bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of malaria and associated factors among symptomatic pregnant women attending antenatal care at three health centers in north-west Ethiopia
Authors: Almaw Andargachew , Yimer Mulat , Alemu Megbaru , Tegegne Banchamlak
Published: April 2022

Background

Malaria is the disease caused by Plasmodium species and primarily transmitted by the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes. During pregnancy, malaria causes life threatening outcomes to the mother, the fetus and the new born. Even though, malaria symptomatic pregnant women highly attract mosquitoes and have higher potential of transmitting the disease in communities, most of the previous studies focused on pregnant women with asymptomatic Plasmodium infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among symptomatic pregnant women attending antenatal care at three health centers in northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A health facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April, 2021. A total of 312 malaria symptomatic pregnant women were involved from three health centers and enrolled by convenient sampling technique. A questionnaire was used to collect socio demographic and clinical data through face to face interview. Capillary blood samples were collected and used to prepare thin and thick blood smears, which were then stained using 10% Giemsa and examined under light microscope. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with malaria. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated and P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence of malaria among symptomatic pregnant women was 20.8% (65/312) of which 12.2% (38/312), 4.8% (15/312) and 3.8% (12/312) were P. falciparum, P. vivax and mixed infections, respectively. Being illiterate (p< 0.001), first trimester (p = 0.036), primigravidae (p<0.001), living far from health center (p<0.001), not sleeping under long lasting insecticide treated nets (p<0.001) and living near irrigation areas (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with prevalence of malaria in malaria symptomatic pregnant women.

Conclusions

Even though prevalence of malaria is decreasing in the country because of scale-up of intervention and prevention measures, this study showed that, malaria is still the major public health problem among pregnant women. Being illiterate, first trimester, primigravidae, living far from health centers, not sleeping under long lasting insecticide treated nets and living near irrigation areas were factors that increased the prevalence of malaria in malaria symptomatic pregnant women. Therefore, special attention should be given to pregnant women prone to these factors.
Predicting willingness to be vaccinated for Covid-19: Evidence from New Zealand
Authors: Kaine Geoff , Wright Vic , Greenhalgh Suzie
Published: April 2022

Governments around the world are seeking to slow the spread of Covid-19 and reduce hospitalisations by encouraging mass vaccinations for Covid-19. The success of this policy depends on most of the population accepting the vaccine and then being vaccinated. Understanding and predicting the motivation of individuals to be vaccinated is, therefore, critical in assessing the likely effectiveness of a mass vaccination programme in slowing the spread of the virus. In this paper we draw on the I3Response Framework to understand and predict the willingness of New Zealanders to be vaccinated for Covid-19. The Framework differs from most studies predicting willingness to be vaccinated because it is based on the idea that the willingness to adopt a behaviour depends on both involvement (a measure of motivational strength) with the behaviour and attitudes towards the behaviour. We show that predictions of individuals’ willingness to be vaccinated are improved using involvement and attitudes together, compared to attitudes alone. This result has important implications for the implementation of mass vaccination programmes for Covid-19.
Enablement of nursing home residents in infection prevention during general practitioner visits: A qualitative study
Authors: Hammerschmidt Judith , Heier Lina , Ernstmann Nicole
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Hand hygiene measures are essential to protect nursing home residents against nosocomial infections. Evidence on the prevention of nosocomial infections for nursing home residents by general practitioners during their medical visits in nursing homes or how they enable nursing home residents to perform hand hygiene measures is lacking. This study aimed to explore hand hygiene behaviors of general practitioners in nursing homes, their attitudes toward infection prevention measures, and the enablement of nursing home residents in performing hand hygiene measures.

Materials and methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with general practitioners and nursing home residents in Germany. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.

Results

Overall, 12 general practitioners and 12 nursing home residents participated in the study. The general practitioners expressed the fact that the possibilities for practicing hand hygiene differ in individual nursing homes. For nursing home residents, the availability of hand rub solutions was limited. Instructions for residents on hand disinfection from general practitioners was not described. Due to the lack of enablement, the residents’ knowledge on how to correctly perform hand hygiene was low, although some of the nursing home residents have experience with multidrug-resistant organisms. The nursing home residents varied in their needs for active participation and enablement during the general practitioners visit.

Conclusion

Nursing home residents require continuous enablement by their general practitioners to maintain adequate hand hygiene. Therefore, general practitioners should consider the different needs of nursing home residents to ensure adequate individual hand hygiene and safety for the residents. Existing guidelines for infection prevention and control do not adequately cover the nursing home care setting for the enablement of residents to enquire about hand hygiene.
The eating disorder examination questionnaire for adults from the Mexican general population: Reliability and validity
Authors: Contreras-Valdez José Alfredo , Freyre Miguel-Ángel , Mendoza-Flores Eleazar
Published: April 2022

The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire is a widely used self-report questionnaire for eating disorders. An Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire model that is not lacking in relevant content has been supported in three different samples, but existing studies on this model present shortcomings regarding generalizations to the general population. Therefore, the general purpose of the current research was to test the reliability and interpretation validity of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 scores in adults of both sexes from the Mexican general population. After translating, adapting, and assessing the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 in the target population through three pilot studies, we conducted two independent studies. In Study 1, 684 women and 433 men aged 18–83 participated, whereas in Study 2, 591 women and 382 men aged 18–86 did it. They answered the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 and a measure of either body dissatisfaction (Study 1) or self-esteem (Study 2). According to confirmatory factor analyses, the 14-item Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire model that we tested fit acceptably for the four samples (two female, two male) and was invariant across sex. All 14-item Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 scores were reliable according to Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega, except for only one factor score in men. Pearson’s correlations of the 14-item Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 scores with body dissatisfaction and self-esteem were positive and negative, respectively. This new Latin American Spanish translation of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 works broadly as expected and provides evidence to extend the generalization of previous studies to the general population. Thus, the present translation of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 may be a valuable tool in the field of eating disorders for researchers and practitioners studying or serving Latin American Spanish speakers of either sex from the general population.
Family planning demand generation in Rwanda: Government efforts at the national and community level impact interpersonal communication and family norms
Authors: Corey Julia , Schwandt Hilary , Boulware Angel , Herrera Ana , Hudler Ethan , Imbabazi Claudette , King Ilia , Linus Jessica , Manzi Innocent , Merrit Madelyn , Mezier Lyn , Miller Abigail , Morris Haley , Musemakweli Dieudonne , Musekura Uwase , Mutuyimana Divine , Ntakarutimana Chimene , Patel Nirali , Scanteianu Adriana , Shemeza Biganette-Evidente , Sterling-Donaldson Gi’anna , Umutoni Chantal , Uwera Lyse , Zeiler Madeleine , Feinberg Seth
Published: April 2022

Between 2005 and 2020, total contraceptive use among married women in Rwanda increased from 17% to 64%. The aim of this study is to better understand how the Rwandan government’s mobilization and demand generation efforts have impacted community norms and interpersonal discourse surrounding family planning. Eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with experienced modern contraceptive users were conducted in 2018 in the two Rwandan districts with the highest and the lowest contraceptive prevalence rates. Results suggest that outspoken government support, mass media, and community meetings were valuable sources of information about family planning. Information received through these channels generated interpersonal dialogue about contraceptives through both conversation and observation; however, rumors and misinformation remained a significant barrier to use. A once taboo subject is now normative among married couples. Continuing to address common fears and misinformation through communication channels such as mass media and community meetings may help to further increase contraceptive uptake in Rwanda.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with autoimmune diseases
Authors: Li Jin-Yue , Sun Xiao-Han , Shen Dong-chao , Yang Xun-Zhe , Liu Ming-Sheng , Cui Li-Ying
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The occurrence of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients is widely reported, but little is known about the associated clinical phenotype. This study aims to evaluate the clinical features and prognosis of ALS patients with AID.

Methods

This retrospective study was based on the ALS Registry dataset of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2013 to 2020. Clinical features and inflammatory biomarkers at registration were compared between ALS patients with coexisting AIDs and those without (controls). The medical records of immunotherapy were also collected. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model were used to study the survival of ALS patients.

Results

There are 26 (1.6%) ALS patients with AIDs in our database. The ALS patients with AIDs had older ages at onset and poorer respiratory function than controls (p<0.05). After propensity score matching by sex, onset age, and disease duration, the difference in respiratory function remained significant between groups. We found no differences in overall survival between ALS patients with and without AIDs before and after matching (p = 0.836; p = 0.395). Older age at onset, rapid disease progression, and lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were associated with shorter survival (p<0.05). Among ALS patients with AIDs, 8 (30.8%) had a history of immunotherapy and showed slightly prolonged survival compared with those without immunotherapy, but the results did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.355).

Conclusions

Patients with coexisting ALS and AIDs had older onset age and poorer respiratory function but similar overall survival than those with pure ALS.
Hygienic disposal of stools and risk of diarrheal episodes among children aged under two years: Evidence from the Ghana Demographic Health Survey, 2003–2014
Authors: Tetteh John , Adomako Isaac , Udofia Emilia Asuquo , Yarney Elom , Quansah Henry , Yawson Anita Ohenewa , Essuman Akye , Yawson Alfred Edwin
Published: April 2022

Background

Most childhood diarrheal illnesses are a result of the faeco-oral transmission of infected food, water, and unclean fingers. The present paper was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hygienic disposal of stools (HDS) and its associated factors, and further quantify the impact of HDS on diarrheal diseases among children under two years.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was used to evaluate three rounds of the Ghana Demographic Health Survey (GDHS) from 2003–2014 involving 4869 women with children aged under two years. The outcomes were prevalence of HDS and diarrheal diseases. Poisson regression model was employed to assess risk factors associated with HDS and dominance analysis was used to rank the important risk factors. Inverse Probability Weighting Poisson Regression Adjustment (IPWPRA) with Propensity Score 1:1 density kernel-based matching was employed to assess impact.

Results

The pooled prevalence rate of HDS was 26.5%(95%CI = 24.6–28.4) and it ranged from 18.7% (95%CI = 16.4–21.2) in 2014 to 38.8%(95%CI = 35.3–42.4) in 2003. Diarrhea diseases pooled prevalence was 17.9%(95%CI = 16.4–19.5) and ranged from 13.3%(95%CI = 11.1–15.9) in 2014 to 25.4%(95%CI = 22.2–28.9) in 2003. The overall growth rate for HDS and prevalence of diarrhea diseases, decreased by 21.6% and 11.4% respectively. The most important risk factors of HDS from dominance analysis included; age of the child, wealth index, and differences in region. From pooled data wealth index, increasing age of the child, and regional disparity constituted approximately 72% of the overall impact (Weighted Standardized Dominance Statistics (WSDS) = 0.30, 0.24, and 0.19 respectively). In 2014, they constituted approximately 79% (WSDS = 0.139, 0.177 and 0.471 respectively). The average prevalence of diarrheal diseases among children of women who practiced HDS reduced over the period of the GDHS compared to those whose mothers did not practice HDS [2008 ATE(95%CI) = -0.09(-0.16–0.02), 2014 ATE(95%CI) = -0.05(-0.09–0.01) and Pooled data ATE(95%CI) = -0.05(-0.09–0.02)].

Conclusion

This analysis has provided empirical evidence of the impact of practicing HDS in Ghana from a national household survey. Implementation of the WASH agenda in this low-income setting requires a synergy of interventions and collaborations of actors (government, private and development partners) to improve water and sanitation facilities and to increase hygiene education to prevent the spread of diseases including diarrhea by 2025.
The contribution of avoidable factors in doubling or halving the odds of hypertension
Authors: Poorolajal Jalal , Mohammadi Younes , Doosti-Irani Amin , Khosh-Manesh Saman
Published: April 2022

Background

Despite the well-known impact of fruit/vegetable consumption, physical activity, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol on blood pressure, the amount of exposure to these factors is required to halve or double the odds of hypertension is unknown, but it was investigated in this research.

Methods

The data used in this study are derived from results of the seventh Iranian national STEPS survey involving 30,542 adults aged 18 years or older. The questionnaire measured non-communicable disease risk factors covered three different levels including behavioral characteristics, physical and biochemical measurements. The level of exposure to factors necessary to reach the odds ratio of 0.5 or odds ratio of 2.0 was obtained from the coefficients of the multiple logistic regression model.

Results

An OR of 0.5 corresponds to 7 servings of fruit and vegetable consumption daily and burning of 7175 kcal through physical activity at work or recreation daily. An OR of 2.0 corresponds to an increase in body mass index of about 11 kg/m2, an increase in the waist-hip ratio of about 18%, an increase in fasting blood glucose of about 77 mg/dl, and an increase in total cholesterol of about 134 mg/dl.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate how much fruit and vegetable and physical activity halve the odds of hypertension and how much increase in body mass index, the waist-hip ratio, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol can double the odds of hypertension. Such information may be useful for developing guidelines by policymakers.
The impact of mental distress on influenza vaccine coverage
Authors: Hassouneh Linda , Dunsiger Shira
Published: April 2022

Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The flu vaccine is the most important strategy to prevent influenza. Studies indicate that individuals with mental health disorders are at an increased risk of comorbid health conditions that predispose them to severe flu complications. This study examined the association between mental distress and influenza vaccine coverage among non-institutionalized adults in the United States. Data was analyzed from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The analytic sample (453,924) included those with valid information on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and flu vaccine coverage. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed. Those with infrequent mental distress had 1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96,1.03) lower odds and those with frequent mental distress had 21% (95% CI 0.75,0.82) decrease odds of receiving the flu shot in comparison to those with no mental distress, given all else equal. A negative effect on influenza vaccination rates was observed with frequent mental distress when compared to those with no mental distress. Further studies are warranted to better understand this association.
Enterococcus faecalis alters endo-lysosomal trafficking to replicate and persist within mammalian cells
Authors: da Silva Ronni A. G. , Tay Wei Hong , Ho Foo Kiong , Tanoto Frederick Reinhart , Chong Kelvin K. L. , Choo Pei Yi , Ludwig Alexander , Kline Kimberly A.
Published: April 2022

Enterococcus faecalis is a frequent opportunistic pathogen of wounds, whose infections are associated with biofilm formation, persistence, and recalcitrance toward treatment. We have previously shown that E. faecalis wound infection persists for at least 7 days. Here we report that viable E. faecalis are present within both immune and non-immune cells at the wound site up to 5 days after infection, raising the prospect that intracellular persistence contributes to chronic E. faecalis infection. Using in vitro keratinocyte and macrophage infection models, we show that E. faecalis becomes internalized and a subpopulation of bacteria can survive and replicate intracellularly. E. faecalis are internalized into keratinocytes primarily via macropinocytosis into single membrane-bound compartments and can persist in late endosomes up to 24 h after infection in the absence of colocalization with the lysosomal protease Cathepsin D or apparent fusion with the lysosome, suggesting that E. faecalis blocks endosomal maturation. Indeed, intracellular E. faecalis infection results in heterotypic intracellular trafficking with partial or absent labelling of E. faecalis-containing compartments with Rab5 and Rab7, small GTPases required for the endosome-lysosome trafficking. In addition, E. faecalis infection results in marked reduction of Rab5 and Rab7 protein levels which may also contribute to attenuated Rab incorporation into E. faecalis-containing compartments. Finally, we demonstrate that intracellular E. faecalis derived from infected keratinocytes are significantly more efficient in reinfecting new keratinocytes. Together, these data suggest that intracellular proliferation of E. faecalis may contribute to its persistence in the face of a robust immune response, providing a primed reservoir of bacteria for subsequent reinfection.
Ambidextrous governance impact on supply chain performance – buyer and supplier perspectives
Authors: Ryciuk Urszula
Published: April 2022

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the impact of governance on supply chain performance. Two dimensions of governance: contractual and relational and its simultaneous interplay called ambidextrous governance were considered. The study presents alternatives models from buyer and supplier perspectives. The analysis is based on Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews among buyers and suppliers from manufacturing companies. For the model development structural equation modelling was applied. The obtained results confirmed that supply chain performance is impacted by relational governance from both buyer and supplier perspectives; contractual governance influences the supply chain performance in case of suppliers and there is a second-order construct called ambidextrous governance confirming interplay or relational and contractual governance when impacting supply chain performance from supplier’s perspective.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)-Induced Hepatitis
Authors: Allison Devin R. , Mubarak Muhammad , Sharma Neal , Rao Deepthi S.
Published: April 2022

Kratom is a plant with opioid-like properties known to produce stimulant and analgesic effects. Although there are numerous studies on the psychoactive components of kratom, less is known about the toxicity. Specifically, few reports describe kratom-induced hepatotoxicity and demonstrate histological features. We provide a case report detailing the clinicopathologic findings of drug-induced liver injury caused by kratom. The laboratory workup included significant elevation of total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. Liver biopsy demonstrated a prominent canalicular cholestatic pattern, mixed portal inflammation, and newly described perivenular necrosis. This report provides additional information on kratom toxicity because its use continues to rise.
A Methodological Approach for Intra – Site Analysis of Prehistoric Settlements
Authors: Manzetti Maria Cristina , Sarris Apostolos
Published: April 2022

During the IGEAN (Innovative Geophysical Approaches for the Study of Early Agricultural Villages of Neolithic) project, more than 20 Neolithic-Early Bronze Age (EBA) settlements in the area of Thessaly, Central Greece, were investigated through various geophysical approaches. The prehistoric settlements of Almyros2, Almyriotiki, Perdika1 and Rizomilos2 have been selected to be studied in-depth about their intra-site spatial organization. Here, for sake of conciseness, only the results about Almyros2 and Perdika1 will be presented, assuming these settlements belong both to the Middle Neolithic period. This study aims to propose a combined methodological approach in order to examine if such settlements were conceived following a determined spatial organization. Four different technologies have been implemented, including geophysical prospection, space syntax, 3D modelling and 3D visibility analysis. The promising results obtained from the combination of such technologies, hopefully, will encourage specialists to adopt, compare and develop integrated methodologies more often, especially when excavations are limited.
Hidden in Plain Sight
Authors: Pluckhahn Thomas , Jackson Kendal , Rogers Jaime
Published: April 2022

We present digital documentation of the Cockroach Key archaeological site in Tampa Bay on the western coast of Florida, USA. The site consists of a mound and midden complex constructed by Native Americans between around 100 and 900 CE. Although well known to antiquarians of the 1800s and archaeologists of the early 1900s, the site has slowly become “hidden in plain sight” to both archaeologists (owing to the lack of contemporary investigations) and the public (owing to the density of vegetation). We use LiDAR-based mapping and ground-penetrating radar to document the site’s surface and subsurface features.
Superiority of Sustainable Ozone Wash Over Conventional Denim Washing Technique
Authors: Sarker Utsash Kumar , Kawser MD. Nakibul , Rahim Abdur , Al Parvez Abdullah , Shahid Md. Imranul
Published: April 2022

Denim jeans need to be wet-processed in order to create a comfortable feel and a versatile look in the end product. The use of Ozone to finish denim jeans offers environmental and economic benefits by reducing rinse periods, water use, and energy consumption. Ozone is a specialized oxidant with a strong oxidation potential and can decolorize textile effluents, and it has a particular affinity for indigo. This paper will demonstrate why Ozone-based denim wash should be recognized as sustainable in different aspects of denim washing. The study observed that denim fabric finishing with Ozone particles has reduced garments processing time and requires less water and chemicals than the Conventional finishing method. Moreover, because of the low use of chemicals and water, ozone-based finishing produces a minimal amount of wastewater which eventually has less impact on the ETP as well as less effect on the environment than the traditional denim washing method. Also, it gives two times more production than conventional. With an in-depth evaluation of different washing points, this paper has concluded that Ozone-based wash is a promising finishing treatment for denim products.
Interpreting Structural Shocks and Assessing Their Historical Importance
Authors: Herrera Luis , Vázquez Jesús
Published: April 2022

We revisit three major US recessions through the lens of a standard medium-scale DSGE model (Smets, F., and R. Wouters. 2007. “Shocks and Frictions in US Business Cycles: A Bayesian DSGE Approach.” The American Economic Review 97: 586–606) augmented with financial frictions. We first estimate the DSGE model using a Bayesian approach for three alternative periods, each containing a major US recession: the Great Depression, the Stagflation and the Great Recession. Then, we assess the stability of structural parameters, and analyze what frictions were particularly important and what shocks were the main drivers of aggregate fluctuations in each historical period. This exercise can be understood as a test of the standard New-Keynesian DSGE model with financial accelerator in closed economies. We find that the estimated DSGE model is able to provide a sound explanation of all three recessions by closely relating both estimated structural shocks and frictions with well known economic events.
Ansätze zur Vernetzung von Daten für die Bildungsforschung und das Bildungsmonitoring in der Schweiz
Authors: Haymoz Rahel , Alt Sharon , Schiller David H.
Published: April 2022

Es gibt eine Vielzahl von Datenquellen, die für die Bildungsforschung sowie für das Bildungsmonitoring in der Schweiz genutzt werden können. Dennoch ist die Landschaft fragmentiert. Einzelne Quellen sind schwer zu finden und ihr Forschungspotenzial schwer abzuschätzen. Die Integration von Datenquellen könnte einen Mehrwert für die Forschung und das Bildungsmonitoring bieten. Hier wird eine Podiumsdiskussion zu diesem Thema und davon ausgehend drei Ansätze zur Verbesserung des Potenzials von Daten für den Bildungsraum Schweiz vorgestellt.
Theoretical framework for ecological discourse analysis: A summary of New Developments of Ecological Discourse Analysis
Authors: Cheng Ming
Published: April 2022

This article is a summary of the newly published book New Developments of Ecological Discourse Analysis. On the premise of reviewing the overall development of ecolinguistics, this book firstly develops the Hallidayan approach and defines Ecological Discourse Analysis as an independent paradigm. Based on the guiding principle of the ecosophy, “Diversity and Harmony, Interaction and Co-existence”, it then expands and extends the experiential, interpersonal, textual, and logical metafunctions within the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics. Consequently, it constructs the theoretical systems of Ecological Discourse Analysis from the perspective of ecolinguistics: the transitivity system, mood system, appraisal system, Theme system, cohesion and coherence system, and logical system. This book presents readers with a comprehensive and applicable theoretical framework for Ecological Discourse Analysis, that is, “ecological grammar”.
The interaction and rhetorical conflict between systemic linguistics and generative linguistics
Authors: Feng Zongxin
Published: April 2022

The distinction of systemic linguistics and generative linguistics has led to more problems for systemicists than for generativists: Halliday’s theory has been widely applied but has not been adequately valued as an influential strand of functional grammars in discussions on functionalism and formalism in linguistics; Halliday recognizes Chomsky’s theoretical importance but fails to get Chomsky to respond to his questioning. By focusing on the complementarity and reconcilability of functionalist and formalist approaches to language, this paper discusses the common concerns and dialogues along with discursive differences and rhetorical conflicts between Halliday and Chomsky, and proposes that what stands between them is a difference of discourses of argumentation rather than an opposition of functionalism and formalism. It suggests a few things that at least some systemic linguists need to do in order to further interact with generative linguists who may not be interested in the systemic enterprise. It concludes that since Halliday’s social semiotic theory aims at everyday problems of living and learning, it should not be difficult for systemic linguists to solve the problem of communicating with Chomsky and his followers.
Les roues mycéniennes de char: o-da-tweta, te-mi-dwe-ta, rota et rota+TE
Authors: Duhoux Yves
Published: April 2022

The Linear B data, combined with archaeological, chronological and geographic facts, help to suggest some new solutions to problems linked with the inventories of Mycenaean chariot’s wheels. For instance, o-da-twe-ta and te-midwe- ta could mean respectively “with studded-tread” or “serrated” tyres and “with (special) tyre”. Etc.
Sobre la forma verbal a-pi-e-ke y la interpretación de PY Un 2
Authors: Jiménez Delgado José Miguel
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this paper is to reexamine the Mycenaean verb form a-pie- ke. This form has so far received three possible interpretations: a third person singular of the present indicative of ἀμφι-έχω; of the kappa aorist of ἀμφι-ίημι; of the kappa aorist of a compound with ἀπό and a verb lost in the first millennium and etymologically related to ἱερός. According to our analysis, the second one is to be preferred both from morphological and semantic reasons. Moreover, this interpretation befits the practices of Mycenaean administration: the tablet is the record of a delivery of goods from the warehouses of the palace to be consumed in a banquet, so an aorist form perfectly describes the act of sending them. Finally, at least one Homeric parallel can be adduced to account for the meaning of ἀμφι- in the Mycenaean compound.
A new Carian inscription on the left leg of a kouros found south of the Temple of Zeus Lepsynos in Euromos
Authors: Adiego Ignasi-Xavier , Kızıl Abuzer
Published: April 2022

This article examines and discusses a new Carian inscription found on the left leg of a kouros statue. The statue was found in the Temple of Zeus Lepsynos in the ancient Carian city of Euromos during excavations carried out in 2021. The four-line inscription is very difficult to interpret, but nonetheless constitutes a highly relevant contribution to our knowledge of the evolution of the Carian alphabet.
Bread and wine in Lycian poetry. A contextual interpretation of TL 44c
Authors: Sasseville David
Published: April 2022

In the following paper, new meanings for the Lycian B words waxssa, mur(i)- (and murei(je)-) and tubur(i)- are suggested using the combinatorial and etymological methods. Additionally, a new translation of a large part of the mythological poem on the north side of the funerary pillar in Xanthos (TL 44c) is offered, including a grammatical annotation and a linguistic commentary. Subsequently, the repercussions on the military deeds of the Lycian king Gergis as well as on his relationship with the gods are addressed.
The frequency of word gender as a variable for lexical access in Spanish
Authors: Santos Anthea , Bermúdez-Margaretto Beatriz , Alvarez Carlos J. , Dominguez Alberto
Published: April 2022

The endings of Spanish nouns reflect gender with varying degrees of frequency and regularity. The most common and regular endings are -o for masculine nouns and -a for feminine nouns, -o being more frequent and less closely associated with a specific gender category (masculine) than -a. Pairs of words occurring with both gender categories differ in the frequencies with which they are used as masculine or feminine forms: médic-o/médic-a ‘doctor’ (m.)/‘doctor’ (f.) is a clear example of a masculine-dominant pair, whereas enfermer-o/enfermer-a ‘nurse’ (m.)/ ‘nurse’ (f.) is a feminine-dominant pair. Adult readers of Spanish are faster in recognizing feminine forms of feminine-dominant pairs, and masculine forms of masculine-dominant pairs (Dominguez, Alberto, Fernando Cuetos & Juan Segui. 1999. The processing of grammatical gender and number in Spanish. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research 28(5). 485–498). This study aims to test the dominant frequency effect in third and sixth grade children, as well as in adults. Children were faster in recognizing masculine forms in masculine-dominant pairs, but not feminine forms in feminine-dominant pairs. Adults, by contrast, tended to respond faster to higher frequency words, irrespective of gender, indicating that they have independent representations for both genders. The dominance of masculine forms in children could be a consequence of the statistical distribution of gender dominance and regularity in Spanish. The experience of skilled adult readers seems to make them less dependent on this statistical pattern.
Bayesian estimation of a competing risk model based on Weibull and exponential distributions under right censored data
Authors: Talhi Hamida , Aiachi Hiba , Rahmania Nadji
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we investigate the estimation of the unknown parameters of a competing risk model based on a Weibull distributed decreasing failure rate and an exponentially distributed constant failure rate, under right censored data. The Bayes estimators and the corresponding risks are derived using various loss functions.
Since the posterior analysis involves analytically intractable integrals, we
propose a Monte Carlo method to compute these estimators. Given initial values of the model parameters, the maximum likelihood estimators are computed using the expectation-maximization algorithm. Finally, we use Pitman’s closeness criterion and integrated mean-square error to compare the performance of the Bayesian and the maximum likelihood estimators.
Risk factors for adverse drug reactions associated with clopidogrel therapy
Authors: Mugosa Snezana , Radosavljevic Ivan , Sahman Majda , Djordjevic Natasa , Todorovic Zoran
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to investigate the possible influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on the incidence of clopidogrel adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in cardiology patients, including the most important CYP2C19 alleles, namely *2 and *17, as well as compliance, dose, drug interactions, and clinical factors. A total of 102 clopidogrel-treated adult Caucasian patients hospitalized at the Cardiology Department of the Clinical Center of Montenegro were enrolled in the study. Data on clinical outcomes of interest were obtained by intensive monitoring ADRs during hospitalization and one year after hospital discharge. Genotyping for CYP2C19*2 and *17 was conducted using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. ADRs were characterized using the Rawlins and Thompson classification and the World Health Organization criteria. Causality was assessed using the Naranjo probability scale. ADRs to clopidogrel were observed in 9 of 102 patients (8.8%). The observed frequencies of CYP2C19*2 and *17 were 13.2 and 25.5%, respectively. Our study, which is the first to report the frequency of CYP2C19 polymorphism in the Montenegrin population, as well as to link the pharmacovigilance of clopidogrel with CYP2C19 gene variability, shows that the incidence of ADRs of clopidogrel in cardiac patients is high and depends on CYP2C19 polymorphisms, comedication/drug interactions, and gastrointestinal comorbidity.
A Promise of Happiness? Nietzsche on Beauty
Authors: Lossi Annamaria
Published: April 2022

Nietzsche presents a challenging conception of aesthetics. One of the most well-known discussions on this issue is presented by Heidegger inDer Wille zur Macht als Kunst(1936/37). In discussing Nietzsche’s aesthetic theory, Heidegger argues that Nietzsche’s reception of Kantian aesthetics is only ever indirect and necessarily mediated by Schopenhauer. His conclusion hinges on what he considers to be a widespread misinterpretation of Kant’s theory of the beautiful, a misinterpretation that begins with Schopenhauer but characterizes all of Kant’s followers, especially Nietzsche. In this paper, I will consider Nietzsche’s position toward aesthetics from a different perspective, namely in the space between Kant’s and Schopenhauer’s position. The argumentation departs from Nietzsche’s early critique of teleology; his first approaches to aesthetics inDie Geburt der Tragödie(1872); and his position on the concept of causality and morality. As a careful interpretation of GM III 6 will make clear, Heidegger’s claim that Nietzsche misinterprets Kant is made questionable by the fact that Nietzsche here distinguishes Kant (especially his emphasis on universalism and impersonality as central features of aesthetic judgments) from Schopenhauer’s approach and proposes an artist-based aesthetics in which it is rather Stendhal’s idea of beauty as “une promesse de bonheur” which expresses the human need for illusions in Nietzsche’s conception of aesthetics.
A Matter of Scale: Responses to Landscape Changes in the Oslo Fjord, Norway, in the Mesolithic
Authors: Mjærum Axel
Published: April 2022

Present-day global warming has great consequences, both for individuals and on a larger scale for society as a whole. However, environmental changes also affected everyday life in the past. The purpose of this article is to apply perspectives developed in studies of how contemporary societies adapt to shore-level changes and to use this insight in a study of the way Mesolithic populations handled a situation of large land uplift. More specifically, the author discusses four common adaptation strategies devised to cope with changing sea level, both on a site level and on a regional scale – to accommodate, relocate, protect, or not respond to the changing environment. In the Oslo Fjord in Norway, the shorelines moved from approximately 200–40 m above the present-day sea level in the period 9300–3900 cal BC, caused by the strong post-glacial rebound. Along the shores lived populations that based much of their life on the local marine resources. Building on information from the large habitation area Havsjødalen and a statistical analysis of 529 critically selected sites in the region, the author concludes that single sites were systematically accommodated or relocated when the distance to the shores receded. However, sea level changes caused more dramatic regional landscape transformation and a less bountiful environment c. 5000 cal BC, with a period of maladaptation and a subsequent population collapse as a result. Like modern societies facing human-caused climate changes, the Mesolithic population had difficulties in handling the need for large-scale shifts in their society.
Degradation of o-, m-, p-cresol isomers using ozone in the presence of V2O5-supported Mn, Fe, and Ni catalysts
Authors: Ncanana Zamani S. , Vashistha Vinod K. , Singh Prabal P. , Pullabhotla Rajasekhar V.S.R.
Published: April 2022

Oxidative degradation of o-, m- and p-cresols using ozone in the presence of V2O5-supported metal (Mn, Fe, Ni) catalysts was studied under ambient reaction conditions. Metal (Mn, Fe, Ni) loaded V2O5 catalysts were prepared using a wet-impregnation method, thereafter, characterized, and analyzed by use of the XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, TEM, and ICP-OES. Results show the effect of the amount of a metal that was loaded on the support, particularly, how it affects the resultant catalysts’ (i) crystallite size, (ii) dispersion of an active metal over the surface of a support, and (iii) catalytic activity. Mn-loaded catalysts were found to be relatively more active for the conversion of individual cresol isomers and the activity of this catalyst was significantly enhanced at a lower Mn to V2O5 ratio (2.5 wt%). Mn(2.5 %)/V2O5 catalyst led to conversions of 66.78, 71.01 and 73.68 % with o-, m-, and p-cresols respectively within 24 h of oxidation. Oxidation products were derivatized by ethanol and a few were positively detected using GC-MS. o-Tolyl acetate and 2,5-dihydroxy toluene were detected from o-cresol, m-tolyl acetate, and 2,3-dihydroxy toluene from m-cresol and p-tolyl acetate and 3,4-dihydroxy toluene from p-cresol oxidation. Dimethyl maleate and dimethyl oxalate were detected as common products in all three isomers’ oxidation.
Application of artificial neural networks for predicting the isotopic composition of high burn-up solid plutonium sample using the 90–105 keV gamma-spectrum region
Authors: Sarkar Arnab
Published: April 2022

An artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm was developed to predict isotopic composition of five Pu isotopes (238Pu,239Pu,240Pu,241Pu, and242Pu) of high burn-up Pu samples. The study was carried out using the most complex but informative gamma energy region of Pu gamma spectra, 90–106 keV. This region has remained futile, due to the overlapping nature of the gamma emission lines and X-rays emitted by U, Pu, and Np. A backpropagation neural network algorithm based ANN with error minimization using the steepest gradient method was built with the help of normalized gamma spectra for ∼800 samples. The paper discusses the optimization of hidden neuron number and the layer design for best prediction. With the exception of242Pu, the prediction accuracy and precision of the proposed technique was found to be ∼3% for all other isotopes of Pu.
Perforated steel for realizing extraordinary ductility under compression: Testing and finite element modeling
Authors: Zhou Yingwu , Zhuang Li , Hu Zhiheng , Hu Biao , Huang Xiaoxu , Zhu Zhongfeng
Published: April 2022

One key obstacle restricting the application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars from being used as reinforcement in structural concrete is the significantly reduced ductility because FRP under tension is linear elastic up to brittle rupture at small strain. Recently, a new structural concept, compression yielding (CY), has been proposed as a way to overcome the insufficient ductility of concrete structures reinforced with FRP bars or other non-ductile materials. In the CY structural system, the compression-zone of normal concrete is replaced by a ductile material within the plastic hinge. This enables the flexural deformation to be achieved by the compressive deformation of CY material rather than a tensile deformation of longitudinal reinforcing bars. To this end, an ideal CY material requires strength to be maintained during the extraordinarily large deformation process. This study tries to identify methods for developing this kind of CY material by designing and optimizing perforations inside a mild steel block. The effects of key parameters, including ratio, diameter, and arrangement of perforations on the stiffness, strength, and ductility of CY materials were experimentally investigated. In addition, a finite element (FE) model was developed to predict the behavior of the proposed CY material.
Multiple load recognition and fatigue assessment on longitudinal stop of railway freight car
Authors: Zhou Wei , Wu Yitong , Liu Xiang , Gong Wei , Wang Hongjie , Li Guofei , Xiao Heting , Liu Dongrun , Kasimu Aliyu
Published: April 2022

Safety evaluation of key support components remains a challenge for freight trains because of the difficulties in direct and precise monitoring. In this work, the longitudinal stop on well-hole freight train, which prevents the cargo from sliding in anterior-posterior direction, is investigated. Load identification approach is proposed via strain perception at multiple locations, which are selected from the optimal positions sensitive to longitudinal and lateral loading in Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Validation is performed in random loading simulations. The identified loads deviate from the random sets within 4.07%. Longitudinal and lateral forces are recognized in an attempt to calculate the signed von Mises (SVM) stress of the longitudinal stop structure for fatigue evaluation. In application, the reconstructed structural stress climbs up to 107.1 MPa for the right weld base. Employing the rain-flow counting and Miner’s damage rule, the recommendation for load spectra grade in convergence is 64 groups. The equivalent fatigue damage is 0.854 and it drops to 30% in the statistical annual maximum mileage equivalency. Research outcome reveals that the proposed method enables the real-time monitoring of service loads and structural stress in railway freight transport, which provides scientific evidence for its maintenance planning and structural optimization.
Irrealis, aspect, and unanchoring in Slavonic and beyond
Authors: Holvoet Axel
Published: April 2022

In this article a parallel is drawn between certain functions of irrealis and imperfective in evaluating contexts in Russian and Polish. The functions of irrealis in complementation are twofold: while in propositional complements it reflects irreality, in state-of-affairs complements it reflects temporal and situational unanchoring. This unanchoring function manifests itself also in complements of evaluative (commentative) predicates, where it extracts an event from its situational setting for the purpose of evaluating its intrinsic properties – intrinsic likelihood or desirability. It is argued that the representation of event tokens as event types by means of imperfective verbs in Slavonic performs a similar unanchoring function in evaluative contexts. The data of Slavonic languages, where both unanchoring devices cooccur, enable a coherent explanation of certain hitherto not fully understood phenomena in the domains of mood and aspect and shed a new light on the long-standing problem of the Romance so-called “factive” subjunctive.
Sding Chung: an early multi-burial cave site on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Lu Hongliang , Li Ziyan , Ciren Chilie , Cao Doudou , Gao Xuan , Li Linhui
Published: April 2022

This study presents preliminary discoveries from Sding Chung cave, an early multi-burial cave site in the Himalayan highlands dating from 300BC–AD 300. Multiple human and animal bones within the cave provide unique evidence for understanding the diverse mortuary rituals and biocultural adaptations in this region.
Beyond Lebanon’s Power-Sharing
Authors: Ditel Claudia
Published: April 2022

Lebanon’s Ta’if Agreement, although implemented as a tool for conflict reconstruction, did not build a sustainable peace, nor has it created the base for democratic and economic development. Rather, it perpetuates elites’ interests at the expense of an ever-poorer population, while crystallizing fragmentation along sectarian identities, thus increasing the security dilemma. New literature on Lebanon’s power-sharing system is questioning how to build cross-sectarian cooperation and trust in Lebanon and, in doing so, is widely looking at the potential peacebuilding of civil society initiatives. The central point of the paper is that thinking about conflict transformation in Lebanon requires investigating the relation between power-sharing and civil society within a perspective of creating inclusive institutional mechanisms for the latter.