bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of internal factors affecting the financial stability of higher education organizations in Russia
Authors: Molchanov Igor Nikolaevich , Molchanova Natalia Petrovna , Gorbachev Andrey Alexandrovich
Published: July 2023

The results of the activities of higher education are determined by the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the graduation of specialists. During the period of macroeconomic instability, the success of the functioning of higher education institutions depends on several conditions, including the provision of financial resources and financial stability in the market of educational services. Based on the open data of the international university ranking (Round University Rankings) for the period 2017 - 2021 for 39 Russian state universities, using economic and mathematical methods, correlation analysis and data processing were carried out using the Chaddock scale tools. The study's findings demonstrated the degree to which internal factors impacting higher education institutions' financial stability are significant in relation to the major categories of operations. The scientific significance lies in the establishment of a correlation between the indicators chosen for the study, characterizing the results of the work of Russian universities in the main types of activities (educational, scientific and international) and the financial stability of higher education organizations, and determining on this basis the Coefficients showing the closeness of the relationship between them for each of the indicators, as well as average values (indicators) for the types of activities presented.
Private capital incentive model in public-private partnership projects for the development of public infrastructure
Authors: Ivanov Viktor , Zhou Jiashu , Andrianov Alexander
Published: July 2023

Public infrastructure development is considered to be the basis for comfortable living conditions of all the citizens. Therefore, the optimization of public infrastructure should be treated as an important task of any government. The Public-Private Partnership (hereinafter referred to as PPP) model makes it possible to reduce financial pressure on the government budget, to accelerate the construction of public infrastructure and to enhance the efficiency of investment management. The analysis of Russian experience [1], as well as the experience of a number of foreign countries [2], indicates that many issues of financial support, including the issues of reimbursement of costs to public-private partnership entities, have not been sufficiently developed in terms of law and economics. The interval model of a linear compensation mechanism as applied to Chinese PPP models is proposed in this paper. The authors analyze three types of models for subsidizing PPPs by the Chinese government: rate of return model for discounted construction costs; model of discounted construction costs; rate of return model for discounted average construction costs at the beginning of the period. The mechanism for establishing a range of state compensation for additional costs of a private investor due to a reduction in construction time is proposed in the article.
Digitalisation in the development of social entrepreneurship
Authors: Kalendzhyan Sergey , Kadol Natalia
Published: July 2023

The article considers the process of digital transformation in the sphere of social entrepreneurship, which solves socially significant problems of public life, simultaneously providing a positive economic, social and environmental impact thereon. The use of the Internet and digitalisation of the economy transforms radically the cooperation processes between all involved actors. Social entrepreneurship is no exception. In this context, this paper explores the role of digitalisation in the development of social entrepreneurship. In order to achieve the set goal and analyse the available data, the authors used such general scientific methods of knowledge as abstraction, deduction, deconstruction, synthesis, analogy and axiomatics. The use of this methodological apparatus made it possible to conclude that the process of digitalisation and introduction of information technologies in the sphere of social entrepreneurship provides new tools supporting the activities in this sphere as well as changing the very context of social entrepreneurs’ work. This made it possible to highlight the factors influencing the development of digitalisation in social entrepreneurship, as well as to identify new and promising areas of digital transformation in the sphere of social entrepreneurship. These primarily include the use of the blockchain and smart contracts which offer new opportunities for financing, storing data and achieving social entrepreneurship goals.
Development of regional clusters based on the use of specialized digital tools
Authors: Dreev Bimbolat , Chumachenko Elena , Bogdanova Irina , Sidorenko Olga , Eksuzyan Laura
Published: July 2023

The accelerating processes of regionalization and glocalization of national economies are gradually changing the globalization path of development, as they fit more into the transforming picture of the new world order, in which not only geopolitical and economic aspects are changing, but also approaches to understanding the essence and practical implementation of the concepts of sustainable development, environmentally friendly development and socially oriented behavior. But despite a fairly large-scale change in development trajectories, absolutely all subjects of the world economy are influenced by digitalization trends, which are becoming almost the main tools for implementing political, economic and other types of national strategies. Thus, the formation of regional clusters is occurring on the basis of the influence of two strong factors at once – the widespread glocalization of the economy and the digitalization of all spheres of society, enabling regions to strengthen their specific territorial competitive advantages, including through the use of modern digital tools, since despite the ambiguity of the goals of Industry 4.0, it is impossible to avoid its influence, which means that it is necessary to use the advantages that it provides for the development of both individual economic entities and their associations within cluster formations. The paper attempts to consider the digital tools currently available for use by regional clusters and find out what competitive advantages their competent application can provide.
Design and calculation of an environmentally friendly carbon-free hybrid plant based on a microgas turbine and a solid oxide fuel cell
Authors: Beloev Ivan , Filimonova Antonina , Chichirov Andrey , Vinogradov Artem , Iliev Iliya
Published: July 2023

This is an overview of a hybrid power plant design and predesign analysis, including a microgas turbine with heat recovery, a high-temperature fuel cell, and a carbon dioxide capture system. A hybrid installation model is presented, taking into account the compatibility and technological limitations of the main components. The material and heat balance calculation of a hybrid power plant is performed depending on the input parameters under partial load conditions. In order to create a decarbonized highly efficient energy production process and in connection with the need to minimize the negative impact of carbon dioxide on the environment, the article presents the developed technologies for carbon dioxide utilization and a carbon adsorption unit as a hybrid power plant part. The hybrid power plant is a carbon-free mini thermal power plant with integrated electricity, steam, and hot water generation and more than 90% total efficiency.
Optimization of the blade profile of a vertical axis wind turbine based on aerodynamic analysis
Authors: Fazylova Alina , Malamatoudis Michail , Kogias Panagiotis
Published: July 2023

This paper explores the influence of the angle of attack on the aerodynamic characteristics of the blade profile. The paper presents calculations, modeling and graphical representation of the blade shape during rotation around the axis. Using the given parameters, such as the length of the blade, the radius of the upper and lower boundaries, as well as the angle of inclination of the blade, the calculation of the coordinates of the points of the blade profile for various angles of rotation is given. The cross-sectional area, volume and mass of the blade were also calculated. Appropriate calculations were made to approximate the center of mass of the blade. To evaluate the influence of the angle of attack on the blade profile, the angles of attack were calculated for various angles of rotation.
Detailed infrared diagnostics of photovoltaic panels for higher safety and optimal energy generation
Authors: Keseev Ventsislav
Published: July 2023

The Photovoltaic (PV) systems are one of the key renewable energy sources that are becoming increasingly popular, but they still have many drawbacks compared to conventional energy sources. Their main disadvantages are that they require a lot of installation space and they have low investment return ration. Both could be overcome by local installation of the PV plants as close as possible to the end consumer, and the best case is the PV panels to be installed on the buildings, but this could lead to higher fire risk for the residents. Different PV panels degrade with different speeds and work under slightly different conditions. These problems require at least periodic PV panel diagnostics and the thermal infrared (IR) inspection seems to be the best solution. The prerequisites for correct IR diagnostics are presented. One of the requirements for detailed IR inspection is the thermal camera to capture each PV cell with at least 5 by 5 pixels in horizontal and vertical directions. A methodology for pixel size calculation and IR monitoring system design is developed and presented in this work.
Evaluation of waste in seismic metamaterial applications
Authors: Akdogan Volkan , Kacin Selcuk , Sevim Umur , Karaaslan Muharrem , Başar Mustafa
Published: July 2023

Within the scope of this study, a simulation study was carried out in order to prove the usability of waste in seismic metamaterial studies. In the study, a square array field application was preferred, and a 3-layer cylindrical pile design was used. In addition, direct contact of waste with soil and direct air is prevented. Within the scope of the study, polypropylene, which is frequently contained in medical products, concrete as a containment layer, and lime materials to prevent leakage of hazardous waste were used as materials. In addition, a design has been made within the soil structure as the ground structure. As a result of the study, it was determined that transmission losses occur in low frequency regions such as 3-10 Hz values due to obtaining partial band gaps. In addition, when looking at the propagation of the vibration waves in the field plane depending on the time, it is seen that the waves are significantly reduced, and the results are promising.
Pre-Intubation Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients at Risk for Respiratory Decompensation
Authors: Karim Azad S. , Son Andre Y. , Suen Rachel , Walter James M. , Saine Mark , Kim Samuel S. , Odell David D. , Thakkar Sanket , Kurihara Chitaru , Bharat Ankit
Published: July 2023

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) has emerged as a potential life-saving treatment for patients with acute respiratory failure. Given the accumulating literature supporting the use of VV-ECMO without therapeutic levels of anticoagulation, it might be feasible to use it for planned intubation before surgical procedures. Here, we report consecutive series of patients who underwent planned initiation of VV-ECMO, without anticoagulation, before induction of general anesthesia for anticipated difficult airways or respiratory decompensation. We describe the approach to safely initiate VV-ECMO in an awake patient. We retrospectively identified patients in a prospectively maintained database who underwent planned initiation of VV-ECMO before intubation. Standard statistical methods were used to determine post-procedure outcomes. Patients included were three men and one woman, with a mean age of 34.3 ± 10.4 years. Indications included mediastinal lymphoma, foreign body obstruction, hemoptysis, and tracheo-esophageal fistula. VV-ECMO was initiated electively for all patients, and no anticoagulation was used. The median duration of VV-ECMO support was 2.5 days (1–11 days), the median length of ventilator dependence and intensive care unit stay was 1 day (1–23 days) and 5 days (4–31 days), respectively. The median length of stay was 18.5 days (8–39 days). There were no thrombotic complications and no mortality at 30 days. Initiation of awake VV-ECMO is feasible and is safe before intubation and induction of anesthesia in patients at high risk for respiratory decompensation.
Akute Schwangerschaftsfettleber – Fallserie einer seltenen
Schwangerschaftskomplikation
Authors: Brügge Martina , Pecks Ulrich , Iannaccone Antonella , Palz-Fleige Monika , Stepan Holger , Tauscher Anne
Published: July 2023

Die akute Schwangerschaftsfettleber (acute fatty liver in pregnancy, AFLP) ist
mit einer Prävalenz von 0,01–0,03% eine seltene,
potentiell lebensbedrohliche Komplikation in der Schwangerschaft. Durch die
meist unspezifischen Symptome lässt sie sich schwer von anderen, teils
häufigeren, Schwangerschaftserkrankungen wie HELLP Syndrom, aHUS und TTP
abgrenzen. Ihre Seltenheit führt dazu, dass sie durch in der
Geburtshilfe tätige Personen als Differentialdiagnose oft nicht in
Erwägung gezogen wird. Dabei ist gerade die frühzeitige
Diagnosestellung und schnellstmögliche Entbindung als einzige kausale
Therapie entscheidend zur Verhinderung schwerwiegender Komplikationen und
mütterlicher Todesfälle. In nachfolgender Arbeit wird anhand von
Fallbeschreibungen dreier Uniklinika die Pathophysiologie, Bedeutung, Diagnose
und Therapie der akuten Schwangerschaftsfettleber für die klinische
Routine hervorgehoben und auf mögliche Befunde, welche in der
Diagnosefindung zielführend sind, hingewiesen. Hierbei spielt auch der
angiogene Präeklampsie-Marker sFlt-1 eine Rolle und bietet neue
Betrachtungsweisen pathophsiologischer Ansätze.
Previous Injury and Lower Well-being Increase Injury Risk in Female
Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Ekenros Linda , Fridén Cecilia , von Rosen Philip
Published: July 2023

Several risk factors for injury have been suggested in female elite athletes.
However, there is a lack of prospective studies in young female athletes where
multiple risk factors have been studied. The aim of this study was to identify
risk factors for injury in female adolescent elite athletes. Substantial
injuries were monitored in 222 athletes using the validated Oslo Sports Trauma
Research Centre Questionnaire over 20 weeks. Over 20 potential risk factors were
explored. Based on a binomial generalized linear mixed model, two significant
(p<0.05) risk factors for injury were identified; previous injury within
the last 12 months (OR 2.55) and well-being (OR 0.97). An athlete with a
previous injury had twice as high a risk of injury (13% vs. 6%)
compared to an athlete with no previous injury. Higher perceived well-being was
associated with a decreased risk of injury. Based on a prospective design with a
large sample of female adolescent elite athletes, investigating over 20
potential risk factors for injury, our results suggest that a previous injury
and well-being are risk factors for injury.
Efficacy and Safety of Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Migraine: A
Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Deng Chunyan , Li Yongmei
Published: July 2023

Objective Trigeminal nerve stimulation may have some potential in treating
migraine, and this meta-analysis aims to study the efficacy and safety of
trigeminal nerve stimulation for migraine patients.

Methods We have searched several databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web
of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases, and selected the randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of trigeminal nerve stimulation
for migraine patients. This meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effect
or fixed-effect model based on the heterogeneity.

Results Four RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with sham
procedure in migraine patients, trigeminal neurostimulation benefited to improve
pain freedom at 2 h (OR=2.69; 95% CI=1.30 to
5.56; P=0.007), pain relief at 2 h (OR=2.05; 95%
CI=1.53 to 2.74; P<0.00001), pain freedom at 24 h
(OR=2.00; 95% CI=1.42 to 2.81; P<0.0001) as well
as pain relief at 24 h (OR=1.71; 95% CI=1.25 to
2.33; P=0.0007), and reduce rescue medication (OR=0.70;
95% CI=0.52 to 0.95; P=0.02), but demonstrated no
obvious impact on the incidence of adverse events (OR=2.24; 95%
CI=1.21 to 4.13; P=0.01).

Conclusions Trigeminal nerve stimulation is effective and safe for the
treatment of migraine patients.
Evaluation of the Usefulness of Homoeopathic Mother Tincture Sarothamnus Scoparius in Managing Essential Hypertension
Authors: Shail Vivek Kumar , Chakma Abhijit , Khadim Azizul I. , Kumar Kanak , Kumar Abhishek , Priya Rohit Kumar
Published: July 2023

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of homoeopathic mother tincture Sarothamnus scoparius in the management of essential hypertension.

Materials and Methods An open label, prospective, single arm, clinical trial was conducted on 35 participants recruited from outpatient department/inpatient department of a Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. All participants received Sarothamnus scoparius mother tincture, suffering from essential hypertension. The primary outcome was to evaluate the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) every month for 3 months and the secondary outcome was to assess the QOL of the patient by using WHOQOL-BREF at baseline and after 3 months. The primary outcome and secondary outcome measures were analysed by repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and ‘Paired t-test’ respectively.

Result Twenty-nine participants completed the study and six participants dropped out. Intention-to-treat sample (n = 35) was analysed. There was statistically significant reduction in SBP (146.40 ± 7.65 to 128.00 ± 12.34) as well as DBP (88.80 ± 3.26 to 86.07 ± 3.307). Repeated measure ANOVA was performed to compare the changes in SBP as well as DBP at different time interval. In SBP, the result was statistically significant on all occasions (p = 0.000, at 95% confidence interval [CI]). In DBP, the result was also found statistically significant (p = 0.000, at 95% CI). However, the result was not statistically significant when DBP was compared at 1 month with 2nd and 3rd months (p = 1.000, at 95% CI); 2 months with 1 and 3 months (p = 1.000, 0.863 at 95% CI respectively); 2 months with 3 months (p = 0.518, at 95% CI); and 3 months with 1 and 2 months (p = 1.000, 0.863 at 95% CI respectively).

Paired t-test performed to measure the changes in WHOQOL-BREF score showed statistically significant (62.57 ± 10.81 to 96.07 ± 17.47; p = 0.000, at 95% CI).

Conclusion The study findings suggest that Sarothamnus scoparius mother tincture is beneficial in the management of essential hypertension as well as improving QOL. Randomised controlled trials are further warranted.
Preoperative Depression Screening in Patients with Distal Radius Fractures: An Evaluation of Its Modifiability on Outcomes for Patients with Depressive Disorder
Authors: Nian Patrick P. , Gordon Adam M. , Baidya Joydeep , Miller Chaim , Choueka Jack
Published: July 2023

Background It is unclear whether nonpharmacologic intervention for depressive disorder (DD) in the preoperative period can prevent postoperative complications in hand surgery patients.

Questions/Purpose The aims were to evaluate whether psychotherapy visits/depression screenings within 90 days of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for distal radius fractures (DRFs) were associated with lower rates of (1) medical complications and (2) health care utilization (emergency department [ED] visits and readmissions).

Methods A retrospective analysis of an administrative claims database from 2010 to 2021 was performed. DD patients who underwent ORIF for DRF were 1:5 propensity score matched by comorbidities, including those who did (n = 8,993) and did not (n = 44,503) attend a psychotherapy visit/depression screening 90 days before surgery. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to compare the odds ratio (OR) of medical complications, ED visits, and readmissions within 90 days. The p-values less than 0.001 were significant.

Results DD patients who did not attend a preoperative psychotherapy visit/depression screening experienced fivefold higher odds of total medical complications (25.66 vs. 5.27%; OR: 5.25, p < 0.0001), including surgical site infections (1.23 vs. 0.14%; OR: 8.71, p < 0.0001), deep wound infections (0.98 vs. 0.17%; OR: 6.00, p < 0.0001), and transfusions (1.64 vs. 0.22%; OR: 7.61, p < 0.0001). Those who did not attend a psychotherapy visit/depression screening experienced higher odds of ED utilizations (9.71 vs. 2.71%; OR: 3.87, p < 0.0001), however, no difference in readmissions (3.40 vs. 3.54%; OR: 0.96, p = 0.569).

Conclusion Depression screening may be a helpful preoperative intervention to optimize patients with DD undergoing hand surgery to minimize postoperative complications and health care utilization.

Level of Evidence Level III.
Extinction debt varies in two threatened Mediterranean-type woodland communities undergoing rapid urbanisation
Authors: Fowler William M. , Standish Rachel J. , Enright Neal J. , Fontaine Joseph B.
Published: July 2023

Context Extinction debt, the time-delayed species loss response to fragmentation associated with habitat clearance, is a conservation concern for management of biological diversity globally. Extinction debt is well defined but difficult to measure owing to the long-term data needed to measure species loss, particularly for communities of long-lived species. Aims We aimed to estimate extinction debt for two adjacent threatened communities with contrasting soil fertility in south-western Australia: banksia and tuart woodlands. Further, we assessed what species functional traits are associated with extinction risk. Methods Using contemporary (2016) and historical (1992) data on vegetation richness, and patch characteristics dating back to the time of European colonisation (1829), we examined 60 woodland patches using three methods to detect and quantify extinction debt. Key results We found evidence of extinction debt in banksia woodland, but not in tuart woodland. We estimated the extinction debt for banksia woodlands as a future average loss of 28% or ~13 species per patch. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a delay of species loss consistent with extinction debt in one of two vegetation communities. Despite sharing species and traits, these vegetation communities have responded differently to landscape change over the same timescale and within the same landscape. Implications Understanding how vegetation communities, and functional trait types, respond to time-delayed impacts helps land managers to prioritise intervention efforts to pre-empt species decline and extinction through species conservation, and ecological restoration of remnant vegetation patches.
Do education and the labor market speak the same language?
Authors: Aguayo-Arrabal Natividad
Published: July 2023

This paper addresses the need for terminology convergence and the systematic use of up-to-date descriptors and concepts in the European higher education and labor market environments. Rapid developments in the language industry are remodelling the translation profession in particular and generating new processes, new training needs and, therefore, a new skills demand. Changing market expectations, cross-occupational mobility and multifaceted professional profiles in the translation industry claim to exploit the full potential of standard and multilingual taxonomies like ESCO – the European Classification of Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations. This research draws on the European Master’s in Translation (EMT) competence framework for 2018–2024 to perform a descriptive analysis of the English and Spanish entries for the occupation of “translator” in ESCO’s latest 2020 version. Findings suggest that ESCO’s content could be aligned with the professionally oriented EMT framework to overcome shortcomings in representing translators’ identity and present the reality of the translation market, while matching its content more accurately to the most relevant skills and competences generally developed in current translator training programs.
How Scandinavian political leaders appealed to cognitive or affective-based trust during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Rygg Kristin
Published: July 2023

Trust is important if people are to be willing to follow leaders during a crisis. This study examines how the prime ministers of Norway, Sweden and Denmark endeavoured to appeal to either cognitive-based or affective-based trust during the first eight months of the Covid-19 pandemic. These two types of trust stem from management studies but have some similarities with concepts introduced in political linguistics about competence face, which appeals to the mind (logos), versus affective face, which appeals to the heart (pathos). This study attempts to operationalise these frameworks by conducting a discourse analysis of sixteen of the prime ministers’ important political speeches during the pandemic, and to identify how they thematically and linguistically appeal to different types of trust. Although there are some differences between the three prime ministers, the similarities are more noticeable, which might reflect the social, cultural and institutional similarity between the three Scandinavian countries. The prime ministers appeal to both competence and affective-based trust. However, compared to some other studies of political crisis communication during the pandemic, these prime ministers kept themselves in the background, and their affective faces were not displayed through informal language or personal anecdotes but by appealing to collective values and shared responsibility.
Linguistic strategies to present complexity in a time of crisis
Authors: Callegari Elena
Published: July 2023

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, world leaders were expected to discuss complex notions with their constituents. In this paper, I analyze how four European leaders – Erna Solberg (Norway), Giuseppe Conte (Italy), Emmanuel Macron (Macron), Boris Johnson (UK) – broke down the complexity associated with Covid-19 measures. I look at 57 speeches given in the period of March 2020 – October 2020. Solberg chose to tackle complexity through oversimplification, for instance by overusing numbered lists and the intensifier mange (‘many’). Macron used self-directed questions to structure the discourse into more manageable units. Johnson made extensive use of signposting, slogans and catchphrases. No particular strategy was used by Conte to tackle complexity; this highlights the effect of increased time pressure in communicating a crisis.
The social media campaign for Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine
Authors: Thielemann Nadine
Published: July 2023

Focusing on the Twitter account @sputnikvaccine, the chapter analyses the social media campaign launched for the release of Sputnik V, the Russian anti-Covid vaccine, as an instance of international persuasive communication. It seeks to reveal how the campaign acts as an agent of public diplomacy and projects Russia’s soft power, while also disseminating the country’s strategic narratives (i.e., accounts of its identity, position in the international arena and general geopolitical worldview). The chapter further aims to identify the persuasive mechanisms used to achieve these goals, making particular reference to two concepts: propaganda, understood as a manipulative mechanism, and narrative (now in its customary sense) as a persuasive tool. The chapter describes how a discourse analysis based on open coding of content posted by @sputnikvaccine was used to reconstruct a rescue plot narrative in which Russia / Sputnik V saves humankind from the pandemic. This narrative structure also enables the manipulative construction of an antagonist, consisting of western organizations and corporations, which politicizes the vaccine issue and so obstructs Russia in its mission. In this way, the rescue frame enables several elements of Russian strategic narratives (e.g., Russia as a global player, a polycentric world order) to be referenced.
From Mandarin to Cantonese Lexicography
Authors: Li Rui
Published: July 2023

The Vocabulary of the Canton Dialect, compiled by Robert Morrison (1782–1834) and published in
1828 in Macao, was the first bilingual dictionary of Cantonese in a Western language. This article traces the genealogy of the
Vocabulary by examining Morrison’s sources. It is shown how Morrison availed himself of the resources of
Mandarin dictionaries and of the lexicographical work on Cantonese undertaken in the 1820s.
“I am who I am”
Authors: Ting Su-Hie , Yeo Jiin-Yih , Jerome Collin , Ling Hsin-Nie
Published: July 2023

The study examined how LGBTQ individuals negotiate their identities in the Malaysian heteronormative society using the Discourse-Historical Approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 13 LGBTQ individuals to find out the discursive strategies they used in describing the triggers for coming out, their experiences, and the reasons for their struggles. The analysis of the interview data showed that the participants used the “destiny” and “rights” arguments to counter the “legal”, “religious” and “traditional values” arguments used by heterosexuals to reject them. Referents and personal pronouns were selectively used by LGBTQ participants to present different perspectives, “us” versus “them” (heterosexuals), “I” and other LGBTQ individuals, and “I” versus “they” or “you” (other sexual orientations). The findings have implications that are relevant to mitigation of LGBTQ identities in contexts which have strong heteronormative norms due to legal, religion and traditional values.
Shouldering responsibility
Authors: Grundy Peter
Published: July 2023

This chapter explores my experience as a participant in the
Covid-19 Oxford vaccine trial and particularly the contrapuntal relationship between
the naïve event diary I kept and my increasingly careful reading of the Participant
Information Sheet (PIS). Adopting an autoethnographic approach, I describe the
gradual process by which I came to realize how naively I had understood my role and
how I then applied a pragmatic framework in re-evaluating the PIS as an exercise in
exoneration and the transfer of responsibility from the investigator to the
participant. While the PIS focuses on enumerating risks without considering the
false negative possibility that the trial might be successful and yet still fail to
identify a serious risk, my event diary shows how a volunteer’s sense of participant
integrity is undermined when this risk that dare not speak its name actually
occurs.
Risk discourse in the linguistic landscape
Authors: Syrjälä Väinö
Published: July 2023

Signs in the linguistic landscape (LL) can be used to both
inform the public and to regulate their actions – functions that are highly relevant
when communicating about risk. This chapter discusses the characteristics of the
risk discourse carried by the linguistic landscape, more specifically the safety
information signage found onboard metro carriages in Stockholm and Helsinki. The
analysis deals with both how such information is presented on the multimodal signs
and what kinds of risks and responsibilities are depicted as part of this
information. The results show that emplacement and the visual design, more
specifically the application of colours, are noteworthy characteristics of risk
discourse present in the LL. Few actual risks are spelled out in the signage and
even if the readers can be given responsibility to act in the face of risks, this
information can be worded in different ways. Considering interpersonal speech
functions, both direct commands and more ambivalent, passive statements can be
found, with some differences in practices between the two cities. Overall, the
situated nature of the safety information signage points to the role of place
semiotics in meaning making within risk discourse, thus highlighting the value of
considering the LL in order to gain a better understanding of risk
communication.
Culture and identity in critical remarks
Authors: Zbenovich Claudia , Larina Tatiana , Ozyumenko Vladimir
Published: July 2023

Awareness of cultural specificity in current classroom discourse is particularly important in an educational
setting that has become largely multicultural due to globalization, migration and academic mobility. Drawing on the intercultural
and cross-cultural pragmatics, and cultural studies, this paper explores the speech act of critical remark in Russian and Israeli
classroom settings, focusing on students’ view of its degree of conventionality and admissibility. Data were obtained from a
student survey questionnaire (undertaken between 2017-2019). Highlighting similarities and differences, we argue that both Russian
and Israeli classroom settings exhibit critical remark as not uncommon, though varying in acceptability. Findings show that
critical acts need not be limited to the merely conflictual, but may even be perceived positively, and may moreover exert varying
levels of illocutionary force and be interpreted differently by different cultural groups.
Mean and variance of the cardinality of particles in infinite true polyanalytic Ginibre processes via a coherent states quantization method
Authors: Mouayn Zouhaïr , Mahboubi Mohamed , Moize Othmane El
Published: July 2023

We discuss the mean and variance of the number ‘point-particles’

♯

D

R

inside a disk D

R
centered at the origin of the complex plane

C

and of radius R > 0 with respect to an infinite true polyanalytic process of index

m
∈

Z

+

by quantizing the phase space

C

via a set of generalized coherent states (CSs)

z
,
m

of the harmonic oscillator on

L

2

R

. By this procedure, the spectrum of the quantum observable representing the indicator function

χ

D

R

ofD

R
(viewed as a classical observable) allows to compute the mean value of

♯

D

R

. The variance of

♯

D

R

is obtained as a special eigenvalue of a quantum observable involving the auto-convolution of

χ

D

R

. By adopting a CSs quantization approach, we seek to identify classical observables on

C

,

whose quantum counterparts may encode the first cumulants of

♯

D

R

through spectral properties.
Preparation and characterization of PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites for antistatic and biomedical applications
Authors: Saied M A , Abdel Nour K N
Published: July 2023

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/Palm oil/ZnO nanocomposite films of concentrations 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 wt% were prepared by solution casting technique. Tween 80 was used as a surfactant. The prepared films were characterised by different techniques in addition to antimicrobial and cytotoxicity tests. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of fractured surfaces of the films showed that palm oil (PO) and Tween 80 enhanced ZnO NPs dispersion. An excess ZnO loading led to polymer saturation with ZnO NPs which accumulate on PMMA surface. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements confirmed SEM results as the crystallinity increased by ZnO NPs loading and decreased by excess loading. In addition, the presence of PO and Tween 80 enhanced thermal stability of pure PMMA and the optimum concentration is 0.5 wt% ZnO NPs. Further, the permittivity (ε′), dielectric loss (ε′′), and electrical conductivity (σ) were investigated. It was found that PO addition increased the values of ε′, ε′′, and σ of PMMA. Upon ZnO loading, these values increased up to 10 wt% ZnO NPs then decreased upon reaching 15 wt% ZnO NPs. The conductivity values revealed that the prepared nanocomposites can perform as antistatic materials for lower ZnO content and electrostatic dissipation application at 10 wt% ZnO. The antimicrobial and cytotoxicity studies revealed that the prepared films are nontoxic and the antimicrobial properties of the films against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans were enhanced by PO and ZnO NPs addition.
Regulation of the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 axis in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Tsaktanis Thanos , Linnerbauer Mathias , Lößlein Lena , Farrenkopf Daniel , Vandrey Oliver , Peter Anne , Cirac Ana , Beyer Tobias , Nirschl Lucy , Grummel Verena , Mühlau Mark , Bussas Matthias , Hemmer Bernhard , Quintana Francisco J , Rothhammer Veit
Published: July 2023

The programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 axis plays an important role in the adaptive immune system and has influence on neoplastic and inflammatory diseases, while its role in multiple sclerosis is unclear. Here, we aimed to analyse expression patterns of programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and their soluble variants in multiple sclerosis patients and controls, to determine their correlation with clinical disability and disease activity. In a cross-sectional study, we performed in-depth flow cytometric immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and analysed soluble programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 serum levels in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and controls. In comparison to control subjects, relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients displayed distinct cellular programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 expression patterns in immune cell subsets and increased soluble programmed cell death ligand 1 levels, which correlated with clinical measures of disability and MRI activity over time. This study extends our knowledge of how programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 are expressed in the membranes of patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and describes for the first time the elevation of soluble programmed cell death ligand 1 in the blood of multiple sclerosis patients. The distinct expression pattern of membrane-bound programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 and the correlation between soluble programmed cell death ligand 1, membrane-bound programmed cell death ligand 1, disease and clinical factors may offer therapeutic potential in the setting of multiple sclerosis and might improve future diagnosis and clinical decision-making.
Efficacy on resynchronization and longitudinal contractile function comparing His-bundle pacing with conventional biventricular pacing: a substudy to the His-alternative study
Authors: Højgaard E V , Philbert B T , Linde J J , Winsløw U C , Svendsen J H , Vinther M , Risum N
Published: July 2023

Aims

His-bundle pacing has emerged as a novel method to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, there are no data comparing conventional biventricular (BiV)-CRT with His-CRT with regard to effects on mechanical dyssynchrony and longitudinal contractile function.

Methods and results

Patients with symptomatic heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%, and left bundle branch block (LBBB) by strict ECG criteria were randomized 1:1 to His-CRT or BiV-CRT. Two-dimensional strain echocardiography was performed prior to CRT implantation and at 6 months after implantation. Differences in changes in mechanical dyssynchrony (standard deviation of time-to-peak in 12 midventricular and basal segments) and regional longitudinal strain in the six left ventricular walls were compared between the BiV-CRT and His-CRT groups.

In the on-treatment analysis, 31 received BiV-CRT and 19 His-CRT. In both groups, mechanical dyssynchrony was significantly reduced after 6 months [BiV group from 120 ms (±45) to 63 ms (±22), P < 0.001, and His group from 116 ms (±54) to 49 ms (±11), P < 0.001] but no significant differences in changes could be demonstrated between groups [−9.0 ms (−36; 18), P = 0.50]. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) improved in both groups [BiV group from −9.1% (±2.7) to −10.7% (±2.6), P = 0.02, and His group from −8.6% (±2.1) to −11.1% (±2.0), P < 0.001], but no significant differences in changes could be demonstrated from baseline to follow-up [−0.9% (−2.4; −0.6), P = 0.25] between groups. There were no regional differences between groups.

Conclusion

In heart failure, patients with LBBB, BiV-CRT, and His-CRT have comparable effects with regard to improvements in mechanical dyssynchrony and longitudinal contractile function.
Long-term dietary iron intake and risk of non-fatal cardiovascular diseases in the China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Chen Peiyan , Wu Shangling , He Jingjing , Sui Yi , Li Keji , Fang Aiping
Published: July 2023

Aims

We aimed to investigate the association of long-term dietary iron intake with the risk of non-fatal cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in Chinese populations with predominantly plant-based diets by sex.

Methods and results

A total of 17 107 participants (8569 men and 8538 women) aged 18–80 years in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) 1989–2015 were included. Dietary intake was assessed repeatedly by three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During a median follow-up of 11.1 years, the adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for non-fatal CVDs risk across quintiles of total iron intake in men were 1.00, 0.65 (0.46–0.93), 0.54 (0.37–0.78), 0.66 (0.46–0.94), 0.69 (0.47–1.03), but no significant association in women. Similar associations were found for stroke risk, but not for MI risk. The dose-response curves for the association of total iron and non-heme iron intake with the risk of non-fatal CVDs and stroke followed a reverse J-shape only in men and similar reverse J-shaped association of heme iron intake with non-fatal CVDs and stroke risk in both men and women (P-non-linearity <0.05).

Conclusion

Moderate dietary iron intake may protect against non-fatal CVDs and stroke, especially in Chinese men consuming plant-based diets. Both quantity and quality of dietary iron intake should be considered in the prevention of non-fatal CVDs due to differences in dietary patterns among diverse populations.
The Impact of Caregiving History on Later-Life Self-Perceptions of Aging
Authors: Hu Rita Xiaochen , Larkina Marina , Smith Jacqui
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Theories suggest that self-perceptions of aging (SPA) reflect structural and cultural ageism together with an individual’s personal life experiences. We examine the impact of an individual’s history of informal caregiving on their SPA.

Methods

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, N = 8,372, age range 50–102 years), we investigated caregiving history as a determinant of later-life SPA. HRS participants provided reports of up to 5 episodes of caregiving, the life-course timing of each episode (start/end year), and their relationship with the care recipients. SPA was measured by the HRS Attitudes Toward Own Aging Scale. We conducted linear regressions to examine associations between specific caregiving histories and later-life SPA. Models included controls for current sociodemographic and health status.

Results

Individuals who were ever a caregiver reported more negative SPA than noncaregivers. Variations in the impact of histories of caregiving were also revealed. Specifically, compared to people who had cared for adult(s) only, HRS participants who cared for both a child with special needs and an adult reported more negative SPA later in life.

Discussion

The study provides insight into potential life-course precursors of SPA and highlights the importance of conceptualizing caregiving history as a complex life experience that might affect an individual’s SPA later in life.
Diagonal Dimension of Curves
Authors: Olander Noah
Published: July 2023

We prove Conjecture 4.16 of the paper [ 2] of Elagin and Lunts; namely, that a smooth projective curve of genus at least $1$ over a field has diagonal dimension $2$.
Overview and understanding of mental health and psychosocial support in Afghanistan
Authors: Schwartz Lyla , Lane Hannah , Hassanpoor Zainab
Published: July 2023

More than four decades of war in Afghanistan has been both a main driver for poor mental health, and a barrier to the development of crucial mental health services. A study conducted by BMC Psychiatry in 2021, across eight regions in Afghanistan, found staggering levels of depressive and anxiety disorders among the general population. Almost one-half of those interviewed (47.12%) reported having high levels of distress in the last month, and almost 40% (39.44%) reported experiencing impairment to their lives due to poor mental health. Yet, despite the common experiences of much of the population, mental health is a hugely stigmatized topic of discussion in Afghanistan, due to a myriad of cultural, religious, socioeconomic and environmental factors. And now, under the de-facto Taliban government, mental health has been deprioritized in the face of a crumbling economy and acute levels of poverty, all but forgotten. This paper sought to review the impact and change to mental health services under the de-facto government, and to provide the reader with greater awareness into the current situation in Afghanistan and equip them with insight into how to respond to the mental health needs of Afghans.
The genomic characterization of carbapenem-resistant Serratia marcescens at a tertiary hospital in South Africa
Authors: Overmeyer Amanda Julia , Prentice Elizabeth , Brink Adrian , Lennard Katie , Moodley Clinton
Published: July 2023

Background

Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen, and recent reports have highlighted the rapid increase in multidrug resistance in this organism. There is a paucity in genomic data for carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens (CRSM).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study describing laboratory-confirmed CRSM from a tertiary academic hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, for the period 2015–20, was performed. Stored CRSM and contemporary isolates were submitted for WGS using Illumina MiSeq, with the Nextera DNA Flex Library Preparation Kit. Sequence data were analysed in-house using srst2 and Tychus, and CRSM and contemporary isolates were compared.

Results

Twenty-one CRSM and four contemporary isolates were sequenced and analysed. Twenty-four different resistance genes were identified, with all isolates having at least two resistance genes, and seventeen isolates harbouring three or more genes. This correlated well with phenotypic results. The blaOXA-48-like carbapenemase was the most common carbapenemase identified, in 86% (18/21) of CRSM. A core SNP difference tree indicated that the CRSM could be grouped into three clusters. Eleven isolates had shared plasmids. Several genes and SNPs were identified in the CRSM, which may putatively augment virulence, but this requires further functional characterization.

Conclusions

A diverse resistome was observed in CRSM, which was also reflected phenotypically, with blaOXA-48-like the most commonly carbapenemase. Though distinct clusters were observed, no clonality was noted, and a limited number of isolates shared plasmids. This study provides genomic data for emerging CRSM and highlights the importance of ongoing genomic surveillance to inform infection prevention control and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.