bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Insurance Literacy and Medical Debt in Middle-Age Americans
Authors: Wiltshire Jacqueline , Liu Echu , Dean Caress A. , Colato Edlin Garcia , Elder Keith
Published: December 2021

Background:

Health insurance literacy (HIL) may influence medical financial burden among people who are sick and the most vulnerable.

Objective:

This study examined the relationships between HIL, health insurance factors, and medical debt among middle-age Americans, a population with an increasing prevalence of illnesses.

Methods:

Linear and generalized linear regression analyses were conducted on data drawn from the 2015–2016 waves of the Health Reform Monitoring Survey, a national, internet-based sample of Americans age 18 to 64 years. The analytical sample included 8,042 people age 50 to 64 years.

Key Results:

Adjusted mean HIL scores did not differ by private versus public insurance or by out-of-pocket costs. Mean HIL scores were lower with higher deductibles; however, differences in mean scores were small. Higher HIL was associated with lower medical debt (odds ratio = 0.97; 95% confidence interval [0.96, 0.98]), but at the highest HIL score, the risk of having medical debt was still 13.8%. Public coverage, higher annual deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs were associated with higher risks of having medical debt.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that HIL plays an important role in medical debt burden. However, with the shift toward high cost-sharing insurance plans, addressing health care affordability issues along with HIL are critical to eliminate medical debt problems.

[
HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice
. 2021;5(4):e319–e332.]

Plain Language Summary:

Understanding and using health insurance (also defined as health insurance literacy) may influence the ability to pay medical bills among people who are sick and vulnerable. This study examined the relationships among health insurance literacy, health insurance factors, and difficulty paying medical bills (i.e., medical debt) in Americans age 50 to 64 years using data from the Health Reform Monitoring Survey. People with higher health insurance literacy reported lower medical debt. Type of insurance coverage did not influence medical debt. Those with annual deductibles and out-of-pocket health care costs were more likely to report having medical debt.
El caso Climent. ¿Ilustración católica o catolicismo ilustrado?
Authors: Viejo Yharrassarry Julián
Published: December 2021

A partir del análisis de la Carta Pastoral (1769) que el obispo de Barcelona Joseph Climent incorpora a la segunda edición castellana de Las Costumbres de los israelitas (1771), en este artículo se discute acerca de los conceptos: Ilustración católica y catolicismo ilustrado. Con este motivo, se repasan, a su vez, otras cuestiones de primera importancia para situar la existencia, que aquí se afirma, de una Ilustración católica hispana. La aceptación de una versión catolizada de la denominada «sociedad comercial» y de su motor esencial, el amor propio, que habrá de caracterizar dicha Ilustración católica, se irá desenvolviendo a partir del estudio de las diferentes posiciones acerca del lujo que un núcleo de intelectuales destacados del momento recogerá en sus obras.
La Revista Nacional de Educación: «política del espíritu» y propaganda (1941-1951)
Authors: Veci Lavín Carlos
Published: December 2021

Este artículo estudia la Revista Nacional de Educación, editada por el Ministerio de Educación Nacional entre 1941-1951, durante el mandato de José Ibáñez Martín. Este trabajo, para el que se ha consultado el archivo personal de Ibáñez Martín y la colección de la revista, pone de relieve con una serie de ejemplos (la reforma universitaria, el proyecto totalitario falangista o la actividad hispanoamericanista del Ateneo de Madrid) su importancia como fuente para el conocimiento del «franquismo » y entender el papel político del Estado. La revista, cuya dirección fue encomendada a Pedro Rocamora, fue un instrumento para cumplir con la misión intelectual del Ministerio de Educación Nacional. En el ámbito ministerial, también contribuyó a su labor legislativa y a mantener informado al funcionariado del sector. En sus diez años de historia, la Revista Nacional de Educación evolucionó al compás de las funciones encomendadas a Ibáñez Martín, que supo adaptarse a las necesidades del «nuevo Estado» en la posguerra. En este sentido, la revista fue también una pieza de propaganda, atribución especialmente clave a partir de 1945, cuando las competencias de la llamada Educación Popular pasan al control de Ibáñez Martín.
Seizure Detection in Epileptic EEG Using Short-Time Fourier Transform and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Rizal Achmad , Priharti Wahmisari , Hadiyoso Sugondo
Published: December 2021

Epilepsy is the most common form of neurological disease. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is the main tool in the observation of epilepsy. The detection and prediction of seizures in EEG signals require multi-domain analysis, one of which is the time domain combined with other approaches for feature extraction. In this study, a method for detecting seizures in epileptic EEG is proposed using analysis of the distribution of the signal spectrum in the time range t. The EEG signal which includes normal, inter-ictal and ictal is transformed into the time-frequency domain using the Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT). Simulations were carried out on varying window length, overlap and FFT points to find the highest detection accuracy. The frequency distribution and first-order statistics were then calculated as feature vectors for the classification process. A support vector machine was employed to evaluate the proposed method. The simulation results showed the highest accuracy of 92.3% using 25-20-512 STFT and quadratic SVM. The proposed method in this study is expected to be a basis for the detection and prediction of seizures in long-term EEG recordings or real-time EEG monitoring of epilepsy patients.
Detection of Cancer in Medical Images using Deep Learning
Authors: Shweikeh Emad , Lu Joan , Al-Rajab Murad
Published: December 2021

Cancer is a serious disease that causes death by genomic disorder combination and diversity of unreasoning changes. This paper study the major deep learning techniques that are addressing medical image analysis and summarizes over 200 contributed articles to the subject, in particular those studies that are published in the last 6 years (since 2016). The main purpose of this paper study is to survey the deep learning algorithms for cancer detection and diagnosis. the results show that the convolutional neural network (CNN) is the most
Sensitive Data Exposure: Data Forwarding and Storage on Cloud Environment
Authors: Alotaibi Shahad , Alharbi Khadijah , Abaalkhail Balsam , Ibrahim Dina M.
Published: December 2021

Sensitive data has become an essential part of life today. With the increase in sensitive data, the importance of maintaining its confidentiality and integrity has increased. One of the solutions became to store this data in the cloud. But the risk of revealing this data still exists. This is because the rate of attack, leakage and loss of this data has become a serious matter. The importance of sensitive data in our current era is considered our oil, as it is very important in several uses in statistical analyzes and other important matters that help the authorities to know the type of people and their interests, and when publishing this information it is important to know what information should be available and What information should not appear or be used on the sites. In this paper, discuss this issue, which is one of the most important security issues that is sensitive data exposure. We touched on this research and the techniques used to reduce these risks to the data stored in the cloud. Mention the types of sensitive data and the types of attacks that may affect these data, and mention the points of weakness, and then the methods of protecting this data.
An Experimental Approach and A Signal Processing Method with the Common Rail Injection System of a Diesel Engine
Authors: Nguyen Thin Quynh , Dunin Andrey Y. , Shatrov Mikhail G.
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a method and results, which studies influences of the fuel flow mode on the pressure oscillation in the volumes of the accumulator fuel system. The fuel is supplied through nozzle holes into a constant volume chamber, which is installed a jet for fuel discharge into the low-pressure line. Results show that the increase in the base pressure value of the fuel accumulator leads to the rise in the slope of the leading edge of the differential characteristics and the maximum dQ/dt value changes closer to the beginning moment of the fuel injection process. At the same time, the control pressure value is a significant parameter that greatly influences the shape of the injection characteristic. In addition, when using the drain orifices with different diameters, received values and differential characteristics vary during the fuel supply process. The differential characteristics of the study are the basis for implementing fuel injection control solutions.
A Experiência da Interação Mãe-Bebê para Mães Adolescentes
Authors: Prates Dantas Cândida , Clerici Christofari Gabriela , Arpini Dorian Mônica
Published: December 2021

A interação inicial mãe-bebê, marcada por uma intensa adaptação por parte da mãe às necessidades do filho, é essencial para o desenvolvimento do bebê. Igualmente importante é a interação que vai estabelecendo-se na díade, à medida que a mãe vai retomando outros interesses e o bebê adquirindo maior autonomia. Assim, o presente artigo teve como objetivo compreender a experiência da interação mãe-bebê para mães adolescentes. O trabalho teve caráter qualitativo, com delineamento exploratório e descritivo, e foi realizado a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas com mães adolescentes e observações da relação da díade mediada pelo brincar. A análise dos dados foi realizada através da análise de conteúdo. Foi possível perceber que as participantes desenvolveram um estado de adaptação e devoção aos filhos. Ainda, observou-se o cuidado das mães com os filhos, mas também a autonomia proporcionada aos bebês. Assim, apesar das dificuldades inerentes ao processo da maternidade na adolescência, pode-se compreender que a interação mãe-filho estava permeada por afeto e cuidado, o que possibilita a constituição do bebê enquanto sujeito. Por fim, destaca-se que a condição para o desempenho da função materna não estaria atrelada necessariamente à idade da mãe, mas às suas experiências subjetivas e a sua capacidade de investimento.
Autocompaixão e Bullying: discutindo fatores de risco e de proteção nas relações entre pares na adolescência
Authors: De Souza Déborah Brandão , Pfeiffer Sandiléia , Nonnemacher Cassio Blos , Ribeiro Natalia Coimbra , Lisboa Carolina Saraiva de Macedo
Published: December 2021

Experiências de bullying podem contribuir negativamente na visão do adolescente sobre ele próprio perante os pares. Hipotetiza-se que a adoção de uma postura calorosa, não-avaliativa e sensível do indivíduo ao experimentar sofrimento, como é definida a autocompaixão, pode ser uma estratégia adaptativa para situações hostis. Esse estudo investigou diferenças entre adolescentes quanto a níveis de autocompaixão e experiências de bullying, bem como a relação entre os dois construtos. Participaram 551 adolescentes, sendo 57% do sexo feminino, com idade média de 15,1 anos (DP= 1,7), estudantes de escolas públicas brasileiras. Análises de correlação de Pearson foram realizadas para investigar relações entre autocompaixão e bullying. Posteriormente, a amostra foi dividida em dois grupos extremos da escala de autocompaixão e comparou-se as médias. Foram encontradas correlações significativas e negativas entre a autocompaixão e tipos de bullying, bem como com os papéis de vitimização. Quando separados por grupos, os adolescentes com níveis mais elevados de autocompaixão apresentaram níveis menores de experiências de bullying e média maior no papel de defensor das vítimas. Observa-se que a existência de relações seguras e de apoio podem contribuir no desenvolvimento de habilidades e respostas compassivas de ajuda aos outros e de regulação emocional em situações difíceis.
Efeitos das Práticas Meditativas nos Níveis de Cortisol Induzidos por Estresse Agudo: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Alfonsi José , Troncoso Ana Cristina , Conde Erick
Published: December 2021

As práticas meditativas são reconhecidas pelo potencial na redução do estresse. Estas possuem ampla variedade de técnicas e estilos e quando inseridas na multidisciplinariedade do campo do estresse, sua linha de pesquisa adquire características metodológicas peculiares com diversificação investigativa. Neste contexto, esta revisão sistemática qualitativa tem como objetivo revisar os principais aspectos metodológicos das pesquisas que investigaram o potencial da meditação na regulação do cortisol induzido por tarefas de reatividade de estresse agudo, bem como as características das práticas meditativas utilizadas que, segundo autores, são diferenciais no manejo do estresse e considerados relevantes a esta linha de pesquisa.  A pesquisa foi realizada nas plataformas PubMed e Web of Science. Foram incluídos sete estudos originais que utilizaram uma tarefa de reatividade ao estresse agudo e o cortisol como o principal marcador biológico. As intervenções com ênfase em habilidades cognitivas sociais e regulação emocional tiveram melhores resultados na redução do cortisol do que as práticas somente focadas no desenvolvimento cognitivo. Na discussão, foram destacados aspectos como tempo de prática, o aprimoramento de competências e a regulação emocional. Esta revisão contribui para elucidar os mecanismos psicológicos subjacentes às práticas meditativas tal como os aspectos metodológicos relevantes.
Autofluorescence in freshly isolated adult human liver sinusoidal cells
Authors: Larsen Anett Kristin , Simón-Santamaría Jaione , Elvevold Kjetil , Ericzon Bo Göran , Mortensen Kim Erlend , McCourt Peter , Smedsrød Bård , Sørensen Karen Kristine
Published: December 2021

Autofluorescent granules of various sizes were observed in primary human liver endothelial cells (LSECs) upon laser irradiation using a wide range of wavelengths. Autofluorescence was detected in LAMP-1 positive vesicles, suggesting lysosomal location. Confocal imaging of freshly prepared cultures and imaging flow cytometry of non-cultured cells revealed fluorescence in all channels used. Treatment with a lipofuscin autofluorescence quencher reduced autofluorescence, most efficiently in the near UV-area. These results, combined with the knowledge of the very active blood clearance function of LSECs support the notion that lysosomally located autofluorescent material reflected accumulation of lipofuscin in the intact liver. These results illustrate the importance of careful selection of fluorophores, especially when labelling of live cells where the quencher is not compatible.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Measurement Procedure for Vehicle Components - Immunity to AC Power Line Electric Fields
Authors:   Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standards
Published: December 2021

This SAE Recommended Practice covers the recommended testing techniques for the determination of electric field immunity of an automotive electronic device when the device and its wiring harness is exposed to a power line electric field. This technique uses a parallel plate field generator and a high voltage, low current voltage source to produce the field.
Outcomes From a Novel Graduate Medical Education Leadership Program in Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Authors: Powell Carmin , Yemane Lahia , Brooks Michelle , Johnson Carrie , Alvarez Al'ai , Bandstra Belinda , Caceres Wendy , Dierickx Quynh , Thomas Reena , Blankenburg Rebecca
Published: December 2021

Background

Academic medicine needs more diverse leadership from racial/ethnic minorities, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ physicians. Longitudinal structural support programs that bring together underrepresented in medicine (UiM) and non-UiM trainees are one approach to build leadership and scholarship capacity in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Objective

To describe the creation, satisfaction with, and feasibility of a Leadership Education in Advancing Diversity (LEAD) Program and evaluate scholars' changes in self-efficacy, intended and actual behavior change, and outputs in leadership and DEI scholarship.

Methods

In 2017, we created the LEAD Program, a 10-month longitudinal, single institution program that provides residents and fellows (“scholars”) across graduate medical education (GME) with leadership training and mentorship in creating DEI-focused scholarship. In the first 3 cohorts (2017–2020), we assessed scholars' self-efficacy, actual and planned behavior change, and program satisfaction using IRB-approved, de-identified retrospective pre-/post-surveys. We measured scholarship as the number of workshops presented and publications developed by the LEAD scholars. We used descriptive statistics and paired 2-tailed t tests to analyze the data.

Results

Seventy-five trainees completed LEAD; 99% (74 of 75) completed the retrospective pre-/post-surveys. There was statistically significant improvement in scholars' self-efficacy for all learning objectives. All trainees thought LEAD should continue. LEAD scholars have created workshops and presented at local, regional, and national conferences, as well published their findings. Scholars identified the greatest benefits as mentorship, developing friendships with UiM and ally peers outside of their subspecialty, and confidence in public speaking.

Conclusions

LEAD is an innovative, feasible GME-wide model to improve resident and fellow self-efficacy and behaviors in DEI scholarship and leadership.
A Document Analysis of Nationally Available Faculty Assessment Forms of Resident Performance
Authors: French Judith C. , Pien Lily C.
Published: December 2021

Background

Written feedback by faculty of resident performance is valuable when it includes components based on assessment for learning. However, it is not clear how often assessment forms include these components for summative and formative feedback.

Objective

To analyze prompts used in forms for faculty assessment of resident performance, guided by best practices in survey research methodology, self-regulation theory, and competency-based assessment.

Methods

A document analysis, which is a qualitative approach used to analyze content and structure of texts, was completed on assessment forms nationally available in MedHub. Due to the number of forms available, only internal medicine and surgery specialties were included. A document summary form was created to analyze the assessments. The summary form guided researchers through the analysis.

Results

Forty-eight forms were reviewed, each from a unique residency program. All forms provided a textbox for comments, and 54% made this textbox required for assessment completion. Eighty-three percent of assessments placed the open textbox at the end of the form. One-third of forms contained a simple prompt, “Comments,” for the narrative section. Fifteen percent of forms included a box to check if the information on the form had been discussed with the resident. Fifty percent of the assessments were unclear if they were meant to be formative or summative in nature.

Conclusions

Our document analysis of assessment forms revealed they do not always follow best practices in survey design for narrative sections, nor do they universally address elements deemed important for promotion of self-regulation and competency-based assessment.
Interdisciplinary Ethics Certificate Program for Graduate Medical Education Trainees
Authors: Thomas Harrison C. , Meador Keith , Payne Kate , Drolet Brian C.
Published: December 2021

Background

Ethics education is an essential component of developing physician competency and professionalism. Although prior studies have shown both a wide interest and a need for ethics education during residency, structured learning opportunities are not widely available at the graduate medical education (GME) level.

Objective

Through the Vanderbilt Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, we developed a 1-year certificate program offering a Distinction in Biomedical Ethics, open to all active trainees in GME programs at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This certificate program provides advanced education in biomedical ethics and can be completed without additional cost to the trainee or time away from training.

Methods

This certificate program has been offered each academic year since 2017–2018. The program curriculum includes case-based seminars, a rotation on the Ethics Consultation Service, participation on the hospital ethics committee, and a capstone project. Outcomes were assessed using a post-course evaluation.

Results

During the first 4 years of the program, 65 trainees participated from 19 different specialties. Course evaluations were obtained from 58 participants (89.4% response rate) and were strongly favorable in most domains. All participants agreed that this program enhanced their knowledge of biomedical ethics and they would use something they learned in their future practice. Most participants (57 of 58, 98.3%) would recommend this course to a friend.

Conclusions

We designed and implemented a Distinction in Biomedical Ethics program to provide advanced training in clinical Bioethics, which has been favorably received by participants.
Abir's Enlightenment Revolution is the basic element leading to the end of the corrupt regime resulting from the poisoned Tunisian revolution 2011
Authors: Chaabani Hassen
Published: December 2021

Ten years after the launch of its 2011 revolution, Tunisia has reached a catastrophic socio-economic situation that confirms that none of major goals of this revolution have been achieved. Here, from an anthropological analysis of major events happened during this decade I reveal and discuss mysteries of this revolution, and I show how and why it got to her final stage. I qualified it as „poisoned‟ because of clandestine interventions from some foreign countries that were able to steer it on a corrupt and dangerous path from the very beginning. In fact, although it was started by young people who have no political and ideological affiliation, many opportunist politicians rode its wave and given a false revolutionary label to their parties. One of these parties, „Ennahdha‟, in a clear relationship with some countries, very likely got secretly considerable funds. The use of these moneys, coupled with dissemination of religious misinformation, during the pre-elections period permitted this party to be the first to come to power. Since then, it began (1) to support secretly those who perform the corrupt instrumentalization of Islam leading to terrorism and obscurantism, (2) not to apply laws that conflict with its interests, and (3) to develop corruption through wide networks spread in most of the national institutions particularly in judicial and security sectors. This has ensured it permanent influence over the major joints of the State even if it does not have the highest representation in the Government. At the end of this despaired decade, a glimmer of hope appeared with the emergence of the wonderful leader ‟Abir Moussi‟ who called for Enlightenment Revolution. Her heroic struggle is the basic element leading to the end of the poisoned revolution 2011 and the resulting corrupt regime, which was mainly fabricated and dominated by Ennahdha, the last dangerous stronghold of the World Brotherhood Sect. I end this study by presenting recommendations aimed at eliminating the corrupt instrumentalization of Islam and preventing its return.
Women, Islam, and politics in Samarkand (1991–2021)
Authors: Malikov Azim , Djuraeva Dilfuza
Published: December 2021

This article is devoted to the analysis of the following issues: state policy in Uzbekistan in the field of Islam and gender, the modern understanding of local Muslim societies‘ traditions, the spread of the hijab in Samarkand, and discourses around the hijab. There are various interpretations of religious practices in which women are involved. Some of these rituals are considered non-Islamic by the official Muslim clergy. We argue that the various discourses that existed around the Muslim societies‘ tradition contributed to the emergence of different motivations for wearing the hijab. In different eras, various symbolic meanings were attached to the hijab, with religiosity, modesty, backwardness, traditions, etc. If in the 1990s the hijab meant a return to pre-Soviet gender traditions for certain groups of women in certain regions of Uzbekistan, now it is perceived as part of modernity, which is understood differently by Muslims of Uzbekistan. For every one of these women, the hijab has its own personal meaning and there are various reasons for wearing it such as to consider it related to Islam or a symbol associated with Islam and the symbolization of moral categories of the spiritual purity and good manners.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Protection in the Nigerian Energy Sector: Reflection on Issues and Legal Reform
Authors: Abdulkadir Abdulkadir Bolaji
Published: December 2021

The abatement of environmental degradation has been an issue which has received growing attention in recent times. Despite the increased attention however, environment pollution has remained unabated in Nigeria with its adverse impacts on the citizens. The question then is, do businesses owe society any social responsibility as it relates to the protection of environment? The Energy sector in Nigeria plays a very crucial role in Nigeria’s development, as the industrial development and innovation necessary for the economic development of any country is directly linked to the management of energy resources. Nigeria is endowed with abundant (fossil fuel) energy resources, such as oil, gas, coal, fuel wood, etc., which are dominantly the fuel sources for electrical energy production, yet, Nigeria is faced with environmental challenges capable of limiting and destroying access to these energy resources without taking cognizance of their environmental control. Therefore, this article attempts at navigating the imperative of Corporate Social Responsibility. Furthermore, the use of Corporate Social Responsibility as a tool for abatement and prevention of environmental damage to the energy sector is considered. Finally, possible recommendations were made as control measure through CSR in Nigeria in order to protect the energy resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment.
Collaborative governance: The antidote for effective implementation of malaria elimination programme in Nigeria
Authors: Taleat B.A. , Olawoyin K.W.
Published: December 2021

Objective: The study examined the way inter-governmental collaboration can be improved to enhance malaria elimination programme in Southwestern Nigeria. Methodology: Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire and conduct of interviews. The study population comprised all categories of staff in the National Malaria Elimination Programme; staffs of Malaria Elimination Programme in three states and nine Local Governments in Southwestern Nigeria. A sample size of 388 respondents was selected for questionnaire administration from the study population. Interviews were conducted to complement information collected through questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: The study revealed that increased allocation of funds; establishment of several anti-malaria programmes at all levels of government and integrated decision making were ways collaborative governance can be improved to enhance malaria elimination programme in the study area. Conclusion: The study concluded that collaborative governance is a sine qua non to the effective implementation of government programmes.
Oxymatrine inhibits proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells by inhibiting miRNA-188 and upregulating its target gene, PTEN
Authors: Ma Xiaoying , Sang Zijiang , Zhang Qinghua , Ma Wenbiao
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To explore the potential biological functions of oxymatrine on breast cancer (BCa) cells and the underlying molecular mechanism.Methods: Relative levels of microRNA-188 (miRNA-188) and PTEN (gene of phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome ten) in BCa cells, MDA-MB-231 and TB549, were determined. The influence of oxymatrine treatment, miRNA-188 and PTEN on proliferative and migratory abilities in BCa cells were assessed by 3-(4,5-imethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assay, respectively. The binding relationship between miRNA-188 and PTEN was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.Results: Oxymatrine downregulated miRNA-188 and upregulated PTEN in BCa cells. Proliferative and migratory activities in BCa were inhibited by treatment of oxymatrine (p < 0.05). Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results indicated that PTEN was the target gene of miRNA-188. Furthermore, rescue experiments demonstrated that the regulatory loop, oxymatrine/miRNA-188/PTEN, was involved in the regulation of the migration and proliferation of BCa.Conclusion: Oxymatrine treatment inhibits BCa progression by downregulating miRNA-188, leading to the upregulation of PTEN. The results of the current study may provide new insight into the diagnosis and treatment of BCa.
Pregabalin alleviates postherpetic neuralgia by downregulating spinal TRPV1 channel protein
Authors: Xiao Zhenping , Liao Mengjun , He Yunwu , Li Yonglin , Yang Wuzhou , Jiang Liping , Zou Cong
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To determine the mechanism involved in pregabalin-induced alleviation of postherpetic neuralgia in a rat model.Methods: Ninety-sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to sham, model andpregabalin groups (32 rats per group). A model of postherpetic neuralgia (PN) was established. The expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in spinal cord tissue were determined 7 days after administration of treatments. The proportions of fluorescence areas in astrocytes in the dorsal horn, prefrontal lobe and hippocampus, and level of spinal cord TRPV1 channel protein in each group were evaluated.Results: Relative to model rats, IL-1β and TNF-α in spinal cord of pregabalin rats were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The areas of fluorescence in astrocytes in dorsal horn of spinal cord, prefrontal lobe and hippocampus of model group were significantly increased, relative to sham, but were decreased in rats in pregabalin group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Pregabalin significantly alleviates postherpetic neuralgia via mechanisms which may be related to the inflammatory response of spinal dorsal horn and downregulation of TRPV1 channel protein expression. This finding may be useful in developing new drugs for alleviating postherpetic neuralgia.
The millstone trade from the most exploited Italian volcanic areas: an overview from the phoenicians to the roman period
Authors: Patrizia Santi  , Timmy Gambin  , Alberto Renzulli
Published: December 2021

Lavas were widely used in antiquity to produce millstones. This is mainly due to their superior properties for grinding cereals and availability when compared with other rock-types. In the past four decades, several studies have been published about lava millstones discovered in subaerial and submarine archaeological sites of the Central-Western Mediterranean. Although the morphological evidence of old quarries is rarely present, all these studies were aimed at recognizing provenance and manufacturing areas of the volcanic raw material. Typologies of grinding tools coexisted in different periods, even if some technological developments marked transitions between cultures. The main chronology is: Archaic saddle quern, Greek hopper-rubber (Olynthian), small to medium size rotary device (Morgantina type) and large hourglass rotary millstone (Pompeian style). Potential volcanic sources are widespread throughout the entire Mediterranean region, but two main Italian quarrying areas of volcanic rocks for the manufacture of millstones from the Phoenician to the Roman period were pointed out. These are the Latium-Umbria border in Central Italy, and Sicily (Eastern Sicily and Sicilian Channel) in Southern Italy. In detail, analysis of the lava lithotypes shows that grinding tools were mainly constructed of: (i) a leucite phonolite of the so called “Orvieto quarries” between the localities of Sugano and Buonviaggio in the Roman Volcanic Province (High-K alkaline series); (ii) hawaiites and mugearites (Na-alkaline series) from Etna volcano; (iii) basalts (Tholeiitic/Transitional series) of the Hyblaean Mountains and (iv) basalts (Na-alkaline series) from Pantelleria Island (Sicilian Channel). Although some lava millstones from other volcanic regions are recorded, the above four Italian volcanic rock types represent the most exploited in antiquity. A comparison between volcanic millstones and outcropping lavas already exists, from literature data, through thin section modal mineralogy and conventional igneous petrology (i.e., TAS classification, magmatic affinities, and major-trace elements signature). Therefore, on this basis we propose a set of discriminating geochemical parameters (major-trace elements and element ratios diagrams) useful for a quick assessment tool to possibly evaluate one of these four exploited volcanic areas of Italy matching millstones. A sketch of volcanic millstone trade networks and commercial routes in antiquity throughout the Central-Western Mediterranean has been also reported and overviewed on the basis of the literature data.
Disseminating the knowledge on the complex interactions between humans and volcanoes: the geological section of the Villa Arbusto archaeological museum at Lacco Ameno (Ischia, Naples - Italy)
Authors: Sandro de Vita  , Mauro Antonio Di Vito  , Diana Barra  , Giuseppe Aiello  , Costanza Gialanella
Published: December 2021

A room in the Archaeological Museum of Villa Arbusto (Lacco Ameno, Ischia) was set up to house rocks and fossils collected by the renowned archaeologist Giorgio Buchner during his excavation activity on the Island of Ischia. The collection is witness to a long multidisciplinary research activity that saw archaeological studies at the center of volcanological, pedological and palaeoenvironmental researches, aimed at reconstructing the archaeological contexts in the complex geological dynamics of the island.  In fact, during the different phases of colonization recorded on the island, the Ischia volcanoes were very active and produced explosive and effusive eruptions, accompanied by a strong geological dynamics that included earthquakes, landslides (even gigantic ones), rapid ground uplift and strong hydrothermal activity.  In the room, the samples on display “tell” the evolution of the island and its dynamics in four windows and a chest of drawers, where there is an exposition of the products of the various eruptions, from the oldest to the most recent, sedimentary rocks and the collection of macro and microfossils found in marine sediments, displaced at variable altitudes by the rapid volcano-tectonic deformations that characterize the island.  A series of panels and monitors accompany the visitor along a path that, starting from the geological evolution of the island, passes through the relationship between humans and the volcano, the main volcanic phenomena and the reconstruction of an archaeological excavation of exceptional value, where it is possible to see the strong interaction between primary and secondary volcanic phenomena and a human settlement of the first Greek colony in the west: Pithecusae.  The exhibition was designed with the purpose of educating the visitors and the local population about the natural history of the island and its volcanoes, and their impact on the human life through time.
Materials and Tools across Volcanoes: Exploitation of Georesources in Piano dei Cardoni (Ustica, Italy) during Prehistory
Authors: Claudia Speciale  , Roberta Mentesana  , Giuseppe Montana  , Vincenza Forgia  , Filippo Mantia  , Giuseppina Battaglia  , Mauro Antonio Di Vito  , Stefano Vassallo  , Sandro de Vita
Published: December 2021

The paper aims at merging the first results from the analyses of the georesources exploited in the site of Piano dei Cardoni (Ustica island, Italy) during the Neolithic phases of its occupation (Middle-Late Neolithic, 4.7-4.2 ka cal BC). Grinding tools consist of a very varied typology of local volcanic rocks, easy to collect and available very close to the investigated site. A selection of shapes and lithology is applied to reach the best performance of the tools. The elevated number of grinders, pestles, mortars testify to an intense activity of food/plant processing in the site. The absence of chert or obsidian resources on the island pushed the human communities to import such raw materials from the Aeolian islands and probably from the north-western area of Palermo. Pumice is collected on the same island, probably due to the local availability and its good quality. Similarly, local clay resources are used for the manufacture of ceramics, mostly burnished and incised wares. Ustica was therefore almost autonomous for the exploitation of resources, with volcanic rocks readily available in abundance and with the most significant exception being chert and obsidian. This last one probably imported and worked on the island and then moved towards North-Western Sicily.
The Imperative Role of Community Groups in Rural Tourism Development
Authors: Litheko Alpheaus , Potgieter Marius
Published: December 2021

Rural tourism, if strategically developed and managed, can make a substantial positive contribution towards the prosperity of the rural community. The management of the community group as primary stakeholders within a rural tourism development context is essential to enhance the rural collective economy of a region, augmenting the rural appearance, strengthening the rural civilisation construction, reducing the urban-rural gap, and building a cohesive and harmonious community. The primary objective is to examine the community group’s level of involvement in rural tourism development programmes; as well as to establish their level of participation in rural tourism development activities. A survey was undertaken to obtain the quantitative data needed from the community group. The findings show that the involvement of the community group in the decision-making process will assist in the effective implementation of projects without delays and contribute towards the sustainable development of rural tourism. The management of sustainable rural tourism development therefore necessitates that the needs of the community group are considered in the decision-making process and their participation therein. Participation facilitates rational cooperation, strengthens partnerships, builds trust and credibility, empowers the community group, and therefore makes management more effective.
Service Quality, Satisfaction and Loyalty of Customers in Hotels: The Case of Northern Tanzania
Authors: Meshack Hellen Emmanuel , Prusty Sadananda
Published: December 2021

The study explored the effect of hotels service quality on the customer satisfaction and loyalty in the northern region of Tanzania. It sought to scrutinize the effects of Reliability (RE), Tangibility (TAN), Empathy (Emp), Responsiveness (RESP), Assurance (ASS) on the loyalty (CUSL) and satisfaction (CUSAT) of customers. Utilizing PLS approach, it investigated how the satisfaction of customers mediates between the service offered and loyalty of customers using service quality (SERVQUAL Model). PLS technique was utilized as it solidly addresses service quality model intricacies and PLS software is available. 205 guests in hotels and guest houses during Christmas season of 2018 and New Year festivities of 2019 were sampled systematically and interviewed. The key findings revealed that while Responsiveness determined favorably satisfaction and loyalty of customers; Reliability performed dismally in both cases. The main finding was that customer satisfaction significantly and positively influence the loyalty of customers and hence the slogan ‘Tutarudi’ which is a Swahili word meaning ‘We shall come back’ and signifies loyalty and satisfaction. The paper recommends management to improve their capacity to achieve the assured service accurately and dependably; be aware of the expectation of their customers pertaining to reliability; and provide individualized care to customers by giving the services as promised.
The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on Perceptions of Domestic Tourism: The Case of Generation Z
Authors: Aina Anita , Ezeuduji Ikechukwu
Published: December 2021

Generation Z is increasingly becoming more powerful regarding influencing family travel choices and emerging as a segment with significant buying potential for tourism, however not much tourism-related studies have been conducted on this generational cohort. This study explored relationships between Generation Z members’ socio-demographics and perceptions of domestic tourism in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. A structured questionnaire survey of 385 Generation Z respondents gave rise to quantitative data for analyses. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed to explore variable relationships. Results show that significant number of Generation Z members have tertiary education but largely unemployed, as most of them were still studying at the time this research was conducted. Lack of funds and opportunity seem to be the major limiting factors to their participation in domestic tourism. Generation Z females, older members (above 20 years of age) and respondents with tertiary education are more likely to participate in domestic tourism than their counterparts. This study considers competitive pricing of tourism products and services and more aggressive marketing of local tourism destinations using technology as ways of attracting and retaining members of Generation Z as domestic tourists.
A Separator Theorem for Hypergraphs and a CSP-SAT Algorithm
Authors: Koucký Michal , Rödl Vojtěch , Talebanfard Navid
Published: December 2021

We show that for every $r \ge 2$ there exists $\epsilon_r > 0$ such that any
$r$-uniform hypergraph with $m$ edges and maximum vertex degree $o(\sqrt{m})$
contains a set of at most $(\frac{1}{2} - \epsilon_r)m$ edges the removal of
which breaks the hypergraph into connected components with at most $m/2$ edges.
We use this to give an algorithm running in time $d^{(1 - \epsilon_r)m}$ that
decides satisfiability of $m$-variable $(d, k)$-CSPs in which every variable
appears in at most $r$ constraints, where $\epsilon_r$ depends only on $r$ and
$k\in o(\sqrt{m})$. Furthermore our algorithm solves the corresponding #CSP-SAT
and Max-CSP-SAT of these CSPs. We also show that CNF representations of
unsatisfiable $(2, k)$-CSPs with variable frequency $r$ can be refuted in
tree-like resolution in size $2^{(1 - \epsilon_r)m}$. Furthermore for Tseitin
formulas on graphs with degree at most $k$ (which are $(2, k)$-CSPs) we give a
deterministic algorithm finding such a refutation.
A Postmodern Cultural Study of Media Manipulation and Capital Market Expansion
Authors: Afrin Sadia
Published: December 2021

Media manipulation is rampant in the present postmodern culture since people are constantly monitored by screens due to the advancement of technology. In the postmodern world, the media have become an inseparable part of everyday life, where there is hardly any scope to spend a single moment without the screen and media. Thus, the current researcher got the impetus to unravel the media's simulated world, which uses images, advertisements, and signs to expand global capitalism. The objective of the study is to explore inquisitively the power and influence of the media and the way these are used to manipulate people. This is a qualitative study that delves into media politics and media economy in an investigative way to uncover the covert targets of the media. The study's major finding is that the media play a vital role in attracting consumers and expanding world commercialism in today’s globalized world. Several modern and postmodern writings were extensively studied to scrutinize the manifold facets of media manipulation through different presentations of print and visual formats.
Intimate Partner Femicide in Romania: An Analysis of the Online Media News
Authors: Balica Ecaterina
Published: December 2021

The study presents the results of the analysis of the way in which the Romanian online media covered the cases of intimate partner femicide committed between 2011-2015. The term intimate partner femicide was used to designate all the homicide committed intentionally by a current or former intimate partner against the woman partner (wife, girlfriend, concubine). The information regarding the intimate partener femicide was identified with the help of Google Chrome search engine and some key words. In the end, I identified N=2282 articles where 184 femicide cases committed between intimate partners. The analysis of the information regarding the intimate partner femicide cases was made with the help of a grid analysis structured on four dimensions: data regarding the violence act, data regarding the aggressor and victim, and data regarding the history of the relationship. The study highlights the journalists’ lack of interest in describing the context in which femicides occurred and the lack of correlation between the acts of domestic violence and intimate partner femicides. Moreover, few journalists include information regarding the way of contacting the institutions of victim protection and thus they do not use an important occasion to contribute to the readers’ information about the way in which they can interfere and help a victim.
Product Placement in Cinema-Good Model or Irritative Advertising
Authors: Karadimov Isidor
Published: December 2021

Product placement is one of the forms of financing in cinema. This is a legal form for realizing hidden advertising. Adherence to strict rules when implementing a product in the final version of the film for advertising purposes is a good tool, both to fill the budget and purely plot. In American film production, product positioning is intended to add a few percent to the film's budget. In Bulgarian cinema, product positioning is used as the main source of funding for the creation of an independent film outside those funded by the National film center (NFC).