberculosis, and its response is particularly understudied in ruminants. Herein, a wide set of techniques were adapted, or newly developed, to study the in vitro response of caprine neutrophils after Map infection. Immunofluorescence was used to demonstrate, simultaneously, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, degranulation, and NETs. The quantification of neutrophil phagocytic activity against Map at a 1:10 multiplicity of infection (MOI), through flow cytometry, showed values that varied from 4.54 to 5.63% of phagocyting neutrophils. By immunofluorescence, a 73.3 ± 14.5% of the fields showed NETs, and the mean release of DNA, attributable to NETosis, calculated through a fluorometric method, was 16.2 ± 3.5%. In addition, the RNA expression of TGF-β, TNF and IL-1β cytokines, measured through reverse transcription qPCR, was significantly higher in the two latter. Overall, neutrophil response was proportional to the number of bacteria. This work confirms that the simultaneous study of several neutrophil mechanisms, and the combination of different methodologies, are essential to reach a comprehensive understanding of neutrophil response against pathogens, demonstrates that, in vitro, caprine neutrophils display a strong innate response against Map, using their entire repertoire of effector functions, and sets the basis for further in vitro and in vivo studies on the role of neutrophils in paratuberculosis.
Joint inversion of ocean-bottom pressure and GNSS data from the 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake
Authors: Kim SatByul , Saito Tatsuhiko , Kubota Tatsuya , Chang Sung-Joon
Published: July 2023

When the 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake generated a large tsunami off eastern Hokkaido, Japan, it was detected by cabled ocean-bottom pressure gauges (OBPs) installed within the seismic source region. The OBP records included characteristic features of tsunami waveforms in the source region, indicating significant offset due to the permanent sea-bottom displacement, which can provide critical information about the earthquake source. However, no studies have considered the OBP tsunami data observed in the focal region for the source inversion of the Tokachi-oki earthquake. Here, in order to better understand the 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake source, we estimate the spatial distribution of fault slip by conducting a joint inversion using two different datasets: tsunami data from four OBPs, located in the focal region and about 300 km away to the south, as well as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data obtained throughout Hokkaido and northern Honshu. Through our joint inversion, we found that the most dominant slip peak is located 40 km northwest from the hypocenter with an abnormally large slip of $$\sim$$
∼
15 m. This large slip may result from releasing a high amount of slip deficit accumulated by a stick–slip patch surrounded by stable slip regions on the southernmost Kuril subduction zone. By comparing the OBP observations and the synthetic tsunami waveforms derived from our fault model and other fault models, we conclude that the OBP tsunami data recorded within the focal region better constrained the magnitude and the location of the slip compared to other geophysical data.

Graphical Abstract
An 8-gene predicting survival model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to pyroptosis and cuproptosis
Authors: Wang Hongjin , Wang Nian , Tang Ze , Liu Qiuyu , Nie Shiyu , Tao Wu
Published: July 2023

Background

The study aimed to establish a prognostic survival model with 8 pyroptosis-and-cuproptosis-related genes to examine the prognostic effect in patients of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

We downloaded gene expression data and clinical information of HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The clustering analysis and cox regression with LASSO were used for constructing an 8 PCmRNAs survival model. Using TCGA, ICGC and GEO cohort, the overall survival (OS) between high- and low- risk group was determined. We also evaluated independent prognostic indicators using univariate and multivariate analyses. The relatively bioinformatics analysis, including immune cell infiltration, function enrichment and drug sensitivity analyses, was performed as well. The gene expression of 8 PCmRNAs in vitro were validated in several HCC cell lines by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The relationship between GZMA and Fludarabine were further checked by CCK-8 assay.

Results

The survival prognostic model was constructed with ATP7A, GLS, CDKN2A, BAK1, CHMP4B, NLRP6, NOD1 and GZMA using data from TCGA cohort. The ICGC and GEO cohort were used for model validation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed a good survival prediction by this model. Risk scores had the highest predictable value for survival among Stage, Age, Gender and Grade. Most Immune cells and immune functions were decreased in high-risk group. Besides, function enrichment analyses showed that steroid metabolic process, hormone metabolic process, collagen − containing extracellular matrix, oxidoreductase activity and pyruvate metabolism were enriched. Potential drugs targeted different PCDEGs like Nelarabine, Dexamethasone and Fludarabine were found as well. ATP7A, GLS, CDKN2A, BAK1, CHMP4B, NOD1 were upregulated while NLRP6 and GZMA were downregulated in most HCC cell lines. The potential therapy of Fludarabine was demonstrated when GZMA was low expressed in Huh7 cell line.

Conclusion

We constructed a novel 8-gene (ATP7A, GLS, CDKN2A, BAK1, CHMP4B, NLRP6, NOD1 and GZMA) prognostic model and explored potential functional information and microenvironment of HCC, which might be worthy of clinical application. In addition, several potential chemotherapy drugs were screened and Fludarabine might be effective for HCC patients whose GZMA was low expressed.
Cultural Heritage Protection and Artificial Intelli-gence; The future of our historical past
Authors: Giannini Eugenia , Makri Evi
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to present the existing regulatory framework, both at the level of the European Union and at the level of Greece, regarding the protection of cultural goods and the wider cultural heritage. The paper is a comprehensive overview of the conventions, agreements and legal texts adopted, at the international and regional level, for the protection of cultural heritage.

In particular, the paper begins with the presentation of the main terminology aiming to give the concept of cultural heritage as it has been shaped over time and the elements that define it.

Therefore, in the first part, the paper presents the main definitions as set through the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972.

Then, the paper, in the second part, analyzes the existing regulatory protection framework as it applies in the European Union. First, the basic pieces of European legislation aiming at protecting cultural heritage, at all levels and by any means, are presented. Then, the corresponding framework established at the national level, in Greece, is analyzed in a similar way.

In the third part, the connection with Artificial Intelligence (Artificial Intelligence and henceforth AI) is attempted. The connection focuses on two main areas: the first concerns the possibilities that Artificial Intelligence provides in the protection of Cultural Heritage and the second the possibilities offered through AI in improving the accessibility of the individual to cultural goods. Finally, the approach of developing that regulatory framework that will delimit the possibilities of AI within the framework of Ethics and the reliability of Artificial Intelligence methods is attempted.
Design of Off-Grid Lighting Business Models to Serve the Poor: Field Experiments and Structural Analysis
Authors: Uppari Bhavani Shanker , Netessine Serguei , Popescu Ioana , Clarke Rowan P.
Published: July 2023

A significant proportion of the world’s population has no access to grid-based electricity and so relies on off-grid lighting solutions. Rechargeable lamp technology is gaining popularity as an alternative off-grid lighting model in developing countries. In this paper, we explore consumer behavior and the operational inefficiencies that result under this model. Specifically, we are interested in (i) measuring the impact of inconvenience (of traveling to recharge the lamp) along with the impact of liquidity constraints (because of poverty) on lamp usage and (ii) evaluating the efficacy of strategies that address these factors. We build a structural model of consumers’ recharge decisions that incorporates several operational features of the low-income regions. We conducted large-scale field experiments in Rwanda in partnership with a local rechargeable lamp operator and use the resultant data to estimate and test our model. We find that the complete removal of inconvenience and liquidity constraints from the current business model results in 73% and 126% increases in both recharges and revenue, thereby suggesting that these constraints are major sources of inefficiency. By implementing simple operations-based strategies—such as starting more recharge centers, visiting consumers periodically to collect their lamps for recharge, and allowing consumers to partially recharge their lamps and pay flexibly for the recharge—more than half the benefit of completely eliminating the inefficiencies can be attained. By contrast, the price- and capacity-based strategies that vary the economic variables (i.e., the amount paid per recharge and the amount of light obtained in return) but not the operational model perform far worse than the aforementioned strategies. Overall, our analysis emphasizes the importance of managing operations effectively even in markets with cash-constrained consumers, in which firms may have a natural tendency to focus more on reducing prices.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.

Funding: This work was supported by the International Growth Centre; Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; and Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires; The Environment and Energy Partnership; Grand Challenges Canada (Stars in Global Health); INSEAD’s Emerging Markets Institute; INSEAD’s Randomized Controlled Trials Laboratory; the INSEAD–Wharton Alliance, and International Growth Centre.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4844 .
HADIS-HADIS TENTANG LEMPARAN DEBU KEPADA ORANG YANG MEMUJI (Studi Ma’ānī Al-Ḥadīṡ)
Authors: Nahar Muhammad Hasnan , Malik Az Zahra Fatimah
Published: July 2023

Sifat asal atau fitrah manusia pada dasarnya senang dipuji dan dikagumi, karena pujian adalah bentuk dari perhatian orang lain terhadap dirinya. Sedangkanpandangan Islam terkait memberikan pujian Nabi Saw. senantiasa mengingatkankepada umatnya untuk berhati-hati ketika memberikan pujian kepada orang lain bahkan beliau memerintahkan untuk melempar debu kepada orang yang memberikan pujian. Meskipun dalam fakta sejarah disebutkan bahwa Nabi Saw. sering memberikan pujian kepada para sahabatnya. Larangan di dalam hadis Nabi Saw. terkait dengan memberikan pujian bukanlah mutlak sebuah larangan melainkansebuah kiasan, karena meninjau pada resiko atau akibat dari pujian berlebihan mulai hadirnya sikap ujub, riya‟, sombong bahkan puncak dari sikap ini jatuh pada pengkultusan. Sehingga diperbolehkan dengan tetap berhati-hati ketika memberikan pujian dan tidak berlebih-lebihan. Sebagaimana sikap memberikan pujian ini juga sering Nabi Saw. lakukan kepada para sahabat.
The Next Stop
Authors: Morábito Fabio
Published: July 2023

Abstract: The Summer 2023 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Summer 2023 Issue, guest-edited by Tom Perrotta, features poetry and prose by Marianne Leone, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, Andre Dubus III, Fabio Morabito, Jen Trynin, Olufunke Grace Bankole, and Jess Walter, among others.
Flood
Authors: Truuvert Sara
Published: July 2023

Abstract: The Summer 2023 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Summer 2023 Issue, guest-edited by Tom Perrotta, features poetry and prose by Marianne Leone, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, Andre Dubus III, Fabio Morabito, Jen Trynin, Olufunke Grace Bankole, and Jess Walter, among others.
Design of a double lens freeform miniaturized antenna
Authors: Hu Lizhong , Chen Xin , Jiang Ping , Yang Huajun , Qin Yan , Zhou Miaofang , Yang Jing , He Junyi , Deng Jinxin
Published: July 2023

The elliptical laser beam produced by a laser diode (LD) has asymmetrical divergence angle distribution and limits its application in long-distance space optical communication. In this paper, a double lens freeform miniaturized antenna design method is proposed to collimate, shape, and transmit elliptical beams from a LD. Based on the law of conservation of energy, refraction vector theory, equal optical path principle, and the three-dimensional point-by-point construction iterative method, two freeform surfaces on both lenses are constructed simultaneously. According to the simulation results, the maximum divergence angle of the output light is compressed to 4.92 µrad. The volume of the antenna is 1244.61cm3, which realizes the miniaturization of the antenna. In addition, the performance of the system is evaluated under different wavelength shifts, astigmatism based on the proposed improved line light source model, the offset of the light source, and the offset of both lenses. This paper provides a practical method for designing a simplified antenna that can collimate and shape laser beams and improve transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the proposed improved optimization method can provide a reference for the study of the initial parameters of lens freeform antennas.
Experiment-based model of an Er/Yb gain medium for fiber amplifiers and lasers
Authors: Vysokikh Dmitry K. , Bazakutsa Alexey P. , Dorofeenko Alexander V. , Butov Oleg V.
Published: July 2023

A model of an Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped glass gain medium is proposed. The system of rate equations taking into account a minimum set of processes required to describe experimental data was built. As a result, a moderate number of fitting parameters is used, and thereby the model reliability is increased. For the populations of the energy levels of Er3+ and Yb3+ions, analytic expressions were obtained, as well as for the gain factor of the medium. The model was validated by a series of measurements of gain in Er3+/Yb3+ fiber amplifiers of different lengths at varying pump power. Such parameters of the model were found to fit the experimental data with an account of the spatial inhomogeneity of the pump power along the fiber. The maximum inversion of erbium ion population at high pump powers was analytically expressed, which describes the “bottleneck” effect. The power required to pump the fiber along the entire length was found.
Multi-functional device: manipulating linear and circular-polarization conversion in a terahertz chiral metamaterial
Authors: Yin Fenghao , Lv Yanlin , Xu Dongyan , Ri Jin Xing , Zhang Ying Qiao
Published: July 2023

We propose a terahertz chiral metamaterial as a multi-functional device to manipulate asymmetry transmission of linear polarized waves, linear-to-elliptical polarization conversion and circular dichroism in transmission mode while asymmetry reflection of circular polarized waves. For incidence of linear polarized waves, dual-band asymmetry transmission is shown around 0.42 THz and 1.04 THz where asymmetry transmission factors reach up to two peak values: ∼0.51 and ∼0.55, respectively. Intense linear-to-elliptical polarization conversion occurs at 0.81 THz and 0.97 THz, respectively. For incidence of circular polarized waves, a strong circular dichroism appears at 0.36 THz where circular dichroism parameter reaches to ∼0.64 and asymmetry reflection is displayed around 0.36 THz with the maximum of asymmetry reflection factors approaching to 0.55.
Generation and characteristics of hollow structured optical fields based on multiple off-axis vortices
Authors: Geng Yiping , Hu Hao , Ma Xinru , Hu Xiaoxue , Chai Xinyue , Wang Xiaolei , Xi Sixing , Zhu Zhuqing
Published: July 2023

In this paper, various hollow structured optical fields are generated by skillfully adjusting the number and positions of multiple off-axis vortices loaded in a Gaussian beam. The focal-field characteristics of the generated hollow structured optical fields after passing through an ordinary lens are studied based on the scalar diffraction theory. Firstly, a variety of hollow structured optical fields are theoretically simulated by adjusting the number and positions of multiple off-axis vortices loaded in the Gaussian beam. The focal-field characteristics of the hollow structured optical fields after passing through a lens are theoretically analyzed. On this basis, the experiments are implemented in the built optical system for multi-off-axis vortex beam focusing through an ordinary lens. In the experiments, various hollow structured optical fields are detected in CCD which are consistent with the theoretical results. The manipulations of size and rotation direction of the hollow structured optical fields are realized. We believe that this study will contribute to extending the potential applications of off-axis vortex beams in fields such as optical field shaping, optical manipulation and laser processing.
In-plane emission manipulation of random optical modes by using a zero-index material
Authors: Zeng Yichen , Han Song , Zheng Guoxing , Li Zhongyang , Zeng Yongquan
Published: July 2023

In this work, we have proposed to implement a zero-index material (ZIM) to control the in-plane emission of planar random optical modes while maintaining the intrinsic disordered features. Light propagating through a medium with near-zero effective refractive index accumulates little phase change and is guided to the direction determined by the conservation law of momentum. By enclosing a disordered structure with a ZIM based on all-dielectric photonic crystal (PhC), broadband emission directionality improvement can be obtained. We find the maximum output directionality enhancement factor reaches 30, around 6-fold increase compared to that of the random mode without ZIM. The minimum divergence angle is ∼6° for single random optical mode and can be further reduced to ∼3.5° for incoherent multimode superposition in the far field. Despite the significant directionality enhancement, the random properties are well preserved, and the Q factors are even slightly improved. The method is robust and can be effectively applied to the disordered medium with different structural parameters, e.g., the filling fraction of scatterers, and different disordered structure designs with extended or strongly localized modes. The output direction of random optical modes can also be altered by further tailoring the boundary of ZIM. This work provides a novel and universal method to manipulate the in-plane emission direction as well as the directionality of disordered medium like random lasers, which might enable its on-chip integration with other functional devices.
Junior to senior transition pathway in Italian Football: The rocky road to the top is not determined by youth national team’s selections
Authors: Boccia Gennaro , Brustio Paolo Riccardo , Rinaldi Rocco , Romagnoli Ruggero , Cardinale Marco , Piacentini Maria Francesca
Published: July 2023

Football is a popular sport, but little is known about the youth-to-senior transition rates in elite players, particularly in large and successful countries. This study aims to investigate the youth-to-senior transition rate in the Italian national football team, both prospectively and retrospectively, and to explore if Relative Age Effects (RAEs) affect this transition. Data from 885 players selected in youth and senior Italian national teams between 2000 and 2021 were included in the study. For each player, the birthdate and the number of selection in Under 16, 17, 19, 21 and senior team was considered. The transition rate was determined by the number of youth players competing in the Senior National team (and vice versa), whilst birth quarter (Q) distributions with a chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Prospectively, the transition rate increased as age increased (i.e., from ~20% in U16 to ~50% in U19). Retrospectively, less than 10–20% of youth players were subsequently selected for the senior team. Data revealed a skewed birth date distribution in all age groups, and the RAEs magnitude decreased when age increased (i.e., ORs for Q1 vs Q4 was ~ 9 in U16 and ~ 1.7 in senior teams). Nevertheless, the RAE magnitude was smaller for successfully transitioned players. In conclusion, most players in the senior team were not previously selected for youth teams suggesting that junior international experience may not be a prerequisite for later success. Moreover, while the birthdate strongly influences the selection of youth national teams, its impact is less evident in the youth-to-senior transition.
Spatial analysis of vaccine coverage in children under the age of 1 year by mesoregions in Paraíba a northeastern Brazilian state
Authors: Cunha Nairmara Soares Pimentel , de Olinda Ricardo Alves , Fahrat Sylvia Costa Lima , Barbieri Carolina Luisa Alves , Braga Alfésio Luís Ferreira , Pamplona Ysabely de Aguiar Pontes , Martins Lourdes Conceição
Published: July 2023

Immunization is one of the most effective measures in public health, and it is responsible for the reduction of vaccine-preventable diseases. In the present study, vaccine coverage (VC) and the spatial dynamics of homogeneity of VC (HVC) were compared and analyzed in the terms of the immunobiologicals administered to children aged < 1 year in a state in Paraíba, Brazil. This is a mixed ecological study that used public-domain secondary data from the years 2016 and 2017 from the Information System of the Brazilian National Immunization Program (SI-PNI) and the Brazilian National Information System of Live Births (SINASC). VC rates were calculated by dividing the number of administered doses by the number of live births. Then, VC was classified into four categories. The Municipal HVC was considered adequate when the overall VC exceeds 75%. The study included a descriptive analysis and a spatial autocorrelation analysis for HVC using global and local Moran’s statistics. The stratified VC analysis revealed a significant number of municipalities in each of the state’s mesoregions with low or very low VC rates for all immunobiologicals, with the Mata Paraibana mesoregion having the worst percentages in both years studied. The spatial analysis of HVC revealed several clusters of inadequate homogeneity, with Mata Paraibana being the worst mesoregion in 2016. The analysis of spatial dynamics and spatial statistics techniques allows the precise identification of vulnerable areas, “vaccination pockets,” making it possible to develop plans aimed at meeting the targets of the PNI.
Gell: A GPU-powered 3D hybrid simulator for large-scale multicellular system
Authors: Du Jiayi , Zhou Yu , Jin Lihua , Sheng Ke
Published: July 2023

As a powerful but computationally intensive method, hybrid computational models study the dynamics of multicellular systems by evolving discrete cells in reacting and diffusing extracellular microenvironments. As the scale and complexity of studied biological systems continuously increase, the exploding computational cost starts to limit large-scale cell-based simulations. To facilitate the large-scale hybrid computational simulation and make it feasible on easily accessible computational devices, we develop Gell (GPU Cell), a fast and memory-efficient open-source GPU-based hybrid computational modeling platform for large-scale system modeling. We fully parallelize the simulations on GPU for high computational efficiency and propose a novel voxel sorting method to further accelerate the modeling of massive cell-cell mechanical interaction with negligible additional memory footprint. As a result, Gell efficiently handles simulations involving tens of millions of cells on a personal computer. We compare the performance of Gell with a state-of-the-art paralleled CPU-based simulator on a hanging droplet spheroid growth task and further demonstrate Gell with a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) simulation. Gell affords ~150X acceleration over the paralleled CPU method with one-tenth of the memory requirement.
Patterns of mental health problems and well-being in children with disabilities in Sweden: A cross-sectional survey and cluster analysis
Authors: Täljedal Torun , Granlund Mats , Almqvist Lena , Osman Fatumo , Norén Selinus Eva , Fängström Karin
Published: July 2023

Background

Children with disabilities have an increased risk of mental health problems. Patterns of mental health problems and well-being may vary.

Aims

To identify patterns of mental health problems and well-being in children with disabilities in Sweden, and investigate the influence of parental background (migration, education), and child cognitive level.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, cluster analysis was used to analyse parents’ ratings of conduct problems, emotional symptoms, and prosocial behaviour on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in children with disabilities (n = 136). The influence of parental background (migration, education) and child cognitive level on cluster membership was explored through multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Five clusters of mental health patterns emerged. Three clusters had mean ratings near or past clinical cut-off for one each of the SDQ-subscales. One cluster had difficulties on all three subscales. Greater child cognitive difficulties increased the likelihood of low prosocial behaviour (OR 2.501, p < .001) and of difficulties on all three subscales (OR 2.155, p = .006). Parental background did not influence cluster membership.

Conclusion

Children with disabilities display varying mental health patterns. Awareness of the complexity of mental health patterns among children with disabilities is important. Screening and support for emotional symptoms and prosocial behaviour deficits should be considered for children with conduct problems.
Multiple pals gene modules control a balance between immunity and development in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Lažetić Vladimir , Blanchard Michael J. , Bui Theresa , Troemel Emily R.
Published: July 2023

The immune system continually battles against pathogen-induced pressures, which often leads to the evolutionary expansion of immune gene families in a species-specific manner. For example, the pals gene family expanded to 39 members in the Caenorhabditis elegans genome, in comparison to a single mammalian pals ortholog. Our previous studies have revealed that two members of this family, pals-22 and pals-25, act as antagonistic paralogs to control the Intracellular Pathogen Response (IPR). The IPR is a protective transcriptional response, which is activated upon infection by two molecularly distinct natural intracellular pathogens of C. elegans–the Orsay virus and the fungus Nematocida parisii from the microsporidia phylum. In this study, we identify a previously uncharacterized member of the pals family, pals-17, as a newly described negative regulator of the IPR. pals-17 mutants show constitutive upregulation of IPR gene expression, increased immunity against intracellular pathogens, as well as impaired development and reproduction. We also find that two other previously uncharacterized pals genes, pals-20 and pals-16, are positive regulators of the IPR, acting downstream of pals-17. These positive regulators reverse the effects caused by the loss of pals-17 on IPR gene expression, immunity, and development. We show that the negative IPR regulator protein PALS-17 and the positive IPR regulator protein PALS-20 colocalize inside and at the apical side of intestinal epithelial cells, which are the sites of infection for IPR-inducing pathogens. In summary, our study demonstrates that several pals genes from the expanded pals gene family act as ON/OFF switch modules to regulate a balance between organismal development and immunity against natural intracellular pathogens in C. elegans.
Homo mimeticus et religiosus
Authors: Tóth Péter
Published: July 2023

René Girard gondolati felépítménye, amelyet mimetikus elméletnek nevez a szakirodalom, alapvetően egy olyan átfogó valláselmélet, amely a vallás jelensége felől igyekszik megérteni az embert. Girard sajátos megközelítésében az emberré válás és a vallás eredetének problémája elválaszthatatlanul összefonódik. A dolgozat három fő kulcsfejezetből áll, amelyek középpontjában a filozófiai, etológiai és vallástudományi megközelítések állnak, mint a leginkább kapcsolódó területek. Ezeket követi egy rövidebb rész, amelyben a mimetikus elmélet kritikáit tárgyalom, végül pedig egy zárófejezet. A dolgozat tulajdonképpen egy előtanulmány, amely Girard mimetikus elméletének szisztematikus feldolgozásából áll. Némi iróniával azt a megjegyzést is ide lehetne fűzni, hogy az utánzásról írott dolgozat semmi eredetiséggel sem rendelkezik, csupán utánoz. Ez alighanem így is van, azonban magyar nyelven mindeddig még jelent meg a Girard mimetikus elméletét feldolgozó átfogó munka annak ellenére, hogy az tematikáját tekintve rendkívül releváns és aktuális, valamint a már eleve nem csekély népszerűsége (legyen az akár pozitív vagy negatív) dinamikusan növekszik nemzetközi szinten. Azonban nem csak ez jelenti az egyetlen sajátosságot, hanem a mimetikus elmélet tárgyalása során tett markáns, elsősorban a vallástudományra vonatkozó állítások, amelyek a dolgozat fő téziseit jelentik: 1) az ember homo mimeticus, azaz nem autonóm szubjektum, hanem fundamentálisan nyitott a külső hatásokkal szemben, így elmosódnak az „én” határai, tehát az ember nem individuum, hanem interdividuum; 2) a vallás egyfajta szelekciós mechanizmus, így generatív szerepet játszik az emberré válás evolúciós folyamatában, tehát az ember homo religiosus is egyben; 3) így a vallástudomány nem pusztán kulturális és társadalmi jelenséget leíró, hanem az ember megértését szolgáló megalapozó tudomány is, tehát fajunk fejlődése nem érthető meg a vallás vizsgálata nélkül.
Assessing Family Leave Policies and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Gastroenterologists: A Survey of Physicians in the American College of Gastroenterology
Authors: Ali Shazia , Chowdhury Reezwana , Bittner Krystle , Oxentenko Amy S. , Kothari Shivangi
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Given variability in parental leave policies in gastroenterology (GI) with little data on outcomes, the American College of Gastroenterology conducted a survey to assess policies and outcomes.

METHODS:

A survey was distributed to American College of Gastroenterology members with questions on demographics, fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and parental leave policies.

RESULTS:

There were 796 responses, with 52.5% female individuals. Many (57%) delayed parenting. High rates of infertility (21%) and pregnancy complications (68%) were observed. Satisfaction with parental leave policies in GI was low (35%).

DISCUSSION:

Our survey highlights the need for policies that support the well-being of our GI colleagues and families.
Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis: Chronic Opioid Use Is Associated With Esophageal Dysmotility in Symptomatic Patients
Authors: Niu Chengu , Zhang Jing , Bapaye Jay , Liu Hongli , Zhu Kaiwen , Farooq Umer , Zahid Salman , Zhang Qian , Boppana Hemanth , Elkhapery Ahmed , Okolo Patrick I.
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION:

We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of chronic opioid exposure on esophageal motility in patients undergoing manometric evaluation.

METHODS:

Multiple databases were searched through October 2022 for original studies comparing the manometric results of patients who have used chronic opioids (for >90 days) with those who do not. The primary outcomes were esophageal dysmotility disorders. Three high-resolution manometry parameters were conducted as secondary outcomes. A random-effects model was applied to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and means difference (MD) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS:

Nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. Opioid use was associated with higher esophageal dysmotility disorders, including distal esophageal spasm (pooled OR 4.84, 95% CI 1.60–14.63, P = 0.005, I2 = 96%), esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (pooled OR 5.13, 95% CI 2.11–12.43, P = 0.0003, I2 = 93%), and type III achalasia (pooled OR 4.15, 95% CI 2.15–8.03, P < 0.0001, I2 = 64%). No significant differences were observed for hypercontractile esophagus, type I achalasia, or type II achalasia. The basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (MD 3.02, 95% CI 1.55–4.50, P < 0.0001, I2 = 90%), integrated relaxation pressure (MD 2.51, 95% CI 1.56–3.46, P < 0.00001, I2 = 99%), and distal contractile integral (MD 640.29, 95% CI 469.56–811.03, P < 0.00001, I2 = 91%) significantly differed between the opioid use and nonopioid use group. However, opioid use was associated with a lower risk of ineffective esophageal motility (pooled OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.95, P = 0.02, I2 = 53%).

DISCUSSION:

Chronic opioid exposure is associated with an increased frequency esophageal dysmotility disorders. Our results revealed that opioid use is significantly associated with type III achalasia but not with type I and II achalasia. Therefore, opioid treatment should be taken into account as a potential underlying risk factor when diagnosing these major esophageal motor abnormalities.
Escape Rooms for Secondary Mathematics Education: Design and Experiments
Authors: Andrews Jake , Bagdasar Ovidiu
Published: July 2023

Escape rooms are an increasingly popular form of live-action entertainment in which teams of players need to solve puzzles to escape or reach a narrative goal within a specified time limit. Current research suggests that this style of activity promotes the effective use of team skills in the classroom, which are desirable in the workplace, and also that students are more engaged in the hands-on learning environment. During this study we created a game designed to teach mathematical concepts related to finding missing side lengths in a right-angled triangle using trigonometry to secondary school students who had limited knowledge in this area. Our experiment tested the success of our escape room’s teaching capabilities through comparing student performance on a test completed immediately after finishing the game. We also evaluated whether students’ perception of the applicability of mathematics and their feelings towards studying it improves from playing. Finally, we intended to confirm the findings of other researchers on engagement; extend that to the effective use of team skills through examining if there is a relationship between completion time and the observed behaviours within each team. Results suggest that the game is successful in teaching and building familiarity with some aspects of the topic and that there is no correlation between effective team skills and completion time. We make suggestions for improvements to the game design that would warrant an additional experiment into the teaching potential of escape rooms.
“Foreign” language aptitude predicts individual differences in native grammatical proficiency
Authors: Llompart Miquel , Dąbrowska Ewa
Published: July 2023

Language aptitude is known to be a strong predictor of success in late second-language (L2) learning in instructional settings but is generally assumed to be irrelevant for native language (L1) acquisition. We investigated the relationship between language aptitude and L1 grammatical proficiency in the two studies reported here. Language aptitude was measured by means of a newly-developed test of grammatical sensitivity (Studies 1 and 2) and the Language Analysis subtest of the Pimsleur Language Aptitude Battery (Study 1), whereas grammatical proficiency was assessed by a grammaticality judgment task in Study 1 and a picture selection task in Study 2. The results of the two studies reveal a robust relationship between language aptitude and L1 grammatical proficiency that is remarkably consistent across different measures for both variables and appears to hold across the board for a variety of grammatical structures. These results fit well with the proposal that explicit learning may play an important role not only in adult L2 learning but also in L1 acquisition and raises questions about the validity of arguments for a fundamental difference between L1 and L2 acquisition based on the premise that only the latter is related to aptitude.
Kant’s Theory of Radical Evil and its Franciscan Forebears
Authors: Schumacher Lydia
Published: July 2023

This article argues that Kant’s famous theory of ‘radical evil’, according to which there is a natural propensity for evil as well as good in all human beings, has precedent in the medieval Franciscan intellectual tradition. In the early thirteenth century, members of this tradition, inspired by its founder Alexander of Hales, developed a novel account of free will, according to which the will is capable of choosing between equally legitimate options of good and evil. In affirming this, early Franciscans departed from the longstanding tradition of Augustine, for whom free will can only choose the good, since evil is merely a privation of the good that limits human freedom. By the same token, they anticipated the Kantian contention that freedom entails the ability to choose between good and evil maxims.
Dynamics and synchronization of a novel 4D-hyperjerk autonomous chaotic system with a Van der Pol nonlinearity
Authors: Kengne Romanic , Mbe Jimmi Talla , Fotsing Janvier , Mezatio Anicet Brice , Ntsafack Manekeng Francine July , Tchitnga Robert
Published: July 2023

In the literature, hyperjerk systems raised up meaningful interest due to their simple and elegant structure as well as their complex dynamical features. In this work, we propose a novel 4D autonomous hyperjerk system which the particularity resides on the type of its nonlinearity namely the Van der Pol nonlinearity. The dynamics of this hyperjerk system is assessed thanks to the well-known nonlinear dynamic tools such as time series, bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponent spectrum, two-parameter phase diagram, and phase portraits. As important result, it is established that the system presents a particular phenomenon of hysteretic dynamics that leads to the coexistence of attractors. Next, through the calculation of the Hamiltonian energy, we show that this latter depends on all the variables of the novel hyperjerk system. Furthermore, basing on an adaptive backstepping method whose target is a function of the states of the error system, a new controller is designed to carry out fromt= 30, complete chaotic synchronization of the identical novel hyperjerk chaotic systems. Likewise, PSpice (9.2 full version) based simulations are presented in detail to confirm the feasibility of the theoretical model. One of the key points of this work is the designing in PSpice environment of this new adaptive backstepping controller to validate both theoretical and numerical synchronization results. Finally, our experimental measurements in the laboratory are in good agreement with the numerical and analog results.
Changes in Muscle Mass and Strength During Follow-Up After One-Year Resistance Training Interventions in Older Adults
Authors: Mertz Kenneth H. , Reitelseder Søren , Rasmussen Morten A. , Bülow Jacob , Højfeldt Grith , Jensen Mikkel , Hjulmand Morten , Lindberg Jonas , Kramer Mathilde U. , Bechshøft Rasmus , Holm Lars
Published: July 2023

Mertz, KH, Reitelseder, S, Rasmussen, MA, Bülow, J, Højfeldt, G, Jensen, M, Hjulmand, M, Lindberg, J, Kramer, MU, Bechshøft, R, and Holm, L. Changes in muscle mass and strength during follow-up after one-year resistance training interventions in older adults. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): 2064–2070, 2023—The aim of this study was to investigate if home-based resistance training compared with center-based resistance training was associated with better preservation of muscle mass and strength in older individuals, 6 months after the interventions ended. One hundred four healthy older individuals (>65 years) who had completed 1 year of either home-based light-intensity training with daily whey protein supplementation (LITW), center-based heavy resistance training with whey protein supplementation (HRTW), or daily whey protein supplementation alone (WHEY) returned for follow-up measurement 6 months after the interventions. Measures of muscle mass, strength, and power were assessed at the end of intervention as well as at follow-up. Furthermore, we compared changes in these parameters between subjects who continued resistance training (≥1 weekly training session) during follow-up (CONT) with those who stopped (STOP). Resistance training continuation during follow-up did not differ between HRTW and LITW (41 vs. 41%, P = 1.0) but was higher for both groups compared with WHEY (18%, P = 0.04–0.05). However, no between-group differences were observed between LITW/HRTW/WHEY in changes in muscle mass, strength, or power during follow-up. STOP was associated with a poorer preservation of quadriceps cross-sectional area compared with CONT (−1.7 cm2 [−0.4 to −3.0], P = 0.01, effect size: 0.79). No effect of training continuation was observed on changes in muscle strength and power. In conclusion, maintenance of muscle mass and strength is not superior after home-based resistance training compared with center-based training. However, training continuation seems crucial for the maintenance of muscle mass, irrespective of the training intervention.
Adsorption of Congo Red dye on hazelnut shells and degradation with Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Carletto Riccardo A. , Chimirri Fabiana , Bosco Francesca , Ferrero Franco
Published: July 2023

The present work concerns the experimental evaluation of hazelnut shells as a low cost natural biosorbent. Adsorption of the direct azo dye Congo Red was performed within a concentrations range of 50-5000 mg/L. Hazelnut shells were employed as organic support for Phanerochaete chrysosporium cultures to study the best cultural medium composition for the MnP production. The capability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium to take macronutrients as carbon and nitrogen from hazelnut shells was demonstrated. Cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium were carried out with hazelnut shells coming from Congo Red adsorption tests, showing that 43% of the adsorbed dye was degraded.
The influence of TMP fibre flexibility on flocculation and formation
Authors: Huber Patrick , Carré Bruno , Petit-Conil Michel
Published: July 2023

Fibre flexibility is often anticipated to play a role in fibre flocculation phenomena. In this study, 3 thermomechanical pulps (TMPs) were sampled along a post-refining line. The only fibre morphological property that varied was fibre flexibility. These TMP samples were then tested for fibre flocculation and sheet formation tendency. The measurements clearly showed that fibre flocculation decreased and sheet formation uniformity increased with increasing fibre flexibility. The beneficial effect of fibre flexibility was larger at high consistency. These results support the elastic energy storage theory within flocs, which states that the more rigid the fibre, the stronger the flocs. Papermakers may take advantage of the beneficial effect of fibre flexibility on sheet formation through a careful tuning of post-refining.